Indoor unit of an air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an indoor unit of an air conditioning device that can prevent the inside of the indoor unit from being in a high-humidity state for a long time.SOLUTION: An indoor unit of an air conditioning device comprises: a case 10 comprises a space 13 formed internally, and a discharge port 11 communicating with the space 13 and the outside; a flap 20 for opening and closing the discharge port 11; an ozone generating device 40 provided in the space 13; and a control unit. After cooling operation or dehumidifying operation is stopped, the control unit generates ozone from the ozone generating device 40 in an open state in which the flap 20 does not close the discharge port 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] In the indoor unit of an air conditioner, bacteria mixed in the air sucked in during the cooling operation may adhere to the inside of the indoor unit. When dew condensation water is generated inside the indoor unit due to the cooling operation, bacteria are likely to multiply due to the dew condensation water. When bacteria multiply, it causes dirt and odor. Therefore, it is required to suppress the growth of bacteria.

[0003] As a method for suppressing the growth of bacteria, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method using ozone. According to this method, after generating ozone in a state where the air outlet is closed after the cooling operation is stopped to generate OH radicals for sterilization treatment, the inside of the wet indoor unit is dried by a heating operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the method of Patent Document 1, since it takes time until the drying starts, the inside of the indoor unit becomes in a high humidity state for a long time, which is not preferable in view of the purpose of suppressing the growth of bacteria.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner that can avoid the inside of the indoor unit being in a high humidity state for a long time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present disclosure adopts the following means. That is, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing having a space formed therein and an air outlet communicating the space with the outside, a flap for opening and closing the air outlet, an ozone generator provided in the space, and a control unit. The control unit generates ozone from the ozone generator in an open state where the flap does not close the air outlet after the stop of the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure, it is possible to avoid the interior of the indoor unit being in a high humidity state for a long time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in this embodiment, a wall-mounted indoor unit is described as an example, but the type of the indoor unit is not limited to the wall-mounted type and can also be applied to other types of indoor units.

[0011] [Configuration of Indoor Unit] Figures 1 to 4 show side sectional views of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner 100. The air conditioner 100 includes an indoor unit 1 provided indoors and an outdoor unit (not shown) provided outdoors. The indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit are connected by a refrigerant pipe (not shown).

[0012] The indoor unit 1 includes a housing 10, a flap 20, a fan 31, a heat exchanger 32, and an ozone generator 40.

[0013] A space 13 is formed inside the housing 10. The fan 31, the heat exchanger 32, and the ozone generator 40 are accommodated in the space 13.

[0014] An air outlet 11 is provided at the lower part of the housing 10. The air outlet 11 communicates the space 13 with the outside (indoors) of the housing 10. The air outlet 11 is an opening for blowing the temperature-adjusted air into the room.

[0015] An air inlet 12 is provided at the upper part (ceiling part) of the housing 10. The air inlet 12 communicates the space 13 with the outside (indoors) of the housing 10. The air inlet 12 is an opening for taking the unadjusted air in the room into the space 13.

[0016] The flap 20 is a plate-like component provided at the air outlet 11. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the flap 20 moves between a closed state position (Figure 1) where it closes the air outlet 11 and an open state position (Figures 2 to 4) where it does not close the air outlet 11 and is open.

[0017] The closed state position for closing the air outlet 11 refers to a state where, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the housing 10 and the tip 21 of the flap 20 are smoothly substantially flush. The tip 21 of the flap 20 is the end located on the upstream side in the direction in which air is blown out.

[0018] Even if there is an inevitable gap (opening) between the housing 10 and the flap 20, if it is the limit position where the flap 20 mechanically closes the air outlet 11, it is the closed state position.

[0019] The fan 31 is a cylindrical cross-flow fan. The fan 31 extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing on which the figure is drawn. The fan 31 is rotated by a motor (not shown).

[0020] The heat exchanger 32 is provided so as to surround the fan 31 from the outside. The heat exchanger 32 is, for example, of the plate fin tube type.

[0021] Below the heat exchanger 32, drain pans 33, 34 for receiving water droplets generated by heat exchange are provided.

[0022] When the fan 31 rotates, an air flow is generated, and air is taken into the space 13 from the suction port 12. The air taken in from the suction port 12 is supplied to the heat exchanger 32. The air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger 32 is blown out from the air outlet 11 to the outside (room) of the housing 10.

[0023] The ozone generator 40 is a device that generates ozone in the space 13. The ozone generator 40 is, for example, of the discharge type. The ozone generator 40 is provided, for example, on the front side of the housing 10 in the space 13.

