Indoor unit and air conditioning device

Abstract

The invention provides an indoor unit and an air conditioning device, which can effectively irradiate ultraviolet rays to conditioned air. The indoor unit includes a cross-flow fan, a heat exchanger, and an ultraviolet module. The cross-flow fan is a cross-flow fan that generates an air flow. The heat exchanger is a heat exchanger through which an air flow passes. The ultraviolet module has a light emitting diode that irradiates ultraviolet light to a ventilation path through which the air flow that has passed through the heat exchanger passes. The heat exchanger includes a front-side heat exchange portion disposed in front of the cross-flow fan and having a curved portion. The ultraviolet module is disposed downstream of the curved portion and upstream of the cross-flow fan.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an indoor unit and an air conditioning device. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-160292) discloses an indoor unit for an air conditioner, which has an ultraviolet irradiation device at the intake port or the blow-out port inside the shell. The ultraviolet irradiation device has a light-emitting diode for irradiating ultraviolet rays and a light distribution control unit for converting the light distribution of the ultraviolet rays into parallel light.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-160292

[0006] In the arrangement of the light emitting diodes and the ultraviolet module including the light emitting diodes disclosed in Patent Document 1, ultraviolet rays may not be efficiently irradiated onto the conditioned air. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the arrangement of the ultraviolet module. Summary of the Invention

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an indoor unit and an air-conditioning apparatus capable of efficiently irradiating conditioned air with ultraviolet rays.

[0008] The indoor unit of the first aspect is an indoor unit of an air conditioner. The indoor unit includes a crossflow fan, a heat exchanger, and an ultraviolet module. The crossflow fan generates airflow. The heat exchanger allows airflow to flow through. The ultraviolet module includes a light-emitting diode that irradiates ultraviolet light onto an air path through which the airflow passes after passing through the heat exchanger.

[0009] The heat exchanger includes a front heat exchange portion disposed in front of the cross flow fan and having a curved portion. The ultraviolet module is disposed downstream of the curved portion in the airflow and upstream of the cross flow fan in the airflow.

[0010] According to this indoor unit, the airflow having a slow speed and a large volume after passing through the heat exchanger can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and thus the conditioned air can be efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

[0011] The indoor unit according to the second aspect is the indoor unit according to the first aspect, further comprising a housing. The housing comprises an outlet for airflow, and a tongue portion and a swirl surface opposing each other across the outlet. In a side view, the ultraviolet module is positioned forward of a line connecting the distal end of the tongue portion and the end of the swirl surface on the outlet side.

[0012] According to this indoor unit, it is possible to suppress the ultraviolet rays radiated by the ultraviolet module from leaking to the outside through the air outlet.

[0013] The indoor unit according to a third aspect is the indoor unit according to the first aspect or the second aspect, further comprising an air supply duct. The air supply duct has an air supply port, and supplies external air from the air supply port to the heat exchanger. The ultraviolet module is disposed downstream of the air supply port in the air flow direction.

[0014] According to this indoor unit, the outside air supplied from the air supply duct can be efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Furthermore, since the ultraviolet module can be cooled by the outside air, it is possible to prevent the ultraviolet module from being heated by the conditioned air during the heating operation of the air conditioner.

[0015] In a fourth aspect, in the indoor unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, the heat exchanger further includes a heat transfer tube and a rear heat exchange portion. The heat transfer tube is arranged so that refrigerant flowing into the rear heat exchange portion passes through the rear heat exchange portion and above the front heat exchange portion and flows out from the rear heat exchange portion.

[0016] According to this indoor unit, the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger reaches the front heat exchanger after passing through the rear heat exchange portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the ultraviolet module from being heated by the heat of the relatively high temperature refrigerant immediately after flowing into the heat exchanger.

[0017] The indoor unit according to a fifth aspect is the indoor unit according to the fourth aspect, wherein the ultraviolet module is arranged below a vertical upper end of the cross flow fan in a side view.

[0018] The relatively high-temperature airflow, which has just been heated by the heat exchanger, flows at a low speed above the crossflow fan. According to this indoor unit, the UV module is positioned below the upper end of the crossflow fan, thus preventing the UV module from being heated by the high-temperature airflow.

