Air Conditioner

Abstract

An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a cabinet having an intake port, a filter assembly disposed in the intake port for removing foreign substances from the air being sucked in, and a filter cleaning assembly for removing foreign substances from the filter assembly. The filter assembly comprises a first filter module covering the left side of the intake port and a second filter module covering the right side of the intake port. The filter cleaning assembly comprises a filter cleaner for removing foreign substances from the filter assembly and a guide rail disposed between the first filter module and the second filter module for guiding the movement of the filter cleaner. The guide rail has an electrode hole formed therein that forms a space for an electrode to be disposed therein for ionizing foreign substances in the air.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more specifically, to an air conditioner comprising a filter cleaner for cleaning a filter. Background Technology

[0002] The indoor unit of the air conditioner can regulate the required indoor temperature by discharging air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant into the room. The indoor unit of the air conditioner can draw in indoor air through the intake port, exchange heat with the refrigerant, and discharge the heat-exchanged air through the discharge port.

[0003] The indoor units of an air conditioner can be classified into ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted, and freestanding types depending on their installation location. For freestanding indoor units, the discharge port may be formed at the front or side of the cabinet, and the intake port may be formed at the rear of the cabinet.

[0004] Since the discharge port of the stand-type indoor unit is positioned to face the indoor space, the intake port located at the rear of the cabinet is positioned to face the wall or corner surface of the indoor space. Accordingly, the filter placed at the intake port to filter out foreign substances can also be positioned on the rear surface of the cabinet.

[0005] In the case of freestanding indoor units, changing the installed location is difficult due to factors such as the product's size, weight, or the arrangement of the refrigerant pipes. Consequently, users must replace or clean the filter from the cabinet in the rear space. This presents a problem that causes inconvenience to the user due to spatial constraints in the area where the air intake is installed.

[0006] Chinese Public Patent CN103008289 discloses a stand-type indoor unit having an intake port formed at the rear. A filter is disposed in the intake port formed at the rear of the indoor unit, and a filter cleaner is disposed at the rear of the filter so as to be movable in the vertical direction of the filter and sucks foreign matter into the filter.

[0007] However, in the above-described content, the filter cleaner moving in the vertical direction has a structure that cleans only a limited area in the horizontal direction. In a structure including such a filter cleaner, a structure in which the filter moves in the horizontal direction is required to clean both the horizontal and horizontal directions of the filter. Accordingly, the above-described Chinese published patent discloses a structure in which the filter is rearranged in the horizontal direction.

[0008] Furthermore, as described above, in a structure where the arrangement of the filter changes in the left-right direction, deformation of the filter's shape is required to move in the left-right direction within a limited left-right area. Accordingly, a Chinese published patent discloses a structure in which the filter's shape can be deformed at both the left and right ends.

[0009] Therefore, in structures where the arrangement or shape of the filter is not changed, there is a problem in applying the above content. In particular, in filter structures including dust collectors or deodorizing filters, variations in the arrangement or shape of the filter are extremely limited, making it difficult to apply to various types of filters; furthermore, there is a problem in applying the above content even in structures where multiple types of filters are used together.

[0010] Furthermore, the filter cleaner disclosed in the aforementioned Chinese published patent describes removing foreign substances stuck in the filter by a suction method. Since a filter is a device that chemically or physically filters out moving foreign substances, it is impractical to remove the stuck foreign substances solely through the flow of air. Prior art literature

[0011] Chinese Public Patent No. 103008289 The problem to be solved

[0012] The first problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner capable of maintaining a clean filter, the position and shape of which are fixed at the rear of the indoor unit. That is, the invention provides an indoor unit of an air conditioner equipped with a separate filter cleaner that cleans the filter separately from the filter being cleaned by a user, wherein the filter cleaner moves up and down on the fixedly positioned filter to clean it.

[0013] In order to dislodge dust trapped in the filter and move vertically along a vertically arranged filter module, it is required that the filter cleaner be structured to move while maintaining a certain distance from the filter module. Furthermore, as the number of components included inside the filter cleaner increases, the load on the filter cleaner increases; therefore, moving vertically while maintaining a certain distance from the filter module can be very difficult. The second problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a structure in which the filter cleaner can move vertically while maintaining a certain distance from a vertically arranged filter.

[0014] Since foreign substances trapped in the filter are those that get stuck during the process of entering the filter, physical force is required to detach the foreign substances trapped between the gaps of the filter. Furthermore, since the foreign substances detached from the filter can re-enter the filter, a process to remove them may be required. The third task is to solve the problem of shaking off and removing such foreign substances trapped in the filter.

[0015] The fourth problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner that allows a user to easily insert or withdraw a dust bin located in a filter cleaner positioned at the rear of the indoor unit from the front of the indoor unit.

[0016] A filter cleaner requires a structure that performs multiple functions, such as a structure that allows the dust bin to be easily attached and detached, and a structure that forms an air flow path to allow foreign matter to flow into the dust bin when mounted on the filter cleaner. The fifth problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner that performs the above multiple functions with a simple structure.

[0017] The problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0018] To achieve the above objective, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention comprises an intake port positioned at the rear, a filter module positioned at the intake port, a filter cleaner that moves up and down at the rear of the filter module, and a guide rail that guides the up and down movement of the filter cleaner, so that the filter cleaner moving in the up and down direction can remove dust stuck in the filter module.

[0019] In addition, the filter cleaner includes a moving gear for movement, a guide roller, an agitator for cleaning, and a dust bin. The dust bin is positioned below the agitator and has a structure that allows dust from the agitator to be received. The guide roller has a structure that allows the filter cleaner to be brought into close contact with the filter module so that cleaning of the filter module by the agitator can proceed. The filter cleaner can move in close contact with the filter module at a distance such that foreign matter on the filter module can be removed by the operation of the agitator.

[0020] The filter cleaner described above may further include a suction fan that forms an airflow to cause foreign matter falling from the filter module to flow into the dust bin by the rotation of the agitator, thereby sending the dust falling to the agitator into the dust bin.

[0021] The guide rail comprises a gear rail forming screw threads that mesh with the moving gear; and a roller rail positioned behind the gear rail and forming a rib structure on which the guide roller is mounted, so that the filter cleaner can move stably along the guide rail.

[0022] The above gear rail is formed on both sides of the guide rail, and the moving gear includes a pair of moving gears arranged to mesh with the gear rails formed on both sides of the guide rail, so that the filter cleaner can move stably.

[0023] The roller rail is formed on each side of the guide rail behind the gear rail, and the guide roller includes at least one pair of guide rollers mounted on each roller rail formed on each side of the guide rail, so that the filter cleaner can move in close contact with the filter module.

[0024] The above guide roller further includes an upper guide roller mounted on the upper side of the moving gear so as to be movable along the guide rail and bringing the filter cleaner into close contact with the filter module, and a lower guide roller mounted on the lower side of the upper guide roller so as to be movable along the guide rail and bringing the filter cleaner to the filter module, so as to allow the filter cleaner to move stably along the guide rail.

[0025] The filter cleaner comprises: a base cover that forms the outer shape of the filter cleaner and is positioned to face the filter module; and an outer cover that forms the outer shape of the filter cleaner and is coupled to the base cover at the rear of the base cover, wherein the base cover has a guide rail groove formed in an upward and downward direction to accommodate the guide rail.

[0026] The above moving gear is positioned on the inner surface of the base cover and is positioned so that a portion of it protrudes into the guide rail groove through a moving gear hole formed on one side of the guide rail groove, allowing the filter cleaner to move stably on the guide rail.

[0027] The upper guide roller and the lower guide roller are positioned in a guide roller groove that is concavely formed towards the rear on the outer surface of the base cover, and a portion of them are positioned to protrude into the guide rail groove, so that the filter cleaner can move stably on the guide rail.

[0028] The upper guide roller and the lower guide roller are positioned behind the moving gear, so that the filter cleaner can move stably along the guide rail.

[0029] A magnetic generating unit is disposed on the upper part of the guide rail to restrict the upward movement of the filter cleaner, and the filter cleaner includes a Hall sensor that detects the magnetic force of the magnetic generating unit, so that the upward movement of the filter cleaner can be restricted.

[0030] The lower side of the above guide rail includes a bottom plate that restricts the downward movement of the filter cleaner, and the filter cleaner includes a bottom detection sensor that detects contact with the bottom plate, so that the downward movement of the filter cleaner can be restricted.

[0031] The filter cleaner described above includes an agitator groove that forms a space in which the agitator is rotatably positioned, and the agitator groove has a communication hole formed on one side that communicates with the dust bin, so that foreign matter falling on the filter module through the agitator can be introduced into the dust bin.

[0032] The above agitator groove includes a duster positioned at the bottom of the communication hole in the rotational direction of the agitator and in contact with the end of the agitator, so that foreign matter attached to the agitator can fall off and flow into the communication hole.

[0033] The filter cleaner further includes a connecting housing that connects the agitator groove to the dust bin.

[0034] The above connecting housing can guide the insertion and withdrawal of the dust bin and form a space into which the dust bin is inserted, thereby guiding the insertion of the dust bin.

[0035] The dust bin includes a magnetic member that fixes the state in which the dust bin is mounted on the filter cleaner, so that the state in which the dust bin is inserted can be stably maintained.

[0036] In the above connecting housing, a dust bin fixing member is disposed at the end of the space where the dust bin is inserted, and an attractive force acts with the magnetic member, so that the inserted state of the dust bin can be stably maintained.

[0037] The dustbin above is inserted into the side of the filter cleaner and has a rearwardly convex curved shape, so that the dustbin inserted into the filter cleaner positioned at the rear can be pulled out forward.

[0038] The dustbin comprises: a dustbin body forming a space for accommodating foreign substances; an upper cover disposed on the upper side of the dustbin body and having a dustbin suction port formed therein; a lower cover disposed on the lower side of the dustbin body and having a discharge port formed therein; a dustbin filter disposed inside the lower cover and filtering foreign substances in the air discharged through the discharge port; and a dustbin filter mounting portion in which the dustbin filter is mounted internally and which is accommodated inside the lower cover.

[0039] The filter cleaner described above further includes a side brush portion positioned to contact the end of the filter module on one side of the agitator, thereby enabling the removal of foreign substances up to the outer end of the filter module.

[0040] An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a cabinet assembly having an external shape and an intake port, a filter assembly disposed at the intake port for removing foreign substances from the air being sucked in, and a filter cleaning assembly provided on the outside of the cabinet assembly for removing foreign substances from the filter assembly, wherein the filter cleaning assembly comprises a filter cleaner for removing foreign substances from the filter assembly, a moving guide for guiding the movement of the filter cleaner, and a power supply device for supplying power to the filter cleaner, wherein the moving guide comprises a guide rail for guiding the movement of the filter cleaner and a downward movement limiting part for limiting the downward movement of the filter cleaner moving along the guide rail, and the distance from the downward movement limiting part to the bottom of the intake port is greater than the vertical length of the filter cleaner.

[0041] The cabinet assembly of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an upper cabinet having an intake port formed at the rear, and a lower cabinet disposed at the lower part of the upper cabinet, having a rear protruding cover disposed on the rear surface having a power line hole through which a power line connected to the filter cleaner passes, and the lower movement limiting member may be disposed on the upper side of the rear protruding cover.

[0042] The distance from the upper surface of the rear protruding cover of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention to the top of the lower cabinet may be greater than the vertical length of the filter cleaner.

[0043] The guide rail of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an upper guide rail disposed at the rear of the upper cabinet and a lower guide rail disposed at the rear of the lower cabinet, and the length of the lower guide rail may be greater than the vertical length of the filter cleaner.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide rail of the air conditioner may extend from the top of the upper cabinet to the lower movement limiting part.

[0045] The lower portion of the filter assembly of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may be positioned on the upper side of the lower cabinet.

[0046] The lower movement limiting part of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a lower plate disposed on the upper surface of the rear protruding cover and having a lower plate groove formed at a position corresponding to the power line hole.

[0047] The filter cleaner of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a bottom detection sensor that detects contact with the lower movement limiting part.

[0048] The lower detection sensor of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a detection lever that is positioned protruding downward from the filter cleaner and whose end contacts the lower movement limiting part when the filter cleaner moves downward.

[0049] An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a control unit that controls the position of the filter cleaner to a position where the filter cleaner contacts the lower movement limiting part when cleaning of the filter assembly is finished.

[0050] An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a cabinet assembly having an external shape and an intake port, a filter assembly disposed at the intake port for removing foreign substances from the air being sucked in, and a filter cleaning assembly provided on the outside of the cabinet assembly for removing foreign substances from the filter assembly, wherein the filter cleaning assembly comprises a filter cleaner for removing foreign substances from the filter assembly, a moving guide for guiding the movement of the filter cleaner, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the filter cleaner, and when the filter cleaner is disposed at the lowest point of the movement range in which it can move along the moving guide, the upper end of the filter cleaner is located below the lower end of the filter assembly.

[0051] The filter assembly of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a filter module for removing foreign substances in flowing air, a filter mounting member on which the filter module is mounted, and a moving member for changing the position of the filter mounting member so that the width direction of the filter module faces forward when the filter cleaner is positioned at the bottom of the moving range in which it can move along the moving guide.

[0052] The moving guide of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a guide rail that guides the movement of the filter cleaner, and a lower movement limiting part that contacts the filter cleaner when the filter cleaner is positioned at the lowest point in the movement range in which the filter cleaner can move along the moving guide.

[0053] The lower movement limiting part of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention is disposed on the rear surface of the cabinet assembly, and may be disposed on the upper side of a rear protruding cover having a power line hole through which a power line connected to the filter cleaner passes.

[0054] The lower movement limiting part of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a lower plate disposed on the upper surface of the rear protruding cover and having a lower plate groove formed at a position corresponding to the power line hole.

[0055] The filter cleaner of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a bottom detection sensor that detects contact with the lower movement limiting part.

[0056] The lower detection sensor of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a detection lever that is positioned protruding downward from the filter cleaner and whose end contacts the lower movement limiting part when the filter cleaner moves downward.

[0057] An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a control unit that controls the filter cleaner to be positioned at the lowest point in the movement range that can move along the moving guide when cleaning of the filter assembly is finished.

[0058] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings. Effects of the invention

[0059] According to the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention, one or more of the following effects are present.

[0060] Through the above solution, first, the indoor unit of the present invention includes a filter cleaner that moves up and down on a filter module arranged in an up-and-down direction, and has a structure in which the filter cleaner removes foreign matter stuck in the filter module by rotating while the agitator frictionally rubs against the filter module. Since the foreign matter stuck in the filter module is dislodged through the friction of the agitator, there is an advantage in being able to keep the filter clean. Through this, air from which foreign matter has been removed is discharged to the outlet, thereby having the advantage of maintaining a pleasant indoor space.

[0061] Second, a guide roller that brings the filter cleaner into close contact with the filter module is movably mounted on a guide rail, so that the filter cleaner can move stably in the up and down direction of the filter, and the agitator can maintain friction with the filter module, which has the advantage of keeping the filter module clean.

[0062] Third, the filter cleaner has the advantage of effectively cleaning the debris stuck in the filter by using an edge cleaner to shake off the debris stuck in the filter and then using a suction fan to suck up the shaken debris toward the dust bin.

[0063] Fourth, the dust bin that is inserted into and withdrawn from the filter cleaner has a convex shape toward the rear, and a dust bin insertion hole into which the dust bin is inserted is formed on the side of the filter cleaner, so that the dust bin can be withdrawn in the forward direction, so the user can easily insert or withdraw the dust bin of the filter cleaner placed at the rear of the indoor unit from the front of the indoor unit.

