JP4432881B2 - Air conditioner filter automatic cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic filter cleaning device for an air conditioner that automatically cleans a filter.

  In a conventional air conditioner filter device, an air filter is provided on the front surface of the heat exchanger to prevent dust from entering the inside of the air conditioner body. It is configured to be detachable so that it can be cleaned.

  The filter device with such a configuration not only requires frequent maintenance, but the air filter gradually clogs until maintenance is performed, resulting in a reduction in the amount of air passing through the heat exchanger. As a result, the air conditioning capacity is reduced, leading to an increase in power consumption.

  For this reason, for the purpose of reducing the maintenance work of the filter, an automatic cleaning device that self-runs on the filter is provided, and the entire surface of the filter is cleaned by reciprocating a plurality of times.

  Under such a configuration, the number of reciprocations determined when the air conditioner is continuously operated for a predetermined time, the suction nozzle self-runs on the air filter, cleans the dust adhering to it, multiple times Therefore, a control device for cleaning the entire surface of the filter has been proposed (unpublished in-house application Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-323374).

  The algorithm of the prior art will be described below using the flowchart of FIG. 9 as an example.

  Normal operation such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, etc. is continuously performed for a long time, and when that time reaches a predetermined time, the fan and the compressor are stopped at 903 in order to automatically shift to the filter cleaning mode 904.

  Then, the process proceeds to the filter cleaning mode 904, and the suction nozzle moves. When the suction nozzle finishes the predetermined reciprocating operation at 905, the filter cleaning is finished, and the air conditioner starts normal operation again in the mode operated before the filter cleaning.

  However, in the above-described prior art, when the air conditioner is continuously operated for a predetermined time, the suction nozzle is reciprocated for a predetermined number of times without considering the use condition of the user and cleaning is performed. Users tend to run out of cleaning frequently, and dust accumulates on the air filter more than expected, resulting in a drop from the specified air volume, resulting in poor air conditioner operating efficiency. It was.

  Further, during the filter cleaning, normal operations such as cooling, heating, and dehumidification of the air conditioner are stopped, so that the indoor environment such as the indoor temperature and humidity changes. However, since the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle is uniquely determined in the conventional technology regardless of the user's intention, the filter cleaning time is longer than necessary depending on the user's usage environment, that is, the air conditioner is operated. Since it was stopped for a long time, the indoor environment could be greatly deteriorated.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises an air filter that removes dust from air passing through a heat exchanger, a suction nozzle that can be driven along the air filter, and a suction device connected to the suction nozzle. In the filter device of the air conditioner, the filter cleaning is performed by automatically reciprocating the suction nozzle when the air conditioner is continuously operated for a predetermined time, and the entire surface of the filter is cleaned by the reciprocation of the plurality of times. The operation of the air conditioner is temporarily stopped before the cleaning, the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle to be performed at the time of one cleaning is determined by the cumulative operation time of the fan motor, and the cleaning is performed after the cleaning. Operation is resumed in the mode .

  With such a configuration, by correcting the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle when the filter cleaning is automatically performed during a predetermined time continuous operation of the air conditioner based on the cumulative operation time of the fan motor, The number of cleanings corresponding to the quantity can be carried out.

  Also, the filter automatic cleaning device of the air conditioner of the present invention allows the user to select the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle during filter cleaning, and the cumulative operation of the fan motor is determined based on the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle determined by the user. Since the filter cleaning is automatically performed when the time has elapsed, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user and to perform the cleaning at a timing that matches the assumed amount of dust.

  In addition to the operating time of the fan motor, the amount of dust adhering to the airflow that the air conditioner is operating in order to more accurately estimate the amount of dust depends on the airflow selected by the user. The operation time of the fan motor that determines the number of reciprocations described above can be corrected.

  In addition, in order to carry out more accurate assumptions, the operating time of the fan motor, which determines the number of reciprocations described above, is determined not by the tap of the fan motor but by the rotational speed of the fan motor that is actually operating the air conditioner. Can do.

  Further, in an air conditioner equipped with a dust sensor capable of detecting indoor dust, it is possible to assume more accurately by correcting the coefficient converted from the detected dust sensor value to the fan motor cumulative operation time.

The air conditioner of the present invention does not require regular maintenance, easily cleans the air filter, performs filter cleaning at a timing that matches the dust amount by appropriately assuming the dust amount, and The user's convenience can be improved because the user can select the number of times of cleaning.

