WO2020075298A1

WO2020075298A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2020075298A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/038188
Authority: WO
Inventors: 智大加藤; 能登谷　義明
Original assignee: 日立ジョンソンコントロールズ空調株式会社
Priority date: 2018-10-12
Filing date: 2018-10-12
Publication date: 2020-04-16
Also published as: CN111386431A; JPWO2020075298A1; CN111386431B; JP6847212B2

Abstract

Provided is an air conditioner having high reliability in consideration of the possibility of failure of a fan cleaning unit. This air conditioner comprises a heat exchanger (100), an indoor fan (16), a fan cleaning unit (24) for cleaning the indoor fan (16), a control unit (30) that controls at least the indoor fan (16) and the fan cleaning unit (24), and a limit switch (25) pressed by the fan cleaning unit (24), the control unit (30) causing the fan cleaning unit (24) to move toward the limit switch (25), and causing the indoor fan (16) to rotate in the same direction as the movement direction of the fan cleaning unit (24) when the limit switch (25) is not pressed.

Description

Air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

As a technique for cleaning an indoor fan of an air conditioner, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 describe a device provided with a “fan cleaning device for removing dust from the fan”.

Japanese Patent No. 4046755 Japanese Patent No. 6354004

As described above, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe the configuration for cleaning the indoor fan, but regarding the configuration in consideration of the reliability when the fan cleaning device may be out of order, Not listed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable air conditioner that considers the possibility of failure of the fan cleaning unit.

In order to solve the above problems, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a heat exchanger (for example, an indoor heat exchanger 15), a fan (for example, an indoor fan 16), and a fan cleaning unit that cleans the fan. At least a control unit that controls the fan and the fan cleaning unit and a limit switch that is pressed by the fan cleaning unit are provided, and the control unit moves the fan cleaning unit toward the limit switch, and when the limit switch is not pressed. The fan is rotated in the same direction as the moving direction of the fan cleaning unit. Other aspects of the present invention will be described in the embodiments described later.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly reliable air conditioner that considers the possibility of failure of the fan cleaning unit.

It is explanatory drawing of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a longitudinal section of an indoor unit with which the air conditioner concerning a 1st embodiment is provided. It is a block diagram of the fan cleaning part and limit switch with which the air conditioner which concerns on 1st Embodiment is equipped. It is a functional block diagram of the air conditioner concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process which the control part of the air conditioner which concerns on 1st Embodiment performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state during cleaning of the indoor fan in the air conditioner which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process of step S206, S207 of FIG. It is a longitudinal section of an indoor unit with which an air conditioner concerning a 2nd embodiment is provided. It is a longitudinal section of an indoor unit with which an air conditioner concerning a 3rd embodiment is provided. It is a block diagram of the fan cleaning part and angle sensor with which the air conditioner which concerns on a modification is equipped.

«First embodiment»
<Configuration of air conditioner>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant circuit Q of the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment. The solid arrow in FIG. 1 indicates the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation. The broken line arrow in FIG. 1 indicates the flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation. The air conditioner 100 is a device that performs air conditioning such as heating operation and cooling operation. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 includes a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an outdoor fan 13, and an expansion valve 14. Further, the air conditioner 100 includes an indoor heat exchanger 15 (heat exchanger), an indoor fan 16 (fan), and a four-way valve 17 in addition to the above-described configuration.

The compressor 11 is a device that compresses a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant and discharges it as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant, and has a compressor motor 11a that is a drive source. The outdoor heat exchanger 12 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tube (not shown) and the outside air sent from the outdoor fan 13.

The outdoor fan 13 is a fan that sends outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 12. The outdoor fan 13 has an outdoor fan motor 13 a, which is a drive source, and is arranged near the outdoor heat exchanger 12. The expansion valve 14 is a valve that decompresses the refrigerant condensed in the "condenser" (one of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the indoor heat exchanger 15). The refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve 14 is guided to the “evaporator” (the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the indoor heat exchanger 15).

The indoor heat exchanger 15 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tube g (see FIG. 2) and the indoor air (air in the air-conditioned space) sent from the indoor fan 16. It is a vessel. The indoor heat exchanger 15 includes a plurality of fins f and a plurality of heat transfer tubes g that penetrate the fins f. From another perspective, the indoor heat exchanger 15 includes a front indoor heat exchanger 15a arranged in front of the indoor fan 16 and a rear indoor heat exchanger 15b arranged in rear of the indoor fan 16. And are equipped with. The upper end of the front indoor heat exchanger 15a and the upper end of the rear indoor heat exchanger 15b are connected in an inverted V shape.

