WO2006049244A1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

An air conditioner having an indoor unit provided with a function for automatically cleaning an air filter, the air conditioner having an air filter for collecting dust in the air, a suction nozzle having a hole that is movable along the air filter, in the left and right directions of the indoor unit, and sucks dust adhered to the air filter, and a means for detecting accumulated operation time of the air conditioner Automatic cleaning of the air filter is carried out when the accumulated operation time of the air conditioner detected by the accumulated operation time detecting means exceeds a predetermined time.

Description

 Specification

 Air conditioner

 Technical field

 [0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner having an indoor unit with an air filter automatic cleaning function.

 Background art

 FIG. 7 shows an indoor unit 701 of a conventional air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 7, air sucked by a fan 702 is cooled or heated by a heat exchanger 703 and then blown into the room. . The air filter 704 is bent along the back of the inlet of the indoor unit 701 to prevent dust drifting in the air from entering the interior of the indoor unit 701, and the top surface is horizontal. . The air filter is configured to be detachable so that the attached dust can be cleaned by hand.

 [0003] In addition, as an air conditioner in which the air filter can be easily cleaned, a belt-shaped filter that is drawn out and taken up by a motor, a dust removing member that removes dust adhering to the filter, and dust removed by the dust removing member There is known a filter device having a dust box that collects waste water, which is installed on the back surface of the suction panel suction port (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

 Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-99479 (pages 3-4, Fig. 1)

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problems to be solved by the invention

 [0004] However, in the air conditioner shown in FIG. 7, the air filter 704 is removed from the indoor unit 701 in accordance with the frequency of use, and is cleaned regularly with water or with a vacuum cleaner. Maintenance is required. In addition, if maintenance is performed without regular maintenance, dust accumulates on the air filter 704, increasing the airflow resistance of the intake air, resulting in decreased air conditioner performance and increased power consumption. It was.

[0005] Further, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, dust attached to the belt-like filter wound up or down by the drive motor is collected in the dust box, so that the dust exceeds the amount held in the dust box. Dust must be disposed of before and regular maintenance When it is necessary, it has a problem.

 [0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and is an air conditioner with improved convenience that does not require periodic maintenance by automatically cleaning the air filter. For the purpose of providing a machine!

 Means for solving the problem

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an air conditioner having an indoor unit with an automatic cleaning function for an air filter, the air filter collecting dust in the air, and the air filter. Equipped with a suction nozzle with a suction hole that can move in the left-right direction of the indoor unit and suck dust adhering to the air filter, and a cumulative operation time detection means for detecting the cumulative operation time of the air conditioner The air filter is automatically cleaned when the cumulative operating time of the air conditioner detected by the cumulative operating time detecting means exceeds a predetermined time.

 [0008] When the air conditioner is operated for the first time after cleaning the air filter, it is preferable to set the predetermined time longer than in other cases.

[0009] Further, dust amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust in the air is further provided so that the air filter is automatically cleaned when the dust amount detected by the dust amount detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Rub it with a rub.

[0010] Further, instead of the above-described accumulated operation time detecting means, an accumulated stop time detecting means for detecting the accumulated stop time of the air conditioner is provided, and the air conditioner detected by the accumulated stop time detecting means If the accumulated stop time exceeds the specified time, the air filter may be automatically cleaned.

 In this case, only a part of the air filter may be automatically cleaned.

 The invention's effect

 [0012] According to the present invention, the cumulative operation time detecting means for detecting the cumulative operation time of the air conditioner is provided, and when the cumulative operation time of the air conditioner exceeds a predetermined time, the air filter is automatically cleaned. As a result, regular maintenance is not required and convenience is improved.

[0013] In addition, when the air conditioner is operated for the first time after cleaning the air filter, it is different from the other cases. If the predetermined time described above is set longer, unnecessary air filter cleaning can be reduced as much as possible, and noise and unnecessary power consumption associated with cleaning can be reduced.

 [0014] Further, if dust amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust in the air is further provided so that the air filter is automatically cleaned when the dust amount is a predetermined value or more, the dust adheres to the air filter. The amount of air can be detected accurately and the air filter can be automatically cleaned at an appropriate time, preventing unnecessary cleaning.

