JP5991893B2 - Filter device and air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a filter device that detects clogging of a filter through which air passes, and an air conditioner.

  An air conditioner such as an air purifier or an air conditioner repeats an operation of sucking air from the outside and finally releasing the air to the outside. The air conditioner includes a breathable filter, and prevents air from entering by sucking air through the filter. If the air conditioner continues to operate, dust gradually accumulates and the filter becomes clogged, making it difficult to inhale air. Therefore, clogging of the filter is detected, and the user is prompted to clean the filter. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are arranged with a filter interposed therebetween, light from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit through the filter, and clogging of the filter is detected from a change in the amount of received light. ing.

JP-A-8-320143

  When the light emitting part and the light receiving part are arranged with a plate-shaped filter in between, the longer the distance between the light emitting part and the light receiving part, the more difficult it is to align the optical axis, so the distance between the light emitting part and the light receiving part Should be shorter. However, when the distance between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is shortened, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are close to the filter, and the airflow around the filter is affected by the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. For this reason, detection of clogging of the filter may be difficult depending on the positions of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. For example, a part of the airflow is obstructed by the light emitting part or the light receiving part, the airflow passing through the part through which the light of the filter passes is reduced, and dust does not accumulate easily, and clogging occurs in other parts of the filter. Despite this, clogging may not be detected. Further, for example, dust may accumulate in the light emitting unit or the light receiving unit, and it may be difficult to detect clogging of the filter.

  Some filters having air permeability have a non-uniform structure such as a mesh structure. For this reason, even when dust is not accumulated in the filter, the amount of light passing from the light emitting unit varies depending on the location of the filter. In addition, the amount of air flow varies depending on the location, and dust accumulation is sparse. Therefore, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit varies depending on the positions of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and it is difficult to stably detect clogging of the filter from the change in the amount of received light.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a filter capable of stably detecting clogging of a filter by appropriately arranging a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. An apparatus and an air conditioner are provided.

The filter device according to the present invention includes a filter through which an airflow passes, and a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit disposed at positions facing each other with the filter interposed therebetween, and the filter device includes the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. In the filter device for detecting clogging, the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are configured such that an optical path from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit is inclined with respect to a surface of the filter through which light passes, and in the airflow direction. The light path is disposed so that the optical paths intersect with each other, the airflow passage direction is inclined with respect to the surface of the filter, and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are further on the surface of the filter. The optical path is arranged so as to intersect with a plane including an orthogonal direction and an airflow passage direction .

  The filter device according to the present invention is characterized in that the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are integrated.

  The filter device according to the present invention further includes a structure to which the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are fixed, and the filter can be attached to and detached from the structure by moving in a direction along the surface. The filter is provided with a frame, and the frame is provided with a cleaning tool that contacts the light emitting part or the light receiving part when the filter is attached or detached.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention includes the filter device according to the present invention, a blower that generates an airflow that passes through a filter included in the filter device, and a ventilation path through which the airflow that has passed through the filter flows. To do.

  In the present invention, a filter device provided in an air conditioner such as an air purifier includes a filter through which airflow passes, and detects clogging of the filter using a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are opposed to each other with the filter interposed therebetween. . The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are disposed at a position where the optical path from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit is inclined with respect to the surface of the filter and further intersects the airflow passage direction. Since the optical path is inclined to the surface of the filter, fluctuations in the amount of received light according to the location where the light in the filter passes are reduced. By crossing the optical path in the airflow passage direction, it is possible to prevent the airflow from being blocked by the light emitting part or the light receiving part, so that it is difficult for dust to be accumulated in the part through which the optical path of the filter passes.

  Moreover, in this invention, the light emission part and the light-receiving part are arrange | positioned in the position where an optical path cross | intersects with respect to the plane containing the direction orthogonal to the surface of a filter, and the passage direction of an airflow. This prevents the airflow from being disturbed by the light emitting unit or the light receiving unit and preventing dust from being accumulated in a portion through which the optical path of the filter passes, or dust from being easily accumulated in the light emitting unit or the light receiving unit.

  Further, in the present invention, the light emitting part and the light receiving part are fixed integrally, and the optical path is fixed, so that there is no need to align the optical axis.

  Moreover, in this invention, the cleaning tool is provided in the frame of the filter, and a cleaning tool contacts a light emission part or a light-receiving part at the time of attachment or detachment of a filter, and cleaning is performed.

