CN110785611A - Air conditioner - Google Patents
Air conditioner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN110785611A CN110785611A CN201880030099.6A CN201880030099A CN110785611A CN 110785611 A CN110785611 A CN 110785611A CN 201880030099 A CN201880030099 A CN 201880030099A CN 110785611 A CN110785611 A CN 110785611A
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- China
- Prior art keywords
- fan
- fan cleaning
- cleaning unit
- limit switch
- indoor
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F11/48—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring prior to normal operation, e.g. pre-heating or pre-cooling
Abstract
The invention provides an air conditioner with high reliability considering the possibility of failure of a fan cleaning part. The air conditioner (100) is provided with an indoor heat exchanger (15), an indoor fan (16), a fan cleaning unit (24) for cleaning the indoor fan (16), a control unit for controlling at least the indoor fan (16) and the fan cleaning unit (24), and a limit switch (25) pressed by the fan cleaning unit (24). The control unit moves the fan cleaning unit (24) toward the limit switch (25), and reports a failure of the fan cleaning unit (24) when the limit switch (25) is not pressed.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an air conditioner.
Background
As a technique for cleaning an indoor fan of an air conditioner, for example, patent document 1 describes a technique including a "fan cleaning device for removing dust from a fan".
Documents of the prior art
Patent document
Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 4046755
Disclosure of Invention
Problems to be solved by the invention
As described above, patent document 1 describes a structure for cleaning an indoor fan, but does not describe a structure in which reliability in the event of a failure of a fan cleaning device is taken into consideration.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner with high reliability in consideration of the possibility of failure of a fan cleaning unit.
Means for solving the problems
In order to solve the above problem, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes: a heat exchanger; a fan; a fan cleaning unit for cleaning the fan; a control unit that controls at least the fan and the fan cleaning unit; and a limit switch pressed by the fan cleaning part, wherein the control part moves the fan cleaning part towards the limit switch, and when the limit switch is not pressed, the control part reports the fault of the fan cleaning part.
Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising: a heat exchanger; a fan; a fan cleaning unit for cleaning the fan; a control unit that controls at least the fan and the fan cleaning unit; and a limit switch that is pressed by the fan cleaning unit, wherein the control unit moves the fan cleaning unit toward the limit switch, and when the limit switch is pressed, cleaning of the fan by the fan cleaning unit is started, and when the limit switch is not pressed, cleaning of the fan by the fan cleaning unit is not started.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner with high reliability in consideration of the possibility of failure of the fan cleaning unit.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an indoor unit provided in an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of a fan cleaning unit and a limit switch provided in an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a process executed by the control unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state during cleaning of an indoor fan in an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a timing chart showing a driving state of an indoor fan provided in an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention and signals from limit switches.
Fig. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the fan cleaning unit cleans the indoor fan in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the limit switch is pressed by the fan cleaning unit in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 8C is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the fan cleaning unit is separated from the limit switch in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a process executed by the control unit of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by the control unit of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a configuration diagram including a fan cleaning unit, a limit switch, and a handle of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 12A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the limit switch is pressed by the fan cleaning unit in the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 12B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the indoor fan is being cleaned by the fan cleaning unit in the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 12C is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the indoor fan is not cleaned by the fan cleaning unit in the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 13 is a flowchart of a process executed by the control unit of the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 14A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a fan cleaning unit cleans an indoor fan in an air conditioner according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 14B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the fan cleaning unit is retracted from the indoor fan in the air conditioner according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 15 is a structural diagram of a fan cleaning unit and an angle sensor provided in an air conditioner according to a modification of the present invention.
Detailed Description
(first embodiment)
< Structure of air conditioner
Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant circuit Q of an air conditioner 100 according to a first embodiment.
Note that solid arrows in fig. 1 show the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation.
In addition, the dashed arrows in fig. 1 show the flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation.
The air conditioner 100 is a device that performs air conditioning such as a heating operation and a cooling operation. As shown in fig. 1, the air conditioner 100 includes a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an outdoor fan 13, and an expansion valve 14. In addition to the above configuration, the air conditioner 100 includes an indoor heat exchanger 15 (heat exchanger), an indoor fan 16 (fan), and a four-way valve 17.
The compressor 11 has a compressor motor 11a as a driving source, that is, a device that compresses a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant and discharges it as a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The outdoor heat exchanger 12 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through a heat transfer pipe (not shown) thereof and the outside air sent in from the outdoor fan 13.
The outdoor fan 13 is a fan that sends outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 12. The outdoor fan 13 has an outdoor fan motor 13a as a drive source and is disposed in the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger 12.
The expansion valve 14 is a valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant condensed by the "condenser" (one of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the indoor heat exchanger 15). The refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve 14 is guided to the "evaporator" (the other of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the indoor heat exchanger 15).
The indoor heat exchanger 15 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer pipe g (see fig. 2) and the indoor air (air of the space to be air-conditioned) sent from the indoor fan 16. The indoor heat exchanger 15 includes a plurality of fins f and a plurality of heat transfer pipes g penetrating the fins f. In addition, as explained in the other aspect, the indoor heat exchanger 15 includes: a front indoor heat exchanger 15a disposed in front of the indoor fan 16, and a rear indoor heat exchanger 15b disposed behind the indoor fan 16. The upper end of the front indoor heat exchanger 15a is connected to the upper end of the rear indoor heat exchanger 15b in an inverted V shape.
The indoor fan 16 is a fan that sends indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 15. The indoor fan 16 includes an indoor fan motor 16c (see fig. 4) as a drive source and is disposed near the indoor heat exchanger 15.
The four-way valve 17 is a valve for switching the flow path of the refrigerant according to the operation mode of the air conditioner 100. For example, during a cooling operation (see a dotted arrow in fig. 1), the refrigerant circulates through a refrigerant circuit Q in which the compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 (condenser), the expansion valve 14, and the indoor heat exchanger 15 (evaporator) are connected in this order via the four-way valve 17 in a refrigeration cycle.
On the other hand, during the heating operation (see solid arrows in fig. 1), the refrigerant circulates in a refrigeration cycle through a refrigerant circuit Q in which the compressor 11, the indoor heat exchanger 15 (condenser), the expansion valve 14, and the outdoor heat exchanger 12 (evaporator) are connected in this order via the four-way valve 17.
That is, in the refrigerant circuit Q in which the refrigerant circulates through the compressor 11, the "condenser", the expansion valve 14, and the "evaporator" in this order, one of the "condenser" and the "evaporator" is the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and the other is the indoor heat exchanger 15.
