Air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner which prevents the execution of normal operation in an inappropriate state.SOLUTION: An indoor side control section 100a counts a detection absence time t1 when a state that an optical sensor 38 as detection means does not detect a detected part is continued, when it is determined that the start instruction of cleaning operation is input; stops counting the detection absence time t1 when the detected part is detected by the optical sensor 38; and forcibly stops a movable body 60 to prohibit the execution of cleaning operation when the detection absence time t1 is equal to or more than a first determined value tA. Due to that the execution of cleaning operation is prohibited by forcibly stopping the movable body 60 before it completely appears on a guide surface 40 when there is a high risk of abnormal stop of the movable body 60 in the middle of the guide surface 40 in the execution of cleaning operation, it is possible to inhibit in advance a state that normal operation is executed while the movable body 60 abnormally stops in the middle of the guide surface 40, and air blowing performance is lowered and noise is generated, and to improve product performance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an air conditioner for adjusting the temperature indoors.

Background Art

[0002] Air conditioners are widely used to adjust the temperature indoors, such as in houses. As a prior art related to air conditioners, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] An air conditioner as shown in Patent Document 1 includes a case fixed to a wall, a fan housed in the case and rotating to blow air into the room, and a brush part provided so as to be able to contact the fan for cleaning the fan.

[0004] According to the air conditioner, by performing a cleaning operation of rotating the fan with the brush provided in the brush part in contact with the fan, dust attached to the fan can be removed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, this conventional device does not disclose or suggest anything about cleaning the guide surface that guides the air blown by the fan toward the air outlet. Therefore, it is conceivable to perform a cleaning operation in which a moving body moves on the guide surface and cleans the guide surface by a cleaning mechanism having a moving body that moves on the guide surface, a driving means for driving the moving body, and a cleaning means installed on the moving body for cleaning the inside of the case.

[0007] Here, if the movement of the moving body is not smoothed due to some problem during the cleaning operation, the risk of the moving body stopping in the middle of the guide surface during the cleaning operation increases. When the normal operation is performed with the moving body staying on the guide surface, there is a risk of obstructing the air blowing passing through the guide surface, resulting in a decrease in the air blowing performance and the generation of abnormal noises. Therefore, there is room for improvement.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, in claim 1 of the present invention, a case having an air intake port capable of taking in external air and an air outlet port capable of blowing out the taken-in air to the outside, a fan rotatably supported in the case and performing air blowing by rotating, a guide surface for guiding the air blown by the fan toward the air outlet port, a moving body moving along the guide surface, a driving means for moving the moving body, and a cleaning means installed in the moving body and capable of performing a cleaning operation for cleaning the inside of the case, a storage position in the case for storing the moving body, detection means installed at the storage position for detecting a detected portion on the moving body, and a control unit that, when it is determined that an instruction to start the cleaning operation has been issued, drives the driving means to move the moving body along the guide surface, wherein the control unit, when it is determined that an instruction to start the cleaning operation has been issued, counts a detection-free time during which a state of not detecting the detected portion by the detection means continues, stops the counting of the detection-free time when the detected portion is detected by the detection means, and if the detection-free time is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, forcibly stops the moving body and prohibits the execution of the cleaning operation.

[0009] Further, in claim 2, the detected portion is composed of a first convex portion and a second convex portion, and the first convex portion and the second convex portion are formed at positions separated by a predetermined distance.

[0010] In claim 3, there is a case in which an air intake for taking in external air and an air outlet for blowing out the taken-in air to the outside are opened, a fan rotatably supported in the case and performing air blowing by rotating, a guide surface for guiding the air blown by the fan toward the air outlet, a moving body that moves along the guide surface, driving means for moving the moving body, and cleaning means installed on the moving body and capable of performing a cleaning operation for cleaning the inside of the case, a storage position in the case for storing the moving body, detection means installed at the storage position for detecting a detected part on the moving body, a control unit that, when an instruction to start the cleaning operation is issued, drives the driving means to move the moving body along the guide surface, When the control unit determines that an instruction to start the cleaning operation has been issued, it counts a detection time during which the state of detecting the detected part by the detection means continues, stops counting the detection time when the detected part is no longer detected by the detection means, and if the detection time is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value, forcibly stops the moving body and prohibits the implementation of the cleaning operation.

[0011] In claim 4, the detected part is characterized by being constituted by a third convex part having a predetermined width.

[0012] In claim 5, the fan is a cross-flow fan, in the case, the guide surface is formed along the axis of the cross-flow fan, the driving means includes a cleaning motor and a driving force transmission part connected to the cleaning motor for transmitting the driving force of the cleaning motor to the moving body, the driving force transmission part is characterized by extending substantially parallel to the axis of the cross-flow fan.

[0013] Further, in claim 6, the cleaning means is characterized by including a brush capable of removing dust adhering to the cross-flow fan.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to this invention, when the control unit determines that an instruction to start the cleaning operation has been issued, it counts the detection-free time during which the state of not detecting the detected part by the detection means continues, and stops counting the detection-free time when the detected part is detected by the detection means. If the detection-free time is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, the moving body is forcibly stopped and the execution of the cleaning operation is prohibited. Therefore, during the cleaning operation, normal operation is performed while the moving body stays in the middle of the guide surface, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the blowing performance and the generation of abnormal noise by inhibiting the blowing that passes through the guide surface, thus improving the product quality.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 11

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Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, Fr indicates the front, Rr indicates the rear, Le indicates the left, Ri indicates the right, Up indicates the top, and Dn indicates the bottom.

