JP7501565B2 - air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

An evaporative cooling type air conditioner is known that draws in indoor air, uses the heat of vaporization of water to lower the ambient temperature, and blows the cooled air into the room (for example, Patent Document 1). The air conditioner (cooling fan) of Patent Document 1 includes a blowing means arranged in a casing, a first flow path that connects the intake port and the first outlet and guides the airflow generated by the blowing means to the first outlet, a second flow path that connects the intake port and the second outlet and guides the airflow generated by the blowing means to the second outlet, and an evaporation means arranged in the second flow path that cools the air flowing in the second flow path by the heat of vaporization of water, and a heat exchanger is provided to exchange heat between the airflow cooled by the evaporation means in the second flow path and the airflow flowing in the first flow path. In the second flow path equipped with the evaporation means, the mist water (unevaporated sprayed water) sprayed by the evaporation means and the air whose absolute humidity has increased due to the evaporated water (evaporated sprayed water) flow downstream of the evaporation means. This air with increased humidity is blown out as exhaust air from the second outlet, which is the outlet of the second flow path. The air flowing through the first flow path, cooled through the heat exchanger, is blown out as supply air from the first outlet into the conditioned space.

In the air conditioner of Patent Document 1, the air flowing through the second flow path blown by the blowing means passes through multiple tubes of the sensible heat exchanger, and the air flowing through the first flow path blown by the blowing means passes around the multiple tubes, thereby exchanging heat between the air flowing through the second flow path and the air flowing through the first flow path.

JP 2014-092338 A

However, in the air conditioner of Patent Document 1, the water tank that stores the water used in the evaporation means is provided inside the housing (casing) of the air conditioner, and water flows into the water tray through a water inlet provided at the bottom of the water tank, which raises concerns that the freedom of placement of the air conditioner may be limited.

The invention was made in light of these circumstances, and aims to provide an air conditioner that allows greater freedom in placement when placed in a designated location for use.

An air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a cooling unit that uses the latent heat of water to cool the air blown into a conditioned space, a housing that houses the cooling unit, and a tank that is provided outside the housing and stores water to be supplied to the cooling unit, the housing and the tank being connected by a waterway through which the water flows.

In this embodiment, the tank that stores the water to be supplied to the cooling unit is provided outside the housing that houses the cooling unit, and the tank and housing are connected by a waterway that is formed, for example, of a hose made of soft resin or a piping made of hard resin. In other words, the tank is configured as a separate body from the housing that corresponds to the main body of the air conditioner. This reduces the weight of the housing (main body of the air conditioner) and improves the degree of freedom in placing the housing in any location. Furthermore, the housing and tank that constitute the air conditioner can be placed at a distance from each other, improving the degree of freedom in placing the air conditioner.

In an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing and the tank are placed on a moving body, and the part of the moving body on which the tank is placed is located lower than the part of the moving body on which the housing is placed.

In this embodiment, when the air conditioner is mounted on a moving body, such as a vehicle such as a forklift or tractor, the housing and the tank are placed at separate locations on the moving body. The part of the moving body on which the tank is mounted is located lower than the part of the moving body on which the housing is mounted, so that even if unevaporated liquid water remains inside the housing, the unevaporated water can be collected into the tank by gravity. This reduces the amount of water remaining inside the housing and improves hygiene within the housing. By mounting the tank lower than the housing, accessibility (touchability) to the tank is improved, making it easier to refill the tank with water.

In an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the moving body is a forklift, the part of the moving body on which the housing is placed is the upper part of a head guard of the forklift, and the part of the moving body on which the tank is placed is the upper part of a balance weight of the forklift.

In this embodiment, when the air conditioner is placed on a forklift, the housing is placed on top of the forklift's head guard, and the tank is placed on top of the forklift's balance weight. The balance weight corresponds to a part of the forklift that accounts for a high proportion of the weight of the forklift, and the tank placed on the balance weight is placed in a location closer to the center of gravity of the forklift than the housing, which is placed on the head guard. This reduces the fluctuation of the liquid level in the tank due to vibrations caused by the movement of the mobile object, etc., and allows efficient supply of water from the tank to the cooling unit.

In an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing is provided with an outlet duct that extends toward the surrounding space of the operator of the moving body, which is the conditioned space.

In this embodiment, the air outlet duct provided in the housing extends toward the space surrounding the operator of the moving body, so that cooled air can be blown out through the air outlet duct into the space surrounding the operator of the moving body no matter where the housing is placed on the moving body.

In an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the water passage includes a supply water passage that supplies water to the cooling unit and a recovery water passage that recovers water that has not evaporated in the cooling unit, and a circulation circuit through which water circulates is formed by the tank, the supply water passage, the cooling unit, and the recovery water passage.

In this embodiment, the water channel connecting the housing and the tank includes a supply water channel that supplies water to the cooling unit and a recovery water channel that recovers water that has not evaporated in the cooling unit, forming a circulation circuit in which water circulates from the tank through the tank, supply water channel, cooling unit, and recovery water channel in that order. In other words, by having this circulation circuit, the air conditioner can recover water that has not evaporated in the cooling unit into the tank and supply the unevaporated water to the cooling unit again, thereby suppressing water consumption and reducing the number of times water is replenished into the tank.

In an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the cooling unit includes a first vaporization filter for cooling a first air that is blown into the conditioned space as supply air, and a second vaporization filter for cooling a second air that is blown out of the housing as exhaust air after sensible heat exchange with the first air, and the circulation circuit includes a branch path that branches into a water path that passes through the first vaporization filter and a water path that passes through the second vaporization filter.

In this embodiment, the air conditioner has two vaporization filters, a first vaporization filter for cooling the first air and a second vaporization filter for cooling the second air, and thus the cooling capacity can be improved. The circulation circuit includes a branching path that branches into a water path (first supply water path, first recovery water path) through the first vaporization filter and a water path (second supply water path, second recovery water path) through the second vaporization filter, and a confluence path where the branched water path through the first vaporization filter and the water path through the second vaporization filter merge. As a result, the parallel path consisting of the water path communicating with the first vaporization filter and the water path communicating with the second vaporization filter is configured as part of the circulation circuit, so that water can be efficiently supplied to the first vaporization filter and the second vaporization filter.

An air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a water supply pump that transports water flowing through the supply water channel, and a recovery pump that transports water flowing through the recovery water channel.

In this embodiment, the air conditioner is equipped with a water supply pump provided in the supply water channel and a recovery pump provided in the recovery water channel, so that even if the air conditioner is placed on a moving body and the attitude of the air conditioner changes due to the condition of the road surface on which the moving body is moving, causing the housing and tank to tilt, the water flowing through the supply water channel and the recovery water channel can be transported reliably.

An air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a recovered water sensor that detects water flowing in the recovered water channel, and a controller that is communicatively connected to the recovered water sensor, the water supply pump, and the recovery pump, and the controller controls the operation of the water supply pump and the recovery pump based on the sensor value output from the recovered water sensor.

In this embodiment, the air conditioner is equipped with a controller, such as a microcomputer, and the controller controls the operation of the water supply pump and the recovery pump based on the sensor value output from a recovered water sensor that detects the water flowing in the recovery water channel. The amount of water vaporized supplied from the tank varies depending on the operating environment of the air conditioner, i.e., the temperature and absolute humidity of the air sucked in by the air conditioner, and the water flowing in the recovery water channel is water that remains in a liquid state without being vaporized in the cooling unit. Therefore, by controlling the operation of the water supply pump and the recovery pump based on the sensor value from the recovered water sensor, the amount of water supplied can be optimized according to the operating environment of the air conditioner.

In an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller stops the water supply pump when the sensor value output from the recovered water sensor indicates that the amount of water flowing through the recovered water channel is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

In this embodiment, the controller may stop the water supply pump when the sensor value output from the recovered water sensor indicates that the amount of water flowing in the recovery water channel is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, and may drive the water supply pump when the sensor value indicates that the amount of water flowing in the recovery water channel is less than a predetermined amount. By setting the predetermined amount to, for example, 0 kg/s as a mass flow rate, the controller can control the stopping and driving of the water supply pump based on the presence or absence of water flowing in the recovery water channel. When there is water flowing in the recovery water channel (water is flowing in the recovery water channel), this indicates that water remains in a liquid state in the cooling unit without vaporizing, and the controller can prevent excessive water from being supplied to the cooling unit by stopping the water supply pump, thereby improving vaporization efficiency.

In an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller performs intermittent operation by repeatedly driving and stopping the water supply pump and the recovery pump.

In this embodiment, the controller performs intermittent operation by repeatedly starting and stopping the water supply pump and the recovery pump, thereby preventing excessive water from being supplied to the cooling unit.

In an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller controls the operation of the water supply pump and the recovery pump by providing a predetermined delay time between the start of operation of the water supply pump and the start of operation of the recovery pump.

In this embodiment, when the controller periodically performs intermittent operation by repeatedly driving and stopping the water supply pump and the recovery pump, it drives the water supply pump and the recovery pump with a predetermined delay time between the start of driving the water supply pump and the start of driving the recovery pump in the same cycle. In other words, when the water supply pump starts to drive, the recovery pump has not started to drive and is stopped. After the water supply pump starts to drive and the supply of water to the cooling unit starts, the supplied water tends to be absorbed by the vaporization filter (first vaporization filter, second vaporization filter) included in the cooling unit for a while, so there is a concern that the recovery pump will run idly even if it is driven. In response to this, by providing a predetermined delay time between the start of driving the water supply pump and the start of driving the recovery pump, it is possible to prevent the recovery pump from being driven unnecessarily and reduce the power consumption by the recovery pump.

In an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller controls the operation of the water supply pump and the recovery pump by making the operation time of the recovery pump longer than the operation time of the water supply pump.

In this embodiment, the controller drives the recovery pump for longer than the water supply pump, thereby reliably recovering water that has accumulated in the cooling unit, reducing the amount of water remaining inside the housing, and improving hygiene within the housing.

This allows for greater freedom in placement of the air conditioner when it is placed in a designated location.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view illustrating one configuration of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the appearance of an air conditioner. 3A to 3C are schematic plan views illustrating examples of arrangement of sensible heat exchangers. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram regarding cooling of an electric unit (substrate). FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram regarding water supply from a tank. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram regarding the driving of pumps (a water supply pump and a recovery pump). FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating one configuration of a cooling unit. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating an example of an air conditioner mounted on a moving body. FIG. 11 is a schematic front view illustrating one configuration of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating one configuration of an air conditioner. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating one configuration of a cooling unit. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal structure of a water supply section. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating one configuration of the water supply section. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the main parts of a water supply unit.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view illustrating one configuration of an air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the air conditioner 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cross section cut along line A-A in FIG. 2, from above. The air conditioner 1 includes a box-shaped housing 11 and a tank 12 configured separately from the housing 11 (main body). For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the air conditioner 1 is mounted on a moving body M such as a vehicle, and cools the space around the operator of the moving body M as a conditioned space. Alternatively, the air conditioner 1 may be mounted indoors, such as a factory. The mounted state of the air conditioner 1 shown in FIG. 1 (viewed from the front, from above) is shown in the front, back, left and right directions as the normal usage mode of the air conditioner 1. The mounted state of the air conditioner 1 shown in FIG. 2 is shown in the up and down directions and the front, back, left and right directions as the normal usage mode of the air conditioner 1.

The air conditioner 1 is equipped with a tank 12 for storing water, and a cooling unit 3 including two evaporation filters consisting of a first evaporation filter 31 and a second evaporation filter 32. The air conditioner 1 uses the heat of evaporation of water supplied from the tank 12 to lower the ambient temperature and cool the conditioned space, for example, by using the first evaporation filter 31 and the second evaporation filter 32, and is an evaporative cooling type air conditioner.

The cooling unit 3 includes a first vaporization filter 31, a second vaporization filter 32, a water supply section 33, and a drain pan 34. The water supply section 33 is provided above the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, and supplies water to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 below. The drain pan 34 receives water that has not been vaporized by the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. Details of the cooling unit 3 will be described later.

The air conditioner 1 further includes a sensible heat exchanger 4, which cools the first air by exchanging heat between the second air that has passed through the second vaporization filter 32 and the first air before passing through the first vaporization filter 31, and cools the first air in two stages by passing the cooled first air through the first vaporization filter 31. The first air is cooled by sensible heat exchange without increasing humidity and then evaporatively cooled, so that the first air that has been cooled in two stages is blown into the conditioned space as supply air (SA: Service Air). The second air is discharged to the outside of the housing 11 as exhaust air (EA: Exhaust Air).

The housing 11 of the air conditioner 1 is provided with two intake ports 5 for drawing in air from the conditioned space, a first outlet 71 for blowing out the first air that has passed through the sensible heat exchanger 4 and the first vaporization filter 31 and been cooled in two stages into the conditioned space as supply air, and a second outlet 72 for blowing out the second air that has passed through the second vaporization filter 32 and the sensible heat exchanger 4 and has been subjected to sensible heat exchange with the first air as exhaust air. The first outlet 71 and the second outlet 72 are provided on the same side of the housing 11 (the left side in this embodiment).

The air conditioner 1 is equipped with fans for transporting the first air and the second air, and the fans include a first fan 81 that transports the first air and a second fan 82 that transports the second air. The shapes of the first fan 81 and the second fan 82 in FIG. 1 represent an example of an outer shell shape. The fans including the first fan 81 and the second fan 82 may be, for example, a centrifugal fan such as a sirocco fan or a propeller fan. The first fan 81 is provided near the first outlet 71, and the second fan 82 is provided near the second outlet 72. That is, when the two suction ports 5 are the most upstream ends and the first outlet 71 and the second outlet 72 are the most downstream ends of the air flow of the air conditioner 1, the first fan 81 and the second fan 82 are provided downstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 and the cooling unit 3 in the air flow direction. By providing the first fan 81 and the second fan 82 downstream, these fans function as so-called suction fans and maintain a negative pressure in the air flow path in the air conditioner 1. A configuration is adopted in which a negative pressure is maintained in the air flow path, promoting the penetration (absorption) of water from the water supply section 33 into the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the dripping of water from the water supply section 33 into the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 is promoted, as described below.

The first fan 81 and the second fan 82 share a single fan motor 8 and are fastened to shafts provided at both ends of the fan motor 8. A partition plate 83 is provided between the second fan 82 and the first fan 81, separating the space in which the second fan 82 is provided from the space in which the first fan 81 is provided. The partition plate 83 can prevent the first air transported by the first fan 81 and the second air transported by the second fan 82 from mixing.

The fan motor 8, the first fan 81, and the second fan 82 are arranged in a fan chamber partitioned by a fan casing 84. The fan chamber is partitioned by the fan casing 84, part of which is made of a heat-transfer suppressing material having insulating properties, such as polystyrene foam. A partition plate 83 provided between the second fan 82 and the first fan 81 constitutes part of the fan casing 84. Details regarding the fan casing 84 will be described later.

In this embodiment, the fan motor 8 is disposed in the space on the second fan 82 side, which is partitioned by the partition plate 83. More specifically, the partition plate 83 is provided between the fan motor 8 and the first fan 81. By providing the fan motor 8 on the second fan 82 side in this manner, the fan motor 8 can be cooled by the second air, i.e., the exhaust air, transported by the second fan 82. Therefore, the fan motor 8 can be efficiently cooled by utilizing the cold heat of the second air (exhaust air) without increasing the temperature of the first air, i.e., the supply air, transported by the first fan 81. In addition, since the same effect can be achieved if the fan motor 8 is disposed in the space on the second fan 82 side, which is partitioned by the partition plate 83, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the configuration of the second fan 82 and the configuration of the fan motor 8 are interchanged as a modified example.

