JP2016125704A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that in an air conditioner in which a drive gear is arranged inside a folding portion of a drive belt, torque of a drive motor for driving the drive gear is made large.SOLUTION: An air conditioner has a drive belt 21 to which cleaning means is attached, and a drive gear (drive means) 22 driving the drive belt 21. On the outer periphery of the drive belt 21, a plurality of projection parts 31 are formed, and the drive gear (drive means) 22 is arranged outside the drive belt 21 and engaged to the projection parts 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner including a filter cleaning mechanism.

  Conventionally, an air conditioner (indoor unit) in which a filter is arranged on the windward side of the heat exchanger so that dust contained in the indoor air sucked from the suction port does not flow to the heat exchanger is known. . In particular, in recent years, an air conditioner having a filter cleaning mechanism that automatically removes dust adhering to a filter has been provided.

  For example, the filter cleaning mechanism described in Patent Document 1 includes a cleaning brush 330 that removes dust adhering to the filter 6, a drive belt 240 to which the cleaning brush 330 is attached and both ends are fixed to the take-up reels 234 and 235, And a drive gear (drive means) 233 for rotating the take-up reels 234 and 235. In this filter cleaning mechanism, the drive belt 240 is driven by the drive gear 233 rotating the take-up reels 234, 235, and the cleaning brush 330 moves along the filter 6. As a result, the dust adhering to the filter 6 is removed by the cleaning brush 330.

JP 2008-121990 A

  In the filter cleaning mechanism as described above, as shown in FIG. 7, the drive belt 51 to which the cleaning means or the filter is attached is formed in an annular shape, and the drive gears (drive means) 54 and 55 are folded portions of the drive belt 51. One arranged inside 52 is conceivable. In this filter cleaning mechanism, a plurality of convex portions 53 are formed on the inner periphery of the drive belt 51, and the gear portions of the drive gears 54 and 55 are engaged with the convex portions 53. As a result, when the drive gears 54 and 55 are driven, the drive belt 51 rotates and the cleaning means or the filter moves.

  However, in the above-described filter cleaning mechanism, in the folded portion 52 of the drive belt 51, the distance between the adjacent convex portion 53 and the convex portion 53 is narrowed, so that the driving force necessary to drive the drive belt 51 increases. As a result, there is a problem that the torque of the drive motor that drives the drive gears (drive means) 54 and 55 increases.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can prevent an increase in torque of a drive motor that drives a drive means.

  An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a casing having a suction port, a filter disposed so as to face the suction port, a cleaning unit that removes dust attached to the filter, and the filter or the cleaning device. A driving mechanism that drives the driving belt. The driving mechanism includes a driving belt to which the filter or the cleaning means is attached and at least one end folded back in a U-shape, and a driving means that drives the driving belt. A plurality of convex portions are formed on the outer periphery of the driving belt, and the driving means is disposed outside the driving belt and meshes with the convex portions.

  In this air conditioner, a plurality of convex portions are formed on the outer periphery of the driving belt, and the driving means is arranged outside the driving belt and meshes with the convex portions. Compared with the case where it is arranged inside, it is possible to prevent the torque of the drive motor that drives the drive means from increasing.

  An air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the drive means is disposed outside the outside of the drive belt other than the outside of the folded portion folded in a U shape. It is characterized by that.

  In the case where a plurality of protrusions are provided on the outer periphery of the drive belt, the distance between the adjacent protrusions increases in the folded portion of the drive belt, so that the drive means is disposed outside the folded portion of the drive belt. It is conceivable that the drive belt is difficult to drive. In this respect, in this air conditioner, since the driving means is disposed outside the folded portion of the driving belt, it is easy to drive the driving belt.

  An air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first or second aspect of the invention, further comprising a heat exchanger disposed on the leeward side of the filter, wherein the drive belt is It arrange | positions at the longitudinal direction outer side of a heat exchanger, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In this air conditioner, since the drive belt is disposed on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger, it is possible to prevent the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger from being lowered.

