EP2244030B1 - Unité intérieure d'un appareil de climatisation - Google Patents

Unité intérieure d'un appareil de climatisation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2244030B1
EP2244030B1 EP09702848.4A EP09702848A EP2244030B1 EP 2244030 B1 EP2244030 B1 EP 2244030B1 EP 09702848 A EP09702848 A EP 09702848A EP 2244030 B1 EP2244030 B1 EP 2244030B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
brush
air filter
dust
brush member
contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP09702848.4A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2244030A1 (fr
EP2244030A4 (fr
Inventor
Yoshiharu Michitsuji
Akihiko Sakashita
Tsuyoshi Yokomizo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Daikin Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daikin Industries Ltd filed Critical Daikin Industries Ltd
Publication of EP2244030A1 publication Critical patent/EP2244030A1/fr
Publication of EP2244030A4 publication Critical patent/EP2244030A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2244030B1 publication Critical patent/EP2244030B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/28—Arrangement or mounting of filters
    • 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
    • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
    • F24F1/0071—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units with means for purifying supplied air
    • F24F1/0073—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units with means for purifying supplied air characterised by the mounting or arrangement of filters
    • 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
    • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
    • F24F1/0043—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements
    • F24F1/0047—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements mounted in the ceiling or at the ceiling
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/90—Cleaning of purification apparatus
    • 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
    • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
    • F24F1/0018—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by fans
    • F24F1/0022—Centrifugal or radial fans
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/02—Ducting arrangements
    • F24F13/06—Outlets for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air diffuser
    • F24F2013/0616—Outlets that have intake openings

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner including a brush member in contact with an air filter for removing dust.
  • an air conditioner disclosed in JP 2007-38215 A includes an air filter (pre-filter) formed in a disc shape.
  • a rotating brush as the dust removing means is provided along the radial direction of the air filter so as to be in contact with the air filter.
  • the dust on the air filter is scraped off (removed) by the rotating brush.
  • an air conditioner comprising a disc air filter arranged between a suction grill and a heat exchange is disclosed in JP 2006-071121 A according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • a drive unit for rotationally driving the air filter, a rotary brush for raking dust deposited on the surface of the upstream side of the air filter, a trapping case having a brush storage portion storing the rotary brush for trapping the dust raked by the rotary brush, and an air duct provided in the longitudinal side face of the trapping case and a suction device communicated with the air duct are provided.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner having a function of scraping off dust on an air filter by means of a brush member by moving the air filter and brush member relative to each other while they are in contact with each other, wherein the dust which has been scraped off by the brush member is reliably handled.
  • a first aspect is directed to an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1.
  • the air filter (30) and the brush member (51) are moved relative to each other by the moving means (40) while the brush member (51) is in contact with the air filter (30).
  • the air filter (30) is moved relative to the brush member (51).
  • dust on the air filter (30) is scraped off (removed) by the brush member (51).
  • the dust on the brush member (51) is removed by the brush cleaning means (52).
  • the air filter (30) and the brush member (51) are moved relative to each other by the moving means (40) in a direction opposite to the direction of the relative movement (i.e., the direction of movement during the operation of removing dust from the air filter (30)). Then, in the contact area between the brush member (51) and the air filter (30), the unevenly-placed dust is dragged in a direction opposite to that during the above operation. Then, the removed dust is evenly and reliably attached across the contact area of the brush member (51). Therefore, the dust trapped on the brush member (51) can be easily removed by the brush cleaning means (52).
  • a second aspect is according to the first aspect, wherein the brush member (51) includes a shaft (51a), and a brush (51 b) provided on an outer circumferential surface of the shaft (51a) for removing dust while being in contact with the air filter (30).
  • the brush cleaning means is a cleaning brush member (52) located near an outer circumference of the shaft (51a) of the brush member (51) and including a brush (52b) for removing dust while being in contact with the brush (51b) of the brush member (51).
  • the indoor unit of the present invention includes brush drive means (53) for rotating the brush member (51) about an axial center of the shaft (51a) so that an area of the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) that has been in contact with the air filter (30) is brought into contact with the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush member (52).
  • a third aspect is according to the second aspect, wherein the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) is provided so as to extend over a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the shaft (51a) in a circumferential direction thereof.
  • the brush member (51) rotates and the brush (51b) comes into contact with the cleaning brush member (52), thereby removing dust which has been attached to the brush (51b). Therefore, although the brush (51b) is provided only on a portion of the shaft (51a), the removing capacity of the brush member (51) is maintained.
  • a fourth aspect is according to the second or third aspect, wherein the air filter (30) is formed in a disc shape, and the brush member (51) is arranged upstream of the air filter (30) so as to extend in a radial direction of the air filter (30).
  • the moving means (40) is configured to move the air filter (30) by rotating the air filter (30) while the air filter (30) is in contact with the brush (51b) of the brush member (51).
  • the air filter (30) is rotated by the moving means (40) while the air filter (30) is in contact with the brush (51b) of the brush member (51).
  • dust on the air filter (30) is scraped off (removed) by the brush (51b).
  • a fifth aspect is according to the first aspect, wherein the moving means (40) is configured to relatively and intermittently move the air filter (30) relative to the brush member (51) while the air filter (30) is in contact with the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) to remove dust by the brush member (51), and to relatively move the air filter (30) relative to the brush member (51) while the air filter (30) is in contact with the brush member (51) in a direction opposite to a direction of the intermittent movement after the intermittent movement is stopped.
  • This aspect includes brush drive means (53) for bringing an area of the brush member (51) that has been in contact with the air filter (30) into contact with the brush cleaning means (52) to remove dust on the brush member (51) after the reverse-direction movement of the air filter (30) by the moving means (40).
  • the air filter (30) and the brush member (51) are moved relative to each other and stopped alternately by the moving means (40).
  • the air filter (30) moves intermittently relative to the brush member (51).
  • the air filter (30) moves relative to the brush member (51) in a direction opposite to the direction of movement.
  • a sixth aspect is according to the first aspect, wherein the brush member (51) includes a shaft (51a), and a brush (51b) provided on an outer circumferential surface of the shaft (51a) for removing dust while being in contact with the air filter (30).
  • the moving means (40) is configured to selectively perform an operation of moving the air filter (30) while the air filter (30) is in contact with the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) so as to remove dust by the brush member (51), and another operation of moving the air filter (30) while the air filter (30) is in contact with the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) in a direction opposite to a moving direction during the first operation before removing dust on the brush member (51) by the brush cleaning means (52).
  • This aspect includes brush drive means (53) for rotating the brush member (51) about an axial center of the shaft (51a) in a direction opposite to the reverse-direction movement of the air filter (30), simultaneously with the reverse-direction movement of the air filter (30) by the moving means (40).
  • the air filter (30) is moved relative to the brush member (51).
  • dust on the air filter (30) is trapped on the brush (51b) of the brush member (51).
  • the brush member (51) rotates in the opposite direction to the reverse-direction movement of the air filter (30).
