KR102629817B1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses an air conditioner that has a simple structure and low cost and is capable of notifying a user of the cleaning time of a dust box module.
The air conditioner according to the present invention includes a dust collection space in which dust separated from the filter is accommodated, a dust box with an inlet through which the dust flows, and an inner shutter that opens and closes the inlet by rotating by the pressure and self-weight of the dust collection space. It includes a dust box module and a sensor that outputs a detection value indicating whether the inner shutter is closed at the entrance. The air conditioner turns on the suction unit when the filter cleaning condition is satisfied, and determines whether the inner shutter opens or closes the inlet portion based on the detection value from the sensor while the suction unit is turned on. As a result of the determination, An alarm signal is generated accordingly.

Description

Air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more specifically, to an air conditioner having a dust box module in which filter dust is stored.

An air conditioner is a device that maintains indoor air in the most appropriate condition depending on the use and purpose.

Depending on the installation location, air conditioners can be classified into upright, wall-mounted, or ceiling types. The upright indoor unit is a type of air conditioner installed to stand in an indoor space, and the wall-mounted indoor unit is understood as a type of air conditioner installed to be attached to a wall. And the ceiling-type indoor unit is understood as a type of air conditioner installed on the ceiling.

An air conditioner may be an air conditioner that cools a predetermined space, a heater that heats a predetermined space, an air conditioner that cools or heats a predetermined space, a purifier that purifies the air in a predetermined space, and the function of such an air conditioner is to air It can be determined depending on the type of air conditioning unit installed inside the conditioner.

The air conditioner may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator, and operates a refrigeration cycle that performs compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of the refrigerant, thereby cooling or heating the predetermined space.

The air conditioner may include an electric heater, and current may be applied to the electric heater to heat the predetermined space.

The air conditioner may include a purification unit such as a filter unit, and may purify the air in the predetermined space.

The air conditioner may include a filter that filters dust in the air, a dust collection pass in which dust separated from the filter is collected, and a suction force generating mechanism that causes the dust in the filter to be sucked into the dust collection container along with the air, and the filter may include It can be cleaned while placed in the air conditioner rather than being pulled out of the air conditioner.

In order to clean the filter, it may include a cleaning device that separates dust caught in the filter from the filter, and a dust collection container in which foreign substances such as dust separated by the cleaning kit are stored.

An example of an air conditioner having the above filter, dust collection container, and suction power generation unit is disclosed in Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1392322 B1 (announced on April 29, 2014), and the dust collection container of this air conditioner is It may include a partition wall that causes dust sucked in with air through the air intake port to fall to the inner lower part of the dust collection container, and the dust collection container can collect dust without a separate dust collection filter.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1392322 B1 (announced on April 29, 2014)

The air conditioner according to the prior art did not know how much dust was accumulated in the dust collection container, so it was inconvenient for the user to manually check the amount of dust in the dust collection container.

In addition, in the prior art, when cleaning the filter while the dust collection bin of the air conditioner is full of dust, the suction force generating unit that sucks the dust from the filter into the dust collection bin along with the air has its performance degraded by the dust in the dust collection bin. There was a problem.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can alert the user when to clean the dust box module.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner to prevent dust suction function from being deteriorated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner with a simple structure and low cost that can notify the user of the cleaning time of the dust box module.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a dust box formed with a filter, a dust collection space in which dust separated from the filter is accommodated, and an inlet through which the dust flows, and the inlet is rotated by the pressure and self-weight of the dust collection space. A dust box module including an inner shutter that opens and closes, a sensor that outputs a detection value indicating whether the inner shutter opens and closes the inlet, and a suction unit that communicates with the dust box module and exhausts air in the dust collection space when turned on. Includes. The air conditioner turns on the suction unit when the filter cleaning condition is satisfied, and determines whether the inner shutter has closed the inlet portion based on the detection value from the sensor while the suction unit is turned on. As a result of the determination, An alarm signal is generated accordingly.

The controller may generate the alarm signal when it is determined that the inner shutter is closing the entrance portion.

The central axis of rotation of the inner shutter may be provided at an upper part of the inner shutter.

The sensor may be installed at the bottom of the inlet part.

The sensor may be a magnetic sensor.

The sensor may be a Hall sensor.

The magnetic sensor may output different detection values depending on the distance between the inlet and the inner shutter.

