JP2014009932A - Air conditioner and control method of air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner that is fitted to a season and a region, and can perform automatic operation giving a sensibly comfortable air environment.SOLUTION: An air conditioner includes: a temperature sensors 120, 130 for measuring an environment condition to obtain environment information; a region input unit 101 for inputting a region where the air conditioner is installed; a calendar information specification unit 102 for specifying calendar information to which a present data belongs; an automatic operation information generation unit 106 for generating automatic operation information to be information indicating the operation pattern of automatic operation, on the basis of the environment information, the region and the calendar information; and a drive control unit 107 for performing control of air-conditioning operation on the basis of the automatic operation information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioner control method, and more particularly to an air conditioner that performs automatic operation and an air conditioner control method.

  Conventionally, in automatic operation of air conditioners including air conditioning, outdoor air temperature (outside air temperature) and room temperature are measured, adapted to multiple temperature zones, operation mode selection and target temperature setting are performed. Yes. For this reason, a control method has been proposed in which air conditioning is selected in the middle of the season, the set temperature is optimized, and the like.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-79679 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) can change the operation mode depending on the room temperature and the outside temperature in an intermediate month, which is the turn of the season, as control according to the calendar. An air conditioner having a table is proposed, and JP 2009-92322 A (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2) makes it possible to determine the season according to the month as the control according to the calendar, and to operate according to the calendar. We have proposed an air conditioner that takes into account the temperature difference between the seasons by controlling the mode and set temperature.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-185785 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 3) has a calendar means for detecting the date and a clock means for detecting the time, and estimates the season from the calendar means. And a control device that calculates a reference temperature and performs correction based on the outside air temperature.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-2222019 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 4) stores a geographical range previously divided according to climate as a control according to a region, and uses a sensor such as a GPS (Global Positioning System). A control device for an automobile air conditioner that performs optimal operation using a target value that is variable in accordance with a specified current area is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-79677 JP 2009-93222 A JP-A-6-185785 JP-A-11-2222019 JP 2010-261610 A

  However, the sensation of heat and cold is due to bodily sensations and varies from person to person. It also varies depending on the season and region. Therefore, as in the above-mentioned patent document, the selection of the optimum operation mode and the selection of the set temperature may not be realized based on only one of the calendar and the region.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and it is possible to select an optimal operation mode and a more detailed setting temperature according to the season and the region, which are physically comfortable. It aims at providing the control method of the air conditioner which can perform an automatic driving | operation, and an air conditioner.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner measures the environmental conditions and obtains environmental information, and specifies the area where the air conditioner is installed. Based on the area specifying means, the calendar information specifying means for specifying the calendar information to which the current date and time belong, and the environment information, the area, and the calendar information, automatic driving information that is information representing an automatic driving pattern is generated. And generating means for controlling, and control means for controlling the air conditioning operation based on the automatic operation information.

  Preferably, the air conditioner has an air condition schedule storage unit for storing an air condition schedule that is information defining a correction value for each period according to a region, and an air condition schedule based on the region and calendar information. Correction value specifying means for specifying a corresponding correction value, and the generating means includes first correction means for correcting a predetermined operation pattern using the correction value.

  More preferably, the air conditioner has a first reference schedule storage means for storing a first reference schedule which is information defining an operation pattern for each environmental condition, and a first reference schedule based on the environmental information. First operation pattern specifying means for specifying the operation pattern is further provided, and the first correction means corrects the operation pattern specified by the first reference schedule using the correction value.

  More preferably, the air conditioner operates from the second reference schedule based on the calendar information and second reference schedule storage means for storing a second reference schedule which is information defining an operation pattern for each period. Second operation pattern specifying means for specifying a pattern is further provided, and the first correction means corrects the operation pattern specified by the second reference schedule using the correction value.

  Preferably, the driving pattern defines the driving mode and its parameters for each environmental condition, and the control means controls the driving mode according to the environmental information obtained by the measuring unit based on the driving pattern specified by the automatic driving information and its Control the air-conditioning operation by specifying the parameters.

  Preferably, the air conditioner further includes an input unit for receiving input of information for specifying an area where the air conditioner is installed.

  Preferably, the air conditioner is executing an air-conditioning operation based on input means for receiving an instruction to change an air-conditioning operation parameter from a user and automatic operation information, and is specified based on calendar information. In addition, when an instruction is received by the input means, a second correction means for correcting a parameter defined by the driving pattern defined by the automatic driving information based on the instruction is further provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner control method is a control method for causing an air conditioner to perform automatic operation, and measures environmental conditions at a position where the air conditioner is installed to measure the environment. The step of obtaining information, the step of specifying the region where the air conditioner is installed, the step of specifying the calendar information to which the current date and time belong, and the driving pattern of automatic driving based on the environmental information, the region, and the calendar information A step of generating automatic operation information, which is information to be expressed, and a step of executing air conditioning operation based on the automatic operation information.

