JP2004279000A - Control method for air-conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control method for an air-conditioner having a plurality of temperature sensors for optimum temperature control in each of rooms. <P>SOLUTION: A setting table (ST8) is initialized, the manual change-over of the sensor (ST9) is determined and jumps to ST12 at change-over (ST9-Y). If not change-over (ST9-N), the current day and time is input, the current sensor is read, and a set temperature is set corresponding to data input from the setting table and room temperature is controlled (ST10-12). Then, proceedings are conducted in the following in each case repetitively from the ST9 on. If a change of the set temperature is instructed, the set temperature (ST18) is changed. If change-over of the sensor is instructed, the sensor (ST19) is changed over. If a sleeping timer is set, the sensor and temperature are changed as specified (ST20). If automatic setting of the sensor is instructed, the initialization of the setting table is made and the manual change-over (ST17) is canceled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control method of an air conditioner, and more specifically, air-conditions each room with one duct-type air conditioner based on temperature information of temperature sensors provided in a plurality of rooms. Temperature control method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a duct type air conditioner is disposed in an attic of a highly confidential and highly heat-insulated house as shown in FIG. 1, and is provided with an inlet and an outlet, respectively, and is provided in an air passage connecting the inlet and the outlet. It is a configuration including a main body of a duct type air conditioner in which a blower fan and a heat exchanger are arranged, and an outlet duct and an inlet duct connected to an inlet and an outlet, respectively, and piped to each room of the house. In addition, the room temperature is controlled to be a designated temperature by temperature information such as a room temperature sensor for detecting the room temperature of each room and a suction port temperature sensor provided at the suction port.
[0003]
A control unit 11 for controlling the entire air conditioner is provided in the main body 10. The control unit 11 includes, for example, a remote sensor (sensor) for detecting a room temperature in a bedroom as shown in a control block diagram of FIG. 1), an inlet temperature sensor (sensor 4) for detecting the temperature of the inlet, a temperature sensor (sensor 3) provided in the parent remote controller 12 installed on the wall of the living room, and a child remote controller installed on the wall of the dining room The data of each room temperature detected by a temperature sensor (sensor 2) provided in 13 is input to the control unit 11.
[0004]
The control unit 11 controls the number of rotations of the compressor 14 and the fan motor 15 for blowing air based on the temperature information input from these sensors and the instructed temperature and the instructed air volume set by the parent remote controller 12 and the child remote controller 13. are doing. For this reason, a storage unit 16 for storing the set temperature and the indicated airflow is connected to the control unit 11. Further, in order to support a sleep timer set by the parent remote controller 12 and the child remote controller 13 and an on-timer for activating the air conditioner at a designated time, a calendar clock unit 17 for knowing the current time and day of the week is also connected. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0005]
As described above, in an air conditioner having a plurality of temperature sensors, a user previously sets which sensor temperature information is used to control the air conditioner at the time of installation. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in this example, the remote sensor 1, the suction port temperature sensor 4, the temperature sensor 3 of the parent remote controller, and the temperature sensor 2 of the child remote controller are connected. Is the suction port temperature sensor 4 that can detect the average room temperature of the suction port. If the user wants to emphasize the temperature of the living room, the temperature sensor 3 of the parent remote controller 12 may be designated. The set temperature corresponding to each sensor is a temperature set by each remote controller. The information on these sensors and the set temperature is stored in the storage unit 16 in FIG. 2, and when the temperature is set by the remote controller, the temperature information in the storage unit 16 is also updated. Then, the compressor 14 and the fan motor 15 are controlled such that the temperature input by the designated sensor becomes the set temperature.
[0006]
However, if the temperature of the entire house is controlled with only one sensor in this way, the user needs to frequently set the temperature for each room in order to set a different room temperature to a comfortable temperature for each room. As described above, the operation of setting the temperature by the user himself is troublesome, and a control method for automatically setting each room to an optimum temperature has been desired.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-210690 (page 3-4, FIG. 1)
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, and to provide an air conditioner control method capable of performing optimal temperature management for each room in an air conditioner having a plurality of temperature sensors. I have.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a suction port and an air outlet, and a blower fan and a heat exchanger are arranged in an air passage connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, and a pipe is provided in each room. The air duct is connected to the suction port and the air outlet, respectively.
A plurality of room temperature sensors for detecting the room temperature of each room, a calendar clock unit having a clock function, a remote controller for instructing the time setting and set temperature of the calendar clock unit, and storing a set temperature instructed by the remote controller And a control unit connected to the storage unit,
In the control method of the air conditioner, which controls the room temperature to be a set temperature by the temperature values input from the plurality of room temperature sensors,
The control unit stores in advance the setting table in which the room temperature sensor and the set temperature, which are used in the same time zone for each of a plurality of time zones, are set as a table in the storage unit in accordance with an instruction from the remote controller. After
Select a set for each time zone of the setting table corresponding to the time read from the calendar clock unit, the temperature value input from the room temperature sensor specified in the set, the set temperature specified in the set By controlling the temperature in such a manner, the room temperature sensor and the set temperature are switched according to a schedule of a predetermined time zone to control the room temperature of each room.