The indoor fan 16 is a fan that sends indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 15. The indoor fan 16 has an indoor fan motor 16c (see FIG. 4), which is a drive source, and is arranged near the indoor heat exchanger 15.

The four-way valve 17 is a valve that switches the flow path of the refrigerant according to the operation mode of the air conditioner 100. For example, during the cooling operation (see the dashed arrow in FIG. 1), the compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 (condenser), the expansion valve 14, and the indoor heat exchanger 15 (evaporator) are connected to the four-way valve 17. The refrigerant circulates in the refrigerating cycle in the refrigerant circuit Q sequentially connected via the.

On the other hand, during the heating operation (see the solid arrow in FIG. 1), the compressor 11, the indoor heat exchanger 15 (condenser), the expansion valve 14, and the outdoor heat exchanger 12 (evaporator) are connected to the four-way valve 17. The refrigerant circulates in the refrigerating cycle in the refrigerant circuit Q sequentially connected via the.

That is, in the refrigerant circuit Q in which the refrigerant circulates sequentially through the compressor 11, the "condenser", the expansion valve 14, and the "evaporator", one of the "condenser" and the "evaporator" described above is the outdoor heat. It is the exchanger 12, and the other is the indoor heat exchanger 15.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 12, the outdoor fan 13, the expansion valve 14, and the four-way valve 17 are installed in the outdoor unit Uo. On the other hand, the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16 are installed in the indoor unit Ui.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the indoor unit Ui included in the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the fan cleaning unit 24 is shown retracted from the indoor fan 16. The indoor unit Ui includes a dew tray 18, a housing base 19,

filters

20a and 20b, and a front panel 21, in addition to the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16 described above. Further, the indoor unit Ui includes a left / right airflow direction plate 22, a vertical airflow direction plate 23, a fan cleaning unit 24, and a limit switch 25 (failure detection unit). Here, there is a sensitive section on one side of the limit switch 25, and the other section is a non-sensitive section. In the case of FIG. 2, when the fan cleaning unit 24 rotates from the lower side (clockwise rotation), it is sensitive, and from the upper side (counterclockwise rotation). Is insensitive.

The dew tray 18 receives the condensed water of the indoor heat exchanger 15, and is arranged below the indoor heat exchanger 15. The indoor fan 16 is, for example, a cylindrical cross-flow fan, and is arranged near the indoor heat exchanger 15. The indoor fan 16 includes a plurality of fan blades 16a, a partition plate 16b on which the fan blades 16a are installed, and an indoor fan motor 16c (see FIG. 4) that is a drive source.

The housing base 19 is a housing in which devices such as the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16 are installed. The

filters

20a and 20b collect dust from the air flowing toward the indoor heat exchanger 15. One filter 20a is arranged on the front side of the indoor heat exchanger 15, and the other filter 20b is arranged on the upper side of the indoor heat exchanger 15.

The front panel 21 is a panel installed so as to cover the filter 20a on the front side, and is rotatable frontward about the lower end. The front panel 21 may not rotate.

The left / right airflow direction plate 22 is a plate-like member that adjusts the left-right airflow direction of the air blown into the room. The left / right airflow direction plate 22 is disposed in the blowout air passage h3, and is rotated in the left / right direction by the left / right airflow direction plate motor 26 (see FIG. 4).

The vertical wind direction plate 23 is a plate-shaped member that adjusts the vertical wind direction of the air blown into the room. The vertical wind direction plate 23 is arranged near the air outlet h4, and is vertically rotated by the vertical wind direction plate motor 27 (see FIG. 4).

The air sucked through the air suction ports h1 and h2 exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tube g of the indoor heat exchanger 15, and the heat-exchanged air is guided to the blowout air passage h3. The air flowing through the blowout air passage h3 is guided in a predetermined direction by the left / right airflow direction plate 22 and the up / down airflow direction plate 23, and is further blown out into the room through the air outlet h4.

Note that most of the dust that goes toward the air suction ports h1 and h2 with the flow of air is collected by the

filters

20a and 20b. However, fine dust may pass through the

filters

20a and 20b and adhere to the indoor fan 16. Therefore, it is desirable to regularly clean the indoor fan 16. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the fan cleaning unit 24 described below cleans the indoor fan 16.

