JP2017180943A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sufficiently make use of a function of grasping comfortable for a user.SOLUTION: An air conditioner includes: an indoor machine 13 configured to perform air-conditioning in a room 12; and a portable good button 33 provided separately from the indoor machine 13, and configured to operate in a case where a user satisfies an air-conditioned environment in the room 12; a transmission unit 37 provided together with the good button 33, and configured to transmit to the indoor machine 13 the operation information of the good button 33; and a guide unit 27 configured to notify the user of a message whether the user satisfies an air-conditioned environment of the room 12 by voice.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  Some have a “switch when hot”, a “switch when cold”, and a “comfort switch” that can be operated by the user. When the “hot switch” or “cold switch” is operated, the set temperature and humidity are adjusted based on the temperature and humidity detected by the indoor unit. When the “comfort switch” is operated, The detected temperature is set as a new set temperature.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-13933

In general, users tend to take more active actions when they are not satisfied than when they are satisfied with the indoor air-conditioned environment. Therefore, it is considered that the “switch when hot” and the “switch when cold” are operated slightly, but the “comfort switch” may not be operated easily. In this case, it is not possible to fully utilize the precious function that the air conditioner can determine a comfortable environment for the user.
The subject of this invention is providing the air conditioner which fully utilized the function of judging the comfortable environment for a user.

  An air conditioner according to an aspect of the present invention includes an indoor unit that performs indoor air conditioning, and a portable satisfactory operation unit that is provided separately from the indoor unit and that is operated when the user is satisfied with the air-conditioned environment. A transmission unit that is provided together with the satisfaction operation unit and transmits operation information of the satisfaction operation unit to the indoor unit, and a guidance unit that notifies the user by voice or display whether or not the user is satisfied with the indoor air-conditioning environment. .

  According to the present invention, since the guidance unit notifies the user of a message asking whether or not the user is satisfied with the air-conditioned environment, the user can be prompted to operate the satisfactory operation unit. Therefore, the function that the air conditioner determines a comfortable environment for the user can be fully utilized.

It is the structure of an air conditioner. It is a functional block diagram of an indoor unit and a remote control. It is an image figure of an indoor unit (cooling). It is an image figure of an indoor unit (heating). It is a flowchart which shows an operation control process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is schematic and may be different from the actual one. Further, the following embodiments exemplify apparatuses and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the configuration is not specified as follows. That is, the technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the technical scope described in the claims.

"Constitution"
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner.
The air conditioner 11 includes an indoor unit 13 attached to the wall surface of the room 12 and an outdoor unit 14 installed outdoors. The air conditioner 11 is remotely operated by a user by wireless communication via a remote controller (hereinafter simply referred to as a remote controller) 15.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the air conditioner.
The indoor unit 13 includes a receiving unit 21, an indoor unit control unit 22, a main fan 23, a left side fan 24, a right side fan 25, and a guide unit 27.
The receiving unit 21 receives various signals from the remote controller 15.
The indoor unit control unit 22 receives various signals from the remote controller 15 and drives and controls the outdoor unit 14, the main fan 23, the left side fan 24, and the right side fan 25. Here, the main fan 23 corresponds to the “first fan”, and the left side fan 24 and the right side fan correspond to the “second fan”.

A refrigerant circuit is formed between the indoor unit 13 and the outdoor unit 14, and heat energy is exchanged between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit and the air, and cold air and warm air are transferred from the indoor unit 13 to the room. 12 is supplied. The indoor unit control unit 22 controls cooling / heating switching and cool air and warm air blown from the indoor unit 13 by driving and controlling the compressor and the four-way valve of the outdoor unit 14.
3 and 4 are image diagrams of the indoor unit.
The main fan 23 is provided in the indoor unit 13 and blows out cool air and warm air supplied through the refrigerant circuit. That is, the air exchanged with the refrigerant is blown. The blowout direction can be adjusted by the direction of each of the vertical and horizontal wind direction plates provided at the outlet of the housing.

  The left side fan 24 is provided on the left side surface of the indoor unit 13 main body, and the right side fan 25 is provided on the right side surface, and both blow out only air at room temperature. In other words, air that is not heat exchanged with the refrigerant is blown. Each of the left side fan 24 and the right side fan 25 can be rotated around the same axis, and the blowing direction is adjusted depending on the rotation position of the left side fan 24 and the direction of the wind direction plate provided at the outlet of the casing. it can. The indoor unit 13 is installed in the room 12 so that the rotation axes of the main fan 23, the left side fan 24, and the right side fan 25 are horizontal.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the cooling operation. Here, as shown by the broken line, the cold air blown out by the main fan 23 is blown out in the horizontal direction, and as shown by the dotted line, the air blown by the left side fan 24 and the right side fan 25 is blown out obliquely downward. In this way, it is possible to feel a natural coolness even in a modest cooling operation by allowing the user to take air at a comfortable temperature while preventing the cool air from directly hitting the body.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the heating operation. Here, as indicated by the broken line, the warm air blown out by the main fan 23 blows out directly below, and as indicated by the dotted line, the air blown by the left side fan 24 and the right side fan 25 is blown obliquely downward. In this way, by suppressing the rising of warm air by the blowing of the left side fan 24 and the right side fan, the warm air spreads to the back of the room 12 and the entire floor surface can be warmed.

