JP5842869B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that performs dehumidification using latent heat of vaporization of a refrigerant.

  In the air conditioner (electric dehumidifier) described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-97824), the user can remove the filter from the main body and clean it, but when the filter is removed, the evaporator is exposed. Therefore, there is a concern that the user may easily touch the sharp fins.

  Therefore, the arrangement of a protective grill to cover the evaporator is considered in order to prevent the user from inadvertently accessing a part having a sharp fin such as an evaporator.

  However, since it is necessary to remove the entire protective grill during the maintenance of the evaporator, this deteriorates the maintainability.

  The subject of this invention is providing the air conditioner which does not reduce the maintainability of an evaporator, even if it provides the protection grille which covers an evaporator.

  An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner that dehumidifies using the latent heat of vaporization of a refrigerant in an evaporator, and includes a protective grill. The protective grill is arranged upstream of the evaporator in the air flow passing through the evaporator. The protective grill has an opening and a second protective grill. The opening exposes a predetermined portion of the upstream surface of the evaporator. The second protective grill covers the opening and is detachable.

  In this air conditioner, the user or service person can access the evaporator without removing the protective grille by removing the second protective grille from the protective grille. Therefore, cleaning and maintenance work of the evaporator is facilitated.

  The air conditioner which concerns on the 2nd viewpoint of this invention is an air conditioner which concerns on a 1st viewpoint, Comprising: An opening part exposes 70% or more of the upstream surface of an evaporator. Therefore, at least the evaporator can be easily cleaned.

  An air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect or the second aspect, and the second protective grill is provided with reinforcing ribs.

  In this air conditioner, since the strength against the stress acting on the second protective grill when being attached to and detached from the protective grill increases, the second protective grill is prevented from being damaged.

  An air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the third aspect, wherein the reinforcing rib is provided on the upstream side of the second protective grill, and is used as a handle when the second protective grill is attached or detached. It is also used. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate handle, which saves material.

  An air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the third aspect, wherein the reinforcing rib is provided on the downstream side of the second protective grill, and the gap between the second protective grill and the evaporator. It is also used as an interposition member for ensuring the above. Therefore, there is no need to provide an intervening member separately, which saves material.

  An air conditioner according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a condenser disposed on the downstream side of the evaporator. . The size of the upstream surface of the evaporator is smaller than the upstream surface of the condenser.

  In this air conditioner, the protective grill can prevent the user from inadvertently accessing the condenser located downstream of the evaporator.

  In the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, the user or service person can access the evaporator without removing the protective grill by removing the second protective grill from the protective grill. Maintenance work becomes easy.

  In the air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention, at least the evaporator can be easily cleaned.

  In the air conditioner according to the third aspect of the present invention, the strength against the stress acting on the second protection grille when being attached / detached from the protection grille is increased, so that the breakage of the second protection grille is prevented.

  In the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is no need to provide a separate handle, and the material is saved.

  In the air conditioner according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is no need to provide an intervening member separately, which is a material saving.

  In the air conditioner according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the protective grill can prevent the user from inadvertently accessing the condenser located downstream of the evaporator.

1 is an external perspective view of an air conditioner 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the said air conditioner 100 when the air conditioner 100 of FIG. 1 is cut | disconnected by an II plane. The disassembled perspective view of the air conditioner 100. FIG. The perspective view which shows the air passage of air typically. The piping system figure of the refrigerant cycle unit 60. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation panel 20. The top view of the liquid crystal display part 207 at the time of a dehumidification driving | operation. The top view of the liquid crystal display part 207 at the time of clothing drying driving | operation. The perspective view of the air conditioner 100 from which the front panel 11 and the filter unit 35 were removed. The front view of the front frame 41. FIG. The front view of the 2nd protection grille 392. FIG. The side view of the 2nd protection grille 392. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) Outline of Air Conditioner 100 For convenience of explanation, terms representing each direction such as up, down, left, right, front (front), and back (rear) are used. Each of these directions means the direction shown in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of an air conditioner 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 100 is a device of a type installed on the floor of the target space in the state shown in FIG. The air conditioner 100 takes in the air in the target space from the side, harmonizes the inside, and supplies the conditioned air from above to the target space.