In the example shown in fig. 1, the compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 12, the outdoor fan 13, the expansion valve 14, and the four-way valve 17 are provided in the outdoor unit Uo. On the other hand, the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16 are provided in the indoor unit Ui.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the indoor unit Ui.
Fig. 2 illustrates a state in which the fan cleaning unit 24 is retracted from the indoor fan 16. The indoor unit Ui includes a water receiving tray 18, a frame base 19, filters 20a and 20b, and a front panel 21 in addition to the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16. The indoor unit Ui includes a horizontal wind direction plate 22, a vertical wind direction plate 23, a fan cleaning unit 24, and a limit switch 25 (failure detection unit).
The drain pan 18 receives the condensed water of the indoor heat exchanger 15 and is disposed below the indoor heat exchanger 15.
The indoor fan 16 is, for example, a cylindrical cross flow fan and is disposed near the indoor heat exchanger 15. The indoor fan 16 includes: a plurality of fan blades 16a, a partition plate 16b on which the fan blades 16a are provided, and an indoor fan motor 16c (see fig. 4) as a drive source.
The housing base 19 is a housing in which the indoor heat exchanger 15, the indoor fan 16, and other devices are installed.
The filters 20a, 20b collect dust from the air toward the indoor heat exchanger 15. One filter 20a is disposed on the front side of the indoor heat exchanger 15, and the other filter 20b is disposed on the upper side of the indoor heat exchanger 15.
The front panel 21 is a panel provided to cover the front filter 20a, and is rotatable forward with the lower end as the axial direction. The front panel 21 may not rotate.
The horizontal air vanes 22 are plate-like members that adjust the horizontal direction of the air blown into the room. The horizontal air vanes 22 are disposed in the outlet air passage h3 and can be rotated in the horizontal direction by the horizontal air vane motor 26 (see fig. 4).
The up-down wind direction plate 23 is a plate-like member that adjusts the vertical wind direction of the air blown into the room. The up-down wind direction plate 23 is disposed near the air outlet h4, and is rotatable in the up-down direction by a motor 27 for the up-down wind direction plate (see fig. 4).
The air sucked through the air suction ports h1 and h2 exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes g of the indoor heat exchanger 15, and the air having exchanged heat is guided to the outlet air passage h 3. The air flowing through the outlet air duct h3 is guided in a predetermined direction by the horizontal wind direction plate 22 and the vertical wind direction plate 23, and is blown out into the room through the air outlet h 4.
Most of the dust directed toward the air intake ports h1, h2 along with the flow of the air is collected by the filters 20a, 20 b. However, fine dust may adhere to the indoor fan 16 through the filters 20a and 20 b. Therefore, it is preferable to periodically clean the indoor fan 16. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the indoor fan 16 is cleaned by the fan cleaning unit 24 described below.
The fan cleaning unit 24 shown in fig. 2 cleans the indoor fan 16, and is disposed between the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16. Specifically, the fan cleaning unit 24 is disposed in a recessed portion of the front indoor heat exchanger 15a in a shape of a letter < when viewed in a vertical section.
Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of a fan cleaning unit 24 and a limit switch 25 provided in the air conditioner.
As shown in fig. 3, the fan cleaning portion 24 includes a shaft portion 24a, a brush 24b, a fan cleaning motor 24c, gears 24d and 24e, and a contact portion 24 f. The shaft portion 24a is a rod-shaped member parallel to the axial direction of the indoor fan 16 (see fig. 2), and the vicinity of both ends thereof is pivotally supported.
The brush 24b is provided on the shaft portion 24a to sweep away dust attached to the indoor fan 16 (see fig. 2).
The fan cleaning motor 24c is, for example, a stepping motor, and is a drive source for rotating (moving) the brush 24 b. The stepping motor has a feature that it can be accurately positioned at a predetermined rotation angle.
The gears 24d and 24e transmit the torque of the fan cleaning motor 24c to the shaft portion 24a at a predetermined gear ratio (reduction ratio). One gear 24d is coupled to a rotor (not shown) of the fan cleaning motor 24 c. The other gear 24e is provided on one end side (left side in the drawing sheet of fig. 3) of the shaft portion 24 a. Further, although illustrated in fig. 3 in a state in which the gears 24d, 24e are slightly separated from each other, the gears 24d, 24e actually mesh with each other.
The contact portion 24f is a member that contacts the limit switch 25 (i.e., presses the limit switch 25) when the fan cleaning portion 24 is retracted from the indoor fan 16, and is provided on one end side of the shaft portion 24 a.
When the indoor fan 16 is cleaned, the shaft portion 24a is rotated so that the brush 24b contacts the indoor fan 16, and then the indoor fan 16 is rotated in the reverse direction (see fig. 6A). When cleaning of the indoor fan 16 is completed, the shaft portion 24a is rotated again, and the brush 24b is separated from the indoor fan 16 (see fig. 2). When the fan cleaning unit 24 is retracted in this manner, the abutting portion 24f can press the limit switch 25.
Since the fan cleaning motor 24c (e.g., a stepping motor) is driven based on open loop control, the rotation angle thereof cannot be grasped on the side of the control unit 30 (see fig. 4). Therefore, after the indoor fan 16 is cleaned by the fan cleaning unit 24, the control unit 30 can determine whether the fan cleaning unit 24 is appropriately retracted based on whether the limit switch 25 is turned on/off.
The housing 25a accommodates components such as a microswitch (not shown) and is provided at a predetermined position of the housing base 19 (see fig. 2). The actuator 25B is a member that is rotated toward the movable piece 25c against the elastic force of a spring (not shown) by the force applied from the contact portion 24f (see fig. 8B). The movable piece 25c is a member that brings a movable contact of a microswitch (not shown) into contact with a fixed contact by a pressing force from the actuator 25 b.
When the movable contact of the microswitch (not shown) is in contact with the fixed contact, the signal output from the limit switch 25 can be switched from off to on, for example.
Further, the limit switch 25 is preferably waterproof. The limit switch 25 may be sealed by a predetermined sealing member (not shown), for example. Therefore, even in a situation where the humidity inside the indoor unit Ui is high, moisture is less likely to enter the inside of the limit switch 25 and the limit switch 25 is less likely to fail.
Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of the air conditioner 100.
