WO2009113244A1

WO2009113244A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2009113244A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/000660
Authority: WO
Inventors: 高橋正敏; 山口成人; 赤嶺育雄; 久保次雄; 佐山毅; 川添大輔
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2008-03-10
Filing date: 2009-02-18
Publication date: 2009-09-17
Also published as: CN101970942B; TW200946842A; TWI443292B; CN101970942A

Abstract

An air conditioner indoor device includes: intake openings (2a, 2b) for sucking indoor air; a heat exchanger (6) which performs heat exchange with the sucked air; an indoor fan (8) which feeds the air subjected to the heat exchange by the heat exchanger (6); and an outlet (10) for blowing out the air fed from the indoor fan (8). An electrostatic atomization device (70) is arranged on the air conditioner indoor device. The electrostatic atomization device (70) includes a discharge electrode (72), an opposing electrode (75) arranged to oppose to the discharge electrode (72), a high voltage power source (24), and a Peltier device (36) which condenses moisture in the air and supplies water to the discharge electrode (72). The high voltage power source (24) applies a high voltage between the discharge electrode (72) and the opposing electrode (75) so as to generate an electrostatic mist. Moreover, the opposing electrode (75) is formed in such a shape that the inner surface (75b) of the discharge electrode (72) is a dome-shaped ring.

Description

Air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner including an indoor unit having an air cleaning function for purifying indoor air.

Some conventional air conditioners have a deodorizing function, for example, adsorb odor components with an air cleaning pre-filter provided at an air inlet of an indoor unit, or have an oxidative decomposition function provided in the middle of an air passage. Odor components are adsorbed by the deodorizing unit.

However, since the air conditioner with a deodorizing function removes odor components contained in the air sucked from the suction port and deodorizes it, the odor components contained in the indoor air and the odor adhering to curtains, walls, etc. The component could not be removed.

Therefore, an odorous component contained in the indoor air is provided by providing an electrostatic atomizer in the air passage of the indoor unit, and blowing out the electrostatic mist generated by the electrostatic atomizer with a nanometer-size electrostatic mist. An air conditioner that removes odorous components adhering to curtains and walls has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or 2).

In such an air conditioner, the electrostatic atomizer is disposed in the vicinity of the inlet or outlet, or downstream of the heat exchanger or indoor fan.

In addition, the electrostatic atomizer includes a water conveyance unit that conveys water by capillary action, a heat exchange unit that supplies condensed water generated by cooling air on the heat absorption surface to the water conveyance unit, and a water conveyance unit. An application electrode for applying a voltage to the water to be transported, a counter electrode facing the water transport unit, and a high voltage application unit for applying a high voltage between the application electrode and the counter electrode to replenish water The thing which can be used continuously is proposed (for example, refer patent document 3).

JP 2005-282873 A JP 2006-234245 A JP 2005-131549 A

In the case of an air conditioner, during cooling, the low-temperature air that has passed through the heat exchanger of the indoor unit has a high relative humidity. For example, in an electrostatic atomizer, a Peltier element is provided to replenish moisture. Since dew condensation tends to occur not only in the pin-shaped discharge electrode of the Peltier element but also in the entire Peltier element, it is not possible to guarantee high safety by applying a high voltage to the Peltier element itself. On the other hand, during heating, the high-temperature air that has passed through the heat exchanger has a low relative humidity, so there is a high possibility that no condensation will occur on the discharge electrode.

Therefore, as in the air conditioner described in

Patent Document

1 or 2, the electrostatic atomizer is arranged in the vicinity of the inlet or outlet, or downstream of the heat exchanger or indoor fan. However, there is still room for improvement in order to ensure high safety while reliably generating electrostatic mist by the electrostatic atomization phenomenon regardless of the operation mode, that is, regardless of the season.

Also, since the electrostatic atomizer generates electrostatic mist by utilizing the discharge phenomenon, it causes a discharge noise and increases the noise of the air conditioner. However, the electrostatic atomizer described in Patent Document 3 does not consider reduction of discharge noise. In particular, an air atomizer is equipped with an electrostatic atomizer, and an electrostatic mist having a particle size of nanometer generated by the electrostatic atomizer is blown into the room together with the air, so that the odor components contained in the room air and When trying to exert the effect of removing odorous components adhering to curtains, walls, etc., it is necessary to generate more electrostatic mist because the indoor space is large. Along with this, the discharge noise is correspondingly increased. However, the air conditioner described in

Patent Document

1 or 2 does not take into consideration the generation of a considerable amount of electrostatic mist corresponding to the size of the indoor space and the reduction of discharge noise.

Furthermore, in an air conditioner, depending on the indoor environment, for example, there may be a large amount of smoking by residents, a lot of dust flying in the air, or cooking utensils nearby and oil smoke. Such dirt may adhere to the equipment mounted on the machine and the performance of the equipment may deteriorate. The same applies to the mounting of the electrostatic atomizer, and in particular, if dirt adheres to the electrodes of the electrostatic atomizer unit, discharge occurs through the dirt and the discharge distance is shortened, and the discharge state changes and static electricity is discharged. The amount of electric mist generated is greatly reduced. However, the air conditioner described in

Patent Document

1 or 2 and the electrostatic atomizer described in Patent Document 3 are not considered at all for prevention of a decrease in the amount of electrostatic mist generated due to contamination of the electrodes. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and can reliably generate more electrostatic mist over a long period of time, while suppressing an increase in discharge sound associated therewith. It aims to provide an air conditioner with improved quietness.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner including an indoor unit having an air purifying function for purifying indoor air, wherein the indoor unit sucks indoor air and A heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the sucked air, an indoor fan that conveys the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger, and a blowout port that blows out the air blown from the indoor fan, a discharge electrode, A counter electrode disposed opposite to the discharge electrode; a high-voltage power source; and a Peltier element that condenses moisture in the air, wherein water is supplied to the discharge electrode by the Peltier element and the discharge electrode And an electrostatic atomizer that generates electrostatic mist by applying a high voltage from the high-voltage power source between the counter electrode and the counter electrode. Ring shape Characterized in that the configuration was.

It is preferable that the discharge electrode has a tip or a sharp tip.

Also, the inner surface of the counter electrode on the discharge electrode side is preferably configured as a part of a spherical surface with the tip of the discharge electrode as a spherical center.

Alternatively, the inner surface of the counter electrode on the discharge electrode side may be configured as a part of a spherical surface centered on the position away from the counter electrode along the discharge electrode from the tip of the discharge electrode.

The width between the ring inner periphery and the ring outer periphery of the counter electrode is 0 ° in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the discharge electrode with the spherical center as the origin, θ1 up to the ring outer periphery of the counter electrode, and the ring inner periphery When θ2 is expressed as an angle, θ1 = 0 ° to θ2 = 80 °. In this case, θ2 is preferably set to 50 ° or more.

Also, it is preferable to form a standing part on the inner peripheral part of the ring of the counter electrode in the direction opposite to the discharge electrode. The height of the standing portion is formed equal to or less than the hole diameter of the counter electrode, and the inner side of the base of the standing portion is formed in a round shape. Further, the tip of the standing portion is formed to be bent outward.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner including an indoor unit having an air purifying function for purifying indoor air, wherein the indoor unit sucks indoor air and exchanges heat with the sucked air. A heat exchanger, an indoor fan that conveys the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger, and a blowout port that blows out air blown from the indoor fan. A counter electrode disposed between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode by supplying water to the discharge electrode by the Peltier element; Further comprising an electrostatic atomizer that generates electrostatic mist by applying a high voltage from the high-voltage power source, wherein the counter electrode has a ring shape with a hole in the center and is erected on the inner periphery of the ring On the opposite side of the discharge electrode Characterized by being formed towards.

