KR100665141B1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

An air conditioner is provided to return drain water electrolyzed in an electrolyzing unit to a drain pan. An air conditioner includes a heat exchanger, a drain pan(22), and a drain pump(12). The drain pan receives drain water generated in the heat exchanger. The drain pump pumps the drain water collected in the drain pan to discharge the drain water to the outside via a drain hose. An electrolyzing unit(30) is disposed on at least one side of a suction opening and a discharge opening of the drain pump to generate activation oxygen by electrolyzing the drain water. The drain water electrolyzed in the electrolyzing unit is returned to the drain pan. The drain hose includes an erecting section extending upward. The drain water in the erecting section and the electrolyzing unit is returned to the drain pan by stopping the operation of the drain pump.

Description

Air Conditioner {AIR CONDITIONER}

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an air conditioner of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view showing one embodiment of the air conditioner of the present invention.

3 is a configuration diagram showing an electrode arrangement;

4 is a diagram showing a relationship between water temperature and ozone water concentration at the time of electrolysis;

5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the electrolysis operation;

6 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment.

7 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: air conditioner

16: heat exchanger

12: drain pump

22: drain pan

30, 50, 70: electrolytic unit

32, 33, 52, 53, 72, 73: electrode

35, 75: heat storage means

36, 76: stirring blade (stirring means)

34, 54, 74: electrolytic control means

61: pump up

[Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-159710

The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a drain pan that receives drain water.

In general, an air conditioner having a heat exchanger and a drain pan that receives drain water generated in the heat exchanger is known. In this kind of thing, slime tends to occur in the drain water stored in the drain pan, which causes clogging of the drain pan and the drain hose.

In order to eliminate this, conventionally, the thing which arrange | positioned the slime generation | occurence | production agent in the drain pan is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-159710

However, in the conventional configuration, the chemicals are mixed in the drain water to suppress the slime generation. Therefore, when the medicinal agent is eliminated, the effect is lost, and the durability, that is, the sustainability of suppressing the slime is difficult. there is a problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of eliminating the problems of the conventional art described above and permanently suppressing the occurrence of slime in the drain pan.

The present invention includes a heat exchanger, a drain pan for receiving drain water generated in the heat exchanger, and a drain pump for pumping drain water collected in the drain pan and draining the drain water to the outside through a drain hose. An electrolytic unit having an electrode for electrolytically dissolving the drain water to generate active oxygen species is disposed at at least one of the discharge ports, and the drain water electrolyzed in the electrolytic unit is returned to the drain pan.

In this case, the drain hose may have an upstanding portion extending upward, and the upright portion and the electrolyzed drain water in the electrolytic unit may be configured to return to the drain pan with the stop of the drain pump. The drain pump may be operated during the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation or after the operation is completed, and the electrolytic control means may be configured to control the electrolysis of the drain water supplied to the electrolytic unit.

Moreover, it is good also as a structure which provided the heat storage means which accumulates the cold heat which drain water has in an electrolytic unit or a drain hose, and cools the drain water supplied at the time of the next electrolysis. The electrolytic control means may be configured to detect that drain water is supplied into the electrolytic unit and to start electrolysis of the drain water. The electrolytic unit may be configured to include a stirring means for stirring the drain water introduced into the electrolytic unit.

In addition, the present invention includes a heat exchanger, a drain pan for receiving the drain water generated in the heat exchanger, a drain pump for pumping up the drain water collected in the drain pan and draining the drain water to the outside through the drain hose. An elevating pump is disposed in the drain pan, and an electrolytic unit having an electrode for generating active oxygen species by electrolyzing the drain water at at least one of the inlet or outlet of the pump is disposed, and electrolysis is performed in this electrolytic unit. The drain water is returned to the drain pan again.

