JP2022118964A - air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner capable of automatically setting a set temperature according to user's preference while limiting an adjustable range from a user.SOLUTION: An air conditioner 1 has a cooling operation mode, a heating operation mode, and an automatic operation mode as operation modes. When the automatic operation mode is selected as the operation mode, a set temperature determination unit 151 sets a set temperature based on the history of a room temperature or a voluntary set temperature setting voluntarily set by a user. An operation control unit 153 controls the air conditioner 1 based on the set temperature set by the set temperature determination unit 151.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

Some air conditioners have an operation mode in which a set temperature is set by a user and an automatic operation mode in which the air conditioner automatically sets the set temperature. In the operation mode in which the set temperature is set by the user, it is possible to select and set the heating operation mode or the cooling operation mode. In the automatic operation mode, the air conditioner detects the current room temperature at the start of operation, and automatically sets the operation mode and set temperature according to the detected temperature using an operation mode table prepared in advance.

However, in a simple automatic operation in which all temperature settings are left to the air conditioner, there is a possibility that the set temperature will not necessarily match the user's preference. Therefore, some air conditioners are equipped with a function that allows the user to change the set temperature automatically set by the air conditioner within a predetermined range. In this case, the range in which the user can change the set temperature is determined to be ±2° C., for example.

The reason why the range in which the user can adjust the set temperature is limited to a predetermined range is as follows. The automatic operation mode is an operation mode that allows the user to use the air conditioner without setting the temperature setting. One of the reasons is that it may deviate from the original purpose of automatic driving and impair the convenience of the user. In addition, if the adjustable range is expanded too much, the user may further adjust the set temperature before the room temperature reaches the set temperature. may be repeated. In that case, one reason is that the air conditioner repeatedly adjusts the temperature in the room, the temperature in the room is not stable, and the user may feel uncomfortable as a result.

JP-A-2006-57908

However, if the adjustment range of the set temperature is limited to a predetermined range in the automatic operation mode, the temperature that can be set by the user is limited.

The disclosed technology has been made in view of the above, and is an air conditioner capable of automatically setting a set temperature according to the user's preference while limiting the adjustable range by the user in the self-operating mode. intended to provide

In one aspect of the air conditioner disclosed in the present application, the air conditioner has a cooling operation mode, a heating operation mode, and an automatic operation mode as operation modes. The set temperature determining unit sets the set temperature based on the history of the room temperature or the voluntary set temperature voluntarily set by the user when the automatic operation mode is selected as the operation mode. The operation control unit controls the air conditioner based on the set temperature set by the set temperature determination unit.

In one aspect, the present invention can automatically set the preset temperature according to the user's preference while limiting the adjustable range by the user in the automatic operation mode.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an air conditioner 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of the operation mode table 200. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the controller 10 in the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of air conditioning control by the air conditioner 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of control of preference-based automatic driving by the automatic driving control unit 105 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of normal automatic operation control by the automatic operation control unit 105 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of control in the cooling operation mode and the dehumidifying operation mode by the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the controller 10 in the air conditioner according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of control of automatic operation with a learning function by the automatic operation control unit 105 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioning system according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the air conditioner disclosed in the present application will be described in detail based on the drawings. The air conditioner disclosed in the present application is not limited to the following examples.

<Configuration of air conditioner>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an air conditioner 1. As shown in FIG. The air conditioner 1 includes a control unit 10, an indoor unit 11, an outdoor unit 12, a temperature sensor 13, a humidity sensor 14, a remote controller 15, and a storage unit 20, as shown in FIG.

The indoor unit 11 is arranged indoors and includes an indoor fan, a filter, a filter cleaning mechanism, and an indoor heat exchanger (not shown). The indoor fan generates an air flow so that the air in the room where the indoor unit 11 is installed passes through the indoor heat exchanger, sucks the air into the indoor unit 11, and releases the air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger. Blow it out into the room. The filter collects dust from the air before passing through the indoor heat exchanger. The filter cleaning mechanism removes dust collected on the filter from the filter. The indoor heat exchanger performs heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 12 and the air sucked into the indoor unit 11 by the indoor fan, thereby releasing heated or cooled air indoors. The indoor unit 11 cools and heats the room by heating or cooling the indoor air with the indoor heat exchanger.

