KR101510183B1 - washing apparatus of air conditioner and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention supplies water stored in the storage unit to the electrolytic unit, determines whether the water supplied to the electrolytic unit is dissolved in the electrolytic solution, and controls the supply of the electrolytic solution to the storage unit according to the determined result.

The present invention can determine the type of water stored in the storage unit and determine whether the electrolyte is supplied, thereby limiting the supply of the electrolyte and electrolyzing the water in which a suitable amount of electrolyte is dissolved, By spraying the generated acidic water and alkaline water during the decomposition into the heat exchanger, it is possible to efficiently clean and sterilize the dust, water, bacteria and the like collected in the heat exchanger of the air conditioner, and the sterilizing efficiency can be improved by washing the heat exchanger with acidic water .

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner,

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning an air conditioner and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an apparatus for cleaning an air conditioner for cleaning dust and foreign matter in a heat exchanger provided in an air conditioner, .

Generally, an air conditioner is a device for cooling air, heating or purifying the air by using the movement of heat generated by the evaporation and condensation process of the refrigerant, and then discharging the conditioned air to harmonize the air in a specific space. The air conditioner compresses the refrigerant, A condenser for converting the refrigerant in the high-temperature and high-pressure state compressed by the compressor into a liquid phase and discharging the latent heat to the outside, an expanding means for reducing the pressure by controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant converted into the liquid phase in the condenser, And an evaporator that evaporates the liquid refrigerant expanded in the expansion means to the gas while absorbing the external heat, and each component is connected by a connection pipe. Such an air conditioner causes dust, bacteria, and water on the surface of a heat exchanger such as a condenser or an evaporator when it is not used for a long period of time. When the heat exchanger is driven by such dust, bacteria, It causes unpleasant smell when the heat exchanger is driven.

Accordingly, in order to remove dust and foreign matter from the heat exchanger of the air conditioner, the heat exchanger is disassembled and separated from the air conditioner to perform cleaning and sterilization, or the heat exchanger itself is replaced. As a result, the disassembly and separation of the heat exchanger is not easy depending on the installation place and installation method, and it is also difficult to perform the operation of replacing the heat exchanger itself in a limited space. In addition, when cleaning and disinfection are performed by disassembling and separating the heat exchanger from the air conditioner, it is troublesome that the user must manually perform cleaning and sterilization by hand. In case of replacing the heat exchanger itself, the replacement cost of the heat exchanger Respectively.

According to an aspect of the present invention, An electrolyte supply part for supplying an electrolyte to the storage part; An electrolytic unit that receives water from the storage unit and performs electrolysis; And a control unit for determining whether water supplied to the electrolysis unit is electrolyte-dissolved water and controlling the supply of the electrolyte to the storage unit according to the determined result.

The electrolytic unit electrolyzes electrolytic water to generate acidic water and alkaline water, and the electrolytic unit includes a first washing water pipe through which acidic water moves and a second washing water pipe through which alkaline water moves.

The electrolyte supply portion includes an electrolyte case in which an electrolyte is accommodated and a hole is formed, a motor connected through the electrolyte case and the wire, and a guide in which the wire is unwound or wound corresponding to the rotation of the motor.

The electrolyte supply part further includes an electrolyte case in which an electrolyte is contained and a hole is formed, a rack in which the electrolyte case is installed, a gear for moving the rack, and a motor for rotating the gear.

 The electrolyte supply part includes an electrolyte case provided on the upper part of the reservoir and having a hole therein and containing an electrolyte therein; An electrolyte supply valve provided in at least one of the first and second wash water pipes; And an auxiliary pipe connected between the electrolyte supply valve and the electrolyte case.

The control unit controls the electrolyte supply valve so that the washing water of the electrolysis unit flows through the auxiliary pipe to the electrolyte case.

And a pump for pumping the water in the reservoir to the electrolysis section.

The controller may further include a current sensing unit for sensing a current flowing in the water accommodated in the electrolysis unit, and the controller compares the sensed current with a reference current to determine whether the electrolyte is supplied.

And a jetting unit for jetting the washing water into the heat exchanger.

And a drain valve connected between the storage unit and the electrolysis unit, wherein the control unit controls the drain valve to discharge the water in the storage unit to the outside when the heat exchanger is driven.

