Float switch and indoor unit of air conditioner

Abstract

To provide a float switch capable of suppressing noise generation or the like, and an indoor unit of an air conditioner.SOLUTION: A float switch 1 comprises: a shaft-like member 22; a float 24 which has a first hole 23 penetrating the inside with the shaft-like member 22 inserted into the first hole 23, and which moves up and down in the axial direction of the shaft-like member 22 according to the water level; a reed switch (sensor) 25 which turns ON / OFF according to the position of the float 24 in the axial direction of the shaft-like member 22; and a C ring 32 which has a first projection part 35 at entering at least partially entering the first hole 23 to stay between the shaft-like member 22 and float 24 when the water level falls, and a second projection part 36 coming into contact with the float 24 when the water level falls.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a float switch and an indoor unit of an air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] As background art in this technical field, there is JP 2000-2580 A (Patent Document 1). This publication states that "A float is attached to a support so that it can rise and fall freely. A float stopper is attached to the lower end of the support. The float stopper is composed of three float stop blocks and one retaining ring. The upper part of the float stop block is composed of a triangular pyramid. The central ridge of this triangular pyramid supports the edge of the float's through hole and stops the float. Since the ridge supports the float, contact with the float is point contact. This improves liquid drainage and prevents liquid pooling. The centers of the float and the support coincide, making the gap between them uniform. Since the gap does not narrow, the occurrence of liquid pooling is prevented. Since there is no liquid pooling, the float is prevented from sticking due to the drying of adhering liquid" (see abstract). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-2580 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in terms of suppressing the generation of abnormal noise and the sticking of the float. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a float switch and an indoor unit for an air conditioner that can suppress the generation of abnormal noise and the sticking of the float. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by comprising an axial member, a float having a first hole penetrating the inside, with the axial member inserted into the first hole and moving up and down in the axial direction of the axial member depending on the water level, a reed switch that switches on and off depending on the axial position of the float of the axial member, and a support member having a first protrusion that at least a portion of which enters the first hole and is positioned between the axial member and the float when the water level drops, and a second protrusion that contacts the float when the water level drops. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a float switch and an indoor unit for an air conditioner that are capable of suppressing the generation of abnormal noise and the sticking of the float. Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a system diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the inside of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a part cut away. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a float switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower portion of a float sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view of a lower portion of a shaft-shaped member in the float sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a C-ring in the float sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a lower portion of a float sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, examples (embodiments) of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, although the drawings described below may include arrows indicating the up and down directions, these are for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the present invention.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a system diagram showing the schematic configuration of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 100 is a device that performs indoor air conditioning using, for example, heat pump technology. The air conditioner 100 of this embodiment is capable of performing cooling and heating, but the air conditioner of the present invention may also be configured as an air conditioner dedicated to cooling or heating. The air conditioner 100 of this embodiment includes an outdoor unit 51 and an indoor unit 52. The outdoor unit 51 includes a compressor 3 that compresses a refrigerant, a four-way valve 4 that switches the flow direction of the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 5 that exchanges heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant, a propeller fan 6 that takes in outdoor air into the outdoor unit 51, and an expansion valve 7 that expands the refrigerant.

[0010] The indoor unit 52 includes an indoor heat exchanger 8 that exchanges heat between the indoor air and a refrigerant, and a blower fan (cross-flow fan) 9 that takes the indoor air into the indoor unit 52. In the outdoor unit 51, the compressor 3, the four-way valve 4, the outdoor heat exchanger 5, the expansion valve 7, and the indoor heat exchanger 8 are connected by piping 10, and the refrigerant can circulate through each device via the piping 10. As the refrigerant, various refrigerants such as R410A and R32 can be used.

[0011] During cooling operation of the air conditioner 100, the four-way valve 4 is connected as shown by the solid lines in Fig. 1. In this case, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 5, the expansion valve 7, and the indoor heat exchanger 8, in that order, before circulating to the compressor 3 again (see the solid arrows in Fig. 1). On the other hand, during heating operation of the air conditioner 100, the four-way valve 4 is connected as shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 1. In this case, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows through the indoor heat exchanger 8, the expansion valve 7, and the outdoor heat exchanger 5, in that order, before circulating to the compressor 3 again (see the dashed arrows in Fig. 1).

[0012] Inside the outdoor unit 51, outdoor air is drawn in by the propeller fan 6 and passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 5, thereby exchanging heat between the outdoor air and the refrigerant. Inside the indoor unit 52, indoor air is drawn in by the blower fan 9 and passes through the indoor heat exchanger 8, thereby exchanging heat between the indoor air and the refrigerant. The air conditioner 100 then blows out conditioned air, which is indoor air that has been heated or cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant, to condition the room.