The air conditioner 1 is provided with an intake passage 51, a branch passage 52, a first passage 61, and a second passage 62 as air circulation paths. The branch passage 52 branches the intake passage 51 into the first passage 61 and the second passage 62. The intake passage 51 starts from two intake ports 5 in the rear direction and the right direction, and is connected to the sensible heat exchanger 4 via the branch passage 52. The first passage 61 is a space that communicates along the arrow representing the supply air (SA) in FIG. 1. The second passage 62 is a space that communicates along the arrow representing the exhaust air (EA) in FIG. 1. The intake passage 51 and the branch passage 52 are a common area before the air is distributed to the first passage 61 and the second passage 62. In other words, the air inside the intake passage 51 and the branch passage 52 is both the first air and the second air. The boundary between the intake passage 51 and the branch passage 52 in this embodiment will be described later.

The branch flow passage 52 is connected to two inlets of the sensible heat exchanger 4. The two inlets of the sensible heat exchanger 4 include an inlet of a first path 41 of the sensible heat exchanger 4 into which the first air flows, and an inlet of a second path 42 of the sensible heat exchanger 4 into which the second air flows. The inlet of the first path 41 is formed on the first inlet side opening surface 431. The inlet of the second path 42 is formed on the second inlet side opening surface 432. The first path 41 constitutes a part of the first flow passage 61. The second path 42 constitutes a part of the second flow passage 62. That is, the branch flow passage 52 and the sensible heat exchanger 4 are provided in this order downstream of the suction flow passage 51 in the flow direction of the intake air flowing in the suction flow passage 51.

The intake air flows into the inlet of either the first path 41 or the second path 42 of the sensible heat exchanger 4 at the branch flow path 52. That is, the intake air is divided at the branch flow path 52 into the first air that flows into the first path 41 and the second air that flows into the second path 42.

A dust collection filter 53 is interposed between the two suction ports 5 and the two inlets (the inlet of the first path 41 and the inlet of the second path 42) of the sensible heat exchanger 4. The dust collection filter 53 is made of polyester or olefin-based fibers and includes a filter section that captures dust and a lattice-shaped frame body that fixes the filter section. The dust collection filter 53 may be formed by insert molding in which the filter section is placed inside a resin mold and then a resin that is the material for the frame body is poured in. The dust collection filter 53, which is made of a resin frame body, is flexible and is curved to cover the inlets of the first path 41 and the second path 42 of the sensible heat exchanger 4. When the dust collection filter 53 is curved, a guide section formed of a groove or the like into which the longitudinal edge of the dust collection filter 53 fits may be provided on the inner surface of the housing 11.

The dust collection filter 53 is curved as shown in FIG. 1 because the first inlet side opening surface 431 and the second inlet side opening surface 432 are provided on different end faces (side surfaces) of the sensible heat exchanger 4. This allows the dust collection filter 53 to cover the first inlet side opening surface 431 and the second inlet side opening surface 432 with a single sheet. By using a single sheet of dust collection filter 53, the effort required for attaching and detaching the filter is reduced.

A seal member 531 is provided at each end of the dust collection filter 53. The ends of the dust collection filter 53 include an end on the first path 41 side and an end on the second path 42 side. The end on the first path 41 side is located at a contact point between the first inlet side opening surface 431, where the inlet of the first path 41 is provided, and the inner surface of the housing 11 facing the first inlet side opening surface 431. The end on the second path 42 side is located between the drain pan 34 described later and the inner surface of the housing 11 adjacent to the drain pan 34. The seal member 531 fills the gap between the inner surface of the housing 11 and the dust collection filter 53.

Since a seal member 531 is provided on each end of the dust collection filter 53, it is possible to prevent air from flowing into the sensible heat exchanger 4 without passing through the dust collection filter 53. By providing the dust collection filter 53, dust in the intake air sucked in from the intake port 5 is captured, and it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the circulation path through which the air flows inside the air conditioner 1.

The space between the two inlets (the inlet of the first path 41 and the inlet of the second path 42) of the sensible heat exchanger 4 and the suction port 5 is divided by the dust collection filter 53 into an upstream space and a downstream space in the flow direction of the first air and the second air. In other words, the dust collection filter 53 divides the space into an upstream space surrounded by the housing 11 having the suction port 5 and the dust collection filter 53, and a downstream space surrounded by the dust collection filter 53, the first inlet side opening surface 431, and the second inlet side opening surface 432. The upstream space corresponds to the suction flow path 51. The downstream space corresponds to the branch flow path 52. The suction flow path 51 is a path shared by the first path 41 and the second path 42 upstream of the branch flow path 52. Therefore, the two suction ports 5 can also be shared by the first path 41 and the second path 42, and the opening area of the two suction ports 5 can be increased to reduce the flow path resistance (pressure loss) in the suction air. In addition, to reduce flow resistance, a configuration in which two suction ports are connected may be adopted. Specifically, the side of the housing 11 may be curved in the same way as the dust collection filter 53, and one suction port 5 may be formed on the curved side to increase the opening area. In this case, the volume of the upstream space can be minimized, and the effects of turbulence that may occur in the upstream space can be minimized.

As described above, the sensible heat exchanger 4 is provided with a first path 41 through which the first air flows and a second path 42 through which the second air flows. The first path 41 constitutes a part of the first flow path 61 that is connected to the first air outlet 71. The second path 42 constitutes a part of the second flow path 62 that is connected to the second air outlet 72. The first path 41 and the second path 42 in the sensible heat exchanger 4 are formed by a plurality of resin plates having a hollow structure, and are formed by arranging each of these resin plates in parallel. By reducing the plate thickness of the resin plates, it is possible to improve the heat transfer and reduce the weight of the sensible heat exchanger 4. The hollow structure may be formed by a metal plate.

The resin plates constituting the first path 41 and the resin plates constituting the second path 42 are stacked perpendicular to the flow direction of the first air and the second air, and sensible heat exchange between the first air and the second air is performed through these resin plates. The first path 41 and the second path 42 are perpendicular to each other, so that a cross flow is formed by the first air flowing through the first path 41 and the second air flowing through the second path 42.

In each of the resin plates constituting the first path 41 and the second path 42, a resin frame is provided between the adjacent resin plates, and the resin frame may function as a spacer to ensure a distance between the resin plates. By making the spacer a resin frame, the weight of the sensible heat exchanger 4 can be reduced. The spacer plays a role in regulating the flow of air inside the sensible heat exchanger 4, so that the flow of air inside the sensible heat exchanger 4 becomes uniform, and the area in which the first air and the second air exchange heat can be increased. Inside the sensible heat exchanger 4, the spacer may regulate the flow of air in some paths so that the first air and the second air exchange heat in a counterflow relationship. The heat exchange efficiency in the sensible heat exchanger 4 can be improved by the heat exchange in the counterflow. The thickness of the spacer for the second air may be thicker than the thickness of the spacer for the first air. That is, the width of the spacer for the second air may be larger than the width of the spacer for the first air. This configuration can reduce the pressure loss for the second air when it flows through the sensible heat exchanger 4, and the volume of the second air can be increased more than the volume of the first air. This configuration can more efficiently cool the first air with the second air, and further lower the temperature of the first air. In this embodiment, the sensible heat exchanger 4 is a plate type using a resin plate or the like, but is not limited to this, and may be configured in such a way that paths made of straw-shaped or other cylinders are arranged side by side.

The inlet of the first path 41, the inlet of the second path 42, the outlet of the first path 41, and the outlet of the second path 42 are provided on each end face (side face) of the sensible heat exchanger 4. The end face (side face) on which the inlet of the first path 41 is provided corresponds to the first inlet side opening face 431. The end face (side face) on which the inlet of the second path 42 is provided corresponds to the second inlet side opening face 432. The end face (side face) on which the outlet of the first path 41 is provided corresponds to the first outlet side opening face 441. The end face (side face) on which the outlet of the second path 42 is provided corresponds to the second outlet side opening face 442. In other words, the first path 41 is formed by stacking a plurality of spaces that are connected from the first inlet side opening face 431 to the first outlet side opening face 441. The second path 42 is formed by stacking a plurality of spaces that are connected from the second inlet side opening face 432 to the second outlet side opening face 442.

In the flow direction of the second air, a second vaporization filter 32 is provided upstream of the second inlet side opening surface 432. The second vaporization filter 32, which is rectangular in front view of FIG. 1, is provided with one surface facing the second inlet side opening surface 432. In the flow direction of the first air, a first vaporization filter 31 is provided downstream of the first outlet side opening surface 441. The first vaporization filter 31, which is rectangular in front view of FIG. 1, is provided with one surface facing the first outlet side opening surface 441.

The second air diverted at the branch flow path 52 passes through the second vaporization filter 32 and is cooled by the second vaporization filter 32, and then flows into the inside of the sensible heat exchanger 4 (second path 42) from the inlet of the second path 42 provided at the second inlet side opening surface 432. The first air diverted at the branch flow path 52 flows into the inside of the sensible heat exchanger 4 (first path 41) from the inlet of the first path 41 provided at the first inlet side opening surface 431.

The first air flowing through the first path 41 and the second air flowing through the second path 42 exchange heat through the sensible heat exchanger 4. The second air flowing through the second path 42 is cooled by the second vaporization filter 32, and the temperature of the second air is lower than the temperature of the intake air immediately after it is sucked in through the intake port 5. The temperature of the first air immediately after it flows into the inlet of the first path 41 is the same (equivalent) as the temperature of the intake air immediately after it is sucked in through the intake port 5, but it is cooled by the second air flowing through the second path 42 via the sensible heat exchanger 4. Specifically, since the temperature of the first air is higher than that of the second air, heat is absorbed by the second air. As a result, the first air and the second air are in a lower temperature state than the intake air and the air outside the housing 11.

The first air flowing out from the outlet of the first path 41 is further cooled by the first vaporization filter 31. As a result, the first air is cooled in two stages. That is, the first air is cooled by two cold sources, using the second air of the second vaporization filter 32 as an indirect cold source via the second air, and the first vaporization filter 31 as a direct cold source. That is, only sensible heat is exchanged in the first stage, and total heat exchange is performed in the second stage. This results in a lower wet-bulb temperature than cooling by evaporation or sensible heat exchange only and cooling by sensible heat exchange from evaporation cooling. In addition, the amount of water evaporated during total heat exchange can be reduced, preventing an unpleasant increase in humidity.

The first air that flows out from the outlet (the outlet provided on the first outlet side opening surface 441) of the first path 41 of the sensible heat exchanger 4 and passes through the first vaporization filter 31 is transported by the first fan 81 located downstream of the first vaporization filter 31 and is blown out as supply air (SA) from the first blowing outlet 71 to the conditioned space. The first blowing outlet 71 is provided with a blowing duct 711, for example, configured with a bellows structure, and the first air may be blown out as supply air (SA) in the blowing direction adjusted by the blowing duct 711. This allows the space around the operator of the moving body M to be cooled as the conditioned space. Although the first fan 81 is located downstream of the first vaporization filter 31, this is not limited thereto, and the first fan 81 may be located upstream of the first vaporization filter 31.

The second air flowing out from the outlet of the second path 42 of the sensible heat exchanger 4 (the outlet provided on the second outlet side opening surface 442) is transported by the second fan 82 located downstream of the outlet of the second path 42 of the sensible heat exchanger 4, and is blown out of the housing 11 from the second blowing outlet 72 as exhaust air (EA).

The first air outlet 71 and the second air outlet 72 are provided on the same side (the left side in this embodiment) of the housing 11. The second air outlet 72 faces the direction of the first air outlet 71, and the exhaust air (EA) blown out from the second air outlet 72 may be blown out near the periphery of the air outlet 711 attached to the first air outlet 71. More specifically, the second air outlet 72 is provided forward of the second fan 82, so that the second air sent from the second fan 82 is blown out in the left front direction. In addition, if the air outlet 711 is present, the rise in the external surface temperature of the air outlet 711 due to direct sunlight or lighting can be suppressed.

By blowing the exhaust air (EA) from the second air outlet 72 into the vicinity of the blow-out duct 711, the temperature of the air around the blow-out duct 711 (ambient temperature) can be lowered, and the supply air (SA) blown out from the blow-out duct 711 can be prevented from rising due to the air outside the housing 11 (outside air). In addition, the rise in the external surface temperature of the blow-out duct 711 caused by direct sunlight or lighting can be prevented.

The intake port 5 is provided on a side different from the side on which the first outlet 71 and the second outlet 72 are provided. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit phenomenon in which air blown out from the first outlet 71 and the second outlet 72 is sucked in from the intake port 5. However, in the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, there is no need to consider ventilation efficiency, and when a short circuit phenomenon occurs on the intake side or the exhaust side, air that is lower in temperature than the outside air is cooled again, which has the advantage of making it possible to further lower the wet bulb temperature of the first air. The first outlet 71, the second outlet 72, or the first outlet 71 and the second outlet 72 may be provided on the top surface of the housing.

As shown in the drawings in this embodiment, the side of the housing 11 on which the two suction ports 5, the first outlet 71, and the second outlet 72 are not provided is provided with a door section 111 that is configured to be freely opened and closed. The side on which the door section 111 is provided is the side corresponding to the location where the end of the first vaporization filter 31 and the end of the second vaporization filter 32 are adjacent to each other, and is the side closest to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. By opening (putting the door section 111 in an open state), the inside of the housing 11 can be accessed from the outside, and maintenance work such as replacing the first vaporization filter 31 or the second vaporization filter 32 can be performed. It is preferable that the door section 111 is fixed to the housing 11 in such a configuration that one end other than the upper end is connected to the housing 11 by a hinge, and the end opposite to the end connected by the hinge of the door section 111 is fixed to the housing 11 by a locking mechanism that can be opened and closed. This prevents the door 111 from falling off when opened, and makes it easier to keep the door open during maintenance.

When carrying out the maintenance work, after opening the door 111, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 can be slid horizontally to be removable, and the height of the housing 11, i.e., the height of the product, can be reduced, thereby improving maintainability.
Only one side of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 is integrally molded with a resin member. This improves the ease of maintenance of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, while suppressing wind leakage from the element parts of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, i.e., preventing air from flowing without passing through the element parts.
A handle or grip is provided on the resin member integrally molded on one side of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. When performing maintenance work, an operator can easily attach and detach the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 by holding the handle, thereby improving maintainability.
The two vaporization filters, consisting of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, may be pulled out in a crossed relationship. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to standardize parts and to expect a cost reduction due to a reduction in part costs. In addition, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 can be pulled out from the inspection hatch space that is limited depending on the size of the housing 11, and the size of the housing 11, i.e., the product size, can be reduced.
A holding portion is provided to fix the two vaporization filters consisting of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 so that the vaporization filters do not move, and the holding portion presses against a part of the door portion 111 to press the door portion 111. With this configuration, leakage of the first air and the second air, i.e., mixing of the first air and the second air, can be suppressed. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of displacement of the vaporization filter due to vibration, etc. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the vaporization filter from being installed incorrectly when the vaporization filter is detached during maintenance work, etc.

A suppression member 112 is provided on the inner surface of the door portion 111 to suppress air from entering the first flow path 61 without passing through the first vaporization filter 31. The suppression member 112 is formed, for example, from a sealing material, and by closing the door portion 111 (closed state), the suppression member 112 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the door portion 111 and the edge of the first vaporization filter 31 to exert a sealing function, suppressing air from entering the first flow path 61 without passing through the first vaporization filter 31.

The suppression member 112 is not limited to being affixed to the inner surface of the door portion 111, but may also be affixed to the first vaporization filter 31 or to a fastening member that fastens the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. In other words, when the suppression member 112 is provided on the inner surface of the door portion 111, it does not only mean that the suppression member 112 is affixed to the inner surface of the door portion 111, but also means that the suppression member 112 is affixed to the first vaporization filter 31, for example.

