Method for cleaning heat exchanger aluminum fin of air conditioner indoor unit of unmanned ATM facility

Abstract

To provide a method for cleaning heat exchanger aluminum fins of an air conditioner installed in unmanned ATM facilities outside a branch office of a bank using water from a high-pressure washing machine.SOLUTION: A storage battery 11 is selected and connected to a DC / AC inverter device 12, and the power supply cord of a high-pressure washing machine is connected to the output AC 100 V power receptacle of the inverter device to clean heat exchanger aluminum fins. For a method for charging the storage battery 11, a system is configured to accumulate electricity from a solar panel 21 installed on the roof of a service car and electricity from the cigarette socket 24 of the service car in the storage battery 11 and use the electricity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for cleaning aluminum fins of a heat exchanger of an air conditioner installed in an unmanned ATM (automated teller machine) facility outside a bank branch. [Background technology]

[0002] There are many unmanned ATM facilities located outside bank branches throughout Japan. These facilities consist of a customer area where customers can enter and exit, and a machine room that controls the ATM equipment. Typically, air conditioners are installed in the machine rooms to cool the heat generated by the ATMs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to keep the ATMs operating normally without any problems.

[0003] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram (plan view) for explaining the unmanned ATM facility 1 described above. An unmanned ATM facility 1 consists of a customer corner 2 and a machine room 3, with one or several ATMs 4 installed in the machine room 3. The ATM 4 is used as a partition to separate the machine room 3 from the customer corner 2. An air conditioner 5 is installed in the machine room 3 to recover heat from the ATM 4 and cool it. In large ATM facilities, air conditioners are also installed in the customer corner 2 to provide a comfortable space for customers.

[0004] In the facility shown in Figure 1, the air conditioner 5 operates all year round according to the outside air temperature. After 2 to 3 years of use, the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger of the air conditioner become dirty and the thermal efficiency decreases, and cleaning with a chemical solution is required.

[0005] The inventors of this application have registered a patent for a device that removes the front panel, seals it with a special cleaning cover, and cleans it, regarding a method for cleaning the heat exchanger aluminum fins and blower fan of a wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit (see Patent Document 1 below). In addition to Patent Document 1 below, applications have also been filed for methods for cleaning air conditioner indoor units (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 to 4 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3406038 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-001897 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 09-113186 [Patent Document 4] JP 2000-337791 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The air conditioner 5 installed in the machine room 3 of the unmanned ATM facility 1 operates continuously all year round. Unmanned ATMs are often placed in a corner of the parking lots of supermarkets and the like, and therefore become very dirty as they suck in automobile exhaust fumes, and the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger on the intake surface of the indoor unit become clogged with dust and the like every 1-2 years, causing a decline in the cooling function. It has become necessary to clean it with chemicals using a high-pressure washer every 1-2 years.

[0008] The inventors of the present application have devised a method for cleaning air conditioners in unmanned ATM facilities and are working to commercialize the method. The power source for the high-pressure washer used in this case is supplied from an AC 100V power outlet provided by the switchboard 6 in the machine room. The AC 100V power outlet is connected to electrical equipment such as the ATM 4 and lighting fixtures in the machine room 3, and shares a power circuit with them.

[0009] The power consumption of the high-pressure washer is large at 1500w. In the unlikely event that a malfunction occurs in the high-pressure washer, the AC100V power supply may be cut off, causing unforeseen circumstances such as ATM4 going down or computer errors. If possible, it is advisable to bring in a portable generator in advance to power the AC100V power outlet of the high-pressure washer.

[0010] Portable power sources that can be brought in include those that run on gasoline or propane tanks and generate electricity by running an engine, and it is also easy to obtain those with a large power capacity that can run air-conditioned high-pressure washers. The engine noise of the portable power source is loud during operation, which makes it less practical. It also emits exhaust gas, so there is a trend to refrain from using it. In addition, it is heavy, weighing about 20 kg, making it difficult to carry. Also, since it uses gasoline, there is a risk of fire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and from a first perspective, the invention described in claim 1 combines a large-capacity storage battery 11 with a high-output DC / AC inverter device 12 to form an AC 100V power outlet capable of driving a high-pressure washer.

[0012] In addition, the second aspect employs a charging system that utilizes a solar panel 21 as a method for charging the storage battery 11 described in the first aspect. The solar panel 21 is added to the roof of the work vehicle 23 to provide an AC 100V power outlet. Effect of the Invention

[0013] In the first aspect of the present invention, the AC 100V power outlet is made up of the storage battery 11 and the DC-AC inverter device 12, so it has the effect of being safe to use without generating noise. In addition, it does not generate exhaust gas, so it has no adverse effect on the environment. Even if a large current flows through the high-pressure washer 13, the overcurrent protection circuit of the DC-AC inverter device 12 will operate, so it will not cause damage to other places.