  According to the present invention, in an air conditioner, it is possible to perform an automatic operation that allows the selection of an optimal operation mode and a more finely selected set temperature that are sensuously comfortable according to the season and region. .

It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the apparatus structure of the air conditioner (henceforth an air conditioner) concerning embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of a function structure of an air conditioner. It is a figure which shows the specific example of an air-conditioning schedule. It is a figure which shows the specific example (A) of a 1st reference | standard schedule, and the specific example (B) of a 2nd reference | standard schedule. It is a flowchart showing the flow of the automatic driving | operation operation | movement with an air conditioner.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same.

<Device configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a device configuration of an air conditioner (hereinafter, air conditioner) 100 according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 170 including a compressor and a fan, a louver unit 110 for blowing air for cooling and heating, and an indoor temperature sensor 120 for measuring a room temperature. An outside temperature sensor 130 for measuring the temperature of the outside air, an input device 140 for receiving an instruction input such as a remote control signal and button operation, a control unit 150 for controlling the entire device, and an outdoor unit 170 And an outdoor unit communication unit 160 for controlling the outdoor unit 170 and exchanging information of the outdoor unit 170.

  The control unit 150 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a memory 11 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a time measuring unit 12 for specifying the date and time.

<Overview of operation>
In the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment, automatic operation is performed based on the region to which the air conditioner 100 is located, the period (calendar) to which the operation time belongs, and the measured environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.). .

  Automatic operation refers to an operation mode (cooling operation, heating operation, etc.) prescribed in advance for each section of environmental conditions and an air conditioning operation according to its parameters (temperature, humidity, air volume, etc.). When the parameter is changed according to the passage of time, the change or the like is referred to as an operation pattern. In the following description, information indicating the operation pattern in the automatic operation is referred to as automatic operation information.

  In the following description, the room temperature and / or the outside air temperature are used as the photosensitive conditions, but other conditions such as humidity and atmospheric pressure, or a combination thereof may be used in addition to the temperature. Therefore, the indoor temperature sensor 120 and the outside temperature sensor 130 described above represent means for measuring temperature as an example of means for measuring environmental conditions. However, when other environmental conditions are used, other means are used. Provided.

  In the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment, an operation pattern set based on temperature information that is room temperature and / or outside air temperature or an operation pattern set based on calendar information is used as an operation pattern for automatic operation. A driving pattern stored in advance may be used. In the following description, information defining an operation pattern for each temperature information is referred to as a first reference schedule, and information defining an operation pattern for each period is referred to as a second reference schedule.

  Furthermore, in the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment, the operation pattern specified from the first reference schedule based on the temperature information or the operation pattern specified from the second reference schedule based on the calendar information is set for each region in advance. The automatic operation information is generated by correcting using the correction value for each period. In the following description, information defining a correction value for each period according to a region is referred to as an air conditioning (air conditioning) schedule.

Then, automatic driving is performed based on the generated automatic driving information.
<Functional configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration of the air conditioner 100 for performing the above-described automatic operation. Each function in FIG. 2 is mainly formed on the CPU 10 when the CPU 10 of the air conditioner 100 reads and executes a program stored in the memory 11, but at least a part thereof is based on the hardware configuration in FIG. 1. It may be realized.

  Referring to FIG. 2, in memory 11, an air conditioning schedule storage unit 111 that is a storage area for storing the above-described air conditioning schedule and a first reference schedule storage that is a storage area for storing a first reference schedule are stored. And a second reference schedule storage unit 113 which is a storage area for storing the second reference schedule.

  Further, referring to FIG. 2, CPU 10 accepts input of area specifying information such as a postal code, telephone number, address, latitude and longitude based on an input signal (remote control signal, button signal, etc.) from input device 140. Area input unit 101, calendar information specifying unit 102 for specifying calendar information from information indicating the current date and time input from timekeeping unit 12, and input of temperature from indoor temperature sensor 120 and / or outside air temperature as environmental conditions A temperature input unit 103 for inputting temperature information by receiving temperature input from the sensor 130, an air conditioning schedule specifying unit 104 for specifying a correction value from the air conditioning schedule based on the region and calendar information, and a temperature Specify driving pattern from the first reference schedule based on information, or drive from the second reference schedule based on calendar information To perform automatic driving by controlling the driving of the louver unit 110 based on the automatic driving information generating unit 106, the automatic driving information generating unit 106 for generating automatic driving information, and the reference schedule specifying unit 105 for specifying the turn. Drive control unit 107.

