JP2011141118A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve sufficient silencing effect in a wall-type air conditioner. <P>SOLUTION: A wind guide panel 20 and speakers 21 are disposed near a supply opening 5, the wind guide panel 20 is operated to form a duct-like supply passage 10 near the supply opening 5, and sound wave for canceling operation noise including blast noise of a fan 7 is emitted from the speaker 21 to the duct-like supply passage 10. Further the supply opening 5 is provided with a plurality of longitudinal louvers (horizontal wind direction changing means) 12 rotatably arranged in the horizontal direction as shown in Fig.4, and the duct-like supply passages 10, 11 are divided into a plurality of sections 15. Every section 15 has the speaker 21. The sound wave passing through the section 15 is a roughly-plane wave, that is, the inside of the section can be regarded as an one-dimensional sound field, so that the sufficient silencing effect can be achieved, in particular, in a low frequency zone of 2,000 Hz or less. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner capable of reducing noise during operation such as blowing sound.

Conventionally, in order to reduce noise during operation, such as the sound of air conditioners, equipped with an active noise control mechanism (also called active noise reduction) that cancels out sound waves for canceling that have an opposite phase to the noise Has been proposed.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a microphone and a flat speaker are installed in a predetermined space in an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and at the same frequency, substantially the same sound pressure level, and substantially opposite phase as noise of a specific frequency detected by the microphone. The sound is effectively silenced by radiating the sound wave from the flat speaker.

Further, Patent Document 2 includes a driving sound detection unit, a reference driving sound setting unit, and a correction sound generating unit, and the correction sound generating unit sets the reference driving sound when the temporal variation amount of the driving sound is larger than a predetermined level. A technique is disclosed in which a correction sound is emitted so that a synthesized sound with a driving sound becomes a reference driving sound as compared with a reference driving sound set by means.

Patent Document 3 discloses a technique in which a plurality of microphones, controllers, and speakers are provided to form independent control systems, and the microphones and speakers are arranged at predetermined intervals along the axial direction of the crossflow fan. ing.

JP 63-140897 A JP-A-6-43884 JP 2005-201565 A

Here, active silencing is for canceling sound waves (noise) traveling in a closed space like a duct that is a one-dimensional sound field (a sound field whose sound spread is restricted in one direction) is close to a plane wave. Noise can be effectively canceled out by anti-phase sound waves radiated from the sound source, and can be effectively silenced. However, in a three-dimensional sound field that propagates in free space (a sound field that spreads in a random direction) However, since the sound wave becomes a spherical wave and there is a region where the noise is rebounded by the sound wave of the opposite phase, and a region where the noise level rises in the same phase, noise suppression at a level that can withstand practical use is not possible with current technology. Is possible.

Speaking of noise reduction of blowing noise, it is possible to apply active noise reduction relatively easily because the air conditioning duct device has a duct that can be a one-dimensional sound field as a blowing path.
In an air conditioner that is used with an indoor unit installed on the wall surface of the room, there is no air flow path that can be called a one-dimensional sound field, and even if a canceling sound source is provided in the air flow path, a three-dimensional sound field is used as described above. It is the same as trying to perform active noise reduction, and a place where noise is felt noisy depending on the place in the room is created, which is not practical at all. In fact, as in Patent Documents 1 to 3, various techniques for reducing driving noise have been studied, but no examples have been put to practical use. In other words,
In order to effectively mute the blowing noise, it is understood that a portion that can be a one-dimensional sound field is required in a certain length on the blowing path and also on the downstream side of the blowing means.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to obtain a sufficient silencing effect in a wall-mounted air conditioner.

In order to achieve this object, the air conditioner of the present invention is an air conditioner installed and used on a wall surface in a room, and a housing, a suction port that is provided in the housing and takes in indoor air,
A blower outlet provided in the housing for delivering conditioned air harmonized by being taken in from the suction port into the room; a blowing means for moving air from the suction port to the blower port; the suction port and the blower An air passage that communicates with the outlet, provided with a wind direction changing means and a sounding means in the vicinity of the outlet, and further provided with a plurality of vertical louvers at the outlet, and divided by the vertical louvers The sound generating means is arranged for each, the wind direction changing means is operated, and a duct-like outlet passage is formed in the vicinity of the outlet, and operation noise including the blowing sound of the blower means is formed in the duct-like outlet passage. A sound wave for canceling is emitted from the sound generation means.

According to this configuration, a duct-like outlet passage that can be a one-dimensional sound field that is subdivided by a plurality of vertical louvers is formed in the vicinity of the outlet on the downstream side of the blowing means in the blowing path. If the duct-shaped outlet passage serving as a one-dimensional sound field is subdivided, it is difficult for the blowing sound of the blowing means to diffuse and a good silencing effect can be obtained. Then, sound waves for canceling the operation noise including the blowing sound of the blowing means are radiated from the sound generating means to the duct-like blowing passage. Therefore, the operating noise is efficiently canceled when passing through the duct-shaped outlet passage. Thereby, the noise radiated | emitted indoors is reduced reliably, and it becomes possible to acquire sufficient silencing effect. More preferably, the width of the section is 85 mm or less. According to this configuration, the width of the section is about ½ wavelength or less of a sound wave of 2,000 Hz, and the sound wave passing through the section can be regarded as a substantially plane wave, that is, the inside of the section as a one-dimensional sound field, In particular, a sufficient silencing effect can be obtained in a low frequency range where active silencing at 2,000 Hz or less is good.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, in the above configuration, the wind direction changing means is a wind guide panel that is rotatable up and down to open and close the air outlet, and the air guide panel forms the duct-shaped air outlet passage. At this time, it may be arranged so as to extend the lower surface of the air passage while rotating so as to open upward and covering the outlet.