[0064] Fifth, the connecting housing attached to the inner side of the base cover forms a space for inserting the dust bin, while simultaneously forming a structure that connects the airflow path into the dust bin to the suction fan. This simple structure offers the advantage of a stable fixing structure for the dust bin and a structure that allows foreign matter to flow smoothly into the dust bin.

[0065] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0066] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the configuration of a cabinet assembly and a door assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of an indoor unit with the filter cleaner removed according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of a moving guide according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along Y1-Y1' of Figure 6. FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a filter cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a rear view of a filter cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a filter cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a filter cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a front view of a filter cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a filter cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a rear view of FIG. 9 with the outer cover and dustbin removed. Fig. 15 is a rear view of the state in which the connecting housing is removed from Fig. 14. FIG. 16 is a downward view of a state in which a base cover and a connecting housing are combined according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a base cover and a connecting housing combined according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of a connecting housing according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of a connecting housing according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a dustbin according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a plan view of a dustbin according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a bottom view of a dustbin according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a rear view of a dustbin according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a dustbin according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the dustbin body and lower cover separated according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 26 is another side perspective view of Fig. 25. FIG. 27 is a rear view illustrating the combination of a dust bin body and a connecting housing according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along X1-X1' of FIG. 12. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along X2-X2' of FIG. 12. FIG. 30 is a drawing for explaining a base part and a power supply device arranged inside and outside the base part according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 31 is a drawing for explaining the state in which a filter cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention moves along a guide rail. FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating the control relationship between the main components of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 33 is a drawing illustrating the internal configuration of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating the control relationship between the main components of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 35 is an internal block diagram of a cleaning module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 36 is a drawing referenced for the explanation of the control of the movement speed of the guide rail when the filter cleaner moves in the upward direction of the guide rail or the control of the movement speed of the guide rail when the guide rail moves in the downward direction. FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0067] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0068] Throughout the entire invention, expressions such as 'first, second, ...' are used to distinguish components and are unrelated to priority or importance among the components. The direction indicators of up (U), down (D), left (Le), right (Ri), front (F), and back (R) shown in the drawings are for the convenience of describing the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Therefore, if the reference is changed, the above directions may also be set differently.

[0069] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0070] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the entire assembly structure constituting the indoor unit according to the present embodiment will be schematically described, and the structure of each assembly will be schematically described.

[0071] <Overall Composition>

[0072] The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment may include a cabinet assembly (I) that forms an outer shape and has an open front, a door assembly (II) that covers the open front of the cabinet assembly (I), a blower fan assembly (III) that is disposed inside the cabinet assembly (I) and forms an airflow, a heat exchange assembly (IV) that exchanges heat with a refrigerant with the air flowing through the blower fan assembly (III), a filter assembly (VI) that filters the air flowing into the cabinet assembly (I), a filter cleaning assembly (VII) that removes foreign matter present on one side of the filter assembly (VI), and a humidification assembly (V) that discharges humidified air to the outside of the cabinet assembly (I).

[0073] Cabinet Assembly

[0074] The cabinet assembly (I) according to the present embodiment may include an upper cabinet (11) that forms an intake port (111) at the rear and forms a space in which a heat exchanger (41) is disposed on the inside, a base part (12) disposed on the lower side of the upper cabinet (11) and forms a space in which a part of the humidification assembly (V) is disposed, a lower cabinet (13) that covers the rear and side of the base part (12), and side discharge members (14a, 14b) disposed between the upper cabinet (11) and the door assembly (II) and form a side discharge port (141) through which air is discharged.

[0075] A filter assembly (VI) is mounted at the rear of the upper cabinet (11), in the portion where the intake port (111) is formed. A door assembly (II) is positioned at the open front of the upper cabinet (11). The upper cabinet (11) is positioned above the lower cabinet (13). The upper cabinet (11) is positioned above the base portion (12). The upper cabinet (11) is positioned at the rear of the door assembly (II).

[0076] The upper cabinet (11) may form a space in which a heat exchanger (41), a full-air airflow module (31), and side-air airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c) are arranged. Inside the upper cabinet (11), a heat exchanger mounting member (not shown) in which the heat exchanger (41) is mounted, a full-air airflow module mounting member (not shown) in which the full-air airflow module (31) is mounted, and a side-air airflow module mounting member (not shown) in which the side-air airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c) are mounted may be arranged.

[0077] A filter assembly (VI) may be positioned at the rear of the upper cabinet (11). The filter assembly (VI) includes a plurality of filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) positioned to the left and right at the rear of the upper cabinet (11).

[0078] A guide rail (711) for guiding the movement of a filter cleaner (72) is arranged between a plurality of filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) arranged left and right at the rear of the upper cabinet (11). A guide rail (711) for guiding the movement of a filter cleaner (72) may be arranged at the rear of the upper cabinet (11). The guide rail (711) is arranged to protrude rearward from the center of the plurality of filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) arranged left and right at the rear of the upper cabinet (11).

[0079] An ionization unit (not shown) may be positioned at the rear of the upper cabinet (11) where a guide rail (711) is mounted. The ionization unit can ionize the air flowing into the intake port (111) by applying a high voltage and discharging it.

[0080] The upper cabinet (11) is positioned behind the side discharge members (14a, 14b). The upper cabinet (11) is positioned above the base part (12).

[0081] The base section (12) is positioned below the upper cabinet (11). The base section (12) forms a space on the inside where a water tank (51) and a heating section (52), which are components of the humidification assembly (V), are positioned. A power supply unit (73) on which a power line (731) connected to the filter cleaning assembly (VII) is wound may be positioned on the inside of the base section (12).

[0082] The base portion (12) may have a box shape with an open front. A lower cabinet (13) and a part of the side discharge member (14a, 14b) may be arranged on the outer perimeter of the base portion (12). In the base portion (12), a power line through hole (133) through which a power line (731) connected to the filter cleaning assembly (VII) passes, and a humidification flow path through hole (not shown) through which a humidification flow path (54) of the humidification assembly (V) passes through may be formed. A door assembly (II) may be arranged on the front of the base portion (12). An upper cabinet (11) may be mounted on the upper side of the base portion (12). A separate support member (121) may be additionally mounted on the upper side of the base portion (12) to support a structure arranged on the upper side of the base portion (12).

[0083] At the rear of the base part (12), a power line cover tube hole (122) through which a power line cover tube (733) passes can be formed.

[0084] In a state where the base part (12) and the upper cabinet (11) are combined in an upper and lower configuration, a door assembly (II) is placed on the front of the base part (12) and the upper cabinet (11).

[0085] The lower cabinet (13) can cover the side and rear of the base part (12). The lower cabinet (13) is positioned on the outside of the base part (12) to reinforce the rigidity of the base part (12). On the rear surface of the lower cabinet (13), a guide rail (711) that guides the movement of the filter cleaner (72) of the filter cleaning assembly (VII), a bottom plate (7131) that restricts the downward movement of the filter cleaner (72), and a rear protruding cover (131) formed with a power line hole (1312) through which a power line (731) connected to the filter cleaner (72) inside the base part (12) is exposed to the outside may be positioned. The bottom plate (7131) is positioned on the upper side of the rear protruding cover (131).

[0086] The guide rail (711) and the bottom plate (7131) may be configured separately from the bottom cabinet (13). The rear protruding cover (131) is configured to protrude from the rear of the bottom cabinet (13), and a power line hole (1312) is formed on the upper side. The power line hole (1312) is formed at a position corresponding to the bottom plate groove (7131a) formed in the bottom plate (7131) and the guide groove (7113) formed in the guide rail (711). That is, the power line hole (1312), the bottom plate groove (7131a), and the guide groove (7113) can be positioned at corresponding positions in the vertical direction so that the power line (731) can be stably connected.

[0087] The rear protruding cover (131) may have a part of the power line cover tube (733) positioned inside to minimize friction with the external components due to the movement of the power line (731) positioned inside the base part (12), which will be described below.

[0088] The distance (D1) from the upper surface (1311) of the rear protruding cover (131) to the upper end (13a) of the lower cabinet (13) can be formed to be greater than the length (D2) formed in the vertical direction of the filter cleaner (72) of the filter cleaning assembly (VII) described below.

[0089] A refrigerant pipe hole (132) through which a refrigerant pipe (not shown) of a heat exchange assembly (IV) passes may be formed on the rear surface of the lower cabinet (13). A power line hole (1312) through which a power line supplying power from an external power source passes may be formed on the rear surface of the lower cabinet (13).

[0090] Side discharge members (14a, 14b) may be positioned between the upper cabinet (11) and the door assembly (II). Side discharge members (14a, 14b) may be positioned between the lower cabinet (13) and the door assembly (II). Side discharge members (14a, 14b) may cover a portion of the side of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0091] Side discharge members (14a, 14b) may have side discharge ports (141) formed on both sides to discharge air flowing through the side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c) described below to the outside. A plurality of vanes (142) that guide the direction of the discharged air may be arranged in the side discharge ports (141). The plurality of vanes (142) may be formed integrally with the side discharge members (14a, 14b). The plurality of vanes (142) according to the present embodiment may be arranged at an angle toward the front to guide the air discharged outside the cabinet in the forward direction.

[0092] Door Assembly

[0093] The door assembly (II) covers the front of the indoor unit and includes a door plate (21) having a front discharge port (22) formed on one side, a door moving member (not shown) for moving the door plate (21) left and right, a discharge port cover (23) for opening and closing the front discharge port (22) formed on the door plate (21), and a cover moving member (not shown) for moving the front discharge port cover (23) up and down.

[0094] The door moving member according to the present embodiment can move the door plate (21) left and right at the front of the cabinet assembly (I). The cover moving member according to the present embodiment can move the discharge port cover (23) to open or close the front discharge port (22). The cover moving member can move the discharge port cover (23) to the lower side of the front discharge port (22). When the front discharge port (22) is opened by moving the discharge port cover (23), the front airflow module (31), which will be described below, can be exposed to the outside. The front airflow module (31) can move in the front and rear directions of the opened front discharge port (22).

[0095] The door assembly (II) may further include a display unit (24) for displaying the operating status of the indoor unit or inputting a user's command, and a camera sensor (25) for detecting the conditions of the indoor space. Here, the conditions of the indoor space may include the size of the indoor space, the number of occupants present in the indoor space, the location of the occupants, etc.

[0096] The display unit (24) according to the present embodiment may be positioned below the front discharge port (22) in consideration of the user's line of sight. The camera sensor (25) according to the present embodiment may be positioned above the door plate (21).

[0097] <Blower Fan Assembly>

[0098] The blower fan assembly (III) includes a front airflow module (31) that discharges air toward the front of the indoor unit and side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c) that discharge air toward both sides of the indoor unit. The blower fan assembly (III) according to the present embodiment may include one front airflow module (31) and three side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c). The front airflow module (31) and the side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c) are positioned in front of the heat exchange assembly (IV).

[0099] The front airflow module (31) is positioned above the side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c). The front airflow module (31) discharges air through the front discharge port (22) formed in the door plate (21).

[0100] The front airflow module (31) according to the present embodiment may have a configuration in which the direction in which the discharge port faces can rotate up, down, left, right, or diagonally. Accordingly, when the discharge port of the front airflow module (31) is positioned in front of the front discharge port (22), the front airflow module (31) can adjust the direction of the discharged air by rotating the part where air is discharged up, down, left, right, or diagonally.

[0101] The full-air airflow module (31) may include a full-air airflow fan (311), a full-air airflow motor (312), and a full-air airflow fan housing (313). In the full-air airflow module (31) according to the present embodiment, air discharged through the structural form of the full-air airflow fan (311) and the full-air airflow housing (313) can be discharged to a distant front.

[0102] The side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c) are positioned below the front airflow module (31). According to the present embodiment, a plurality of side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c) may be arranged vertically. Each of the side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c) can discharge the discharged air through the side discharge port (141).

[0103] The side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c) are positioned in front of the heat exchanger (41) and can discharge heat-exchanged air to the side discharge port (141). The air flowing through the side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c) can flow along the vanes (142) positioned at the side discharge port (141).

[0104] Heat exchange assembly

[0105] The heat exchange assembly (IV) exchanges heat with the indoor air sucked into the upper cabinet (11) with the refrigerant. The heat exchange assembly (IV) may include a heat exchanger (41) through which the refrigerant exchanging heat with the indoor air flows, and a refrigerant pipe (not shown) that forms a refrigerant flow path to allow the refrigerant to flow into or out of the heat exchanger (41).

[0106] The refrigerant pipe may include a refrigerant inlet pipe (not shown) through which refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger (41) flows, and a refrigerant outlet pipe (not shown) through which refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger (41) flows.

[0107] The heat exchanger (41) is positioned at the rear of the blower fan assembly (III). The heat exchanger (41) is positioned between the intake port (111) and the discharge port (22, 141) to heat exchange the air flowing inside the indoor unit. The heat exchanger (41) is positioned between the filter assembly (VI) and the blower fan assembly (III). The heat exchanger (41) may have a length corresponding to the height at which a plurality of side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c) and a front airflow module (31) are positioned vertically.

[0108] The heat exchanger (41) can be placed inside the upper cabinet (11). The heat exchanger (41) can be connected to a heat exchanger connection part formed inside the upper cabinet (11).

[0109] Humidification Assembly

[0110] The humidification assembly (V) can discharge humidified air to the outside of the indoor unit. The humidification assembly (V) may include a water tank (51) for storing water, a heating unit (52) for receiving and heating water from the water tank (51), a humidification discharge nozzle (53) having a humidification discharge port (not shown) for discharging heated humidified air, and a humidification flow path (not shown) for guiding the humidified air heated by the heating unit (52) to the humidification discharge nozzle (53).

[0111] The water tank (51) and the heating unit (52) may be placed in the inner space of the base unit (12). The humidification discharge nozzle (53) formed at the end of the humidification flow path (54) may be placed in the part where the side discharge port (141) is formed. Accordingly, the humidified air discharged through the humidification discharge nozzle (54) may be discharged to the outside of the indoor unit together with the air flowing to the side discharge port (141) by the side airflow modules (32a, 32b, 32c).

[0112] The humidification flow path (54) can flow heated humid air from the heating part (52) placed inside the base part (12) to the humidification discharge nozzle (53). The humidification flow path (54) can connect the heating part (52) placed in the base part (12) and the humidification discharge nozzle (53) placed in the side discharge port (141) formed at the height where the upper cabinet (11) is located.

[0113] Filter Assembly

[0114] The filter assembly (VI) removes foreign substances from the air entering through the intake port (111). The filter assembly (VI) is movably positioned at the rear of the upper cabinet (11). The filter assembly (VI) is positioned at the intake port (111) formed at the rear of the upper cabinet (11) to filter indoor air entering through the intake port (111). The filter assembly (VI) is movably positioned in the upper cabinet (11).

[0115] Referring to FIG. 2, the filter assembly (VI) according to the present embodiment includes filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) for removing foreign substances from the air sucked into the intake port (111). The filter assembly (VI) may place the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) at the intake port (111) or on the outer side of the upper cabinet (11).

[0116] The filter assembly (VI) according to the present embodiment includes a filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) for removing foreign substances in flowing air, a filter mounting member (not shown) on which the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) is mounted, and a moving member (not shown) for changing the position of the filter mounting member.

[0117] The filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) may be structured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the filter mounting member in the width direction of the filter modules formed on the left and right sides when the filter modules are placed in the intake port.

