WO2012096100A1

WO2012096100A1 - Filter cleaning device, dust box, and air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2012096100A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/079149
Authority: WO
Inventors: 河野雄樹
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2011-01-11
Filing date: 2011-12-16
Publication date: 2012-07-19
Also published as: JP5108118B2; CN202411022U; JP2012145255A

Abstract

In order to enable dust adhering to a rotating brush to be removed by a dust removal body having a simple configuration, a dust box (17) integrally comprises the rotating brush (50) which removes dust from a filter (7), a dust collection box (45) which contains the removed dust, and a filter guide (46) which guides the filter (7) which bends and moves. The rotating brush (50) is rotatably provided to the opening of the dust collection box (45). The filter guide (46) is disposed so as to face the rotating brush (50). The dust box (17) also comprises the dust removal body (95) for removing the dust adhering to the rotating brush (50). The dust removal body (95) is provided to the lower part of the filter guide (46). The dust removal body (95) is provided so as to face the rotating brush (50) and is tilted so as to approach the rotating brush (50) along the direction of rotation of the rotating brush (50). The bristles (71) of the rotating brush (50) are pressed against the dust removal body (95) in such a manner that the bristles (71) make contact with the dust removal body (95) from the front end side of the bristles (71).

Description

Filter cleaning device, dust box and air conditioner

The present invention relates to a filter cleaning device that cleans a filter attached to a suction port of an air conditioner or the like and collects dust removed from the filter.

¡A filter is attached to the air inlet of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, and dust is removed from the air sucked by the filter. Recently, there is an air conditioner equipped with a filter cleaning device that cleans the filter while moving the filter. The filter cleaning device performs cleaning while rotating the rotary brush and moving the filter. The filter cleaning device has a dust box for storing dust, and the dust removed from the filter by the rotating brush is stored in the dust box.

Rotating brush has brush hair. As the rotating brush rotates, the brush hair comes into contact with the filter, and dust attached to the filter is removed. At this time, dust may be entangled with the brush hair. When the rotating brush rotates while dust is entangled with the brush hair and the brush hair comes into contact with the filter, there is a risk that the dust will reattach to the filter.

In order to prevent such reattachment of dust, the filter cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a dust removing body for separating dust from the rotating brush. When the rotating brush rotates, the brush bristles sequentially come into contact with the tip of the dust removing body from the root side to the end side of the bristles. When the brush hair is removed by the dust removing body and the end of the brush hair is separated from the dust removing body, the dust is peeled off from the brush hair.

JP 2008-128532 A

The above dust remover is provided inside a dust collection box for storing dust. The dust remover is prepared as a separate member and screwed to the dust collection box. Therefore, it is necessary to attach the dust removing body in a narrow dust collection box, and the installation work becomes complicated. Further, the tip of the dust removing body is formed in a comb shape so that dust does not compress and accumulate on the tip of the dust removing body. A dust remover created in such a shape is required, and processing of the dust remover is added.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a filter cleaning device that can remove dust adhering to a rotating brush with a simple structure.

The filter cleaning device of the present invention includes a rotating brush for removing dust from the filter and a dust box for storing the dust removed from the filter, and the dust box is provided with a dust removing body for removing dust attached to the rotating brush. Is.

The dust removing body is provided facing the rotating brush, is inclined so as to approach the rotating brush along the rotation direction of the rotating brush, and comes into contact with the dust removing body from the tip side of the brush bristles. As the rotating brush rotates, the bristle lies sideways, and when leaving the dust remover, it leaves the root side and finally the tip leaves. The dust entangled with the brush hair is scraped off by the tip of the dust removing body. Further, when the bristles are separated from the dust remover, a repulsive force is generated that causes the bristles that have laid down to stand up and return to their original positions. Due to this repulsive force, dust adhering to the brush bristles is blown off, and dust is screened off from the rotating brush.

The dust remover is inclined downward. Therefore, even if the dust of the rotating brush adheres to the dust removing body, the dust falls with the movement of the contacting brush hair. A rotating brush is provided at the opening of the dust box, the tip of the dust removing body enters the opening, and the tip of the dust removing body is positioned above the axis of the rotating brush. In such a positional relationship, when the bristles of the rotating brush are separated from the dust remover, the tip of the bristles moves downward due to the repulsive force of the bristles. Dust adhering to the brush hair is blown away downward.

The dust removing body is formed by using the wall surface of the dust box, and the bristles of the rotating brush are pressed against the dust removing body by the rotation of the rotating brush. That is, when the rotating brush rotates, the brush hair comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the dust box. The brush hair is pressed against the wall surface while being rubbed. Dust entangled with the brush bristles is scraped off and the dust adhering to the rotating brush is removed.

The dust box is provided with a filter guide that guides the filter that moves while being curved, and a dust collection box that accommodates the removed dust. The filter guide is integrally provided at the upper part of the dust collection box, and the lower part of the filter guide is Used as a dust remover. The lower wall surface of the filter guide constitutes the wall surface of the duct box. Thus, it is not necessary to newly provide a dust removing body by using an existing member.

Therefore, the dust box includes a rotating brush that removes dust from the filter, a dust collection box that collects the removed dust, a filter guide that guides the filter that moves while being curved, and a dust removing body that removes dust attached to the rotating brush. Are integrated. Thereby, the dust box which always maintained the cleaning capability of the rotating brush can be provided.

