Air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner capable of preventing a user from feeling discomfort due to the increase in room temperature.SOLUTION: When a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation is stopped in a state where an observation operation and a drying operation are set to be executable, if a detection value by a room temperature sensor 26 is determined to be equal to or greater than a second predetermined value which is lower than a first predetermined value, an indoor side control part 100a does not execute a drying operation. The room temperature increases by executing a drying operation including a heating operation. When a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation is stopped, if the room temperature is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value that is somewhat high, a drying operation is not executed. Therefore, a user existing in the room is not imparted discomfort, and a production property improves.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner for adjusting a room temperature. [Background technology]

[0002] Air conditioners are widely used to adjust the temperature inside a house, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to air conditioners.

[0003] The air conditioner as shown in Patent Document 1 has a case fixed to a wall, a fan that is housed in the case and rotates to blow air into the room, and an indoor heat exchanger that is housed in the case and is cooled when cooling or dehumidifying operation is performed and is heated when heating operation is performed.

[0004] According to the air conditioning device, after performing a cooling or dehumidifying operation, an operation including a heating operation is performed, and a drying operation is performed to dry the inside of the case. By performing a cooling or dehumidifying operation, condensation water adhering to the inside of the case can be evaporated and removed, keeping the inside of the case clean. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-299983 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in this conventional device, if the room temperature is high when the cooling or dehumidifying operation is stopped and the drying operation is started, the room temperature rises further due to the drying operation. If a user is present in the room in which the case is installed when the drying operation ends, the rising room temperature causes discomfort to the user, so there was room for improvement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, in claim 1 of the present invention, a case is provided with an air intake port capable of taking in air from the outside and an air outlet port capable of blowing the taken-in air out to the outside, A fan that is located within the case and rotates to blow air; an indoor heat exchanger that is located in the case and is cooled during a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation and is heated during a heating operation; a room temperature sensor for detecting a room temperature in which the case is installed; A monitoring operation in which the cooling operation is performed if a detection value of the room temperature sensor when the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation is stopped is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value; a drying operation in which an operation including the heating operation is performed after the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is stopped to dry the inside of the case; A control unit that controls whether or not the monitoring operation and the drying operation are performed based on a set state, The control unit is characterized in that when the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation is stopped while the monitoring operation and the drying operation are set to be executable, if it determines that the detection value of the room temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a second predetermined value that is lower than the first predetermined value, it does not execute the drying operation.

[0008] In addition, in claim 2, the control unit is characterized in that when the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation is stopped while the monitoring operation and the drying operation are set to be executable, if it determines that the detection value of the room temperature sensor is less than the second predetermined value, it executes the drying operation.

[0009] In claim 3, the case includes: a guide surface formed between the fan and the air outlet; a cleaning mechanism capable of performing a cleaning operation for cleaning the fan and / or the guide surface, The cleaning mechanism performs a cleaning operation after the drying operation is performed.

[0010] In addition, in claim 4, the cleaning mechanism includes a moving body that is movable along the guide surface, and a driving unit for driving the moving body, The drive unit includes a cleaning motor and a drive force transmission unit connected to the cleaning motor and transmitting the drive force of the cleaning motor to the moving body. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to this invention, when the cooling or dehumidifying operation is stopped with the monitoring operation and drying operation enabled, if it is determined that the detected value of the room temperature sensor is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value that is lower than the first predetermined value at which the cooling operation by monitoring operation is performed, the drying operation is not performed. This prevents the user from feeling uncomfortable when the room temperature is high, improving the product quality. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the case of the indoor unit shown in FIG. 2 and a fan housed in the case. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a drive mechanism of the wiping mechanism. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wiping mechanism as viewed in a direction along the axial direction of the fan. FIG. [Figure 6] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a movable body to which a brush and a sheet are attached, and Fig. 6B is a diagram for explaining attachment and detachment of the brush and the sheet to the movable body. [Figure 7] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the wiping mechanism. [Figure 8] Fig. 8A is a diagram illustrating the moving body in the storage position, and Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the moving body in the storage position. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the first embodiment. [Figure 10]10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation after a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation is performed. [Figure 11] Fig. 11A is a diagram for explaining a driving force transmission unit (worm) of an air conditioner according to Example 2. Fig. 11B is a perspective view of the driving force transmission unit (worm). [Figure 12] Fig. 12A is a perspective view of the movable body in a storage position with the motor case and the motor removed, and Fig. 12B is a diagram illustrating attachment and detachment of the movable body to and from the driving force transmission unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fr indicates front, Rr indicates rear, Le indicates left, Ri indicates right, Up indicates top, and Dn indicates bottom.

