JP2016023846A - Outdoor equipment of air conditioner and air conditioner using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide outdoor equipment of an air conditioner which prevents a visual field of a camera or a sensor from being obscured by snow or dew without separately installing a heater in a camera case.SOLUTION: Outdoor equipment of an air conditioner includes: an outdoor heat exchanger; an outdoor fan; a compressor; an electric component; and an imaging unit having imaging means for capturing images of an outdoor space. The imaging unit is positioned at the front surface side of the electric component and the imaging unit is in contact with the electric component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner and an air conditioner using the same.

  Air conditioners that detect people in the room where the indoor unit is installed, temperature distribution, etc., and reflect the detection results in the air conditioning control are known, using an example using a radiation temperature sensor and a CCD camera There are examples.

  When detecting indoor occupants and temperature distribution, the camera is installed in the indoor unit, and it is unlikely that snow, frost, ice, etc. will enter the room. Absent.

  On the other hand, when a camera is installed outside the room, shooting of the camera may be blocked by snow or the like.

  In Patent Document 1, in order to prevent interference with camera shooting due to the growth of snow or the like attached to the periphery of the camera shooting window of the camera case for the outdoor surveillance camera, the periphery of the camera shooting window is covered with a waterproof heater. It is described that, by using the heat generation, it is possible to take a picture without obstructing the field of view taken by the camera.

JP 2003-209723 A

  However, the camera case described in Patent Document 1 must be provided with a separate heater, which increases the manufacturing cost, and is less reliable because the heater is used.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the outdoor unit of the air conditioner which prevents that the visual field of an imaging means is interrupted more safely.

  The present invention includes a plurality of means for solving the above problems. For example, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, a compressor, an electrical component, and an imaging means for photographing the outdoors are included. The imaging unit is located on the front side of the electrical component, and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner in contact with the imaging unit and the electrical component is used as means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner which prevents that the visual field of an imaging means is interrupted more safely can be provided.

1 is a cycle configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is an external view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the schematic of the outdoor unit and camera unit of the air conditioner which concern on Example 1. FIG. It is the schematic of the camera unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is the schematic of the outdoor unit and camera unit of the air conditioner which concern on Example 2. FIG. It is an external unit external view of the air conditioner which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is the schematic of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Example 3, a camera unit, and a hood.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the common part in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a cycle configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to the present embodiment. The air conditioner includes an indoor heat exchanger 1, an outdoor heat exchanger 2, a compressor 3, an expansion valve 4, a four-way valve 5, an indoor air fan 6, and an outdoor air fan 7. The compressor 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 2, the outdoor blower fan (propeller fan) 7, and the expansion valve 4 are arranged in the outdoor unit 9 (see FIG. 2), and the indoor heat exchanger 1 and the indoor blower fan 6 are indoor units (see FIG. 2). (Not shown).

  During the cooling operation, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 2 through the four-way valve 5. The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 2 is condensed and becomes liquid refrigerant by exchanging heat with outdoor air sent by the outdoor blower fan 7. The liquid refrigerant passes through the expansion valve 4 to become a low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 1. The low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor heat exchanger 1 exchanges heat with the indoor air sent by the indoor fan 6. At this time, the indoor air sent to the indoor heat exchanger 1 is cooled by the low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor heat exchanger 1, and is discharged into the room from the outlet (not shown). Since the air discharged into the room from the air outlet (not shown) is lower than the temperature of the air at the air inlet (not shown), the room temperature can be lowered. The refrigerant heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 1 returns to the compressor 3 through the four-way valve 5 again.

  During the heating operation, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 1 through the four-way valve 5. Then, it passes through the four-way valve 5 and the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and returns to the compressor 3 through the four-way valve 5.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the outdoor unit and camera unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the imaging unit 8, the outdoor unit 9 of the air conditioner, and the outdoor unit electrical equipment 19 from above.

  The space in the outdoor unit 9 is divided into a compressor chamber 9a in which the compressor 3 is installed and a blower chamber 9b in which the outdoor blower fan 7 is installed, with the partition plate 20 interposed therebetween. The electrical component 19 is installed between the compressor 3 and the upper lid 10a at a position straddling the compressor chamber 9a and the blower chamber 9b. Further, the electrical component 19 is located above the partition plate 20 and is supported by the partition plate 20.