The indoor unit Ui shown in fig. 4 includes, in addition to the above configuration: a remote controller transmitting/receiving unit 28, a display lamp 29a, a sound emitting unit 29b, and an indoor control circuit 31.
Predetermined information is transmitted and received between the remote controller transmitting and receiving unit 28 and the remote controller 40.
The indicator lamp 29a is a lamp for reporting a failure or the like of the fan cleaning unit 24 (see fig. 2). The sound emitting unit 29b emits a predetermined sound when the fan cleaning unit 24 fails.
Although not shown, the indoor control circuit 31 is configured as an electronic circuit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), various interfaces, and the like. The program stored in the ROM can be read out and expanded in the RAM, and the CPU can execute various processes.
As shown in fig. 4, the indoor control circuit 31 includes a storage unit 31a and an indoor control unit 31 b.
The storage unit 31a stores, in addition to a predetermined program, a signal from the limit switch 25, data received via the remote controller transmitting/receiving unit 28, detection values of various sensors (not shown), and the like.
The indoor control unit 31b controls the indoor fan motor 16c, the fan cleaning motor 24c, the horizontal louver motor 26, the vertical louver motor 27, and the like based on the data stored in the storage unit 31 a. When determining that the fan cleaning unit 24 is malfunctioning, the indoor control unit 31b turns on the indicator lamp 29a and causes the sound generating unit 29b to generate a predetermined sound.
The outdoor unit Uo has an outdoor control circuit 32 in addition to the above configuration. Although not shown, the outdoor control circuit 32 is configured as a circuit including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, various interfaces, and the like, and is connected to the indoor control circuit 31 via a communication line. As shown in fig. 4, the outdoor control circuit 32 includes a storage unit 32a and an outdoor control unit 32 b.
The storage unit 32a may store data and the like received from the indoor control circuit 31 in addition to a predetermined program. The outdoor controller 32b controls the compressor motor 11a, the outdoor fan motor 13a, the expansion valve 14, and the like based on the data stored in the memory 32 a. Hereinafter, the indoor control circuit 31 and the outdoor control circuit 32 are collectively referred to as "the control unit 30".
Fig. 5 is a flowchart of processing executed by the control unit 30 (see fig. 2 and 4 as appropriate).
In addition, at the time of "start" in fig. 5, the air conditioning operation is not performed, and the fan cleaning unit 24 is in a state of being retracted from the indoor fan 16 (see fig. 2).
In step S101, control unit 30 cleans indoor fan 16 by fan cleaning unit 24. The trigger condition for starting cleaning of the indoor fan 16 may be, for example, a condition that a cumulative time of the air conditioning operation from the previous cleaning reaches a predetermined time.
Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state during cleaning of the indoor fan 16.
When cleaning the indoor fan 16, the control unit 30 (see fig. 4) rotates the brush 24b about the shaft portion 24a so that the distal end of the brush 24b faces the indoor fan 16. Thereby, the brush 24b comes into contact with the fan blades 16a of the indoor fan 16. Then, the control unit 30 rotates the indoor fan 16 in the reverse direction to that in the normal air-conditioning operation.
When indoor fan 16 is rotated in the reverse direction, brush 24b is deflected as fan blade 16a moves, and brush 24b is pressed against the back surface of fan blade 16 a. The dust attached to fan blade 16a is swept off by brush 24 b.
As shown in fig. 6, dust j swept down from the indoor fan 16 is guided to the drain pan 18 through a gap between the front indoor heat exchanger 15a and the indoor fan 16. This prevents the dust j from being blown out into the room in the next air conditioning operation.
In step S102 of fig. 5, control unit 30 outputs a retraction command to fan cleaning unit 24. That is, the control unit 30 outputs a predetermined retraction command for retracting the fan cleaning unit 24 from the indoor fan 16 to the fan cleaning motor 24c (see fig. 4).
In step S103, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the signal from the limit switch 25 has been switched (on/off) within a predetermined time Δ T from the output of the backoff command. The predetermined time Δ T is a predetermined threshold value that is longer than the time from the output of the retraction command to the switching of the limit switch 25 when the fan cleaning motor 24c is normal, and is set in advance.
In step S103, when the signal from the limit switch 25 is switched within the predetermined time Δ T (S103: yes), the control unit 30 ends the series of processing (end). Although not shown in fig. 5, in this case, control unit 30 determines that fan cleaning unit 24 is appropriately retracted from indoor fan 16, and performs a predetermined air conditioning operation based on a command from remote controller 40 (see fig. 4).
In this way, when the fan cleaning unit 24 is retracted from the indoor fan 16 (S102), and the limit switch 25 is pressed by the fan cleaning unit 24 (S103: "yes"), the control unit 30 performs the subsequent air conditioning operation (not shown in fig. 5). The switching operation of the limit switch 25 will be described in detail later.
In step S103 of fig. 5, if the signal from the limit switch 25 is not switched for the predetermined time Δ T (S103: no), the control unit 30 performs the next process. That is, although omitted in fig. 5, control unit 30 determines that fan cleaning unit 24 is not appropriately retracted from indoor fan 16 (fan cleaning unit 24 is malfunctioning), and reports a malfunction of fan cleaning unit 24 at step S104.
Specifically describing step S104, the control unit 30 turns on (or blinks) the indicator lamp 29a (see fig. 4) and causes the sound emitting unit 29b (see fig. 4) to emit a predetermined notification sound. The report sound may be a buzzer sound or may be a predetermined message sound. This enables the user to know that the fan cleaning unit 24 has failed. The remote controller 40 may display a predetermined failure on a portable terminal (not shown) of the user.
In this way, control unit 30 moves fan cleaning unit 24 toward limit switch 25 (S102), and when limit switch 25 is not pressed (S103: NO), reports a failure of fan cleaning unit 24 (S104). After the process of step S104, the control unit 30 ends the series of processes (end).
Next, the switching operation of the limit switch 25 by the fan cleaning unit 24 will be described with reference to fig. 7 and the like.
Fig. 7 is a timing chart showing the driving state of the indoor fan 16 and the signal from the limit switch 25.
Further, on/off of the indoor fan 16 shown in fig. 7 indicates driving/stopping of the indoor fan 16. On/off of limit switch 25 indicates a signal output from limit switch 25 to control unit 30.
The horizontal axis of fig. 7 represents time.