The air conditioner further includes a display unit that visually displays an alarm corresponding to the alarm signal, and the controller may output different alarm signals in response to the different detection values.

The air conditioner further includes a voice output unit that audibly provides an alarm corresponding to the alarm signal, and the controller may output different alarm signals in response to the different detection values.

The air conditioner may include a suction unit, a suction motor that performs air suction, and a rotation speed detection device that detects a rotation speed of the suction motor, and the controller may determine that the rotation speed of the suction motor exceeds a reference rotation speed. This can cause the above alarm.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user can be notified of the cleaning time of the dust box module.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dust suction function can be prevented from being deteriorated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning time of the dust box module can be notified to the user with a simple structure and low cost.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioner installed on a wall according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the air conditioner of Figure 1 viewed from above.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the dust box module when the suction unit is turned off according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the dust box module when the suction unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is turned on.
Figure 6 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a diagram showing a method of generating a dust bin empty alarm in an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a diagram showing a method of generating a dust bin empty alarm in an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments are merely provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to be understood by those skilled in the art. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail along with the drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioner installed on a wall according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the air conditioner of Figure 1 viewed from above.

The air conditioner of this embodiment can be installed on the wall (W).

The air conditioner may include a main body 10 with an inner space formed therein. The main body 10 can form the exterior of an air conditioner.

The main body 10 may be composed of a combination of a plurality of members, and an example of the main body 10 may include a chassis 30 and a case 100.

The main body 10 may be installed on the wall W by an installation plate (not shown).

A controller that controls the main body 10 may be installed on the chassis 30. The controller may be supported on the case 100. The controller may be disposed therein and include control components for operating the air conditioner.

The case 100 may be coupled to the front of the chassis 30. An inner space may be formed between the chassis 30 and the case 100. The air conditioner may further include an air conditioning unit accommodated in the inner space. An example of the air conditioning unit may be a heat exchanger through which refrigerant passes. Another example of the air conditioning unit may be a thermoelectric element. Another example of the air conditioning unit may be an electric heater.

The air conditioner may include a filter assembly 300. The filter assembly 300 may be disposed on the main body 10 to be withdrawable to the outside.

The air conditioner may include a pair of side portions 111 and 112 that form its side exterior. In addition, the air conditioner may further include a receiving body 114 into which the filter assembly 300 is inserted and accommodated.

A pair of side portions 111 and 112 and a top portion 113 may be formed by at least one of the chassis 30 and the case 100.

The receiving body 114 may be formed in a recessed shape in the upper surface portion 113. The receiving body 114 may be a filter assembly receiving body that covers at least one side of the filter assembly 300, and a filter that covers at least one side of the filter case 310 that forms the exterior of the filter assembly 300. It may be a case housing.

When the filter assembly 300 is inserted into the receiving body 114, it may form the upper exterior appearance of the air conditioner. When the filter assembly 300 is inserted into the receiving body 114, it may be placed on the upper part of at least one of the chassis 30 and the case 100, and the air outside the air conditioner is supplied to the filter assembly 300. ), it may flow between the chassis 30 and the case 100 after being purified.

When the filter assembly 300 is inserted into the receiving body 114, its upper surface 305 may be exposed to the outside, and the upper surface of the filter assembly 300 may form the upper surface of the air conditioner. there is. The filter assembly 300 may be pulled out upward from the air conditioner while being accommodated in the receiving body 114.

In addition, when the filter assembly 300 is accommodated inside the receiving body 114, the upper surface 305 of the filter assembly 300 may be aligned with the upper surface 113 of the air conditioner, and the filter assembly 300 may be aligned with the upper surface 113 of the air conditioner. The front 301 of the assembly 300 may coincide with the front of the case 100.

The case 100 may be composed of one member or a combination of a plurality of members 110 and 120. When the case 100 is a combination of a plurality of members, the case 100 includes a case body 110 coupled to the chassis 30 and a grill frame 120 disposed in front of the case body 110. It can be included.

A front panel 150 may be disposed on the case 100. The front panel 150 may be disposed in front of the case 100 to form the front exterior of the main body 10.

The front panel 150 may be equipped with a display unit 152 that can check operating information of the main body 10. A display hole 154 in which the display unit 152 is located may be formed in the front panel 150.

