Air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner capable of improving the cleanliness of a product.SOLUTION: When it is estimated by dust state estimating means 100a1 that much dust does not adhere to a guide surface 40 and a cross flow fan 21 when an instruction to start cleaning operation is given, an indoor side control part 100a performs a standard mode. When it is estimated by the dust state estimating means 100a1 that much dust adheres to the guide surface 40 and the cross flow fan 21, the indoor side control part 100a performs a careful mode. When it is estimated that much dust adheres to the guide surface 40 and the cross flow fan 21, cleaning operation in a careful mode with higher dust removal force than a standard mode is performed, so that it is possible to increase possibility of removing all the dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross flow fan 21 by a cleaning mechanism 50. Thus, cleanliness of a product is improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, this type of air conditioning unit has a fan that rotates inside a case and a guide surface that guides the air blown by the fan, and is capable of performing a cleaning operation to remove dust adhering to the guide surface and fan using cleaning means installed on a moving body that moves along the guide surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-1985 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with this conventional system, there was room for improvement, as there was a risk that when a cleaning operation was performed after a long period of time in which no cleaning operation had been performed, the dust adhering to the guide surface and fan could not be sufficiently removed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, in claim 1 of the present invention, there is provided a case having an air intake port that can take in air from the outside and an air outlet port that can blow out the taken-in air to the outside, a fan that is rotatably supported in the case and blows air by rotating; a normal operation in which the fan is driven to send air into a room in which the case is installed; a guide surface that guides the air blown by the fan toward the air outlet; a cleaning mechanism including a moving body that moves along the guide surface, a driving means that moves the moving body, and a cleaning means that is installed on the moving body and is capable of performing a cleaning operation to remove dust adhering to the guide surface and the fan; an instruction means for issuing an instruction to start the cleaning operation; a control unit that, when it is determined that the instruction means has issued the instruction to start the cleaning operation, drives the driving means to move the movable body along the guide surface, a dust state estimation means for estimating a state of dust adhering to the guide surface and the fan from the time when the cleaning operation is completed until the start instruction is issued, The cleaning operation is provided with a standard mode and a thorough mode that has a stronger dust removal power than the standard mode, When the instruction means issues the instruction to start the cleaning operation, When the dust state estimation means estimates that there is no large amount of dust attached to the guide surface and the fan, the control unit executes the standard mode, When the dust state estimation means estimates that a large amount of dust is attached to the guide surface and the fan, the control unit executes a pre-commemorative mode.

[0006] In addition, claim 2 is characterized in that the dust state estimation means estimates that a large amount of dust is attached to the guide surface and the fan if the time counted from the time the cleaning operation is completed to the time the start instruction is issued is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0007] In addition, claim 3 is characterized in that the dust state estimation means estimates that a large amount of dust is attached to the guide surface and the fan if the number of times the normal operation is stopped when the cleaning operation is not performed, counted from the time the cleaning operation is completed, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0008] In addition, in claim 4, the pre-commemorative mode is controlled by the control unit so that the cleaning operation is performed for a longer period of time than in the standard mode.

[0009] In claim 5, the fan is a cross-flow fan, the guide surface is formed on the case along an axis of the cross-flow fan, the driving means includes a cleaning motor and a driving force transmission unit connected to the cleaning motor and transmitting the driving force of the cleaning motor to the moving body, the drive force transmission portion extends substantially parallel to an axis of the cross-flow fan, In the cleaning operation, the movable body moves between one end side and the other end side of the guide surface, The thorough mode is characterized in that the control unit controls the speed of the cleaning motor to be slower than in the standard mode and / or increases the number of movements of the moving body compared to the standard mode.

[0010] In addition, claim 6 is characterized in that the control unit controls the rotation speed of the fan in the pre-commemorative mode so that the rotation speed is higher than that in the standard mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this invention, when an instruction to start a cleaning operation is issued by the instruction means, if the dust state estimation means estimates that there is not a large amount of dust adhering to the guide surface and the fan, the control unit implements the standard mode, and if the dust state estimation means estimates that there is a large amount of dust adhering to the guide surface and the fan, the control unit implements the thorough mode.Therefore, even if a cleaning operation is performed after no cleaning operation has been performed for a long period of time, it is more likely that all dust adhering to the guide surface and the fan will be thoroughly removed, thereby improving the cleanliness of the product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the case of the indoor unit shown in FIG. 2 and the fan housed in the case. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a drive mechanism of the wiping mechanism. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wiping mechanism as seen 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 illustrating attachment and detachment of the brush and the sheet to and from the movable body. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the wiping mechanism. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating the moving body in the storage position and a cross-sectional view of the moving body in the storage position, respectively. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart illustrating control during a cleaning operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating control during a cleaning operation in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating control during a cleaning operation in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating control during a cleaning operation in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating control during a cleaning operation in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart illustrating control during cleaning operation in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 16] Fig. 16A is a diagram illustrating a driving force transmission unit (worm) of an air conditioner according to another embodiment, and Fig. 16B is a perspective view of the driving force transmission unit (worm). [Figure 17]Fig. 17A is a perspective view of the moving body in a storage position with the motor case and motor removed, and Fig. 17B is a diagram illustrating the attachment and detachment of the moving body to and from the driving force transmission unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[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 Example 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. Unless otherwise specified below, the direction in which the refrigerant circulates is based on the direction during cooling operation.