In the example of fig. 7, after cleaning of indoor fan 16 (S101 of fig. 5) is performed to time t1, a command to retract fan cleaning unit 24 is output at time t2 (S102). At time T3 before a predetermined time Δ T elapses from the back-off command, the signal of the limit switch 25 is switched from off to on (S103: yes), and then the signal is switched from on to off. The relationship between the switching of the signal and the operation of the fan cleaning unit 24 will be described with reference to fig. 8A, 8B, and 8C.
Fig. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the indoor fan 16 is being cleaned by the fan cleaning unit 24. As shown in fig. 8A, since the contact portion 24f of the fan cleaning portion 24 does not contact the limit switch 25 during cleaning of the indoor fan 16, an off signal is output from the limit switch 25 to the control portion 30 (state up to time t1 in fig. 7).
Fig. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the limit switch 25 is pressed by the fan cleaning portion 24.
When the fan cleaning portion 24 is appropriately retracted from the indoor fan 16 after cleaning the indoor fan 16, the actuator 25b is rotated by the force from the contact portion 24f, and the actuator 25b is pressed by the movable piece 25 c. Thereby, an on signal is output from limit switch 25 to control unit 30 (time t3 to t4 in fig. 7).
Further, when the fan cleaning motor 24c fails, the fan cleaning unit 24 does not retract properly even when cleaning of the indoor fan 16 is completed, and therefore the movable piece 25c of the limit switch 25 is not pressed. Therefore, the signal output from limit switch 25 to control unit 30 remains off.
Fig. 8C is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the fan cleaning unit 24 is away from the limit switch 25.
After fan cleaning unit 24 normally retracts and pushes limit switch 25 (see fig. 8B), control unit 30 may move fan cleaning unit 24 away from limit switch 25 as shown in fig. 8C (after time t4 in fig. 7). That is, it is preferable that the fan cleaning portion 24 does not contact the limit switch 25 during the air conditioning operation. This can prevent a predetermined pressing force from being continuously applied to the actuator 25b from the contact portion 24 f. Therefore, failure of the limit switch 25 and wear of the contact portion 24f can be suppressed.
< Effect >
According to the present embodiment, after the retraction command is issued to the fan cleaning unit 24, whether or not the fan cleaning unit 24 is malfunctioning is determined based on whether or not the signal from the limit switch 25 is switched. For example, when the signal of limit switch 25 is not switched (no in S103) even if a retraction command is issued to fan cleaning unit 24 (S102) after indoor fan 16 is cleaned (S101 in fig. 5), control unit 30 reports that fan cleaning unit 24 is malfunctioning (S104). This enables the user to know that the fan cleaning unit 24 has failed.
(second embodiment)
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control unit 30 controls the fan cleaning motor 24c based on the contact position by bringing the fan cleaning unit 24 (see fig. 2) into contact with the limit switch 25 when starting the air conditioning operation.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that when limit switch 25 is not switched when fan cleaning unit 24 is retracted, control unit 30 repeats the rotational operation of fan cleaning unit 24. Other points (structure of air conditioner, etc.: fig. 1 to 4) are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, portions different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.
Fig. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by the control unit 30 of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment (see fig. 2 and 4 as appropriate).
In addition, the air conditioning operation is not performed at the time of "start" in fig. 9, and the brush 24b is positioned in a state of being retracted from the indoor fan 16 (see fig. 2).
In step S201, control unit 30 determines whether or not there is a start instruction of the air conditioning operation. When there is a start command for air conditioning operation (yes in S201), control unit 30 proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when there is no start instruction of the air conditioning operation (S201: no), control unit 30 repeats the processing of step S201.
In step S202, control unit 30 causes limit switch 25 to be pressed by fan cleaning unit 24. That is, the control unit 30 detects that the limit switch 25 is pressed by the fan cleaning unit 24 based on a signal from the limit switch 25. As described above, since the open-loop control is performed in the stepping motor used as the fan cleaning motor 24c, the control unit 30 does not know which position the brush 24b is actually located. In the second embodiment, the limit switch 25 is also pushed by the fan cleaning unit 24 when the air conditioning operation is started.
This makes it possible to use the position of the fan cleaning motor 24c when the limit switch 25 is pressed as a reference position (base point) for controlling the fan cleaning motor 24 c. Therefore, the subsequent rotation of the fan cleaning unit 24 can be appropriately and accurately performed.
Next, in step S203, control unit 30 executes a predetermined air conditioning operation.
In step S204, the control unit 30 determines whether or not an instruction to stop the air conditioning operation is issued from the remote controller 40 (see fig. 4). If there is no instruction to stop the air-conditioning operation (S204: no), control unit 30 continues the air-conditioning operation of step S203. On the other hand, when there is a command to stop the air-conditioning operation (YES in S204), control unit 30 stops the air-conditioning operation in step S205.
After the air conditioning operation is stopped, control unit 30 performs cleaning of indoor fan 16 (S206) and outputs a retraction command to fan cleaning unit 24 (S207) in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
In step S208, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the signal from the limit switch 25 has switched within a predetermined time from the output of the backoff command. When the signal from limit switch 25 is switched within the predetermined time (S208: yes), control unit 30 ends the series of processing (end). This is because the fan cleaning unit 24 is appropriately retracted.
On the other hand, when the signal from the limit switch 25 is not switched in step S208 (S208: NO), the process of the control unit 30 proceeds to step S209 of FIG. 10.
In addition, as the cause of the non-switching of the signal from the limit switch 25, in addition to the failure of the fan cleaning motor 24c, there are: the brush 24b is caught in the vicinity of the tip of the fin f of the indoor heat exchanger 15 (see fig. 2), and the rotation of the fan cleaning unit 24 is restricted.
In step S209 in fig. 10, control unit 30 moves fan cleaning unit 24 toward indoor fan 16. Thus, for example, when the brush 24b is caught in the vicinity of the tip of the fin f of the indoor heat exchanger 15 (see fig. 2), the brush 24b can be pulled away from the indoor heat exchanger 15.
In step S210, the control unit 30 outputs the retraction command to the fan cleaning unit 24 again. That is, when the signal from limit switch 25 is not switched after the instruction to retract from indoor fan 16 is output to fan cleaning unit 24 (S207 in fig. 9) (S208: "no"), control unit 30 once moves fan cleaning unit 24 toward indoor fan 16 (S209 in fig. 10), and performs "processing" of retracting fan cleaning unit 24 again (S210). In this way, the control unit 30 tries to retract the fan cleaning unit 24 again.