Also in this case, the height of the standing portion is formed equal to or less than the hole diameter of the counter electrode, and the inner side of the root of the standing portion is formed in a round shape. Further, the tip of the standing portion is formed to be bent outward.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the discharge area of the counter electrode is increased, more electrostatic mist can be generated reliably, and the increase in the discharge sound associated therewith is suppressed, thereby reducing the noise. An improved air conditioner can be provided.

In addition, when the tip of the discharge electrode is formed in a spherical shape or a sharp shape, moisture generated by condensation on the surface of the sphere tends to aggregate on the tip due to electrostatic force, and can be easily held by surface tension. Furthermore, even a sharp shape tends to agglomerate at the tip due to electrostatic force, and can be easily held by surface tension.

In addition, when the inner surface of the counter electrode on the discharge electrode side is configured as a part of a spherical surface with the tip of the discharge electrode as the center of the sphere, the inner surface of the counter electrode is disposed so as to be substantially equidistant from the tip of the discharge electrode. The discharge area can be set large.

Alternatively, if the inner surface of the counter electrode on the discharge electrode side is configured as a part of a spherical surface centered at the position away from the counter electrode along the discharge electrode from the tip of the discharge electrode, the tip of the discharge electrode and the counter electrode The distance of the ring becomes the shortest in the ring inner periphery, and the ring outer periphery becomes larger. Therefore, the electrostatic force on the ring inner peripheral side becomes relatively larger than that on the ring outer peripheral side, and the movement of the tip water condensed in a conical shape at the tip of the discharge electrode is narrowed down, and the overall movement is also suppressed. Discharge noise can be suppressed.

In addition, the width of the inner periphery of the ring of the counter electrode and the outer periphery of the ring is set to 0 ° in the direction perpendicular to the center axis of the discharge electrode with the spherical center as the origin, θ1 to the ring outer periphery of the counter electrode, When the angle is expressed as θ2 up to the periphery, if it is configured in the range of θ1 = 0 ° to θ2 = 80 °, the flow path through which the airflow flowing through the central hole of the counter electrode from the discharge electrode side flows smoothly This ensures that the electrostatic mist generated at the discharge electrode can flow out smoothly.

Furthermore, when θ2 is set to 50 ° or more, the state of the tip of the tip water swung in a conical shape at the tip of the discharge electrode does not become too large.

Also, if the standing part is formed on the inner peripheral part of the ring of the counter electrode in the direction opposite to the discharge electrode, the discharge distance does not change even if dirt particles accumulate on the tip of the standing part. Furthermore, since the direction of the tip of the standing portion which is the end face is the same direction as the air flow, the turbulence of the air flow is reduced, the accumulation itself is less, it takes time, and more electrostatic mist is applied for a long time. Can be reliably generated.

Also, if the height of the standing part is formed equal to or less than the hole diameter of the counter electrode, the discharge distance will not be shortened even if dirt particles accumulate. Furthermore, as the height H of the standing portion is increased, the period until the accumulation of dirt particles shortens the discharge distance and has an adverse effect increases, but the flow path of the air flow becomes longer and the resistance increases. , The deposits do not sag and do not sag or close to the flow path.

In addition, when the inner side of the base of the standing part is formed in a round shape, it becomes smooth from the inner surface of the counter electrode to the standing part, and the turbulence of the air current can be suppressed to prevent the electrostatic mist from disappearing.

Also, if the tip of the standing portion is bent outward, the end surface of the tip of the standing portion is completely moved away from the electrostatic mist and the air flow of the dirt particles, and the accumulation of dirt particles can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the discharge distance does not change even if dirt particles accumulate on the tip of the standing portion. Furthermore, since the direction of the tip of the standing portion which is the end face is the same direction as the air flow, the turbulence of the air flow is reduced, the accumulation itself is less, it takes time, and more electrostatic mist is applied over a long period of time. It can be generated reliably.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention showing a state in which a part is removed. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the indoor unit of FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electrostatic atomizer provided in the indoor unit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a part of the frame of the indoor unit of FIG. 1 and the electrostatic atomizer. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the electrostatic atomizer. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electrostatic atomizer. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the electrostatic atomizer is attached to the indoor unit main body. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified example showing the attachment state of the electrostatic atomizer to the indoor unit main body. 9 is a side view of the indoor unit of FIG. 1 showing the positional relationship between the electrostatic atomizer and the ventilation fan unit. 10 is a perspective view of an automatic prefilter cleaning device provided in the indoor unit of FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modification of the electrostatic atomizer. 12 is a side view of the indoor unit of FIG. 1 showing the positional relationship between the electrostatic atomizer of FIG. 11 and the ventilation fan unit. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the electrostatic atomization unit of the air conditioner of the present embodiment. (A), (b), (c), and (d) of FIG. 14 are sectional views showing an example of the state of the tip water in detail of the main part of the discharge electrode of FIG. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram in the case where the hole diameter of the counter electrode is reduced in detail of the main part of FIG. FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the main part in FIG. 13 with the counter electrode separated. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram in the case where the discharge voltage is lowered in detail of the main part of FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of another electrostatic atomizing unit of the air conditioner of the present embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic view of the main part of FIG. 18 with the counter electrode separated. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram in the case where the discharge voltage is lowered in detail of the main part of FIG. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of the main part of FIG. 18 in detail when the discharge distance on the ring outer peripheral side of the counter electrode is increased. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part of the electrostatic atomization unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of another electrostatic atomizing unit of the air conditioner of the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

2 indoor unit body, 2a front inlet, 2b upper inlet,
4 front panel, 5 pre-filter, 6 heat exchanger,
8 indoor fans, 10 outlets, 12 top and bottom blades, 14 left and right blades,
16 Ventilation fan unit, 18, 18A electrostatic atomizer,
20 main flow path, 22 bypass flow path, 22a bypass suction port,
22b Bypass outlet, 22c Bypass suction pipe,
22d bypass outlet, 22e housing, 24 high voltage transformer,
26 bypass fan, 28 heat radiating section, 30 electrostatic atomizing unit,
32 Silencer, 34 Casing, 36 Peltier element,
36a heat radiation surface, 36b cooling surface, 38 discharge electrode,
40 counter electrode, 42 control unit, 44 Peltier drive power supply,
46 underframe, 46a rear wall, 46b side wall, 46c bulkhead,
46d opening, 48 rear guider, 48a rear wall, 48b side wall,
50 Pre-filter automatic cleaning device, 52 Suction nozzle,
54 guide rails, 56 suction ducts, 58 suction devices,
58a exhaust port, 60 exhaust duct, 62 opening, 64 damper,
66 unit housing, 68 silencer housing,
70 electrostatic atomizing unit, 72 discharge electrode, 72a tip of discharge electrode,
73, 75, 76 counter electrode, 73a, 75a, 76a ring inner periphery,
74 tip water, 74a hem, 75b, 76b inner surface,
75c Ring outer peripheral part, 77 Standing part, 77a Standing part tip,
H Height of standing part, L Width of counter electrode, O Spherical center,
R, Ra hole diameter, W water film thickness, X thin water part.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration of air conditioner equipped with electrostatic atomizer>
The air conditioner is composed of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are usually connected to each other by refrigerant piping. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the indoor unit has a front suction port 2a and a top suction port 2b as suction ports for sucking room air into the main body 2, and the front suction port 2a has a movable front panel that can be opened and closed. 4 (hereinafter simply referred to as the front panel). When the air conditioner is stopped, the front panel 4 is in close contact with the main body 2 and closes the front suction port 2a. The front panel 4 moves in a direction away from the main body 2 to open the front suction port 2a.

