JP2017180941A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a comfortable environment for a user.SOLUTION: An air conditioner includes: an indoor machine 13 configured to perform air-conditioning in a room 12; a sensor unit 34 provided separately from the indoor machine 13, and configured to detect a temperature and a wind speed in the room 12; and a transmission unit 37 provided together with the sensor unit 34, and configured to transmit to the indoor machine 13 the temperature information and wind speed information detected by the sensor unit 34. The indoor machine unit 13 is configured to control air quantity in heating operation so that a variation of the air speed detected by the sensor unit 34 is a predetermined value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  A “hot switch” or “cold switch” that can be operated by the user is provided, and when these switches are operated, the set temperature and humidity are adjusted based on the temperature and humidity detected by the indoor unit. There is.

Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-92254

Because comfort for humans depends on wind speed, it is not possible to judge whether it is truly comfortable simply by whether it is hot or cold. In particular, when the air blown from the air conditioner hits the user during heating, it becomes a draft feeling as if the gap air was hit by the user. With this air conditioner, it is difficult to realize a comfortable environment for the user.
The subject of this invention is providing the air conditioner which implement | achieves a comfortable environment for a user.

  An air conditioner according to an aspect of the present invention includes an indoor unit that performs indoor air conditioning, a sensor unit that is provided separately from the indoor unit, detects indoor temperature and wind speed, temperature information detected by the sensor unit, and A transmission unit that transmits wind speed information to the indoor unit, and the indoor unit controls the air volume so that the amount of change in the wind speed detected by the sensor unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value during the heating operation.

  According to the present invention, an air conditioner that realizes a comfortable environment for a user by detecting the indoor temperature and wind speed with a sensor unit during heating operation and controlling the air volume so that the change in the wind speed is reduced. Can be provided.

It is the structure of an air conditioner. It is a functional block diagram of an indoor unit and a remote control. It is an image figure of an indoor unit (cooling). It is an image figure of an indoor unit (heating). It is a flowchart which shows a wind speed detection process. It is a flowchart which shows an operation control process. It is a graph which shows the wind speed before air volume control. It is a graph which shows the wind speed after ventilation control.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is schematic and may be different from the actual one. Further, the following embodiments exemplify apparatuses and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the configuration is not specified as follows. That is, the technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the technical scope described in the claims.

"Constitution"
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner.
The air conditioner 11 includes an indoor unit 13 attached to the wall surface of the room 12 and an outdoor unit 14 installed outdoors. The air conditioner 11 is remotely operated by a user by wireless communication via a remote controller (hereinafter simply referred to as a remote controller) 15.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the air conditioner.
The indoor unit 13 includes a receiving unit 21, an indoor unit control unit 22, a main fan 23, a left side fan 24, and a right side fan 25.
The receiving unit 21 receives various signals from the remote controller 15.
The indoor unit control unit 22 receives various signals from the remote controller 15 and drives and controls the outdoor unit 14, the main fan 23, the left side fan 24, and the right side fan 25. Here, the main fan 23 corresponds to the “first fan”, and the left side fan 24 and the right side fan correspond to the “second fan”.

A refrigerant circuit is formed between the indoor unit 13 and the outdoor unit 14, and heat energy is exchanged by the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit, and cold air and warm air are supplied from the indoor unit 13 to the room 12. The The indoor unit controller 22 controls the cooling / heating temperature and the temperature of cool air and warm air blown out from the indoor unit 13 by driving and controlling the compressor and the four-way valve of the outdoor unit 14.
3 and 4 are image diagrams of the indoor unit.
The main fan 23 is provided in the indoor unit 13 and blows out cool air and warm air supplied through the refrigerant circuit. That is, the air exchanged with the refrigerant is blown. The blown-out direction of the air blown out by the main fan 23 can be adjusted by the orientation of the up-and-down wind direction plates provided at the blow-out port of the housing and the right and left wind direction plates.

