Air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner capable of improving operability when using a blower unit in a separated state while using the air conditioner in an integrated state.SOLUTION: In the air conditioner 1 including the air conditioning unit 2 and the air blowing unit 3, the air conditioning unit 2 includes the air conditioning-side controller 70 that controls the operation in conjunction with the air blowing unit 3 and the transmitter 82 that transmits the control signal, and the air blowing unit 3 includes the receiver 182 that receives the control signal, the air blowing-side determination unit 202 that determines whether the air conditioning unit 2 is in the integrated state or the separated state, and the air blowing-side controller 170 that controls the air blowing unit 3 based on the received control signal and the determination result by the air blowing-side determination unit 202. The air-sending side controller 170 has a first operation mode and a second operation mode, operates in the first operation mode when the determination result by the air-sending side determination means 202 is the integrated state, and operates in the second operation mode when the determination result is the separated state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a detachable blower unit. More specifically, the present invention relates to an air conditioner equipped with a blower unit that operates in conjunction with an air conditioning unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner provided with a blower unit that can be attached to and detached from the air conditioning unit. This conventional system allows the air conditioning unit and the blower unit to be integrated and operated in conjunction with each other, and further allows the air conditioning unit and the blower unit to be separated and the blower unit to be operated independently.

[0003] When the air conditioning unit and the blower unit are separated and the blower unit is operated, it can be operated using an operating unit provided on the blower unit side, and when the air conditioning unit and the blower unit are integrated, control is simplified by sending a control signal that disables the operating unit on the blower unit side, and the air conditioning unit and the blower unit can be controlled collectively using the control unit on the air conditioning unit side. Furthermore, since the control signal is a wireless infrared signal, when the air conditioning unit and the blower unit are used separately, it is more user-friendly than when signals are sent and received via wires. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-88296 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to shorten the time required to dry clothes, a user may purchase additional air blowing units and use a plurality of air blowing units.

[0006] However, with this conventional technology, when the air conditioning unit and blower unit are integrated, the air conditioning unit sends an infrared control signal that disables the operation section on the blower unit. Therefore, even though the second blower unit purchased is not integrated with the air conditioning unit, it receives the integrated state control signal sent from the air conditioning unit and accordingly disables the operation section of the blower unit, making it less user-friendly and leaving room for improvement.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and has an object to provide an air conditioner that can improve operability when multiple blower units are used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention has been made to achieve the above-mentioned object, and claim 1 provides an air conditioner comprising an air conditioning unit and a blower unit that operates in conjunction with the air conditioning unit, wherein the air conditioning unit has an air conditioning side control unit that controls the linked operation of the air conditioning unit and the blower unit, and a transmitting unit that transmits control signals to control the linked operation of the air conditioning unit and the blower unit, the blower unit has a receiving unit that receives the control signal transmitted from the transmitting unit, an air blower side determination means that determines whether the air conditioning unit and the blower unit are in an integrated or separate state, and an air blower side control unit that controls the blower unit based on the received control signal and the determination result by the air blower side determination means, wherein the air blower side control unit has a first operating mode and a second operating mode different from the first operating mode, and when the determination result by the air blower side determination means is the integrated state, it operates in the first operating mode, and when the determination result by the air blower side determination means is the separated state, it operates in the second operating mode.

[0009] In claim 2, the air conditioning unit has an air conditioning side determination means for determining whether the air conditioning unit and the blower unit are in the integrated state or the separated state, the transmission unit transmits the control signal including the determination result of the air conditioning side determination means, and the blower side control unit operates in the first operating mode when the determination result of the air conditioning side determination means is the integrated state and the determination result of the blower side determination means is the integrated state, operates in the second operating mode when the determination result of the air conditioning side determination means is the separated state and the determination result of the blower side determination means is the separated state, and operates in the second operating mode when the determination result of the air conditioning side determination means is the integrated state and the determination result of the blower side determination means is the separated state.

[0010] In claim 3, the blowing side control unit has a third operating mode different from the first operating mode and the second operating mode, and when the judgment result by the air conditioning side judgment means is the integrated state and when the judgment result by the blowing side judgment means is the separated state, it is characterized in that it operates in the third operating mode.

[0011] In claim 4, the air conditioning unit has an air conditioning side interlocking switch that can select whether the blower unit operates in conjunction with the air conditioning unit or not, and the air conditioning side control unit operates the blower unit in conjunction with the air conditioning unit when the air conditioning side interlocking switch is on, and releases the interlock between the blower unit and the air conditioning unit when the air conditioning side interlocking switch is off.

[0012] In claim 5, the blower unit has a blower side interlocking switch that can select whether to operate the blower unit in conjunction with the air conditioning unit or not, and the blower side control unit operates the blower unit in conjunction with the air conditioning unit when the blower side interlocking switch is on, and releases the interlock between the blower unit and the air conditioning unit when the blower side interlocking switch is off.

[0013] Claim 6 is characterized in that the air conditioning unit has a magnet on the surface that comes into contact with the blower unit when the air conditioning unit and the blower unit are in the integrated state, and the blower side determination means is a reed switch provided in the blower unit that performs switching operation when the magnet comes into contact with or separates from the air conditioning unit.

[0014] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the air-blowing-side determining means is an operation switch provided on the air-blowing unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner that can improve operability when using a plurality of blower units. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the dehumidifier according to the first embodiment in an integrated state; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment when viewed from the rear. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the dehumidifier with a circulator in the same embodiment when assembled. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the dehumidifier with a circulator according to the embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the dehumidifier with a circulator according to the embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic functional block diagram for particularly explaining each power supply unit among the functional blocks of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the circulator in the embodiment when separated, as viewed from the front. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the circulator in the embodiment when separated, as seen from the rear. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing an example of a usage state of the dehumidifier during separation in the embodiment. [Figure 10]6 is a flowchart illustrating a dehumidification unit-side process executed by a dehumidification unit-side control unit of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment; [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a circulator-side process executed by a dehumidification unit-side control unit of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a dehumidifier with a circulator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 6 is a flowchart illustrating a dehumidification unit-side process executed by a dehumidification unit-side control unit of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment; [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a circulator-side process executed by a dehumidification unit-side control unit of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a dehumidifier with a circulator according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] 6 is a flowchart illustrating a dehumidification unit-side process executed by a dehumidification unit-side control unit of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment; [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a circulator-side process executed by a dehumidification unit-side control unit of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a dehumidifier with a circulator according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] 6 is a flowchart illustrating a dehumidification unit-side process executed by a dehumidification unit-side control unit of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment; [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a circulator-side process executed by a dehumidification unit-side control unit of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0018] In this embodiment, the air conditioner of the present invention will be described as being applied to a dehumidifier with a circulator that uses a vapor compression refrigeration cycle to condense moisture contained in the air to dehumidify it and blow air.

