EP1922515B1 - Indoor unit of air-conditioner - Google Patents
Indoor unit of air-conditioner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1922515B1 EP1922515B1 EP06796300A EP06796300A EP1922515B1 EP 1922515 B1 EP1922515 B1 EP 1922515B1 EP 06796300 A EP06796300 A EP 06796300A EP 06796300 A EP06796300 A EP 06796300A EP 1922515 B1 EP1922515 B1 EP 1922515B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- air
- exhaust
- fan
- dust
- unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0018—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by fans
- F24F1/0033—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by fans having two or more fans
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0041—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by exhaustion of inside air from the room
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0043—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements
- F24F1/0057—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements mounted in or on a wall
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0059—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers
- F24F1/0063—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers by the mounting or arrangement of the heat exchangers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0059—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers
- F24F1/0067—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers by the shape of the heat exchangers or of parts thereof, e.g. of their fins
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0071—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units with means for purifying supplied air
- F24F1/0073—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units with means for purifying supplied air characterised by the mounting or arrangement of filters
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0083—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units with dehumidification means
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/08—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
- F24F13/10—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/28—Arrangement or mounting of filters
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
- F24F8/10—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
- F24F8/90—Cleaning of purification apparatus
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0018—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by fans
- F24F1/0022—Centrifugal or radial fans
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0018—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by fans
- F24F1/0025—Cross-flow or tangential fans
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air-conditioner, and more particularly, to a discharge structure which removes dust from an air filter and discharges the removed dust to the outside.
- indoor air is drawn in from a suction port to the indoor unit proper, and dust contained in indoor air is caught by an air filter installed opposite to the suction port and indoor air alone is guided to a heat exchanger and heat-exchanged.
- the caught dust accumulates on the air filter and when it is left as it is, circulation of indoor air to the heat exchanger is interrupted and degraded heat exchange efficiency results.
- the indoor unit of the air-conditioners popularly used is of a so-called wall-mounted type and is mounted on the wall at high level in a room. Consequently, for example, for elderly people and women, opening and closing of the front panel and attaching and detaching of a filter are accompanied with difficulties, and it is likely to leave air-filters intact with dust adhering.
- the dust collection box in a plurality of boxes opposite to the air filter, and these dust collection boxes are communicated to each other in series from the upstream side to the downstream side of the exhaust channel of the exhaust means.
- an exhaust fan which constitutes an exhaust means, dust accumulated in the dust collection box is guided to an exhaust pipe and further to the outside to be discharged.
- a suction-exhaust device that draws in and discharge air is arranged, and at the same time, a suction duct that communicates with the suction-exhaust device and an exhaust duct that discharges air from the suction-exhaust device to the outside are installed, and the suction-exhaust device is formed with a centrifugal blower with a built-in motor and a casing which surrounds this centrifugal blower.
- the contaminated air inside the room can be exhausted to the outside by allowing the air to pass the suction duct, suction-exhaust device with the centrifugal blower incorporated, and exhaust duct, in that order, and at the same time, dust adhering to the filter can be removed and cleaning of this filter can be automatically carried out.
- centrifugal fan When this is used over a long time, large quantities of dust adhere and are accumulated to blades of the centrifugal fan which composes a centrifugal blower.
- the centrifugal fan since the centrifugal fan is of a multi-blade type which has a large number of blades and narrow clearances between blades, it tends to cause clogging with dust accumulated between blades, giving rise to a problem in that the originally intended exhaust air volume and exhaust characteristics are unable to be secured by such influence.
- JP2002/340395 A discloses an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the precharacterizing part of claim 1.
- the present invention was made in light of the above-mentioned situation, and it is an object of the invention to provide an indoor unit of an air-conditioner which automatically removes dust adhering to the air filter, allows a ventilation unit to draw in and discharge the removed dust to the outside, thereby achieves smooth exhaust operation free of clogging in the middle of discharge, and prevents contamination by dust of the ventilation unit which includes a heat exchanger and a blower.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner with part shown diagrammatically.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view with the front panel 2 of the indoor unit proper 1 removed to show the inside
- FIG. 3 is a side view with the rear panel housing 3 of the indoor unit proper 1 removed.
- the indoor unit proper 1 is composed with a front panel 2 and a rear panel housing 3 and forms a horizontally long shape.
- a front suction port 4 is opened and a movable panel supported to an open/close drive mechanism is fitted.
- the movable panel becomes flush to the front panel 2 and closes the front suction port 4.
- it is controlled to protrude and be displaced to the front side to form a clearance with the main body side, and open the front suction port 4.
- An upper suction port 6 is provided over the front panel 2 and the rear plate housing 3.
- a frame-form bar 7 is fitted, and by this bar 7, a plurality of open spaces are formed.
- two blowout louvers 8a and 8b are installed parallel. Each of the blowout louvers 8a and 8b opens and closes a blowout port 9 installed at the front bottom of the indoor unit proper 1 and sets the blowout direction of heat-exchanged air in accordance with the operating conditions.
- a heat exchanger 10 formed by a front-side heat exchanger unit 10A and a rear-side heat exchanger unit 10B in a nearly inverted V-letter shape is arranged.
- the front-side heat exchanger unit 10A is formed in a nearly curved shape parallel to the front panel 2 with a clearance formed in-between, and the rear-side heat exchanger unit 10B is nearly formed upright and faces obliquely to the upper suction port 6.
- a suction frame assembly Sa with a front air filter 11A equipped is located between the front suction port 4 and the front-side heat exchanger unit 10A.
- a top-frame assembly Sb with an upper air filter 11B equipped is mounted between the upper suction port 6 and the upper-side heat exchanger unit 10B.
- These frame assemblies Sa and Sb are formed with a main frame portion and an air filter retainer frame and are assembled to each other with the relevant air filters 11A and 11B interposed.
- a pair of rolls 50 is rotatably supported along the longitudinal direction and over these rolls 50, a feed band mounted on both side end portions of air filters 11A and 11B is installed.
- a drive mechanism is connected to rotate and drive the rolls 50 in response to control signals.
- the above-mentioned feed band has a so-called belt-form and travels endlessly as rolls 50 rotate.
- Each of the air filters 11A and 11B is installed only half-round each with respect to the whole circumference of the feed band and forms an area shape that is opposed to each of suction ports 4 and 6.
- an air filter sweeping mechanism hereinafter called the "sweeping unit" Z later discussed is installed.
- An electric dust collector is installed in such a manner as to come into close contact with part of the front surface side of the front-side heat exchanger unit 10A of the heat exchanger 10.
- This electric dust collector is configured with a charge-side electrode which gives electric charge to dust in the circulating air and a dust-collection-side electrode which attracts and catches the charged dust.
- an indoor blower 13 is arranged between front and rear side heat exchanger units 10A and 10B of the heat exchanger 10 formed in a shape of an umbrella.
- the indoor blower 13 is composed with a fan motor and a transverse fan with one spindle mechanically linked to the rotating shaft of this fan motor.
- Ventilation unit 15 An exhaust unit (herein after called the "ventilation unit”) 15 later discussed is installed adjacent to one side end of the indoor blower 13, with the center axis located on the extension of this center axis. (In FIG. 1 , the ventilation unit 15 is diagrammatically indicated.)
- the bottom end portion of the front-side heat exchanger unit 10A is located on a front drain pan 16a and the bottom end portion of the rear-side heat exchanger unit 10B is located on a rear drain pan 16b to receive drain water trickling from relevant heat exchanger units 10A and 10B, and discharge the drain water to the outside via a drain hose (not shown).
- the one part side-wall outer surface of the front and rear drain pans 16a and 16b is installed at the position close to the indoor blower 13, and with these, a nose to the transverse fan of the indoor blower 13 is formed.
- the clearance between the edges of the blow-out port 9 and the side wall portion of front and rear drain pans 16a and 16b which form the nose is connected by a bulkhead member 17.
- the space surrounded by the bulkhead member 17 forms a blow-out ventilating flue 18 which communicates the nose with the blow-out port 9.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exploded ventilation unit 15 related to the embodiment
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation unit 15 and its surrounding portion related to the embodiment
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one surface side of the ventilation unit 15 related to the embodiment.
- the one side portion of the ventilation unit 15 is formed from a unit base 20, while the other side portion is formed from a blower mechanism 30. Between the unit base 20 and the blower mechanism 30, a damper 40 and a damper drive mechanism 45 is intermediately installed, and with these, the ventilation unit 15 is formed.
- the above-mentioned unit base 20 is equipped with a vertical portion 20a, inclined portion 20b and a horizontal portion 20c.
- the vertical portion 20a is protrudably formed nearly in a triangle as viewed from the side and agrees with the umbrella-form assembly shape of the front-side heat exchanger unit 10A and the rear-side heat exchanger side 10B which compose the heat exchanger 10. Allowing the side-end portion of the heat exchanger 10 to be placed on the horizontal portion 20c forms a gap at the portion opposite to the inclined portion 20b.
- a circular fixing opening 21 is provided and along the circumferential surface of this opening, ribs 22 which protrude to the inner surface side of the vertical portion 20a is mounted.
- reinforcing ribs 23 are radially installed.