[0118] The filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) according to the present embodiment may have their arrangement changed by the filter mounting member and the moving member. That is, the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) may be arranged from a first position, which is placed at the intake port (111) formed at the rear of the upper cabinet (11), to a second position, which is placed on the outer side of the upper cabinet (11).

[0119] The filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) form a surface on which the filter cleaner (72) can move at a first position placed at the suction port (111).

[0120] When the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) are positioned on the outer side of the upper cabinet (11), the width direction of the filter modules is positioned so that they face forward, allowing the user to easily insert or withdraw the filter modules from the front.

[0121] The filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) according to the present embodiment may include a first filter module (62a, 62b) covering the left side of the intake port (111) of the upper cabinet (11) and a second filter module (62c, 62d) covering the right side of the intake port (111) of the upper cabinet (11).

[0122] The first filter module (62a, 62b) may be positioned to cover the left side of the intake port (111) or to the left side of the left side of the upper cabinet (11). The second filter module (62c, 62d) may be positioned to cover the right side of the intake port (111) or to the right side of the right side of the upper cabinet (11).

[0123] When both the first filter module (62a, 62b) and the second filter module (62c, 62d) are placed in the suction port (111), the filter cleaner (72) forms a movable surface.

[0124] Filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) are detachably disposed on a filter mounting member. Filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) can filter out foreign substances in the air flowing into the intake port (111). The filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) according to the present embodiment may include a pre-filter (621) that filters out large dust particles in the air flowing into the intake port (111), a dust collection filter unit (not shown) that filters the air by collecting air particles ionized by an ionization unit, and a deodorizing filter unit (not shown) that removes odors from the air.

[0125] The filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) according to the present embodiment may further include a filter case (622) mounted on a filter mounting member and on which a pre-filter (621) is mounted. A plurality of suction holes are formed in the filter case (622) in the direction in which the pre-filter (621) is mounted. The filter case (622) may include a vertical rib (6221) and a horizontal rib (6222) on the surface where the pre-filter (621) is mounted.

[0126] The vertical ribs (6221) and horizontal ribs (6222) form a grid shape with each other and can reinforce the rigidity of the filter case (622). The pre-filter (621) is made in a mesh shape and can filter out large foreign substances in the air flowing into the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d).

[0127] The lower portion (60a) of the filter assembly (VI) can be positioned on the upper side of the lower cabinet (13). The lower portion (60a) of the filter assembly (VI) is positioned above the upper portion (72a) of the filter cleaner (72) when the filter cleaner (72) of the filter cleaning assembly (VII), which will be described below, is positioned at the lowest point of the movement range in which it can move along the guide rail (711).

[0128] Here, the lower portion (60a) of the filter assembly (VI) may refer to the portion positioned further down among the lower portion of the filter mounting member (61a, 61b) and the lower portion of the filter module (62b, 62d) positioned on the lower side. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, when the filter cleaner (72) is positioned at the lowest point within the range of movement along the guide rail (711), the position of the filter mounting member equipped with the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) may be changed.

[0129] Filter Cleaning Assembly

[0130] The filter cleaning assembly (VII) moves up and down along the rear surface of the filter assembly (VI) and can remove foreign matter from the outside of the filter assembly (VI). The filter cleaning assembly (VII) removes foreign matter stuck in the pre-filter (621) of the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d).

[0131] The filter cleaning assembly (VII) moves behind the filter assembly (VI) and includes a filter cleaner (72) that removes foreign matter stuck in the filter assembly (VI), a moving guide (71) that guides the movement of the filter cleaner (72), and a power supply unit (73) that supplies power to the filter cleaner (72).

[0132] Filter Cleaning Assembly - Moving Guide

[0133] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the moving guide (71) of the filter cleaning assembly (VII) according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0134] The movement guide (71) limits the movement range of the filter cleaner (72). The movement guide (71) guides the movement of the filter cleaner (72) within the movement range of the filter cleaner (72). The movement guide (71) is positioned at the rear of the cabinet assembly (I). The movement guide (71) is positioned at the rear of the upper cabinet (11) and the lower cabinet (13).

[0135] The moving guide (71) includes a guide rail (711) that guides the movement of the filter cleaner (72), an upper movement limiting part (712) that limits the upper movement of the filter cleaner (72) moving along the guide rail (711), and a lower movement limiting part (713) that limits the lower movement of the filter cleaner (72) moving along the guide rail (711).

[0136] A guide rail (711) is positioned at the rear of the upper cabinet (11) and the lower cabinet (13). The guide rail (711) is positioned vertically at the rear of the upper cabinet (11). The guide rail (711) is positioned between a pair of filter assemblies (VI) positioned on the left and right sides at the rear of the upper cabinet (11). The guide rail (711) can extend from the top of the upper cabinet (11) to a lower movement limiting part (713) positioned in the lower cabinet (13).

[0137] The guide rail (711) may include an upper guide rail (711a) positioned at the rear of the upper cabinet (11) where the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) are placed, and a lower guide rail (711b) positioned below the upper guide rail (711a) and at the rear of the lower cabinet (13).

[0138] The upper guide rail (711a) and the lower guide rail (711b) may be formed as separate components. However, this is according to one embodiment, and it is also possible for the upper guide rail (711a) and the lower guide rail (711b) to be formed as a single component. Additionally, the upper guide rail (711a) may be divided into multiple components.

[0139] The lower guide rail (711b) is positioned at the rear of the lower cabinet (13), and the length of the lower guide rail (711b) can be formed to be longer than the upper length of the filter cleaner (72).

[0140] The guide rail (711) includes a gear rail (7111a, 7111b) that forms threads to mesh with the moving gears (725a, 725b) of the filter cleaner (72), and a roller rail (7112a, 7112b) on which the guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) of the filter cleaner (72) move. Additionally, a guide groove (7113) is formed in the guide rail (711) to which a power line (731) connected to the filter cleaner (72) is disposed.

[0141] The guide rail (711) has a front side (711a) facing the cabinet assembly (I) and is fastened to the cabinet assembly (I). A guide groove (7113) is formed on the rear side (711b), which is opposite to the front side (711a) of the guide rail (711). Gear rails (7111a, 7111b) and roller rails (7112a, 7112b) are arranged on both sides connecting the front side (711a) and the rear side (711b) of the guide rail (711).

[0142] The gear rails (7111a, 7111b) may have the shape of a rack gear. Additionally, the moving gears (725a, 725b) meshing with the gear rails (7111a, 7111b) may have the shape of a pinion gear. The gear rails (7111a, 7111b) are formed to extend vertically in the portion where the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) are placed. The gear rails (7111a, 7111b) may be formed on both sides of the guide rail (711). The gear rails (7111a, 7111b) are positioned in front of the roller rails (7112a, 7112b).

[0143] The roller rails (7112a, 7112b) have a rib structure that protrudes to both sides from the rear end of the guide rail (711). The roller rails (7112a, 7112b) are positioned further back than the gear rails (7111a, 7111b). The roller rails (7112a, 7112b) are formed to protrude further in both directions than the height of the screw threads formed in the gear rails (7111a, 7111b).

[0144] A pair of gear rails (7111a, 7111b) and roller rails (7112a, 7112b) are provided, positioned on both sides of the guide rail (711). The pair of roller rails (7112a, 7112b) are positioned further back than the pair of gear rails (7111a, 7111b). The pair of roller rails (7112a, 7112b) are formed to protrude in both directions relative to each of the pair of gear rails (7111a, 7111b). Accordingly, when viewing the indoor unit according to the present embodiment from the rear, the gear rails (7111a, 7111b) can be obscured by the roller rails (7112a, 7112b).

[0145] The roller rails (7112a, 7112b) are formed to be long in the vertical direction at the portion where the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) are placed. The roller rails (7112a, 7112b) can be formed to have the same length as the vertical length of the gear rails (7111a, 7111b).

[0146] The guide groove (7113) forms a space where a power line (731) connected to a filter cleaner (72) is placed. The guide groove (7113) is formed concavely from the rear (7111b) of the guide rail (711) toward the front. The guide groove (7113) is formed long in the vertical direction of the guide rail (711). The guide groove (7113) is formed larger than the thickness of the power line (731).

[0147] The upper movement limiting part (712) can limit the upper movement of the filter cleaner (72). The upper movement limiting part (712) may include a magnetic generating part (7121) that generates magnetic force. A permanent magnet that generates magnetic force may be used for the magnetic generating part (7121). The magnetic generating part (7121) may be spaced downward at a certain distance from the top of the guide rail (711). The magnetic generating part (7121) may be placed in the guide groove (7113) of the guide rail (711). The magnetic generating part (7121) generates magnetic force so that the Hall sensor (7212) of the filter cleaner (72) can detect magnetic force.

[0148] The upper movement limiting part (712) is positioned on the upper side of the guide rail (711) and includes an upper plate (7122) that limits the upper movement of the filter cleaner (72). The upper plate (7122) is positioned on the upper side of the guide rail (711) and can come into contact with the upper part of the filter cleaner (72). The upper plate (7122) can limit the movement of the filter cleaner (72) by forming a surface perpendicular to the guide rail (711) at the upper side of the guide rail (711).

[0149] The distance (H1) from the upper plate (7122) of the moving guide (71) to the magnetic generating part (7121) is formed to be longer than the distance (H2) from the top of the filter cleaner (72) to the Hall sensor (7212). Therefore, when the filter cleaner (72) moves upward, the upward movement may be restricted by the magnetic generating part (7121) and the Hall sensor (7212). However, in the event of an operation error of the Hall sensor (7212), the movement of the filter cleaner (72) may be restricted by the upper plate (7122).

[0150] The lower movement limiting part (713) is positioned at the bottom of the guide rail (711) and includes a bottom plate (7131) that limits the lower movement of the filter cleaner (72). The bottom plate (7131) is positioned at the bottom of the guide rail (711) and can come into contact with the bottom of the filter cleaner (72). The bottom plate (7131) can come into contact with the bottom detection sensor (7210) of the filter cleaner (72).

[0151] The bottom plate (7131) forms a surface perpendicular to the guide rail (711) at the top of the guide rail (711). The bottom plate (7131) is positioned on the upper side of the rear protruding cover (131) formed on the lower cabinet (13).

[0152] The bottom plate (7131) has a structure that protrudes in both directions from the guide rail (711) which is positioned on both sides of the guide rail (711). However, the bottom plate (7131) has a bottom plate groove (7131a) formed in the lower direction of the guide groove (7113) formed in the guide rail (711) through which a power line (731) passes. The bottom plate groove (7131a) is formed on the lower side of the guide groove (7113). The bottom plate groove (7131a) connects the guide groove (7113) and the power line hole (1312) formed on the upper side of the rear protruding cover (131) of the lower cabinet (13).

[0153] The guide rail (711) can be fastened to the rear of the cabinet assembly (I) by a separate fastening means (not shown). A fastening groove (7114) is formed in the guide rail (711) to which the separate fastening means is fastened. The fastening groove (7114) is formed in the forward direction from the guide groove (7113) formed at the rear of the guide rail (711). A plurality of fastening grooves (7114) spaced apart in the vertical direction can be formed in the guide rail (711).

[0154] An electrode hole (7115) may be formed in the guide rail (711) to form a space for an electrode (not shown) that ionizes molecules in the air by discharge. The electrode hole (7115) is formed in the forward direction from the guide groove (7113) formed at the rear of the guide rail (711). An electrode may be placed in the electrode hole (7115). The electrode may be placed so as not to protrude outward from the guide groove (7113). The electrode may protrude within a range that does not interfere with the power line (731) placed in the guide groove (7113) of the guide rail (711).

[0155] Filter Cleaning Assembly - Filter Cleaner

[0156] Hereinafter, a filter cleaner according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 29 and FIG. 31.

[0157] The filter cleaner (72) is movably positioned at the rear of the upper cabinet (11). The filter cleaner (72) moves up and down along the guide rail (711) and can remove foreign matter stuck in the pre-filter (621) of the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d).

[0158] With reference to FIGS. 8 to 29, the filter cleaner (72) described below describes the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions based on when the filter cleaner (72) is placed at the rear of the upper cabinet (11) or lower cabinet (13). Therefore, if the reference is changed, the above directional relationships may also be described differently. This is for ease of explanation of the filter cleaner (72) and does not limit the scope of the invention.

[0159] The filter cleaner (72) comprises a housing (721, 722) forming an outer shape, a moving gear (725a, 725b) rotatably mounted on the housing (721, 722) and moving the housing (721, 722), a gear motor (7251a, 7251b) disposed inside the housing (721, 722) and rotating the moving gear (725a, 725b), a guide roller (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) rotatably mounted on the housing (721, 722) and guiding the movement of the housing (721, 722), and a filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) rotatably mounted on one side of the housing (721, 722) and shaking off foreign matter stuck in the filter module through rotation. It includes an agitator (723a, 723b), an agitator motor (7233) that rotates the agitator (723a, 723b), a dust bin (727) that receives foreign matter separated from the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) by the rotation of the agitator (723a, 723b), a connecting housing (728) that is positioned inside the housing (721, 722) and forms a space into which the dust bin (727) is inserted, a suction fan (729) that sucks foreign matter separated from the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) by the rotation of the agitator (723a, 723b) toward the dust bin (727), and a suction fan motor (7291) that operates the suction fan (729).

[0160] The filter cleaner (72) may further include a suction fan connecting pipe (7292) that connects the connecting housing (728) and the suction fan (729).

[0161] The housing (721, 722) forms the outer shape of the filter cleaner (72). The housing (721, 722) includes a base cover (721) positioned to face the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) when mounted on the movable guide (71), and an outer cover (722) positioned at the rear of the base cover (721) and formed a space in which a dust bin (727) is positioned inside by combining with the base cover (721).

[0162] The base cover (721) may have a plate shape parallel to the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). When the filter cleaner (72) moves behind the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d), the distance between the base cover (721) and the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) may be maintained at a constant level.

[0163] In the base cover (721), a guide rail groove (7211) into which the guide rail (711) is inserted is formed when the filter cleaner (72) is movably positioned on the guide rail (711). The base cover (721) generally has a plate-like shape and may form a concave portion in the portion where the guide rail groove (7211) is formed and in the portion where the agitator groove (7213a, 7213b) is formed. The guide rail groove (7211) may be formed in the center that divides the base cover (721) into left and right sides. In the guide rail groove (7211), a portion of the guide roller (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) and the moving gear (725a, 725b) mounted on the base cover (721) may be exposed.

[0164] A guide rail groove (7211) is formed in the base cover (721) in an up-and-down direction. A Hall sensor (7212) for detecting the magnetic force of a magnetic generating unit (7121) placed on a guide rail (711) is disposed in the guide rail groove (7211). The Hall sensor (7212) can output a signal when it detects the magnetic force of the magnetic generating unit (7121). When the Hall sensor (7212) detects the magnetic force of the magnetic generating unit (7121), the filter cleaner (72) can stop moving.

[0165] In the base cover (721), agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) are formed in which agitators (723a, 723b) are disposed. In the base cover (721), a pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) are formed to the left and right of the guide rail groove (7211). In the base cover (721), a first agitator groove (7213a) is formed to the left of the guide rail groove (7211), and a second agitator groove (7213b) is formed to the right of the guide rail groove (7211).

[0166] Each of the pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) forms a concave groove extending backward from the base cover (721). The base cover (721) includes an agitator circumferential surface (72131) that forms a concave groove extending backward from the base cover (721) in the portion forming the agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b). The base cover (721) includes an agitator circumferential surface (72131) formed to surround the outer circumference of the agitator (723a, 723b) in the portion forming the agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b), and a mounting surface (72134) on which the agitator (723a, 723b) is rotatably mounted.

