Patent Description:
As described in Patent Literature <NUM>-<NUM> (<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>), an air conditioner including a filter through which air flowing to a heat exchanger passing through water is known.

A normal filter cannot sufficiently collect microscopic substances (bacteria, viruses, allergens, particulate matter, etc.) of <NUM> or less contained in air introduced from the outdoors to the indoors or air circulating from the indoors to the indoors and flowing to a heat exchanger, and there is a risk that the microscopic substances might be sent indoors.

Aim of the present invention is to provide an air treatment apparatus which improves the state of the art indicated above. This aim is achieved by the air treatment apparatus according to the corresponding appended claims.

An air treatment apparatus according to claim <NUM> includes a heat exchanger and a first collection member.

The air treatment apparatus according to the invention collects, with the first collection member, a microscopic substance contained in outdoor or indoor air, upstream of the heat exchanger, thereby suppressing the microscopic substance from being sent indoors.

The air treatment apparatus according to the invention promotes the inactivation of the microscopic substance collected in the first collection member, by supplying water at a predetermined temperature to the first collection member.

An air treatment apparatus according to a second aspect is the air treatment apparatus according to the invention, and further includes a fourth flow path. The fourth flow path discharges the water flowing over the surface of the first collection member or the water retained on the surface of the first collection member.

The air treatment apparatus according to the second aspect discharges the water containing the microscopic substance collected by the first collection member, so that the first collection member is kept clean.

An air treatment apparatus according to a third aspect is the air treatment apparatus according to any one of the first to second aspects, and further includes a second collection member. The second collection member is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger in the flow of the air flowing through the second flow path and collects the substance contained in the air flowing from the heat exchanger. The second collection member has a surface over which water flows or a surface on which water is retained.

The air treatment apparatus according to the third aspect, collects, with the second collection member, the microscopic substance contained in outdoor or indoor air, downstream of the heat exchanger, thereby suppressing the microscopic substance from being sent indoors.

An air treatment apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the air treatment apparatus according to the third aspect, and further includes a fifth flow path. The fifth flow path supplies water at a predetermined temperature to at least one of the first collection member and the second collection member.

The air treatment apparatus according to the fourth aspect promotes the inactivation of the microscopic substance collected by the first collection member or the second collection member, by adjusting the temperature of the first collection member or the second collection member.

An air treatment apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the air treatment apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and further includes a filter having lower air flow resistance than the first collection member.

The air treatment apparatus according to the fifth aspect collects, with the filter, a microscopic substance that is difficult to be collected by the first collection member.

An air treatment apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the air treatment apparatus according to the fifth aspect, in which the filter is disposed between the first collection member and the heat exchanger in a direction of the air flowing through the second flow path.

The air treatment apparatus according to the sixth aspect collects, with the filter, the microscopic substance that have passed through the first collection member.

An air treatment apparatus according to an seventh aspect is the air treatment apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and supplies water heat-exchanged with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle to the first collection member.

The air treatment apparatus according to the seventh aspect adjusts the temperature of the air sent indoors by, for example, supplying water cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant to the first collection member.

An air treatment apparatus according to a eighth aspect is the air treatment apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the first collection member forms a sixth flow path that allows air passing through the first collection member to flow through and that is non-parallel to a direction of the air flow flowing through the second flow path.

The air treatment apparatus according to the eighth aspect makes it easier for the air passing through the first collection member to collide with the first collection member, thereby enhancing the collection effect of the first collection member in collecting the microscopic substance.

An air treatment apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the air treatment apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, in which the water flowing over the surface of the first collection member, or the water retained on the surface of the first collection member, contains a component that inactivates the substance.

The air treatment apparatus according to the ninth aspect keeps the first collection member clean.

An air treatment apparatus according to an tenth aspect is the air treatment apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, in which the first collection member carries a component that is hardly eluted in water and inactivates the substance.

The air treatment apparatus according to the tenth aspect keeps the first collection member clean.

An air treatment apparatus according to a eleventh aspect is the air treatment apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, in which the first collection member carries a photocatalyst that generates a component that inactivates the substance when irradiated with light.

The air treatment apparatus according to the eleventh aspect keeps the first collection member clean.

An air treatment apparatus according to a twelfth aspect is the air treatment apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, in which the first collection member is configured to be replaceable.

The air treatment apparatus according to the twelfth aspect can use an appropriate first collection member depending on the type of substance to be collected.

The air conditioner <NUM> has an indoor unit <NUM> installed in a building and an outdoor unit <NUM> installed outdoors. The indoor unit <NUM> is installed, for example, in the ceiling space of a target space. The target space is a space, the temperature of which is to be at least adjusted by the air conditioner <NUM>. The target space is, for example, the indoor space of a building. The indoor unit <NUM> and the outdoor unit <NUM> are connected to each other via a refrigerant pipe <NUM>, thereby constituting a refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner <NUM>. The air conditioner <NUM> includes vapor compression refrigeration cycle for cooling operation, heating operation, and the like in the target space. An air treatment apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to the indoor unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner <NUM> is composed mainly of an indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, a compressor <NUM>, a four-way switching valve <NUM>, an accumulator <NUM>, an outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, an expansion valve <NUM>, a liquid-side shutoff valve <NUM>, and a gas-side shutoff valve <NUM>. The air conditioner <NUM> also has an indoor fan <NUM> and an outdoor fan <NUM>.

