WO2010056001A1

WO2010056001A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2010056001A1
Application number: PCT/KR2009/006270
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeong-Taek Park; Deok Huh; Seong-Won Bae
Original assignee: Lg Electronics, Inc.
Priority date: 2008-11-13
Filing date: 2009-10-28
Publication date: 2010-05-20
Also published as: EP2217863A4; KR20100053903A; EP2217863A1; CN101821558A; CN101821558B; EP2217863B1; ES2551901T3

Abstract

An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a main body, a filter, and a filter cleaning unit. The main body is configured to perform air conditioning. Air is introduced into the main body through the filter for filtering contaminants. The filter cleaning unit is disposed in the main body and configured to inject a fluid onto the filter for cleaning the filter.

Description

AIR CONDITIONER

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

Generally, air conditioners are used to cool/heat an indoor area by using a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. In addition, if an air filter is provided in an air conditioner, the air conditioner can also be used to clean indoor air.

A filter can be detachably provided in an air conditioner. In this case, a user can clean or replace the filter after detaching the filter from the air conditioner.

Since air suction is difficult if the filter is heavily contaminated, it is necessary to clean or replace the filter periodically.

Embodiments provide an air conditioner.

In one embodiment, an air conditioner includes: a main body configured to perform air conditioning; a filter through which air is introduced into the main body for filtering contaminants; and a filter cleaning unit disposed in the main body and configured to inject a fluid onto the filter for cleaning the filter.

In another embodiment, an air conditioner includes: a main body configured to perform air conditioning; a filter through which air is introduced into the main body for filtering contaminants; an injection unit configured to inject steam onto the filter while being varied in position relative to the filter; and a suction unit configured to suck the steam injected onto the filter.

In further another embodiment, an air conditioner includes: an air conditioning region; a filter in the air conditioning region; a cleaning region in which the filter is cleaned; a transfer unit configured to move the filter to the cleaning region; and a filter cleaning unit configured to inject a fluid onto the filter while the filter is moved to the cleaning region so as to clean the filter.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an air conditioner according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of portion A of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a filter cleaning unit.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a structure for controlling the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the air conditioner operating in filter cleaning mode.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating portion A of Fig. 1, according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view illustrating portion A of Fig. 1, according to a third embodiment.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an air conditioner 10 according to a first embodiment.

Referring to Fig. 1, the air conditioner 10 of the current embodiment includes an indoor-unit main body 100 used for indoor air conditioning, a filter 130 configured to clean air sucked into the main body 100, and a filter cleaning unit 200 disposed in the main body 100 for cleaning the filter 130.

A top-surface suction hole 103 is formed in the top surface of the main body 100, and a front-surface suction hole 104 is formed in the front surface of the main body 100. A discharge hole 105 is formed in the bottom side of the main body 100 for discharging air after the air is heat-exchanged.

The top-surface suction hole 103 may be exposed to the outside of the main body 100, and the front-surface suction hole 104 may be closed and opened by a front panel 110. The front panel 110 may be rotatably or slidably coupled to the main body 100.

A blower fan 150 is provided in the main body 100 for circulating air forcibly. A heat exchanger 140 is provided at the upstream side of the blower fan 150 along an air flow passage, so that air sucked through the

suction holes

103 and 104 can change heat with a refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 140. The filter 130 is provided at the upstream side of the heat exchanger 140.

The filter 130 is made of flexible material and disposed inside the main body 100 in a bent state.

A transfer unit 300 is provided in the main body 100 for moving the filter 130.

The transfer unit 300 includes a transfer motor 310 and a first transmission part 320 connected to the transfer motor 310 for transmitting power to the transfer motor 310. A second transmission part 132 is disposed on the filter 130 for receiving power from the first transmission part 320.

For example, the first transmission part 320 may be a gear, and the second transmission part 132 may be a gear teeth disposed along the filter 130.

A plurality of

guide ribs

161 and 162 are provided in the main body 100 for guiding movement of the filter 130. The

guide ribs

161 and 162 are spaced apart from each other, and the filter 130 may be disposed between the

guide ribs

161 and 162.

The main body 100 includes a condensed water collecting part 170 to collect water condensed when air sucked into the main body 100 exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 140. In addition, the main body 100 includes a cleaning region 172, so that the filter 130 can be cleaned in the cleaning region 172.

