JP6739013B2 - Equipment with dust detector - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus having a dust detector, such as an air cleaner, an air conditioner, and a vacuum cleaner, which is equipped with a dust detector, and more particularly to removal of sensor dirt from the dust detector, that is, a cleaning configuration.

In general, equipment such as an air conditioner has a function of removing dust from the air by a built-in filter and purifying it as well as cooling or heating. Further, some air conditioners of this type are provided with a dust detector for detecting the dust in the air.

The dust detector includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit inside, and the light from the light emitting unit is reflected by dust in the air flowing in the dust detector, and the light receiving unit receives the dust to detect the dust and purify it. The degree is being detected.

In the dust detector configured as described above, part of the dust flowing inside the dust detector adheres and accumulates on the lens surfaces of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit in the dust detector that detects the dust, and the detection accuracy decreases. Come on. Therefore, if necessary, dust accumulated on the lens surfaces of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is removed with a cotton swab or the like, but it is considered that it can be automatically performed because it takes time (for example, See Patent Document 1).

14(a) and 14(b) show an air cleaner described in Patent Document 1, in which an air passage 104 for introducing outside air is provided in an air passage 103 on the main body side of a device having a dust collecting filter 101 and a blower 102. The external air introducing air passage 104 is provided in communication with the dust detector 105, and the dust collecting filter 101 downstream of the equipment main body side air passage 103, in this example, the downstream side of the blower 102 and the outside air introducing air. An air passage 107 for supplying purified air is connected to the upstream side of the passage 104 via a switching valve 106.

When cleaning the dust detector 105, this air purifier switches the dust detector 105 to the purified air supply air passage 107 side to detect the air from the device main body side air passage 103 from the purified air supply air passage 107. The dust detector 105 is poured into the container 105 to clean it.

JP 2001-9226 A

The air cleaner described in Patent Document 1 can automatically clean the inside of the dust detector 105 without any trouble, but the direction of the air flowing inside the dust detector 105 is the dust shown in FIG. The detection state is the same as the dust cleaning inside the dust detector of FIG. Therefore, there is a problem in that the ability of cleaning dust such as dust adhering and accumulated on the lens surfaces of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the dust detector 105 is low, and a sufficient cleaning effect cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object thereof is to provide a device with a dust detector having a high cleaning effect.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is configured to flow the cleaning air flowing in the dust detector in the direction opposite to the direction of the air flow at the time of dust detection.

As a result, the dust and the like that adheres to and accumulates on the lens surface of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit during dust detection is removed from the lens surface by the flow of air in the direction opposite to that during dust detection. It can be removed and a high cleaning effect can be obtained.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY Since the present invention has a high cleaning effect on the dust detector, it is possible to provide a device with a dust detector that exhibits a good dust detection function for a long period of time.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a dust detector used in a device with a dust detector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A schematic cross-sectional view showing the device main body side air passage and the dust detector side air passage of the device with the dust detector (A) (b) Explanatory drawing which shows the air flow of the dust detector side air path at the time of cleaning the same dust detector. A schematic cross-sectional view showing a device main body side air passage and a dust detector side air passage of a device with a dust detector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. (A) (b) Explanatory drawing which shows the air flow of the dust detector side air path at the time of cleaning the same dust detector. A schematic cross-sectional view showing a device main body side air passage and a dust detector side air passage of a device with a dust detector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. (A) (b) Explanatory drawing which shows the air flow of the dust detector side air path at the time of cleaning the same dust detector. Sectional drawing of the air conditioner which is an example of the apparatus with the dust detector of this invention. The perspective view which shows the cleaning unit of the dust collecting filter mounted in the air conditioner. Control block diagram showing a dust cleaning control unit of the air conditioner Flowchart diagram showing the operation of the dust cleaning control unit (A) Schematic configuration diagram showing a dust detection state of the dust detector in a conventional device with a dust detector, (b) Schematic configuration diagram showing a cleaning state of the dust detector

A first aspect of the present invention includes a device main body side air passage having a blower and a dust collecting filter, an outside air introduction air passage, and a dust detector provided in the outside air introduction air passage, wherein the outside air introduction air passage is When cleaning the dust detector, air is made to flow in the opposite direction to the air flow at the time of dust detection.

