JP2019109041A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sensor module capable of improving external appearance of an electric device and easily ensuring a protection function.SOLUTION: An electric device comprises: a sensor case 35 which is stored in a housing 26, is rotatably supported around a rotation axis line Px inclined at an angle α with respect to a plane VP defining an opening 34, and has a cylindrical face 36 with a shaft center corresponding to the rotation axis line Px; a bottom plate 48 which is arranged along the plane VP and extended along an inclined cut face SP intersecting with the rotation axis line Px at the angle α; a window hole 37 compartmentalized by the cylindrical face 36 between the cut face SS which is the cut face of the sensor case 35, perpendicular to the rotation axis line Px, and brought into contact with the inclined cut face SP and the bottom plane 48; and a sensor 38 which is stored in the sensor case 35 and faces the window hole 37.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor module having a sensor for detecting a human body and the like, and an electric device including the same.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner. The air conditioner comprises a temperature sensor. The detection unit of the temperature sensor detects the presence of a human body or the radiation temperature of a floor surface or a wall surface (hereinafter, the human body or the like) indoors. The temperature sensor rotates about the vertical axis. Therefore, the human body or the like can be detected over a wider range than the angle of view of the detection unit of the temperature sensor.

JP, 2016-8796, A

  In Patent Document 1, the temperature sensor protrudes from the lower surface of the air conditioner. The appearance of the air conditioner gets worse. Moreover, the temperature sensor is not protected from the situation such as a collision of other articles.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor module capable of improving the appearance of an electric device by housing a sensor in a housing and easily securing a protection function, and an electric device including the sensor module.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor case rotatably supported by a support member and formed in a cylindrical shape, and an oblique cutting plane having a central axis of the sensor case as a rotational axis and intersecting the rotational axis at a predetermined inclination angle. Sensor module comprising: a bottom plate extending along the side wall; a window hole defined in a region where a generatrix of the side surface of the sensor case forms an acute angle with the bottom plate; and a sensor housed in the sensor case and facing the window hole It is.

  The sensor module can be used in an electrical device. The sensor module is housed in the housing of the electric device. The bottom plate of the sensor module is disposed to face an opening provided on the outer surface of the housing. The cylindrical sensor case is housed in a housing. Protrusion of the sensor case is prevented. The appearance of the electrical equipment is not impaired. At this time, the window hole of the sensor case is directed into the housing of the electric device.

  When the sensor case rotates around the rotation axis, a region of the side surface of the sensor case where the generatrix forms an acute angle with the bottom plate appears outward from the outer surface of the housing. Therefore, the window hole is disposed outside the housing. The sensor secures a detection range in the space outside the housing through the window hole. The sensor exerts the original detection function.

  The sensor module may include a power source that generates a rotational force of the sensor case around the rotation axis. The sensor case can be rotated about the rotation axis by the action of the power source. If the sensor case rotates during operation of the detection function, the detection range is secured over a wider range than the angle of view of the sensor. In addition, the power source has the sensor case between the first position where the side surface (hereinafter, cylindrical surface) of the sensor case is stored in the housing when not in operation, and the second position where the cylindrical surface is exposed outside the housing when in operation. It can be driven. A so-called oscillating movement during operation and a switching operation between storage and exposure are realized by a single power source.

  The electric device may further include an enclosure wall which is continuous with the inner surface of the housing and surrounds the cylindrical surface of the sensor case. A gap is formed between the edge of the opening of the housing and the bottom plate of the sensor case when the cylindrical surface extending between the oblique cutting surface and the cutting surface orthogonal to the rotation axis emerges from the outer surface of the housing. Ru. The gap is closed by the enclosure wall. The enclosure wall can obscure the structure within the housing. The appearance of the electrical device can be maintained well even when the detection function is activated.

  The electrical device may further include a control circuit that sets a detection range for each angular position around the rotation axis when the sensor is activated. Since the rotation axis of the sensor case is inclined with respect to the outer surface of the housing, the edge of the opening enters the detection range of the sensor according to the change of the angular position. The control circuit can exclude the casing of the own machine from the detection range by changing the detection range according to the angular position. Thus, the sensor can realize the detection function with high accuracy.

