Control device, air conditioner, and control method

Abstract

Provided is a control method with which it is possible to prevent an unintended rise in the indoor temperature due to an internal cleaning operation that includes a heating operation which is executed, following a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation, for the purpose of drying the inside of an indoor unit. The control device includes a control unit that executes a cooling operation following execution of an internal cleaning operation which includes as a portion of the operation content thereof a heating operation that is for drying and sterilizing the inside of an indoor unit, the internal cleaning operation being executed after a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, an air conditioner, and a control method. The present disclosure claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-200961, filed in Japan on December 16, 2022, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.Background Art

[0002] When a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation is performed, the humidity inside the indoor unit becomes high, which causes the generation of mold and bacteria. In order to prevent this, an air conditioner is provided with a function (referred to as a cleaning function, an internal cleaning operation, or the like) of drying an inside of an indoor unit by performing air blowing or a heating operation after a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation. For example, PTL 1 discloses control of drying the indoor unit by switching the operation state of the air conditioner to a strong air blowing state, a weak air blowing state, and a heating state in this order after the cooling operation.Citation ListPatent Literature

[0003] [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-299983Summary of InventionTechnical Problem

[0004] When the internal cleaning operation in which a heating operation is partially incorporated is performed, the indoor temperature may rise due to the heating operation. The rise in indoor temperature may cause discomfort to the user.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a control device, an air conditioner, and a control method capable of solving the above-described problems.Solution to Problem

[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a control device including a control unit that executes a cooling operation after an internal cleaning operation including a heating operation for drying an inside of an indoor unit, which is executed after a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation, is ended.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger, a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, a temperature sensor that measures an indoor temperature, a humidity sensor that measures an indoor humidity, and a fan; an outdoor unit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an expansion valve; and the control device.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the control method executes a cooling operation after an internal cleaning operation including a heating operation for drying an inside of an indoor unit, which is executed after a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation, is ended.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0009] According to the control device, the air conditioner, and the control method described above, it is possible to prevent an unintended rise in the indoor temperature due to the internal cleaning operation in which the heating operation for drying or sterilizing the inside of the indoor unit is partially incorporated after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation.Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an air conditioner in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control device in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Description of Embodiments<Embodiment>

[0011] Hereinafter, a control method of an air conditioner in an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.(Configuration of Air Conditioner)

[0012] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an air conditioner in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Fig. 1 shows an example of an air conditioner 100. As shown in Fig. 1, an air conditioner 100 includes a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor 1, an indoor heat exchanger 2, an expansion valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, a four-way valve 5, a refrigerant pipe 6 connecting these, an indoor fan 12, and the like, and a control device 20 that controls the refrigerant circuit. An indoor unit 9 is provided with the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the indoor fan 12, and the outdoor unit 10 is provided with the compressor 1, the expansion valve 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the four-way valve 5. The indoor heat exchanger 2 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 11. The indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 11 measures the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 2. The indoor fan 12 is provided in the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger 2. When the indoor fan 12 is operated, the indoor air is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 2. An indoor temperature sensor 13 and an indoor humidity sensor 14 are provided in the vicinity of a suction port (not shown) of the indoor unit 9. The indoor temperature sensor 13 measures an indoor temperature, and the indoor humidity sensor 14 measures an indoor humidity. A louver 15 is provided at a discharge outlet (not shown) of the indoor unit 9. The louver 15 opens and closes the discharge outlet and adjusts the wind direction. The configuration shown in Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a basic configuration of the air conditioner 100, and may further include other components.

[0014] The compressor 1 compresses a refrigerant and discharges the refrigerant that has become high in temperature and high in pressure. In a heating operation, the control device 20 connects the port 5a and the port 5b of the four-way valve 5 and connects the port 5c and the port 5d of the four-way valve 5. At this time, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the arrow 8. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 2 (condenser) via the four-way valve 5, and is heat-released, condensed, and liquefied by the indoor heat exchanger 2. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 2 is depressurized by the expansion valve 3 to become a low-pressure refrigerant. The low-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 (evaporator) and is vaporized by heat absorption from outside air. The vaporized refrigerant passes through the four-way valve 5 and is sucked into the compressor 1. The compressor 1 compresses a low-pressure refrigerant and discharges a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant.