[0019] The indoor unit according to a sixth aspect is the indoor unit according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a dust box disposed in front of the front heat exchange unit, wherein the ultraviolet module is disposed such that an optical axis overlaps the dust box when viewed from the front.

[0020] Because the dust box obstructs the smooth flow of air, the airflow velocity decreases downstream of the dust box. Since the optical axis overlaps with the dust box when viewed from the front, the UV module can irradiate the slower, higher-volume airflow with UV light. Therefore, this indoor unit can more effectively irradiate conditioned air with UV light.

[0021] The indoor unit according to a seventh aspect is the indoor unit according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a reflective member that reflects ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet module, the reflective member being disposed on the opposite side of the ultraviolet module across the ventilation path.

[0022] According to this indoor unit, since the reflected light can also be irradiated to the conditioned air, the conditioned air can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays more efficiently.

[0023] An air-conditioning apparatus according to an eighth aspect includes the indoor unit according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, and an outdoor unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an air conditioning device 10 including a utilization unit 30 .

[0025] Figure 2 It is a front view of the utilization unit 30.

[0026] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 AA line cuts through the utilization unit 30 .

[0027] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the interior of the utilization unit 30 as viewed from the front.

[0028] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the utilization unit 30 for explaining the simulation results.

[0029] Figure 6 4 is a cross-sectional view of a utilization unit 30 according to Modification A.

[0030] Figure 7 3 is a cross-sectional view of a utilization unit 30 according to Modification C.

[0031] Description of labels

[0032] 10: Air conditioning unit

[0033] 20: Heat source unit (outdoor unit)

[0034] 30: Utilization unit (indoor unit)

[0035] 31: Heat exchanger (using heat exchanger)

[0036] 31a: Heat transfer tube

[0037] 31f: Front side heat exchange part

[0038] 31r: Back side heat exchange part

[0039] 32: Cross flow fan (using fan)

[0040] 33: Shell

[0041] 33b: Blowing outlet

[0042] 33d: Tongue

[0043] 33de: terminal part

[0044] 33e: vortex surface

[0045] 33ee: end

[0046] 37: UV module

[0047] 37a: Light-emitting diode

[0048] 38: Reflective components

[0049] 50: Gas supply pipeline

[0050] 51: Air supply port

[0051] 63: Dust box

[0052] f: airflow

[0053] o: Optical axis

[0054] P: Ventilation path DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] <First embodiment>

[0056] (1) Overall structure

[0057] The utilization unit 30 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is used in an air conditioning apparatus. Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an air conditioning device 10 including a utilization unit 30 .

[0058] The air conditioning apparatus 10 includes a heat source unit 20, a usage unit 30, and refrigerant pipes 12 and 13. The usage unit 30 and the heat source unit 20 are connected by the refrigerant pipes 12 and 13 to form a refrigerant circuit 11.

[0059] The heat source unit 20 includes a compressor 21, a four-way valve 22, a heat source heat exchanger 23, an expansion valve 24, a accumulator 25, and a heat source fan 28. The utilization unit 30 includes a utilization heat exchanger 31 and a utilization fan 32. In the refrigerant circuit 11, the compressor 21, the four-way valve 22, the heat source heat exchanger 23, the expansion valve 24, the accumulator 25, and the utilization heat exchanger 31 are connected by piping, and the refrigerant circuit 11 is filled with refrigerant. The heat source unit 20 is an example of an outdoor unit.

[0060] The air conditioner 10 performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant circuit 11 to realize cooling and heating operations as air conditioning operations. The utilization unit 30 is installed in the air-conditioned space (not shown). The heat source unit 20 is installed outside the air-conditioned space.

[0061] In the cooling operation mode, the four-way valve 22 is switched to the connection state shown by the solid line, connecting the compressor 21 to the heat source heat exchanger 23 and connecting the utilization heat exchanger 31 to the accumulator 25. In the heating operation mode, the four-way valve 22 is switched to the connection state shown by the dotted line, connecting the compressor 21 to the utilization heat exchanger 31 and connecting the heat source heat exchanger 23 to the accumulator 25.