[0017] <Example 1> In FIG. 1, an air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment is shown. The air conditioner 10 includes a cooling function for cooling the indoor space In and a heating function for heating the indoor space In.

[0018] 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.

[0019] The outdoor unit 11 includes a four-way switching valve 12 that switches the direction of refrigerant circulation during cooling operation and heating operation, a compressor 13 through which the refrigerant passing through the four-way switching valve 12 flows and compresses the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 14 through which the refrigerant compressed to high temperature and high pressure in the compressor 13 flows, an outdoor fan 15 that blows air toward the outdoor heat exchanger 14, an outer fan motor 17 that is pivotally supported with the outdoor fan 15 and drives the outdoor fan 15 at a predetermined rotational speed, and an expansion valve 16 that decompresses the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 14.

[0020] The indoor unit 20 is used by hanging on the wall Wa in the indoor space In. The case 30 of the indoor unit 20 is fixed to the wall Wa via a support plate. In the case 30 extending in the left-right direction, there are housed a cross-flow fan 21 that takes in the air in the indoor space In into the case 30 and blows air into the indoor space In, an inner fan motor 25 that is pivotally supported with the cross-flow fan 21 and can perform feedback control to drive the cross-flow fan 21 at a predetermined rotational speed, and an indoor heat exchanger 27 that exchanges heat with the air taken in by the cross-flow fan 21.

[0021] During cooling operation, which is a type of normal operation, the refrigerant made high temperature and high pressure by the compressor 13 exchanges heat with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and releases heat. At this time, when the outdoor fan 15 operates, the outside air is forcibly flowed to the outer periphery of the outdoor heat exchanger 14 to promote heat exchange. The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and released heat is decompressed by the expansion valve 16, and the temperature decreases. The refrigerant with the decreased temperature is sent to the indoor unit 20.

[0022] In the case 30 of the indoor unit 20, air is introduced when the cross-flow fan 21 operates. The introduced air passes through the outer periphery of the indoor heat exchanger 27 and is blown into the indoor space In. The indoor heat exchanger 27 is supplied with the refrigerant cooled in the outdoor unit 11. The air passing through the outer periphery of the indoor heat exchanger 27 exchanges heat with the refrigerant and is cooled. The cooled air is blown into the indoor space In.

[0023] During the heating operation, which is a type of normal operation, the four-way switching valve 12 switches the refrigerant flow path and circulates the refrigerant in the opposite direction to that during the cooling operation. As a result, the high-temperature refrigerant is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 27, and high-temperature air is blown into the room In by driving the cross-flow fan 21.

[0024] Refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. An air intake 31 through which air can be taken in from the outside (room In) is opened on the upper surface of the case 30. An air outlet 32 through which air can be blown out to the outside (room In) is opened at the front lower part of the case 30. The air outlet 32 is provided with an up-down louver 28 that can open and close the air outlet 32 and can adjust the blowing direction of the air in the vertical direction.

[0025] Refer to FIG. 3. Behind the up-down louver 28 (refer to FIG. 2), a left-right louver 29 that can adjust the blowing direction of the air in the left-right direction is provided.

[0026] [Storage part of the case, guide surface, side surface] The case 30 has a fan storage part 33 that stores the cross-flow fan 21. The fan storage part 33 has a guide surface 40 that surrounds a part of the outer periphery of the cross-flow fan 21 and guides the air blown by the cross-flow fan 21 toward the air outlet 32, and two side surfaces 34, 35 that are located adjacent to the end faces 22, 23 on both sides of the cross-flow fan 21.

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

[0028] [Cleaning mechanism] Refer to FIGS. 4 and 5. The case 30 is provided with a cleaning mechanism 50 that can wipe off the dust adhering to the inside of the case 30 (the cross-flow fan 21 and the guide surface 40).

[0029] [Driving means] The driving means 51 of the cleaning mechanism 50 includes a cleaning motor 52 which is a driving source of the moving body 60 described later and is a stepping motor that operates when energized, a gear unit 53 which can transmit the driving force of the cleaning motor 52 and is composed of a plurality of gears, and a driving force transmission unit 54 which is connected to the cleaning motor 52 and transmits the driving force of the cleaning motor 52 to the moving body 60.

[0030] [Driving force transmission unit] The driving force transmission unit 54 includes a driving pulley 55 which is partially formed with spur gears and is driven by the gear unit 53 to rotate, a driven pulley (not shown) provided on the side opposite to the driving pulley 55 (with reference to the axial direction of the cross-flow fan 21), and a toothed rope 56 (synchronous mesh rope) annularly spanned around the driving pulley 55 and the driven pulley.

