JP2652596B2 - Drainage device and drainage method for air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drainage device and a drainage method for an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, the operation of an air conditioner involves the generation of dew water inside. The condensed water is collected in a drain pan of the air conditioner, discharged outside the device, and discarded from a drain outside the device.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a conventional drainage system. In the figure, a water outlet 2 of a drain pan 1 of an air conditioner is connected to a drain port 4 via a drain pipe 3 having a U-shaped end extending horizontally. The condensed water flows along the pipe shape of the drain pipe 3 as shown by the arrow A. Here, due to the shape of the drain pipe 3, all of the dew condensation water is not discharged from the drain port, and may remain in the drain pipe 3. That is, during cooling, dewed water is always generated, so that the drainage from the drain pipe 3 continues due to the water pressure.
The supply of the condensed water stops, and the water is stored in the downwardly projecting portion of the pipe 3. The stored dew water prevents contaminated air from outside the air conditioner from being sucked into the device.

[0004] However, in the operation of the air conditioner, a negative pressure state in which the pressure in the equipment decreases may occur. In FIG. 4, a region where a negative pressure is generated is indicated by oblique lines. That is, all the areas that are windward from the upper fan 5 are in a negative pressure state.
When the drain pan 1 is located in the area and a negative pressure state occurs, if there is dew water in the drain pipe 3, the dew water flows back into the device having a low pressure.

[0005] To avoid this, a drainage system shown in Fig. 5 has been devised. In the figure, one end of a U-shaped drain pipe 3 ′ is connected to the drain pan 1, and the other end protrudes into the water storage container 6. A container outlet 7 is formed on a side surface of the water storage container 6. The other end is surrounded on both sides and the upper surface of the protruding end by an enclosure 8, and a lightweight ball 9 made of resin or the like is accommodated in the enclosure 8. The movement of the ball 9 is regulated by the surrounding body 8.

In this example, the inside of the air conditioner is in a negative pressure state.
Fluctuates and fits into the protruding end opening of the drain pipe 3 ′,
Condensed water does not flow back, and suction of external contaminated air is also prevented.

[0007]

In each of the above-mentioned conventional techniques, the dew condensation water stored in the drain pipe 3 rots, or microorganisms such as bacteria propagate, thereby generating and releasing malodor.
There were problems such as deterioration of hygiene.

In addition, in the example of FIG. 3, in addition to the problem that dew water is sucked into the apparatus, if the air conditioner is heated for a long time, the remaining dew water evaporates, and the above-mentioned water sealing effect is expected. Therefore, there is a problem that when the above-mentioned negative pressure state is reached, external contaminated air is sucked into the apparatus.

Further, the example shown in FIG. 4 has a problem that the structure is complicated and it is difficult to assemble and clean the inside.

An object of the present invention is to solve each of the above problems.

The present invention provides a drain pan, which collects dew condensation water when the air conditioner is operated and connects a water outlet and a drain connected to the drain pan by a drain pipe.
The vertical height of the drain pipe is set so that the own weight of the dew condensation water is greater than the suction force due to the negative pressure generated in the device, and the drain port is covered with a swingable sheet. Features.

[0012] Preferably, the sheet has a lower tip portion having a triangular shape.

[0013] The present invention also relates to a drainage method for discharging condensed water condensed during the operation of an air conditioner from a drain port outside the device, wherein a drain pan outlet of the air conditioner is generated in the device. It is characterized in that it is positioned above at a height where the own weight of the dew condensation water is greater than the suction force by pressure, and the dew water is guided from the drain pan outlet to the drain through a curved drain pipe.

[0014] Preferably, the condensed water is coagulated and dropped by a triangular sheet provided at the lower end of the drain pipe on the drain port side.

[0015]

According to the above construction, the drain pipe has a shape which is bent from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction, so that the dew water flows to the drain port side without being stored in the pipe, and the sheet opens and flows down by its own weight. .