According to this configuration, the inner surface of the air guide panel, the upper surface, the lower surface, the left and right side surfaces of the air blowing path, and the front surface of the housing form a duct-like air outlet passage that sends out air toward the indoor ceiling, The air outlet panel covers the outlet. This makes it difficult for the blowing sound of the blowing means to diffuse and has the effect of insulating the noise radiated into the room by the wind guide panel, thereby contributing to the reduction in noise.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, in the above configuration, the wind direction changing means is a wind guide panel that is rotatable up and down to open and close the air outlet, and the air guide panel forms the duct-shaped air outlet passage. At this time, it may be arranged so as to extend the upper surface of the air blowing path while rotating so as to open downward and covering the air outlet.

According to this configuration, the inner surface of the wind guide panel, the upper surface, the lower surface, the left and right side surfaces of the air flow path, and the lower surface of the housing form a duct-shaped air outlet passage that sends air toward the indoor floor surface. The air outlet covers the air outlet. Thereby, while it becomes difficult for the blowing sound of a ventilation means to spread | diffuse and it has the effect which insulates the noise radiated | emitted from a blower outlet to a wind guide panel, it can contribute to reduction in noise. When the duct-shaped outlet passage is formed, if a further auxiliary panel is provided so as to extend the lower surface of the blower passage, the duct-like outlet passage having a sufficient length can be reliably formed.

The length of the wind guide panel in the air blowing direction is at least at the position where the sounding means is installed so that a closed space where sound can travel by plane waves can be formed in the vicinity of the air outlet. It must be longer than the height of the exit.

The air conditioner according to the present invention further includes reference sound detection means for detecting sound waves of the operation noise in the above-described configuration, and generates sound waves having a phase opposite to that of the sound waves detected by the reference sound detection means. You may make it radiate | emit from.

According to this configuration, by detecting the sound actually generated by driving the air blowing means,
Since it can emit a sound wave with a waveform that cancels the sound that is actually generated,
The accuracy of active silencing can be increased. In this case, the reference sound detection means is arranged upstream of the sound generation means of the duct-like outlet passage so that the sound wave emitted from the sound generation means is not detected by the reference detection means. desirable.

The air conditioner according to the present invention further includes a correction sound detecting means for detecting a noise level after canceling the operation noise in the above-described configuration, and the noise level detected by the correction sound detecting means is within a predetermined range. You may make it correct | amend the sound wave radiated | emitted from the said sound generation means so that it may be settled in.

According to this configuration, the accuracy of active silencing can be further enhanced by feedback control of the noise level after cancellation. In this case, it is desirable to arrange the correction sound detection means on the downstream side of the sound generation means of the duct-like outlet passage so as not to detect operation noise that is not detected by the correction detection means.

Moreover, the air conditioner of the present invention has a plurality of vertical louvers at the air outlet in the above configuration,
The sound generation means and the reference sound detection means may be arranged for each section divided by the vertical louvers, and the operation noise canceling control may be performed independently for each section.

According to this configuration, it is possible to perform canceling control on the actually generated sound for each of the subdivided spaces, and the accuracy of the silencing effect can be increased. More preferably, the width of the section is 85 mm or less. According to this configuration, the width of the section is about ½ wavelength or less of a sound wave of 2,000 Hz, and the sound wave passing through the section can be regarded as a substantially plane wave, that is, the inside of the section as a one-dimensional sound field, In particular, a sufficient silencing effect can be obtained in a low frequency range where active silencing at 2,000 Hz or less is good.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, in the above configuration, a plurality of the correction sound detection means are arranged so that the sound generation means is sandwiched in the blowing direction by the reference sound detection means and the correction sound detection means. Also good.

According to this configuration, for example, the wind guide panel is arranged so as to be opened so as to open upward during cooling and to open downward during heating, and is arranged so as to cover the air outlet. In this case, the sound to be detected can be satisfactorily detected by the sound detection means arranged on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the sound generation means.

Moreover, the air conditioner of this invention WHEREIN: You may arrange | position the said sound generation means to the said wind guide panel in the said structure. According to this configuration, since the speaker is directed to the housing of the indoor unit, it is possible to suppress the sound wave radiated from the speaker from leaking into the room by the diffraction effect, and the silencing effect is further enhanced.

According to the present invention, in the above configuration, the correction sound detection means, the correction sound detection means, and the reference sound detection means are arranged in the wind direction changing means, and the correction sound detection means and the reference sound detection means are arranged. The sound generation means may be disposed so as to be sandwiched between the correction sound detection means and the reference sound detection means.

According to this configuration, the wind direction changing means is arranged so as to rotate, for example, to open upward at the time of cooling and to open downward at the time of heating, and to cover the air outlet. In this case, the reference sound detection means can be arranged upstream of the sound generation means, and the correction sound detection means can be arranged downstream.

  Further, the air conditioner of the present invention is an air conditioner installed and used on a wall surface of a room, and a housing, a suction port provided in the housing for taking in indoor air, and provided in the housing A blower outlet that feeds conditioned air that is taken in from the suction port into the room, a blower that moves air from the suction port to the blower outlet, and a communication between the suction port and the blower outlet. An air flow path, and further includes a wind direction changing means and a sound generation means in the vicinity of the air outlet, operating the air direction changing means to form a duct-like air outlet near the air outlet, A sound wave for canceling the operation noise including the blowing sound of the blowing means may be radiated from the sound generating means to the duct-like blowing passage.

  According to this configuration, a duct-shaped outlet passage that can be a one-dimensional sound field is formed in the vicinity of the outlet on the downstream side of the blowing means in the blowing path. Then, sound waves for canceling the operation noise including the blowing sound of the blowing means are radiated from the sound generating means to the duct-like blowing passage. Therefore, the operating noise is efficiently canceled when passing through the duct-shaped outlet passage. Thereby, the noise radiated | emitted indoors is reduced reliably, and it becomes possible to acquire sufficient silencing effect.

