CN115552177A

CN115552177A - Sensor power supply control system and air purifier

Info

Publication number: CN115552177A
Application number: CN202080100780.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 古山拓也
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Home Appliance Co Ltd; Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Home Appliance Co Ltd; Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2020-05-18
Filing date: 2020-12-17
Publication date: 2022-12-30
Also published as: JP7327665B2; WO2021234989A1; JPWO2021234989A1

Abstract

The disclosed sensor power supply control system is provided with: a sensor power supply control unit (4) that can supply and cut off power for operating the sensor (3); a wireless communication unit power supply control unit (6) capable of supplying power for operating the wireless communication unit (5) and cutting off the supply of the power; and a wireless connection setting means (7) for selectively switching between supply of power to the wireless communication means (5) by the wireless communication means power supply control unit (6) and interruption of the supply of power. The sensor power supply control unit (4) supplies power to the sensor (3) when the electric load (1) is being driven, and when the power supply to the wireless communication unit (5) by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit (6) is cut off and when wireless communication is not possible although the power supply to the wireless communication unit (5) is being executed in a state where the electric load (1) is stopped, the power supply to the sensor (3) is cut off.

Description

Sensor power supply control system and air purifier

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a sensor power supply control system and an air cleaner.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a control system for an air cleaner. The air cleaner disclosed in patent document 1 includes a dust sensor for detecting dirt in the air in a room, and a communication unit capable of performing wireless communication with the outside of the air cleaner. The control system described in patent document 1 is configured to: based on the information output from the air cleaner, the degree of consumption of the dust collecting filter is calculated, and the degree of consumption is reported to the user.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-179389

In the air cleaner disclosed in patent document 1, for example, power is supplied to the dust sensor in a state where the dust sensor does not need to be operated while the air cleaner is stopped. Therefore, there is a problem that electric power is wastefully consumed.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure is intended to solve the problems described above. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensor power supply control system capable of suppressing waste of electric power of an electric device, and an air cleaner to which the sensor power supply control system is applied.

The disclosed sensor power supply control system is provided with: an electric load that is driven during operation of the electrical device; a control unit that controls driving of the electric load; a sensor that collects information required for controlling an electric device; a sensor power supply control unit capable of supplying power for operating the sensor and cutting off the supply of power for operating the sensor; a wireless communication unit which provides information collected by the sensor to the outside through wireless communication; a wireless communication unit power supply control unit capable of supplying power for operating the wireless communication unit and cutting off the supply of power for operating the wireless communication unit; and a wireless connection setting unit for selectively switching between supply of power to the wireless communication unit and interruption of power to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit, wherein the sensor power supply control unit executes power supply to the sensor regardless of a connection state of wireless communication between the wireless communication unit and an external device in a state where the electric load is being driven, and the sensor power supply control unit interrupts power supply to the sensor when the power supply to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit is interrupted by setting by the wireless connection setting unit in a state where the electric load is stopped, and interrupts power supply to the sensor when the wireless communication unit cannot perform wireless communication with the external device although the power supply to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit is being executed.

The disclosed air cleaner is provided with: a suction port for sucking air; an air purifying unit that purifies air drawn from the suction port; an outlet for discharging the air purified by the air purifying part; an electric blower for sending air from the suction port to the discharge port; a control unit that controls driving of the electric blower; a dust sensor that detects dust in the air; a dust sensor power supply control unit capable of supplying power for operating the dust sensor and cutting off the supply of power for operating the dust sensor; a wireless communication unit that provides information detected by the dust sensor to the outside through wireless communication; a wireless communication unit power supply control unit capable of supplying power for operating the wireless communication unit and cutting off the supply of power for operating the wireless communication unit; and a wireless connection setting unit for selectively switching between supply of power to the wireless communication unit and interruption of power to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit, wherein the dust sensor power supply control unit executes power supply to the dust sensor regardless of a connection state of wireless communication between the wireless communication unit and the outside in a state where the electric blower is being driven, and the dust sensor power supply control unit interrupts power supply to the dust sensor when power supply to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit is interrupted by setting by the wireless connection setting unit in a state where the electric blower is stopped, and interrupts power supply to the dust sensor when wireless communication with the outside by the wireless communication unit is not possible although power supply to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit is being executed.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a sensor power supply control system capable of suppressing waste of electric power of an electric device, and an air cleaner to which the sensor power supply control system is applied.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a sensor power supply control system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication unit according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an operation unit provided in an electrical device to which the sensor power supply control system according to embodiment 1 is applied.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining transmission and reception of information by each part of the sensor power supply control system in embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sensor power supply control system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing an air cleaner according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 7 isbase:Sub>A sectional view taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where a panel constituting a side surface of the air cleaner in embodiment 2 is removed.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the dust sensor according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an air cleaner according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining transmission and reception of information by each part of the air cleaner in embodiment 2.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air cleaner in embodiment 2.

Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an air cleaner according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of an air cleaner operation unit provided in an air cleaner according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air cleaner according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 16 is a functional block diagram showing a modification of the air cleaner according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating transmission and reception of information by each part in a modification of the air cleaner according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation example in a modification of the air cleaner according to embodiment 3.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the common or corresponding elements, and the redundant description is simplified or omitted in the present disclosure.