[0014] In addition, from a second viewpoint, a method is provided that solves the problems that occur when charging the storage battery 11. A practical storage battery requires a large capacity of 200 Ah or more. Because it is large, it weighs more than 20 kg, and it requires a lot of effort to carry it around. By installing the solar panel 21 on the roof of the work vehicle 23 and making it a system that charges constantly, it is possible to configure a system that allows charging without moving from the work vehicle 23. Since charging is constant even when the work vehicle 23 is stopped, there is also the effect of eliminating the risk of forgetting to charge.

[0015] The output capacity of the solar panels installed on the roof of the work vehicle 23 is about 200 W, and it takes about five days (a value calculated with reference to data from the Photovoltaic Energy Association) to charge a storage battery with a capacity of 200 Ah (12 V x 200 Ah = 2,400 Wh) from a completely empty state to 100%. The charging system described above has the advantage that charging can be performed using the DC 12V power source in the cigarette lighter socket of a work vehicle as a means of supplementing charging time at night when there is no sunlight or when it is raining.

[0016] In this way, a method for cleaning an air conditioner in an unmanned ATM facility can be formed which overcomes the above-mentioned problems and has the following characteristics. (Feature 1) The storage battery 11 and the DC / AC converter device 12 are combined to form an AC 100V power outlet, eliminating the risk of adverse effects on the ATM, allowing cleaning work to be carried out safely and with peace of mind. (Feature 2) By configuring a charging system for the storage battery 11 using the solar panel 21, the labor required to carry the storage battery 11, which is a large, heavy object, is eliminated. (Feature 3) Since the solar panel 21 is installed on the roof of the work vehicle 23, the system is capable of charging the vehicle at all times, whether the vehicle is moving or parked, reducing the risk of forgetting to charge the vehicle. (Feature 4) At night, when there is no sunlight due to rain or other reasons, the storage battery can be charged using the DC 12V power source in the cigarette lighter socket of a work vehicle. (Feature 5) This system also solves the issues associated with gasoline-powered generators used on construction sites, etc., such as noise, weight, exhaust fumes, and fire hazards. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a layout diagram (plan view) of air conditioners installed in an unmanned ATM facility outside a bank branch, which is the facility that is the subject of cleaning by this invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention, showing the configuration of an AC 100V power outlet produced by combining a storage battery 11 and a DC / AC inverter device 12. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a configuration diagram for explaining the charging operation of the storage battery 11 using a solar panel 21 and installing the solar panel 21 on the roof of a work vehicle 23. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0019] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A method of supplying an AC 100V power outlet to the high pressure cleaner 13 will be described with reference to FIG. The output terminal (DC 12V) of the storage battery 11 is connected to the input terminal of the DC-AC inverter device 12. The output terminal of the DC-AC inverter device 12 has the shape of an AC 100V power outlet to which the power cord of the cleaning machine 13 can be connected. The cleaning machine 13 operates by inserting the power cord of the high-pressure cleaning machine 13 into the AC 100V power outlet.

[0020] The high-pressure cleaner 13 used in the first embodiment is a device that sucks in water or hot water, amplifies the pressure with a motor, and sprays it onto a dirty object. Many of these devices are powered by a household AC 100V power outlet, but powerful high-pressure cleaners that are powered by single-phase AC 200V or three-phase 200V power sources are also available on the market.

[0021] The rated power consumption of the high-pressure cleaner 13 during operation is about 1500 W. When the high-pressure cleaner is started up, it consumes 7500 W, which is about five times the rated power. Therefore, a large-capacity storage battery 11 capable of supplying power of 7500W or more is required, and similarly, the inverter device 12 must also have a capacity of 7500W or more.

[0022] The storage battery 11 in the first embodiment is a DC power source that can be repeatedly charged and used (discharged). There are also disposable types of storage batteries called primary batteries, which are used in flashlights, television remote controls, etc.

[0023] Recently, large-capacity lithium iron phosphate batteries have been released at low prices. Compared to manganese batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries are small, lightweight, and have a large capacity. For practical purposes, it is desirable to choose a lithium iron phosphate battery with a capacity of 200Ah or more.

