Heat exchanger cleaning device, cleaning method and air conditioner

Abstract

The application discloses a heat exchanger cleaning device, a cleaning method and an air conditioner. The heat exchanger cleaning device comprises a reversing valve, a water pan, a spraying pipe and a power assembly. The reversing valve is used for switching the heat exchanger to be cleaned into an evaporator to generate condensate water. The water pan is arranged below the heat exchanger to be cleaned. The spraying pipe is provided with spraying holes with openings facing the heat exchanger to be cleaned. The power assembly is used for pumping the condensate water collected by the water pan to the spraying pipe. The heat exchanger cleaning method comprises the following steps: determining whether there is a descaling instruction; if yes, performing a descaling action, switching the heat exchanger to be cleaned into an evaporator, collecting the condensate water dripping from the heat exchanger to be cleaned, and spraying and washing the heat exchanger to be cleaned by using the condensate water; and if no, waiting for the descaling instruction. The application can dissolve and wash the dirt on the surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned by using the condensate water, improve the cleaning effect and ensure the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioner technology, and more particularly to a heat exchanger cleaning device, cleaning method, and air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, many outdoor units of split-type air conditioners are used in special environments, especially those installed in coastal areas and on boats. The finned heat exchangers have high humidity and salt content in the air passing through them. Salt mist can easily crystallize and adhere to the fins at high temperatures. After long-term use, the crystallized salt on the fin surface gradually covers the fin surface area, causing a significant decrease in heat exchange efficiency and an increase in condensation temperature, which poses a hidden danger to the reliable operation of the air conditioner.

[0003] The traditional solution is to add a dehumidifying and salt mist removing filter to the air inlet of the heat exchanger to reduce the moisture and salt content of the incoming air through multi-layer filtration. However, such filters have high air inlet resistance, requiring a larger fan to overcome the air inlet resistance, which increases the power consumption of the air conditioner and the subsequent maintenance cost. Moreover, the filter can only play a role in alleviating salt mist crystallization. After long-term use, the condenser still needs to be replaced or cleaned.

[0004] Existing technologies include solutions for washing condensers with condensate. This involves collecting the condensate in a tank and storing it, then discharging it onto the condenser during an automatic cleaning process. However, this washing method can only clean the shallow, loosely adhered dust on the condenser surface. In reality, after prolonged use, deep-seated dirt on the condenser surface will adhere tightly under high temperatures and wind, making thorough washing insufficient and compromising the condenser's heat exchange efficiency.

[0005] Therefore, how to design heat exchanger cleaning devices, cleaning methods, and air conditioners with better cleaning effects is a technical problem that the industry urgently needs to solve. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies in terms of limited cleaning effectiveness and difficulty in ensuring heat exchanger efficiency, this invention proposes a heat exchanger cleaning device, cleaning method, and air conditioner. By dissolving and washing the surface of the heat exchanger with condensate, the cleaning effect is improved, ensuring the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is to design a heat exchanger cleaning device, including: a reversing valve, a water receiving tray, a spray pipe, and a power component. The reversing valve is used to switch the heat exchanger to be cleaned into an evaporator to generate condensate. The water receiving tray is located below the heat exchanger to be cleaned. The spray pipe has spray holes with openings facing the heat exchanger to be cleaned. The power component is used to pump the condensate collected in the water receiving tray to the spray pipe.

[0008] Furthermore, the heat exchanger cleaning device also includes: a side plate compartment installed on top of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, the side plate compartment being separated between the spray pipe and the heat exchanger to be cleaned, and the side plate compartment being provided with a water collection tank, with water passage holes evenly distributed at the bottom of the water collection tank.

[0009] Furthermore, the power components include: a liquid supply pump with adjustable speed, an inlet pipe connecting the inlet of the liquid supply pump to the water receiving tray, and an outlet pipe connecting the outlet of the liquid supply pump to the spray pipe.

[0010] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger to be cleaned is the outdoor heat exchanger of an air conditioner.

[0011] This invention also proposes a heat exchanger cleaning method, comprising the following steps:

[0012] Check if there is a descaling command;

[0013] If so, perform the descaling action, switch the heat exchanger to be cleaned to an evaporator, collect the condensate dripping from the heat exchanger to be cleaned, and use the condensate to spray and wash the heat exchanger to be cleaned.

[0014] If not, wait for the descaling command.

