CN108139111B

CN108139111B - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: CN108139111B
Application number: CN201680051080.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 宫城稳; 川村政贵
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2015-10-23
Filing date: 2016-08-29
Publication date: 2021-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-29
Also published as: JP2017083040A; WO2017068862A1; CN108139111A; JP6633345B2; EP3367015A1; EP3367015A4

Abstract

An object is to provide an air conditioner capable of improving convenience. An air conditioner (1) is provided with: a box body (2) provided with an air suction port (4) and an air blowing port (5); an air passage (6) that communicates the suction port (4) and the discharge port (5) provided in the case (2); a blower (7) disposed in the air passage (6); and a wind direction plate unit (10) which is detachable and has a wind direction plate (12) that changes the wind direction of the air sent out from the air outlet (5) in the left-right direction, in the air conditioner (1), the wind direction plate unit (10) comprises a base part (11) formed by the lower wall of the downstream side end part of the air passage (6) and a bottom wall part (14) forming the bottom wall of the box body (2).

Description

Air conditioner

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air conditioner including an air direction plate that changes an air direction of an air outlet in a left-right direction.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a conventional air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a case mounted on an upper portion of a side wall of a room with an opening for an air suction port and an air discharge port, and an air passage for communicating the suction port and the air discharge port is formed in the case. The air passage is provided with a blower and a heat exchanger. Further, a detachable wind direction plate unit is provided on the upper wall of the air passage on the downstream side of the blower.

The wind vane unit includes a base portion, a plurality of vertical wind vanes, a coupling portion, and an operation portion. The base portion has an engaging portion that engages with an upper wall of the air passage. The vertical wind direction plates are erected side by side in the left-right direction on the base section and can rotate in the left-right direction. The connecting part is connected with a plurality of vertical wind direction plates. The operation portion is provided at a central portion in the left-right direction of the connection portion, and the vertical wind vane rotates in the left-right direction when a user operates the operation portion.

Further, the air outlet is provided with a plurality of cross wind direction plates which are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction and are detachable with respect to the box body. The horizontal wind direction plate is rotated in the vertical direction, and the wind direction of the air sent out from the air outlet is made variable in the vertical direction.

By driving the blower, the air in the room flows into the air passage from the air inlet, and the air that has exchanged heat with the heat exchanger is sent out to the room from the air outlet. At this time, the direction of the air blown out from the air outlet is made variable in the left-right direction by the operation of the operation portion of the wind direction plate unit.

In a state where the rotation of the blower is stopped, the user releases the engagement of the engagement portion after the horizontal wind vane is detached, and holds and pulls down the wind vane unit, thereby detaching the wind vane unit. Thus, the user can easily clean the air vane and also easily clean the air passage and the blower through the air outlet.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Japanese patent publication No. 3306250 (page 4, page 5, FIG. 3)

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

However, according to the above-described conventional air conditioner, the user needs to release the engagement between the wind direction plate unit and the upper wall of the air passage by putting his hand from the air outlet into the air passage. Therefore, the work of detaching the louver unit from the case becomes complicated, and there is a problem that the convenience of the air conditioner is low.

The invention aims to provide an air conditioner capable of improving convenience.

Means for solving the problems

To achieve the above object, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes:

a box body provided with an air suction inlet and an air outlet;

an air passage that communicates the suction port and the discharge port provided in the casing;

a blower disposed in the air passage; and

a wind direction plate unit which is detachable and has a wind direction plate for changing the wind direction of the air sent out from the air outlet in the left-right direction,

in the air conditioner, the wind direction plate unit includes a base portion formed by a lower wall of the downstream end of the air passage, and a bottom wall portion forming a bottom wall of the casing.

In the air conditioner of the present invention configured as described above, it is preferable that the air vane unit is attached to and detached from the air outlet so as to slide in the blowing direction of the air outlet.

In addition, the present invention preferably provides the air conditioner configured as described above, further including: a wind vane motor disposed in the case; and a connecting portion which is rotatably attached to the base portion and connects the shaft portion of the wind vane motor and the wind vane, wherein the connecting portion has a groove portion which is opened at a rear end and allows the shaft portion to enter, and is passively fitted and supported in a through hole provided in the base portion.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, it is preferable that the two side walls of the groove portion are inclined in a direction away from each other as they go rearward.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, it is preferable that the through-hole is formed in an elliptical shape having a major axis arranged in a lateral direction.