The filter cleaning unit 200 cleans the filter 130 in the cleaning region 172.

The filter cleaning unit 200 will now be described in more detail.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of portion A of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the filter cleaning unit 200.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the filter cleaning unit 200 includes: a plurality of

first brushes

232 and 234 configured to clean the surfaces of the filter 130 moving to the cleaning region 172; an injection unit 210 configured to inject a fluid to the filter 130; a plurality of

second brushes

242 and 244 configured to remove moisture from the surfaces of the filter 130; and a suction unit 220 configured to suck steam from the cleaning region 172.

In detail, the

first brushes

232 and 234 are rotatably installed to the main body 100. The

first brushes

232 and 234 may be rotated by friction with the filter 130 or a brush motor (not shown).

The

first brushes

232 and 234 are formed of a material capable of absorbing moisture. Since the

first brushes

232 and 234 absorb a fluid injected from the injection unit 210, leakage of the fluid from the cleaning region 172 to an air conditioning region 171 can be minimized. That is, the

first brushes

232 and 234 may also be called "leakage prevention members."

The

first brushes

232 and 234 are horizontally spaced from each other. The filter 130 is transferred between the

first brushes

232 and 234. Then, both sides of the filter 130 are cleaned by the

first brushes

232 and 234.

When the filter 130 is transferred from the air conditioning region 171 to the cleaning region 172, the

brushes

232 and 234 are used for primarily removing dust from the surfaces of the filter 130, and when the filter 130 is transferred from the cleaning region 172 to the air conditioning region 171, the

first brushes

232 and 234 are used for removing moisture from the surfaces of the filter 130.

The injection unit 210 includes a steam generator 212 configured to generate steam (or vapor), a steam tube 214 through which steam flows, a plurality of injection nozzles 216 disposed on the steam tube 214 for injecting steam at a high speed, and a supply tube 217 through which water is supplied to the steam generator 212.

A heater 213 (refer to Fig. 4) is disposed in the steam generator 212. A storage space for storing water may be formed in the steam generator 212. In this case, the heater 213 is disposed in the storage space to heat water. Alternatively, a tube bent a plurality of times may be disposed in the steam generator 212. In this case, the heater 213 may be disposed at the outside of the bent tube for heating water flowing through the bent tube. In the current embodiment, the method of heating water is not limited.

The steam tube 214 may extend lengthwise from the left and right sides of the steam generator 212. The injection nozzles 216 may be arranged at predetermined intervals from the left to the right of the main body 100.

The supply tube 217 may be connected to the condensed water collecting part 170. In this case, since condensed water collected in the condensed water collecting part 170 is supplied to the steam generator 212, it is unnecessary for a user to supply water to the steam generator 212. However, the current embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the supply tube 217 can be connected to an additional water storage tank. In this case, the storage tank may be detachably coupled to the main body 100.

A valve 218 (refer to Fig. 4) may be disposed at the supply tube 217 for selectively supply condensed water from the condensed water collecting part 170 to the steam generator 212. In addition, a pump 219 (refer to Fig. 4) may be provided at the condensed water collecting part 170 so as to pump condensed water to the supply tube 217.

Alternatively, the pump 219 may be not used, and in this case, condensed water may be supplied from the condensed water collecting part 170 to the steam generator 212 by a pressure difference between the steam generator 212 and the condensed water collecting part 170.

In filter cleaning mode, the valve 218 is opened, and the pump 219 is operated to supply condensed water stored in the condensed water collecting part 170 to the steam generator 212.

The suction unit 220 is spaced apart from the steam tube 214. The suction unit 220 may communicate with the condensed water collecting part 170. The suction unit 220 may include a suction fan. The suction fan may be rotated by a suction fan motor 222 (refer to Fig. 4).

If the suction fan is operated, air of the cleaning region 172 is sucked into the suction unit 220 and is directed to the condensed water collecting part 170 so that flows of steam from the cleaning region 172 to the air conditioning region 171 can be minimized.

The second brushes 242 and 244 are rotatably installed to the main body 100. The second brushes 242 and 244 may be rotated by friction with the filter 130 or a brush motor (not shown).

