CN112005059B

CN112005059B - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: CN112005059B
Application number: CN201980027233.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 西田光德
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2018-04-26
Filing date: 2019-01-18
Publication date: 2021-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-18
Also published as: CN112005059A; JP7408755B2; WO2019207854A1; JP2023011866A; JPWO2019207854A1; JP7174042B2

Abstract

Either of the purification and the regulation of the air may be preferentially performed. A first filter (15) is provided at the first suction port (11), a second filter (16) having a large ventilation resistance is provided at the second suction port (12), and a control unit controls the damper (18) to open after the stop or reduction of the rotation speed of the blower fan (13) and then the restart or increase of the rotation speed of the blower fan (13) in switching from the air-cleaning mode to the air-conditioning mode.

Description

Air conditioner

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air conditioner having an air purification function.

Background

In order to obtain an Air cleaning function, a conventional Air conditioner is known to include a dust removal Filter such as a HEPA Filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) at an Air inlet. The higher the HEPA filter dust removal function is, the greater the ventilation resistance is compared to the pre-filter. Therefore, if the air conditioner improves the dust removing function, the ventilation amount becomes small.

Therefore, for example, in the air conditioner disclosed in patent document 1, a structure capable of achieving both the dust removal function and the ventilation amount has been proposed. Specifically, in the air conditioner, if the length of the suction port is L, the dust removing filter disposed in the suction port is opened in the vicinity of the outlet of the suction port (lower portion of the suction port) to 5% or more of the length L of the suction port, and the length of the dust removing filter is set to 4 to 8 or so of the length L of the suction port.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2000-205643 "

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, the air conditioner is required to have a higher priority than the air cleaning function, for example, to cool a room immediately after returning to a high-temperature room in summer or to heat a room immediately after returning to a low-temperature room in winter. In response to such a demand, the conventional air conditioner cannot cope with the demand.

On the other hand, in the case where dust is present in a room, there is a demand for the air conditioner to use the air cleaning function in preference to the air conditioning function. In response to such a demand, the conventional air conditioner cannot cope with the demand.

Accordingly, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of preferentially operating either one of an air cleaning function and an air conditioning function.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above-described problems, an air conditioner according to an aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner that performs an operation based on an air conditioning mode in which the temperature of air is set to a set temperature and an air cleaning mode in which the air is cleaned, and an indoor unit of the air conditioner includes first and second air inlets for air, an air outlet for air, a blower for blowing air from the air outlet, a first filter provided in a flow path of the air sucked from the first air inlet, a second filter provided in a flow path of the air sucked from the second air inlet and having a larger air resistance than the first filter, an opening/closing member for opening/closing the first air inlet, a drive unit for the opening/closing member, and a control unit; the control unit controls the blower and the drive unit so that the opening/closing member is opened in the air-conditioning mode; in the air cleaning mode, the opening/closing member is set to a closed state; in the switching from the air purification mode to the air conditioning mode, the opening/closing member is opened after the blower is stopped or the rotation speed of the blower is reduced, and then the blower restarts to rotate or the rotation speed of the blower is increased.

Advantageous effects

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to preferentially operate either one of the air cleaning function and the air conditioning function, and to open the opening and closing member with a small force when switching the operation mode from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the indoor unit shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state of an air-conditioning mode of the indoor unit shown in fig. 1; fig. 3(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state of an air cleaning mode of the indoor unit shown in fig. 3 (a).

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device of the air conditioner shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the air conditioner including the indoor unit shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode in the air conditioner including the indoor unit shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode in the air-conditioning apparatus that performs the operation shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode in the air conditioner according to the other embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode in the air-conditioning apparatus that performs the operation shown in fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode in the air-conditioning apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode in the air-conditioning apparatus that performs the operation shown in fig. 11.

Detailed Description

[ first embodiment ]

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the indoor unit 1. Fig. 3(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state of an air-conditioning mode of the indoor unit 1, and fig. 3(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state of an air-cleaning mode of the indoor unit 1. In fig. 2, the upper part of the indoor unit 1 is a vertical cross section showing the position of the first suction port 11, and the lower part of the indoor unit 1 is a vertical cross section showing the position of the second suction port 12. In fig. 3(a) and (b), the heat exchanger 14 is shown by a two-dot chain line.

(outline of indoor machine 1)

As shown in fig. 1, an indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner includes a louver 3 on a front surface of an indoor unit main body 2. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the indoor unit main body 2 includes a first suction port 11 and a second suction port 12 at the upper and lower portions, respectively, a blower fan (blower) 13 and a heat exchanger 14 inside, and an air outlet 17 at the front.