  The guide unit 27 informs the user by voice of a message asking whether or not the air conditioning environment in the room 12 is satisfied. For example, a voice message such as “How is the current temperature?” Or “Is it comfortable now?” Is output from the speaker to notify the user. In response to this guidance, when a later-described like button 33 is operated, a message that expresses gratitude to the user is notified to the user by voice. For example, a voice such as “Thank you” is output from the speaker.

The remote control 15 is portable, and includes a hot button 31, a cold button 32, a like button 33 (satisfied operation unit), a sensor unit 34, a storage unit 35, a remote control unit 36, and a transmission unit 37. .
The hot button 31 is a button operated when the user feels hot.
The cold button 32 is a button operated when the user feels cold.
The like button 33 is a button that is operated when the user feels comfortable with respect to temperature, humidity, and wind speed, that is, when the user is satisfied with the air-conditioned environment of the room 12.

The sensor unit 34 includes a temperature sensor that detects the temperature around the remote control and a wind speed sensor that detects the wind speed around the remote control. The temperature sensor uses a thermistor whose electrical resistance changes as the temperature changes. A wind speed sensor detects a wind speed (airflow) using a pair of thermistors.
The memory | storage part 35 memorize | stores various information, such as the operation setting made by the user, ie, temperature setting, air volume setting, and wind direction setting.

The remote control control unit 36 receives button signals from the buttons and sensor signals from the sensor unit 34 and sends them to the transmission unit 37. Specifically, a button signal when the hot button 31 is pressed, a button signal when the cold button 32 is pressed, a button signal (satisfaction signal) when the like button 33 is pressed, and the sensor unit 34 The detected temperature signal and wind speed signal.
Upon receiving the various signals, the transmission unit 37 transmits the various signals to the indoor unit 13. In addition, the transmission unit 37 transmits sensor signals to the indoor unit 13 as needed at predetermined time intervals.

Next, the operation control process executed by the indoor unit control unit 22 will be described.
Here, the processing according to the present invention is mainly described, and general processing such as control of the refrigerant circuit is omitted.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation control process.
The operation control process is started when the user performs an operation for instructing the indoor unit 13 to start the operation, and is then repeatedly executed according to a predetermined calculation cycle.
In step S101, it is determined whether or not the like button 33 has been operated. If the like button 33 is not operated (S101-No), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, when the like button 33 is operated (S101-Yes), the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S102, it is determined whether or not the temperature t detected by the temperature sensor of the sensor unit 34 has reached the set temperature ts. If the temperature t has reached the set temperature ts (S102-Yes), the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, when the temperature t has not reached the set temperature ts (S102-No), the process proceeds to step S104.
In step S103, the guidance unit 27 notifies the user of a message asking whether or not the air conditioning environment in the room 12 is satisfied. That is, by outputting a sound such as “How is the current temperature?” Or “Is it comfortable now?” From the speaker, the user is prompted to operate the like button 33, the hot button 31, and the cold button 32. it can. Once the sound is output, the sound output is prohibited until a predetermined time (for example, 1 or 2 hours) elapses even if the temperature t maintains the set temperature ts.

  In a succeeding step S104, it is determined whether any one of the like button 33, the hot button 31, and the cold button 32 has been operated. When none of the buttons are operated (S104-No), the process returns to step S101 while maintaining the current operation setting in step S107. That is, the current temperature setting, air volume setting, and wind direction setting stored in the storage unit 35 are maintained. When any button is operated (S104-Yes), it is determined whether the hot button 31 or the cold button 32 is operated in step S105. Here, when the hot button 31 or the cold button 32 is operated (S105-Yes), the operation setting is updated according to the button operated in step S106, and then the process returns to step S101. Thereby, it can be brought close to a comfortable environment for the user. When the hot button 31 or the cold button 32 is not operated, that is, when the like button 32 is operated (S105-No), the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S108, after notifying the user of a message asking whether or not the voice is output in the process of step S103, that is, whether or not the air conditioner 11 is satisfied with the air conditioning environment of the room 12 to the user. It is determined whether or not. For example, it is determined whether or not an elapsed time after outputting the sound is within a predetermined time (for example, several minutes). Here, when it is after outputting the sound (S108-Yes), the process proceeds to step S109. On the other hand, when it is not after outputting the sound (S108-No), the process proceeds to step S110.
In step S109, the guidance unit 27 informs the user of a voice message meaning gratitude. That is, a voice such as “Thank you” is output from the speaker.