[0062] (1-1) Refrigerant Circulation During Refrigeration Operation

[0063] During cooling operation, the gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 is transported to the heat source heat exchanger 23 through the four-way valve 22. The refrigerant condenses by exchanging heat in the heat source heat exchanger 23 with the air (heat source) outside the air-conditioned space blown by the heat source fan 28. The refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the heat source heat exchanger 23 is expanded and decompressed in the expansion valve 24 and then transported to the utilization heat exchanger 31 of the utilization unit 30 through the refrigerant piping 13. The low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant transported from the expansion valve 24 to the utilization heat exchanger 31 of the utilization unit 30 evaporates by exchanging heat in the utilization heat exchanger 31 with the air inside the air-conditioned space blown by the fan 32. At this time, the air that has undergone heat exchange with the refrigerant is cooled. The gas refrigerant or the refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state that has undergone heat exchange in the utilization heat exchanger 31 is drawn into the compressor 21 through the refrigerant piping 12, the four-way valve 22, and the accumulator 25. The conditioned air cooled by the utilization heat exchanger 31 is blown from the utilization unit 30 to the air-conditioned space, thereby cooling the room.

[0064] (1-2) Refrigerant Circulation During Heating Operation

[0065] During heating operation, the gas refrigerant compressed by compressor 21 passes through four-way valve 22 and refrigerant piping 12 and is transported to utilization heat exchanger 31. In utilization heat exchanger 31, the refrigerant condenses through heat exchange with the air in the air-conditioned space blown by fan 32. The air undergoing heat exchange with the refrigerant is heated. The refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in utilization heat exchanger 31 is transported through refrigerant piping 13 to expansion valve 24. The low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, which has undergone expansion and decompression in expansion valve 24, is then transported to heat source heat exchanger 23, where it evaporates through heat exchange with the air outside the air-conditioned space blown by heat source fan 28. The gas refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in heat source heat exchanger 23 passes through four-way valve 22 and accumulator 25 and is drawn into compressor 21. The conditioned air heated by utilization heat exchanger 31 is blown from utilization unit 30 into the air-conditioned space, thereby heating the room.

[0066] (2) Detailed structure

[0067] (2-1) Utilization Unit 30

[0068] The utilization unit 30 includes a utilization heat exchanger 31, a utilization fan 32, a housing 33, an air filter 34, a baffle 35, a partition 36, an ultraviolet module 37, a reflective member 38, and a control device 39. The utilization unit 30 is a wall-mounted unit that is mounted on a wall surface WL of the air-conditioned space and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the horizontal direction (left-right direction). The utilization unit 30 is an example of an indoor unit.

[0069] Figure 2 This is a front view of the utilization unit 30. Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 sectional view of the utilization unit 30 taken along line AA. Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the interior of the utilization unit 30 as viewed from the front.

[0070] The directions of up, down, left, right, front, and back mentioned in the following description correspond to the directions indicated by the arrows in the figures. Figure 4 In the figure, for convenience, the housing 33 and the air filter 34 are shown through, and a portion of the heat exchanger 31 is omitted.

[0071] (2-1-1) Housing 33

[0072] The housing 33 is a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated horizontally (left-right). It houses the heat exchanger 31, fan 32, air filter 34, UV module 37, and reflector 38. The housing 33 has an air inlet 33a, an outlet 33b, a wiring storage space 33c, a tongue 33d, and a swirl surface 33e. The housing 33 is installed in the air-conditioned space with its rear surface 33R in contact with the wall WL.

[0073] The suction port 33a is an opening formed in the upper portion of the housing 33 and serves as an inlet for air to flow into the interior of the housing 33. The blowout port 33b is an opening formed in the lower portion of the housing 33 and serves as an outlet for the airflow f (conditioned air). The utilization unit 30 draws air from the air-conditioned space into the housing 33 through the suction port 33a and blows the conditioned air out through the blowout port 33b.

[0074] The wiring storage space 33c is a space extending in the left-right direction and formed in front of the air outlet 33b.

[0075] Tongue 33d guides the airflow f flowing into outlet 33b in front of outlet 33b. Tongue 33d has a guide surface 33ds that extends from the front of outlet 33b toward the rear when viewed from the left and right sides. Guide surface 33ds is formed so as to extend upward as it approaches the rear when viewed from the left and right sides.