  The air conditioner 100 has a plurality of functions including a dehumidifying function for dehumidifying the air in the target space, a humidifying function for humidifying the air in the target space, and an air cleaning function for purifying the air in the target space. . That is, it can be said that the air conditioner 100 is a device that prepares air in the target space from not only the humidity side but also the purification side.

  Furthermore, the air conditioner 100 can be operated by individually selecting or combining a plurality of these functions. For example, when the dehumidifying function and the air purifying function are selected, the air conditioner 100 first takes in the air in the target space to remove dust and the like, then dehumidifies the air, and then further targets the air again. Operate to discharge into space. In addition, for example, when the humidification function and the air purification function are selected, the air conditioner 100 first takes in the air in the target space to remove dust, and then humidifies the air. Operate to discharge into the target space.

(2) Configuration of Air Conditioner 100 FIG. 2 shows the air conditioner 100 when the air conditioner 100 of FIG. 1 is cut along the II plane.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the air conditioner 100, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an air passage of air. In FIG. 3, the side wall panel 12 (see FIG. 1) is omitted to simplify the drawing as much as possible. 1 and 3, the air conditioner 100 includes a casing 10, an operation panel 20, and a main body 30.

(2-1) Casing 10
The casing 10 forms an outline of the air conditioner 100 and has a box shape. The casing 10 is configured by a combination of a plurality of casing members.

  The plurality of casing members include a front panel 11, a side wall panel 12, a rear panel 13, a bottom frame 14, and an outlet vane 15, all of which are formed of synthetic resin.

(2-1-1) Front panel 11
The front panel 11 is a plate extending in the vertical direction and substantially covers the front side of the main body 30.

(2-1-2) Side wall panel 12
The side wall panel 12 is a plate member that extends in the vertical direction, and constitutes the right side surface of the air conditioner 100 (more specifically, the side surface that is the right side of the air conditioner 100 when viewed from the front panel 11 side). To do. The side wall panel 12 is partially formed with a right inlet 12a, but substantially covers the right side of the main body 30 except for the vicinity of the inlet 12a.

  The right suction port 12a is elongated in the vertical direction at a portion of the side wall panel 12 close to the front panel 11. Air in the target space is sucked into the casing 10 from the right suction port 12a.

(2-1-3) Rear panel 13
The rear panel 13 is a plate member extending in the vertical direction while maintaining an L shape in plan view. The rear panel 13 constitutes the left side surface and the back surface of the air conditioner 100 (more specifically, the side surface and the rear surface on the left side of the air conditioner 100 when viewed from the front panel 11). A left suction port 13a is formed in a part of the rear panel 13 at a position facing the right suction port 12a across the front panel 11. That is, the left suction port 13a is elongated in the vertical direction, that is, in the vertical direction, in a portion of the rear panel 13 that becomes the left side surface of the air conditioner 100 and a portion close to the front panel 11. The rear panel 13 substantially covers the left side and the rear side of the main body 30 except for the vicinity of the left suction port 13a. Air in the target space is sucked into the casing 10 from the left suction port 13a.

(2-1-4) Bottom frame 14
The bottom frame 14 is a bottom portion of the casing 10 and has a rectangular shape elongated in the left-right direction in plan view. Each side of the bottom frame 14 is in contact with the lower ends of the front panel 11, the side wall panel 12, and the rear panel 13.

(2-1-5) Outlet blade 15
The air outlet blade 15 is a plate-like member provided on the back surface side above the main body portion 30. The air outlet blade 15 is in contact with a part on the back side of the upper end of the side wall panel 12, a part of a part on the left side of the upper end of the rear panel 13, and a part on the back side. The upper surface portion located on the back side is formed. Therefore, the outlet blade 15 is not in contact with the upper end of the front panel 11.

  The outlet blade 15 is rotatably attached to the rear panel 13 by a drive unit (not shown). When the air conditioner 100 stops operating, the air outlet blade 15 takes an open posture, and the air outlet blade 15 is a part of the main body 30 above the main body 30 via the air outlet 15a. To expose. Conversely, when the air conditioner 100 is operating, the air outlet blade 15 takes a closed posture. In this case, the air outlet 15 a is closed, and the upper portion of the main body 30 is covered with the air outlet blade 15.