As a result, the dust on the lens surface of the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the dust detector that adheres and accumulates during dust detection is peeled off from the lens surface by the flow of air in the direction opposite to that during dust detection. It can be removed and a high cleaning effect can be obtained.

A second aspect of the present invention includes a device main body side air passage having a blower and a dust collecting filter, an outside air introduction air passage, and a dust detector provided in the outside air introduction air passage, wherein the dust detector is the outside air. When the dust detector is cleaned by changing the positions of the inlet and the outlet with respect to the introduction air passage, the air flows in the direction opposite to the air flow during dust detection.

As a result, dust and the like on the lens surface of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion that have adhered and accumulated during dust detection can be satisfactorily removed by being removed from the lens surface by the flow of air in the direction opposite to that during dust detection. It is possible to obtain a high cleaning effect.

A third aspect of the invention is to introduce an air flow into the main body side air passage having a blower and a dust collecting filter, an outside air introduction air passage, a dust detector provided in the outside air introduction air passage, and air to the dust detector. A fan capable of rotating in the normal and reverse directions is provided, and the fan is configured to rotate in a direction opposite to that when dust is detected when cleaning the dust detector so that air flows in a direction opposite to that when dust is detected.

As a result, dust and the like on the lens surface of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion that have adhered and accumulated during dust detection can be satisfactorily removed by being removed from the lens surface by the flow of air in the direction opposite to that during dust detection. It is possible to obtain a high cleaning effect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects, the cleaning air is made to flow faster than the dust detection air when cleaning the dust detector.

This improves the effect of removing dust and the like on the lens surfaces of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and a higher cleaning effect can be obtained.

In a fifth aspect based on the first or second aspect, the outside air introducing air passage is in communication with the equipment body side air passage, and the cleaning air is opposite to that when dust is detected by the air flowing through the equipment body side air passage. It is configured to flow in the direction.

As a result, the cleaning effect is improved by the flow in the direction opposite to that when detecting dust, and the air when cleaning the dust detector is accelerated by the suction effect of the air that flows through the air passage on the equipment body side, and the air flow when detecting dust is increased. As a result, the cleaning effect can be greatly improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the fan capable of rotating in the normal and reverse directions is configured such that the rotation during cleaning of the dust detector is made larger than the rotation during dust detection to speed up the air flow.

Accordingly, when cleaning the dust detector, the air flowing through the dust detector becomes faster than when dust is detected, and the cleaning effect can be greatly improved.

In a seventh aspect based on the first to sixth aspects, the dust detector includes a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit provided in the casing, and the casing is provided. The body has a larger volume than the opening area of the outlet that serves as an inlet when cleaning the dust detector.

As a result, the air that flows into the housing during cleaning of the dust detector expands and diffuses inside the housing, and the air that expands and diffuses removes dust and other particles that have adhered and accumulated on the lens surface of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. In addition to enhancing the effect, it is possible to remove dust and the like adhering and accumulating on the inner surface of the housing, and to greatly improve the cleaning effect of the dust detector.

In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the dust detector are arranged such that their axes intersect.

As a result, the light from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit after being reflected by the dust and the like that has adhered and accumulated on the inner surface of the housing, so that the dust that has adhered and accumulated on the inner surface of the housing can be detected and dust detection can be performed. It is possible to accurately detect the amount of dust that has adhered and accumulated in the container.

In a ninth aspect based on the first to eighth aspects, the air after removing dust from the dust detector is configured to pass through a dust collecting filter in the air passage of the main body of the device.