  In the present invention, it is possible to stably detect the clogging of the filter. Therefore, in an air conditioner equipped with a filter device, the present invention has excellent effects such as a reduction in performance due to clogging of the filter is suppressed, and an efficient use of the air conditioner is enabled. .

It is a perspective view of an air harmony device. It is a fragmentary sectional view of an air harmony device. It is a partial exploded perspective view of an air harmony device. It is a perspective view which shows a filter part. It is a typical perspective view which shows a sensor part. It is a perspective view which shows the positional relationship of a filter part and a sensor part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of a filter, a light emission part, and a light-receiving part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the optical path from a light emission part to a light-receiving part, the surface of a filter, and the passage direction of airflow. It is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the filter through which an airflow passes orthogonally, a light emission part, and a light-receiving part. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of an air conditioning apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the cleaning tool. It is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the cleaning tool at the time of removal and attachment of a filter part, a light emission part, and a light-receiving part.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner. The air conditioner according to the present embodiment has a box shape that is long in the vertical direction. The front surface of the air conditioner is provided with two horizontally long openings, the lower opening is an intake port 11 through which air is sucked, and the upper opening is an exhaust port 12 through which air is discharged. On the upper surface of the air conditioner, a display unit 13 that displays the state of the air conditioner is provided. The display unit 13 includes, for example, a plurality of lamps.

  FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air conditioner. The left side in the figure is the front side of the air conditioner, and FIG. 2 shows a partial structure of the air conditioner in cross section. In the air conditioner, a ventilation path 4 serving as an airflow passage is formed, and the ventilation path 4 connects the intake port 11 and the exhaust port 12 inside the air conditioner. The ventilation path 4 communicates with the outside through the exhaust port 12. Further, the filter unit 2 is disposed inside the intake port 11. As will be described later, the filter unit 2 has a breathable filter, and the filter blocks the ventilation path 4. A blower 41 is provided in the middle of the ventilation path 4. In FIG. 2, the example provided with the centrifugal fan as the air blower 41 is shown. The blower 41 may be another fan. Due to the operation of the blower 41, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 2, an airflow flowing from the outside into the air conditioner through the intake port 11 is generated. The airflow passes through the filter of the filter unit 2, flows through the ventilation path 4, and is discharged from the exhaust port 12.

An ion generator 42 that generates air ions in the air is disposed at a position between the blower 41 and the exhaust port 12 in the ventilation path 4. The ion generator 42 includes a needle-like discharge electrode and an annular induction electrode surrounding the discharge electrode. A voltage is applied between the discharge electrode and the dielectric electrode to generate corona discharge, and air ions are generated around the discharge electrode by the corona discharge. The ion generator 42 generates a discharge electrode and a dielectric electrode in order to generate both positive air ions such as H ⁺ (H ₂ O) _m and negative air ions such as O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) _n. There are two sets. The ion generator 42 generates positive and negative air ions in the air in the air conditioner. Air ions generated by the ion generator 42 are released into the airflow flowing through the ventilation path 4, and air containing air ions is released from the exhaust port 12 to the outside. Air ions released to the outside purify the air, for example, inactivating bacteria in the air. In this way, the air conditioner functions as an air cleaner.

  FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the air conditioner. In FIG. 3, the state which removed the front panel 14 from the main-body part 15 of an air conditioning apparatus is shown. The front panel 14 is a member that covers the front side of the air conditioner, and the air inlet 11 is formed in the front panel 14. The main body 15 corresponds to the structure in the present invention. The filter unit 2 is disposed on the back side of the front panel 14. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the filter unit 2. The filter part 2 includes a rectangular sheet-like filter 21 divided into a plurality of parts and a frame part 22 to which the periphery of each filter 21 is fixed. The filter 21 is a network-structured air filter having air permeability. The filter 21 is manufactured without coloring the material. Since the filter 21 is not colored, the amount of light blocked by the filter 21 itself is reduced as compared with the case where the filter 21 is colored, and the filter 21 has a certain degree of translucency. The frame portions 22 around the plurality of filters 21 are all connected and integrated, and the plurality of filters 21 and the frame portions 22 are plate-like as a whole. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the filter unit 2 is arranged such that the filter 21 is substantially vertical and closes the ventilation path 4. The air sucked from the air inlet 11 flows into the ventilation path 4 as an air current passing through the filter 21. The airflow passes through the filter 21 from the front side to the back side of the filter unit 2. Dust in the air is filtered out by the filter 21, and dust entry into the air conditioner is prevented. As shown in FIG. 2, the passage direction of the airflow with respect to the surface of the filter 21 is fixed depending on the structure of the air conditioner. In the present embodiment, the direction of the airflow passing through the filter 21 is inclined with respect to the surface of the filter 21.