The air conditioner 1 is provided with a tank 12 that stores water to be supplied to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. The tank 12 is configured as a separate body from the housing 11 that houses the first vaporization filter 31, the second vaporization filter 32, etc. The housing 11, which is the main body of the air conditioner 1, and the tank 12, which is configured as a separate body, are connected (communicated) by a supply water channel 91 and a recovery water channel 92. Water supplied from the tank 12 to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 stored in the housing 11 flows through the supply water channel 91. Water that is not vaporized in the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 flows through the recovery water channel 92 and is recovered in the tank 12. The supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92 are configured by hoses made of soft resin or piping made of hard resin. When installed on a moving body M as in this embodiment, the tank 12 is preferably installed on the back or feet of the operator, where water can be easily supplied and replaced. In addition, it is preferable to tie the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92 to a head guard pillar or the like to ensure visibility for the operator and to prevent leakage if they get caught during operation.

As shown in FIG. 5, the supply water channel 91 is provided with a water supply pump 913 and a water supply sensor 914. When the housing 11 and the tank 12 are placed in different locations and a difference in height (head) occurs between the housing 11 and the tank 12, water can be pumped from the tank 12 below to the housing 11 above by the water supply pump 913, which has a water supply capacity corresponding to the head. The water supply sensor 914 is provided, for example, inside the supply water channel 91, and outputs a sensor value (detection value) corresponding to the amount of water flowing in the supply water channel 91.

5, the recovery water passage 92 is provided with a recovery pump 923 and a recovered water sensor 924. Even if the housing 11 and the tank 12 are placed in different locations and the housing 11 is located above the tank 12, the recovery pump 923 can reliably recover the water stored in the drain pan 34. The recovered water sensor 924 is provided, for example, inside the recovery water passage 92 and outputs a sensor value (detection value) corresponding to the amount of water flowing through the recovery water passage 92. In this embodiment, the supply water sensor 914 and the recovered water sensor 924 are provided, but they may be realized by either one of them. Furthermore, the amount of water supplied or recovered may be estimated by detecting the torque of the water supply pump 913 or the recovery pump 923, and the supply water sensor 914 and the recovered water sensor 924 may not be provided. Alternatively, the air conditioner 1 may be configured to include only the recovered water sensor 924. The recovered water sensor 924 can detect the water drained from the drain pan 34 and recovered in the tank 12, and by eliminating the need for the supply water sensor 914, the number of sensors installed in the air conditioner 1 can be reduced, leading to cost savings due to reduced component costs.

As shown in FIG. 5, the water supply pump 913, the supply water sensor 914, the recovery pump 923, and the recovery water sensor 924 are connected to the controller 130 described below, and the controller 130 drives the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 based on the sensor values output from the water supply sensor 914, the recovery water sensor 924, or both sensors.

A part of the supply water passage 91 extending from the tank 12 is housed inside the housing 11 and communicates with the water supply section 33 attached above the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. A part of the supply water passage 91 housed inside the housing 11 is provided in the upstream space (intake passage 51) separated by the dust collection filter 53. When the air conditioner 1 is mounted on a moving body M and used outdoors, the temperature of the water in the tank 12 may be heated by direct sunlight, etc., and may become higher than the outside air temperature (temperature of the intake air). Even in such a case, the water (supply water) flowing in the supply water passage 91 located in the upstream space (intake passage 51) is heat exchanged with the intake air flowing in the intake passage 51, and the water (supply water) is cooled by the intake air, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner 1. The outer peripheral surface of the supply water passage 91 arranged in the upstream space may be provided with, for example, fins, etc., to increase the heat transfer area during heat exchange with the intake air, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency. In addition, as a configuration for cooling the water in the supply water passage 91, the supply water passage 91 may be arranged to pass downstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 of the second flow path 62.

The water (supply water) that flows into the water supply section 33 is divided into a first supply water passage 911 on the first vaporization filter 31 side and a second supply water passage 912 on the second vaporization filter 32 side, passes through a first water supply hole 331 provided in the water supply section 33, drips onto the first vaporization filter 31, and passes through a second water supply hole 332 to drip onto the second vaporization filter 32 (see FIG. 7). The water that drips onto the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 permeates into the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, respectively. At this time, the water (supply water) drips sequentially from the first water supply hole 331 and the second water supply hole 332 due to the water pressure from the pump, the weight of the water, and the negative pressure inside the first flow path 61 and the second flow path 62.

The water that penetrates the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 is vaporized when the first air and the second air pass through, but depending on the amount of water supplied and the relative humidity of the environment in which the air conditioner 1 is used, some of the supplied water flows in liquid form into the drain pan 34 located below the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. The drain pan 34 is divided into two areas, for example, an area (first drain area) corresponding to the first vaporization filter 31 and an area (second drain area) corresponding to the second vaporization filter 32. By dividing the areas, it is possible to suppress mixing of the first air and the second air that flow into the drain pan 34.

The drain pan 34 and the tank 12 are connected by a recovery water channel 92, which includes a first recovery water channel 921 that is connected to the first drain area and a second recovery water channel 922 that is connected to the second drain area (see FIG. 5). The first recovery water channel 921 and the second recovery water channel 922 join together and then communicate with the tank 12 via a recovery pump 923. The water (recovered water) that flows down into the drain pan 34 (first drain area and second drain area) is recovered to the tank 12 via the recovery water channel 92 (first recovery water channel 921 and second recovery water channel 922). As shown in FIG. 5, when the recovery pump 923 has two water inlets corresponding to the first recovery water passage 921 and the second recovery water passage 922, the first recovery water passage 921 and the second recovery water passage 922 may be connected to the respective water inlets of the recovery pump 923 and merged at the recovery pump 923.

The tank 12 is connected to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 by a supply water passage 91 and a recovery water passage 92. Thus, a circulation circuit is formed in which water is recovered (returned) to the tank 12 via the tank 12, the supply water passage 91, the water supply section 33, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, the drain pan 34, and the recovery water passage 92. This circulation circuit efficiently recovers water that has not been vaporized by the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 into the tank 12, reducing the amount of water remaining inside the housing 11 and improving hygiene within the housing 11.

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of the arrangement of the sensible heat exchanger 4. Some components such as the dust collection filter 53 and the water supply section 33 are omitted from Figure 3. The sensible heat exchanger 4 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and has the appearance of, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped. The first path 41 and the second path 42 provided in the sensible heat exchanger 4 are orthogonal to each other, and in this embodiment, the intersection angle between the first path 41 and the second path 42 is, for example, 90°.

The sensible heat exchanger 4 has end faces (side faces) of a first inlet side opening face 431, a second inlet side opening face 432, a first outlet side opening face 441, and a second outlet side opening face 442, and the angle between the adjacent end faces (side faces) is, for example, 90°. The first inlet side opening face 431, the second inlet side opening face 432, the first outlet side opening face 441, and the second outlet side opening face 442 are arranged in this order in the circumferential direction when the sensible heat exchanger 4 is viewed from the front. That is, the first inlet side opening face 431 is adjacent to the second inlet side opening face 432, the second inlet side opening face 432 is adjacent to the first outlet side opening face 441, the first outlet side opening face 441 is adjacent to the second outlet side opening face 442, and the second outlet side opening face 442 is adjacent to the first inlet side opening face 431.

The sensible heat exchanger 4 is housed in the housing 11 so that the inner surface of the housing 11 and the end face of the sensible heat exchanger 4 facing the inner surface form an acute angle. For the following explanation, the angle between the inner surface of the front side of the housing 11 and the first outlet side opening surface 441 is defined as angle θ. For example, the angle θ forms an acute angle that is greater than 10 degrees and less than 50 degrees. The lower limit value of the angle θ, 10 degrees, may be set to ensure the path diameter of the first flow path 61. The upper limit value of the angle θ may be set by the arrangement of the fan motor 8 and the electric unit 13 provided downstream of the second path 42 and the arrangement of the partition plate 83. Specifically, the angle θ may be set so that the left end of the first outlet side opening surface 441 and the right end of the partition plate 83 are in a positional relationship that allows connection. In order to facilitate the flow of the second air to the fan motor 8 and the electric unit 13, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the left end of the first outlet side opening surface 441 and the right end of the partition plate 83 are disposed forward of the rear end of at least one of the fan motor 8 and the electric unit 13, and to set an upper limit value of the angle θ. This facilitates the flow of the second air into the fan motor 8 and the electric unit 13, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the fan motor 8 and the electric unit 13. The sensible heat exchanger 4 is stored in the housing 11 in a state rotated by an angle θ corresponding to the acute angle from a parallel state (attitude position) in which the angle formed between the inner surface of the housing 11 and the end face of the sensible heat exchanger 4 facing the inner surface is 0 degrees. As a result, for example, since the housing 11 is a rectangular parallelepiped and the sensible heat exchanger 4 is a cube, the angle between the first inlet side opening surface 431 and the inner surface of the rear side of the housing 11 facing the first inlet side opening surface 431 and the angle between the first outlet side opening surface 441 and the inner surface of the front side of the housing 11 facing the first outlet side opening surface 441 are equal in value. By storing the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the housing 11 in a state rotated at a predetermined rotation angle in this way, it is possible to ensure a large heat exchangeable area (heat exchange area) in the sensible heat exchanger 4 relative to the size of the housing 11. In addition, by setting θ to an angle in the range of more than 10 degrees and less than 50 degrees and not 45 degrees, the length of the housing 11 in the front-rear and left-right directions can be made smaller than when it is installed at 45 degrees. As a result, the length of the housing 11 in the front-rear and left-right directions relative to the heat exchange area can be suppressed, and therefore the housing 11 can be made smaller. Similarly, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are arranged along the second inlet side opening surface 432 and the first outlet side opening surface 441 of the sensible heat exchanger 4, so that the length of the cooling unit 3 in the left-right direction can be shortened, and the area of the door section 111 provided for maintenance purposes can also be reduced.

By rotating the housing 11 at an angle θ corresponding to a predetermined acute angle, the surface distance between the first outlet side opening surface 441 and the front inner surface of the housing 11 facing the first outlet side opening surface 441 can be increased stepwise toward the downstream side of the first air. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the surface distance increases stepwise as it approaches the first air outlet 71 (d3>d2>d1). That is, the surface distance between the first outlet side opening surface 441 at the most downstream side and the inner surface of the housing 11 can be maximized. This can reduce the flow resistance (pressure loss) when the first air flows out from the first outlet side opening surface 441. Incidentally, the surface distance between the second inlet side opening surface 432 and the inner surface on the right side of the housing 11 facing the second inlet side opening surface 432 decreases as it moves away from the first outlet side opening surface 441 (k3>k2>k1).

The first vaporization filter 31 facing the first outlet side opening surface 441 and the second vaporization filter 32 facing the second inlet side opening surface 432 are fastened to a casing covering the upper part of the drain pan 34 provided below, and are arranged in an L-shape. In this case, the casing covering the upper part of the drain pan 34 functions as a fastening member for fastening the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. The angle (β) formed by the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 arranged in an L-shape is equal to or greater than the intersection angle (α) of the first path 41 and the second path 42, and is, for example, 60 degrees to 120 degrees. In addition, when the relationship between the angle (β) and the angle (α) is expressed by an equation, taking into account the case where the sensible heat exchanger 4 is rhombus, it is preferable that β = α ± 30 (degrees). By providing the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 in an L-shape, the inside of the L-shape formed by the end faces of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 can be arranged along the corner of the sensible heat exchanger 4. This improves the storability of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, and reduces the size of the housing 11. In FIG. 3, the length of the first outlet side opening surface 441 and the first vaporization filter 31 is slightly shorter in order to reduce the size. However, the length of the first vaporization filter 31 may be changed as appropriate. As an example, it is preferable that the length of the first outlet side opening surface 441 and the length of the first vaporization filter 31 are determined so that the flow path cross-sectional area is approximately the same. This reduces the pressure loss caused by the change in the flow path cross-sectional area. In addition, it is preferable that a wall surface (sealing member) that defines a flow path is provided between the first outlet side opening surface 441 and the first vaporization filter 31 so that the first air that has passed through the first outlet side opening surface 441 passes through the first vaporization filter 31. This wall surface may be formed on the casing of the first vaporization filter 31 or on the fixed member of the sensible heat exchanger 4. The second vaporization filter 32 may also be appropriately changed in the same manner as the first vaporization filter 31. The length of the second inlet side opening surface 432 and the second vaporization filter 32 is slightly shorter in order to reduce the size. However, the length of the second vaporization filter 32 may be appropriately changed. As an example, it is preferable that the length of the second outlet side opening surface 442 and the second vaporization filter 32 are determined so that the flow path cross-sectional area is approximately the same. This reduces the pressure loss caused by the change in the flow path cross-sectional area. In addition, it is preferable that a wall surface that defines a flow path is formed between the second outlet side opening surface 442 and the second vaporization filter 32 so that the second air that has passed through the second outlet side opening surface 442 passes through the second vaporization filter 32.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram regarding the cooling of the electric unit 13 (substrate 131). The fan motor 8, the first fan 81, and the second fan 82 are arranged in a fan chamber partitioned by a fan casing 84, part of which is made of a heat transfer suppression material with low thermal conductivity (insulation properties) such as polystyrene foam. In Figures 1 and 4, the fan chamber is partitioned into a first flow path 61 and a second flow path 62 by a partition plate 83 that constitutes part of the fan casing 84, preventing the first air transported by the first fan 81 and the second air transported by the second fan 82 from mixing.

A fan motor 8 and an electric unit 13 are provided in the fan chamber on the side of the second fan 82, and the fan motor 8 and the electric unit 13 are cooled by the second air flowing out from the sensible heat exchanger 4. In FIG. 4, the details of the flow path structure of the fan chamber of the second fan 82 and the arrangement of the insulating material are partially omitted. As an example, various configurations can be adopted, such as a honeycomb-structured straightening plate for straightening the second air or a desiccant for dehumidification.

The electric unit 13 includes a substrate 131 on which a controller 130 for controlling the air conditioner 1 is mounted, a heat transfer promotion member 132 provided on the back side of the mounting surface of the substrate 131, and a sealing plate 133 to which the heat transfer promotion member 132 is attached. That is, the heat transfer promotion member 132 is provided between the substrate 131 and the sealing plate 133, and a laminated structure is formed by the substrate 131, the heat transfer promotion member 132, and the sealing plate 133. The heat transfer promotion member 132 is, for example, a heat transfer sheet or a heat transfer paste formed from a heat dissipation material with high thermal conductivity and insulating properties that is highly filled with a high heat dissipation filler. The sealing plate 133 is a plate made of a metal with high thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum, and may be, for example, a part of the exterior of the electric unit 13 that forms a box body. The mounting surface of the substrate 131 is equipped with electrical components such as semiconductor chips that constitute the controller 130, coils, and capacitors, and these electrical components generate heat when current flows through them. That is, the substrate 131 is a heat source, and the heat generated in the substrate 131 is dissipated through the heat transfer promotion member 132 and the sealing plate 133 that form a laminated structure, and from the sealing plate 133 to the internal space of the fan chamber on the side of the second fan 82. The surface of the sealing plate 133 on the side of the fan casing 84 may be provided with portions for increasing the heat dissipation area, such as fins, pins, or a heat sink.

A through hole 841 is formed toward the second flow path 62 in the portion of the fan casing 84 provided where the electric unit 13 is disposed. The portion of the fan casing 84 is made of, for example, a plate-shaped polystyrene foam, and the through hole 841 is formed therein. The sealing plate 133 of the electric unit 13 seals the through hole 841 of the fan casing 84 from the side of the substrate 131.

