WO2009093468A1

WO2009093468A1 - Indoor unit of air conditioning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2009093468A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/000265
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yokomizo; Yoshiteru Nouchi; Yukihiro Takagaki; Akihiko Sakashita
Original assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-01-25
Filing date: 2009-01-23
Publication date: 2009-07-30
Also published as: JP2009204303A; JP2009198168A; JP4720929B2

Abstract

An indoor unit is provided with a detection sensor (71) for detecting a dust quantity of a first dust storing container and that of a second dust storing container; an output judging section (38) which outputs a detection signal when the dust quantity detected by the detection sensor (71) is a prescribed quantity or more; and a cleaning operation control section (39) which prohibits cleaning operation of an air filter when the detection signal is inputted.

Description

Indoor unit of air conditioner

The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner equipped with an air filter cleaning function.

Conventionally, in an indoor unit of an air conditioner equipped with an air filter at an air suction port, an air filter cleaning operation is known. An indoor unit that performs this cleaning operation is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

The indoor unit of Patent Document 1 includes dust removing means for removing dust trapped by the air filter. Specifically, the dust removing means includes a filter driving means for reciprocating the air filter, and a brush that is disposed on the lower side of the air suction port in the movement path of the air filter and contacts both surfaces of the air filter. And have. The dust removing means is configured to remove dust attached to the air filter by the brush while moving the air filter by the filter driving means.

Also, the indoor unit of Patent Document 1 is provided with a dust box (dust storage unit), and the dust box is configured to store the dust removed by the dust removing means. In this configuration, the user needs to periodically discharge the dust in the dust box so that the dust removed by the dust removing means does not overflow from the dust box.

The air conditioner of Patent Document 1 estimates the amount of dust in the dust box based on the accumulated operation time of the air conditioner. A maintenance sign is displayed based on the estimated amount of dust to inform the user when the dust in the dust box is to be discharged. Specifically, the air conditioner includes a timer that measures the accumulated operation time of the air conditioner, and displays a maintenance sign when the accumulated operation time by the timer has exceeded a predetermined accumulated operation time (2000 hours). It is like that.

Further, in the above air conditioner, while the maintenance sign is displayed, the cleaning operation of the air filter is prohibited so that dust does not flow into the dust box. Therefore, the user cannot restart the cleaning operation of the air filter unless discharging the dust in the dust box and resetting the timer.
JP 2004-239449 A

However, if the user resets the timer without discharging the dust in the dust box while the maintenance sign is displayed, the air filter cleaning operation is performed even though the dust box has enough dust. There is a problem of allowing. If the cleaning operation of the air filter is permitted in such a state, the dust removed by the cleaning operation overflows from the storage container without being stored in the storage container, and in some cases, the overflowing dust is It is also possible to fall to the indoor side.

Conversely, when the maintenance sign is displayed by the timer, the cleaning operation may not be prohibited even if dust is sufficiently stored in the dust box. If the cleaning operation of the air filter continues in such a state, the dust overflows from the storage container, as in the case where the timer is reset, and in some cases, the overflowing dust may enter the indoor side. It can also be dropped.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object thereof is to provide a storage container for storing dust removed by cleaning an air filter in an indoor unit of an air conditioner having a cleaning function for an air filter. This is to prevent malfunctions such as dust overflowing.

1st invention has an air filter (30) which captures the dust in to-be-processed air, and dust removal means (40,50) which removes the dust trapped by the air filter (30), The above-mentioned dust An indoor unit of an air conditioner provided with a control means (39) for controlling the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) by the removing means (40, 50) is assumed.

The dust storage means (60, 90) is connected to the dust removal means (40, 50) of the indoor unit and stores the dust removed by the dust removal means (40, 50), and the dust removal means ( 40, 50) a detecting means (71) for detecting the amount of dust removed, and a dust amount determining section (38) for outputting a detection signal when the amount of dust detected by the detecting means (71) exceeds a predetermined amount. The control means (39) is configured to prohibit the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) when the detection signal is input.

Here, the dust amount determination unit (38) is configured not to output a detection signal when the amount of dust detected by the detection means (71) is less than a predetermined amount. The control means (39) is configured to permit the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) when the detection signal is not input.

