JP2000356359A - Plane heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems of erroneous judgement made by a human body sensor and of temporary absence of a person who warms himself by returning a target control temperature to a set value from upon receipt of the output that indicates the existence of a human body. SOLUTION: After effecting a human body detecting output for not less than a given time (15 min.), a power saving mode or a power supply stop mode becomes effective, and when there is an occurrence again of a human body detecting output, control is made to restore an originally set temperature (45 deg.C). Specifically, for a given period of time (10 min.) after the occurrence of the human body detecting output, a temperature which is a little higher (50 deg.C) than the originally set temperature (45 deg.C) is set as a desired temperature for control. A control circuit then conducts control for keeping the newly set temperature, and afterward, another control for keeping the originally set temperature (45 deg.C) is conducted. As a long time is required for restoring the temperature to approximately the originally set value, the desired control temperature is set at a higher value than the originally set one.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a planar heating device for floor heating such as an electric carpet and an electric floor heater.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a planar heating device such as an electric carpet or an electric floor heater is provided with a temperature control section and a heating area switching section for a heating person to select a heating area and a heating temperature. , Equipped with a rapid heating function to reach the required temperature in the shortest possible time after the warmer starts using it, when the room temperature rises due to the combined use of heaters such as solar radiation conditions and air conditioners and fan heaters There is an electric carpet equipped with a room temperature detection type power saving function that saves unnecessary electricity bills by lowering the temperature of an electric carpet so that the heating sensation of a warmer does not change.

[0003]

However, each of the above functions is based on the premise that a warming person is present on the planar heating device, and when the warming person is absent on the planar heating device, It will consume more or less unnecessary electricity bills.

If the human body sensor detects whether or not a warmer is present on the electric carpet, and if the absence is detected, the supply of power to the heater is stopped, thereby saving unnecessary electricity bills. If the power supply is stopped immediately after detecting the absence, if an infrared passive optical sensor is used as the human body detection sensor, there is a high possibility that the presence of a warming person will result in an erroneous determination of “absence”, If the person once returns and returns, there is a problem that it takes a long time to return to the required temperature.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate the problem of erroneous determination of a human body detection sensor and temporary absence of a warmer while saving electricity bills. It is an object of the present invention to provide a planar heating device capable of performing the heat generation.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a heat source for performing electric heating, a human body detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a human body, and power supply to the heat source are controlled in accordance with the output of the human body detection sensor. A planar heating device including a control unit,
The control unit controls the heat source by lowering the target control temperature from the set temperature by keeping the output of the human body detection sensor indicating the absence state of the human body for a certain period of time, and receives the output indicating the presence state of the human body. It is characterized in that the control temperature is returned to the set temperature.

[0007] Even if the human body detection sensor erroneously outputs the absence of human body, the power supply is not suddenly stopped.
It does not make the warmer feel uncomfortable.

At this time, when returning the target control temperature to the set temperature, the control unit may return to the original temperature earlier if the target control temperature is higher than the set temperature. can do.

If the set temperature is made variable, it is possible to maintain the temperature desired by the warmer.

In addition, when the output of the human body detection sensor indicating the absence of the human body continues, if the control unit further lowers the target control temperature to control the heat source, the problem due to the possibility of erroneous determination of the human body detection sensor and energy saving can be obtained. Problem can be properly solved.

When the output indicating the absence of the human body from the human body detection sensor continues for a predetermined time longer than the above-mentioned predetermined time, when the supply of the power to the heat source is stopped, useless power consumption can be eliminated.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example of an embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an electric carpet which is a planar heating device 1 according to the present invention, and is supplied with commercial power. The heat-sensitive heating wires 5 that generate heat are arranged in a zigzag pattern at substantially equal intervals, and the upper and lower sides are covered with a nonwoven fabric such as polyester fiber. A temperature controller 2 having a built-in control unit and a human body detection sensor 3 are provided at one corner. ing. In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a power cord 4 for receiving commercial power.

The human body detection sensor 3 is for detecting the presence or absence of a warming person on the sheet heating device 1, and an infrared passive type optical sensor can be suitably used. A sensor or the like may be used.

