JP2022078615A - Air conditioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning device that improves convenience in air conditioning control.SOLUTION: A wireless communication unit 103 receives operation instructions wirelessly from an attached or auxiliary operation device. A control unit 101 controls at least an indoor unit 1 of the indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit on the basis of the operation instructions, selects a first message when the operation instructions are transmitted from the attached operation device, and selects a second message when the operation instructions are transmitted from the auxiliary operation device. A voice output unit 150 outputs voice guidance in accordance with one of the first message and the second message selected by the control unit 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

The air conditioner has an attached operating device for remote control. In recent years, as a wireless communication standard used for communication between an attached operating device and an air conditioner, a system using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) in addition to infrared rays has been proposed. In the following, the attached operating device will be referred to as an "attached remote controller". By using the attached remote controller, it is possible to control most of the functions of the air conditioner such as operation mode selection of the air conditioner, temperature setting, humidity adjustment, wind direction adjustment, and communication setting with other devices. ..

Further, in order to improve the operability of the air conditioner, a device for remotely controlling the air conditioner may be added to the system in addition to the attached remote controller. For example, the attached remote controller can perform detailed control over the air conditioner, but on the other hand, complicated operations may be required even when performing simple control such as changing the operation mode or setting the temperature. be. Therefore, there is also a system in which an auxiliary operation device for performing simple control for the basic operation of the air conditioner with a simple operation is added. The auxiliary operating device can control the operation mode selection of the air conditioner such as cooling, heating, dehumidification and automatic, temperature adjustment, and limited functions such as humidity adjustment. Hereinafter, an auxiliary operation device that controls a limited function by a simple operation is referred to as a "simple remote controller".

In addition to the simple remote controller, it is also conceivable to download a dedicated application to a smartphone or tablet terminal and use it as an auxiliary operation device. By using such a dedicated application, it becomes possible to provide various means for controlling the air conditioner harmonizer.

It should be noted that there is a home appliance network system in which an instruction based on the information measured by the terminal device is transmitted from the server to the home appliance to operate the home appliance. In some such home appliance network systems, the home appliance device outputs voice according to the contents instructed by remote control and the result of the control performed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-11164

However, in the case of an air conditioner that can be operated by either the attached operating device or the auxiliary operating device, it is difficult to identify from which operating device the air conditioner was operated. For example, voice guidance is emitted from the indoor unit of the air conditioner when an operation is performed, but it is difficult to specify the operating device because the voice guidance emitted by any of the operating devices is the same. For this reason, when an operation is performed by an unexpected operating device, it is difficult to take prompt action such as stopping the operation, and during that time, the operation of the air conditioner harmonizer will continue with an operation different from the expected operation. It is inconvenient.

The technique disclosed is made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioning device that improves convenience in air conditioning control.

In one aspect of the air conditioner disclosed in the present application, the wireless communication unit receives a wireless operation instruction from an attached operating device or an auxiliary operating device. The control unit controls at least the indoor unit among the indoor unit and the outdoor unit based on the operation instruction, and selects the first message when the operation instruction is transmitted from the attached operating device. The second message is selected when the operation instruction is transmitted from the auxiliary operating device. The voice output unit outputs voice guidance according to either the first message or the second message selected by the control unit.

In one aspect, the invention can improve convenience in air conditioning control.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an air conditioner. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation surface of the attached remote controller. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation surface of the simple remote controller. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the indoor unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device classification table. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a voice information table. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of voice guidance control processing during operation by a remote control device.

Hereinafter, examples of the air conditioner disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following examples do not limit the air conditioner disclosed in the present application.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 is a household air conditioner having an air conditioning function. The air conditioner 10 includes an indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit 2. Further, the air conditioner 10 has an attached remote controller 11, a humidifier 12, and a simple remote controller 13.

The indoor unit 1 is connected to the outdoor unit 2 by a liquid pipe and a gas pipe, and a refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 10 is formed. The indoor unit 1 takes in the indoor air inside and exchanges heat between the taken-in indoor air and the refrigerant. Then, the indoor unit 1 blows out the air that has undergone heat exchange with the refrigerant into the room. Further, the indoor unit 1 has a wind direction plate and changes the direction of the discharged air.

The outdoor unit 2 exchanges heat between the outdoor air taken in and the refrigerant. The refrigerant is compressed by the outdoor unit 2 and circulates in the outdoor unit 2, the liquid pipe, the indoor unit 1, and the gas pipe.