[0024] Note that the installation location and number of the ozone generators 40 are not limited to the forms shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, there may be two ozone generators 40, and they may be installed near the air outlet 11.

[0025] The indoor unit 1 configured as described above is appropriately controlled by a control unit (not shown) and operates in various operation modes (such as cooling, dehumidifying, air blowing, heating, etc.).

[0026] Here, the control unit is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and a computer-readable storage medium, etc. And a series of processes for realizing various functions are stored in a storage medium, etc. in the form of a program as an example. The CPU reads this program into the RAM, etc. and executes information processing and arithmetic operations, thereby realizing various functions. Note that the program may be applied in forms such as being pre-installed in a ROM or other storage medium, being provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or being distributed via communication means by wire or wirelessly. A computer-readable storage medium is a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, semiconductor memory, etc.

[0027] [Regarding the sterilization process] It is generally well known to sterilize with ozone in a dry state. However, it has been clarified that the sterilization effect is improved by dissolving ozone in water and then drying it. This is presumably due to the following factors. That is, when water and ozone come into contact, OH radicals with a stronger oxidizing power than ozone are generated, and these OH radicals exhibit a strong sterilization effect.

[0028] The indoor unit 1 can perform the above-described sterilization process after the stop of the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation. The control of each device related to the sterilization process is executed by a control unit (not shown). Note that after the stop of the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation refers to a state where, for example, a compressor (not shown) is stopped and the flap 20 is moved to the closed position.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the amount of dew condensation and the remaining number of bacteria present in space 13 and time after the stop of the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, a certain amount of dew condensation water and bacteria are present until the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is stopped. After the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is stopped, ozone is generated by the ozone generator 40 to dissolve ozone in the dew condensation water. At this time, when the dew condensation water and ozone come into contact with each other, OH radicals having an oxidizing power stronger than that of ozone are generated. Then, as drying progresses and the amount of dew condensation water decreases, the remaining number of bacteria also decreases.

[0031] In the present embodiment, ozone is generated while drying space 13 (that is, the ozone generator 40 is activated). The inventor has found that by this method, it is possible to avoid the space 13 from being in a high humidity state for a long time and to make the OH radicals dissolved in the dew condensation water reach a high concentration in a short time. The drying of space 13 is started by setting at least the flap 20 in an open state regardless of the presence or absence of the blowing by the fan 31.

[0032] However, the fan 31 may be driven simultaneously with the activation of the ozone generator 40. Thereby, the drying of space 13 can be further promoted.

[0033] FIG. 7 shows the difference in the amount of dew condensation reduction depending on the state of the flap 20 in the relationship between the amount of dew condensation and time when the fan 31 is driven. According to this, it can be seen that when the flap 20 is in the open state (indicated by the solid line), drying is promoted as compared with the case where the flap 20 is in the closed state (indicated by the dashed-dotted line).

[0034] Alternatively, the fan 31 may be driven when a predetermined time (first predetermined time) has elapsed since the ozone generator 40 was started. This allows sufficient time for ozone to dissolve in the condensed water. Since the air outlet 11 is in the open state, the space 13 is dried even during the period from the start of the ozone generator 40 to the drive of the fan 31.

[0035] Note that the first predetermined time is a time obtained through a test conducted in advance, for example, 30 to 60 minutes.

[0036] While drying the space 13, it is preferable to position the flap 20 within the range that the flap 20 can assume during normal cooling operation or dehumidifying operation. This enables efficient drying. In particular, by positioning the flap 20 at the maximum air volume position (see Figure 3) during normal cooling operation or dehumidifying operation, drying can be performed most efficiently.

[0037] Alternatively, the flap 20 may be positioned on the side that closes the air outlet 11 (the side closer to the state in Figure 1) outside the range that the flap 20 can assume during normal cooling operation or dehumidifying operation. This can reduce the possibility that the humid air coming out of the air outlet 11 during the sterilization process hits the user.

[0038] The sterilization process started as described above ends, for example, as follows.

[0039] [Time-based management] When a predetermined time (second predetermined time) has elapsed after the sterilization process is disclosed, the sterilization process is stopped. Here, the stop of the sterilization process refers to the stop of the ozone generator 40 or the fan 31. This allows the sterilization process to be stopped with simple control.

[0040] Note that the second predetermined time is a time obtained through a test conducted in advance and is a time sufficient to dry the space 13. The second predetermined time is, for example, 60 to 120 minutes.