According to the present invention, a repulsive force can be generated in the brush hair by pressing the brush hair against the dust removing body and deforming the brush hair. Due to the movement of the bristle accompanying this repulsive force, the dust adhering to the brush bristle can be shaken off, and the dust adhering to the rotating brush can be removed.

The perspective view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of this invention Cross section of indoor unit Perspective view of unit frame of filter cleaning device Shows the filter, (a) front perspective view, (b) back perspective view Perspective view of the unit frame with the dust box removed The unit frame at the time of cleaning the filter is shown, (a) a sectional view when the filter before cleaning is in the mounting position, (b) a sectional view when the filter is moving, (c) a section when the filter reaches the end point Figure Shows the unit frame, (a) sectional view when dust box is installed, (b) sectional view when dust box is removed Perspective view of dust box Exploded perspective view of dust box The figure which shows the dust box when attaching and detaching the rotating brush A view of the dust box from above Sectional view of a unit frame with a dust box A view of the unit frame with the dust box as seen from above. A perspective view of the unit frame showing a series of guide ribs and auxiliary guide ribs

1 and 2 show the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present embodiment. The indoor unit includes a heat exchanger 1 and an indoor fan 2, which are housed in a cabinet 3. A curved surface is formed from the front surface to the bottom surface of the cabinet 3. A suction port 4 is formed on the upper surface of the cabinet 3, and an outlet 5 is formed on the curved surface.

An air passage 6 extending from the inlet 4 to the outlet 5 is formed inside the cabinet 3, and the heat exchanger 1 and the indoor fan 2 are disposed in the air passage 6. A filter 7 is disposed between the suction port 4 and the heat exchanger 1, and dust is removed from indoor air sucked from the suction port 4. There are two filters 7 on the left and right. The indoor unit is provided with a filter cleaning device that cleans the filter 7 while moving the filter 7.

A panel 10 for opening and closing the air outlet 5 is provided on the curved surface of the cabinet 3. The panel 10 is supported by the cabinet 3 so as to be openable and closable, and an opening and closing part for opening and closing the panel 10 is provided.

The panel 10 opens when the air conditioner is in operation. During the cooling operation, the panel 10 guides the cool air obliquely upward, and the cool air blows out along the ceiling. At the time of heating operation, the panel 10 presses the warm air blown forward and guides the warm air toward the floor surface. Even in the initial stage of the cooling operation, the cool air is blown out toward the floor surface, and rapid cooling is performed. The panel 10 is in a closed posture when the operation is stopped, covers the air outlet 5, and is integrated with the cabinet 3.

In the cabinet 3, a drain pan 11 is provided below the heat exchanger 1 and receives dew that flows down through the heat exchanger 1. The drain pan 11 is integrally formed with the drain pan unit 12 that forms the air outlet 5. An ion generating unit 13 that generates ions is attached to the drain pan unit 12.

In the air conditioner, an outdoor unit (not shown) is installed outside the indoor unit. The outdoor unit includes a compressor, a heat exchanger, a four-way valve, an outdoor fan, and the like, and these and the indoor heat exchanger 1 form a refrigeration cycle. And the control apparatus which controls a refrigerating cycle is provided in an indoor unit. A control device including a microcomputer controls the refrigeration cycle based on a user instruction and detection signals of various sensors such as a temperature sensor that detects a room temperature and an outside temperature, and performs an air conditioning operation. At this time, the control device controls the opening / closing unit according to the cooling / heating operation to open / close the panel 10. Further, the control device controls the filter cleaning device periodically or in accordance with an instruction from the user to clean the filter 7 while moving it.

The filter cleaning apparatus includes a moving unit 15 that moves the filter 7, a cleaning unit 16 that cleans the filter 7, and a dust box 17 that accommodates dust removed from the filter 7, and these are as shown in FIG. The unit frame 18 is integrally provided. The filter 7 is held by the unit frame 18, and the filter 7 is guided by the unit frame 18 when the filter 7 moves. The unit frame 18 constitutes a filter holding device that holds a detachable filter in a movable manner. That is, the filter cleaning device has a filter holding device.

The unit frame 18 is attached to the cabinet 3 so as to cover from the front surface to the upper surface of the heat exchanger 1, and is detachable from the cabinet 3. A front panel 19 that can be freely opened and closed is provided in front of the unit frame 18. The front panel 19 is detachably attached to the cabinet 3. The front panel 19 opens and closes around the upper axis of the cabinet 3, and when the front panel 19 is opened, the dust box 17 appears. The dust box 17 is detachably attached to the unit frame 18. When the dust box 17 is removed, the filter 7 can be attached and detached.

As shown in FIG. 4, the filter 7 includes a mesh portion 20 and a frame body 21 surrounding the mesh portion 20. And the mesh part 20 and the frame 21 are integrally shape | molded by synthetic resins, such as a polypropylene resin, and the frame 21 is made into the back-and-front symmetrical and left-right symmetric shape. The shape of the mesh part 20 is also symmetric in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction. Therefore, the front-rear and left-right symmetric filter 7 can be mounted on the cabinet 3 from either front or rear direction.

The frame body 21 is formed in a rectangular frame shape from a vertical frame 21a positioned on the left and right and a horizontal frame 21b positioned on the front and rear. On the back surface of the mesh part 20, vertical ribs 22a and horizontal ribs 22b are formed at equal intervals for reinforcement. The surface of the mesh part 20 is flush.