  The outdoor air is sucked from the back side of the outdoor unit 9 by the outdoor blower fan 7, passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 2, and then blown out from the front side (front panel 10b) of the outdoor unit 9. Therefore, when there is snow on the front side of the outdoor unit 9 (particularly, the front side of the outdoor fan 7), it is difficult to blow out the wind from the outdoor unit 9, and the outdoor heat exchanger 2 cannot exchange heat between the refrigerant and the outdoor air. There is a fear.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 9 includes an imaging unit 8 that captures an image used to determine whether there is snow, and the imaging unit 8 captures an image of the front direction of the outdoor unit 9. Means 11 are provided. Since the viewing angle of the image pickup unit 11 is wide, the image pickup unit 11 can directly sense the snow cover state on the front surface of the outdoor blower fan 7 in addition to the snow cover state on the front surface of the image pickup unit 11.

  For example, when snow is confirmed by the imaging unit 11, the sensed data can notify a snow cover state to a smartphone (not shown) via an indoor unit (not shown) or an e-mail. Further, it is possible to perform control to increase the number of rotations of the outdoor blower fan 7 to blow snow and prevent snow accumulation.

  When a camera is used for the image pickup means 11, snow is detected based on a difference between images before and after snow accumulation. When an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor is used, the difference between the transmission / reception time difference and the signal intensity indicates the front of the outdoor unit. Detect snow cover. Thereby, it becomes easy to detect the height of the snow piled in front of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. By detecting the height of the snow, it is possible to determine whether or not there is snow that causes a problem in heat exchange in the heat exchanger 2 of the outdoor unit 9, and control is performed accordingly. In this embodiment, a camera unit is used as the image pickup unit 8 and a camera is used as the image pickup means 11. However, a sensor unit and a sensor may be used instead of the camera unit and camera.

  Here, when detecting indoor occupants, temperature distribution, etc., the camera is installed in the indoor unit, and it is unlikely that snow, frost, ice, etc. will enter the room. It will never be done.

  However, when the imaging unit 8 is installed in the outdoor unit 9, depending on the outdoor environment, the window 13 of the imaging unit 8 may be blocked by outdoor snow or the like, and the imaging unit 11 of the imaging unit 8 may not be able to capture the outdoors. .

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the imaging unit 8 is provided in the compressor chamber 9a. That is, the outdoor unit 9 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes an outdoor heat exchanger 2, an outdoor blower fan 7, a compressor 3, an image pickup unit 8 having an image pickup means 11 for photographing the outdoors, and a compressor. 3 and a partition plate 20 positioned between the outdoor fan 7 and the imaging unit 8 is positioned closer to the compressor 3 than the partition plate 20.

  The compressor chamber 9a is heated by the heat of the compressor 3 as compared with the blower chamber 9b. Therefore, by providing the image pickup unit 8 in the compressor chamber 9a, the image pickup unit 8 (window 13 or the like) can be warmed, and evaporation of snow or the like can be promoted. In addition, the compressor chamber 9a has a relatively high hermeticity as compared with the blower chamber 9b, and rainwater or the like does not easily enter the compression chamber 9a, so that it is possible to prevent water from entering the imaging unit 8.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the heat inside the electrical component 19 is transmitted to the imaging unit 8. That is, the imaging unit 8 is located on the front side of the electrical component 19, and the imaging unit 8 and the electrical component 19 are in contact with each other.

  The electrical component 19 includes an IPM 22 and a diode bridge 23. The IPM 22 and the diode bridge 23 release a large amount of heat during operation. According to the present embodiment, heat generated in the electrical component 19 can be transmitted to the imaging unit 8 through the case of the electrical component 19 and the case of the imaging unit 8 due to thermal equilibrium. The window 13 of the imaging unit 8 is warmed by the heat of the electrical component 19, and evaporation of snow or the like can be promoted. Further, since the waste heat also passes through the imaging unit 11 in the case 14, the imaging unit 11 can be prevented from freezing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the front hole 21 of the electrical component 19 and the back hole 15 of the imaging unit 8 are connected so that the air in the electrical component 19 is transmitted to the imaging unit 8 side. That is, the imaging unit 18 has a back hole 15 on the back, the electrical component 19 has a front hole 21 on the front, the imaging unit 8 is located on the front side of the electrical component 19, The front hole 21 of the electrical component 19 is connected.

