JP5686151B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  In an air conditioner, condensation occurs inside during operation, and water drops adhere to the heat exchanger. Water droplets adhering to the heat exchanger are collected in a drain pan as drain water. The drain water collected in the drain pan is discharged to the outside by a pump or the like.

  In the air conditioner, when the operation is stopped, bacteria, mold, virus, etc. (hereinafter also referred to as “bacteria etc.”) grow in the drain water remaining in the drain pan. For this reason, viscous liquid slime may be formed in drain water. A slime is an aggregate of microorganisms such as bacteria. The slime may clog the pump piping or generate a strange odor from the piping.

  Patent Document 1 describes an air conditioner in which a silver glass antibacterial agent is immersed in drain water. In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, the immersion amount of the antibacterial agent is adjusted based on the total organic carbon concentration of the drain water.

  Patent Document 2 describes an example of an antibacterial agent in which any one of silver, copper, and zinc is added to a pyrithione salt or a pyrithione complex.

JP 2008-151414 A International Publication No. 01/00000021

  By immersing the antibacterial agent in the drain water, it is possible to suppress the growth of bacteria or the like in the drain water. However, depending on the type of antibacterial agent used, there is a problem that when the heat exchanger is immersed in the drain water, the heat exchanger (particularly, the fins of the heat exchanger) is corroded by the drain water.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The objective of this invention is providing the air conditioner which can suppress that bacteria etc. grow in drain water and can suppress that a heat exchanger corrodes with drain water.

The air conditioner according to the present invention includes a heat exchanger, a drain pan that receives drain water generated in the heat exchanger, an antibacterial means that makes the drain water accumulated in the drain pan alkaline, and heat exchange with the drain water accumulated in the drain pan. and a pH adjusting means because close to neutral to lower the pH of the accumulated drain water in the drain pan when the part of the vessel is immersed, pH adjusting means are those not submerged in the drain water during cooling operation .
In addition, the air conditioner according to the present invention includes a heat exchanger, a drain pan that receives drain water generated in the heat exchanger, an antibacterial means that acidifies the drain water accumulated in the drain pan, and a drain water accumulated in the drain pan. PH adjustment means for raising the pH of the drain water accumulated in the drain pan to approach neutrality when a part of the heat exchanger is immersed, and the pH adjustment means is not immersed in the drain water during cooling operation. is there.

  If it is an air conditioner concerning this invention, it can control that bacteria etc. grow in drain water. Moreover, it can suppress that a heat exchanger corrodes with drain water.

It is a perspective view which shows a part of room where the air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention was installed. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the indoor unit of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the indoor unit of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the principal part of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the antibacterial performance by the antibacterial means in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the principal part of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The overlapping description will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a room in which an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is installed. FIG. 1 shows a state in which an indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner is viewed from inside a room 2. FIG. 1 shows a ceiling-embedded air conditioner.

  The indoor unit 1 is attached to the ceiling of the room 2. FIG. 1 shows an example in which a decorative panel 3 is exposed indoors as an example of a ceiling-embedded air conditioner. As another example of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner, there is one in which the entire indoor unit is installed behind the ceiling. Such an air conditioner is not provided with a decorative panel.

  The ceiling-embedded air conditioner provided with the decorative panel 3 will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the indoor unit 1. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the indoor unit 1. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the indoor unit 1 is viewed from the AA direction in FIG. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a main part of the indoor unit 1. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the indoor unit 1 is viewed from the BB direction of FIG.

  The indoor unit 1 includes a housing 4 in addition to the decorative panel 3 as a member that forms an outer shape. The casing 4 is fixed to the ceiling portion of the room 2 and is disposed so as to be embedded in the ceiling portion. The lower end of the housing 4 opens downward. The decorative panel 3 is provided at the lower end of the housing 4 so as to close the downward opening of the housing 4 from below. The decorative panel 3 has, for example, a rectangular shape with rounded corners. A suction port 5 and a blowout port 6 are formed in the decorative panel 3.

