JP7329007B2 - Air layer retention structure, waterproof sheet, antifouling sheet, drain pan and indoor unit of air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an air layer retaining structure, a waterproof sheet, an antifouling sheet, a drain pan, and an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

In recent years, attention has been focused on so-called biomimetics, a technology that imitates and utilizes various functions of living things. Nature Technology (registered trademark) is known as an example of manufacturing that employs such biomimetic technology in electrical products and the like.

Patent Document 1 discloses a laminate in which hydrophobic oxide fine particles having an average primary particle diameter of 3 to 100 nm adhere to the outermost surface of a thermoplastic resin layer (paragraph 0017). The laminate exhibits good non-adhesiveness (paragraph 0018).

JP 2011-093315 A

Objects with high non-adhesion to water, dirt, etc. are widely sought after. The present disclosure has been made in view of this problem. An object of the present disclosure is to provide an air layer retaining structure having high non-adhesiveness.

An air layer retaining structure of one form of the present disclosure includes a base having a surface and a plurality of projections arranged two-dimensionally on the surface, each of the plurality of projections being connected to the surface. A first structure comprising a root portion and a tip portion, and a second structure connected to the tip portion and extending from the tip portion in a spreading direction of the surface.

A waterproof sheet according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an air layer retaining structure according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

Another form of the antifouling sheet of the present disclosure includes the air layer retaining structure of one form of the present disclosure.

A drain pan according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an air layer retaining structure according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

An air conditioner indoor unit according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a drain pan according to another aspect of the present disclosure and a heat exchanger, wherein the drain pan is positioned vertically below the heat exchanger. , The air layer holding structure is provided at a position overlapping the lowermost portion of the heat exchanger in the vertical direction when viewed from above.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an air layer retaining structure with high non-adhesiveness.

It should be noted that the present disclosure includes technical ideas focused on the fine structure of the surface of salvinia leaves. Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to biomimetics.

1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an air layer retaining sheet of a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a front view schematically illustrating an air layer retaining sheet of a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a top view schematically illustrating an air layer retaining sheet of a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating part of the air layer retaining sheet of the first embodiment; 2 is an enlarged front view schematically illustrating part of the air layer retaining sheet of the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an air layer retaining sheet of a first modified example of the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating part of an air layer retaining sheet of a first modified example of the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating part of an air layer retaining sheet of a second modified example of the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating part of an air layer retaining sheet of a third modified example of the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view schematically illustrating part of an air layer retaining sheet of a fourth modified example of the first embodiment; It is a sectional view showing a drain pan of a 2nd embodiment typically. Fig. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner to which the drain pan of the second embodiment is attached; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a more detailed internal structure of an indoor unit of an air conditioner to which the drain pan of the second embodiment is attached.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

1 First Embodiment 1.1 Air Layer Holding Sheet FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an air layer holding sheet of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view schematically illustrating the air layer retaining sheet of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view schematically illustrating the air layer retaining sheet of the first embodiment.

The air layer-holding sheet 1 of the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 can hold an air layer along the surface of the air layer-holding sheet 1, and can be used as a waterproof sheet, an antifouling sheet, or the like. can be used as The air layer retaining sheet 1 may be able to retain the air layer even when submerged in water.

The air layer retaining sheet 1 has a sheet-like shape. The air layer retaining sheet 1 has an air layer retaining structure 11 .

The air layer holding structure 11 comprises a base 21 and a plurality of protrusions 22 .

The base 21 has a sheet-like shape. The air layer holding structure 11 may be provided on an object having a shape other than a sheet shape. In this case, the base 21 may have a shape other than a sheet shape. A surface 21a of the base 21 is flat. The surface 21a of the base 21 may be curved.

The plurality of protrusions 22 are two-dimensionally arranged on the surface 21 a of the base 21 . The two-dimensional arrangement of the plurality of protrusions 22 is a zigzag arrangement. The two-dimensional array may be an array other than the staggered array. For example, the two-dimensional array may be a grid array. The multiple protrusions 22 have the same shape. A plurality of protrusions 22 may have different shapes. The multiple protrusions 22 have the same size. The multiple protrusions 22 may have different sizes.

