JP3870643B2 - Air conditioner pipe cleaning products - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a construction method for installing an air conditioner on an embedded pipe of a new air conditioner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, compression heat pumps using HCFC and HFC refrigerants such as R22, R410A, and R407C are often used for refrigeration apparatuses such as air conditioners. This type of refrigeration apparatus mainly includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger are connected by a refrigerant pipe.
[0003]
  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the increasing demand for air conditioning equipment, air conditioners are often taken into account of the scenery after installation, and copper pipes for air conditioners are embedded in the inner walls of houses when newly installed. In addition, a multi-type unit that is configured to include an indoor unit provided in each of a plurality of rooms with respect to one outdoor unit, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected to each other through a copper pipe is becoming popular in general houses. . In such a case, the copper piping is often arranged through the inside of the wall surface to each room.
[0004]
  Recently, in view of global environmental problems, it is required to convert the refrigerant used in the refrigeration apparatus from an HCFC refrigerant such as R22 to an alternative refrigerant such as an HFC refrigerant. When using the HFC refrigerant, synthetic oil such as ester oil or ether oil is used as the refrigerating machine oil. Since this ester oil or ether oil is less stable than the conventional mineral oil used for HCFC refrigerants, it tends to deposit sludge-like fixed matter called contaminants. Therefore, moisture management and contamination management that are more stringent than before are required.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, if the embedded copper pipe is used as it is, the following problems are likely to occur. In many cases, the embedded copper pipe is left in a state of being left for a long period of time after being placed on the inner wall and then simply sealed at the mouth of the copper pipe with gum tape or the like. At that time, if the sealing condition is poor, rainwater will intrude into the copper pipe during subsequent rainy weather. Since the intrusion water exists in the liquid state, it is difficult to remove it even by vacuum pumping performed during installation. As a result, the water mixed in the refrigeration cycle gradually accelerates the degradation and degradation of the oil, causing damage to the sliding part or clogging of the expansion valve.
[0006]
  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and the object of the present invention is to provide a simple air conditioner cleaning method that can provide long-term reliability even when a new embedded pipe is used when using an HFC-based refrigerant. Is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a pipe connecting an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, so that foreign matter remaining inside can be transferred from one pipe port by compressed gas from the other pipe port. An air conditioner pipe cleaning method, wherein the article is used for exclusion, and the article is made of a substantially cylindrical hydrophilic material.
[0008]
  With the above configuration, when the article is transported with compressed gas, the inside of the copper pipe is moved, and moisture and dust remaining at that time are removed outside the copper pipe due to the excluded volume effect and the wiping effect generated when the article is transported. Discharged. Therefore, long-term reliability can be obtained even when the new embedded copper pipe is used as a pipe for an air conditioner.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above problem connects an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner.New embeddingIn piping, it is used to remove foreign matter remaining inside from the other piping port by conveying with compressed gas from one piping port.Almost cylindricalAn article, saidAlmost cylindrical article is bulk density 0.1 ~ 0.6g / ml ofIt is an article for pipe cleaning of an air conditioner characterized by comprising a hydrophilic material.
[0010]
  The invention according to claim 2 connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.New embeddingIn piping, it is used to remove foreign matter remaining inside from the other piping port by conveying with compressed gas from one piping port.Almost cylindricalAn article, saidAlmost cylindrical article is bulk density 0.1 ~ 0.6g / ml ofIt is an article for pipe cleaning of an air conditioner characterized by being composed of a lipophilic material.
[0011]
  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the article is composed of an elastic part A, a compressed gas shielding part that shields a flow path in the pipe, and an elastic part B in this order, and the elastic part A is an elastic part B in the transport direction If it is more upstream, the outer diameter of the elastic part A is smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic part B.
[0012]
  The invention according to claim 4 is the pipe cleaning article for an air conditioner, wherein the compressed gas shielding part is a resin film, an elastomer film or a metal foil.
[0013]
  The invention according to claim 5 provides the hydrophilicity.Material is foamAn article for cleaning pipes of an air conditioner, which is a molded product.
[0014]
  The invention according to claim 6 is the hydrophilic material.Wound the sheetAn article for cleaning pipes of an air conditioner, which is a molded product.
[0015]
  The invention according to claim 7 provides the lipophilic material.Foam moldingIt is an article for pipe cleaning of an air conditioner characterized by being.
[0016]
  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the lipophilic material is a long-fiber nonwoven fabric.TwistedAn article for cleaning pipes of an air conditioner, which is a molded product.
[0017]
  The invention according to claim 9 is an air conditioner pipe cleaning article characterized in that at least a side surface of the article is covered with a fabric woven with ultrafine fibers.
