JP2020139667A - Water level determination device and air conditioner including water level determination device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water level determination device that can contribute to suppression of water leakage from an air conditioner, and to provide an air conditioner including the water level determination device.SOLUTION: A water level determination device 90 includes a computer 91 for determining a state relating to a level of drain water that is stored in a drainage pan on the basis of image data acquired by a camera 80 capable of imaging at least the drainage pan of an air conditioner 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present disclosure relates to a water level determination device and an air conditioner including the water level determination device.

There is known an air conditioner that stores drain water flowing out of an indoor heat exchanger in a drain pan and discharges the drain water to the outside by driving a drain pump. In this air conditioner, when the drain water is stored in the drain pan for a certain amount or more, the float switch floating in the drain water is activated to drive the drain pump, and the drain water stored in the drain pan is discharged to the outside. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional air conditioner.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-360982

If the water level of the drain water stored in the drain pan continues to rise, the drain water may overflow from the drain pan and the air conditioner may leak. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to suitably determine the state of the drain water with respect to the water level.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a water level determination device capable of contributing to the suppression of water leakage of an air conditioner and an air conditioner including the water level determination device.

The water level determination device that solves this problem includes a computer that determines the state of the drain water stored in the drain pan based on the imaging data acquired by at least a camera capable of photographing the drain pan of the air conditioner.

According to this configuration, since the state related to the water level of the drain water is determined, it is possible to deal with the situation before the drain water overflows from the drain pan. Therefore, the possibility that the drain water overflows from the drain pan is reduced, which can contribute to the suppression of water leakage of the air conditioner.

In the water level determination device, the camera photographs the surface of the drain water, and the computer determines the state of the drain water based on the water surface image of the drain water included in the imaging data. Is preferable.

According to this configuration, since the state related to the water level of the drain water is determined based on the water surface image of the drain water, the state related to the water level of the drain water can be suitably determined. Therefore, it can contribute to the suppression of water leakage of the air conditioner.

In the water level determination device, the camera photographs a float switch floating in the drain water, and the computer determines a state related to the water level of the drain water based on the movement of the float switch included in the imaging data. It is preferable to do so.

According to this configuration, since the state related to the water level of the drain water is determined based on the movement of the float switch, the state related to the water level of the drain water can be suitably determined. Therefore, it can contribute to the suppression of water leakage of the air conditioner.

In the water level determination device, the computer holds a determination model for determining a state related to the water level of the drain water, and the computer acquires the imaging data from the camera and uses the imaging data and the determination model. Based on this, it is preferable to determine the state of the drain water with respect to the water level.

According to this configuration, since the state related to the water level of the drain water is determined based on the photographing data and the determination model, the state related to the water level of the drain water can be suitably determined. Therefore, it can contribute to the suppression of water leakage of the air conditioner.

In the water level determination device, when the computer determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal, it is preferable that the notification unit warns of the abnormality regarding the water level of the drain water.

According to this configuration, an abnormality related to the water level of the drain water is warned, so that the drain water can be dealt with before overflowing from the drain pan. Therefore, the possibility that the drain water overflows from the drain pan is reduced, and the water leakage of the air conditioner can be suppressed.

An air conditioner that solves this problem includes the drain pan, the camera, and the water level determination device.
According to this configuration, since the state related to the water level of the drain water is determined, it is possible to deal with it before the drain water overflows from the drain pan. Therefore, the possibility that the drain water overflows from the drain pan is reduced, which can contribute to the suppression of water leakage of the air conditioner.

In the air conditioner, it is preferable that the control unit of the air conditioner changes the operating state of the drain pump when the computer determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal.

According to this configuration, when the water level of the drain water becomes abnormal, the water level of the drain water is returned to the normal state as the drain pump is driven. Therefore, the possibility that the drain water overflows from the drain pan is reduced, and the water leakage of the air conditioner can be suppressed.

In the air conditioner, it is preferable that the control unit of the air conditioner stops the operation of the air conditioner when the computer determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal.

According to this configuration, when the water level of the drain water becomes abnormal, the rise of the water level of the drain water is suppressed as the operation of the air conditioner is stopped. Therefore, the possibility that the drain water overflows from the drain pan is reduced, and the water leakage of the air conditioner can be suppressed.

