EP2181292A2

EP2181292A2 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: EP2181292A2
Application number: EP07860673A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Seung-Hoon Yang
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2007-08-29
Filing date: 2007-12-26
Publication date: 2010-05-05
Also published as: CN101772677A; KR101392313B1; WO2009028766A2; EP2181292A4; KR20090022098A; WO2009028766A3

Abstract

Provided is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a filter, an suction device, a cleaning blower, a connection pipe, and a fixing unit. The filter removing foreign substances from air is disposed in a main body. The suction device is used to suction the foreign substances. The cleaning blower communicated with the suction device generates suction force. The connection pipe connects the suction device to the cleaning blower. The fixing unit fixing the connection pipe is disposed in the main body.

Description

Description AIR CONDITIONER

Technical Field

[1] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

Background Art

[2] In general, an air conditioner is an apparatus for cooling/heating an indoor space using a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. In the case where a purifying unit for purifying air is installed, the air conditioner also purifies the indoor space.

[3] Various kinds of purifying units are installed in the air conditioner, and particularly, a filter filtering off foreign substances contained in air is detachably installed. Therefore, while the air conditioner operates, the foreign substances contained in the air are filtered by the filter, so that the indoor space is purified. Also, the filter is separated from the air conditioner and cleaned, or replaced.

[4] Since air intake ability is reduced when the filter is full of much foreign substances, it needs to be cleaned or replaced periodically. However, cleaning or replacing the filter causes inconvenience to a user. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] Embodiments provide an air conditioner that can automatically clean a filter.

[6] Embodiments also provide an air conditioner that can prevent the damage of a connection pipe or the tangle of the connection pipe and wires by fixing the connection pipe to a main body.

[7] Embodiments also provide an air conditioner that can easily and firmly fix a connection pipe to a main body. Technical Solution

[8] In one embodiment, an air conditioner includes: a filter in a main body, the filter removing foreign substances from air; a suction device for suctioning the foreign substances; a cleaning blower communicated with the suction device, the cleaning blower generating suction force; a connection pipe connecting the suction device to the cleaning blower; and a fixing unit provided in the main body, the fixing unit fixing the connection pipe.

[9] In another embodiment, an air conditioner includes: a case; a suction unit suctioning air, coupled to a front portion of the case; a filter removing foreign substances from the air suctioned through the suction unit; a cleaning blower generating suction force for suctioning the foreign substances; a connection pipe for conveying the foreign substances to the cleaning blower; and a fixing unit fixing the connection pipe to the case and surrounding a portion of the connection pipe.

Advantageous Effects

[10] According to an embodiment, foreign substances are automatically cleaned from the filter.

[11] In addition, a connection pipe for connecting a suction device with a cleaning blower is easily set in order and the damage of the connection pipe is minimized because the connection pipe is fixed to a fixing unit of a main body.

[12] In addition, since the fixing unit is integrally formed with the main body, an additional fixing unit for fixing the fixing unit and a fixing operation are not required.

[13] In addition, since the fixing unit protrudes forward from a case, and the connection pipe is disposed behind the fixing unit, a forward movement of the connection pipe from the case is restrained.

[14] In addition, a vertical movement and a horizontal movement of the connection unit are restrained by the fixing unit. Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[16] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an inner configuration of the air conditioner of FIG. 1.

[17] Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner with a suction unit separated.

[18] Fig. 4 is a front view illustrating an air conditioner with a suction unit separated.

[19] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an air conditioner.

[20] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating a case forming a main body.

[21] FIG. 7 is a partial front view illustrating the case of FIG. 6.

[22] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection pipe fixed to a fixing unit.

[23] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 7.

[24] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 7.

[25] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view illustrating the rear side of the case of FIG. 6.

Mode for the Invention

[26] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[27] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[28] Referring to FIG. 1, the air conditioner includes a main body 2 defining an appearance. Air suction port 4 and an air discharge port 6 are formed in the main body 2. A filter 80 purifying air and a cleaning device for removing foreign substances from the filter 80 are disposed on an outer surface of the main body 2 or in the main body 2.

[29] Though a wall- mount type air conditioner is illustrated in Fig. 1, the present disclosure is not limited thereto but can be applied to a stand type air conditioner and a ceiling type air conditioner.