- a plurality (7 pieces) of fragment parts for total closure 24 are installed, with specified intervals provided. Part of fragment parts for total closure 24 is opened, and this opening is called a secondary ventilation port 25.
- a bearing 26 is fixed, and with these, a bearing portion 27 is configured.
- This bearing portion 27 pivotally supports one spindle h of the transverse fan 13F which configures the indoor blower 13.
- two stays 28a are protrudably mounted, and to these stays 28a, a pinion 46 is rotatably fitted, which composes a damper drive mechanism 45.
- a plurality of stays 28b are installed. From a protruded end face of each stay 28b, a threaded hole is mounted and a fixing screw m which mounts and fixes the blower mechanism 30 is driven. Only the stay 28b in the vicinity of the fragment parts for total closure 24 has a receiving portion 29 installed integrally adjacent to the circumferential portion. On the receiving portion 29, a drive motor 47 that composes the damper drive mechanism 45 is mounted and fixed, and a drive gear 48 which is linked to a rotating shaft of the drive motor is further rotatably supported.
- a hole portion 41 installed at the center part of the damper 40 is rotatably fitted.
- This damper 40 is formed from the hole portion 41 along in the radial direction to have nearly disk-form cross section, and along the circular peripheral edge, a gear unit 42 is installed. To the gear unit 42, two pinions 46 and a drive gear 48 are engaged.
- a plurality of guide ventilation ports 43 are equipped. These guide ventilation ports 43 have the opening size and shape completely identical to the secondary ventilation port 25 mounted on the unit base vertical portion 20a.
- a bar n between relevant guide ventilation ports 43 has the interval between them set to be identical to the mutual interval of the fragmental part for total closure 24.
- the damper 40 forms a clearance with the vertical portion 20a inner surface while it is fitted to the rib 22, and one side surface of the damper 40 is normally slidably in contact with the end edge of the fragmental part for total closure 24. Consequently, except the state in which the guide ventilation port 43 of the damper 40 faces against the secondary ventilation port 25 of the vertical portion 20a, each of the secondary ventilation ports 25 is blocked by the damper 40.
- the blower mechanism 30 has an intake port 31 which is open to the side surface on the damper 40 side and at the same time, is composed with a fan casing 33 having a rectangular exhaust port 32 protrudably mounted along its circumferential end portion and a fan motor 34 mounted to the opposite side surface of the intake port 31 of this fan casing and a fan 35 which is mounted on this fan motor rotary shaft.
- the fan 35 is a so-called centrifugal fan type (multiblade type) which draws in air from the center axis direction as it rotates and blows air in the circumferential direction, and the circumferential surface of the fan casing 33 is formed of scroll. Consequently, the fan 35 works to draw in air from the intake port 31 of the fan casing 33 and send air from the exhaust port 32.
- centrifugal fan type multiblade type
- blower mechanism 30 is mounted on the vertical portion 20a of the unit base 20 via the damper 40 and the damper drive mechanism 45, a clearance exists between the blower mechanism 30 and the vertical portion 20a. Furthermore, the circumferential surface of the blower mechanism 30 is mounted on the inclined portion 20b and the horizontal portion 20c of the unit base 20 with clearances provided, and in particular, has a large clearance at the triangular protruded portion of the unit base 20.
- the exhaust port 32 of the fan casing 33 is inserted into a ventilation nipple 51 protrudably mounted to the bottom-end back-side corner of the indoor unit proper 1 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- a discharge hose (not shown) is connected, and this discharge hose is extended to the outside.
- a drain discharge nipple 52 is installed in parallel, to which a drain hose connected to the front drain pan 16a is inserted.
- a drain hose extended to the outside is also connected.
- FIGS. 2 and 3 show part of the sweeping unit Z.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view with an enlarged view of connecting hose 55 and connections 56 of the sweeping unit Z
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view that shows the connections 56 in cross section.
- the sweeping unit Z is composed with a rotary brush B linked to the rotation drive mechanism, a dust box 57 (partly illustrated) which is a dust housing unit surrounding this rotary brush B and the connection hose 55 installed across one side end portion of the dust box 57 and the ventilation unit 15.
- the dust box 57 is formed by assembling divided parts which are divided into a plurality of pieces, and surrounds the suction frame assembly Sa top end portion and the top frame assembly Sb front end portion.
- the brush B is rotatably housed. The brush B comes into full contact with part of the air filter 11A and the upper air filter 11B in the whole lateral direction.
- the rotation drive mechanism that drives the rotary brush B is mounted to the side portion (right side portion) which is opposite to the portion shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- the connection hose 55 is connected to the side portion shown in each drawing.
- one side end bottom portion of the dust box 57 is protrudably installed in the longitudinal direction, and on this, a unit end-connector 58 and an end-connector fixture 59 are integrally installed.
- the unit end-connector 58 communicates with the dust box 57 inside, to which one end portion of the connection hose 55 is fitted.
- the end-connector fixture 59 is mounted and fixed to the unit base 20 of the ventilation unit 15 via a fixture.
- connection hose 55 has a bend a at the midway, with the other end portion insertedly passed into the unit base 20 of the ventilation unit 15.
- FIGS. 8 to 10 the position of the connection hose 55 to the unit base 20 is diagrammatically shown by chain double-dashed line.
- the connection hose 55 which insertedly passes the unit base 20 faces to the fan casing 33 of the blower mechanism 30.
- a guide port is installed, and a discharge case 60 is mounted on the circumferential surface of the fan casing 33 while surrounding this guide port.
- the discharge case 60 is equipped with a fixing part c which conforms to the circumferential shape of the fan casing 33, no air stream leaks from the clearance with the guide port.
- an end-connector b is intergrally protrudably installed, to which the other end portion of the connection hose 55 is connected.
- a damper cover d is mounted, to which a backflow prevention damper 61 is mounted.
- This backflow prevention damper 61 allows the flow of an air stream from the connection hose 55 to the guide port (fixing part c) side, and the flow of the air stream from the guide port to the connection hose 55 side is hampered.
- the indoor air is guided from the upper suction port 6 and the front suction port 4 to the inside of the indoor unit proper 1, and passes through the front air filter 11A and the upper air filter 11B. Dust contained in the indoor air is caught by these air filters 11A and 11B, the indoor air with dust removed passes the heat exchanger 10 where heat exchanging operation takes place. Thereafter, the heat-exchanged air is guided along the blowoff ventilation passage 18, then, guided from the blowoff port 9 to blowoff louvers 8a and 8b, and allowed to blow off into the room, and highly efficient air-conditioning operation is continued.
- the ventilation unit 15 is designed to change over to three kinds of modes: "secondary-side air ventilation mode", “primary-side air ventilation mode”, and “ventilation damper totally closed mode”. It shall be rated that the secondary side and primary side are designated with the heat exchanger 10 used as a reference and the secondary-side air means the air which has passed the heat exchanger 10 and the primary-side air means the air before it circulates into the heat exchanger 10.
- the cleaning operation mode when air-conditioning operation is finished allows the "secondary-side air ventilation mode" to automatically function. That is, right after cooling operation or dehumidifying operation is carried out and stopped, moisture (drain water) adheres to the heat exchanger 10 and the inside of the indoor unit proper 1 becomes the high-humidity atmosphere. Leaving the indoor unit proper as it is causes the moisture content adhering to the heat exchange 10 as well as to other components to stay without evaporating, forming causes of corrosion or mold generation. Therefore, by choosing the cleaning operation mode, drying and sterilization operation of the inside of the indoor unit proper 1 are carried out.
- the damper drive mechanism 45 of the ventilation unit 15 operates to swing the damper 40 and to bring the guide ventilation port 43 of the damper 40 to face to the secondary ventilation port 25 of the unit base 20. Then, the blower mechanism 30 of the ventilation unit 15 operates, draws in secondary-side air into the ventilation unit 15 via the secondary ventilation port 25 and guide ventilation port 43 and intake port 31, and blows off from the exhaust port 32.
- the secondary-side air circulates the secondary ventilation port 25 and the guide ventilation port 43 from a clearance between the outer surface of the inclined portion 20b of the unit base 20 and the heat exchanger 10, via the gap between the external surface of the vertical portion 20a and the end face of the transverse fan'13F, and is drawn in through the intake port 31 of the fan casing 33 and blown off from the exhaust port 32.
- the above-mentioned ventilation mode may be chosen in parallel with the air-conditioning operation or may be chosen when air-conditioning operation is stopped. That is, the ventilation mode is chosen when the room inside is ventilated while cooling operation or heating operation is being carried out.
- the damper drive mechanism 45 rockably drives the damper 40 and when the guide ventilation port 43 is located at the position not opposite to the secondary ventilation port 25 of the unit base 20, it stops operation of the damper drive mechanism 45.
- the damper 40 surface comes into contact with the end of the fragment parts for total closure 24 of the unit base 20, and the secondary ventilation port 25 is closed by the damper.
- gaps are formed, and the guide ventilation port 43 communicates with these gaps.
- the blower mechanism 30 operates and draws indoor air from the upper suction port 6 in the normally open state into the indoor unit proper 1.