The outdoor unit 12 is arranged outdoors and includes an outdoor fan, an outdoor heat exchanger, a compressor and an expansion valve (not shown). The outdoor fan generates an air flow so that the outdoor air in the outdoor unit 12 is arranged passes through the outdoor heat exchanger, sucks the outdoor air into the outdoor unit 12, passes the outdoor heat exchanger, and The outside air heated or cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger is released to the outside of the outdoor unit 12 . The compressor circulates refrigerant between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 . The expansion valve adjusts the amount of refrigerant flowing through the indoor unit 11 by adjusting the degree of opening thereof. The compressor circulates the refrigerant between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so that the outdoor unit 12 supplies the indoor unit 11 with the refrigerant cooled or heated by the outdoor heat exchanger.

There are two temperature sensors 13, one for indoor use and one for outdoor use. The indoor temperature sensor 13 is provided in the indoor unit 11, for example. The indoor temperature sensor 13 measures the temperature of the room in which the indoor unit 11, which is an air-conditioned space, is arranged. Also, the outdoor temperature sensor 13 is provided outdoors to measure the outdoor temperature.

Humidity sensor 14 is provided in indoor unit 11, for example. The humidity sensor 14 measures the indoor humidity in which the indoor unit 11 is arranged.

The remote controller 15 includes an operation section and a display section (not shown). The remote controller 15 outputs information generated by operating the operation unit to the control unit 10, and outputs operation information of the operation unit, detection results of various sensors such as room temperature, and information generated by the control unit 10. The information is displayed on the display unit so that the user can recognize it. For example, the user can use the remote control 15 to determine the driving mode. The operation modes of the air conditioner 1 include an automatic operation mode, a cooling operation mode, a dehumidification operation mode, and a heating operation mode.

Furthermore, by operating the remote control 15, the user can select either normal automatic driving or preference-based automatic driving as the automatic driving mode. Specifically, the user can use the remote control 15 to select whether to turn on or turn off the function of automatic driving according to preference. When the automatic operation mode is selected with the system turned off, normal automatic operation is performed.

The normal automatic operation means that the air conditioner 1 determines whether to perform cooling operation, dehumidifying operation, or heating operation according to the current indoor temperature, and prompts the user according to the current indoor temperature. This is an operation mode in which operation is started using a uniquely determined set temperature. In addition, the user can change the set temperature according to his/her preference within a predetermined range of ±2° C. with respect to the set temperature that is uniquely determined.

Further, preference-based automatic operation is similar to normal automatic operation in that the air conditioner 1 determines which of the cooling operation, the dehumidifying operation, and the heating operation is to be performed according to the current indoor temperature. , is an operation mode different from normal automatic operation in that operation is started using the set temperature calculated by the air conditioner 1 based on the history of the set temperature voluntarily set by the user. The set temperature calculated according to the user can be changed within a predetermined range of ±2° C. according to his/her preference. The set temperature voluntarily set by the user includes, for example, the set temperature set by the user in an operation mode other than the automatic operation mode (for example, the cooling operation mode, the dehumidification operation mode, and the heating operation mode), and the temperature set by the user in the automatic operation mode , includes the set temperature when the user changes the set temperature within a predetermined range.

The control unit 10 is a computer having a processor and memory, stores a plurality of setting values, and controls each unit of the air conditioner 1 . For example, the control unit 10 changes a plurality of setting values in response to user's operation of the remote controller 15 . The plurality of set values includes set temperatures.

In addition, when the "automatic operation mode" is selected as the operation mode by operating the remote controller 15, the control unit 10 performs cooling operation for cooling the room according to the current indoor temperature, dehumidification operation for dehumidifying the room, Decide which operation of the heating operation to heat the Then, the control unit 10 determines or calculates the set temperature according to the selection of normal automatic operation or preference-based automatic operation. Then, the control unit 10 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so that the indoor unit 11 heats or cools the room based on the determined or calculated set temperature.