[0010]
Further, the setting table is stored according to a calendar such as a one-day schedule or a one-week schedule consisting of a plurality of time zones.
[0011]
Further, when the control unit is performing temperature control according to the setting table, if a sleep timer for stopping the operation of the air conditioner for a predetermined time is set, the sleep timer is set in advance for the time set by the sleep timer. Temperature control is performed using the determined specific room temperature sensor and the set temperature.
[0012]
Further, when the room temperature sensor is manually designated while controlling the temperature in accordance with the setting table, the control unit switches to the designated room temperature sensor to perform temperature control, and then manually designates the room temperature sensor. Is released, returns to the temperature control according to the setting table.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a control method of an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are an air conditioner used in the present invention and a control block diagram of the air conditioner. However, since they are described in the conventional example, detailed description will be omitted.
A feature of the present application is that a sensor provided in each room and set temperature information set for each room are switched in accordance with a user's life pattern.
Normally, humans behave in substantially the same pattern on a daily or weekly basis, and in many cases, each room in a house is moved and used in accordance with this behavioral pattern. Focusing on this point, the present application divides a day into a plurality of time zones in advance, and sets a set of a temperature sensor provided in a room used for each time zone and a desired temperature at that time. Then, the setting is stored in the storage unit 16 as a setting table for one week.
When the air conditioner is started, the control unit 11 reads out the current day and time from the calendar clock unit 17 and reads out information on the temperature sensor and the set temperature to be used in the corresponding day and time zone from the setting table. . Then, the compressor 14 and the fan motor 15 are controlled so that the temperature input from the temperature sensor to be used becomes the set temperature read from the setting table.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is a table for explaining the setting table set in the storage unit 16. In this table, the horizontal axis represents the time of the day, and the vertical axis represents the day of the week. The upper part of each time period represents a temperature sensor (corresponding to a room) used in that time period, and the lower part is a set temperature to be controlled using the temperature sensor.
For example, in FIG. 3A, at 0:00 to 6:00 on Monday, the user is usually sleeping in the bedroom, and detects the temperature of the sensor 1 (remote sensor) provided in the bedroom, and the set temperature is 23 ° C. It is. Also, from 6:00 to 8:00, we are in the dining room for breakfast. Therefore, the sensor 2 (built-in the child remote controller 13) provided in the dining room is used, and its set temperature is 20 ° C. Further, from 8:00 to 17:00, it is highly likely that the user will move between the rooms, so that the room cannot be specified. Therefore, the temperature inside the house is totally managed using the sensor 4 (the suction port temperature of the air conditioner), and the set temperature is 22 ° C.
From 17:00 to 20:00, they stay in the dining room for dinner. Therefore, the sensor 2 and the set temperature of 20 ° C. are used, and the living room is in the living room from 20:00 to 24:00, and the sensor 3 (built-in the parent remote controller 12) provided in the living room is used. The set temperature is 25 ° C.
[0015]
In this way, the sensors installed in the room where the user is located are switched and used mainly during the time of the day, so that the temperature can be automatically controlled according to the user's life pattern. Yes, it can improve comfort and operability. In FIG. 3A, the time zone management as described above is further performed on a weekly basis, and the pattern is the same from Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday are holidays, so the pattern is slightly different, but the basic idea is the same. Although not shown, the same effect can be obtained not by week but by month or year.
[0016]
Although the above method is a method of controlling everything on a weekly schedule, it goes without saying that it may not be performed according to a pattern. In that case, it is possible to manually change a part by operating the remote controller.
FIG. 3B is a table for explaining a case where the schedule is partially changed manually. Basically, it is the same as FIG. 3 (A), but the portions that have been manually changed are shaded. Of course, it is possible to change the setting table partially and reset it. However, in the present application, it is considered that manual change is an exception, and it is assumed that the original schedule is restored after the change is implemented. I think.
Examples of the case where the schedule is partially changed include a setting of a good night timer and a lifestyle pattern different from usual, for example, a case where a party is held on Saturday.
[0017]
If the sleep timer is set, it is possible to sleep in the bedroom. Therefore, until the air conditioner stops at the set time, immediately switch to the sensor 1 immediately after the setting and control the temperature to the temperature corresponding to the sensor 1. I do. In FIG. 3B, when the sleep timer is set at 21:00 on Tuesday, the sensor 3 (living room) and the set temperature are set to 25 ° C. in the original schedule, but the sensor 1 (bedroom) is set to the set temperature 23 ° C. Switch. In this case, if the air conditioner is started again after the timer expires, the original schedule is restored.