[0013] 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the indoor unit with a part cut away. A drain pan 11 (storage section) is provided in the indoor unit 52 for storing drain water (moisture) generated during air conditioning using the indoor heat exchanger 8 and blower fan 9 of the air conditioner 100, specifically during cooling operation. A drain pump 12 (pump) for draining the drain water is provided in the drain pan 11, and the drain pump 12 for draining the drain water discharges the drain water from the drain pan 11 to the outside. A float switch 1, which is a detection device for detecting the water level of the drain water in the drain pan 11, is provided near the drain pump 12 in the drain pan 11.

[0014] As described later, the float switch 1 comprises an axial member 22, a hole 23 that penetrates the center of the float switch 1 in this embodiment, the axial member 22 is inserted into the hole 23, and a float 24 that floats on water.

[0015] The float 24 floats on the drain water in the drain pan 11 and moves up and down in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member 22 depending on the water level of the drain water. The drain pump 12 for drainage is located near the float switch 1. Therefore, the vibration generated when the drain pump 12 for drainage is also transmitted to the float switch 1. This causes the float 24 to frequently come into contact with the shaft-shaped member 22 due to the vibration, which causes a problem of generating an unpleasant abnormal sound. The float switch 1 is disposed in the indoor unit 52. In other words, since the float switch 1 is disposed indoors, the generation of this abnormal sound cannot be ignored. When the water level in the drain pan 11 is high, even if the float 24 comes into contact with the shaft-shaped member 22, the sound generated by this is absorbed by the large amount of drain water, and it may not become a major problem. However, when the water level in the drain pan 11 is low, there is little drain water in the drain pan 11, and the abnormal noise generated when the float 24 comes into contact with the shaft-shaped member 22 is not absorbed much by the drain water, so that the noise is likely to resonate outside and become a major problem.

[0016] In contrast, the technology of Patent Document 1 does not propose any measures to address the problem of abnormal noise generated by the float switch, and there is room for improvement.

[0017] As described below, a member (C-ring 32) is provided to prevent the float 24 from falling off the shaft-shaped member 22. However, if the water level in the drain pan 11 remains low for a long period of time, there is a problem that the float 24 may become stuck to the C-ring 32.

[0018] The configuration and the effects of the float switch 1, which has improved these problems, will be described in detail below.

[0019] 3 is a perspective view of the float switch according to the present embodiment, in which the detailed structure of the lower portion of the float switch 1 is omitted. This float switch 1 comprises, for example, a cylindrical axial member 22, and a float 24 which has a first hole 23 (for example, a round hole) penetrating the interior, in this embodiment, the center, with the axial member 22 inserted into the first hole 23, and which floats on water (drain water).

[0020] A sensor 25 is provided on the upper part of the shaft-shaped member 22 to detect the up and down axial position of the float 24 of the shaft-shaped member 22. In this example, this sensor 25 is a non-contact reed switch that responds to, for example, a ring-shaped magnet 24a (FIG. 7) with an inner diameter size approximately equal to that of the float 24, embedded in the float 24, and switches on and off depending on the axial position of the shaft-shaped member 22 of the float 24. In addition to this, various types of sensing technologies can be used for the sensor 25 as long as they can detect the position (height) of the float 24 and convert it into an electrical signal.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a lower position of the float sensor according to the present embodiment. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a lower portion of a shaft-shaped member in the float sensor according to the present embodiment. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a C-ring in the float sensor according to the present embodiment. A recess 31 is formed in the lower end portion of the shaft-shaped member 22 in the circumferential direction of the shaft-shaped member 22 (FIG. 5). A C-ring 32 (support member) is fitted into this recess 31 (FIG. 4).

[0022] The C-ring 32 is, for example, a circular plate material made of a material having a certain degree of elasticity, such as a resin material. One part of the circular shape is cut to form a notch 33. When fitting the C-ring 32 into the recess 31 of the shaft-shaped member 22, the notch 33 is pressed against the shaft-shaped member 22 to elastically bend the C-ring 32 and widen the opening of the notch 33. As a result, the C-ring 32 has a second hole (inner diameter portion) 41 formed in the center, which engages with the recess 31 to prevent the shaft-shaped member 22 from coming off in the axial direction (Figs. 4 and 8). The outer diameter of the C-ring 32 is larger than the diameter of the hole 23 of the float 24, and is a member that can prevent the float 24 from falling off the shaft-shaped member 22 (Fig. 7).

