JP4853604B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air conditioner equipped with an ion-type electric dust collection unit that charges and removes dust contained in the air, and more specifically, charged particles that have passed without being captured by the dust collection unit. It is related with the technique which prevents the dirt by.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some recent models of air conditioners (air conditioners) have an air cleaning function. Air purifiers for air conditioners are generally roughly classified into two types: “electric dust collection type” and “mechanical filter type”.
[0003]
Both of them have advantages and disadvantages, but the electrostatic precipitating type charges the dust (floating particles) contained in the air by applying a high voltage to a linear or needle-like discharge electrode such as tungsten. And is adsorbed by a grounded dust collecting electrode, which is advantageous in that it has less air resistance than a mechanical filter type, and in the case of an air conditioner, no extra burden is placed on the blower.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the electrostatic dust collection type, the gap between the dust collection electrodes is in mm because of its structure, so there are many charged particles that pass through without being captured by the dust collection electrode, and the actual dust collection efficiency is good. It is said to be about 80-85%.
[0005]
Furthermore, most of the charged particles blown out of the indoor unit without being captured by the dust collection electrode adhere to the surrounding walls and ceiling (especially around the indoor unit), thus causing contamination. .
[0006]
Therefore, the subject of this invention is preventing the generation | occurrence | production of the stain | pollution | contamination by the charged particle discharged | emitted from the indoor unit in the air conditioner which mounted the electric dust collection unit in the indoor unit without being captured by the dust collection electrode.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured by arranging an electric dust collection unit together with a heat exchanger and an air blower in an air passage connecting an air suction portion and an air blowing portion formed in a housing of an indoor unit. In the air conditioner, the electric dust collection unit includes a positive discharge electrode to which a positive high voltage is applied, a negative discharge electrode to which a negative high voltage is applied, and a dust collector that captures dust charged by the discharge electrodes. A dust collecting electrode, and the dust collecting electrode includes an upstream dust collecting electrode disposed upstream of the air flow direction in the air passage, and a downstream dust collecting electrode disposed downstream thereof. And the positive discharge electrode and the negative discharge electrode are respectively disposed between the upstream dust collection electrodes, and the downstream dust collection electrode includes a positive counter electrode facing the positive discharge electrode and the negative discharge electrode. It is characterized in that the negative counter electrode opposed to the electrode is provided.
[0008]
According to this, positively charged particles and negatively charged particles are generated at the same time in the electrostatic precipitator unit, and charged particles that are not captured by the dust collecting electrode are agitated by the blower on the downstream side of the positively charged particles and negatively charged particles. Since the particles adhere to each other and the charged charges are electrically neutralized, contamination by charged particles is effectively suppressed. Further, the dust that has passed without being captured by the upstream dust collecting electrode is pressed against the downstream dust collecting electrode and captured by the repulsive action of the counter electrode of the same polarity on the downstream side.
[0009]
The present invention includes various aspects described below. First, in order to facilitate maintenance of the electric dust collection unit, the housing is provided with a unit holding frame, and the electric dust collection unit is detachably held by the unit holding frame.
[0011]
In the present invention, from the viewpoint of simplification of structure, the upstream side dust collecting electrode and the downstream side dust collecting electrodes are integrally formed, and in order to enhance the dust collection efficiency, between the downstream dust collecting electrode Is preferably set narrower than the interval between the upstream dust collecting electrodes.
[0012]
The unit holding frame is provided with a first power supply unit for applying a high voltage to either the positive discharge electrode or the negative discharge electrode, and the other discharge electrode is provided on the housing side. It is preferable that a second power supply unit for applying a high voltage is provided.
[0013]
According to this, although the electrostatic dust collection unit has different types of discharge electrodes of the positive discharge electrode and the negative discharge electrode, the power supply on the unit side can be reduced and shared with a part of the power supply on the main body side, The overall size can be reduced without reducing the dust collection capacity of the unit.
