ES2609957T3 - Indoor unit and air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

An indoor unit (603) including: a chassis (15) installed on a roof; an air inlet section (16) configured to take air and arranged in a lower panel (14) of the chassis (15); an air filter (631) configured to collect dust in the air introduced and detachably mounted in the air inlet section (16); a mobile cleaning unit (633) along a surface on the air inlet side of the air filter (631), including the cleaning unit (633): a dust extraction unit (685) configured to remove collected dust in the air filter (631); and a collection unit (687) configured to temporarily store the dust removed from the air filter (631); The dust extraction unit (685) includes a rotating brush that has a rotating shaft (689) that rotates around the axial centerline and a brush unit (691) that extends in the radial direction of the rotating shaft (689) , and the collection unit (687) covers the rotating brush and has an opening where the rotating brush contacts the air filter (631), and characterized by: a drive unit (635) configured to generate a driving force to move the cleaning unit (633); an alternative movement unit (637) alternately moved by the drive unit (635); a first transmitter unit (639) configured to receive the driving force of the alternative movement unit (637); and a second transmitter unit (675) configured to transmit the driving force of the first transmitter unit (639) to the cleaning unit (633), where the drive unit (635), the alternative movement unit (637), and the first transmitter unit (639) is arranged in the chassis (15), and the cleaning unit (633) and the second transmitter unit (675) are arranged in the air filter (631), and the first transmitter unit (639) and the second transmitter unit (675) are able to engage and disengage.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Indoor unit and air conditioner Background of the invention

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an indoor unit and an air conditioner.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application number 2005-195208 and Japanese Patent Application number 2005-377295, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

2. Description of the related technique

A known indoor unit of an air conditioner takes indoor air, regulates the temperature of the tornado air, and expels the air at a regulated temperature into the room again. To prevent indoor air dust from entering the indoor unit, an air filter configured to collect dust is disposed at the air inlet of the indoor unit.

When the indoor unit operates continuously, the collected dust accumulates in the air filter. As a result, there is a problem that the resistance to the circulation of the air filter for the indoor air increases, thus decreasing the efficiency of the indoor unit. In addition, there is also the possibility of fungi growing in the accumulated dust.

To solve the problems indicated above, the dust accumulated in the air filter must be removed.

However, in general, an indoor unit is installed in an upper position, making cleaning of the air filter difficult. In particular, in an indoor unit embedded in the ceiling or an indoor unit suspended from the ceiling, cleaning the air filter is especially difficult since the indoor unit is installed near the ceiling.

Therefore, several techniques related to the cleaning of an air filter installed in a higher position have been proposed.

Japanese Patent No. 3297422 describes a cable structure configured to hang an air inlet grille including an air filter of an air conditioner embedded in the ceiling and an engine configured to wind and unwind the cable.

According to this structure, the air filter of the air conditioner disposed in an upper position can be cleaned by lowering only the air inlet grille including the air filter.

However, according to this structure, every time dust is adhered to the air filter, the air filter must be cleaned. In other terms, there are problems that the required cleaning frequency of the air filter is high. According to this structure, if the cleaning frequency of the air filter is reduced, the circulation resistance of the air filter increases, reducing the performance of the air conditioner.

Another indoor unit is known by JP H11226331 A.

Brief Summary of the Invention

To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides an indoor unit and an air conditioner capable of reducing the workload required to carry out the maintenance of an air filter.

To achieve said object, the present invention provides the following solution.

An indoor unit according to claim 1.

Brief description of the various views of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the general structure of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an indoor unit illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic partial perspective view of the structure of an air inlet grille of the

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indoor unit illustrated in figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partial top view of the structure of a drive unit configured to drive a dust container illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the hitch of the dust container and a split nut illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a detection unit configured to detect the amount of dust collected in the dust container illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the detection unit illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 8 illustrates the structure and operation of a brush unit and a dust container in an indoor unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 illustrates the dust extraction from the dust container illustrated in Figure 8.

Figure 10 illustrates the hitching of a dust container and a drive unit in an indoor unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 illustrates the hitching of a dust container and a drive unit in an indoor unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 illustrates the structure of a dust container and a drive unit in an indoor unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 illustrates the structure of a dust container and a detection unit in an indoor unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 illustrates the structure of a dust container and a detection unit in an indoor unit according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of an indoor unit according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 16 is a partial perspective view illustrating the structure of lifting units, an air filter, and a dust container of the indoor unit illustrated in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the dust container and a brush unit illustrated in Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of a drive unit of the indoor unit illustrated in Figure 15.

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of an indoor unit according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 20 is a partial perspective view illustrating the structure of lifting units, an air filter, and a dust container of an indoor unit illustrated in Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of an indoor unit according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 22 is a partial perspective view illustrating the structure of an air intake grille, an upper panel, and a spacer of the indoor unit illustrated in Figure 21.

Figure 23 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of the spacer illustrated in Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of an upper transmitter unit illustrated in Figure 23.

Figure 25 is a partial perspective view illustrating a combination of the upper transmitter unit illustrated in Figure 23 and a worm screw.

Figure 26 is an exploded partial perspective view illustrating the structure of an air intake grille,

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an air filter, and a cleaning unit illustrated in Figure 22.

Figure 27 is a plan view illustrating the structure of a base illustrated in Figure 26.

Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line A-A in Figure 27, illustrating the shape of a rotating rack gear.

Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line B-B in Figure 27, illustrating a hook of the base and the cleaning unit.

Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a rotating brush and a collection unit of the cleaning unit illustrated in Figure 26.

Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another scraper structure illustrated in Figure 30.

Figure 32 is a plan view illustrating the structure of a dust quantity detection unit

arranged in the air inlet grill illustrated in figure 22.

Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the dust quantity detection unit illustrated in Figure 32.

Figure 34 illustrates a method of removing the air filter cleaning unit illustrated in Figure 22.

Figure 35 illustrates a method of removing the air filter cleaning unit illustrated in Figure 22.

Figure 36 illustrates a method of removing the air filter cleaning unit illustrated in Figure 22.

Detailed description of the invention First embodiment

An air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

Figure 1 illustrates the general structure of the air conditioner according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner 1 includes an indoor unit 3 arranged on a roof, an outdoor unit 5 disposed outside, and a refrigerant channel 7 configured for the circulation of a refrigerant between the indoor unit 3 and the outdoor unit 5.

The outdoor unit 5, as illustrated in Figure 1, includes a compressor 9 configured to compress the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 11 configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the outside air, and an outdoor fan 13.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the general structure of the indoor unit 3 represented in Figure 1.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the indoor unit 3 includes an upper panel 14 in the lower zone; a chassis 15 embedded in the ceiling; an air inlet grill (panel) 19 arranged in an air inlet section 16 of the upper panel 14 and having an air inlet 17 configured to take indoor air; an indoor fan 21 configured to take and expel indoor air; and an internal heat exchanger 23 configured to implement the thermal exchange between the indoor air and a refrigerant.

Substantially at the center of the upper surface inside the chassis 15, a fan motor 25 is configured to drive the inner fan 21. The inner heat exchanger 23 is arranged around the inner fan 21 and the fan motor 25. Under the inner fan 21 (lower area in Figure 2), a flared mouth 27 is arranged configured to regulate the flow of the indoor air entering from the inner fan 21. Under the flared mouth 27 the air inlet grill 19 is arranged. Around of the air inlet grille 19 arranged in the upper panel 14, air outlets 29 are configured to allow the indoor air that has entered the inner fan 21 and passed through the inner heat exchanger 23 to exit the chassis 15.

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating the structure of the air inlet grill 19 of the indoor unit 3 illustrated in Figure 2.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the air inlet 17 is disposed substantially in the central area of

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the air inlet grille 19. In the frame area of the air inlet grille 19 a pair of support elements 33 are provided that support an air filter 31 configured to collect dust and gma rails, described below. .

Between the air inlet grille 19 and the air filter 31 are arranged a brush unit (dust extraction unit) 35 configured to remove dust adhered to the air filter 31 and a dust container (collection unit) 37 configured to cover the brush unit 35 below. On the surface of the air inlet grille 19, gma lanes 39 are configured to limit the movement of the brush unit 35 and the dust container 37 such that the gma lanes 39 are engaged with the air container. powder 37 and connect the pair of support elements 33.

Figure 4 is a partial top view illustrating the structure of a drive unit configured to drive the dust container 37 shown in Figure 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, between the air inlet grill 19 and the air outlets 29 of the chassis 15, an actuator unit 41 is configured to drive the brush unit 35 and the dust container 37. The drive unit 41 includes a split nut 43 configured to drive the dust container 37, a drive screw 45 engaged with the split nut 43, and a drive motor 47 configured to rotatably drive the drive screw 45 in the directions toward right and left.

The drive unit 41 is arranged so that it does not overlap with the air filter 31 as seen from the top (see Figure 4).

The drive screw 45 is arranged substantially parallel to the rails of gma 39. The drive motor 47 is connected to one end of the drive screw 45. The chassis 15 rotatably supports the other end.

The split nut 43 is embedded in the dust container 37.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the brush unit 35 includes a brush that extends upwardly and a body to which the brush is attached. The brush unit 35 is arranged such that it extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rails of gma 39. It is desirable to place the length of the brush unit 35 in the longitudinal direction so that it is substantially the same as the length of the air filter 31 in the same direction.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the hitch of the dust container 37 and the split nut 43 illustrated in Figure 4.

The dust container 37 is arranged so that it is substantially orthogonal to the gma rails 39, in the same manner as the brush unit 35. As shown in Figure 4, the dust container 37 is long enough to cover the zone that extends from where the drive unit 41 has been placed to the area where the air filter 31 is arranged.

As shown in Fig. 5, the dust container 37 is tapered so that its side walls are arranged farther apart from one another towards its upper sides where they engage with the divided nut 43. The side walls of the divided nut 43 can be formed so that they are arranged parallel to the side walls of the dust container 37 or can be formed so that the split nut 43 has a cross section with a width sufficiently small for mounting inside the dust container 37.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a detection unit configured to detect the amount of dust collected in the dust container 37 illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the detection unit illustrated in the figure 6.

A partition 49 that is movable in the longitudinal direction of the dust container 37 and a detection unit 51 configured to detect the amount of dust collected based on the displacement of the partition 49 are arranged inside the dust container 37.

