JP2002013757A - Air-conditioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable installation of an air-conditioning device in a limited space without effecting drain piping, in an air-conditioning device capable of effecting air-conditioning through a single unit. SOLUTION: An air-conditioner (10) for a toilet room comprises a casing situated at a toilet room TL; a supply fan; a Peltier unit (13); a first supply part (14); a second supply part (15); and a guide part (16). The supply fan sucks and discharges air. The Peltier unit has a heat absorbing surface (251) to cool air discharged by the supply fan; and a heating surface (25b) to heat air. The first supply part supplies air, cooled by the heat-absorbing surface (25a), to the outside of the casing. The second supply part supplies air, heated by the heating surface, to the outside of the casing in a position different from the first supply part and in a different direction. The guide part guides water, vapor-condensed from air cooled by the heat-absorbing surface, to the second supply part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner for conditioning air in a limited space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional air conditioner for locally conditioning air in a limited space such as a toilet, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
One disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 34151 is known. This air conditioner includes a casing attached to the front side of a tank in a toilet, a Peltier unit as a heat exchanger, and a blower fan for sending air to the Peltier unit. The Peltier unit has a heat-absorbing surface and a heat-dissipating surface, and a heat sink for heat exchange is thermally coupled and mounted on both surfaces.

[0003] In an air conditioner provided with such a Peltier unit having two heat exchange surfaces, a heat absorption surface and a heat dissipation surface, air is blown from a blower fan by heat absorption at the heat absorption surface by flowing current through the Peltier unit. The air is cooled. Then, the cooled air is blown to the toilet user. In an air conditioner including a conventional Peltier unit, heat absorption and heat radiation can be performed by one Peltier unit.
For this reason, the outdoor unit has a compact configuration as much as it is unnecessary, and can be easily installed in a limited space.

[0004]

In the conventional air conditioner in which heat absorption and heat dissipation are performed by one Peltier unit,
When heat is absorbed by the heat absorbing surface, the air passing through the heat sink is cooled and dew condensation occurs. When dew condensation occurs, the dew water is stored inside, so a drain pipe for discharging the dew water to the outside of the space is required. For this reason, even if it can be easily installed in a limited space with a compact configuration, construction for drain piping is required separately.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner that can be air-conditioned by a single unit and can be easily installed in a limited space without drain piping.

[0006]

An air conditioner (10) according to claim 1 is for conditioning air in a limited space (TL) and is provided with a casing (10) disposed in the space (TL). 11), a blowing unit (12), and a cooling / heating unit (1).
3), a first blowing section (14), a second blowing section (15), and a guide section (16). The blower (12) is arranged in the casing (11) and has a space (T
L) to inhale and exhale air. The cooling and heating unit (13) has a heat absorbing surface (25a) for cooling the air discharged by the blowing unit (12) and a heat radiating surface (25b) for heating the air. 1st blowing part (1
4) blows the air cooled on the heat absorbing surface (25a) of the cooling and heating unit (13) to the outside of the casing (11). The second blowing section (15) directs the air heated on the heat radiating surface (25b) of the cooling and heating section (13) in a different direction from the first blowing section (14) in a different direction.
1) It blows out. The guide section (16) guides water condensed from the air cooled on the heat absorbing surface (25a) of the cooling and heating section (13) to the second blowout section (15).

In the air conditioner (10), the air taken in from the blower (12) passes through the heat absorbing surface (25a) and the heating surface (25b) separately. The air that has passed through the heat absorbing surface is cooled and blown out of the casing (11) from the first blowout part (14). When passing through the heat absorbing surface (25a), moisture in the air is condensed to water. This water is guided from the first blowout part (14) to the second blowout part (15) by the guide part (16). On the other hand, the air that has passed through the heat radiating surface (25b) is heated and blows out from the second blowing portion (15). The water guided to the second blowing section (15) by the guide section (16) contacts the air heated by the second blowing section (15), is heated and evaporated, and is discharged from the second blowing section (15). It is discharged out of the casing (11). Here, the guide section (16) is provided and the first section is provided.
Since the dew condensation water is guided from the blowing section (14) toward the second blowing section (15), the guided water is evaporated by the second blowing section (15) and discharged out of the casing (11). Can be. For this reason, it becomes possible to easily install the air conditioner in a limited space without performing drain piping.

An air conditioner (10) according to claim 2 is
Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling and heating part (13).
Is a Peltier module (25) comprising a thermoelectric conversion semiconductor element having a heat absorbing surface (25a) and a heat radiating surface (25b).
And a heat sink (26) and a heat sink (27) thermally coupled to the heat absorbing surface (25a) and the heat radiating surface (25b), respectively. In this case, the heat-absorbing surface and the heat-dissipating surface can be configured with high heat exchange efficiency in a compact configuration simply by passing a current through the Peltier module (25).
Also, by switching the direction of current flow, the heat absorbing surface and the heat radiating surface can be arranged in reverse, and can be used for both cooling and heating.

