air conditioning unit

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system that keeps the inside of the case clean even when air conditioning is operated continuously for long periods of time. [Solution] In an air conditioning system that performs temperature control by changing the rotation speed of the compressor 22 in accordance with changes in room temperature, if the continuous operation time during which the case 40 has not been cleaned exceeds the cleaning-free time A1 during continuous operation for a long period of time, the control unit 70 determines whether the temperature control stop condition for stopping the compressor 22 by temperature control has been met. If it is determined that the temperature control stop condition has been met, the cleaning unit 50 is activated to clean the inside of the case 40. As a result, even if continuous operation is performed, the cleaning unit 50 that cleans the inside of the case 40 is activated, thus providing an air conditioning system that keeps the inside of the case 40 clean.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an air conditioner with an automatic cleaning function.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an air conditioner that performs automatic cleaning of the inside of the indoor unit by a cleaning unit after the stop of air conditioning operation such as a cooling operation for cooling the room or a heating operation for heating the room. (For example, see Patent Document 1.)

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, unless the user inputs an instruction to stop the air conditioning operation, such as pressing the stop button on the remote control, automatic cleaning is not performed. Therefore, in the case of continuous operation with long-term air conditioning operation, there is no opportunity to stop the air conditioning operation, and there is a problem that the inside of the case of the indoor unit becomes dirty because automatic cleaning is not performed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, Claim 1 provides an air conditioning system comprising: a case having an intake port for drawing in air from a room and an outlet for blowing the drawn-in air back into the room; an air passage that serves as a path connecting the intake port to the outlet; an indoor heat exchanger disposed in the air passage for exchanging heat between a refrigerant and the surrounding air; a blower fan disposed in the air passage for blowing the air that has undergone heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger into the room; a cleaning unit that performs automatic cleaning to automatically clean the inside of the case; a control unit that controls the cleaning unit; a measuring means provided in the control unit for measuring the continuous operation time of the air conditioning operation to adjust the indoor environment; and an operation unit that outputs an operation stop signal for the air conditioning operation to the control unit, wherein the system has an estimation means for estimating whether the inside of the case is dry, and the control unit operates the cleaning unit when the estimation means estimates that the case is dry after the continuous operation time of the air conditioning operation has exceeded a predetermined cleaning-free time during which the operation of the cleaning unit is not required, and before the operation stop signal is output by the operation unit.

[0006] Furthermore, claim 2 provides that the air conditioning system comprises a compressor controlled by the control unit, a heat exchange sensor that detects the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger and inputs it to the control unit, and a room temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the space in which the case is located and inputs it to the control unit, wherein the control unit performs temperature control control to control the compressor so that the difference between the room temperature and the target temperature becomes small when the air conditioning operation is in operation, and the estimation means estimates that the dry state is met when the temperature control stop condition is met by the temperature control control in which the compressor stops.

[0007] Furthermore, in claim 3, the aforementioned air conditioning operation includes a cooling operation to cool the room, and the estimation means is characterized in that it estimates the room to be in a dry state if a predetermined time has elapsed since the temperature control stop condition was met during the cooling operation.

[0008] Furthermore, claim 4 is characterized in that the estimation means estimates the state to be dry if the compressor continues to operate at the lowest rotational speed for a predetermined time or longer during the cooling operation.

[0009] Furthermore, claim 5 is characterized in that the cleaning unit comprises a blower guide cleaning unit for cleaning the blower guide provided in the air passage and / or a fan cleaning unit for cleaning the blower fan. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention enhances the cleanliness of the indoor unit even in the case of continuous operation during long-term air conditioning operation, by automatically cleaning the inside of the indoor unit when the estimation means estimates that it is in a dry state after the continuous operation time of air conditioning has exceeded a predetermined cleaning-free time during which the cleaning unit is required to operate. This is achieved even when the control panel does not output a signal to stop the air conditioning operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] External view of the indoor unit in the same embodiment [Figure 3] Side view cross-sectional view of the indoor unit in the same embodiment. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing the positional relationship between the cleaning unit and the cross-flow fan in the same embodiment. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the positional relationship between the cleaning motor, wire, and cleaning unit in the same embodiment. [Figure 6] Perspective view showing the air blower guide in the same embodiment. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing the state in which the mounting part is attached to and detached from the movable part in the same embodiment. [Figure 8] A side view showing the cleaning unit in the same embodiment in contact with the cross-flow fan and the air blower guide. [Figure 9] This figure shows the state in which the cleaning unit is stored in the storage compartment of the same embodiment. [Figure 10] Control block diagram in the same embodiment [Figure 11] Control flowchart during heating operation in the same embodiment [Figure 12] Control flowchart when the temperature control stop condition is satisfied during the cooling operation in the same embodiment [Figure 13] Control flowchart when the temperature control stop condition is not satisfied during the cooling operation in the same embodiment