[0015] Furthermore, the process of using condensate to spray and wash the heat exchanger to be clean includes: spraying and washing the heat exchanger to be clean once until the set coarse washing time is reached, then increasing the flow rate of the condensate to spray and wash the heat exchanger to be clean a second time until the set fine washing time is reached.

[0016] Furthermore, heat exchanger cleaning methods also include:

[0017] The running time of the heat exchanger to be cleaned as an evaporator is recorded.

[0018] When the running time reaches the set water collection time, the air conditioner containing the heat exchanger to be cleaned will be shut down.

[0019] Then, the heat exchanger to be cleaned is sprayed with water using the condensate.

[0020] Furthermore, the heat exchanger cleaning method also includes: after the spray water washing is completed, when the air conditioner where the heat exchanger to be cleaned is located is turned on again, the heat exchanger to be cleaned, as a condenser, first controls the fan of the heat exchanger to be cleaned to stop or run at a set low speed, and then restores the fan to normal speed after a set drying time.

[0021] Furthermore, heat exchanger cleaning methods also include:

[0022] After the fan returns to normal speed, determine whether ΔT ≤ ΔT 初始 +ε℃, △T=T1-T2, T1 is the condensing temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, T2 is the inlet air temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, △T初始 ε is the initial temperature difference to be set, and ε is the set margin.

[0023] If not, a descaling command will be automatically generated;

[0024] If so, then wait for the air conditioner containing the heat exchanger to run normally.

[0025] Furthermore, descaling instructions can be manually entered and / or automatically generated by the air conditioner where the heat exchanger to be cleaned is located.

[0026] Furthermore, in cooling mode, the conditions for automatically generating the descaling command include: a first temperature condition and / or a second temperature condition.

[0027] The first temperature condition is ΔT ≥ ΔT 初始 +δ℃, △T=T1-T2, T1 is the condensing temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, T2 is the inlet air temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, △T 初始 To set the initial temperature difference, δ is the set margin;

[0028] The second temperature condition is that the indoor ambient temperature T3 is always higher than the user-set temperature T. 目标 And the duration exceeds the set threshold time.

[0029] Furthermore, when the air conditioner automatically generates a descaling command, it determines whether the air conditioner is in an idle state. If so, the descaling action is executed; otherwise, the descaling action is delayed until the air conditioner is in an idle state.

[0030] The present invention also proposes an air conditioner, including the heat exchanger cleaning device described above, wherein the reversing valve and power components are controlled by the air conditioner controller.

[0031] The present invention also proposes an air conditioner whose controller performs the above-described heat exchanger cleaning method.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0033] 1. Switch the heat exchanger to be cleaned to an evaporator so that the heat exchanger to be cleaned produces condensate, which dissolves the salt scale on the surface. The condensate will flow down the surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned from top to bottom, washing away some large crystalline salt particles and loosely adsorbed salt scale, thus achieving the initial descaling.

[0034] 2. After spraying for a period of time, increase the flow rate of condensate water and perform a second spray water wash on the heat exchanger to be cleaned to achieve secondary descaling.

[0035] 3. The degree of scale buildup can be determined based on the inlet air temperature and condensation temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned. The detection is accurate and easy to implement.

[0036] 4. When automatically generating a descaling command, the descaling action is performed during the air conditioner's idle state, reducing the impact of the descaling action on indoor comfort. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the outdoor unit of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the heat exchanger to be cleaned according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the heat exchanger cleaning device proposed in this invention is suitable for cleaning heat exchangers in air conditioners, including but not limited to the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner. The heat exchanger to be cleaned can be a finned heat exchanger, etc. When the air conditioner is working normally, high-humidity, high-salt-mist air enters the outdoor unit through the air inlet 1, undergoes heat exchange through the heat exchanger to be cleaned 2, and is then blown out from the air outlet 3 by the fan. Because the high-humidity, high-salt-mist air crystallizes and adsorbs onto the fin surface during the process of passing through the heat exchanger to be cleaned 2, a large amount of salt scale will accumulate on the fin surface after long-term use. Therefore, it is necessary to control the heat exchanger cleaning device to remove the scale from the heat exchanger to be cleaned 2 in a timely manner. The heat exchanger cleaning device mainly consists of a reversing valve, a water receiving pan 4, a spray pipe 6, and a power assembly, etc. The detailed structure of each part is described below.

