Drain water recovery device

Abstract

To provide a drain water recovery device that can efficiently recover drain water without scattering it in a living room.SOLUTION: A drain water recovery device 1 is a recovery device for recovering drain water accumulated in a drain pan closed by a plug in an indoor machine of an air conditioner, and comprises a holding tool 10 including a holding part 11 for grasping the plug, and a container 20 comprising an opening part 20A, and capable of storing water in an internal space continuous with the opening part 20A. At least the holding part 11 out of the holding tool 10 is housed in the internal space of the container 20. The holding part 11 can move relatively with respect to the opening part 20A in a first direction DR1 orthogonal to the opening part 20A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drain water recovery device, and particularly to a drain water recovery device for recovering drain water accumulated in a drain pan closed by a plug in an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] When the indoor heat exchanger of an air conditioner operates as an evaporator, dew water (drain water) is generated on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger. In a general ceiling-embedded type indoor unit used by being embedded in the ceiling of a living room, a drain pan for storing drain water is provided inside the indoor unit, and a drain port communicating the drain pan with the living room is provided in a lower cover facing the living room in the indoor unit (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2022-134402).

[0003] During normal operation of an air conditioner equipped with the above ceiling-embedded type indoor unit, the drain port is closed by a plug, and the drain water generated on the indoor heat exchanger is stored in the drain pan. An allowable water level is set in the drain pan, and when the water level in the drain pan rises above the allowable water level, a water level abnormality is notified. As a method for eliminating such a water level abnormality, a method in which an operator opens the plug while holding a recovery container directly below the drain port in the living room and recovers the drain water in the drain pan into the recovery container is common.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, with the above-described recovery method, it is difficult to recover the drain water efficiently and without scattering it into the living room.

[0006] In order to prevent the drain water from splashing, it is necessary to open the stopper while the recovery container is lifted near the ceiling. However, it is difficult for an operator to efficiently perform such an operation alone.

[0007] The main object of the present invention is to provide a drain water recovery device that can recover drain water efficiently without splashing it into the room.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The drain water recovery device according to the present invention is a recovery device for recovering drain water accumulated in a drain pan closed by a stopper in an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and includes a gripping tool including a gripping portion for gripping the stopper, and a container having an opening and capable of storing water in an internal space connected to the opening. At least the gripping portion of the gripping tool is accommodated in the internal space of the container. In a first direction orthogonal to the opening, the gripping portion is movable relative to the opening.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a drain water recovery device that can recover drain water efficiently without splashing it into the room.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

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Figure 14

Figure 15

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions will not be repeated.

[0012] <Configuration of indoor unit of air conditioner> The drain water recovery device according to the present embodiment is a recovery device for recovering drain water accumulated in a drain pan closed by a plug in an indoor unit of an air conditioner. The indoor unit of the air conditioner for which the drain water recovery device according to the present embodiment targets drain water recovery is a general ceiling-embedded type indoor unit that is embedded in the ceiling of a living room and used. FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an example of such an indoor unit of an air conditioner as seen from below in the living room. As shown in FIG. 1, the indoor unit 101 includes a lower cover (decorative panel) 106 exposed in the living room, an indoor heat exchanger (not shown), a drain pan, and an indoor blower disposed above the lower cover 106.

[0013] The lower cover 106 is formed with a suction port 107 for sucking air in the living room and supplying it to the indoor heat exchanger, and four blowout ports 108 for blowing out the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger into the living room. The suction port 107 is disposed, for example, at the central portion of the lower cover 106. A net-like member 109 that partially closes the opening of the suction port 107 is disposed in the suction port 107. The four blowout ports 108 are disposed so as to surround the suction port 107, for example. A vane 110 for individually changing the direction in which air is blown out from each blowout port 108 into the living room is disposed at each of the four blowout ports 108.