In this case, the electrolytic unit may be configured using an electrode capable of generating ozone.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, one Embodiment of this invention is described based on drawing. Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing the air conditioner main body and the makeup panel, and Fig. 2 is a bottom view showing the air conditioner main body.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes an air conditioner, and this air conditioner 1 is provided with a refrigeration cycle composed of a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, etc. in combination with an outdoor unit (not shown), as shown in FIG. It is suspended and fixed in the ceiling space 41 of the building 40. 1 and 2 show an example of a four-way ceiling cassette type air conditioner 1, which has an air conditioner main body 2 and a makeup panel 3, with a suction port at the center of the makeup panel 3; (4) is opened, and the blowout outlet 5 is opened around the suction port 4 of the makeup panel 3. Four bolts 42 are set vertically downward from the building 40, and these four bolts 42 are fixedly attached to the hanging member 43 of the air conditioner main body 2, respectively.

In the air conditioner main body 2, a fan motor 6, an indoor fan 7 (turbo fan), a partition plate 8, a drain pump 12, a drain drain 13, a refrigerant pipe 14, a drain The electrical equipment box 15, heat exchanger 16, etc. which have control apparatuses, such as a pump control means and electrolytic control means, are arrange | positioned.

The indoor fan 7 is disposed corresponding to the fan nozzle 17. The heat exchanger 16 is bent in a substantially rectangular shape so that the blowout ports 5 are arranged close to each other to surround the indoor fan 7. The partition plate 8 connects between the tube plates 21 and 21 of the heat exchanger 16, and the drain pump 12 is connected to the space 20 outside the heat exchanger 16 partitioned by the partition plate 8. , A drain drain port 13, an indoor mechanical valve 18, and the like are housed. The partition plate 8 prevents the air from the indoor fan 7 from leaking at the time of operation, and the air which heat-exchanged from the blowout openings 5 of all directions by the presence of this partition plate 8 is room R. The air is surely ventilated.

3 is a view of a drain pan. 3, the drain pan 22 is provided below the heat exchanger 16. As shown in FIG. The drain storage part 22A lowered by one stage is formed in the bottom part of this drain pan 22, and the drain pump 12 is arrange | positioned at this drain storage part 22A. In the drain pump 12, for example, a drain pump driving means 23 such as a DC motor is provided. In addition, the drain pump driving means 23 includes a drain pump control means 24 capable of driving control of the rotational speed. Connected.

The drain pump control means 24 includes an indoor fan operation stop detection means 26 (hereinafter simply referred to as a fan operation detection means) that detects whether or not the indoor fan 7 is being operated, and the rotation speed of the drain pump 12. It is provided with the rotation speed setting means 27 which sets.

When the fan operation detecting means 26 detects that the indoor fan 7 is operating, the rotation speed setting means 27 sets the drain pump 12 at the maximum rotation speed to the drain pump driving means 23. After the fan operation detecting means 26 detects the stop of the indoor fan 7, the minimum number of rotations that can be drained is output to the drain pump driving means 23. And the drain pump drive means 23 drives the drain pump 12 by the rotation speed output from the rotation speed setting means 27. FIG.

In addition, a drain hose 19 for draining the drain water out of the apparatus is connected to the drain port 13 of the drain pump 12. The drain hose 19 has an upright portion 19A extending in an upward direction, and the drain water remaining in the upright portion 19A is discharged onto the drain pan 22 when the operation of the drain pump 12 is stopped. It is supposed to return.

In this embodiment, the electrolytic unit 30 which electrolyzes drain water and produces | generates active oxygen species (for example, ozone) is arrange | positioned in the upright part 19A of the drain hose 19. As shown in FIG. The electrolytic unit 30 includes an electrolytic cell 31 having a diameter larger than that of the drain hose 21 and a pair of electrodes 32 and 33 disposed in the electrolytic cell 31, and these electrodes are electrolytic control means. It is connected to 34. When the electrodes 32 and 33 are energized, the electrode 32 and 33 are capable of generating active oxygen species (ozone) by electrolyzing the drain water introduced into the electrolytic cell 31.

Here, the active oxygen species refers to oxygen molecules having an oxidation activity higher than that of ordinary oxygen and related substances, and so-called negotiated active oxygen such as ozone, anion peroxide, singlet oxygen, hydroxy radical or hydrogen peroxide. It is assumed that it contains so-called widespread active oxygen such as hypohalogenic acid.

