Air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system that can reduce the load on the filter. [Solution] The air conditioning device (10) includes a housing (40) having an opening (41), a filter (50) that allows air to pass through while suppressing the entry of dust, a moving means (36) for moving the filter (50), a rail (37) that guides the filter (50), a cleaning unit (38) capable of removing dust adhering to the filter (50), a detection means (60) provided at the end of the rail (37) with reference to the trajectory of the filter (50) and detecting when the filter (50) has been sent to the end point, and a lift-up suppression unit (71) that protrudes toward the trajectory of the filter (50) between the end of the rail (37) and the detection means (60) and contacts the filter (50) to suppress the filter (50) from lifting up.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to an air conditioner. 【Background Art】 【0002】 As a prior art related to an air conditioner, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1. 【0003】 As shown in Patent Document 1, an air conditioner includes a filter that suppresses dust from entering the inside of a housing, a motor that moves this filter, a brush that cleans the moving filter, and a switch that detects that the filter has moved to a predetermined position. 【0004】 At the end of the filter, a tapered portion that is inclined with respect to the direction in which the filter is sent is formed. When the end of the filter moves to the vicinity of the switch, the tapered portion is pressed against the housing. As a result, the filter receives a force in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction and is displaced obliquely. When the filter displaced in the oblique direction contacts the switch, it is possible to detect that the filter has reached a predetermined position. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0005】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent No. 6081762 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0006】 According to the air conditioner according to Patent Document 1, in the portion where the tapered portion is formed, it is necessary to displace the filter obliquely. Compared with the case of displacing along the rotation direction of the motor, it is necessary to apply a large force, and a large load is applied to the filter. From the viewpoint of extending the life, it would be preferable if the load applied to the filter could be reduced. 【0007】 The present invention aims to provide an air conditioning system that can reduce the load applied to the filter. [Means for solving the problem] 【0008】 According to this disclosure, an air conditioning device is provided, comprising: a housing having an opening; a filter facing the opening that allows air to pass through and suppresses the intrusion of dust; a moving means for moving the filter; a rail for guiding the moving filter; a cleaning unit provided close to the rail and capable of removing dust adhering to the filter by contacting the filter; a detection means provided at the end of the rail with respect to the filter's trajectory for detecting that the filter has been sent to its end point; and a lift-up suppression unit that protrudes toward the filter's trajectory between the end of the rail and the detection means and suppresses the filter from lifting by contacting the filter. [Effects of the Invention] 【0009】 According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an air conditioning system that can reduce the load applied to the filter. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0010】 [Figure 1] This figure schematically shows an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the indoor unit. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a magnified view of part 4 of Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5A illustrates the effect of the comparative example, and Figure 5B illustrates the effect of the example. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0011】 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, Fr indicates the front, Rr indicates the rear, L indicates the left, R indicates the right, Up indicates the top, and Dn indicates the bottom. The form shown in the attached drawings is just one example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this form. 【0012】 <Examples> Refer to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows an air conditioning system 10 according to the present invention. The air conditioning system 10 includes a cooling function for cooling the indoor air (In) and a heating function for heating the indoor air (In). 【0013】 The air conditioning system 10 comprises an outdoor unit 20 installed outdoors Ou and an indoor unit 30 installed indoors In. The outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 are connected to each other so that the refrigerant can be circulated. Unless otherwise specified, the direction of refrigerant circulation is based on the cooling operation. 