The control unit controls the drain valve to supply the water in the storage unit to the electrolytic unit when the water level of the storage unit is at a reference water level during cleaning of the heat exchanger.

Further comprising a supply hole provided in a cabinet forming an appearance of the air conditioner, wherein water in the storage portion is water supplied by the user through the supply hole.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for cleaning an air conditioner, comprising: a storage unit for storing water generated in a heat exchanger; An electrolyte supply part for supplying an electrolyte to the storage part; A controller for controlling the supply amount of the electrolyte to generate dissolved water in the storage part; And an electrolysis unit for electrolyzing the electrolytic dissolution water supplied from the storage unit to generate washing water.

The controller may further include a current sensing unit sensing a current flowing in the electrolytic water contained in the electrolytic unit, and the controller compares the sensed current with a reference current to control the amount of the electrolyte to be supplied.

The electrolyte supply part includes an electrolyte case provided on the upper part of the reservoir and formed with a hole, an electrolyte case accommodated in the electrolyte, an electrolyte supply valve provided in at least one of the first and second wash water pipes, an electrolyte supply valve between the electrolyte supply valve and the electrolyte case And the control unit controls the opening and closing of the electrolyte supply valve to control the supply amount of the electrolyte.

The electrolyte supply portion includes an electrolyte case in which an electrolyte is contained and a hole is formed, and a driving device for causing the electrolyte case to be contained in water stored in the storage portion, and the control portion controls the supply amount of the electrolyte by controlling the driving device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, water stored in the storage section is supplied to the electrolytic section, the water supplied to the electrolytic section is determined to be the electrolytically dissolved water, and the supply of the electrolyte to the storage section is controlled according to the determined result.

If the water supplied from the storage unit is electrolyte-dissolved water, electrolyzing the electrolyte-dissolved water to generate washing water, and spraying the washing water into the heat exchanger.

The determination of whether water is a dissolvable water to be electrolyzed is performed by sensing a current flowing through the water contained in the electrolytic unit and comparing the sensed current with a reference current to determine whether the water is electrolyzed water.

Sensing the current flowing in the water contained in the electrolytic unit and comparing it with a reference current, and controlling the additional supply of electrolyte according to the compared result.

And when the washing is completed, controlling the drain valve to discharge the washed water to the outside.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the type of water stored in the storage unit is determined, and the supply of the electrolyte is suitably limited by supplying the electrolyte. In addition, electrolysis efficiency of the electrolyzed water is improved because a proper amount of electrolyte is electrolyzed .

In addition, by spraying the acidic water and alkaline water generated during the electrolysis into the heat exchanger, it is possible to efficiently clean dust, foreign matter, water, etc. collected in the heat exchanger of the air conditioner and to increase the sterilizing efficiency of the heat exchanger.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the heat exchanger can be cleaned without disassembling and separating the heat exchanger provided in the air conditioner, so that the heat exchanger can be easily cleaned, the continuous performance of the heat exchanger can be maintained, have.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross- Fig.

1, the air conditioner 10 includes a cabinet 11 having a front surface opened and a front panel 12 covering the entire open front surface of the cabinet 11 to form an outer appearance. A discharge port 13 through which the heat-exchanged air is discharged is provided on both upper sides of the cabinet 11. The discharge port 13 is provided with a blade 14 for guiding the flow of the discharged airflow, Is provided with suction ports 15 for sucking outside air. A supply hole 50 is formed at one side of the cabinet 11 and a cover is provided in the supply hole 50 to selectively open and close the supply hole 50 by a user. The inner space of the cabinet 11 is divided into a lower blower installation chamber and an upper heat exchanger installation chamber.

2, the blower installation room of the cabinet 11 includes a blowing fan 21 for sucking outside air and blowing the sucked air, a fan motor (not shown) for applying a rotational force to the blowing fan 21, And a fan housing 22 for housing the air blowing fan 21 and guiding the air sucked through the air blowing fan 21 to the heat exchanger installation chamber is provided and the heat exchanger installation room is guided through the fan housing 22 And a heat exchanger 31 for heat exchange with air. Here, the heat exchanger 31 is formed in a flat plate shape so that the air blown from the fan housing 22 can be heat-exchanged while passing therethrough, and is installed to be sloped in the upper space inside the cabinet 11.