[0023] Furthermore, a plurality of first protrusions 35 and a plurality of second protrusions 36 are formed on the upper surface 34 of the C-ring 32. The first protrusions 35 and the second protrusions 36 may be formed on and supported by a member other than the C-ring 32.

[0024] 6, the first protrusions 35 are provided, for example, in the number of four, at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the upper surface 34 of the C-ring 32. The first protrusions 35 are relatively long protrusions that taper toward the upper side in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member 22. When the water level in the drain pan 11 drops, at least a portion of the first protrusions 35 enters the first hole 23 and is positioned between the shaft-shaped member 22 and the float 24, thereby suppressing contact between the shaft-shaped member 22 and the float 24 (described later).

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6, the second protrusions 36 are provided, for example, four in number, at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the upper surface 34 of the C ring 32. The second protrusions 36 are relatively low protrusions whose height gradually increases toward the outer diameter side of the upper surface 34 of the C ring 32. In the example of FIG. 6, the second protrusions 36 are provided at positions corresponding to the first protrusions 35 in the circumferential direction of the upper surface 34 of the C ring 32. However, the positions of the first protrusions 35 and the second protrusions 36 in the circumferential direction of the upper surface 34 of the C ring 32 may be shifted from each other. The first protrusions 35 and the second protrusions 36 may overlap at least partially in the radial direction of the C ring 32. The second protrusions 36 are members that come into contact with the float 24 when the water level in the drain pan 11 drops, thereby suppressing adhesion between the C ring 32 and the float 24 (described later).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6, the second protrusion 36 is disposed on the outer diameter side of the C ring 32 relative to the first protrusion 35. The second protrusion 36 is lower in height than the first protrusion 35. The C ring 32 may have a plurality of first protrusions 35 and a plurality of second protrusions 36, and the first protrusions 35 and the second protrusions 36 may be the same in number. The C ring 32 may have four or more first protrusions 35 and four or more second protrusions 36. The C ring 32 may be configured such that a portion where the first protrusions 35 and the second protrusions 36 are not disposed is longer than a portion where the first protrusions 35 and the second protrusions 36 are disposed in the circumferential direction. In the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member 22, the first protrusions 35 may be longer than the recesses 31, and the second protrusions 36 may be shorter than the recesses 31.

[0027] Next, the function and effect of the float sensor 1 will be described. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lower part of the float sensor. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, when the drain water level is high, the float 24 is in a high position as shown by the dashed line. Conversely, when the drain water level is low, the float 24 is in a low position as shown by the solid line. In this way, the height of the float 24 is detected by the sensor 25 as an indication of the drain water level in the drain pan 11. In this case, when the float 24 is in a high position, there is a lot of drain water in the drain pan 11, so even if the drain pump 12 is located near the float switch 1, the abnormal noise is absorbed by the water and is not easily transmitted to the outside.

[0028] However, when the float 24 is in a low position, there is little drain water in the drain pan 11, so that the abnormal noise is not easily absorbed by the water and is easily transmitted to the outside. In this case, the relatively long first protrusion 35 enters the hole 23 of the descending float 24, preventing contact between the shaft-shaped member 22 and the float 24. Therefore, even if the float switch 1 is located near the drain pump 12, the float 24 is unlikely to come into contact with the shaft-shaped member 22, and the generation of abnormal noise can be prevented.

[0029] 8, due to the presence of the second protrusion 36, even when the float 24 is at its lowest point, the bottom of the float 24 is supported by the second protrusion 36. Therefore, the bottom surface of the float 24 does not come into contact directly with the upper surface 34 of the C-ring 32. Therefore, the second protrusion 36 can prevent the float 24 and the C-ring 32 from sticking to each other.

[0030] In addition, if the first protrusion portion 35 has a shape that tapers toward the upper axial direction of the shaft-shaped member 22 and the clearance with the float 24 increases toward the upper axial direction of the shaft-shaped member 22, the first protrusion will be more likely to enter the first hole 23.

[0031] 8, the first protrusion 35 has a clearance B between it and the shaft-shaped member 22 when inserted into the hole 23. This makes it possible to prevent the first protrusion 35 from coming into contact with the shaft-shaped member 22 and generating abnormal noise.

[0032] Furthermore, since the C-ring 32 is attached to the shaft-shaped member 22, the vibrations may be transmitted to the C-ring 32, causing abnormal noise. Therefore, the C-ring 32 has a clearance C between the second hole 41 and the bottom 31a of the recess 31. This allows the C-ring 32 to move by itself to a position where no abnormal noise is generated by the force of the vibrations, thereby suppressing the generation of abnormal noise.