Further, when the "cooling operation mode" is selected as the operation mode by operating the remote controller 15, the control unit 10 controls the indoor unit 11 to cool the room based on the set temperature voluntarily set by the user. , controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 .

Further, the control unit 10 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so that the indoor unit 11 dehumidifies the room when the "dehumidifying operation mode" is selected by operating the remote controller 15 .
Further, when the "heating operation mode" is selected as the operation mode by operating the remote controller 15, the control unit 10 causes the indoor unit 11 to heat the room based on the set temperature voluntarily set by the user. , controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 .

Further, the control unit 10 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so that the indoor unit 11 stops cooling/heating when “stop” is selected by operating the remote controller 15 . Control in each operation mode by the control unit 10 will be described in detail later.

The storage unit 20 is a storage device that stores various data. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of the operation mode table 200. As shown in FIG. For example, the storage unit 20 stores an operating mode table 200 shown in FIG.

In the operation mode table 200, remote controller settings, room temperature zones, operation modes, and set temperatures are associated and registered. The remote control setting represents the change value of the user's set temperature within a predetermined range, such as ±2° C., in which the set temperature can be changed. The room temperature zone represents the division of the temperature in the room where the indoor unit 11 corresponding to each remote control setting is installed. The operation mode represents one of cooling operation, weak cooling operation, and monitoring and heating operation selected by the automatic operation control unit 105, which will be described later, when automatic operation is performed. Here, weak cooling operation is one form of cooling operation (hereinafter, weak cooling operation may be referred to as dehumidification operation). Monitoring is an operation mode in which changes in room temperature are monitored without cooling or heating. In the operation mode table 200 of FIG. 2, the operation modes are described as cooling, weak cooling, and heating. ”, “automatic weak cooling operation” and “automatic heating operation”.

The set temperature indicates the set temperature for normal automatic operation and the set temperature for preference-based automatic operation corresponding to the combination of each remote control setting and room temperature zone. For the set temperature, a specific temperature is registered in the case of normal automatic operation, and in the case of preference-based automatic operation, a formula for calculating the set temperature according to the user's preference is described.

In addition, the storage unit 20 may hold various programs including a program that implements the functions of the control unit 10 described below.

<Configuration of control unit>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the controller 10 in the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment. Next, the details of the configuration of the control unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3 , the control unit 10 according to this embodiment has a mode switching unit 101 , a cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 , a heating operation control unit 103 and an automatic operation control unit 105 . The mode switching unit 101, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102, the heating operation control unit 103, and the automatic operation control unit 105 are realized by the CPU developing programs for realizing the respective functions on the memory and executing them.

The mode switching unit 101 receives information on the operation mode selected by the user from the remote controller 15 . When the selected operation mode is the cooling operation mode, the mode switching unit 101 instructs the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 to perform the cooling operation. Further, when the selected operation mode is the dehumidifying operation mode, the mode switching unit 101 instructs the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 to perform the dehumidifying operation. When the mode switching unit 101 receives an instruction to change the set temperature from the remote controller 15 during control in the cooling operation mode or the dehumidifying operation mode, the mode switching unit 101 notifies the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 of the change in the set temperature.

When the selected operation mode is the heating operation mode, the mode switching unit 101 instructs the heating operation control unit 103 to perform the heating operation. Further, when the mode switching unit 101 receives an instruction to change the set temperature from the remote controller 15 during control in the heating operation mode, the mode switching unit 101 notifies the heating operation control unit 103 of the change in the set temperature.

The mode switching unit 101 also receives an instruction to turn on or off the function of preference-based automatic driving from the remote controller 15, and stores the ON/OFF state of the function of preference-based automatic driving. Then, when the selected driving mode is the automatic driving mode, the mode switching unit 101 determines whether or not the preference-adaptive automatic driving function is on. When the preference-adaptive automatic driving function is off, the mode switching unit 101 instructs the automatic driving control unit 105 to execute normal automatic driving. On the other hand, when the preference-adaptive automatic driving function is on, the mode switching unit 101 instructs the automatic driving control unit 105 to execute preference-adaptive automatic driving. Further, when receiving an instruction to change the set temperature from the remote controller 15 during control in the automatic operation mode, the mode switching unit 101 notifies the automatic operation control unit 105 of the change in the set temperature.