[0014] The lower cover 106 is formed with a drain port 120 through which the drain water stored in the drain pan can be discharged into the living room. The drain port 120 is provided so as to communicate between the drain pan and the living room. The central axis C of the drain port 120 is along the direction of gravity G, for example.

[0015] The drain opening 120 and the drain pan communicating with the drain opening 120 are opened and closed by a plug 121. When the plug 121 is fitted into the drain opening 120, the drain opening 120 is blocked by the plug 121, and the drain pan can store drain water. When the plug 121 is removed from the drain opening 120, the drain opening 120 is open, and the drain water can be drained from the drain pan into the living room. The opening shape of the drain opening 120 is not particularly limited, and for example, it is circular.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the plug 121 has a fitting portion 122 fitted into the drain opening 120 and a protruding portion 123 connected to the fitting portion 122 and protruding into the living room with respect to the lower cover 106. Preferably, a recess 124 is formed on a side surface 123A of the protruding portion 123. The recess 124 extends, for example, along the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis C (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the circumferential direction). One end of the recess 124 in the circumferential direction is connected to, for example, the other end of the recess 124 in the circumferential direction. The recess 124 has a bottom surface 124A facing outward in the radial direction with respect to the central axis C (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the radial direction).

[0017] The material constituting the plug 121 is, for example, a material having elasticity and includes, for example, rubber.

[0018] <Configuration of the drain water recovery device> As shown in FIG. 3, the drain water recovery device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a gripping tool 10 and a container 20. The gripping tool 10 includes a gripping portion 11 for gripping the plug 121. The container 20 has an opening 20A and can store water in an internal space connected to the opening 20A. At least the gripping portion 11 of the gripping tool 10 is accommodated in the internal space of the container 20. In the drain water recovery method described later, the drain water recovery device 1 is used with the first direction DR1 orthogonal to the opening 20A along the gravitational direction G and the opening 20A facing upward.

[0019] In the first direction DR1, the gripping portion 11 is movable relative to the opening 20A in the first direction DR1. From a different perspective, in a state where the opening 20A of the container 20 is in contact with the lower cover 106 and the container 20 is arranged to surround the drain opening 120 in the living room, the gripping portion 11 that grips the plug 121 fitted into the drain opening 120 can move relatively downward with respect to the opening 20A and pull out the plug 121 from the drain opening 120. Thereby, the drain water recovery device 1 can recover drain water efficiently without scattering it in the living room.

[0020] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a configuration example of the gripper 10 and the container 20 will be specifically described. Note that FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the first direction DR1 of the drain water recovery device 1. FIG. 4 is an end view orthogonal to the first direction DR1 of the drain water recovery device 1.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the gripper 10 includes, for example, a pair of gripping members 12 and 13 arranged to intersect each other, a support member 14 arranged at the intersection of the pair of gripping members 12 and 13 and supporting each of the pair of gripping members 12 and 13 so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a flange portion 15 arranged to surround the support member 14.

[0022] Each of the pair of gripping members 12 and 13 has a pair of first portions 12A and 13A located on one side with respect to the intersection and a pair of second portions 12B and 13B located on the other side with respect to the intersection. The pair of first portions 12A and 13A constitute the gripping portion 11. The pair of first portions 12A and 13A are provided so as to sandwich the plug 121 in the radial direction with respect to the central axis C. The pair of second portions 12B and 13B are handle portions that can be operated by an operator with one hand. The rotational operation of the pair of second portions 12B and 13B can be executed by an operator with one hand.

[0023] A pair of second parts 12B and 13B pivot relative to each other with the support member 14 as a fulcrum, whereby a pair of first parts 12A and 13A open and close with the support member 14 as a fulcrum. In the gripper 10, there are a first state (Figs. 3, 4, 8 - 10, 12) in which a pair of second parts 12B and 13B are open and a pair of first parts 12A and 13A are closed, and a second state (see Figs. 5 - 7, 11) in which a pair of second parts 12B and 13B are closed and a pair of first parts 12A and 13A are open, which are switched by the opening and closing operation of a pair of second parts 12B and 13B by the operator. In the first state, the gripper 10 can grip the plug 121. In the second state, the gripper 10 can move relative to the plug 121 in the first direction DR1 without interfering with the plug 121. Preferably, the first state is maintained when the operator is not operating a pair of second parts 12B and 13B.

