JPH1078240A - Drain pan of air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent leakage of water and the like and to suppress propagation of various bacteria by a method wherein a layer of an antibacterial-agent- containing resin composition containing crystalline polypropylene, an inorganic filler and an antibacterial agent is laminated on the surface of a drain pan. SOLUTION: A drain pan 9 is manufactured in a prescribed shape out of foamed polystyrene resin prepared by foam molding, and an antibacterial film 13 constituted of an antibacterial-agent-containing resin composition containing crystalline polypropylene, an inorganic filler and an antibacterial agent is laminated on the surface of the drain pan 9 by using an adhesive 12. Moreover, a polyethylene resin film 14 through which the antibacterial agent can permeate is laminated thereon. According to this constitution, the crystalline polypropylene can prevent leakage of water and the like and, besides, propagation of various bacteria and the like can be suppressed, since the compounded inorganic filler controls migration, permeation, release, etc. of the antibacterial agent.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drain pan for an air conditioner which is installed in an air conditioner and receives condensed water from a heat exchanger or the like. The present invention relates to a drain pan for an air conditioner, which prevents a passage of condensed water from being clogged for a long time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an air conditioner, the humidity of indoor air condenses on an indoor heat exchanger during a cooling operation and drops downward as condensed water. Equipped with a drain pan to discharge it.

[0003] This drain pan is made of sheet metal, resin material,
Or there is a combination of sheet metal and resin material,
Among those made of a resin material, there is a resin made of a foamed resin because it is easy to mold, has an excellent heat insulating effect, and is inexpensive and lightweight.

As the drain pan made of such a foamed resin material, for example, a drain pan formed by heating beads of styrene resin by steam or the like and foaming the same is used. However, in this drain pan, depending on the shape and thickness of the drain pan, the molding conditions, etc., beads cannot be sufficiently fused, and water may penetrate into boundaries and gaps between the foamed particles and water leakage may occur. Styrol resin for waterproofing, AB on contact surface
Drain pan with a sheet of S resin or the like, and polyethylene on top to prevent propagation of various bacteria
A drain pan has been proposed in which a sheet or film made of a resin composition obtained by kneading an antibacterial agent or an antibacterial agent composition into polypropylene or the like is laminated.

However, in order to prevent the propagation of various bacteria and the like by adhering a sheet of waterproof styrene resin or the like, a resin composition obtained by further kneading an antibacterial agent or an antibacterial agent composition into polyethylene or the like is further added thereto. Even if the air pan is used for about 2 to 3 years, the antibacterial agent will be lost due to condensed water, and the antibacterial property will be lost. If the passages and drains of the condensed water are clogged, or if the sludge or jelly-like effluent flows out, germs and the like also propagate in places other than the drain pan, resulting in a problem of unsafeness.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to improve a conventional drain pan to suppress the propagation of various bacteria and the like, and to cause sludge and the like due to the propagation of various bacteria and the like, the passage of condensed water, the drain, etc. Can be prevented for a long time,
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a drain pan for an air conditioner that can improve the chemical resistance when the chemical used in the heat exchanger is dropped together with the drain.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies on such problems and found that the surface of a drain pan of an air conditioner made of a foamed resin material obtained by heating beads by steam or the like and foaming the foamed resin material. By laminating an antimicrobial-containing resin composition layer containing crystalline polypropylene, an inorganic filler and an antimicrobial agent, the crystalline polypropylene prevents water leakage and the like, and the compounded inorganic filler migrates and transmits the antimicrobial agent. The present invention has been found to be capable of preventing the growth of various bacteria, etc., and controlling the release and the like, and preventing the passage of the condensed water, the drain and the like from being generated due to the growth of the various bacteria and the like for a long time, and achieving the present invention. Was.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drain pan made of a foamed resin material which is provided in an air conditioner and receives condensed water dropped from a heat exchanger, wherein the surface of the drain pan is made of crystalline polypropylene and an inorganic filler. A drain pan for an air conditioner, wherein an antimicrobial-containing resin composition layer containing an antimicrobial agent and an antimicrobial agent are laminated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the drain pan of the air conditioner according to the first aspect, a resin sheet having a plurality of holes through which the antibacterial agent can pass is provided on the antibacterial agent-containing resin composition layer. Alternatively, a film is laminated. By further laminating the resin sheet or film on the antibacterial agent-containing resin composition layer, it is possible to improve the chemical resistance when the chemical used in the heat exchanger is dropped together with the drain.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the drain pan of the air conditioner according to the second aspect, an adhesive obtained by blending the antibacterial agent into a laminate of the resin sheet or film is used.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the present invention, in order to suppress the propagation of various germs and the like for a long period of time, a film-like or sheet-like resin composition containing crystalline polypropylene, an inorganic filler and an antimicrobial agent-containing resin composition is used. A layer is provided on the surface of the drain pan.