[0014]
Further, it is preferable that the blower is a cross-flow fan, and the electric dust collection unit is disposed in the air suction portion as a horizontally long shape along the rotation axis direction. According to this, the air suction resistance Can be lowered.
[0015]
Further, in order to reduce assemblability and electrode consumption, it is preferable to use wires wired in a substantially U shape for the plus discharge electrode and the minus discharge electrode. In this case, it is preferable that a tension spring for applying a predetermined tension to the wire is interposed at at least one end of the wire.
[0016]
Regarding the arrangement of each discharge electrode, in order to facilitate wiring work such as the power supply line, the positive discharge is performed by virtually dividing the opening surface on the air suction side of the electric dust collection unit into two open areas. It is preferable that the electrode and the negative discharge electrode are arranged separately in each opening region.
[0017]
By the way, ozone is generated from the electrostatic dust collection unit as a by-product of electrostatic dust collection. While ozone has a strong deodorizing and sterilizing effect, surplus ozone released from the air conditioner without reacting with oxidation may harm the human body depending on its concentration (amount).
[0018]
Therefore, it is preferable that ozone decomposing means for decomposing ozone generated by the electric dust collection unit is provided downstream of the electric dust collection unit in the air passage.
[0019]
Specifically, there is an embodiment in which a honeycomb structure containing activated carbon and / or a photocatalyst as ozone decomposing means is arranged on the back side of the electric dust collection unit, but downstream of the electric dust collection unit in the air passage. A photocatalyst may be applied to a predetermined structure on the side (for example, an air passage wall or a wind direction plate).
[0020]
The predetermined structure corresponds to, for example, an air passage wall or a wind direction plate. In particular, when a photocatalyst is applied to the wind direction plate, the catalyst is promoted by sunlight or fluorescent light that is inserted into the room, which is preferable. .
[0021]
Moreover, surplus ozone can be reduced also by controlling the electric power feeding with respect to a discharge electrode. Therefore, the present invention is characterized in that power supply to the positive discharge electrode and the negative discharge electrode is turned ON / OFF intermittently at predetermined time intervals.
[0022]
Further, surplus ozone can also be reduced by using either the positive discharge electrode or the negative discharge electrode as a continuous power supply and intermittently turning on or off the other power supply at predetermined time intervals. In any case, the ON / OFF ratio of the intermittent power supply is preferably 50:50.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner 1. According to this, the heat exchanger 3, the blower fan 4, and the electric dust collection unit 5 are provided in the housing | casing 2 of this air conditioner 1 (indoor unit).
[0024]
The casing 2 is formed in a so-called inverted L shape so as to cover a base 21 installed on a wall surface via a mounting bracket (not shown) and the internal components from the upper surface on the upper end side to the front surface of the base 21. And a front panel 22. A drain pan 23 that receives the condensed water generated by the heat exchanger 3 is provided on the lower end side of the front panel 22.
[0025]
The housing 2 is formed of a horizontally long box extending in a direction perpendicular to the cutting plane of FIG. 1, that is, a direction perpendicular to the paper surface (see FIG. 6). Inside, a supporting portion of the blower fan 3, an electrical component box for control, and the like are provided.
[0026]
In this embodiment, on the inner surface (opposite wall surface) side of the base 21, a drain groove 211 that receives the dew condensation water of the heat exchanger unit 31 disposed on the base 21 side and from the blower fan 4 toward the air blowing portion 25. A blowing guide surface 212 that constitutes a part of the air passage 24 that blows out air is provided.
[0027]
A wind direction plate 251 that changes the air blowing direction is provided in the air blowing portion 25. For convenience of drawing, FIG. 1 only shows an up / down air direction plate 251 that changes the air blowing direction to the up / down direction, but actually a left / right air direction plate that changes the air blowing direction to the left / right direction is also provided.
[0028]
In this embodiment, the front panel 22 includes an air suction portion 221 formed in a grill shape from the front surface to the upper surface. Although not shown, a simple filter for removing coarse dust is detachably attached to the inner surface side of the air suction portion 221.