An air conditioner (10) according to claim 3 is
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the limited space is a toilet (TL), and the first blowing unit (14)
Cooled air is blown out toward a user (US) of a toilet (TL). In this case, the space in the toilet (TL), which is a limited space, can be cooled. Therefore, a comfortable air-conditioned space can be formed even in a non-air-conditioned toilet (TL).

An air conditioner (10) according to claim 4 is
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide section (16) has a gradient (16a) through which water can flow from the first blowing section (14) toward the second blowing section (15). Is formed. In this case, the water condensed by the gradient (16a) is surely guided to the second blowing section.

An air conditioner (10) according to claim 5 is
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide section (16) is a throttle section (7) for preventing a backflow of air from the second blow section (15) to the first blow section (14). 16c). In this case, the diaphragm (1
Since the backflow of the air can be prevented by 6c), the cooling efficiency of the cool air blown out from the first blowout part (14) can be kept high.

[0012]

1 to 3 show a toilet air conditioner 10 as an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Can be hung on a partition or wall of a private room in the toilet TL, which is a limited space, and can blow cool air toward a user US of the toilet TL.
The toilet air conditioner 10 includes a casing 11 that can be hung in the toilet TL, a blower fan (an example of a blower unit) 12 mounted in the casing 11, and a Peltier unit (cooling and heating) arranged below the blower fan 12. An example of the section)
13 is provided. The toilet air conditioner 10
There are provided first and second blowout portions 14 and 15 for blowing out cool air and warm air, and a guide portion 16 capable of flowing water from the first blowout portion 14 to the second blowout portion 15.

The casing 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a space inside, and has an air intake port 11a for taking in air at an upper part on the front side, and a first blowing part 14 for blowing cool air at a lower part on the front side. A first outlet 14a to be constituted is formed. In addition, a second outlet 15a constituting a second outlet 15 for discharging warm air is formed at a lower portion of the side surface. Further, an operation panel 20 is provided on the front surface.
There are provided various operation switches such as a power switch for turning on and off the toilet air conditioner 10, a temperature control switch for adjusting temperature, an air volume adjustment switch for adjusting air volume, and display units thereof. ing. Also,
The operation panel 20 is provided with a control device including a microcomputer for controlling the blower fan 12 and the Peltier unit 13 according to the operation of the operation switch.

The blower fan 12 has an air intake port 11a.
Is mounted in the casing 11 at a position opposed to.
The blower fan 12 is a sirocco fan that discharges air radially outward from the center of rotation. The blower fan 12 removes the discharged air from a Peltier unit 13 disposed below.
Duct 12a for sending to the
a and the fan motor 1b
2b driven by a multi-blade fan 12c. The case duct 12a is fixed to the casing 11.

The Peltier unit 13 includes a Peltier module 25 having a heat absorbing surface 25a and a heat radiating surface 25b on opposing main surfaces, a heat absorbing heat sink 26 thermally coupled to the heat absorbing surface 25a, and a heat radiating surface 25b. And a radiating heat sink 27 coupled thereto. The Peltier module 25 is a module made of a thermoelectric conversion semiconductor element. One surface (the left side surface in FIG. 3) becomes the heat absorption surface 25a and the other surface (the right law surface in FIG. 3) becomes the heat radiation surface 25b depending on the direction of current flow. .

The heat absorbing heat sink 26 and the heat radiating heat sink 27 are fixed to the heat absorbing surface 25a and the heat radiating surface 25b by appropriate fixing means such as screwing and bonding. Heat sink 26 and heat sink 27
Is made of a material that is relatively lightweight and has high heat transfer efficiency, such as an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, and high-performance graphite.

The heat absorbing heat sink 26 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in (a), the heat absorbing fixing portion 26a is fixed to the heat absorbing surface 25a, and has a number of heat absorbing fins 26b extending from the heat absorbing fixing portion 26a. The heat absorbing fin 26b is a prismatic member having a substantially square cross section, and has a heat absorbing fixing portion 26a.
And are formed integrally. The horizontal and vertical dimensions H1 and B1 of the heat absorbing fin 26b are, for example, about 1.5 mm to 3 mm. The heat absorbing fin 26b pitch P1 is, for example, 3 mm.
From about 6 mm. The length L1 of the heat absorbing fin 26b is in a range of, for example, 25 mm to 32 mm.
The heat absorbing fins 26b are arranged vertically and horizontally.

