TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a filter regeneration control
method for an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner and a
filter regeneration control method for an air conditioner that enable to effectively
regenerate a gas adsorption filter while making full use of an existing configuration.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, an air conditioner on which a gas-removal air filter, for example,
a filter that carries thereon activated carbon or zeolite, to remove gas (foul odor,
volatile organic compounds (VOC), etc.) is mounted has been available. A common gas-removal
air filter is the one using an adsorbent. Because the effectiveness (adsorption power)
of such filters is deteriorated with gas adsorption, periodical maintenance such as
replacement of filters, wash with water, and dry in the sun, is required.
[0003] A technique for automatic maintenance in a device having a filter has been disclosed
to complement the maintenance and to reduce work load of the periodical maintenance.
For example, a device that treats foul odor in a bathroom (Patent Document 1) is proposed,
although the purpose of use is different. Moreover, for an air purification system
in which a similar effect as that of the air filter of an air conditioner is expected,
a device (Patent Document 2) that can treat foul odor in a room and regenerate a filter
is proposed.
[0004]
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H02-128030
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H10-290829
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0005] However, for the device, a large-scale structure is required to be newly added to
control regeneration of a gas adsorption filter with heat, and a discharge process
of desorption gas, resulting in a problem that the device becomes large scaled and
the cost therefore is high.
[0006] The present invention has been achieved in view of the above problems, and it is
an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner and a filter regeneration
control method for an air conditioner that enable regeneration of a gas adsorption
filter using existing equipments of the air conditioner.
MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEM
[0007] To solve the above problems and achieve the above objects, an air conditioner having
a discharge mechanism that discharges atmosphere inside an indoor equipment of the
air conditioner to outside of a room in which the indoor equipment is installed, includes:
a gas adsorption filter that adsorbs harmful gas components in air taken into the
indoor equipment through a first intake; a filter holder that holds the filter between
the first intake and a heat exchanger; and a heat source that conducts heat to the
filter.
[0008] The discharge mechanism that discharges atmosphere inside the indoor equipment of
the air conditioner to outside of a room in which the indoor equipment is installed
is used as a ventilation mechanism in many cases. The gas adsorption filter that adsorbs
harmful gas components in air that is taken through the first intake generally provided
in the indoor equipment in the air conditioner having such a mechanism has such a
property that the adsorbed gas components are desorbed when heat is applied. Therefore,
when a source of the heat to be applied is available, desorption of the components
can be achieved, and the desorbed gas can be discharged from the room by the ventilation
mechanism.
[0009] In the air conditioner according to the present invention, the heat source is a heater
that is arranged on a surface of the filter holder.
[0010] When a heating wire, a rubber heater, or the like is attached or placed in a tensioned
state on the filter holder holding the gas adsorption filter, it is possible to conduct
heat directly to the gas adsorption filter, and the filter regeneration can be achieved
without adding a large-scale structure, at low cost.
[0011] In the air conditioner according to the present invention, the heat source is a heat
exchanger, and includes a control unit that brings the heat exchanger to a high temperature,
and that closes a louver and causes a fan to rotate at a low speed.
[0012] Also according to this invention, by adding a twist to the control unit that controls
the existing heat exchanger, louver, and fan, the heat can be conducted directly to
the gas adsorption filter, and the filter regeneration can be achieved without adding
a large-scale structure, at low cost. Although the effect is larger when the temperature
of the heat exchanger is higher, an appropriate temperature is selected from the view
point of safety and credibility as an air conditioner. The louver contributes to increase
hermeticity of the indoor equipment and to discharge the desorbed gas efficiently.
Moreover, the fan is rotated at a low speed in the view point of avoiding a malfunction
of the air conditioner (refrigerant system).
[0013] The air conditioner according to the present invention, further includes a second
intake on a surface of a member constituting the discharge mechanism.
[0014] When the second intake is provided, a strong air flow is generated from the intake
to the discharge fan, and the desorbed gas can be discharged efficiently.
[0015] In the air conditioner according to the present invention, the gas adsorption filter
is positioned between the second intake and the discharge mechanism.
[0016] When the gas adsorption filter is positioned between the intake and the discharge
mechanism, the gas adsorption filter is placed in the strong air flow, and the desorbed
gas can be discharged efficiently.
[0017] In the air conditioner according to the present invention, an opening of the discharge
mechanism is arranged inside the indoor equipment at a position at least higher than
the filter.
[0018] Although it is not necessary to particularly limit arrangement of the opening (intake
of the discharge mechanism) of the discharge mechanism such as the ventilator from
the point of view of discharge of atmosphere inside the indoor equipment to outside,
the opening is arranged at a position at least higher than the gas adsorption filter
so that ascending gas molecules that have been desorbed from the gas adsorption filter
are efficiently discharged.