  The suction port 5 is an opening for taking the air in the room 2 into the interior of the indoor unit 1. The suction port 5 is formed at the center of the decorative panel 3. In this Embodiment, the case where the decorative panel 3 is provided with the grill 7 is shown as an example. For example, the grill 7 has a rectangular shape as a whole. The grill 7 is fitted into an opening formed in the central portion of the decorative panel 3 and is fixed by a claw or the like. When the decorative panel 3 is provided with the grill 7, the suction port 5 is formed by the grill 7.

  The outlet 6 is an opening for blowing the air inside the indoor unit 1 into the room 2. In this Embodiment, the case where the blower outlet 6 exhibits a rectangular shape is shown as an example. For example, the air outlet 6 is disposed along each side (four sides) of the decorative panel 3 so as to surround the suction port 5.

  The decorative panel 3 includes a plate-like vane 8 at the outlet 6. A vane 8 is provided at each outlet 6. In the present embodiment, four blowout ports 6 are formed in the decorative panel 3. For this reason, the four vanes 8 are provided in the decorative panel 3. The vane 8 is for making the direction of the wind blown out from the blowout port 6 constant or changing. When the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, the vane 8 is disposed so as to close the outlet 6. If the vane 8 is formed in the same manner as the shape of the outlet 6, the design of the air conditioner can be improved.

  As with the decorative panel 3, the housing 4 has a rectangular cross section as a whole. The indoor unit 1 includes a blower 9, a bell mouth 10, a heat exchanger 11, a drain pan 12, a drain pump 13, an antibacterial means 14, and a pH adjusting means 15 inside the housing 4.

  The blower 9 is disposed at the center of the housing 4. The blower 9 is composed of, for example, a centrifugal blower. The blower 9 takes in the air in the room 2 into the interior of the indoor unit 1 and generates an air flow for blowing out the air in the indoor unit 1 to the room 2.

  The blower 9 includes, for example, a fan motor 16 and a fan 17. The fan motor 16 is provided on the ceiling of the housing 4 so that the output shaft extends downward. The fan 17 is provided on the output shaft of the fan motor 16. That is, the fan 17 is driven by the fan motor 16. When the fan 17 rotates, the air below the fan 17 moves upward. The air is sent from the fan 17 to the side (direction C shown in FIG. 3).

  The bell mouth 10 forms a suction air passage 18 for sending air taken into the indoor unit 1 from the suction port 5 to the blower 9. The bell mouth 10 is disposed below the blower 9. The bell mouth 10 has, for example, a cylindrical shape in which the opening at the lower end is larger than the opening at the upper end. The opening at the lower end of the bell mouth 10 faces the suction port 5. That is, the suction port 5 leads to the suction air path 18. The opening at the upper end of the bell mouth 10 faces the fan 17 from below. Thereby, the air taken into the interior of the indoor unit 1 from the suction port 5 passes through the suction air passage 18 and reaches the blower 9.

  The heat exchanger 11 constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with a compressor (not shown) provided in the outdoor unit. A compressor is an apparatus for compressing a refrigerant. The air sent to the side from the fan 17 passes through the heat exchanger 11. When air passes through the heat exchanger 11, heat exchange is performed between the air and the refrigerant inside the heat exchanger 11, and cold air or hot air is generated. The heat exchanger 11 includes fins made of, for example, aluminum so that heat exchange is efficiently performed. The heat exchanger 11 is arranged in an annular shape (or C-shape) when viewed from above so as to surround the fan 17.

  The drain pan 12 is a member for receiving drain water generated in the heat exchanger 11. Since the drain pan 12 receives drain water, the drain pan 12 is disposed so as to cover the heat exchanger 11 from below. During the cooling operation, when air passes through the heat exchanger 11, moisture in the air is condensed. The condensed water adhering to the heat exchanger 11 moves downward through the heat exchanger 11 and reaches the drain pan 12. The condensed water generated in the heat exchanger 11 is stored in the drain pan 12 as drain water.

  The drain pan 12 may have any shape as long as it can catch the drain water. For example, the drain pan 12 may not have a dish shape.

