WO2010029713A1

WO2010029713A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2010029713A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/004379
Authority: WO
Inventors: 米澤勝; 海老原正春; 高橋正敏; 川添大輔; 山口成人
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2008-09-12
Filing date: 2009-09-04
Publication date: 2010-03-18
Also published as: CN102149977B; JP2010065971A; CN102149977A

Abstract

An electrostatic atomizing device (18A) for generating electrostatic mist is provided to an indoor unit. The electrostatic atomizing device (18A) comprises: an electrostatic atomizing unit (30) having a discharge electrode (38) for generating the electrostatic mist by high voltage; a high-voltage electric power source (24) for applying the high voltage to the discharge electrode (38); and a Peltier element (36) having a heat radiating surface (36a) and a cooling surface (36b). The discharge electrode (38) has a high-voltage terminal (24a) connecting to the high-voltage electric power source (24), is raised from the cooling surface (36b), and has a dew condensing section (38b) on which moisture in air is condensed to dew by being cooled by the cooling surface (36b). The high-voltage terminal (24a) is provided so as to be horizontal relative to or to be horizontally above the position of the dew condensing section (38b).

Description

Air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner including an indoor unit having an air cleaning function for purifying indoor air.

Some conventional air conditioners have a deodorizing function, for example, adsorb odor components with an air cleaning pre-filter provided at an air inlet of an indoor unit, or have an oxidative decomposition function provided in the middle of an air passage. Odor components are adsorbed by the deodorizing unit.

However, since the air conditioner with a deodorizing function removes odor components contained in the air sucked from the suction port and deodorizes it, the odor components contained in the indoor air and the odor adhering to curtains, walls, etc. The component could not be removed.

Therefore, an odorous component contained in the indoor air is provided by providing an electrostatic atomizer in the air passage of the indoor unit, and blowing out the electrostatic mist generated by the electrostatic atomizer with a nanometer-size electrostatic mist. An air conditioner that removes odorous components adhering to curtains and walls has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or 2).

In such an air conditioner, the electrostatic atomizer is disposed in the vicinity of the inlet or outlet, or downstream of the heat exchanger or indoor fan.

JP 2005-282873 A JP 2006-234245 A

In the case of an air conditioner, during cooling, the low-temperature air that has passed through the heat exchanger of the indoor unit has a high relative humidity. For example, in an electrostatic atomizer, a Peltier element is provided to replenish moisture. Since condensation tends to occur not only on the pin-shaped discharge electrodes of the electrostatic atomization unit but also on the entire Peltier element, it is not possible to guarantee high safety by applying a high voltage to the Peltier element itself. On the other hand, during heating, the high-temperature air that has passed through the heat exchanger has a low relative humidity, so there is a high possibility that no condensation will occur on the discharge electrode.

Therefore, as in the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 or 2, the electrostatic atomizer is arranged in the vicinity of the inlet or outlet, or downstream of the heat exchanger or indoor fan. However, there is still room for improvement in order to ensure high safety while reliably generating electrostatic mist by the electrostatic atomization phenomenon regardless of the operation mode, that is, regardless of the season.

Also, in an electrostatic atomizer, when a Peltier element cools to cause condensation on a pin-shaped discharge electrode, or when moisture condensed by a Peltier element is supplied to the discharge electrode, wind, vibration, etc. It cannot be said that there is no possibility of water droplets scattering for some reason. If the splashed water droplets adhere to a high voltage terminal that supplies a voltage to the discharge electrode, there is a possibility of electric leakage.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and by properly arranging the electrostatic atomizer, normal operation is maintained over a long period of time without causing leakage or the like. It aims at providing the air conditioner which has an electrostatic atomizer which can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, an air conditioner according to the present invention is provided with an electrostatic atomizer that generates electrostatic mist in an indoor unit, and the electrostatic atomizer discharges electrostatic mist with a high voltage. An electrostatic atomization unit having an electrode; a high-voltage power source that applies a high voltage to the discharge electrode; and a Peltier element having a heat dissipation surface and a cooling surface, wherein the discharge electrode is connected to the high-voltage power source. It has a high voltage terminal and is erected on the cooling surface, and has a condensation part that is cooled by the cooling surface and moisture in the air is condensed, and the high voltage terminal is compared with the position of the condensation part. Are arranged horizontally or above the horizontal.

