JP4992852B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that can be heated by configuring a heat pump cycle using a refrigerant and supplying humidified water by supplying condensed water generated in an outdoor heat exchanger to the room.

Conventionally, many inventions have been devised for this type of air conditioner.
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of an air conditioner equipped with a conventional air conditioner humidifier described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the indoor unit 102 provided with the indoor heat exchanger 117 and the indoor blower 118, the outdoor unit 101 provided with the compressor 113, the four-way valve 115, the outdoor heat exchanger 111, the outdoor blower 112, and the expansion valve 114; Are connected, and the refrigerant is circulated in the direction of arrow 116 to constitute a heat pump cycle, and the room 103 is heated. When the four-way valve 115 is switched, the direction in which the refrigerant flows is opposite to that of the arrow 116, and cooling can be performed.

  In order to humidify the indoor 103, the outdoor unit 101 is provided with an outdoor drain receiver 121 for storing condensed water generated in the outdoor heat exchanger 111 and a pump 122, and the indoor unit 102 is non-porous. A humidifying unit 123 using a moisture permeable membrane is provided. Further, an indoor drain valve 127 is provided at the end of the humidifying unit 123, and an indoor drain drain 128 is connected thereto. Further, the humidifying unit 123 and peripheral fixing members, tubes, and the like are subjected to antifouling treatment.

When humidification is performed, water in the outdoor drain receiver 121 is sent to the humidifying unit 123 in the direction of the arrow 134 by the pump 122 through the pipe 124, evaporates in the humidifying unit 123, and is blown by the indoor blower 118. To diffuse into the room 103. At this time, the non-porous moisture permeable membrane allows only water molecules to pass therethrough, and the remaining impurities accumulate without being evaporated in the humidifying unit 123. Therefore, the indoor drain valve according to the accumulated operation time of the air conditioner 127 is opened and the impurities are discharged by draining water to the drain pan 126. The water containing impurities discharged to the drain pan 126 is drained from the drain hose 129 to the outside of the room.
Japanese Patent No. 2919711

  In the air conditioner equipped with the humidifier, the impurities accumulated in the humidification unit are discharged by draining the water in the humidification unit. Since the humidification unit and the surrounding members are subjected to anti-fungal treatment, they are devised so that no moths or bacteria propagate on the members themselves.

  However, in the above conventional air conditioner, water remains in the humidifying unit and piping during the rest, and small amounts of organic matter dissolved or accumulated in the water are used as nutrients, so that sputum, fungi, bacteria, etc. There is a problem of breeding on the deposited organic matter and causing clogging.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner including a highly reliable humidifying device that suppresses the propagation of bacteria, bacteria, and bacteria in a humidifying system.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, an air conditioner having a humidifying function of the present invention includes a humidifying unit that humidifies indoor air in an indoor unit, and a conveying unit that sends humidifying water to the outdoor unit to the humidifying unit. And a water supply means for supplying water for humidification to the conveying means to constitute a humidification system, and further, a drainage means for discharging the water in the humidification system is provided in at least one of the indoor unit or the outdoor unit, and the humidification is completed. Sometimes the water stored in the humidification system is discharged using drainage means and transport means.

  As a result, propagation of moths, fungi, and bacteria in the humidified system can be suppressed, and clogging and the like can be prevented.

  The air conditioner of the present invention discharges all the water in the humidification system using the drainage means and the transport means at the end of humidification, and suppresses the growth of soot, fungi, and bacteria in the humidification system, thereby preventing clogging and the like. Trouble can be prevented and humidification with high reliability can be realized.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a humidifier that humidifies indoor air in an indoor unit, a conveyor that sends humidifying water to the humidifier in the outdoor unit, and a water supply that supplies the humidifier to the conveyor A humidifying system is provided, and at least one of the indoor unit or the outdoor unit is provided with a draining unit that discharges water in the humidifying system, and the draining unit and the transport unit are used when the humidification is finished. The water accumulated in the humidifying system is discharged.

  As a result, propagation of soot, fungi, and bacteria in the humidification system can be suppressed, and troubles such as clogging can be prevented and a highly reliable air conditioner can be provided.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the drainage means is disposed in an intermediate path between the humidification part drainage means provided to discharge the water accumulated in the humidification means and the water supply means to the humidification means. It is comprised with the drainage means in the intermediate path | route provided in the outdoor unit so that the accumulated water may be discharged | emitted.

