WO2013031472A1

WO2013031472A1 - Air-conditioning device

Info

Publication number: WO2013031472A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/069699
Authority: WO
Inventors: 茂幸原田
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2011-08-31
Filing date: 2012-08-02
Publication date: 2013-03-07
Also published as: CN202823620U; JP2013050288A; JP5191560B2

Abstract

Provided is an air-conditioning device in which positively and negatively charged particles are alternatingly generated, thereby improving air-cleaning performance. The air-conditioning device is provided with an electrostatic atomization unit (2) for generating negatively charged water particles, and an air-ion-generating unit (3) for generating positive air ions. The air-conditioning device alternatingly generates negatively charged water particles and positive air ions, and emits air containing negatively charged water particles and positive air ions on either side of an idle period. The idle period when the generated electrically charged particles are changed from negatively charged water particles that move slowly in air to positive air ions that move quickly in air is longer than the idle period when the generated electrically charged particles are changed in the opposite manner. The ratio of the positive air ions that reach and bond with the negatively charged water particles decreases, the reduction in the amount of electrically charged particles is minimized, and the air-cleaning performance of the air-conditioning device is improved.

Description

Air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner that performs air conditioning by discharging charged particles into the air.

Conventionally, an air conditioner that purifies air by generating and releasing charged particles in the air has been used. As a method of generating charged particles, water is condensed on the tip of the discharge electrode, and a high voltage is applied to the tip of the discharge electrode, thereby causing an electrostatic atomization phenomenon in which charged water particles are ejected from the discharge electrode by electrostatic force. There is a method used. As another method of generating charged particles, there is a method of generating air ions such as H ⁺ (H ₂ O) _m or O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) _n by discharging in air. Here, m and n are arbitrary natural numbers. Both charged water particles generated by the electrostatic atomization phenomenon and air ions generated by discharge in the air contain water molecules, but the size of the charged water particles is larger. For this reason, the moving speed in the air is higher for air ions and lower for charged water particles. Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner that discharges negative charged water particles generated by an electrostatic atomization phenomenon into the air.

JP 2011-33293 A

In an air conditioner using both positive and negative charged particles, both positive and negative charged particles are generated in a narrow space inside, so that the generated positive and negative charged particles are combined with each other. Easily disappear. For this reason, the amount of charged particles actually released from the air conditioner is smaller than the amount of charged particles generated inside, and is used to clean the air within the generated charged particles. There is a problem that only a part of the charged particles can be formed.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve the ability to clean air by alternately generating positive and negative charged particles. To provide an apparatus.

An air conditioner according to the present invention includes means for generating charged particles in the air, and positively and negatively charged particles are separately generated in an air conditioner that discharges air containing charged particles generated by the means. And a control unit that alternately generates positive and negative charged particles in the charged particle generating unit at predetermined intervals.

In the present invention, an air conditioner that discharges air containing charged particles generated inside generates positive and negative charged particles alternately while sandwiching a rest period in which charged particles are not generated. The positive and negative charged particles are not generated at the same time, and it is difficult for the positive and negative charged particles generated inside the air conditioner to combine and disappear.

In the air conditioner according to the present invention, the charged particle generation unit is configured to generate positive and negative charged particles having different moving speeds in the air, and the control means is generated in the charged particle generation unit. The rest period when the charged particles to be changed are changed from the charged particles having the lower moving speed to the charged particles having the higher speed, and the rest period when the charged particles having the higher moving speed are changed to the charged particles having the lower moving speed. It is characterized by having a structure that is longer than that.

In the present invention, the air conditioner generates positive and negative charged particles having different moving speeds in the air and moves the generated charged particles in the air from charged particles having a low moving speed in the air. The rest period when changing to charged particles having a high speed is made longer than the rest period when changing charged particles to be generated. It takes a long time for the charged particles having a high moving speed to catch up with the charged particles having a low moving speed and combine with each other, and the charged particles are hardly lost.

The air conditioner according to the present invention further includes a blower that causes the air to be discharged to flow, and the control means adjusts the flow rate of the air that the blower flows, and the charged particles that are generated as the flow rate is lower. Means for adjusting the length of the pause period in accordance with the flow rate so that the pause period when changing the charged particle having a lower moving speed from the charged particle having the lower moving speed to a higher charged particle is made longer. Features.

In the present invention, the air conditioner can change the flow rate of air, and changes the generated charged particles from charged particles having a low moving speed in air to charged particles having a high moving speed in air. The length of the rest period is adjusted so as to increase as the air flow rate decreases. It takes a long time for the charged particles having a high moving speed to catch up with the charged particles having a low moving speed and to bond with each other.