2 and 3, the interior space of the cabinet 11 is provided with a cleaning device 40 (not shown) for cleaning dust, foreign matter and water in the heat exchanger 31 and sterilizing bacteria in the heat exchanger 31 ). The cleaning apparatus 40 includes a reservoir 41, an electrolytic unit 42, a drain valve 43, an electrolyte supply unit 44, and a jetting unit 45.

The storage unit 41 is provided at the lower end of the heat exchanger 31 to store the condensed water generated in the heat exchanger 31 and supplies the stored water to the electrolysis unit 42. In addition to storing the condensed water generated in the heat exchanger 31, the storage unit 41 may also store water (for example, tap water) directly supplied by the user through the supply hole 50.

When the water level of the storage unit 41 detected by the water level sensing unit 110 is equal to or higher than the reference water level, And an overflow pipe 41a for discharging the overflow pipe 41a.

The electrolytic unit 42 generates water for sterilizing and cleaning the heat exchanger 31 by receiving water from the storage unit 41 and performing electrolysis. The electrolytic unit 42 includes a case for forming an outer tube, a pair of electrode plates provided inside the case, and an ion separation membrane disposed between the electrode plates and partitioning the case. That is, when a positive (+) power source and a negative (-) power source are applied to each of the pair of electrode plates, water containing electrolyte (that is, electrolyte dissolved water) Respectively.

The electrolytic section 42 is provided with a first water rinse pipe 42a through which acidic water is discharged and a second rinse water pipe 42b through which alkaline water is discharged. In the first rinse water pipe 42a, And a second pump 42d for moving the alkaline water to the second spray part 45b is provided in the second wash water pipe 42b. The electrolytic unit 42 is provided with a current sensing unit 120 for sensing current flowing in the water contained therein.

The acidic water generated by the electrolysis serves to sterilize bacteria in the heat exchanger 31, and the alkaline water serves to clean the dust accumulated in the heat exchanger 31. Here, the electrolytic unit 42 may have another structure capable of performing a cleaning operation of the heat exchanger. In addition to the acidic water and the alkaline water, OH lycoric water, ozonated water and the like can be used as the washing water to be produced.

The acidic water and the alkaline water injected into the heat exchanger 31 flow down along the heat exchanger 31 and are stored again in the storage part 41 to be neutralized. Is supplied again to the electrolysis section (42) by driving of the electrolytic cell (46).

The drain valve 43 is provided between the storage unit 41 and the electrolysis unit 42 to supply water in the storage unit 41 to the electrolysis unit 42 or to supply water in the storage unit 41 to the outside .

The drain valve 43 includes a first valve 43b for opening and closing a first drain pipe 43a for draining the condensed water stored in the storage unit 41 during operation of the air conditioner, And a second valve 43d for opening and closing a second drain pipe 43c provided to supply water in the storage part 41 to the electrolytic part 42 during sterilization. That is, when the air conditioner is driven, the first valve 43b is opened to drain the condensed water generated in the heat exchanger 31 through the first drain pipe 43a. In cleaning the heat exchanger 31, The first and second valves 43b and 43d are closed to store the condensed water generated in the heat exchanger 31 in the storage unit 41 and then supplied to the electrolysis unit 42. [

Or the drain valve 43 connects the storage unit 41 and the first and second valves 43b and 43d so that the storage unit 41 and the first valve 43b are connected when the air conditioner is driven Way valve in which the storage portion 41 and the first valve 43b are connected to each other when the heat exchanger 31 is sterilized.

The electrolytic solution supply unit 44 is installed on one side of the upper part of the storage unit 41 and supplies electrolytic water to the storage unit 41 so that water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic unit 42 to generate wash water. Where the electrolyte is in solid or powder form.

More specifically, the electrolyte supply part 44 is provided at one side of the upper part of the storage part 41 and accommodates the electrolyte, and includes a hole h1 through which water is supplied, and an electrolyte An auxiliary pipe 44b connected to the hole h1 of the electrolyte case 44a and an auxiliary pipe 44b connected to the first washing water pipe 42a, And an electrolyte supply valve 44c for supplying the water received in the portion 42 and supplying the supplied water to the auxiliary pipe 44b. At this time, the electrolyte supply valve 44c may be provided in the second washing water pipe 42b.