[0014] <Example 1> 1 shows an air conditioner 10 according to embodiment 1. The air conditioner 10 has a cooling function for cooling the indoor space In and a heating function for heating the indoor space In.

[0015] The air conditioner 10 includes an outdoor unit 11 provided outdoors Ou and an indoor unit 20 provided indoors In. The outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 20 are connected to each other so that a refrigerant can circulate. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the direction in which the refrigerant circulates is based on the cooling operation.

[0016] The outdoor unit 11 is equipped with a four-way switching valve 12 that switches the direction in which the refrigerant circulates during cooling operation, dehumidification operation, and heating operation, a compressor 13 through which the refrigerant that has passed through this four-way switching valve 12 flows and compresses the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 14 through which the refrigerant that has been compressed in the compressor 13 and has a high temperature and pressure flows, an outdoor fan 15 that blows air towards the outdoor heat exchanger 14, an outdoor fan motor 17 that is journalled to the outdoor fan 15 and drives the outdoor fan 15 at a predetermined rotational speed, and an expansion valve 16 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 14.

[0017] The indoor unit 20 is used by hanging it on a wall Wa in the room In. A case 30 of the indoor unit 20 is fixed to the wall Wa via a support plate. The case 30 extending in the left-right direction houses a cross-flow fan 21 that takes in indoor air In into the case 30 and blows it out to the room In, an inner fan motor 25 that is a DC motor supported by the cross-flow fan 21 and capable of feedback control for driving the cross-flow fan 21 at a predetermined rotation speed, a room temperature sensor 26 that is installed at the air intake 31 and detects the room temperature, and an indoor heat exchanger 27 that exchanges heat with the air taken in by the cross-flow fan 21.

[0018] During cooling operation or dehumidification operation, which are types of normal operation, the refrigerant that has been made high temperature and high pressure by the compressor 13 exchanges heat with outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and releases heat. At this time, the outdoor fan 15 operates to forcibly flow outside air around the outdoor heat exchanger 14, promoting heat exchange. The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and released heat is reduced in pressure by the expansion valve 16, and its temperature drops. The refrigerant with the lowered temperature is sent to the indoor unit 20.

[0019] Air is introduced into the case 30 of the indoor unit 20 by operating the cross-flow fan 21. The introduced air passes around the periphery of the indoor heat exchanger 27 and is sent to the indoor In. The indoor heat exchanger 27 is supplied with a refrigerant cooled in the outdoor unit 11. The air passing around the periphery of the indoor heat exchanger 27 exchanges heat with the refrigerant and is cooled. The cooled air is sent to the indoor In. As the air passes around the periphery of the indoor heat exchanger 27, which is at or below the dew point temperature, the moisture contained in the air condenses and adheres to the indoor heat exchanger 27 as condensed water. This makes it possible to reduce the humidity in the room. In addition, as the cooled air is sent, some condensed water also adheres to the members in the case 30 around the indoor heat exchanger 27.

[0020] During heating operation, which is a type of normal operation, the four-way valve 12 switches the flow path of the refrigerant to circulate in the opposite direction to that during cooling operation. This sends high-temperature refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger 27, and the cross-flow fan 21 is driven to blow high-temperature air indoors In.

[0021] When the execution of the drying operation is set by the remote control 110, the drying operation is automatically executed after the cooling operation or dehumidification operation is stopped. The drying operation is performed for a predetermined drying time by alternately repeating a predetermined period of time between a blowing operation in which only the cross-flow fan 21 is driven and a heating operation. By blowing air into the case 30, each part inside the case 30 can be dried, centering on the indoor heat exchanger 27 that is wet with condensed water due to the cooling operation or dehumidification operation. This makes it possible to prevent the parts inside the case 30 from remaining wet for a long time and leading to an unsanitary state such as the growth of mold inside the case 30.

[0022] In addition, by performing a drying operation including a heating operation, warm air is blown into the case 30, so that condensation water adhering to the inside of the case 30 can be evaporated and dried quickly, thereby improving the efficiency of the drying operation.

[0023] When the monitoring operation is set by the remote control 110, if the room temperature sensor 26 detects a temperature above a first predetermined value indicating that the room is in a high temperature state when the cooling operation or dehumidification operation is stopped, the cooling operation is forcibly performed. This can reduce the risk of heatstroke for users in the room.

