JPH0573974B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to deodorization and sterilization inside an air conditioner.

<Prior Art> Conventional air conditioners do not take any particular measures for deodorization, and instead use an air purifier or the like in addition to the air conditioner.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> Mold and bacteria grow inside the indoor unit of conventional air conditioners, especially on the indoor heat exchanger, filter, and drain pan, and room odors adhere to the interior of the indoor unit. , an odor was generated when the air conditioner started operating, which was a problem.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve this object, an ozone generating means is provided inside the indoor unit (hereinafter referred to as the indoor unit) of the air conditioner of the present invention.

<Function> By exposing the interior of the indoor unit to air containing ozone generated by the ozone generating means, odor adhering to the interior of the indoor unit is deodorized.

<Example> An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic internal view with panel 12 and filter 13 (FIG. 2) removed. Figure 2 is AA of Figure 1.
Cross-sectional schematic diagram. FIG. 3 is a schematic BB cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

In Figures 1 to 3, 1 is an indoor heat exchanger for heating or cooling air, 3 is an indoor fan motor that is a drive motor for an indoor fan (cross flow fan) 2, and 5 is a drive for a wind direction changing device 4. A louver motor is a motor, 8 is an ozone generator, and 9 is an electrical assembly, in which a control circuit board and electrical components for operating and controlling the air conditioner are assembled at predetermined positions. 10 is a drain pan (dew pan) that receives drain water generated in the indoor heat exchanger during cooling and dehumidifying operation. The above-mentioned parts are fixed at predetermined positions in the indoor unit main body cabinet 11 as shown in the figure. A filter 13 is installed on the front of the indoor heat exchanger 1.
is installed. The filter 13 cleans the intake air to prevent dust from adhering to the indoor heat exchanger. The filter 13 is held so that it can be removed and attached by the user as needed so that it can be cleaned periodically. The panel 12 constitutes the front, top, and side cabinets of the indoor unit main body. In the air conditioner with the above configuration, the air is purified by the filter 13 from the intake port 14 on the top of the main body, heat is exchanged with the indoor heat exchanger 1, and the air becomes cold or warm. Air is blown from the air outlet 15.

A perspective view of the ozone generator 8 is shown in FIG. In the figure, the ozone generator 8 can be functionally separated into a housing part 84 for a discharge electrode plate 83, which is an ozone generating part, and a housing part 82, such as a high voltage generator, which is a preparation member for ozone generation. FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the main parts of the ozone generator 8 in a state where it is attached to the indoor unit main body. In the figure, the ozone generator 8 has its mounting hole 8
5 is fixed to the case of the electrical equipment assembly 9 with screws or the like. A discharge electrode plate housing section 84, which is an ozone generating section, is located between the indoor heat exchanger 1 and the filter 13. The insertion guide 91 of the filter 13 is constructed integrally with the case of the electrical assembly 9. Electrical assembly 9
Since the case and the indoor heat exchanger 1 are fixed at predetermined positions in the indoor unit main body cabinet 11, the relative mounting positions of the ozone generator 8 and other parts are also fixed. High voltage generator of ozone generator 8 (storage container 82
Connector 8 is the wiring material for power supply to
At 7, it is connected to the wiring material of the electrical assembly 9. That is, the ozone generator 8 is integrated with the electrical assembly 9.

Next, as the indoor unit assembly procedure, install the indoor heat exchanger 1, indoor fan 2,
The indoor fan motor 3, the wind direction changing device 4, and the louver motor 5 are sequentially installed and fixed at predetermined positions. Then, the integrated assembly of the ozone generator 8 and the electrical assembly 9 is mounted and fixed, and the electrical wiring materials of the indoor fan motor 3, louver motor 5, etc. are connected using their respective connectors. Finally, the filter 13 and panel 12 will be installed. That is, it is advantageous in terms of production if the ozone generator 8 and the electrical assembly 9 are integrated into an assembly. The thickness l of the housing portion 84 of the discharge electrode plate 83 of the ozone generator 8 is approximately 11
The thickness is about mm, and the case has 86 slit holes.
is provided to facilitate the outflow of ozone. The thickness l of the discharge electrode plate housing portion 84 is required to be thin.
If l becomes thicker, the gap between the filter 13 and the indoor heat exchanger 1 will become larger and the original effect of the filter will become weaker. In order to ensure the thinness l of the shape, the discharge plate housing part 84 which requires a thinness l is separated from the housing part 82 for high voltage generators etc. which does not require a thinness l.
A wiring material is used to connect these parts and electrically couple them. In the embodiment, the discharge electrode plate housing section 84 and the housing section 82 for the high voltage generator, etc. are constructed of an integrated resin case, but it is also possible to separate them. In this case, it is also conceivable that preparation members for ozone generation, such as a high voltage generator, be placed inside the electrical assembly 9.