In the first invention, the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) is prohibited when the detection signal is input from the dust amount determination unit (38) to the control means (39). That is, in the conventional indoor unit, the amount of dust in the dust storage means (60, 90) is estimated from the accumulated operation time by the timer, and the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) is prohibited based on this estimated value. However, in the first invention, the detection means (71) directly detects the amount of dust in the dust storage means (60, 90), and the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) is performed based on the detected value. Can be prohibited.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the dust storage means (60, 90) has a storage part (62) for storing dust therein, while the detection means (71) is provided with the storage part. The light emitting part (72) disposed outside (62) and the light emitting part (72) which is opposed to the light emitting part (72) across the storage part (62) and transmitted through the storage part (62). A light receiving portion (73) for detecting the light intensity of light, and configured to detect the amount of dust in the dust storing means (60, 90) based on the light intensity detected by the light receiving portion (73). It is a feature.

In the second invention, the light emitting part (72) and the light receiving part (73) are arranged with the storage part (62) in between. The light of the light emitting part (72) passes through the storage part (62), and the light intensity of the transmitted light is detected by the light receiving part (73). In addition, it is preferable that the part which permeate | transmits light in the storage part (62) is formed with the transparent member. And the dust storage amount of the storage part (62) is detected according to the luminous intensity of the transmitted light. Specifically, in the storage unit (62), when the light transmission amount is large, the light intensity detected by the light receiving unit (73) increases, and it is determined that the dust storage amount is small. Conversely, if the amount of transmitted light is small, the light intensity detected by the light receiving unit (73) is low, and it is determined that the amount of dust stored is large.

According to the present invention, unlike the conventional indoor unit, the detection means (71) directly detects the amount of dust in the dust storage means (60, 90), and the air filter is based on the detected value. (30) Cleaning operation can be prohibited. That is, the indoor unit of the present invention does not require a timer for measuring the accumulated operation time of the air conditioner, and does not require a timer reset operation. In addition, unless the user discharges the dust in the dust storage means (60, 90) so that the detection signal is not output from the dust amount determination unit (38), the prohibited air filter (30) is cleaned. Cannot resume operation.

As described above, unlike the conventional case, the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) is not permitted even though the dust box has enough dust stored therein, and is removed by the cleaning operation of the air filter (30). Malfunctions such as dust overflowing from the dust storage means (60, 90) for storing dust can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide the light emitting part (72) and the light receiving part (73) and detect the amount of stored dust based on the intensity of the light transmitted through the storing part (62). Therefore, the amount of dust stored in the storage unit (62) can be reliably detected.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an indoor unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the indoor unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view when the decorative panel according to the present embodiment is viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 4 is a perspective view when the lower casing according to the present embodiment is viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first dust container according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control unit according to the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Indoor unit
20 casing
21 Indoor fan
22 Indoor heat exchanger
30 Air filter
35 Control unit
38 Output judgment part (Dust amount judgment part)
39 Cleaning operation control unit (control means)
48 Remote control
60 First dust storage container (dust storage means)
71 Detection sensor (detection means)
72 Light emitting diode (light emitting part)
73 Phototransistor (receiver)
90 Second dust container (dust storage means)

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The indoor unit (1) of this embodiment constitutes a part of an air conditioner and is installed on the ceiling of the indoor space. The air conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an expansion valve provided in an outdoor unit, and an indoor heat exchanger (22) provided in the indoor unit (1) are connected by piping. Yes. The refrigerant circuit performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle by reversibly circulating the refrigerant. In the air conditioner, a cooling operation in which the indoor heat exchanger (22) functions as an evaporator in the refrigerant circuit and a heating operation in which the indoor heat exchanger (22) functions as a condenser in the refrigerant circuit are performed. And this indoor unit (1) has the automatic cleaning function of an air filter (30).

-Configuration of indoor unit-
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the indoor unit (1) includes a casing (20) including a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-shaped main body casing (10) and a rectangular plate-shaped decorative panel (11). . The main casing (10) is installed behind the ceiling. The main casing (10) includes an upper casing (10a) and a lower casing (10b) attached to the lower portion of the upper casing (10a). A heat insulating material (17) is laminated on the inner surface of the upper casing (10a).

The decorative panel (11) is attached to the main casing (10) so as to cover the lower side of the main casing (10). In this state, the front surface (lower surface) of the decorative panel (11) is exposed to the indoor space, and the outer peripheral portion of the rear surface (upper surface) of the decorative panel (11) contacts the ceiling plate (16).