[0018]
  The invention according to claim 10 is the pipe cleaning article for an air conditioner, wherein the ultrafine fiber is 0.3 denier or less.
[0019]
  The invention according to claim 11 is the pipe cleaning article for an air conditioner, wherein the ultrafine fiber is a split type or a peelable type.
[0020]
  The invention according to claim 12 connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.New embeddingIn piping, it is used to remove foreign matter remaining inside from the other piping port by conveying with compressed gas from one piping port.Almost cylindricalAn article, saidAlmost cylindricalGoodsBulk density 0.1 ~ 0.6g / ml ofIt is a pipe cleaning method for an air conditioner, characterized in that it is made of a hydrophilic material.
[0021]
  The invention according to claim 13 connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.New embeddingIn piping, it is used to remove foreign matter remaining inside from the other piping port by conveying with compressed gas from one piping port.Almost cylindricalAn article, saidAlmost cylindricalGoodsBulk density 0.1 ~ 0.6g / ml ofAn air conditioner pipe cleaning method comprising a lipophilic material, wherein a predetermined amount of oil is filled inside from one pipe port, and then the article is conveyed by compressed gas.
[0022]
  The invention according to claim 14 is the pipe cleaning method for an air conditioner, wherein the oil is hard alkylbenzene.
[0023]
  The invention according to claim 15 is characterized in that the oil is a hard alkylbenzene having a kinematic viscosity of 4.14 to 35.2 mm2 / s at 40 ° C., and has a low viscosity at low temperatures and a high viscosity at high temperatures. It is a pipe cleaning method of an air conditioner characterized by selecting.
[0024]
  A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner pipe cleaning article and cleaning method, wherein the compressed gas transport pressure is 0.5 to 5 kgf / cm 2.
[0025]
  The invention according to claim 17 is the pipe cleaning article and cleaning method for an air conditioner, wherein the compressed gas is a dry gas having a dew point of -30 ° C or lower.
[0026]
  The invention according to claim 18 is the pipe cleaning article and method for an air conditioner, wherein the compressed gas is air or nitrogen.
[0027]
【Example】
  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0028]
  In the case of a detached house as shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner may be provided with, for example, three indoor units A2, indoor units B3, and indoor units C4 for one outdoor unit 1. At that time, the copper pipe is drawn in a state of being embedded in the wall of the house in consideration of the landscape of the house, and in the case of the indoor unit away from the outdoor unit, the length of the copper pipe may be as long as 30 m. The copper pipe is arranged in a state where the wall surface in the building is not yet covered. However, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are installed after being left for a long period of time and after the interior and power supply work is completed. Therefore, there are many cases where moisture and dust enter the embedded pipe from the outside during the leaving period.
[0029]
  In the present invention, the cleaning method as shown in FIG. 2 eliminates moisture, dust, etc. remaining in the newly embedded piping as much as possible, and performs installation work that can guarantee long-term reliability for outdoor units and indoor units. For the purpose.
[0030]
  Explaining one pipe, first, an article 6 to be conveyed is inserted into one copper pipe 5. At this time, since the outer diameter of the article 6 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the copper pipe, the article 6 is pushed into the copper pipe forcibly. Thereafter, the flared copper pipe is connected to a pressure hose 8 connected to a nitrogen cylinder 7 through a nipple (not shown). Next, the regulator valve 9 disposed in the nitrogen cylinder 7 is closed to release the primary pressure. Thereafter, when the nitrogen gas of a predetermined pressure is pumped into the copper pipe by gradually opening the regulator valve 9 while looking at the gauge 10, the article 6 removes and wipes moisture, dust, etc. mixed therein. It moves while being discharged from the other outlet. At this time, moisture, dust and the like mixed inside are also discharged. Thereafter, the nipple (not shown) connected to the pressure hose 8 is removed from the copper pipe 5 to complete the cleaning work of the embedded copper pipe left after the new installation.
[0031]
  In this case, an air conditioner using an R22 refrigerant, an air conditioner using an R410A refrigerant, and an air conditioner using an R407C refrigerant may be installed. Some air conditioners using R410A and R407C refrigerants use ester oil and ether oil as refrigerating machine oil for compressors. In the embodiment, description will be made assuming the installation work of the R410A refrigerant.
[0032]
  Example 1
  Here, a representative pipe is used, and a 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30 m is prepared, and 2000 mg of water and 100 mg of copper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 μm are left in the interior. After introducing an article as shown in Fig. 3 in an atmosphere of 20 ° C as a condition, connect a nitrogen cylinder and copper piping with a pressure hose, and control the nitrogen flow rate while watching the gauge with a regulator valve. The article was conveyed at a pressure of about 2.5 kgf / cm2. The article is a 7.97φ × 20 cellulose foam 11 (bulk density 0.2 g / ml). As a result, about 90% of moisture and about 85% of copper powder were eliminated.