In subsequent step S110, the operation setting is updated, and then the process returns to step S101. That is, when the like button 33 is operated, the temperature and the wind speed detected by the sensor unit 34 are stored in the storage unit 35 as the detected target temperature and the detected target wind speed, and thereafter the temperature detected by the sensor unit 34 is stored. In order to maintain the detected target temperature, the temperature setting, the air volume setting, and the wind direction setting are updated so that the detected wind speed is maintained at the detected target wind speed. For example, when the user operates the like button 33 in the living room, the temperature detected by the sensor unit 34 at that time is stored in the storage unit as the detected target temperature and the wind speed is detected as the detected target wind speed. Thereafter, when the user moves to the dining room with the remote controller 15 and the temperature and wind speed detected by the sensor unit 34 have changed from the detected target temperature and detected target wind speed, the temperature becomes the detected target temperature. Further, the temperature setting, the air volume setting, and the wind direction setting on the indoor unit 13 side are updated so that the wind speed becomes the detected target wind speed.
The above is the operation control process.

<Effect>
Next, operational effects will be described.
In general, users tend to take more active actions when they are not satisfied than when they are satisfied with the air-conditioned environment of the room 12. Therefore, although it is considered that the hot button 31 and the cold button 32 are operated more frequently, the like button 33 may not be operated easily. In this case, the air conditioner determines the comfortable environment for the user and performs the air conditioning of the room 12 so that the precious function cannot be fully utilized.

  Therefore, when the like button 33 is not operated (the determination in step S101 is “No”), the guidance unit 27 informs the user by voice a message asking whether or not the air conditioning environment in the room 12 is satisfied. (Step S103). That is, sounds such as “How is the current temperature?” And “Is it comfortable now?” Are output from the speaker. As a result, the user can be prompted to operate the like button 33. Therefore, the function of determining the comfortable environment for the user and performing the air conditioning of the room 12 can be fully utilized. If there is no button operation (the determination in step S104 is “No”), the indoor unit 13 keeps the current operation settings, that is, the temperature setting, the air volume setting, and the wind direction setting (step S107). .

  Thereafter, when the like button 33 is operated (both the determinations in steps S101 and S108 are “Yes”), the guidance unit 27 notifies the user of a voice message indicating gratitude (step S109). That is, a voice such as “Thank you” is output from the speaker. Thus, a work feeling can be suppressed by using the conversation format. Further, when the like button 33 is operated, the operation setting is updated according to the temperature and wind speed at that time (step S110).

  Thereby, the comfort for the user can be learned, and the environment that the user feels comfortable can be reproduced around the remote control. Therefore, for example, it is assumed that the living room and the dining room are integrated, and first the user operates the like button 33 in the living room. Thereafter, when the user moves to the dining room with the remote controller 15, the comfortable environment that the user feels comfortable in the living room can be reproduced in the dining room.

  When notifying the user of a message asking whether he / she is satisfied with the air-conditioning environment of the room 12, if the timing is inappropriate, there is a possibility of bothering. Therefore, a message asking whether or not the user is satisfied is notified to the user when the temperature t reaches the set temperature ts (the determination in step S102 is “Yes”). In this way, it is possible to suppress troublesomeness by notifying at the timing that is considered most comfortable for the user. In addition, since frequent notifications are bothersome, once notification is made, it is prohibited to notify again until a predetermined time (for example, 1 or 2 hours) elapses, and frequency is also reduced. To do.

  Further, by incorporating the sensor unit 34 into the remote controller 15, the user can easily carry the sensor unit 34. Since the remote controller 15 is often placed within the reach of the user's hand, it is possible to grasp the temperature and wind speed around the user, that is, the temperature and wind speed felt by the user. In addition, the like button 33 can be easily operated.

<Modification>
In the present embodiment, a message asking whether or not the air-conditioned environment of the room 12 is satisfied is notified by voice, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, contents such as “How is the current temperature?” Or “Is it comfortable now?” May be displayed on the remote controller 15.
In addition, sudden notification may cause annoyance to the user. Therefore, the remote control 15 is provided with a notification lamp and a notification button. When the notification lamp is first turned on and a user who notices the notification lamp operates the notification button, whether or not the air conditioning environment in the room 12 is satisfied. You may make it alert | report the message which asks.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to a limited number of embodiments, the scope of rights is not limited thereto, and modifications of the embodiments based on the above disclosure are obvious to those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Air conditioner 12 Indoor 13 Indoor unit 14 Outdoor unit 15 Remote control 22 Indoor unit control part 23 Main fan 24 Left side fan 25 Right side fan 27 Guide part 31 Hot button 32 Cold button 33 Like button 34 Sensor unit 35 Storage part 36 Remote control unit 37 Transmitter

Claims (3)

An indoor unit that performs indoor air conditioning;
A portable satisfactory operation unit that is provided separately from the indoor unit and that is operated when the user is satisfied with the air-conditioned environment,
A transmission unit that is provided together with the satisfaction operation unit and transmits operation information of the satisfaction operation unit to the indoor unit;
An air conditioner comprising: a guidance unit that informs a user of a message asking whether or not the user is satisfied with the air-conditioned environment by voice or display. The guide part is
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, when the satisfaction operation unit is operated after notifying the user of the message, a message indicating gratitude to the user is notified by voice or display. The guide part is
The user is notified of a message indicating whether or not the indoor air-conditioning environment is satisfied when the indoor temperature reaches a preset temperature. Air conditioner.

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