[0031] [Transmission unit storage part] Refer to FIGS. 4 and 5. On the guide surface 40, a transmission unit storage part 41 is formed which is recessed so as to open towards the cross-flow fan 21 and in which the driving force transmission unit 54 is stored. The transmission unit storage part 41 is provided extending from the right end (the storage side described later) to the left end (the side opposite to the storage side) of the guide surface 40 along the axial direction C of the cross-flow fan 21. Based on the flow direction of the air in the air passage 36, among the guide surface 40, the surface on the upstream side of the transmission unit storage part 41 is defined as the upstream guide surface 43, and the surface on the downstream side of the transmission unit storage part 41 is defined as the downstream guide surface 44.

[0032] The transmission unit storage part 41 is covered by a cover 42. The surface 42a of the cover 42 smoothly connects the upstream guide surface 43 and the downstream guide surface 44 (continuously without protruding or recessing with respect to the guide surface 40). That is, the surface 42a of the cover 42 constitutes a part of the guide surface 40 together with the upstream guide surface 43 and the downstream guide surface 44. The back surface 42b of the cover 42 has ribs 42c that protrude towards the transmission unit storage part 41 to reinforce the cover 42.

[0033] A gap G is set between the upstream guide surface 43 and the surface 42a of the cover 42. The gap G is formed with a substantially uniform width across the axial direction C of the cross-flow fan 21.

[0034] [Moving body] Refer to FIGS. 3, 5, 6A, and 6B. The cleaning mechanism 50 includes a moving body 60 that is movable along the axis C of the cross-flow fan 21 through the air passage 36 (between the cross-flow fan 21 and the guide surface 40). The moving body 60 is connected to a toothed rope 56 and includes a driven part 61 that is driven in the direction of the axis C of the cross-flow fan 21 when the driving means 51 operates, a pair of arm parts 62, 62 that extend from the driven part 61 through the gap G to the air passage 36, and a support part 70 that is supported by the pair of arm parts 62, 62 and is formed along the guide surface 40, and they are integrally configured.

[0035] In other words, among the moving body 60, the driven part 61 is the part housed in the transmission part housing part 41, the support part 70 is the part located in the air passage 36, and the pair of arm parts 62, 62 are the parts connecting the driven part 61 and the support part 70. Incidentally, the pair of arm parts 62, 62 may be omitted, and the support part 70 and the driven part 61 may be connected by a magnet with the guide surface 40 interposed therebetween.

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

[0037] Refer to FIGS. 9A and 9B. The support portion 70 has, at its upper end, a first convex portion 66 and a second convex portion 67 as detected portions protruding upward, at positions separated from each other by a predetermined distance in the direction of axis C. In the case 30 in the storage position, an optical sensor 38 as a detection means is fixedly installed, and covers the first convex portion 66 when the moving body 60 is stored in the storage position. The optical sensor 38 has a light emitting portion 38a and a light receiving portion 38b. If the light emitted from the light emitting portion 38a can be received by the light receiving portion 38b, an OFF signal is output. If the light emitted from the light emitting portion 38a cannot be received by the light receiving portion 38b, an ON signal is output. When the moving body 60 moves in the moving direction during the cleaning operation, a state occurs in which the light emitted from the light emitting portion 38a is blocked by the first convex portion 66 and the second convex portion 67, so that the state in which the light can be received by the light receiving portion 38b and the state in which the light cannot be received are switched, and the output state of the ON / OFF signal changes. By using this change in the output state, it is possible to detect an abnormal state of the moving body 60 during the cleaning operation by the optical sensor 38. Details will be described later.

[0038] The first convex portion 66 and the second convex portion 67 are preferably installed at the left and right ends of the support portion 70 and positioned so that the predetermined distance between the first convex portion 66 and the second convex portion 67 becomes larger. When the predetermined distance between the first convex portion 66 and the second convex portion 67 is large, the OFF state time of the optical sensor 38 during the cleaning operation becomes longer, and the accuracy of detecting an abnormality of the moving body 60 increases.

[0039] [Driven portion] The driven portion 61 includes a first guide roller 64 that can roll with respect to the upper surface or the lower surface of the transmission portion storage portion 41, and a second guide roller 63 that can roll with respect to the rib 42c or the transmission portion storage portion 41.

[0040] [Support portion] Refer to FIG. 6B. The support portion 70 has a rectangular frame shape in which the flow direction of the air in the air duct 36 is the longitudinal direction. The support portion 70 is composed of a pair of vertical frame portions 71, 71 supported by a pair of arm portions 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, which are integrally formed.

[0041] [Dusting unit] The dusting unit 80 is attached to the support unit 70. The dusting unit 80 includes a rectangular plate-shaped main body 81 that can close the frame of the support unit 70. The main body 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 81.

[0042] [Sheet] The main body 81 includes a sheet 84 as a cleaning means that can come into contact with the guide surface 40 and wipe off the dust adhering to the guide surface 40. The sheet 84 can be composed of a non-woven fabric, a sponge, or the like.

[0043] [Brush] The main body 81 includes a brush 76 as a cleaning means that can come into contact with the outer peripheral edge 24 (see FIG. 5) of the cross-flow fan 21 and wipe off the dust adhering to the outer peripheral edge 24. The brush 76 is provided swingably with respect to the main body 81. The center line of the swing is in the direction along the axis C of the cross-flow fan 21. The brush 76 includes a base 78 on which resin-made bristles 77 for wiping the dust of the cross-flow fan 21 are planted.