Therefore, it is not necessary to manually restore the schedule manually, and the schedule is automatically changed by setting the sleep timer, so that the operation for switching the sensor is unnecessary, and the operability is improved. be able to.
[0018]
Next, a case where a party is held on Saturday will be described. What can be considered in such a case is mainly a change in the place where the device is used, its set temperature, and the time zone.
Naturally, in the case of such a private event, it is difficult to make a schedule in advance, such as the end time of the party, so the sensor, time, set temperature, and the like must be manually switched on the spot. .
[0019]
In the case of Saturday in FIG. 3 (B), the bed is originally sleeping until 8:00, but the dining is used from 7:00 in order to prepare a meal for the party. Therefore, a sensor switching instruction is issued from the remote controller, and the sensor 1 (bedroom) is manually switched to the sensor 2 (dining).
Then, since the party is held in the living room from 10:00, manual switching from the sensor 2 (dining) to the sensor 3 (living room) is performed by remote control. Although the normal living set temperature is 25 ° C., the set temperature may be changed if the party wants to lower the temperature because the number of participants in the party is large. In this case, the temperature was changed from 25 ° C to 23 ° C.
Further, after the party is over, manual clearing is performed from the sensor 3 (living room) to the sensor 2 (dining) using the remote controller in order to clean up at the dining room from 21:00. Then, to return to the normal life pattern after 24:00, the sensor is set to automatic switching by canceling the manual switching of the sensor by operating the remote controller. Thereafter, it returns to the normal schedule.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the control unit 11 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a setting operation for storing the setting table of FIG. In the flowchart, ST represents a step, a number following ST represents a step number, Y represents Yes, and N represents No in a determination step.
First, the day of the week to be set is specified (ST1). Subsequently, the time zone of the corresponding day of the week is specified (ST2), the sensor used in that time zone is specified (ST3), and the set temperature at that time is specified (ST4).
Then, it is determined whether the setting for one day has been completed (ST5), and if not completed (ST5-N), the process is repeated from ST2. Upon completion (ST5-Y), it is determined whether the setting for one week has been completed (ST6). If not completed (ST6-N), the process is repeated from ST1. When the processing is completed (ST6-Y), the setting processing is completed.
[0021]
Next, an operation in which the control unit 11 switches between the sensor and the set temperature based on the set setting table will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the power of the air conditioner is turned on, the control unit 11 initializes all the setting tables to the initial state of FIG. 3A (ST8). This setting table is partially rewritten by manual operation. Therefore, it is necessary to always perform an operation of restoring. However, in the case of the product specification in which the manual setting part is incorporated into the weekly schedule, the part may be left as it is.
Next, it is determined whether or not manual sensor switching described later has been performed (ST9). When the sensor is manually switched, the process jumps to ST12 (ST9-Y) because it is not according to the schedule.
If the sensor has not been manually switched (ST9-N), the current day and time are input from the calendar clock unit 17 (ST10). Then, the sensor type and the set temperature corresponding to the current day of the week and time are read from the setting table of the storage unit 16 (ST11). The room temperature is controlled based on the type of the sensor and the set temperature (ST12).
Next, it is determined whether there is a set temperature change instruction from the remote controller (ST13). If there is no setting temperature change instruction (ST13-N), it is next determined whether there is a sensor switching instruction from the remote controller (ST14). If there is no sensor switching instruction (ST14-N), it is next determined whether or not there is a good night timer setting (ST15). If there is no sleep timer setting (ST15-N), it is next determined whether there is a sensor automatic setting instruction from the remote controller (ST16). If there is no sensor automatic setting instruction (ST16-N), the process is repeated from ST9 without doing anything.
[0022]
If there is a setting temperature change instruction in ST13 (ST13-Y), the setting temperature in the setting table corresponding to the current day of the week and time zone is rewritten (ST18). And it repeats from ST9.
If there is a sensor switching instruction in ST14 (ST14-Y), the set temperature corresponding to the changed sensor is read from the setting table, and designation is made to use the changed sensor (ST19). And it repeats from ST9. In this case, since the sensor is being manually switched in ST9, the process jumps to ST12, and the room temperature is controlled by the changed sensor and the set temperature.
If there is a good night timer setting in ST15 (ST15-Y), the sensor type in the setting table is set to sensor 1 (bedroom) and the set temperature is set to 23 ° C. corresponding to sensor 1 during the time period set by the timer. Are rewritten (ST20). And it repeats from ST9.
If there is a sensor automatic setting instruction in ST16 (ST16-Y), all the setting tables are returned to the initial state of FIG. 3A, that is, the scheduled state, and the manual sensor switching is canceled (ST17). And it repeats from ST9.