Each corner of the decorative panel (11) is composed of a corner panel (45) as shown in FIG. Each corner panel (45) is removable from the main body of the decorative panel (11). One of the four corner panels (45) is provided with a lighting part (33) that is lit by the control of a control part (35) described later.

The suction panel (13) and the air outlet (14) are formed in the decorative panel (11). The suction port (13) is formed in a rectangular shape, and is arranged at the center of the decorative panel (11). A slit-like suction grill (12) is fitted into the suction port (13). On the other hand, the air outlet (14) is formed so as to surround the entire periphery of the air inlet (13). The blower outlet (14) is formed along the outer periphery of the decorative panel (11). In the indoor unit (1), the air outlet (14) is formed not only in the portion along each side of the decorative panel (11) but also in the corner portion. Further, the decorative panel (11) is formed with an insertion port (18) for removing dust from first and second dust storage containers (60, 90) described later.

In the upper casing (10a), an indoor heat exchanger (22), a drain pan (23), and an indoor fan (21) are provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower casing (10b) includes an air filter (30), a filter driving unit (40), a brush unit (50), a first dust container (60), A two dust container (90) is provided. The filter drive unit (40) and the brush unit (50) constitute dust removing means, and the first dust storage container (60) and the second dust storage container (90) constitute dust storing means.

The indoor fan (21) is a so-called turbo fan. The indoor fan (21) is disposed near the center of the upper casing (10a). The indoor fan (21) includes a fan motor (21a) and an impeller (21b). The fan motor (21a) is fixed to the top plate of the upper casing (10a). The impeller (21b) is connected to the rotation shaft of the fan motor (21a). A bell mouth (24) communicating with the suction port (13) is provided below the indoor fan (21). The indoor fan (21) is configured to blow out air sucked from below through the bell mouth (24) in the circumferential direction.

The indoor heat exchanger (22) is a cross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger (22) is formed in a square shape in plan view, and is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the indoor fan (21). In the indoor heat exchanger (22), heat is exchanged between the indoor air sent by the indoor fan (21) and the refrigerant.

The drain pan (23) is provided under the indoor heat exchanger (22). The drain pan (23) is for receiving drain water generated by condensation of moisture in the air in the indoor heat exchanger (22). The drain pan (23) is provided with a drain pump for draining drain water (not shown).

The air filter (30) is for capturing dust in the air from the suction port (13) toward the bell mouth (24). The air filter (30) is formed in a disk shape. The air filter (30) is attached so as to cover a circular vent formed in the partition plate (25) at the upper end of the lower casing (10b). The air filter (30) is rotatably attached to the center of a rib (not shown) that divides the vent hole of the partition plate (25) into four parts. A filter-side gear portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the air filter (30) (not shown).

The filter drive unit (40) includes a motor and a motor-side gear unit that is rotated by the motor. The filter drive part (40) is provided outside the air filter (30) so that the motor side gear part meshes with the filter side gear part. The filter drive unit (40) rotates the air filter (30) by the rotation of the motor during a cleaning operation in which dust is removed from the air filter (30) by a brush unit (50) described later.

The brush unit (50) is for removing dust trapped by the air filter (30). The brush unit (50) is attached to a first dust container (60) described later. The brush unit (50) includes a rotating brush (51) that contacts the air filter (30), and a brush drive unit (53) that rotates the rotating brush (51). Here, the surface of the rotating brush (51) is divided into a brush surface and a non-brush surface. In the brush unit (50), the brush driving unit (53) rotates the rotating brush (51) during the cleaning operation.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the first dust container (60), the upper part is a storage part (61) for storing the brush unit (50), and the lower part is dust removed from the air filter (30). It is a storage part (62) where water accumulates. In the storage part (62), a first window part (64) and a second window part (65) made of a transparent member are provided in a part facing a light emitting diode (72) and a phototransistor (73) described later. It has been. Dust scraped from the air filter (30) by the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) provided in the storage unit (61) are scraped from the rotating brush (51) to the reservoir (62). It is configured to collect the dust that has been dropped.

As shown in FIG. 1, a damper box (81) having a first chamber and a second chamber formed therein is connected to the first dust container (60). The damper box (81) is provided with a damper (82) that opens and closes the communication port between the first chamber and the second chamber. An introduction duct (86) that opens above the bell mouth (24) is connected to the upper surface of the first chamber. When the indoor fan (21) is operated with the damper (82) set to the open state, the air blown from the indoor fan (21) is passed through the introduction duct (86) and the damper box (81) to the first dust container ( 60). And the dust in a 1st dust storage container (60) is conveyed by this inflowing blowing air to a 2nd dust storage container (90). The damper (82) is set to a closed state during the air conditioning operation.