The electric unit 13 is arranged separately from the fan chamber of the second fan 82, and the through hole 841 of the fan casing 84 is sealed by the sealing plate 133 of the electric unit 13, so that the board 131 included in the electric unit 13 is prevented from directly contacting the second air, and the influence of water vapor (humidity) contained in the second air on the board 131 can be prevented. In addition, heat exchange between the board 131 and the second air is possible through the sealing plate 133 exposed from the through hole 841 of the fan casing 84, and the board 131 can be cooled by the second air. The sealing plate 133 may be provided with a heat dissipation fin or a heat dissipation pin protruding from the through hole 841 of the fan casing 84 toward the inside of the fan chamber of the second fan 82. The heat dissipation fin protruding from one side of the sealing plate 133 increases the heat transfer area with the second air in the fan chamber of the second fan 82, and improves the heat transfer efficiency. A heat transfer promotion member 132 made of a heat dissipation material or the like is provided between the substrate 131 and the sealing plate 133, which improves the heat transfer efficiency between the substrate 131 and the sealing plate 133 (second air), and allows the substrate 131 to be cooled more efficiently using the second air. In addition, the electric unit 13 may not have a heat transfer suppression member on the second flow path 62 side, and may be composed of the sealing plate 133 and a heat dissipation material. This increases the area available for heat exchange between the second air and the electric unit 13, and can also improve cooling efficiency.

A part of the fan casing 84 forming the fan chamber of the second fan 82 may be formed by the inner surface of the housing 11 on the side where the second fan 82 is housed. By forming a part of the fan casing 84 on the inner surface of the housing 11, the inner surface of the housing 11 can be cooled by the second air, and the rise in temperature of the outer surface of the housing 11 due to the influence of the outside air can be mitigated. Also, by arranging the second fan 82 in close contact with the inner surface of the housing 11, one side of the second fan 82 may be formed by the inner surface of the housing 11. This increases the flow rate of the second air at the installation position of the second fan 82, actively cools the inner surface of the housing 11 with the second air, and the rise in temperature of the outer surface of the housing 11 due to the influence of the outside air can be mitigated.

The fan casing 84 that forms the fan chamber on the side of the first fan 81 is made of a heat transfer suppression material with low thermal conductivity (insulating properties) such as polystyrene foam. This reduces the effect of outside air on the first air passing through the fan chamber (first flow path 61) of the first fan 81, and suppresses an increase in the temperature of the first air. The outer shell of the first fan 81 may have a chamfered shape to match the shape of the portion of the fan casing 84 that communicates with the outlet of the first path 41 of the sensible heat exchanger 4.

Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram regarding water supply from the tank 12. The tank 12 is connected to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 by a supply water passage 91 and a recovery water passage 92. Water flows in the order of the tank 12, the supply water passage 91, the water supply section 33, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, the drain pan 34, and the recovery water passage 92, forming a circulation circuit in which water is recovered to the tank 12.

The water supply passage 91 is connected to a water supply section 33 attached to the top of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. The water supply section 33 includes a first water supply area 991 located above the first vaporization filter 31 and a second water supply area 992 located above the second vaporization filter 32.

The water supply section 33 is dish-shaped with an opening at the top, and a first supply water channel 911 and a second supply water channel 912 through which water supplied from the tank 12 flows are formed by ribs or grooves formed on the inner surface of the dish-shaped water supply section 33. The first supply water channel 911 and the second supply water channel 912 constitute a part of the supply water channel 91. The first supply water channel 911 is included in the first water supply area 991, and the second supply water channel 912 is included in the second water supply area 992 (Figure 7). The water that flows into the water supply section 33 is divided by the first supply water channel 911 and the second supply water channel 912.

Water flowing through the first supply water passage 911 passes through the first water supply hole 331 provided in the first supply water passage 911 and drips onto the first vaporization filter 31. Water flowing through the second supply water passage 912 passes through the second water supply hole 332 provided in the second supply water passage 912 and drips onto the second vaporization filter 32. The first fan 81 is provided downstream of the first vaporization filter 31 in the first air flow direction, and similarly, the second fan 82 is provided downstream of the second vaporization filter 32 in the second air flow direction. Therefore, since the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are in a negative pressure state, the dripping and penetration of water into the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 can be promoted. The water (supplied water) dripped onto the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 penetrates the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 and is vaporized, becoming mixed as water vapor with the first air and the second air passing through the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. Depending on the relative humidity of the environment in which the air conditioner 1 is used and the amount of water supplied, some of the supplied water does not vaporize but flows in liquid form into the drain pan 34 located below the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32.

The drain pan 34 is divided into two regions, for example, a region (first drain region) corresponding to the first vaporization filter 31 and a region (second drain region) corresponding to the second vaporization filter 32. The first drain region is connected to the first recovery water passage 921, and the second drain region is connected to the second recovery water passage 922. The first recovery water passage 921 and the second recovery water passage 922 constitute a part of the recovery water passage 92. After the first recovery water passage 921 and the second recovery water passage 922 join together, they are connected to the tank 12 via the recovery pump 923. As a result, the water that flows down into the drain pan 34 (water that is not vaporized by the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32) is collected in the tank 12 via the recovery water passage 92 (the first recovery water passage 921 and the second recovery water passage 922). In the above example, it is preferable that the connection point between the first drain area and the first recovery water channel 921 and the connection point between the second drain area and the second recovery water channel 922 are adjacent to each other, or that the first drain area and the second drain area are provided with the same shape and inclination so that the drainage capacity does not change even if the inclination of the moving body M changes. In another example, the drain pan 34 is not divided into two areas, the first drain area and the second drain area, and the first recovery water channel 921 and the second recovery water channel 922 may be a single recovery water channel. This reduces the decrease in the drainage capacity of the recovery pump 923 caused by the recovery pump 923 sucking in air from either the first recovery water channel 921 or the second recovery water channel 922. In other words, the water inside the air conditioner 1 can be sufficiently drained, and the generation of slime can also be suppressed.

A supply water sensor 914 is provided in the supply water channel 91, and a recovered water sensor 924 is provided in the recovery water channel 92. The supply water sensor 914 and the recovered water sensor 924 each have, for example, a water wheel section that rotates due to the water flowing in the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92, and output a sensor value (detection value) relating to the presence or absence of water flowing in the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92, or the amount of water (volumetric flow rate), in response to the rotation of the water wheel section.

The supply water sensor 914 and the recovered water sensor 924 are communicatively connected to the controller 130 (substrate 131), and the controller 130 can obtain data on the presence or absence of water flowing in the supply water channel 91 and the recovered water channel 92, or on the amount of water (volumetric flow rate), based on the sensor values output from the supply water sensor 914 and the recovered water sensor 924. The controller 130 is composed of a microcomputer equipped with, for example, a storage unit such as a memory, and a control unit such as an MPU.

The controller 130 is further connected to the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 so as to be able to communicate with each other, and controls the driving of the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923, such as by transmitting a driving signal. The controller 130 acquires data such as the presence or absence of water flowing in the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92 based on the supply water sensor 914 and the recovery water sensor 924, but is not limited to this. The controller 130 may, for example, acquire the current value (motor current value) of the motor included in the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 using a shunt resistor or the like, and determine the presence or absence of water flowing in the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92 based on the motor current value or the like. When there is no water flowing in the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92, the motors of the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 will idle, the torque applied to the motor will be reduced, and the motor current value will also be reduced. Therefore, a predetermined threshold is set for the motor current value, and if the motor current value is below the predetermined threshold, the controller 130 can determine that there is no water flowing in the supply water channel 91 and the return water channel 92.

The water supply pump 913, water supply sensor 914, recovery pump 923, and recovery water sensor 924 arranged in the supply water passage 91 and the recovery water passage 92 are all housed in the housing 11. In other words, the tank 12 is only connected to the supply water passage 91 and the recovery water passage 92, and does not include electrical components such as the water supply pump 913, water supply sensor 914, recovery pump 923, and recovery water sensor 924. This simplifies the structure and configuration of the tank 12 and improves the freedom of placement of the tank 12, which is configured separately from the housing 11.

Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram regarding the driving of the pumps (the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923). The controller 130 drives the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 by varying the time periods during which the pumps are driven. The controller 130 periodically drives the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923. As a result, the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 perform intermittent operation by periodically repeating a driven state and a stopped state.

For example, when the operation of the air conditioner 1 is started by the operation of the operator of the air conditioner 1, the controller 130 drives the water supply pump 913 before the recovery pump 923. That is, there is a predetermined delay time between the start of driving the water supply pump 913 and the start of driving the recovery pump 923. The start of operation of the air conditioner 1 may be linked to the start of the moving body M. The delay time may be, for example, a variable time until the amount of water supply output from the water supply sensor 914 exceeds a predetermined amount. The delay time may also be a fixed time that has been determined in advance.

For example, when the controller 130 acquires a sensor value from the recovered water sensor 924 indicating that water is flowing in the recovered water passage 92, the controller 130 stops driving the water supply pump 913. The flow of water (recovered water) in the recovered water passage 92 indicates that water that has not been vaporized in the first vaporization filter 31 or the second vaporization filter 32 is flowing down into the drain pan 34. Therefore, when the recovered water sensor 924 outputs a sensor value indicating that water is flowing in the recovered water passage 92, the controller 130 stops driving the water supply pump 913, thereby preventing excessive water (supply water) from being supplied to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32.

When the air conditioner is mounted on a moving object such as a forklift, the power of the main body of the air conditioner may be turned on and off in conjunction with the on and off of the key switch of the forklift engine. That is, the power of the air conditioner may be turned on by turning on the engine of the forklift, and the power of the air conditioner may be turned off by turning off the engine of the forklift. After the tank is determined to be empty in the previous operation, the power of the air conditioner is turned off, and at the first water supply timing thereafter, that is, at the time of the first water supply timing, the controller 130 may perform an initial water supply operation by driving the water supply pump 913 for a longer period so as to supply more water than at other water supply timings. By using such a control mode, when the tank is empty, it is used in the air blowing state, so that excessive drying, such as drying out of the vaporization filter, can be suppressed. By not always performing this initial water supply operation when the air conditioner is turned on, but only after the tank is determined to be empty during the previous operation, the operating time of the water supply pump 913 can be prevented from becoming long, and deterioration of the water supply pump 913 over time due to long operating times can be mitigated.

If excessive water is supplied to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, there is a concern that sensible heat exchange between the first air and the second air passing through these filters and the water will be promoted, reducing the amount of water vaporized. In response to this, as described above, the water supply pump 913 can be stopped to optimize the amount of water supplied, allowing the water to be efficiently vaporized.

The controller 130 may control the operation of the water supply pump 913 based on the wet-bulb temperature of the outside air measured using a thermocouple provided in contact with the surface of the second vaporization filter 32 when driving the water supply pump 913 to supply water to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. For example, a thermocouple is provided in contact with the surface of the second air upstream side of the second vaporization filter 32, and the wet-bulb temperature and dry-bulb temperature of the outside air can be measured using the thermocouple. The controller 130 may derive the amount of vaporizable water based on the difference between the wet-bulb temperature and the dry-bulb temperature, and predict the water supply timing according to the derived amount of vaporizable water and supply water. By adopting such a control form, it is possible to reduce the unnecessary amount of water supply, reduce the operating time of the water supply pump 913 or the recovery pump 923, and mitigate deterioration over time due to long-term operation. Alternatively, a thermocouple may be provided after the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, and the filters may be monitored individually, with water being supplied only to whichever vaporization filter is confirmed to have a temperature rise. This reduces the amount of unnecessary water supply, shortens the operating time of the water supply pump 913 or the recovery pump 923, and alleviates deterioration over time due to long periods of operation.

After stopping the operation of the water supply pump 913, the controller 130 stops the recovery pump 923 at the point when the operation time of the recovery pump 923 becomes longer than the operation time of the water supply pump 913. That is, the controller 130 controls the operation of the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 by making the operation time (P2) of the recovery pump 923 longer than the operation time (P1) of the water supply pump 913 (P1 < P2). By operating the recovery pump 923 longer than the water supply pump 913, the water remaining in the drain pan 34 can be reliably recovered, the amount of water remaining inside the housing 11 can be reduced, and the hygiene inside the housing 11 can be improved.

After stopping the drive of the recovery pump 923, the controller 130 starts the drive of the water supply pump 913. This starts the drive of the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 in the next cycle. As a result, the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 are intermittently operated, and the controller 130 continues to periodically drive the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923. Various configurations can be adopted for this control. As an example, the drive time (P1) of the water supply pump 913 may be configured to be executed for a predetermined time regardless of the output timing of the recovered water sensor 924. This makes it possible to avoid stopping the water supply pump 913 by detecting the output of the recovered water sensor 924 without sufficient water being supplied. Specifically, it is possible to avoid stopping the water supply pump 913 in a state where the recovered water sensor 924 detects the supply water flowing down the surfaces of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 in a dry state and sufficient water cannot be supplied. This is particularly effective at the initial timing of driving the water supply pump 913 at startup. In other words, the driving time may be set to provide sufficient water supply only at the initial timing of driving the water supply pump 913 at startup. In addition, because the recovery pump 923 is configured to actively recover water from inside the air conditioner 1, it is possible to achieve sufficient cooling and drainage effects even with a configuration that operates intermittently at a predetermined time.

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating one configuration of the cooling unit 3. The cooling unit 3 is stored in the housing 11, biased toward the side where the suction port 5 is provided. The cooling unit 3 includes a first vaporization filter 31 and a second vaporization filter 32, a water supply section 33, and a drain pan 34.

A water supply section 33 is provided above the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, and a drain pan 34 is provided below the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. That is, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are sandwiched between the water supply section 33 and the drain pan 34 in the vertical direction.

The drain pan 34 is made of, for example, resin or metal, and is dish-shaped with an open surface at the top. When viewed from the front, the drain pan 34 is L-shaped and bent. The first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are placed in the areas corresponding to each side that makes up the L shape. The first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are fastened to the drain pan 34, and the drain pan 34 functions as a fastening member that fastens the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32.

The drain pan 34 is divided into two areas, for example, an area (first drain area) corresponding to the first vaporization filter 31 and an area (second drain area) corresponding to the second vaporization filter 32. The first drain area has a hole for communicating with the first recovery water passage 921. The second drain area has a hole for communicating with the second recovery water passage 922.

The first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 include rectangular filter elements, which are made of, for example, rayon, polyester, nonwoven fabric, etc. The first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are water-absorbent, and water (supply water) supplied from the tank 12 penetrates the entire surface of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 (filter element), promoting the evaporation of the water.

The first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are placed on an L-shaped drain pan 34 and are fastened to the drain pan 34 so as to be bent in an L shape. The angle between the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, which are configured in an L shape, is, for example, 60 degrees to 120 degrees. By bending the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 in this way, the inside of the L shape can be directed toward a corner of the rectangular sensible heat exchanger 4, and the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 can be arranged with the inside of the L shape aligned with the corner, improving the storage ability of these filters, etc., and making the housing 11 smaller.

The water supply section 33 is made of, for example, resin, and is dish-shaped with an opening at the top. Like the drain pan 34, the water supply section 33 is L-shaped when viewed from the front and is bent. A pipe section 335 connected to the supply water passage 91 protrudes from the water supply section 33, and water (supply water) that passes through the pipe section 335 flows into the inside of the water supply section 33. A groove formed by multiple ribs is provided on the inner surface of the dish-shaped water supply section 33, and the supply water flows along the groove.