When the electrolyte supply valve 44c of the electrolyte supply part 44 is opened and the water contained in the electrolysis part 42 is supplied to the electrolyte case 44a through the auxiliary pipe 44b, Is melted by the supplied water and discharged to the storage part 41 through the plurality of holes h2.

The jetting section 45 is provided on the upper side of the heat exchanger 31 and injects the washing water generated in the electrolysis section 42 into the heat exchanger 31. At this time, the washing water generated in the electrolysis unit 42 is supplied to the heat exchanger 31 by spraying at least one of the acidic water and the alkaline water into the heat exchanger 31 by using the acidic water and the alkaline water, Sterilize and clean.

The jetting section 45 includes a second jetting section 45a for jetting acidic water and a first jetting section 45b for jetting an alkaline water.

The cleaning device 40 includes a third pump 46 disposed between the storage unit 41 and the electrolysis unit 42 to easily supply the water stored in the storage unit 41 to the electrolysis unit 42, And a filter unit (not shown) for filtering the water supplied from the storage unit 41 to the electrolysis unit 42. That is, when the water of the reference water level is stored in the storage unit 41, the second valve 43d is opened and the third pump 46 is driven to connect the electrolysis unit 42 through the second drain pipe 43b and the filter unit. .

4 is a control block diagram of a cleaning apparatus provided in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 130 includes a water level sensing unit 110, a current sensing unit 120, a control unit 130, a drain valve driving unit 140, A decomposition driving unit 150, a pump driving unit 160, and an electrolyte supply valve driving unit 170.

The water level sensing unit 110 is installed inside the storage unit 41 and senses the water level of the water stored in the storage unit 41 and transmits the sensed water level to the control unit 130.

The current sensing unit 120 is installed inside the electrolysis unit 42 to sense the current flowing in the water contained in the electrolysis unit 44 when the power is applied to the electrolysis unit 42, 130).

The control unit 130 transmits the ON signal of the first valve 43b to the drain valve driving unit 140 during the operation of the heat exchanger according to the driving of the air conditioner to open the first valve 43b, And the water stored in the storage portion 41 is discharged to the outside in accordance with the heat exchange. The control unit 130 transmits the off signals of the first and second valves 43b and 43d to the drain valve driving unit 140 during the washing of the heat exchanger 31 to close the first and second valves 43b and 43d The heat exchanger (31) is connected to the heat exchanger (31) by heat exchange so that the water flowing into the storage part (41) is stored.

The control unit 130 compares the water level of the storage unit 41 transmitted from the water level sensing unit 110 with a preset reference water level and if the water level of the storage unit 41 is equal to or higher than the reference water level, So that the water stored in the storage unit 41 is supplied to the electrolytic unit 42.

The control unit 130 compares the current transmitted from the current sensing unit 120 with a preset reference current. If the current flowing in the water contained in the electrolysis unit 42 is equal to or greater than the reference current, (That is, tap water), and controls the driving of the electrolysis section 42 to perform electrolysis. When the current flowing in the water contained in the electrolysis section 42 is less than the reference current The water stored in the storage unit 41 is determined to be condensed water and the driving of the electrolyte supply unit 44 is controlled to supply the electrolyte to the storage unit 41. [ That is, since condensed water flowing in the heat exchanger 31 during the heat exchange of the water stored in the storage unit 41 does not contain ions and is not easily electrolyzed, The electrolytic water dissolving water supplied by the user with the water stored in the storage unit 41 contains ions of various chemicals inputted during the water treatment process, Thereby restricting the supply of the electrolyte.

The control unit 130 drives the first and second pumps 42c and 42d to move the acidic water and the alkaline water generated in the electrolysis of the electrolysis unit 42 to the first and second spray units 45a and 45b .

The drain valve driving unit 140 transmits the ON or OFF state of the first and second valves 43b and 43d to the outside so that the water stored in the storage unit 41 is discharged to the outside, So that water stored in the electrolytic unit 41 is supplied to the electrolytic unit 42.

