KR101649974B1 - Condensed water storage tank apparatus for auto cleaning device and air conditioner having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning liquid storage tank device for an automatic cleaning device and an air conditioner having the same, and is equipped with a valve unit, a filter unit, an electrolytic water supply unit, a pump unit and a sterilizing water generating unit The reliability and the productivity of the air conditioner are improved by providing the washing liquid storage tank device constituting the assembly of the air conditioner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning liquid storage tank device for an automatic cleaning device, and an air conditioner having the same,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to a structure of a washing liquid storage tank of an automatic washing apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning an indoor heat exchanger using condensed water.

Generally, an air conditioner is a device for cooling or heating the interior of a room through a cycle including a compressor, a condenser, a decompression means, and an evaporator in order to cool and heat an indoor space to create a pleasant indoor environment.

On the other hand, in the evaporator of the air conditioner, condensation water is generated due to heat exchange. By this condensed water, foreign substances and the like are adsorbed to the evaporator at the same time when the air conditioner is not yet in operation, and microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi propagate.

Such microorganisms cause malodor and uncomfortable feeling to the user during operation of the air conditioner, and thus devices capable of automatically sterilizing the evaporator have been provided in recent years.

As an automatic washing apparatus, there is provided an apparatus for injecting sterilizing water or washing water into an evaporator through a spraying apparatus such as a spraying apparatus. Recently, there has been provided an automatic washing apparatus for storing condensate generated in an evaporator in a washing liquid storage tank apparatus, Development of cleaning apparatuses is underway.

One aspect of the present invention provides a washing liquid storage tank device having various functions in an automatic washing apparatus for washing and sterilizing an indoor heat exchanger using condensed water.

To this end, the cleaning liquid storage tank device of the automatic sterilizing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing having a storage space for storing a cleaning liquid for cleaning the heat exchanger, at least one A flow control unit and at least one processing unit for processing the cleaning fluid stored in the storage space to change at least one of physical properties and chemical properties of the cleaning fluid, wherein the at least one flow control unit and the at least one process And the unit is mounted on the housing to constitute one assembly.

The flow control unit may include a pump unit for pumping the washing liquid to the upper end of the heat exchanger, and a valve unit for opening and closing a drain port provided in the housing for storing the washing liquid in the storage space, The unit may constitute one assembly with the housing and the at least one processing unit.

The at least one processing unit may further include an electrolyte supply unit for supplying an electrolyte to the storage space and a sterilizing water generating unit for electrolyzing the cleaning liquid supplied with the electrolyte to generate sterilizing water, The sterilizing water generating unit may constitute one assembly with the housing and the at least one flow control unit.

The sterilizing water producing unit may further include a filter unit for filtering the foreign substances of the washing liquid flowing into the pump unit, wherein the filter unit is mounted to the housing, and the at least one flow control unit and the at least one One assembly can be constructed together with the processing unit of FIG.

Further, at least one of the pump unit, the sterilizing water producing unit and the valve unit may be provided outside the storage space.

Further, at least one of the pump unit, the sterilizing water producing unit and the filter unit may be mounted inside the storage space.

In addition, the bottom surface of the storage space may be inclined downward from one side toward the other, and the drain port may be formed on the other side of the bottom surface.

The sterilizing water generating unit may generate at least one of acidic water, alkaline water, silver ion water, ozone water and OH radical water through electrolysis of the washing solution containing the electrolyte.

The filter unit may be detachably attached to the housing.

The valve unit may include a first valve for controlling the opening and closing of the drain port and a second valve for opening and closing the electrolytic water outlet provided in the housing for introducing the washing liquid into the pump unit.

Further, the valve discharge port of the valve unit is disposed at a relatively low position relative to the pump inlet of the pump unit, and the pump discharge port of the pump unit can be disposed at a relatively low position relative to the electrolytic water inlet of the sterilization water generating unit have.

In addition, an auxiliary panel may be provided at a lower portion of the housing with a receiving space for storing a washing liquid according to leakage from a connection pipe connecting the valve unit, the pump unit, and the sterilizing water generating unit.

In addition, the housing may be provided with an electrolytic water discharge port through which the cleaning liquid containing the electrolyte is discharged, and a filter inserting unit may be provided on one side wall of the housing facing the electrolytic water discharge port so that the filter unit is removably inserted.

In addition, the filter unit may include a filter net formed in a cylindrical shape, a flange portion provided with a thread is formed at one end of the filter net, and the other end of the filter net surrounds the electrolytic water discharge port and is formed on the inner surface of the housing around the electrolytic water discharge port A sealing member which is closely attached can be provided.

In addition, the filter unit may be provided so as to be capable of being opened / closed through an open portion above the storage space.

The filter unit may include a rectangular filter net and a frame surrounding the edge of the filter net, and a sliding groove into which the frame is inserted may be provided on an inner wall of the opposite side of the storage space.

In addition, a plurality of the filter units are provided, and the filter network of at least one of the filter units provided at a position adjacent to the pump unit and the sterilizing water generating unit is smaller than the filter network of the remaining filter units. .

The housing cover may further include a housing cover coupled to an upper portion of the housing to close an open portion of the storage space, and a condensate inlet may be formed at one side of the housing cover.

The guide rib may further include a plurality of guide ribs protruding from one side of the inner wall of the storage space and having a long vertical length and a guide plate provided on one side of the housing cover to guide the cleaning liquid dropped toward the condensate inlet side toward the guide rib side have.