According to the air conditioner of the present invention, a duct-like outlet passage that can be a one-dimensional sound field is formed in the vicinity of the outlet, and the operation noise including the blowing sound of the blowing means is actively silenced in the duct-like outlet passage. Therefore, the operating noise radiated into the room is reliably reduced, and a sufficient silencing effect can be obtained.

Schematic side sectional view of an indoor unit showing an operation stop state of the air conditioner of the first embodiment Schematic side sectional view of an indoor unit showing an example of the operating state of the air conditioner of the first embodiment The schematic sectional side view of the indoor unit which shows the other example of the driving | running state of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of 1st Embodiment Schematic horizontal sectional view of the vicinity of the air outlet of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the first embodiment Schematic side sectional view of an indoor unit for explaining the principle (a) of operation noise control of an air conditioner of the present invention and the principle (b) of operation noise control of an air conditioner of a conventional example The graph which shows the noise reduction effect (a) by the operation noise control of the air conditioner of this invention compared with the air conditioner (b) of a prior art example. The block diagram which shows the driving | running noise control system which concerns on the air conditioner of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart explaining an example of the operation noise control method which concerns on the air conditioner of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart explaining an example of the operation noise control method which concerns on the air conditioner of 1st Embodiment. Schematic side sectional view of an indoor unit showing an example of the operating state of the air conditioner of the second embodiment Schematic horizontal sectional view of the vicinity of the air outlet of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the second embodiment The block diagram which shows the driving | running noise control system which concerns on the air conditioner of 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart explaining an example of the operation noise control method which concerns on the air conditioner of 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart explaining the other example of the driving | running noise control method which concerns on the air conditioner of 2nd Embodiment. Schematic side sectional view of an indoor unit showing an example of the operating state of the air conditioner of the third embodiment Schematic horizontal sectional view of the vicinity of the air outlet of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the third embodiment The block diagram which shows the driving | running noise control system which concerns on the air conditioner of 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart explaining an example of the operation noise control method which concerns on the air conditioner of 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart explaining the other example of the driving | running noise control method which concerns on the air conditioner of 3rd Embodiment. Schematic side sectional view of an indoor unit showing an example of an operating state of an air conditioner according to a modification of the third embodiment

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment of the present invention, a separate type air conditioner composed of an indoor unit installed on a wall surface of an indoor room and an outdoor unit installed stationary is explained as an example.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an indoor unit showing an operation stop state of the air conditioner of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a room showing an example of an operation state of the air conditioner of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an indoor unit showing another example of the operating state of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner has a main body held by a cabinet 2, and a front panel 3 having a suction port 4 provided on the upper surface side of the cabinet 2 is detachable. Is attached. The cabinet 2 and the front panel 3 constitute a housing of the indoor unit 1.

The cabinet 2 is provided with a claw portion (not shown) on the rear side surface, and is supported by engaging the claw portion with a mounting plate (not shown) attached at a height position close to the ceiling S of the side wall W1 of the room. Is done. An air outlet 5 is provided in the gap between the lower end portion of the front panel 3 and the lower end portion of the cabinet 2. The air outlet 5 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape extending in the width direction of the indoor unit 1 and is provided facing the front lower side.

Inside the indoor unit 1, a blower path 6 that communicates from the suction port 4 to the blowout port 5 is formed.
A fan 7 serving as a blowing means for sending air is disposed in the blowing path 6. As the fan used for the fan 7, a cross flow fan (cross flow fan) is preferably used, but other types of fans may be used. In the air flow path 6, on the downstream side of the fan 7, an upper wall 6 a that guides the air sent out by the fan 7 forward and downward and has a cross-sectional area that increases toward the downstream.
And the lower wall 6b are formed. Although not shown, the air blowing path 6 also has left and right side walls that are flush with the left and right side walls on which the fan 7 is pivotally supported.

A speaker 21 as a sounding unit is provided on the upper wall 6 a of the air blowing path 6 so as to face the air blowing path 6. As the speaker 21, a space-saving flat type speaker is preferably used, but other types of speakers such as a cylindrical type may be used. Moreover, you may use the speaker which has directivity in a ventilation direction.

In the vicinity of the air outlet 5, there is provided an air guide panel 20 (vertical air direction changing means) that is rotatably supported and opens and closes the air outlet 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air guide panel 20 is disposed at a position where the air outlet 5 is closed when the operation of the air conditioner is stopped. At this time, the panel 20 is arranged along the front design shape of the front panel 3 and is arranged so as to connect the lower end of the air guide panel 20 and the bottom surface of the cabinet 2 at the position of the lower end portion of the air outlet 5. The beauty of the machine 1 is not spoiled.

The wind guide panel 20 is supported by two upper and lower shafts (not shown) so as to be rotatable at two upper and lower positions, and a regulating portion (not shown) that regulates one of the two shafts as a pivot shaft and releases the other. )When,
When the moving unit (not shown) that rotates the wind guide panel 20 around the rotation axis is linked and operated, for example, at the time of cooling, it rotates counterclockwise as shown by an arrow A in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, it is arranged to extend so that the lower surface of the air flow path 6 is extended while turning up so as to cover the air outlet 5 as shown in FIG.

At this time, the airflow direction is changed upward by the inner surface of the air guide panel 20, the upper surface, the lower surface, the left and right side surfaces of the air blowing path 6, and a part of the front surface of the front panel 3, and the air is sent toward the indoor ceiling. A duct-shaped outlet passage 10 is formed, and the front panel 3 is viewed from the front (FIG. 2).
The air guide panel 20 covers the air outlet 5 when viewed from the left side of FIG. As a result, it is possible to realize cooling that is gentle to the body by the airflow that wraps from above, without being directly exposed to cold air.