- the indoor air passes air filters 11A and 11B and after dust is caught, as shown in the broken-line arrow mark and solid-line arrow mark in FIG. 7 , it is directly guided to the ventilation unit 15 as the primary air before it passes the heat exchanger 10 and is discharged from the exhaust port 32 to the outside.
- the backflow prevention damper 61 equipped to the discharge case 60 prevents the air stream from flowing to the connection hose 55 side. Consequently, there is no backflow of air stream from the connection hose 55 to the dust box 57.
- the ventilation unit 15 communicates directly with the outside via a hose connected to the ventilation nipple 51. In the event that extremely large quantities of dust are released into the outside or large noises are generated in the nighttime, these dusts intrude into the ventilation unit 15 via the hose, and there is a possibility that dust enters indoor environment via the indoor unit proper 1. In such an event, the "ventilation damper totally closed mode" is chosen which brings the ventilation unit 15 into the totally closed condition.
- FIG. 10 indicates the condition of the damper 40 when the ventilation damper totally closed mode is chosen. That is, the damper drive mechanism 45 swings the damper 40 as a blocking means and stops the damper swinging at the position where bars n between guide ventilation ports 43 face against the end edge of the fragment parts for total closure 24 of the unit base vertical portion 20a. All the guide ventilation ports 43 are surrounded by the fragment parts for total closure 24 of the unit base 20 and the rib 22 and are totally closed and the secondary ventilation port 25 of the unit base 20 is totally closed by the damper 40. That is, the intake port 31 of the fan casing 33 is blocked.
- the air-conditioner After the completion of the cleaning operation mode inside the main body described previously and after the completion of the regular air-conditioning operation, the air-conditioner is set to automatically achieve the totally closed mode described above. In addition, selecting the totally closed mode during the air-conditioning operation achieves the state equivalent to the regular air-conditioning operation.
- the ventilation damper totally closed mode is selected. That is, the upper air filter 11B is driven to travel towards the sweeping unit Z and at the same time, the brush B drives to swing as if the brush surface swings in the direction same as that of the traveling surface of the upper air filter 11B.
- the rotating speed of the brush B is set to be faster than the traveling speed of the upper air filter 11B.
- the brush B When removal of dust from the upper air filter 11B is finished, then, the brush B is reversely driven and at the same time, the front air filter 11A is driven to travel in the same direction as the mobile surface of the brush, and the dust adhering to the front air filter 11A is removed. In this event, too, because the brush B rotates faster than the front air filter 11A and the contact surfaces of the two are rotated (travel) to swing in the same direction, no resistance is generated between the two and dust is smoothly scraped off.
- the backflow prevention damper 61 mounted inside the discharge case 60 allows the air stream to be guided from the end-connector b to guide port side and negative pressure is applied to the dust collected in the dust box 57. Dust inside the dust box 57 moves to the connection hose 55 side in the dust box 57 and is guided from one side end portion to the connection hose 55.
- Dust inside the connection hose 55 passes the backflow prevention damper 61, is guided from the discharge case 60 into the fan casing 33 via the guide port, and is blown off from the exhaust port 32. All the dust is discharged to the outside smoothly via the ventilation nipple 51 and discharge hose.
- the ventilation unit 15 is able to carry out indoor ventilation operation and operation to discharge collected dust to the outside and can be effectively utilized.
- connection position of the connection hose 55 equipped to the sweeping unit Z to the ventilation unit 15, that is, the position of the discharge case 60 is set to the blowoff side of the exhaust fan 35 and to the upstream position from the exhaust port 32 of the fan casing 33. Consequently, dust that moves by negative pressure of the blast generated as the ventilation fan 35 rotates does not come directly in contact with the exhaust fan 35 and is attracted and guided by the flow of an air stream.
- the exhaust fan 35 which is a centrifugal fan housed in a scroll-form fan casing 33, with a regular centrifugal fan, the exhaust fan 35 is rotated with the channel connected to a bell mouth, which is the sole intake port 31 totally closed. In such an event, no centrifugal air stream is generated which heads off from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the original exhaust fan 35, but around the exhaust fan 35, an induction air stream which rotates with the exhaust fan 35 is generated.
- the induction air stream on the outer circumferential side of the exhaust fan 35 has the majority kept away from the exhaust fan 35 at the nose portion of the fan casing 33 and an exhaust air stream is generated. Then, the inside of the fan casing 33 is brought to the negative pressure by this exhaust stream and the discharge case 60 and connection hose 55 installed on the scroll circumferential surface 33a of the fan casing 33 can obtain air intake capacity.
- the ventilation unit 15 is equipped with a means to block the intake port 31 of the fan casing 33 (damper drive mechanism 45 that drives the damper 40), while the sweeping unit Z is being operated to remove dust adhering to the front and upper air filters 11A and 11B and discharge outside, the intake port 31 is blocked. Consequently, the degree of negative pressure of the backflow prevention damper 61 and the connection hose 55 linked to the outer circumferential surface on the upstream side than the exhaust port 32, the dust suction capacity is increased and still more effective dust discharge is enabled.
- the front air filter 11A and the upper air filter 11B are formed into a roll form, respectively, and a sweeping unit Z that drives the relevant air filters 11A and 11B, respectively, and rotates a brush B, respectively, when the air filter is cleaned to remove dust, but the invention shall not be limited to this.
- the front air filter and the upper air filter are formed in a flat sheet to tailor to the cross-sectional shape of the suction port, and an air filter sweeping mechanism to reciprocatively drive each air filter successively with respect to the rotatably driven brush and remove dust may be equipped or any other configuration can be accepted.
- any configuration may be used in which dust is removed from each air filter and is collected in the dust box 57, which is a dust storage part, and dust in this dust box 57 is guided to the ventilation unit 15 via the connection hose 55.
- FIGS. 11A and 11B show the second embodiment in the present invention, and in particular, is a schematic configuration drawing of the ventilation unit 15 to explain the position of the connection hose 55 to be connected to the fan casing 33, and is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fan casing 33, respectively.
- the above-mentioned fan casing 33 is formed in a shape of a scroll along the circumferential surface 33a, is equipped with an intake port 31 to draw in air for ventilation on the side surface, and has an exhaust port 32 on the circumferential end portion, which communicates with the outside.
- the above-mentioned centrifugal fan type exhaust fan 35 is housed, and as shown in FIG. 11B with the chain double-dashed line, air is drawn in from the center axis direction opposite to the intake port 31 and is discharged from the circumferential direction.
- the sweeping unit Z and the ventilation unit 15 communicate with each other via the connection hose 55.
- the discharge case 60 is mounted, and to this discharge case 60, the connection hose 55 is connected, but in this case, for simplifying the explanation, the discharge case 60 is omitted.
- the dust is guided to the position kept away from the blade part of the exhaust fan 35 by the operation as described above and is discharged from the exhaust port 32 to the outside. Consequently, dust does not clog up the blade part of the exhaust fan 35 and high air-distributing performance can be maintained over a long time in the same manner as described before.
- connection hose 55 is connected to the circumferential surface 33a which is formed into a scroll shape of the fan casing 33. That is, since the intake port 31 is located on the side surface portion of the fan casing 33, it is unable to connect the head end portion of the connection hose 35 to this. Furthermore, the connection hose 35 shall not be connected to the side surface opposite to the intake port 31 or to a projection plane X of the exhaust fan 35 as shown by fine hatching in FIG. 11B .
- connection position of the connection hose 55 to the fan casing 35 should be set to the fan casing 33 surface portion other than these intake port 31 and the projection plane X of the exhaust fan 35. Consequently, dust guided from the sweeping unit Z to the ventilation unit 15 via the connection hose 55 is guided to the position kept away from the exhaust fan 35 in the fan casing 33 and does not adhere to the exhaust fan 35 nor clog the blade part.
- FIG. 12 shows the third embodiment according to the present invention, and is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ventilation unit Z in order to establish the position of the connection hose 55 to be connected to the fan casing 33 of the ventilation unit 15.
- the head end portion of the connection hose 55 to.the fan casing 33 should be connected to a surface portion other than the intake port 31 of the fan casing 33, the side surface opposite to the intake port 31 and the projection plane X of the exhaust fan 35.
- the head end portion of the connection hose 55 is connected to one (right) side surface part 33b of the fan casing 33 which is away from the projection plane X of'the exhaust fan 35. Or as shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure, it may be connect to the other (left) side surface part 33c. In either case, the working effect identical to the second embodiment can be obtained.
- FIG. 13 shows the fourth embodiment according to the present invention, and is a schematic configuration drawing of the ventilation unit 15 in order to establish the connection position of the connection hose 55 to the fan casing 33 of the ventilation unit 15.
- connection hose 55 is connected to the circumferential surface 33a formed in a scroll shape of the fan casing 33 and at the same time, the connecting direction is headed out to go along in the flow direction K of air stream which is generated in the fan casing 33 as the exhaust fan 35 rotates.
- the fan casing 33 basically, air can be drawn in from any portions but since it is not the intended use of the centrifugal fan, the negative pressure generated or the exhaust air volume is reduced even at the same rotating speed.
- the air should be allowed to flow in from nearly same direction in such a manner as to go along in the flow direction K of air stream which is generated in the fan casing 33, which is the rotating direction of the exhaust fan 35.