The interior of the dust container 37 is separated by the partition 49 in an area where the dust is collected and an area where the detection unit 51 is arranged. The partition 49 is pushed by a pushing element 53, such as a spring, towards the area where the dust is collected and moves towards the area where the detection unit 51 is arranged when dust is collected in the dust container 37.

In the detection unit 51, a link unit 55 is disposed that protrudes upwards and moves further up when the partition 49 moves towards the detection unit 51. By detecting the protrusion of the link unit 55, it is possible to detect The amount of dust collected.

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When the detection unit 51 detects that a predetermined amount of dust has been collected in the dust container 37, this will be indicated by an appropriate notification unit arranged, for example, in the indoor unit 3, a remote controller (not shown in the drawings), and / or a central controller.

As shown in Figure 3, between the chassis 15 and the air inlet grille 19, lifting units 57 are arranged to raise and lower the air inlet grille 19, the brush unit 35 arranged in the inlet grille. of air 19, dust container 37, and air filter 31.

Each of the lifting units 57 includes a lifting motor 59 disposed in the chassis 15, pulleys 61 arranged in the air inlet grille 19, and a cable 63 that passes through the pulleys 61 and whose ends are fixed to the lift motor 59 and chassis 15.

A drum 65 configured to wind and unwind the cable 63 is arranged in the lift motor 59.

The pulleys 61 mobilely support the rotating cable 63. A pulley 61 is arranged in each of the four corners of the air inlet grille 19.

The cable 63 is passed through two pulleys 61 from the chassis 15, where one end of the cable 63 is fixed, along one side of the air inlet grill 19, and to the drum 65, around which it is wound the wire.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 having the structure described above will be described.

First, the operation of the air conditioner 1 in a cooling mode will be described.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 9 and sent to the external heat exchanger 11 at high temperature and pressure. In the external heat exchanger 11, the refrigerant radiates heat to the outside air, condenses and liquefies. The liquefied refrigerant depressurizes when it passes through an expansion valve and flows to the internal heat exchanger 23. In the internal heat exchanger 23, the refrigerant takes heat from the indoor air and vaporizes. The vaporized refrigerant flows back to the compressor 9 and repeats the cycle described above.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 in a heating mode will be described.

The refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 9 and is sent to the internal heat exchanger 23. In the internal heat exchanger 23, the refrigerant radiates heat to the indoor air, condenses, and liquefies. The liquefied refrigerant depressurizes when it passes through the expansion valve and flows to the external heat exchanger 11. In the external heat exchanger 11, the refrigerant takes heat from the external heat exchanger 11 and vaporizes. The vaporized refrigerant flows back to the compressor 9 and the cycle described above is repeated.

Next, the flow of the indoor air into the indoor unit 3 will be described.

As shown in Figure 2, the indoor air flows from the air inlet 17 to the chassis 15 when the fan motor 25 rotates the inner fan 21. The indoor air flowing to the chassis 15 passes through the air filter 31, and the dust included in said indoor air is collected in the air filter 31. The indoor air that passes through the air filter 31 passes through the flared mouth 27 and is taken by the inner fan 21. The indoor air taken by the inner fan 21 it is ejected outward in the radial direction of the inner fan 21 and passes through the inner heat exchanger 23.

In a cooling mode, the indoor air is cooled when it passes through the inner heat exchanger 23, and its heat is absorbed by the refrigerant. In a heating mode, the indoor air is heated when it passes through the inner heat exchanger 23 and receives heat from the refrigerant.

The indoor air that passes through the indoor heat exchanger 23 leaves the air outlets 29 to the room.

Next, the cleaning operation of the air filter 31 that characterizes this embodiment will be described.

As described above, the powder adhered to the air filter 31 during the operation of the indoor unit 3 is removed by the alternative movement of the brush unit 35, as shown in Figure 2.

More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drive screw 45 is rotationally moved by the drive motor 47. The rotation of the drive screw 45 is converted to an alternative movement by the divided nut 43. The alternative movement of the divided nut 43 is transmitted to the dust container 37 which engages with the divided nut 43. Since the brush unit 35 alternates together with the dust container 37, the powder adhered to the air filter 31 is scraped and collected in the dust container 37.

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Dust extraction, as described above, can be carried out properly by moving the drive motor 47 by detecting the obstruction of the air filter 31, the total operating time of the indoor unit 3, and / or the shutdown of the unit. interior 3.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the dust collected in the dust container 37 causes the partition 49 to move towards the detection unit 51. When a predetermined amount of dust has been collected in the dust container 37, the link unit 55, upon receiving the movement of the partition 49, a predetermined amount protrudes upwards. The detection unit 51 detects the amount of dust collected by detecting the protrusion of the link unit 55 and, when a predetermined amount of dust has been collected, indicates it by default, as described above.

When it is detected that a predetermined amount of dust has been collected in the dust container 37, the dust is removed from the dust container 37.

First, as shown in Figure 3, the rotation of the lift motors 59 is controlled by operating a remote controller, and the cables 63 wrapped around the drums 65 are unwound. As the cables 63 exit, the pulleys 61 rotate and the air inlet grill 19 is lowered relative to the chassis 15 while maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation. Then, the air filter 31, the brush unit 35, and the dust container 37 disposed in the air inlet grille 19 are lowered together with the air inlet grille 19.

As shown in Figure 5, since the split nut 43 is simply mounted in the dust container 37, when the dust container 37 is lowered, the divided nut 43 and the dust container 37 are disengaged.

When the air inlet grill 19 is lowered near the ground, as shown in Figure 3, the operator can remove the dust from the dust container 37. If necessary, the dust remaining in the air filter 31 can be remove directly.

After completing this procedure, the cables 63 are wound around the drums 65 by moving the lifting motors 59. When the cables 63 have been wound, the air inlet grill 19 moves upwards while maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation. and finally it is stored inside chassis 15.

As shown in Figure 5, the side surfaces of the dust container 37 are inclined away from each other so that they are further away at the upper edge of the dust container 37. Therefore, the dust container 37 and the nut divided 43 are engaged by adjusting their relative positions against the inclined surfaces.

According to the structure described above, the dust adhered to the air filter 31 can be removed by the brush unit 35. Therefore, when cleaning the air filter 31, it is not necessary to remove the air filter 31 from the chassis 15. Of this form, the operator does not have to climb to the top, and less effort is required to carry out the maintenance of the air filter 31.

The dust removed by the brush unit 35 is collected in the dust container 37. The lifting units 57 allow the chassis 15 to be lowered together with the dust container 37. Therefore, the operator does not have to climb to the top to remove the dust container 37, which contains the dust, from the chassis 15. In this way, less effort is required to carry out the maintenance of the air filter 31.

Since the dust removed can be collected in the dust container 37, the dust container 37 does not have to be removed every time the air filter 31 is cleaned. In other terms, dust extraction from the dust container 37 is only The air filter 31 has to be cleaned every several times. In this way, less effort is required to carry out the maintenance of the air filter 31.

The brush unit 35 and the air filter 31 can be moved relative to each other by the drive unit 41 to remove the dust adhered to the air filter 31.

Since the drive motor 47 and other components are arranged in the chassis 15, the load applied to the lifting units 57 when raising and lowering the dust container 37 can be reduced.

Since the air filter 31 is supported so that it can be raised or lowered with respect to the chassis 15 by the lifting units 57, the operator can directly and easily clean the air filter 31. In addition, the operator can clean areas in the air filter 31 where the brush unit 35 cannot reach.

As shown in Figure 4, a drive unit 41 can be arranged on one side in the frame of

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the air inlet grill 19, or a pair of drive units can be arranged on opposite sides in the frame of the air inlet grill 19. The number and position of the drive unit 41 are not limited.

Second embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9.

The basic structure of an air conditioner according to this embodiment is the same as according to the first embodiment. However, the structures of the brush unit and the dust container differ from those of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the structure of the brush unit and the dust container will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9, and descriptions of the other structures will be omitted.

Figures 8A to 8D illustrate the structures of a brush unit and a dust container in an indoor unit according to this embodiment.

The components that are the same as according to the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers as according to the first embodiment, and their descriptions are not repeated.

As shown in FIG. 8A, a brush unit (dust extraction unit) 135 is configured in an indoor unit 103 of an air conditioner 101 configured to remove dust adhered to the air filter 31 and a dust container ( collection unit) 137 configured to cover brush unit 135 below.

The brush unit 135 includes a brush that extends in the vertical direction and a body to which the brush is fixed.

The dust container 137 is tapered, at least in the area engaged with a split nut 43, so that the inner side walls of the dust container 137 are disposed farther from each other to the upper side of the side walls. However, the structure is not limited to this; The entire area of the side walls may be tapered in a manner similar to the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner 101 having the structure described above will be described.

The operation of the air conditioner 101 in a cooling mode and a heating mode and the indoor air flow within the indoor unit 103 are the same as according to the first embodiment, and, therefore, do not repeat their descriptions here. .

Next, the cleaning operation of the air filter 31 of the indoor unit 103 will be described.

When dust is adhered to the air filter 31, as shown in Figure 8A, the drive screw 45 is rotationally moved by the drive motor 47. The rotation of the drive screw 45 is converted to a movement of the split nut 43 in a direction along the drive screw 45. The movement of the divided nut 43 is transmitted to the dust container 137 engaged with the divided nut 43, and the dust container 137 moves together with the brush unit 135. Moving in this way, the brush unit 135 scrapes the dust adhered to the air filter 31. The scraped dust is collected in the dust container 137.

Next, as shown in Figure 8B, the brush unit 135 and the dust container 137 are moved to an area at the end of the drive screw 45 where the air filter 31 is not arranged. As shown in the Figures 8B and 8C, the brush unit 135 that has moved to the edge is rotated substantially 180 ° so that the dust is pushed down to the dust container 137. Simultaneously, the detection unit 51 detects the amount of dust collected in the dust container 137.

When the rotation of the brush unit 135 and the detection of the amount of dust have ended, the brush unit 135 and the dust container 137 are moved to the opposite side (i.e., the side where the drive motor 47 is arranged ), as depicted in Figure 8D. More specifically, by reversing the rotational direction of the drive motor 47 and the drive screw 45 so that the split nut 43 moves toward the drive motor 47, the brush unit 135 and the dust container 137 are moved in the direction opposite.

Figure 9 illustrates the extraction of dust in the dust container 137 illustrated in Figure 8.