[0016] The outdoor unit 11 is equipped with a four-way switching valve 12 that switches the direction of refrigerant circulation during cooling operation and heating operation, a compressor 13 that compresses the refrigerant that has passed through the four-way switching valve 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 14 through which the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor 13 flows, an outdoor fan 15 that blows air toward the outdoor heat exchanger 14, an outdoor fan motor 17 that is journaled to the outdoor fan 15 and drives the outdoor fan 15 at a predetermined rotation speed, and an expansion valve 16 that decompresses 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 inside the room In. A case 30 of the indoor unit 20 is fixed to the wall Wa via a support plate. The case 30, which extends in the left-right direction, houses a cross-flow fan 21 that takes in air from the room In into the case 30 and blows it out into the room In, an internal fan motor 25 that is supported by the cross-flow fan 21 and is capable of feedback control for driving the cross-flow fan 21 at a predetermined rotation speed, and an indoor heat exchanger 27 that exchanges heat with the air taken in by the cross-flow fan 21.

[0018] During cooling operation, which is a type of normal operation, the refrigerant that has been heated to a high temperature and 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 force the outside air to flow around the periphery of the outdoor heat exchanger 14, promoting heat exchange. After passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and releasing heat, the refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion valve 16 and its temperature drops. The cooled refrigerant 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 room In. The indoor heat exchanger 27 is supplied with refrigerant that has been 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 room In.

[0020] During heating operation, which is a type of normal operation, the four-way selector valve 12 switches the refrigerant flow path, circulating the refrigerant 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] 1 and 2, an air intake port 31 is opened on the top surface of the case 30, which can take in air from the outside (indoors In). An air outlet 32 ​​is opened in the lower front part of the case 30, which can blow air out to the outside (indoors In). 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 in the vertical direction.

[0022] See Figure 3. Behind the up-down louvers 28 (see Figure 2), left-right louvers 29 are provided that can adjust the direction in which air is blown out in the left-right direction.

[0023] [Case storage area, guide surface, side] Case 30 has fan housing section 33 that houses cross-flow fan 21. Fan housing section 33 has guide surface 40 that surrounds part of the outer periphery of cross-flow fan 21 and guides the 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.

[0024] Guide surface 40 is formed along the longitudinal direction of case 30, in the direction of axis C of cross-flow fan 21. The space defined by guide surface 40, two side surfaces 34, 35 of case 30, and cross-flow fan 21, and through which the blown air can flow, is referred to as air passage 36 (see FIG. 5).

[0025] [Cleaning mechanism] Please refer to Figures 4 and 5. Case 30 is provided with cleaning mechanism 50 capable of wiping off dust adhering to the inside of case 30 (cross-flow fan 21 and guide surface 40).

[0026] [Drive unit] The drive unit 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 unit 53 which is capable of transmitting the drive force of the cleaning motor 52 and is composed of a plurality of gears, and a drive force transmission unit 54 which is connected to the cleaning motor 52 and transmits the drive force of the cleaning motor 52 to the moving body 60.

[0027] [Driving force transmission section] The driving force transmission section 54 includes a driving pulley 55 having a spur gear formed on a part thereof and driven to rotate by the 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.

[0028] [Transmission unit storage section] 4 and 5 . Guide surface 40 is formed with a transmission unit housing 41 that is recessed so as to open toward cross-flow fan 21 and houses drive force transmission unit 54. Transmission unit housing 41 is provided along axis C of cross-flow fan 21, from the right end (the storage side described below) of guide surface 40 to the left end (the opposite side to the storage side). With the air flow direction in air passage 36 as the reference, the surface of guide surface 40 that is upstream of transmission unit housing 41 is referred to as upstream guide surface 43, and the surface of guide surface 40 that is downstream of transmission unit housing 41 is referred to as downstream guide surface 44.

[0029] 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 part of the guide surface 40. A back surface 42b of the cover 42 has ribs 42c that protrude toward the transmission unit storage section 41 and reinforce the cover 42.

[0030] A gap G is defined between upstream guide surface 43 and surface 42a of cover 42. Gap G has a substantially uniform width and is formed along the direction of axis C of cross-flow fan 21.

[0031] [Moving object] 5, 6A, and 6B. Cleaning mechanism 50 includes 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 from: driven part 61 connected to toothed rope 56 that is driven in the direction of axis C of cross-flow fan 21 when drive part 51 is activated; a pair of arms 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 and is formed along guide surface 40.

[0032] In other words, of the moving 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.

[0033] When the rib 42c is formed at a position where it can come into contact with the second guide roller 63, the rib 42c for reinforcing the cover 42 can guide the second guide roller 63.

[0034] [Driver part] The driven part 61 includes a first guide roller 64 that can roll on the upper or lower surface of the transmission part housing part 41 , and a second guide roller 63 that can roll on the rib 42 c or the transmission part housing part 41 .

[0035] [Support part] 6B, the support portion 70 has a rectangular frame shape with its longitudinal direction coinciding with the air flow direction of the air passage 36. The support portion 70 is integrally formed of 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.

[0036] [Wiping section] The wiping unit 80 is attached to the support unit 70. The wiping unit 80 has a rectangular plate-shaped main body 81 that can close the frame of the support unit 70. The main body 81 has an insertion portion 82 that can be inserted into the upper frame portion 73 and a locking portion 83 that can be locked to the lower frame portion 74. The pair of vertical frame portions 71, 71 have support edges 72, 72 that can support the main body 81.

[0037] Sheet The main body 81 is provided with a sheet 84 as a cleaning means 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.

[0038] Brush Main body 81 is provided with brush 76 as a cleaning means that comes into contact with outer periphery 24 (see FIG. 5) of cross-flow fan 21 and can wipe away dust adhering to outer periphery 24. Brush 76 is provided so as to be able to swing relative to main body 81. The center line of the swing is along axis C of cross-flow fan 21. Brush 76 has base 78 on which resin bristles 77 are attached that wipe away dust from cross-flow fan 21.

[0039] [Spring] The brush 76 is provided with a tension spring 79. 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.