The fan cleaning unit 24 shown in FIG. 2 cleans the indoor fan 16, and is arranged between the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16. More specifically, the fan cleaning unit 24 is arranged in the concave portion of the front indoor heat exchanger 15a having a <character shape in a longitudinal sectional view.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the fan cleaning unit 24 and the limit switch 25 included in the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the fan cleaning unit 24 includes a shaft portion 24a, a brush 24b, a fan cleaning motor 24c, gears 24d and 24e, and an abutting portion 24f. The shaft portion 24a is a rod-shaped member that is parallel to the axial direction of the indoor fan 16 (see FIG. 2), and has both ends thereof pivotally supported.

The brush 24b scrapes off dust adhering to the indoor fan 16 (see FIG. 2), and is installed on the shaft portion 24a. The fan cleaning motor 24c is, for example, a stepping motor, and is a drive source for rotating (moving) the brush 24b. The above-mentioned stepping motor has a feature that it can be accurately positioned at a predetermined rotation angle.

The

gears

24d and 24e transmit the torque of the fan cleaning motor 24c to the shaft portion 24a at a predetermined gear ratio (reduction ratio). One gear 24d is connected to a rotor (not shown) of the fan cleaning motor 24c. The other gear 24e is installed on one end side of the shaft portion 24a (on the left side of the paper surface of FIG. 3). In FIG. 3, the

gears

24d and 24e are illustrated as being slightly separated from each other, but in reality, the

gears

24d and 24e are meshed with each other.

The abutting portion 24f is a member that abuts against the limit switch 25 (that is, pushes the limit switch 25) when the fan cleaning portion 24 retracts from the indoor fan 16, and is installed on one end side of the shaft portion 24a. .

When cleaning the indoor fan 16, the indoor fan 16 rotates in the reverse direction after the shaft 24a is rotated so that the brush 24b contacts the indoor fan 16 (see FIG. 6). When the cleaning of the indoor fan 16 is completed, the shaft portion 24a is rotated again, and the brush 24b is separated from the indoor fan 16 (see FIG. 2). In this way, the abutting portion 24f pushes the limit switch 25 when the fan cleaning portion 24 retreats.

Since the fan cleaning motor 24c (for example, a stepping motor) is driven based on open loop control, its rotation angle cannot be grasped by the control unit 30 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, after cleaning the indoor fan 16 by the fan cleaning unit 24, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the fan cleaning unit 24 has properly retracted based on whether the limit switch 25 is switched on / off. It has become.

The limit switch 25 is a switch used for determining whether or not the fan cleaning unit 24 has properly retracted from the indoor fan 16 (detection of a failure of the fan cleaning unit 24). That is, the limit switch 25 is a switch pushed by the fan cleaning unit 24, and is provided near the retracted position of the fan cleaning unit 24 (near the indoor heat exchanger 15: see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 3, the limit switch 25 includes a case 25a, an actuator 25b, and a movable piece 25c.

The case 25a accommodates components such as a micro switch (not shown), and is installed at a predetermined position of the housing base 19 (see FIG. 2). The actuator 25b is a member that is rotated toward the movable piece 25c against the elastic force of a spring (not shown) by the force applied from the abutting portion 24f. The movable piece 25c is a member that brings a movable contact of a microswitch (not shown) into contact with a fixed contact by pressing force from the actuator 25b.

Then, when the movable contact of the micro switch (not shown) contacts the fixed contact, the signal output from the limit switch 25 is switched from off to on, for example.

Note that the limit switch 25 is preferably waterproof. For example, the limit switch 25 may be sealed with a predetermined seal member (not shown). As a result, even when the humidity inside the indoor unit Ui is high, it becomes difficult for moisture to enter the inside of the limit switch 25, and the limit switch 25 does not easily break down.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment. The indoor unit Ui shown in FIG. 4 includes a remote control transmitter / receiver 28, a display lamp 29a, a sound generator 29b, and an indoor control circuit 31 in addition to the above-described configuration. The remote controller transmission / reception unit 28 exchanges predetermined information with the remote controller 40.

The display lamp 29a is a lamp for reporting a failure of the fan cleaning unit 24 (see FIG. 2). The sound generation unit 29b sounds a predetermined notification sound when the fan cleaning unit 24 fails.

Although not shown, the indoor control circuit 31 includes electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and various interfaces. Then, the program stored in the ROM is read and expanded in the RAM, and the CPU executes various processes.

