• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention is provided with: an indoor heat exchanger; an indoor fan; a fan cleaning part (51) that is disposed between the indoor heat exchanger and the indoor fan and cleans the indoor fan; and a shaft-like support part (50) that supports a base end section (51a) of the fan cleaning part (51) by a hollow section (50b). At least when the operation of the fan cleaning part (51) is stopped, a surface (50f) is inclined which supports the base end section (51a) of the fan cleaning part (51) inside the hollow section (50b) at least from the lower side of the base end section.
    公开号:ES2731174A1
    申请号:ES201890078
    申请日:2018-05-14
    公开日:2019-11-14
    发明作者:Keisuke Fukuhara；Jiaye Cai
    申请人:Hitachi Johnson Controls Air Conditioning Inc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001]
    [0002] Air conditioner
    [0003]
    [0004] Technical field
    [0005]
    [0006] The present invention relates to an air conditioner.
    [0007]
    [0008] Prior art
    [0009]
    [0010] A prior art in the field of the present technique includes JP-A-2007-71210 (a Japanese Patent Publication No. 4046755) (Patent Literature 1). This publication describes that "a mobile fan cleaning device configured to remove sand and dust adhering to a fan is placed in the fan housing portion of a fluid feeding device (see summary).
    [0011]
    [0012] Appointment List
    [0013]
    [0014] Patent literature
    [0015]
    [0016] Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2007-71210
    [0017]
    [0018] Summary of the invention
    [0019]
    [0020] Problems to be solved by the invention
    [0021]
    [0022] In the technique of Patent Literature 1, the fan cleaning device and a control device configured to control the fan cleaning device are provided. In addition, a normal operating mode is provided to expel air conditioning in a room and a fan cleaning operation mode to rotate the fan at low speed and mobilely operate the fan cleaning device. In addition, the fan cleaning device includes, at a tip end thereof, a fan cleaning unit, and in the fan cleaning operation mode, it is operated mobile to a position where the unit is removed from fan cleaning.
    [0023] However, in a configuration where the fan cleaning device includes the fan cleaning unit (a brush, etc.) and a support portion thereof, the fan cleaning device is disposed within an indoor unit and , therefore, dew condensation occurs in the fan cleaning device itself. Specifically, in a case where the fan cleaning device is disposed on the periphery of an indoor heat exchanger, dew condensation occurs easily. When a state where dew condensation occurs in the fan cleaning device continues for a long period of time, it causes fungus and rust in the fan cleaning device. Specifically, less wind passes through a contact portion between the fan cleaning unit and the support portion, and for this reason, it is difficult to dry such a portion. An antifungal agent, etc. can be used. as a countermeasure, but it is the cause of an increase in manufacturing cost or operating cost.
    [0024]
    [0025] For these reasons, the present invention aims to provide an air conditioner configured so that the appearance of fungi, rust, etc. can be reduced. in a fan cleaning device.
    [0026]
    [0027] Solution to the problems
    [0028]
    [0029] To achieve the object described above, an air conditioner of an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, a fan cleaning unit configured to clean the indoor fan and a support portion configured to support a end portion of the base of the indoor fan cleaning unit. A surface that supports, on a lower side, the end portion of the base of the fan cleaning unit in the support portion when the operation of the fan cleaning unit is stopped, tilts.
    [0030]
    [0031] Advantageous effects of the invention
    [0032]
    [0033] In accordance with the present invention, the air conditioner can be provided, which is configured so that the appearance of fungi, rust, etc. can be reduced. in the fan cleaning device.
    [0034]
    [0035] Other problems, configurations and advantageous effects than those described above will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments.
    [0036] Brief description of the drawings
    [0037]
    [0038] • Figure 1 is a system diagram of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
    [0039] • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    [0040] • Figure 3 is a partially cropped perspective view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    [0041] • Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of an air conditioner control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    [0042] • Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view in a state where an air conditioner fan cleaning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is cut in a radial direction;
    [0043] • Figure 5B is a front view in the state where the fan cleaning device of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention is cut in the radial direction;
    [0044] • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fan cleaning device of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    [0045] • Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fan cleaning device of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    [0046] • Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a state of contact between the fan cleaning device and an indoor fan of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    [0047] • Figure 9 is a flow chart of the processing executed by an air conditioner control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    [0048] • Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view of a condition during cleaning of the indoor fan of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    [0049] • Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view of a state during defrosting of an indoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    [0050] • Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a fan cleaning device of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
    [0051] • Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a variation of the embodiments of the present invention; and
    [0052] • Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of an indoor fan and a fan cleaning device included in an air conditioner according to another variation of the embodiments of the present invention.
    [0053]
    [0054] Description of the realizations
    [0055]
    [0056] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
    [0057]
    [0058] First realization
    [0059]
    [0060] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. When referring to a direction from top to bottom, that direction is in accordance with the arrows illustrated in the drawings as necessary. In addition, when an anteroposterior direction is indicated by an arrow, the anteroposterior direction is a horizontal direction.
    [0061]
    [0062] Figure 1 is a system diagram of a refrigerant circuit Q of an air conditioner 100 in accordance with the present embodiment. Note that the solid arrows in Figure 1 indicate the flow of refrigerant in the air heating operation. In addition, the dashed arrows in Figure 1 indicate the flow of refrigerant in the air cooling operation.
    [0063]
    [0064] As illustrated in Figure 1, the air conditioner 100 includes a compressor 11, an external heat exchanger 12, an external fan 13 and an expansion valve 14. In addition, the air conditioner 100 includes, in addition to the configuration described previously, an internal heat exchanger 15, an internal fan 16 and a four-way valve 17.
    [0065]
    [0066] The compressor 11 is a device configured to compress the low pressure and low temperature gas refrigerant by driving a compressor motor 11a, thereby discharging the resulting refrigerant as a high pressure and high temperature gas refrigerant.
    [0067]
    [0068] The external heat exchanger 12 is a heat exchanger configured to exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing in a heat transfer tube (not shown) of the external heat exchanger 12 and the outside air sent from the external fan 13.
    [0069]
    [0070] The outdoor fan 13 is a fan configured to send the outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 12 by operating a fan 13a of the outdoor motor, and is placed in the environment of the outdoor heat exchanger 12.
    [0071]
    [0072] The expansion valve 14 is a valve configured to decompress the condensed refrigerant by a "condenser" (one of the external heat exchanger 12 or the internal heat exchanger 15 according to the type of air conditioning operation). Note that the refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve 14 is guided to an "evaporator" (the other of the external heat exchanger 12 or the internal heat exchanger 15 according to the type of air conditioning operation).
    [0073]
    [0074] The indoor heat exchanger 15 is a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant flowing in the heat transfer pipes g (see Figure 2) of the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor air (air in a target space of air conditioning) sent from the indoor fan 16.
    [0075]
    [0076] The indoor fan 16 is a fan configured to send the indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 15 by driving a motor 16c of the indoor fan (see Figure 4), and is placed in the environment of the indoor heat exchanger 15. More specifically, the fan interior 16 is placed on a downstream side of the interior heat exchanger 15 in the air flow in the case of turning the inner fan 16 forward.
