U.S. patent application number 12/526386 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-23 for indoor unit of air conditioiner.
Invention is credited to Tetsuya Morizane, Yoshiteru Nouchi, Morimichi Okada.
Application Number | 20100323606 12/526386 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39681449 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100323606 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okada; Morimichi ; et
al. |
December 23, 2010 |
INDOOR UNIT OF AIR CONDITIOINER
Abstract
The present invention intends to reduce the size of an indoor
unit of an air conditioner installed on a ceiling, while saving
space for holding dust removed from a filter. A rotating brush (61)
is provided for removing dust trapped on a filter (21) arranged on
an inlet side of an indoor fan (13). Space for retaining the dust
removed by the rotating brush (61) is provided in a center cover
(17) for covering a room-facing side of the filter (21).
Inventors: |
Okada; Morimichi; (Osaka,
JP) ; Nouchi; Yoshiteru; (Osaka, JP) ;
Morizane; Tetsuya; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
39681449 |
Appl. No.: |
12/526386 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
February 5, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/000150 |
371 Date: |
August 7, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/338 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/0047 20190201;
F24F 1/0007 20130101; B01D 46/0065 20130101; F24F 2013/0616
20130101; F24F 8/90 20210101; B01D 2279/50 20130101; F24F 13/28
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/338 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/007 20060101
F24F007/007 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 9, 2007 |
JP |
2007-030714 |
Claims
1. An indoor unit of an air conditioner comprising: a casing (11)
installed on a ceiling: an indoor fan (13) accommodated in the
casing (11); an air filter (21) arranged on an inlet side of the
indoor fan (13); a cover portion (17e) arranged to cover a
room-facing side of the air filter (21); and a dust removing means
(61) configured to remove dust trapped on the air filter (21),
wherein a container portion (17a) for holding the dust removed from
the air filter (21) by the dust removing means (61) is provided on
the cover portion (17e).
2. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the
container portion (17a) is integrated with the cover portion
(17e).
3. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the
container portion (101a) is detachable from the cover portion
(101b).
4. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 2 or 3, wherein
the container portion (17a) is in the shape of a box, and an
opening (17b) is formed in a top surface thereof, and the dust
removing means (61) is configured so that the dust is held in the
container portion (17a) through the opening (17b).
5. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the
dust removing means (61) is arranged in the opening (17b).
6. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the
opening (17b) of the container portion (17a) is located in a center
part of the cover portion (17e) when viewed in plan.
7. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the
top surface of the container portion (17a) has an upward
inclination from sides to the center part of the cover portion
(17e).
8. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the
container portion (17a) is provided with a removal, port portion
(17c) through which the dust held in the container portion (17a) is
removed.
9. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, further
comprising: a lifting/lowering means (70) configured to lift/lower
the cover portion (17e).
10. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 9, wherein the
lifting/lowering means (70) is configured to lift/lower the cover
portion (17e) in a substantially horizontal state.
11. The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 9, wherein the
container portion (17a) is provided with a removal port portion
(81) through which the dust held in the container portion (17a) is
removed, and an openable removal port cover (82) for covering the
removal port portion (81), and the lifting/lowering means (70) is
configured to lift/lower the cover portion (17e) in an inclined
state so that the dust is gathered to the removal port portion
(81).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air
conditioner installed on a ceiling of room space.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Among indoor units of air conditioners for performing air
conditioning in space, one example installed on a ceiling of the
space has conventionally been known. For example, as disclosed by
Patent Document 1, an indoor unit of this type includes an indoor
fan accommodated in a casing installed on the ceiling. On an inlet
side of the indoor fan, a filter for trapping dust, a suction
grille arranged on a room-facing side of the filter, etc. are
provided.
[0003] The indoor unit disclosed by Patent Document 1 further
includes a rotating brush for removing dust trapped on the filter
in the shape of a disc. The rotating brush is configured to remove
the dust adhered to the filter by bringing bristles of the rotating
brush in contact with the filter rotating on the same plane. The
removed dust is held in a collecting case in which the rotating
brush is accommodated.
[0004] Instead of using the rotating brush, the dust trapped on the
filter may be removed, for example, by sucking the dust trapped on
the filter using a pipe having a dust inlet, as disclosed by Patent
Document 2.
[Patent Document 1] Published Japanese Patent Application No.
2006-71121
[Patent Document 2] Published Japanese Patent Application No.
2005-83721
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problem That The Invention Is To Solve
[0005] As described above, when the collecting case for collecting
the dust removed from the filter is provided separately, space for
the collecting case is required in the indoor unit installed on the
ceiling. This brings about a problem of increase of the size of the
indoor unit.
[0006] In view of this problem, the present invention was
developed. The present invention is directed to the indoor unit of
the air conditioner installed on the ceiling, and aims to reduce
the size of the indoor unit, while saving space for holding the
dust removed from the filter.
Means of Solving the Problem
[0007] For achieving the above-described aim, an indoor unit (10)
of an air conditioner according to the present invention is
configured so that a container portion (17a) for holding dust
removed from an air filter (21) is provided on a cover portion
(17e) arranged on a room-facing side of an air filter (21).