The air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the charged particle generation unit includes means for generating positive air ions by corona discharge and means for generating negative charged water particles by an electrostatic atomization phenomenon. And

In the present invention, the air conditioner generates negative charged water particles and positive air ions to clean the air.

In the present invention, the rate at which positive and negative charged particles generated inside the air conditioner combine and disappear is reduced, and the amount of charged particles released from the air conditioner mixed with air is reduced. Reduction is suppressed. Therefore, the present invention has excellent effects such that more charged particles are released from the air conditioner than before, and the ability of the air conditioner to clean the air is improved.

It is a typical perspective view which shows the example of the external appearance of an air conditioning apparatus. It is a typical sectional view of an air harmony device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural part of the air conditioning apparatus arrange | positioned in a flow path. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of an electrostatic atomization part. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of an air ion generation part. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which an air conditioning apparatus performs. It is the conceptual diagram which showed on the time-axis the period which an air conditioning apparatus produces | generates a negative charged water particle, the period which produces | generates a positive air ion, and a rest period. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an air conditioner. In FIG. 1, the back surface, side surface, and upper surface of an air conditioning apparatus are shown. The air conditioner is generally formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a housing 11 whose upper surface is inclined. On the upper surface of the housing 11, a discharge port 12 for discharging air is formed. In addition, a suction port 13 for sucking air is formed on the back surface of the air conditioner. The air conditioner sucks air from the suction port 13, generates charged particles therein, and discharges air containing the generated charged particles from the discharge port 12. In the present embodiment, negative charged water particles are used as the negative charged particles, and positive air ions are used as the positive charged particles.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the air conditioner. In FIG. 2, the figure which looked at the cross section of the air conditioning apparatus from the side surface side is shown, the right side of FIG. 2 is the back side of an air conditioning apparatus, and the left side is a front side. A cavity 17 connected to the suction port 13 is formed in the housing 11. The cavity 17 is formed from the suction port 13 toward the front side, and a dust collection filter 16 is disposed in the cavity 17. An air passage 14 is formed in the housing 11 in the vertical direction. The upper end of the flow path 14 is connected to the discharge port 12, and the cavity 17 is connected to the lower end portion of the flow path 14. A blower 15 is disposed at the lower end of the flow path 14. The blower 15 is a sirocco fan, for example. The blower 15 is configured to suck air from the cavity 17 and release the air to the flow path 14. By operating the blower 15, air outside the air conditioner is sucked into the air conditioner from the suction port 13, and the sucked air is discharged from the discharge port 12 to the outside of the air conditioner through the passage 14. The Further, in the middle of the flow path 14 from the blower 15 to the discharge port 12, an electrostatic atomizing unit 2 that generates negative charged water particles by an electrostatic atomization phenomenon is disposed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing components of the air conditioner arranged in the flow path 14. In FIG. 3, the figure which looked at the inside of the flow path 14 from the front side is shown. The upper end of the flow path 14 is connected to the discharge port 12, and the blower 15 is disposed at the lower end. In the middle of the flow path 14 from the blower 15 to the discharge port 12, an electrostatic atomizer 2 and an air ion generator 3 for generating positive air ions are arranged. The electrostatic atomizer 2 and the air ion generator 3 are disposed at substantially the same position. The negative charged water particles generated by the electrostatic atomizer 2 and the positive air ions generated by the air ion generator 3 are mixed with the air flowing through the flow path 14, and the negative charged water particles and Air containing positive air ions is discharged from the discharge port 12. The negative charged water particles and positive air ions contained in the released air clean the air outside the housing 11 by, for example, inactivating fungi in the air.