[0019] In the air conditioner according to the present invention, a material of the filter
is a material from which at least odorous components are desorbed with the heat of
the heat source.
[0020] Humans are relatively sensitive to the odorous components, and thus the odorous components
are likely to be a cause of bringing a feel of discomfort or aversion. Accordingly,
it is important for the gas absorption filter to remove odorous components also for
industrial goods. Therefore, according to this invention, in addition to the above
configuration, a material is selected to use the material from which at least odorous
components can be desorbed. From that material, the components are desorbed and discharged.
[0021] According to the present invention, a filter regeneration control method for an air
conditioner having a discharge mechanism that discharges atmosphere inside an indoor
equipment of the air conditioner to outside of a room in which the indoor equipment
is installed, the air conditioner in which a gas adsorption filter that adsorbs harmful
gas components in air taken into the indoor equipment through a first intake is held
by a filter holder between the first intake and a heat exchanger, includes: controlling
for a fan of the indoor equipment to rotate at a low speed; controlling for activating
the discharge mechanism; and controlling for bringing the heat exchanger to a temperature
equal to or higher than a highest temperature that can normally be set.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0022] According to the air conditioner and the filter regeneration control method for the
air conditioner of the present invention, a filter regeneration function of a gas
adsorption filter and a desorbed-gas discharge function can be given without changing
the configuration or without adding a large-scale structure in the air conditioner
having a discharge mechanism that discharges atmosphere inside the indoor equipment
of the air conditioner to the outside of a room in which the indoor equipment is installed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a configuration of an indoor equipment of
an air conditioner according to the present invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of an internal configuration of the indoor
equipment.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a front view of a configuration of a ventilator.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a duct of the ventilator.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a filter and a filter holder.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of attachment of a heater.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of another example of attachment of the
heater.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a specific filter regeneration control.
EXPLANATIONS OF LETTERS OR NUMERALS
[0024]
- 1
- indoor equipment
- 2, 4, 12
- heat exchanger
- 3
- prefilter
- 5
- discharge fan
- 7
- second intake
- 9
- opening
- 10
- outlet
- 11, 32
- gas adsorption filter
- 13
- ventilator
- 15
- fan
- 18
- first intake
- 19
- louver
- 20
- duct
- 21
- damper
- 22
- opening
- 31, 33
- filter holder
BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0025] Exemplary embodiments of an air conditioner and a filter regeneration control method
for the air conditioner according to the present invention will be explained below
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment is not intended
to limit the present invention.
Embodiment
[0026] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a configuration of an indoor equipment of an air
conditioner according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of an internal
configuration of the indoor equipment. As shown in Fig. 1 or 2, an indoor equipment
1 of the air conditioner includes a first intake 18 to take air in a room therein,
and an indoor heat exchangers 2, 4, and 12 to cool or heat the air in the room that
has been taken therein through the first intake 18.
[0027] The indoor equipment 1 further includes an outlet 10 to return the air that is heat-exchanged
by the heat exchangers 2, 4, and 12 in the room, a fan 15 to take air in through the
first intake 18 and to blow out the heat-exchanged air to the room from the outlet
10, a gas adsorption filter 11 that is arranged at a position between the indoor heat
exchanger 12 and the first intake 18 and near the indoor heat exchanger 12 on an upper
stream side in an air flow path, a ventilator 13 that is arranged on one side of the
indoor equipment 1, and a prefilter 3 that is arranged inside the indoor equipment
1 from a front part toward an upper part, and that removes impurities such as dust
and dirt from the air that is led to the indoor heat exchangers 12, 2, and 4 through
the first intake 18, as main components. Because the first intake 18, the indoor heat
exchangers 12, 2, and 4, the outlet 10, the fan 15, and the prefilter 3 are well-known
techniques, the explanations thereof are omitted herein.
[0028] Fig. 3 is a front view of a configuration of the ventilator. In the ventilator 13,
an opening 9 is formed long in the horizontal direction above the gas adsorption filter
11, and the ventilator 13 includes a duct 20 having a discharge fan 5 at an end. The
discharge fan 5 communicates on a downstream side thereof with air outside the room
in which the indoor equipment 1 is installed. The ventilator 13 functions as a discharge
mechanism that discharges atmosphere inside the indoor equipment 1 of the air conditioner
to the outside.