As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor control circuit 31 includes a storage unit 31a and an indoor control unit 31b. The storage unit 31a stores a predetermined program, a signal from the limit switch 25, data received via the remote control transmission / reception unit 28, detection values of various sensors (not shown), and the like.

The indoor control unit 31b controls the indoor fan motor 16c, the fan cleaning motor 24c, the left and right wind direction plate motors 26, the up and down air direction plate motors 27, and the like based on the data stored in the storage unit 31a. In addition, when it is determined that the fan cleaning unit 24 has a failure, the indoor control unit 31b turns on the display lamp 29a or causes the sound generation unit 29b to generate a predetermined notification sound.

The outdoor unit Uo includes an outdoor control circuit 32 in addition to the above-described configuration. Although not shown, the outdoor control circuit 32 is configured to include electronic circuits such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and various interfaces, and is connected to the indoor control circuit 31 via a communication line.

As shown in FIG. 4, the outdoor control circuit 32 includes a storage unit 32a and an outdoor control unit 32b. The storage unit 32a stores data received from the indoor control circuit 31 as well as a predetermined program. The outdoor control unit 32b controls the compressor motor 11a, the outdoor fan motor 13a, the expansion valve 14 and the like based on the data stored in the storage unit 32a. In the following, the indoor control circuit 31 and the outdoor control circuit 32 are collectively referred to as "control unit 30".

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing executed by the control unit 30 of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 4 as appropriate). It is assumed that the air conditioning operation is not performed at the time of "START" in FIG. 5, and the fan cleaning unit 24 is in a state of being retracted from the indoor fan 16 (see FIG. 2).

In step S101, the control unit 30 cleans the indoor fan 16 by the fan cleaning unit 24. The trigger for starting the cleaning of the indoor fan 16 may be, for example, a condition that the cumulative time of the air conditioning operation from the previous cleaning reaches a predetermined time.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state during cleaning of the indoor fan 16 in the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment (corresponding to the vertical sectional view of FIG. 2). When cleaning the indoor fan 16, the controller 30 (see FIG. 4) rotates the brush 24b around the shaft 24a so that the tip of the brush 24b faces the indoor fan 16. As a result, the brush 24b contacts the fan blade 16a of the indoor fan 16. Then, the control unit 30 rotates the indoor fan 16 in the opposite direction to that in the normal air conditioning operation.

When the indoor fan 16 reversely rotates in this way, the brush 24b bends as the fan blade 16a moves, and the brush 24b is pressed against the back surface of the fan blade 16a. Then, the dust attached to the fan blade 16a is scraped off by the brush 24b.

The dust j scraped off from the indoor fan 16 is guided to the dew tray 18 through the gap between the front indoor heat exchanger 15a and the indoor fan 16, as shown in FIG. This can prevent the dust j from being blown out into the room during the next air conditioning operation.

Returning to FIG. 5, the control unit 30 outputs a retract command to the fan cleaning unit 24 in step S102. That is, the control unit 30 outputs a predetermined retract command for retracting the fan cleaning unit 24 from the indoor fan 16 to the fan cleaning motor 24c (see FIG. 4).

In step S103, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the signal (on / off) from the limit switch 25 is switched within a predetermined time ΔT after outputting the save command. The above-mentioned predetermined time ΔT is a predetermined threshold value that is longer than the time from when the evacuation command is output to when the limit switch 25 is switched when the fan cleaning motor 24c is normal, and is set in advance.

In step S103, when the signal from the limit switch 25 is switched within the predetermined time ΔT (S103: Yes), the control unit 30 ends the series of processes (END). In this case, although omitted in FIG. 5, the control unit 30 determines that the fan cleaning unit 24 has properly retracted from the indoor fan 16, and based on a command from the remote controller 40 (see FIG. 4), a predetermined air conditioning operation is performed. I do.

As described above, when the fan cleaning unit 24 retracts from the indoor fan 16 (S102) and the limit switch 25 is pressed by the fan cleaning unit 24 (S103: Yes), the control unit 30 performs the air conditioning operation thereafter ( (Omitted in FIG. 5).

In step S103, when the signal from the limit switch 25 is not switched within the predetermined time ΔT (S103: No), the control unit 30 determines that the normal operation is not performed, and performs the fan cleaning once or a plurality of times. An attempt is made to evacuate the unit 24 (step S200). The details of step S200 will be described below. Note that the upper limit value N of the number of save retries is initialized in the storage unit 31a.