In addition, the present invention preferably provides the air conditioner configured as described above, further including: an engaging portion disposed in the case; a moving member that is disposed between the bottom wall portion and the base portion of the wind direction plate unit and that engages with the engagement portion by a biasing force of a biasing portion; and a pressing portion that can be pressed by an opening that opens to the bottom wall portion, wherein the moving member moves by pressing the pressing portion, and the engagement with the engagement portion is released.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, it is preferable that the base portion has an outer surface provided with an uneven portion, and the pressing portion and the uneven portion are disposed at the same position in the left-right direction.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, it is preferable that the air conditioner further includes a detachable detection sensor for detecting detachment of the air vane unit, and the drive of the blower is prohibited when the air vane unit is detached.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, it is preferable that the attachment/detachment detection sensor is a push-button switch, an arm member facing the push button of the attachment/detachment detection sensor is provided, and the push button is slid and pressed on the arm member when the wind direction plate unit is attached.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, it is preferable that the air conditioner further includes a human body sensor for detecting a human body in the room, and the air flow is sent out from the air outlet while avoiding the human body by the wind direction plate.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, it is preferable that the air conditioner further includes an operation lever connected to the human detection sensor and configured to change a direction of the human detection sensor in a left-right direction, and a lid portion configured to cover the operation lever and to be openable and closable.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, it is preferable that a recess is provided at a tip end of the operation lever, a protrusion fitted into the recess is provided at the cover, and one of the following states is selected and held so that the orientation of the human detection sensor is variable in three directions, the states including: a first state in which the right side surface of the operation lever inclined to the left is locked by the protrusion; a second state in which the protrusion is fitted in the recess of the operating lever; and a third state in which the left side surface of the operation lever inclined to the right is locked by the protrusion.

Further, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes:

a box body provided with an air suction inlet and an air outlet;

a blower disposed in the air passage; and

a wind direction plate unit which is detachable and has a wind direction plate for changing the wind direction of the air sent out from the air outlet in the left-right direction, characterized in that:

the air conditioner includes an operation lever connected to the human detection sensor and configured to change a direction of the human detection sensor in a left-right direction, and a lid portion configured to cover the operation lever and to be openable and closable.

Effects of the invention

According to the air conditioner of the present invention, the detachable louver unit having the louver for changing the direction of the air blown out from the air outlet in the left-right direction includes the base portion formed by the lower wall of the downstream end of the air passage and the bottom wall portion forming the bottom wall of the case. Thus, the user can easily remove the louver unit without performing a removal operation in the air passage away from the air outlet. Therefore, the convenience of the air conditioner can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a wind direction plate unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a wind direction plate unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a wind direction plate unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a rear cross-sectional view of a louver unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a rear cross-sectional view showing a lock mechanism when the air vane of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention is locked.

Fig. 8 is a rear cross-sectional view showing the lock mechanism when the wind direction plate of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention is unlocked.

Fig. 9 is a top cross-sectional view showing an engaging portion of a wind direction plate of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a front perspective view showing a connection portion of a wind direction plate of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a bottom end view showing a connection portion of wind direction plates of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a sectional perspective view showing a loading/unloading sensor of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a plan view showing a loading/unloading sensing sensor of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a side view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a human detection sensor of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of a motion sensor of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a front view of an operation lever of an air conditioner of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a top sectional view of the operation lever when the motion sensor of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention is oriented to the left.

Fig. 20 is a top cross-sectional view of the operation lever when the motion sensor of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention is facing the front surface.

Fig. 21 is a top sectional view of the operation lever when the motion sensor of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention is oriented to the right.

Fig. 22 is a front view of the human detection sensor of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as it is oriented to the left.

Fig. 23 is a front view of the human detection sensor of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front.

Fig. 24 is a front view of the human detection sensor of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as it is oriented to the right.

Fig. 25 is a plan view of a wind direction plate of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

< first embodiment >

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. The air conditioner 1 is installed on an indoor wall surface, and constitutes an indoor unit connected to an outdoor unit (not shown) installed outdoors. The air conditioner 1 instructs start and stop of operation and the like by operation of a remote controller (not shown).

The air conditioner 1 includes a casing 2 attached to a side wall W (see fig. 2) in the room, and a front panel 3 forming a front surface of the casing 2 is detachably provided to the casing 2. The case 2 is supported by engaging a claw portion (not shown) provided at the rear portion of the side surface with a mounting plate (not shown) mounted at a similar height to the top surface S (see fig. 2) of the side wall W.

A suction port 4 extending in the left-right direction is opened in the upper surface of the casing 2, and a discharge port 5 is opened in the lower portion of the casing 2. The air outlet 5 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction of the casing 2, and is directed downward. When the operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped, the air outlet 5 is closed by the one bent air guide panel 80.

Fig. 2 shows a side sectional view of the air conditioner 1. An air passage 6 that communicates the suction port 4 and the discharge port 5 is provided in the casing 2. A blower 7 for sending out air is disposed in the air passage 6. The air in the room is caused to flow into the air passage 6 from the air inlet 4 by the driving of the blower 7, and is sent out from the air outlet 5. As the blower 7, a cross flow fan is preferably used, but other types of blowers may be used.