According to the air conditioner according to the present invention, since the high voltage terminal is arranged horizontally or above the horizontal compared to the position of the dew condensation part of the discharge electrode, the moisture adhering to the dew condensation part of the discharge electrode is Even if water droplets are scattered by some factor such as wind or vibration, the possibility of water droplets adhering to the high-voltage terminal connecting the discharge electrode and high-voltage power supply is reduced, and leakage does not occur. An air conditioner having an electrostatic atomizer that can maintain normal operation over a long period of time can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention showing a state in which a part is removed. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the indoor unit of FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electrostatic atomizer provided in the indoor unit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a part of the frame of the indoor unit of FIG. 1 and the electrostatic atomizer. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the electrostatic atomizer. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electrostatic atomizer. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the electrostatic atomizer is attached to the indoor unit main body. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified example showing the attachment state of the electrostatic atomizer to the indoor unit main body. 9 is a side view of the indoor unit of FIG. 1 showing the positional relationship between the electrostatic atomizer and the ventilation fan unit. 10 is a perspective view of an automatic prefilter cleaning device provided in the indoor unit of FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modification of the electrostatic atomizer. 12 is a side view of the indoor unit of FIG. 1 showing the positional relationship between the electrostatic atomizer of FIG. 11 and the ventilation fan unit. FIG. 13 is an end front view of the indoor unit of FIG. 12 showing a state in which a part is removed. FIG. 14A is a front view of an electrostatic atomization unit constituting the electrostatic atomizer. 14B is a side view of the electrostatic atomization unit of FIG. 14A. FIG. 14C is a front view of the discharge flow path portion constituting the electrostatic atomizer. FIG. 14D is a side view of the discharge flow path portion of FIG. 14C. FIG. 15A is a front view of the electrostatic atomizer. 15B is a side view of the electrostatic atomizer of FIG. 15A. FIG. 16A is a front view of a receptacle constituting the discharge flow path section. 16B is a side view of the receptacle of FIG. 16A. FIG. 16C is a plan view of the receptacle of FIG. 16A. 16D is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 16C. FIG. 17A is a front view of a bypass outlet pipe constituting the discharge flow path section. 17B is a side view of the bypass outlet pipe of FIG. 17A. FIG. 17C is a plan view of the bypass outlet pipe of FIG. 17A. FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of the main body frame showing a state before the receiver and the bypass outlet pipe are assembled. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the main body frame showing a state before the receiver and the bypass outlet pipe are assembled. FIG. 20 is a partially cutaway side view of the indoor unit showing a state after the receiver and the bypass outlet pipe are assembled. FIG. 21 is an end front view of the indoor unit showing a state in which a part after the receiver and the bypass outlet pipe are assembled is removed. 22 is an enlarged view of portion E in FIG. FIG. 23A is a side view of a suction device to which an electrostatic atomizing unit is attached. 23B is a rear view of the suction device of FIG. 23A. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a state before the electrostatic atomization unit fixed to the suction device is attached to the discharge flow path unit assembled to the frame. FIG. 25 is a front view of the main part of the electrostatic atomization unit. FIG. 26 is a graph showing the normal operation rate of the electrostatic atomization unit when the inclination angle is changed from the horizontal arrangement to the downward arrangement. FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the main part of the electrostatic atomizing unit.

1st invention is an air conditioner provided with the indoor unit which has the air purifying function which purifies indoor air, Comprising: The electrostatic atomizer which generates an electrostatic mist is provided in the said indoor unit, The said electrostatic fog An electrostatic atomization unit having a discharge electrode for generating electrostatic mist by a high voltage, a high-voltage power source for applying a high voltage to the discharge electrode, and a Peltier element having a heat dissipation surface and a cooling surface And the discharge electrode has a high voltage terminal connected to the high voltage power supply and is erected on the cooling surface, and has a dew condensation portion that is cooled by the cooling surface and moisture in the air is condensed. The high voltage terminal is arranged horizontally or above the horizontal compared to the position of the dew condensation portion.

With this configuration, even if the water adhering to the dew condensation part of the discharge electrode is scattered as water droplets due to some factor such as wind or vibration, water droplets are generated at the high voltage terminal connecting the discharge electrode and the high voltage power source. The possibility of adhering is reduced, and normal operation can be maintained for a long time without causing leakage.

In the second aspect of the invention, the discharge electrode is inclined at a predetermined angle downward from the horizontal, so that the position of the high voltage terminal is easily compared to the position of the condensation portion of the discharge electrode above the horizontal or horizontal. Can be arranged.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
The air conditioner is composed of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are usually connected to each other by refrigerant piping. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the indoor unit has a front suction port 2a and a top suction port 2b as suction ports for sucking room air into the main body 2, and the front suction port 2a has a movable front panel that can be opened and closed. 4 (hereinafter simply referred to as the front panel). When the air conditioner is stopped, the front panel 4 is in close contact with the main body 2 and closes the front suction port 2a. The front panel 4 moves in a direction away from the main body 2 to open the front suction port 2a.

Inside the main body 2, a prefilter 5 is provided on the downstream side of the front suction port 2 a and the upper surface suction port 2 b for removing dust contained in the air, and a front suction is provided on the downstream side of the prefilter 5. Air is blown from the heat exchanger 6 for exchanging heat with the indoor air sucked from the mouth 2a and the upper surface suction port 2b, the indoor fan 8 for conveying the heat exchanged by the heat exchanger 6, and the indoor fan 8. The upper and lower blades 12 change the air blowing direction up and down, and the left and right blades 14 change the air blowing direction left and right. Further, the upper portion of the front panel 4 is connected to the upper portion of the main body 2 via a plurality of arms (not shown) provided at both ends thereof, and a drive motor connected to one of the plurality of arms ( By driving and controlling the air conditioner, the front panel 4 moves forward from the position when the air conditioner is stopped (closed position of the front suction port 2a) during the air conditioner operation. Similarly, the upper and lower blades 12 are connected to the lower portion of the main body 2 through a plurality of arms (not shown) provided at both ends thereof.