When a predetermined amount of dust has been collected in the dust container 137, the dust is removed from the dust container 137. More specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the brush unit 135 and the dust container 137 are lowered together with the air filter 31 by the lifting units 57 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The description of this descent operation is not repeated.

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According to the structure described above, by rotating the brush unit 135 half revolution, the dust can be pushed down to the dust container 137. In this way, the dust can be prevented from falling from the dust container 137 to the room.

Since dust is pushed into the dust container 137, a large amount of dust can be collected in the dust container 137. In this way, the dust can be removed from the dust container 137 less frequently, and less effort is required to carry out air filter maintenance 31.

Third realization

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 10.

The basic structure of an air conditioner according to this embodiment is the same as according to the first embodiment. Only the hook structure of the dust container and the drive unit differs from the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the hitch structure of the powder container and the drive unit will be described with reference to Figure 10, and the descriptions of the other structures will not be repeated.

Figure 10 illustrates the hitch structure of a dust container and a drive unit in an indoor unit according to this embodiment.

The components that are the same as according to the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers as according to the first embodiment, and their descriptions are not repeated.

An indoor unit 153 of an air conditioner 151 includes a dust container (collection unit) 187 that houses a brush unit (not shown in the drawing) configured to remove dust adhered to the air filter 31 and a drive unit 191 configured to drive the dust container 187 along the air filter 31, as shown in Figure 10.

The dust container 187 has a projection 189 that projects upwardly at least in the area where the drive unit 191 engages with the dust container 187. The projection 189 has inclined surfaces that are closer to each other towards the top.

The drive unit 191 includes a split nut 193 configured to drive the dust container 187, a drive screw 45 engaged with the split nut 193, and a drive motor 47 configured to rotatably drive the drive screw 45.

The split nut 193 has a depression 195 that engages with the projection 189 of the dust container 187. The depression 195 has been formed so as to correspond to the shape of the projection 189.

The operation of the air conditioner 151 having the structure described above will now be described.

The operation of the air conditioner 151 in a cooling mode and a heating mode and the indoor air flow within the indoor unit 153 are the same as according to the first embodiment, and, therefore, are not repeated here in their descriptions. .

Next, the cleaning operation of the air filter 31 of the indoor unit 153 will be described.

When dust is adhered to the air filter 31, as shown in Figure 10, the drive screw 45 is rotationally moved by the drive motor 47. The rotation of the drive screw 45 is converted to a movement of the split nut 193 in the direction along the drive screw 45. The movement of the split nut 193 is transmitted to the dust container 187 through the hitch of the projection 189 and the depression 195. The dust container 187 moves together with the unit of brush to scrape off the dust adhered to the air filter 31. The scraped dust is collected in the dust container 187.

When a predetermined amount of powder has been collected in the dust container 187, the dust is removed inside the dust container 187. When the dust container 187 is lowered, the dust container 187 and the split nut 193 are disengaged and the drive unit 191 is inside the indoor unit 153.

When the dust container 187 is raised, the projection 189 and the depression 195 engage again. Then, although the projection 189 and the depression 195 are not exactly aligned relative to each other, the inclined surfaces of the projection 189 grind the depression 195 so that the dust container 187 and the split nut 193 are aligned.

According to the structure described above, the dust container 187 and the split nut 193 of the drive unit

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191 are engaged by the projection 189 and depression 195. Therefore, by raising and lowering the dust container 187, the dust container 187 and the drive unit 191 can be easily engaged and disengaged.

Since the drive unit 191 remains inside the indoor unit 153 when the dust container 187 is lowered or raised, the load applied to the lifting units 57 when raising and lowering the dust container 187 can be reduced.

Fourth realization

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 11.

The basic structure of an air conditioner according to this embodiment is the same as according to the first embodiment. Only the hook structure of the dust container and the drive unit differ from the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the hitch structure of the dust container and the drive unit will be described with reference to Figure 11, and the descriptions of the other structures will not be repeated.

Figure 11 illustrates the hitch structure of a dust container and a drive unit in an indoor unit according to this embodiment.

The components that are the same as according to the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers as according to the first embodiment, and their descriptions are not repeated.

As shown in Figure 11, an indoor unit 203 of an air conditioner 201 includes a dust container (collection unit) 237 that houses a brush unit (not shown in the drawing) configured to remove dust adhering to a filter of air 31 and a drive unit 241 configured to drive the dust container 237 along the air filter 31.

The drive unit 241 includes a drive screw 245 configured to drive the dust container 237 and a drive motor 47 configured to rotationally drive the drive screw 245. The drive screw 245 has a thread 247 with spiral projections.

The dust container 237 has a female screw section 239 where it engages the thread 247 of the drive screw 245.

The operation of the air conditioner 201 having the structure described above is described below.

The operation of the air conditioner 201 in a cooling mode and a heating mode and the indoor air flow inside the indoor unit 203 are the same as according to the first embodiment, and, therefore, their descriptions are not repeated here. .

The cleaning operation of the air filter 31 of the indoor unit 203 will now be described.

When dust is adhered to the air filter 31, as shown in Figure 11, the drive screw 245 is rotationally moved by the drive motor 47. The rotation of the drive screw 245 is converted to a movement in the direction of length of the drive screw 245 by the thread hook 247 and the female screw section 239. The dust container 237 moves together with the brush unit to scrape off the dust adhered to the air filter 31. Scraped dust is collected in the dust container 237.

When a predetermined amount of dust has been collected in the dust container 237, the dust is removed inside the dust container 237. When the dust container 237 is lowered, the dust container 237 and the drive screw 245 are disengaged, and the drive unit 241 is inside the indoor unit 203.

When the dust container 237 is raised, the thread 247 and the female screw section 239 engage again. Then, although the thread 247 and the female screw section 239 are not exactly aligned relative to each other, the engagement of the thread 247 and the female screw section 239 is not affected.

According to the structure described above, the dust container 237 and the drive screw 245 of the drive unit 241 are engaged by the female screw section 239 and the thread 247. Therefore, by lowering and raising the dust container 237, The dust container 237 and the drive unit 241 can be easily disengaged and engaged.

Since the drive unit 241 remains inside the indoor unit 203 when the dust container 237 is lowered or raised, the load applied to the lifting units 57 when the dust container 237 is raised and lowered is

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can reduce.

Fifth realization

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 12.

The basic structure of an air conditioner according to this embodiment is the same as according to the first embodiment. Only the structure of the dust container and the drive unit differs from the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structure of the dust container and the drive unit will be described with reference to Figure 12, and the descriptions of the other structures are not repeated.

Figure 12 illustrates the structure of a dust container and a drive unit in an indoor unit according to this embodiment.

The components that are the same as according to the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers as according to the first embodiment, and their descriptions are not repeated.

As shown in Figure 12, an indoor unit 253 of an air conditioner 251 includes a dust container (collection unit) 287 that houses a brush unit (not shown in the drawing) configured to remove dust adhering to a filter of air 31 and a drive unit 291 configured to drive the dust container 287 along the air filter 31.

The drive unit 291 includes a rail 293, a drive unit 295 that alternates along the rail 293, and a cable unit 297 extending from the drive unit 295 to the indoor unit 253. One of the ends of the cable unit 297 is fixed to the drive unit 295, and the other end is connected to the indoor unit 253 by the magnetic force of a magnet 299.

The entire drive unit 291 is arranged in an air inlet grille 19 and is raised and lowered together with the air inlet grille 19.

The dust container 287 accommodates the brush unit and the drive unit 295.

The operation of the air conditioner 251 having the structure described above will now be described.

The operation of the air conditioner 251 in a cooling mode and a heating mode and the indoor air flow within the indoor unit 253 are the same as according to the first embodiment, and therefore do not repeat here their descriptions. .

Next, the cleaning operation of the air filter 31 of the indoor unit 253 will be described.

When dust is adhered to the air filter 31, as shown in Figure 12, the drive unit 295 moves along the rail 293. When the drive unit 295 moves, the dust container 287 moves together with the brush unit in order to scrape the dust adhered to the air filter 31. The scraped dust is collected in the dust container 287.

When a predetermined amount of powder has been collected inside the dust container 287, the dust is removed in the dust container 287.

When the air inlet grill 19 is lowered, the drive unit 291 arranged in the air inlet grill 19 is also lowered. Since the cable unit 297 of the drive unit 291 is connected only by the magnetic force of the magnet 299, the cable unit 297 is easily separated from the indoor unit 253 when pushed.

When the cable unit 297 approaches the indoor unit 253 when the air inlet grill 19 is raised, the magnetic force of the magnet 299 is applied to the cable unit 297 to guide the cable unit 297 to a connecting part default so that the cable unit 297 joins the indoor unit 253.

According to the structure described above, the indoor unit 253 and the drive unit 291 are joined by the magnet 299 of the cable unit 297. Therefore, when the drive unit 291 is lowered and raised, the indoor unit 253 and the drive unit 291 can be easily separated and connected to the magnet of cable unit 297.

Since the drive unit 291 is lowered and raised together with the dust container 287, the dust container 287 and the drive unit 291 are not misaligned, and the dust container 287 can be moved reliably.

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Sixth realization

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 13.

The basic structure of an air conditioner according to this embodiment is the same as according to the first embodiment. Only the structure of the detection unit of the dust container differs from the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structure of the detection unit of the dust container will be described with reference to Figure 13, and the descriptions of the other structures are not repeated.

Figure 13 illustrates the structure of a detection unit of a dust container in an indoor unit according to this embodiment.

The components that are the same as according to the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers as according to the first embodiment, and their descriptions are not repeated.

As shown in Figure 13, an indoor unit 303 of an air conditioner 301 includes a dust container (collection unit) 337 that houses a brush unit (not shown in the drawing) configured to remove dust adhering to a filter of air 31 and a detection unit 339 configured to detect the amount of dust accumulated in the dust container 337.

At one of the ends of the dust container 337, a cover 341 configured to cover part of an opening has been arranged, and, on the lower surface of the cover 341, the detection unit 339 is configured to detect the amount of dust. The detection unit 339 can be a contact sensor configured to detect the amount of dust by contact with the dust.

Next, an air conditioner 301 having the structure described above will be described.

The operation of the air conditioner 301 in a cooling mode and a heating mode and the indoor air flow within the indoor unit 303 are the same as according to the first embodiment, and, therefore, their descriptions are not repeated here. .

Next, the cleaning operation of the air filter 31 of the indoor unit 303 will be described.