[0040] [Wiping mechanism operation] 4 and 7, the air conditioner 10 starts cleaning operation by the cleaning mechanism 50 after receiving an operation stop signal from the remote control 110 as an instruction means, or when receiving a cleaning operation instruction signal by operating a switch on the remote control 110.

[0041] 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.

[0042] Sheet 84 is in contact with guide surface 40, and brush 76 is in contact with cross-flow fan 21. As 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 (counterclockwise in FIG. 5 ) during this operation, the entire outer periphery 24 of cross-flow fan 21 can be cleaned. Note that the bottom surface (not shown) of base 78 of brush 76 is in contact with main body 81 during cleaning.

[0043] The moving body 60 has both the sheet 84 and the brush 76. Therefore, the brush 76 drops dust from the cross-flow fan 21 onto the guide surface 40, and the sheet 84 can wipe it away.

[0044] Since the left and right louvers 29 (see Figure 3) are installed downstream of the cleaning mechanism 50 in the air flow, it is difficult to reach 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.

[0045] [Storage position of the moving object] 3 and 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 referred to as the storage position. The storage position of the moving body 60 is set at the end 36a of the air flow duct 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 sending 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.

[0046] Hereinafter, the side where movable body 60 is stored will be 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 also be end 36b (see FIG. 3) on the opposite side (left side) of the storage side.

[0047] [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.

[0048] [Platform storage location] The case 30 has a board storage section 37 that stores an indoor control section 100a that is made up of a control board that can control the cleaning motor 52. The board storage section 37 is formed on the storage side (right side) of the fan storage section 33.

[0049] [Motor case] See Figure 8A. The cleaning motor 52 (see Figure 4), gear unit 53, and 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 57a that covers the top of the cleaning motor 52 and a side wall 57b that extends from the left edge of the upper wall 57a toward the guide surface 40 and covers the left side of the cleaning motor 52. The right edge of the upper wall 57a is in contact with the side surface 34 on the storage side of the fan housing section 33. It can also be said that the side surface 34 covers the right side of the cleaning motor 52.

[0050] [Storage method for moving objects] A slide 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). Slide portion 58 can guide brush 76 so that brush 76, which is in contact with cross-flow fan 21, swings until it separates from cross-flow fan 21. In other words, cleaning motor 52 and slide 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.

[0051] For example, sliding portion 58 extends linearly at an angle to the direction of axis C of cross-flow fan 21, but it may also extend in a curved line. Note that sliding portion 58 may be part of a member that is supported by fan housing portion 33 and is separate from motor case 57.

[0052] Brush position in stowed position 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). In other words, the brush 76 is completely reclined.

[0053] [Control Unit] Please refer to Figure 9. Reference numeral 100 denotes a control unit that controls the drive of each actuator installed in the air conditioner 10. The control unit 100 is made up 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 also 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.

[0054] The indoor control unit 100a has a dust state estimation means 100a1 that estimates the state of dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21. The dust state estimation means 100a1 determines whether a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21 based on the operating state of the air conditioner 10 and whether a cleaning operation has been performed between the completion of the previous cleaning operation and the start of the current cleaning operation.

[0055] [Operation details and problems during cleaning operation] Next, the operation of the moving body 60 and cross-flow fan 21 during cleaning operation and problems that may arise will be described.

[0056] When the indoor control unit 100a determines that it has received a signal to stop normal operation from the remote control 110, with the automatic execution of cleaning operation set to occur after normal operation has ended, or that it has received a command signal for cleaning operation by operating a switch on the remote control 110, it stops normal operation and then drives the cleaning motor 52, drives the internal fan motor 25 at a predetermined rotation speed, and moves the moving body 60 from the motor case 57 on the end 36a side toward the end 36b, thereby removing dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21.

[0057] Thereafter, when the indoor control unit 100a determines from the number of steps of the cleaning motor 52 that the moving body 60 has moved to the end 36b, it drives the cleaning motor 52 in reverse and stops driving the internal fan motor 25. This allows the sheet 84 to wipe away the dust removed by the brush 76 from the cross-flow fan 21, keeping the guide surface 40 clean.

[0058] Thereafter, when the indoor control unit 100a determines that the movable body 60 has pressed the microswitch 38, switching it to the ON state and storing the movable body 60 in the motor case 57, it stops driving the cleaning motor 52 and ends the cleaning operation. This allows dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 to be removed.

[0059] If the setting for automatically running a cleaning operation after normal operation has stopped is canceled by the user using remote control 110, or if the user does not issue a command to run a cleaning operation using the remote control for a long period of time, a state occurs in which a cleaning operation has not been performed for a long period of time since the last cleaning operation. If a cleaning operation is performed after a long period of time without a cleaning operation, problems may arise. That is, if a cleaning operation has not been performed for a long period of time, a large amount of dust is likely to have adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21. Therefore, simply moving movable body 60 back and forth across guide surface 40 once may not be enough to sufficiently remove the dust adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, which may result in a decrease in the cleanliness of the product.

[0060] In the present invention, if it is determined that a cleaning operation has not been performed for a long period of time during the cleaning operation, a thorough mode different from the normal cleaning operation is set, thereby increasing the likelihood of completely removing dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 and preventing a decrease in the cleanliness of the product. Details are explained below.

[0061] [Control during cleaning operation in Example 1] Next, the control during the cleaning operation in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0062] The indoor control unit 100a determines whether a setting to automatically perform cleaning operation when normal operation is stopped is enabled, or whether a command to start cleaning operation has been issued by the user operating a switch on the remote control 110 to instruct the start of cleaning operation while normal operation is stopped (step S101).If it determines that a command to start cleaning operation has been issued, it determines whether the time that has elapsed since the previous cleaning operation was completed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value t (step S102). If the indoor side control section 100a determines in step S101 that the instruction to start the cleaning operation has not been issued, it continues counting the elapsed time during which the cleaning operation is not being performed (step S103), and ends the control.