In step S211, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the signal from the limit switch 25 is switched within a predetermined time from the next retraction command. Although not shown in fig. 10, if the signal from limit switch 25 is switched within a predetermined time (S211: "yes"), control unit 30 determines that fan cleaning unit 24 is appropriately retracted from indoor fan 16, and ends the series of processes ("end" in fig. 9).
On the other hand, although omitted in fig. 10, if the signal from limit switch 25 is not switched within the predetermined time in step S211 (S211: "no"), control unit 30 determines that fan cleaning unit 24 is not appropriately retracted from indoor fan 16, and proceeds to the process of step S212.
Even if fan cleaning unit 24 is not retracted in the first processing of steps S209 and S210, fan cleaning unit 24 can be appropriately retracted by repeating the same processing (S209 and S210).
In step S212, the control unit 30 determines whether the number of times of outputting the retraction command to the fan cleaning unit 24 reaches a predetermined number of times. The "predetermined number of times" is an upper limit value of the number of times the control unit 30 repeats the processing of steps S209 to S211, and is set in advance.
In this way, the controller 30 attempts to repeat the retraction of the fan cleaning unit 24a plurality of times, and can, for example, pull the brush 24b hooked on the indoor heat exchanger 15 apart, and can properly position the fan cleaning unit 24. Further, since the predetermined number of times (S212) is set in advance, it is possible to prevent the processes of steps S209 to S211 from being unnecessarily performed excessively.
If the number of times of output of the back-off command does not reach the predetermined number of times in step S212 (S212: no), the control unit 30 returns the process to step S209. On the other hand, when the number of times of outputting the back-off command reaches the predetermined number of times (yes in S212), the control unit 30 proceeds to step S213.
In step S213, control unit 30 reports a failure of fan cleaning unit 24 via indicator lamp 29a (see fig. 4) and sound generating unit 29b (see fig. 4). That is, if fan cleaning unit 24 is moved toward limit switch 25 (S207 in FIG. 9) and limit switch 25 is not pressed (S208: NO), control unit 30 repeats the process of moving fan cleaning unit 24 toward limit switch 25 (S209 to S212 in FIG. 10). If limit switch 25 is not pressed even if the above-described process is repeated (yes in S212), control unit 30 reports a failure of fan cleaning unit 24 (S213). This can notify the user that the fan cleaning unit 24 is malfunctioning.
< Effect >
According to the second embodiment, when the air conditioning operation is started (S201: "YES" of FIG. 9), limit switch 25 is pressed by fan cleaning unit 24 (S202). Thus, the control unit 30 can appropriately and accurately rotate the fan cleaning unit 24 based on the base point of the control of the fan cleaning motor 24c based on the pulse signal.
If limit switch 25 is not switched (S208: no) even if a retraction command is output to fan cleaning unit 24 (S207 in fig. 9), control unit 30 attempts to execute the retraction of fan cleaning unit 24a plurality of times (S209 to S212 in fig. 10). This can prevent a false failure from occurring despite the fan cleaning motor 24c being normal. Further, for example, even if the brush 24b is caught in the gap between the fins f of the indoor heat exchanger 15, the brush 24b can be positioned by being pulled away from the indoor heat exchanger 15.
(third embodiment)
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a handle 50 (see fig. 11) is provided to allow a user or a service person to manually retract the fan cleaning unit 24 when the fan cleaning unit 24 fails. Other points (structure of air conditioner, etc.: fig. 1 to 4) are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, portions different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.
Fig. 11 is a configuration diagram including a fan cleaning unit 24, a limit switch 25, and a handle 50 of the air conditioner.
When the fan cleaning unit 24 fails, for example, a user removes a cover or the like (not shown) on a side surface of the indoor unit Ui (see fig. 2) to expose the handle 50. The user can then withdraw the fan cleaning unit 24 from the indoor fan 16 by holding the handle 50 with his hand and moving it in a predetermined direction. Accordingly, even if the fan cleaning unit 24 fails, the subsequent air conditioning operation can be performed with the brush 24b separated from the indoor fan 16.
< Effect >
According to the third embodiment, the handle 50 is moved by a user or the like who knows a failure of the fan cleaning portion 24, whereby the fan cleaning portion 24 can be retracted from the indoor fan 16. Therefore, even when the fan cleaning unit 24 fails, the subsequent air conditioning operation can be performed. That is, since the air conditioning operation can be performed even during a period from when the fan cleaning unit 24 fails to be actually repaired, the comfort and convenience of the user can be improved.
(fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a limit switch 25A (see fig. 12A) is provided near the indoor fan 16. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in control based on a signal from the limit switch 25A. Other points (structure of the air conditioner, etc.; refer to fig. 1 to 4) are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, portions different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.
Fig. 12A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the limit switch 25A is pressed by the fan cleaning portion 24.
Further, the limit switch 25A does not interfere with the indoor fan 16 in the axial direction of the indoor fan 16. As shown in fig. 12A, limit switch 25A is disposed near indoor fan 16. Specifically, when the rotation angle θ 1 (see fig. 12A) is larger than the rotation angle θ 2 (see fig. 12B) when cleaning is performed by the fan cleaning unit 24 with the brush 24B facing downward (see fig. 12C), the limit switch 25A is pressed by the contact portion 24 f.
The configuration of the limit switch 25A is the same as that of the limit switch 25 (see fig. 3) of the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. Fig. 12B and 12C are explained together with the flowchart of fig. 13 following the same.
Fig. 13 is a flowchart of processing executed by the control unit 30 of the air conditioner.
In step S301, the control unit 30 determines whether or not a predetermined start condition for cleaning the indoor fan 16 is satisfied. If the condition for starting cleaning of the indoor fan 16 is satisfied (S301: "yes"), the process of the control unit 30 proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, if the condition for starting cleaning of the indoor fan 16 is not satisfied (S301: no), the control unit 30 repeats the process of step S301.
In step S302, control unit 30 outputs a movement command for moving fan cleaning unit 24 in the direction of indoor fan 16. As a result, the fan cleaning portion 24 rotates by the predetermined rotation angle θ 1 (see fig. 12A), and the limit switch 25A is pressed by the contact portion 24 f. That is, when the fan cleaning unit 24 cleans the indoor fan 16, the limit switch 25A can be pressed by the fan cleaning unit 24.
In step S303, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the signal from the limit switch 25A is switched within a predetermined time from the output of the movement command. Although not shown in fig. 13, if the signal from limit switch 25A is switched within a predetermined time period (S303: "yes"), control unit 30 determines that fan cleaning unit 24 is normal, and proceeds to the process of step S304. Since limit switch 25A is provided near indoor fan 16, it is possible to determine whether or not fan cleaning unit 24 is appropriately rotated in the direction of indoor fan 16.
