air conditioning equipment

Abstract

To provide a technology which suppresses turbulence generated by air blowing which flows in an air passage, and which reduces an air-blowing noise, in an air conditioner.SOLUTION: An air conditioner includes a separation plate 15a which separates a filter upstream side air passage 60 which is an air passage from an intake port 2 to a windward surface of a filter 32, and a filter downstream side air passage 61 which is an air passage from a leeward surface of the filter 32 to a suction port 15 of a blower 6. The blower 6 is arranged on the filter upstream side air passage 60 side. The separation plate 15a extends from a peripheral edge of a suction port surface 15b having the suction port 15 of the blower 6 to both side surfaces of a body case 1 having the intake port 2 of the body case 1. The suction port 15 of the blower 6 is arranged at the central part in the first direction. At the filter downstream side air passage 61, a guide part 62 is provided for guiding the air which has passed the filter 32 to the suction port 15 of the blower 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner that rotates a filter that is partially immersed in water in a water storage container, and humidifies the air by passing air through the filter. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional air conditioner includes a main body case having an air outlet and an air intake, a water storage container for storing water, a filter partially immersed in the water in the water storage container, and a blower that blows air drawn in through the air intake through the filter to the air outlet. The air intakes are provided at the top of opposing sides of the main body case, and the filter is located at the bottom of the main body case. Air drawn in through the air intake by the blower flows downward from the air intake, then travels laterally from the upwind side (one side of the filter) to the downwind side (the other side of the filter). After passing through the downwind side, the air travels upward and flows into the air intake of the blower. A separator plate separates an upstream air passage from the air intake to the upwind side of the filter, from a downstream air passage from the downwind side of the filter to the air intake of the blower. The blower is disposed on the upstream air passage side of the filter, and the separation plates extend from the periphery of the suction port surface of the blower to both side surfaces of the main body case that also have the air intake ports of the main body case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6715434 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such conventional air conditioners have a problem in that the air passage is long and complex, which causes turbulence in the air passage and increases the noise of the air blower. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To achieve this object, the present invention provides a water heater comprising a main body case having an air outlet and an air inlet, a water storage container for storing water, a filter partially immersed in the water in the water storage container, and a blower that blows air drawn in from the air inlet through the filter to the air outlet, wherein the plurality of air inlets are provided at upper portions of side surfaces of the main body case that face each other in a first direction, and the filter is disposed at a lower portion of the main body case, and the air drawn in from the air inlet by the blower flows downward from the air inlet, then advances laterally from one surface of the filter, which is the upwind surface, to the other surface of the filter, which is the downwind surface, and the air is blown out of the main body case. The air passing through the lower surface advances upward and flows to the air intake of the fan, and a separating plate is provided to separate a filter upstream air passage, which is an air passage from the air intake to the windward surface of the filter, and a filter downstream air passage, which is an air passage from the downwind surface of the filter to the air intake of the fan, the fan is disposed on the filter upstream air passage side, the separating plate extends from the peripheral edge of the air intake surface having the air intake of the fan to both side surfaces of the main body case having the air intake of the main body case, the air intake of the fan is disposed in the center in the first direction, and the filter downstream air passage is provided with a guide portion that guides the air that has passed through the filter to the air intake of the fan. The guide portion is a wind direction plate that protrudes toward the blower from the inner surface of the main body case facing the suction port of the blower, and the wind direction plate is disposed so as to face an opening edge at the top of the suction port, and there is a space between the blower and the wind direction plate. The present invention is characterized by the above, and thereby achieves the intended purpose. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] As described above, the present invention suppresses turbulence occurring in the air passage and reduces blowing noise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioning apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the air conditioning apparatus with the door open. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the air conditioning device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water storage unit of the air conditioning apparatus; [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the air conditioning apparatus; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water storage unit of the air conditioning apparatus; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the water storage unit of the air conditioning device; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the water storage unit of the air conditioning device; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water supply means of the air conditioner; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an electrolytic cell of the air conditioning device. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an electrolytic cell of the air conditioning device. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell of the air conditioning device [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tablet dispenser mechanism of the air conditioner. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of a tablet insertion case of the tablet insertion mechanism of the air conditioning apparatus; [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of an air duct of the air conditioning device. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of an air duct of the air conditioning device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a view of the air conditioner as seen from the front side. Figure 2 is a view of the air conditioner as seen from the front side with the door open and the water storage unit removed. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment as seen from the side.