[0015] In a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation, the control device 20 connects the port 5a and the port 5d of the four-way valve 5 and connects the port 5b and the port 5c of the four-way valve 5. At this time, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the arrow 7. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 (condenser) via the four-way valve 5, and is heat-released and condensed. The condensed refrigerant is depressurized by the expansion valve 3 and is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 2 (evaporator). In the indoor heat exchanger 2, the refrigerant is vaporized by heat absorption from the indoor air. The vaporized refrigerant passes through the four-way valve 5 and is sucked into the compressor 1. The compressor 1 compresses a low-pressure refrigerant and discharges a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant.

[0016] In the refrigerant circuit shown in Fig. 1, the above-described process is repeated, and the refrigerant is circulated. Accordingly, the air conditioner 100 performs the heating operation, the cooling operation, and the dehumidification operation. The control device 20 switches between the heating operation and the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation by controlling the four-way valve 5. The control device 20 executes the heating operation and the cooling operation by adjusting a rotation speed of the compressor 1 or an opening degree of the expansion valve 3 such that the indoor temperature is the set temperature, based on the difference between the indoor temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 13 and the set temperature set by the user. The control device 20 executes the dehumidification operation by adjusting the rotation speed of the compressor 1 or the opening degree of the expansion valve 3 such that the relative humidity measured by the indoor humidity sensor 14 is the desired humidity.(Configuration of Control Device)

[0017] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control device in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] The control device 20 is, for example, a computer including a central processing unit (CPU) such as a microcomputer or a micro processing unit (MPU). The control device 20 performs various controls related to devices constituting the indoor unit 9 and the outdoor unit 10. Hereinafter, description will be made focusing on functions related to control of canceling an unintended rise in indoor temperature due to an internal cleaning operation after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation according to the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the control device 20 includes a sensor information acquisition unit 21, an instruction information acquisition unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0019] The sensor information acquisition unit 21 acquires the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 2 measured by the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 11, the indoor temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 13, and the indoor humidity measured by the indoor humidity sensor 14, and outputs the acquired temperature or humidity to the control unit 23.

[0020] The instruction information acquisition unit 22 receives an instruction or a setting related to air conditioning input by a user by operating a remote control (not shown) or the like. For example, the instruction information acquisition unit 22 acquires an indoor set temperature, an instruction to start and end execution of the heating operation, the cooling operation, and the dehumidification operation, a setting of whether or not to perform an internal cleaning operation after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation, and the like. The instruction information acquisition unit 22 stores the acquired various settings and outputs the acquired various instructions to the control unit 23. The internal cleaning operation is an operation for drying or sterilizing the indoor unit 9 that is executed after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation is ended. When the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation is performed by the air conditioner 100, the humidity inside the indoor unit 9 becomes high. In the internal cleaning operation, the humidity inside the indoor unit 9, which causes mold and bacteria, is removed by performing the heating operation or the operation of the indoor fan 12. The contents of the internal cleaning operation are various. For example, only the heating operation may be performed, or the indoor fan 12 may be operated to blow air before or after the heating operation. When the heating operation is incorporated into a part of the operation content of the internal cleaning operation, the indoor temperature may rise by executing the internal cleaning operation (for example, even though cooling is performed). In the present embodiment, after the internal cleaning operation is executed, an operation for canceling the unintended rise in the indoor temperature caused by the internal cleaning operation is performed.

[0021] The control unit 23 performs control of starting and stopping or the rotation speed of the compressor 1, control of the opening degree of the expansion valve 3, control of switching of the four-way valve 5, control of starting and stopping or the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12, and control of an opening degree of the louver 15. For example, when the instruction information acquisition unit 22 acquires the execution instruction for the cooling operation, the control unit 23 switches the connection of each port of the four-way valve 5 to the cooling operation and controls the rotation speed of the compressor 1 or the like such that the temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 13 is the set temperature. For example, when the instruction information acquisition unit 22 acquires a setting for executing the internal cleaning operation, the control unit 23 performs the internal cleaning operation after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation is ended, and performs the cooling operation after the internal cleaning operation is ended. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish the cooling operation from a general cooling operation, the cooling operation after the internal cleaning operation is executed is referred to as a room temperature rise prevention operation.