  From the air outlet 15a that is not covered by the air outlet blades 15, the air that has been adjusted by the air conditioner 100 is supplied from the casing 10 to the target space. That is, the air outlet 15 a is formed on a part of the upper surface of the casing 10. In addition, the direction of the air blown from the blower outlet 15a is changed according to the angle which the blower outlet blade | wing 15 can take.

(2-2) Operation panel 20
The operation panel 20 is positioned on the front panel 11 side above the main body 30 and covers a portion of the upper portion of the main body 30 that is not covered by the outlet blade 15. That is, the operation panel 20 constitutes the upper surface of the casing 10 together with the air outlet blade 15.

  The operation panel 20 includes a button for turning on and off the operation of the air conditioner 100, a button for selecting at least one of a dehumidifying function, a humidifying function, and an air cleaning function of the air conditioner 100, and a current function. An LED or the like indicating the type of operation being performed is included.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 20 is configured by stacking a printed circuit board 21, an operation panel cover 22, and an operation display lid 23 in order. Various components on the operation panel 20 and electrical components for operating the LEDs are mounted on the printed circuit board 21.

  The operation panel cover 22 forms the appearance of the operation panel. The operation display lid 23 protects the operation panel cover 22.

(2-3) Main body 30
The main body 30 is an assembly of various components necessary for the air conditioner 100 to realize a dehumidifying function and the like, and is an aggregate of various components housed in the casing 10.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 30 includes a discharge unit 31, a filter unit 35, various frame members 41, 42, 43, a streamer discharge unit 45, a sirocco fan 50, a refrigeration cycle unit 60, a humidification unit 70, a dehumidification tank. A unit 80 is included.

(2-3-1) Discharge unit 31
The discharge unit 31 includes a right discharge unit 31a and a left discharge unit 31b. Each of these units 31a and 31b has a vertically long cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction.

  The right discharge unit 31a is disposed in the vicinity of the right suction port 12a, and the left discharge unit 31b is disposed in the vicinity of the left suction port 13a. Therefore, air taken into the casing 10 from the right suction port 12a passes through the right discharge unit 31a, and air taken into the casing 10 from the left suction port 13a passes through the left discharge unit 31b.

  Each of the right discharge unit 31a and the left discharge unit 31b has a tungsten ionization wire as a positive electrode and a stainless metal plate-like electrode as a negative electrode. When a relatively high voltage is applied to the ionization wire that is the positive electrode, a potential difference is generated between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and corona discharge occurs. By this discharge, dust in the air passing through the units 31a and 31b is charged.

(2-3-2) Filter unit 35
The filter unit 35 is for purifying the air taken into the casing 10 from the suction ports 12a and 13a, and is disposed in the vicinity of the suction ports 12a and 13a. In particular, the filter unit 35 is located on the most upstream side in the flow direction of the air flow AF (see FIG. 4) as compared to other components through which air passes.

  The filter unit 35 is configured such that a prefilter 36, a dust collection filter 37, and a deodorizing filter 38 are stacked one by one in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction of the air flow AF.

  The pre-filter 36 is a filter through which air first passes among the various filters 36 to 38 constituting the filter unit 35. First, large dust is removed from the air taken into the casing 10 by the prefilter 36.

  The dust collection filter 37 is a filter having higher dust collection performance than the pre-filter 36. The dust collection filter 37 removes fine dust or the like contained in the air from which large dust has been removed, which are charged when passing through the discharge unit 31. In principle, fine dust in the air that has passed through the pre-filter 36 is adsorbed by charging the dust collection filter 37 to a pole opposite to the pole charged with dust.

  The deodorizing filter 38 is made of, for example, activated carbon, and passes air after fine dust is removed. The deodorizing filter 38 decomposes or adsorbs formaldehyde, odorous components and the like contained in the air.

