Sterilization unit

The sterilization unit addresses the safety concern of UV-C lamp handling by incorporating a detection mechanism to ensure power is cut off during maintenance, enabling safe inspection and replacement.

JP7756728B2Active Publication Date: 2025-10-20CARRIER JAPAN CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023575209
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-01-19
Filing Date
2023-01-11
Publication Date
2025-10-20
Estimated Expiration
2043-01-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Direct exposure to UV-C ultraviolet lamps can have adverse effects on the human body during inspection or replacement, necessitating a safe method for handling these lamps.

Method used

A sterilization unit with a housing, ultraviolet lamp, control board, and an electrical component box featuring a detection mechanism that ensures power to the control board is cut off when the second lid is not in a predetermined position, allowing safe inspection and replacement of the ultraviolet lamp.

Benefits of technology

Ensures safe operation by ensuring the ultraviolet lamp is turned off during maintenance, preventing direct exposure to UV-C radiation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

Provided is a sterilization unit (11) that can safely perform the work of inspecting or replacing an ultraviolet lamp (32). A sterilization unit (11) is provided with: a housing (12); an ultraviolet lamp (32) for sterilizing air which passes through the inside of the housing (12); a control board (65a) for the ultraviolet lamp (32); and an electrical component box (61) which is provided on one side surface of the housing (12) and houses the control board (65a). The electrical component box (61) is provided with: a base part (62) fixed to the housing (12); a first lid part (63) and a second lid part (64) which are swingably connected to the base part (62); and a microswitch (72) which detects that the second lid part (64) is not in a predetermined position, wherein the control board (65a) is mounted on the first lid part (63).
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a disinfection unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Due to the impact of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, there is a growing need to improve air quality as an infection prevention measure.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning system that includes an ultraviolet lamp in an indoor unit or in a return air flow path of the air conditioning system, and that sterilizes bacteria contained in the air. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-042589 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Ultraviolet rays are classified into UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C based on differences in wavelength. Of these, UV-C is said to be most effective against bacteria. However, direct exposure to UV-C can have adverse effects on the human body. When inspecting or replacing UV-C emitting lamps, it is important to ensure that the lamps are turned off.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization unit in which inspection and replacement of an ultraviolet lamp can be performed safely. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The sterilization unit according to this embodiment includes a housing, an ultraviolet lamp for sterilizing air passing through the housing, a control board for the ultraviolet lamp, and an electrical component box provided on one side of the housing and accommodating the control board. The electrical component box includes a base portion fixed to the housing, a first lid portion swingably connected to the base portion, a second lid portion swingably connected to the base portion, and a detector for detecting whether the second lid portion is not in a predetermined position. When the second cover is detected to be in a predetermined position, the power supply to the control board is cut off, and when the second cover is detected to be in a predetermined position, the power supply to the control board is turned on. a detection unit, and the control board is attached to the first lid portion.

[0008] The housing of the sterilization unit according to this embodiment preferably includes a maintenance panel that is opened and closed when inspecting or replacing the ultraviolet lamp, and the maintenance panel preferably has a detection target that is detected by the detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a sterilization unit can be provided in which the inspection and replacement of the ultraviolet lamp can be carried out safely. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a schematic view of an indoor unit and a sterilization unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment installed above the ceiling. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sterilization unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sterilization unit according to the embodiment, seen from the air outlet side. [Figure 4] XX cross-sectional view of the sterilization unit of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] Cross-section of the light-blocking grille. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an ultraviolet lamp unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the maintenance panel is removed. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing how the first lid of the electrical component box is rotated. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing how the second lid of the electrical component box is rotated. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second maintenance panel has been removed from the state shown in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of a sterilization unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. Note that the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view that schematically shows a state in which an indoor unit and a sterilization unit of an air conditioner are installed above the ceiling.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, an air conditioner indoor unit 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "air conditioning indoor unit 1") and a sterilization unit 11 are installed, for example, above the ceiling of a building. In this embodiment, the above the ceiling refers to a ceiling space A defined between a beam B and a ceiling board C of the building.