In the vertical frame 21a, a rack 24 is formed that meshes with a pinion that is rotationally driven by the moving unit 15. The rack 24 is formed to be convex on the back side of the filter 7 and concave on the front side. The rack 24 is formed from the front end to the rear end of the vertical frame 21a, and engages with the pinion regardless of whether the rack 24 is attached to the unit frame 18 from the front or rear direction. The height of the convex portion of the rack 24 is higher than that of the vertical rib 22a and is equal to or higher than the height of the horizontal rib 22b. The vertical frame 21a and the vertical rib 22a are thinner than the horizontal frame 21b and the horizontal rib 22b. Thereby, the filter 7 has flexibility in the vertical direction while maintaining the rigidity in the horizontal direction, and the filter 7 can be bent in the vertical direction.

Four corners of the square filter 7 are cut obliquely to form an inclined surface 25. The inclined surface 25 is formed by being cut long in the vertical direction and short in the horizontal direction. The inclined surface 25 at each corner has the same shape.

The filter 7 is mounted from either the front side or the rear side with the surface facing up. Therefore, the horizontal frame 21b is provided with a mark 26 indicating the front and back and the insertion direction. Marks 26 such as “front” and “insertion direction” are formed on the surface of the front and rear horizontal frames 21b by molding or stamping. A mark 27 such as “back” is formed on the back surface of the horizontal frame 21b by molding or stamping. Thus, the user can easily insert and attach the filter 7 to the cabinet 3 without making a mistake in the front and back of the filter 7. Note that the mark is not limited to the above words and phrases, and a symbol or a picture may be used.

The unit frame 18 is formed of a base plate 30 that holds the filter 7 and left and right side frames 31 as shown in FIGS. The base plate 30 is curved from the upper surface to the front surface and has a flat lower surface. Side frames 31 are erected integrally at both left and right ends of the base plate 30. The curved portion of the base plate 30 is open, and a center frame 32 is provided in the center of the base plate 30 in the left-right direction, and the opening is divided into two. A lattice portion 34 is formed by vertical and horizontal bars 33 in the opening. The lattice part 34 is in a position facing the heat exchanger 1, and the air that has passed through the filter 7 passes through the lattice part 34 toward the heat exchanger 1.

A guide path 35 for guiding the moving filter 7 is formed in the unit frame 18. As shown in FIG. 6, at the time of cleaning, the filter 7 moves downward from the mounting position mounted between the suction port 4 and the heat exchanger 1, makes a U-turn, and moves along the lattice portion 34. It moves and reaches between the inlet 4 and the heat exchanger 1. Σ-shaped guide grooves 36 are formed in the left and right side frames 31 and the center frame 32 of the unit frame 18 when viewed from the side, and the vertical frame 21a of the filter 7 is slidably fitted into the guide grooves 36. A guide path 35 for moving the filter 7 to make a U-turn is formed in a space from the front surface to the upper surface of the unit frame 18 by the guide groove 36 and the lattice portion 34 of the base plate 30.

The moving unit 15 includes a pinion 40 that meshes with the rack 24 of the filter 7, a stepping motor 41 that rotationally drives the pinion 40, and a guide roller 42 that assists the movement of the filter 7.

The stepping motor 41 is attached to the outer surface side of the side frame 31 of the unit frame 18, and the pinion 40 is rotatably supported on the inner surface side of the side frame 31. The center frame 32 also rotatably supports the pinion 40. A rotational driving force is transmitted to the pinion 40 via a gear attached to the motor shaft of the stepping motor 41. The left and right pinions 40 are connected by a rotation shaft 43. A guide roller 42 is attached to the rotation shaft 43. In conjunction with the rotation of the pinion 40, the guide roller 42 also rotates. The moving unit 15 is provided in a pair of left and right corresponding to the left and right filters 7. The two stepping motors 41 are driven in synchronization.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the dust box 17 is attached to the lower surface of the base plate 30. The dust box 17 is provided for each of the left and right filters 7. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the dust box 17 includes a dust collection box 45 for storing dust removed from the filter 7, a filter guide 46 for pressing the filter 7 that moves while being curved, and a guide rib 47 for guiding the movement of the filter 7. I have.

The cleaning unit 16 includes a rotating brush 50 that contacts the filter 7 and scrapes off dust, and a cleaning motor 51 that rotationally drives the rotating brush 50. The rotating brush 50 is detachably provided on the dust box 17, and the rotating brush 50 is integrated with the dust box 17.

The dust collection box 45 is disposed below the guide roller 42. The dust collection box 45 is formed in a box shape having an open upper surface, and an opening through which dust enters and exits is formed on the upper surface. This opening faces the filter 7 through which it passes.

A filter guide 46 is provided on the upper front side of the dust collection box 45. The filter guide 46 is fixed to the dust collection box 45 by inserting the lower part of the filter guide 46 into the upper part of the dust collection box 45. The filter guide 46 can be removed from the dust collection box 45. The filter guide 46 is positioned in front of the guide roller 42 and covers the front surface of the filter 7 that moves along the front surface of the unit frame 18. When the front panel 19 is opened, the filter 7 is hidden by the filter guide 46. Therefore, even if the front panel 19 is opened, the filter 7 is not exposed, so that dust adhering to the filter 7 can be prevented from scattering.

An auxiliary guide rib 48 is formed on the rear surface of the filter guide 46 facing the filter 7. The auxiliary guide rib 48 is located at the front side portion of the U-turn portion of the guide path 35 and is formed to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the guide roller 42 in the vertical direction. A plurality of auxiliary guide ribs 48 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction.