  As described above, according to the disclosed apparatus, a sensor module capable of improving the appearance of an electrical device and easily securing a protection function, and an electrical device including the sensor module are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a conceptual diagram which shows roughly the structure of the air conditioner concerning one Embodiment of the electric equipment by this invention. It is a front view showing roughly the appearance of the indoor unit concerning one embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view of an indoor unit. It is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a sensor module. It is a front view of an indoor unit. It is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a sensor module. It is a conceptual diagram of the sensor module which protrudes from the outer surface of a housing | casing.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioner FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of an air conditioner 11 according to an embodiment of the electric device according to the present invention. The air conditioner 11 includes an indoor unit 12 and an outdoor unit 13. The indoor unit 12 is installed, for example, in an indoor space in a building. Besides, the indoor unit 12 may be installed in a space corresponding to the indoor space. An indoor heat exchanger 14 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12. A compressor 15, an outdoor heat exchanger 16, an expansion valve 17, and a four-way valve 18 are incorporated in the outdoor unit 13. The outdoor unit 13 may be installed outdoors where heat exchange with outdoor air is possible. The indoor heat exchanger 14, the compressor 15, the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17 and the four-way valve 18 form a refrigeration circuit 19.

  The refrigeration circuit 19 includes a first circulation path 21. The first circulation path 21 mutually connects the first port 18 a and the second port 18 b of the four-way valve 18. A compressor 15 is provided in the first circulation path 21. The suction pipe 15 a of the compressor 15 is connected to the first port 18 a of the four-way valve 18 via a refrigerant pipe. The gas refrigerant is supplied to the suction pipe 15 a of the compressor 15 from the first port 18 a. The compressor 15 compresses the low pressure gas refrigerant to a predetermined pressure. The discharge pipe 15 b of the compressor 15 is connected to the second port 18 b of the four-way valve 18 via a refrigerant pipe. The gas refrigerant is supplied to the second port 18 b of the four-way valve 18 from the discharge pipe 15 b of the compressor 15. The refrigerant pipe may be, for example, a copper pipe.

  The refrigeration circuit 19 further includes a second circulation path 22. The second circulation path 22 mutually connects the third port 18 c and the fourth port 18 d of the four-way valve 18. The outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 are incorporated in the second circulation path 22 in order from the third port 18c side. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 exchanges heat energy between the passing refrigerant and the ambient air. The indoor heat exchanger 14 exchanges heat energy between the passing refrigerant and the ambient air. The second circulation path 22 may be formed of, for example, a refrigerant pipe such as a copper pipe.

  A blower fan 23 is incorporated in the outdoor unit 13. The blower fan 23 ventilates the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The blower fan 23 generates an air flow according to, for example, the rotation of the impeller. The air flow passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 by the function of the blower fan 23. The outdoor air passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The heat-exchanged cold air or warm air stream is blown out of the outdoor unit 13. The flow rate of the passing air is adjusted in accordance with the rotational speed of the impeller.

  A blower fan 24 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12. The blower fan 24 ventilates the indoor heat exchanger 14. The blower fan 24 generates an air flow according to the rotation of the impeller. Indoor air is drawn into the indoor unit 12 by the function of the blower fan 24. The indoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The heat-exchanged cold air or warm air stream is blown out of the indoor unit 12. The flow rate of the passing air is adjusted in accordance with the rotational speed of the impeller.

  When cooling operation is performed by the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the third port 18c to each other and connects the first port 18a and the fourth port 18d to each other. Therefore, the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 from the discharge pipe 15 b of the compressor 15. The refrigerant flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17 and the indoor heat exchanger 14 in order. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 dissipates heat from the refrigerant to the outside air. The refrigerant is depressurized to a low pressure by the expansion valve 17. The decompressed refrigerant absorbs heat from ambient air in the indoor heat exchanger 14. Cold air is generated. Cold air is blown out into the indoor space by the action of the blower fan 24.

  When the heating operation is performed by the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the fourth port 18d to each other and connects the first port 18a and the third port 18c to each other. A high temperature and high pressure refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 15 to the indoor heat exchanger 14. The refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion valve 17 and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 in order. The indoor heat exchanger 14 dissipates heat from the refrigerant to the ambient air. Warm air is generated. The warm air is blown out into the indoor space by the action of the blower fan 24. The refrigerant is depressurized to a low pressure by the expansion valve 17. The decompressed refrigerant absorbs heat from ambient air in the outdoor heat exchanger 16. Thereafter, the refrigerant returns to the compressor 15.

(2) Configuration of Indoor Unit FIG. 2 schematically shows the appearance of the indoor unit 12 according to one embodiment. The indoor unit 12 may be installed on a wall surface of a room including a floor surface parallel to a horizontal plane orthogonal to the direction of gravity and a wall surface perpendicular to the floor surface. The indoor unit 12 includes a housing 26. An air outlet 28 is formed in the bottom plate 27 of the housing 26. The outlet 28 is opened toward the room. The blowout port 28 blows out a flow of cold air or warm air generated in the indoor heat exchanger 14. The bottom plate 27 of the housing 26 extends along a horizontal plane orthogonal to the direction of gravity.

