JP2015183964A - Air conditioner and indoor unit of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner and an indoor unit of the same capable of individually controlling a plurality of wind direction plates easily by a cheap wireless remote controller.SOLUTION: An indoor unit 2 includes: a plurality of wind direction plates 7 provided rotatably being independent of each other with respect to a plurality of air outlets 6; an imaging device 11 provided at a decorative panel 4 and capable of photographing all areas which the blown-out air heads for; a wireless remote controller 20 which is a mobile terminal, and which can change an angle of each wind direction plate 7 by an operation of a user; a wireless detection unit 10 provided at the decorative panel 4, and for detecting a signal from the wireless remote controller 20; and an image processing device 14 which, when the wireless detection unit 10 receives a signal from the wireless remote controller 20, identifies the area in which the user operating the wireless remote controller 20 is located based on image data of an image photographed by the imaging device 11, and allows the angle of the wind direction plate 7 corresponding to the identified area to be changed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner including an indoor unit provided with a louver capable of changing a wind direction angle in the vertical direction with respect to each of a plurality of air outlets.

  A conventional wired remote controller used for an indoor unit having a plurality of wind direction plates arranged at a plurality of outlets and capable of individually changing the blowing direction of the conditioned air is used for the outlet selected from the plurality of outlets. The display part which displays simultaneously the information about the information and / or the wind direction board selected from the several wind direction board is provided (for example, refer patent document 1 and patent document 2).

JP 2011-94924 A JP 2011-94934 A

  By the way, in the air conditioner provided with the indoor unit which has the several wind direction board each arrange | positioned at several blower outlets, it is possible to control a several wind direction board separately. In such an air conditioner, it is desirable that the user can easily confirm the wind directions at the plurality of air outlets by being displayed on the remote controller.

  In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, which wind direction plate is moved, a symbol is attached to the decorative panel of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, and the symbol is also displayed on the wired remote controller, thereby making it easy for the user to operate. .

  However, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, when the user is away from the wired remote controller, the user must move to the place where the remote controller is installed. Furthermore, when the air conditioner to be operated cannot be seen from the place where the wired remote controller is installed, it is difficult to recognize which wind direction plate the user moves and how much the user moves.

  Although this wired remote controller can be a wireless remote controller, the number of buttons increases, making the wireless remote controller complicated and large. Furthermore, by using a wireless remote controller, the cost increases and the price of the air conditioner increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioner that can easily control a plurality of wind direction plates individually by an inexpensive wireless remote controller and an indoor unit thereof. It is.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an indoor unit of an air conditioner that is an aspect of the present invention is an indoor unit of an air conditioner provided in an air conditioning room, and a plurality of outlets formed on a decorative panel, A plurality of wind direction plates that are provided so as to be independently rotatable and capable of changing the vertical angle of blown air blown from the plurality of blowout ports, and provided on the decorative panel, the blown air An imaging device that can shoot all areas facing the camera, a mobile terminal, a wireless remote control that can change the angle of each wind direction plate by the user's operation, and a signal provided from the wireless remote control provided on the decorative panel And when the wireless detection unit receives a signal from the wireless remote controller, a user operating the wireless remote controller is positioned based on image data of an image taken by the imaging device. A control device that specifies an area to be changed, and changes an angle of the wind direction plate corresponding to the specified area.

  In order to solve the above problems, an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention is an air conditioner including an outdoor unit, an indoor unit provided in an air-conditioning room, and a control device. A plurality of wind direction plates that are provided so as to be independently rotatable with respect to the plurality of air outlets formed in the panel, and are capable of changing the vertical angle of the air blown from the air outlets. An imaging device provided on the decorative panel and capable of photographing all areas to which the blown air is directed, a mobile terminal, a wireless remote controller capable of changing the angle of each wind direction plate by a user operation, and the decorative panel And a wireless detection unit that detects a signal from the wireless remote controller, and the control device captures an image captured by the imaging device when the wireless detection unit receives the signal from the wireless remote control. Based on the image data, the identifying the area where the user is located to operate a wireless remote control, to allow changing the angle of the wind direction plate corresponding to the area identified.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the air conditioner which can control a several wind direction board separately separately with an inexpensive wireless remote control, and its indoor unit can be provided.