Inside the main body 2, a prefilter 5 is provided on the downstream side of the front suction port 2 a and the upper surface suction port 2 b for removing dust contained in the air, and a front suction is provided on the downstream side of the prefilter 5. Air is blown from the heat exchanger 6 for exchanging heat with the indoor air sucked from the mouth 2a and the upper surface suction port 2b, the indoor fan 8 for conveying the heat exchanged by the heat exchanger 6, and the indoor fan 8. The upper and lower blades 12 change the air blowing direction up and down, and the left and right blades 14 change the air blowing direction left and right. Further, the upper portion of the front panel 4 is connected to the upper portion of the main body 2 via a plurality of arms (not shown) provided at both ends thereof, and a drive motor connected to one of the plurality of arms ( By driving and controlling the air conditioner, the front panel 4 moves forward from the position when the air conditioner is stopped (closed position of the front suction port 2a) during the air conditioner operation. Similarly, the upper and lower blades 12 are connected to the lower portion of the main body 2 through a plurality of arms (not shown) provided at both ends thereof.

In addition, a ventilation fan unit 16 for ventilating room air is provided at one end of the indoor unit (on the left side when viewed from the front of the indoor unit and on the bypass channel 22 side of a partition wall 46c described later). In addition, an electrostatic atomizer 18 having an air cleaning function that generates electrostatic mist and purifies indoor air is provided behind the ventilation fan unit 16.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which a main body cover (not shown) covering the front panel 4 and the main body 2 is removed, and FIG. 2 clearly shows a connection position between the indoor unit main body 2 and the electrostatic atomizer 18. Therefore, the electrostatic atomizer 18 accommodated in the main body 2 is separated from the main body 2. The electrostatic atomizer 18 actually has the shape shown in FIG. 3 and is attached to the left side of the main body 2 as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the electrostatic atomizer 18 includes a main channel that communicates from the front suction port 2 a and the upper suction port 2 b to the blowout port 10 via the heat exchanger 6, the indoor fan 8, and the like. 20, a high-voltage transformer 24 and a bypass blower fan 26 serving as a high-voltage power source are provided on the upstream side of the bypass flow path 22 and are provided in the middle of the bypass flow path 22 that bypasses the heat exchanger 6 and the indoor fan 8. An electrostatic atomizing unit 30 and a silencer 32 that are provided and have a heat radiation portion 28 that promotes heat radiation of the electrostatic atomization unit 30 are provided on the downstream side of the bypass flow path 22. Therefore, in the state where the high voltage transformer 24, the bypass blower fan 26, the heat radiating unit 28, the electrostatic atomizing unit 30, and the silencer 32 are arranged in order from the upstream side, the casing 34 constituting a part of the bypass flow path 22 is arranged. Contained. By housing in the casing 34 in this way, the assembly is improved and the flow path is formed by the casing 34, so that space is saved and the flow of air by the bypass blower fan 26 is changed to a high voltage that is a heat generating part. The transformer 24 and the heat radiating section 28 can be reliably applied and cooled, and the electrostatic mist generated from the electrostatic atomization unit 30 can be reliably introduced into the air outlet 10 of the air conditioner. Electric mist can be discharged into the air-conditioned room.

Further, the casing 34 is arranged in the vertical direction so that the direction of the airflow flowing through the inside of the casing 34 is parallel to the direction of the airflow flowing through the main flow path 20 when viewed from the front of the indoor unit body 2. As a result, it can be disposed adjacent to the position overlapping the ventilation fan unit 16 when viewed from the front of the indoor unit main body 2, and further space saving is achieved.

The high-voltage transformer 24 is not necessarily accommodated in the casing 34, but is cooled by the ventilation of the bypass flow path, so that it is accommodated in the casing 34 from the viewpoint of suppressing temperature rise or saving space. preferable.

Here, a conventionally known electrostatic atomization unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electrostatic atomization unit 30 includes a plurality of Peltier elements 36 having a heat radiating surface 36a and a cooling surface 36b, and the above-described heat radiating portion connected in thermal contact with the heat radiating surface 36a. (E.g., radiation fins) 28, a discharge electrode 38 installed in thermal contact with the cooling surface 36b via an electrical insulating material (not shown), and a predetermined distance from the discharge electrode 38. It is comprised with the counter electrode 40 arrange | positioned.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the Peltier drive power supply 44 and the high voltage transformer 24 are electrically connected to the control unit 42 (see FIG. 1) disposed in the vicinity of the ventilation fan unit 16, and the Peltier element 36 and the discharge electrode 38 are electrically connected to the Peltier drive power supply 44 and the high voltage transformer 24, respectively.

In addition, in order to generate the electrostatic mist by discharging high voltage from the discharge electrode 38 as the electrostatic atomizing unit 30, it is possible even without providing the counter electrode 40. For example, if one terminal of a high-voltage power supply is connected to the discharge electrode 38 and the other terminal is connected to the frame, the portion close to the discharge electrode 38 of the frame-connected structure and the discharge electrode 38 Will be discharged between. In such a configuration, the frame-connected structure can be regarded as the counter electrode 40.

In the electrostatic atomization unit 30 configured as described above, when the control unit 42 controls the Peltier drive power supply 44 to cause a current to flow through the Peltier element 36, heat is transferred from the cooling surface 36 b toward the heat radiating surface 36 a, and the discharge electrode 38. Condensation occurs on the discharge electrode 38 due to a decrease in temperature. Further, when the high voltage transformer 24 is controlled by the control unit 42 and a high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 38 to which the condensed water has adhered, a discharge phenomenon occurs in the condensed water, and electrostatic mist having a particle size of nanometer size is generated. appear. In the present embodiment, since a negative high voltage power source is used as the high voltage transformer 24, the electrostatic mist is negatively charged.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the main flow path 20 includes a rear wall 46 a of the base frame 46 constituting the main body 2, and both side walls extending forward from both ends of the rear wall 46 a ( 7 shows only the left side wall 46b, a rear wall 48a of the rear guider 48 formed below the underframe 46, and both side walls extending forward from both ends of the rear wall 48a (left side in FIG. 7). 48b, a partition wall separating the bypass channel 22 from the main channel 20 by one side wall (left side wall) 46b of the underframe 46 and one side wall (left side wall) 48b of the rear guider 48. 46c is constituted. Further, the bypass suction port 22a of the bypass channel 22 is formed on one side wall 46b of the frame 46, while the bypass outlet 22b of the bypass channel 22 is formed on one side wall 48b of the rear guider 48.