The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> and the indoor fan <NUM> are provided inside the indoor unit <NUM>. The compressor <NUM>, the four-way switching valve <NUM>, the accumulator <NUM>, the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, the expansion valve <NUM>, the liquid-side shutoff valve <NUM>, the gas-side shutoff valve <NUM>, and the outdoor fan <NUM> are provided inside the outdoor unit <NUM>. In <FIG>, the flow of refrigerant during the cooling operation is indicated by a solid arrow, and the flow of refrigerant during the heating operation is indicated by a dotted arrow.

The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> has heat transfer tubes and fins attached to the heat transfer tubes. The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside the heat transfer tubes and the air passing through the fins. The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a heat absorber (evaporator) during the cooling operation and cools the air passing through the fins. The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a radiator (condenser) during the heating operation and heats the air passing through the fins.

The compressor <NUM> compresses the gaseous refrigerant sent from the accumulator <NUM>. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor <NUM> is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> during the cooling operation, and sent to the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> during the heating operation.

The four-way switching valve <NUM> is a mechanism for switching between the refrigerant circuit during the cooling operation and the refrigerant circuit during the heating operation.

The accumulator <NUM> is connected to the suction side of the compressor <NUM>, and performs gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant before the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor <NUM>.

The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> has heat transfer tubes and fins attached to the heat transfer tubes. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside the heat transfer tubes and the air passing through the fins. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a radiator (condenser) during the cooling operation, and functions as a heat absorber (evaporator) during the heating operation.

The expansion valve <NUM> is provided at the position through which the refrigerant, discharged from the radiator and before being sucked into the heat absorber, passes. The expansion valve <NUM> decompresses the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the radiator to a state in which the refrigerant is easily evaporated in the heat absorber.

The liquid-side shutoff valve <NUM> is provided between the expansion valve <NUM> and the refrigerant pipe <NUM>.

The gas-side shutoff valve <NUM> is provided between the four-way switching valve <NUM> and the refrigerant pipe <NUM>.

The outdoor fan <NUM> discharges the air subjected to heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> from the outdoor unit <NUM>. The outdoor fan <NUM> is driven by an outdoor fan motor 39a.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the indoor unit <NUM> has a casing <NUM>, the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, the indoor fan <NUM>, a first humidifying element <NUM>, and a drain pan <NUM>. The indoor unit <NUM> takes in outdoor air OA and indoor air RA, causes the air to pass through the first humidifying element <NUM> and the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in this order, and supplies the air as supply air SA to the target space. The outdoor air OA is air that is introduced from the outdoors to the indoors. The indoor air RA is air that circulates from the indoors to the indoors. The supply air SA is air, the temperature of which has been at least adjusted by the air conditioner <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> is installed in the ceiling space of the target space. The casing <NUM> has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, the indoor fan <NUM>, the first humidifying element <NUM>, and the drain pan <NUM> are provided inside the casing <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> has a first opening 16a for taking in the outdoor air OA from the outdoors, a second opening 16b for taking in the indoor air RA from the target space, and a third opening 16c for supplying the supply air SA to the target space. With the indoor unit <NUM> installed in the ceiling space of the target space, the third opening 16c of the casing <NUM> is open at the ceiling height position of the target space. During the operation of the air conditioner <NUM>, an air flow path <NUM> from the first opening 16a and the second opening 16b to the third opening 16c is formed in the internal space of the casing <NUM>. In the air flow path <NUM>, the outdoor air OA taken in from the first opening 16a and the indoor air RA taken in from the second opening 16b merge and flow toward the third opening 16c.

An electric component box is provided inside the casing <NUM>. The electric component box houses a control unit that is a microcomputer for controlling each component of the indoor unit <NUM>. An object to be controlled by the control unit is, for example, an indoor fan motor 22a that drives the indoor fan <NUM>.

The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> is disposed in the air flow path <NUM> inside the casing <NUM>. The air flowing through the air flow path <NUM> (second flow path) is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant flow path <NUM> (first flow path) inside the heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, when passing through the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>. In other words, the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> exchanges heat between the fluid flowing through the refrigerant flow path <NUM> and the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>. The air flowing through the air flow path <NUM> is heated or cooled by the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

The indoor fan <NUM> is disposed inside the casing <NUM>. The indoor fan <NUM> is disposed downstream of the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in the flow of air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the indoor fan <NUM> is disposed near the third opening 16c. The indoor fan <NUM> is driven by the indoor fan motor 22a to take the outdoor air OA and the indoor air RA into the casing <NUM> and supply the supply air SA to the target space. In other words, when the indoor fan <NUM> is driven, a flow of air flowing through the air flow path <NUM> is formed in the internal space of the casing <NUM>.

The first humidifying element <NUM> is disposed in the air flow path <NUM> inside the casing <NUM>. The first humidifying element <NUM> is disposed upstream of the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in the flow of air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>.