[0044] [Spring] The brush 76 includes 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 a force to the brush 76 so that the brush 76 swings in the direction approaching the cross-flow fan 21.

[0045] [Operation of the dusting mechanism] Refer to FIGS. 4 and 7. After the air conditioner 10 receives an operation stop signal from the remote controller 110, or when it receives an instruction signal for cleaning operation by a switch operation of the remote controller 110, the air conditioner 10 starts the cleaning operation by the cleaning mechanism 50.

[0046] When the cleaning motor 52 operates, the gear unit 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.

[0047] The sheet 84 contacts the guide surface 40, and the brush 76 contacts the cross - flow fan 21. In this state, when the moving body 60 moves along the gap G, the dust adhering to the guide surface 40 is wiped off by the sheet 84, and the dust adhering to the cross - flow fan 21 is also wiped off by the brush 76. At this time, by rotating the cross - flow fan 21 (counter - clockwise in FIG. 5), the entire outer peripheral edge 24 of the cross - flow fan 21 can be cleaned. Note that the bottom surface (not shown) of the base 78 of the brush 76 during cleaning is in contact with the main body 81.

[0048] The moving body 60 has both the sheet 84 and the brush 76. Therefore, the dust can be dropped from the cross - flow fan 21 to the guide surface 40 by the brush 76 and wiped off by the sheet 84.

[0049] Since the left - right louvers 29 (see FIG. 3) are installed on the downstream side of the air flow of the cleaning mechanism 50, it is difficult to reach into the air duct 36 between the cross - flow fan 21 and the guide surface 40 for cleaning. Therefore, by providing the cleaning mechanism 50 that can move along the guide surface 40, the dust adhering to the guide surface 40 can be easily removed.

[0050] [Storage position of the moving body] Refer to FIGS. 3 and 8A. When the cleaning by the cleaning mechanism 50 is completed, the moving body 60 is stored. The position where the moving body 60 is stored during the stop of the cleaning mechanism 50 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 axial direction C of the cross-flow fan 21. An optical sensor 38 as a detection means is installed at the end 36a, which emits light during the cleaning operation. After an instruction to start the cleaning operation is issued and the moving body 60 starts from the storage position, the first convex portion 66 and the second convex portion 67 output an ON state at the timing when they pass through the light emitted from the optical sensor 38, and output an OFF state at the timing when they do not pass through the light emitted from the optical sensor 38. By transmitting the ON / OFF state output signal from the optical sensor 38 to the indoor control unit 100a, the indoor control unit 100a can determine the moving state of the moving body 60.

[0051] Also, when the moving body 60 is stored in the storage position, the brush 76 is in a state of being separated from the cross-flow fan 21, and when the moving body 60 exits from the storage position, the brush 76 is in a state of contacting the cross-flow fan 21.

[0052] Hereinafter, with reference to the axial direction C of the cross-flow fan 21, the side where the moving body 60 is stored is defined as the storage side (right side). Note that the storage position may be the end 36b (see FIG. 3) on the opposite side (left side) of the storage side.

[0053] [Position of the motor] The cleaning motor 52 (see FIG. 4) is located at the end 36a on the storage side of the air passage 36, but may also be located at the end 36b on the opposite side of the air passage 36. In other words, the storage position of the moving body 60 and the position of the cleaning motor 52 may be on opposite sides of each other.

[0054] [Position of the board storage section] The case 30 has a board storage section 37 that houses the indoor control unit 100a 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) with respect to the fan storage section 33.

[0055] [Motor Case] Refer to Fig. 8A. The cleaning motor 52 (refer to Fig. 4), the gear unit 53, and the drive pulley 55 are covered by a motor case 57. The motor case 57 is formed to follow the guide surface 40, and includes an upper wall portion 57a that covers the upper part of the cleaning motor 52, and a side wall portion 57b that extends from the left edge of the upper wall portion 57a toward the guide surface 40 and covers the left side of the cleaning motor 52, and they are integrally formed. The right edge of the upper wall portion 57a is in contact with the storage side surface 34 of the fan storage portion 33. It can also be said that the side surface 34 covers the right side of the cleaning motor 52.

[0056] [Method for Storing the Movable Body] At the edge of the upper wall portion 57a of the motor case 57, a slide portion 58 is formed where the base 78 of the brush 76 slides when the movable body 60 moves toward the storage position (right side). The slide portion 58 can guide the brush 76 to swing until the brush 76 that is in contact with the cross-flow fan 21 separates from the cross-flow fan 21.

[0057] The slide portion 58 extends linearly obliquely, for example, with respect to the axis C direction of the cross-flow fan 21, but it may be curved. Note that the slide portion 58 may be supported by the fan storage portion 33 and be a part of a member separate from the motor case 57.

[0058] [Position of the Brush at the Storage Position] Refer to Fig. 8B. When the movable body 60 is in the storage position, the side surface 78a of the base 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 fallen, and the brush 76 is in a state of being separated from the cross-flow fan 21.

[0059] [Control Unit] Refer to FIG. 10. Reference numeral 100 is 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 controller 110, it operates each actuator installed in the indoor unit 20 in accordance with the content of the operation instructions, and transmits the information of the operation instructions of the remote controller 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 controller 110.