  The left side fan 24 is provided on one side surface of the main body of the indoor unit 13, and the right side fan 25 is provided on the other side surface, and each blows out only air at room temperature. In other words, air that is not heat exchanged with the refrigerant is blown. The left side fan 24 and the right side fan 25 can be rotated about the same axis, respectively, and the blowing direction can be adjusted by their own rotation position and the direction of the wind direction plate provided in the housing. The indoor unit 13 is installed in the room 12 so that the rotation axes of the main fan 23, the left side fan 24, and the right side fan 25 are horizontal.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the cooling operation. Here, as shown by the broken line, the cold air blown out by the main fan 23 is blown out in the horizontal direction, and as shown by the dotted line, the air blown by the left side fan 24 and the right side fan 25 is blown out obliquely downward. In this way, it is possible to feel a natural coolness even in a modest cooling operation by allowing the user to take air at a comfortable temperature while preventing the cool air from directly hitting the body.
FIG. 4 shows an example of the heating operation. Here, as indicated by the broken line, the warm air blown out by the main fan 23 blows out directly below, and as indicated by the dotted line, the air blown by the left side fan 24 and the right side fan 25 is blown obliquely downward. In this way, by suppressing the rising of warm air by blowing air, the warm air spreads to the back of the room 12 and the entire floor surface can be warmed.

The remote controller 15 is portable, and as shown in FIG. 2, a hot button 31, a cold button 32, a like button 33 (satisfied operation unit), a sensor unit 34, a storage unit 35, and a remote control unit 36 and a transmission unit 37.
The hot button 31 is a button operated when the user feels hot.
The cold button 32 is a button operated when the user feels cold.
The like button 33 is a button that is operated when the user feels comfortable with respect to temperature, humidity, and wind speed, that is, when the user is satisfied with the air-conditioned environment of the room 12.

The sensor unit 34 includes a temperature sensor that detects the temperature around the remote control and a wind speed sensor that detects the wind speed around the remote control. The temperature sensor uses a thermistor whose electrical resistance changes as the temperature changes. A wind speed sensor detects a wind speed (airflow) using a pair of thermistors.
The memory | storage part 35 memorize | stores various information, such as the operation setting made by the user, ie, temperature setting, air volume setting, and wind direction setting.
The remote control control unit 36 receives button signals from the buttons and sensor signals from the sensor unit 34 and sends them to the transmission unit 37. Specifically, a button signal when the hot button 31 is pressed, a button signal when the cold button 32 is pressed, a button signal (satisfaction signal) when the like button 33 is pressed, and the sensor unit 34 The detected temperature signal and wind speed signal.
Upon receiving the various signals, the transmission unit 37 transmits the various signals to the indoor unit 13. Moreover, the transmission part 37 is transmitting the sensor signal to the indoor unit 13 at a predetermined interval at any time.

Next, the wind speed detection process executed by the remote controller 36 will be described.
Here, the processing according to the present invention is mainly described, and general processing such as control of the refrigerant circuit is omitted.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing wind speed detection processing during heating operation.
The wind speed detection process is started when the user performs an operation for instructing the indoor unit 13 to start operation, and thereafter repeatedly executed according to a predetermined calculation cycle.
In step S101, it is determined whether or not the temperature t detected by the temperature sensor of the sensor unit 34 has reached the set temperature ts. Here, when the temperature t has not reached the set temperature ts (S101-No), the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, when the temperature t has reached the set temperature ts (S101-Yes), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, several tens of minutes) has elapsed since the temperature t once reached the set temperature ts. Determine (S102). If a predetermined time (for example, several tens of minutes) has elapsed (S102-Yes), the process proceeds to step S104. If not (S102-No), the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, it is determined whether the like button 33 has been operated. Here, when the like button 33 is not operated (S103-No), the process directly returns to step S101. On the other hand, when the like button 33 is operated (S103-Yes), the process proceeds to step S104.
In step S104, the transition of the wind speed u in a predetermined period T (for example, 2 to 3 minutes) is analyzed. The sensor unit 34 detects the wind velocity u at any time and stores the detection results in the storage unit 35 in time series.
In subsequent step S105, the operation information, temperature information, and wind speed information of the like button 33 are transmitted to the indoor unit 13 via the transmission unit 37, and the process returns to step S101.
The above is the wind speed detection process.