(2-3-3) Frame members 41, 42, 43
The frame members 41, 42, and 43 are for supporting other components of the main body 30, and are all made of synthetic resin. Examples of the frame members 41, 42 and 43 include a front frame 41, a center frame 42 and a rear frame 43.

  The front frame 41 supports the filter unit 35 on the front panel 11 side, and supports the streamer discharge unit 45 on the upper part. As shown in FIG. 4, the front frame 41 is provided with two vertical air passage members 41a and 41b.

  The vertical wind passage members 41a and 41b are hollow members, are separated from each other, and extend elongated along the vertical direction. One vertical wind passage member 41a is located along the right suction port 12a on the side close to the right suction port 12a. The other vertical air passage member 41b is located on the side close to the left suction port 13a so as to be along the left suction port 13a.

  Air flows through the vertical wind passage members 41a and 41b. Each vertical wind passage member 41a, 41b has a plurality of discharge ports 41c, 41d arranged in the vertical direction, and passes through the vertical wind passage members 41a, 41b from the discharge ports 41c, 41d. Air is released.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the central frame 42 is provided on the rear side of the front frame 41. The center frame 42 supports the refrigeration cycle unit 60 on the front frame 41 side. The refrigeration cycle unit 60 is disposed between the central frame 42 and the front frame 41.

  Further, the central frame 42 supports the humidifying unit 70 on the rear panel 13 side that is the back side thereof. Further, the central frame 42 supports a dehumidifying tank unit 80 that stores water condensed during the dehumidifying operation on the back side and the lower side thereof.

  The rear frame 43 is provided on the rear side of the central frame 42. The humidifying unit 70 and the dehumidifying tank unit 80 are disposed between the center frame 42 and the rear frame 43. The rear frame 43 supports the electrical component box 85 at the upper part thereof.

  The electrical component box 85 houses a control unit 90 that controls various components of the air conditioner 100. The rear frame 43 supports the sirocco fan 50 on the back side thereof, and a bell mouth 43a having a bell mouth shape is provided at the center of the rear frame 43. The air that has flowed into the casing 10 through the suction ports 12a and 13a flows into the sirocco fan 50 by the bell mouth 43a.

(2-3-4) Streamer discharge unit 45
The streamer discharge unit 45 includes a discharge streamer body 45a and a discharge streamer guide 45b.

  The discharge streamer body 45a has a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The positive electrode is a needle-like electrode made of tungsten. The negative electrode is a plate-like electrode located in the vicinity of the positive electrode and facing the positive electrode. When a high voltage is applied to the needle-like electrode, streamer discharge, which is a kind of plasma discharge, is generated, and active species having high oxidative decomposition power are generated.

  The discharge streamer guide 45b guides the active species generated in the discharge streamer body 45a to the vertical wind passage members 41a and 41b in the front frame 41 together with air, as shown in FIG.

  The air containing the active species that has flowed into the vertical air passage members 41a and 41b is discharged from the discharge ports 41c and 41d to the outside of the front frame 41, and sequentially passes through the dust collection filter 37 and the deodorization filter 38 of the filter unit 35. At this time, the active species contained in the air decomposes and purifies dust, bacteria, and the like adsorbed on the dust collection filter 37.

(2-3-5) Sirocco fan 50
The sirocco fan 50 is for generating inside the casing 10 one air flow path that flows into the casing 10 through the suction ports 12a, 13a and flows out of the casing 10 through the outlet 15a. Only one unit is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the sirocco fan 50 includes a fan rotor 51, a scroll casing 53, and a fan motor 55.

  The fan rotor 51 is connected to the output shaft of the fan motor 55 disposed on the rear side. When the fan motor 55 is driven, the drive of the fan motor 55 is transmitted to the fan rotor 51 via the output shaft, and the fan rotor 51 is driven to rotate. The driving fan rotor 51 sucks air from the front end side (that is, the front side) of the output shaft and blows it out in the radial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the air that has passed through the filter unit 35 (dotted arrow) passes through the evaporator 64 and the condenser 62 and is sucked into the fan rotor 51. Since it is located on the upstream side and its height is lower than that of the condenser 62, air that cannot pass through the evaporator 64 even when the air volume increases is sucked into the fan rotor 51 by bypassing the evaporator 64. Therefore, an increase in noise is suppressed.