  • a seventh aspect is according to the fourth aspect, wherein the moving means (40) is configured to intermittently rotate the air filter (30) over a predetermined rotation angle at a time while the air filter (30) is in contact with the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) to remove dust by the brush member (51), and to rotate back the air filter (30) over a predetermined angle in a direction opposite to the rotation direction while the air filter (30) is in contact with the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) after each stop of the intermittent rotation.
  • the brush drive means (53) is configured to rotate the brush member (51), after the back rotation of the air filter (30) by the moving means (40), so that an area of the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) which has been in contact with the air filter (30) is brought into contact with the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush member (52), thereby removing dust on the brush member (51).
  • the air filter (30) is rotated over a predetermined rotation angle and stopped alternately by the moving means (40).
  • the air filter (30) is rotated back over a predetermined angle.
  • the dust trapped on the brush member (51) is evenly attached.
  • the brush member (51) rotates so that the portion of the brush (51b) which has been in contact with the air filter (30) comes into the cleaning brush member (52). Thus, dust on the brush member (51) is removed. That is, according to this aspect, the air filter (30) rotates intermittently, and dust which has been trapped on the brush member (51) is removed by the cleaning brush member (52) upon each stop.
  • An eighth aspect is according to the second or third aspect, wherein the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) is made of pile fabric.
  • the brush (51 b) of the brush member (51) is made of pile fabric, the bristles thereof are relatively short. Thus, the distance between the air filter (30) and the brush member (51) is short.
  • a ninth aspect is according to the eighth aspect, wherein the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) is made of inclined pile whose bristles are inclined so as to oppose against a direction of the relative movement of the air filter (30) during the operation of removing dust on the air filter (30) by the brush member (51).
  • the bristles of the brush (51b) are inclined so as to oppose against the moving direction of the air filter (30). That is, the bristles of the brush (51b) are inclined in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the air filter (30).
  • the bristles of the brush (51b) are inclined in the same direction as the moving direction of the brush (51b) (i.e., the opposite direction to the direction of relative movement of the air filter (30)). Therefore, dust on the air filter (30) is more easily scraped off by the brush (51b).
  • the air filter (30) moves in the reverse direction relative to the brush member (51)
  • the air filter (30) is moving in the same direction as the direction of the bristles of the brush (51b).
  • the brush member (51) moves in the reverse direction relative to the air filter (30)
  • the air filter (30) is relatively moving in the same direction as the direction of the bristles of the brush (51b).
  • a tenth aspect is according to the ninth aspect, wherein the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush member (52) is made of inclined pile of pile fabric whose bristles are inclined in a certain direction.
  • the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush member (52) is made of pile fabric, the bristles thereof are short, and the distance between the brush member (51) and the cleaning brush member (52) is short. Moreover, by determining the inclination direction of the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush member (52) based on the relationship between the rotation direction of the brush member (51) and the inclination direction of the brush (51b), dust on the brush member (51) can be more easily scraped off.
  • An eleventh aspect is according to one of the first to tenth aspects, including: a dust storing container (60) arranged upstream of the air filter (30) and provided with the brush member (51) and the brush cleaning means (52) for storing dust removed by the brush cleaning means (52); and dust transfer means (80) for introducing air blowing from the indoor fan (21) into the dust storing container (60) and transferring dust in the dust storing container (60) to a predetermined location along with the blowing air.
  • dust which has been removed from the brush member (51) by the brush cleaning means (52) is stored in the dust storing container (60).
  • the air blowing from the indoor fan (21) is introduced into the dust storing container (60), and the dust is transferred to a predetermined location (e.g., to the outside of the casing (10)) along with the air. That is, dust which has been removed from the air filter (30) is transferred to another location by using the air blowing from the indoor fan (21).
  • the brush member (51) is rotated so that a portion of the brush member (51) which has been in contact with the air filter (30) is brought into contact with the cleaning brush member (52). Therefore, dust trapped on the brush member (51) can be removed. Since it does not require three-dimensional movement of the brush member (51), it is possible to reduce the size of the indoor unit (1).
  • the brush (51b) is provided only on a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the brush member (51) in the circumferential direction thereof, the dust on the brush (51b) can be removed by the cleaning brush member (52).
  • the cleaning brush member (52) it is possible to reduce the cost of the brush member (51) while maintaining the removing capacity of the brush member (51).
  • the disc-shaped air filter (30) is rotated while the air filter (30) is in contact with the brush member (51) so as to move the air filter (30) and the brush member (51) relative to each other. Therefore, as compared with a case where the air filter (30) is formed in a rectangular shape and is moved in sliding motion, for example, it is possible to eliminate the space required for the movement of the air filter (30). Thus, it is possible to further reduce the size of the indoor unit (1).
  • the air filter (30) is relatively and intermittently moved relative to the brush member (51) in the fifth aspect, whereas the disc-shaped air filter (30) is intermittently rotated relative to the brush member (51) in the seventh aspect.
  • the air filter (30) is relatively moved in the reverse direction or rotated in the reverse direction for each of the intermittent stops, after which dust on the brush member (51) is removed by the brush cleaning means (52). That is, in these aspects, the dust removal of the air filter (30) and the dust removal of the brush member (51) are performed alternately. Therefore, the dust removing function of the brush member (51) can be maintained at a high level across the entire air filter (30). As a result, dust can be reliably removed from across the entire air filter (30).
  • the air filter (30) is moved relative to the brush member (51) in a direction opposite to that during the dust removal, and the brush member (51) is rotated in a direction opposite to the reverse-direction movement of the air filter (30).
  • the brush member (51) is rotated in a direction opposite to the reverse-direction movement of the air filter (30).
  • the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) is made of pile fabric. Therefore, since the bristles of the brush (51b) are short, it is possible to reliably remove dust from the air filter (30) while reducing the space for installing the brush member (51).
  • the brush (51b) of the brush member (51) is made of inclined pile whose bristles are inclined so as to oppose against the direction of relative movement of the air filter (30). Therefore, dust can be reliably scraped off of the air filter (30). Thus, it is possible to improve the dust removing efficiency of the air filter (30) while reducing the space for installing the brush member (51).
  • the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush member (52) is made of inclined pile. Therefore, the distance between the cleaning brush member (52) and the brush member (51) is reduced, thus reducing the space, and dust on the brush member (51) can be reliably scraped off.
  • the dust storing container (60) is provided for storing dust removed from the air filter (30), wherein the dust in the dust storing container (60) is transferred to a predetermined location by the air blowing from the indoor fan (21). Therefore, dust which has been removed from the air filter (30) can be once stored and then easily moved to a predetermined location for an easier disposition.
  • a separate transfer means such as a suction fan
  • An indoor unit (1) of the present embodiment forms a part of an air conditioner, and installed on a ceiling in a room.
  • the air conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit, in which a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an expansion valve provided in an outdoor unit are connected to an indoor heat exchanger (22) provided in the indoor unit (1).
  • the refrigerant circuit performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, with refrigerant circulating in a reversible manner.
  • the air conditioner performs a cooling operation in which the indoor heat exchanger (22) functions as an evaporator in the refrigerant circuit, and a heating operation in which the indoor heat exchanger (22) functions as a condenser in the refrigerant circuit.
