JP4003340B2 - Air conditioner for bathroom - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a bathroom that is installed in a bathroom and can adjust the interior of the bathroom to a comfortable space for the user of the bathroom.
[0002]
[Prior art]
What is required for air conditioning in the bathroom includes heating in the winter and drying throughout the year. In response to this requirement, bathroom air conditioners employing an electric heater system, a heat pump / separate system, a heat pump / duct system, etc. have been proposed and are commercially available (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-85499).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An electric heater type air conditioner for a bathroom has a disadvantage that it is inferior in terms of comfort because it cannot perform a cooling operation, in addition to a disadvantage that it consumes a large amount of power when compared with a heat pump type. In addition, the heat pump / separate type bathroom air conditioner has a drawback in that the installation work of the skirts of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and the piping of the refrigerant pipe are necessary, and the installation work is troublesome and troublesome. In addition, the heat pump / duct type air conditioner for bathrooms requires duct work, and the installation work is troublesome and troublesome, and there is also the disadvantage that dew condensation occurs in the duct due to high humidity return air from the bathroom. .
[0004]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bathroom air conditioner that can be easily installed while improving comfort in the bathroom.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Accordingly, the bathroom air conditioner according to claim 1 has a heat pump refrigeration system disposed in the casing 2 having the bathtub 5 outlet 6 and the washing station side outlet 6, and the heat absorption side heat exchanger and the heat radiation side heat of the refrigeration system. While the air RA outside the casing is circulated toward the exchanger, the cold air CA formed by cooling the air outside the casing RA with the heat absorption side heat exchanger is supplied from one of the hot water boat side and the washing place side outlets 5 and 6. While blowing out, the warm air HA which heats the said casing outside air RA with the said heat radiating side heat exchanger is comprised so that it may blow off from the other 6 of the said bathtub side and the washing place side outlets 5 and 6.
[0006]
In the bathroom air conditioner according to the first aspect, since all the components of the heat pump refrigeration system are arranged integrally in the same casing 2, piping work and duct work are not required. Therefore, since it only needs to be attached to the wall surface 4 in the bathroom, for example, it can be easily attached. Further, since the cold air CA and the warm air HA obtained by cooling and heating the air RA in the bathroom are blown out again into the bathroom, air conditioning such as cooling and heating as a whole in the bathroom cannot be performed. By directly blowing cold air CA or warm air HA to the user who is in or in the washing place 8, the comfort experienced by the user can be sufficiently improved. Thereby, the use comfort of the bathroom can be improved. Further, since the dehumidification is performed when the air RA in the bathroom is cooled, the inside of the bathroom can be dried by blowing out the warm air HA and dehumidifying it.
[0007]
The bathroom air conditioner according to claim 2 includes a Peltier unit 3 including a heat absorption side heat sink 9 and a heat dissipation side heat sink 10 disposed in a casing 2 including a bathtub side outlet 5 and a washing place side outlet 6. While air RA outside the casing is circulated toward the unit 3, cold air CA formed by cooling the air outside the casing RA with the heat-absorbing-side heat sink 9 is blown out from one 5 of the hot water boat side and the washing place side outlets 5 and 6. At the same time, the present invention is characterized in that warm air HA formed by heating the casing outside air RA with the heat radiation side heat sink 10 is blown out from the other 6 of the bathtub side and the washing place side outlets 5 and 6.
[0008]
In the bathroom air conditioner according to the second aspect, since the Peltier unit 3 is used, the configuration can be simplified and reduced in size as compared with the case where a refrigerant, a heat exchanger, or the like is used. Duct work is unnecessary. Therefore, since it only needs to be attached to the wall surface 4 in the bathroom, for example, it can be easily attached. Further, since the cold air CA and the warm air HA obtained by cooling and heating the air RA in the bathroom are blown out again into the bathroom, air conditioning such as cooling and heating as a whole in the bathroom cannot be performed. By directly blowing cold air CA or warm air HA to the user who is in or in the washing place 8, the comfort experienced by the user can be sufficiently improved. Thereby, the use comfort of the bathroom can be improved. Further, since the dehumidification is performed when the air RA in the bathroom is cooled, the inside of the bathroom can be dried by blowing out the warm air HA and dehumidifying it.
[0009]
Furthermore, the air conditioner for a bathroom according to claim 3 is provided with a wind direction adjusting means for switching the blowing direction of the cold air CA or the warm air HA between a direction in which the bathroom user is present and a direction other than the bathroom user.