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] The air conditioner 10 which is an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Refer to FIG. 1. The air conditioner 10 has an air conditioning operation function for adjusting an indoor environment including a cooling operation function for cooling the interior In and a heating operation function for heating the interior In.

[0013] The air conditioner 10 includes an outdoor unit 20 provided outdoors Ou and an indoor unit 30 provided indoors In. The outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 are connected to each other so that refrigerant can circulate. Hereinafter, 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 for switching the direction of refrigerant circulation during the cooling operation and the heating operation, a compressor 22 for compressing the refrigerant that has passed through the four-way switching valve 21, an outdoor heat exchanger 23 through which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 22 and having become high-temperature and high-pressure flows, an outdoor fan 24 for blowing air toward the outdoor heat exchanger 23, and an expansion valve 25 for decompressing the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 23.

[0015] During the cooling operation, the refrigerant that has become high-temperature and high-pressure by the compressor 22 exchanges heat with the air outdoors Ou in the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and releases heat. At this time, when the outdoor fan 24 operates, the air outdoors Ou is forcibly caused to flow around the outer periphery of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 to promote heat exchange. The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and released heat is decompressed by the expansion valve 25, and the temperature thereof decreases. The refrigerant whose temperature has decreased is sent to the indoor unit 30.

[0016] Refer to FIG. 2. The indoor unit 30 is used by hanging on the wall Wa in the room In. The case 40 of the indoor unit 30 is fixed to the wall Wa via a support plate. In the case 40, a suction port 41 and a blowout port 42 connected to the room In are formed.

[0017] Refer to FIG. 3. The path connecting the suction port 41 and the blowout port 42 is the air duct AP. In the air duct AP, there are a cross-flow fan 31 which is a blower fan and is rotatably supported on the axis C, an indoor heat exchanger 32 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant sent from the expansion valve 25 and the air, a louver 33 provided to be able to open and close the blowout port 42 and adjust the direction of the air blown from the blowout port 42, a filter 34 provided to cover the suction port 41 and prevent dust from entering the case 40, and an air guide 43 that guides the air toward the blowout port 42. When the cross-flow fan 31 operates, the air in the room In is sucked in from the suction port 41 and blown out into the room In from the blowout port 42. The sucked air exchanges heat by passing through the outer periphery of the indoor heat exchanger 32, is guided to the blowout port 42 by the air guide 43, and the direction of the air blown out into the room In is adjusted by the louver 33.

[0018] The refrigerant heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 32 passes through the four-way switching valve 21 of the outdoor unit 20 and is sent to the compressor 22. [[ID=​​​​​​​​​A detailed description of the indoor unit 30 will be provided. The case 40 of the indoor unit 30 includes an intake port 41 and an outlet port 42 formed on the surface of the case 40, an air passage AP connecting the intake port 41 and the outlet port 42, an air guide 43 formed along the longitudinal direction of the case 40 in the direction in which the axis C of the cross-flow fan 31 extends, a cross-flow fan 31 disposed within the air passage AP, an indoor heat exchanger 32 disposed to cover the upper part of the cross-flow fan 31, a louver 33 that is swingably provided on the outlet port 42 and closes the outlet port 42 by fitting into the outlet port 42, a filter 34 disposed to cover the intake port 41, a heat exchanger sensor 35 installed to detect the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 32, a room temperature sensor 36 installed to detect the room temperature, and a control unit 70 that controls the four-way switching valve 21, the compressor 22, the cross-flow fan 31, the louver 33, and the cleaning unit 50.

[0022] The heat exchange sensor 35 is positioned in close contact with a portion of the indoor heat exchanger 32 and detects the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 32. The room temperature sensor 36 is positioned near the intake port 41 and detects the room temperature.