Embodiment mode 1

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a sensor power supply control system according to embodiment 1. The sensor power supply control system is a system for appropriately controlling the operation of the electrical device 100. The sensor power supply control system of the present disclosure is applied to various electric devices 100. As shown in fig. 1, an electric device 100 to which the sensor power supply control system is applied includes an electric load 1, a control unit 2, a sensor 3, a sensor power supply control unit 4, a wireless communication unit 5, a wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6, and a wireless connection setting unit 7.

The electric load 1 is driven during operation of the electric device 100. The driving of the electric load 1 is controlled by the control unit 2. The electric load 1 is driven based on a drive control signal output from the control unit 2, for example. For example, when the electrical equipment 100 is an air cleaner, the electric load 1 corresponds to an electric blower for sucking air into the air cleaner.

The control unit 2 for controlling the electric load 1 is constituted by a microcomputer, for example. The control unit 2 has a function of controlling various operations of the electrical device 100. For example, the control unit 2 has a function of executing processing for outputting a drive control signal to the electric load 1. The electric load 1 is driven in response to the input drive control signal. The control unit 2 of the present embodiment has a function of communicating with the wireless communication unit 5, for example.

The sensor 3 collects information required for controlling the electric apparatus 100. The sensor 3 collects information for controlling the electrical equipment 100 during normal operation of the electrical equipment 100. The sensor 3 in the present embodiment further includes a means for collecting information for detecting an abnormal state of the electrical device 100. The sensor 3 is various sensing devices such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a dust sensor, a current sensor, a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, a vibration sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angle sensor, a distance sensor, a flow sensor, a load sensor, a position sensor, a water level sensor, and an infrared sensor.

The sensor 3 has a function of outputting the collected information to the control unit 2 as sensor information. The control unit 2 acquires sensor information output from the sensor 3, and executes various processes based on the acquired sensor information. Specifically, the control unit 2 changes the content of the drive control signal to be output to the electric load 1 based on the acquired sensor information. The driving of the electric load 1 is controlled in accordance with the information collected by the sensor 3.

In order to realize the function of the sensor 3, it is necessary to supply power for operating the sensor 3. The sensor power supply control section 4 can perform supply of electric power to the sensor 3 and cut off supply of electric power to the sensor 3. The control unit 2 controls the supply and interruption of the electric power to the sensor 3 by the sensor power supply control unit 4. Specifically, the control unit 2 outputs a sensor power supply control signal to the sensor power supply control unit 4. The sensor power supply control unit 4 supplies or cuts off the supply of electric power to the sensor 3 in response to the sensor power supply control signal output from the control unit 2.

The sensor power supply control system of the present embodiment includes the sensor power supply control unit 4, and thus can supply power to the sensor 3 only when information collection by the sensor 3 is necessary. The sensor power supply control system of the present embodiment can cut off the power supply to the sensor 3 when the information collection by the sensor 3 is not necessary. This can suppress waste of electric power.

The sensor power supply control unit 4 is provided on a power supply line for supplying power to the sensor 3. The function of the sensor power supply control unit 4 is a so-called switching function, and is realized by a semiconductor switch such as an FET or a transistor. As described above, the sensor power supply control unit 4 receives the sensor power supply control signal output from the control unit 2. The sensor power supply control unit 4 switches the switch on and off according to the content of the sensor power supply control signal. Thereby, the supply of electric power to the sensor 3 and the interruption of the supply of electric power to the sensor 3 are switched.

The wireless communication unit 5 is used for the electrical device 100 to perform wireless communication with the outside. The wireless communication unit 5 is connected to the control unit 2 by wire. As described above, the wireless communication unit 5 has a function of communicating with the control unit 2. The control unit 2 transmits the sensor information acquired from the sensor 3 to the wireless communication unit as wireless communication information. The wireless communication unit 5 can provide the information collected by the sensor 3 to the outside of the electric device 100 by wireless communication based on the wireless communication information received from the control unit 2.

In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 5 performs bidirectional communication with the wireless communication device 8 outside the electric device 100 by wireless connection. The wireless communication unit 5 is configured as a so-called wireless communication module, for example.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the wireless communication unit 5 according to embodiment 1. As shown in fig. 2, the wireless communication unit 5 is constituted by, for example, a module case 9, a wireless communication control board 10, and a lead wire 11. A pattern antenna 12 is printed on the radio communication control board 10 as an antenna for performing radio communication.

Further, the structure of the wireless communication unit 5 is not limited to that shown in fig. 2. The wireless communication unit 5 may have any configuration as long as it can perform mutual communication between the electric device 100 and an external device.

In order to realize the function of the wireless communication unit 5, it is necessary to supply power for operating the wireless communication unit 5. The wireless communication unit power supply control section 6 can perform supply of electric power to the wireless communication unit 5 and cut off supply of electric power to the wireless communication unit 5. The control unit 2 controls the supply of power to the wireless communication unit 5 and the interruption of the supply of power to the wireless communication unit 5 by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6. Specifically, the control unit 2 outputs a radio communication unit power supply control signal to the radio communication unit power supply control unit 6. The wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6 performs power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 or cuts off power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 in response to the wireless communication unit power supply control signal output from the control unit 2.