[0010] In the following, the vertical direction when the air conditioning apparatus is installed (hereinafter also referred to as the "installed state") as shown in Figure 1 may be referred to as the up-down direction, and the horizontal direction as the left-right direction. In the following, in the installed state, the side of the air conditioning apparatus on which the door 3 is provided will be referred to as the "front", the side facing the front of the air conditioning apparatus will be referred to as the "rear", the side on the right side when viewed from the front of the air conditioning apparatus will be referred to as the "right side", and the side on the left side will be referred to as the "left side".

[0011] The detailed configuration of the air conditioner will be described below. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner of this embodiment has a roughly box-shaped main body case 1, and roughly rectangular air intake ports 2 are provided on both sides of the main body case 1. An openable door 3 is provided on the front of the main body case 1, and opening the door 3 allows removal of part of an air purification unit 7 inside the main body case 1, which will be described later. An openable air outlet 4 is provided on the top surface of the main body case 1.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body case 1 contains a partition plate 5, a blower 6, an air purification unit 7, an air passage 8, and a control unit 9.

[0013] The partition plate 5 is a plate provided in the center of the main body case 1, and separates the front side and rear side of the main body case 1 together with a partition wall (to be described later). The rear side forms an air passage 8.

[0014] The blower 6 blows air, that is, it draws air into the main body case through the intake port 2 and blows the drawn air out through the outlet port 4. The blower 6 is provided in the center of the main body case 1 and includes a motor unit 10, a fan unit 11 rotated by the motor unit 10, and a casing unit 12 that surrounds them.

[0015] The operation of blower 6 in this embodiment is determined by operation unit 1A provided on main body case 1. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, operation unit 1A is covered by an openable cover 1B provided on the top surface of main body case 1. A user of the air conditioning apparatus of the present invention can adjust the air volume of blower 6 in stages by operating an air volume change button (not shown) provided on operation unit 1A, and information about this operation is sent to control unit 9 as a signal.

[0016] The fan section 11 is a sirocco fan fixed to a motor shaft 13 extending horizontally from the motor section 10, which is fixed to the casing section 12. The casing section 12 has an outlet 14 on the top surface side of the main body case 1 of the casing section 12, and an inlet 15 on the back surface side of the main body case 1 of the casing section 12.

[0017] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the water storage container of the air conditioner of embodiment 1 placed inside the main body case. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the air conditioner of embodiment 1 with some of the components removed. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the water storage section of the air conditioner of embodiment 1.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the air purification unit is a device that stores water from a water supply means in an electrolytic cell, adds electrolysis-promoting tablets to the water in the electrolytic cell using a tablet addition mechanism, electrolyzes the water to produce water containing hypochlorous acid, and then brings the produced water containing hypochlorous acid into contact with air drawn into the main body case through an air intake by a blower and sprays it from an outlet.

[0019] The air purification unit 7 includes a water storage section 16, an electrolysis section 17, a water supply section 18, an active oxygen species supply section 19, and a water supply section 20.

[0020] The water storage unit 16 stores water and sterilizes it. The water storage unit 16 has a water storage container 21, a water supply means 22, and a gas-liquid contact means 23.

[0021] Fig. 7 is a plan view of a water storage unit of the air conditioner of embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the water storage unit of the air conditioner of embodiment 1 with some of the components removed.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 8, the water storage container 21 is located at the bottom of the main body case 1, has a box shape with an open top, is structured to store water, and has a partition wall 24, a water supply compartment 25, and a sterilization compartment 26.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, partition wall 24 is a plate that separates the front side of main body case 1 (outside air passage 8) from the back side of main body case 1 (air passage 8) in water storage container 21, and extends upward from the bottom surface of water storage container 21, with its upper end positioned above the upper end of water storage container 21.

[0024] As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, part of the surface of the upper end of the partition wall 24 is in face contact with the wall surface of the partition plate 5, thereby separating the front side of the main body case 1 (outside the air passage 8) from the back side of the main body case 1 (air passage 8) so that air does not flow in or out of each other.

[0025] The water supply compartment 25 is roughly bowl-shaped and is a compartment for storing water supplied from the water supply means 22.When the water storage container 21 is placed at the bottom of the main body case 1, it is located closer to the front of the main body case 1 than the partition wall 24, and is structured to be able to hold the water supply means 22.It has a cylindrical protrusion 27 on the bottom at a position to hold the water supply means 22.

