Air conditioner

An air conditioner is provided that includes a filter, a filter cleaning unit having a space formed therein to place foreign matter separated from the filter, a moving mechanism to make the filter cleaning unit move along the filter, the moving mechanism including a first gear having a closed loop section shape with gear teeth formed at at least one of an outside circumference or an inside circumference, a gear guide to guide the first gear to rotate while maintaining at least one linear portion, a second gear engaged with the first gear, a drive source to make the second gear rotate, a third gear engaged with the linear portion of the first gear, and a connection mechanism connected both to the third gear and the filter cleaning unit to make the filter cleaning unit move, thereby permitting to make the moving mechanism compact and enhancing reliability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Application No. 10-2014-0006261 filed on Jan. 17, 2014, whose entire disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an air conditioner. More specifically, the present invention relates to an air conditioner having a filter cleaning unit mounted thereto for cleaning foreign matter from a filter.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, the air conditioner can change a room to have a comfortable environment by drawing the air through an air inlet, changing a temperature, humidity, or cleanness of the air, and discharging the air to the room through an air outlet.

If the air conditioner is provided with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator, the air conditioner may cool or heat the room. If the air conditioner is provided with an air cleaner, the air conditioner may clean room air.

The air conditioner may have different kinds of air cleaners mounted thereto, and particularly, by mounting a filter which can filter out foreign matter from the air, the air conditioner may clean the room as the filter filters out the foreign matter from the air when the air conditioner is in operation. The filter may be separated from the air conditioner for cleaning, or replacing, the filter to maintain or manage the filter clean.

If there is much foreign matter at the filter, since air suction capability of the air conditioner will become poor, the filter is required to be cleaned or replaced, periodically.

It is a recent trend that a filter cleaning unit is mounted to the air conditioner for cleaning the filter to enhance convenience of use of the air conditioner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner which can minimize malfunction of movement of a filter cleaning unit and enhance reliability of the air conditioner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner which can clean a filter without a suction device which draws in foreign matter from a filter cleaning unit, has a simple structure and enables to make the air conditioner compact.

To achieve the object of the present invention, an air conditioner includes a filter, a filter cleaning unit having a space formed therein for placing foreign matter separated from the filter therein, a moving mechanism for making the filter cleaning unit to move along the filter, wherein the moving mechanism includes a first gear having a closed loop section shape with gear teeth formed at least one of an outside circumference and an inside circumference thereof, a gear guide for guiding the first gear to rotate while maintaining at least one linear portion, a second gear engaged with the first gear, a drive source for making the second gear to rotate, a third gear engaged with the linear portion of the first gear, and a connection mechanism connected both to the third gear and the filter cleaning unit for making the filter cleaning unit to move.

The gear guide may include an inner guide positioned on an inside of the first gear, and an outer guide for surrounding the outside circumference of the first gear.

The inner guide may include one pair of inner linear portions opposite to each other, and one pair of inner curved portions connecting the one pair of inner linear portions.

The inner guide may further include a partition plate portion for partitioning an inside space of the first gear into a first space the second gear is positioned therein and a second space the third gear is positioned therein.

The outer guide may include at least one outer linear portion facing the inner linear portion spaced from the inner linear portion.

The outer guide may have a pass through hole formed therein parallel to a moving direction of the filter cleaning unit for pass through of the connection mechanism.

The gear guide may further include a gear cover coupled to at least one of the inner guide and the outer guide for shading the first gear.

The drive source may be mounted to the gear cover.

The air conditioner may further include a supplementary moving mechanism arranged opposite to the moving mechanism connected to the moving mechanism with a shaft and connected to the filter cleaning unit.

The moving mechanism may further include a shaft connection gear engaged with the first gear, the shaft connection gear having the shaft connected thereto. The supplementary moving mechanism may include a first guide gear having a closed loop section with gear teeth formed on at least one of an outside circumference and an inside circumference thereof, a supplementary gear guide for guiding the first guide gear to rotate while maintaining at least one linear portion, a second guide gear engaged with the first guide gear connected to the shaft, a third guide gear engaged with the linear portion of the first guide gear, and a connection mechanism connected both to the third guide gear and the filter cleaning unit for making the filter cleaning unit to move.

The filter cleaning unit may include a dust box having the space formed therein, and a brush rotatably positioned at the dust box in contact with the filter, wherein the connection mechanism is connected to the brush to rotate the brush.

An exemplary embodiment of the connection mechanism may include a gear shaft having the third gear mounted thereto, a fourth gear mounted to the gear shaft, a fifth gear engaged with the fourth gear to be rotated in a direction opposite to the fourth gear, and a brush rotating shaft mounted to the fifth gear connected to the brush.

The gear shaft and the brush rotating shaft may be rotatably supported by the dust box.

Another exemplary embodiment of the connection mechanism may be a brush rotating shaft having the third gear mounted thereto, connected to the brush and rotatably supported by the dust box.

The dust box may include a dust box casing having a foreign matter inlet formed therein, and a separable case detachable from the dust box casing for putting the foreign matter in a space formed therein.

The dust box casing may have a supporting slit formed therein for rotatably supporting the connection mechanism.

The filter cleaning unit may further include a connection mechanism holder mounted to the dust box casing for preventing the connection mechanism from falling off, unintentionally.

The filter cleaning unit may further include a brush cleaner mounted to the dust box for separating the foreign matter from the brush.

The brush cleaner may be mounted to the separable case.

The air conditioner of the present invention permits to make the moving mechanism which moves the filter cleaning unit compact, and to enhance reliability.

And, the air conditioner of the present invention permits to minimize malfunction even in a case a size of the filter is large, and enables collect the foreign matter from the filter as the filter cleaning unit moves smoothly.

And, the air conditioner of the present invention permits to make stable movement of the filter cleaning unit while minimizing a number of the drive source owing to connection of the moving mechanism to the supplementary moving mechanism with a shaft.

And, the air conditioner of the present invention permits to minimize a number of the drive source which rotate the brush as well as make the dust box to move.

And, the air conditioner of the present invention permits to make the air conditioner compact while the second gear and the third gear are made not to interfere with each other.

And, the air conditioner of the present invention permits to make a structure thereof simple and a cost thereof low owing to the separable case which is separable from the dust box casing for service, and no necessity of a suction mechanism for drawing in the foreign matter from the filter cleaning unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In what follows, an air conditioner according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings.

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view illustrating an inside of an air conditioner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 3is an exploded perspective view illustrating principal parts of an air conditioner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The air conditioner may include a body5having an air inlet2and an air outlet4formed therein, and a fan6may be mounted in the body5. The air conditioner may have a heat exchanger (Not shown) mounted in the body5for making refrigerant to heat exchange with air. The air conditioner includes a filter12for filtering out foreign matter from the air drawn through the air inlet2.

