JP2014089038A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of enhancing the removal efficiency of dusts attached to an air filter.SOLUTION: An air conditioner provided with a filter cleaning function which automatically cleans dusts attached to an air filter incorporated in an indoor unit includes: a filter carrying device which carries the air filter; a brush which removes dusts attached to the air filter; a blade which is disposed on the under side of the brush and removes the dusts attached to the brush; a dust recovery part which recovers the dusts removed by the brush and the blade; and a brush moving device which moves the brush. When the filter carrying device carries the air filter, the brush moving device fixes the brush on a position on which the brush comes into contact with the air filer and, when the filter carrying device carries the air filter until the brush is located outside a cleaning area of the air filter, the brush carrying device moves the brush such that the brush comes into contact with the blade.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a filter cleaning function for automatically cleaning dust adhering to an air filter built in an indoor unit.

  Conventionally, as this type of air conditioner, for example, those disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-32065) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-52890) are known.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner that includes a brush that contacts an air filter, and that is configured to remove dust attached to the air filter by reciprocally swinging the brush while moving the air filter. ing.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an air conditioner that includes a brush that contacts an air filter and that is configured to remove dust attached to the air filter by rotating the brush in one direction while moving the air filter. Has been.

JP 2010-32065 A JP 2011-52890 A

  The air conditioners disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 move the air filter back and forth or rotate the brush in one direction, so that dust attached to the air filter is successively collected below the brush without accumulating dust on the brush. It is configured to scrape off the dust collecting unit disposed in the. In these configurations, the dust adhering to the air filter is scraped off so as to be scattered by the brush, so that the dust may rise and reattach to the air filter. In this case, the efficiency of removing dust attached to the air filter is reduced.

  Moreover, the air conditioner of patent document 1 is comprised so that the dust adhering to the said brush may be scraped off to a dust collection | recovery part by making a brush contact the scraping piece provided in the vicinity of the air filter. In this configuration, since the scraping piece is provided in the vicinity of the air filter, the dust scraped off by the scraping piece may adhere to the air filter again.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of improving the efficiency of removing dust adhering to an air filter in solving the above-described problems.

In order to solve the conventional problem, an air conditioner of the present invention is an air conditioner having a filter cleaning function for automatically cleaning dust attached to an air filter built in an indoor unit,
A filter transport device for transporting the air filter;
A brush for removing dust adhering to the air filter;
A blade provided below the brush for removing dust adhering to the brush;
A dust collecting unit for collecting dust removed by the brush and blade;
A brush moving device for moving the brush;
With
When the filter transport device transports the air filter, the brush moving device fixes the brush at a position in contact with the air filter,
When the filter transport device transports the air filter until the brush is located outside the cleaning region of the air filter, the brush moving device is configured to move the brush so as to contact the blade. Yes.

  According to the air conditioner of the present invention, the removal efficiency of dust adhering to the air filter can be improved by having the above configuration.

Sectional drawing of the indoor unit with which the air conditioner concerning embodiment of this invention is provided Sectional drawing which shows typically the state of the apparatus and member relevant to the cleaning of an air filter at the time of the cleaning start of an air filter Sectional drawing which shows a mode that the guidance | induction part of a filter holding | maintenance part guide | induces the terminal part of an air filter Sectional drawing which shows a mode that a brush removes the dust adhering to an air filter typically Sectional drawing which shows the state which the air filter reached | attained 2nd holding space typically Sectional drawing which shows a mode that a blade removes dust adhering to a brush typically Sectional drawing which shows a mode that a blade removes dust adhering to a brush typically Explanatory drawing which shows the state which the hair which a press member has penetrate | invaded into the mesh | network of an air filter Sectional drawing which shows typically operation | movement of the apparatus and member relevant to cleaning of a braid | blade Sectional drawing which shows typically operation | movement of the apparatus and member relevant to cleaning of a braid | blade The perspective view which shows the structure of a braid | blade, a blade holding | maintenance part, and a dust collection | recovery part. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a blade, a blade holding | maintenance part, and a dust collection | recovery part Explanatory drawing which shows the preferable positional relationship of the rotation locus | trajectory of a brush and a braid | blade. Sectional view showing a variation of the blade Sectional drawing which shows typically a mode that a blade compresses the dust collect | recovered in the dust collection part The top view which shows an example of the air filter provided with the gear Enlarged perspective view of a circled portion of the air filter shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the structure of the apparatus and member relevant to a filter holding member. Sectional drawing which shows typically the structure which provided the resin film so that it may contact with an air filter in the downstream of an outward path rather than a brush The perspective view which shows typically the state in which the brush holding part hold | maintained the brush so that the terminal part of a brush can be visually recognized through the space ahead of a braid | blade. Diagram showing operation of air filter, brush, and rib in standard mode and careful mode Explanatory drawing which shows typically the relationship between the length of the net | network part with an air filter, the length between the gears of an air filter, the length of a brush, and the length of a braid | blade. The perspective view of the indoor unit shown in FIG.