  An air conditioner according to a fourth invention is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the heat exchanger is a front heat exchanger disposed on the front side in the casing; A back heat exchanger disposed on the back side of the front heat exchanger, and the front heat exchanger and the back heat exchanger are disposed so as to protrude upward, and the driving means Is disposed below the top of the heat exchanger and in front of the front heat exchanger, or below the top of the heat exchanger and on the back side of the back heat exchanger. It is characterized by that.

  In this air conditioner, the distance between the upper surface of the casing and the top of the heat exchanger can be shortened, and the drive means can be arranged in a vacant space in the casing, thereby preventing the air conditioner from becoming large. it can.

  An air conditioner according to a fifth invention is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the drive mechanism drives the cleaning means, and the cleaning means is the drive belt. And the filter is fixed in the casing.

  When the drive mechanism is for driving a filter, a configuration of the filter may be one in which the filter is formed in an annular shape. And when a filter is formed in an annular shape, there is a problem that air resistance increases because the filter is doubled. In this respect, in this air conditioner, the drive mechanism drives the cleaning means, and the filter is fixed in the casing, so there is no need to double the filter. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the air resistance from increasing due to the double filter.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the first invention, a plurality of convex portions are formed on the outer periphery of the driving belt, and the driving means is arranged outside the driving belt and meshes with the convex portions. Compared with the case where it is arranged inside, it is possible to prevent the torque of the drive motor that drives the drive means from increasing.

  In the second aspect of the invention, since the driving means is disposed outside the folded portion of the driving belt, it is easier to prevent the torque of the driving motor from increasing.

  In 3rd invention, since a drive belt is arrange | positioned at the longitudinal direction outer side of a heat exchanger, it can prevent that the heat exchange efficiency of a heat exchanger falls.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, the distance between the upper surface of the casing and the top of the heat exchanger can be shortened, and the drive means can be arranged in a vacant space in the casing, thereby preventing the air conditioner from becoming large. it can.

  In the fifth invention, the drive mechanism drives the cleaning means, and the filter is fixed in the casing, so there is no need to double the filter. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the air resistance from increasing due to the double filter.

1 is an external view of an air conditioner (indoor unit) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the air conditioner shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the inside of an air conditioner from the top. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a drive mechanism. It is the A section enlarged view of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the air conditioner (indoor unit) concerning the modification of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the conventional filter cleaning mechanism.

  Hereinafter, an air conditioner (indoor unit) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Overall configuration of indoor unit]
As shown in FIG. 1, the indoor unit (air conditioner) 1 has an elongated shape in one direction as a whole, and is installed on the wall surface of the room so that the longitudinal direction is horizontal. The indoor unit 1 is operated with an outdoor unit (not shown) to perform an air conditioning operation (cooling operation, heating operation, etc.). In the following description, the direction protruding from the wall to which the indoor unit 1 is attached is referred to as “front”, and the opposite direction is referred to as “rear”. Further, the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 1 is referred to as “left-right direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 1 includes a casing 2, a filter 3, a blower fan 4, a heat exchanger 5, a filter cleaning mechanism 10, an electrical component box (not shown), and the like. The filter 3, the blower fan 4, the heat exchanger 5, the filter cleaning mechanism 10 and the electrical component box are accommodated in the casing 2.

  A suction port 2 a is formed on the upper surface of the casing 2, and an air outlet 2 b is formed on the lower surface of the casing 2. In the vicinity of the air outlet 2b, a horizontal flap 7 for adjusting the wind direction in the vertical direction and opening and closing the air outlet 2b is disposed. The front surface of the casing 2 is covered with a front panel 6. The front panel 6 opens the front surface of the casing 2 by rotating so that the lower end side is separated from the casing 2 with the upper end side as a fulcrum.

  The filter 3 is a net woven or plain twilled with resin yarn. Since the filter 3 is not provided with reinforcing edges and ribs as found in a general filter, it cannot maintain a stable shape by itself. For this reason, the filter 3 maintains its shape by being supported by a filter guide (not shown).