  The filter unit 2 is detachable from the main body unit 15. The filter part 2 has a handle part 23 that protrudes in the front direction from the lower end of the frame part 22. The handle portion 23 is visible through the air inlet 11, and the user can remove the filter portion 2 by inserting a finger from the air inlet 11 and pulling the handle portion 23 with the finger to the front side.

  As shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3, the air conditioning apparatus is provided with the sensor part 3 for detecting clogging of the filter 21 by dust accumulation. The sensor unit 3 is fixed to the main body unit 15. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the sensor unit 3. The sensor unit 3 includes a light emitting unit 31 and a light receiving unit 32 that are arranged to face each other. The light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are connected to the same connecting member 33, and the sensor unit 3 is integrated. The connecting member 33 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are provided so as to protrude from different positions of the connecting member 33 in the same direction. In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 protrude downward from the connecting member 33.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between the filter unit 2 and the sensor unit 3, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between the filter 21, the light emitting unit 31, and the light receiving unit 32. In FIG. 7, the filter 21 is shown in section, and the lower side of the figure is the front side. The filter unit 2 and the sensor are arranged such that the coupling member 33 is positioned above the filter unit 2 and the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 projecting downward from the coupling member 33 face each other with a part of the filter 21 interposed therebetween. Part 3 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 7, the light emitting unit 31 is disposed on the back side of the filter 21, the light receiving unit 32 is disposed on the front side of the filter 21, and the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 face each other across the filter 21. ing. The light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are not in contact with the filter 21. Since the airflow flows from the front side to the back side of the filter unit 2, the light receiving unit 32 is disposed on the upstream side of the filter 21. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 31 passes through the filter 21 and is received by the light receiving unit 32. As dust accumulates in the filter 21, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 32 decreases. In FIG. 7, an optical path from the light emitting unit 31 to the light receiving unit 32 is indicated by an arrow, and 34 is attached. An optical path 34 from the light emitting unit 31 to the light receiving unit 32 intersects with the surface of the filter 21 with an inclination. Since the sensor unit 3 is integrally formed, the optical path 34 is fixed. There is no need to align the optical axis, and the performance of the light receiving unit 32 to receive light is kept constant.

  The light emitting unit 31 is configured using an LED (light emitting diode), and the light receiving unit 32 is configured using a PT (phototransistor). The light emitting unit 31 may use other light emitting elements, and the light receiving unit 32 may use other light receiving elements. Further, the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 may be provided with windows for protecting the LEDs and PT. Moreover, although the wavelength of the light which the light emission part 31 and the light-receiving part 32 utilize is not limited, it is desirable that the light which the light emission part 31 light-emits is infrared rays. Infrared rays are less likely to scatter than visible light, so even if there is dust that scatters visible light such as cigarette smoke, it is possible to detect clogging more accurately than visible light. . Moreover, as long as the light emission part 31 and the light-receiving part 32 are arrange | positioned on both sides of the filter 21, any may become the front side of the filter 21, However, The light-receiving part 32 faces the inner side of an air conditioning apparatus. It is desirable that they are arranged. In the state where the light receiving unit 32 faces the inside of the air conditioner, the influence of disturbance light is reduced.

  The positional relationship between the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 and the filter 21 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 7, the optical path 34 from the light emitting unit 31 to the light receiving unit 32 is inclined with respect to the surface of the filter 21 and is not orthogonal. Since the filter 21 has a non-uniform structure, when the optical path is orthogonal to the surface of the filter 21, the amount of light passing varies depending on the location of the filter 21. In addition, since airflow easily passes through the sparse part of the filter 21, dust tends to accumulate in the sparse part. When the accumulated amount of dust is large, dust is accumulated in the dense part of the filter 21, but when the accumulated amount of dust is small, the accumulated amount of dust varies depending on the location of the filter 21. In the present embodiment, since the optical path 34 is inclined with respect to the surface of the filter 21, the light from the light emitting unit 31 passes through both the sparse part and the dense part of the filter 21. For this reason, even if the place where the light in the filter 21 passes changes, the difference in the amount of light passing can be reduced. The amount of light passing is a value corresponding to the amount of dust accumulated in both the sparse and dense portions of the filter 21. Therefore, accurate clogging can be detected.