[0024] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. An air intake port 31 capable of taking in air from the outside (indoors In) is opened on the top surface of the case 30. An air outlet 32 ​​capable of blowing air out to the outside (indoors In) is opened on the front lower part of the case 30. The air outlet 32 ​​is provided with up and down louvers 28 that can open and close the air outlet 32 ​​and adjust the direction in which the air is blown out vertically.

[0025] Please refer to Fig. 3. Behind the up-down louvers 28 (see Fig. 2), left-right louvers 29 are provided which are capable of adjusting the direction in which air is blown out to the left and right.

[0026] [Case storage area, guide surface, side] Case 30 has a fan storage section 33 that stores cross-flow fan 21. Fan storage section 33 surrounds part of the outer periphery of cross-flow fan 21 and has guide surface 40 as a predetermined surface that guides air blown by cross-flow fan 21 toward air outlet 32, and two side surfaces 34, 35 located adjacent to end surfaces 22, 23 on either side of cross-flow fan 21.

[0027] Guide surface 40 is formed along the longitudinal direction of case 30, parallel to the extension of axis C of cross-flow fan 21. A space defined by guide surface 40, two side surfaces 34, 35, and cross-flow fan 21 of case 30 and through which the blown air can flow is defined as air passage 36 (see FIG. 5).

[0028] [Cleaning mechanism] Please refer to Figures 4 and 5. Case 30 is equipped with a cleaning mechanism 50 capable of wiping off dust adhering to the inside of case 30 (cross-flow fan 21 and guide surface 40).

[0029] [Drive unit] The drive section 51 of the cleaning mechanism 50 has a cleaning motor 52 which is the drive source for the moving body 60 described later and is composed of a stepping motor which operates when electricity is applied, a gear section 53 which is composed of a plurality of gears and is capable of transmitting the drive force of the cleaning motor 52, and a drive force transmission section 54 which is connected to the cleaning motor 52 and transmits the drive force of the cleaning motor 52 to the moving body 60.

[0030] [Drive force transmission section] The driving force transmission section 54 includes a driving pulley 55 having a spur gear formed on part thereof and driven to rotate by a gear section 53, a driven pulley (not shown) provided on the opposite side of the driving pulley 55 (based on the axial direction of the cross-flow fan 21), and a toothed rope 56 (synchro mesh rope) looped around the driving pulley 55 and the driven pulley.

[0031] [Transmission unit storage section] 4 and 5. Guide surface 40 is formed with a transmission unit housing section 41 that is recessed so as to open towards cross-flow fan 21 and houses drive force transmission unit 54. Transmission unit housing section 41 is provided along the direction of axis C of cross-flow fan 21 from the right end (the storage side described below) to the left end (the opposite side to the storage side) of guide surface 40. With the air flow direction of air passage 36 as the reference, the surface of guide surface 40 upstream of transmission unit housing section 41 is referred to as upstream guide surface 43, and the surface downstream of transmission unit housing section 41 is referred to as downstream guide surface 44.

[0032] The transmission unit storage section 41 is covered by a cover 42. A surface 42a of the cover 42 smoothly connects the upstream guide surface 43 and the downstream guide surface 44 (they are continuous without protruding or recessing from the guide surface 40). In other words, the surface 42a of the cover 42, together with the upstream guide surface 43 and the downstream guide surface 44, constitutes a part of the guide surface 40. A back surface 42b of the cover 42 has a rib 42c that protrudes toward the transmission unit storage section 41 and reinforces the cover 42.

[0033] A gap G is defined between the upstream guide surface 43 and the surface 42a of the cover 42. Gap G is formed along the direction of the axis C of the cross-flow fan 21, with a substantially uniform width.

[0034] [Mobile object] Please refer to Figures 5, 6A and 6B. Cleaning mechanism 50 is equipped with a movable body 60 that is movable along axis C of cross-flow fan 21 in air passage 36 (between cross-flow fan 21 and guide surface 40). Movement body 60 is integrally constructed of a driven part 61 that is connected to toothed rope 56 and moves in the direction of axis C of cross-flow fan 21 when drive part 51 is operated, a pair of arms 62, 62 that extend from driven part 61 through gap G to air passage 36, and a support part 70 that is supported by the pair of arms 62, 62 and formed along guide surface 40.

[0035] In other words, in the movable body 60, the driven part 61 is a part stored in the transmission part storage part 41, the support part 70 is a part located in the air passage 36, and the pair of arms 62, 62 are parts that connect the driven part 61 and the support part 70. Note that the pair of arms 62, 62 may be eliminated, and the support part 70 and the driven part 61 may be connected by a magnet with the guide surface 40 sandwiched therebetween.

