KR20080110139A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

An air conditioner is provided to prevent the deterioration of performance generating at the time of frosting by mounting an electrode part and prevent accidents caused by the invasion of water into the electrode part by mounting an electrode cover. An electrode part(22) supplies electric fields to a heat exchanger for preventing water on the surface of the heat exchanger from being frozen. A plurality of electrode covers(25) are formed of insulating materials and protect the electrode part by surrounding a plurality of electrodes(24,26) individually.

Description

Air Conditioner

1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention;

2 is a control block diagram of an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention;

3 is a plan view showing an internal configuration of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a partially cutaway front view showing the internal configuration of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a diagram illustrating a supercooling phenomenon experiment structure of an air conditioner according to the present invention;

6 is a graph illustrating a supercooling phenomenon in the experimental structure of FIG. 5;

7 is a freezing temperature graph when different amounts of power energy are supplied in the experimental structure shown in FIG. 5;

8 is a graph illustrating a correlation between first to fifth energy rays of FIG. 7;

9 is a graph illustrating a relationship between voltage and frequency for maintaining a freezing state according to the amount of water in an air conditioner according to the present invention;

10 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a control method of an air conditioner according to the present invention;

11 is an exploded perspective view showing the main parts of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention;

12 is a partially cut-away plan view showing a main part configuration of another embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the main parts of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

2: compressor 4: outdoor side heat exchanger

6: expansion mechanism 8: indoor side heat exchanger

10: cooling / heating switching valve 20: freezing device

22: electrode portion 24, 26: electrode

25, 27: electrode cover 25C.27C: wire penetration part

28: voltage generator 29A, 29B, 29C: electric wire

30: control unit 40: load detection unit

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner provided with an electrode portion for preventing water on the surface of a heat exchanger from being frozen and provided with an electrode cover for protecting the electrode portion.

In general, an air conditioner is a device for cooling or heating a room using a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator.

The air conditioner condenses water in the air on the surface of the evaporator during the operation of the refrigeration cycle, that is, the compressor, thereby producing condensed water (that is, water), and the generated water falls to the lower side of the evaporator. However, when the water generated on the surface of the evaporator is cooled by the low temperature ambient air to freeze, there is a problem that the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air is not smooth and the performance is lowered.

Meanwhile, in order to solve the above problems, the compressor is stopped during operation of the air conditioner to remove the freezing of the evaporator surface while performing a separate defrosting operation without stopping the operation of the air conditioner. Restart the old compressor to resume the operation of the air conditioner.

However, since the air conditioner according to the prior art performs a separate defrosting operation after the operation is stopped, the air conditioner does not cool or heat the room during the defrosting operation, and there is a problem in that convenience is inferior.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the prior art, by providing an electrode unit that prevents the water on the surface of the heat exchanger to freeze to provide an air conditioner that can prevent the performance degradation caused when the water freezes. There is this.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner having improved safety by installing an electrode cover to protect the electrode unit.

An air conditioner according to the present invention for solving the above problems is provided with an air conditioner, the heat exchanger is a heat exchange with the air while the refrigerant passes; An electrode portion provided to supply an electric field to the heat exchanger that prevents water on the surface of the heat exchanger from becoming a solid phase; An electrode cover which protects the electrode portion; And a voltage generator configured to apply a voltage to the electrode.

The electrode cover is an insulating material.

The electrode unit may be a plurality of electrodes spaced apart from each other with the heat exchanger interposed therebetween, and the electrode cover may be provided in plurality to surround each of the plurality of electrodes.

The electrode cover may include an electrode box having one surface opened to accommodate the electrode inserted therein, and a cover covering the opening surface of the electrode box.

The electrode cover is injection molded to insert the electrode.

The air conditioner includes a wire connecting the voltage generator and the electrode.

The wire is connected to the upper portion of the electrode portion.

The electrode cover has a wire through portion through which the wire passes.

The air conditioner is a heat pump including a compressor, a cooling / heating switching valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger, and the electrode unit is installed to supply the electric field to the outdoor heat exchanger during heating operation of the heat pump. do.

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

1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

The air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes a compressor (2), an outdoor side heat exchanger (4), an expansion mechanism (6), an indoor side heat exchanger (8), and the like. 4) (6) (8) further includes a non-freezing device (20) for supplying energy to prevent the water from freezing in the configuration in which water is generated on the surface.

The air conditioner may be configured as a cooler for cooling the room, or may be configured as a heat pump for cooling or heating the room.