  According to the present embodiment, the heat generated in the electrical component 9 is sent to the imaging unit 8 through the front hole 21 and the rear hole 15 of the electrical component 9 due to thermal equilibrium, and the window 13 of the imaging unit 8 is warmed and snowed. Or evaporation such as dew can be promoted. Further, since the waste heat also passes through the imaging unit 11 in the case 14, the imaging unit 11 can be prevented from freezing.

  Next, the arrangement of the imaging unit 8 in the outdoor unit 9 will be described.

  In this embodiment, the image pickup means 11 is positioned so as to enter the inside of the outdoor unit 9. That is, the front panel 10b is provided with a cavity, and the imaging unit 8 is provided between the front panel 10b and the electrical component 19 at a position facing the cavity. According to such a structure, the upper lid 10a protrudes to the front of the imaging unit 8, and the upper lid 10a can be used as a hood that protects the camera window from rain, snow, and the like. This structure saves parts because there is no need to prepare the hood as an additional part. Moreover, since the width | variety in the depth direction of the outdoor unit 9 is not increased, the installation freedom degree of the outdoor unit 9 is not reduced. In this embodiment, the front panel 10b has a cavity. However, the upper end of the front panel 10b is partly cut, a gap is provided between the upper lid 10a and the front panel 10b, and the imaging unit 8 is located at a position corresponding to the gap. May be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 8 is supported by the front panel 10 b and the electrical equipment 19. That is, the outdoor unit 9 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the imaging unit 8 is positioned in the housing of the outdoor unit 9 and the imaging unit 8 is supported by at least the front panel 10 b and the electrical component 19. According to such a structure, it is not necessary to separately provide a member that supports the imaging unit 8, and an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

  The imaging unit 8 is installed between the compressor 3 and the upper lid 10a. That is, the imaging unit 8 is installed at a high position of the outdoor unit 9. If the imaging unit 8 is installed at a low position in the outdoor unit 9, the entire field of view of the imaging unit 11 of the imaging unit 8 is blocked as soon as snow begins to accumulate. In this embodiment, since the imaging unit 8 is installed at a high position in the outdoor unit 9, it is possible to prevent the entire field of view of the imaging unit 11 of the imaging unit 8 from being blocked at the beginning of snow accumulation.

  Furthermore, the imaging unit 8 is installed in the front upper part of the outdoor unit 9 of an air conditioner. Specifically, the imaging unit 8 is in contact with the upper surface (upper cover 10a) of the outdoor unit 9. According to such a configuration, the housing upper surface (upper lid 10a) serves as a hood, and rain and the like can be prevented from entering the imaging unit 8.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an imaging unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. The imaging unit 8 includes a case 14 and an imaging unit 11 inside the case 14. The case 14 is made of metal or resin. In the present embodiment, a camera is used as the imaging unit 11, but an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor may be used instead of the camera.

  The case 14 has a shape in which a surface on the front panel 10b side is opened, and a window 13 is provided on the surface on the front panel 10b side (the shooting direction of the imaging unit 11). The window 13 is made of a material having high permeability and heat conductivity such as glass or resin. By providing the window 13 in the case 14, it is possible to prevent snow and the like from entering the case 14 while securing the field of view of the imaging unit 11. The size of the window 13 is such that the case 14 does not block the viewing angle of the imaging means 11.

  The case 14 is provided with a back hole 15 on the surface opposite to the front panel 10b. In the present embodiment, a wiring 17 is installed so as to pass through the rear side ventilation path 15, and electricity is supplied from the electrical component 19 to the imaging means 11 through the wiring 17.

  The imaging unit 11 is installed near the front surface of the case 14, and the transmission / reception unit 18 of the lens of the imaging unit 11 is installed toward the front panel 10 b of the outdoor unit 9, so that the field of view of the imaging unit 11 is blocked by the case 14. I'm trying not to get it.