The attached remote controller 11 wirelessly communicates with the indoor unit 1 using Bluetooth. The attached remote controller 11 is operated by the user and transmits the user's instruction to the indoor unit 1 by using wireless communication. The attached remote controller 11 is a main remote control device for operating the indoor unit 1.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation surface of the attached remote controller. The attached remote controller 11 has, for example, an operation surface provided with the liquid crystal screen 111 shown in FIG. By operating the attached remote controller 11, wireless connection management between the indoor unit 1 and other devices, operation start and stop instructions, operation mode setting, temperature setting, humidity setting, start timer and stop timer setting, etc. can be performed. It is possible. When the attached remote controller 11 is used, the user operates while checking the liquid crystal screen 111 provided on the operation surface of the attached remote controller 11. The liquid crystal screen 111 is a display unit that displays, for example, a time, temperature, humidity, an operating state, an operation guide, and the like.

For example, the user can perform an operation such as pairing Bluetooth between the humidifier 12 or the simple remote controller 13 and the indoor unit 1 by using the attached remote controller 11. In the case of wireless connection operation, the liquid crystal screen 111 displays operation guidance and the progress of connection processing.

The humidifier 12 is an example of an air conditioning auxiliary device. The air conditioning auxiliary device may also be an air purifier, a circulator, or the like. The humidifier 12 wirelessly communicates with the indoor unit 1 using Bluetooth. The humidifier 12 receives an operation instruction from the indoor unit 1 to start or stop the operation, adjust the humidity, and the like.

The simple remote controller 13 is an example of an auxiliary operating device. The simple remote controller 13 wirelessly communicates with the indoor unit 1 using Bluetooth. The simple remote controller 13 is operated by the user and transmits the user's instruction to the indoor unit 1 by wireless communication. The simple remote controller 13 is an auxiliary remote control device capable of instructing the indoor unit 1 to perform basic operations such as operation start / stop instruction, operation mode setting, and temperature / humidity up / down operation.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation surface of the simple remote controller. The operation buttons of the simple remote controller 13 are arranged on the operation surface. The user sends an operation instruction to the indoor unit 1 by operating a button corresponding to the operation purpose. Further, the simple remote controller 13 does not have to have a display unit such as a liquid crystal screen.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the indoor unit. Hereinafter, the details of the operation when the indoor unit 1 receives an operation instruction from the attached remote controller 11 or the simple remote controller 13 by a wireless signal will be described with reference to FIG. The indoor unit 1 has a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a wireless communication unit 103, an outdoor unit communication unit 104, and an indoor unit main body 105.

The wireless communication unit 103 has a communication interface for wireless communication such as Bluetooth and Wifi. For example, the wireless communication unit 103 communicates with the attached remote controller 11, the humidifier 12, and the simple remote controller 13 using Bluetooth. Then, the wireless communication unit 103 outputs the signals received from the attached remote controller 11, the humidifier 12, and the simple remote controller 13 to the control unit 101. Further, the wireless communication unit 103 transmits the signal input from the control unit 101 to the attached remote controller 11, the humidifier 12, and the simple remote controller 13 using Bluetooth. Here, in this embodiment, wireless communication is performed using Bluetooth from the viewpoint of low power consumption, but other wireless communication techniques may be used. For example, the wireless communication unit 103 may be configured to communicate with the attached remote controller 11, the humidifier 12, and the simple remote controller 13 using Wifi.

The outdoor unit communication unit 104 has a communication interface for communicating with the control circuit of the outdoor unit 2. The outdoor unit communication unit 104 outputs a signal received from the control circuit of the outdoor unit 2 to the control unit 101. Further, the outdoor unit communication unit 104 outputs the signal input from the control unit 101 to the outdoor unit 2.

The indoor unit main body 105 has an indoor fan and an indoor heat exchanger (not shown). The indoor unit main body 105 heats and cools the room by blowing out the indoor air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant by the indoor heat exchanger. The indoor unit main body 105 also dehumidifies and the like. Further, the indoor unit main body 105 has an audio output unit 150. The voice output unit 150 outputs the voice guidance instructed by the control unit 101.

The storage unit 102 stores various information. For example, the storage unit 102 holds the device classification table 121 and the voice information table 122.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device classification table. The device classification table 121 is a table for specifying the classification of devices connected by Bluetooth.

The device classification table 121 stores identification information for identifying devices connected by Bluetooth in association with a device classification tag indicating the classification of each device. In the classification of the device, there are an accessory device to which the accessory remote controller 11 belongs, an air conditioning auxiliary device to which the humidifier 12 belongs, and an auxiliary operation device to which the simple remote controller 13 belongs. In the device classification table 121, the device classification tag corresponding to each classification indicates which classification each device connected by Bluetooth belongs to. Here, the device classification tag representing the accessory device is # 1, the device classification tag representing the air conditioning auxiliary device is # 2, and the device classification tag representing the auxiliary operating device is # 3. Further, in the present embodiment, the BD (Bluetooth Device) address is registered in the device classification table 121 as the identification information of each device connected by Bluetooth. However, this identification information may be other information as long as it can uniquely identify each device, and may use, for example, a MAC address. Further, the device classification table 121 may be registered in advance by the operator, and when each of the attached remote controller 11, the humidifier 12, and the simple remote controller 13 is connected to the indoor unit 1, the indoor unit 1 is connected to each connected device. The device classification may be specified and generated.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a voice information table. The voice information table 122 is a table in which voice information output as voice guidance is registered in response to a specific operation.