[0060] The indoor-side control unit 100a is provided with a speaker 100a1 that emits a predetermined sound. When the indoor-side control unit 100a receives an operation instruction from the remote controller 110 or when an abnormality occurs, the state of the air conditioner 10 can be notified to the user by emitting a predetermined sound from the speaker 100a1.

[0061] [Control during the cleaning operation of Example 1] Next, the control content during the cleaning operation of Example 1 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 11.

[0062] When the indoor-side control unit 100a determines that an instruction to start the cleaning operation has been issued, such as when a stop instruction for normal operation is issued by the remote controller 110 or a predetermined operation is performed with the remote controller 110, it drives the cleaning motor 52 to operate the moving body 60 (step S101). When the operation of the moving body 60 is started and the first convex portion 66 blocks the light radiated from the light emitting portion 38a of the optical sensor 38 so that the light receiving portion 38b cannot receive the light and outputs a signal in the ON state, the indoor-side control unit 100a grasps the ON state upon receiving the output signal.

[0063] When the indoor control unit 100a drives the cleaning motor 52 in step S101, the moving body 60 moves to a state where the space between the first convex portion 66 and the second convex portion 67 is located between the light emitting portion 38a and the light receiving portion 38b of the optical sensor 38. It is determined whether the light emitted from the light emitting portion 38a is received by the light receiving portion 38b and the output signal of the optical sensor 38 has switched from the ON state to the OFF state (step S102). When the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S102 that the output signal of the optical sensor 38 has switched to the OFF state, it starts counting the detection-free time t1 in the OFF state where there is no detection by the optical sensor 38 (step S103). When the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S102 that the output signal of the optical sensor 38 has not switched to the OFF state, the determination in step S102 is repeated.

[0064] When the indoor control unit 100a starts counting the detection-free time t1 in the OFF state where there is no detection by the optical sensor 38 in step S103, the moving body 60 continues to move to a state where the second convex portion 67 is located between the light emitting portion 38a and the light receiving portion 38b of the optical sensor 38. It is determined whether the light emitted from the light emitting portion 38a is blocked by the second convex portion 67 and cannot be received by the light receiving portion 38b, and the output signal of the optical sensor 38 has switched from the OFF state to the ON state (step S104). When the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S104 that the output signal of the optical sensor 38 has switched to the ON state, it stops counting the detection-free time t1 and stores the count value of t1 (step S105). When the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S104 that the output signal of the optical sensor 38 has not switched to the ON state, the determination in step S104 is repeated.

[0065] When the indoor control unit 100a stops counting the detection-free time t1 of the optical sensor 38 in step S105 and stores the count value of t1, it compares the detection-free time tA, which is the detection-free time of the optical sensor 38 when the moving body 60 moves at a normal speed and is stored in advance, with the currently counted detection-free time t1, and determines whether t1 is greater than tA (t1 > tA) (step S106). If the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S106 that t1 is greater than tA, it forcibly stops the cleaning motor 52 on the assumption that the moving body 60 is not moving at a normal speed and there is a high possibility of an abnormality, sounds a predetermined notification sound with the speaker 100a1 to notify the occurrence of an error, and prohibits the execution of the cleaning operation (step S107). If the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S106 that t1 is less than or equal to tA, it continues the cleaning operation on the assumption that the moving body 60 is moving normally.

[0066] As described above, based on the count value of the detection-free time from when the first convex portion 66 is detected by the optical sensor 38 until the second convex portion 67 is detected during the execution of the cleaning operation, it is determined whether the moving body 60 is moving at a normal speed. If the moving speed of the moving body 60 has dropped, the driving of the cleaning motor 52 is forcibly stopped, an error occurrence is notified, and the execution of the cleaning operation is prohibited. If a problem such as dust clogging occurs in the gear unit 53 or the transmission unit storage unit 41 and the cleaning operation is performed with the moving speed of the moving body 60 reduced compared to the normal state, there is a high risk that the moving body 60 will become unable to move during the cleaning operation and stop in the middle of the guide surface 40. If the normal operation is performed with the moving body 60 stopped in the middle of the guide surface 40, there is a risk of a decrease in the blowing performance and the generation of abnormal noises. By determining whether the moving body 60 is moving at a normal speed before the moving body 60 completely exits the storage position and forcibly stopping the movement of the moving body 60 if the speed is abnormal, it is possible to prevent the moving body 60 from being located on the guide surface 40 during normal operation and the occurrence of a decrease in the blowing performance and abnormal noises, thereby improving the product quality.

[0067] In addition, since the movement state of the moving body 60 during the cleaning operation is detected by one optical sensor 38 and the presence or absence of an abnormality can be determined, it is not necessary to use a plurality of optical sensors 38, so that an increase in product cost can be suppressed and a decrease in product quality can be prevented.