Next, the operation control process executed by the indoor unit control unit 22 will be described.
Here, the processing according to the present invention is mainly described, and general processing such as control of the refrigerant circuit is omitted.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation control process during the heating operation.
The operation control process is started when the user performs an operation for instructing the indoor unit 13 to start the operation, and is then repeatedly executed according to a predetermined calculation cycle.
In step S111, it is determined whether the like button 33 has been operated. If the like button 33 is not operated (S111-No), the process proceeds to step S112. On the other hand, when the like button 33 is operated (S111-Yes), the process proceeds to step S116.

In step S112, the current operation setting is maintained. That is, the current temperature setting, air volume setting, and wind direction setting stored in the storage unit 35 are maintained.
In a succeeding step S113, it is determined whether or not wind speed information is received. If the wind speed information is received (S113-Yes), the process proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, when the wind speed information is not received, the process returns to step S111 as it is.
In step S114, it is determined whether it is heating operation. Here, when it is heating operation (S114-Yes), it transfers to step S115. On the other hand, if it is not the heating operation, that is, if it is any of the cooling operation, the dehumidifying operation, and the air blowing operation, the process directly returns to step S111.

  In step S115, the air volume control is performed so that the change amount of the wind speed u detected by the sensor unit 34 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and then the process returns to step S111. Specifically, when the amount of change Δu in the wind speed u exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 0.5 m / s), if the wind speed u increases, the main fan 23, the left side fan 24, and the right If the air volume of the side fan 25 is decreased by a predetermined amount and the wind speed u is decreased, the air volumes of the main fan 23, the left side fan 24, and the right side fan 25 are decreased by a predetermined amount. If the predetermined amount is set to a large value, the influence on the wind speed u is increased. Therefore, it is preferable to set a small value for fine adjustment of the wind speed u. Here, the air volume of the left side fan 24 and the right side fan 25 is controlled while maintaining the temperature setting and the rotational speed of the main fan 23 so that the temperature t of the room 12 does not change.

In step S116, the operation setting is updated, and then the process returns to step S111. That is, when the like button 33 is operated, the temperature and the wind speed detected by the sensor unit 34 are stored in the storage unit 35 as the detected target temperature and the detected target wind speed, and thereafter the temperature detected by the sensor unit 34 is stored. In order to maintain the detected target temperature, the temperature setting, the air volume setting, and the wind direction setting are updated so that the detected wind speed is maintained at the detected target wind speed. For example, when the user operates the like button 33 in the living room, the temperature detected by the sensor unit 34 at that time is stored in the storage unit as the detected target temperature and the wind speed is detected as the detected target wind speed. Thereafter, when the user moves to the dining room with the remote controller 15 and the temperature and wind speed detected by the sensor unit 34 have changed from the detected target temperature and detected target wind speed, the temperature becomes the detected target temperature. Further, the temperature setting, the air volume setting, and the wind direction setting on the indoor unit 13 side are updated so that the wind speed becomes the detected target wind speed.
The above is the operation control process.

<Effect>
Next, operational effects will be described.
Because comfort for humans depends on wind speed, it is not possible to judge whether it is truly comfortable simply by whether it is hot or cold. In particular, when the air blown from the air conditioner hits the user during heating, it becomes a draft feeling as if the gap air was hit by the user. With this air conditioner, it is difficult to realize a comfortable environment for the user.