[0022] In the room temperature rise prevention operation, the control unit 23 allows only a change in latent heat of the indoor heat exchanger 2 and controls the device that affects the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 2 such that a change in sensible heat does not occur. Specifically, the control unit 23 controls the opening degree of the louver 15, the rotation speed of the compressor 1, the opening degree of the expansion valve 3, and the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12. For example, the control unit 23 controls the rotation speed of the compressor 1, the opening degree of the expansion valve 3, and the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12 such that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 2 measured by the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 11 does not become equal to or lower than the dew point temperature. For example, when the indoor temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 13 is 27°C and the indoor relative humidity measured by the indoor humidity sensor 14 is 47%, the dew point temperature is 14.7°C. The dew point temperature can be calculated by using the indoor temperature, the relative humidity, and a predetermined calculation formula or a saturation humidity curve (psychrometric chart). The control unit 23 controls the rotation speed of the compressor 1, the valve opening degree of the expansion valve 3, and the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12 such that the temperature measured by the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 11 does not become equal to or lower than the dew point temperature. By performing the room temperature rise prevention operation (cooling operation), the indoor heat exchanger 2 performs dehumidification and prevents dew condensation by controlling the temperature measured by the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 11 not to be equal to or lower than the dew point temperature while lowering the temperature that has risen due to the internal cleaning operation.(Operation)

[0023] The flow of the control of the room temperature rise prevention operation will be described with reference to Fig. 3.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] As a premise, it is assumed that the instruction information acquisition unit 22 acquires a setting for executing the internal cleaning operation after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation and stores the setting.

[0026] The control unit 23 executes the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation based on the instruction from the user (step S1). When the user issues an end instruction for the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation, the instruction information acquisition unit 22 acquires the instruction information. The control unit 23 ends the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation based on the end instruction (step S2). The control unit 23 acquires the temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 13 at the end of the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation through the sensor information acquisition unit 21 and stores the temperature.

[0027] Next, the control unit 23 executes the internal cleaning operation (step S3). The content of the internal cleaning operation may be various, but it is assumed that a heating operation is incorporated into a part of the operations to be executed. The control unit 23 performs heating operation, operation of the indoor fan 12, and the like. When the predetermined end condition is satisfied, the control unit 23 ends the internal cleaning operation (step S4). For example, the control unit 23 ends the internal cleaning operation when a predetermined time elapses after the internal cleaning operation is started.

[0028] Next, the control unit 23 executes the room temperature rise prevention operation (step S5). The control unit 23 connects the port 5a and the port 5d of the four-way valve 5, connects the port 5b and the port 5c of the four-way valve 5, and opens the louver 15 by a predetermined angle to execute the cooling operation. For example, the control unit 23 stores a data table in which the rotation speed of the compressor 1, the opening degree of the expansion valve 3, and the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12 during the room temperature rise prevention operation are set, and controls the rotation speed of the compressor 1, the opening degree of the expansion valve 3, and the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12 based on the data table to execute the (weak) cooling operation.

[0029] The room temperature rise prevention operation is performed to return the indoor temperature, which has risen due to the internal cleaning operation, to the original temperature (for example, the indoor temperature measured in step S2). The room temperature rise prevention operation is performed gently so that the internal cleaning operation performed to remove the humidity inside the indoor unit 9 is not wasted (the indoor heat exchanger 2 become equal to or lower than the dew point temperature, and the indoor heat exchanger 2 absorbs the humidity of the indoor air so that the humidity inside the indoor unit 9 does not rise again). There is no particular limitation on the rotation speed of the compressor 1, the opening degree of the expansion valve 3, and the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12 in the room temperature rise prevention operation, except that the indoor heat exchanger 2 does not become equal to or lower than the dew point temperature. However, for example, the rotation speed of the compressor 1 in the data table is set to be lower than the rotation speed when the indoor temperature is brought close to the set temperature in the normal cooling operation (for example, a minimum rotation speed, a rotation speed within a predetermined range close to the minimum rotation speed, a rotation speed as low as possible, a rotation speed lower than a rotation speed at which the indoor heat exchanger 2 may become equal to or lower than the dew point temperature, or the like). In this manner, it is possible to realize power saving while preventing the indoor heat exchanger 2 from becoming equal to or lower than the dew point temperature.

