JP2018031576A - Air conditioner and air conditioning control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner that autonomously opens and closes a sunshade using an existing configuration to conduct energy-saving operation of an air conditioner.SOLUTION: An air conditioner (1) includes: an indoor unit (18) installed in a certain space; a solar radiation amount detection part (11) installed in the indoor unit to detect a solar radiation amount in the space; a communication part (12) for transmitting information to the outside from the indoor unit; and a control part (13) for controlling a sunshade for shielding solar radiation to the space to be opened and closed depending on the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection part using the communication part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioning control method.

  In recent years, some air conditioners have a function of transmitting information detected on the main body side to a terminal such as a remote controller. In recent years, some air conditioners include a solar radiation sensor and perform air conditioning according to the amount of solar radiation. There is also a window shutter that can be opened and closed by remote control such as a remote control.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an information terminal having a touch panel display capable of opening and closing an electric shutter device by remote operation via a network.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a living environment control device that controls the opening / closing of shutters, blinds, and air conditioners such as air conditioners in accordance with information detected by solar sensors, temperature / humidity sensors, and human sensors. Yes.

  According to Patent Document 3, the solar radiation detection means for detecting the solar radiation state in the air conditioning target area, the solar radiation adjustment means for adjusting the solar radiation state in the air conditioning target area, and the solar radiation state in the air conditioning target area according to the detection information of the solar radiation detection means An air conditioning system including solar radiation control means for controlling solar radiation adjustment means so as to suppress the change of the above is disclosed.

JP 2015-135048 A (released on July 27, 2015) JP 2012-2478 A (published January 5, 2012) JP-A-8-303835 (published on November 22, 1996)

  However, the conventional techniques as described above have the following problems.

  The electric shutter device capable of external remote control using the network of Patent Document 1 is expensive.

  The living environment control device disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a large-scale system configuration including a solar radiation sensor, a temperature / humidity sensor, a human sensor, and ventilation equipment, lighting equipment, shielding / shading equipment, and air conditioning equipment. Since energy saving is realized, there is a problem that the system becomes expensive.

  The air conditioning system of Patent Document 3 needs to be newly provided with solar radiation detection means and solar radiation adjustment means, and therefore cannot be used in an environment where a shutter or the like is already attached, and there is a problem that the system becomes expensive.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to save energy by operating the air conditioner by opening and closing the awning autonomously using an existing configuration. It is to provide a system that can do this.

  In order to solve the above problems, an air conditioner according to an aspect of the present invention includes an indoor unit installed in a certain space, and a solar radiation amount detection unit that is installed in the indoor unit and detects the amount of solar radiation with respect to the space. And a communication unit that transmits information from the indoor unit to the outside, and a control that opens the awning that blocks the solar radiation according to the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit using the communication unit, or And a control unit that performs control for closing the awning.

  In order to solve the above problems, an air conditioning control method according to an aspect of the present invention is an air conditioning control method implemented by an air conditioner including a solar radiation amount detection unit that detects a solar radiation amount for a certain space, According to the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit, the air conditioner gives the sunshade via wireless communication an instruction to open the sunshade that blocks the solar radiation to the space or an instruction to close the sunshade.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the air conditioner can provide a system that can perform energy-saving operation of the air conditioner by opening and closing the awning independently using the existing configuration. Play.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the air conditioning system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a top view of the shutter remote controller according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the air conditioner and shutter which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(Air conditioning system 100)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an air conditioning system 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 100 includes an air conditioner 1, an air conditioner remote controller 2, a shutter 3, and a shutter remote controller 4. The air conditioner 1 is a separate type air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. FIG. 1 shows an indoor unit 18 of the air conditioner 1. The indoor unit 18 is installed in a certain space (hereinafter referred to as “air-conditioning target space”) that is an air-conditioning target. The air conditioner 1 controls opening and closing of the shutter 3. The air conditioner remote controller 2 is a device for a user to remotely operate the air conditioner 1. The shutter 3 is an awning that blocks sunlight from the space, and may be a blind, a curtain, a shutter, or the like, for example. The shutter remote controller 4 is a device for a user to remotely operate the shutter 3.