The reason why the signal from the limit switch 25 is not switched is that, in addition to the failure of the fan cleaning motor 24c, the rotation power is weakened and the fan cannot be disengaged from the indoor fan 16. The rotation of the fan cleaning unit 24 is restricted.

In step S201, the control unit 30 sets the retry count L to 1 and issues a save retry command. In step S202, the fan cleaning unit 24 is moved to the indoor fan 16 side, and in step S203, the fan cleaning unit 24 is moved to the retreat side. That is, the fan cleaning unit 24 is moved toward the limit switch 25.

In step S204, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the signal (on / off) from the limit switch 25 is switched within a predetermined time ΔT after outputting the save retry command. When the signal from the limit switch 25 is switched within the predetermined time ΔT in step S204 (S204: Yes), the control unit 30 ends the series of processes (END).

In step S204, when the signal from the limit switch 25 is not switched within the predetermined time ΔT (S204: No), the control unit 30 adds 1 to the retry count L and issues a save retry command in step S205.

In step S206, the control unit 30 moves the fan cleaning unit 24 to the indoor fan 16 side and rotates in the same direction as the moving direction of the fan cleaning unit 24 (see S206 in FIG. 7). Accordingly, for example, when the vicinity of the tip of the brush 24b is caught in the gap of the indoor fan 16 and the rotation of the fan cleaning unit 24 is restricted, the catch may be released.

In step S207, the fan cleaning unit 24 is moved to the retreat side. That is, the fan cleaning unit 24 is moved toward the limit switch 25 and is rotated in the same direction as the moving direction of the fan cleaning unit 24 (see S207 in FIG. 7). Accordingly, for example, when the vicinity of the tip of the brush 24b is caught in the gap of the indoor fan 16 and the rotation of the fan cleaning unit 24 is restricted, the catch may be released.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing of steps S206 and S207 of FIG. 5 (corresponding to the vertical sectional view of FIG. 2). In step S206, the fan cleaning unit 24 is rotated counterclockwise and the indoor fan 16 is rotated clockwise clockwise. That is, the indoor fan 16 is rotating in the same direction as the moving direction of the fan cleaning unit 24.

In step S207, the fan cleaning unit 24 is rotated clockwise and the indoor fan 16 is rotated counterclockwise. That is, the indoor fan 16 is rotating in the same direction as the moving direction of the fan cleaning unit 24. After that, the brush 24b moves away from the indoor fan 16 and moves toward the limit switch 25.

Returning to FIG. 5, in step S208, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the signal (ON / OFF) from the limit switch 25 is switched within a predetermined time ΔT after outputting the save retry command. In step S208, when the signal from the limit switch 25 is switched within the predetermined time ΔT (S208: Yes), the control unit 30 ends the series of processes (END).

In step S208, when the signal from the limit switch 25 is not switched within the predetermined time ΔT (S208: No), in step S209, the control unit 30 determines whether the retry count L exceeds the retry count upper limit N. To judge.

In step S209, when the number of retries L does not exceed the upper limit value N of retries (S209: No), the control unit 30 returns to step S205 and repeats the save retry.

In step S209, if the number of retries L exceeds the upper limit value N of the number of retries (S209: Yes), the control unit 30 causes the fan cleaning unit 24 to properly retract from the indoor fan 16. It is determined that the fan cleaning unit 24 does not exist (the fan cleaning unit 24 has a defect), and the failure of the fan cleaning unit 24 is notified in step S104.

Describing specifically about step S104, the control unit 30 turns on (or blinks) the display lamp 29a (see FIG. 4) and causes the sound generation unit 29b (see FIG. 4) to sound a predetermined notification sound. The notification sound may be a buzzer or a predetermined message sound. This allows the user to be notified that the fan cleaning unit 24 has failed. A predetermined failure display may be displayed on the remote controller 40 or the user's mobile terminal (not shown).

As described above, the control unit 30 performs the process of step S104, and then the control unit 30 ends the series of processes (END).

<Effect>
According to the first embodiment, even if the evacuation command is output to the fan cleaning unit 24 (S102 in FIG. 5) and the limit switch 25 does not switch (S103: No), the control unit 30 controls the fan cleaning unit 24 to operate. Evacuation retry is tried multiple times (S200). Thereby, for example, even if the brush 24b is caught in the gap of the indoor fan 16, the brush 24b can be separated from the indoor fan 16.