【0014】 The outdoor unit 20 includes a four-way switching valve 21 that switches the direction of refrigerant circulation during cooling and heating operations, a compressor 22 through which the refrigerant that has passed through the four-way switching valve 21 flows and compresses the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 23 through which the refrigerant that has been compressed in the compressor 22 and has become high temperature and high pressure flows, an outdoor fan 24 that blows air toward the outdoor heat exchanger 23, and an expansion valve 25 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 23. 【0015】 Refer to Figures 2 and 3. The indoor unit 30 is used by hanging it on a wall Wa indoors. The indoor unit 30 has a metal support plate 31 fixed to the wall Wa, and the housing 40 is supported by this support plate 31. The housing 40 has an indoor fan 33 that takes in indoor air from indoors and blows it back into the housing 40, a plurality of indoor heat exchangers 34 that exchange heat with the air taken in by the indoor fan 33, a filter 50 positioned above these indoor heat exchangers 34 to suppress the entry of dust into the housing 40, a moving means 36 for moving the filter 50, a rail 37 that guides the moving filter 50, and a cleaning unit 38 that is provided close to the rail 37 and can remove dust adhering to the filter 50 by contacting the filter 50. 【0016】 Refer to Figure 4. The indoor unit 30 further includes a detection means 60 located near the end point E of the rail 37 for detecting when the filter 50 has been sent to the end point E, and a protruding portion 70 that extends from the end of the rail 37 to the detection means 60 toward the trajectory of the filter 50. 【0017】 Refer to Figure 3. The indoor unit 30 also has a control unit (not shown) that receives electrical signals from the detection means 60 and controls the moving means 36 (see Figure 3). The control unit may also be capable of receiving electrical signals from a remote control device mounted in the indoor unit. 【0018】 The housing 40 is formed, for example, by combining three divisible resin parts. The housing 40 has an opening 41 at the top for taking in air, and an outlet 42 at the front bottom for blowing out temperature-controlled air into the room. The outlet 42 is also provided with a louver 43 to regulate the direction of the blown air. 【0019】 Refer to Figure 2. The openings 41, 41 are formed at two locations on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the housing 40. On the other hand, one air outlet 42 is formed across the width of the housing 40. 【0020】 Note that the housing 40 may be formed by combining two or four or more divisible parts. Also, the number of openings 41 and air outlets 42 formed can be arbitrarily set. 【0021】 Two filters 50, 50 are provided according to the respective openings 41, 41. Each of the filters 50, 50 has the same configuration. 【0022】 Refer to FIG. 5B. FIG. 5B shows the filter 50 sent to the detection means 60. The filter 50 has a frame body 51 formed in a substantially square shape as a frame, and rack portions 52 formed on the upper surfaces on the left and right of the frame body 51 and meshing with the moving means 36 (see FIG. 3). For example, the frame body 51 and the rack portions 52 are integrally formed by resin molding. 【0023】 Refer to FIG. 3 together. The filter 50 further has a filter body 53 provided inside the frame body 51 where dust adheres. When based on FIG. 3, when the moving means 36 operates, the filter 50 is sent backward. The filter 50 sent by the moving means 36 is sent to the position shown in FIG. 5B. From this state, by reversing the moving means 36, the filter 50 returns to the position shown in FIG. 3. Normally, the filter 50 is located below the opening 41. 【0024】 The moving means 36 has an electric motor not shown and a transmission portion 36a that interlocks when the electric motor operates to move the filter 50. In this embodiment, the transmission portion 36a is constituted by gears. The transmission portion 36a may be constituted by a plurality of gears, or transmission members other than gears may be used. Also, these may be combined as long as the force of the electric motor can be transmitted to the filter 50. 【0025】 The rail 37 is provided at the rear of the housing 40 in a roughly C-shape, and sandwiches the moving filter 50 from both sides. The rail 37 is formed in a roughly U-shape so as to surround the track along which the filter 50 moves. The filter 50 (particularly the frame 51 and rack section 52) passes through the inside of the rail 37 when it is moved by the moving means 36. In other words, the filter 50 is guided by the rail 37 when it moves. The rail 37 may be integrally formed with the housing 40, or it may be made of a separate component from the housing 40. If the rail 37 is integrally formed with the housing 40, a part of the rail 37 may be integrally formed on each divided part, and the rail 37 may be formed together by assembling the housing 40. 【0026】 The rail 37 may also be provided at the front of the housing 40. In this case, the filter 50 is fed toward the front of the housing 40. Alternatively, the rail 37 may be provided along the lower part of the area where the filter 50 is normally located. In this case, the filter 50 is fed so as to fold back at the front or rear of the housing 40. Furthermore, the rail 37 may be provided at other locations, or in a configuration combining these. 