  The air conditioner 1 is not limited to a separate air conditioner, and may be, for example, a window-mounted air conditioner or a ceiling-mounted air conditioner.

(Air conditioner 1)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner 1 includes a solar radiation amount detection unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a control unit 13. The solar radiation amount detection unit 11 is installed in the indoor unit 18 and detects the solar radiation amount for the space. As the solar radiation amount detection unit 11, a solar radiation sensor unit that includes a photodiode and detects the intensity of sunlight from a change in current flowing through the photodiode can be employed. The communication unit 12 transmits information from the indoor unit 18 to the outside. The control unit 13 uses the communication unit 12 to perform control to open the shutter 3 or control to close the shutter 3 in accordance with the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11.

  The air conditioner 1 sends an instruction to open the shutter 3 that blocks the solar radiation to the space or an instruction to close the shutter 3 to the shutter 3 via wireless communication according to the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11. give.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the air conditioner and the shutter according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 16, the block diagram of FIG. 2 is detailed with respect to the indoor unit 18 of the air conditioner 1. The indoor unit 18 includes a solar radiation amount detection unit 11, an outdoor unit communication unit 121, a network communication unit 122, an infrared transmission unit 123, an infrared light reception unit 124, a control unit 13, a temperature detection unit 16, a fan control unit 17, and louver control. The unit 19 is provided. The outdoor unit communication unit 121 performs communication with the outdoor unit. The network communication unit 122 performs communication with an external network. The infrared transmission unit 123 transmits information to the infrared light receiving unit 32 of the shutter 3. The infrared light receiver 124 receives information from the air conditioner remote controller 2. The temperature detection unit 16 detects the temperature inside the indoor unit 18 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 13. The fan control unit 17 controls the rotation of the fan that generates an air flow inside the indoor unit 18 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 13. The louver control unit 19 controls the opening / closing and direction of the louver that changes the blowing direction of air in accordance with instructions from the control unit 13.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the shutter 3 includes a shutter opening / closing unit 31, an infrared light receiving unit 32, and a control unit 33. The shutter opening / closing unit 31 opens and closes the shutter 3 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 33. The infrared light receiver 32 receives information from the infrared transmitter 123 of the indoor unit 18 and the shutter remote controller 4. The control unit 33 receives information from the indoor unit 18 and the shutter remote controller 4 using the infrared light receiving unit 32, and controls to open the shutter 3 or closes the shutter 3 using the shutter opening / closing unit 31 according to the information. Take control.

  As a method for setting an instruction signal from the air conditioner 1 to the shutter 3, there is a method of learning and acquiring a signal by transmitting it to the main body of the indoor unit 18 of the air conditioner 1 like a learning remote controller. For example, the control unit 13 shifts to the “signal learning mode” with existing remote control settings, and the remote control signal of the shutter 3 emitted by the shutter remote control 4 is transmitted to the infrared light receiving unit of the indoor unit 18 of the air conditioner 1 within a specified time. As a result, the indoor unit 18 can learn the remote control signal of the shutter 3 and transmit the same signal as the remote control signal. The trigger for shifting to the “signal learning mode” is not limited to the remote controller, and may be a trigger from an external communication device such as a smartphone or a trigger by pressing a button on the main body of the indoor unit 18.

  In addition, in the setting method of the instruction signal from the air conditioner 1 to the shutter 3, when connected to the network, the manufacturer and the product model number of the shutter 3 are registered, so that the manufacturer and the product are unique from the network. There is a method of downloading and using the instruction signal.

(Shutter remote control 4)
FIG. 3 is a top view of the shutter remote controller 4 according to the present embodiment. On the upper surface of the shutter remote controller 4, an open button 41, a stop button 42, and a close button 43 are arranged. The open button 41 is a button pressed by the user when opening the shutter 3. The stop button 42 is a button pressed by the user when stopping the opening / closing operation of the shutter 3. The close button 43 is a button pressed by the user when closing the shutter 3. The shutter 3 may be configured to stop the opening operation when fully opened and stop the closing operation when fully closed.