The air conditioner of the present invention is an air conditioner having a filter cleaning function for automatically cleaning dust adhering to an air filter built in an indoor unit,
A filter transport device for transporting the air filter;
A brush for removing dust adhering to the air filter;
A blade provided below the brush for removing dust adhering to the brush;
A dust collecting unit for collecting dust removed by the brush and blade;
A brush moving device for moving the brush;
With
When the filter transport device transports the air filter, the brush moving device fixes the brush at a position in contact with the air filter,
When the filter transport device transports the air filter until the brush is located outside the cleaning region of the air filter, the brush moving device is configured to move the brush so as to contact the blade. Is.

  According to this configuration, when the filter transport device transports the air filter, the brush moving device fixes the brush at a position where it comes into contact with the air filter, so that dust adhering to the air filter is fixed at a fixed position. The brush can be dammed up and collected on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the air filter of the brush. At this time, dust is entangled and collected like a paper bag, so that the efficiency of removing dust attached to the air filter can be improved.

  Further, according to this configuration, when the filter transport device transports the air filter until the brush is located outside the cleaning region of the air filter, the brush moving device makes the brush contact the blade. That is, the brush with dust attached is brought into contact with a blade away from the air filter, and the dust is collected by the dust collecting unit. At this time, since most of the dust is in a state of being collected like a paper bag, it is possible to prevent the dust from scattering and reattaching to the air filter. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the efficiency of removing dust attached to the air filter.

  In addition, it is preferable that the said brush moving apparatus is comprised so that the fixed state of the said brush may be continued while the said brush is contacting the cleaning area | region of the said air filter.

  According to this structure, the removal efficiency of the dust adhering to an air filter can be improved further.

The filter transport device is configured to reciprocately transport the air filter,
When the filter transport device stops the air filter to switch the transport direction of the air filter from the forward path to the return path, the brush moving device moves the brush so as to contact the blade, and then It is preferable that the brush moving device is configured to return the brush to a position in contact with the air filter before the filter transport device transports the air filter to the return path.

  In addition, the filter transport device includes a shaft around which the air filter is wound and a gear provided on the shaft, and the air filter rotates in the forward direction or the reverse direction so that the air filter moves in the forward path or the reverse direction. It is preferable to be configured to move on the return path.

Further, the brush moving device has a brush holding portion for holding the brush,
The brush holding portion has a guide portion that guides the end portion of the air filter so that it does not come off the conveyance path of the air filter, and the air is interposed between the brush holding portion and the shaft by the filter conveyance device. It is preferable that the brush is moved away from the air filter and the guide portion is opposed to the shaft before the end portion of the filter is conveyed.

  According to this configuration, the air filter can be more reliably transported along the transport path by the guide portion provided in the brush holding portion, and the brush can be prevented from being caught in the mesh portion of the air filter. it can.

  The brush holding part has a rib for removing dust adhering to the blade, and when the brush holding part rotates, the rib comes into contact with the blade to remove dust adhering to the blade. Preferably it is comprised.

  According to this configuration, when the rib contacts the blade, dust attached to the blade can be removed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent dust attached to the blade from attaching to the air filter again via the brush, and it is possible to further improve the removal efficiency of the dust attached to the air filter.

In addition, a guide member that is provided with a predetermined gap with respect to the shaft and guides the air filter to move along the periphery of the shaft,
It is preferable that the brush is disposed so as to contact the air filter on the downstream side of the forward path from the guide member.

  The filter transport device includes a motor that rotates the gear in a forward direction or a reverse direction, and is configured to change the rotational speed of the motor at least once during the reciprocal transport of the air filter. It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the efficiency of removing dust adhering to the air filter by setting the number of rotations of the motor to be suitable according to the conveyance state of the air filter.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said brush holding | maintenance part is comprised so that the terminal part of the said brush may be visually recognized through the space ahead of the said blade at the time of operation stop of an air conditioner.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to confirm earlier whether or not the dust attached to the brush by the blade has been sufficiently removed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

<< Embodiment >>
An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are connected to each other through a refrigerant pipe. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The indoor unit according to the present embodiment includes a main body 2 and a movable front panel 4 that closes the front opening 2a of the main body 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. When the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, the front panel 4 is provided in close contact with the main body 2 so as to close the front opening 2a. On the other hand, during the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner, the front panel 4 is provided so as to move in a direction away from the main body 2 to open the front opening 2a. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the front panel 4 closes the front opening 2a.

  Inside the main body 2, heat exchange is performed with the heat exchanger 6 and the fan 8 for exchanging the indoor air taken in from the front opening 2 a and the upper surface opening 2 b with the heat exchanger 6 and blowing it out indoors. An up / down air direction changing blade 12 that opens and closes the air outlet 10 that blows air into the room and changes the air blowing direction up and down, and a left and right air direction changing blade 14 that changes the air blowing direction left and right are provided.

  When the air conditioner starts the air conditioning operation, the up / down air direction changing blade 12 is controlled to be opened and the air outlet 10 is opened. When the fan 8 is driven in this state, room air is taken into the indoor unit through the front opening 2a and the top opening 2b. The taken-in indoor air is heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 6, passes through the fan 8, passes through the ventilation path 16 formed on the downstream side of the fan 8, and is blown out from the air outlet 10.