The plan view which shows the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of 1st Embodiment. The front view of the indoor unit of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the indoor unit of FIG. The block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the air conditioner of FIG. The perspective view which shows the 1st shooting data. The perspective view which shows the 2nd photographing data. The perspective view which shows the 3rd shooting data. The perspective view which shows the 4th shooting data. The perspective view which shows the 5th shooting data. The perspective view which shows the 6th photographing data of the air conditioner of 2nd Embodiment.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment will be described. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described below, and is indicated by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. To.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 includes a ceiling-suspended indoor unit 10. The indoor unit 10 is connected to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipe. The air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment constitutes a refrigerant circuit in which a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is performed by circulating the filled refrigerant. The outdoor unit includes a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger connected to a refrigerant circuit, and an outdoor fan that blows air to the outdoor heat exchanger. The air conditioner 1 takes in the indoor air RA, adjusts the temperature of the intake indoor air RA by a refrigerant circuit, and supplies the adjusted air to the room as the supply air SA.

The indoor unit 10 includes a casing 20 suspended from the ceiling, an indoor fan 30, an indoor heat exchanger 41, an electrical component box 42, a drain pan 50, and a drain pump 60. The indoor fan 30, the indoor heat exchanger 41, the electrical component box 42, the drain pan 50, and the drain pump 60 are housed in the casing 20.

The air conditioner 1 is configured to be capable of performing, for example, heating operation and cooling operation.
In the cooling operation, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor of the outdoor unit is condensed by the outdoor heat exchanger and depressurized by the expansion valve. The decompressed refrigerant evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger 41 of the indoor unit 10 and is compressed again in the compressor. When the indoor fan 30 is operated, the indoor air RA is sucked into the casing 20 from the suction port 25A of the casing 20. The air sucked from the suction port 25A passes through the indoor heat exchanger 41. In the indoor heat exchanger 41, the air is cooled by the refrigerant absorbing heat from the air. The cooled air passes through the outlet 26A of the casing 20 and is then supplied to the indoor space as supply air SA.

Here, when the air is cooled to the dew point temperature or lower by the indoor heat exchanger 41, the moisture in the air is condensed. The drain water, which is the condensed water generated in this way, is stored in the drain pan 50. The drain water stored in the drain pan 50 is discharged to the outside of the casing 20 by the drain pump 60.

In the heating operation, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor of the outdoor unit is condensed by the indoor heat exchanger 41 and depressurized by the expansion valve. The decompressed refrigerant evaporates in the outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit and is compressed again in the compressor. Therefore, in the indoor heat exchanger 41, the refrigerant dissipates heat to the air, and the air is heated. When the indoor fan 30 is operated, the air heated by the indoor heat exchanger 41 is supplied to the indoor space as the supply air SA.

Next, the configuration of the indoor unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. A part of the indoor unit 10 in FIG. 1 is shown in cross section.
The casing 20 is formed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped hollow box. An example of the material constituting the casing 20 is metal. The casing 20 includes a top plate 21, a bottom plate 22, and four side plates such as a front panel 23, a rear panel 24, a first side panel 25, and a second side panel 26. When the casing 20 is installed on the ceiling, the top plate 21 and the bottom plate 22 face each other in the vertical direction. The front panel 23 and the rear panel 24 face each other in a predetermined direction among the directions orthogonal to the vertical direction. The first side surface panel 25 and the second side surface panel 26 face each other in a predetermined direction and in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front panel 23 faces a maintenance space MS for a worker such as a service provider to maintain the indoor unit 10. The front panel 23 is provided with a first opening 23A and a second opening 23B. The first opening 23A is provided in a portion of the front panel 23 near the second side panel 26. The second opening 23B is provided in a portion of the front panel 23 near the first side panel 25. A suction port 25A is formed on the first side surface panel 25. The suction port 25A is connected to a suction duct. The inflow end of the suction duct is connected to the indoor space. An outlet 26A is formed on the second side surface panel 26. The outlet 26A is connected to the outlet duct. The outflow end of the outlet duct is connected to the indoor space. Inside the casing 20, an air flow path is formed between the suction port 25A and the air outlet 26A.

The first opening 23A is provided, for example, in a portion of the front panel 23 corresponding to the drain pan 50. The first opening 23A is configured as an inspection port for the operator to check the state of the drain pan 50 from the maintenance space MS. As shown in FIG. 2, the first opening 23A is composed of a rectangular portion 23X and a triangular portion 23Y continuous with one lower corner portion of the rectangular portion 23X in the vertical direction. The triangular portion 23Y projects from the rectangular portion 23X toward the second side panel 26 side of the casing 20. An inspection lid 27 is attached to the front panel 23 so as to cover the first opening 23A.