(Processing of the control unit 13)
When the value of the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11 exceeds a threshold value during a cooling cycle operation such as cooling or dehumidification (hereinafter referred to as “cooling operation”), the control unit 13 transmits the shutter 3 to the shutter 3. Is controlled to limit the amount of solar radiation to the air-conditioned space. In this case, it is preferable that the controller 13 controls the lowering of the shutter 3 by a predetermined amount instead of completely closing the shutter 3 to balance the limitation of solar radiation and the daylighting. The control unit 13 repeats the control so that the amount of solar radiation with respect to the air-conditioning target space is equal to or less than the threshold in accordance with the change in the amount of solar radiation.

  Thereby, the solar radiation amount with respect to air-conditioning object space is restrict | limited to below a threshold value, and since the temperature rise of air-conditioning object space by solar radiation can be suppressed, the energy-saving operation of the air conditioner 1 can be performed.

  The amount of closing the shutter 3 may be determined in advance as the maximum degree of closing. For example, the shutter 3 may be set not to close more than half.

  However, when the amount of solar radiation falls below the threshold due to changes in weather or time, the control unit 13 performs control to open the shutter 3. Thereby, since the solar radiation amount with respect to the air-conditioning target space is slightly increased, it is possible to avoid a state where the solar radiation amount is too small during the day.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 13 according to the present embodiment. This is a processing flow of shutter closing control in the air conditioner 1.

  The control unit 13 determines whether or not the air conditioner 1 is in the cooling operation (S401). When the air conditioner 1 is in the cooling operation (YES in S401), the control unit 13 compares the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11 with a threshold value (first threshold value), and the solar radiation amount exceeds the threshold value. It is determined whether or not (S402). When the amount of solar radiation exceeds the threshold (YES in S402), the control unit 13 performs control to close the shutter 3 using the communication unit 12 (S403). The control unit 13 transmits an instruction to close the shutter 3 by a predetermined amount to the shutter 3.

  In S401, when the air conditioner 1 is not in the cooling operation (NO in S401), or in S402, when the amount of solar radiation does not exceed the threshold (NO in S402), the control unit 13 skips the process of S403. Then, the shutter closing control process ends. Note that a step in which the control unit 13 determines whether or not the shutter 3 can be closed by a predetermined amount between S402 and S403 based on the open / closed state of the shutter 3 at that time may be executed. For example, in the daytime, when the control for closing a predetermined amount is further executed from the open / closed state of the shutter 3 at that time, the control for closing the predetermined amount may not be executed when the lighting is almost impossible. .

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 13 according to the present embodiment. This is a processing flow of shutter opening / closing control in the air conditioner 1.

  The control unit 13 determines whether or not the air conditioner 1 is in a cooling operation (S501). When the air conditioner 1 is in the cooling operation (YES in S501), the control unit 13 compares the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11 with a threshold value (first threshold value), and the solar radiation amount exceeds the threshold value. It is determined whether or not (S502). When the amount of solar radiation exceeds the threshold (YES in S502), the control unit 13 performs control to close the shutter 3 using the communication unit 12 (S503). The control unit 13 transmits an instruction to close the shutter 3 by a predetermined amount to the shutter 3.

  The control unit 13 compares the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11 with a threshold value (first threshold value), and determines whether the solar radiation amount is below the threshold value (S504). When the amount of solar radiation is less than the threshold (YES in S504), the control unit 13 performs control to open the shutter 3 using the communication unit 12 (S505). The control unit 13 transmits an instruction to open the shutter 3 by a predetermined amount to the shutter 3.