The function of the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6 is a so-called switching function, and is realized by a semiconductor switch such as an FET or a transistor, as in the sensor power supply control unit 4. The wireless communication unit power supply control section 6 switches between supply and interruption of power to the wireless communication unit 5 in accordance with the wireless communication unit power supply control signal output from the control section 2.

The sensor power supply control system of the present embodiment is provided with the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6, and can supply power to the wireless communication unit 5 only when wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 5 is necessary. The sensor power supply control system of the present embodiment can cut off the power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 when the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 5 is not necessary. This can suppress waste of electric power.

The wireless connection setting unit 7 is configured to selectively switch between the supply of power to the wireless communication unit 5 and the interruption of the supply of power to the wireless communication unit 5, which are performed by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the operation unit 13 included in the electric device 100 to which the sensor power supply control system according to embodiment 1 is applied. The operation unit 13 shown in fig. 3 is an example of the case where the electrical appliance 100 is an air cleaner. As shown in fig. 3, the wireless connection setting unit 7 is configured, for example, to be used by a user to operate a switch provided in the operation unit 13 of the electrical device 100. The user can arbitrarily set wireless communication with the outside by the electrical device 100 by the wireless connection setting unit 7. Specifically, the user can switch between the supply of electric power for operating the wireless communication unit 5 and the supply of cut-off electric power as desired by operating the wireless connection setting unit 7.

In the case where the wireless connection setting unit 7 is configured as a switch as shown in fig. 3, the switch may have another function different from the setting of wireless communication. When the wireless connection setting unit 7 is configured as a switch having a plurality of functions, for example, the user can perform setting of wireless communication by performing an operation such as a long-press operation on the switch or simultaneous pressing of a plurality of switches including the switch. The switch that realizes the function of the wireless connection setting unit 7 may be a switch having a physical contact such as a tact switch, or a switch having no physical contact using a capacitance. The switch that realizes the function of the wireless connection setting unit 7 is configured to be capable of transmitting a signal indicating the intention of the user's operation to the control unit 2 in response to the operation from the user. The control section 2 outputs a wireless communication unit power control signal in response to an operation of the wireless connection setting unit 7 by a user.

The wireless communication device 8 connected to the wireless communication unit 5 by wireless corresponds to, for example, a wireless router or the like provided in the indoor space H. The wireless communication device 8 is connected to the server 200 through a network line or the like. The server 200 performs bidirectional communication with the mobile terminal 300. The server 200 may be constructed indoors or outdoors.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining transmission and reception of information by each part of the sensor power supply control system in embodiment 1. As shown in fig. 4, the server 200 receives sensor information from the control section 2 via the wireless communication unit 5 and the wireless communication device 8. As described above, the sensor information includes information collected by the sensor 3. The sensor information received by server 200 from control unit 2 may include information such as the state of sensor 3 and the operating state of electrical device 100. The server 200 transmits the information received from the control unit 2 to the mobile terminal 300. The mobile terminal 300 has a function of displaying sensor information received from the control section 2 via the wireless communication unit 5, the wireless communication device 8, and the server 200 to the user.

In the present embodiment, the electric device 100 is configured to be operable by the mobile terminal 300. When the user performs an operation to change the operating state of the electrical device 100 via the portable terminal 300, the portable terminal 300 transmits operating state change instruction information corresponding to the operation. The operation state change instruction information transmitted from the mobile terminal 300 is received by the server 200. The server 200 transmits the operation state change instruction information to the control unit 2 via the wireless communication device 8 and the wireless communication unit 5. The control unit 2 controls the operating state of the electrical device 100 based on the received operating state change instruction information. In this way, the user can remotely operate the electric device 100.

The control unit 2 may transmit, as the operation state change information, information indicating that the operation state of the electrical device 100 has been changed without any problem in accordance with the operation by the user. The operation state change information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 300 via the wireless communication unit 5, the wireless communication device 8, and the server 200. The portable terminal 300 having received the operation state change information can notify the user that the operation state of the electrical device 100 has been changed without problem by displaying a screen, by voice, or the like.

The mobile terminal 300 is configured to be connectable to a network line. The mobile terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer. The mobile terminal 300 realizes the remote operation function by setting connection to the server 200 in a state in which an application for connection to the server 200 is installed. In addition, the mobile terminal 300 may be a dedicated remote controller. The functions of the mobile terminal 300 may be implemented by a non-portable device such as a desktop computer.

The wireless communication unit 5 of the electric appliance 100 may be configured to be able to perform communication with the server 200 without passing through the wireless communication device 8 such as a wireless router. The wireless communication unit 5 may be configured to be able to perform communication with the mobile terminal 300 without passing through at least one of the wireless communication device 8 and the server 200.

Next, the operation of the sensor power supply control system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sensor power supply control system according to embodiment 1.

First, the content of the processing executed changes depending on whether or not the electrical device 100 is in an operating state, that is, depending on whether or not the electric load 1 is being driven (step S101). While the electric load 1 is being driven, the sensor power supply control unit 4 executes the power supply process to the sensor 3 regardless of whether the connection state of the wireless communication unit 5 with the external wireless communication is the connection-in state or the disconnection state (step S102).