The air conditioner may further include a driving mechanism (not shown) connected to the front panel 150 to operate the front panel 150 in multiple positions. The driving mechanism may be installed in the case 100 or chassis 30. The driving mechanism 170 may be connected to the front panel 150 and a power transmission member such as a gear.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the filter assembly 300 will be described in detail.

A space in which at least one filter is accommodated may be formed inside the filter case 310.

The filter assembly 300 may include a filter case 310 and at least one filter accommodated within the filter case 310. The filter assembly 300 may include a pre-filter 340 accommodated inside the filter case 310.

The pre-filter 340 may be a filter that filters foreign substances flowing into the air conditioner, particularly the filter assembly 300. The pre-filter 340 may have a mesh shape. The pre-filter 340 may be located before the air conditioning unit in the air flow direction.

The filter assembly 300 may include a plurality of filters. In this case, the filter assembly 300 may further include a dust collection filter 350.

When the filter assembly 300 includes a pre-filter 340 and a dust collection filter 350, the pre-filter 340 may be located before the dust collection filter 350 in the air flow direction.

An example of the dust collection filter 350 may be a high-performance filter such as a HEPA filter that can filter out fine dust and the like.

Another example of the dust collection filter 350 may be an electric dust collection filter that collects dust using electricity. The dust collection filter 350 may be an electrostatic filter that collects foreign substances by using the static electricity of foreign substances ionized by the charging module 360.

Hereinafter, an example in which the dust collection filter 350 is an electrostatic filter will be described, and the electrostatic filter will be described using the same reference numerals as those for the dust collection filter 350. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the dust collection filter 350 being an electrostatic filter.

The pre-filter 340 is located above the electrostatic filter 350 and can filter large dust particles in the air flowing toward the electrostatic filter 350.

The electrostatic filter 350 may be disposed between the pre-filter 340 and the filter case 310.

The air conditioner may further include a brush unit 380 that separates foreign substances such as dust (hereinafter referred to as 'dust') attached to the filter (e.g., pre-filter 340) from the filter. .

The brush unit 380 may be placed at a position where the filter, particularly the pre-filter 340, can be contacted. The brush unit 380 may include a brush body 382 and brush bristles 384 formed on the brush body 382 and in contact with the pre-filter 340.

A dust passage 381 through which air and dust can pass may be formed in the brush body 382. The dust passage 381 may face the roller 370, and the dust separated from the portion of the pre-filter 340 located between the roller 370 and the brush body 382 is the dust passage ( It can be sucked into the dust box module 390 through 381).

The brush bristles 384 may be formed on a side of the brush body 382 facing the roller 370, and may be in contact with a curved portion of the pre-filter 340 along the roller 370.

The air conditioner may further include a dust box module 390 in which dust separated from the filter is accommodated. A dust collection space may be formed inside the dust box module 390 to accommodate dust separated from the filter.

Dust attached to the pre-filter 340 may be separated from the pre-filter 340 by contacting the brush unit 380, and the dust separated from the pre-filter 340 may be transferred to the dust box module 390. It may flow in and be accommodated in the dust collection space inside the dust box module 390.

The dust box module 390 may be disposed to be pulled out of the air conditioner, and dust stored therein may be discarded by a user or the like.

The air conditioner may further include a suction unit 400 for separating dust accumulated in the filter, particularly the pre-filter 340.

The suction unit 400 may be connected to the dust box module 390. The suction unit 400 may communicate with the dust box module 390 when the dust box module 390 is mounted on the air conditioner. The suction unit 400 may be separated from the dust box module 390 when the dust box module 390 is pulled out. That is, the suction unit 400 may be separably connected to the dust box module 390, and when the dust box module 390 is connected, the air inside the dust box module 390 is sucked in and exhausted. can do.

The suction unit 400 may be a suction force generating unit or a filter cleaning device that is connected to the dust box module 390 and suctions the air in the dust box module 390. The suction unit 400 may include a fan motor unit that suctions air from the dust box module 390 and exhausts it. The suction unit 400 may be a fan motor unit that is in detachable contact with the dust box module 390.

When the suction unit 400 is turned on, the air inside the dust box module 390 may be sucked into the suction unit 400, and the pressure inside the dust box module 390 may be equal to that of the outside of the dust box module 390. pressure may be lower. The air around the pre-filter 340 may be drawn toward the inside of the dust box module 390 and carry the dust of the pre-filter 340 into the inside of the dust box module 390.

The suction unit 400 may be mounted in a fixed position on the main body 10, and an electric wire may be connected to the suction unit 400.