When the fan6is driven, room air may be drawn through the air inlet2and pass through the filter12, and the foreign matter may be filtered out from the air by the filter12. The air passed through the filter12thus may be heat exchanged at the heat exchanger, and thereafter, may be discharged to the room through the air outlet4.

The filter12may be positioned between the air inlet2and the fan6in view of an air flow direction. The filter12may have at least a portion thereof arranged to face the air inlet2. The filter12may have the foreign matter accumulated thereon from the air. The foreign matter accumulated thus may be cleaned by a filter cleaning unit14mounted to the air conditioner itself.

The filter cleaning unit14may be in contact with the filter12and separates the foreign matter from the filter12as the filter cleaning unit14moves along the filter12. The filter cleaning unit14may have a space formed therein for putting the foreign matter separated from the filter12therein. The filter cleaning unit14may receive the foreign matter separated from the filter12and hold the foreign matter in the space. The foreign matter separated from the filter12may be put in the filter cleaning unit14, and move with the filter cleaning unit14.

The filter cleaning unit14may be connected to the moving mechanism16for cleaning the filter12as the filter cleaning unit14is moved by the moving mechanism16.

The filter cleaning unit14may be connected both to the moving mechanism16and a moving guide such that the filter cleaning unit14may be guided by the moving guide when the filter cleaning unit14is moved by the moving mechanism16. The filter cleaning unit14may be positioned between the moving mechanism16and the moving guide, for cleaning the filter12while moving between the moving mechanism16and the moving guide.

The filter cleaning unit14may be connected both to the moving mechanism16and the supplementary moving mechanism18such that the filter cleaning unit14is moved by the moving mechanism16and the supplementary moving mechanism18. The moving mechanism16may make the filter cleaning unit14to move, and the supplementary moving mechanism18, interlocked with the moving mechanism16, may make the filter cleaning unit14to move together with the moving mechanism16. The filter cleaning unit14may be positioned between the moving mechanism16and the supplementary moving mechanism18, for cleaning the filter12while moving therebetween. In this case the supplementary moving mechanism18is arranged opposite to the moving mechanism16to make the filter cleaning unit14to move, together with the moving mechanism16.

In the air conditioner, each of the moving mechanism16and the supplementary moving mechanism18includes a drive source80to be described later for making the filter cleaning unit14to move by driving the drive source80of the moving mechanism16and the drive source of the supplementary moving mechanism18altogether. In this case, the moving mechanism16and the supplementary moving mechanism18may have the same structure, only with a difference of mounted positions.

The air conditioner may have the moving mechanism16and the supplementary moving mechanism18connected with a shaft20, and, of the moving mechanism16and the supplementary moving mechanism18, only the moving mechanism16may include the drive source80. If the drive source80of the moving mechanism16is put into operation, the moving mechanism16makes the filter cleaning unit14to move, and the shaft20may operate the supplementary moving mechanism18. It is possible that the supplementary moving mechanism18, interlocked to the shaft20, may make the filter cleaning unit14to move. In this case, the moving mechanism16may be a first moving mechanism that moves the filter cleaning unit14, and the supplementary moving mechanism18may be a second moving mechanism that moves the filter cleaning unit14interlocked to the moving mechanism16. It is preferable that the air conditioner has a number of the drive sources80minimized. That is, it is preferable that, in the air conditioner, only the moving mechanism16includes the drive source80, the supplementary moving mechanism18does not include the drive source80, and the moving mechanism16and the supplementary moving mechanism18are connected with the shaft20so that the moving mechanism16and the supplementary moving mechanism18move the filter cleaning unit14, altogether. The moving mechanism16may move the filter cleaning unit14, if an accumulated operation time period of the air conditioner passes a set time period, if a user or the like inputs a filter cleaning order, or at fixed time intervals, and the filter cleaning unit14can clean the filter12, automatically. It is possible that the moving mechanism16moves the filter cleaning unit14one time only in one direction linearly, one time in both directions linearly, or a plurality of times in both directions, linearly.

The air conditioner may be any one of a ceiling type air conditioner, a wall mounting type air conditioner, and a stand type air conditioner, and the present invention will be described taking the ceiling type air conditioner as an example. Since the ceiling type air conditioner has a mounted height higher than the wall mounting type air conditioner, or the stand type air conditioner, it is not easy to remove the foreign matter from the filter12manually, and therefore, it is preferable that the ceiling type air conditioner itself collects the foreign matter from the filter12.

The air conditioner may include a base panel8having the air inlet2and the air outlet4formed therein, and a casing10having the fan6and the heat exchanger arranged therein. The base panel8may be arranged on a lower side of the casing10, and may be exposed to the room. The casing10may be mounted to be positioned in the ceiling in the room, and different air conditioner components, such as the fan6, the heat exchanger, may be mounted therein.

The air conditioner may further include a filter frame13for arranging the filter12thereto. The filter frame13may be mounted to be positioned at a lower side of an inside of the casing10. When the base panel8is mounted to the casing10, the filter frame13may be positioned above the base panel8.

The filter12may be arranged in the air conditioner horizontally, and the filter cleaning unit14may move along an underside area of the filter12horizontally to separate the foreign matter from the filter12, and may receive and hold the foreign matter separated from the filter12therein.

FIG. 4is a plan view illustrating a case when a filter cleaning unit is cleaning a filter in an air conditioner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 5is an exploded perspective view illustrating a moving mechanism and a supplementary moving mechanism in an air conditioner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 6is an exploded perspective view illustrating a filter cleaning unit in an air conditioner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 7is a perspective view illustrating a moving mechanism in an air conditioner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with a partial cut away view,FIG. 8is an enlarged side view illustrating principal parts of a moving mechanism in an air conditioner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 9is an enlarged plan view illustrating principal parts of a moving mechanism in an air conditioner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The filter cleaning unit14may have a space S1formed therein for putting the foreign matter dropped from the filter12therein. When being moved by the moving mechanism16, the filter cleaning unit14may be moved while in contact with the filter12. The filter cleaning unit14includes a dust box30having the space S1formed therein for holding the foreign matter, and a brush40rotatably positioned at the dust box30in contact with the filter12.

It is possible that the dust box30may be constructed of one member, or of a plurality of members. The dust box30may include a dust box casing31having a foreign matter inlet O formed therein, and a separable case32detachable from the dust box casing31to have the space S1formed therein for putting the foreign matter therein. The dust box casing31may maintain a state in which the dust box casing31is positioned in the air conditioner, and the separable case32may be mounted to the dust box casing31for collecting the foreign matter, and may discharge the foreign matter collected thus after the separable case32is separated from the dust box casing31.