[0076] The swirl surface 33e guides the airflow f flowing into the outlet 33b behind the fan 32 and the outlet 33b. The swirl surface 33e extends from behind the outlet 33b toward behind the fan 32 in a rearwardly convex arc as viewed from the left and right directions.

[0077] The tongue portion 33d and the swirl surface 33e face each other across the air outlet 33b in the front-rear direction.

[0078] In the casing 33 , in the flow path of air flowing from the suction port 33 a to the blowout port 33 b , an air filter 34 , a heat exchanger 31 , a fan 32 , and a baffle 35 are arranged in this order from a position close to the suction port 33 a .

[0079] (2-1-2) Air filter 34

[0080] The air filter 34 removes dust from the air of the target space supplied to the heat exchanger 31. The air filter 34 is arranged in the casing 33 so as to allow substantially all of the air supplied to the heat exchanger 31 to pass therethrough.

[0081] (2-1-3) Using the heat exchanger 31

[0082] The heat exchanger 31 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the air in the air-conditioned space. Airflow f generated by a fan 32 passes through the heat exchanger 31. The heat exchanger 31 is a fin-and-tube heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat transfer tubes 31a, a plurality of heat transfer fins 31b, a plurality of U-shaped tubes 31c, a tube sheet 31d, and a sealing member 31e. The heat transfer tubes 31a, heat transfer fins 31b, U-shaped tubes 31c, and tube sheet 31d are formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The heat exchanger 31 is an example of a heat exchanger.

[0083] The plurality of heat transfer tubes 31 a are arranged inside the casing 33 with their longitudinal directions extending along the left-right direction and at predetermined intervals therebetween.

[0084] The plurality of heat transfer fins 31b are arranged inside the housing 33 at right angles to the horizontal direction and at predetermined intervals therebetween. The heat transfer fins 31b have a plurality of holes through which the heat transfer tubes 31a pass. The plurality of heat transfer fins 31b are arranged in the horizontal direction between the two tube sheets 31d.

[0085] The heat transfer fin 31b has a first portion 31ba, a second portion 31bb, a third portion 31bc, a first bent portion 31bd, and a second bent portion 31be. The heat transfer fin 31b is formed into a C-shape open downward when viewed from the left and right directions (see FIG. Figure 3 ).

[0086] The first bent portion 31bd is located at the uppermost portion of the heat exchanger 31. The second bent portion 31be is located at the frontmost portion of the heat exchanger 31.

[0087] The first bent portion 31bd includes a connection portion connecting the first portion 31ba and the second portion 31bb. The second bent portion 31be includes a connection portion connecting the second portion 31bb and the third portion 31bc.

[0088] The first bent portion 31bd and the second bent portion 31be are portions where the heat transfer fin 31b is bent when viewed from the left-right direction.

[0089] The first portion 31ba connects the first curved portion 31bd to the rearmost end of the heat transfer fin 31b. The first portion 31ba is formed so as to extend downward as it approaches the rear from the first curved portion 31bd. The second portion 31bb connects the first curved portion 31bd to the second curved portion 31be. The second portion 31bb is formed so as to extend downward as it approaches the front from the first curved portion 31bd. The third portion 31bc connects the second curved portion 31be to the lowest end of the heat transfer fin 31b. The third portion 31bc extends downward from the second curved portion 31be.

[0090] For convenience, the portion of the heat exchanger 31 located forward of the first curved portion 31bd is referred to below as the front-side heat exchange portion 31f. In other words, the heat exchanger 31 includes the front-side heat exchange portion 31f, which is located forward of the fan 32 and has the second curved portion 31be. Furthermore, the portion of the heat exchanger 31 located rearward of the first curved portion 31bd is referred to as the rear-side heat exchange portion 31r.

[0091] The U-shaped tube 31c connects the ends of two predetermined heat transfer tubes 31a. Some heat transfer tubes 31a are connected at their ends to a pipe connected to one of the refrigerant pipes 12 and 13. This allows refrigerant flowing from either of the refrigerant pipes 12 and 13 into the heat transfer tube 31a to flow through the multiple heat transfer tubes 31a while being redirected by the U-shaped tube 31c.