  The automatic operation information generation unit 106 further includes a correction unit 1061 for correcting the specified operation pattern or a previously stored operation pattern using the correction value specified from the air conditioning schedule. The automatic driving information generating unit 106 generates automatic driving information by correcting the specified driving pattern or the driving pattern stored in advance using the correction value specified from the air conditioning schedule.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an air conditioning schedule.
The air conditioning schedule specifies correction values for parameters such as temperature and humidity for one year for each region. In the example of FIG. 3, for each region A, B, and C, temperature correction values for each calendar information Is stipulated. Therefore, when the area where the air conditioner 100 is installed and the period (calendar information) to which the operation date belongs are specified, the correction value is specified from the air conditioning schedule of FIG.

  4A shows a specific example of the first reference schedule, and FIG. 4B shows a specific example of the second reference schedule.

  The first reference schedule is information that defines an operation pattern of automatic operation for each temperature. In the example of FIG. 4A, a pattern is defined for each temperature range. The second reference schedule is information that defines a driving pattern for each season represented by calendar information for automatic driving. In the example of FIG. 4B, a pattern is defined for each period.

  Note that the reference schedule is not limited to the examples of FIGS. 4A and 4B, and may be a combination thereof. That is, an operation pattern may be defined for each temperature and period, and further, an operation pattern may be defined in accordance with parameters such as user preference, room size, room orientation, and sunlight. In this case, the corresponding driving pattern can be specified by receiving input of these parameters in the input device 140.

<Operation flow>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the automatic driving operation in the air conditioner 100. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is an operation that is started when an instruction to start automatic driving is given. The CPU 10 of the air conditioner 100 reads out and executes a program stored in the memory 11. It is realized by demonstrating the function.

  Referring to FIG. 5, when an instruction to start automatic driving is given, CPU 10 reads out area information in step S101. The area information may be received from the input device 140 at this timing, or may be received in advance and stored in a predetermined area of the memory 11. In addition, when a GPS (Global Positioning System) function (not shown) is provided, it may automatically acquire its own position and specify a region from the position, or communicate with other devices such as a mobile phone. You may make it acquire regional information.

  In step S103, the CPU 10 specifies calendar information. Here, the calendar information may be specified based on a signal representing the current date and time from the time measuring unit 12, or the calendar information is received by receiving input from the input device 140 or communicating with another device such as a mobile phone. You may make it acquire.

  In step S <b> 105, the CPU 10 acquires the room temperature based on the sensor signal from the room temperature sensor 120 and / or the outside air temperature based on the sensor signal from the outside air temperature sensor 130.

  In step S107, the CPU 10 reads out the air conditioning schedule set in the area obtained in step S101, and in step S109, the CPU 10 sets a correction value specified for the period specified by the calendar information obtained in step S103. Identify.

  In step S111, the CPU 10 reads an operation pattern from the reference schedule. Here, as an example, an operation pattern corresponding to the temperature information obtained in step S105 may be read from the first reference schedule, and as another example, specified from the calendar information in step S103 from the second reference schedule. The operation pattern corresponding to the period to be read may be read out. As another example, an operation pattern stored in advance may be read.

  In step S113, the CPU 10 corrects the driving pattern read in step S111 using the correction value specified in step S109, thereby generating automatic driving information.

  In step S115, the CPU 10 controls to perform automatic driving based on the automatic driving information generated by the above processing.

<Effect of Embodiment>
By generating the automatic driving information by the above processing, the air conditioner 100 can perform automatic driving according to the region and the calendar. That is, by using the above-described air conditioning schedule, it is possible to adopt a different correction width for each region in consideration of a difference in seasonal change depending on the region. Therefore, it is possible to realize correction of parameters according to the season and region, and it is possible to select an optimal operation mode and to set parameters more finely. This makes it possible to realize air adjustment that is comfortable in terms of experience.

<Modification>
Note that the automatic driving information generated as described above may be further corrected according to the user's preference. If the correction of the driving pattern specified from the second reference schedule when generating the automatic driving information is the first correction, the correction according to the user preference of the generated automatic driving information is the second correction. Applicable.