The external appearance perspective view of the indoor unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown. The top view which looked at the decorative panel of the indoor unit from the air-conditioning room is shown. The enlarged view of the wind direction board control part of FIG. 2 is shown. The block diagram of the electrical constitution of a wind direction board control part is shown. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of an indoor unit is shown. An external view of a wireless remote controller is shown. The flowchart of the selection process of the wind direction board used as the object of the angle change by a wind direction board control part is shown. The schematic diagram of the wind direction board selection operation | movement in case a user wants to operate the wind direction board of the area which he exists is shown. The schematic diagram of a wind direction board selection operation | movement when a user wants to operate the wind direction board of an area different from the area where he is is shown.

  Hereinafter, an air conditioner including an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of an indoor unit 2 of an air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, this embodiment demonstrates the indoor unit of the air conditioner which can move a wind direction board separately with a wireless remote control.

  The air conditioner 1 in this embodiment includes an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor unit (not shown). The indoor unit 2 is a ceiling-embedded indoor unit 2, and includes a main body 3 that houses various components such as an indoor heat exchanger 3A and an indoor fan 3B (FIG. 5), and a wind direction plate control unit 5 (FIG. 5). 2 and 3) and a wireless remote controller 20 (FIG. 6). In addition, a wired remote controller (not shown) is connected to the indoor unit 2 via a communication cable, and the air conditioner 1 is air-conditioned by an operation on the wired remote controller.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the decorative panel 4 of the indoor unit 2 as viewed from the air-conditioned room.

  The decorative panel 4 has a suction grille 4A in the center, and air outlets 6 (6a to 6d) are formed on each of the four surrounding surfaces. And the air direction board 7 (7a-7d) is attached to each air blower outlet 6 rotatably. Moreover, each wind direction board 7 is driven by the wind direction motor 13 (13a-13d, FIG. 4), and is comprised so that it can rotate independently.

  A wind direction plate control unit 5 is provided at a corner of the decorative panel 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the wind direction plate control unit 5 includes a wireless detection unit 10, an imaging device 11, LEDs 12 (12 a to 12 d), a wind direction motor 13 (13 a to 13 d, FIG. 4), and an image processing device 14. (FIG. 4) and a wind direction board control board 15 (FIG. 4) are provided. The wireless detection unit 10, the imaging device 11, and the LEDs 12 a to 12 d are installed on the surface of the decorative panel 4, and the wind direction motor 13, the image processing device 14, and the wind direction plate control board 15 are installed on the back surface of the decorative panel 4. . In addition, LED number 1-4 is attached | subjected to LED12a-12d. The image processing device 14 and the wind direction plate control board 15 correspond to a control device.

  The wireless detection unit 10 is configured to receive a signal from the wireless remote controller 20 and send a reception signal to the image processing device 14 or the wind direction board control board 15. The imaging device 11 has a fish-eye lens and can photograph all areas A to D (FIG. 2) to which blown air blown out from the four air blowout ports 6 a to 6 d is directed. Further, the imaging device 11 captures and stores the areas A to D at a predetermined interval (for example, 0.5 seconds) during the operation of the air conditioner 1. The LEDs 12a to 12d are provided corresponding to the wind direction plates 7a to 7d, respectively, and are configured so that only one of the LEDs 12a to 12d is lit based on an instruction from the wireless remote controller 20. When one of the LEDs 12a to 12d is lit, it indicates that the wind direction plate 7 corresponding to the lit LED 12 can be controlled by the wireless remote controller 20.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration of the wind direction plate control unit 5.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an image photographed by the photographing device 11 is transmitted to the image processing device 14, and the wireless detection unit 10 converts the signal received from the wireless remote controller 20 into the image processing device 14 or the wind direction board control board. 15 to send to. Further, the LED 12 is connected to the image processing apparatus 14, and any one LED 12 is turned on by the image processing apparatus 14. A wind direction motor 13 is connected to the wind direction board control board 15, and each wind direction motor 13 is driven by the wind direction board control board 15 to rotate the wind direction board 7.

  FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the indoor unit 2.