On the other hand, for example, at the time of heating, the air guide panel 20 is arranged so as to extend downward as shown by an arrow B in FIG. 1 so as to extend the upper surface of the air flow path 6 while covering the air outlet 5. Can also be done. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the airflow direction is changed downward by the inner surface of the wind guide panel 20, the upper surface, the lower surface, the left and right side surfaces of the air blowing path 6, and the lower surface of the front panel 3. A duct-shaped outlet passage 11 for sending air toward the floor surface of the air is formed, and the wind guide panel 20 covers the outlet 5 when the front panel 3 is viewed from the front (from the left side of FIG. 3). . As a result, warmth that is gentle to the body can be realized by the airflow that wraps around from the feet without being directly exposed to warmth.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 13 denotes an auxiliary panel that is rotatably provided at the front end of the lower wall 6 b of the air blowing path 6. For example, the auxiliary panel 13 is usually housed in a recess 14 that is recessed in the lower surface of the lower wall 6b. When forming the duct-shaped outlet passage 11, the auxiliary panel 13 is rotated as indicated by an arrow C on the rotation shaft at the front end. It arrange | positions so that it may move and the lower surface of the ventilation path 6 may be extended. According to this, the duct-like blowing passage 11 having a sufficient length can be reliably formed.

In addition, although not shown in figure, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner of this invention is the wind guide panel 20 by a control part.
It is also possible to change the wind direction of the airflow in the horizontal direction or in the lower front direction by appropriately combining the selection of the rotation axis and the setting of the rotation angle of the wind guide panel 20 by the moving unit.

In addition, as shown in the schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the air outlet in FIG. 4, the air outlet 5 is provided with a plurality of vertical louvers (right and left air direction changing means) 12 that are turnable side by side in the left and right direction. The duct-shaped outlet passages 10 and 11 are divided into a plurality of sections 15 by the plurality of vertical louvers 12. A plurality of the above-described speakers 21 are arranged for each section 15 divided by the vertical louver 12. (In FIG. 4, the speaker 21 seems to be disposed on the wind guide panel 20, but in this embodiment, it is disposed on the upper wall 6a of the air flow path 6 as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. It is a schematic horizontal sectional view for showing that a plurality of speakers 21 are arranged for every 15. However, as another embodiment, it may be arranged on the air guide panel 20 as shown in FIG.

The width W of the section 15 is about ½ wavelength or less of a sound wave of 2,000 Hz, preferably 85
It is desirable to make it below mm. According to this, a sound wave passing through the section 15 can be regarded as a substantially plane wave, that is, a one-dimensional sound field in the section, and a sufficient silencing effect particularly in a low frequency range where active silencing at 2,000 Hz or less is good. Can be obtained.

An air filter 8 that collects and removes dust contained in the air sucked from the suction port 5 is provided at a position facing the front panel 3. Front panel 3 and air filter 8
Is provided with an air filter cleaning device (not shown) for removing dust accumulated in the air filter 8. An indoor heat exchanger constructed by bending a plurality of stages and a plurality of rows of tubes (not shown) between the fan 7 and the air filter 8 in the air passage 6 so as to face the suction port 4. 9 is arranged. The indoor heat exchanger 9 is connected to a compressor (not shown) of an outdoor unit arranged outdoors, and the refrigeration cycle is operated by driving the compressor.
An electric dust collector (not shown) is provided between the air filter 8 and the indoor heat exchanger 9.

Next, the principle of operation noise control, which is characteristic of the air conditioner of the present invention, will be described in comparison with the conventional one. First, the principle of operation noise control of the air conditioner of the present invention will be described in comparison with the conventional one. FIG. 5 (a) is an explanatory diagram of the principle of operation noise control of the air conditioner of the present invention, and FIG.
It is principle explanatory drawing of the operation noise control of the air conditioner of a prior art example. In FIG. 5B, which is a conventional example,
The same parts as those in the above-described air conditioner of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, for convenience of explanation, the vertical louver disposed in the outlet 5 is omitted in both FIG. 5A of the present invention and FIG. 5B of the conventional example, and in FIG. A lateral louver disposed at the outlet 5 is also omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner of the present invention and the conventional example, when the height of the air outlet 5 at the position where the speaker 21 is installed is L1. Speaker 2
A space C1 having a radius L1 centered at 1 is a space in which sound is propagated by a spherical wave.

In a conventional air conditioner that does not include the wind guide panel 20, as shown in FIG.
A nearby closed space (a portion surrounded by the upper surface, the lower surface, and the left and right side surfaces of the air blowing path 6 in the space C2 having the radius L2 centered on the speaker 21) is equal to or smaller than the space C1 (
In the example of FIG. 5B, C1≈C2), the sound wave radiated from the speaker 21 is unlikely to be a plane wave, and it becomes a three-dimensional sound field that propagates in free space as a spherical wave. However, there is a problem that an effective silencing effect cannot be obtained.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5A, the wind guide panel 20 that can be rotated up and down in the vicinity of the outlet 5 to extend the upper surface or the lower surface of the air passage 6. Is enclosed by the inner surface of the air guide panel 20, the upper surface, the lower surface, and the left and right side surfaces of the air guide panel 20 in the closed space C2 in the vicinity of the air outlet 5 (the space C2 having a radius L2 centered on the speaker 21). portion)
Can be enlarged to be larger than the space C1. The expanded closed space C2 is a duct-shaped outlet passage, and the sound wave radiated from the speaker 21 can be propagated as a plane wave in the duct-like outlet passage, so that a sufficient silencing effect can be obtained.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the noise reduction effect by the operation noise control of the air conditioner of the present invention in comparison with the conventional air conditioner. In the air conditioner of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
Although the sound pressure level is greatly reduced in the measurement frequency range (0 to 5,000 Hz), in the conventional air conditioner, there is almost no change in the sound pressure level in the measurement frequency range (0 to 5,000 Hz). The superiority of the silencing effect of the present invention was confirmed experimentally.