Thus, the dust and the like removed from the dust detector can be captured by the dust collecting filter, and the air discharged from the dust detector can be prevented from being contaminated.

In a tenth aspect based on the first to ninth aspects, the dust collecting filter includes a cleaning unit, and the air after removing dust from the dust detector is exhausted to the outside through the cleaning unit. ..

As a result, the dust and the like removed from the dust detector is discharged outdoors, so that the air discharged from the dust detector can be prevented from polluting the air.

In an eleventh invention according to the first to tenth inventions, a dust cleaning control unit for controlling a cleaning operation of the dust detector is provided, wherein the dust cleaning control unit detects dust adhered and accumulated over a threshold value or detects dust. When the time exceeds a predetermined time, the direction of the air flow in the dust detector is changed.

As a result, the dust detector can be automatically cleaned in a timely manner, which does not bother the user and improves the usability.

In a twelfth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, the dust cleaning control section alternately switches the direction of the air flowing through the dust detector during cleaning.

Thereby, the efficiency of removing dust and the like is improved, and the cleaning effect can be further enhanced.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a dust detector used in a device with a dust detector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a device main body side air passage and a dust detector side air passage of the dust detector equipped device. 3A and 3B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the flow of air in the dust detector side air passage during cleaning of the dust detector.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a dust detector, which is configured by incorporating a light emitting unit 5 and a light receiving unit 6 in a housing 4 having an inflow port 2 and an outflow port 3, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit 5 is a casing. The dust is detected by being reflected by the dust 7 in the air flowing in the body 4 and being received by the light receiving unit 6. The housing 4 has a volume larger than the opening areas of the inflow port 2 and the outflow port 3, and the light emitting section 5 and the light receiving section 6 are arranged so that their axes intersect.

Although the light emitting section 5 emits near infrared rays, it may be laser light or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the dust detector 1 is provided in the outside air introduction air passage 10, and the outside air introduction air passage 10 is provided by the air flowing through the equipment body side air passage 11 of the equipment with the dust detector to the outer peripheral portion of the equipment body. The air flows along with the circulation flow generated in the.

The device main body side air passage 11 is provided with a blower 14 and a dust collecting filter 15 between an inlet 12 and an outlet 13, and air blown into the room by the blower 14 to remove dust and the like from the air to purify air. Is blown into the room, and as described above, a circulation flow is generated in the outer peripheral portion of the device with a dust detector by suction and blowing of air by the blower 14.

In the present embodiment, the flow of air in the outside air introduction air passage 10 is generated along with the circulation flow generated by the blower 14 in the device body side air passage 11, but the housing of the dust detector 1 is further generated. An air flow support means 16 (see FIG. 1) such as a heating element that generates heat or a micro fan that generates an air flow is provided in the body 4 to detect the flow of air in the outside air introduction air passage 10. May be generated.

Here, the outside air introducing air passage 10 leads out an H-shaped cleaning air air passage 17 from both end portions of the dust detector 1, and one of the first air passage portions 17a is the device body side air passage. 11 is connected to the upstream side of the dust collecting filter 15 and the other second air passage part 17b is connected to the downstream side of the dust collecting filter 15 of the device main body side air passage 11, that is, the downstream side of the blower 14 in this example. ing. The first air passage portion 17a, the second air passage portion 17b, and the communication air passage portion 17c that connects these air passages to each other include a switching valve that switches the direction of the air flow in the outside air introduction air passage 10. Switching means 18a, 18b, 18c are provided.

Next, the function and effect of the device with a dust detector configured as described above will be described.

Normally, when dust in the air is detected, the cleaning air air passage 17 is closed by switching means 18a, 18b, 18c as shown in FIG. 2, and the circulation occurring in the outside air introduction air passage 10 around the outer periphery of the device body. Air is introduced and flows by the flow or air flow support means 16 as indicated by the broken line arrow a.