The crystalline polypropylene used in the present invention includes crystalline propylene produced using a catalyst system obtained from a solid catalyst component containing a transition metal such as titanium and an organoaluminum compound or these electron-donating organic compounds. Any of a homopolymer, a crystalline propylene / ethylene block copolymer, or a mixture thereof can be used. The crystalline propylene
The ethylene block copolymer has two main components, a propylene homopolymer component and a propylene / ethylene copolymer component. Further, an ethylene copolymer or the like may be blended with the crystalline polypropylene, and if necessary, an ethylene / propylene copolymer rubber may be added in an amount of 20% by weight or less.

The molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn), melt flow rate (MFR) and the like of the crystalline polypropylene are not particularly limited. However, crystalline polypropylene having a molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) of about 5.5 to 12 and a melt flow rate (MFR) of about 0.3 to 12.0 g / 10 min. Excellent mixability,
It can be used preferably because of its high mechanical strength. The value of the molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) is a parameter indicating the breadth of the molecular weight distribution, and is a value obtained by dividing the weight average molecular weight (Mw) by the number average molecular weight (Mn). Molecular weight distribution (Mw / M
When n) is less than 5.5, the moldability is deteriorated. Meanwhile, 1
If it exceeds 2, the mechanical strength may decrease. M
FR is 0.3 g / 10 min. If less than 12.0 g / 10 min. If it exceeds, the mechanical strength including impact strength will be low.

In the present invention, by adding an inorganic filler having an appropriate shape and surface area in an appropriate amount, the antimicrobial agent migrates or permeates from the antimicrobial agent-containing resin composition to the drain pan surface, Since the release rate and amount can be controlled, long-term antibacterial properties can be imparted to the drain pan surface. As the inorganic filler here,
Inorganic fillers in the form of powder, granules, plates, needles, spheres or hollows and fibers are included, and specific examples thereof include talc, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium silicate, clay, diatomaceous earth, alumina, silica sand, and glass. Powder, iron oxide, metal powder, antimony trioxide, graphite, powdered and granular fillers such as silicon carbide, silica, carbon black, etc., metal foil such as mica, glass plate, sericite, pyrophyllite, aluminum flake, graphite etc. Examples include a flat or flaky filler, a hollow filler such as shirasu balloon and pumice, and a fiber such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, graphite fiber and whisker.

[0015] Of these, flat or scaly fillers can be preferably used. The blending amount of the inorganic filler is not particularly limited. If the amount is too large, the mechanical strength is reduced. On the other hand, if the amount is too small, it is difficult to control the migration, permeation, release, etc. of the antibacterial agent.