When the air conditioner is configured as a cooler, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 2 is condensed while passing through the outdoor side heat exchanger 4, and the condensed refrigerant is expanded while passing through the expansion mechanism 6, and the expanded refrigerant is expanded. Is evaporated in the indoor side heat exchanger (8), and the evaporated refrigerant is circulated to the compressor (2). That is, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 acts as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger 8 acts as an evaporator.

On the other hand, when the air conditioner is composed of a heat pump, the compressor further comprises a cooling / heating switching valve 10 for switching the flow path of the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 2 in accordance with the cooling operation and heating operation, the compressor during the cooling operation The refrigerant compressed in (2) passes through the cooling / heating switching valve (10), the outdoor heat exchanger (4), the expansion mechanism (6), the indoor heat exchanger (8), and the cooling / heating switching valve (10). As the outdoor heat exchanger 4 acts as a condenser as the water is circulated to the compressor 2, the indoor heat exchanger 8 acts as an evaporator, and the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 2 is cooled / heated during the heating operation. The indoor air is circulated to the compressor 2 through the heating switching valve 10, the indoor side heat exchanger 8, the expansion mechanism 6, the outdoor side heat exchanger 4, and the cooling / heating switching valve 10 in order. The side heat exchanger 8 acts as a condenser and the outdoor side heat exchanger 4 also acts as an evaporator.

The air conditioner as described above generates water on the surface of the heat exchanger acting as an evaporator during its operation. In the case of the air conditioner, water is generated on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 8, and in the case of the cooling operation of the heat pump. Water is generated on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger (8), and in the case of heating operation of the heat pump, water is generated on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger (4). When the freezing in a low temperature environment may adversely affect the heat exchange performance, it is necessary to form an atmosphere in which water on the surface of the heat exchanger does not freeze even in a low temperature environment.

On the other hand, the non-freezing device 20 is installed in the air conditioner so that water on the surface of the heat exchanger acting as an evaporator does not freeze, and in the case of a cooler, it is installed to supply energy that does not freeze water to the indoor heat exchanger, In the case of the indoor side heat exchanger (8) or the outdoor side heat exchanger (4) is installed to supply energy that does not freeze.

The non-freezing device 20 may use a supercooling phenomenon that does not cause a change even when the melt is cooled to below the phase transition temperature in an equilibrium state, and a mechanical vibrator that applies mechanical vibration directly to a heat exchanger acting as an evaporator to prevent water from freezing. It is also possible to consist of.

The non-freezing device 20 is not suitable for an air conditioner because the connection of the refrigerant pipe connected to the heat exchanger acting as an evaporator when the mechanical vibrator is made, it is most preferable to use the supercooling phenomenon.

In addition, when the room temperature is generally below zero, the heating operation is performed without performing the cooling operation. Therefore, the non-freezing device 20 does not freeze the water on the surface of the heat exchanger 4 during the heating operation of the heat pump. It is preferable to be installed to supply energy, but a user of a cold region or the like can perform a cooling operation by feeling relatively hot even when the room temperature is below zero, in which case the heat generated on the surface of the heat exchanger 8 Since the water can be frozen in the room below zero, if the water on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 8 is not frozen using the non-freezing device 20, the cooling performance can be improved. In addition, since the indoor side heat exchanger 8 is cooled by the non-freezing device 20 and the temperature of the indoor side heat exchanger 8 is lowered, the cooling performance can be further improved.

On the other hand, out of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4 and the indoor side heat exchanger 8, the outdoor side heat exchanger 4 is likely to freeze by low temperature outdoor air, hereinafter, the freezing device 20 is configured to heat the heat pump. The case where the water on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is prevented from freezing during operation will be described in detail as an example.

The non-freezing device 20 includes an electrode part 22 provided to form an electric field with the outdoor heat exchanger 4, and a voltage generator 28 provided to apply a voltage, particularly a high frequency AC voltage, to the electrode part 22. It includes.

The electrode portion 22 is a means for converting a high frequency alternating voltage from the voltage generating portion 28 into an electric field and applying it to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The electrode portion 22 is formed of a plate member or a lead made of a material such as copper or platinum. Preferably, the following description will be limited to one consisting of a plurality of electrodes 24 and 26 spaced apart from each other with the outdoor heat exchanger 4 therebetween.

The plurality of electrodes 24 and 26 are surrounded by electrode covers 25 and 27 made of an insulating material in consideration of safety, and the electrode covers 25 and 27 will be described in detail later.