A heat exchanger 8 is disposed between the suction port 4 and the blower 7 in the air passage 6. The heat exchanger 8 is connected to a compressor (not shown) disposed in the outdoor unit and configured to operate a refrigeration cycle, and exchanges heat with air flowing through the air passage 6. As a result, during the cooling operation and the heating operation of the air conditioner 1, the air guide panel 80 is opened, and the cold air and the warm air are sent out from the air outlet 5 into the room, respectively. A drain pan 9 is provided below the heat exchanger 8.

The air passage 6 forms a duct-like outlet passage 63 between the blower 7 and the outlet 5. The upper and lower surfaces of the blowing path 63 are formed by an upper wall 63a and a lower wall 63b, and the left and right surfaces are formed by side walls (not shown) that support the blower 7. Further, the front of the upper and lower walls 63a and 63b are inclined downward, and the blowout passages 63 are inclined to guide the airflow forward and downward.

An air vane unit 10 that is detachable from the casing 2 is provided in the vicinity of the air outlet 5 in the air outlet passage 63. The wind vane unit 10 has a plurality of wind vanes 12 rotatable in the left-right direction. This allows the direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 5 to be varied in the left-right direction. Further, a guide member (not shown) for guiding the louver unit 10 to the mounting position is provided near the terminal end of the air passage 6 of the case 2. The louver unit 10 is attached and detached by the guide member moving smoothly along the blowing direction of the outlet 5. The details of the louver unit 10 will be described later.

The air guide panel 80 is supported by an arm member (not shown) that extends and contracts and is provided in the casing 2 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. As shown in fig. 2, the air guide panel 80 closes the air outlet 5 when the operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped. This makes it impossible to see the inside of the air passage 6, thereby improving the appearance of the air conditioner 1.

During the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1, the air guide panel 80 rotates to the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line X, and guides the conditioned air sent out from the air outlet 5 in the horizontal direction or in the upward direction as indicated by the arrow a. During the heating operation of the air conditioner 1, the air guide panel 80 rotates to the position of the two-dot chain line Y, and guides the conditioned air sent out from the air outlet 5 downward as indicated by the arrow B. Thereby, the wind direction of the conditioned air sent out from the air outlet 5 is vertically variable by the wind guide panel 80.

A filter 70 is disposed between the suction port 4 and the heat exchanger 8 so as to face the suction port 4 and extend in the left-right direction. The filter 70 is disposed across the front end portion to the rear end portion of the case 2, and captures and collects dust in the air flowing into the air passage 6 through the suction port 4. The filter 70 is formed by welding a polypropylene mesh (not shown) to a rectangular frame (not shown) having a plurality of rows and columns of windows made of synthetic resin such as ABS. Racks (not shown) that mesh with pinions (not shown) provided on the case 2 are formed on the left and right ends of the frame of the filter 70.

The case 2 is provided with a filter cleaning device 50 that removes and collects dust adhering to the filter 70. The filter cleaning device 50 includes a filter motor (not shown), a rotary brush 51, a dust box 52, and a guide frame 53.

The filter motor rotationally drives a pinion gear that meshes with the rack of the filter 70. The guide frame 53 is disposed at an upper portion in the case 2, and guides the filter 70 moved by the filter motor. The filter 70 is reciprocally moved between a capture collection position C opposed to the suction port 4 and a reverse position D reversed up and down with respect to the capture collection position C by driving of the filter motor.

The dust box 52 is disposed below the guide frame 53 and is detachable from the case 2. The rotary brush 51 is disposed on the dust box 52 and is rotationally driven by a brush motor (not shown). The rotating brush 51 removes dust on the moving filter 70, and the removed dust is accumulated in the dust box 52.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the louver unit 10 viewed from the back side thereof. Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of the wind direction plate unit 10, and shows a state where the wind direction plate unit 10 is attached to the casing 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the louver unit 10. Fig. 6 is a rear cross-sectional view of the louver unit 10. The wind vane unit 10 includes a base portion 11, a plurality of wind vanes 12, a connecting portion 13, and a bottom wall portion 14.

The base portion 11 is formed by a lower wall 63b of the downstream end of the air passage 6. When the louver unit 10 is attached to the casing 2, the upper surface of the base portion 11 is flush with the upper surface of the lower wall 63b on the upstream side of the base portion 11. Through holes 11a and protruding portions 15 protruding laterally are provided at both side ends of the base portion 11. The through hole 11a is formed in a substantially elliptical shape with its major axis arranged in the left-right direction, and notches 11g (see fig. 11) are provided at the left and right ends of the through hole 11 a. The plurality of wind direction plates 12 are erected side by side in the left-right direction on the base portion 11 and are rotatable in the left-right direction.

