JPH06257803A - Air conditioner equipped with moistening function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an air conditioner equipped with a moistening function which is capable of comfortable moisture control without the need of troublesome water supply work. CONSTITUTION:An air conditioner having film separation, non-water supply type moistening means comprises a fan 9 for introducing fresh air, a functional film 4 for separating water from the introduced fresh air, a holding tool 5 for fixing the functional film 4, a pump 6 for providing difference pressure between an upstream side and a downstream side of a space partitioned with the functional film 4-holding tool 5, a heater 7 for vaporizing water separated with the difference pressure as moistening air, and a solenoid valve 8 for changing over flow passages.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a non-water supply type humidifying function of humidifying using moisture separated from outside air.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a non-water-supplying type humidifying device, an adsorbing type known in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-43746 is generally used, and there is no dedicated humidifying device using a functional membrane. .

The air conditioner has functions such as cooling, heating, and dehumidification, but it is difficult for the air conditioner itself to humidify the dry indoor air in winter.
The mainstream is to humidify dry indoor air in winter by using an independent type humidifier such as an ultrasonic humidifier or a vaporization humidifier. Furthermore, although there are some models that add a humidifying function to the air conditioner, it is a vaporization type or ultrasonic type humidification method that requires a dedicated tank for humidifying water like a single type humidifier. However, there is no air conditioner with a non-water supply type humidifying function that uses moisture in the outside air as humidifying water by separating it using a functional membrane.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above-mentioned single-type humidifying special-purpose device and the conventional air conditioner with a humidifying function, it is necessary to supply the humidifying water to a dedicated tank. For me, the water supply operation was a troublesome task, and although I purchased it, I often used it a few times and then stopped using it, which was insufficient in terms of convenience.

The independent type non-water supply type humidifier is
It is not possible to control the indoor environment such as temperature and humidity, which is a dedicated humidifier. In addition, the stand-alone non-water supply type humidifier requires a troublesome work in terms of workability because it requires a dedicated through hole for connecting the inside and outside of the room to be opened in the wall.

In addition, the independent type non-water supply type humidifier is
Since the adsorption method is mainly used, there is a problem that the apparatus becomes large. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of comfortable humidity control without troublesome water supply work.

Further, the present invention provides an air conditioner which is provided with a humidifying function of non-supply water in addition to a cooling / heating / dehumidifying function, which enables maintenance-free comfortable indoor environment control all year round and simplifies workability. The purpose is to do.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner having a humidifying function capable of reducing noise. It is another object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner with a humidifying function, which can be downsized.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a means for introducing outside air, a membrane type separating means for separating moisture from the introduced outside air, and the separated moisture as humidified air in a room. The air conditioner with a humidifying function is provided with a non-water-supplying type humidifying device including a humidifying unit that discharges the water to the air.

The present invention also provides an air conditioner with a humidifying function in which an indoor unit is provided with a waterless humidifier. Further, the present invention has a constitution of an air conditioner with a humidifying function in which a waterless humidifier is provided in an outdoor unit.

The present invention also provides an air conditioner with a humidifying function in which a non-water supply type humidifying device is provided in the wind circuit.

[0012]

The operation of the above construction is as follows. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention uses an air conditioner having a moisture separation type non-water supply humidifier that separates and accumulates moisture in the outside air with a functional membrane and humidifies the interior using the accumulated moisture, thereby eliminating the need for troublesome water supply work. It is possible to perform humidification, air conditioning and heating.

Further, according to the present invention, the indoor unit of the air conditioner is provided with a water separation type non-water supply type humidifier which does not require water supply work to the humidifier, which is a troublesome operation.・ In addition to the dehumidification function, a maintenance-free humidification function is added, making it possible to control both temperature and humidity.
A comfortable indoor environment space can be realized, and since the indoor and outdoor through holes for the air conditioner can be shared, it is not necessary to construct a through hole for the humidifier, and the construction can be simplified.

Further, according to the present invention, since the non-water supply type humidifying device is provided in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, the defrosting water can be used together with the moisture in the outside air, so that the humidifying water can be efficiently obtained and Since the transfer means can be installed outdoors, noise reduction on the indoor side can be achieved.

Further, according to the present invention, by providing the non-water supply type humidifier in the wind circuit of the air conditioner, both the moisture during frost formation and the moisture during defrosting of the outdoor heat exchanger can be utilized as humidification water. In addition to high efficiency, it is possible to omit the blower dedicated to the non-water supply type humidifying device by sharing the blower fan, and to downsize the device.