[0019] In the following description, the definitions of front, back, top, bottom, left and right shown in each drawing will be followed. The surface facing forward where the dehumidifying unit side operation panel 74 is provided may be referred to as the front surface, and the surface opposite the front facing rear may be referred to as the back surface. The direction along the front-rear and left-right directions is referred to as the horizontal direction. The definitions of front, back, top, bottom, left and right of the circulator 3 may differ when the circulator 3 is attached to the dehumidifying unit 2 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "integrated") and when it is separated from the dehumidifying unit 2 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "separated").When integrated, the definitions may follow those of Figures 1 to 4, and when separated, the definitions may follow those of Figures 7 and 8.

[0020] The dehumidifier 1 with a circulator (hereinafter simply referred to as "dehumidifier 1") has a dehumidifying unit 2 (air conditioning unit) and a circulator 3 (air blowing unit) disposed above the dehumidifying unit 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the circulator 3 is detachable from the dehumidifying unit 2 (housing 10) and can blow air in conjunction with or independently of the dehumidifying unit 2.

[0021] The dehumidifying unit 2 has a housing 10 that forms the exterior of the dehumidifying unit 2. The housing 10 has a front frame 11, a rear frame 12, an upper panel 14, and a base 15.

[0022] The front frame 11 and rear frame 12 are combined via a connecting line 13 that extends vertically at approximately the center of the front-to-rear direction of the housing 10, forming side surfaces 23 that connect the top surface 21 and bottom surface 22 of the housing 10. The front frame 11 and rear frame 12 each have an upper surface frame portion 24 that is bent horizontally inward from its upper end. The front frame 11 and rear frame 12 that form the left and right side surfaces 23 also have handle notches 25 into which handles 43 are placed. The handle notches 25 are formed at the upper ends of the side surfaces 23, approximately in the center of the front-to-rear direction.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, rear frame 12 (side surface 23 on the rear side) has suction port 31, tank insertion port 32, and power cord port 34. suction port 31 has multiple slits 36 and a filter 37 and filter case 38 on its outer surface. Filter 37 is made of a resin mesh or nonwoven fabric and removes dust and odor components from the intake air. Filter case 38 secures filter 37 to suction port 31. Tank insertion port 32 is located below suction port 31, and a drain tank 69 is inserted and removed from here. Power cord port 34 is located on the lower right of rear frame 12, and a power cord 4 connected to a dehumidification unit control unit 70 (corresponding to an air conditioning control unit) is routed from power cord port 34 to the outside of housing 10.

[0024] The top plate 14 has a base 14a facing upward and a peripheral wall 14b extending downward from the periphery of the base 14a. The top plate 14 is arranged to cover an opening 24a (FIG. 2) formed by the inner edge of the top frame 24. The base 14a, together with the above-mentioned top frame 24, forms the top surface 21, which is the surface facing upward, of the housing 10. On the top surface 21, the peripheral wall 14b forms a step with respect to the top frame 24, so that the base 14a functions as a top-side convex portion 90 (FIG. 4) that convex upward relative to the top frame 24.

[0025] The top panel 14 also has an air outlet 41, a wind guide wall 42, a handle 43, and left and right air inlet recesses 45.

[0026] 3 and 4, the air outlet 41 is formed in a rectangular shape at approximately the center of the base 14a. A louver 48 capable of controlling the blowing direction of dry air and a louver motor 49 (FIG. 5) that drives the louver 48 are disposed in the air outlet 41.

[0027] The air guide wall 42 is a wall that rises a predetermined distance above the base 14a on the outer side of the air outlet 41 when viewed from above. The air guide wall 42 guides the air blown out from the air outlet 41 toward the circulator 3 above.

[0028] The handles 43 are formed above the side surfaces 23 at positions corresponding to the handle notches 25 on the left and right sides of the top panel 14 and in the positions corresponding to the handle notches 25 in the front frame 11 and the rear frame 12. The handles 43 have handle recesses 51 recessed inward in the left-right direction from the side surfaces 23 and finger grips 52, and are used when the user carries the dehumidifier 1.

[0029] The left and right suction port recesses 45 are recesses for forming the left and right suction ports 121 described later. The left and right suction port recesses 45 are formed at positions where the finger grip portion 52 overlaps with the handle 43 in the left-right direction.

[0030] 3, base 15 is disposed so as to cover opening 22a formed downward by the combined front frame 11 and rear frame 12. Base 15 serves as the foundation of dehumidifier 1, and forms bottom surface 22 that is placed facing an installation surface such as a floor directly or via a gap.

[0031] The dehumidification unit 2 has, as main internal components housed in the housing 10, a fan case 61, a sirocco fan 62, a blower motor 63, a compressor 65, a heat exchanger 66, a heater 67, a drain pan 68, and a drain tank 69, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0032] The fan case 61 is disposed on the base 15 and mainly supports and positions the sirocco fan 62, the blower motor 63, and the drain tank 69.

[0033] Sirocco fan 62 rotates as blower motor 63 rotates, drawing air in through intake port 31 and creating a flow of air that is blown out through outlet port 41. Sirocco fan 62 and blower motor 63 are attached to fan case 61 so that their rotation axes are aligned in the front-to-rear direction.