When dust is collected in the dust container 337, the dust accumulates inside the dust container 337. The accumulated dust comes into contact with the detection unit 339 arranged below the cover 341. The detection unit 339 sends a signal of dust detection

The operator can remove the dust collected in the dust container 337 based on this dust detection signal.

According to the structure described above, by providing the detection unit 339 under the cover 341 of the dust container 337, the detection unit 339 can directly detect the amount of dust collected in the dust container 337. Therefore, the amount of Dust in dust container 337 can be detected reliably.

Seventh realization

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 14.

The basic structure of an air conditioner according to this embodiment is the same as according to the first embodiment. Only the structure of the detection unit of the dust container differs from the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structure of the detection unit of the dust container will be described with reference to Figure 14, and the descriptions of the other structures are not repeated.

Figure 14 illustrates the structure of a detection unit of a dust container in an indoor unit according to this embodiment.

The components that are the same as according to the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers as according to the first embodiment, and their descriptions are not repeated.

As shown in Figure 14, an indoor unit 353 of an air conditioner 351 includes a dust container (collection unit) 387 that houses a brush unit (not shown in the drawing) configured to remove dust adhering to a filter of air 31 and a detection unit 389 configured to detect the amount of dust accumulated in the dust container 387.

Folded sections in the form of bellows 391 and support elements 393 that hold the folded sections 391 in opposite positions have been placed on the side surfaces of the dust container 387. The support elements 393 can be strips of adhesive tape.

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The detection unit 389 is arranged under the dust container 387 with a predetermined interval arranged between the detection unit 389 and the dust container 387. The detection unit 389 is able to detect the lowering of the lower surface of the dust container. 387. The detection unit 389 can be a contact sensor capable of detecting the bottom surface of the dust container 387 by contact.

Next, the air conditioner 351 having the structure described above will be described.

The operation of the air conditioner 351 in a cooling mode and a heating mode and the indoor air flow inside the indoor unit 353 are the same as according to the first embodiment, and, therefore, their descriptions are not repeated here. .

The cleaning operation of the air filter 31 of the indoor unit 353 will now be described.

When dust is collected in the dust container 387, the bottom surface of the dust container 387 is pushed down. When a predetermined amount of powder has been collected in the dust container 387, the support elements 393 are separated and the folded sections 391 are extended, causing the bottom surface of the dust container 387 to be lowered.

When the lower surface of the dust container 387 has been lowered, the lower surface contacts the detection unit 389, and the detection unit 389 sends a detection serial.

The operator can remove the dust collected in the dust container 387 based on this detection serial.

According to the structure described above, since the detection unit 389 detects the lower surface of the dust container 387 that has been lowered by the dust collected in the dust container 387, the amount of dust can be reliably detected compared to when the Dust is detected directly.

Eighth realization

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 18.

The basic structure of an air conditioner according to this embodiment is the same as according to the first embodiment. Only the structures of the air intake grille, the dust container, and its environment differ from the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structures of the air inlet grille, the dust container, and its surroundings will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 18, and the descriptions of the other structures are not repeated.

Figure 15 illustrates the structure of an indoor unit according to this embodiment.

The components that are the same as according to the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers as according to the first embodiment, and their descriptions are not repeated.

As shown in Fig. 15, an indoor unit 403 of an air conditioner 401 includes an upper panel 14 in the lower zone, a chassis 15 embedded in the ceiling, an air filter 431 disposed in an air inlet section 16 of the upper panel 14 so as to take indoor air, an indoor fan 21 configured to take and expel indoor air, and an indoor heat exchanger 23 configured to carry out the thermal exchange between the indoor air and a refrigerant.

Substantially in the center of the upper surface inside the chassis 15, a fan motor 25 is configured to drive the inner fan 21. The inner heat exchanger 23 is arranged around the inner fan 21 and the fan motor 25. In the lower zone from the inner fan 21 a flared mouth 27 is arranged configured to regulate the flow of the indoor air to the inner fan 21. In the lower area of the flared mouth 27 the air filter 431 has been placed. Around the air filter 431 arranged in The upper panel 14 has air outlets 29 configured to allow the indoor air that has entered the inner fan 21 and passed through the inner heat exchanger 23 to exit the chassis 15.

Figure 16 is a partial perspective view illustrating the structure of a lifting unit, the air filter 431, and a dust container 437 of the indoor unit 403 illustrated in Figure 15.

As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the air filter 431 includes a filter surface 433a that captures dust from the indoor air and a frame 433b that supports the filter surface 433a.

On the lower surface of the air filter 431 a brush unit 35 configured to remove the dust adhered to the filter surface 433a and the dust container (collection unit) 437 configured to cover the brush unit 35 below have been placed .

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Figure 17 is a perspective view illustrating the structures of the dust container 437 and the brush unit 35 illustrated in Figure 16.

As shown in Figure 17, the brush unit 35 includes a brush that extends upward and a body to which the brush is attached. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the dust container 437 has a box-like shape surrounding the brush unit 35. At both ends of the dust container 437, supports 439 are arranged that are engaged on the frame 433b of the air filter 431. On the upper surface of one of the supports 439 a female screw section 439a has been formed which engages with a drive screw, described below.

As shown in Figure 16, between the indoor unit 403 and the air filter 431, lifting units 457 are configured to raise and lower the air filter 431 and the dust container 437.

Each of the lifting units 457 includes a lifting motor 59 disposed in the chassis 15, pulleys 61 arranged in the frame 433b of the air filter 431, and a cable 63 that passes through the pulleys 61 and whose ends are fixed to lift motor 59 and chassis 15.

A drum 65 configured to wind and unwind the cable 63 is arranged in the lift motor 59. The pulleys 61 move the cable 63 mobile by rotating. A pulley 61 is arranged in each of the four corners of the frame 433b.

Figure 18 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a drive unit of the indoor unit 403 illustrated in Figure 15.

As shown in Figures 14 and 18, between the air filter 431 and the air outlets 29 of the chassis 15 an actuator unit 441 has been arranged configured to drive the brush unit 35 and the dust container 437. The unit Drive 441 includes a drive screw 445 configured to drive the dust container 437 and a drive motor 447 configured to rotationally drive the drive screw 445 in the right or left direction.

The drive screw 445 includes a thread 445a that engages with the female screw section 439a, described above.

Next, the air conditioner 401 having the structure described above will be described.

The operation of the air conditioner 401 in a cooling mode and a heating mode and the indoor air flow within the indoor unit 403 are the same as according to the first embodiment, and, therefore, do not repeat here their descriptions .

The cleaning operation of the air filter 431 of the indoor unit 403 will now be described.

When dust is adhered to the air filter 431, as shown in Figure 18, the drive screw 445 is rotationally moved by the drive motor 447. The rotation of the drive screw 445 is converted to a movement along the screw drive 445 by the thread hitch 445a and the female screw section 439a.

By the coupling of the thread 445a and the female screw section 439a, the dust container 437 moves together with the brush unit 35. Moving in this way, the brush unit 35 scrapes the dust adhered to the air filter 431. Scraped powder is collected in dust container 437.

When it is detected that a predetermined amount of dust has been collected in the dust container 437, the dust is removed from the dust container 437.

First, as shown in Figure 16, the rotation of the lift motor 59 is controlled to unwind the cable 63 wound around the drum 65. When the cable 63 is unwound, the pulleys 61 rotate and the air filter 431 is lowers with respect to chassis 15 while maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation. Then, the brush unit 35 and the dust container 437 disposed in the air filter 431 are lowered together with the air filter 431.

As shown in Figure 18, since the dust container 437 and the drive screw 445 are simply assembled together, when the dust container 437 moves down, the dust container 437 and the drive screw 445 are disengaged. .

When the air filter 431, etc., is lowered near the ground, as shown in Figure 16, the operator can remove the dust from the dust container 437. If necessary, the dust remaining in the air filter 431 is may

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remove directly.

After completing this operation, the cable 63 is wound around the drum 65 by moving the lift motor 59. When the cable 63 has been wound, the air filter 431 moves upwards while maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation and is stored inside the chassis 15.

When the powder container 437 is raised, the thread 445a and the female screw section 439a engage again. Although the thread 445a and the female screw section 439a are not aligned relative to each other, the engagement of the thread 495a and the female screw section 439a is not affected.

According to the structure described above, since the lifting units 457 raise and lower only the air filter 431, the dust container 437, and the brush unit 35, the load applied to the lifting units 457 can be reduced in comparison with the structure according to the first embodiment in which the air inlet grill 19 is also raised and lowered (see Figure 4).

Ninth realization

Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 20.

The basic structure of an air conditioner according to this embodiment is the same as according to the first embodiment. Only the structures of the air intake grille, the dust container, and its environment differ from the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structures of the air inlet grille, the dust container, and its surroundings will be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20, and the descriptions of the other structures are not repeated.

Figure 19 illustrates the structure of an indoor unit according to this embodiment.

The components that are the same as according to the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers as according to the first embodiment, and their descriptions are not repeated.

As shown in FIG. 19, an indoor unit 503 of an air conditioner 501 includes an upper panel 14 in the lower zone, a chassis 15 embedded in the ceiling, an air filter 531 disposed in an air inlet section 16 of the upper panel 14 in order to take indoor air, an indoor fan 21 configured to take and expel indoor air, and an indoor heat exchanger 23 configured to carry out thermal exchange between the indoor air and a refrigerant.

Substantially in the center of the upper surface inside the chassis 15, a fan motor 25 is configured to drive the inner fan 21. The inner heat exchanger 23 is arranged around the inner fan 21 and the fan motor 25. In the lower zone of the inner fan 21 a flared mouth 27 is arranged configured to regulate the flow of the inner air to the inner fan 21. The air filter 531 is arranged in the lower area of the flared mouth 27. Around the air filter 531 arranged in the panel upper 14 there are air outlets 29 configured to let the indoor air that has entered the indoor fan 21 and that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 23 out of the chassis 15.

Figure 20 is a partial perspective view illustrating the structure of a lifting unit, an air filter 431, and a dust container 537 of the indoor unit 503 illustrated in Figure 19.

As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the air filter 531 includes a filter surface 433a that captures dust from the indoor air, a frame 533a that supports the filter surface 433a, and a separable portion 533b that can be separated from the frame 533a.

A brush unit 35 for removing dust adhering to the filter surface 433a and the dust container 437 configured to cover the brush unit 35 below are arranged on the bottom surface of the air filter 531.