The inspection lid 27 has a shape substantially similar to that of the first opening 23A and larger than that of the first opening 23A. The inspection lid 27 is detachably attached to the front panel 23 so as to open and close the first opening 23A. The inspection lid 27 is attached to the front panel 23 by, for example, a plurality of bolts. By removing the inspection lid 27 from the front panel 23, the operator can inspect the inside of the drain pan 50 from the maintenance space MS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the indoor fan 30 is provided in a portion of the casing 20 near the first side panel 25. The indoor fan 30 conveys the indoor air RA taken in from the suction port 25A. In the present embodiment, the indoor fan 30 is configured such that three sirocco fans 31 are driven by one motor 32. The arrangement of the motor 32 with respect to the sirocco fan 31 can be arbitrarily changed. In one example, the motor 32 may be arranged on the front panel 23 side or the rear panel 24 side of the sirocco fan 31.

The indoor heat exchanger 41 is provided in a portion of the casing 20 near the second side panel 26. The indoor heat exchanger 41 is composed of, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger 41 of the present embodiment is arranged so as to be diagonally placed so as to be inclined toward the bottom plate 22 side from the second side surface panel 26 toward the first side surface panel 25 (see FIG. 3).

The electrical component box 42 is provided in the casing 20 at a portion closer to the front panel 23 and closer to the first side panel 25. The electrical component box 42 includes a box body 42A that opens toward the front panel 23 side, and an electrical component lid 42B that opens and closes the opening surface of the box body 42A. The box body 42A is attached to the second opening 23B of the front panel 23. Inside the box body 42A, power is supplied to the printed circuit board 43 on which the power supply circuit, the control circuit, etc. are mounted, the wiring electrically connected to the power supply circuit, the control circuit, etc. via the printed circuit board 43, and the power supply circuit. It houses a high-power power supply unit, a low-power power supply unit that supplies power to the control circuit, and the like. The electrical component lid 42B is detachably attached to the front panel 23 so as to cover the second opening 23B and the opening surface of the box body 42A. The electrical component lid 42B constitutes a part of the front panel 23. By removing the electrical component lid 42B from the front panel 23, the inside of the box body 42A is exposed to the maintenance space MS.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drain pan 50 is provided in the casing 20 closer to the second side panel 26 than the indoor fan 30. The drain pan 50 is arranged below the indoor heat exchanger 41 in the vertical direction along the bottom plate 22 of the casing 20. The drain pan 50 includes a front wall 51 (see FIG. 1), a rear wall 52 (see FIG. 1), a first side wall 53, a second side wall 54, and a bottom wall 55. The front wall 51 is provided on the front panel 23 side of the casing 20. In one example, the front wall 51 is located closer to the front panel 23 than the indoor heat exchanger 41 (see FIG. 1). The rear wall 52 is provided on the rear panel 24 side of the casing 20. In one example, the rear wall 52 is located closer to the rear panel 24 than the indoor heat exchanger 41 (see FIG. 1). The first side wall 53 is provided on the indoor fan 30 side of the casing 20. In one example, the first side wall 53 is arranged on the upstream side of the indoor heat exchanger 41 in the air flow path in the casing 20. The second side wall 54 is provided on the second side panel 26 side of the casing 20. In one example, the second side wall 54 is arranged on the downstream side of the indoor heat exchanger 41 in the air flow path in the casing 20.

For example, the bottom wall 55 is inclined downward in the vertical direction from the rear wall 52 toward the front wall 51, and is inclined downward in the vertical direction from the first side wall 53 to the second side wall 54. It is configured. In the drain pan 50, the rear wall 52 and the first side wall 53 are on the upstream side of the drain water, and the front wall 51 and the second side wall 54 are on the downstream side of the drain water. In the drain pan 50, the portion closest to the front wall 51 and closest to the second side wall 54 is the most downstream of the drain water. A recess 56 is provided in a portion of the bottom wall 55 that is closest to the front wall 51 and closest to the second side wall 54. The recess 56 has a substantially trapezoidal shape in a cross-sectional view of the drain pan 50 cut in a plane parallel to the front panel 23. The height of the bottom surface of the recess 56 is the lowest in the bottom wall 55. In other words, the recess 56 constitutes the deepest and deepest part of the drain pan 50.