The antibacterial agents used in the present invention include:
It is needless to say that it has an appropriate bactericidal effect, but in order to be used in a general living environment, it is required that there is no toxicity to the human body and no adverse effect on the environment. As an antibacterial agent satisfying such conditions, an organic antibacterial agent, an inorganic antibacterial agent, or a mixture thereof can be used. Examples of the organic antibacterial agent include phenols such as parachloromethaxylenol and 2-5-dichloro-4-bromophenol, N- (florodichloromethylthio) -phthalimide and N, N-dimethyl-N′-phenyl-.
Haloalkyls such as N '-(florodichloromethylthio) -sulfamide, 1- (4-chlorophenyl) -3
Iodos such as -iodopropargyl formal and 1-[(diiodomethyl) sulfonyl] -4-methylbenzene, 2- (4-thiazolyl) -benzimidazole and methyl benzimidazolylcarbamic acid and 2-methoxycarbonylaminobenzimidazole Benzimidazoles, 2-thiocyano-methylthio-benzothiazole and 1,2-bis (3-
Benzothiazoles such as methoxycarbonyl-2-thioureido) benzene, thiocarbamates such as tetramethylthiuram disulfide and zinc ethylenebis (dithiocarbamate), bis (2-pyridylthio-1)
-Oxide) zinc and 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4- (methylsulphenyl) pyridine and 2,4-
Dichloro-6- (ortho-chloroanilino) -1,3,3
Heterocyclic nitrogen compounds such as 5-triazine, quinones such as 8-oxyquinoline copper and 2-3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone, 1,2-benzisothiazoline-
Isothiazolines such as 3-one and 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, benzalkonium chloride and 1,1'-hexamethylenebis [5- (4-
Chlorophenyl) biguanide] quaternary ammonium salts such as dihydrochloride; cyanates such as 2,4,5,6-tetrachloroisophthalonitrile; anilides such as salicylanid;
Organic arsenic compounds including -oxybisphenoxaarsine, 1- (3-chloroallyl) -3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantanchloride, α-bromocinnamaldehyde, 2,4,4-trichloro Examples thereof include those mainly containing trichlorocarbanide, polyhexamethylenebiguanide hydrochloride, octadecyldimethyl-3-trimethoxysilylpropylammonium, etc., such as -2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether.

Examples of the inorganic antibacterial agent include silver, copper,
Inorganic antibacterial agents mainly composed of inorganic compounds such as zinc and tin, and inorganic antibacterial agents supported on calcium carbonate, zeolite, kaolin clay, diatomaceous earth, talc, bentonite, ceramics, activated carbon, apatite, etc. Can be mentioned. Inorganic antibacterial agents supported on ceramics, activated carbon, apatite and the like are preferably used because they have high antibacterial properties, are non-volatile, and are easily kneaded with resins. The mixing ratio of the antibacterial agent is not particularly limited.

The antibacterial agent-containing resin composition used in the present invention containing crystalline polypropylene, an inorganic filler, and an antibacterial agent,
An antifungal agent as needed without departing from the gist of the present invention,
Known additives such as insecticides, deodorants, flavoring agents, antistatic agents, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, lubricants, nucleating agents, antiblocking agents, antifogging agents, flame retardants, pigments, dispersants, etc. Can be arbitrarily added and blended.

The resin which can transmit the antibacterial agent used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin which can transmit the antibacterial agent. Specifically, for example, crystalline polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene can be mentioned.

The resin sheet or film permeable to the antibacterial agent used in the present invention is such that the antibacterial agent-containing resin composition layer laminated thereunder is in direct contact with condensed water and the antibacterial agent contained therein is short-term. It is intended to control and control the flow out during the antibacterial process.Even if the same amount of the same antibacterial agent is used in the antibacterial agent-containing resin composition, the antibacterial effect can be obtained by changing the type of resin and the thickness of the sheet or film. Can control the relationship between effect and outflow period.

In the present invention, a resin sheet or film having a plurality of holes formed therein which can transmit an antibacterial agent can be used. The relationship between the antimicrobial effect and the outflow period can be changed by changing the size, number, distribution, and shape of the holes.

For laminating a resin sheet or film which can transmit an adhesive or an antibacterial agent used for laminating an antibacterial agent-containing resin composition layer on the surface of a drain pan of an air conditioner made of a foamed resin material. As the adhesive to be used, an adhesive containing the above antibacterial agent can be used. By using the adhesive compounded with the antibacterial agent, furthermore, the propagation of various bacteria can be suppressed, and the passage of condensed water due to the growth of various bacteria such as sludge and clogging of the drain can be prevented for a long time. .

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a ceiling-embedded type air conditioner that is suspended and fixed to a ceiling space by a suspension fitting 8, and its decorative plate 2 is provided. The opening 3 is opened on one side and the outlet 4 is opened on the other side.
It blows out from.

A blower 5, a heat exchanger 7, a drain pan (a drain pan of an air conditioner) 9, a drain pump 11 (see FIG. 2) and the like are housed in the main body 6, and the air sucked from the suction port 3 is accommodated. Is sent to the heat exchanger 7 by the blower 5, where the heat is exchanged, and then blown out from the outlet 4.