Furthermore, when the mode switching unit 101 receives an instruction to stop the operation from the remote controller 15, any one of the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102, the heating operation control unit 103, and the automatic operation control unit 105 that controls the operation Instruct to stop driving.

The cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 receives from the mode switching unit 101 an instruction to execute the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation. When execution of the cooling operation is instructed, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so as to cool the room at the designated set temperature. Upon receiving notification of a change in the set temperature during execution of control in the cooling operation mode, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 changes the set temperature to the notified temperature to cool the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit. machine 12; Further, when execution of the dehumidifying operation is instructed, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so as to dehumidify the room at the specified set temperature. Upon receiving a notification of a change in the set temperature during execution of control in the dehumidifying operation mode, the cooling and dehumidifying operation control unit 102 changes the set temperature to the notified temperature to dehumidify the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit. machine 12;

Furthermore, in both the cooling operation mode and the dehumidifying operation mode, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 detects the indoor temperature from the indoor temperature sensor 13 at predetermined intervals such as every five minutes. get. Then, the cooling and dehumidifying operation control unit 102 determines that when the indoor temperature is within a certain range such as ±1.5° C. from the set temperature and when the same set temperature continues twice or more in succession, the indoor temperature determined to be stable. Then, when the indoor temperature is stabilized, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 adds a time stamp, which is date and time information, to the set temperature and stores it in the storage unit 20 as the summer set temperature. When the storage unit 20 stores the summer set temperature for a predetermined number of days at the time of storage, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 deletes the summer set temperature with the oldest date and stores the summer set temperature with a new date. . In this embodiment, the set temperature for a predetermined number of days is set to the set temperature for three weeks. For example, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 confirms the time stamp of each summer temperature setting, and if the summer temperature setting for 21 days is stored in the storage unit 20, the summer temperature setting for 3 weeks is stored. determine that there is Alternatively, when a predetermined number of summer set temperatures are stored, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 may delete the oldest summer set temperature and store a new summer set temperature. The summer set temperature in this case is a voluntarily set temperature used by the user. That is, the voluntary set temperature includes the set temperature set by the user in the cooling operation mode and the dehumidifying operation mode.

Upon receiving an operation stop instruction from the mode switching unit 101, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 stops controlling the cooling operation.

The heating operation control unit 103 receives an instruction to perform the heating operation from the mode switching unit 101 . Then, the heating operation control unit 103 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so as to heat the room at the specified set temperature. Upon receiving notification of a change in the set temperature during execution of control in the heating operation mode, the heating operation control unit 103 changes the set temperature to the notified temperature to heat the room, so that the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 is controlled.

Furthermore, during execution of control in the heating operation mode, the heating operation control unit 103 acquires the room temperature from the indoor temperature sensor 13 at predetermined intervals such as every five minutes. Then, when the indoor temperature is within a certain range such as ±1.5° C. from the set temperature and the same set temperature continues twice or more, the heating operation control unit 103 stabilizes the indoor temperature. It is determined that Then, when the indoor temperature is stabilized, the heating operation control unit 103 adds a time stamp, which is date and time information, to the set temperature and stores it in the storage unit 20 as the winter set temperature. When winter set temperatures for three weeks are stored, the heating operation control unit 103 deletes the winter set temperature with the oldest date and stores the winter set temperature with a new date. The winter set temperature is a voluntary set temperature used voluntarily by the user. That is, the voluntarily set temperature includes the set temperature set by the user in the heating operation mode.

When the heating operation control unit 103 receives an operation stop instruction from the mode switching unit 101, the heating operation control unit 103 stops controlling the heating operation.