  Between the side wall of the housing 4 and the heat exchanger 11 and the drain pan 12, a blowout air passage 19 for sending the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 11 to the blowout port 6 is formed. The blowout air passage 19 is formed along the side wall of the housing 4 so as to surround the outside of the heat exchanger 11. The decorative panel 3 is attached to the housing 4 so that each outlet 6 leads to the outlet air passage 19. Thereby, the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 11 passes through the blowout air passage 19 and is sent into the room from each blowout port 6. The direction in which the air is blown from the blowout port 6 is adjusted by the vane 8.

  Bottom surfaces 12 a and 12 b are formed on the drain pan 12. The bottom surfaces 12a and 12b are surfaces facing upward. The drain pan 12 is fixed to the lower part of the heat exchanger 11. For example, the heat exchanger 11 is disposed so as to rest on the bottom surface 12a. The bottom surface 12b is disposed at a position lower than the bottom surface 12a in an adjacent portion. The drain water drops from the heat exchanger 11 to the bottom surface 12a and flows from the bottom surface 12a to the bottom surface 12b. The drain water flows through the bottom surface 12 b and is collected at one place on the drain pan 12. In order to collect the drain water received, the bottom surface 12b is inclined.

  The material of the main part of the drain pan 12 is expanded polystyrene. A skin layer 20 is provided on a portion of the surface of the drain pan 12 where drain water is applied. The skin layer 20 is made of, for example, ABS resin. The main part made of expanded polystyrene and the skin layer 20 are integrally formed. The skin layer 20 has a thickness of about 0.5 mm.

The reason why the material of the main part of the drain pan 12 is made of expanded polystyrene is as follows.
A heat exchanger 11 is disposed above the drain pan 12. During the cooling operation, the temperature of the heat exchanger 11 is lower than the temperature of the indoor air. The drain pan 12 is cooled by heat transfer from the heat exchanger 11. If the drain pan 12 is made of foamed polystyrene, a heat insulating effect can be expected, and condensation can be suppressed.

The reason why the skin layer 20 is provided on the surface of the expanded polystyrene is as follows.
Styrofoam is excellent in heat insulation, but has a drawback that water leaks. By integrally forming the skin layer 20 made of ABS resin on the surface of the polystyrene foam, it is possible to prevent drain water from leaking from the drain pan 12.

  As described above, the drain water is collected at one place on the drain pan 12, that is, at the deepest portion of the drain pan 12. FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the deepest portion of the drain pan 12. A drain drain port 21 is formed at the deepest portion of the drain pan 12. The drain outlet 21 is an opening for discharging drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12 when the drain pump 13 is out of order. The drain outlet 21 is formed, for example, by insert-molding a drain socket 22 into a polystyrene foam. The drain socket 22 is made of, for example, polyphenylene oxide resin. If the drain pump 13 operates normally, the drain outlet 21 is unnecessary. For this reason, the drain outlet 21 is normally closed from below by the drain plug 23.

The reason why the drain socket 22 is made of polyphenylene oxide resin is as follows.
For example, if the drain socket 22 is made of ABS resin in the same manner as the skin layer 20, the heat resistance of the drain socket 22 is lowered. If the heat resistance of the drain socket 22 is low, the molding accuracy of the drain outlet 21 is deteriorated. For this reason, even if the drain outlet 21 is closed by the drain plug 23, a gap is formed, and there is a possibility that drain water leaks from the gap. Polyphenylene oxide resin is superior in heat resistance to ABS resin. By using a polyphenylene oxide resin as the material of the drain socket 22, leakage of drain water can be prevented.

  If the molding technology of polystyrene foam is improved from the present, leakage of drain water can be prevented even if the drain socket 22 is made of ABS resin.

  The drain pump 13 is a device for sucking up drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12 and discharging it out of the housing 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the drain pump 13 is disposed almost directly above the deepest portion of the drain pan 12. In such a case, the suction port 13 a of the drain pump 13 opens downward so as to face the direction of the drain plug 23. In the present embodiment, the case where the drain pump 13 is arranged at one corner of the housing 4 is shown as an example. The drain water sucked up by the drain pump 13 is sent out of the housing 4 through the drain pipe 24. The drain pipe 24 extends upward from the drain pump 13 and is bent halfway.