The connection portion 13 has: an insertion portion 13c (see fig. 10) having a groove portion 13a and inserted into the through hole 11 a; and a connecting rod 13b connected to the plurality of wind direction plates 12 connected to the insertion portion 13 c. A cap portion 22 provided on a shaft portion 21 of a wind vane motor 20 described later is detachably fitted to the groove portion 13 a. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the insertion portion 13c is formed in a substantially circular shape, and the insertion portion 13c includes two engagement portions 13d (see fig. 11) protruding from the peripheral surface, and a flange portion 13e (see fig. 10) provided above the engagement portions 13d and covering the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 11a from above the base portion 11. After the engagement portion 13d is inserted into the notch portion 11g, the insertion portion 13c is rotated. Thus, the peripheral edge of the through hole 11a is disposed between the engaging portion 13d and the flange portion 13e, and the insertion portion 13c is passively fitted (locked) into the rotatable through hole 11a of the base portion 11.

The bottom wall portion 14 is connected to the front end of the base portion 11 (the end of the lower wall 63b of the air passage 6) to form the bottom wall of the case 2. Further, the right and left portions of the wind vane unit 10 are provided with lock mechanisms 100 that lock the wind vane unit 10 to the housing 2.

Fig. 7 and 8 are rear cross-sectional views of the left lock mechanism 100 of the wind direction plate unit 10, and show the locking and unlocking states, respectively. Since the right lock mechanism 100 has the same configuration as the left lock mechanism 100, the left lock mechanism 100 will be described below as a representative.

The lock mechanism 100 includes an engagement portion 16 (see fig. 9), an urging portion 17, a moving member 18, and a pressing portion 19. Fig. 9 is a top sectional view of the left end of the lower end of the casing 2. The engaging portion 16 is a recess provided at the left end of the lower end of the case 2 and having an opening on the side surface. The engaging portion 16 is provided with an inclined surface 25 in front thereof so as to approach the center of the case 2 in the left-right direction as it travels rearward. The moving member 18 is disposed between the bottom wall portion 14 and the base portion 11 of the wind direction plate unit 10, and is biased in a direction in which the front end portion 18a engages with the engaging portion 16 by a biasing portion 17 formed of a coil spring or the like. The right end of the front end 18a is provided with an inclined portion 18b that is inclined leftward as it goes upward.

The pressing portion 19 is pressable by opening an opening 14a in the bottom wall portion 14. When the user presses the pressing portion 19 upward, the front end portion 19a of the pressing portion 19 slides on the inclined portion 18b of the moving member 18 to move the moving member 18 rightward (leftward in the drawing). Thereby, the front end portion 18a moves rightward, the engagement between the front end portion 18a and the engagement portion 16 is released, and the lock on the housing 2 of the wind deflector unit 10 is also released.

Fig. 10 and 11 show a front cross-sectional view and a bottom cross-sectional view of the insertion portion 13c of the connection portion 13, respectively. A wind vane motor 20 is provided in the casing 2 behind the front end of the lower wall 63 b. A cover portion 22 having a substantially rectangular cross section is fitted to the tip end portion of the shaft portion 21 of the wind vane motor 20.

The rear end of the groove portion 13a is open, and the cap portion 22 can be inserted and removed from the rear end. This makes it possible to easily connect and disconnect the vane unit 10 to and from the shaft 21 of the vane motor 20. By fitting the cap portion 22 into the groove 13a, the connecting portion 13 is connected to the shaft portion 21, and the rotation of the shaft portion 21 can be transmitted to the wind direction plate 12.

Fig. 12 and 13 show a sectional perspective view and a top sectional view of the right end portion of the louver unit 10. Fig. 12 and 13 show a case where the wind direction plate unit 10 is attached to the housing 2. The loading/unloading detection sensors 30 are provided at both side ends of the lower end of the case 2.

The attachment/detachment detection sensor 30 is constituted by a push switch, and includes a push button 31 and an arm member 32. The arm member 32 is formed of an elongated plate made of metal such as stainless steel, and is provided facing the button 31 while being biased in a direction away from the button 31 with the tip as a fulcrum. The rear end of the arm member 32 is bent to protrude upward to form a bent portion 32 a.

Fig. 14 shows a side view of the arm member 32 of the attachment/detachment detection sensor 30. When the wind vane unit 10 is attached to the casing 2 from the front as indicated by an arrow S, the protruding portion 15 slides on the arm member 32 from the front. After that, when the projection 15 reaches the position of the one-dot chain line 15', it rides on the curved portion 32a, and the arm member 32 is pressed down to the position shown by the one-dot chain line 32'. At this time, the button 31 is pressed down by the arm member 32 to a position shown by a one-dot chain line 31'. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 can determine that the wind direction plate unit 10 is mounted to the housing 2.