  That is, when detecting that the user has changed the room temperature during the automatic driving based on the automatic driving information generated as described above, the CPU 10 changes the parameter indicated in the automatic driving information in the direction in which the user has changed. Is corrected by a predetermined value equal to or less than the changed amount. For example, a ratio of the amount of change to the amount changed by the user is defined in advance, and may be calculated based on the ratio. More preferably, the period for correcting the automatic driving information is limited to a specific period based on the calendar information. By doing in this way, a user's preference can be reflected, maintaining the finer parameter setting characteristic.

  For example, when the user raises the room temperature by 2 ° C. during automatic driving, the correction of the automatic driving information is raised by 2 ° C., and if the correction period is indefinite, the correction value is compared with the parameter setting according to the season and region. Tends to be large, and the automatic driving information tends to be messy. As a result, fine parameter setting characteristics are lost. Therefore, even if the user changes the room temperature by 2 ° C., the CPU 10 sets the correction amount to an amount smaller than the amount instructed by the user, such as 0.5 ° C., and the correction period is limited to the period specified by the calendar information. To do. By doing in this way, the automatic driving | running which reflected user preference more gently is attained.

  Needless to say, when the user further changes the room temperature or the like after correcting the parameters of the automatic driving information based on the above-described user operation, the CPU 10 corrects the automatic driving information again based on the user operation. Also good. By doing in this way, it is possible to gradually realize a comfortable air adjustment according to the user's preference.

  In this example, the parameter to be corrected according to the user's operation is room temperature, but may be air volume, humidity, or a combination thereof.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  10 CPU, 11 Memory, 12 Timekeeping unit, 100 Air conditioner, 101 Regional input unit, 102 Calendar information specifying unit, 103 Temperature input unit, 104 Air conditioning schedule specifying unit, 105 Reference schedule specifying unit, 106 Automatic operation information generating unit, 107 Drive Control unit, 110 louver unit, 111 air conditioning schedule storage unit, 112 first reference schedule storage unit, 113 second reference schedule storage unit, 120 indoor temperature sensor, 130 outdoor temperature sensor, 140 input device, 150 control unit, 160 outdoor unit Communication unit, 170 outdoor unit, 1061 correction unit.

Claims (8)

Measuring means for measuring environmental conditions and obtaining environmental information;
Area identification means for identifying the area where the air conditioner is installed;
Calendar information specifying means for specifying the calendar information to which the current date belongs,
Based on the environment information, the region, and the calendar information, generating means for generating automatic driving information that is information representing a driving pattern of automatic driving;
And an air conditioner comprising control means for controlling the air-conditioning operation based on the automatic operation information. An air conditioning schedule storage means for storing an air conditioning schedule which is information defining a correction value for each period according to the area;
A correction value specifying means for specifying a correction value corresponding to the air conditioning schedule based on the area and the calendar information;
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit includes a first correction unit for correcting a predetermined operation pattern using the correction value. A first reference schedule storage means for storing a first reference schedule which is information defining an operation pattern for each environmental condition;
A first driving pattern specifying means for specifying a driving pattern from the first reference schedule based on the environmental information;
The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the first correction unit corrects an operation pattern specified by the first reference schedule using the correction value. A second reference schedule storage means for storing a second reference schedule which is information defining a driving pattern for each period;
A second driving pattern specifying means for specifying a driving pattern from the second reference schedule based on the calendar information;
The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the first correction unit corrects the operation pattern specified by the second reference schedule using the correction value. The driving pattern defines driving modes and parameters for each environmental condition,
The control means controls an air-conditioning operation by specifying an operation form and its parameters according to the environmental information obtained by the measurement means based on an operation pattern defined by the automatic operation information. The air conditioner in any one of -4.   The air conditioner in any one of Claims 1-5 further provided with the input means for receiving the input of the information for pinpointing the area in which the said air conditioner was installed. Input means for receiving an instruction to change the parameters of the air conditioning operation from the user;
If the instruction is received by the input means within a predetermined period specified based on the calendar information while the air-conditioning operation based on the automatic driving information is being performed, the automatic driving information is defined based on the instruction. The air conditioner in any one of Claims 1-6 further provided with the 2nd correction | amendment means for correct | amending the parameter which the driving | running pattern prescribed | regulated. A control method for causing an air conditioner to perform automatic operation,
Measuring environmental conditions at a position where the air conditioner is installed to obtain environmental information;
Identifying an area where the air conditioner is installed;
Identifying the calendar information to which the current date belongs,
Generating automatic driving information, which is information representing a driving pattern of automatic driving, based on the environmental information, the region, and the calendar information;
And a step of executing an air-conditioning operation based on the automatic operation information.

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