[0016]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a waterless humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a non-water supply type humidifying unit, 2 is a moisture separating unit, 3 is a humidifying unit, 4 is a functional membrane, 5 is a holder, 6 is a pump, 7 is a heater, 8 is a solenoid valve, 9 Is a blower fan,
Reference numeral 10 is a blowing nozzle, 200 is an air inlet, 201 is an air impermeable outlet, 202 is an air permeable outlet, 203 is a humidifying tank air inlet, and 204 is a humidifying tank air outlet.

Next, the mutual relationship between the above-mentioned components will be described. The moisture separating unit 2 and the humidifying unit 3 in the non-feed water humidifying unit 1 are connected to each other via the pump 6 in the low-pressure side space b. The water separation unit 2 is divided into a high-pressure side space a and a low-pressure side space b by a mesh-shaped holder 5, and a functional membrane 4 that selectively promotes permeation of oxygen and water is attached to the high-pressure side of the holder 5. There is. Further, in the moisture separation unit 2, an air inlet 200 to the high pressure side space a, an unpermeated air outlet 201 outward from the high pressure side space a, and a low pressure side space b.
Further, a permeated air outlet 202 toward the pump 6 side is provided. The non-permeation air outlet 201 is provided with a blower fan 9 so that fresh air is always fed into the high pressure side space a from the air inlet 200. On the other hand, water is sent into the humidifying unit 3 from the permeated air outlet 202 through the pump 6 and the permeated inlet 203 of the humidifying unit 3. Further, the humidifying unit 3 is provided with a heater 7 for vaporizing the sent moisture as humidified air, and a ventilation passage for discharging the vaporized humidified air into the room from the blowout nozzle 10, and the humidifying unit. An electromagnetic valve 8 is provided for switching the ventilation passage for accumulating water in the inside of the valve 3.

The operation of the waterless humidifying unit 1 configured as described above will be described below. First, air (outside air) flows from the air inlet 200 into the high pressure side space a of the moisture separation unit 2 by the blower fan 9, and the air (moisture and oxygen) that easily permeates the functional membrane 4 is exchanged with the high pressure side space a by the pump 6. Due to the pressure difference from the low-pressure side space b, it permeates the functional film 4 and is introduced as permeate air to the permeate air inlet 203 of the humidifying unit 3 via the permeate air outlet 202 and the pump 6.
At this time, the humid air is once warmed by the pump 6 and then guided to the humidifying unit 3, so that the humidifying unit 3 is heated.
Inside, a part of the humid air is accumulated as water droplets, and the remaining air is discharged from the non-permeated air outlet by the blower fan 9 via the electromagnetic valve 8. At this time, the solenoid valve 8 serves as a flow path connected from the humidification tank air outlet 204 to the non-permeation air outlet 201. On the other hand, air (nitrogen) that does not easily pass through the functional film 4
Is also blown out from the unpermeated air outlet 201 by the blower fan 9. Further, the water droplets accumulated in the humidifying unit 3 are vaporized by driving the heater 7 in the humidifying unit 3, and are discharged as humidified air from the blowing nozzle 10 via the electromagnetic valve 8. At this time, the solenoid valve 8 has a structure that switches from the humidification tank air outlet 204 to the flow path to the blowing nozzle 10.

Therefore, it is possible to humidify the room without performing a troublesome water supply operation. (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention in which the waterless humidifying unit 1 is provided in an indoor unit of an air conditioner will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

In FIG. 2, 100 is an air conditioner indoor unit, 101 is an inlet, and 52 and 102 are outlets. The A side of the air conditioner indoor unit 100 is an air conditioning control unit that controls indoor cooling, heating, dehumidification, etc., and the B side is a waterless type that introduces outside air to separate and humidify water contained in the outside air. The air conditioning controller on the side A, which is a humidification controller, has an inlet 101 and an outlet 102, and is composed of a heat exchanger, a blower fan, and the like (not shown). Further, the non-water-supplying type humidifying control section on the B side has an outlet 52 for blowing out humidified air.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the non-water-supply type humidification control unit which is the non-water-supply type humidification control unit. In FIG. 3, as components, 20 is a casing, 21 and 22 are pipes, and 23.
Is a through hole in the wall.

An air conditioner indoor unit 100 is provided on one side with a water separating unit 2, a pump 6, a humidifying unit 3, a solenoid valve 8 and the like. The outside air flows from the air inlet 200 of the moisture separation unit 2 through the pipe 21 that shares the through hole 23 provided for the pipe and drain water (not shown), and the air (moisture and oxygen) easily permeates the functional membrane 4. ) Permeates the functional film 4 due to the pressure difference by the pump 6, enters the humidification unit 3 from the permeation air outlet 202 as the humid air through the permeation air outlet 202, the pump 6 and the humidification tank air inlet, and the humid air warmed by the pump 6 once becomes Since it is cooled in the humidifying tank unit 3, part of it accumulates as water droplets, and the rest of the air is stored in the solenoid valve
Through the pipe 22 and the air from the unpermeable air outlet 201 to the outside through the pipe 22. The water droplets accumulated in the humidifying unit 3 by this operation are signals from an indoor humidity sensor (not shown) and an optional humidifying switch (not shown).
When the humidification mode is activated by a signal from the heater, the heater 7
And the humidified air is obtained when the water droplets start to vaporize, and the solenoid valve 8 switches the flow path from the humidifying tank air outlet 204 to the blowing nozzle 10, and the humidifying air flows out from the blowing nozzle 10 into the room. Humidification is possible.

