Condensate water sterilization device for air conditioner, air conditioner and control method of air conditioner

Abstract

The invention discloses a condensate water sterilization device for an air conditioner, the air conditioner and a control method of the air conditioner. The condensate water sterilization device comprises an ozone generator, and the ozone generator introduces condensate water from a condensate water receiving disc of the air conditioner, electrolyzes the condensate water into ozone water and outputs the ozone water to the condensate water receiving disc. The ozone generator is used for electrolyzing condensate water into ozone water, and the ozone water is conveyed back to the condensate water receiving plate and is discharged from the water discharging pipe. In the drainage process, the inner wall of the condensate water receiving disc and the inner pipe wall of the drainage pipe make contact with ozone water to achieve sterilization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioning, and in particular to a condensate water sterilization device for an air conditioner, an air conditioner and a control method for the air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of living standards, air conditioners have become a must-have household appliance for most people, which can bring people a comfortable and cool indoor environment in the hot summer. During the cooling process of the air conditioner, the evaporator will condense on the surface of the evaporator because the temperature is lower than the dew point temperature of the ambient air. Taking the 1.5-horsepower split air conditioner on the existing market as an example, it can produce about 19.2 kg of condensed water in 5 hours of normal operation. The air conditioner is equipped with a condensed water receiving pan under the evaporator, and the generated condensed water is collected in the condensed water receiving pan and then discharged through the drain pipe. During the operation of the air conditioner, the condensed water receiving pan and the drainage pipe are in a humid environment. Over time, the inner wall of the condensed water receiving pan and the inner wall of the drainage pipe will often breed mold, thereby producing sticky gelatinous substances, which will affect the effective discharge of condensed water, and the mold may enter the indoor air with the cold air, affecting the indoor environment. To solve this problem, some air-conditioning products in the industry install ultraviolet light generators above the condensate water receiving tray, and use ultraviolet light to sterilize the condensate water receiving tray and reduce the production of sticky colloids. However, the ultraviolet light generator can only irradiate the condensate water receiving tray, but it is difficult to irradiate the inner wall of the drain pipe. Therefore, it can only sterilize the condensate water receiving tray, but it is difficult to sterilize the inner wall of the drain pipe. Summary of the invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is how to sterilize the air conditioner condensate water receiving pan and the drain pipe at the same time.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a condensate water sterilization device for an air conditioner, comprising an ozone generator, which introduces condensate water from a condensate water receiving tray of the air conditioner, electrolyzes the condensate water into ozone water, and outputs the ozone water to the condensate water receiving tray.

[0005] Furthermore, the ozone generator is specifically a BDD electrode electrolysis ozone production device.

[0006] Furthermore, it comprises a water pump which is connected between the condensed water receiving pan of the air conditioner and the water inlet of the ozone generator to transport the condensed water in the condensed water receiving pan to the ozone generator.

[0007] Furthermore, it comprises a water level detection device for detecting the water level height of the condensate receiving pan, the water level detection device is electrically connected to the ozone generator and the water pump, and the water pump is a peristaltic pump.

[0008] Furthermore, the water level detection device includes a water level sensing board and a relay electrically connected to the water level sensing board. The water level detection device is specifically electrically connected to the ozone generator and the peristaltic pump through the relay.

[0009] The present invention also provides an air conditioner with a condensate sterilization device, including an evaporator, a condensate receiving pan is provided under the evaporator, the condensate receiving pan is connected to a drain pipe discharged to the outside, and includes a condensate sterilization device. The condensate sterilization device is the condensate sterilization device for the air conditioner as described above.

[0010] The present invention also provides a control method for the air conditioner as described above, which detects whether the water level of the condenser water receiving pan is higher than a preset water level height H0 for a preset time period, and if so, the ozone generator is turned on.

[0011] Furthermore, in the method, if the water level detection device detects that the water level in the condenser water receiving pan is higher than a preset water level height H0 for more than a preset time, the ozone generator and the water pump are both turned on.

[0012] Furthermore, if the water level detection device detects that the water level in the condenser water receiving pan is lower than a preset water level height H0 for more than a preset time, the ozone generator and the water pump are both turned off.

[0013] The present invention utilizes an ozone generator to electrolyze condensed water into ozone water, and then transports the condensed water back to the condensed water receiving tray and discharges it from a drain pipe. During the drainage process, the inner wall of the condensed water receiving tray and the inner wall of the drain pipe contact the ozone water to achieve sterilization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the pipe connection relationship between the air conditioner evaporator, condensate water receiving pan and ozone generator.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the technical principle of ozone production by an ozone generator.

[0016] Figure 3 It is an assembly diagram of the air conditioner evaporator, the condensed water receiving pan and the condensed water sterilization device.