This active oxygen species prevents slime from occurring and makes it difficult for slime to occur in the drain pan 22 or the drain hose 19. The electrode material is preferably one capable of generating active oxygen species by electrolyzing drain water (things that do not contain chlorine such as tap water), for example, materials capable of producing ozone, hydrogen peroxide, radicals, and the like, Specifically, platinum, lead oxide, platinum tantalum and the like are appropriate. Among them, the platinum tantalum electrode is most preferable in this respect because it can generate ozone stably with high efficiency by electrolysis even from drain water having a rare ionic species. At this time, in the cathode,

^{4H + + 4e - + (4OH} -) → 2H 2 + (4OH ^-)

Reaction occurs, and at the anode,

2H ₂ O → 4H ⁺ + O ₂ + 4e ^-

At the same time,

3H ₂ O → O ₃ ⁺ 6H + + 6e ^-

2H ₂ O → O ₃ ⁺ 4H + + 4e ^-

Reaction occurs.

As described above, ozone (O ₃ ) generated at the anode electrode is quickly dissolved in the drain water, and the slime prevention effect is exerted with the drain water (hereinafter referred to as ozone water) in which ozone is dissolved. Specifically, since ozone water is returned onto the drain pan 22 with the stop of the drain pump 12, the generation of slime in this drain pan 22 is prevented. In addition, ozone water discharged to the outside through the drain hose 19 prevents slime from occurring in the drain hose 19.

The heat storage material 35 is disposed inside the electrolytic cell 31 of the electrolytic unit 30. The heat storage material 35 accumulates the cooling heat of the drain water generated during the cooling operation. Here, the reason for installing the heat storage material 35 will be described.

In general, as shown in Fig. 4, it is known that the lower the water temperature, the higher the solubility in water. For this reason, it is preferable to produce ozone water with a high ozone concentration by keeping the water temperature of drain water low at the time of the electrolysis of drain water.

However, the drain water collected on the drain pan 22 is warmed by the ambient temperature with time. For this reason, in this structure, the heat storage material 35 is provided in the electrolytic cell 31, and the cold heat of the drain water discharged | emitted to the outside accumulate | stores in the heat storage material 35 at the time of the electrolysis immediately after cooling operation, and after the next time At the time of electrolysis, cooling water of the drain water supplied to the electrolytic cell 31 by the cold heat enables easy generation of ozone water having a high ozone concentration.

In addition, the electrolytic unit 30 is provided with a stirring blade (stirring means) 36 for stirring the drain water introduced into the electrolytic cell 31. The stirring blade 36 is connected to stirring blade driving means (hereinafter simply referred to as blade driving means) 37 such as a DC motor. Under the control of the electrolytic control means 34, the blade drive means 37 operates the stirring blade 36 at the time of electrolysis to stir the drain water in the electrolytic cell 31 to efficiently perform electrolysis. In addition, although the DC motor was mentioned as the stirring blade drive means 37 as mentioned above, you may control the stirring blade 36 using the flow of drain water as a drive source other than it.

Next, the operation of the drain pump control means 24 will be described.

When the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1 starts, the compressor and the indoor fan 7 start operation. When the indoor fan 7 starts to operate, the fan operation detection means 26 of the drain pump control means 24 detects that the indoor fan 7 is in operation, and the rotation speed setting means 27 causes the drain pump. (12) is set to the maximum rotational speed, and the drain pump driving means 23 drives the drain pump 12 at the maximum rotational speed. By operating the drain pump 12, the drain water collected in the drain pan 22 is pumped up and drained out of the device.

When the cooling operation is stopped and the compressor and the indoor fan 7 stop operation, the fan operation detecting means 26 detects the stop of the operation of the indoor fan 7. When the indoor fan 7 is stopped, the rotation speed setting means 27 sets the rotation speed of the drain pump driving means 23 to the minimum rotation speed that can be drained, and the drain pump driving means 23 performs the drain pump at this rotation speed. Work 12. By operating the drain pump 12 at the minimum rotational speed of drainage, the noise such as the water mixing sound of the drain pump 12 is minimized, and is attached to the heat exchanger 16 and the like even after the compressor and the indoor fan 7 are stopped. The water is drained down to the drain pan 22.