  In S501, if the air conditioner 1 is not in the cooling operation (NO in S501), the control unit 13 ends the shutter control process. If the amount of solar radiation does not exceed the threshold value in S502 (NO in S502), the control unit 13 skips S503 and performs the determination in S504. If the amount of solar radiation does not fall below the threshold value in S504 (NO in S504), the control unit 13 skips the process in S505 and ends the shutter opening / closing control process. Note that the predetermined amount determined in S503 is set so that the shutter 3 can be closed stepwise, and if NO is determined in S504, the process returns to S503, and the value of the amount of solar radiation is equal to or less than the threshold value. S503 and S504 may be repeated until.

  On the other hand, when the value of the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11 is equal to or less than the threshold value, the control unit 13 may determine that it is sunset and perform control to completely close the shutter 3. The threshold value in this case is set smaller than the threshold value in the processing shown in FIGS.

  Thereby, for example, when there is no person in the air-conditioning target space, it is possible to prevent forgetting to close the shutter due to forgetting or absence. Therefore, not only an energy saving effect but also a crime prevention effect is achieved.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 13 according to the present embodiment. This is a processing flow of shutter closing control in the air conditioner 1.

  The control unit 13 compares the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11 with a threshold value (second threshold value), and determines whether or not the solar radiation amount is below the threshold value (S601). When the amount of solar radiation is less than the threshold (YES in S601), the control unit 13 performs control to close the shutter 3 using the communication unit 12 (S602). The control unit 13 transmits an instruction to completely close the shutter 3 to the shutter 3.

  If the amount of solar radiation does not fall below the threshold value in S601 (NO in S601), the control unit 13 skips the process in S602 and ends the shutter closing control process.

  When the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11 exceeds a threshold value (second threshold value), the control unit 13 determines that it is sunrise and performs control to open the shutter 3 using the communication unit 12. Also good. Accordingly, when heating the air conditioner 1 with a timer in the early morning of winter when there is no person in the air-conditioning target space, if the amount of solar radiation exceeds the threshold value, the shutter 3 is opened and sunlight is taken in, thereby Since the space can be warmed by sunlight, it is possible to obtain an energy saving effect during heating.

  Generally, since the shutter 3 is a facility, replacement frequency is low, but the air conditioner 1 is a product that is replaced every 10 years, for example. According to this embodiment, the energy-saving operation of the air conditioner 1 can be performed without changing the already installed shutter 3. In addition, when a shutter 3 is newly installed, a general electric shutter can be used, so that the system can be configured at low cost. Similarly, since the air conditioner 1 uses existing sensors and transmission modules used for air conditioning control, energy-saving operation can be performed with the air conditioner 1 having the same price as the conventional one.

[Embodiment 2]
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

(Air conditioner 1a)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the air conditioner 1a according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the air conditioner 1 a includes a solar radiation amount detection unit 11, a communication unit 12, a control unit 13, and a date and time setting unit 14. The solar radiation amount detection unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the control unit 13 are as described in the description of FIG. The date setting unit 14 sets a predetermined date. Then, when the date and time set by the date and time setting unit 14 is reached, the control unit 13 uses the communication unit 12 to perform control for opening the shutter 3 or control for closing the shutter 3.

(Processing of the control unit 13)
The control unit 13 uses the date and time setting unit 14 to set the time for opening and closing the shutter 3, and when the current time in the air conditioner 1 becomes the set time, the control unit 13 is completely set to the shutter 3. Send instructions to open or close.

  Thereby, for example, when there is no person in the air-conditioning target space, it is possible to prevent forgetting to close the shutter due to forgetting or absence. Therefore, not only an energy saving effect but also a crime prevention effect is achieved. Further, when the air conditioner 1a is heated by a timer in the early morning of winter when there is no person in the air-conditioning target space, the sun-opening of the air-conditioning target space is performed by opening the shutter 3 and taking in the sun light after the sunrise time. Because it can be warmed in, you can also get energy saving effect during heating.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 13 according to the present embodiment. This is a processing flow of shutter opening control in the air conditioner 1a.

  The control unit 13 determines whether or not the current time is the open set time set by the date and time setting unit 14 (S801). When the current time is the open setting time (YES in S801), the control unit 13 performs control to open the shutter 3 using the communication unit 12 (S802). The control unit 13 transmits an instruction to fully open the shutter 3 to the shutter 3.