The guide plate may include a first plate extending downward from one side of the condensed water inlet and a second plate extending downwardly from the end of the first plate toward the guide plate.

In addition, an overflow hole may be formed at one side of the upper portion of the housing to discharge the cleaning liquid when the cleaning liquid stored in the storage space has a predetermined level or more.

Also, the overflow hole may be provided to face the lower side of the housing so that the wash liquid stored in the storage space can be drained vertically.

The valve outlet of the valve unit may be provided with a communication hole communicating with the overflow hole.

The storage space may include a first storage space for storing the cleaning liquid for sterilizing the indoor heat exchanger and a second storage space partitioned by the partition frame for draining the cleaning liquid having a predetermined level or higher stored in the first storage space can do.

The partition frame may be spaced apart from the inner wall of the housing.

The apparatus may further include a guide unit for guiding the washing liquid falling into the storage space to be sent to the first storage space or the second storage space.

The apparatus may further include a housing cover having a condensed water inlet for sealing the opened portion of the upper portion of the storage space and introducing the cleaning liquid.

The guide unit may include a guide member rotatably installed at a lower portion of the condensed water inlet and having a flow path through which the dropped cleaning liquid flows, and a driving device for rotating the guide member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner including a main body, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the main body, a drain pan for collecting condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger, a storage space for storing the condensed water falling from the drain pan, And a spray unit for spraying sterilized water into the indoor heat exchanger, wherein the housing is provided with an electrolyte supply unit for supplying an electrolyte to the condensed water stored in the storage space, and an electrolytic solution supply unit A sterilizing water generating unit for generating sterilizing water by electrolyzing the condensed water to which the electrolytic solution is supplied; a sterilizing water producing unit for sterilizing the sterilizing water producing unit and the foreign matter of the condensed water flowing into the pump unit side A filter unit for filtering the condensed water stored in the storage space, And a washing liquid storage tank device equipped with a valve unit for controlling the opening and closing of the water inlet.

Further, the pump unit, the sterilizing water generating unit, and the valve unit may be provided outside the housing.

In addition, the pump unit, the sterilizing water generating unit, and the filter unit may be mounted inside the storage space.

The bottom surface of the storage space may be inclined downward toward the drain port.

The filter unit may be detachably attached to the housing.

Also, the housing may be provided with an electrolytic water discharge port for discharging the condensed water containing the electrolyte, and the valve unit may include a first valve for controlling the opening and closing of the drain port and a second valve for opening and closing the electrolytic water discharge port .

The second valve includes a second valve inlet port communicating with the electrolytic water discharge port and a second valve discharge port communicating with the pump inlet port of the pump unit, and the pump unit is communicated with the electrolytic water inlet port of the sterilizing water generating unit And a pump discharge port.

Also, the second valve discharge port may be disposed at a relatively low position relative to the pump inlet port, and the pump discharge port may be disposed at a relatively low position relative to the electrolytic water inlet port.

In addition, an auxiliary panel for collecting condensed water due to water leakage from a connection pipe connecting the valve unit, the pump unit, and the sterilizing water generating unit may be provided at a lower portion of the housing.

The housing may include an electrolytic water discharge port for draining the condensed water containing the electrolyte and a filter inserting part provided on one side wall of the housing facing the electrolytic water discharge port. The filter unit may be detachably installed through the filter inserting part .

In addition, a sliding groove is provided on a facing side wall of the storage space, and the filter unit is slidably installed in the sliding groove through an opened portion of the storage space.

In addition, a plurality of filter units are provided, and the filter network of at least one of the filter units adjacent to the pump unit and the sterilizing water producing unit side is formed to have a smaller mesh than the filter network of the remaining filter units .

The housing cover may further include a housing cover that hermetically closes an open portion of the storage space and is coupled to a lower side of the drain pan, and a condensed water inlet port communicating with the drain hole of the drain pan may be provided at one side of the housing cover.

In addition, a plurality of guide ribs protruding from the inner wall are provided on one side of the inner wall of the storage space, and a guide plate for guiding the condensed water dropped from the drain hole to the guide rib side is provided at one side of the condensate inlet .

An overflow hole may be provided at one side of the upper portion of the housing for discharging the condensed water when the condensed water is stored in the storage space.

In addition, the overflow hole may be provided so as to face the downward direction of the housing so that the condensed water can be vertically drained.

In addition, the valve unit may include a valve outlet connected to a drain pipe for discharging condensed water to an external space, and the valve outlet may be provided with a communication hole communicating with the overflow hole.

The storage space may include a first storage space for storing condensed water for sterilizing the indoor heat exchanger and a second storage space partitioned by the partition frame for draining a condensate water having a predetermined level or higher stored in the first storage space, .

The housing cover may further include a housing cover that hermetically closes an open portion of the storage space and is coupled to a lower side of the drain pan, and a condensed water inlet port communicating with the drain hole of the drain pan may be provided at one side of the housing cover.

The apparatus may further include a guide unit for guiding the condensed water dropped through the drain hole to the first storage space or the second storage space.

The guide unit may include a guide member rotatably provided at the lower portion of the condensed water inlet and having a flow passage through which the dropped condensed water flows, and a drive device for rotating the guide member.

As described above, the washing liquid storage tank device of the automatic washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention can improve the productivity because the components for sterilizing and cleaning the indoor heat exchanger are integrally provided as one unit.

In addition, the cleaning liquid storage tank device of the automatic cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present invention can reduce the dripping noise of the condensed water by a simple structure.