The water (supply water) that passes through the pipe section 335 is divided by a groove that branches into two, with one flow path corresponding to the first supply water path 911 and the other flow path corresponding to the second supply water path 912. The first supply water path 911 is connected to the first vaporization filter 31, and the second supply water path 912 is connected to the second vaporization filter 32. The first supply water path 911 and the second supply water path 912, which branch into two from the pipe section 335 connected to the supply water path 91, are extended at a constant width and then form a T-shape whose width expands along the longitudinal direction of each of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32.

In the first supply water passage 911 and the second supply water passage 912, a plurality of first water supply holes 331 and a plurality of second water supply holes 332 are provided in the upper side portion (region) of the T-shape, i.e., in the respective portions (regions) along the longitudinal direction of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. The plurality of first water supply holes 331 in the first supply water passage 911 are provided on the side of the first outlet side opening surface 441 facing the first vaporization filter 31, i.e., on the upstream side when the first air passes through the first vaporization filter 31. The plurality of second water supply holes 332 in the second supply water passage 912 are provided on the opposite side of the second inlet side opening surface 432 facing the second vaporization filter 32, i.e., on the upstream side when the second air passes through the second vaporization filter 32.

By providing the first water supply hole 331 and the second water supply hole 332 in the water supply section 33 on the upstream side in the flow direction of the air (first air, second air), the density distribution of the water that has penetrated the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 can be biased toward the upstream side. This promotes the evaporation of water in the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, improving the cooling efficiency. In addition, the liquid splash phenomenon in which the water that has penetrated the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 flows out in a liquid state together with the first air and the second air can be suppressed.

A hydrophilic intervening member may be provided between the first water supply hole 331 and the first vaporization filter 31. Similarly, a hydrophilic intervening member may be provided between the second water supply hole 332 and the second vaporization filter 32. By providing the intervening member, the water supplied from the first water supply hole 331 to the first vaporization filter 31 can be supplied more uniformly, i.e., dripped. Similarly, the water supplied from the second water supply hole 332 to the second vaporization filter 32 can be supplied more uniformly, i.e., dripped. With this configuration, water can be supplied efficiently with a smaller amount of water, so that the operating time of the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 can be reduced.

The cooling unit 3, including the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, is configured in an L-shape. This improves the ease of storing the cooling unit 3 in the housing 11, and allows the housing 11 to be made smaller.

Figure 8 is a schematic side view illustrating an example of an air conditioner 1 mounted on a mobile object M. The air conditioner 1, which includes a housing 11 that houses the cooling unit 3 and the like, and a tank 12 that stores water to be supplied to the cooling unit 3, is mounted on a vehicle (mobile object M) such as a forklift. In addition to forklifts, the mobile object M can be a variety of vehicles such as golf carts, small excavators, turrets, and trikes. In this case, by drawing power from the vehicle, the air conditioner 1 can be started at the same time as the vehicle is started. In addition, the power supply can be shared with the vehicle.

The housing 11 is placed, for example, on the top of the top surface (head guard) of a forklift. The tank 12 is placed at a location lower than where the housing 11 is placed, such as the rear part (balance weight) of the forklift, or a support supporting the top surface (head guard). By placing the tank 12 lower than the housing 11, the water in the drain pan 34 stored in the housing 11 can be reliably collected into the tank 12 using gravity (the weight of the water), reducing the amount of water remaining inside the housing 11 and improving hygiene inside the housing 11.

All electrical components arranged in the supply water channel 91 and return water channel 92, such as the water supply pump 913, the water supply sensor 914, the return pump 923, and the return water sensor 924, are housed in the housing 11, and these electrical components are not mounted on the tank 12. This simplifies the structure and configuration of the tank 12 and reduces its weight, improving the flexibility of where the tank 12 can be placed when mounting the air conditioner 1 on a moving object M such as a forklift.

A blow-out duct 711 capable of varying (adjusting) the blow-out direction is attached to the first blow-out port 71 provided in the housing 11, and the blow-out duct 711 is extended downward toward the top surface on which the housing 11 is placed. Therefore, while the second blow-out port 72 blowing out the second air (exhaust air) is positioned at the top of the top surface, the first air (air) can be blown out through the blow-out duct 711 to the driver's seat of the forklift, which is the conditioned space, and the forklift operator positioned in the driver's seat can be efficiently cooled.

The direction of the second air outlet 72 that blows out the second air (exhaust air) is set to the vicinity of the periphery of the blow-out duct 711, so that the temperature (ambient temperature) of the air around the blow-out duct 711 can be lowered by the second air blown out from the second air outlet 72. This makes it possible to prevent the first air (supply air) blown out from the blow-out duct 711 from rising due to the outside air (air outside the housing 11).

The tank 12 and the housing 11 (cooling unit 3) are connected by a supply water channel 91 and a recovery water channel 92. For example, the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92, which are made of soft resin hoses, may be arranged along the pillars supporting the top surface. When arranging the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92 along the pillars, the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92 may be fastened to the pillars by fastening members such as tie wraps. This makes it possible to prevent the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92 from coming off the tank 12 or the housing 11 due to vibrations generated by the movement of the forklift.

The first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are provided in an L-shape as shown in FIG. 3, but this is not the only possible example. Specifically, the first vaporization filter 31 may be capable of passing the first air flowing through the first flow path 61, and the second vaporization filter 32 may be capable of passing the second air flowing through the second flow path 62. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the first vaporization filter 31 may be formed so as to cover the first outlet side opening surface 441 in the first flow path 61 formed between the left end of the first outlet side opening surface 441 and the front side of the housing 11. Similarly, the second vaporization filter 32 may be formed so as to cover the second inlet side opening surface 432 in the second flow path 62 formed between the right end of the second inlet side opening surface 432 and the front side of the housing 11.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 9 is a schematic front view illustrating one configuration of the air conditioner 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view illustrating one configuration of the air conditioner 1. FIG. 10 illustrates the arrangement of the air conditioner 1 as viewed from the front. FIG. 10 illustrates a cross section taken along line B-B in FIG. 2 as viewed from the front. The air conditioner 1 according to the second embodiment includes, as in the first embodiment, a housing 11, a tank 12, an electric unit 13, a cooling unit 3, a sensible heat exchanger 4, a fan motor 8, a first fan 81, a second fan 82, a water supply pump 913, and a recovery pump 923, and includes a first path through which the first air (supply air) flows, and a second path through which the second air (exhaust air) flows.

The cooling unit 3 of the second embodiment includes a first vaporization filter 31, a second vaporization filter 32, a water supply section 33, and a drain pan 34, similar to the first embodiment. The water supply section 33 of the second embodiment includes a first water supply section 33A placed on the top of the first vaporization filter 31 and a second water supply section 33B placed on the top of the second vaporization filter 32, and differs from the first embodiment in that the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B are placed on the top of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 in a separate form.

As shown in the figure in this embodiment, the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 are arranged side by side above the sensible heat exchanger 4. The water supply pump 913 is arranged in the supply water passage 91 as in the first embodiment, and in the supply water passage 91, the housing 11 (main body) and the tank 12 (separate body) are in communication with each other via, for example, a stop valve (shut-off valve).

The recovery pump 923 and the water supply pump 913 may be mounted side by side above the sensible heat exchanger 4, and these pumps may be accessible by opening the top plate of the housing 11. This improves the efficiency of work such as inspecting or replacing the recovery pump 923 and the water supply pump 913 during maintenance of the air conditioner 1. By mounting the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 side by side, there is no need to provide mounting space above and below, and the height of the housing 11 can be reduced, resulting in a more compact product.

The water (supply water) pumped up from the tank 12 by the water supply pump 913 is supplied to the water supply section 33 (first water supply section 33A, second water supply section 33B) through the supply water passage 91. The supply water passage 91 between the water supply pump 913 and the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B is provided with a branch passage that branches into the first supply water passage 911 and the second supply water passage 912. The branch passage may be located above the sensible heat exchanger 4. The first supply water passage 911 and the second supply water passage 912 branched by the branch passage formed in the supply water passage 91 are connected to the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B. That is, the first supply water passage 911 is connected to the first water supply section 33A, and the second supply water passage 912 is connected to the second water supply section 33B.

The first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B are separated so as to correspond to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, respectively. In addition, the first water supply passage 911 and the second water supply passage 912 branched by the branch passage of the supply water passage 91 are connected to the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B, so that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bias in the amount of water (water volume) supplied to each of the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B. That is, the water (supply water) is diverted at the branch passage located outside the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B. As a result, for example, even if the air conditioner 1 placed on the moving body M is tilted due to the behavior of the moving body M and a difference in height occurs between the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bias in the amount of water flowing into the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B. Therefore, even if the air conditioner 1 is placed on the moving body M and the attitude of the air conditioner 1 changes due to the condition of the road surface on which the moving body M moves, the amount of water supplied to each of the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B can be equalized.

Water (supply water) flowing into the first water supply section 33A via the first supply water passage 911 drips onto the first vaporization filter 31 via the first water supply hole 331, as in embodiment 1. Water (supply water) flowing into the second water supply section 33B via the second supply water passage 912 drips onto the second vaporization filter 32 via the second water supply hole 332, as in embodiment 1.

The recovery pump 923 is provided in the recovery water passage 92 as in the first embodiment, and the recovery water passage 92 is connected to the housing 11 (main body) and the tank 12 (separate body) via, for example, a stop valve (close valve). As in the first embodiment, the water (recovered water) that flows down into the drain pan 34 is recovered into the tank 12 via the recovery water passage 92.

The water flowing down from the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 may be collected in one place in the drain pan 34, merged as the recovery water channel 92, and connected to the recovery pump 923. That is, in the drain pan 34, the first recovery water channel 921 after the first vaporization filter 31 is added and the second recovery water channel 922 after the second vaporization filter 32 is added may be collected (merged) in one place. With this configuration, for example, even if the air conditioner 1 is placed on a moving body and the housing 11 is tilted due to the behavior of the moving body, the water flowing down from the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 can be collected in one place in the drain pan 34, that is, in the communication hole communicating with the recovery water channel 92, and the water can be reliably transported by the recovery pump 923. That is, for example, if the drain pan 34 has multiple communication holes, there is a concern that when the housing 11 tilts, air will be drawn in from one of the communication holes by the recovery pump 923, making it impossible to draw water from the other communication holes. However, by collecting the water that has flowed down from the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 in one place in the drain pan 34 and transporting it via the recovery water passage 92 by the recovery pump 923, the water can be reliably recovered in the tank 12.

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating one configuration of the cooling unit 3. The cooling unit 3 of embodiment 2 includes a first vaporization filter 31, a second vaporization filter 32, a drain pan 34, and a water supply section 33, similar to embodiment 1, and the water supply section 33 includes a first water supply section 33A and a second water supply section 33B that are configured separately.

The drain pan 34 is L-shaped, and the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are placed in the areas that make up each side of the L shape. The first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are fastened to the L shape by being placed on the drain pan 34.

The first water supply section 33A is placed on top of the first vaporization filter 31, and the second water supply section 33B is placed on top of the second vaporization filter 32, so that the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B are arranged to form an L shape, similar to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. With this configuration, the outer shell of the cooling unit 3 can be configured to be L-shaped, improving the storage capacity of the cooling unit 3 and making it possible to reduce the size of the housing 11 of the air conditioner 1 that stores the cooling unit 3.

Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the internal structure of the water supply section 33. Figure 13 is a schematic side view illustrating one configuration of the water supply section 33. Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the main parts of the water supply section 33. Figure 12 is a view of the water supply section 33 seen from above, and Figure 13 is a central cross-sectional view (cross-section cut along line C-C) of the water supply section 33 seen from the pipe section 335 side. The water supply section 33 shown in Figures 12 to 14 is a modified configuration of the water supply section 33 shown in Figure 11. In the illustrations of this embodiment, the structure of the first water supply section 33A constituting the water supply section 33 will be described based on the first water supply section 33A. The structure of the second water supply section 33B is the same as the structure of the first water supply section 33A.

The first water supply section 33A is a box-shaped body with a hollow structure inside, and includes a horizontally elongated container section 333 into which water (supply water) flows, and a rectangular top surface section 334 that seals the container section 333 from above. The open surface located at the top of the container section 333 is closed by the top surface section 334, thereby sealing the container section 333 and forming the first water supply section 33A with a hollow structure inside.

The area of the top surface 334 (the area of the top surface 334 when viewed from the front) is larger than the opening area of the opening surface located at the top of the container portion 333, and the periphery of the top surface 334 is located outside the opening edge of the container portion 333. Therefore, on the underside of the top surface 334, a region in which the container portion 333 is provided and a peripheral region surrounding the region in which the container portion 333 is provided are formed.

A cylindrical pipe section 335 is provided in the center of the side of the container section 333, and the supply water passage 91 (first supply water passage 911) is connected to the pipe section 335. Water (supply water) flowing through the first supply water passage 911 flows into the container section 333 via the pipe section 335. In other words, the pipe section 335 of the first water supply section 33A and the internal space of the container section 333 form part of the first supply water passage 911. The container section 333 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the first vaporization filter 31 on which the first water supply section 33A is placed, and a T-shaped water passage is formed by the container section 333 and the pipe section 335 protruding from the side of the container section 333. The T-shaped water passage forms part of the first supply water passage 911.

In the bottom surface of the container portion 333, a plurality of first water supply holes 331 (13 in the figure) are provided along the longitudinal direction of the container portion 333, as in the first embodiment. That is, the first water supply holes 331 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the first vaporization filter 31 on which the first water supply portion 33A is placed. As an example, the first water supply holes 331 are arranged in the longitudinal direction point-symmetrically with the first water supply hole 331 provided in the center of the container portion 333 as the center point. By arranging the container portion 333 on the upstream side of the first air passing through the first vaporization filter 31, the first water supply hole 331 provided in the container portion 333 may be biased toward the upstream side of the first air.

At both ends of the container portion 333 in the longitudinal direction, drain holes 336 are provided. The drain holes 336 are provided by penetrating the side surface of the container portion 333, and are formed above the first water supply hole 331 provided on the bottom surface. As an example, the drain holes 336 are provided at the top of the container portion 333. Furthermore, the opening area of the drain holes 336 is set smaller than the opening area of the first water supply hole 331. This allows air, which has a lower specific gravity than water, to be preferentially discharged from the drain holes 336. In other words, most of the supply water drips from the first water supply hole 331 to the first vaporization filter 31. As an example, the side surface on which the drain holes 336 are provided is the side surface opposite to the side surface on which the pipe portion 335 is provided. The direction of the drain hole 336 that penetrates the side surface forms an angle of 90° with respect to the direction of the first water supply hole 331 that is provided on the bottom surface, i.e., the direction of the drain hole 336 is different from the direction of the first water supply hole 331.

The container part 333 is sealed by the top surface part 334, and there is a concern that air may stagnate inside the container part 333 (first water supply part 33A). However, since the exhaust hole 336 is formed above the first water supply hole 331, the air stagnated above the container part 333 can be efficiently discharged. The exhaust hole 336 is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the container part 333, and the tube part 335 is provided in the center of the longitudinal direction of the container part 333. Therefore, when water flows into the inside of the container part 333 from the tube part 335 located in the center, the air that is drawn to both ends by the water can be efficiently discharged from the exhaust hole 336. As an example, the exhaust hole 336 may be formed by facing the notch part formed in the wall part of the container part 333 and the top surface part 334. Alternatively, a recess slightly larger than the wall surface of the container portion 333 may be provided in the top surface portion 334, and the container portion 333 may be sealed by the top surface portion 334 to form the hole 336.

The underside of the top surface 334, which seals the container 333 from above, includes the area in which the container 333 is provided and a peripheral area surrounding the area in which the container 333 is provided. A water receiving wall 337 is provided in the peripheral area to receive water that flows out (discharges) from the drain hole 336.