In the case of an air conditioner, during cooling, the low-temperature air that has passed through the heat exchanger 6 of the indoor unit has a high relative humidity, and the electrostatic atomizer 18 includes a Peltier element 36 for replenishing moisture. In this case, dew condensation is likely to occur not only on the pin-shaped discharge electrode 38 of the Peltier element 36 but also on the entire Peltier element 36. On the other hand, at the time of heating, the high-temperature air that has passed through the heat exchanger 6 has a low relative humidity, so there is a very high possibility that no condensation will occur on the discharge electrode 38 of the Peltier element 36.

Thus, as in the above configuration, the main flow path 20 and the bypass flow path 22 are separated by the partition wall 46c, and an electrostatic atomizer 18 that generates electrostatic mist is provided in the bypass flow path 22. Air that has not passed through and that has not been adjusted in temperature and humidity is supplied to the electrostatic atomizer 18. Thereby, safety is improved by effectively preventing the occurrence of condensation on the entire Peltier element 36 of the electrostatic atomization unit 30 during cooling. Moreover, electrostatic mist can be reliably generated during heating.

The bypass passage 22 includes a bypass suction pipe 22c, a casing 34, and a bypass outlet pipe 22d, and the bypass suction pipe 22c having one end connected to the bypass suction port 22a formed in the frame side wall 46b is located on the left side ( The bypass outlet 22d, which extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the left side wall 46b and extends in a direction substantially parallel to the front panel 4, is connected to one end of the casing 34 and further connected to the other end of the casing 34. The other end of the rear guider 48 is connected to the bypass outlet 22b of the side wall 48b. Thus, by comprising a part of bypass channel 22 with casing 34, space saving can be achieved, and electrostatic atomization unit can be formed via bypass outlet pipe 22d by comprising these in series. The electrostatic mist can be reliably attracted from 18 toward the main flow path 20, and the electrostatic mist can be discharged into the air-conditioned room.

The bypass suction port 22a is located between the prefilter 5 and the heat exchanger 6, that is, downstream of the prefilter 5 and upstream of the heat exchanger 6, and is sucked from the front suction port 2a and the upper suction port 2b. Since the dust contained in the air is effectively removed by the pre-filter 5, it is possible to prevent the dust from entering the electrostatic atomizer 18. Thereby, it can prevent effectively that dust accumulates on the electrostatic atomization unit 30, and can discharge | release electrostatic mist stably.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the prefilter 5 serves as a prefilter for the electrostatic atomizer 18 and the main flow path 20, but this requires maintenance to clean only the prefilter 5. Since it is not necessary to care for each separately, the care can be simplified. Furthermore, in an air conditioner equipped with a pre-filter automatic cleaning device as will be described later, the pre-filter 5 does not require special care, and can be made maintenance-free.

On the other hand, the bypass air outlet 22b is positioned in the vicinity of the air outlet 10 on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 6 and the indoor fan 8, and the electrostatic mist discharged from the bypass air outlet 22b rides on the air flow in the main flow path 20. It spreads and fills the entire room. The bypass outlet 22b is arranged on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 6 as described above. If the bypass air outlet 22b is arranged on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 6, since the heat exchanger 6 is made of metal, the electrostatic mist that is charged particles is This is because most of the heat exchanger 6 (about 80 to 90% or more) is absorbed. In addition, the bypass outlet 22b is arranged on the downstream side of the indoor fan 8. If the bypass outlet 22b is arranged on the upstream side of the indoor fan 8, turbulent flow exists in the indoor fan 8 and passes through the indoor fan 8. This is because a part (about 50%) of the electrostatic mist is absorbed in the process of air colliding with various parts of the indoor fan 8.

In addition, the main flow path 20 side of one side wall 48b of the rear guider 48 provided with the bypass outlet 22b is given a predetermined speed to the air flow by the indoor fan 8, so that the main flow path 20 side of the side wall 48b is bypassed. A pressure difference is generated on the side of the path 22, a negative pressure portion in which the main channel 20 side is relatively low in pressure relative to the bypass channel 22, and air is attracted from the bypass channel 22 toward the main channel 20. Accordingly, the bypass blower fan 26 has a small capacity, and the bypass blower fan 26 may not be provided in some cases.

Further, the bypass outlet pipe 22d is provided on the partition wall 46c (side wall 48b of the rear guider 48) so as to be directed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the air flow in the main channel 20 at the junction with the main channel 20 (bypass outlet 22b). It is connected. This is because the electrostatic atomization unit 30 generates the electrostatic mist by utilizing the discharge phenomenon as described above, so that the discharge sound is inevitably accompanied and the discharge sound has directivity. is there. Therefore, by connecting the bypass passage 22 to the front panel 4 substantially parallel to the front panel 4 at the junction of the bypass passage 22 and the main passage 20 (bypass outlet 22b), a person in front of the indoor unit or diagonally forward Thus, it is possible to reduce the noise by configuring so that the discharge sound is not directed as much as possible.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the bypass outlet pipe 22 d is inclined with respect to the partition wall 46 c at the junction with the main flow path 20 and connected so as to be directed upstream with respect to the air flow in the main flow path 20, It is effective in reducing noise due to further discharge noise.

In addition, even when the direction in which the bypass outlet pipe 22d is directed is connected to the downstream direction of the air flow in the main flow path 20, if the extension line does not come out from the outlet 10, it will occur. Since the amount of discharge sound that goes out directly from the air outlet 10 is small and does not directly enter the user's ear, a noise reduction effect can be achieved.

As described above, the main flow path 20 and the bypass flow path 22 are separated by the partition wall 46 c, and the electrostatic atomizer 18 that generates electrostatic mist bypasses the heat exchanger 6 and communicates with the main flow path 20. Since the air that has not been passed through the heat exchanger 6 and has not been adjusted in temperature and humidity is supplied to the electrostatic atomizer 18 because it is provided in the path 22, the Peltier element 36 of the electrostatic atomization unit 30 is used during cooling. Effectively preventing the occurrence of dew condensation on the whole, safety is improved, and electrostatic mist can be reliably generated during heating, regardless of the operation mode of the air conditioner, that is, the season The electrostatic mist can be generated stably regardless of the above.

Next, an air conditioner provided with a prefilter automatic cleaning device having a suction device that sucks and removes dust adhering to the prefilter 5 will be described. The ventilation fan unit 16 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Even if the ventilation fan unit 16 is dedicated to ventilation, the ventilation fan unit 16 also serves to supply air to a suction device provided in an indoor unit having a pre-filter automatic cleaning device. May be. The ventilation fan unit 16 shown in FIG. 9 is incorporated in the suction device 58 of the automatic prefilter cleaning device on the bypass flow path 22 side of the partition wall 46c. However, since the automatic prefilter cleaning device is already known, see FIG. While briefly explaining. The detailed structure and operation method of the pre-filter automatic cleaning device are not particularly limited.

As shown in FIG. 10, the pre-filter automatic cleaning device 50 includes suction nozzles 52 that are slidable along the surface of the pre-filter 5, and the suction nozzles 52 are installed at the upper and lower ends of the pre-filter 5. The pair of guide rails 54 can smoothly move left and right while maintaining a very narrow gap with the prefilter 5, and dust adhering to the prefilter 5 is sucked and removed by the suction nozzle 52. Further, one end of a bendable suction duct 56 is connected to the suction nozzle 52, and the other end of the suction duct 56 is connected to a suction device 58 having a variable suction amount. Further, an exhaust duct 60 is connected to the suction device 58 and led out to the outside.

