JP2013024463A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner having a detection means for detecting a human body capable of reducing so-called standby electricity during an operation stop.SOLUTION: Operation of the air conditioner is stopped by an operation signal of a remote controller 32, and from a stopped state, when an existence of a person is not confirmed over a prescribed period of time by a human detection means 6, an indoor unit control part 12 releases a second opening/closing switch 30 and shuts off power supply to a driving circuit 18 via a power line 27. A body side transmitting/receiving means 4 stops a transmitting/receiving state, and reduces the power consumption of the body side transmitting/receiving means 4 having large power consumption compared with an infrared ray (IR) method.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to reduction of standby power when operation is stopped.

As a conventional air conditioner, an indoor unit having a human body detecting means for efficiently performing an air conditioning operation is known. For example, FIG. 5 shows a control block 50 of the air conditioner, and the air conditioner includes a position detection means 51 for detecting a direction of the human body and a distance from the indoor unit, and a main control means 52; A set temperature changing unit 53, a wind direction changing unit 54, and a wind speed changing unit 55 are provided. The wind direction changing means 54 drives the wind direction control blades 58 such as the upper and lower wind direction plates and the left and right wind direction plates via the wind direction control blade driving means 56, and the wind speed changing means 55 changes the blowing speed of the blower 59 via the blower driving means 57. (See Patent Document 1).

The air conditioner detects the presence position of the person by the position detection means 51, and determines whether the person has entered within a certain distance of the indoor unit. If detected within a certain distance, the set temperature is changed by the set temperature changing means 53. For example, in the case of heating operation, the set temperature is changed slightly higher, and the wind direction changing means 54 is directed toward the person. To change the blowing direction.

In addition, when no person is detected by the position detection means 51, when a certain time has elapsed, the cooling / heating operation is stopped via the main control means 52, and when the person is detected again, the operation is resumed. Yes. During operation, the device operator can arbitrarily change the set temperature or the blowing direction as described above using a remote controller.

The remote controller used in the air conditioner adopts the infrared (IR) method, but the infrared (IR) method is highly directional and easily affected by obstacles. There are problems that it has to be operated, and the communication speed between the remote controller and the device to be operated is relatively low, making it difficult to perform two-way communication. For this reason, recently, wireless remote controllers that use radio frequency (RF) radio waves instead of infrared rays have begun to be used. When the remote controller obtains various operation information from the indoor unit by performing remote operation and various settings from the remote controller to the indoor unit using bidirectional wireless communication with a wireless remote controller that is not directional and strong against obstacles, Such information is displayed on the display means of the remote controller and can be used for operation management and various settings.

However, the receiving unit of the wireless remote controller provided in the indoor unit consumes more power than the light receiving unit of the infrared remote controller. When the wireless remote controller receiving unit is in the reception standby state when operation is stopped, standby power as an air conditioner is reduced. I had the problem of increasing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-187682 (page 7, FIG. 1)

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can reduce so-called standby power when operation is stopped, in an air conditioner including a detection unit that detects a human body.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises an air conditioner main body and a remote controller for operating the air conditioner main body, and the remote controller transmits an operation signal to the air conditioner main body. The air conditioner main body includes a main body side receiving means for receiving an operation signal from the remote controller, and further includes a human detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a person, the air conditioner When the machine body does not detect a person for a predetermined time during operation stop, the machine body cuts off the power to the body side receiving means, while when the person is detected after being cut off, the machine body receiving means It is configured to resume energization.

  Further, the air conditioner main body includes a main body side transmission means for transmitting operation information to the remote controller, and the remote control includes a remote control side receiving means for receiving the operation information transmitted from the air conditioner main body, and a reception Display means for displaying the driving information.

  In addition, when the remote controller transmits an operation signal from the remote controller-side transmitter, the remote controller-side receiver is set in a reception waiting state, and the reception limiting unit is configured to release the reception waiting state in a predetermined time; and the air When transmitting a request signal for requesting operating information to the main body of the harmony machine, the remote control side receiving means is placed in a reception waiting state, and has an operation information waiting means for releasing the reception waiting state in a predetermined time. Yes.