  Further, the positions of the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are related to the direction of the airflow passing through the filter 21. First, the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are arranged at positions where the optical path 34 from the light emitting unit 31 to the light receiving unit 32 intersects the direction of the airflow. When the optical path 34 is parallel to the airflow direction, the portion of the filter 21 through which the optical path 34 passes is located behind the light emitting unit 31 or the light receiving unit 32 with respect to the airflow, and the airflow is present in this part. It becomes difficult to pass through and dust is difficult to accumulate. At this time, although clogging occurs in the whole of the plurality of filters 21, clogging does not occur in the portion of the filter 21 through which the optical path 34 passes, and clogging may not be detected. In the present embodiment, by making the optical path 34 from the light emitting unit 31 to the light receiving unit 32 intersect the direction of the airflow, it is possible to avoid a situation in which it is difficult to detect clogging of the filter 21.

  Further, the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are arranged at positions where the optical path 34 from the light emitting unit 31 to the light receiving unit 32 intersects a plane including the direction orthogonal to the surface of the filter 21 and the airflow passage direction. It is desirable that FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the light path 34 from the light emitting unit 31 to the light receiving unit 32, the surface of the filter 21, and the airflow passage direction. The surface on the side into which the airflow of the filter 21 flows is defined as the surface. In FIG. 8, the optical path 34 on the front side of the filter 21 is indicated by a solid line arrow, and the optical path 34 on the back side is indicated by a broken line arrow. Further, 25 in the figure is an orthogonal line orthogonal to the surface of the filter 21 where the optical path 34 passes. Further, the direction in which the air current passes is indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow 51. The airflow passage direction 51 is inclined with respect to the surface of the filter 21, and the orthogonal line 25 and the airflow passage direction 51 intersect each other. A plane 52 indicated by a two-dot chain line is a plane including the orthogonal line 25 and the airflow passage direction 51. The plane 52 intersects the surface of the filter 21. The light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are disposed at positions where the optical path 34 intersects the plane 52. When the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are arranged at a position where the optical path 34 is included in the plane 52, the air current is disturbed by the light emitting unit 31 or the light receiving unit 32, and the optical path 34 of the filter 21 passes through the part. It may be difficult for airflow to pass through and dust to accumulate. At this time, it becomes difficult to detect clogging. In addition, when the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are arranged at a position where the optical path 34 is included in the plane 52, the air current is disturbed by the light emitting unit 31 or the light receiving unit 32, and the light emitting unit 31 or the light receiving unit 32 is Dust tends to accumulate. For this reason, regardless of whether the filter 21 is clogged or not, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 32 is reduced by dust, making it difficult to detect clogging. In the present embodiment, since the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are arranged at a position where the optical path 34 intersects the plane 52, it is possible to avoid a situation where it is difficult to detect clogging of the filter 21. it can.

  An exception is when the airflow direction is orthogonal to the filter 21. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between the filter 21 through which the airflow passes orthogonally, the light emitting unit 31, and the light receiving unit 32. In FIG. 9, the filter 21 is shown in section, and the lower surface of the filter 21 in the drawing is the surface. In FIG. 9, the airflow passage direction 51 is orthogonal to the surface of the filter 21. Thus, in the form in which the air conditioner is configured so that the airflow direction is orthogonal to the surface of the filter 21 where the optical path 34 passes, the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are connected to the optical path 34. May be disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the surface of the filter 21. At this time, the optical path 34 intersects the airflow passage direction 51, and the airflow does not easily pass through the portion of the filter 21 through which the optical path 34 passes.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the air conditioner. The air conditioning apparatus includes a control unit 61 that controls the operation of each unit in the apparatus. The control unit 61 includes a processor that performs an operation, and a memory that stores a program necessary for the operation, various data, and temporary information associated with the operation. A clock unit 62 that measures time is connected to the control unit 61. Further, the display unit 13, the light emitting unit 31, the light receiving unit 32, the blower 41 and the ion generating unit 42 are connected to the control unit 61. The control unit 61 controls the operations of the blower 41 and the ion generation unit 42.