Further, a belt (not shown) that is slidable along the suction nozzle 52 is wound around the suction nozzle 52 in the vertical direction. A slit-like nozzle opening having a length substantially equal to the vertical length of the filter 5 is formed, while a slit-like suction hole having a length of, for example, 1/4 of the vertical length of the prefilter 5 is formed in the belt. ing.

The automatic prefilter cleaning device 50 configured as described above sequentially cleans the cleaning ranges A, B, C, and D of the prefilter 5 as necessary. When the range A is suction-cleaned, the belt is driven and the suction holes are driven. In the state where the position is fixed to the position of the range A, the suction nozzle 52 is driven from the right end to the left end of the prefilter 5 while sucking, whereby the horizontal range A of the prefilter 5 is suction-cleaned.

Next, the belt is driven to fix the suction hole at a position in the range B, and the suction nozzle 52 is driven from the left end to the right end of the prefilter 5 while sucking in this state, so that the horizontal direction of the prefilter 5 is now achieved. A range B is suction-cleaned. Similarly, the areas C and D of the pre-filter 5 are also cleaned by suction.

The dust adhering to the pre-filter 5 and sucked by the suction nozzle 52 is discharged outside through the suction duct 56, the suction device 58, and the exhaust duct 60.

Further referring to FIG. 9, an opening 62 is formed in the suction path of the suction device 58, and a damper 64 for opening and closing the opening 62 is provided. The ventilation fan unit 16 includes the damper 64. When the opening 62 is opened, it is used for ventilation. When suction cleaning is performed, the opening 62 is closed by a damper 64 and used for sucking dust from the suction hole of the belt. That is, the same suction device 58 is used to realize the suction cleaning function and the ventilation function.

Although the exhaust duct 60 is not shown in FIG. 9, the exhaust duct 60 is connected to the exhaust port 58 a of the suction device 58.

FIG. 11 shows an electrostatic atomizer 18A having no casing 34, and this electrostatic atomizer 18A is incorporated in the indoor unit body 2 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, it is incorporated into a broken line region 18B shown in FIG. 12 (substantially the same position as the electrostatic atomizer unit 30 and the silencer 32 provided on the downstream side of the bypass flow path 22 in the electrostatic atomizer 18 shown in FIG. 9). It is. These are disposed at a position overlapping the ventilation fan unit 16 when the electrostatic atomizer 18A is viewed from the front or top surface of the indoor unit, and the electrostatic atomizer 18A is disposed at the opening 62 and the damper 64 of the ventilation fan unit 16. Is disposed in a portion where the suction air by the ventilation fan unit 16 flows.

More specifically, the electrostatic atomizing device 18A of FIG. 11 includes an electrostatic atomizing unit 30 having a heat radiating portion 28 and a silencer 32 integrally attached, and the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 portion excluding the heat radiating portion 28; The silencer 32 is accommodated in each housing (unit housing 66 and silencer housing 68), and one of the bypass blowing pipes 22d is connected to and communicated with the silencer housing 68, and the other of the bypass blowing pipes 22d is connected to the main flow path 20. Communicate. In this case, the housing portion 22e that is separated from the main flow path 20 by the partition wall 46c and formed between the left side surface of the main body cover (not shown) and in which the ventilation fan unit 16, the electrostatic atomizer 18A, and the like are disposed is described above. In addition to the bypass suction pipe 22c and the casing 34, the bypass blow-out pipe 22d is also accommodated to constitute the bypass flow path 22.

As described above, the bypass blow-out pipe 22d can reduce noise in a direction directed to the air flow of the main flow path 20. However, this is not always necessary, and the bypass blower pipe 22d directly bypasses the silencer housing 68. You may connect to the outlet 22b. Thereby, the structure of 18 A of electrostatic atomizers can be simplified more. However, it is the same as the bypass outlet pipe 22d that consideration of the direction is necessary for noise reduction.

Thereby, the air sucked into the main body 2 through the prefilter 5 is sucked into the accommodating portion 22e from the bypass suction port 22a on the downstream side of the prefilter 5, and the direction of the airflow is the air flowing through the main channel 20 The indoor unit main body 2 flows in the accommodating portion 22e in parallel with the flow direction when viewed from the front. Thus, the heat radiating portion 28 is cooled by the air flowing through the housing portion 22e, and taken into the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 through an opening (not shown) formed in the unit housing 66.

With this configuration, the space around the ventilation fan unit 16 that overlaps the ventilation fan unit 16 when viewed from the front or top surface of the indoor unit becomes the bypass flow path 22, and the ventilation fan unit 16, the electrostatic atomizer 18 </ b> A, etc. Space can be saved by effectively utilizing the accommodating portion 22e. In this configuration, the high voltage transformer 24 is disposed at an arbitrary portion in the housing portion 22e such as the ventilation fan unit 16 and the electrostatic atomizer 18A, and the bypass blower fan 26 is not provided.

Further, the bypass flow path 22 is described in detail above by configuring the bypass flow path 22 so that the air flow flows in parallel with the air flow passing through the main flow path 20 as viewed from the front. Thus, since the main flow path 20 and the bypass flow path 22 can be branched with a simple configuration of the partition wall 46c, the bypass flow path 22 can be easily formed, and the number of parts can be reduced.

Furthermore, by using this configuration, the prefilter of the electrostatic atomizer 18A and the prefilter of the main flow path 20 can be shared by the prefilter 5. Since the sharing effect is as described above, the details are omitted here.

It should be noted that an opening 46d may be formed in the vicinity of the lower portion of the base frame 46 corresponding to the rear portion of the ventilation fan unit 16 so that a pipe (not shown) connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can be drawn out. The bypass suction port 22a described above is one opening in the housing portion 22e formed in the partition wall 46c (the frame side wall 46b) in order to suck air into the housing portion 22e, and communicates with the outside of the indoor unit through the prefilter 5. However, in the opening 46d formed in the lower part of the underframe 46, the accommodating portion 22e is an opening that directly communicates with the outside of the indoor unit and sucks ambient air. In such a case, the accommodating portion 22e serves as a bypass flow path that also bypasses the prefilter 5. Accordingly, the air sucked into the electrostatic atomizer 18A flows from the opening 46d and does not pass through the prefilter 5, so that a separate prefilter for the electrostatic atomizer 18A is provided as necessary. Just do it. Further, even in the configuration in which the opening 46d is formed, the electrostatic atomizer 18A is disposed at a position overlapping the ventilation fan unit 16 when viewed from the front or top surface of the indoor unit, and the housing portion 22e is effectively used. Similarly, space saving can be achieved.

As described above, the main flow path 20 side of the bypass outlet 22b is a negative pressure part that is attracted by the pressure difference generated by the indoor fan 8 being given a predetermined speed to the air flow. Even if the bypass blower fan 26 is not provided, the heat radiating portion 28 is cooled by the air drawn toward the main passage 20 from the accommodating portion 22e which is a bypass passage via the bypass outlet pipe 22d, and the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 is provided. The electrostatic mist generated by the above is attracted to the main channel 20 and can be discharged into the air-conditioned room. Further, since the heat dissipating part 28 is arranged in the vicinity of the opening 62 and the damper 64 as shown by the broken line area 18B, the air is sucked into the opening 62, so that it is also cooled by the air sucked by the ventilation fan unit 16. .