  Further, the remote controller is configured to display the remaining time information on the display means when receiving the remaining time information from the air conditioner main body until the energization to the main body side receiving means is cut off.

  In addition, the remote controller includes a counting unit that counts the remaining time after receiving the remaining time information until the energization to the main body side receiving unit is cut off, and after the remaining time has elapsed, A request signal for requesting operation information is transmitted to the air conditioner main body and the remote control side receiving means is set in a reception waiting state. When the operation information is not received, the display means is cut off from energization of the main body side receiving means. The status is displayed.

  According to the present invention, after the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, when the human body is not detected for a predetermined time, the power supply to the main body side receiving means is cut off, while when the human body is detected, the main body side reception is performed. By resuming energization of the means, standby power during operation stop can be reduced.

  Further, even when using a wireless two-way communication remote controller that uses radio frequency (RF) radio waves, which consumes more power than infrared (IR) systems, it is possible to reduce power consumption during operation stop, so-called standby power. It is like that.

  In addition, it has a reception limiting means for releasing the reception waiting state in a predetermined time, and an operation information waiting means for releasing the reception waiting state for a predetermined time when the operation information request signal is transmitted, thereby reducing the power consumption of the remote control. Can be reduced.

  Further, by displaying the remaining time information until the main body side transmission / reception means stops on the remote controller, the standby power is reduced and the convenience for the device operator is improved.

  Also, by counting the remaining time until the main body side transmission / reception means stops by the counting means provided in the remote control, the remote control side transmission / reception means can be turned off, and the power consumption of the remote control can be reduced. Further, when the main body side transmitting / receiving means stops, the device operator can know the state of the air conditioner accurately by displaying on the display unit of the remote controller.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the air conditioner by this invention. It is a control block diagram in the indoor unit of the air conditioner by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st Example of the air conditioner by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd Example of the air conditioner by this invention. It is a control block diagram which shows the control apparatus of the conventional air conditioner.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail as examples based on the attached drawings.

  As shown in the external perspective view of FIG. 1, the air conditioner according to the present invention is provided with an open panel 2 on the front surface of the main body 1 and an air outlet 3 that can be shielded by a vertical wind direction plate 19 at the lower part of the front surface. An upper surface suction port (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1, and the open panel 2 can open and close a front surface suction port provided on the front surface of the main body 1.

  A display unit 5 in which a plurality of LEDs are connected in series is provided on one side of the lower part of the front surface of the main body 1. A signal from the remote controller 32 is received below the display unit 5 and operation information data is received. A main body side transmission / reception means 4 for transmitting to the remote controller 32 is provided. Further, a human detection means 6 for detecting the presence of a human body is provided at the center of the lower part of the front surface of the main body 1.

  For communication with the main body side transmission / reception means 4 and the remote control side transmission / reception means of the remote controller 32 described later, wireless communication using radio waves of high frequency (RF) is used. By using wireless communication, the remote controller 32 can operate the main body without directing the remote control side transmission / reception means to the main body transmission / reception means 4 and is highly convenient. In addition, since it is less susceptible to obstacles than infrared (IR) systems, it can also be operated from other rooms.

  For example, a pyroelectric sensor is used as the human detection means 6. The pyroelectric sensor is a sensor that detects the amount of infrared rays. When a person enters a certain distance from the indoor unit, the pyroelectric sensor detects infrared rays emitted from the human body and sends a detection signal to the indoor unit control unit 12 described later. It is like that.

  Next, a control block diagram of the indoor unit and the remote controller 32 in the air conditioner of the present invention will be described based on FIG. The indoor unit will be described as an indoor unit 8 and the outdoor unit will be described as an outdoor unit 9. The indoor unit 8 is connected to the commercial AC power supply 7 via the commercial AC power supply line 23, and the AC voltage supplied from the commercial AC power supply line 23 is taken into the indoor unit power supply circuit 10 via the power switch 11. Yes. Further, the AC voltage of the commercial AC power supply 7 is supplied to the outdoor unit 9 of the outdoor unit via the power relay 13.