[0041] [Management by Humidity Difference] After the sterilization treatment is disclosed, when the humidity difference between the inhaled air and the blown air becomes substantially the same value, the sterilization treatment is stopped. As a result, it is possible to stop the sterilization treatment after confirming that the space 13 is surely dried.

[0042] The humidity of the inhaled air and the humidity of the blown air are measured as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a humidity sensor (first humidity sensor 51) is provided in the space 13 downstream of the heat exchanger 32 in the vicinity of the blowout port 11 or in the air flow direction. In addition, another humidity sensor (second humidity sensor 52) is provided in the space 13 upstream of the heat exchanger 32 in the vicinity of the suction port 12. Thereby, the humidity of the inhaled air and the humidity of the blown air can be measured.

[0043] According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. According to the indoor unit 1, after the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is stopped, the control unit generates ozone from the ozone generator 40 in an open state where the flap 20 does not block the blowout port 11. Therefore, ozone can be dissolved in the condensed water generated in the space 13 to generate OH radicals, and at the same time, the drying of the space 13 can be started. As a result, it is possible to avoid the space 13 from being in a high humidity state for a long time, and to make the OH radicals dissolved in the condensed water have a high concentration in a short time. For this reason, after the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is stopped, the propagation of bacteria can be efficiently suppressed, and the sterilizing effect by the OH radicals generated from ozone can be exhibited in a short time.

[0044] In addition, when the fan 31 is driven simultaneously with the activation of the ozone generator 40, the drying of the space can be promoted.

[0045] Also, when the fan 31 is driven when the first predetermined time has elapsed since the ozone generator 40 was started, sufficient time can be taken to dissolve ozone in the condensed water. Since the air outlet 11 is in the open state, the space 13 is dried even during the period from the start of the ozone generator 40 to the driving of the fan 31.

[0046] Also, when the fan 31 is stopped when the second predetermined time has elapsed since the fan 31 was driven, the stop of the sterilization process can be controlled based on time. Thereby, the sterilization process can be stopped by simple control.

[0047] Also, after the fan 31 is driven, the fan 31 is stopped when the measured value of the first humidity sensor 51 and the measured value of the second humidity sensor 52 become substantially the same value. Therefore, the sterilization process can be stopped based on the humidity difference between the sucked air and the blown air. Thereby, the sterilization process can be stopped after confirming that the space 13 is surely dried.

[0048] Also, when the open flap 20 is located within the range that the flap 20 can take during the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation, the inside (space 13) and the outside (room) of the housing 10 communicate with each other through the air outlet 11 with a sufficient area. Thereby, the space 13 can be dried efficiently. In particular, when the flap is at the maximum air volume position of the flap during the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation, the space 13 can be dried most efficiently.

[0049] Also, when the open flap 20 is located on the side that closes the air outlet 11 outside the range that the flap can take during the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation, the possibility that the humid air coming out from the air outlet 11 hits the user during the sterilization process can be reduced.

[0050] The embodiments described as above are understood as follows, for example. That is, the indoor unit (1) of the air conditioner (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing (10) having a space (13) formed therein and an air outlet (11) communicating the space with the outside, a flap (20) for opening and closing the air outlet, an ozone generator (40) provided in the space, and a control unit. The control unit generates ozone from the ozone generator in an open state where the flap does not close the air outlet after the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation stops.

[0051] According to the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this aspect, since the control unit generates ozone from the ozone generator in an open state where the flap does not close the air outlet after the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation stops, ozone can be dissolved in the condensed water generated in the space to generate OH radicals and at the same time start drying the space. As a result, it is possible to avoid the space being in a high humidity state for a long time and to make the OH radicals dissolved in the condensed water reach a high concentration in a short time. Therefore, after the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation stops, the growth of bacteria can be efficiently suppressed, and the sterilizing effect by the OH radicals generated from ozone can be exerted in a short time.

[0052] Further, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a fan (31) provided in the space for sending air to the air outlet, and the control unit drives the fan simultaneously with the activation of the ozone generator.

[0053] According to the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this aspect, since the control unit drives the fan simultaneously with the activation of the ozone generator, the drying of the space can be promoted.

[0054] Further, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a fan for sending air to the air outlet provided in the space, and the control unit drives the fan when a first predetermined time has elapsed after the ozone generator is activated.

[0055] According to the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this aspect, since the control unit drives the fan when the first predetermined time has elapsed after starting the ozone generator, sufficient time can be taken to dissolve ozone in the condensed water. Since the air outlet is in the open state, the space is dried even during the period from the start of the ozone generator to the drive of the fan.

[0056] Also, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit stops the fan when the second predetermined time has elapsed after driving the fan.