In addition, the cleaning liquid storage tank device of the automatic cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a structure to prevent overflow, thereby improving the reliability.

Hereinafter, the technical idea of the cleaning liquid storage tank device of the automatic cleaning device and the air conditioner having the cleaning liquid storage tank device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rough internal structure of FIG.

1 and 2, an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 10 having a front surface opened, an air blowing unit 30 installed in a lower space inside the main body 10, An indoor heat exchanger 40 installed in an upper space inside the main body 10 and a front panel 20 covering the front surface of the opened main body 10.

On both sides of the lower surface of the front panel 20, an air inlet 21 for sucking indoor air is formed, and on both upper sides, an air outlet 23 through which the heat-exchanged air is discharged through the indoor heat exchanger 40 is provided.

The air outlet 23 is provided with a blade 25 for controlling the direction of air to be discharged.

The air blowing unit 30 includes a blowing fan 31 and a fan duct 33 to suck indoor air through the air inlet 21 and then discharge the indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 40 at the upper part.

A drain pan (50) for collecting condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger (40) is provided below the indoor heat exchanger (40).

Meanwhile, the air conditioner of the present embodiment includes an automatic washing device for sterilizing or cleaning microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) generated in the indoor heat exchanger 40.

The automatic washing apparatus includes a washing liquid storage tank device 100 provided at a lower portion of a drain pan 50 for storing condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger 40 and a condenser for storing the condensed water stored in the washing liquid storage tank device 100 into an indoor heat exchanger And an injection unit (60) provided at an upper portion of the indoor heat exchanger (40) so as to inject the air into the indoor heat exchanger (40).

The washing liquid storage tank apparatus 100 can collect condensed water directly from the drain pan 50 and minimize the length of the piping when the stored condensed water is pumped to the spray unit 60 provided on the upper portion of the indoor heat exchanger 40 And may be disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the drain pan 50.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a washing liquid storage tank apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a front view of a washing liquid storage tank apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the filter unit shown in Fig.

The washing liquid storage tank device 100 according to the present embodiment may be merely provided with a function of simply storing condensed water to sterilize and / or clean the indoor heat exchanger 40, so that the components of the automatic washing device are separated from the washing liquid storage tank device (100) and is formed into a single unit, it is possible to improve ease of installation and easiness of assembly in the air conditioner.

Further, even when a failure occurs in a part constituting the automatic cleaning device, it is easy to separate the component parts, thereby facilitating the after-sales service.

3 and 4, the washing solution storage tank apparatus 100 includes a housing 110 having a storage space 111 therein and an open top.

The housing 110 is substantially box-shaped and includes a bottom surface 114 and a vertical frame 115 extending upwardly from an edge of the bottom surface 114 to form a storage space 111 in which condensed water is stored do.

The bottom surface 114 is inclined downward at a predetermined angle? (About 2 ° to 10 °) from one side toward the other side, and at a position adjacent to the lowermost end of the downwardly inclined bottom surface 114, A drain port 129 through which the stored condensed water is discharged is provided.

The drain port 129 is provided with a valve unit 130 for selectively storing condensed water in the storage space 111.

The valve unit 130 according to the present embodiment includes a normally open valve that maintains a normally open state and includes a first valve 131 for controlling the opening and closing of the drain port 129.

The first valve 131 includes a first valve inlet 132 communicating with a drain port 129 through which the condensed water stored in the storage space 111 is discharged and a second valve inlet 132 through which the condensed water flowing through the first valve inlet 132 flows into the outdoor space A first valve outlet 133 for discharging the gas is provided.

The condensed water dropped from the drain pan 50 into the storage space 111 is guided to the drain port 129 along the downwardly sloping bottom surface 114 and flows through the first valve 131 And then discharged into the outdoor space through the first valve inlet 132 and then through the drain pipe 124 (see FIG. 2) connected to the first valve outlet 133 of the first valve 131.

4) for opening and closing the electrolytic water outlet 117 (see FIG. 4) provided at one side of the housing 110 for discharging the condensed water containing the electrolyte for sterilization and cleaning of the indoor heat exchanger 40, 2 < / RTI >

The electrolytic water outlet 117 is connected to the second valve inlet 136 of the second valve 135 through the first connection pipe 125 and the second valve 135 is also normally open so as to maintain the normally open state .

An electrolyte supply unit 140 for supplying an electrolyte to the condensed water stored in the storage space 111 is mounted on one side of the upper portion of the housing 110. This is because pure water such as condensed water is not electrolyzed, so that electrolytes such as sodium chloride and sodium carbonate are supplied to the condensed water to form electrolytic water capable of electrolysis.

Accordingly, when the indoor heat exchanger 40 is sterilized and / or cleaned, the valve unit 130 closes the drain hole 129 and the electrolytic water outlet 117 formed in the housing 110 to condense the condensed water in the storage space 111 And the electrolyte supply unit 140 supplies electrolytic water to the condensed water stored in the storage space 111 to form electrolytic electrolytic water.

A pump unit 150 for pumping the electrolytic water stored in the storage space 111 to the upper end of the indoor heat exchanger 40 is provided at one side of the front surface of the housing 110 for sterilizing and cleaning the indoor heat exchanger 40, A sterilizing water generating unit 160 for electrolyzing electrolytic water discharged by the pump unit 150 to generate sterilizing water is mounted on the front surface of the housing 110 at a position adjacent to the pump unit 150.