The guide rib 47 is provided in the dust collection box 45 so as to be freely opened and closed. The guide rib 47 is located in the lower part of the U-turn portion of the guide path 35 and is formed in the front-rear direction. A plurality of guide ribs 47 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. The guide ribs 47 on both sides in the left-right direction are opposed to the pinion 40, and a plurality of, in this case, three guide ribs 47 are opposed to the guide roller 42, and each guide rib 47 is closed with respect to the dust collection box 45. At this time, the upper surface of the guide rib 47 is formed to be concavely curved.

A rear frame 55 is formed in the left-right direction at the rear end of the guide rib 47, a front frame 56 is formed in the left-right direction at the front end of the guide rib 47, and each guide rib 47 is integrally connected by the front and

rear frames

55, 56. The Thereby, the guide ribs 47 are integrated. A shaft 57 projects from the rear frame 55, and the shaft 57 is fitted into a shaft hole 58 formed in the upper part on the rear side of the dust collection box 45. The guide rib 47 is rotatably supported by the dust collection box 45.

When the guide rib 47 is in a closed state, the central guide rib 47 is positioned so as to straddle the opening, the left and right guide ribs 47 are opposed to the left and right side walls 45a of the dust collection box 45, and each guide rib 47 is moved. The filter 7 to be guided is guided. When the guide rib 47 is open, the opening is opened.

When the guide rib 47 is closed, the front frame 56 comes into close contact with the inclined rear surface of the filter guide 46. A plurality of slits 59 extending in the front-rear direction are formed in the front frame 56, and each slit 59 is disposed for each guide rib 47. When the guide rib 47 is closed, the auxiliary guide rib 48 enters the slit 59 so that the guide rib 47 can be opened and closed smoothly. In addition, since the front frame 56 is in close contact with the filter guide 46, there is no gap between the filter guide 46 and the gap between the members can be prevented from being clogged with dust. Therefore, when the dust box 17 is removed and the guide rib 47 is opened, dust is not scattered.

Further, locking claws 60 are formed on the left and right sides of the front frame 56, and insertion holes 61 are formed on the left and right sides of the filter guide 46. When the locking claw 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 61, the locking claw 60 is caught on the lower edge of the insertion hole 61, and the guide rib 47 is fixed to the dust collection box 45. When the locking claw 60 is pulled out from the insertion hole 61, the guide rib 47 is opened. Therefore, the guide rib 47 does not move in the left-right direction by sandwiching the auxiliary guide rib 48 with the front frame 56. As described above, the guide rib 47 can be fixed by the front frame 56 and the locking claw 60 so that the guide rib 47 does not move in the left-right direction and the up-down direction during the cleaning of the filter 7.

The central guide rib 47 and the auxiliary guide rib 48 are connected so that there is no step. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the rear end portion of the auxiliary guide rib 48 and the front end portion of the guide rib 47 are arranged in the left-right direction, so that the

ribs

47, 48 overlap each other in the front-rear direction. The ends of both sides of the guide rib 47 in the front-rear direction are Y-shaped or U-shaped bifurcated portions 65a and 65b, and the rear end portions of the auxiliary guide rib 48 enter the front bifurcated portions 65a. 48 overlap. The auxiliary guide rib 48 gradually decreases in height toward the rear side, and the height of the rear end portion of the auxiliary guide rib 48 is lower than the height of the front end portion of the guide rib 47. Note that the guide ribs 47 on both the left and right sides are located inside the auxiliary guide ribs 48. Since both guide

ribs

47 and 48 are arranged in the left-right direction, both guide

ribs

47 and 48 overlap in the front-rear direction. As a result, the auxiliary guide ribs 48 to the guide ribs 47 are smoothly connected so that no step in the vertical direction is generated.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the unit frame 18 is also provided with auxiliary guide ribs 66. Auxiliary guide ribs 66 are formed on the lower surface of the base plate 30 in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of auxiliary guide ribs 66 are arranged in the left-right direction. The auxiliary guide rib 66 is located at the rear portion of the U-turn portion of the guide path 35 and faces the guide roller 42. The front end portion of the auxiliary guide rib 66 enters the bifurcated portion 65b on the rear side of the guide rib 47, and the ribs 47 and 66 overlap in the front-rear direction. The front side of the auxiliary guide rib 66 is gradually lowered, and the height of the front end portion of the auxiliary guide rib 66 is lower than the height of the rear end portion of the guide rib 47. The guide rib 47 and the auxiliary guide rib 66 are smoothly connected, and there is no step in the vertical direction.

As described above, the front auxiliary guide rib 48, the guide rib 47, and the rear auxiliary guide rib 66 are combined to form a series of guide ribs surrounding at least a half circumference of the guide roller 42. These guide ribs form part of the guide path 35. The front and rear auxiliary guide ribs 48 and 66 and the guide rib 47 guide the filter 7 that moves while being curved in the U-turn portion of the guide path 35 so that it does not come off the guide path 35. Therefore, the filter 7 that moves in a curved manner can be stably guided over a long section by the dust box 17 having a series of guide ribs. In the U-turn portion of the guide path 35, the filter 7 passes through the rotating brush 50 smoothly.