[0024] The pair of first parts 12A and 13A are provided so as to fit into the recess 124 of the plug 121 in the first state. Each of the pair of first parts 12A and 13A has inner peripheral surfaces 12A1 and 13A1 that contact the bottom surface 124A of the recess 124 in the first state. Further, each of the pair of first parts 12A and 13A has side surfaces 12A2 and 13A2 that contact each other in the first state and face each other with a space therebetween in the second state.

[0025] A through - hole or a recess into which a thumb can be inserted may be formed in one of the second parts 12B, for example, together with a part of the bag portion 25 of the container 20 described later. A through - hole or a recess into which fingers other than the thumb can be inserted may be formed in the other second part 13B, for example, together with the other part of the bag portion 25 of the container 20 described later.

[0026] The flange portion 15 is fixed to the support member 14 and is also fixed to the bottom portion 23 of the container 20, which will be described later. In other words, the flange portion 15 determines the relative position of the gripping tool 10 with respect to the container 20. The rigidity of the flange portion 15 is higher than the rigidity of the bottom portion 23 of the container 20, which will be described later. The outer shape of the flange portion 15 viewed from the first direction DR1 may be any shape, for example, a circular shape. The dimensions of the outer shape of the flange portion 15 are equivalent to the dimensions of the outer shape of the bottom portion 23 of the container 20, which will be described later. The material constituting the flange portion 15 includes, for example, a plastic material.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the container 20 has, for example, a cylindrical portion 21, a bellows portion 22, a bottom portion 23, and an elastic portion 24. The elastic portion 24, the cylindrical portion 21, the bellows portion 22, and the bottom portion 23 are connected in the above-described order from the opening portion 20A side in the first direction DR1.

[0028] The cylindrical portion 21 is disposed on the opening portion 20A side with respect to the bellows portion 22 in the first direction DR1. The central axis of the cylindrical portion 21 extends along the first direction DR1. One end (upper end) of the cylindrical portion 21 in the first direction DR1 is connected to the elastic portion 24. The other end (lower end) of the cylindrical portion 21 in the first direction DR1 is connected to one end (upper end) of the bellows portion 22 in the first direction DR1.

[0029] Preferably, the cylindrical portion 21 is transparent. In this specification, when a member is "transparent", it means that in the drain water recovery method described later, an operator can visually recognize the drain port 120 and the plug 121 through the member of the drain water recovery device positioned with respect to the indoor unit 101. The material constituting the cylindrical portion 21 is, for example, a transparent plastic material, and preferably includes an acrylic resin. The cylindrical portion 21 is, for example, inextensible in the first direction DR1. The length of the cylindrical portion 21 in the first direction DR1 is shorter than the length of the pair of first portions 12A and 13A of the gripping tool 10 in the first direction DR1.

[0030] The bellows 22 forms a cylindrical shape coaxial with the cylindrical portion 21. The bellows 22 is provided so as to expand and contract in the first direction DR1. The depth of the container 20 in the first direction DR1 changes as the bellows 22 expands and contracts in the first direction DR1. The length of the bellows 22 in the first direction DR1 in the most contracted state is shorter than the length of the pair of first portions 12A, 13A of the gripper 10 in the first direction DR1. The length (natural length) of the bellows 22 in the first direction DR1 in a state where no external force is applied in the first direction DR1 is longer than the length of the bellows 22 in the first direction DR1 that is most contracted when an external force is applied in the first direction DR1. From a different perspective, when the external force is removed from the bellows 22 that is most contracted when an external force is applied in the first direction DR1, the bellows 22 is provided so as to extend in the first direction DR1. Preferably, the bellows 22 has high durability against repeated expansion and contraction. The bellows 22 may be transparent or may not be transparent. The other end (lower end) of the bellows 22 in the first direction DR1 is connected to the outer peripheral end of the bottom portion 23. The material constituting the bellows 22 includes, for example, a silicone-based resin.