In summary, the air conditioner 100 controls the heat exchanger (indoor heat exchanger 15), the fan (indoor fan 16), the fan cleaning unit 24 that cleans the fan, and at least the fan and the fan cleaning unit 24. The control unit 30 and the limit switch 25 pushed by the fan cleaning unit 24 are provided, and the control unit 30 moves the fan cleaning unit 24 toward the limit switch 25 (clockwise in FIG. 7) to move the limit switch 25. If is not pressed, the fan is rotated in the same direction as the moving direction of the fan cleaning unit 24 (for example, S206, S207). Thus, by supporting the operation of the fan cleaning unit 24 by rotating the fan, the fan cleaning unit 24 can be reliably retracted to the regular position (position in contact with the limit switch 25).

The control unit 30 moves the fan cleaning unit 24 toward the limit switch 25 (clockwise in FIG. 7), and when the limit switch 25 is not pressed, moves the fan cleaning unit 24 in the moving direction before operating the fan. In the opposite direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 7) (for example, S202). Accordingly, even if the fan cleaning unit 24 has a problem, the fan cleaning unit 24 can be reliably retracted to the regular position.

The control unit 30 moves the fan cleaning unit 24 toward the limit switch 25 (clockwise in FIG. 7), and when the limit switch 25 is not pressed, at the time of the first process of moving toward the limit switch 25 (for example, , When the retry count L is the first time), the fan cleaning unit 24 is moved in the direction opposite to the moving direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 7), and then the fan cleaning unit 24 is moved in the moving direction (eg, S202, S203). . Accordingly, even if the fan cleaning unit 24 has a problem, the fan cleaning unit 24 can be reliably retracted to the regular position.

When the process of moving the fan cleaning unit 24 toward the limit switch 25 (for example, the evacuation retry) is repeated a plurality of times, the fan is rotated except when the first process is performed (for example, the retry count L is the second time and the third time). (For example, S206 and S207). Accordingly, by supporting the operation of the fan cleaning unit 24 by rotating the fan, the fan cleaning unit 24 can be reliably retracted to the regular position.

In the step S200 of FIG. 5, the case of multiple evacuation retries has been described, but in the case of N = 1, that is, when the process of moving the fan cleaning unit 24 toward the limit switch 25 is performed once, during the process. The fan may be rotated. Specifically, step S202 may be the same process as step S206, and step S203 may be the same process as step S207. Accordingly, by supporting the operation of the fan cleaning unit 24 by rotating the fan, the fan cleaning unit 24 can be reliably retracted to the regular position.

In the case of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the processing of steps S201 to S203 is shown only once at the beginning, but the processing is not limited to this. For example, if the signal from the limit switch is not switched even after retrying a plurality of times, the processes of steps S205 to S209 may be executed. This makes it possible to omit rotating the fan.

In the case of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, it has been shown that step S206 and step S207 are executed as a set, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only one may be executed. That is, after executing step S206, the fan cleaning unit 24 may be moved to the retreat side in step S207A (not shown), or after the fan cleaning unit 24 is moved to the indoor fan side in step S206A (not shown). The processing of step S207 may be executed. This makes it possible to omit rotating the fan.

<< 2nd Embodiment >>
In the first embodiment, in steps S203 and S207, as shown in FIG. 7, the brush 24b is retracted to the regular position by rotating the fan cleaning unit 24 in the clockwise direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. Not something. For example, the regular position may rotate counterclockwise to retract the brush 24b to the regular position.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the indoor unit Ui included in the air conditioner 100 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same components as those shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Refer to FIGS. 4 and 5 as appropriate. Here, there is a sensitive section on one side of the limit switch 25, and the other section is a non-sensitive section. In the case of FIG. 8, when the fan cleaning unit 24 rotates from the upper side (when rotating counterclockwise), when it rotates from the lower side (when rotating clockwise) Is insensitive. Since the fan cleaning unit 24 has the stopper 50, the fan cleaning unit 24 cannot contact the insensitive portion.

The fan cleaning unit 24 shown in FIG. 8 is configured to rotate between the limit switch 25 and the stopper 50. When cleaning the indoor fan 16, the fan cleaning unit 24 rotates clockwise from the position in contact with the limit switch 25 to the stopper 50, and then rotates counterclockwise to the cleaning position of the indoor fan 16. Then, the indoor fan 16 is cleaned. After cleaning the indoor fan 16, when the control unit 30 issues a retract command to the fan cleaning unit 24, in the normal case, the fan cleaning unit 24 rotates clockwise to the stopper 50, and then turns to the limit switch 25. Rotate counterclockwise.