[0008] Namely, a first aspect of the invention is directed to an
indoor unit of an air conditioner including: a casing (11)
installed on a ceiling: an indoor fan (13) accommodated in the
casing (11); an air filter (21) arranged on an inlet side of the
indoor fan (13); a cover portion (17e) arranged to cover a
room-facing side of the air filter (21).
[0009] The indoor unit includes a dust removing means (61)
configured to remove dust trapped on the air filter (21), and a
container portion (17a) for holding the dust removed from the air
filter (21) by the dust removing means (61) is provided on the
cover portion (17e).
[0010] In this structure, the container portion (17a) provided on
the cover portion (17e) covering the room-facing side of the air
filter (21) can hold the dust removed from the air filter (21).
This eliminates the need to provide a separate dust case for
holding the dust as employed in the conventional indoor unit, and
therefore, the size of the indoor unit (10) can be reduced.
[0011] In the above-described structure, the container portion
(17a, 101a) may be integrated with the cover portion (17e) (a
second aspect of the invention), or may be detachable from the
cover portion (101b) (a third aspect of the invention). The
integration of the container portion (17a) and the cover portion
(17e) eliminates the need to provide the container portion (17a)
separately, thereby reducing a parts count. Further, with the
container portion (101a) configured to be detachable from the cover
portion (101b), the container portion (101a) can be detached to
collect the dust in the container portion (101a), thereby improving
workability in collecting the dust.
[0012] It is preferable that the container portion (17a) is in the
shape of a box, and an opening (17b) is formed in a top surface
thereof, and that the dust removing means (61) is configured so
that the dust is held in the container portion (17a) through the
opening (17b) (a fourth aspect of the invention). By allowing the
dust to enter the container portion (17a) through the opening (17b)
formed in the top surface of the box-shaped container portion
(17a), the dust held in the container portion (17a) is prevented
from dispersing.
[0013] In the box-shaped container portion (17a), the dust removing
means (61) is preferably arranged in the opening (17b) (a fifth
aspect of the invention). With the dust removing means (61)
arranged in the opening (17b) of the container portion (17a), the
dust removed by the dust removing means (61) from the air filter
(21) can efficiently be held in the container portion (17a) without
dispersing the dust into the surroundings. In addition, with the
dust removing means (61) arranged in the opening (17b), the dust
removing means (61) functions as a lid, thereby preventing the
dispersion of the dust once held in the container portion (17a) to
the outside through the opening (17b).
[0014] The opening (17b) of the container portion (17a) is
preferably located in a center part of the cover portion (17e) when
viewed in plan (a sixth aspect of the invention). The cover portion
(17e) is arranged to cover the room-facing side of the air filter
(21) arranged on the inlet side of the indoor fan (13). Therefore,
air will be sucked by the indoor fan (13) through a gap around the
cover portion (17e). In this case, on the rear side of the cover
portion (17e), the air flows in an obliquely upward direction from
the periphery of the cover portion (17e) to the inlet of the indoor
fan (13). When the opening (17b) of the container portion (17a) is
formed in a peripheral part of the cover, the flow of air may cause
the dispersion of the dust into the surroundings. In contrast, the
flow of air near the center part of the rear side of the cover
portion (17e) is small, and is less likely to affect the dust.
Therefore, the provision of the opening (17b) in the center part of
the container portion (17a) allows for the prevention of the
dispersion of the dust.
[0015] The top surface of the container portion (17a) preferably
has an upward inclination from sides to the center part of the
cover portion (17e) (a seventh aspect of the invention). This
allows the top surface of the container portion (17a) to function
as a guide for the above-described flow of air. Further, this makes
it possible to increase a volume of the container portion (17a) as
much as possible, and therefore, a larger amount of the dust can be
held in the container portion (17a).
[0016] The container portion (17a) is preferably provided with a
removal port portion (17c) through which the dust held in the
container portion (17a) is removed (an eighth aspect of the
invention). With the provision of the removal port portion (17c),
the dust can easily be removed from the container portion
(17a).
[0017] The indoor unit further includes a lifting/lowering means
(70) configured to lift/lower the cover portion (17e) (a ninth
aspect of the invention). Since the cover portion (17e) can be
lifted/lowered relative to the indoor unit (10) installed on the
ceiling by the lifting/lowering means (70), the dust held in the
container portion (17a) can be collected without the need for the
worker to step on a ladder or the like to work at high elevations.
This can improve the workability in collecting the dust held in the
indoor unit (10).