[0010]
In the bathroom air conditioner according to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to switch between blowing or not blowing the cold air CA or the hot air HA to the bathroom user, so the air blowing mode according to the preference of the bathroom user is selected. be able to. For example, only the warm air HA should be blown to the user during the cold season in winter, and the cold CA should not be blown. Conversely, during the hot season in the summer, only the cold CA should be blown to the user. The warm air HA may be prevented from being sprayed. As a result, the comfort experienced by the user can be further improved.
[0011]
The bathroom air conditioner according to claim 4 is a detection means for detecting whether the bathroom user is located on the bathtub side or the washing place 8 side, and a blower for blowing out the cold air CA and the warm air HA based on the detection result of the detection means. Switching means for switching the outlet, and either the cold air CA or the warm air HA is blown out toward the bathroom user.
[0012]
In the bathroom air conditioner according to the fourth aspect, even when the bathroom user moves from the wash basin 8 to the bathtub 7 or from the bathtub 7 to the wash basin 8, either the cold air CA or the warm air HA is always blown to the bathroom user. For example, warm air HA is blown to the bathroom user in the winter season, and cold air CA is blown to the bathroom user in the summer season. As a result, the comfort experienced by the user can be further improved.
[0013]
The bathroom air conditioner according to claim 5 is characterized in that an electric heater for heating the warm air HA is arranged in the flow path of the warm air HA.
[0014]
In the bathroom air conditioner according to the fifth aspect, the warm air HA can be heated by the electric heater and then blown into the bathroom. Therefore, when the temperature of the warm air HA is low, for example, when the temperature in the bathroom is low, immediately after the start of the air conditioner for the bathroom, or immediately after switching between the outlets of the warm air HA and the cold air CA, heating is performed with the electric heater. By doing so, it is possible to blow warm air (heated warm air HA) on the bathroom user, so that it is possible to prevent the bathroom user from feeling uncomfortable by blowing cold air (warm air HA having a low temperature). Thereby, the comfort experienced by the user of the bathroom can be improved.
[0015]
The air conditioner for bathroom according to claim 6 switches the wind direction adjusting means when the warm air HA is operated in a blowing mode in which the warm air HA is blown toward the bathroom user and the temperature of the warm air HA is lower than a predetermined temperature. It is characterized by comprising operation control means for controlling the warm air HA to blow out in a direction other than the bathroom user.
[0016]
In the bathroom air conditioner according to claim 6, when operating in a blowing mode in which the warm air HA is blown toward the bathroom user, when the temperature of the warm air HA is low, the warm air HA is not directly blown to the bathroom user, Warm the surroundings of bathroom users. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the bathroom user from feeling uncomfortable by blowing cold air (warm air HA having a low temperature), so that the comfort experienced by the bathroom user can be improved.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, specific embodiments of a bathroom air conditioner according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a bathroom air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an attached state of the bathroom air conditioner 1.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the bathroom air conditioner 1 is configured by arranging a Peltier unit 3 in a casing 2 having a substantially trapezoidal planar shape, and is attached to a bathroom wall surface 4. The casing 2 has a bathtub side air outlet 5 on the front surface and a washing area side air outlet 6 on the left side surface. Therefore, by attaching the bathroom air conditioner 1 to the bathroom wall surface 4 on the bathtub 7 side, the bathtub side outlet 5 is directed generally toward the bathtub 7 and the washing station outlet 6 is directed to the washing area 8.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, the Peltier unit 3 is formed by sandwiching a Peltier module 11 between a pair of heat sinks 9 and 10, and each of the heat sinks 9 and 10 functions as a heat absorber or a heat radiator. is there. Each of the heat sinks 9 and 10 is configured by standing a plurality of plate fins 9a... 9a, 10a... 10a juxtaposed so as to face each other substantially vertically on a flat base plate 9b or 10b.
[0020]
By the way, the Peltier unit 3 can switch the position of the heat sink which functions as a heat absorber and a heat radiator by switching the energization direction to the Peltier module 11. For example, when the Peltier module 11 is energized in a specific direction, the heat sink 9 functions as a heat sink and the heat sink 10 functions as a heat sink. In this case, the temperature-controlled air by the heat sink 9 becomes cold CA, and the heat sink 10 The temperature-controlled air becomes warm air HA. On the other hand, when the Peltier module 11 is energized in the direction opposite to the specific direction, the heat sink 9 functions as a radiator and the heat sink 10 functions as a heat absorber. In this case, the temperature-controlled air by the heat sink 9 becomes warm air HA. The temperature-controlled air by the heat sink 10 becomes cold CA. In the drawings, the warm air HA is represented by a hatched arrow.