 [0015] Furthermore, instead of the cumulative operation time detection means, cumulative stop time detection means for detecting the cumulative stop time of the air conditioner is provided, and when the cumulative stop time exceeds a predetermined time, the air filter is automatically cleaned. Even if it is done, regular maintenance is not necessary and convenience is improved.

 [0016] Further, dust adhesion during operation stop concentrates on the upper surface of the air filter. Therefore, when the air filter is automatically cleaned based on the accumulated stop time, only the upper surface of the air filter is cleaned. Cleaning can be performed efficiently in a short time, and unnecessary power consumption can be reduced.

 Brief Description of Drawings

 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air filter cleaning mechanism provided in an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

 [FIG. 2A] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a suction arch I nozzle provided in the air filter cleaning mechanism of FIG.

 FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2A.

 [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram when the entire surface of the air filter is cleaned by the suction nozzle of FIG. 2A.

 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigeration cycle and a control circuit of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

 FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing automatic cleaning control of the air filter according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing automatic cleaning control of an air filter according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional air conditioner indoor unit. Explanation of symbols

 101 Filter frame

 101a Top surface

 101b Bottom surface

 102 Filter network

 103 Suction Nozure

 104 guide rail

 105 Suction duct

 106 Suction device

 107 Exhaust duct

 201 Suction nozzle body

 202 Slit-shaped opening

 203 Belt

 204 Suction hole

 205 Belt guide

 301 Suction Nozure

 302 belt

 303 Suction hole

 304 Air filter

 401 air conditioner

 402 outdoor unit

 403 indoor unit

 404 compressor

 405 four-way valve

 406 expansion valve

 407 Outdoor heat exchange

408 Outdoor fan 409 Discharge temperature sensor

 410 Outdoor piping temperature sensor

 411 Outside air temperature sensor

 412 Indoor heat exchanger

 412a Front heat exchanger

 412b Rear heat exchanger

 413 Indoor fan

 414 Air filter cleaning mechanism

 415 dry two-way valve

 416 Firefly Tube

 417 Indoor piping temperature sensor

 418 Suction temperature sensor

 419 Humidity sensor

 420 Outdoor control unit

 421 Indoor control unit

 422 Dust sensor

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air filter cleaning mechanism provided in an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the air filter that removes dust from the air passing through the heat exchangers is composed of a filter frame 101 and a filter net 102. The filter frame 101 has a bent middle portion. Thus, the upper surface portion 101a is configured to be horizontal or close to the shape, and the lower surface portion 101b is configured to be vertical. A suction nozzle 103 that is movable along the surface of the air filter is provided. The suction nozzle 103 can move smoothly to the left and right while maintaining a certain distance from the air filter by the guide rails 104 installed at the upper and lower ends of the filter frame 101. One end of a suction duct 105 is connected to the suction nozzle 103, and the other end of the suction duct 105 is connected to a suction device 106. The suction duct 105 is a duct that can be bent so that it does not interfere with the movement of the suction nozzle 103. Formed with. Further, an exhaust duct 107 is connected to the suction device 106 and is routed outside the room. Dust adhering to the air filter is sucked from the suction nozzle 103 and discharged to the outside through the suction duct 105, the suction device 106, and the exhaust duct 107.

 [0021] When the filter device having the above configuration is built in a small air conditioner for general households, it is necessary to reduce the size and output of the suction device, so that a strong suction force can be exhibited with a small air volume. The suction nozzle 103 is set so as to clean the entire surface of the filter by switching the position by increasing the suction force by narrowing the suction to a part.

 FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the suction nozzle 103, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view thereof.

 As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the suction nozzle body 201 is provided with a long slit-like opening 202 corresponding to the entire length of the air filter, and a belt 203 that can be driven along the opening 202. By providing the suction hole 204, the suction can be performed from only a part of the opening 202, and the place of suction can be changed by driving the belt 203. Further, since the belt 203 follows the suction nozzle main body 201, the belt 203 is covered with a belt guide 205 formed integrally with the suction nozzle main body 201 by welding or bonding. With such a configuration, the air velocity of the suction hole is increased because the air is narrowed to a small suction hole even with a small air volume, and a strong suction force can be exhibited even with a small suction device.