[0167] The agitator circumferential surface (72131) may have a 'U' shape that is convex in the rearward direction. On one side of the agitator circumferential surface (72131), a communication hole (72132a, 72132b) is formed to communicate with the dust bin (727). The communication hole (72132a, 72132b) is arranged in the left-right direction of the agitator circumferential surface (72131). The communication hole (72132a, 72132b) is formed along the longitudinal direction of the agitator (723a, 723b) along the rotation axis of the agitator (723a, 723b). The communication hole (72132a, 72132b) is formed in the downward direction from the agitator circumferential surface (72131).

[0168] A duster (72135a, 72135b) for removing foreign matter attached to the blade (7232) of the agitator (723a, 723b) may be disposed on one side of the agitator circumference surface (72131). The duster (72135a, 72135b) is disposed on one side of the communication hole (72132a, 72132b) on the agitator circumference surface (72131). The duster (72135a, 72135b) may be disposed in front of the communication hole (72132a, 72132b) on the agitator circumference surface (72131).

[0169] The duster (72135a, 72135b) can be positioned to frictionally rub against the blade (7232) of the agitator (723a, 723b) when the agitator (723a, 723b) rotates. The duster (72135a, 72135b) can remove foreign matter attached to the agitator (723a, 723b) through friction with the agitator (723a, 723b).

[0170] The duster (72135a, 72135b) is formed to protrude from the agitator circumferential surface (72131) in the direction in which the agitator (723a, 723b) is positioned. The duster (72135a, 72135b) has a sawtooth shape and is positioned on one side of the communication hole (72132a, 72132b). The duster (72135a, 72135b) may be formed with the same length as the communication hole (72132a, 72132b). The duster (72135a, 72135b) may be positioned at the rear end of the communication hole (72132a, 72132b) based on the rotational direction of the agitator (723a, 723b).

[0171] A pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) are formed on the upper part of the base cover (721). Each of the pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) is positioned above the guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) and the moving gears (725a, 725b).

[0172] The filter cleaner (72) further includes a pair of side brush parts (724a, 724b) disposed on one side of a pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) to remove foreign matter stuck in the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). A pair of side brush parts (724a, 724b) are disposed on one side of a pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) in the base cover (721). A pair of side brush parts (724a, 724b) may be disposed on the outside of the agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b). A pair of side brushes (724a, 724b) can remove foreign matter from an area located far from the guide rail (711) in the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d).

[0173] A pair of side brush sections (724a, 724b) can be divided into a first side brush section (724a) positioned on one side of the first agitator groove (7213a) and a second side brush section (724b) positioned on one side of the second agitator groove (7213b). The first side brush section (724a) is positioned on the left side of the first agitator groove (7213a) which is positioned on the left side of the guide rail groove (7211), and the second side brush section (724b) is positioned on the right side of the second agitator groove (7213b) which is positioned on the right side of the guide rail groove (7211). The length formed in the vertical direction of each of the first side brush section (724a) and the second side brush section (724b) may be arranged to be equal to or smaller than the length formed in the vertical direction of the first agitator groove (7213a) and the second agitator groove (7213b). A plurality of brushes (7241) may be arranged in the vertical direction within a range equal to or smaller than the length formed in the vertical direction of the first agitator groove (7213a) and the second agitator groove (7213b).

[0174] In the base cover (721), a moving gear (725a, 725b) for moving the filter cleaner (72) and a guide roller (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) for pressing the filter cleaner (72) toward the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) are arranged. The moving gear (725a, 725b) can be rotatably mounted on the inner surface of the base cover (721) facing the outer cover (722). The guide roller (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) can be rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the base cover (721) facing the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). The moving gears (725a, 725b) are positioned in front of the guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2). The moving gears (725a, 725b) are positioned adjacent to the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) than the guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2). In the base cover (721), a guide roller groove (7214) may be formed that is concavely formed in the rearward portion where the guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) are positioned.

[0175] In the base cover (721), a pair of moving gears (725a, 725b) are arranged to mesh with a pair of gear rails (7111a, 7111b) formed on both sides of the guide rail (711). A pair of moving gears (725a, 725b), each arranged on the left and right sides of the guide rail groove (7211), are arranged so that a portion of them protrudes into the guide rail groove (7211). Accordingly, a moving gear hole (7211a) is formed in the guide rail groove (7211) of the base cover (721), through which a portion of the moving gears (725a, 725b) passes.

[0176] A plurality of guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) are arranged in the base cover (721) and each contacts a pair of roller rails (7112a, 7112b) formed on both sides of the guide rail (711). A pair of guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) may be arranged in the upper side of the moving gear (725a, 725b) and a pair may be arranged in the lower side of the moving gear (725a, 725b).

[0177] The filter cleaner (72) includes auxiliary rollers (7215a, 7215b) that assist in the vertical movement of the filter cleaner (72) by contacting the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). The auxiliary rollers (7215a, 7215b) that rotate and contact the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) are disposed on the base cover (721). The auxiliary rollers (7215a, 7215b) are rotatably disposed on the base cover (721). The auxiliary rollers (7215a, 7215b) are disposed to rotate about a rotation axis parallel to the surface formed by the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d).

[0178] The auxiliary rollers (7215a, 7215b) include a first auxiliary roller (7215a, 7215b) that rotates in contact with a filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) positioned on the left side of the upper cabinet (11), and a second auxiliary roller (7215a, 7215b) that rotates in contact with a filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) positioned on the right side of the upper cabinet (11). Each of the first auxiliary roller (7215a, 7215b) and the second auxiliary roller (7215a, 7215b) may be spaced apart at equal intervals in the left and right directions in the guide rail groove (7211). The first auxiliary roller (7215a, 7215b) and the second auxiliary roller (7215a, 7215b) can move along the vertical rib (6221) of the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) arranged left and right behind the upper cabinet (11).

[0179] A power line fixing part (7217) for fixing a power line (731) that supplies power to a filter cleaner (72) is provided on the base cover (721). A power terminal groove (7216a) is formed on the base cover (721) to which a power terminal (7216) connected to the power line (731) is provided, and a power line fixing part (7217) for fixing the arrangement of the power line connected to the power terminal (7216) is provided.

[0180] The power cord fixing part (7217) prevents the power cord (731) connected to the filter cleaner (72) moving along the guide rail (711) from coming into contact with or interfering with the guide rail (711) and the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). The power cord fixing part (7217) fixes the power cord (731) to the inside of the base cover (721) at the part facing the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) or the guide rail (711). The power cord fixing part (7217) fixes the power cord (731) so that it is positioned along the inside of the guide groove (7113).

[0181] The power line fixing part (7217) includes a filter side fixing part (72171, 72172) that prevents the power line (731) from protruding in the direction of the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d), a rail side fixing part (72173) that prevents the power line (731) from protruding in the direction of the guide rail (711), and a guide groove fixing part (72174) that stably fixes the power line (731) inside the guide groove (7113) of the guide rail (711).

[0182] The filter side fixing portion (72171, 72172) includes a filter side fixing groove (72171) that extends from the power supply terminal groove (7216a) toward the guide rail groove (7211) and forms a space for a power line (731) to be placed therein, and a filter side fixing projection (72172) that fixes the power line (731) placed in the filter side fixing groove (72171). The filter side fixing groove (72171) according to the present embodiment may extend horizontally from the power supply terminal groove (7216a) toward the guide rail groove (7211). The filter side fixing groove (72171) is formed on a surface facing the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) of the base cover (721). The filter side fixing projection (72172) is formed to protrude from the front end of the filter side fixing groove (72171).

[0183] The rail-side fixing part (72173) is formed on one side of the guide rail groove (7211) and includes a rail-side fixing groove (72173a, 72173b) that forms a space for receiving a power line (731), and a rail-side fixing projection (72173c) that fixes the power line placed in the rail-side fixing groove (72173a, 72173b).

[0184] The rail-side fixing grooves (72173a, 72173b) are connected to the filter-side fixing portion (72171, 72172) and include a vertical fixing groove (72173a) that fixes a power line in a portion facing the gear rail (7111a, 7111b) formed in the lateral direction of the guide rail (711) and the roller rail (7112a, 7112b), and a horizontal fixing groove (72173b) that fixes a power line in a portion facing the rear surface where the guide groove (7113) of the guide rail (711) is formed, which is connected to the vertical fixing groove (72173a).

[0185] The vertical fixing groove (72173a) is formed vertically to the filter-side fixing groove (72171) and forms a groove in a direction opposite to the direction in which the guide rail (711) is positioned in the guide rail groove (7211) facing the side of the guide rail (711). The rail-side fixing projection (72173c) formed in the vertical fixing groove (72173a) protrudes from the end of the vertical fixing groove (72173a) to prevent the power line (731) from coming out of the vertical fixing groove (72173a).

[0186] The horizontal fixing groove (72173b) is formed perpendicular to the vertical fixing groove (72173a) and parallel to the filter side fixing groove (72171), thereby forming a space for accommodating a power line.

[0187] The rail side fixing part (72173) prevents contact between the gear rails (7111a, 7111b) formed on both sides of the guide rail (711), the roller rails (7112a, 7112b), and the power line (731). The rail side fixing grooves (72173a, 72173b) form a groove inwardly from one side of the guide rail groove (7211). The guide rail groove (7211) forms a groove in a direction away from the guide rail (711) from one side of the guide rail groove (7211) and from the rear side. The rail side fixing projection (72173c) prevents the power line arranged along the rail side fixing grooves (72173a, 72173b) from protruding outward.

[0188] The guide home fixing part (72174) fixes the power line (731) protruding from the rail side fixing groove (72173b) in the direction of the guide home (7113) (forward direction) so that it extends downward in the guide home (7113).

[0189] The guide groove fixing part (72174) fixes the power line (731) placed in the guide groove (7113) so that it extends downward. The guide groove fixing part (72174) is formed to protrude from the rear surface of the guide rail groove (7211) toward the guide groove (7113) of the guide rail (711). The guide groove fixing part (72174) is positioned above the power line hole (1312) formed in the rear protruding cover (131).

[0190] When the filter cleaner (72) moves up and down along the guide rail (711), the guide groove fixing part (72174) is positioned above the power line hole (1312) formed in the rear protruding cover (131). Therefore, even if the filter cleaner (72) moves up and down along the guide rail (711), the power line (731) can be positioned inside the guide groove (7113).

[0191] The guide home fixing part (72174) may have a pair of protrusions formed thereon to fix the power line (731) in the left and right directions and to fix the power line (731) so that it extends downward. The guide home fixing part (72174) can fix the power line received inside the guide rail groove (7211) through the rail side fixing part (72173) in the direction in which the guide home (7113) extends.

[0192] Accordingly, the power line (731) connected to the filter cleaner (72) can be placed in the guide groove (7113) of the guide rail (711) by the power line fixing part (7217) so as not to interfere with the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) and the guide rail (711).

[0193] In the base cover (721), an agitator lower groove (7218a, 7218b) is formed to mitigate vibrations generated by the agitators (723a, 723b). The agitator lower groove (7218a, 7218b) is formed below a pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b). The agitator lower groove (7218a, 7218b) forms a space below the perimeter surface (72131) formed in the agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b).

[0194] The lower grooves of the agitators (7218a, 7218b) form a space below the pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) to reduce the transmission of vibrations generated by the operation of the agitators (723a, 723b) to the lower area of ​​the base cover (721).

[0195] The outer cover (722) is positioned on the rear side of the base cover (721). The outer cover (722) may have a rearwardly convex shape so that it can be combined with the base cover (721) and the configuration of the filter cleaner (72) can be positioned on the inside.

[0196] The outer cover (722) may include an upper surface (7221) covering the upper side of the filter cleaner (72), a lower surface (7222) covering the lower side of the filter cleaner (72), and perimeter surfaces (7223, 7224a, 7224b) positioned between the upper surface (7221) and the lower surface (7222) to form a convex curved surface. The perimeter surfaces (7223, 7224a, 7224b) may include a rear surface (7223) positioned toward the rear and forming a curved surface, and two side surfaces (7224a, 7224b) that are bent at both ends of the rear surface (7223) and extend forward.

[0197] The upper surface (7221) of the outer cover (722) covers the upper side of the agitator perimeter surface (7223, 7224a, 7224b) where the agitator (723a, 723b) is placed. On the upper surface (7221) of the outer cover (722), an upper groove (7221a) is formed to accommodate a guide rail (711). The upper groove (7221a) is formed on the upper side of the guide rail groove (7211) and may have the same cross-section as the guide rail groove (7211).

[0198] A dust bin insertion hole (8225) into which a dust bin (727) is inserted is formed on the periphery surface (7223, 7224a, 7224b) of the outer cover (722). The dust bin insertion hole (7225) may be formed on one side of the outer cover (722). The dust bin insertion hole (7225) may form an opening in the left or right direction on the periphery surface (7223, 7224a, 7224b) of the outer cover (722) to facilitate the insertion or removal of the dust bin by the user.

[0199] The dustbin insertion hole (7225) according to the present embodiment may be formed on one of the two side surfaces (7224a, 7224b) of the circumferential surface (7223, 7224a, 7224b). The dustbin insertion hole (7225) according to the present embodiment is formed on the left side surface (7224a) of the two side surfaces (7224a, 7224b). However, as this is one embodiment, it is also possible for the dustbin insertion hole (7225) to be formed on the right side surface (7224b) of the two side surfaces (7224a, 7224b).

[0200] On the lower surface (7222) of the outer cover (722), a cover discharge port (7222b) is formed through which air flowing inside the filter cleaner (72) is discharged by the operation of the suction fan (729). On the lower surface (7222) of the outer cover (722), a lower groove (7222a) is formed to accommodate the guide rail (711). The lower groove (7222a) is formed on the lower side of the guide rail groove (7211) and can be formed larger than the cross-section of the guide rail groove (7211).

[0201] The filter cleaner (72) may include a bottom detection sensor (7210) that detects contact between the filter cleaner (72) and a bottom plate (7131) positioned below the moving guide (71). The bottom detection sensor (7210) is positioned at the lower end of the filter cleaner (72). The bottom detection sensor (7210) includes a detection lever (72101) that detects impact by changing its position. The detection lever (72101) of the bottom detection sensor (7210) is positioned protruding toward the lower side of the filter cleaner (72). The end of the detection lever (72101) is positioned in a lower groove (7222a) formed on the lower surface (7222) of the outer cover (722). The end of the detection lever (72101) is positioned to be exposed to the lower groove (7222a). Therefore, when the filter cleaner (72) moves downward, the end of the sensing lever (72101) can first come into contact with the bottom plate (7131).

[0202] The moving gears (725a, 725b) mesh with the gear rails (7111a, 7111b) of the guide rail (711). The moving gears (725a, 725b) mesh with the gear rails (7111a, 7111b) and rotate, and the rotation can move the filter cleaner (72) up and down. The moving gears (725a, 725b) may have the shape of a gear with screw threads formed on their circumferential surface. The moving gears (725a, 725b) may have the shape of a pinion gear. According to the present embodiment, a pair of moving gears (725a, 725b) may be provided to mesh with a pair of gear rails (7111a, 7111b) formed on both sides of the guide rail (711). The moving gear (725a, 725b) can be divided into a first moving gear (725a) positioned to the left of the guide rail groove (7211) and a second moving gear (725b) positioned to the right of the guide rail groove (7211).