The dust box casing31may couple to the separable case32. The dust box casing31may support the separable case32. The dust box casing31may have a detachable portion formed thereon for mounting/dismounting the separable case32thereto/therefrom. The separable case32may be mounted/dismounted to/from the dust box casing31with a hook, an inserting rib, or a fastening member, such as a screw. The dust box casing31may have a separable case opening formed therein for putting the separable case32in/out of the dust box casing31. The dust box casing31may have a foreign matter inlet O formed in a side facing the filter12, and the separable case opening formed on a side except the side facing the filter12. The separable case32may be placed in the dust box casing31, and the dust box casing31may function as a separable case protective case for protecting the separable case32. The dust box30may move a lower area of the filter12linearly, and the dust box casing31may have the foreign matter inlet O formed in an upper side thereof, and the separable case opening formed in a side except the upper side. The dust box casing31may have the separable case opening formed in a bottom side thereof, and the separable case32may be mounted/dismounted to/from the dust box casing31in a vertical direction. The dust box casing31may be a separable case housing which surrounds a front, a rear, a left side and right side of the separable case32. The dust box casing31may have the foreign matter inlet O formed, throughout an entire surface of an upper side thereof, or in a portion of the upper side. The foreign matter inlet O may be formed larger than the brush40, and the brush40may be separated from the dust box casing31passed through the foreign matter inlet O. The dust box casing31may have a box shape having an opened bottom side, and may have the foreign matter inlet O formed in a portion of the upper side. The foreign matter inlet O may extend in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the filter cleaning unit14.

The separable case32may be placed in the dust box casing31through the separable case opening, and may be taken out of the dust box casing31through the separable case opening. The separable case32may have the foreign matter opening formed therein for in/out of the foreign matter, and may have the space S1formed therein. The separable case32may have a box shape having an opened upper side, and may have the foreign matter opening formed in the upper side. The separable case32may have an entire upper side opened to form the foreign matter opening, or a portion of the upper side opened to form the foreign matter opening. The foreign matter dropped from the filter12may drop to the space S1in the separable case32through the foreign matter inlet O in the dust box casing31, and held in the space S1in the separable case32. The separable case32may be separated from the dust box casing31by a user or a service man, for discharging the foreign matter accumulated in the space S1to an outside of the separable case32. The separable case32may be separated from the dust box casing31in a state the dust box casing31is connected to the moving mechanism16and the supplementary moving mechanism18, and the user or the service man may dispose the foreign matter accumulated in the space S1in the separable case32with a simple work of separating the separable case32from the dust box casing31.

Formed at least one of the dust box casing31and the separable case32, there may be supporting slit33and34formed therein for rotatably supporting connection mechanisms100and200to be described, later. The supporting slit33and34may be formed matched to the dust box casing31and the separable case32respectively, or may be formed only one of the two. The supporting slit33and34may include a moving mechanism supporting slit33formed on one side of the dust box casing31for rotatably supporting the connection mechanism100of the moving mechanism16. The supporting slit33and34may include a supplementary moving mechanism supporting slit34formed on the other side of the dust box casing31for rotatably supporting the connection mechanism200of the supplementary moving mechanism18.

The filter cleaning unit14may further include a connection mechanism holder35and36mounted to the dust box casing31for preventing the connection mechanism100and200from falling off the dust box casing31, unintentionally. The connection mechanism holder35and36may further include a first holder35arranged at the dust box casing31for preventing the connection mechanism100of the moving mechanism16from falling off, unintentionally. The first holder35may have a slit formed therein matched to the moving mechanism supporting slit33, and the slit formed in the first holder35may surround at least a portion of the connection mechanism100. The connection mechanism holder35and36may include a second holder36arranged at the dust box casing31for preventing the connection mechanism200of the supplementary moving mechanism18from falling off, unintentionally. The second holder36may have a slit formed matched to the supplementary moving mechanism supporting slit34, and the slit of the second holder36may surround at least a portion of the connection mechanism200.

The filter cleaning unit14may further include a brush cleaner37mounted to the dust box30for separating the foreign matter from the brush40. The brush cleaner37may include at least one projection to be brought into contact with the brush40. The brush cleaner37may be mounted/dismounted to/from the dust box30, and may be separated from the dust box30at the time of cleaning or service. The dust box30may have a brush cleaner mounting/dismounting portion38formed thereon for mounting/dismounting the brush cleaner37thereto/therefrom. The brush cleaner mounting/dismounting portion38may be mounted to the separable case32. The brush cleaner mounting/dismounting portion38may be formed in the separable case32. The brush cleaner mounting/dismounting portion38may be a hook, a rib or the like for mounting the brush cleaner37thereto. The brush cleaner37has a size smaller than the foreign matter opening in the separable case32, for the brush cleaner37to be in/out of the separable case32through the foreign matter opening in the separable case32. The brush cleaner37may be separated from the separable case32at the time of cleaning or service. The brush cleaner37may move together with the separable case32, and the brush cleaner37may move together with the separable case32when the separable case32is separated thus. The brush cleaner37may be arranged to be positioned in the space S1of the separable case32. The foreign matter stuck to the brush40may be separated from the brush40when the brush40is brought into contact with the brush cleaner37, and the foreign matter separated from the brush40thus may be put in the space S1. A plurality of the brush cleaners37may be arranged at the separable case32.

The brush40may include a brush body42to be brought into contact with the filter12. The brush40may include a brush holder44having the brush body42mounted thereto. The brush holder44may be positioned in the dust box30.

The brush body42may be arranged projected from the brush holder44to rotate when the brush holder44rotates. The brush body42may have one end connected to the bush holder44and the other end of a free end. The brush body42may be formed of an elastic material which deforms and restores elastically. A plurality of the brush bodies42may be provided to the brush holder44. It is possible that the brush body42extends in a direction perpendicular to a length direction of the brush holder44, or extends in a direction parallel to the length direction of the brush holder44. The brush body42may rotate to a position at which the brush body42passes through the foreign matter inlet O or to a position at which the brush body42is in contact with the brush cleaner37. At the position the brush body42passes through the foreign matter inlet O, the brush body42is in contact with the filter12to separate the foreign matter from the filter12. At the position the brush body42is in contact with the brush cleaner37, the foreign matter stuck to the brush body42may be separated by the brush cleaner37, and the foreign matter separated from the brush body42thus may be put in the space S1in the filter cleaning unit14.

The brush holder44may be formed to have a long bar shape, and may be rotated connected to the moving mechanism16and the supplementary moving mechanism18. The brush holder44may be a rotation axis of the brush40. The brush holder44may have one side with a moving mechanism connection45formed thereon connected to the moving mechanism16, and the other end with a supplementary moving mechanism connection46formed thereon connected to the supplementary moving mechanism18.