  • the indoor unit (1) includes a casing (10) and a decorative panel (11).
  • the indoor heat exchanger (22), a drain pan (23), an indoor fan (21), an air filter (30), filter drive means (40), dust removing means (50), a dust storing container (60), dust transfer means (80), and a dust collection box (90) are provided in the casing (10).
  • the casing (10) is formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box whose lower side is open.
  • a heat insulator (17) is laminated on an inner surface of the casing (10).
  • the casing (10) is arranged with its lower portion inserted in an opening in a ceiling board.
  • the decorative panel (11) is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate.
  • the decorative panel (11) when viewed in plan is slightly larger than the casing (10) when viewed in plan.
  • the decorative panel (11) is attached to the casing (10) so as to cover the lower side of the casing (10) with a sealant member (16) sandwiched therebetween. With the decorative panel (11) attached to the casing (10), the decorative panel (11) is exposed in the room.
  • the decorative panel (11) includes one inlet (13) and four outlets (14).
  • the inlet (13) is formed in a rectangular shape, and is formed in a center portion of the decorative panel (11).
  • a suction grille (12) formed with slits is fitted in the inlet (13).
  • Each outlet (14) is formed in the shape of an elongated rectangle.
  • the outlets (14) are formed along the sides of the decorative panel (11), respectively.
  • An air flow direction adjuster plate (15) is provided at each outlet (14). The air flow direction adjuster plate (15) pivots to adjust the air flow direction (blowing direction).
  • the indoor fan (21) is a so-called turbo fan.
  • the indoor fan (21) is arranged near the center of the casing (10), and is located over the inlet (13).
  • the indoor fan (21) includes a fan motor (21a) and an impeller (21b).
  • the fan motor (21a) is fixed to a top plate of the casing (10).
  • the impeller (21b) is connected to a rotation axis of the fan motor (21a).
  • a bell mouth (24) communicating with the inlet (13) is provided under the indoor fan (21).
  • the bell mouth (24) divides the space in the casing (10) upstream of the indoor heat exchanger (22) into a portion near the indoor fan (21) and a portion near the suction grille (12).
  • the indoor fan (21) is configured to blow air sucked from below through the bell mouth (24) in a radial direction.
  • the indoor heat exchanger (22) is configured as a cross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger.
  • the indoor heat exchanger (22) is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame when viewed in plan, and is arranged to surround the indoor fan (21).
  • heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the indoor air sent by the indoor fan (21) (blowing air).
  • the drain pan (23) is provided under the indoor heat exchanger (22).
  • the drain pan (23) receives drainage generated as a result of condensation of moisture in the air in the indoor heat exchanger (22).
  • the drain pan (23) is provided with a drain pump (not shown) for discharging the drainage.
  • the drain pan (23) is inclined so that the drainage is collected to the location at which the drain pump is provided.
  • a partition plate (25) is provided under the bell mouth (24).
  • the partition plate (25) divides the space between the bell mouth (24) and the suction grille (12) into an upper portion and a lower portion. That is, the partition plate (25) divides the space upstream of the indoor heat exchanger (22) into a portion near the indoor heat exchanger (22) including the bell mouth (24) and a portion near the suction grille (12).
  • a vent (26) through which the air sucked through the inlet (13) flows into the bell mouth (24) is formed in the center of the partition plate (25).
  • the vent (26) is formed as a circular hole divided into fan-shaped portions by four radial members (27) extending in the radial direction of the circular hole.
  • the radial members (27) are connected to one another at the center of the circle, at which a cylindrical filter rotation shaft (28) protrudes downwardly.
  • the filter rotation shaft (28) is a rotation shaft about which the air filter (30) rotates.
  • Two filter holders (29) are provided on one of the radial members (27).
  • the air filter (30) is arranged under the partition plate (25), and is formed in a disc shape large enough to cover the inlet of the bell mouth (24).
  • the air filter (30) includes an annular filter body (31) and a mesh member (37).
  • a gear portion (32) is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the filter body (31).
  • a cylindrical shaft receiving portion (33) supported by six radial ribs (34) is provided in the annular central portion of the filter body (31). That is, the radial ribs (34) extend radially from the shaft receiving portion (33).
  • the outer circumferential rib (36) is formed with a larger diameter than the inner circumferential rib (35).
  • the mesh member (37) is provided to extend across the entire inner circle area of the filter body (31). The air sucked through the inlet (13) passes through the mesh member (37) of the air filter (30), and flows into the bell mouth (24). At this point, the dust in the air is trapped on the mesh member (37).
  • the air filter (30) is biased downwardly by the above-described filter holders (29) abutting the circumferential ribs (35,36). Therefore, the air filter (30) is pressed onto a rotating brush (51) of the dust removing means (50) to be described later. This improves the removing efficiency of the dust removing means (50).
  • the air filter (30) is attached as the shaft receiving portion (33) is fitted around the filter rotation shaft (28) of the partition plate (25).
  • the air filter (30) is rotatable about the filter rotation shaft (28).
  • the dust storing container (60) is arranged under the air filter (30). With the air filter (30) fitted around the shaft receiving portion (33), a filter attachment (68) of the dust storing container (60) is fixed to the shaft receiving portion (33) of the partition plate (25) by the fixing screw (28a). Thus, the air filter (30) is held between the partition plate (25) and the dust storing container (60).
  • the filter drive means (40) for rotating the air filter (30) while the air filter (30) is in contact with the rotating brush (51) to be described later is provided near the air filter (30) (see also FIG. 2 ). That is, the filter drive means (40) forms the moving means for moving the air filter (30) relative to the rotating brush (51).
  • the filter drive means (40) includes a filter drive motor (41) and a limit switch (44).
  • a drive gear (42) is provided on the drive shaft of the filter drive motor (41), and the drive gear (42) meshes with the gear portion (32) of the filter body (31).
  • a switch actuator portion (43), which is a protrusion, is provided on one end surface of the drive gear (42).
  • the switch actuator portion (43) actuates the lever (44a) of the limit switch (44) as the drive gear (42) rotates.
  • the switch actuator portion (43) actuates the lever (44a)
  • it is detected by the limit switch (44). That is, the switch actuator portion (43) and the limit switch (44) are for detecting the rotational position of the drive gear (42).
  • the filter drive means (40) performs an operation of intermittently rotating the air filter (30) over a predetermined angle at a time while the air filter (30) is in contact with the rotating brush (51) to thereby remove the dust by means of the rotating brush (51). Moreover, as a feature of the present invention, the filter drive means (40) performs an operation of rotating the air filter (30) in the opposite direction to the rotation direction during the above operation while the air filter (30) is in contact with the rotating brush (51) after the intermittent rotation stops. That is, before dust on the rotating brush (51) is removed by the cleaning brush (52) to be described later, the filter drive means (40) rotates back the air filter (30) over a predetermined angle. The details of these operations will be described later.
  • the dust removing means (50), the dust storing container (60) and the dust transfer means (80) will be described with reference to FIGS. 6-11 .