[0029] The gas adsorption filter 11 is held in a case (frame) as a holder, and has a function
of absorbing and removing harmful substances such as a foul odor component and VOC
included in air taken. It is not necessary to particularly limit the arrangement of
the ventilator 13 from the point of view of the discharge of atmosphere inside the
indoor equipment 1 to the outside. However, it is preferable that the opening 9 be
arranged at a position at least higher than the gas adsorption filter 11 so that ascending
gas molecules that have been desorbed from the gas adsorption filter 11 are efficiently
discharged, from the view point of bearing a part of a filter regenerating function.
[0030] In this embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchangers 12, 2, and 4 are
used as heat sources that conduct heat to the gas adsorption filter 11. Therefore,
as well as being arranged on the inside of the first intake 18 for the function thereof,
the gas adsorption filter 11 is preferably arranged as close to the heat exchangers
12, 2 and 4 as possible.
[0031] Prior to bringing the heat exchangers 12, 2 and 4 to high temperatures by means of
the heat sources, a louver 19 of the outlet 10 is closed, and the fan 15 is run at
a low speed. Although the louver 19 is not necessarily be required to be closed, it
is preferable that the louver 19 be closed to prevent the gas component desorbed and
concentrated in the indoor equipment 1 from leaking, and to perform the discharge
of the gas components efficiently by enhancing the hermeticity inside the indoor equipment
1 to make the pressure inside the indoor equipment negative.
[0032] It is preferable that the fan 15 be run to exchange heat to some extent to prevent
failure of the air conditioning system because if very little heat exchange is executed
when the heat exchangers 12, 2, and 4 are set to high temperatures, a large quantity
of a liquid-phase refrigerant flows into an expansion valve, and thus there is a possibility
of causing malfunction such as abnormal noise. Specifically, it is preferable that
the output of the fan 15 be the minimum output within an allowable range of a refrigerant
system load of the air conditioner.
[0033] After the louver 19 is closed and the fan 15 is rotated, a refrigerant gas at a high
temperature is fed to the heat exchangers 12, 2, and 4, and the heat exchangers 12,
2, and 4 are heated to high temperatures, for example, a temperature about 70C°±10C°,
within an allowable range for control of a compressor (not shown) and the expansion
valve included in the air conditioner. Upon application of heat to the gas adsorption
filter 11, gas components that have been adsorbed are desorbed, thereby regenerating
the gas adsorption filter 11. As for the temperature, the effect can be obtained even
with a temperature that can normally be set to the indoor equipment 1 with a remote
control or the like as a filter regeneration temperature. However, if the temperature
is set to the highest temperature allowable as an air conditioning system, more gas
molecules are likely to be desorbed from the gas adsorption filter, and therefore
it is preferable.
[0034] Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a specific filter regeneration control. First, the air conditioner
is started (Step S101), and then stopped (Step S102). Subsequently, a total operating
time since last filter regeneration control is checked, in most cases, by means of
a timer integrated in a computer program that is executed on a computer of a control
device. It is then determined whether the total time has exceeded a predetermined
time, for example, 125 hours (Step S103). If not exceeded, it is determined that the
regeneration control is not necessary, and the control is ended.
[0035] When the total time has exceeded the predetermined time, the fan of the indoor equipment
is rotated at a slow speed, and a discharge fan of the ventilator is run (Step S104).
Thereafter, a heating-up control is executed to heat the heat exchangers to high temperatures
(Step S105). If possible, a temperature inside the indoor equipment and the duration
of the filter regeneration control are measured (Step S106). When the duration has
exceeded a predetermined time, for example, 1 hour, it is determined that sufficient
filter regeneration has been performed, to end the control. When the filter regeneration
is to be executed forcibly irrespective of the total operating time since the last
filter regeneration control, a mode for forcibly executing the filter regeneration
can be set independently from the flow of the control (Step S107).
[0036] The filter regeneration control can be executable by adding the procedure above mentioned
to a computer program for a control computer that is usually included in an air conditioner.
[0037] By performing the control as described above, a filter regeneration function for
a gas adsorption filter can be given to an air conditioner having a ventilator, without
changing the configuration thereof.
(Modified Example 1)
[0038] Modified example 1 of the present invention is characterized such that a second intake
7 (see Figs. 1, 3, and 4) is arranged at a front part of the duct 20 constituting
the ventilator 13 in addition to the configuration according to the above embodiment.
Moreover, a damper (rotating opening/shutting door) 21 is arranged in the second intake
7. When the damper 21 is open, air is taken also through the second intake 7, which
is formed when the damper 21 is open, and a function as a normal ventilator in which
pressure drop is low and that can exhaust air in large volume is obtained. When the
damper 21 is closed, to efficiently discharge gas molecules that are desorbed from
the gas adsorption filter 11 and concentrated inside the indoor equipment 1, air is
taken through an opening 22 that is arranged above the gas adsorption filter 11.