  In addition, an air filter 18 is provided between the front opening 2a and the upper surface opening 2b and the heat exchanger 6 for removing dust contained in room air taken in from the front opening 2a and the upper surface opening 2b. It has been. The air filter 18 includes a frame portion and a net portion 18B (see FIG. 2) held by the frame portion. The air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes a filter cleaning function that automatically cleans dust adhering to the mesh portion 18B of the air filter 18. In the present embodiment, the net portion 18B of the air filter 18 is referred to as a “cleaning region”.

  The air filter 18 is held by a filter holding member 20. The filter holding member 20 is provided with a first holding space 20 </ b> A and a second holding space 20 </ b> B for holding the air filter 18. The air filter 18 is transported by the filter transport device 22 to the first holding space 20A and the second holding space 20B.

  The filter transport device 22 includes a shaft 24 that extends in the width direction of the indoor unit (the depth direction in FIG. 1), and a gear 26 that is attached to a part of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 24. The air filter 18 is mounted around the shaft 24 and engaged with the gear 26.

  The air filter 18 is normally located in the first holding space 20A, and removes dust contained in room air taken in from the front opening 2a and the top opening 2b. When the start of cleaning of the air filter 18 is instructed, the gear 26 rotates in the forward direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 1), and the air filter 18 is conveyed from the first holding space 20A to the second holding space 20B. When the air filter 18 is conveyed to the second holding space 20B, the gear 26 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise in FIG. 1), and the air filter 18 is conveyed from the second holding space 20B to the first holding space 20A. The

  In the present embodiment, the conveyance path of the air filter 18 from the first holding space 20A to the second holding space 20B is called “outward path”, and the air filter 18 from the second holding space 20B to the first holding space 20A. Is called “return”.

  A guide member 28 that guides the air filter 18 to move along the periphery of the shaft 24 is provided in the vicinity of the shaft 24. The guide member 28 is provided with a predetermined gap with respect to the shaft 24.

  Further, a brush (also referred to as a surface brush) 30 for removing dust attached to the surface of the air filter 18 is provided in the vicinity of the shaft 24. Below the brush 30, a blade 32 for removing dust attached to the brush 30 is provided. The blade 32 is made of, for example, an elastic body such as rubber, preferably a flexible soft elastic body.

  The base end portion 30B of the brush 30 is held by a brush holding portion 34 which is an example of a brush moving device. The brush 30 and the brush holding part 34 are provided so as to extend in the width direction of the indoor unit. The brush holding portion 34 rotates around the rotation shaft 30D extending in the width direction of the indoor unit, so that the end portion 30A of the brush 30 is in contact with the air filter 18 on the downstream side of the forward path from the guide member 28. And the position where the blade 32 comes into contact with the end portion 32A. Dust adhering to the brush 30 as a result of the end portion 30 </ b> A of the brush 30 coming into contact with the air filter 18 is removed as the brush 30 comes into contact with the blade 32.

  Below the blade 32, a bottomed cylindrical dust collecting portion 36 for collecting the dust removed (scraped) by the brush 30 and the blade 32 is provided. The base end portion 32B of the blade 32 is held by a blade holding portion 38 which is an example of a blade rotating device. The blade holding unit 38 is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis. By rotating the blade 32 in both forward and reverse directions, dust scraped into the dust collecting unit 36 is removed from the side surfaces of the blade 32 and the inner surface of the dust collecting unit 36. It is comprised so that it may compress between.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 16, a gear 18 </ b> D that meshes with the gear 26 of the filter transport device 22 is preferably provided on the outer peripheral portion of the air filter 18. Thereby, the air filter 18 can be reciprocally conveyed more reliably. Further, the gear 18D is preferably provided on both surfaces of the air filter 18, as shown in FIG. As a result, when the air filter 18 is inserted into the first holding space 20A, the gear 18D and the gear 26 can be engaged with each other even when the front and back sides of the air filter 18 are reversed, and the air filter 18 is inserted. The burden of thinking about the direction can be reduced. The air filter 18 may be formed in a square shape, and a gear 18D that meshes with the gear 26 may be provided on the entire outer periphery of the air filter 18. In this case, the burden of considering the direction in which the air filter 18 is inserted can be further reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the filter holding member 20 is configured such that an outer lower end portion (hereinafter referred to as a filter cover) 20C of a portion forming the first holding space 20A is rotatable about a rotation shaft 20D. It is preferred that By opening the filter cover 20C to the outside, the air filter 18 can be easily inserted into the first holding space 20A.

  The first holding space 20 </ b> A is preferably formed slightly larger than the air filter 18 in order to facilitate the insertion of the air filter 18. However, in this case, when the air filter 18 is inserted into the first holding space 20A, the rear end portion of the air filter 18 is in a floating state, and the gear 18D and the gear 26 may not mesh properly. . On the other hand, after the air filter 18 is inserted into the first holding space 20A, it is always necessary to perform an operation of closing the filter cover 20C inward. Therefore, it is preferable that the gear 18D and the gear 26 are appropriately meshed with each other by using a force for closing the filter cover 20C. For example, it is preferable that the filter cover 20C be configured to press the rear end portion of the air filter 18 against the gear 26 when the filter cover 20C is closed. Thereby, the gear 18D and the gear 26 can be meshed appropriately.