The heat radiation heat sink 27 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in (b), it has a heat radiation fixing part 27a fixed to the heat radiation surface 25b, and a number of heat radiation fins 27b extending from the heat radiation fixing part 27a. The heat radiation fin 27b is a plate-like member having a substantially wing-shaped cross section, and is formed integrally with the heat radiation fixing portion 27a. The vertical dimension H2 of the radiation fin 27b is
For example, it is about 8 mm to 12 mm, and the lateral dimension B2
Is, for example, about 1.5 mm to 3 mm. The pitch P2 of the radiation fins 27b is, for example, 3 mm to 6 m.
m. The length L2 of the radiation fin 27b is
For example, the length is in a range of 33 mm to 45 mm and is longer than the heat absorbing fin 26b. The length of the radiation fin 27b is preferably in the range of 110% to 150% of the length of the heat absorption fin 26b. The radiating fins 27b are not arranged vertically and horizontally, but are alternately arranged in a staggered manner in the vertical direction.

Here, since the heat radiation fin 27b is longer than the heat absorption fin 26b, the heat capacity of the heat radiation heat sink 27 on the heat generation side where higher heat transfer performance is required is larger than the heat capacity of the heat absorption heat sink 26 on the cooling side. The balance between heat absorption and radiation is improved, and thermal efficiency is increased. Further, since the heat absorbing fin 26b has a square cross section and the radiating fin 27b has a wing-shaped cross section, a difference in air passage resistance is provided between the fins 26b and 27b. The amount of heat radiation is improved, and the balance of heat absorption and radiation is further improved.

The first blow-out portion 14 is for blowing out cool air. As shown in FIG. 6, the first blow-out portion 14a and the lower front side of the Peltier unit 13 are formed longer in the width direction of the casing 11 as shown in FIG. 1st ventilation part 14
b, and a blowout fin 14c mounted on the casing 11 so as to swing up and down between the first ventilation part 14b and the first blowout port 14a. 1st ventilation part 14b
Has a jammer plate 14d arranged obliquely, and air cooled by the jammer plate 14d from the blower fan 12 through the heat absorbing fins 26b is used as the first outlet 14a.
The flow direction is changed toward. This first blowing section 1
Since 4 is arranged at the lower part of the front surface of the casing 11, it is possible to blow cold air at a different angle toward the user US of the toilet TL.

The second air outlet 15 is provided with the second air outlet 15 a and a second air vent 15 formed in the rear side below the Peltier unit 13 in the width direction of the casing 11.
b. The second ventilation section 15b is provided with the first ventilation section 1
Except for 4b and the guide part 16, it is divided by the partition wall 17. An exhaust duct 15c is attached to the second outlet 15a. The exhaust duct 15c is configured by a flexible duct having flexibility to facilitate construction. The end of the exhaust duct 15c is arranged in the vicinity of the faucet 32 of the low tank 31 provided in the toilet 30 in the toilet TL. Since warm air heated by the radiation fins 27b blows out from the end of the exhaust duct 15c, it can be used for hot air drying of wet hands after hand washing.

The guide section 16 is for guiding water condensed by the heat absorbing fins 26b from the first blowing section 14 to the second blowing section 15. The guide portion 16 has an inclined portion 16b having a gradient 16a through which water can flow, and a throttle portion 16c extending vertically downward from the inclined portion 16b. The aperture area of the throttle section 16c is such that the opening area becomes smaller toward the lower side.
4 is provided to prevent hot air from flowing back. When such a guide portion 16 is provided, the dewed water is guided to the second blowing portion 15 through which the warm air passes, and is evaporated and discharged there. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a drain pipe, and the installation of the toilet air conditioner 10 is facilitated.

Next, the operation of the toilet air conditioner 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. When the power switch of the operation panel 20 is turned on, the blower fan 12 starts to rotate,
The outside air is sucked and discharged toward the Peltier unit 13. In addition, a current flows through the Peltier module 25, and a heat absorbing action occurs on the heat absorbing face 25a, and a heat dissipation action occurs on the heat dissipation face 25b. Heat absorbing surface 25 of Peltier module 25
The air that has passed through the a side is cooled by the heat absorbing heat sink 26 and becomes cool air, and is blown out of the casing 11 from the first blowout port 14a. Also, Peltier module 25
The air passing through the heat radiating surface 25b of the
The air is heated by the heater 7 and becomes warm air, and is blown out from the second outlet 15a to the vicinity of the faucet 32 through the exhaust duct 15c. Therefore, warm air not used for air conditioning can be effectively used for hot air drying after hand washing.