[0026] The sterilization compartment 26 is roughly bowl-shaped and is a compartment for storing water containing hypochlorous acid at a predetermined concentration, and is provided so as to straddle the front and back sides of the partition wall 24, and is in communication with the compartment 26 through an opening (not shown) provided below the water level in the partition wall 24. The sterilization compartment 26 has a first water level detection means 28 and a second water level detection means 29 that detect the water level in the sterilization compartment 26.

[0027] The first water level detection means 28 detects when the water level in the sterilization section 26 has dropped below a drought level, which is lower than the target water level. The target water level refers to the maximum water level set for each component in the air purification operation of the air conditioner of the present invention. The drought level refers to the minimum water level set for each component in the air purification operation of the air conditioner of the present invention.

[0028] The first water level detection means 28 is located on the back side of the partition 24 in the sterilization section 26 and is composed of a first float portion 28a having buoyancy and a first detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the first float portion 28a.

[0029] The first float portion 28a is disposed in the sterilization section 26, and the first detection sensor is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 near the first float portion 28a.

[0030] When the water level in the sterilization section 26 drops below the drought level, the first detection sensor is unable to detect the first float portion 28a due to the resulting floating of the first float portion 28a. At this time, the first detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the sterilization section 26 has dropped below the drought level.

[0031] The second water level detection means 29 detects that the water level in the sterilization section 26 has reached a target water level. The second water level detection means 29 is located on the front side of the partition wall 24 in the sterilization section 26 and is composed of a second float portion 29a having buoyancy and a second detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the second float portion 29a.

[0032] The second float portion 29a is disposed in the sterilization section 26, and the second detection sensor is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 near the second float portion 29a.

[0033] When the water level in the sterilization section 26 rises and reaches the target water level, the second detection sensor detects the second float portion 29a due to the accompanying floating of the second float portion 29a. At this time, the second detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the sterilization section 26 has reached the target water level.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the water supply means of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0035] 2 and 9, the water supply means 22 is installed in the water supply compartment 25, has a structure that allows it to be attached and detached to the water supply compartment 25, and automatically supplies water to maintain a constant water level in the water supply compartment 25. The water supply means 22 has a hollow tank 30 that stores water, and a handle 30a provided on the top of the tank 30, which is integrated with the tank 30, and is attached and detached to and from the water supply compartment 25 by holding the handle 30a.

[0036] When the tank 30 is attached to the water supply section 25, it has a circular tank opening (not shown) in the center of the bottom surface, and this tank opening is cylindrical in shape with its central axis extending vertically, and is structured so that it can be sealed by a removable cap 31 attached to the outer periphery of the tank opening.

[0037] The cap 31 has a cylindrical shape with a central axis extending vertically, and when attached to the water storage container 21, has a cylindrical cap opening 31a in the center of the bottom surface that opens vertically, and the cap opening 31a is equipped with a water faucet 31b that opens and closes the lid opening.

[0038] The faucet 31b comprises a cylindrical shaft (not shown), an on-off valve (not shown) provided on one side of the shaft to close the cap opening 31a, a coil spring (not shown) arranged to pass through the center of the shaft, and a spring stop portion (not shown) provided on the other side of the shaft.

[0039] When the tank 30 is installed in the water supply compartment 25, the spring stopper contacts the protrusion 27 of the water supply compartment 25, and this spring stopper moves upward while compressing the spring. Accordingly, the on-off valve also moves upward, and the on-off valve moves away from the cap opening 31a of the cap 31, causing the water in the tank 30 to flow into the water supply compartment 25 through the cap opening 31a of the cap 31. Here, if water accumulates in the water supply compartment 25 up to the bottom edge of the cap opening 31a, air will not enter the tank 30 from the bottom edge of the cap opening 31a, and the water in the tank 30 will not flow into the water supply compartment 25. In other words, as the water in the water supply compartment 25 decreases, the water level rises up to the bottom edge of the cap opening 31a, and the water level is kept constant at the bottom edge of the cap opening 31a, so a constant water level can always be maintained.

[0040] 6 and 7, the gas-liquid contact means 23 is located on the rear side of the partition wall 24 in the sterilization compartment 26, and is a member that brings the water stored in the sterilization compartment 26 into contact with the indoor air sucked into the main body case 1 by the blower 6. The gas-liquid contact means 23 has a filter 32, a filter frame 33, and a drive unit (not shown).

