JP2003074946A - Indoor unit of air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner which shortens a period necessary for a room temperature to reach a preset temperature after starting the air conditioner and uniformize even more a distribution of the room temperature and thus satisfy customers. SOLUTION: According to a comparison between the preset temperature and a temperature detected by sensors 21 and 22 disposed on a plurality of places in a room, not only a blow-off direction of air blown from the conditioner is controlled vertically and horizontally but also an air amount is controlled. Thereby the room temperature is unified.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner that adjusts the indoor temperature to a comfortable temperature by cooling or heating.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air conditioner has been used as a device for adjusting a room temperature to a comfortable temperature by cooling or heating. A general air conditioner includes an indoor unit installed indoors and an outdoor unit installed outdoors.

The air conditioner is required to have a uniform temperature distribution in the room in order to provide a comfortable space for the user living in the room.

In response to the above demand, the following techniques have already been proposed.

Temperature sensors are arranged at the four corners of the room to control the blowing direction of the air blown from the main body so that the temperature inside the room becomes uniform (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-2924). The size of the room in which the indoor unit is installed is detected, and the louver controls the blowing direction of the air blown from the main body in accordance with the detected size, and also controls the air volume (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-58242).
-272984).

[0006]

However, the above techniques aim to make the temperature distribution in the room uniform, and reduce the time until the room temperature reaches the set temperature after the air conditioner is started. It wasn't something. Therefore, the user cannot be fully satisfied.

An object of the present invention is to satisfy the user by shortening the time until the room temperature reaches the set temperature after the main body is started and further making the temperature distribution in the room more uniform. It is to provide an air conditioner capable of performing.

[0008]

The air conditioner equipment of the present invention is configured as follows in order to solve the above problems.

(1) A louver control section for driving and controlling a louver for changing the blowing direction of air blown from the main body to a vertical direction, and a wing for driving and controlling a wing for changing the blowing direction of air blown from the main body to a horizontal direction. A control unit, temperature sensors provided at a plurality of places in the room, and the air temperature for the louver control unit and the wing control unit according to the temperatures and set temperatures of the plurality of places measured by the temperature sensor. And a main body control unit for instructing the blowing direction and controlling the amount of blown air.

In this structure, the blowing direction and the air volume of the air blown from the main body are controlled according to the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors provided at a plurality of places in the room and the set temperature.

For example, the hottest location and the coldest location in the room are detected, and the direction of the air blown from the main body is set as the hottest location during cooling. Moreover, the air volume of the air blown from the main body is adjusted according to the temperature difference between the measured temperature and the set temperature. Specifically, the larger the temperature difference, the larger the amount of air blown from the main body.

On the contrary, during heating, the direction of the air blown out from the main body is set to the place with the lowest temperature, and the air blown out from the main body is changed according to the temperature difference between the measured temperature and the set temperature. Adjust the air volume. Specifically, the larger the temperature difference, the larger the amount of air blown from the main body.

The temperature difference during cooling is the measured temperature (room temperature) -set temperature, and the temperature difference during heating is the set temperature-
The measurement temperature (room temperature).

As described above, not only the location where the measured temperature measured by the plurality of temperature sensors is the farthest from the set temperature is set in the blowing direction of the air blown from the main body, but also the temperature difference between the measured temperature and the set temperature is set. Since the amount of air blown out is also controlled in accordance with the above, it is possible to shorten the time until the indoor temperature reaches the set temperature, and it is also possible to make the temperature distribution in the room uniform.

(2) Eight temperature sensors are provided, which are provided near the ceiling at the four corners of the room where the main body is installed and near the floor.

With this configuration, since the temperature difference between the ceiling and the floor can be detected, the vertical temperature distribution in the room can be made uniform by controlling the vertical blowing direction of the air according to the temperature difference. You can

(3) The average value of the temperatures measured by the plurality of temperature sensors is set to room temperature.

In this configuration, since the average value of the temperatures measured by the plurality of temperature sensors is set to room temperature, there is no place where it is too cold during cooling or where it is too warm during heating, and the temperature distribution in the room is It can be made even more uniform.

(4) The main body control unit instructs the louver control unit to blow wind on the ceiling for a predetermined time at the time of starting the cooling operation, and then, according to the temperatures measured by the plurality of temperature sensors, Instructing the louver control unit and the wing control unit about the air blowing direction.

In the above-described structure, when cooling the room, the temperature of the room is controlled because the temperature of the room is controlled by first blowing the air around the high temperature ceiling for a predetermined time and lowering the temperature near the ceiling first. Can be performed more efficiently, and the time until the indoor temperature reaches the set temperature can be further shortened.