[0031] The bottom portion 23 is disposed on the side opposite to the opening 20A with respect to the bellows 22 in the first direction DR1. The bottom portion 23 is fixed to the flange portion 15 of the gripper 10. The bottom portion 23 has a bag portion 25 that rotatably houses the pair of second portions 12B, 13B with respect to each other. In other words, the container 20 can house the entire gripper 10 inside. The bag portion 25 houses the pair of second portions 12B, 13B in both the first state and the second state. The bag portion 25 has a portion that houses one of the second portions 12B and a portion that houses the other second portion 13B. The operator can open and close the pair of second portions 12B, 13B through the bag portion 25. The material constituting the bag portion 25 may be any material having flexibility, and includes, for example, a silicone-based resin. Preferably, the bag portion 25 is configured as the same member as the other portions of the bottom portion 23 other than the bag portion 25.

[0032] The elastic part 24 is arranged on the side opposite to the bellows part 22 with respect to the cylindrical part 21 in the first direction DR1. The elastic part 24 forms, for example, an annular shape coaxial with the cylindrical part 21. The opening 20A is constituted by the elastic part 24. The elastic part 24 constitutes one end (upper end) of the container 20 in the first direction DR1. The elastic part 24 is pressed against the lower cover 106 of the indoor unit 101 in the drain water recovery method described later. The elastic part 24 is provided so as to protrude above the gripping part 11 of the gripper 10, for example, in a state where no external force is applied to the bellows part 22. The material constituting the elastic part 24 may be any material having a higher elastic modulus than the material constituting the cylindrical part 21. The elastic part 24 is constituted by, for example, various rubber materials.

[0033] The maximum value of the volume of the container 20 is larger than the volume of the drain water stored in the drain pan when the water level abnormality of the drain pan of the indoor unit 101 is notified. Preferably, the maximum value of the volume of the container 20 is larger than the volume of the drain pan of the indoor unit 101. The connection method between the respective members of the container 20 may be any connection method as long as it can suppress the leakage of drain water. For example, they are adhered to each other.

[0034] The virtual straight line C2 shown in FIG. 3 is a straight line passing through the intersection of the pair of gripping members 12 and 13 and along the first direction DR1. The virtual straight line C2 passes through the center of the opening 20A, for example. The drain water recovery device 1 is positioned and used with respect to the indoor unit 101 so that the virtual straight line C2 overlaps the central axis C1 of the opening 20A.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, in the first state, the cross-sectional shape of the pair of first portions 12A and 13A of the gripper 10 perpendicular to the first direction DR1 is an annular shape. In the first state, the side surface 12A2 of one first portion 12A is in contact with the side surface 13A2 of the other first portion 13A, and the inner peripheral surface 112A1 of one first portion 12A is continuous with the inner peripheral surface 13A1 of the other first portion 13A. In the first state, the cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surfaces 112A1 and 13A1 that are continuous with each other perpendicular to the first direction DR1 is congruent with the cross-sectional shape of the bottom surface 124A of the recess 124 of the plug 121 perpendicular to the central axis C, and is, for example, an annular shape. In the cross-section perpendicular to the first direction DR1, the pair of first portions 12A and 13A are arranged at the central portion of the container 20.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, the cross-sectional shape of the container 20 perpendicular to the first direction DR1 is an annular shape, for example, an annular shape. The container 20 is provided so as not to interfere with the pair of first portions 12A and 13A in each of the first state and the second state.

