FR3065792A1 - AIR CONDITIONER - Google Patents

Abstract

An air conditioner (100) is provided capable of canceling the washing of an indoor heat exchanger. The air conditioner comprises a refrigerant circuit (Q) in which a refrigerant circulates in a cooling cycle through a compressor (31), a condenser, an external expansion valve (34) and an evaporator in this order, a control unit which controls at least the compressor and the outdoor expansion valve, and an alarm device that executes a given alarm. One of the condenser and the evaporator is an outdoor heat exchanger (32) and the other is an indoor heat exchanger (12). The alarm device warns, before a freezing of the indoor heat exchanger is started, that said operation will be executed and the control unit does not start said operation if the control unit receives a cancellation instruction a remote control or a portable terminal since the alarm has started until a certain time elapses.

Description

AIR CONDITIONER

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

Description of related arts

As a technique for cleaning an interior heat exchanger of an air conditioner, patent document 1, for example, describes an air conditioner "having a water supply unit which fixes water to the fin face after the 'heating operation'. Note that the water supply unit described above fixes water on the fin face of the indoor heat exchanger by a cooling operation after a heating operation.

[Document of the prior art] [Patent document]

Patent document 1] Japanese patent n ° 4,931,566.

Summary of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, the patent document 1 does not describe a function for canceling a treatment by the water supply unit. Note that during treatment by the water supply unit, a driving noise may occur from the air conditioner or cold air may be blown into a room. Accordingly, it is desirable to prevent execution of the treatment by the water supply unit contrary to the wishes of the user.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of canceling a washing treatment of an indoor heat exchanger.

S64579 FR CM-P

Summary of the invention

To solve the above problem, the present invention provides a control unit which does not start freezing of an indoor heat exchanger if the control unit receives a cancellation instruction from a remote control or a portable terminal since an alarm by an alarm device has started until a given time has elapsed.

Note that "canceling" the freezing or similar (washing) of the indoor heat exchanger includes a cancellation before freezing or the like, as well as a cancellation (interruption) while freezing or the like is in progress. 'execution.

Effect of invention

According to the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner which is capable of canceling a washing treatment of an indoor heat exchanger.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a front view of an indoor unit, an outdoor unit and a remote control of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing processing performed by an air conditioner control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a processing executed by the control unit at the start of a washing treatment in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

S64579 EN CM-P Figure 7 is a flow chart of processing by the control unit during the washing treatment in the air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a flow diagram of a processing by the control unit 5 during or after the washing treatment in the air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention "First embodiment"

Air conditioner configuration>

Figure 1 is a front view of an indoor unit 10, an outdoor unit 30 and a remote control 40 included in an air conditioner 100 according to a first embodiment.

The air conditioner 100 circulates a refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle (heat pump cycle) for air conditioning. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 comprises the indoor unit 10 installed in a room (air-conditioned space), the outdoor unit 30 installed outside the room, and the remote control 40 operated by a user.

The indoor unit 10 includes a communication unit 11. The communication unit 11 communicates in a given manner with the remote control 40 via infrared communication or the like. For example, the communication unit 11 receives signals such as a start / interrupt instruction, a change of

0 fixed temperature, a change of operating mode, and a setting of a timer from the remote control 40. In addition, the communication unit 11 sends a detected value of a room temperature and similar to the remote control 40. Note that the communication unit 11 can also communicate with a portable terminal 50 (see Figure 4) such as a mobile phone, a smartphone and a tablet.

Although not shown in Figure 1, the indoor unit 10 is connected to the outdoor unit 30 via a refrigerant pipe and a communication line.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section view of the indoor unit 10.

S64579 FR CM-P

The indoor unit 10 includes, in addition to the communication unit 11 (see Figure 1) described above, an indoor heat exchanger 12, a drain pan 13, an indoor fan 14, a housing base 15 , filters 16, a front panel 17, a horizontal wind deflector 18 and a vertical wind deflector 19.

The indoor heat exchanger 12 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through heat transfer tubes 12a and the room air.

The purge tank 13 is arranged below the interior heat exchanger 12 to receive the dripping water. Note that the water dripped into the drain pan 13 is discharged outside via a drain pipe (not shown).

The indoor fan 14 is, for example, a cylindrical tangential fan to be driven by an indoor fan motor 14a (see Figure 4).

The housing base 15 accommodates the indoor heat exchanger 12, the indoor fan 14 and the like.

The filters 16 are arranged on the top and the front of the indoor heat exchanger 12 to remove dust in the air admitted via an air intake port hl and the like.

The front panel 17 is arranged to cover the front filter 16 and is pivotable forward around the lower end. Note that the front panel 17 may not be pivotable.

The horizontal wind deflector 18 is a plate member which horizontally regulates a direction of flow of the air blown inside the room. The horizontal wind deflector 18 is arranged on the downstream side of the indoor fan 14 and is pivoted horizontally by a horizontal wind deflector motor 23 (see FIG. 4).