[0030] Regarding the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12, when the indoor fan 12 is operated at a speed that is too high, even though the cooling operation or the like is ended, the air blowing or noise causes a decrease in the comfort of the user. On the other hand, when the operation is performed at an excessively low speed, there is a high possibility that the indoor heat exchanger 2 becomes equal to or lower than the dew point temperature. Therefore, in the data table, for example, a rotation speed as high as possible is set within a range that does not cause discomfort to the user.

[0031] The control unit 23 calculates the dew point temperature using a predetermined calculation formula or a saturation humidity curve, from the indoor temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 13 and the relative humidity measured by the indoor humidity sensor 14 at every moment. Any known method can be used for calculating the dew point temperature. The control unit 23 adjusts the rotation speed of the compressor 1, the opening degree of the expansion valve 3, and the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12 such that the temperature measured by the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 11 does not become equal to or lower than the calculated dew point temperature. For example, in the data table, the rotation speed of the compressor 1, the opening degree of the expansion valve 3, and the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12 may be registered for each condition such as the indoor temperature and the relative humidity, so that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 2 does not become equal to or lower than the dew point temperature, and the control unit 23 may read out the control value according to the condition from the data table and adjust the rotation speed of the compressor 1, the opening degree of the expansion valve 3, and the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12. In addition to the rotation speed of the compressor 1, the opening degree of the expansion valve 3, and the rotation speed of the indoor fan 12, the data table may be set with the opening degree of the louver 15, and the control unit 23 may control the louver 15 at the opening degree according to conditions such as the indoor temperature and the relative humidity.

[0032] Next, when the predetermined end condition is satisfied, the control unit 23 ends the room temperature rise prevention operation (step S6). For example, when any of the following (end condition 1) to (end condition 3) is satisfied, the control unit 23 ends the room temperature rise prevention operation.

[0033] (End condition 1) The indoor temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 13 reaches the indoor temperature at the end of the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation stored in step S2 (this temperature is considered to be, for example, a temperature when the user determines that no further air conditioning is required).

[0034] (End condition 2) The temperature measured by the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 11 reaches the dew point temperature calculated from the current indoor temperature and the current relative humidity.

[0035] (End condition 3) A predetermined time elapses after the room temperature rise prevention operation is started.

[0036] In addition, for example, the indoor temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor 13 may reach a set temperature (in a cooling operation) as an end condition.(Effects)

[0037] As described above, according to the present embodiment, a cooling operation for reducing an indoor temperature is performed after an internal cleaning operation including a heating operation in some cases, which is executed after a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation, is ended. In this manner, it is possible to lower the room temperature and cancel an unintended rise in the indoor temperature due to internal cleaning operation. By performing the cooling operation such that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 2 does not become equal to or lower than the dew point temperature, it is possible to prevent the humidity inside the indoor unit 9, which has been reduced by the internal cleaning operation, from rising again.

[0038] While certain embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof, as well as in the scope and gist of the invention.<Additional Notes>