[0021]
The casing 2 has, for example, an air inlet 12 formed on its upper surface, and the bathroom air RA sucked from the air inlet 12 by the blower 13 is guided to the Peltier unit 3 by an air passage (not shown). Then, the temperature-controlled air CA or HA cooled or heated by the heat sink 9 is guided to the bathtub side outlet 5 by an air passage (not shown) and blown out toward the bathtub 7 side. On the other hand, the temperature-controlled air HA or CA heated or cooled by the heat sink 10 is guided to the washing place side outlet 6 by an air passage (not shown) and blown out to the washing place 8 side.
[0022]
In addition, wind bath adjusting means (not shown) are provided at the bathtub side outlet 5 and the washing area side outlet 6, respectively. The wind direction adjusting means includes a plurality of horizontal blades arranged side by side in the height direction and a plurality of vertical blades arranged side by side in the width direction. Therefore, the temperature-controlled air CA, HA is blown upward when the horizontal blade is directed upward, downward when directed downward, leftward when the vertical blade is directed left, and rightward when directed toward the right. become.
[0023]
Furthermore, the bathroom air conditioner 1 includes operation control means (not shown) constituted by a microcomputer or the like. The operation control means controls the Peltier unit 3, the blower 13, the wind direction adjusting means, etc. in response to an operation signal from an operation unit (not shown) operated by the bathroom user, and performs various operations described later. Run the mode.
[0024]
Next, the operating state of the bathroom air conditioner 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a blowing mode in the normal operation mode. In the normal operation mode, the cool air CA is blown out from the bathtub 5 and the warm air HA is blown out from the wash area 6. Thereby, since warm air HA is sprayed to the user who exists in the washing place 8, it can prevent that a user cools hot water. On the other hand, since the cold CA is blown to the user who enters the bathtub 7, the user can feel a good refreshing sensation and can feel the atmosphere like being in an open-air bath. Moreover, since the user can enter the bathtub 7 for a long time without being lifted by the cold CA on the face or head, the core of the body can be sufficiently warmed up and a healthy bathing is possible.
[0025]
By the way, in the normal operation mode, the bathroom air RA is cooled by the Peltier unit 3 to obtain the cold air CA, but dehumidification is also performed at the same time as this cooling. Therefore, the normal operation mode is also a bathroom drying mode. Therefore, if the bathroom air conditioner 1 is operated in the bathroom drying mode after bathing, the interior of the bathroom can be dried by dehumidification and blowing of warm air HA. As a result, mold growth can be suppressed and the bathroom can be kept clean. In addition, since the laundry can be dried in the bathroom, the range of use of the bathroom is expanded.
[0026]
In addition, since it is not necessary to consider the user's experience in the bathroom drying mode, the maximum current is supplied to the Peltier module 11 to function at the maximum capacity, and cooling, that is, dehumidification is effectively performed. Moreover, if the condensed water (drain water) produced by cooling is drained to the washing place 8 through the drain hose 14, it can be discharged out of the bathroom from a drain outlet provided on the floor of the washing place 8. Further, in the bathroom drying mode, the outlets for the warm air HA and the cold air CA are not limited. Therefore, the hot air HA is blown out from the hot water bath side air outlet 5 as opposed to the air blowing mode in FIG. Cold air CA may be blown out from the outlet 6.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another air blowing mode under the normal operation mode. In this ventilation mode, either the cool air CA or the warm air HA is not directly blown to the user. For example, when the bathtub 7 side is cold in the middle of winter, the wind direction adjusting means is adjusted so that the cold air CA is blown upward as shown in FIG. Thus, the user does not feel cold and can take a comfortable bath. Further, when the washing place 8 is hot in the midsummer, the warm air HA is blown upward as shown in FIG. 3B so that it is not blown directly to the user. As a result, the user does not feel hot and can take a comfortable bath.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a blowing mode in the follow-up operation mode. In the follow-up operation mode, it is detected whether the user is in the bathtub 7 side or the wash basin 8 side, and the outlets for blowing out the cold air CA and the warm air HA are switched based on the detection result. This is an operation mode in which either one is always blown toward the user. The detection means for detecting whether the user is on the bathtub 7 side or the wash basin 8 side is realized by a changeover switch, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like that the user operates. Further, the switching means for switching the air outlet that blows out the cold air CA and the warm air HA is realized by the operation control means that controls the Peltier unit 3. That is, by switching the direction of the current supplied to the Peltier module 11, the type of temperature-controlled air blown out from the two outlets 5 and 6 can be switched.