  The scroll casing 53 is a synthetic resin casing member having a scroll bending portion in which the fan rotor 51 is accommodated. The scroll casing 53 is fixed to the rear portion of the rear frame 43.

  The fan motor 55 can change its rotational speed stepwise. The rotational speed of the fan motor 55 is switched to the maximum output in the maximum air volume mode, and conversely to the minimum output in the minimum air volume mode.

  On the front side of the scroll casing 53, an opening that is substantially the same as the size of the fan rotor 51 is formed when viewed from the front direction, and the opening functions as the suction port 50a of the sirocco fan 50.

  Further, an opening is formed in the upper portion of the scroll casing 53, and the opening functions as an outlet 50 b of the sirocco fan 50. The discharge port 50b is connected to the air outlet 15a, and when the air outlet 15a of the casing 10 is exposed, the discharge port 50b is also exposed.

  A scroll channel and a discharge channel through which air flows are formed inside the scroll casing 53. The scroll flow path is formed outside the outer peripheral surface of the fan rotor 51 in the scroll curved portion, and is formed so that the flow path area increases as the distance from the tongue portion increases. The discharge channel communicates with the scroll channel and extends to the discharge port 50b. The air guided to the discharge channel is discharged from the discharge port 50b.

(2-3-6) Refrigeration cycle unit 60
FIG. 5 is a piping system diagram of the refrigerant cycle unit 60. The refrigeration cycle unit 60 includes a compressor 61, a condenser 62, and an evaporator 64. The compressor 61, the condenser 62, and the evaporator 64 are connected by refrigerant piping, and the refrigerant circuit 60a shown in FIG. 5 is configured.

  The refrigeration cycle unit 60 mainly functions when the air conditioner 100 performs a dehumidifying operation. The refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 60a. Examples of the type of refrigerant include R134a and CO2.

  When the compressor 61 sucks the low-pressure gas refrigerant, the compressor 61 compresses the refrigerant to form a high-pressure gas refrigerant and discharges it. The compressor 61 is a compressor with a variable capacity.

  The condenser 62 includes a plurality of fins and a plurality of heat transfer tubes inserted into the fins, and condenses and liquefies the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 61. Thereby, the air that has passed through the condenser 62 is heated by being given heat from the refrigerant. The refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 62 is decompressed in the capillary tube 63.

  The evaporator 64 is composed of a plurality of fins and a plurality of heat transfer tubes inserted into the fins, and evaporates the liquid refrigerant that has been decompressed by the capillary tube 63. Thereby, since the air that has passed through the evaporator 64 is absorbed by the refrigerant, the air itself is cooled, and the moisture contained in the air is condensed. That is, when the air conditioner 100 performs the dehumidifying operation, the evaporator 64 cools the air below the dew point temperature and dehumidifies it.

  When the air passes through the evaporator 64, at least a part of the moisture contained in the air is condensed to become water. This water is led to the dehumidifying tank unit 80 as drain water.

  The liquid refrigerant is removed by the accumulator 65 from the refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 64. The refrigerant that has become only the gas refrigerant is again sucked into the compressor 61, compressed by the compressor 61, and discharged.

(2-3-7) Humidification unit 70
The humidifying unit 70 mainly functions when the air conditioner 100 performs a humidifying operation. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the humidification unit 70 includes a humidification rotor 71, a storage portion 72, and a water tank 73.

  The humidifying rotor 71 is for temporarily holding water during the humidifying operation and for imparting the water to the air on the air flow path. The humidification rotor 71 has, for example, a structure in which a vaporization filter is attached to a ring frame. During the humidification operation, humidification is performed by water vaporizing from the vaporization filter.

  The humidification rotor 71 rotates using a humidification rotor motor (not shown) as a drive source. As the humidification rotor 71 rotates, water is taken up by the handle-like parts attached to the ring-shaped frame and supplied to the dry vaporization filter as it rotates. By the further rotation of the humidification rotor 71, the water in the part is vaporized and included in the air.