  Next, the operation | movement which cleans the dust adhering to the air filter 18 is demonstrated using FIGS. 2-7 is sectional drawing which shows typically operation | movement of the apparatus and member relevant to the cleaning of the air filter 18. As shown in FIG. The cleaning operation of the air filter 18 is performed under the control of a control unit (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the brush holding portion 34 is provided with a guide portion 34 </ b> A that guides the tip portion (frame body portion) 18 </ b> A of the air filter 18 so that it does not come off the conveyance path of the air filter 18. The guide portion 34 </ b> A is configured by, for example, a flat surface as shown in FIG. 2 or a curved surface having the same curvature as the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 24. At the start of cleaning of the air filter 18, the brush holding unit 34 keeps the brush 30 away from the conveyance path of the air filter 18 and causes the guide unit 34 </ b> A to face the shaft 24.

  When the gear 26 is rotated in the forward direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) from the state shown in FIG. 2, the tip 18A of the air filter 18 is conveyed between the guide part 34A of the brush holding part 34 and the shaft 24. The At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the guide portion 34 </ b> A of the brush holding portion 34 guides the tip end portion 18 </ b> A of the air filter 18 so as not to be removed from the conveyance path of the air filter 18.

  When the front end portion 18A of the air filter 18 passes between the guide portion 34A of the brush holding portion 34 and the shaft 24, the brush holding portion 34 rotates in the forward direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3), and the brush 30 The end portion 30A comes into contact with the tip portion 18A of the air filter 18 and the mesh portion 18B.

  As a result, when the brush 30 contacts the air filter 18, the end 30A of the brush 30 contacts in the moving direction of the air filter 18 and accumulates dust, so that the end 30A penetrates the mesh portion 18B. Thus, it is possible to prevent the brush 30 from being caught in the mesh portion 18B of the air filter 18.

  When the gear 26 is further rotated in the forward direction, the air filter 18 is further conveyed to the second holding space 20B. During this conveyance, as shown in FIG. 4, the brush holding unit 34 fixes the brush 30 at a position in contact with the air filter 18. Thereby, the dust adhering to the air filter 18 is blocked by the brush 30 fixed at a fixed position, and is accumulated on the upstream side of the air filter 18 in the conveying direction of the brush 30. At this time, the dust accumulated on the brush 30 and the dust adhering to the air filter 18 are entangled and gathered like a paper basket. Thereby, the removal efficiency of the dust adhering to the air filter 18 is improved.

  In addition, it is preferable that the brush holding | maintenance part 34 continues the fixed state of the brush 30 while the brush 30 is contacting with the net | network part 18B which is the cleaning area | region of the air filter 18. FIG. Thereby, the removal efficiency of the dust adhering to the air filter 18 can be further improved.

  The brush holding portion 34 rotates in the forward direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3) and the end portion 30A of the brush 30 contacts the tip portion A of the air filter 18 and the net portion 18B. The brush holding part 34 may rotate in the reverse direction (clockwise in FIG. 3) and contact the air filter 18 in the same manner. This assists the air filter 18 to move smoothly by the reverse rotation of the brush 30, thereby preventing clogging due to the deflection of the air filter 18.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a pressing member 40 that presses the air filter 18 from the back surface side to the front surface side is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 24. The brush 30 removes dust attached to the air filter 18 in a state where the air filter 18 is pressed by the pressing member 40 so that a part of the pressing member 40 enters the mesh of the air filter 18. By suppressing the brush 30 from penetrating the mesh of the air filter 18 with the pressing member 40, it is possible to suppress the dust on the surface of the air filter 18 from moving to the back surface of the air filter 18. Further, the dust packed in the mesh of the air filter 18 can be moved to the surface side of the air filter 18 by the pressing member 40. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of providing a dust collecting part on the back side of the air filter, and to reduce the size of the apparatus.

  The pressing member 40 is preferably configured so that the brush 30 does not penetrate the mesh of the air filter 18 or closes the mesh of the air filter 18. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressing member 40 is preferably configured by a brush that is shorter than the brush 30 and has bristles that can enter the mesh of the air filter 18. The pressing member 40 is preferably composed of a soft resin such as rubber, silicon, or elastomer, or a sheet-like member having short hair such as felt.

  When the gear 26 is further rotated in the forward direction from the state shown in FIG. 4 and the air filter 18 reaches the second holding space 20B as shown in FIG. 5, that is, when the forward conveyance of the air filter 18 is finished, the gear 26 The rotation in the positive direction is stopped. At this time, at least a part of the end portion 30 </ b> A of the brush 30 is in contact with the rear end portion (frame body portion) 18 </ b> C of the air filter 18 outside the cleaning region of the air filter 18.