1st invention is a filter apparatus comprised by the air filter which removes the dust of the air which passes a heat exchanger, the suction nozzle which can be driven along the said air filter, and the suction device connected to the said suction nozzle The filter is cleaned by automatically reciprocating the suction nozzle during a predetermined time continuous operation of the air conditioner , and the entire surface of the filter is cleaned by the multiple reciprocations before the cleaning. The operation of the air conditioner is temporarily stopped, and the number of suction nozzle reciprocations to be performed at the time of cleaning is determined by the cumulative operation time of the fan motor for cleaning, and the operation is performed in the operation mode before the stop after the cleaning. By restarting, it is possible to perform the number of cleanings that matches the assumed amount of dust.

A second invention is a filter device comprising an air filter for removing dust of air passing through a heat exchanger, a suction nozzle that can be driven along the air filter, and a suction device connected to the suction nozzle In the air conditioner characterized in that the filter cleaning is performed by reciprocating the suction nozzle, and the entire surface of the filter is cleaned by the reciprocation of the suction nozzle, the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle performed at the time of one cleaning It is possible to improve the convenience of the user by providing an operation means that can determine the user.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the second aspect, the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle is determined based on the cumulative operation time of the fan motor, and the cumulative operation time of the fan motor is determined by the user during continuous operation of the air conditioner. By automatically performing filter cleaning when the number of reciprocations is reached, automatic cleaning can be performed at a timing that matches the amount of dust.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, particularly in the second aspect of the invention, the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle is determined based on the cumulative operation time of the fan motor, and the cumulative operation time of the fan motor is determined by the user when the air conditioner is repeatedly operated for a short time. When the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle is reached, automatic cleaning is performed at the timing that matches the amount of dust by automatically performing filter cleaning at the start or stop of normal operation of the air conditioner such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, etc. Can be implemented.

  In the fifth invention, in particular, in the first, third, and fourth inventions, the cumulative operation time of the fan motor that determines the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle is corrected by the fan speed tap selected by the user, whereby the amount of dust is further increased. It can be assumed with high accuracy.

  In the sixth invention, particularly in the first, third, and fourth inventions, by correcting the cumulative operation time of the fan motor that determines the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle by the rotational speed of the fan motor that is actually operating the air conditioner, Furthermore, the amount of dust can be estimated with higher accuracy.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first, third, and fourth aspects of the invention, in the air conditioner having a dust sensor capable of detecting indoor dust, the fan motor accumulated time is corrected by the value detected by the dust sensor. Thus, the indoor environment can be analyzed more accurately, and the amount of dust can be estimated more accurately.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an air filter cleaning mechanism of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In this figure, the air filter for removing dust from the air passing through the heat exchanger is composed of a filter frame 1001 and a filter net 1002, and a suction nozzle 1003 movable along the surface of the air filter is provided.

  The suction nozzle 1003 can move smoothly with a certain distance from the air filter.

  The suction nozzle 1003 is connected to a suction device 1004, and dust adhering to the air filter is sucked from the suction nozzle 1003.

  Further, as an example of the operation of the suction nozzle, it is operated in the left-right direction. The reciprocal operation is confirmed by turning ON / OFF the limit switch 1005, and the operation direction is switched.

  FIG. 11 shows the structure of an air filter cleaning mechanism in the air conditioner body.

  An air filter frame 1101 is formed on the windward side of the heat exchanger 1102 of the air conditioner body.

  In normal use, when the fan 1103 is operated, wind is generated and heat exchange is performed.

  Then, dust is removed by the upwind air filter and accumulated on the filter.

  Reference numeral 1104 denotes an automatically movable upper and lower blade, and reference numeral 1105 denotes a movable panel.

  About the air conditioner comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  FIG. 1 shows a flowchart in the first embodiment of the present invention, in which filter cleaning is performed when an air conditioner is continuously operated for a long time.

  FIG. 2 is a table for determining the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle based on the cumulative operation time of the fan motor.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 102 indicates whether or not the normal operation has been performed for a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours). When the normal operation is performed for 24 hours, the indoor fan is stopped based on this.

  At that time, the cumulative operation time of the fan motor is calculated. Based on the accumulated operation time, it is determined by the suction nozzle reciprocation frequency determination means at 104.