Then, the air indicated by the arrow a flows from the inflow port 2 to the outflow port 3 in the dust detector 1 provided in the outside air introducing air passage 10, and the air flowing from the inflow port 2 to the outflow port 3 is formed. Light from the light emitting unit 5 is emitted, and light reflected by dust or the like contained in the air is received by the light receiving unit 6 to detect dust in the air.

Here, the dust detector 1 of the present embodiment is arranged such that the axes of the light emitting unit 5 and the light receiving unit 6 intersect. From the above, the light from the light emitting unit 5 is also reflected by the dust or the like adhering and accumulated on the inner surface of the housing 4 and reaches the light receiving unit 6, so that the dust adhering and accumulating on the inner surface of the housing can also be detected. it can. Therefore, the dust in the air can be detected in consideration of the amount of dust deposited on the inner surface of the housing, and the amount of dust deposited on the dust detector 1 can be accurately detected.

Next, cleaning of the dust detector 1 will be described. When the dust detection is performed as described above, dust or the like adheres and accumulates on the lens surfaces of the light emitting unit 5 and the light receiving unit 6 of the dust detector 1. Therefore, the dust and the like adhering to and depositing on the lens surfaces of the light emitting unit 5 and the light receiving unit 6 are removed, that is, the dust detector 1 is cleaned.

To clean the dust detector 1, the switching means 18a, 18b, 18c of the cleaning air passage 17 are driven to the positions as shown in FIG. 3A, and the inflow port 2 of the dust detector 1 is connected to the device body side. The air passage 11 is connected to the upstream side of the dust collecting filter 15 and the outlet 3 is connected to the downstream side of the blower 14.

As a result, a suction force acts on the inflow port 2 of the dust detector 1 due to the air flow flowing through the air passage 11 on the device body side, and a flow in the direction opposite to the flow a at the time of dust detection is generated as indicated by the solid arrow b. This air removes dust and the like attached and deposited on the lens surfaces of the light emitting section 5 and the light receiving section 6.

Since the air for removing the dust and the like is the flow b in the direction opposite to the air flow a at the time of dust detection as described above, the dust and the like adhered and deposited on the lens surface of the light emitting unit 5 and the light receiving unit 6. It comes to remove in the form of peeling off, and a high cleaning effect can be obtained.

Further, at the time of cleaning the dust detector 1, the suction force of the air flowing through the air passage 11 on the device body side acts on the dust detector 1 via the air passage 17 for cleaning air. Therefore, the air flowing in the dust detector 1 is accelerated and becomes faster than the air flow at the time of dust detection, and the cleaning effect is greatly improved.

Further, the dust detector 1 has a housing 4 having a volume larger than at least an opening area of the outflow port 3 which serves as an inlet for cleaning air. Therefore, the air that flows into the housing 4 when the dust detector 1 is cleaned expands and diffuses in the housing 4. Therefore, this expansion and diffusion action can enhance the effect of removing dust and the like adhering and depositing on the lens surfaces of the light emitting unit 5 and the light receiving unit 6. Moreover, the expansion and diffusion action makes it possible to remove dust and the like adhering to and deposits on the inner surface of the housing 4, so that the cleaning effect of the dust detector 1 can be greatly improved.

In addition, the air after cleaning the dust detector 1 is configured to pass through the dust collecting filter 15 of the air passage 11 on the device body side. Therefore, the dust and the like removed from the dust detector 1 can be captured by the dust collecting filter 15, and the indoor air can be prevented from being polluted by the air discharged from the dust detector 1.

The dust detector 1 is cleaned as described above, but in the present embodiment, the switching means 18a, 18b, 18c of the cleaning air passage 17 are further driven to the positions shown in FIG. 3(b). The outlet 3 side of the dust detector 1 is made to communicate with the upstream side of the dust collecting filter 15 of the device main body side air passage 11 to create an air flow in the same direction as the arrow c at the time of dust detection, and this flow also causes the light emitting portion. The dust and the like adhering and depositing on the lens surface of 5 and the light receiving portion 6 are removed.