  Thereafter, the brush holding portion 34 is rotated in the forward direction, and the brush 30 is swung at a position where it contacts the blade 32 as shown in FIGS. Thereby, the dust adhering to the brush 30 is scraped off into the dust collecting part 36. At this time, since most of the dust is in a state of being collected like a paper bag, it is possible to prevent the dust from scattering and reattaching to the air filter 18.

  When the removal of dust attached to the brush 30 by the blade 32 is completed, the brush holding portion 34 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the brush 30 returns to the position where it contacts the air filter 18. Thereafter, the gear 26 is rotated in the reverse direction, and conveyance of the return path of the air filter 18 is started.

  During conveyance of the air filter 18 on the return path, the brush holding unit 34 fixes the brush 30 at a position where the brush 30 comes into contact with the air filter 18. Thereby, the dust adhering to the air filter 18 is blocked by the brush 30 fixed at a fixed position, and is accumulated on the upstream side of the air filter 18 in the conveying direction of the brush 30.

  When the return path of the air filter 18 is completed, the reverse rotation of the gear 26 is stopped. Thereafter, the brush holding portion 34 is rotated in the forward direction, and the brush 30 is swung at a position where it contacts the blade 32. Thereby, the dust adhering to the brush 30 is scraped off into the dust collecting part 36. At this time, since most of the dust is in a state of being collected like a paper bag, it is possible to prevent the dust from scattering and reattaching to the air filter 18.

  When the removal of dust attached to the brush 30 by the blade 32 is completed, the cleaning operation of the air filter 18 is completed.

  It should be noted that a strong torque is required to rotate the gear 26 when the air filter 18 starts to be transported in the forward path and the backward path. For this reason, it is preferable to increase the rotation speed of the motor 27 (see FIG. 18) that rotates the gear 26 in the forward direction or the reverse direction. On the other hand, when the rotation speed of the motor 27 is increased, the conveyance speed of the air filter 18 is increased. When the brush 30 is in contact with the mesh portion 18B, which is a cleaning area of the air filter 18, if the conveying speed of the air filter 18 is too high, the removal efficiency of dust attached to the air filter 18 may be reduced. For this reason, it is preferable to change the rotation speed of the motor 27 at least once while the air filter 18 is reciprocally conveyed. For example, when the brush 30 is in contact with the mesh portion 18B, which is the cleaning area of the air filter 18, it is preferable that the rotational speed of the motor 27 is lower than in other cases. As a result, the rotational speed of the motor 27 suitable for the transport state of the air filter 18 can be set, and the reduction of the dust removal efficiency attached to the air filter 18 can be suppressed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 19, you may further provide the resin film 46 which has softness | flexibility, such as an elastomer, so that it may contact with the air filter 18 in the downstream of an outward path rather than the brush 30. As shown in FIG. As a result, dust that cannot be removed by the brush 30 and remains on the air filter 18 can be scraped off to the dust collecting portion 36 side. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the resin film 46 may be provided so as to be in surface contact with the rib portion 2 c provided on the main body 2.

  The brush holding unit 34 may hold the brush 30 so that the end portion 30A of the brush 30 can be visually recognized through the space E1 in front of the blade 32 as shown in FIG. 20 when the operation of the air conditioner is stopped. preferable. Thereby, it can be confirmed earlier whether or not the dust adhered to the brush 30 by the blade 32 has been sufficiently removed (whether or not dust remains on the end portion 30A of the brush 30). Note that the space E1 in front of the blade 32 is a space that can be seen from the diagonally lower front of the main body 2 when the dust container 36 is removed.

  Next, a cleaning operation for dust attached to the blade 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views schematically showing the operation of the apparatus and members related to the cleaning of the blade 32. FIG. The blade 32 is cleaned under the control of a control unit (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the brush holding portion 34 is provided with a rib 34 </ b> B that removes dust attached to the blade 32. When the removal of the dust attached to the brush 30 by the blade 32 described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 is completed, the brush holding portion 34 is rotated about the axis, and the rib 34B is moved to the blade as shown in FIGS. It is oscillated at a position in contact with 32. As a result, the blade 32 is repelled by the ribs 34 </ b> B, and the dust attached to the blade 32 is separated from the blade 32 and collected in the dust collecting unit 36.

  The timing for performing the cleaning operation of the blade 32 is not particularly limited, and may be performed at the time of the cleaning operation of the air filter 18 or at other times.

  Next, an example of a standard mode and a careful mode for cleaning dust attached to the air filter 18 will be described with reference to FIG. The air conditioner according to the present embodiment is configured such that, for example, a standard mode or a careful mode can be selected by operating a remote controller (not shown). FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating operations of the air filter 18, the brush 30, and the rib 34B in the standard mode and the careful mode.

  As shown in FIG. 21, in the standard mode, the air filter 18 is reciprocated once. Further, after the air filter 18 is transported in the forward path and after the return path, the swing of the brush 30 at the position in contact with the blade 32 and the swing of the rib 34B at the position in contact with the blade 32 are each performed three times. I am doing so.