From the above knowledge, it is understood that the reason why the silencing effect is manifested in the air conditioner of the present invention is that a duct-like outlet passage through which a sound wave can propagate by plane waves is formed in the vicinity of the outlet 5. In that sense, the length of the air guide panel 20 is at least the height of the outlet 5 at the position where the speaker 21 is installed (from the center of the speaker 21 to the surface where the speaker 21 is installed). It is necessary to have a length equal to or greater than the distance L1 to the lower surface of the air blowing path 6 in the direction.

Here, the silencing effect realized by the air conditioner of the present invention is not only the noise canceling effect in the duct-like outlet passage, but also (a) sound insulation by the wind guide panel 20 itself, (b) reflection / interference, ( c) It is complex including the action of diffraction. That is, (a) the sound insulation effect by the wind guide panel 20 arranged so as to cover the air outlet 5, (b) the closed surface surrounded by the inner surface of the wind guide panel 20, the upper surface, the lower surface, and the left and right side surfaces of the air flow path 6. Reflection / interference effect in space, and (c) diffraction effect due to the wind direction (blowing direction) of the airflow directed upward or downward in the front, noise becomes difficult to diffuse into the room, contributing to low noise. it can.

Next, an operation noise control system according to the air conditioner of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In this figure, only the control system related to the operation noise control, which is the most characteristic part of the present invention, is shown, and other control systems necessary as an air conditioner, for example, the control system of the refrigeration cycle apparatus and the rotation of the vertical louver 12 are shown. The dynamic control system is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 30 is configured by a microcomputer or the like, and receives an input of a signal from the remote controller 14, so that the operation mode of the air conditioner (e.g.
An operation mode detection unit 301 for detecting a medium mode, a weak mode), and a wind guide panel drive unit 302 configured to control the wind guide panel 20 in accordance with the detected operation mode. The fan rotation number setting unit 303 that sets the rotation number of the fan 7 according to the selected operation mode, the fan drive unit 304 that drives the fan motor 17 at the set rotation number, and the rotation of the fan 7 based on the output of the fan motor 17 Fan rotation number detection unit 305 for detecting the number of fans, fan rotation number comparison unit 306 for comparing the detected rotation number of the fan 7 with the rotation number of the fan 7 set according to the operation mode, and preset for each operation mode A canceling sound storage unit 307 for storing a plurality of types of sound wave signals, and a canceling sound selection unit 3 for selecting a sound wave signal corresponding to the operation mode from the stored sound wave signals. 8, a and selected sound signal having a loudspeaker drive unit 309, to be input to the speaker 21.

The speaker drive unit 309 is configured to receive a signal directly from the operation mode detection unit 301 or the fan rotation number detection unit 305 as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. When the detected rotation speed of the fan 7 is equal to or less than a preset rotation speed, control is performed so that sound waves are not emitted from the speaker 21. As a result, the active mute can be efficiently and effectively performed only when the noise is relatively uncomfortable without operating the muffler more than necessary.

Next, an example of the operation noise control method according to the air conditioner of the present embodiment having the above configuration is shown in FIG.
It demonstrates based on the flowchart of these. First, the operation mode is detected in step S1, the wind guide panel 20 is operated in accordance with the operation mode in step S2, and the duct-shaped outlet passage 10 or 11 is opened near the outlet 5 as shown in FIG. In step S3, a sound wave set in advance according to the operation mode is selected, and the sound wave selected in step S4 is emitted from the speaker 21.

For example, when the cooling operation is started, first, the operation detection mode detection unit 301 detects the operation mode when the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner receives a signal from the remote controller 13 (step S1). Next, the wind guide panel 20 operates according to the operation mode, and is arranged so as to open the upper side while covering the air outlet 5 as shown in FIG. 2 (step S2). Thereby, the duct-shaped blowing passage 10 is formed.

And the fan 7 is rotationally driven, air is sucked into the indoor unit 1 from the suction port 4, passes through the blower path 6, is sent out indoors from the blowout port 5, and noise generated in the indoor unit 1, The blowing noise mainly generated by the rotation of the fan 7 is also radiated into the room. Therefore, a preset sound wave is selected according to the operation mode (step S3), and the selected sound wave is emitted from the speaker 21 (step S4). Thereby, in the duct-like outlet passage 10, it is possible to cancel the blowing noise mainly caused by the rotational drive of the fan 7, and to perform active noise reduction.

According to the operation noise control method of this example, a duct-shaped outlet passage 10 that can form a one-dimensional sound field in the vicinity of the outlet 5 on the downstream side of the fan 7 of the blower path 6 according to the operation mode of the air conditioner.
Is formed. And the sound wave preset according to the operation mode is radiated | emitted from the speaker 21 to this duct-shaped blowing channel | path. Therefore, the operating noise is efficiently canceled when passing through the duct-like outlet passage 10. This reliably reduces the noise radiated into the room,
A sufficient silencing effect can be obtained.

Next, another example of the operation noise control method according to the air conditioner of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The operation mode of steps S11 and S12 is detected, and the air guide panel 20 is controlled so as to form a duct-like outlet passage. The steps S1 and S2 in FIG.
As explained in.

In the operation noise control method of this example, the rotational speed of the fan 7 is then detected in step S13, and the rotational speed of the fan 7 set according to the detected rotational speed of the fan 7 and the operation mode in step S14. And the difference between the detected rotational speed of the fan 7 and the rotational speed of the fan 7 set according to the operation mode is within a preset range (YES in step S15).
) The sound selected in step S16 is radiated from the speaker 21. In other words, when the difference between the detected rotational speed of the fan 7 and the rotational speed of the fan 7 set according to the operation mode is not within a preset range (NO in step S15), the process proceeds to step S13. Steps S13 to S15 are repeated until it falls within the return range.