[0063] In step S102, if the indoor control unit 100a determines that the time that has elapsed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value t, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 due to the long period of time in which no cleaning operation has been performed, sets the thorough mode, and causes the indoor control unit 100a to drive the cleaning motor 52 at a speed S1 that is slower than the speed S2 in normal mode (step S104).

[0064] If the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S102 that the time that has passed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is less than the predetermined value t, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that the time that has passed since the previous cleaning operation was performed is short and that not a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, sets the standard mode, and causes the indoor control unit 100a to drive the cleaning motor 52 at the speed S2 for normal mode (step S105).

[0065] After the thorough mode has been set in step S104 and the cleaning motor 52 has been driven at speed S1, or the normal mode has been set in step S105 and the cleaning motor 52 has been driven at speed S2, the indoor side control unit 100a determines whether the cleaning operation has been completed by the movable body 60 reciprocating left and right on the guide surface 40 and the microswitch 38 switching to the ON state (step S106).If it is determined that the cleaning operation has been completed, it stops driving the cleaning motor 52 and starts counting the elapsed time during which no cleaning operation has been performed (step S107).If it is determined in step S106 that the cleaning operation has not been completed, the indoor side control unit 100a repeats the determination in step S106.

[0066] As described above, when a command to start a cleaning operation is given, if the time elapsed since the previous cleaning operation is equal to or greater than predetermined value t, it is assumed that a cleaning operation has not been performed for a long time and that a large amount of dust has adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, and the thorough mode is set; if the time elapsed since the previous cleaning operation is less than predetermined value t, it is assumed that the time elapsed since the previous cleaning operation is short and that not a large amount of dust has adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, and the normal mode is set. Whether a large amount of dust has adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 can be determined simply by checking the time elapsed since the previous cleaning operation was completed.

[0067] Furthermore, when the thorough mode is set during cleaning operation, cleaning motor 52 is driven at a speed S1 slower than in normal mode, causing movable body 60 to move more slowly across guide surface 40 than in normal mode, which results in sheet 84 and brush 76 being in contact with guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 for a longer period of time than in normal mode, thereby increasing the dust removal power of guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 compared to normal mode. In other words, if it is estimated that cleaning operation has not been performed for a long period of time when cleaning operation is being performed, executing the thorough mode increases the likelihood of removing a large amount of dust adhering to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, thereby improving the cleanliness of guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 during cleaning operation.

[0068] In step S107, the elapsed time during which no cleaning operation is being performed is counted. Preferably, the elapsed time counted here is the time during which normal operation is performed without performing a cleaning operation. During normal operation, air from the room in which indoor unit 20 is installed enters case 30, and dust contained in the air adheres to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21. If normal operation is performed over a long period of time without performing a cleaning operation, there is a high possibility that a large amount of dust will adhere to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21. By counting the elapsed time during which normal operation is performed without performing a cleaning operation, and if the elapsed time counted at the time of starting the cleaning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value t, the thorough mode is executed. This increases the likelihood that a large amount of dust adhering to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 will be removed, thereby improving the cleanliness of guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 through the cleaning operation.

[0069] [Effects of Example 1] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described.

[0070] The cleaning device has a dust state estimation means 100a1 that estimates the state of dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21 from the time the cleaning operation is completed until a start command is issued, and the cleaning operation has a standard mode and a thorough mode that has a stronger dust removal power than the standard mode.When a command to start the cleaning operation is issued, if the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that there is not a large amount of dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, the indoor side control unit 100a implements the standard mode, and if the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that there is a large amount of dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, the indoor side control unit 100a implements the thorough mode. If it is estimated that a large amount of dust is attached to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, cleaning operation can be performed in thorough mode, which has a stronger dust removal power than standard mode, thereby increasing the likelihood that the cleaning mechanism 50 will be able to remove all of the dust attached to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, thereby improving the cleanliness of the product.

[0071] Furthermore, if the time counted from the completion of a cleaning operation until the issuance of a start command is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that a large amount of dust has adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21. If the time between the previous cleaning operation and the current cleaning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and it is expected that a long period of time will pass without a cleaning operation, it can be estimated that a large amount of dust has adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21. Therefore, the dust adhesion state on guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 can be estimated by simple means, and an appropriate cleaning operation can be performed according to the amount of dust adhesion on guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21.

[0072] Furthermore, in the thorough mode, the indoor control unit 100a controls the cleaning operation so that the cleaning time is longer than in the standard mode. During the cleaning operation, the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 are cleaned for a longer period of time than in the standard mode, which increases the likelihood that all dust will be removed even if a large amount of dust is attached to the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21.

[0073] The fan is a cross-flow fan 21, and the case 30 has a guide surface 40 formed along the axis C of the cross-flow fan 21. The drive means includes a cleaning motor 52 and a drive force transmission unit 54 connected to the cleaning motor 52 and transmitting the drive force of the cleaning motor 52 to the moving body 60. The drive force transmission unit 54 extends approximately parallel to the axis C of the cross-flow fan 21. In cleaning operation, the moving body 60 moves between end 36a, which is one end of the guide surface 40, and end 36b, which is the other end. In thorough mode, the speed of the cleaning motor 52 is controlled by the indoor control unit 100a to be slower than in standard mode. The speed of the cleaning motor 52, which is the drive means for the moving body 60 that moves left and right relative to the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 that are long in the left and right direction, is controlled to be slower in the thorough mode than in the standard mode.This means that the time that the moving body 60 is in contact with the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 during cleaning operation is longer than in the standard mode, thereby improving the ability to remove dust that has adhered to the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21.Even if a large amount of dust is adhered to the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, it is more likely that the dust can be removed without leaving any residue, thereby improving the cleanliness of the product.