As shown in FIG. 12, by disposing the heat radiating portion 28 of the electrostatic atomizer 18 </ b> A close to the opening 62 provided in the suction device 58, the heat radiating portion is caused by the air sucked into the opening 62. 28 is further cooled, and heat dissipation from the electrostatic atomization unit 30 is promoted. Further, when a ventilation-only fan is used as the ventilation fan unit 16, the damper 64 is not provided. Therefore, by disposing the heat radiating unit 28 close to the suction port of the ventilation fan unit 16, the heat radiating unit 28 is efficiently arranged. To be cooled.

As described above, according to the above configuration, the container 22e is provided with the electrostatic atomizer 18A that separates the main channel 20 and the container 22e serving as the bypass channel by the partition wall 46c and generates electrostatic mist. Therefore, since air that has not passed through the heat exchanger 6 and is not adjusted in temperature and humidity is supplied to the electrostatic atomizer 18A, dew condensation occurs on the entire Peltier element 36 of the electrostatic atomizer unit 30 during cooling. Effectively preventing this from occurring, safety is improved, and electrostatic mist can be reliably generated during heating, and it is quiet regardless of the operation mode of the air conditioner, that is, regardless of the season. Electric mist can be generated stably.

<Configuration for reducing noise caused by electrostatic atomizer>
In air conditioners, noise reduction is a major issue. The mounting of an electrostatic atomizer that generates a large amount of discharge sound has many problems, and it is essential to reduce the discharge sound. Although the outline of the conventionally known electrostatic atomizing unit 30 has already been described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the configuration of reducing discharge noise in the air conditioner of the present invention will be described in detail along with the discharge phenomenon. .

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the electrostatic atomization unit of the air conditioner of the present embodiment. In FIG. 13, the basic configuration of the electrostatic atomizing unit 70 is the same as that of the prior art, and a plurality of Peltier elements 36 having a heat radiating surface 36a and a cooling surface 36b are connected in thermal contact with the heat radiating surface 36a. The heat radiating portion (for example, heat radiating fins) 28, the discharge electrode 72 provided in thermal contact with the cooling surface 36b via the electrical insulating material 71, and a predetermined distance from the discharge electrode 72 The counter electrode 73 is arranged. A high voltage transformer 24 is connected between the discharge electrode 72 and the counter electrode 73 as a high voltage power source so that a high voltage can be applied.

The discharge electrode 72 has a thin rod shape, and the discharge electrode tip 72a has a small spherical shape with a diameter of 1 mm or less. In this spherical shape, moisture generated by dew condensation on the surface of the sphere tends to aggregate at the tip due to electrostatic force and can be easily held by surface tension. Note that the discharge electrode tip 72a is not limited to a spherical shape, but may be a sharp shape or the like, but a shape that can hold water for electrostatic atomization moderately and is not too sharp due to electrostatic force. It is desirable that it easily aggregates at the tip and is easily held by surface tension.

The counter electrode 73 has a flat ring shape with a circular hole in the center, and the ring inner peripheral portion 73a is surrounded perpendicularly to the central axis of the discharge electrode 72 so as to be substantially equidistant from the discharge electrode distal end portion 72a. The discharge area is set large. Although the counter electrode 73 has a ring shape, a terminal connection portion or a support portion (not shown) may be provided on the outer peripheral side.

In the above configuration, the discharge phenomenon when performing electrostatic atomization will be described. Due to cooling by the Peltier element 36, moisture in the air is condensed and condensed on the discharge electrode 72. When water is supplied to the discharge electrode 72 by the Peltier element 36 as described above, when a high voltage of several kV is applied between the discharge electrode 72 and the counter electrode 73 by the high-voltage transformer 24, dew condensation on the discharge electrode 72 is caused. Water is attracted to the discharge electrode tip 72 a by electrostatic force, and conical tip water 74 is formed in the direction of the counter electrode 73. That is, the closer to the counter electrode 73, the more the cone shape becomes sharper. If the amount of condensed water is controlled by the capability of the Peltier element 36 so that the discharge current is constant, the circular shape opened in the counter electrode 73 The hole diameter R, the discharge distance, the high voltage applied voltage, and the amount of condensed water are determined in association with each other. The discharge distance here is the distance between the discharge electrode 72 side including the tip water 74 and the counter electrode 73.

Most of the discharge at this time is performed at the point where the tip water 74 and the ring inner peripheral portion 73a, that is, the shortest distance between the tip water 74 and the counter electrode 73, and the electrostatic mist is basically generated by the tip water 74. Water splits from the vicinity of the tip. However, the counter electrode 73 may have a ring shape, and it is considered that the discharge itself is performed over a wide range including the skirt portion 74a (see FIG. 14) near the discharge electrode 72 of the tip water 74. .

However, in practice, the conical shape of the tip water 74 is not stable toward the counter electrode 73, but due to the impact of discharge, movement of the discharge position, the influence of the surrounding air current, and electrostatic atomization. Due to the fact that the dew condensation water cannot be supplied constantly and stably with respect to the decrease in moisture, it behaves in such a way that it expands and contracts quite violently in small increments in the vertical direction, and further swings in all directions. An example of the shape of the deformed tip water 74 is shown in FIGS. 14 (a), (b), (c), and (d). In order to perform the atomizing discharge while the tip water 74 is moving in this way, the water film thickness W is temporarily small at the hem portion 74a of the tip water 74 when the tip water 74 swings back and forth, or when it extends upward. Water portion X may be generated. The thin water portion X is generated because the discharge electrode tip 72a stably holds the tip water 74 and is inclined to the outside as a spherical shape or a sharp shape. Yes.

The skirt portion 74a where the thin water portion X is generated is a vicinity where the discharge electrode tip portion 72a and the ring inner peripheral portion 73a of the counter electrode 73 are close to each other. Although the details of the discharge state at this time are unknown, the inventors of the present application have found that the discharge sound tends to increase as the state in which the thin water portion X is generated is observed.

Therefore, in order to suppress the discharge noise, it is only necessary to prevent the thin water portion X from being generated near the counter electrode 73 of the discharge electrode 72. Specifically, the discharge noise could be suppressed by suppressing the movement of the tip water 74 or increasing the water retention amount of the skirt portion 74a of the tip water 74. An example of the method is shown below.

1. The hole diameter R of the counter electrode 73 is reduced (Ra) (see FIG. 15).
The ring inner peripheral portion 73a of the counter electrode 73 moves to the center axis side of the discharge electrode 72, the movement of the tip of the tip water 74 is narrowed down, and the entire movement is also suppressed to generate the thin water portion X. Can be reduced. Further, since the direction of the line connecting the skirt portion 74a of the tip water 74 and the ring inner peripheral portion 73a is close to parallel to the central axis of the discharge electrode 72, the apparent water film thickness W is also increased.

2. The counter electrode 73 is released (see FIG. 16).
When the dew condensation water is generated by controlling the ability of the Peltier element 36 so as to make the discharge current constant, the tip water is equivalent to the dimension d where the counter electrode 73 is separated so that the discharge distance itself becomes equal. Since the height of 74 becomes higher, the tip water 74 of the discharge electrode 72 becomes larger and the amount of condensed water increases. Since the conical skirt portion 74a of the tip water 74 has a small electric field strength, it becomes thicker in a shape close to a sphere when the electrostatic force is weakened. From the above, even if the tip water 74 moves repeatedly in the front / rear / right / left and up / down directions due to the impact of the discharge, etc., the water film thickness W increases because the water content of the skirt portion 74a can be secured. Thus, the occurrence of the thin water portion X itself can be prevented, and the discharge noise can be suppressed.