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the electrostatic atomizer 2. The electrostatic atomizer 2 includes a protruding discharge electrode 21, and the discharge electrode 21 is in contact with the cooling side of the Peltier element 23. A heat radiating fin 24 is in contact with the heat radiating side of the Peltier element 23. On the tip side of the discharge electrode 21, an annular electrode 22 is disposed oppositely. The center of the annular electrode 22 is on the extension of the central axis of the discharge electrode 21. The discharge electrode 21 and the annular electrode 22 are insulated. The discharge electrode 21 is cooled by the Peltier element 23, and water vapor condenses and water is condensed on the tip of the discharge electrode 21. A voltage with the annular electrode 22 as a ground electrode and the discharge electrode 21 as a negative electrode is applied between the discharge electrode 21 and the annular electrode 22 with water condensing on the tip of the discharge electrode 21. By applying voltage, fine particles of water containing negative ions are ejected from the condensed water. This phenomenon is an electrostatic atomization phenomenon, and the fine particles of the ejected water are negatively charged charged water particles. In this way, in the electrostatic atomizer 2, negative charged water particles are generated at the tip of the discharge electrode 21. The generated negative charged water particles are released into the air flowing through the flow path 14. In the flow path 14, air containing negative charged water particles flows downstream of the electrostatic atomizer 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the air ion generator 3. The air ion generator 3 includes a needle-like discharge electrode 31 and an annular induction electrode 32 surrounding the discharge electrode 31. The induction electrode 32 is separated from the discharge electrode 31 by a certain distance, and the central axis of the discharge electrode 31 is the center of the induction electrode 32. The discharge electrode 31 and the induction electrode 32 are insulated. A voltage having the discharge electrode 31 as a positive electrode and the induction electrode 32 as a negative electrode is applied, and a corona discharge is generated between the discharge electrode 31 and the induction electrode 32. Corona discharge generates positive air ions around the tip of the discharge electrode 31. The generated positive air ions are released into the air flowing through the flow path 14. Downstream of the air ion generation unit 3, air containing positive air ions flows through the flow path 14.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. A voltage application circuit 42 that applies a voltage between the discharge electrode 21 and the annular electrode 22 is connected to the electrostatic atomizer 2. The voltage application circuit 42 supplies power to the Peltier element 23. A voltage application circuit 43 that applies a voltage between the discharge electrode 31 and the induction electrode 32 is connected to the air ion generator 3. The electrostatic atomizer 2, the voltage application circuit 42, the air ion generator 3, and the voltage application circuit 43 correspond to the charged particle generator in the present invention. The air conditioner includes a control unit 41 that controls the operation of the air conditioner, and the voltage application circuit 42 and the voltage application circuit 43 are connected to the control unit 41. The control part 41 is comprised including the calculating part which performs the calculation for controlling an air conditioning apparatus, and the memory | storage part which memorize | stores the data required for a calculation. The control unit 41 is connected to a time measuring unit 44 that measures time.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner will be described. When the electrostatic atomizer 2 and the air ion generator 3 operate simultaneously, the generated negative charged water particles and the positive air ions are likely to be combined and disappear, and the charged particles contained in the released air The amount is insufficient. Therefore, the air conditioner of the present invention performs a process of alternately generating negative charged water particles and positive air ions with a pause period during which no charged particles are generated.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the air conditioner. When the blower 15 sucks air from the cavity 17 and discharges it to the flow path 14, the air conditioner sucks air from the suction port 13 and discharges it from the discharge port 12. The control unit 41 causes the electrostatic atomizer 2 and the voltage application circuit 42 to start generating negative charged water particles in a state where generation of positive air ions is stopped (S1). Thereafter, the voltage application circuit 42 supplies power to the Peltier element 23 and applies a voltage continuously or intermittently between the discharge electrode 21 and the annular electrode 22. The electrostatic atomizer 2 generates negative charged water particles intermittently. After the generation of the negative charged water particles is continued for a predetermined period, the control unit 41 causes the electrostatic atomizer 2 and the voltage application circuit 42 to stop generating the negative charged water particles (S2). In addition, the control part 41 may perform the process which stops generation | occurrence | production of a negative charged water particle, when the frequency | count or generation amount of a negative charged water particle becomes a predetermined value.