[0033] The C-ring 32 is formed with a first protrusion 35 and a second protrusion 36. The member supporting the first protrusion 35 and the member supporting the second protrusion 36 may be separate members. However, in this embodiment, the first protrusion 35 and the second protrusion 36 are both formed on the C-ring 32, which is a single member. Therefore, if such a C-ring 32 is manufactured by integral molding, the number of parts can be reduced and manufacturing costs can be reduced compared to the case where the first protrusion 35 and its support member, and the second protrusion 36 and its support member are manufactured as separate members.

[0034] The C-ring 32 has an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the hole 23, and is also a member for preventing the float 24 from falling off the shaft-shaped member 22. Such a preventing member may be configured as a separate member from the first protrusion 35 and its support member, and the second protrusion 36 and its support member. However, by combining these parts into a single part and manufacturing it by integral molding as in this embodiment, the number of parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing costs of these parts can also be reduced.

[0035] 6, the second protrusion 36 is disposed on the outer diameter side of the C-ring 32 relative to the first protrusion 35. This allows the first protrusion 35 to easily enter the hole 23, while the second protrusion 36 easily supports the bottom of the float 24.

[0036] 6, the second protrusion 36 is lower in height than the first protrusion 35. Therefore, the first protrusion 35 is a considerably high upward protrusion, and can quickly enter the hole 23 of the float 24 that has dropped due to a decrease in the amount of drain water.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail to easily explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiment having all of the described configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Float Switch 3. Compressor 5 Outdoor heat exchanger 8 Indoor heat exchanger 9. Blower fan (cross-flow fan) 11 Storage section (drain pan) 12 Drain pump (pump) 22 Shaft-shaped member 23 First Hole 24 Float 25 Sensor (Reed Switch) 31 Recess 31 Bottom 32 C-ring (support member) 35 1st protrusion 36 Second protrusion 41 Second hole (inner diameter part) 52 (Air conditioner) indoor unit 100 Air conditioner B Interval C interval

Claims

1. A shaft-shaped member; a float having a first hole penetrating the inside, the shaft-shaped member being inserted into the first hole, and the float moving up and down in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member depending on the water level; a reed switch that switches between on and off depending on the axial position of the shaft-shaped member of the float; a support member having a first protrusion, at least a portion of which enters the first hole and is positioned between the shaft member and the float when the water level drops, and a second protrusion that comes into contact with the float when the water level drops; A float switch comprising:

2. 2. The float switch according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion is tapered toward an upper side in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member.

3. 3. The float switch according to claim 2, wherein a clearance between the first protrusion and the float increases toward an upper side in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member.

4. the support member has a plurality of first protrusions and a plurality of second protrusions, 2. The float switch according to claim 1, wherein the number of the first protrusions and the number of the second protrusions are the same.

5. 2. The float switch according to claim 1, wherein the support member has four or more first protrusions and four or more second protrusions.

6. The float switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the support member has a portion where the first protrusion and the second protrusion are not arranged that is longer in the circumferential direction than a portion where the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged.

7. 2. The float switch according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion at least partially overlap in a radial direction.

8. 2. The float switch according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion has a clearance that allows a distance to be provided between the first protrusion and the shaft member when the first protrusion is inserted into the first hole.

9. A recess is formed in the lower portion of the shaft-shaped member in the circumferential direction of the shaft-shaped member, The support member has a second hole formed therein, 2. The float switch of claim 1, wherein the second hole engages with the recess.

10. 10. The float switch according to claim 9, wherein the first protrusion is longer than the recess, and the second protrusion is shorter than the recess in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member.

11. The float switch according to claim 9, wherein the support member has a clearance that can provide a space between an inner diameter portion of the second hole and the recess.

12. 2. The float switch according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the support member is larger than an outer diameter of the first hole.

13. 2. The float switch according to claim 1, wherein the second protrusion is disposed on an outer diameter side of the support member relative to the first protrusion.

14. an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between indoor air and a refrigerant; A blower fan that takes in the indoor air into the aircraft; A storage section in which moisture generated during air conditioning using the indoor heat exchanger and the blower fan is stored; A pump that discharges the moisture stored in the storage section to the outside; 2. An indoor unit of an air conditioner comprising: a float switch according to claim 1, the float switch being disposed near the pump and configured to detect a water level in the water storage portion.

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