[0092] The tube sheet 31d supports the plurality of heat transfer tubes 31a at their longitudinal ends. The tube sheet 31d is arranged inside the housing 33 perpendicular to the left-right direction. The tube sheet 31d has a shape substantially identical to that of the heat transfer fins 31b and has a plurality of holes formed therein for the heat transfer tubes 31a to pass through.

[0093] The sealing member 31e is a plate-shaped member that prevents air from passing through the first curved portion 31bd. The sealing member 31e covers the surface of the first curved portion 31bd that faces the air filter 34. The heat transfer fin 31b may be formed so that the width thereof as viewed from the left and right directions is thinner than that of other portions at the first curved portion 31bd (see FIG. 3 ). Figure 3 In this case, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 31 is likely to be lower around the first curved portion 31bd than in other parts. The sealing member 31e prevents the airflow f from passing through the first curved portion 31bd, where the heat exchange efficiency is lower than in other parts, thereby preventing a decrease in the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 31.

[0094] (2-1-4) Using fan 32

[0095] The fan 32 generates an air flow f which flows into the casing 33 from the suction port 33a, passes through the air filter 34 and the heat exchanger 31, and is blown out from the blowout port 33b. The fan 32 is a cross-flow fan.

[0096] The utilization fan 32 is arranged with its rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. It is positioned downstream of the utilization heat exchanger 31 in the airflow f, surrounded by the utilization heat exchanger 31. The utilization fan 32 includes a motor 32a, which is an actuator that rotationally drives the main body of the utilization fan 32. The motor 32a is connected to a control device 39. The rotational speed of the motor 32a is controlled by the control device 39.

[0097] (2-1-5) Baffle 35

[0098] The damper 35 controls the airflow blown out from the air outlet 33b (specifically, controls the direction and / or amount of the airflow). The damper 35 includes a damper body 35a and a motor 35b.

[0099] The baffle body 35a is located at the air outlet 33b. The motor 35b is an actuator that rotationally drives the baffle body 35a. The motors 35b are located on both sides of the air outlet 33b. The motors 35b are connected to the control device 39 via a wiring harness 35c. The wiring harness 35c is housed in the wiring storage space 33c.

[0100] (2-1-6) Partitioning member 36

[0101] The partition member 36 is disposed at both ends of the heat exchanger 31 and is a plate-shaped member that partitions off the ventilation path P. The ventilation path P is a path that allows the airflow f that has passed through the heat exchanger 31 to pass directly to the blow-out port 33b. The partition member 36 is disposed at both ends of the heat exchanger 31 so that its main surface is perpendicular to the left-right direction. The partition member 36 prevents the airflow f (conditioned air) that has passed through the heat exchanger 31 from leaking to the left and right directions before reaching the blow-out port 33b. The partition member 36 is made of resin. The partition member 36 may be composed of a single member or a plurality of members.

[0102] The partition member 36 includes a first partition member 36a, which is disposed at the left end of the heat exchanger 31, and a second partition member 36b, which is disposed at the right end of the heat exchanger 31. The first partition member 36a supports the ultraviolet module 37 and the rotating shaft (not shown) of the fan 32. The second partition member 36b supports the motor 32a of the fan 32 and the reflector 38.

[0103] (2-1-7) Ultraviolet module 37

[0104] The ultraviolet module 37 irradiates ultraviolet rays to the ventilation path P through which the air flow f passing through the heat exchanger 31 passes. The ultraviolet module 37 includes a light emitting diode 37a, a control substrate 37b, and a power supply wiring 37c.

[0105] The light emitting diode 37a irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ventilation path P. The control board 37b carries electronic components for controlling the light emitting diode 37a and is electrically connected to the light emitting diode 37a. The power supply wiring 37c is a wiring for supplying power to the light emitting diode 37a and the control board 37b and is connected to the control device 39.

[0106] The ultraviolet module 37 is fixed to the partition member 36. More specifically, the ultraviolet module 37 is fixed to the first partition member 36a so that the optical axis o of the light-emitting diode 37a passes between the heat exchanger 31 and the fan 32. When viewed from the left and right direction, the ultraviolet module 37 is positioned downstream of the second curved portion 31be and upstream of the fan 32 in the airflow f.