The indoor unit power supply circuit 10 provided in the indoor unit 8 steps down and rectifies the supplied AC voltage,
Power is supplied to the indoor unit control unit 12, which will be described later, the drive circuits 15 to 18, the main body side transmission / reception means 4, the human detection means 6 and the like connected thereto.

  The indoor unit 8 is provided with an indoor unit control unit 12 equipped with a microcomputer, and the indoor unit control unit 12 controls devices described below. Further, the indoor unit 8 is provided with a serial circuit 14, and the indoor unit controller 12 performs data transmission / reception with the outdoor unit 9 via the serial circuit 14, together with an outdoor unit controller (not shown) provided in the outdoor unit 9, The entire air conditioner is controlled.

  The indoor unit 8 is provided with a drive circuit 15 for driving the open panel 2 and the up / down wind direction plate 19 and the left / right wind direction plate 20 provided in the air outlet 3, and the drive circuit 15 is provided with a first opening / closing switch 26. Is connected to the indoor unit power supply circuit 10 by a power line 24 provided with a power supply, and is connected to the indoor unit control unit 12 by a signal line, and the open panel 2 and the vertical wind direction plate are transmitted by a signal sent from the signal line. 19 and the right and left wind direction plates 20 are driven.

  The indoor unit 8 is provided with a drive circuit 16 for driving a fan motor 22 provided in the indoor unit. The drive circuit 16 is connected to a power line 24 connecting the first opening / closing switch 26 and the drive circuit 15 described above. In addition to being connected to the branched power line 28, it is connected to the indoor unit control unit 12 through a signal line.

  The indoor unit 8 is provided with a drive circuit 17 for driving the above-described human detection means 6 and a drive circuit 18 for driving the main body side transmission / reception means 4. The drive circuit 17 is connected to the power supply line 25 branched from the power supply line 24 connecting the indoor unit power supply circuit 10 and the first opening / closing switch 26, and the drive circuit 18 is branched from the power supply line 25 to connect the second opening / closing switch 30. It is connected to the power line 27 provided. As a result, if the indoor unit power supply circuit 10 is in the ON state, the drive circuit 17 that drives the human detection means 6 is always supplied with power via the power supply line 25, but drives the main body side transmission / reception means 4. The driving circuit 18 is configured such that the power supply from the indoor unit power supply circuit 10 is cut off when the second opening / closing switch 30 is opened.

  The first opening / closing switch 26 provided on the power line 24 is, for example, a relay or a semiconductor switch, and is connected to the indoor unit control unit 12 by the signal line 29. Similarly, the second opening / closing switch 30 provided on the power line 27 is The indoor unit control unit 12 is connected to the signal line 31. When a command signal is sent from the indoor unit control unit 12 through the signal line 29 and the signal line 31, the first opening / closing switch 26 and the second opening / closing switch 30 perform an opening / closing operation, respectively.

The remote controller 32 operates the indoor unit by operating the MPU board 32a, remote control side transmission / reception means 32b that performs two-way communication with the indoor unit using radio waves, a display unit 32c that displays operation details, operating time, power consumption, and the like. A key operation unit (KEY) 32d and a timer 32e are provided, and a battery 32f for supplying power to these is provided. The MPU board 32a also includes a reception limiting unit 32g for turning off the remote control side transmission / reception unit 32b for a predetermined time after the operation, and an operation information standby unit 32h for releasing the reception waiting state for a predetermined time.