When the inside of the apparatus is in a negative pressure state, the sheet comes into close contact with the opening of the drain pipe, so that external contaminated air is not sucked into the apparatus.

The height difference of the drain pipe is set so that the self-weight of the dew condensation water becomes larger than the suction force generated by the negative pressure generated in the apparatus. Water does not flow back into the equipment.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same members as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and described.

As shown in FIG. 1, a drain pan 1 of the air conditioner is disposed above a drain port 4. Drain pipe 3 ''
Has a shape which is bent from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction, and one end in the vertical direction is connected to the water outlet 2 of the drain pan 1 and the other end in the horizontal direction is inserted into the drain port 4 outside the device. Have been. A rubber sheet 10 is attached to an opening of the drain pipe 3 ″ on the drain port 4 side. Rubber sheet 1
0 covers the tube opening, and a set screw 1
1 fixed to the upper part of the tube opening. Thereby,
The seat 10 is swingable in the front-rear direction of the opening. The height difference H of the drain pipe 3 '' is set so that the weight of the dew condensation water becomes larger than the expected value of the negative pressure generated in the apparatus.
For example, if the expected negative pressure value is 30 mmAq, the suitable height difference of the drain pipe 3 ″ is 30 mm.

According to the present embodiment, no condensation water is stored in the pipe due to the positional relationship between the drain pan 1 and the drain port 4 and the shape of the drain pipe 3 ″. The propagation of bacteria is avoided, and the drain tube 3 ″
Due to the difference in height, even if the inside of the device is in a negative pressure state, the dew water does not flow back into the device and is reliably drained.

Further, since the rubber sheet 10 is swingable in the front-rear direction, when the inside of the device is in a negative pressure state, the rubber sheet 10 can be rotated.
Is in close contact with the tube opening, and no external contaminated air is sucked.

Preferably, the lower end of the rubber sheet 10 is longer than the diameter of the pipe, so that dew condensation water can be prevented from scattering.

FIG. 2 shows a rubber sheet 10 'according to another embodiment of the present invention. As in the present embodiment, the rubber sheet 10
2 is formed in a pentagonal shape as shown in FIG. 2 and the converging apexes are directed downward, so that the condensed water is coagulated along the shape and drops from the converging point, so that the scattering of the condensed water is more effectively prevented. it can.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, with a simple structure, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of dew water in the drain pipe, prevent malodors caused by the accumulation, prevent the propagation of bacteria, and maintain good hygiene. In addition, even if the air conditioner is in a negative pressure state, it is possible to simultaneously prevent the backflow of the condensed water and the suction of external contaminated air.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a shape of a rubber sheet according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of a conventional drainage system.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a region where a negative pressure state occurs in the air conditioner.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another example of a conventional drainage system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 drain pan 2 drain pan outlet 3, 3 ′, 3 ″ drain pipe 4 drain 5 fan 6 water storage container 7 container outlet 8 enclosure 9 ball 10, 10 ′ rubber sheet 11 set screw

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A drain pan for collecting condensation water condensed when an air conditioner is operated, and a drain pan connected to the drain pan.
The outlet and drain are connected by a drain pipe, and the drain
The vertical height of the pipe is set so that the own weight of the dew condensation water is greater than the suction force due to the negative pressure generated in the device, and the drain port is covered with a swingable sheet. Air conditioner drainage equipment. 2. The drain device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the sheet has a triangular shape having a lower end. 3. A drainage method for discharging condensed water condensed during operation of an air conditioner from a drain port outside the device, wherein a drain pan outlet of the air conditioner is suctioned by a negative pressure generated in the device. The drainage port is located above the drainage port at a height at which the weight of the dew condensation water becomes greater than the force, and the dew condensation water is guided from the drain pan outlet port to the drainage port through a curved drain pipe. How to drain the air conditioner. 4. The drain pipe is provided at a tip end on a drain port side,
The drainage method for an air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the condensed water is agglomerated and dropped by a triangular sheet at a lower end portion.