An electric wire may be connected to the suction unit 400, and the suction unit 400 may be mounted on the main body 10.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the dust box module when the suction unit is turned off according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the dust box module when the suction unit is turned on according to an embodiment of the present invention. am.

A dust collection space (S6) in which dust separated from the pre-filter 340 is stored may be formed in the dust box module 390. The dust box module 390 may include a dust box 393 having an inlet 391 and an outlet 392 and a dust collection space S6 therein.

The dust box module 390 may further include an inner shutter 397. The inner shutter 397 can open and close the entrance portion 391 inside the dust box 393. The inner shutter 397 may be rotatably connected to the inside of the dust box 393. That is, one end of the inner shutter 397 is mounted on the upper end 391A of the inlet 391 so that it rotates into the dust collection space S6 when the suction unit 400 is driven, and the other end is attached to the suction unit 400. ) turns on to open the inlet 391.

The inner shutter 397 opens the dust passage ( 381) and the dust collection space (S6) can be rotated upward by the pressure difference, and the inlet portion 391 can be opened.

The inlet portion 391 and the outlet portion 392 may be opened in different directions.

The dust filter 396 may be disposed toward the outlet 392.

The inlet portion 391 may be formed on one side wall of either the first body 394 or the second body 395 constituting the dust box 393. The inlet portion 391 may be formed to be open in the horizontal direction.

The outlet portion 392 may be formed on the lower plate of the second body 395. The outlet portion 392 may be formed to be open in a direction perpendicular to the second body 395.

The part of the dust box 393 where the inner shutter 397 is seated may be formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle. In this case, the inner shutter 397 may shield the entrance portion 391 by its own weight when the suction unit 400 is turned off.

The central axis D of the dust box 393 is a central axis that bisects the dust box 393 into left and right halves.

The inner shutter 397 may be rotated by the pressure of the dust collection space S6 and its own weight to open and close the inlet portion 391.

When the suction unit 400 is turned on, the air inside the dust box module 390 may be sucked into the suction unit 400. The pressure inside the dust box module 390 is the pressure outside the dust box module 390. It can be lower. The air around the pre-filter 340 may be drawn toward the inside of the dust box module 390 and carry the dust of the pre-filter 340 into the inside of the dust box module 390.

In this case, the inner shutter 397 causes the surrounding air to flow toward the dust collection space (S6) due to the difference between the internal pressure and the external pressure of the dust collection space (S6). Accordingly, the inner shutter 397 rotates toward the inside of the dust collection space S6 (in the “dust suction direction” of FIG. 4).

However, if the dust collection space (S6) is full of dust, even if the suction unit 400 is turned on and a difference occurs between the internal pressure and the external pressure of the dust collection space (S6), the inner shutter 397 does not rotate due to the dust. can not do it.

Accordingly, if the inner shutter 397 fails to rotate, this may indicate that it is time to empty the dust bin.

Therefore, when the suction unit 400 is turned on, it is necessary to detect whether the inner shutter 397 opens the inlet portion of the dust box module 390.

To this end, the dust box module 390 may include a sensor 40 that detects closure of the entrance portion by the inner shutter 397. The sensor 40 may be any one of a magnetic sensor, a hall sensor, and a proximity sensor.

The sensor 40 may output a signal indicating whether the inner shutter 397 opens or closes the entrance to the dust box module 390.

The sensor 40 may be installed at the lower end 391B of the entrance 391 of the dust box module 390 to detect whether the inner shutter 397 opens or closes the entrance 391 of the dust box module 390.

As described above, one end of the inner shutter 397 is mounted on the upper end 391A of the inlet 391 so as to rotate into the dust collection space S6 when the suction unit 400 is driven, and the other end is attached to the suction unit 400. When the unit 400 is turned on, it rotates to open the inlet 391.

The sensor 40 may be installed at a position corresponding to the other end of the inner shutter 397, which rotates when the suction unit 400 is driven. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sensor 40 is installed at the bottom 391B of the inlet 391, but the dust box module 390 is operated according to the way the inner shutter 397 opens and closes the dust box module 390. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that it can be installed in a position where opening and closing can be detected.

The sensor 40 may be implemented as a magnetic sensor or a Hall sensor. In this case, the inner shutter 397 is made of metal or magnetic material.

