Air conditioner outdoor unit condensate spray cooling system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner outdoor unit condensate spray cooling device that improves the cooling efficiency of air conditioners. [Solution] The present invention provides an air conditioner outdoor unit condensate spray cooling device that collects condensate generated in the indoor unit during the cooling operation of a household air conditioner in a main unit condensate tank, activates a small water pump by the operation of a float switch, and intermittently sprays the condensate from a nozzle onto the outdoor unit condenser 27, thereby improving cooling efficiency by utilizing the heat of vaporization. Since it is powered by a lithium-ion battery charged by a solar panel, no wiring work is required, and it can be attached to the outer panel of the iron outdoor unit 26 with a magnetic bracket with a single touch and no tools.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is a device that, when using a household air conditioner for cooling, reuses the condensed water condensed in the evaporator of the indoor unit and sprays it onto the condenser of the outdoor unit, and utilizes the heat of vaporization when the condensed water evaporates to improve the cooling efficiency.

Background Art

[0002] When using an air conditioner for cooling, the refrigerant compressed and liquefied in the condenser by the compressor of the outdoor unit is sent to the indoor unit and expands and evaporates in the evaporator, and the air passing through the evaporator cooled by the heat of vaporization at this time is discharged into the room to perform the cooling operation. At this time, since the moisture in the air condenses according to the humidity in the room on the surface of the evaporator, this condensed water is collected at the lower part of the evaporator and discharged outdoors through a drain hose. On the other hand, in the condenser of the outdoor unit, heat is generated due to the compression of the refrigerant, and this heat is discharged by scavenging with a cooling fan.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Air conditioner outdoor units are often installed in places that get hot in the summer, such as balconies of apartment buildings or on the walls of houses, which are unfavorable conditions for heat dissipation and lead to a decrease in cooling efficiency. On the other hand, the condensed water generated by the evaporator of the indoor unit is discharged outside without being used for anything. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This invention improves the cooling efficiency of an air conditioner by effectively cooling the condensate in the outdoor unit's condenser, which is otherwise wasted by condensation in the indoor unit's evaporator, by spraying the condensate onto the outdoor unit's condenser, which requires cooling due to the heat generated by the compression of the refrigerant. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In particular, in situations where the outdoor unit is exposed to high temperatures, such as on the balconies of apartment buildings, this invention allows the outdoor unit's condenser to be cooled by the heat of vaporization of condensed water, which is expected to significantly lower the temperature of the air outlet of the indoor unit and improve the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner. Although the improvement in cooling efficiency has not been quantified, it is believed that this will ultimately lead to a reduction in electricity costs, and if this invention is widely used, it will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Front view and rear view of the main body portion of the present invention [Figure 2] Front view and side view of the mounting bracket for the main body of the present invention. [Figure 3] Front view and side view of the nozzle portion of the present invention [Figure 4] Overall diagram of the present invention [Figure 5] Electrical circuit diagram of the present invention [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] This invention is implemented by constructing the following parts, assembling them to create the main body of the device, and then attaching the main body of the device to the outdoor unit of an air conditioner. 1. A unit consisting of an electric motor, a small water pump, a float switch, and a mounting bracket fixed to the main base. 2. A device with an electrical circuit board, lithium-ion battery, and solar panel fixed to the main body cover. 3. The main condensate tank has a condensate inlet and an overflow discharge pipe fixed to it. 4. A nozzle rail to secure the section where the two spray nozzles are connected by a hose and to adjust the spray position and angle. [Examples]

[0009] An embodiment will be described according to the attached drawings. An electric motor (7) and a small water pump (8) are fixed to the center of the main body base (1) in Figure 1. A pumping hose (6) with an inner diameter of 4 mm and an outer diameter of 6 mm is attached to the inlet of the small water pump (8), and it is connected to the main body condensate tank (2) through a hole in the main body base (1), and a debris filter (5) is attached to the end of the pumping hose (6). A discharge hose (9) with an inner diameter of 4 mm and an outer diameter of 6 mm is attached to the outlet of the small water pump (8), and it is connected to a spray nozzle (Figure 3) through a hole in the upper cover (3) of the main body. A float switch (11) is mounted on the bottom surface of the main body base (1) in a state in which the circuit is closed when the water level in the main body condensate tank (2) rises.