[0042] A reversing valve is connected to the refrigerant circulation loop of the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned. Its function is to adjust the refrigerant flow direction in the refrigerant circulation loop, switching the heat exchanger to be cleaned into an evaporator, so that condensation occurs on the surface of the heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the reversing valve is a four-way valve, which is used to switch the refrigerant circulation loop to operate in cooling mode or heating mode. In cooling mode, the indoor heat exchanger acts as an evaporator and the outdoor heat exchanger acts as a condenser; in heating mode, the indoor heat exchanger acts as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger acts as an evaporator.

[0043] The water collection tray 4 is located below the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned. After the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned is switched to an evaporator, when the high humidity air passes through the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned, it comes into contact with the low temperature heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned and generates a large amount of condensate, which dissolves the salt scale attached to the surface. The condensate will flow along the surface of the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned from top to bottom, washing away some large particles of crystalline salt and loosely adsorbed salt scale, and flowing into the water collection tray 4 below the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned, thus achieving the initial descaling.

[0044] The spray pipe 6 has spray holes with openings facing the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned. Its function is to spray condensate water onto the surface of the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned, thereby washing the heat exchanger 2 with the condensate water. In some embodiments, the spray pipe 6 has a horizontal section arranged at the top of the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned. The horizontal section of the spray pipe 6 has spray holes with a diameter of Φ3 to Φ5 mm evenly distributed, and the openings of the spray holes face downwards.

[0045] The power unit is connected between the water receiving pan 4 and the spray pipe 6. Its function is to pump the condensate collected in the water receiving pan 4 to the spray pipe 6 to ensure that the spray pipe 6 continuously sprays condensate. In some embodiments, the power unit includes a liquid supply pump 5, an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe is connected between the inlet of the liquid supply pump 5 and the water receiving pan 4, and the outlet pipe is connected between the outlet of the liquid supply pump 5 and the spray pipe 6. The speed of the liquid supply pump 5 is adjustable. By controlling the speed of the liquid supply pump 5, the flow rate of condensate in the spray pipe 6 is adjusted. During the descaling process, after spraying for a period of time, the flow rate of condensate is increased, and more water is sprayed out of the spray pipe 6, so as to perform a secondary spray water wash on the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned, thereby achieving secondary descaling.

[0046] The descaling process of this invention consists of three stages. The first stage involves generating condensate in the heat exchanger to be cleaned. The condensate dissolves the salt scale adhering to the surface of the heat exchanger and washes it from top to bottom, removing some large crystalline salt particles and loosely adsorbed salt scale, thus achieving initial descaling. The second stage involves pumping condensate from the receiving pan to wash the heat exchanger, further soaking and dissolving the salt scale adhering to the surface, removing loose or shallow salt scale. The third stage involves increasing the flow rate of the condensate, which is equivalent to increasing the volume and density of the wash water, removing the deep salt scale remaining in the heat exchanger and achieving a thorough cleaning effect.

[0047] like Figure 2As shown, to further optimize the cleaning effect of the heat exchanger, in some embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchanger cleaning device further includes a side plate compartment 7. The side plate compartment 7 is installed on top of the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned, and the side plate compartment 7 covers the entire top surface of the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned. The side plate compartment 7 is surrounded by a surrounding plate to form a water collection tank. The bottom of the water collection tank is evenly distributed with water passage holes 71, so that different areas of the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned in the horizontal direction can be fully washed with water. The side plate compartment 7 is separated between the spray pipe 6 and the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned. The condensate flowing out of the spray pipe 6 falls into the water collection tank and is evenly distributed through the water passage holes 71. The condensate enters the top of the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned through the water passage holes 71 and flows slowly from the top to the bottom. During the flow, the scale on the surface of the heat exchanger 2 to be cleaned is fully soaked and dissolved.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchanger cleaning device described above is installed inside the air conditioner. The reversing valve and the power assembly are controlled by the controller of the air conditioner. The controller controls the reversing valve and the power assembly to complete the descaling action according to the descaling command. The heat exchanger cleaning method executed by the controller is described in detail below.

[0049] The heat exchanger cleaning method includes the following steps:

[0050] Check if there is a descaling command;

[0051] If so, perform the descaling action, switch the heat exchanger to be cleaned to an evaporator, collect the condensate dripping from the heat exchanger to be cleaned, and use the condensate to spray and wash the heat exchanger to be cleaned.

