JP2010181081A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine a location of a person in a room without wrong detection and control an air blowing direction, an air blowing quantity and a set temperature at that time in accordance with the determination result, and to provide a more efficient and comfortable air conditioning condition. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioner includes: a detection means 4 for determining the presence of a human body in each detection region of infrared ray sensors 1a, 1b, 1c having approximately equal sensitivity by arranging the infrared ray sensors 1a, 1b, 1c so that their detection regions are overlapped with one another and determining outputs obtained by the infrared ray sensors 1a, 1b, 1c at threshold levels corresponding to an ambient temperature, respectively; and at least one of a wind direction change means 6 for changing the air blowing direction, an air quantity change means 7 for changing the air quantity and a set temperature change means 8 for changing the set temperature based on the determination result by the detection means 4. Thus, there can be obtained an appropriate human body detection threshold level corresponding to a temperature difference between the human body and the ambient temperature and optimal air conditioning control by highly reliable human body detection without wrong detection so as to provide a comfortable air conditioning environment for a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention controls the air blowing direction, the air blowing amount, and the set temperature according to the determination result of the person's location in the room according to the temperature in the room, so that more efficient and comfortable air conditioning conditions can be obtained. It is related to the air conditioner made.

  Conventionally, automatic door open / close control, start-up control of security alarm devices, parking lot arrangement, or automatic control of air conditioners, lights, factory production lines, etc. by detecting the location of human bodies, automobiles or workpieces, etc. The object presence position detection apparatus that can be used for the above-mentioned object divides a predetermined detection area into a plurality of unit areas, and sets a plurality of object detectors individually corresponding to each unit area, thereby determining the object existence position. What is detected is generally adopted.

  In addition, by providing a plurality of infrared sensors and overlapping each other's detection area, each of the detection areas of the infrared sensor is detected in addition to the detection area of each of the infrared sensors. There is one that can detect the presence or absence of (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, the object presence position detection is configured such that light from each unit area is incident on one sensor, and has a function of transmitting and blocking each incident light and sequentially switching the incident light to be transmitted. A device has been proposed.
JP-A-2-134593

  However, in the conventional configuration, when an expensive detector such as a human body detection sensor is provided for each unit region in order to detect a human body, there is a problem that the cost is extremely high.

  In addition, the object presence position detection device provided with a switching mechanism that sequentially switches incident light has only one detection sensor, but the detection sensor detects light from each unit region via a corresponding condensing optical system. A switching means having a rotating function or a moving function for selectively entering the light, a storage means for operating the switching means to sequentially store the determination results for each unit area, and a determination twice for each unit area A determination means for determining the presence of a human body or the like based on the result is required, and the problem is that the frequency of occurrence of failures and the like increases with the complexity of the configuration and the reliability is low.

  Further, the human body detection means described in Patent Document 1 has a problem of causing false detection when the output values of the respective infrared sensors are different.

  In particular, in the case of an infrared sensor, the output value is determined by temperature change or temperature gradient detection. Therefore, when the room temperature is high, the difference between the human body and the ambient temperature is very small, so the human body sensor output value is human detection. There was a problem that the human body could not be detected without exceeding the threshold level.

  On the other hand, when the temperature of the room is low, the noise level of the human body detection sensor becomes high, and the output value of the human body detection sensor exceeds the human body detection threshold level even though the human body does not exist, causing false detection Also had.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and adjusts the sensitivity and installation angle of each infrared sensor and changes the human body detection determination threshold according to the temperature in the room, so that there is no false detection and reliability. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner equipped with a high human body detection sensor.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the air conditioner of the present invention has three infrared sensors having substantially the same sensitivity arranged so that the detection areas partially overlap each other, and outputs obtained from the infrared sensors are Detecting means for determining the presence of a human body in each detection region by discriminating at a threshold level according to the temperature, wind direction changing means for changing the blowing direction from the determination result of the detecting means, air volume changing means for changing the air volume, At least one of set temperature changing means for changing the set temperature is provided.