  The imaging means 11 is installed on the bottom surface of the case 14 via the support portion 12 so that the imaging means 11 is not directly installed on the bottom surface of the case 14. That is, the case 14 of the imaging unit 11 is in contact with the bottom surface of the imaging unit 8 via the support portion 12. With such a structure, even if water enters the case 14, it is possible to prevent the imaging unit 11 from being immersed in water. Further, as another effect of installing the imaging unit 11 at a position away from the bottom surface of the case 14, a downward viewing angle of the imaging unit 11 can be secured, and the height of the imaging unit 11 is secured. Therefore, the viewing angle can be secured even if the window 13 is not close enough to be adjacent.

  The case 14 has a bottom surface hole 16 on the bottom surface side of the outdoor unit 9, and even if the case 14 of the imaging unit 8 is submerged, the case 14 is drained from the bottom surface hole 16 before the imaging means 11 is submerged. I can do it.

  Further, as described above, since the imaging unit 8 is provided in the compression chamber 9a, the heat generated in the compressor 3 can be transmitted to the case 14 of the imaging unit 8 through the bottom hole 16. The bottom hole 16 allows heat in the case 14 of the imaging unit 8 to be released to the outside so that the temperature in the case 14 of the imaging unit 8 does not become excessively high. By adjusting the size of the diameter of the bottom surface side bottom surface hole 16 through experiments or the like, the temperature inside the case 14 can be maintained at an appropriate temperature.

  A ventilation hole may be provided on the front surface instead of the bottom surface side bottom surface hole 16. In this case, the front vent hole needs to be installed at a position lower than the lower end of the imaging means 11.

  In addition, the case 14 is hermetically sealed except for the back surface hole 15 and the lower surface side bottom surface hole 16.

  In the present embodiment, the case of using a camera is mainly described, but the same applies to the case of using a sensor. Further, not only during operation but also during operation stop, a heat source may be secured by a preheating operation or the like to warm the window 13.

A different part from 1st Embodiment is demonstrated and description is abbreviate | omitted about the part which overlaps with 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit and a camera unit of an air conditioner according to the second embodiment. The electrical component 19 is provided on the right side of the outdoor blower fan 7. The IPM 22 and the diode bridge 23 provided in the electrical component 19 release a large amount of heat during operation. These heats are diffused into the electrical component 19 as waste heat through the radiation fins 24. In this embodiment, since the size of the electrical component 19 is large, a space for arranging the imaging unit 8 between the electrical component 19 and the front panel 10b. Does not exist.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the imaging unit 8 is arranged inside the electrical component 19. Specifically, the imaging unit 8 is arranged above the substrate of the electrical component 19. That is, the outdoor unit 9 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes the outdoor heat exchanger 2, the outdoor blower fan 7, the compressor 3, the electrical component 19, and the imaging unit 11 that captures the outdoors. The imaging means 11 is located inside the electrical component 19. Furthermore, the electrical component 19 includes a control board (not shown), and the imaging unit 11 is located above or below the control board. According to the present embodiment, an arrangement space for the imaging unit 8 can be secured.

  Further, the imaging unit 8 has a back hole 15. According to such a configuration, heat generated by the IPM 22 and the diode bridge 23 in the electrical component 19 can be transmitted to the imaging unit 8 via the back hole 15. According to such a present Example, even if it is a case where a space cannot be ensured between the electrical equipment 19 and the front panel 10b, the imaging unit 8 is arranged on the front side of the outdoor unit 9 and the electrical equipment 19 The generated heat is transmitted to the imaging unit 8, and the window 13 and the imaging means 11 of the imaging unit 8 are warmed to promote evaporation of snow or dew.

  In this embodiment, the imaging unit 8 is disposed above the substrate of the electrical component 19, but the imaging unit 8 may be disposed at another position such as below the substrate. Further, the case where the heat generated by the IPM 22 and the diode bridge 23 in the electrical component 19 is transmitted to the imaging unit 8 through the back surface hole 15 has been described. However, holes are provided on other surfaces such as the bottom surface of the imaging unit 8. Also good. Alternatively, the imaging unit 8 may be configured with a case having high thermal conductivity, and the imaging unit 8 may be warmed by heat conduction. Furthermore, the case of the electrical component 19 and the case of the imaging unit 8 may be integrated, or the electrical component 19 and the imaging unit 8 may be covered with an integral case.