The drain pump 60 is provided inside the drain pan 50. In one example, the drain pump 60 is arranged above the bottom wall 55 of the drain pan 50 in the vertical direction and facing the recess 56. The suction portion 61 of the drain pump 60 is arranged inside the recess 56. The inflow end of the drain pipe 62 is connected to the discharge portion of the drain pump 60. The drain pipe 62 extends through the front panel 23 of the casing 20 (see FIG. 1). When the drain pump 60 is operated, the drain water stored in the drain pan 50 is pumped up. The pumped drain water is discharged to the outside of the casing 20 via the drain pipe 62.

The air conditioner 1 further includes a float switch 70 that floats in the drain water stored in the drain pan 50. The float switch 70 is provided inside the drain pan 50. The float switch 70 includes a float 71 that rises or falls in response to a change in the water level of the drain water, and a support cylinder 72 that supports the float 71. Inside the support cylinder 72, the first contact that operates when the float 71 drops until the drain water level reaches the lower water level A, and the float 71 rises until the drain water level reaches the upper water level B. The second contact that operates when the water is turned on is stored.

The lower water level A is set at a position where the flow velocity of the drain water flowing in the drain pipe 62 can be maintained at a predetermined flow velocity or higher. In one example, when the water level of the drain water becomes lower than the lower water level A, it is assumed that the discharge amount of the drain pump 60 decreases and the flow velocity of the drain water flowing in the drain pipe 62 becomes less than the predetermined flow velocity. The water level of the drain water shown in FIG. 3 shows an example of the lower water level A. The upper water level B is set at a position above the lower water level A and at a position before the drain water stored in the drain pan 50 overflows from the drain pan 50. In one example, if the drain pump 60 is not operated and the water level of the drain water continues to rise above the upper water level B, it is assumed that the drain water overflows from the drain pan 50. The alternate long and short dash line shown in FIG. 3 shows an example of the upper water level B.

An operation signal relating to the operation of the float switch 70 is output to the control unit 63 (see FIG. 4) of the air conditioner 1. The control unit 63 changes the operating state of the drain pump 60 according to the operation signal. In one example, the control unit 63 controls the drain pump 60 so that the operation of the drain pump 60 is stopped in response to the operation signal of the first contact, and the operation of the drain pump 60 is started in response to the operation signal of the second contact. The drain pump 60 is controlled so as to do so. When the water level of the drain water reaches the upper water level B, a warning signal prompting a warning may be output to the notification unit 92 (see FIG. 4) described later. The notification unit 92 notifies a warning sound or the like in response to the warning signal.

The air conditioner 1 further includes a camera 80 capable of photographing the internal state of the air conditioner 1. The camera 80 is, for example, an analog camera. The camera 80 is housed in the casing 20 so as to photograph the internal state of the indoor unit 10. The camera 80 is attached to the inner wall 27A of the inspection lid 27 via a stay 28 (see FIG. 1). The stay 28 is a mounting member for mounting the camera 80 on the inner wall 27A of the inspection lid 27, and is fixed to the inner wall 27A. In one example, the stay 28 is fixed to a substantially central portion of the inner wall 27A of the inspection lid 27.

The camera 80 captures at least the drain pan 50 of the air conditioner 1. The camera 80 takes a picture of the drain pan 50 from above the drain pan 50, for example. In one example, the camera 80 captures dirt on the drain pan 50, foreign matter contained in the drain water, and the like. Further, the camera 80 photographs at least one of the surface of the drain water stored in the drain pan 50 and the float switch 70 floating in the drain water. In this embodiment, the camera 80 captures at least the float switch 70. The camera 80 is provided above the drain pan 50 in the vertical direction, and is arranged so as to face diagonally downward from the first side wall 53 of the drain pan 50 toward the second side wall 54. The camera 80 includes a lens 81 and a light source. The lens 81 is, for example, an ultra-wide-angle lens. The light source is a flash light source that emits light at the timing when the camera 80 shoots the drain pan 50. The camera 80 is dedicated for photographing at least one of the surface of the drain water stored in the drain pan 50 and the float switch 70 floating in the drain water without photographing the dirt of the drain pan 50 and the foreign matter contained in the drain water. It may be configured as a camera.

Next, a detailed configuration of the air conditioner 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The electrical component box 42 houses a power supply unit 44 that supplies electric power to the camera 80. The power supply line 45 connecting the camera 80 and the power supply unit 44 is drawn out of the casing 20 through, for example, the first opening 23A of the casing 20, and is drawn into the electrical component box 42 from the outside of the casing 20. Through such wiring, the camera 80 in the casing 20 and the power supply unit 44 in the electrical component box 42 are electrically connected via the power supply line 45. As a result, power is supplied from the power supply unit 44 to the camera 80. The power supply unit 44 may also serve as a power source for other devices constituting the air conditioner 1. An example of another device is an indoor fan 30.