  • the dust removing means (50), etc. are arranged below the partition plate (25) or the air filter (30) (see FIG. 1 or 2 ).
  • the dust removing means (50) is for removing the dust trapped on the air filter (30).
  • the dust removing means (50) includes the rotating brush (51), a cleaning brush (52), and brush drive means (53). Note that the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) form the brush member and the cleaning brush member (brush cleaning means), respectively, of the present invention.
  • the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) are provided in a brush opening (63) of the dust storing container (60) to be described later.
  • the rotating brush (51) includes an elongated cylindrical shaft (51a), and a brush (51b) provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft (51a).
  • the brush (51b) is formed of a plurality of bristles.
  • the brush (51b) is provided so as to extend over a portion of the shaft (51a) in the circumferential direction thereof, and to extend in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (51a).
  • the cleaning brush (52) is arranged rearward of the rotating brush (51).
  • the cleaning brush (52) includes a body portion (52a), a brush (52b), and a spring portion (52c).
  • the body portion (52a) is a plate-like member, and has the same length as the shaft (51a) of the rotating brush (51).
  • the body portion (52a) is provided with a plate surface thereof facing the outer circumferential surface of the rotating brush (51).
  • An upper portion of the body portion (52a) forms an arc portion corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft (51a) of the rotating brush (51).
  • the brush (52b) is provided on the arc portion of the body portion (52a) extending in the longitudinal direction of the body portion (52a).
  • the spring portion (52c) is provided at a lower end of the body portion (52a), and is attached to an inner wall of the dust storing container (60). That is, the body portion (52a) is supported by the spring portion (52c).
  • the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) are each formed to a length greater than or equal to the radius of the air filter (30).
  • the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) are arranged to extend radially outwardly from the circular center of the air filter (30).
  • the rotating brush (51) is configured in such a manner that the dust is removed from the mesh member (37) as the brush (51b) comes into contact with the mesh member (37) of the rotating air filter (30).
  • the rotating brush (51) is rotated by the brush drive means (53) in a reversible manner.
  • the brush drive means (53) includes a brush drive motor (54), and a drive gear (55) and a driven gear (56) meshing with each other.
  • the drive gear (55) is provided on the drive shaft of the brush drive motor (54), and the driven gear (56) is provided at an end portion of the shaft (51a) of the rotating brush (51). With such a configuration, the rotating brush (51) is rotated about the axial center of the shaft (51a).
  • the brush drive means (53) is configured to rotate the rotating brush (51) to thereby switch the state between a state where the brush (51b) is in contact with the air filter (30) and a state where it is spaced apart from the air filter (30), the details of which will be described later.
  • the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush (52) comes into contact with the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) when the rotating brush (51) is rotated by the brush drive means (53). By this contact, dust is removed from the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51). That is, the cleaning brush (52) is for cleaning the rotating brush (51) by removing dust from the rotating brush (51).
  • the details of the dust removing function of the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) will be described later.
  • the brushes' (51b,52b) of the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) are made of so-called pile fabric.
  • the pile fabric is hairy fabric obtained by weaving a fiber (pile yarn) into base fabric, and has relatively short bristles.
  • the pile fabric is inclined pile in which the bristles are inclined in a certain direction.
  • the bristles of the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) are inclined leftward from the shaft (51a) in FIG. 8 . That is, the bristles of the brush (51b) are inclined so as to oppose against the rotation direction (moving direction) of the air filter (30). If the air filter (30) rotates so as to oppose against the bristles of the brush (51b) as described above, dust on the mesh member (37) is scraped off efficiently. On the other hand, if the air filter (30) rotates on the bristles of the brush (51b) in the inclined direction thereof, dust on the mesh member (37) is not scraped off, but rather dust trapped on the brush (51b) is removed.
  • the bristles of the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush (52) are inclined downward from the body portion (52a) in FIG. 8 . That is, the bristles of the brush (52b) are inclined so as to oppose against the rotation direction when the rotating brush (51) rotates clockwise in FIG. 8 .
  • the dust storing container (60) is for containing dust removed from the rotating brush (51) by the cleaning brush (52), i.e., for storing dust removed by the dust removing means (50).
  • the dust storing container (60) is a columnar container bent slightly in the shape of ">" when viewed from the side (when viewed from the right in FIG. 6 ).
  • An upper portion of the dust storing container (60) is a removal portion (61) for removing the dust on the air filter (30), and a lower portion is a storing portion (62) for storing the dust removed from the air filter (30).
  • the brush opening (63) is formed in the top plate of the removal portion (61), extending in the longitudinal direction, and the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) are provided in the brush opening (63) as described above.
  • the above-described filter attachment (68) is provided at one side surface of the removal portion (61).
  • An edge portion (61a) of the brush opening (63) on the rear side i.e., the side opposite to the cleaning brush (52)
  • has a tapered shape whose width gradually decreases toward the rotating brush (51), and the end surface thereof is formed in an arch shape so as to conform to the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51).
  • the gap between an edge portion (6c) and the rotating brush (51) is made as small as possible.
  • the lower end side (bottom portion side) of the storing portion (62) is bulging in an arch shape. Dust removed from the rotating brush (51) by the cleaning brush (52) falls into, and is stored in, the arc portion of the storing portion (62). Opposite end portions (66,67) of the storing portion (62) in the longitudinal direction are opened.
  • a damper box (81) of the dust transfer means (80) to be described later is connected to the first end portion (66) of the storing portion (62), and a transfer duct (88) of the dust transfer means (80) to be described later is connected to the second end portion (67).
  • the dust storing container (60) is provided with storage amount detection means (70) for detecting the amount of dust (the amount of dust stored) in the storing portion (62).
  • the storage amount detection means (70) includes a sensor box (71).
  • the sensor box (71) is provided close to the second end portion (67) of the storing portion (62) of the dust storing container (60) (see FIG. 6 or 7 ).
  • the sensor box (71) extends in the transverse direction across the storing portion (62) so as to cover the bottom portion thereof.
  • a light emitting LED (72) and a photo transistor (73) are accommodated in the sensor box (71).
  • the light emitting LED (72) and the photo transistor (73) are arranged so as to face each other in the transverse direction across the storing portion (62) with the storing portion (62) interposed therebetween.
  • a first transparent window (64) and a second transparent window (65) are provided on the wall surface of the storing portion (62) in areas corresponding to the light emitting LED (72) and the photo transistor (73).
  • the storage amount detection means (70) the light intensity of light from the light emitting LED (72) which has successively passed through the first transparent window (64) and the second transparent window (65) is detected by the photo transistor (73).
  • the amount of dust stored in i.e., the degree of fullness of the storing portion (62) is detected based on the detected light intensity. That is, when the amount of dust stored is small, the transmittance of light (the amount of light transmitted) from the first transparent window (64) to the second transparent window (65) in the storing portion (62) is high, detecting a high light intensity.
  • the storage amount detection means (70) can determine that the storage amount of the storing portion (62) has become full. That is, the storage amount detection means (70) of the present embodiment is configured to detect the amount of dust stored in the dust storing container (60) based on the amount of light transmitted through the storing portion (62).