Next, the control unit 41 determines whether or not a predetermined pause period T ₁ has elapsed since the generation of the negative charged water particles was stopped based on the time measured by the time measuring unit 44 ( S3). When the pause period T ₁ has not yet elapsed since the generation of the negative charged water particles is stopped (S3: NO), the control unit 41 repeats the determination of the passage of time as needed. When the pause period T ₁ has elapsed since the generation of negative charged water particles was stopped (S3: YES), the control unit 41 causes the air ion generation unit 3 and the voltage application circuit 43 to generate positive air ions. Is started (S4). The voltage application circuit 43 applies a voltage between the discharge electrode 31 and the induction electrode 32, and the air ion generator 3 generates air ions. After the generation of positive air ions is continued for a predetermined period, the control unit 41 causes the air ion generation unit 3 and the voltage application circuit 43 to stop generating positive air ions (S5). In addition, the control part 41 may perform the process which stops generation | occurrence | production of a positive air ion in the step in which the frequency | count or generation amount of a positive air ion became a predetermined value.

Next, the control unit 41 determines whether or not a predetermined pause period T ₂ has elapsed since the generation of positive air ions was stopped based on the time measured by the time measuring unit 44 (S6). ). If still idle period T ₂ generation from the stop of the positive air ions has not elapsed (S6: NO), the control unit 41 repeats from time to time the determination of the time course. If positive rest period T ₂ after stopping the generation of air ions has passed (S6: YES), the control unit 41 determines whether to end the processing (S7). In step S <b> 7, for example, the control unit 41 determines to end the process when a user inputs an instruction to end the process by operating an operation unit (not shown). Further, for example, the control unit 41 determines to end the process when the end time designated in advance is reached. In addition, you may perform the process of step 7 at another timing.

If it is determined in step S7 that the process has not yet ended (S7: NO), the control unit 41 returns the process to step S1 to start generation of negative charged water particles. When it determines with complete | finishing a process by step S7 (S7: YES), the control part 41 is air, such as the air blower 15, the electrostatic atomization part 2, the voltage application circuit 42, the air ion generation part 3, and the voltage application circuit 43. Each part of a harmony device is stopped and processing is ended.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing, on the time axis, a period in which the air conditioner generates negative charged water particles, a period in which positive air ions are generated, and a pause period. As shown in FIG. 8, after generating negative charged water particles, the air conditioner pauses the generation of charged particles during the rest period T ₁ and then generates positive air ions, between T ₂ are suspended the generation of charged particles, to generate a negative charge water particles again, repeating this. The lengths of the suspension period T ₁ and the suspension period T ₂ are determined in advance and stored in the control unit 41. The length of the suspension period T ₁ is set longer than the suspension period T ₂ . Since air ions are smaller in size than charged water particles, the moving speed in air is higher for air ions than for charged water particles. For this reason, positive air ions generated after the negative charged water particles catch up with the negative charged water particles generated earlier in the air flow. If the positive air ions catch up with the negative charged water particles before the air is discharged from the discharge port 12, the negative charged water particles and the positive air ions are combined and disappear. It is desirable that the length of the rest period T ₁ is set to a length that prevents positive air ions from catching up with the negatively charged negative water particles generated before air is discharged from the discharge port 12. For example, the length of the pause period T ₁ is 20 seconds to 100 seconds, and the length of the pause period T ₂ is 0 seconds to 1 second. Even if a part of the charged particles disappears, if the effect of air cleaning by the charged particles remaining without disappearing is sufficient, the length of the rest period T ₁ is _one of positive air ions. The length may be such that the portion may catch up with some of the negatively charged water particles. In such a case, the length of the pause period T ₁ may be shorter, for example, 0.1 to 10 seconds.

As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, the air conditioner that discharges air containing charged particles generated inside has negative charged water particles and positive air while interposing a rest period in which charged particles are not generated. Ions are generated alternately. By alternately generating positive and negative charged particles without simultaneously generating them, it becomes difficult for the positive and negative charged particles generated inside the air conditioner to combine and disappear. Further, by providing a pause period in which charged particles are not generated between the period in which one charged particle is generated and the period in which the other charged particle is generated, the positive and negative charged particles may be combined and disappear. It becomes harder to happen. In addition, the air conditioner generates a pause period T ₁ when the charged particles to be generated are changed from negative charged water particles having a low moving speed in the air to positive air ions having a high moving speed in the air. On the contrary, the charged particles are made longer than the rest period T ₂ when changing the charged particles. Since it takes a certain amount of time for the positive air ions to catch up with the negative charged water particles generated earlier, the ratio of the negative charged water particles and the positive air ions binding and disappearing decreases and is mixed with the air. Thus, a decrease in the amount of charged particles emitted from the air conditioner is suppressed. Accordingly, more charged particles are released from the air conditioner than before, and the ability of the air conditioner to clean the air is improved.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2. A blower 15 is connected to the control unit 41. The control unit 41 performs a process of adjusting the flow rate of the air discharged from the discharge port 12 by controlling the rotational speed of the blower 15. The control unit 41 is connected to an operation unit 45 that receives various instructions according to user operations. The operation unit 45 is configured to receive an instruction to change the flow rate of the air discharged from the discharge port 12. Other configurations of the air conditioner are the same as those of the first embodiment, and corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The control unit 41 performs processing for adjusting the air flow rate by controlling the rotational speed of the blower 15 in accordance with the instruction to change the air flow rate received by the operation unit 45. Further, the control unit 41 sets the length of the pause period T ₁ when changing the generated charged particles from negative charged water particles having a low moving speed in the air to positive air ions having a high moving speed in the air. Is adjusted according to the flow rate. Specifically, the control unit 41 performs control to make the pause period T ₁ longer as the air flow rate is lower. The control unit 41 stores in advance data recording information for controlling the rotational speed of the blower 15 and the value of the pause period T ₁ in association with information indicating each of a plurality of types of flow rates that can be changed. The value of the rest period T ₁ is determined so as to increase as the air flow rate decreases. The control unit 41, according to the instructions received by the operation unit 45 controls the rotational speed of the blower 15 to adjust the flow rate of the air, processing is performed to set the value of the quiescent period T _1. Further, the control unit 41 executes the same processing as in the first embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG.