The antibacterial means 14 is for preventing or suppressing the growth of bacteria, mold, virus, etc. in the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. The antibacterial means 14 performs the above prevention and suppression by eluting the antibacterial component into the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. The antibacterial means 14 includes a pyrithione salt or pyrithione complex, a silver source, and an alkali source.
In the following, only the pyrithione salt will be mentioned. However, in the following description, a pyrithione salt may be read as a pyrithione complex.

  For example, the pyrithione salt and the silver source are stored in a container having an opening. You may enclose the solid body containing pyrithione salt and a silver source in the bag which does not prevent elution of an antimicrobial component. The bag is made of water-resistant resin fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Moreover, the opening of the magnitude | size which the said solid body does not drop | omit in this bag is formed.

  The pyrithione salt is composed of, for example, a pyrithione molecule and a metal. It is preferred to employ zinc pyrithione as the pyrithione salt. The pyrithione salt may be copper pyrithione, manganese pyrithione, or calcium pyrithione. If the powdered medicine is solidified by pressurization or heating, the pyrithione salt can be easily included in the antibacterial means 14. A pyrithione salt may be mixed with water-soluble gypsum mainly composed of calcium sulfate or calcium carbonate to solidify. A pyrithione salt may be kneaded into a resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon and solidified. A pyrithione salt may be adsorbed on a porous material such as zeolite and solidified. By solidifying the pyrithione salt by such a method, the pyrithione salt can be eluted from the antibacterial means 14 over a long period of time by a minute amount.

The alkali source is a silver glass antibacterial agent based on water-soluble glass composed of B ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , Ag ₂ O, and an alkali metal oxide such as Na ₂ O or K ₂ O. Preferably there is.

  The antibacterial means 14 is provided on the drain pan 12 so that at least a part thereof is immersed in the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the antibacterial means 14 is placed on the upper surface of the drain plug 23. That is, the antibacterial means 14 is disposed at the bottom of the deepest portion of the drain pan 12. The water surface D shown in FIG. 4 indicates the height of the water surface where the heat exchanger 11 is not immersed in the drain water and the drain water can be sucked up by the drain pump 13. The suction port 13a of the drain pump 13 is disposed at a position lower than the water surface D.

  FIG. 4 shows, as an example, a case where the entire antibacterial means 14 is immersed in the drain water when the drain water accumulates up to the water surface D. With such a configuration, the antibacterial component of the antibacterial means 14 can be efficiently eluted into the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. Moreover, even when a small amount of drain water is accumulated in the drain pan 12, the antibacterial component of the antibacterial means 14 can be eluted into the drain water.

  However, the installation location of the antibacterial means 14 is not limited to the above. If the lowermost part (lowermost part) of the antibacterial means 14 is arranged at a position lower than the lowermost part of the heat exchanger 11, the antibacterial action of the antibacterial means 14 before the heat exchanger 11 is immersed in the drain water. Components can be eluted in drain water. A plurality of antibacterial means 14 may be installed on the drain pan 12.

  The pH adjusting means 15 is for preventing or suppressing the heat exchanger 11 from being corroded by the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. The pH adjusting means 15 performs the above prevention and suppression by eluting a component (pH adjusting component) for adjusting the pH in the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. The antibacterial means 14 containing an alkali source makes the aqueous solution alkaline. For this reason, when drain water accumulates in the drain pan 12 and the antibacterial means 14 is immersed in the drain water, the drain water exhibits alkalinity. The pH adjusting means 15 prevents or suppresses corrosion of the heat exchanger 11 by lowering the pH of the drain water that has become alkaline and bringing it closer to neutrality.

The pH adjusting means 15 preferably contains a silver source that contains metallic silver or silver ions and that makes the aqueous solution acidic. The above silver source for acidifying the aqueous solution is water-soluble composed of Ag ₂ O, CaO, B ₂ O ₃ , P ₂ O _5, and alkali metal oxides such as NaO ₂ or K ₂ O. It is preferable to use glass as a base material.