[0023] A detailed explanation of the cleaning unit 50 will be given. Please refer to Figures 4 and 5. The cleaning unit 50 consists of a movable part 51 that moves parallel to the axis C of the cross-flow fan 31, a mounting part 52 that is detachably formed on the movable part 51, a fan cleaning part 53 that is formed on the front side of the mounting part 52 located on the cross-flow fan 31 side and cleans the cross-flow fan 31 by contacting it, a blower guide cleaning part 54 that is formed on the back side of the mounting part 52 located on the blower guide 43 side and cleans the blower guide 43 by contacting it, and a movable part 55 provided on the blower guide 43 that moves the movable part 51 so that it is parallel to the axis C of the cross-flow fan 31.

[0024] Refer to Figures 4, 5, and 6. The air blower guide 43 has a movable part 55 that is configured to move so that the movable part 51 is parallel to the axis C of the cross-flow fan 31. A movable part storage section 55A, which is a groove, is provided in the air blower guide 43 from the right end R to the left end L, parallel to the axis C of the cross-flow fan 31. A cleaning motor 55B, which is a stepping motor that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, is positioned at the right end R of the movable part storage section 55A. A wire 55C is also positioned in the movable part storage section 55A from the right end R to the left end L. A drive pulley 55D is provided at the right end R of the movable part storage section 55A, to which the rotation of the cleaning motor 55B is transmitted to the wire 55C, and a driven pulley (not shown) is provided at the left end L of the movable part storage section 55A that follows the rotation of the drive pulley 55D. A portion of the movable part 51 is connected to a portion of the wire 55C, and the other portion of the movable part 51 protrudes onto the air guide 43. As the cleaning motor 55B rotates, the wire 55C and the movable part 51 move, and the cleaning unit 50 moves along with the movement of the movable part 51. A cover portion 55E protecting the cleaning motor 55B and wire 55C is provided so as to cover the movable parts storage portion 55A. At this time, a gap Sp is provided between the air blower guide 43 and the cover portion 55E so as not to hinder the movement of the movable part 51. The gap Sp is formed parallel to the axis C of the cross-flow fan 31 with the same width, allowing the movable part 51 to move.

[0025] The movable part 51 will now be described in detail. Refer to Figures 7A and 7B. The movable part 51 has a connecting part 51A that connects to a wire 55C located in the movable parts storage part 55A, and a rectangular frame part 51B that protrudes from the air blower guide 43 and has a rectangular frame shape in which the direction of airflow in the air passage AP is the longitudinal direction. The frame part 51B is integrally composed of a pair of vertical frame parts 51C, an upper frame part 51D that connects the upper ends of the pair of vertical frame parts 51C with a horizontal bar, and a lower frame part 51E that connects the lower ends of the pair of vertical frame parts 51C with a horizontal bar. The pair of vertical frame parts 51C are arranged with the same width as the width of the mounting part 52 and have a support edge 51F at the bottom that can support the mounting part 52. A space for inserting the mounting part 52 is formed between the upper frame part 51D and the support edge 51F, and a locking part 51G for locking the mounting part 52 is formed on the lower frame part 51E.

[0026] The mounting portion 52 is a rectangular plate that can close the frame portion 51B, and is formed of a base portion 52A which is the plate-shaped part of the mounting portion 52, an insertion portion 52B which can be inserted into the space between the upper frame portion 51D and the support edge 51F, and a locking portion 52C which can be locked to the locking portion 51G. When the mounting portion 52 is attached to the frame portion 51B, the fan cleaning portion 53 is located on the front side which faces the cross-flow fan 31, and the air blower guide cleaning portion 54 is located on the back side which faces the air blower guide 43 when the mounting portion 52 is attached to the frame portion 51B. In this explanation, the movable part 51 and the mounting part 52 are made of separate components, but they may be made of the same component.

[0027] Refer to Figure 8. The fan cleaning section 53 is formed on the front side of the base 52A in a state where it is in contact with the base 52A and can swing up to a height where the cross-flow fan 31 contacts it, and the part that contacts the cross-flow fan 31 is brush-shaped. The centerline of the swing is in the direction along the axis C of the cross-flow fan 31. The fan cleaning section 53 is equipped with a spring 52D. One end of the spring 52D is fixed to the fan cleaning section 53, and the other end of the spring 52D is fixed to the base 52A. The spring 52D applies force to the fan cleaning section 53 so that it swings in the direction toward the cross-flow fan 31. The cross-flow fan 31 is cleaned as the movable part 51 moves while the fan cleaning part 53 is in contact with the cross-flow fan 31.