[0036] When the rib 42c is formed at a position where it can come into contact with the second guide roller 63, the second guide roller 63 can be guided by the rib 42c for reinforcing the cover 42.

[0037] [Driver part] The driven portion 61 includes a first guide roller 64 capable of rolling on the upper or lower surface of the transmission portion accommodating portion 41 , and a second guide roller 63 capable of rolling on the rib 42 c or the transmission portion accommodating portion 41 .

[0038] [Support part] 6B, the support portion 70 has a rectangular frame shape with the longitudinal direction being the air flow direction of the air passage 36. The support portion 70 is integrally formed with a pair of vertical frame portions 71, 71 supported by a pair of arms 62, 62, an upper frame portion 73 connecting the upper ends of the pair of vertical frame portions 71, 71, and a lower frame portion 74 connecting the lower ends of the pair of vertical frame portions 71, 71.

[0039] [Wiping section] The wiping part 80 is attached to the support part 70. The wiping part 80 has a rectangular plate-like main body part 81 that can cover the frame of the support part 70. The main body part 81 has an insertion part 82 that can be inserted into the upper frame part 73, and a locking part 83 that can be locked to the lower frame part 74. The pair of vertical frame parts 71, 71 have support edges 72, 72 that can support the main body part 81.

[0040] Sheet The main body 81 includes a sheet 84 that can come into contact with the guide surface 40 and wipe away dust adhering to the guide surface 40. The sheet 84 can be made of nonwoven fabric, sponge, or the like.

[0041] [Brush] Main body 81 is provided with brush 76 that is capable of contacting outer circumferential edge 24 (see FIG. 5) of cross-flow fan 21 and wiping off dust adhering to outer circumferential edge 24. Brush 76 is provided so as to be able to swing relative to main body 81. The center line of the swing is a direction along axis C of cross-flow fan 21. Brush 76 is provided with base 78 on which resin bristles 77 are attached for wiping off dust from cross-flow fan 21.

[0042] [Spring] The brush 76 is equipped with a tension spring 79 (spring). One end of the tension spring 79 is fixed to the base 78 of the brush 76, and the other end of the tension spring 79 is fixed to the main body 81. The tension spring 79 applies force to the brush 76 so that the brush 76 swings in a direction approaching the cross-flow fan 21.

[0043] [Wiping mechanism operation] Please refer to Figures 4 and 7. After receiving an operation stop signal from the remote control 110, or upon receiving a cleaning operation instruction signal by operating a switch on the remote control 110, the air conditioner 10 starts the cleaning operation by the cleaning mechanism 50.

[0044] When the cleaning motor 52 is operated, the gear portion 53 and the drive pulley 55 rotate. When the drive pulley 55 rotates, the moving body 60 connected to the toothed rope 56 moves in the left-right direction.

[0045] Sheet 84 is in contact with guide surface 40, and brush 76 is in contact with cross-flow fan 21. When movable body 60 moves along gap G in this state, dust adhering to guide surface 40 is wiped away by sheet 84, and dust adhering to cross-flow fan 21 is also wiped away by brush 76. By rotating cross-flow fan 21 at this time (counterclockwise in FIG. 5), it is possible to clean the entire outer periphery 24 of cross-flow fan 21. Note that the bottom surface (not shown) of base 78 of brush 76 is in contact with main body 81 during cleaning.

[0046] The movable body 60 has both the sheet 84 and the brush 76. Therefore, dust can be dropped from the cross-flow fan 21 onto the guide surface 40 by the brush 76, and then wiped away by the sheet 84.

[0047] Since the left and right louvers 29 (see Figure 3) are installed on the downstream side of the air flow of the cleaning mechanism 50, it is difficult to insert one's hand into the air passage 36 between the cross-flow fan 21 and the guide surface 40 to clean it. Therefore, by providing a cleaning mechanism 50 that can move along the guide surface 40, dust adhering to the guide surface 40 can be easily removed.

[0048] [Storage position of the moving object] Please refer to Fig. 3 and Fig. 8A. When cleaning by the cleaning mechanism 50 is completed, the moving body 60 is stored. The position where the moving body 60 is stored while the cleaning mechanism 50 is stopped is defined as the storage position. The storage position of the moving body 60 is set at the end 36a of the air passage 36 with reference to the direction of the axis C of the cross-flow fan 21. A microswitch 38 is provided at the end 36a, and when the moving body 60 is stored in the storage position, the microswitch 38 is pressed, and when the moving body 60 leaves the storage position, the microswitch 38 is opened. By outputting a signal indicating the open / closed state of the microswitch 38 and transmitting it to the indoor side control unit 100a, the indoor side control unit 100a can determine whether the moving body 60 is stored in the storage position.