[0068] In addition, in this embodiment, the description has been made with the support portion 70 having the first convex portion 66 and the second convex portion 67 as the detected portions, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the support portion 70 may have only the first convex portion 66 or the second convex portion 67 as the detected portion. In such a configuration, when the indoor side control unit 100a determines that an instruction to start the cleaning operation has been issued, the indoor side control unit 100a counts the OFF state time until the first convex portion 66 or the second convex portion 67 is detected by the optical sensor 38 and switched to the ON state, and stores the counted time as the undetected time t1. Then, the indoor side control unit 100a may compare t1 and tA to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in the moving speed of the moving body 60. Even with such a configuration, when there is a high risk that the moving body 60 stops in the middle of the guide surface 40 during the cleaning operation, the moving body 60 can be forcibly stopped before completely exiting the guide surface 40, so that a decrease in the blowing performance and the generation of abnormal noise during normal operation can be prevented, and the product quality is improved.

[0069] [Effects of Example 1] Next, the effects of Example 1 will be described. The effects of Example 1 described below are also exhibited in the modified examples described below.

[0070] When the indoor control unit 100a determines that an instruction to start the cleaning operation has been issued, it counts the detection-free time t1 during which the light sensor 38, which is a detection means, does not detect the detected part. When the detected part is detected by the light sensor 38, the counting of the detection-free time t1 is stopped. If the detection-free time t1 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value tA, the moving body 60 is forcibly stopped and the execution of the cleaning operation is prohibited. When the risk of the moving body 60 abnormally stopping in the middle of the guide surface 40 during the execution of the cleaning operation is high, the moving body 60 is forcibly stopped before it completely exits the guide surface 40, and the execution of the cleaning operation is prohibited. Therefore, normal operation can be carried out with the moving body 60 abnormally stopped in the middle of the guide surface 40, and a state in which the blowing performance deteriorates or abnormal noise occurs can be prevented, improving the product quality.

[0071] Further, the detected part is composed of a first convex part 66 and a second convex part 67, and the first convex part 66 and the second convex part 67 are formed at positions separated by a predetermined distance. When the first convex part 66 and the second convex part 67 are detected by the light sensor 38, which is a detection means, an ON state is output, and an OFF state is output between the first convex part 66 and the second convex part 67. Since it is possible to determine whether the moving body 60 is moving at a normal speed according to the count value of the detection-free time t1 in which the OFF state is output, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of abnormality of the moving body 60 with a simple configuration.

[0072] Further, the fan is a cross-flow fan 21. In the case 30, a guide surface 40 is formed along the axis C of the cross-flow fan 21. The driving means includes a cleaning motor 52 and a driving force transmission part 54 connected to the cleaning motor 52 and transmitting the driving force of the cleaning motor 52 to the moving body 60. The driving force transmission part 54 extends substantially parallel to the axis C of the cross-flow fan 21. In a configuration in which the moving body 60 moves in the direction of the axis C of the cross-flow fan 21 and the first convex part 66 and the second convex part 67 are detected by the light sensor 38, it is particularly suitable to apply the present invention.

[0073] Further, the cleaning means includes a brush 76 capable of removing dust adhering to the cross-flow fan 21. When performing the cleaning operation, since the moving body 60 is forced to stop before completely coming out of the guide surface 40 and the brush 76 comes into contact with the cross-flow fan 21, normal operation is performed with the moving body 60 abnormally stopped on the guide surface 40, and it is possible to prevent a situation where the brush 76 continuously contacts the cross-flow fan 21 rotating at high speed and noise is generated, thereby improving the product quality.

[0074] <Example 2> FIG. 12 shows the air conditioner 10 according to Example 2. For the configurations common to the air conditioner 10 of Example 1, the same reference numerals as those in Example 1 are given and the description thereof is omitted.

[0075] Reference numeral 68 denotes a third convex portion 68 as a detected portion formed at the upper end of the support portion 70 constituting the moving body 60. The third convex portion 68 has a predetermined width in the axial direction C (left-right direction) and protrudes upward. When the moving body 60 moves during the cleaning operation and the third convex portion 68 is detected by the optical sensor 38, a signal in the ON state is output, and if the third convex portion 68 is not detected, a signal in the OFF state is output.

[0076] The predetermined width of the third convex portion 68 is within the range of the width of the moving body 60 in the axial direction C, and preferably, the third convex portion 68 is not formed on the right side (the storage position side). Since the predetermined width of the third convex portion 68 is within the range of the width of the moving body 60 in the axial direction C, when the moving body 60 is located at the left and right ends, it is possible to prevent the third convex portion 68 from colliding with the members constituting the left and right sides of the case 30. Further, with the configuration in which the third convex portion is not formed on the right side, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality before the moving body 60 completely comes out of the storage position during the cleaning operation in the control described later, and if there is an abnormality, the moving body 60 can be forced to stop. The width of the moving body 60 located on the guide surface 40 can be reduced, and the risk of a decrease in the blowing performance and the generation of abnormal noise can be minimized.

[0077] [Control during the cleaning operation of Example 2] Next, the control content during the cleaning operation of Example 2 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 13.

[0078] When the indoor control unit 100a determines that a stop instruction for normal operation has been issued by the remote controller 110, or a predetermined operation has been performed with the remote controller 110 and a start instruction for the cleaning operation has been issued, the cleaning motor 52 is driven to operate the moving body 60 (step S201).