[0014] The air conditioning indoor unit 1 is a duct-type air conditioning indoor unit for a ceiling-mounted air conditioner. The air conditioning indoor unit 1 includes a housing 2, a blower 3, a heat exchanger 4, and a drain pan 5. The blower 3, heat exchanger 4, and drain pan 5 are provided inside the housing 2. The housing 2 includes an intake port 6 and an outlet port 7.

[0015] The sterilization unit 11 according to this embodiment is connected to the indoor unit of a ceiling-mounted air conditioner, and sterilizes bacteria contained in the air inside a building by irradiating ultraviolet rays (UV-C) from ultraviolet lamps 32. The sterilization unit 11 is connected to the air intake 6 of the air conditioning indoor unit 1. The sterilization unit 11 includes a housing 12 and at least one ultraviolet lamp unit 31 provided inside the housing 12. The housing 12 includes an intake 13 and an outlet 14.

[0016] The ceiling panel C has an indoor air intake port S1 that draws in indoor air, which is the air in the air-conditioned space S, an air-conditioned air outlet S2 that blows out conditioned air that has passed through the sterilization unit 11 and the air conditioning indoor unit 1 into the air-conditioned space S, and a maintenance hatch S3. The indoor air intake port S1 and the air intake port 13 of the sterilization unit 11 are connected by an intake duct P1, and the air-conditioned air outlet S2 and the air outlet 7 of the air conditioning indoor unit 1 are connected by an outlet duct P2.

[0017] As the blower 3 rotates, indoor air is sucked in through the indoor air inlet S1 and flows into the sterilization unit 11 via the suction duct P1. The indoor air that flows into the sterilization unit is sterilized by the ultraviolet lamp unit 31. The sterilized indoor air flows from the sterilization unit 11 into the air conditioning indoor unit 1 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing inside the heat exchanger 4. The indoor air that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger 4 is blown out as cool air or warm air from the air-conditioned air outlet S2 via the outlet duct P2 into the space S to be air-conditioned.

[0018] The sterilization unit 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the sterilization unit, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the sterilization unit as seen from the air outlet side, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization unit taken along line XX in Fig. 3.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the sterilization unit 11 according to this embodiment includes a housing 12 and an electric component box 61 that houses electric components 65 including a control board 65a of the ultraviolet lamp unit 31.

[0020] The housing 12 of the sterilization unit 11 is shaped like a flat rectangular box, and has a depth dimension D, a width dimension W, and a thickness dimension H. The depth dimension D of the housing 12 is smaller than the width dimension W of the housing 12. The thickness dimension H of the housing 12 is smaller than the depth dimension D and the width dimension W of the housing 12.

[0021] The housing 12 is a box made of a metal plate such as a sheet metal material, and includes a top plate 15, a bottom plate 16, a first side plate 17, and a second side plate 18 as main elements.

[0022] The top plate 15 and the bottom plate 16 extend horizontally. The top plate 15 and the bottom plate 16 face each other with a gap in the thickness direction of the housing 12. The first side plate 17 and the second side plate 18 stand upright so as to straddle between the top plate 15 and the bottom plate 16. The first side plate 17 and the second side plate 18 face each other with a gap in the width direction of the housing 12.

[0023] The housing 12 has a plurality of hanging fittings 12a provided on the upper part of the first side panel 17 and the upper part of the second side panel 18. The sterilization unit 11 is suspended from the ceiling space A by connecting these hanging fittings 12a to hanging bolts (not shown) extending from the beams B of the building shown in FIG.

[0024] A pair of side surfaces facing each other in the depth direction of the housing 12 each have a large opening along the width direction of the housing 12. One opening is an intake port 13, and the other opening is an outlet port 14. An intake duct P1 is connected to the intake port 13, and an intake port 6 of the air conditioning indoor unit 1 is connected to the outlet port 14 via a connection flange 14f.

[0025] Housing 12 houses at least one light-shielding grille 21 facing air inlet 13, at least one light-shielding grille 21 facing air outlet 14, and an ultraviolet lamp unit 31 disposed between light-shielding grille 21 facing air inlet 13 and light-shielding grille 21 facing air outlet 14. In this embodiment, the distance between light-shielding grille 21 facing air inlet 13 and light-shielding grille 21 facing air outlet 14 is set to 200 millimeters (mm) or more, more specifically, approximately 300 millimeters (mm). This distance between light-shielding grilles 21 ensures a sufficient space for sterilization.