    [0077]
    [0078] The four-way valve 17 is a valve configured to change a refrigerant flow path according to an operation mode of the air conditioner 100. For example, in the air cooling operation (see the broken arrows of Figure 1 ), the refrigerant circulates in a refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant circuit Q where the compressor 11, the external heat exchanger 12 (the condenser), the expansion valve 14, and the internal heat exchanger 15 (the evaporator) are connected sequentially in annular form through the four-way valve 17.
    [0079]
    [0080] On the other hand, in the air heating operation (see the continuous arrows of Figure 1), the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant circuit Q where the compressor 11, the internal heat exchanger 15 (the condenser), the expansion valve 14, and the external heat exchanger 12 (the evaporator) are sequentially connected annularly through the four-way valve 17.
    [0081]
    [0082] Note in an example illustrated in Figure 1 that the compressor 11, the external heat exchanger 12, the external fan 13, the expansion valve 14, and the four-way valve 17 are placed in an outdoor unit Uo. On the other hand, the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16 are placed in an indoor unit Ui.
    [0083]
    [0084] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit Ui. Note that Figure 2 illustrates a state where cleaning of the indoor fan 16 by a fan cleaning device 24 is not performed. In addition to the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16, the indoor unit Ui includes a dew receiving tray 18, a housing base 19, filters 20a, 20b, a front panel 21, a horizontal wind direction plate 22 , a vertical wind direction plate 23, and the fan cleaning device 24.
    [0085]
    [0086] The internal heat exchanger 15 has multiple fins f and the multiple heat transfer pipes g penetrating the fins f. From a different point of view, the interior heat exchanger 15 has a front interior heat exchanger 15a and a rear interior heat exchanger 15b. The front inner heat exchanger 15a is arranged on the front side (an inner side) of the inner fan 16. On the other hand, the rear inner heat exchanger 15b is arranged on the rear side (a wall side) of the inner fan 16 In addition, an upper end portion of the front inner heat exchanger 15a and an upper end portion of the rear inner heat exchanger 15b are connected to each other.
    [0087]
    [0088] The dew receiving tray 18 is configured to receive condensed water from the indoor heat exchanger 15, and is arranged below the indoor heat exchanger 15 (in an example illustrated in Figure 2, the inner front heat exchanger 15a).
    [0089]
    [0090] The inner fan 16 is, for example, a cylindrical transverse flow fan, and is arranged in the vicinity of the inner heat exchanger 15. The inner fan 16 includes multiple fan blades 16a, a split plate 16b in which the blades 16a of the fan are placed, and the motor 16c of the indoor fan (see Figure 4) as the drive source.
    [0091]
    [0092] Note that the indoor fan 16 is preferably coated with a hydrophilic coating. For example, a material, obtained in such a way that a binder (a silicon compound having a hydrolyzable group), butanol, tetrahydrofuran, and an antibacterial agent can be used is added to a solution of silica dispersed in isopropyl alcohol as a hydrophilic material. , as the coating material.
    [0093]
    [0094] This forms a hydrophilic film on a surface of the inner fan 16. Therefore, an electrical resistance value of the surface of the inner fan 16 decreases and, therefore, sand and dust adhere to a lesser extent to the inner fan 16. That is, static electricity due to friction with air is produced to a lesser extent on the surface of the inner fan 16 during the operation of the inner fan 16, and therefore, the adhesion of sand and dust to the inner fan 16 can be reduced . As described above, the coating agent also functions as an antistatic agent for the indoor fan 16.
    [0095]
    [0096] The housing base 19 illustrated in Figure 2 is a housing where equipment such as the internal heat exchanger 15 and the internal fan 16 are placed.
    [0097]
    [0098] The filter 20a is configured to remove sand and dust from the air flowing into a front air intake port h1, and is placed on the front side of the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0099]
    [0100] The filter 20b is configured to remove sand and dust from the air flowing into an upper air intake port h2, and is placed on the upper side of the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0101]
    [0102] The front panel 21 is a panel placed to cover the front filter 20a. A rotating shaft (not shown) is provided at a lower end of the front panel 21 such that the front panel 21 can rotate forward. Note that the front panel 21 can be configured not to rotate.
    [0103]
    [0104] The horizontal wind direction plate 22 is a plate-shaped member configured to adjust the air flow from right to left that is inserted into a room in association with the rotation of the interior fan 16. The horizontal wind direction plate 22 It is arranged in a blown air path h3, and can be turned in the right-to-left direction by a motor 25 of the horizontal wind direction plate (see Figure 5).
    [0105]
    [0106] The vertical wind direction plate 23 is a plate-shaped member configured to adjust the flow of air from top to bottom that blows into the room in association with the rotation of the inner fan 16. The vertical wind direction plate 23 is arranged in the vicinity of an air discharge port h4, and a motor 26 of the vertical wind direction plate can be turned from top to bottom (see Figure 5).
    [0107]
    [0108] The air sucked through the air intake ports h1, h2 exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing in the heat transfer pipes g of the indoor heat exchanger 15, and the air subjected to heat exchange is guided to the path of blown air h3. The air flowing in the blown air path h3 is guided in a predetermined direction by the horizontal wind direction plate 22 and the vertical wind direction plate 23, and is also blown into the room through the discharge port of air h4.
    [0109]
    [0110] Note that most of the sand and dust flowing into the air intake ports h1, h2 in association with the air flow is collected by filters 20a, 20b. However, fine sand and dust can pass through filters 20a, 20b, and could adhere to the internal heat exchanger 15 and the internal fan 16. Thus, the internal heat exchanger 15 and the internal fan 16 are cleaned preferably on a regular basis. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 15 is rinsed with water after the indoor fan 16 has been cleaned using the fan cleaning device 24 described below.
    [0111]
    [0112] The fan cleaning device 24 illustrated in Figure 2 is configured to clean the inner fan 16, and is disposed between the inner heat exchanger 15 and the inner fan 16. More specifically, the fan cleaning device 24 is arranged in a position closer to the inner fan 16 with respect to a recessed portion r of the front inner heat exchanger 15a having a dog's leg shape as seen in a longitudinal section. In the example illustrated in Figure 2, the interior heat exchanger 15 (a lower portion of the front internal heat exchanger 15a) is present below the fan cleaning device 24, and the dew receiving tray 18 is also present below of the fan cleaning device 24.
    [0113]
    [0114] Figure 3 is a partially cropped perspective view of the indoor unit Ui. In addition to a support portion 50 and a fan cleaning unit 51 illustrated in Figure 3, the fan cleaning device 24 includes a fan cleaning motor 24c (see Figure 4). The support portion 50 is an axis-shaped member parallel to an axial direction of the inner fan 16, and both ends of the support portion 50 are compatible in the housing base 19 (not shown).
    [0115] The fan cleaning unit 51 is configured to remove sand and dust adhering to the fan blades 16a, and an end portion of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51 is compatible with the support portion 50 The fan cleaning unit 51 may include a brush or a flexible rubber blade, for example. That is, various members can be used as long as the fan cleaning unit 51 is a member configured so that the sand and dust adhering to the fan blades 16a can be scraped off.
    [0116]
    [0117] The fan cleaning motor 24c (see Figure 4) is, for example, a stepper motor, and has the function of rotating the support portion 50 at a predetermined angle.