The first humidifying element <NUM> has a structure in which a plurality of water-absorbing members are combined. The water-absorbing members are, for example, porous ceramics or nonwoven fabrics. The water-absorbing members have shapes such as lattice, corrugated plate, and honeycomb. The first humidifying element <NUM> has water absorption, water retention, and ventilation properties due to the gap formed between the combined water-absorbing members and the porous structure of the water-absorbing members.

During the operation of the air conditioner <NUM>, water is supplied to the first humidifying element <NUM> from a water supply source (not illustrated) through a first water supply flow path <NUM> (third flow path). The water supply source is, for example, a water supply tank installed inside or outside the indoor unit <NUM>, or water supply in a building. As shown in <FIG>, when water is supplied, from above, to the first humidifying element <NUM> from the first water supply flow path <NUM>, the water-absorbing members of the first humidifying element <NUM> absorb and retain water. The water retained in the water-absorbing members flows downward by gravity and finally flows out of the first humidifying element <NUM>. Thus, during the operation of the air conditioner <NUM>, the first humidifying element <NUM> has a surface over which water flows or a surface on which water is retained.

The air passing through the first humidifying element <NUM> vaporizes the water retained by the water-absorbing members of the first humidifying element <NUM>. Thus, the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM> is humidified by passing through the first humidifying element <NUM>. The air that has passed through the first humidifying element <NUM> flows toward the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

In the air flow path <NUM> inside the casing <NUM>, first, the outdoor air OA and the indoor air RA taken into the casing <NUM> merge. Next, the merged air passes through the first humidifying element <NUM>. Next, the air that has passed through the first humidifying element <NUM> passes through the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>. Next, the air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> is supplied to the target space from inside the casing <NUM> as the supply air SA. The supply air SA is air that has been humidified by the first humidifying element <NUM> and temperature-adjusted by the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

The first humidifying element <NUM> collects a substance to be collected that is contained in the air passing through the first humidifying element <NUM>. The substance to be collected is a microscopic substance (corresponding to "substance" disclosed in claim <NUM>) that may adversely affect humans or animals in the target space when supplied to the target space together with the supply air SA. The size of the microscopic substance is, for example, <NUM> or less. The substance to be collected is, for example, an infectious substance, an allergen, and particulate matter. The infectious substance includes a pathogen. The pathogen is a microorganism (for example, bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi) and other substances (for example, prions), including non-living organisms, which can cause disease in humans or animals. The allergen is a substance that causes allergic symptoms in humans, and is, for example, house dust and pollen. The particulate matter is solid and liquid fine particles, for example, soot, dust, and exhaust gas. The substance to be collected that is contained in the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM> is collected by coming into contact with the water retained in the water-absorbing members of the first humidifying element <NUM> and mixing with the water retained in the water-absorbing members. The substance collected by the first humidifying element <NUM> is retained by the water-absorbing members or flows out of the first humidifying element <NUM> together with the water flowing downward through the water-absorbing members.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the drain pan <NUM> is disposed below the first humidifying element <NUM>. The drain pan <NUM> is a container that receives the water flowing out of the first humidifying element <NUM>. The casing <NUM> may have an inspection opening for taking out the drain pan <NUM> from inside the casing <NUM>. In this case, the first humidifying element <NUM> and the drain pan <NUM> can be easily inspected and cleaned by taking out the drain pan <NUM> from the inspection opening.

As shown in <FIG>, the drain pan <NUM> may be disposed below both the first humidifying element <NUM> and the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>. In this case, the drain pan <NUM> can also receive water that adheres to the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> during the cooling operation and falls from the lower end of the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a drain port 24a for discharging water accumulated in the drain pan <NUM> is formed in the lower portion of the drain pan <NUM>. The drain port 24a is connected to a drain flow path <NUM> (fourth flow path) for sending water accumulated in the drain pan <NUM> to the outdoors or the like. The indoor unit <NUM> may have a pump for discharging water accumulated in the drain pan <NUM> to the outdoors or the like instead of the drain port 24a of the drain pan <NUM> or together with the drain port 24a.

The first humidifying element <NUM> of the indoor unit <NUM> collects the substance to be collected that is contained in the outdoor air OA and the indoor air RA, upstream of the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in the air flow path <NUM>. Since the substance to be collected is collected by the first humidifying element <NUM>, the indoor unit <NUM> can suppress the supply air SA containing the substance to be collected from being sent to the target space.

In addition, since the substance to be collected is collected by the first humidifying element <NUM>, the adhesion of the substance to be collected to the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> is suppressed. Therefore, the indoor unit <NUM> can suppress contamination of the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and can suppress a decrease in heat exchange efficiency due to the substance to be collected adhering to the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

In addition, water flowing over the surface of the first humidifying element <NUM> or water retained on the surface of the first humidifying element <NUM> flows out from the first humidifying element <NUM> by gravity. Therefore, the substance collected by the first humidifying element <NUM> flows out from the first humidifying element <NUM> to the drain pan <NUM> together with water, and is discharged from the indoor unit <NUM>. Thus, the indoor unit <NUM> can keep the first humidifying element <NUM> clean by supplying clean water containing no substance to be collected to the first humidifying element <NUM>.