[0203] Each of the first moving gear (725a) and the second moving gear (725b) is rotatably disposed on the inner surface of the base cover (721). Each of the first moving gear (725a) and the second moving gear (725b) rotates around a rotation axis formed in a direction perpendicular to the surface formed by the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Each of the first moving gear (725a) and the second moving gear (725b) may be spaced apart at equal intervals in the left and right directions from the guide rail groove (7211).

[0204] Each of the first moving gear (725a) and the second moving gear (725b) may have a portion disposed in the guide rail groove (7211) through the moving gear hole (7211a) formed in the guide rail groove (7211). Each of the first moving gear (725a) and the second moving gear (725b) exposed through the guide rail groove (7211) may be disposed to engage with each of the gear rails (7111a, 7111b) formed on both sides of the guide rail (711).

[0205] The gear motors (7251a, 7251b) are positioned inside the housing (721, 722). The gear motors (7251a, 7251b) are mounted on the inner surface of the base cover (721). The gear motors (7251a, 7251b) can transmit rotational force to the moving gears (725a, 725b). The gear motors (7251a, 7251b) according to the present embodiment include a pair of gear motors (7251a, 7251b) connected to each of the pair of moving gears (725a, 725b).

[0206] According to the present embodiment, it includes a first gear motor (7251a) connected to a first moving gear (725a) and a second gear motor (7251b) connected to a second moving gear (725b). Each of the first gear motor (7251a) and the second gear motor (7251b) rotates the first moving gear (725a) and the second moving gear (725b) in opposite directions. Each of the first gear motor (7251a) and the second gear motor (7251b) rotates the first moving gear (725a) and the second moving gear (725b) at the same speed.

[0207] The filter cleaner (72) may further include a separate connecting gear that transmits the rotational force of the gear motor (7251a, 7251b) to the moving gear (725a, 725b). The connecting gear (7252a, 7252b) is connected to the gear motor (7251a, 7251b), rotates, and meshes with the moving gear (725a, 725b) to rotate the moving gear (725a, 725b).

[0208] Guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) contact the roller rails (7112a, 7112b) of the guide rail (711). Guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) contact the roller rails (7112a, 7112b) to assist in the movement of the filter cleaner (72) and prevent the filter cleaner (72) from detaching from the guide rail (711). Guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) press the filter cleaner (72) against the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Here, the meaning of “to be in close contact” may include arranging at least a portion of the filter cleaner (72) to be in contact with the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Accordingly, the guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) may include arranging a portion of the agitator (723a, 723b) of the filter cleaner (72) to be in contact with the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Accordingly, when the guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) bring the filter cleaner (72) into close contact with the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d), it is also possible for the base cover (721) and the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) to be spaced apart at a certain distance.

[0209] The guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) rotate around a rotation axis formed in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the moving gears (725a, 725b). The guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) are positioned on the outer surface of the base cover (721). The guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) are positioned in a guide roller groove (7214) formed in a concave shape towards the rear on the outer surface of the base cover (721). The guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) are positioned behind the moving gears (725a, 725b).

[0210] A plurality of guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) may be arranged on the upper and lower sides of the moving gear (725a, 725b). The plurality of guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) may include a pair of upper guide rollers (726a1, 726a2) arranged on the upper side of the moving gear (725a, 725b) and a pair of lower guide rollers (726b1, 726b2) arranged on the lower side of the moving gear (725a, 725b). A plurality of guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) are arranged in the upper and lower directions of the moving gear (725a, 725b) to prevent the load of the filter cleaner (72) from acting on the moving gear (725a, 725b).

[0211] The length (Dp1) of the moving gear (725a, 725b) protruding from the left end (7211a) or right end (7211b) of the guide rail groove (7211) toward the center of the guide rail groove (7211) is formed to be greater than the length (Dp2) of the guide roller (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) protruding from the left end (7211a) or right end (7211b) of the guide rail groove (7211) toward the center of the guide rail groove (7211).

[0212] The gap (G1) between a pair of moving gears (725a, 725b) can be formed to be shorter than the gap (G2) between guide rollers (726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2) arranged left and right.

[0213] The agitator (723a, 723b) is rotatably mounted in the housing (721, 722). The agitator (723a, 723b) can rotate about a rotation axis formed in the left-right direction. The agitator (723a, 723b) can be positioned to contact the outer side of the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). The agitator (723a, 723b) can shake off foreign matter stuck in the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) by rotation.

[0214] The agitators (723a, 723b) include a first agitator (723a) positioned on the left side of the filter cleaner (72) and a second agitator (723b) positioned on the right side of the filter cleaner (72). The first agitator (723a) is positioned in a first agitator groove (7213a) formed on the left side of the guide rail groove (7211). The second agitator (723b) is positioned in a second agitator groove (7213b) formed on the right side of the guide rail groove (7211).

[0215] Each of the first agitator (723a) and the second agitator (723b) includes a rotating bar (7231) that rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the outer surface of the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d), and a plurality of blades (7232) that protrude radially from the outer circumference of the rotating bar (7231).

[0216] The rotating bar (7231) can be rotatably fixed at both ends to the mounting surface (72134) of the agitator groove (7213a, 7213b), and one end can be connected to an agitator motor (7233) that rotates the agitator (723a, 723b). The filter cleaner (72) may further include an agitator gear (7234) that transmits the rotational force of the agitator motor (7233) to the agitators (723a, 723b). A plurality of agitator gears (7234) may be arranged to transmit the driving force of the agitator motor (7233) to each of the pair of agitators (723a, 723b).

[0217] A plurality of blades (7232) are arranged along the circumferential surface of the rotating bar (7231). A plurality of blades (7232) are arranged spaced apart at regular intervals along the circumferential surface of the rotating bar (7231). A plurality of blades (7232) can be arranged in the longitudinal and circumferential directions of the rotating bar (7231). When a plurality of blades (7232) are arranged in the direction of the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d), they can come into contact with the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Therefore, when the agitator (723a, 723b) rotates, the ends of the blades (7232) can come into contact with the outer surface of the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d).

[0218] When a plurality of blades (7232) are arranged in the direction of the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d), they may come into contact with the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). When the rotating bar (7231) rotates, the plurality of blades (7232) may come into contact with the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). When the rotating bar (7231) rotates, the plurality of blades (7232) may come into contact with the dusters (72135a, 72135b) that are formed to protrude inward from the agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b).

[0219] When the rotating bar (7231) rotates, the plurality of blades (7232) can come into contact with the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) to shake off foreign matter stuck in the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). When the rotating bar (7231) rotates, the plurality of blades (7232) can come into contact with the dusters (72135a, 72135b) to shake off foreign matter stuck to the plurality of blades (7232).

[0220] The filter cleaner (72) according to the present embodiment includes a side brush section (724a, 724b) that is positioned on one side of an agitator (723a, 723b) and cleans the outside of a filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). The side brush section (724a, 724b) is positioned to contact the end of the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) on one side of the agitator (723a, 723b). The side brush section (724a, 724b) includes a first side brush section (724a) positioned on one side of a first agitator (723a) and a second side brush section (724b) positioned on one side of a second agitator (723b). The first side brush is positioned to the left of the first agitator (723a). The second side brush (7241) is positioned to the right of the second agitator (723b).

[0221] Each of the first side brush section (724a) and the second side brush section (724b) includes a plurality of brushes (7241) that protrude forward and contact the outer side of the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). The plurality of brushes (7241) may be arranged in an up-and-down direction at the portion where each of the first side brush section (724a) and the second side brush section (724b) is formed.

[0222] The length formed in the vertical direction of each of the first side brush section (724a) and the second side brush section (724b) can be formed to be larger than the diameter of each of the first agitator (723a) and the second agitator (723b).

[0223] The dust bin (727) is inserted into the dust bin insertion part (7281) formed in the connecting housing (728) and receives foreign matter separated from the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) by the agitator (723a, 723b). The dust bin (727) can be mounted to the dust bin insertion part (7281) formed in the connecting housing (728) through the dust bin insertion hole (7225) formed on the side of the filter cleaner (72).

[0224] The dustbin (727) has a curved shape that is convex toward the rear when viewed from the upper or lower side. The dustbin (727) is inserted into the side of the filter cleaner (72) which is positioned at the rear of the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) and has a shape that is convex toward the rear.

[0225] The dust bin insertion hole (7225) is formed on the side of the filter cleaner (72), and the dust bin (727) has a rearwardly convex shape, so that the dust bin (727) placed on the rear side of the cabinet can be pulled out in the forward direction. This structure allows the dust bin (727) to be easily pulled out or inserted from the front or side of the indoor unit.

[0226] The cross-sectional area of ​​the dust container (727) increases from the insertion end portion (727a) to the insertion end portion (727b) in the direction of insertion into the dust container insertion portion (7281). Referring to FIG. 23, the vertical length (Dv1) of the insertion end portion (727a) of the dust container (727) is formed to be shorter than the vertical length (Dv2) of the insertion end portion (727b) of the dust container (727). Referring to FIG. 21, the front-rear length (Dl1) of the insertion end portion (727a) of the dust container (727) can be formed to be equal to the front-rear length (Dl2) of the insertion end portion (727b) of the dust container (727).

[0227] Here, the insertion end portion (727a) is the part that passes through the dust bin insertion hole (7225) first when the dust bin (727) is inserted into one side of the filter cleaner (72), and the insertion end portion (727b) may mean the part that is inserted into the dust bin insertion hole (7225) last.

[0228] The dust bin (727) has a dust bin suction port (72711a, 72711b) formed to suck air in the upward direction and a dust bin discharge port (72741) formed to discharge air in the downward direction. According to the present embodiment, a pair of dust bin suction ports (72711a, 72711b) may be formed to be connected to each of a pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b).

[0229] The size of the dust bin suction port (72711a, 72711b) may be formed to be equal to the size of the upper hole (72816a, 72816b) of the dust bin insertion part (7281). When the dust bin (727) is inserted into the dust bin insertion part (7281), the two ends (72711a1, 72711b1) of the dust bin suction port (72711a, 72711b) may be positioned at corresponding locations to the two ends of the upper hole (72816a, 72816b) of the dust bin insertion part (7281).

[0230] The size of the dust bin discharge port (72741) may be formed to be equal to the size of the lower hole (72813a) of the dust bin insertion part formed in the dust bin insertion part (7281). When the dust bin (727) is inserted into the dust bin insertion part (7281), the two ends (72741a, 72741b) of the dust bin discharge port (72741) may be positioned at corresponding locations to the two ends (72741a, 72741b) of the lower hole (72813a) of the dust bin insertion part formed in the dust bin insertion part (7281). The dust bin (727) includes a dust bin body (7272) that forms a space for receiving foreign matter, an upper cover (7271) that is positioned on the upper side of the dust bin body (7272) and has a dust bin suction port (72711a, 72711b) formed therein, and a lower cover (7274) that is positioned on the lower side of the dust bin body (7272) and has a discharge port (72741) formed therein. The dust bin (727) includes a dust bin filter (72742) that is positioned on the lower cover (7274) and filters foreign matter in the discharged air. The dust bin (727) may further include a dust bin filter mounting part (72743) that is equipped with the dust bin filter (72742) and is received in the lower cover (7274). The dust bin (727) may further include an exposed portion (7273) that is exposed on one side of the housing (721, 722) when the dust bin (727) is inserted into the filter cleaner (72).

[0231] The upper cover (7271) covers the upper surface of the dust bin (727). A pair of dust bin suction ports (72711a, 72711b) are formed in the upper cover (7271) and are open in the upward direction. The upper cover (7271) has a shape that is convex toward the rear. The upper cover (7271) may include a folded portion (72712) that is folded downward from the insertion end of the dust bin (727) to cover the end of the dust bin body (7272).

[0232] The dustbin body (7272) is coupled to the upper cover (7271) on the upper side and to the lower cover (7274) on the lower side. The dustbin body (7272) forms a space in which foreign matter is received through a hollow interior. On the upper side of the dustbin body (7272), two dustbin body suction holes (72721a, 72721b) corresponding to a pair of dustbin suction ports (72711a, 72711b) may be formed. The lower side of the dustbin body (7272), which is coupled to the lower cover (7274), may be opened to communicate with the space of the lower cover (7274).

[0233] The dustbin body (7272) may be made of a transparent material so that foreign substances present in the internal space can be identified. The dustbin body (7272) may be connected to the exposed portion (7273) at the end portion of the insertion direction of the dustbin (727).

[0234] The dustbin body (7272) has a shape that is convex toward the rear. The dustbin body (7272) has a shape in which the cross-sectional area decreases from the insertion end portion to the insertion end portion. The lower portion of the dustbin body (7272) may have a shape that slopes upward toward the insertion end portion (727a) from the insertion end portion (727b) of the dustbin (727).

[0235] At least one magnetic member (72722, 72723) may be disposed at the insertion direction end portion of the dust bin (727) of the dust bin body (7272). At the insertion direction end portion of the dust bin (727) of the dust bin body (7272), a first magnetic member (72722) that generates magnetic force in the lower cover (7274) and a second magnetic member (72723) that generates magnetic force in the connecting housing (728) into which the dust bin (727) is inserted are included. The first magnetic member (72722) and the second magnetic member (72723) may be disposed between the dust bin body (7272) and the folded portion (72712) of the upper cover (7271). The second magnetic member (72723) maintains the state in which the dust bin (727) is fully inserted into the filter cleaner (72).

[0236] Here, "insertion complete" means that all parts of the dust bin (727) that are inserted into the filter cleaner (72) have been inserted into the filter cleaner (72). Therefore, when the dust bin (727) is in a state of insertion complete, the dust bin (727) is not additionally inserted into the filter cleaner (72).

[0237] The exposed portion (7273) is partially exposed to the outside of the filter cleaner (72) when the dust bin (727) is fully inserted into the filter cleaner (72). The exposed portion (7273) can function as a handle used by the user to insert or remove the dust bin (727) from the filter cleaner (72). The exposed portion (7273) is connected to the end portion of the dust bin body (7272) by a separate fastening member (7275).

[0238] The exposed portion (7273) includes an exposed portion cover (72731) positioned to be exposed to one side of the filter cleaner (72) when the dust bin (727) is mounted on the filter cleaner (72), a fastening portion (72732) that is fastened to the dust bin body (7272) by a fastening member (7275), and a lower cover connecting portion (72733) positioned below the fastening portion (72732) and connected to one side of the lower cover (7274).

[0239] The exposed part cover (72731) may have a shape that is bent to correspond to the dust bin insertion hole (7225). When the dust bin (727) is mounted on the filter cleaner (72), the fastening part (72732) and the lower cover connecting part (72733) are positioned inside the filter cleaner (72). The lower cover connecting part (72732) may have a groove formed into which the end projection (72745) of the lower cover (7274) is inserted.

[0240] The lower cover (7274) is coupled to the dustbin body (7272) on the upper side. The lower cover (7274) has an outlet (72741) formed on the lower side through which air flows via the suction fan (729). A dustbin filter (72742) may be disposed on the inner side of the lower cover (7274). A dustbin filter (72742) may be disposed in the outlet (72741) of the lower cover (7274).

[0241] A dust bin filter mounting part (72743) equipped with a dust bin filter (72742) may be disposed on the lower cover (7274). A first magnetic member (72722) disposed on one side of the dust bin body (7272) and a corresponding member (72744) to which an attractive force acts may be disposed on the lower cover (7274).