【0027】 The cleaning unit 38 is located near the starting point of the rail 37 and is positioned so as to be in contact with the upper surface of the filter 50. The cleaning unit 38 consists of a rotatably mounted brush. As the filter 50 moves, its upper surface is in contact with the cleaning unit 38 as it moves along. Dust adhering to the upper surface of the filter 50 is caught by the cleaning unit 38. The caught dust falls downward from the rear of the rail 37. The fallen dust is collected in a dust box (not shown). 【0028】 Refer to Figure 5B. The detection means 60 is provided at the front of the rack portion 52 of the filter 50 when it has been sent to the end point E. The detection means 60 includes a detection means support portion 61 connected to the control unit, a detection means body 62 supported by the detection means support portion 61 that detects when the filter 50 has been sent, and a swing portion 63 that is swingably supported by the detection means support portion 61 and whose tip is in contact with the detection means body 62. 【0029】 The detection means 60 may be provided in pairs, one for each of the two filters 50 (see Figure 2), or it may be provided as a single unit for either one of the filters 50. 【0030】 The detection means body 62 is composed of a contact switch. The tip of the detection means body 62 is composed of a button 62a that is biased upward, and when the button 62a is pressed down by the filter 50, it is possible to detect that the filter 50 has been advanced to the end point E. 【0031】 The swing portion 63 is a plate-shaped member that extends from the detection means support portion 61 to the detection means body 62. The filter 50 can press down on the detection means body 62 via the swing portion 63. Because the swing portion 63 is positioned to intersect the trajectory of the filter 50, it can press down on the detection means body 62 more reliably than pressing it directly. 【0032】 Furthermore, the detection means 60 is not limited to a contact-type sensor, but may also be a non-contact-type sensor. 【0033】 The protruding portion 70 is integrally formed with the rail 37 and protrudes in a substantially trapezoidal shape from the rail 37 toward the track of the filter 50. The protruding portion 70 includes a lift-up suppression portion 71 that suppresses the lifting of the filter 50 when the rack portion 52 comes into contact with it, a guide portion 72 that guides the filter 50 from the rail 37 to the lift-up suppression portion 71, and a stopper portion 73 that defines the amount of swing of the swing portion 63 when the swing portion 63 comes into contact with it. 【0034】 Refer to Figure 3. In many cases, the filter 50 is positioned on top of the housing 40 in a bent state. Also, the trajectory of the filter 50 as it passes during cleaning is often not straight but curved. As a result, the filter 50 may be plastically deformed in the position it is in, or elastically deformed along the trajectory. 【0035】 Refer to Figure 5B. Because the filter 50 is not flat, it is prone to lifting at the end point E of the rail 37. By forming a lift-up suppression section 71 near the end point E of the rail 37, the lift-up of the filter 50 can be suppressed. The lift-up suppression section 71 is formed approximately parallel to the track of the filter 50. 【0036】 The lift-up suppression section 71 may also be used to prevent the filter 50 from lifting up by contacting parts other than the rack section 52. 【0037】 The guide section 72 extends diagonally from the rail 37 toward the lift-up suppression section 71. If the filter 50 lifts significantly, the filter 50 is guided along the guide section 72 toward the lift-up suppression section 71. 【0038】 The operation of the air conditioning system 10 described above will now be explained. 【0039】 Refer to Figure 1. During cooling operation, the refrigerant, which has been heated to high temperature and pressure by the compressor 22, exchanges heat with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and releases heat. At this time, the outdoor fan 24 operates to forcibly circulate the outside air around the outer circumference of the outdoor heat exchanger 23, promoting heat exchange. The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and released heat is depressurized in the expansion valve 25, and its temperature decreases. 【0040】 Refer to Figure 3. When the indoor fan 33 operates, air is introduced into the housing 40 through an opening 41 at the top. The introduced air passes around the outer perimeter of the indoor heat exchanger 34 and is blown into the indoor air outlet 42 at the bottom. The indoor heat exchanger 34 is supplied with refrigerant cooled by the outdoor unit 20 (see Figure 1). The air passing around the outer perimeter of the indoor heat exchanger 34 exchanges heat with the refrigerant and is cooled. The cooled air is blown into the indoor air outlet. When air is introduced into the housing 40 from the opening 41, the air passes through the filter 50. As the air passes through the filter 50, dust particles present in the air adhere to the filter 50, and only the air passes through the filter 50. 