The pump inlet 151 of the pump unit 150 is connected to the second valve discharge port 137 through the second connection pipe 216 and the pump discharge port 153 of the pump unit 150 is connected to the third connection pipe 127 to the electrolytic water inlet 161 of the sterilizing water generating unit 160. [

The sterilizing water generating unit 160 is for generating acidic water, alkaline water, silver hot water, ozonated water, OH radical water, etc. through electrolysis of the condensed water containing electrolytes stored in the storage space 111, A production unit and a radical generation unit, or the like can be used.

The sterilizing water producing unit 160 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be composed of an ion generating unit, which includes a pair of electrode plates disposed inside the case, an ion separation membrane between the electrode plates, And electrolyzing the condensed water by applying voltages of different polarities to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water.

When the alkaline ionized water is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 40, it is possible to suppress the generation of fungi hardly inhabited in the alkaline region. Further, when the acidic ionized water is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 40, The generation of bacteria can be suppressed.

The sterilizing water producing unit 160 is provided with the acidic water discharge port 163 through which the acidic ionized water is discharged and the alkaline water discharge port 165 through which the alkaline ionized water is discharged, Is connected to the injection unit (60) provided on the upper portion of the indoor heat exchanger (40).

However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sterilizing water producing unit 160 may be formed of a washing water capable of sterilizing the indoor heat exchanger 40, for example, a platinum , Silver, oxidized lead, and platinum tantalum may be used to produce ozone water, radical water, and silver ion water.

The position of the sterilization water generating unit 160, the pump unit 150 and the valve unit 130 installed on the front surface of the housing 110 may be sequentially arranged from the upper side to the lower side of the front surface of the housing 110.

That is, the electrolytic water inlet 161 of the sterilizing water generating unit 160 is arranged to be relatively higher than the pump discharge port 153 of the pump unit 150, and the pump inlet 150 of the pump unit 150, May be disposed at a relatively high position relative to the second valve discharge port 137 of the valve unit 130.

The sterilized water is pumped to the upper end side of the indoor heat exchanger 40 through the pump unit 150 to sterilize the indoor heat exchanger 40. After the sterilization is finished, the fourth connection pipe 128 and the fifth connection pipe 129, The sterilized water remaining in the sterilizing water producing unit 160 and the pump unit 150 is dewatered to the valve unit 130 so that contamination by the sterilizing water remaining can be prevented in advance.

The first, second, and third connection pipes 125, 126, and 127, which connect the valve unit 130, the pump unit 150, and the sterilizing water generating unit 160, respectively, to the lower portion of the housing 110, An auxiliary panel 170 may be provided for collecting condensed water when leakage of condensed water occurs in the connection pipes 125, 126,

The auxiliary panel 170 includes a valve unit 130, a pump unit 150 and a sterilizing water generating unit 160 mounted on the front surface of the housing 110 at a lower portion of the housing 110 and connection pipes 125, 126 and 127 (Not shown).

In addition, although not shown in the present embodiment, a detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the leakage of condensed water may be provided in the receiving space 171 of the sub-panel 170.

The housing 110 of the present embodiment is provided with a flow control unit consisting of a pump unit 150 and / or a valve unit 130 for controlling the flow of the washing liquid stored in the storage space 111, A treatment unit consisting of an electrolyte supply unit 140 and / or a sterilizing water generating unit 160 is mounted to form one assembly to treat the stored wash solution to change at least one of the physical and chemical properties of the wash solution.

Meanwhile, a filter unit 180 for filtering the foreign substances contained in the condensed water stored in the storage space 111 may be detachably attached to one side of the housing 110.

The filter unit 180 detachable from the housing 110 according to the present embodiment is configured to remove foreign matter of the condensed water discharged toward the electrolytic water discharging opening 117 during the cleaning of the indoor heat exchanger 40, And may surround the electrolytic water outlet 117.

For this purpose, a filter inserting portion 118 may be provided on one side wall of the housing 110 facing the electrolytic water outlet 117, into which the filter unit 180 is inserted.

The filter unit 180 includes a filter net 181 having a substantially cylindrical shape and one end of the filter net 181 is provided with a threaded flange portion 182 and the flange portion 182 is provided with The handle portion 184 may be provided.

The other end of the filter net 181 may be provided with a sealing member 185 such as a rubber ring which surrounds an adjacent portion of the electrolytic water outlet 117 and is in close contact with the inner surface of the housing 110 where the electrolytic water outlet 117 is formed.

A sealing member 183 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 182 of the filter unit 180 to prevent leakage of the condensed water when the filter unit 180 is mounted.

When the handle 184 is rotated after the filter unit 180 is inserted into the filter insertion portion 118, the thread of the flange portion 182 is coupled to the female thread portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the filter insertion portion 118 The sealing member 185 provided at the other end of the filter net 181 is closely attached to the inner surface of the housing 110 on which the electrolytic water discharge port 117 is formed so as to surround the electrolytic water discharge port 117, So that the foreign matter of the discharged condensed water can be removed.

Therefore, the filter unit 180 can be easily mounted and separated, and thus the filter net 181 can be easily cleaned.

3, a housing cover 190 for sealing an opened portion of the upper portion of the storage space 111 is provided on the upper side of the housing 110, and a drain pan 50 Is provided with a condensed water inlet 191 opened to allow the condensed water collected in the storage space 111 to flow into the storage space 111 side.

The condensed water inlet 191 may be provided at a position corresponding to the drain hole 51 formed in the drain pan 50 so that the condensed water dropped from the drain hole 51 may be collected directly into the storage space 111.