  Based on FIG. 5, the flow of air in the indoor unit 2 will be described. As the indoor fan 3B rotates, the suction air 4B is sucked from the suction grille 4A of the decorative panel 4. The indoor fan 3B blows out the sucked air in the centrifugal direction. The air blown out from the indoor fan 3B is blown to the indoor heat exchanger 3A disposed around the indoor fan 3B to exchange heat. Heat exchanged conditioned air is blown out from the air outlets 6b and 6d of the decorative panel 4.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the wind direction plate 7 can be set to an auto swing state by continuous driving and a fixed state in which the blowing direction of the conditioned air is fixed. In the auto swing state, each wind direction plate 7 is continuously swung by the wind direction motor 13, and the blowing direction of the conditioned air is continuously changed. On the other hand, in the fixed state, the angle of each wind direction plate 7 is fixed to one of the seven stages, and the blowing direction of the conditioned air becomes a constant direction.

  Moreover, since the one wind direction motor 13 is provided with respect to the one wind direction board 7, the wind direction board 7 can be operated independently, respectively.

  FIG. 6 shows an external view of the wireless remote controller 20.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the wireless remote controller 20 is, for example, a remote controller using infrared rays, and includes a louver selection button 21, a Δ button 22, and a ▽ button 23, and sends a signal to the outside based on a user operation. Configured to send. By pressing the louver selection button 21, it is possible to select the wind direction plate 7 for which the blowing direction is desired to be changed, and the LED 12 corresponding to the selected wind direction plate 7 is turned on. By pressing the △ button 22 or the ▽ button 23, the angle of the selected wind direction plate 7 can be changed. Further, by simultaneously pressing the △ button 22 and the ▽ button 23, the selected wind direction plate 7 can be set to the auto swing state. It corresponds to a Δ button 22, a ▽ button 23, and an angle change button.

  Next, the selection process of the wind direction board 7 used as the object of the angle change by the wind direction board control part 5 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the process of selecting the wind direction plate 7 to be subjected to angle change by the wind direction plate control unit 5. This selection process starts when the user operates the wireless remote controller 20, the wireless detection unit 10 of the wind direction control unit 5 detects the signal and transmits the detection signal, and the image processing apparatus 14 receives the detection signal. Is done.

  First, when the image processing apparatus 14 receives a signal from the wireless detection unit 10, the image processing apparatus 14 acquires image data from the imaging apparatus 11 until 2 seconds before the signal reception (S1). For example, when imaging is performed every 0.5 seconds in the imaging apparatus 11, image data for four sheets is acquired. Next, the image processing device 14 detects the number of face recognitions for each of the areas A to D and the number of hand raising operations for each of the areas A to D based on the acquired image data (S2). Here, the face recognition and the raising hand operation are performed by a known technique.

  Based on the detection result, the image processing device 14 determines whether or not the number of face recognitions is 0 in all areas (S3). When it is determined that the number of face recognition times is 0 (S3: YES), the image processing apparatus 14 determines whether the number of raised hands is 0 in all areas (S4). If the number of raised hands is 0 (S4: YES), the image processing apparatus 14 turns on the LED 12 that was previously turned on (S5). At the time of shipment, the LED 12 having the smallest LED number is set to be transferred.

  On the other hand, if the number of raised hands is not zero (S4: NO), the image processing apparatus 14 determines whether there are two or more areas with the same number of raised hands (S6). If there are two or more areas with the same number of raised hands (S6: YES), the image processing apparatus 14 turns on the LED 12 with the smaller LED number among the LEDs corresponding to the area (S7). If the number of raised hands is the same in all four areas, the previously lit LED 12 is turned on. When there are not two or more areas with the same number of raised hands (S6: NO), the image processing apparatus 14 turns on the LED 12 corresponding to the area with the highest number of raised hands.

  Further, when the number of face recognition times is not 0 in the area (S3: NO), the image processing apparatus 14 determines whether there are two or more areas having the same face recognition number (S9). If there are two or more areas with the same face recognition count (S9: YES), the image processing apparatus 14 proceeds to S4 and makes a determination based on the number of raised hands shown in S4 to S8. On the other hand, when there are not two or more areas having the same number of face recognition times (S9: NO), the image processing apparatus 14 turns on the LED 12 corresponding to the area having the largest number of face recognition times (S10).

  In this manner, the image processing apparatus 14 identifies the area where the user operating the wireless remote controller 20 is present, and turns on the LED 12 corresponding to the identified area. Thereafter, when the wireless detection unit 10 receives the signal by pressing the Δ button 22 or the ▽ button 23 of the wireless remote controller 20, the user sends a reception signal to the wind direction board control board 15 and corresponds to the lit LED 12. The wind direction motor 13 is driven, and the angle of the wind direction plate 7 is changed.