- FIG. 14A is a view that explains the operation of the case in which the connection hose 55 is connected without considering the above-mentioned conditions
- FIG. 14B is a view that explains the operation of external force when the connection hose 55 is connected with the above-mentioned conditions taken into account.
- FIG. 14A will be explained. While the removed dust is being guided in the connection hose 55, an air stream which is headed toward the exhaust port 32 is generated in the fan casing 33 as the exhaust fan 35 is driven to be rotated. As soon as the dust guided to the connection hose 55 enters the fan casing 33, it collides against the air stream which circulates in the fan casing 33.
- FIG. 15A is a partial perspective view of the ventilation unit 15 with part of the ventilation unit 15 enlarged in the fourth embodiment
- FIG. 15B is a perspective view with the fan casing 33 side surface part of the ventilation unit 15 detached.
- a backflow prevention damper 61A connected to a drive source (not shown) is mounted on the discharge case 60.
- the backflow prevention damper 61A has the drive source subject to drive control in accordance with drive signals from the control part, and works to open and close the discharge case 60 inside.
- control is carried out by changing over the opening signals and closing signals to the backflow prevention damper 61. That is, during operation in which in the sweeping unit Z, dust is removed from the front and the upper air filters 11A and 11B and is collected into the dust box 57, the control part sends closing signals to the backflow prevention damper 61A and totally closes the connection hose 55.
- the ventilation unit 15 which originally selects the primary-side air and the secondary-side air of the heat exchanger 10
- guides, and ventilates dust collected in the sweeping unit Z is discharged to the outside.
- the backflow prevention damper 61A which carries out open/close operations in accordance with drive signals is necessary in order to prevent any air for ventilation from back-flowing into the sweeping unit Z as well as in order to smoothly discharge dust from the sweeping unit Z to the outside via the ventilation unit 15.
- the discharge case 60 which houses the backflow prevention dampers 61 and 61A is configured with transparent material so that the operation of backflow prevention dampers 61 and 61A mounted inwards can be checked from the outside.
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- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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- Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
- Air-Conditioning Room Units, And Self-Contained Units In General (AREA)
- Air Filters, Heat-Exchange Apparatuses, And Housings Of Air-Conditioning Units (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air-conditioner, and more particularly, to a discharge structure which removes dust from an air filter and discharges the removed dust to the outside.
- In an indoor unit of an air-conditioner, indoor air is drawn in from a suction port to the indoor unit proper, and dust contained in indoor air is caught by an air filter installed opposite to the suction port and indoor air alone is guided to a heat exchanger and heat-exchanged. As air-conditioning operation continues, the caught dust accumulates on the air filter and when it is left as it is, circulation of indoor air to the heat exchanger is interrupted and degraded heat exchange efficiency results.
- Ideally, dust adhering to the air filter is periodically removed and the heat-exchange efficiency is improved. Consequently, the front panel which composes the front surface of the indoor unit proper is rotatably installed and when the front panel is opened, the air filter is exposed. Grasping the bottom end portion of the air filter and pulling down can easily remove the air filter from the indoor unit proper. After removing dust adhering to the air filter, pushing up the top end portion of the air filter with its top end portion pressed against the indoor unit proper can put it back into place.
- However, in general, the indoor unit of the air-conditioners popularly used is of a so-called wall-mounted type and is mounted on the wall at high level in a room. Consequently, for example, for elderly people and women, opening and closing of the front panel and attaching and detaching of a filter are accompanied with difficulties, and it is likely to leave air-filters intact with dust adhering.
- Therefore, as disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication Nos.
2004-138329 2004-278923 - According to the technique of Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
2004-138329 - To explain in further detail, it is desirable to divide the dust collection box in a plurality of boxes opposite to the air filter, and these dust collection boxes are communicated to each other in series from the upstream side to the downstream side of the exhaust channel of the exhaust means. By an exhaust fan which constitutes an exhaust means, dust accumulated in the dust collection box is guided to an exhaust pipe and further to the outside to be discharged.
- However, by the above-described technique, dust accumulated in the dust collection box is blown out by air fed from the exhaust fan and is guided into the exhaust pipe. That is, because the air pressure of the exhaust fan is directly applied to the dust inside the dust collection box, it blows dust inside the dust collection box and is agitated. Under this condition, dust is unable to be smoothly guided to the exhaust pipe with a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the dust collection box and possibly clogs at the connections between the dust collection box and the exhaust pipe.
- Once dust clogs at the connections, dust fed later accumulates as it is, and eventually, the connections are completely blocked. Because even under this condition, operation of the exhaust fan continues, the air pressure of the exhaust fan is applied to a brush, which is a dust removing means. This causes the dust removed by the brush to be blown back to the housing inside, and the housing inside is filled with dust which adheres to the heat exchanger and the exhaust fan, or dust is scattered from the suction port or exhaust port into a room.
- In Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
2004-278923 - By arranging the suction-exhaust device on the side surface of the indoor unit, the contaminated air inside the room can be exhausted to the outside by allowing the air to pass the suction duct, suction-exhaust device with the centrifugal blower incorporated, and exhaust duct, in that order, and at the same time, dust adhering to the filter can be removed and cleaning of this filter can be automatically carried out.
- However, in the method to discharge dust using this kind of centrifugal blower, taking into consideration the intended use, it is impossible to think that a dedicated filter is installed on the suction side of the suction-exhaust device with a centrifugal blower equipped. Consequently, dust removed from the filter is guided to the suction-exhaust device inside and dust is likely to adhere to the inner wall surfaces of the device and the centrifugal blower.
- When this is used over a long time, large quantities of dust adhere and are accumulated to blades of the centrifugal fan which composes a centrifugal blower. In particular, since the centrifugal fan is of a multi-blade type which has a large number of blades and narrow clearances between blades, it tends to cause clogging with dust accumulated between blades, giving rise to a problem in that the originally intended exhaust air volume and exhaust characteristics are unable to be secured by such influence.
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JP2002/340395 A claim 1. - The present invention was made in light of the above-mentioned situation, and it is an object of the invention to provide an indoor unit of an air-conditioner which automatically removes dust adhering to the air filter, allows a ventilation unit to draw in and discharge the removed dust to the outside, thereby achieves smooth exhaust operation free of clogging in the middle of discharge, and prevents contamination by dust of the ventilation unit which includes a heat exchanger and a blower.
- According to the present invention the above object is achieved by an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to
claim 1. The dependent claims are directed to different advantageous aspects of the invention. - According to the present invention, effects of removing dust adhering to the air filter, discharging the removed dust quickly and smoothly to the outside, preventing contamination by dust of the ventilation unit which has a heat exchanger and a blower as well as other effects can be achieved.
- Advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an air-conditioner indoor unit related to the first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one side of the indoor unit related to the embodiment; -
FIG. 3 is a side view of the indoor unit related to the embodiment with the indoor unit proper removed; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view with an enlarged view of connecting hose connections of a sweeping unit related to the embodiment; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view partially in cross section of one side portion of the sweeping unit related to the embodiment; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exploded ventilation unit related to the embodiment; -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation unit and its surrounding portion related to the embodiment; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one surface side of the ventilation unit related to the embodiment; -
FIG. 9 is a front view of the ventilation unit inside related to the embodiment when a secondary-side air ventilation mode is chosen; -
FIG. 10 is a front view of the ventilation unit inside related to the embodiment when a ventilation damper totally closed mode is chosen (also when the sweeping unit is in operation); -
FIG. 11A is a schematic configuration drawing of a ventilation unit related to the second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 11B is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a fan casing of the ventilation unit related to the embodiment; -
FIG. 12 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ventilation unit related to the embodiment; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration drawing of the ventilation unit related to the third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 14A is a view that explains the operation of the embodiment; -
FIG. 14B is a comparison view that explains the operation of the embodiment; -
FIG. 15A is a partial perspective view of the ventilation unit related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 15B is a perspective view with part of the ventilation unit omitted. - Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring now to the drawings, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail hereinbelow.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner with part shown diagrammatically. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view with thefront panel 2 of the indoor unit proper 1 removed to show the inside, andFIG. 3 is a side view with therear panel housing 3 of the indoor unit proper 1 removed. - The indoor unit proper 1 is composed with a
front panel 2 and arear panel housing 3 and forms a horizontally long shape. On one part of the front side of thefront panel 2, afront suction port 4 is opened and a movable panel supported to an open/close drive mechanism is fitted. When operation is stopped, the movable panel becomes flush to thefront panel 2 and closes thefront suction port 4. During operation, it is controlled to protrude and be displaced to the front side to form a clearance with the main body side, and open thefront suction port 4. - An
upper suction port 6 is provided over thefront panel 2 and therear plate housing 3. To theupper suction port 6, a frame-form bar 7 is fitted, and by this bar 7, a plurality of open spaces are formed. At the bottom of the movable panel, twoblowout louvers 8a and 8b are installed parallel. Each of theblowout louvers 8a and 8b opens and closes ablowout port 9 installed at the front bottom of the indoor unit proper 1 and sets the blowout direction of heat-exchanged air in accordance with the operating conditions. - In the indoor unit proper 1, a
heat exchanger 10 formed by a front-sideheat exchanger unit 10A and a rear-sideheat exchanger unit 10B in a nearly inverted V-letter shape is arranged. The front-sideheat exchanger unit 10A is formed in a nearly curved shape parallel to thefront panel 2 with a clearance formed in-between, and the rear-sideheat exchanger unit 10B is nearly formed upright and faces obliquely to theupper suction port 6. - On the other hand, between the
front suction port 4 and the front-sideheat exchanger unit 10A, a suction frame assembly Sa with afront air filter 11A equipped is located. Between theupper suction port 6 and the upper-sideheat exchanger unit 10B, a top-frame assembly Sb with anupper air filter 11B equipped is mounted. These frame assemblies Sa and Sb are formed with a main frame portion and an air filter retainer frame and are assembled to each other with therelevant air filters - On both end portions in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of each of the frame assemblies Sa and Sb, a pair of
rolls 50 is rotatably supported along the longitudinal direction and over theserolls 50, a feed band mounted on both side end portions ofair filters roll 50 side end portion in each of frame assemblies Sa and Sb, a drive mechanism is connected to rotate and drive therolls 50 in response to control signals. - The above-mentioned feed band has a so-called belt-form and travels endlessly as
rolls 50 rotate. Each of theair filters suction ports - An electric dust collector is installed in such a manner as to come into close contact with part of the front surface side of the front-side
heat exchanger unit 10A of theheat exchanger 10. This electric dust collector is configured with a charge-side electrode which gives electric charge to dust in the circulating air and a dust-collection-side electrode which attracts and catches the charged dust. - Between front and rear side
heat exchanger units heat exchanger 10 formed in a shape of an umbrella, anindoor blower 13 is arranged. Theindoor blower 13 is composed with a fan motor and a transverse fan with one spindle mechanically linked to the rotating shaft of this fan motor. - An exhaust unit (herein after called the "ventilation unit") 15 later discussed is installed adjacent to one side end of the
indoor blower 13, with the center axis located on the extension of this center axis. (InFIG. 1 , theventilation unit 15 is diagrammatically indicated.) - The bottom end portion of the front-side
heat exchanger unit 10A is located on afront drain pan 16a and the bottom end portion of the rear-sideheat exchanger unit 10B is located on arear drain pan 16b to receive drain water trickling from relevantheat exchanger units - The one part side-wall outer surface of the front and rear drain pans 16a and 16b is installed at the position close to the
indoor blower 13, and with these, a nose to the transverse fan of theindoor blower 13 is formed. The clearance between the edges of the blow-outport 9 and the side wall portion of front and rear drain pans 16a and 16b which form the nose is connected by abulkhead member 17. The space surrounded by thebulkhead member 17 forms a blow-outventilating flue 18 which communicates the nose with the blow-outport 9. - First of all, the
ventilation unit 15 will be described in detail. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an explodedventilation unit 15 related to the embodiment,FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of theventilation unit 15 and its surrounding portion related to the embodiment, andFIG. 8 is a perspective view of one surface side of theventilation unit 15 related to the embodiment. - The one side portion of the
ventilation unit 15 is formed from aunit base 20, while the other side portion is formed from ablower mechanism 30. Between theunit base 20 and theblower mechanism 30, adamper 40 and adamper drive mechanism 45 is intermediately installed, and with these, theventilation unit 15 is formed. - The above-mentioned
unit base 20 is equipped with avertical portion 20a,inclined portion 20b and ahorizontal portion 20c. Thevertical portion 20a is protrudably formed nearly in a triangle as viewed from the side and agrees with the umbrella-form assembly shape of the front-sideheat exchanger unit 10A and the rear-sideheat exchanger side 10B which compose theheat exchanger 10. Allowing the side-end portion of theheat exchanger 10 to be placed on thehorizontal portion 20c forms a gap at the portion opposite to theinclined portion 20b. - Nearly at the center of the
vertical portion 20a, acircular fixing opening 21 is provided and along the circumferential surface of this opening, ribs 22 which protrude to the inner surface side of thevertical portion 20a is mounted. On the outer surface side along the circumferential edge of the fixingopening 21, reinforcingribs 23 are radially installed. On the inner surface side of thevertical portion 20a, along nearly a half circle of the fixingopening 21, a plurality (7 pieces) of fragment parts fortotal closure 24 are installed, with specified intervals provided. Part of fragment parts fortotal closure 24 is opened, and this opening is called asecondary ventilation port 25. - To the fixing
opening 21 of thevertical portion 20a, abearing 26 is fixed, and with these, a bearingportion 27 is configured. This bearingportion 27 pivotally supports one spindle h of thetransverse fan 13F which configures theindoor blower 13. On the inner surface side of thevertical portion 20a, twostays 28a are protrudably mounted, and to thesestays 28a, apinion 46 is rotatably fitted, which composes adamper drive mechanism 45. - In the vicinity of the
stays 28a, a plurality ofstays 28b are installed. From a protruded end face of eachstay 28b, a threaded hole is mounted and a fixing screw m which mounts and fixes theblower mechanism 30 is driven. Only thestay 28b in the vicinity of the fragment parts fortotal closure 24 has a receivingportion 29 installed integrally adjacent to the circumferential portion. On the receivingportion 29, adrive motor 47 that composes thedamper drive mechanism 45 is mounted and fixed, and adrive gear 48 which is linked to a rotating shaft of the drive motor is further rotatably supported. - On the outer circumferential surface of the rib 22, a
hole portion 41 installed at the center part of thedamper 40 is rotatably fitted. Thisdamper 40 is formed from thehole portion 41 along in the radial direction to have nearly disk-form cross section, and along the circular peripheral edge, agear unit 42 is installed. To thegear unit 42, twopinions 46 and adrive gear 48 are engaged. - Between the
hole portion 41 and the outercircumferential gear unit 42 in thedamper 40, on part in the circumferential direction, a plurality ofguide ventilation ports 43 are equipped. These guideventilation ports 43 have the opening size and shape completely identical to thesecondary ventilation port 25 mounted on the unit basevertical portion 20a. A bar n between relevantguide ventilation ports 43 has the interval between them set to be identical to the mutual interval of the fragmental part fortotal closure 24. - The
damper 40 forms a clearance with thevertical portion 20a inner surface while it is fitted to the rib 22, and one side surface of thedamper 40 is normally slidably in contact with the end edge of the fragmental part fortotal closure 24. Consequently, except the state in which theguide ventilation port 43 of thedamper 40 faces against thesecondary ventilation port 25 of thevertical portion 20a, each of thesecondary ventilation ports 25 is blocked by thedamper 40. - The
blower mechanism 30 has anintake port 31 which is open to the side surface on thedamper 40 side and at the same time, is composed with afan casing 33 having arectangular exhaust port 32 protrudably mounted along its circumferential end portion and afan motor 34 mounted to the opposite side surface of theintake port 31 of this fan casing and afan 35 which is mounted on this fan motor rotary shaft. - The
fan 35 is a so-called centrifugal fan type (multiblade type) which draws in air from the center axis direction as it rotates and blows air in the circumferential direction, and the circumferential surface of thefan casing 33 is formed of scroll. Consequently, thefan 35 works to draw in air from theintake port 31 of thefan casing 33 and send air from theexhaust port 32. - Because the
blower mechanism 30 is mounted on thevertical portion 20a of theunit base 20 via thedamper 40 and thedamper drive mechanism 45, a clearance exists between theblower mechanism 30 and thevertical portion 20a. Furthermore, the circumferential surface of theblower mechanism 30 is mounted on theinclined portion 20b and thehorizontal portion 20c of theunit base 20 with clearances provided, and in particular, has a large clearance at the triangular protruded portion of theunit base 20. - On the other hand, the
exhaust port 32 of thefan casing 33 is inserted into aventilation nipple 51 protrudably mounted to the bottom-end back-side corner of the indoor unit proper 1 as shown inFIG. 2 . To the outer circumferential surface of thisventilation nipple 51, a discharge hose (not shown) is connected, and this discharge hose is extended to the outside. In the vicinity of theventilation nipple 51, adrain discharge nipple 52 is installed in parallel, to which a drain hose connected to thefront drain pan 16a is inserted. To thedrain discharge nipple 52, a drain hose extended to the outside is also connected. - Next, explanation will be made on the sweeping unit Z.