  For example, one air flow direction plate 29 is disposed at the air outlet 28. The vertical wind direction plate 29 can rotate about a horizontal axis horizontal to the floor surface of the room in which the indoor unit 12 is installed. The up and down wind direction plates 29 can open and close the outlet 28 according to the rotation. Depending on the angle of the up and down wind direction plates 29, the direction of the blown air can be changed.

  A suction port 32 is formed in the top plate 31 of the housing 26. Air flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 14 is taken in from the suction port 32. A plurality of air filter assemblies (not shown) are detachably mounted on the housing 26 in front of the indoor heat exchanger 14 below the top plate 31.

  The indoor unit 12 includes a sensor module 33 incorporated in the housing 26. The sensor module 33 has a sensor case 35 disposed in an opening 34 opened in the outer surface of the housing 26. The opening 34 is defined by a bottom plate 27 which is an outer surface of the housing 26 at a position away from the outlet 28. A window hole 37 is defined in the cylindrical surface 36 of the sensor case 35. A sensor 38 accommodated in the sensor case 35 faces the window hole 37. The details of the sensor module 33 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the indoor unit 12 includes a pair of attachment members 39 attached to the left and right ends of the indoor heat exchanger 14. The mounting member 39 can be fixed at the rear end to, for example, a wall of a room. The mounting member 39 supports the electrical component box 41. A control circuit for controlling the operation of the sensor module 33 is accommodated in the electrical component box 41. The control circuit is electrically connected to the sensor module 33 through a wire.

  The sensor module 33 is attached to the electrical component box 41. The sensor module 33 includes a support member 42 that supports the sensor case 35 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Px. The support member 42 is fixed to the electrical component box 41.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor case 35 and the support member 42 are housed in the housing 26. The outer periphery of the sensor case 35 is a side surface (cylindrical surface 36) of a cylinder. The axial center of the cylindrical surface 36 coincides with the rotation axis Px. The cylindrical surface 36 is parallel to the rotation axis Px. The rotation axis Px is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle α with respect to a plane VP defining the opening 34 (the outer surface of the bottom plate 27). An annular flange 43 formed of a flat plate orthogonal to the rotation axis Px is connected to the upper end of the cylindrical surface 36. The flange 43 is integrally formed on the sensor case 35.

  The support member 42 includes a cylinder receiver 44 that receives the flange 43 of the sensor case 35. The cylinder receiver 44 has an annular plate 45 that surrounds the cylindrical surface 36 and contacts the lower surface of the flange 43 at the entire circumference. The cylinder receiver 44 allows rotation of the sensor case 35 around the rotation axis Px.

  A power source 46 connected to the sensor case 35 is supported by the support member 42. The power source 46 is, for example, a stepping motor. The power source 46 exerts a driving force based on, for example, the power supplied from the control circuit described above. The drive shaft 47 of the stepping motor may be directly coupled to the sensor case 35 or may be coupled to the sensor case 35 via a gear mechanism assembled at a predetermined reduction ratio.

  The sensor case 35 is provided with a bottom plate 48. The bottom plate 48 extends along an oblique cutting plane SP which intersects the rotation axis Px at an inclination angle α. The window hole 37 is divided into areas of the side surfaces of the sensor case 35 where the generatrix forms an acute angle with the bottom plate 48. Specifically, it is between the cutting plane SS orthogonal to the rotation axis Px of the sensor case 35 and the oblique cutting plane SP and the side surface of the cylinder and the bottom plate 48. The window hole 37 may be provided on the surface of the cylindrical surface 36 at a position including the longest generatrix. The window hole 37 is closed by, for example, a film-like infrared transmission filter 49.

  The sensor substrate 51 is accommodated in the sensor case 35. The sensor (element) 38 is mounted on the surface of the sensor substrate 51. For example, an infrared sensor element is used for the sensor 38. The infrared sensor element can detect the temperature distribution within the detection range. The detection range extends at an angle of 60 degrees to the left and right within a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis Px, for example. In addition, it may be an image sensor that determines a human body or furniture within a detection range by an image, or a sound wave sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object by sound waves.

  The indoor unit 12 includes an enclosure wall 52 surrounding the cylindrical surface 36 of the sensor case 35 on the inner surface of the housing 26. The surrounding wall 52 has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotation axis Px. The annular plate 45 of the support member 42 is received at the upper end of the surrounding wall 52.