[0242] One side of the lower cover (7274) may be fixed by inserting a terminal projection (72745) into the exposed portion (7273), and the other side may be fixed by the magnetic force of the first magnetic member (72722) of the dust bin body (7272) through a corresponding member (72744). The corresponding member (72744) may be an attractive member that exerts an attractive force with the first magnetic member (72722), and may be made of iron or a magnetic material. The corresponding member (72744) may be positioned at the end portion of the lower cover (7274). The corresponding member (72744) may be positioned between the lower cover (7274) and the dust bin filter mounting portion (72743).

[0243] The connecting housing (728) is positioned inside the housing (721, 722) to guide the insertion or removal of the dust bin (727). The connecting housing (728) connects the agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) and the dust bin (727). The connecting housing (728) connects the dust bin (727) and the suction fan (729).

[0244] The connecting housing (728) may be fixedly positioned on the inner side of the housing (721, 722). The connecting housing (728) may be fixed to the inner surface of the base cover (721). The connecting housing (728) includes a dust bin insertion part (7281) into which a dust bin (727) is inserted, and suction connecting pipes (7282a, 7282b) that connect the agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) and the dust bin (727) inserted into the dust bin insertion part (7281).

[0245] The dust bin insertion part (7281) may have a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the dust bin (727) so that the dust bin (727) can be inserted. That is, the dust bin insertion part (7281) may have a shape that wraps around the outer circumference of the dust bin (727), which is formed convexly towards the rear. The dust bin insertion part (7281) may have a front surface (72811) and a rear surface (72812) into which the dust bin (727) is inserted formed as convex curved surfaces. The dust bin insertion part (7281) is formed such that the lower surface (72813) into which the dust bin (727) is inserted is inclined upward in the direction of insertion.

[0246] In the dust bin insertion part (7281), insertion part auxiliary rollers (72814a, 72814b) are arranged to facilitate the insertion or withdrawal of the dust bin (727). The insertion part auxiliary rollers (72814a, 72814b) may be arranged on the front and rear sides of the dust bin insertion part (7281), respectively.

[0247] At the end of the dust bin insertion part (7281), a dust bin fixing member (72815) with an attractive force acting on a magnetic member (72722) disposed in the dust bin (727) may be disposed. The dust bin fixing member (72815) is disposed at the end of the dust bin insertion part (7281) so that when the dust bin (727) is fully inserted into the dust bin insertion part (7281), the dust bin (727) can be fixed by magnetic force.

[0248] A suction connection pipe (7282a, 7282b) is disposed on the upper side of the dust bin insertion part (7281). On the upper surface (72816) disposed on the upper side of the dust bin insertion part (7281), a pair of upper holes (72816a, 72816b) of the dust bin insertion part that communicate with a pair of suction connection pipes (7282a, 7282b) may be formed.

[0249] The dust bin insertion part (7281) may be connected to a suction fan connection pipe (7292) that is connected to one side of the suction fan (729) on the lower side. On the lower surface (72813) of the dust bin insertion part (7281), a lower hole (72813a) of the dust bin insertion part corresponding to the discharge port (72741) of the dust bin (727) may be formed. The lower hole (72813a) of the dust bin insertion part may allow the inside of the dust bin (727) and the suction fan connection pipe (7292) to communicate with each other. The lower surface (72813) of the dust bin insertion part (7281) may be arranged in a direction that slopes upward from the beginning end where the dust bin (727) is inserted to the end end.

[0250] When the dust bin (727) is fully inserted into the dust bin insertion part (7281), the upper cover (7271) of the dust bin (727) may come into contact with the upper surface (72816) of the dust bin insertion part (7281), and the lower cover (7274) of the dust bin (727) may come into contact with the lower surface (72813) of the dust bin insertion part (7281).

[0251] The suction connecting pipes (7282a, 7282b) are positioned on the upper side of the dust bin insertion part (7281). The suction connecting pipes (7282a, 7282b) connect the dust bin insertion part (7281) with a pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b). The suction connecting pipes (7282a, 7282b) may include a pair of suction connecting pipes (7282a, 7282b) connected to each of the pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b). The pair of suction connecting pipes (7282a, 7282b) are mounted on one side of the agitator circumference surface (72131) formed by the pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b). A pair of suction connecting pipes (7282a, 7282b) can be connected to each of a pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) through a connecting hole (72132a, 72132b) formed in each of a pair of agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b).

[0252] A pair of suction connecting tubes (7282a, 7282b) can be formed as a single structure with a dust bin insertion part (7281). The connecting housing (728) includes a plurality of fastening parts (7283) for fastening to the base cover (721) and the agitator circumferential surface (72131) of the agitator groove (7213a, 7213b). In the pair of suction connecting tubes (7282a, 7282b), a fastening hook (7284) is formed at the portion that contacts the agitator circumferential surface (72131) of the agitator groove (7213a, 7213b), and is fitted into a fastening projection (72133) formed on the agitator circumferential surface (72131) of the agitator groove (7213a, 7213b). The connecting housing (728) can be fixed to the base cover (721) by means of a fastening hook (7284) and a fastening projection (72133) formed on the agitator circumference surface (72131) of the agitator groove (7213a, 7213b). This allows the connecting housing (728) to be fixed to the base cover (721) before the connecting housing (728) is fastened to the base cover (721) by a separate fastening member (not shown).

[0253] The suction fan (729) forms an airflow from the agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) to the dust bin (727). The suction fan (729) is rotated by the suction fan motor (7291). When the suction fan (729) rotates, air and foreign matter present in the agitator grooves (7213a, 7213b) can be sucked into the dust bin (727). The suction fan (729) is positioned on the lower side of the dust bin (727). The suction fan (729) may have a structure that sucks air upward and discharges air downward on the circumferential surface. The suction fan motor (7291) is positioned on the lower side of the suction fan (729).

[0254] The suction fan (729) is positioned between a pair of gear motors (7251a, 7251b). Air discharged by the suction fan (729) can flow in the direction of the gear motors (7251a, 7251b) positioned on the circumferential surface. The air flowing by the suction fan (729) can be discharged to the outside of the filter cleaner (72) through a cover discharge port (7222b) formed on the lower surface (7222) of the outer cover (722).

[0255] The suction fan connecting pipe (7292) connects the discharge port (72741) of the dust bin (727) and the suction fan (729). The suction fan connecting pipe (7292) is connected to the lower surface of the dust bin insertion part (7281) of the connecting housing (728). The upper surface of the suction fan connecting pipe (7292) connected to the lower surface of the dust bin insertion part (7281) may be formed at an angle to correspond to the lower surface of the dust bin insertion part (7281).

[0256] The suction fan connecting pipe (7292) is formed such that its internal cross-sectional area decreases as it approaches the suction fan (729). That is, the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the suction fan connecting pipe (7292) decreases as it moves from the upper side connected to the dust bin insertion part (7281) to the lower side connected to the suction fan (729).

[0257] A suction grill (72921) for removing foreign matter flowing into the suction fan (729) may be disposed in the suction fan connection pipe (7292). The suction grill (72921) can remove foreign matter flowing toward the suction fan (729) when the dust bin (727) is separated from the dust bin insertion part (7281). The suction grill (72921) may be disposed at the top of the suction fan connection pipe (7292).

[0258] The filter cleaner (72) may include a printed circuit board (74) on which a circuit controlling the operation of the filter cleaner (72) is placed using power supplied by a power line (731). The printed circuit board (74) is placed on the inside of the housing (721, 722). The printed circuit board (74) may be placed on the opposite side where a dust bin insertion hole (7225) into which a dust bin (727) is inserted is placed.

[0259] Filter Cleaning Assembly - Power Supply

[0260] With reference to FIGS. 11, 12, and FIGS. 28 to 31, a power supply unit of a filter cleaning assembly according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0261] The power supply unit (73) supplies power to a filter cleaner (72) that moves up and down at the rear of the upper cabinet (11) and the lower cabinet (13). The power supply unit (73) includes a power line (731) connected to the filter cleaner (72) to supply power, a cord reel (732) that wraps the power line (731) around its outer surface to maintain the tension of the power line (731), and a power line cover tube (733) that minimizes friction between the power line (731) and other components, which is positioned inside the base part (12).

[0262] The power cord (731) is connected to the power terminal (7216) of the filter cleaner (72). The power cord (731) is fixed to the power cord fixing part (7217) of the filter cleaner (72) and is placed in the guide groove (7113) of the guide rail (711) when the filter cleaner (72) moves.

[0263] The power cord (731) can be placed inside the guide groove (7113) of the guide rail (711) by maintaining tension by the cord reel (732). The cord reel (732) may have a structure that winds the power cord (731) around its outer surface and pulls the power cord (731) with a constant force.

[0264] The cord reel (732) according to the present embodiment is positioned inside the base part (12). The cord reel (732) is positioned below the moving guide (71) to maintain tension of the power line (731). The cord reel (732) is positioned below the guide rail (711) to pull the power line (731) downward.

[0265] The power line cover tube (733) is positioned between the cord reel (732) and the guide rail (711). The power line cover tube (733) prevents friction between the power line (731) positioned inside the base part (12) and other components positioned inside the base part (12).

[0266] The power cord cover tube (733) extends from one side of the outer surface of the cord reel (732) to the rear protruding cover (131) formed in the lower cabinet (13). The power cord cover tube (733) extends from the inside of the base part (12) to the rear protruding cover (131) of the lower cabinet (13) outside the base part (12), and a curved tube may be formed in some sections.

[0267] The power line cover tube (733) may be formed as a straight tube extending upward from the portion disposed on the rear protruding cover (131). The power line cover tube (733) may be formed as a straight tube extending upward from the upper portion (7331) disposed inside the rear protruding cover (131). The upper portion (7331) of the power line cover tube (733) may be disposed at the rear of the base portion (12) and inside the rear protruding cover (131). The upper portion (7331) of the power line cover tube (733) may be connected to the upper surface (1311) of the rear protruding cover (131). The power line (731) disposed inside the upper portion (7331) of the power line cover tube (733) may protrude outside the lower cabinet (13) through the power line hole (1312) of the rear protruding cover (131).

[0268] FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating the control relationship between the main components of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0269] Referring to the drawings, an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a sensor unit (1215) comprising one or more sensors for sensing various data, a memory (1256) for storing various data, a communication unit (1270) for wirelessly communicating with other electronic devices, a filter cleaning assembly (VII) for cleaning a filter, a humidification assembly (V), a control unit (1240) for controlling the overall operation of the air conditioner, and a driving unit (1280) for controlling the operation of a heat exchanger, a valve, a wind direction control means, etc., provided inside a cabinet assembly (I) according to the control of the control unit (1240).

[0270] For example, the sensor unit (1215) may be equipped with one or more temperature sensors for sensing indoor and outdoor temperatures, a humidity sensor for sensing humidity, a dust sensor for sensing air quality, etc.

[0271] A temperature sensor can be installed at the intake port to measure the indoor temperature, installed inside the cabinet assembly (I) to measure the heat exchange temperature, installed on one side of the discharge port to measure the temperature of the discharged air, and installed in the refrigerant pipe to measure the refrigerant temperature.

[0272] In particular, the sensor unit (1215) can detect the distance from the filter cleaner (72). Specifically, the sensor unit (1215) is positioned on the guide rail (711) to detect the distance from the housing (721, 722). To this end, the sensor unit (1215) may be equipped with an upper distance sensor (1215a) and a lower distance sensor (1215b).

[0273] The upper distance sensor (1215a) is positioned at the top of the guide rail (711) and can detect the distance to the filter cleaner (72) when the filter cleaner (72) moves in an upward direction.

[0274] The lower distance sensor (1215b) is located at the bottom of the guide rail (711) and can detect the distance to the filter cleaner (72) when the filter cleaner (72) moves downward.

[0275] Meanwhile, the control unit (1240) can control the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) based on the distance information detected by the sensor unit (1215).

[0276] The vision module (1900) may include at least one camera to capture an indoor environment. The camera captures the surroundings of the air conditioner, the external environment, etc., and multiple such cameras may be installed in each section for shooting efficiency.

[0277] For example, a camera may include at least one optical lens, an image sensor (e.g., a CMOS image sensor) comprising a plurality of photodiodes (e.g., pixels) that form an image by light passing through the optical lens, and a digital signal processor (DSP) that forms an image based on signals output from the photodiodes. The digital signal processor can generate not only still images but also video composed of frames composed of still images.

[0278] Meanwhile, the image captured by the camera can be stored in memory (1256).

[0279] The vision module (1900) is installed in the upper cabinet (11) and, in some cases, may be installed on the upper panel of the cabinet. Additionally, the vision module (1900) may be housed inside the cabinet assembly (I) when not in operation and may operate after lifting.

[0280] The display module (1000) can display information corresponding to the user's command input, processing results corresponding to the user's command input, operation mode, operation status, error status, etc. as an image.

[0281] According to an embodiment, the display module (1000) may be configured as a touchscreen by forming a layered structure with a touchpad. In this case, the display may also be used as an input device capable of inputting information by touch by a user, in addition to being an output device.

[0282] According to an embodiment, the display module (1000) may further include a lighting unit that outputs an operating state depending on whether it is lit, the color of the light, and whether it is blinking.

[0283] According to an embodiment, the air conditioner may further include a separate control unit (1230). The control unit (1230) may include at least one of a button, a switch, and a touch input means, and may input user commands or predetermined data to the air conditioner.

[0284] The memory (1256) records various information necessary for the operation of the air conditioner, and may store control data for controlling the operation, data for the operation mode, data detected from the sensor unit (1215), and data transmitted and received through the communication unit (1270).

[0285] The memory (1256) may include a volatile or non-volatile recording medium. The recording medium stores data that can be read by a microprocessor and may include a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Disk (SSD), Silicon Disk Drive (SDD), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc.

[0286] Meanwhile, data for voice recognition can be stored in the memory (1256), and the control unit (1240) can process the user's voice input signal received through the audio input unit (1220) and perform a voice recognition process.

[0287] Meanwhile, simple speech recognition is performed by the air conditioner, and high-level speech recognition, such as natural language processing, can be performed by the speech recognition server system.

[0288] For example, when a wake-up voice signal containing a preset wake word is received, the air conditioner may switch to a state for receiving voice commands. In this case, the air conditioner performs the voice recognition process only up to the point of determining whether the wake word is voice input, and subsequent voice recognition for user voice input can be performed through a voice recognition server system.

[0289] Since there are limitations to the system resources of the air conditioner, complex natural language recognition and processing can be performed through a speech recognition server system.

[0290] According to an embodiment, a sound source file of a voice command entered by a user may be stored in the memory (1256), and the stored sound source file may be transmitted to a voice recognition server system through the communication unit (1270). Additionally, the stored sound source file may be deleted after a preset time has elapsed or after a preset operation has been performed.

[0291] The communication unit (1270) is equipped with one or more communication modules and can perform wireless communication with other electronic devices according to a predetermined communication method to exchange various signals.

[0292] Here, the specified communication method may be a Wi-Fi communication method. Correspondingly, the communication module provided by the air conditioner may be a Wi-Fi communication module, but the present invention is not limited to the communication method.

[0293] Alternatively, the air conditioner may be equipped with other types of communication modules or multiple communication modules. For example, the air conditioner may include an NFC module, a Zigbee communication module, a Bluetooth™ communication module, etc.

[0294] The air conditioner can be connected to a server included in a voice recognition server system, a designated external server, a user's mobile terminal, etc., through a Wi-Fi communication module, and can support smart functions such as remote monitoring and remote control.

[0295] Users can check information about the air conditioner or control the air conditioner through a mobile device.

[0296] In addition, the communication unit (1270) communicates with an access point (AP) device and can communicate with other devices by connecting to a wireless internet network through the access point device.