[0034] The compressor 65 is fixed on the base 15 and is connected to the heat exchanger 66 via a pipe 65a and a pressure reducing device.

[0035] Heat exchanger 66 exchanges heat with air drawn in through air inlet 31. Heat exchanger 66 has an evaporator 66a located close to air inlet 31 and a condenser 66b located forward of evaporator 66a. Evaporator 66a and condenser 66b are fin-tube heat exchangers 66 in which fins 66d are attached to U-shaped refrigerant pipes 66c. Refrigerant pipe 66c has multiple straight sections extending horizontally (left and right) and a bent section that bends in a U shape in the up and down direction and connects the two straight sections, and these straight sections and bent sections appear continuously along the length of refrigerant pipe 66c.

[0036] Compressor 65, piping 65a, pressure reducing device, and heat exchanger 66 form a refrigeration cycle through which a refrigerant flows. The refrigeration cycle includes, in the order in which the refrigerant flows, compressor 65, condenser 66b, pressure reducing device, and evaporator 66a. As the refrigerant flows through evaporator 66a, it absorbs heat from the air passing through evaporator 66a and evaporates. As the refrigerant flows through condenser 66b, it reheats and condenses the air passing through condenser 66b. As a result, air drawn in through air inlet 31 is filtered out of dust, odorous components, and the like by filter 37, cooled and dehumidified by evaporator 66a, and then heated by condenser 66b to become low-humidity air.

[0037] The heater 67 heats the low-humidity air that has passed through the condenser 66b before the air outlet 41.

[0038] The drain pan 68 has a drain outlet, receives the drain water that is generated in the evaporator 66a and drops down, and discharges it from the drain outlet. The drain pan 68 supports and fixes the heat exchanger 66 from below.

[0039] Drain tank 69 stores drain water discharged from the drain outlet of drain pan 68. Drain tank 69 is attached to and detached from housing 10 by sliding it in the front-to-rear direction through tank insertion opening 32. Drain tank 69 inserted into housing 10 is disposed in a tank chamber formed by fan case 61.

[0040] The drain tank 69 has a tank lid 69a and a float housing 69b. The tank lid 69a allows drain water from the drain outlet of the drain pan 68 to fall into the drain tank 69. The float housing 69b houses a float having, for example, a magnet for detecting the water level in the drain tank 69. The magnetic field of the magnet corresponding to the water level is detected by a water level sensor 69c such as an AMR sensor (Anisotropic Magneto-Resistance sensor) mounted in the dehumidification unit side control unit 70, and notifies the user that the drain tank 69 is full.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the dehumidification unit 2 further includes a dehumidification unit side control unit 70, a temperature sensor 71, a humidity sensor 72, an alarm unit 73, a dehumidification unit side operation unit 74 (corresponding to the air conditioning side operation unit), and a display unit 75.

[0042] The dehumidification unit control unit 70 is a control board that is supported by a required case and disposed, for example, in front of the fan case 61. The dehumidification unit control unit 70 comprehensively controls the operation of the dehumidifier 1 by electrically controlling each part, such as the louver motor 49, the blower motor 63, the compressor 65, the heater 67, and the display unit 75, based on instructions from the dehumidification unit operation unit 74 and pre-stored programs. The dehumidification unit control unit 70 also controls each part, such as the oscillating motor 138 of the circulator 3, by transmitting infrared signals when the dehumidification unit is integrated or separated.

[0043] The dehumidification unit side control section 70 has a storage section 77 and a timer 78. The storage section 77 stores operation programs for each section, etc. The timer 78 measures time for timer operation of the dehumidifier 1, etc.

[0044] The temperature sensor 71 and humidity sensor 72 are provided at predetermined positions on the dehumidifier 1 body and measure the ambient temperature and humidity of the dehumidifier 1. The dehumidification unit control section 70 uses the temperature and humidity as necessary to control each section. The notification section 73 outputs an alarm sound or the like to notify the user of the situation based on instructions from the dehumidification unit control section 70.

[0045] The dehumidifying unit operation unit 74 and display unit 75 are located above the front side surface 23 (front frame 11) and approximately in the center in the left-right direction. The dehumidifying unit operation unit 74 (corresponding to the air conditioning operation unit) has a plurality of input buttons that implement, for example, an operation switch, a timer switch, an operation mode selection switch, and a switch for setting the operation of the circulator 3.

[0046] The display unit 75 displays the operating state of the dehumidifier 1 and the like by lighting up an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0047] The dehumidifying unit 2 further includes a dehumidifying unit side communication section 82 (corresponding to a transmission section), a dehumidifying unit side power supply section 83, and a power supply switching section .

[0048] The dehumidification unit side communication section 82 is an infrared antenna capable of transmitting required infrared signals to the circulator side communication section 182 (corresponding to a receiver) of the circulator 3 under the control of the dehumidification unit side control section 70. As shown in Fig. 1, the dehumidification unit side communication section 82 transmits infrared rays from a dehumidification unit side transmission window 86 that transmits infrared rays and is provided in the panel 76 on which the dehumidification unit side operation section 74 is formed, for example.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the dehumidification unit side power supply section 83 converts AC current supplied from the power cord 4 connected to a commercial power source into DC power and supplies it to each section of the dehumidification unit 2.

[0050] The power supply switching unit 84 switches whether or not AC current supplied from the commercial power supply is supplied to the power supply output terminal 87. As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply output terminal 87 is exposed upward from the top surface 21, which is the mounting location of the circulator 3. When the dehumidification unit is integrated, the dehumidification unit-side control unit 70 closes the power supply switching unit 84 and supplies power from the power supply output terminal 87 to the power supply input terminal 187 of the circulator 3. When the dehumidification unit is separated, on the other hand, the dehumidification unit-side control unit 70 opens the power supply switching unit 84 and does not supply power to the power supply output terminal 87.

[0051] When the circulator 3 is in an integrated state, it mainly sucks in the dehumidified air blown out from the dehumidifying unit 2, and when it is in a separated state, it sucks in the surrounding air and circulates and agitates the surrounding air while blowing out the air.