In addition, a ventilation fan unit 16 for ventilating room air is provided at one end of the indoor unit (on the left side when viewed from the front of the indoor unit and on the bypass channel 22 side of a partition wall 46c described later). In addition, an electrostatic atomizer 18 having an air cleaning function that generates electrostatic mist and purifies indoor air is provided behind the ventilation fan unit 16.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which a main body cover (not shown) covering the front panel 4 and the main body 2 is removed, and FIG. 2 clearly shows a connection position between the indoor unit main body 2 and the electrostatic atomizer 18. Therefore, the electrostatic atomizer 18 accommodated in the main body 2 is separated from the main body 2. The electrostatic atomizer 18 actually has the shape shown in FIG. 3 and is attached to the left side of the main body 2 as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the electrostatic atomizer 18 includes a main channel that communicates from the front suction port 2 a and the upper suction port 2 b to the blowout port 10 via the heat exchanger 6, the indoor fan 8, and the like. 20, a high-voltage transformer 24 and a bypass blower fan 26 serving as a high-voltage power source are provided on the upstream side of the bypass flow path 22 and are provided in the middle of the bypass flow path 22 that bypasses the heat exchanger 6 and the indoor fan 8. An electrostatic atomizing unit 30 and a silencer 32 that are provided and have a heat radiation portion 28 that promotes heat radiation of the electrostatic atomization unit 30 are provided on the downstream side of the bypass flow path 22. Therefore, in the state where the high voltage transformer 24, the bypass blower fan 26, the heat radiating unit 28, the electrostatic atomizing unit 30, and the silencer 32 are arranged in order from the upstream side, the casing 34 constituting a part of the bypass flow path 22 is arranged. Contained. By housing in the casing 34 in this way, the assembly is improved and the flow path is formed by the casing 34, so that space is saved and the flow of air by the bypass blower fan 26 is changed to a high voltage that is a heat generating part. The transformer 24 and the heat radiating section 28 can be reliably applied and cooled, and the electrostatic mist generated from the electrostatic atomization unit 30 can be reliably introduced into the air outlet 10 of the air conditioner. Electric mist can be discharged into the air-conditioned room.

Further, the casing 34 is arranged in the vertical direction so that the direction of the airflow flowing through the inside of the casing 34 is parallel to the direction of the airflow flowing through the main flow path 20 when viewed from the front of the indoor unit body 2. As a result, it can be disposed adjacent to a position overlapping the ventilation fan unit 16 when viewed from the front of the indoor unit main body 2, and further space saving is achieved.

The high-voltage transformer 24 is not necessarily accommodated in the casing 34, but is cooled by the ventilation of the bypass flow path, so that it is accommodated in the casing 34 from the viewpoint of suppressing temperature rise or saving space. preferable.

Here, a conventionally known electrostatic atomization unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electrostatic atomization unit 30 includes a plurality of Peltier elements 36 having a heat radiating surface 36a and a cooling surface 36b, and the above-described heat radiating portion connected in thermal contact with the heat radiating surface 36a. (E.g., radiation fins) 28, a discharge electrode 38 installed in thermal contact with the cooling surface 36b via an electrical insulating material (not shown), and a predetermined distance from the discharge electrode 38. It is comprised with the counter electrode 40 arrange | positioned.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the electrostatic atomizer 18 includes a control unit 42 (see FIG. 1) disposed in the vicinity of the ventilation fan unit 16, and the control unit 42 includes a Peltier drive power supply 44 and The high voltage transformer 24 is electrically connected, and the Peltier element 36 and the discharge electrode 38 are electrically connected to the Peltier drive power supply 44 and the high voltage transformer 24, respectively.

In addition, in order to generate the electrostatic mist by discharging high voltage from the discharge electrode 38 as the electrostatic atomizing unit 30, it is possible even without providing the counter electrode 40. For example, if one terminal of a high-voltage power supply is connected to the discharge electrode 38 and the other terminal is connected to the frame, the portion close to the discharge electrode 38 of the frame-connected structure and the discharge electrode 38 Will be discharged between. In such a configuration, the frame-connected structure can be regarded as the counter electrode 40.

In the electrostatic atomization unit 30 configured as described above, when the control unit 42 controls the Peltier drive power supply 44 to cause a current to flow through the Peltier element 36, heat is transferred from the cooling surface 36 b toward the heat radiating surface 36 a, and the discharge electrode 38. Condensation occurs on the discharge electrode 38 due to a decrease in temperature. Further, when the high voltage transformer 24 is controlled by the control unit 42 and a high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 38 to which the condensed water has adhered, a discharge phenomenon occurs in the condensed water, and electrostatic mist having a particle size of nanometer size is generated. appear. In the present embodiment, since a negative high voltage power source is used as the high voltage transformer 24, the electrostatic mist is negatively charged.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the main flow path 20 includes a rear wall 46 a of the base frame 46 constituting the main body 2, and both side walls extending forward from both ends of the rear wall 46 a ( 7 shows only the left side wall 46b, a rear wall 48a of the rear guider 48 formed below the underframe 46, and both side walls extending forward from both ends of the rear wall 48a (left side in FIG. 7). 48b, a partition wall separating the bypass channel 22 from the main channel 20 by one side wall (left side wall) 46b of the underframe 46 and one side wall (left side wall) 48b of the rear guider 48. 46c is constituted. Further, the bypass suction port 22a of the bypass channel 22 is formed on one side wall 46b of the frame 46, while the bypass outlet 22b of the bypass channel 22 is formed on one side wall 48b of the rear guider 48.

In the case of an air conditioner, during cooling, the low-temperature air that has passed through the heat exchanger 6 of the indoor unit has a high relative humidity, and the electrostatic atomizer 18 includes a Peltier element 36 for replenishing moisture. In this case, dew condensation is likely to occur not only on the pin-shaped discharge electrode 38 of the Peltier element 36 but also on the entire Peltier element 36. On the other hand, at the time of heating, the high-temperature air that has passed through the heat exchanger 6 has a low relative humidity, so there is a very high possibility that no condensation will occur on the discharge electrode 38 of the Peltier element 36.

Thus, as in the above configuration, the main flow path 20 and the bypass flow path 22 are separated by the partition wall 46c, and an electrostatic atomizer 18 that generates electrostatic mist is provided in the bypass flow path 22. Air that has not passed through and that has not been adjusted in temperature and humidity is supplied to the electrostatic atomizer 18. Thereby, safety is improved by effectively preventing the occurrence of condensation on the entire Peltier element 36 of the electrostatic atomization unit 30 during cooling. Moreover, electrostatic mist can be reliably generated during heating.