Since the air flow at this time is faster than the flow at the time of dust detection due to the suction force of the air flowing through the device main body side air passage 11 as described above, a high cleaning effect is obtained even if the flow is in the same direction as at the time of dust detection. can get.

Further, in the present embodiment, the flow in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 3(a) and the flow in the direction of arrow c in FIG. 3(b) are alternately repeated, whereby a higher cleaning effect is obtained. It has been obtained.

In addition, in the case of FIG. 3B, cleaning is performed with air containing dust and the like before being purified by the dust collecting filter 15, but the air flow at this time is higher than the flow velocity of air at the time of dust detection. Since it is fast, the dust removing action is exhibited without adhering to and depositing on the lens surfaces of the light emitting unit 5 and the light receiving unit 6.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a device main body side air passage and a dust detector side air passage of a device with a dust detector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are cleaning of the dust detector. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the air of the dust detector side air path at the time. The same parts as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described.

In the second embodiment, the dust detector 1 itself provided in the outside air introduction air passage 10 is made movable so that the air during cleaning of the dust detector 1 flows in the direction opposite to that during dust detection. ..

That is, the dust detector 1 can be moved by the first drive means 20 such as a plunger or a motor to the open portion 19 provided in the cleaning air passage 117 as shown by the arrow d. The cleaning air flow path 117 is provided with switching means 18d and 18e for switching the communication between the device main body side air path 11 and the dust detector 1 in the first air path portion 117a and the second air path portion 117b. ing.

In the above structure, when cleaning the dust detector 1, the first drive means 20 such as a plunger is driven from the dust detection state shown in FIG. 4 to clean the dust detector 1 as shown in FIG. The dust detector 1 is moved to the open portion 19 of the air passage 117 and the switching means 18d and 18e are driven to communicate the dust detector 1 with the air passage 11 on the device body side.

As a result, a flow in the direction indicated by arrow e is generated in the cleaning air wind passage 117 by the air flow flowing in the device main body side air passage 11, and a flow in the direction opposite to that at the time of dust detection is generated in the dust detector 1. Occurs. That is, the air flows from the outlet 3 toward the inlet 2, and the reverse flow removes dust and the like adhering and depositing on the lens surfaces of the light emitting unit 5 and the light receiving unit 6. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, a high cleaning effect can be obtained by the flow of air in the opposite direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the dust detector 1 is rotatable by the second driving means 21 such as a motor as shown by an arrow f, and the inflow port 2 and the outflow port 3 are provided as shown in FIG. 5B. It can be set in the open portion 19 of the air passage 117 for cleaning air by rotating so that the position is opposite to the above.

As a result, the air flows in the same direction g as when the dust is detected, and this air can remove the dust and the like adhering to and depositing on the lens surfaces of the light emitting unit 5 and the light receiving unit 6. As in the first embodiment, this air flow is faster than the dust detection flow due to the suction force of the air flowing through the device main body side air passage 11, so that even in the same direction as the dust detection flow. A high cleaning effect can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the direction of the dust detector 1 is switched between the direction shown in FIG. 5A and the direction shown in FIG. 5B, and the direction of the air flowing through the dust detector 1 is alternately reversed. In this way, a higher cleaning effect can be obtained.

The operational effects other than the above are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a device main body side air passage and a dust detector side air passage of a device with a dust detector according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIGS. 7A and 7B are cleaning of the dust detector. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the air of the dust detector side air path at the time. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described.

In the third embodiment, fans 22 for supplying cleaning air are provided in the outside air introduction air passage 10 so that the air during cleaning of the dust detector 1 flows in the direction opposite to that during dust detection.

That is, the outside air introduction air passage 10 is provided with cleaning air passages 217 at both end portions of the dust detector 1, forward and backward reversible fans 22, 22 are provided in the cleaning air passage 217, and cleaning air passages 217 are provided. The passage 217 and the outside air introducing air passage 10 can be opened and closed by switching means 18f and 18g.