On the other hand, in a state where the electric load 1 is stopped, the content of the executed process changes in accordance with the setting of the wireless connection by the wireless connection setting unit 7 (step S103). When the wireless connection setting unit 7 sets the electrical device 100 to perform wireless communication with the outside, the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6 supplies power to the wireless communication unit 5 (step S104). When the setting for the wireless communication between the electrical device 100 and the outside is not made by the wireless connection setting unit 7, the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6 cuts off the power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 (step S105).

In step S104, when the power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 is performed, the content of the executed process changes according to whether or not the wireless connection state with the outside by the wireless communication unit 5 is normal (step S106). The state in which the wireless connection state with the outside by the wireless communication unit 5 is normal means a state in which the control unit 2, the wireless communication unit 5, the wireless communication device 8, the server 200, and the mobile terminal 300 can transmit and receive information. In step S106, when the wireless communication unit 5 is in a normal wireless connection state with the outside, the sensor power supply control unit 4 supplies power to the sensor 3 as in step S102 described above.

In step S105, when the power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 is cut off, the sensor power supply control unit 4 executes a process of cutting off the power supply to the sensor 3. In step S106, if the wireless communication unit 5 is not in the normal wireless connection state with the outside and the wireless communication unit 5 cannot perform wireless communication with the outside, the sensor power supply control unit 4 also cuts off the power supply to the sensor 3 (step S107).

In step S106, the state in which the wireless communication with the outside by the wireless communication unit 5 is not possible means that: although the setting processing of the wireless connection by the wireless connection setting unit 7 is completed, the wireless connection is not normally performed due to some abnormality. The certain abnormality corresponds to, for example, disconnection of any part or parts of the control unit 2, the wireless communication unit 5, the wireless communication device 8, the server 200, and the mobile terminal 300, or an operation error of any part or parts.

As described above, the sensor power supply control unit 4 constituting the sensor power supply control system of the present embodiment is configured to: in a state where the electric load 1 is being driven, the supply of electric power to the sensor 3 is performed regardless of the connection state of the wireless communication unit 5 with external wireless communication. Further, the sensor power supply control unit 4 is configured to: when the power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6 is cut off by the setting of the wireless connection setting unit 7 in a state where the electric load 1 is stopped, and when the power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6 is executed but the wireless communication with the outside by the wireless communication unit 5 is not possible, the power supply to the sensor 3 is cut off. In the sensor power supply control system characterized by the above-described configuration, when the electric device 100 in the state in which the electric load 1 is stopped cannot communicate with the outside, the supply of electric power for operating the sensor 3 can be cut off, and the electric device 100 can be prevented from wasting the standby electric power. For example, it is possible to suppress waste of electric power in a state where the electric device 100 cannot provide information to the server 200 and the mobile terminal 300 through the electric device 100 or cannot remotely operate the electric device 100 through the mobile terminal 300.

As described above, the sensor power supply control system of the present disclosure is applied to various electric devices 100. The electric device 100 corresponds to not only a home electric device such as a home air cleaner, but also a vehicle electric device such as a vehicle air cleaner, a business electric device such as a business air cleaner, and other various IOT devices. By incorporating the sensor power supply control system of the present disclosure into various IOT devices, an IOT function that can suppress waste of electric power can be provided.

Embodiment mode 2

As shown in embodiment 1, the sensor power supply control system of the present disclosure can be applied to various electrical devices. Hereinafter, in embodiment 2, an example in which the sensor power supply control system is applied to the air cleaner 100a will be described. Note that the same or corresponding portions as or to embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description is simplified or omitted.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing an air cleaner 100a according to embodiment 2. Fig. 7 isbase:Sub>A sectional view taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A of fig. 6. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the air cleaner 100a includes: a suction port 82a for sucking air; an air purifying unit 60 for purifying air sucked from the suction port 82 a; an outlet 51a for discharging the air purified by the air purifying unit 60; and an electric blower 1a that sends air from the suction port 82a to the discharge port 51 a. The air cleaning unit 60 is constituted by, for example, a folding filter. The electric blower 1a in the present embodiment corresponds to the electric load 1 in embodiment 1. The suction port 82a and the discharge port 51a are formed in the outer contour of the main body of the air cleaner 100a.

The air cleaner 100a of the present embodiment is configured to be used by being placed on a floor surface in a room. As a reference direction in the state where the air cleaner 100a is placed, "front direction" is defined as shown in fig. 6.