As for the condition where a defect occurs,
(1) The fan cleaning unit 24 rotates to the stopper 50. (2) The fan cleaning unit 24 may rotate from the stopper 50 toward the limit switch 25. In any case, this is the retracting operation of the fan cleaning unit 24 when the control unit 30 issues a retract command to the fan cleaning unit 24.

In step S103 (see FIG. 5), the control unit 30 determines whether or not the signal (on / off) from the limit switch 25 has been switched within a predetermined time ΔT after outputting the save command. In step S103, when the signal from the limit switch 25 is not switched within the predetermined time ΔT (S103: No), the control unit 30 determines that the normal operation is not performed, and performs the fan cleaning once or a plurality of times. An attempt is made to evacuate the unit 24 (step S200).

According to the second embodiment, if the limit switch 25 is not switched even if the evacuation command is output to the fan cleaning unit 24 (S102 in FIG. 5) (S103: No), the control unit 30 controls the fan cleaning unit 24. Evacuation retry is tried multiple times (S200). Thereby, for example, even if the brush 24b is caught in the gap of the indoor fan 16, the brush 24b can be separated from the indoor fan 16.

<< 3rd Embodiment >>
In the case of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the fan cleaning unit 24 is arranged in the concave portion of the front indoor heat exchanger 15a having a <character shape in a longitudinal sectional view. . However, it is not limited to this. For example, the process of FIG. 5 can be applied even when the fan cleaning unit 24 is arranged other than between the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the indoor unit Ui included in the air conditioner 100 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same components as those shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Refer to FIGS. 4 and 5 as appropriate.

The fan cleaning unit 24 shown in FIG. 9 is arranged in the blowout air passage h3 and is configured to rotate between the limit switch 25 and the indoor fan 16 as in FIG. When cleaning the indoor fan 16, the fan cleaning unit 24 rotates clockwise from a position in contact with the limit switch 25. Here, there is a sensitive section on one side of the limit switch 25, and the other section is a non-sensitive section. In the case of FIG. 9, it is sensitive when the fan cleaning unit 24 is rotated from the front side (when it is rotated counterclockwise).

According to the third embodiment, if the limit switch 25 does not switch even if the evacuation command is output to the fan cleaning unit 24 (S102 in FIG. 5) (S103: No), the control unit 30 controls the fan cleaning unit 24. Evacuation retry is tried multiple times (S200). Thereby, for example, even if the brush 24b is caught in the gap of the indoor fan 16, the brush 24b can be separated from the indoor fan 16.

That is, in the first and second embodiments, an example in which the fan cleaning unit 24 is arranged on the upstream side of the indoor fan 16 in the air flow direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the third embodiment, the fan cleaning unit 24 may be arranged on the downstream side of the indoor fan 16.

In addition, in the case of FIG. 9, in step S206, the control unit 30 moves the fan cleaning unit 24 to the indoor fan 16 side and rotates in the same direction as the moving direction of the fan cleaning unit 24 (see S206 in FIG. 7). In contrast, the indoor fan 16 rotates in the reverse direction). Accordingly, for example, when the vicinity of the tip of the brush 24b is caught in the gap of the indoor fan 16 and the rotation of the fan cleaning unit 24 is restricted, the catch may be released.

In step S207, the fan cleaning unit 24 is moved to the retreat side. That is, the fan cleaning unit 24 is moved counterclockwise toward the limit switch 25, and the indoor fan 16 is rotated clockwise in the same direction as the moving direction of the fan cleaning unit 24 (unlike S207 in FIG. 7). , The indoor fan 16 rotates forward). Accordingly, for example, when the vicinity of the tip of the brush 24b is caught in the gap of the indoor fan 16 and the rotation of the fan cleaning unit 24 is restricted, the catch may be released.

≪Modified example≫
Although the air conditioner 100 and the like according to the present invention have been described in the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions and various modifications can be made. For example, instead of the limit switch 25 described in the first embodiment, the air conditioner includes an angle sensor 70 (fault detection unit: see FIG. 10) that detects an inclination angle of the brush 24b in the extending direction. May be.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of the fan cleaning unit 24 and the angle sensor 70 included in the air conditioner according to the modification. The angle sensor 70 illustrated in FIG. 15 is a sensor that detects a failure of the fan cleaning unit 24 by detecting a rotation angle of the fan cleaning unit 24 (an inclination angle in the extending direction of the brush 24b). As such an angle sensor 70, for example, an acceleration sensor can be used. Then, the control unit 30 notifies the failure of the fan cleaning unit 24 based on the detection value of the angle sensor 70. For example, if the detection value of the angle sensor 70 does not reach the predetermined value within a predetermined time after the fan cleaning unit 24 is commanded to retract, the control unit 30 determines that the fan cleaning unit 24 is out of order, and detects the failure. Notify me.