The vertical wind deflector 19 is a plate member which vertically regulates a direction of flow of the air blown inside the room. The vertical wind deflector 19 is arranged on the downstream side of the indoor fan 14 and is pivoted vertically by a vertical wind deflector motor 24 (see FIG. 4).

The air sucked through the air suction port hl exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes 12a, and the air having made

S64579 EN CM-P the object of a heat exchange is drawn towards a drain pipe h2. The air flowing through the bleed pipe h2 is drawn towards a given direction by the horizontal wind deflector 18 and the vertical wind deflector 19, and further blown inside the room via a orifice. air exhaust h3.

FIG. 3 illustrates a refrigerant circuit Q of the air conditioner 100.

Note that the solid arrows in Figure 3 indicate the flow of the refrigerant during a heating operation.

The broken arrows in Figure 3 indicate the flow of the refrigerant during a cooling operation.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outdoor unit 30 includes a compressor 31, an outdoor heat exchanger 32, an outdoor fan 33, an outdoor expansion valve 34 (expansion valve), and a four-way valve 35.

The compressor 31 compresses the gaseous refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure by a compressor motor 31a to evacuate it in the form of gaseous refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure.

The external heat exchanger 32 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through a heat transfer tube (not shown) and the ambient air supplied via the external fan 33.

The external fan 33 supplies the external heat exchanger 32 with ambient air by an external fan motor 33a, and is arranged near the external heat exchanger 32.

The external expansion valve 34 is used to decompress the condensed condenser in a "condenser" (one of the external heat exchanger 32 and the internal heat exchanger 12). Note that the decompressed refrigerant in the external expansion valve 34 is drawn to an "evaporator" (the other from the outdoor heat exchanger 32 and the indoor heat exchanger 12).

The four-way valve 35 switches refrigerant flow paths according to an operating mode of the air conditioner 100. Thus, during the cooling operation (see the discontinuous arrows in FIG. 3), the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle through the refrigerant circuit Q comprising the compressor 31,

S64579 EN CM-P the external heat exchanger 32 (condenser), the external expansion valve 34 and the internal heat exchanger 12 (evaporator) circularly connected in this order via the four-way valve 35.

Furthermore, during the heating operation (see the solid arrows in FIG. 3), the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant circuit Q comprising the compressor 31, the internal heat exchanger 12 (condenser), the external expansion valve 34, and the external heat exchanger 32 (evaporator) circularly connected in this order via the four-way valve 35.

Namely, in the refrigerant circuit Q, one of the "condenser" and the "evaporator" is the outdoor heat exchanger 32 and the other is the indoor heat exchanger 12.

Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of the air conditioner 100.

The indoor unit 10 comprises, in addition to the configuration described above, an environment detector 21, an indoor control unit 22, an alarm sound generator 25 (alarm device) and a lamp alarm 26 (alarm device).

The environment detector 21 serves to detect the state of the room (air conditioned space), and includes a room temperature sensor 21a and the like.

The room temperature sensor 21a detects a room temperature. Detected values of respective sensors including the room temperature sensor 21a are output to the indoor control unit 22.

Although not shown, the indoor control unit 22 includes a CPU (central unit), ROM (read only memory), RAM (random access memory), and electronic circuits such as various interfaces. Programs stored in ROM are retrieved and loaded into RAM, for the CPU to perform various processes.

As shown in Figure 4, the indoor control unit 22 has a memory 22a and an indoor control unit 22b.

The memory 22a stores, in addition to given programs, the detected results of the environment detector 21 and of the data received via the communication unit 11.

S64579 FR CM-P

The indoor control unit 22b executes a given command based on the data stored in the memory 22a. Note that the processes executed by the indoor control unit 22b will be described later.

The alarm sound generator 25 is used to generate a given alarm sound from the indoor unit 10 comprising the indoor heat exchanger 12. Namely, the alarm sound generator 25 generates an alarm sound such as a buzzer or voice, to sound a given alarm about the air conditioning.

The alarm lamp 26 is, for example, an LED (light emitting diode), and lights (or flashes) of a given color, to emit a given alarm about the air conditioning.

Note that the sound generated by the alarm sound generator 25 and the color of the alarm lamp 26 are stored in advance in memory 22a in association with alarm contents.

The outdoor unit 30 shown in Figure 4 includes an outdoor control unit 36 in addition to the configuration described above.

Although not shown, the outdoor control unit 36 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, and electronic circuits such as various interfaces, and is connected to the indoor control unit 22 via the communication line. As shown in Figure 4, the outdoor control unit 36 has a memory 36a and an outdoor control unit 36b.

The memory 36a stores, in addition to the programs given and the data retrieved by the indoor control unit 22, values detected by a plurality of sensors (such as an ambient air temperature sensor, a pressure sensor suction, an exhaust pressure sensor, and a compressor exhaust temperature sensor 31, which are not shown in Figure 4).

The outdoor control unit 36b controls the compressor motor 31a, the outdoor fan motor 33a, the outdoor expansion valve 34 and the like based on the data stored in the memory 36a.