The bypass passage 22 includes a bypass suction pipe 22c, a casing 34, and a bypass outlet pipe 22d. The bypass outlet 22d, which extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the left side wall 46b and extends in a direction substantially parallel to the front panel 4, is connected to one end of the casing 34 and further connected to the other end of the casing 34. The other end of the rear guider 48 is connected to the bypass outlet 22b of the side wall 48b. Thus, by comprising a part of bypass channel 22 with casing 34, space saving can be achieved, and electrostatic atomization unit can be formed via bypass outlet pipe 22d by comprising these in series. The electrostatic mist can be reliably attracted from 18 toward the main flow path 20, and the electrostatic mist can be discharged into the air-conditioned room.

The bypass suction port 22a is located between the prefilter 5 and the heat exchanger 6, that is, downstream of the prefilter 5 and upstream of the heat exchanger 6, and is sucked from the front suction port 2a and the upper suction port 2b. Since the dust contained in the air is effectively removed by the pre-filter 5, it is possible to prevent the dust from entering the electrostatic atomizer 18. Thereby, it can prevent effectively that dust accumulates on the electrostatic atomization unit 30, and can discharge | release electrostatic mist stably.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the prefilter 5 serves as a prefilter for the electrostatic atomizer 18 and the main flow path 20, but this requires maintenance to clean only the prefilter 5. Since it is not necessary to care for each separately, the care can be simplified. Furthermore, in an air conditioner equipped with a pre-filter automatic cleaning device as will be described later, the pre-filter 5 does not require special care, and can be made maintenance-free.

On the other hand, the bypass air outlet 22b is positioned in the vicinity of the air outlet 10 on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 6 and the indoor fan 8, and the electrostatic mist discharged from the bypass air outlet 22b rides on the air flow in the main flow path 20. It spreads and fills the entire room. The bypass outlet 22b is arranged on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 6 as described above. If the bypass air outlet 22b is arranged on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 6, since the heat exchanger 6 is made of metal, the electrostatic mist that is charged particles is This is because most of the heat exchanger 6 (about 80 to 90% or more) is absorbed. In addition, the bypass outlet 22b is arranged on the downstream side of the indoor fan 8. If the bypass outlet 22b is arranged on the upstream side of the indoor fan 8, turbulent flow exists in the indoor fan 8 and passes through the indoor fan 8. This is because a part (about 50%) of the electrostatic mist is absorbed in the process of air colliding with various parts of the indoor fan 8.

In addition, the main flow path 20 side of one side wall 48b of the rear guider 48 provided with the bypass outlet 22b is given a predetermined speed to the air flow by the indoor fan 8, so that the main flow path 20 side of the side wall 48b is bypassed. A pressure difference is generated on the side of the path 22, a negative pressure portion in which the main channel 20 side is relatively low in pressure relative to the bypass channel 22, and air is attracted from the bypass channel 22 toward the main channel 20. Accordingly, the bypass blower fan 26 has a small capacity, and the bypass blower fan 26 may not be provided in some cases.

Further, the bypass outlet pipe 22d is provided on the partition wall 46c (side wall 48b of the rear guider 48) so as to be directed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the air flow in the main channel 20 at the junction with the main channel 20 (bypass outlet 22b). It is connected. This is because the electrostatic atomization unit 30 generates the electrostatic mist by utilizing the discharge phenomenon as described above, so that the discharge sound is inevitably accompanied and the discharge sound has directivity. is there. Therefore, by connecting the bypass passage 22 to the front panel 4 substantially parallel to the front panel 4 at the junction of the bypass passage 22 and the main passage 20 (bypass outlet 22b), a person in front of the indoor unit or diagonally forward Thus, it is possible to reduce the noise by configuring so that the discharge sound is not directed as much as possible.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the bypass outlet pipe 22 d is inclined with respect to the partition wall 46 c at the junction with the main flow path 20 and connected so as to be directed upstream with respect to the air flow in the main flow path 20, It is effective in reducing noise due to further discharge noise.

In addition, even when the direction in which the bypass outlet pipe 22d is directed is connected to the downstream direction of the air flow in the main flow path 20, if the extension line does not come out from the outlet 10, it will occur. Since the amount of discharge sound that goes out directly from the air outlet 10 is small and does not directly enter the user's ear, a noise reduction effect can be achieved.

As described above, the main flow path 20 and the bypass flow path 22 are separated by the partition wall 46 c, and the electrostatic atomizer 18 that generates electrostatic mist bypasses the heat exchanger 6 and communicates with the main flow path 20. Since the air that has not been passed through the heat exchanger 6 and has not been adjusted in temperature and humidity is supplied to the electrostatic atomizer 18 because it is provided in the path 22, the Peltier element 36 of the electrostatic atomization unit 30 is used during cooling. Effectively preventing the occurrence of dew condensation on the whole, safety is improved, and electrostatic mist can be reliably generated during heating, regardless of the operation mode of the air conditioner, that is, the season The electrostatic mist can be generated stably regardless of the above.

Next, an air conditioner provided with a prefilter automatic cleaning device having a suction device that sucks and removes dust adhering to the prefilter 5 will be described. The ventilation fan unit 16 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Even if the ventilation fan unit 16 is dedicated to ventilation, the ventilation fan unit 16 also serves to supply air to a suction device provided in an indoor unit having a pre-filter automatic cleaning device. May be. The ventilation fan unit 16 shown in FIG. 9 is incorporated in the suction device 58 of the automatic prefilter cleaning device on the bypass flow path 22 side of the partition wall 46c. However, since the automatic prefilter cleaning device is already known, see FIG. While briefly explaining. The detailed structure and operation method of the pre-filter automatic cleaning device are not particularly limited.