[0079] When the indoor control unit 100a drives the cleaning motor 52 in step S201, the moving body 60 advances and the third convex portion 68 is positioned between the light emitting portion 38a and the light receiving portion 38b of the optical sensor 38, and the light emitted from the light emitting portion 38a is blocked by the third convex portion 68 and cannot be received by the light receiving portion 38b. Then, it is determined whether the output state of the optical sensor 38 has switched from the OFF state to the ON state (step S202). When the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S202 that the output state of the optical sensor 38 has switched to the ON state, it starts counting the detection time t2 with detection after the switch to the ON state (step S203). When the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S202 that the output state of the optical sensor 38 has not switched to the ON state, the determination in step S202 is repeated.

[0080] When the indoor control unit 100a starts counting the detection time t2 with detection during which the optical sensor 38 outputs the ON state in step S203, the moving body 60 advances and the third convex portion 68 is not positioned between the light emitting portion 38a and the light receiving portion 38b of the optical sensor 38, and the light emitted from the light emitting portion 38a is received by the light receiving portion 38b. Then, it is determined whether the output state of the optical sensor 38 has switched from the ON state to the OFF state (step S204). When the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S204 that the output state of the optical sensor 38 has switched to the OFF state, it stops counting the detection time t2 and stores the count value of t2 (step S205). When the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S204 that the output state of the optical sensor 38 has not switched to the OFF state, the determination in step S204 is repeated.

[0081] When the indoor control unit 100a stops counting the time t2 during which the optical sensor 38 is in the ON state in step S205 and stores the count value of t2, it compares t2, which is the time for the optical sensor 38 to continue to output a signal in the ON state when the moving body 60 moves at a normal speed and is stored in advance, with the detected time t2 counted this time as a second predetermined value tB, and determines whether t2 is greater than tB (t2 > tB) (step S206). If the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S206 that t2 is greater than tB, it forcibly stops the cleaning motor 52 on the assumption that the moving body 60 is not moving at a normal speed and there is a high possibility of an abnormality occurring, and sounds a predetermined warning sound with the speaker 100a1 to notify the occurrence of an error and prohibits the execution of the cleaning operation (step S207). If the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S206 that t2 is less than or equal to tB, it continues the cleaning operation on the assumption that the moving body 60 is moving normally.

[0082] As described above, based on the count value of the detection time during which the third convex portion 68 is detected by the optical sensor 38 and a signal in the ON state is output during the execution of the cleaning operation, it is determined whether the moving body 60 is moving at a normal speed. If the moving speed of the moving body 60 has dropped, the driving of the cleaning motor 52 is forcibly stopped, an error occurrence is notified, and the execution of the cleaning operation is prohibited. Thereby, similar to Example 1, it is determined whether the moving body 60 is moving at a normal speed before the moving body 60 completely exits from the storage position. If the speed is abnormal, the movement of the moving body 60 is forcibly stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the moving body 60 from being located on the guide surface 40 during normal operation and causing a decrease in the blowing performance and abnormal noise, and the product quality is improved.

[0083] [Effect of Example 2] Next, the effect of Example 2 will be described. The effect of Example 2 described below is also exhibited in the modified examples described below.

[0084] When the indoor control unit 100a determines that an instruction to start the cleaning operation has been issued, it counts the detection time t2 during which the detected part is continuously detected by the optical sensor 38, which is a detection means. When the optical sensor 38 stops detecting the detected part, the counting of the detection time t2 is stopped. If the detection time t2 is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value tB, the moving body 60 is forcibly stopped and the execution of the cleaning operation is prohibited. When the risk of abnormal stop of the moving body 60 in the middle of the guide surface 40 is high during the execution of the cleaning operation, the moving body 60 is forcibly stopped before it completely exits the guide surface 40, and the execution of the cleaning operation is prohibited. Therefore, the normal operation can be carried out with the moving body 60 abnormally stopped in the middle of the guide surface 40, and the reduction of the blowing performance and the generation of abnormal noise can be prevented, improving the product quality.

[0085] Further, the detected part is composed of a third convex part 68 having a predetermined width. When the optical sensor 38, which is a detection means, detects the third convex part 68, it outputs an ON state. When the third convex part 68 is not detected, it outputs an OFF state. According to the count value of the detection time t2 for outputting the ON state, it is possible to determine whether the moving body 60 is moving at a normal speed. Therefore, the presence or absence of abnormality of the moving body 60 can be determined with a simple configuration.

[0086] <Modification Example> FIGS. 14A and 14B show an air conditioner 10A according to a modification example. For the configurations common to the air conditioner 10 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are given and the description is omitted.

[0087] In the modification example, instead of the driving force transmission unit 54 (toothed rope 56, driving pulley 55) (see FIG. 4) of the first 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 adopted. The driven part 61A of the moving body 60A includes a rack gear 65 that meshes with the worm 59.

[0088] When the cleaning motor 52 (see FIG. 6) operates, the worm 59 (driving force transmission part) provided across the width direction of the case 30 rotates. Since the driven part 61A has a rack gear 65 meshing with the worm 59, when the worm 59 rotates, the moving body 60A moves in the left - right direction.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 14A. The rack gear 65 of the moving body 60 meshes with the worm 59 while being positioned above the worm 59.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B. The transmission part storage part 41 is covered by the cover 42 except for the storage - side end. That is, an opening 45 is formed at the storage - side end of the transmission part storage part 41. The width of this opening 45 is set wider than the width of the driven part 61 of the moving body 60.