The indoor unit <NUM> according to the invention supplies water at a predetermined temperature to the first humidifying element <NUM> from the water supply source through the first water supply flow path <NUM>. In this case, by supplying water at a predetermined temperature to the first humidifying element <NUM>, the indoor unit <NUM> can promote the inactivation of the substance collected by the first humidifying element <NUM> and can adjust the temperature of the supply air SA that passes through the first humidifying element <NUM> to the target space. If the substance to be collected is a microorganism, the water at a predetermined temperature is water at a temperature at which the growth of the microorganism is suppressed in the first humidifying element <NUM> or at a temperature at which the microorganism is killed. The predetermined temperature is, for example, <NUM> or higher.

In this case, the water at the predetermined temperature to be supplied to the first humidifying element <NUM> may be water supplied from an external water supply source and heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner <NUM>. For example, the water at the predetermined temperature to be supplied to the first humidifying element <NUM> may be water heated by bringing tap water into contact with a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant after passing through a radiator (condenser) flows, and then exchanging heat with the refrigerant. In this case, for example, tap water heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant immediately before passing through the expansion valve <NUM> is preferably used as water at the predetermined temperature.

Furthermore, in the present modification, the indoor unit <NUM> may cool the air passing through the first humidifying element <NUM> by supplying cooling water to the first humidifying element <NUM> during the cooling operation of the air conditioner <NUM>. Thus, the thermal loads on the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> and the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> are reduced. In this case, as the cooling water, tap water cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner <NUM> may be used.

Furthermore, in the present modification, the indoor unit <NUM> may heat the air passing through the first humidifying element <NUM> by supplying water at a predetermined temperature to the first humidifying element <NUM> during the heating operation of the air conditioner <NUM>. Thus, the thermal loads on the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> and the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> are reduced. In this case, as the water at the predetermined temperature, tap water that has not been heat exchanged with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner <NUM>, or water supplied from a hot water supply apparatus or the like outside the indoor unit <NUM> may be used.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the indoor unit <NUM> may further include a second humidifying element <NUM> in addition to the first humidifying element <NUM>. The second humidifying element <NUM> is disposed in the air flow path <NUM> inside the casing <NUM>. The second humidifying element <NUM> is disposed downstream of the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in the flow of air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>, and is disposed upstream of the indoor fan <NUM> in the flow of the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>.

The second humidifying element <NUM> has a structure in which a plurality of water-absorbing members are combined. The water-absorbing members are, for example, porous ceramics or nonwoven fabrics. The water-absorbing members have shapes such as lattice, corrugated plate, and honeycomb. The second humidifying element <NUM> has water absorption, water retention, and ventilation properties due to the gap formed between the combined water-absorbing members and the porous structure of the water-absorbing members. The second humidifying element <NUM> may be the same member as the first humidifying element <NUM>.

During the operation of the air conditioner <NUM>, water is supplied to the second humidifying element <NUM> from a water supply source (not illustrated) through a second water supply flow path <NUM> (fifth flow path). As shown in <FIG>, when water is supplied, from above, to the second humidifying element <NUM> from the second water supply flow path <NUM>, the water-absorbing members of the second humidifying element <NUM> absorb and retain water. The water retained in the water-absorbing members flows downward by gravity and finally flows out of the second humidifying element <NUM>. Thus, during the operation of the air conditioner <NUM>, the second humidifying element <NUM> has a surface over which water flows or a surface on which water is retained.

The air passing through the second humidifying element <NUM> vaporizes the water retained by the water-absorbing members of the second humidifying element <NUM>. Thus, the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM> is humidified by passing through the second humidifying element <NUM>. The air that has passed through the second humidifying element <NUM> flows toward the third opening 16c.

In the present modification, as illustrated in <FIG>, the drain pan <NUM> is disposed below the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second humidifying element <NUM>. The water flowing out of the water-absorbing members of the second humidifying element <NUM> is stored in the drain pan <NUM>.

The second humidifying element <NUM> collects the substance to be collected that is contained in the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in the air flow path <NUM>. In the present modification, the second humidifying element <NUM> collects the substance to be collected that has not been collected by the first humidifying element <NUM>, thereby suppressing the supply air SA containing the substance to be collected from being sent to the target space.

In the present modification, as in Modification A, the indoor unit <NUM> may supply water at a predetermined temperature to the second humidifying element <NUM> through the second water supply flow path <NUM> for the second humidifying element <NUM>. In this case, by supplying water at a predetermined temperature to the second humidifying element <NUM>, the indoor unit <NUM> can adjust the temperature of the supply air SA that passes through the second humidifying element <NUM> to the target space.

In the present modification, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first water supply flow path <NUM> for the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second water supply flow path <NUM> for the second humidifying element <NUM> may be branched from a single common flow path <NUM> that is connected to the water supply source. In this case, water at the same temperature can be supplied to both the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second humidifying element <NUM>. If the first water supply flow path <NUM> for the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second water supply flow path <NUM> for the second humidifying element <NUM> are connected to different water supply sources, water at a predetermined temperature may be supplied to at least one of the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second humidifying element <NUM>.