[0010] A solar panel (4) is mounted on the outer front of the main unit's top cover (3). A USB mobile battery (15) is mounted on the inner upper part of the main unit's top cover (3). A circuit board (12) with relays (13) and LEDs (14) wired to it is fixed to the inner side of the main unit's top cover (3). The electric motor (7), solar panel (4), float switch (11), and USB mobile battery (15) are connected to the circuit board (12) via small connectors.

[0011] An overflow pipe (10) with an inner diameter of 4 mm and an outer diameter of 6 mm is attached to the upper side of the main condensate tank (2).

[0012] Figure 2 shows the main unit mounting bracket (17) attached to the main unit. The main unit mounting bracket (17) can be attached to the upper back of the air conditioner outdoor unit (19) with a single touch using a magnet (18).

[0013] Figure 3 shows the structure of the nozzle section. Two spray nozzles (22) are connected via a nozzle hose (21) and fixed in the gap of the nozzle rail (20). The nozzle rail (20) is connected to a nozzle mounting bracket (24) via a nozzle rail arm (23), and a magnet (25) attached to the nozzle mounting bracket (24) allows it to be attached to the upper rear of the air conditioner outdoor unit (19) with a single touch. The angle of the nozzle rail (20) and the nozzle arm (23) is adjustable, allowing it to be adjusted to the most effective position and angle of the spray nozzle.

[0014] Figure 4 shows the electrical components and their circuits installed inside the main unit. Electricity generated by sunlight charges a USB mobile battery with a built-in lithium-ion secondary battery. When the water condensed in the air conditioner's evaporator accumulates in the main unit's condensate tank and reaches a certain water level, the float switch circuit closes, energizing the relay coil, which closes the relay's output circuit, causing the electric motor to rotate and drive a small water pump. When the water in the main unit's condensate tank is sprayed and the water level drops, the float switch circuit opens, the relay is de-energized, the electric motor stops, and the spraying stops. Through this mechanism, the condensed water from the evaporator is used and automatically sprayed intermittently onto the outdoor unit's condenser. [Industrial applicability]

[0015] This invention can realize a product that can be retrofitted to an existing household air conditioner and can be installed without tools or wiring except for connecting the drain hose, enabling home appliance manufacturers or household goods manufacturers to produce and sell products that appeal to improving the cooling efficiency of air conditioners in summer and reducing electricity bills.

Description of Signs

[0016] 1 Main body base 2 Main body condensate tank 3 Main body cover 4 Solar panel 5 Filter 6 Suction hose 7 Electric motor 8 Small water pump 9 Discharge hose 10 Overflow pipe 11 Float switch 12 Base 13 Relay 14 LED 15 USB mobile battery 16 Condensate drain hose connection port 17 Main body mounting bracket 18 Magnet 19 Air conditioner outdoor unit 20 Nozzle rail 21 Nozzle hose 22 Spray nozzle 23 Nozzle rail arm 24 Nozzle mounting bracket 25 Magnet 26 Air conditioner outdoor unit 27 Outdoor unit condenser 28 Main body of this invention 29 Condensate drain hose connection part 30 Nozzle rail

Claims

[Claim 1] This device, which utilizes the heat of vaporization when the condensed water is sprayed onto the condenser of the outdoor unit instead of being discharged outside when a household air conditioner is used for cooling, improves cooling efficiency, reduces power consumption when using the air conditioner in the summer, lowers electricity costs, and ultimately contributes to preventing global warming, has the following features. (a) Condensed water discharged from the indoor unit is collected in a catch tank, and when a certain water level is reached by a float switch in the catch tank, an electric motor automatically drives a small water pump to spray the condensed water onto the condenser. (b) The power to drive the small water pump with an electric motor is supplied by a lithium-ion secondary battery charged with electricity generated by a solar panel installed on the main unit. Therefore, no power is required to operate the device, and electrical wiring is not required, making it easy to install on existing air conditioners. (c) If the pump fails to operate for any reason and the water level in the condensate catch tank rises, the condensate will be discharged from the catch tank's overflow pipe to the heating condensate discharge section at the bottom of the outdoor unit. (d) The main unit and spray nozzle rail are attached to the outdoor unit using a one-touch magnetic system, taking advantage of the fact that the top plate of the outdoor unit is generally made of iron. Therefore, no tools are required except for connecting the drain hose for condensed water to the main unit.

Images