[0029]
The heat exchanger 3 includes three heat exchange units 31 to 33 connected in a substantially Λ (lambda) shape, and is fixed to the base 21 so as to cover the blower fan 4 from above. The blower fan 4 is formed of a cross flow fan. When the blower fan 4 is driven, room air is sucked from the air suction part 221 of the front panel 22, adjusted to a predetermined temperature by the heat exchanger 3, and the air blowing part 25. Is blown out.
[0030]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the electric dust collection unit 5, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. In this embodiment, the electric dust collection unit 5 is parallel to the central heat exchange unit among the heat exchange units 31 to 33, that is, along the suction side surface of the heat exchange unit 32 disposed in the upper front portion of the housing 2. The unit holding frame 51 is disposed and fixed to the housing 2 with screws, and the unit main body 52 is detachably held with respect to the unit holding frame 51.
[0031]
The unit main body 52 includes an electric dust collecting portion 53 having an electrode portion 6 therein and a lid 54 that covers the electric dust collecting portion 53, and in this case, the lid portion 54 is against the electric dust collecting portion 53. A plurality of air intake holes 541 for taking air into the electrostatic precipitator 53 are formed on the upper surface side.
[0032]
Referring also to the connection diagram of FIG. 4, the electrode unit 6 captures the discharge electrodes 611 and 612 to which high voltages having different polarities are applied and dust (floating particles) charged by the discharge electrodes 611 and 612. And the counter electrodes 631 and 632, which are arranged on the downstream side of the discharge electrodes 611 and 612 and to which a high voltage having the same polarity as that of the counter discharge electrodes is applied.
[0033]
The dust collection electrode 62 includes an upstream dust collection electrode 621 and a downstream dust collection electrode 622. In this embodiment, the upstream dust collecting electrode 621 is composed of flat plate electrodes arranged in parallel with each other at equal intervals, and the electrode unit 6 is partitioned into a plurality of air flow paths by the flat plate electrodes.
[0034]
The downstream dust collection electrode 622 is composed of an electrode plate whose interval is narrower than that of the upstream dust collection electrode 621. In this example, the interval between the downstream dust collection electrodes 622 is ½ of the upstream dust collection electrode 621, and the downstream side of the air flow path defined by the upstream dust collection electrode 621 is the downstream dust collection electrode 621. The electrode 622 is divided into two.
[0035]
In this embodiment, a part of the downstream dust collection electrode 622 is shared with the upstream dust collection electrode 621, and separately formed electrode plates are disposed between the common electrodes. That is, the downstream dust collection electrode 622 is formed integrally with the upstream dust collection electrode 621, and both are connected to the ground. The downstream dust collection electrode 622 may be formed in a lattice shape, and in that case, the downstream side of the air flow path is divided into, for example, four.
[0036]
One discharge electrode 611 is a plus discharge electrode to which a plus high voltage is applied, and a plus high voltage is also applied to the counter electrode 631 disposed on the downstream side so as to face the discharge electrode 611.
[0037]
On the other hand, the other discharge electrode 612 is a negative discharge electrode to which a negative high voltage is applied, and a negative high voltage is also applied to the counter electrode 632 disposed on the downstream side so as to face the discharge electrode 612. Is applied.
[0038]
The positive discharge electrode 611 and the negative discharge electrode 612 are disposed between the upstream dust collection electrodes 621, and the positive counter electrode 631 and the negative counter electrode 632 are disposed between the downstream dust collection electrodes 622.
[0039]
As a result, the positively charged particles that have been positively charged by the positive discharge electrode 611 but passed without being captured by the upstream dust collecting electrode 621 are caused by an electrical repulsive action that occurs between the positive counter electrode 631 on the downstream side. It is pressed against the downstream dust collecting electrode 622 and captured.