According to the driving noise control method of this example, active noise reduction can be performed relatively easily because relatively stable steady-state noise is targeted.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing an example of the operating state of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment. In this figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the indoor unit of the air conditioner of 1st Embodiment shown in above-mentioned FIGS. 1-3, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The reference microphone (reference sound detecting means) 22 that detects the sound wave of the operation noise including the blowing sound of the fan 7 facing the air blowing path 6 is provided, and has a phase opposite to that of the sound wave detected by the reference microphone 22. Sound waves are emitted from the speaker 21. The reference microphone 22 is not a detection target.
As shown in the figure, it is desirable that the duct 21 is disposed on the upstream side of the speaker 21 so as not to detect the sound wave emitted from the speaker 21.

As shown in the schematic horizontal cross-sectional view around the air outlet in FIG. 11, the speaker 21 and the reference microphone 22.
Are arranged for each of the sections 15 divided by the vertical louver 12, and the operation noise canceling control is performed independently for each section 15. Thereby, active silencing can be performed satisfactorily for each of the subdivided spaces. (In FIG. 11, the speaker 21
However, in this embodiment, the wind guide panel 20 and the reference microphone 22 are arranged on the upper wall 6a of the air passage 6 as shown in FIG. Yes. FIG. 11 is a schematic horizontal sectional view for showing that a plurality of speakers 21 and reference microphones 22 are arranged for each section 15. However, as another embodiment, the air guide panel 20 may be arranged as shown in FIG. )

The width W of the section 15 is about ½ wavelength or less of a sound wave of 2,000 Hz, preferably 85
It is desirable to make it below mm. According to this, the sound wave passing through the section 15 can be regarded as a substantially plane wave, that is, the inside of the section 15 can be regarded as a one-dimensional sound field, and in particular, sufficient silencing in a low frequency range where active silencing at 2,000 Hz or less is good. An effect can be obtained.

Next, an operation noise control system according to the air conditioner of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In this figure, only the control system related to the operation noise control, which is the most characteristic part of the present invention, is shown, and other control systems necessary for the air conditioner, for example, the control system of the refrigeration cycle and the rotation of the vertical louver 12 are shown. The control system is omitted. Further, in this figure, the above-described FIG.
The same parts as those in the operation noise control system of the air conditioner of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 30 replaces the canceling sound selection unit 308 and the canceling sound storage unit 307 shown in the control system of the air conditioner of the first embodiment of FIG.
A phase reversing unit 310 for reversing the phase of the sound wave of the driving noise detected by. The speaker driving unit 309 is configured to input a sound wave signal having an opposite phase inverted by the phase inverting unit 310 to the speaker 21.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 30 further includes a reference noise level determination unit 311 that compares the sound pressure (noise level) of the driving noise detected by the reference microphone 22 with a predetermined reference value and outputs the result. I have.

The speaker drive unit 309 receives a signal directly from the operation mode detection unit 301, the fan rotation number detection unit 305, or the reference noise level determination unit 311 as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. When the detected rotation speed of the fan 7 is less than or equal to a preset rotation speed, or when the operation noise detected by the reference microphone 22 is less than or equal to a preset noise level, the speaker 21 Is controlled so as not to emit sound waves. As a result, the active mute can be efficiently and effectively performed only when the noise is relatively uncomfortable without operating the muffler more than necessary.

Next, an example of an operation noise control method according to the air conditioner of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is shown in FIG.
This will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, the operation mode is detected in step S31,
In step S32, the wind guide panel 20 is operated according to the operation mode, and is controlled so as to form a duct-like outlet passage in the vicinity of the outlet 5. The sound wave of the operating noise generated by driving the fan 7 in step S33. Is detected by the reference microphone 22, the phase of the sound wave detected in step S34 is inverted, and the sound wave having the opposite phase is emitted from the speaker 21 in step S35.

According to the operation noise control method of this example, a duct-shaped outlet passage 10 that can form a one-dimensional sound field in the vicinity of the outlet 5 on the downstream side of the fan 7 of the blower path 6 according to the operation mode of the air conditioner.
Is formed. A sound wave having a phase opposite to that of the operating noise including the blowing sound of the fan 7 is radiated to the duct-like outlet passage 10. Therefore, the operating noise is efficiently canceled when passing through the duct-like outlet passage 10. Thereby, the noise radiated | emitted indoors is reduced reliably, and it becomes possible to acquire sufficient silencing effect.

Further, according to the driving noise control method of this example, the sound that is actually generated is detected by driving the fan 7, and the sound having a waveform that cancels the sound that is actually generated is emitted. Therefore, the accuracy of the silencing effect can be increased.

Next, another example of the operation noise control method according to the air conditioner of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The operation mode of steps S41 and S42 is detected, and the air guide panel 20 is controlled so as to form a duct-like outlet passage.
, As described in S32.

In the operation noise control method of this example, the rotational speed of the fan 7 is then detected in step S43, and the rotational speed of the fan 7 set according to the detected rotational speed of the fan 7 and the operation mode in step S44. And the difference between the detected rotational speed of the fan 7 and the rotational speed of the fan 7 set according to the operation mode is within a preset range (YES in step S45).
), The sound wave of the driving noise generated by driving the fan 7 in step S46 is detected by the reference microphone 22, the phase of the sound wave detected in step S47 is inverted, and step S
At 48, the sound wave having the opposite phase is radiated from the speaker 21. In other words, the detected fan 7
When the difference between the number of rotations and the number of rotations of the fan 7 set in accordance with the operation mode is not within the preset range (NO in step S45), the process returns to step S43 until the values fall within the range. Repeat S45.

According to the driving noise control method of this example, active noise reduction can be performed relatively easily because relatively stable steady-state noise is targeted.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 15 is a schematic side cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an operating state of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the third embodiment. In this figure, the same parts as those in the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

In the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, separately from the reference microphone 22, a correction microphone (correction) that detects sound waves after canceling the driving noise on the wind guide panel 20. Sound detection means) 23 is further provided to correct the sound wave emitted from the speaker 21 so that the noise level detected by the correction microphone 23 falls within a predetermined range. In this case, it is desirable to arrange the correction microphone on the downstream side of the speaker 21 in the duct-like outlet passage 10 so as not to detect operation noise that is not detected by the correction microphone 23.