  • the dust transfer means (80) includes the damper box (81) and the transfer duct (88) described above, an introduction duct (86), and a suction duct (87).
  • the damper box (81) is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the storing portion (62) of the dust storing container (60).
  • the first end portion (66) of the storing portion (62) is connected to one end of the damper box (81) in the longitudinal direction.
  • one damper (82) which is passage open/close means, is provided in the damper box (81).
  • the damper (82) is closed, the internal space of the damper box (81) is divided in the longitudinal direction. That is, the internal space of the damper box (81) is divided into a first room (81a) and a second room (81b).
  • the first end portion (66) of the storing portion (62) is connected to the second room (81b) as described above.
  • the dust transfer means (80) includes a damper drive motor (83) for opening/closing the damper (82), a drive gear (84), and a driven gear (85).
  • the drive gear (84) is provided on the drive shaft of the damper drive motor (83), and the driven gear (85) is provided on the pivot shaft of the damper (82).
  • the drive gear (84) and the driven gear (85) mesh with each other. With this configuration, the rotation of the damper drive motor (83) is transmitted to the rotation shaft of the damper (82) through the gears (84,85). Thus, the damper (82) pivots about the pivot shaft to perform the open/close operation.
  • the introduction duct (86) is connected to the upper surface of the damper box (81) and communicates with the first room (81a). As shown in FIG. 10 , the introduction duct (86) extends vertical upward from the damper box (81), and passes through the partition plate (25).
  • the introduction duct (86) includes an upstream-side duct (86a) and a downstream-side duct (86b) whose lateral cross sections are circular, and the two members are connected to each other with the fixing screw (28a) in the vertical direction.
  • the lateral cross-sectional area (flow path area) of the upstream-side duct (86a) is larger than the lateral cross-sectional area (flow path area) of the downstream-side duct (86b).
  • the lower end (the lower side in FIG.
  • the downstream-side duct (86b) is connected to the damper box (81).
  • the upper end (the upper side in FIG. 10 ) of the upstream-side duct (86a) is in contact with a horizontally-extending member of the bell mouth (24) with a sealant member (86e) interposed therebetween.
  • An inlet (86d) which is a through hole is formed in the horizontal member of the bell mouth (24).
  • the upstream-side duct (86a) communicates with the space near the indoor fan (21) through the inlet (86d). That is, the introduction duct (86) is for introducing the air blowing from the indoor fan (21) into the damper box (81).
  • the junction between the upstream-side duct (86a) and the downstream-side duct (86b) of the introduction duct (86) is located in a through hole portion of the partition plate (25). Specifically, the ducts (86a,86b) are connected to each other so that the edge of the through hole of the partition plate (25) is sandwiched between the bottom plate of the upstream-side duct (86a) and the upper end flange of the downstream-side duct (86b).
  • This section including the junction and the sealant member (86e) is configured so that the introduction duct (86), the damper box (81) and the dust storing container (60) pivot together about the axial center of the introduction duct (86).
  • suction duct (87) on the inlet side is connected to the lower surface of the damper box (81) and communicates with the second room (81b).
  • the other end of the suction duct (87) on the outlet side is connected to a cleaner insertion hole (not shown) formed in the decorative panel (11).
  • the cleaner insertion hole is an opening for receiving a hose of a cleaner, etc., inserted therein for suction.
  • the suction duct (87) is formed by a flexible tube.
  • one end of the transfer duct (88) is connected to the second end portion (67) of the storing portion (62) of the dust storing container (60), and the other end thereof is connected to the dust collection box (90) to be described later.
  • the transfer duct (88) is formed by a flexible tube.
  • the damper (82) of the damper box (81) is closed (see FIG. 11(A) ) in a normal operation of performing cooling/heating. Therefore, the air blowing from the indoor fan (21) is not introduced into the damper box (81).
  • the damper (82) of the damper box (81) is opened (see FIG. 11(B) ) when transferring the dust in the dust storing container (60) to the dust collection box (90). Therefore, the air blowing from the indoor fan (21) is introduced into the dust storing container (60) through the introduction duct (86) and the damper box (81).
  • the dust in the dust storing container (60) is transferred to the dust collection box (90) through the transfer duct (88) along with the air. That is, the dust in the dust storing container (60) is discharged.
  • the damper (82) of the damper box (81) is closed (see FIG. 11(C) ) also when the dust in the dust collection box (90) is discharged out of the casing (10).
  • the dust transfer means (80) is configured to transfer the dust in the dust storing container (60) to a predetermined position by using the air blowing from the indoor fan (21).
  • the dust collection box (90) stores the dust transferred from the dust storing container (60) as described above.
  • the dust collection box (90) is formed in a somewhat elongated, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is arranged under the partition plate (25) as is the dust storing container (60).
  • the dust collection box (90) is arranged along one edge of the partition plate (25) so as not to overlap with the air filter (30) when viewed in plan.
  • one end portion, opposite to the side where the transfer duct (88) is connected, of the dust collection box (90) for the air sucked in through the suction grille (12) serves as an exhaust port (91).
  • the portion of the exhaust port (91) passes through the casing (10) and communicates with the inside of the room.
  • a sealant member (93) is provided in the portion where the exhaust port (91) passes through.
  • the portion of the exhaust port (91) of the dust collection box (90) is smaller in area than the other portion when viewed in plan.
  • a side plate of the dust collection box (90) close to the air filter (30) is formed in an arch shape corresponding to the outer circumference of the air filter (30).
  • a filter (92) is provided in the dust collection box (90) close to the exhaust port (91).
  • the indoor air flows into the dust collection box (90) through the exhaust port (91). Then, dust in the air flowing in is trapped on the filter (92).
  • the air supply/exhaust through the exhaust port (91) keeps an appropriate pressure balance in the dust collection box (90), thereby allowing for appropriate transfer and discharge of dust to and from the dust collection box (90).
  • the indoor unit (1) is capable of selectively performing a normal operation of performing cooling/heating and a filter cleaning operation of cleaning the air filter (30).
  • the air filter (30) remains still while it is in contact with the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) as shown in FIG. 12(A) .
  • the damper (82) of the damper box (81) is closed (the state shown in FIG. 11(A) ).
  • the indoor fan (21) is driven. Then, indoor air sucked into the indoor unit (1) through the inlet (13) passes through the air filter (30) and flows into the bell mouth (24). When the air passes through the air filter (30), dust in the air is trapped on the mesh member (37) of the air filter (30). The air which has flown into the bell mouth (24) blows out from the indoor fan (21). The blowing air exchanges heat with the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger (22) to be cooled or heated, after which it is supplied into the room through the outlets (14). Thus, the room is cooled or heated.
  • the compressor In the filter cleaning operation, the compressor is stopped in the refrigerant circuit, and the refrigerant does not circulate therethrough.
  • a "dust removing operation,” a “brush cleaning operation,” a “dust transfer operation,” and a “dust discharge operation” can be performed selectively.
  • the “dust removing operation” is an operation of removing the dust trapped on the air filter (30) by the rotating brush (51).