In the above-mentioned configuration, normally, the switching means 18f, 18g close the air passage 217 for cleaning air, and the air passage 10 for introducing outside air has the same circulation flow and air flow support as those in the first embodiment. Air is introduced by the means 16 as indicated by a broken line arrow a to detect dust.

When cleaning the dust detector 1 from such a state, as shown in FIG. 7A, the switching means 18f and 18g are switched to make the dust detector 1 communicate with the cleaning air passage 217 and the fans 22 and 22. To drive.

As a result, air flows in the dust detector 1 in the direction opposite to the air flow at the time of dust detection due to the rotation of the fans 22, 22, as shown by the arrow h in FIG. Dust and the like adhering and depositing on the lens surfaces of the portion 5 and the light receiving portion 6 are removed. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, a high cleaning effect can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fans 22 and 22 can be rotated in the reverse direction, and the air flow i in the same direction as that at the time of detecting dust generated by rotating the fans 22 and 22 causes the light emitting unit 5 and the light receiving unit 6 to rotate. It is possible to remove dust and the like adhering to and depositing on the lens surface. Since this air flow can be made faster than the flow at the time of dust detection by increasing the rotation speed of the fans 22, 22, a high cleaning effect can be obtained even if the flow is in the same direction as at the time of dust detection. it can.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fans 22 and 22 can be rotated alternately in the forward and reverse directions, whereby the direction of the air flowing through the dust detector 1 is as shown in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b). The direction of the air flowing through the dust detector 1 can be switched to the opposite direction by switching to the opposite direction, whereby a higher cleaning effect can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the case where the fans 22 and 22 are provided on both the upstream and downstream parts of the dust detector 1 has been illustrated, but this may be provided on only one side. Further, the case where the cleaning air air passage 217 is provided in the outside air introduction air passage 10 and the fans 22, 22 are provided in the cleaning air air passage 217 is illustrated, but the fans 22, 22 are the outside air introduction air passages 10. It may be provided directly inside, or may be provided only on either the upstream side or the downstream side of the dust detector 1. Further, in such a configuration, if the fan 22 is gently rotated at the time of detecting dust, the fan 22 can also be used as an air flow assisting means at the time of detecting dust. Further, with such a configuration, the cleaning air air passage 217 can be eliminated.

The operation and effect of this embodiment other than those described above are the same as those of the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning configuration of the dust detector according to the present invention has been described above using each of the above-described embodiments, but the present invention can further enhance the cleaning effect by adding the following configuration.

For example, a rubber or resin brush that rotates by the flow of air during cleaning may be provided on the lens surfaces of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and dust and the like on the lens surface may be removed by the rotation of the brush. After the cleaning operation, the brush is housed in such a manner that the cleaning air is sucked into a fan so as not to interfere with the dust detection.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view when the device with a dust detector of the present invention is an air conditioner, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a cleaning unit of a dust collecting filter mounted in the air conditioner, and FIG. 10 is the same air conditioner. FIG. 11 is a control block diagram showing the dust cleaning control unit of the harmony machine, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dust cleaning control unit.

In FIG. 8, the air conditioner is provided with a dust collecting filter 15 at a suction inlet 25 portion which is an inlet of the device main body side air passage 11 formed in the main body 24, and a heat exchange source for cooling or heating is provided downstream thereof. It has a heat exchanger 26, a blower 14 for sending out cool air or warm air after heat exchange, and a blow-out port 28 for exiting the cold air or warm air.

In the above-mentioned air conditioner, a weak circulating flow is generated in the outer peripheral portion of the main body 24 by the cool air or the warm air that is sucked in from the suction port 25 and blows out from the air outlet 28, and the circulating flow causes the inner portion of the front plate 29 that covers the front surface of the main body 24. An air flow indicated by a broken line arrow k is generated at. Therefore, the dust detector 1 is arranged at the inner portion of the front plate 29 as the outside air introducing air passage 10. Although not shown, the inside portion of the front plate 29 serving as the outside air introduction air passage 10 can be communicated with and cut off from the device body side air passage 11 via the cleaning air passage. Alternatively, as shown in the third embodiment, the fan 22 is provided and the cleaning air is made to flow.