Therefore, the non-water supply type humidifying unit 1 is used.
Is provided on the indoor unit 100 side of the air conditioner, a non-water supply type humidifying function is added to the conventional cooling, heating, and dehumidifying functions, and a comfortable indoor environment can be obtained with one switch throughout the year. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a through hole for the humidifier, the work can be simplified. (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the water supply type humidifying unit 1 provided in the air conditioner outdoor unit.

In FIG. 4, 30 is a hose, 300 is an air conditioner outdoor unit, and the outdoor unit 300 is provided with the non-water-supplying type humidifying unit 1 having the same configuration as that of the second embodiment. Further, one of the flow paths from the humidifier air outlet 204 is connected to the air outlet 102 of the indoor unit 100 by the hose 30 via the electromagnetic valve 8. In addition, the defrosting water of the heat exchanger (not shown) of the outdoor unit 300 is guided to the air inlet 200 of the water separation unit 2.

The operation of the waterless humidifier having the above-described structure will be described below. First, blower fan 9
Air (moisture or oxygen) that easily flows through the functional membrane 4 through the air inlet 200 permeates the functional membrane 4 as humid air due to the pressure difference of the pump 6, and passes through the permeated air outlet 202 and the pump 6 for humidification. The humidifying unit 3 enters the tank air inlet 203. At this time, the humid air is warmed when passing through the pump 6 and immediately thereafter cooled to the temperature of the outside air, so that the humidified water is accumulated in the humidifying unit 3 as water droplets. Further, the remaining air passes through the humidifier air outlet 204 and the electromagnetic valve 8 and is discharged from the blower fan 9 to the outside air together with the air from the impermeable air outlet 201. When the water droplets accumulated in the humidifying unit 3 by this operation enter the humidifying mode due to a signal from an indoor humidity sensor (not shown) or a signal from an arbitrary humidifying switch (not shown), the heater 7 When the water droplets start to vaporize and humidified air is obtained, the solenoid valve 8 switches the flow path from the humidifying tank air outlet 204 to the hose 30, and the air outlet 102 of the indoor unit 100.
Humidified air flows out from the room to humidify the room.

Since the season when humidification is required is winter, when the air conditioner is operated by heating and frost adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger and frost forms on the outdoor heat exchanger, It is necessary to perform defrosting to remove frost regularly because its ability is reduced. By guiding this defrosted water to the air inlet 200 of the water separation unit 2, humidifying water can be efficiently obtained not only from a small amount of water contained in the outside air. It should be noted that the defrosting water removes impurities in the water for permeating the functional film 4, and hygienic humidifying water can be obtained.

Therefore, the non-water supply type humidifying unit 1 is used.
By installing the on the outdoor unit side of the air conditioner, the conventional cooling, heating, and dehumidifying functions are combined with a non-water supply type humidifying function, and a comfortable indoor environment can be obtained with a single switch throughout the year, and humidifying water can be supplied. It can be secured efficiently.

Further, since the noise of the pump 6 and the blower fan 9 is not transmitted to the room by providing the non-water supply type humidifying unit 1 outdoors, the noise can be reduced as compared with the case where it is provided inside the room. (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the waterless humidifying unit 1 is mounted in the wind circuit of the air conditioner outdoor unit 300.

In FIG. 5, 41 is an outdoor heat exchanger, and 42 is an outdoor heat exchanger.
There is an outdoor heat blower and 43 compressors. The waterless humidifier unit 1 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 41, an outdoor blower fan 42,
Air conditioner outdoor unit 3 including a compressor 43 and the like
It is attached to the 00 wind circuit.

The operation of the waterless humidifier having the above structure will be described below. First, the air (moisture or oxygen), which is easily infiltrated through the functional film 4 by the air blown by the outdoor blower fan 42, permeates the functional film 4 due to the pressure difference of the pump 6 as humid air, and the permeated air outlet 202. , The humidifier tank air inlet 203 through the pump 6
Enter the humidifying unit 3 more. At this time, the humid air is warmed when passing through the pump 6 and immediately thereafter cooled to the temperature of the outside air, so that the humidified water is accumulated in the humidifying unit 3 as water droplets. The remaining air is the humidifier air outlet 20.
4, non-permeate air outlet 2 from blower fan 9 through solenoid valve 8
It is discharged to the outside air together with the air from 01. When the water droplets accumulated in the humidifying unit 3 by this operation enter the humidifying mode due to a signal from an indoor humidity sensor (not shown) or a signal from an arbitrary humidifying switch (not shown), the heater 7 When the water droplets start to vaporize and humidified air is obtained, the solenoid valve 8 moves the flow path through the humidification tank air outlet 2
The switch from 04 to the hose 30 allows the humidified air to flow out into the room from the air outlet 102 of the indoor unit 100, thereby humidifying the room.