The electric field formed by the electrode part 22 is caused by a high frequency alternating voltage, and its polarity is changed according to the frequency, and the electric field of this characteristic is continuous with a water molecule composed of oxygen of negative polarity and hydrogen of positive polarity. By vibrating, rotating, and translating, the water molecules are not crystallized and the liquid phase is maintained at a temperature below the phase transition temperature.

The voltage generator 28 generates an alternating current voltage according to a predetermined magnitude and frequency and applies the alternating voltage to the electrode unit 22. The voltage generator 28 may vary at least one of the magnitude and the frequency of the voltage to generate an alternating voltage according thereto. have. The voltage generator 28 applies an AC voltage according to a set value (voltage magnitude, voltage frequency, etc.) from the controller 30, which will be described later, to the electrode unit 22, and thus the electric field is applied to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. To be applied). The voltage generator 28 can vary the magnitude of the voltage within the range of 0.5 to 10 KV by varying the frequency and set the frequency of the voltage in the high frequency range of 0.5 to 500 kHz.

On the other hand, the voltage generator 28 is to apply an AC voltage having the frequency characteristics of the high frequency band as described above, when applying a voltage having a frequency of 0.5kHz or less or a size of 500V or less, the water molecule is 0.5kHz or less Even if rotation or the like is induced by a frequency or an alternating voltage of 500 V or less, the speed or vibration is low so that it can transition from a phase transition temperature to a solid, and a voltage of 10 KV or more causes a problem of dielectric breakdown of the electrode covers 25 and 27. In the case of an AC voltage of 500 kHz or more, an electric field may not be generated in the electrode unit 22 but may be emitted in the form of radio waves, or the change speed of its polarity may be excessive and the movement of water molecules may not follow the change speed. As can be seen, the optimum frequency band and the optimum voltage generated by the voltage generator 28 are set to a voltage of 0.5 to 10 KV in the high frequency range of 0.5 to 500 kHz. desirable.

On the other hand, when the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchanger 8 is a fin / tube type including a coolant tube made of aluminum or copper through which a coolant passes and an aluminum fin provided in the coolant tube, the electric field generating unit The electric field generated in (22) may be aggregated in the aluminum fin and heat generated by the resistance may be generated. When a voltage of 7000 V is applied to the stainless steel in the form of a pulse, an anion is released from the stainless material, and the released anion is water. Applying a principle that impinges on the particles and impedes the freezing of the water, this can be solved.

That is, by applying a high voltage to the aluminum fin, the negative ions are released in the plasma state, the released negative ions impact the water particles, it is possible to prevent ice.

    Therefore, it is possible to maintain a freezing state when a high voltage is applied directly to the aluminum pin. At this time, the aluminum fin is a ground power supply, and if the active electrodes are separately arranged, the risk of electric shock can be reduced.

In addition, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment further includes a control unit 30 for controlling the non-freezing device 20, in particular the voltage generating unit 28 according to the driving conditions.

The controller 30 controls the non-freezing device 20 according to a detection result of the load detector 40 that detects the presence or absence of water on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 or the amount of water. The load detector 40 may include a pipe connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 or a temperature detector for sensing an outdoor temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 or an outdoor device. It is, of course, also possible to include a current sensing unit or a voltage sensing unit for sensing the current or voltage by the electric field formed in the side heat exchanger (4).

Here, when the load detector 40 is formed of a temperature detector, the load detector 40 is an outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 42 for detecting the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 Inlet temperature sensor 44 for measuring the temperature of the inlet pipe of the (), outlet temperature sensor 46 for measuring the temperature of the outlet pipe of the outdoor heat exchanger (4), and the temperature of the outdoor At least one of the outdoor temperature sensor 48, the control unit 30 is detected by the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 42 and the inlet temperature sensor 44 and the outlet temperature sensor 46 and the outdoor temperature sensor 48. The presence or absence of water or its amount can be calculated using the at least one temperature value, and accordingly, the operation of the voltage generator 28 or the frequency and size of the voltage generator 28 are determined.

In addition, when the load detector 40 is formed of a current detector or a voltage detector, the controller 30 may adjust the resistance of the current detector or the voltage detector according to the presence or absence of water generated on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. Since the value is different, it is possible to calculate the presence or absence of water according to the resistance value, and accordingly determine whether the voltage generator 28 is operated or the frequency and size of the voltage generator 28.

In addition, the controller 30 may control the non-freezing device 20 only by the load detection unit 40 as described above, but considers the non-freezing device 20 by considering whether the air conditioner is heated or not. It is also possible to control, and the control of the non-freezing apparatus 20 by the control part 30 is demonstrated concretely below.