The electrolytic driving unit 150 controls power supply to the electrolytic unit 42 according to an instruction from the control unit 130 so that electrolysis of water is performed in the electrolytic unit 42.

The pump driving unit 160 transmits a driving signal to the first and second pumps 42c and 42d and the third pump 46 in accordance with the instruction of the control unit 130 so that the first and second pumps 42c and 42d, So that the pump 46 is driven.

The electrolyte supply valve driving unit 170 controls the driving of the electrolyte supply valve 44c in accordance with the instruction of the control unit 130 so that the water contained in the electrolysis unit 42 is supplied to the electrolyte case 44a through the first washing water pipe 42a ).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the washing control of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

First, when the air conditioner 10 is driven, heat exchange is performed in the heat exchanger 31. When water (that is, condensed water) is formed in the heat exchanger 31 in accordance with the heat exchange of the heat exchanger 31 The water formed in the heat exchanger (31) flows into the storage part (41) and is stored in the storage part (41). At this time, the first valve of the drain valve is opened to discharge the water stored in the storage part 41 to the outside.

When the washing of the heat exchanger 31 is performed, the first valve 43b and the second valve 43d of the drain valve 43 are closed so that the water generated in the heat exchanger 31 flows into the storage part 41, (301). At this time, the water level of the storage unit 41 is sensed through the water level sensing unit 110, and the water level of the storage unit 41 is compared with a predetermined reference water level 302, The second valve 43d of the drain valve is opened to supply the water stored in the storage unit 41 to the electrolysis unit 42 (303).

Supplies power to the next electrolysis unit 42 and detects a current flowing in the water supplied from the storage unit 41 and stored in the electrolysis unit 42 to compare preset reference currents. At this time, if the current flowing in the water contained in the electrolysis section 42 is equal to or higher than the reference current 304, the water stored in the storage section 41 is determined to be the electrolytically dissolvable water and is supplied to a pair of electrode plates And electrolysis of the water contained in the electrolytic unit 42 is performed by applying power of different polarities. By this electrolysis, acidic water and alkaline water, which are washing water, are generated in the electrolytic unit 42. At this time, the polarity is changed at predetermined time intervals when a power supply of different polarity is applied to a pair of electrode plates provided on the electrolytic unit 42, and acidic water and alkaline water (not shown) are supplied through the first and second spray units 45a, Are alternately sprayed.

The acidic water generated during the electrolysis of the electrolytic unit 42 is moved to the first spray unit 45a by driving the first pump 42c. At this time, the first spraying section 45a sterilizes the heat exchanger 31 by spraying acidic water into the heat exchanger 31. [ Further, the alkaline water generated during the electrolysis of the electrolytic unit 42 is moved to the second spray unit 45b by driving the second pump 42d. At this time, the second spray part 45b cleans the heat exchanger 31 by spraying alkaline water into the heat exchanger 31 (step 305). The acidic water and the alkaline water flowing along the heat exchanger 31 are supplied to the reservoir 41. The acidic water and the alkaline water stored in the reservoir 41 are neutralized, And supplied to the electrolytic section 42.

If the current flowing through the water contained in the electrolytic unit 42 is less than the reference current, it is determined that the water stored in the storage unit 41 is condensed water and the driving of the electrolytic solution supply unit 44 is controlled to supply the electrolytic solution to the storage unit 41 (306).

At this time, after the electrolytic solution is supplied to the storage part 41, the electrolytic dissolution water generated in the storage part 41 is supplied to the electrolytic part 42 by supplying the electrolytic solution, and the electrolytic solution contained in the electrolytic part 42 The current flowing in the dissolving water is detected and compared with the reference current to determine whether or not the electrolyte is added. In this manner, it is possible to determine whether the electrolyte is added, and to perform optimal electrolysis by additionally supplying the electrolyte according to the determination result.