The water receiving wall 337 is provided so as to protrude downward from the lower surface of the top surface portion 334, that is, toward the first vaporization filter 31 side. The water receiving wall 337 is, for example, formed of ribs and is L-shaped. By forming the water receiving wall 337 in an L-shape, the rigidity of the water receiving wall 337 can be improved. In addition, by forming it in an L-shape, the supply water that hits the water receiving wall 337 facing the drain hole 336 and splashes can be received by the L-shaped portion, and can be reliably dripped onto the first vaporization filter 31. In the L-shaped water receiving wall 337, the wall surface corresponding to the long side of the L is provided so as to be perpendicular to the penetration direction of the drain hole 336. The wall surface corresponding to the short side of the L is provided so as to be parallel to the penetration direction of the drain hole 336. The L-shaped water receiving wall 337 is provided so that the inside of the L is directed toward the corner of the rectangular container portion 333 and is aligned along the corner.

The drain hole 336, which is provided through the side of the container portion 333, has an opening end on the inside of the container portion 333 and an opening end on the outside of the container portion 333. The wall surface corresponding to the long side of the L-shaped water receiving wall 337 is perpendicular to the penetrating direction of the drain hole 336, that is, the wall surface is provided opposite the outer opening end of the drain hole 336. Therefore, the water flowing out (discharged) from the drain hole 336 hits the wall surface corresponding to the long side of the L-shaped water receiving wall 337, is received by the wall surface, and is guided downward in the protruding direction of the wall surface. Since the first vaporization filter 31 is provided below the wall surface, i.e., below the first water supply portion 33A, the water guided downward drips onto the first vaporization filter 31. This allows the water to be drained (flowed out) through the drain hole 336 even if the volumetric flow rate of the water (supply water) supplied to the first water supply section 33A is greater than the volumetric flow rate dripping from the first water supply hole 331 onto the first vaporization filter 31. The water that flows out of the drain hole 336 is guided downward by the water receiving wall 337 and can drip onto the first vaporization filter 31.

The wall surface corresponding to the long side of the L-shaped water receiving wall 337 is formed in a tapered shape, such as a V-shape or a U-shape, toward the downward protrusion direction. Therefore, the tip of the tapered shape of the wall surface corresponds to the lowest part of the water receiving wall 337, and water can be efficiently dripped from the tip of the tapered shape into the first vaporization filter 31. In addition, it is considered that a part of the supply water that hits the water receiving wall 337 will bounce back and adhere to the outer wall of the container part 333. It is also considered that a part of the supply water will run down the outer wall of the container part 333 from the drain hole 336. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 14, a rib extending downward from the drain hole 336 on the wall surface of the container part 333 may be provided. In the example of FIG. 14, the lowest part of the rib is arranged in a straight line connecting the multiple first water supply holes 331. This makes it possible to distribute the drip positions of the supply water to the first vaporization filter 31 and eliminate bias in the supply water in the first vaporization filter 31.

The structure of the second water supply section 33B is similar to that of the first water supply section 33A. Like the first water supply section 33A, the second water supply section 33B includes a container section 333 and a top surface section 334, and the container section 333 is provided with a pipe section 335, a second water supply hole 332, and a drain hole 336, and a water receiving wall 337 protrudes from the underside of the top surface section 334. The structure of the second water supply section 33B can be explained by replacing the description of the first water supply section 33A with the description of the second water supply section 33B.

At the branch of the supply water passage 91, when it branches into the first supply water passage 911 and the second supply water passage 912, a difference may be generated in the amount of water supplied per unit time to each of the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B. Specifically, the amount of water supplied to the first water supply section 33A may be less than the amount of water supplied to the second water supply section 33B. In other words, the amount of water supplied to the first vaporization filter 31 may be less than the amount of water supplied to the second vaporization filter 32. In this way, when generating a difference in the amount of water supplied to the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B, for example, the inner diameter of the first supply water passage 911 branched at the branch of the supply water passage 91 may be smaller than the inner diameter of the second supply water passage 912. Alternatively, the inner diameter of the pipe of the first water supply section 33A to which the first supply water passage 911 is connected may be smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe of the second water supply section 33B to which the second supply water passage 912 is connected. The first air passing through the first vaporization filter 31 is cooled by the second air in the sensible heat exchanger 4, so that the saturated water vapor pressure (amount of saturated water vapor) is reduced. In contrast, the second air passing through the second vaporization filter 32 is air immediately after being sucked in from the suction port 5. Therefore, the saturated water vapor pressure of the first air passing through the first vaporization filter 31 is lower than the saturated water vapor pressure of the second air passing through the second vaporization filter 32. That is, the amount of vaporization of the first air in the first vaporization filter 31 per unit time is smaller than the amount of vaporization of the second air in the second vaporization filter 32. In response to this, by setting the amount of water supplied to the first vaporization filter 31 to be less than the amount of water supplied to the second vaporization filter 32, excessive water is prevented from being supplied to the first vaporization filter 31, which saves on the cumulative driving amount of the water supply pump 913, thereby improving the product lifespan and reducing power consumption.

For example, an electromagnetic three-way valve may be provided in the branch of the supply water passage 91 to alternately supply water to the first vaporization filter 31 via the first water supply section 33A and to the second vaporization filter 32 via the second water supply section 33B. With this configuration, the flow rate of water sent by the supply water pump 913 at one time can be halved, and the life of the supply water pump 913 can be extended. Alternatively, the supply water pump 913 can be made smaller, and the cost and size of the air conditioner 1 (the entire product) can be reduced. The electromagnetic three-way valve is controlled by, for example, the controller 130 to open and close each valve. When controlling the electromagnetic three-way valve, the controller 130 may make the amount of water supplied to the first vaporization filter 31 less than the amount of water supplied to the second vaporization filter 32 by making the time for opening the valve connected to the first supply water passage 911 shorter than the time for opening the valve connected to the second supply water passage 912.

An electromagnetic three-way valve may be provided that can switch between a path for recovering (draining) the water in the drain pan 34 to the tank 12 and a path for supplying water to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 without recovering (draining) it to the tank 12. The controller 130 drives the water supply pump 913 to supply water from the tank 12 until the maximum amount of water is stored in the drain pan 34, and then circulates the water between the drain pan 34 and the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 to supply the water in the drain pan 34 to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. After circulation, when the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are sufficiently wet, the water in the drain pan 34 is recovered (drained) and returned to the tank 12. Circulating only the water stored in the drain pan 34 makes it easier to cool the water temperature to the wet-bulb temperature, and also provides a water-cooling effect, improving cooling performance.

(Appendix 1: Air conditioner 1 in general)
An air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing 11 having a first air outlet 71 and a second air outlet 72, a first flow path 61 communicating with the first air outlet 71, a second flow path 62 communicating with the second air outlet 72, a sensible heat exchanger 4 that exchanges sensible heat between a first air flowing through the first flow path 61 and a second air flowing through the second flow path 62, a first vaporization filter 31 that cools the first air using the latent heat of water, and a second vaporization filter 32 that cools the second air using the latent heat of water, wherein the first vaporization filter 31 is disposed downstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction of the first air, and the second vaporization filter 32 is disposed upstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction of the second air.

In this embodiment, the air conditioner 1 is provided with two flow paths, a first flow path 61 and a second flow path 62, and a sensible heat exchanger 4 that exchanges sensible heat between the first air and the second air flowing through these flow paths. The air conditioner 1 further includes a first vaporization filter 31 and a second vaporization filter 32. The first air passing through the first vaporization filter 31 is cooled by the latent heat (heat of vaporization) of the water that has permeated the first vaporization filter 31, and the second air passing through the second vaporization filter 32 is cooled by the latent heat (heat of vaporization) of the water that has permeated the second vaporization filter 32. Since the second vaporization filter 32 is provided upstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction of the second air, the second air flows into the sensible heat exchanger 4 after being cooled by the heat of vaporization. The first air that flows into the sensible heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat with the second air cooled by the second vaporization filter 32 through the sensible heat exchanger 4, and is cooled. The first air flowing out from the sensible heat exchanger 4 is further cooled by the first vaporization filter 31 provided downstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction of the first air, and then blown out from the first outlet 71 as supply air (SA) into the conditioned space. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 cools the first air blown out into the conditioned space in two stages, so that the first air can be efficiently cooled and the conditioned space can be efficiently cooled using the first air. The air conditioner 1 configured in this manner includes two vaporization filters, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, in each of the first flow path 61 (air supply flow path) and the second flow path 62 (exhaust flow path), which are different flow paths. The first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are used as cold heat sources to efficiently cool the first air. Of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, the first air blown into the conditioned space as supply air (SA) passes through the first vaporization filter 31, so the first air can be efficiently cooled while suppressing an increase in the absolute humidity of the first air. Water for generating the heat of vaporization is supplied (supplied) to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, that is, water for generating the heat of vaporization is not directly supplied (supplied) to the sensible heat exchanger 4. Therefore, water droplets can be suppressed from remaining in the first path 41 and the second path 42 inside the sensible heat exchanger 4.

In the air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are fastened in an L-shape by a fastening member.

In this embodiment, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are fastened in an L-shape by fastening members, improving the ease of storage when stored in the housing 11 and enabling the housing 11 to be made more compact.

In the air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the fastening member is a drain pan 34 that receives water that has not been vaporized in the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32.

In this embodiment, an L-shaped drain pan 34 is used as the fastening member, which is provided below the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. This eliminates the need for dedicated parts for fastening the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, making it possible to reduce the size and weight of the air conditioner 1.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sensible heat exchanger 4 is housed in the housing 11 such that an acute angle is formed between the inner surface of the housing 11 and the end face of the sensible heat exchanger 4 that faces the inner surface.

In this embodiment, the sensible heat exchanger is stored in the housing 11 such that the inner surface of the housing 11 and the end face of the sensible heat exchanger 4 facing the inner surface form an acute angle, for example, in the range of 10 degrees to 50 degrees. In other words, the sensible heat exchanger 4 is stored in the housing 11 in a state rotated at a rotation angle corresponding to the acute angle from a state (attitude position) in which the inner surface of the housing 11 and the end face of the sensible heat exchanger 4 facing the inner surface are parallel. By storing the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the housing 11 in this rotated state at a predetermined rotation angle, it is possible to ensure a large heat exchangeable area (heat exchange area) in the sensible heat exchanger 4 relative to the size of the housing 11.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sensible heat exchanger 4 includes a first path 41 through which the first air flows and a second path 42 through which the second air flows, the first vaporization filter 31 covers the outlet of the first path 41, and the second vaporization filter 32 covers the inlet of the second path 42.

In this embodiment, the sensible heat exchanger 4 includes a first path 41 through which the first air flows and a second path 42 through which the second air flows. Therefore, the first path 41 constitutes a part of the first flow path 61, and the second path 42 constitutes a part of the second flow path 62. The first vaporization filter 31, which is provided downstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction of the first air, is provided to cover the outlet of the first path 41, so that the first air that flows out of the outlet of the first path 41 (flowing out of the sensible heat exchanger 4) can be efficiently cooled. In other words, the first vaporization filter 31 covers the first outlet side opening surface 441 where the outlet of the first path 41 is formed so that all of the first air that flows out of the outlet of the first path 41 passes through the first vaporization filter 31. The second vaporization filter 32, which is provided upstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction of the second air, is provided to cover the inlet of the second path 42, so that the second air flowing into the inlet of the second path 42 (flowing into the sensible heat exchanger 4) can be efficiently cooled. That is, the second vaporization filter 32 covers the second inlet side opening surface 432 where the inlet of the second path 42 is formed so that all of the second air flowing into the inlet of the second path 42 passes through the second vaporization filter 32. With this configuration, the flow rate of air that bypasses without passing through the first vaporization filter 31 or the second vaporization filter 32 can be reduced.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when forming a cross flow in the sensible heat exchanger 4, the first path 41 and the second path 42 are arranged to intersect, and the angle formed by one surface of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 facing the sensible heat exchanger 4 is equal to or greater than the intersection angle of the first path 41 and the second path 42.

In this embodiment, the first path 41 and the second path 42 of the sensible heat exchanger 4 are arranged to intersect, so that a cross flow is formed between the first air and the second air. The angle formed by the end faces of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 facing the sensible heat exchanger 4 is equal to or greater than the intersection angle of the first path 41 and the second path 42, and is, for example, 60 degrees to 120 degrees. Note that the intersection angle of the first path 41 and the second path 42 of the sensible heat exchanger 4 may be a rhombus that forms an angle between 60 degrees and 120 degrees instead of 90 degrees, and in this case, the angle formed by the end faces of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 may be ±30 degrees with respect to the intersection angle. Therefore, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 can be arranged with the inside of the L-shape formed from the end face of each of them facing the corner of the rectangular sensible heat exchanger 4, and the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 fastened with fastening members can be arranged, improving the storage capacity of these filters and reducing the size of the housing 11.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the surface distance between the first outlet side opening surface 441, where the outlet of the first path 41 in the sensible heat exchanger 4 is provided, and the inner surface of the housing 11 facing the first outlet side opening surface 441, increases toward the downstream side of the first air.

In this embodiment, the sensible heat exchanger 4 is housed in the housing 11 so that the surface distance between the first outlet side opening surface 441 of the sensible heat exchanger 4 and the inner surface of the housing 11 facing the first outlet side opening surface 441 increases toward the downstream side of the first air. Therefore, the flow path cross-sectional area of the first flow path 61 located downstream of the outlet of the first path 41 provided in the first outlet side opening surface 441 can be gradually increased toward the downstream side, and the pressure loss for the first air flowing out from the outlet of the first path 41 can be reduced.

In the air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing 11 is provided with an intake port 5 through which the first air and the second air are drawn in, and a dust collection filter 53 is provided between the intake port 5 and the sensible heat exchanger 4, and the dust collection filter 53 is curved to cover the inlet of the first path 41 and the inlet of the second path 42.

In this embodiment, the dust collection filter 53 interposed between the intake port 5 and the sensible heat exchanger 4 is curved to cover the inlet of the first passage 41 and the inlet of the second passage 42 of the sensible heat exchanger 4. Therefore, by sharing the dust collection filter 53 in the first passage 61 and the second passage 62, the number of parts in the air conditioner 1 can be reduced. Even if the inlet of the first passage 41 and the inlet of the second passage 42 are provided on different end faces of the sensible heat exchanger 4, the single dust collection filter 53 can be curved to cover the inlets of both the first passage 41 and the second passage 42, thereby preventing dust from entering the inside of the sensible heat exchanger 4.

In the air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a seal member 531 is provided on each end of the dust collection filter 53.

In this embodiment, a seal member 531 is provided at each end of the dust collection filter 53, so that air is prevented from flowing into the sensible heat exchanger 4 without passing through the dust collection filter 53.

In the air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the space between the sensible heat exchanger 4 and the intake port 5 is divided by the dust collection filter 53 into an upstream space and a downstream space in the flow direction of the first air and the second air, and a branch flow path 52 is formed in the downstream space to divide the intake air sucked in from the intake port 5 into the first air flowing in the first path 41 and the second air flowing in the second path 42.

In this embodiment, the space between the sensible heat exchanger 4 and the intake port 5 is divided by the dust collection filter 53 into an upstream space and a downstream space in the flow direction of the first air and the second air, and a branch flow path 52 that branches into the first path 41 and the second path 42 is formed in the downstream space. Therefore, while the intake port 5 and the dust collection filter 53 are shared in the first path 41 and the second path 42, the first air is branched into the first path 41 through which the first air flows and the second path 42 through which the second air flows in the downstream space downstream of the dust collection filter 53, and the divided first air and second air can be efficiently flowed into the sensible heat exchanger 4. The upstream space is a space through which the intake air flows before being branched into the first air and the second air, and corresponds to the intake flow path 51. The intake flow path 51 (upstream space) is connected to the outside of the housing 11 via the intake port 5. Because the intake flow path 51 (upstream space) is a path shared by the first path 41 and the second path 42, the intake port 5 can also be shared by the first path 41 and the second path 42, improving the degree of freedom in arranging the hole-shaped intake port 5 in the housing 11, and ensuring the strength of the housing 11 while increasing the opening area of the intake port 5 and reducing the flow path resistance (pressure loss) of the intake air.