[0040]
Similarly, negatively charged particles that are negatively charged by the negative discharge electrode 612 but have not been captured by the upstream dust collecting electrode 621 pass downstream due to an electrical repulsive action that occurs with the negative counter electrode 632 on the downstream side. It is pressed against the side dust collecting electrode 622 and captured.
[0041]
The positive ions and the negative ions that have passed without being captured by the downstream dust collecting electrode 622 adhere to each other due to the stirring effect of the blower fan 4, and most of them are electrically neutralized. Therefore, it is possible to reduce dirt on the wall and ceiling due to charged dust.
[0042]
In this embodiment, the positive discharge electrode 611 and the negative discharge electrode 612 are a single wire made of, for example, a tungsten wire. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the discharge electrodes 611 and 612 has a single wire. The wires are wired so as to be lifted from the left side to the right side of the electric dust collector 53 and folded back from the right side to the left side through a semicircular insulating block 531.
[0043]
In addition, both ends of each discharge electrode 611 and 612 are bent at substantially right angles through cylindrical insulating blocks 532 and fixed to predetermined connection terminals of the electrostatic dust collecting portion 53. In this case, the discharge electrode 611 is used. , 612 are provided with conductive tension springs 613, 613, respectively, thereby applying a predetermined tension to the discharge electrodes 611, 612.
[0044]
Thus, by using a wire for each discharge electrode 611, 612, the consumption of the discharge electrode can be reduced, and the assembly workability is improved. The counter electrodes 631 and 632 may be either plate electrodes or needle electrodes.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 5, the unit holding frame 51 is a flat frame formed of an electrical insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and two windows 511 are provided on the frame, for example. Note that tongue pieces having fixing holes 514 for screwing to the housing 2 are formed at the four corners and the center lower portion of the unit holding frame 51.
[0046]
In addition, a power storage unit 512 is integrally provided on the side of the unit holding frame 51. Referring also to FIG. 6, for example, one power supply unit 513 that applies a positive high voltage to the discharge electrode 611 is stored in the power supply storage portion 512 of the unit holding frame 51, and a negative high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 612. The other power supply unit 7 for applying is provided in the housing 2.
[0047]
The other power supply unit 7 is also used as a power source for the negative ion generator 8 installed in the air blowing section 25. The negative ion generator 8 generates negative ions that are said to produce a forest bathing effect (relaxation effect) for humans.
[0048]
Thus, by dividing one power supply unit 513 and the other power supply unit 7, the electric dust collection unit 5 can be downsized without lowering the dust collection efficiency.
[0049]
By the way, ozone is generated from the electrostatic dust collection unit 5 as a by-product of electrostatic dust collection. While ozone has a strong deodorizing and sterilizing effect, surplus ozone released from the air conditioner without reacting with oxidation may harm the human body depending on its concentration (amount).
[0050]
In order to reduce the generated ozone concentration, it is preferable to interpose an ozone decomposition catalyst 9 for decomposing ozone on the back side (downstream side) of the electrostatic dust collection unit 5 as shown in FIG.
[0051]
As an example of the ozone decomposition catalyst 9, for example, a honeycomb structure in which ozone decomposition components such as activated carbon and a photocatalyst are integrally kneaded can be used. In this embodiment, the ozone decomposition catalyst 9 is disposed between the electric dust collection unit 5 and the heat exchange unit 32, but may be provided at other locations.
[0052]
As another example, a photocatalyst having ozone resolution may be applied to the wind direction plate 251 or the air blowing guide surface 212 that is exposed to light. According to this, a catalyst is accelerated | stimulated with the sunlight and the light of a fluorescent lamp which are inserted in the room, and ozone is decomposed | disassembled more effectively.
[0053]
There is also a method of reducing the amount of ozone generated from another viewpoint. For example, the power supply to the plus discharge electrode 611 and the minus discharge electrode 612 is simultaneously turned ON / OFF intermittently at a predetermined time interval. As another method, for example, the positive discharge electrode 611 is always in a power supply state, and the negative discharge electrode 612 is intermittently turned ON / OFF at predetermined time intervals.