    [0118] When the indoor fan 16 is cleaned by the fan cleaning device 24, the fan cleaning motor 24c (see Figure 4) is operated such that the fan cleaning unit 51 comes into contact with the indoor fan 16 ( see Figure 10A), and the inner fan 16 is rotated backwards. Then, when the cleaning of the indoor fan 16 is completed with the cleaning device 24 of the fan, the cleaning motor 24c of the fan is driven again to rotate the cleaning fan unit 51 and, consequently, is brought to a state in which the fan cleaning unit 51 is separated from the indoor fan 16 (see Figure 2).
    [0119]
    [0120] Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of an air conditioner control system 100. In addition to the configuration described above, the indoor unit Ui illustrated in Figure 4 includes a remote control transmission / reception unit 27 and a circuit Internal control 31.
    [0121]
    [0122] The transmission / reception unit of the remote controller 27 is configured to exchange predetermined information with a remote controller 40.
    [0123]
    [0124] Although not shown in the Figure, the internal control circuit 31 includes electronic circuits such as a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and various interfaces. A program stored in ROM is read and loaded into RAM, and the CPU executes various types of processing.
    [0125]
    [0126] As illustrated in Figure 4, the internal control circuit 31 includes a storage unit 31a and an internal control unit 31b.
    [0127] The storage unit 31a stores, in addition to the predetermined program, the data received through the remote control transmission / reception unit 27 and the detection values of various sensors (not shown), for example.
    [0128]
    [0129] Based on the data stored in the storage unit 31a, the indoor control unit 31b controls the cleaning motor 24c of the fan, the indoor fan 16c, the horizontal wind direction plate motor 25, the motor 26 of the address plate vertical wind, etc.
    [0130]
    [0131] The outdoor unit Uo includes an outdoor control circuit 32 in addition to the configuration described above. Although not shown in the Figure, the external control circuit 32 includes electronic circuits such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and various interfaces, and is connected to the internal control circuit 31 through a communication line. As illustrated in Figure 4, the external control circuit 32 includes a storage unit 32a and an external control unit 32b.
    [0132]
    [0133] The storage unit 32a stores, in addition to the predetermined program, the data received from the internal control circuit 31, for example. Based on the data stored in the storage unit 32a, the external control unit 32b controls the compressor motor 11a, the external fan motor 13a, the expansion valve 14, etc. Hereinafter, the internal control circuit 31 and the external control circuit 32 will be collectively referred to as a "control unit 30".
    [0134]
    [0135] In the technique described above of Patent Literature 1, a fan cleaning device and a control device configured to control the fan cleaning device are provided. In addition, a normal operating mode is provided for blowing conditioned air into a room and a fan cleaning operation mode for rotating a fan at low speed and mobile operation of the fan cleaning device. In addition, the fan cleaning device includes, at a tip end thereof, a fan cleaning unit, and in the fan cleaning operation mode, it moves movably to a position where the power unit is removed. fan cleaning.
    [0136]
    [0137] However, in a configuration where the fan cleaning device includes the fan cleaning unit (a brush, etc.) and a support portion thereof, the fan cleaning device is disposed within an indoor unit and, therefore it It produces dew condensation on the fan cleaning device itself. Specifically, in a case where the fan cleaning device is disposed on the periphery of an indoor heat exchanger, dew condensation occurs easily. When a state where dew condensation occurs in the fan cleaning device continues for a long period of time, it causes fungus and rust in the fan cleaning device. Specifically, less wind passes through a contact portion between the fan cleaning unit and the support portion, and for this reason, it is difficult to dry such a portion. An antifungal agent, etc. can be used. as a countermeasure, but it is the cause of an increase in the manufacturing cost or in the operating cost of an air conditioner.
    [0138]
    [0139] For these reasons, the fan cleaning device 24 for which a countermeasure is taken against such a defect will be described mainly below.
    [0140]
    [0141] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view in a state where the fan cleaning device 24 is cut in a radial direction, and Figure 5B is a front view in that state. The state of Figures 5A and 5B shows other different states of a state during the cleaning of the indoor fan 16. In the present embodiment, in other states different from a state during the cleaning of the indoor fan 16, a tip of an end portion tip 51b of the fan cleaning unit 51 is oriented substantially downward vertically as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Specifically, in other states (including normal air conditioning operation) different from one state during cleaning of the fan 16, the tip end of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan is separated from the inner fan 16 with the tip end of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan facing down substantially substantially vertically.
    [0142]
    [0143] Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration where the tip end of the fan cleaning unit 51 is oriented vertically downward in other states different from a state during the cleaning of the indoor fan 16. Figure 6 is a view in cross section of the fan cleaning device 24. That is, as illustrated in Figure 6 by way of example, a longitudinal direction of the fan cleaning unit 51 can be placed at an acute angle with respect to the upper to lower vertical direction. In this case, one side of the tip end of the fan cleaning unit 51 may be closer to the front inner heat exchanger 15a or the inner fan 16. Hereinafter, it will be described that in other states other than one state during cleaning the inner fan 16, the tip end of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan is separated of the inner fan 16 with the pointed end of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan facing down substantially vertically.
    [0144]
    [0145] As illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, the fan cleaning device 24 includes the fan cleaning unit 51 and the support portion 50. The support portion 50 is an elongated shaft-shaped member (Figure 3), and a long hole 50a extending in an axial direction of the support portion 50 is formed in a position that is in a lower portion of the support portion 50 when the operation of the fan cleaning unit 51 is stopped (the state of Figures 5A and 5B). The long hole 50a reaches a core portion of the support portion 50, and a hollow portion 50b that expands in the right-to-left direction in Figures 5A and 5B and connects to the long hole 50a, is formed in the part of the core
    [0146]
    [0147] The fan cleaning unit 51 may include a brush or a flexible rubber blade, for example. That is, various members can be used as long as the fan cleaning unit 51 is a member configured so that the sand and dust adhering to the fan blades 16a can be scraped off. In the state of Figures 5A and 5B, the fan cleaning unit 51 is configured such that an end portion 51a of the base projects from right to left. The end portion 51a of the base projecting from right to left is installed in the hollow portion 50b, and the tip end side 51b of the fan cleaning unit 51 protrudes outside the support portion 50 through of the long hole 50a as an outlet. The hollow portion 50b of the support portion 50 expands from right to left beyond the long hole 50a in the state of Figure 5, and protrudes from right to left beyond the end portion 51a of the base of the unit fan cleaning 51. Therefore, the end portion 51a of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51 is coupled with the hollow portion 50b of the support portion 50, and separation of the fan cleaning unit 51 from the fan portion is prevented support 50.
    [0148]
    [0149] Note that the end portion 51a of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51 is installed in the hollow portion 50b of the support portion 50, and both of these portions are not joined together by a method such as adhesive bonding. or welding. This is because when the fan cleaning unit 51 must be replaced due, for example, to aging degradation, only the fan cleaning unit 51 can be separated from the support portion 50. If the fan cleaning unit 51 and the support portion 50 are joined together, the cleaning unit 51 of the fan has to, including the support portion 50, be separated from the housing base 19 of the air conditioner 100 after the replacement of the fan cleaning unit 51. The support portion 50 is supported, at both ends thereof, in the housing base 19 by a predetermined structure. Therefore, it is difficult to replace the fan cleaning unit 51 together with the support portion 50. On the other hand, the use of the support portion 50 by replacing only the fan cleaning unit 51 also leads to saving of the cost of replacing components for a user.