  The reservoir 72 is supplied with water from the water tank 73 and stores the water. The water tank 73 is a tank for supplying water to the storage portion 72, and is fixed to the inner surface portion of the side wall panel 12.

(2-3-8) Dehumidification tank unit 80
As shown in FIG. 3, the dehumidification tank unit 80 includes a dehumidification tank 81 and a lid 83. The upper part of the dehumidifying tank 81 is open so that drain water generated by the evaporator 64 can be stored. The lid 83 is disposed so as to cover the upper portion of the dehumidification tank 81, and prevents drain water stored in the dehumidification tank 81 from leaking to the outside of the dehumidification tank unit 80.

  Note that an opening 83 a is provided in the vicinity of the center of the lid 83. Thereby, drain water is once collected on the cover part 83, and is introduce | transduced in the dehumidification tank 81 through the opening 83a.

(3) Operation of Air Conditioner In the casing 10, one air flow path is formed by one sirocco fan 50. In this air flow path, the air that has flowed into the casing 10 from the suction ports 12a and 13a is integrated in the vicinity of the front panel 11, and the integrated air passes through the casing 10 from the front panel 11 side to the rear panel 13 side. And flows out of the casing 10 through the air outlet 15a in the upper part of the casing 10.

  The filter unit 35, the evaporator 64, the condenser 62, the humidification rotor 71, and the sirocco fan 50 are sequentially arranged in the air flow path. When the sirocco fan 50 is driven, an air flow AF shown in FIG. 4 is generated. The air flow AF flows into the casing 10 through the suction ports 12a and 13a and passes through the filter unit 35, whereby dust, odor components, and the like are removed. The air flow AF that has passed through the filter unit 35 is then dehumidified by the refrigeration cycle unit 60 or humidified by the humidification unit 70, and then blown out of the casing 10 through the outlet 15a, and again in the target space. Returned to

  A part of the airflow AF passes through the streamer discharge unit 45 as a tributary BF without being blown out of the air conditioner 100. The tributary BF that has passed through the streamer discharge unit 45 flows into the vertical wind passage members 41a and 41b, and merges with the air flow AF that passes through the filter unit 35 via the discharge ports 41c and 41d.

(4) Relationship Between Operation Switching and Air Volume Switching FIG. 6 is a plan view of the operation panel 20. 7A is a plan view of the liquid crystal display unit 207 during the dehumidifying operation, and FIG. 7B is a plan view of the liquid crystal display unit 207 during the clothes drying operation.

  First, in FIG. 6, the operation panel 20 is provided with at least an operation on / off button 201, an operation switching button 203, an air volume setting button 205, and a liquid crystal display unit 207.

  The operation on / off button 201 is an operation button for supplying power to the air conditioner 100. When the operation on / off button 201 is pressed while the air conditioner 100 is stopped, power is supplied to the devices in the air conditioner 100. When the on / off button 201 is pressed while the air conditioner 100 is in operation, the power supply to the devices in the air conditioner 100 is cut off.

  The operation switching button 203 is an operation button for selecting an operation mode, and the operation is switched in the order of air cleaning operation → dehumidifying operation → clothing drying operation → humidifying operation each time it is pressed. Note that the dehumidifying operation, the clothes drying operation, and the humidifying operation all serve as the air cleaning operation.

  The air volume setting button 205 is an operation button for switching the air volume. The air conditioner 100 is preset with five levels of airflows having different sizes.

  The names of each stage are [turbo], [strong], [standard], [weak] and [sizuka] in order from the largest. In the air cleaning operation, every time the air volume setting button 205 is pressed, [ Switch in the order of [Turbo] → [High] → [Standard] → [Weak] → [Sizuka]. For convenience of explanation, the name “air volume tap” is used to mean any stage of air volume.

  In the dehumidifying operation, each time the air volume setting button 205 is pressed, the air volume tap is switched in the order of [strong] → [standard] → [weak].

  On the other hand, in the clothes drying operation, the function of the air volume setting button 205 does not work, and at the same time the clothes drying operation is selected by the operation switching button 203, the air volume tap is switched to [Turbo].