  The pH adjusting means 15 is provided so that at least a part of the pH adjusting means 15 is immersed in the drain water when the heat exchanger 11 is immersed in the drain water. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the pH adjusting means 15 is provided on the wall surface of the drain pan 12. In the pH adjusting means 15 shown in FIG. 4, the lowermost part (lowermost part) is arranged at the same height as the lowermost part of the heat exchanger 11. With this configuration, the pH adjusting component of the pH adjusting unit 15 is not eluted in the drain water until the heat exchanger 11 is immersed in the drain water, and the pH of the pH adjusting unit 15 is immersed in the drain water. The adjustment component can be eluted in the drain water. In order to make the height of the lower surface of the pH adjusting means 15 equal to the height of the lower surface of the heat exchanger 11, both the pH adjusting means 15 and the heat exchanger 11 may be installed on the bottom surface 12a.

  However, the installation location of the pH adjusting means 15 is not limited to the above. For example, the lowermost part of the antibacterial means 14 may be arranged at a position lower than the lowermost part of the heat exchanger 11. A plurality of pH adjusting means 15 may be installed in the housing 4. The pH adjusting means 15 may be installed in the heat exchanger 11. Further, the pH adjusting means 15 may be installed in the drain pump 13.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner having the above configuration will be described.
When the air conditioner starts the cooling operation, the blower 9 is driven, and warm air in the room is taken into the indoor unit 1 from the suction port 5. The air taken into the interior of the indoor unit 1 is cooled when passing through the heat exchanger 11. The cooled air passes through the blowout air passage 19 and is blown into the room from the blowout port 6. As the warm air is cooled, condensed water adheres to the heat exchanger 11. The condensed water is dropped from the heat exchanger 11 onto the drain pan 12 and collected at the deepest portion of the drain pan 12.

  During the cooling operation, the drain pump 13 is driven. The drain pump 13 sucks up the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12 and discharges it to the outside of the indoor unit 1 through the drain pipe 24. While the drain pump 13 is driven, the water surface of the drain water stored in the drain pan 12 is maintained at the position indicated by the symbol D in FIG. For this reason, the heat exchanger 11 is not immersed in the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12 during the cooling operation (during the operation of the drain pump 13).

  As described above, the water surface of the drain water is kept below the height indicated by the water surface D during the cooling operation. For this reason, the antibacterial means 14 is immersed in the drain water, and the pH adjusting means 15 is not immersed in the drain water. The alkali source is eluted from the antibacterial means 14 into the drain water, and the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12 is alkaline. Moreover, pyrithione salt and a silver source elute in drain water from the antibacterial means 14, and it prevents or suppresses bacteria etc. growing in drain water.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the antibacterial performance of the antibacterial means 14. FIG. 5 shows the viable cell ratio of Pseudomonas in a logarithmic display. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows the viable cell rate of Pseudomonas after the antibacterial component is allowed to act for 2 hours under acidic and alkaline conditions. FIG. 5 shows the results when Pseudomonas was grown in artificial drain water and antibacterial components were eluted in the drain water. Artificial drain water is water artificially created by simulating drain water. As an antibacterial component, three types of silver source alone (indicated as Ag in FIG. 5), zinc pyrithione alone (indicated as ZPT in FIG. 5), silver antibacterial agent and zinc pyrithione (indicated as Ag + ZPT in FIG. 5) were compared. It can be seen that the antibacterial performance of the silver antibacterial agent and zinc pyrithione (Ag + ZPT) is synergistically improved under alkalinity than under acidity.

  When the drain pump 13 is stopped, drain water is not discharged from the drain pan 12. Further, the drain water adhering to the inside of the drain pump 13 moves downward and drops onto the drain pan 12. Similarly, the drain water adhering to the inside of the drain pipe 24 moves downward and drops from the drain pump 13 to the drain pan 12. In the following, the drain water returning to the drain pan 12 in this way is also referred to as return water. When the drain pump 13 is stopped, return water of about 200 cc to 1000 cc is generated depending on the installation status of the indoor unit 1 and the like. In particular, when the portion extending upward from the drain pump 13 in the drain pipe 24 is long, the amount of return water when the drain pump 13 is stopped increases.