[0037] <Drain water recovery method using a drain water recovery device> Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 5 to 12, an example of a drain water recovery method using the drain water recovery device 1 will be described. The drain water recovery method using the drain water recovery device 1 is executed to eliminate the water level abnormality after the water level in the drain pan of the indoor unit 101 rises above the allowable water level and a water level abnormality is notified.

[0038] First, as shown in Fig. 5, the drain water recovery device 1 is prepared below the lower cover 106, the drain port 120, and the plug 121 of the indoor unit 101. The drain water recovery device 1 is arranged such that the first direction DR1 is along the gravity direction G. The elastic portion 24 is arranged at a distance from the lower cover 106. No external force is applied to the bellows portion 22 in the first direction DR1. In such a state, the pair of second portions 12B and 13B are closed by an operator, and the gripper 10 is switched from the first state to the second state. As shown in Fig. 6, in the second state, the pair of first portions 12A and 13A are opened to such an extent that they do not interfere with the plug 121.

[0039] Second, as shown in FIG. 7, the drain water recovery device 1 is pushed upward until the gripping portion 11 reaches a position where it can grip the plug 121. In this process, the gripper 10 is held in the second state. In this process, the elastic portion 24 contacts the lower cover 106, and after the contact, as the drain water recovery device 1 is further pushed upward, the elastic portion 24 is elastically deformed. The elastic portion 24 and the cylindrical portion 21 of the container 20 are arranged so as to surround the entire circumference of the drain port 120 and the plug 121. Further, in the above process, the bellows 22 contracts in the first direction DR1. As a result, the inner peripheral surfaces 12A1 and 13A1 of the pair of first portions 12A and 13A are arranged so as to face the bottom surface 124A of the recess 124 of the plug 121.

[0040] Third, as shown in FIG. 8, the operator opens the pair of second portions 12B and 13B, and the gripper 10 is switched from the second state to the first state. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pair of first portions 12A and 13A are fitted into the recess 124 of the plug 121, and the gripping portion 11 grips the plug 121. As described above, when the first state is provided so as to be maintained when the operator is not operating the pair of second portions 12B and 13B, the switching from the second state to the first state can be realized only by the operator releasing the hands from the pair of second portions 12B and 13B.

[0041] Fourth, as shown in FIG. 10, while the state where the elastic portion 24 is in contact with the lower cover 106 is maintained, the gripper 10 and the bottom portion 23 move downward relative to the elastic portion 24. As a result, the plug 121 is removed from the drain port 120, and the drain water stored in the drain pan of the indoor unit 101 flows from the drain port 120 into the interior of the container 20 (see the arrow WF in FIG. 10). When the plug 121 is removed from the drain port 120, at the same time, the bellows 22 extends in the first direction DR1. The drain water accumulates in the bottom portion 23 and the bellows 22 of the container 20, and when the bottom portion 23 and the bellows 22 are filled with the drain water, the drain water begins to accumulate in the cylindrical portion 21 as well. During the above drainage, the plug 121 is gripped by the gripper 10 held in the first state.

[0042] After a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of draining the drain water, or after the inflow of the drain water from the drain outlet 120 into the container 20 has stopped, as shown in FIG. 11, the gripping tool 10 holding the plug 121 and the bottom portion 23 are pushed upward relative to the elastic portion 24, and the plug 121 is inserted into the drain outlet 120 and refitted into the drain outlet 120 again. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11, the operator switches the gripping tool 10 from the first state to the second state, and the gripping tool 10 and the bottom portion 23 move downward relative to the elastic portion 24. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, after the operator switches the gripping tool 10 from the second state to the first state, the drain water recovery device 1 is carried by the operator to a place where the drain water stored in the container 20 can be drained. The drain water stored in the container 20 is drained from the opening 20A to the outside of the container 20.

[0043] In this way, the water level of the drain pan of the indoor unit 101 drops below the allowable water level, and the indoor unit 101 returns to a usable state. Also, the drain water recovery device 1 is restored to a state where it can be used again in the above-described drain water recovery method.