    [0150]
    [0151] When at least the operation of the fan cleaning unit 51 is stopped (the state of Figures 5A and 5 B), the surfaces 50f that support, on the lower side, at least the end portion 51a of the base of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan in the hollow portion 50b of the support portion 50 are inclined surfaces. More specifically, the surface 50f tilts downwardly towards the long hole 50a as the outlet of the fan cleaning unit 51 of the support portion 50.
    [0152]
    [0153] Furthermore, when at least the operation of the fan cleaning unit 51 is stopped (the state of Figures 5A and 5B), the surfaces 50f are inclined in the direction of the water flow from the side of an outer surface 51d of the end portion 51a of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51 of the support portion 50 towards the long hole 50a as the outlet of the fan cleaning unit 51. In addition, an inner surface 50c (an inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion 50b) of the support portion 50 located on the periphery of the outer surface 51d also tilts in the direction of water flow from one side of the inner surface 50c towards the long hole 50a as the outlet of the fan cleaning unit 51.
    [0154]
    [0155] That is, of the outer surface 51d of the end portion 51a of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51, the surfaces on the right and left sides of the end portion 51a of the base are substantially vertical surfaces, and the surfaces that penetrate the long hole 50a of the fan cleaning unit 51 are also substantially vertical surfaces. In addition, an upper surface of the end portion 51a of the base slopes slightly downward from the left side to the right side in an example of Figures 5A and 5B, and is not a horizontal surface (the upper surface may lean toward down from the right side to the left side). Similarly, of the inner surface 50c (for example, the inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion 50b) of the support portion 50, the surfaces on the right and left sides of the hollow portion 50b are substantially vertical surfaces, and a Inner surface of the long hole 50a is a substantially vertical surface. In addition, an upper surface of the inner surface 50c it also tilts slightly downward from the left side to the right side, and is not a horizontal surface (the upper surface can be tilted down from the right side to the left side). Note that when the fan cleaning device 24 similar to that of Figures 5A and 5B is illustrated in the figures subsequent to Figure 6, the upper surface of the end portion 51 a of the base and the upper surface of the inner surface 50c are illustrated as substantially horizontal surfaces in a state like that of Figures 5A and 5B. That is, these surfaces are not necessarily horizontal surfaces.
    [0156]
    [0157] An outer surface 50d of the support portion 50 tilts at least when the operation of the fan cleaning device 24 is stopped (the state of Figure 5). Specifically, in the example of Figures 5A and 5B, the outer surface 50d of the support portion 50 is configured such that the outer shape of a section in a radial direction thereof is a substantially circular shape. Therefore, the outer surface 50d does not include a horizontal surface.
    [0158]
    [0159] The support portion 50 includes, in addition to the long hole 50a as the outlet of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan, through holes 50e for communication between the hollow portion 50b that supports the end portion 51a of the base of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan inside and outside. The through holes 50e can penetrate any portion of the support portion 50. In the example of Figures 5A and 5B, multiple through holes 50e are arranged in two lines on both sides of the long hole 50a at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the support portion 50. In the state of Figures 5A and 5B, the through holes 50e are inclined downwardly from the hollow portion 50b that supports the end portion 51a of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51 outward. Note in this case, that an inner bottom surface in the hollow portion 50b preferably slopes downward towards each through hole 50e.
    [0160]
    [0161] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fan cleaning device 24. In the fan cleaning device 24, the length a of a portion of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan housed in the support portion 50 is longer than the length b of a portion not housed of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan.
    [0162]
    [0163] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a state of contact between the fan cleaning device 24 and the indoor fan 16. Figure 8 illustrates a state when the cleaning of the indoor fan 16 is performed in the cleaning unit 51 of the fan. In this case, the length a of a portion of the side 51b of the tip end of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan superimposed with the inner fan 16 is longer than a separation length p between the end portion 51a of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51 in the hollow portion 50b of the support portion 50 and a side of the hole length 50a of the hollow portion 50b.
    [0164]
    [0165] Next, the characteristics and advantageous effects of the air conditioner 100 will be described.
    [0166]
    [0167] Figure 9 is a flow chart of the processing executed by the control unit 30 (see Figure 2 as necessary). Note that the air conditioning operation is not performed after the "START" of Figure 9, and the side 51b of the tip end of the fan cleaning unit 51 is oriented substantially downward vertically (the state illustrated in the Figures 5, 2 and 3).
    [0168]
    [0169] In step S101 of Figure 9, the control unit 30 cleans the indoor fan 16 with the fan cleaning device 24. Note that an activator for starting the cleaning of the indoor fan 16 includes, for example, a condition where a cumulative time of operation of the air conditioner after pre-cleaning reaches a predetermined time.
    [0170]
    [0171] Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view of a condition during cleaning of the indoor fan 16. Note that Figure 10A illustrates the indoor heat exchanger 15, the indoor fan 16, and the dew receiving tray 18, and does not illustrate The other members.
    [0172]
    [0173] The control unit 30 causes the fan cleaning unit 51 to contact the indoor fan 16, thereby rotating (turning backwards) the indoor fan 16 in a direction opposite to that of normal air conditioning operation.
    [0174]
    [0175] That is, the control unit 30 rotates the tip end of the fan cleaning unit 51 over the support portion 50 approximately 90 ° from the state where the tip end of the fan cleaning unit 51 is oriented vertically. down (see Figures 5, 2 and 3), and consequently, the tip end of the fan cleaning unit 51 is oriented towards the inner fan 16 (see Figure 10A). In this way, the cleaning unit 51 of the fan is brought into contact with the blades 16a of the indoor fan 16.
    [0176]
    [0177] Note that in an example of Figure 10A, the internal heat exchanger 15 (the front internal heat exchanger 15a) is, as indicated by a chain line L, present below a contact position K in a state where the cleaning unit 51 of the fan contacts the internal fan 16, and the dew receiving tray 18 is also present below the contact position K.
    [0178]
    [0179] Since the inner fan 16 is rotated backward, the pointed end of the fan cleaning unit 51 bends in association with the movement of the fan blades 16a, and the fan cleaning unit 51 is pressed to move the rear surfaces of the fan blades 16a. Then, the fan cleaning unit 51 removes the sand and dust accumulated in the outer end portions (end portions in the radial direction) of the fan blades 16a.
    [0180]
    [0181] In the present embodiment, the fan cleaning unit 51, as described above, is brought into contact with the fan blades 16a, and the inner fan 16 is rotated backwards. With this configuration, the cleaning unit 51 of the fan is brought into contact with the outer end portions of the rear surfaces of the fan blades 16a, and the sand and dust accumulated in the outer end portions of the front surfaces and Rear of fan blades 16a are removed together.