  The drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12 rises due to the return water. The water level of the drain water after a certain time has elapsed since the drain pump 13 stopped is higher than the water level of the drain water immediately after the drain pump 13 stops. The water surface E shown in FIG. 4 has shown the height of the water surface of the drain water which rose with return water. When the water level of the drain water rises to the water level E, the lower part of the heat exchanger 11 is immersed in the drain water. For this reason, a part of fin provided in the heat exchanger 11 is immersed in drain water.

  Further, when the water surface of the drain water rises to the water surface E, the lower part of the pH adjusting means 15 is also immersed in the drain water. Until the pH adjusting means 15 is immersed in the drain water, the drain water is alkaline due to the eluted components from the antibacterial means 14. When the metal fins provided in the heat exchanger 11 are immersed in an alkaline aqueous solution, corrosion is accelerated. However, in the air conditioner having the above configuration, the pH adjusting component of the pH adjusting unit 15 is eluted in the drain water when the pH adjusting unit 15 is immersed in the drain water. For this reason, the pH of drain water falls and the value approaches neutrality. By neutralizing the drain water, it is possible to prevent or suppress the heat exchanger 11 from being corroded by the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. The pH of the drain water at this time is preferably close to 7, but it is not necessary to make the value completely coincide with 7.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In Embodiment 1, a specific description has been given of the case of using a pyrithione salt or pyrithione complex that exhibits a synergistic effect with a silver source under alkaline conditions. In this embodiment, a case where a pyrithione salt or pyrithione complex that exhibits a synergistic effect with a silver source under an acidic condition is used will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the indoor unit 1 is viewed from the BB direction of FIG.

  The configuration of the air conditioner in the present embodiment is different from the configuration disclosed in the first embodiment in that the antibacterial means 25 and the pH adjusting means 26 are provided inside the housing 4. Other configurations including the internal configuration of the housing 4 are the same as those disclosed in the first embodiment. The arrangement of the antibacterial means 25 is the same as the arrangement of the antibacterial means 14. The arrangement of the pH adjusting means 26 is the same as the arrangement of the pH adjusting means 15.

  The antibacterial means 25 is for preventing or suppressing the growth of bacteria, mold, virus, etc. in the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. The antibacterial means 25 performs the above prevention and suppression by eluting the antibacterial component in the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. The antibacterial means 25 includes a pyrithione salt or pyrithione complex and an acid source that makes the aqueous solution acidic. In the following, only the pyrithione salt will be mentioned. However, in the following description, a pyrithione salt may be read as a pyrithione complex.

The acid source in which the aqueous solution is acidic includes metallic silver or silver ions, and includes a silver source in which the aqueous solution is acidic. The above silver source for acidifying the aqueous solution is water-soluble composed of Ag ₂ O, CaO, B ₂ O ₃ , P ₂ O _5, and alkali metal oxides such as NaO ₂ or K ₂ O. It is preferable to use glass as a base material.

  For example, the pyrithione salt and the silver source are stored in a container having an opening. You may enclose the solid body containing pyrithione salt and a silver source in the bag which does not prevent elution of an antimicrobial component. Moreover, you may enclose pyrithione salt and a silver source in a separate bag. The bag is made of water-resistant resin fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. The bag is formed with an opening having a size such that the solid body does not fall off.

  The pyrithione salt is composed of, for example, a pyrithione molecule and a metal. It is preferred to employ zinc pyrithione as the pyrithione salt. The pyrithione salt may be copper pyrithione, manganese pyrithione, or calcium pyrithione. If the powdered medicine is solidified by pressurization or heating, the pyrithione salt can be easily included in the antibacterial means 25. A pyrithione salt may be mixed with water-soluble gypsum mainly composed of calcium sulfate or calcium carbonate to solidify. A pyrithione salt may be kneaded into a resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon and solidified. A pyrithione salt may be adsorbed on a porous material such as zeolite and solidified. By solidifying the pyrithione salt by such a method, the pyrithione salt can be eluted from the antibacterial means 25 over a long period of time by a minute amount.