[0033]
  (Example 2)
  Here, a representative pipe is used, and a 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30 m is prepared, and 2000 mg of water and 100 mg of copper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 μm are left in the interior. After introducing an article as shown in Fig. 4 in an atmosphere of 20 ° C as a condition, connect a nitrogen cylinder and copper piping with a pressure hose, and control the nitrogen flow rate while watching the gauge with a regulator valve. The article was conveyed at a pressure of about 2.6 kgf / cm2. The article is 7.96φ × 10 cellulose foam 12 (bulk density 0.2 g / ml) on the upstream side, and 8.00φ × 10 cellulose foam 13 (bulk density 0.2 g / ml) on the downstream side and PP in the center. A resin film 14 (7.91φ, thickness 100 μm) is bonded in a sandwich structure. As a result, about 93% water and about 85% copper powder could be eliminated.
[0034]
  (Example 3)
  Here, a representative pipe is used, and a 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30 m is prepared, and 2000 mg of water and 100 mg of copper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 μm are left in the interior. After introducing an article as shown in Fig. 4 in an atmosphere of 20 ° C as a condition, connect a nitrogen cylinder and copper piping with a pressure hose, and control the nitrogen flow rate while watching the gauge with a regulator valve. The article was conveyed at a pressure of about 2.6 kgf / cm2. The article is 7.97φ × 10 cellulose foam 12 (bulk density 0.1 g / ml) on the upstream side, and 8.02φ × 10 cellulose foam 13 (bulk density 0.1 g / ml) on the downstream side and PP in the center. A resin film 14 (7.91φ, thickness 100 μm) is bonded in a sandwich structure. As a result, about 93% water and about 87% copper powder were eliminated.
[0035]
  (Example 4)
  Here, a representative pipe is used, and a 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30 m is prepared, and 2000 mg of water and 100 mg of copper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 μm are left in the interior. After introducing an article as shown in Fig. 5 in an atmosphere of 20 ° C as a condition, connect a nitrogen cylinder and copper piping with a pressure hose, and control the nitrogen flow rate while watching the gauge with a regulator valve. The article was conveyed at a pressure of about 2.7 kgf / cm2. The product is a cellulose foam 15 (bulk density 0.2 g / ml) of 7.96φ × 10 on the upstream side, and a molded product 16 in which a cellulose sheet of 8.00φ × 10 is wound at a bulk density of 0.2 g / ml on the downstream side. The PP resin film 17 (7.91φ, thickness 100 μm) is bonded to the center portion in a sandwich structure. As a result, about 97% of water and about 90% of copper powder were eliminated.
[0036]
  (Example 5)
  Here, a representative pipe is used, and a 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30 m is prepared, and 2000 mg of water and 100 mg of copper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 μm are left in the interior. After introducing an article as shown in Fig. 6 in an atmosphere of 20 ° C as a condition, connect a nitrogen cylinder and copper piping with a pressure hose, and control the nitrogen flow rate while watching the gauge with a regulator valve. The article was conveyed at a pressure of about 2.7 kgf / cm2. The article is 7.96φ × 10 cellulose foam 18 (bulk density 0.2 g / ml) on the upstream side, and 8.00φ × 10 polyester microfiber cloth 19 (0.1 denier, 100 μm) is attached to the downstream side. The sheet is a molded body 20 wound at a bulk density of 0.2 g / ml, and a PP resin film 21 (7.91φ, thickness 100 μm) is bonded to the center part in a sandwich structure. As a result, about 97% water and about 93% copper powder were eliminated.
[0037]
  (Example 6)
  As shown in Fig. 7, here is represented by one pipe, 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30m is prepared, 2000mg water and 100mg copper powder with an average particle size of 10μm in advance inside Left. As a condition, in an atmosphere of 20 ° C., about 10 g of heart alkyl benzene (hereinafter referred to as HAB, copper viscosity of 15.1 mm 2 / s at 40 ° C.) 22 is filled and introduced into an article as shown in FIG. After that, the nitrogen cylinder and copper piping were connected with a pressure hose, the nitrogen flow rate was controlled while looking at the gauge with a regulator valve, and the article was conveyed at a pressure of about 1.0 kgf / cm2. The product is 7.96φ × 10 PP foam 23 (bulk density 0.15 g / ml) on the upstream side, and 8.00φ × 10 PP foam 24 (bulk density 0.15 g / ml) on the downstream side, A PP resin film 25 (7.91φ, thickness 100 μm) is bonded to the center portion in a sandwich structure. As a result, about 98% water and about 95% copper powder could be eliminated.