(5) The main body control unit instructs the louver control unit to blow the wind on the floor surface for a predetermined time at the time of starting the heating operation, and then according to the temperatures measured by the plurality of temperature sensors. Instructing the louver control unit and the wing control unit about the air blowing direction.

In the above configuration, when heating or starting the main body, air is blown near the floor surface having a low temperature for a predetermined time to raise the temperature near the floor surface first, and then the temperature control of the entire room is performed. The temperature control can be performed more efficiently, and the time until the room temperature reaches the set temperature can be further shortened.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An indoor unit for an air conditioner (hereinafter, simply referred to as an indoor unit) which is an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the outer appearance of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A general air conditioner is composed of an indoor unit 1 mounted on a wall inside a room and an outdoor unit (not shown) installed outdoors. As is well known, the air conditioner includes a heat exchanger in the indoor unit 1, and heat is taken from the air in the room sucked into the main body by the heat exchanger (when cooling) or is given heat (when heating). It is a device that cools or heats the room by releasing it. The outdoor unit is equipped with a compressor and the like.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 is an intake port for sucking indoor air into the main body. Behind the intake port 2, an air filter for removing dust and dirt contained in the sucked air, a heat exchanger for removing heat from the air passing through the air filter, or for giving heat to the air are arranged. . Further, 3 shown in this figure is an outlet for blowing out the air sucked into the main body. The air blown out from the blowout port 3 is the air that has been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger.

A louver 5 for adjusting the vertical blowing angle of the air blown from the blowing port 3 is provided on the front surface of the blowing port 3. The louver 5 has a plate shape and is attached so as to be rotatable in a vertical direction (direction shown by an arrow in the drawing). Depending on the angle of the louver 5, the vertical blowing angle of the air blown from the blowing port 3 changes.

Behind the louver 5 is provided a wing 6 for adjusting the horizontal blowing angle of the air blown from the blowing port 3. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the outlet 3, and the louver 5 is omitted. In the indoor unit 1 of this embodiment, two sets of wings 6 are arranged side by side. The wing 6 has a plurality of (four in the figure) plate-shaped members attached so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction (the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure). The plurality of plate-shaped members forming the wing 6 are rotated at substantially the same angle, but the angle at which the plate-shaped member is rotated can be different for each wing 6. For example, in FIG. 2, the wing 6 provided on the right side is rotated rightward so that the air is blown out from the outlet 3 in the right direction, while the wing 6 provided on the left side is rotated leftward. By moving it, the blowing direction of the air at the blowing port 3 can be set to the left. In this case, the air is blown from the outlet 3 to the right side and the left side, and almost no air is blown to the front surface of the main body.

A cross flow fan (not shown) is arranged behind the wings 6. The cross flow fan is rotated by a motor. The amount of air sucked into the main body from the intake port 2 and the amount of air blown from the outlet port 3 change according to the rotation speed of the cross flow fan. By controlling the rotation speed of the crossflow fan, the air volume of the air blown from the blowout port 3 can be controlled.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the indoor unit of this embodiment. In FIG. 3, 11 is a control unit that controls the operation of the main body, 12 is a room temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature of the room in which the main body is installed, 13 is the louver 5 that rotates to blow air from the outlet 3. The louver drive unit for controlling the vertical blowout angle, 14 is a wing drive unit for rotating the wing 6 to control the horizontal blowout angle of the air blown out from the blowout port 3, and controls the rotation speed of the crossflow fan. It is an air volume adjusting unit that controls the air volume of the air blown out from the outlet 3.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a room to which the indoor unit of this embodiment is attached, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view of this room. The indoor unit 1 is attached to the wall. Infrared temperature sensors 21 and 22 are arranged near the top and near the floor at the four corners of the room, respectively. These temperature sensors 21 and 22 are the components of the room temperature detector 12. The control unit 11 uses these eight temperature sensors 2
Based on the temperatures at the eight locations measured by Nos. 1 and 22, the louver drive unit 13 and the wing drive unit 14 are provided with outlets 3
Specifies the direction of the air blown from. The louver drive unit 13 and the wing drive unit 14 rotate the louver 5 and the wing 6 according to an instruction from the control unit 11.
Further, the control unit 11 instructs the air volume adjusting unit 15 on the basis of the measured temperatures at the above-mentioned eight places, about the air volume of the air blown out from the air outlet 3. The air volume adjusting unit 15 adjusts the rotation speed of the cross flow fan according to this instruction.

The operation of the indoor unit 1 of this embodiment will be described below.

First, the operation during the cooling operation will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation during the cooling operation. The indoor unit 1 of this embodiment starts the cooling operation when an input to start the cooling operation is received. The input of this cooling operation start can be performed by a predetermined operation on a remote control device (not shown).