[0052] If not, wait for the descaling command.

[0053] It should be noted that the descaling command can be manually entered and / or automatically generated by the air conditioner where the heat exchanger to be cleaned is located. There are three application modes: the descaling command can only be manually entered, the descaling command can only be automatically generated by the air conditioner, and the descaling command can be both manually entered and automatically generated by the air conditioner. When both manual and automatic modes exist, the manual mode has higher priority. That is, when the descaling command is manually entered, it is assumed that the salt scale level of the heat exchanger to be cleaned is severe, and the descaling action will be executed immediately.

[0054] Furthermore, the automatic generation conditions for the descaling command can be designed according to actual needs. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, in refrigeration mode, the heat exchanger to be cleaned is used as a condenser, and the automatic generation conditions for the descaling command include: a first temperature condition and / or a second temperature condition. The first temperature condition is ΔT ≥ ΔT 初始 +δ℃, △T=T1-T2, where T1 is the condensing temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned (this condensing temperature refers to the tube temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned), and T2 is the inlet air temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned. △T 初始The initial temperature difference is set, with δ representing the set margin. The second temperature condition is that the indoor ambient temperature T3 is always higher than the user-set temperature T. 目标 And the duration exceeds the set threshold time. To avoid frequent automatic generation of descaling commands, which may affect the normal use of the air conditioner, △T 初始 It can be set to be about 1°C lower than the high-voltage protection temperature value.

[0055] During the cooling operation of an air conditioner, its operating parameters are monitored. These parameters include the condensing temperature T1 of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, the inlet air temperature T2, and the indoor ambient temperature T3. When the air conditioner's operating parameters meet the first temperature condition, it indicates that the difference between the inlet air temperature T2 and the condensing temperature T1 is too large, meaning the pipe temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned is significantly higher than the outdoor ambient temperature, resulting in poor heat dissipation. This indicates that the surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned is dirty and requires descaling. When the air conditioner's operating parameters meet the second temperature condition, it indicates that the indoor environment has been unable to reach the user-set temperature T3 for an extended period. 目标 The heat exchanger to be cleaned has low heat exchange efficiency, indicating that the surface of the heat exchanger is dirty and descaling is required.

[0056] It should be noted that the second temperature condition can also be an alarm trigger condition. That is, when the operating parameters of the air conditioner meet the second temperature condition, an alarm signal is sent to prompt the user to check the dirt and blockage of the heat exchanger to be cleaned and select to manually input the descaling command.

[0057] Since the descaling process involves switching the heat exchanger to be cleaned to an evaporator, to minimize or avoid impacting indoor comfort, when the air conditioner automatically generates a descaling command, it determines whether the air conditioner is in an idle state. If so, the descaling process is executed; otherwise, it is delayed until the air conditioner is in an idle state. In this context, "idle state" refers to when the air conditioner is off or when cooling demand is low. The cooling demand can be determined based on the user-set temperature T. 目标 High / low and / or airflow determination, user-set temperature T 目标 The higher the temperature and the lower the airflow, the less cooling is required; conversely, the lower the temperature and the lower the airflow, the less cooling is needed when the user sets the temperature T. 目标 The lower the temperature and the higher the airflow, the greater the cooling demand.

[0058] The automatic generation conditions for descaling instructions and the determination conditions for low cooling demand mentioned above are only illustrative examples. In actual applications, each condition can be designed according to specific circumstances, and this invention does not impose any special restrictions on them.

[0059] In some embodiments of the present invention, to achieve better spraying effects, the process of spraying the heat exchanger to be cleaned with condensate water involves first spraying the heat exchanger to remove loose or shallow scale from its surface. After a set coarse wash time is reached, the flow rate of the condensate water is increased for a second spray wash to remove residual deep scale, until a set fine wash time is reached. For ease of understanding, specific values ​​are used as examples: the set coarse wash time can be 0.5 hours, the set fine wash time can be 1 hour, and increasing the flow rate of the condensate water can be achieved by doubling the flow rate of the liquid supply pump.

[0060] In some embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchanger cleaning method further includes:

[0061] The running time of the heat exchanger to be cleaned as an evaporator is recorded.