[0038]
  (Example 7)
  Here, a representative pipe is used, and a 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30 m is prepared, and 2000 mg of water and 100 mg of copper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 μm are left in the interior. As a condition, in an atmosphere of 20 ° C., about 10 g of heart alkyl benzene (hereinafter referred to as HAB, copper viscosity 15.1 mm 2 / s at 40 ° C.) 22 is filled and introduced into the article as shown in FIG. After that, the nitrogen cylinder and copper piping were connected with a pressure hose, the nitrogen flow rate was controlled while looking at the gauge with a regulator valve, and the article was conveyed at a pressure of about 1.0 kgf / cm2. The product is a foamed molded body 26 (bulk density 0.2 g / ml) of 7.96φ × 10 ethylene-propylene copolymer (hereinafter referred to as EPDM) on the upstream side, and 8.00φ × 10 EPDM foam on the downstream side. 27 (bulk density 0.2 g / ml), and a PP resin film 28 (7.91φ, thickness 100 μm) is bonded to the center portion in a sandwich structure. As a result, about 98% water and about 95% copper powder could be eliminated.
[0039]
  (Example 8)
  Here, a representative pipe is used, and a 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30 m is prepared, and 2000 mg of water and 100 mg of copper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 μm are left in the interior. As a condition, after introducing about 10 g of HAB oil (copper viscosity 15.1 mm2 / s at 40 ° C) in an atmosphere at 20 ° C, it was introduced while being soaked in an article as shown in Fig. 10, and then a nitrogen cylinder and copper Piping was connected with a pressure hose, the nitrogen flow rate was controlled while watching the gauge with a regulator valve, and the article was conveyed at a pressure of about 1.2 kgf / cm2. The product is 7.96φ × 10 PP foam 29 (bulk density 0.15 g / ml) on the upstream side, and 8.00φ × 10 PP long fiber nonwoven fabric is wound on the downstream side with a bulk density of 0.15 g / ml. The molded product 30 has a PP resin film 31 (7.91φ, thickness 100 μm) bonded to the central portion thereof in a sandwich structure. As a result, about 99% water and about 95% copper powder could be eliminated.
[0040]
  Example 9
  Here, a representative pipe is used, and a 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30 m is prepared, and 2000 mg of water and 100 mg of copper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 μm are left in the interior. As a condition, after introducing about 10 g of HAB oil (copper viscosity 15.1 mm2 / s at 40 ° C) in an atmosphere at 20 ° C, it was introduced while soaking in the article as shown in Fig. 11, then nitrogen cylinder and copper Piping was connected with a pressure hose, the nitrogen flow rate was controlled while watching the gauge with a regulator valve, and the article was conveyed at a pressure of about 1.2 kgf / cm2. The product is 7.96φ × 10 EPDM foam 32 (bulk density 0.2g / ml) on the upstream side, and 8.00φ × 10 PP long fiber nonwoven fabric is wound on the downstream side with a bulk density of 0.15g / ml. A PP resin film 34 (7.91φ, thickness 100 μm) is bonded in a sandwich structure at the center. As a result, about 99% water and about 95% copper powder could be eliminated.
[0041]
  (Example 10)
  Here, a representative pipe is used, and a 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30 m is prepared, and 2000 mg of water and 100 mg of copper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 μm are left in the interior. After filling the interior with about 10g of HAB oil (copper viscosity 15.1mm2 / s at 40 ° C) in an atmosphere of 20 ° C, the product as shown in Fig. 12 was introduced, and then the nitrogen cylinder and copper piping were pressure hose. The nitrogen flow rate was controlled while looking at the gauge with the regulator valve, and the article was conveyed at a pressure of about 1.2 kgf / cm2. The product is 7.35φ × 10 PP foam 35 (bulk density 0.15 g / ml) on the upstream side, and 8.00φ × 10 polyester microfiber cloth 36 (0.1 denier, 50 μm) is attached to the downstream side, This is a molded body 37 in which a PP long-fiber non-woven fabric is wound at a bulk density of 0.15 g / ml, and a PP resin film 38 (7.91φ, thickness 100 μm) is bonded to the center portion in a sandwich structure. As a result, about 99% water and about 98% copper powder were eliminated.
[0042]
  (Example 11)
  Here, a representative pipe is used, and a 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30 m is prepared, and 2000 mg of water and 100 mg of copper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 μm are left in the interior. After filling the interior with about 10g of HAB oil (copper viscosity 7.1mm2 / s at 40 ℃) in an atmosphere of 5 ℃, after introducing the article as shown in Fig. 12, the nitrogen cylinder and copper piping are pressure hose. The nitrogen flow rate was controlled while observing the gauge with a regulator valve, and the article was conveyed at a pressure of about 1.3 kgf / cm2. The product is 7.35φ × 10 PP foam 35 (bulk density 0.15 g / ml) on the upstream side, and 8.00φ × 10 polyester microfiber cloth 36 (0.1 denier, 50 μm) is attached to the downstream side, This is a molded body 37 in which a PP long-fiber non-woven fabric is wound at a bulk density of 0.15 g / ml, and a PP resin film 38 (7.91φ, thickness 100 μm) is bonded to the center portion in a sandwich structure. As a result, about 96% water and about 80% copper powder could be eliminated.