  The antibacterial means 25 is provided on the drain pan 12 so that at least a part of the antibacterial means 25 is immersed in the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the antibacterial means 25 is placed on the upper surface of the drain plug 23. That is, the antibacterial means 25 is disposed at the bottom of the deepest portion of the drain pan 12. FIG. 6 shows, as an example, a case where when the drain water is accumulated up to the water surface D, the entire antibacterial means 25 is immersed in the drain water. With such a configuration, the antibacterial component of the antibacterial means 25 can be efficiently eluted into the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. Moreover, even when a small amount of drain water is accumulated in the drain pan 12, the antibacterial component of the antibacterial means 25 can be eluted into the drain water.

  However, the installation location of the antibacterial means 25 is not limited to the above. If the lowermost part (lowermost part) of the antibacterial means 25 is arranged at a position lower than the lowermost part of the heat exchanger 11, the antibacterial action of the antibacterial means 25 before the heat exchanger 11 is immersed in drain water. Components can be eluted in drain water. A plurality of antibacterial means 25 may be installed on the drain pan 12.

  The pH adjusting means 26 is for preventing or suppressing the heat exchanger 11 from being corroded by the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. The pH adjusting means 26 performs the above prevention and suppression by eluting a component (pH adjusting component) for adjusting the pH into the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. Antibacterial means 25 containing an acid source makes the aqueous solution acidic. For this reason, when drain water accumulates in the drain pan 12 and the antibacterial means 25 is immersed in the drain water, the drain water shows acidity. The pH adjusting means 26 prevents or suppresses corrosion of the heat exchanger 11 by raising the pH of the drain water that has become acidic and bringing it closer to neutrality.

The pH adjusting means 26 is preferably based on water-soluble glass composed of B ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , Ag ₂ O, and an alkali metal oxide such as Na ₂ O or K ₂ O. .

  The pH adjusting means 26 is provided so that at least a part of the pH adjusting means 26 is immersed in the drain water when the heat exchanger 11 is immersed in the drain water. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the pH adjusting means 26 is provided on the wall surface of the drain pan 12. In the pH adjusting unit 26 shown in FIG. 6, the lowermost part (lowermost part) is arranged at the same height as the lowermost part of the heat exchanger 11. With this configuration, the pH adjusting component of the pH adjusting unit 26 is not eluted in the drain water until the heat exchanger 11 is immersed in the drain water, and the pH of the pH adjusting unit 26 is immersed in the drain water. The adjustment component can be eluted in the drain water. In order to make the height of the lower surface of the pH adjusting means 26 equal to the height of the lower surface of the heat exchanger 11, both the pH adjusting means 26 and the heat exchanger 11 may be installed on the bottom surface 12a.

  However, the installation location of the pH adjusting means 26 is not limited to the above. For example, the lowermost part of the antibacterial means 25 may be disposed at a position lower than the lowermost part of the heat exchanger 11. A plurality of pH adjusting means 26 may be installed in the housing 4. The pH adjusting means 26 may be installed in the heat exchanger 11. Further, the pH adjusting means 26 may be installed in the drain pump 13.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner having the above configuration will be described.
The basic operation of the air conditioner is the same as the operation disclosed in the first embodiment. When the air conditioner starts cooling operation, the drain water dripped from the heat exchanger 11 is collected in the deepest part of the drain pan 12.

  During the cooling operation (during the operation of the drain pump 13), the heat exchanger 11 is not immersed in the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. Further, during the cooling operation, the antibacterial means 25 is immersed in the drain water, and the pH adjusting means 26 is not immersed in the drain water. The acid source is eluted from the antibacterial means 25 into the drain water, and the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12 is acidic. Further, the pyrithione salt and the silver source are eluted from the antibacterial means 25 into the drain water, and bacteria or the like are prevented from growing in the drain water.