[0026] In this embodiment, the sterilization unit 11 includes three light-shielding grilles 21 facing the air inlet 13 and three light-shielding grilles 21 facing the air outlet 14. The three light-shielding grilles 21 facing the air inlet 13 are aligned in the width direction of the housing 12. The three light-shielding grilles 21 facing the air outlet 14 are aligned in the width direction of the housing 12. The number of light-shielding grilles 21 aligned in the width direction of the housing 12 is not limited to three, and can be increased or decreased depending on the size of the housing 12 and the width dimension of the light-shielding grilles 21.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sterilization unit 11 includes two ultraviolet lamp units 31 arranged side by side in the width direction of the housing 12. The number of ultraviolet lamp units 31 arranged side by side in the width direction of the housing 12 is not limited to two, and can be increased or decreased depending on the size of the housing 12 and the width dimension of the ultraviolet lamp units 31.

[0028] The light-shielding grille 21 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the light-shielding grille 21, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the light-shielding grille.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the shading grill 21 of the sterilization unit 11 of this embodiment has multiple inverted V-shaped louvers 22 that overlap at a predetermined interval, and a rectangular frame body 23 that surrounds the multiple louvers 22.

[0030] The frame 23 includes two L-shaped members 230. The L-shaped members 230 have vertical members 231 corresponding to the short sides of the shading grille 21 and horizontal members 232 corresponding to the long sides. The cross section of the L-shaped members 230 is U-shaped. The rectangular frame 23 is formed by fastening both ends of the two L-shaped members with fastening members such as screws.

[0031] The length W2 of the horizontal member 232 of the frame 23, which is the longitudinal dimension of the shading grille 21, is set smaller than the width W3 of the maintenance hatch S3 shown by the dotted line in FIGS.

[0032] Louver 22 is a molded product made of a thin metal plate such as sheet metal. Louver 22 has a cross-sectional shape that is bent at approximately 90 degrees to form an inverted V. The cross-sectional shape of louver 22 is line-symmetrical with vertex 221 as the center. The shape connecting vertex 221, one lower end 222, and the other lower end 223 forms a right-angled isosceles triangle. Louver 22 has a first plate portion 22a extending between vertex 221 and one lower end 222, and a second plate portion 22b extending between vertex 221 and the other lower end 223.

[0033] Some louvers 22 are arranged so as to overlap other louvers 22. The multiple louvers 22 are arranged so that the distance b between the imaginary lines 224 of adjacent louvers 22 is smaller than the distance a from an imaginary line 224 connecting one lower end 222 and the other lower end 223 of the louvers 22 to the vertex 221 of the louvers 22. This prevents ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 from leaking outside the shading grille 21. Furthermore, by making the distance b smaller than the distance a and minimizing the difference between the distances a and b, it is possible to prevent ultraviolet rays from leaking and keep the pressure loss of the airflow low.

[0034] Louver 22 has a plurality of protrusions 25 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Protrusions 25 extend further from the ends of louver 22 in the longitudinal direction of louver 22. One protrusion 25 is provided at each end of first plate portion 22a, and one protrusion 25 is provided at each end of second plate portion 22b. Protrusions 25 provided on first plate portion 22a and protrusions 25 provided on second plate portion 22b are each equidistant from vertex 221.

[0035] The frame body 23 has a plurality of engagement portions 234 corresponding to the protrusions 25. Each engagement portion 234 is a substantially circular hole. The plurality of engagement portions 234 are provided on the vertical members 231 of the frame body 23. Specifically, the plurality of engagement portions 234 are aligned in two rows in the longitudinal direction of the vertical members 231. In a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vertical members 231, two engagement portions 234 are adjacent to each other so as to correspond to two protrusions 25 provided at one end of one louver 22. Furthermore, the plurality of engagement portions 234 are lined up in the longitudinal direction of the vertical members 231 so as to correspond to the number of louvers 22 so that adjacent louvers 22 are arranged at a distance b. The louvers 22 are fixed to the frame body 23 by inserting the protrusions 25 of each louver 22 into the engagement portions 234. This assembly structure of the protrusions 25 and the engagement portions 234 allows the plurality of louvers 22 to be easily held within the frame body 23 while maintaining a constant distance b.