  The filter 3 is disposed so as to face the suction port 2a and cover the heat exchanger 5, and is fixed in the casing 2 so as not to move to the main guide 8 (see FIG. 3). The blower fan 4 is a cross flow fan, and is arranged such that its axial direction is along the horizontal direction. The blower fan 4 is configured to suck air from above and blow it downward. The heat exchanger 5 is provided on the leeward side of the filter 3 and is disposed so as to surround the front, upper, and rear of the blower fan 4. The heat exchanger 5 is disposed on the front side in the casing 2 and is disposed on the rear side in the casing 2 with respect to the front heat exchanger 5a covering the front and upper sides of the blower fan 4 and the front heat exchanger 5a. And a rear heat exchanger 5b covering the upper and rear sides of the fan 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the front heat exchanger 5 a and the back heat exchanger 5 b are arranged so as to be convex upward (inverted V shape in cross-sectional view).

  In the indoor unit 1, during the air conditioning operation, the blower fan 4 is driven so that the indoor air is sucked from the suction port 2 a, and the sucked air passes through the filter 3 and is contained in the air. After being removed, it is heated or cooled in the heat exchanger 5 and blown out from the outlet 2b.

[Filter cleaning mechanism]
In the indoor unit 1, the filter cleaning operation is performed by the filter cleaning mechanism 10. This filter cleaning operation is performed automatically, for example, after the air-conditioning operation is completed, or when a filter cleaning operation instruction is received from a remote controller attached to the indoor unit 1. Hereinafter, the filter cleaning mechanism 10 will be described in detail.

  2 to 4, the filter cleaning mechanism 10 includes a cleaning unit 11 that removes dust attached to the filter 3, two drive mechanisms 12 that drive the cleaning unit 11, and a dust box 13. Yes. As shown in FIG. 3, the two drive mechanisms 12 are respectively attached to both ends of the main guide 8 to which the filter 3 is fixed. Accordingly, the two drive mechanisms 12 are both arranged on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger 5. Since the two drive mechanisms 12 have the same configuration, only one drive mechanism 12 will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning means 11 is a rectangular member extending along the left-right direction (horizontal direction) so as to cover substantially the entire left-right direction of the filter 3. This cleaning means 11 has a brush 14 for removing dust adhering to the filter 3 inside. The drive mechanism 12 includes a drive belt 21 to which the cleaning unit 11 is attached, a drive gear (drive unit) 22 that drives the drive belt 21, and a drive motor 23 that drives the drive gear 22. The drive belt 21 is an annular belt wound between a pair of pulleys 24 and 25. The dust box 13 is disposed below the front end portion of the filter 3.

  In the indoor unit 1, the air conditioning operation is performed in a state where the cleaning unit 11 is stopped at the rear end of the filter 3 (a state where the cleaning unit 11 is stopped at the initial position). When the filter cleaning operation is started, the drive gear 22 is rotated by the drive motor 23 and the drive belt 21 is moved. When the drive belt 21 moves, the cleaning means 11 moves from the rear end portion of the filter 3 toward the front end portion. At this time, the dust adhered to the filter 3 is removed by the brush 14 in contact with the filter 3. The removed dust is stored in the dust box 13 when the cleaning means 11 reaches the front end of the filter 3. Even after the cleaning means 11 reaches the front end of the filter 3, the drive belt 21 moves, so that the cleaning means 11 moves from the front end to the rear end of the filter 3 and returns to the initial position. . In addition, when the cleaning means 11 moves from the front end portion toward the rear end portion of the filter 3, the brush 14 of the cleaning means 11 is configured not to contact the filter 3.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the drive belt 21 extends along the extending direction of the filter 3, and both ends of the drive belt 21 are formed in a U shape by two pulleys 24 and 25 arranged on the inner side. Wrapped. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of (many) convex portions 31 (concave portions, gear meshing portions) are formed on the entire outer periphery of the drive belt 21. In FIG. 5, reference numerals are given to two of the plurality of convex portions 31. This convex part 31 is a cross-sectional view mountain shape, and is arrange | positioned at equal intervals without a clearance gap. The drive gear (drive means) 22 is disposed outside the drive belt 21, and the gear portion 22 a of the drive gear 22 meshes with the convex portion 31 of the drive belt 21. The gear of the drive motor 23 is meshed with the drive gear 22.