The automatic driving control unit 105 receives from the mode switching unit 101 an instruction to execute normal automatic driving or preference-based automatic driving. Then, the automatic operation control unit 105 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 in an operation mode designated from among normal automatic operation and preference-based automatic operation. The automatic operation control unit 105 corresponds to an example of the "operation control unit". Below, the details of the control by the automatic driving control unit 105 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 , the automatic operation control unit 105 has a set temperature determination unit 151 , a temperature adjustment unit 152 and an operation control unit 153 .

When execution of normal automatic operation is instructed, the temperature setting determination unit 151 notifies the operation control unit 153 of information on the type of automatic operation indicating normal automatic operation. Next, the set temperature determination unit 151 acquires the information of the previous remote control setting from the storage unit 20 . Here, the information on the previous remote controller setting is the information on the temperature setting that the user made within the range of ±2° C. in the previous normal automatic operation. For example, if information that the user changed the set temperature by +2° C. is stored in the storage unit 20 as the change information of the previous set temperature, the set temperature determination unit 151 sets the remote control setting to “+2.0”. . Further, for example, when information on the previous remote control setting is not stored in the storage unit 20 (that is, when the user did not change the temperature setting in the previous normal automatic operation), the temperature setting determination unit 151 changes the remote control setting is the "standard". Next, the set temperature determination unit 151 acquires the room temperature from the indoor temperature sensor 13 . Then, the set temperature determination unit 151 uses the remote control setting and the information of the room temperature to store which operation mode to control among the automatic cooling operation, the automatic weak cooling operation, and the monitoring and automatic heating operation. It is determined based on the operation mode table 200 held by the unit 20 . Next, the set temperature determining unit 151 acquires the set temperature corresponding to the remote control setting and the indoor temperature from the operation mode table 200 . After that, the set temperature determination unit 151 notifies the temperature adjustment unit 152 and the operation control unit 153 of the operation mode and the set temperature.

When execution of preference-adaptive automatic driving is instructed, the temperature setting determination unit 151 sets the remote control setting to “standard”. Next, the set temperature determination unit 151 acquires the room temperature from the indoor temperature sensor 13 . Then, the set temperature determining unit 151 uses the remote control setting and information on the room temperature to determine which operation mode to control, the automatic cooling operation, the automatic low cooling operation, or the monitoring and automatic heating operation. decision based on Next, the set temperature determining unit 151 determines whether or not the summer set temperature information for the past three weeks has been accumulated in the storage unit 20 when controlling in the automatic cooling operation or the automatic low cooling operation. If the storage unit 20 does not store the summer set temperature information for the past three weeks, the set temperature determination unit 151 switches to normal automatic operation control. Similarly, the set temperature determination unit 151 determines whether or not information on winter set temperatures for the past three weeks is stored in the storage unit 20 when controlling by automatic heating operation. When the winter set temperature information for the past three weeks is not stored in the storage unit 20, the set temperature determination unit 151 switches to normal automatic operation control.

On the other hand, in the case of automatic cooling operation or automatic low cooling operation, if the summer set temperature for the past three weeks is stored, or in the case of automatic heating operation, the winter set temperature for the past three weeks When the temperature is stored, the set temperature determination unit 151 executes the following process. The set temperature determination unit 151 notifies the operation control unit 153 of information on the type of automatic driving indicating that the automatic driving is based on preference. Next, the set temperature determination unit 151 acquires from the operation mode table 200 a formula for calculating the set temperature corresponding to the acquired indoor temperature when the remote control setting is standard. For example, if the room temperature is 24.5° C. or higher, the set temperature determining unit 151 obtains the formula (summer upper limit+summer lower limit)/2° C. as the set temperature calculation formula. If the room temperature is 21.5° C. or less, the set temperature determining unit 151 acquires the expression (winter upper limit+winter lower limit)/2° C. as the set temperature calculation formula. Here, the "upper limit for summer" is the highest temperature among the set temperatures for summer stored in the storage unit 20, and the "lower limit for summer" is the lowest temperature among the set temperatures for summer stored in the storage unit 20. . The "winter upper limit" is the highest temperature among the winter set temperatures stored in the storage unit 20, and the "winter lower limit" is the lowest temperature among the winter set temperatures stored in the storage unit 20. - 特許庁