[0297] In addition, the control unit (1240) can transmit status information of the air conditioner, voice commands of the user, etc., to a voice recognition server system, etc. through the communication unit (1270).

[0298] Meanwhile, when a control signal is received through the communication unit (1270), the control unit (1240) can control the air conditioner to operate according to the received control signal.

[0299] The driving unit (1280) can control the amount of air discharged into the room by controlling the rotation of the motor connected to the indoor fans. For example, the driving unit (1280) can control the rotation of the motor connected to the circulator fan provided in the full-air airflow module (31), other blower fans at the bottom of the circulator fan, etc.

[0300] Additionally, the driving unit (1280) can control the operation so that the heat exchanger evaporates or condenses the supplied refrigerant to heat exchange the surrounding air.

[0301] The driving unit (1280) can control the operation of a valve, wind direction control means, etc. provided inside the cabinet assembly (I) in response to a control command from the control unit (1240).

[0302] According to an embodiment, the control unit (1240) may directly control a predetermined unit within the air conditioner.

[0303] Meanwhile, the driving unit (1280) may include a motor driving unit and may include an inverter, etc., to drive the motor.

[0304] According to an embodiment, the driving unit (1280) may provide driving force to cause the front airflow module (31) to rotate. Additionally, the driving unit (1280) may provide power to a circulator moving unit (not shown) so that the front airflow module (31) can move. Additionally, the driving unit (1280) may control the opening and closing of a valve installed inside. In some cases, the driving unit (1280) may provide driving force to cause the upper cabinet (11) to slide to the left or right. According to an embodiment, the driving unit (1280) may include a circulator driving unit and a front panel driving unit.

[0305] The filter cleaning assembly (VII) is installed on the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) and can clean foreign matter from the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). The filter cleaning assembly (VII) may include a filter cleaner (72). The filter cleaner (72) can move along the surface of the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) and suck up foreign matter from the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Additionally, the filter cleaner (72) can sterilize the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) using a sterilization lamp while cleaning the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d).

[0306] If necessary, the filter cleaning assembly (VII) may be a concept including a guide rail (711), an upper distance sensor (1215a), a lower distance sensor (1215b), a filter cleaner (72), and a cleaning module control unit (1247). Alternatively, the filter cleaning assembly (VII) may be a concept including a guide rail (711), a filter cleaner (72), and a cleaning module control unit (1247). Alternatively, the filter cleaning assembly (VII) may be a concept including a filter cleaning unit and a cleaning module control unit (1247).

[0307] Meanwhile, the air conditioner of the present invention performs filter cleaning automatically or manually, thereby providing convenience in filter management.

[0308] The humidification assembly (V) receives water from the water tank (51), performs humidification to provide moisture, and can discharge humidified air to the outside. The humidification assembly (V) can generate steam to humidify the air and allow the humidified air to be discharged into the room through the discharge port along with the air-conditioned air.

[0309] In the humidification assembly (V), a vibration type using vibration, a heating type, and a spraying type that sprays water can be used, and various other humidification methods can be used.

[0310] The control unit (1240) processes input / output data, stores data in memory (1256), and can control data to be transmitted and received through the communication unit (1270).

[0311] The control unit (1240) can control the air conditioner to operate according to input through the display module (1000), the operating unit (1230), etc., and can control the driving unit (1280) to transmit and receive data with the outdoor unit so that the cold and hot air conditioned by the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit is discharged into the room.

[0312] The control unit (1240) can control the air-discharge module (31) to discharge air to the outside based on the set operation mode or data measured from the sensor unit (1215).

[0313] Additionally, the control unit (1240) can control the filter cleaning assembly (VII) so that the humidification assembly (V) operates to discharge humidified air and clean the filter.

[0314] The control unit (1240) detects occupants through the sensor unit (1215) or the vision module (1900) and can control the airflow based on the location information of the detected occupants.

[0315] The control unit (1240) can monitor the operating status of each module and control the operating status to be output through the display module (1000) according to the applied data.

[0316] Meanwhile, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a power supply unit (1299), an audio input unit (1220) for receiving a user's voice command, and an audio output unit (1291) for outputting predetermined information as audio.

[0317] The power supply unit (1299) can supply operating power to each unit of the air conditioner. The power supply unit (1299) can rectify and smooth the connected power supply to generate and supply the voltage required by each unit. In addition, the power supply unit (1299) can prevent inrush current and generate a constant voltage. In addition, the power supply unit (1299) can supply operating power to an outdoor unit (not shown).

[0318] The audio input unit (1220) can receive external audio signals and user voice commands. To this end, the audio input unit (1220) may be equipped with one or more microphones (MIC). Additionally, to receive user voice commands more accurately, the audio input unit (1220) may be equipped with multiple microphones. The multiple microphones may be spaced apart at different locations and can acquire external audio signals and process them into electrical signals.

[0319] The audio input unit (1220) includes a processing unit that converts analog sound into digital data, or is connected to the processing unit to convert user input voice commands into data so that they can be recognized by the control unit (1240) or a predetermined server.

[0320] Meanwhile, the audio input unit (1220) may use various noise removal algorithms to remove noise generated during the process of receiving a user's voice command.

[0321] Additionally, the audio input unit (1220) may include components for audio signal processing, such as a filter that removes noise from the audio signal received from each microphone and an amplifier that amplifies and outputs the signal output from the filter.

[0322] Additionally, the audio output unit (1291) can output audio such as a warning sound, an operation mode, an operation status, an error status, an information corresponding to a user's command input, and a processing result corresponding to a user's command input, depending on the control of the control unit (1240).

[0323] Meanwhile, the audio output unit (1291) can convert an electrical signal from the control unit (1240) into an audio signal and output it. To do this, a speaker or the like may be provided.

[0324] FIG. 33 is a drawing illustrating the internal configuration of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0325] Referring to the drawing, the control unit (1240) may be composed of one or more microprocessors.

[0326] The control unit (1240) may include, depending on the function, a main control unit (1241), a vision module control unit (1242), a power supply control unit (1243), a lighting control unit (1244), a display module control unit (1245), a humidification module control unit (1246), a cleaning module control unit (1247), etc.

[0327] Each control unit (1241 to 1247) may be composed of a single microprocessor and may be installed in each module. For example, the vision module (1900), filter cleaning assembly (VII), and humidification assembly (V) can be controlled through a single microprocessor.

[0328] According to an embodiment, the main control unit (1241) can apply control commands to the remaining control units (1242 to 1247) and receive and process data from each control unit. The main control unit (1241) and the remaining control units (1242 to 1247) can be connected in a BUS format to transmit and receive data.

[0329] According to the embodiment, a microprocessor is installed in each module to process the operation of the module itself more quickly. For example, a display module (1000) is provided with a display module control unit (1245), and a humidification assembly (V) is provided with a humidification module control unit (1246) to control the operation.

[0330] Meanwhile, the block diagram of the control unit (1240) illustrated in FIG. 33 is a block diagram for an embodiment of the present invention. Each component of the block diagram may be integrated, added, or omitted depending on the specifications of the control unit (1240) and the units within the air conditioner being actually implemented. That is, as needed, two or more components may be combined into a single component, or a single component may be subdivided into two or more components. Furthermore, the functions performed in each block are intended to explain embodiments of the present invention, and the specific operations or devices thereof do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0331] Meanwhile, the present invention is for controlling the movement of a filter cleaning assembly (VII), and below, the control unit (1240) and the cleaning module control unit (1247) may be used interchangeably.

[0332] FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating the control relationship between the main components of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0333] Referring to the drawings, the air conditioner may include a vision module (1900), a sensor unit (1215) for sensing various data, an audio input unit (1220) for receiving voice commands from a user, an operation unit (1230), a memory (1256) for storing various data, a communication unit (1270) for wirelessly communicating with other electronic devices, a driving unit (1280) for performing operations implemented in the air conditioner, a display module (1000) for displaying predetermined information as an image, an audio output unit (1291) for outputting predetermined information as audio, a humidification assembly (V), a filter cleaning assembly (VII), a control unit (1240) for controlling overall operations, and a processor 1 (260).

[0334] The internal block diagram of the air conditioner in FIG. 34 is similar to FIG. 32, but differs in that it is further equipped with a processor (1260), and the audio input unit (1220), audio output unit (1291), communication unit (1270), and processor (1260) are provided within a single module, a voice recognition module (1205).

[0335] According to an embodiment, the voice recognition module (1205) may include a communication unit (1270) and a processor (1260), and the audio input unit (1220) and the audio output unit (1291) may be configured as separate integrated modules.

[0336] Meanwhile, the processor (1260) can control the audio input unit (1220), audio output unit (1291), communication unit (1270), etc.

[0337] Below, the differences from Fig. 32 will be described in detail.

[0338] The processor (1260) can process the user's voice input signal received through the audio input unit (1220) and perform a voice recognition process.

[0339] For example, when a wake-up voice signal containing a preset wake word is received, the processor (1260) may be switched to a state for receiving voice commands. In this case, the processor (1260) performs only the voice recognition process up to the point of determining whether the wake word is voice input, and subsequent voice recognition for user voice input can be performed through a voice recognition server system.

[0340] The processor (1260) can control the transmission of a user's voice command, which is input after the recognition of a wake-up voice signal, to a voice recognition server system through the communication unit (1270).

[0341] Additionally, the processor (1260) can transmit status information of the air conditioner, voice commands of the user, etc., to a voice recognition server system, etc., through the communication unit (1270).

[0342] Meanwhile, when a control signal is received through the communication unit (1270), the processor (1260) transmits the control signal to the control unit (1240), and the control unit (1240) can control the air conditioner to operate according to the received control signal.

[0343] Ultimately, through the voice recognition module (1205), voice data acquisition, communication with the server system, and corresponding sound output can be performed.

[0344] Meanwhile, the voice recognition module (1205) can be attached to various electronic devices in addition to the air conditioner. Alternatively, it can be used as a separate device without being attached to other electronic devices.

[0345] An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention can receive voice input from a user, and a voice recognition server system can recognize and analyze the user's voice input to control the air conditioner.

[0346] Accordingly, the user can control the air conditioner without operating a mobile terminal or remote control device.

[0347] FIG. 35 is an internal block diagram of a cleaning module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0348] Referring to the drawings, the filter cleaning assembly (VII) may include a filter cleaner (72) that moves along the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) and cleans the filter, a guide rail (711) that guides the movement of the filter cleaner (72), and a sensor unit (1215) that is positioned on the guide rail (711) and detects the distance from the moving filter cleaner (72).

[0349] The air conditioner of the present invention may include filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) disposed at the air intake and filtering air flowing into the internal space, and the filter cleaner (72) may move along the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d).

[0350] More specifically, the guide rail (711) is formed to extend from the upper center of the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) toward the lower center and can guide the up and down movement of the filter cleaner (72).

[0351] The filter cleaner (72) may include a gear motor (7251a, 7251b) that generates driving force for movement, and a moving gear (725a, 725b) that transmits power from the gear motor (7251a, 7251b). The moving gear (725a, 725b) may have a plurality of pinion gear teeth arranged along the circumferential direction so as to be engaged with the guide rail (711).

[0352] The guide rail (711) may be equipped with a plurality of rack gear teeth that can mesh with the pinion gear teeth.

[0353] The control unit (1240) can generate power by controlling the gear motors (7251a, 7251b) when a filter cleaning function is requested. For example, the gear motors (7251a, 7251b) may be step motors, and the control unit (1240) can control the gear motors (7251a, 7251b) by generating a pulse signal when a filter cleaning function is requested. In the case of a step motor that rotates one full revolution for 360 input pulses, the step motor may rotate about 1 degree for every pulse input.

[0354] The power generated by the gear motor (7251a, 7251b) is transmitted to the moving gear (725a, 725b), and accordingly, the moving gear (725a, 725b) can rotate. At this time, the pinion gear teeth of the moving gear (725a, 725b) and the back gear teeth (730c) of the guide rail (711) can mesh. In addition, depending on the rotation direction of the moving gear (725a, 725b), the filter cleaner (72) can move upward or downward.

[0355] Meanwhile, the agitators (723a, 723b) are connected directly or indirectly to the agitator motor (7233) and can rotate in conjunction with the up-and-down movement of the filter cleaner (72). The agitators (723a, 723b) can rotate while in frictional contact with the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Additionally, the agitators (723a, 723b) can separate foreign substances attached to the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) while rotating and moving.

[0356] The sensor unit (1215) may be equipped with at least one infrared (IR) sensor that detects the distance to the filter cleaner (72) based on an infrared signal. The IR sensor outputs a first infrared signal and can detect the distance to the filter cleaner (72) based on a second infrared signal reflected from the filter cleaner (72) among the output first infrared signals.

[0357] Since the sensor unit (1215) of the present invention is equipped with an IR sensor, the implementation of the filter cleaning assembly (VII) is easy and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0358] The sensor unit (1215) may be equipped with an upper distance sensor (1215a) and a lower distance sensor (1215b).

[0359] The upper distance sensor (1215a) is positioned at the top of the guide rail (711) and can detect the distance to the filter cleaner (72) when the filter cleaner (72) moves in an upward direction.

[0360] The lower distance sensor (1215b) is located at the bottom of the guide rail (711) and can detect the distance to the filter cleaner (72) when the filter cleaner (72) moves downward.

[0361] More specifically, the filter cleaner (72) may be provided with a housing (721, 722) that accommodates a gear motor (7251a, 7251b) and an agitator (723a, 723b).

[0362] The upper distance sensor (1215a) may be positioned at the top of the guide rail (711). Alternatively, the upper distance sensor (1215a) may be positioned at a guide rail (711) position corresponding to the maximum upward movement path of the filter cleaner (72).

[0363] The upper distance sensor (1215a) can detect the distance to the upper surface of the housing (721, 722) when the filter cleaner (72) moves in the upward direction.

[0364] The bottom distance sensor (1215b) may be positioned at the bottom of the guide rail (711). Alternatively, the bottom distance sensor (1215b) may be positioned at a location on the guide rail (711) corresponding to the maximum downward movement path of the filter cleaner (72).

[0365] The lower distance sensor (1215b) can detect the distance to the lower side of the housing (721, 722) when the filter cleaner (72) moves in the downward direction.

[0366] Since the sensor unit (1215) of the present invention is positioned at the top and bottom of the guide rail (711), the constraints on the layout of the filter cleaning assembly (VII) are minimized, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the design.

[0367] FIG. 36 is a drawing referenced in the explanation of the control of the movement speed of the guide rail (711) when the guide rail (711) of the filter cleaner moves in the upward direction or the control of the movement speed of the guide rail (711) when the guide rail (711) moves in the downward direction.

[0368] Referring to the drawings, the air conditioner of the present invention may include an upper cabinet (11) having an air intake formed on the rear side, and filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) are placed at the air intake to filter air flowing into the internal space.

[0369] The guide rail (711) is formed by extending from the upper center of the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) toward the lower center and can guide the up and down movement of the filter cleaner (72).

[0370] The filter cleaner (72) may be equipped with a gear motor (7251a, 7251b) that generates power for moving the filter cleaner (72), an agitator (723a, 723b) that can rotate while in frictional contact with a filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d), and a housing (721, 722) that accommodates the gear motor (7251a, 7251b) and the agitator (723a, 723b).

[0371] The gear motor (7251a, 7251b) can transmit power to the moving gear (725a, 725b), and the moving gear (725a, 725b) may have a plurality of pinion gear teeth in the circumferential direction.