Hereinafter, the indoor control unit 22 and the outdoor control unit 36 are referred to as "control unit K" (control device). The unit of

S64579 EN CM-P control K is used to control the compressor 31 (see FIG. 3), the external expansion valve 34 and the like on the basis of a signal from the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50.

Thereafter, a treatment for washing the internal heat exchanger 12 will be described.

As described above, the filters 16 for capturing dirt and dust are arranged on the top and front sides (air intake sides) of the indoor heat exchanger 12 (see Figure 2). However, since fine dirt and dust can pass through the filters 16 and adhere to the indoor heat exchanger 12, the indoor heat exchanger 12 is desirably washed periodically. Consequently, in the present embodiment, the moisture contained in the air admitted to the indoor unit 10 is frozen on the indoor heat exchanger 12, then the ice on the indoor heat exchanger 12 is melted. As a result, dirt and dust adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 12 is washed away, so that the indoor heat exchanger 12 is cleaned. Such a series of processes is designated by "washing treatment" of the indoor heat exchanger 12.

Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a processing performed by the control unit K of the air conditioner 100 (see Figures 3 and 4 as appropriate). Note that it is assumed that a given air conditioning operation (cooling operation, heating operation, etc.) has been performed until the time of "START-UP" in Figure 5.

It is also assumed that a start condition for the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12 is established at the time of "START" in FIG. 5. The "start condition" is, for example, a condition such that an integrated execution time of the air conditioning operation since the end of the previous washing treatment has reached a given value.

In step S101, the control unit K suspends the air conditioning operation for a given time (two minutes, for example). The aforementioned given time is a time fixed in advance during which the refrigeration cycle becomes stable. For example, when the heating operation is running until the

S64579 EN CM-P "START" time is interrupted to freeze in the indoor heat exchanger 12 (S102), the control unit K controls the four-way valve 35 so that the refrigerant flows in a opposite direction to that in the heating operation (the same direction as the cooling operation). If the direction of flow of the refrigerant is suddenly changed, the compressor 31 may be overloaded and the refrigeration cycle may become unstable. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the air conditioning operation is suspended (S101) for a given period of time before the indoor heat exchanger 12 is frozen (S102).

Note that, when the cooling operation is interrupted for freezing on the indoor heat exchanger 12, step S101 can be omitted. This is because the direction of flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation ("START" in Figure 5) is the same as that during the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12 (S102).

Subsequently, in step S102, the control unit K causes the internal heat exchanger 12 to freeze. Thus, the control unit K causes the external heat exchanger 32 to serve as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger 12 to serve as an evaporator. The humidity contained in the air admitted into the indoor unit 10 is therefore frozen on the indoor heat exchanger 12.

When the indoor heat exchanger 12 is frozen, the speed of rotation of the compressor 31 is adequately regulated, and the external expansion valve 34 is regulated to open insofar as the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 12 enters within a given range. The “given range” described above is a range fixed in advance in which the humidity contained in the air admitted into the indoor unit 10 can be frozen on the indoor heat exchanger 12.

Note that, when the indoor heat exchanger 12 is frozen (i.e., until a given freezing time has elapsed), the control unit K can suspend or drive the indoor fan 14.

In step S103, the control unit K causes a defrost on the indoor heat exchanger 12. For example, the control unit K causes the indoor heat exchanger 12 to serve as a condenser and the heat exchanger outside heat 32 to serve

S64579 FR CM-P evaporator. As a result, the high temperature refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger 12 as a condenser, to melt the ice on the indoor heat exchanger 12. As a result, dirt and dust adhering to the the internal heat exchanger 12 is removed by washing. The water containing dirt and dust drips into the drain pan 13 (see Figure 2) and is discharged outside via the drain pipe (not shown).

Note that, while the indoor heat exchanger 12 is being defrosted, the control unit K can drive the indoor fan 14. Thus, a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 12 (condenser) cannot increase excessively.

In addition, the control unit K can perform an air blowing operation or can keep the devices including the compressor 31 and the indoor fan 14 suspended, to cause defrosting of the indoor heat exchanger 12 (S103). This is due to the fact that the ice on the indoor heat exchanger 12 is defrosted naturally at room temperature, without causing the indoor heat exchanger 12 to serve as a condenser by the control unit K. Consequently, consumption of power required to cause defrosting of the indoor heat exchanger 12 is reduced.

In step S104, the control unit K causes drying on the indoor heat exchanger 12. For example, the control unit K causes the indoor heat exchanger 12 to serve as a condenser and the heat exchanger outside heat 32 to serve as an evaporator. In this way, the same control as in the heating operation causes the moisture adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 12 to evaporate, to achieve beneficial effects of preventing bacteria / mold. After step S104, the control unit K completes the "wash treatment" (FIN) series.

Note that the control unit K can execute the air blowing operation (i.e., to drive the indoor fan 14 to supply air to the indoor heat exchanger 12) to cause drying on the 'indoor heat exchanger 12 (S104). Subsequently, operations will be described in detail at the time of starting the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12.