As shown in FIG. 10, the pre-filter automatic cleaning device 50 includes suction nozzles 52 that are slidable along the surface of the pre-filter 5, and the suction nozzles 52 are installed at the upper and lower ends of the pre-filter 5. The pair of guide rails 54 can smoothly move left and right while maintaining a very narrow gap with the prefilter 5, and dust adhering to the prefilter 5 is sucked and removed by the suction nozzle 52. Further, one end of a bendable suction duct 56 is connected to the suction nozzle 52, and the other end of the suction duct 56 is connected to a suction device 58 having a variable suction amount. Further, an exhaust duct 60 is connected to the suction device 58 and led out to the outside.

Further, a belt (not shown) that is slidable along the suction nozzle 52 is wound around the suction nozzle 52 in the vertical direction. A slit-like nozzle opening having a length substantially equal to the vertical length of the filter 5 is formed, while a slit-like suction hole having a length of, for example, 1/4 of the vertical length of the prefilter 5 is formed in the belt. ing.

The automatic prefilter cleaning device 50 configured as described above sequentially cleans the cleaning ranges A, B, C, and D of the prefilter 5 as necessary. When the range A is suction-cleaned, the belt is driven and the suction holes are driven. In the state where the position is fixed to the position of the range A, the suction nozzle 52 is driven from the right end to the left end of the prefilter 5 while sucking, whereby the horizontal range A of the prefilter 5 is suction-cleaned.

Next, the belt is driven to fix the suction hole at a position in the range B, and the suction nozzle 52 is driven from the left end to the right end of the prefilter 5 while sucking in this state, so that the horizontal direction of the prefilter 5 is now achieved. A range B is suction-cleaned. Similarly, the areas C and D of the pre-filter 5 are also cleaned by suction.

The dust adhering to the pre-filter 5 and sucked by the suction nozzle 52 is discharged outside through the suction duct 56, the suction device 58, and the exhaust duct 60.

Further referring to FIG. 9, an opening 62 is formed in the suction path of the suction device 58, and a damper 64 for opening and closing the opening 62 is provided. The ventilation fan unit 16 includes the damper 64. When the opening 62 is opened, it is used for ventilation. When suction cleaning is performed, the opening 62 is closed by a damper 64 and used for sucking dust from the suction hole of the belt. That is, the same suction device 58 is used to realize the suction cleaning function and the ventilation function.

Although the exhaust duct 60 is not shown in FIG. 9, the exhaust duct 60 is connected to the exhaust port 58 a of the suction device 58.

FIG. 11 shows an electrostatic atomizer 18A having no casing 34, and the electrostatic atomizer 18A is incorporated in the indoor unit body 2 as shown in FIGS. The electrostatic atomizer 18 </ b> A is disposed at a position overlapping the ventilation fan unit 16 when viewed from the front or top surface of the indoor unit, and by the ventilation fan unit 16 in the vicinity of the opening 62 and the damper 64 of the ventilation fan unit 16. It is arranged in the part where the suction air flows.

More specifically, the electrostatic atomizing device 18A of FIG. 11 includes an electrostatic atomizing unit 30 having a heat radiating portion 28 and a silencer 32 integrally attached, and the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 portion excluding the heat radiating portion 28; The silencer 32 is accommodated in each housing (unit housing 66 and silencer housing 68), and one end of the bypass blowing pipe 22d is connected to and communicates with the opening 68a of the silencer housing 68, and the other end of the bypass blowing pipe 22d is the main flow path. It is connected to 20 and communicates. In this case, the housing portion 22e separated from the main flow path 20 by the partition wall 46c and formed between the left side surface of the main body cover and provided with the ventilation fan unit 16, the electrostatic atomizer 18A and the like is the bypass described above. In addition to the suction pipe 22 c and the casing 34, the bypass blow pipe 22 d is also accommodated to constitute the bypass flow path 22.

Thereby, the air sucked into the main body 2 through the prefilter 5 is sucked into the accommodating portion 22e from the bypass suction port 22a on the downstream side of the prefilter 5, and the direction of the airflow is the air flowing through the main channel 20 The indoor unit main body 2 flows in the accommodating portion 22e in parallel with the flow direction when viewed from the front. Thus, the heat radiating portion 28 is cooled by the air flowing through the housing portion 22e, and taken into the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 through an opening (not shown) formed in the unit housing 66.

With this configuration, the space around the ventilation fan unit 16 that overlaps the ventilation fan unit 16 when viewed from the front or top surface of the indoor unit becomes the bypass flow path 22, and the ventilation fan unit 16, the electrostatic atomizer 18 </ b> A, etc. Space can be saved by effectively utilizing the accommodating portion 22e. In this configuration, the high voltage transformer 24 is disposed at an arbitrary portion in the housing portion 22e such as the ventilation fan unit 16 and the electrostatic atomizer 18A, and the bypass blower fan 26 is not provided.

Further, the bypass flow path 22 is described in detail above by configuring the bypass flow path 22 so that the air flow flows in parallel with the air flow passing through the main flow path 20 as viewed from the front. Thus, since the main flow path 20 and the bypass flow path 22 can be branched with a simple configuration of the partition wall 46c, the bypass flow path 22 can be easily formed, and the number of parts can be reduced.

Furthermore, by using this configuration, the prefilter of the electrostatic atomizer 18A and the prefilter of the main flow path 20 can be shared by the prefilter 5.