As shown in Figure 20, between the indoor unit 503 and the air filter 531 there is a lifting unit 557 configured to raise and lower the dust container 437.

The lifting unit 557 includes a lifting motor 559 arranged in the chassis 15, pulleys 561 arranged in the separable portion 533b of the air filter 531, and a cable 563 that passes through pulleys 561 and whose ends are fixed to the lifting motor 559 and chassis 15.

A drum 565 configured to wind and unwind the cable 563 is arranged in the lift motor 559. The pulleys 561 mobilely support the cable 563 by rotating. The pulleys 61 are arranged at both ends of the separable portion 533b.

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Next, the air conditioner 501 having the structure described above will be described.

The operation of the air conditioner 501 in a cooling mode and a heating mode and the indoor air flow within the indoor unit 503 are the same as according to the first embodiment, and, therefore, their descriptions are not repeated here. .

The operation of removing the dust adhered to the air filter 531 is the same as according to the eighth embodiment, and, therefore, its description is not repeated here.

Next, the cleaning operation of the air filter 531 of the indoor unit 503 will be described.

When a predetermined amount of powder has been collected in the dust container 437, the dust in the dust container 437 is removed.

First, as shown in Figure 20, the dust container 437 is moved to the position of the separable portion 533b of the air filter 531. Next, the rotation of the lift motor 559 is controlled to unwind the cable 563 wound around the drum 565. When the cable 563 is unwound, the pulleys 561 rotate and the separable portion 533b and the dust container 437 are separated and lowered with respect to the air filter 531 while maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation.

When the dust container 437 is lowered near the ground, the operator can remove the dust from the dust container 437.

After completing this operation, the cable 563 is wound around the drum 565 by moving the lifting motor 559. When the cable 563 is fully wound, the separable portion 533b and the dust container 437 are moved upwards while maintaining an orientation substantially horizontal and connect to air filter 531.

According to the structure described above, since the lifting units 557 that raise and lower only the separable portion 533b, the dust container 437, and the brush unit 35, the load applied to the lifting units 557 can be reduced in comparison with the structure according to the eighth embodiment in which the air filter 431 is also raised and lowered (see Figure 16).

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

For example, according to the embodiments described above, the indoor unit is embedded in the ceiling. However, the indoor unit is not limited to an indoor unit of the type embedded in the ceiling and can be any other type of indoor unit that is installed in the ceiling, such as an indoor unit suspended from the ceiling.

According to the embodiments described above, the air filter is fixed and the brush unit (dust extraction unit) configured to remove the collected dust is mobile. However, on the other hand, the dust extraction unit may be fixed, and the air filter can be moved to remove dust. In addition, the dust extraction unit is not limited to a brush.

Tenth realization

Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 21 to 36.

The basic structure of an air conditioner according to this embodiment is the same as according to the first embodiment. Only the structure of the air intake grille and its environment differ from the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structure of the air inlet grille and its surroundings will be described with reference to Figures 21 to 36, and descriptions of the other structures will be omitted.

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of an indoor unit according to this embodiment.

The components that are the same as according to the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers as according to the first embodiment and their descriptions are not repeated.

As shown in Figure 21, an indoor unit 603 of an air conditioner 601 includes an upper panel 14 in the lower zone, a spacer 614, a chassis 15 embedded in the ceiling, an air inlet grille (panel) 19 which has an air inlet 17 configured to take indoor air, an indoor fan 21 configured to take and expel indoor air, and an indoor heat exchanger 23 configured to carry out thermal exchange between the indoor air and a refrigerant.

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Substantially in the center of the upper surface on the inner side of the chassis 15 a fan motor 25 is arranged configured to drive the inner fan 21. The inner heat exchanger 23 is arranged around the inner fan 21 and the fan motor 25. A mouth flared 27 configured to regulate the flow of indoor air to the indoor fan 21 is arranged in the lower zone of the inner fan 21 (lower zone in Figure 21). An air inlet grille 19 is arranged in the lower area of the flared mouth 27. Around the air inlet grille 19 arranged in the upper panel 14, there are air outlets 29 to let indoor air that has entered the inner fan 21 and that has passed through the inner heat exchanger 23 exit chassis 15.

Figure 22 is a partial perspective view illustrating the structures of the air inlet grill 19, the top panel 14, and the spacer 614 illustrated in Figure 21.

As shown in Figure 22, the air inlet grill 19 includes an air filter 631 configured to remove dust included in the air taken and a cleaning unit 633 configured to clean the air filter 631. The air filter 631 is disposed substantially in the central area of the air inlet grill 19. Cables 63 configured to lower and raise the air inlet grill 19 are arranged in the four corners of a frame of the air inlet grill 19. The spacer 614 having a predetermined thickness is arranged in the upper panel 14. In the space defined by the spacer 614, a drive motor (drive unit) 635 configured to generate a rotational driving force to move the cleaning unit 633, as described more forward, and an alternative movement unit 637 configured to convert the rotational driving force to an alternative driving force, and a higher transmitting unit (first transmitter unit) 639 that receives the alternative driving force are arranged and supported in a frame (chassis) 641 arranged in the upper panel 14.

Figure 23 is an exploded perspective view of the structures of the spacer 614 and the frame (chassis) 641 disposed in the upper panel 14, illustrated in Figure 22.

As shown in Figure 23, the spacer 614 is constituted of a rectangular frame body. A frame (chassis) 641 that holds the drive motor 635 and the alternative movement unit 637 are arranged in the space surrounded by the frame body. A through hole formed in the center of the spacer 614 serves as an air channel to allow air flow to the indoor unit 603. Four through holes formed in the periphery of the spacer 614 serve as air channels to allow air outflow from the indoor unit 603.

A pair of support elements 643 configured to support the drive motor 635 and the alternative movement unit 637 are arranged in the frame 641 arranged in the upper panel 14. The support elements 643 are arranged substantially in the center of opposite sides. of the frame 641. The support elements 643 are protruding elements that protrude into the inner periphery of the frame 641 to support the drive motor 635 and the alternative movement unit 637. The drive motor 635 is interposed between the frame 641 and one of the support elements 643. The alternative movement unit 637 is interposed between the pair of support elements 643.

As described above, the support elements 643 can be arranged in the frame 641 in order to support the drive motor 635 and the alternative movement unit 637. However, the support structure is not limited to this configuration, and the drive motor 635 and the alternative movement unit 637 can be directly supported by the frame 641 without providing the support elements 643.

As shown in Fig. 23, the alternative movement unit 637 includes a drive shaft 645 that is rotationally moved by the drive motor 635, a worm screw 647 that is rotationally moved by the drive shaft 645, and a drive gear 649 drive rack that engages with the 647 screw screw.

Drive shaft 645 is a pillar-like element that has a polygonal cross section (eg, hexagonal) and is rotatably supported between the pair of support elements 643.

The screw worm 647 is rotationally moved by the drive shaft 645 and is arranged on the drive shaft 645 so that the worm screw 647 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft 645. More specifically, a through hole which has the same shape as the cross section of the drive shaft 645 is formed in the screw worm 647, and the drive shaft 645 is passed through this through hole. In this way, the rotational drive force of the drive shaft 645 is transmitted to the worm screw 647, and, at the same time, the worm screw 647 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft 645. In the worm screw 647, cylindrical portions 651 are arranged at both ends of the area where the threads are provided. The outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical portions 651 contact the upper transmitter unit 639, described below, in order to prevent the worm screw 647 from separating from the drive rack gear 649.

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The drive rack gear 649 engages with the worm screw 647 in order to generate a driving force to move the worm screw 647 alternately. The drive rack gear 649 is fixed between the pair of support elements 643. The drive rack gear 649 has a substantially H-shaped cross section. The threads of the rack gear that engage with the worm screw 647 are arranged in the center of the H-shaped cross section. The cross-sectional shape of the drive rack gear 649 may be substantially H-shaped, as mentioned above, or it may be of any other shape. The cross-sectional shape of the drive rack gear 649 is not limited.

Figure 24 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the upper transmitter unit 639 illustrated in Figure 23.

As shown in Fig. 23, the upper transmitter unit 639 includes a drive force transmitter unit 653 that receives the alternative driving force of the worm screw 647, an adjustment unit (disengage prevention unit) 655 which holds the gear Drive rack 649 against drive force transmitter unit 653 (see Figure 24), and screws (disengage prevention units) 657 configured to join drive force transmitter unit 653 and adjustment unit 655.

Figure 25 is a partial perspective view illustrating the hitch of the upper transmitter unit 639 and the screw aufm 647.

The drive force transmitter unit 653 includes an upper plate 659 that receives an alternative driving force of the screw worm 647 and side plates 661 that transmit the alternative driving force to a lower transmitter unit 675, as described below.

The upper plate 659 includes a rectangular through hole 663, substantially semicircular contact units (disengage prevention units) 665 that are adjacent to the through hole 663, and a pair of threaded holes 667 into which screws 657 are screwed. As shown in Figure 25, the threads of the screw sinfm 647 are arranged in the through hole 663 when the upper transmitter unit 639 and the alternative movement unit 637 are engaged. As shown in Figure 24, the contact units 665 are arranged in such a way that they contact the cylindrical portions 651 of the worm screw 647.

As shown in FIG. 23, upper engagement parts 669 are arranged on the lower edges of the side plates 661 that are engaged with the lower transmitter unit 675, described below. Each of the upper coupling parts 669 has an upper depression 671 and a pressure plate 673. The upper depressions 671 hold the lower transmitter unit 675 against the upper coupling parts 669 and transmit the alternative driving force to the lower transmitter unit 675 , and the pressure plates 673 extend outwardly from the side plates 661 and adjust the relative orientation of the upper transmitter unit 639 and the lower transmitter unit 675.

As shown in Figure 24, the adjustment unit 655 is a U-shaped folded element. The adjustment unit 655 is mounted on the driving force transmitter unit 653 so that the drive rack gear 649 is arranged within the depression of the adjustment unit 655. The screws 657 are used to mount the adjustment unit 655 in the driving force transmitter unit 653.

Figure 26 is an exploded partial perspective view illustrating the structure of the air filter 631 and the cleaning unit 633 arranged in the air inlet grill 19 shown in Figure 22.