[0018] The lifting/lowering means (70) is preferably configured to
lift/lower the cover portion (17e) in a substantially horizontal
state (a tenth aspect of the invention). In lifting/lowering the
cover portion (17e), the dust held in the container portion (17a)
is lifted/lowered together with the cover portion (17e) without
greatly moving in the container portion (17a). This can prevent the
dispersion of the dust in lifting/lowering the cover portion (17e)
as much as possible:
[0019] It is preferable that the container portion (17a) is
provided with a removal port portion (81) through which the dust
held in the container portion (17a) is removed, and an openable
removal port cover (82) for covering the removal port portion (81),
and that the lifting/lowering means (70) is configured to
lift/lower the cover portion (17e) in an inclined state so that the
dust is gathered to the removal port portion (81) (an eleventh
aspect of the invention).
[0020] In this manner, the dust held in the container portion (17a)
is gathered to the neighborhood of the removal port portion (81) in
lifting/lowering the cover portion (17e), and the dust can easily
be collected through the removal port portion (81).
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0021] As described above, in the indoor unit (10) of the air
conditioner according to the present invention, the container
portion (17a) is provided on the cover portion (17e) covering the
room-facing side of the air filter (21) so that it can hold the
dust removed by the dust removing means (61) from the air filter
(21) arranged on the inlet side of the indoor fan (13). This
structure allows for the reduction in size of the entire unit as
compared with a unit in which a container for holding the dust is
provided separately.
[0022] According to the second aspect of the invention, the
container portion (17a) is integrated with the cover portion (17e),
thereby reducing both a parts count and cost. Further, according to
the third aspect of the invention, the container portion (17a) is
detachable from the cover portion (17e), thereby improving the
workability in collecting the dust from the container portion
(17a).
[0023] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the
container portion (17a) is in the shape of a box, and the dust
removed from the air filter (21) by the dust removing means (61) is
held in the container portion (17a) through the opening (17b)
formed in the top surface of the container portion (17a). This
structure can prevent the dispersion of the dust held in the
container portion (17a).
[0024] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the dust
removing means (61) is arranged in the opening (17b). This
structure makes it possible to reliably introduce the dust removed
by the dust removing means (61) into the container portion (17a),
and to prevent the dispersion of the dust with more
reliability.
[0025] According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the opening
(17b) of the container portion (17a) is located in a center part of
the cover portion (17e) when viewed in plan. This structure makes
it possible to prevent the dispersion of the dust caused by a flow
of air on the rear side of the cover portion (17e).
[0026] According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the top
surface of the container portion (17a) has an upward inclination
from sides to the center part of the cover portion (17e). This
allows for the top surface of the container portion (17a) to
function as a guide for the air flow, thereby reducing ventilation
resistance. Thus, the volume of the container portion (17a) is
increased so that the container portion (17a) can hold a larger
amount of the dust.
[0027] According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the
container portion (17a) is provided with a removal port portion
(17c) through which the dust is removed. This structure allows for
the easy collection of the dust through the removal port portion
(17c).
[0028] According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the indoor
unit further includes the lifting/lowering means (70) configured to
lift/lower the cover portion (17e). Therefore, the worker does not
need to work at high elevations, and the dust held in the container
portion (17a) can easily be collected. This improves the
workability in collecting the dust.
[0029] According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the
lifting/lowering means (70) is configured to lift/lower the cover
portion (17e) in a substantially horizontal state. This structure
can prevent the dispersion of the held dust to the outside in
lifting/lowering the cover portion (17e).
[0030] According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the
container portion (17a) is provided with a removal port portion
(81) through which the dust is removed, and a removal port cover
(82) for covering the removal port portion (81), and the
lifting/lowering means (70) is configured to lift/lower the cover
portion (17e) in an inclined state with the removal port portion
(81) located at the lowest position. Therefore, in lifting/lowering
the cover portion (17e), the dust in the container portion (17a) is
gathered to the removal port portion (81) so that it can easily be
collected through the removal port portion (81). This can improve
the workability in collecting the dust.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an indoor unit according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the indoor
unit.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the indoor unit
with a center cover lowered.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the schematic structure of
the filter and the neighborhood.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the schematic
structure of the filter and the neighborhood.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a filter.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a removal port cover of the
center cover opened to collect dust.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 illustrating a
peripheral side of the removal port cover pivoted upward.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 illustrating a
center cover according to modified example 1 hung at one side.
[0040] FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 illustrating a
cross-section of a center cover according to modified example
2.
[0041] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a belt member
according to the other embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 illustrating
another example of a filter transfer mechanism.
DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTERS
[0043] 10 Indoor unit [0044] 11 Casing [0045] 12 Indoor panel
[0046] 13 Indoor fan [0047] 17, 101 Center cover [0048] 17a, 101a
Container portion [0049] 17b Opening [0050] 17c Removal port
(removal port portion) [0051] 17d Removal port cover [0052] 17e,
101b Cover portion [0053] 21 Filter [0054] 50 Filter transfer
mechanism [0055] 51 Transfer belt [0056] 52 Drive roller [0057] 53
Driven roller [0058] 60 Dust removing mechanism [0059] 61 Rotating
brush (dust removing means) [0060] 62 Cylindrical member [0061] 63
Bristle [0062] 70 Dust collecting mechanism (lifting/lowering
means) [0063] 71 Wire [0064] 72 Lifting/lowering motor [0065] 81
Removal port (removal port portion) [0066] 82 Removal port cover
[0067] 90 Belt member
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0068] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the drawings. The description
of the following preferable embodiment is provided only for
explanation purpose, and does not limit the present invention, an
object to which the invention is applied, and use of the
invention.