  Therefore, in the remote controller 15 of the present embodiment, the sensor unit 34 detects the temperature t and the wind speed u in the room 12 (step S104), and the transmission unit 37 transmits the detected temperature information and wind speed information to the indoor unit 13. (Step S105). When the indoor unit 13 that has received the temperature information and the wind speed information receives the wind speed information (the determination in step S113 is “Yes”), and is in the heating operation (the determination in step S114 is “Yes”), The air volume is controlled such that the amount of change in the wind speed detected by the sensor unit 34 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S115).

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the wind speed before the air volume control.
The wind speed u detected by the sensor unit 34 is a combination of the air blowing from the main fan 23, the air blowing from the left side fan 24, and the air blowing from the right side fan 25. Even if only one fan is used and a constant rotational speed is maintained, the wind speed may be disturbed or uneven for various reasons. Furthermore, if a plurality of fans are used, the wind speed u detected by the sensor unit 34 is reduced. Will cause fluctuations as shown in the figure.
In the air volume control, for example, when the change amount Δu of the wind speed u exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 0.5 m / s), if the wind speed u increases, the main fan 23, the left side fan 24, and If the air volume of the right side fan 25 is decreased by a predetermined amount and the wind speed u is decreased, the air volumes of the main fan 23, the left side fan 24, and the right side fan 25 are decreased by a predetermined amount.

In this way, by adjusting the air volume of the main fan 23, the left side fan 24, and the right side fan 25 every time the wind speed information is received, fluctuations in the wind speed u detected by the sensor unit 34 are reduced. The
FIG. 8 is a graph showing the wind speed after the air blowing control.
Here, it is shown that fluctuations in the wind speed u detected by the sensor unit 34 are suppressed by repeatedly executing the air volume control several times. Thereby, the discomfort by a wind speed fluctuation | variation can be suppressed.
In this way, during the heating operation, the sensor unit 34 detects the indoor 12 wind speed u and controls the air volume of the indoor unit 13 so that the change in the wind speed is reduced, thereby realizing a comfortable environment for the user. it can.

  Further, the transmission unit 37 transmits temperature information and wind speed information detected by the sensor unit 34 at any given interval to the indoor unit 13. However, the wind speed sensor of the sensor unit 34 needs to heat the thermistor in order to detect the wind speed u, and in order to reduce power consumption, it is desired to suppress the detection frequency to a minimum. Therefore, the sensor unit 34 detects the wind speed u after the temperature t in the room 12 reaches the set temperature ts (the determination in step S101 is “Yes”) or when the like button 33 is operated. (The determination in step S103 is “Yes”). Thus, by suppressing the detection frequency of the wind speed u to the minimum, an increase in power consumption can be suppressed.

  Further, in a transitional state until the temperature t reaches the set temperature ts, the operation of the indoor unit 13 is not stable, and the airflow in the room 12 tends to be disturbed. Therefore, data after the operation of the indoor unit 13 is stabilized can be detected by detecting the wind speed u after the temperature t reaches the set temperature ts. Therefore, it becomes easy to perform subsequent air volume control, and the accuracy can be improved. In addition, by detecting the wind speed u after the like button 33 is operated, the wind speed u at which the user feels comfortable can be accurately grasped.

  Further, in the air volume control, only the air volumes of the left side fan 24 and the right side fan 25 may be controlled while maintaining the temperature setting and the rotation speed of the main fan 23. Thereby, it can suppress that the temperature t of the room | chamber 12 changes. As described above, since the left side fan 24 and the right side fan 25 that blow air that is not heat-exchanged are provided separately from the main fan 23 that blows heat-exchanged air, the temperature and wind speed of the room 12 Can be controlled individually, and a comfortable environment for the user can be realized.

Further, by incorporating the sensor unit 34 into the remote controller 15, the user can easily carry the sensor unit 34. Since the remote controller 15 is often placed within the reach of the user's hand, it is possible to grasp the temperature and wind speed around the user, that is, the temperature and wind speed felt by the user. In addition, the like button 33 can be easily operated.
When the like button 33 is not operated (the determination in step S111 is “No”), the indoor unit 13 maintains the current operation settings, that is, the temperature setting, the air volume setting, and the wind direction setting ( Step S112). On the other hand, when the like button 33 is operated ("Yes" in step S111), the temperature setting, the air volume setting, and the wind direction setting are updated according to the temperature and the wind speed at that time (step S116).