The first suction port 11 is provided at the upper center position and the lower center position of the indoor unit main body 2, and the second suction port 12 is provided at the upper left and right positions and the lower left and right positions. That is, the indoor unit 1 has the first suction port 11 at a total of two places of the upper and lower portions, and the second suction port 12 at a total of four places of the two places of the upper and lower portions.

In the example of fig. 3, the indoor unit 1 has a first suction port 11 and a second suction port 12 in the upper and lower portions. However, the indoor unit 1 may have the first suction port 11 only in the upper portion and the second suction port 12 only in the lower portion, for example. The positions of the first suction port 11 and the second suction port 12 are not particularly limited.

The indoor unit 1 includes a first filter 15 inside each first suction port 11, a second filter 16 inside each second suction port 12, and a shutter (opening/closing member) 18 provided in each first suction port 11.

The first filter 15 is, for example, a filter having a function equivalent to a pre-filter, and is a mesh filter which is generally used as a filter of an air conditioner. The first filter is a filter having a smaller ventilation resistance than the second filter 16. The second Filter 16 is, for example, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) Filter having a higher performance than the first Filter 15 and a larger ventilation resistance than the first Filter 15.

The indoor unit 1 shown in fig. 3(a) and (b) has a structure in which a set of two blower fans 13 and one heat exchanger 14 are disposed on the left and right, and includes four blower fans 13 and two heat exchangers 14.

For example, a blower motor (blower) 35 (see fig. 4) is disposed between the left two blower fans 13 and the right two blower fans 13. The blower motor 35 in this case is a two-shaft motor having rotation shafts on the left and right sides, and the four blower fans 13 are rotated by one blower motor 35.

In the indoor unit 1, air sucked through the first suction port 11 is blown out through the first filter 15, the blower fan 13, and the heat exchanger 14 from the outlet port 17. The air sucked from the second suction port 12 is blown out from the outlet 17 through the second filter 16, the blower fan 13, and the heat exchanger 14.

The shutter 18 is driven by a shutter drive motor 33 (see fig. 4) to open and close the first suction port 11. The seal surface of the baffle plate 18 is on the inside of the baffle plate 18, and the seal surface of the first suction port 11 is on the outside of the first suction port 11.

(air-conditioning mode, air-cleaning mode)

The air conditioner of the present embodiment may select an air conditioning mode or an air cleaning mode as the operation mode. The air conditioning mode is a mode in which the air conditioning operation (cooling or heating) is prioritized over the air cleaning operation. The air cleaning mode is a mode in which the air cleaning operation is prioritized over the air conditioning operation.

In the indoor unit 1, the damper 18 of the first suction port 11 provided with the first filter 15 having a small air flow resistance is opened in the air-conditioning mode, and the damper 18 is closed in the air-cleaning mode.

(control device of air conditioner)

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device of an air conditioner according to the present embodiment. As shown in fig. 4, the control device of the air conditioner includes a control unit 31, which is formed of a microcomputer, for example, and a storage unit 38. The control unit 31 is connected to a receiving unit 36, and the receiving unit 36 receives a command from a remote controller (hereinafter simply referred to as a remote controller) 37 operated by a user. The remote controller 37 can set an air conditioning mode or an air cleaning mode for the air conditioner.

The control unit 31 controls the operations of the air conditioning unit 32, the flap drive motor (drive unit) 33, the air guide plate drive motor 34, and the blower motor 35 in accordance with instructions from the remote controller 37.

The air conditioner 32 is a part that performs a refrigeration cycle, and has a structure for performing a refrigeration cycle such as an evaporator (not shown), a condenser (not shown), and a compressor 41. The air conditioner unit 32 is configured to straddle the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 4.

The shutter drive motor 33 drives the shutter 18 to open and close the first suction port 11. The air guide plate drive motor 34 is driven, for example, in accordance with the setting of warm air or cold air, so as to dispose the air guide plates 3 at the respective positions. The blower motor 35 rotates the blower fan 13.

The storage unit 38 stores an operation mode (air-conditioning mode or air-cleaning mode) or a temperature setting immediately before the operation stop, or an operation mode or a set temperature set by the remote controller 37, under the control of the control unit 31.

(basic operation of air conditioner)

In the above configuration, the operation of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment will be described below. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the air conditioner including the indoor unit 1.

As shown in fig. 5, when the start of operation is instructed from the remote controller 37, the air conditioner starts operation under the control of the control unit 31. The control unit 31 checks the operation mode and the set temperature (S11), and controls the operations of the respective units.

Specifically, the control portion 31 stores an operation mode (air-conditioning mode or air-cleaning mode) or a temperature setting immediately before the stop of the operation in the storage portion 38. Therefore, if the remote controller 37 does not instruct the change of the operation mode or the change of the temperature setting, the control unit 31 starts the operation based on the operation mode or the temperature setting stored in the storage unit 38. On the other hand, if the remote controller 37 instructs to change the operation mode or the temperature setting, the operation is started according to the change content. The operation mode and the temperature setting set by the remote controller 37 are stored in the storage section 38.