In the voice information table 122, the operation classification input from the attached remote controller 11 or the simple remote controller 13 and the information of the operation mode to be executed for each classification are registered. The classification of operations is, for example, start of operation, change of operation mode, change of set temperature, and the like. Further, the operation mode to be executed is, for example, cooling, heating, automatic and dehumidification.

Further, in the voice information table 122, voice information output according to each operation of the attached remote controller 11 and the simple remote controller 13 is registered for each operation mode information in the classification of each operation. The voice information for the operation input from the attached remote controller 11 associated with the device classification tag # 1 and the voice information for the operation input from the simple remote controller 13 associated with the device classification tag # 2 are registered. Since detailed information is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 111 of the attached remote controller 11 for the device classification tag # 1 representing the attached remote controller 11, the voice information does not usually include detailed information for any of the items. The message is registered. On the other hand, since the device classification tag # 3 representing the auxiliary operation device does not have a screen for displaying detailed information, a detailed message including detailed information is registered for items for which detailed information needs to be provided. Will be done. Here, in the present embodiment, the voice information of the device classification tag # 1 and the device classification tag # 3 has the same contents for the items for which detailed information does not need to be provided, but all the items are shown in the voice information table 122. Voice information with different contents may be registered.

Here, the detailed contents included in the detailed message will be described. The detailed contents are the contents of the driving state and the contents of notifying the setting state of the additional function, in which voice guidance is not performed when operated by the attached remote controller. Specifically, in FIG. 6, in the case of the device classification tag # 1, when the operation classification is operation start and the input information is automatic, voice guidance is given as "automatic operation starts", whereas the device classification is performed. In the case of tag # 3, it is to give voice guidance saying "The operation will start automatically with XX (standard ± 2)". As more detailed content, content for notifying the operation by the auxiliary operating device may be added. As described above, for example, the detailed message which is the voice information registered in the operation classification tag # 1 contains a number, but the normal message which is the voice information registered in the operation classification tag # 2 contains a number. There is a difference such as not.

The explanation will be continued by returning to FIG. The control unit 101 is realized by a processor, a memory, and the like. The control unit 101 controls the operation of each unit of the indoor unit 1 and sends / receives control commands to / from the outdoor unit 2.

The control unit 101 wirelessly communicates with the attached remote controller 11, the humidifier 12, and the simple remote controller 13 using Bluetooth via the wireless communication unit 103.

The control unit 101 receives an operation instruction from the attached remote controller 11 or the simple remote controller 13. Then, the control unit 101 operates the indoor unit main body 105 and transmits a control command to the outdoor unit 2 according to the received instruction. For example, the control unit 101 instructs the indoor unit main body 105 to change the temperature, adjust the air volume, and the like. After that, the control unit 101 transmits ACK (Acknowledgement: affirmative response) indicating that the instruction has been received, NACK (Negative Acknowledgement: negative response) indicating that the instruction has not been received, or a response according to the execution result to the remote control device. do.

Next, the control unit 101 acquires the BD address of the transmission source included in the operation instruction. Then, the control unit 101 refers to the device classification table 121 held by the storage unit 102, and acquires the device classification tag corresponding to the acquired BD address. For example, in the case of the BD address assigned to the attached remote controller 11, the control unit 101 acquires the device classification tag # 1. Further, in the case of the BD address assigned to the simple remote controller 13, the control unit 101 acquires the device classification tag # 3.

Next, the control unit 101 refers to the voice information table 122 held by the storage unit 102, and has acquired the device classification among the voice information corresponding to the operation classification input by the operation instruction and the operation mode information to be executed. Get the voice information corresponding to the tag. For example, when the operation classification is the start of operation, the operation mode is automatic, and the device classification tag # 1, the control unit 101 acquires voice information such as "Pip, start automatic operation". Further, for example, when the operation classification is the operation mode change, the operation mode is dehumidification, and the device classification tag # 3, the control unit 101 acquires the voice information "Pip, dehumidification XX operation is started". do. Here, the control unit 101 inserts weak, standard, or strong information into XX according to the operating state.

After that, the control unit 101 instructs the voice output unit 150 of the indoor unit main body 105 to output the acquired voice information, whereby the control unit 101 is operated by the attached remote controller 11 and the simple remote controller 13. The voice guidance can be output from the voice output unit 150 differently from the case where the voice guidance is performed.