[0043]
  (Example 12)
  Here, a representative pipe is used, and a 3/8 inch copper pipe (inner diameter 7.92φ) 30 m is prepared, and 2000 mg of water and 100 mg of copper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 μm are left in the interior. After filling the interior with about 10g of HAB oil (copper viscosity 32.4mm2 / s at 40 ° C) in an atmosphere of 35 ° C, the product as shown in Fig. 12 was introduced, and then the nitrogen cylinder and the copper piping were pressure hose. The nitrogen flow rate was controlled while watching the gauge with a regulator valve, and the article was conveyed at a pressure of about 1.0 kgf / cm2. The product is 7.35φ × 10 PP foam 35 (bulk density 0.15 g / ml) on the upstream side, and 8.00φ × 10 polyester microfiber cloth 36 (0.1 denier, 50 μm) is attached to the downstream side, This is a molded body 37 in which a PP long-fiber non-woven fabric is wound at a bulk density of 0.15 g / ml, and a PP resin film 38 (7.91φ, thickness 100 μm) is bonded to the center portion in a sandwich structure. As a result, about 96% water and about 80% copper powder could be eliminated.
[0044]
  In Examples 10 to 12, the case where only the kinematic viscosity of the HAB oil was changed depending on the working environment temperature of the installation work was shown. From now on, it was preferable that the oil soaked into the PP long fiber molded product should have a lower viscosity at a lower temperature and a higher viscosity at a higher temperature. In other words, the transported material and the oil on the copper tube wall are effective in reducing sliding resistance, but if a material with too low viscosity is used, the speed of transporting the article will increase, and the effect of draining moisture while forming an oil film will be insufficient. As a result, the effect of wiping the tube wall was also reduced. In addition, when the article is deliberately soaked with the oil, it is effective in the present invention to heat and reduce the viscosity so that the article penetrates sufficiently, cool it, introduce it into the copper pipe and transport it. there were. Therefore, the optimal kinematic viscosity of the HAB oil changed depending on the environmental conditions of the installation work. In the case of commercially available HAB oil, the viscosity grade is standardized by JISK2001, and the viscosity grade suitable for the present invention is VG5 to VG32, which corresponds to a kinematic viscosity of 4.14 to 35.2 mm2 / s at 40 ° C. For reference, FIG. 13 shows the relationship between temperature and viscosity for HAB oil.
[0045]
  In the examples, a cellulose foam molded article and a cellulose sheet wound product were used as the hydrophilic material, but the hydrophilic resin applicable to the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, saponified acrylic ester-vinyl acetate copolymer, modified polyvinyl alcohol, hydrolyzate of starch-acrylonitrile graft polymer, starch-acrylic acid graft polymer, partially crosslinked polyethylene oxide, pulp This does not apply as long as fibers can be used and moisture can be adsorbed to maintain the water retention state.
[0046]
  In the examples, a PP foam molded article, an EPDM foam molded article, and a PP long fiber nonwoven fabric were used as the lipophilic material. In particular, the long-fiber nonwoven fabric made of PP has a particularly high lipophilicity, so that it gradually swells by adsorbing HAB oil, and the density of this portion also increases. When transported by compressed nitrogen in this state, it was extremely effective in eliminating residual moisture and dust in the copper pipe. Moreover, since the outer surface of the nonwoven fabric is composed of fibers, the wiping effect (wiping) is greater than that of the foam.
[0047]
  In addition, PP foam moldings and EPDM foams were able to make full use of their characteristics as elastic parts by lowering the hardness to be able to cope with bent parts in embedded pipes. In addition, since the rubber foam has flexibility and flexibility, even if the length of the conveyed product is increased to some extent, it is not clogged during the conveyance, and the moisture and dust removal rate can be improved. Considering a practical range of bulk density, it was 0.1 to 0.6 g / ml. In order to take advantage of the properties (flexibility and flexibility) of the foamed molded article, the bulk density is preferably 0.6 g / ml or less, and the mechanical strength is weak at 0.1 g / ml or less, which is a practical problem. In addition to these, rubbers such as CR, SBR, IIR, silicone and the like, and PP-based, styrene-based elastomers and PP, PE resin foamed molded products can also be used, as long as they can absorb oil and maintain the oil retaining state. This is not the case. Further, in consideration of the shielding property of compressed gas, a molded body in a closed cell state is preferable.