It should be noted that an opening 46d (see FIG. 9) may be formed in the vicinity of the lower portion of the base frame 46 corresponding to the rear portion of the ventilation fan unit 16 so that a pipe (not shown) connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can be drawn out. The bypass suction port 22a described above is one opening in the housing portion 22e formed in the partition wall 46c (the frame side wall 46b) in order to suck air into the housing portion 22e, and communicates with the outside of the indoor unit through the prefilter 5. However, in the opening 46d formed in the lower part of the underframe 46, the accommodating portion 22e is an opening that directly communicates with the outside of the indoor unit and sucks ambient air. In such a case, the accommodating portion 22e serves as a bypass flow path that also bypasses the prefilter 5. Accordingly, the air sucked into the electrostatic atomizer 18A flows from the opening 46d and does not pass through the prefilter 5, so that a separate prefilter for the electrostatic atomizer 18A is provided as necessary. Just do it. Further, even in the configuration in which the opening 46d is formed, the electrostatic atomizer 18A is disposed at a position overlapping the ventilation fan unit 16 when viewed from the front or top surface of the indoor unit, and the housing portion 22e is effectively used. Similarly, space saving can be achieved.

As described above, the main flow path 20 side of the bypass outlet 22b is a negative pressure part that is attracted by the pressure difference generated by the indoor fan 8 being given a predetermined speed to the air flow. Even if the bypass blower fan 26 is not provided, the heat radiating portion 28 is cooled by the air drawn toward the main passage 20 from the accommodating portion 22e which is a bypass passage via the bypass outlet pipe 22d, and the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 is provided. The electrostatic mist generated by the above is attracted to the main channel 20 and can be discharged into the air-conditioned room. Further, since the heat radiating portion 28 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening 62 and the damper 64 in a portion where the air sucked into the opening 62 flows, it is also cooled by the suction air by the ventilation fan unit 16.

As described above, according to the above configuration, the container 22e is provided with the electrostatic atomizer 18A that separates the main channel 20 and the container 22e serving as the bypass channel by the partition wall 46c and generates electrostatic mist. Therefore, air that has not passed through the heat exchanger 6 and has not been adjusted in temperature and humidity is supplied to the electrostatic atomizer 18A. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of condensation on the entire Peltier element 36 of the electrostatic atomization unit 30 during cooling, thereby improving safety and reliably generating electrostatic mist during heating. The electrostatic mist can be stably generated regardless of the operation mode of the air conditioner, that is, regardless of the season.

Next, a configuration and attachment method for easily attaching the electrostatic atomizer 18A shown in FIG. 11 to the indoor unit shown in FIG. 12 will be described.

14A to 14D and FIGS. 15A and 15B divide the electrostatic atomizer 18A into two parts, the electrostatic atomization unit 30 described above and the discharge flow path part 70 constituting the discharge part of the bypass flow path 22. 14A to 14D show a state in which the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 and the discharge flow path unit 70 are separated, and FIGS. 15A and 15B show the electrostatic atomization unit 30 and the discharge flow path unit 70 in a separated state. The connected state is shown.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 16A to 16D and FIGS. 17A to 17C, the discharge flow path portion 70 further has a two-divided configuration. It is comprised by the bypass blowing pipe 22d.

The receiving tool 71 has a side wall 71a having a substantially U shape in plan view and a receiving member 71b formed integrally with the side wall 71a. The receiving member 71b is a cylindrical fitting that protrudes downward. 71c, a silencer housing contact part 71d provided around the fitting part 71c, and an inclined part 71e formed on the opening side of the side wall 71a in the silencer housing contact part 71d. The inclined portion 71e rises inward from the opening side of the side wall 71a to the raised portion 71f, descends from the raised portion 71f, and is connected to the silencer housing contact portion 71d. In addition, a circular opening 71g into which a fitting part (described later) 22f of the bypass outlet pipe 22d is inserted is formed at the lower end part of the fitting part 71c, on the opposite side of the opening part at the lower end part of the side wall 71a. A claw portion 71h is formed.

On the other hand, a plurality of claw portions (bypass blowing tube side fitting portions) 22f arranged in a circle with a predetermined interval are formed integrally with the flange 22g at one end portion of the bypass blowing tube 22d. An insertion portion 22h to be inserted into a bypass outlet 22b formed on the side wall 48b of the rear guider 48 is integrally formed with the flange 22i at the other end portion of the outlet pipe 22d.

When the electrostatic atomizer 18A having the above-described configuration is attached to the indoor unit body 2, the discharge flow path section 70 is attached to the frame 46 and the electrostatic atomizer unit 30 is attached to the suction device 58, and then the suction device 58 is The electrostatic atomization unit 30 is assembled to the discharge flow path unit 70 by being attached to the frame 46.

More specifically, when the discharge flow path portion 70 is attached to the frame 46, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, first, a receptacle is provided above the opening 46f formed in the lower wall portion 46e of the frame 46. 71 is disposed, and the bypass outlet pipe 22d is disposed below the opening 46f. Next, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 19, the circular opening formed in the fitting portion 71 c of the receiving tool 71 after loosely inserting the claw portion 22 f of the bypass outlet pipe 22 d into the opening 46 f of the base frame 46. It is made up of the receiver 71 and the bypass outlet pipe 22d by being fitted to 71g and further fitting and fixing the claw portion 71h of the receiver 71 to the inner wall 46g of the opening 46f of the base frame 46. The discharge flow path part 70 is assembled to the frame 46.