In the air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a water supply passage 91 is provided in the upstream space for supplying water to the first vaporization filter 31 or the second vaporization filter 32.

In this embodiment, the upstream space corresponds to the intake passage 51 through which the intake air drawn in from the intake port 5 flows, and the temperature of the intake air is equivalent to the temperature of the surrounding air outside the housing 11. The water flowing in the supply water passage 91 located in the upstream space (intake passage 51) exchanges heat with the intake air flowing in the intake passage 51. For example, when the temperature of the water flowing in the supply water passage 91 is higher than the temperature of the surrounding air, the water can be cooled by the intake air, improving the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner 1. The outer peripheral surface of the supply water passage 91 located in the upstream space may be provided with, for example, fins, etc., to increase the heat transfer area during heat exchange with the intake air, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing 11 is provided on the side on which the first vaporization filter 31 is provided with a door section 111 that is configured to be freely opened and closed, and the inner surface of the door section 111 is provided with a suppression member 112 that suppresses air from entering the first flow path 61 without passing through the first vaporization filter 31.

In this embodiment, the side of the housing 11 on which the first vaporization filter 31 is provided is provided with a door section 111 that can be opened and closed. By opening the door section 111 (putting it in an open state), the inside of the housing 11 can be accessed from the outside to perform maintenance work such as replacing the first vaporization filter 31 or the second vaporization filter 32. The inner surface of the door section 111 is provided with a suppression member 112 that suppresses air from entering the first flow path 61 without passing through the first vaporization filter 31, so that air that is not cooled by the first vaporization filter 31 can be suppressed from entering the first flow path 61 downstream of the first vaporization filter 31. The suppression member 112 provided on the inner surface of the door section 111 includes not only the case where the suppression member 112 is attached to the inner surface of the door section 111, but also the case where the suppression member 112 is attached to the first vaporization filter 31 or to a fastening member that fastens the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32. In this case, by closing the door portion 111 (closed state), the inner surface of the door portion 111 may press against the suppression member 112, thereby suppressing air from entering the first flow path 61 without passing through the first vaporization filter 31.

An air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a tank 12 provided outside the housing 11, a water supply passage 91 that supplies water from the tank 12 to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, and a recovery passage 92 that recovers water that has not been vaporized by the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 into the tank 12.

In this embodiment, the tank 12 for holding the water to be supplied to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 is provided outside the housing 11, making it unnecessary to store the tank 12 in the housing 11, and reducing the size and weight of the housing 11. As a result, for example, when the air conditioner 1 is mounted on a moving body M such as a forklift, the housing 11, which is the main body of the air conditioner 1, and the tank 12, which is configured separately from the housing 11, can be placed apart, and the housing 11 and the tank 12 can be mounted according to the shape of the moving body M on which the air conditioner 1 is mounted. The tank 12, the first vaporization filter 31, and the second vaporization filter 32 are connected by the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92, that is, a circulation circuit is formed in which water is recovered (returned) to the tank 12 via the tank 12, the supply water channel 91, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, and the recovery water channel 92. This circulation circuit allows the water that has not been vaporized in the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 to be efficiently collected in the tank 12, thereby reducing the amount of water remaining inside the housing 11. For water that has permeated the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, for example, after the operator of the air conditioner 1 presses the stop button, a water-free operation may be performed in which the fan is driven without supplying water from the tank 12, thereby drying the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32.

(Additional Note 2: Configuration of Cooling Unit 3)
A cooling unit 3 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a cooling unit 3 used in an air conditioner 1 that cools a conditioned space, and comprises a first evaporation filter 31 that cools first air blown into the conditioned space using the latent heat of water, and a second evaporation filter 32 that cools second air that exchanges sensible heat with the first air using the latent heat of water, and the first evaporation filter 31 and the second evaporation filter 32 are fastened in an L-shape by fastening members.

In this embodiment, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 included in the cooling unit 3 are fastened in an L-shape by fastening members, which improves storage capacity and allows the housing 11 of the air conditioner 1 that houses the cooling unit 3 to be made smaller.

In the cooling unit 3 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fastening member is a drain pan 34 that receives water that has not been vaporized in the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32.

In this embodiment, by using an L-shaped drain pan 34 provided below the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 as the fastening member, it is possible to eliminate the need for dedicated parts for fastening the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, thereby making it possible to reduce the size and weight of the air conditioner 1.

In the cooling unit 3 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the drain pan 34 is L-shaped, and the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are placed in the areas that form each side of the L shape in the drain pan 34.

In this embodiment, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are placed in the areas that make up each side of the L-shape of the drain pan 34. The drain pan 34 and the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 placed on the drain pan 34 are both L-shaped when viewed from the front, so that the cooling unit 3 can also be configured in an L-shape. This improves the storability of the cooling unit 3 and makes it possible to reduce the size of the housing 11 of the air conditioner 1 that houses the cooling unit 3.

The cooling unit 3 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first water supply section 33A that supplies water to the first vaporization filter 31 and a second water supply section 33B that supplies water to the second vaporization filter 32, and the first water supply section 33A is placed on top of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second water supply section 33B is placed on top of the second vaporization filter 32, so that the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B form an L-shape.

In this embodiment, the cooling unit 3 includes a water supply section 33 that supplies water to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, and the water supply section 33 includes a first water supply section 33A placed on the top of the first vaporization filter 31 and a second water supply section 33B placed on the top of the second vaporization filter 32. The first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B placed on the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 are L-shaped like the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, which improves the storage capacity of the cooling unit 3 and allows the housing 11 of the air conditioner 1 that stores the cooling unit 3 to be made smaller.

In a cooling unit 3 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first water supply hole 331 formed in the first water supply section 33A is provided upstream of the first vaporization filter 31 in the flow direction of the first air, and the second water supply hole 332 formed in the second water supply section 33B is provided upstream of the second vaporization filter 32 in the flow direction of the second air.

In this embodiment, the first water supply hole 331 formed in the first water supply section 33A is provided upstream of the first vaporization filter 31 in the first air flow direction, and the second water supply hole 332 formed in the second water supply section 33B is provided upstream of the second vaporization filter 32 in the second air flow direction, i.e., both the first water supply hole 331 and the second water supply hole 332 are provided upstream in their respective air flow directions. Therefore, the density distribution of the water that has penetrated the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 can be biased toward the upstream side in their respective air flow directions, promoting the evaporation of water in the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 and improving the cooling efficiency.

In the cooling unit 3 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B are formed with drain holes 336 for draining air or water, and the drain holes 336 are provided above the first water supply hole 331 formed in the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply hole 332 formed in the second water supply section 33B.

In this embodiment, the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B are formed with a drain hole 336 for draining air or water. Therefore, even if the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B are formed of a box body having a hollow internal structure, the air in the box body can be discharged through the drain hole 336, and the air can be prevented from accumulating inside. Since the drain hole 336 is provided above the first water supply hole 331 and the second water supply hole 332, the air inside the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B can be efficiently discharged. The penetration direction of the first water supply hole 331 and the second water supply hole 332 faces downward, which is the side of the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, while the penetration direction of the drain hole 336 is different from the penetration direction of the first water supply hole 331 and the second water supply hole 332, and the drain hole 336 may be formed facing the side.

The cooling unit 3 according to one aspect of the present disclosure is provided with a water receiving wall 337 that receives water flowing out from the drain hole 336, and the water receiving wall 337 is provided so as to protrude toward the first vaporization filter 31 or the second vaporization filter 32.

In this embodiment, the penetration direction of the first water supply hole 331 and the second water supply hole 332 faces downward toward the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32, while the penetration direction of the drain hole 336 is different from the penetration direction of the first water supply hole 331 and the second water supply hole 332, and the drain hole 336 is formed facing the side. That is, the drain hole 336 is provided by penetrating the side wall of the container part 333 in the first water supply part 33A and the second water supply part 33B. Therefore, the drain hole 336 has an opening end on the inside of the container part 333 and an opening end on the outside of the container part 333. A water receiving wall 337 is provided opposite the opening end on the outside of the drain hole 336 to receive the water flowing out from the drain hole 336. Since the water receiving wall 337 is provided so as to protrude toward the first vaporization filter 31 or the second vaporization filter 32, even if water flows out together with air from the exhaust hole 336, the flowing out water is received by the water receiving wall 337 and drips toward the first vaporization filter 31 or the second vaporization filter 32, which is the protruding direction of the water receiving wall 337. In other words, the water receiving wall 337 functions as a guide wall that guides the water flowing out from the exhaust hole 336 to the first vaporization filter 31 or the second vaporization filter 32.

In the cooling unit 3 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water receiving wall 337 has a tapered shape.

In this embodiment, the water receiving wall 337 protrudes toward the first vaporization filter 31 or the second vaporization filter 32 located below the first water supply section 33A and the second water supply section 33B, and has a tapered shape. Therefore, the tip of the tapered shape corresponds to the lowest part of the water receiving wall 337, and water can be efficiently dripped from the tip of the tapered shape onto the first vaporization filter 31 or the second vaporization filter 32.

An air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cooling unit 3 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first path 41 through which the first air flows, and a second path 42 through which the second air flows, and is equipped with a sensible heat exchanger 4 that exchanges sensible heat between the first air and the second air, the first vaporization filter 31 being provided downstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction of the first air, and the second vaporization filter 32 being provided upstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction of the second air.

In this embodiment, the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 provided in the cooling unit 3 are L-shaped and bent. Therefore, the inside of the L shape can be directed toward a corner of the sensible heat exchanger 4, which is rectangular, and the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32 can be arranged with the inside of the L shape aligned with the corner, improving the storage ability of the cooling unit 3 and reducing the size of the housing 11 of the air conditioner 1. The first vaporization filter 31 is provided downstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction of the first air, and the second vaporization filter 32 is provided upstream of the sensible heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction of the second air. Therefore, in the sensible heat exchanger 4, after the first air is cooled by the second air cooled by the second vaporization filter 32, the first air can be further cooled by the first vaporization filter 31 and blown out into the conditioned space.

(Additional Note 3: Cooling of the Electric Unit 13)
An air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing 11 having a first air outlet 71 and a second air outlet 72, a first flow path 61 communicating with the first air outlet 71 and through which a first air cooled by the latent heat of water flows, a second flow path 62 communicating with the second air outlet 72 and through which a second air cooled by the latent heat of water flows, and an electric unit 13 housed in the housing 11, the electric unit 13 being disposed facing the second flow path 62 and being cooled by the second air after sensible heat exchange with the first air.

In this embodiment, the air conditioner 1 is provided with a first flow path 61 through which the first air cooled by the latent heat of water flows, and a second flow path 62 through which the second air cooled by the latent heat of water flows, and the first air cooled by the latent heat of water (heat of vaporization) is blown out as supply air from the first outlet 71 into the conditioned space. The electric unit 13, which is housed in the housing 11 of the air conditioner 1 and becomes a heat source by consuming electricity, is provided facing the second flow path 62 through which the second air flows, so that the electric unit 13 can be cooled by the second air. The second air that cools the electric unit 13 is the second air after sensible heat exchange with the first air, so that the electric unit 13 can be cooled by using the cold heat of the second air blown out (discharged) as exhaust from the second outlet 72. Therefore, the electric unit 13 can be efficiently cooled without affecting the first air blown out from the first outlet 71 as supply air.

The air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a second fan 82 that transports the second air in the second flow path 62, and a fan casing 84 that constitutes a part of the second flow path 62 and houses the second fan 82, and the fan casing 84 that houses the second fan 82 is thermally connected to the electric unit 13.

In this embodiment, the fan casing 84 that houses the second fan 82 is thermally connected to the electric unit 13, improving the heat transfer efficiency between the second air flowing through the fan casing 84 and the electric unit 13, and the electric unit 13 can be efficiently cooled using the second air.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a through hole 841 is formed in the portion of the fan casing 84 facing the electric unit 13, and a portion of the electric unit 13 is exposed through the through hole 841.

In this embodiment, a through hole 841 is formed in the fan casing 84, and a portion of the electric unit 13 is exposed through the through hole 841. Therefore, the portion of the electric unit 13 exposed through the through hole 841 is in direct contact with the second air flowing through the fan casing 84, improving the heat transfer efficiency between the second air and the electric unit 13, and allowing the electric unit 13 to be efficiently cooled using the second air.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the electric unit 13 includes a substrate 131, a sealing plate 133 that seals the through hole 841 from the side of the electric unit 13, and a heat transfer promotion member 132 that is interposed between the substrate 131 and the sealing plate 133, and a portion of the sealing plate 133 is exposed from the through hole 841.

In this embodiment, the part of the electric unit 13 exposed from the through hole 841 is part of the sealing plate 133 that seals the through hole 841 from the side of the electric unit 13, and the sealing plate 133 is, for example, part of the exterior of the electric unit 13 that forms a box. The electric unit 13 includes a board 131 on which electric components that are heat sources are mounted, and a heat transfer promotion member 132 molded from a heat dissipation material with high thermal conductivity is interposed between the board 131 and the sealing plate 133, so that the heat generated from the board 131 can be efficiently dissipated to the internal space of the fan casing 84 via the heat transfer promotion member 132 and the sealing plate 133.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a portion of the fan casing 84 that houses the second fan 82 is formed by the inner surface of the housing 11.

In this embodiment, a portion of the fan casing 84 that houses the second fan 82 is formed by the inner surface of the housing 11, so that the inner surface of the housing 11 is cooled by the second air flowing through the fan casing 84, mitigating the rise in temperature of the outer surface of the housing 11 due to the influence of outside air, and suppressing a decrease in the cooling capacity of the air conditioner 1.

An air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first fan 81 that transports the first air through the first flow path 61, and a fan casing 84 that constitutes a part of the first flow path 61 and houses the first fan 81, and the fan casing 84 that houses the first fan 81 is made of a heat transfer suppression member.

In this embodiment, the fan casing 84 housing the first fan 81 is made of a heat transfer suppression material with low thermal conductivity (insulating properties), such as polystyrene foam, and this reduces the effect of the outside air temperature on the first air passing through the fan casing 84 housing the first fan 81, thereby suppressing an increase in the temperature of the first air.

In the air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a partition plate 83 is provided in the fan casing 84 to separate the space in which the first fan 81 is provided from the space in which the second fan 82 is provided, and the fan motor 8 that drives the first fan 81 and the second fan 82 is disposed in the space in which the second fan 82 is provided.

In this embodiment, the first fan 81 and the second fan 82 share a single fan motor 8, so that the number of parts of the air conditioner 1 can be reduced and the weight can be reduced. A partition plate 83 is provided inside the fan casing 84, and the partition plate 83 divides the internal space of the fan casing 84 into a space in which the first fan 81 is provided (the fan chamber of the first fan 81) and a space in which the second fan 82 is provided (the fan chamber of the second fan 82). The partition plate 83 is, for example, made of a resin member, and may further have a laminated structure in which a heat transfer suppressing member having a low thermal conductivity, such as polystyrene foam, is attached to the partition plate 83 portion on the fan chamber side of the first fan 81. Alternatively, the partition plate 83 may be made of a heat transfer suppressing member made of a hollow member having an air layer inside. The heat transfer suppression member constituting at least a part of the partition plate 83 reduces the thermal conductivity of the partition plate 83 and suppresses heat exchange between the first air in the fan chamber of the first fan 81 and the second air in the fan chamber of the second fan 82, thereby preventing the temperature of the first air from increasing. Since the fan motor 8 is disposed in the space in which the second fan 82 is provided, the fan motor 8 can be cooled by the second air, i.e., the exhaust air. This allows the fan motor 8 to be efficiently cooled by utilizing the cold energy of the second air (exhaust air) without increasing the temperature of the first air (supply air) transported by the first fan 81.