The supply of the electrolyte is performed by opening the electrolyte supply valve 44c connected to at least one of the first and second wash water pipes 42a and 42b provided in the electrolysis section 42, Water is supplied to the electrolyte case 44a provided at the upper part of the storage part 41 through the electrolytic supply valve 44c. At this time, the electrolyte contained in the electrolyte case is melted by the water supplied to the electrolyte case 44a and supplied to the storage part 41. [

At this time, the electrolytic solution is dissolved in the water stored in the storage part 41, and the electrolytic dissolving water is supplied to the electrolytic part 42. The electrolysis unit 42 performs electrolysis of electrolyzed water to generate washing water such as acidic water and alkaline water. The generated acidic water and alkaline water are supplied to the first and second pumps 42c and 42d And is then transferred to the first and second injection portions 45a and 45b. The acidic water and the alkaline water supplied to the first and second spray portions 45a and 45b are sprayed to the heat exchanger 31 by the spraying operation of the first and second spray portions 45a and 45b, The acidic water and the alkaline water flowing along the electrolytic unit 42 are supplied again to the storage unit 41. The acidic water and the alkaline water stored in the storage unit 41 are neutralized and the electrolytic unit 42 is again pumped by the pumping operation of the third pump 46, .

Next, when the washing of the heat exchanger 31 is completed, the drain valve 43 and the third pump 46 are operated to discharge the condensed water or electrolytic solution remaining on the storage section 41, the electrolytic section 42, And the water is discharged to the outside (307). This is because if condensate or electrolyte solution remains on each piping for a long time, the condensed water or electrolytic solution may become rotten and cause bad smell.

The washing of the heat exchanger 31 is performed at a predetermined period (approximately two weeks) or is performed according to the user's selection.

Here, it is also possible to supply only the acidic water to the jetting section 45 and jet it to the heat exchanger 31. In this case, the acidic water is an acidic water having a pH of about 3 to about pH 4. When the acidic water is sprayed to the heat exchanger 31 for a predetermined time (about 30 minutes), most bacteria in the heat exchanger 31 can be removed .

FIG. 6 is an internal perspective view of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of a cleaning apparatus provided in an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6, a cleaning device 40 is provided in the internal space of the cabinet 11 to clean dust, foreign matter, water of the heat exchanger 31 and sterilize bacteria in the heat exchanger 31 have. The cleaning apparatus 40 includes a reservoir 41, an electrolytic unit 42, a drain valve 43, an electrolyte supply unit 44, and a jetting unit 45. The configuration of the storage section 41, the electrolytic section 42, the drain valve 43 and the spray section 45 in the cleaning apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, The electrolytic section 42, the drain valve 43, and the jetting section 45 of the fuel cell stack 40, and a description thereof will be omitted.

7, the electrolyte supply part 44 is provided on one side of the upper part of the storage part 41 to supply electrolytes to the storage part 41 so that water is electrolyzed in the electrolysis part 42, . Where the electrolyte is in solid or powder form.

More specifically, the electrolyte supply part 44 is provided on one side of the upper part of the storage part 41 to receive the electrolyte, and when the electrolyte is immersed in the water of the storage part 41, An electrolyte case 44d having a plurality of holes (not shown) which are dissolved in the electrolyte solution and discharged to the storage part 41 and a wire (not shown) connected to one side of the electrolyte case 44d to move the electrolyte case 44d up and down and a guide 44e for adjusting the length of the wire w to adjust the length of the wire wound on the guide 44e or the wire w pulled out of the guide 44e And a guide 44d for moving the electrolyte case 44d upward and downward by winding or unwinding the wire w by rotation of the electrolyte feed motor 44f to transmit the rotation force to the guide 44e (44e).

The electrolytic case 44d is moved to the lower portion of the storage portion 41 while the wire w of the guide 44e is released while the electrolyte feed motor 44f of the electrolyte supply portion 44 is rotated, The electrolytic case 44d is contained in the water stored in the storage portion 41 and the water in the storage portion 41 flows into the electrolyte case 44d through the plurality of holes to be mixed with the water in the storage portion 41 Whereby the water in the storage part 41 becomes electrolytically dissolved water. The transport motor 44f is rotated again to move the electrolyte case 44d to the upper portion of the storage portion 41 while winding the wire w around the guide 44e.

8 is a control block diagram of the cleaning apparatus provided in the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 230 includes a water level sensing unit 210, a current sensing unit 220, a control unit 230, a drain valve driving unit 240, A decomposition driving unit 250, a pump driving unit 260, and an electrolyte feeding motor driving unit 270.