[0028] The air blower guide cleaning unit 54 is sheet-shaped, and the air blower guide 43 is cleaned by the movement of the movable part 51 while the air blower guide cleaning unit 54 is in contact with the air blower guide 43.

[0029] Refer to Figures 9A and 9B. A box-shaped storage section 56 is provided to cover the cleaning motor 55B and the drive pulley 55D. The end of the upper surface of the storage section 56 in the direction of the rear is extended in a plate shape to provide a storage section 56A in which the cleaning unit 50 is stored. The upper end of the storage section 56A has a sliding section 56B formed thereon that guides the swing of the cleaning unit 50 so that the fan cleaning section 53 contacts the cross-flow fan 31 when the cleaning unit 50 moves toward the center in the left-right direction of the air blower guide 43. The sliding section 56B contacts the fan cleaning section 53 when the cleaning unit 50 moves into the storage section 56A in the right end R direction and guides the swing from a state in which the fan cleaning section 53 is in contact with the cross-flow fan 31 to a state in which the fan cleaning section 53 is not in contact with the cross-flow fan 31. When the cleaning unit 50 is stored in the storage section 56A, it is stored in a state in which it does not contact the cross-flow fan 31.

[0030] In this description, the cleaning motor 55B and drive pulley 55D are positioned at the right end R of the air blower guide 43. However, the cleaning motor 55B and drive pulley 55D may be positioned at the left end L of the air blower guide 43, and a driven pulley (not shown) may be positioned at the right end R of the air blower guide 43. As the positioning of the cleaning motor 55B, etc., changes, the storage section 56 and storage section 56A will also be positioned at the left end L of the air blower guide 43. Alternatively, the storage section 56 and the storage section 56A may be formed from separate components, with the storage section 56 positioned at the right end R of the air blower guide 43 and the storage section 56A positioned at the left end L of the air blower guide 43. The cleaning unit 50 may move from a state where it is stored in the storage section 56A at the left end L toward the right end R, and then be stored in the storage section 56A from the right end R to perform cleaning.

[0031] Furthermore, the cleaning unit 50 may be configured to include only one of either the fan cleaning unit 53 or the air blower guide cleaning unit 54. Also, the cleaning unit 50 is not limited to components that clean the cross-flow fan 31 and the air blower guide 43, but may be a unit that cleans the filter 34 with a brush, for example. In other words, the cleaning unit 50 is not limited to cleaning the fan and the air blower guide.

[0032] The control unit 70 will be described in detail. Refer to Figure 6. The control unit 70 is located in the control unit housing space 70A, which is a space within the case 40. The control unit housing space 70A is located on the side of the storage section 56A relative to the cross-flow fan 31.

[0033] Refer to Figure 10. The control unit 70 is, for example, a microcontroller (microcomputer) composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., but is not limited to this. When the control unit 70 is a microcontroller, the ROM can store a program that causes the CPU to perform a predetermined operation, and the RAM can form the CPU's work area. In addition, the ROM can store the operation set in the control unit 70 and the data necessary to perform that operation.

[0034] The control unit 70 is capable of controlling the four-way switching valve 21, the compressor 22, the cross-flow fan 31, the louvers 33, and the cleaning motor 55B, and includes a measuring means 70B for measuring the continuous operation time, which indicates the time for which air conditioning operation is performed continuously, and an estimation means 70C for estimating whether the inside of the case 40 is in a dry state.

[0035] The control unit 70 can receive output signals from predetermined switches operated by the operation unit. The operation unit is a remote control 81, which is an infrared transmitting module, but is not limited to this. The remote control 81 includes switches such as a cleaning switch 82 that outputs operation instructions for fan cleaning and airflow guide cleaning to the control unit 70, a cooling switch 83 that outputs operation instructions for cooling operation, a heating switch 84 that outputs operation instructions for heating operation, and an air conditioning stop switch 85 that outputs an operation stop signal for air conditioning operation, including cooling operation and heating operation.