[0074] [Control during cleaning operation in Example 2] Next, control during cleaning operation in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 11. Note that the configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0075] The indoor control unit 100a determines whether a setting to automatically perform cleaning operation when normal operation is stopped is enabled, or whether a command to start cleaning operation has been issued because the user operated a switch on the remote control 110 to instruct the start of cleaning operation while normal operation is stopped (step S201).If it determines that a command to start cleaning operation has been issued, it determines whether the number of times normal operation has stopped without cleaning operation being performed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value c (step S202). If the indoor control unit 100a determines in step S201 that no instruction to start cleaning operation has been issued when normal operation is stopped, it does not perform cleaning operation; if it determines that the setting is such that cleaning operation is to be automatically performed after normal operation is stopped, it adds to the count of the number of stops; and if an instruction to perform cleaning operation is issued by the remote control 110 while normal operation is stopped, it does not add to the count of the number of stops, but checks the current count value (step S203), and terminates control.

[0076] In step S202, if the indoor side control unit 100a determines that the number of times normal operation has stopped without cleaning operation being performed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value c, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 due to the long period of time in which cleaning operation has not been performed, sets the thorough mode, and causes the indoor side control unit 100a to drive the cleaning motor 52 at a speed S1 slower than the speed S2 in normal mode (step S204).

[0077] In step S202, if the indoor side control unit 100a determines that the number of times normal operation has stopped without a cleaning operation being performed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is less than the predetermined value c, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that the time that has passed since the previous cleaning operation was performed is short and that not a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, sets the standard mode, and causes the indoor side control unit 100a to drive the cleaning motor 52 at the speed S2 for normal mode (step S205).

[0078] After the thorough mode was selected in step S204 and the cleaning motor 52 was driven at speed S1, or the normal mode was selected in step S105 and the cleaning motor 52 was driven at speed S2, the indoor control unit 100a determines whether the cleaning operation is complete when the movable body 60 moves back and forth across the guide surface 40 and the microswitch 38 is switched to the ON state (step S206). If it is determined that the cleaning operation is complete, it stops the driving of the cleaning motor 52 and erases the count value of the number of times normal operation has stopped while the cleaning operation was not being performed (step S207). If it is determined that the cleaning operation is not complete in step S206, the indoor control unit 100a repeats the determination in step S206.

[0079] As described above, when a command to start a cleaning operation is issued, if the number of normal operation stoppages without a cleaning operation since the previous cleaning operation is equal to or exceeds predetermined value c, it is assumed that a cleaning operation has not been performed for a long time and that a large amount of dust has adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, and the thorough mode is set. If the number of normal operation stoppages without a cleaning operation since the previous cleaning operation is less than predetermined value c, it is assumed that a short time has passed since the previous cleaning operation and that not a large amount of dust has adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, and the normal mode is set. Whether a large amount of dust has adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 can be determined simply by checking the number of normal operation stoppages without a cleaning operation since the previous cleaning operation.

[0080] [Effects of Example 2] Next, the effects of the second embodiment will be described. Note that the description of the effects common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0081] If the number of times normal operation has been stopped without a cleaning operation being performed, counted from the time a cleaning operation was completed, is equal to or exceeds a predetermined value, dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that a large amount of dust has adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21. If the number of times normal operation has been stopped without a cleaning operation being performed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is equal to or exceeds a predetermined value and it is expected that a cleaning operation has not been performed for a long period of time, it can be estimated that a large amount of dust has adhered to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21. Therefore, the dust adhesion state on guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 can be estimated by simple means, and an appropriate cleaning operation can be performed according to the amount of dust adhesion on guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21.

[0082] [Control during cleaning operation in Example 3] Next, control during cleaning operation in the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 12. Note that the configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0083] Steps S301 to S303 have common control contents corresponding to steps S101 to S103, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In step S302, if the indoor control unit 100a determines that the time that has elapsed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value t, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that a cleaning operation has not been performed for a long period of time and that a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, sets the thorough mode, and the indoor control unit 100a sets the number of times N that the moving body 60 travels back and forth between the end 36a and the end 36b to N1, which is greater than the number of times N2 in normal mode (step S304).

[0084] In step S302, if the indoor control unit 100a determines that the time that has elapsed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is less than a predetermined value t, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that not a long time has passed since the previous cleaning operation was performed and that not a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, sets the standard mode, and the indoor control unit 100a sets the number of times N that the moving body 60 moves back and forth between the end 36a and the end 36b to the number of times N2 that it moves back and forth in the normal mode (step S305).

[0085] Once the thorough mode has been set in step S304 and the number of reciprocation times of the moving body 60 has been set to N1, or once the normal mode has been set in step S305 and the number of reciprocation times of the moving body 60 has been set to N2, the process proceeds to step S306. Steps S306 and S307 have common control content corresponding to steps S106 and S107, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] As described above, when the thorough mode is selected during cleaning operation, the number of times N that movable body 60 travels back and forth between ends 36a and 36b of guide surface 40 is set to N1, which is greater than the number of times N2 in normal mode. This means that sheet 84 and brush 76 are in contact with guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 for a longer period of time than in normal mode, resulting in a greater ability to remove dust from guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 than in normal mode. In other words, if it is estimated that cleaning operation has not been performed for a long period of time, executing the thorough mode increases the likelihood of removing a large amount of dust adhering to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, thereby improving the cleanliness of guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21.

[0087] [Effects of Example 3] Next, the effects of the third embodiment will be described. Note that the description of the effects common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0088] In the thorough mode, the indoor control unit 100a controls the number of movements of the moving body 60 to be increased compared to the standard mode. The number of reciprocating movements of the moving body 60 that moves left and right on the guide surface 40 is controlled to be greater in the thorough mode than in the standard mode, so the time that the moving body 60 is in contact with the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21 during cleaning operation is longer compared to the standard mode. This improves the ability to remove dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, and increases the likelihood that even when a large amount of dust is adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, the dust can be removed without leaving any residue, improving the cleanliness of the product.