The temperature distribution of air in the room is high near the ceiling and low near the floor. Further, at the time of performing the cooling operation, the temperature on the window side is high and the temperature on the side opposite to the window is low.

The indoor unit 1 starts the start-up operation when there is an input to start the cooling operation (s1).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the starting operation. The control unit 11 detects the temperature sensor 21 having the highest temperature measured among the four temperature sensors 21 provided near the ceiling and the temperature sensor 21 having the second highest temperature (s11). Here, since the temperature on the window side is high and the temperature on the side opposite to the window is low during the cooling operation as described above, the two temperature sensors 1 to be detected are provided near the ceiling on the window side. The temperature sensor 21. That is, the window side is detected in s11.

The control unit 11 instructs the louver drive unit 13 and the wing drive unit 14 so that the air blowing direction is near the window side ceiling (s12). Specifically, the louver drive unit 13 is instructed so that the air blowing direction is upward by several degrees (for example, 5 °), and the wing drive unit 14 is detected by the temperature sensor 21 detected in s11.
Instruct you to be on the side.

Further, the control section 11 instructs the air volume adjusting section 15 to set the air volume of the air blown out from the air outlet 3 based on the highest measured temperature detected in s11 (s13). For example, the air volume is High (hereinafter, referred to as H), Middl
In the case of the indoor unit 1 that can be switched in four stages of e (hereinafter, referred to as M), Low (hereinafter, referred to as L), and LowLow (hereinafter, referred to as LL), the highest measured temperature detected in s11 and If the temperature difference from the set temperature is 5 ° C or more, the air volume H is instructed, and if it is 3 to 5 ° C, the air volume M is instructed,
If it is 0 to 3 ° C, the air volume L is instructed, and if it is less than 0 ° C, the air volume LL is instructed. In this way, the control unit 11 causes the s11
As the temperature difference between the highest measured temperature detected in 3 and the set temperature increases, the air volume to be instructed to the air volume adjusting unit 15 is increased.

In the above description, the air volume is switched in four stages, but it is also possible to switch the air volume infinitely. In this case, the relationship between the temperature difference and the rotation speed of the cross flow fan may be set in advance. For example, a linear function or a quadratic number indicating the relationship between the temperature difference and the rotation speed of the cross flow fan may be set.

The indoor unit 1 terminates this start-up operation when a preset predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) elapses,
Start the room temperature control operation to keep the room temperature at the set temperature (s
2). The indoor unit 1 performs this room temperature control operation until there is an operation stop input (s3), and when there is an operation stop input, performs stop processing (s4) and ends the cooling operation.

Here, the room temperature control operation related to s2 will be described.

The control unit 11 includes eight temperature sensors 21, 2
Based on the temperature difference between the measured temperature measured in 2 and the set temperature, the following instructions are given to the louver drive unit 13, the wing drive unit 14, and the air volume adjustment unit 15 in substantially real time.

Here, the control unit 11 assumes that the average value of the temperatures measured by the four temperature sensors 21 provided near the ceiling is room temperature, and the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is 5 ° C. or more. If so, the louver drive unit 13 is instructed so that the air blowing direction is near the ceiling on the window side, and the air flow rate adjustment unit 15 is instructed about the air flow rate H. 13 is instructed so that the blowing direction of the air is near between the ceiling and the floor surface (the blowing angle is about 10 ° downward), and the air flow rate adjusting unit 15 is instructed to set the air flow rate M to 0 to 3 ° C. In this case, the louver drive unit 13 is instructed to continuously change the air blowing direction between the ceiling and the floor surface, and the air flow rate adjustment unit 15 is instructed to set the air flow rate L to below 0 ° C. If there is, the direction of the air blown to the louver drive unit 13 is set to the ceiling and floor. Continuously instructed to vary between, for instructing the air volume LL relative air flow rate adjusting section 15.

Further, 2 provided near the window side ceiling
The average value of the temperatures measured by the two temperature sensors 21 (hereinafter referred to as the window side average value) and the average value of the temperatures measured by the remaining two temperature sensors 21 (hereinafter referred to as the door side average value) If there is a temperature difference of 3 ° C. or more with the wing drive unit 14, the wing drive unit 14 is instructed to direct the air blowing direction to the higher temperature side (the window side or the opposite side). The wing drive unit 14 is instructed to continuously change the blowing direction of the air on the window side and the opposite side.

When the louver drive unit 13 is instructed by the control unit 11 to continuously change the blowing direction of air between the ceiling and the floor, the louver 5 is moved within a preset range. Rotate repeatedly. In addition, when the wing drive unit 14 is instructed by the control unit 11 to continuously change the air blowing direction on the window side and the opposite side,
The wing 6 is repeatedly rotated within a preset range.