Then, if the set temperature is (summer upper limit + summer lower limit)/2° C., the set temperature determination unit 151 obtains the highest temperature among the summer set temperatures stored in the storage unit 20 as the summer upper limit, and obtains the lowest temperature. Obtained as the summer lower limit. Then, the set temperature determining unit 151 calculates the set temperature using the obtained summer upper limit and summer lower limit. After that, the set temperature determination unit 151 notifies the temperature adjustment unit 152 and the operation control unit 153 of the operation mode and the set temperature.

Further, when the set temperature is (winter upper limit + winter lower limit)/2°C, the set temperature determination unit 151 acquires the highest temperature among the winter set temperatures stored in the storage unit 20 as the winter upper limit, and sets the lowest temperature as the winter upper limit. Obtained as the winter lower limit. Then, the set temperature determination unit 151 calculates the set temperature using the obtained winter upper limit and winter lower limit. After that, the set temperature determination unit 151 notifies the temperature adjustment unit 152 and the operation control unit 153 of the operation mode and the set temperature.

That is, the set temperature determining unit 151 determines the set temperature based on the upper limit and lower limit of the spontaneous set temperature. More specifically, the set temperature determination unit 151 performs automatic operation according to preference based on the upper limit and lower limit of the summer set temperature set as the voluntary set temperature in the automatic cooling operation and the automatic dehumidifying operation. Determines the set temperature for automatic cooling operation. In addition, the set temperature determination unit 151 is based on the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the winter set temperature set as the voluntary set temperature in the automatic heating operation. Determine the set temperature.

Here, both the summer set temperature and the winter set temperature are voluntary set temperatures voluntarily set by the user of the air conditioner 1, and can be said to reflect the user's preferences. Therefore, the set temperature determination unit 151 can determine the set temperature by using the summer set temperature or the winter set temperature, thereby making it possible to set the set temperature according to the preference of the user.

The temperature adjustment unit 152 receives notification of the operation mode and the set temperature from the set temperature determination unit 151 . After that, when the automatic operation control unit 105 receives a notification of a change in the set temperature from the remote control 15 via the mode switching unit 101 during execution of preference-based automatic operation, the temperature adjustment unit 152 updates the information on the change in the set temperature. get. Here, the information on the change of the set temperature is specifically the information on the newly designated remote controller setting. Then, the temperature adjusting unit 152 adjusts the new set temperature after the change based on the information of the remote control setting newly designated by the change of the set temperature and the set temperature calculated by the set temperature determination unit 151. to notify.

The operation control unit 153 receives, from the set temperature determination unit 151 , information on the type of automatic operation indicating whether the automatic operation is normal operation or preference-based automatic operation, and the operation mode and set temperature. When the notified operation mode is the automatic cooling operation, the operation control unit 153 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so as to cool the room at the specified set temperature. Further, when the notified operation mode is the automatic low-temperature cooling operation, the operation control unit 153 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so as to low-cool the room at the specified set temperature. When the notified operation mode is the automatic heating operation, the operation control unit 153 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so as to heat the room at the specified set temperature.

Furthermore, in any of the automatic cooling operation, the automatic low cooling operation, and the automatic heating operation, the operation control unit 153 sets the temperature to the notified temperature upon receiving a notification of a change in the set temperature from the temperature adjustment unit 152 during operation. The indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 are controlled by changing the temperature.

