JP2020122589A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner having an efficient sound output system.SOLUTION: An air conditioner 100 includes an indoor unit 30 and an outdoor unit 10. The indoor unit includes: a control unit 35A having a first memory 352 and a first processor 351; and a radio communication unit 35B having a second memory 357 storing sound data, a second processor 356 and a radio communication interface 359; and a speaker 38. While a radio communication function is turned off, the second processor 356 causes sound to be output from the speaker 38 on the basis of sound data of the second memory 357.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner technology, and more particularly to an air conditioner technology having a wireless communication unit.

Conventionally, an air conditioner equipped with a control unit for controlling an indoor unit and a wireless communication unit for communicating with an external device is known. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2014-216835 (Patent Document 1) discloses a home electric appliance control system. According to Patent Literature 1, the home appliance control system controls the air conditioner and the lighting device provided in the same room. The control device controls at least one of the illuminance and the color tone of the lighting device in cooperation with the operation of the air conditioner.

JP, 2014-216835, A

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner having an efficient sound output system.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit is provided. The indoor unit includes a control unit including a first memory and a first processor, a wireless communication unit including a second memory for storing voice data, a second processor and a wireless communication interface, and a speaker. ,including. With the wireless communication function turned off, the second processor causes the speaker to output sound based on the sound data in the second memory.

As described above, according to the present invention, an air conditioner having an efficient audio output system is provided.

It is an image figure showing an outline of an air harmony machine concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram at the time of air conditioning operation, dehumidification operation, and defrosting operation of air harmony machine 100 concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a schematic structure figure at the time of heating operation of air harmony machine 100 concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the indoor control part 35 and the outdoor control part 29 concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the indoor control part 35 and the outdoor control part 29 concerning 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.
<First Embodiment>
<Outline of air conditioner>

The air conditioner according to the present embodiment mainly includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The two are connected to each other by a refrigerant pipe or a signal line. An outline of the indoor unit 30 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

The indoor unit 30 according to the present embodiment is equipped with a main control board for performing air conditioning operation, that is, a control unit 35A, and a wireless communication unit 35B for performing wireless communication with an external device. .. Then, in the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 35B stores the audio data in the storage areas 3571, 3572, 3573, and various sounds are output from the speaker 38 of the indoor unit 30 based on the audio data. ..

For example, storage area 3571 is, for example, a non-volatile memory, and stores predetermined repeatedly used sound data related to air conditioning operation. The storage area 3572 is, for example, a RAM, and temporarily stores the one-time audio data downloaded from the cloud. In this embodiment, voice data that is repeatedly used is also downloaded from the cloud, and the storage area 3571 is overwritten by the voice data.

Then, in the present embodiment, when the user turns off the wireless communication, the wireless communication unit 35B itself is activated while the wireless communication is stopped, and the speaker is based on the audio data stored in the storage area 3571. The voice output from 38 is continued. In the present embodiment, the control unit 35A does not store voice data, and the control unit 35A is configured to instruct the wireless communication unit 35B to output a required voice.

As a result, in the present embodiment, it becomes unnecessary to rewrite the voice data from the wireless communication unit 35B to the control unit 35A. Further, only the wireless communication unit 35B can be attached or replaced when the indoor unit 35 is assembled or after shipping. Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the air conditioner 100 for realizing such a function will be described in detail.
<Structure of the air conditioner 100>

2 and 3, the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment is a separate type air conditioner, and mainly includes an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 30, and a remote controller 50. There is. The air conditioner 100 is configured by connecting the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 30 via refrigerant pipes 17 and 18. Hereinafter, the outdoor unit 10, the indoor unit 30, the remote controller 50, the refrigerant pipes 17 and 18 will be described in detail.

(1) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 10 is mainly composed of a housing 11, a compressor 12, a four-way switching valve 13, an outdoor heat exchanger 14, an expansion valve 15, an outdoor fan 16, a refrigerant pipe 17, a refrigerant pipe 18, and a second pipe. It comprises a one-way valve 19, a three-way valve 20, an outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 21, a discharge temperature sensor 22, an intake temperature sensor 23, an outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 24, an outdoor air temperature sensor 25, and an outdoor control unit 29. The outdoor unit 10 is installed outdoors.

The compressor 12 has a discharge pipe 12a and a suction pipe 12b. The discharge pipe 12a and the suction pipe 12b are connected to different connection ports of the four-way switching valve 13, respectively. Further, the compressor 12 is communicatively connected to the outdoor control unit 29 via a communication line, and operates according to a control signal transmitted from the outdoor control unit 29. During operation, the compressor 12 sucks low-pressure refrigerant gas from the suction pipe 12b, compresses the refrigerant gas to generate high-pressure refrigerant gas, and then discharges the high-pressure refrigerant gas from the discharge pipe 12a.

The four-way switching valve 13 is connected to the discharge pipe 12a and the suction pipe 12b of the compressor 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the indoor heat exchanger 32 via a refrigerant pipe. The four-way switching valve 13 is communicatively connected to the outdoor control unit 29 via a communication line and operates according to a control signal transmitted from the outdoor control unit 29. As a result, the four-way switching valve 13 connects the discharge pipe 12a of the compressor 12 to the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and operates the suction pipe 12b of the compressor 12 according to the control signal transmitted from the outdoor control unit 29 during operation. When the cooling operation, the dehumidifying operation, and the defrosting operation state (see FIG. 2) are connected to the indoor heat exchanger 32, the discharge pipe 12a of the compressor 12 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 32, and the suction pipe 12b of the compressor 12 is connected. The heating operation state (see FIG. 3) connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is switched.

The outdoor heat exchanger 14 is a heat transfer tube (not shown) bent back and forth at the left and right ends, and a large number of radiating fins (not shown) attached to the heat transfer tube (fin and tube type). It also functions as a condenser during defrosting operation (see FIG. 2) and as an evaporator during heating operation (see FIG. 3). A parallel flow type heat exchanger or a serpentine type heat exchanger may be used as the heat exchanger.

The expansion valve 15 is an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree can be controlled via a stepping motor described later. One of the expansion valves 15 is connected to the two-way valve 19 via the refrigerant pipe 17, and the other is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 14. The stepping motor of the expansion valve 15 is communicatively connected to the outdoor control unit 29 via a communication line, and operates according to a control signal transmitted from the outdoor control unit 29. The expansion valve 15 is a high-temperature high-pressure flowing out from the condenser (the outdoor heat exchanger 14 during the cooling operation, the dehumidifying operation, and the defrosting operation, and the indoor heat exchanger 32 during the heating operation) during operation. The liquid refrigerant is decompressed to a state where it can easily evaporate, and also to the evaporator (the indoor heat exchanger 32 during the cooling operation, the dehumidifying operation, and the defrosting operation, and the outdoor heat exchanger 14 during the heating operation). Plays a role of adjusting the refrigerant supply amount of.

The outdoor fan 16 is mainly composed of a propeller fan and a motor. The propeller fan is rotationally driven by a motor and supplies outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 14. The motor is communicatively connected to the outdoor control unit 29 via a communication line, and operates according to a control signal transmitted from the outdoor control unit 29.

The two-way valve 19 is arranged in the refrigerant pipe 17. The two-way valve 19 is closed when the refrigerant pipe 17 is removed from the outdoor unit 10, and prevents the refrigerant from leaking from the outdoor unit 10 to the outside.

The three-way valve 20 is arranged in the refrigerant pipe 18. The three-way valve 20 is closed when the refrigerant pipe 18 is removed from the outdoor unit 10 to prevent the refrigerant from leaking from the outdoor unit 10. When the refrigerant needs to be recovered from the outdoor unit 10 or the entire refrigeration cycle including the indoor unit 30, the refrigerant is recovered through the three-way valve 20.

The temperature sensors 21 to 25 are thermistors. The outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 21 is arranged in the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the discharge temperature sensor 22 is arranged in the discharge pipe 12a of the compressor 12, and the suction temperature sensor 23 is arranged in the suction pipe 12b of the compressor 12. The outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 24 is disposed in the refrigerant pipe 17 near the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the outdoor air temperature sensor 25 is for measuring the outdoor air temperature and is located inside the housing 11. It is placed at a predetermined location. More specifically, the outside air temperature sensor 25 is preferably arranged, for example, at a location where the temperature of the outside air before being supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 14 by the outdoor fan 16 can be detected. All of these temperature sensors 21 to 25 are communicatively connected to the outdoor control unit 29 via a communication line, and transmit information regarding the measured temperature to the outdoor control unit 29.

The outdoor control unit 29 is communicatively connected to the compressor 12, the four-way switching valve 13, the expansion valve 15, the outdoor fan 16, and the temperature sensors 21 to 25 via a communication line. For example, the processor of the outdoor control unit 29 performs arithmetic processing on the output information of the temperature sensors 21 to 25 and various control parameters stored in the memory at any time to derive appropriate control parameters, and the control parameters are It is transmitted to the compressor 12, the four-way switching valve 13, the expansion valve 15, and the outdoor fan 16. In addition, the processor transmits and receives control parameters and the like to the indoor control unit 35 as needed.

(2) Indoor unit The indoor unit 30 mainly includes a housing 31, an indoor heat exchanger 32, an indoor fan 33, an indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 34, an indoor temperature sensor 37, an indoor control unit 35, a filter 104, and a vertical louver. (Upper and lower wind direction plate) 105 and a horizontal louver (left and right wind direction plate) not shown.

The housing 31 accommodates an indoor heat exchanger 32, an indoor fan 33, an indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 34, an indoor temperature sensor 37, an indoor control unit 35, and the like. The vertical louver 105 constitutes a part of the housing 31.

The indoor heat exchanger 32 is a combination of three heat exchangers 32A, 32B, 32C like a roof (inverted V shape, lambda type) covering the indoor fan 33. Each of the heat exchangers 32A, 32B, and 32C is a heat transfer tube (not shown) bent back and forth at the left and right ends, and a large number of radiating fins (not shown) are attached to the heat exchanger 32A, 32B, and 32C during the cooling operation. It also functions as an evaporator during dehumidifying operation or defrosting operation (see FIG. 2), and functions as a condenser during heating operation (see FIG. 3).

The indoor fan 33 is mainly composed of a cross flow fan and a motor. The cross-flow fan is rotationally driven by a motor, sucks indoor air from the suction port 102 through the filter 104 into the housing 31 and supplies the indoor heat exchanger 32, and at the same time, receives the air that has been heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 32. It is delivered to the room through the air outlet 103. The motor is communicatively connected to the indoor control unit 35 via a communication line, and operates according to a control signal transmitted from the indoor control unit 35.

The temperature sensor 34 is a thermistor. The indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 34 is arranged in the indoor heat exchanger 32, and the indoor temperature sensor 37 measures the indoor temperature and is arranged in the housing 31 near the suction port. The temperature sensors 34 and 37 are communicatively connected to the indoor control unit 35 via a communication line, and send information on the measured temperature to the indoor control unit 35.

The indoor control unit 35 is communicatively connected to the indoor fan 33, the temperature sensors 34, 37, and the like via a communication line. The processor of the indoor control unit 35 performs arithmetic processing on the control signal from the remote controller 50, the output information of the temperature sensors 34, 37 and the like to derive appropriate control parameters from time to time, and outputs the control parameters and the like to the indoor fan. 33, etc. In addition, the processor transmits control parameters and the like to the outdoor control unit 29 and receives control parameters and the like from the outdoor control unit 29 as necessary.

The infrared light receiving section 36 receives blinking infrared light generated from the remote controller 50. The infrared light receiving unit 36 processes the blinking infrared light into a signal and transfers the generated signal to the indoor control unit 35.

The speaker 38 outputs sound based on an instruction from the processor of the indoor control unit 35. In the present embodiment, speaker 38 mainly outputs sound based on a signal from wireless communication unit 35B.

The light 39 is turned on when the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 35B is valid, and outputs light based on an instruction from the processor of the indoor control unit 35. However, in the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 35B is configured such that the processor and the like remain activated even when the wireless communication is turned off.

The compressor 12, the four-way switching valve 13, the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the expansion valve 15 of the outdoor unit 10, and the indoor heat exchanger 32 of the indoor unit 30 are sequentially connected by the refrigerant pipes 17 and 18, and the refrigerant circuit (Refrigeration cycle).

(3) Refrigerant Pipe The refrigerant pipe 17 is a pipe thinner than the refrigerant pipe 18, and the liquid refrigerant flows during the cooling operation, the dehumidifying operation, and the defrosting operation. The refrigerant pipe 18 is thicker than the refrigerant pipe 17, and the gas refrigerant flows during the cooling operation.
<Configuration of control unit>

The air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment includes the indoor control unit 35 and the outdoor control unit 29, as described above. The configuration of the control unit including the indoor control unit 35 and the outdoor control unit 29 will be described below with reference to FIG.

The indoor control unit 35 includes a control unit 35A and a wireless communication unit 35B. The control unit 35A is preferably covered with sheet metal or the like. On the other hand, the wireless communication unit 35B is preferably not covered with a metal member or the like so that radio waves can be easily transmitted and received.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 351, a memory 352, a serial communication interface 358, and the like are arranged in the control unit 35A. The memory 352 includes a first storage area 3521, a second storage area 3522, a third storage area 3523, and the like. In this embodiment, the first storage area 3521 is a rewritable nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory. The second storage area 3522 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random access memory) for temporarily expanding data. The third storage area 3523 is realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like.

A CPU 356, a memory 357, a WiFi antenna 359, and the like are arranged in the wireless communication unit 35B. The memory 357 includes a first storage area 3571, a second storage area 3572, a third storage area 3573, and the like. In this embodiment, the first storage area 3571 is a rewritable non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, and stores repeatedly used audio data and the like. The second storage area 3572 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random access memory) for temporarily expanding data, and temporarily stores voice data downloaded from the cloud. The third storage area 3573 is realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like.

The control unit 35A and the wireless communication unit 35B are communicably connected by a signal line 355.

The outdoor control unit 29 includes an outdoor control unit 29A. The outdoor control unit 29A also includes a CPU 291, a memory 292, a serial communication interface 298, and the like.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the CPU 351 of the control unit 35A of the indoor unit 30 outputs various sounds when receiving an instruction from the remote controller 50 or when other predetermined conditions are satisfied. As described above, the instruction is sent to the wireless communication unit 35B via the signal line 355. In response to this, the CPU 356 of the wireless communication unit 35B causes the speaker 38 to output a sound based on the sound data stored in the first storage area 3571.

Note that the CPU 356 of the wireless communication unit 35B uses the WiFi antenna 359 based on an instruction from the control unit 35A to download voice data for repeated use from the cloud, and then the first storage area 3571. Or the audio data in the first storage area 3571 is updated.

Note that the CPU 356 of the wireless communication unit 35B uses the WiFi antenna 359 to download voice data for temporary use from the cloud and expands it in the second storage area 3572. In this case, the CPU 356 of the wireless communication unit 35B causes the speaker 38 to output the sound such as the weather forecast or the news as it is when the control unit 35A permits the sound data expanded in the second storage area 3572. ..

As described above, in the present embodiment, the memory 352 of the control unit 35A does not need to store audio data.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the CPU 356 of the wireless communication unit 35B also receives various control commands from the cloud by using the WiFi antenna 359. In this case, the CPU 356 of the wireless communication unit 35B transmits various control commands from the cloud to the CPU 351 of the control unit 35A by using the signal line 355 used for instructing the output of voice.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 351 of the control unit 35A of the indoor unit 30 enables or disables the wireless communication with the external device by the wireless communication unit 35B via the remote controller 50 or the operation unit. Accept the instructions. More specifically, the CPU 351 turns on the light 39 while causing the wireless communication unit 35B to start wireless communication via the WiFi antenna 359 via the signal line 355 in response to an instruction to turn on wireless communication. Conversely, the CPU 351 turns off the light 39 while causing the wireless communication unit 35B to stop the wireless communication by the WiFi antenna 359 via the signal line 355 in response to the instruction to turn off the wireless communication.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 35B itself is configured to remain activated even when the wireless communication by the WiFi antenna 359 is turned off. That is, even when the wireless communication is OFF, the CPU 351 of the control unit 35A of the indoor unit 30 outputs various sounds when receiving an instruction from the remote controller 50 or when other predetermined conditions are satisfied. An instruction is sent to the wireless communication unit 35B via the signal line 355 to output. In response to this, the CPU 356 of the wireless communication unit 35B causes the speaker 38 to output a sound based on the sound data stored in the first storage area 3571.
<Second Embodiment>

In the above-described embodiment, the WiFi antenna 359 is used to download the voice data from the cloud and the control command. However, the wireless communication unit 35B may perform wireless communication by communication means other than WiFi.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the wireless communication unit 35B may have two types of communication interfaces, such as a WiFi antenna 359A and a Bluetooth antenna 359B. Then, the wireless communication unit 35B may be capable of receiving voice data from another device via the Bluetooth antenna 359B and storing the voice data in the storage area 3571 or updating it. Even in this case, the wireless communication unit 35B may accept a control command from the cloud via the WiFi antenna 359.
<Third Embodiment>

In the above embodiment, the voice data is stored in the wireless communication unit 35B. However, the data necessary for controlling the indoor unit 30 of the air conditioner 100 and the outdoor unit 10 are not limited to the audio data, and may be stored in the wireless communication unit 35B. In this case, the control of the indoor unit 30 or the outdoor unit 10 is performed in the nonvolatile second storage area 3572 or third storage area 3573, which is different from the first storage area 3571 in which the voice data is stored. It is preferable to be able to store the data required for control.
<Fourth Embodiment>

In the above embodiment, the second storage area 3572 is a RAM and the first storage area 3571 is a non-volatile memory. However, the types of the first storage area 3571, the second storage area 3572, and the third storage area 3573 are not limited as described above.

In the above embodiment, the first storage area 3571, the second storage area 3572, and the third storage area 3573 are different types of storage media, but they are the same type of storage medium. Good.

The first storage area 3571, the second storage area 3572, and the third storage area 3573 may be separate areas of one storage medium.
<Summary>

In the above embodiment, an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit is provided. The indoor unit includes a control unit including a first memory and a first processor, a wireless communication unit including a second memory for storing voice data, a second processor and a wireless communication interface, and a speaker. ,including. With the wireless communication function turned off, the second processor causes the speaker to output sound based on the sound data in the second memory.

Preferably, the second memory comprises a non-volatile memory. The second processor stores the voice data acquired via the wireless communication interface in the non-volatile memory, and outputs the voice from the speaker based on the voice data of the non-volatile memory based on the instruction from the control unit.

Preferably, the second processor rewrites the voice data in the nonvolatile memory with the voice data acquired via the wireless communication interface.

Preferably, the indoor unit further includes a display unit. The first processor turns off the display unit in a state in which the wireless communication function is turned off while the second processor is being activated.

Preferably, the signal line for transmitting the control signal from the wireless communication unit to the control unit is used for transmitting the signal for instructing the audio output from the control unit to the wireless communication unit.

Preferably, the control command for the air conditioner is accepted via a communication interface other than the wireless communication interface.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

10: outdoor unit 11: casing 12: compressor 12a: discharge pipe 12b: suction pipe 13: four-way switching valve 14: outdoor heat exchanger 15: expansion valve 16: outdoor fan 17: refrigerant pipe 18: refrigerant pipe 19: Two-way valve 20: Three-way valve 21: Outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 22: Discharge temperature sensor 23: Intake temperature sensor 24: Outdoor heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 25: Outdoor air temperature sensor 29: Outdoor control unit 29A: Outdoor control unit 30 : Indoor unit 31: housing 32: indoor heat exchanger 32A: heat exchanger 32B: heat exchanger 32C: heat exchanger 33: indoor fan 34: indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 35: indoor control unit 35A: control unit 35B : Wireless communication unit 36: Infrared light receiving section 37: Indoor temperature sensor 38: Speaker 39: Light 50: Remote controller 100: Air conditioner 102: Suction port 103: Blowout port 104: Filter 105: Vertical louver 291: CPU
292: Memory 298: Serial communication interface 351: CPU
352: Memory 355: Signal line 356: CPU
357: Memory 358: Serial communication interface 359: WiFi antenna 359A: WiFi antenna 359B: Antenna 3521: First storage area 3522: Second storage area 3523: Third storage area 3571: First storage area 3572: Third storage area Second storage area 3573: Third storage area

Claims (6)

Indoor unit,
An air conditioner including an outdoor unit,
The indoor unit includes a control unit including a first memory and a first processor, a wireless communication unit including a second memory for storing voice data, a second processor and a wireless communication interface, and a speaker. And including,
An air conditioner in which the second processor causes a sound to be output from the speaker based on sound data in the second memory in a state where a wireless communication function is turned off. The second memory includes a non-volatile memory,
The second processor stores the audio data acquired via the wireless communication interface in the nonvolatile memory, and outputs the audio data from the speaker based on the audio data in the nonvolatile memory based on an instruction from the control unit. The air conditioner according to claim 1, which outputs sound. The network system according to claim 2, wherein the second processor rewrites the voice data of the nonvolatile memory with the voice data acquired via the wireless communication interface. The indoor unit further includes a display unit,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first processor turns off the display unit while the wireless communication function is turned off while the second processor is activated. .. 5. The signal line for transmitting a control signal from the wireless communication unit to the control unit is used for transmitting a signal for instructing voice output from the control unit to the wireless communication unit. The network system described in. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which receives a control command for the air conditioner via a communication interface different from the wireless communication interface.

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