The main body of the air cleaner 100a has an outer contour formed by the front surface 70, the side surface 80, and the like. In the illustrated example, the air cleaner 100a has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The front surface 70 and the side surface 80 of the air cleaner 100a form a plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane, respectively. The front face 70 and the side faces 80 are orthogonal to each other.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where a panel constituting the side surface 80 of the air cleaner 100a according to embodiment 2 is removed. The air cleaner 100a of the present embodiment includes a dust sensor 3a that detects dust in the air. This dust sensor 3a corresponds to the sensor 3 in embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 8, in the present embodiment, dust sensor 3a is disposed inside lateral surface 80, which is an outer shell of air cleaner 100a. The dust sensor 3a can detect dust contained in the air around the air cleaner 100a. In the illustrated example, the dust sensor 3a is disposed at a position close to the lower end of the air cleaner 100a with respect to the upper end. Since the dust sensor 3a is not disposed in the air passage leading from the suction port 82a to the discharge port 51a of the air cleaner 100a, it is possible to detect dust in the air around the air cleaner 100a even when the electric blower 1a is not driven.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the dust sensor 3a according to embodiment 2. As shown in the example of fig. 9, the dust sensor 3a may include a heater 41 for generating a dust path inside the dust sensor 3a. The dust path is a path through which air containing dust passes. The dust sensor 3a is configured to be able to detect dust in air passing through the dust path. In the example of fig. 9, the dust sensor 3a includes a light emitting unit 44 and a light receiving unit 45 for optically detecting dust contained in air passing through a dust passage.

The dust path is formed by an ascending air current generated by the heater 41. In the present embodiment, a body suction port 14a and a body discharge port 14b are formed in a lower portion of the side surface 80 of the air cleaner 100a. The dust sensor 3a is provided with a dust sensor inlet 42 and a dust sensor outlet 43. The dust path is formed as a path passing through the main body suction port 14a, the dust sensor suction port 42, the interior of the dust sensor 3a, the dust sensor discharge port 43, and the main body discharge port 14b in this order. The heater 41 generates an updraft, and the air containing dust around the outer periphery of the air cleaner 100a is sent through the dust path and sucked into the dust sensor 3a.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an air cleaner 100a according to embodiment 2. Fig. 10 corresponds to fig. 1 in embodiment 1. As shown in fig. 10, the driving of the electric blower 1a is controlled by the control unit 2. The electric blower 1a is driven based on, for example, a rotation instruction signal output from the control unit 2. The dust sensor 3a outputs information on the detected dust to the control unit 2 as dust sensor information. The dust sensor information includes, for example, information on the amount and concentration of dust.

As shown in fig. 10, the air cleaner 100a of the present embodiment includes a dust sensor power supply control unit 4a. The dust sensor power supply control unit 4a can supply and cut off power for operating the dust sensor 3a. The dust sensor power supply control unit 4a corresponds to the sensor power supply control unit 4 in embodiment 1. The dust sensor power supply control unit 4a supplies or cuts off the supply of electric power to the dust sensor 3a in response to the dust sensor power supply control signal output from the control unit 2.

The dust sensor power supply control unit 4a is provided on a power supply line for supplying power to the dust sensor 3a. The function of the dust sensor power supply control unit 4a is a so-called switching function, and is realized by a semiconductor switch such as an FET or a transistor. The dust sensor power supply control unit 4a switches the switch on and off according to the content of the dust sensor power supply control signal output from the control unit 2. Thus, the supply of electric power to the dust sensor 3a and the interruption of the supply of electric power to the dust sensor 3a are switched.

The air cleaner 100a includes a wireless communication unit 5, similar to the electric device 100 of embodiment 1. The wireless communication unit 5 and the control unit 2 are connected by wire, and have a function of performing communication with each other. The control unit 2 transmits the dust sensor information acquired from the dust sensor 3a to the wireless communication means as wireless communication information. The wireless communication unit 5 can provide information detected by the dust sensor 3a to the outside of the air cleaner 100a by wireless communication based on wireless communication information received from the control unit 2. The wireless communication unit 5 is wirelessly connected to the wireless communication device 8 outside the air cleaner 100a, and can perform bidirectional communication.

The air cleaner 100a includes a wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6, similar to the electric device 100 of embodiment 1. The wireless communication unit power supply control section 6 can perform supply of power to the wireless communication unit 5 and cut off of power supply to the wireless communication unit 5. The function of the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6 is a so-called switching function, and is realized by a semiconductor switch such as an FET or a transistor, as in the dust sensor power supply control unit 4a. The radio communication unit power supply control unit 6 switches between supplying and cutting off power to the radio communication unit 5 in response to the radio communication unit power supply control signal output from the control unit 2.

The air cleaner 100a includes wireless connection setting means 7 for selectively switching between the supply of power to the wireless communication unit 5 and the interruption of the supply of power to the wireless communication unit 5 by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6, similarly to the electric device 100 according to embodiment 1. The wireless connection setting unit 7 is configured as a switch provided in the operation unit 13 as shown in fig. 3, similarly to embodiment 1.

The wireless communication device 8 wirelessly connected to the wireless communication unit 5 corresponds to, for example, a wireless router or the like provided in the indoor space H. The wireless communication device 8 is connected to the server 200 through a network line or the like.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining transmission and reception of information by each part of the air cleaner 100a in embodiment 2. As shown in fig. 11, the server 200 receives dust sensor information from the control section 2 via the wireless communication unit 5 and the wireless communication device 8. The dust sensor information received by the server 200 from the control unit 2 may include information such as the state of the dust sensor 3a and the operating state of the air cleaner 100a. The server 200 transmits the information received from the control unit 2 to the mobile terminal 300. The mobile terminal 300 has a function of displaying the received dust sensor information to the user.