In the present modification, the temperature of the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second humidifying element <NUM> is controlled by adjusting the temperature of water supplied to the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second humidifying element <NUM>. If the substance to be collected is a substance, the active state of which changes depending on the temperature, for example, microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, the collected microorganisms can be inactivated by appropriately controlling the temperatures of the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second humidifying element <NUM>. Inactivation is to suppress the growth of microorganisms or to kill microorganisms. Thus, the growth of microorganisms adhering to the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second humidifying element <NUM> is suppressed, and the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second humidifying element <NUM> are deodorized.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the indoor unit <NUM> may further include a filter <NUM> having lower air flow resistance than the first humidifying element <NUM>. The filter <NUM> is disposed in the air flow path <NUM> inside the casing <NUM>. The filter <NUM> is disposed between the first humidifying element <NUM> and the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in the direction of the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>. The filter <NUM> collects foreign matter contained in the air that has passed through the first humidifying element <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may be disposed upstream of the first humidifying element <NUM> in the flow of the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>.

In the present modification, the indoor unit <NUM> may further include the second humidifying element <NUM> according to Modification A. In this case, the filter <NUM> may be disposed between the second humidifying element <NUM> and the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> or between the second humidifying element <NUM> and the indoor fan <NUM> in the direction of the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>.

The first humidifying element <NUM> has a structure in which a plurality of water-absorbing members are combined. The air passing through the first humidifying element <NUM> passes through a humidification flow path <NUM> (sixth flow path) that is a space between the plurality of combined water-absorbing members. As shown in <FIG>, when viewed along the direction of the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>, the first humidifying element <NUM> has a structure similar to a honeycomb structure in which a large number of cells are regularly arranged. Each cell in <FIG> represents the inlet or outlet of the humidification flow path <NUM>. In <FIG>, the flow of air flowing through the air flow path <NUM> is indicated by first arrow D1, and an example of the flow of air flowing through the humidification flow path <NUM> is indicated by second arrows D2 and D2'. The first arrow D1 indicates the flow direction of the air before passing through the first humidifying element <NUM> and after passing through the first humidifying element <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when viewed along the direction of the first arrow D1, the first humidifying element <NUM> has a configuration in which a first water-absorbing member 23a and a second water-absorbing member 23b are alternately arranged. The humidification flow path <NUM> corresponds to the space between the first water-absorbing member 23a and the second water-absorbing member 23b. In <FIG>, the first water-absorbing member 23a and the second water-absorbing member 23b extend along the vertical direction.

As shown in <FIG>, when viewed from the direction (direction of arrow V in <FIG>) orthogonal to the first arrow D1 and vertical direction, each of the first water-absorbing member 23a and the second water-absorbing member 23b is configured from a single water-absorbing element 23c. The water-absorbing element 23c is a plate-shaped member with V-shaped recessed and protruding portions formed at predetermined intervals along the direction (vertical direction) intersecting the direction of the first arrow D1. In <FIG>, solid lines represent protruding portions and dotted lines represent recessed portions. The second arrow D2 indicates an example of the flow of air along the recessed and protruding portions of the water-absorbing element 23c of the first water-absorbing member 23a. The second arrow D2' indicates an example of the flow of air along the recessed and protruding portions of the water-absorbing element 23c of the second water-absorbing member 23b. The second arrows D2 and D2' are along the recessed and protruding portions of the water-absorbing element 23c, and therefore are not parallel to the first arrow D1. The water retained by the water-absorbing element 23c flows while falling downward from above, for example.

When viewed along the first arrow D1, the water-absorbing elements 23c adjacent to each other along the direction in which the first water-absorbing member 23a and the second water-absorbing member 23b are aligned are arranged such that the orientations of the V-shapes of the recessed and protruding portions are opposite to each other. Specifically, in the first water-absorbing member 23a, as shown in <FIG>, the water-absorbing element 23c is disposed such that the V-shapes of the recessed and protruding portions are in as-is orientation. Furthermore, in the second water-absorbing member 23b, as shown in <FIG>, the water-absorbing element 23c is disposed such that the V-shapes of the recessed and protruding portions are in the upside-down orientation. Therefore, some of the air flowing in from one of the cells shown in <FIG> flows upward along the first water-absorbing member 23a, and the rest flows downward along the second water-absorbing member 23b. Thus, the air flowing through the humidification flow path <NUM> repeatedly divides and merges inside the first humidifying element <NUM>.

Therefore, in the present modification, the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM> tends to collide with the water-absorbing element 23c that retains water, when passing through the humidification flow path <NUM> of the first humidifying element <NUM>. Therefore, the air passing through the first humidifying element <NUM> is easily humidified, and the collection effect of the first humidifying element <NUM> in collecting the substance to be collected is enhanced.

The present modification can also be applied to the second humidifying element <NUM> according to Modification A.

The water supplied to the first humidifying element <NUM> may contain a component that inactivates the substance to be collected. For example, if the substance to be collected is bacteria, the water supplied to the first humidifying element <NUM> may be water containing a strongly oxidizing substance having bactericidal or antibacterial properties, such as hydroxy radicals and hydrogen peroxide. In this case, the water flowing over the surface of the first humidifying element <NUM> or the water retained on the surface of the first humidifying element <NUM> has the effect of promoting the inactivation of the substance to be collected. If the substance to be collected is non-living matter such as particulate matter, the water supplied to the first humidifying element <NUM> may be water containing a component that decomposes the substance to be collected or a component that reduces the influence of the substance to be collected on humans or animals.