Here, the guide rib 47 and the auxiliary guide ribs 48 and 66 are provided so as to correspond to the positions of the vertical frame 21a or the vertical rib 22a of the filter 7 moving along the guide path 35. The left and right guide ribs 47 and auxiliary guide ribs 48 and 66 face the vertical frame 21a, and the central guide rib 47 and auxiliary guide ribs 48 and 66 face the vertical rib 22a. Thereby, the guide rib 47 and the auxiliary guide ribs 48 and 66 are in contact with the vertical frame 21 a or the vertical rib 22 a of the filter 7 and are not in contact with the mesh portion 20. The

ribs

47 and 48 do not interfere with the cleaning of the filter 7 by the rotating brush 50.

Rotating brush 50 is disposed at the opening of dust collection box 45 and faces the lower side of guide roller 42. The rotating brush 50 has a plurality of rows of brush bristles 71 mounted on the outer periphery of the support shaft 70. The nylon bristle 71 stands upright on the outer periphery of the support shaft 70. Each row of the brush bristles 71 is linear, and is arranged in parallel in the axial direction (left-right direction). Note that the brush bristles 71 may be spirally mounted along the left-right direction, and each row of brush bristles 71 is parallel.

The hub 72 is attached to both sides of the support shaft 70 of the rotating brush 50, and the hub 72 supports the support shaft 70. A U-shaped bearing 73 is formed on the left and right side walls 45 a of the dust collection box 45, and the hub 72 is placed on the bearing 73. Abutting portions 74 that are recessed in an arc shape are formed on the lower surfaces of the left and right guide ribs 47. When the guide ribs 47 are in a closed state, the abutting portions 74 press the hub 72 from above. Therefore, when the spindle 70 of the rotating brush 50 is sandwiched between the dust collection box 45 and the guide rib 47, the rotating brush 50 is rotatably supported by the dust box 17. Thus, the support structure of the rotating brush 50 becomes a simple structure, and the rotating brush 50 can be easily attached and detached. When the guide rib 47 is opened, the rotating brush 50 can be taken out from the dust collection box 45. Since the rotating brush 50 can be easily removed, the rotating brush 50 can be cleaned immediately and a clean rotating brush 50 can be used.

As shown in FIG. 9, a support rib 75 for supporting the rotating brush 50 is provided at the opening of the dust collection box 45. The support rib 75 is formed so as to straddle the opening in the front-rear direction, and is curved downward. A plurality of support ribs 75 are arranged in the left-right direction. When the guide ribs 47 are closed, the support ribs 75 are located below the central guide rib 47 and face the guide ribs 47. The support rib 75 and the guide rib 47 are in contact with the brush bristles 71 of the rotating brush 50. The rotating brush 50 is rotatably sandwiched between the support rib 75 and the guide rib 47. The tip of the bristle 71 protrudes above the guide rib 47. Therefore, the rotating brush 50 is in contact with the filter 7 without being obstructed by the guide rib 47 and can always remove dust from the filter 7.

Even if a load is applied to the rotating brush 50 from the filter 7 by the support rib 75, the rotating brush 50 can be supported from the lower side, the bending of the rotating brush 50 is prevented, and the rotating brush 50 is separated from the filter 7. Can be prevented. The rotating brush 50 reliably contacts the filter 7 and can clean the filter 7 satisfactorily. The support rib 75 has a function of reinforcing the dust collection box 45. Even when the dust box 17 is attached and detached, even if a load is applied to the dust box 45 from the front and rear, the support rib 75 prevents the dust box 45 from being deformed in the front and rear direction, and the dust box 17 can be used repeatedly.

The support shaft 70 of the rotating brush 50 protrudes outward from the left and right sides of the dust collection box 45, and gears 80 are integrally formed on hubs 72 at both ends of the support shaft 70. The cleaning motor 51 is attached to the outside of the side frame 31 of the unit frame 18, and the gear attached to the motor shaft of the cleaning motor 51 meshes with the gear 80 of the support shaft 70. Further, an intermediate gear is provided in the center frame 32, and the gear 80 on the center frame side of the left and right dust boxes 17 meshes with the intermediate gear. The cleaning motor 51 is installed on one side where the electrical box in the left-right direction is disposed. When the cleaning motor 51 is driven, the rotary brush 50 on one side rotates, and this rotational driving force is transmitted to the other support shaft 70 via the intermediate gear, and the rotary brushes 50 on both sides rotate in conjunction with each other. .

The dust box 17 is detachable from the unit frame 18. A hook 81 projects from the lower surface of the base plate 30. The hook 81 is located at the center in the left-right direction. A recess 82 is formed in the center of the bottom surface of the dust collection box 45. A hook 81 is fitted into the recess 82.

As shown in FIG. 8, a lock portion 83 is provided on the front surface of the filter guide 46. The lock part 83 is provided in a pair of left and right. The lock portion 83 includes a lock bar 84 that moves in the left-right direction, a slide lever 85 that moves the lock bar 84, and a restricting body 86 that restricts the movement of the lock bar 84. The lock bar 84, the slide lever 85, and the restricting body 86 are integrally formed and simultaneously move in the left-right direction with respect to the filter guide 46. A restriction pin 87 projects from the filter guide 46, and the restriction body 86 abuts against the restriction pin 87, so that the lock bar 84 is restricted from moving. When the lock bar 84 moves, the regulating body 86 is elastically deformed and passes through the regulating pin 87. The lock bar 84 is held in a state of protruding outward or retracted inward.