[0036] The operation of the control unit 70 when operating the compressor 22 will be explained. When the control unit 70 receives an operation instruction for cooling or heating, the control unit 70 switches the four-way switching valve 21 so that the flow path direction corresponding to the operation instruction for cooling or heating is opened, and drives the compressor 22, expansion valve 25, outdoor fan 24, and cross-flow fan 31. At this time, the control unit 70 controls the compressor 22 so that the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 36 becomes the target temperature, which is the target room temperature set by the user using the temperature setting switch (not shown) on the remote control 81.

[0037] The control unit 70 performs temperature control, reducing the rotational speed of the compressor 22 as the room temperature approaches the target temperature. When the room temperature reaches the target temperature under temperature control, the control unit 70 determines that the temperature control conditions have been met and sets the rotation speed of the compressor 22 to the minimum speed. After the temperature control conditions are met, if the room temperature falls 1°C or more below the target temperature during cooling operation, or if the room temperature rises 1°C or more above the target temperature during heating operation, the control unit 70 determines that the temperature control stop condition has been met and stops the rotation of the compressor 22.

[0038] The operation details when the control unit 70 activates the fan cleaning function in the cleaning unit 50 will be explained. When the control unit 70 activates the fan cleaning function, the cross-flow fan 31 and the cleaning motor 55B begin to rotate at a low speed. As the cleaning motor 55B rotates at a low speed for a predetermined number of pulses, the cleaning unit 50 moves slowly from inside the storage unit 56A toward the left end L, and as the cleaning motor 55B rotates for a predetermined number of pulses, the cleaning unit 50 reaches the left end L. As the cleaning unit 50 detaches from the storage unit 56A, the fan cleaning section 53 is pulled toward the cross-flow fan 31 by the spring 52D, and the fan cleaning section 53 gradually comes into contact with the cross-flow fan 31 by the sliding section 56B. The path taken by the cleaning unit 50 as it moves from the storage unit 56A to the leftmost end L is called the forward path. When the cleaning unit 50 moves along the forward path at a low speed with the fan cleaning unit 53 in contact with the low-speed rotating cross-flow fan 31 and the airflow guide cleaning unit 54 in contact with the airflow guide 43, this is called forward path cleaning.

[0039] The cleaning motor 55B is rotated at a low speed for a predetermined number of pulses until the cleaning unit 50 reaches the left end L and stops, completing the forward cleaning. After this, the control unit 70 stops the cross-flow fan 31. Subsequently, the cleaning motor 55B is rotated in the reverse direction at a low speed for a predetermined number of pulses to move the cleaning unit 50 from the left end L to the storage section 56A. When the cleaning unit 50 moves near the storage section 56A, the fan cleaning section 53 comes into contact with the sliding section 56B, and as it is stored in the storage section 56A, the fan cleaning section 53 moves away from the cross-flow fan 31. When the cleaning unit 50 is stored in the storage section 56A, the cleaning unit 50 is no longer in contact with the cross-flow fan 31. The path from the leftmost end L to the storage section 56A is called the return path, and the movement of the cleaning unit 50 along the return path while the fan cleaning unit 53 is in contact with the stopped cross-flow fan 31 and the airflow guide cleaning unit 54 is in contact with the airflow guide 43 is called return path cleaning. Once the cleaning motor 55B has completed slow reverse rotation for a predetermined number of pulses, the cleaning unit 50 stops inside the storage section 56A, and the return path cleaning is completed. Furthermore, the process of performing cleaning on both the outbound and return journeys is called cleaning, and the process of the control unit 70 determining whether cleaning is necessary and performing the cleaning automatically without an output signal from the cleaning switch 82 is called automatic cleaning.

[0040] Let me explain the conventional technology. In the conventional air conditioning system 10, the control unit 70 used a measuring means 70B to determine that the cumulative time the air conditioning system had been running without cleaning since the previous cleaning had exceeded a predetermined cleaning-free time X1, at which point the control unit 70 would issue an operation instruction to the cleaning unit 50 when the air conditioning system stopped, causing the air conditioning system 10 to perform automatic cleaning. However, if continuous operation is performed without stopping the air conditioning operation, even if the continuous operation time, which indicates the time during which continuous operation continues, exceeds the cleaning-free time X1, there is no timing for the air conditioning operation to stop, and therefore there is no timing for the control unit 70 to issue an instruction for automatic cleaning. If automatic cleaning is not performed, dust may accumulate inside the indoor unit 30, and there is a possibility that the dust will be blown into the room.

