JP2010164255A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an environmentally-friendly and clean air conditioner using bamboo powder, grain, fiber or their mixture etc. having high strength even when kneaded into resin, having antibacterial effectiveness and preventing dew formation on a drain pan itself. <P>SOLUTION: The air conditioner includes the drain pan 2 for collecting drain water generated from a heat exchanger 3. The drain pan 2 includes a heat insulating material and a skin layer 2a covering the surface of the heat insulating material. The skin layer 2a is formed by kneading bamboo powder, grain or fiber or their mixture into ABS resin and integrally molded on the surface of the heat insulating material. Due to the antibacterial effectiveness of bamboo, if elusion and drainage should occur, since bamboo is a natural material, it is safe for the environment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner including a heat exchanger and a drain pan that receives condensed water generated from the heat exchanger.

In an air conditioner such as a ceiling-embedded air conditioner, the water condensed in the heat exchanger becomes drain water and is stored in a drain pan, and the stored drain water is discharged to the outside through a drain pump and a drain pipe. The water is drained (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
The drain pan is generally composed of an ABS resin (acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer synthetic resin) or the like in which the water receiving portion hardly leaks.
In addition, bacteria and mold in the air enter the drain water and it is easy to propagate, and due to its own viscosity and product, it may cause drainage defects such as clogging. For this reason, the propagation of fungi and fungi has been carried out by kneading or applying a drug that suppresses the fungus and fungi to the drain pan.

  It has also been confirmed that adding bamboo-based raw material powder to a thermoplastic synthetic resin has an effect of suppressing fungi and mold (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-53837 (FIG. 4) JP 2002-322365 A

  However, when a drug that suppresses the growth of fungi or mold is kneaded into the resin in the drain pan water receiver, the strength may decrease or the drug may elute if the weight ratio of the drug to the resin is high. Is concerned about the impact of

  Moreover, when apply | coating a chemical | medical agent, in order to improve an effect, it is necessary to apply | coat a chemical | medical agent in large quantities. However, in that case, there is a problem that it takes time to apply and enormous cost.

  In addition, when a molded body made of a natural material composite material made by adding bamboo-based raw material powder to a thermoplastic synthetic resin is directly applied to a drain pan that collects the drain water of an air conditioner, dew condensation will form on the molded body itself. Is not preferable.

  In view of the above points, the present invention utilizes bamboo powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture thereof having high strength even when kneaded into a resin, has an antibacterial effect, does not cause condensation on the drain pan itself, The purpose is to provide an environmentally friendly and clean air conditioner.

  The air conditioner according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in an air conditioner equipped with a drain pan that collects drain water generated from a heat exchanger, the drain pan is composed of a heat insulating material and a skin layer covering the surface, the skin layer is made of ABS resin, bamboo Powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture thereof are kneaded and integrally formed on the surface of the heat insulating material.

In the air conditioner according to the present invention, the drain pan is composed of a heat insulating material and a skin layer covering the surface, and the skin layer is kneaded with bamboo powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture thereof in the ABS resin. In rare cases, it is integrally formed on the surface of the heat insulating material, so that it has an antibacterial effect of bamboo, and even if it is eluted and drained, it is environmentally friendly because bamboo is a natural material.
In addition, when it reaches the end of its product life and is discarded or incinerated, it does not generate dioxins and has low pollution.
Furthermore, since the resin material can be reduced as compared with general plastics, the calorie burn is low and the incinerator is not damaged.
In addition, bamboo can be used as a resource to add value, and neglected bamboo forests can be used effectively.

It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the drain pan of the air conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and a heat exchanger. It is a perspective view which shows the drain socket used as the drain port of the air conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the drain pump of the air conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the drain pan of the air conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the antibacterial agent containing molded article attached to the drain pan of the air conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

The present invention will be described below with reference to illustrated embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a drain pan and a heat exchanger of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a drain socket serving as a drain port of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the drain pump of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a drain pan of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of an antibacterial agent-containing molded product attached to the drain pan of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

  First, the definition of the air conditioner of this embodiment is demonstrated. The air conditioner in the present embodiment is an air conditioner including a heat exchanger, a drain pan that receives condensed water generated from the heat exchanger, and a drain pump that discharges drain water accumulated in the drain pan. Specifically, the ceiling-embedded air conditioner (there is a type that has a decorative panel, the decorative panel is exposed indoors, and the type that the entire body is installed behind the ceiling), and an optional drain A ceiling-mounted air conditioner and a wall-mounted air conditioner to which a pump can be attached. Here, the following description will be given by taking as an example a ceiling-embedded air conditioner (having a decorative panel, and the decorative panel is exposed to the room). However, the ceiling-embedded air conditioner is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the air conditioner of this embodiment, a drain pan 2 is installed under the heat exchanger 3 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the drain pan 2 is composed of a polystyrene foam that is a heat insulating material and a skin layer 2 a that covers the surface thereof. The skin layer 2a is integrally molded on the surface of a heat insulating material, that is, polystyrene foam, by kneading bamboo powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture thereof into ABS resin. The thickness of the skin layer 2a is about 0.5 to 3 mm.