[0049] Hereinafter, the side where movable body 60 is stored is referred to as the storage side (right side) with reference to the direction of axis C of cross-flow fan 21. Note that the storage position may be end 36b (see FIG. 3) on the opposite side (left side) of the storage side.

[0050] [Motor position] The cleaning motor 52 (see FIG. 4) is located at the end 36a on the storage side of the air passage 36, but may be located at the end 36b on the opposite side of the air passage 36. In other words, the storage position of the movable body 60 and the position of the cleaning motor 52 may be opposite each other.

[0051] [Location of circuit board storage compartment] The case 30 has a board storage section 37 that stores an indoor side control section 100a that is composed of a control board capable of controlling the cleaning motor 52. The board storage section 37 is formed on the storage side (right side) of the fan storage section 33.

[0052] [Motor case] Refer to Fig. 8A. The cleaning motor 52 (see Fig. 4), the gear section 53, and the drive pulley 55 are covered by a motor case 57. The motor case 57 is formed to fit along the guide surface 40, and is integrally formed with an upper wall section 57a ​​covering the upper side of the cleaning motor 52, and a side wall section 57b extending from the left edge of the upper wall section 57a ​​toward the guide surface 40 and covering the left side of the cleaning motor 52. The right edge of the upper wall section 57a ​​is in contact with the side surface 34 on the storage side of the fan storage section 33. It can also be said that the side surface 34 covers the right side of the cleaning motor 52.

[0053] [How to store a moving object] A sliding portion 58 is formed on the edge of upper wall portion 57a ​​of motor case 57, along which base portion 78 of brush 76 slides when movable body 60 moves toward the storage position (right side). Sliding portion 58 can guide brush 76, which is in contact with cross-flow fan 21, so as to swing until brush 76 is separated from cross-flow fan 21. In other words, cleaning motor 52 and sliding portion 58 function as a switching means that can switch between a state in which brush 76 is in contact with cross-flow fan 21 and a state in which brush 76 is separated from cross-flow fan 21.

[0054] Sliding portion 58 extends, for example, in a straight line obliquely relative to the direction of axis C of cross-flow fan 21, but may also extend in a curved line. Note that sliding portion 58 may be supported by fan housing portion 33, for example, and may be a part of a member separate from motor case 57.

[0055] [Brush position in stowed position] 8B, when the movable body 60 is in the storage position, the side surface 78a of the base portion 78 of the brush 76 is in contact with the movable body 60 (the vertical frame portions 71, 71 of the support portion 70). That is, the brush 76 is completely laid down.

[0056] [Control Unit] Please refer to Fig. 9. Reference numeral 100 denotes a control unit that controls the driving of each actuator installed in the air conditioner 10. The control unit 100 is composed of an indoor side control unit 100a installed in the indoor unit 20 and an outdoor side control unit 100b installed in the outdoor unit 11. When the indoor side control unit 100a receives various operation instructions from the remote control 110, it operates each actuator installed in the indoor unit 20 in accordance with the contents of the operation instructions, and transmits information on the operation instructions of the remote control 110 to the outdoor side control unit 100b. When the outdoor side control unit 100b receives the information sent from the indoor side control unit 100a, it operates each actuator installed in the outdoor unit 11 in accordance with the operation instructions of the remote control 110.

[0057] In addition, by operating the switches mounted on the surface of the remote control 110, it is possible to give instructions to start or stop normal operation, and to set whether or not to perform drying operation and monitoring operation. The control unit 100 controls each actuator in the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 11 according to whether or not to perform drying operation and monitoring operation set by the remote control 110.

[0058] [Drying operation execution control] Next, the operation after the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is performed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0059] The indoor side control unit 100a determines whether an instruction to perform cooling operation or dehumidification operation has been issued via the remote control 110 (step S101), and if it determines that an instruction to perform cooling operation or dehumidification operation has been issued, performs control in accordance with the cooling operation or dehumidification operation (step S102). If the indoor side control unit 100a determines in step S101 that an instruction to perform a heating operation has been issued, rather than an instruction to perform a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation, it ends the control.