20 to 22 show a state after the discharge flow path portion 70 is assembled to the underframe 46, and in this state, the peripheral edge of the circular opening 71g of the support 71 is the claw portion 22f of the bypass outlet pipe 22d. The flange 22g is also sandwiched between the peripheral edge of the circular opening 71g of the receiving member 71 and the lower wall portion 46e of the frame 46. Further, the claw portion 71h of the receiver 71 is fitted into the back wall 46g of the underframe 46, and the insertion portion 22h provided at the other end portion of the bypass outlet pipe 22d is a bypass formed on the side wall 48b of the rear guider 48. When the flange 22i comes into contact with the side wall 48b by being inserted into the air outlet 22b, the discharge flow path part 70 is fixed to the frame 46.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14A or 15A, the silencer housing 68 constituting the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 is integrally formed with an attachment portion 68b. The attachment portion 68b is formed as shown in FIG. As shown by 23B, it is screwed to the back side of the suction device 58 (the back side of the main body 2).

FIG. 24 shows a state before the electrostatic atomization unit 30 fixed to the suction device 58 is attached to the discharge flow path unit 70 assembled to the base frame 46. As shown by the arrows in FIG. When the suction device 58 to which the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 is fixed is accommodated in a predetermined position of the accommodating portion 22e of the base frame 46, the silencer housing 68 constituting the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 is introduced into the side wall 71a of the receiver 71. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13 or FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, it is connected to the fitting portion 71c of the receiving tool 71, and the opening 68a of the silencer housing 68 and the bypass outlet pipe 22d communicate with each other.

Here, since the inclined portion 71e is provided on the opening side of the side wall 71a of the receiver 71, the inclined portion 71e and the side wall 71a serve as a guide for the silencer housing 68 and the fitting portion of the receiver 71. When the silencer housing 68 connected to 71c contacts the silencer housing contact portion 71d, the raised portion 71f formed inside the inclined portion 71a serves to hold the silencer housing 68, and the substantially U-shaped side wall 71a. The raised portion 71f seals the connecting portion between the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 and the discharge flow path portion 70.

In addition, after the electrostatic atomization unit 30 and the discharge flow path part 70 are connected, the suction device 58 is screwed to the frame 46 via a plurality of attachment parts 58b (see FIGS. 23B and 24).

As described above, when the electrostatic atomizer 18A is assembled to the indoor unit body 2, the electrostatic atomizer unit 30 is disposed downward. The reason why the electrostatic atomizer unit 30 is disposed downward is as follows. . As used herein, “downward” means that the tip of the discharge electrode 38 where condensation occurs is disposed downward as shown in FIG. 25, and the counter electrode 40 is located below the discharge electrode 38. It will be spaced apart.

In the present embodiment, a device having a needle-like discharge electrode 38 that applies a negative high voltage and a counter electrode (earth electrode) 40 is used as the electrostatic atomizer 18A, and the discharge electrode 38 and the counter electrode 40 are used. An electric field is generated in the direction of the tip of the discharge electrode 38 by generating a corona discharge between them. This electric field gives a negative charge to the dust contained in the air, and a part of the charged dust adheres to the counter electrode 40 by Coulomb force.

In a smoking environment or an environment where oily smoke from cooking is generated, if the dust adhering to the counter electrode 40 contains moisture, the adhering dirt becomes tar-like and becomes more or less fluid. Therefore, when the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 is arranged “upward”, the tar-like deposits hang down “downward” due to gravity.

As a result, tar-like deposits approach the discharge electrode 38 from the counter electrode 40 and discharge toward the deposits closest to the discharge electrode 38. Therefore, discharge will occur at a distance shorter than the appropriately designed distance, causing abnormal discharge, abnormal noise, and increased ozone concentration, making normal operation over a long period of time difficult. Such a problem is alleviated when the unit 30 is arranged downward from the horizontal.

In FIG. 26, the electrostatic atomization unit 30 is operated in a smoking environment capable of giving a cigarette load equivalent to 10 years, and the inclination angle of the electrostatic atomization unit 30 is changed at intervals of 10 ° from horizontal arrangement to downward arrangement. The normal operation rate of the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 is shown. In addition, the normal operation rate is calculated assuming that the electrostatic atomization unit 30 is disposed downward (inclination angle: 90 °) as 100%.

As can be seen from the graph of FIG. 26, the operation rate increases as the inclination angle is increased from the horizontal to the downward arrangement of the electrostatic atomizing unit 30, and the operation rate is 80 between the inclination angle of 40 ° and 50 °. It is greatly improved from slightly less than 90% to 90%. Further, the operation rate is further improved at an inclination angle of 70 °, and when the inclination angle exceeds 80 °, the operation rate is maintained at 100%.

Therefore, the inclination angle of the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 is preferably 50 ° or more from the horizontal to the lower side, more preferably 80 ° or more, and most preferably 90 ° (downward arrangement).

At this time, if there is an air flow toward the tip of the shaft portion of the discharge electrode 38, it is more preferable because it is suitable for discharge of electrostatic mist and can promote pushing out the deposit on the counter electrode 40 to the outside. .

In addition, it is preferable that the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 is disposed downward, as well as the electrostatic atomizing device 18 having the casing 34 as well as the electrostatic atomizing device 18A having no casing 34.

Next, a description will be given of how to deal with the possibility that water condensed on the discharge electrode 38 may be scattered by some factor such as wind or vibration. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the electrostatic atomizing unit, which shows much more detailed content than FIG.

27, the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 includes a discharge electrode 38 and a counter electrode 40 inside a unit housing 66, and the discharge electrode 38 is erected on the cooling surface 36b of the Peltier element 36 and cooled. As explained in. The discharge electrode 38 is connected to the high voltage terminal 24a by the terminal connection portion 38a, and a high voltage is applied from the high voltage transformer 24 through the high voltage lead wire 24b connected to the high voltage terminal 24a. On the other hand, the counter electrode 40 is connected to the high voltage transformer 24 through the earth lead wire 24c.