  The reason why the drain pan 2 is made of expanded polystyrene is as follows. That is, there is a heat exchanger 3 above the drain pan 2, and during the cooling operation of the air conditioner, the temperature of the heat exchanger 3 becomes lower than the room air, and the drain pan 2 is also cooled by heat transfer from the heat exchanger 3. Is done. Therefore, it is necessary to insulate in order to suppress condensation, and the material is made of polystyrene foam.

  The reason why the surface of the expanded polystyrene is the skin layer 2a made of ABS resin is as follows. That is, the polystyrene foam has a heat insulating property, but has a drawback that drain water leaks. Therefore, in order to prevent drain water from leaking from the drain pan 2, a skin layer 2a made of ABS resin is integrally formed on the surface. Further, the skin layer 2a can be provided with antibacterial properties by kneading bamboo powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture thereof into the skin layer 2a.

  The reason why the bamboo powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture thereof is kneaded into the skin layer 2a is as follows. That is, in the drain water, airborne fungi and mold enter and easily propagate, and due to the breeding, its own viscosity and product may cause a drainage failure such as clogging. Therefore, bamboo that is antibacterial, has high strength even when mixed with ABS resin, and is friendly to the natural environment is used.

  Moreover, the air conditioner of this embodiment is provided with the drain socket 5 which has the drain port 5a like FIG.1 and FIG.2 in the drain pan 2. FIG. The drain socket 5 is composed of a molded product obtained by kneading bamboo powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture thereof into ABS resin. Thereby, an antibacterial property can be given to the part around water.

  Moreover, the air conditioner of this embodiment is provided with the drain pump 4 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 in the drain pan 2. The drain pump 4 is formed by kneading bamboo powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture of these into an ABS resin. Thereby, an antibacterial property can be given to the water surrounding part including the drain pump 4.

  In the air conditioner of the present embodiment, the antibacterial agent-containing molded product 6 as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 is attached / detached near the drain port of the drain pan 2, here, near the suction port 4 a of the drain pump 4. It is attached as possible. The antibacterial agent-containing molded product 6 is formed by kneading bamboo powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture thereof into an ABS resin. In order to increase the antibacterial properties, the fins 7 that increase the surface area are provided. Is provided.

  The antibacterial agent-containing molded product is obtained by kneading PHMG (polyhexamethylguanidine phosphate), which is an antibacterial component, into PE (polyethylene), which is a base material. A suitable weight ratio of PHMG, which is an antibacterial component, to PE is 5% to 20%. Antibacterial components include organic substances such as PHMG and inorganic substances such as silver, and are not limited to PHMG as long as they suppress the growth of bacteria.

  In such a case, the antibacterial agent gradually elutes from the antibacterial agent-containing molded article 6 immersed in the drain water. The eluted antibacterial agent diffuses into the drain water and suppresses the growth of bacteria and mold. Since the antibacterial agent elutes from the surface of the antibacterial agent-containing molded product 6, the area of the antibacterial agent-containing molded product can be increased and the volume can be reduced by providing the fins 7. Thereby, not only the flow path of the drain water but also the site affected by the drain water can have antibacterial properties.

  2 drain pan, 2a skin layer, 3 heat exchanger, 5 drain socket, 6 molded product containing antibacterial agent.

Claims (3)

In an air conditioner equipped with a drain pan that collects drain water generated from a heat exchanger,
The drain pan is composed of a heat insulating material and a skin layer covering the surface,
The air conditioner, wherein the skin layer is formed by integrally molding the surface of the heat insulating material by kneading bamboo powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture thereof into ABS resin. The drain pan is provided with a drain socket serving as a drain port,
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the drain socket is formed of a molded product obtained by kneading bamboo powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture thereof into ABS resin.   In the drain pan, an antibacterial agent-containing molded product is removably attached in the vicinity of the drain outlet, and this antibacterial agent-containing molded product is kneaded with bamboo powder, grains, fibers, or a mixture thereof in ABS resin. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the air conditioner is formed of a molded product.

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