[0041] The filter 32 has water-retentive properties, is cylindrical, and has holes around its circumference that allow air to pass through. The filter 32 is attached to the filter frame 33 so that one end of the filter 32 is immersed in the water in the sterilization section 26.

[0042] The filter frame 33 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the water storage container 21. The filter 32 and the filter frame 33 are configured to rotate by a drive unit.

[0043] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the air conditioner of Embodiment 1. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the electrolytic cell of the air conditioner of Embodiment 1 with some of the components removed. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the electrolytic cell of the air conditioner of the first embodiment.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, the electrolysis unit 17 electrolyzes water in the electrolytic cell 34 to generate water containing hypochlorous acid.

[0045] The electrolysis section 17 includes an electrolytic cell 34, a tablet injection mechanism 35, and an electrolysis unit 36.

[0046] The electrolytic cell 34 is provided above the water storage container 21 and has a generally box-like shape with an open top. The electrolytic cell 34 stores water transported from the water storage unit 16 by the water supply unit 18. The electrolytic cell 34 has a third water level detection means 37 and a fourth water level detection means 38 that detect the water level in the electrolytic cell 34.

[0047] The third water level detection means 37 detects when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 exceeds the drought level or drops below the drought level. The third water level detection means 37 is composed of a third float part 37a having buoyancy and a third detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the third float part 37a.

[0048] The third float portion 37a is disposed in the electrolytic cell 34 and is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 in the vicinity of the third float portion 37a.

[0049] When the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises from a level lower than the drought level and reaches the drought level, the third detection sensor detects the third float portion 37a by the accompanying floating of the third float portion 37a. At this time, the third detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has reached or exceeded the drought level.

[0050] Furthermore, when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 drops below the drought level, the third detection sensor is unable to detect the third float portion 37a due to the resulting floating of the third float portion 37a. At this time, the third detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has dropped below the drought level.

[0051] The fourth water level detection means 38 detects when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 reaches a target water level. The fourth water level detection means 38 is composed of a fourth float part 38a having buoyancy and a fourth detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the fourth float part 38a.

[0052] The fourth float portion 38a is disposed in the electrolytic cell 34 and is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 in the vicinity of the fourth float portion 38a.

[0053] When the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises and reaches the target water level, the fourth detection sensor detects the fourth float part 38a by the accompanying floating of the fourth float part 38a. At this time, the fourth detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has reached the target water level.

[0054] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the tablet dispenser mechanism of the air conditioner of Embodiment 1. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the inside of a tablet dispenser case of the tablet dispenser mechanism of the air conditioner of Embodiment 1.

[0055] 13 and 14, the tablet injection mechanism 35 is installed above the electrolytic bath 34 and includes a tablet injection case 39, a tablet injection member 40 provided within the tablet injection case 39, and a tablet injection cover 41 detachably provided on the top of the tablet injection case 39. When the tablet injection cover 41 is removed from the tablet injection case 39 and an electrolysis-accelerating tablet 42 is placed inside the tablet injection case 39, the tablet injection member 40 rotates, and the electrolysis-accelerating tablet 42 automatically falls into the electrolytic bath 34 through an opening 39a in the bottom of the tablet injection case 39. As an example, sodium chloride can be used as the electrolysis-accelerating tablet 42.

[0056] The electrolysis unit 36 ​​immerses a first electrode (not shown) and a second electrode (not shown) in the water of the electrolytic bath 34, applies a voltage to the first and second electrodes, and electrochemically treats the water in the electrolytic bath 34 containing electrolysis-accelerating tablets 42 (described later) that are added by the tablet addition mechanism 35, thereby producing hypochlorous acid. An example of an electrolysis-accelerating solvent is sodium chloride, and the electrolysis unit 36 ​​electrochemically decomposes an aqueous sodium chloride solution to produce electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species (hypochlorous acid is used as an example in this embodiment).

[0057] Here, reactive oxygen species refers to oxygen molecules and related substances that have higher oxidizing activity than normal oxygen. For example, reactive oxygen species include not only so-called narrowly defined reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide, but also so-called broadly defined reactive oxygen species such as ozone and hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid). In addition, in this embodiment, the generation of electrolyzed water containing reactive oxygen species (here, hypochlorous acid) may be expressed as generating reactive oxygen species (here, hypochlorous acid).