  The drive belt 21 includes a folded portion 32 that is folded in a U shape by two pulleys 24 and 25, and an extending portion 33 that is other than the folded portion 32. The drive gear (drive means) 22 is disposed in an extended portion 33 other than the folded portion 32 on the outside of the drive belt 21. The drive gear 22 is formed on the convex portion 31 of the drive belt 21 in a straight portion that is not particularly curved in the extended portion 33 (that is, a portion where the distance between adjacent convex portions 31 is not easily narrowed or spread). I'm engaged. Therefore, the power of the drive gear 22 can be smoothly transmitted to the drive belt 21. As a result, the torque of the drive motor 23 is prevented from increasing. The folded portion 32 of the drive belt 21 refers to a portion that contacts the pulley 24 or the pulley 25.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the drive gear (drive means) 22 and the drive motor 23 are in a space (inside the casing 2) below the top 5 t of the heat exchanger 5 and in front of the front heat exchanger 5 a in a cross-sectional view. It is placed in a free space. Further, the drive gear (drive means) 22 and the drive motor 23 are arranged on the windward side of the filter 3.

[Features of the air conditioner of this embodiment]
The indoor unit (air conditioner) 1 of the present embodiment has the following characteristics.

  In this indoor unit 1, a plurality of convex portions 31 are formed on the outer periphery of the driving belt 21, and the driving gear (driving means) 22 is disposed outside the driving belt 21 and meshes with the convex portions 31. Compared with the case where the drive gear 22 is disposed inside the folded portion 32 of the drive belt 21, it is possible to prevent the torque of the drive motor 23 that drives the drive gear 22 from increasing.

  In addition, in an indoor unit in which a plurality of convex portions are provided on the outer periphery of the drive belt, the spacing between the adjacent convex portions is widened in the folded portion of the drive belt, so the drive means is disposed outside the folded portion of the drive belt. In this case, it may be difficult to drive the drive belt. In this respect, in the indoor unit 1, the drive gear 22 is disposed outside the folded portion 32 of the drive belt 21, so that it is easier to prevent the torque of the drive motor 23 from increasing.

  Moreover, in this indoor unit 1, since the drive belt 21 is arrange | positioned at the longitudinal direction outer side of the heat exchanger 5, it can prevent that the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 5 falls.

  In the indoor unit 1, the distance between the upper surface of the casing 2 and the top 5 t of the heat exchanger 5 can be shortened, and the driving gear (driving means) 22 can be disposed in an empty space in the casing 2. The indoor unit (air conditioner) 1 can be prevented from becoming large.

  Further, when the drive mechanism is for driving a filter, a configuration of the filter may be one in which the filter is formed in an annular shape. And when a filter is formed in an annular shape, there is a problem that air resistance increases because the filter is doubled. In this respect, in this indoor unit 1, the drive gear 22 drives the cleaning means 11, and the filter 3 is fixed in the casing 2, so there is no need to double the filter 3. Therefore, it can be prevented that the filter 3 is doubled and the air resistance is increased.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, it should be thought that the specific structure of this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. The scope of the present invention is shown not only by the description of the above-described embodiment but also by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

[Modification]
Next, an air conditioner (indoor unit) according to a first modification of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the indoor unit 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the case where the cleaning unit 11 is attached to the drive belt 21 of the drive mechanism 12 has been described. However, in the indoor unit according to the first modification, the filter 41 is the drive belt of the drive mechanism 12. 21 is greatly different from the above-described embodiment in that it is attached to 21. In the first modification, the configuration of the drive mechanism 12 is substantially the same as that in the above-described embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above embodiment.