  • the “brush cleaning operation” is an operation of removing dust which has been trapped on the rotating brush (51) by the cleaning brush (52).
  • the “dust transfer operation” is an operation of transferring the dust from the dust storing container (60) to the dust collection box (90).
  • the “dust discharge operation” is an operation of discharging the dust from the dust collection box (90) to the outside of the casing (10).
  • the "dust removing operation" and the “brush cleaning operation” are performed alternately.
  • the indoor fan (21) is kept still.
  • the air filter (30) is rotated by the filter drive means (40) counterclockwise while it is in contact with the rotating brush (51). That is, as shown in FIG. 13(A) , the air filter (30) moves so as to oppose against the bristles (inclined to the left) of the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51). Note that at this point the rotating brush (51) is kept still.
  • the dust on the air filter (30) is trapped on the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51).
  • the bristles of the brush (51b) are inclined so as to oppose against the rotation direction (moving direction) of the air filter (30)
  • the dust on the air filter (30) is easily scraped off by the brush (51b). Therefore, the dust removing efficiency of the rotating brush (51) is improved.
  • the lever (44a) of the limit switch (44) of the filter drive means (40) is actuated, the filter drive motor (41) is stopped, and the air filter (30) stops. That is, the air filter (30) stops after rotating over a predetermined angle.
  • dust is removed from an area of the air filter (30) that has passed the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51).
  • the air filter (30) is stopped, the operation is switched from the "dust removing operation" to the "brush cleaning operation.”
  • the air filter (30) is rotated back clockwise by the filter drive means (40) over a predetermined angle as shown in FIG. 12(C) . That is, as shown also in FIG. 14(A) , the air filter (30) rotates in a direction opposite to that during the "dust removing operation," i.e., the same direction as the direction of the bristles of the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51). In the present embodiment, the air filter (30) rotates to move over a predetermined angle that corresponds to the width of the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51). Note that during this operation, the indoor fan (21) and the rotating brush (51) continue to remain still.
  • the rotating brush (51) rotates to the left (counterclockwise) in FIG. 14 while the indoor fan (21) and the air filter (30) are kept still. At this point, the rotating brush (51) rotates with dust trapped on the brush (51b). The rotating brush (51) rotates while the brushes (51b,52b) of the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) are kept in contact with each other (see FIG. 14(B) ). Then, the rotating brush (51) stops after rotating over a predetermined rotation angle.
  • the rotating brush (51) rotates in a direction opposite to the above (i.e., to the right (clockwise) in FIG. 14 ). Then, dust attached to the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) is trapped on the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush (52) (see FIG. 14(C) ). Since the bristles of the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush (52) are inclined downward, i.e., since the bristles are inclined so as to oppose against the rotation direction of the rotating brush (51), dust is easily scraped off of the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51). Moreover, since the dust is evenly attached across the entire brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) because of the operation of rotating back the air filter (30) shown in FIG. 14(A) , the dust can be scraped off by the cleaning brush (52) even more easily and reliably.
  • the rotating brush (51) again rotates to the left (counterclockwise) over a predetermined angle as shown in FIG. 14(D) .
  • dust which has been trapped on the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush (52) is scraped off by the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51), and falls into the storing portion (62) of the dust storing container (60). Since the bristles of the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) are inclined in the rotation direction, dust is reliably scraped off of the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush (52).
  • the cleaning brush (52) is appropriately pressed against the rotating brush (51) by the spring portion (52c) as described above, and dust is more reliably removed from the cleaning brush (52).
  • the "dust removing operation” described above is performed again. That is, the air filter (30) is rotated again, and when the lever (44a) of the limit switch (44) is actuated again, the air filter (30) stops. Thus, dust on an area of the air filter (30) that has passed the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) is trapped on the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) (the state shown in FIG. 14(A) ).
  • the "dust removing operation” and the "brush cleaning operation” are alternately repeated as described above. As a result, dust is removed from a predetermined area of the air filter (30) at a time.
  • the amount of dust stored in the dust storing container (60) is detected by the storage amount detection means (70). That is, light from the light emitting LED (72) passes through the transparent windows (64,65) of the storing portion (62) and the dust therein. The light intensity of the transmitted light is detected by the photo transistor (73). Then, when the light intensity detected by the photo transistor (73) is less than or equal to a predetermined value (the lower limit value), the operation is switched to the "dust transfer operation” assuming that the amount of dust in the dust storing container (60) has reached a predetermined amount.
  • a predetermined value the lower limit value
  • the rotating brush (51) and the air filter (30) are kept still. Note that the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) is in contact with the air filter (30).
  • the damper (82) of the damper box (81) is in the open state (the state shown in FIG. 11(B) ). In this state, the indoor fan (21) is driven. The air blowing from the indoor fan (21) is introduced into the dust storing container (60) passing through the introduction duct (86) and the damper box (81) in this order. This transfers the dust in the dust storing container (60) to the dust collection box (90) along with the air through the transfer duct (88).
  • the amount of dust stored in the dust storing container (60) decreases, and the light intensity detected by the photo transistor (73) increases accordingly.
  • the detected light intensity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (the upper limit value)
  • the "dust transfer operation” is ended assuming that most of the dust in the dust storing container (60) has been transferred (discharged). Thereafter, the "dust removing operation” or “brush cleaning operation” is resumed.
  • the light intensity detected by the photo transistor (73) does not readily increase (e.g., if the detected light intensity does not change over a certain amount of time) during the "dust transfer operation" described above, it is determined that the air is not appropriately flowing through the introduction duct (86) or the transfer duct (88).
  • the air flow may be inhibited by reasons such as the introduction duct (86), or the like, being clogged, or the damper (82) being broken and not open.
  • the indoor fan (21) is stopped to once end the "dust transfer operation.” Then, the "dust transfer operation" is resumed after this problem is solved by an inspection, etc.
  • the "dust discharge operation” is performed based on a predetermined condition.
  • the "dust discharge operation” is performed when the “dust transfer operation” has been performed a predetermined number of times (over a predetermined amount of time).
  • it may be performed based on a remote controller operation by the user.
  • the air filter (30) is rotated back over a predetermined angle before rotating the rotating brush (51) to remove dust by the cleaning brush (52).
  • dust which has been removed from the air filter (30) is prevented from being unevenly placed on the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51), and the dust can be evenly attached. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust which has been removed from the air filter (30) from forming a lump and falling into the room, etc.
  • dust can be easily scraped off (removed) from the rotating brush (51) by the cleaning brush (52). Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability of the indoor unit (1) having the function of cleaning the air filter (30).
  • the brush (51b) is provided so as to extend over only a portion of the rotating brush (51) in the circumferential direction thereof, but dust on the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) can be removed by the cleaning brush (52). Therefore, it is possible to reduce the material cost of the rotating brush (51) while maintaining the removing capacity of the rotating brush (51).
  • the air filter (30) is rotated intermittently so as to alternately perform the "dust removing operation" and the "brush cleaning operation.” Therefore, dust which has been removed from the air filter (30) can be reliably handled (i.e., stored in the dust storing container (60)), and the dust removing efficiency can be maintained at a high level across the entire air filter (30). Thus, it is possible to further improve the reliability of the indoor unit (1).