1.2 Protrusion FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating part of the air layer retaining sheet of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view schematically illustrating part of the air layer retaining sheet of the first embodiment.

Each protrusion 22 has, for example, a height H of 650 μm or more and 2600 μm or less and a maximum diameter D of 180 μm or more and 730 μm or less. Each protrusion 22 protrudes in the normal direction of the surface 21 a of the base 21 . Each protrusion 22 may protrude in a direction inclined from the normal direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, each protrusion 22 comprises a first structure 31 and a second structure 32. As shown in FIG.

The first structure 31 comprises a root portion 41 and a tip portion 42 .

A root portion 41 of the first structure 31 is connected to the surface 21 a of the base portion 21 . The first structure 31 has a round bar shape. The first structure 31 may have a shape other than the round bar shape. For example, the first structure 31 may have a square bar shape, a flat plate shape, or the like. The first structure 31 extends linearly in the normal direction of the surface 21 a of the base 21 . The first structure 31 may extend in a direction inclined from the normal direction. The first structure 31 may extend non-linearly. The first structure 31 has a tapered shape. The first structure 31 may have a shape other than a tapered shape. For example, the first structure 31 may have a shape with a uniform thickness. The first structure 31 has, for example, a height H1 of 1560 μm or less and a maximum diameter D1 of 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less.

The second structure 32 is connected to the tip 42 of the first structure 31 . The second structure 32 extends from the tip portion 42 in the extension directions DR1, DR2, DR3 and DR4 of the surface 21a of the base portion 21 . The directions DR1, DR2, DR3 and DR4 are different directions. The second structure 32 has, for example, a height H2 of 250 μm or more and 1000 μm or less and a maximum diameter D2 of 180 μm or more and 730 μm or less.

The maximum diameter D2 of the second structure 32 is larger than the diameter D1U of the tip portion 42 of the first structure 31 . Each projection 22 therefore has an undercut. The difference between the diameter D1U of the tip portion 42 of the first structure 31 and the maximum diameter D2 of the second structure 32 is, for example, 100 μm or more and 450 μm or less.

Second structure 32 comprises a plurality of bow bars 61 . The plurality of bow bars 61 is four bow bars. The plurality of bow bars 61 may be three or less or five or more bow bars. Each arched bar 61 comprises a root portion 71 , a central portion 72 and a tip portion 73 . A plurality of root portions 71 respectively provided on a plurality of bowed bars 61 are connected to each other and connected to the tip portion 42 of the first structure 31 . A plurality of tip portions 73 respectively provided on the plurality of arched bars 61 are connected to each other to constitute the tip of the second structure 32 . A plurality of central portions 72 provided on each of the plurality of arched bars 61 form a plurality of portions separated from each other in the spreading direction of the surface 21 a of the base portion 21 . As a result, the plurality of arched bars 61 form a bulging structure having a basket-like shape.

A first gap 51 is formed between the plurality of first structures 31 provided on each of the plurality of protrusions 22 . A plurality of second structures 32 provided on each of the plurality of projections 22 narrow a path 53 from above the air layer holding structure 11 to the first gap 51 . In order for the water W to enter the first gap 51 via the path 53 , the shape of the water W must be adapted to the paths 53 and the first gap 51 . Therefore, in order for the water W to enter the first gap 51 via the path 53, the surface area of the water W must be increased. On the other hand, water W has surface tension. Therefore, the water W tries to reduce the surface area of the water W. Therefore, it is difficult for the water W to enter the first gap 51 via the path 53 . With these, the first gap 51 holds the first air layer. In addition, the plurality of second structures 32 prevent water W from entering the first gaps 51 .

Desirably, the width of the gap formed between two adjacent protrusions 22 included in the plurality of protrusions 22 is 1 mm or less. As a result, the intrusion of water W into the first gap 51 can be effectively suppressed.