The moving mechanism16will be described in more detail.

The moving mechanism16may make the filter cleaning unit14to move along the filter12. The moving mechanism16may include a first gear50having a closed loop section shape with gear teeth formed on at least one of an inside circumference or an outside circumference thereof, a gear guide60for guiding the first gear50to rotate while maintaining at least one linear portion, a second gear70engaged with the first gear50, a drive source80for rotating the second gear70, a third gear90engaged with the linear portion of the first gear50, and a connection mechanism100connected to the third gear90and the filter cleaning unit14for making the filter cleaning unit14to move, linearly.

The first gear50may rotate following the gear guide60guided by the gear guide60. The first gear50may rotate following a locus formed on the gear guide60. If the first gear50includes only one linear portion51, the third gear90may engage with the one linear portion51. The first gear50may rotate while maintaining at least two linear portions51and52. If the first gear50includes two linear portions51and52, the third gear90may engage with one51of the two linear portions51and52. The first gear50may also include three or more than three linear portions. In this case, the third gear90may engage with one51of the three or more than three linear portions. The longer the linear portion51engaged with the third gear90, the larger a moving width of the filter cleaning unit14, and vice versa. The linear portion51of the first gear50the third gear90is engaged therewith may extend in a direction parallel to the direction the filter cleaning unit14moves. The first gear50may include one pair of linear portions51and52and one pair of curved portions53and54. The one pair of the linear portions51and52may parallel opposite to each other. The one pair of curved portions53and54may be positioned opposite to each other. The first gear50may have a shape thereof fixed, and maintained, by the gear guide60. The first gear50may be maintained to have a rectangular shape parallel to the moving direction of the filter cleaning unit14. The first gear50may rotate while maintaining a rectangular shape parallel to the moving direction of the filter cleaning unit14. Each of the one pair of the linear portions51and52may be positioned extended in a length direction parallel to the moving direction of the filter cleaning unit14. In the air conditioner, the third gear90may engage with one51of the pair of the linear portions51and52, and the second gear70may engage with the other one52of the pair of the linear portions51and52. When the second gear70rotates, while the first gear50maintains the rectangular shape in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the filter cleaning unit14, the one pair of the linear portions51and52may advance in directions opposite to each other and the third gear90may move linearly following one51of the pair of the linear portions51and52. The third gear90may move linearly in a direction parallel to the length direction of the linear portion51the third gear90is engaged therewith. The first gear50may have the gear teeth formed on the inside circumference thereof and the second gear70and the third gear90may rotate in an inside space S2the first gear50forms.

The gear guide60may include an inner guide61positioned on an inside of the first gear50, and an outer guide62surrounding the outside circumference of the first gear50. The inside circumference of the first gear50may face an outside circumference of the inner guide61. An outside circumference of the first gear50may face an inside circumference of the outer guide62. The first gear may rotate following a locus of a space formed between the inner guide61and the outer guide62.

The inner guide61may be formed to have a rectangular shape parallel to the moving direction of the filter cleaning unit14. The inner guide61may guide the inside circumference of the first gear50. The inner guide61may be formed to have a size smaller than the first gear50. The inner guide61may be positioned in an inside space S2which is a space the inside circumference of the first gear50forms.

The inner guide61may include opposite one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B. The inner guide61may include one pair of inner curved portions61C and61D connecting the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B. The inner guide61may include a partition plate portion61E which partitions the inside space S2of the first gear50. The partition plate portion61E may partition the inside space S2of the first gear50into a first space S3in which the second gear70is positioned, and a second space S4in which the third gear90is positioned. The one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B and the one pair of inner curved portions61C and61D may be formed along an outside circumference of the partition plate portion61E.

The one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B may be formed spaced from each other. One61A of the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B may face one51of the linear portions of the first gear50. The other one61B of the linear portions may face the other one52of the linear portions of the first gear50. The one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B may have the same lengths. One61A of the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B may have a width L1smaller than a width L2of the other one61B. In the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B, one of an upper side and a lower side of the space S4in which the third gear90is positioned may be opened. In the linear portion61A having a smaller width of the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B, one of an upper side and a lower side of the space S4in which the third gear90is positioned may be opened. An avoiding portion61F may be formed on the other one61B of the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B for avoiding the second gear70. The avoiding portion61F may be formed at the inner linear portion61B having a larger width of the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B. The avoiding portion61F may be formed in a shape recessed in the other one61B of the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B. Of the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B, an upper inner linear portion61A positioned on an upper side thereof may have a width L1smaller than a width L2of a lower inner linear portion61B positioned on a lower side thereof, and the avoiding portion61F may be formed recessed in the lower side inner linear portion61B. Opposite to this, of the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B, the avoiding portion61F may be formed recessed in the upper side inner linear portion61A positioned on an upper side thereof, and the lower side inner linear portion61B may have the width smaller than the width of the upper side inner linear portion61A.

The one pair of inner curved portions61C and61D may be formed opposite to each other. Each of the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B may be formed in a semi-circular shape.

The partition plate portion61E may assist the second gear70and the third gear90to rotate in spaces separated from each other, and make a size of the moving mechanism16compact as much as possible.

The outer guide62may guide the outside circumference of the first gear40. The outer guide62may include at least one outer linear portion62A and62B, which is opposite to, and spaced from, the inner linear portions61A and61B. The at least one outer linear portion62A and62B may be formed in a rectangular shape in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the filter cleaning unit14. The outer guide62may further include an outer plate portion62C having at least one outer linear portion62A and62B projected therefrom. The outer plate portion62C may form an exterior appearance of one side of the moving mechanism16. The outer guide62may have a pass through hole63through which the connection mechanism passes formed parallel to the moving direction of the filter cleaning unit14. The pass through hole63may extend in the outer plate portion62C.

The gear guide60may further include a gear cover65for shading the first gear50. The gear cover65is coupled with the outer guide62to cover the inside space S2. The gear cover65may form an exterior appearance of the moving mechanism16together with the outer guide62. The gear cover65may face the outer plate portion62C of the outer guide62, and the gear cover65may form an exterior appearance of the other side of the moving mechanism16. The gear cover65may have an inner guide inserting groove66formed therein for inserting the inner guide61therein. The inner guide inserting groove66may be formed to insert the one pair of inner linear portions61A and61B and the one pair of inner curved portions61C and61D therein.

The gear guide60may have the outer guide62and the gear cover65to function as a case of the moving mechanism16. The inner guide61may be positioned between the outer guide62and the gear cover65, for guiding rotation of the first gear50and partitioning the inside space S2of the first gear50into the first space S3and the fourth space S4. The gear guide60may have the gear cover65, the inner guide61and the outer guide62fastened with a fastening member, such as a screw or the like. Each of the gear cover65, the inner guide61and the outer guide62may have fastening holes formed therein for passing through of fastening members, such as screws.

The second gear70may be a drive gear for rotating the first gear50. The second gear70may be rotated by the drive source80, for transmission of driving power of the drive source80to the first gear50. The second gear70may rotate in a state secured to the drive source80without changing a position thereof, and when the second gear70rotates, the linear portion of the first gear50may move linearly according to the second gear70. If the third gear90is connected to the linear portion51positioned on the upper side of the one pair of the linear portions51and52, the second gear70may be connected to the linear portion52positioned on the lower side of the one pair of the linear portions51and52. If the third gear90is connected to the linear portion52positioned on the lower side of the one pair of the linear portions51and52, the second gear70may be connected to the linear portion51positioned on the upper side of the one pair of the linear portions51and52. The second gear70may have at least one portion positioned in the first space S3of the inside space S2of the first gear50. The second gear70may have a gear portion having gear teeth formed thereon engaged with the first gear50in the first space S3.

The drive source80may be mounted to the gear cover65. The gear cover65may protect the first gear50and the second gear70as well as function as a mounting member of the drive source. The drive source80may be mounted to be positioned to an outside of a space the gear cover65and the outer guide62form. The drive source80may include a motor having a rotation shaft connected to the second gear70, and the motor may have an electric cable connected thereto. The drive source80may be mounted to have a position fixed to the gear cover65of which position is fixed, and the electric cable connected to the motor may be lead, easily. If the drive source80is mounted to the filter cleaning unit14which moves directly, the leading of the electric cable is not easy. If the drive source80is mounted to the gear cover65, the leading of the electric cable is easy and arrangement of the electric cable becomes compact.

The third gear90may be a moving gear moving following the first gear50while being rotated by the first gear50. The third gear90may be a driven gear for transmission of a torque from the first gear50to the connection mechanism100when the first gear50rotates. The third gear90may have at least a portion thereof positioned in the second space S4of the inside space S2of the first gear50. The third gear90may have a gear portion having gear teeth formed thereon engaged with the first gear50in the second space S4.

The connection mechanism100may be connected to at least one of the dust box30and the brush40for moving the filter cleaning unit14. The connection mechanism100may be connected, not to the brush40, but to the dust box30. In this case, in order to make more efficient filter12cleaning, a separate brush drive mechanism for rotating the brush40may be required additionally, many components may be required, and a structure thereof may become complicate. Opposite to this, the connection mechanism100may be connected to the brush40. In this case, the connection mechanism100may move the brush40linearly while rotating the brush40, and the dust box30may move linearly together with the brush40. It is preferable that the connection mechanism100is connected to the brush40for rotating the brush40. It is most preferable that the connection mechanism100is connected both to the brush40and the dust box30together for moving the brush40while rotating the same, and moving the dust box30.

The connection mechanism100may include a gear shaft101having the third gear90mounted thereto, a fourth gear102mounted to the gear shaft101, a fifth gear103engaged with the fourth gear102for rotating in a direction opposite to the fourth gear102, and a brush rotating shaft104having the fifth gear103mounted thereto and connected to the brush40. The connection mechanism100may have the gear shaft102connected to the dust box30and the brush rotating shaft104connected both to the brush40and the dust box30.

The gear shaft101may move linearly by the third gear90. The gear shaft101may move linearly together with the third gear90when the third gear90rotates and moves. The gear shaft101may pass through the pass through hole63in the outer guide62, and may move following the pass through hole63in the outer guide62, linearly. The gear shaft101may have one end positioned in the second space S4between the partition plate portion61E and the outer guide62. The gear shaft101may have the other end positioned at the filter cleaning unit14. The gear shaft101may have the other end positioned at the dust box30. The gear shaft101may be rotatably supported on the dust box30. The gear shaft101may make the dust box30to move, linearly.

The fourth gear102may be mounted to a portion of the gear shaft101positioned at an outside of the outer guide62. When the third gear90rotates, the fourth gear102may rotate together with the third gear90in a direction the same with a rotation direction of the third gear90. The fourth gear102may rotate at a position between the outer guide62and the filter cleaning unit14protected by the outer guide62and the filter cleaning unit14.

When the fourth gear102rotates, the fifth gear103may rotate together with the fourth gear102in a direction opposite to the fourth gear102. The fourth gear102and the fifth gear103may be plain gears. The fifth gear103may rotate at a position between the outer guide62and the filter cleaning unit14protected by the outer guide62and the filter cleaning unit14.

The brush rotating shaft104may rotate together with the fifth gear103when the fifth gear103rotates. The brush rotating shaft104may rotate in a direction opposite to the third gear90, the fourth gear101, and the gear shaft101. The brush rotating shaft104may have one end positioned between the outer guide62and the dust box30. The brush rotating shaft104may have the other end positioned in the dust box30. The other end of the brush rotating shaft104may be connected to the brush40. The brush rotating shaft104may be connected to the brush holder44.

The moving mechanism supporting slit33shown inFIG. 6may include a gear shaft supporting slit33A for rotatably supporting the brush rotating shaft104, and the gear shaft101may be arranged to pass through the dust box30, specifically, the gear shaft supporting slit33A formed in the dust box casing31.

The moving mechanism supporting slit33shown inFIG. 6may include a brush rotating shaft supporting slit33B for rotatably supporting the brush rotating shaft104, and the brush rotating shaft104may be arranged to pass through the dust box30, specifically, the brush rotating shaft supporting slit33B formed in the dust box casing31.

The first holder35shown inFIG. 6may couple to the dust box casing31for preventing the gear shaft101and the brush rotating shaft104from falling off, unintentionally.

The moving mechanism16may further include a shaft connection gear110engaged with the linear portion52of the first gear50and having the shaft20connected thereto. The shaft connection gear110may be connected one of the one pair of linear portions51and52of the first gear50. The shaft connection gear110may be positioned in the first space S3in the inside space S2of the first gear50, and may be connected the linear portion52of the one pair of linear portions51and52with which the third gear90is not engaged. In this case, the partition plate portion61E may have a shaft pass through hole formed therein for pass through of the shaft20, and the outer guide62may have a shaft pass through hole formed therein for pass through of the shaft20.

The supplementary moving mechanism18will be described.

The supplementary moving mechanism18may be arranged opposite to the moving mechanism16. The supplementary moving mechanism18may be connected to the moving mechanism16with the shaft20, and may be connected to the filter cleaning unit14. The supplementary moving mechanism18, interlocked with the moving mechanism16, may make the filter cleaning unit14to move along the filter12.

The supplementary moving mechanism18includes a first guide gear150having a closed loop section shape with gear teeth formed at least one of an outside circumference and an inside circumference thereof, a supplementary gear guide160for guiding the first guide gear150to make the first guide gear150to rotate while maintaining at least one linear portion, a second guide gear170engaged with the first guide gear150and connected to the shaft20, a third guide gear190engaged with the linear portion of the first guide gear150, and a connection mechanism200connected both to the third guide gear190and the filter cleaning unit14for making the filter cleaning unit14to move.

The first guide gear150may have a structure identical to the first gear50of the moving mechanism16. The first guide gear150may include one pair of linear portions151and152and one pair of curved portions153and154. The first guide gear150may rotate following a locus formed at the supplementary gear guide160. The first guide gear150may have one151of the one pair of linear portions151and152engaged with the third guide gear190, and the other one152of the one pair of linear portions151and152engaged with the second guide gear170. The first guide gear150may rotate following the supplementary gear guide160guided by the supplementary gear guide160. When the second guide gear170rotates, the first guide gear150may have the one pair of linear portions151and152advancing in directions opposite to each other while maintaining a rectangular shape in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the filter cleaning unit14and the third guide gear190may move linearly following one151of the one pair of linear portions151and152. The first guide gear150may have gear teeth formed on the inside circumference thereof, and the second guide gear170and the third guide gear190may rotate in an inside space the first guide gear50forms. Since configuration details of the first guide gear150are the same with the first gear50of the moving mechanism16, detailed description of the first guide gear150will be omitted.

The supplementary gear guide160may have a function the same with the gear guide60of the moving mechanism16. The supplementary gear guide160may be arranged opposite to the gear guide60of the moving mechanism16.

The supplementary gear guide160may include an inner guide161positioned at an inside of the first guide gear150, and an outer guide162surrounding an outside circumference of the first guide gear150. The first guide gear150may have an inside circumference facing an outside circumference of the inner guide161. The first guide gear150may have an outside circumference facing an inside circumference of the outer guide162. The first guide gear150may rotate following a locus of a space formed between the inner guide161and the outer guide162. The supplementary gear guide160may further include a gear cover165for shading the first guide gear150.

The inner guide161of the supplementary moving mechanism18may have a structure identical to the inner guide61of the moving mechanism16, and may be arranged in symmetry with the inner guide61of the moving mechanism16. The inner guide161of the supplementary moving mechanism18may be formed smaller than the first guide gear150. The inner guide161of the supplementary moving mechanism18may be positioned at an inside space which is a space the inside circumference of the first guide gear150forms.

The inner guide161of the supplementary moving mechanism18may include one pair of inner linear portions161A and161B opposite to each other, and one pair of inner curved portions161C and161D which connect the one pair of inner linear portions161A and161B. The inner guide161of the supplementary moving mechanism18may further include a partition plate portion161E for partitioning the inside space of the first guide gear150. The partition plate portion161E may partition the inside space of the first guide gear150into a third space in which the second guide gear170is positioned, and a fourth space in which the third guide gear190is positioned. The one pair of inner linear portions161A and161B and the one pair of inner curved portions161C and161D may be formed along an outside circumference of the partition plate portion161E. The inner guide161of the supplementary moving mechanism18may have a width of one161A of the one pair of inner linear portions161A and161B formed smaller than a width of the other one161B. The linear portion161A of the one pair of inner linear portions161A and161B having a smaller width may have one of an upper side and a lower side of a space the third guide gear90is positioned therein opened. The inner guide161of the supplementary moving mechanism18may have an avoiding portion formed recessed at a position matched to the second guide gear170for avoiding the second guide gear170. Since details of the inner guide161of the supplementary moving mechanism18are identical to the inner guide61of the moving mechanism16, description of the details will be omitted.

The outer guide162of the supplementary moving mechanism18may have a structure identical to the outer guide62of the moving mechanism16and may be mounted in symmetry with the outer guide62of the moving mechanism16. The outer guide162of the supplementary moving mechanism18may have a pass through hole163formed therein in parallel to the moving direction of the filter cleaning unit14for pass through of the connection mechanism200. Since details of the outer guide162of the supplementary moving mechanism18are identical to the outer guide62of the moving mechanism16, description of the details will be omitted.

The gear cover165of the supplementary moving mechanism18may couple to the outer guide162of the supplementary moving mechanism18. The gear cover165of the supplementary moving mechanism18may form an exterior appearance of the supplementary moving mechanism18together with the outer guide162of the supplementary moving mechanism18. Different from the gear cover65of the moving mechanism16, the gear cover165of the supplementary moving mechanism18may have no drive source mounted thereto, and the gear cover165of the supplementary moving mechanism18may have no configuration formed thereon for mounting the drive source thereto. Since details of the gear cover165of the supplementary moving mechanism18are identical to details of the gear cover65of the moving mechanism16except that the gear cover165of the supplementary moving mechanism18has no drive source mounted thereto, description of the details will be omitted.

The outer guide162and the gear cover165may function as a case of the supplementary moving mechanism18. The inner guide161of the supplementary moving mechanism18may be positioned between the outer guide162and the gear cover165of the supplementary moving mechanism18for guiding rotation of the first guide gear150. The inner guide161of the supplementary moving mechanism18may partition the inside space of the first guide gear150into a third space and a fourth space. The supplementary moving mechanism18may have the gear cover165, the inner guide161, and the outer guide162coupled with fastening members, such as screws. Each of the gear cover165, the inner guide161, and the outer guide162may have a fastening hole formed therein for pass through of the fastening member, such as the screw.

The second guide gear170may be positioned at a position matched with the shaft connection gear110of the moving mechanism16in symmetry with the shaft connection gear110of the moving mechanism16. The second guide gear170may have a function the same with a function of the second gear70of the moving mechanism16. The second guide gear170may function as a drive gear for rotating the first guide gear150of the supplementary moving mechanism18. The second guide gear170may be rotated in a rotation direction the same with the shaft connection gear110of the moving mechanism16. The second guide gear170may rotate the first guide gear150in a state the second guide gear170is fixed to the third space in the inside space of the first guide gear50in view of a position.

The third guide gear190may have a structure identical to the third gear90of the moving mechanism16. The third guide gear190may be a moving gear moved according to the first guide gear150while rotated by the first guide gear150. The third guide gear190may be mounted in symmetry with the third gear90of the moving mechanism16. The third guide gear190may be a driven gear for transmission of a torque from the first guide gear150to the connection mechanism200when the first guide gear150rotates. The third guide gear190may have at least a portion movably positioned to move a position thereof in the fourth space of the inside space of the first guide gear150. The third guide gear190may have a gear portion having gear teeth formed thereon engaged with the first guide gear150in the fourth space.

The connection mechanism200of the supplementary moving mechanism18may have a structure identical to the structure of the connection mechanism100of the moving mechanism16. The connection mechanism200of the supplementary moving mechanism18may be mounted in symmetry with the connection mechanism100of the moving mechanism16. The connection mechanism200of the supplementary moving mechanism18may include a gear shaft201, a fourth gear202mounted to the gear shaft201, a fifth gear203engaged with the fourth gear202to rotate in a direction opposite to the fourth gear202, and a brush rotating shaft204connected to the brush40to have the fifth gear203mounted thereto. The connection mechanism200of the supplementary moving mechanism18may have the gear shaft201connected to the dust box30, and the brush rotating shaft204connected both to the brush40and the dust box30.

The gear shaft201of the supplementary moving mechanism18may rotate and move in a direction the same with the third guide gear190. The gear shaft201of the supplementary moving mechanism18may be arranged in symmetry with the gear shaft201of the moving mechanism16.

The fourth gear202of the supplementary moving mechanism18may rotate and move in a direction the same with the gear shaft201. The fourth gear202of the supplementary moving mechanism18may be positioned in symmetry with the fourth gear102of the moving mechanism16.

The fifth gear203of the supplementary moving mechanism18may rotate in a direction opposite to the fourth gear202, and may move in a direction the same with the fourth gear202. The fifth gear203of the supplementary moving mechanism18may be positioned in symmetry with the fifth gear103of the moving mechanism16.

The brush rotating shaft204of the supplementary moving mechanism18may rotate and move in a direction the same with the fifth gear203. The brush rotating shaft204of the supplementary moving mechanism18may be arranged in symmetry with the brush rotating shaft104of the moving mechanism16.

The moving mechanism supporting slit34shown inFIG. 6may include a gear shaft supporting slit34A for rotatably supporting the gear shaft201of the supplementary moving mechanism18, and the gear shaft201of the supplementary moving mechanism18may be arranged to pass through the dust box30, specifically, the gear shaft supporting slit34A formed in the dust box casing31.

The moving mechanism supporting slit34shown inFIG. 6may include a brush rotating supporting slit34B for rotatably supporting the brush rotating shaft204of the supplementary moving mechanism18, and the brush rotating shaft204of the supplementary moving mechanism18may be arranged to pass through the dust box30, specifically, the brush rotating shaft supporting slit34B formed in the dust box casing31.

The second holder36shown inFIG. 6may be coupled to the dust box casing31for preventing the gear shaft201and the brush rotating shaft204from falling off, unintentionally. Since the connection mechanism200of the supplementary moving mechanism18has a structure identical to the connection mechanism100of the moving mechanism16and is mounted in symmetry with the connection mechanism100of the moving mechanism16, and has detailed configuration identical to the connection mechanism100of the moving mechanism16, description of the detailed configuration will be omitted.

The operation of the air conditioner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention having the foregoing configuration will be described.

If the drive source80is in operation, the second gear70, connected to the drive source80, may be rotated in a state a position of the second gear70is fixed. When the second gear70rotates, the first gear50may have the linear portion52thereof engaged with the second gear70moved linearly by the second gear70such that the first gear50may have the one pair of linear portions51and52moved in directions opposite to each other linearly while maintaining a whole shape of the first gear50. When the linear portion52engaged with the second gear70moves in a right side direction X1onFIG. 8linearly, the linear portion51engaged with the third gear90may move in a left side direction X2onFIG. 8, linearly. Opposite to this, when the linear portion52engaged with the second gear70moves in the left side direction X2onFIG. 8linearly, the linear portion51engaged with the third gear90may move in the right side direction X1onFIG. 8, linearly. The one pair of linear portions51and52may have portions which have maintained linear shapes changed to shapes of the curved portions53and54, and portions which have maintained curved shapes changed to shapes of the linear portions51and52.

When the linear portion51having the third gear90engaged thereto moves linearly, the third gear90may rotate in a direction the same with the second gear70. In this case, the third gear90may be moved linearly in a direction opposite to a direction of advance of the linear portion51the third gear90is engaged therewith. When the third gear90moves linearly while rotating, the gear shaft101moves linearly together with the third gear90while rotating in a direction the same with the third gear90. When the gear shaft101moves linearly while rotating, the fourth gear102may move linearly together with the third gear90while rotating together with the gear shaft102. When the fourth gear102rotates, the fifth gear104may rotate in a direction opposite to the third gear90and the fourth gear102. The fifth gear104may advance in a direction the same with the fourth gear102, when the brush40may rotate in a direction the same with the fifth gear103while advancing in a direction parallel to a direction of advance of the fifth gear102, and the brush body42may collect the foreign matter from the filter12while rotating in a regular direction toward a direction the brush40advances. When the brush40moves, the dust box30may move together with the brush40in the same direction with the brush40, to receive the foreign matter separated from the filter12. The supplementary moving mechanism18may make the brush40to rotate and move from a side opposite to the moving mechanism16, and may make the dust box30to move in the same direction, linearly.

A case will be described in detail, in which the filter cleaning unit14moves in the right side direction X1onFIGS. 8 and 9, linearly.

When the second gear70rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, the linear portion52engaged with the second gear70may advance in the right side direction X1onFIGS. 8 and 9, and the linear portion51having the third gear90engaged therewith may advance in the left side direction X2on theFIGS. 8 and 9. When the third gear90advances in the left side direction X2of the linear portion51having the third gear90engaged therewith, the third gear90may advance in the right side direction X1on theFIGS. 8 and 9while rotating in the anti-clockwise direction. When the third gear90advances in the right side direction X1on theFIGS. 8 and 9while rotating in the anti-clockwise direction, the gear shaft101and the fourth gear102may advance in the right side direction X1onFIGS. 8 and 9while rotating in the anti-clockwise direction, and the fifth gear103and the brush rotating shaft104may advance in the right side direction X1onFIGS. 8 and 9while rotating in the clockwise direction. The filter cleaning unit14may have the dust box30advancing in the right side direction X1onFIGS. 8 and 9. The filter cleaning unit14may have the brush40rotated in the clockwise direction, and the brush body42headed for the left side onFIGS. 8 and 9may rotate to head for the right side onFIGS. 8 and 9after rotating to head for an upper side onFIG. 8. Thereafter, the brush body42may rotate to head for the left side onFIGS. 8 and 9after rotated to head for a lower side onFIG. 8.

A case will be described in detail, in which the filter cleaning unit14moves in the left side direction X2onFIGS. 8 and 9, linearly.