[0054]
In any case, the ON / OFF ratio (duty ratio) is preferably 50:50. Thus, by controlling the power supply to the discharge electrodes 611 and 612, the amount of ozone generated can be suppressed to a reference value or less that is harmful to the human body. Of course, this power supply control method and the ozone decomposition catalyst may be used in combination.
[0055]
The above embodiment relates to a so-called separate type air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are separated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are housed in the same housing. Of course, it can also be applied to an integrated type.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects are basically achieved. In other words, the electrostatic precipitating unit mounted on the air conditioner is provided with a positive discharge electrode to which a positive high voltage is applied and a negative discharge electrode to which a negative high voltage is applied. The charged particles that were not present are agitated by the blower on the downstream side, and the positively charged particles and the negatively charged particles adhere to each other to electrically neutralize the charged charges, so that the indoor unit is not captured by the dust collecting electrode. Contamination due to adhesion of charged particles released from can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of an air conditioner (indoor unit) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the electric dust collection unit in the embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2 when the electric dust collection unit is viewed from the front side.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection state of an electrode portion of the electric dust collection unit.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a structure of a unit holding frame of the electric dust collection unit.
FIG. 6 is a front view schematically showing the overall layout of the indoor unit.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of attaching an ozone decomposition catalyst to the indoor unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 2 Case 21 Base 22 Front panel 221 Air suction part 23 Drain pan 24 Air passage 25 Air blowing part 3 Heat exchanger 31-33 Heat exchange unit 4 Blower fan (cross flow fan)
5 Electric dust collection unit 51 Unit holding frame 513 Power supply unit (positive side)
52 Unit Main Body 53 Electric Dust Collector 54 Lid 6 Electrode 611 Plus Discharge Electrode 612 Minus Discharge Electrode 62 Dust Collection Electrode 621 Upstream Dust Collection Electrode 622 Downstream Dust Collection Electrode 631 Plus Counter Electrode 632 Negative Counter Electrode 7 Power Supply Unit ( Minus side)
8 Negative ion generator 9 Ozone decomposition catalyst

Claims (6)

In an air conditioner in which an electric dust collection unit is arranged together with a heat exchanger and a blower in an air passage connecting an air suction part and an air blowing part formed in a housing of an indoor unit,
The electric dust collection unit includes a positive discharge electrode to which a positive high voltage is applied, a negative discharge electrode to which a negative high voltage is applied, and a dust collection electrode that captures dust charged by each discharge electrode. ,
The dust collection electrode has an upstream dust collection electrode arranged on the upstream side with respect to the air flow direction in the air passage, and a downstream dust collection electrode arranged on the downstream side, and the upstream side The positive discharge electrode and the negative discharge electrode are respectively disposed between the dust collection electrodes. The downstream dust collection electrode includes a positive counter electrode facing the positive discharge electrode and a negative counter electrode facing the negative discharge electrode. An air conditioner comprising an electrode .   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the casing is provided with a unit holding frame, and the electric dust collecting unit is detachably held by the unit holding frame. The upstream dust collecting electrode and the downstream dust collecting electrode are integrally formed, and the interval between the downstream dust collecting electrodes is set to be narrower than the interval between the upstream dust collecting electrodes. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2 . The unit holding frame is provided with a first power supply unit that applies a high voltage to one of the positive discharge electrode and the negative discharge electrode, and a high voltage is applied to the other discharge electrode on the housing side. the air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second power supply unit for applying a voltage are provided. The opening surface on the air suction side of the electric dust collection unit is virtually divided into two opening areas, and the plus discharge electrode and the minus discharge electrode are arranged separately in each opening area. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . Downstream of the electrostatic dust collecting unit in the air passage, one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ozone decomposing means for decomposing ozone generated in the electrostatic precipitator unit is provided The air conditioner of Claim 1.

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