In step S304, control unit 30 cleans indoor fan 16 by fan cleaning unit 24.
Fig. 12B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the indoor fan 16 is being cleaned by the fan cleaning unit 24.
In the example shown in fig. 12B, in cleaning the indoor fan 16, the abutting portion 24f of the fan cleaning portion 24 does not contact the limit switch 25A. This makes it difficult for the contact portion 24f to wear and the limit switch 25A to fail.
After cleaning indoor fan 16, control unit 30 outputs a retraction command to fan cleaning unit 24 in step S305 of fig. 13. Further, based on the retraction command, when the fan cleaning unit 24 is rotated and the limit switch 25A is pressed again (see fig. 12A), the fan cleaning unit 24 may be rotated in the reverse direction and the brush 24b may be moved downward (see fig. 12C). That is, when the fan cleaning unit 24 is retracted from the indoor fan 16, the limit switch 25A can be pressed by the fan cleaning unit 24. Thus, even when the indoor fan 16 is retracted, the control unit 30 can recognize that the fan cleaning unit 24 is normal.
Fig. 12C is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the indoor fan 16 is cleaned by the fan cleaning unit 24.
When the indoor fan 16 is not cleaned, the brush 24b may be positioned downward as shown in fig. 12C. That is, fan cleaning unit 24 may be caused to stay at a position where it does not contact indoor fan 16 and indoor heat exchanger 15 (see fig. 2) after pressing limit switch 25A when retracting from indoor fan 16. This can suppress wear of the brush 24b associated with contact with the indoor heat exchanger 15.
The explanation is continued again with reference to fig. 13.
In step S303, if the signal from limit switch 25A is not switched within the predetermined time (S303: no), control unit 30 proceeds to step S307. If the signal from limit switch 25A is not switched within the predetermined time in step S306 (S306: NO), control unit 30 proceeds to step S307. When cleaning of indoor fan 16 is started (S303) and ended (S306), limit switch 25A is not properly pressed by fan cleaning unit 24.
In step S307, control unit 30 reports a failure of fan cleaning unit 24 via indicator lamp 29a (see fig. 4) and sound generating unit 29b (see fig. 4), and ends the series of processes (end).
< Effect >
According to the fourth embodiment, when limit switch 25A is not pressed by fan cleaning unit 24 while fan cleaning unit 24 cleans indoor fan 16 (S303: NO), control unit 30 reports a failure of fan cleaning unit 24 (S307). This can report that the user is not cleaning the indoor fan 16.
(modification of the fourth embodiment)
For example, a first limit switch 25 (first embodiment) may be provided near the indoor heat exchanger 15, and a first limit switch 25A (fourth embodiment) may be provided near the indoor fan 16. When cleaning the indoor fan 16, the fan cleaning unit 24 may press the second limit switch 25A, and when retracting from the indoor fan 16, the fan cleaning unit 24 may press the first limit switch 25.
In the above configuration, when the signal of the second limit switch 25A is not switched when the indoor fan 16 is cleaned, the control unit 30 reports a failure of the fan cleaning unit 24. When the signal of the first limit switch 25 is not switched when the indoor fan 16 is retracted, the control unit 30 also reports a failure of the fan cleaning unit 24. Thus, the control unit 30 can report the failure of the fan cleaning unit 24 as soon as possible.
(fifth embodiment)
The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a spring 60 (see fig. 14A) that biases the fan cleaning unit 24 in a direction to retract the indoor fan 16 is provided in place of the limit switch 25. Other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, portions different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.
Fig. 14A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the indoor fan 16 is being cleaned by the fan cleaning unit 24.
As shown in fig. 14A, the air conditioner includes a spring 60 in addition to the fan cleaning unit 24 and the like. The spring 60 biases the fan cleaning unit 24 in a direction to retract from the indoor fan 16. As such a spring 60, for example, a torsion spring shown in fig. 14A can be used.
One end of the spring 60 is fixed to the fixing rib R1 and the other end is provided to the brush installation portion 24 g. The brush setting portion 24g is a member for setting the brush 24b, and is rotatable integrally with the shaft portion 24 a. Further, the springs 60 may be provided near both ends of the shaft portion 24a, respectively, or the springs 60 may be provided at other portions as appropriate.
In addition, in cleaning of the indoor fan 16 by the fan cleaning unit 24, the fan cleaning unit 24 can be brought into contact with the indoor fan 16 against the elastic force of the spring 60. That is, the frictional torque of the fan cleaning motor 24c in the normal state (the torque for rotating the shaft 24a against the contact friction between the shaft 24a and the gear 24d, see fig. 3) may be larger than the elastic force of the spring 60 in the retracted state of the fan cleaning portion 24.
Further, since the fan cleaning motor 24c is continuously energized during cleaning of the indoor fan 16, the fan cleaning motor 24c can be positioned by its coercive force in a state where the brush 24b is in contact with the indoor fan 16.
If the fan cleaning motor 24c is assumed to be out of order, the torque thereof is generally greatly reduced. Therefore, the friction torque of the fan cleaning motor 24c when the fan cleaning motor 24c fails is preferably smaller than the elastic force of the spring 60 in a state where the fan cleaning portion 24 is in contact with the indoor fan 16. Accordingly, when the fan cleaning unit 24 fails, the fan cleaning unit 24 can be retracted from the indoor fan 16 by the elastic force of the spring 60.
Fig. 14B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which fan cleaning unit 24 is retracted from indoor fan 16. When the fan cleaning motor 24c fails, the elastic force of the spring 60 exceeds the friction torque of the fan cleaning motor 24c as described above, and the fan cleaning unit 24 rotates (retreats) toward the indoor heat exchanger 15. Thus, the brush 24b is not in contact with the indoor fan 16, and therefore, the air conditioning operation can be performed even after the fan cleaning motor 24c fails.
< Effect >
According to the fifth embodiment, by providing the spring 60 that urges the fan cleaning unit 24 in the direction to retract it, the air conditioning operation can be continued even after a failure of the fan cleaning unit 24.
(modification example)
Although the air conditioner 100 and the like of the present invention have been described in the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions and can be variously modified.
For example, in the first embodiment, the configuration in which the limit switch 25 is provided in the indoor unit Ui (see fig. 2) is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the limit switch 25 may be omitted and the torque of the fan cleaning unit 24 may be set as follows.