The surface of the discharge electrode 38 is covered with a metal having a high thermal conductivity such as gold plating, while the high voltage terminal 24a is made of a material such as stainless steel having a relatively low thermal conductivity with respect to the surface metal of the discharge electrode 38. Yes. When the Peltier element 36 is cooled so that moisture is condensed on the discharge electrode 38, the high voltage terminal 24a is also cooled through the terminal connection portion 38a. However, due to the difference in these materials and the heat transfer resistance of the terminal connection portion 38a, No condensation occurs on the voltage terminal 24a.

The discharge electrode 38 such as the cooling surface 36b and the terminal connection portion 38a of the Peltier element 36 is covered with a heat-resistant resin, and the discharge electrode 38 also forms a dew only at a portion near the tip, from the horizontal plane H to the tip in the figure. It is only the dew condensation part 38b. In the present embodiment, the condensing part 38b is located at the lower end with the discharge electrode 38 facing downward, and the high voltage terminal 24a is located above the uppermost part of the condensing part 38b.

In the above configuration, when the electrostatic atomizer 18A is operated to generate electrostatic mist, the discharge electrode 38 is cooled by the Peltier element 36, and moisture in the air is condensed on the dew condensation part 38b. If a high voltage is applied between the discharge electrode 38 and the counter electrode 40 and the generation of electrostatic mist is normally controlled, condensed water collects at the tip of the discharge electrode 38 so as to be attracted to the counter electrode 40. It has a conical shape and maintains a stable state while shaking while generating electrostatic mist.

However, if some kind of vibration is applied or wind blows, the condensed water may be scattered. In particular, if the electrostatic atomizer 18 </ b> A is in a state in which condensed water remains immediately after it stops, it will easily scatter. If the scattered water droplets are energized in a state where they adhere to the high voltage terminal 24a, there is a risk of leakage or current leakage.

Therefore, if the high voltage terminal 24a is arranged above the horizontal position compared to the uppermost position of the dew condensation part 38b of the discharge electrode 38 as in the present embodiment, the dew condensation water adhering to the dew condensation part 38b is removed. Even if water droplets are scattered for some reason such as wind or vibration, the possibility of water droplets adhering to the high voltage terminal 24a is reduced, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of electric leakage or current leakage. Current can be stabilized and safety can be ensured.

FIG. 27 shows a configuration in which the discharge electrode 38 is directed directly downward (inclination angle: 90 °). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the discharge electrode 38 is inclined by a predetermined angle from the horizontal or horizontal to the downward direction. If arranged in such a manner, it is easy to configure the high voltage terminal 24a to be positioned above.

Further, even if the discharge electrode 38 is arranged so as to face upward from the horizontal, the high voltage terminal 24a may be extended upward and the portion lower than the dew condensation portion 38b may be covered with an insulating material. Furthermore, even if the high voltage terminal 24a cannot be arranged above the position of the dew condensation part 38b, if a structure such as a wall that can prevent water droplets scattered from the dew condensation part 38b from adhering can be formed, The object of the invention can be achieved.

The air conditioner according to the present invention includes an electrostatic atomizer that can maintain normal operation over a long period of time without causing electric leakage or current leak from the electrostatic atomizer, It is particularly useful as an air conditioner.

2 indoor unit body, 2a front inlet, 2b upper inlet,
4 front panel, 5 pre-filter, 6 heat exchanger,
8 indoor fans, 10 outlets, 12 upper and lower blades,
14 Left and right blades, 16 Ventilation fan unit,
18, 18A electrostatic atomizer, 20 main flow path,
22 bypass flow path, 22a bypass inlet,
22b Bypass outlet, 22c Bypass suction pipe,
22d Bypass outlet pipe, 22e receiving part, 22f claw part,
22g flange, 22h insertion part, 22i flange,
24 high voltage transformer, 24a high voltage terminal,
24b high voltage lead, 24c ground lead,
26 bypass blower fan, 28 heat dissipation part,
30 electrostatic atomizing unit, 32 silencer, 34 casing,
36 Peltier element, 36a Heat radiation surface, 36b Cooling surface,
38 discharge electrode, 38a terminal connection part, 38b dew condensation part,
40 counter electrode, 42 control unit, 44 Peltier drive power supply,
46 underframe, 46a rear wall, 46b side wall, 46c bulkhead,
46d opening, 46e lower wall part, 46f opening part,
46g back wall, 48 rear guider, 48a rear wall,
48b side wall, 50 pre-filter automatic cleaning device,
52 suction nozzle, 54 guide rail, 56 suction duct,
58 suction device, 58a exhaust port, 60 exhaust duct,
62 opening, 64 damper, 66 unit housing,
68 Silencer housing, 68a opening,
68b attachment part, 70 discharge flow path part, 71 receptacle,
71a side wall, 71b receiving member, 71c fitting part,
71d Silencer housing contact part, 71e inclined part,
71f protuberance, 71g circular opening, 71h claw,
H Horizontal plane.

Claims

An air conditioner including an indoor unit having an air cleaning function to purify indoor air,
An electrostatic atomizer that generates electrostatic mist is provided in the indoor unit, and the electrostatic atomizer includes a discharge electrode that generates electrostatic mist by a high voltage, and the discharge electrode. A high-voltage power supply for applying a high voltage; and a Peltier element having a heat dissipation surface and a cooling surface; and the discharge electrode includes a connection portion with a high-voltage terminal connected to the high-voltage power supply. A condensing part that is erected on a surface and that is cooled by the cooling surface to condense moisture in the air, and the high-voltage terminal is arranged horizontally or above the horizontal compared to the position of the condensing part An air conditioner characterized by
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the discharge electrodes are arranged so as to be inclined downward from the horizontal by a predetermined angle.