[0091] With the above configuration, when the moving body 60 in the storage position is slid forward, the combination of the worm 59 and the rack gear 65 is disengaged, and with the transmission part storage part 41 covered by the cover 42, the moving body 60 in the storage position can be removed from the worm 59. Similarly, the moving body 60 can be attached to the worm 59. Therefore, with the transmission part storage part 41 covered by the cover 42, the moving body 60 in the storage position is detachable with respect to the worm 59 (driving force transmission part 54).

[0092] Returning to FIG. 6B. In the air conditioner 10 of the first embodiment, it is also possible to attach and detach the moving body 60 in the storage position with respect to the toothed rope 56 (driving force transmission part). When the wiping part 80 is removed from the support part 70, the head of the screw 91 is exposed from inside 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 (the depth direction of the case 30). Both ends 56a, 56a of the driven part 61 and 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 fixing between both ends 56a, 56a of the toothed rope 56 and the moving body 60 is released. After that, when the moving body 60 is moved forward, the moving body 60 can be removed from the toothed rope 56.

[0093] Refer to FIG. 5. The downstream end 84a of the sheet 84 is located vertically below the contact portion between the bristles 77 of the brush 76 and the outer peripheral edge 24 of the cross-flow fan 21. Therefore, the downstream end 84a of the sheet 84 can surely wipe off the dust adhering to the cross-flow fan 21.

[0094] Note that as long as the effects and advantages of the present invention are achieved, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. For example, in the described embodiment, the moving body 60 is provided with the brush 76 and the sheet 84, but a configuration having only the sheet 84 may be used.

[0095] Also, in the described embodiment, the cross-flow fan 21 is installed as a fan that is installed in the case 30 and blows air by rotating, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a sirocco fan may be installed as the fan installed in the case 30. That is, as long as the guide surface 40 can be wiped by the sheet 84 during the cleaning operation regardless of the type of the fan, it falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0096] Also, in the present embodiment, the optical sensor 38 is used as the detection means, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that the detected portion of the moving body 60 that moves during the cleaning operation can be detected, and not only a non-contact detectable detected portion, but also a contact type sensor such as a microswitch may be used to configure the detection means.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0097] 10... Air conditioner 21... Cross-flow fan 30... Case 31... Air intake 32... Air outlet 38... Optical sensor 40... Guide surface 50... Cleaning mechanism 51... Driving means 52... Cleaning motor 54... Driving force transmission part 60…Moving body 76…Brush 84…Sheet 100…Control unit

Claims

1. A case having an air intake for taking in outside air and an air outlet for blowing out the taken-in air to the outside, a fan rotatably supported in the case and performing air blowing by rotating, a guide surface for guiding the air blown by the fan toward the air outlet, a moving body moving along the guide surface, a driving means for moving the moving body, and a cleaning means installed on the moving body and capable of performing a cleaning operation for cleaning the inside of the case, a cleaning mechanism having the same, a storage position in the case for storing the moving body, detection means installed at the storage position for detecting a detected part on the moving body, a control unit that, when it is determined that an instruction to start the cleaning operation is issued, drives the driving means to move the moving body along the guide surface, comprising, the control unit, when it is determined that an instruction to start the cleaning operation is issued, counts a detection-free time during which a state in which the detected part is not detected by the detection means continues, stops the counting of the detection-free time when the detected part is detected by the detection means, and if the detection-free time is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, forcibly stops the moving body and prohibits the implementation of the cleaning operation. An air conditioner characterized by the above.

2. The detected part is composed of a first convex part and a second convex part, The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first convex part and the second convex part are formed at positions separated by a predetermined distance.

3. A case having an air intake for taking in outside air and an air outlet for blowing out the taken-in air to the outside, a fan rotatably supported in the case and performing air blowing by rotating, a guide surface for guiding the air blown by the fan toward the air outlet, a moving body moving along the guide surface, a driving means for moving the moving body, and a cleaning means installed on the moving body and capable of performing a cleaning operation for cleaning the inside of the case, a cleaning mechanism having the same, a storage position in the case for storing the moving body, detection means installed at the storage position for detecting a detected part on the moving body, a control unit that, when an instruction to start the cleaning operation is issued, drives the driving means to move the moving body along the guide surface, comprising, When the control unit determines that an instruction to start the cleaning operation has been issued, it counts the detection time during which the state of detecting the detected part by the detection means continues. When the detection means stops detecting the detected part, the counting of the detection time is stopped. If the detection time is equal to or longer than a second predetermined value, the mobile body is forcibly stopped and the execution of the cleaning operation is prohibited. An air conditioner characterized by this.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that the detected part is constituted by a third convex part having a predetermined width.

5. The fan is a cross-flow fan, In the case, the guide surface is formed along the axis of the cross-flow fan, The driving means includes a cleaning motor and a driving force transmission part connected to the cleaning motor for transmitting the driving force of the cleaning motor to the mobile body. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the driving force transmission part extends substantially parallel to the axis of the cross-flow fan.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that the cleaning means includes a brush capable of removing dust adhering to the cross-flow fan.

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