A control unit 230, a drain valve driving unit 240, an electrolysis driving unit 250, a pump (not shown), and a control unit 250. The water level sensing unit 210, the current sensing unit 220, The driving unit 260 includes a water level sensing unit 110, a current sensing unit 120, a controller 130, a drain valve driving unit 140, The decomposition driving unit 150 and the pump driving unit 160, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The control unit 230 transmits the drive control signal of the electrolyte feed motor 44f to the electrolyte feed motor drive unit 270 when the electrolyte is supplied to the storage unit 41 so that the electrolyte case 44d is connected to the storage unit 41 And when the predetermined time has elapsed, the drive control signal of the electrolytic feed motor 44f is transmitted again to the electrolytic feed motor drive unit 270 so that the electrolytic case 44d is moved to the upper part of the storage unit 41 .

The electrolyte transfer motor drive unit 270 transmits the drive signal of the electrolyte transfer motor 44f in accordance with the instruction of the control unit 130 so that the wire w is released from the guide 44e, The case 44d is contained in the storage part 41 so that the electrolyte is supplied to the storage part 41. [

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of the cleaning device provided in the air conditioner according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the interior space of the cabinet 11, dust, foreign substances, water marks of the heat exchanger 31 are cleaned and the heat exchanger 31 A cleaning device 40 for sterilizing the bacteria inhabited by the bacteria is provided. The cleaning apparatus 40 includes a reservoir 41, an electrolytic unit 42, a drain valve 43, an electrolyte supply unit 44, and a jetting unit 45. The configuration of the storage section 41, the electrolytic section 42, the drain valve 43 and the spray section 45 in the cleaning apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, The electrolytic section 42, the drain valve 43, and the jetting section 45 of the fuel cell stack 40, and a description thereof will be omitted.

9, the electrolyte supply part 44 is provided on one side of the upper part of the storage part 41 and supplies electrolytic solution to the storage part 41 so that water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic part 42, . Where the electrolyte is in solid or powder form.

More specifically, the electrolyte supply part 44 is provided on one side of the upper part of the storage part 41 to receive the electrolyte, and when the electrolyte is immersed in the water of the storage part 41, And a rack 44f connected to the electrolyte case 44d and moving the electrolyte case 44d upward and downward. The electrolyte case 44d has a plurality of holes (not shown) A gear 44g for moving the rack 44f and a gear 44g for driving the rack 44f for adjusting the position of the electrolyte case dd4 so that the rack 44f is moved up and down, And an electrolyte feed motor 44f that transmits a rotational force to the gear 44g to rotate the gear 44g. Here, the rack 44f and the gear 44g are formed with teeth, so that the teeth of the rack 44f and the gear 44g are engaged with each other.

When the electrolyte feed motor 44f of the electrolyte feeder 44 is rotated to rotate the gear 44g in this way, the rack 44f coupled by the gear is lowered and the electrolyte case 44d provided in the rack 44f The electrolytic case 44d is contained in the water stored in the storage unit 41 while the water in the storage unit 41 flows into the electrolyte case 44d through the plurality of holes The electrolytic solution is melted and mixed with the water in the storage part 41, so that the water in the storage part 41 is electrolytically dissolved. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the electrolyte feed motor 44f of the electrolyte supply unit 44 is driven to rotate the gear 44g again so that the rack 44f coupled by the gear rises and is mounted on the rack 44f The electrolyte case 44d is moved to the upper portion of the storage portion 41. [

1 is an external perspective view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an internal perspective view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus provided in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a configuration diagram of a washing control of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a washing control of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an internal perspective view of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus provided with an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a configuration diagram of a washing control of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus provided in an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

11: cabinet 12: front panel

13: inlet 14: blade

15: discharge port 21: blowing fan

22: fan housing 31: heat exchanger

40: Cleaning device 41: Storage part

42: electrolysis section 43: drain valve

44: electrolyte supply part 45:

50: Supply hole

Claims (21)