[0060] The indoor side control unit 100a determines whether an instruction to perform cooling operation or dehumidification operation has been issued in step S102, and whether an instruction to stop cooling operation or dehumidification operation has been issued while cooling operation or dehumidification operation is being performed due to an instruction from the remote control 110 or the timer expiring (step S103).If it determines that an instruction to stop cooling operation or dehumidification operation has been issued, it proceeds to the next step, but if it determines that an instruction to stop has not been issued, it repeats the determination of step S103.

[0061] If the indoor side control unit 100a determines in step S103 that an instruction to stop cooling operation or dehumidification operation has been issued, it determines whether monitoring operation and drying operation are set to be executable (step S104), and if it determines that monitoring operation and drying operation are set to be executable, it proceeds to the next step, but if it determines that monitoring operation and drying operation are set to be invalid, it terminates control without executing drying operation and monitoring operation.

[0062] In addition, if the indoor side control unit 100a determines in step S104 that only monitoring operation is set to be performed, after an instruction to stop cooling operation or dehumidification operation is issued and operation is stopped, it does not perform drying operation, but monitors the room temperature using the room temperature sensor 26, and if the room temperature sensor 26 detects a value equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, it performs monitoring operation to forcibly perform cooling operation. Furthermore, if the indoor side control unit 100a determines in step S104 that only the drying operation is set to be performed, it determines whether the operating time of the cooling operation or dehumidification operation is equal to or longer than a predetermined time in step S105, which will be described later in the flowchart of Figure 10, and if the operating time of the cooling operation or dehumidification operation is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, it performs the drying operation in step S109, which will be described later in the flowchart of Figure 10, for only the predetermined drying time, and does not perform monitoring operation after the drying operation is stopped.

[0063] If the indoor side control unit 100a determines in step S104 that monitoring operation and drying operation are set to be executable, it determines whether the operating time from when an instruction to perform cooling operation or dehumidification operation is issued in step S101 to when an instruction to stop cooling operation or dehumidification operation is issued in step S103 is longer than a predetermined time (step S105), and if it determines that the operating time is longer than the predetermined time, it checks the detection value detected by the room temperature sensor 26 (step S106).

[0064] After checking the detection value of the room temperature sensor 26 in step S106, the indoor side control unit 100a determines whether the detected room temperature is equal to or higher than a second predetermined value that is lower than the first predetermined value at which cooling operation is automatically performed during monitoring operation (step S107), and if it determines that the detected room temperature is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value, it switches the drying operation off and terminates control (step S108). If the indoor side control unit 100a determines in step S105 that the operating time of the cooling operation or dehumidification operation is less than a predetermined time or that the room temperature detected in step S107 is less than a second predetermined value, it performs a drying operation (step S109).

[0065] In addition, the second predetermined value here is preferably a value that is close to the first predetermined value and has a high possibility of becoming equal to or greater than the first predetermined value by performing the drying operation (for example, the first predetermined value -3°C).

[0066] When the processing of step S109 is completed, the indoor side control unit 100a judges whether a predetermined drying time has elapsed and the termination conditions for the drying operation have been met (step S110), and if it determines that the termination conditions for the drying operation have been met, it drives the cross-flow fan 21 at a predetermined rotation speed and also drives the cleaning motor 52, and moves the moving body 60 toward the left end side, thereby performing a cleaning operation in which the cross-flow fan 21 is cleaned by the brush 76 and the guide surface 40 is cleaned by the sheet 84 simultaneously (step S111). If the indoor side control section 100a determines in the step S110 that the condition for ending the drying operation is not satisfied, it repeats the determination in the step S110.

[0067] When the processing of step S111 is completed, the indoor side control unit 100a determines whether the microswitch 38 has been pressed to the ON state, the movable body 60 has been stored in the motor case 57, and the conditions for terminating the cleaning operation have been met (step S112). If the conditions for terminating the cleaning operation have been met, the indoor side control unit 100a stops driving the indoor fan motor 25 and the cleaning motor 52 and terminates the control. If the indoor side control section 100a determines in the step S112 that the cleaning operation termination condition is not satisfied, it repeats the determination in the step S112.

[0068] In this way, when the monitoring operation and drying operation are set to be operable and the cooling operation or dehumidification operation is performed for a predetermined period of time or more and then stopped, the drying operation will not be performed if the room temperature is above a second predetermined value.Therefore, even if the room temperature value when the cooling operation or dehumidification operation is stopped is high and close to the room temperature at which the cooling operation by monitoring operation would be forcibly performed, the drying operation will be performed and the room temperature will be further raised, preventing users in the room from feeling uncomfortable.