  On the other hand, in the careful mode, the air filter 18 is reciprocated three times. Further, in the first reciprocating conveyance of the air filter 18, the brush 30 and the rib 34 </ b> B are swung three times after the forward conveyance and the backward conveyance of the air filter 18. In the second and third reciprocating conveyances of the air filter 18, the brush 30 and the ribs 34 </ b> B are oscillated once each after the conveyance of the air filter 18 in the forward path and the conveyance of the return path.

  In the careful mode, during the second and third reciprocating conveyance of the air filter 18, the number of oscillations of the brush 30 and the rib 34B is less than that during the first reciprocating conveyance during the first reciprocating conveyance. Since the amount of dust adhering to the air filter 18 is greatly reduced by the above operation (the same operation as in the standard mode), the brush 30 and the blade 32 can be sufficiently moved only by swinging the brush 30 and the rib 34B once. This is because the adhering dust can be removed. Further, the time required for the careful mode can be shortened by setting the number of times the brush 30 and the rib 34B are swung one time during the second and third reciprocating conveyances of the air filter 18.

  Next, the configuration of the blade 32, the blade holding unit 38, and the dust collection unit 36 will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing configurations of the blade 32, the blade holding unit 38, and the dust collection unit 36. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing configurations of the blade 32, the blade holding unit 38, and the dust collection unit 36.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the dust collection unit 36 includes a plurality of support members 42 that extend from the bottom surface toward the upper opening and rotatably support the blade holding unit 38. Each support member 42 is configured by, for example, a plate-like member. The plurality of support members 42 can suppress the bending of the blade holding portion 38 and ensure a wide dust collection space in the dust collection portion 36.

  The blade holding part 38 is detachably attached in the vicinity of the upper opening of the dust collecting part 36. Since the blade holding part 38 is detachable, the blade holding part 38 can be removed from the dust collecting part 36 and the both can be easily cleaned.

  Further, the blade holding portion 38 holds the base end portion 32B of the blade 32 so that the extending direction of the base end portion 32B of the blade 32 is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the brush 30. In other words, the blade holding portion 38 has a base end portion of the blade 32 such that the extending direction of the base end portion 32B of the blade 32 is inclined with respect to the width direction X and the depth direction Y of the indoor unit when viewed from above. 32B is held. For this reason, when the brush 30 rotates, the position where the brush 30 contacts the blade 32 changes with time. Thereby, the load applied to the brush holding part 34 can be reduced (dispersed), and the torque of the brush holding part 34 can be reduced.

  Further, in the blade 32, the inclination angle of the extending direction of the distal end portion 32A with respect to the extending direction of the brush 30 (width direction X of the indoor unit) is inclined in the extending direction of the base end portion 32B with respect to the extending direction of the brush 30. It is formed in a shape in which the plate-like member is twisted so as to be smaller than the angle. As a result, the brush 30 and the end portion 32A of the blade 32 can be contacted more uniformly, and the removal unevenness of dust attached to the brush 30 by the end portion 32A of the blade 32 can be reduced.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, it is preferable that the length of the blade 32 located in the rotation locus 30C of the brush 30 is configured to be substantially uniform. Accordingly, the brush 30 and the end portion 32A of the blade 32 can be brought into substantially uniform contact with each other at any portion of the end portion 32A of the blade 32, and dust adhering to the brush 30 by the end portion 32A of the blade 32 can be prevented. Removal unevenness can be further reduced. 13 shows that the straight line connecting the rotation shaft 30D of the brush 30 and one end of the blade 32 and the straight line connecting the rotation shaft 30D of the brush 30 and the other end of the blade 32 are inclined at an angle θ. An example in which a twist is added to 32 is shown.

  22, in the extending direction X of the brush 30, the length L1 of the brush 30 is longer than the length L2 of the mesh portion 18B of the air filter 18, and the length between the gears 18D of the air filter 18 is longer. The length is preferably shorter than L2. Thereby, it is possible to improve the removal efficiency of dust adhering to the mesh portion 18B of the air filter 18, and to suppress the grease applied to the normal gear 18D from adhering to the brush 30.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the length L4 of the blade 32 in the extending direction X of the brush 30 is preferably equal to or longer than the length L1 of the brush 30. Thereby, the dust adhering to the brush 30 can be removed over the entire brush 30 by the blade 32. In addition, the inclination angle α of the extending direction of the blade 32 with respect to the extending direction X of the brush 30 is, for example, 10 ° to 15 °.