Magnetic sensors use the principle of magnetic induction, which generates voltage when close to a conductor. Therefore, when the sensor 40 is a magnetic sensor, a voltage is generated and output when it approaches the data shutter 397 made of metal, which is a conductor. The sensor 40 outputs a larger voltage value as it approaches the inner shutter 397. Accordingly, the distance between the inner shutter 397 and the entrance portion 391 can be calculated based on the detection value of the sensor 40.

Additionally, a Hall sensor refers to an element whose voltage changes depending on the strength of a magnetic field. Therefore, when the sensor 40 is a Hall sensor, when the inner shutter 397, which is a magnetic body, approaches the sensor 40, the sensor 40 detects the magnetic field, so that the sensor 400 can detect the proximity of the inner shutter 397. You can.

In this way, the magnetic sensor or Hall sensor may output different detection values depending on the distance between the inner shutter 397 and the magnetic sensor 40 or the Hall sensor 40. That is, the magnetic sensor or Hall sensor may output different voltage values depending on the distance from the inner shutter 397.

For example, in FIG. 4, the sensor 40 installed at the bottom 391B of the inlet portion may output different detection values when the distance to the inner shutter 397 is, for example, the first distance D1 and the second distance D2. .

Additionally, the inner shutter 397 may be disposed at an angle when the suction unit 400 is turned off to shield the inlet portion 391.

The inlet portion 391 may be formed in either the first body 394 or the second body 395 constituting the dust box 393, and an inner shutter connection portion to which the inner shutter 397 is connected. (395B) may be formed in the body in which the inlet portion 391 is formed among the first body 394 and the second body 395.

When the dust filter 396 is disposed on the first body 394, the inlet portion 391 and the inner shutter connection portion 395B are preferably positioned to be spaced apart from the dust filter 396, and the inlet portion 391 391 and the inner shutter connection portion 395B may be formed in the second body 395.

The dust filter 396 may be accommodated in the dust collection space S6 other than the rotation trace S9 of the inner shutter 397. Some areas of the dust collection space (S6) may be an empty space where the inner shutter 397 can be rotated, and this empty space may be defined as a rotation trajectory (S9) of the inner shutter 397.

The dust filter 396 may be disposed on the upper surface of the lower panel of the dust box 393 to be spaced apart from the lower surface of the upper panel of the dust box 393 .

The dust filter 396 may include a frame 396A that can be attached to or detached from the dust box 393, and a filter member 396B disposed inside the frame 396B and formed in a zigzag shape.

Figure 6 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the air conditioner according to one embodiment includes a sensor 40, a controller 50, an input unit 60, a suction unit 400, a display unit 152, and an audio output unit 92. do.

The sensor 40 may output a signal indicating whether the inner shutter 397 opens or closes the entrance of the dust box module 390.

The sensor 40 may be installed at the lower end 391B of the inlet 391 of the dust box 393. The sensor 40 may be any one of a magnetic sensor, a hall sensor, and a proximity sensor.

Additionally, the sensor 40 may output different detection values depending on the distance between the inlet and the inner shutter.

The input unit 60 allows a user to input operation commands to the air conditioner, and may be, for example, a remote control. Alternatively, the input unit 60 may be a button physically installed in the air conditioner.

The input unit 60 may provide a filter cleaning command to the controller 50 to suction air from the dust box module 390 from the user.

The controller 50 turns on the suction unit 400 when the filter cleaning conditions are satisfied. The controller 50 determines whether the inner shutter has closed or opened the inlet portion 391 based on the output of the sensor when the suction unit 400 is turned on.

The controller 50 may determine that the inner shutter 397 has closed the inlet 391 if the output of the sensor is that the distance between the inner shutter 397 and the inlet 391 is 10 mm or less. In other words, the controller 50 may determine that the inner shutter 397 has opened the inlet 391 when the output of the sensor is that the distance between the inner shutter 397 and the inlet 391 is greater than 10 mm. . It is obvious that 10 mm, which is a reference value for determining whether the inner shutter 397 closes or opens the entrance portion 391, is only an example, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

When the inner shutter 397 closes the inlet 391, the controller 50 generates an alarm signal notifying the user to empty the dust bin.

The controller 50 may determine whether the inner shutter 397 has closed the entrance portion 391 of the dust box 393 based on the detection value received from the sensor 40.