[0052] The circulator 3 has a base portion 110 and a blower portion 130. The blower portion 130 is supported on the base portion 110 so as to be swingable around an axis along the left-right direction.

[0053] The blower unit 130 is supported by the base 110 so that it can be swung around an axis along the left-right direction when united together by a swing motor 138 within a predetermined angle. The swing motor 138 is disposed in the internal space 115 of the base 110. The axis of the swing motor 138 is disposed at approximately the center position in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, when the swing motor 138 is operating, the blower unit 130 blows air while swinging back and forth.

[0054] The circulator 3 further has a circulator side control unit 170 (corresponding to the blower side control unit), a circulator side operation unit 174 (corresponding to the blower side operation unit), a circulator side communication unit 182 (corresponding to the receiver), and a circulator side power supply unit 183.

[0055] The circulator-side control unit 170 is a control board disposed in the internal space 115 of the base 110. The circulator-side control unit 170 electrically controls the fan motor 135 and the oscillating motor 138 based on instructions from the dehumidification unit-side control unit 70 or the circulator-side operation unit 174.

[0056] The circulator-side operation unit 174 is disposed at approximately the center in the left-right direction on the front-side base side surface 112. The circulator-side operation unit 174 has a plurality of input buttons that implement, for example, an operation switch and a swing switch.

[0057] The circulator-side communication section 182 is an infrared antenna that can receive required infrared signals from the dehumidification unit-side communication section 82 under the control of the circulator-side control section 170. The circulator-side communication section 182 receives infrared rays from, for example, a circulator-side transmission window 186 that is provided on the base upper surface 113b of the base 110 and that allows infrared rays to pass through.

[0058] 6, the circulator-side power supply unit 183 converts AC current supplied from the power input terminal 187 into DC current and supplies it to each part of the circulator 3. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the power input terminal 187 is disposed in a position where it can be directly connected to the power output terminal 87 exposed from the top surface 21 of the dehumidifying unit 2 when the unit is integrated.

[0059] When the circulator-side power supply unit 183 is integrated, it supplies each unit with power supplied from a power input terminal 187 directly connected to the power output terminal 87 of the dehumidifying unit 2. When the circulator-side power supply unit 183 is separated, it supplies each unit with power supplied from a power input terminal 187 connected to a power cord 8 (FIG. 9) that is connected to a commercial power source. The connection of the power output terminal 87 and the terminals of the power cord 8 to the power input terminal 187 can be made easier for the user by using, for example, magnetic attraction to facilitate the terminal connection operation.

[0060] 1 and 2, such a dehumidifier 1 performs air conditioning suitable for the ambient humidity and temperature detected by the dehumidifying unit 2, for example, by the dehumidifying unit-side controller 70 controlling the operation of the circulator 3 in conjunction with the operating state of the dehumidifying unit 2. Similarly, when separated as shown in FIG. 9, the dehumidifying unit-side controller 70 also controls the operation of the circulator 3 in conjunction with the operating state of the dehumidifying unit 2, performing air conditioning suitable for the ambient humidity and temperature detected by the dehumidifying unit 2.

[0061] Furthermore, when separated, the circulator 3 can perform air blowing operation independently of the dehumidifying unit 2 under the control of the circulator-side control unit 170. As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the circulator 3 is used with the surface that becomes the rear side of the base side 112 when integrated on the installation surface, and the surface that becomes the front side of the base side 112 facing upward. As a result, the air blowing unit 130, which oscillates back and forth when integrated, oscillates up and down.

[0062] In either the integrated or separated state, the dehumidifying unit control section 70 can transmit an infrared signal containing required control information to the circulator control section 170 by controlling the dehumidifying unit communication section 82. The circulator 3 receives the infrared signal from the dehumidifying unit 2 via the circulator communication section 182.

[0063] In the present invention, the circulator 3 has a circulator side detection sensor 210 (corresponding to the blower side determination means) that determines whether the dehumidification unit 2 and the circulator 3 are in an integrated state or a separate state, and the circulator side control unit 170 controls the circulator 3 based on the control signal received from the dehumidification unit 2 and the detection result by the circulator side detection sensor 210. The circulator-side detection sensor 210 is, for example, a reed switch provided on the circulator 3 that detects the magnetic field of a magnet placed at a predetermined position on the dehumidifying unit 2. The circulator-side detection sensor 210 detects the attachment / detachment state (integrated state or separated state) of the dehumidifying unit 2 to the circulator 3 based on whether or not the magnetic field is detected. Here, the predetermined position of the dehumidifying unit 2 refers to the surface of the dehumidifying unit 2 that comes into contact with the circulator 3 when the dehumidifying unit 2 and the circulator 3 are integrated.

[0064] Furthermore, the circulator side control unit 170 has a first operation mode which is an operation mode suitable for use when the dehumidifying unit 2 and the circulator 3 are linked together and used in an integrated state, and a second operation mode which is one of the operation modes suitable for use when the dehumidifying unit 2 and the circulator 3 are linked together and used in a separate state. The first operating mode, for example, disables operation of the circulator side operating unit 174, and accepts various switch operations by the user on the dehumidification unit side operating unit 74, such as air volume and whether or not to swing, and appropriately controls the rotation speed of the fan motor 135 to match the air volume of dehumidified air blown out from the dehumidification unit 2 using control signals received via the dehumidification unit side communication unit 82 and the circulator side communication unit 182, and performs operation such as swinging around an axis along the left-right direction when integrated within a first predetermined angle suitable for the integrated state, and is an operating mode in which the fan motor 135 starts operating when the dehumidification unit side operating unit 74 starts operating. The second operating mode is, for example, an operating mode in which operation of the circulator side operating unit 174 is enabled, air is blown in accordance with the user's operation of the circulator side operating unit 174, and the circulator swings around an axis along the left-right direction during separation within a second predetermined angle suitable for the separation state.This operating mode starts operating the fan motor 135 when the dehumidification unit side operating unit 74 starts operating, and circulates and stirs the air around the circulator 3.