  FIG. 2 shows the details of this determination. Based on the accumulated operation time of the indoor FM, the number of reciprocations per cleaning of the suction nozzle is determined.

  When the operation time is less than 3 hours, the cleaning is not performed. The longer the operation time is, the longer the operation time is, the more the number of cleanings is,

  When it is confirmed that the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle determined based on this table has finished the prescribed number in 107, the suction nozzle and the suction device are stopped based on the completion of the cleaning in 108.

  After completing the above movement, the air conditioner starts normal operation again in the operation mode before filter cleaning.

  That is, the reciprocation of the suction nozzle is determined based on the cumulative operation time of the air motor fan motor.

  From the above, it is possible to perform the number of cleanings that matches the amount of dust assumed.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart in the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the user selects the reciprocating number of suction nozzles during filter cleaning, and performs automatic filter cleaning when the air conditioner is operated continuously for a long time. To do.

  In FIG. 3, the cumulative operation time of the fan motor is always calculated at 302. At 303, the fan motor cumulative operation time is determined based on the number of suction nozzle reciprocations during filter cleaning set by the user using a remote controller or the like.

  FIG. 2 shows the details of this determination. Then, it is determined whether or not the cumulative operation time determined at 304 has elapsed. If the predetermined cumulative operation time has not elapsed, normal operation is continued, and if it has elapsed, automatic filter cleaning is performed at 305. Therefore, the function of the indoor fan stops and the filter cleaning starts.

  Then, when the suction nozzle reciprocates the number of times set by the user in 307, the suction nozzle and the suction device are stopped based on the completion of the cleaning of 308.

  After completing the above movement, the air conditioner starts normal operation again in the operation mode before filter cleaning.

  That is, the user can select the number of suction nozzle reciprocations during filter cleaning, and the filter cleaning is automatically started when the accumulated fan motor time corresponding to the set number of times is satisfied.

  As described above, the convenience of the user is improved, and the filter cleaning can be performed at a timing that matches the assumed amount of dust.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart in the third embodiment of the present invention. The filter is automatically selected when the air conditioner is stopped when the user selects the reciprocating number of suction nozzles during filter cleaning and the air conditioner is repeatedly operated for a short time. Clean up.

  In FIG. 4, the cumulative operation time of the fan motor is always calculated at 402. In 403, the fan motor cumulative operation time is determined based on the number of suction nozzle reciprocations during filter cleaning set by the user using a remote controller or the like.

  FIG. 2 shows the details of this determination. Reference numeral 404 denotes a means for stopping the main body by a remote controller or the like. Based on this means, the indoor and outdoor fans and compressors are stopped.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the accumulated operation time determined in 405 has elapsed. If the specified accumulated operation time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to 409 to stop the normal operation, and if it has elapsed, the filter cleaning is performed in 406. To start.

  When the suction nozzle reciprocates the number of times set by the user in 407, the suction nozzle and the suction device are stopped based on the completion of the cleaning in 408.

  The above movement is completed and the air conditioner stops. That is, the user can select the number of times of suction nozzle reciprocation at the time of filter cleaning, and the filter cleaning is automatically started when the accumulated time of the fan motor corresponding to the set number of times is satisfied when the air conditioner is repeatedly stopped for a short time.

  As described above, the convenience of the user is improved, and the filter cleaning can be performed at a timing that matches the assumed amount of dust even when operated for a short time.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 is a table of the fan motor cumulative operation time by the fan speed tap in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The amount of accumulated dust varies depending on the fan speed tap selected by the user. Those who have selected a high fan speed tap have an increased amount of dust accumulation, and those who have selected a low fan speed tap have a small amount of dust accumulation. The relationship is shown in FIG.

  As a result, FIG. 6 shows the ratio of the dust accumulation amount to the air amount under a certain environment.

  As shown in the figure, there is a correlation between the relations. When the air volume is high, the dust accumulation amount is large, and when the air volume is low, the dust accumulation amount is small.

  In this way, assuming the amount of dust accumulation due to different fan speed taps, the operation time of the fan motor that determines the number of reciprocations described above is corrected by the fan speed tap selected by the user. This makes it possible to carry out filter cleaning that matches the amount of good dust.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 7 is a table of the fan motor cumulative operation time according to the fan motor rotation speed in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  Even if the fan speed tap selected by the user is constant, it is not necessarily constant, such as when the rotational speed of the fan motor is decreased at the air conditioner after the predetermined temperature is reached.