A second gap 52 is formed between the plurality of bowed bars 61 . In order for the water W to enter the second gap 52 , the shape of the water W must be adapted to the shape of the second gap 52 . Therefore, in order for the water W to enter the second gap 52, the surface area of the water W must be increased. On the other hand, water W has surface tension. Therefore, the water W tries to reduce the surface area of the water W. Therefore, it is difficult for the water W to enter the second gap 52 . With these, the second gap 52 holds the second air layer.

The first gap 51 holding the first air layer and the second gap 52 holding the second air layer are hierarchically arranged in the normal direction of the surface 21 a of the base 21 .

Desirably, the surface 31a of the first structure 31 is hydrophobic or water-repellent, and has a contact angle with water W of 60° or more, for example. At least a partial region 32p of the surface 32a of the second structure 32 has water repellency, and has a contact angle of 90° or more with respect to water W, for example. The contact angle of at least a partial region 32p of the surface 32a of the second structure 32 with respect to water W is greater than the contact angle of the surface 31a of the first structure 31 with respect to water W. Thereby, at least part of the path 53 is defined by the region 32p having water repellency. This can prevent water W from entering the first gap 51 via the path 53 .

Desirably, the region 32p is a partial region of the surface 32a of the second structure 32, and is a first region arranged other than the tip of the second structure 32. As shown in FIG. In this case, the surface 32a of the second structure 32 has a second region 32q located at the tip of the second structure 32 . The second region 32q of the surface 32a of the second structure 32 is further from the surface 21a of the base 21 than the first region 32p of the surface 32a of the second structure 32 is. The second region 32q of the surface 32a of the second structure 32 is hydrophilic and has a contact angle with water W of 60° or less, for example. Thereby, the water W can be retained near the tip of the second structure 32 . This can prevent water W from entering the first gap 51 via the path 53 . In addition, water W can be prevented from entering the second gap 52 .

Since the air layer holding structure 11 can hold the first air layer and the second air layer, the air layer holding structure 11 has high non-adherence to water, dirt and the like. Therefore, the air layer retaining sheet 1 having the air layer retaining structure 11 can repel water, dirt, and the like. As a result, the air layer retaining sheet 1 can be used as a waterproof sheet, an antifouling sheet, or the like.

The material that constitutes the main parts of the base 21 and the plurality of protrusions 22 includes, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of resin, rubber, and metal. The resin includes, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and urethane. Rubber includes, for example, silicone rubber. The metal includes, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of aluminum and stainless steel. The surface of PP generally has a contact angle of about 95° with water. The surface of PET generally has a contact angle of about 80° with water. PMMA surfaces typically have a contact angle of about 60° with water. In order to impart water repellency to the first region 32p of the surface 32a of the second structure 32, the first region 32p may be coated with fluororesin, or may be coated with glass. , flocking may be performed. In order to impart hydrophilicity to the second region 32q of the surface 32a of the second structure 32, the second region 32q may be irradiated with plasma, or the second region 32q may be irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light. Irradiation may be performed, or a photocatalyst may be deposited on the second region 32q.

The plurality of protrusions 22 may be produced by molding such as injection molding, or may be produced by removal processing such as milling, laser processing, or etching. When a mold is used to produce the plurality of projections 22, each projection 22 has an undercut, so the plurality of projections 22 are made of a soft material such as nylon or silicon rubber that can be forced out.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an air layer retaining sheet of a first modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating part of the air layer retaining sheet of the first modified example of the first embodiment.