[0036] A sealing member 250 is provided between the louvers 22 and the vertical members 231 of the frame body 23. The sealing member 250 is disposed between the two rows of engagement portions 234. The sealing member 250 reduces noise caused by contact between the louvers 22 and the frame body 23.

[0037] The shading grille 21 is provided with a connecting mechanism 26 that connects adjacent shading grilles 21 to each other. The connecting mechanism 26 has a connecting hook portion 261 provided on the frame body 23 and a connecting protrusion 262 provided on the frame body 23. The connecting hook portion 261 is provided on one of the vertical members 231 of the frame body 23, and the connecting protrusion 262 is provided on the other vertical member 231 of the frame body 23. The connecting hook portion 261 has a hook groove 261a that can hook the connecting protrusion 262. The hook groove 261a of the connecting hook portion 261 is configured to hook onto the connecting protrusion 262 of an adjacent shading grille 21. In this embodiment, the connecting protrusion 262 is a shaft portion of a screw 26S fixed to the vertical member 231. As shown in FIG. 2 in particular, in the sterilization unit 11 of this embodiment, the three light-shielding grilles 21 are connected in the width direction of the sterilization unit 11 by the connecting mechanism 26 configured in this manner.

[0038] When performing maintenance or cleaning of the shading grilles 21, the shading grilles 21 can be removed one by one from the sterilization unit 11 by releasing the connection of the connection mechanism 26. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the connection of the connection mechanism 26 is released when at least one shading grille 21 is completely pulled out from the housing 12 of the sterilization unit 11. Because the longitudinal dimension W2 of the shading grille 21 is set smaller than the width dimension W3 of the maintenance hatch S3, the shading grille 21 can be easily taken in and out of the maintenance hatch S3, improving workability.

[0039] When multiple shading grilles 21 are connected and installed, there is a possibility that small gaps will occur between adjacent shading grilles 21. There is a risk that ultraviolet light will leak outside of the sterilization unit 11 through these gaps. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing 12 of the sterilization unit 11 is provided with pillars 12b for closing the gaps where the shading grilles 21 are connected. The pillars 12b can reliably prevent ultraviolet light from leaking outside of the housing 12 without requiring a complex structure.

[0040] The ultraviolet lamp unit 31 housed in the sterilization unit 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the ultraviolet lamp unit 31.

[0041] 7, the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 of the sterilization unit 11 according to this embodiment includes an ultraviolet lamp 32 and a frame 33 for fixing the ultraviolet lamp 32. The ultraviolet lamp 32 is an ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet light of 100 to 280 nanometers (nm), which is classified as UV-C. A plurality of ultraviolet lamps 32, for example, two ultraviolet lamps 32, are attached to the frame so as to be aligned vertically in the thickness (height) direction of the sterilization unit 11 and extend horizontally along the width direction of the sterilization unit 11.

[0042] The frame 33 of the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 is equipped with a connecting mechanism (not shown). When two ultraviolet lamp units 31 are housed in the housing 12, adjacent ultraviolet lamp units 31 are electrically connected. Note that, like the shading grille 21, it is desirable that the longitudinal dimension of the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 be set smaller than the width dimension W3 of the maintenance hatch S3.

[0043] In order to attach and detach the light-shielding grille 21 and the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 to and from the sterilization unit 11, the housing 12 is provided with a first maintenance panel 41 and a second maintenance panel 51. The first maintenance panel 41 and the second maintenance panel 51 are attached to the first side panel 17 of the housing 12.

[0044] 8 is a perspective view showing the sterilization unit 11 with the first maintenance panel 41 and the second maintenance panel 51 removed. The first maintenance panel 41 and the second maintenance panel 51 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 8.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, the first side panel 17 of the housing 12 of the sterilization unit 11 in this embodiment has an entrance / exit 17a for the shading grille 21 on the intake port 13 side, an entrance / exit 17b for the ultraviolet lamp unit 31, and an entrance / exit 17c for the shading grille 21 on the exhaust port 14 side.