  Thus, by performing the air conditioning so as to maintain the temperature and the wind speed transmitted from the transmitting unit 37 when the like button 33 is operated, it is possible to realize a temperature and a wind speed that are comfortable for the user. . Further, by updating the operation setting according to the temperature and wind speed detected by the sensor unit 34 when the like button 33 is operated, the operation state immediately before the previous operation stop can be taken over at the next operation. Thereby, it is possible to learn the comfort for the user and reproduce the environment that the user feels comfortable around the remote control 15. Therefore, for example, it is assumed that the living room and the dining room are integrated, and first the user operates the like button 33 in the living room. Thereafter, when the user moves to the dining room with the remote controller 15, the comfortable environment that the user feels comfortable in the living room can be reproduced in the dining room.

<Modification>
In the present embodiment, the air volume of the left side fan 24 and the right side fan 25 is controlled so that the amount of change in the wind speed detected by the sensor unit 34 becomes a predetermined value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. In addition to the air volume, for example, the wind direction may be controlled. Thus, by controlling not only the air volume but also the wind direction, it becomes easier to reduce the change in the wind speed detected by the sensor unit 34.

In the present embodiment, only the air volume of the left side fan 24 and the right side fan 25 is controlled so that the amount of change in the wind speed detected by the sensor unit 34 becomes a predetermined value, but the present invention is not limited to this. is not. In order to control the target air speed while maintaining the target temperature, it may be necessary to control the air volume of the heat-exchanged air. In this case, while maintaining the temperature setting, only the air volume of the main fan 23 is controlled so that the amount of change in the wind speed detected by the sensor unit 34 becomes a predetermined value. Thereby, a comfortable environment for the user can be realized.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to a limited number of embodiments, the scope of rights is not limited thereto, and modifications of the embodiments based on the above disclosure are obvious to those skilled in the art.

11 Air Conditioner 12 Indoor 13 Indoor Unit 14 Outdoor Unit 15 Remote Control 22 Indoor Unit Control Unit 23 Main Fan 24 Left Side Fan 25 Right Side Fan 31 Hot Button 32 Cold Button 33 Like Button 34 Sensor Unit 35 Storage Unit 36 Remote Control Unit 37 Transmitter

Claims (6)

An indoor unit that performs indoor air conditioning;
A sensor unit that is provided separately from the indoor unit and detects the temperature and wind speed of the room;
A transmission unit that transmits temperature information and wind speed information detected by the sensor unit to the indoor unit;
The indoor unit is
An air conditioner that controls an air volume so that a change amount of an air speed detected by the sensor unit is not more than a predetermined value during a heating operation. The sensor unit is
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air velocity in the room is detected after the temperature in the room reaches a preset temperature. The indoor unit is
A first fan that blows heat-exchanged air;
A second fan for blowing air that is not heat exchanged,
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein only air flow of the second fan is controlled so that a change amount of the wind speed detected by the sensor unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The indoor unit is
A first fan that blows heat-exchanged air;
A second fan for blowing air that is not heat exchanged,
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein only air flow of the first fan is controlled so that a change amount of a wind speed detected by the sensor unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The sensor unit is
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air conditioner is provided in a portable remote controller of the indoor unit. Provided with the sensor unit, comprising a satisfactory operation unit that is operated when the user is satisfied with the indoor air conditioning environment,
The transmitter is
When the satisfaction operation unit is operated, operation information of the satisfaction operation unit, and temperature information and wind speed information detected by the sensor unit are transmitted to the indoor unit,
The indoor unit that has received the temperature information and the wind speed information,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the satisfaction operation unit is operated, air conditioning is performed so as to maintain a temperature and a wind speed detected by the sensor unit. .

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