-General Structure-
[0069] An indoor unit (10) of an air conditioner according to the
present embodiment constitutes an air conditioner together with an
outdoor unit which is not shown. Specifically, the indoor unit (10)
is connected to the outdoor unit through a refrigerant pipe, and
constitutes a refrigerant circuit together with the outdoor unit.
The air conditioner is configured to be able to alternatively
perform cooling operation and heating operation.
[0070] The indoor unit (10) of the present embodiment is a unit
installed on a ceiling. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the indoor unit
includes a box-shaped casing (11), and an indoor panel (12)
attached to a bottom end portion of the casing (11). The indoor
panel (12) is provided with outlets (12a, 12a, 12a, 12a) for
blowing air in every direction.
[0071] The casing (11) is a rectangular box-shaped member placed at
a level higher than a ceiling surface, with its opening facing
downward. The casing (11) accommodates therein an indoor fan (13),
an indoor heat exchanger (14), a drain pan (15), and a bell mouth
(16). A heat insulator (11a) is arranged inside the casing (11) to
surround the above-mentioned components.
[0072] The indoor fan (13) is configured as a so-called turbo fan.
The indoor fan (13) is arranged near the center of the casing body
(11) with its inlet facing downward. Specifically, the indoor fan
(13) is arranged in the casing (11) with the inlet facing downward,
and an outlet facing the lateral directions. The bell mouth (16) is
arranged on the inlet side of the indoor fan (13) so that the air
sucked from below through the bell mouth (16) is blown in the
lateral directions. In FIG. 2, character 13a indicates a fan motor
of the indoor fan.
[0073] A filter (21) (an air filter) for trapping dust, and a
center cover (17) (a cover member), which is part of the indoor
panel (12) and covers a room-facing side of the filter (21) as
described later, are arranged below the bell mouth (16). As shown
in FIG. 6, the filter (21) is in the shape of a sheet, and is
configured to be moved substantially in the horizontal direction
below the bell mouth (16) by a filter transfer mechanism (50)
including a transfer belt (51) and rotating rollers (52, 53) as
described later.
[0074] The indoor heat exchanger (14) is configured as a cross-fin
type fin-and-tube heat. exchanger. Though not particularly shown,
the indoor heat exchanger (14) is in the shape of a rectangular
frame when viewed in plan, and is arranged to surround the indoor
fan (13) in the lateral direction. Therefore, the air blown in the
lateral direction from the indoor fan (13) exchanges heat with the
indoor heat exchanger (14), and then it is blown in every direction
to the room through the outlets (12a, 12a, 12a, 12a) formed in the
indoor panel (12).
[0075] The drain pan (15) receives drainage generated as a result
of condensation of moisture in the air on an outer surface of the
indoor heat exchanger (14), and is arranged below the indoor heat
exchanger (14). The drain pan (15) is provided with a drain pump
(not shown) for discharging the drainage. The drain pan (15) is
attached to the casing (11) in an inclined state so that the
drainage is collected to part of the drain pan at which the drain
pump is provided.
[0076] . In the casing (11), an inlet passage (41) and an outlet
passage (42) are formed as air passages. Specifically, the inlet
passage (41) is provided on the inlet side of the indoor fan (13),
i.e., it extends from the neighborhood of the center cover (17) to
the inlet of the indoor fan (13) via the filter (21) and the bell
mouth (16). The outlet passage (42) is provided on the outlet side
of the indoor fan (13), i.e., it extends from the outlet of the
indoor fan (13) to the outlets (12a, 12a, 12a, 12a) of the indoor
panel (12)via the indoor heat exchanger (14).
[0077] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the indoor panel (12) is
substantially square-shaped when viewed in plan, and includes a
substantially square-shaped inlet (12b) formed in a center part
thereof, and substantially rectangular-shaped four outlets (12a,
12a, 12a, 12a) formed outside the inlet (12b) to extend along four
sides of the inlet (12b). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the
indoor panel (12) is attached to the casing (11), the inlet (12b)
is opened below the filter (21), and a center cover (17) which is
substantially square-shaped and is smaller than the inlet (12b) is
arranged in the center of the inlet when viewed in plan. Air is
sucked through a gap formed by the inlet (12b) outside and the
center cover (17).
[0078] The center cover (17) is a box-shaped member which is
substantially square-shaped when viewed in plan, and is integrated
with a cover portion (17e) on the room-facing side, and a container
portion (17a) which forms space inside the cover. Specifically, a
bottom surface of the container portion (17a) in the shape of a box
is the cover portion (17e). The space formed by the container
portion (17a) is provided to hold dust removed from the filter (21)
as described later. The dust is held in the space through an
opening (17b) formed in a center part of the center cover (17) to
face upward. This structure eliminates the need to provide a
separate container for holding the dust removed from the filter
(21), and allows for the reduction in size of the indoor unit
(10).