  • the air filter (30) formed in a disc shape is rotated so as to move the air filter (30) and the rotating brush (51) relative to each other. Therefore, as compared with a case where the air filter (30) is formed in a rectangular shape and is moved in sliding motion, for example, it is possible to eliminate the space required for the movement of the air filter (30). Thus, it is possible to reduce the size of the indoor unit (1).
  • dust is transferred by introducing the air blowing from the indoor fan (21) into the dust storing container (60). Therefore, the dust in the dust storing container (60) can be easily moved to a predetermined location for an easier disposition without providing a separate transfer means such as a suction fan. Therefore, it is possible to improve the dust handling efficiency without increasing the size or the cost of the unit.
  • the dust storing container (60) is arranged under the air filter (30) in the present embodiment, it presents a resistance (hindrance) to the air flow. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the volume of the dust storing container (60) as much as possible. Then, it is no longer possible to store a large amount of dust in the dust storing container (60).
  • the dust collection box (90) having a larger volume than the dust storing container (60) is provided at a location where it does not present a resistance to the air flow, so that dust is transferred from the dust storing container (60) to the dust collection box (90).
  • the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51), and also the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush (52), are made of pile fabric. Therefore, the brushes (51b,52b) have short bristles, and it is possible to reduce the space for installing the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52). As a result, it is possible to further reduce the size of the indoor unit (1).
  • the brushes (51b,52b) of the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) have short bristles, and because the brush (51 b) of the rotating brush (51) is provided so as to extend over only a portion thereof in the circumferential direction, it is possible to reduce the resistance to the flow of the air (i.e., the air blowing from the indoor fan (21)) in the dust storing container (60). Therefore, it is possible to improve the transfer efficiency of the dust transfer operation and the discharge efficiency of the dust discharge operation.
  • the bristles of the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) are inclined pile which opposes against the moving direction (rotation direction) of the air filter (30), dust on the air filter (30) can be easily and reliably scraped off.
  • the brush (52b) of the cleaning brush (52) also uses inclined pile, dust on the rotating brush (51) can be easily and reliably scraped off.
  • the embodiment above may employ configurations as follows.
  • the dust storing container (60) (including the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52)) may be moved relative to the air filter (30).
  • the dust storing container (60) revolves around the shaft receiving portion (33) of the air filter (30). That is, the present invention may be configured so that the air filter (30) and the rotating brush (51) move relative to each other.
  • the "brush cleaning operation" of the embodiment above may be performed as follows.
  • the air filter (30) is first rotated back clockwise over a predetermined angle as described above (see FIGS. 12(C) and 14(A) ).
  • the rotating brush (51) is rotated to the right (clockwise) in FIG. 14 . That is, simultaneously with the backward movement of the air filter (30), the rotating brush (51) is rotated over a predetermined angle in a direction opposite to the backward movement.
  • dust which has been unevenly placed to the right of the brush (51b) of the rotating brush (51) to the right in FIG.
  • the rotating brush (51) may be rotated in the same direction as the backward movement of the air filter (30). That is, in the present invention, simultaneously with the back rotation of the air filter (30), the rotating brush (51) may be rotated to the left in FIG. 14 over a predetermined angle. In this process, the rotational speed of the air filter (30) and the rotational speed of the rotating brush (51) are set so that there is a speed difference therebetween. The rotational speed difference evens out the unevenly-placed dust across the brush (51b).
  • the present invention may instead be as follows.
  • the rotating brush (51) may stop after rotating to the left (counterclockwise) in FIG. 14 over a predetermined angle, after which the air filter (30) is rotated counterclockwise (i.e., the same direction as that during the "dust removing operation") over a predetermined angle.
  • the rotating brush (51) dust which has been unevenly placed to the right (to the right in FIG. 14 ) is drawn to the left (to the left in FIG. 14 ).
  • dust drawn to the left is drawn to the right so as to be evenly attached across the brush (51b).
  • the air filter (30) is formed in a circular shape in the embodiment above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the air filter (30) may be formed in a rectangular shape. In such a case, the air filter (30) moves straight relative to the rotating brush (51), for example.
  • the brush cleaning operation may be performed after the air filter (30) is rotated continuously over one revolution or a few revolutions in the present invention.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and may also be applied to a so-called wall-suspended indoor unit attached to a wall in the room.
  • a dedicated transfer fan may be provided in the present invention.
  • the present invention is useful for an indoor unit of an air conditioner having a dust removing function of removing dust on an air filter by means of a brush member.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air Filters, Heat-Exchange Apparatuses, And Housings Of Air-Conditioning Units (AREA)
  • Filtering Of Dispersed Particles In Gases (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Unité intérieure d'un climatiseur comprenant un échangeur de chaleur intérieur (22), un ventilateur intérieur (21), et un filtre à air (30) prévu sur un côté d'entrée du ventilateur intérieur (21), prévue dans un boîtier (10), l'unité intérieure comprenant :
    un élément de brosse (51) pour enlever la poussière sur le filtre à air (30) tout en étant en contact avec le filtre à air (30) ;
    un moyen de nettoyage de brosse (52) pour enlever la poussière sur l'élément de brosse (51) tout en étant en contact avec l'élément de brosse (51) ; et caractérisée par
    un moyen de déplacement (40) pour effectuer sélectivement une opération de déplacement du filtre à air (30) par rapport à l'élément de brosse (51) tandis que le filtre à air (30) est en contact avec l'élément de brosse (51) de façon à enlever la poussière par l'élément de brosse (51), et une autre opération de déplacement du filtre à air (30) par rapport à l'élément de brosse (51) tandis que le filtre à air (30) est en contact avec l'élément de brosse (51) dans une direction opposée à la direction de déplacement au cours de la première opération avant d'enlever la poussière sur l'élément de brosse (51) par le moyen de nettoyage de brosse (52).
  2. Unité intérieure d'un climatiseur de la revendication 1, dans laquelle
    l'élément de brosse (51) comporte un arbre (51a), et une brosse (51b) prévue sur une surface circonférentielle extérieure de l'arbre (51a) pour enlever la poussière tout en étant en contact avec le filtre à air (30),
    le moyen de nettoyage de brosse est un élément de brosse de nettoyage (52) situé à proximité d'une circonférence extérieure de l'arbre (51a) de l'élément de brosse (51) et comportant une brosse (52b) pour enlever la poussière tout en étant en contact avec la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51), et
    l'unité intérieure comporte un moyen d'entraînement de brosse (53) pour faire tourner l'élément de brosse (51) autour d'un centre axial de l'arbre (51a) de sorte qu'une zone de la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51) qui a été en contact avec le filtre à air (30) soit amenée en contact avec la brosse (52b) de l'élément de brosse de nettoyage (52).
  3. Unité intérieure d'un climatiseur de la revendication 2, dans laquelle
    la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51) est prévue de manière à s'étendre sur une partie d'une surface circonférentielle extérieure de l'arbre (51a) dans une direction circonférentielle de celui-ci.