Since the season when humidification is required is winter, the air conditioner is operated by heating and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is operated.
It is necessary for frost to adhere to 1 or to remove the frost that has adhered to it periodically, and this frosted water or defrosted water can be removed from the air inlet 200 of the water separation unit 2 of the waterless humidification unit 1. By providing the above in the wind circuit, it is possible to efficiently obtain the water for humidification not only from a small amount of water contained in the outside air. Since the defrosted water passes through the functional film 4, impurities in the water are removed and hygienic humidifying water can be obtained.

Therefore, as in the case of the third embodiment, a non-water supply type humidifying function is added to the conventional cooling / heating / dehumidifying function, so that a comfortable indoor environment can be obtained with one switch throughout the year, and the humidifying water can be obtained. Can be efficiently secured.

Further, by utilizing the blower circuit of the outdoor unit 300, simplification can be achieved by downsizing the device and reducing the number of parts. Also, the first, second, third,
Although the pump 6 is used in the fourth embodiment, a fan capable of obtaining high static pressure may be used.

[0037]

As is apparent from the description of the above embodiments, the present invention separates moisture in the outside air by a functional membrane, accumulates the separated moisture, and uses the accumulated moisture to dry indoors in winter. With the water-separation type non-water supply type humidifier that performs humidification, a humidifier that does not require troublesome water supply work can be obtained, and humidification in a dry room can be performed.
Maintenance-free and comfortable indoor space can be created.

Further, in the present invention, the water-separation type non-water supply type humidifying means is provided on the indoor unit side of the air conditioner so that maintenance-free operation requiring no troublesome water supply operation in addition to the conventional cooling / heating / dehumidifying functions. The humidification function of the air conditioner is added, and both temperature and humidity can be controlled with one air conditioner, which makes it possible to realize a comfortable indoor space, and the indoor and outdoor through holes for the air conditioner are used for introducing the outside air. Since it can be used as a pipe through hole for a passage, it is not necessary to construct a through hole dedicated to the humidifier, and the work can be simplified.

Further, in the present invention, by providing the moisture separating non-water supply type humidifying means on the outdoor unit side of the air conditioner, not only the moisture in the outside air but also the defrost water is used to obtain the humidifying water. As a result, humidifying water can be obtained efficiently, and since the air transfer means of the pump and the blower fan is installed outside the room, the sound of the air transfer means is not transmitted to the room, and the noise level inside the room can be reduced. it can.

Further, according to the present invention, by providing the air separation type non-water supply type humidifying means in the wind circuit of the air conditioner, both the moisture during frost formation and the moisture during defrosting of the outdoor heat exchanger are humidified water. Since it can be used as an air conditioner, more efficient humidification water can be obtained, and since a blower dedicated to the non-water supply type humidifying means can be omitted by sharing a blower fan, the device can be downsized and the number of parts can be reduced. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a waterless humidifying unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 (a) is a front view of an air conditioner indoor unit equipped with a waterless humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an air conditioner indoor unit equipped with the same non-water supply type humidifier.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner outdoor unit equipped with a waterless humidifier according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner outdoor unit in which a waterless humidifier according to another embodiment of the present invention is provided in a wind circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Non-Water Supply Humidification Unit 2 Moisture Separation Unit 3 Humidification Unit 4 Functional Membrane 5 Retainer 6 Pump 7 Heater 8 Solenoid Valve 9 Blower Fan 10 Blow-out Nozzle 101 Inlet 102 Air Outlet 200 Air Inlet 201 Impermeable Air Outlet 202 Permeate Air Outlet 203 Humidification tank air inlet 204 Humidification tank air outlet

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner with a humidifying function, comprising a moisture separating means using a functional film and a non-water supply type humidifying device having a humidifying means for humidifying the room by using the separated moisture. 2. The non-water supply type humidifying means is provided in an indoor unit of an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit.
Air conditioner with humidifying function as described. 3. The air conditioner with a humidifying function according to claim 1, wherein the non-water supply type humidifying means device is provided in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner constituted by an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. 4. The air conditioner with a humidifying function according to claim 2, wherein the non-water supply type humidifying device is provided in the wind circuit of the air conditioner having a blowing means.