Also, a suction duct (87) communicating with the insertion port (18) is connected to the lower surface of the second chamber of the damper box (81). When the dust suction part of the cleaner is connected to the insertion port (18) and the cleaner is operated, the dust in the second dust container (90) and the first dust container (60) is sucked by the cleaner. .

The second dust storage container (90) is disposed below the air filter (30) together with the first dust storage container (60), and is connected to the first dust storage container (60) via the transfer duct (88). Has been. As shown in FIG. 2, the second dust container (90) has an exhaust port (91). A filter (92) is attached to the exhaust port (91). The exhaust port (91) communicates with the outside of the casing (20) through the exhaust passage (19) of the lower casing (10b).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a detection sensor (detection means) (71) is provided for detecting the amount of dust stored in the storage section (62) of the first dust storage container (60). . The detection sensor (71) is an infrared sensor. The detection sensor (71) is accommodated in the sensor box (70) attached to the storage part (62) of the first dust storage container (60).

The detection sensor (71) includes a pair of light emitting diodes (light emitting units) (72) and phototransistors (light receiving units) (73) installed at the same height. The light emitting diode (72) and the phototransistor (73) are provided at a height slightly lower than the central height of the storage portion (62).

In the detection sensor (71), the light emitted from the light emitting diode (72) is sequentially transmitted through the first window (64) and the second window (65), and the intensity of the transmitted light is determined by the phototransistor (73). ) Is detected. Based on the detected light intensity, a storage amount detection unit (not shown) built in the detection sensor (71) detects the amount of dust stored in the storage unit (62).

Specifically, when the amount of stored dust is small, the light transmittance (transmission amount) from the first window portion (64) to the second window portion (65) in the storage portion (62) increases and is detected. Brightness increases. Conversely, if the amount of stored dust is large, the transmittance (transmission amount) of light from the first window portion (64) to the second window portion (65) in the storage portion (62) decreases, and the detected light intensity Becomes lower.

-Control unit configuration-
The indoor unit (1) of the present embodiment is provided with a control unit (35) that controls the air conditioning operation and the cleaning operation of the air filter (30). The control unit (35) is provided on a control board (31) in a control box (not shown) in which the lower casing (10b) is accommodated, and is connected to an output determination unit (dust amount determination unit) (38) and a cleaning operation. And a control unit (control means) (39). As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit (35) includes a remote control (48), the output determination unit (38) includes a detection sensor (71), and the cleaning operation control unit (39) performs cleaning. The sign output units (33, 34, 56) are electrically connected to each other.

The output determination unit (38) generates a detection signal indicating that the storage unit (62) is filled with dust based on the light intensity detected by the detection sensor (71). The cleaning operation control unit (39) It is comprised so that it may determine whether it outputs to. Specifically, a determination light intensity for determining whether or not to output a detection signal is set in advance. The output determination unit (38) outputs a detection signal if the detected light intensity is less than the determination light intensity, and does not output a detection signal if the detection light intensity is equal to or greater than the determination light intensity.

The cleaning operation control unit (39) is configured to prohibit a cleaning operation of an air filter (30) described later when a detection signal from the output determination unit (38) is input. Further, the cleaning operation control unit (39) needs to remove dust from the first and second dust storage containers (60, 90) while the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) is prohibited. Control is performed to output a cleaning sign for informing the cleaning sign output unit (33, 34, 56).

The cleaning sign output unit (33, 34, 56) is a liquid crystal display of the lighting unit (33) of the decorative panel (11) and the remote control (48) for the user to input on / off of air conditioning operation and cleaning operation, etc. Part (34) and a remote control lighting part (56). The cleaning sign is displayed on the lighting part (33), the liquid crystal display part (34) and the remote control lighting part (56).

-Driving operation-
Next, the operation of the indoor unit (1) will be described. The indoor unit (1) is configured to be switchable between a normal operation for performing air conditioning and a filter cleaning operation for cleaning the air filter (30). Further, a filter cleaning prohibiting operation for prohibiting the filter cleaning operation is also performed.