In the air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first air outlet 71 and the second air outlet 72 are provided on the same side of the housing 11, and the second air outlet 72 faces the direction of the first air outlet 71.

In this embodiment, the first air outlet 71 and the second air outlet 72 are provided on the same side of the housing 11, and the second air outlet 72 is provided facing the direction of the first air outlet 71. Therefore, for example, when an air outlet duct 711 made of a long body is attached to the first air outlet 71, the second air blown out as exhaust air from the second air outlet 72 lowers the temperature (ambient temperature) of the air surrounding the air outlet 711 attached to the first air outlet 71, and the temperature of the first air (supply air) blown out from the air outlet 711 can be prevented from rising due to the outside air (air outside the housing 11).

(Appendix 4: Moving object M, pump control)
An air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a cooling unit 3 that cools the air blown into a conditioned space using the latent heat of water, a housing 11 that houses the cooling unit 3, and a tank 12 that is provided outside the housing 11 and stores water to be supplied to the cooling unit 3, and the housing 11 and the tank 12 are connected by a waterway through which the water flows.

In this embodiment, the tank 12 that stores the water to be supplied to the cooling unit 3 is provided outside the housing 11 that houses the cooling unit 3, and the tank 12 and the housing 11 are connected by a waterway that is formed, for example, of a hose made of soft resin or a piping made of hard resin. That is, the tank 12 is configured as a separate body from the housing 11 that corresponds to the main body of the air conditioner 1. This reduces the weight of the housing 11 (main body of the air conditioner 1), and improves the degree of freedom in placing the housing 11 in any location. Furthermore, the housing 11 and the tank 12 that constitute the air conditioner 1 can be placed apart, improving the degree of freedom in placing the air conditioner 1.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing 11 and the tank 12 are placed on a moving body M, and the portion of the moving body M on which the tank 12 is placed is located lower than the portion of the moving body M on which the housing 11 is placed.

In this embodiment, when the air conditioner 1 is mounted on a moving body M, such as a vehicle such as a forklift or a tractor, the housing 11 and the tank 12 are placed at separate locations on the moving body M. The location of the moving body M on which the tank 12 is mounted is located lower than the location of the moving body M on which the housing 11 is mounted. Therefore, even if unevaporated liquid water remains inside the housing 11, the unevaporated water can be collected into the tank 12 by gravity. This reduces the amount of water remaining inside the housing 11, and improves hygiene inside the housing 11. By placing the tank 12 lower than the housing 11, the accessibility (touchability) to the tank 12 is improved, and the task of refilling the tank 12 with water can be facilitated.

In the air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the moving body M is a forklift, the portion of the moving body M on which the housing 11 is placed is the upper portion of the head guard of the forklift, and the portion of the moving body M on which the tank 12 is placed is the upper portion of the balance weight of the forklift.

In this embodiment, when the air conditioner 1 is placed on a forklift, the housing 11 is placed on top of the head guard of the forklift, and the tank 12 is placed on top of the balance weight of the forklift. The balance weight corresponds to a part of the forklift that accounts for a high proportion of the weight distribution, and the tank 12 placed on the balance weight is placed in a location closer to the center of gravity of the forklift than the housing 11 placed on the head guard. This reduces the disturbance of the liquid level in the tank 12 caused by vibrations associated with the movement of the mobile object M, etc., and allows efficient supply of water from the tank 12 to the cooling unit 3.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing 11 is provided with an outlet duct 711 that extends toward the surrounding space of the operator of the moving body M, which is the conditioned space.

In this embodiment, the blow-out duct 711 provided in the housing 11 is extended toward the space surrounding the operator of the moving body M, so that cooled air can be blown out through the blow-out duct 711 into the space surrounding the operator of the moving body M regardless of where the housing 11 is placed on the moving body M.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water passage includes a supply water passage 91 that supplies water to the cooling unit 3, and a recovery water passage 92 that recovers water that has not evaporated in the cooling unit 3, and a circulation circuit through which water circulates is formed by the tank 12, the supply water passage 91, the cooling unit 3, and the recovery water passage 92.

In this embodiment, the water channel connecting the housing 11 and the tank 12 includes a supply water channel 91 that supplies water to the cooling unit 3 and a recovery water channel 92 that recovers water that has not evaporated in the cooling unit 3, and a circulation circuit is formed in which water circulates from the tank 12 through the tank 12, the supply water channel 91, the cooling unit 3, and the recovery water channel 92 in that order, starting from the tank 12. In other words, by having this circulation circuit, the air conditioner 1 can recover water that has not evaporated in the cooling unit 3 into the tank 12 and supply the unevaporated water again to the cooling unit 3, thereby suppressing water consumption and reducing the number of times water is replenished into the tank 12.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the cooling unit 3 includes a first vaporization filter 31 for cooling the first air blown as supply air into the conditioned space, and a second vaporization filter 32 for cooling the second air blown as exhaust air to the outside of the housing 11 after sensible heat exchange with the first air, and the circulation circuit includes a branch path that branches into a water path passing through the first vaporization filter 31 and a water path passing through the second vaporization filter 32.

In this embodiment, the air conditioner 1 has two vaporization filters, a first vaporization filter 31 for cooling the first air and a second vaporization filter 32 for cooling the second air, and therefore the cooling capacity can be improved. The circulation circuit includes a branch path that branches into a water path (first supply water path 911, first recovery water path 921) through the first vaporization filter 31 and a water path (second supply water path 912, second recovery water path 922) through the second vaporization filter, and a confluence path where the branched water path through the first vaporization filter 31 and the water path through the second vaporization filter merge. As a result, the parallel path consisting of the water path communicating with the first vaporization filter 31 and the water path communicating with the second vaporization filter 32 is configured as part of the circulation circuit, so that water can be efficiently supplied to the first vaporization filter 31 and the second vaporization filter 32.

The air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a water supply pump 913 that transports water flowing in the supply water passage 91, and a recovery pump 923 that transports water flowing in the recovery water passage 92.

In this embodiment, the air conditioner 1 is equipped with a water supply pump 913 provided in the supply water channel 91 and a recovery pump 923 provided in the recovery water channel 92. Therefore, for example, even if the air conditioner 1 is placed on a moving body M and the attitude of the air conditioner 1 changes due to the condition of the road surface on which the moving body M is moving, causing the housing 11 and tank 12 to tilt, the water flowing in the supply water channel 91 and the recovery water channel 92 can be reliably transported.

An air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a recovered water sensor 924 that detects water flowing in the recovered water passage 92, and a controller 130 that is communicatively connected to the recovered water sensor 924, the water supply pump 913, and the recovery pump 923, and the controller 130 controls the operation of the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 based on the sensor value output from the recovered water sensor 924.

In this embodiment, the air conditioner 1 is equipped with a controller 130, which is, for example, a microcomputer, and the controller 130 controls the operation of the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 based on the sensor value output from the recovered water sensor 924 that detects the water flowing in the recovery water channel 92. The amount of vaporized water supplied from the tank 12 varies depending on the operating environment of the air conditioner 1, i.e., the temperature and absolute humidity of the air sucked in by the air conditioner 1, and the water flowing in the recovery water channel 92 is water that remains in a liquid state without vaporizing in the cooling unit 3. Therefore, by controlling the operation of the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 based on the sensor value from the recovered water sensor 924, the amount of water supplied can be optimized according to the operating environment of the air conditioner 1.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 130 stops the water supply pump 913 when the sensor value output from the recovered water sensor 924 indicates that the amount of water flowing in the recovered water passage 92 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

In this embodiment, the controller 130 may stop the water supply pump 913 when the sensor value output from the recovered water sensor 924 indicates that the amount of water flowing in the recovered water passage 92 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, and may drive the water supply pump 913 when the sensor value indicates that the amount of water flowing in the recovered water passage 92 is less than a predetermined amount. By setting the predetermined amount to, for example, 0 kg/s as a mass flow rate, the controller 130 can control the stopping and driving of the water supply pump 913 based on the presence or absence of water flowing in the recovered water passage 92. When there is water flowing in the recovered water passage 92 (water is flowing in the recovered water passage 92), this indicates that water remains in a liquid state in the cooling unit 3 without being vaporized, and the controller 130 can prevent excessive water from being supplied to the cooling unit 3 by stopping the water supply pump 913, thereby improving the vaporization efficiency.

In the air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 130 performs intermittent operation by repeatedly driving and stopping the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923.

In this embodiment, the controller 130 performs intermittent operation by repeatedly driving and stopping the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923, thereby preventing excessive water from being supplied to the cooling unit 3.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 130 controls the operation of the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 by providing a predetermined delay time between the start of operation of the water supply pump 913 and the start of operation of the recovery pump 923.

In this embodiment, the controller 130 periodically performs intermittent operation by repeatedly driving and stopping the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923, and drives the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 with a predetermined delay time between the start of driving the water supply pump 913 and the start of driving the recovery pump 923 in the same cycle. In other words, when the water supply pump 913 starts to drive, the recovery pump 923 has not started to drive and is stopped. After the water supply pump 913 starts to drive and the supply of water to the cooling unit 3 starts, the supplied water tends to be absorbed by the vaporization filters (first vaporization filter 31, second vaporization filter 32) included in the cooling unit 3 for a while, so there is a concern that the recovery pump 923 will run idle even if it is driven. In response to this, by providing a predetermined delay time between when the water supply pump 913 starts to operate and when the recovery pump 923 starts to operate, it is possible to prevent the recovery pump 923 from being operated unnecessarily and reduce the power consumption by the recovery pump 923.

In an air conditioner 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 130 controls the operation of the water supply pump 913 and the recovery pump 923 by making the operation time of the recovery pump 923 longer than the operation time of the water supply pump 913.

In this embodiment, the controller 130 drives the recovery pump 923 for a longer period than the water supply pump 913, thereby reliably recovering the water remaining in the cooling unit 3, reducing the amount of water remaining inside the housing 11, and improving hygiene within the housing 11.

The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 Air conditioner 11 Housing (main body)
111 Door portion 112 Suppression member 12 Tank (separate body)
13 Electric unit 130 Controller 131 Substrate 132 Heat transfer promotion member 133 Sealing plate 3 Cooling unit 31 First vaporization filter 32 Second vaporization filter 33 Water supply section 33A First water supply section 33B Second water supply section 331 First water supply hole 332 Second water supply hole 333 Container section 334 Top surface section 335 Tube section 336 Drain hole 337 Water receiving wall 34 Drain pan (connecting member)
4 Sensible heat exchanger 41 First path 42 Second path 431 First inlet side opening surface 432 Second inlet side opening surface 441 First outlet side opening surface 442 Second outlet side opening surface 5 Suction port 51 Suction flow path (upstream space)
52 Branch flow path (downstream space)
53 Dust collection filter 531 Sealing member 61 First flow path 62 Second flow path 71 First blow-out port 711 Blowing duct 72 Second blow-out port 8 Fan motor 81 First fan 82 Second fan 83 Partition plate 84 Fan casing 841 Through hole 91 Supply water channel 911 First supply water channel 912 Second supply water channel 913 Supply water pump 914 Supply water sensor 92 Return water channel 921 First return water channel 922 Second return water channel 923 Return pump 924 Return water sensor 991 First water supply area 992 Second water supply area M Mobile body (forklift)

Claims (15)

A cooling unit that cools the air blown into the conditioned space using the latent heat of water;
A housing that houses the cooling unit;
a supply water channel that connects a tank that stores water to be supplied to the cooling unit and the housing and supplies water from the tank to the cooling unit;
a water supply pump that sends water flowing through the supply water passage from the tank to the cooling unit;
a recovery water channel that connects the housing and the tank and recovers water that has passed through the cooling unit into the tank;
a recovery pump that sends water flowing through the recovery water passage from the cooling unit to the tank;
a circulation circuit through which water circulates is formed by the tank, the supply water channel, the cooling unit, and the recovery water channel;
The water supply pump and the recovery pump are housed in the housing,
The recovery pump and the water supply pump are mounted side by side.
An air conditioner characterized by: The housing includes a first air outlet for supplying air to a conditioned space, a second air outlet for exhausting air, a first flow path communicating with the first air outlet and through which a first air drawn in from the outside flows to the first air outlet, and a second flow path communicating with the second air outlet and through which a second air drawn in from the outside flows to the second air outlet,
the air conditioner further includes a sensible heat exchanger that exchanges sensible heat between the first air flowing through the first path and the second air flowing through the second path, the sensible heat exchanger including a first path that constitutes a part of the first flow path and through which a first air flows, and a second path that constitutes a part of the second flow path and through which a second air flows,
the cooling unit includes a first evaporation filter that cools the first air by latent heat of water, and a second evaporation filter that cools the second air by latent heat of water,
the first vaporization filter is provided in the first flow path downstream of the sensible heat exchanger in a flow direction of the first air,
The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the second vaporization filter is provided in the second flow path upstream of the sensible heat exchanger in a flow direction of the second air . 3. The air conditioner according to claim 2 , wherein the circulation circuit includes a branch path that branches into a water path from the tank through the first vaporization filter and a water path from the tank through the second vaporization filter . 4. The air conditioner according to claim 2 , wherein the circulation circuit includes a junction passage where a water passage passing through the first vaporization filter and a water passage passing through the second vaporization filter join together . 5. The air conditioner according to claim 4 , wherein a drain pan that receives water that has not been vaporized in the first vaporization filter and the second vaporization filter constitutes the joint passage of the circulation circuits . the first evaporative filter is disposed over a first air outlet of the first passage of the sensible heat exchanger;
3. The air conditioner according to claim 2 , wherein the second evaporative filter is disposed to cover a second air inlet of the second passage of the sensible heat exchanger . The recovery pump and the water supply pump are provided side by side above the sensible heat exchanger,
3. The air conditioner according to claim 2 , wherein the housing is provided with a top plate for accessing the inside of the housing . The housing and the tank are provided separately,
The housing and the tank are placed on a movable body,
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the movable body on which the tank is mounted is located lower than a portion of the movable body on which the housing is mounted. The moving object is a forklift,
the portion of the moving body on which the housing is placed is an upper portion of a head guard of the forklift,
The air conditioner according to claim 8 , wherein the portion of the movable body on which the tank is placed is an upper portion of a balance weight of the forklift. The air conditioner according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein the housing is provided with an outlet duct extending toward a surrounding space of an operator of the moving body, which is the conditioned space. a recovered water sensor for detecting water flowing in the recovered water channel;
a controller communicatively connected to the recovered water sensor, the water supply pump, and the recovery pump;
The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the operation of the water supply pump and the recovery pump based on a sensor value output from the recovered water sensor. The controller:
The air conditioner according to claim 11 , wherein the water supply pump is stopped when a sensor value output from the recovered water sensor indicates that the amount of water flowing in the recovered water passage is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. The controller performs intermittent operation by repeatedly driving and stopping the water supply pump and the recovery pump.
13. The air conditioner according to claim 11 or 12. The controller controls the operation of the water supply pump and the recovery pump by providing a predetermined delay time between the start of operation of the water supply pump and the start of operation of the recovery pump.
12. An air conditioner according to claim 11. The controller controls the operation of the supply water pump and the recovery pump by making the operation time of the recovery pump longer than the operation time of the supply water pump.
12. An air conditioner according to claim 11.

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