[0029]
For example, when the entire bathroom is cold in midwinter, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the user is in the washing area 8, the hot air HA is blown out from the washing area side outlet 6, and the user enters the bathtub 7 When it is, warm air HA is blown out from the bathtub 5 outlet 5. As a result, the user does not feel cold wherever they are in the bathroom, and can comfortably bathe. When the entire bathroom is hot in midsummer, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the user is in the washing place 8, the cold air CA is blown out from the washing place side outlet 6, and the user enters the bathtub 7. When it is, cool air CA is blown out from the bathtub 5 outlet 5. As a result, the user does not feel the heat no matter where they are in the bathroom, and comfortable bathing is possible.
[0030]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the Peltier unit 3 is used, the configuration can be simplified and downsized as compared with the case where a refrigerant, a heat exchanger, or the like is used. Construction work and duct work are unnecessary. Therefore, since it only needs to be attached to the bathroom wall surface 4, it can be easily attached.
[0031]
In addition, since the cold air CA and the warm air HA obtained by cooling and heating the air RA in the bathroom are blown out again into the bathroom, air conditioning such as cooling and heating as a whole in the bathroom cannot be performed. By directly spraying the cold air CA or the warm air HA, the comfort experienced by the user can be sufficiently improved. Furthermore, since an optimal ventilation mode can be selected according to the user's preference and season, comfort can be further improved.
[0032]
Moreover, since the inside of a bathroom can be dried, the propagation of mold can be suppressed and the bathroom can be kept clean. Furthermore, since the bathroom can be used for drying laundry, the range of use of the bathroom is expanded.
[0033]
Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the Peltier unit 3 is disposed in the casing 2 to generate the warm air HA and the cold air CA. However, a heat pump refrigeration system is disposed in the casing 2, and the heat absorption side heat exchanger of the refrigeration system You may make it produce | generate warm air HA and cold air CA using a thermal radiation side heat exchanger. A heat pump refrigeration system usually includes a refrigerant circuit formed by connecting a compressor, a condenser (heat radiation side heat exchanger), a decompression mechanism, and an evaporator (heat absorption side heat exchanger) so that the refrigerant circulates. Therefore, the configuration of the bathroom air conditioner is larger than that in the case where the Peltier unit 3 is used, but the operation mode similar to that of the above embodiment can be executed. For example, in the follow-up operation mode, it is necessary to switch the air outlet that blows out the cold air CA and the hot air HA. This is because the temperature-controlled air blown out from the two air outlets 5 and 6 is switched by switching the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit. The type can be switched. Therefore, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.
[0034]
By the way, in the heat pump type refrigeration system using the above-mentioned refrigerant, a certain period of time is required from the start-up or after switching the refrigerant flow direction until the operation in the steady state is performed. In the transient period, normal heat exchange is not performed, so the temperature of the warm air HA is low and the temperature of the cold air CA is high. Therefore, when driving in a blowing mode in which the warm air HA is blown toward the bathroom user, cold air (warm air HA having a low temperature) is blown to the bathroom user, so the bathroom user may feel uncomfortable. . Such a situation is likely to occur in a normal operation mode (see FIG. 3 (a)) performed in winter and a follow-up operation mode (see FIG. 4 (a)) performed in winter.
[0035]
Therefore, in order to cope with the above situation, an electric heater may be arranged in the flow path of the warm air HA, and when the temperature of the warm air HA is low, the heater is heated and then blown out into the bathroom. Here, the circulation path of the warm air HA is an air passage between the heat exchanger and the outlets 5 and 6. Heating of the warm air HA by the electric heater is always performed until a predetermined time (time required to reach operation in a steady state) elapses from the start of the air conditioner for the bathroom or the switching of the refrigerant flow direction. Alternatively, the temperature of the warm air HA may be measured by a temperature sensor and may be performed when the temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the bathroom user who is blown by the cold air (warm air HA having a low temperature) from feeling uncomfortable, and thus the comfort experienced by the bathroom user can be improved.
[0036]
Further, instead of heating the warm air HA by the electric heater, when the temperature of the warm air HA is lower than a predetermined temperature, the warm air HA is blown in a direction other than the bathroom user by adjusting the wind direction adjusting means. You may make it warm the circumference | surroundings of a bathroom user. In this case, the same effect as in the case of heating can be obtained.