  As a result, drainage can be performed from both the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and drainage can be easily performed even in various installation states. The reliability meets the market needs where various installation states exist. A high air conditioner can be provided.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the second aspect of the invention, when the water is discharged, control is performed so that the conveying means performs the same operation as sending water to the humidifying means.

As a result, when the outdoor unit is installed at a position higher than the indoor unit, it is possible to exert a high drainage assisting capability, and air suitable for the case where the outdoor unit is installed at a position higher than the indoor unit. A harmony machine can be provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the second aspect of the invention, when the water is discharged, control is performed so that the conveying means performs the same operation as that of sending water to the drainage means in the intermediate path.

  As a result, when the outdoor unit is installed at a position lower than the indoor unit, high drainage assist capability can be exhibited, and air suitable for the case where the outdoor unit is installed at a position lower than the indoor unit. A harmony machine can be provided.

According to a fifth invention, in the first and second inventions, the inner diameter of the pipe from the conveying means to the humidifying means is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

  As a result, the water in the pipe can be drained without clogging the path, or drained without generating residual water in the bent part or trapped part, such as algae and fungi in the humidification system It is possible to provide a hygienic and highly reliable air conditioner.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, an air conditioner includes an indoor unit 102 including an indoor heat exchanger 117 that is an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan 118 that is an indoor fan, a compressor 113, a four-way valve 115, and an outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchanger 111, the outdoor blower 112 as an outdoor blower, and the outdoor unit 101 provided with an expansion valve 114 as a throttle means constitute a refrigeration or heat pump cycle. The refrigerant cycle in FIG. 1 is a heat pump cycle and shows a heating state. The refrigerant flows in the direction of the arrow 116, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 113 passes through the four-way valve 114 and condenses in the indoor heat exchanger 117, thereby heating the room 103. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 117 is decompressed and expanded by the expansion valve 114, vaporized by the outdoor heat exchanger 111, returns to the compressor 113 through the four-way valve 115.

  At the time of defrosting operation or cooling operation, the four-way valve 115 is switched, and the refrigerant is flowed from the four-way valve 115 to the four-way valve 115 through the outdoor heat exchanger 111 and the indoor heat exchanger 117 in order. In the case of a dedicated heating machine or the like, the four-way valve 115 is not always necessary.

  On the other hand, as a humidifying system for humidifying indoor air, the indoor unit 102 is provided with a humidifying unit 123 that is a humidifying means, and the humidifying unit 123 is an indoor drain that is a humidifying part draining means for draining. A valve 127 and an indoor drainage drain 128 are attached. The humidifying unit 123 is configured using a moisture-permeable film, and only water vapor is released.

  The outdoor unit 101 is provided with an outdoor drain receiver 121 that is a water supply means and a transport pump 133 that is a transport means. An outdoor drain valve 131 and an outdoor drainage drain 132, which are drain means in the intermediate path, are attached to the pipe 124 between the outdoor drain receiver 121 and the transport pump 133.

  During the heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 111 serves as an evaporator, which absorbs heat from outdoor air and evaporates the refrigerant. As a result, when outdoor air passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 111, dew condensation occurs in the outdoor heat exchanger 111 when the temperature is equal to or lower than the dew point.

  However, it may be difficult to obtain condensation depending on conditions. It is possible to control the operation of the outdoor blower 112 and the compressor 113 to intentionally condense and obtain condensed water, but the energy efficiency deteriorates. Therefore, if condensed water is obtained, it is good to accumulate | store in the outdoor drain receptacle 121 etc. as much as possible.

In this embodiment, this condensed water is used as humidifying water, and the condensed water is appropriately sent into the room as indicated by an arrow 134 by the transport pump 133 during humidification. During the humidification, the water vapor evaporates from the humidification unit 123 and rides on the air blow 119 of the indoor blower 118 to humidify the room 103. When the humidification is temporarily stopped by reaching the target humidity, the operation of the transport pump 133 is stopped, the wind passing through the humidification unit 123 is blocked, or the evaporation portion is sealed. Although it is possible to drain the water from the humidification system, the condensed water is lost wastefully. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid the temporary stop from the viewpoint of energy saving.

  After the humidification is completely stopped, if water remains inside the humidification system, organic matter dissolved in or accumulated in the water will be used as nutrients to propagate spiders, fungi, bacteria, and the like. If the anti-fouling treatment is applied, the components themselves constituting the humidifying system can be prevented from breeding moths, fungi, bacteria, etc., but it is difficult to prevent them from breeding in water and sediment. In order to prevent this, it is effective to discharge water necessary for the propagation of moths, fungi, bacteria, etc. from the inside of the apparatus.

  Therefore, in the configuration of the air conditioner of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, when the humidification operation is finished, both the indoor drain valve 127 and the outdoor drain valve 131 are opened, and the indoor drainage drain 128 and the outdoor drainage drain 132 are connected to the inside of the humidifying system. As much water as possible. The water discharged from the indoor drainage drain 128 is once received by the drain pan 126 for receiving the dew condensation water originally generated in the indoor heat exchanger 117 during the cooling operation, discharged to the outdoor through the drain hose 129, and from the outdoor drainage drain 132. Directly discharged outside the machine.

  When discharging the water, not only simply opening the indoor drain valve 127 and the outdoor drain valve 131 but also opening the drain valve and then operating the transport pump 133 causes the water in the humidification system to be pressurized with air. It is possible to reliably drain water by obtaining the effect of suction or suction. This effect can be remarkably achieved when the outdoor drain valve 131 and the outdoor drain drain 132 are disposed between the outdoor drain receiver 121 and the transport pump 133.

  When attention is paid to the height direction as the installation state of the separation-type air conditioner having the outdoor unit 101 and the indoor unit 102, the case where the outdoor unit 101 is above and below the indoor unit 102 can be distinguished. it can.

  When the outdoor unit 101 is above the indoor unit 102, the humidifying water that has exited the outdoor unit 101 goes down toward the indoor unit 102. Therefore, it is easier to drain the water between the transport pump 133 and the humidifying unit 123 from the indoor drain valve 127 and the indoor drain drain 128. Therefore, when the outdoor unit 101 is above the indoor unit 102, when draining, the transport pump 133 is controlled to perform the same operation as sending water to the humidification unit during humidification.

  Specifically, first, when the indoor drain valve 127 and the outdoor drain valve 131 are opened, the water in the outdoor drain receiver 121 is discharged from the outdoor drain drain 132. Then, when the transfer pump 133 is operated, the water ahead of the transfer pump 133 is sucked from the outdoor drain receiver 121 and the outdoor drainage drain 132 and pushed by the air pressurized by the transfer pump 133, and the indoor drain valve 127 and Drained from the indoor drainage drain 128.

  Conversely, when the outdoor unit 101 is below the indoor unit 102, the humidifying water that has exited the outdoor unit 101 rises toward the indoor unit 102. Therefore, it is easier to drain the water between the transport pump 133 and the humidifying unit 123 from the outdoor drain valve 131 and the outdoor drain drain 132. Therefore, when the outdoor unit 101 is below the indoor unit 102, the water can be reliably drained by performing an operation such as returning water from the humidifying unit 123, contrary to humidification.

  However, in order to perform this operation, a configuration capable of reversing the flow of the transport pump is required, such as using a pump capable of reverse operation such as a gear pump as the transport pump or using a switching valve.

  Specifically, when the indoor drain valve 127 and the outdoor drain valve 131 are opened, the outdoor drain receiver 121 is discharged from the outdoor drain drain 132. When the transport pump 133 is operated in reverse, the water in the humidifying unit 123 is sucked from the transport pump 133 and drained from the outdoor drain valve 131 and the outdoor drain drain 132. At this time, air is sucked from the indoor drain valve 127 and the indoor drain drain 128.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the path | route inside the piping 125 or the humidification unit 123 is comprised by piping or a flow path shape that an internal diameter becomes a flow path area of 8 mm or less or the equivalent or less. When draining the water accumulated in the humidification system at the end of humidification, if the inner diameter of the pipe or the cross-sectional area of the pipe is large, the bent part of the pipe, the trap-shaped part, the lower end, etc. including local cases In this case, water may be left inside. In particular, in the case of an installation configuration in which the indoor unit 102 is lower in the height direction than the outdoor unit 101, water tends to be left inside.

  However, when the inner diameter of the pipe and the cross-sectional area of the flow path are reduced, the amount of water left behind is reduced by the fact that the flow path cross-sectional area itself is reduced, and when it is further reduced, the inside of the pipe is blocked by the surface tension of the water. Therefore, almost everything can be discharged by sending air. In other words, in the present invention, the pipe 125 and the pipe inside the humidifying unit 123 are formed in a pipe or channel shape having a channel area with an inner diameter of 8 mm or less or equivalent or less, so that water in the channel remains. Can be discharged. The optimum value of the inner diameter is approximately 8 mm. However, depending on the installation state and the capacity of the pump, the inner diameter corresponding to 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less can almost surely discharge the water in the flow path.

  Here, it is desirable that the diameter of the pipe 125 from the outdoor drain receiver 121 to the transport pump 133 is not so small. This is because, if the diameter is small, it takes time to drain the outdoor drain receiver 121, and the pressure loss when water is transported for humidification will increase unnecessarily.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, humidification is performed using the drainage means composed of the indoor drainage valve 127 and the indoor drainage drain 128, the outdoor drainage valve 131 and the outdoor drainage drain 132, and the transport pump 133 as the transporting means. Since all the water in the system is drained, it is possible to prevent the propagation of drought, fungi, bacteria, etc., and to provide a highly reliable air conditioner free from clogging.

  At this time, a drain valve is not necessarily required. If there is at least one, the transport pump 133 sucks and discharges water in the humidification system, or the transport pump continues to operate with the drain valve open, If it is transported and water is discharged, the purpose of drainage can be achieved.

  However, as described above, if the drain valve is provided in both the indoor unit and the outdoor unit as in the present embodiment, drainage is easy and reliable. Furthermore, the indoor drain valve 127 and the indoor drainage drain 128 are disposed at the lowermost part of the humidifying unit 123, and the outdoor drainage valve 131 and the outdoor drainage drain 132 are disposed between the outdoor drain receiver 121 and the transport pump 133. The effect can be remarkably achieved.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the operation | movement of the conveyance pump 133 at the time of waste_water | drain is the operation | movement similar to sending water to the humidification unit 123 at the time of humidification when the outdoor unit 101 is up, Contrary to the humidification, if the water is returned from the humidification unit 123, reliable drainage can be performed.

Moreover, in this Embodiment, the flow path inside the piping 125 or the humidification unit 123 is comprised by the piping or flow path shape which becomes a flow path area whose internal diameter is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less, or equivalent. Therefore, the amount of water left behind is reduced by reducing the internal diameter of the pipe and the cross-sectional area of the flow path, and the water collects in a shape that closes the inside of the pipe with the surface tension. can do.

  As described above, the air conditioner according to the present invention has a humidifying function for bringing moisture from outside, and can realize a hygienic and highly reliable humidifying function, such as an air conditioner and a ventilator. It can be widely applied to all air conditioners that perform humidification without water supply.

The block diagram of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention Configuration diagram of humidifier of conventional air conditioner

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Outdoor unit 102 Indoor unit 103 Indoor 111 Outdoor heat exchanger 112 Outdoor blower 113 Compressor 114 Expansion valve 115 Four-way valve 117 Indoor heat exchanger 118 Indoor blower 121 Outdoor drain receiving 123 Humidification unit 126 Drain pan 127 Indoor drainage drain 128 Indoor drainage drain 129 Drain hose 131 Outdoor drain valve 132 Outdoor drain drain 133 Conveyance pump

Claims (5)

An indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanging means for exchanging heat between indoor air and the refrigerant and an indoor air blowing means for sending the indoor air to the indoor heat exchanging means, and an outdoor unit for exchanging heat between the outdoor air and the refrigerant A heat exchanging means, an outdoor air blowing means for sending outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanging means, a compressor for sucking and compressing the refrigerant, and a throttle means for adjusting the flow resistance of the refrigerant to decompress and expand the high-pressure refrigerant. And an outdoor unit having a heat pump cycle connected to the outdoor unit, wherein a humidifying unit that releases water vapor to the indoor unit to humidify the indoor air; and A humidifying system is provided, comprising a conveying means for sending water to the humidifying means, and a water supply means for supplying humidifying water to the conveying means, and further, at least one of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit includes the humidifying system. Inside Comprising a drainage means for discharging, after starting the operation of the drainage means during the humidifying termination, from said water supply means also operates the conveying means, accumulated in the humidification system to the humidification unit via the transport means An air conditioner that discharges all water. The drainage means is provided in the outdoor unit so as to discharge the water accumulated in the intermediate path between the humidification section drainage means provided to discharge the water accumulated in the humidification means and the water supply means to the humidification means. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is constituted by a drain means in the intermediate path. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein when the water is discharged, the air conditioner is controlled so as to perform an operation similar to that when the conveying unit sends water to the humidifying unit. The water supply means, the intermediate path drain means, the transport means, and the humidification means are arranged in this order, and when the water is discharged, the transport means sends the water to the intermediate path drain means. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the air conditioner is controlled to perform. The water supply means, the drainage means in the intermediate path, the transport means, and the humidification means are arranged in this order, and the inner diameter of the pipe from the transport means to the humidification means is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The air conditioner as described in any one of Claim 1 or Claim 2 .

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