  In S801, when the current time is not the open set time (NO in S801), the control unit 13 skips the process in S802 and ends the shutter open control process.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 13 according to the present embodiment. This is a processing flow of shutter closing control in the air conditioner 1a.

  The control unit 13 determines whether or not the current time is the closed set time set by the date and time setting unit 14 (S901). When the current time is the closing time (YES in S901), the control unit 13 performs control for closing the shutter 3 using the communication unit 12 (S902). The control unit 13 transmits an instruction to completely close the shutter 3 to the shutter 3.

  In S901, when the current time is not the close setting time (NO in S901), the control unit 13 skips the process in S902 and ends the shutter close control process.

  Note that the control unit 13 does not always give a complete opening / closing instruction when performing the opening / closing control of the shutter 3. For example, the control unit 13 acquires the solar radiation amount via the solar radiation amount detection unit 11, and the shutter according to the solar radiation amount. The opening degree of 3 may be adjusted.

[Embodiment 3]
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

(Air conditioner 1b)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the air conditioner 1b according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the air conditioner 1 b includes a solar radiation amount detection unit 11, a communication unit 12, a control unit 13, a date and time setting unit 14, and a time acquisition unit 15. The solar radiation amount detection unit 11, the communication unit 12, the control unit 13, and the date and time setting unit 14 are as described in the description of FIGS. The time acquisition unit 15 acquires at least one of a sunrise time and a sunset time in a predetermined area. The date setting unit 14 sets a predetermined date. Then, when the sunrise time acquired by the time acquisition unit 15 is reached, the control unit 13 uses the communication unit 12 to open the shutter 3 and the sunset time acquired by the time acquisition unit 15 is reached. In this case, at least one of the control for closing the shutter 3 is performed using the communication unit 12.

(Processing of the control unit 13)
The control unit 13 is connected to the network, can register the area where the air conditioner 1 is currently installed, and acquires the sunrise time and sunset time in the area from a site on the network. And the control part 13 sets the sunrise time and the sunset time as opening time and closing time by the date setting part 14, respectively.

  Thereby, since it can respond to the sunrise time and sunset time which change with seasons and regions, the shutter 3 can be opened and closed at an appropriate time.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 13 according to the present embodiment. This is a process flow for setting the date and time in the air conditioner 1a.

  The control unit 13 uses the time acquisition unit 15 to download the sunrise time and sunset time from the server (S1101). Then, the control unit 13 sets the sunrise time and sunset time of the current location using the zip code and address by the date and time setting unit 14 (S1102).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 13 according to the present embodiment. This is a processing flow of shutter opening control in the air conditioner 1b.

  The control unit 13 determines whether or not the current time is the sunrise time (S1201). When the current time is the sunrise time (YES in S1201), the control unit 13 performs control to open the shutter 3 using the communication unit 12 (S1202). The control unit 13 transmits an instruction to fully open the shutter 3 to the shutter 3.

  In S1201, when the current time is not the sunrise time (NO in S1201), the control unit 13 skips the process of S1202 and ends the shutter opening control process.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 13 according to the present embodiment. This is a processing flow of shutter closing control in the air conditioner 1b.

  The control unit 13 determines whether or not the current time is the sunset time (S1301). When the current time is the sunset time (YES in S1301), the control unit 13 performs control for closing the shutter 3 using the communication unit 12 (S1302). The control unit 13 transmits an instruction to completely close the shutter 3 to the shutter 3.

  In S1301, when the current time is not the sunset time (NO in S1301), the control unit 13 skips the process in S1302 and ends the shutter closing control process.

  Furthermore, the control unit 13 detects the amount of solar radiation by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11 only for a predetermined time before and after the sunset time (for example, 1 hour), and when the solar radiation amount falls below the threshold, the shutter 3 is completely opened. Instruct to close.