<Normal operation>
In normal operation, the rotating brush (51) of the brush unit (50) is rotated so that its brush surface is positioned on the cleaning brush (52) side. That is, the rotating brush (51) is rotated to a position where the brush surface of the rotating brush (51) does not contact the air filter (30), and the non-brush surface of the rotating brush (51) faces the air filter (30). Further, the damper (82) of the damper box (81) is closed. The air filter (30) is in a stopped state.

In this state, the indoor fan (21) is driven. Then, in the indoor unit (1), the indoor air sucked from the suction port (13) passes through the air filter (30) and flows into the bell mouth (24). When air passes through the air filter (30), dust in the air is captured by the air filter (30). The air flowing into the bell mouth (24) is blown out from the indoor fan (21). The blown air is cooled or heated by exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger (22), and then supplied into the room from each outlet (14). Thereby, indoor cooling or heating is performed. In this operation, since the damper (82) of the damper box (81) is closed, the air blown from the indoor fan (21) is not introduced into the first dust container (60) through the damper box (81). Absent.

Thus, in normal operation, the brush surface of the rotating brush (51) and the air filter (30) are in a non-contact state. That is, the brush surface is separated from the air filter (30). Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration due to continuous contact with the air filter (30) on the brush surface. Thereby, durability of a rotating brush (51) improves.

<Filter cleaning operation>
In the filter cleaning operation, the compressor is stopped in the refrigerant circuit, and the refrigerant does not circulate. In this filter cleaning operation, “dust removal operation”, “brush cleaning operation”, “dust transport operation”, and “dust discharge operation” are switchable.

“Dust removal operation” is an operation to remove dust trapped in the air filter (30). The “brush cleaning operation” is an operation for removing dust trapped on the rotating brush (51). The “dust transfer operation” is an operation of transferring dust from the first dust container (60) to the second dust container (90). The “dust discharging operation” is an operation for discharging dust from the second dust container (90) to the outside of the casing (10).

In this embodiment, “dust removal operation” and “brush cleaning operation” are performed alternately. First, in the “dust removal operation”, the rotary fan (51) is rotated and the brush surface is brought into contact with the air filter (30) while the indoor fan (21) is operated. Thus, the dust can be removed by the indoor fan (21) while the air filter (30) holds the dust. In some cases, with the indoor fan (21) stopped, the rotating brush (51) may be rotated to bring the brush surface into contact with the air filter (30).

In this way, the air filter (30) rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the lower side of the indoor unit (1) in a state where the brush surface of the rotating brush (51) is in contact with the air filter (30). . As a result, the air filter (30) moves so as to face the bristles of the brush surface of the rotating brush (51). At this time, the rotating brush (51) remains stopped.

Then, the dust of the air filter (30) is captured on the brush surface of the rotating brush (51). And the limit switch provided in the filter drive part (40) act | operates, and an air filter (30) rotates only a predetermined angle and stops.

This removes dust in the area that has passed through the brush surface of the rotating brush (51) in the air filter (30). Here, since the bristles of the brush surface are inclined to oppose the rotation direction (movement direction) of the air filter (30), dust on the air filter (30) is easily scraped off by the brush surface. Therefore, the dust removal efficiency by the rotating brush (51) is improved. When the air filter (30) stops, the “dust removal operation” is switched to the “brush cleaning operation”.

In “Brush cleaning operation”, the rotating brush (51) first rotates with the indoor fan (21) stopped. At that time, the rotating brush (51) rotates while dust is captured on the brush surface. Further, the rotating brush (51) rotates while the brushes of the rotating brush (51) and the cleaning brush (52) are in contact with each other. The rotating brush (51) stops when it rotates by a predetermined rotation angle.

Subsequently, the rotating brush (51) rotates in the reverse direction. Then, the dust trapped on the brush surface of the rotating brush (51) is removed by the cleaning brush (52). This is because the bristles of the cleaning brush (52) are inclined downward, that is, the bristles are inclined in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating brush (51). Is scraped off.

Further, the cleaning brush (52) is pushed rearward when the two brushes come into contact with each other, but the main body (52a) is rotated by the spring (51) attached to the inner wall of the storage part (61). It is urged to the side. Thus, the brushes are not separated from each other, and the cleaning brush (52) is appropriately pressed against the rotating brush (51). Therefore, dust is more reliably removed from the brush surface of the rotating brush (51). Thus, dust is captured by the cleaning brush (52). The rotating brush (51) rotates to the original state and stops.