[0065] Then, the circulator-side control unit 170 performs the following process based on the result of the determination of the attachment / detachment state by the circulator-side detection sensor 210. That is, the circulator side control unit 170 is configured to operate in the first operating mode when the circulator side detection sensor 210 detects an integrated state, and to operate in the second operating mode when the circulator side detection sensor 210 detects a separated state.

[0066] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0067] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process executed by the dehumidification unit side control section 70 of the dehumidifier 1 in this embodiment. In step S1, the dehumidification unit side control unit 70 accepts operation by the user of the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74, and in step S2, transmits the operating information accepted by the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74 as an infrared signal via the dehumidification unit side communication unit 82.

[0068] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the processing executed by the circulator-side control unit 170 in this embodiment. In step S3, the infrared signal transmitted from the dehumidifying unit side communication section 82 in step S2 is received by the circulator side communication section 182. In step S4, branching processing is performed depending on whether the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is an integrated state or a separated state. That is, if the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 indicates an integrated state, operation is performed in the first operation mode in step S5. If the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the separated state, the operation is performed in the second operation mode in step S6.

[0069] By executing the above process, when using multiple circulators 3, if the first circulator 3 is in an integrated state and the second circulator 3 is in a separated state, the first circulator 3 in the integrated state will operate in the first operation mode, which is an operation mode suitable for the integrated state, based on the detection result of the circulator-side detection sensor 210, and will operate in response to operation instructions received only from the dehumidification unit-side operation unit 74. The second circulator 3 in the separated state will operate in the second operation mode, which is an operation mode suitable for the separated state, and the user can issue operation instructions from the circulator-side operation unit 174.

[0070] As a result, for example, when using a dehumidifier 1 in which the dehumidifying unit 2 and circulator 3 are integrated, and an attempt is made to start operation of a second circulator 3 that is in a separated state, the circulator side detection sensor 210 provided on the circulator 3 will determine that it is in a separated state, and the circulator will be operated in a second operating mode that enables operation of the circulator side operating unit 174, thereby improving the operability of the circulator 3 in a separated state.

[0071] Furthermore, for example, when the circulator 3 is used in a separate state, and a dehumidifier 1 in which the dehumidifying unit 2 and the circulator 3 are integrated is used to dry laundry, the circulator 3 in the separate state can be operated in the second operating mode in which the circulator side operating unit 174 is enabled, thereby improving the operability of the circulator 3 in the separate state.

[0072] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0073] In the second embodiment, the dehumidifying unit 2 of the first embodiment is provided with a dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 (corresponding to the air conditioning side determination means).

[0074] The dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 is, for example, a reed switch provided in the dehumidification unit 2 that detects the magnetic field of a magnet placed at a predetermined position on the circulator 3. The dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 detects the attachment / detachment state (integrated state or separated state) of the circulator 3 relative to the dehumidification unit 2 based on whether or not the magnetic field is detected. Here, the predetermined position of the circulator 3 refers to the surface of the circulator 3 that comes into contact with the dehumidification unit 2 when the dehumidification unit 2 and the circulator 3 are integrated. The dehumidification unit side communication unit 82 is capable of transmitting the required infrared signal, including the result of the attachment / detachment state determination by the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81, to the circulator side communication unit 182 (corresponding to the receiving unit) of the circulator 3 based on the control of the dehumidification unit side control unit 70.

[0075] Then, the circulator side control unit 170 receives the required infrared signal including the result of the attachment / detachment state determination by the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 from the dehumidification unit 2, and performs processing based on the result of the attachment / detachment state determination on the dehumidification unit 2 side and the result of the attachment / detachment state determination by the circulator side detection sensor 210, depending on the following cases: That is, when the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 detects an integrated state and the circulator side detection sensor 210 detects an integrated state, the circulator side control unit 170 operates in the first operating mode; when the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 detects a separated state and the circulator side detection sensor 210 detects a separated state, the circulator side control unit 170 operates in the second operating mode; and when the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 detects an integrated state and the circulator side detection sensor 210 detects a separated state, the circulator side control unit 170 operates in the second operating mode. Furthermore, the circulator side control section 170 is configured to stop operation when the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 detects a separated state and the circulator side detection sensor 210 detects an integrated state.

[0076] Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0077] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the process executed by the dehumidification unit side control section 70 of the dehumidifier 200 in the second embodiment. In step S7, the dehumidification unit side control unit 70 accepts operation by the user of the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74, and in step S8, the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 detects whether the unit is in an integrated or separated state, and in step S9, transmits information on whether the unit is in an integrated or separated state and the operating information accepted by the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74 to the circulator 3 via an infrared signal, and then returns to step S7.

[0078] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the processing executed by the circulator-side control unit 170 in the second embodiment. In step S10, the infrared signal transmitted from the dehumidifying unit side communication section 82 in step S9 is received by the circulator side communication section 182. In step S11, branching processing is performed depending on whether the detection result of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 from the received infrared signal indicates an integrated state or a separated state. Furthermore, in steps S12 and S13, further branching processing is performed depending on whether the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the integrated state or the separated state. That is, when the detection result of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 indicates the integrated state and the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 indicates the integrated state, operation is performed in the first operation mode in step S14. If the detection result of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 is the integrated state and the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the separated state, operation is performed in the second operation mode in step S15. If the detection result of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 is the separated state and the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the integrated state, operation is stopped in step S16. If the detection result of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 is the separated state and the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the separated state, operation is performed in the second operation mode in step S17.

[0079] By performing the above processing, when using multiple circulators 3, assuming that the first circulator 3 is in an integrated state and the second circulator 3 is in a separated state, based on the control signal including the detection result of the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 and the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210, the first circulator 3 in the integrated state will accept operation instructions only from the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74 and operate in the first operation mode, while the second circulator 3 in the separated state will operate in the second operation mode in which the user can give operation instructions from the circulator side operation unit 174.