[30] The air suction port 4 can be formed in at least one of the front side and the top side of the main body 2, or formed in a surface ranging from the front upper side to the top side.

[31] Description is made using an example in which the edge of the main body 2 between the front side and the top side is rounded or inclined, and the air suction port 4 are formed in a surface ranging from the rounded portion or inclined portion to the top side.

[32] The air discharge port 6 can be formed in at least one of the front side and the bottom side of the main body 2, or in the lower portion of the front side of the main body 2, or in a surface ranging from the lower portion of the front side to the bottom side of the main body 2.

[33] Description is made using an example in which the edge of the main body 2 between the front side and the bottom side is rounded or inclined. The air discharge port 6 is formed in the rounded portion or the inclined portion.

[34] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an inner configuration of the air conditioner of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the air conditioner with a suction unit 20 separated. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the air conditioner with the suction unit 20 separated. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the air conditioner.

[35] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the main body 2 includes a case 10, a suction unit 20, and a discharge unit 30.

[36] In detail, the case 10 can be directly mounted on a wall using a coupling member, or a separate installation plate 11 is coupled to the wall using a coupling member and then the case 10 can be coupled to the installation plate 11 using a hook or a coupling member.

[37] The case 10 includes a passage part 12 for guiding air that is suctioned through the air suction port 4 to the air discharge port 6 and an electronic part 13 disposed in a portion of the passage part 12 for including various electronic components.

[38] Passage guides 15, 16, and 17 guiding airflow are integrally formed on the case 10.

[39] The passage guides 15, 16, and 17 include the left guide 15 and the right guide 16 that protrude to the front from the case 10, and the central guide 17 provided between the left guide 15 and the right guide 16.

[40] A heat exchanger support 18 supporting a heat exchanger 60 and simultaneously forming an air passage is installed in the case 10.

[41] In the embodiment, the right guide 16 forms an air passage and supports the heat exchanger 60, and the left guide 15 is coupled with the heat exchanger support 18.

[42] A motor installation portion 14, on which a fan motor 52 is installed, protrudes forward from the electronic part 13. The motor installation portion 14 includes a left seat portion 14a protruding forward from the case 10 for receiving a left portion of the fan motor 52 and a right seat portion 14b for receiving a right portion of the fan motor 52. Curved surfaces corresponding to the pan motor 52 are formed in the left seat portion 14a and the right seat portion 14b, respectively.

[43] The suction unit 20 is coupled to a front portion of the case 10 to define a space between the suction unit 20 and the case 10. The air suction port 4 and a suctioning grill 21 are formed in the suction unit 20.

[44] The discharge unit 30 is used to discharge heat-exchanged air in the main body 2 to an indoor side. The discharge unit 30 is coupled to at least one of the case 10 and the suction unit 20 using a coupling member.

[45] A drain part 32 for collecting condensed water dropping from the heat exchanger 60 is disposed in an upper portion of the discharge unit 30. A drain hose 33 for guiding the condensed water to an external side is connected to the drain part 32. The air discharge port 6 is disposed under the drain part 32.

[46] A rotatable vane 34 for vertically moving a direction of air through the air discharge port 6 up or down and opening/closing the air discharge port 6 is disposed in the discharge unit 30. The vane 34 is rotated by a vane motor 35. A rotatable louver 36 for horizontally moving the direction of the air through the air discharge port 6 left or right is disposed in the discharge unit 30.

[47] Meanwhile, the main body 2 includes a blower 50 for suctioning air and the heat exchanger 60 for heat-exchanging the suctioned air with a refrigerant.

[48] In detail, referring to FIG. 5, the blower 50 includes the fan motor 52 mounted on the motor installation portion 14 of the case 10, a fan 54 coupled to a rotational shaft of the fan motor 52, and a motor cover 56 covering the fan motor 52. For example, the fan 54 may be a cross flow fan.

[49] The heat exchanger 60 is disposed behind the suction unit 20 and between the air suction port 4 and the fan 54.