[0062] When the running time reaches the set water collection time, the air conditioner containing the heat exchanger to be cleaned will be shut down. The purpose of shutting down the air conditioner is to prevent the air conditioner from running for a long time and causing a significant rise in indoor temperature, and to control the amount of condensate in the water collection pan.

[0063] Then, the heat exchanger to be cleaned is sprayed with water using the condensate.

[0064] Based on the above embodiments, the heat exchanger cleaning method further includes: after the spray water washing is completed, when the air conditioner where the heat exchanger to be cleaned is located is turned on again, the heat exchanger to be cleaned acts as a condenser. First, the fan of the heat exchanger to be cleaned is stopped or runs at a set low speed. The condensation temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned rises rapidly. The high temperature is used to evaporate the salt-containing condensate water remaining on the surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned. After a set drying time, the fan is restored to normal speed.

[0065] Based on the above embodiments, the heat exchanger cleaning method further includes: after the fan returns to normal speed, determining whether ΔT ≤ ΔT 初始 +ε℃, △T=T1-T2, T1 is the condensing temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, T2 is the inlet air temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, △T 初始 The initial temperature difference is set, and ε is the set margin. If not, it means that the pipe temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned is significantly higher than the outdoor ambient temperature, the heat dissipation effect is poor, the surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned is judged to be dirty, and a descaling command is automatically generated. If yes, it means that the pipe temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned is close to the outdoor ambient temperature, the heat dissipation effect is good, the surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned is judged to be clean, and the air conditioner is operating normally.

[0066] It should be understood that the settings for water collection time, drying time, initial temperature difference, and margin mentioned above can all be designed according to specific circumstances. For example, the water collection time can be set to 1 to 2 hours, the drying time to 5 minutes, and the margin to 2°C or 5°C.

[0067] The process of the heat exchanger cleaning method is described in detail with an application example of the present invention.

[0068] When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, the heat exchanger to be cleaned acts as a condenser. The condensing temperature T1 and inlet air temperature T2 of the heat exchanger to be cleaned are monitored. When ΔT ≥ ΔT 初始 When the temperature reaches +δ℃, it is determined that the heat exchanger is clogged and a descaling command is automatically generated.

[0069] To perform the descaling process, the heat exchanger to be cleaned is switched to an evaporator. The running time of the heat exchanger to be cleaned as an evaporator is timed. When the high-humidity intake air passes through the heat exchanger to be cleaned, a large amount of condensate will be generated. The condensate will flush the heat exchanger to be cleaned from top to bottom, washing away some large-particle crystalline salts and loosely adsorbed scale. The condensate will flow into the water collection pan below the heat exchanger to be cleaned, thus achieving the initial descaling.

[0070] When the running time reaches the set water collection time, the air conditioner is stopped and the power unit is started to pump the condensate collected in the water collection pan to the spray pipe for a spray water wash. The condensate enters the top of the heat exchanger to be cleaned through the water passage hole of the side plate compartment and flows slowly from the top to the bottom. During the flow, the salt scale on the surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned is fully soaked and dissolved.

[0071] After 0.5 hours of spray water washing, the flow rate of the liquid supply pump is doubled to accelerate the flow rate of condensate water, and the heat exchanger to be cleaned is sprayed water for a second time to achieve secondary descaling.

[0072] After the secondary spray washing operation lasts for 1 hour, the spray washing ends and the condensate in the water collection tray is drained.

[0073] When the air conditioner is turned on for cooling again, the heat exchanger to be cleaned acts as a condenser. First, the fan on the heat exchanger is stopped or runs at a set low speed to evaporate any residual salt-containing condensate on its surface using high temperature. After a 5-minute delay, the fan is returned to normal speed, and it is determined whether ΔT ≤ ΔT. 初始 If the temperature exceeds +ε℃, a descaling command will be automatically generated and the descaling action will be repeated; if the temperature does exceed +ε℃, the air conditioner will operate normally.

[0074] The present invention also proposes an air conditioner including the above-mentioned heat exchanger cleaning device, wherein the heat exchanger to be cleaned is the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner. The air conditioner can be used in high humidity and high salt spray environments such as islands, coastal areas and boats. By effectively descaling the outdoor heat exchanger, the heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger is ensured.

[0075] It should be noted that the terminology used above is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. When the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof. The order of execution of actions, steps, etc., in the apparatus and methods shown in the specification and drawings can be implemented in any order unless a specific order is expressly specified, and as long as the output of a previous process is not used in a subsequent process. Similar sequential terms used for ease of description do not imply that such an order must be followed.