  Accordingly, an air conditioner equipped with a human body detection sensor that has an appropriate human body detection threshold level according to the difference between the human body and the ambient temperature, has no false detection, and has high reliability can be provided.

  The air conditioner of the present invention has an appropriate human body detection threshold level according to the difference between the human body and the ambient temperature, can perform optimal air conditioning control by human body detection with high reliability and no false detection, and is comfortable for the user. Can be provided.

  In the first invention, in order to detect the position of the human body, three infrared sensors having a certain infrared detection area and substantially the same sensitivity are arranged so that the detection areas partially overlap, and obtained from the infrared sensor. Detecting means for determining the presence of a human body in each detection area by discriminating each output at a threshold level corresponding to the ambient temperature, a wind direction changing means for changing the air blowing direction from the determination result of the detection means, and changing the air volume By having at least one of the air volume changing means and the setting temperature changing means for changing the set temperature, an appropriate human body detection threshold level is obtained according to the difference between the human body and the ambient temperature, and there is no false detection and the human body has high reliability. The optimal air conditioning control can be performed by detection, and a comfortable air conditioning environment can be provided to the user.

  In the second invention, in particular, two of the three infrared sensors having substantially the same sensitivity as the first invention are arranged so that the detection areas do not overlap, and one is detected by each of the infrared sensors described above. By arranging the areas so that they partially overlap, it is possible to detect the position of the human body with a detection area larger than the number of sensors, and accurately detect the position of the human body with a smaller number of sensors, providing a comfortable air conditioning environment for the user can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a human body detection sensor constituting a part of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. Output signals from the infrared sensor 1a, infrared sensor 1b, and infrared sensor 1c pass through the amplifier circuit 2 and the input circuit 3, respectively, and are input to the signal analysis means 4. The signal analysis means 4 determines the presence position of the human body, and the result is a wind direction changing means 6 for controlling the wind direction via the output circuit 5, an air volume changing means 7 for controlling the air volume, and a set temperature changing means 8 for controlling the set temperature. To control the air conditioner of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the human body detection sensor unit sensor unit. In FIG. 2, the human body detection sensor unit sensor unit 1 includes three infrared sensors, that is, an infrared sensor 1 a, an infrared sensor 1 b, and an infrared sensor 1 c having the same sensitivity. The infrared sensor 1a, the infrared sensor 1b, the infrared sensor 1a, and the infrared sensor 1c are arranged such that the detection areas partially overlap. Moreover, the infrared sensor 1b and the infrared sensor 1c are arrange | positioned so that a detection area may not overlap. Here, in the region detected by the infrared sensor 1a, the region where the infrared sensor 1b and the detection region do not overlap is the detection region A, the region where the detection region of the infrared sensor 1a and the infrared sensor 1b overlaps is the detection region B, and the infrared sensor 1b. In the region where the infrared sensor 1a and the infrared sensor 1c do not overlap with the detection region, the detection region C is detected, and the region where the detection region of the infrared sensor 1b and the infrared sensor 1c overlaps is detected by the detection region D and the infrared sensor 1c. The area where the infrared sensor 1b and the detection area do not overlap is the detection area E.

  The operation of the human body detection sensor configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG.

  When only the infrared sensor 1a detects infrared rays radiated by the human body, it is determined that the human body exists in the detection area A. When the infrared sensor 1a and the infrared sensor 1b detect the human body at the same time, it is determined that the human body exists in the detection region B. When only the infrared sensor 1b detects a human body, it is determined that the human body exists in the detection region C. When the infrared sensor 1b and the infrared sensor 1c detect the human body at the same time, it is determined that the human body exists in the detection region D. When only the infrared sensor 1c detects a human body, it is determined that the human body exists in the detection region D. When the infrared sensor 1a and the infrared sensor 1c detect the human body at the same time, it is determined that the human body exists in the detection areas A and E. When all of the infrared sensor 1a, the infrared sensor 1b, and the infrared sensor 1c detect the human body at the same time, it is determined that the human body is present in all regions. When all of the infrared sensor 1a, the infrared sensor 1b, and the infrared sensor 1c do not detect the human body, it is determined that the human body is absent.