3. The discharge voltage is lowered (see FIG. 17).
Since the electrostatic force is reduced, the water film thickness W can be increased by reducing the sharpness of the conical shape of the tip water 74 and increasing the skirt portion 74a. Further, the movement of the tip water 74 itself is also reduced, and the occurrence of the thin water portion X can be reduced. However, in this case, the generation of electrostatic mist is also reduced.

In the above description, the counter electrode 73 has been described as a flat ring shape. However, as shown in FIG. 18, the counter electrode 75 may have a dome-shaped ring shape with the discharge electrode 72 side as an inner surface 75b. FIG. 18 shows a thin plate formed into a dome shape. However, in consideration of a shape in which the counter electrode 75 is formed by hollowing out a lump, the inner surface 75b on the discharge electrode 72 side is basically formed in a dome shape. Any ring shape may be used.

In FIG. 18, the dome shape of the counter electrode 75 is a part of a spherical surface with the discharge electrode tip 72a as the center. From the discharge electrode tip 72a, the ring inner peripheral portion 75a and the inner side surface 75b of the counter electrode 75 Is almost the same distance. When the discharge electrode tip 72a is spherical and has a small diameter, the spherical center O may be aligned with the position of the tip spherical surface of the discharge electrode 72 as shown in FIG. 18, or the discharge electrode 72 is sharp. In some cases, the tip may be the center.

The width L between the ring inner peripheral portion 75a and the ring outer peripheral portion 75c of the counter electrode 75 is not represented by the length dimension, but the vertical direction with respect to the central axis of the discharge electrode is 0 ° with the spherical center O as the origin, When the counter electrode 75 is expressed as an angle with θ1 up to the ring outer peripheral portion 75c and θ2 up to the ring inner peripheral portion 75a, it is configured in a range of approximately θ1 = 30 ° ± 10 ° to θ2 = 65 ° ± 10 °. desirable. This is because the electrostatic mist is generated and flows out, so that a flow path through which airflow flowing through the hole of the counter electrode 75 from the discharge electrode 72 side smoothly flows is secured. Accordingly, if the airflow can be configured to flow smoothly, it can be arbitrarily configured within the range of θ1 = 0 ° to θ2 = 80 °. Note that the smaller the θ2 is and the larger the inner diameter of the ring, the larger the state in which the tip water 74 swings. Therefore, it is desirable that the ring inner periphery 75a be at least θ2 = 50 °.

In the electrostatic atomizer of an air conditioner using the dome-shaped counter electrode 75 configured as described above, anywhere from the discharge electrode tip 72a to the ring inner periphery 75a and the inner surface 75b of the counter electrode 75. Since the distance between the ring inner peripheral portion 73a and the inner peripheral portion 75b of the flat counter electrode 73 is the shortest distance in the flat counter electrode 73, the shortest distance is obtained. Therefore, the discharge direction becomes radial and wide, and the electrostatic quantity of the electrostatic mist can be increased.

Along with that, the conical shape of the tip water 74 also changes. That is, since the electrostatic force covers a wide range of the discharge electrode tip portion 72a, the conical skirt portion 74a of the tip water 74 spreads and the movement becomes intense in the front-rear and left-right directions. And since the amount of discharge also increases, the amount of electrostatic mist generated also increases, but the discharge sound also increases accordingly.

From the above, an example of a method for preventing the occurrence of the thin water portion X in the discharge electrode 72 in order to suppress the discharge noise in the dome-shaped counter electrode 75 will be described below.

1. The counter electrode 75 is released (see FIG. 19).
When the curvature of the inner surface of the counter electrode 75 remains the same and is separated from the discharge electrode 72 by the dimension d, the ring outer peripheral portion 75c of the counter electrode 75 becomes relatively closer to the discharge electrode 72 than the ring inner peripheral portion 75a. The electrostatic force of the skirt portion 74a of the tip water 74 is also relatively increased. Thereby, the water film thickness W of the skirt portion 74a of the tip water 74 is also increased. Similarly to the flat plate, when the dew condensation water is generated by controlling the capability of the Peltier element 36 so as to make the discharge current constant, the tip water 74 is equivalent to the distance d away from the counter electrode 75. Therefore, the tip water 74 of the discharge electrode 72 becomes larger and the amount of condensed water increases. Since the conical skirt portion 74a of the tip water 74 has a small electric field strength, it becomes thicker in a shape close to a sphere when the electrostatic force is weakened. From the above, the water film thickness W increases because the water content of the skirt portion 74a can be secured even if the atomization discharge is repeated while the tip water 74 is swung in the front and rear, right and left directions and up and down directions due to the impact of the discharge. Thus, the occurrence of the thin water portion X itself can be prevented, and the discharge noise can be suppressed.

2. The discharge voltage is lowered (see FIG. 20).
Since the electrostatic force is reduced, the water film thickness W can be increased by reducing the sharpness of the conical shape of the tip water 74 and increasing the skirt portion 74a. Further, the movement of the tip water 74 itself is also reduced, and the occurrence of the thin water portion X can be reduced.

3. The distance between the discharge electrode tip 72a and the counter electrode 75 is set so that the ring inner periphery 75a is the shortest and the ring outer periphery 75c side is increased (see FIG. 21).
For example, the spherical center O of the counter electrode 75 is moved to the rod-shaped side of the discharge electrode 72, and a spherical surface having a spherical center O at a position away from the counter electrode 75 along the discharge electrode from the tip of the discharge electrode 72. It is configured as a part. Thereby, the electrostatic force on the ring inner peripheral portion 75a side is relatively larger than that on the ring outer peripheral portion 75c side, the movement of the tip of the tip water 74 is narrowed down, and the entire movement is also suppressed, and the thin water portion X is generated. In addition to this, even if the thin water portion X occurs, the discharge on the ring outer peripheral portion 75c side is relatively weak, so that the discharge noise can be suppressed. The ring-shaped width L is in the same angular range as when the distance from the discharge electrode tip 72a to the counter electrode 75 is the same.

4). About the hole diameter R of the counter electrode 75 About the circular hole diameter R opened in the counter electrode 75, it differs with conditions unlike a flat plate. That is, since the discharge range is originally wide, even when the hole diameter R is increased, the rate of movement of the tip water 74 is small. Rather, the sharpness of the tip water 74 is lowered, the skirt portion 74a is thickened, and the water film thickness W is increased. There is a tendency that the discharge noise can be suppressed even when the hole diameter R is increased.

As described above, regardless of whether the counter electrode has a flat plate shape or a dome shape, it can be configured as described above, and the generation of the thin water portion X can be suppressed at the discharge electrode tip portion 72a. By suppressing the discharge at the portion X, the discharge noise can be greatly suppressed.
The shape of the counter electrode is not limited to the above flat plate or dome shape, but it is close to the dome shape, and the shape of the side portion of the polygonal frustum shape should be applied in accordance with the concept described above. Can do. In particular, if the width L of the counter electrode 75 is up to about θ2−θ1 = 40 ° and the length is small, such as a few millimeters, the discharge state changes greatly even if it is a straight line that is not dome-shaped. Absent.