[0057] According to the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this aspect, since the control unit stops the fan when the second predetermined time has elapsed after driving the fan, the stop of the sterilization process can be controlled based on time. As a result, the sterilization process can be stopped by simple control.

[0058] Also, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing has a suction port (12) communicating the space with the outside, a first humidity sensor (51) provided in the space near the air outlet, and a second humidity sensor (52) provided in the space near the suction port. The control unit stops the fan when the measured value of the first humidity sensor and the measured value of the second humidity sensor become substantially the same value after driving the fan.

[0059] According to the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this aspect, since the control unit stops the fan when the measured value of the first humidity sensor and the measured value of the second humidity sensor become substantially the same value after driving the fan, the sterilization process can be stopped based on the humidity difference between the sucked air and the blown air. As a result, the sterilization process can be stopped after confirming that the space is surely dried.

[0060] Also, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the flap in the open state is located within the range that the flap can take during the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation.

[0061] According to the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this aspect, since the flap in the open state is located within the range that the flap can take during the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation, the interior (space) of the housing and the exterior (indoor) communicate with each other through the air outlet with a sufficient area. As a result, the space can be efficiently dried.

[0062] Also, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the flap in the open state is at the maximum air volume position of the flap during the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation.

[0063] According to the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this aspect, since the flap in the open state is at the maximum air volume position of the flap during the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation, the space can be dried most efficiently.

[0064] Also, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the flap in the open state is located on the side that closes the air outlet outside the range that the flap can take during the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation.

[0065] According to the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this aspect, since the flap in the open state is located on the side that closes the air outlet outside the range that the flap can take during the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation, the possibility that the humid air coming out from the air outlet hits the user during the sterilization process can be reduced.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0066] 1 Indoor unit 10 Housing 11 Air outlet 12 Suction port 13 Space 20 Flap 21 Tip 31 Fan 32 Heat exchanger 33 Drain pan 34 Drain pan 40 Ozone generator 51 First humidity sensor 52 Second humidity sensor 100 Air conditioner

Claims

1. A housing having a space formed therein, and an air outlet communicating the space with the outside, A flap for opening and closing the air outlet, An ozone generator provided in the space, A fan provided in the space for sending air to the air outlet, A control unit, comprising, The control unit, After the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation stops, the ozone generator is started to generate ozone in an open state where the flap does not close the air outlet, When a first predetermined time is a time sufficient to dissolve ozone generated in the dew condensation water generated in the space, an indoor unit of an air conditioner that drives the fan when the first predetermined time has elapsed after starting the ozone generator.

2. A housing having a space formed therein, an air outlet communicating the space with the outside, and a suction port communicating the space with the outside, A flap for opening and closing the air outlet, An ozone generator provided in the space, A fan provided in the space for sending air to the air outlet, A first humidity sensor provided in the space near the air outlet, A second humidity sensor provided in the space near the suction port, A control unit, comprising, The control unit, After the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation stops, the ozone generator is started to generate ozone in an open state where the flap does not close the air outlet, The control unit drives the fan simultaneously with starting the ozone generator, An indoor unit of an air conditioner that stops the fan when the measured value of the first humidity sensor and the measured value of the second humidity sensor become substantially the same value after driving the fan.

3. A housing having a space formed therein, an air outlet communicating the space with the outside, and an air inlet communicating the space with the outside; A flap for opening and closing the air outlet; An ozone generator provided in the space; A fan provided in the space for sending air to the air outlet; A first humidity sensor provided in the space near the air outlet; A second humidity sensor provided in the space near the air inlet; A control unit; Comprising: The control unit: After the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is stopped, the ozone generator is started to generate ozone with the flap in an open state where the air outlet is not closed, The fan is driven when a first predetermined time has elapsed since the ozone generator was started, An indoor unit of an air conditioner that stops the fan when the measured value of the first humidity sensor and the measured value of the second humidity sensor become substantially the same after driving the fan.

4. The control unit stops the fan when a second predetermined time has elapsed since driving the fan. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1.

5. The housing has an air inlet communicating the space with the outside, A first humidity sensor provided in the space near the air outlet; A second humidity sensor provided in the space near the air inlet; Comprising: The control unit stops the fan when the measured value of the first humidity sensor and the measured value of the second humidity sensor become substantially the same after driving the fan. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1.

6. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flap in the open state is located within a range that the flap can take during a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation.

7. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the flap in the open state is at the maximum air volume position of the flap during a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation.

8. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flap in the open state is located on the side that closes the air outlet outside the range that the flap can take during a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation.

Images