  As described above, the position of the human body can be estimated from the detection results of the infrared sensor 1a, the infrared sensor 1b, and the infrared sensor 1c.

  By controlling the wind direction, the air volume, and the set temperature from the accurate estimation result of the human body location, an efficient and comfortable air conditioning condition can be obtained.

  The operation flow of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In SP1, the process proceeds to SP2 when the infrared sensor 1a detects the infrared ray radiated from the object, and proceeds to SP13 when the infrared sensor 1a does not detect the infrared ray radiated from the object. Next, in SP2, it is determined whether the output voltage ΔVa is equal to or greater than ΔVth. If the output voltage ΔVa is equal to or greater than ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP3, and if the output voltage ΔVa is less than ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP13. Here, ΔVth has a certain slope with respect to the room temperature as shown in FIG.

  In SP3, the process proceeds to SP4 when the infrared sensor 1b detects the infrared ray radiated from the object, and proceeds to SP9 when the infrared sensor 1b does not detect the infrared ray radiated from the object. Next, in SP4, it is determined whether the output voltage ΔVb is equal to or greater than ΔVth. If the output voltage ΔVb is equal to or greater than ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP5, and if the output voltage ΔVb is less than ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP9.

  In SP5, when the infrared sensor 1c detects the infrared ray radiated from the object, the process proceeds to SP6, and when not detected, the process proceeds to SP8, and the area where the human body exists is determined as the detection area B. Next, in SP6, it is determined whether or not the output voltage ΔVc is greater than or equal to ΔVth. If the output voltage ΔVb is greater than or equal to ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP7, and the areas where the human body exists are detection areas A, B, C, D, and E. If the output voltage ΔVc is less than ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP8, where it is determined that the region where the human body exists is the detection region B.

  When the infrared sensor 1c detects the infrared ray radiated from the object in SP9 that has advanced from SP3 and SP4, the process proceeds to SP10, and if not detected, the process proceeds to SP12, and the area where the human body exists is determined as the detection area A. . Next, in SP10, it is determined whether the output voltage ΔVc is equal to or greater than ΔVth. If the output voltage ΔVb is equal to or greater than ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP11, where it is determined that the region where the human body exists is the detection regions A and E. Is less than ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP8 and the area where the human body exists is determined as the detection area A.

  When the infrared sensor 1b detects the infrared ray radiated from the object in SP13 advanced from SP1 and SP2, the process proceeds to SP14, and when the infrared sensor 1b does not detect the infrared ray radiated from the object, the process proceeds to SP19. Next, in SP14, it is determined whether the output voltage ΔVb is equal to or greater than ΔVth. If the output voltage ΔVb is equal to or greater than ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP5, and if the output voltage ΔVb is less than ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP19.

  In SP15, the process proceeds to SP16 when the infrared sensor 1c detects the infrared ray radiated from the object, and proceeds to SP18 when it does not detect, and determines that the area where the human body exists is the detection area C. Next, in SP16, it is determined whether the output voltage ΔVc is equal to or greater than ΔVth. If the output voltage ΔVb is equal to or greater than ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP17, where it is determined that the region where the human body exists is the detection region D, and the output voltage ΔVc is ΔVth. If it is less, the process proceeds to SP18, and it is determined that the area where the human body exists is the detection area C.

  When the infrared sensor 1c detects the infrared ray radiated from the object in SP19, which proceeds from SP13 and SP14, the process proceeds to SP20, and if not detected, the process proceeds to SP22, and it is determined that there is no region where the human body exists. Next, in SP20, it is determined whether the output voltage ΔVc is equal to or greater than ΔVth. If the output voltage ΔVb is equal to or greater than ΔVth, the process proceeds to SP21, where it is determined that the region where the human body exists is the detection region E, and the output voltage ΔVc is ΔVth. If it is less, the process proceeds to SP22, and it is determined that there is no region where the human body exists.