The camera 80 further includes a shooting control unit 82 and a transmission / reception unit 83. The shooting control unit 82 controls the shooting operation of the camera 80 in response to, for example, a preset shooting command. In the present embodiment, the shooting control unit 82 controls the shooting operation of the camera 80 so that the camera 80 periodically shoots the drain pan 50 in response to a preset shooting command. The imaging control unit 82 can also control the imaging operation of the camera 80 in response to an imaging command input from the outside of the communication terminal 100 or the like. The transmission / reception unit 83 is connected to, for example, a transmission line 84. In one example, the transmission / reception unit 83 outputs the photographing data SD photographed by the camera 80 via the transmission line 84. The transmission / reception unit 83 may output the shooting data SD shot by the camera 80 by wireless communication.

The air conditioner 1 further includes a water level determination device 90. The water level determination device 90 may be mounted on the indoor unit 10 or may be mounted on the outdoor unit. The water level determination device 90 may be mounted on an element different from the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit in various elements constituting the air conditioner 1. In one example, the water level determination device 90 is housed in the outdoor unit. The water level determination device 90 further includes a computer 91 that determines a state regarding the water level of the drain water stored in the drain pan 50 based on the photographing data SD acquired by the camera 80. The computer 91 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). In the present embodiment, the computer 91 determines the state related to the water level of the drain water based on the movement of the float switch 70 included in the captured data SD.

The computer 91 holds a determination model for determining the state of the drain water with respect to the water level. The computer 91 acquires the shooting data SD from the camera 80, and determines the state related to the water level of the drain water based on the shooting data SD and the determination model. In one example, the computer 91 determines the state regarding the water level of the drain water based on the movement of the float switch 70 included in the captured data SD and the determination model. The state regarding the water level of the drain water includes a state in which the water level of the drain water is normal and a state in which the water level of the drain water is abnormal. The abnormal state of the drain water level includes a state in which it is assumed that the drain water overflows from the drain pan 50 when the water level of the drain water rises further. Specifically, the state in which the water level of the drain water is abnormal includes a state in which the water level of the drain water has reached the upper water level B and a state in which the water level of the drain water is likely to reach the upper water level B.

The determination model includes, for example, at least one of a determination model regarding the inclination of the float 71 with respect to the water surface of the drain water and a determination model regarding the height position of the float 71 with respect to the bottom wall 55 of the drain pan 50. The inclination of the float 71 is defined by the inclination of the upper surface 71A of the float 71 with respect to the water surface of the drain water. The height position of the float 71 is defined by the shortest distance in the vertical direction between the bottom wall 55 of the drain pan 50 and the upper surface 71A of the float 71. In the present embodiment, when the computer 91 determines that the inclination of the float 71 is equal to or greater than the predetermined inclination based on the photographed data SD, it determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal. The predetermined inclination is set to be equal to or less than the inclination of the float 71 when the water level of the drain water reaches the upper water level B. If the computer 91 determines that the height position of the float 71 is equal to or higher than the predetermined height position based on the photographing data SD, it may be determined that the water level of the drain water is abnormal. The predetermined height position is set to be equal to or lower than the height position of the float 71 when the water level of the drain water reaches the upper water level B.

When the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal, the notification unit 92 warns of the abnormality regarding the water level of the drain water. The notification unit 92 is provided, for example, on the wall surface of a room in which the air conditioner 1 is set. The notification unit 92 includes at least one of a speaker and a lamp. In one example, when the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal, the notification unit 92 is notified of the abnormality related to the water level of the drain water as a warning sound.

When the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal, it outputs information regarding the abnormal water level of the drain water to the control unit 63. In one example, the control unit 63 changes the operating state of the drain pump 60 when the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal. Specifically, the control unit 63 controls the drain pump 60 so that the operation of the drain pump 60 starts when the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal. In another example, the control unit 63 stops the operation of the air conditioner 1 when the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal. When the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal, the control unit 63 may stop the operation of the air conditioner 1 and control the drain pump 60 so that only the drain pump 60 operates.

The air conditioner 1 further includes a storage unit 93 that stores the photographed data SD photographed by the camera 80. The storage unit 93 may be mounted on the indoor unit 10 or may be mounted on the outdoor unit. The storage unit 93 may be mounted on an element different from the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit in various elements constituting the air conditioner 1. In one example, the storage unit 93 is housed in the outdoor unit. The storage unit 93 stores all of the shooting data SD shot by, for example, the camera 80. The storage unit 93 may further store the determination model. In the present embodiment, the computer 91 determines the state regarding the water level of the drain water based on the photographed data SD stored in the storage unit 93. The air conditioner 1 may be configured by omitting the storage unit 93.