[0079] The opening (17b) is in the form of a slit substantially
parallel to one of the sides of the center cover (17), and in which
a rotating brush (61) of a dust removing mechanism (60) (a dust
removing means) described later is arranged.
[0080] The center cover (17) (the container portion (17a)) has a
top surface portion substantially in the shape of a pyramid.
Specifically, the top surface of the center cover (17) (the
container portion (17a)) has an upward inclination from the sides
to the center part thereof when viewed in plan. Therefore, on the
rear side of the center cover (17) constituting part of the inlet
passage (41), the top surface of the center cover (17) (the
container portion (17a)) functions as an air guide, thereby
smoothly leading the air flow to the indoor fan (13).
[0081] Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, a removal port (17c) (a
removal port portion) through which the dust held in the space is
collected is formed in the top surface of the center cover (17)
(the container portion (17a)). A removal port cover (17d) is
attached to the removal port (17c) so as to close the removal port
(17c) at any time except for when the dust in the space is
collected. The removal port cover (17d, 17d') may be configured so
that a center side of the center cover (17) pivots upward as shown
in FIG. 7, or it may be configured so that a peripheral side of the
center cover (17) pivots upward as shown in FIG. 8.
[0082] An opening cover (18) is attached to each of the outlets
(12a) of the indoor panel (12) to cover the corresponding outlet
(12a). The opening cover (18) is rotatable in a lateral direction,
and is controlled between a closed state shown in FIG. 1 and an
opened state as shown in FIG. 2.
-Dust Gathering Mechanism-
[0083] A dust gathering mechanism for removing the dust trapped on
the filter (21) will. be described below. The dust gathering
mechanism includes, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, a filter
transfer mechanism (50) for transferring the filter (21), a dust
removing mechanism (60) for removing the dust from the filter (21)
and holding the dust, and a dust collecting mechanism (70) for
collecting the held dust.
[0084] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the filter transfer mechanism
(50) includes 2 rotating rollers (52, 53), on which a transfer belt
(51) is running. One of the two rotating rollers (52, 53), i.e., a
drive motor (52), is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown),
thereby rotating the transfer belt (51). As shown in FIG. 5 only, a
plurality of teeth (51a, 52a, 53a) are formed on outer
circumferential surfaces of the rotating rollers (52, 53) and an
inner circumferential surface of the transfer belt (51),
respectively. With the teeth (52a, 53a) of the rotating rollers
(52, 53) engaging with the teeth (51a) of the transfer belt (51),
the transfer belt (51) rotates together with the rotating rollers
(52, 53).
[0085] On an outer circumferential surface of the transfer belt
(51), a plurality of projections (51b, 51b, . . . ), each of which
is rectangular-shaped when viewed in plan, are arranged at regular
intervals in the longitudinal direction of the belt. Further, as
shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of engagement holes (23a, 23a, . . . )
are formed in a frame portion (23) of the filter (21) to correspond
to the intervals of the projections (51b, 51b, . . . ). The
engagement holes (23a, 23a, . . . ) of the filter (21) are
rectangular-shaped, respectively, like the projections (51b, 51b, .
. . ) of the transfer belt (51), and are sized to be able to engage
with the projections (51b, 51b, . . . ). With the engagement
between the engagement holes (23a, 23a, . . . ) of the filter (21)
and the projections (51b, 51b, . . . ) of the transfer belt (51),
the filter (21) is transferred together with the transfer belt
(51).
[0086] As shown in FIG. 6, the filter (21) includes a filter
portion (22) for trapping the dust in the air, and a frame portion
(23) attached to the periphery of the filter portion (22) and is
rectangular-shaped when viewed in plan. The filter portion (22)
shown in FIG. 6 is formed flat. However, the invention is not
limited thereto, and the filter portion (22) may be corrugated so
as to increase an area for trapping the dust.
[0087] The filter transfer mechanism (50) includes an annular guide
(54) arranged to cover the rear surface of the transfer belt (51).
In transferring the filter (21) by the rotation of the transfer
belt (51), the guide (54) leads the filter (21) to move along the
transfer belt (51).
[0088] In the filter transfer mechanism (50), the rotating rollers
(52, 53) are configured to be able to rotate clockwise and
counterclockwise. When the air conditioner is operated, the filter
(21) is located almost immediately below the inlet of the indoor
fan (13) (at the position shown in FIG. 2). On the other hand, in
removing the dust from the filter (21) by the dust removing
mechanism (60), the filter (21) is moved right and left (in FIGS. 2
and 4) relative to the dust removing mechanism (60).
[0089] In the structure shown in FIG. 4, the rotating rollers (52,
53) are rotated so as to rotate the filter (21) and the transfer
belt (21) in a single direction. However, the present invention is
not limited thereto.