The air cleaner 100a is configured to be operated by the mobile terminal 300. When the user performs an operation of changing the operation state of the air cleaner 100a through the portable terminal 300, operation state change instruction information corresponding to the operation is transmitted from the portable terminal 300. The operating state change instruction information transmitted from the mobile terminal 300 is received by the server 200. The server 200 transmits the operation state change instruction information to the control unit 2 via the wireless communication device 8 and the wireless communication unit 5. The control unit 2 controls the operating state of the air cleaner 100a based on the received operating state change instruction information. Thus, the user can remotely operate the air cleaner 100a.

The control unit 2 may transmit, as the operation state change information, information indicating that the operation state of the air cleaner 100a has been changed without any problem in accordance with the operation of the user. The operation state change information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 300 via the wireless communication unit 5, the wireless communication device 8, and the server 200. The mobile terminal 300 having received the operation state change information can notify the user that the operation state of the air cleaner 100a has been changed without any problem by screen display, sound, or the like.

Further, the wireless communication unit 5 of the air cleaner 100a may be configured to: the communication with the server 200 can be performed without via the wireless communication device 8 such as a wireless router. Further, the radio communication unit 5 may be configured to: communication with the mobile terminal 300 can be performed not via at least one of the wireless communication device 8 and the server 200. The mobile terminal 300 may be a smart phone or a tablet computer, or may be a dedicated remote controller. The functions of the mobile terminal 300 may also be implemented by a non-portable device such as a desktop computer.

Next, the operation of the air cleaner 100a according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air cleaner 100a according to embodiment 2.

First, the content of the processing executed changes depending on whether the air cleaner 100a is in an operating state, that is, depending on whether the electric blower 1a is being driven (step S201). While the electric blower 1a is being driven, the dust sensor power supply control unit 4a executes a process of supplying power to the dust sensor 3a regardless of whether the connection state of the wireless communication unit 5 with the outside is a connected state or an unconnected state (step S202).

On the other hand, in a state where the electric blower 1a is stopped, the content of the processing to be executed is changed in accordance with the setting of the wireless connection by the wireless connection setting unit 7 (step S203). When the wireless connection setting unit 7 sets the air cleaner 100a to perform wireless communication with the outside, the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6 supplies power to the wireless communication unit 5 (step S204). When the wireless connection setting unit 7 does not perform setting for performing wireless communication between the air cleaner 100a and the outside, the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6 cuts off the power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 (step S205).

In step S204, when the power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 is being performed, the content of the processing to be executed changes depending on whether or not the wireless connection state with the outside by the wireless communication unit 5 is normal (step S206). The state in which the wireless connection state with the outside by the wireless communication unit 5 is normal means that: the state in which the control unit 2, the wireless communication unit 5, the wireless communication device 8, the server 200, and the mobile terminal 300 can transmit and receive information therebetween is possible. In step S206, when the wireless connection state with the outside through the wireless communication unit 5 is normal, the sensor power supply control unit 4 performs power supply to the sensor 3 as in step S202 described above.

In step S205, when the power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 is cut off, the sensor power supply control unit 4 executes a process of cutting off the power supply to the sensor 3. In step S206, if the wireless communication unit 5 is not in the normal wireless connection state with the outside and the wireless communication unit 5 cannot perform wireless communication with the outside, the sensor power supply control unit 4 also cuts off the power supply to the sensor 3 (step S207).

In step S206, the state in which the wireless communication with the outside by the wireless communication unit 5 is not possible means that: although the setting processing of the wireless connection by the wireless connection setting unit 7 is completed, the wireless connection is not normally performed due to some abnormality. The certain abnormality corresponds to, for example, disconnection of any part or parts of the control unit 2, the wireless communication unit 5, the wireless communication device 8, the server 200, and the mobile terminal 300, or an operation error of any part or parts.

As described above, the dust sensor power supply control unit 4a provided in the air cleaner 100a according to the present embodiment is configured to: in a state where electric blower 1a is being driven, power supply to dust sensor 3a is performed regardless of the connection state of wireless communication between wireless communication unit 5 and the outside. Further, the dust sensor power supply control unit 4a is configured to: when the power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6 is cut off by the setting of the wireless connection setting unit 7 in a state where the electric blower 1a is stopped, and when the power supply to the wireless communication unit 5 by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit 6 is being executed but the wireless communication with the outside by the wireless communication unit 5 is not possible, the power supply to the dust sensor 3a is cut off. In the air cleaner 100a having the above-described configuration as a feature, when communication with the outside is not possible in a state where the electric blower 1a is stopped, the supply of power for operating the dust sensor 3a can be cut off, and waste of standby power can be suppressed. For example, it is possible to suppress waste of electric power in a state where information cannot be provided to the server 200 and the mobile terminal 300 by the air cleaner 100a or remote operation of the air cleaner 100a by the mobile terminal 300 cannot be performed.

The structure of the dust sensor 3a is not limited to the structure shown in fig. 9. For example, the dust sensor 3a may have a blower for sucking ambient air into the dust sensor 3a. Further, in the case where the dust sensor 3a uses the ascending air current generated by the heater 41 without using a blower, for example, the effect that the sound generated when the dust sensor 3a operates does not give a sense of discomfort to the user can be obtained.