<Configuration for preventing reduction in electrostatic mist generation due to electrode contamination of electrostatic atomizer>
In an air conditioner, depending on the indoor environment, for example, there may be a large amount of smoking by residents, a lot of dust in the air, or cooking utensils nearby and oil smoke. The amount of generated electrostatic mist is greatly reduced due to the adhesion of these contaminants to the electrodes of the conversion unit. In particular, application of a high voltage to generate electrostatic mist also charges dirt particles such as dust, oil and dust, and the charged dirt particles tend to adhere to the counter electrode.

Among them, there is a tendency that electrostatic mist and dirt particles are intensively attached to the end surface of the inner peripheral portion of the ring of the counter electrode that becomes a flow path through which the air mist rides. This is because the end surface has irregularities and burrs due to cutting etc., and the direction of the end surface is close to the direction perpendicular to the direction of the air flow, so that the air flow is greatly disturbed and the flow is generated. Possible cause.

When the dirt particles are concentrated on a part of the counter electrode in this way, the discharge distance between the discharge electrode 72 and the inner periphery of the ring is changed. The deposited ring inner periphery becomes the portion closest to the discharge electrode, and discharge is performed there. In this way, the discharge distance between the initially designed discharge electrode and the counter electrode is reduced, so that the discharge noise increases, the amount of electrostatic mist generated decreases, and the discharge current becomes excessive. The rate will decrease. In particular, deposits such as cigarette crabs and cooking oil may hang down, greatly changing the discharge distance.

For such a problem, a configuration for preventing a change in the discharge distance of the electrostatic atomization unit in the air conditioner of the present invention and suppressing a decrease in the amount of generated electrostatic mist will be described.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrostatic atomization unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. Although the positional relationship between the discharge electrode 72 and the counter electrode 76 does not change with respect to the configuration shown in FIG. 18, a cylindrical standing portion 77 is provided in the opposite direction of the discharge electrode 72 on the ring inner periphery 76 a of the counter electrode 76. It is provided for. With this configuration, the end face of the counter electrode 76 moves from the ring inner peripheral portion 76a to the standing portion distal end 77a.

That is, even if dirt particles accumulate on the standing portion tip 77a, the discharge distance does not change. Further, since the direction of the standing portion distal end 77a which is the end face is the same direction as the air flow, the turbulence of the air flow is reduced, the accumulation itself is less, and it takes time.

The height H of the standing portion 77 depends on the shape and the plate thickness of the counter electrode 76, but may be at least about twice the plate thickness in the case of a flat plate, and in the airflow direction when a thin plate is molded into a dome shape. It suffices if the straight line portion is at least equal to the plate thickness. Even at this level, it can be confirmed that the discharge distance is not shortened even if a little dirt particles are deposited. Therefore, the height H of the standing portion 77 may be a little. Conversely, as the height H of the standing portion 77 is increased, the period until the accumulation of dirt particles shortens the discharge distance and has an adverse effect increases, but on the contrary, the air flow path becomes longer and the resistance increases. The height H of the standing portion 77 is equal to the cylindrical hole diameter r of the standing portion 77, that is, the opposite direction. It is desirable that the diameter is equal to the hole diameter R of the electrode 76.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to prevent the discharge distance from being shortened even if dirt is attached to the counter electrode of the electrostatic atomization unit, and the generation amount of electrostatic mist is greatly reduced or the discharge sound is reduced. It is possible to suppress a decrease in operating rate due to an increase in discharge current or an excessive discharge current.

As shown in FIG. 23, the inner side of the root of the standing portion 77, that is, the ring inner peripheral portion 76a has a round shape and is smoothly formed from the inner side surface 76b of the counter electrode 76 to the standing portion 77, so that Disturbance can be suppressed and the disappearance of electrostatic mist can be prevented.

Further, if the standing portion tip 77a is further bent outward, the end face is completely moved away from the electrostatic mist and the air flow of the dirt particles, and the accumulation of the dirt particles can be almost prevented.

Furthermore, the configuration for preventing the decrease in the amount of electrostatic mist generated due to the electrode contamination of the electrostatic atomizer by the standing portion 77 is to reduce the noise caused by the electrostatic atomizer described above. Of course, it can be configured together with the configuration, and by installing the electrostatic atomizer having these configurations in the air conditioner, more electrostatic mist can be reliably generated over a long period of time. In addition, it is possible to provide an air conditioner that can suppress an increase in discharge sound and improve quietness.

The air conditioner according to the present invention can reliably generate more electrostatic mist over a long period of time and sufficiently considers safety or noise. Therefore, various air conditioners including general home air conditioners can be used. It is extremely useful as a simple air conditioner.

Claims

An air conditioner including an indoor unit having an air cleaning function to purify indoor air,
The indoor unit sucks indoor air, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the sucked air, an indoor fan that conveys air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger, and air blown from the indoor fan And a blowout port for blowing out
A discharge electrode; a counter electrode disposed opposite to the discharge electrode; a high-voltage power supply; and a Peltier element that condenses moisture in the air, and supplies water to the discharge electrode by the Peltier element. An electrostatic atomizer that generates electrostatic mist by applying a high voltage from the high-voltage power source between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode;
An air conditioner characterized in that the shape of the counter electrode is configured such that the inner surface on the discharge electrode side is a dome-shaped ring shape.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the discharge electrode has a tip portion formed in a spherical shape or a sharp shape.
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner surface of the counter electrode on the discharge electrode side is configured as a part of a spherical surface with the tip of the discharge electrode as a spherical center.
3. The inner surface of the counter electrode on the discharge electrode side is configured as a part of a spherical surface having a spherical center at a position away from the counter electrode along the discharge electrode from the tip of the discharge electrode. Air conditioner.
The width between the ring inner periphery of the counter electrode and the ring outer periphery is 0 ° in the direction perpendicular to the center axis of the discharge electrode with the spherical center as the origin, θ1 up to the ring outer periphery of the counter electrode, and the ring inner periphery The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air conditioner is configured in a range of θ1 = 0 ° to θ2 = 80 ° when θ is expressed as an angle.
The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein θ2 is set to 50 ° or more.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an upright portion is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the ring of the counter electrode in a direction opposite to the discharge electrode.
8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the height of the standing portion is equal to or less than a hole diameter of the counter electrode.
The air conditioner according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the inside of the base of the standing portion is formed in a round shape.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it is formed by bending the front end of the standing part outward.
An air conditioner including an indoor unit having an air cleaning function to purify indoor air,
The indoor unit sucks indoor air, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the sucked air, an indoor fan that conveys air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger, and air blown from the indoor fan And a blowout port for blowing out
A discharge electrode; a counter electrode disposed opposite to the discharge electrode; a high-voltage power supply; and a Peltier element that condenses moisture in the air, and supplies water to the discharge electrode by the Peltier element. An electrostatic atomizer that generates electrostatic mist by applying a high voltage from the high-voltage power source between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode;
An air conditioner characterized in that the shape of the counter electrode is a ring shape having a hole in the center, and an upright portion is formed on the inner periphery of the ring in a direction opposite to the discharge electrode.
The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the height of the standing portion is equal to or less than a hole diameter of the counter electrode.
The air conditioner according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the inside of the base of the standing portion is formed in a round shape.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that it is formed by bending the front end of the standing portion outward.