  The liquid crystal display unit 207 displays the selected operation mode in the upper part of the display screen, and displays the selected air volume tap in the lower part. In FIG. 6, air purification is displayed in the upper part of the display screen, and a triangle mark is displayed to the left of the air volume tap [standard] in the lower part. Therefore, the operating mode in operation is air purification operation, and the air quantity tap. It can be seen that is set to the standard.

  When the user presses the operation switching button 203 to switch the operation mode from the air cleaning operation to the dehumidifying operation, as shown in FIG. 7A, the dehumidifying operation is displayed in the upper part of the display screen, and the air volume tap [ A triangle mark is displayed to the left of [Strong]. The triangle mark 209 is displayed on the left side of the air volume tap during the previous dehumidifying operation until the air volume setting button 205 is pressed.

  When the user presses the operation switching button 203 to switch the operation mode from the dehumidifying operation to the clothes drying operation, as shown in FIG. 7B, the clothes drying operation is displayed in the upper part of the display screen, and the air flow tap [turbo] is displayed in the lower part. ] Is displayed next to the triangle mark 209. During clothes drying operation, the airflow tap cannot be changed from [Turbo] to another airflow tap.

(5) Compatibility of safety and maintainability by the protective grill The air conditioner 100 is designed so that the user can easily maintain the filter unit 35. However, since the evaporator 64 is disposed on the downstream side of the filter unit 35 in the air conditioner 100, the user's hand may touch the sharp fins of the evaporator 64 when the filter unit 35 is attached or detached.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a protective grill 39 is disposed between the filter unit 35 and the evaporator 64 to prevent the user from inadvertently accessing a portion having a sharp fin such as the evaporator 64. ing.

  Although the safety for the user is increased by arranging the protective grill 39 between the filter unit 35 and the evaporator 64, it is necessary to remove the entire protective grill during maintenance of the evaporator 64. The workability at the time of 64 maintenance is reduced.

  Therefore, the air conditioning indoor unit 100 is provided with a second protective grill 392 smaller than the protective grill 39, and the evaporator 64 can be accessed when it is removed.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the air conditioner 100 with the front panel 11 and the filter unit 35 removed. FIG. 9 is a front view of the front frame 41. 8 and 9, the protective grill 39 is formed in a lattice shape in a portion of the front frame 41 that faces the maximum surface of the filter unit 35. The protective grill 39 is integrally formed when the front frame 41 is formed.

(5-1) Opening 391
The opening 391 has a quadrangular shape and occupies 50 to 60% of the total area of the protective grill 39. The opening 391 is provided at a position facing the front surface of the evaporator 64. The opening 391 can expose 70% or more of the maximum surface of the evaporator 64.

  A screw hole 393 for screwing the second protective grill 392 is provided at the center of the upper edge of the opening 391. In addition, two positioning recesses 395 are provided at the lower edge of the opening 391.

(5-2) Second protective grill 392
FIG. 10A is a front view of the second protective grill 392, and FIG. 10B is a side view of the second protective grill 392. 10A and 10B, the second protective grill 392 is a lattice-like member that covers the opening 391, and can be attached to and detached from the protective grill 39 via a screw. Therefore, the upper edge portion of the second protective grill 392 is provided with a screw seat 394 with which the screw head abuts at a position corresponding to the screw hole 393, and a penetration through which the screw passes through the center of the screw seat 394. A hole 394a is provided.

  In addition, two convex portions 396 that fit into the two positioning concave portions 395 on the lower edge portion of the opening 391 are provided on the lower edge portion of the second protective grill 392.

  The second protective grill 392 is provided on the side facing the filter unit 35 so that two front ribs 398 are arranged side by side. The front rib 398 has two functions. The first function is a function of reinforcing the second protective grill 392. The second function is a function as a handle when the second protective grill 392 is pulled away from the protective grill 39.

  Further, the second protective grill 392 is provided with six back ribs 400 on the side facing the evaporator 64. The arrangement of the six back ribs 400 is an arrangement in which two sets of two back ribs 400 adjacent to each other at a predetermined interval are arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction.

  The back rib 400 has two functions. The first function is a function of reinforcing the second protective grill 392. The second function is a function as an interposition member that ensures an appropriate gap between the second protective grill 392 and the evaporator 64.