As shown in FIG. 6, the heat-sensitive heating wire 5 is
A metal conductor wire is spirally wound around an electrically insulating yarn 5d made of polyester fiber or the like to form a heating wire 5a that generates heat by the application of commercial power. The surface of the heating wire 5a exhibits a negative change in impedance according to temperature. Organic thermosensitive material 5c
Further, a metal conductor wire is spirally wound around the surface to form a detection wire 5b, and finally, the surface is covered with an electrically insulating resin.
When a commercial power supply is connected between both ends of the heat generating wire 5a of the heat generating heat wire 5 and the heat generating wire 5a at one end of the heat generating heat wire 5 is short-circuited to the detection wire 5b, the heat sensitive material 5c is connected to the heat generating wire 5a.
The temperature / AC voltage characteristic voltage _VTC having the characteristics shown in FIG. 7 is developed between both ends of the detection line 5b due to the AC current flowing into the detection line 5b through the sensing line 5b. Since the heat-sensitive material 5c has a negative characteristic that changes in a direction in which the impedance decreases when the temperature rises, the alternating current flowing into the detection line 5b increases when the temperature rises. The temperature / AC voltage characteristic voltage V _TC has a positive temperature characteristic because the detection line 5b having a constant resistance value is developed by the flow of the AC current.

The temperature controller 2 utilizes the a positive temperature characteristic temperature-AC voltage characteristic voltage V _TC, detects the temperature of the thermal heating wire 5 which increases with energization of power, to a temperature which is set in advance When it reaches, the relay Ry shown in FIG. 4 is turned off to stop the power supply, and after a certain period of time,
The set temperature is maintained by repeating the operation of turning on the relay Ry to start energizing the power, and the temperature / AC voltage characteristic voltage V at which the warmer turns off the relay Ry corresponding to the set temperature. The temperature can be adjusted to your liking by selecting the _TC setting. Although the heat-sensitive heating wire 5 having a temperature detection function is used as a heat source, the heat-sensitive wire, which is generally referred to as a two-wire type, for detecting temperature and the heating wire for generating heat by supplying power are separately provided. May be used as a heat source.

FIG. 4 shows a control unit built in the temperature controller 2, in which a commercial power supply 6 is connected between both ends of a heating wire 5a of a heat-sensitive heating wire 5 via a relay Ry.
When the relay Ry is turned on, power is supplied to the heating wire 5a,
When the relay Ry is turned off, the power supply is stopped. The voltage dividing circuit 12 to which one end of the heat sensing wire 5b of the sensing wire 5b of the sensing wire 5b not connected to the heating wire 5a is connected is connected to the amplifying circuit 11, and the temperature / AC voltage characteristic voltage V
_{The TC} is divided at a constant rate and output to the amplifier circuit 12. Amplifying circuit 12 is intended for amplifying at a fixed rate in the partial pressure of the input temperature and AC voltage characteristic voltage V _TC output to the smoothing circuit 10, the smoothing circuit 10 smoothes a DC voltage an AC voltage input And outputs it to the A / D conversion circuit 9. A / D
The conversion circuit 9 converts the input DC voltage into a numerical value and outputs it to the control circuit 8. In other words, the temperature / AC voltage characteristic voltage _VTC is converted into a numerical value corresponding to the temperature / AC voltage characteristic voltage _VTC by the series of circuit blocks and input to the control circuit 8.

The human body detection sensor 3 and the relay drive circuit 13 are connected to the control circuit 8. The human body detection sensor 3 detects a change in infrared radiation emitted by the human body and outputs Hi when there is a change, and outputs Lo when there is no change. Therefore, when a warmer exists on the electric carpet and makes some movement, intermittent Hi, L according to the movement is performed.
o signal will be output.

The control circuit 8 controls the relay drive circuit 1 based on the output of the human body detection sensor 3 and the output of the A / D conversion circuit 9.
3 to turn on / off the relay Ry to control the surface heating device 1 to a desired temperature. 7 is a DC power supply circuit 7
And is connected to the commercial power supply 6 via the switch SW.

Next, the control operation based on the output of the human body detection sensor 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 1. If the set temperature is set to 45 ° C. by the operation of the warmer, the control circuit 8 Performs the operation of maintaining the set temperature of 45 ° C. as long as the human body detection sensor 3 outputs the human body detection output (Hi). In addition, the human body detection sensor 3
The operation of maintaining the set temperature of 45 ° C. is performed until 10 minutes have passed even if the human body detection output from the sensor disappears (even if the output becomes Lo). This takes into account the high possibility that the human body detection sensor 3, which is an infrared passive optical sensor, is erroneously determined to be absent even though the human body is present on the planar heating device 1.

If the time during which there is no human body detection output is 10 minutes or more, the set temperature (45 ° C.) set by the warmer
Temperature lower than the specified value (for example, 40 ° C lower by 5 ° C)
Is set as the control target temperature, and the control circuit 8 performs control to maintain this temperature. If the supply of electric power is suddenly stopped, the temperature of the planar heating device 1 rapidly decreases, and if a warmer should be present on the electric carpet, he or she would have a strong discomfort. It is not invited.