[0372] The upper distance sensor (1215a) may be positioned at the top of the guide rail (711). Alternatively, the upper distance sensor (1215a) may be positioned at a location on the guide rail (711) corresponding to the maximum upward movement path of the filter cleaner (72).

[0373] The bottom distance sensor (1215b) may be positioned at the bottom of the guide rail (711). Alternatively, the bottom distance sensor (1215b) may be positioned at a location on the guide rail (711) corresponding to the maximum downward movement path of the filter cleaner (72).

[0374] The upper distance sensor (1215a) can detect the distance to the upper side of the housing (721, 722) when the filter cleaner (72) moves in the upward direction. The lower distance sensor (1215b) can detect the distance to the lower side of the housing (721, 722) when the filter cleaner (72) moves in the downward direction.

[0375] The upper distance sensor (1215a) and the lower distance sensor (1215b) can be implemented using a limit switch method or a photo sensor method. Preferably, the upper distance sensor (1215a) and the lower distance sensor (1215b) can be implemented using an infrared method. That is, the upper distance sensor (1215a) and the lower distance sensor (1215b) can each be equipped with an IR sensor.

[0376] The control unit (1240) can control the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) based on the distance information detected by the sensor unit (1215).

[0377] More specifically, the control unit (1240) can control the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) to decrease when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a preset first approach distance.

[0378] The control unit (1240) can linearly reduce the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a preset first approach distance. At this time, the slope of the movement speed may be the first slope (slope 1).

[0379] Meanwhile, the first approach distance can be set by considering the structure, design, and tonality level of the air conditioner. For example, the air conditioner of the present invention can set the approach distance of the filter cleaner (72) at the point where the tonality level is minimized by analyzing the noise generated when the filter cleaner (72) is operated through an experiment as the first approach distance.

[0380] In this context, tonality can be understood as a quantitative representation of the prominence of tones that humans find stressful in the Sound Quality Index (SQ).

[0381] The control unit (1240) can control the filter cleaner (72) to stop when it reaches a second approach distance that is smaller than the first approach distance.

[0382] The second approach distance may be distance information between the filter cleaner (72) and the upper distance sensor (1215a) or the lower distance sensor (1215b) detected by the upper distance sensor (1215a) or the lower distance sensor (1215b) when the filter cleaner (72) comes into contact with the upper distance sensor (1215a) or the lower distance sensor (1215b).

[0383] Alternatively, the second approach distance may be distance information from the filter cleaner (72) detected by the upper distance sensor (1215a) or the lower distance sensor (1215b) when the filter cleaner (72) reaches the maximum position where it can move along the guide rail (711).

[0384] Meanwhile, the above-described process can be performed when the filter cleaner (72) moves in both the upward and downward directions. That is, when the filter cleaner (72) moves in the upward direction, the control unit (1240) can control the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) based on the distance information detected by the upper distance sensor (1215a).

[0385] Additionally, when the filter cleaner (72) moves in the downward direction, the control unit (1240) can control the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) based on the distance information detected by the lower distance sensor (1215b).

[0386] The control unit (1240) can change the rotation direction of the gear motors (7251a, 7251b) when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a second approach distance. For example, when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a second approach distance while moving the filter cleaner (72) upward, the control unit (1240) can change the rotation direction of the gear motors (7251a, 7251b) to move the filter cleaner (72) downward.

[0387] As another example, when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a second approach distance while moving downward, the control unit (1240) can change the rotation direction of the gear motors (7251a, 7251b) to move the filter cleaner (72) upward.

[0388] At this time, the control unit (1240) can linearly increase the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) until the filter cleaner (72) reaches a preset distance. Additionally, the slope of the movement speed may be a second slope (slope 2).

[0389] The departure distance can be set by considering the structure, design, and tonality level of the air conditioner.

[0390] Meanwhile, the absolute value of the second slope (slope 2) may be greater than the absolute value of the first slope (slope 1). That is, when the filter cleaner (72) reaches the second approach distance, the control unit (1240) can change the rotation direction of the gear motors (7251a, 7251b) so that the filter cleaner (72) quickly reaches the maximum speed in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the air conditioner can reduce the time required for filter cleaning.

[0391] In FIG. 36, as described above, the control unit (1240) can control the filter cleaner (72) so that when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a preset first approach distance (t1), the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) is reduced linearly so that the filter cleaner (72) stops at a second approach distance (t2). At this time, the slope of the movement speed may be the first slope (slope 1).

[0392] Additionally, the control unit (1240) can linearly increase the movement speed of the filter cleaning unit until it reaches a preset departure distance when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a second approach distance (t2). At this time, the slope of the movement speed may be a second slope (slope 2).

[0393] Additionally, the filter cleaner (72) can move back and forth along the movement path of the filter cleaner (72) at least once, starting from the lower side of the guide rail (711). The number of times the filter cleaner (72) moves back and forth can be automatically set in correspondence with the amount of foreign matter attached to the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Alternatively, the number of times the filter cleaner (72) moves back and forth can be manually set by a user's filter cleaning command.

[0394] FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0395] Referring to the drawings, first, the air conditioner can perform a filter cleaning function automatically or manually according to user commands by detecting the amount of foreign matter attached to the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d).

[0396] The control unit (1240) can control the initial position of the filter cleaner (72) so that it is located at the lower end of the moving guide. To this end, the control unit (1240) can control the rotation direction and speed of the gear motors (7251a, 7251b).

[0397] The control unit (1240) can control the filter cleaner (72) to move in an upward direction (S1601). During the upward movement of the filter cleaner (72), the agitator (723a, 723b) can be driven in conjunction with the gear motor (7251a, 7251b) or by a separate agitator motor (not shown).

[0398] The agitator (723a, 723b) can separate foreign substances attached to the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) while rotating. The foreign substances separated from the filter module (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) can be collected in a foreign substance collection space inside the housing (721, 722) and / or in a separate foreign substance collection container.

[0399] The upper distance sensor (1215a) may be positioned at the top of the guide rail (711). Alternatively, the upper distance sensor (1215a) may be positioned at a location corresponding to the maximum upward movement path of the filter cleaner (72).

[0400] The upper distance sensor (1215a) can detect the distance to the upper side of the housing (721, 722) (S1603).

[0401] The control unit (1240) can calculate the approach distance of the filter cleaner (72) (S1605). If the filter cleaner (72) has not reached the first approach distance, the control unit (1240) can control the filter cleaner (72) to move upward while maintaining the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72).

[0402] The control unit (1240) can control the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) to decrease when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a preset first approach distance (S1607). Specifically, the control unit (1240) can linearly decrease the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72). At this time, the slope of the movement speed may be a first slope (slope 1).

[0403] The control unit (1240) can calculate whether the filter cleaner (72) has reached a second approach distance (S1609). If the filter cleaner (72) has not reached the second approach distance, the control unit (1240) can linearly reduce the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) to have a first slope (slope 1).

[0404] The control unit (1240) can control the filter cleaning unit to stop when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a second approach distance (S1611). At this time, the second approach distance may be distance information between the filter cleaner (72) and the upper distance sensor (1215a) detected by the upper distance sensor (1215a) when the filter cleaner (72) comes into contact with the upper distance sensor (1215a).

[0405] Alternatively, the second approach distance may be distance information from the cleaning unit (710) detected by the upper distance sensor (1215a) when the filter cleaner (72) reaches the maximum position where it can move upward along the guide rail (711).

[0406] The control unit (1240) can move the filter cleaner (72) downward by changing the rotation direction of the gear motors (7251a, 7251b) at the maximum movable upper position of the filter cleaner (72) (S1613).

[0407] At this time, the control unit (1240) can linearly increase the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) until the filter cleaner (72) reaches a preset distance. Additionally, the slope of the movement speed may be a second slope (slope 2).

[0408] In this case as well, foreign substances attached to the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) can be separated by the agitator (723a, 723b) and collected in the foreign substance collection space inside the housing (721, 722) and / or in a separate foreign substance collection container.

[0409] Meanwhile, for rapid filter cleaning, it is preferable that the preset departure distance be smaller than the first approach distance.

[0410] The bottom distance sensor (1215b) may be positioned at the bottom of the guide rail (711). Alternatively, the bottom distance sensor (1215b) may be positioned at a location corresponding to the maximum downward movement path of the filter cleaner (72).

[0411] The lower distance sensor (1215b) can detect the distance to the lower side of the housing (721, 722) (S1615).

[0412] The control unit (1240) can calculate the approach distance of the filter cleaner (72) (S1617). If the filter cleaner (72) has not reached the first approach distance, the control unit (1240) can control the filter cleaner (72) to move downward while maintaining the movement speed at which the departure distance was reached.

[0413] The control unit (1240) can control the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) to decrease when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a preset first approach distance (S1619). Specifically, the control unit (1240) can linearly decrease the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72). At this time, the slope of the movement speed may be a first slope (slope 1).

[0414] The control unit (1240) can calculate whether the filter cleaner (72) has reached a second approach distance (S1621). If the filter cleaner (72) has not reached the second approach distance, the control unit (1240) can linearly reduce the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) to have a first slope (slope 1).

[0415] The control unit (1240) can control the filter cleaning unit to stop when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a second approach distance (S1623). At this time, the second approach distance may be distance information between the filter cleaner (72) and the lower distance sensor (1215b) detected by the lower distance sensor (1215b) when the filter cleaner (72) comes into contact with the lower distance sensor (1215b).

[0416] Alternatively, the second approach distance may be distance information from the cleaning unit (710) detected by the bottom distance sensor (1215b) when the filter cleaner (72) reaches the maximum position where it can move downward along the guide rail (711).

[0417] The process of FIG. 37 can be performed at least once based on the lower side of the guide rail (711).

[0418] As described above, the air conditioner of the present invention controls the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) to be reduced at a preset distance, thereby reducing the noise generated during the operation of the filter cleaner (72).

[0419] Additionally, the air conditioner can reduce noise caused by friction between the filter cleaner (72) and the guide rail (711) and / or overswing of the filter cleaner (72) and prevent malfunctions by controlling the speed of the filter cleaner (72).

[0420] In addition, the air conditioner of the present invention can reduce the noise generated when the filter cleaner (72) operates, thereby minimizing user discomfort.

[0421] FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0422] Referring to the drawing, the air conditioner can receive a filter cleaning end signal automatically or manually according to a user command by detecting the amount of foreign matter attached to the filter modules (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) (S1701).

[0423] The control unit (1240) can control the filter cleaner (72) to move downward when it receives a filter cleaning end signal while the filter cleaner (72) is moving upward.

[0424] Alternatively, the control unit (1240) may, when it receives a filter cleaning end signal while the filter cleaner (72) is moving in the upward direction, move the filter cleaner (72) in the upward direction to a second approach distance and then control the filter cleaner (72) to move in the downward direction (S1703).

[0425] The lower distance sensor (1215b) can detect the distance to the lower side of the housing (721, 722) (S1705).

[0426] The control unit (1240) can calculate the approach distance of the filter cleaner (72) (S1707). If the filter cleaner (72) has not reached the first approach distance, the control unit (1240) can control the filter cleaner (72) to move downward while maintaining the movement speed.

[0427] The control unit (1240) can control the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) to decrease when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a preset first approach distance (S1709).

[0428] Specifically, the control unit (1240) can linearly reduce the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72). At this time, the slope of the movement speed may be a first slope (slope 1).

[0429] The control unit (1240) can calculate whether the filter cleaner (72) has reached a second approach distance (S1711). If the filter cleaner (72) has not reached the second approach distance, the control unit (1240) can linearly reduce the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) to have a first slope (slope 1).

[0430] The control unit (1240) can control the filter cleaning unit to stop when the filter cleaner (72) reaches a second approach distance (S1713).

[0431] That is, when the filter cleaning function ends, the control unit (1240) controls the filter cleaner (72) to move in the downward direction of the guide rail (711), and linearly reduces the movement speed of the filter cleaner (72) so that it can be seated at the lower end of the guide rail (711).

[0432] The attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings; it should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions included within the concept and technical scope of the present invention are included.

[0433] Likewise, although operations are depicted in a specific order in the drawings, this should not be understood to mean that such operations must be performed in that specific or sequential order depicted to obtain a desirable result, or that all depicted operations must be performed. In certain cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

[0434] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications are possible by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the invention as claimed in the patent claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0435] I : Cabinet Assembly 11 : Upper Cabinet 111 : Intake port 12 : Base part 13: Lower cabinet 14a, 14b: Side discharge member II: Door Assembly III: Blower Fan Assembly IV: Heat exchange assembly V: Humidification assembly VI: Filter Assembly 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d: Filter Module VII : Filter Cleaning Assembly 71 : Moving Guide 711 : Guide rail 7121 : Magnetic generator 7122 : Top plate 7131 : Bottom plate 7131a : Bottom plate groove 72 : Filter cleaner 721 : Base cover 7211 : Guide rail groove 7212: Hall sensor 7213a: First agitator groove 7213b : Second agitator groove 7214 : Guide rail groove section 7215a, 7215b : Auxiliary rollers 7217 : Power line fixing part 72174 : Guide home fixing part 722 : Lateral projection 7225 : Dustbin insertion hole 723a, 723b : Agitator 7231 : Rotating bar 7232 : Blade 724a, 724b: Side brush section 725a, 725b: Moving gear 726a1, 726a2, 726b1, 726b2 : Guide rollers 727 : Dustbin 7271 : Top cover 7272 : Dustbin body 7273 : Exposed part 7274 : Bottom cover 72742 : Dust bin filter 728 : Connecting housing 7281 : Dustbin insertion part 7282a, 7282b : Suction connection pipe 729 : Suction fan 7210 : Bottom detection sensor 731 : Power cord 732 : Cord reel 733 : Power cord cover tube

Claims

Claim 1 An air conditioner comprising: a cabinet having an intake port; a filter assembly disposed in the intake port for removing foreign substances from the air being sucked in; and a filter cleaning assembly for removing foreign substances from the filter assembly, wherein the filter assembly comprises a first filter module covering the left side of the intake port; a second filter module covering the right side of the intake port; and wherein the filter cleaning assembly comprises a filter cleaner for removing foreign substances from the filter assembly; and a guide rail disposed between the first filter module and the second filter module and guiding the movement of the filter cleaner, wherein the guide rail has an electrode hole formed therein that forms a space for an electrode to be disposed therein for ionizing foreign substances in the air. Claim 2 In claim 1, the air conditioner comprising a dust collection filter section that collects ionized foreign substances and filters air, wherein each of the first filter module and the second filter module comprises a first filter module and a second filter module. Claim 3 In claim 1, the guide rail comprises a front surface facing the cabinet; and a rear surface opposite to the front surface, wherein the front surface is connected to the cabinet. Claim 4 An air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail has a guide groove formed therein that forms a space for a power line connected to the filter cleaner. Claim 5 In paragraph 4, the guide groove is formed concavely from the rear side to the front side of the guide rail in an air conditioner. Claim 6 In paragraph 5, the penile electrode hole is an air conditioner formed in the forward direction from the guide groove. Claim 7 In claim 5, the electrode disposed in the electrode hole is disposed such that it does not protrude outwardly from the guide groove. Claim 8 In paragraph 5, the electrode disposed in the electrode hole protrudes to an extent that does not interfere with the power line disposed in the guide groove. Claim 9 In paragraph 5, the air conditioner in which the guide groove is formed to be larger than the thickness of the power line. Claim 10 An air conditioner according to claim 4, further comprising a bottom plate disposed at the bottom of the guide rail and forming a surface perpendicular to the guide rail, wherein a bottom plate groove through which the power line passes is formed in the bottom plate.

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