S64579 FR CM-P

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing processing by the control unit K at the start of the washing treatment (see Figures 3 and 4 as appropriate).

In step S201, the control unit K determines whether the start condition for the washing process is satisfied. As described above, the "starting condition for the washing treatment" is, for example, that the integrated execution time of the air conditioning operation since the end of the previous washing treatment has reached the given value. If the start condition for the washing treatment is satisfied in step S201 (Yes in S201), the processing by the control unit K goes to step S202. Furthermore, if the start condition for the washing treatment is not satisfied (No in S201), the control unit K ends the treatment series (END).

In step S202, the control unit K causes the alarm sound generator 25 to generate a given alarm sound and causes the alarm lamp 26 to light up. Namely, the control unit K causes the alarm sound generator 25 and the alarm lamp 26 to warn that the washing treatment must be carried out, before the starting of the washing treatment such as the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12. In this way, the user is warned in advance that the washing process must be started.

Then, in step S203, the control unit K sets a delay (i.e., a waiting time) until the washing process of the indoor heat exchanger 12 is started. This delay (several seconds to several tens of seconds, for example) is a time until the user is warned in advance at step S202 that the washing treatment will be started until the washing operation is effectively started, and this time is fixed in advance.

In step S204, the control unit K determines whether a given time has elapsed after the user has been warned in advance (S202) that the washing process will be started. If the given time has elapsed (Yes in S204), the processing by the control unit K goes to step S205. Until the time elapses, the alarm lamp 26 or the like can continue to be lit (S202).

In step S205, the control unit K performs the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12 (S101 to S104 in Figure 5).

S64579 FR CM-P

On the other hand, if the given time has not elapsed in step S204 (No in S204), the processing by the control section K proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, the control unit K determines whether any instruction to cancel the washing treatment has been issued from the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50. If the cancellation instruction for the washing treatment n has not been sent (No in S206), the processing by the control unit K returns to step S204. On the other hand, if the canceling instruction for the washing treatment has been issued (Yes in S204), the processing by the control unit K goes to step S207.

In step S207, the control unit K causes the alarm sound generator 25 to generate the given alarm sound and causes the alarm lamp 26 to light. Consequently, the user is warned that the washing operation is effectively canceled in accordance with the operation of the remote control 40 or the like.

Note that the alarm sound or the like (S207) described above is desirably different from the alarm sound or the like to warn in advance of the wash treatment (S202). This is because the user is easily warned that the wash treatment is effectively canceled.

Then, in step S208, the control unit K cancels the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12. Namely, the control unit K cancels the washing treatment including freezing of the heat exchanger indoor heat 12 based on the signal from the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50. Specifically, if a cancellation instruction is received from the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50 since the alarm before the washing treatment (S202) has started until a given time (given time) has elapsed (No in S204: Yes in S206), the control unit K does not execute the washing treatment including freezing the 'indoor heat exchanger 12 (S208). Consequently, the control unit K adequately cancels the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12 according to the intention of the user. After step S208, the control unit K ends the processing series (FIN).

S64579 FR CM-P <Effect>

According to the first embodiment, the control unit K warns that the washing treatment will be executed before the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12 (S202). In this way, the user is informed in advance that the washing treatment will be carried out.

Also, if the canceling instruction is issued from the advance warning of the washing treatment (S202) until the given time has elapsed (No in S204: Yes in S206), the unit K cancels the washing treatment (S208). This makes it possible to avoid carrying out the washing treatment contrary to the wishes of the user. In other words, the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12 is carried out as desired by the user.

"Second embodiment"

A second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it manages a case where a cancellation instruction is issued while the indoor heat exchanger 12 is in the washing process (see Figure 2 ). Note that other points (the configuration of the air conditioner 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and the flow diagram of the washing treatment shown in FIG. 5) are the same as those of the first embodiment. Accordingly, differences will be described from the first embodiment, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing processing by the control unit K during the washing processing (see Figures 3 and 4 as appropriate).

In step S301, the control unit K determines whether the washing treatment is in progress. Note that the washing treatment is as described in the first embodiment (see Figure 5).

Note that, although omitted in FIG. 7, when the washing treatment including the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12 is in progress, the control unit K can bring the sound generator to alarm 25 or the alarm lamp 26 to warn of this fact. As a result, the user easily recognizes that the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12 is being carried out. For example, if

S64579 EN CM-P the user does not intend to continue the washing treatment, a cancellation instruction is sent from the remote control 40 or similar to the indoor unit 10.

In step S301 in FIG. 7, if the washing treatment is being processed (Yes in S301), the processing by the control unit K goes to step S302. Furthermore, if the washing treatment is not being treated (No in S301), the control unit K ends the treatment (END).

In step 302, the control unit K determines whether a cancellation instruction for the washing treatment has been issued from the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50. If the cancellation instruction for the washing treatment n has not been sent (No in S302), the control unit K continues the washing treatment and ends the treatment series (END). On the other hand, if the canceling instruction for the washing treatment has been issued (Yes in S302), the processing by the control unit K goes to step S303.