That is, in a state where the brush 24b of the fan cleaning unit 24 is in contact with the indoor heat exchanger 15 (see fig. 2), a torque in a direction to retract the fan cleaning unit 24 further may be allowed to act on the indoor heat exchanger 15 from the fan cleaning unit 24. For example, when the fan cleaning unit 24 is retracted, the bristles of the brush 24b enter the minute gaps of the fins f of the indoor heat exchanger 15 (the fan cleaning unit 24 is in contact with the indoor heat exchanger 15), and the rotation of the fan cleaning unit 24 is restricted by the frictional resistance thereof. In this state, the controller 30 may continuously output a predetermined pulse signal to the fan cleaning motor 24c, which is a stepping motor, so as to press the brush 24b into the indoor heat exchanger 15.
In the above configuration, the indoor heat exchanger 15 functions as a "restricting member" that restricts the rotation (movement) of the fan cleaning unit 24 at a predetermined position at which the fan cleaning unit 24 is retracted from the indoor fan 16. The "restricting member" for restricting the rotation of the fan cleaning unit 24 is not limited to the indoor heat exchanger 15, and may be a rib (not shown) for restricting.
It is preferable that the "torque" is larger than a driving torque of the fan cleaning unit 24 (a torque for rotating the brush 24b toward the indoor fan 16) when the indoor fan 16 is cleaned. Thus, the load acting on the fan cleaning motor 24c during cleaning of the indoor fan 16 is smaller than in the state where the fan cleaning unit 24 is retracted. Therefore, when the fan cleaning unit 24 cleans the indoor fan 16, the fan cleaning motor 24c is less likely to malfunction than during evacuation. As a result, the fan cleaning motor 24c is less likely to malfunction in a state where the brush 24b is in contact with the indoor fan 16.
If the fan cleaning motor 24c is in a failure state, the fan cleaning unit 24 is not in contact with the indoor fan 16, and therefore, air conditioning operation can be performed thereafter.
In the state where the brush 24b is in contact with the indoor heat exchanger 15, the torque in the direction to further retract the fan cleaning unit 24 may be equal to or less than the driving torque of the fan cleaning unit 24 (or the product of the safety factor and the driving torque of the fan cleaning motor 24 c) when cleaning the indoor fan 16.
The air conditioner may be configured to include an angle sensor 70 (failure detection unit: see fig. 15) for detecting an inclination angle of the brush 24b in the extending direction, instead of the limit switch 25 described in the first embodiment, for example.
Fig. 15 is a structural diagram of a fan cleaning unit 24 and an angle sensor 70 provided in an air conditioner according to a modification.
The angle sensor 70 shown in fig. 15 is a sensor for detecting a failure of the fan cleaning unit 24 by detecting a rotation angle of the fan cleaning unit 24 (an inclination angle of the brush 24b in the extending direction). As such an angle sensor 70, for example, an acceleration sensor can be used. Then, the control unit 30 reports a failure of the fan cleaning unit 24 based on the detection value of the angle sensor 70. For example, when the detection value of angle sensor 70 does not reach the predetermined value within a predetermined time after fan cleaning unit 24 is instructed to retract, control unit 30 determines that fan cleaning unit 24 has failed and reports the failure.
Further, when the time elapsed from the time of installation of the air conditioner 100 or the time of the previous maintenance reaches a predetermined time, the control unit 30 may report that the maintenance of the fan cleaning unit 24 is necessary. Further, when the number of air conditioning operations at the time of installation of the air conditioner 100 or from the time of the previous maintenance reaches a predetermined number of times, the control unit 30 may report that the maintenance of the fan cleaning unit 24 is necessary. Thus, even when the fan cleaning unit 24 is not malfunctioning, it is possible to report to the user that maintenance is necessary.
When the fan cleaning motor 24c is not excited, the tip of the brush 24b may be directed downward by the weight of the brush 24 b. Thus, even when the fan cleaning motor 24c fails and cannot be excited, the brush 24b is not in contact with the indoor fan 16, and the air conditioning operation can be performed thereafter. Further, if the fan cleaning motor 24c is a gearless stepping motor, the brush 24b is easily affected by its own weight when not excited because no gear is provided, and therefore the tip of the brush 24b is easily directed downward.
In addition, the limit switch 25 may be disposed such that the brush 24b does not contact with both the indoor fan 16 and the indoor heat exchanger 15 in a state where the fan cleaning unit 24 contacts with the limit switch 25. For example, the limit switch 25 may be pressed by the fan cleaning unit 24 in a state where the fan cleaning unit 24 is retracted and the tip of the brush 24b is directed downward. Further, after the limit switch 25 is pressed, the fan cleaning unit 24 may be slightly separated from the limit switch 25. This can suppress the brush 24b from being worn while suppressing the fan cleaning motor 24c from malfunctioning.
In the second embodiment (see fig. 9), the process of pressing the limit switch 25 by the fan cleaning unit 24 when starting the air conditioning operation is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fan cleaning unit 24 may push the limit switch 25 when the indoor fan 16 is started to be cleaned by the fan cleaning unit 24 instead of when the air conditioning operation is started.
In addition, as the "fan cleaning mode", the control section 30 may perform the following processing. That is, when the fan cleaning unit 24 is moved toward the limit switch 25 and the limit switch 25 is pressed, the control unit 30 starts cleaning the indoor fan 16 by the fan cleaning unit 24. On the other hand, if limit switch 25 is not pressed, control unit 30 does not start cleaning indoor fan 16 by fan cleaning unit 24.
The processing of the "fan cleaning mode" described above can be applied to each embodiment, and can also be applied to other modifications. In the "fan cleaning mode", the timing at which the fan cleaning unit 24 moves toward the limit switch 25 may be at the start of the air conditioning operation, may be at the start of cleaning by turning on the indoor fan 16, or may be at another predetermined timing.
In each embodiment, the air conditioning operation may be prohibited after the control unit 30 reports a failure of the fan cleaning unit 24. That is, even if there is a command to start the air-conditioning operation from the remote controller 40 after the failure of the fan cleaning unit 24, the control unit 30 prohibits the air-conditioning operation until the fan cleaning unit 24 returns to the normal state. Accordingly, in a state where fan cleaning unit 24 is malfunctioning, indoor fan 16 can be prevented from being driven at high speed, and fan blades 16a can be prevented from being damaged.