3 and 5, the washing liquid storage tank device according to the present embodiment is provided with a drain port 51 for preventing a dripping noise generated when condensed water falls from the drain hole 51 to the storage space 111 of the housing 110, A noise preventing member may be provided.

The water fall preventing member according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of guide ribs 125 protruding from the inner wall of the storage space 111 and having a long upper and lower lengths and a guide rib 125 having condensed water dropped from the drain holes 51, And a guide plate 126 extending from one side of the condensate inlet 191 of the housing cover 190 so as to guide the condensed water to the condenser.

The guide ribs 125 extend from the upper side of the inner wall of the housing 110 downwardly to a position adjacent to the bottom surface 114 of the storage space 111 and have a plurality of guide ribs 125 formed at regular intervals The gap forms an interval smaller than the diameter of the water droplets (about 3 mm) constituting the condensed water depending on the surface tension.

6, the guide plate 126 guides the condensed water falling from the drain hole 51 toward the guide rib 125. The guide plate 126 includes a first plate 127 extending downward from one side of the condensed water inlet 191, And a second plate 128 extending downwardly from the end of the first plate 127 toward the guide rib 125 side.

The gap between the end of the guide rib 125 and the end of the second plate 128 is formed to be relatively small in comparison with the diameter of the water droplet.

The guide plate 126 of the present embodiment minimizes the gap between the end portion 53 of the drain hole 51 and the second plate 128 to reduce the noise of condensed water, The first plate 127 may extend from one side of the condensed water inlet 191 and be inclined downward toward the guide rib 125 so as to guide the condensed water to the guide rib 125 side.

6, the condensed water collected in the drain pan 50 is dropped downward through the drain hole 51, and the dropped condensed water is guided along the guide plate 125 along the second plate 128, And flows to the bottom surface 114 of the storage space 111 on the wall surface of the space between the plurality of guide ribs 125 so that the condensed water flowing into the storage space 111 from the drain pan 50 Can be prevented.

Although not shown in the present embodiment, a water level sensor (not shown) for sensing the amount of condensed water stored in the storage space 111 is provided in the storage space 111 of the housing 110 so that when the amount of the condensed water reaches a certain level An alarm lamp, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 3, condensation water stored in the storage space 111 may be prevented from overflowing due to a malfunction or failure of a water level sensor (not shown) at one side of the upper portion of the housing 110 provided with the storage space 111 An overflow hole 119 capable of draining condensed water in the case of a certain level or more can be provided.

The overflow hole 119 is provided to communicate with the first valve outlet 133 of the valve unit 130 through the overflow pipe 138 as shown in FIG. That is, the first valve outlet 133 is provided with a communication hole 134 communicating with the first valve outlet 133, and the communication hole 134 and the overflow hole 119 are connected to each other by the overflow pipe 138 .

Accordingly, when the condensed water stored in the storage space 111 reaches a certain level or more, the condensed water flows into the first valve outlet 133 through the overflow hole 119 and then discharged to the outdoor space along the drain pipe 124 It is possible to prevent the product from being damaged due to the overflow of the condensed water in the storage space 111.

3, the overflow hole 119 is horizontally disposed with respect to the vertical frame 115 of the housing 110 so that the condensed water stored in the storage space 111 is drained horizontally However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a structure in which condensed water is drained vertically can be formed.

7, the storage space 111 is provided with an overflow surface 120 extending horizontally from the inner side surface 116 of the vertical frame 115 to the inside of the storage space 111, The overflow hole 119 may be formed perpendicularly to the overflow surface 120. [

The overflow surface 120 is a reference surface at which the condensed water stored in the storage space 111 overflows. When the condensed water is stored in the storage space 111, the overflow surface 120 ). ≪ / RTI >

Although not shown in the present embodiment, a flow path for guiding the inflow of condensed water into the overflow hole 119 may be provided in the overflow surface 120, or a flow path may be formed in the overflow surface 120 in a downward inclined manner toward the overflow hole 119 .

Accordingly, when the overflow hole 119 forms the horizontal drainage structure, the condensed water should be stored in the overflow hole 119 if the condensate is stored at a level higher than the level at which the overflow hole 119 is disposed due to the surface tension of the condensate and the flow path resistance. However, in the case of forming a vertical drainage structure, the condensed water stored over the set overflow level can be drained through the overflow hole 119 due to its own weight, thereby further improving the reliability of the washing liquid storage tank apparatus.

8 to 10 show an overflow structure of a washing liquid storage tank apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, components having the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

8 and 9, the storage space 111 inside the housing 110 is divided into a first storage (not shown) for storing the condensed water in the sterilization mode operation by the partition frame 121 extending upwardly from the bottom surface 114, And a second storage space 113 for draining the condensed water when condensed water of a certain level or more is stored in the first storage space 112. [

The partition frame 121 is formed to have a predetermined height H from the bottom surface 114 so that the condensed water stored in the first storage space 112 overflows when the condensed water has a certain level or more. That is, the height H of the partition frame 121 is a water level reference surface over which the condensed water overflows.

The partition frame 121 is formed so that the condensed water stored in the first storage space 112 can have a cross-sectional shape so as to increase the flow rate of the condensed water flowing into the second storage space 113 through the partition frame 121 .

10, the partition frame 121 includes a first frame 122 extending inwardly from a side wall 116 of the housing 110 and a second frame 122 extending inward from the front surface of the housing 110 And an extended second frame 123.