The computer 91 uploads the shooting data SD shot by the camera 80 to the server SV via the network N. An example of a server SV is a cloud server. The shooting data SD uploaded to the server SV can be acquired by, for example, the communication terminal 100. The communication terminal 100 is composed of a connectable smartphone such as a wireless LAN, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a personal computer, and the like. The communication terminal 100 includes a microcomputer, software for operating the microcomputer, a memory device, a receiving unit that receives shooting data SD, and a transmitting unit that outputs a predetermined command. Further, the communication terminal 100 further includes an operation unit 101 and a display unit 102. Workers such as service providers operate predetermined application software by operating units 101 such as keyboards and touch panels. On the application software displayed on the display unit 102, for example, the shooting data SD uploaded to the server SV can be downloaded. The notification unit 92 may be mounted on the communication terminal 100.

Next, an example of the determination process of the computer 91 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. The alternate long and short dash line shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 indicates the lower water level A and the upper water level B. The dots shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 indicate the surface of the drain water stored in the drain pan 50.

FIG. 5 shows the first shooting data SD1 which is an example of the shooting data SD. The first imaging data SD1 is an example of imaging data SD when the water level of the drain water is the lower water level A. The float switch 70 constitutes a state in which the float 71 is most lowered when the water level of the drain water is the lower water level A. The float 71 is substantially not tilted with respect to the surface of the drain water. The computer 91 determines the state regarding the water level of the drain water based on the movement of the float switch 70 included in the first photographing data SD1. In one example, the computer 91 determines that the drain water level is normal.

FIG. 6 shows the second shooting data SD2 which is an example of the shooting data SD. The second imaging data SD2 is an example of imaging data SD when the water level of the drain water rises from the lower water level A and the float 71 begins to tilt with respect to the water surface of the drain water. The computer 91 determines the state regarding the water level of the drain water based on the movement of the float switch 70 included in the second photographing data SD2. If the computer 91 determines that the inclination of the float 71 is less than the predetermined inclination, or if the height position of the float 71 is less than the predetermined height position, it is determined that the water level of the drain water is normal. .. On the other hand, when the computer 91 determines that the inclination of the float 71 is equal to or greater than the predetermined inclination, or determines that the height position of the float 71 is equal to or greater than the predetermined height position, the drain water level is determined to be abnormal. judge.

FIG. 7 shows a third shooting data SD3 which is an example of the shooting data SD. The third imaging data SD3 is an example of imaging data SD when the water level of the drain water further rises from the state of the second imaging data SD2 and the float 71 is further tilted with respect to the water surface of the drain water. The computer 91 determines the state regarding the water level of the drain water based on the movement of the float switch 70 included in the third imaging data SD3. If the computer 91 determines that the inclination of the float 71 is less than the predetermined inclination, or if the height position of the float 71 is less than the predetermined height position, it is determined that the water level of the drain water is normal. .. On the other hand, when the computer 91 determines that the inclination of the float 71 is equal to or greater than the predetermined inclination, or determines that the height position of the float 71 is equal to or greater than the predetermined height position, the drain water level is determined to be abnormal. judge.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth shooting data SD4 which is an example of the shooting data SD. The fourth imaging data SD4 is an example of the imaging data SD when the water level of the drain water further rises from the state of the third imaging data SD3 and the float 71 starts to rise as a whole. The float switch 70 constitutes a state in which the float 71 is most tilted at the water level of the drain water in the fourth photographing data SD4. In one example, the predetermined tilt is set so that the float 71 is most tilted. In one example, the predetermined height position is set at the height position of the float 71 corresponding to the state in which the float 71 is most tilted. The computer 91 determines the state regarding the water level of the drain water based on the movement of the float switch 70 included in the fourth photographing data SD4. In the present embodiment, the computer 91 determines that the inclination of the float 71 is equal to or greater than the predetermined inclination, or determines that the height position of the float 71 is equal to or greater than the predetermined height position, and the water level of the drain water is abnormal. Is determined. The predetermined inclination may be set in a range equal to or greater than the inclination of the float 71 in the second imaging data SD2 and less than the inclination of the float 71 in the fourth imaging data SD4. The predetermined height position may be set, for example, in a range equal to or greater than the height position of the float 71 in the second imaging data SD2 and less than the height position of the float 71 in the fourth imaging data SD4.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth shooting data SD5 which is an example of the shooting data SD. The fifth imaging data SD5 is an example of imaging data SD when the water level of the drain water is the upper water level B. The float switch 70 constitutes a state in which the float 71 is most elevated when the water level of the drain water is the upper water level B. When the water level of the drain water reaches the upper water level B, the float switch 70 is activated. On the other hand, in the water level determination device 90 of the present embodiment, it can be determined that the water level of the drain water is abnormal before the float switch 70 is activated, based on the photographing data SD acquired by the camera 80.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1-1) If the water level of the drain water stored in the drain pan 50 continues to rise, the drain water may overflow from the drain pan 50 and the air conditioner 1 may leak. In the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment, since the state related to the water level of the drain water is determined based on the captured data SD, it is possible to deal with the situation before the drain water overflows from the drain pan. Countermeasures include contacting workers such as service providers and repairs by workers. Therefore, the possibility that the drain water overflows from the drain pan 50 is reduced, which can contribute to the suppression of water leakage of the air conditioner 1.