As shown in FIG. 6, the wind direction changing device 4 has a cylindrical shape, with parts 41 and 42 of the outer circumferential wall remaining as openings, which are used as blowing air passages. 7th cylindrical cross section
As shown in the figure. 43 is a vertical wind direction changing blade with one end 4
5 is pivoted and the other end can be rotated manually. Reference numeral 46 designates wings for changing the wind direction in the left and right directions, which are made up of a plurality of wings. When the knob 461 is manually moved left and right, the pivoted projections 462 and 46
The wind direction changing blade 46 is rotated about 3 as the central axis.
Since the protrusions 464 of the left and right wind direction changing blades in a set are connected to each other, the left and right wind direction changing blades 46 move around their respective central axes according to the movement of the knob 461. It can be rotated to change the wind direction from left to right.

If the louver motor 5 continuously rotates the cylinder of the wind direction changing device 4 in the forward and reverse directions within a rotation angle range of 40°, for example, the wind direction can be swung in the vertical direction. A stepping motor is used as the louver motor 5. As shown in FIG. 8, the wind direction is controlled downward during heating operation and horizontally during cooling operation. Furthermore, when the operation is stopped, the air outlet 15 is closed. Closing the air outlet 15 when the operation is stopped can provide an aesthetic appearance together with the panel 12, and is advantageous in terms of ozone generation as will be described later.

The generation of ozone in the indoor unit configured as above will be explained below.

When the ozone generator 8 is energized, the high voltage generator generates a high frequency pulse power of approximately 4KV and 38KHz. When the discharge electrode plate 83 is discharged, ozone is generated by discharging gas through the ceramic insulator.

Generally, when ozone is generated to perform treatments such as deodorization and sterilization, excess ozone remaining after the treatment is often decomposed by an ozone decomposition filter or the like. In the examples, the deodorizing and sterilizing effects of ozone are utilized without particularly using a decomposition filter or the like. Therefore, the following considerations are being made.

When the operation of the air conditioner (indoor unit) is stopped, power supply to the indoor fan motor 3 is stopped, the louver motor 5 is operated, and the air direction changing device 4 closes the air outlet 15 at the bottom of the indoor unit main body. Then, electricity is applied to the ozone generator 8, and ozone begins to be generated.

Here, the start time of energization to the ozone generator 8, the energization time, and the ozone generation output (=amount of generation/time) are closely related to each other.

That is, when the ozone generation output is small, the power supply to the indoor fan motor 3 may be stopped and the power supply to the ozone generator 8 may be started at the same time by the operation stop operation.

However, when the ozone generation output is large, α seconds after the indoor fan motor 3 is de-energized (for example, α=
It is better to start energizing the ozone generator 8 at 7 seconds). This is because the indoor fan continues to rotate for a while due to inertia even if the power to the indoor fan motor is stopped, and there is a time delay until the air outlet is actually closed after the operation is stopped. However, if the indoor fan rotates, the gap between the air outlet 15 and the wind direction changing device 4 is not sealed, so there may be a slight leak, and we want to prevent air containing ozone from leaking outside the indoor unit. .

On the other hand, when the ozone generation output is small, rather than worrying about ozone-containing air leaking to the outside of the indoor unit, the ozone generated by the rotation of the indoor fan due to the inertial force is stirred by air current so that it becomes uniform inside the indoor unit. This is because it is advantageous to use the effect.

The time for which electricity is applied to the ozone generator is determined by the ozone concentration reached inside the indoor unit and the ozone concentration due to leakage outside the indoor unit.

In the example, the ozone generator was energized for about 3.5 minutes, and the average ozone concentration inside the indoor unit was 1.5 PPM.
It oxidizes and decomposes odor components attached to heat exchangers, etc., and sterilizes mold and bacteria.