[0044] <Effect> The drain water recovery device 1 includes a gripping tool 10 including a gripping portion 11 for gripping the plug 121, and a container 20 having an opening 20A and capable of storing water in an internal space continuous with the opening 20A. At least the gripping portion 11 of the gripping tool 10 is accommodated inside the container 20. In the first direction DR1 orthogonal to the opening 20A, the gripping portion 11 is movable relative to the opening 20A in the first direction DR1. Therefore, as described above, in a state where the opening 20A of the container 20 is in contact with the lower cover 106 and the container 20 is arranged so as to surround the drain outlet 120 in the living room, the gripping portion 11 gripping the plug 121 fitted in the drain outlet 120 can move downward relative to the opening 20A to pull out the plug 121 from the drain outlet 120. Thereby, the drain water recovery device 1 can recover the drain water efficiently without scattering it in the living room.

[0045] Further, if the container 20 does not have the bellows 22, in order to move the gripping portion 11 relative to the opening 20A in the first direction DR1 and collect the drain water without scattering it into the living room, the operator needs to move the entire gripper 10 relative to the entire container 20 and operate the gripper 10 through the container 20 in two states where their relative positions are different from each other. In this case, the operator needs to appropriately determine the relative position of the gripper 10 with respect to the container 20 in these two states.

[0046] On the other hand, in the drain water recovery device 1, the container 20 further has a bellows 22 that expands and contracts in the first direction DR1. When the bellows 22 expands and contracts in the first direction DR1, the opening 20A moves relative to the gripping portion 11 in the first direction DR1. In such a drain water recovery device 1, while the support member 14 and the flange portion 15 of the gripper 10 are fixed to the bottom portion 23 that is a part of the container 20, the gripping portion 11 of the gripper 10 is movable relative to the opening 20A of the container 20. As a result, according to the drain water recovery device 1, compared with a drain water recovery device in which the container 20 does not have the bellows 22, the drain water can be efficiently recovered.

[0047] In the drain water recovery device 1, the gripper 10 includes a pair of gripping members 12, 13 arranged to intersect each other, and a support member 14 arranged at the intersection of the pair of gripping members 12, 13 and supporting each of the pair of gripping members 12, 13 so as to be rotatable relative to each other. A pair of first portions 12A, 13A located on one side of the intersection with respect to each of the pair of gripping members 12, 13 constitute the gripping portion 11. A pair of second portions 12B, 13B located on the other side of the intersection with respect to each of the pair of gripping members 12, 13 are provided so that the pair of first portions 12A, 13A open and close by rotating relative to each other. The container 20 further has a bottom portion 23 arranged on the side opposite to the opening 20A with respect to the bellows 22 in the first direction DR1. The support member 14 is positioned with respect to the bottom portion 23. The bottom portion 23 has a bag portion 25 that accommodates the pair of second portions 12B, 13B so as to be rotatable relative to each other.

[0048] According to such a drain water recovery device 1, the operations that an operator should perform to recover drain water can be aggregated into two operations: the opening and closing operation of the gripper 10 and the lifting operation of the gripper 10 and the bottom 23 of the container 20. As a result, according to the drain water recovery device 1, drain water can be recovered efficiently without splashing into the living room.

[0049] In the drain water recovery device 1, the container 20 further has a cylindrical portion 21 disposed on the opening 20A side with respect to the bellows portion 22 in the first direction DR1. The cylindrical portion 21 is transparent.

[0050] According to such a drain water recovery device 1, in a state where the cylindrical portion 21 of the container 20 is arranged to surround the drain port 120 and the plug 121 as shown in FIG. 5, the operator can easily visually recognize the drain port 120, the plug 121, and the gripping portion 11 of the gripper 10 located inside the cylindrical portion 21 through the cylindrical portion 21. Therefore, according to the drain water recovery device 1, drain water can be recovered more efficiently than a drain water recovery device in which the cylindrical portion 21 is not transparent.