[0037]
Of course, the above-described heating of the warm air HA or the adjustment of the wind direction may be performed by the bathroom air conditioner 1 using the Peltier unit 3.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the air conditioner for a bathroom according to claim 1 or 2, since all the components necessary for air conditioning are arranged in the same casing and integrally configured, large work such as piping work or duct work is required. Can be installed easily.
[0039]
Moreover, the comfort which a user senses can fully be improved by spraying cold air or warm air directly on a user. For example, if warm air is blown to the user in the washing place, the user can be prevented from cooling down with hot water. On the other hand, if cold air is blown to the user in the bathtub, the user can feel a good refreshing sensation and enjoy the atmosphere of being in an open-air bath. In addition, the user can take a bath for a long time without being lifted by the cold on the face and head. Thus, the use comfort of the bathroom can be improved.
[0040]
Further, since the inside of the bathroom can be dried by dehumidification accompanying the cooling of the air in the bathroom and the blowing of warm air, the growth of mold can be suppressed and the bathroom can be kept clean. In addition, since the laundry can be dried in the bathroom, the range of use of the bathroom is expanded.
[0041]
According to the bathroom air conditioner of the second aspect, by using the Peltier unit, the configuration can be simplified and downsized as compared with the case of using the refrigerant circuit.
[0042]
Furthermore, according to the air conditioner for bathrooms according to claim 3, since it is possible to select a blowing mode (whether cool air or warm air is blown or not) according to the preference of the bathroom user, the comfort experienced by the user can be selected. Further improvement can be achieved.
[0043]
According to the bathroom air conditioner of the fourth aspect, since cold air or warm air is always blown to the bathroom user, the comfort experienced by the bathroom user can be further improved.
[0044]
According to the air conditioner for a bathroom of claim 5 or 6, it is possible to prevent the bathroom user from feeling uncomfortable by blowing cold air (warm air having a low temperature), so that the comfort experienced by the user of the bathroom is improved. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a bathroom air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a blowing mode in the normal operation mode of the bathroom air conditioner.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another air blowing mode under the normal operation mode.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an air blowing mode in the following operation mode of the bathroom air conditioner.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathroom air conditioner 2 Casing 3 Peltier unit 5 Bathhouse side outlet 6 Washing area side outlet 9 Heat sink 10 Heat sink RA Bathroom air CA Cold air HA Warm air

Claims (6)

A heat pump refrigeration system is arranged in a casing (2) having a bathtub side outlet (5) and a washing area side outlet (6), and is directed to the heat absorption side heat exchanger and the heat radiation side heat exchanger of the refrigeration system. The outside air (RA) outside the casing is circulated, while the outside air (RA) outside the casing is cooled by the heat-absorbing side heat exchanger, and the cool air (CA) is sent to the bathtub side and the washing place side outlets (5) (6). ) And the warm air (HA) obtained by heating the outside air (RA) of the casing with the heat-dissipation side heat exchanger, and the other one of the bathtub side and the washing place side outlets (5) and (6). A bathroom air conditioner characterized by being blown out from (6). A Peltier unit (3) including a heat absorption side heat sink (9) and a heat radiation side heat sink (10) is arranged in a casing (2) including a bathtub side air outlet (5) and a washing place side air outlet (6), While air (RA) outside the casing is circulated toward the Peltier unit (3), cold air (CA) formed by cooling the outside air (RA) with the heat absorption side heat sink (9) is supplied to the bathtub and The hot air (HA), which is blown out from one (5) of the washing place side air outlets (5) and (6) and heated by the heat radiation side heat sink (10) from the casing outside air (RA), is supplied to the bathtub and the washing place side. A bathroom air conditioner configured to blow out from the other (6) of the air outlets (5) and (6). The bathroom according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a wind direction adjusting means for switching a blowing direction of the cold air (CA) or warm air (HA) between a direction in which the bathroom user is present and a direction other than the bathroom user. Air conditioner. Detection means for detecting whether the bath user is on the bathtub (7) side or the washing place (8) side, and an outlet for blowing out the cold air (CA) and warm air (HA) based on the detection result of the detection means Switching means for switching between, and either the cold air (CA) or the warm air (HA) blows out toward the bathroom user. Air conditioner. 5. The bathroom air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein an electric heater for heating the warm air (HA) is disposed in the warm air (HA) flow path. When operating in a blowing mode in which the warm air (HA) is blown out toward the bathroom user, when the temperature of the warm air (HA) is lower than a predetermined temperature, the warm direction (HA) is switched by switching the wind direction adjusting means. 4. The bathroom air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising operation control means for controlling so as to blow out in a direction other than the bathroom user.

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