Note that energization of the ozone generator was started approximately 3 seconds after the operation was stopped. Additionally, while the ozone generator is energized, the air conditioner's wireless remote control (transmitter/receiver that uses infrared light) displays on the liquid crystal display the message ``Deodorizing in progress.''

In the event that the air conditioner is operated (started) while the ozone generator is energized, the ozone generator will be de-energized and the air conditioner will start operating after about 20 seconds. (Even if the ozone generator is operated within 20 seconds after the end of energization, the
After seconds have elapsed, the air conditioner starts operating.

Generally, ozone ^O3 is unstable and decomposes and disappears over time.

With the above considerations, the ozone concentration at a distance of 1 meter from the indoor unit is kept below 0.01 PPM, even without using an ozone decomposition filter. This is less than 0.1 PPM of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's occupational environment and hygiene standards.

<Effects of the Invention> As is clear from the above, the present invention achieves a shape-wise improvement by separating an ozone generator into an ozone generation part and a high voltage generator, etc., which is a preparatory member for ozone generation. A filter that deodorizes and sterilizes the ozone generating area, which can be thinned.
Since it can be installed between heat exchangers, it can efficiently deodorize and sterilize, and it is difficult for dust to adhere to the ozone generating part. On the other hand, high-voltage generators, etc., which are large in shape, can be easily electrically connected to other electrical components by placing them in or near the storage area of electrical components, and electrical components such as insulation and drain water countermeasures can be easily made. It has the advantage that it can be done all at once.

Furthermore, since the filter, ozone generator, and heat exchanger are arranged in this order from top to bottom, drain water adhering to the heat exchanger does not drip into the ozone generator, which has a high-voltage discharge electrode plate inside. There is an advantage.

Air conditioners that have a structure that sucks in air from the top of the main unit and blows it out from the bottom of the main unit have an ozone generator relatively high inside the main unit, and close the air outlet at the bottom of the main unit to generate ozone. The inside of the main body is filled with ozone while minimizing leakage to the outside, and the filter, heat exchanger, drain pan, etc. inside the main body can be efficiently deodorized and sterilized. This makes it possible to suppress the amount of ozone generated to the necessary minimum amount, and is especially effective in eliminating the need for countermeasures against residual ozone, such as an ozone decomposition filter.

If ozone is generated when an air conditioner is operated, it may become complicated to take measures to prevent ozone remaining after deodorizing and sterilizing the inside of the unit from being discharged to the outside of the unit, such as using an ozone decomposition filter. The present invention solves this problem by generating ozone for a certain period of time when the air conditioner is stopped.

However, even if the operation is stopped, when ozone is generated, the air outlet is closed, and if necessary, the indoor fan is rotated at a very low speed to agitate the inside of the air conditioner body and equalize the ozone concentration. You can also do that.

When the air conditioner is stopped, the interior parts are directly exposed to the ozone generated by the ozone generator, which deodorizes and sterilizes them. This has the effect that interior parts can be reliably deodorized and sterilized in a short period of time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a panel 12 and a filter 13.
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the interior with the parts removed.
AA cross-sectional schematic diagram, Fig. 3 is a BB cross-sectional schematic diagram of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ozone generator 8, and Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the main parts of the ozone generator attached to the indoor unit main body. , FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the wind direction changing device 4, FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the wind direction changing device 4, and FIG. 8 is a relative position at the air outlet of the wind direction changing device 4 during heating operation, cooling operation, and operation stop. FIG. 1...Indoor heat exchanger, 2...Indoor fan, 4...
...Air direction change device, 8...Ozone generator, 9...Electrical assembly (electrical component storage), 10...Drain pan,
11... Main body cabinet, 12... Panel, 1
3... Filter, 14... Intake port, 15... Outlet, 84... Ozone generator, 82... Storage part for high voltage generator, etc.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an air conditioner equipped with an ozone generator, which is equipped with an ozone generator that deodorizes and sterilizes interior parts such as a filter for purifying the intake air and a heat exchanger for heating or cooling the air, the above-mentioned ozone generation An air conditioner with an ozone generator, characterized in that the interior parts are directly exposed to the ozone generated by the device when the air conditioner is stopped, with the interior of the machine sealed, for deodorization and sterilization.