  Even if the face recognition and the raising hand recognition are not successful and the LED 12 corresponding to the area where the user is not lit, the lit-up LED 21 can be switched by operating the louver selection button 21. By operating the louver selection button 21, it is possible to turn on the LED 12a → LED 12b → LED 12c → LED 12d → all LEDs 12 → LED 12a in this order. Therefore, when the user who operates the wireless remote controller 20 is in the area A and the LED 12c is lit, the user can turn on the LED 12a by pressing the louver selection button 21 twice. The angle of the plate 7a can be changed. In addition, when all the LEDs 12 are turned on, all the wind direction plates 7 can be controlled simultaneously.

  Next, an operation method when the user changes the desired angle of the wind direction plate 7 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram when the user wants to operate the wind direction plate 7b in the area B in which the user is present, and an enlarged view of the wind direction plate control unit 5 is shown in the lower left.

  In FIG. 8, the user holding the wireless remote controller 20 is located in the area B. In this state, when the user operates the louver selection button 21 toward the wind direction plate controller 5 while looking at the indoor unit 2 while viewing the wireless remote controller 20, the wireless detector 10 receives a signal from the wireless remote controller 20.

  When the wireless detection unit 10 detects a signal and transmits the detection signal to the image processing device 14, the image processing device 14 acquires image data from the imaging device 11 up to 2 seconds before the signal is received. The image processing device 14 determines the area where the user is located based on the acquired image, and lights the corresponding LED 12. In FIG. 8, since the user is in area B, the LED 12b corresponding to area B is lit. When the LED 12b is lit, the user can change the angle of the wind direction plate 7b by operating the Δ button 22 and the ▽ button 23, and can change the blowing direction of the conditioned air to a desired direction.

  FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram when a user in area B wants to operate the wind direction plate 7d in area D, and an enlarged view of the wind direction plate control unit 5 is shown in the lower left.

  In FIG. 9, the user holding the wireless remote controller 20 is located in the area B. In this state, when the user operates the louver selection button 21 toward the wind direction plate control unit 5 while viewing the wireless remote controller 20 while looking at the indoor unit 2, the LED 12b is lit as described with reference to FIG.

  In this state, when the user presses the louver selection button 21 of the wireless remote controller 20 twice, the LED 12d is turned on. When the LED 12d is lit, the user can change the angle of the wind direction plate 7d by operating the △ button 22 and the ▽ button 23 and change the blowing direction of the conditioned air to a desired direction.

  As described above, when the image processing device 14 receives a signal from the wireless remote controller 20, the image processing device 14 identifies the area where the user is located based on the image data of the image captured by the imaging device 11, and corresponds to the identified area. The angle of the wind direction plate 7 to be changed can be changed. Therefore, the user can control the desired wind direction plate 7 only by operating the wireless remote controller 20 without moving. In addition, since the imaging device 11 and the wireless detection unit 10 are provided on the decorative panel 4 and the area where the user is located is specified by the image processing device 14, the wireless remote controller 20 can be simplified and downsized, and inexpensive. A wireless remote controller 20 can be provided.

  Further, the image processing device 14 recognizes the user's face from the image data, and specifies the area where the user is located based on the face recognition result. Since the user who operates the wireless remote controller 20 should operate the wireless remote controller 20 while looking at the indoor unit 2, the user can identify the area where the user is located by recognizing the face facing the indoor unit 2 from the image data. can do.

  Further, the image processing device 14 recognizes the user's raised hand from the image data, and specifies the area where the user is located based on the raised hand recognition result. Since the user who operates the wireless remote controller 20 should operate the wireless remote controller 20 while performing the hand-raising operation, the user can recognize the hand-raising operation and specify the area where the user is located.

  Further, when the area where the user is located is specified, the image processing device 14 causes the LED 12 corresponding to the specified area to emit light. Therefore, the user can confirm which wind direction plate 7 is the wind direction plate 7 whose angle can be changed.

  Further, by operating the louver selection button 21, the wind direction plate 7 whose angle is to be changed is selected, and by pressing the Δ button 22 or the ▽ button 23, the angle of the selected wind direction plate 7 can be changed. Therefore, a desired wind direction plate 7 can be selected by the wireless remote controller 20 having a simple configuration, and the angle thereof can be changed.