FIGS. 2 and3 show part of the sweeping unit Z.FIG. 4 is a perspective view with an enlarged view of connectinghose 55 andconnections 56 of the sweeping unit Z, andFIG. 5 is a perspective view that shows theconnections 56 in cross section. - The sweeping unit Z is composed with a rotary brush B linked to the rotation drive mechanism, a dust box 57 (partly illustrated) which is a dust housing unit surrounding this rotary brush B and the
connection hose 55 installed across one side end portion of thedust box 57 and theventilation unit 15. - The
dust box 57 is formed by assembling divided parts which are divided into a plurality of pieces, and surrounds the suction frame assembly Sa top end portion and the top frame assembly Sb front end portion. In thisdust box 57, the brush B is rotatably housed. The brush B comes into full contact with part of theair filter 11A and theupper air filter 11B in the whole lateral direction. - In the sweeping unit Z, the rotation drive mechanism that drives the rotary brush B is mounted to the side portion (right side portion) which is opposite to the portion shown in
FIGS. 2 and3 . To the side portion shown in each drawing, one end portion of theconnection hose 55 is connected. - That is, one side end bottom portion of the
dust box 57 is protrudably installed in the longitudinal direction, and on this, a unit end-connector 58 and an end-connector fixture 59 are integrally installed. The unit end-connector 58 communicates with thedust box 57 inside, to which one end portion of theconnection hose 55 is fitted. The end-connector fixture 59 is mounted and fixed to theunit base 20 of theventilation unit 15 via a fixture. - The
connection hose 55 has a bend a at the midway, with the other end portion insertedly passed into theunit base 20 of theventilation unit 15. By the way, inFIGS. 8 to 10 , the position of theconnection hose 55 to theunit base 20 is diagrammatically shown by chain double-dashed line. Theconnection hose 55 which insertedly passes theunit base 20 faces to thefan casing 33 of theblower mechanism 30. On part of the circumferential surface of thisfan casing 33, a guide port is installed, and adischarge case 60 is mounted on the circumferential surface of thefan casing 33 while surrounding this guide port. - Because the
discharge case 60 is equipped with a fixing part c which conforms to the circumferential shape of thefan casing 33, no air stream leaks from the clearance with the guide port. On the surface opposite to the fixing part c of thedischarge case 60, an end-connector b is intergrally protrudably installed, to which the other end portion of theconnection hose 55 is connected. Inside thedischarge case 60, between the fixing part c and the end-connector b, a damper cover d is mounted, to which abackflow prevention damper 61 is mounted. Thisbackflow prevention damper 61 allows the flow of an air stream from theconnection hose 55 to the guide port (fixing part c) side, and the flow of the air stream from the guide port to theconnection hose 55 side is hampered. - In an indoor unit of an air conditioner configured in this way, changing over the remote-controller operation switch to ON causes the movable panel to open the
front suction port 4 andblowoff louvers 8a and 8b equipped to theblowoff port 9 are swung and the posture is set in response to the directions of cooling operation and heating operation. Simultaneously, theindoor blower 13 carries out air-distributing operation while a compressor of the outdoor unit is driven to start the refrigeration cycle operation. - The indoor air is guided from the
upper suction port 6 and thefront suction port 4 to the inside of the indoor unit proper 1, and passes through thefront air filter 11A and theupper air filter 11B. Dust contained in the indoor air is caught by theseair filters heat exchanger 10 where heat exchanging operation takes place. Thereafter, the heat-exchanged air is guided along theblowoff ventilation passage 18, then, guided from theblowoff port 9 toblowoff louvers 8a and 8b, and allowed to blow off into the room, and highly efficient air-conditioning operation is continued. - The
ventilation unit 15 is designed to change over to three kinds of modes: "secondary-side air ventilation mode", "primary-side air ventilation mode", and "ventilation damper totally closed mode". It shall be rated that the secondary side and primary side are designated with theheat exchanger 10 used as a reference and the secondary-side air means the air which has passed theheat exchanger 10 and the primary-side air means the air before it circulates into theheat exchanger 10. - Selecting the cleaning operation mode when air-conditioning operation is finished allows the "secondary-side air ventilation mode" to automatically function. That is, right after cooling operation or dehumidifying operation is carried out and stopped, moisture (drain water) adheres to the
heat exchanger 10 and the inside of the indoor unit proper 1 becomes the high-humidity atmosphere. Leaving the indoor unit proper as it is causes the moisture content adhering to theheat exchange 10 as well as to other components to stay without evaporating, forming causes of corrosion or mold generation. Therefore, by choosing the cleaning operation mode, drying and sterilization operation of the inside of the indoor unit proper 1 are carried out. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , thedamper drive mechanism 45 of theventilation unit 15 operates to swing thedamper 40 and to bring theguide ventilation port 43 of thedamper 40 to face to thesecondary ventilation port 25 of theunit base 20. Then, theblower mechanism 30 of theventilation unit 15 operates, draws in secondary-side air into theventilation unit 15 via thesecondary ventilation port 25 and guideventilation port 43 andintake port 31, and blows off from theexhaust port 32. - Specifically, as shown in alternate long and short dash line in
FIG. 7 , the secondary-side air circulates thesecondary ventilation port 25 and theguide ventilation port 43 from a clearance between the outer surface of theinclined portion 20b of theunit base 20 and theheat exchanger 10, via the gap between the external surface of thevertical portion 20a and the end face of the transverse fan'13F, and is drawn in through theintake port 31 of thefan casing 33 and blown off from theexhaust port 32. - Selecting the ventilation mode equipped to the remote controller allows the "primary-side air ventilation mode" to automatically take place. The above-mentioned ventilation mode may be chosen in parallel with the air-conditioning operation or may be chosen when air-conditioning operation is stopped. That is, the ventilation mode is chosen when the room inside is ventilated while cooling operation or heating operation is being carried out.
- The
damper drive mechanism 45 rockably drives thedamper 40 and when theguide ventilation port 43 is located at the position not opposite to thesecondary ventilation port 25 of theunit base 20, it stops operation of thedamper drive mechanism 45. Thedamper 40 surface comes into contact with the end of the fragment parts fortotal closure 24 of theunit base 20, and thesecondary ventilation port 25 is closed by the damper. On the other hand, between the circumferential surface of theblower mechanism 30 and each of the inner surfaces of theunit base 20 facing the side surface of thedamper 40, gaps are formed, and theguide ventilation port 43 communicates with these gaps. - Then, the
blower mechanism 30 operates and draws indoor air from theupper suction port 6 in the normally open state into the indoor unit proper 1. The indoor air passesair filters FIG. 7 , it is directly guided to theventilation unit 15 as the primary air before it passes theheat exchanger 10 and is discharged from theexhaust port 32 to the outside. - It shall be rated that in the "secondary-side air ventilation mode" and the "primary-side ventilation mode", even when blast pressure is applied from the
fan casing 33 that composes theblower mechanism 30 to thedischarge case 60, thebackflow prevention damper 61 equipped to thedischarge case 60 prevents the air stream from flowing to theconnection hose 55 side. Consequently, there is no backflow of air stream from theconnection hose 55 to thedust box 57. - It shall be rated that the
ventilation unit 15 communicates directly with the outside via a hose connected to theventilation nipple 51. In the event that extremely large quantities of dust are released into the outside or large noises are generated in the nighttime, these dusts intrude into theventilation unit 15 via the hose, and there is a possibility that dust enters indoor environment via the indoor unit proper 1. In such an event, the "ventilation damper totally closed mode" is chosen which brings theventilation unit 15 into the totally closed condition. -
FIG. 10 indicates the condition of thedamper 40 when the ventilation damper totally closed mode is chosen. That is, thedamper drive mechanism 45 swings thedamper 40 as a blocking means and stops the damper swinging at the position where bars n betweenguide ventilation ports 43 face against the end edge of the fragment parts fortotal closure 24 of the unit basevertical portion 20a. All theguide ventilation ports 43 are surrounded by the fragment parts fortotal closure 24 of theunit base 20 and the rib 22 and are totally closed and thesecondary ventilation port 25 of theunit base 20 is totally closed by thedamper 40. That is, theintake port 31 of thefan casing 33 is blocked. - Under this condition, outdoor dust, noise, etc., can be definitely prevented from entering the room via the
ventilation unit 15 and the indoor unit proper 1 and comfort can be improved. After the completion of the cleaning operation mode inside the main body described previously and after the completion of the regular air-conditioning operation, the air-conditioner is set to automatically achieve the totally closed mode described above. In addition, selecting the totally closed mode during the air-conditioning operation achieves the state equivalent to the regular air-conditioning operation. - And after the user operates the remote controller (remote control panel) and selects the "air filter sweeping mode", after completion of air-conditioning operation at specified intervals, at the preset time, or in the predetermined time zone, etc., "air filter sweeping mode" takes place.