[0017] Explanation of the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings: 1. Evaporator; 2. Condensate receiving tray; 21. Drain outlet; 3. Ozone generator; 31. Cathode reaction zone; 311. Water inlet of cathode reaction zone; 312. Water outlet of cathode reaction zone; 32. Anode reaction zone; 321. Water inlet of anode reaction zone; 322. Water outlet of anode reaction zone; 33. Nafion diaphragm; 4. Peristaltic pump; 50. Pipeline; 51. Pipeline; 52. Pipeline; 53. Pipeline; 54. Pipeline; 6. Water level detection device; 61. Water level sensor plate; 62 Relay. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with specific implementation methods.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the air conditioner with a condensate water sterilization device includes an evaporator 1. A condensate water receiving tray 2 is provided below the evaporator 1. A drain port 21 of the condensate water receiving tray 2 is connected to a drain pipe (not shown in the figure) that drains to the outside. The air conditioner includes a condensate water sterilization device, which includes an ozone generator 3. The ozone generator 3 introduces condensate water from the condensate water receiving tray 2, electrolyzes the condensate water into ozone water, and outputs the ozone water to the condensate water receiving tray 2. The ozone water in the condensate water receiving tray 2 is discharged through the drain pipe.

[0020] The ozone generator 3 in this embodiment is specifically a BDD electrode electrolysis ozone device, such as Figure 1 As shown, the ozone generator 3 includes a cathode reaction zone 31, an anode reaction zone 32 and a Nafion membrane 33. The cathode reaction zone 31 uses a boron-doped diamond (BDD) cathode material as a cathode, and the anode reaction zone 32 uses a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode material as an anode. Boron-doped diamond (BDD) has the characteristics of high oxygen evolution potential and corrosion resistance, and is an excellent anode material. Specifically: the high oxygen evolution potential of BDD contributes to the production of a large number of intermediates, and the inertness of the diamond surface allows the intermediate products to exist stably, thereby improving the synthesis efficiency of ozone; secondly, the BDD electrode has high chemical stability, and the surface morphology and electrochemical properties remain basically unchanged after long-term electrolysis.

[0021] The condensed water receiving tray 2 is connected to the cathode reaction zone water inlet 311, the anode reaction zone water inlet 321, the cathode reaction zone water outlet 312, and the anode reaction zone water outlet 322 respectively through pipes 51, 52, 53, and 54. A portion of the condensed water in the condensed water receiving tray enters the anode reaction zone 31 of the ozone generator 3 from the anode reaction zone water inlet 321 as an electrolyte (i.e., a reaction raw material) to undergo an electrolytic reaction, i.e., an oxidation reaction to generate ozone, oxygen, hydrogen ions, and electrons. The anode reaction formula is as follows:

[0022] 3H2O→O3+6H + +6e - , E 0 =+1.5V;

[0023] 2H2O→O2+4H + +4e - , E 0 =+1.23V.

[0024] Only a part of the condensed water in the anode reaction zone 32 participates in the reaction, and the generated ozone will dissolve in the remaining condensed water to generate ozone water, which is output from the anode reaction zone water outlet 322 back to the condensed water receiving tray 2.

[0025] A portion of the condensed water from the condensed water receiving tray enters the cathode reaction zone 31 of the ozone generator 3 from the cathode reaction zone water inlet 311 as an electrolyte. At this time, the hydrogen ions generated in the anode reaction zone 32 enter the cathode reaction zone 31 in a hydrated form through the Nafion diaphragm 33, and the electrons generated in the anode reaction zone 32 reach the cathode reaction zone 31 through the external circuit. Finally, the hydrogen ions and electrons meet in the cathode reaction zone 31 to undergo a reduction reaction to produce hydrogen. The cathode reaction formula is as follows:

[0026] 2H + +2e - →H2, E 0 =0.0V;

[0027] O2+4H + +4e - →2H2O, E o =+1.23V.

[0028] The hydrogen gas, water and condensed water as the electrolyte generated in the cathode reaction zone 31 are output together from the cathode reaction zone water outlet 312 back to the condensed water receiving tray 2 .

[0029] In order to smoothly introduce the condensed water in the condensed water receiving tray 2 into the ozone generator 3 and to smoothly output the ozone water generated by electrolysis in the ozone generator 3 back to the condensed water receiving tray 2, the condensed water sterilization device of this embodiment includes a peristaltic pump 4, and the condensed water receiving tray 2 is connected to the cathode reaction zone water inlet 311 and the anode reaction zone water inlet 321 of the ozone generator 3 through the peristaltic pump 4. The peristaltic pump 4 transports the condensed water in the condensed water receiving tray 2 to the cathode reaction zone 31 and the anode reaction zone 32 of the ozone generator 3 respectively. The peristaltic pump 4 has the characteristics of small size and low power consumption, and can effectively ensure that the reaction raw materials (condensed water) and products (ozone water) flow stably between the reaction zones 31, 32 of the ozone generator 3 and the condensed water receiving tray 2. Not preferably, the peristaltic pump 4 can be replaced by other types of water pumps.

