JP2004169935A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily visually check for the checked state of the contamination of a dust collecting filter in an air conditioner. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioner comprises the dust collecting filter 9 disposed at an air suction port 20 and a multi-panel 5c forming the short-circuit of air in the clearance thereof from an air blowout port 30 which is installed in the air suction port 20. When filter check signals are received from a remote controller, the multi-panel 5c is opened to a specified angle so that at least the lower part of the dust collecting filter 9 can be viewed from an indoors. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air conditioner provided with a dust filter, and more particularly, to an air conditioner capable of easily checking the degree of dirt on a dust filter by visual inspection.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Dust flying in the room air is uncomfortable to humans. For this reason, most air conditioners are provided with a dust collection filter that captures dust. However, if the dust collection accumulates on the dust collection filter and causes clogging, it is not sanitary, and heat exchange capacity is also low. Will also be adversely affected.
[0003]
Therefore, it is required to regularly check the degree of contamination of the dust collection filter. However, since the dust collection filter is usually provided inside the air suction grille, it cannot be easily seen from outside.
[0004]
In addition, since the wall-mounted indoor unit is often installed near the ceiling, it is necessary to open the air intake grille after securing the scaffolding, for example, with a stepladder, to check the degree of dirt on the dust collection filter. is there.
[0005]
For this reason, the check of the dust collecting filter is hardly performed in daily life. Although a clogging indicator lamp is provided to facilitate cleaning of the dust collecting filter, in most cases, the indicator lamp is turned on based on the integrated operation time of the air conditioner, so that the reliability is poor.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wall-mounted air conditioner, in which an open / close panel is opened only by operating a remote control so that a dust filter can be seen, and the degree of dirt can be easily checked visually.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a wall-mounted indoor unit housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, and a heat exchanger and an indoor fan are arranged in an air passage connecting the air inlet and the air outlet. A dust collecting filter is disposed between the air inlet and the heat exchanger, and the air inlet is provided with an open / close panel including a multi-panel forming a short circuit of air between the air outlet and the air outlet. An air conditioner, comprising: a remote controller capable of transmitting a filter check signal; and control means for receiving the filter check signal and controlling opening and closing of the multi-panel, wherein the control means receives the filter check signal. Then, the multi-panel is opened to a specific angle so that at least the lower part of the dust filter can be visually recognized from the room, and after a predetermined time, It is characterized in that the return to the original state Ruchipaneru.
[0008]
According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, a mark for visually checking the degree of dirt is provided at a lower portion of the dust collecting filter, and a light is provided on an inner surface side of the indoor unit housing with respect to the mark. Irradiating means is provided, and the mark is irradiated with light from the irradiating means while the multi-panel is opened at a specific angle.
[0009]
In addition, the control means can receive the filter check signal in both the air conditioning operation state and the stop state, and after opening and closing the multi-panel, before the air conditioner receives the filter check signal. Returning to the state described above is also one of the features of the present invention.
[0010]
As described above, since a series of operations for the filter check are automatically performed, there is no need to worry about, for example, forgetting to close the multi-panel or forgetting to turn off the irradiation unit. Further, by setting the timing of turning on the irradiating means to be after the multi-panel is opened and stopped, and the timing of turning off the irradiation means before operating the multi-panel to close the state, it is possible to give a high-quality appearance.
[0011]
Further, as another feature of the present invention, the control unit receives the filter check signal again while performing the process of receiving the filter check signal and making the dirt check of the dust collecting filter visible. If so, the multi-panel is closed and the air conditioner is returned to the state before receiving the first filter check signal.
[0012]
This prevents the multi-panel from being opened twice even if the filter check signal is transmitted in quick succession, for example, due to an erroneous button operation on the remote controller.
[0013]
As described above, according to the present invention, the multi-panel is automatically closed after being opened for a predetermined time by one filter check signal. Therefore, even a remote control having a very small button arrangement space can be applied, and the operability is good.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. According to the present invention, a mark is provided at the lower part of the dust filter so that the degree of dirt can be checked, and an LED that irradiates the mark with light is provided. By irradiating the mark with the LED, the degree of dirt on the dust collecting filter can be easily confirmed only by operating the remote controller without securing a scaffold by a stepladder or the like.
[0015]
First, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, this air conditioner includes a control circuit 1 on the indoor unit side and a control circuit 2 on the outdoor unit side. Each of the control circuits 1 and 2 comprises a microcomputer. When the control circuit 1 receives the filter check signal from the remote controller 3, the control circuit 1 controls the open / close panel (multi-panel 5c) and the LED 4 of the indoor unit. And the outdoor fan 11 and the like.
[0016]
The indoor unit is a wall-mounted type as shown in FIG. 2 and includes a main body housing having an air inlet 20 and an air outlet 30. In this example, the air inlet 20 is formed between the front side and the upper side of the main body housing. The air outlet 30 is formed on the lower side of the main body housing, and in the air outlet 30 there are provided a vertical direction plate and a horizontal direction plate in a known manner.