  Next, operation | movement of the air conditioner of this invention is demonstrated based on the flowchart of FIG. When a stop signal is transmitted from the remote controller 32 to the main body side transmission / reception means 4 during the air conditioning operation or the dehumidifying operation, the indoor unit control unit 12 sends a signal to the signal line 29 to open the first opening / closing switch 26. Then, the operation of the air conditioner is stopped (STEP 1). As a result, the power supply from the indoor unit power supply circuit 10 to the open panel 2 and the vertical wind direction plate 3, the drive circuit 15 that drives the left and right wind direction plate 20, and the drive circuit 16 that drives the fan motor 22 is cut off. Power supply to the outdoor unit 9 is also cut off by the power relay 13.

  Even if the first opening / closing switch 26 is opened, the second opening / closing switch 30 is kept closed. The power supply line is continuously supplied to the drive circuit 17 that drives the human detection means 6 via the power supply line 25 to which the second opening / closing switch 30 is not connected, and the human detection means 6 continues to be indoors even when the operation is stopped. A person also performs detection, and when the second opening / closing switch 30 is in a closed state, power is continuously supplied to the drive circuit 18 that drives the main body side transmitting / receiving means 4 via the power line 27. The main body side transmitting / receiving means 4 is in a receiving state in which a signal from the remote controller 32 can be received.

  The indoor unit control unit 12 is configured to count a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes, which is preset by a built-in timer 12a. When the first opening / closing switch 26 is opened, the timer 12a starts counting. (STEP2).

  The person detecting means 6 continuously detects the presence or absence of a person in the room during the timer count (STEP 3), and when a predetermined time has passed without a person being detected (STEP 3-YES and STEP 4-YES), the indoor unit control unit 12 Sends a signal to the second opening / closing switch 30 via the signal line 31 to open the second opening / closing switch 30.

  When the second opening / closing switch 30 is opened, the power supply to the drive circuit 18 through the power line 27 is cut off, and the main body side transmitting / receiving means 4 stops receiving (STEP 5). On the other hand, the drive circuit 17 continues to be supplied with power from the indoor unit power supply circuit 10 through the power supply line 25, and the person detecting means 6 continuously detects the presence or absence of a person in the room (STEP 6).

  The operation of the air conditioner is stopped by the operation signal of the remote controller 32, and the indoor unit control unit 12 cuts off the power supply to the drive circuit 18 of the main body side transmission / reception means 4 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the stopped state, thereby Since the power consumption in the side transmission / reception means 4 can be cut, so-called standby power can be reduced. When the main body side transmission / reception means 4 can transmit / receive signals or data to / from the remote controller 32 using wireless communication using radio frequency (RF) radio waves, power consumption tends to increase compared to the infrared (IR) system. However, the power supply is limited to the human detection means 6 and the drive circuit 17 by shutting off the power supply to the main body side transmission / reception means 4 and the drive circuit 18 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the operation stop state. The power consumption during the operation stop at the side can be reduced by about 60%.

  When the power supply to the main body side transmission / reception means 4 is cut off (STEP 5) and the human detection means 6 detects a person in a state where the interruption is continued (STEP 6-YES), a detection signal is sent to the indoor unit control unit 12. The indoor unit controller 12 sends a signal to the second opening / closing switch 30 via the signal line 31 and closes the second opening / closing switch 30. As a result, the supply of power to the drive circuit 18 is resumed via the power line 27, and the main body side transmission / reception means 4 returns to the reception state (STEP 7).

  When the equipment operator sends an operation start signal to the main body side transmission / reception means 4 by the remote controller 32 (STEP 8 -YES), the indoor unit control unit 12 sends a signal to the first opening / closing switch 26 via the signal line 29. The first opening / closing switch 26 is closed. Thereby, power is supplied from the indoor unit power supply circuit 10 to the drive circuit 15, the drive circuit 16, and the outdoor unit 9, and the cooling / heating operation is resumed (STEP 9). On the other hand, when the operation start signal is not received (STEP8-NO), the process returns to STEP2.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is intended to reduce the power consumption on the remote control side of the remote controller 32 as well as the main body side in the operation stop state of the air conditioner.
In addition, the code | symbol of an apparatus demonstrates using the code | symbol in Example 1. FIG.