[0058] 4, 5, and 6, the water supply unit 18 transports water from the water storage unit 16 to the electrolysis unit 17. The water supply unit 18 has a water supply pump 43 that is immersed in the water in the water supply section 25, and a water supply water channel 44 connected to the water supply pump 43.

[0059] The water supply pump 43 is a pumping type pump that moves water supplied from the water supply means 22 to the water supply compartment 25 into the water supply channel 44 and transports it to the electrolytic cell 34 .

[0060] The water supply channel 44 is a cylindrical pipe with both ends open, one end connected to the water supply pump 43 and the other end located above the top surface of the electrolytic cell 34 .

[0061] As shown in Figures 4, 5, 11 and 12, the active oxygen species supply unit 19 transports water from the electrolytic cell 34 to the water storage unit 16. The active oxygen species supply unit 19 includes an active oxygen species communication unit 19a and an active oxygen species pump unit 19b. vinegar do.

[0062] The active oxygen species communicating part 19a is a flow path that communicates between the electrolytic cell 34 and the sterilization section 26, and the active oxygen species pump unit 19b is a mechanism that supplies water in the electrolytic cell 34 to the active oxygen species communicating part 19a.

[0063] 6 and 7, the water supply unit 20 transports water from the water supply section 25 to the sterilization section 26. The water supply unit 20 is made up of a water supply pump 51 that is provided so as to be immersed in the water of the water supply section 25, and a water supply channel 52 that is connected to the water supply pump 51.

[0064] The water supply pump 51 is a pumping type pump that moves water supplied from the water supply means 22 to the water supply section 25 to the water supply channel 52 and transports it to the sterilization section 26.

[0065] The water supply channel 52 is a cylindrical pipe with both ends open, one end connected to the water supply pump 51 and the other end located just above the water surface on the front side of the partition 24 of the sterilization section 26.

[0066] That is, the main body case 1 has a water supply section 20 that transports water from the water supply section 25 to the sterilization section 26.

[0067] This makes it possible to mix the water containing hypochlorous acid transported from the electrolytic cell 34 with the water in the water supply section 25 in any ratio, and to adjust the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the sterilization section 26 to a predetermined concentration.

[0068] 3, air passage 8 communicates between air intake 2 and air outlet 4, and is provided with, in order from air intake 2, gas-liquid contact means 23, blower 6, and air outlet 4. When fan unit 11 is rotated by motor unit 10, external air that has entered air passage 8 from air intake 2 is blown out via gas-liquid contact means 23, blower 6, and air outlet 4, in that order.

[0069] Control unit 9 is provided in main body case 1 and receives signals from first water volume detection means 28, second water volume detection means 29, third water volume detection means 37, fourth water volume detection means 38, and operation unit 1A to control the operation of electrolysis unit 36, water supply unit 18, active oxygen species supply unit 19, water supply unit 20, and tablet injection mechanism 35, and adjusts the concentration and volume of hypochlorous acid-containing water in sterilization compartment 26. Control unit 9 can also estimate the consumption of hypochlorous acid in the hypochlorous acid-containing water and the amount of water decrease in sterilization compartment 26 from a signal indicating the air volume of blower 6 transmitted from operation unit 1A.

[0070] An example of adjusting the concentration and amount of water containing hypochlorous acid in the sterilization section 26 in the device configured as above will be described below.

[0071] When the third water volume detection means 37 detects that the water level in the electrolytic bath 34 has dropped below the drought level, the control unit 9 operates the water supply pump 43, which starts transporting water from the water supply compartment 25 to the electrolytic bath 34 via the water supply channel 44. Next, when the third water volume detection means 37 detects that the water level has risen to the drought level, the control unit 9 operates the tablet injection mechanism 35 to inject electrolysis promotion tablets 42 into the electrolytic bath 34. Next, when the water level in the electrolytic bath 34 further rises and the fourth water volume detection means 38 detects that the water level has risen to the target water level, the control unit 9 stops the operation of the water supply pump 43. Next, the control unit 9 starts the operation of the electrolysis unit 36 ​​and stops it after a predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, water containing a constant concentration of hypochlorous acid is generated and stored in the electrolytic bath 34.