Then, in step S303, the control unit K determines whether a given time has passed since the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12 started. The "given time" (several minutes, for example) is a time required to sufficiently cool the indoor heat exchanger 12 serving as an evaporator (cooling of the water contained in the air for freezing on the indoor heat exchanger 12), and this time is fixed in advance .

In step S303, if the given time has elapsed since the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12 started (Yes in S303), the processing by the control unit K goes to step S304. Specifically, when the indoor heat exchanger 12 is being defrosted (S103 in Figure 5) or drying (S104 in Figure 5), in addition to the case where the indoor heat exchanger 12 is being frozen , processing by the control unit K proceeds to step S304.

In step S304, the control unit K causes the alarm sound generator 25 to generate a given alarm sound and causes the alarm lamp 26 to light up. Consequently, as will be described later, although the canceling instruction for the washing treatment has been issued (Yes in S302), the user is warned that the washing treatment (“drying” in S305) will continue intentionally.

S64579 FR CM-P

Then, in step S305, the control unit K dries the indoor heat exchanger 12. For example, when the given time or a time greater than the given time has elapsed during freezing (Yes in S303), ice can adhere to the face of the indoor heat exchanger 12. Water produced after the ice has melted at room temperature is evaporated and further dried (S305), to achieve beneficial prevention effects bacteria / mold.

In addition, while the indoor heat exchanger 12 is being frozen (Yes in S303), the ice on the indoor heat exchanger 12 is melted, part of which drips into the drain pan 13 (see figure 2), and the rest adhere to the interior heat exchanger 12. By drying the adhered water (S305), the beneficial effects of bacteria / mold prevention are achieved.

Furthermore, while the indoor heat exchanger 12 is being dried (Yes in S303), the indoor heat exchanger 12 is kept in drying (S305) to keep the indoor heat exchanger 12 clean.

Thus, if the cancellation instruction for the washing treatment is received from the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50 (Yes in S302) after the given time has elapsed since the start of the washing treatment including the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12 (Yes in S303), the control unit K dries the indoor heat exchanger 12 (S305).

Note that the processing in step S305 is the same as that in step S104 (see Figure 5) described in the first embodiment. An example is such that the control unit K performs a heating operation (causes the indoor heat exchanger 12 to serve as a condenser) to dry the indoor heat exchanger 12.

Then, in step S306, the control unit K determines whether another cancellation instruction has been issued. In other words, the control unit K determines, if a given cancellation instruction has been received again from the remote control 40 or from the portable terminal 50 after the first cancellation instruction has been received and then that the indoor heat exchanger 12 is being dried.

S64579 FR CM-P

In step S306, if there is no longer a cancellation instruction (No in S306), the processing by the control unit K returns to step S305. In this case, the indoor heat exchanger 12 is kept in drying as it is.

On the other hand, in step S306, if there is another cancellation instruction (Yes in S306), the processing by the control unit K goes to step S307.

In step S307, the control unit K causes the alarm sound generator 25 to generate a given alarm sound and causes the alarm lamp 26 to light up. Thus, the user is warned that the washing treatment (i.e., drying of the indoor heat exchanger 12) will actually be interrupted (S308) in accordance with the canceling instruction for the washing treatment.

In step S308, the control unit K interrupts the drying of the indoor heat exchanger 12. Thus, even when the indoor heat exchanger 12 is being dried, the intention of the user to interrupting treatment is properly implemented. After step S308, the control unit K ends the processing series (FIN).

Furthermore, in step S303, if the given time has not elapsed since the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12 started (No in S303), the processing by the control unit K proceeds to step S309.

In step S309, the control unit K causes the alarm sound generator 25 to generate a given alarm sound and causes the alarm lamp 26 to light up. Thus, the user is warned that the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12 will be interrupted (S310).

In step S310, the control unit K interrupts the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12. In this case, since little ice adheres to the indoor heat exchanger 12, a problem does not occur even if the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12 is interrupted. Namely, there is a low probability that a significant amount of moisture will adhere to the face of the indoor heat exchanger 12 to develop bacteria and mold.

Thus, if the freezing cancellation instruction as described above was received from the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50 (Yes in S302)

S64579 EN CM-P before the given time has elapsed since the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12 started (Not in S303), the control unit K interrupts the freezing (S310). After step S310, the control unit K ends the processing series (FIN).

<Beneficial effects>

According to the second embodiment, if the cancellation instruction is received while the indoor heat exchanger 12 is in the washing treatment (Yes in S302), if the given time has elapsed since the start of the freezing (Yes in S303), the control unit K intentionally dries the indoor heat exchanger 12 (S305). This prevents a large amount of water from adhering to the face of the indoor heat exchanger 12, to achieve the beneficial bacteria / mold prevention effects.

In addition, if there is another cancellation instruction while the indoor heat exchanger 12 is drying (Yes in S306), the control unit K interrupts the drying of the indoor heat exchanger 12 (S308). Thus, even when the indoor heat exchanger 12 is being dried, the intention of the user to interrupt the process is properly implemented.