[0046] Furthermore, the first side panel 17 of the housing 12 has an inspection opening 17d disposed between the entrance 17b of the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 and the entrance 17c of the light-shielding grille 21 on the air outlet 14 side.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4 , the housing 12 includes guide rails 19a, 19b, and 19c that guide the light-shielding grill 21 and the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 to predetermined positions. The guide rails 19a, 19b, and 19c correspond to the entrances 17a, 17b, and 17c of the first side panel 17. The guide rails 19a, 19b, and 19c guide the light-shielding grill 21 and the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 to predetermined positions within the housing 12. The guide rails 19a, 19b, and 19c extend from near the first side panel 17 along the width direction of the housing 12. The guide rails 19a, 19b, and 19c are pairs of rails that face each other and are provided on the top panel 15 and the bottom panel 16 of the housing 12, respectively. The guide rails 19a and 19c correspond to the light-shielding grill 21, and the guide rail 19b corresponds to the ultraviolet lamp unit 31.

[0048] 8, when the first maintenance panel 41 is removed, the entrance 17a of the shading grille 21 on the air inlet 13 side is exposed. When the second maintenance panel 51 is removed, the entrance 17b of the ultraviolet lamp unit 31, the entrance 17c of the shading grille 21 on the air outlet 14 side, and the inspection opening 17d are exposed.

[0049] The second maintenance panel 51 includes an inspection window 52 that allows the interior of the sterilization unit 11 to be seen through the inspection opening 17d, and a piece 73 that is part of a detection mechanism 71, which will be described later.

[0050] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first lid has been rotated from the state in Fig. 2, Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second lid has been rotated from the state in Fig. 9, Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second maintenance panel has been removed from the state in Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the detection mechanism. Next, electrical component box 61 will be described using Figs. 2 to 4 and 9 to 12.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the electrical component box 61 of the sterilization unit 11 according to this embodiment is provided outside the first maintenance panel 41 and the second maintenance panel 51.

[0052] The shape of the electrical component box 61 is an elongated rectangular parallelepiped compared to the housing 12. The electrical component box 61 has a depth dimension D1, a width dimension W1, and a thickness dimension H1. The depth dimension D1 of the electrical component box 61 is substantially the same as the depth dimension D of the housing 12. The thickness dimension H1 of the electrical component box 61 is approximately half the thickness dimension H of the housing 12. The width dimension W1 of the electrical component box 61 is smaller than the thickness dimension D1 of the housing 12.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 , the electrical component box 61 includes a base 62, a first lid 63, and a second lid 64. The base 62, the first lid 63, and the second lid 64 are all formed from metal plates such as sheet metal. The base 62, the first lid 63, and the second lid 64 define the rectangular parallelepiped outer shell of the electrical component box 61. Specifically, the base 62, together with the second lid 64, defines an inner side surface 61d of the electrical component box 61. The first lid 63 defines an upper surface 61a, a lower surface 61b, an outer side surface 61c, and a rear surface 61f of the electrical component box 61. The second lid 64 defines a front surface 61e and a portion of the inner side surface 61d of the electrical component box 61.

[0054] The base portion 62 has a fixing portion 62a that is fixed to the first maintenance panel 41 with fastening members such as screws. Also, inside the electrical component box 61 of the base portion 62, electrical components 65 are attached, including a power supply terminal block 65b and an external control terminal block 65c to which communication lines leading to the air conditioning indoor unit 1 are connected.

[0055] The base portion 62 includes a first hinge portion h1 and a second hinge portion h2. The first hinge portion h1 swingably connects the first lid portion 63 to the base portion 62. The second hinge portion h2 swingably connects the second lid portion 64 to the base portion 62.

[0056] The first lid 63 has a first corner 63c1 on the suction port 13 side of the housing 12 of the sterilization unit 11, and a second corner 63c2 diagonally opposite the first corner 63c1. The first corner 63c1 is rotatably attached to a first hinge h1 of the base 62. The second corner 63c2 is fixed to an end 64e of a second surface 64b of the second lid 64 with a screw 64s.