[0072] When the control unit 9 estimates from the signal indicating the air volume of the blower 6 sent from the operation unit 1A that a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid in the sterilization section 26 has been consumed, it operates the active oxygen species pump 45, and begins transporting water containing hypochlorous acid from the electrolytic cell 34 to the supply tank 47 via the active oxygen species pre-transport water channel 46. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 9 stops the operation of the active oxygen species pump 45. The water containing hypochlorous acid transported to the supply tank 47 gradually moves to the active oxygen species post-transport water channel 48 via the drop opening 50, and is transported to the sterilization section 26 via the active oxygen species post-transport water channel 48.

[0073] When the control unit 9 estimates from the signal indicating the air volume of the blower 6 sent from the operation unit 1A that the amount of water in the sterilization compartment 26 has decreased by a predetermined amount, it operates the water supply pump 51 to start transporting water from the water supply compartment 25 to the sterilization compartment 26. When the second water volume detection means 29 detects that the water level has risen to the target water level, the control unit 9 stops the operation of the water supply pump 51. By mixing the water containing hypochlorous acid transported from the active oxygen species supply unit 19 with the water transported from the water supply unit 20, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the sterilization compartment 26 is adjusted to a predetermined concentration.

[0074] Through these controls, a predetermined range of water volume and water containing a predetermined range of hypochlorous acid concentration are maintained in the sterilization section 26. This makes it possible to provide an air conditioner that exhibits stable sterilization performance.

[0075] As configured above, the air conditioner comprises main body case 1 having air outlet 4 and air intake 2, water storage container 21 for storing water, filter 32 partially immersed in the water in water storage container 21, and blower 6 for blowing air drawn in through air intake 2 to air outlet 4 via filter 32. The multiple air intakes 2 are provided at the top of opposite sides of main body case 1 in the left-right direction (first direction), and filter 32 is disposed at the bottom of main body case 1. Air drawn in through air intake 2 by blower 6 flows downward from air intake 2, then travels laterally from upwind surface 32a, which is one surface of filter 32, to leeward surface 32b, which is the other surface of filter 32, and the air that has passed downwind surface 32b travels upward and flows to intake 15 of blower 6. The fan has a separator plate 15a that separates a filter upstream-side air passage 60, which is an air passage from the air intake 2 to the windward surface 32a of the filter 32, from a filter downstream-side air passage 61, which is an air passage from the leeward surface 32b of the filter 32 to the air intake 15 of the fan 6. The fan 6 is disposed on the filter upstream-side air passage 60 side, and the separator plate 15a extends from the periphery of the air intake surface 15b, which has the air intake 15 of the fan 6, to both side surfaces of the main body case 1, which have the air intake 2 of the main body case 1. The air intake 15 of the fan 6 is disposed in the center in the left-right direction (first direction).

[0076] Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the inside of an air duct on the downstream side of a filter of an air conditioner. Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the inside of an air duct on the downstream side of a filter of an air conditioner.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 3 , 15 , and 16 , this embodiment is characterized in that a guide portion 62 is provided in the filter downstream air passage 61 to guide air that has passed through the filter 32 to the air inlet 15 of the blower 6. Specifically, the guide portion 62 is an airflow direction plate 63 that protrudes toward the blower 6 from the inner surface of the main body case 1 that faces the air inlet 15 of the blower 6. The airflow direction plate 63 is a horizontally elongated plate with a convex shape on the upper surface and has an arc shape when viewed from the front side of the main body case 1. The airflow direction plate 63 is disposed to face the opening edge 15c, which is the edge of the upper opening of the circular air inlet 15, and a space 64 is defined between the blower 6 and the airflow direction plate 63. The length between both ends of the airflow direction plate 63 is greater than the diameter of the circular air inlet 15 of the blower 6. Opening edge 15c is a protrusion that protrudes from inlet face 15b toward filter downstream air passage 61, and its cross section in the direction of the rotation axis of blower 6 is an arc shape.

[0078] In the above configuration, air flowing into filter 32 travels laterally from upwind surface 32a, which is one surface of filter 32, to leeward surface 32b, which is the other surface of filter 32. The air that passes through leeward surface 32b then travels upward. Therefore, it is believed that the air that has passed through filter 32 flows mainly along opposing surface 65, which is the inner surface of main body case 1 that faces air inlet 15 of blower 6. Some of the air flowing along opposing surface 65 of main body case 1 hits air direction plate 63, which serves as guide portion 62 and protrudes from opposing surface 65 of main body case 1 toward blower 6, changing its direction and making it more likely to flow into air inlet 15 of blower 6 from near opening edge 15c at the top of circular air inlet 15. As a result, the amount of air that flows along opposing surface 65 without flowing into air inlet 15 is reduced, which is believed to suppress turbulence and reduce blowing noise.