Thus, the indoor unit 1 of this embodiment is
Since the start-up operation is performed for a predetermined time at the start of the cooling operation, the room temperature can be brought close to the set temperature at once after the start of the cooling operation. Therefore, the time required for the room temperature to reach the set temperature can be shortened.

After completion of the start-up operation, not only the vertical and horizontal directions of the air blown from the outlet 3 are adjusted, but also the air volume is adjusted according to the temperature difference between the measured room temperature and the set temperature. Since this is done, it is possible to further shorten the time required for the temperature in the room to reach the set temperature and to make the temperature distribution in the room uniform.

Next, the operation during the heating operation will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation during the heating operation. The indoor unit 1 of this embodiment starts the heating operation when the heating operation start is input. This heating operation start input can also be performed by a predetermined operation on a remote control device (not shown).

The temperature distribution of air in the room is high near the ceiling and low near the floor. Further, during the heating operation, the temperature on the window side is low and the temperature on the side opposite to the window is high.

The indoor unit 1 starts the start-up operation when there is an input to start the heating operation (s21).

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the starting operation. The control unit 11 detects the temperature sensor 22 having the lowest measured temperature among the four temperature sensors 22 provided near the floor surface and the temperature sensor 22 having the second lowest temperature (s31). The two temperature sensors 22 detected here are the temperature sensors 2 provided near the window-side floor surface.
It is 2. That is, the window side is detected in s31.

The control section 11 instructs the louver drive section 13 and the wing drive section 14 so that the air blowing direction is near the window-side floor surface (s12). Specifically, the louver drive unit 13 is instructed so that the air blowing direction is downward by several degrees (for example, 10 °), and the wing drive unit 14 is moved to the temperature sensor 22 side detected in s31. Tell them to.

Further, the control section 11 instructs the air volume adjusting section 15 to set the air volume of the air blown from the outlet 3 based on the lowest measured temperature detected in s31 (s23). For example, if the temperature difference between the lowest measured temperature detected in s31 and the set temperature (set temperature-lowest measured temperature) is 5 ° C or more, the air volume H is instructed, and if it is 3 to 5 ° C, the air volume M is instructed. If the temperature is 0 to 3 ° C., the air volume L is instructed, and if the temperature is less than 0 ° C., the air volume LL is instructed. In this way, the control unit 11 controls the s
As the temperature difference between the lowest measured temperature detected at 31 and the set temperature increases, the air volume instructed to the air volume adjusting unit 15 is increased.

Note that the air volume with respect to the temperature difference may be switched steplessly as in the case of cooling.

The indoor unit 1 terminates this start-up operation when a preset predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) elapses,
Start the room temperature control operation to keep the room temperature at the set temperature (s2
2). The indoor unit 1 performs this room temperature control operation until there is an operation stop input (s23), and when there is an operation stop input,
The stop process is performed (s24), and the heating operation is ended.

Now, the room temperature control operation in s22 will be described.

The controller 11 controls the louver driver 13 and the wings in substantially real time on the basis of the temperature difference between the set temperature and the measured temperature measured by the four temperature sensors 22 arranged near the floor. Drive unit 14 and air volume adjusting unit 1
The following instructions are given to 5.

Here, the control unit 11 assumes that the average value of the temperatures measured by the four temperature sensors 22 provided near the floor is room temperature, and the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is 5 ° C. If it is above, the louver drive unit 13 is instructed so that the air blowing direction is substantially right below, and the air flow rate adjustment unit 15 is instructed of the air flow rate H. If 3 to 5 ° C., the louver drive is performed. The part 13 is instructed so that the air blowing direction is near the space between the ceiling and the floor surface (the blowing angle is about 10 degrees downward), and the air amount adjusting part 15 is instructed to set the air amount M to 0. If the temperature is 3 ° C., the louver driving unit 13 is instructed to continuously change the air blowing direction between the ceiling and the floor surface, and the air volume adjusting unit 15 is instructed to set the air volume L to 0 ° C. If it is less than, the direction of air blowing to the louver drive unit 13 The air volume LL is instructed to be continuously changed between the ceiling and the floor, and the air volume adjustment unit 15 is instructed of the air volume LL.

Further, 2 provided near the window side floor surface
The average value of the temperatures measured by the two temperature sensors 22 (hereinafter, referred to as the window side average value) and the average value of the temperatures measured by the remaining two temperature sensors 22 (hereinafter, referred to as the door side average value) If there is a temperature difference of 3 ° C. or more with the wing drive unit 14, the wing drive unit 14 is instructed to direct the air blowing direction to the higher temperature side (the window side or the opposite side). The wing drive unit 14 is instructed to continuously change the blowing direction of the air on the window side and the opposite side.