As shown in the schematic horizontal cross-sectional view around the air outlet in FIG. 16, the speaker 21 and the reference microphone 22.
Are arranged for each section 15 (see FIG. 11) divided by the vertical louver 12,
Operation noise cancellation control is performed independently for each section 15. This
Active silencing can be performed satisfactorily for each subdivided space. (In FIG. 16, the speaker 21 and the correction microphone 23 appear to be arranged on the wind guide panel 20 and the reference microphone 22 is arranged on the lower wall 6b of the air flow path 6, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. The speaker 21 and the reference microphone 22 are arranged on the upper wall 6a of the air flow path 6, and the correction microphone 23 is arranged on the wind guide panel 20. In FIG.
2 and a schematic horizontal sectional view for showing that a plurality of correction microphones 23 are arranged. However, as another embodiment, the air guide panel 20 may be arranged as shown in FIG.
)

The width W of the section 15 is about ½ wavelength or less of a sound wave of 2,000 Hz, preferably 85
It is desirable to make it below mm. According to this, a sound wave passing through the section 15 can be regarded as a substantially plane wave, that is, a one-dimensional sound field in the section, and a sufficient silencing effect particularly in a low frequency range where active silencing at 2,000 Hz or less is good. Can be obtained.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of correction microphones 23 arranged outside the section 15 are arranged so that the speaker 21 is sandwiched between the reference microphone 22 and the correction microphone 23 in the blowing direction. . According to this configuration, for example, the air guide panel 20 is cooled (see FIG. 1).
5) and is opened so as to open downward during heating (see FIG. 3), and is arranged so as to cover the outlet 5 in either case of opening upward or downward. The sound wave to be detected can be satisfactorily detected by the reference microphone 22 disposed on the upstream side of the speaker 21 and the correction microphone 23 disposed on the downstream side.

Next, an operation noise control system according to the air conditioner of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In this figure, only the control system related to the operation noise control, which is the most characteristic part of the present invention, is shown, and other control systems necessary for the air conditioner, for example, the control system of the refrigeration cycle and the rotation of the vertical louver 12 are shown. The control system is omitted. Further, in this figure, the above-described FIG.
The same parts as those in the operation noise control system of the air conditioner of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 30 is added to the phase inversion unit 310 and the reference noise level determination unit 311 shown in the control system of the air conditioner of the second embodiment in FIG. The sound pressure (noise level) of the sound detected by the microphone 23 is compared with a predetermined reference value and the result is output. The correction noise level determination unit 312 and the sound signal of the opposite phase reversed by the phase reversing unit 310 are corrected. A sound wave correction unit 313 is provided.

In the present embodiment, the sound wave signal having the opposite phase reversed by the phase reversing unit 310 is subjected to a necessary correction process by the sound wave correcting unit 313, and the speaker driving unit 30 as a sound wave signal for cancellation.
9 is input. The sound wave correction unit 313 calculates a correction signal from the sound wave detected by the correction microphone 23 when the noise level after cancellation is determined to be larger than a predetermined reference value by the correction noise level determination unit 312, and the phase The sound wave signal having the opposite phase reversed by the reversing unit 310 is corrected.

The speaker driving unit 309 is configured to receive a signal directly from the operation mode detection unit 301, the fan rotation number detection unit 305, or the reference noise level determination unit 311 as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. When the detected rotation speed of the fan 7 is less than or equal to a preset rotation speed, or when the operation noise detected by the reference microphone 22 is less than or equal to a preset noise level, the speaker 21 Is controlled so as not to emit sound waves. As a result, the active mute can be efficiently and effectively performed only when the noise is relatively uncomfortable without operating the muffler more than necessary.

Next, an example of an operation noise control method according to the air conditioner of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is shown in FIG.
This will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S51, the operation mode is detected,
In step S52, the wind guide panel 20 is operated according to the operation mode, and is controlled so as to form a duct-like outlet passage in the vicinity of the outlet 5, and the sound wave of the operating noise generated by driving the fan 7 in step S53. Is detected by the reference microphone 22, the phase of the sound wave detected in step S54 is reversed, and the sound wave of the opposite phase (cancellation sound wave) is emitted from the speaker 21 in step S55.

Furthermore, the canceled sound wave is detected by the correcting microphone 23 in step S56, and the noise level detected by the correcting microphone 23 is compared with a predetermined reference value in step S57.
When it is determined that the noise level after cancellation is greater than the predetermined reference value (NO in step S57), a correction signal is calculated from the sound wave detected by the correction microphone 23, and the phase inverting unit 3
The sound wave signal having the opposite phase reversed by 10 is corrected, and the process returns to step S55 to emit the corrected sound wave (cancellation sound wave) from the speaker 21.

According to the operation noise control method of this example, a duct-shaped outlet passage 10 that can form a one-dimensional sound field in the vicinity of the outlet 5 on the downstream side of the fan 7 of the blower path 6 according to the operation mode of the air conditioner.
Is formed. A sound wave having a phase opposite to that of the operating noise including the blowing sound of the fan 7 is radiated to the duct-like outlet passage 10. Therefore, the operating noise is efficiently canceled when passing through the duct-like outlet passage 10. Thereby, the noise radiated | emitted indoors is reduced reliably, and it becomes possible to acquire sufficient silencing effect.

Further, according to the driving noise control method of this example, the sound that is actually generated is detected by driving the fan 7, and the sound having a waveform that cancels the sound that is actually generated is emitted. Therefore, the accuracy of the silencing effect can be increased.

Furthermore, according to the driving noise control method of this example, the accuracy of active noise reduction can be further improved by feedback control of the noise level after cancellation.

Next, another example of the operation noise control method according to the air conditioner of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The operation mode of steps S61 and S62 is detected, and the air guide panel 20 is controlled so as to form a duct-like outlet passage.
51, as described in S52.