  The sensor 38 senses the temperature distribution within a limited sensing range. The sensor case 35 rotates about the rotation axis Px in order to detect the temperature distribution. The forward rotation and the reverse rotation are repeated within a predetermined angular range. A so-called swing movement is realized. A control signal is supplied to the power source 46 from the control circuit in the electrical component box 41 when the sensor case 35 rotates. The control circuit controls the movement of the vertical wind direction plate 29 and the movement of the horizontal wind direction plate (not shown) based on the detected temperature distribution. For example, at the start of the heating operation, warm air is directed to a low temperature floor surface indoors. When the room temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, warm air is sent in the direction away from people.

  The sensor case 35 rotates around the rotation axis Px to a first position where the cylindrical surface 36 is stored in the housing 26 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and outside the housing 26 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The attitude can be changed between the second position where the cylindrical surface 36 is exposed. As shown in FIG. 6, in the first position, the bottom plate 48 of the sensor case 35 is disposed along the plane VP defining the opening 34 (the outer surface of the bottom plate 27).

  In the present embodiment, the bottom plate 48 of the sensor case 35 is disposed along the outer surface of the housing 26 at the first position. At this time, the protrusion of the sensor case 35 is prevented. The appearance of the indoor unit 12 is not impaired. The window hole 37 of the sensor case 35 is directed into the housing 26 of the indoor unit 12.

  As described above, when the sensor case 35 rotates around the rotation axis Px, the cylindrical surface 36 extending between the oblique cut surface SP and the cut surface SS orthogonal to the rotation axis Px appears outward from the outer surface of the housing 26. . As a result of the rotation of the sensor case 35, the window hole 37 is disposed outside the housing 26. The sensor 38 secures a detection range in the space outside the housing 26 through the window hole 37. The sensor 38 exerts a detection function.

  In the sensor module 33, the sensor case 35 can be rotated about the rotation axis Px by the action of the power source 46. If the sensor case 35 rotates during the operation of the detection function, the detection range can be secured over a wide range even if the detection range of the element of the sensor 38 itself is limited. The power source 46 has a rotation axis between a first position where the cylindrical surface 36 is stored in the housing 26 when the indoor unit 12 is not operating and a second position where the cylindrical surface 36 is exposed outside the housing 26 when the indoor unit 12 is operating. The sensor case 35 is driven around Px. A so-called oscillating motion during operation and a switching operation between storage and exposure are realized by a single power source 46.

  The housing 26 of the indoor unit 12 is provided with an enclosing wall 52 surrounding the cylindrical surface 36 of the sensor case 35 continuously from the inner surface of the bottom plate 27. The edge of the opening 34 of the housing 26 and the bottom plate of the sensor case 35 when the cylindrical surface 36 extending between the oblique cutting surface SP and the cutting surface SS orthogonal to the rotation axis Px emerges from the outer surface of the housing 26. A gap is formed between them and 48 (see FIG. 4). The gap is closed by the enclosure wall 52. Enclosure 52 can obscure the structure within housing 26. The appearance of the indoor unit 12 can be well maintained even when the detection function is activated.

  A control unit (not shown) in the electrical component box 41 may limit the detection range at each predetermined angle at which the sensor 38 is positioned around the rotation axis Px. As shown in FIG. 7, the rotation axis Px of the sensor case 35 is inclined with respect to the outer surface of the housing 26, so that the edge of the opening 34 enters the detection range of the sensor 38 according to the change of the angular position. The control circuit can exclude the casing 26 of its own machine from the detection range by changing the detection range according to the angular position. Thus, the sensor can realize the detection function with high accuracy.

  12 electrical apparatus (indoor unit) 26 housing 27 bottom plate 33 sensor module 34 opening of the housing 35 sensor case 36 cylindrical surface 37 window Hole 38 sensor 41 electrical component box (control circuit) 46 power source 52 enclosure wall Px rotation axis SP angled cut surface SS orthogonally cut surface VP To define) plane, α ... tilt angle.

Claims (4)

A cylindrically shaped sensor case rotatably supported by the support member;
A bottom plate which extends along an oblique cutting plane which has a central axis of the sensor case as a rotational axis and which intersects the rotational axis at a predetermined inclination angle;
A window hole of a side surface of the sensor case divided into a region where a generating line makes an acute angle with the bottom plate;
A sensor housed in the sensor case and facing the window hole;
A sensor module comprising:   The sensor module according to claim 1, further comprising: a power source generating a rotational force of the sensor case around the rotation axis. A housing having an opening on the outer surface,
The sensor module according to claim 1 housed in the housing.
The electric device, wherein the sensor module is rotatably supported about a rotation axis inclined at the inclination angle with respect to a plane defining the opening, and the bottom plate faces the opening. The electric device according to claim 3, further comprising an enclosure wall continuously surrounding the side surface of the sensor case from an inner surface of the housing.