[0030] The present invention utilizes an ozone generator 3 to electrolyze condensed water into ozone water, and then transports the condensed water back to the condensed water receiving tray 2 and discharges it from the drain pipe. During the drainage process, the inner wall of the condensed water receiving tray 2 and the inner wall of the drain pipe are sterilized and antibacterial treated by virtue of the half-life of the ozone water, and the sterilization and antibacterial treatment is comprehensive and thorough.

[0031] The present invention makes full use of BDD electrode electrolysis technology to produce ozone water. The electrolytic method of producing ozone has the advantages of simple equipment, high ozone concentration, stable performance, low power consumption, no noise, no light leakage, etc. The present invention uses condensed water as raw material to produce ozone water on site, and does not require the addition of additional reaction raw materials, and does not require additional raw material input, thereby avoiding the waste of raw materials; at the same time, no waste is generated in the product, and the ozone water does not cause secondary pollution, which is green and environmentally friendly.

[0032] In the initial stage of air conditioning operation, not much condensed water is generated. In this case, the reaction raw materials required by the ozone generator 3 are insufficient, and the ozone synthesis efficiency is low, but the energy consumption is the same as the energy consumption of ozone synthesis when the reaction raw materials are sufficient. In order to enable the ozone generator 3 to achieve a better sterilization effect while consuming less energy, this embodiment is designed to start the ozone generator 3 only after the condensed water reaches a certain amount of water. Specifically: the condensed water sterilization device of this embodiment includes a water level detection device 6 for detecting the water level height of the condensed water receiving tray 2, the water level detection device 6 includes a water level sensing plate 61 and a relay 62 electrically connected to the water level sensing plate, the relay 62 is electrically connected to the ozone generator 3 and the peristaltic pump 4, the electrical terminal of the relay 62 is connected to the power supply, and the ozone generator 3 and the peristaltic pump 4 are connected to the power supply through the relay 62. In this embodiment, the preset water level height H0 for turning on the ozone generator is predetermined. For example, the preset water level height H0 for turning on the ozone generator is determined in advance according to the type, model and on-site commissioning of the air-conditioning equipment, and then the water level sensing plate 61 is set at a position at a height of H0 in the condensed water receiving tray 2. During the operation of the air conditioner, the evaporator 1 will condense on the surface of the evaporator 1 to form condensed water because the temperature is lower than the dew point temperature of the ambient air. The condensed water is collected in the condensed water receiving tray 2 below the evaporator 1. As time goes by, the condensed water level in the condensed water receiving tray 2 gradually rises. The relay 62 is a time relay, which is set to delay connection and delay disconnection. Once the water level of the condensed water in the condensed water receiving tray 2 rises to H0, the water level sensor plate 61 contacts the water, i.e., it detects that the water level in the condenser receiving tray is higher than the preset water level H0, then the relay 62 starts timing, and when the timing reaches the preset time, for example, 5 minutes, the power is turned on, so that the ozone generator 3 and the peristaltic pump 4 are started due to the power connection, and after the peristaltic pump 4 is started, the condensed water in the condensed water receiving tray 2 is pumped into the ozone generator 3, and the ozone generator 3 electrolyzes the condensed water into ozone water and then outputs it back to the condensed water receiving tray 2, and the ozone water in the condensed water receiving tray 2 is discharged through the drain pipe. When the condensed water level in the condensed water receiving tray 2 drops below H0, the water level sensing plate 61 no longer contacts the water, that is, it detects that the water level in the condenser receiving tray is lower than the preset water level H0, and the relay 62 starts timing. During this process, the ozone generator 3 and the peristaltic pump 4 continue to work. When the timing reaches a preset time, such as 5 minutes, the relay 62 is disconnected and no longer connected to the power supply, so that the ozone generator 3 and the peristaltic pump 4 are turned off because they are no longer connected to the power supply. This embodiment uses the water level sensing plate 61 and the relay 62 to start the ozone generator 3 and the peristaltic pump 4 after the condensed water level in the condensed water receiving tray 2 is higher than H0 for a certain period of time (5 minutes), electrolyze the condensed water into ozone water, and then achieve sterilization and antibacterial treatment of the inner wall of the condensed water receiving tray 2 and the inner wall of the drain pipe, and shut down after the condensed water level in the condensed water receiving tray 2 is lower than H0 for a certain period of time (5 minutes), thereby reducing energy consumption.Non-preferable embodiments may be modified to: the relay 62 is set to be connected with a delay and disconnected with an instantaneous time, and the water level sensing plate 61 and the relay 62 are used to start the ozone generator 3 and the peristaltic pump 4 when the condensed water level in the condensed water receiving tray 2 is higher than H0 for a certain period of time (5 minutes), and shut down when the condensed water level in the condensed water receiving tray 2 is lower than H0; or modified to: the relay 62 is set to be connected with an instantaneous time and disconnected with a delay, so that the ozone generator 3 and the peristaltic pump 4 are started when the condensed water level in the condensed water receiving tray 2 is higher than H0, and shut down when the condensed water level in the condensed water receiving tray 2 is lower than H0 for a certain period of time (5 minutes).