Here, if the operation mode is the air-conditioning mode (S12), the controller 31 controls the flap drive motor 33 to open the flap 18. The control unit 31 controls the air guide plate drive motor 34 to place the air guide plate 3 in a predetermined state according to an operation setting (a cold air setting or a warm air setting). The control unit 31 controls the blower motor 35 to rotate the blower fan 13 and operates the air conditioning unit 32 (S13).

In the air-conditioning mode, since the shutter 18 is in the open state, air is mainly drawn into the interior of the indoor unit 1 from the first suction port 11 as shown in fig. 3 (a). This is because the first filter 15 (low-performance filter) disposed in the first suction port 11 has a small air flow resistance, and the second filter 16 (high-performance filter) disposed in the second suction port 12 has a large air flow resistance.

Therefore, a sufficient amount of air is sucked from the first suction port 11 into the indoor unit 1 due to a small ventilation resistance. The sucked air is blown by the blower fan 13 onto the heat exchanger 14, and is blown out from the outlet 17 after being cooled by the heat exchanger 14 (in the case of cold air) or after being heated by the heat exchanger 14 (in the case of warm air). This enables the indoor temperature to be set to the set temperature quickly.

On the other hand, in S12, if the operation mode is the air cleaning mode, the controller 31 controls the flap drive motor 33 to close the flap 18. The control unit 31 controls the air guide plate drive motor 34 to place the air guide plate 3 in a predetermined state according to an operation setting (a cold air setting or a warm air setting). The control unit 31 controls the blower motor 35 to rotate the blower fan 13 and operates the air conditioning unit 32 (S14).

In the air cleaning mode, since the shutter 18 is in the closed state, as shown in fig. 3(b), air is drawn into the interior of the indoor unit 1 only from the second suction port 12.

Therefore, the interior of the indoor unit 1 sucks in the air sufficiently purified through the second filter 16 (e.g., a high-performance HEPA filter). The sucked air is blown to the heat exchanger 14 by the blower fan 13, cooled or heated by the heat exchanger 14, and then blown out from the outlet 17.

Thereafter, when the remote controller 37 instructs to stop the operation of the air conditioner (S15), the controller 31 closes the flap 18 and the air guide plate 3 (closes the outlet 17), stops the blower fan 13 and the air conditioner 32 (S16), and ends the operation.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 32 is operated regardless of whether the operation mode is the air conditioning mode or the air cleaning mode. However, the air conditioner 32 may be configured to operate only when the operation mode is the air conditioning mode.

(switching from air cleaning mode to air-conditioning mode: stop of blowing fan at switching)

Next, the operation of the air conditioner when the air cleaning mode is switched to the air conditioning mode will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode in the air conditioner including the indoor unit 1. However, here, the description will be focused on the operation associated with the opening and closing of the shutter 18. The description of such an operation is the same as the description of the switching operation of the other operation modes described below.

For example, when switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode is performed in response to an instruction from the remote controller 37 operated by the user, the control unit 31 sets the shutter 18 to the open state by the following control.

As shown in fig. 6, first, the control unit 31 controls the blower motor 35 to stop the blower fan 13 (S21). Next, the controller 31 controls the shutter drive motor 33 to open the shutter 18 (S22).

Thereafter, when the flap 18 is fully opened (S23), the control unit 31 stops the flap drive motor 33 and controls the blower motor 35 to restart the rotation of the blower motor 35. Further, the air conditioner 32 is operated (S24).

When the air conditioner 32 is also operated in the air cleaning mode, the control for operating the air conditioner 32 is not necessary in S24.

In addition, when the shutter drive motor 33 is a stepping motor, the control section 31 may detect the fully opened state of the shutter 18 based on the number of steps of the shutter drive motor 33. The controller 31 may detect the fully opened state of the shutter 18 by a sensor that detects the opening and closing of the shutter 18. This is the same for the detection of the opening and closing of the shutter 18 in the following switching operation in other operation modes.

(switching from air-conditioning mode to air-cleaning mode: blower fan stopped at the time of switching)

Next, the operation of the air conditioner when switching from the air conditioning mode to the air cleaning mode will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode in the air-conditioning apparatus including the indoor unit 1.

When switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode, the controller 31 sets the shutter 18 to the closed state by the following control.

As shown in fig. 7, first, the control unit 31 controls the blower motor 35 to stop the blower fan 13 (S31). Next, the shutter drive motor 33 is controlled to close the shutter 18 (S32).

Thereafter, when the shutter 18 is completely closed (S33), the controller 31 stops the shutter drive motor 33 and controls the blower motor 35 to restart the rotation of the blower motor 35 (S34).