- To match timing to the start of this air filter sweeping mode, the ventilation damper totally closed mode is selected. That is, the
upper air filter 11B is driven to travel towards the sweeping unit Z and at the same time, the brush B drives to swing as if the brush surface swings in the direction same as that of the traveling surface of theupper air filter 11B. The rotating speed of the brush B is set to be faster than the traveling speed of theupper air filter 11B. - Because the brush B rotates faster than the
upper air filter 11B and the contact surfaces of the two are rotated (travel) to swing in the same direction, no resistance is generated between the two and dust adhering to theupper air filter 11B is smoothly scraped off. - When removal of dust from the
upper air filter 11B is finished, then, the brush B is reversely driven and at the same time, thefront air filter 11A is driven to travel in the same direction as the mobile surface of the brush, and the dust adhering to thefront air filter 11A is removed. In this event, too, because the brush B rotates faster than thefront air filter 11A and the contact surfaces of the two are rotated (travel) to swing in the same direction, no resistance is generated between the two and dust is smoothly scraped off. - When removal of dust from both
air filters blower mechanism 30 operates and theexhaust fan 35 is driven to rotate. In the meantime, since theintake port 31 of thefan casing 33 is blocked by the ventilation damper totally closed mode, the inside of thefan casing 33 is brought to the negative pressure state. - By this influence, the inside of the
discharge case 60 mounted via the guide port of thefan casing 33 is brought to the negative pressure state. Thebackflow prevention damper 61 mounted inside thedischarge case 60 allows the air stream to be guided from the end-connector b to guide port side and negative pressure is applied to the dust collected in thedust box 57. Dust inside thedust box 57 moves to theconnection hose 55 side in thedust box 57 and is guided from one side end portion to theconnection hose 55. - Dust inside the
connection hose 55 passes thebackflow prevention damper 61, is guided from thedischarge case 60 into thefan casing 33 via the guide port, and is blown off from theexhaust port 32. All the dust is discharged to the outside smoothly via theventilation nipple 51 and discharge hose. - In this way, the dust which the sweeping unit Z removed from the front and the
upper air filters dust box 57 is discharged by the use ofexhaust fan 35 of theventilation unit 15. In other words, theventilation unit 15 is able to carry out indoor ventilation operation and operation to discharge collected dust to the outside and can be effectively utilized. - The connection position of the
connection hose 55 equipped to the sweeping unit Z to theventilation unit 15, that is, the position of thedischarge case 60 is set to the blowoff side of theexhaust fan 35 and to the upstream position from theexhaust port 32 of thefan casing 33. Consequently, dust that moves by negative pressure of the blast generated as theventilation fan 35 rotates does not come directly in contact with theexhaust fan 35 and is attracted and guided by the flow of an air stream. - In the
fan casing 33, dust flows along the centrifugal side of theexhaust fan 35 and does not adhere to blades which compose theexhaust fan 35. Consequently, it is possible to prevent dust from reducing the exhaust fan capacity or from causing troubles, and dust can be efficiently discharged. - It shall be rated that in the
exhaust fan 35 which is a centrifugal fan housed in a scroll-form fan casing 33, with a regular centrifugal fan, theexhaust fan 35 is rotated with the channel connected to a bell mouth, which is thesole intake port 31 totally closed. In such an event, no centrifugal air stream is generated which heads off from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of theoriginal exhaust fan 35, but around theexhaust fan 35, an induction air stream which rotates with theexhaust fan 35 is generated. - The induction air stream on the outer circumferential side of the
exhaust fan 35 has the majority kept away from theexhaust fan 35 at the nose portion of thefan casing 33 and an exhaust air stream is generated. Then, the inside of thefan casing 33 is brought to the negative pressure by this exhaust stream and thedischarge case 60 andconnection hose 55 installed on the scrollcircumferential surface 33a of thefan casing 33 can obtain air intake capacity. - Making the best of this phenomenon, by dropping dust removed from the
front air filter 11A and theupper air filter 11B into theconnection hose 55 connected to thedischarge case 60, exhaust air can be discharged to the outside without bringing dust into contact with the blades which compose theventilation fan 35. That is, even when theexhaust fan 35 is limited to the dust exhaust discharge application only, no dust clogging is generated at the blade, and the air delivery performance as aventilation fan 35 can be maintained over a long period of time. - Furthermore, the
ventilation unit 15 is equipped with a means to block theintake port 31 of the fan casing 33 (damper drive mechanism 45 that drives the damper 40), while the sweeping unit Z is being operated to remove dust adhering to the front andupper air filters intake port 31 is blocked. Consequently, the degree of negative pressure of thebackflow prevention damper 61 and theconnection hose 55 linked to the outer circumferential surface on the upstream side than theexhaust port 32, the dust suction capacity is increased and still more effective dust discharge is enabled. - It shall be rated that in the embodiment mentioned above, the
front air filter 11A and theupper air filter 11B are formed into a roll form, respectively, and a sweeping unit Z that drives therelevant air filters - For example, the front air filter and the upper air filter are formed in a flat sheet to tailor to the cross-sectional shape of the suction port, and an air filter sweeping mechanism to reciprocatively drive each air filter successively with respect to the rotatably driven brush and remove dust may be equipped or any other configuration can be accepted. In short, any configuration may be used in which dust is removed from each air filter and is collected in the
dust box 57, which is a dust storage part, and dust in thisdust box 57 is guided to theventilation unit 15 via theconnection hose 55. -
FIGS. 11A and 11B show the second embodiment in the present invention, and in particular, is a schematic configuration drawing of theventilation unit 15 to explain the position of theconnection hose 55 to be connected to thefan casing 33, and is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of thefan casing 33, respectively. - The above-mentioned
fan casing 33 is formed in a shape of a scroll along thecircumferential surface 33a, is equipped with anintake port 31 to draw in air for ventilation on the side surface, and has anexhaust port 32 on the circumferential end portion, which communicates with the outside. In thisfan casing 33, the above-mentioned centrifugal fantype exhaust fan 35 is housed, and as shown inFIG. 11B with the chain double-dashed line, air is drawn in from the center axis direction opposite to theintake port 31 and is discharged from the circumferential direction. - The sweeping unit Z and the
ventilation unit 15 communicate with each other via theconnection hose 55.
By the way, in the first embodiment discussed above, to thefan casing 33 which composes theventilation unit 15, thedischarge case 60 is mounted, and to thisdischarge case 60, theconnection hose 55 is connected, but in this case, for simplifying the explanation, thedischarge case 60 is omitted. - As shown in
FIG. 11A , dust removed from thefront air filter 11A and theupper air filter 11B which are drawn side-by-side right and left by driving to rotate theexhaust fan 35 counterclockwise and collected in thedust box 57 goes out from thedust box 57, is guided to theconnection hose 55, and then, drawn into thefan casing 33. - The dust is guided to the position kept away from the blade part of the
exhaust fan 35 by the operation as described above and is discharged from theexhaust port 32 to the outside. Consequently, dust does not clog up the blade part of theexhaust fan 35 and high air-distributing performance can be maintained over a long time in the same manner as described before. - In this embodiment, to the
circumferential surface 33a which is formed into a scroll shape of thefan casing 33, theconnection hose 55 is connected. That is, since theintake port 31 is located on the side surface portion of thefan casing 33, it is unable to connect the head end portion of theconnection hose 35 to this. Furthermore, theconnection hose 35 shall not be connected to the side surface opposite to theintake port 31 or to a projection plane X of theexhaust fan 35 as shown by fine hatching inFIG. 11B . - The connection position of the
connection hose 55 to thefan casing 35 should be set to thefan casing 33 surface portion other than theseintake port 31 and the projection plane X of theexhaust fan 35. Consequently, dust guided from the sweeping unit Z to theventilation unit 15 via theconnection hose 55 is guided to the position kept away from theexhaust fan 35 in thefan casing 33 and does not adhere to theexhaust fan 35 nor clog the blade part. -
FIG. 12 shows the third embodiment according to the present invention, and is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ventilation unit Z in order to establish the position of theconnection hose 55 to be connected to thefan casing 33 of theventilation unit 15. - As described in the second embodiment previously, the head end portion of the
connection hose 55 to.thefan casing 33 should be connected to a surface portion other than theintake port 31 of thefan casing 33, the side surface opposite to theintake port 31 and the projection plane X of theexhaust fan 35. For this reason, in this case, the head end portion of theconnection hose 55 is connected to one (right)side surface part 33b of thefan casing 33 which is away from the projection plane Xof'the exhaust fan 35. Or as shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure, it may be connect to the other (left)side surface part 33c. In either case, the working effect identical to the second embodiment can be obtained. -
FIG. 13 shows the fourth embodiment according to the present invention, and is a schematic configuration drawing of theventilation unit 15 in order to establish the connection position of theconnection hose 55 to thefan casing 33 of theventilation unit 15. - In this case, the head end portion of the
connection hose 55 is connected to thecircumferential surface 33a formed in a scroll shape of thefan casing 33 and at the same time, the connecting direction is headed out to go along in the flow direction K of air stream which is generated in thefan casing 33 as theexhaust fan 35 rotates. - That is, in the
fan casing 33, basically, air can be drawn in from any portions but since it is not the intended use of the centrifugal fan, the negative pressure generated or the exhaust air volume is reduced even at the same rotating speed. - In order to improve the exhaust performance for dust, it is necessary to reduce pressure loss to a minimum at the time of confluent inflow into the
fan casing 33. That is, the air should be allowed to flow in from nearly same direction in such a manner as to go along in the flow direction K of air stream which is generated in thefan casing 33, which is the rotating direction of theexhaust fan 35. -