[0041] The cleaning operation when the air conditioning system 10 of the present invention is in continuous operation will be described.

[0042] This section describes the case where the air conditioning unit 10 is operating continuously in heating mode. Refer to Figure 11. The measuring means 70B measures the continuous operation time during heating mode, and the control unit 70 uses the measuring means 70B to determine whether the continuous operation time during heating mode exceeds a predetermined cleaning-free time A1 (S100). If the control unit 70 determines in S100 that the continuous operation time exceeds the cleaning-free time A1, it determines whether the temperature control stop condition is met, which is that the compressor 22 stops when the room temperature becomes 1 degree or more higher than the target temperature under temperature control (S101). If the control unit 70 does not determine in S100 that the continuous operation time exceeds the cleaning-free time A1, the control unit 70 repeatedly determines whether the continuous operation time exceeds the cleaning-free time A1. If the control unit 70 determines in S101 that the temperature control stop condition has been met, it causes the cleaning unit 50 to perform automatic cleaning (S102), and the control unit 70 determines whether the automatic cleaning has been completed (S103). If the control unit 70 does not determine in S101 that the temperature control stop condition has been met, it repeatedly determines whether the temperature control stop condition has been met. If the control unit 70 determines that automatic cleaning is complete in step S103, it restarts the heating operation. If the control unit 70 does not determine that automatic cleaning is complete in step S103, it repeatedly determines whether automatic cleaning is complete.

[0043] The initial value of the no-cleaning time A1 in S100 is 24 hours. Alternatively, the user may freely change the no-cleaning time A1 using a no-cleaning time change switch (not shown) on the remote control 81.

[0044] Furthermore, if a signal from the air conditioning stop switch 85 is output between the time it is determined whether the continuous operation time in S100 exceeds the cleaning-free time A1 and the start of automatic cleaning in S102, the temperature control may be stopped and the conventional automatic cleaning may be started.

[0045] The following describes the case where the air conditioning unit 10 is in continuous cooling operation. Refer to Figure 12. The measuring means 70B measures the continuous operation time of the cooling operation and determines whether the continuous operation time exceeds the predetermined cleaning-free time B1 (S200). If the control unit 70 determines in S200 that the continuous operation time exceeds the cleaning-free time B1, it determines whether the temperature control conditions are met under temperature control so that the room temperature reaches the target temperature and the compressor 22 rotates at its lowest speed (S201). If the control unit 70 does not determine in S200 that the continuous operation time exceeds the cleaning-free time B1, the control unit 70 repeatedly determines whether the continuous operation time exceeds the cleaning-free time B1. If the control unit 70 determines in S201 that the temperature control conditions are met, it then determines whether the temperature control stop condition is met under temperature control, which is that the compressor 22 stops when the room temperature becomes 1 degree or more lower than the target temperature (S202). If it is not determined in S201 that the temperature control conditions have been met, the control unit 70 repeatedly determines whether the temperature control conditions have been met.

[0046] If it is determined in S202 that the temperature control stop condition has been met, the counting of the temperature control stop time B2, which is the time during which the temperature control stop condition has been met, begins (S203). If it is not determined in S202 that the temperature control stop condition has been met, the following will be described later. In S203, the temperature control stop condition is met, and the control unit 70 starts counting the temperature control stop time B2. The control unit 70 then determines whether the temperature control stop time B2 has elapsed to or exceeds the first predetermined time, which is the drying time required B3 (S204). If, in S204, it is determined that the temperature control stop time B2 has elapsed for more than the drying time B3, the estimation means 70C estimates that the inside of the case 40 is dry, and the control unit 70 interrupts the temperature control, stops the compressor 22, closes the air outlet 42 with the louvers 33, and issues an operation command to the cleaning unit 50 to perform automatic cleaning (S205).

[0047] If the control unit 70 does not determine in S204 that the temperature control stop time B2 has elapsed to the required drying time B3 or longer, the control unit 70 determines whether the temperature control stop condition, which causes the compressor 22 to stop due to temperature control, is still in effect (S206). If the control unit 70 determines in S206 that the temperature control stop condition is still in effect, the control unit 70 returns control to S204 and determines whether the temperature control stop time B2 has elapsed to the required drying time B3 or longer. If the control unit 70 does not determine in S206 that the temperature control stop condition is still in effect, In other words, if the compressor 22 has restarted operation due to a rise in room temperature, The control unit 70 discards the count of the temperature control stop time B2 in S203 of the measurement means 70B, returns control to S201, and determines whether the temperature control conditions are met.