Subsequently, the rotating brush (51) rotates again by a predetermined rotation angle. Then, the dust captured by the cleaning brush (52) is scraped off by the brush surface of the rotary brush (51) and falls to the storage part (62) of the first dust storage container (60). This is because the bristles of the brush surface of the rotating brush (51) are inclined in the rotating direction, so that dust is reliably scraped off from the cleaning brush (52). At this time, similarly to the above, since the cleaning brush (52) is appropriately pressed against the rotating brush (51) by the spring portion, dust is more reliably removed from the cleaning brush (52).

Thus, the dust trapped on the rotating brush (51) is removed and stored in the storage part (62) of the first dust storage container (60). Thereafter, the rotating brush (51) rotates again in the reverse direction to return to the original state, and the “brush cleaning operation” is temporarily ended.

When the “brush cleaning operation” is completed, the “dust removal operation” described above is performed again. That is, the air filter (30) is rotated again, and when the limit switch is actuated again, the air filter (30) stops. Thereby, the dust of the area | region which passed the brush surface of the rotating brush (51) in an air filter (30) is capture | acquired by the brush surface of a rotating brush (51).

In this way, “dust removal operation” and “brush cleaning operation” are alternately repeated. As a result, dust is removed for each predetermined region in the air filter (30). When the dust is removed in the entire area of the air filter (30), the “dust removal operation” and the “brush cleaning operation” are completely completed. For example, when the limit switch (44) is actuated a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the air filter (30) has made one rotation, and the above operation ends.

In the “dust transfer operation”, both the rotating brush (51) and the air filter (30) are stopped. In addition, the damper (82) of the damper box (81) is opened. In this state, the indoor fan (21) is driven. The air blown from the indoor fan (21) is introduced into the first dust container (60) through the introduction duct (86) and the damper box (81) in this order. As a result, the dust in the first dust container (60) is transferred together with the air to the second dust container (90) via the transfer duct (88).

Also, in the filter cleaning operation of the present embodiment, “dust removal operation” is performed according to predetermined conditions. For example, when the “dust transfer operation” is performed a predetermined number of times (predetermined time), the “dust discharge operation” is performed. Or you may make it perform by remote control operation by a user. This operation is also performed when the above-described cleaning sign is displayed.

In the “dust discharge operation”, both the rotating brush (51) and the air filter (30) are stopped, as in the “dust transfer operation” described above. Further, the damper (82) of the damper box (81) is closed. In this state, the user inserts the hose of the vacuum cleaner into the insertion port (18) of the decorative panel (11). By this suction operation, the dust in the second dust container (90) is sucked into the cleaner through the transfer duct (88), the first dust container (60), and the suction duct (87) in this order. At that time, the dust in the first dust container (60) is also sucked into the cleaner through the suction duct (87). As a result, the dust in the second dust container (90) and the first dust container (60) is discharged out of the casing (10).

<Prohibited operation of filter cleaning operation>
When the storage part (62) of the first dust storage container (60) is filled with dust by the filter cleaning operation, the state is detected by the detection sensor (71). In the output determination unit (38), based on the light intensity detected by the detection sensor (71), a cleaning operation control unit (39) notifies a detection signal that the storage unit (62) is filled with dust. Output to.

The cleaning operation control unit (39) prohibits the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) when the detection signal from the output determination unit (38) is input. The cleaning operation control unit (39) prohibits the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) while the first and second dust storage containers (60) are connected to the cleaning sign output unit (33, 34, 56). , 90) is controlled so as to output a cleaning sign for informing that it is necessary to remove dust.

In the present embodiment, the detection sensor (71) is provided in the first dust container (60). Assuming that the detection sensor (71) is provided in the second dust container (90), the control unit (35) is configured so that the air filter is used even though the first dust container (60) is full. This is because a malfunction may be caused in that the cleaning operation is continued.

That is, if the transport duct (88) is blocked for some reason, the dust that should be sent to the second dust container (90) is stored in the first dust container (60). Thereby, if the detection sensor (71) is provided in the second dust storage container (90), the detection sensor (71) cannot detect that the first dust storage container (60) is full of dust. It is possible. Therefore, by providing the detection sensor (71) in the first dust container (60), the control unit (35) allows the air filter (30) to be used regardless of whether the first dust container (60) is full. ) Can be prevented from malfunctioning by continuing the cleaning operation.