[0090] For example, in the structure shown in FIG. 12, the filter
(21) may be moved in one direction so that the dust on the half of
the filter (21) is removed, and then the filter (21) may be moved
in the other direction to remove the rest of the dust on the other
half of the filter (21). The filter (21) may alternately be moved
right and left, while gradually increasing the stroke. In the
structure shown in FIG. 12, the guide (54') is formed substantially
in the shape of letter C, with an upper portion thereof partially
cut off.
[0091] Thus, in removing the dust from the filter (21), the worker
does not need to work at high elevations, and the dust can
automatically be removed from the filter (21) without detaching the
filter (21). Therefore, the filter can be recovered quickly and
efficiently.
[0092] The dust removing mechanism (60) includes, as shown in FIGS.
2, 4, and 5, a rotating brush (61) for removing the dust trapped on
the filter (21), and a container portion (17a) of the center cover
(17) for holding the dust removed by the rotating brush (61).
[0093] The rotating brush (61) is made of a cylindrical member (62)
and bristles (63) attached to the circumference of the cylindrical
member (62). The cylindrical member (62) is rotatably supported by
the casing (11). The rotating brush (61) is positioned so that the
bristles (63) can touch the room-facing surface of the filter (21)
to remove the dust trapped on the filter (21).
[0094] As described above, the center cover (17) is provided with
the space for holding the dust removed from the filter (21). The
dust removed from the filter (21) by the rotating brush (61) is
held in the space through the slit-shaped opening (17b) formed in
the center part of the center cover (17) when viewed in plan.
Specifically, the rotating brush (61) is arranged in the
slit-shaped opening (17b) formed in the container portion (17a) of
the center cover (17), so that the dust removed from the filter
(21) by the rotating brush (61) can efficiently be held in the
space. Further, since the rotating brush (61) is arranged in the
opening (17b), the dust held in the space is prevented from
dispersing outside through the opening (17b).
[0095] The dust collecting mechanism (70) is configured to
lift/lower the center cover (17) holding the dust therein.
Specifically, the dust collecting mechanism (70) includes wires
(71, 71) for hanging and supporting the center cover (17), and
lifting/lowering motors (72, 72) for winding or unwinding the wires
(71), respectively. One end of each of the wires (71, 71) is
connected to the top surface of the center cover (17), and the
other end of each of the wires (71, 71) is connected to the
lifting/lowering motor (72, 72). The center cover (17) is
lifted/lowered by winding or unwinding the wires (71, 71) by the
lifting/lowering motors (72, 72).
[0096] In the top surface of the container portion (17a) of the
center cover (17), which is lowered by the dust collecting
mechanism (70), the removal port (17c) for collecting the dust
therethrough is formed as described above. Therefore, the dust can
easily be collected through the removal port (17c).
[0097] The wires (71, 71) have a length that makes it possible to
lower the center cover (17) to a level at which the worker can
collect the dust from the center cover (17) without stepping on a
ladder, etc.
-Dust Removing and Collecting Operation-
[0098] Operation of removing and collecting the dust trapped on the
filter (21) of the indoor unit (10) configured as described above
will be described below.
[0099] In normal operation of the indoor unit (10), the filter (21)
is located almost immediately below the inlet of the indoor fan
(13) as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the filter (21) traps the
dust contained in the air to be sucked by the indoor fan (13), so
that the air containing less dust is sent to the indoor fan
(13).
[0100] Upon detecting that a large amount of dust is trapped on the
filter (21), the indoor unit (10) drives the filter transfer
mechanism (50) to move the filter (21) in the horizontal direction
(to the right in FIG. 2) by the rotation of the transfer belt (51).
Since the rotating brush (61) of the dust removing mechanism (60)
is in contact with the room-facing surface of the filter (21), the
rotating brush (61) removes the dust adhered to the room-facing
surface of the filter (21) as the filter (21) is moved by the
filter transfer mechanism (50). When the filter (21) is moving in
the horizontal direction by the effect of the transfer belt (51), a
front end portion of the filter (21) travels along the transfer
belt (51) due to the presence of the annular guide (54). This makes
it possible to efficiently move the filter (21) relative to the
rotating brush (61), even in small space. The large amount of dust
trapped on the filter (21) can be detected by, for example, sensing
a difference between pressure at the upstream and pressure at the
downstream of the filter.
[0101] The dust removed by the rotating brush (61) falls in the
space inside the box-shaped center cover (17) located below the
rotating brush (61), and is held in the space. Since the rotating
brush (61) is arranged in the opening (17a) of the center cover
(17) (the container portion (17a)), the dust removed by the
rotating brush (61) from the filter (21) is efficiently held in the
center cover (17). Further, with the rotating brush (61) arranged
in the opening (17b), the dust held in the center cover (17) is
prevented from dispersing outside through the opening (17b).