[0051] In the drain water recovery device 1, the container 20 further has an elastic portion 24 disposed on the side opposite to the bellows portion 22 with respect to the cylindrical portion 21 in the first direction DR1. The opening 20A is constituted by the elastic portion 24.

[0052] According to such a drain water recovery device 1, when the elastic portion 24 receives an external force in the first direction DR1, the elastic portion 24 can elastically deform and closely adhere to the lower cover 106 without a gap. Therefore, according to the drain water recovery device 1, splashing of drain water into the living room can be more reliably prevented than a drain water recovery device in which the container 20 does not have the elastic portion 24.

[0053] <Modification Example> The drain water recovery device 1 may be modified as follows.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 13, the drain water recovery device 1 may further include a water absorption member 30 housed in a container 20. The water absorption member 30 is provided to absorb drain water. The material constituting the water absorption member 30 is, for example, a sponge-like resin material or a porous material. The number, shape, dimensions, and placement location within the container 20 of the water absorption member 30 are not particularly limited. A plurality of water absorption members 30 may be housed in the container 20. The shapes and dimensions of the plurality of water absorption members 30 may be the same as each other or different from each other. The shape of the water absorption member 30 is, for example, any selected from the group consisting of a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylinder, a circular cylinder, and a sphere. The water absorption member 30 is disposed, for example, on the flange portion 15. The water absorption member 30 may be detachable from the container 20. The water absorption member 30 may be housed only inside the bag portion 25.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 14, the drain water recovery device 1 may further include a diameter-expanding member 40. The diameter-expanding member 40 has an inner peripheral end 41 connected to the outer peripheral surface of the container 20 and an outer peripheral end 42 disposed on the opening 20A side of the inner peripheral end 41 in the first direction DR1 and disposed so as to surround the inner peripheral end 41 when viewed from the first direction DR1. The opening area of the diameter-expanding member 40 gradually increases from the inner peripheral end 41 toward the outer peripheral end 42. According to such a drain water recovery device 1, even when the container 20 descends and a gap is formed between the opening 20A of the container 20 and the lower cover 106 in a state where drain water is flowing out from the drain port 120 into the container 20 in the drain water recovery method using the above-described drain water recovery device 1, the diameter-expanding member 40 can prevent the drain water from scattering into the living room.

[0056] The inner peripheral end 41 of the diameter-expanding member 40 is connected to, for example, the cylindrical portion 21 of the container 20. Preferably, a plurality of communication holes 26 for communicating the internal space of the diameter-expanding member 40 and the internal space of the cylindrical portion 21 are formed in the cylindrical portion 21. In this way, the drain water recovered by the diameter-expanding member 40 is guided into the container 20 through the communication holes 26.

[0057] In the drain water recovery device 1, the cylindrical portion 21 may have a diameter-expanded portion whose opening area gradually increases toward the opening portion 20A in the first direction DR1. Even in this case, the cylindrical portion 21 having the diameter-expanded portion can prevent the drain water from scattering into the living room.

[0058] In the drain water recovery device 1, at least a part of each of the support member 14 and the flange portion 15 may be embedded in the bottom portion 23.