The second brushes 242 and 244 are formed of a material capable of absorbing moisture. Since the

second brushes

242 and 244 absorb steam injected from the injection nozzles 216, leakage of the steam from the cleaning region 172 to the outside of the main body 100 can be minimized. That is, the

second brushes

242 and 244 may also be called "leakage prevention members."

The second brushes 242 and 244 are horizontally spaced from each other. The filter 130 is transferred between the

second brushes

242 and 244. Then, the

second brushes

242 and 244 remove moisture from both sides of the filter 130.

An opening 174 is formed in the main body 100 for taking the filter 130 out from the main body 100 after the filter 130 is cleaned in the cleaning region 172. The opening 174 may be selectively covered with a cover member 180 rotatably coupled to the main body 100.

The second brushes 242 and 244 are disposed at an inlet of the opening 174 to absorb moisture of the cleaning region 172 for minimizing leakage of steam from the cleaning region 172 to the outside of the main body 100 through the opening 174.

A rotation shaft of the cover member 180 may be connected to a motor (not shown) so as to rotate the cover member 180 automatically.

Alternatively, an elastic member (not shown) may be disposed at the rotation shaft of the cover member 180 to apply an elastic force in a direction that the opening 174 is closed by the cover member 180. In this case, the opening 174 can be opened when the cover member 180 is pushed by the filter 130 transferred by the transfer unit 300, and then the filter 130 can be taken out from the main body 100.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a structure for controlling the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment.

Referring to Fig. 4, the air conditioner 10 includes: a control unit 190 configured to control the overall operation of the main body 100; a mode selection unit 192 for selecting the operation mode of the main body 100; an alarming unit 194 configured to inform of at least a filter cleaning operation; the transfer motor 310 configured to move the filter 130; the heater 213 configured to heat water; the valve 218 used to close and open the supply tube 217; the pump 219 configured to pump water from the condensed water collecting part 170 to the steam generator 212; and the suction fan motor 222 configured to drive the suction fan.

In detail, modes such as an air conditioning mode and a filter cleaning mode can be selected by using the mode selection unit 192.

After a predetermined time from the operation of the heater 213, the valve 218 may be operated to open the supply tube 217. During the predetermined time, the temperature of the heater 213 is increased to a preset temperature. The predetermined time may be varied according to the capacity of the heater 213.

In addition, the transfer motor 310, the pump 219, and the suction fan motor 222 may be operated after a predetermined time from the operation of the heater 213.

The alarming unit 194 is capable of informing of at least a filter cleaning mode. The alarming unit 194 may also be used for informing of an air condition mode. For this end, the alarming unit 194 may generate a visual signal and/or a sound signal.

The transfer motor 310 may be a bidirectional motor. In this case, the filter 130 can be moved forward and backward by the transfer motor 310.

An operation of the air conditioner 10 will now be described.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the air conditioner 10 operating in filter cleaning mode.

Hereinafter, Referring to Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, it is described for operation of each mode in the air conditioner.

First, if air conditioning mode is selected, the front panel 110 is moved to open the front-surface suction hole 104, and the blower fan 150 is operated. When the blower fan 150 is operated, indoor air is sucked into the main body 100 through the top-surface suction hole 103 and the front-surface suction hole 104.

Air sucked into the main body 100 is cleaned by the filter 130 and changes heat with the heat exchanger 140. After passing through the heat exchanger 140, air is discharged to an indoor area through the discharge hole 105.

If filter cleaning mode is selected, the alarming unit 194 generates a signal to inform of the filter cleaning mode. In filter cleaning mode, the front-surface suction hole 104 is closed by the front panel 110, and the blower fan 150 is not operated.

Then, the heater 213 is operated, and thus the temperature of the heater 213 increases. After a predetermined time from the operation o the heater 213, the valve 218, the pump 219, the transfer motor 310, and the suction fan motor 222 are operated.

If the transfer motor 310 rotates in one direction, the filter 130 is transferred into the cleaning region 172. Then, the filter 130 passes between the

first brushes

232 and 234. One side of the filter 130 is cleaned by one of the

first brushes

232 and 234, and the other side of the filter 130 is cleaned by the other of the

first brushes

232 and 234.