When the wind vane unit 10 is detached from the housing 2, the push of the button 31 is released by the projection 15 via the arm member 32. Thus, the air conditioner 1 can determine that the wind direction plate unit 10 has been detached from the cabinet 2. At this time, the drive of the blower 7 is prohibited. This enables the blower 7 and the air passage 6 to be cleaned safely with the air vane unit 10 removed.

In the air conditioner 1 having the above configuration, when the user operates the remote controller, the cooling operation or the heating operation is started. During the cooling operation, the air guide panel 80 rotates to the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line X (see fig. 2), and sends out the conditioned air from the air outlet 5 in the horizontal direction or upward direction as shown by the arrow a. Thereby, the indoor space is cooled. During the heating operation, the air guide panel 80 rotates to a position shown by a two-dot chain line Y (see fig. 2), and sends out the conditioned air downward from the air outlet 5 as shown by an arrow B. This heats the room.

When the cooling operation and the heating operation are stopped by the operation of the remote controller, for example, when the number of times of operation of the air conditioner 1 exceeds a predetermined upper limit number of times, the filter motor of the filter cleaning device 50 is driven and the pinion gear is rotated. Thereby, the filter 70 moves from the capturing and collecting position C to the reversing position D along the guide frame 53, and the filter 70 having reached the reversing position D moves to the capturing and collecting position C. At this time, the rotating brush 51 is rotated by the brush motor, and dust on the filter 70 is removed by the rotating brush 51. The dust removed from the filter 70 is accumulated in the dust box 52. The dust box 52 can be taken out of the housing 2 and the dust in the dust box 52 can be discarded.

When a predetermined button of the remote controller is pressed when the air conditioner 1 stops the cooling operation and the heating operation, the wind direction plate 12 is disposed perpendicular to the width direction (the left-right direction) of the casing 2 (the state of fig. 5). At this time, the long side of the cover 22 of the louver motor 20 is perpendicular to the width direction of the casing 2. The air guide panel 80 is disposed at a position shown by a two-dot chain line Y (see fig. 2).

When the user presses the pressing portion 19 upward while holding the wind vane unit 10 in the vertical direction at the position of the pressing portion 19 with a finger, the engagement between the distal end portion 18a of the moving member 18 and the engagement portion 16 is released, and the lock of the wind vane unit 10 is released. Thereafter, the user removes the louver unit 10 by slidably moving the louver unit 10 in the blowing direction of the outlet 5.

At this time, the wind direction plate unit 10 includes a base portion 11 formed by the lower wall 63b of the downstream end of the air passage 6 and a bottom wall portion 14 forming the bottom wall of the casing 2. Thus, the user can easily remove the wind direction plate unit 10 without performing a removal operation in the air passage 6 away from the air outlet 5. Therefore, the convenience of the air conditioner 1 can be improved.

Further, since the lock mechanism 100 is disposed outside the air passage 6, the lock mechanism 100 does not provide resistance to the air flow flowing through the air passage 6. Therefore, the air flow disturbance by the lock mechanism 100 can be prevented, and the air blowing performance of the air conditioner 1 can be prevented from being lowered.

After removing the wind vane unit 10, the user can easily clean the inside of the air passage 6 and the blower 7 through the air outlet 5. Further, the air vane 12 can be easily cleaned. Therefore, the cleanability of the air conditioner 1 can be improved. At this time, since the driving of the blower 7 is prohibited, the blower 7 and the air passage 6 can be cleaned safely.

When the air vane unit 10 is not mounted on the housing 2, if the cooling operation or the heating operation is instructed by the operation of the remote controller, the operation is notified by a voice such as "please mount the air vane unit". This makes it possible to easily prompt the user to attach the wind deflector unit 10. Note that, a notification may be given to the user to prompt the user to attach the wind vane unit 10 by lighting a display unit (not shown) provided on the front surface of the housing 2.

After the air passage 6 and the blower are cleaned, the wind vane unit 10 is attached to the casing 2. At this time, since the front end portion 18a of the moving member 18 is pressed against the inclined surface 25 (see fig. 9) of the housing 2, the front end portion 18a moves against the biasing force of the biasing portion 17, and engages with the engaging portion 16 when reaching the engaging portion 16. Thus, the leading end portion 18a can be engaged with the engaging portion 16 and the wind direction plate unit 10 can be locked to the housing 2 simply by moving the wind direction plate unit 10 slidably in the blowing direction of the outlet 5 without pressing the pressing portion 19.

According to the present embodiment, the detachable wind direction plate unit 10 having the wind direction plate 12 includes: a base portion 11 formed by a lower wall of a downstream end portion of the air passage 6, and a bottom wall portion 14 forming a bottom wall of the case 2. Thus, the user can easily detach the louver unit 10 instead of performing the detaching operation in the air passage 6 distant from the air outlet 5. Therefore, the convenience of the air conditioner 1 can be improved.