  The filter 41 of this indoor unit is an annular filter wound around two pulleys 42 and 43. The cleaning means 44 is a brush that is disposed below the front end of the filter 41 and rotates coaxially. In this indoor unit, the air conditioning operation is performed with the filter 41 in the initial position. When the filter cleaning operation is started, the drive gear 22 is rotated by the drive motor 23 and the drive belt 21 is moved. When the drive belt 21 moves, the filter 41 moves accordingly. At this time, the dust attached to the filter 41 is removed by the cleaning means 44 in contact with the filter 3. Then, when the filter 41 moves approximately half the circumference, this time, the drive motor 23 is driven in the reverse direction, whereby the drive gear 22 rotates in the reverse direction and the drive belt 21 moves in the reverse direction. When the drive belt 21 moves, the filter 41 moves in the opposite direction, and the filter 41 returns to the initial position.

  In the indoor unit (air conditioner) of this modification, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[Other variations]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the drive belt 21 is an annular belt whose both ends are folded in a U shape has been described. However, at least one end may be folded in a U shape. Therefore, the drive belt may be a U-shaped belt (not an annular belt) whose one end is folded back into a U-shape.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the drive gear (drive means) 22 is arranged outside the drive belt 21 other than the outside of the folded portion 32 folded back in the U shape has been described. 22 may be disposed outside the folded portion 32.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the drive belt 21 is disposed on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger 5 has been described, but the drive belt 21 may be disposed so as to face the heat exchanger 5.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the drive gear (drive means) 22 is disposed below the top 5t of the heat exchanger 5 and on the front side of the front heat exchanger 5a has been described. You may arrange | position below the top part of a heat exchanger, and the back side rather than a back surface heat exchanger. Even in this case, the distance between the upper surface of the casing and the top of the heat exchanger can be shortened, and the driving means can be arranged in a vacant space in the casing, so that the indoor unit (air conditioner) is large. Can be prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, the heat exchanger 5 includes the front heat exchanger 5a disposed on the front side in the casing 2 and the back heat exchanger 5b disposed on the back side of the front heat exchanger 5a. Although it has been described that the front heat exchanger 5a and the rear heat exchanger 5b are arranged so as to protrude upward, the configuration of the heat exchanger is not limited to this. For example, the heat exchanger may have only a front heat exchanger.

  In the above-described embodiment, the drive mechanism 12 drives the cleaning unit 11. The cleaning unit 11 is attached to the drive belt 21 and the filter 3 is fixed in the casing 2. As shown in the above-described modification, the filter 3 may be attached to the drive belt 21 and the drive mechanism 12 may drive the filter.

  By using the present invention, it is possible to prevent the torque of the drive motor that drives the drive means from increasing.

1 Indoor unit (air conditioner)
2 Casing 2a Suction port 3, 41 Filter 5 Heat exchanger 5a Front heat exchanger 5b Rear heat exchanger 5t Top 11, 44 Cleaning means 12 Drive mechanism 21 Drive belt 22 Drive gear (drive means)
31 Convex part 32 Folded part

Claims (5)

A casing having a suction port;
A filter arranged to face the suction port;
Cleaning means for removing dust adhering to the filter;
A drive mechanism for driving the filter or the cleaning means,
The drive mechanism is
A drive belt to which the filter or the cleaning means is attached and at least one end is folded in a U-shape;
Drive means for driving the drive belt,
A plurality of convex portions are formed on the outer periphery of the drive belt,
The air conditioner is characterized in that the driving means is disposed outside the driving belt and meshes with the convex portion.   2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit is disposed outside an outer side of the driving belt other than an outer side of a folded portion folded in a U shape. A heat exchanger disposed on the leeward side of the filter;
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive belt is disposed on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is
A front heat exchanger disposed on the front side in the casing; and a rear heat exchanger disposed on the rear side of the front heat exchanger, and the front heat exchanger and the rear heat exchanger. Is arranged so as to be convex upward,
The driving means includes
It is arranged below the top of the heat exchanger and in front of the front heat exchanger, or arranged below the top of the heat exchanger and on the back side of the back heat exchanger. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The drive mechanism drives the cleaning means,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cleaning unit is attached to the drive belt, and the filter is fixed in the casing.

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