As the valve 218 and the pump 219 are operated, condensed water is supplied from the condensed water collecting part 170 to the steam generator 212 where the water is heated by the heater 213 and changed into stream.

Steam generated at the steam generator 212 flows through the steam tube 214 to the left and right sides, and then the steam is injected to the filter 130 through the injection nozzles 216 at a high-temperature state. Oil, dust, and bacteria can be removed from the surfaces of the filter 130 by the high-temperature steam.

Thereafter, the steam is introduced into the suction unit 220 from the cleaning region 172 and then is directed to the condensed water collecting part 170. The suction unit 220 minimizes leakage of steam from the cleaning region 172 to the air conditioning region 171 and the outside of the main body 100.

After being cleaned by steam, the filter 130 is further transferred to the downside where the filter 130 passes between the

second brushes

242 and 244. Then, moisture is removed from the surfaces of the filter 130 by the

second brushes

242 and 244. After passing between the

second brushes

242 and 244, the filter 130 is taken outward from the main body 100 through the opening 174. At this time of the filter cleaning mode, the opening 174 is not closed by the cover member 180.

At this time, the filter 130 is not fully taken out from the main body 100, but a part of the filter 130 is kept inside of the main body 100 in engagement with the first transmission part 320.

After the transfer motor 310 is operated in one direction for a predetermined time, the transfer motor 310 is operated in the other direction. Then, the operation of the filter cleaning unit 200 is terminated.

If the transfer motor 310 is operated in the other direction, the filter 130 is transferred in the opposite direction. That is, the filter 130 taken outward from the main body 100 is taken back into the main body 100. Then, the filter 130 is first transferred between the

second brushes

242 and 244 and then transferred between the

first brushes

232 and 234 toward the air conditioning region 171.

In the current embodiment, when the filter 130 is transferred to the air conditioning region 171 after being cleaned, the filter cleaning unit 200 is not operated. However, the filter cleaning unit 200 can be continuously operated until the transferring of the filter 130 is completed.

Furthermore, instead of determining whether to stop the transfer motor 310 based on the operating time of the transfer motor 310, a time for stopping the transfer motor 310 may be determined based on the number of rotation of the transfer motor 310.

According to the current embodiment, the filter 130 disposed in the main body 100 can be automatically cleaned. Moreover, since the filter 130 is cleaned by injecting high-temperature steam onto the filter 130, contaminants such as oil as well as dust can also be removed, and the filter 130 can be sterilized.

The current embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the structure of a filter cleaning unit. In the following description, characteristic parts of the current embodiment will be mainly described.

Referring to Fig. 6, the filter cleaning unit of the current embodiment includes a steam generator 410, a steam tube 412 connected to the steam generator 410, a first cleaning member 414 disposed at an outer side of the steam tube 412, and a second cleaning member 420 spaced apart from the first cleaning member 414. The distance between the first cleaning member 414 and the second cleaning member 420 is smaller than the thickness of the filter 130.

The second cleaning member 420 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 100. For example, the first and second cleaning members 414 and 420 may be formed of a textile material.

The filter 130 is transferred between the first and second cleaning members 414 and 420.

Steam generated at the steam generator 410 flows through the steam tube 412 and is supplied to the first cleaning member 414. Then, the first cleaning member 414 is dampened with moisture, such that one side of the filter 130 can be cleaned by contact with the first cleaning member 414. Meanwhile, the other side of the filter 130 is cleaned by the second cleaning member 420.

According to the current embodiment, since the first and second cleaning members 414 and 420 make contact with the filter 130 while cleaning the filter 130, contaminants can be removed from the filter 130 more surely.

Referring to Fig. 7, the filter cleaning unit of the current embodiment includes a steam generator 510, a steam tube 512 connected to the steam generator 510, a first cleaning member 520 disposed at an outer side of the steam tube 412, and a second cleaning member 420 spaced apart from the first cleaning member 520.

The first and

second cleaning members

520 and 420 may be formed of a textile material.

The distance between the first cleaning member 414 and the second cleaning member 420 is smaller than the thickness of the filter 130. The second cleaning member 420 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 100. The filter 130 is transferred between the first cleaning member 520 and the second cleaning member 420.