  First, the operation on the remote control side will be described, and then the operation on the main body side will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. After the operation stop signal is transmitted from the remote controller 32 to the main body side (STEP 20), if the operation information transmitted from the main body side is received (STEP 21-YES), the remote controller 32 displays the operation state on the provided display unit 32c. (Stopped state) is displayed (STEP 22). If the transmission / reception state is bad and operation information data cannot be received (STEP 21-NO), an error display (STEP 23) is performed and the process returns to STEP 20.

  As described above, the MPU board 32a of the remote controller 32 has the reception limiting means 32g for turning off the remote control side transmission / reception means 32b for a predetermined time after the operation. The reception limiting means 32g is connected to the display unit 32c by the remote controller 32. After the operation information is displayed, the power of the remote control side transmission / reception means 32b that performs transmission / reception with the main body side is turned off (STEP 24). Further, when the power of the remote control side transmission / reception means 32b is turned off, the timer 32e starts counting. When the predetermined time T1 has elapsed after the start of counting (STEP 25), the power supply of the remote control side transmission / reception means 32b is turned on again (STEP 26). ), An inquiry about the current driving situation is transmitted to the main body (STEP 27). As the above-described predetermined time T1, for example, a time that is the same as or shorter than a predetermined time T2 described later is set in advance. By setting in this way, before the function of the main body side transmission / reception means 4 is stopped (STEP 50), an inquiry about the current operation status can be transmitted to the main body side (STEP 27).

  When the remaining time data until the main body side transmission / reception means 4 to be described later is transmitted from the main body side and the remote controller 32 receives the remaining time data (STEP 28-YES), the remote controller 32 supplies power to the remote control side transmission / reception means 32b. Is turned off (STEP 29), and the remaining time until the main body side transmission / reception means 4 is stopped is displayed on the display unit 32c (STEP 30). If the remaining time data is not received (STEP 28-NO), the process returns to STEP 24 and the power source of the remote control side transmitting / receiving means 32b is turned off again. As described above, the operation information waiting unit 32h provided in the MPU board 32a responds to the inquiry of the operation status to the main body side (STEP 27), regardless of whether there is a reply from the main body side (STEP 28). It has a function of releasing the power supply 32b in a certain time.

  The remote controller 32 displays the remaining time until the main body side transmission / reception means 4 is stopped on the display unit 32c, and counts the remaining time by the built-in timer 32e (STEP 31). The fact that the side transmission / reception means 4 has been stopped is displayed (STEP 32).

  As a result, even if the device operator leaves the room where the main body is installed and is in the next room, for example, if the remote controller 32 is carried, the main body side until the main body side transmitting / receiving means 4 stops. When the timer is being counted, the remaining time until the main body side transmission / reception means 4 stops can be known on the display unit 32c of the remote controller 32. Further, when the timer 32e has finished counting up, it can be known that the main body side transmission / reception means 4 is stopped, and the usability is improved. Further, as described above, the power consumption of the remote controller 32 can be reduced by turning ON / OFF the remote control side transmission / reception means 32b that consumes a large amount of power only when transmitting / receiving to / from the main body, and turning OFF the others. ing. As described above, the power source of the remote-control-side transmission / reception means 32b with high power consumption is turned on and off as necessary to reduce power consumption and perform energy saving operation.

  Next, the operation on the main body side will be described. When receiving the operation stop operation signal from the remote controller 32 (STEP 40), the main body side stops the operation (STEP 41). Subsequently, the operation information (stop information) data is transmitted to the remote controller 32 (STEP 42). Even when the main body is stopped, the human detection means 6 continues to detect the presence or absence of a person in the room (STEP 43). If the equipment operator leaves the room and the person in the room where the air conditioner is installed, Is no longer detected, the indoor unit controller 12 on the main body side starts the built-in timer 12a (STEP 44).