  The control unit 61 periodically performs processing for detecting clogging of the filter 21 according to the time measured by the clock unit 62. First, the control unit 61 causes the light emitting unit 31 to emit light. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 31 passes through the filter 21 and is received by the light receiving unit 32. The light receiving unit 32 inputs a signal indicating the amount of received light to the control unit 61. The control unit 61 determines whether or not the amount of received light indicated by the signal from the light receiving unit 32 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. The control unit 61 repeats the process of causing the light emitting unit 31 to emit light and determining the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 32 a plurality of times. The control unit 61 determines that the filter 21 is clogged when the amount of received light is equal to or less than the threshold value for a predetermined number of times or when the amount of received light is equal to or less than the threshold value for a predetermined number of times or more. . When clogging has occurred in the filter 21, the control unit 61 performs processing for displaying on the display unit 13 that clogging has occurred. For example, the display unit 13 includes a lamp for turning on when clogging occurs, and the control unit 61 turns on this lamp. Note that the control unit 61 may execute a process for detecting clogging at a predetermined time. The filter part 2, the sensor part 3, and the control part 61 comprise the filter apparatus of this invention.

  As described above, the filter unit 2 can be detached from the main body unit 15. When the user holds the handle part 23 with his / her finger and pulls it out to the front side, the filter part 2 moves in the direction along the surface of the filter 21 between the front panel 14 and the main body part 15 and is removed. On the other hand, the sensor unit 3 is fixed to the main body unit 15. The filter unit 2 moves downward and is removed as shown in FIG. Since the filter 21 is located between the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 before being removed, the filter 21 and the frame are disposed between the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 when the filter unit 2 is detached and attached. The part 22 will move. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a cleaning tool 24 is provided on the frame portion 22 of the filter portion 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning tool 24 is attached to the frame portion 22 so as to straddle the frame portion 22 from the outside, and is fixed to the frame portion 22. The cleaning tool 24 is provided in a portion of the frame portion 22 that is located between the light emitting portion 31 and the light receiving portion 32 when the filter portion 2 is detached and attached.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the cleaning tool 24. The cleaning tool 24 includes a mounting member 243 that is mounted on the frame portion 22 across the frame portion 22. A part of the attachment member 243 attached to the frame part 22 is located on the front side of the frame part 22, and the other part is located on the back side of the frame part 22. A part of the portion of the mounting member 243 located on the front side of the frame portion 22 has a protruding portion protruding in the front direction of the frame portion 22, and the brush portion 242 is fixed to the protruding portion. Similarly, a part of the portion of the mounting member 243 located on the back side of the frame portion 22 has a protruding portion protruding in the back direction of the frame portion 22, and the brush portion 241 is fixed to the protruding portion. ing. The brush portion 242 is configured by bundling a large number of fibers, and protrudes from the mounting member 243 along the frame portion 22. The tip of the brush part 242 faces the position of the light receiving part 32 when the frame part 22 is positioned between the light emitting part 31 and the light receiving part 32 when the filter part 2 is detached and attached. Similarly, the brush part 241 is configured by bundling a large number of fibers and protrudes from the mounting member 243 along the frame part 22. The tip of the brush part 241 faces the position of the light emitting part 31 when the frame part 22 is located between the light emitting part 31 and the light receiving part 32. For this reason, the tip of the brush part 241 and the tip of the brush part 242 are opposite to each other.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the cleaning tool 24, the light emitting unit 31, and the light receiving unit 32 when the filter unit 2 is detached and attached. In FIG. 12, the figure which looked at the filter part 2 from the upper side is shown, and the lower side in the figure is a front side. The length of the brush portion 242 is such that the tip contacts the light receiving portion 32 when the filter portion 2 is detached and attached. Similarly, the length of the brush portion 241 is such that the tip contacts the light emitting portion 31 when the filter portion 2 is detached and attached. When the filter unit 2 is detached and attached, portions of the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 facing the filter 21 are cleaned by the brush units 241 and 242 that are in contact with each other. Even if dust accumulates in the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32, the cleaning tool 24 cleans and removes the dust when the filter unit 2 is removed and attached, so the ability to detect clogging of the filter 21 is maintained. It is.