In the embodiments, the brush 24b is described as being rotated about the shaft portion 24a of the fan cleaning portion 24, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the fan cleaning unit 24 may be configured to move in parallel.
In the embodiments, the structure in which the fan cleaning unit 24 includes the brush 24b has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a sponge or the like may be used instead of the brush 24b as long as it can clean the indoor fan 16.
In the embodiments, the fan cleaning unit 24 is disposed upstream of the indoor fan 16 in the air flow direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fan cleaning unit 24 may be disposed downstream of the indoor fan 16.
In addition, the respective embodiments may be appropriately combined. For example, in a configuration in which the handle 50 is provided in combination with the second embodiment and the third embodiment (the third embodiment: see fig. 11), the control unit 30 may execute the processing of the second embodiment (see fig. 9 and 10).
For example, in the configuration in which limit switch 25 is provided (first embodiment, etc.: see fig. 3), spring 60 for biasing fan cleaning unit 24 in the direction to retract from indoor fan 16 may be further provided (fifth embodiment: see fig. 14A and 14B). This enables the user to be notified of a failure of the fan cleaning unit 24 and a problem in the spring 60, for example.
In the embodiments, the description has been given of the configuration in which one indoor unit Ui (see fig. 1) and one outdoor unit Uo (see fig. 1) are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a plurality of indoor units connected in parallel may be provided, or a plurality of outdoor units connected in parallel may be provided.
In addition, the embodiments can be applied to various air conditioners other than the indoor air conditioner.
The embodiments are described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and are not limited to having all of the configurations described. Further, some of the configurations of the embodiments may be added or deleted, and other configurations may be replaced.
The above-described mechanisms and structures are shown for the sake of explanation, and a product does not necessarily have to include all of the mechanisms and structures.
Description of the symbols
100-air conditioner; 11-a compressor; 12-outdoor heat exchanger; 13-outdoor fan; 14-an expansion valve; 15-indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger, restricting member); 16-indoor fans (fans); 24-a fan cleaning section; 24 a-a shaft portion; 24 b-a brush; 24c — a fan cleaning motor; 25-limit switch (failure detection section); 30-a control section; 40-a remote controller; 50-a handle; 60-a spring; angle sensor (failure detection unit) 70.
Claims (10)
1. An air conditioner is characterized by comprising:
a heat exchanger;
a fan;
a fan cleaning unit for cleaning the fan;
a control unit that controls at least the fan and the fan cleaning unit; and
a limit switch pushed by the fan cleaning part,
the control unit moves the fan cleaning unit toward the limit switch, and reports a failure of the fan cleaning unit when the limit switch is not pressed.
2. An air conditioner is characterized by comprising:
a heat exchanger;
a fan;
a fan cleaning unit for cleaning the fan;
a control unit that controls at least the fan and the fan cleaning unit; and
a limit switch pushed by the fan cleaning part,
the control unit moves the fan cleaning unit toward the limit switch, and starts cleaning of the fan by the fan cleaning unit when the limit switch is pressed, and does not start cleaning of the fan by the fan cleaning unit when the limit switch is not pressed.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1,
the control unit moves the fan cleaning unit toward the limit switch, repeats a process of moving the fan cleaning unit toward the limit switch when the limit switch is not pressed, and reports a failure of the fan cleaning unit when the limit switch is not pressed even when the process is repeated.
4. An air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2,
the fan cleaning unit includes a rod-shaped shaft portion parallel to an axial direction of the fan, a brush provided on the shaft portion, and a fan cleaning motor for moving the brush,
when the fan cleaning motor is not excited, the tip of the brush faces downward due to the weight of the brush.
5. An air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2,
a spring for biasing the fan cleaning unit in a direction to retract the fan cleaning unit from the fan,
in the cleaning of the fan by the fan cleaning portion, the fan cleaning portion comes into contact with the fan against the elastic force of the spring.
6. The air conditioner according to claim 5,
the fan cleaning unit includes a rod-shaped shaft portion parallel to an axial direction of the fan, a brush provided on the shaft portion, and a fan cleaning motor for moving the brush,
the frictional torque of the fan cleaning motor is smaller than the elastic force of the spring in a state where the fan cleaning portion is in contact with the fan.
7. An air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2,
a limiting member for limiting the movement of the fan cleaning part is arranged at a preset position where the fan cleaning part retreats from the fan,
wherein a torque in a direction to retract the fan cleaning portion further acts on the restricting member from the fan cleaning portion in a state where the fan cleaning portion is in contact with the restricting member,
the torque is larger than a driving torque of the fan cleaning portion when the fan is cleaned.
8. The air conditioner according to claim 7,
the fan cleaning unit includes a rod-shaped shaft portion parallel to an axial direction of the fan, a brush provided on the shaft portion, and a fan cleaning motor for moving the brush,
the heat exchanger also functions as the limiting member,
in a state where the brush is in contact with the heat exchanger, a torque in a direction to further retract the fan cleaning portion acts on the heat exchanger from the fan cleaning portion.
9. An air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2,
when the elapsed time from the time of installation of the air conditioner or the time of the previous maintenance reaches a predetermined time, or
When the number of times of air conditioning operation from the time of installation of the air conditioner or the time of the previous maintenance reaches a predetermined number of times,
the control unit reports that maintenance of the fan cleaning unit is required.
10. An air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2,
the fan cleaning device is provided with a handle for manually retracting the fan cleaning part from the fan.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2018/018518 WO2019220493A1 (en) | 2018-05-14 | 2018-05-14 | Air conditioner |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN110785611A true CN110785611A (en) | 2020-02-11 |
| CN110785611B CN110785611B (en) | 2021-06-22 |
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| CN201880030099.6A Active CN110785611B (en) | 2018-05-14 | 2018-05-14 | Air conditioner |
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| Country | Link |
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| JP (1) | JP6685473B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN110785611B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2019220493A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| CN110848871A (en) * | 2018-08-20 | 2020-02-28 | 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司 | Air conditioner self-cleaning method and device, air conditioner, computer equipment and storage medium |
| CN112484151A (en) * | 2020-11-19 | 2021-03-12 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Air conditioner |
| CN113623738A (en) * | 2021-08-11 | 2021-11-09 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Air duct structure, air conditioner and air conditioner control method |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPWO2019220493A1 (en) | 2020-05-28 |
| CN110785611B (en) | 2021-06-22 |
| JP6685473B1 (en) | 2020-04-22 |
| WO2019220493A1 (en) | 2019-11-21 |
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