[0017]
In the air passage connecting the air inlet 20 and the air outlet 30, the indoor heat exchangers 7 a, 7 b, 7 c and the indoor fan arranged in a lambda (Λ) arrangement from the front side to the upper side and the rear side of the main body housing are provided. The part 8 is arranged.
[0018]
Several opening and closing panels are provided in the air inlet 20. In this example, a front opening / closing panel 5a and a top opening / closing panel 5b are provided in each of the front air inlet 20 and the upper air inlet 20, and a lower portion of the front air inlet 20 is provided. A multi panel 5c is provided.
[0019]
The front open / close panel 5a and the top open / close panel 5b include a plurality of panel plates that are opened and closed in conjunction with each other. In this example, the multi panel 5c has a single structure and its lower end is opened, An air short circuit is formed between the air inlet 20 and the air outlet 30.
[0020]
The multi-panel 5c is versatile, but as an example, when negative ions are generated by an ion generator (not shown) provided in the air outlet 30 to clean the inside of the main body housing, the negative ions are circulated in the main body housing. Opened for.
[0021]
An air inlet 20a having no open / close panel is provided between the front open / close panel 5a and the upper open / close panel 5b. Although not shown, a space between the air inlet 20a and the indoor heat exchanger 7b is provided. Is provided with an electric precipitator.
[0022]
Further, a dust collection filter is detachably provided along the air intake port 20. Here, the dust collection filter 9 provided on the rear side of the front opening / closing panel 5a will be described. Although the configuration of the dust collection filter 9 itself may be a known one, in this embodiment, the lower part of the dust collection filter 9 can be seen from the room by opening the multi-panel 5c to a specific angle, for example. .
[0023]
As an example, assuming that the opening angle of the multi-panel 5c at the time of forming the short circuit is in a range of 0 (fully closed) to 30 °, the multi-panel 5c is made visible when the lower part of the dust collecting filter 9 is made visible. 5c is opened up to 60 ° so that it can be seen even in a place slightly away from the indoor unit.
[0024]
A mark 9a for checking the degree of dirt is provided below the dust collecting filter 9. The mark 9a preferably has light reflectivity. On the other hand, on the back surface of the front cover of the main body housing, an LED (light emitting diode) 4 is provided as irradiation means for irradiating light toward the mark 9a.
[0025]
In this example, the LED 4 emits light to illuminate the mark 9a when the multi-panel 5c is opened up to 60 °. The light reflection luminance of the mark 9a also decreases in proportion to the contamination of the dust collecting filter 9. Therefore, the user can know the degree of contamination of the dust collecting filter 9 by looking at the mark 9a.
[0026]
Next, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when a predetermined operation of air conditioner operation is performed by the remote controller 3, the control circuit 1 on the indoor unit side and the control circuit 2 on the outdoor unit side perform control necessary for room temperature control according to the operation.
[0027]
In this operation, the control circuit 1 automatically controls the open / close panels 5a, 5b, the multi-panel 5c, the upper and lower wind direction boards, the left and right wind direction boards, and the like according to the operation mode of the setting operation, and controls the rotation of the indoor fan 8. In this operation mode, if the multi-panel 5c is opened, the opening angle is in a range up to 30 °. When the operation stop operation is performed, the open / close panels 5a and 5b and the multi-panel 5c are returned to the fully closed position, and the indoor fan 8 also stops.
[0028]
During operation or stoppage of the air conditioner, the remote controller 3 performs an operation of transmitting a filter check signal, and upon receiving the filter check signal, the control circuit 1 executes a routine shown in FIG.
[0029]
First, when the filter check signal is received, the internal counter 1a is incremented by +1 in step ST1, and it is determined in step ST2 whether the count value of the counter 1a is odd or even.
[0030]
When the count value of the counter 1a is an odd number, the process proceeds from step ST2 to step ST3 to drive the drive circuit 1b to control the motor of the multi-panel 5c to open the multi-panel unit 5c.
[0031]
During this "panel opening" operation, it is determined in step ST4 whether a filter check signal has been input. If no filter check signal has been input (NO), in step ST5, the multi-panel 5c has a predetermined angle of 60 [deg.]. To determine if it has been opened.
[0032]
When the multi-panel 5c is opened up to 60 °, in a step ST6, after waiting for a predetermined time (several seconds, for example, 1 second), in a step ST7, the switching circuit 1c is driven to cause the LED 4 to emit light and the mark 9a of the filter 9 to be emitted. Is irradiated, for example, for 30 seconds (step ST8).
[0033]
By transmitting the filter check signal from the remote controller 3 in this manner, the multi-panel 5c is automatically widened up to 60 °, and the mark 9a is illuminated by the LED 4, so that the user can be placed under the indoor unit. By looking at the reflection luminance of the mark 9a while staying, it is possible to easily check the degree of contamination of the dust collecting filter 9. Therefore, there is no need to construct a scaffold using a stepladder or the like and open the front opening / closing panel of the indoor unit to look inside as in the related art.