[0057] A control board 65a that controls the lighting of the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 is attached to the inside of the electric component box 61 of the first lid part 63. When the first lid part 63 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 9, the electric component box 61 opens, allowing the interior of the electric component box 61 to be seen. Specifically, the first lid part 63, which covers most of the electric component box 61, rotates horizontally by approximately 90° around the first hinge part h1. This exposes the power supply terminal block 65b and external control terminal block 65c of the base part 62 that were covered by the first lid part 63, as well as the control board 65a attached to the first lid part 63.

[0058] When only the first cover portion 63 is open as shown in Figure 9, the electrical components 65 including the control board 65a are maintained in an operating state, and the electrical components 65 can be inspected while checking the status of the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 through the inspection window 52 of the second maintenance panel 51.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 10, the second lid 64 is L-shaped. The second lid 64 has a first surface 64a facing the second maintenance panel 51 and a second surface 64b that is the front surface 61e of the electrical component box 61. One end 64c of the first surface 64a is rotatably attached to the second hinge h2 of the base 62. The other end 64d of the first surface 64a is connected at a right angle to the second surface 64b. The first lid 63 is fixed to the end 64e of the second surface 64b with a screw 64s.

[0060] The second cover 64 is provided with a bracket 66 that is attached to the second surface 64b on the side of the air outlet 14 of the housing 12 of the sterilization unit 11 and is fixed to the second maintenance panel 51 with screws 51s.

[0061] 11, the second maintenance panel 51 becomes removable. Specifically, the second lid 64, which covers the second maintenance panel 51, rotates horizontally by approximately 90° around the second hinge h2. This movement of the second lid 64 exposes the second maintenance panel 51 that was covered by the second lid 64. The second maintenance panel 51 is attached to the housing 12 of the sterilization unit 11 with screws 51s, and the second maintenance panel 51 can be removed from the housing 12 by removing the screws 51s.

[0062] Next, the detection mechanism 71 that detects whether the second cover portion 64 is open or closed will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0063] The detection mechanism 71 of the sterilization unit 11 according to this embodiment includes, as main elements, a microswitch 72 which is a detection section, and a piece 73 which is an object to be detected.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 12, the microswitch 72, which is the detection unit, is attached to the inside of the electrical component box 61 on the second surface 64b, at a position corresponding to the rear side of the bracket 66. The microswitch 72 is a switch that supplies and cuts off power to the electrical component 65. The microswitch 72 has a lever 72a that supplies power to the electrical component 65 when pressed and returns to a reset position to cut off power to the electrical component 65 when the pressing force is released. The second maintenance panel 51 has a piece 73 that presses the lever 72a of the microswitch 72. The first surface 64a of the second cover 64 is disposed near the bracket 66 and has a slit 64f through which the piece 73 can be inserted.

[0065] 10, when the second lid 64 is closed, specifically when the second lid 64 covers the second maintenance panel 51, in other words when the second lid 64 is in a predetermined position, the piece 73 is inserted into the electrical component box 61 through the slit 64f and presses the lever 72a of the microswitch 72. With the lever 72a pressed in, the microswitch 72 is turned on, and power is supplied to the electrical components 65 including the control board 65a.

[0066] 11, when the second cover 64 is open, specifically when the second cover 64 is not covering the second maintenance panel 51, in other words when the second cover 64 is not in a predetermined position, the piece 73 comes out of the slit 64f and separates from the lever 72a of the microswitch 72. The microswitch 72, which has released the force pressing down on the lever 72a, enters the OFF state, and the power supply to the electrical components 65, including the control board 65a, is cut off.

[0067] When inspecting or replacing the ultraviolet lamp unit 31, the second cover 64 must be moved to the position shown in FIG. 10, and then the second maintenance panel 51 must be removed to open the entrance 17b of the ultraviolet lamp unit 31, as shown in FIG. 11. In the state shown in FIG. 10, the detection mechanism 71 has already cut off the power supply to the control board 65a, so the ultraviolet lamp 32 is turned off. Therefore, the ultraviolet lamp 32 is always turned off when the second maintenance panel 51 is removed. This prevents the worker from looking directly at the ultraviolet light.