As shown in FIG. 9, the air conditioner includes a cleaning unit 30 that sucks and removes dust from the dust collecting filter 15 and discharges the dust outdoors, and the dust after cleaning the dust detector 1 is cleaned by the cleaning unit. The suction/exhaust fan 31 of 30 is used to discharge the air outdoors.

FIG. 10 is a control block diagram showing the dust cleaning control unit of the air conditioner, and FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the dust cleaning control unit.

The dust cleaning control unit of the dust detector 1 determines whether or not cleaning is possible based on the output from the dust detection unit 33 and the dust detection unit 33 that detects dust based on the output from the dust detector 1 and the cleaning determination that causes the cleaning operation to be performed. The control unit 34 includes a cleaning mechanism unit 35 such as a switching unit that operates according to an output from the cleaning determination control unit 34 to perform cleaning.

Then, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 11, the dust cleaning control unit detects the state of the dust detector 1 while performing the dust detection operation, that is, the degree of adhesion and accumulation of dust and the like (S1), which coincides with the cleaning condition. If so (Y in S2), the dust detection operation is stopped (S3), the direction of the air flowing through the dust detector 1 is changed, and the dust detector 1 is cleaned as described in the first to third embodiments. (S4). The cleaning operation of the dust detector is performed until the cleaning state of the dust detector 1 matches a predetermined threshold value, for example, the cleaned condition or the elapsed time (S5), and if they match (Y of S5), the dust cleaning operation is performed. Is completed and the dust detection operation is restarted (S7).

The device air with the dust detector according to the present invention has been described above using the above-described embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to these. That is, the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative in all points and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of the claims and is equivalent to the scope of the claims and within the scope. It includes all changes.

As described above, since the dust detector-equipped device according to the present invention has a high cleaning effect on the dust detector, it is possible to provide a device that exhibits a good dust detection function for a long period of time. It can be widely applied to machines and vacuum cleaners.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dust detector 2 Inlet 3 Outlet 4 Housing 5 Light emitting part 6 Light receiving part 7 Dust 10 Outside air introducing air passage 11 Equipment main body side air passage 12 Inlet 13 Outlet 14 Blower 15 Dust collecting filter 16 Air flow assisting means 17, 117, 217 Cleaning air air passage 17a, 117a First air passage portion 17b, 117b Second air passage portion 17c Communication air passage portion 18a-18g Switching means 19 Opening portion 20 First driving means 21 Second driving means 22 Fan 24 Main body 25 Suction port 26 Heat exchanger 28 Air outlet 29 Front plate 30 Cleaning unit 31 Suction/exhaust fan 33 Dust detection unit 34 Cleaning determination control unit 35 Cleaning mechanism unit

Claims (3)

A device main body side air passage having a blower and a dust collecting filter, an outside air introduction air passage, and a dust detector provided in the outside air introduction air passage, and the outside air introduction air passage is used when cleaning the dust detector. Equipment with a dust detector that allows air to flow in the opposite direction to the air flow when detecting dust. A device main body side air passage having a blower and a dust collecting filter, an outside air introduction air passage, a dust detector provided in the outside air introduction air passage, and a forward and reverse reversible fan for introducing air into the dust detector. A device with a dust detector, wherein the fan is rotated in a direction opposite to that when dust is detected when the dust detector is cleaned and air is supplied in a direction opposite to that when dust is detected. The device with a dust detector according to claim 2, wherein the fan capable of rotating in the normal and reverse directions is configured so that the rotation during cleaning of the dust detector is made larger than the rotation during dust detection to make the air flow faster.

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