At this time, the guide portion 16 connects the two blow-out portions 14 and 15, but the guide portion 16
Since c is provided, it is difficult for the warm air to flow backward from the second blowing section 15 to the first blowing section 14 side. In addition, the heat radiation heat sink 27 has a longer air flow than the heat absorption heat sink 26, has a longer length, and has a larger heat capacity. For this reason, the heat balance between heat absorption and heat radiation is improved, and the heat absorption / radiation action is maintained in an optimal state. As a result, cooling can be effectively performed with low power consumption. Further, on the heat absorption side, the resistance is large, so that the amount of air passing therethrough decreases, and the first blowout portion 14
The air cooled sufficiently is blown out with a reduced air volume.

Then, cool air is blown toward the vicinity of the head of the user US of the toilet TL, and local air conditioning can be performed even in a space where the entire room is not air-conditioned. In addition, since the dew condensation water is guided to the warm air side by the guide portion 16 and evaporated, a drain pipe for discharging the dew condensation water is not required. In addition, warm air can be dried using warm air.

[Other Embodiments] (a) In the above embodiment, the Peltier unit is exemplified as the cooling and heating unit. However, the cooling and heating unit is provided with a heat exchange function having a heat absorbing surface and a heat radiating surface facing each other. Unit can be used. (B) In the above-described embodiment, the end of the exhaust duct 15c is disposed near the faucet 32 and used for hot-air drying. However, the end is disposed outside the toilet TL or outside the toilet TL to release warm air from the toilet TL. You may escape outside or outside the private room. Thereby, the air conditioning effect in the toilet TL or in the private room can be further enhanced.

(C) In the above embodiment, the air conditioner dedicated to cooling is exemplified. However, the present invention can be applied to an air conditioner for both cooling and heating. For example, a switching damper may be provided between the two blow-out portions so as to switch the outlet between the cool air and the warm air. (D) In the above embodiment, an air conditioner for a toilet was illustrated as an air conditioner. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a relatively narrow limited space such as a changing room, a temporary shed, or a cottage in a campsite is used. Applicable to air conditioners.

[0028]

According to the air conditioner of the present invention, since the guide portion is provided to guide the condensed water from the first blowout portion to the second blowout portion, the guided water is supplied to the second blowout portion. And can be discharged out of the casing. For this reason, it becomes possible to easily install the air conditioner in a limited space without performing drain piping.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an installation state of a toilet air conditioner which is an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a Peltier unit.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a fin of a heat sink.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lower part of FIG. 3 showing a guide unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Air conditioner for toilet 11 Casing 12 Blowing fan 13 Peltier unit 14 First blowing part 15 Second blowing part 16 Guide part 16a Slope 16c Narrowing part 25 Peltier module 25a Heat absorbing surface 25b Heat radiating surface 26 Heat sink 27 Heat sink

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Junichi Teraki 1000 Oya, Okamotocho, Kusatsu-shi, Shiga 2 Daiga Industries Co., Ltd. Shiga Works (72) Inventor Koichi Harada 1000 Oya, Okamotocho, Kusatsu-shi, Shiga Address No. 2 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Shiga Works F-term (reference) 3L050 BD05 BF07

Claims (5)

[Claims] An air conditioner (10) for conditioning air in a limited space (TL), comprising: a casing (11) arranged in the space; and an air conditioner arranged in the casing (11). Space (TL)
A blower unit (12) for sucking and discharging air from the air; a heat absorbing surface (25a) for cooling the air discharged by the blower unit (12);
b) a first blow-out unit (14) for blowing air cooled by the heat-absorbing surface (25a) of the cooling-heating unit (13) to the outside of the casing (11); A second blowing section (15) for blowing air heated on the heat radiating surface (25b) of the cooling / heating section (13) to a position different from the first blowing section (14) and in a different direction to the outside of the casing (11); An air conditioner comprising: a guide section (16) for guiding water condensed from air cooled on the heat absorbing surface (25a) of the cooling / heating section (13) to the second blowing section (15). 2. The cooling / heating unit (13) includes a Peltier module (25) made of a thermoelectric conversion semiconductor element having the heat absorbing surface (25a) and the heat radiating surface (25b), and the heat absorbing surface (25a). The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising an endothermic heat sink (26) and a heat radiation heat sink (27) thermally coupled to the heat radiation surface (25b). 3. The limited space is a toilet (TL), and the first blowing section (14) is capable of blowing cooled air toward a user (US) of the toilet (TL). The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is disposed. 4. The guide section (16) is formed with a gradient (16a) through which water can flow from the first blowing section (14) toward the second blowing section (15). Item 4. The air conditioner according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 5. The guide section (16) has a throttle section (16c) for preventing backflow of air from the second blow section (15) toward the first blow section (14). The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein