JP2020024071A - Environment control system and air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To simultaneously attain both improvement of work efficiency and temperature control of a working space.SOLUTION: An environment control system includes: a plurality of blowout ports 20 for blowing out air toward the same working space 100; wind direction change means capable of changing the direction in which air is blown out from the blowout ports 20; air blowing means for selectively generating warm air, cold air and room-temperature air and blowing out the air from the blowout ports; human body detection means for detecting workers 50 present in the working space 100; and control means for controlling the air blowing means and the wind direction change means on the basis of a detection result obtained by the human body detection means. The environment control system simultaneously executes a work efficiency improvement operation for sending room-temperature air from the blowout ports 20 toward the workers 50 and a temperature control operation for blowing out warm air or cold air from the blowout ports 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an environment control system and an air conditioner.

  Patent Literature 1 discloses an environment control system for improving work efficiency of an operator. This environmental control system forms and ventilates an airflow in a work space so as to maintain or improve a concentration level, which is a degree of concentration of a worker's consciousness.

WO 2015/107607

  Patent Literature 1 has a problem that it is difficult to simultaneously improve workability and control the temperature of a work space.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide an environment control system and an air conditioner that can simultaneously improve workability and control the temperature of a work space.

The environment control system according to the present invention includes a plurality of outlets that blow air toward the same work space, a wind direction changing unit that can change a direction in which wind is blown from the outlet, and hot air, cold air, and room temperature. Air blowing means for selectively generating wind and blowing out from the air outlet, human body detecting means for detecting a human body present in the work space, and control for controlling the air blowing means and wind direction changing means based on the detection result of the human body detecting means Means for improving the work efficiency of sending normal-temperature air from at least one air outlet toward the human body detected by the human body detection means, and a temperature control operation of blowing hot air or cold air from at least one air outlet. , At the same time.
In addition, the air conditioner according to the present invention has a plurality of outlets that blow air toward the same work space, a wind direction changing unit that can change a direction in which wind is blown from the outlet, hot air, cold air, Blowing means for selectively generating room temperature wind and blowing it out of the air outlet, human body detecting means for detecting a human body present in the work space, and controlling the blowing means and wind direction changing means based on the detection result of the human body detecting means. Control means for performing a work efficiency improvement operation of sending normal-temperature air from at least one air outlet toward the human body detected by the human body detection means, and a temperature control for blowing hot air or cold air from at least one air outlet. And are simultaneously performed.

  With the environment control system and the air conditioner according to the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously improve workability and control the temperature of the work space.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating a configuration of a work space in which the environment control system according to the first embodiment is used. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of a louver included in the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the environment control system according to the first embodiment. 4 illustrates an example of a shape of a portion indicating a temperature distribution of a surface temperature of an operator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an environment control system according to the first embodiment that executes a work efficiency improvement operation. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of temperature control of the environment control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of temperature control of the environment control system according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the environment control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows the air conditioner of Embodiment 2 which performs the work efficiency improvement operation.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same or corresponding parts. Further, in the present disclosure, duplicate description will be appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. The present invention may include various modifications and combinations of the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments without departing from the spirit thereof.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 show configurations of an environment control system and an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically illustrating a configuration of a work space 100 in which the environment control system according to the first embodiment is used. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the indoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of a louver included in the indoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 shows an internal structure of a portion A surrounded by a broken line in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the environment control system according to the first embodiment.

  The environment control system according to the present embodiment suppresses a decrease in work efficiency of a worker 50 in a work space 100 as shown in FIG. 1 or improves the work efficiency. The work space 100 is, for example, the internal space of one room. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of workers 50 are present in the work space 100, for example. The work space 100 may be a space in which only one worker 50 can work.

  The environment control system according to the present embodiment includes an air conditioner that performs air conditioning on work space 100. The air-conditioning apparatus can execute an air-conditioning operation including a cooling operation for blowing cool air, a heating operation for blowing warm air, and a blowing operation for blowing air at normal temperature. Further, the air-conditioning apparatus according to the present embodiment can execute a work efficiency improving operation. A detailed description of the work efficiency improving operation will be described later.

  The air conditioner includes an indoor unit 1. In the present disclosure, the indoor unit 1 is also referred to as a main body of the air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the indoor unit 1 is installed on a ceiling surface 54 of a room where a work space 100 is formed. Note that the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may be configured to be installed on, for example, a floor surface 51 or a wall surface 52. The environment control system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of indoor units 1. As an example, the environment control system includes two indoor units 1 as shown in FIG.

  An outdoor unit is connected to the indoor unit 1 via a pipe through which a refrigerant flows. Illustration of the piping and the outdoor unit is omitted in the present disclosure. In addition, illustration of each device constituting a refrigeration cycle necessary for the air conditioner to execute the air conditioning operation, a blower fan for blowing air into the work space 100, and the like are omitted in the present disclosure. Each component of the refrigeration cycle includes, for example, a heat exchanger and a compressor.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 1 includes a housing 30. The housing 30 of the indoor unit 1 is formed in a box shape having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. At the lower part of the housing 30 of the indoor unit 1, a rectangular or square lower surface panel 31 is provided. A suction port 5 is formed in the lower panel 31. The suction port 5 is an opening for taking in air into the housing 30 from the outside. As an example, the suction port 5 is arranged at the center of the lower panel 31 as shown in FIG.

  The lower surface panel 31 has an outlet 20 formed therein. The outlet 20 is an opening for discharging air from the inside of the housing 30 to the outside. In the present embodiment, as an example, four outlets 20 are formed in lower panel 31. The four outlets 20 are arranged around the inlet 5, as shown in FIG. Each of the four outlets 20 is provided along each side of the lower panel 31. Thus, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes the main body in which the outlet 20 is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the indoor unit 1 includes upper and lower louvers 2 and left and right louvers 4. The upper and lower louvers 2 and the left and right louvers 4 are provided in each of the outlets 20. Upper and lower louvers 2. This is for adjusting the vertical blowing angle of the air blown out from the blowout port 20. The left and right louvers 4 are for adjusting the blowing angle in the left and right direction of the air blown out from the blowing outlet 20.

  The upper and lower louvers 2 are members having a rectangular plate shape. One end of the upper and lower louvers 2 is rotatably attached to a central portion of the lower surface panel 31 of the edge of the outlet 20. By rotating the upper and lower louvers 2 about this one end, the vertical blowing angle of the air blown out from the blower outlet 20 is changed.

  The left and right louvers 4 are formed by a plurality of members having a rectangular plate shape. The plurality of members having a rectangular plate shape are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outlet 20. One end of each of the left and right louvers 4 is rotatably attached to a deep portion of the edge of the outlet 20. By rotating the left and right louvers 4 about this one end, the left and right blowing angles of the air blown out from the blowout port 20 are changed.

  The upper and lower louvers 2 and the left and right louvers 4 configured as described above are examples of wind direction changing means that can change the direction in which air is blown out from the outlet 20. The air-conditioning apparatus according to the present embodiment can blow air in various directions by changing the combination of the directions of upper and lower louvers 2 and left and right louvers 4.

  The outlet 20 is closed by the upper and lower louvers 2 when the upper and lower louvers 2 are oriented most upward. The air-conditioning apparatus according to the present embodiment can stop blowing air from some of the plurality of outlets 20 by closing some of the outlets 20 with the upper and lower louvers 2. It is.

  An air passage leading from the suction port 5 to the outlet 20 is formed inside the housing 30. A heat exchanger and a blower fan (not shown) are installed in an air passage leading from the inlet 5 to the outlet 20. The heat exchanger heats or cools the air by heat exchange between the air flowing through the air passage and the refrigerant. Whether the air is heated or cooled by the heat exchanger depends on the type of air conditioning operation performed by the air conditioner. The heat exchanger adjusts the temperature and humidity of the air by heating or cooling the air to generate conditioned air. Specifically, during the heating operation, the heat exchanger heats the air. During the cooling operation, the heat exchanger cools the air. In the air blowing operation, the air that has passed through the heat exchanger is generated as conditioned air at room temperature.

  The blower fan is for generating an air flow from the suction port 5 to the air outlet 20 in the air path inside the housing 30. When the blower fan operates, air is sucked in from the suction port 5 and air is blown out from the outlet 20.

  The air sucked from the suction port 5 passes through the air path inside the housing 30 of the indoor unit 1 in the order of the heat exchanger and the blower fan. The air that has passed through the blower fan, that is, the conditioned air, is blown out from the outlet 20. During the heating operation, warm air is blown from the outlet 20. During the cooling operation, cool air is blown from the outlet 20. At the time of the air blowing operation, normal temperature air is blown from the air outlet 20. At this time, the direction in which the air is blown out from the outlet 20 is adjusted by the upper and lower louvers 2 and the left and right louvers 4 arranged on the leeward side of the blower fan. The air conditioner can blow air at various temperatures in various directions.

  The temperature in the work space 100 is adjusted by blowing the conditioned air from the outlet 20 as described above. During the heating operation, the inside of the work space 100 is heated by the hot air being blown out from the outlet 20. During the cooling operation, the temperature inside the working space 100 is lowered by blowing cool air from the outlet 20. The indoor unit 1 controls the temperature inside the work space 100 by blowing out cool air or warm air. In the present disclosure, the operation of blowing out warm air or cool air from the outlet 20 of the indoor unit 1 is also referred to as “temperature control operation”.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower surface panel 31 is provided with a surface temperature sensor 3. The surface temperature sensor 3 has, for example, a plurality of thermopiles arranged in one direction. Each of the plurality of thermopiles has an element capable of individually receiving infrared light and detecting temperature. The surface temperature sensor 3 can operate to change the direction of the plurality of thermopiles orthogonal to the one direction. The surface temperature sensor 3 can detect the surface temperature of an object within a preset target range by scanning each of a plurality of thermopiles arranged in one direction. It is desirable that the target range covers the entire work space 100.

  Note that the surface temperature sensor 3 may include an uncooled infrared image sensor of the SOI diode type. “SOI” is an abbreviation for “Silicon On Insulator”. When the surface temperature sensor 3 is of the SOI diode type, a silicon diode is used for the sensor unit. For this reason, the SOI diode type surface temperature sensor 3 can be manufactured on a semiconductor manufacturing line, and has an advantage that the production cost is low. Similarly to the surface temperature sensor 3 having a plurality of thermopiles, the SOI diode type surface temperature sensor 3 can detect the surface temperature of an object within a preset target range. As described above, any type of sensor is used as the surface temperature sensor 3.

  The surface temperature sensor 3 acquires information on the surface temperature of an object in a non-contact manner. With the above configuration, the surface temperature sensor 3 scans the inside of the target range and obtains surface temperature distribution data within the target range. The surface temperature distribution data is also called thermal image data. The detection result of the surface temperature sensor 3, that is, the surface temperature distribution data within the target range is processed by the controller 6 and the like described later. Thereby, the positions of the floor surface 51 and the wall surface 52 of the room where the work space 100 is formed, the presence or absence of an obstacle such as the desk 53 in the work space 100, the presence or absence of a heat source including the worker 50, and the like are detected.

  Here, the configuration of the control system of the environment control system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the environment control system according to the present embodiment includes a controller unit 6 and a control board 11. The controller unit 6 and the control board 11 are provided, for example, in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner. Further, as an example, the control board 11 is connected to a system control unit 17 provided outside the air conditioner.

  The controller 6 controls the operation of the surface temperature sensor 3. Further, as described above, the controller unit 6 processes the surface temperature distribution data output from the surface temperature sensor 3. The controller unit 6 includes, for example, an information acquisition unit 7, a position determination unit 8, a site determination unit 9, and a temperature determination unit 10.

  The information acquisition unit 7 acquires the surface temperature distribution data output from the surface temperature sensor 3. The position determination unit 8 determines the position of an object within the target range based on the surface temperature distribution data acquired by the information acquisition unit 7. Objects for which the position determination unit 8 determines the position include, for example, an operator 50, a floor surface 51, a wall surface 52, a desk 53, and the like. The position determination unit 8 determines the positions of these objects based on the difference in surface temperature, the distribution shape of the surface temperature, and the like.

  As described above, the surface temperature sensor 3 scans within the target range and acquires surface temperature distribution data. The surface temperature distribution data obtained by performing one scan by the surface temperature sensor 3 is recorded in, for example, the position determination unit 8. After that, the surface temperature sensor 3 scans the target range again to acquire the surface temperature distribution data again. The reacquired surface temperature distribution data is recorded in the position determination unit 8. The plurality of surface temperature distribution data acquired by the surface temperature sensor 3 are recorded in chronological order. The position determination unit 8 determines whether an object within the target range has moved by comparing a plurality of surface temperature distribution data.

  When the work space 100 is an office or the like, the object moved in the work space 100 is considered to be the worker 50, that is, the human body. The position determination unit 8 determines a moving object in the target range as a human body by comparing a plurality of surface temperature distribution data.

  In addition, it is considered that the obstacle such as the desk 53 in the work space 100, the floor surface 51, and the wall surface 52 do not move for a certain period and exist at a fixed position. Position information of an obstacle such as the desk 53 and an object that does not move for a certain period of time such as the floor surface 51 and the wall surface 52 may be recorded in the position determination unit 8 in advance. The position determination unit 8 may determine the position of the worker 50, that is, the position of the human body, based on the previously recorded position information of an object that does not move for a certain period and the surface temperature distribution data acquired by the surface temperature sensor 3.

  The surface temperature sensor 3, the information acquisition unit 7, and the position determination unit 8 configured as described above are an example of a human body detection unit that detects a human body existing in the work space 100. The surface temperature sensor 3 is also an example of a surface temperature detecting unit that can detect a surface temperature of an object within a target range.

  Further, the part determining unit 9 determines the part of the worker 50 based on the surface temperature distribution data acquired by the information acquiring unit 7. Specifically, based on the information on the position of the worker 50 determined by the position determining unit 8, the part determining unit 9 first specifies the shape of the part indicating the temperature distribution of the surface temperature of the worker 50.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the shape of a portion indicating the temperature distribution of the surface temperature of the worker 50 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the shape of a portion showing the temperature distribution of the surface temperature of the worker 50 in a state of sitting on a chair.

  Generally, in the work space 100, the worker 50 is considered to be standing or sitting. Therefore, the part determination unit 9 determines the upper circular part of the part indicating the temperature distribution of the surface temperature of the worker 50 as the head, and determines the lower part as the body part. In addition, the part determination unit 9 may determine the head and the body based on not only the shape but also a difference in surface temperature for each part, or the head and the body may be determined based on data accumulated in advance. May be determined. In this way, the part determining unit 9 divides the part indicating the surface temperature distribution of the worker 50 into two parts, the head and the body.

  The temperature determination unit 10 determines the head temperature indicating the temperature of the head of the worker 50 based on the surface temperature distribution data acquired by the information acquisition unit 7, the determination result of the region determination unit 9, and the like. As an example, the temperature determination unit 10 determines the average temperature or the maximum temperature of the entire range determined as the head by the region determination unit 9 as the head temperature.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the temperature determination unit 10 calculates the body temperature indicating the temperature of the body of the worker 50 in the surface temperature distribution data acquired by the information acquisition unit 7 and the determination result of the region determination unit 9. Judgment based on As an example, the temperature determination unit 10 determines the average temperature or the maximum temperature of the entire range determined as the body part by the part determination unit 9 as the body part temperature. Note that an algorithm or the like in consideration of clothing or the like may be used to determine the body part temperature.

  In the present embodiment, the controller unit 6 including the information acquisition unit 7, the position determination unit 8, the region determination unit 9, and the temperature determination unit 10 determines whether or not the target range is within the target range based on the information on the surface temperature detected by the surface temperature detection unit. 1 is an example of a determination unit that determines the position of the head of a human body and the temperature of the head.

  A control circuit for controlling the overall operation of the air conditioner including the indoor unit 1 is mounted on the control board 11. The control board 11 includes, for example, an information processing unit 12, a control unit 13, a louver control unit 14, a compressor control unit 15, and a fan motor control unit 16, as shown in FIG.

  The louver controller 14 controls the operation of the upper and lower louvers 2 and the left and right louvers 4 to change the direction in which air is blown from the outlet 20. Specifically, the louver control unit 14 electrically controls devices such as a motor (not shown) for moving the upper and lower louvers 2 and the left and right louvers 4.

  The compressor control unit 15 controls the operation of the compressor. The compressor compresses the refrigerant and circulates the heat in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit 1 (not shown). When the compressor control unit 15 controls the operation of the compressor, the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger is controlled. Thereby, hot air, cold air and normal temperature air are selectively generated by the heat exchanger. Further, the fan motor control unit 16 controls an operation of a fan motor for driving the blower fan of the indoor unit 1. The fan motor control unit 16 controls the number of rotations of the blower fan to change the amount of air blown from the outlet 20. The compressor, the heat exchanger, the blower fan, and the fan motor configured as described above are examples of a blower that selectively generates hot air, cold air, and normal-temperature air and blows out the air from the outlet 20.

  The information processing unit 12 is based on the information on the position of the human body within the target range, the information on the part of the human body, and the information on the temperature distribution of the human body, detected by the surface temperature sensor 3 and the controller unit 6. Is determined. The control unit 13 outputs a specific control command to each of the louver control unit 14, the compressor control unit 15, and the fan motor control unit 16 according to the control content determined by the information processing unit 12. The louver control unit 14, the compressor control unit 15, and the fan motor control unit 16 control the operations of the upper and lower louvers 2, the left and right louvers 4, the compressor, and the fan motor in accordance with control commands from the control unit 13.

  The control board 11 having the information processing unit 12, the control unit 13, the louver control unit 14, the compressor control unit 15, and the fan motor control unit 16 configured as described above is an example of a control unit. The control board 11, which is an example of a control unit, includes a vertical louver 2, which is an example of a wind direction changing unit, based on detection results of the surface temperature sensor 3, the information acquisition unit 7, and the position determination unit 8, which are an example of a human body detection unit. The right and left louvers 4 and a compressor, a heat exchanger, a blower fan, and a fan motor, which are examples of a blower, are controlled.

  As described above, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment and the environment control system including the air conditioner can execute a work efficiency improving operation. The work efficiency improvement operation is an operation for improving the work efficiency of the worker by performing a blowing operation toward the worker 50. That is, in the present embodiment, the air conditioner blows out the normal temperature wind from the air outlet 20 when the operation efficiency improvement operation is performed.

  The upper and lower louvers 2 and the left and right louvers 4, which are examples of the wind direction changing means, are controlled such that air is blown from the air outlet 20 toward a target portion within the target range when the operation for improving work efficiency is performed. The target portion in the present embodiment is a worker 50 in the work space 100, that is, a human body existing in the work space 100. The target portion may be set as a head of a human body existing in the work space 100.

  An environment control system that executes a work efficiency improving operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the environment control system according to the first embodiment that executes a work efficiency improvement operation. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 6, the environment control system includes two indoor units 1 as in the configuration example shown in FIG. Each of the two indoor units 1 has an outlet 20 for blowing air toward the same working space 100.

  In the configuration example shown in FIG. 6, there are four workers 50 in the work space 100. The operation efficiency improvement operation is performed by the indoor unit 1 closer to the worker 50 among the two indoor units 1. The indoor unit 1 close to the worker 50 performs a blowing operation for blowing a normal-temperature wind. At this time, the upper and lower louvers 2 and the left and right louvers 4 provided in the indoor unit 1 near the worker 50 are controlled so that air is blown out from the outlet 20 toward the worker 50.

  When the work efficiency improvement operation is being performed by the indoor unit 1 close to the worker 50, the above-described temperature control operation is simultaneously performed by the indoor unit 1 far from the worker 50. When the air conditioner is set to perform cooling, the indoor unit 1 far from the worker 50 blows out cool air as illustrated in FIG. As described above, in the environment control system according to the present embodiment, the workability of the worker 50 and the temperature control of the work space 100 can be simultaneously performed by linking the two indoor units 1. The interlocking of the two indoor units 1 is controlled by, for example, the system control unit 17.

  Here, it is better that the upper and lower louvers 2 and the left and right louvers 4 provided in the indoor unit 1 performing the temperature control operation are controlled so that the direction in which the warm air or the cool air is blown does not face the operator 50. In the configuration example illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, among the air outlets 20 of the indoor unit 1 that performs the temperature control operation, the air outlets facing the worker 50 are closed by the upper and lower louvers 2. Further, the direction in which air is blown out from the air outlet 20 of the indoor unit 1 that performs the temperature control operation may be adjusted to the vicinity of the ceiling by the upper and lower louvers 2.

  In addition, for example, the worker 50 may be present in the work space 100 over the entire periphery of the indoor unit 1. In other words, there is a case where there is no direction in which the worker 50 does not exist based on the indoor unit 1. In this case, the indoor unit 1 that performs the work efficiency improving operation and the indoor unit 1 that performs the temperature control operation may be replaced at regular intervals. Thereby, the workability of the worker 50 in the entire work space 100 can be improved.

  At this time, the order in which the wind is blown by the work efficiency improvement operation, that is, the priority order of the human body to be subjected to the work efficiency improvement operation may be determined based on the surface temperature distribution data acquired by the surface temperature sensor 3. For example, the indoor unit 1 may perform the work efficiency improvement operation on a plurality of human bodies in the order of higher head temperatures. Thereby, the worker 50 whose head temperature has become high is preferentially cooled. In summary, first, the operation efficiency improvement operation is performed by the indoor unit 1 close to the worker whose body temperature has become high. During this time, the temperature control operation is performed by the other indoor units 1. After that, when a certain period of time has elapsed, the indoor unit 1 performing the work efficiency improving operation and the indoor unit 1 performing the temperature control operation are switched. The switching between the indoor unit 1 that performs the work efficiency improving operation and the indoor unit 1 that performs the temperature control operation is controlled by, for example, the system control unit 17.

  When the work space 100 is an office or the like, an island may be formed by a plurality of workers 50. In this case, as an example, the work efficiency improving operation may be performed on each island in descending order of the average temperature of the head temperature of the worker 50 on each island.

  7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating examples of temperature control of the environment control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows an example of temperature control during the cooling operation. FIG. 8 shows an example of temperature control during the heating operation.

  In FIGS. 7 and 8, what is described as “personal contact” is an operation of applying a normal-temperature wind to the worker 50, that is, an operation for improving work efficiency. The indoor unit 1 that performs the above-described operation efficiency improvement operation may perform the temperature control operation before performing the operation efficiency improvement operation. For example, all the indoor units 1 included in the environment control system may perform the temperature control operation until the temperature of the work space 100 reaches the set temperature. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the temperature control operation may be performed so as to avoid humans, that is, to prevent the wind from hitting the worker. In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the workability of the worker 50 is improved and the temperature of the work space 100 is maintained after the temperature of the work space 100 is quickly set to the set temperature by all the indoor units 1. .

  The temperature control operation until the temperature of the work space 100 reaches the set temperature does not have to be avoided by humans. For example, the worker 50 immediately after coming to the work space 100 may feel heat or cold strongly. In the summer or the like, the worker 50 who feels the heat immediately after coming to work can be effectively suppressed by applying cool air to the worker 50. The cold of the worker 50 can be effectively suppressed by blowing warm air to the worker 50 who feels cold immediately after coming to work, such as in winter.

  Next, a specific example of the operation flow of the environment control system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the environment control system according to the first embodiment.

  First, the surface temperature sensor 3 scans the target range, thereby detecting the worker 50 in the work space 100, in other words, detecting the human body in the work space 100 (step S101). As described above, the position of the human body is determined by the position determination unit 8 based on the surface temperature distribution data acquired by the surface temperature sensor 3.

  Next, all the indoor units 1 included in the environment control system perform a temperature control operation on the entire work space 100 while preventing the wind from hitting the human body detected in step S101 (step S102). When the temperature control operation is performed in step S102, it is determined whether the working space 100 has reached the set temperature (step S103). The determination in step S103 is performed by the temperature determination unit 10 based on, for example, a detection result of the surface temperature sensor 3 or a detection result of a room temperature sensor (not shown). If the working space 100 has not reached the set temperature, the processing of step S102 and the processing of step S103 are continued. Thereby, the temperature control operation is continued until the working space 100 reaches the set temperature.

  When the working space 100 reaches the set temperature, it is determined whether or not there is a direction in which no person is present for the indoor unit 1 included in the environment control system (step S104). The determination in step S104 is performed by the position determination unit 8, for example, based on the detection result of the surface temperature sensor 3 in step S101.

  When there is a direction in which there is no person with respect to the indoor unit 1, at least one indoor unit 1 performs a temperature control operation of blowing hot or cold air in a direction in which no person is present. At the same time, at least one indoor unit 1 performs a blowing operation in a direction in which a person is present, that is, performs a work efficiency improving operation (step S105). Thus, the temperature control operation and the work efficiency improvement operation are performed simultaneously.

  When there is no direction in which no person is present with respect to the indoor unit 1, at least one indoor unit 1 performs a temperature control operation of blowing hot or cold air. At the same time, at least one indoor unit 1 performs a blowing operation in a direction where a person is present, that is, performs a work efficiency improving operation (step S106). Thus, the temperature control operation and the work efficiency improvement operation are performed simultaneously. Here, it is preferable that the temperature control operation in step S106 be performed by a person.

  After the processing in step S106, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S107). The determination in step S107 is performed by, for example, the controller unit 6 or the control board 11. This fixed time is set in advance. If the given time has not elapsed since the temperature control operation and the work efficiency improvement operation were simultaneously performed, the process of step S107 is continued.

  When a certain period of time has elapsed since the temperature control operation and the work efficiency improvement operation were simultaneously performed, the indoor unit 1 performing the work efficiency improvement operation and the indoor unit 1 performing the temperature control operation are replaced (step S108). After that, the process of step S107 is performed again. In this way, the indoor unit 1 that performs the work efficiency improving operation and the indoor unit 1 that performs the temperature control operation are replaced at regular intervals.

  The environment control system configured as described in the above embodiment simultaneously executes a work efficiency improvement operation of sending a small amount of normal temperature air toward the human body and a temperature control operation of blowing out a hot air or a cool air. Thereby, the workability of the worker 50 and the temperature control of the work space 100 can be simultaneously performed.

  The wind speed and air volume of the air blown out from the air outlet 20 during the work efficiency improving operation may be constant or may fluctuate irregularly. Further, the wind direction of the wind blown out from the outlet 20 at the time of the work efficiency improving operation may be constant or may fluctuate irregularly. That is, the upper and lower louvers 2 and the left and right louvers 4 may swing during the work efficiency improving operation. Since the wind blown from the outlet 20 fluctuates during the work efficiency improving operation, the feeling of contact of the worker 50 with the wind is suppressed, and the comfort of the worker 50 increases.

  As described above, the surface temperature sensor 3, the information acquisition unit 7, and the position determination unit 8 are an example of a human body detection unit that detects a human body existing in the work space 100. The surface temperature sensor 3 constituting the human body detecting means does not have to be mounted on each of the plurality of air conditioners. Further, the surface temperature sensor 3 does not necessarily have to be provided in the air conditioner. The surface temperature sensor 3 may be installed on, for example, a floor surface 51, a wall surface 52, a ceiling surface 54, or the like. For example, one surface temperature sensor 3 is installed at an intermediate position between four indoor units 1. The four indoor units 1 are controlled by, for example, the system control unit 17 based on the detection results of one surface temperature sensor 3. Thereby, the number of the surface temperature sensors 3 is suppressed, and the cost of the environment control system can be reduced. Further, the surface temperature detecting unit according to the present disclosure may be configured by, for example, a wearable contact-type sensor worn by an operator, instead of the surface temperature sensor 3 described above.

  Further, the controller unit 6 and the control board 11 may be provided outside the air conditioner, for example, similarly to the system control unit 17. The system control unit 17 may be provided in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner. The functions of the controller 6, the control board 11, and the system controller 17 may be realized by, for example, a server on a cloud. The operations of the environmental control system and the air conditioner may be controlled by a server or the like on a cloud. Thereby, the control load on the air conditioner itself is suppressed. Further, the interlocking of a plurality of air conditioners becomes easier.

  Further, the number of outlets 20 formed in indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is not limited to the example shown in the present embodiment, and may be any number. For example, when the environment control system includes a plurality of air conditioners, the indoor unit 1 may have only one outlet 20.

  In addition, the environment control system according to the above-described embodiment may include, for example, a setting unit that sets the temperature of the air that is blown from the air outlet 20 toward the human body by the work efficiency improvement operation. For example, if the worker 50 who is hot wants to take a cooler wind, the setting unit sets the cold wind to hit the worker 50. Further, for example, when the cold worker 50 wants to take a warmer wind, the setting unit sets the warm air to hit the worker 50. As described above, the environment control system may be configured to be able to adjust the temperature of the air blown from the outlet 20 toward the human body by the work efficiency improving operation.

  In addition, the environment control system according to the present disclosure is configured such that when room temperature air is sent from the air outlet 20 to the human body by the work efficiency improving operation, and the surface temperature of the human body is equal to or higher than a certain temperature, the human body The configuration may be such that the cool air is blown out from the blow-out port 20 toward. The above operation is controlled based on the detection result of the surface temperature sensor 3 as an example. According to this example, it is possible to more effectively suppress the work efficiency from being significantly reduced due to the body temperature of the worker 50 being too high.

Embodiment 2 FIG.
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The description of the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment will be simplified and omitted, and the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 that executes a work efficiency improvement operation.

  FIG. 10A is a plan view schematically showing a configuration of the indoor unit 1a of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10B is a side view schematically showing a configuration of the indoor unit 1a of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2. As in the indoor unit 1 of the first embodiment, a plurality of outlets 20 are formed in the indoor unit 1a. As an example, four outlets 20 are formed in the indoor unit 1a. Further, the indoor unit 1a includes the upper and lower louvers 2 and the left and right louvers 4, similarly to the indoor unit 1 of the first embodiment.

  The indoor unit 1a includes a plurality of heat exchangers 21. The plurality of heat exchangers 21 are respectively provided in independent air paths. This independent air path is partitioned by a partition plate 22. The indoor unit 1a according to the present embodiment is characterized in that a single unit can blow out winds having different temperatures. For example, room temperature air is blown out of two of the four outlets 20, and cool air or hot air is blown out of the other two. As described above, the indoor unit 1a according to the present embodiment can execute the cooling operation while performing the blowing operation or the heating operation while performing the blowing operation.

  According to the air-conditioning apparatus including the indoor unit 1a configured as described above, it is possible to realize the environmental control system according to the present disclosure with one unit. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 that executes a work efficiency improvement operation. As shown in FIG. 11, normal temperature air is blown out toward the worker 50 from the outlet 20 close to the worker 50. At the same time, hot air or cold air is blown from the outlet 20 close to the worker 50. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation efficiency improvement operation and the temperature adjustment operation can be performed simultaneously by one air conditioner.

  In this embodiment, the various controls described in the first embodiment can be executed. The outlet 20 from which the room temperature air is blown out and the outlet 20 from which the warm air or the cool air is blown may be switched at regular intervals. Until the working space 100 reaches the set temperature, hot air or cold air may be blown from all the outlets 20. As described above, the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be combined as long as no inconsistency occurs. Further, for example, the environment control system may include a plurality of indoor units 1a.

  As described in each of the above embodiments, the number of air conditioners included in the environmental control system of the present embodiment may be one or two. The environment control system according to the present disclosure may be configured to include a plurality of outlets 20. The plurality of outlets 20 simultaneously execute the work efficiency improving operation and the temperature control operation. This makes it possible to simultaneously improve workability and control the temperature of the work space.

  Reference Signs List 1 indoor unit, 1a indoor unit, 2 vertical louvers, 3 surface temperature sensor, 4 left and right louvers, 5 suction port, 6 controller unit, 7 information acquisition unit, 8 position determination unit, 9 location determination unit, 10 temperature determination unit, 11 Control board, 12 information processing section, 13 control section, 14 louver control section, 15 compressor control section, 16 fan motor control section, 17 system control section, 20 outlet, 21 heat exchanger, 22 partition plate, 30 casing , 31 lower panel, 50 workers, 51 floor surface, 52 wall surfaces, 53 desks, 54 ceiling surface, 100 work space

Claims (8)

A plurality of outlets for blowing wind toward the same work space,
Wind direction changing means capable of changing a direction in which wind is blown from the outlet,
Blowing means for selectively generating hot air, cold air and normal temperature air and blowing it out from the outlet,
Human body detection means for detecting a human body present in the work space,
Control means for controlling the blowing means and the wind direction changing means based on the detection result of the human body detecting means,
With
Simultaneously, a work efficiency improvement operation of sending normal-temperature air from at least one of the air outlets toward the human body detected by the human body detection means, and a temperature control operation of blowing out hot air or cold air from at least one of the air outlets Environment control system to execute.   2. The environment according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the wind direction changing unit so that a direction in which hot air or cold air is blown out does not face a human body detected by the human body detection unit during the temperature control operation. 3. Control system.   The control means controls the blowing means and the wind direction changing means such that hot air or cold air is blown out from all the plurality of outlets until the temperature of the work space reaches a set temperature, and 3. The air blowing means and the air direction changing means are controlled so that the work efficiency improving operation and the temperature adjusting operation are performed simultaneously after the temperature of the space reaches the set temperature. Environmental control system.   The control unit controls the wind direction changing unit such that a direction in which hot air or cold air is blown does not face the human body detected by the human body detection unit until the temperature of the work space reaches a set temperature. The environment control system according to claim 3.   5. The air outlet from which air at normal temperature is blown out by the work efficiency improving operation and the air outlet from which warm air or cold air is blown out by the temperature control operation are replaced at regular intervals. 6. The environmental control system according to claim 1.   The environment control system according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set a temperature of air blown out from the air outlet toward a human body by the work efficiency improving operation. The human body detection means can detect the surface temperature of the human body,
When room temperature air is sent from the outlet to the human body by the work efficiency improving operation, when the surface temperature of the human body detected by the human body detecting means is equal to or higher than a certain temperature, the air is discharged from the outlet. The environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein cold air is blown toward the human body. A plurality of outlets for blowing wind toward the same work space,
Wind direction changing means capable of changing a direction in which wind is blown from the outlet,
Blowing means for selectively generating hot air, cold air and normal temperature air and blowing it out from the outlet,
Human body detection means for detecting a human body present in the work space,
Control means for controlling the blowing means and the wind direction changing means based on the detection result of the human body detecting means,
With
Simultaneously, a work efficiency improvement operation of sending room temperature air from at least one of the air outlets toward the human body detected by the human body detection unit, and a temperature control operation of blowing out hot air or cold air from at least one of the air outlets The air conditioner to run.

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