    [0182]
    [0183] Generally, the indoor fan 16 is placed on the downstream side of the indoor heat exchanger 15, and therefore, the inside of the indoor unit Ui has a structure whose maintenance by the user through the air discharge port h4 is difficult (Figure 2). In the air cooling operation and the dehumidification operation, the periphery of the inner fan 16 is continuously in a high humidity state, and the temperature of the inner fan surface 16 can fall below the dew point temperature of the surrounding air depending on the conditions. In this case, dew condensation occurs on the surface of the inner fan 16, and the surrounding sand and dust adhere to the surface of the inner fan 16 due to dew condensation. If fungi are present in the accumulated sand and dust, fungal growth is promoted. This leads to a probability that the cleaning of the indoor fan 16 will decrease and fungal threats promote the adhesion of sand and dust. In addition, there is a probability that dew condensation also occurs in the support portion 50 and in the fan cleaning unit 51 located on the periphery of the indoor fan 16 and fungi and rust are produced.
    [0184]
    [0185] For these reasons, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5, etc., the surfaces 50f that support, at least on the lower side, the end portion 51a of the base of the unit Cleaning fan 51 in the hollow portion 50b of the support portion 50 are inclined surfaces. More specifically, the surface 50f tilts downwardly towards the long hole 50a as the outlet of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan of the support portion 50. Therefore, moisture discharge, which remains in the hollow portion, is promoted. 50b, through the long hole 50a, and the moisture adheres, for example, to the hollow portion 50b and the end portion 51a of the base is reduced. Consequently, problems such as the appearance of fungi and the adhesion of sand and dust can be reduced. In addition, the appearance of rust in a case where the support portion 50 is made of metal can also be reduced.
    [0186]
    [0187] In addition, the outer surface 51d of the end portion 51a of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51 in the support portion 50 and the inner surface 50c (the inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion 50b) of the support portion 50 placed on the periphery of the outer surface 51d inclines in the direction of the water flow from the support portion 50 towards the long hole 50a as the outlet of the fan cleaning unit 51. Said state occurs at least when the operation of the fan cleaning unit 51 is stopped (the state of Figure 5). Therefore, moisture adheres to the hollow portion 50b, the long hole 50a, and the end portion 51a of the base can be reduced, and problems such as the appearance of fungi and the adhesion of sand and dust can be reduced. In addition, the appearance of rust in a case where the support portion 50 is made of metal can also be reduced.
    [0188]
    [0189] In addition, the outer surface 50d of the support portion 50 tilts at least when the operation of the fan cleaning device 24 is stopped (the state of Figures 5A and 5B). Specifically, in the example of Figures 5A and 5B, the outer surface 50d of the support portion 50 is configured such that the outer shape of the section in the radial direction thereof is the substantially circular shape. In this way, the spray that adheres to the outer surface 50d of the support portion 50 can easily escape. Consequently, problems such as the appearance of fungi of the fan cleaning device 24 and the adhesion of sand and dust can be reduced. In addition, the appearance of rust in a case where the support portion 50 is made of metal can also be reduced. Furthermore, when the outer shape of the section in the radial direction is the substantially circular shape, the support portion 50 interferes less with the air flow generated by the inner fan 16 compared to the case of a complicated outer shape.
    [0190]
    [0191] In addition, the support portion 50 includes, separately from the long hole 50a as the outlet of the fan cleaning unit 51, through holes 50e for communication between the hollow portion 50b supporting the end portion 51a of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51 inside and outside the support portion 50. Therefore, moisture in the hollow portion 50b can be easily discharged through through holes 50e.
    [0192]
    [0193] In this case, the through holes 50e can be opened upwards with respect to the horizontal plane at least when the operation of the fan cleaning device 24 is stopped (the state of Figure 5). This is because it can also be expected in this case that the moisture in the hollow portion 50b is discharged as steam.
    [0194]
    [0195] However, the through holes 50e, in the state of Figure 5, are preferably inclined downwardly from the hollow portion 50b supporting the end portion 51a of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51 towards the outside of the portion of support 50. This is because the moisture in the hollow portion 50b is easily discharged, in this case, as a liquid through the through holes 50e, and therefore, the moisture discharge capacity is high. Furthermore, in this case, the inner bottom surface in the hollow portion 50b is inclined downwardly toward each through hole 50e. This is because the humidity in the hollow portion 50b flows easily, in this case, to each through hole 50e, and therefore, the moisture discharge capacity can be further improved.
    [0196]
    [0197] Note that in a case where the state of Figure 6 occurs at least when the operation of the fan cleaning device 24 is stopped, the configuration of each section should be differentiated from that of Figure 5A as necessary, so that the Features and advantageous effects of the configuration of Figure 5A are provided. For example, as illustrated in Figure 6, a right side surface 50f of two surfaces 50F illustrated in the Figure inclines more steeply than the example in Figure 5A. In addition, the inclination angles of the longitudinal directions of two through holes 50e illustrated in Figure 6 are changed closer to the longitudinal direction of the fan cleaning unit 51 compared to the example of Figure 5A.
    [0198]
    [0199] In addition, as illustrated in Figure 7, the length a of the portion of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan housed in the support portion 50 is longer than the length b of the portion not housed of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan. This is because even when the countermeasure described above is taken, the moisture entering the fan cleaning device 24 cannot be completely avoided. That is, the length b of the portion where the problems such as fungi are found occur to a lesser extent due to the accumulation of moisture in the support portion 50 is longer than the length a of the portion where these problems occur easily, and therefore, problems such as fungi occur to a lesser extent in the fan cleaning device 24.
    [0200]
    [0201] In addition, as illustrated in Figure 8, the length a of the side portion 51b of the tip end of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan that overlaps the inner fan 16 is longer than the separation length p between the end portion 51a of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51 in the hollow portion 50b of the support portion 50 and the long hole side 50a of the hollow portion 50b. That is, there is a likelihood that during cleaning of the indoor fan 16 with the fan cleaning device 24, the fan cleaning unit 51 is pressed by the indoor fan 16 and removed on the support portion 50 by the length of separation p. When the separation length p is too long, the length a of the side portion 51b of the tip end of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan that overlaps the inner fan 16 is zero, and therefore cannot be perform the cleaning For this reason, the length a of the side portion 51 b of the tip end of the cleaning unit 51 of the fan that overlaps with the inner fan 16 is longer than the separation length p between the end portion 51a of the base of the fan cleaning unit 51 in the hollow portion 50b of the support portion 50 and the long hole 50a of the hollow portion 50b.
    [0202]
    [0203] Furthermore, by turning backwards of the indoor fan 16, the smooth flow of air in a direction opposite to those after the forward turning (see Figure 4) is generated inside the indoor unit Ui (see Figure 2). Therefore, the sand and dust j (Figure 10A) removed from the inner fan 16 are not directed to the air discharge port h4 (see Figure 2), but are guided to the dew receiving tray 18 through a free space between the front indoor heat exchanger 15a and the indoor fan 16 as illustrated in Figure 10A.
    [0204]
    [0205] More specifically, sand and dust j (Figure 10A) removed from the indoor fan 16 by the fan cleaning unit 51 are gently pressed against the front indoor heat exchanger 15a by wind pressure. In addition, sand and dust j fall into the dew receiving tray 18 along an inclined surface of the front indoor heat exchanger 15a (fin edges f) (see an arrow in Figure 10A). Therefore, there is almost no sand or dust j adhered to a rear surface of the vertical wind direction plate 23 (see Figure 2) through a slight gap between the inner fan 16 and the dew receiving tray 18. This You can prevent sand and dust from entering the room during a subsequent air conditioning operation.