  Thereby, when there is an area where the air conditioner 1 is installed, where there is a difference in elevation or shadow of a mountain, it is possible to reduce errors in sunset time due to topography, and solar radiation. By reducing the detection time of the amount of solar radiation by the amount detection unit 11, an energy saving operation can be achieved.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 13 according to the present embodiment. This is a processing flow of shutter opening control in the air conditioner 1b.

  The control unit 13 determines whether or not the current time is the sunrise time (S1401). When the current time is the sunrise time (YES in S1401), the control unit 13 compares the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11 with a threshold value (second threshold value), and determines whether the solar radiation amount exceeds the threshold value. Is determined (S1402). When the amount of solar radiation exceeds the threshold (YES in S1402), the control unit 13 performs control to open the shutter 3 using the communication unit 12 (S1403). The control unit 13 transmits an instruction to fully open the shutter 3 to the shutter 3.

  If the current time is not the sunrise time in S1401 (NO in S1401), or if the amount of solar radiation does not exceed the threshold value in S1402 (NO in S1402), the control unit 13 skips the process in S1403 and opens the shutter. The control process ends.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 13 according to the present embodiment. This is a processing flow of shutter closing control in the air conditioner 1b.

  The control unit 13 determines whether or not the current time is the sunset time (S1501). When the current time is the sunset time (YES in S1501), the control unit 13 compares the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit 11 with a threshold value (second threshold value), and the solar radiation amount. Is determined to be less than the threshold (S1502). When the amount of solar radiation is below the threshold (YES in S1502), the control unit 13 performs control to close the shutter 3 using the communication unit 12 (S1503). The control unit 13 transmits an instruction to completely close the shutter 3 to the shutter 3.

  If the current time is not the sunset time in S1501 (NO in S1501), or if the amount of solar radiation does not fall below the threshold value in S1502 (NO in S1502), the control unit 13 skips the process in S1503, The shutter closing control process ends.

[Example of software implementation]
The control unit 13 of the air conditioner 1, 1a, 1b may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). It may be realized.

  In the latter case, the air conditioners 1, 1a, and 1b include a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software that realizes each function, and a ROM (in which the program and various data are recorded so as to be readable by a computer (or CPU)). A Read Only Memory) or a storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”), a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program, and the like are provided. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[Summary]
An air conditioner (1) according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes an indoor unit (18) installed in a certain space, and a solar radiation amount detection unit (11) that is installed in the indoor unit and detects the amount of solar radiation with respect to the space. And a communication unit (12) for transmitting information from the indoor unit to the outside, and using the communication unit, open an awning that blocks the solar radiation for the space according to the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation amount detecting unit. And a control unit (13) for performing control or control for closing the awning.

  According to said structure, the air conditioner can provide the system which can perform the energy-saving operation of an air conditioner by opening and closing a awning independently using an existing structure.

  In the air conditioner according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the aspect 1, the control unit compares the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit with a first threshold during cooling operation, and the amount of solar radiation is When the first threshold value is exceeded, the communication unit is used to close the awning, and when the amount of solar radiation is lower than the first threshold value, the communication unit is used to open the awning. At least one may be performed.

  According to said structure, since the opening / closing of an awning is controlled according to the comparison result of a solar radiation amount and a threshold value, the solar radiation amount with respect to space can be adjusted appropriately.

  The air conditioner according to aspect 3 of the present invention is the air conditioner according to aspect 2, in which, when the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit exceeds a second threshold smaller than the first threshold, You may perform at least one of the control which opens the said awning using a communication part, and the control which closes the said awning using the said communication part, when the said solar radiation amount is less than the said 2nd threshold value.

  According to the above configuration, since the opening and closing of the awning is controlled according to the comparison result between the amount of solar radiation and a smaller threshold value, for example, according to the sunrise time and the sunset time, or the sunrise time and the day The awning can be opened and closed according to the entry time. Also, in the case of heating operation, when the amount of solar radiation exceeds the second threshold, the space can be warmed by sunlight by opening the awning and taking in the sunshine early, so that an energy saving effect during heating can be obtained. it can.