 As shown in FIG. 3, the entire surface of the air filter is cleaned by driving the belt 302 of the suction nozzle 301 to change the vertical position of the suction hole 303 and moving the suction nozzle 301 to the left and right along the air filter 304. The suction hole 303 is swept as shown by the arrow in the figure. In FIG. 3, the suction hole 303 is set to a length of 1Z4, which is the total length of the air filter, and the entire surface of the air filter is cleaned by two reciprocating sweep operations as indicated by arrows in the figure.

 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigeration cycle and a control circuit of an air conditioner that is useful in the present invention.

 In FIG. 4, an air conditioner 401 is composed of an outdoor unit 402 and an indoor unit 403.

The outdoor unit 403 is provided with a compressor 404, a four-way valve 405, an expansion valve 406, an outdoor heat exchange 407, an outdoor fan 408, a discharge temperature sensor 409, an outdoor pipe temperature sensor 410, and an outdoor temperature sensor 411. ing. Indoor unit 403 〖is indoor heat exchanger 412, indoor fan 413, air filter cleaner 414, indoor piping temperature sensor 417, suction temperature sensor 418, humidity sensor 419, dust sensor 422 for detecting the amount of dust in the air, In addition, a suction unit, a blowing unit, upper and lower blades, and left and right blades (not shown) are provided. The outdoor unit 402 and the indoor unit 403 are connected so as to form a refrigeration cycle, and cooling operation and heating are performed by switching the four-way valve 405. One of the operations is performed.

[0027] The indoor heat exchanger 412 is divided into a front heat exchanger 412a and a rear heat exchanger 412b, and the front heat exchanger 412a and the rear heat exchanger 412b are provided with a dry two-way valve 415 and a mechanical force. They are connected via a throttle mechanism consisting of a tube 416. When the dry two-way valve 415 is fully opened, cooling operation or heating operation is performed, the dry two-way valve 415 is closed, and the expansion valve 406 is fully opened or substantially fully opened, so that the front heat exchange 412 _a is Since the condenser and rear heat exchanger 41 2b can be used as an evaporator, it is possible to perform a dehumidifying operation! /

 [0028] In addition, the outdoor unit 402 and the indoor unit 403 are respectively provided with an outdoor control unit 420 and an indoor control unit 421, and both the control units 420 and 421 are electrically connected to each other. Various operations are controlled.

 The operation and action of the air conditioner having the above configuration will be described below.

 [0030] Embodiment 1.

 FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the automatic cleaning control of the air filter in the first embodiment of the present invention.

 As shown in FIG. 5, first, in step 501, it is determined whether or not the accumulated time of the stop time of the air conditioner measured by the count of the timer provided in the indoor control unit 421 has passed a predetermined time. If this determination is YES, it is determined that dust is accumulated on the upper surface of the air filter, and only the upper surface of the air filter is automatically cleaned in step 502. On the other hand, if the determination in step 501 is NO, the process proceeds to step 503.

 [0032] It should be noted that the cumulative time of the air conditioner stop time described above is the total time during which the air conditioner is stopped, which is assumed to be attached with an amount of dust that can be sucked by operating the suction device 106 once. Set to 360 hours.

[0033] In step 503, it is determined whether this is the first operation after the previous cleaning, and YES. If NO, go to step 504, otherwise go to step 505. In step 504, it is determined whether the accumulated time of the operation time of the air conditioner measured by the timer count has exceeded a predetermined time. If this determination is YES, the air filter automatic is determined in step 506. While cleaning is performed, if NO, return to step 504.

 [0034] The amount of dust that can be sucked by operating the suction device 106 once is assumed to be the amount that adheres to the air filter after operating the air conditioner for about 24 hours. When operating for the first time, the amount of dust adhering to the air filter is small, so the cumulative operating time of the air conditioner described above is set to 48 hours, for example, twice that of 24 hours.