  4. Unité intérieure d'un climatiseur de la revendication 2 ou 3, dans laquelle le filtre à air (30) présente la forme d'un disque, l'élément de brosse (51) est agencé en amont du filtre à air (30) de manière à s'étendre dans une direction radiale du filtre à air (30), et
    le moyen de déplacement (40) est configuré pour déplacer le filtre à air (30) en faisant tourner le filtre à air (30) tandis que le filtre à air (30) est en contact avec la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51).
  5. Unité intérieure d'un climatiseur de la revendication 1, dans laquelle
    le moyen de déplacement (40) est configuré pour déplacer relativement et par intermittence le filtre à air (30) par rapport à l'élément de brosse (51) tandis que le filtre à air (30) est en contact avec la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51) pour enlever la poussière par l'élément de brosse (51), et pour déplacer relativement le filtre à air (30) par rapport à l'élément de brosse (51), tandis que le filtre à air (30) est en contact avec l'élément de brosse (51) dans une direction opposée à une direction du déplacement intermittent après que le déplacement intermittent est arrêté, et
    l'unité intérieure comporte un moyen d'entraînement de brosse (353) pour amener une zone de l'élément de brosse (51) qui a été en contact avec le filtre à air (30) en contact avec le moyen de nettoyage de brosse (52) pour enlever la poussière sur l'élément de brosse (51) après le déplacement de direction inverse du filtre à air (30) par le moyen de déplacement (40).
  6. Unité intérieure d'un climatiseur de la revendication 1, dans laquelle
    l'élément de brosse (51) comporte un arbre (51a), et une brosse (51b) prévue sur une surface circonférentielle extérieure de l'arbre (51a) pour enlever la poussière tout en étant en contact avec le filtre à air (30),
    le moyen de déplacement (40) est configuré pour effectuer sélectivement une opération de déplacement du filtre à air (30) tandis que le filtre à air (30) est en contact avec la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51) de manière à enlever la poussière par l'élément de brosse (51), et une autre opération de déplacement du filtre à air (30) tandis que le filtre à air (30) est en contact avec la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51) dans une direction opposée à une direction de déplacement au cours de la première opération avant d'enlever la poussière sur l'élément de brosse (51) par le moyen de nettoyage de brosse (52), et l'unité intérieure comporte un moyen d'entraînement de brosse (53) pour faire tourner l'élément de brosse (51) autour d'un centre axial de l'arbre (51a) dans une direction opposée au déplacement de direction inverse du filtre à air (30), en même temps que le déplacement de direction inverse du filtre à air (30) par le moyen de déplacement (40).
  7. Unité intérieure d'un climatiseur de la revendication 4, dans laquelle
    le moyen de déplacement (40) est configuré pour faire tourner par intermittence le filtre à air (30) selon un angle de rotation prédéterminé à un moment auquel le filtre à air (30) est en contact avec la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51) pour enlever la poussière par l'élément de brosse (51), et pour faire tourner en sens inverse le filtre à air (30) selon un angle prédéterminé dans une direction opposée à la direction de rotation tandis que le filtre à air (30) est en contact avec la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51) après chaque arrêt de la rotation intermittente, et
    le moyen d'entraînement de brosse (53) est configuré pour faire tourner l'élément de brosse (51), après la rotation dans le sens inverse du filtre à air (30) par le moyen de déplacement (40), de sorte qu'une zone de la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51) qui a été en contact avec le filtre à air (30) soit amenée en contact avec la brosse (52b) de l'élément de brosse de nettoyage (52), enlevant ainsi la poussière sur l'élément de brosse (51).
  8. Unité intérieure d'un climatiseur de la revendication 2 ou 3, dans laquelle
    la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51) est réalisée en un tissu à poils.
  9. Unité intérieure d'un climatiseur de la revendication 8, dans laquelle
    la brosse (51b) de l'élément de brosse (51) est réalisée en velours incliné dont les poils sont inclinés de manière à s'opposer à une direction du déplacement relatif du filtre à air (30) au cours de l'opération d'enlèvement de la poussière sur le filtre à air (30) par l'élément de brosse (51).
  10. Unité intérieure d'un climatiseur de la revendication 9, dans laquelle
    la brosse (52b) de l'élément de brosse de nettoyage (52) est réalisée en velours incliné d'un tissu à poils dont les poils sont inclinés dans une certaine direction.
  11. Unité intérieure d'un climatiseur de la revendication 2 ou 3, comprenant :
    un récipient de stockage de poussière (60) agencé en amont du filtre à air (30) et pourvu de l'élément de brosse (51) et le moyen de nettoyage de brosse (52) pour stocker la poussière enlevée par le moyen de nettoyage de brosse (52) ; et
    un moyen de transfert de poussière (80) pour introduire de l'air soufflé par le ventilateur intérieur (21) dans le récipient de stockage de poussière (60) et pour transférer la poussière dans le récipient de stockage de poussière (60) vers un emplacement prédéterminé avec l'air de soufflage.
EP09702848.4A 2008-01-16 2009-01-16 Unité intérieure d'un appareil de climatisation Not-in-force EP2244030B1 (fr)

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PCT/JP2009/000155 WO2009090886A1 (fr) 2008-01-16 2009-01-16 Unité intérieure d'un appareil de climatisation

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FR2997755B1 (fr) * 2012-11-08 2018-08-17 Lead Leroy Concept Dispositif recuperateur de chaleur pour batiment d'elevage equipe d'un filtre a poussieres amovible.
JP6330775B2 (ja) * 2015-09-30 2018-05-30 ダイキン工業株式会社 空調室内機
JP2019152416A (ja) * 2018-03-06 2019-09-12 日本電産サンキョー株式会社 空気調和機のフィルタ清掃装置
CN112797549B (zh) * 2021-01-27 2022-06-28 广州金鹏环保工程有限公司 一种旋转扫描式转筒空气净化器
CN113091194B (zh) * 2021-02-24 2022-03-15 中国人民解放军军事科学院国防工程研究院 一种吸气口可旋转的一体式空气净化消毒设备
CN114234408B (zh) * 2021-12-22 2022-11-25 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 空气过滤系统的控制装置、方法、新风系统和存储介质
CN114738844B (zh) * 2022-05-12 2023-02-07 江苏华东正大空调设备有限公司 一种室内空调循环送风装置

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JPWO2004079270A1 (ja) * 2003-03-04 2006-06-08 松下電器産業株式会社 エアフィルタの自動清掃機能付き室内ユニットを備えた空気調和機
JP2006071121A (ja) * 2004-08-31 2006-03-16 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 空気調和機
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JP2007170738A (ja) * 2005-12-21 2007-07-05 Kowa Co Ltd フィルタのための塵埃除去筒、及びこれを使用した空気調和機
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CN101910746A (zh) 2010-12-08
JP4433089B2 (ja) 2010-03-17
CN101910746B (zh) 2013-07-24
EP2244030A1 (fr) 2010-10-27
EP2244030A4 (fr) 2013-06-05
WO2009090886A1 (fr) 2009-07-23

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