When the lock bar 84 protrudes outward by the slide operation of the slide lever 85 by the user, the lock bar 84 fits into the hole formed in the side frame 31. Since the lock bar 84 is regulated so as not to move, the lock bar 84 does not come off the unit frame 18. When the user moves the lock bar 84 inward, the lock bar 84 comes out of the hole and retracts inside the filter guide 46. The dust box 17 can be removed from the unit frame 18. As described above, the dust box 17 is fixed to the unit frame 18 by the left and right lock portions 83 and the hooks 81, and does not shift in the vertical and forward / backward and left / right directions. Therefore, a force is applied to the dust box 17 as the filter 7 moves, but the dust box 17 can be prevented from shifting.

Also, pins 88 project from the left and right side surfaces of the dust collection box 45, and a positioning portion 89 that is recessed in a U shape is formed on the side frame 31. When the pin 88 is fitted into the positioning portion 89, the dust box 17 is positioned with respect to the unit frame 18. In this way, the dust box 17 is mounted at a fixed position of the unit frame 18. When removing the dust box 17, the user operates to retract the lock bar 84, holds the handle 90 formed on the front surface of the dust box 17, lifts the dust box 17, and removes it from the unit frame 18. The pins 88 may be provided on the left and right side surfaces of the filter guide 46.

7B, when the dust box 17 is removed from the cabinet 3, a part of the guide path 35 is opened, and an insertion port 91 for inserting and removing the filter 7 with respect to the cabinet 3 appears. The user can attach and detach the filter 7 through the insertion port 91. Here, in order to facilitate removal of the filter 7, a lift-up member 92 that separates the filter 7 from the pinion 40 is provided.

The lift-up member 92 is provided on the unit frame 18 so as to be movable up and down. The lift-up member 92 is biased so as to rise by a spring 93. The lift-up member 92 contacts the left and right vertical frames 21 a of the filter 7 and lifts the front side of the filter 7.

When the dust box 17 is removed, the auxiliary guide ribs 48 of the filter guide 46 are separated from the guide path 35 and are not pressed by the filter guide 46. Due to the elastic force of the spring 93, the lift-up member 92 automatically rises obliquely upward in the front. The front side of the filter 7 is lifted, and the filter 7 moves away from the pinion 40 and the guide roller 42. The user can grip the filter 7 and smoothly pull it out from the insertion port 91. When the filter 7 is pulled out, the filter 7 is not caught on the pinion 40.

When the filter 7 is mounted, the guide groove 36 of the side frame 31 is visible from the outside at the insertion port 91. The user inserts the vertical frame 21 a of the filter 7 into the guide groove 36 of the side frame 31. At this time, the user confirms the front-rear direction and the front and back surfaces of the filter 7. Since the racks 24 are formed on the left and right, the front-rear direction of the filter 7 can be easily confirmed. There is no need to check the front side and the rear side of the filter 7. Moreover, there are

marks

26 and 27 indicating the front and back surfaces, and the shapes of the front and back surfaces are different, so the front and back surfaces can be easily confirmed. Therefore, the user can recognize the insertion direction of the filter 7 at a glance and can easily attach the filter 7. Further, the filter 7 can be easily mounted not only when the filter 7 is mounted from the front surface of the cabinet 3 but also when the filter 7 is mounted from the top surface or the bottom surface.

The user inserts the filter 7 into the guide path 35. When the filter 7 is inserted to the rear side of the guide path 35, the front side of the filter 7 is raised from the pinion 40. Thereafter, the user attaches the dust box 17. Here, the dust box 17 is formed symmetrically. Therefore, the dust box 17 can be used for both the left and right filters 7. The user does not need to determine the dust box 17 for right or left use, and can easily attach the dust box 17.

When the dust box 17 is fixed to the unit frame 18, the front side of the filter 7 is pressed by the filter guide 46 of the dust box 17. As the filter 7 is pushed in, the lift-up member 92 is pushed down while contacting the back surface of the vertical frame 21a of the filter 7. At this time, the rack 24 of the vertical frame 21 a meshes with the pinion 40. The filter 7 is mounted at the mounting position.

Here, a limit switch 94 is provided in the unit frame 18 in order to detect the attachment of the filter 7. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the limit switch 94 is disposed in the vicinity of the rear end of the guide path 35 and is provided for each of the left and right filters 7.

When the filter 7 is mounted on the cabinet 3, the filter 7 moves along the guide path 35 toward the rear side. When the filter 7 reaches the mounting position, the limit switch 94 detects the filter 7. The control device detects that the filter 7 is attached by an ON signal from the limit switch 94.

When the filter cleaning device cleans the filter 7, the control device operates the moving unit 15 and the cleaning unit 16. The stepping motor 41 is driven, the pinion 40 and the guide roller 42 are rotated, the cleaning motor 51 is driven, and the rotating brush 50 is rotated. As shown in FIG. 6A, the filter 7 in the mounting position starts to move downward along the guide path 35. The filter 7 is curved by being pressed by the filter guide 46 and the guide rib 47, and moves while being guided so as not to be detached from the guide path 35. Since the filter 7 is guided by the plurality of guide ribs 47 and the auxiliary guide ribs 48, 66, the moving filter 7 does not undulate in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction, and the rotating brush 50 is reliably stabilized on the filter 7. Contact.

As shown in FIG. 6B, when the filter 7 makes a U-turn, the rotating brush 50 hits the filter 7, dust is scraped off, and dust is collected in the dust collection box 45. When dust is removed, the dust is scattered, but the filter guide 46 is present on the front side of the rotating brush 50. Therefore, the scattered dust is blocked by the filter guide 46, and the dust does not leak out of the dust box 17.