The controller 30 operates the non-freezing device 20 when the air conditioner operation condition is a non-freezing operation condition, and then stops the operation of the non-freezing device 20 when the non-freezing release condition is performed.

Here, the freezing operation conditions are conditions under which water can be generated and frozen on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger (4), whether or not the heating operation of the air conditioner, the continuous operation time of the compressor, the water load conditions, At least one of the time elapsed since the previous freezing operation.

For example, the air conditioner is a heating operation, the compressor 2 is continuously operated for a set time, the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is less than the set temperature, and a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous freezing operation. When the non-freezing device 20 is operated, the air conditioner is not a heating operation, the compressor 2 is not continuously operated for a set time, or the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is higher than the set temperature, or If the predetermined time has not elapsed after the non-freezing operation, the non-freezing device 20 is not operated.

The freezing condition is a condition in which no water is generated on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, or the generated water does not freeze, or does not need to prevent freezing of water on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. At least one of the condition of heating operation of the conditioner and the load condition of water.

 For example, when the heating operation of the air conditioner is stopped while the non-freezing device 20 is operating, or the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 becomes higher than the set temperature, the operation of the non-freezing device 20 is stopped. .

In addition, if the air conditioner is a heating operation, the compressor 2 is continuously operated for a set time, and the temperature of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4 is less than the set temperature without considering the time elapsed after the non-freezing operation as described above. When the freezing device 20 is operated and the air conditioner is not heating operation, the compressor 2 is not continuously operated for a set time, or the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is higher than the set temperature, the freezing device 20 ) Is not operated and the heating operation of the air conditioner is stopped while the non-freezing device 20 is operating, or when the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 becomes higher than the set temperature, the operation of the non-freezing device 20 is performed. Of course, it is also possible to stop.

Reference numeral 3 in FIG. 1 is an accumulator installed in the compressor 2 and the suction pipe 2a and accumulates liquid refrigerant. Reference numeral 5 in FIG. 1 blows outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. An outdoor blower comprising an outdoor fan (5a) and a motor (5b) for rotating the outdoor fan (5a). Reference numeral 9 in FIG. 1 denotes an outdoor fan (9a) for blowing indoor air to the indoor side heat exchanger (8). ) And an indoor blower comprising a motor (9b) for rotating the outdoor fan (9a), reference numeral 50 of FIG. 2 denotes an indoor unit (I) to input various operation modes or freezing operation selection of the air conditioner. It is either an installed control panel or an input to a remote control.

On the other hand, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment is also applicable to the case of the integrated air conditioner in which the indoor unit (I) and the outdoor unit (O) are installed together in one case, and the indoor unit (I) and the outdoor unit (O) It is also applicable to a separate type air conditioner, which will be described below. A case in which the non-freezing device 20 is installed in the outdoor unit O of the separate type air conditioner will be described in detail.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a partially cutaway front view showing the internal configuration of the outdoor unit of an embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

The outdoor unit O illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a casing 54 having an air inlet 51 and an air outlet 52 so as to be discharged after inflow of air; The partition wall 60 which divides the inside of the casing 54 into the machine room 56 in which the compressor 2 is arrange | positioned, and the flow path chamber 58 in which the outdoor side heat exchanger 4 is arrange | positioned is included.

In the outdoor unit O, the accumulator 3, the expansion mechanism 6, and the like illustrated in FIG. 1 are disposed together with the compressor 2 in the machine room 56.

The casing 54 is provided with a base 54A provided with legs, a cabinet 54B provided above the base and having an air inlet 51 formed on at least one surface thereof, and an air outlet 52 disposed on the front of the cabinet cover. The front cover 54C formed and the top cover 54D which covers the upper surface of the outdoor unit cabinet 56 are included.

The casing 54 may be made of an insulating material as a whole, or may be made of an insulating material only in a portion close to the plurality of electrodes 24 and 26, which are the electrode portions 22.

The outdoor unit O has an outdoor side heat exchanger 4 installed close to the air inlet 51, and the casing 54 includes only an outdoor unit cabinet 54B, which is a portion adjacent to the outdoor side heat exchanger 4, made of an insulating material. In addition, only the outdoor unit cabinet 54B and the top cover 54D may be made of an insulating material, and the front cover 54C positioned relatively far from the base 54A and the electrode portion 22, which should have high strength, may be provided. Of course, it is also possible to be made of a high strength material.

The outdoor fan O is provided with an outdoor blower 5, and the outdoor fan 5a sucks the outdoor air into the air inlet 51 and discharges it to the air outlet 52 so that the air inlet 51 and the air outlet ( Located in the flow path chamber 58 so as to be located between the 52.

The partition wall 60 is made of an insulating material.

The outdoor unit O includes a control box 62 provided with electrical components for controlling various electric components installed in the outdoor unit O, for example, the compressor 2, on at least one side of the machine room 56 and the flow path chamber 58. It is provided.

The control box 62 is provided with all the electrical components of the controller 30 shown in FIG. 1 or some of the electrical components of the controller 30 are installed.

On the other hand, as for the electrode part 22, all the some electrode 24 and 26 are arrange | positioned in the flow path chamber 56. As shown in FIG.

The plurality of electrodes 24 and 26 are preferably installed in addition to the flow path of the outdoor air so as not to disturb the flow of the outdoor air, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. It is installed to face each other, or installed to face the outdoor heat exchanger 4 on the upper side and the lower side of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, or one of the front and rear of the lower side of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 It is installed to face the outdoor heat exchanger 4 in a state inclined at a predetermined angle to the other side of the front and rear of the upper side.

The electrode covers 25 and 27 are a kind of electrode housing surrounding each of the electrodes 24 and 26, and are preferably made of an insulating material such as a plastic injection molded product.

The electrode covers 25 and 27 are opening surfaces of the box-shaped electrode boxes 25A and 27A and the electrode boxes 25A and 27A having one side open to accommodate the electrodes 24 and 26 inserted therein. It may be made of a lid 25B (27B) to cover the electrode, or may be made of one housing injection-molded so that the electrodes 24, 26 are inserted.

A plurality of electrode covers 25 and 27 are provided to surround each of the plurality of electrodes 24 and 26.

The voltage generator 28 may be disposed in the machine room 56, or may be disposed in the flow path chamber 56 like the electrode part 22.

When the voltage generator 28 is disposed in the machine room 56, the voltage generator 28 may minimize a malfunction that may occur when an electric field acts on the voltage generator 28, and the voltage generator 28 controls the control box 62. It can be installed in close proximity to the control and ease of service and the advantage of easy to use, while the heat disposed in the flow path chamber 58, the air passing through the flow path chamber 58 of the heat generating section 28 The heat dissipation causes the safety to be improved.

The voltage generator 28 is connected to each of the electrode unit 22 and the control box 62 by wires 29A, 29B, and 29C. When the voltage generator 28 is disposed in the machine room 56, the voltage generator 28 is disposed in the machine room 56. When the wires 29A and 29B connected to the electrode portion 22 pass through the partition wall 60 or are wired around the partition wall 60, and the voltage generator 28 is disposed in the flow path chamber 56, the control box An electric wire 29C connected to the 62 passes through the partition wall 60 or is wired around the partition wall.

In addition, the wires 29A and 29B connecting the electrode portion 22 and the voltage generator 28 among the wires 29A, 29B and 29C are inferior in safety when in contact with water on the base 54A side. It is preferable to be wired on the upper part of the inner side of the outdoor unit O, and it is particularly preferable to be connected to the upper part of the some electrode 22,24.

In the electrode covers 25 and 27, a connector to which the wires 29A and 29B are connected is installed to be exposed to the outside of the electrode covers 25 and 27, and the connectors are provided with the electrodes 24, 26 and the wire 29A. It is also possible to electrically connect the 28B, and the wire through portions 25C and 27C through which the wires 29A and 29B pass are formed, so that the wires 29A and 29B are formed by the electrode covers 25 and 27. Of course, it is also possible to be directly connected to the electrodes 24 and 26 through the wire through portions 25C and 27C of the wires.

When the connector is installed outside the electrode covers 25 and 27, the wires 29A and 28B are easily attached to or detached from the connector, so that service or initial installation is easy, while water or the like is likely to penetrate into the connector. Bars and wires 29A and 28B preferably pass through electrode covers 25 and 27 and are connected to electrodes 24 and 26 inside the electrode covers 25 and 27.

In addition, when at least one of the wires 29A, 29B, and 29C passes through the partition 60, a wire through groove or a wire through hole 61 is formed.

3 and 4, the reference numeral 80 is an insulating member installed to cover the voltage generator 28 in consideration of the safety of the voltage generator 28.

5 is a diagram illustrating a supercooling phenomenon experimental structure of an air conditioner according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a supercooling phenomenon in the experimental structure of FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, a space 100 is formed in the case 100 to receive water, and 0.1 liter of distilled water is contained in the space, and the plurality of electrodes 24 and 26 are spaces 101. It is mounted inside of the case 100 to be symmetrically positioned toward the (). In this case, the plurality of electrodes 26 and 28 is formed to have a larger size than the surface of the space 101, and the interval of the plurality of electrodes 26 and 28 is 20 mm. And, the case 100 is made of an acrylic material of insulating material, the case 100 is cooled, the voltage generator 28 is 0.91KV (6.76mA), a plurality of AC voltage of 20kHz, the electrode unit 22 To the two electrodes 24 and 26, and the space is cooled to about -7 deg.

FIG. 7 is a freezing temperature graph when different amounts of power energy are supplied in the experimental structure shown in FIG. 5.

When the case 100 controls the temperature of the space 101 to -6 ° C, sets and applies a plurality of power energy amounts applied from the voltage generator 28, and measures the change in the freezing temperature accordingly, The baseline (O), which is not supplied with any power energy, remains frozen to -5 ° C by cooling and then phases to a frozen state before 3 hours of cooling.

Since the first energy ray I (1.38W) has a large amount of energy applied to the water, even if the water is cooled at a phase transition temperature (1 atm. Do not.

The second energy ray (II) (0.98 W) maintains a freezing state due to the supercooling phenomenon, and the freezing temperature at that time is maintained at -3 to -3.5 ° C.

The third energy ray (III) (0.91W) maintains a freezing state due to the supercooling phenomenon, and the freezing temperature at that time is maintained at -4 to -5 ° C.

The fourth energy ray (IV) (0.62W) maintains a freezing state due to the supercooling phenomenon, and the freezing temperature at that time is maintained at -5.5 to -5.8 占 폚.

The fifth energy ray (V) (0.36W) does not reach the supercooled state and becomes frozen, i.e., phase change.

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating a correlation between first to fifth energy rays of FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, it can be seen that the amount of energy applied to the water and the freezing temperature of the water are proportional to each other when the water is cooled. The greater the amount of energy applied to water, the higher the freezing temperature. The lower the amount of energy applied to the water, the lower the freezing temperature. However, when determining the amount of energy, if the amount of energy is too small, the movement of the water molecules are not active and can not form a supercooled state, so that the water is frozen like the fifth energy ray.

9 is a graph showing a relationship between voltage and frequency for maintaining a freezing state according to the amount of water in the air conditioner according to the present invention.

When the amount of water increases to 0.1 L, 2 L, 5 L, and 10 L in the experimental structure and condition of FIG. 5, an appropriate voltage and an appropriate frequency must be set in each case to maintain a freezing state. If the frequency band is 0.5 to 500 kHz and the voltage is set at 0.5 to 10 KV, water freezing is maintained even if the quantity is variable. Typically, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 has a condensate of less than about 0.1 L even if its size is large. Is generated, the optimum frequency band is 0.5 to 40 kHz, and the optimum voltage magnitude is most preferably set to 0.5 to 1 KV.

Looking at the operation of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

10 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a control method of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

First, the control unit 30 drives the compressor 2 during the cooling operation of the air conditioner, controls the cooling / heating switching valve 10 in the cooling mode, and the motor 9B of the indoor blower 9 and The motor 5b of the outdoor blower 5 is driven. (S1)

In the cooling operation as described above, the refrigerant passes through the compressor 2, the outdoor side heat exchanger 4, the expansion mechanism 6, the indoor side heat exchanger 8, and the compressor 2 in the order of the indoor side heat exchanger 8. Deprives the heat of the indoor air, the outdoor heat exchanger (4) discharges the heat taken from the indoor air to the outside.

On the other hand, the control unit 30 drives the compressor 2 during heating operation of the air conditioner, controls the cooling / heating switching valve 10 in the heating mode, and the motor 9B of the indoor blower 9. And the motor 5b of the outdoor blower 5 are driven.

In the heating operation as described above, the refrigerant passes through the compressor 2, the indoor side heat exchanger 8, the expansion mechanism 6, the indoor side heat exchanger 4, and the compressor 2 in the order of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4. ) Takes away the heat of the outdoor air, and the indoor heat exchanger (8) releases the heat taken from the outdoor air to the room (S1).