The condensed water flowing into the second storage space 113 from the first storage space 112 flows into the second storage space 113 through the upper surfaces of the first frame 122 and the second frame 123 (Arrow direction), the amount of overflow is increased, so that drainage of the condensed water is performed more rapidly.

In this embodiment, the first and second frames 122 and 123 extend from the inner wall of the housing 110 so that the dividing frame 121 is supported by the inner wall of the housing 110 and the first and second frames 122 and 123 But it is natural that the partition frame 121 having four independent surfaces spaced apart from the inner wall of the housing 110 may be formed to have a rectangular frame shape as shown in FIG. In this case, the amount of condensed water (arrow direction) flowing into the second storage space 113 from the first storage space 112 when the overflow occurs is further increased.

In addition, although the cross section of the partition frame 121 forming the second storage space 113 is configured to have a rectangular frame shape, it is not limited thereto, and may have an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, a polygonal shape, or the like.

8, the condensed water dropping from the drain hole 51 is selectively supplied to the condensed water inlet 191 of the housing cover 190 to the first storage space 112 or the second storage space 113 side. A guiding unit 200 for guiding can be provided.

The guide unit 200 includes a guide member 210 rotatably installed inside the condensed water inlet 191 and a drive unit 230 for rotating the guide member 210.

The guide member 210 has a substantially blade shape and includes a flow passage 211 through which the dropped condensed water flows and a rotating shaft 213 coupled to the drive shaft 231 of the drive unit 230.

The driving device 230 may be a motor capable of rotating forward and backward, a stepper motor capable of controlling the speed, and the like. However, the driving device 230 is not limited to this, and any device that can rotate the guide member 210 forward and reverse can be used.

9, when the condensed water collected in the drain pan 50 falls into the condensed water inlet 191 through the drain hole 51, the guide member 210 is rotated by the indoor heat exchanger 40 The first storage space 112 for storing the condensed water for washing the condensed water or the second storage space 113 for draining the condensed water.

That is, when the indoor heat exchanger 40 is sterilized, the valve unit 130 closes the drain port 129, and the guide member 210 is rotated (virtual) to guide the dropped condensed water to the first storage space 112 side The guide member 210 is rotated (solid line) so as to guide the condensed water to be dropped to the second storage space 113 side so that the bottom of the second storage space 113 is filled with the condensed water, Flows to the drain pipe 124 side through the overflow hole 119 formed in the surface.

12 and 13 show a washing liquid storage tank device of an automatic washing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are assigned to the components having the same functions, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

12 and 13, the washing liquid storage tank device of the present embodiment is provided with a filter unit 111 in a storage space 111 inside a housing 110 so that a design space inside the main body 10 of the air conditioner can be utilized more efficiently, A sterilizing water generating unit 160, and a pump unit 150 may be mounted.

A pump unit mounting part 155 for mounting the pump unit 150 is provided at one side of the bottom surface 114 of the storage space 111 and a sterilizing water producing unit A sterilizing water producing unit mounting unit 167 for installing the sterilizing water producing unit mounting unit 167 is provided.

The pump unit mounting portion 155 is provided on the upper side of the bottom surface 114 inclined downward toward the drain port 129 and the sterilizing water producing unit mounting portion 167 is provided on the position adjacent to the pump unit mounting portion 155 .

Although not shown in the present embodiment, the pump unit mounting portion 155 may be provided with a dustproof member (not shown) for reducing the occurrence of vibration in the housing 110 when the pump unit 150 is driven.

The pump unit 150 can use an in-water pump unit that is electrically usable even in condensed water stored in the storage space 111. The sterilizing water generating unit 160 is made of an electrode material that generates OH radical water or ozonated water .

The filter unit 300 is provided on one side of the inner wall of the vertical frame 115 facing the filter unit 300, And a filter mounting portion 186 having a sliding groove 187 to be inserted therethrough may be provided.

That is, the filter unit 300 includes a filter net 310 for filtering the foreign substances contained in the condensed water, and a rectangular frame 320 surrounding the edge of the filter net 310.

As a result, when the filter unit 180 is mounted, both sides of the rectangular frame 320 are inserted into the sliding groove 187 and can be moved in and out as shown in FIG.

13, the filter unit 300 includes a first filter unit 301 provided at a position adjacent to the condensate water inlet 191 provided in the housing cover 190, And a second filter unit 302 provided at a position adjacent to the generating unit 160 and the pump unit 150.

The second filter net 313 of the second filter unit 302 may be provided to have a smaller mesh structure than the first filter net 311 of the first filter unit 301.

As a result, the large foreign matter contained in the condensed water is first filtered by the first filter net 311, the minute foreign matter introduced through the first filter net 311 is filtered through the second filter net 313, Unit 160 and the pump unit 150 side, the reliability of the sterilizing water producing unit 160 and the pump unit 150 can be improved.

The drain port 129 is provided with a valve unit 330 for opening and closing the drain port 129 for storing the condensed water in the storage space 111 and the valve unit 330 is of a normally open type .

The valve inlet 331 of the valve unit 330 communicates with the drain port 129 and the valve outlet 333 is connected to the drain pipe 124 for draining the condensed water to the outdoor space.