[0080] As a result, for example, when using a dehumidifier 200 in which the dehumidifying unit 2 and circulator 3 are integrated, and an attempt is made to start operation of a second circulator 3 that is in a separated state, the circulator side detection sensor 210 provided on the circulator 3 will determine that it is in a separated state, and the circulator will be operated in a second operating mode that enables operation of the circulator side operating unit 174, thereby improving the operability of the circulator 3 that is in a separated state.

[0081] Furthermore, for example, when the circulator 3 is used in a separate state, and a dehumidifier 200 in which the dehumidifying unit 2 and circulator 3 are integrated is used to dry laundry, the detection results of the circulator side detection sensor 210 of the circulator 3 in the separate state and the detection results of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 of the dehumidifying unit 2 indicate that the circulator 3 in the separate state can be operated in the second operating mode in which the circulator side operating unit 174 is enabled, thereby improving the operability of the circulator 3 in the separate state.

[0082] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0083] In the third embodiment, the dehumidifying unit side operation section 74 of the second embodiment is provided with a dehumidifying unit side interlocking switch 201 (corresponding to the air conditioning side interlocking switch). The dehumidification unit side interlocking switch 201 is provided on the dehumidification unit side operating section 74 and allows the user to select whether the dehumidification unit 2 and the circulator 3 are to operate in conjunction with each other or not.

[0084] The dehumidification unit side interlocking switch 201 may be an alternate switch that remains on even after the switch is released after being pressed, or a seesaw switch that switches the circuit by moving the left and right ends up and down each time it is pressed.

[0085] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the process executed by the dehumidification unit side control section 70 of the dehumidifier 300 in the third embodiment. In step S18, the dehumidification unit side control unit 70 accepts operation by the user at the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74 and starts operation, and in step S19, the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 detects whether the unit is in an integrated or separated state, and in step S20, transmits information on whether the unit is in an integrated or separated state, the on / off state of the dehumidification unit side interlocking switch 201, and the operation information accepted by the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74 to the circulator 3 via an infrared signal, and then returns to step S18.

[0086] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the processing executed by the circulator-side control unit 170 in the third embodiment. In step S21, the circulator-side communication section 182 receives the infrared signal transmitted from the dehumidifying unit-side communication section 82 in step S20. In step S22, branching processing is performed depending on whether the detection result of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 from the received infrared signal indicates an integrated state or a separated state. When the detection result of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 is the integrated state (integrated in step S22), further branching processing is performed in step S23 depending on whether the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the integrated state or the separated state. If the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 indicates an integrated state, operation is performed in the first operation mode in step S24. If the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the separated state, further branching processing is performed in step S25 depending on the on / off state of the dehumidifying unit side interlocking switch 201. If the on / off state of the dehumidifying unit side interlocking switch 201 is on, the operation is performed in the second operation mode in step S26. If the on / off state of the dehumidifying unit side interlocking switch 201 is off, the operation of the circulator side operating section 174 is validated in step S31, and the unit is operated in response to the operation by the user in step S32.

[0087] If the detection result of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 indicates the separated state in step S22, further branching processing is performed in step S27 depending on the on / off state of the dehumidifying unit side interlocking switch 201. If the on / off state of the dehumidifying unit side interlocking switch 201 is off, the operation of the circulator side operating section 174 is validated in step S31, and the unit is operated in response to the operation by the user in step S32. If the on / off state of the dehumidifying unit side interlocking switch 201 is on, further branching processing is performed in step S28 depending on whether the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is in the integrated state or the separated state. If the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 indicates an integrated state, operation is stopped. If the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the separated state, operation is performed in the second operation mode.

[0088] By performing the above processing, when using multiple circulators 3, assuming that the first circulator 3 is in an integrated state and the second circulator 3 is in a separated state, when the dehumidification unit side interlocking switch 201 is turned on, the first circulator 3 in the integrated state will receive operation instructions only from the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74 and will operate in the first operation mode, while the second circulator 3 in the separated state will operate in the second operation mode in which the user can give operation instructions from the circulator side operation unit 174. On the other hand, when the dehumidification unit side interlocking switch 201 is turned off, the first circulator 3 in the integrated state receives operation instructions only from the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74 and operates in the first operation mode, while the second circulator 3 in the separated state can be operated by the user using the circulator side operation unit 174 to control the air volume, whether or not to swing, etc. as needed, without being linked to the dehumidification unit 2.

[0089] As a result, for example, when using a dehumidifier 300 in which the dehumidification unit 2 and circulator 3 are integrated with the dehumidification unit side interlocking switch 201 turned on, if an attempt is made to start operation of the second circulator 3 in a separated state, the circulator side detection sensor 210 provided on the second circulator 3 will determine that it is in a separated state, and the circulator will be operated in the second operating mode which enables operation of the circulator side operating unit 174, thereby improving the operability of the circulator 3 in a separated state. On the other hand, when using a dehumidifier 300 in which the dehumidification unit 2 and circulator 3 are integrated with the dehumidification unit side interlocking switch 201 turned off, if an attempt is made to start operation of the second circulator 3 which is in a separated state, the circulator side detection sensor 210 provided on the second circulator 3 indicates that it is in a separated state and the dehumidification unit side interlocking switch 201 is off, operation of the circulator side operating unit 174 is enabled, and the user can operate the circulator side operating unit 174 to adjust the air volume, whether or not to swing, etc. as needed without interlocking with the dehumidification unit 2, thereby improving the operability of the circulator 3 which is in a separated state.

[0090] Furthermore, for example, when the circulator 3 is used in a separate state, if a dehumidifier 300 is used in which the dehumidifier unit 2 and the circulator 3 are integrated with each other by turning on the dehumidifier unit side interlocking switch 201 in order to dry laundry, the dehumidifier can be operated in the second operating mode in which the circulator side operating section 174 is enabled, thereby improving the operability of the circulator 3 in a separate state. On the other hand, when the circulator 3 is being used in a separate state, if a dehumidifier 300 is used in which the dehumidifier unit 2 and circulator 3 are integrated with the dehumidifier unit side interlocking switch 201 turned off in order to dry laundry, the dehumidifier can be operated in the second operating mode with the circulator side operating unit 174 enabled, and the circulator 3 in a separate state can be operated in conjunction with the dehumidifier unit 2, allowing for comfortable use.