[0069] [Effects of Example 1] Next, a description will be given of the effects of the embodiment 1. Note that the effects of the embodiment 1 described below are also exhibited in the embodiment 2 described below.

[0070] When the cooling or dehumidifying operation is stopped with the monitoring operation and drying operation enabled, the indoor side control unit 100a will not perform the drying operation if it determines that the detection value of the room temperature sensor 26 is equal to or higher than a second predetermined value that is lower than the first predetermined value. If a drying operation including a heating operation is performed after the cooling or dehumidifying operation is stopped, the room temperature will rise. When the cooling or dehumidifying operation is stopped, if the room temperature is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value that is somewhat high, the drying operation will not be performed, so that users in the room will not feel uncomfortable and product quality will be improved.

[0071] Furthermore, by setting the second predetermined value to a value that is close to the first predetermined value and that is likely to become equal to or greater than the first predetermined value when the drying operation is performed, it is possible to prevent the room temperature from becoming equal to or greater than the first predetermined value when the drying operation is performed, which would result in the forced cooling operation being performed through monitoring operation. This prevents the inside of case 30 that has been dried by the drying operation from becoming wet again when the cooling operation is performed, which would result in the drying operation being wasted.

[0072] Furthermore, when the cooling or dehumidifying operation is stopped with the monitoring operation and drying operation enabled, the indoor side control unit 100a executes the drying operation if it determines that the detection value of the room temperature sensor 26 is less than the second predetermined value. Since the drying operation executes the drying operation when there is a high possibility that the room temperature will not rise to the first predetermined value or more even if the room temperature rises due to the drying operation, the inside of the case 30 can be dried, improving cleanliness and improving product quality.

[0073] Furthermore, after the drying operation is performed, a cleaning operation is performed by the cleaning mechanism 50. After the inside of the case 30 is dried by the drying operation, the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21 inside the case 30 are cleaned. Even if cross-flow fan 21 and guide surface 40 that are wet from cooling or dehumidifying operation are cleaned with brush 76 and sheet 84, it is not possible to efficiently remove dust adhering to each part. By drying cross-flow fan 21 and guide surface 40 by drying operation, dust adhering to cross-flow fan 21 and guide surface 40 can be efficiently removed by brush 76 and sheet 84. This increases the efficiency of the cleaning operation and improves product quality.

[0074] Moreover, the cleaning mechanism 50 has a moving body 60 that is movable along the guide surface 40, and a drive unit 51 for driving the moving body 60, and the drive unit 51 includes a cleaning motor 52 and a drive force transmission unit 54 that is connected to the cleaning motor 52 and transmits the drive force of the cleaning motor 52 to the moving body 60. This simple configuration enables cleaning of the cross-flow fan 21 and / or the guide surface 40.

[0075] <Example 2> 11A and 11B show an air conditioner 10A according to Example 2. Configurations common to the air conditioner 10 of Example 1 are given the same reference numerals as in Example 1, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0076] In the second embodiment, a worm 59 that is housed in the transmission unit housing 41A and can be driven by a gear unit 53 (see FIG. 4) is used instead of the driving force transmission unit 54 (toothed rope 56, driving pulley 55) (see FIG. 4) of the first embodiment. The driven unit 61A of the moving body 60A includes a rack gear 65 that meshes with the worm 59.

[0077] When the cleaning motor 52 (see FIG. 6) is operated, it rotates a worm 59 (driving force transmission part) that is provided across the width direction of the case 30. Since the driven part 61A has a rack gear 65 that meshes with the worm 59, the rotation of the worm 59 moves the moving body 60A in the left-right direction.

[0078] 11A, the rack gear 65 of the moving body 60 is positioned above the worm 59 and engages with the worm 59.

[0079] 12A and 12B, the transmission unit storage section 41 is covered by a cover 42, except for the end on the storage side. That is, an opening 45 is formed at the end on the storage side of the transmission unit storage section 41. The width of this opening 45 is set to be wider than the width of the driven section 61 of the moving body 60.

[0080] With the above configuration, when the moving body 60 in the storage position is slid forward, the worm 59 and the rack gear 65 are disengaged, and the moving body 60 in the storage position can be removed from the worm 59 with the transmission unit storage section 41 covered with the cover 42. In a similar manner, the moving body 60 can be attached to the worm 59. Therefore, with the transmission unit storage section 41 covered with the cover 42, the moving body 60 in the storage position can be attached to and detached from the worm 59 (driving force transmission section 54).