The valve outlet 333 may be provided with a communication port 335 communicating with the overflow hole 119.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic appearance of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a washing liquid storage tank device of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a front view of a washing liquid storage tank apparatus of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a filter unit installed in a washing liquid storage tank device of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an operation state of the water fall preventing member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 shows an overflow hole of a washing liquid storage tank apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 to 10 illustrate an overflow structure of a washing liquid storage tank apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

11 shows a section frame forming a second storage space of another embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a sectional view showing a washing liquid storage tank device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a cross-sectional view of a washing liquid storage tank apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

10: main body, 40: indoor heat exchanger,

50: drain pan, 51: drain hole,

60: injection unit, 100: washing liquid storage tank device,

110: housing, 111: storage space,

112: first storage space, 113: second storage space,

117: electrolytic water outlet, 118: filter inserting portion,

119: overflow hole, 121: compartment frame,

125: guide rib 126: guide plate,

130: valve unit, 134: communicating port,

140: electrolyte supply unit, 150: pump unit,

160: sterilizing water generating unit, 170: auxiliary panel,

180: filter unit, 190: housing cover,

210: guide member, 230: drive device.

Claims (48)

A housing having a storage space for storing the cleaning liquid so that the heat exchanger can be cleaned; At least one flow control unit for controlling the flow of the washing liquid stored in the storage space; And at least one processing unit for treating the washing solution stored in the storage space to change at least one of physical properties and chemical properties of the washing solution, Wherein said at least one flow control unit and said at least one processing unit are mounted to said housing to constitute one assembly, Wherein the storage space includes a first storage space for storing the washing liquid for sterilizing or washing the heat exchanger and a second storage space partitioned into the compartment frame for draining a washing liquid having a predetermined level or more stored in the first storage space, Wherein the cleaning tank is provided with a cleaning liquid tank. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the flow control unit includes a pump unit for pumping the washing liquid to an upper end of the heat exchanger and a valve unit for opening and closing a drain hole provided in the housing for storing the washing liquid in the storage space, Wherein the pump unit and the valve unit constitute one assembly together with the housing and the at least one processing unit. 3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the at least one processing unit includes an electrolytic supply unit for supplying electrolyte to the storage space and a sterilizing water generating unit for electrolyzing the electrolytic washing liquid to generate sterilizing water, Wherein the electrolyte supply unit and the sterilizing water generating unit together with the housing and the at least one flow control unit constitute one assembly. The method of claim 3, Further comprising a sterilizing water generating unit and a filter unit for filtering foreign substances from the washing liquid flowing into the pump unit, Wherein the filter unit is mounted to the housing and constitutes one assembly with the housing, the at least one flow control unit and the at least one processing unit. 5. The method of claim 4, Wherein at least one of the pump unit, the sterilizing water generating unit, and the valve unit is provided outside the storage space. 5. The method of claim 4, Wherein at least one of the pump unit, the sterilizing water generating unit, and the filter unit is mounted inside the storage space. 7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, Wherein the bottom surface of the storage space is inclined downward from one side to the other side and the drain port is formed on the other side of the bottom surface. 7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, Wherein the sterilizing water generating unit generates at least one of acidic water, alkaline water, silver ion water, ozone water and OH radical water through electrolysis of the washing liquid containing the electrolyte. 5. The method of claim 4, Wherein the filter unit is detachably attached to the housing. 6. The method of claim 5, Wherein the valve unit includes a first valve for controlling the opening and closing of the drain port and a second valve for opening and closing the electrolytic water discharge port provided in the housing for introducing the washing liquid into the pump unit side. Tank device. 6. The method of claim 5, The valve discharge port of the valve unit is disposed at a relatively low position relative to the pump inlet of the pump unit and the pump discharge port of the pump unit is disposed at a relatively low position relative to the electrolytic water inlet of the sterilization water producing unit The cleaning liquid storage tank device of the automatic cleaning device. 6. The method of claim 5, And an auxiliary panel having a housing space formed therein for storing a washing solution corresponding to leakage of water from a connection pipe connecting the valve unit, the pump unit, and the sterilizing water generating unit to the bottom of the housing, Storage tank device. 6. The method of claim 5, Wherein the housing is provided with an electrolytic water discharge port through which the cleaning liquid containing the electrolyte is discharged, and a filter inserting portion is provided on one side wall of the housing facing the electrolytic water discharge opening so that the filter unit is removably inserted into the housing. Washing liquid storage tank device. 14. The method of claim 13, The filter unit includes a filter net formed in a cylindrical shape, a flange portion provided with a thread is formed at one end of the filter net, and the other end of the filter net surrounds the electrolytic water outlet and is in close contact with the inner surface of the housing around the electrolytic water outlet. Wherein the sealing member is provided with a sealing member. The method according to claim 6, Wherein the filter unit is provided so as to be in / out through an open portion of the upper portion of the storage space. 16. The method of claim 15, Wherein the filter unit includes a rectangular filter net and a frame surrounding the edge of the filter net, and a sliding groove into which the frame is inserted is provided on an inner wall of the opposite side of the storage space. Tank device. 17. The method of claim 16, Wherein the filter unit is provided with a plurality of filter units and the filter network of at least one filter unit provided at a position adjacent to the pump unit and the sterilizing water producing unit is formed to have a smaller mesh than the filter network of the remaining filter units Characterized in that the cleaning liquid storage tank device of the automatic cleaning device. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a housing cover coupled to an upper side of the housing to close an open portion of the upper portion of the storage space, wherein a condensate inlet is formed at one side of the housing cover, Device. 