  After the human body detection area is determined according to the steps described above, the process proceeds to SP23, where the human body detection area data is stored, and the result is output at SP24.

  Here, an example of a series of operations in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing a state when the air conditioner 9 of the present invention is installed in the center in the left-right direction of a wall of a room.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating output signals of the infrared sensor 1a, the infrared sensor 1b, and the infrared sensor 1c mounted on the air conditioner 9 illustrated in FIG.

  When the user of the air conditioner 9 is present in the detection region B from time t1 to time t2, the output signals of the infrared sensor 1a, infrared sensor 1b, and infrared sensor 1c are from time t1 to time t2 shown in FIG. It becomes a waveform like this. At this time, since ΔVa = | Vat1−Vat2 | and ΔVb = | Vbt1−Vbt2 | are larger than the detection threshold value ΔVth and ΔVc = | Vct1−Vct2 | is smaller than the detection threshold value ΔVth, the air conditioner 9 Determines that a human body is present in the detection area B, and performs control such that the wind direction, the air volume, and the set temperature match the detection area B. At this time, since the infrared sensor 1a, the infrared sensor 1b, and the infrared sensor 1c have substantially the same sensitivity, the output signals of the infrared sensor 1a and the infrared sensor 1b that detect the human body have substantially the same waveform.

Next, from time t3 to t4, ΔVa = | Vat3-Vat4 | and ΔVb =
Since | Vbt3−Vbt4 | is a value larger than the detection threshold ΔVth and ΔVc = | Vct3−Vct4 | is a value smaller than the detection threshold ΔVth, it can be seen that a human body exists in the detection region B.

  Further, from time t5 to t6, ΔVb = | Vbt5-Vbt6 | and ΔVc = | Vct5-Vct6 | are larger than the detection threshold ΔVth, and ΔVa = | Vat5-Vat6 | is smaller than the detection threshold ΔVth. From this, it can be seen that a human body exists in the detection region D. That is, it is estimated that the user of the air conditioner 9 has moved from the detection area B to the detection area D between times t4 and t5.

  The operation flow and an example of the present embodiment have been described above, but the effects of the present embodiment are as described above, and are omitted here.

  As described above, the air conditioner according to the present invention can accurately determine the location of a person in the room according to the temperature in the room, and can control the wind direction, the air volume, and the set temperature. It can also be used for applications such as fan heaters, air purifiers, and fans.

Control block diagram of human body detection sensor in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Configuration diagram of the human body detection sensor unit sensor unit in the first embodiment of the present invention Explanatory drawing of detection area discrimination | determination of the human body sensor in Embodiment 1 of this invention Flowchart of human body detection control in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Relationship diagram between human body detection threshold and room temperature in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Indoor installation diagram of air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Output waveform diagram of human detection sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention

1 Infrared sensor unit sensor part 1a Infrared sensor a
1b Infrared sensor b
1c Infrared sensor c
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Amplifier circuit 3 Input circuit 4 Signal analysis means 5 Output circuit 6 Wind direction change means 7 Air volume change means 8 Set temperature change means 9 Air conditioner

Claims (2)

In order to detect the presence position of the human body, three infrared sensors having a certain infrared detection area and approximately the same sensitivity are arranged so that the detection areas partially overlap, and the output obtained from the infrared sensor is Detecting means for determining the presence of a human body in each detection region by discriminating at a threshold level according to the temperature, wind direction changing means for changing the blowing direction from the determination result of the detecting means, air volume changing means for changing the air volume, An air conditioner comprising at least one set temperature changing means for changing a set temperature. Of the three infrared sensors having substantially the same sensitivity, two are arranged so that the detection areas do not overlap, and one is arranged so that the detection areas partially overlap each of the infrared sensors described above. The air conditioner according to claim 1.