The control unit 30 may notify that the fan cleaning unit 24 requires maintenance when the time elapsed from the time of installation of the air conditioner 100 or the time of previous maintenance reaches a predetermined time. Further, when the number of air conditioning operations from the time of installation of the air conditioner 100 or the time of previous maintenance reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 30 may notify that the fan cleaning unit 24 needs maintenance. . As a result, even if the fan cleaning unit 24 is not out of order, the user can be notified that maintenance is required.

Also, when the fan cleaning motor 24c is not excited, the tip of the brush 24b may be directed downward by the weight of the brush 24b. As a result, even if the fan cleaning motor 24c fails and is not excited, the brush 24b does not come into contact with the indoor fan 16, so that the air conditioning operation can be performed thereafter. If the fan cleaning motor 24c is a gearless stepping motor, the brush 24b is easily influenced by the weight of the brush 24b when it is not excited because no gear is provided. Become.

Further, in each embodiment, the air conditioning operation may be prohibited after the control unit 30 notifies the fan cleaning unit 24 of a failure. That is, the control unit 30 may prohibit the air conditioning operation until the fan cleaning unit 24 returns to normal even if the remote control 40 issues a command to start the air conditioning operation after the failure of the fan cleaning unit 24. As a result, it is possible to prevent the indoor fan 16 from being driven at a high speed when the fan cleaning unit 24 is out of order, and to prevent the fan blade 16a from being damaged.

Further, in each embodiment, the configuration in which the brush 24b rotates around the shaft portion 24a of the fan cleaning unit 24 has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the fan cleaning unit 24 may move in parallel.

Also, in each embodiment, the configuration in which the fan cleaning unit 24 includes the brush 24b has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. That is, a sponge or the like may be used instead of the brush 24b as long as the member can clean the indoor fan 16.

Further, in each of the embodiments, the configuration in which one indoor unit Ui (see FIG. 1) and one outdoor unit Uo (see FIG. 1) are provided has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. That is, a plurality of indoor units connected in parallel may be provided, or a plurality of outdoor units connected in parallel may be provided.
Further, each embodiment can be applied to various types of air conditioners as well as room air conditioners.

Also, each embodiment has been described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to one having all the configurations described. Further, it is possible to add / delete / replace other configurations with respect to a part of the configurations of the respective embodiments. In addition, the above-mentioned mechanisms and configurations are shown to be necessary for explanation, and not all the mechanisms and configurations are shown in the product.

100 Air conditioner 11 Compressor 12 Outdoor heat exchanger 13 Outdoor fan 14 Expansion valve 15 Indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger, restriction member)
16 Indoor fan (fan)
24 Fan Cleaning Section 24a Shaft Section 24b Brush 24c Fan Cleaning Motor 25 Limit Switch (Failure Detection Section)
30 control unit 40 remote control 50 stopper 70 angle sensor (failure detection unit)

Claims

Heat exchanger,
Fans and
A fan cleaning unit for cleaning the fan,
A control unit that controls at least the fan and the fan cleaning unit;
A limit switch pushed by the fan cleaning unit,
The air conditioner, wherein the control unit moves the fan cleaning unit toward the limit switch, and rotates the fan in the same direction as the moving direction of the fan cleaning unit when the limit switch is not pressed.
The control unit moves the fan cleaning unit toward the limit switch, and when the limit switch is not pressed, moves the fan cleaning unit in a direction opposite to the moving direction before operating the fan. The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The control unit moves the fan cleaning unit toward the limit switch, and when the limit switch is not pressed, the control unit moves the fan cleaning unit to a moving direction during the first process of moving toward the limit switch. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the fan cleaning unit is moved in the opposite direction and then the fan cleaning unit is moved in the moving direction.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the process of moving the fan cleaning unit toward the limit switch is repeated a plurality of times, the fan is rotated other than during the first process.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the process of moving the fan cleaning unit toward the limit switch is performed once, the fan is rotated during the process.