[0079] Furthermore, the dimension of airflow direction vane 63 from opposing surface 65, which is the inner surface of main body case 1, toward blower 6 is greater than the distance between airflow direction vane 63 and blower 6 (space 64 between the tip of airflow direction vane 63 and opening edge 15c of blower 6). As a result, part of the air flowing along opposing surface 65 of main body case 1 is more likely to hit airflow direction vane 63, which protrudes toward blower 6 from opposing surface 65 of main body case 1, which is guide portion 62, and is more likely to flow into air intake 15.

[0080] Furthermore, filter downstream-side air passage 61 is surrounded by separation plate 15a, suction port surface 15b, opposing surface 65, one-side air passage surface 66, the other-side air passage surface 67, and an upper-side air passage surface 68. Separator plate 15a extends from the periphery of suction port surface 15b, which has suction port 15 of blower 6, to both side surfaces of main body case 1, which have air intake port 2 of main body case 1. Opposing surface 65 is an inner surface of main body case 1 facing separation plate 15a and suction port surface 15b, which have suction port 15 of blower 6. One-side air passage surface 66 is an inner surface of filter downstream-side air passage 61 on one side in the first direction (the right side in the left-right direction of main body case 1). The other-side air passage surface 67 is an inner surface of filter downstream-side air passage 61 on the other side in the first direction (the left side in the left-right direction of main body case 1). The upper-side air passage surface 68 is the inner surface of the filter downstream-side air passage 61 above the air direction plate 63. When viewed from the front side of the main body case 1, the one-side air passage surface 66, the other-side air passage surface 67, and the upper-side air passage surface 68 are each roughly C-shaped with an opening at the bottom, and are provided between the suction port surface 15b and the opposing surface 65.

[0081] An upper space 69 is defined as a space between an upper surface 63a, which is the upper surface of the air direction plate 63, and an upper air passage surface 68 in the filter downstream air passage 61. A one-side space 70 is defined as a space between one end of the guide 62 in the first direction and one-side air passage surface 66 in the filter downstream air passage 61. A other-side space 71 is defined as a space between the other end of the guide 62 in the first direction and another-side air passage surface 67 in the filter downstream air passage 61.

[0082] The air drawn in by the blower 6 through the multiple air intakes 2 provided at the top of the side surfaces of the main body case 1 that face each other in the first direction (left-right direction) flows downward from the air intakes 2 and into the filter 32. Because the multiple air intakes 2 are provided at the top of the side surfaces of the main body case 1 that face each other in the first direction (left-right direction), it is thought that more air flows into the filter 32 at both ends than at the center of the cylindrical filter 32 whose central axis extends horizontally. It is also thought that more air that passes through the filter 32 flows out from both ends than from the center of the filter 32. It is believed that a portion of the air flowing out from both ends of filter 32 passes through one-side space 70, which is a space between one end of guide 62 in the first direction and one-side air passage surface 66 in filter downstream-side air passage 61, or another-side space 71, which is a space between the other end of guide 62 in the first direction (left-right direction) and another-side air passage surface 67 in filter downstream-side air passage 61, and then flows into upper space 69, which is a space between upper surface 63a of air direction vane 63 and upper-side air passage surface 68 in filter downstream-side air passage 61. This flowed-in air is more likely to flow from near the upper end of air direction vane 63 into intake port 15 of blower 6, thereby suppressing turbulence and reducing blowing noise.

[0083] Furthermore, the vertical dimension of the upper space 69 is smaller than the left-right dimension (first direction) of the one-side space 70 and the left-right dimension (first direction) of the other-side space 71. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the upper-air-passage surface 68 when viewed from the front side of the main body case 1 is horizontal, and the cross-sectional shape of the airflow direction plate 63 when viewed from the front side of the main body case 1 is an upwardly convex arc shape, so the distance between the upper-air-passage surface 68 and the top surface of the airflow direction plate 63 becomes shorter from both ends of the airflow direction plate 63 toward the center in the first direction. As a result, it is thought that the air that has flowed into the upper space 69 gradually flows into the intake port 15 of the blower 6 as it moves from both ends of the airflow direction plate 63 toward the center, which results in suppression of turbulence and reduction of blowing noise. [Industrial Applicability]