When the louver drive unit 13 is instructed by the control unit 11 to continuously change the air blowing direction between the ceiling and the floor surface, the louver 5 is moved within a preset range. Rotate repeatedly. In addition, when the wing drive unit 14 is instructed by the control unit 11 to continuously change the air blowing direction on the window side and the opposite side,
The wing 6 is repeatedly rotated within a preset range.

As described above, the indoor unit 1 of this embodiment is
Similar to the cooling operation, a predetermined time at the start of heating operation,
Since the startup operation is performed, the room temperature can be brought close to the set temperature at once after the heating operation is started. As a result, the time required for the room temperature to reach the set temperature can be shortened.

After completion of the start-up operation, not only the vertical and horizontal directions of the air blown from the outlet 3 are adjusted according to the temperature difference between the measured room temperature and the set temperature, but also the air volume is adjusted. Since this is done, it is possible to further shorten the time required for the temperature in the room to reach the set temperature and to make the temperature distribution in the room uniform. The room temperature at this time is controlled to the set temperature. In the above embodiment, in the room temperature control operation for s2 and s22, the temperature sensor 21 arranged near the ceiling or the temperature sensor arranged near the floor surface. It is assumed that the room temperature is controlled based on the temperature measured on the one hand, but it is based on the average value of the temperature sensor 21 near the ceiling and the temperature sensor 22 near the floor which are vertically opposed at each corner. Then, the room temperature control operation may be performed.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time until the temperature in the room reaches the set temperature after the main body is activated, so that a more comfortable space for the user can be provided. It can be provided and the user can be fully satisfied.

Further, since the temperature distribution in the room can be controlled uniformly, it is possible to provide the user with a more comfortable space.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of an indoor unit that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outlet of the indoor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an indoor unit that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a room to which the indoor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the indoor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention during a cooling operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a start-up operation during cooling operation of the indoor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation during heating operation of the indoor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a starting operation during heating operation of the indoor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-indoor unit 3-Blowout mouth 5-louver 6-wing 11-control unit 12-Room temperature detector 13-louver drive 14-Wing drive 15-Air flow adjustment unit 21, 22-Temperature sensor

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A louver control unit for driving and controlling a louver that changes a blowing direction of air blown from a main body to a vertical direction, and a wing control for driving and controlling a wing that changes a blowing direction of air blown from the main body to a horizontal direction. Section, eight temperature sensors provided near the ceiling at the four corners of the room where the main body is installed, and near the floor surface, respectively, according to the temperatures and set temperatures of a plurality of places measured by the temperature sensors. The louver control unit and the wing control unit, the main body control unit for instructing the blowing direction of the air and controlling the air volume of the blown air, the main body control unit starting the cooling operation. Sometimes I instruct the louver controller to blow the wind on the ceiling for a predetermined time,
After that, the louver control unit and the wing control unit are instructed in the blowing direction of air according to the temperatures measured by the plurality of temperature sensors, and conversely, when the heating operation is started, wind is blown on the floor for a predetermined time. A room of an air conditioner instructing the louver control unit to blow the air, and then instructing the louver control unit and the wing control unit in the blowing direction of air according to the temperatures measured by the plurality of temperature sensors. Machine. 2. A louver control unit for driving and controlling a louver for vertically changing the blowing direction of air blown from the main body, and a wing control for driving and controlling a wing for horizontally changing the blowing direction of air blown from the main body. Section, temperature sensors provided at a plurality of locations in the room, and the air blown to the louver control section and the wing control section in accordance with the temperatures and set temperatures of the plurality of locations measured by the temperature sensors. An indoor unit of an air conditioner, which includes a main body control unit that indicates a direction and controls the amount of air blown out. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein eight temperature sensors are provided, and are provided near a ceiling at four corners of the room where the main body is installed and near a floor surface, respectively. Indoor unit. 4. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein an average value of the temperatures measured by the plurality of temperature sensors is set to room temperature. 5. The main body control unit instructs the louver control unit to blow wind on the ceiling for a predetermined time at the start of the cooling operation, and then, according to the temperature measured by the plurality of temperature sensors, The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the louver control unit and the wing control unit are instructed on a blowing direction of air. 6. The main body control unit instructs the louver control unit to blow wind on the floor surface for a predetermined time when the heating operation is started, and then according to the temperature measured by the plurality of temperature sensors. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the louver control unit and the wing control unit are instructed on an air blowing direction.