During the heating operation as described above, condensate water, that is, water is generated on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger (4), and the controller (30) is an air conditioner or the surroundings of the outdoor heat exchanger (4). If freezing conditions, the non-freezing device 20 is operated. (S2) (S3)

For example, the air conditioner is in heating operation, the compressor 2 is operated continuously for a set time (for example, 10 minutes), and the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is set to a set temperature (for example, phase change of water). If the temperature is less than 2 ° C.), the non-freezing device 20 is operated.

Specifically, the controller 30 controls the voltage generator 28 so that the voltage generator 28 applies the set magnitude voltage of the set frequency band to the plurality of electrodes 24 and 26 that are the electrode units 22. An electric field is generated between the plurality of electrodes 24 and 26 which are the electrode portions 22.

The electric field generated as described above continuously vibrates, rotates, and translates the molecules of water generated on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the water on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is supercooled before the phase transition temperature is reached. The water on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is not frozen by the electric field.

That is, since the air conditioner continuously heats the room in a state where the water on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is not frozen during the heating operation, it is not necessary to perform the conventional defrosting operation during the heating operation.

In addition, the control unit 30 prevents a sudden temperature change during the operation of the non-freezing device 20 as described above, so that the freezing operation can be stably executed, that is, the compressor 2 and the expansion mechanism 6. ) To lower the capacity of the non-freezing device 20 when not in operation.

In addition, when the set time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses after the operation of the non-freezing device 20 starts as described above, the control unit 30 includes a plurality of electrode units 22 to reduce power consumption. The voltage generator 28 is controlled such that the frequency of the voltage applied to the electrodes 24 and 26 is reduced. (S4) (S5)

Here, the set time is a time at which the freezing state of water is stabilized, and is determined and set through experiments or the like.

When the freezing state of water is stabilized, since the movement inside the water molecule becomes constant, even if the frequency of the voltage is reduced, the movement of the water is hardly affected, and the freezing state of the water is maintained continuously.

On the other hand, the control unit 30 stops the operation of the non-freezing device 20 during the operation of the non-freezing device 20 as described above if the freezing release condition of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is reached. S7)

For example, the heating operation of the air conditioner is stopped during the operation of the non-freezing device 20 as described above, or the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is 2 ° C higher than the set temperature (for example, the phase transition temperature of water). Temperature), the operation of the non-freezing device 20 is stopped.

That is, the controller 30 cuts off the voltage applied to the plurality of electrodes 24 and 26, which are the electrode units 22, and the electric field is no longer formed in the outdoor heat exchanger 4.

11 is an exploded perspective view showing the main part configuration of another embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention, Figure 12 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the main part configuration of another embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

The air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes an air guide 90 of an insulating material forming a flow path of air flowing by the outdoor fan in the outdoor unit O, and the outdoor side heat exchanger 4 in the air guide 90. An accommodating part 92 is formed to form a space in which the crest is accommodated, and the electrode part 22 is installed in the air guide 90 to form an electric field in the accommodating part 92.

The air guide 90 may include a left side 93, an upper side 94, and a right side 95 so as to surround the left, right, and top sides of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. Including a side part, a right part, and a lower part, and a space part in which the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is positioned between the left part, the upper part, and the right part and the lower part, the left, right, and top of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 are formed. Of course, it is also possible to be formed to surround the bottom.

In the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, a plurality of electrodes 22 and 24, which are electrode parts 22, are disposed on inner surfaces of the air guide 90, and electrode covers 25 and 27 are formed in a box shape. In addition, it is also possible to be provided on the inner surface of the air guide 90 so as to surround the electrodes 22 and 24 together with the inner surface of the air guide 90, and the plurality of electrodes 22 and 24 as the electrode portion 22. ) Are respectively disposed on the outer surface of the air guide 90 and the electrode covers 25 and 27 are formed in a box shape, and the air is surrounded by the electrodes 22 and 24 together with the outer surface of the air guide 90. Of course, it is also possible to be installed on the outer surface of the guide (90).

That is, the air guide 90 not only functions to form an outdoor air flow path while protecting the outdoor side heat exchanger 4, but also functions as a kind of electrode mounting member on which the electrodes 22 and 24 are installed.

 The air conditioner according to the present embodiment is the same or similar to other embodiments of the air conditioner according to the present invention other than the air guide 90 and the electrode cover 25, 27, use the same reference numerals and Detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 13 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the main parts of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The air conditioner according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the casing 54 'is inhaled if air is sucked into a plurality of surfaces, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4' is heat-exchanged with air sucked from a plurality of surfaces. A plurality of sets of electrode portions 22 (22 ') are provided inside the O).