A storage for storing water; An electrolyte supply unit for supplying an electrolyte to the storage unit; An electrolytic unit which receives water from the storage unit and performs electrolysis; And a control unit for determining whether water supplied to the electrolysis unit is electrolyte-dissolved water and controlling the supply of the electrolyte to the storage unit according to the determined result. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the electrolytic unit electrolyzes the electrolytic dissolving water to generate acidic water and alkaline water, Wherein the electrolytic unit includes a first washing water pipe through which the acidic water moves and a second washing water pipe through which the alkaline water moves. 3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, An electrolyte case in which the electrolyte is contained and a hole is formed, A motor connected to the electrolyte case through a wire, And a guide which uncovers or winds the wire corresponding to the rotation of the motor. 3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, An electrolyte case in which the electrolyte is contained and a hole is formed, A rack provided with the electrolyte case, A gear for moving the rack, And a motor for rotating the gear. 3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, An electrolyte case provided on the upper part of the storage part and having a hole formed therein to receive the electrolyte; An electrolyte supply valve provided in at least one of the first and second wash water pipes; And an auxiliary pipe connected between the electrolyte supply valve and the electrolyte case. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the control unit And controls the electrolyte supply valve so that the washing water in the electrolytic unit flows through the auxiliary pipe to the electrolyte case. 6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, And a pump for pumping the water in the storage unit to the electrolytic unit. 8. The method of claim 7, And a current sensing unit for sensing a current flowing in the water accommodated in the electrolytic unit, Wherein the controller compares the sensed current with a reference current to determine whether the electrolyte is supplied. 9. The method of claim 8, And a jetting unit for jetting the washing water to the heat exchanger. The method according to claim 1, Further comprising a drain valve connected between the storage unit and the electrolysis unit, Wherein the control unit controls the drain valve to discharge the water in the storage unit to the outside when the heat exchanger is driven. 11. The method of claim 10, And a water level sensing unit for sensing a water level of the water stored in the storage unit, Wherein the control unit controls the drain valve to supply the water in the storage unit to the electrolysis unit when the water level of the storage unit is a reference water level during the washing of the heat exchanger. The method according to claim 1, Further comprising a supply hole provided in a cabinet forming an outer appearance of the air conditioner, Wherein the water in the storage portion is a water supplied by a user through the supply hole. A storage unit for storing water generated in the heat exchanger; An electrolyte supply part for supplying an electrolyte to the storage part; A controller for controlling the supply amount of the electrolyte to generate dissolved water in the storage unit; And an electrolytic unit for electrolyzing the electrolytic dissolution water supplied from the storage unit to generate washing water. 14. The method of claim 13, And a current sensing unit for sensing a current flowing in the electrolytically dissolvable water accommodated in the electrolytic unit, Wherein the control unit controls the amount of supply of the electrolyte by comparing the sensed current with a reference current. 15. The method of claim 14, Wherein the electrolyte supply part includes an electrolyte case provided on the upper part of the storage part and having a hole formed therein and containing the electrolyte, an electrolyte supply valve provided in at least one of the first and second wash water pipes, And an auxiliary pipe connected between the valve and the electrolyte case, Wherein the controller controls opening and closing of the electrolyte supply valve to control an amount of supply of the electrolyte. 15. The method of claim 14, Wherein the electrolyte supply part includes an electrolyte case in which the electrolyte is contained and a hole is formed and a driving device for causing the electrolyte case to be contained in water stored in the storage part, Wherein the control unit controls the supply amount of the electrolyte by controlling the driving unit. Supplying water stored in the storage section to the electrolytic section, Determining whether the water supplied to the electrolytic unit is electrolyte-dissolved water, And controlling the supply of the electrolyte to the storage unit according to the determined result. 18. The method of claim 17, If the water supplied from the storage unit is electrolyte-dissolved water, electrolyzing the electrolyte-dissolved water to generate washing water, and spraying the washing water to the heat exchanger. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining whether the water is an electrolyte- Wherein the control unit senses a current flowing in the water accommodated in the electrolytic unit and compares the sensed current with a reference current to determine whether the electrolytic solution is dissolved in the electrolytic water. 20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, A current sensing unit for sensing a current flowing through the water accommodated in the electrolytic unit and comparing the sensed current with a reference current, Further comprising controlling an additional supply of the electrolyte according to the comparison result. 21. The method of claim 20, And when the washing is completed, controlling the drain valve to discharge the washed water to the outside.

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