[0068] Furthermore, even if the second lid 64 is closed without the second maintenance panel 51 attached after the inspection and replacement of the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 is completed, the detection mechanism 71 remains in the off state, i.e., the power supply is cut off, so the ultraviolet lamp 32 will not light up, thereby ensuring the safety of the worker.

[0069] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0070] For example, in this embodiment, the sterilization unit 11 is directly connected to the duct-type air conditioning indoor unit 1, but the air conditioning indoor unit 1 and the sterilization unit 11 may also be indirectly connected. For example, a relay duct may be provided between the air conditioning indoor unit 1 and the sterilization unit 11. Furthermore, instead of a duct-type air conditioning indoor unit 1, the sterilization unit may be connected to an outdoor air processing indoor unit equipped with a total heat exchanger.

[0071] Furthermore, the sterilization unit 11 may be provided with a high-performance filter instead of the light-shielding grill 21 arranged on the side of the air outlet 14. In this case, the high-performance filter captures bacteria that have passed through the ultraviolet lamp unit 31 and remain, and the bacteria captured by the high-performance filter can be sterilized by ultraviolet light irradiated onto the high-performance filter by the ultraviolet lamp 32, further improving the sterilization performance of the sterilization unit 11.

[0072] Furthermore, instead of the microswitch 72 and the piece 73, the detection mechanism 71 may be equipped with an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor that can detect whether the second cover portion 64 is covering the second maintenance panel 51. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1...air conditioning indoor unit, 2...casing, 3...blower, 4...heat exchanger, 5...drain pan, 6...intake port, 7...air outlet, 11...sterilization unit, 12...casing, 12a...metal fittings, 12b...pillar, 13...intake port, 14...air outlet, 14f...connection flange, 15...top plate, 16...bottom plate, 17...first side plate, 17a...entrance / exit, 17b...entrance / exit, 17c...entrance / exit, 17d...inspection opening, 18...second side plate, 19a...guide rail, 19b...gas Guide rail, 19c... guide rail, 21... light-shielding grill, 22... louver, 22a, 22b... plate portion, 221... vertex, 222, 223... lower end, 224... imaginary straight line, 23... frame body, 230... L-shaped member, 231... vertical member, 232... horizontal member, 234... engagement portion, 25... protrusion, 250... sealing member, 26... connecting mechanism, 261... hook portion for connection, 261a... hook groove, 262... connecting protrusion, 31... ultraviolet lamp unit, 32... Ultraviolet lamp, 33...frame, 41...first maintenance panel, 51...second maintenance panel, 51s...screw, 52...inspection window, 61...electrical component box, 61a...upper surface, 61b...lower surface, 61c...outer side surface, 61d...inner side surface, 61e...front surface, 61f...rear surface, 62...base, 62a...fixing portion, 63...first lid portion, 63c1...first corner portion, 63c2...second corner portion, 64...second lid portion, 64a, 64b...surface part, 64c, 64d, 64e...end part, 64f...slit, 64s...screw, 65...electrical part, 65a...control board, 65b...power terminal block, 65c...external control terminal block, 66...bracket, 71...detection mechanism, 72...microswitch, 72a...lever, 73...side part, S1...room air intake port, S2...air conditioning air outlet, S3...maintenance hatch, P1...intake duct, P2...exhaust duct, h1...hinge part, h2...hinge part.

Claims

1. The housing and an ultraviolet lamp for sterilizing air passing through the housing; a control board for the ultraviolet lamp; an electric component box provided on one side of the housing and accommodating the control board; The electrical component box includes: a base portion fixed to the housing; a first cover portion pivotably connected to the base portion; a second cover portion pivotably connected to the base portion; a detection unit that cuts off power supply to the control board when it detects that the second cover is not in a predetermined position, and that supplies power to the control board when it detects that the second cover is in a predetermined position; The control board is a sterilization unit attached to the first cover portion.

2. the housing includes a maintenance panel that is opened and closed when inspecting or replacing the ultraviolet lamp; The sterilization unit according to claim 1 , wherein the maintenance panel has a detection target to be detected by the detection unit.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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