(1-2) The computer 91 determines the state related to the water level of the drain water based on the movement of the float switch 70 included in the captured data SD. According to this configuration, since the state related to the water level of the drain water is preferably determined, it can contribute to the suppression of water leakage of the air conditioner 1.

(1-3) The computer 91 determines the state of the drain water with respect to the water level based on the captured data SD and the determination model. According to this configuration, since the state related to the water level of the drain water is preferably determined, it can contribute to the suppression of water leakage of the air conditioner 1.

(1-4) When the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal, the notification unit 92 warns of the abnormality regarding the water level of the drain water. According to this configuration, since an abnormality regarding the water level of the drain water is warned, it can be dealt with before the drain water overflows from the drain pan 50. Therefore, the possibility that the drain water overflows from the drain pan 50 is reduced, and the water leakage of the air conditioner 1 can be suppressed.

(1-5) When the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal, the control unit 63 controls the drain pump 60 so that the operation of the drain pump 60 starts. According to this configuration, when the water level of the drain water becomes abnormal, the water level of the drain water is returned to the normal state as the drain pump 60 is driven. Therefore, the possibility that the drain water overflows from the drain pan 50 is reduced, and the water leakage of the air conditioner 1 can be suppressed.

(1-6) When the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal, the control unit 63 stops the operation of the air conditioner 1. According to this configuration, when the water level of the drain water becomes abnormal, the rise of the water level of the drain water is suppressed as the operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped. This is related to the shutdown of the indoor heat exchanger 41. Therefore, the possibility that the drain water overflows from the drain pan 50 is reduced, and the water leakage of the air conditioner 1 can be suppressed.

(1-7) The computer 91 can determine that the water level of the drain water is abnormal before the float switch 70 is activated, based on the photographed data SD acquired by the camera 80. Since it is determined that the drain water level is abnormal before the drain water level reaches the upper water level B, it can be dealt with earlier than the conventional configuration. Therefore, the possibility that the drain water overflows from the drain pan 50 is reduced, which can contribute to the suppression of water leakage of the air conditioner 1.

(Second Embodiment)
The air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The processing content of the computer 91 of the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment is different from that of the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment. In the following description, for convenience, the components common to the functions of the components of the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the functions will be omitted.

The camera 80 captures at least the surface of the drain water stored in the drain pan 50. In the present embodiment, the computer 91 determines the state regarding the water level of the drain water based on the water surface image IW of the drain water included in the captured data SD. The water surface image IW is an image in which the water surface of the drain water is projected. In one example, the computer 91 determines the state of the drain water with respect to the water level based on the water surface image IW of the drain water included in the captured data SD and the determination model. The air conditioner 1 may be configured by omitting the float switch 70. In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 1 is configured by omitting the float switch 70.

The determination model includes, for example, a determination model regarding the height of the drain water. The water surface height of the drain water is defined by the distance between the bottom wall 55 of the drain pan 50 and the water surface of the drain water in the vertical direction. In one example, when the computer 91 determines that the water surface height of the drain water is equal to or higher than the predetermined water surface height based on the captured data SD, it determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal. The predetermined water surface height is set to be equal to or lower than the water surface height of the drain water when the water level of the drain water reaches the upper water level B.

Next, an example of the determination process of the computer 91 will be described with reference to FIG. The dots shown in FIG. 10 indicate the water surface image IW of the drain water stored in the drain pan 50.