The user who listens to the voice guidance can grasp which remote control device has input the instruction by the voice guidance output from the voice output unit 150. For example, in this embodiment, the user who listens to the voice guidance can grasp whether the operation is performed by the attached remote controller 11 or the simple remote controller 13 by the voice guidance. In addition, the sound of the voice guidance may be changed for each device classification, or information specifying the device classification may be included in the voice guidance to clearly indicate which remote control device has input the instruction.

If it is difficult to identify the remote control device of the operation source, it is difficult to quickly determine whether to take measures such as stopping the operation, and unexpected operation of the indoor unit 105 will continue. , Inconvenient. In this regard, when the air conditioner 10 according to the present embodiment is used, the user can surely grasp the operation content by checking the liquid crystal screen together with a simple voice guidance when operating with the attached remote controller. This is possible, and when operated with a simple remote controller, detailed voice guidance can be used to reliably grasp the driving content, improving convenience.

Further, the control unit 101 acquires the humidity in the room from the detection result of a humidity sensor (not shown), and when the humidity is lower than the predetermined standard humidity, the humidity is raised to the humidifier 12 via the wireless communication unit 103. Send a control command. On the contrary, when the humidity in the room is higher than the predetermined standard humidity, the control unit 101 transmits a control command for lowering the humidity.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the flow of the voice guidance control process at the time of operation by the remote control device will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of voice guidance control processing during operation by a remote control device.

The control unit 101 receives an operation instruction transmitted from the attached remote controller 11 or the simple remote controller 13 via the wireless communication unit 103 (step S1).

Next, the control unit 101 executes the control specified in the operation instruction (step S2). After that, the control unit 101 transmits a response according to ACK or NACK or the execution result to the transmission source of the operation instruction.

Next, the control unit 101 refers to the device classification table 121 and acquires the device classification tag corresponding to the BD address of the transmission source of the operation instruction (step S3).

Next, the control unit 101 determines from the device classification tag that has acquired whether or not the remote control device from which the operation instruction is transmitted is the attached remote controller 11 (step S4). After that, the control unit 101 is as follows. The voice information is acquired from the voice information table 122.

That is, when the remote control device from which the operation instruction is transmitted is the attached remote controller 11 (step S4: Yes), the control unit 101 uses the attached remote controller 11 among the voice information corresponding to the input operation classification and the operation mode to be executed. Acquire the corresponding normal message (step S5).

On the other hand, when the remote control device from which the operation instruction is transmitted is the simple remote controller 13 (step S4: No), the control unit 101 uses the simple remote controller 13 among the voice information corresponding to the input operation classification and the operation mode to be executed. Acquire the corresponding detailed message (step S6).

After that, the control unit 101 instructs the voice output unit 150 of the indoor unit main body 105 to output the voice guidance of the acquired message. The voice output unit 150 outputs the voice guidance of the message acquired from the control unit 101 (step S7).

As described above, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment may output a part or all of the sound differently depending on whether the operation is performed by the attached remote controller or the auxiliary operation device. Let me. As a result, the user can easily grasp which remote control device was used for the operation by listening to the voice guidance. Therefore, the air conditioning device according to the present embodiment can easily cope with an operation by an unexpected remote control device, and can improve the convenience in the air conditioning control.

Further, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment outputs a voice guidance of a normal message indicating an outline of the operation content when the operation is performed by the attached remote controller having a display unit. On the other hand, when the operation is performed by a simple remote controller having no display unit, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment outputs a voice guidance of a detailed message indicating the details of the operation content. As a result, the user can surely grasp the operation contents by checking the LCD screen together with a simple voice guidance when operating with the attached remote controller, and detailed voice guidance when operating with the simple remote controller. Therefore, the operation details can be surely grasped. Therefore, the air conditioning device according to the present embodiment can improve the convenience in air conditioning control.

1 Indoor unit 2 Outdoor unit 10 Air conditioner 11 Attached remote control 12 Humidifier 13 Simple remote control 101 Control unit
102 Storage unit 103 Wireless communication unit 104 Outdoor unit communication unit 105 Indoor unit main unit 121 Device classification table 122 Voice information table 150 Voice output unit

Claims (4)

A wireless communication unit that receives wireless operation instructions from the attached operating device or auxiliary operating device,
When at least the indoor unit is controlled from the indoor unit and the outdoor unit based on the operation instruction and the operation instruction is transmitted from the attached operating device, the first message is selected, and the operation instruction is the operation instruction. A control unit that selects a second message when sent from an auxiliary operating device,
An air conditioner including a voice output unit that outputs voice guidance according to either one of the first message and the second message selected by the control unit. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the accessory operating device has a display unit, and the auxiliary operating device does not have a display unit. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second message includes more detailed contents than the first message. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the first message does not include a number, and the second message contains a number.

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