In addition, if the cancellation instruction is received during the washing process of the indoor heat exchanger 12 (Yes in S302), if the given time has not elapsed since freezing started (No in S303), the control unit K interrupts the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 12 (S310). Thus, the user's intention to cancel the washing (freezing) treatment is properly implemented.

"Third embodiment"

A third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it manages a case where an operation instruction for an air conditioning operation is issued during the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12. note that other points (the configuration of the air conditioner 100 shown on

S64579 EN CM-P Figures 1 to 4 and the flow diagram of the washing treatment shown in Figure 5) are the same as those in the first embodiment. Accordingly, differences will be described from the first embodiment, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

Figure 8 is a flow diagram showing the processes of the control unit K during or after the wash treatment (see Figures 3 and 4 as appropriate).

In step S401, the control unit K determines whether an operation instruction for the air conditioning operation (heating operation, cooling operation, etc.) has been received from the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50 during the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12. If an operating instruction for the air conditioning operation was received during the washing treatment (Yes in S401), the treatment by the control unit K go to step S403. In this case, frozen ice on the indoor heat exchanger 12 may subsequently melt or defrosted water may adhere to the indoor heat exchanger 12. Furthermore, if the air conditioning instruction for the operation air conditioning was not received during the washing treatment (No in S401), the processing by the control unit K goes to step S402.

In step S402, the control unit K determines whether the operation instruction for the air conditioning operation has been received in a given time since the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12 was canceled . If the operation instruction has not been received in the given time since the washing treatment has been canceled (No in S402), the control unit K ends the treatment series (END).

On the other hand, if the operation instruction has been received in the given time since the washing treatment was canceled (Yes in S402), the processing by the control unit K goes to step S403. In this case, since the washing treatment is interrupted on the fly, the frozen ice on the indoor heat exchanger 12 can subsequently melt to wet the face of the indoor heat exchanger 12.

In step S403, the control unit K causes the alarm sound generator 25 to generate a given alarm sound and causes the alarm lamp 26 to light up. In

S64579 EN CM-P accordingly, the user is notified that the operation instruction for the air conditioning operation has been received.

In step S404, the control unit K suspends (or interrupts) the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12. In other words, the control unit K suspends respective devices including the compressor 31 and the indoor fan 14.

In step S405, the control unit K determines whether a given time has passed since the washing treatment was suspended (or interrupted). This "given time" is a time required to dry the indoor heat exchanger 12 (to vaporize the moisture adhering to the face) keeping the respective devices suspended, and this time is set in advance.

In step S405, if the given time has elapsed since the washing treatment was suspended (Yes in S405), the processing by the control unit K proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if the given time has not elapsed since the suspension of the washing treatment (No in S405), the processing by the control unit K returns to step S404.

In step S406, the control unit K sets an execution time for drying the indoor heat exchanger 12. For example, the control unit K sets the execution time for a heating or heating operation. blowing to dry the indoor heat exchanger 12.

In step S407, the control unit K dries the indoor heat exchanger 12. For example, the control unit K dries the indoor heat exchanger 12 by a heating or blowing operation. Note that the indoor heat exchanger 12 can be dried by a heating operation followed by a blowing operation.

In step S408, the control unit K determines whether the given execution time (fixed in step S406) has elapsed since the start of the drying of the indoor heat exchanger 12. If the time d the given execution has elapsed (Yes in S408), the processing by the control unit K goes to step S409. In this case, the interior of the indoor unit 10 including the indoor heat exchanger 12 is sufficiently dried.

On the other hand, if the given execution time has not elapsed since the start of the drying of the indoor heat exchanger 12 (No in S408), the processing by the control unit K returns to step S407.

S64579 FR CM-P

In step S409, the control unit K performs a given air conditioning operation based on the operation instruction received in step S401 or S402. After step S409, the control unit K ends the processing series (FIN).

<Beneficial effects>

According to the third embodiment, if the operating instruction is received during the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12 or in the given time since the washing treatment was canceled (Yes in S401 or S402) , the control unit K suspends the washing treatment and then dries the indoor heat exchanger 12 (S404 to S408) in this order, then executes the air conditioning operation (S409). Accordingly, even if the operation instruction for the air conditioning operation is received in a state where the indoor heat exchanger 12 is wet, the air conditioning operation is performed after the interior of the indoor unit 10 is sufficiently dried.

"Modifications"

The air conditioner 100 according to the present invention has been described in respective embodiments as above, but the present invention is not limited thereto and various modifications are possible.

For example, in each embodiment, the "washing treatment" has been described in which freezing, defrosting and drying of the indoor heat exchanger 12 is carried out in this order (S102 to S104 in Figure 5) , but the present invention is not limited to them. For example, one or both of the defrosting and drying of the indoor heat exchanger 12 can be omitted. This is because, even in this case, the indoor heat exchanger 12 is naturally defrosted at room temperature, and the indoor heat exchanger 12 is washed with this water. This also comes from the fact that the indoor heat exchanger 12 is dried by keeping each device suspended, then, by performing the air conditioning operation or the like.