Next, when the water level of the drain pan 22 becomes below a fixed value, the drain pump 12 cannot drain, so the operation of the drain pump 12 is stopped. About the timing of stopping this drain pump 12, you may set it to stop, for example, after driving for about 20 minutes after the indoor fan 7 stops, and also the water level sensor etc. (not shown) in the drain pan 22. A sensor may be provided so that the operation of the drain pump 12 may be stopped when the water level of the drain pan 22 reaches the lowest water level capable of draining.

By the way, when the operation of the drain pump 12 is stopped, the drain water remaining in the upright portion 19A of the drain hose 19 is returned to the drain pan 22 due to its own weight. Thus, after the cooling operation, the drain pan ( It is in a state where drain water collects in 22). In the present embodiment, the drain water collected in the drain pan 22 is pumped up to the electrolytic unit 30 by the drain pump 12, electrolyzed by the electrolytic unit 30, and then back into the drain pan 22 as ozone water. The slime is prevented by returning.

Here, the electrolysis operation of the drain water collected in this drain pan 22 is demonstrated. In this embodiment, this electrolysis operation is performed intermittently (for example every 3 hours) at the time of stopping operation of an air conditioner.

The drain pump control means 24 drives the drain pump 12 (step S1). In this case, the drain pump 12 is operated at the minimum rotation speed described above to minimize noise such as water mixing of the drain pump 12.

Subsequently, the electrolytic control means 34 determines whether the water level of the drain water supplied into the electrolytic cell 31 of the electrolytic unit 30 has risen to a predetermined position (step S2). Specifically, this predetermined position is a position at which the upper ends of the electrodes 32 and 33 disposed in the electrolytic cell 31 submerge, and this position is detected by a water level sensor (not shown).

In this determination, when the water level of the drain water rises to a predetermined position (step S2; YES), the electrolytic control means 34 starts to energize the electrodes 32 and 33 (step S3), so that the drain water Electrolysis produces ozone water in which ozone, an active oxygen species, is dissolved. In this case, with the energization of the electrodes 32 and 33, the electrolytic control means 34 operates the blade drive means 37 to drive the stirring blade 36.

Here, the heat storage means 35 accumulates the cooling heat of the drain water supplied at the time of the electrolysis immediately after the cooling operation, and gives this cooling heat to the drain water supplied at the time of the subsequent electrolysis, thereby The drain water supplied at the time of electrolysis is cooled. As a result, ozone water having a high ozone concentration can be easily generated.

Subsequently, the electrolytic control means 34 determines whether a predetermined time (5 minutes in the present embodiment) has elapsed from the energization of the electrodes 32 and 33 (step S4), and the predetermined time has elapsed (step S4). In the case of this, the operation of the drain pump 12 is stopped via the drain pump control means 24 (step S5). In this embodiment, when the operation of the drain pump 12 is stopped, ozone water (drain water) in the electrolytic cell 31 of the electrolytic unit 30 and the upright portion 19A of the drain hose 19 returns to the drain pan 22. do.

Next, the electrolytic control means 34 determines whether the water level of the ozone water in the electrolytic cell 31 is lower than the predetermined position (step S6). In this determination, when the ozone water level is lower than the predetermined position (step S6; YES), the energization of the electrodes 32 and 33 is stopped and the operation of the stirring blade 36 is stopped (step S7). Thereby, since electricity supply is prevented in the state in which the water is not supplied in the electrolytic cell 31, the lifetime of the electrodes 32 and 33 can be extended.