[0048]
  In the examples, a PP resin film was used as the compressed gas shielding plate. However, as the compressed gas shielding plate that can be used in the present invention, vinyl chloride, polyethylene (PE), nylon, ABS, etc. can be used as the resin, and PP as the elastomer. , Polyester, CR (chloroprene), NBR (butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer), IIR (isobutene-isoprene copolymer), silicone, etc. can be used, and aluminum, copper, brass, etc. can be used as the metal foil. . Further, the thickness is considered to be 1 mm or less, more preferably 200 μm or less for the resin film and the metal foil, considering clogging resistance in the flat tube.
[0049]
  The ultrafine fiber applicable to the present invention will be described. The ultrafine fiber usually means a fiber having a thickness of 1 denier or less. One denier is 9000 meters long and weighs 1 g. In general, synthetic fibers with a fiber thickness of about 1 denier and thinner than silk fibers are expressed. The denier method is a unit used for fabric filaments and yarns, and is a “constant length type” that represents the thickness of a thread with a weight for a certain length. The feature of ultrafine fibers is the fineness and shape of the fibers. Nylon and polyester are generally used as the material of the fibers, but they are usually woven in a state where fibers of 1 denier or less are densely packed. This fiber is generally produced by spinning the fibers together and then separating them.
[0050]
  The method for producing ultrafine fibers suitable for the present invention is a split type or a peel type, and it is effective to eliminate fine contaminants mixed from the outside during the standing period by using one having a denier of 0.3 denier or less. there were. As shown in FIG. 14, the split type is an ultra-fine fiber made by separating one fiber into two components, and each fiber has a triangular cross section with sharp edges. The effect of scraping fine dust is great. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the peeling type is a very flat fiber that is made by peeling two components. By twisting this flat shape, fine dust is scraped between individual fibers. Great effect. And once scraped, the garbage is trapped in the entangled fibers, making it difficult to desorb again. Therefore, it was very suitable for removing foreign substances such as dust from the inside of the copper pipe as in the field of the present invention.
[0051]
  Based on the above results, a reliability test was conducted using 300 mg of water. A compressor filled with 260 g of ester oil (manufactured by Nippon Petroleum; RB68A) and an air conditioner filled with 850 g of R410A refrigerant is set to a cooling overload condition, an outdoor unit of 40 ° C., an indoor unit of 40 ° C. and a discharge temperature of 115 ° C. I drove for hours. As a result, there was no problem in the sliding portion of the compressor, and there was no significant deposit even in the expansion valve. A similar reliability test was conducted for ether oil, but there was no problem with the sliding portion of the compressor.
[0052]
  Therefore, it is estimated that the reliability of the air conditioner can be guaranteed in almost all cases if the embedded pipe cleaning according to the present invention is performed.
[0053]
  The compressed gas conveyance pressure applicable to the present invention was preferably 0.5 to 5 kgf / cm2. When the pressure was higher than 5 kgf / cm2, there was a tendency for gas slip to increase with respect to the conveyed product. Furthermore, since the conveying speed is too high, the foam molded body, the nonwoven fabric wound body, and the ultrafine fiber cloth have reduced the effect of wiping off dust. In addition, when cleaning is performed by filling new oil into the pipe, the transport pressure of the compressed gas must be controlled in consideration of the weather conditions, the kinematic viscosity of the oil, and the characteristics of the article to be transported. It was. When the transfer pressure was 0.5kgf / cm2 or less, the pressure loss was large when the length of the 1 / 4inch copper pipe was long, and the transferred object could not be transferred satisfactorily, and it was sometimes clogged in the middle. In an efficient conveyance method, it was better to control the conveyance pressure to be low when the article was introduced, and to increase the pressure as the article progressed through the copper piping and moved away from the introduction part.
[0054]
  The compressed gas applicable to the present invention is generally air or nitrogen. Since these can be easily obtained, workability is improved by using air or nitrogen. Moreover, air or nitrogen can be made into dry gas with a dew point of -30 degrees C or less by passing through hollow filters, such as a polyimide. By limiting the amount of moisture in the gas to be introduced, the moisture remaining when the pipe cleaning operation according to the present invention is completed can also be reduced. That is, by introducing the dry gas, moisture present inside is discharged in a form accompanying the carrier gas.
[0055]
  The embedded pipe cleaning according to the present invention can be used when an air conditioner using R22 refrigerant or R407C refrigerant is attached.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
  As is clear from the above embodiments, according to the inventions of claims 1 and 12,Almost cylindricalThe article is compressed gasWhile having sufficient flexibilityMoisture and debris remaining at that time move inside the copper piping by being transported.Almost cylindricalIt is discharged out of the copper tube due to the excluded volume effect and the wiping effect that occur when the article is conveyed. Therefore, long-term reliability can be obtained even when the new embedded copper pipe is used as a pipe for an air conditioner.