If the air conditioner 32 is not operated in the air cleaning mode, the air conditioner 32 is stopped in S31.

(advantages of air conditioner)

Since the air conditioner of the present embodiment can select the air conditioning mode and the air cleaning mode as the operation modes, it is possible to preferentially operate either the air cleaning function or the air conditioning function.

Therefore, for example, in the case where the room returns to a high temperature in summer and is then cooled down, or the room returns to a low temperature in winter and is then heated up, if the air conditioning mode is selected, the room can be warmed up or cooled down quickly with a sufficient air volume.

In addition, when the air cleaning function is to be prioritized over the air conditioning function, for example, when the dust in the room is large, a high air cleaning function can be exhibited by selecting the air cleaning mode.

In the air conditioner of the present embodiment, when the air cleaning mode is switched to the air conditioning mode, the rotation of the blower fan 13 is stopped, the opening operation of the flap 18 is started, and after the opening operation of the flap 18 is completed, the rotation of the blower fan 13 is restarted. This allows the shutter 18 to be opened with a small force, and does not require the shutter drive motor 33 having a large torque. In addition, it is possible to prevent the shutter 18 from being difficult to open. Further, when the shutter 18 is opened, the inside of the indoor unit 1 does not undergo a sudden pressure change, and noise can be prevented from increasing.

On the other hand, when the shutter 18 is opened while the blower fan 13 is rotated, the shutter 18 is opened while the pressure inside the indoor unit 1 is low. In this case, it becomes difficult to open the shutter 18, and a large force, that is, the shutter drive motor 33 having a large torque is required to open the shutter 18. When the shutter 18 is opened, a rapid pressure change occurs in the indoor unit 1, and the rotation of the blower fan 13 becomes unstable and noise increases.

In the air conditioner of the present embodiment, when switching from the air conditioning mode to the air cleaning mode, similarly, the rotation of the blower fan 13 is stopped, the closing operation of the flap 18 is started, and after the closing operation of the flap 18 is completed, the rotation of the blower fan 13 is restarted. This allows the shutter 18 to be closed slowly with a small force, and does not require the shutter drive motor 33 having a large torque. When the shutter 18 is closed, the pressure inside the indoor unit 1 does not change abruptly.

On the other hand, when the shutter 18 is closed while the blower fan 13 is rotated, there is a possibility that the shutter 18 is rapidly closed due to a pressure drop inside the indoor unit 1 after the closing operation is started. In this case, as the shutter 18 is closed, noise (for example, a closing sound of the shutter 18 of "pop") is generated. On the other hand, if the shutter 18 is slowly operated to close, the shutter drive motor 33 having a large torque is required. When the shutter 18 is closed, the rotation of the blower fan 13 may become unstable due to a sudden pressure change in the indoor unit 1.

The control unit 31 may perform control shown in fig. 9 described later when switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode.

[ second embodiment ]

Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof are omitted.

The indoor unit 51 of the air conditioner of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the indoor unit 1 described above, as shown in fig. 1 to 4, and performs the basic operation shown in fig. 5.

(switching from air cleaning mode to air-conditioning mode: reduction in rotation speed of blower fan at the time of switching)

Next, the operation of the air conditioner when the air cleaning mode is switched to the air conditioning mode will be described. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode in the air conditioner including the indoor unit 51.

For example, when the air cleaning mode is switched to the air conditioning mode in response to an instruction from the remote controller 37 operated by the user, the controller 31 opens the shutter 18 by the following control.

As shown in fig. 8, first, the control unit 31 controls the blower motor 35 to reduce the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 (S41). Next, when the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is reduced to a predetermined value (first predetermined value) or less (S42), the controller 31 controls the flap drive motor 33 to open the flap 18 (S43).

Thereafter, when the flap 18 is fully opened (S44), the control unit 31 stops the flap drive motor 33 and controls the blower motor 35 to increase the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 to a predetermined value (second predetermined value). Further, the air conditioner 32 is operated (S45).

In addition, when the air conditioner 32 is also operated in the air cleaning mode, the control for operating the air conditioner 32 is not necessary in S45.

(switching from air-conditioning mode to air-cleaning mode: reduction in rotation speed of blower fan at the time of switching)

Next, the operation of the air conditioner when switching from the air conditioning mode to the air cleaning mode will be described. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode in the air-conditioning apparatus including the indoor unit 51.

When switching from the air conditioning mode to the air cleaning mode, the controller 31 sets the damper 18 to the closed state by the following control.

As shown in fig. 9, first, the control unit 31 controls the blower motor 35 to decrease the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 (S51). Next, when the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is reduced to a predetermined value (first predetermined value) or less (S52), the controller 31 controls the flap drive motor 33 to close the flap 18 (S53). The predetermined value (first predetermined value) at this time may be the same as or different from the previous predetermined value (first predetermined value). This is the same in the following description of the other flowcharts.