  The air conditioner (1a) according to aspect 4 of the present invention further includes a date and time setting unit (14) for setting a predetermined date and time in the above aspects 1 to 3, and the control unit is set by the date and time setting unit. When the day and time are reached, the communication unit may be used to perform control to open the awning or control to close the awning.

  According to the above configuration, for example, by setting the sunrise time and the sunset time by the date and time setting unit, the awning can be opened and closed at the sunrise time and the sunset time. The control for automatically opening the awning at the sunrise time is as described above for providing an energy saving effect during heating. Moreover, since the awning is automatically closed at the sunset time, a crime prevention effect can be obtained.

  An air conditioner (1b) according to an aspect 5 of the present invention includes, in the above aspects 1 to 3, a time acquisition unit (15) that acquires at least one of a sunrise time and a sunset time in a predetermined area, and a predetermined date and time. A date and time setting unit that sets the control, and when the control unit reaches the sunrise time acquired by the time acquisition unit, the communication unit is used to open the awning, and the time acquisition unit. When the time of the day of acquisition is reached, at least one of the control to close the awning may be performed using the communication unit.

  According to said structure, since the sunrise time and sunset time of a predetermined area are set, an awning can be opened and closed at exact sunrise time and sunset time. The control for automatically opening the awning at the sunrise time is as described above for providing an energy saving effect during heating. Moreover, since the awning is automatically closed at the sunset time, a crime prevention effect can be obtained.

  An air conditioning control method according to aspect 6 of the present invention is an air conditioning control method implemented by an air conditioner including a solar radiation amount detection unit that detects the solar radiation amount for a certain space, and the solar radiation detection unit detects the solar radiation amount detection unit. Depending on the amount, the air conditioner gives the sunshade via wireless communication an instruction to open a sunshade that blocks sunlight from the space or an instruction to close the sunshade.

  According to this air conditioning control method, the same effect as that obtained by the configuration of the air conditioner according to aspect 1 can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a new technical feature can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b Air conditioner 3 Shutter 11 Solar radiation amount detection part 12 Communication part 13 Control part 14 Date and time setting part 15 Time acquisition part 18 Indoor unit 100 Air conditioning system

Claims (6)

An indoor unit installed in a certain space,
A solar radiation amount detector that is installed in the indoor unit and detects the solar radiation amount for the space;
A communication unit for transmitting information from the indoor unit to the outside;
Using the communication unit, according to the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit, a control unit that opens a sunshade that blocks the solar radiation for the space, or a control unit that performs control to close the sunshade,
An air conditioner characterized by comprising: The control unit
During the cooling operation, the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit is compared with the first threshold value,
When the amount of solar radiation exceeds the first threshold, using the communication unit, the control to close the awning,
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the amount of solar radiation is less than the first threshold value, at least one of the control to open the awning is performed using the communication unit. The control unit
When the solar radiation amount detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit exceeds a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value, the communication unit is used to control the sunshade,
When the amount of solar radiation is below the second threshold, using the communication unit, at least one of the control to close the awning is performed.
The air conditioner according to claim 2. A date / time setting unit for setting a predetermined date / time;
The control unit
When the date and time set by the date and time setting unit is reached, the communication unit is used to perform control to open the awning or control to close the awning.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A time acquisition unit for acquiring at least one of a sunrise time and a sunset time in a predetermined area;
A date and time setting unit for setting a predetermined date and time,
The control unit
When the sunrise time acquired by the time acquisition unit is reached, using the communication unit, the control to open the awning,
When the time of day of acquisition acquired by the time acquisition unit is reached, the communication unit is used to perform at least one of control to close the awning,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein An air conditioning control method implemented by an air conditioner equipped with a solar radiation amount detection unit for detecting the solar radiation amount for a certain space,
According to the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation amount detection unit, the air conditioner gives the sunshade via wireless communication an instruction to open the sunshade that blocks the solar radiation to the space or an instruction to close the sunshade. ,
An air conditioning control method characterized by that.

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