As shown in FIG. 6C, when the filter 7 reaches the end point, the rear end of the filter 7 reaches the rotating brush 50. The front end of the filter 7 does not reach the limit switch 94. At this time, the rotation of the stepping motor 41 is stopped.

Here, when the stepping motor 41 stops, the limit switch 94 is turned off when the filter 7 is moved from the mounting position. The control device counts the number of pulses of the stepping motor 41 based on the off signal of the limit switch 94. When the preset count number is reached, the control device stops the stepping motor 41. This count number is set corresponding to the distance from the mounting position until the rear end of the filter 7 reaches the rotating brush 50 that is the end point.

After this, the stepping motor 41 is reversely rotated and the filter 7 returns to the guide path 35. Even during the return of the filter 7, the rotary brush 50 is driven and the filter 7 is cleaned. When the front end of the filter 7 passes through the rotary brush 50 and the filter 7 reaches the mounting position, the limit switch 94 detects the filter 7, and the control device detects the stepping motor 41 and the cleaning motor based on the ON signal of the limit switch 94. 51 is stopped.

Rotating brush 50 rotates to remove dust from filter 7 and drop dust onto dust collection box 45. However, dust may get entangled with the bristles 71 of the rotating brush 50. Therefore, in order to remove dust entangled with the brush bristles 71, a dust remover 95 is provided in the dust box 17. As shown in FIGS. 6, 9, and 10, the dust remover 95 is provided at the lower portion of the rear surface of the filter guide 46. On the rear surface of the filter guide 46, a lower plane than the front frame 56 of the guide rib 47 that is in close contact with is a dust removing body 95. As described above, the dust removing body 95 is formed by utilizing the wall surface of the duct box 17, that is, a part of the rear surface of the filter guide 46.

The dust removing body 95 is located on the front side of the rotating brush 50 and is inclined obliquely downward. That is, the dust removing body 95 is an inclined surface that is inclined so as to approach the rotating brush 50 along the rotation direction of the rotating brush 50. The tip of the dust remover 95 enters the opening of the dust collection box 45. The tip of the dust remover 95 is located above the center of the support shaft 70 of the rotating brush 50.

The dust remover 95 is in contact with the rotating brush 50 that rotates in the left-right direction. The tip side of the bristles 71 of the rotating rotating brush 50 contacts the dust removing body 95. The distance between the dust removing body 95 and the rotary brush 50 so that the brush bristles 71 having a length in the range of about 2/3 from the tip, for example, in the range of 1/3 to 2/3, are in contact with the dust removing body 95. Is set.

The rotating brush 50 rotates in the opposite direction to the moving direction of the filter 7 when moving from the mounting position. That is, with respect to the moving direction from the front side to the rear side, the rotation direction of the rotary brush 7 is the reverse direction from the rear side to the front side. By setting the rotation direction in this way, the bristle 71 becomes a resistance against the moving filter 7, and the brush bristle 71 comes into strong contact with the filter 7, so that the dust adhering to the filter 7 is entangled. It becomes easy to take. When the filter 7 that has passed once returns to the mounting position, the rotation direction of the rotary brush 50 is the forward direction with respect to the movement direction of the filter 7. The rotating brush 50 does not act as a resistance to the movement of the filter 7 and can smoothly move the filter 7 to the mounting position.

The rotating brush 50 entwined with dust contacts the upper side of the dust removing body 95 from the lower side. Here, the dust removing body 95 is inclined so as to be directed to the rear side in the rotation direction of the rotary brush 50. Therefore, the upper part of the dust remover 95 is further away from the rotary brush 50 than the lower part of the dust remover 95. When the rotating brush 50 that has rotated approaches the dust removing body 95, the tip of the brush bristle 71 first contacts the dust removing body 95, and the brush bristle 71 is gradually pressed against the dust removing body 95 as it rotates. The upright brush bristles 71 bend in the direction opposite to the rotational direction. The dust entangled with the brush bristles 71 is rubbed by the dust removing body 95 and moves toward the tip of the brush bristles 71. When the brush bristles 71 pass through the dust removing body 95, a repulsive force that causes the bent bristles 71 to return to the original state is generated.

That is, the root side of the bristle 71 is separated from the dust removing body 95 first. At this time, dust adhering to the brush bristles 71 is scraped off. On the other hand, the front end side of the bristle 71 is still in contact with the dust removing body 95. Further, when the rotating brush 50 rotates and the distance from the root of the brush bristle 71 to the tip of the dust remover 95 becomes equal to or longer than the length of the brush bristle 71, the tip of the brush bristle 71 leaves the dust remover 95. At this time, the bristle 71 is in a substantially lying state. Due to the repulsive force of the bristle 71 trying to stand up, the tip of the bristle 71 moves downward in an arc. The brush bristles 71 move at a higher speed than the rotation speed of the rotary brush 50, and dust entangled near the tips of the bristles 71 is blown off downward. Further, with the movement of the brush bristles 71 due to the repulsive force, the dust attached to the entire brush bristles 71 is shaken off, and the dust is removed from the brush bristles 71. In this way, the dust removed from the rotating brush 50 falls into the dust collection box 45.