According to this embodiment, generation | occurrence | production of slime is prevented by returning the ozone water produced | generated by electrolytic decomposition to the drain pan 22. In this configuration, no slime is permanently generated in the drain water collected in the drain pan 22, and the drain pan 22 is purified, and the deodorizing effect is exerted. In addition, by flowing the drain water downward to the drain pipe 19, the generation of slime in the drain pipe 19 is also permanently suppressed. From this point of view, maintenance of the drain pan 22 is achieved.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the electrolytic control means 34 performs electrolysis of the drain water remaining in the upright part 19A of the drain hose 19 after completion | finish of cooling operation, it can generate | occur | produce high concentration ozone water in a short time. It is possible to prevent slime from occurring in the drain pan 22 by the ozone water.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the electrolytic cell 31 of the electrolytic unit 30 is equipped with the heat storage means 35 which accumulates the cold heat which drain water has, and cools the drain water supplied at the time of the next electrolysis. Therefore, the drain water temperature can be kept at a low temperature during the electrolysis after the next time, and high concentration ozone water can be generated. In addition, in this embodiment, since the electrolytic unit 30 is equipped with the stirring blade 36 which stirs the drain water which flowed into the electrolyzer 31, electrolysis can be performed efficiently.

The air conditioner in which the electrode is assembled not only reduces the problem of the drainage system and facilitates maintenance, but also contributes to the realization of more comfortable air-conditioning because it purifies the inside of the air-conditioning equipment. It is available installed in a building where many people gather.

6 shows another embodiment.

In this embodiment, the inlet port of the drain pump 12 is provided with the electrolytic unit 50. FIG. This electrolytic unit 50 is equipped with the electrolytic cell 51 connected to the suction port of the drain pump 12, and the electrodes 52 and 53 accommodated in this electrolytic cell 51. As shown in FIG. These electrodes 52 and 53 are connected to the electrolytic control means 54, and the other structure is substantially the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. However, in this embodiment, since the electrolytic unit 30 is arrange | positioned so that it may be immersed in drain water, a heat storage means and a stirring blade are not employ | adopted.

Also in this embodiment, generation | occurrence | production of slime is prevented by returning the ozone water produced | generated by electrolytic decomposition to the drain pan 22. FIG. For this reason, slime does not generate | occur | produce permanently in the drain water which accumulates in the drain pan 22, and the drain pan 22 is purified and the deodorizing effect is exhibited. Further, by making the drain water flow downward into the drain pipe 19, the slime in the drain pipe 19 is also permanently suppressed. From this point of view, maintenance of the drain pan 22 is achieved.

7 is another embodiment.

In the present embodiment, a pumping pump 61 for pumping drain water is provided separately from the drain pump 12, and the electrolytic unit 70 is connected to the discharge port 62 of the pumping pump 61. The boost pump 61 is arranged in a line with the drain pump 12 in the drain storage portion 22A of the drain pan 22. This pumping pump 61 includes pumping means 63 for pumping, for example, a DC motor, and pumping pump 64 for pumping the drive of the pumping drive 63. ) Is connected.

The electrolytic unit 70 is provided with the electrolytic cell 71 and the electrodes 72 and 73 accommodated in this electrolytic cell 71, These electrodes 72 and 73 are connected to the electrolytic control means 74. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the size of the electrolytic layer 71 is set to the size which can accommodate the quantity (for example 800 ml) of the drain water returned to the drain pan 22 by own weight when the drain pump 12 stops. have.

Moreover, the heat storage material 75 is arrange | positioned inside the electrolytic cell 71, and is provided with the stirring blade (stirring means) 76 for stirring the drain water which flowed in this electrolytic cell 71, and this stirring blade To 76, for example, stirring blade drive means 77 such as a DC motor is connected. Other configurations and operations are almost the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and thus description thereof is omitted.

According to this embodiment, the generation of slime is prevented by returning the ozone water produced by electrolytic decomposition to the drain pan 22. For this reason, slime does not generate | occur | produce permanently in the drain water which accumulates in the drain pan 22, and the drain pan 22 is purified and the deodorizing effect is exhibited. From this point of view, maintenance of the drain pan 22 is achieved.