  When the drain pump 13 stops, the water level of the drain water stored in the drain pan 12 rises due to the return water from the drain pipe 24 and the like. When the water level of the drain water rises to the water level E, the lower part of the heat exchanger 11 is immersed in the drain water. For this reason, a part of fin provided in the heat exchanger 11 is immersed in drain water.

  Further, when the water level of the drain water rises to the water level E, the lower part of the pH adjusting means 26 is also immersed in the drain water. Until the pH adjusting means 26 is immersed in the drain water, the drain water is acidic due to the elution component from the antibacterial means 25. When the metal fins provided in the heat exchanger 11 are immersed in an acidic aqueous solution, corrosion is accelerated. However, in the air conditioner having the above configuration, the pH adjusting component of the pH adjusting unit 26 is eluted into the drain water when the pH adjusting unit 26 is immersed in the drain water. For this reason, the pH of drain water rises and the value approaches neutrality. By neutralizing the drain water, it is possible to prevent or suppress the heat exchanger 11 from being corroded by the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 12. The pH of the drain water at this time is preferably close to 7, but it is not necessary to make the value completely coincide with 7.

  In Embodiments 1 and 2, the ceiling-embedded air conditioner including the decorative panel 3 has been specifically described. This is an example. The configurations disclosed in the first and second embodiments can be applied to other types of air conditioners, for example, a ceiling-mounted air conditioner and a wall-mounted air conditioner.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indoor unit, 2 rooms, 3 Makeup panel, 4 Case, 5 Air inlet, 6 Air outlet, 7 Grill, 8 Vane, 9 Blower, 10 Bell mouth, 11 Heat exchanger, 12 Drain pan, 12a Bottom surface, 12b Bottom surface, 13 Drain pump, 13a Suction port, 14 Antibacterial means, 15 pH adjusting means, 16 Fan motor, 17 Fan, 18 Suction air path, 19 Blow air path, 20 Skin layer, 21 Drain drain port, 22 Drain socket, 23 Drain plug 24 drain piping 25 antibacterial means 26 pH adjusting means

Claims (12)

A heat exchanger,
A drain pan for receiving drain water generated in the heat exchanger;
Antibacterial means for making drain water collected in the drain pan alkaline,
And pH adjusting means because close to neutral to lower the pH of the drain water accumulated in the drain pan when the portion of the heat exchanger is immersed in the drain water accumulated in the drain pan,
Equipped with a,
The pH adjusting means is an air conditioner that is not immersed in drain water during cooling operation .   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the antibacterial means includes a pyrithione salt or pyrithione complex, a silver source, and an alkali source. A heat exchanger,
A drain pan for receiving drain water generated in the heat exchanger;
Antibacterial means for acidifying drain water accumulated in the drain pan;
And pH adjusting means because close to neutral by raising the pH of the drain water accumulated in the drain pan when the portion of the heat exchanger is immersed in the drain water accumulated in the drain pan,
Equipped with a,
The pH adjusting means is an air conditioner that is not immersed in drain water during cooling operation .   The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the antibacterial means includes a pyrithione salt or pyrithione complex and an acid source containing a silver source.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the antibacterial means is disposed at a position where a lowermost portion is lower than the part of the heat exchanger.   The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the antibacterial means is provided at the bottom of the drain pan.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pH adjusting unit has a lowermost part disposed at the same height as the lowermost part of the heat exchanger.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pH adjusting unit is provided in the drain pan or the heat exchanger. A pump for discharging drain water accumulated in the drain pan;
Further comprising
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pump is disposed above the drain pan so that internal drain water is dropped onto the drain pan when operation is stopped. .   The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the pH adjusting means is provided in the pump.   The pyrithione salt or pyrithione complex contained in the antibacterial means is mixed with water-soluble gypsum or kneaded with resin, and is solidified by being adsorbed on a porous body. Air conditioner.   The air conditioner according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the pyrithione salt or pyrithione complex contained in the antibacterial means is solidified by pressurizing or heating a powdered medicine.

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