One side of the first cleaning member 520 is wound around a first rotation member 522, and the other side of the first cleaning member 520 is wound around a second rotation member 524. The

rotation members

522 and 524 may be rotated by rotation motors (not shown), respectively. In this case, if the rotation motors are rotated while the steam generator 510 is operated, the first cleaning member 520 is unwound from one of the first and

second rotation members

522 and 524 and wound around the other of the first and

second rotation members

522 and 524. That is, the first cleaning member 520 is moved while the steam generator 510 is operated.

According to the current embodiment, since the surface of the filter 130 is cleaned while the first cleaning member 520 is moved, the entire surface, not a partial surface, of one side of the first cleaning member 520 can be brought into contact with the filter 130, and thus the filter 130 can be cleaned more thoroughly.

That is, if the filter 130 is cleaned by using only a part of the first cleaning member 520, since the first cleaning member 520 is contaminated with time of use, according to the current embodiment, the filter 130 is cleaned while the first cleaning member 520 is moved, so as to clean the filter 130 with the entire surface of the first cleaning member 520.

In the above-described embodiments, the filter is cleaned while the filter is moved. However, the filter can be cleaned at a fixed position by integrating the injection unit and the suction unit into a module and moving the module in the main body.

Claims

An air conditioner comprising:

a main body configured to perform air conditioning;

a filter through which air is introduced into the main body for filtering contaminants; and

a filter cleaning unit disposed in the main body and configured to inject a fluid onto the filter for cleaning the filter.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the filter cleaning unit comprises an injection unit configured to inject a fluid onto the filer.
The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the fluid is steam, and the filter cleaning unit further comprises a suction unit configured to suck a fluid injected from the injection unit.
The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the injection unit comprises:

a steam generator configured to generate steam by heating water; and

a steam tube through which steam generated by the steam generator flows.
The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the steam tube comprises a plurality of injection nozzles.
The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein a cleaning member is disposed at an outer side of the steam tube for absorbing steam and cleaning a surface of the filter.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the filter cleaning unit comprises a plurality of brushes configured to clean surfaces of the filter, and the brushes are spaced apart from each other.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit configured to move the filter, wherein the filter cleaning unit is configured to inject a fluid onto the filter while the filter is moved by the transfer unit.
The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the transfer unit comprises a transfer motor and a first transmission part communicated with the transfer motor; and

the filter comprises a second transmission part configured to receive power from the first transmission part.
The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the main body comprises a guide part configured to guide movement of the filter.
The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the main body comprises:

an opening through which the filter is taken outward after the filter is cleaned; and

a cover member configured to close and open the opening.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the main body comprises an alarming unit configured to inform of at least a filter cleaning operation.
An air conditioner comprising:

a main body configured to perform air conditioning;

a filter for filtering contaminants in the air introduced into the main body;

an injection unit configured to inject steam onto the filter while being varied in position relative to the filter; and

a suction unit configured to suck the steam injected onto the filter.
The air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein when the filter is cleaned, the injection unit is disposed at one side of the filter, and the suction unit is disposed at the other side of the filter.
The air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein the injection unit comprises:

a steam generator configured to generate steam by heating water; and

an injection nozzle configured to inject steam generated by the steam generator.
The air conditioner according to claim 15, further comprising:

a heat exchanger configured to change heat with air passing through the filter; and

a condensed water collecting part configured to collect water condensed while the heat exchanger changes heat with air,

wherein condensed water collected in the condensed water collecting part is supplied to the steam generator.
The air conditioner according to claim 13, further comprising:

a heat exchanger configured to change heat with air passing through the filter; and

a condensed water collecting part configured to collect water condensed at the heat exchanger,

wherein the suction unit is connected to the condensed water collecting part.
The air conditioner according to claim 13, further comprising at least one brush movable disposed at the main body for removing moisture from a surface of the filter.
An air conditioner comprising:

an air conditioning region;

a filter in the air conditioning region;

a cleaning region in which the filter is cleaned;

a transfer unit configured to move the filter to the cleaning region; and

a filter cleaning unit configured to inject a fluid onto the filter while the filter is moved to the cleaning region so as to clean the filter.
The air conditioner according to claim 19, wherein the filter cleaning unit comprises:

an injection unit disposed in the cleaning region and configured to inject steam onto the filter; and

a suction unit configured to suck the steam injected onto the filter.