[0033] In this embodiment, the ozone generator 3, the peristaltic pump 4 and the relay 62 are fixed to the outer wall of the condensate water receiving tray 2 by gluing. The present invention uses an ozone generator to electrolyze the condensate into ozone water, and then transports it back to the condensate water receiving tray and discharges it from the drain pipe. During the drainage process, the inner wall of the condensate water receiving tray and the inner wall of the drain pipe contact the ozone water to achieve sterilization. The air conditioner of the present invention can effectively sterilize and inhibit bacteria, especially can effectively control Legionella. Legionella, known as the health killer hidden in household pipes, has its infection source in water sources and air conditioning systems, and is transmitted through the air. More than 30 species of Legionella have been discovered, of which at least 19 are pathogens of human pneumonia. If regular treatment is not received, the mortality rate of Legionnaires' disease is generally 15% to 20%. The present invention can effectively inhibit such hidden health killers and safeguard people's healthy lives.

[0034] The condensate sterilization device of this embodiment can be used as an independent device and installed at the condensate receiving tray of the air conditioner that needs to sterilize the condensate. Specifically, the water level sensor plate 61 is installed at a corresponding height inside the condensate receiving tray 2, and the ozone generator 3, the peristaltic pump 4 and the relay 62 are fixed to the outer wall of the condensate receiving tray 2 by gluing. The entire condensate sterilization device is small in size, light in weight, and occupies very little space, and can be applied to air conditioning equipment such as fan coil units and air cabinets.

[0035] The above is only an implementation method of the invention, and does not limit the scope of patent protection. Those skilled in the art can make non-substantial changes or substitutions based on the invention, which still fall within the scope of patent protection.

Claims

1. A condensate water sterilization device for air conditioning, characterized in that: The ozone generator (3) is composed of an ozone generator (3) which introduces condensed water from a condensed water receiving tray (2) of an air conditioner, electrolyzes the condensed water into ozone water, and outputs the ozone water to the condensed water receiving tray (2).

2. The condensate sterilizing device for air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ozone generator (3) is specifically a BDD electrode electrolysis ozone production device.

3. The condensate sterilizing device for air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: It comprises a water pump which is connected between a condensed water receiving tray (2) of the air conditioner and a water inlet of an ozone generator (3) and transports condensed water in the condensed water receiving tray (2) to the ozone generator (3).

4. The condensate sterilizing device for air conditioning according to claim 3, characterized in that: It comprises a water level detection device (6) for detecting the water level height of a condensed water receiving pan (2); the water level detection device (6) is electrically connected to an ozone generator (3) and a water pump, and the water pump is a peristaltic pump (4).

5. The condensate sterilizing device for air conditioning according to claim 4, characterized in that: The water level detection device (6) comprises a water level sensing plate (61) and a relay (62) electrically connected to the water level sensing plate. The water level detection device (6) is specifically electrically connected to the ozone generator (3) and the peristaltic pump (4) via the relay (62).

6. An air conditioner with a condensate sterilization device, comprising an evaporator (1), a condensate receiving tray (2) being provided below the evaporator (1), the condensate receiving tray (2) being connected to a drain pipe for draining to the outside, and comprising a condensate sterilization device, characterized in that: The condensed water sterilization device is a condensed water sterilization device for air conditioning as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The control method for the air conditioner as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: Check whether the water level in the condenser water tray is higher than the preset water level H0 for a preset time. If so, the ozone generator is turned on.

8. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The condensate sterilization device is specifically a condensate sterilization device as described in any one of claims 3 to 5. Specifically, if the water level detection device detects that the water level in the condenser water receiving pan is higher than the preset water level height H0 for more than a preset time, the ozone generator and the water pump are both turned on.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: If the water level detection device detects that the water level in the condenser water tray is lower than the preset water level height H0 for more than a preset time, the ozone generator and the water pump are both turned off.

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