WO2010029755A1

WO2010029755A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2010029755A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/004512
Authority: WO
Inventors: 川添大輔; 米澤勝; 海老原正春; 高橋正敏; 山口成人
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2008-09-11
Filing date: 2009-09-11
Publication date: 2010-03-18
Also published as: JP2010091263A; CN102138044B; CN102138044A

Abstract

An electrostatic atomization unit (30) is provided inside of an indoor unit of an air conditioner. The electrostatic atomization unit (30) is equipped with an electrical discharge electrode (38) where condensed water obtained by the condensation of moisture in the air is discharged as electrostatic mist by an electrical discharge, and an electrostatic mist guide member (22d) for guiding indoors the electrostatic mist from the electrical discharge electrode (38). By providing the electrostatic mist guide member (22d), the electrostatic atomization unit (30) can be installed at a location which is not affected by low-temperature or high-temperature air from an outlet port, can reliably generate electrostatic mist, and can be provided at any position other than in the vicinity of the outlet port, namely a position which facilitates installation.

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, and not only the Peltier element pin-shaped discharge electrode that constitutes the electrostatic atomizer, but also the Peltier element Since dew condensation occurs throughout, applying a high voltage to the Peltier element itself cannot guarantee safety. On the other hand, during heating, the high-temperature air that has passed through the heat exchanger has a low relative humidity, and 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 by reliably generating electrostatic mist by the electrostatic atomization phenomenon regardless of the season.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art. It is easy to assemble the electrostatic atomization device into the indoor unit, and the electrostatic mist is reliably generated and efficiently discharged into the room. It aims at providing the air conditioner which can be made to do.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a suction port for sucking indoor air, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the sucked air, a blower fan for transporting air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger, and a blower fan. An air conditioner provided with an air outlet that blows out the blown air, a main flow path that communicates the air inlet and the air outlet, and an electrostatic atomization unit that generates electrostatic mist. A Peltier element; a discharge electrode that discharges condensed water generated by the cooling effect of the Peltier element as an electrostatic mist by discharge; and an electrostatic mist guide member that guides the electrostatic mist from the discharge electrode to a blowout port. .

Also, the electrostatic mist guide member is preferably formed of a highly insulating material.

According to the air conditioner according to the present invention, the electrostatic atomization unit can be attached to a place that is not affected by the low-temperature or high-temperature air from the air outlet by providing the electrostatic mist guide member. Mist can be generated reliably. In addition, since the electrostatic atomizing unit can be provided at any position other than the vicinity of the air outlet, that is, at a position where it can be easily assembled, productivity and maintainability are improved.

Moreover, when the electrostatic mist guide member is formed of a highly insulating material, the electrostatic mist can be prevented from being absorbed and reduced by the electrostatic mist guide member, and the electrostatic mist can be efficiently discharged. .

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 shows the charging sequence of plastic FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the discharge rate of electrostatic mist. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified example showing the attachment state of the electrostatic atomizer to the indoor unit main body. 11 is a side view of the indoor unit in FIG. 1 showing the positional relationship between the electrostatic atomizer and the ventilation fan unit. 12 is a perspective view of the pre-filter automatic cleaning device provided in the indoor unit of FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modification of the electrostatic atomizer. 14 is a side view of the indoor unit of FIG. 1 showing the positional relationship between the electrostatic atomizer of FIG. 13 and the ventilation fan unit. FIG. 15 is an end front view of the indoor unit of FIG. 14 showing a state in which a part is removed.

The present invention includes a suction port for sucking in indoor air, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the sucked air, a blower fan that conveys heat exchanged by the heat exchanger, and a blower that blows out air blown from the blower fan. An air conditioner provided with an outlet, a main flow path that connects the suction port and the outlet, and an electrostatic atomization unit that generates electrostatic mist, the electrostatic atomization unit comprising: a Peltier element; a Peltier element; A discharge electrode that discharges the condensed water generated by the cooling effect as an electrostatic mist by discharge, and an electrostatic mist guide member that guides the electrostatic mist from the discharge electrode to the outlet.

With this configuration, the electrostatic atomization unit can be provided where it is not affected by the low-temperature or high-temperature air from the air outlet, and electrostatic mist can be reliably generated, and any other than the vicinity of the air outlet It can be provided at a position, that is, at a position where it can be easily assembled, and productivity and maintainability are improved.

Also, the electrostatic mist guided to the outlet by the electrostatic mist guide member is discharged on the air blown from the outlet, so that the electrostatic mist can be spread over a wide area in the room.

Furthermore, the electrostatic mist guide member is preferably made of a highly insulating material, specifically, a material having a volume resistivity of 10 ¹² Ωcm or more. The electrostatic mist guide member is made of a material that is easily charged to a polarity opposite to that of the electrostatic mist. When the electrostatic mist is negatively charged, the electrostatic mist guide member is higher than ABS in the charging order. When the electrostatic mist is positively charged, the electrostatic mist guide member is made of a material that is easily charged negatively below PS in the charging sequence.

By comprising in this way, it can suppress that electrostatic mist is absorbed and reduced with an electrostatic mist guide member, and can discharge | release electrostatic mist efficiently, maintaining productivity and maintainability. .