The louver unit 10 is attached to and detached from the outlet 5 so as to slide in the blowing direction. This prevents interference between the wind direction plate 12 and the upper wall of the air passage 6, and allows the wind direction plate unit 10 to be more easily removed.

The connection portion 13 of the wind vane unit 10 has a groove portion 13a having an open rear end and allowing the shaft portion 21 of the wind vane motor 20 to enter, and is passively fitted and supported in the through hole 11a provided in the base portion 11. This makes it possible to easily connect and disconnect the connection portion 13 and the air vane motor 20 when the air vane unit 10 is attached and detached.

When the fingers of the user contact the wind direction plate 12 when removing the wind direction plate unit 10, the long side of the cap portion 22 may be arranged in a state inclined with respect to the width direction of the case 2. Even in this case, since the connection portion 13 is also passively fitted and supported in the through hole 11a, the shaft portion 21 can be easily removed from the groove portion 13a and the shaft portion 21 can be easily inserted into the groove portion 13 a.

The two side walls of the groove portion 13a are inclined in a direction away from each other as they go rearward. Thus, when the wind vane unit 10 is mounted to the housing 2, the cap portion 22 of the wind vane motor 20 easily enters the groove portion 13 a. Therefore, the vane motor 20 and the vane 12 can be easily connected.

Further, since the through hole 11a of the base portion 11 is formed in an elliptical shape with the major axis arranged in the left-right direction, the insertion portion 13c of the connection portion 13 can be easily moved in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the wind vane unit 10 is attached and detached, the connection between the connection portion 13 and the wind vane motor 20 and the disconnection can be easily performed.

Further, the apparatus comprises: an engaging portion 16 disposed in the casing 2, a moving member 18 disposed between the bottom wall portion 14 and the base portion 11 of the wind direction plate unit 10 and engaged with the engaging portion by the urging force of an urging portion 17, and a pressing portion 19 pressable by an opening portion 14a opened to the bottom wall portion 14. Then, by pressing the pressing portion 19, the moving member 18 moves and the engagement with the engagement portion 16 is released. Thus, the user can easily release the lock while the louver unit 10 is held in the vertical direction.

Further, a detachable detection sensor 30 that detects the attachment and detachment of the wind vane unit 10 is provided, and the drive of the blower 7 is prohibited when the wind vane unit 10 is detached. This enables the blower 7 and the air passage 6 to be cleaned safely with the air vane unit 10 removed.

The attachment/detachment detection sensor 30 is constituted by a push-button switch, an arm member 32 is provided facing the push button 31 of the attachment/detachment detection sensor 30, and the protrusion 15 slides on the arm member 32 and presses the push button 31 when the wind vane unit 10 is attached. Thus, even when the stroke (moving distance) of the push button 31 is short, the push button 31 can be reliably pressed when the wind deflector unit 10 is attached to the housing 2. Therefore, erroneous detection by the attachment/detachment detection sensor 30 can be prevented.

< second embodiment >

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment except for the point where the human detection sensor is provided. The other portions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

A human body detection sensor 40 for detecting a human body in the room is attached to the lower portion of the casing 2 above the air outlet 5 so as to face the front lower portion of the casing 2. The motion sensor 40 is an infrared sensor and detects a human body in a room. The human detection sensor 40 has a predetermined angle of view (for example, 60 °) in the left-right direction.

Fig. 16 and 17 show a perspective view and a side sectional view of the human detection sensor 40, respectively. The motion sensor 40 is disposed in an opening 40a opened to the case 2. A storage chamber 40c having an opening 40b opened in the front surface is provided above the opening 40a, and an operation lever 41 is provided in the storage chamber 40 c.

The operation lever 41 is connected to the human body sensor 40 via a rotation shaft 41e provided at the rear end. The operation lever 41 and the motion sensor 40 can be rotated in the left-right direction about the rotation shaft 41 e. A concave portion 41a is provided at the front end of the operation lever 41 in a recessed manner, and a hemispherical convex portion 41b protruding upward is provided behind the concave portion 41a at the front portion of the operation lever 41. As shown in fig. 18, a plurality of (3 in the present embodiment) recessed portions 40d into which the convex portions 41b are fitted are provided in parallel in the left-right direction in the front portion of the upper wall of the housing chamber 40 c.

A resin cover 42 that covers the operating lever 41 and can be opened and closed is provided in front of the operating lever 41. The cover 42 is pivotally supported at its lower end by the casing 2 via a horizontal shaft, and a protruding portion 42a protruding rearward and fitted into the recess 41a of the operating lever 41 is provided on the rear surface of the upper end of the cover 42.