According to another embodiment, the controller 50 may determine to what extent the inner shutter 397 opens the entrance portion 391 of the dust box 393 based on the detection value received from the sensor 40. there is.

The controller 50 may generate different alarms depending on the distance between the inner shutter 397 and the entrance 391 of the dust box 393. For example, the controller 50 may alert that the time to empty the dust box 393 will soon arrive even though the dust box 393 does not need to be emptied.

That is, the sensor 40 outputs different detection values depending on the distance between the entrance part 391 and the inner shutter 397, and the controller 50 may output different alarm signals corresponding to the different detection values.

For example, the dust box 393 is not full of dust, so the inner shutter 391 does not completely close the entrance, but if the dust suction function of the suction module 400 may be reduced, the controller 50 controls the suction module 400. ) can generate an alarm signal in response to a recommendation to empty the dust bin for optimal suction function.

The controller 50 causes the display unit 152 and the audio output unit 92 to output an alarm visually or audibly. The display unit 152 may display an alarm message to the user. The voice output unit 92 can output an alarm voice to the user.

According to another embodiment, the controller 50 may generate an alarm signal notifying the user to empty the dust bin in multiple stages according to the distance between the inlet 391 and the inner shutter 397.

Meanwhile, although not shown, the air conditioner may include a rotation speed detection device that detects the rotation speed of the suction motor. If a lot of dust accumulates in the dust box 393, the rotation speed of the suction motor 400 increases. In other words, when the inner shutter 393 closes the inlet 391 of the dust box 393 due to dust, the flow of air is blocked and the rotation speed of the suction motor 400 increases.

Therefore, it can be determined whether a lot of dust is accumulated in the dust box 393 by detecting the rotation speed of the suction motor 400. The controller 50 may generate the alarm signal when the rotation speed of the suction motor 400 exceeds the reference rotation speed.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing a method of generating a dust bin empty alarm in an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the controller 50 determines whether the filter cleaning conditions are satisfied in step 701. For example, a user may instruct filter cleaning through the input unit 60. Alternatively, filter cleaning may be performed when predetermined conditions are met. For example, filter cleaning may be automatically performed when the operation time of the air conditioner reaches a predetermined time.

If the filter cleaning conditions are satisfied, the controller 50 turns on the suction unit 400 in step 703. Accordingly, the suction unit 400 can suction air and exhaust it. In this case, air moves into the inside of the dust box module 390 due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the dust box module 390, and accordingly, the inner shutter closes the inlet 391 of the dust box module 390. (397) is rotated into the dust box module (390).

In this case, if dust accumulates inside the dust box module 390, the inner shutter 397 cannot rotate inward. Due to dust inside the inner shutter 397, the inner shutter 397 is slightly separated from the inlet 391 of the dust box module 390 or does not rotate.

After turning on the suction unit 400, the controller 50 acquires the output of the sensor 40 installed at the inlet 391 of the dust box module 390 in step 705.

Next, the controller 50 determines whether the output of the sensor 40 satisfies the dust bin closing condition in step 707. The dust bin closing condition is when the inner shutter 397 closes the entrance 391 of the dust box module 390 and the inner shutter 397 is closed at a predetermined distance or less from the entrance 391 of the dust box module 390. Including cases where they are separated.

For example, based on the output of the sensor 40, the controller 50 determines whether the inner shutter 397 has closed the inlet 391 of the dust box module 390 or is separated from the inlet 391 by a predetermined distance or less. Determine whether it is done. If the inner shutter 397 is spaced less than a predetermined distance from the inlet 391 of the dust box module 390, the controller 50 determines that the dust box module 390 is full of dust.

If it is determined that the dust box module 390 is full of dust, the controller 50 generates an alarm in step 709 to notify the user to empty the dust box.

An alarm notifying the emptying of the dust bin may be displayed visually through the display unit 152 or output as a voice through the audio output unit 92.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing a method of generating a dust bin empty alarm in an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the controller 50 determines whether the filter cleaning condition is satisfied in step 801. For example, a user may instruct filter cleaning through the input unit 60. Alternatively, filter cleaning may be performed when predetermined conditions are met.

If the filter cleaning conditions are satisfied, the controller 50 turns on the suction unit 400 in step 803. Accordingly, the suction unit 400 can suction air and exhaust it.

If dust accumulates inside the dust box module 390, the inner shutter 397 cannot rotate inward. Due to dust inside the inner shutter 397, the inner shutter 397 is slightly spaced from the entrance 391 of the dust box module 390 or the entrance 391 is closed.