When the second gear70rotates in the clockwise direction, the linear portion52engaged with the second gear70may advance in the left side direction X2onFIGS. 8 and 9, and the linear portion51having the third gear90engaged therewith may advance in the right side direction X1onFIGS. 8 and 9. When the linear portion51having the third gear90engaged therewith advances in the right side direction X1, the third gear90may advance in the left side direction X2onFIGS. 8 and 9while rotating in the clockwise direction. When the third gear90may advance in the left side direction X2onFIGS. 8 and 9while rotating in the clockwise direction, the gear shaft101and the fourth gear102may advance in the left side direction X2onFIGS. 8 and 9while rotating in the clockwise direction, and the fifth gear103and the brush rotating shaft104may advance in the left side direction X2onFIGS. 8 and 9while rotating in the anti-clockwise direction. The filter cleaning unit14may have the dust box30advancing in the left side direction X2onFIGS. 8 and 9. The filter cleaning unit14may have the brush40rotating in the anti-clockwise direction, and the brush body42headed for the right side onFIGS. 8 and 9rotates to head for the left side onFIGS. 8 and 9after rotated to head for the upper side onFIG. 8. Thereafter, the brush body42may be rotated to head for the right side onFIGS. 8 and 9after rotated to head for the lower side onFIG. 8.

FIG. 10is an exploded perspective view illustrating a moving mechanism and a supplementary moving mechanism in an air conditioner in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 11is an enlarged side view illustrating principal parts of a moving mechanism in an air conditioner in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 12is an enlarged side view illustrating principal parts of a moving mechanism in an air conditioner in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The air conditioner in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a connection mechanism having at least one brush rotating shaft100′ and200′ connected to the brush40and rotatably supported on the dust box30. Since other configurations and operation of the air conditioner in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention are identical, or similar, to the air conditioner in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention except that the connection mechanism has at least one brush rotating shaft100′ and200′, the same reference symbols will be used and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The third gear90of a guide mechanism16may be mounted to the brush rotating shaft100′, and the brush rotating shaft100′ may rotate in a direction the same with a rotation direction of the third gear90. The brush rotating shaft100′ may move in a direction the same with the third gear90, linearly.

The brush rotating shaft100′ may pass through the pass through hole63in the outer guide62, and may move along the pass through hole63in the outer guide62, linearly. The brush rotating shaft100′ may have one end positioned in the second space S4between the partition plate portion61E and the outer guide62. The brush rotating shaft100′ may have the other end positioned in the dust box30. The brush rotating shaft100′ may have the other end connected to the brush40. The brush rotating shaft100′ may be rotatably connected to the brush holder35.

The third gear90of the guide mechanism16may be connected to the brush40with the brush rotating shaft100′, and the brush40may be rotated by the brush rotating shaft100′ in a direction the same with the third gear90. The guide mechanism16of the embodiment does not include the gear shaft101, the fourth gear102and the fifth gear103of the embodiment of the present invention, enabling to rotate the brush40with a simple structure.

A third guide gear190of a supplementary guide mechanism18is mounted to a brush rotating shaft200′, and the brush rotating shaft200′ may rotate in a direction the same with the third guide gear190. The brush rotating shaft200′ may move in a direction the same with the third guide gear190, linearly.

The brush rotating shaft200′ may pass through a pass through hole163in the outer guide162, and may move along the pass through hole163in the outer guide162, linearly. The brush rotating shaft200′ may have one end positioned in a fourth space between the partition plate portion161E and the outer guide162. The brush rotating shaft200′ may have the other end positioned in the dust box30. The brush rotating shaft200′ may have the other end connected to the brush40. The brush rotating shaft200′ may be rotatably connected to the brush holder36.

The third gear190of the supplementary guide mechanism18may be connected to the brush40with the brush rotating shaft200′, and the brush40may be rotated in a direction the same with the third guide gear190by the brush rotating shaft200′. The supplementary guide mechanism18of the present embodiment does not include the gear shaft201, the fourth gear202, and the fifth gear203of the embodiment of the present invention, enabling to rotate the brush40with a simple structure and least number of components.

The operation of the present embodiment will be described.

When the drive source80is in operation, the first gear50, the second gear70, and the third gear90may rotate the same with the embodiment of the present invention, and the brush rotating shaft100′ may be rotated in a direction the same with the third gear90in a state the brush rotating shaft100′ is connected to the third gear90. While rotating in a direction the same with the third gear90and the brush rotating shaft100′, the brush40may advance in a direction parallel to a direction of advance of the third gear90. In this case, the brush body42may rotate reversely in a direction opposite to a direction of advance of the brush40for collecting the foreign matter from the filter12. In the meantime, when the brush40moves, the dust box30may be moved in a direction the same with the brush rotating shaft100′ by the brush rotating shaft100′ linearly, enabling to receive the foreign matter separated from the filter12. The supplementary guide mechanism18may make the brush40to rotate and move from an opposite side of the guide mechanism16, and may make the dust box30to move in the same direction, linearly.

A case will be described in detail, in which the filter cleaning unit14moves in the right side direction X1onFIGS. 11 and 12, linearly.

When the third gear90advances in the right side direction X1onFIGS. 11 and 12while rotating in the anti-clockwise direction, the brush rotating shaft100′ may advance in the right side direction X1onFIGS. 11 and 12while rotating in the anti-clockwise direction. The filter cleaning unit14may have the dust box30advancing in the right side direction X1onFIGS. 11 and 12by the brush rotating shaft100′. The filter cleaning unit14may have the brush40rotating in the anti-clockwise direction, and the brush body42headed for the left side onFIGS. 11 and 12may be rotated to head for the right side onFIGS. 11 and 12after rotated to head for the lower side direction Y2onFIG. 11. Thereafter, the brush body42may be rotated to head for the left side onFIGS. 11 and 12after rotated to head for the upper side onFIG. 8.

A case will be described in detail, in which the filter cleaning unit14moves in the left side direction X2onFIGS. 11 and 12, linearly.

When the third gear90advances in the left side direction X2onFIGS. 11 and 12while rotating in the clockwise direction, the brush rotating shaft100′ may advance in the left side direction X2onFIGS. 11 and 12while rotating in the clockwise direction. The filter cleaning unit14may have the dust box30advancing in the right side direction X1onFIGS. 11 and 12by the brush rotating shaft100′. The filter cleaning unit14may have the dust box30advancing in the left side direction X1onFIGS. 11 and 12by the brush rotating shaft100′. The filter cleaning unit14may have the brush40rotating in the clockwise direction, and the brush body42headed for the right side onFIGS. 11 and 12may be rotated to head for the left side onFIGS. 11 and 12after rotated to head for the lower side onFIG. 11. Thereafter, the brush body42may be rotated to head for the right side onFIGS. 11 and 12after rotated to head for the upper side onFIG. 11.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the above-described embodiment and drawings, and various changes or modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and the technical sprit of the present invention.