The cover 42 has engaging claws 42b at both side ends thereof for engaging with engaging holes 42c provided in the case 2, and a grip 42d at the upper end of the cover 42. A step 40g is provided at a position facing the grip portion 42d of the case 2, and a predetermined gap is provided between the grip portion 42d and the step 40g in a state where the lid portion 42 is closed. This makes it possible to easily grip the grip portion 42d of the cover 42 in the closed state. The cover 42 has an opening 42f at a position facing the human detection sensor 40.

The operator of the air conditioner 1 grips the grip portion 42d and opens the cover portion 42. At this time, the engagement claw 42b is elastically deformed, and the engagement with the engagement hole 42c is released. When the air conditioner 1 is installed at the right end of the side wall W, the operation lever 41 is rotated in the left-right direction about the rotation shaft 41e, and the convex portion 41b is fitted into the concave portion 40 d. Thereby, as shown in fig. 19, the operation lever 41 is inclined leftward, and the left side surface of the operation lever 41 abuts on the left side surface of the storage chamber 40 c. When the cover 42 is closed, the right side surface of the operation lever 41 is locked by the protrusion 42a, and the human detection sensor 40 is held in a state of being oriented leftward as shown in fig. 22.

When the installer sets the air conditioner 1 at the center portion of the side wall W in the lateral direction, the operator rotates the operation lever 41 to fit the convex portion 41b into the central concave portion 40 d. When the cover 42 is closed, as shown in fig. 20, the protrusion 42a of the cover 42 is fitted into the recess 41a of the operating lever 41, and the human detection sensor 40 is held in a state facing the front as shown in fig. 23.

When the installer sets the air conditioner 1 at the left end portion of the side wall W, the operator rotates the operation lever 41 to fit the convex portion 41b into the right concave portion 40 d. As a result, as shown in fig. 21, the operation lever 41 is tilted rightward, and the right side surface of the operation lever 41 abuts against the right side surface of the storage chamber 40 c. When the cover 42 is closed, the left side surface of the operating lever 41 is locked by the protrusion 42a, and the motion detecting sensor 40 is held in a state of being oriented rightward as shown in fig. 22.

As described above, the orientation of the human detection sensor 40 can be changed in the left-right direction by the operation of the operation lever 41. This makes it possible to optimize the detection area of the human detection sensor 40 according to the installation position of the indoor air conditioner 1, and to reliably detect a human body in the room.

In this case, the installer can change the orientation of the human detection sensor 40 without touching the human detection sensor 40. This can prevent the human detection sensor 40 from being contaminated by the contact of the finger.

In the air conditioner 1 configured as described above, when a human body in the room is detected by the human body detection sensor 40 during the cooling operation or the heating operation, the wind direction plate 12 of the wind direction plate unit 10 rotates in the left-right direction, and the air flow is sent out from the air outlet 5 avoiding the human body. Therefore, the wind can be prevented from directly and continuously blowing to the user, and the health hazard of the user can be reduced.

According to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, a human detection sensor 40 for detecting a human body in the room is provided, and the airflow is sent out from the air outlet 5 while avoiding the human body by the wind direction plate 12 of the wind direction plate unit 10. This prevents the wind from continuously blowing on the user directly, thereby reducing the health risk.

Further, an operation lever 41 is provided which is connected to the human detection sensor 40 and which can change the orientation of the human detection sensor 40 in the left-right direction. This allows the installer of the air conditioner 1 to change the orientation of the human detection sensor 40 without touching the human detection sensor 40. Therefore, it is possible to reduce contamination of the human detection sensor 40 by the contact of the finger. Further, since the operation lever 41 is covered with the cover 42, it is possible to prevent the orientation of the human detection sensor 40 from being changed, which is not intended by the installer or the user.

Further, one of the following states is selected and held, the orientation of the human detection sensor 40 being made variable in three directions, the following states including: a state in which the right side surface of the operation lever 41 inclined to the left is locked by the protrusion 42 a; the state where the protrusion 42a is fitted in the recess 41a of the operation lever 41; the left side surface of the operation lever 41 inclined to the right is locked by the protrusion 42 a.

This makes it possible to reliably hold the human detection sensor 40 while adjusting the orientation of the human detection sensor 40 according to the installation position of the air conditioner 1. Therefore, the detection area of the human detection sensor 40 can be easily and optimally maintained.

< third embodiment >

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Fig. 25 is a plan view of the air conditioner 1 according to the third embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment except for the configuration of the base portion 11 of the louver unit 10. The other portions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

A plurality of linear protrusions 11b extending in the left-right direction are provided in parallel at a predetermined cycle in the front-rear direction on the upper surface (outer surface) of the base portion 11. The projection 11b and the pressing portion 19 are disposed at the same position in the left-right direction. The protrusion 11b protrudes upward from the flat surface 11c of the base portion 11, and the height of the protrusion 11b (the amount of protrusion from the flat surface 11 c) is formed to be about 0.5 mm. The concave-convex portion 11d is formed by a flat surface 11c between the protrusion 11b and the adjacent protrusion 11 b.