[0089] [Control during cleaning operation in Example 4] Next, control during cleaning operation in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 13. Note that the configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0090] Steps S401 to S403 have common control contents corresponding to steps S201 to S203, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In step S402, if the indoor control unit 100a determines that the number of times normal operation has stopped without cleaning operation being performed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is less than the predetermined value c, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21 due to the long period of time in which cleaning operation has not been performed, sets the thorough mode, and the indoor control unit 100a sets the number of times N that the moving body 60 travels back and forth between the end 36a and the end 36b to N1, which is greater than the number of times N2 in normal mode (step S404).

[0091] In step S402, if the indoor control unit 100a determines that the number of times normal operation has stopped without a cleaning operation being performed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is less than the predetermined value c, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that not a long time has passed since the previous cleaning operation was performed and that not a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, sets the standard mode, and the indoor control unit 100a sets the number of times N that the moving body 60 moves back and forth between the end 36a and the end 36b to the number of times N2 in normal mode (step S405).

[0092] Once the thorough mode has been set in step S404 and the number of reciprocation times of the moving body 60 has been set to N1, or once the normal mode has been set in step S405 and the number of reciprocation times of the moving body 60 has been set to N2, the process proceeds to step S406. Steps S406 and S407 have common control content corresponding to steps S206 and S207, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0093] As described above, when the thorough mode is selected during cleaning operation, the number of times N that movable body 60 travels back and forth between end 36a and end 36b of guide surface 40 is set to N1, which is greater than the number of times N2 in normal mode. This means that sheet 84 and brush 76 are in contact with guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 for a longer period of time than in normal mode, and therefore the dust removal power for guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 is greater than in normal mode. In other words, if it is estimated that cleaning operation has not been performed for a long period of time, executing the thorough mode increases the likelihood of removing a large amount of dust adhering to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, thereby improving the cleanliness of guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 during cleaning operation.

[0094] [Effects of Example 4] Next, the effects of the fourth embodiment will be described. Note that the description of the effects common to the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0095] In the thorough mode, the indoor control unit 100a controls the number of movements of the moving body 60 to be increased compared to the standard mode. The number of reciprocating movements of the moving body 60 moving left and right on the guide surface 40 is controlled to be greater in the thorough mode than in the standard mode, so the time that the moving body 60 is in contact with the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21 during cleaning operation is longer compared to the standard mode. This improves the ability to remove dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, and therefore increases the likelihood that even when a large amount of dust is adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, the dust can be removed without leaving any residue, improving the cleanliness of the product.

[0096] [Control during cleaning operation in Example 5] Next, control during cleaning operation in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 14. Note that the configuration of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0097] Steps S501 to S503 have common control contents corresponding to steps S101 to S103, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. If, in step S502, the indoor side control unit 100a determines that the time that has elapsed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value t, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that a large amount of dust has adhered to the cross-flow fan 21 due to the long period of time in which cleaning operation has not been performed, and sets the thorough mode.The indoor side control unit 100a drives the cross-flow fan 21 at a rotation speed R1 that is higher than the rotation speed R2 in normal mode, and drives the cleaning motor 52 at a speed S1 that is slower than the speed S2 in normal mode (step S504).

[0098] If, in step S502, the indoor side control unit 100a determines that the time that has elapsed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is less than the predetermined value t, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that not a long time has passed since the previous cleaning operation was performed and that not a large amount of dust has adhered to the cross-flow fan 21, and sets the standard mode.The indoor side control unit 100a drives the cross-flow fan 21 at the rotation speed R2 for the normal mode and drives the cleaning motor 52 at the speed S2 for the normal mode (step S505).

[0099] Once the thorough mode has been set in step S504, with the rotation speed of cross-flow fan 21 set to R1 and the speed of cleaning motor 52 set to S1, or once the normal mode has been set in step S505, with the rotation speed of cross-flow fan 21 set to R2 and the speed of cleaning motor 52 set to S2, the process proceeds to step S506. Steps S506 and S507 have common control content corresponding to steps S106 and S107, and therefore will not be described here.

[0100] As described above, when the thorough mode is selected during cleaning operation, the rotation speed of cross-flow fan 21 is set to R1, which is higher than rotation speed R2 in the normal mode. This increases the dust removal power of cross-flow fan 21 when it comes into contact with brush 76 compared to normal mode, increasing the likelihood of completely removing dust adhering to cross-flow fan 21. Furthermore, because cleaning motor 52 is driven at speed S1, which is slower than speed S2 in normal mode, sheet 84 and brush 76 are in contact with guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 for a longer period of time compared to normal mode, thereby increasing the dust removal power of guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 compared to normal mode. In other words, if it is estimated that a cleaning operation has not been performed for a long period of time, executing the thorough mode increases the likelihood of removing a large amount of dust adhering to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, thereby improving the cleanliness of guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 during cleaning operation.

[0101] In the fifth embodiment, when the thorough mode is selected during cleaning operation, the speed of the cleaning motor 52 is set to speed S1, which is slower than speed S2 in standard mode, so that the cleaning operation time in the thorough mode is longer than in standard mode. However, this is not limited to this. For example, as described in the third embodiment, the number of reciprocation movements N1 of the movable body 60 in the thorough mode may be controlled to be greater than the number of reciprocation movements N2 in the standard mode, so that the cleaning operation time in the thorough mode is longer than in standard mode. In other words, it is only necessary to be able to control the cleaning operation time in the thorough mode to be longer than in the standard mode.