[0107] When viewed from the left and right direction (in other words, when viewing the utilization unit 30 from the side), the ultraviolet module 37 is preferably arranged at a position closer to the straight line L (see FIG. 1 ) connecting the distal end 33de of the tongue portion 33d and the end 33ee of the vortex surface 33e on the air outlet 33b side. Figure 3 ) is located in the front.

[0108] The ultraviolet module 37 is preferably arranged below the upper end of the fan 32 in the vertical direction (up and down direction) when viewed from the left-right direction.

[0109] The control board 37b is arranged near the light emitting diode 37a. More specifically, the control board 37b is fixed to the first partition member 36a together with the light emitting diode 37a.

[0110] The power supply wire 37c is housed in the wire housing space 33c together with the wire harness 35c connected to the motor 35b.

[0111] (2-1-8) Reflection member 38

[0112] The reflecting member 38 reflects the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet module 37 .

[0113] The reflective member 38 has a reflective surface 38a that can reflect ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet module 37. The reflective member 38 is arranged on the opposite side of the ultraviolet module 37 across the ventilation path P. More specifically, the reflective member 38 is fixed to the second partition member 36b so that the optical axis o of the light-emitting diode 37a hits the reflective surface 38a.

[0114] (2-1-9) Control device 39

[0115] The control device 39 controls the UV module 37 and each actuator (the motor 32a of the fan 32 and the motor 35b of the baffle 35). The control device 39 is electrically connected to the control board 37b of the UV module 37, the motor 32a, and the motor 35b via wiring. The control device 39 is housed in the electrical component box 40 and is located on the right side of the motor 32a (see FIG. Figure 4 ).

[0116] The control device 39 is implemented as a computer. It includes a control arithmetic unit and a storage device. The control arithmetic unit can use a processor such as a CPU or GPU. The control arithmetic unit reads a program stored in the storage device and performs predetermined arithmetic processing according to the program. Furthermore, the control arithmetic unit can write arithmetic results to the storage device or read information stored in the storage device according to the program.

[0117] (3) Distribution of wind speed and air volume of air flow f

[0118] In order to effectively irradiate the conditioned air with ultraviolet rays, it is preferable that the air volume of the airflow f irradiated with ultraviolet rays is large and the wind speed of the airflow f is slow. The inventors calculated the average air volume (m 3 / minute) and average speed (m / second), and studied the position of the ultraviolet module 37 that can effectively irradiate the conditioned air with ultraviolet rays. Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the utilization unit 30 for explaining the simulation results.

[0119] In the simulation, Figure 5 At the positions a to f shown, the volume and speed of the airflow f are obtained. Figure 5 In the figure, position a is downstream of the middle position between the first bend 31bd and the rear end of the back-side heat exchange unit 31r. Position b is downstream of the sealing member 31e. Positions c to e are downstream of the front-side heat exchange unit 31f, located above the second bend 31be. Position c is downstream of the first bend 31bd. Position d is downstream of the middle position between the first bend 31bd and the second bend 31be. Position e is downstream of the second bend 31be. Position f is downstream of the middle position between the second bend 31be and the lower side of the front-side heat exchange unit 31f, located below the second bend 31be. The simulation results are shown in Table 1. In addition, the specific numerical values ​​of positions a and f are not shown in [Table 1]. However, this simulation confirmed that the average wind speed at position a is faster than that at positions b, c, d, and e. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the average wind speed at position f is slower than that at positions c, d, and e. In addition, it was confirmed that the average air volume at position f was smaller than the average air volume at positions b, c, d, and e.

[0120]

Table 1

[0121]

[0122] The simulation results show that at position a, the gap between the heat exchanger 31 and the fan 32 is narrow at the bottom, resulting in excessive wind speed. At position b, the sealing member 31e obstructs the airflow f, resulting in a wind speed of 0. At position f, the wind speed is slow, while the gap between the heat exchanger 31 and the fan 32 is narrow, resulting in a low air volume.

[0123] In contrast, it can be seen that appropriate air volumes can be secured at positions c to e. In particular, position e is the position where the wind speed is the slowest among positions c to e.