In a first variant of the first embodiment, the second structure 32 comprises a disc 81 and a plurality of arc-shaped curved plates 82, as illustrated in FIG. The axial direction of the disc 81 is parallel to the normal direction of the surface 21 a of the base 21 . A center portion of one main surface of the disk 81 is connected to the tip portion 42 of the first structure 31 . The plurality of arc-shaped curved plates 82 are four arc-shaped curved plates. The plurality of arcuate curved plates 82 may be three or less or five or more arcuate curved plates. Each arcuate curved plate 82 has an arcuate cross section and extends in a direction perpendicular to the arcuate cross section. Each arcuate curved plate 82 may be replaced with a structure having a cross-sectional shape other than an arcuate cross-sectional shape. For example, each arc-shaped curved plate 82 may be replaced with a round bar having a circular cross section, a square bar having a square cross section, a flat plate, or the like. The plurality of arc-shaped curved plates 82 are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction of the disc 81 . Each arc-shaped curved plate 82 extends in the normal direction of the surface 21 a of the base 21 . Therefore, the arc-shaped curved plates 82 extend parallel to each other. Each arc-shaped curved plate 82 has a root portion 91 and a tip portion 92 . Root portion 91 is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the other main surface of disk 81 . The plurality of arc-shaped curved plates 82 form a plurality of portions separated from each other in the spreading direction of the surface 21 a of the base 21 . Each arc-shaped curved plate 82 has a shape obtained by cutting out a certain circumferential range of a cylinder. A second gap 52 is formed between the arc-shaped curved plates 82 .

In the first modification of the first embodiment, the second structure 32 spreads from the tip 42 of the first structure 31 in all directions in which the surface 21a of the base 21 spreads.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating part of an air layer retaining sheet of a second modification of the first embodiment.

In a second variant of the first embodiment, the second structure 32 comprises a cylinder 101, as illustrated in FIG. Cylinder 101 is a solid body. The axial direction of the cylinder 101 is parallel to the normal direction of the surface 21 a of the base 21 . A center portion of the bottom surface of the cylinder 101 is connected to the tip portion 42 of the first structure 31 .

In the second modification of the first embodiment, the second structure 32 spreads from the tip 42 of the first structure 31 in all directions in which the surface 21a of the base 21 spreads.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating part of the air layer retaining sheet of the third modification of the first embodiment.

In a third variant of the first embodiment, the second structure 32 comprises a bottomed cylinder 111, as illustrated in FIG. The axial direction of the bottomed cylinder 111 is parallel to the normal direction of the surface 21 a of the base 21 . A center portion of the bottom surface of the bottomed cylinder 111 is connected to the tip portion 42 of the first structure 31 . The bottomed cylinder 111 has a plurality of portions separated from each other in the direction in which the surface 21 a of the base 21 spreads. For example, two portions 121 and 122 arranged symmetrically about the central axis provided in the cylindrical portion of the bottomed cylinder 111 are separated from each other in the spreading direction DR5 of the surface 21a of the base portion 21 . A second gap 52 is formed inside the bottomed cylinder 111 , that is, between the two portions 121 and 122 .

In the third modification of the first embodiment, the second structure 32 spreads from the distal end portion 42 in all directions in which the surface 21a of the base portion 21 spreads.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged front view schematically illustrating part of the air layer retaining sheet of the fourth modification of the first embodiment.

In a fourth variant of the first embodiment, each protrusion 22 comprises two first structures 31, as illustrated in FIG. Each protrusion 22 may comprise three or more first structures 31 .

2. Second Embodiment FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a drain pan according to a second embodiment.

A drain pan 131 of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 includes a drain pan main body 141 and a plurality of air layer holding sheets 1 . The drain pan 131 may have only one air layer retaining sheet 1 .

Each air layer holding sheet 1 is the air layer holding sheet 1 of the first embodiment. A plurality of air layer retaining sheets 1 are spread over the inner bottom surface 141 a of the drain pan main body 141 . For this reason, the drain pan 131 includes a plurality of air layer retaining structures 11 that are provided in the plurality of air layer retaining sheets 1 respectively. As a result, the drain pan 131 can repel condensed water, dirt, and the like. The air layer holding structure 11 may be formed directly on the inner bottom surface 141 a of the drain pan body 141 .

FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner to which the drain pan of the second embodiment is attached.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the drain pan 131 is attached to the indoor unit 151 of the air conditioner and receives condensed water generated inside the indoor unit 151 . The drain pan 131 may be attached to a device other than the indoor unit 151 of the air conditioner. For example, the drain pan 131 may be attached to a refrigerator, freezer, refrigerated showcase, freezer showcase, or the like.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the more detailed internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner to which the drain pan of the second embodiment is attached.