FIG. 10 shows the sixth shooting data SD6, which is an example of the shooting data SD. The sixth imaging data SD6 is an example of imaging data SD when the water level of the drain water is included in the range of the lower water level A or higher and the upper water level B or lower. The computer 91 determines the state regarding the water level of the drain water based on the water surface image IW of the drain water included in the sixth imaging data SD6. When the computer 91 determines that the water surface height of the drain water is less than the predetermined water surface height, it determines that the water level of the drain water is normal. On the other hand, when the computer 91 determines that the water surface height of the drain water is equal to or higher than the predetermined water surface height, it determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal.

The computer 91 may determine the state regarding the water level of the drain water based on the water surface image IW and the index I of the drain water included in the captured data SD. Index I indicates the height of the drain water. The index I is provided on the inner wall 51A of the drain pan 50. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the index I is provided on the inner wall 51A of the front wall 51 of the drain pan 50. When the computer 91 compares the water surface image IW of the drain water with the index I and determines that the water surface height of the drain water is less than the predetermined water surface height, it determines that the water level of the drain water is normal. On the other hand, when the computer 91 compares the water surface image IW of the drain water with the index I and determines that the water surface height of the drain water is equal to or higher than the predetermined water surface height, it determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal. ..

According to the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as in (1-1), (1-3) to (1-7) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(2-1) The computer 91 determines the state regarding the water level of the drain water based on the water surface image IW of the drain water included in the captured data SD. According to this configuration, since the state related to the water level of the drain water is preferably determined, it can contribute to the suppression of water leakage of the air conditioner 1.

(Modification example)
Each of the above embodiments is an example of a form that can be taken by the water level determination device and the air conditioner provided with the water level determination device according to the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the form. The water level determination device according to the present disclosure and the air conditioner provided with the water level determination device may take a form different from the embodiment exemplified in each of the above embodiments. An example thereof is a form in which a part of the configuration of each of the above embodiments is replaced, changed, or omitted, or a new configuration is added to each of the above embodiments. In the following modification examples, the parts common to the embodiments of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

-In each of the above embodiments, the processing content of the computer 91 can be arbitrarily changed. In the first example, the computer 91 determines the state regarding the water level of the drain water based on the water surface image IW of the drain water included in the captured data SD and the movement of the float switch 70 included in the captured data SD. In the second example, when the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal and the water level of the drain water rises further after the operating state of the drain pump 60 is changed, the drain water is notified of the abnormality related to the water level. Warn by 92.

-In each of the above embodiments, the control content of the control unit 63 can be arbitrarily changed. In the first example, when the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal, the control unit 63 changes the operating state of the drain pump 60, and then when the water level of the drain water rises further, the air conditioner 1 Stop the operation of. In the second example, when the computer 91 determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal, the control unit 63 stops only the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1.

Although the embodiments of this device have been described above, it is understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the purpose and scope of the device described in the claims. Let's go.

1 Air conditioner 50 Drain pan 60 Drain pump 63 Control unit 70 Float switch 80 Camera 90 Water level judgment device 91 Computer 92 Notification unit IW Water surface image SD shooting data

Claims (8)

The state of the drain water stored in the drain pan (50) is determined based on the imaging data (SD) acquired by at least a camera (80) capable of photographing the drain pan (50) of the air conditioner (1). A water level determination device including a computer (91). The camera (80) photographs the surface of the drain water.
The water level determination device according to claim 1, wherein the computer (91) determines a state related to the water level of the drain water based on a water surface image (IW) of the drain water included in the photographing data (SD). The camera (80) photographs the float switch (70) floating in the drain water.
The water level determination device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the computer (91) determines a state related to the water level of the drain water based on the movement of the float switch (70) included in the photographing data (SD). The computer (91) holds a determination model for determining the state of the drain water with respect to the water level.
Claim 1 in which the computer (91) acquires the shooting data (SD) from the camera (80) and determines the state of the drain water with respect to the water level based on the shooting data (SD) and the determination model. The water level determination device according to any one of 3 to 3. The water level according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the computer (91) determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal, the notification unit (92) warns of the abnormality regarding the water level of the drain water. Judgment device. With the drain pan (50)
With the camera (80)
An air conditioner including the water level determination device (90) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The control unit (63) of the air conditioner (1) changes the operating state of the drain pump (60) when the computer (91) determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal. Air conditioner. The control unit (63) of the air conditioner (1) stops the operation of the air conditioner (1) when the computer (91) determines that the water level of the drain water is abnormal. 7. The air conditioner according to 7.