As shown in Figure 26, the air filter 631 configured to remove dust included in the air taken, the cleaning unit 633 configured to clean the air filter 631, and the lower transmitter unit (second transmitter unit) 675 configured to transmit An alternative driving force to the cleaning unit 633 are arranged in a base 619 formed of a rectangular frame body. The base 619 is arranged in the air inlet grill 19.

Figure 27 is a plan view illustrating the structure of the base 619 illustrated in Figure 26. Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating rack gear 677 taken along the line AA in Figure 27 Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of the hook of the base 619 and the cleaning unit 633, taken along the line BB in Figure 27.

The base 619 arranged in the air inlet grill 19 is a frame body that supports the air filter 631 and the cleaning unit 633. As shown in Figure 27, a rectangular through hole in which the filter is arranged of air 631, is formed substantially in the center of the base 619. In addition, rotating rack gears 677 configured to apply a rotational driving force to a rotating brush 685, described below, and grinding parts 679 configured to support the cleaning unit 633 are arranged in the base 619. The grinding parts 679 and the rotating rack gears 677 extend along opposite sides.

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of the through hole.

As shown in Figure 28, the rotating rack gears 677 are rack gears that extend along the surface of the base 619. As shown in Figure 29, each of the rotating rack gears 677 engages with pin 693 of the rotating brush 685, described below.

As shown in FIG. 29, each of the parts of gma 679 includes an outstanding gma part 681 that engages with a groove of gma 707 of a roller 703 disposed in a dust container 687, described below, and a surface of support 683 supporting the roller 703.

As shown in Figure 26, the air filter 631 is disposed substantially in the center of the base 619. The lower transmitter unit 675 is arranged above (upper side in Figure 26) of the air filter 631. The cleaning unit 633 it is arranged below (bottom side in figure 26) of the air filter 631.

As shown in Figure 26, the cleaning unit 633 includes the rotating brush (dust extraction unit) 685 configured to remove dust collected by the air filter 631 and the dust container (collection unit) 687 configured to temporarily store the dust removed by the rotating brush 685.

As shown in Fig. 29, the rotating brush 685 includes a rotating shaft 689 that moves rotationally along the surface of the air filter 631, a brush element 691 configured to scrape the dust collected in the air filter 631 , the pins 693 configured to rotatably drive the rotating shaft 689, and sliding portions 695 that are in contact with the dust container 687.

As shown in Figure 26, the pins 693 are arranged at both ends of the rotating shaft 689. The sliding units 695 are arranged adjacent to the inner side of the pins 693. The brush unit 691 extending outward in the direction Radial of the rotating shaft 689 is disposed on the rotating shaft 689 interposed between the sliding units 695. According to this embodiment, the brush unit 691 is provided with four elements along the central axis of the rotating shaft 689 around the circumference of the shaft rotary 689, with equal angular intervals in between.

The elements of the brush unit 691 may extend parallel to the central axis line, as described above, or they may be helically arranged around the rotary axis 689. The structure of the elements of the brush unit 691 is not limited. In addition, the number of elements of the brush unit 691 is not limited to four, and more or less four elements can be arranged.

The pins 693 are engaged with the rotating rack gears 677 and generate a rotational driving force to rotate the rotating shaft 689 when the rotating brush 685 moves along the surface of the air filter 631.

By contacting the dust container 687, the sliding units 695 transmit the alternative driving force of the dust container 687 to the rotating brush 685. Depressions in which the dust container 687 is mounted are arranged in the sliding units 695. By engaging the depressions and the dust container 687, the relative positions of the rotating brush 685 and the dust container 687 are set. To improve the sliding, it is desirable to construct the sliding units 695 of a material different from the material constituting the water container. powder 687. For example, if the dust container 687 is composed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS resin), it is desirable to form the sliding unit 695 of Duracon resin (polyacetal resin).

Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the rotating brush 685 and the dust container 687 of the cleaning unit 633 illustrated in Figure 26.

As shown in Fig. 26, the dust container 687 includes a main body 697 that receives an alternative driving force from the lower transmitter unit 675 and a retention unit 699 configured to temporarily store dust. Rotary brush 685 is rotatably held within main body 697 and retaining unit 699.

Main body 697 includes brackets 701 that engage with lower transmitter unit 675 and rollers 703 that are configured to support main body 697 alternately, as shown in Figure 29, and also includes scrapers 705 configured to scrape dust from the brush unit 691, as shown in figure 30.

As shown in Figure 26, the main body 697 has been formed as a frame with a through hole arranged in the center. As shown in FIG. 29, depressions in which the pins 693 of the rotating brush 685 have been arranged are placed at both longitudinal ends of the main body 697.

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The plates 701 extend in the longitudinal direction of the main body 697 and are arranged at both ends that have the depressions described above. The tips of the cells 701 extend more outward than the edge of the air filter 631. The tips of the cells 701 are engaged with the lower transmitter unit 675 in an area farther out than the edge of the air filter 631.

The rollers 703 are rotatably disposed on the outer surfaces of the ends that have the depressions. The rollers 703 are shaped like cylinders. On the surface of each cylinder, the groove 707 is provided which is provided with the crane part 681 of the crane parts 679.

As shown in Fig. 30, scrapers 705 are disposed on the inner surface of the through hole in the main body 697 such that they extend inward and are arranged along the longitudinal direction (i.e., in the direction orthogonal to the surface of the page in figure 30) of main body 697 at equal intervals. The brush unit 691 of the rotating brush 685 moves through the interval between the scrapers 705 so that the dust adhered to the brush unit 691 is removed. The sides of the scrapers 705 in front of the edge of the air filter 631 ( that is, the upper side of the scrapers 705 in FIG. 30) are inclined towards the rotating brush 685 and away from the air filter 631. The dust is collected towards the central area by the inclined sides of the scrapers 705 and is sent to the retention unit 699.

Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another structure of the scrapers 705 illustrated in Figure 30.

The scrapers 705 may be in the form of triangles as seen from above, as shown in Figure 30, or they may be in the form of rods as seen from above, as shown in Figure 31. The shape of the scrapers 705 is not limited By providing the scrapers 705 having the shape illustrated in Figure 31, resistance can be reduced when the brush unit 691 moves through the interval between the scrapers 705.

The retaining unit 699 covers the rotating brush 685 below, as shown in Figure 26, and engages with the main body 697, as shown in Figure 30. Dust removed from the air filter 631 by the rotating brush 685 It is temporarily stored in the space defined by the holding unit 699, the main body 697 and the rotating brush 685.

As shown in Figure 26, the lower transmitter unit 675 is a rod-shaped element. Grips 709 configured to hold the plates 701 of the cleaning unit 633 are arranged at both ends of the lower transmitter unit 675.

Substantially in the center of the lower transmitter unit 675 is placed a lower hitch part 711 that engages with the upper hitch parts 669 of the upper transmitter unit 639. The lower hitch part 711 has a smaller width compared to the others. parts of the lower transmitter unit 675. This narrow part engages with the upper depression 671 of the upper coupling part 669. As shown in Figure 29, the lower depression 713 that engages with the cleaning unit 633 and holds the plates 701, It is arranged on the tips of the grips 709.

Figure 32 is a plan view illustrating the structure of a unit for detecting the amount of dust disposed at the base 619 of the air inlet grill 19 illustrated in Figure 22. Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates the structure of the dust quantity detection unit illustrated in Figure 32.

As shown in Figure 32, a dust quantity detection unit 715 includes covers 717 configured to cover the openings of the cleaning unit 633, a fan 719 configured to take air, and a flow sensor (sensor) 721 configured to detect the air flow taken by the fan 719.

As shown in figure 32, the covers 717 are arranged opposite the outer edges in the directions of movement (vertical direction in figure 32) of the cleaning unit 633 of the air filter 631. As shown in figure 33, the covers 717 are arranged substantially in the same plane as the air filter 631.

The fan 719 and the flow sensor 721 are arranged on the upper surface (upper side of Figure 33) of one of the covers 717. The fan 719 rotates to expel air from the interior of the cleaning unit 633 through channels (not shown in the drawings), ie through holes, arranged in the covers 717. The flow sensor 721 detects the flow of the air expelled from the cleaning unit 633 by the fan 719.

Through holes that have a small diameter are formed in components such as the retaining unit 699 of the cleaning unit 633 in order to allow outside air to enter.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner 601 having the structure described above will be described.

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The operation of the air conditioner 601 in a cooling mode and a heating mode and the indoor air flow inside the indoor unit 603 are the same as according to the first embodiment, and, therefore, their descriptions are not repeated here. .

Next, the cleaning operation of the air filter 631 that characterizes this embodiment will be described.

As described above, the dust adhered to the air filter 631 while operating the indoor unit 603 is removed with the alternative movement of the cleaning unit 633 along the surface of the air filter 631.

More specifically, as shown in Fig. 23, the rotational drive force of the drive motor 635 is transmitted to the drive shaft 645, and the screw worm 647 is rotationally moved. The worm screw 647 engaged with the drive rack gear 649 is moved alternately along the drive shaft. The direction of movement of the screw worm 647 is controlled by the rotational direction of the drive motor 635. The alternative movement of the screw worm 647 is transmitted to the upper transmitter unit 639, and the upper transmitter unit 639 is alternately moved together with the worm screw 647.

The cylindrical portions 651 of the worm screw 647 are in contact with the contact units 665 of the upper transmitter unit 639, and, therefore, the worm screw 647 does not move more than a predetermined distance away from the drive rack gear 649 Since the drive rack gear 649 is interposed between the upper transmitter unit 639 and the adjustment unit 655, the upper transmitter unit 639 does not move more than a predetermined distance away from the drive rack gear 649.

As shown in Figure 25, the alternative movement transmitted to the upper transmitter unit 639 is transmitted from the upper transmitter unit 639 to the lower transmitter unit 675. Since the pressure plate 673 of the upper transmitter unit 639 is in contact with the upper surface of the lower transmitter unit 675, the relative positions of the upper transmitter unit 639 and the lower transmitter unit 675 do not change even when the alternative movement is transmitted.

As shown in FIG. 29, the alternative movement of the lower transmitter unit 675 is transmitted from the handles 709 to the plates 701 of the cleaning unit 633 disposed on the lower surface of the air filter 631. The alternative movement transmitted to the cells 701 is transmitted from dust container 687 to rotary brush 685.