 [0035] Further, in step 505, it is determined whether the accumulated time of the operation time of the air conditioner measured by the count of the timer has passed a predetermined time. If this determination is YES, the process proceeds to step 506. On the other hand, if NO, return to step 505.

 [0036] Since it is considered that a certain amount of dust adheres to the air filter at the time other than the first operation after cleaning, the cumulative time of the operation time of the air conditioner in this case is that the suction device 106 is 1 The total time during which the air conditioner is assumed to be attached by the amount of dust that can be sucked by rotating operation, for example, 24 hours.

 [0037] As described above, in the first embodiment, when the air conditioner is stopped, dust easily adheres to the upper surface portion of the air filter that extends substantially horizontally. Therefore, only the relevant portion is cleaned. As a result, the cleaning time is shortened and unnecessary power consumption is reduced. In addition, since the air filter is automatically cleaned based on the accumulated operation time of the air conditioner, the cleaning work can be performed easily and efficiently. In addition, when operating the air conditioner for the first time after cleaning the air filter, set the cumulative operation time for judging the cleaning of the air filter to be longer than in other cases to minimize unnecessary cleaning. Noise and power consumption associated with cleaning are reduced, improving convenience.

[0038] Embodiment 2.

 FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing automatic air filter cleaning control according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, in step 601, the amount of dust floating in the air is detected by the dust sensor 422. If it is detected and the detected dust amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step 602. If it does not reach the predetermined value, the process returns to step 601. In step 602, when the amount of dust in the air is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined whether or not the accumulated time of the operation time of the air conditioner has passed a predetermined time. If this determination is YES, In step 603, the air filter is automatically cleaned. If NO, the process returns to step 601.

[0040] Note that the predetermined value of the dust amount described above refers to ten states in, for example, lcm ² Zs, where the amount of dust in the living space determined experimentally is large. In addition, the predetermined time of the cumulative operating time of the air conditioner described above is that when 10 or more dusts adhere to the air filter in lcm ² Zs, the amount of dust that can be sucked by operating the suction device 106 once is attached. The total time during the operation of the assumed air conditioner, for example, is set to about 12 hours.

 [0041] As described above, in Embodiment 2, by detecting the amount of dust in the air around the air conditioner, it is possible to accurately detect the amount of dust attached to the air filter. In addition, automatic cleaning of the air filter is performed at an appropriate time, preventing unnecessary cleaning and improving convenience.

 Industrial applicability

[0042] As described above, the air conditioner according to the present invention automatically cleans the air filter automatically, so that regular maintenance is not required and convenience is improved. Applicable to various air conditioners.

Claims

The scope of the claims  [1] An air conditioner having an indoor unit with an air filter automatic cleaning function,  An air filter that collects dust in the air, a suction nozzle that is movable in the left-right direction of the indoor unit along the air filter and that has a suction hole for sucking dust adhering to the air filter, and an air And a cumulative operation time detecting means for detecting the cumulative operation time of the air conditioner. When the cumulative operation time of the air conditioner detected by the cumulative operation time detection means exceeds a predetermined time, the air filter is automatically cleaned. An air conditioner characterized in that it is performed.  [2] The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the air conditioner is operated for the first time after cleaning the air filter, the predetermined time is set longer than in other cases.  [3] A dust amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust in the air is further provided, and the air filter is automatically cleaned when the dust amount detected by the dust amount detection means exceeds a predetermined value. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein:  [4] An air conditioner having an indoor unit with an air filter automatic cleaning function,  An air filter that collects dust in the air, a suction nozzle that is movable in the left-right direction of the indoor unit along the air filter and that has a suction hole for sucking dust adhering to the air filter, and an air And a cumulative stop time detecting means for detecting the cumulative stop time of the air conditioner. When the cumulative stop time of the air conditioner detected by the cumulative stop time detecting means exceeds a predetermined time, the air filter is automatically cleaned. An air conditioner characterized in that it is performed.  [5] The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein only a part of the air filter is automatically cleaned.