Embodiment 3

Next, embodiment 3 will be explained. The same or corresponding portions as those in embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is simplified or omitted. Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an air cleaner 100b according to embodiment 3. As shown in fig. 13, the air cleaner 100b of the present embodiment includes a dust sensor power setting unit 20 in addition to the configuration of the air cleaner 100a of embodiment 2.

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of an air cleaner operation unit 13a provided in an air cleaner 100b according to embodiment 3. The dust sensor power setting unit 20 is configured as a switch provided in the air cleaner operation unit 13a, as in the wireless connection setting unit 7. The dust sensor power setting unit 20 is configured to selectively switch between supply of power to the dust sensor 3a and interruption of the supply of power to the dust sensor 3a by the dust sensor power control unit 4a. The user can switch between the supply of electric power for operating the dust sensor 3a and the interruption of the supply of electric power as desired by operating the dust sensor power setting unit 20.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air cleaner 100b according to embodiment 3. The processing from step S301 to step S307 in the example of fig. 15 is the same as the processing from step S201 to step S207 in embodiment 2, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, when the wireless connection state with the outside through the wireless communication unit 5 is normal in step S306, the content of the executed process changes depending on whether the user sets the power supply of the dust sensor 3a to on or off through the dust sensor power supply setting unit 20 (step S308). When the user sets the power supply of the dust sensor 3a to on, the process of step S302, that is, the power supply to the dust sensor 3a by the dust sensor power supply control unit 4a is executed.

On the other hand, when the user sets the power supply of the dust sensor 3a to off, the process of step S307 is executed, in which the dust sensor power supply control unit 4a cuts off the power supply to the dust sensor 3a. With this configuration, a user who gives priority to reduction in power consumption over the information collection function by the dust sensor 3a can suppress power consumption by turning off the dust sensor 3a by the dust sensor power supply setting unit 20.

Fig. 16 is a functional block diagram showing a modification of the air cleaner 100b according to embodiment 3. As shown in fig. 16, the air cleaner 100b may be configured to be capable of communicating with and interlocking with the air conditioner 400 via the wireless communication device 8 and the like. The air conditioner 400 is a device capable of sucking outside air into the indoor space H. The air conditioner 400 corresponds to various devices capable of sucking outside air into the indoor space H. The air conditioner 400 is, for example, a ventilation fan or a ventilator with a heat exchange function. The air conditioner 400 is connected to an air conditioner wireless communication unit 5a by wire. The air conditioner wireless communication unit 5a and the wireless communication device 8 can transmit and receive information wirelessly. The air conditioner wireless communication unit 5a has the same function as the wireless communication unit 5.

Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating transmission and reception of information in each part of a modification of the air cleaner 100b in embodiment 3. As shown in fig. 17, when the air conditioner 400 is in the operation state in which the external air is sucked in accordance with the operation performed by the user to change the operation state in the operation stop state, information indicating that the operation of sucking the external air into the indoor space H is being performed is transmitted to the control unit 2 of the air cleaner 100b via the air conditioner wireless communication unit 5a, the server 200, and the like. When the air conditioner 400 is switched to the operation mode in which the outside air is not sucked into the indoor space H, information indicating that the operation of sucking the outside air into the indoor space H is stopped is transmitted to the control unit 2 of the air cleaner 100b via the air conditioner wireless communication unit 5a, the server 200, and the like. As shown in fig. 17, while the information that the air conditioner 400 is performing the operation of sucking the outside air into the indoor space H is acquired, the air cleaner 100b executes the power supply to the dust sensor 3a by the dust sensor power supply control unit 4a even if the setting of cutting off the power supply to the dust sensor 3a is performed by the dust sensor power supply setting unit 20.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation example in a modification of the air cleaner 100b according to embodiment 3. Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation flow when the user turns off the power supply of the dust sensor 3a in step S308 of the flowchart of fig. 15. In the operation example of fig. 18, when the air conditioner 400 performs an operation of sucking the outside air, the next process is executed (step S311). The process of step S311 is continued until the air conditioner 400 performs the operation of sucking the outside air.

When air conditioner 400 is operating to suck in outside air, power is supplied to dust sensor 3a as described above (step S312). Here, it is determined whether or not the concentration of the dust detected by dust sensor 3a is equal to or higher than a reference value (step S313). The process of step S313 is continued until the concentration of the dust detected by the dust sensor 3a becomes equal to or higher than the reference value. When the concentration of the dust detected by the dust sensor 3a is equal to or higher than the reference value, the mobile terminal 300 reports that the dust concentration has exceeded the reference value (step S314). Then, the process of increasing the rotation number of the electric blower 1a is performed (step S315). While the air conditioner 400 is operating to suck the outside air, the processing from step S312 to step S315 is continued (step S316). When the air conditioner 400 stops the operation of sucking the outside air, the power supply to the dust sensor 3a is cut off after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S317) (step S318).