The rotating brush 685 moves alternately on the lower surface side of the air filter 631 and, at the same time, is rotationally moved by the engagement of the pinions 693 and the rotating rack gears 677. The alternative and rotational movements of The rotating brush 685 causes the brush unit 691 of the rotating brush 685 to clean the entire surface of the air filter 631 on the air inlet side in order to remove the dust collected in the air filter 631.

The speed of the reciprocating movement of the rotating brush 685 and the rotational speed of the tips of the brush unit 691 differ by a predetermined value. This speed difference allows the brush unit 691 to clean the entire surface of the air filter 631. As a method of generating such a speed difference, for example, the pinion diameters 693 and the brush unit 691 can be set so that they have a predetermined relationship.

Part of the dust removed by the brush unit 691 falls by gravity and the rest remains adhered to the brush unit 691. As shown in Figure 30, part of the brown powder falls through the interval between the scrapers 705 to the unit of Retention 699, and the rest of the brown powder falls on scrapers 705 and slides along the inclined sides of scrapers 705 to retaining unit 699.

Dust adhered to the brush unit 691 is scraped off the brush unit 691 when the brush unit 691 passes through the interval between the scrapers 705. The dust scraped by the scrapers 705 falls through the interval between the scrapers 705 to the retention unit 699.

Since the scrapers 705 and the rotating brush 685 are arranged on top of the dust accumulated inside the retention unit 699 so that the dust is blocked by the scrapers 705 and the rotating brush 685, the powder does not fall out of the cleaning unit 633 .

Next, a method of removing the dust stored within the holding unit 699 will be described.

First, a method of detecting the amount of dust stored within the holding unit 699 will be described.

As shown in Figure 33, the cleaning unit 633 that has removed dust from the air filter 631 is moved

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from an area where the air filter 631 is arranged to an area where one of the covers 717 of the dust quantity detection unit 715 is arranged.

When the cleaning unit 633 is moved to the area of the cover 717, the fan 719 rotates, and air is sucked into the cleaning unit 633. The flow sensor 721 detects the flow of air sucked by the fan 719 in order to estimate the amount of dust stored, based on the flow rate. While the cleaning unit 633 is cleaning the air filter 631, the fan 719 is off, and the amount of dust is not detected.

For example, if there is a large amount of dust in the holding unit 699, the flow of the air sucked by the fan 719 is reduced, while if a small amount of dust is stored in the holding unit 699, the air flow sucked by fan 719 is increased.

As described above, the flow sensor 721 configured to detect the flow rate of the air sucked by the fan 719 can be arranged in the dust quantity detection unit 715 or, instead, a pressure loss sensor can be arranged configured to detect the loss of pressure (pressure) in the air sucked by the 719 fan. The type of sensor is not limited. In the case where a pressure loss sensor is used, if a large amount of dust is stored in the retention unit 699, the pressure loss in the air flow sucked by the fan 719 is large, while if it is stored a small amount of dust in the retention unit 699, the loss of pressure in the air flow sucked by the fan 719 is small.

If the amount of dust detected by the dust quantity detection unit 715 is greater than a predetermined amount, for example, the indoor unit 603 alerts the operator that the dust must be removed from inside the retention unit 699.

To remove dust stored inside the holding unit 699, first, as shown in Figure 22, the air inlet grille 19 of the upper panel 14 is lowered. Since the procedure of lowering the inlet grille of air 19 is the same as according to the first embodiment, its description is not repeated.

Since the air inlet grill 19 includes the air filter 631, the cleaning unit 633, and the lower transmitter unit 675, lowering the air inlet grill 19, the air filter 631, the cleaning unit 633, and the Lower transmitter unit 675 is also lowered simultaneously from upper panel 14.

Then, the transmission path of the driving force from the driving motor 635 to the cleaning unit 633 is interrupted between the upper transmitter unit 639 and the lower transmitter unit 675. In other terms, as shown in Figure 25, the upper transmitter unit 639 and lower transmitter unit 675 are disengaged by lowering the lower transmitter unit 675 together with the air filter 631, etc. Before lowering the air inlet grill 19 of the upper panel 14, the cleaning unit 633 is moved to one of the edges (the right edge in Figure 22) of the air filter 631.

Figure 34 illustrates a method of removing the cleaning unit 633 from the air filter 631 illustrated in Figure 22.

First, the lower transmitter unit 675 engaged with the cleaning unit 633 in the air inlet grill 19 is removed. As shown in FIG. 29, since the cleaning unit 633 and the lower transmitter unit 675 are engaged by the handles 709 that hold the plates 701 above, pulling the handles 709 upwards, the lower transmitter unit 675 can be removed of the cleaning unit 633.

Figure 35 illustrates the method of removing the cleaning unit 633 from the air filter 631 illustrated in Figure 22.

When the lower transmitter unit 675 is arranged on the upper surface of the air filter 631, as shown in Figure 35, the air filter 631 is pivoted at a first edge (the right edge in Figure 35) in order to raise a second edge (the left edge in figure 35).

When the second edge of the air filter 631 is raised, the cleaning unit 633 disposed on the lower surface side of the air filter 631 is exposed. The cleaning unit 633 is pulled up from the air inlet grill 19.

Figure 36 illustrates the method of removing the cleaning unit 633 from the air filter 631 illustrated in Figure 22.

As shown in Figure 36, the main body 697 of the dust container 687 and the retention unit 699 of the cleaning unit 633 removed from the air filter 631 are separated. Then, the dust stored inside the holding unit 699 is removed.

After dusting the retention unit 699, the cleaning unit 633, the air filter 631, and the air inlet grill 19 are mounted again following the steps described above in reverse order. Then, the air intake grill 19 is raised.

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According to the structure described above, the driving force generated in the driving motor 635 can be transmitted to the cleaning unit 633 by the alternative movement unit 637, the upper transmitter unit 639, and the lower transmitter unit 675. Therefore, the cleaning unit 633 can be moved along the surface of the air filter 631 on the air inlet side by the driving force transmitted from the driving motor 635, and the rotating brush 685 can remove the dust collected in the air filter 631.

The drive motor 635, the reciprocating movement unit 637, and the upper transmitter unit 639 are arranged in the frame 641 arranged in the upper panel 14. The cleaning unit 633 and the lower transmitter unit 675 are arranged in the air filter 631 The upper transmitter unit 639 and the lower transmitter unit 675 are detachably engaged with each other. Therefore, both the detachment of the air inlet grille 19, including the air filter 631, of the chassis 15 and the movement of the cleaning unit 633 by the drive motor 635 can be achieved.

More specifically, since the upper transmitter unit 639 and the lower transmitter unit 675 are disengaged when the air inlet grill 19 is separated from the chassis 15, the detachment of the air inlet grill 19 is not hindered. In addition, since the upper transmitter unit 639 and the lower transmitter unit 675 engage again when the air inlet grill 19 that has been separated is mounted again in the chassis 15, the movement of the cleaning unit 633 by the engine 635 drive is not obstructed.

According to this structure, it is possible to remove only the cleaning unit 633 and the air filter 631 that require maintenance from the chassis 15. In this way, the workload required to carry out maintenance on an air filter 631, etc., can be reduced.

Since the lower transmitter unit 675 is arranged on the air outlet side of the air filter 631, the air filter 631 is interposed between the cleaning unit 633 and the lower transmitter unit 675. Therefore, the air filter 631 , the cleaning unit 633, and the lower transmitter unit 675 can be separated from the chassis 15 as a unit.

Since the lower transmitter unit 675 is detachably connected with the cleaning unit 633, the air filter 631 and the cleaning unit 633 can be removed independently of the unit formed by the air filter 631, the cleaning unit 633, and the transmitter unit lower 675 removed from chassis 15. Therefore, maintenance of the cleaning unit 633 and the air filter 631 can be easily performed.

Since the rotating brush 685 includes the rotating shaft 689 in which the rotating brush 685 rotates about its longitudinal axis and the brush unit 691 extending in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 689, rotating the rotating shaft 689, the unit of brush 691 rotates removing dust collected in the air filter 631.

The dust container 687 covers the rotating brush 685 and is capable of temporarily storing the dust removed from the air filter 631 by the rotating brush 685. Since the dust container 687 has an opening where the rotating brush 685 can contact the filter air 631, allowing the rotating brush 685 to come into contact with the air filter 631, the dust collected in the air filter 631 can be removed by the rotating brush 685.

Since the pins 693 are arranged at both ends of the rotating shaft 689 and the rotating rack gears 677 that are engaged with the pins 693 are arranged in the air filter 631, the driving force that moves the cleaning unit 633 along of the surface of the air filter 631 is converted to a rotational driving force to rotate the rotating brush 685.

More specifically, when the cleaning unit 633 moves, the rotating brush 685 also moves along the surface of the air filter 631. Then, since the pins 693 and the rotating rack gears 677 are engaged, the force of drive that moves the rotating brush 685 along the surface of the air filter 631 is converted to a rotational driving force to rotate the rotating brush 685.

Since the pins 693 are arranged at both ends of the rotating shaft 689, the rotational driving force to rotate the rotating brush 685 is generated at both ends of the rotating shaft 689. Therefore, the rotating brush 685 can be rotated stably in comparison with the case where the rotational drive force is generated only at one end of the rotating shaft 689.

Since the scrapers 705 extending towards the rotating brush 685 are disposed on the inner surface of the dust container 687, the powder adhered to the rotating brush 685 can be removed. More specifically, the powder adhered to the brush unit 691 is removed when the brush unit 691 passes through the interval between the scrapers 705 while the rotating brush 685 is rotating.

Dust removed by scrapers 705 is temporarily left inside dust container 687. Scrapers 705 function as covers that prevent dust temporarily stored in dust container 687

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escape.

Since the rotational speed of the tips of the brush unit 691 and the speed of the rotating brush 685 moving along the surface of the air filter 631 differ by a predetermined value, the entire surface of the filter can be cleaned. air 631. More specifically, since the rotational speed of the tips of the brush unit 691 and the speed of movement of the rotating brush 685 have a predetermined difference, the tips of the brush unit 691 are capable of cleaning the surface of the 631 air filter at a predetermined speed. Therefore, the brush unit 691 of the rotary brush 685 contacts the entire air filter 631 and cleans the entire surface of the air filter 631 rather compared to when the difference between the rotational speed of the tips of the unit tips brush 691 and the speed of movement of the rotating brush 685 is small.