[0023]
As described above, unless a manual setting is input, the temperature of each room and the corresponding temperature setting are automatically switched according to the weekly schedule set by the user to adjust the temperature, thereby improving operability and comfort. Is improved.
Further, since the sensor in the bedroom and the temperature setting corresponding thereto are automatically switched in accordance with the setting of the good night timer, the operability is improved.
Furthermore, since the sensors in each room and the temperature setting corresponding to the sensors are manually switched, it is possible to flexibly cope with a life pattern other than that specified in the schedule.
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the sensor and the set temperature are switched according to a schedule has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it control.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the control method of the air conditioner of the present invention, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the control unit uses the remote controller in advance for each of a plurality of time zones for use in the same time zone. After storing a setting table in which a single room temperature sensor and a set temperature are combined into a table and stored in the storage unit,
Select a set for each time zone of the setting table corresponding to the time read from the calendar clock unit, and set the temperature value input from the room temperature sensor specified by the set to the set temperature specified by the set. By controlling the temperature of the room,
According to a preset schedule, the temperature of each room is automatically adjusted by automatically switching the sensor of each room and the corresponding temperature setting, thereby improving operability and comfort.
[0025]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the setting table is stored according to a calendar such as a one-day schedule or a one-week schedule consisting of a plurality of time zones, so that the temperature management can be performed in accordance with the user's life pattern. It is possible to specify the room (sensor) to be operated and the set temperature.
[0026]
Further, in the invention according to claim 3, when the control unit controls the temperature according to the setting table, if the sleep timer for stopping the operation of the air conditioner for a predetermined time is set, the sleep timer is set by the sleep timer. During the time, by controlling the temperature using a predetermined specific sensor and the set temperature,
The operability is improved by automatically switching between the bedroom sensor and the corresponding temperature setting in accordance with the setting of the sleep timer.
[0027]
Further, according to the invention according to claim 4, when the control unit controls the temperature according to the setting table, when the room temperature sensor is manually designated, the temperature is switched to the designated room temperature sensor, and then the temperature is manually controlled. By returning to the temperature control according to the setting table when the designation of the room temperature sensor is released, it is possible to flexibly cope with the occurrence of a life pattern other than that specified in the schedule.
[0028]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a house showing one embodiment of an air conditioner installation.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the air conditioner.
3A and 3B are tables for explaining a setting table according to the present invention, in which FIG. 3A shows basic settings, and FIG. 3B shows a case where a change operation occurs.
FIG. 4 is a control flowchart for inputting a setting table according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a control flowchart for performing temperature management according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing setting contents of a conventional air conditioner.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 sensor (remote sensor)
2 sensor (temperature sensor of child remote controller)
3 sensor (temperature sensor of parent remote controller)
4 Sensor (Suction port temperature sensor)
10 Main body 11 Control unit 12 Parent remote controller 13 Child remote controller 14 Compressor 15 Fan motor 16 Storage unit 17 Calendar clock unit

Claims (4)

A suction port and an air outlet are provided, respectively, and a blower fan and a heat exchanger are arranged in an air passage connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, and ducts provided in each room are provided with the suction port and the air outlet. To the air conditioner body connected to
A plurality of room temperature sensors for detecting the room temperature of each room, a calendar clock unit having a clock function, a remote controller for instructing the time setting and set temperature of the calendar clock unit, and storing a set temperature instructed by the remote controller And a control unit connected to the storage unit,
In the control method of the air conditioner that controls the room temperature to be a set temperature by the temperature values input from the plurality of room temperature sensors,
The control unit stores in advance the setting table in which the room temperature sensor and the set temperature, which are used in the same time zone for each of a plurality of time zones, are set as a table in the storage unit in accordance with an instruction from the remote controller. After
Select a set for each time zone of the setting table corresponding to the time read from the calendar clock unit, the temperature value input from the room temperature sensor specified in the set, the set temperature specified in the set A method for controlling an air conditioner, wherein the room temperature is controlled so as to switch between the room temperature sensor and the set temperature according to a schedule of a predetermined time zone to control the room temperature of each room. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setting table is stored according to a calendar such as a one-day schedule or a one-week schedule consisting of a plurality of time zones. When the control unit is performing temperature control according to the setting table, if a sleep timer for stopping the operation of the air conditioner for a predetermined time is set, the sleep unit is preset for a time set by the sleep timer. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein temperature control is performed using the specific room temperature sensor and the set temperature. When the room temperature sensor is manually designated while performing the temperature control according to the setting table, the control unit switches to the designated room temperature sensor to perform temperature control, and then manually cancels the room temperature sensor designation. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control returns to the temperature control in accordance with the setting table when the control is performed.

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