    [0206] Note that some of the sand and dust j removed from the indoor fan 16 could adhere to the front indoor heat exchanger 15a while still falling on the dew receiving tray 18. The sand and dust j adhering to the indoor heat exchanger Front 15a as described above is washed away by processing a step described below S103.
    [0207]
    [0208] After the processing of step S101 of Figure 9 is complete, the control unit 30 moves the fan cleaning device 24 in a step S102. That is, the control unit 30 rotates the fan cleaning unit 51 around the support portion 50 90 ° from a state (see Figure 10A) where the pointed end of the fan cleaning unit 51 is oriented towards the inner fan 16, and consequently, the tip end of the fan cleaning unit 51 is oriented substantially downward vertically (see Figure 10B).
    [0209]
    [0210] Then, in a step S103, the control unit 30 subsequently performs the freezing / thawing of the indoor heat exchanger 15. First, the control unit 30 causes the indoor heat exchanger 15 to function as the evaporator, thus forming the frost in the indoor heat exchanger 15 from the moisture contained in the air taken in the indoor unit Ui and freezing the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0211]
    [0212] When the indoor heat exchanger 15 is frozen, the control unit 30 preferably reduces the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 15. That is, the control unit 30 causes the indoor heat exchanger 15 to operate. as the evaporator, thereby adjusting the pressure of the refrigerant flowing in the internal heat exchanger 15 such that the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant is lower than that of the normal air conditioning operation when the internal heat exchanger 15 freezes (condensed water adheres to the indoor heat exchanger 15).
    [0213]
    [0214] For example, the control unit 30 decreases the degree of opening of the expansion valve 14 (see Figure 1) so that the low pressure refrigerant having a low evaporation temperature flows into the internal heat exchanger 15. Accordingly , frost or ice (a reference character i illustrated in Figure 14B) easily grows in the indoor heat exchanger 15, and therefore, the indoor heat exchanger 15 can wash with a large amount of water during subsequent defrosting.
    [0215]
    [0216] In addition, in the indoor heat exchanger 15, a region located below the fan cleaning device 24 is not preferably a downstream region (i.e., an upstream region or an intermediate region) in the flow of refrigerant flowing in the indoor heat exchanger 15. Accordingly, the low-temperature two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flows at least below (the bottom side) of the fan cleaning device 24, and therefore the thickness of frost or ice which adheres to the indoor heat exchanger 15 can be increased. Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger 15 can be washed with a large amount of water during subsequent defrosting.
    [0217]
    [0218] Note that the scraped sand and dust from the inner fan 16 by the fan cleaning device 24 easily adheres to the region below the fan cleaning device 24 in the indoor heat exchanger 15. For this reason, the refrigerant Two-phase gas-liquid at low temperature flows in the region located below the fan cleaning device 24 in the indoor heat exchanger 15. Therefore, frost or ice grows easily and melts so that the sand and The dust from the indoor heat exchanger 15 can be washed properly.
    [0219]
    [0220] When the indoor heat exchanger 15 functions as the evaporator for freezing the indoor heat exchanger 15 (causing the condensed water to adhere to the indoor heat exchanger 15), the control unit 30 preferably closes the vertical wind direction plate 23 (see Figure 2) or change the angle of the vertical wind direction plate 23 upwards from the horizontal. This can prevent the cooled low temperature air in the indoor heat exchanger 15 from leaking into the environment, and, for example, freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 15 can be performed in a user-friendly condition.
    [0221]
    [0222] After the indoor heat exchanger 15 has been frozen (S103 of Figure 9) as described above, the control unit 30 defrosts the Internal heat exchanger 15 (S103). For example, the control unit 30 maintains a stop state in each type of equipment, and therefore, of course, the indoor heat exchanger 15 is defrosted at room temperature. Note that the control unit 30 can perform the air heating operation or the air blowing operation, thereby melting the frost or ice adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0223]
    [0224] Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view of a state during defrosting of the indoor heat exchanger 15. After defrosting the indoor heat exchanger 15, the frost or ice that adheres to the indoor heat exchanger 15 melts, and a large amount of water w flows down to the dew receiving tray 18 along the fins f. In this way, the sand and dust j that adhere to the indoor heat exchanger 15 during the air conditioning operation can be washed.
    [0225]
    [0226] In association with the cleaning of the indoor fan 16 by the fan cleaning unit 51, the sand and dust j which adhere to the front indoor heat exchanger 15a are also washed, and flow down to the dew receiving tray 18 (see an arrow in Figure 10B). Water that has flowed to the spray receiving tray 18 as described above, together with the sand and dust j (see Figure 10A) that have fallen directly onto the spray receiving tray 18 during cleaning of the indoor fan 16, is discharged to the outside through a drain hose (not shown). There is almost no likelihood that the drain hose (not shown), etc., through which a large amount of water flows from the indoor heat exchanger 15 during defrosting, becomes clogged with sand and dust j.
    [0227]
    [0228] Note that although it is not shown in Figure 9, the interior of the indoor unit Ui can be dried in such a way that the control unit 30 performs the air heating operation or the air blowing operation after freezing / thawing ( S103) of the indoor heat exchanger 15. This may reduce the growth of bacteria in the indoor heat exchanger 15, etc.
    [0229]
    [0230] According to the present embodiment, the indoor fan 16 is cleaned with the fan cleaning device 24 (S101 of Figure 9), and therefore, the blowing of sand and dust j in the room can be reduced. In addition, the fan cleaning device 24 is disposed between the front inner heat exchanger 15a. and the inner fan 16, and therefore, the sand and dust j scraped from the inner fan 16 by the fan cleaning unit 51 can be guided to the dew receiving tray 18.
    [0231]
    [0232] In addition, during cleaning of the indoor fan 16, the control unit 30 rotates the indoor fan 16 backwards. This can prevent sand and dust j from going to the air discharge port h4.
    [0233]
    [0234] Note that when a large amount of sand and dust adheres to the indoor fan 16, there is, in some cases, a probability that an air blowing temperature will be reduced during the air cooling operation to cover the reduction of the performance of the indoor fan 16 and the dripping of dew in the room occurs accordingly. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the indoor fan 16 is adequately cleaned as described above, and therefore, the reduction of the amount of air from the indoor fan 16 in association with the adhesion of sand and dust is suppressed. Therefore, according to the present example, dew dripping due to sand and dust in the indoor fan 16 can be avoided.
    [0235]
    [0236] The control unit 30 sequentially performs the freezing / defrosting of the indoor heat exchanger 15 (S103 of Figure 9), and consequently, the sand and powder j attached inside heat exchanger 15 are washed with the water w and flowed down to the dew receiving tray 18. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the indoor fan 16 can be brought to a clean state, and the indoor heat exchanger 15 can also be brought to a clean state. In this way, a comfortable conditioner conditioning can be performed by the air conditioner 100. In addition, the time and effort of the user necessary to clean the indoor heat exchanger 15 or the indoor fan 16 and the maintenance expense can be reduced.
    [0237]
    [0238] Second Realization
    [0239]
    [0240] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a fan cleaning device 24A of an air conditioner 100 according to a second embodiment. As in Figure 5A, Figure 11 also illustrates a state of the fan cleaning device 24A at least when the operation of the fan cleaning device 24A is stopped.