[0048] After automatic cleaning is performed in S205, the control unit 70 determines whether the automatic cleaning is complete (S207). If it determines in S207 that the automatic cleaning is complete, the control unit 70 returns control to S200 and resumes temperature control. If it does not determine in S207 that the automatic cleaning is complete, the control unit 70 repeatedly determines whether the automatic cleaning is complete.

[0049] The following explains the case where, in S202, it is not determined that the temperature control stop condition, which is that the compressor 22 stops when the room temperature is 1 degree or more lower than the target temperature, has been met. Refer to Figure 13. If, in S202, it is not determined that the temperature control stop condition has been met, the control unit 70 uses the heat exchange sensor 35 to detect the heat exchange temperature C1, which is the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 32 (S208), and determines whether the heat exchange temperature C1 is at or above the predetermined drying temperature C2 (S209). If it is determined in S209 that the heat exchanger temperature C1 is equal to or greater than the drying temperature C2, the measuring means 70B measures the duration D1 of the time during which the heat exchanger temperature C1 is equal to or greater than the drying temperature C2 (S210). If the control unit 70 does not determine in S209 that the heat exchanger temperature C1 is equal to or higher than the drying temperature C2, the control unit 70 returns to S201 and determines whether the temperature control conditions for the compressor 22 to operate at the lowest rotational speed are met.

[0050] In S210, the control unit 70 starts measuring the duration D1 at which the heat exchanger temperature C1 is equal to or greater than the drying temperature C2, and determines whether the duration D1 has elapsed to or greater than the second predetermined time, which is the drying time D2 (S211). If, in S211, it is determined that the duration D1 has elapsed to be equal to or greater than the drying time D2, the estimation means 70C estimates that the inside of the case 40 is dry, and the control unit 70 operates the cleaning unit 50 with the compressor 22 running at the lowest rotational speed to perform weak cooling automatic cleaning (S212). After that, the control unit 70 determines whether the weak cooling automatic cleaning is complete (S213).

[0051] If the control unit 70 does not determine in S211 that the duration D1 has elapsed to be equal to or greater than the drying time D2, then the control unit 70 determines whether the heat exchanger temperature C1 is equal to or greater than the drying temperature C2 (S214). If the control unit 70 determines in S214 that the heat exchanger temperature C1 is equal to or greater than the drying temperature C2, it returns the control to S211 and determines whether the duration D1 has elapsed to or greater than the drying time D2. If the control unit 70 does not determine in S214 that the heat exchanger temperature C1 is equal to or greater than the drying temperature C2, the control unit 70 discards the count of the duration D1 measured by the measuring means 70B in S210, returns control to S201, and determines whether the temperature control condition is met such that the room temperature becomes the same as the target temperature under temperature control, causing the compressor 22 to operate at the lowest rotational speed.

[0052] If it is determined in S213 that the weak cooling automatic cleaning is complete, control is returned to S200 and the control unit 70 resumes temperature control. If the control unit 70 does not determine in S213 that the weak cooling automatic cleaning has been completed, it repeatedly determines whether the automatic cleaning has been completed.

[0053] Furthermore, the cleaning-free time B1 of S200 is 24 hours, and the user may freely change the cleaning-free time B1 using a cleaning-free time change switch (not shown) on the remote control 81.

[0054] The drying time B3 for S204 described above will now be explained. The drying time B3 indicates the time sufficient for the condensation that has already occurred to dry, in a state where no further condensation will occur due to the stopping of the compressor 22. It is constant regardless of the room temperature and target temperature and is set in advance. Furthermore, the control unit 70 may be configured to shorten the drying time B3 when the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 36 is high, and to lengthen the drying time B3 when the room temperature is low. Also, if a humidity sensor is provided inside the case 40, the control unit 70 may be configured to lengthen the drying time B3 when the humidity is high, and to shorten the drying time B3 when the humidity is low.