[0059] In the drain water recovery device 1, the support member 14, the flange portion 15 of the gripping tool 10, and the bottom portion 23 may be provided so as to suppress the inflow of drain water into the bag portion 25. In such a case, the bag portion 25 may be provided so as to collect the drain water that has leaked into the bag portion 25. In this way, if the inflow of drain water into the bag portion 25 is minimized, when shifting from the state shown in FIG. 11 to the state shown in FIG. 12, the operator can open and close the pair of second portions 12B, 13B without passing through the drain water stored in the bag portion 25.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 15, in the drain water recovery device 1, only the gripping portion 11 of the gripping tool 10 may be accommodated in the container 20. The pair of second portions 12B, 13B, the support member 14, and the flange portion 15 of the gripping tool 10 may be arranged outside the container 20. The bottom portion 23 of the container 20 may not have the bag portion 25. In this case, the bottom portion 23 of the container 20 may be watertightly connected to each of the pair of first portions 12A, 13A. Specifically, through holes through which each of the pair of first portions 12A, 13A passes are formed in the bottom portion 23, and it is sufficient that the inner peripheral surface of the through hole and each of the pair of first portions 12A, 13A are watertightly sealed. Note that in the drain water recovery device 1, it is sufficient that at least the gripping portion 11 of the gripping tool 10 is accommodated inside the container 20. Only the gripping portion 11 and the support member 14 of the gripping tool 10 may be accommodated inside the container 20, or only the gripping portion 11, the support member 14, and the flange portion 15 may be accommodated inside the container 20.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described as above, it is possible to variously modify the above-described embodiments. Also, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] 1 Drain water recovery device, 10 Gripping tool, 11 Gripping part, 12, 13 Gripping members, 12A, 13A First part, 12A1, 13A1, 112A1 Inner peripheral surface, 12A2, 13A2, 123A Side surface, 12B, 13B Second part, 14 Support member, 15 Flange part, 20 Container, 20A Opening, 21 Cylindrical part, 22 Bellows part, 23 Bottom part, 24 Elastic part, 25 Bag part, 26 Communication hole, 30 Water absorption member, 40 Diameter-expanding member, 41 Inner peripheral end, 42 Outer peripheral end, 101 Indoor unit, 106 Lower cover, 107 Suction port, 108 Blowout port, 109 Mesh member, 110 Vane, 120 Drain port, 121 Plug, 122 Fitting part, 123 Protruding part, 124 Recess, 124A Bottom surface.

Claims

1. A recovery device for recovering drain water accumulated in a drain pan closed by a plug in an indoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: a gripper including a gripping portion for gripping the plug; a container having an opening and capable of storing water in an internal space connected to the opening; at least the gripping portion of the gripper is accommodated in the internal space of the container; A drain water recovery device, wherein in a first direction orthogonal to the opening, the gripping portion is movable relative to the opening.

2. The container further has a bellows portion that expands and contracts in the first direction, The drain water recovery device according to claim 1, wherein when the bellows portion expands and contracts in the first direction, the opening moves relative to the gripping portion in the first direction.

3. The gripper includes a pair of gripping members arranged to intersect each other, and a support member arranged at an intersection of the pair of gripping members and rotatably supporting each of the pair of gripping members relative to each other. A pair of first portions located on one side of the intersection of each of the pair of gripping members constitute the gripping portion. A pair of second portions located on the other side of the intersection of each of the pair of gripping members rotate relative to each other, so that the pair of first portions are provided to open and close. The container further has a bottom portion arranged on the side opposite to the opening with respect to the bellows portion in the first direction. The support member is positioned with respect to the bottom portion. The drain water recovery device according to claim 2, wherein the bottom portion has a bag portion for rotatably accommodating the pair of second portions.

4. The container further has a cylindrical portion arranged on the opening side with respect to the bellows portion in the first direction. The drain water recovery device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cylindrical portion is transparent.

5. The container further has an elastic portion arranged on the side opposite to the bellows portion with respect to the cylindrical portion in the first direction. The drain water recovery device according to claim 4, wherein the opening is constituted by the elastic portion.

6. The drain water recovery device according to claim 1, further comprising a water absorption member arranged in the container.

7. The drain water recovery device according to claim 1, further comprising a diameter-expanding member having an inner peripheral end connected to the outer peripheral surface of the container, and an outer peripheral end disposed on the opening side of the inner peripheral end in the first direction and surrounding the inner peripheral end when viewed from the first direction, the opening area of the diameter-expanding member increasing as it extends from the inner peripheral end toward the outer peripheral end.

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