[0102] When it is detected that the amount of the dust held in the
center cover (17) reaches or exceeds a predetermined amount, the
center cover (17) hung by the wires (71, 71) of the dust collecting
mechanism (70) is lowered by the rotation of the lifting/lowering
motor (72), while the center cover (17) is kept in a substantially
horizontal state. After the center cover (17) is lowered to the
level that the worker can reach, the removal port cover (17d) of
the center cover (17) is opened to collect the dust through the
removal port (17c). The amount of the dust held in the center cover
(17) can be detected, for example, by measuring height. or weight
of the dust held in the center cover (17). The dust in the center
cover (17) can be collected, for example, by discharging the dust
by inclining the center cover (17), or by sucking the dust by a
cleaner or the like.
[0103] After the dust is collected from the center cover (17), the
center cover (17) is lifted by the dust collecting mechanism (70)
to return to the original position (the position shown in FIG.
2).
[0104] In this manner, the lifting/lowering of the center cover
(17) in the substantially horizontal state allows the worker to
easily collect the dust without involving work at high elevations.
Further, this structure can prevent the dispersion of the dust,
which may be caused when the dust is moved or risen up due to
impact applied to the center cover (17) or inclination of the
center cover (17) in lifting/lowering the center cover (17).
Advantages of Embodiment According to the above-described
embodiment, the dust trapped on the filter (21) arranged on the
inlet side of the indoor fan (13) is removed by the rotating brush
(61) of the dust removing mechanism (60), and the dust removed from
the filter (21) is held in the space formed in the center cover
(17) covering the room-facing side of the filter (21). This
structure eliminates the need to provide a separate container for
the dust removed from the filter (21), and allows for reduction in
size of the indoor unit (10).
[0105] In removing the dust on the filter (21) by the dust removing
mechanism (60), the filter (21) is moved in the horizontal
direction by the filter transfer mechanism (50). Therefore, the
dust can automatically be removed from the filter (21), and the
worker does not need to detach the filter (21), or to directly
clean the filter (21) in the attached state.
[0106] The center cover (17) is configured to be lifted/lowered by
the dust collecting mechanism (70). Therefore, the worker can
collect the dust from the center cover (17) without stepping on a
ladder or the like to work at high elevations. Further, since the
center cover (17) is lifted/lowered in the substantially horizontal
state, the dust in the center cover (17) hardly moves. This
structure makes it possible to suppress the dispersion of the dust
in the center cover (17) to the surroundings, which may caused by
impact of the lifting/lowering of the center cover (17).
[0107] The center cover (17) is a box-shaped member integrated with
the cover portion (17e) on the room-facing side and the container
portion (17a), and the rotating brush (61) of the dust removing
mechanism (60) is arranged in the opening (17b) formed in the top
surface of the center cover (17). Therefore, the dust removed by
the rotating brush (61) from the filter (21) is not dispersed into
the surroundings, and remains held in the space in the center cover
(17). Specifically, the above-described structure makes it possible
to efficiently hold the dust in the space, and to prevent the dust
held in the space from dispersing into the surroundings.
[0108] The opening (17b) is in the shape of a slit extending
substantially parallel to one of the sides of the center cover
(17), and the rotating brush (61) made of the cylindrical member
(62) having the bristles (63) attached to the circumference thereof
is arranged in the opening (17b). This allows for the removal of
the dust from a large area of the filter (21) at one time, thereby
improving the efficiency in removing the dust.
[0109] The opening (17b) is formed in the center part of the center
cover (17) when viewed in plan. Therefore, the opening (17b) is
less affected by the flow of air traveling from the peripheral part
of the center cover (17) to the indoor fan (13) on the rear side of
the center cover (17) as compared with the case where the opening
is formed in the peripheral part of the center cover (17). This
structure can prevent the dispersion of the dust near the opening
(17b).
[0110] Since the top surface of the center cover (17) has an upward
inclination from the sides to the center part thereof, the top
surface functions as a guide for the above-described flow of air,
and the space for holding the dust in the center cover (17) is
increased as much as possible.
[0111] Further, since the removal port (17c) through which the dust
held inside is removed is formed in the top surface of the center
cover (17), the dust can easily be collected through the removal
port (17c). The removal port (17c) has the removal port cover (17d)
thereon, which can prevent the dispersion of the dust in the
container portion (17a) through the removal port (17c).
Modified Example 1 of Embodiment
[0112] The modified example 1 is different from the above-described
embodiment in that the center cover (17) is lifted/lowered in an
inclined state.
[0113] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, only one side of the
center cover (17) is hung and supported by a wire (71), and a
removal port (81) (a removal port portion) is formed in the lowest
part of the center cover (17). In this modified example 1, the
removal port (81) is formed in part of the center cover (17) at
which most of the dust is gathered when the center cover (17) is
hung in an inclined state. This allows for the easy collection of
the dust through the removal port (81).
[0114] As shown in FIG. 9, the removal port (81) is formed in one
of the side surfaces of the center cover (17) (the container
portion (17a)), and a removal port cover (82) is attached to cover
the removal port (81). The removal port cover (82) can prevent the
dust from falling out of the center cover (17) when the center
cover (17) is lifted/lowered in the inclined state.