[0102] [Control during cleaning operation in Example 6] Next, control during cleaning operation in the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 15. The configuration of the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0103] Steps S601 to S603 have common control contents corresponding to steps S201 to S203, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In step S602, if the indoor side control unit 100a determines that the number of times normal operation has stopped without cleaning operation being performed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value c, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21 due to the long period of time in which cleaning operation has not been performed, and sets the thorough mode.The indoor side control unit 100a drives the cross-flow fan 21 at a rotation speed R1 that is higher than the rotation speed R2 in normal mode, and drives the cleaning motor 52 at a speed S1 that is slower than the speed S2 in normal mode (step S604).

[0104] In step S602, if the indoor side control unit 100a determines that the number of times normal operation has stopped without a cleaning operation being performed since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is less than the predetermined value c, the dust state estimation means 100a1 estimates that not much time has passed since the previous cleaning operation was performed and that not a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21, and sets the standard mode. The indoor side control unit 100a drives the cross-flow fan 21 at the rotation speed R2 for normal mode and drives the cleaning motor 52 at the speed S2 for normal mode (step S605).

[0105] Once the thorough mode has been set in step S504, with the rotation speed of cross-flow fan 21 set to R1 and the speed of cleaning motor 52 set to S1, or once the normal mode has been set in step S505, with the rotation speed of cross-flow fan 21 set to R2 and the speed of cleaning motor 52 set to S2, the process proceeds to step S506. Steps S506 and S507 have common control content corresponding to steps S106 and S107, and therefore will not be described here.

[0106] As described above, when the thorough mode is selected during cleaning operation, the rotation speed of cross-flow fan 21 is set to R1, which is higher than rotation speed R2 in the normal mode. This increases the dust removal power of cross-flow fan 21 when it comes into contact with brush 76 compared to normal mode, thereby increasing the likelihood of completely removing dust adhering to cross-flow fan 21. Furthermore, because cleaning motor 52 is driven at speed S1, which is slower than speed S2 in normal mode, sheet 84 and brush 76 are in contact with guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 for a longer period of time compared to normal mode, thereby increasing the dust removal power of guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 compared to normal mode. In other words, if it is estimated that cleaning operation has not been performed for a long period of time, executing the thorough mode increases the likelihood of removing a large amount of dust adhering to guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, thereby improving the cleanliness of guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 during cleaning operation.

[0107] In the sixth embodiment, when the thorough mode is selected during cleaning operation, the speed of the cleaning motor 52 is set to speed S1, which is slower than speed S2 in standard mode, so that the cleaning operation time in the thorough mode is longer than in standard mode. However, this is not limited to this. For example, as described in the fourth embodiment, the number of reciprocation movements N1 of the movable body 60 in the thorough mode may be controlled to be greater than the number of reciprocation movements N2 in the standard mode, so that the cleaning operation time in the thorough mode is longer than in standard mode. In other words, it is only necessary to be able to control the cleaning operation time in the thorough mode to be longer than in standard mode.

[0108] [Effects of Examples 5 and 6] Next, the effects of Examples 5 and 6 will be described. Note that the description of the effects common to Examples 1 and 2 will be omitted.

[0109] In thorough mode, the indoor control unit 100a controls the rotation speed of the cross-flow fan 21 so that it is higher than in standard mode. When thorough mode is implemented, the brush 76 comes into contact with the cross-flow fan 21, which rotates at a higher speed than in standard mode. The outer edge of the cross-flow fan 21 comes into stronger contact with the brush 76 than in normal mode, thereby increasing the dust removal power. Even if it is estimated that cleaning operation has not been performed for a long period of time, there is a higher chance that dust adhering to the cross-flow fan 21 can be removed, improving the cleanliness of the product.

[0110] [Other Examples] 16A and 16B show an air conditioner 10A according to Example 2. The same components as those in the air conditioner 10 of Example 1 are given the same reference numerals as in Example 1, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0111] In the second embodiment, a worm 59 is employed that is housed in a transmission unit housing 41A and can be driven by a gear unit 53 (see FIG. 4), instead of the driving force transmission unit 54 (toothed rope 56, drive pulley 55) (see FIG. 4) of the first embodiment. A driven unit 61A of a moving body 60A includes a rack gear 65 that meshes with the worm 59.

[0112] When cleaning motor 52 (see FIG. 6) is activated, worm 59 (driving force transmission part) that is provided across the width of case 30 rotates. Because driven part 61A has rack gear 65 that meshes with worm 59, rotation of worm 59 moves moving body 60A in the left-right direction.

[0113] 16A, the rack gear 65 of the moving body 60 is positioned above the worm 59 and is in mesh with the worm 59.

[0114] 17A and 17B, 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 wider than the width of the driven section 61 of the moving body 60.

[0115] 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 housing 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 housing 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 unit 54).

[0116] Returning to FIG. 6B , the air conditioner 10 of the first embodiment also allows the movable body 60, which is in the stored position relative to the toothed rope 56 (driving force transmission unit), to be attached and detached. When the wiping unit 80 is removed from the support unit 70, the head of the screw 91 is exposed from within the frame of the support unit 70. The head of the screw 91 faces forward. That is, the shaft of the screw 91 (not shown) extends in the front-to-rear direction (the depth direction of the case 30). The driven unit 61 and both ends 56 a, 56 a of the toothed rope 56 are overlapped with each other in the front-to-rear direction and fixed by the screw 91. When the screw 91 is removed, the fixation between the both ends 56 a, 56 a of the toothed rope 56 and the movable body 60 is released. Thereafter, the movable body 60 can be removed from the toothed rope 56 by moving the movable body 60 forward.

[0117] Referring to Figure 5, downstream end 84a of sheet 84 is located vertically below the point where bristles 77 of brush 76 contact outer edge 24 of cross-flow fan 21. Therefore, downstream end 84a of sheet 84 can reliably wipe away dust adhering to cross-flow fan 21.