-Effects of the embodiment-
According to this embodiment, when the detection signal is input from the output determination unit (38) to the cleaning operation control unit (39), the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) is prohibited. That is, in the conventional indoor unit, the amount of dust in the first and second dust storage containers (60, 90) is estimated from the accumulated operation time by the timer, and the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) is performed based on the estimated value. In this embodiment, the detection sensor (71) directly detects the amount of dust in the first and second dust storage containers (60, 90), and based on this detected value. Thus, the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) can be prohibited.

Therefore, the indoor unit of the present embodiment does not require a timer for measuring the accumulated operation time of the air conditioner, and does not require a timer reset operation. In addition, if the user discharges the dust in the first and second dust storage containers (60, 90) so that the detection signal is not output from the dust amount determination unit (38), the prohibited air filter is prohibited. (30) Cleaning operation cannot be resumed.

As described above, unlike the conventional case, the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) is not permitted even though the first and second dust storage containers (60, 90) are sufficiently stored with dust. In addition, it is possible to prevent malfunctions such as dust overflowing from the first and second dust storage containers (60, 90) storing dust removed by the cleaning operation of the air filter (30).

<< Other Embodiments >>
About the said embodiment, it is good also as the following structures.

In the above embodiment, the dust storage means for storing the dust removed by the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) is configured by the first and second dust storage containers (60, 90), but it is necessary to limit to this. For example, you may comprise only a 2nd dust storage container (90). In this configuration, unlike the above embodiment, the dust removed from the air filter (30) is stored in the second dust storage container (90) without being temporarily stored. In this configuration, the detection sensor (71) is preferably provided in the transfer duct (88) that connects the damper box (81) and the second dust container (90). In this way, the amount of dust accumulated in the transfer duct (88) can be detected, and the cleaning operation control section (39) can prohibit the cleaning operation of the air filter (30).

In the above embodiment, the indoor unit (1) installed on the indoor ceiling has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a so-called wall-mounted indoor unit installed on an indoor wall can also be applied.

In the above embodiment, when the detection sensor (71) detects that the storage section (62) is full, the filter cleaning operation is prohibited and a cleaning sign is output. However, as another embodiment, the prohibition of the air-conditioning operation, which is the normal operation of cooling and heating, and the prohibition of the filter cleaning operation may be controlled in stages.

Specifically, when the fullness of the storage part (62) was detected based on the light intensity detected by the detection sensor (71), dust in the air filter (30) was removed and the storage part (62) became full State. Therefore, the air filter (30) is in a state after cleaning from which dust has been removed. Therefore, the air conditioning operation can be continued for a predetermined time thereafter.

Therefore, when the storage unit (62) becomes full based on the light intensity detected by the detection sensor (71), the control unit (35) prohibits the filter cleaning operation as described above. However, in this state, the air conditioning operation of the air conditioning is permitted and the air conditioning operation can be continued.

The control unit (35) may be configured to prohibit the air conditioning operation when the air conditioning operation is continued for a predetermined time after the filter cleaning operation is prohibited.

It should be noted that the above embodiment is essentially a preferable example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its application, or its use.

As described above, the present invention is useful for an indoor unit of an air conditioner having an air filter cleaning function.

Claims

An air filter (30) for capturing dust in the air to be treated; and a dust removing means (40, 50) for removing dust trapped by the air filter (30), wherein the dust removing means (40,50 ) Air conditioner indoor unit comprising a control means (39) for controlling the cleaning operation of the air filter (30).
Connected to the dust removing means (40, 50) and storing dust removed by the dust removing means (40, 50), and the dust removing means (40, 50) Detection means (71) for detecting the amount of dust removed, and a dust amount determination unit (38) for outputting a detection signal when the amount of dust detected by the detection means (71) exceeds a predetermined amount,
The indoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein the control means (39) is configured to prohibit the cleaning operation of the air filter (30) when the detection signal is input.
In claim 1,
While the dust storage means (60, 90) has a storage part (62) for storing dust therein,
The detecting means (71) is opposed to the light emitting part (72) disposed outside the storage part (62) and the light emitting part (72) across the storage part (62). ) And a light receiving part (73) for detecting the light intensity of the light emitting part (72), and the amount of dust in the dust storing means (60, 90) based on the light intensity detected by the light receiving part (73) An indoor unit of an air conditioner that is configured to detect the