Also, if the air outlet is formed of a material that is less insulating than the electrostatic mist guide member or is less likely to be charged, it can be provided at a low cost while reducing the attenuation of the electrostatic mist.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 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 having a heat radiating portion 28 for promoting heat radiation of the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 are provided on the downstream side of the bypass flow path 22. An electrostatic mist guide member 22d that guides the electrostatic mist generated in the conversion unit 30 to the outlet 10 is provided as a bypass outlet pipe. 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 delivered to the air outlet 10 of the air conditioner via the electrostatic mist guide member 22d. The generated electrostatic mist can be discharged into the air-conditioned room. In particular, by providing the electrostatic mist guide member 22d, the installation position of the electrostatic atomization unit 30 is not restricted, and the electrostatic atomization unit 30 can be provided in a place where it can be easily incorporated. There is an advantage that the maintainability is improved.

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. This point is also an effect obtained by providing the electrostatic mist guide member 22d. That is, when the electrostatic mist discharge port of the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 itself is configured to open to the air outlet 10, the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 is positioned in the vicinity of the air outlet, so that low-temperature air or high-temperature air is discharged. Although it is easily affected by air, the electrostatic atomization unit 30 itself can be provided separately from the air outlet 10 by having the electrostatic mist guide member 22d, and the influence of low temperature air or high temperature air is eliminated. Thus, electrostatic mist can be stably generated.

The bypass passage 22 includes a bypass suction pipe 22c, a casing 34, and an electrostatic mist guide member 22d, and the bypass suction pipe 22c having one end connected to the bypass suction port 22a formed in the frame side wall 46b is provided on the left side. The other end is connected to one end of the casing 34 and the other end is connected to the other end of the casing 34. The electrostatic mist guide extends in the direction (approximately perpendicular to the left side wall 46b and substantially parallel to the front panel 4). The member 22 d extends downward and is bent to the right, and the other end is connected to the bypass outlet 22 b on one side wall 48 b of the rear guider 48. Thus, by constructing a part of the bypass flow path 22 with the casing 34, it is possible to achieve space saving, and by constructing them in series, electrostatic mist through the electrostatic mist guide member 22d. The electrostatic mist can be reliably attracted toward the main flow path 20 from the control unit 18, and the electrostatic mist can be discharged into the air-conditioned room.

Here, although the merit is great when the electrostatic mist guide member 22d is provided, the amount of the electrostatic mist guided to the air outlet 10 is attenuated and cannot be efficiently discharged into the room. Will occur. That is, as described above, the electrostatic mist generated from the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 passes through the electrostatic mist guide member 22d and is discharged into the air-conditioned room. When passing through the mist guide member 22d, the electrostatic mist guide member 22d is absorbed and attenuates.

The present invention eliminates such disadvantages and can withstand practical use. The configuration will be described below.

That is, the electrostatic mist guide member 22d of the present invention is formed of a highly insulating material. Since the electrostatic mist is charged particles, if the electrostatic mist guide member 22d has conductivity, the charged particles are absorbed and reduced. Therefore, the electrostatic mist guide member 22d through which electrostatic mist as charged particles passes is preferably formed of a highly insulating material. Specifically, the volume resistivity is preferably 10 ¹² Ωcm or more. For example, when a conductive material such as metal is used, the electrostatic mist is greatly attenuated because the electrostatic mist is attracted to the electrostatic mist guide member 22d.

In addition, the electrostatic mist which is a charged particle may be attenuated due to the influence of the charging of the flow path as well as the insulating property. Therefore, in the present invention, it is a material in consideration of the influence of this charging.

That is, although the electrostatic mist guide member 22d is made of plastic for productivity reasons, it is generally known that plastic exhibits a charging sequence as shown in FIG. 8, for example.

The charging sequence shown in FIG. 8 is an arrangement of materials that are easily charged positively to materials that are easily charged negatively. In other words, the charging sequence is a sequence of those that are likely to emit electrons or those that are likely to receive electrons. is there. In FIG. 8, in order from the top, PUR (polyurethane), POM (polyacetal), PC (polycarbonate), PA (polyamide), ABS (ABS resin), PS (polystyrene), PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) are shown in the order of charge, and the upper material is easily positively charged (easily emits electrons). It is generally known that ABS is positively charged and PS is easily negatively charged. In FIG. 8, the boundary between ABS and PS is easily charged positively and negatively.

The electrostatic mist in the present embodiment is negatively charged. For this reason, attenuation of electrostatic mist can be reduced by using a material which is easily positively charged for the electrostatic mist guide member 22d.

FIG. 9 shows the electrostatic mist emission rate measured by molding the electrostatic mist guide member 22d with PC, ABS, and PS. Note that 100% is an electrostatic mist emission rate when the electrostatic mist guide member 22d is not used, and is used as a reference of the graph of FIG. From this result, it can be seen that when PC and ABS are used, the emission rate is 90% or more and the attenuation is slight, whereas with PS, the emission rate is 20% or less. Therefore, as the material of the electrostatic mist guide member 22d, it is desirable to use a material that is easily charged positively above the ABS in the charging order (a material above the ABS in FIG. 8).