【0041】 Refer to Figure 1 as well. During heating operation, the four-way switching valve 21 switches the refrigerant flow path, circulating the refrigerant in the opposite direction to that during cooling operation. 【0042】 Refer to Figure 3. For example, when the operation of the air conditioner 10 ends after the operating time exceeds a certain period of time, or when the cleaning button on the remote control device is pressed, the control unit activates the moving mechanism 36 and starts cleaning. When the moving mechanism 36 is activated, the filter 50 is moved along the rail 37. As the filter 50 is moved, it comes into contact with the cleaning unit 38, and any attached dust is removed. 【0043】 When the filter 50 reaches the end point E of the rail 37, the cleaning of the entire filter 50 is completed. Upon reaching the end point E, the filter 50 comes into contact with the swing section 63. At this time, the filter 50 is prevented from lifting up by the lift-up suppression section 71. Since the tip of the swing section 63 is in contact with the detection means body 62, the force with which the filter 50 pushes the swing section 63 is transmitted to the detection means body 62 via the swing section 63. The detection means body 62 detects that the filter 50 has reached the end point E and sends this information to the control unit. The control unit reverses the movement means 36 and returns the filter 50 to its original position. 【0044】 The air conditioning system 10 described above is summarized below. 【0045】 Refer to Figure 3. Firstly, the air conditioning unit 10 includes a housing 40 having an opening 41, a filter 50 facing the opening 41 that allows air to pass through while suppressing the entry of dust, a moving means 36 for moving the filter 50, a rail 37 that guides the moving filter 50, a cleaning unit 38 provided close to the rail 37 and capable of removing dust adhering to the filter 50 by contacting the filter 50, a detection means 60 provided at the end of the rail 37 with reference to the trajectory of the filter 50 and detecting when the filter 50 has been sent to the end point E, and a lift-up suppression unit 71 that protrudes toward the trajectory of the filter 50 between the end of the rail 37 and the detection means 60 and suppresses the lift-up of the filter 50 by contacting the filter 50. 【0046】 The detection means 60 is located at the end of the rail 37, with the trajectory of the filter 50 as a reference. Since the detection means 60 is located at the end of the feeding direction of the filter 50, there is no need to feed the filter 50 in an oblique direction or the like. Because the filter 50 only needs to be fed in one direction, the load on the filter 50 can be reduced. 【0047】 Refer to Figure 5A. Figure 5A shows an indoor unit 130 according to a comparative example. This indoor unit 130 does not have a lift-up suppression section 71 (see Figure 5B) formed between the rail 137 and the detection means 160. Otherwise, it is the same as the indoor unit 30 shown in Figure 5B, etc. 【0048】 In the comparative example indoor unit 130, the filter 150 that is sent may float up significantly. Due to this floating, the filter 150 travels a long distance (see L2) from the end point E of the rail 137 to the detection means 160. The time between reaching the end point E of the rail 137 and the detection means 160 detecting that it has reached the end point is long. 【0049】 Refer to Figure 5B. Figure 5B shows an indoor unit 30 according to an embodiment. In this indoor unit 30, a lift-up suppression section 71 is formed between the rail 37 and the detection means 60. 【0050】 In the indoor unit 30 according to this embodiment, if the incoming filter 50 is about to float up, the rack section 52 comes into contact with the float suppression section 71, preventing it from floating up. By preventing it from floating up, the distance the filter 50 travels from the end point E of the rail 37 to the detection means 60 can be shortened (see L1). The time from when the filter reaches the end point E of the rail 37 until the detection means 60 detects that it has reached that point can also be shortened. 【0051】 Furthermore, the filter 50 inevitably has tolerance differences in size from product to product. In addition, if a contact switch is used for the detection means 60, the stroke amount of the button 62a of the detection means 60 will also differ from product to product. For example, it is conceivable that the shortest filter 50 and the detection means 60 with the smallest stroke amount within the tolerance range will be placed. In this case, if the lift-up suppression part 71 is not formed, there is a risk that the button 62a cannot be pressed down due to the lifting of the filter 50. If the button 62a cannot be pressed down, the moving means 36 (see Figure 3) cannot be stopped and reversed. The lift-up suppression part 71 suppresses the lifting of the filter 50, allowing the button 62a to be pressed down more reliably even with product-to-product variations, thereby suppressing the occurrence of control failures. 