[0124] The above analysis results show that position e (a position downstream of the second curved portion 31be and upstream of the airflow f than the fan 32) achieves a balance between wind speed and air volume and is the most suitable position for irradiating ultraviolet rays.

[0125] (4) Characteristics

[0126] (4-1)

[0127] The utilization unit 30 is an indoor unit of the air conditioning apparatus 10. The utilization unit 30 includes a utilization fan 32, a utilization heat exchanger 31, and an ultraviolet module 37. The utilization fan 32 is a crossflow fan that generates an airflow f. The utilization heat exchanger 31 is a heat exchanger through which the airflow f passes. The ultraviolet module 37 includes a light-emitting diode that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ventilation path P through which the airflow f passes after passing through the utilization heat exchanger 31.

[0128] The heat exchanger 31 includes a front heat exchange portion 31f having a second curved portion 31be and disposed in front of the fan 32. The ultraviolet module 37 is disposed downstream of the second curved portion 31be and upstream of the fan 32 in the airflow f.

[0129] According to the utilization unit 30 , the airflow f having a slow speed and a large volume after passing through the utilization heat exchanger 31 can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and thus the conditioned air can be efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

[0130] (4-2)

[0131] The utilization unit 30 further includes a housing 33. The housing 33 includes an outlet 33b through which the airflow f flows, and a tongue portion 33d and a vortex surface 33e that oppose each other across the outlet 33b. When viewed from the side, the ultraviolet module 37 is positioned forward of a line L connecting the distal end 33de of the tongue portion 33d and the end 33ee of the vortex surface 33e on the outlet 33b side.

[0132] According to the utilization unit 30 , it is possible to suppress the ultraviolet rays radiated from the ultraviolet module 37 from leaking to the outside through the air outlet 33 b .

[0133] (4-3)

[0134] The ultraviolet module 37 is arranged below the upper end in the vertical direction of the fan 32 in a side view.

[0135] A relatively high-temperature airflow, freshly heated by the heat exchanger 31, flows at a low speed above the fan 32. According to the utilization unit 30, since the ultraviolet module 37 is positioned below the upper end of the fan 32, it is possible to suppress the ultraviolet module 37 from being heated by the high-temperature airflow.

[0136] (4-4)

[0137] The utilization unit 30 further includes a reflecting member 38 for reflecting the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet module 37. The reflecting member 38 is disposed on the opposite side to the ultraviolet module 37 with the ventilation path P interposed therebetween.

[0138] According to the utilization unit 30, since the reflected light can also be irradiated to the conditioned air, the conditioned air can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays more efficiently.

[0139] (5) Modification

[0140] (5-1) Modification A

[0141] The utilization unit 30 may further include an air supply duct 50 for supplying external air to the utilization heat exchanger 31 . Figure 6 5 is a cross-sectional view of the utilization unit 30 of Modification A. The air supply duct 50 has an air supply port 51. The air supply duct 50 supplies the external air supplied by the external air supply unit (not shown) provided outside the air-conditioning target space from the air supply port 51 toward the utilization heat exchanger 31 (see Figure 6 ).

[0142] The ultraviolet module 37 of the utilization unit 30 of the modification A is arranged downstream of the air supply port 51 of the air supply duct 50 in the air flow f.

[0143] The utilization unit 30 can efficiently irradiate the outside air supplied from the air supply duct 50 with ultraviolet rays. Furthermore, since the ultraviolet module 37 can be cooled by the outside air, the ultraviolet module 37 can be prevented from being heated by the conditioned air during the heating operation of the air conditioner 10.

[0144] (5-2) Modification B

[0145] The heat transfer tube 31a can also be arranged so that the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger 31 below the back side heat exchange part 31r passes through the back side heat exchange part 31r and above the front side heat exchange part 31f, and flows out of the heat exchanger 31 below the front side heat exchange part 31f.

[0146] According to the utilization unit 30 , the refrigerant flowing into the utilization heat exchanger 31 reaches the front heat exchanger 31 f after passing through the rear heat exchanger 31 r . This prevents the ultraviolet module 37 from being heated by the relatively high temperature refrigerant immediately after flowing into the utilization heat exchanger 31 .