  In addition, it is preferable that convex part 32Aa is provided in the position which contacts the brush 30 in the terminal part 32A of the braid | blade 32, as shown in FIG. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the dust from adhering to the blade 32 itself and to improve the effect of removing the dust adhering to the brush 30.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the upper opening of the dust collecting part 36 is viewed from above and divided into two openings 44A and 44B with the blade holding part 38 as a boundary, the side on which the convex part 32Aa is located. It is preferable that the opening 44A is configured to be larger than the opening 44B on the side where the convex portion 32Aa is not located. Thereby, the dust adhering to the brush 30 scraped off by the convex portion 32Aa can be accumulated in the dust collecting portion 36 through the wider opening 44A, and the dust collecting efficiency can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the blade holding portion 38 includes a first holding portion 38A that holds the base end portion 32B on the side where the convex portion 32Aa is located, and a base end portion on the side where the convex portion 32Aa is not located. It is preferable that the second holding portion 38B protrudes closer to the end portion 32A side of the blade 32 than the first holding portion 38A. Thereby, it can suppress that the braid | blade 32 falls to the side in which convex-shaped part 32Aa is not located, ie, the smaller opening part 44B side. As a result, the dust adhering to the brush 30 can be more reliably collected in the dust collecting part 36 through the wide opening 44A, and the dust collecting efficiency can be improved.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the dust collection | recovery part 36 is provided below the brush 30 so that attachment or detachment is possible over the full width of an indoor unit. As a result, more dust can be collected by one dust collecting unit 36, and usability can be improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, it is preferable that a plurality of blades 32 be provided in the dust collection unit 36. Thereby, the inclination angle of the extending direction of each blade 32 with respect to the extending direction X of the brush 30 can be made larger than when one blade 32 is provided in the dust collecting part 36. As a result, the load on the brush holder 34 can be further reduced (dispersed), and the torque of the brush holder 34 can be reduced.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the dust collecting unit 36 is preferably provided with a slide member 39 that holds one end of each of the two blade holding units 38 from above to prevent the dust collecting unit 36 from coming off. According to this configuration, by sliding the slide member 39 in the depth direction Y of the indoor unit, the two blade holding units 38 can be easily attached to and detached from the dust collecting unit 36.

  Next, the operation | movement which compresses the dust collect | recovered in the dust collection | recovery part 36 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing how the blade 32 compresses the dust collected in the dust collection unit 36. The dust compression operation in the dust collection unit 36 is performed under the control of a control unit (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 15, the dust collection unit 36 is provided with a partition wall 36 </ b> A that is located in the rotation locus 32 </ b> C of the blade 32 and divides the space in the dust collection unit 36 in the front and rear directions. The partition wall 36 </ b> A is erected upward from the bottom of the dust collection unit 36. The dust collected in the space in front of the dust collecting unit 36 (left side in FIG. 15) is rotated in the positive direction around the rotation shaft 32D so that the blade 32 rotates between the side surface of the blade 32 and the surface of the partition wall 36A. Compressed by being sandwiched between The dust collected in the space behind the dust collection part 36 (right side in FIG. 15) is rotated in the opposite direction around the rotation shaft 32D, and the blade 32 is rotated between the side surface of the blade 32 and the surface of the partition wall 36A. Compressed by being sandwiched between

  As shown in FIG. 15, by providing the partition wall 36 </ b> A, the dust in the dust collecting unit 36 can be more efficiently compressed between the surface of the partition wall 36 </ b> A and the side surface of the blade 32.

  The rotation shaft 32D of the blade 32 is preferably located in the vicinity of the base end portion 32B of the blade 32. In this case, more dust in the dust collection unit 36 can be compressed on the side surface of the blade 32 than when the rotary shaft 32D is provided on the end portion 32A side of the blade 32, and the dust in the dust collection unit 36 is compressed. Efficiency can be improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, it is preferable that the end portion 32 </ b> A of the blade 32 is configured to come into contact with the inner surface (for example, a side surface) of the dust collecting unit 36 when the blade 32 rotates. Since the end portion 32A of the blade 32 is in contact with the inner surface of the dust collecting unit 36, the blade 32 can collect dust in the dust collecting unit 36 in a wider range, and the compression efficiency of the dust in the dust collecting unit 36 is improved. Can be further improved.

  As mentioned above, according to the air conditioner concerning this Embodiment, when the filter conveyance apparatus 22 conveys the air filter 18, the brush holding | maintenance part 34 fixes the brush 30 in the position which contacts the air filter 18. FIG. . Thereby, the dust adhering to the air filter 18 can be dammed by the brush 30 fixed at a fixed position, and can be accumulated on the upstream side in the transport direction of the air filter 18 of the brush 30. At this time, dust is entangled and collected like a paper bag, so that the efficiency of removing dust attached to the air filter 18 can be improved.

  Further, according to the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, when the filter transport device 22 transports the air filter 18 until the brush 30 is located outside the cleaning region of the air filter 18, the brush holding unit 34 removes the brush 30. The blade 32 is brought into contact with the blade 32. That is, the brush 30 to which the dust is attached is brought into contact with the blade 32 away from the air filter 18 and the dust is collected by the dust collecting unit 36. At this time, since most of the dust is in a state of being collected like a paper bag, it is possible to prevent the dust from scattering and reattaching to the air filter 18. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the efficiency of removing dust attached to the air filter 18.

  Moreover, according to the air conditioner concerning this Embodiment, since the brush holding | maintenance part 34 is provided with the induction | guidance | derivation part 34A, the air filter 18 can be conveyed along a conveyance path | route more reliably, and air It is possible to prevent the brush 30 from being caught in the mesh portion 18B of the filter 18.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 23, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment preferably includes a notification unit 48 that notifies the timing of discarding the dust in the dust collection unit 36. Accordingly, it is possible to know an appropriate timing for discarding the dust in the dust collection unit 36 without removing the dust collection unit 36.