[50] The heat exchanger 60 includes a vertical portion 62 over the drain part 32, a front inclined portion 64 inclined from an upper portion of the vertical portion 62 toward an upper portion of the case 10, and a rear inclined portion 66 inclined from a upper portion of the front inclined portion 64 toward a lower portion of the case 10. A refrigerant pipe 68 for connecting to an outdoor unit (not shown) is coupled to the heat exchanger 60. [51] Meanwhile, a control box 70 is provided inside the main body 2, particularly, near the fan motor 52. The control box 70 is mounted to the case 10. [52] The control box 70 includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) 72 for controlling an operation of the fan motor 52 and a cleaning PCB 74 for controlling an operation of the cleaning device. [53] The cleaning PCB 74 is connected to the main PCB 72 using a lead line to control the operation of the cleaning device according to a control signal of the main PCB 72. [54] The front side of the control box 70 is opened, and a receiving portion for receiving the main PCB 72 and the cleaning PCB 74 is formed in the control box 70. A box cover 75 is coupled on the front side of the control box 70. [55] Meanwhile, the filter 80 filters foreign substances from the suctioned air through the air suction port 4. A plurality of filters may be provided. [56] The filter 80 includes a horizontal portion 82 and an inclined portion 83 inclined downward from the horizontal portion 82. The main body 2 further includes a filter frame 90 on which the filter 80 is mounted. [57] The filter 80 may be detachably attached to the filter frame 90, may be fixed to the filter frame 90, or may be integrally formed with the filter frame 90. Hereinafter, the filter 80 is detachably attached to the filter frame 90. [58] The filter frame 90 is disposed in front of the heat exchanger 60, and includes openings 91 through which air passes through. [59] The filter frame 90 includes a horizontal portion 92 and an inclined portion 93 inclined downward from the front end of the horizontal portion 92. [60] The rear end of the horizontal portion 92 is coupled to the case 10. Respective coupling portions 96 protrude from both sides of the filter frame 90. Respective coupling holes through which respective coupling members 95 pass are formed in the coupling portions 96. Coupling bosses 10a coupled with the coupling members are disposed at positions corresponding to those of the coupling holes in the upper portion of the case 10. [61] Referring to FIG. 2, a heat exchanger-fixing portion 97 fixed to the heat exchanger

60 is disposed on the inclined portion 93. A cut portion 97a is formed in the heat exchanger-fixing portion 97. [62] Meanwhile, the cleaning device includes a suction device, a moving part 120, a connection pipe 170, and a dust collector 190. [63] The suction device suctioning dusts of the filter 80 together with the air includes a suction nozzle 110 and a suction duct assembly 130. [64] In detail, the suction nozzle 110 suctions foreign substances of the filter 80 while moving along the filter 80. The suction nozzle 110 is formed long approximately in a vertical direction and slides horizontally along the filter 80. [65] The suction nozzle 110 is bent in a shape corresponding to the filter 80 and the filter frame 90.

[66] A suction portion 112 is formed in a surface of the suction nozzle 110 facing the filter 80. A brush 113 is installed to the suction nozzle 110. The brush 113 cleans off foreign substances of the filter 80 when the suction nozzle 110 moves.

[67] A passage 114 through which foreign substances and air pass is formed inside the suction nozzle 110. A discharge portion 115 through which foreign substance and air are discharged is formed under the suction nozzle 110. The discharge portion 115 is formed in a quadrangular duct shape.

[68] The suction nozzle 110 includes a lower body 116A in which the suction portion 112 is formed, and an upper body 116B coupled to the lower body 116A and forming the passage 114 between the lower body 116A and the upper body 116B. The brush 113 is installed to the lower body 116 A. The suction portion 112 and the discharge portion 115 are formed in the lower body 116 A.

[69] The moving part 120 includes a driving motor 121 moving the suction nozzle 110, a driving gear 123 rotated by the driving motor 121, a fixed gear 124 formed on the suction duct assembly 130, and driven gears 125 and 126 engaged with the driving gear 123 and the fixed gear 124 to move along the fixed gear 124 while the driving gear 123 rotates. The fixed gear 124 is formed in a direction parallel with a moving direction of the suction nozzle 110.

[70] The suction nozzle 110 further includes a gear box 127 covering the driving gear 123 and the driven gears 125 and 126.

[71] In detail, the driving motor 121 can rotate in a forward/reverse direction so that the suction nozzle 110 can move in a left/right direction. That is, the driving motor 121 can rotate in both directions.

[72] The driving motor 121 is connected to the driving gear 123 to directly rotate the driving gear 123, or a motor gear 121a engaged with the driving gear 123 is installed on a rotational shaft 121b. In the embodiment, description is made using an example in which the motor gear 121a is coupled to the rotational shaft 121b of the driving motor 121.

[73] The plurality of driven gears 125 and 126 are separated from one another. Therefore, the suction nozzle 110 can stably move in a horizontal direction.

[74] The driven gears 125 and 126 move along the fixed gear 124 while they rotate together upon rotation of the driving gear 123. As the driven gears 125 and 126 move along the fixed gear 124, the suction nozzle 110 moves horizontally together.

[75] The suction duct assembly 130 includes a suction duct 135 in which a space communicating with the suction nozzle 110 is formed and an open surface 134 through which the suction nozzle 110 moves is formed, and a screening member 150 connected with the suction nozzle 110 and shielding the open surface 134 while it is moved by the suction nozzle 110.

[76] The lower end of the discharge portion 115 of the suction nozzle 110 passes through the open surface 134 of the suction duct 135 and is located inside the suction duct 135. That is, the suction nozzle 110 moves along the lengthwise direction of the open surface 134 with the discharge portion 115 inserted into the suction duct 135.

[77] A connection portion 138 to which the connection pipe 170 is connected is coupled to the suction duct 135. The connection portion 138 is provided on one side of the suction duct 135. The connection portion 138 may be provided near the electronic part 13 to minimize the length of the connection pipe 170.

[78] The suction duct 135 includes a duct case 136 having two adjacent open surfaces, and a duct cap 137 blocking one surface of the duct case 136 and forming the open surface 134 between the duct case 136 and the duct cap 137.

[79] The screening member 150 forms a suction force application space, i.e., a suction passage 133 inside the suction duct 135 together with the suction duct 135. The screening member 150 is formed in a band shape of a closed loop.

[80] A passing portion 151 through which the discharge portion 115 of the suction nozzle

110 passes is formed in the screening member 150. Therefore, the discharge portion 115 passes through the passing portion 151 and is located in the suction passage 133.

[81] The screening member 150 can be directly fixed on the suction nozzle 110 using an adhesive means such as an adhesive, or can be fixed on the suction nozzle 110 using a separate fixing member 155. Description is made for the case where the screening member 150 is fixed on the suction nozzle 110 using the fixing member 155.

[82] An opening 156 through which the discharge portion 115 of the suction nozzle 110 passes is formed in the fixing member 155.

[83] The connection pipe 170 has one end connected to the suction duct assembly 130 and the other end connected to a cleaning blower 180. The connection pipe 170 can have at least one bent portion according to the arrangement of the elements in the main body 2. Thus, the connection pipe 170 is formed of a flexible material.

[84] The cleaning blower 180 is installed in the electronic part 13 and disposed under the control box 70. The cleaning blower 180 includes a cleaning fan motor 181, a cleaning fan 182 rotated by the cleaning fan motor 181, and a cleaning fan housing 183 coupled to the cleaning fan motor 181 and surrounding the cleaning fan 182. The cleaning fan 182 can be a turbo fan, for example.

[85] The cleaning fan housing 183 includes a first body 184 through which the rotational shaft of the cleaning fan motor 181 passes, and a second body 186 forming an blowing passage between the first body 184 and the second body 186.

[86] An orifice guiding airflow to the cleaning fan 182 is formed at the second body 186. A connection portion 187 to which the connection pipe 170 is coupled protrudes from the second body 186.

[87] The dust collector 190 communicates with the cleaning blower 180. The dust collecting box 190 includes a dust collecting body 191 having an opening, and a dust- collecting cover 192 coupled to the dust-collecting body 191 to cover the opening of the dust collecting body 191.

[88] An air intake hole 193 communicating with the cleaning fan housing 183 for suctioning air containing foreign substances, and an air discharge port 194 discharging air from the dust-collecting body 191 are formed in the dust-collecting body 191.

[89] The air intake hole 193 is formed in the first plane of the dust-collecting body 191, and the air discharge port 194 is formed in the second plane of the dust-collecting body 191. A partition wall 195 allowing a U-shaped passage to be formed inside the dust collector 190 is provided to the dust collector 190.

[90] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating the case 10 forming the main body 2.

FIG. 7 is a partial front view illustrating the case 10. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection pipe 170 fixed to a fixing unit 200. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 7. FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view illustrating the rear side of the case 10.

[91] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 11, the connection pipe 170 is fixed to the fixing unit 200 formed on the electronic part 13 of the case 10. The fixing unit 200 includes a first fixing unit 201 formed on the motor installation portion 14 of the electronic part 13 and a second fixing unit 220 formed over the first fixing unit 201.

[92] The first fixing unit 201 protrudes forward from the case 10. The first fixing unit 201 includes a first fixing portion 202 formed in a vertical direction and a second fixing portion 210 formed in a horizontal direction and extending from the first fixing portion 202.

[93] In other words, the first fixing unit 201 has a "L" shape. The section of the first and second fixing portion 202 and 210 has a "U" shape. Accordingly, the first and second fixing portion 202 and 210 define a receiving portion 205 receiving the connection pipe 170.

[94] In addition, the first fixing portion 202 restrains the horizontal movement of the connection pipe 170, and the second fixing portion 210 restrains the vertical movement of the connection pipe 170.

[95] Furthermore, the connection pipe 170 has at least one bent portion caused by the first and second fixing portion 202 and 210 and a portion surrounded by the first and second fixing portion 202 and 210.

[96] Referring to FIG. 8, a connecting portion of the first and second fixing portions 202 and 210 is rounded to easily bend the connection pipe 170.

[97] An upper end 204 of the first fixing portion 202 is inclined downward from the case

10 to easily bend the connection pipe 170. Also, the connection pipe 170 is bent near the upper end 204 of the first fixing portion 202.

[98] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, a portion of the connection pipe 170 fixed to the first fixing unit 201 is exposed out of the case 10. The exposed portion of the connection pipe 170 is covered with the installation plate 11. That is, the connection pipe 170 passes through the case 10, and the first fixing unit 201 surrounds the portion of the connection pipe 170 passing through the case 10.

[99] In addition, the installation plate 11 serves as an installation member for installing the case 10 and serves as a cover for covering the connection pipe 170.

[100] Meanwhile, the second fixing unit 220 includes a couple of hooks protruding from the case 10. The hooks include a first hook 222 and a second hook 224 spaced a predetermined distance from the first hook 222. The first and second hooks 222 and 224 are elastic.

[101] In addition, the connection pipe 170 is caught by the first and second hooks 222 and 224. That is, the first hook 222 is disposed at one side of the connection pipe 170, and the second hook 224 is disposed at the other side of the connection pipe 170.

[102] When the connection pipe 170 is disposed between the first and second hooks 222 and 224, the connection pipe 170 is pressed by the first and second hooks 222 and 224.

[103] A process of fixing the connection pipe having the aforementioned configuration will now be described.

[104] First, the connection pipe 170 is positioned at the rear side of the first fixing unit 201 and then the connection pipe 170 is inserted into the receiving portion 205. While the connection pipe 170 is inserted into the receiving portion 205, the connection pipe 170 is bent at the connecting portion of the first and second fixing portions 202 and 210.

[105] Next, one end of the connection pipe 170 is pulled out of the upper end of the first fixing portion 202 toward the front side of the case 10, and the other end of the connection pipe 170 is pulled out of an end of the second fixing portion 210 toward the front side of the case 10.

[106] Next, the pulled end of the connection pipe 170 out of the upper end of the first fixing portion 202 is inserted between the first and second hooks 222 and 224. In here, the first and second hooks 222 and 224 are elastically deformed. The connection pipe 170 is completely inserted between the first and second hooks 222 and 224 to be fixed by the first and second hooks 222 and 224.

[107] Then, the pulled other end of the connection pipe 170 out of the end of the second fixing portion 210 is connected to the connection portion 187 of the cleaning blower 180. [108] The present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned description. For example, the connection pipe 170 can be inserted downward from the upper side of the first fixing portion 202, or horizontally inserted into the receiving portion 205 from the side of the second fixing portion 210.

[109] The operation of the air conditioner having the aforementioned configuration will be described below.

[110] The main PCB 72 outputs a filter-cleaning signal to the cleaning PCB 74 periodically when a filter-cleaning command is input through a control panel installed to the air conditioner or a remote controller remotely controlling the air conditioner, or when an operation condition of the air conditioner is a filter-cleaning condition.

[I l l] The cleaning PCB 74 outputs a control signal for driving the driving motor 121 and the cleaning fan motor 181. Then, the driving motor 121 and the cleaning fan motor 181 are driven.

[112] When the driving motor 121 is driven, the motor gear 121a and the driving gear 123 engaged with the motor gear 121a are rotated. The driven gears 125 and 126 move along the fixed gear 124 while they are rotated by the driving gear 123.

[113] Then, the suction nozzle 110 moves horizontally along the filter 80. While the suction nozzle 110 slides along the filter 80, foreign substances are separated from the filter 80 by the brush 113.

[114] Meanwhile, suction force is generated by rotation of the cleaning fan motor 181 and the cleaning fan 182 simultaneously with the movement of the suction nozzle 110 and the separation of foreign substances.

[115] When suction force is applied, the foreign substances separated from the filter 80 are suctioned into the suction nozzle 110, and then move to the suction duct 135 through the discharge portion 115. Air and the foreign substances that have moved to the suction duct 135 sequentially pass through the connection portion 138 and the connection pipe 170, and then are suctioned into the cleaning fan housings 184 and 186. After that, the foreign substances and air suctioned into the cleaning fan housings 184 and 186 are discharged to the dust collector 190.

[116] The foreign substances and air that have moved to the dust collector 190 flow around due to the partition wall 195 and pass through the U-shaped passage. The foreign substances and air are separated from each other while they pass through the U-shaped passage. The separated foreign substances are stored in the lower portion of the dust collector 190, and the separated air is discharged to the outside of the dust collector 190 through the air discharge port 194.

[117] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

[ 1 ] An air conditioner comprising: a filter filtering an air in a main body; a suction device for suctioning the foreign substances; a cleaning blower communicated with the suction device, the cleaning blower generating suction force; a connection pipe connecting the suction device to the cleaning blower; and a fixing unit provided in the main body, the fixing unit fixing the connection pipe. [2] The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a case and a suction unit coupled to a front portion of the case, and the fixing unit is disposed on the case. [3] The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the fixing unit protrudes forward from a rear surface of the case. [4] The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the fixing unit comprises a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion bent from the first fixing portion. [5] The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the first and second fixing portions define a receiving portion receiving the connection pipe. [6] The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the connection pipe fixed by the fixing unit is exposed out of the case. [7] The air conditioner according to claim 6, further comprising an installation plate for installing the case and covering the exposed connection pipe. [8] The air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising a fan for suctioning air to be conveyed to the main body and a fan motor for rotating the fan, wherein the case includes a motor installation portion on which the fan motor is installed and the fixing unit is disposed on the motor installation portion. [9] The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the fixing unit comprises a couple of hooks spaced a predetermined distance from each other and protruding forward from the case. [10] The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the couple of hooks comprise a first hook disposed at one side of the connection pipe for fixing the connection pipe and a second hook disposed at the other side of the connection pipe for fixing the connection pipe. [11] The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the fixing unit surrounds a portion of the connection pipe. [12] The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the connection pipe comprises at least one bent portion caused by the fixing unit. [13] An air conditioner comprising : a case; a suction unit suctioning air, coupled to a front portion of the case; a filter removing foreign substances from the air suctioned through the suction unit; a cleaning blower generating suction force for suctioning the foreign substances; a connection pipe for conveying the foreign substances to the cleaning blower; and a fixing unit fixing the connection pipe to the case and surrounding a portion of the connection pipe. [14] The air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein the connection pipe passes through the case and the fixing unit fixes the connection pipe having passed through the case. [15] The air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein the fixing unit comprises a first hook disposed at one side of the connection pipe for fixing the connection pipe and a second hook disposed at the other side of the connection pipe for fixing the connection pipe.