In addition, in each embodiment, the washing treatment of the indoor heat exchanger 12 has been described by freezing the heat exchanger.

S64579 EN CM-P indoor heat 12, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the indoor heat exchanger 12 can be washed by condensing the indoor heat exchanger 12. In this case, the control unit K sets the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant to a lower value than that in l cooling operation or normal dehumidification operation. Specifically, the control unit K calculates a dew point of the room air on the basis of the detected value of the room temperature sensor 21a (see FIG. 4) and the detected value of a room sensor. humidity (not shown). The control unit K regulates the external expansion valve 34 to open insofar as the temperature of the interior heat exchanger 12 is less than or equal to the dew point but greater than a given freezing temperature.

Note that the above "freezing temperature" is a temperature at which the humidity in the room air begins to freeze on the indoor heat exchanger 12 when the room air temperature is lowered. The indoor heat exchanger 12 is condensed in this way, to wash the indoor heat exchanger 12 with the dew condensation water.

After the indoor heat exchanger 12 is condensed, the control unit K can dry the indoor heat exchanger 12. That is, if the indoor heat exchanger 12 is condensed, the control unit K brings about indoor heat exchanger 12 to serve as a condenser or performs the blowing operation to dry the indoor heat exchanger 12.

In addition, the control unit K can freeze or condense the indoor heat exchanger 12 after the heating operation, the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation. Consequently, the indoor heat exchanger 12 is washed after the air conditioning operation such as the heating operation, the cooling operation and the dehumidification operation.

Further, the indoor heat exchanger 12 can be washed by the cooling operation after the heating operation, in addition to freezing or condensing the indoor heat exchanger 12. As a result, the moisture cooled by the

S64579 EN CM-P refrigerant adheres to the indoor heat exchanger 12, and the indoor heat exchanger 12 is washed with moisture.

Note that each embodiment can be applied with steps for washing the indoor heat exchanger 12 by condensation on the indoor heat exchanger 12 or by the cooling operation after the heating operation. Specifically, instead of the processing of step S102 (freezing) and of step S103 (defrosting) in Figure 5, the indoor heat exchanger 12 can be condensed or the cooling operation (after the operation can be carried out.

Further, in each embodiment, the execution of the alarm given about the air conditioning has been described using the alarm lamp 26 (see Figure 4) or the like in the indoor unit 10, but the The present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a display (not shown) for the alarm may be provided in the indoor unit 10 to display a picture, a given character or the like. Alternatively, the remote control 40 (see Figure 4) or the portable terminal 50 (see Figure 4) can be used to execute the given alarm. Namely, the “alarm device” can output a display given on the indoor unit 10, the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50 to execute the alarm given about the air conditioning.

Further, in each embodiment, the case has been described in which the alarm given in connection with an air conditioning operation is executed by the alarm sound generator 25 and the alarm lamp 26, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the given alarm can be executed by either the alarm sound generator 25 and the alarm lamp 26, or the alarm process can be omitted as appropriate.

Further on, in a given period of time, the alarm sound generator 25 may not generate the alarm sound. For example, the alarm sound may not be heard overnight to prevent impairing the comfort of the user.

In addition, the vertical wind deflector 19 (see Figure 2) of the indoor unit 10 having the indoor heat exchanger 12 can be opened to warn that the washing treatment including freezing is in progress. In this case, the control unit K preferably fixes the vertical wind deflector 19 plus

S64579 FR CM-P high than level. This prevents cold air from blowing directly towards the user.

Further, in the third embodiment (see Figure 8), the case has been described in which the control unit K performs the processes of steps S406 to S408 to dry the indoor heat exchanger 12, but the treatment can be omitted. For example, during the washing treatment including freezing (or condensation, or cooling operation after the heating operation) of the indoor heat exchanger 12, if the operation instruction for the operation of air conditioning is received from the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50 (Yes in S401 in FIG. 8), the control unit K interrupts (suspends) the washing treatment (S404). Then, after the given time has elapsed since the interruption of the washing treatment, the control unit K starts the air conditioning operation on the basis of the operation instruction. While the washing treatment is interrupted and each device is suspended, the ice on the indoor heat exchanger 12 is naturally defrosted and this water evaporates. As a result, the indoor heat exchanger 12 is defrosted and dried.

Further, for example, if the operating instruction for the air conditioning operation is received from the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50, before the given time has elapsed since the interruption of the washing treatment including freezing (or condensing, or cooling operation after the heating operation) of the indoor heat exchanger 12 based on the cancellation instruction from the remote control 40 or the portable terminal 50 ( Yes in S402 in FIG. 8), the control unit K can carry out the following processing. Namely, the control unit K can start the air conditioning operation on the basis of the operation instruction after the given time has elapsed since the interruption of the washing treatment. This is because the ice on the indoor heat exchanger 12 is naturally defrosted and the water evaporates while the washing process is interrupted and respective devices are suspended.