The casing 54 'is provided with one air inlet 51A on one side and the other air inlet 51B on the other side, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4' is disposed opposite the one air inlet 51A. And one side heat exchanger 4A to exchange heat with the air sucked into the one air inlet 51A, and the other side heat exchanger disposed to face the other air inlet 51B and heat exchange with the air sucked into the other air inlet 51B.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the one side heat exchanger is a rear heat exchanger 4A formed long left and right inside the outdoor unit O so as to exchange heat with air sucked from the rear of the outdoor unit, and the other side heat exchanger 4B is located next to the outdoor unit. It will be described by being limited to the side heat exchanger 4B formed long inside and outside the outdoor unit O so as to exchange heat with the sucked air.

In the plurality of sets of electrode portions 22 and 22 ', electrodes 24 and 26 of one set of electrode portions 22 are disposed on the left and right sides of the rear heat exchanger portion 4A, and electrodes 24 and 26 are disposed. And each of the electrodes 24 'and 26' of the other set of electrode portions 22 'is disposed before and after the side heat exchanger 4B. In addition, each of the electrodes 24 'and 26' is surrounded by electrode covers 25 'and 27', respectively.

In the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, a plurality of sets of electrode parts 22 and 22 'may be connected to one voltage generator, and the electrode parts 22 and 22' are connected to each voltage generator. Of course it is possible.

The plurality of sets of electrode portions 22, 22 'may be controlled to generate an electric field alternately and at the same time may be controlled to generate an electric field.

On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, it is also applicable to the case of an integrated air conditioner consisting of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, of course, various implementations are possible within the technical scope to which the present invention belongs.

Since the air conditioner of the present invention configured as described above does not freeze the water on the surface of the heat exchanger in a supercooled state by the electric field supplied by the electrode unit, there is no need to perform a separate defrosting operation during the operation of the air conditioner. In addition, the room can be continuously air-conditioned, and the electrode cover protects the electrode unit, thereby preventing a safety accident that may occur when water or the like penetrates into the electrode unit.

In addition, the air conditioner of the present invention has an advantage that the electrode cover is made of an insulating material to improve the insulating performance of the electrode portion and to prevent a safety accident that may occur when the metal body is in contact with the electrode portion.

 In addition, the air conditioner of the present invention is composed of a plurality of electrodes spaced apart from each other by the electrode portion between the heat exchanger, it is possible to prevent the water on the surface of the heat exchanger freezing with a simple structure, so that the electrode cover surrounds each of the plurality of electrodes It is provided with a plurality, there is an advantage that can protect all of the plurality of electrodes.

In addition, the air conditioner of the present invention can be installed to be spaced apart from the voltage generator and the electrode, including a wire connecting the voltage generator and the electrode, there is an advantage that the arrangement of the parts is easy.

In addition, the air conditioner of the present invention has the advantage that the wire is connected to the upper portion of the electrode portion can be spaced apart from the water of the base side of the outdoor unit to improve the safety.

 In addition, the air conditioner of the present invention is formed through the wire through the wire through the electrode cover, the wire is connected to the electrode portion inside the electrode cover, so that the connection portion of the wire and the electrode portion is not exposed to the outside of the electrode cover, As a result, the possibility of penetration of water and the like is minimized.

Claims (9)

A heat exchanger installed in the air conditioner and configured to exchange heat with air while the refrigerant passes therethrough; An electrode portion provided to supply an electric field to the heat exchanger that prevents water on the surface of the heat exchanger from becoming a solid phase; An electrode cover which protects the electrode portion; And a voltage generator installed to apply a voltage to the electrode. The method according to claim 1, The electrode cover is an air conditioner of insulating material. The method according to claim 1, The electrode unit is a plurality of electrodes spaced apart with the heat exchanger therebetween, The electrode cover is provided with a plurality of air conditioners surrounding each of the plurality of electrodes. The method according to claim 1, The electrode cover is an air conditioner comprising an electrode box having one surface opened so that the electrode is inserted therein and a cover covering the opening surface of the electrode box.  The method according to claim 1, And the electrode cover is injection molded to insert the electrode. The method according to claim 1, The air conditioner includes an electric wire connecting the voltage generator and the electrode. The method according to claim 6, The wire is connected to the top of the electrode unit air conditioner. The method according to claim 6, The electrode cover is an air conditioner having a wire through portion through which the wire passes. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The air conditioner is a heat pump including a compressor, a cooling / heating switching valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger, And the electrode unit is configured to supply the electric field to the outdoor side heat exchanger during a heating operation of the heat pump.

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