On the drain pan 9, the lower end of the heat exchanger 7 is mounted on a concave inner surface 10, and the inner surface 10 receives condensed water condensed on the heat exchanger. . The inner surface 10 receives the condensed water and stores the received condensed water. The pooled condensed water is pumped out by a drain pump 11 and discharged outside via a drain hose (not shown). Reference numeral 15 denotes expanded resin particles.

The drain pan 9 is manufactured in a predetermined shape from expanded polystyrene. The heat insulating effect is enhanced by foam molding. In addition, by using expanded polystyrene as a material, it can be easily manufactured at low cost.

The material of the drain pan 9 is not limited to a foamed polystyrene resin as long as it is a foamed resin, and may be vinylidene chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, or the like.

The thickness of the drain pan 9 varies depending on the location, but is, for example, about 10 to 15 mm.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory sectional view of the inner surface 10 of the drain pan 9. On the surface of the drain pan 9, a crystalline polypropylene [molecular weight distribution (Mw / M
n) = 5, MFR = 5 g / 10 min. ], An inorganic filler (mica fine powder 30% by weight), an inorganic antibacterial agent [trade name;
Nobalon AGZ330, 0.5% by weight manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.], an antimicrobial film 13 made of an antimicrobial-containing resin composition is laminated thereon, and a polyethylene resin film 14 permeable to the antimicrobial agent is further laminated thereon. Are laminated.

The production of such a drain pan is performed by filling a mold with polystyrene in the form of beads and then heating it with steam to foam the resin. High-temperature steam may be supplied to the surface of the foam to melt the surface. Antibacterial film 1
3. The lamination of the polyethylene resin film 14 may be performed simultaneously with the foam molding, or may be performed after the foam molding.

The condensed water condensed on the heat exchanger 7 falls downward, is received by the drain pan 9 and is stored. The drain pan 9 collects condensed water at a predetermined location. When a predetermined amount of condensed water accumulates, the drain pump 11 operates to discharge the water in the drain pan 9.

Since the drain pan 9 is laminated with the antibacterial film 13 and the polyethylene resin film 14, the condensed water can be smoothly discharged without leaking the condensed water. The antibacterial agent whose permeation, release, etc. are controlled to move from the antibacterial film 13 toward the surface of the drain pan 9 is a polyethylene resin film 1 that can transmit the antibacterial agent.
Since it is supplied to the surface of the drain pan 9 through 4, the drain pan 9 has antibacterial properties. For example, even if the antibacterial agent permeated by the condensed water accumulated in the drain pan 9 and leaked to the surface flows out, migration and migration of the compounded inorganic filler can be performed.
Antibacterial agent with controlled permeation and release and antibacterial film 1
3 and is supplied to the surface through the polyethylene resin film 14, so that the drain pan 9 has substantially always antibacterial properties. In this way, drain pan 9
Can better suppress the growth of bacteria and the like, and can prevent the passage of the condensed water, the drain, and the like from clogging due to the growth of the bacteria and the like for a longer period of time. When the antibacterial agent composition is blended with the adhesive, the antibacterial effect can be further enhanced.

[0034]

According to the drain pan of the air conditioner of the present invention, an antibacterial agent-containing resin composition layer in which an inorganic filler and an antibacterial agent are blended with crystalline polypropylene is provided on the surface thereof. In addition, the antibacterial agent whose release and the like are controlled migrates to the surface of the drain pan and can suppress the growth of various bacteria. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the passage of the condensed water, the drain, and the like from being clogged due to the propagation of various bacteria and the like for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a drain pan provided in the air conditioner shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a part of the drain pan shown in FIG. 2 in an enlarged manner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 air conditioner 2 decorative board 3 suction port 4 blowout port 5 blower 6 main body 7 heat exchanger 8 hanging metal fitting 9 drain pan 10 inner surface 11 drain pump 12 adhesive 13 antibacterial film 14 polyethylene resin film 15 foam resin particles

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A drain pan made of a foamed resin material which is provided in an air conditioner and receives condensed water dripped from a heat exchanger.
A drain pan for an air conditioner, wherein an antibacterial agent-containing resin composition layer containing an inorganic filler and an antibacterial agent is laminated. 2. The drain pan for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a resin sheet or film having a plurality of holes through which the antibacterial agent can pass is laminated on the antibacterial agent-containing resin composition layer. . 3. The drain pan for an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein an adhesive containing the antibacterial agent is used for laminating the resin sheet or film.