In the operation noise control method of this example, the rotational speed of the fan 7 is then detected in step S63, and the rotational speed of the fan 7 set according to the detected rotational speed of the fan 7 and the operation mode in step S64. And the difference between the detected rotational speed of the fan 7 and the rotational speed of the fan 7 set according to the operation mode is within a preset range (YES in step S65).
), The sound wave of the operating noise generated by driving the fan 7 in step S66 is detected by the reference microphone 22, the phase of the sound wave detected in step S67 is inverted, and step S
At 68, this opposite phase sound wave (cancellation sound wave) is radiated from the speaker 21. In other words,
When the difference between the detected rotational speed of the fan 7 and the rotational speed of the fan 7 set in accordance with the operation mode is not within the preset range (NO in step S65), the process returns to step S63 and is within the range. Steps S63 to S65 are repeated until they are settled. Subsequent steps S66 to S71
Are as described in steps S55 to S58 in the example of FIG. 17 of the present embodiment.

According to the driving noise control method of this example, active noise reduction can be performed relatively easily because relatively stable steady-state noise is targeted.

As described above, the air conditioner and the operation noise control method thereof according to the present invention are directly cooled by the user according to the air conditioner or the operation noise control method of the present invention as described in the first to third embodiments. Because it can greatly reduce the operating noise of an annoying air conditioner without being exposed to wind or warm wind, it is possible to realize an unconscious air blow and an unconscious air blow that is almost as silent as possible. Pleasant feeling can be prevented and comfort can be greatly improved.

Moreover, since the operation sound of the air conditioner can be significantly reduced, the air volume of the indoor unit can be increased without causing discomfort to the user. That is, the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle can be improved thereby, which can greatly contribute to energy saving.

In addition, this invention is not necessarily limited to the said embodiment, It can implement by adding a suitable change in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the speaker 21 and the reference microphone 22 are provided on the upper wall 6a of the ventilation path 6 that is the housing of the indoor unit 1 and the correction microphone 23 is provided on the wind guide panel 20 has been described. As shown in FIG. 20, a speaker 21, a reference microphone 22, and a correction microphone 23 may be arranged on the wind guide panel 20. According to this, since the speaker 21 comes to face the housing of the indoor unit 1, it is possible to suppress the sound wave radiated from the speaker 21 from leaking into the room by the diffraction effect, and the noise reduction effect is further enhanced. In addition, by making it possible to switch between the reference microphone 22 and the correction microphone 23, active silencing can be performed satisfactorily in either case where the wind guide panel 20 is opened upward or downward.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an air conditioner that is installed and used on a wall surface in a room.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indoor unit 2 Cabinet 3 Front panel 4 Suction port 5 Air outlet 6 Air supply path 7 Fan (air supply means)
10, 11 Duct-shaped outlet passage 12 Vertical louver 13 Auxiliary panel 15 Compartment 20 Wind guide panel (wind direction changing means)
21 Speaker (pronunciation means)
22 Reference microphone 23 Correction microphone 30 Control unit

Claims (15)

In an air conditioner installed on a wall surface in a room and used, a housing, a suction port provided in the housing for taking in indoor air, and conditioned air provided in the housing and harmonized by taking in from the suction port A blower outlet for sending air into the room, a blower means for moving air from the suction port to the blower outlet, and a blower passage for communicating between the suction port and the blower outlet, A wind direction changing means and a sounding means are provided in the vicinity of the air outlet , and further provided with a plurality of vertical louvers at the outlet, the sounding means is arranged for each section divided by the vertical louvers, and the wind direction changing means is operated. A duct-shaped air outlet passage is formed in the vicinity of the air outlet, and sound waves for canceling operation noise including the air blowing sound of the air blowing means are radiated from the sound generating means to the duct air outlet passage. Air conditioner and butterflies. The wind direction changing means is a wind guide panel that is rotatable up and down to open and close the air outlet, and the wind guide panel rotates so as to be opened upward when forming the duct-shaped air outlet passage, The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is disposed so as to extend a lower surface of the air blowing path while covering the air outlet. The wind direction changing means is a wind guide panel that is rotatable up and down to open and close the air outlet, and the air guide panel rotates to open downward when forming the duct-shaped air passage, The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is disposed so as to extend an upper surface of the air blowing path while covering the air outlet. The air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising an auxiliary panel arranged so as to extend a lower surface of the blower path when forming the duct-shaped outlet passage. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a length of the air guide panel in a blowing direction is longer than a height of the air outlet at a position where the speaker is installed. The reference sound detection means for detecting the sound wave of the driving noise is provided, and the sound wave having the opposite phase to the sound wave detected by the reference sound detection means is radiated from the sound generation means. An air conditioner according to any one of the above. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the reference sound detection means is disposed upstream of the sound generation means in the duct-shaped outlet passage. The sound detecting means for detecting the noise level after canceling the driving noise is further provided, and the sound wave emitted from the sound generating means so that the noise level detected by the sound detecting means for correction falls within a predetermined range. The air conditioner according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the air conditioner is corrected.   9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the correction sound detection means is disposed downstream of the sound generation means in the duct-shaped outlet passage.   10. The reference sound detection means is arranged for each section divided by the vertical louvers, and operation noise canceling control is performed independently for each section. Air conditioner.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a width of the section is 85 mm or less. 10. The air according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of the correction sound detection means are arranged so that the sound generation means is sandwiched in the blowing direction by the correction sound detection means and the reference sound detection means. Harmony machine.   14. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein a width of the section is 85 mm or less.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the sounding means is arranged in the wind direction changing means. The correction sound detection means, the reference sound detection means, and the sound generation means are arranged in the wind direction changing means, and the sound generation means is sandwiched in the blowing direction by the correction sound detection means and the reference sound detection means. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein the correction sound detecting means and the reference sound detecting means are switchable.

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