  Moreover, since the image processing apparatus 14 specifies the area where the user who operates the wireless remote controller 20 is located based on the image data of a plurality of images, the area where the user is located can be easily specified.

  In general, when the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 2 is used, it often feels uncomfortable when directly conditioned air hits it. For example, in the case of heating, the warm air should be supplied with the air direction plate 7 of the conditioned air directed downward. However, if the wind direction plate 7 faces downward, the conditioned air directly hits the user and feels uncomfortable. In the case of the indoor unit 2 of the present embodiment, both directions can be satisfied by directing the wind direction plate 7 upward only in the direction in which the user is present and facing the other wind direction plate 7 downward.

  The ceiling-embedded indoor unit 2 is often installed in a store or office. In restaurants, etc., it is conceivable that the store clerk will respond to the opinion of the direction of the conditioned air blown from the consumer, but since it can be confirmed visually on the spot, the opinion of the conditioned air is exchanged with the consumer The angle of the wind direction plate can be determined. In offices and the like, a user in the air-conditioning range can operate the wind direction plate while sitting on a chair and can visually confirm it. Therefore, it is considered that there is little possibility of operating another wind direction plate 7.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above. A person skilled in the art can make various additions and changes within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the selection process of the wind direction plate 7 to be subjected to the angle change is performed by the image processing device 14 of the wind direction plate control unit 5, but the outdoor unit or the indoor unit 2 not illustrated is not illustrated. You may carry out by a control apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, all the areas A to D are photographed by one camera 28. However, all the areas A to D may be photographed by a plurality of cameras.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Air conditioner, 2: Indoor unit, 4: Cosmetic panel, 6: Air outlet, 7: Wind direction board, 10: Wireless detection part, 11: Imaging device, 12: LED, 14: Image processing device, 15: Wind direction Plate control device, 20: Wireless remote control

Claims (7)

An air conditioner indoor unit provided in an air conditioning room,
A plurality of wind directions that can be independently rotated with respect to the plurality of air outlets formed on the decorative panel and can change the vertical angle of the air blown from the air outlets. The board,
An imaging device provided on the decorative panel and capable of photographing all areas to which the blown air is directed;
A wireless remote controller that can change the angle of each wind direction plate by a user operation,
A wireless detection unit that is provided on the decorative panel and detects a signal from the wireless remote controller;
When the wireless detection unit receives a signal from the wireless remote controller, it identifies an area where a user operating the wireless remote controller is located based on image data of an image taken by the imaging device, and the identified area An air conditioner indoor unit comprising: a control device capable of changing an angle of the corresponding wind direction plate.   The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control device recognizes the user's face from the image data and specifies an area where the user is located based on a face recognition result.   The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control device recognizes a hand-raising operation of operating the wireless remote control of the user from the image data, and specifies an area where the user is located based on a result of raising the hand recognition. . The decorative panel is provided with a plurality of light emitting portions corresponding to the plurality of wind direction plates,
The room of the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the area where the user is located is specified, the control device causes the light emitting unit corresponding to the specified area to emit light. Machine. The wireless remote control has a wind direction plate selection button and an angle change button,
In response to the user operating the wind direction plate selection button, the control device specifies an area where the user operating the wireless remote controller is located, and selects the wind direction plate corresponding to the specified area. And
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device changes an angle of the selected wind direction plate in response to the angle change button being operated by the user. Indoor unit.   The said control apparatus specifies the area where the user who operates the said wireless remote control is located based on the image data of the several image image | photographed with the said imaging device. Air conditioner indoor unit. An air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit, an indoor unit provided in an air conditioning room, and a control device,
The indoor unit is
A plurality of wind directions that can be independently rotated with respect to the plurality of air outlets formed on the decorative panel and can change the vertical angle of the air blown from the air outlets. The board,
An imaging device provided on the decorative panel and capable of photographing all areas to which the blown air is directed;
A wireless remote controller that can change the angle of each wind direction plate by a user operation,
A wireless detection unit that is provided on the decorative panel and detects a signal from the wireless remote controller;
When the wireless detection unit receives a signal from the wireless remote controller, the control device specifies an area where a user who operates the wireless remote controller is located based on image data of an image captured by the imaging device, and specifies An air conditioner that makes it possible to change the angle of the wind direction plate corresponding to the area.