In the present modification, the water flowing over the surface of the first humidifying element <NUM> or the water retained on the surface of the first humidifying element <NUM> has the effect of promoting the inactivation of the substance to be collected that adheres to the first humidifying element <NUM>. Thus, contamination of the first humidifying element <NUM> with the substance to be collected is suppressed, so that the first humidifying element <NUM> can be kept clean.

The present modification can also be applied to the water supplied to the second humidifying element <NUM> according to Modification A.

The water-absorbing members of the first humidifying element <NUM> may carry a substance that is hardly eluted in water and inactivates the substance to be collected. For example, the water-absorbing members of the first humidifying element <NUM> may carry an inorganic antibacterial agent, containing copper, silver, or the like, which is hardly eluted in water even when always in contact with water. For example, if the substance to be collected is bacteria, the antibacterial agent suppresses the growth of bacteria adhering to the first humidifying element <NUM> and deodorizes the first humidifying element <NUM>.

Similarly, the water-absorbing members of the second humidifying element <NUM> according to Modification A and the filter <NUM> according to Modification may carry an antibacterial agent. Thus, the growth of bacteria adhering to the second humidifying element <NUM> and the filter <NUM> is suppressed, and the second humidifying element <NUM> and the filter <NUM> are deodorized.

The water-absorbing members of the first humidifying element <NUM> may carry a hydrophilic photocatalyst. In this case, the indoor unit <NUM> further includes a light source that irradiates the first humidifying element <NUM> with light. The light source irradiates the first humidifying element <NUM> with visible light or ultraviolet light. When the photocatalyst is activated by the light emitted from the light source, the water retained in the water-absorbing members of the first humidifying element <NUM> is ionized, and a component that inactivates the substance to be collected is generated. If the substance to be collected is bacteria, the component that inactivates the substance to be collected is a strongly oxidizing substance having bactericidal or antibacterial properties, such as hydroxy radicals or hydrogen peroxide. In this case, the growth of bacteria adhering to the first humidifying element <NUM> is suppressed, and the first humidifying element <NUM> is deodorized.

In the present modification, the indoor unit <NUM> may further include a reflecting member that reflects light emitted from the light source. In this case, the light source does not directly irradiate the first humidifying element <NUM> with light but irradiates the reflecting member with light. Light emitted from the light source and reflected by the reflecting member is irradiated upon the first humidifying element <NUM> to generate a component that inactivates the substance to be collected. The reflecting member is, for example, a mirror.

Similarly, the water-absorbing members of the second humidifying element <NUM> according to Modification A and the filter <NUM> according to Modification B may carry an antibacterial agent. In this case, the indoor unit <NUM> further includes a light source that irradiates the second humidifying element <NUM> and the filter <NUM> with light. Thus, for example, the growth of bacteria adhering to the second humidifying element <NUM> and the filter <NUM> is suppressed, and the second humidifying element <NUM> and the filter <NUM> are deodorized. If the indoor unit <NUM> includes the reflecting member, light emitted from the light source and reflected by the reflecting member may be irradiated upon at least one of the first humidifying element <NUM>, the second humidifying element <NUM>, and the filter <NUM>.

The air conditioner <NUM> according to the embodiment includes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle for cooling operation, heating operation, and the like in a target space. However, the air conditioner <NUM> may be a ventilator including a total heat exchanger (corresponding to a "heat exchanger" disclosed in claim <NUM>). In this case, the ventilator corresponds to the air treatment apparatus according to the present invention. The total heat exchanger exchanges heat between exhaust air (corresponding to "fluid flowing through a first flow path" disclosed in claim <NUM>) discharged from the target space to the outdoors and supply air (corresponding to "air flowing through a second flow path" disclosed in claim <NUM>) supplied from the outdoors to the target space, thereby allowing both heat and moisture to be returned from the exhaust air to the supply air. In this case, the first humidifying element <NUM> according to the embodiment may be installed in the air flow path through which the supply air flows. At least one of the second humidifying element <NUM> according to Modification A and the filter <NUM> according to Modification B may be further installed in the air flow path through which the supply air flows.

Furthermore, the air conditioner <NUM> as a ventilator may include two adsorption heat exchangers, which are a first adsorption heat exchanger through which the exhaust air discharged from the target space to the outdoors passes and a second adsorption heat exchanger through which the supply air supplied from the outdoors to the target space passes. The adsorption heat exchangers are so-called cross-fin-type fin-and-tube heat exchangers with adsorbents carried on the surfaces. As the adsorbent, a material capable of adsorbing moisture in the air, such as zeolite, silica gel, activated carbon, and an organic polymer material having a hydrophilic functional group, is used. In this case, the air conditioner <NUM> as a ventilator may switch between the flow path through which the exhaust air flows and the flow path through which the supply air flows. In other words, it may be possible to alternately switch between a state in which the exhaust air passes through the first adsorption heat exchanger and the supply air passes through the second adsorption heat exchanger and a state in which the exhaust air passes through the second adsorption heat exchanger and the supply air passes through the first adsorption heat exchanger. In this case, the first humidifying element <NUM> according to the embodiment may be installed in the air flow path through which the supply air flows. At least one of the second humidifying element <NUM> according to Modification A and the filter <NUM> according to Modification B may be further installed in the air flow path through which the supply air flows.