19. The method of claim 18, A plurality of guide ribs protruding from one side of the inner wall of the storage space and having a long vertical length and a guide plate provided on one side of the housing cover to guide the cleaning liquid dropped to the condensate inlet side toward the guide rib side, Of washing liquid storage tank device. 20. The method of claim 19, Wherein the guide plate includes a first plate extending downward from one side of the condensed water inlet and a second plate extending downwardly from the end of the first plate toward the guide plate. 7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, And an overflow hole for discharging the cleaning liquid when the cleaning liquid stored in the storage space is higher than a predetermined level is provided on one side of the upper portion of the housing. 22. The method of claim 21, Wherein the overflow hole is provided to face the downward direction of the housing so that the wash liquid stored in the storage space can be drained vertically. 22. The method of claim 21, And the valve outlet of the valve unit is provided with a communication hole communicating with the overflow hole. delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein the partition frame is spaced apart from the inner wall of the housing. The method according to claim 1, And a guide unit for guiding the cleaning liquid falling into the storage space to the first storage space or the second storage space. 27. The method of claim 26, Further comprising a housing cover having a condensed water inlet for sealing the opened portion of the upper portion of the storage space and allowing the cleaning liquid to flow therein. 28. The method of claim 27, Wherein the guide unit includes a guide member rotatably installed at a lower portion of the condensed water inlet and having a channel portion through which the dropped cleaning liquid flows, and a driving device for rotating the guide member. A washing liquid storage tank device having a main body, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the main body, a drain pan for collecting condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger, and a storage space for storing the condensed water falling from the drain pan, And an injection unit for injecting sterilizing water into the indoor heat exchanger, A pump unit for pumping the condensed water containing the electrolyte to the injection unit side; and a pump unit for electrolyzing the condensed water supplied with the electrolyte to sterilize the sterilized water, A filter unit for filtering the foreign substances of the condensed water flowing into the sterilizing water generating unit and the pump unit side; and a valve unit for controlling the opening and closing of the drain port for draining the condensed water stored in the storage space So that a single assembly is formed. 30. The method of claim 29, Wherein at least one of the pump unit, the sterilizing water producing unit and the valve unit is provided outside the storage space. 30. The method of claim 29, Wherein at least one of the pump unit, the sterilizing water producing unit and the filter unit is provided inside the storage space. 32. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 31, Wherein the bottom surface of the storage space is inclined downward toward the drain port. 32. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 31, Wherein the filter unit is detachably attached to the housing. 31. The method of claim 30, Wherein the housing is provided with an electrolytic water discharge port for discharging condensed water containing the electrolyte, and the valve unit includes a first valve for controlling the opening and closing of the drain port, and a second valve for opening and closing the electrolytic water discharge port. 35. The method of claim 34, Wherein the second valve includes a second valve inlet port communicating with the electrolytic water discharge port and a second valve discharge port communicating with a pump inlet port of the pump unit, the pump unit including a pump connected to the electrolytic water inlet of the sterilizing water generating unit, An air conditioner comprising a discharge port. 36. The method of claim 35, Wherein the second valve discharge port is disposed at a relatively low position relative to the pump inlet port and the pump discharge port is disposed at a relatively low position relative to the electrolytic water inlet port. 37. The method of claim 36, And an auxiliary panel for collecting condensed water due to water leakage from a connection pipe connecting the valve unit, the pump unit and the sterilizing water generating unit to the lower portion of the housing. 31. The method of claim 30, The housing includes an electrolytic water discharge port for discharging the condensed water containing the electrolyte and a filter inserting part provided on one side wall of the housing facing the electrolytic water discharge port. The filter unit is detachably provided through the filter inserting part . 32. The method of claim 31, Wherein a sliding groove is provided on a facing side wall of the storage space, and the filter unit is slidably attached to the sliding groove through an opened portion of the storage space. 40. The method of claim 39, And the filter network of at least one of the filter units provided at a position adjacent to the pump unit and the sterilizing water generating unit side is formed to have a smaller mesh than the filter network of the remaining filter units . 32. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 31, Further comprising a housing cover which seals an open portion of the upper portion of the storage space and is coupled to a lower side of the drain pan, and a condensed water inlet port communicating with the drain hole of the drain pan is provided at one side of the housing cover. group. 42. The method of claim 41, A plurality of guide ribs protruding from the inner wall are provided on one side of the inner wall of the storage space and a guide plate for guiding condensed water dropped from the drain hole to the guide rib side is provided at one side of the condensate inlet . 32. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 31, Wherein an overflow hole is provided at one side of the upper portion of the housing for discharging the condensed water when the condensed water of a predetermined level or higher is stored in the storage space. 44. The method of claim 43, Wherein the overflow hole is provided so as to face the downward direction of the housing so that the condensed water can be vertically drained. 44. The method of claim 43, Wherein the valve unit includes a valve outlet connected to a drain pipe for discharging condensed water to an external space, and the valve outlet is provided with a communication hole communicating with the overflow hole. 32. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 31, The storage space may include a first storage space for storing condensed water for sterilizing or cleaning the indoor heat exchanger and a second storage space partitioned by the compartment frame for draining a condensate water having a predetermined level or higher stored in the first storage space Air conditioner. 47. The method of claim 46, Further comprising a housing cover which seals an open portion of the upper portion of the storage space and is coupled to a lower side of the drain pan, and a condensed water inlet port communicating with the drain hole of the drain pan is provided at one side of the housing cover. group. 49. The method of claim 47, And a guide unit for guiding the condensed water falling through the drain hole to the first storage space or the second storage space side, wherein the guide unit is rotatably provided below the condensed water inlet, and a flow channel through which the dropped condensed water flows And a drive device for rotating the guide member.

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