[0147] (5-3) Modification C

[0148] The utilization unit 30 may further include a cleaning unit 60 for removing dust adhering to the surface of the air filter 34. The cleaning unit 60 includes a pinion 61, a brush 62, and a dust box 63. Figure 7 3 is a cross-sectional view of a utilization unit 30 according to Modification C.

[0149] The pinion gear 61 meshes with an engaging portion (not shown) formed at an end portion of the air filter 34. When the pinion gear 61 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), the air filter 34 moves to a predetermined position.

[0150] The brush 62 comes into contact with the moving air filter 34 and scrapes off dust adhering to the air filter 34 toward the dust box 63 disposed below. The brush 62 is formed to have a length substantially equal to the width of the air filter 34 in the left-right direction.

[0151] The dust box 63 stores dust removed from the air filter 34 by the brush 62. The dust box 63 is shaped like a box with an upper opening to store dust scraped from the air filter 34 by the brush 62. The dust box 63 has a length approximately equal to the left-right width of the air filter 34. The dust box 63 is disposed in front of the front heat exchange unit 31f.

[0152] In the utilization unit 30 of the modification C, the ultraviolet module 37 is arranged so that the optical axis o overlaps with the dust box 63 when viewed from the front.

[0153] Because dust box 63 obstructs the smooth flow of airflow f, the velocity of airflow f decreases downstream of dust box 63. Since optical axis o is arranged to overlap dust box 63, UV module 37 can irradiate the slower, higher-volume airflow with UV light. Therefore, using unit 30, conditioned air can be irradiated with UV light more efficiently.

[0154] Summary

[0155] While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as described in the claims.

Claims

1. An indoor unit (30), which is an indoor unit (30) of an air conditioning device (10), wherein: The indoor unit (30) comprises: a cross-flow fan, which generates an air flow (f); a heat exchanger (31) through which the airflow (f) passes; and The ultraviolet module (37) includes a light emitting diode (37a) for irradiating ultraviolet rays to a ventilation path (P) through which the airflow (f) passing through the heat exchanger (31) passes. The heat exchanger (31) includes a front side heat exchange portion (31f) which is arranged in front of the cross flow fan and has a curved portion. The ultraviolet module (37) is arranged at a position downstream of the airflow (f) relative to the curved portion and upstream of the airflow (f) relative to the cross flow fan.

2. The indoor unit (30) according to claim 1, wherein: The indoor unit (30) further includes a housing (33). The housing (33) has: a blow-out port (33b) for the airflow (f) to flow out; and The tongue portion (33d) and the swirl surface (33e) are opposed to each other across the blowout port (33b), When viewed from the side, the ultraviolet module (37) is arranged in front of a straight line connecting the tip (33de) of the tongue (33d) and the end (33ee) of the swirl surface (33e) on the blowing outlet (33b) side.

3. The indoor unit (30) according to claim 1, wherein: The indoor unit (30) further includes an air supply duct (50) having an air supply port (51) for supplying external air toward the heat exchanger (31). The ultraviolet module (37) is arranged at a position downstream of the air flow (f) relative to the air supply port (51).

4. The indoor unit (30) according to claim 1, wherein The heat exchanger (31) further includes a heat transfer tube (31a) and a back side heat exchange portion (31r). The heat transfer tube (31a) is arranged so that the refrigerant flowing in from below the back-side heat exchange portion (31r) passes through the back-side heat exchange portion (31r) and above the front-side heat exchange portion (31f) and flows out from below the front-side heat exchange portion (31f).

5. The indoor unit (30) according to claim 4, wherein: The ultraviolet module (37) is arranged below the vertical upper end of the cross flow fan when viewed from the side.

6. The indoor unit (30) according to claim 1, wherein: The indoor unit (30) further includes a dust box (63) disposed in front of the front heat exchange portion (31f). The ultraviolet module (37) is configured so that, when viewed from the front, the optical axis (o) overlaps with the dust collecting box (63).

7. The indoor unit (30) according to claim 1, wherein: The indoor unit (30) further includes a reflecting member (38) for reflecting ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet module (37). The reflecting member (38) is arranged on the opposite side to the ultraviolet module (37) across the ventilation path (P).

8. An air conditioning device (10), comprising: The indoor unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and Outdoor unit (20).

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