(5-3) Removal of the second protective grill 392 The evaporator 64 is liable to generate mold because condensed water adheres during dehumidification. In recent years, a cleaning service industry specializing in cleaning work for washing the evaporator 64 with high-temperature and high-pressure water has become widespread, and the user may entrust such a cleaning service provider.

  During such a cleaning operation, the service provider removes the front panel 11 and the filter unit 35 from the air conditioner 100 to expose the protective grill 39 to the front. Then, the screw 399 for fixing the protective grill 39 and the second protective grill 392 is removed, and the front protective rib 39 is pulled forward to remove the second protective grill 392 from the protective grill 39, and the evaporator 391 is opened. 64 is exposed.

  The opening 391 is large enough to expose 70% or more of the maximum surface of the evaporator 64, and is wide enough for a cleaning service provider to clean the cleaning nozzle close to the evaporator.

(5-4) Attaching the second protective grill 392 After the cleaning of the evaporator 64 is completed, the cleaning service provider fits the convex portion 396 of the second protective grill 392 into the positioning concave portion 395 at the lower edge of the opening 391. The lower part is positioned, the through hole 394a of the screw seat 394 and the screw hole 393 are aligned, and screwed with a screw 399.

  Even if the protrusion 396 is fitted into the positioning recess 395 and pushed too far toward the evaporator 64, the back rib 400 is located on the back side of the second protective grill 392. To correct.

(6) Features (6-1)
In the air conditioner 100, the protective grill 39 is arranged on the upstream side of the evaporator 64 in the air flow passing through the evaporator 64. The protective grill 39 has an opening 391 that exposes 70% or more of the upstream surface of the evaporator 64, and a detachable second protective grill 392 that covers the opening 391. In this air conditioner 100, the user or service person can access the evaporator 64 without removing the protective grill 39 by removing the second protective grill 392 from the protective grill 39. Work becomes easy.

(6-2)
A front rib 398 is provided on the upstream side of the second protective grill 392. The front rib 398 not only prevents the second protective grill 392 from being damaged, but also serves as a handle when the second protective grill 392 is attached or detached. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate handle, which saves material.

(6-3)
A rear rib 400 is provided on the downstream side of the second protective grill 392. The back rib 400 is also used as an interposition member that secures a gap between the protective grill 39 and the evaporator 64. Therefore, there is no need to provide an intervening member separately, which saves material.

(6-4)
The size of the upstream surface of the evaporator 64 is smaller than the upstream surface of the condenser 62. Therefore, preventing the user from inadvertently accessing the evaporator 64 by the protective grill 39 prevents the user from inadvertently accessing the condenser 62 located downstream of the evaporator.

39 Protective grill 62 Condenser 64 Evaporator 100 Air conditioner 391 Opening 392 Second protective grill 398 Front rib (reinforcing rib)
400 Back rib (reinforcing rib)

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-97824

Claims (6)

An air conditioner that dehumidifies using the latent heat of vaporization of the refrigerant in the evaporator (64),
A protective grill (39) disposed upstream of the evaporator (64) in the air flow passing through the evaporator (64);
The protective grill (39)
An opening (391) for exposing a predetermined portion of the upstream surface of the evaporator (64);
A removable second protective grill (392) covering the opening (391);
Having
Air conditioner (100). The opening (391) exposes 70% or more of the upstream surface of the evaporator (64);
The air conditioner (100) according to claim 1. The second protective grill (392) is provided with reinforcing ribs (398, 400).
The air conditioner (100) according to claim 1 or 2. The reinforcing rib (398) is provided on the upstream side of the second protective grill (392), and is also used as a handle when the second protective grill (392) is attached or detached.
The air conditioner (100) according to claim 3. The reinforcing rib (400) is provided on the downstream side of the second protective grill (392), and is also used as an interposition member that secures a gap between the second protective grill (392) and the evaporator (64). ,
The air conditioner (100) according to claim 3. A condenser (62) disposed downstream of the evaporator (64);
The size of the upstream surface of the evaporator (64) is smaller than the upstream surface of the condenser (62),
The air conditioner (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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