    [0241]
    [0242] A difference of the second embodiment with respect to the first embodiment is a point where the shape of a support portion 50A is different from that of the support portion 50. At other points, the air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numbers are used to represent common members, etc., and their detailed description will be omitted.
    [0243]
    [0244] The outer shape of the section in the radial direction in the support portion 50 of the first embodiment is the substantially circular shape. On the other hand, the outer shape of a section in a radial direction in the support portion 50A of the second embodiment is a shape that protrudes in a direction from right to left and protrudes upwards. In addition, the outer shape also extends, on a lower side thereof, vertically elongated towards down. In the second embodiment, the outer shape of the section in the radial direction in the support portion 50A is also an inclined shape when the operation of a fan cleaning unit is stopped.
    [0245]
    [0246] In the second embodiment, an end portion 51a of the base is also projected in the right-to-left direction in the state of Figure 11. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the right and left portions of the support portion 50A that are oriented towards the right and left projections of the end portion 51a of the base may thicken. Accordingly, the strength of the support portion 50A that supports the fan cleaning unit 51 can be improved. On the other hand, a lower portion of the support portion 50A that supports the end portion 51a of the base and receives a force below the fan cleaning unit 51 after, for example, cleaning can be thickened. Therefore, at this point, the resistance of the support portion 50A that supports the fan cleaning unit 51 can also be improved.
    [0247]
    [0248] Note that in the second embodiment, a longitudinal direction of the fan cleaning unit 51 can be tilted as in Figure 6 at least when the operation of the fan cleaning device 24 is stopped. In this case, the inclination of the surfaces 50f and the inclination of the through holes 50e in a longitudinal direction thereof are modified, as necessary, with respect to those of Figure 11 as in the example of Figure 6.
    [0249]
    [0250] The air conditioner 100 according to the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to such description. Several changes can be made.
    [0251]
    [0252] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of an indoor unit UAi of an air conditioner in accordance with a variation of the present embodiments. In the variation illustrated in Figure 12, a groove member M in a recessed shape as seen in a longitudinal section is placed under a front inner heat exchanger 15a. On the other hand, a rib 28 extending upwardly from a lower surface of the groove member M is placed in the groove member M. Note that other points are similar to those of the embodiments.
    [0253]
    [0254] In the slot member M illustrated in Figure 12, a front portion of the rib 28 functions as a spray receiving tray 18A configured to receive the condensed water from the indoor heat exchanger 15. Furthermore, in the slot member M, one rear portion of the rib 28 functions as a sand and dust receiving unit 29 configured to receive sand and dust that have fallen from the indoor heat exchanger 15 or an indoor fan 16. The sand and dust receiving unit 29 is available under the interior heat exchanger 15.
    [0255]
    [0256] In addition, the indoor heat exchanger 15 (a lower portion of the front indoor heat exchanger 15a) is present below a fan cleaning unit 51, and the sand and dust receiving unit 29 is also present below the fan cleaning unit 51. More specifically, although not shown in the Figure, not only the indoor heat exchanger 15 but also the sand and dust receiving unit 29 are present below a contact position in a state where the fan cleaning unit 51 is it contacts the indoor fan 16. Even with this configuration, advantageous effects similar to those of the embodiments described above are also provided.
    [0257]
    [0258] Note that after defrosting of the indoor heat exchanger 15, water flows down to the spray reception tray 18A, and also flows down to the sand and dust receiving unit 29. Therefore, there is no probability of that interferes with the discharge of sand and dust accumulated in the sand and dust receiving unit 29.
    [0259]
    [0260] Furthermore, in the example illustrated in Figure 12, an upper end of the rib 28 does not contact the front indoor heat exchanger 15a, but the present invention is not limited to the foregoing. That is, the upper end of the rib 28 may come into contact with the front internal heat exchanger 15a.
    [0261]
    [0262] Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of an indoor fan 16 and a fan cleaning device 24B included in an air conditioner according to another variation of the present embodiments. In the variation illustrated in Figure 13, the length of a fan cleaning unit 51 in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the inner fan 16 is shorter than the axial length of the inner fan 16 itself. At this point, the fan cleaning unit 51 is different from the fan cleaning unit described above. A pair of shaft support members 24d are members configured to support both ends of a support portion 50. On the other hand, during cleaning of the inner fan 16, the fan cleaning device 24B moves in the axial direction (a direction from right to left as seen from the front of an indoor unit) of the indoor fan 16. That is, in the axial direction of the indoor fan 16, the indoor fan 16 is cleaned sequentially for each predetermined region corresponding to the length of the fan cleaning device 24B. As described above, it is configured such that the fan cleaning device 24B having a relatively short length moves, and therefore, a manufacturing cost of the air conditioner can be reduced compared to that of the embodiments. described above.
    [0263]
    [0264] Note that a bar (not shown) extending parallel to the support portion 50 can be provided in the vicinity (eg, an upper side of the support portion 50) of the fan cleaning device 24B, and a mechanism of Default movement (not shown) can move the fan cleaning device 24B along this bar. Alternatively, after cleaning with the fan cleaning device 24B, the movement mechanism (not shown) can rotate or move the fan cleaning device 24B in parallel, as necessary, and the cleaning device can be removed 24B of the indoor fan fan 16.
    [0265]
    [0266] The embodiments described above have described such processing where the control unit 30 causes the fan cleaning device 24A to contact the inner fan 16 to rotate (rotate) the inner fan 16 in the opposite direction to the of the normal air conditioning operation, but the present invention is not limited to the foregoing. That is, the control unit 30 can cause the fan cleaning device 24 to contact the indoor fan 16 to rotate (rotate forward) the indoor fan 16 in the same direction as the normal air conditioning operation. air.
    [0267]
    [0268] As described above, the cleaning unit 51 of the fan is brought into contact with the indoor fan 16, and the indoor fan 16 is rotated forward. In this way, the sand and dust that adhere to the vicinity of a pointed end of the front of each blade 16a of the fan are effectively removed. In addition, a control circuit or a control program is not necessary to rotate the inner fan 16 backwards, and therefore, the manufacturing cost of the air conditioner 100 can be reduced.
    [0269]
    [0270] In addition, the embodiments described above have described the configuration in which the fan cleaning unit 51 rotates around the support portion 50 of the fan cleaning device 24, but the present invention is not limited to the foregoing. For example, by cleaning the indoor fan 16, the control unit 30 can move the support portion 50 towards the indoor fan 16 so that the cleaning unit 51 of the fan is brought into contact with the indoor fan 16. Then, after the completion of cleaning the indoor fan 16, the control unit 30 can retract the support portion 50 such that the fan cleaning unit 51 is separated from the indoor fan 16.