As described above, also in the present embodiment, the air conditioner alternately generates negative charged water particles and positive air ions while sandwiching a rest period in which charged particles are not generated, thereby negatively charged water particles. And release air containing positive air ions. Further, the air conditioner makes the pause period T ₁ longer as the air flow rate is lower. When the flow velocity of the air flowing through the flow path 14 is low, the time until the generated negative charged water particles and positive air ions are released from the discharge port 12 becomes long, so that the positive air ions are negatively charged. It catches up with water particles and becomes easy to bond. Therefore, by making the rest period T ₁ longer, the time until the positive air ions catch up with the negative charged water particles becomes longer, and the negative charged water particles and the positive air ions are combined and disappear. The rate decreases. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, a decrease in the amount of charged particles mixed with air and released from the air conditioner is suppressed, and more charged particles are discharged from the air conditioner than before, and the air conditioner Improves the ability to clean air.

The air conditioner may be configured to adjust the flow velocity of the air by adjusting the width of the flow path 14 instead of controlling the rotational speed of the blower 15. The flow velocity of the air flowing through the flow path 14 decreases as the width of the flow path 14 increases, and increases as the width of the flow path 14 decreases. In this embodiment, the air conditioner has a configuration in which the width can be changed by moving the wall of the flow path 14, and the width of the flow path 14 is adjusted by the control of the control unit 41. Adjust the flow rate. Also in this form, it is possible to improve the capability of purifying the air of the air conditioner by performing control to make the pause period T ₁ longer as the air flow rate is lower.

In the first and second embodiments described above, a mode in which positive air ions are used as positive charged particles and negative charged water particles are used as negative charged particles has been described. Form may be sufficient. For example, the air conditioner may be configured to use positive charged water particles as positive charged particles and negative air ions as negative charged particles. In this form, the air conditioner generates a rest period when the charged particles to be generated are changed from positive charged water particles having a low moving speed in the air to negative air ions having a high moving speed in the air. The charged particle to be used is made longer than the resting period when the particle is changed. Even in these forms, the reduction in the amount of charged particles mixed with air and discharged from the air conditioner is suppressed, and more charged particles are discharged from the air conditioner than before, and the air of the air conditioner is cleaned. Improves the ability to

Moreover, in the above Embodiments 1 and 2, although the example which the air conditioning apparatus took the form of the air cleaner was shown, the air conditioning apparatus of this invention is not limited to an air cleaner, Other forms may be used. For example, the air conditioner may be an air conditioner or a humidifier. Further, for example, the air conditioner may be in a form incorporated in another electric device such as a refrigerator.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Housing 12 Release port 13 Inlet port 14 Flow path 15 Blower 2 Electrostatic atomization part 3 Air ion generation part 41

Control part

42, 43 Voltage application circuit 44 Time measurement part 45 Operation part

Claims

In an air conditioner comprising a means for generating charged particles in the air, and discharging air containing the charged particles generated by the means,
A charged particle generator that individually generates positive and negative charged particles;
An air conditioner comprising: a control unit that alternately generates positive and negative charged particles in the charged particle generation unit at predetermined intervals.
The charged particle generator is
It is configured to generate positive and negative charged particles having different moving speeds in the air,
The control means includes
The charging particle generated in the charged particle generating unit is changed from a charged particle having a lower moving speed to a charged particle having a higher moving speed, and the resting period is changed from a charged particle having a higher moving speed to a charged particle having a lower moving speed. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is configured to be longer than a resting period when changing to an air conditioner.
A blower for flowing the air to be discharged;
The control means includes
Means for adjusting the flow rate of the air flowing by the blower;
The lower the flow rate, the longer the pause period depends on the flow rate so as to extend the pause period when changing the charged particles to be generated from the lower charged particles to the higher charged particles. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: means for adjusting the height.
The charged particle generator is
Means for generating positive air ions by corona discharge;
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for generating negative charged water particles by an electrostatic atomization phenomenon.