As shown in FIG. 13 , an air conditioner indoor unit 151 includes a heat exchanger 161 and a drain pan 131 .

The heat exchanger 161 causes heat exchange between the heat medium passing through the inside of the heat exchanger 161 and the air contacting the surface 161s of the heat exchanger 161 . When the air is cooled by the heat exchange, the water vapor contained in the air is condensed on the surface 161s of the heat exchanger 161 and the condensed water adheres to the surface 161s of the heat exchanger 161 . Most of the adhered condensed water travels along the surface 161s of the heat exchanger 161 to reach the vertically lowest portion 161b of the heat exchanger 161 or its vicinity, and then vertically from the vertically lowest portion 161b of the heat exchanger 161 or its vicinity. Fall downwards.

The drain pan 131 is positioned vertically below the heat exchanger 161 . Thereby, the drain pan 131 can receive the condensed water. The air layer holding structure 11 is provided at a position overlapping the vertically lowest portion 161b of the heat exchanger 161 when viewed from above in the vertical direction. As a result, the condensed water falling vertically downward from or near the vertically lowest portion 161 b of the heat exchanger 161 falls onto the air layer holding structure 11 and is repelled by the air layer holding structure 11 , causing the drain pan 131 to tilt. flow in the direction Therefore, dirt contained in the condensed water is less likely to adhere to the air layer holding structure 11 .

3 Other Embodiments The air layer retaining structure according to the present disclosure can also be used for various drainage paths such as, for example, drainage hoses of washing machines.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, but has substantially the same configuration, the same effect, or the same purpose as the configuration shown in the above embodiment. can be replaced with

1 air layer retaining sheet 11 air layer retaining structure 21 base 22 projection 31 first structure 32 second structure 41 base 42 tip 51 first gap 52 second gap 53 path, 61 rod, 71 base, 72 center, 73 tip, 32p first region, 32q second region, 81 disc, 82 arc-shaped curved plate, 91 base, 92 tip, 101 column , 111 bottomed cylinder, 131 drain pan, 141 drain pan body, 151 indoor unit, 161 heat exchanger

Claims (12)

a base having a surface;
a plurality of protrusions arranged two-dimensionally on the surface;
with
each of the plurality of projections,
a first structure comprising a root portion and a tip portion connected to the surface;
a second structure connected to the tip and extending from the tip in a direction in which the surface spreads;
with
the first gaps formed between the plurality of first structures respectively provided on the plurality of projections can be seen from any direction parallel to the surface;
the second structure comprises a plurality of portions separated from each other in the direction of extension of the surface;
forming a second gap between the plurality of portions;
The entire second gap is opened in a direction normal to the surface and away from the surface.
Air layer retention structure. 2. The air layer retaining structure according to claim 1, wherein the contact angle of at least a partial area of the surface of the second structure with respect to water is greater than the contact angle of the surface of the first structure with respect to water. 3. The air layer retaining structure according to claim 1, wherein the surface of said first structure has a contact angle of 60[deg.] or more with respect to water. 4. The air layer retaining structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the surface of said second structure has a first region having a contact angle of 90[deg.] or more with respect to water. 5. The air layer retaining structure according to claim 4, wherein the surface of said second structure has a second region which is farther from said surface than said first region and has a contact angle of 60° or less with respect to water. . 6. The air layer holding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a gap formed between two adjacent projections included in said plurality of projections has a width of 1 mm or less. The first gap holds a first air layer,
7. The air layer holding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of second structures respectively provided on the plurality of projections inhibits entry of water into the first gap. The second gap holds a second air layer
The air layer holding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . A waterproof sheet comprising the air layer retaining structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . An antifouling sheet comprising the air layer retaining structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . A drain pan comprising the air layer retaining structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . a drain pan according to claim 11 ;
a heat exchanger;
with
The drain pan is positioned vertically below the heat exchanger,
The air layer holding structure is an indoor unit of an air conditioner that is provided at a position that overlaps the lowermost portion of the heat exchanger in the vertical direction when viewed from above in the vertical direction.

Images