Thereafter, when the flap 18 is completely closed (S54), the controller 31 stops the flap drive motor 33 and controls the blower motor 35 to increase the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 to a predetermined value (second predetermined value) (S55). The predetermined value (second predetermined value) at this time may be the same as or different from the previous predetermined value (second predetermined value). This is the same in the following description of the other flowcharts.

If the air conditioner 32 is not operated in the air cleaning mode, the air conditioner 32 is stopped in S51.

(advantages of air conditioner)

The air conditioner of the present embodiment reduces the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 when switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode, then opens the flap 18, and increases the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 after the opening operation of the flap 18 is completed. This allows the shutter 18 to be opened with a small force, and does not require the shutter drive motor 33 having a large torque. In addition, it is possible to prevent the shutter 18 from being difficult to open. Further, when the flap 18 is opened, a rapid pressure change does not occur in the indoor unit 51, and the rotation of the blower fan 13 can be prevented from becoming unstable and noise from increasing.

On the other hand, when the flap 18 is opened without reducing the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 (for example, in a state of high-speed rotation), the flap 18 is opened in a state where the pressure inside the indoor unit 51 is low. In this case, it becomes difficult to open the shutter 18, and a large force, that is, the shutter drive motor 33 having a large torque is required to open the shutter 18. When the flap 18 is opened, a rapid pressure change occurs in the indoor unit 51, and the rotation of the blower fan 13 becomes unstable and noise increases.

In the air conditioner of the present embodiment, when switching from the air conditioning mode to the air cleaning mode, similarly, the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is reduced, the damper 18 is then closed, and the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is increased after the closing operation of the damper 18 is completed. This allows the shutter 18 to be closed slowly with a small force, and does not require the shutter drive motor 33 having a large torque. Further, when the shutter 18 is closed, rapid pressure change does not occur in the indoor unit 51, and unstable rotation of the blower fan 13 can be prevented.

On the other hand, when the shutter 18 is closed without reducing the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 (for example, in a state of rotating at a high speed), there is a possibility that the shutter 18 is rapidly closed due to a pressure drop inside the indoor unit 51 after the closing operation is started. In this case, noise (closing sound of the shutter 18) is generated in accordance with the closing operation of the shutter 18. On the other hand, if the shutter 18 is slowly operated to close, the shutter drive motor 33 having a large torque is required. When the shutter 18 is closed, the rotation of the blower fan 13 may become unstable due to a rapid pressure change in the indoor unit 51.

In the air conditioner of the present embodiment, the blower fan 13 is not stopped at the time of switching the operation mode (switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-conditioning mode and switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode). This can shorten the time required for switching the operation mode. In addition, when the operation mode is switched, the noise can be reduced without generating the starting sound of the blower fan 13.

The present embodiment is similar to the air conditioner of the first embodiment in other advantages such as an advantage that either one of the air cleaning function and the air conditioning function of the air conditioner can be preferentially operated.

Further, the control unit 31 may perform the control shown in fig. 7 when the air conditioning mode is switched to the air cleaning mode.

[ third embodiment ]

Still other embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof are omitted.

The indoor unit 52 of the air conditioner of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the indoor unit 1 described above, as shown in fig. 1 to 4, and performs the basic operation shown in fig. 5.

(switching from air cleaning mode to air conditioning mode: when switching, after the rotational speed of the blower fan is reduced, before the damper is fully opened, the rotational speed of the blower fan is increased)

Next, the operation of the air conditioner when the air cleaning mode is switched to the air conditioning mode will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode in the air conditioner including the indoor unit 52.

As shown in fig. 10, first, the control unit 31 controls the blower motor 35 to decrease the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 (S61). Next, when the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is reduced to a predetermined value (first predetermined value) or less (S62), the controller 31 controls the flap drive motor 33 to open the flap 18 (S63).

Next, after waiting for several seconds (S64), the control unit 31 controls the blower 35 to increase the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 to a predetermined value (second predetermined value) (S65).

Thereafter, when the flap 18 is fully opened (S66), the controller 31 stops the flap driving motor 33 and operates the air conditioner 32 (S67).

In addition, when the air conditioner 32 is also operated in the air cleaning mode, the control for operating the air conditioner 32 is not necessary in S67.

In S64 and S65, the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is increased after the shutter 18 starts to open and waits for several seconds for the following reason. That is, in the process in which the increase in the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is started simultaneously with the start of the opening operation of the flap 18, the same problem as that in the case where the flap 18 is opened while the blower fan 13 is rotated at a high speed may occur. Therefore, the increase in the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is started after the opening operation of the damper 18 is started, and after a certain time interval. Therefore, the standby for several seconds is merely an example, and the increase in the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 may be started after the flap 18 is opened at only a predetermined angle, for example, at only a half angle with respect to the angle of full opening (the state shown by the solid line) as shown by the two-dot chain line in fig. 3 (a). As described above, when the shutter drive motor 33 is a stepping motor, the control section 31 can know the opening angle of the shutter 18 in this case from the number of steps.