Since the sliding units 695 configured to reduce the sliding resistance caused by the rotation of the rotating shaft 689 are arranged between the rotating shaft 689 and the dust container 687, the duration of the rotating shaft 689 and the duration of the dust container 687 can be extended More specifically, by providing the sliding units 695, the friction generated in the contact area of the rotating shaft 689 and the dust container 687 is reduced, and the amount of abrasion in the contact area is reduced. Therefore, the duration of the rotating brush 685 and the duration of the dust container 687 can be extended.

Since the dust quantity detection unit 715 is provided, the amount of dust stored in the dust container 687 can be detected. Therefore, dust container 687 can be prevented from filling with dust, and reduction of the ability to remove dust by cleaning unit 633 can be avoided.

More specifically, the amount of dust stored in the dust container 687 can be detected by the fan 719 and the flow sensor 721 included in the dust quantity detection unit 715. If a small amount of dust is stored in the container of dust 687, the flow rate or the pressure of the air passing through dust container 687 increases. On the contrary, if a large amount of dust is stored in the dust container 687, the flow rate or the pressure of the air passing through the dust container 687 decreases. By detecting the flow rate or air pressure with the flow sensor 721, the amount of dust stored in the dust container 687 can be estimated.

When the alternative movement unit 637 is disposed substantially in the center of the cleaning unit 633 and extends towards the direction that intersects the longitudinal direction of the cleaning unit 633, the driving force of the alternative movement unit 637 is transmitted to both ends of the cleaning unit 633. Therefore, the cleaning unit 633 can be moved stably. In other terms, the same amount of driving force can be transmitted to both ends of the cleaning unit 633 and the cleaning unit 633 can be stably moved compared to a method in which the driving force is substantially transmitted to the central area of the cleaning unit 633.

In addition, the number of reciprocating units 637 provided can be reduced and the size of the indoor unit 603 can be reduced compared to a method in which the driving force is substantially transmitted to the central area of the cleaning unit 633.

Since the worm screw 647 engaged with the drive rack gear 649 is rotationally moved by the drive shaft 645, the worm screw 647 alternates in the direction parallel to the drive rack gear 649. Since the reciprocating motion of the worm screw 647 is transmitted to the cleaning unit 633 by the upper transmitter unit 639 and the lower transmitter unit 675, the cleaning unit 633 alternates.

Since the adjustment unit 655 is provided, for example, it is possible to prevent the distance between the worm screw 647 and the drive rack gear 649 from being increased, and therefore the worm screw 647 can be prevented from disengaging. of the 649 drive rack gear.

Since the adjustment unit 655, the screws 657 and the contact units 665 are provided, it is possible to prevent the upper transmitter unit 639 from disengaging from the screw sinfm 647. For example, when the upper transmitter unit 639 is applied a Sliding load generated between the screw sinfm 647 and the upper transmitter unit 639 and a resistive force generated when the cleaning unit 633 is moved, the upper transmitter unit 639 is prevented from disengaging from the screw sinfm 647.

Since the air filter 631 is supported by the air inlet grill 19, the air filter 631 can be removed from the chassis 15 together with the air inlet grill 19. In this way, the air filter 631 can be easily remove from chassis 15.

Since one of the edges of the air filter 631 is rotatably supported on the air inlet grill 19, the cleaning unit 633 can be easily separated and mounted on the air filter 631.

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By providing the spacer 614 between the chassis 15 and the upper panel 14, a space can be provided in the indoor unit 603 containing the drive motor 635, the alternative movement unit 637, the upper transmitter unit 639, the lower transmitter unit 675 , and the cleaning unit 633.

In this way, the chassis 15, the indoor fan 21, the indoor heat exchanger 23, and the other components included in the part of the indoor unit 603 that does not include the cleaning unit 633 and the components of the indoor unit 603 according to this embodiment can Have some common structures. As a result, the production costs of the indoor unit 603 can be reduced.

The alternative movement unit 637 can be arranged substantially in the central area of the cleaning unit 633, as in this embodiment. However, the position of the alternative movement unit 637 is not limited thereto, and instead, two alternative movement units 637 can be arranged near both ends of the cleaning unit 633 extending in the direction that intersects with the direction longitudinal of the cleaning unit 633.

According to such a structure, since the driving force of the alternative movement unit 637 is transmitted to both ends of the cleaning unit 633, the cleaning unit 633 can be stably moved. Thus, in comparison with the present embodiment in which the driving force is substantially transmitted to the central area of the cleaning unit 633, the same amount of driving force can be transmitted to both ends of the cleaning unit 633, and the 633 cleaning unit can be moved more stably.

In addition, in such a case, in comparison with the present embodiment in which an alternative movement unit 637 is disposed substantially in the central area of the cleaning unit 633, each alternative movement unit 637 may be of reduced size.

The alternative movement unit 637 can be constituted by the drive shaft 645, the drive rack gear 649, and the screw worm 647, as in this embodiment. However, the configuration of the alternative movement unit 637 is not limited thereto, and instead, the alternative movement unit 637 may have a belt drive mechanism.

According to such a configuration, in comparison with the present embodiment in which the alternative movement unit 637 is constituted by the drive shaft 645, the drive rack gear 649, and the screw worm 647, the structure of the alternative movement unit 637 can be simplified. In addition, the type of drive motor 635 provided for this belt drive mechanism can be selected more freely.

In the foregoing an embodiment has been described in which the spacer 614 is disposed between the chassis 15 and the upper panel 14. However, this spacer 614 is not necessary. In other terms, when the cleaning unit 633 is provided as an optional component, the spacer 614 is necessary to create a space for arranging the cleaning unit 633. However, when the cleaning unit 633 is provided as a standard component, the cleaning unit 633 can be incorporated into the indoor unit 603 without using any separator.

The air conditioner according to the embodiments described above includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. However, the number of indoor and outdoor units is not limited thereto, and the air conditioner may include a plurality of indoor units and an outdoor unit or may include a plurality of outdoor units and an indoor unit.

Claims (17)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 1. An indoor unit (603) including: a chassis (15) installed on a roof; an air inlet section (16) configured to take air and arranged in a lower panel (14) of the chassis (15); an air filter (631) configured to collect dust in the air introduced and detachably mounted in the air inlet section (16); a mobile cleaning unit (633) along a surface on the air inlet side of the air filter (631), including the cleaning unit (633): a dust extraction unit (685) configured to remove dust collected in the air filter (631); Y a collection unit (687) configured to temporarily store the dust removed from the air filter (631); The dust extraction unit (685) includes a rotating brush that has a rotating shaft (689) that rotates around the axial central line and a brush unit (691) that extends in the radial direction of the rotating shaft (689) , Y The collection unit (687) covers the rotating brush and has an opening where the rotating brush contacts the air filter (631), and characterized by: a drive unit (635) configured to generate a drive force to move the cleaning unit (633); an alternative movement unit (637) alternately moved by the drive unit (635); a first transmitter unit (639) configured to receive the driving force of the alternative movement unit (637); Y a second transmitter unit (675) configured to transmit the driving force of the first transmitter unit (639) to the cleaning unit (633), where the drive unit (635), the alternative movement unit (637), and the first transmitter unit (639) are arranged in the chassis (15), and the cleaning unit (633) and the second transmitter unit (675) are arranged in the air filter (631), and the first transmitter unit (639) and the second transmitter unit (675) are able to engage and disengage. 2. The indoor unit (603) according to claim 1, wherein rotating pins (693) around the axial central line are arranged at both ends of the rotating shaft (689), and Rotary rack gears (677) engageable with the pins (693) are arranged in the air filter (631). 3. The indoor unit (603) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the collection unit (687) includes scrapers (705) extending from the inner surface of the collection unit to the rotating brush. 4. The indoor unit (603) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the difference between the rotational speed of the tips of the brush unit (691) of the rotating brush and the speed of the rotating brush moving The length of the air filter surface (631) on the air inlet side is a predetermined value. 5. The indoor unit (603) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a sliding unit (695) configured to reduce the sliding resistance due to the rotation of the rotating shaft (689) is interposed between the rotating shaft (689) ) and the collection unit (687). 6. The indoor unit (603) according to one of claims 1 to 5, further including: a dust quantity detection unit (715) configured to detect the amount of dust collected in the collection unit (687). 7. The indoor unit (603) according to claim 6, wherein a through hole has been formed in the collection unit (687), and the dust quantity detection unit (715) includes: 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 a fan (719) configured to take air from the through hole through the collection unit (687), and a sensor (721) configured to detect at least one of the air flow rate taken by the fan and the air pressure. 8. The indoor unit (603) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the alternative movement unit (637) is substantially arranged in the central area of the cleaning unit (633) in the direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the cleaning unit (633), and The driving force of the alternative movement unit (637) is transmitted to both ends of the cleaning unit (633). 9. The indoor unit (603) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: two of the reciprocating units (637) are arranged near both ends of the cleaning unit (633) and extend in the direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the cleaning unit (633), and The driving force of the reciprocating units (637) is transmitted to both ends of the cleaning unit (633). 10. The indoor unit (603) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, the alternative movement unit (637) is a belt driven mechanism, and The driving force of the alternative movement unit (637) is transmitted to the first transmitter unit (639). 11. The indoor unit (603) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the alternative movement unit (637) includes: a drive shaft (645) configured to rotate around the central axial line; an auger screw (647) rotated by the drive shaft (645); and a drive rack gear (649) fixed to the chassis (15), where the worm screw (647) and the drive rack gear (649) are engaged, and the worm screw (647) is connected to the first transmitter unit (639). 12. The indoor unit (603) according to claim 11, wherein the reciprocating movement unit (637) includes an adjustment unit (655) configured to regulate the distance between the worm screw (647) and the drive rack gear ( 649). 13. The indoor unit (603) according to claim 11 or 12, including: a disengagement prevention unit configured to prevent the first transmitter unit (639) from disengaging the worm screw (647). 14. The indoor unit (603) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the air inlet section (16) includes an air inlet (17) and a panel configured to support the air filter (631). 15. The indoor unit (603) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the air filter (631) is pivotally supported at one of its edges. 16. The indoor unit (603) according to claim 14 or 15, further including: a lifting unit (57) configured to support the panel and the air filter (631) such that the panel and the air filter (631 ) rise and fall with respect to the chassis (15). 17. An air conditioner (601) including: the indoor unit (603) according to one of claims 1 to 16; Y an outdoor unit (5), where the indoor unit (603) and the outdoor unit (5) together constitute a refrigerant circuit 5 configured for the circulation of a refrigerant.