  Therefore, it is possible to carry out filter cleaning that matches the amount of dust more accurately by correcting the operation time of the fan motor that determines the number of reciprocations described above based on the number of rotations of the air conditioner actually operating. It is a thing.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 8 is a table of fan motor cumulative operation time by the dust sensor according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, level 3 indicates that the amount of dust in the air is large and level 0 is small, and the higher the level, the larger the amount of dust accumulated in the air filter.

Depending on the environment in which the user air conditioner is used, there is a difference in the amount of dust floating in the air. Therefore, the number of reciprocations described above is determined by the value detected by the dust sensor provided in the air conditioner. By correcting the cumulative operation time of the fan motor to be determined, it is possible to analyze the usage environment with better accuracy and to carry out cleaning that matches the amount of dust attached to the air filter.

  As described above, the air conditioner according to the present invention does not require regular maintenance, and the effect is maximized by performing cleaning that matches the amount of dust when performing easy air filter cleaning. And can be applied to various air conditioners.

Control flowchart in the first embodiment of the present invention Explanatory drawing of the number of reciprocating nozzles in the first embodiment of the present invention Control flowchart in the second embodiment of the present invention Control flowchart in the third embodiment of the present invention The figure of FM accumulated operation time correction value in the 4th embodiment of the present invention Correlation diagram between air volume and dust accumulation The figure of FM accumulated operation time correction value in the 5th Embodiment of this invention The figure of FM accumulation operation time correction value in a 6th embodiment of the present invention Control flowchart in conventional example Air filter cleaning mechanism diagram of air conditioner Configuration diagram of air filter cleaning mechanism

1001 Filter frame 1002 Filter net 1003 Suction nozzle 1004 Suction device 1005 Limit SW
1101 Filter frame 1102 Heat exchanger 1103 Fan 1104 Upper and lower blades 1105 Movable panel

Claims (7)

In an air conditioner filter device comprising an air filter that removes dust from the air passing through the heat exchanger, a suction nozzle that can be driven along the air filter, and a suction device connected to the suction nozzle. The filter is cleaned by automatically reciprocating the suction nozzle during a predetermined time of continuous operation of the air conditioner , and the entire surface of the filter is cleaned by the reciprocation multiple times , and the air conditioner is operated before the cleaning. once stopped, and characterized in that the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle to be carried out during a single cleaning clean as determined by the cumulative operating time of the fan motor, to resume operation in the operation mode before the stop after the said cleaning Automatic air conditioner filter cleaning device. Comprising an air filter for removing dust in the air passing through the heat exchanger, a suction nozzle which can be driven along the air filter, a filter device constituted by linked suction device to the suction nozzle, the suction the filter cleaning performed by reciprocating the nozzle, the automatic filter cleaning device of the air conditioner is characterized in that to clean the filter the entire surface by the plurality of times of reciprocation, the reciprocating of the suction nozzle to be carried out during a single cleaning 2. The filter automatic cleaning device for an air conditioner according to claim 1 , further comprising operation means for allowing the user to determine the number of times. The number of suction nozzle reciprocations is determined based on the cumulative operation time of the fan motor, and when the air conditioner is in continuous operation, the filter cleaning is automatically performed when the cumulative operation time of the fan motor reaches the number of suction nozzle reciprocations determined by the user. It implements, The filter automatic cleaning apparatus of the air conditioner of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle is determined based on the cumulative operation time of the fan motor.When the air conditioner is repeatedly operated for a short time, when the cumulative operation time of the fan motor reaches the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle determined by the user, The automatic filter cleaning device for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the filter cleaning is automatically performed at the start or stop of normal operation of the air conditioner such as heating and dehumidification. 5. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the accumulated operation time of the fan motor that determines the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle is corrected according to a fan speed tap selected by a user. Automatic filter cleaning device. The cumulative operation time of the fan motor that determines the number of reciprocations of the suction nozzle is corrected according to the actual rotational speed of the fan motor of the air conditioner. Air conditioner filter automatic cleaning device. 5. The dust sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a dust sensor configured to detect an amount of dust in the room, wherein the fan motor accumulated time is corrected according to a value detected by the dust sensor. Air conditioner filter automatic cleaning device.

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