(switching from air-conditioning mode to air-cleaning mode)

When switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode, the control unit 31 may perform the control shown in fig. 7 or 9. That is, in the switching from the air conditioning mode to the air cleaning mode, if the rotation of the blower fan 13 is restarted from the middle of the closing operation of the damper 18 (in the case of fig. 7) or the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is increased (in the case of fig. 9), the pressure inside the indoor unit 52 decreases, and the damper 18 "pops" and closes, which is not preferable. Therefore, after the closing operation of the damper 18 is completed, it is preferable to restart the rotation of the blower fan 13 (in the case of fig. 7) or increase the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 (in the case of fig. 9).

(advantages of air conditioner)

When the air-conditioning apparatus of the present embodiment is switched from the air-cleaning mode to the air-conditioning mode, the opening operation of the flap 18 is started after the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is reduced, and the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is increased until the flap 18 is completely opened. Thus, the flap 18 can be opened with a small force, as in the air conditioner of the second embodiment, and the flap drive motor 33 having a large torque is not required. In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation in which it is difficult to open the shutter 18. Further, when the flap 18 is opened, a rapid pressure change does not occur in the indoor unit 52, and the rotation of the blower fan 13 can be prevented from becoming unstable and noise from increasing.

In the air conditioner of the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 after the reduction is increased until the flap 18 is fully opened without stopping the blower fan 13 at the time of switching the operation mode (switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode). This can further shorten the time required for switching the operation mode, compared to the air conditioner according to the second embodiment.

Further, when the operation mode is switched, the noise can be reduced without generating the start sound of the blower fan 13. In this case, the time period of the noise generated by opening the damper 18 and the time period of the noise generated by increasing the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 overlap each other, and therefore the time period of the noise generated when the operation mode is switched can be shortened.

[ fourth embodiment ]

Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof are omitted.

In the air conditioner of the present embodiment, the indoor unit 53 has the configuration shown in fig. 1 to 4, and performs the basic operation shown in fig. 5, as in the indoor unit 1.

(switching from air cleaning mode to air-conditioning mode: reduction in the rotational speed of compressor and blower at the time of switching)

Next, the operation of the air conditioner when the air cleaning mode is switched to the air conditioning mode will be described. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode in the air conditioner including the indoor unit 53.

As shown in fig. 11, first, the controller 31 reduces the rotation speed of the compressor 41 to a predetermined value (third predetermined value) or less (S81, S82). Next, the control unit 31 controls the blower motor 35 to reduce the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 to a predetermined value (first predetermined value) or less (S83, S84).

Next, the controller 31 controls the shutter drive motor 33 to start the opening operation of the shutter 18 (S85).

Next, as in the case of S64 described above, after waiting for several seconds (S86), the controller 31 controls the blower motor 35 to increase the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 (S87).

Thereafter, when the damper 18 is fully opened (S88), the controller 31 stops the damper drive motor 33, and when the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 increases to a predetermined value (second predetermined value) (S89), the air conditioner 32 is operated and the rotation speed of the compressor 41 increases to a predetermined value (fourth predetermined value) (S90).

When the air conditioner 32 is also operated in the air cleaning mode, the control for operating the air conditioner 32 is not necessary in S90.

(switching from air-conditioning mode to air-cleaning mode: reduction in rotation speed of compressor and blower fan at the time of switching)

Next, the operation of the air conditioner when switching from the air conditioning mode to the air cleaning mode will be described. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode in the air-conditioning apparatus including the indoor unit 53.

For example, when switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode is performed in response to an instruction from the remote controller 37 operated by the user, the controller 31 controls the shutter 18 to be in the closed state as follows.

As shown in fig. 12, first, the control unit 31 reduces the rotation speed of the compressor 41 to a predetermined value (third predetermined value) or less (S101, S102). Next, the control unit 31 controls the blower motor 35 to reduce the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 to a predetermined value (first predetermined value) or less (S103, S104).

Next, the controller 31 controls the shutter drive motor 33 to completely close the shutter 18 (S105, S106), and stops the shutter drive motor 33.

Next, the control unit 31 increases the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 to a predetermined value (second predetermined value) (S107, S108).

After that, the control unit 31 increases the rotation speed of the compressor 41 to a predetermined value (fourth predetermined value) (S109).