Thus, when the user holds the wind vane unit 10 at the position of the pressing portion 19 in the vertical direction with the fingers when removing the wind vane unit 10, the concave-convex portion 11d is prevented from slipping, and the user can hold the wind vane unit 10 reliably while pressing the pressing portion 19 upward. Therefore, the convenience of the air conditioner 1 can be further improved.

Further, if the height of the projection 11b is about 1mm or less, the projection 11b does not have much resistance to the air flow flowing through the air passage 6, and thus does not significantly hinder the air blowing performance of the air conditioner 1.

According to the present invention, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, the concave-convex portion 11d is provided on the outer surface of the base portion 11, and the pressing portion 19 and the concave-convex portion 11d are disposed at the same position in the left-right direction. Thus, when the wind vane unit 10 is detached, the user can reliably hold the wind vane unit 10.

In the present embodiment, instead of the linear protrusions 11b, dot-shaped protrusions may be arranged in a matrix on the outer surface of the base portion 11 to form uneven portions.

Note that, the same uneven portion as the uneven portion 11d of the present embodiment may be provided in the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several or all of the embodiments of the present invention may also be used in combination.

Industrial applicability

The present invention can be applied to an air conditioner including an air direction plate that changes the air direction of an air outlet in the left-right direction.

Description of the symbols

1 air conditioner

2 case body

3 front panel

4 suction inlet

5 blow-out port

6 air passage

7 blower

8 heat exchanger

9 drainage tray

10 wind vane unit

11 base part

11a through hole

11d uneven part

12 wind direction board

13 connecting part

13a groove part

14 bottom wall part

15 projection

16 engaging part

17 force application part

18 moving part

19 pressing part

20 wind vane motor

21 shaft part

22 cover part

30 loading and unloading detection sensor

31 push button

32 arm member

40 human sensor

41a recess

42 cover part

42a projection

50 filter cleaning device

51 rotating brush

52 dust collecting box

53 guide

70 filter

80 wind guide panel

100 locking mechanism

Claims

1. An air conditioner is provided with:

a box body provided with an air suction inlet and an air outlet;

a blower disposed in the air passage; and

in the air conditioner, the air vane unit includes a base portion formed by a lower wall of the downstream end of the air passage, and a bottom wall portion forming a bottom wall of the casing

The air conditioner further includes:

an engaging portion disposed in the case;

a moving member that is disposed between the bottom wall portion and the base portion of the wind direction plate unit and that engages with the engagement portion by a biasing force of a biasing portion; and

a pressing portion which is pressable through an opening portion opened to the bottom wall portion,

by pressing the pressing portion, the moving member moves and the engagement with the engagement portion is released.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1,

the wind direction plate unit is attached to and detached from the air outlet so as to slide in the air outlet direction.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a wind vane motor disposed in the case, and a connecting portion rotatably attached to the base portion and connecting a shaft portion of the wind vane motor and the wind vane, wherein the connecting portion has a groove portion having an opening at a rear end and allowing the shaft portion to enter, and is passively fitted and supported in a through hole provided in the base portion.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3,

the two side walls of the groove portion are inclined in a direction away from each other as they go rearward.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4,

the through hole is formed in an elliptical shape having a major axis arranged in the left-right direction.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5,

the pressing portion and the concave-convex portion are disposed at the same position in the left-right direction.

7. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6,

the air blower is provided with a loading and unloading detection sensor for detecting the loading and unloading of the wind direction plate unit, and the driving of the air blower is forbidden when the wind direction plate unit is unloaded.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 7,

the attachment/detachment detection sensor is configured by a button switch, and an arm member facing a button of the attachment/detachment detection sensor is provided, and the button is slid and pressed on the arm member when the wind vane unit is attached.

9. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8,

the air conditioner includes a human body detection sensor for detecting a human body in a room, and sends an airflow from the air outlet while avoiding the human body by the wind direction plate.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 9,

the device is provided with an operation lever which is connected to the human detection sensor and enables the direction of the human detection sensor to be changed in the left-right direction, and a cover which covers the operation lever and can be opened and closed.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 10,

the front end of the operating rod is provided with a concave part, the cover part is provided with a protruding part which is embedded into the concave part, and one of the following states is selected and maintained, so that the orientation of the human detection sensor can be changed in three directions, wherein the states comprise: a first state in which a right side surface of the operation lever inclined to the left is locked by the protrusion; a second state in which the protrusion is fitted in the recess of the operating lever; and a third state in which the left side surface of the operation lever inclined to the right is locked by the protrusion.