In the present modification, the air conditioner <NUM> as a ventilator may further include a heat exchanger for adjusting the temperature of the supply air. In this case, the heat exchanger for temperature adjustment may be a heat exchanger that is mainly installed near the target space and exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the supply air, or may be a heat exchanger that is mainly installed at a place away from the target space and exchanges heat between a medium heat-exchanged with the refrigerant and the supply air. Furthermore, if the second humidifying element <NUM> is installed in the air flow path through which the supply air flows, water at a predetermined temperature may be supplied to the second humidifying element <NUM> as in Modification A. The water at the predetermined temperature is, for example, water cooled by heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle outside the ventilator.

The air conditioner <NUM> may be a device that does not have a refrigerant circuit for achieving the cooling function and the heating function. For example, the air conditioner <NUM> may be an air cleaner that removes foreign matter and the like from the air in the target space and sends clean air to the same target space. Alternatively, the air conditioner <NUM> may be an air cleaner that removes foreign matter and the like from the air in the target space and sends clean air to a different target space. In this case, the air treatment apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to the air conditioner <NUM>. The air conditioner <NUM> takes in indoor air, causes the indoor air to pass through the first humidifying element <NUM> and the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in this order, and supplies the air as supply air to the target space.

The air treatment apparatus according to the present invention may be an air handling unit <NUM>. The air handling unit <NUM> is an apparatus that is installed in a relatively large facility and supplies the indoors with temperature- and humidity-adjusted air from which foreign matter has been removed. The air handling unit <NUM> is installed indoors or outdoors. The air handling unit <NUM> according to the present modification has the same basic configuration as the indoor unit <NUM> according to the embodiment. Differences from the indoor unit <NUM> according to the embodiment will be mainly described below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the air handling unit <NUM> includes the first humidifying element <NUM>, the filter <NUM>, the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and the second humidifying element <NUM>.

Similarly to the embodiment, the first humidifying element <NUM> collects the substance to be collected, which is contained in the outdoor air OA and the indoor air RA, upstream of the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in the air flow path <NUM>.

Similarly to Modification B the filter <NUM> collects foreign matter contained in the air that has passed through the first humidifying element <NUM>.

Similarly to the embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> adjusts the temperature of the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>. The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> circulates cold water or hot water serving as a fluid (corresponding to "fluid flowing through a first flow path" disclosed in claim <NUM>) and adjusts the temperature of the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>. In this case, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> may have, for example, a cold-water pipe coil 21a through which cold water flows and a hot-water pipe coil 21b through which hot water flows. The cold water and hot water used as the fluid may be supplied from different water supply sources. The cold-water pipe coil 21a is used to lower the temperature of the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>. The hot-water pipe coil 21b is used to increase the temperature of the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>. The flow paths inside the cold-water pipe coil 21a and the hot-water pipe coil 21b correspond to the refrigerant flow path <NUM> according to the embodiment.

Similarly to Modification A, the second humidifying element <NUM> collects the substance to be collected that is contained in the air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>. The first humidifying element <NUM> and the second humidifying element <NUM> adjust the humidity of the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>.

In the present modification, as illustrated in <FIG>, the drain pan <NUM> is disposed below the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second humidifying element <NUM>. In the present modification, as illustrated in <FIG>, similarly to Modification A, the first water supply flow path <NUM> for the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second water supply flow path <NUM> for the second humidifying element <NUM> may be branched from the single common flow path <NUM> connected to the water supply source. In this case, water flowing through the single common flow path <NUM> may be supplied to the cold-water pipe coil 21a. Furthermore, water flowing through the single common flow path <NUM> may be heated and supplied to the hot-water pipe coil 21b.

The control unit of the indoor unit <NUM> may control the amount of water supplied from the first water supply flow path <NUM> to the first humidifying element <NUM> per unit time. For example, the control unit of the indoor unit <NUM> may perform control to increase the amount of water supplied to the first humidifying element <NUM> as the amount of the substance to be collected that is contained in the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM> increases. The amount of the substance to be collected is, for example, the mass of the substance to be collected that is contained in the air in the target space per unit volume. The amount of the substance to be collected is measured by, for example, a sensor installed in the target space. As the amount of water supplied to the first humidifying element <NUM> increases, the water containing the substance collected by the first humidifying element <NUM> more easily flows out from the first humidifying element <NUM>, so that the first humidifying element <NUM> can be kept clean.

The present modification can also be applied to the second humidifying element <NUM> according to Modification A. Specifically, the control unit of the indoor unit <NUM> may control the amount of water supplied from the second water supply flow path <NUM> to the second humidifying element <NUM> per unit time.