[0057]
  Further, according to the inventions of claims 2 and 13, after the pipe is filled with new oil,, Articles with sufficient flexibilityBy transporting the water, a thin oil film of oil is formed on the inner surface of the copper pipe, so that moisture and dust remaining on the copper pipe can be discharged more efficiently. In addition, the sliding resistance when the article is conveyed due to the adhesion of oil is reduced, and the pressure of the compressed gas can also be reduced. If the new oil to be used is selected in consideration of compatibility with the oil filled in the compressor of the installed air conditioner, there will be a problem in reliability even if the oil used for cleaning remains in the copper pipe It will not be.
[0058]
  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the article is composed of the elastic portion and the compressed gas shielding plate, the elastic portion greatly contributes to the oil displacement effect, and the compressed gas shielding plate receives the wind pressure of the compressed gas. As a result, the inside of the copper pipe is effectively moved, so that moisture and dust remaining in the copper pipe can be sufficiently eliminated. In addition, by reducing the outer diameter on the upstream side with respect to the conveying direction, the pushability of insertion into the piping has been improved.
[0059]
  According to the invention described in claim 4, the compressed gas shielding plate is formed of a thin plate or film, so that even if there is a flat portion in the copper pipe, the article can be conveyed without clogging in the middle.
[0060]
  According to the invention described in claim 5, those having a hydrophilic bulk density of 0.1 to 0.6 g / ml have sufficient flexibility and gradually swell by adsorbing water, and also as molded articles. Density increases. Since it is conveyed by compressed gas in this state, the effect of wiping off the residual moisture inside the copper pipes was very effective.
[0061]
  According to the invention described in claim 6, those having a bulk density of 0.1 to 0.6 g / ml have sufficient flexibility and gradually swell when adsorbed with water. Density increases. Since it is conveyed by compressed gas in this state, the effect of wiping off the residual moisture inside the copper pipes was very effective. Further, by selecting a fiber material, the effect of further absorbing and wiping off moisture and dust was remarkable.
[0062]
  Further, according to the invention described in claim 7, those having a lipophilic bulk density of 0.1 to 0.6 g / ml have sufficient flexibility and gradually swell by adsorbing oil, and also as molded articles. Density increases. Since it is conveyed by compressed gas in this state, the effect of wiping off the residual moisture and dust inside the copper pipes was very effective.
[0063]
  Further, according to the invention described in claim 8, those having a lipophilic bulk density of 0.1 to 0.6 g / ml have sufficient flexibility and gradually swell by adsorbing oil, and also as molded articles. Density increases. Since it is conveyed by compressed gas in this state, it was extremely effective in eliminating residual moisture and dust inside the copper pipe. Furthermore, the effect of wiping off dust was more remarkable by selecting the long-fiber nonwoven fabric.
[0064]
  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the wiping effect of the inner wall of the copper pipe is improved by coating the side surfaces with the ultrafine fibers. In particular, when fine dust was scraped off, they could be discharged out of the copper piping without being detached.
[0065]
  Further, according to the invention described in claim 10, the cleanliness when fine dust is wiped is further improved by setting it to 0.3 denier or less with respect to the ultrafine fiber.
[0066]
  In addition, according to the invention of claim 11, the shape of the ultrafine fiber is spun by a split type or a peel type, so that it has a triangular shape or a flat cross section with a sharp edge, and once scraped dust is entangled. Cleanliness is further improved because it is trapped in the fiber and difficult to desorb again.
[0067]
  According to the invention described in claim 14, by using the HAB oil as the oil to be included in the conveyed product, even if a new HAB oil remains in the pipe, the influence on the reliability of the air conditioner thereafter is small. In addition, HAB oil has a very low water absorption, so that it was easy to handle even when the workers stored and managed it.
[0068]
  According to the invention described in claim 15, the sliding resistance when transported can be reduced by selecting the HAB oil to be contained in the transported material so as to be optimal according to the environmental conditions of the installation work, and the piping. It was conveyed while forming an oil film inside, and the residual moisture could be effectively reduced.
[0069]
  Further, according to the invention described in claim 16, by optimizing the conveyance pressure of the compressed gas, it is possible to prevent wasteful slipping on the conveyed product and to prevent a reduction in the wiping effect of moisture and dust, It was definitely eliminated.
[0070]
  Further, according to the invention described in claim 17, a dry gas having a dew point of −30 ° C. or less can be obtained by passing through a hollow filter such as polyimide. By limiting the amount of moisture in the gas to be introduced, the moisture remaining when the pipe cleaning operation according to the present invention was completed could be reduced. This is because by introducing the dry gas, the moisture present inside is discharged in a form accompanying the carrier gas.