According to the modification described above, when the dust concentration contained in the outside air taken into the room is high, the air conditioner 400 can detect that the dust concentration in the indoor space H is in the rising trend by the dust sensor 3a. Further, the report by the mobile terminal 300 can be made based on the information from the dust sensor 3a. For example, it is recommended to the user to stop the operation of the air conditioner 400 or to automatically increase the rotation number of the electric blower 1a of the air cleaner 100b to suppress the increase in the dust concentration in the indoor space H. Further, when the air conditioner 400 is switched to an operation mode in which the operation is stopped or no outside air is sucked, the power consumption of the dust sensor 3a can be suppressed.

[ industrial applicability ]

The sensor power supply control system of the present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an electric apparatus such as an air cleaner.

Description of the reference numerals:

1 \ 8230and electric load; 1a 8230, electric blower; 2 8230and a control part; 3 \ 8230and a sensor; 3 a\8230adust sensor; 4\8230Thepower control part of the sensor; 4a \ 8230and a dust sensor power supply control part; 5 \ 8230and a wireless communication unit; 5a 8230, a wireless communication unit for an air conditioner; 6 \ 8230and a power control part of a wireless communication unit; 7 \ 8230a wireless connection setting unit; 8 \ 8230; 9 \ 8230and a module shell; 10\8230thewireless communication control substrate; 11 8230a wire; 12 \ 8230and pattern antenna; 13 8230and an operation part; 13a 8230and an air purifier operation part; 14a \8230anda suction inlet of the main body; 14b 8230and a main body discharge port; 20 \ 8230and a power supply setting unit of the dust sensor; 41 \ 8230and a heater; 42 \ 8230and dust sensor suction inlet; 43 \ 8230and dust sensor outlet; 44 8230a light emitting part;

45 \ 8230a light receiving part; 51a folder 8230a discharge port; 60 \ 8230and an air purification part; 70, 8230and a front surface; 80, 8230and lateral surfaces;

82a \8230anda suction port; 100\8230andelectrical equipment; 100a \8230andan air purifier; 100b \8230andan air purifier;

200 \ 8230and server; 300, 8230, mobile terminal; 400 \8230andair conditioner.

Claims

1. A sensor power supply control system is characterized by comprising:

an electric load that is driven during operation of the electrical device;

a control unit that controls driving of the electric load;

a sensor that collects information required for controlling the electric device;

a sensor power supply control unit capable of supplying power for operating the sensor and cutting off the supply of power for operating the sensor;

a wireless communication unit that provides information collected by the sensor to the outside through wireless communication;

a wireless communication unit power supply control unit capable of supplying power for operating the wireless communication unit and cutting off the supply of power for operating the wireless communication unit; and

a wireless connection setting unit for selectively switching supply of power to the wireless communication unit and cutoff of power to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control section,

the sensor power supply control unit performs power supply to the sensor regardless of a connection state of the wireless communication unit with external wireless communication in a state where the electric load is being driven,

the sensor power supply control unit may shut off the power supply to the sensor when the power supply to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit is shut off by the setting of the wireless connection setting unit in a state where the electric load is stopped, and when the power supply to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit is being executed but wireless communication with the outside by the wireless communication unit is not possible.

2. An air cleaner is characterized by comprising:

a suction port for sucking air;

an air purifying unit that purifies air drawn from the suction port;

an outlet port for discharging the air purified by the air purifying unit;

an electric blower that sends air from the suction port to the discharge port;

a control unit that controls driving of the electric blower;

a dust sensor that detects dust in the air;

a dust sensor power supply control unit capable of supplying power for operating the dust sensor and cutting off the supply of power for operating the dust sensor;

a wireless communication unit that provides information detected by the dust sensor to the outside through wireless communication;

a wireless connection setting unit for selectively switching supply of power to the wireless communication unit and cutting off supply of power to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control section,

the dust sensor power supply control unit performs power supply to the dust sensor regardless of a connection state of the wireless communication unit to external wireless communication in a state where the electric blower is being driven,

the dust sensor power supply control unit shuts off power supply to the dust sensor when power supply to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit is shut off by setting the wireless connection setting unit in a state where the electric blower is stopped, and when wireless communication with the outside by the wireless communication unit is not possible although power supply to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit is being executed.

3. The air cleaner according to claim 2,

further comprising a dust sensor power supply setting unit for selectively switching between supply of electric power to the dust sensor and interruption of supply of electric power to the dust sensor by the dust sensor power supply control unit,

the air purification mechanism comprises: when the power supply to the wireless communication unit by the wireless communication unit power supply control unit is being executed, the power supply to the dust sensor can be cut off by the operation of the dust sensor power supply setting unit.

4. The air cleaner according to claim 3,

the wireless communication unit is capable of wirelessly communicating with the wireless communication unit for an air conditioner, wherein the wireless communication unit for an air conditioner is capable of wirelessly communicating with the outside,

the dust sensor power supply control unit executes power supply to the dust sensor even when the dust sensor power supply setting unit performs an operation of cutting off power supply to the dust sensor in a state where the air conditioner to which the air conditioner wireless communication unit is connected sucks in outside air.

5. The air cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

the suction port and the discharge port are arranged on the outer contour part of the air purifier body,

a suction port for sucking dust is formed in the outer shell and the dust sensor,

a heater for generating an ascending air current is provided inside the dust sensor,

the dust sensor is disposed inside the housing, and is configured to suck air around the housing from the suction port into the dust sensor by an updraft generated by the heater.