[0024] Moreover, the DC-AC inverter device 12 in the first embodiment is a device that converts the DC power stored in the storage battery 11 into AC 100V. This makes it possible to use a high-pressure washer that operates from an AC 100V power outlet. The input terminal of the DC-AC inverter device 12 is connected to the output terminal (DC 12V) of the storage battery 11. The output terminal of the DC-AC inverter device 12 is shaped like an AC 100V power outlet to which the power cord of the high-pressure washer 13 can be connected. As described above, the high-pressure washer 13 operates by inserting the power cord of the high-pressure washer 13 into the AC 100V power outlet. EXAMPLES

[0025] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Since this embodiment is similar to the above embodiment, a description of the similar configuration will be omitted. In FIG. 3, a solar panel 21 is installed on the roof of a work vehicle 23. Electricity generated by the solar panel 21 is stored in the storage battery 11 via a charge controller 22. A DC / AC inverter device 12 is connected to the storage battery 11. DC / AC inverter device When the power cord of the high-pressure washer 13 is connected to the output AC 100V outlet 12, the high-pressure washer 13 will operate and perform cleaning. The solar panel 21 is installed on the roof of the work vehicle 23, so the solar panel 21 can be used even when the work vehicle 23 is moving. The system will be constantly charging while in use, reducing the risk of forgetting to charge the vehicle.

[0026] A power cord 25 from a DC 12V power supply 24 in a cigarette lighter socket of the work vehicle 23 is connected to the charge controller 22. It is configured so that charging can be performed from a storage battery 26 of the work vehicle 23 in addition to charging from the solar panel 21. On rainy days when there is no sunlight, the storage battery 11 is charged by the existing storage battery 26 mounted on the work vehicle 23 instead of power generation by the solar panel 21 installed on the roof of the work vehicle 23.

[0027] The solar panel 21 in the second embodiment converts natural energy of sunlight into electrical energy (generates electricity). It is generally installed on the roof of a house and used during the day. In the present invention, the solar panel 21 is installed by modifying a rack (roof carrier) that is installed on the roof of a covered wagon.

[0028] In addition, in the second embodiment, the charge controller 22 is a control panel for connecting the electricity generated by the solar panel 21 to the storage battery 11, and as described above, the electricity generated by the solar panel 21 is stored in the storage battery 11 via the charge controller 22. In addition, DC power from an existing storage battery 26 in the work vehicle is also charged into the storage battery 11 via the cigarette lighter socket 24, through the power cord 25 and via the charge controller 22.

[0029] The work vehicle 23 is an engine-driven vehicle for carrying equipment such as the AC 100V power supply device and a high-pressure washer for cleaning the heat exchange aluminum fins of the air conditioner. The work vehicle 23 is also structured to be able to extract DC power from a cigarette lighter socket 24. [Industrial Applicability]

[0030] The present invention has been described with respect to cleaning of the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger of the air conditioner 5 outside a bank branch store and in an unmanned ATM facility 1. Of course, the present invention can also be used to clean air conditioners inside a bank branch store. If the power supply to information electronic devices such as computers in a store is accidentally cut off, there is a risk that data, etc. will be lost. By bringing in the AC 100V power outlet of the present invention and plugging in the power cord of the high-pressure washer 13 to operate it, the work risk can be reduced.

[0031] It can also be used to wash indoor air conditioner units installed in unmanned facilities in the suburbs, such as mobile phone transmission / reception (steel tower) facilities and substation facilities.

[0032] Although the above has been described with respect to an indoor unit, it is equally applicable to cleaning an outdoor unit.

[0033] Machine tools in factory production lines run on AC 400V power. When cleaning the oil cooler installed in the machine tool, there are often no AC 100V power outlets near the machine tool. When cleaning the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger of the air conditioner or air conditioning equipment in such a workplace, it is desirable to select the cleaning method shown in claim 1 of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1. Unmanned ATM facilities 4 ATM 5. Air Conditioning 6 Switchboard 11 Storage battery 12 DC / AC inverter device 13. High-pressure cleaner 21 Solar Panels 22 Charge Controller 23 Work vehicle 24 Cigarette lighter socket

Claims

1. In a method for cleaning the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger of an indoor air conditioner installed in an unmanned ATM facility outside a bank branch, using water with a high-pressure washer, A method for cleaning the aluminum fins of a heat exchanger in an indoor air conditioner unit installed in an unmanned ATM facility, comprising connecting a DC / AC inverter device to the output terminal of a storage battery to form an AC 100V power outlet and supplying AC 100V power to the high-pressure washer.

2. The method for cleaning the aluminum fins of a heat exchanger in an indoor unit of an air conditioner installed in an unmanned ATM facility according to claim 1, characterized in that the charging operation for the storage battery constituting the AC 100V power supply device is performed by a charging system for the storage battery that utilizes solar panels installed on the roof of a work vehicle.

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