[0039] The control device, the air conditioner, and the control method described in the embodiment are understood as follows, for example. (1) A control device according to a first aspect includes a control unit that executes a cooling operation after an internal cleaning operation including a heating operation for drying an inside of an indoor unit, which is executed after a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation, is ended. In this manner, it is possible to prevent an unintended rise in the indoor temperature due to internal cleaning operation, and to lower the indoor temperature. (2) The control device according to a second aspect is the control device of (1), in which, in the cooling operation after the internal cleaning operation is executed, the control unit controls a rotation speed of a compressor, an opening degree of an expansion valve, and a rotation speed of a fan of the indoor unit such that a temperature of a heat exchanger of the indoor unit does not become equal to or lower than a dew point temperature. By performing the cooling operation such that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 2 does not become equal to or lower than the dew point temperature, it is possible to prevent an increase in the humidity inside the indoor unit, which has been reduced by the internal cleaning operation. (3) The control device according to a third aspect is the control device of (1) to (2), in which the control unit stores a data table in which the rotation speed of the compressor, the opening degree of the expansion valve, and the rotation speed of the fan of the indoor unit are determined for each of an indoor temperature and an indoor relative humidity, and controls the rotation speed of the compressor, the opening degree of the expansion valve, and the rotation speed of the fan of the indoor unit based on the indoor temperature, the indoor relative humidity, and the data table. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the unintended rise in the indoor temperature due to the internal cleaning operation, and to lower the indoor temperature to the temperature at the end of the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation. (4) The control device according to a fourth aspect is the control device of (1) to (3), in which when an indoor temperature reaches a temperature at an end of the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation, the control unit ends the cooling operation after the internal cleaning operation is executed. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the unintended rise in the indoor temperature due to the internal cleaning operation, and to lower the indoor temperature to the temperature at the end of the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation. (5) The control device according to a fifth aspect is the control device according to (1) to (4), in which when a temperature of a heat exchanger of the indoor unit is equal to or lower than a dew point temperature, the control unit ends the cooling operation after the internal cleaning operation is executed. In this manner, it is possible to prevent an increase in humidity inside the indoor unit, which has been reduced by the internal cleaning operation. (6) The control device according to a fifth aspect is the control device of (1) to (5), in which, in the cooling operation after the internal cleaning operation is executed, the control unit controls the rotation speed of the compressor to a minimum rotation speed or to a predetermined rotation speed or less at which the temperature of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit does not become equal to or lower than the dew point temperature. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger from excessively decreasing. (7) The control device according to a seventh aspect is the control device of (1) to (6), in which the control unit controls the rotation speed of the fan of the indoor unit to a rotation speed in a predetermined range (for example, a maximum rotation speed of the range) set such that a temperature of a heat exchanger of the indoor unit does not become equal to or lower than the dew point temperature and comfort of a user is not impaired, in the cooling operation after the internal cleaning operation is executed. In this manner, the room temperature can be effectively lowered without impairing the comfort of the user. (8) An air conditioner according to an eighth aspect includes an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger, a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, a temperature sensor that measures an indoor temperature, a humidity sensor that measures an indoor humidity, and a fan; an outdoor unit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an expansion valve; and the control device according to any one of (1) to (7). In this manner, it is possible to prevent an unintended rise in the indoor temperature due to internal cleaning operation, and to lower the indoor temperature. (9) A control method according to a ninth aspect executes a cooling operation after an internal cleaning operation including a heating operation for drying an inside of an indoor unit, which is executed after a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation, is ended.

[0040] In this manner, it is possible to prevent an unintended rise in the indoor temperature due to internal cleaning operation, and to lower the indoor temperature.Industrial Applicability

[0041] According to the control device, the air conditioner, and the control method described above, it is possible to prevent an unintended rise in the indoor temperature due to the internal cleaning operation in which the heating operation for drying or sterilizing the inside of the indoor unit is partially incorporated after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation.Reference Signs List

[0042] 1 Compressor 2 Indoor heat exchanger 3 Expansion valve 4 Outdoor heat exchanger 5 Four-way valve 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d Port 6 Refrigerant pipe 9 Indoor unit 10 Outdoor unit 11 Indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 12 Indoor fan 13 Indoor temperature sensor 14 Indoor humidity sensor 15 Louver 20 Control device 21 Sensor information acquisition unit 22 Instruction information acquisition unit 23 Control unit 100 Air conditioner

Claims

1. A control device comprising: a control unit that executes a cooling operation after an internal cleaning operation including a heating operation for drying an inside of an indoor unit, which is executed after a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation, is ended.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, in the cooling operation after the internal cleaning operation is executed, the control unit controls a rotation speed of a compressor, an opening degree of an expansion valve, and a rotation speed of a fan of the indoor unit such that a temperature of a heat exchanger of the indoor unit does not become equal to or lower than a dew point temperature.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit stores a data table in which the rotation speed of the compressor, the opening degree of the expansion valve, and the rotation speed of the fan of the indoor unit are determined for each of an indoor temperature and a relative humidity, and controls the rotation speed of the compressor, the opening degree of the expansion valve, and the rotation speed of the fan based on the indoor temperature, an indoor relative humidity, and the data table.

4. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when an indoor temperature reaches a temperature at an end of the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation, the control unit ends the cooling operation after the internal cleaning operation is executed.

5. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when a temperature of a heat exchanger of the indoor unit is equal to or lower than a dew point temperature, the control unit ends the cooling operation after the internal cleaning operation is executed.

6. An air conditioner comprising: an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger, a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, a temperature sensor that measures an indoor temperature, a humidity sensor that measures an indoor humidity, and a fan; an outdoor unit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an expansion valve; and the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. A control method comprising: executing a cooling operation after an internal cleaning operation including a heating operation for drying an inside of an indoor unit, which is executed after a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation, is ended.

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