    [0271]
    [0272] In addition, the embodiment described above has described the configuration where the region located below the fan cleaning device 24 in the indoor heat exchanger 15 is not the downstream region in the refrigerant flow, but the present invention is not limited to previous. For example, it can be configured such that a region located higher than the fan cleaning device 24 in the indoor heat exchanger 15 is not the downstream region (i.e. the upstream region or the intermediate region) in the refrigerant flow circulating inside heat exchanger 15. More specifically, in the front internal heat exchanger 15a, the region located downstream on the air flow during normal air conditioning operation and located higher that the fan cleaning device 24 is preferably not the downstream region in the flow of refrigerant flowing in the indoor heat exchanger 15. According to this configuration, the thick frost adheres, in association with the freezing of the heat exchanger. interior heat 15, to the region (a right portion of the front internal heat exchanger 15a in the plane of the paper as illustrated and n Figure 2) located on the downstream side in the air flow during normal air conditioning operation in the front interior heat exchanger 15a and located higher than the fan cleaning device 24. Subsequently, when the indoor heat exchanger 15 is not frozen, a large amount of water flows down along the fins f. As a result, sand and dust (including sand and dust removed from the indoor fan 16) that adhere to the indoor heat exchanger 15 can be washed down in the dew receiving tray 18.
    [0273]
    [0274] In addition, the cleaning processing of the indoor heat exchanger 15 by, for example, freezing of the indoor heat exchanger 15 has been described in the embodiments described above, but the present invention is not limited to the foregoing. For example, dew may form on the indoor heat exchanger 15, and the indoor heat exchanger 15 can be cleaned with condensation water (condensed water). For example, the control unit 30 calculates the dew point of the indoor air based on the temperature and relative humidity of the indoor air. On the other hand, the control unit 30 controls, for example, the degree of opening of the expansion valve 14 such that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 15 is equal to or less than the dew point described above and is higher what a predetermined freezing temperature.
    [0275]
    [0276] The "freezing temperature" described above is a temperature at which the moisture contained in the indoor air begins to defrost the indoor heat exchanger 15 when the indoor air temperature decreases. Dew is formed in the indoor heat exchanger 15 as described above, so that the sand and dust in the indoor heat exchanger 15 can be washed with the condensation water (condensed water).
    [0277]
    [0278] Alternatively, the control unit 30 can perform the air cooling operation or the dehumidification operation to form dew on the indoor heat exchanger 15, and such condensation water (condensed water) can be used to clean the indoor heat exchanger fifteen.
    [0279]
    [0280] In addition, the embodiments described above (see Figure 2) have described the configuration where the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the dew receiving tray 18 are present below the fan cleaning device 24, but the present invention is not limited to the above. That is, it can be configured such that at least one of the internal heat exchanger 15 or the dew receiving tray 18 is present under the fan cleaning device 24. For example, in a configuration where a lower portion of the dog-shaped inner heat exchanger 15 as seen in the longitudinal section extends in the vertical direction, the dew receiving tray 18 may be present below (just below) of the fan cleaning device 24.
    [0281]
    [0282] In addition, the embodiments have described the configuration where the only indoor unit Ui (see Figure 1) and the only outdoor unit Uo (see Figure 1) are provided, but the present invention is not limited to the foregoing. That is, multiple indoor units connected in parallel, or multiple outdoor units connected in parallel, can be provided.
    [0283]
    [0284] On the other hand, the embodiments have described wall mounted air conditioner 100, but the present invention is also applicable to other types of air conditioning.
    [0285]
    [0286] Each embodiment has been described in detail to clearly describe the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to those that include all of the configurations described above. In addition, the addition / omission / replacement of other configurations can be done in some of the configurations of each embodiment.
    [0287] In addition, the mechanisms and configurations necessary for the description have been described above, and all mechanisms and configurations for a product have not necessarily been described.
    [0288]
    [0289] Description of the reference signs
    [0290]
    [0291] 15 indoor heat exchanger
    [0292] 16 indoor fan
    [0293] 50 support portion
    [0294] 50th long hole (outlet)
    [0295] 50b hollow portion (inside)
    [0296] 50c interior surface
    [0297] 50d outer surface
    [0298] 50e through hole
    [0299] 50f surface
    [0300] 51 fan cleaning unit
    [0301] 51st base portion
    [0302] 51b tip end side
    [0303] 51d outer surface
    [0304] 100 air conditioner
    [0305] the length of the fan cleaning unit portion housed in the support portion
    [0306] b length of the fan cleaning unit portion not housed in the support portion
    [0307] the length of the tip end side portion of the fan cleaning portion superimposed with the inner fan
    [0308] p separation length
    权利要求:
    Claims (9)
    [1]
    1. An air conditioner comprising:
    an indoor heat exchanger;
    an indoor fan;
    a fan cleaning unit configured to clean the indoor fan; and a support portion configured to support an end portion of the base of the indoor fan cleaning unit,
    where a surface that supports, on a lower side, the end portion of the base of the fan cleaning unit in the support portion, when the operation of the fan cleaning unit is stopped, tilts.
    [2]
    2. Air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein
    at least, when the operation of the fan cleaning unit is stopped, the surface that supports, on the lower side, the end portion of the base in the support portion, tilts so that one side near a hole length through which the fan cleaning unit penetrates is located on the bottom side.
    [3]
    3. Air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein
    of an outer surface of the support portion, a surface placed on an upper side when the operation of the fan cleaning unit is tilted is tilted.
    [4]
    4. Air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein
    The outer surface of the support portion is configured such that an outer shape of a section in a radial direction of the support portion has a substantially circular shape.
    [5]
    5. Air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein
    The support portion includes, separately from the long hole through which the fan cleaning unit penetrates, a through hole for communication between the inside that supports the base end portion of the fan cleaning unit and an outside .
    [6]
    6. Air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein
    when the operation of the fan cleaning unit is stopped, the through hole tilts downward from the inside of the support portion that supports the end portion of the base of the fan cleaning unit to the outside.
    [7]
    7. Air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
    The fan cleaning unit is configured such that a portion not housed in the support portion is longer than a portion housed in the support portion.
    [8]
    8. Air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
    a length of one side of the tip end of the fan cleaning unit that overlaps the indoor fan when cleaning the indoor fan by the fan cleaning unit is longer than a separation length between the portion of end of the base of the fan cleaning unit in the support portion and an outlet side of the fan cleaning unit in the support portion.
    [9]
    9. Air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
    The fan cleaning unit is arranged between the indoor heat exchanger and the indoor fan.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    ES2716627B2|2019-11-07|AIR CONDITIONER
    JP6387200B1|2018-09-05|Air conditioner
    JPWO2019220492A1|2020-06-25|Air conditioner
    ES2731174A1|2019-11-14|¿¿¿¿¿
    JP6563156B1|2019-08-21|Air conditioner
    JP2019143961A|2019-08-29|Air conditioner
    ES2731249A1|2019-11-14|¿¿¿¿¿
    EP3795913A1|2021-03-24|Air conditioner
    TWI706088B|2020-10-01|air conditioner
    WO2021130952A1|2021-07-01|Heat exchanger, outdoor unit, and refrigeration cycle device
    JP2019200041A|2019-11-21|Air conditioner
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CN110785567B|2021-06-01|
    TW201947166A|2019-12-16|
    FR3081044B1|2020-12-25|
    FR3081044A1|2019-11-15|
    ES2731174B2|2020-05-19|
    CN110785567A|2020-02-11|
    WO2019220490A1|2019-11-21|
    JPWO2019220490A1|2020-06-11|
    TWI655399B|2019-04-01|
    JP6417077B1|2018-10-31|
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    法律状态:
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    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    PCT/JP2018/018515|WO2019220490A1|2018-05-14|2018-05-14|Air conditioner|
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