[0115] When the center cover (17) is located at the predetermined
position in the indoor unit (10) for the normal operation (the
position shown in FIG. 2), the center cover (17) preferably
includes a support device for supporting part of the center cover
(17) which is not hung and supported by the wire. The support
device may support the center cover by mechanical engagement, or
may fix the center cover (17) using an electromagnet.
[0116] Instead of hanging only one side of the center cover (17) by
the wire (71) as shown in FIG. 9, both sides of the center cover
(17) may be hung and supported by the wires (71, 71) as shown in
FIG. 7, and the wires (71) may be wound or unwound by the
lifting/lowering motors (72, 72) at different rates so that the
lengths of the two wires (71, 71) vary.
Modified Example 2 of Embodiment
[0117] The modified example 2 is different from the above-described
embodiment in that a cover portion (101b) and a box-shaped
container portion (101a) constituting a center cover (101) are
detachable. Except for this feature, the modified example 2 is
configured substantially in the same manner as the above-described
embodiment. Therefore, the same components are indicated by the
same characters to omit the description.
[0118] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the center cover (101)
includes a plate-like cover portion (101b) covering the room-facing
side of the filter, and a box-shaped container portion (101a)
arranged on the cover portion (101b). The container portion (101a)
is detachable from the cover portion (101b).
[0119] The cover portion (101b) is a rectangular, plate-shaped
member when viewed in plan, with a circumferential portion thereof
bent upward. To the cover portion (101b), the other end of each of
the wires (71) is connected, while one end of each of the wires
(71) is connected to the lifting/lowering motor (72). The cover
portion (101b) can be lifted/lowered with the container portion
(101a) placed thereon.
[0120] The container portion (101a) is a box-shaped member which is
rectangular, and is smaller than the cover portion (101b) when
viewed in plan. Like the center cover (17) of the above-described
embodiment, the container portion (101a) is provided with an
opening formed in a top portion thereof, and a rotating brush (61)
is arranged in the opening. The structure of the top portion of the
container portion (101a) is the same as that of the center cover
(17) of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, the detailed
description is omitted.
[0121] Though not particularly shown, the container portion (101a)
is placed on the cover portion (101b) in a detachable manner.
Specifically, the container portion (101a) may be placed on the
cover portion (101b) without being fixed thereto. For example, the
container portion (101a) may be attached to the cover portion
(101b) using a bracket, or may be fixed to the cover portion (101b)
by engagement.
Other Embodiments
[0122] The above-described embodiment may be modified as described
below.
[0123] In the above-described embodiment, the center cover (17) is
lifted/lowered by the dust collecting mechanism (70), but the
present invention is not limited thereto. The center cover (17) may
be configured to be detachable, so that the worker stepped on a
ladder or the like can detach the center cover (17) to collect the
dust. Further, the dust collecting mechanism may be modified as
follows. Specifically, the center cover (17) may be configured to
be pivotable downward about one of the peripheral sides, and the
removal port may be. formed in the lowest part of the center cover
(17) in the inclined state.
[0124] In the above-described embodiment, the center cover (17) is
a box-shaped member, but the invention is not limited thereto. The
center cover. (17) may be in any shape as long as it can hold the
dust, e.g., it may be in the shape of a tray. In the
above-described embodiment, the slit-shaped opening (17b) is formed
in the center part of the center cover (17), but the invention is
not limited thereto. The opening may be formed in other part, or it
may be in the other shape than the slit.
[0125] In the above-described embodiment, the dust is removed from
the filter (21) by the rotating brush (61), but the invention is
not limited thereto. For example, a suction device using a fan or
the like may be provided to suck the dust.
[0126] In the above-described embodiment, the filter (21) is
configured as a sheet-like member, but the invention is not limited
thereto. As shown in FIG. 11, a filter portion (91) may be formed
in part of a belt member (90). In FIG. 11, the belt member (90)
includes the filter portion (91) in a center part thereof in the
lateral direction, and belt portions (92, 92) at both ends in the
lateral direction. A plurality of teeth (92a, 92a, . . . ) formed
on an inner surface of each of the belt portions (92, 92) engage
with a plurality of teeth (52a, 53a, . . . ) of the rotating
rollers (52, 53) of the filter transfer mechanism (50).
Specifically, the belt member (90) is cut into the shape in which
only the filter portion (91) remains in the lateral center part
thereof. Therefore, when the belt member (90) is rotated by the
filter transfer mechanism (50), the dust adheres only to the filter
portion (91), because part of the belt member facing the filter
portion (91) is cut off.
[0127] In the above-described embodiment, only the center cover
(17) is lifted/lowered, but the invention is not limited thereto.
All or some of the dust removing mechanism (60), the filter
transfer mechanism (50), and the filter (21) may be lifted/lowered
together with the center cover (17).
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0128] As described above, in the indoor unit of the air
conditioner according to the present invention, the container
portion for holding the dust removed from the filter is included in
the cover for covering the room-facing side of the filter, thereby
reducing the size of the indoor unit. Thus, the indoor unit of the
present invention is useful for indoor units installed on a ceiling
of room space.
* * * * *