[0055] The predetermined drying temperature C2 in S209 will now be explained. Using a fixed relative humidity, the dew point temperature corresponding to each room temperature is stored in the control unit 70 in advance, and the dew point temperature corresponding to the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 36 is used as the drying temperature C2. The estimation means 70C estimates that the inside of the case 40 is dry if the heat exchanger temperature C1 is higher than the drying temperature C2, and estimates that the inside of the case 40 is wet if the heat exchanger temperature C1 is lower than the drying temperature C2. If a humidity sensor is provided inside the case 40, instead of a fixed relative humidity value, the control unit 70 may calculate the dew point temperature from the humidity detected by the humidity sensor and the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 36, and the calculated dew point temperature may be used as the drying temperature C2.

[0056] The drying time D2 of S211 described above will now be explained. The drying time D2 is a preset time that is sufficient for the condensation that has already occurred to dry, while the heat exchanger temperature C1 is higher than the drying temperature C2, preventing further condensation. Unlike the required drying time B3, the drying time D2 is different from the required drying time B3 because the compressor 22 is rotating at its lowest speed. Furthermore, the control unit 70 may be configured to shorten the drying time D2 when the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 36 is high, and to lengthen the drying time D2 when the room temperature is low. In addition, if a humidity sensor is provided inside the case 40, the control unit 70 may be configured to calculate the drying time D2 using the humidity detected by the humidity sensor, and to lengthen the drying time D2 when the humidity is high, and shorten the drying time D2 when the humidity is low.

[0057] When performing the weak cooling operation described in S212, the forward cleaning is performed with the cross-flow fan 31 rotating at the lowest speed, and the return cleaning is performed with the cross-flow fan 31 rotating at the lowest speed to prevent condensation from occurring inside the case 40.

[0058] It should be noted that automatic cleaning and weak cooling automatic cleaning generate a small amount of noise. Therefore, the indoor unit 30 may be equipped with a motion sensor capable of determining whether there is a person inside the room (In), and the control unit 70 may start automatic cleaning or weak cooling automatic cleaning only if the motion sensor determines that there is no person inside the room (In) after the estimation means 70C has estimated that the inside of the case 40 is dry. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 20 Outdoor unit 22 Compressor 31 Cross-flow fan 32 Indoor heat exchanger 33 Louvers 35 Heat exchanger sensor 36 Room temperature sensor 43 Airflow guide 50 Cleaning Units 70 Control Unit 70B Measurement means 70C Estimation means

Claims

1. In cases where an intake port for drawing in air from inside the room and an outlet port for blowing the drawn-in air back into the room are open, A duct that serves as a path connecting the intake port to the outlet port, An indoor heat exchanger is placed in the aforementioned airflow path and exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the surrounding air, A fan is arranged in the aforementioned airflow path and blows air that has undergone heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger into the room. A cleaning unit that performs automatic cleaning to automatically clean the inside of the aforementioned case, A control unit that controls the cleaning unit, The control unit is provided with a measuring means for measuring the continuous operation time of the air conditioning operation that adjusts the indoor environment, In an air conditioning system comprising an operation unit that outputs an operation stop signal for the air conditioning operation in the control unit, An air conditioning system having an estimation means for estimating whether the inside of the case is dry, wherein the control unit operates the cleaning unit when the estimation means estimates that the inside is dry after the continuous operation time of the air conditioning operation has exceeded a predetermined cleaning-free time during which the operation of the cleaning unit is not required, and before the operation stop signal is output by the operation unit.

2. The air conditioning system includes a compressor controlled by the control unit, A heat exchange sensor that detects the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger and inputs it to the control unit, The system includes a room temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the space in which the case is placed and inputs it to the control unit, The control unit performs temperature control to control the compressor so that the difference between the room temperature and the target temperature is reduced when the air conditioning is in operation. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation means estimates the state to be dry when the temperature control stop condition is met, which causes the compressor to stop due to the temperature control.

3. The aforementioned air conditioning operation includes cooling operation to cool the room, The air conditioning device according to claim 2, wherein the estimation means estimates the dry state to have occurred after a first predetermined time has elapsed since the temperature control stop condition was met during the cooling operation.

4. The air conditioning device according to claim 3, wherein the estimation means estimates that the dry state is present if the compressor continues to operate at the lowest rotational speed for a second predetermined time or longer during the cooling operation.

5. The air conditioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a blower guide cleaning unit for cleaning the blower guide provided in the air passage and / or a fan cleaning unit for cleaning the blower fan.

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