[0039] Although not shown, when the gas adsorption filter 11 is arranged between the second
intake 7 and the discharge fan 5, a strong flow of air is generated between the second
intake 7 and the discharge fan 5, and as a result, the desorbed gas components can
be discharged efficiently. Conversely, the second intake 7 is arranged to generate
such an air flow.
[0040] When the second intake 7 and the damper 21 are arranged as described above in an
air conditioner having a ventilator, it becomes possible to select a normal ventilation
mode with a large air volume, or a mode for discharging concentrated and contaminated
desorbed gas components smoothly to outside. Therefore, it is possible to give a filter
regeneration function for a gas adsorption filter and a discharge function, without
changing the configuration on a large scale.
(Modified Example 2)
[0041] In this modified example 2, a heater is used as a heat source to conduct heat to
the gas adsorption filter 11. Specifically, in a gas adsorption filter 32 and a filter
holder (case) shown in Fig. 5, various heaters are placed on a filter holder 31. As
a suitable example for this invention, as shown in Fig. 6, an electrically-heated
wire (resistance wire) 34 such as a nichrome wire and a canthal wire is run throughout
a surface of a filter holder 33. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7, another type of
heater such as a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heater, and an elastomer heater
can be attached on the filter holder 33.
[0042] As described above, when a heater is arranged on the filter holder 31 or 33 as a
heat source to regenerate the gas adsorption filter 11, the gas adsorption filter
11 is directly heated up, and gas components can be desorbed efficiently. In addition,
because it is achieved only by equipping the filter holder 31 or 33, which are conventionally
arranged, with a heater, a large-scale structure is not required, and the cost therefore
can also be low. Furthermore, because this arrangement does not increase airflow resistance
of the gas adsorption filter 11, the need for design modification (upsizing of a fan
or a motor) associated with this arrangement can be eliminated. The heater can be
used together with the heated heat exchangers 12, 2, and 4.
[0043] The gas adsorption filter 11 can take various forms such as a sheet form, a pleats
form, a honeycomb form, and a corrugated form. Moreover, as materials of the filter,
using a synthetic fiber such as polypropylene, polyester, and a polyamide-containing
synthetic fiber, or a natural fiber such as cellulose and rayon as a base, one that
carries thereon an adsorbent such as activated carbon and zeolite, one itself having
a high adsorption effect such as an activated carbon fiber and polyacrylic acid, or
one formed by directly shaping an inorganic porous material of clay mineral such as
cordierite and sepiolite into the above forms can be used. It is preferable that the
material have a property that at least odorous components are desorbed when heat of
a heat source is applied. It is because removal of odorous components is the foremost
requirement for the gas adsorption filter 11.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0044] As described above, the air conditioner and the filter regeneration control method
for the air conditioner according to the present invention are useful as an air conditioner
including a discharge mechanism that discharges atmosphere inside the indoor equipment
of the air conditioner to outside of a room in which the indoor equipment is installed,
and useful for control thereof.
1. An air conditioner having a discharge mechanism that discharges atmosphere inside
an indoor equipment of the air conditioner to outside of a room in which the indoor
equipment is installed, the air conditioner comprising:
a gas adsorption filter that adsorbs harmful gas components in air taken into the
indoor equipment through a first intake;
a filter holder that holds the filter between the first intake and a heat exchanger;
and
a heat source that conducts heat to the filter.
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the heat source is a heater that
is arranged on a surface of the filter holder.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the heat source is a heat exchanger,
and includes a control unit that brings the heat exchanger to a high temperature,
and that closes a louver and causes a fan to rotate at a low speed.
4. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second
intake on a surface of a member constituting the discharge mechanism.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the gas adsorption filter is positioned
between the second intake and the discharge mechanism.
6. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an opening of the
discharge mechanism is arranged inside the indoor equipment at a position at least
higher than the filter.
7. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a material of the
filter is a material from which at least odorous components are desorbed with the
heat of the heat source.
8. A filter regeneration control method for an air conditioner having a discharge mechanism
that discharges atmosphere inside an indoor equipment of the air conditioner to outside
of a room in which the indoor equipment is installed, the air conditioner in which
a gas adsorption filter that adsorbs harmful gas components in air taken into the
indoor equipment through a first intake is held by a filter holder between the first
intake and a heat exchanger, the filter regeneration control method comprising:
controlling for a fan of the indoor equipment to rotate at a low speed;
controlling for activating the discharge mechanism; and
controlling for bringing the heat exchanger to a temperature equal to or higher than
a highest temperature that can normally be set.