[0071]
  According to the invention of claim 18, it can be easily obtained by using air or nitrogen as the carrier gas, and the installation workability is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of construction of an air conditioner using an embedded piping system in a house, which is an application field of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copper pipe cleaning system shown in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an article that is transported and cleaned in a copper pipe in Example 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an article that is transported and cleaned in a copper pipe in Examples 2 and 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an article that is transported and cleaned in a copper pipe in Example 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an article that is transported and cleaned in a copper pipe in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an article that is transported and cleaned in a copper pipe in Example 6 of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copper pipe cleaning system shown in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an article that is transported and cleaned in a copper pipe in Example 7 of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an article that is transported and cleaned in a copper pipe in an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of an article that is transported and cleaned in a copper pipe in Example 9 of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an article that is transported and cleaned in a copper pipe in Example 10 of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between temperature and viscosity of HAB oil used in the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a split ultrafine fiber used in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a peelable ultrafine fiber used in an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 Outdoor unit
  2 Indoor unit A
  5 Copper pipe
  6 PP resin
  7 Nitrogen cylinder
  11 Cellulose foam
  14 PP film
  16 Cellulose sheet wound body
  19 Polyester extra fine fiber cloth
  22 Heart Alkyl Bensen
  23 PP foam
  26 EPDM foam
  30 PP long fiber nonwoven fabric

Claims (18)

In a new embedded pipe that connects an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, a substantially cylindrical shape that is used to remove foreign matter remaining inside from the other pipe port by conveying it with compressed gas from one pipe port An article for pipe cleaning of an air conditioner, wherein the substantially cylindrical article is made of a hydrophilic material having a bulk density of 0.1 to 0.6 g / ml . In a new embedded pipe that connects an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, a substantially cylindrical shape that is used to remove foreign matter remaining inside from the other pipe port by conveying it with compressed gas from one pipe port an article, said generally pipe cleaning article of the air conditioner, characterized in that the cylindrical article is made of a lipophilic material bulk density 0.1 ~ 0.6g / ml. If the article is composed of an elastic part A, a compressed gas shielding part that shields a flow path in the pipe, and an elastic part B in this order, the elastic part A is elastic on the upstream side of the elastic part B in the transport direction. The article for pipe cleaning of an air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer diameter of the part A is smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic part B. The said compressed gas shielding part is a resin film, an elastomer film, or a metal foil, The pipe cleaning article for an air conditioner according to claim 3. The said hydrophilic material is a foaming molding, The article for piping cleaning of the air conditioner of any one of Claim 1, 3, and 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The pipe cleaning article for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 4, wherein the hydrophilic material is a molded product obtained by winding a sheet . The article for cleaning pipes of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 2, 3, and 4, wherein the lipophilic material is a foam molded product . The pipe cleaning article for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 2, 3, and 4, wherein the lipophilic material is a molded product obtained by winding a long-fiber nonwoven fabric. The article for pipe cleaning of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least a side surface of the article is covered with a fabric woven with ultrafine fibers. The article for cleaning an air conditioner pipe according to claim 9, wherein the ultrafine fiber is 0.3 denier or less. The pipe cleaning article for an air conditioner according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the ultrafine fibers are a split type or a peel type. In a new embedded pipe that connects an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, a substantially cylindrical shape that is used to remove foreign matter remaining inside from the other pipe port by conveying it with compressed gas from one pipe port A pipe cleaning method for an air conditioner, wherein the substantially cylindrical article is made of a hydrophilic material having a bulk density of 0.1 to 0.6 g / ml . In a new embedded pipe that connects an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, a substantially cylindrical shape that is used to remove foreign matter remaining inside from the other pipe port by conveying it with compressed gas from one pipe port The substantially cylindrical article is made of an oleophilic material having a bulk density of 0.1 to 0.6 g / ml , and after filling a predetermined amount of oil from one piping port, the article is compressed with a compressed gas. A pipe cleaning method for an air conditioner, characterized in that the pipe is transported. The method of claim 13, wherein the oil is hard alkyl benzene. The oil is a hard alkylbenzene having a kinematic viscosity of 4.14 to 35.2 mm2 / s at 40 ° C., and a low-viscosity environmental condition is selected at a low temperature, and a high-viscosity one is selected at a high temperature. The pipe cleaning method for an air conditioner according to claim 14. The pipe cleaning article and the cleaning method for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a conveying pressure of the compressed gas is 0.5 to 5 kgf / cm2. The article for cleaning pipes and a cleaning method for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the compressed gas is a dry gas having a dew point of -30 ° C or lower. 18. The pipe cleaning article and method for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the compressed gas is air or nitrogen.

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