  If there is an inquiry in STEP 27 of the remote controller 32 during the timer count (STEP 45-YES), the main body side has the remaining time for a preset predetermined time T2, for example, 30 minutes, until the main body side transmitting / receiving means 4 stops. And the calculated remaining time data is transmitted to the remote controller 32 (STEP 46). On the other hand, if no inquiry has been received (STEP 45-NO), the process jumps to STEP 47 to be described later.

  Subsequently, the main body side determines whether or not the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, and if the predetermined time T2 has not elapsed (STEP 47-NO), the person detection means 6 again detects the presence or absence of a person in the room. . If the equipment operator enters the room again and it is detected that there is a person in the room (STEP 48-YES), the indoor unit control unit 12 stops the count of the timer 12a (STEP 49) and returns to STEP 43. Yes. On the other hand, when it is not detected that there is a person in the room (STEP 48-NO), the process returns to STEP 45.

  When the apparatus operator does not enter the room again and the predetermined time T2 has passed without any person being detected in the room (STEP 47-YES), the indoor unit control unit 12 cuts off the energization to the main body side transmission / reception means 4, and The function of the side transmission / reception means 4 is stopped (STEP 50). Thereby, the power consumption in the operation stop state on the main body side can be reduced.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the power consumption of the remote controller 32 can be reduced by turning ON / OFF the remote control side transmitting / receiving means 32b as necessary. Further, by displaying the remaining time information until the main body side transmission / reception means 4 stops on the display unit 32c, even if the device operator is in the next room, the remaining time until the main body side transmission / reception means 4 stops. Can know. Further, it is possible to know that the main body side transmission / reception means 4 is stopped after the remaining time has elapsed, so that the usability is improved. Even on the main body side, when no person is detected, standby power can be reduced by turning off the main body side transmitting / receiving means 4 after a predetermined time.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Open panel 3 Outlet 4 Main body side transmission / reception means 5 Display part 6 Person detection means 7 Commercial AC power supply 8 Indoor unit 9 Outdoor unit 10 Indoor unit power supply circuit 11 Power switch 12 Indoor unit control part 13 Power relay 14 Serial circuit 15 ~ 18 Drive circuit
19 Vertical wind direction plate 20 Left and right wind direction plate 22 Fan motor 24, 25 Power supply line 26 First open / close switch 27, 28 Power supply line 29 Signal line 30 Second open / close switch 31 Signal line 32 Remote controller

Claims (5)

It consists of an air conditioner body and a remote control for operating the air conditioner body.
The remote control includes a remote control side transmission unit that transmits an operation signal to the air conditioner body, and the air conditioner body includes a body side reception unit that receives an operation signal from the remote control and detects the presence or absence of a person. An air conditioner equipped with human detection means,
The air conditioner main body cuts off power to the main body side receiving means when a person is not detected for a predetermined time during operation stop, while the main body side reception is detected when a human is detected after being cut off. An air conditioner characterized by resuming energization of the means.   The air conditioner main body includes main body side transmission means for transmitting operation information to the remote control, and the remote control includes remote control side reception means for receiving operation information transmitted from the air conditioner main body, and received operation. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying information.   The remote control, when transmitting an operation signal from the remote control side transmission means, puts the remote control side reception means into a reception waiting state and releases the reception waiting state within a predetermined time; and the air conditioner The remote control side receiving means is placed in a reception waiting state when a request signal for requesting driving information is transmitted to the main body, and further comprises an operation information waiting means for releasing the reception waiting state in a predetermined time. Item 3. An air conditioner according to Item 2.   The said remote control displays the said remaining time information on the said display means, when the remaining time information until it cuts off electricity with respect to the said main body side receiving means is received from the said air conditioner main body. Or the air conditioner of 3. The remote controller includes counting means for counting the remaining time after receiving the remaining time information until the energization to the main body side receiving means is cut off, and after the remaining time has elapsed, the air conditioning from the remote controller A request signal for requesting operation information is transmitted to the main body of the machine, and the remote control side receiving means is set in a reception waiting state. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the air conditioner is displayed.

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