[0091] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0092] In the fourth embodiment, the circulator side operation unit 174 of the second embodiment is provided with a circulator side interlocking switch 202 (corresponding to the air blowing side interlocking switch). The circulator-side interlocking switch 202 is provided on the circulator-side operating section 174 and allows the user to select whether the dehumidifying unit 2 and the circulator 3 are to be operated in conjunction with each other or not.

[0093] The circulator side interlocking switch 202 may be an alternate switch that remains on even after pressing and releasing the switch, or a seesaw switch that switches the circuit by moving the left and right ends up and down each time it is pressed.

[0094] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the process executed by the dehumidification unit side control section 70 of the dehumidifier 400 in the fourth embodiment. In step S33, the dehumidification unit side control unit 70 accepts operation by the user of the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74, and in step S34, the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 detects whether the unit is in an integrated or separated state, and in step S35, transmits information on whether the unit is in an integrated or separated state and the operating information accepted by the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74 to the circulator 3 via an infrared signal, and then returns to step S33.

[0095] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the processing executed by the circulator-side control unit 170 in the fourth embodiment. In step S36, the infrared signal transmitted from the dehumidifying unit side communication section 82 in step S35 is received by the circulator side communication section 182. In step S37, branching processing is performed depending on whether the detection result of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 from the received infrared signal indicates the integrated state or the separated state. When the detection result of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 is the integrated state (integrated in step S37), further branching processing is performed in step S38 depending on whether the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the integrated state or the separated state. If the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 indicates an integrated state, operation is performed in the first operation mode in step S39. If the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the separated state, further branching processing is performed in step S40 depending on the on / off state of the circulator side interlocking switch 202. If the on / off state of the circulator side interlocking switch 202 is on, the operation is performed in the second operation mode in step S41. If the on / off state of the circulator-side interlocking switch 202 is off, the operation of the circulator-side operating unit 174 is validated in step S46, and the air conditioner is operated in accordance with the operation by the user in step S47.

[0096] If the detection result of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 is in the separated state in step S37, further branching processing is performed in step S42 depending on the on / off state of the circulator side interlocking switch 202. If the on / off state of the circulator-side interlocking switch 202 is off, the operation of the circulator-side operating unit 174 is validated in step S46, and the air conditioner is operated in accordance with the operation by the user in step S47. If the on / off state of the circulator side interlocking switch 202 is on, further branching processing is performed in step S43 depending on whether the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the integrated state or the separated state. If the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 indicates an integrated state, operation is stopped in step S44. If the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the separated state, operation is performed in the second operation mode in step S45.

[0097] By executing the above process, when a plurality of circulators 3 are used, if the first circulator 3 is in an integrated state and the second circulator 3 is in a separated state, when the circulator side interlocking switch 202 of the first circulator 3 in the integrated state is turned on, the first circulator 3 receives an operation command only from the dehumidification unit side operation unit 74 and operates in the first operation mode, Even when the circulator-side interlocking switch 202 is turned off, an operation instruction is received only from the dehumidification unit-side operation section 74, and the unit operates in the first operation mode. Furthermore, when the circulator side interlocking switch 202 of the second circulator 3 in the separated state is turned on, it can be operated in a second operating mode in which the user can give operating instructions from the circulator side operating unit 174, and when the circulator side interlocking switch 202 of the second circulator 3 in the separated state is turned off, it can be operated by the user operating the circulator side operating unit 174 to adjust the air volume, whether or not to swing, etc. as needed, without being linked to the dehumidification unit 2.

[0098] As a result, for example, when using a dehumidifier 400 in which the dehumidifying unit 2 and circulator 3 are integrated, if an attempt is made to start operation of a second circulator 3 in a separated state with the circulator side interlocking switch 202 turned on, the circulator side detection sensor 210 provided on the second circulator 3 will determine that it is in a separated state, and the circulator will be operated in the second operating mode which enables operation of the circulator side operating unit 174, thereby improving the operability of the circulator 3 in a separated state. On the other hand, when using a dehumidifier 400 in which the dehumidifying unit 2 and circulator 3 are integrated, if an attempt is made to start operation of the second circulator 3 in a separated state with the circulator side interlocking switch 202 turned off, the circulator side detection sensor 210 provided on the second circulator 3 will determine that it is in a separated state and will enable operation of the circulator side operating unit 174, allowing the user to operate the circulator by operating the air volume, swing on / off, etc. as needed from the circulator side operating unit 174 without interlocking with the dehumidifying unit 2, thereby improving the operability of the circulator 3 in a separated state.

[0099] Furthermore, for example, when the circulator 3 is used in a separate state with the circulator side interlocking switch 202 turned on, and a dehumidifier 400 in which the dehumidifying unit 2 and circulator 3 are integrated is used to dry laundry, the detection results of the circulator side detection sensor 210 of the circulator 3 in the separate state and the detection results of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 of the dehumidifying unit 2 indicate that the circulator 3 in the separate state can be operated in the second operating mode in which the circulator side operating unit 174 is enabled, thereby improving the operability of the circulator 3 in the separate state. On the other hand, when the circulator 3 is used in a separate state with the circulator side interlocking switch 202 turned off, and a dehumidifier 400 in which the dehumidifying unit 2 and circulator 3 are integrated is used to dry laundry, the detection results of the circulator side detection sensor 210 of the circulator 3 in a separate state and the detection results of the dehumidifying unit side detection sensor 81 of the dehumidifying unit 2 indicate that the circulator 3 in a separate state has the circulator side operation unit 174 enabled, and the user can operate the circulator 3 by operating the air volume, swing on / off, etc. as needed from the circulator side operation unit 174 without interlocking with the dehumidifying unit 2, thereby improving the operability of the circulator 3 in a separate state.

[0100] The circulator-side control section 170 may have a third operation mode different from the first and second operation modes. In the second embodiment, the circulator side control unit 170 operates in the second operating mode when the detection result of the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 is the integrated state and the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the separated state, and also operates in the second operating mode when the detection result of the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 is the separated state and the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the separated state.However, when the detection result of the dehumidification unit side detection sensor 81 is the integrated state and the detection result of the circulator side detection sensor 210 is the separated state, it operates in the third operating mode described above.