  The notification unit 48 is preferably configured to notify not only the timing of discarding the dust in the dust collection unit 36 but also that the timing is approaching. For example, the notification unit 48 lights (or blinks) the LED after a predetermined time (for example, 2000 hours) has elapsed since the dust in the dust collection unit 36 was replaced last time, and then further for a predetermined time (for example, 120 hours). It is preferable that the LED is configured to blink (or turn on) after elapse. Thereby, usability can be further improved.

  In addition, when the timing for discarding the dust in the dust collecting unit 36 comes, it is preferable to stop each cleaning operation. Thereby, it is possible to prevent further dust from being collected in the dust collecting unit 36.

As shown in FIG. 23, the notification unit 48 is not limited to being provided in the indoor unit, and may be provided in a remote controller (not shown).
Further, the notification method by the notification unit 48 is not limited to blinking or lighting the LED, and may be notified by voice, for example.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the timing of discarding the dust in the dust collecting unit 36 can be set by a remote controller (not shown). For example, it is preferable that a predetermined time from when the dust in the dust collecting unit 36 is replaced to when the LED is turned on can be set by a remote controller (not shown) between 1000 hours and 4000 hours. Thereby, usability can be further improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can implement in another various aspect.

  As described above, since the air conditioner according to the present invention can improve the removal efficiency of dust attached to the air filter, it is useful as various air conditioners including an air conditioner used in general households. is there.

2 Main Body 2a Front Opening 2b Top Opening 2c Rib 4 Front Panel 6 Heat Exchanger 8 Fan 10 Discharge Port 12 Vertical Air Direction Changing Blade 14 Left / Right Air Direction Changing Blade 16 Ventilation Path 18 Air Filter 18A Tip 18B Net Part 18C Rear End Portion 18D Gear 20 Filter holding member 20A First holding space 20B Second holding space 20C Filter cover 20D Rotating shaft 22 Filter conveying device 24 Shaft 26 Gear 27 Motor 28 Guide member 30 Brush 30A End portion 30B Base end portion 30C Rotating locus 30D Rotating shaft 32 Blade 32A Terminal portion 32Aa Convex portion 32B Base end portion 32C Rotating locus 32D Rotating shaft 34 Brush holding unit (brush moving device)
34A Guide part 34B Rib 36 Dust collection part 36A Partition wall 38 Blade holding part (blade rotating device)
38A 1st holding part 38B 2nd holding part 40 Pressing member 42 Support member 44A, 44B Opening part 46 Resin film 48 Notification part

Claims (9)

An air conditioner having a filter cleaning function for automatically cleaning dust attached to an air filter built in an indoor unit,
A filter transport device for transporting the air filter;
A brush for removing dust adhering to the air filter;
A blade provided below the brush for removing dust adhering to the brush;
A dust collecting unit for collecting dust removed by the brush and blade;
A brush moving device for moving the brush;
With
When the filter transport device transports the air filter, the brush moving device fixes the brush at a position in contact with the air filter,
When the filter transport device transports the air filter until the brush is located outside the cleaning region of the air filter, the brush moving device moves the brush so as to contact the blade.   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the brush moving device continues the fixed state of the brush while the brush is in contact with the cleaning region of the air filter. The filter transport device is configured to reciprocately transport the air filter,
When the filter transport device stops the air filter to switch the transport direction of the air filter from the forward path to the return path, the brush moving device moves the brush so as to contact the blade, and then The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the brush moving device returns the brush to a position in contact with the air filter before the filter transport device transports the air filter to the return path.   The filter transport device includes a shaft around which the air filter is wound, and a gear provided on the shaft, and the air filter rotates in the forward direction or the reverse direction so that the air filter moves in the forward path or the return path. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the air conditioner is configured to move. The brush moving device has a brush holding portion for holding the brush,
The brush holding portion has a guide portion that guides the end portion of the air filter so that it does not come off the conveyance path of the air filter, and the air is interposed between the brush holding portion and the shaft by the filter conveyance device. Before the end portion of the filter is conveyed, the brush is moved away from the air filter and the guide portion is opposed to the shaft.
The air conditioner according to claim 4.   The brush holding part has a rib for removing dust attached to the blade, and the brush comes in contact with the blade to remove dust attached to the blade as the brush holding part rotates. 5. The air conditioner according to 5. A guide member that is provided with a predetermined gap with respect to the shaft, and that guides the air filter to move along the periphery of the shaft;
The air conditioner according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the brush is disposed so as to contact the air filter on the downstream side of the forward path from the guide member.   The said filter conveyance apparatus has a motor which rotates the said gear to a normal direction or a reverse direction, and changes the rotation speed of the said motor at least once during reciprocating conveyance of the said air filter. Air conditioner.   The said brush holding part hold | maintains the said brush so that the terminal part of the said brush can be visually recognized through the space ahead of the said blade at the time of the operation stop of an air conditioner. Air conditioner.

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