  A different part from 1st Embodiment is demonstrated and description is abbreviate | omitted about the part which overlaps with 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is an external view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit, a camera unit, and a hood of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the hood 25 and the imaging unit 8, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, and the outdoor unit electrical equipment 18.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a part of the imaging unit 8 of the present embodiment is located on the front side of the front panel 10b. That is, the outdoor unit 9 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes an outdoor heat exchanger 2, an outdoor blower fan 7, a compressor 3, an electrical component 19, and an image pickup unit 11 that takes an image of the outdoors. 8 and a front panel 10b, and at least a part of the imaging unit 8 is located on the front side of the front panel 10b.

  With this arrangement, even when the space between the electrical component 19 and the front panel 10b cannot be secured, the space for placing the imaging unit 8 can be secured, and the viewing angle of the imaging unit 8 can be secured. Can be ensured more widely, and the detection accuracy of the snow cover state can be further increased.

  However, when the imaging unit 8 is installed in the outdoor unit 9, the outdoor environment changes more greatly than the indoor environment, and therefore the imaging unit 8, particularly the window 13, may be deteriorated by rain, snow, hail, etc. is there.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a hood 25 is provided above the imaging unit 8 with respect to the outdoor unit 9 described in the first embodiment. According to such a present Example, the imaging unit 8 can be protected from rain, snow, a hail, etc., for example.

  In this embodiment, the imaging unit 8 is arranged on the front side of the IPM 22 or the diode bridge 23 in the electrical component 19. That is, the imaging unit 8 has a back hole 15 on the back surface, the electrical component 19 has an IPM 22 or a diode bridge 23, and the imaging unit 8 is located on the front side of the IPM 22 or the diode bridge 23.

  With such an arrangement, the distance between the IPM 22 or the diode bridge 23 and the imaging unit 8 can be reduced. In this embodiment, since the imaging unit 8 is located outside the housing of the outdoor unit 9 and has a lower temperature than the housing of the outdoor unit 9, the heat radiation effect of the IPM 22 or the diode bridge 23 can be enhanced.

  Further, the hood 25 covers the upper part and the left and right sides of the imaging unit 8 and is positioned so as to protrude from the front panel 20 to the front surface. In the present embodiment, a hood 22 positioned at least above the imaging unit 8 is provided. As a result, the imaging unit 8 can be protected from flying rain, snow, hail, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indoor heat exchanger 2 Outdoor heat exchanger 8 Imaging unit 9 Outdoor unit 11 Imaging means 12 Support part 13 Window 15 Back surface hole 16 Bottom surface hole 19 Electrical component 20 Partition plate 21 Front surface hole

Claims (13)

An outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, a compressor, an electrical component, and an imaging unit having an imaging means for photographing the outdoors,
The imaging unit is an outdoor unit of an air conditioner that is located on a front side of the electrical component, and the imaging unit and the electrical component are in contact with each other. An outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, a compressor, an electrical component, and an imaging unit having an imaging means for photographing the outdoors,
The imaging unit has a back hole on the back,
The electrical component has a front hole on the front surface,
The imaging unit is located on the front side of the electrical component, and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is connected to the back hole of the imaging unit and the front hole of the electrical component.   The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the imaging unit is supported by at least a front panel of the outdoor unit and the electrical component. An outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor blower fan, a compressor, an imaging unit having an imaging means for photographing the outdoors, and a partition plate positioned between the compressor and the outdoor blower fan,
The imaging unit is an outdoor unit of an air conditioner that is located closer to the compressor than the partition plate.   The outdoor unit for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the imaging unit has a bottom surface hole on a bottom surface.   The outdoor unit for an air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the imaging means is in contact with a bottom surface of the imaging unit via a support portion.   The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the imaging unit is in contact with an upper lid of the outdoor unit. An outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, a compressor, an electrical component, and an imaging means for photographing the outdoors,
The imaging means is an outdoor unit of an air conditioner located inside the electrical component. The electrical component includes a control board,
The outdoor unit for an air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the imaging means is located above or below the control board. An outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, a compressor, electrical components, an imaging unit having an imaging means for photographing the outdoors, and a front panel,
At least a part of the imaging unit is an outdoor unit of an air conditioner located on the front side of the front panel. The imaging unit has a back hole on the back,
The electrical component has an IPM or a diode bridge,
The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the imaging unit is located on a front side of the IPM or the diode bridge.   The outdoor unit for an air conditioner according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a hood positioned above the imaging unit.   An air conditioner comprising the outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan.