JPH1122998A - Drain pan for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the production of sludge due to proliferation of various germs, or the like, by laminating a resin composition layer containing an antimicrobial agent and polyolefin having controlled molecular weight distribution comprising at least two kinds of polyolefins of different mean molecular weight onto the surface of a drain pan made of a foamed resin material. SOLUTION: Lower end part of a heat-exchanger 7 is mounted on the concave inner surface 10 of a drain pan 9 made of foamed polystyrene into a specified shape so that drain is received by the heat-exchanger 7. A film or sheet layer of a resin composition containing an antimicrobial agent and polyolefin (e.g. crystalline polypropylene) having controlled molecular weight distribution comprising at least two kinds of polyolefins of different mean molecular weight is formed on the surface of the drain pan 9. According to the structure, the production of sludge due to proliferation of various germs, or the like, is prevented and the oil pan 9 is protected against clogging.

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, beads cannot be sufficiently fused depending on the shape and thickness of the drain pan, molding conditions, and the like, 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 germs and the like by adhering a sheet of waterproof styrene resin or the like, a resin composition obtained by 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 flow out due to the condensed water and the antibacterial property will be lost, and even if it is a drain pan with a laminated sheet or film made of a product, germs will propagate and sludge If the condensed water passages and drains are clogged, or if the sludge or the jelly-like substances flow out, bacteria and the like will propagate in places other than the drain pan and become unsafe.

[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. It is an object of the present invention to provide a drain pan for an air conditioner which can prevent clogging of the air conditioner for a long time.

[0007]

The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies on such a problem, and as a result, polyolefins containing a large number of low molecular weight molecules have a high migration speed and migration speed of antibacterial agents, and conversely, high molecular weight molecules have a high molecular weight. Polyolefins, which contain a large amount, have found that the migration speed and migration speed of antibacterial agents are low, and for example, beads such as styrene resin are heated by steam etc., and the molecular weight is shown on the surface of the drain pan of an air conditioner made of foamed resin material foamed and molded. By laminating the antimicrobial-containing resin composition layer containing the distribution-controlled polyolefin and antimicrobial agent, the polyolefin prevents water leakage from the drain pan and releases the antimicrobial agent at a controlled migration speed and migration speed The propagation of various bacteria in the drain pan is suppressed, and the propagation of various bacteria Is generated by the condensed water passage such as mud, was led to form a present invention found that can prevent long-term from such drain clogging.

That is, the invention of claim 1 of the present invention provides at least two kinds of polyolefins having different average molecular weights on a surface of a drain pan of an air conditioner made of a foamed resin material which is provided in an air conditioner and receives condensed water. A drain pan for an air conditioner, comprising a layer of a resin composition containing an antimicrobial agent containing a polyolefin having an controlled molecular weight distribution and an antimicrobial agent.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the drain pan of the air conditioner according to the first aspect, a plurality of holes are further provided as needed on the antimicrobial agent-containing resin composition layer. It is characterized in that a resin sheet or film permeable to an antibacterial agent is laminated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drain pan for an air conditioner according to the first or second aspect,
It is characterized in that lamination is performed using an adhesive containing the antibacterial agent.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the present invention, in order to suppress the propagation of various bacteria and the like for a long period of time, a polyolefin having a controlled molecular weight distribution containing at least two types of polyolefins having different average molecular weights and an antifungal agent containing an antifungal agent A film-like or sheet-like layer made of the resin composition is provided on the surface of the drain pan.

The polyolefin used in the present invention includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, ethylene-α-olefin copolymer resins such as ethylene-propylene copolymer and ethylene-butene-1 copolymer, EPM, EP
Any of polyolefin rubbers such as DM, thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers, and mixtures thereof can be used without any particular limitation.

Of these, crystalline polypropylene can be preferably used. As crystalline polypropylene,
Crystalline propylene homopolymer, crystalline propylene / ethylene block copolymer 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 Or a mixture thereof can be used. The crystalline propylene / ethylene block copolymer referred to here 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 type and amount of the antimicrobial agent, the presence or absence of a filler, and the like also affect the migration speed and migration speed of the antimicrobial agent. It is preferable to use them. Methods for controlling the molecular weight distribution by combining at least two types of polyolefins having different average molecular weights include a method of (co) polymerizing in two or more stages, a method of blending at least two types of polyolefins having different average molecular weights, or a combination thereof. And any of them can be used. For example, in the case where a crystalline polypropylene having a controlled molecular weight distribution is produced by polymerization in two steps, a propylene homopolymer having an average molecular weight is obtained by polymerizing propylene alone in the first step, and then in the second step. It is obtained by copolymerizing propylene and ethylene to produce other copolymers having different average molecular weights.

The molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn), melt flow rate (MFR) and the like of the polyolefin used in the present invention are not particularly limited. However, the molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn)
Of about 5.5 to 12 and a melt flow rate (MFR) of about 2.0 to 12.0 g / 10 min. Are excellent in antibacterial agent migration speed, controllability of migration speed, moldability, and the like. Since it has good moldability and high mechanical strength, it can be preferably used. Molecular weight distribution (Mw /
Mn) is a value 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). When the molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) is less than 5.5, the moldability is deteriorated. On the other hand, if it exceeds 12, the mechanical strength may be reduced. MFR is 2.0g
/ 10 min. If it is less than 12.0 g / m, the migration speed and migration speed of the antibacterial agent are low, but the moldability is poor.
10 min. If the ratio exceeds 1, the migration speed and migration speed of the antibacterial agent are high, and the mechanical strength is undesirably low.

In the present invention, an inorganic filler can be added to the antimicrobial-containing resin composition. Examples of the inorganic filler referred to herein include inorganic fillers in the form of powder, granules, tabular, acicular, spherical or hollow and fibrous, and specifically, talc, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium silicate, Clay, diatomaceous earth, alumina, silica sand, glass powder, iron oxide, metal powder, powdered and granular fillers such as antimony trioxide, graphite, silicon carbide, silica, carbon black, mica, glass plate, sericite, pyrophyllite, aluminum Metal foils such as flakes, flat or scaly fillers such as graphite, hollow fillers such as shirasu balloons, pumice stones, glass fibers, carbon fibers, graphite fibers,
Examples of fibers such as whiskers can be given.

Antibacterial agents used in the present invention include:
Organic antibacterial agents, inorganic antibacterial agents or mixtures thereof can be used. Examples of the organic antibacterial agent include those mainly containing trichlorocarbanide, polyhexamethylenebiguanide hydrochloride, octadecyldimethyl-3-trimethoxysilylpropylammonium, and the like.

The inorganic antibacterial agents used in the present invention include, for example, inorganic antibacterial agents mainly composed of inorganic compounds such as silver, copper, zinc and tin, and those antibacterial agents which are used as calcium carbonate, zeolite and kaolin clay. And inorganic antibacterial agents supported on diatomaceous earth, talc, bentonite, ceramics, activated carbon, apatite and the like. Inorganic antibacterial agents supported on ceramics, activated carbon, apatite and the like can be 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 antimicrobial agent-containing resin composition used in the present invention may further include an insecticide, a deodorant, a fragrance, an antistatic agent, an antioxidant, if necessary, without departing from the gist of the present invention. Known additives such as an ultraviolet absorber, a lubricant, a nucleating agent, an anti-blocking agent, an anti-fogging agent, a flame retardant, a pigment and a dispersant can be optionally added and blended.

The resin capable of penetrating the antimicrobial agent used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin capable of transmitting the antimicrobial agent. Specifically, for example, crystalline polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene can be mentioned.

The resin sheet or film which is permeable to the antimicrobial agent used in the present invention is formed by disposing the antimicrobial agent-containing resin composition layer laminated thereunder directly in contact with the condensed water so that the antimicrobial agent contained therein can be used. It is intended to suppress and control the outflow of the antimicrobial agent in a short period of time, and even if the same antimicrobial agent is used in the same amount in the antimicrobial agent-containing resin composition, the antimicrobial agent can be permeated. By changing the type and thickness of the resin sheet or film, the relationship between the antibacterial effect and the outflow period can be controlled.

In the present invention, a resin sheet or film permeable to an antibacterial agent having a plurality of holes as necessary can be used. The relationship between the antibacterial effect and the outflow period can be changed by changing the size, number, distribution, and shape of the holes.

A sheet or film made of a resin permeable to an adhesive or an antimicrobial agent used for laminating the antimicrobial 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 used for the above, an adhesive containing the antibacterial agent can be used. By using an adhesive compounded with the antibacterial agent, the proliferation of various bacteria is further suppressed, and the passage of condensed water, the drainage, etc. due to the proliferation of various bacteria and the like and the clogging of the drain and the like are prevented for a long time. it can.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. 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. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of the drain pan shown in FIG. 2. 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 hanging bracket 8, and one side of the decorative plate 2. A suction port 3 is opened on the other side, and an air outlet 4 is opened on the other side. The air sucked from the air inlet 3 is exchanged with heat and then blown out from the air outlet 4.

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.

The lower end of the heat exchanger 7 is placed on the inner surface 10 of the drain pan 9 formed in a concave shape.
0 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 to the outside via a drain hose (not shown).

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.

In FIG. 3, on the surface of the drain pan 9,
Using an adhesive 12, a crystalline polypropylene [molecular weight distribution (Mw / M) obtained by blending 50% by weight of crystalline polypropylene with an average molecular weight of 50,000 and 50% by weight of crystalline polypropylene with an average molecular weight of 150,000
n) = 7, MFR = 5 g / 10 min. Crystalline polypropylene], an inorganic antibacterial agent [brand name: Novalon AGZ]
330, 0.5% by weight manufactured by Toa Gosei Co., Ltd.], and an antimicrobial film 13 made of a resin composition containing an antimicrobial agent is laminated thereon. The film 14 is laminated. Reference numeral 15 denotes expanded resin particles.

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 has the antibacterial film 13 and the polyethylene resin film 14 laminated thereon, the condensed water can be smoothly discharged without leaking the condensed water, and migration, permeation, discharge and the like can be performed. The antibacterial agent that is controlled to move from the antibacterial film 13 toward the surface is supplied to the surface through the polyethylene resin film 14. Thus, the drain pan 9 has antibacterial properties. For example, even if the antimicrobial agent permeated by the condensed water accumulated in the drain pan 9 and leaked to the surface flows out, migration, permeation, release, etc. are controlled, and the antimicrobial agent moves from the antimicrobial film 13, Since the drain pan 9 is supplied to the surface through the polyethylene resin film 14, the drain pan 9 will be substantially always antibacterial. In this way, the drain pan 9 can better suppress the propagation of various bacteria and the like, and can prevent the passage of the condensed water and the drain from being clogged by the proliferation of the various bacteria and the like for a longer period of time. If an antimicrobial agent is mixed with the adhesive 12 or the like, the antimicrobial effect can be further enhanced.

Similarly, when the antimicrobial film 13 made of the antimicrobial agent-containing resin composition using only the crystalline polypropylene having an average molecular weight of 50,000 is used, the migration speed and the migration speed of the antimicrobial agent are reduced. A few years later, various bacteria grew.

[0035]

According to the drain pan of the air conditioner of the present invention, the antifungal-containing resin composition layer containing the polyolefin having a controlled molecular weight distribution and the antifungal is provided on the surface thereof.
The antimicrobial agent whose migration, permeation, release and the like are controlled migrates to the surface of the drain pan and can suppress the propagation 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 outlet 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 foamed resin particles

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideho Ogawa 2-5-5-1 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Seyuki Mogi 2-5-5-1 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka No. Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A polyolefin and a bacterium having a controlled molecular weight distribution including at least two types of polyolefins having different average molecular weights on a surface of a drain pan of an air conditioner made of a foamed resin material which receives condensed water and is installed in the air conditioner. A drain pan for an air conditioner, characterized by laminating an antimicrobial agent-containing resin composition layer containing an agent. 2. A resin sheet or film, which is provided with a plurality of holes as necessary and is permeable to the antimicrobial agent, is further laminated on the antimicrobial agent-containing resin composition layer. A drain pan for the air conditioner according to claim 1. 3. The drain pan for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the drain pan is laminated using an adhesive containing the antibacterial agent.