After turning on the suction unit 400, the controller 50 acquires the output of the sensor 40 installed at the inlet 391 of the dust box module 390 in step 805.

Next, the controller 50 calculates the distance between the inner shutter 397 and the inlet 391 based on the output of the sensor 40 in step 807. For example, when the sensor 40 is implemented as a magnetic sensor, the output value of the sensor 40 may be proportional to the distance between the inner shutter 397 and the entrance portion 391.

In step 809, the controller 50 determines whether the distance between the inner shutter 397 and the entrance portion 391 is smaller than the first distance. The controller 50 determines that there is no need to empty the dust box module 390 if the inner shutter 397 is spaced apart from the inlet 391 by a distance greater than the first distance.

If the inner shutter 397 is spaced apart from the entrance part 391 by a distance smaller than the first distance, the controller 50 moves the inner shutter 397 from the entrance part 391 by a distance smaller than the second distance in step 811. Determine whether it is separated.

If the controller 50 determines that the inner shutter 397 is spaced apart from the inlet 391 by a distance smaller than the second distance, it generates an alarm notifying the user to empty the dust bin in step 813.

Additionally, if the controller 50 determines that the inner shutter 397 is separated from the inlet 391 by a distance greater than the second distance but smaller than the first distance, the user needs to empty the dust bin at step 815. A preliminary alarm may be generated to indicate that

As the dust box module 390 is filled with dust, the dust suction function of the suction unit 400 deteriorates. Although the inner shutter 397 is not completely filled with dust, the dust suction function of the suction unit 400 To ensure that this is performed optimally, the user can be notified to empty the dust bin.

The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but rather to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

390: dust box module 391: entrance part
392: outlet 393: dust box
396: Dust filter 397: Inner shutter
400: Suction unit S6: Dust collection space

Claims (11)

With filter;
a dust box module including a dust collection space in which dust separated from the filter is accommodated, a dust box having an inlet through which the dust flows, and an inner shutter configured to open and close the inlet;
a sensor that detects the distance between the inner shutter and the inlet;
a suction unit that communicates with the dust box module and exhausts air from the dust collection space when turned on;
A controller that turns on the suction unit when the filter cleaning condition is satisfied and generates an alarm signal based on the distance detected by the sensor while the suction unit is in operation,
The controller is,
Based on the distance detected by the sensor, if it is determined that the inner shutter is closing the inlet or that the inner shutter is spaced within a predetermined distance from the inlet, it is determined that dust has accumulated in the dust box. An air conditioner that generates an alarm to empty the dust bin.
delete According to claim 1,
The central axis of rotation of the inner shutter is an air conditioner provided at an upper part of the inner shutter.
According to claim 1,
The sensor is an air conditioner installed at the bottom of the inlet part.
According to claim 1,
The sensor is an air conditioner that is a magnetic sensor.
According to claim 1,
The sensor is an air conditioner that is a Hall sensor.
According to claim 5,
The magnetic sensor is an air conditioner that outputs different detection values depending on the distance between the inlet and the inner shutter.
According to claim 7,
It further includes a display unit that visually displays an alarm corresponding to the alarm signal,
The controller is an air conditioner that outputs different alarm signals in response to the different detection values.
According to claim 7,
It further includes a voice output unit that audibly provides an alarm corresponding to the alarm signal,
The controller is an air conditioner that outputs different alarm signals in response to the different detection values.
With filter;
a dust box module including a dust collection space in which dust separated from the filter is accommodated, a dust box having an inlet through which the dust flows, and an inner shutter configured to open and close the inlet;
a suction unit that communicates with the dust box module and includes a suction motor to exhaust air from the dust collection space;
a rotation speed sensing device that detects the rotation speed of the suction motor;
A controller that drives the suction unit when a preset filter cleaning condition is satisfied and generates an alarm signal based on the speed of the suction motor detected by the rotation speed detection device while the suction unit is being driven,
The controller is,
An air conditioner that determines that dust has accumulated in the dust box and generates an alarm for emptying the dust box when the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detection device determines that it exceeds a preset reference rotation speed.
According to claim 1,
The controller is an air conditioner that generates a preliminary alarm to notify that it is time to empty the dust bin when the distance detected by the sensor is smaller than the preset first reference distance and larger than the preset second reference distance.

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