[0084] The air conditioner according to the present invention is useful as an air conditioner for home or office use. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 Main unit case 1A Operation unit 1B Cover 2 air intakes 3 doors 4 Air outlet 5 Divider 6. Blower 7 Air Purification Unit 8 Wind path 9 Control Unit 10 Motor section 11 Fan Club 12 Casing 13 Motor shaft 14 Outlet 15 Intake port 15a Separator plate 15b Inlet surface 15c Opening edge 16 Water storage section 17 Electrolytic section 18 Water supply section 19 Reactive Oxygen Species Supply Unit 19a Reactive oxygen species communication area 19b Reactive oxygen species pump unit 20 Water supply section 21 Water storage container 22 Water supply means 23 Gas-liquid contact means 24 Bulkhead 25 Water Supply Section 26 Sterilization Area 27 Protrusion 28 First water volume detection means 28a First float section 29 Second water volume detection means 29a Second float section 30 Tank 30a Toride 31 Cap 31a Cap opening 31b Faucet 32 filters 32a Windward surface 32b Downwind side 33 Filter Frame 34 Electrolytic cell 35 Tablet injection mechanism 36 Electrolysis Unit 37 Third water volume detection means 37a Third float section 38 Fourth water volume detection means 38a 4th float section 39 Tablet Case 39a aperture 40 Tablet injection member 41 Tablet dispenser cover 42 Electrolysis Accelerator Tablets 43 Water supply pump 44 Water supply channel 45 Reactive oxygen species pump 46 Reactive oxygen species transport channel 47 Supply tank 48 Reactive oxygen species transport pathway 50 Drop Opening 51 Water supply pump 52 Water supply canal 60 Air duct upstream of filter 61 Air duct downstream of filter 62 Information Department 63 Wind direction board 63a Top part 64 Space 65 Opposite Surface 66 One-side wind duct 67 Other side wind road surface 68 Upper wind surface 69 Upper space 70 One-side space 71 Other side space

Claims

1. a main body case having an air outlet and an air intake; a water storage container for storing water; a filter partially immersed in the water in the water storage container; a blower that blows air drawn in through the air intake port to the air outlet through the filter, the plurality of air intake ports are provided at upper portions of side surfaces of the main body case that face each other in a first direction, the filter is disposed in a lower portion of the main body case, The air drawn in through the air intake by the blower flows downward from the air intake, then moves laterally from the windward surface, which is one surface of the filter, to the leeward surface, which is the other surface of the filter, and the air that has passed through the leeward surface moves upward and flows into the air intake of the blower, a separation plate that separates a filter upstream side air passage, which is an air passage from the air intake port to the windward surface of the filter, from a filter downstream side air passage, which is an air passage from the leeward surface of the filter to the air intake port of the blower; the blower is disposed on an air passage upstream of the filter, the separation plate extends from a peripheral edge of an inlet surface of the blower having an inlet to both side surfaces of the main body case having the inlet of the main body case, the air inlet of the blower is disposed at a center in the first direction, a guide portion is provided in the filter downstream air passage to guide the air that has passed through the filter to the air inlet of the blower, the guide portion is an airflow direction plate that protrudes toward the blower from an inner surface of the main body case that faces the suction port of the blower, The air conditioner is characterized in that the air direction plate is arranged to face the opening edge at the top of the air intake, and there is a space between the blower and the air direction plate.

2. The dimension of the airflow direction plate from the inner surface of the main body case toward the blower is: The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the wind direction plate and the blower is greater than the distance between the wind direction plate and the blower.

3. The filter downstream side air passage is a one-side air passage surface that is an inner surface of the air passage on one side in the first direction; an other-side air passage surface that is an inner surface of the air passage on the other side in the first direction; an upper air passage surface which is an inner surface of the air passage provided above the air direction plate; an upper space portion that is a space between an upper end portion that is an upper end of the air direction plate and the upper air passage surface in the filter downstream side air passage, a one-side space portion that is a space between one side end portion of the guide portion in the first direction and one side air passage surface of the filter downstream side air passage, The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion has a second space portion between the second end portion in the first direction and the second air passage surface in the filter downstream air passage.

4. The vertical dimension of the upper space portion is: The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the dimension in the first direction of the one-side space portion is smaller than the dimension in the first direction of the other-side space portion.

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