S64579 FR CM-P

Further, in the third embodiment, even when the condition in step S401 or S402 is satisfied, if the operation instruction received by the control unit K is the heating operation instruction, the processing steps S406 to

S408 (drying of the indoor heat exchanger 12) can be omitted. This is because the indoor heat exchanger 12 is dried by the subsequent heating operation.

Further on, the control unit K can set the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant, while the indoor heat exchanger 12 is frozen or condensed, at a lower value than during the dehumidification operation. Further on, the control unit K can set the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant while the indoor heat exchanger 12 is frozen or condensed to a value lower than the freezing point. With such a control, a lot of moisture (ice or dew) adheres to the indoor heat exchanger 12 due to freezing or condensation of the indoor heat exchanger 12. As a result, the indoor heat exchanger 12 is effectively washed with moisture adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 12.

Further, in each embodiment, the configuration comprising an indoor unit 10 (see Figure 3) and an outdoor unit 30 (see Figure 3) has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Namely, a plurality of indoor units or a plurality of outdoor units, connected in parallel, can be provided.

Further, each embodiment has been described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to those comprising all the components described above. Further, a part of the configuration in each embodiment can be deleted, or added or replaced with one or more other configurations.

Furthermore, the mechanisms and configurations described above represent what is considered necessary for the description, and all the mechanisms and configurations of products are not necessarily indicated.

Numerical references

S64579 FR CM-P

100 air conditioner 10 indoor unit 11 communication unit 12 indoor heat exchanger (evaporator / condenser) 5 14 indoor fan 18 horizontal wind deflector 19 vertical wind deflector (alarm device) 23 horizontal wind deflector motor 24 vertical wind deflector motor 10 25 alarm sound generator (alarm device) 26 alarm lamp (alarm device) 30 outdoor unit 31 compressor 32 outdoor heat exchanger (condenser / evaporator) 15 33 outdoor fan 34 outdoor expansion valve (expansion valve) 35 four-way valve 40 remote control 50 portable terminal 20 K control unit (control device) Q refrigerant circuit

Claims (15)

1. Air conditioner including: a refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant flows through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator; a control unit which controls at least the compressor and the expansion valve; and an alarm device which performs a given alarm, in which one of the condenser and the evaporator is an outdoor heat exchanger and the other is an indoor heat exchanger, the alarm device warns, before a freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 10 is not started, that said operation will be executed and the control unit does not start said operation if the control unit receives a cancellation instruction from a remote control or of a portable terminal since the alarm by the alarm device has started until a given time has elapsed. 2. Air conditioner according to claim 1, in which: the control unit dries the indoor heat exchanger if the control unit receives a cancellation instruction from a remote control or a portable terminal after a given time has elapsed since a freezing of The indoor heat exchanger has been started, and the control unit dries the indoor heat exchanger by driving an indoor fan which supplies air to the indoor heat exchanger. 3. Air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising: 25 an alarm device which performs a given alarm about air conditioning. 4. Air conditioner according to claim 2, In which the control unit performs a heating operation to dry the indoor heat exchanger. 5. An air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger is performed after a heating operation, a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation. 6. An air conditioner according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the alarm device warns, during a freezing of the indoor heat exchanger being executed, that said operation is being performed. 10 The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the alarm device includes an alarm sound generator which generates a given alarm sound from an indoor unit comprising the indoor heat exchanger, and the sound generator cannot generate the alarm sound for a given period of time. 8. Air conditioner according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the alarm device warns by providing a given display output on an indoor unit comprising the indoor heat exchanger, the remote control or the 20 portable terminal. 9. Air conditioner according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the alarm device warns by opening a vertical wind deflector of an indoor unit comprising the indoor heat exchanger. 10. Air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, if a cancellation instruction is received from the remote control or the portable terminal before a given time has elapsed since the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger has been started, the 3 0 command interrupts said operation. 11. An air conditioner according to claim 2, in which, if a given cancellation instruction is again received from the remote control or from the portable terminal while the indoor heat exchanger is being dried after the instruction d If the cancellation has been received, the control unit interrupts the drying of the indoor heat exchanger. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, if an operation instruction for an air conditioning operation is received from the remote control or the portable terminal during a washing treatment including freezing of the indoor heat exchanger , the control unit interrupts the washing treatment, and starts the air conditioning operation on the basis of the operating instruction after a given time has elapsed since the interruption of the washing treatment. 13. An air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, if an operation instruction for an air conditioning operation is received from the remote control or the portable terminal before a given time has elapsed since an interruption, on the based on a cancellation instruction from the remote control or the portable terminal, of a washing treatment including freezing of the indoor heat exchanger, the control unit starts the air conditioning operation on the basis of the operation instruction after the given time has elapsed. 14. An air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, in which the control unit fixes a temperature for evaporation of the refrigerant during the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger to a lower value than during a dehumidification operation. 15. An air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit fixes a temperature of evaporation of the refrigerant during the freezing of the indoor heat exchanger to a value lower than a freezing point.