When the tip of the dust remover 95 is at a position lower than the axial center of the rotating brush 50, the tip of the brush bristle 71 moves in the horizontal direction when the tip of the brush bristle 71 is separated from the dust remover 95. become. Therefore, the dust blown off hits the rear wall of the dust collection box 45. Part of the dust rises and jumps out of the dust collection box 45 from the opening. Therefore, the dust can be blown off toward the bottom of the dust collection box 45 by setting the tip of the dust remover 95 to a position higher than the axial center of the rotary brush 50. Therefore, the dust removed from the rotary brush 50 by the dust remover 95 can be prevented from leaking out of the dust collection box 45.

As described above, the brush bristles 71 are brought into contact with the dust removing body 95 to forcibly deform them, and by utilizing the reaction, dust entangled with the bristles 71 can be screened out and efficiently removed. Since the dust removed from the filter 7 does not remain on the rotary brush 50, it is possible to prevent the dust from reattaching to the filter 7 even if the rotary brush 50 contacts the filter 7 again. Here, the range of the length of the brush bristle 71 in contact with the dust remover 95 is such that the brush bristle 71 passes through the dust remover 95 and a repulsive force that causes the bent brush bristle 71 to return to the original state is generated. It is sufficient that the length of the dust adhering to the vicinity of the tip of 71 can be flipped downward. For example, the length may be 1/3 from the tip of the brush bristles 71. Accordingly, the distance between the dust remover 95 and the rotating brush 50 is set.

A part of the wall surface of the dust box 17 can be used as the dust removing body 95 by using the rear wall surface of the existing filter guide 46 as the dust removing body 95. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a new member and attach it, and an attaching operation becomes unnecessary. Further, the brush bristles 71 move while rubbing toward the tip of the dust removing body 95. The tip of the dust remover 95 is always cleaned by the bristles 71, and no dust accumulates on the tip of the dust remover 95. Therefore, it is not necessary to process the tip of the dust remover 95 like a comb-like shape. Thus, the dust removing body 95 can be realized with a simple structure.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, many corrections and changes can be added to the said embodiment within the scope of the present invention. The filter, the filter holding device, and the filter cleaning device having the filter holding device may be used for air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers other than air conditioners. The unit frame for holding the filter is attached to the cabinet, but the cabinet itself may be used as a frame to hold the filter movably.

The filter rack may be provided in the mesh portion instead of the vertical frame. For example, an even number of racks are formed at positions that are symmetrical with respect to the filter, or one rack is formed at a position that passes through the center in the left-right direction. Moreover, you may form the hole into which a pinion enters into a filter instead of a rack. The rotationally driven pinion enters the hole and the filter moves. In this case, the filter can be not only front-back symmetric and vertical symmetric but also front-back symmetric.

As the dust remover, a peripheral wall that forms an opening of the dust collection box may be used. A dust removing body is formed by forming a part of the peripheral wall of the opening located on the front side of the rotating brush so as to extend obliquely downward. The dust removing body may be a separate member, and the dust removing body is attached to the wall surface of the opening.

3 cabinet 4 suction port 7 filter 15 moving part 16 cleaning part 17 dust box 18 unit frame 20 mesh part 21 frame 21a vertical frame 21b horizontal frame 24 rack 35 guide path 40 pinion 41 stepping motor 42 guide roller 45 dust collection box 46 filter guide 47 Guide rib 48 Auxiliary guide rib 50 Rotating brush 51 Cleaning motor 65a Front bifurcated portion 65b Rear bifurcated portion 66 Auxiliary guide rib 71 Brush hair 75 Support rib 80 Gear 83 Lock portion 92 Lift-up member 95 Dust remover

Claims

A rotating brush for removing dust from the filter and a dust box for storing the dust removed from the filter are provided, and the dust box is provided with a dust removing body for removing dust attached to the rotating brush, and the dust removing body faces the rotating brush. The brush bristles of the rotating brush are pressed against the dust removing body so as to be inclined toward the rotating brush along the rotation direction of the rotating brush and to come into contact with the dust removing body from the tip side of the brush hair. Filter cleaning device.
2. The filter cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the dust removing body is inclined downward.
3. A filter cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rotary brush is provided at the opening of the dust box, the tip of the dust removing body enters the opening, and the tip of the dust removing body is positioned above the axis of the rotary brush. .
3. The filter cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the dust removing body is formed using a wall surface of the dust box.
5. The filter cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein a rotating brush is provided at the opening of the dust box, the tip of the dust removing body enters the opening, and the tip of the dust removing body is positioned above the axis of the rotating brush.
The dust box is provided with a filter guide that guides the filter that moves while being curved, and a dust collection box that accommodates the removed dust. The filter guide is integrally provided at the upper part of the dust collection box, and the lower part of the filter guide is The filter cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the filter cleaning device is used as a dust remover.
The filter cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein a rotary brush is provided in the opening of the dust box, the tip of the dust remover enters the opening, and the tip of the dust remover is positioned above the axis of the rotary brush.
A rotating brush for removing dust from the filter, a dust collection box for collecting the removed dust, a filter guide for guiding the filter that moves while being curved, and a dust removing body for removing dust attached to the rotating brush are provided. A dust box, characterized in that a rotating brush is provided at an opening of the dust box, and the dust removing body is provided to face the rotating brush and is inclined so as to approach the rotating brush along the rotation direction of the rotating brush.
9. The dust box according to claim 8, wherein the filter guide is disposed so as to face the rotating brush, and the dust removing body is formed using a wall surface of the filter guide.
An air conditioner equipped with the filter cleaning device according to claim 1.