[0118] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the examples provided that the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved.

[0119] For example, although the switching means for switching between a state in which brush 76 is in contact with cross-flow fan 21 and a state in which it is not in contact with cross-flow fan 21 has been described as being composed of cleaning motor 52 and slide portion 58, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, any means may be used as long as it can switch brush 76 to a state in which brush 76 is in contact with cross-flow fan 21 during normal operation and a state in which brush 76 is in contact with cross-flow fan 21 during cleaning operation.

[0120] In the above-described embodiments, the switching between the thorough mode and the standard mode is determined based on whether the elapsed time since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or whether the number of normal operation stops without a cleaning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. However, this is not limited to this. For example, when a command to start a cleaning operation is issued, the system may check both the elapsed time since the completion of the previous cleaning operation and the number of normal operation stops without a cleaning operation, and then select either the thorough mode or the standard mode. If the elapsed time since the completion of the previous cleaning operation is less than the predetermined value but the number of normal operation stops without a cleaning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the dust condition estimation unit 100a1 may estimate that the normal operation has been performed frequently in a short period of time, resulting in a relatively high airflow rate and a large amount of dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21. By setting the cleaning operation to the thorough mode, the likelihood of successfully removing dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21 is increased, improving the cleanliness of the product.

[0121] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, when the thorough mode is selected, either the speed of the cleaning motor 52 is slower than when the standard mode is selected, or the number of reciprocations of the movable body 60 is increased compared to when the standard mode is selected. However, this is not limited to this. When the thorough mode is selected, the speed of the cleaning motor 52 may be slower than when the standard mode is selected, and the number of reciprocations of the movable body 60 may be increased compared to when the standard mode is selected. That is, when the thorough mode is selected, it is sufficient that the cleaning operation time is longer than in the standard mode. By slowing the speed of the cleaning motor 52 compared to when the standard mode is selected and increasing the number of reciprocations of the movable body 60 compared to when the standard mode is selected, the cleaning operation is performed for a longer period of time than in the standard mode. Therefore, when a cleaning operation is performed after a long period of inactivity, it is possible to increase the likelihood that dust adhering to the guide surface 40 and the cross-flow fan 21 will be completely removed, thereby improving the cleanliness of the product.

[0122] In the above-described embodiments, when a cleaning operation start command is issued, the thorough mode or normal mode is selected based on the elapsed time since the completion of the previous cleaning operation or the count value of the number of times normal operation was stopped without a cleaning operation being performed. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the thorough mode may be performed when switching between normal cooling and heating operations. That is, when a normal operation that differs from the previous normal operation is performed, such as when the normal operation performed after the cooling operation is stopped is heating, or when normal operation has not been performed for a long period of time during the transition from summer to winter, the dust condition estimation means 100a1 may estimate that a large amount of dust has adhered to the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21, and perform a cleaning operation in the thorough mode. By performing the thorough mode when it is determined that the normal operation is different from the previous operation at the time of the season change, the likelihood of removing the large amount of dust estimated to be adhered to the guide surface 40 and cross-flow fan 21 is increased, improving the cleanliness of the product. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 10...Air conditioner 21...cross-flow fan 25...Internal fan motor 30…cases 31...Air intake 32...Air outlet 40...Guide surface 50...Cleaning mechanism 51...Drive unit 52...Cleaning motor 60...Mobile 76...Brush 84…seat 100...Control unit 100a1...Dust state estimation means 110...Remote control

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 rotatably supported in the case and blows air by rotating; a normal operation in which the fan is driven to send air into a room in which the case is installed; a guide surface that guides the air blown by the fan toward the air outlet; a cleaning mechanism including a moving body that moves along the guide surface, a driving means that moves the moving body, and a cleaning means that is installed on the moving body and is capable of performing a cleaning operation to remove dust adhering to the guide surface and the fan; an instruction means for issuing an instruction to start the cleaning operation; a control unit that, when it is determined that the instruction means has issued the instruction to start the cleaning operation, drives the driving means to move the movable body along the guide surface, a dust state estimation means for estimating a state of dust adhering to the guide surface and the fan from the time when the cleaning operation is completed until the start instruction is issued, The cleaning operation is provided with a standard mode and a thorough mode that has a stronger dust removal power than the standard mode, When the instruction means issues the instruction to start the cleaning operation, When the dust state estimation means estimates that there is no large amount of dust attached to the guide surface and the fan, the control unit executes the standard mode, When the dust state estimation means estimates that a large amount of dust is attached to the guide surface and the fan, the control unit executes a pre-commemorative mode.

2. 2. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the dust state estimation means estimates that a large amount of dust is attached to the guide surface and the fan if the time counted from the time the cleaning operation is completed to the time the start instruction is issued is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

3. 2. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the dust state estimation means estimates that a large amount of dust is attached to the guide surface and the fan if the number of times the normal operation has been stopped without the cleaning operation being performed, counted from the time the cleaning operation is completed, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

4. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the thorough mode so that the cleaning operation is performed for a longer period of time than in the standard mode.

5. the fan is a cross-flow fan, the guide surface is formed on the case along an axis of the cross-flow fan, the driving means includes a cleaning motor and a driving force transmission unit connected to the cleaning motor and transmitting the driving force of the cleaning motor to the moving body, the drive force transmission portion extends substantially parallel to an axis of the cross-flow fan, In the cleaning operation, the movable body moves between one end side and the other end side of the guide surface, The air conditioning device according to claim 4, characterized in that the thorough mode is controlled by the control unit to slow down the speed of the cleaning motor compared to the standard mode and / or increase the number of movements of the moving body compared to the standard mode.

6. 5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the rotation speed of the fan in the thorough mode to be higher than that in the standard mode.

Images