(advantages of air conditioner)

When switching from the air purification mode to the air conditioning mode, the air conditioner of the present embodiment reduces the rotation speed of the compressor 41 and then reduces the rotation speed of the blower fan 13, and increases the rotation speed of the compressor 41 after increasing the rotation speed of the blower fan 13. This can suppress a large temperature change in the indoor unit 53 caused by a reduction in the rotation speed of the blower fan 13, thereby improving the reliability of the air conditioner and enhancing the energy saving function.

That is, when the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is decreased without decreasing the rotation speed of the compressor 41, the amount of air blown to the heat exchanger 14 of the indoor unit 53 decreases, and therefore the temperature of the heat exchanger 14 increases in the case of warm air and decreases in the case of cold air. Therefore, a large temperature change occurs inside the indoor unit 53. Further, if the rotation speed of the compressor 41 is not reduced, the load on the compressor 41 becomes high in the case of heating, which is not preferable. Therefore, if the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is reduced after the rotation speed of the compressor 41 is reduced, such a problem can be solved.

The opening operation of the flap 18 is started after the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is reduced, and the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is increased until the flap 18 is fully opened. Thus, the flap 18 can be opened with a small force, as in the air conditioner of the second embodiment, and the flap drive motor 33 having a large torque is not required. In addition, it is possible to prevent the shutter 18 from being difficult to open. Further, when the flap 18 is opened, a rapid pressure change does not occur in the indoor unit 53, and the rotation of the blower fan 13 can be prevented from becoming unstable and noise from increasing.

Further, at the time of switching of the operation mode (switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode), the blower fan 13 is not stopped, and the reduced rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is increased until the flap 18 is fully opened. This can shorten the time required for switching the operation mode, compared to the air conditioner according to the second embodiment.

In the air conditioner of the present embodiment, when switching from the air conditioning mode to the air cleaning mode, similarly, the rotation speed of the compressor 41 is reduced, and then the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is reduced, and after the rotation speed of the blower fan 13 is increased, the rotation speed of the compressor 41 is increased. This can suppress a large temperature change in the indoor unit 53 caused by a reduction in the rotation speed of the blower fan 13, thereby improving the reliability of the air conditioner.

After the rotational speed of the blower fan 13 is reduced, the shutter 18 is closed, and after the closing operation of the shutter 18 is completed, the rotational speed of the blower fan 13 is increased. Thus, as in the case of the second embodiment, the shutter 18 can be closed slowly with a small force, and the shutter drive motor 33 having a large torque is not required. Further, when the shutter 18 is closed, rapid pressure change does not occur in the indoor unit 51, and unstable rotation of the blower fan 13 can be prevented.

In the above control of the compressor 41 by the control unit 31, the compressor 41 may be stopped instead of reducing the rotation speed. However, in this case, it takes time for the compressor 41 to be restarted.

[ software-based implementation example ]

The control unit 31 of the air conditioner may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software.

In the latter case, the air conditioner is provided with a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. The computer includes, for example, at least one processor (control device) and at least one computer-readable recording medium storing the program. In the computer, the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes the program, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. As the processor, for example, a cpu (central Processing unit) can be used. The recording medium may be a "non-transitory tangible medium", and for example, a tape, a magnetic disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like may be used in addition to a rom (read Only memory) or the like. Further, a ram (random Access memory) or the like for developing the program may be further provided. The program may be supplied to the computer through an arbitrary transmission medium (a communication network, a broadcast wave, or the like) through which the program can be transmitted. In addition, an aspect of the present invention can also be implemented in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, embodied by electronic transmission of the program described above.

[ conclusion ]

An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner that performs operations based on an air conditioning mode in which the temperature of air is set to a set temperature and an air cleaning mode in which air is cleaned, and includes, as operation modes, indoor units 1,51 to 53 having first and second air inlets 11, 12 for air, an air outlet 17 for air, a blower (a blower fan 13, a blower motor 35) for blowing air from the air outlet 17, a first filter 15 provided in a flow path of air sucked from the first air inlet 11, a second filter 16 provided in a flow path of air sucked from the second air inlet 12 and having a larger air resistance than the first filter 15, an opening/closing member (a damper 18) for opening/closing the first air inlet 11, a drive unit (a damper drive motor 33) for the opening/closing member, and a control unit 31; the control unit 31 controls the blower and the drive unit so that the opening/closing member is opened in the air-conditioning mode; in the air cleaning mode, the opening/closing member is set to a closed state; in the switching from the air purification mode to the air conditioning mode, the opening/closing member is opened after the blower is stopped or the rotation speed of the blower is reduced, and then the blower restarts to rotate or the rotation speed of the blower is increased.

In the air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the control unit 31 may control the blower and the driving unit (flap driving motor 33) such that the opening/closing member (flap 18) starts the opening operation after the rotation speed of the blower (blower fan 13, blower motor 35) is reduced in the switching from the air purification mode to the air conditioning mode, and then the rotation speed of the blower is increased and the increase in the rotation speed of the blower is completed before the opening operation of the opening/closing member is completed.