In addition, in this embodiment, although the structure which arrange | positions the electrolytic unit 70 in the discharge port 62 of the pumping pump 61 was demonstrated, it is good also as a structure which installs an electrolytic unit in the suction port of a pumping pump.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on one Embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. For example, in the said embodiment, although electrolysis operation is made for every predetermined time, it is good also as a structure which detects the ozone concentration on a drain pan, and performs this electrolysis operation | movement when this density becomes below a predetermined value.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the electrolysis operation | movement was made only to the cooling operation stop of the air conditioner 1, when the drain pump is operating at the time of cooling operation, it is the structure which energizes a drain water and electrolyses a drain water. You may make it. In this case, the ozone water generated by the electrolysis is discharged out of the device through the drain hose 19, but since the slime inside the drain hose 19 is removed by the ozone water, it is necessary to keep the drain hose 19 clean. It becomes possible. In addition, when the drain pump stops, ozone water in the drain hose 19 and in the electrolytic cell is returned to the drain pan, so that the slime of the drain pan 22 can be suppressed and the drain pan 22 can be kept clean. Become.

In addition, in the said embodiment, although the structure which provided the heat storage materials 35 and 75 in the electrolytic cell 31 and 71 was demonstrated, you may make it the structure which attaches such a heat storage material to the drain hose 19. FIG.

In addition, although the structure which generate | occur | produces ozone as active oxygen species was demonstrated in the said embodiment, you may make it the structure which generates active oxygen species other than ozone by changing an electrode into an appropriate thing.

In addition, when a scale is deposited on the electrode (cathode) by the electrolysis of drain water, the electrical conductivity is lowered, and continuous electrolysis becomes difficult. In this case, it is effective to reverse the polarity of the electrolysis (switch the plus and minus of the electrode). By electrolyzing the cathode electrode as the anode electrode, the scale deposited on the cathode electrode is removed. In this polarity inversion control, for example, it may be inverted periodically using a timer, or may be inverted at irregular intervals such as inverting at every operation start. In addition, an increase in electrolytic resistance (a drop in electrolytic current or a rise in electrolytic voltage) may be detected, and the polarity may be reversed based on the result. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which performs not only a cooling operation but the electrolysis of the drain water collected in the drain pan 22 in the case of the dehumidification operation which produces drain water.

In this invention, generation | occurrence | production of the slime to a drain pan can be suppressed permanently.

Claims (9)

A heat exchanger, a drain pan for receiving the drain water generated by the heat exchanger, a drain pump for pumping up the drain water collected in the drain pan and draining the drain water to the outside through a drain hose; At least one of the inlet and the outlet of the drain pump has an electrolytic unit having an electrode which electrolyzes the drain water to generate active oxygen species, and returns the electrolyzed drain water back to the drain pan. Featuring air conditioner. 2. The drain hose of claim 1, wherein the drain hose has an upright portion extending upwardly. And the electrolyzed drain water in the upright portion and the electrolytic unit is returned to the drain pan with the stop of operation of the drain pump. The method according to claim 1 or 2, during or after the operation of the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation, And an electrolytic control means for driving the drain pump and controlling electrolysis of the drain water supplied to the electrolytic unit. The heat storage means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein cold heat of the drain water is accumulated in the electrolytic unit or the drain hose, and heat storage means for cooling the drain water supplied at the time of subsequent electrolysis is provided. Air conditioner. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the electrolytic control means detects that drain water is supplied into the electrolytic unit, and starts electrolysis of the drain water. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrolytic unit includes stirring means for stirring the drain water introduced into the electrolytic unit. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrode polarity is inverted periodically or irregularly. A heat exchanger, a drain pan for receiving the drain water generated by the heat exchanger, a drain pump for pumping up the drain water collected in the drain pan and draining the drain water to the outside through a drain hose; A pump for pumping up the drain water is disposed in the drain pan, and an electrolytic unit having an electrode for generating active oxygen species by electrolyzing the drain water on at least one of the suction port and the discharge port of the pump. And returning the drain water electrolyzed in this electrolytic unit back to the drain pan. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 8, wherein an electrode capable of generating ozone is used for the electrolytic unit.

Images