In particular, when discharging electrostatic mist using the induced air from the main flow path 20 upstream of the heat exchanger 6, the wind speed in the electrostatic mist guide member 22d is low and the tube diameter is relatively small. The material of the mist guide member 22d has a great influence on the electrostatic mist attenuation. In the present embodiment, the wind speed in the electrostatic mist guide member 22d may be 0.5 m / sec or less, and in this case, the influence of the material of the electrostatic mist guide member 22d is very large. It is preferable to mold with a material which is higher in the order than ABS and easily charged positively, specifically ABS, PA, PC, POM, PUR or the like.

The electrostatic mist that passes through the electrostatic mist guide member 22d and is attracted to the main flow path 20 from the electrostatic mist guide member 22d is discharged to the main flow path 20. The main flow path 20 has a high wind speed and a wide flow path, so that it is not easily influenced by the constituent materials. Therefore, even if materials such as the rear guider 48, the rear wall 48a, and the side wall 48b constituting the main flow path 20 and the outlet 10 are freely selected, the reduction in electrostatic mist is relatively small. Therefore, from the viewpoint of low attenuation, it is preferable to mold with the above-described materials, specifically PC, ABS or the like, but considering that the electrostatic mist reduction in the main flow path 20 and the outlet 10 is slight. Further, it may be molded with high-insulation and inexpensive PS or the like, and thereby, it can be manufactured at low cost while reducing the decrease in electrostatic mist.

On the contrary, when generating an electrostatic mist having a positive charge, PS, PE, PP, PET, PVC, a material that is highly insulating and more easily negatively charged than PS and PS, It is preferable to use PVDF or the like.

Further, in this embodiment, the electrostatic mist is discharged into the room through the air outlet 10, but the electrostatic mist guide member 22d is opened to an appropriate position in the indoor unit to end the electrostatic mist guide member 22d. Needless to say, it may be discharged from the opening of the part.

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 electrostatic mist guide member 22d has a partition wall 46c (a side wall 48b of the rear guider 48) so as to be oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the air flow in the main flow path 20 at a junction (bypass outlet 22b) with the main flow path 20. )It is connected to the. 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. 10, when the electrostatic mist guide member 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. Further, it is effective in reducing noise due to the discharge sound.

Even if the direction in which the electrostatic mist guide member 22d is oriented is connected to the downstream direction of the air flow in the main flow path 20, the extension line should not be exposed to the outside from the blowout port 10. Since the amount of the generated discharge sound directly goes out 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. 11. 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. 11 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. 12, 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. 11, 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. 11, the exhaust duct 60 is connected to the exhaust port 58 a of the suction device 58.

FIG. 13 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. 13 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 electrostatic mist guide member 22d is connected to and communicates with the opening 68a of the silencer housing 68, and other than the electrostatic mist guide member 22d. The end is connected to and communicates with the main flow path 20. 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 electrostatic mist guide member 22 d is also accommodated and configured as 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. 11) may be formed in the vicinity of the lower portion of the 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 flow path 20 from the accommodating portion 22e that is the bypass flow path via the electrostatic mist guide member 22d, and electrostatic atomization is performed. The electrostatic mist generated by the unit 30 is attracted to the main flow path 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.

The air conditioner according to the present invention can reliably generate electrostatic mist and can easily assemble and maintain the electrostatic atomizer in the indoor unit, so that it can be mass-produced in general households. 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 fan,
10 air outlets, 12 top and bottom 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,
24 high voltage transformer, 26 bypass blower fan, 28 heat radiating part,
30 electrostatic atomizing unit, 32 silencer, 34 casing,
36 Peltier element, 36a Heat radiation surface, 36b Cooling surface,
38 discharge electrode, 40 counter electrode, 42 control unit,
44 Peltier drive power supply, 46 underframe, 46a rear wall,
46b side wall, 46c partition, 46d opening, 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.

Claims

A suction port for sucking indoor air, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the sucked air, a blower fan for conveying the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger, and a blower outlet for blowing the air blown from the blower fan An air conditioner provided with a main flow path that communicates the suction port and the air outlet, and an electrostatic atomization unit that generates electrostatic mist,
The electrostatic atomization unit includes a Peltier element, a discharge electrode that discharges condensed water generated by a cooling effect of the Peltier element as an electrostatic mist by discharge, and guides the electrostatic mist from the discharge electrode to the outlet. An air conditioner comprising an electrostatic mist guide member.
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the electrostatic mist guided to the air outlet by the electrostatic mist guide member is discharged on a blowout air from the air outlet.
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrostatic mist guide member is made of a material having a volume resistivity of 10 12 Ωcm or more.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrostatic mist guide member is formed of a material that is easily charged to a polarity opposite to the charge of the electrostatic mist.
When the electrostatic mist is negatively charged, the electrostatic mist guide member is made of a material that is easy to be positively charged higher than ABS in the charging sequence. When the electrostatic mist is positively charged, it is negatively charged lower than PS in the charging sequence. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the air conditioner is easily charged.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air outlet is formed of a material having a lower insulating property than the electrostatic mist guide member or being hardly charged.