  Note that the cleaning tool 24 may be provided with a sponge having a size capable of contacting the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 when the filter unit 2 is detached and attached, instead of the brush units 241 and 242. . Moreover, the cleaning tool 24 may be provided with a brush part or a sponge on either the front side or the back side of the frame part 22. In this case, it is desirable that a brush part or a sponge is provided on the side where the dust that is more likely to accumulate in the light emitting part 31 and the light receiving part 32 can be cleaned.

  As described in detail above, in the present embodiment, the light emitting section 31 and the light receiving section 32 that face each other with the filter 21 interposed therebetween are such that the optical path 34 from the light emitting section 31 to the light receiving section 32 is inclined with respect to the surface of the filter 21. And is arranged at a position that intersects the airflow passage direction. As a result, fluctuations in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 32 according to the location where the light in the filter 21 passes are reduced. Further, it is possible to prevent the airflow from being disturbed by the light emitting unit 31 or the light receiving unit 32 and the dust from being difficult to accumulate in the part through which the optical path 34 of the filter 21 passes. Therefore, it becomes possible to detect clogging of the filter 21 stably. Further, except for the form in which the airflow is orthogonal to the filter 21, the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 intersect the optical path 34 with respect to the plane 52 including the orthogonal line 25 to the surface of the filter 21 and the airflow passage direction 51. It is arranged in such a position. It is prevented that the airflow is disturbed by the light emitting unit 31 or the light receiving unit 32 and it is difficult for dust to accumulate in the portion of the filter 21 through which the optical path 34 passes, or that the dust easily accumulates in the light emitting unit 31 or the light receiving unit 32. The Therefore, it is possible to more reliably and stably detect clogging of the filter 21. The air conditioner can reliably detect clogging of the filter 21 and prompt the user to clean or replace the filter unit 2. A reduction in the performance of the air conditioner due to clogging of the filter 21 is suppressed, and an efficient use of the air conditioner becomes possible.

  In addition, this Embodiment is an example of a filter apparatus and an air conditioning apparatus, and the position and shape of the inlet port 11, the exhaust port 12, the ventilation path 4, and the air blower 41 are not limited. In the present embodiment, an embodiment in which one filter unit 2 and one sensor unit 3 are provided is shown. However, the air conditioner is an embodiment in which a plurality of sensor units 3 are provided for one filter unit 2. The form provided with the some filter part 2 may be sufficient. Further, the filter 21 is not limited to a sheet-like form, and may be a form having a thickness. Further, the filter unit 2 may have a single filter 21. Further, the filter unit 2 may have a form in which the surface of the filter 21 is a curved surface. Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the air conditioning apparatus provided with a filter apparatus showed the form which is an air cleaner, even if air conditioning apparatuses are other forms, such as an air conditioning apparatus, a humidification apparatus, or a ventilator. Good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Intake port 12 Exhaust port 13 Display part 15 Main body part 2 Filter part 21 Filter 22 Frame part 24 Cleaning tool 3 Sensor part 31 Light emission part 32 Light receiving part 33 Connection member 34 Optical path 4 Ventilation path 41 Blower 42 Ion generation part 51 Passage of airflow direction

Claims (4)

In a filter device comprising: a filter through which an airflow passes; and a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit disposed at positions facing each other with the filter interposed therebetween, and detecting clogging of the filter using the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit ,
The light emitting section and the light receiving section are configured such that an optical path from the light emitting section to the light receiving section is inclined with respect to a surface of a light passing portion of the filter, and the optical path intersects with an airflow passing direction. Has been placed ,
The airflow passage direction is inclined with respect to the surface of the filter,
The filter device, wherein the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are further arranged so that the optical path intersects a plane including a direction orthogonal to the surface of the filter and a passage direction of airflow. . The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are integrated. Further comprising a structure to which the light emitting part and the light receiving part are fixed,
The filter can be attached to and detached from the structure by moving in a direction along the surface.
The filter is provided with a frame,
The the frame, the filter device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cleaning tool in contact with the light emitting portion or the light receiving portion during attachment and detachment of the filter is provided. The filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A blower for generating an airflow passing through a filter provided in the filter device;
An air conditioning apparatus comprising: a ventilation path through which an airflow passing through the filter flows.

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