If the time during which there is no human body detection output exceeds 15 minutes, a temperature (for example, 30 ° C.) lower than the above temperature (40 ° C.) is set as a control target temperature, and the control circuit 8 performs control for maintaining this temperature. Do. Even if the warmer returns after leaving due to unavoidable circumstances, it can be returned to the original temperature (45 ° C.) in a relatively short time,
It is convenient.

When the time during which there is no human body detection output reaches 60 minutes, the power supply is stopped. The fact that the user is absent for a long time of one hour or more determines that the user has forgotten to turn off the power, and gives priority to saving electricity bills over improving convenience.

In addition, if the human body detection output has not been present for a predetermined period of time or more, and if a human body detection output is detected after entering the power saving mode or the power supply stop mode, control is returned to the original temperature (45 ° C.). At this time, the temperature (50 ° C.) slightly higher than the set temperature (45 ° C.) until a predetermined time elapses (10 minutes in the example shown in FIG. 1) after the detection output of the human body is output. ) Is set as the control target temperature, and the control circuit 8 performs control to maintain this temperature.
The control is shifted to the control for maintaining the original set temperature (45 ° C.). Since the planar heating device 1 has a certain heat capacity and does not immediately rise in temperature even when power supply is started, it takes a long time to reach a temperature near the original set temperature. In order to shorten the time, a temperature slightly higher than the original set temperature is set as the target control temperature.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show timing charts of the output state of the human body detection sensor 3, the set temperature, and the temperature of the sheet heating device 1. FIG. FIG. 2 shows a case where the warming person is separated from the planar heating device 1 by one hour or more, and FIG. 3 shows a case where the warming person returns 30 minutes away from the planar heating device 1. The one-dot chain line in the figure indicates the temperature change of the planar heating device 1 when the power supply is stopped when 10 minutes have passed since the human body detection output disappeared. In the case of the present invention,
The temperature does not drop sharply as compared with the case indicated by the dashed line, and the human body detection sensor 3 erroneously outputs absent even though the warming person is present in the planar heating device 1. It does not give the warmer an unpleasant sensation even when the temperature rises, and the time required to return to the original temperature is shortened.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, a heat source for performing electric heating, a human body detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a human body, and a control for controlling power supply to the heat source in accordance with the output of the human body detection sensor. In the planar heating device having the unit, the control unit controls the heat source by lowering the target control temperature from the set temperature by keeping the output indicating the absence state of the human body detection sensor for a certain period of time, In order to return the target control temperature to the set temperature in response to the output indicating the presence of the human body, even if the human body detection sensor erroneously outputs the absence of the human body, the power supply is not suddenly stopped,
It does not make the warmer feel unpleasant, and can save energy when the warmer is not present, and can quickly set the temperature to the set temperature when the warmer returns. Return can be obtained.

At this time, when returning the target control temperature to the set temperature, the control unit may return to the original temperature earlier if the temperature higher than the set temperature is set as the target control temperature. can do.

If the set temperature is made variable, it is possible to maintain the temperature desired by the warmer.

In the case where the output of the human body detection sensor indicating the absence of the human body continues, if the control unit further controls the heat source by lowering the target control temperature, the problem due to the possibility of erroneous determination of the human body detection sensor and energy saving can be obtained. Can be appropriately solved, and the returning operation when the warming person returns can be shortened.

Further, when the output indicating the absence state of the human body of the human body detection sensor continues for a predetermined time longer than the predetermined time,
When the supply of power to the heat source is stopped, useless power consumption can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an operation flowchart of an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the operation of the above.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing another operation of the above.

FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram of the same.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the same heat-generating heating wire.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Planar heating device 3 Human body detection sensor 5 Thermal heating wire 8 Control circuit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A planar heating device comprising: a heat source for performing electric heating; a human body detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a human body; and a control unit for controlling power supply to the heat source in accordance with an output of the human body detection sensor. The control unit controls the heat source by lowering the target control temperature from the set temperature by keeping the output of the human body detection sensor indicating the absence state of the human body for a predetermined time, and outputs the output indicating the presence state of the human body. And receiving the target control temperature and returning the target control temperature to the set temperature. 2. The planar heating device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets a temperature higher than the once set temperature as the target control temperature when returning the target control temperature to the set temperature. 3. The planar heating device according to claim 1, wherein the set temperature is variable. 4. The surface according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the heat source by further reducing the target control temperature when the output indicating the absence of the human body from the human body detection sensor continues further. Heating device. 5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops supplying power to the heat source when the output indicating the absence of the human body of the human body detection sensor continues for a predetermined time longer than the predetermined time. A planar heating device according to any one of the preceding claims.