【0052】 Secondly, in the first air conditioning device 10, the detection means 60 includes a detection means body 62 that detects the filter 50 when pressed by the filter 50, and a swing part 63 that intersects the trajectory of the filter 50 and is swingably mounted and in contact with the detection means body 62. The swing part 63 is mounted so as to intersect the trajectory of the filter 50. Therefore, even if the filter 50 moves to a position offset from the trajectory, the filter 50 that has reached the endpoint E will come into contact with the swing part 63. Compared to the case where the detection means body 62 is pressed directly by the filter 50, the detection means body 62 can be pressed more reliably via the swing part 63. 【0053】 Thirdly, the first or second air conditioning device 10 further includes a guide portion 72 that is inclined toward the lift-up suppression portion 71 and guides the filter 50 toward the lift-up suppression portion 71. Even if the filter 50 lifts significantly before reaching the end point E of the rail 37, the guide portion 72 allows the filter 50 to be guided toward the lift-up suppression portion 71. Even if the filter 50 lifts significantly, it can be returned to its original track position. 【0054】 Fourth, in any of the first to third air conditioning devices 10, the filter 50 includes a rack portion 52 that engages with a moving means 36 (see Figure 3), and the detection means 60 is provided on the track of the rack portion 52. The rack portion 52 is stronger and less prone to bending than other parts. Because it is less prone to bending, it may deviate from the expected track, or if it does deviate, the amount of deviation is small. Since the detection means 60 detects such a part, detection can be made more reliable. Also, if the detection means 60 is a contact-type switch, the reaction force received from the detection means 60 can suppress the shifting of the filter 50. 【0055】 Fifth, in any of the first to fourth air conditioning devices 10, the filter 50 includes a rack portion 52 that engages with a moving means 36 (see Figure 3), and a lift-up suppression portion 71 is formed at a position where the rack portion 52 can make contact. This allows for a smaller protrusion compared to the case where the lift-up suppression portion 71 is formed at another position. Furthermore, the rack portion 52 has higher strength and is less prone to bending than other parts. Because it is less prone to bending, the reaction force received from the lift-up suppression portion 71 can prevent the filter 50 from shifting off its track. 【0056】 Although the air conditioning system according to the present invention has been described using an air conditioning system equipped with both cooling and heating functions as an example, it is also applicable to systems that have only cooling or only heating functions. 【0057】 Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to cooling systems consisting of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, but also to cooling systems in which these are integrated. 【0058】 Insofar as the present invention achieves its functions and effects, the present invention is not limited to the examples provided. [Industrial applicability] 【0059】 The air conditioning system of the present invention is suitable for household air conditioners. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0060】 10…Air conditioning system 11... Vehicle body 36…Means of transportation 37... Rail 38…Cleaning department 40… Housing 41...Aperture 50…filter 52... Rack section 60...Detection means 62...Detection means main body 63...Swing section 71... Lifting suppression part 72… Guide Section

Claims

[Claim 1] An air conditioning device comprising: a housing having an opening; a filter facing the opening that allows air to pass through while suppressing the intrusion of dust; a means for moving the filter; a rail for guiding the moving filter; a cleaning unit provided close to the rail and capable of removing dust adhering to the filter by contacting the filter; a detection means provided at the end of the rail with respect to the filter's trajectory for detecting when the filter has been sent to its end point; and a lift-up suppression unit that protrudes toward the filter's trajectory between the end of the rail and the detection means and suppresses the filter from lifting by contacting the filter. [Claim 2] The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the detection means comprises a detection means body that detects the filter when pressed by the filter, and a swing portion that intersects the trajectory of the filter and is swingably provided and in contact with the detection means body. [Claim 3] The air conditioning device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide portion that is inclined toward the lift-up suppression portion and guides the filter toward the lift-up suppression portion. [Claim 4] The filter includes a rack portion that engages with the moving means, The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is provided on the track of the rack portion. [Claim 5] The filter includes a rack portion that engages with the moving means, The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the lift-up suppression portion is formed at a position in which the rack portion can come into contact with it.

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