[0101] The third operation mode is one of the operation modes suitable for a second circulator 3 used in a separate state when the dehumidifier 1 is used in which the dehumidifying unit 2 and the circulator 3 are linked and the dehumidifying unit 2 and the circulator 3 are integrated. More specifically, the third operation mode is, for example, an operation in which the operation of the circulator-side operation unit 174 is enabled, air is blown in accordance with the user's operation of the circulator-side operation unit 174, and the circulator swings around an axis along the left-right direction during separation within a third predetermined angle suitable for the separated state, and the fan motor 135 starts operating when the dehumidifying unit-side operation unit 74 starts operating, and the circulator 3 continues operating even when the dehumidifying unit 2 is full of water and stops operating, circulating and stirring the air around the circulator 3. In the first and second operation modes described above, the dehumidifiers 1 and 2 simultaneously stop operating when, for example, the drain tank 69 of the dehumidifier unit 2 is full of water, whereas in the third operation mode, the dehumidifiers 1 and 2 continue operating even when the drain tank 69 of the dehumidifier unit 2 is full of water. This allows the circulator 3, which operates in conjunction with the dehumidifier 1, to continue operating even when the drain tank 69 is full of water, which is expected to shorten the clothes drying time. In the third operation mode, the dehumidifier 1 may detect that the drain tank 69 is full and stop operating, and then receive an infrared signal from the dehumidifier 1, and the circulator 3 may stop operating after a predetermined time has elapsed using a timer.

[0102] The circulator side detection sensor 210 (corresponding to the blower side determination means) has been described as a reed switch provided on the circulator 3 that detects the magnetic field of a magnet placed at a predetermined position in the dehumidification unit 2, but it may also be an operating switch such as a seesaw switch that is manually switched by the user.

[0103] It should be noted that the other configurations used in this embodiment are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and the invention can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0104] For example, the air conditioner according to the present invention has been described using an example in which the air conditioner is a heat exchanger 66, but it can also be applied to other air conditioning equipment other than the dehumidifier 1, such as a humidifier, dryer, air conditioner, or air purifier, which can adjust the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, etc. of the air. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1, 200, 300, 400: Dehumidifier with circulator, dehumidifier (air conditioner) 2: Dehumidification unit (air conditioning unit) 3: Circulator (blower unit) 70: Dehumidification unit side control section (air conditioning side control section) 74: Dehumidification unit side operation section (air conditioning side operation section) 81: Dehumidification unit side detection sensor (air conditioning side determination means) 82: Dehumidification unit side communication section (transmitter) 170: Circulator side control unit (blower side control unit) 174: Circulator side operation unit (air blower side operation unit) 182: Circulator side communication unit (receiving unit) 201: Dehumidification unit side interlocking switch (air conditioning side interlocking switch) 202: Circulator side interlocking switch (air blower side interlocking switch) 210: Circulator side detection sensor (air blowing side determination means)

Claims

1. An air conditioning unit, a blower unit that operates in conjunction with the air conditioning unit; An air conditioner comprising: The air conditioning unit is an air conditioning control unit that controls the linked operation of the air conditioning unit and the air blower unit; a transmitter that transmits a control signal for controlling the linked operation of the air conditioning unit and the air blower unit; and The blower unit is a receiving unit that receives the control signal transmitted from the transmitting unit; a blowing side determination means for determining whether the air conditioning unit and the blowing unit are in an integrated state or a separate state; an air-blowing-side control unit that controls the air blowing unit based on the received control signal and the determination result by the air-blowing-side determination means; and The air blowing side control unit is a first operating mode; a second operating mode different from the first operating mode, When the result of the determination by the air blowing side determination means is the integrated state, the air blowing device is operated in the first operation mode, When the result of the determination by the air blowing side determination means is the separated state, the air blowing side determination means operates in the second operation mode. An air conditioner characterized by the above.

2. The air conditioning unit is an air conditioning side determination means for determining whether the air conditioning unit and the air blower unit are in the integrated state or the separated state; the transmitting unit transmits the control signal including the determination result of the air conditioning side determining means, The air blowing side control unit is When the determination result by the air conditioning side determination means is the integrated state and the determination result by the air blowing side determination means is the integrated state, the system is operated in the first operating mode, When the determination result by the air conditioning side determination means is the separated state and the determination result by the air blowing side determination means is the separated state, the system is operated in the second operation mode, When the determination result by the air conditioning side determination means is the integrated state and the determination result by the air blowing side determination means is the separated state, the device is operated in the second operation mode.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1.

3. The air blowing side control unit is a third operating mode different from the first operating mode and the second operating mode; When the determination result by the air conditioning side determination means is the integrated state and the determination result by the air blowing side determination means is the separated state, the device is operated in the third operation mode.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2.

4. The air conditioning unit is an air conditioning side interlocking switch that can select whether the air blower unit is operated in conjunction with the air conditioning unit or not, The air conditioning side control unit When the air conditioning side interlocking switch is on, the air blowing unit is operated in conjunction with the air conditioning unit, When the air conditioning side interlocking switch is off, the interlock between the air blowing unit and the air conditioning unit is released.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

5. The blower unit is a blower-side interlocking switch that can select whether the blower unit is operated in conjunction with the air conditioning unit or not, The air blowing side control unit is When the air-blowing side interlocking switch is on, the air-blowing unit is operated in conjunction with the air-conditioning unit, When the air blowing side interlocking switch is off, the interlock between the air blowing unit and the air conditioning unit is released.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

6. the air conditioning unit has a magnet on a surface that comes into contact with the air blower unit when the air conditioning unit and the air blower unit are in the integrated state, The air blowing side determination means is a reed switch provided in the air blowing unit that performs switching operation depending on whether the magnet is connected or disconnected.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

7. The air blowing side determining means is an operation switch provided on the air blowing unit.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

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