The air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention may be configured such that, in the first or second aspect, a compressor 41 is provided which is incorporated into a refrigeration cycle and operates in the air purification mode and the air conditioning mode, and the control unit 31 controls the compressor 41 in addition to the blower and the drive unit (damper drive motor 33) such that, in switching from the air purification mode to the air conditioning mode, the opening/closing member (damper 18) performs an opening operation after the rotation speed of the blower (blower fan 13, blower motor 35) is reduced, and thereafter, when the rotation speed of the blower is increased, the rotation speed of the compressor 41 is reduced before the rotation speed of the blower is reduced, and the rotation speed of the compressor 41 is increased after the rotation speed of the blower is increased.

In the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the control unit 31 may control the blower and the driving unit (flap driving motor 33) such that the opening/closing member (flap 18) performs a closing operation after the blower (blower fan 13, blower motor 35) is stopped or the rotation speed of the blower is reduced during switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode, and thereafter the blower restarts rotation or the rotation speed of the blower is increased.

In the air conditioner according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the control unit 31 may control the compressor 41 in addition to the blower and the driving unit so that the opening/closing member (shutter 18) performs the closing operation after the rotation speed of the blower (blower fan 13, blower motor 35) is reduced in the switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode, and thereafter, when the rotation speed of the blower is increased, the rotation speed of the compressor 41 is reduced before the rotation speed of the blower is reduced, and the rotation speed of the compressor 41 is increased after the rotation speed of the blower is increased.

The control unit 31 according to the aspects of the present invention may be realized by a computer, and in this case, a program of an air conditioner that causes the air conditioner to be realized by a computer by causing a computer to function as each unit (software element) provided in the air conditioner and a computer-readable recording medium that records the program also belong to the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in the respective different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, by combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments, new technical features can be formed.

Description of the reference numerals

1,51,52,53 indoor unit

2 indoor set main body part

3 air deflector

4 outdoor machine

11 first suction port

12 second suction inlet

13 blower fan (blower)

14 heat exchanger

15 first filter

16 second filter

17 air outlet

18 baffle (opening and closing parts)

31 control part

32 air conditioning part

33 baffle driving motor (driving part)

34 air deflector driving motor

35 blower motor (blower)

36 receiving part

37 remote controller

38 storage section

Claims

1. An air conditioner that operates in an air conditioning mode in which the temperature of air is set to a set temperature and an air cleaning mode in which air is cleaned, as operation modes, is characterized in that an indoor unit includes:

first and second air inlets;

an air outlet;

a blower for blowing air from the air outlet;

a first filter provided in a flow path of air sucked from the first suction port;

a second filter which is provided in a flow path of air sucked from the second suction port and has a larger ventilation resistance than the first filter;

an opening/closing member for opening/closing the first suction port;

a drive unit for the opening/closing member; and

a control unit;

the control unit controls the blower and the drive unit so that the opening/closing member is opened in the air-conditioning mode; in the air cleaning mode, the opening/closing member is set to a closed state; in the switching from the air purification mode to the air conditioning mode, the opening/closing member is opened after the blower is stopped or the rotation speed of the blower is reduced, and then the blower restarts to rotate or the rotation speed of the blower is increased.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the blower and the drive unit such that the opening/closing member starts the opening operation after the rotation speed of the blower is reduced in the switching from the air cleaning mode to the air conditioning mode, and thereafter, when the rotation speed of the blower is increased, the increase in the rotation speed of the blower is completed before the opening operation of the opening/closing member is completed.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a compressor is incorporated into a refrigeration cycle and is operated in the air cleaning mode and the air conditioning mode;

the control unit controls the compressor in addition to the blower and the drive unit such that the opening/closing member is opened after the rotation speed of the blower is reduced in switching from the air purification mode to the air conditioning mode, the rotation speed of the compressor is reduced before the rotation speed of the blower is reduced when the rotation speed of the blower is increased, and the rotation speed of the compressor is increased after the rotation speed of the blower is increased.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the blower and the drive unit such that the opening/closing member performs the closing operation after the blower is stopped or the rotation speed of the blower is reduced in switching from the air-conditioning mode to the air-cleaning mode, and thereafter the blower resumes rotation or the rotation speed of the blower increases.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the compressor in addition to the blower and the drive unit such that the opening/closing member performs the closing operation after the rotation speed of the blower is reduced in the switching from the air conditioning mode to the air cleaning mode, and thereafter, when the rotation speed of the blower is increased, the rotation speed of the compressor is reduced before the rotation speed of the blower is reduced, and the rotation speed of the compressor is increased after the rotation speed of the blower is increased.