[0081] Return to FIG. 6B. In the air conditioner 10 of the first embodiment, the moving body 60 in the storage position relative to the toothed rope 56 (driving force transmission part) can also be attached and detached. When the wiping part 80 is removed from the support part 70, the head of the screw 91 is exposed from within the frame of the support part 70. The head of the screw 91 faces forward. That is, the shaft part (not shown) of the screw 91 extends in the front-rear direction (depth direction of the case 30). The driven part 61 and both ends 56a, 56a of the toothed rope 56 are overlapped with each other in the front-rear direction and fixed by the screw 91. When the screw 91 is removed, the fixation between the both ends 56a, 56a of the toothed rope 56 and the moving body 60 is released. After that, the moving body 60 can be removed from the toothed rope 56 by moving the moving body 60 forward.

[0082] Referring to Fig. 5, downstream end 84a of sheet 84 is located vertically below the point at which bristles 77 of brush 76 contact outer periphery 24 of cross-flow fan 21. Therefore, downstream end 84a of sheet 84 can reliably wipe away dust adhering to cross-flow fan 21.

[0083] As long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved, the present invention is not limited to the examples. For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the cleaning mechanism 50 is provided with the brush 76 and the sheet 84 on the movable body 60, but the cleaning mechanism 50 may be provided with only the brush 76 or only the sheet 84 on the movable body 60. In other words, even if the cleaning mechanism 50 cleans only the cross-flow fan 21 with the brush 76 or cleans only the guide surface 40 with the sheet 84, it is still within the scope of the present invention.

[0084] In addition, in each of the embodiments described above, if it is determined that the drying operation can be performed after the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is stopped, the drying operation is performed and then the cleaning operation is performed, but it is also possible to perform only the drying operation. In other words, even if the operation is stopped after the drying operation is performed and the cleaning operation is not performed, it is included in the scope of the present invention.

[0085] In addition, in each of the embodiments described above, the cross-flow fan 21 is installed inside the case 30 as a fan that rotates to blow air, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a sirocco fan may be installed inside the case 30. In other words, as long as the brush 76 can come into contact with the area to be cleaned by the rotating fan during cleaning operation and the brush 76 can remove dust adhering to the fan, this falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0086] In addition, in each of the embodiments described above, the cleaning mechanism 50 is provided on the guide surface 40, but this is not limiting. For example, the cleaning mechanism 50 may be provided at a location corresponding to a stabilizer below the indoor heat exchanger 27 located at the front side in the case 30, or on a heat exchanger fixing plate connecting the front indoor heat exchanger 27 and the rear indoor heat exchanger 27. In other words, as long as the cleaning mechanism 50 is provided on a surface located near the cross-flow fan 21 inside the case 30, it is included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10...Air conditioner 21...cross-flow fan 26…Room temperature sensor 27…Indoor heat exchanger 30…Case 31...Air intake 32…Air outlet 40...Guide surface 50...Cleaning mechanism 51...Drive unit 52...Cleaning motor 60...Mobile 100...Control unit

Claims

1. A case having an air intake port capable of taking in air from the outside and an air outlet port capable of blowing the taken-in air to the outside; A fan that is located within the case and rotates to blow air; an indoor heat exchanger that is located in the case and is cooled during a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation and is heated during a heating operation; a room temperature sensor for detecting a room temperature in which the case is installed; a monitoring operation in which the cooling operation is performed if a detection value of the room temperature sensor when the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation is stopped is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value; a drying operation in which an operation including the heating operation is performed after the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is stopped to dry the inside of the case; A control unit that controls whether or not the monitoring operation and the drying operation are performed based on a set state, The air conditioning device is characterized in that when the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation is stopped while the monitoring operation and the drying operation are set to be executable, the control unit does not execute the drying operation if it determines that the detection value of the room temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a second predetermined value that is lower than the first predetermined value.

2. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation is stopped with the monitoring operation and the drying operation set to be executable, the control unit executes the drying operation if it determines that the detection value of the room temperature sensor is less than the second predetermined value.

3. In the case, a guide surface formed between the fan and the air outlet; a cleaning mechanism capable of performing a cleaning operation for cleaning the fan and / or the guide surface, 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a cleaning operation is performed by said cleaning mechanism after said drying operation is performed.

4. The cleaning mechanism includes a movable body that is movable along the guide surface and a drive unit that drives the movable body, 4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the drive section includes a cleaning motor, and a drive force transmission section connected to the cleaning motor and transmitting a drive force of the cleaning motor to the moving body.

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