[0076] Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0077] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger cleaning device, characterized in that, include: A reversing valve, which is used to switch the heat exchanger to be cleaned into an evaporator to produce condensate; A water receiving tray is provided below the heat exchanger to be cleaned; A spray pipe, wherein the spray pipe is provided with spray holes that open toward the heat exchanger to be cleaned; A power assembly for pumping the condensate collected in the water receiving tray to the spray pipe; The process involves spraying the heat exchanger to be cleaned with water for a first time until the set coarse cleaning time is reached. Then, the flow rate of the condensate water is increased to spray the heat exchanger a second time until the set fine cleaning time is reached. After the spraying water cleaning is completed, when the air conditioner containing the heat exchanger is turned on again, the heat exchanger, acting as a condenser, will have its fan stopped or run at a set low speed. After a set drying time, the fan will be restored to its normal speed.

2. The heat exchanger cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A side plate compartment is installed on top of the heat exchanger to be cleaned. The side plate compartment is separated between the spray pipe and the heat exchanger to be cleaned. The side plate compartment is provided with a water collection tank. The bottom of the water collection tank is evenly distributed with water passage holes.

3. The heat exchanger cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power assembly includes: a liquid supply pump with adjustable speed, an inlet pipe connecting the inlet of the liquid supply pump to the water receiving tray, and an outlet pipe connecting the outlet of the liquid supply pump to the spray pipe.

4. The heat exchanger cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger to be cleaned is the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner.

5. A heat exchanger cleaning method, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Check if there is a descaling command; If so, a descaling action is performed, the heat exchanger to be cleaned is switched to an evaporator, the condensate dripping from the heat exchanger to be cleaned is collected, and the condensate is used to spray and wash the heat exchanger to be cleaned. After the spray and washing is completed, when the air conditioner where the heat exchanger to be cleaned is located is turned on again, the heat exchanger to be cleaned acts as a condenser. First, the fan of the heat exchanger to be cleaned is controlled to stop or run at a set low speed. After a set drying time, the fan is restored to normal speed. If not, wait for the descaling command; The process of using the condensate to spray and wash the heat exchanger to be clean includes: spraying and washing the heat exchanger to be clean once until the set coarse washing time is reached, then increasing the flow rate of the condensate to spray and wash the heat exchanger to be clean a second time until the set fine washing time is reached.

6. The heat exchanger cleaning method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: The operating time of the heat exchanger to be cleaned as an evaporator is recorded. When the running time reaches the set water collection time, the air conditioner containing the heat exchanger to be cleaned will be shut down. The condensate is then used to spray and wash the heat exchanger to be cleaned.

7. The heat exchanger cleaning method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: After the fan returns to normal speed, determine whether ΔT ≤ ΔT 初始 +ε℃, △T = T1 - T2, where T1 is the condensing temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, T2 is the inlet air temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, and △T 初始 ε is the initial temperature difference to be set, and ε is the set margin. If not, a descaling command will be automatically generated; If so, the air conditioner containing the heat exchanger to be cleaned is operating normally.

8. The heat exchanger cleaning method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The descaling command is generated either manually or automatically by the air conditioner where the heat exchanger to be cleaned is located.

9. The heat exchanger cleaning method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In cooling mode, the automatic generation conditions for the descaling command include: a first temperature condition and / or a second temperature condition. The first temperature condition is ΔT ≥ ΔT 初始 +δ℃, △T = T1 - T2, where T1 is the condensing temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, T2 is the inlet air temperature of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, and △T 初始 To set the initial temperature difference, δ is the set margin; The second temperature condition is that the indoor ambient temperature T3 is always higher than the user-set temperature T. 目标 And the duration exceeds the set threshold time.

10. The heat exchanger cleaning method according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the air conditioner automatically generates a descaling command, it determines whether the air conditioner is in an idle state. If so, the descaling action is executed; otherwise, the descaling action is delayed until the air conditioner is in an idle state.

11. An air conditioner, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes the heat exchanger cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reversing valve and the power assembly are controlled by the controller of the air conditioner.

12. An air conditioner, characterized in that, The controller of the air conditioner performs the heat exchanger cleaning method according to any one of claims 5 to 10.

Images