[0034]
Subsequently, in step ST9, the LED 4 is turned off to stop the irradiation of the mark 9a. In step ST10, after waiting for a predetermined time (several seconds, for example, 1 second), the driver circuit 1c is driven in step ST11 to drive the multi-panel. 5c is closed.
[0035]
During this "panel closing" operation, it is determined in step ST12 whether or not a filter check signal has been input. If no filter check signal has been input, it is determined in step ST13 whether or not the multi panel 5c has been closed. When the panel 5c is closed, the routine ends, and the air conditioner is returned to the state before the filter check operation (the cooling operation, the heating operation, or the stop). At this time, the internal counter 1a is reset in preparation for the next filter check.
[0036]
As in steps ST4 and ST12, it is determined whether or not a filter check signal has been transmitted from the remote controller 3 again while the routine is being executed. In any of steps ST4 and ST12, the process returns to step ST2 to determine whether the count value of the counter 1a is an odd value.
[0037]
When the filter check signal is transmitted from the remote controller 3 again, the count value of the counter 1a becomes an even number. Therefore, the process jumps from step ST2 to step ST10, and executes a process of forcibly closing the multi panel 5c. According to this, when the air conditioner is in the filter checking operation, the operation can be stopped halfway, that is, it is preferable from the viewpoint of usability.
[0038]
As described above, when performing the filter check, the opening control of the multi-panel 5c and the lighting control of the LED 4 are performed by a single button operation of the remote controller 3, and then the closing control of the multi-panel 5c is performed after the LED 4 is turned off. Therefore, a series of controls is performed by one button operation without performing a button operation for each control.
[0039]
Therefore, since only one filter check button (switch) is required, it is possible to save space in the button arrangement area of the remote controller 3 and to improve operability.
[0040]
In addition, since the LED 4 is lit only when the filter is checked, power consumption can be reduced and energy can be saved. Further, since the LED 4 is located behind the front of the indoor unit, a sense of incongruity may be given to a user during irradiation. There is an advantage that it gives a sense of quality without giving it.
[0041]
Further, since the position (point) of the mark 9a is indicated by the irradiation of the LED 4, the filter check can be easily performed. The irradiation by the LED 4 does not have to be continuous. For example, by performing the irradiation intermittently, the position of the mark 9a can be more easily searched.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the multi-panel 5c is provided separately from the front opening / closing panel 5a. However, one or a plurality of panel plates included in the front opening / closing panel 5a may be assigned to the multi-panel 5c. Such an embodiment is also included in the present invention.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an air conditioner including a multi-panel in which a dust collection filter is arranged at an air intake and a short circuit of air is formed between the air intake and an air outlet. When the filter check signal is received from the remote controller, the multi-panel is opened to a specific angle so that at least the lower part of the dust collecting filter can be visually recognized from the room. The dust collection filter can be viewed only by operating the remote controller, so that the degree of dirt can be easily visually checked.
[0044]
In addition, a light-reflective mark is preferably provided at the lower part of the dust filter, and the mark is irradiated with light, so that the mark point can be easily searched visually to easily clean the filter. This has the effect of being able to check for
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an indoor unit of the air conditioner.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a configuration of a control system of the air conditioner.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 indoor unit control circuit 1a counter 1b drive circuit 1c switching circuit 2 outdoor unit control circuit 3 remote control 4 LED
5a, 5b Open / close panel 5c Multi-panel 7a, 7b, 7c Heat exchanger 8 Indoor fan 9 Filter 9a Mark 20 Air inlet 30 Air outlet

Claims (5)

A wall-mounted indoor unit housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, and a heat exchanger and an indoor fan disposed in an air passage connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, wherein a space between the air inlet and the heat exchanger is provided; In the air conditioner, a dust collection filter is disposed, and an open / close panel including a multi panel that forms a short circuit of air with the air outlet is provided at the air inlet.
A remote controller capable of transmitting a filter check signal; and a control unit that receives the filter check signal and controls opening and closing of the multi-panel. An air conditioner characterized in that the multi-panel is opened to a specific angle so that at least a lower portion can be visually recognized from a room, and the multi-panel is returned to an original state after a predetermined time. A mark for visually checking the degree of dirt is provided at a lower portion of the dust collecting filter, and an irradiating means for irradiating the mark with light is provided on an inner surface side of the indoor unit housing. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the mark is irradiated with light from the irradiation unit while the multi-panel is opened at a specific angle. The control means is capable of receiving the filter check signal in both the air-conditioning operation and the stopped state, and after opening and closing the multi-panel, sets the air conditioner in a state before receiving the filter check signal. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The control means closes the multi-panel if the filter check signal is received again while the filter check signal is received and the filter check signal is received again while the filter check signal is received and the dirt check of the dust collection filter is made visible. The air conditioner according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the air conditioner is returned to a state before receiving the first filter check signal. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the remote control includes a single dedicated button for transmitting the filter check signal.

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