FIG. 14A is a view that explains the operation of the case in which theconnection hose 55 is connected without considering the above-mentioned conditions, andFIG. 14B is a view that explains the operation of external force when theconnection hose 55 is connected with the above-mentioned conditions taken into account. - First of all,
FIG. 14A will be explained. While the removed dust is being guided in theconnection hose 55, an air stream which is headed toward theexhaust port 32 is generated in thefan casing 33 as theexhaust fan 35 is driven to be rotated. As soon as the dust guided to theconnection hose 55 enters thefan casing 33, it collides against the air stream which circulates in thefan casing 33. - That is, because the flow direction K of the air stream which circulates in the
fan casing 33 with respect to the flow direction N of the dust guided to theconnection hose 55 is the angle of about 90 degrees or nearly 90 degrees, collision cannot be avoided. - Consequently, the bend loss of the dust guided from the
connection hose 55 to thefan casing 33 inside increases and at the same time, exfoliation of flow is generated and a large number of small eddy currents are generated, increasing pressure'loss. - In contrast with this, as shown in
FIG. 14B , setting the flow direction N of the dust guided to theconnection hose 55, which is the connecting direction of theconnection hose 55 to thefan casing 33, in such a manner as to go along in the flow direction K of the air stream generated in thefan casing 33 as theexhaust fan 35 rotates enables the dust guided from theconnection hose 55 into thefan casing 33 to converge in a smooth condition to the air stream. Increased negative pressure and increased exhaust air volume can be obtained free of bend loss or exfoliation of flows as described above and with pressure loss kept to a minimum. -
FIG. 15A is a partial perspective view of theventilation unit 15 with part of theventilation unit 15 enlarged in the fourth embodiment, andFIG. 15B is a perspective view with thefan casing 33 side surface part of theventilation unit 15 detached. - A
backflow prevention damper 61A connected to a drive source (not shown) is mounted on thedischarge case 60. Thebackflow prevention damper 61A has the drive source subject to drive control in accordance with drive signals from the control part, and works to open and close thedischarge case 60 inside. - Selecting the primary-side air ventilation mode and the secondary-side air ventilation mode, which were described previously, causes the control part to send closing signals to the
backflow prevention damper 61A and completely closes theconnection hose 55. Consequently, backflow of air from theconnection hose 55 to the sweeping unit Z is prevented. - In addition, when the air filter sweeping mode is selected, control is carried out by changing over the opening signals and closing signals to the
backflow prevention damper 61. That is, during operation in which in the sweeping unit Z, dust is removed from the front and theupper air filters dust box 57, the control part sends closing signals to thebackflow prevention damper 61A and totally closes theconnection hose 55. - When dust removal is completed for each
air filter exhaust fan 35 is driven to rotate, and theintake port 31 of thefan casing 33 is closed, opening signals are sent to thebackflow prevention damper 61A. Consequently, the dust collected in the sweeping unit Z is smoothly guided from theconnection hose 55 to thefan casing 33 inside via thebackflow prevention damper 61A. - In this case, using the
ventilation unit 15 which originally selects the primary-side air and the secondary-side air of theheat exchanger 10, guides, and ventilates, dust collected in the sweeping unit Z is discharged to the outside. Consequently, thebackflow prevention damper 61A which carries out open/close operations in accordance with drive signals is necessary in order to prevent any air for ventilation from back-flowing into the sweeping unit Z as well as in order to smoothly discharge dust from the sweeping unit Z to the outside via theventilation unit 15. - It shall be rated that the
discharge case 60 which houses thebackflow prevention dampers backflow prevention dampers - This is to make sure whether or not the
backflow prevention dampers
Claims (6)
- An indoor unit of an air-conditioner, comprising:an indoor unit proper (1) equipped with a suction port (6) and blowoff port (9);air-filters (11A, 11B) which are arranged in a ventilation channel between the suction port (6) and the blowoff port (9) in the indoor unit proper (1) and catch dust contained in indoor air;an exhaust unit (15) which draws in indoor air into the indoor unit proper (1) and discharges to the outside;
andan air filter sweeping mechanism (Z) which removes dust adhering to the air filter surface, whereinthe exhaust unit (15) comprises:a side surfacean intake port (31) which draws in air for ventilation provided on the side surface;a fan casing (33) for which an exhaust port (32) is equipped on the circumferential end portion;an exhaust fan (35) which is housed in the casing (33);
anda fan motor (34) which is linked to the exhaust fan (35) and drives to rotate the exhaust fan (35), andwherein the air filter sweeping mechanism (Z) comprises removing means for removing dust caught to the air filters (11A, 11B) from the air filters;the indoor unit being characterized bya connection hose (55) for discharging dust removed by said removing means, the head end portion of the connection hose (55) is connected to the outer circumferential surface portion of the fan casing (33) at a position upstream of the exhaust port (32), installed to the fan casing of the exhaust unit, at a blowoff side of the exhaust fan (35), so that dust that moves by negative pressure of the blast generated as the exhaust fan (35) rotates does not come directly in contact with the exhaust fan (35) and is attracted and guided by the flow of an air stream. - The indoor unit of an air-conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that the exhaust unit (15) comprises blocking means (40) for blocking the intake port (31) of the fan casing (33) in such a manner as to be free to open and close, and during operation to discharge dust removed by the air filter sweeping mechanism (Z) to the outside, operating the blocking means (40) to block the intake port (31) and at the same time driving to rotate the exhaust fan (35) of the exhaust unit (15).
- The indoor unit of an air-conditioner according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a backflow prevention damper (61) is equipped on the head end portion of the connection hose (55).
- The indoor unit of an air-conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that the backflow prevention damper (61) is housed in an discharge case which communicates with the fan casing (33), and a discharge case (60) is composed with transparent material.
- An indoor unit of an air-conditioner according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that
said exhaust fan (30) is composed with a centrifugal fan (35) which draws in air from the center axis direction as it rotates and blows air in the circumference direction, and the circumferential surface of the fan casing (33) is formed of a scroll;
said fan casing (33) having an exhaust port (32) which communicates to the outside on the circumferential end portion and an opening provided on the surface portion other than the projection side surface of the exhaust fan (35), the fan casing (33) is formed in a scroll shape along the circumferential surface and housing the exhaust fan (35). - The indoor unit of an air-conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that the head end portion of the connection hose (55) is connected to the scroll circumferential surface of the fan casing (33), and at the same time, the connecting direction goes along in the flow direction of the air stream generated in the fan casing (33) as the exhaust fan rotates (35).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2005234759 | 2005-08-12 | ||
JP2005352565 | 2005-12-06 | ||
PCT/JP2006/315544 WO2007020827A1 (en) | 2005-08-12 | 2006-07-31 | Indoor unit of air-conditioner |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1922515A1 EP1922515A1 (en) | 2008-05-21 |
EP1922515A4 EP1922515A4 (en) | 2010-08-11 |
EP1922515B1 true EP1922515B1 (en) | 2011-10-19 |
Family
ID=37757489
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06796300A Not-in-force EP1922515B1 (en) | 2005-08-12 | 2006-07-31 | Indoor unit of air-conditioner |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1922515B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5031729B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100917725B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101243291B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007020827A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR101384152B1 (en) * | 2006-12-08 | 2014-04-11 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Air conditioner |
JP2008224138A (en) * | 2007-03-13 | 2008-09-25 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Exhaust dust-discharging damper for air conditioner |
JP5326534B2 (en) * | 2008-12-10 | 2013-10-30 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Indoor unit of air conditioner |
JP6600811B2 (en) * | 2015-12-17 | 2019-11-06 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Air conditioner |
PL232075B1 (en) * | 2016-08-10 | 2019-05-31 | Revolvent Spolka Akcyjna | Device for regulation of air flow through a ventilation ducts |
CN106823180A (en) * | 2017-02-28 | 2017-06-13 | 上海朗沁投资管理有限公司 | Air purifier |
JP6976312B2 (en) * | 2017-03-29 | 2021-12-08 | シャープ株式会社 | Filter cleaner and air conditioner |
CN115013875B (en) * | 2022-06-16 | 2023-12-15 | 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司 | Wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2001208418A (en) * | 2000-01-25 | 2001-08-03 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Indoor unit and air conditioner |
JP2001330308A (en) * | 2000-05-25 | 2001-11-30 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Air conditioner |
JP2002340395A (en) * | 2001-05-18 | 2002-11-27 | Fujitsu General Ltd | Air conditioner |
JP4083496B2 (en) * | 2002-08-02 | 2008-04-30 | 東芝キヤリア株式会社 | Air conditioner indoor unit |
JP4269141B2 (en) * | 2002-10-18 | 2009-05-27 | 株式会社富士通ゼネラル | Air conditioner |
JP2004278923A (en) * | 2003-03-17 | 2004-10-07 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Air conditioner |
JP3918805B2 (en) * | 2003-11-17 | 2007-05-23 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP4410251B2 (en) * | 2004-10-27 | 2010-02-03 | パナソニック株式会社 | Air conditioner with indoor unit with automatic air filter cleaning function |
-
2006
- 2006-07-31 JP JP2008507293A patent/JP5031729B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-07-31 CN CN2006800294066A patent/CN101243291B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-07-31 WO PCT/JP2006/315544 patent/WO2007020827A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-07-31 EP EP06796300A patent/EP1922515B1/en not_active Not-in-force
-
2008
- 2008-02-12 KR KR1020087003399A patent/KR100917725B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2007020827A1 (en) | 2007-02-22 |
CN101243291A (en) | 2008-08-13 |
EP1922515A1 (en) | 2008-05-21 |
KR100917725B1 (en) | 2009-09-15 |
CN101243291B (en) | 2010-09-08 |
JP2009505032A (en) | 2009-02-05 |
EP1922515A4 (en) | 2010-08-11 |
JP5031729B2 (en) | 2012-09-26 |
KR20080025206A (en) | 2008-03-19 |
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