In the modifications described above, the indoor unit <NUM> may include a plurality of humidifying elements having different specifications. For example, as described in Modification A, the indoor unit <NUM> may include the first humidifying element <NUM> and the second humidifying element <NUM> having different specifications. The specifications of the humidifying elements are, for example, the amount of water that can be retained, the average time for which water is retained, and a usable temperature range. Similarly to the first humidifying element <NUM> according to the embodiment, each of the humidifying elements is supplied with water from the water supply flow path.

Since the indoor unit <NUM> includes the plurality of humidifying elements having different specifications, it is possible to efficiently inactivate multiple types of substances to be collected. For example, by supplying water at different temperatures to the plurality of humidifying elements depending on the type of substance to be collected, a specific type of substance to be collected can be efficiently inactivated by a specific humidifying element.

In the present modification, the plurality of humidifying elements are arranged in the air flow path <NUM> inside the casing <NUM>. The positions of the plurality of humidifying elements are not limited. For example, all the plurality of humidifying elements may be disposed upstream or downstream of the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in the flow of the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>. Furthermore, some of the plurality of humidifying elements may be disposed upstream of the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in the flow of air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>, and the rest may be disposed downstream.

The first humidifying element <NUM> may be configured to be replaceable. Specifically, the indoor unit <NUM> may have a mechanism that allows the first humidifying element <NUM> to be easily removed or attached. In this case, maintenance work such as replacement and cleaning of the first humidifying element <NUM> becomes easier.

In the present modification, the indoor unit <NUM> may include the first humidifying element <NUM> having a configuration suitable for the type of substance to be collected. For example, if the first humidifying element <NUM> has the water-absorbing element 23c such as shown in <FIG>, the appropriate interval of the V-shaped recessed and protruding portions of the water-absorbing element 23c varies depending on the type of substance to be collected and the flow rate of the air flowing through the air flow path <NUM>. Therefore, since the first humidifying element <NUM> is configured to be replaceable, the indoor unit <NUM> can include the appropriate first humidifying element <NUM>, so that the substance to be collected can be efficiently collected.

In Modification C, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, each of the first water-absorbing member 23a and the second water-absorbing member 23b may have a configuration in which the plurality of water-absorbing elements 23c are arranged along the first arrow D1. In <FIG> and <FIG>, solid lines represent protruding portions and dotted lines represent recessed portions. In this case, in each of the first water-absorbing member 23a and the second water-absorbing member 23b, the water-absorbing elements 23c adjacent to each other along the first arrow D1 are arranged such that the V-shaped orientations are opposite to each other. Thus, the second arrows D2 and D2' have zigzag shapes along the recessed and protruding portions of the first water-absorbing member 23a and the second water-absorbing member 23b. Therefore, the second arrows D2 and D2' are not parallel to the first arrow D1.

In the present modification, the plurality of water-absorbing elements 23c arranged along the first arrow D1 may be used under different conditions. For example, at least one of the amount, speed, and temperature of water flowing through each of the plurality of water-absorbing elements 23c arranged along the first arrow D1 may be different from each other. The temperature and humidity at which the effect of inactivating the substance to be collected is the highest vary depending on the type of substance to be collected. Therefore, at least one of the amount, speed, and temperature of water flowing through the water-absorbing elements 23c is made different among the plurality of water-absorbing elements 23c arranged along the first arrow D1, so that the first humidifying element <NUM> can efficiently inactivate the multiple types of substances to be collected.

Furthermore, the types of components, which are contained in the water flowing through the water-absorbing elements 23c and inactivate the substance to be collected, may be different among the plurality of water-absorbing elements 23c arranged along the first arrow D1. The component that is highly effective in inactivating the substance to be collected varies depending on the type of substance to be collected. Therefore, the types of components, which are contained in the water flowing through the water-absorbing elements 23c and inactivate the substance to be collected, are made different among the plurality of water-absorbing elements 23c arranged along the first arrow D1, so that the first humidifying element <NUM> can efficiently inactivate the multiple types of substances to be collected.

Furthermore, in the present modification, the recessed and protruding portions of the water-absorbing elements 23c of the first water-absorbing member 23a and the second water-absorbing member 23b do not have to be V-shaped. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the recessed and protruding portions of the water-absorbing elements 23c may have a linear shape extending along a direction not parallel to the first arrow D1. In <FIG>, solid lines represent protruding portions and dotted lines represent recessed portions. In this case, as shown in <FIG>, by arranging the plurality of water-absorbing elements 23c along the first arrow D1, the humidification flow path <NUM> can be formed in a V shape, as in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
An air treatment apparatus (<NUM>,<NUM>) comprising:
a heat exchanger (<NUM>) configured to exchange heat between a fluid flowing through a first flow path (<NUM>) and air flowing through a second flow path (<NUM>); and
a first collection member (<NUM>) that is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger in a flow of the air flowing through the second flow path and is configured to collect a substance contained in the air flowing to the heat exchanger,
a third flow path (<NUM>) for supplying water at a predetermined temperature to the first collection member
wherein the first collection member has a surface over which water flows or a surface on which water is retained,wherein the air treatment apparatus is configured to promote an inactivation of a substance collected by the first collection member and to adjust a temperature of the air that passes through the first collection member to a target space whose temperature is to be at least adjusted, by supplying water at the predetermined temperature to the first collection member.