In the case of normal automatic operation, the operation control unit 153 stores the latest remote control setting information in the storage unit 20 . Further, the operation control unit 153 acquires the indoor temperature from the indoor temperature sensor 13 at predetermined intervals such as 5-minute intervals. When the indoor temperature is within a certain range such as ±1.5° C. from the set temperature and the same set temperature continues twice or more, the operation control unit 153 determines that the indoor temperature has stabilized. I judge. Then, when the indoor temperature is stabilized, the operation control unit 153 determines whether or not it has received a notification of temperature setting change from the temperature adjustment unit 152 . When receiving a notification of a temperature setting change, the operation control unit 153 adds a time stamp, which is date and time information, to the set temperature, and stores it in the storage unit 20 as the summer set temperature in the case of automatic cooling operation or automatic weak cooling operation. If it is automatic heating operation, it is stored in the storage unit 20 as the set temperature in winter. When winter set temperatures for three weeks are accumulated at the time of storage, the operation control unit 153 deletes the winter set temperature with the oldest date and stores the winter set temperature with a new date. Also, in the case of preference-adaptive automatic driving, if the temperature in the room is stabilized, the operation control unit 153 receives a temperature setting change notification from the temperature adjustment unit 152, the storage unit for the summer set temperature or the winter set temperature. 20.

Here, in the present embodiment, the operation control unit 153 stores the set temperature in the automatic operation mode as the summer set temperature or the winter set temperature in the storage unit 20, but the set temperature in the automatic operation mode is the summer set temperature or It may not be stored in the storage unit 20 as the set temperature in winter. In that case, the temperature setting in the automatic operation mode is not reflected in the calculation of the temperature setting in the preference-based automatic operation. In other words, the set temperature information that the user has decided voluntarily will be used to determine the set temperature in preference-based automatic driving, and the set temperature will be adjusted to a temperature that more closely matches the user's preference. becomes possible.

When the automatic operation control unit 105 receives an operation stop instruction from the mode switching unit 101, the operation control unit 153 stops control of automatic operation.

<Air conditioning control>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of air conditioning control by the air conditioner 1. As shown in FIG. Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the overall flow of air conditioning control by the air conditioner 1 will be described.

The user uses the remote control 15 to input an operation mode to the air conditioner 1 (step S1).

The mode switching unit 101 acquires the input information and determines whether or not the automatic driving mode has been selected (step S2).

If the user selects automatic driving (step S2: affirmative), the mode switching unit 101 determines whether or not the function of preference-based automatic driving is on (step S3).

If the function of preference-adaptive automatic driving is on (step S3: affirmative), the mode switching unit 101 instructs the automatic driving control unit 105 to execute preference-adaptive automatic driving. When the automatic operation control unit 105 receives the execution instruction of the preference-based automatic operation, the setting temperature determination unit 151 uses the remote control setting as a standard, and uses the indoor temperature information obtained from the indoor temperature sensor 13 to store the storage unit. The operating mode is determined from the operating mode table 200 stored in 20 . Next, the set temperature determining unit 151 determines whether accumulated data of the summer set temperature or the winter set temperature for the past three weeks corresponding to the determined operation mode exists in the storage unit 20 (step S4).

If accumulated data for the past three weeks exists (step S4: affirmative), the set temperature determining unit 151 calculates the set temperature using the accumulated data. Then, using the calculated set temperature, the operation control unit 153 performs preference-based automatic operation by controlling the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 in the operation mode determined from the operation mode table 200 (step S5). .

On the other hand, if the preference-adaptive automatic driving function is not on (step S3: negative) or if accumulated data for the past three weeks does not exist (step S4: negative), the set temperature determination unit 151 sets the operation mode table 200 determines the set temperature. Then, the operation control unit 153 performs normal automatic operation by controlling the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 in the operation mode determined from the operation mode table 200 using the determined set temperature (step S6).

If the user selects a mode other than the automatic operation mode (step S2: No), the mode switching unit 101 determines whether or not the cooling operation mode is selected (step S7). When the cooling operation mode is selected by the user (step S7: affirmative), the mode switching unit 101 instructs the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 to execute the cooling operation. The cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 performs the cooling operation by controlling the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so as to cool the room (step S8).

On the other hand, if the cooling operation mode has not been selected by the user (step S7: No), the mode switching unit 101 determines whether or not the dehumidification operation mode has been selected (step S9). If the user selects the dehumidifying operation mode (step S9: affirmative), the mode switching unit 101 instructs the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 to execute the dehumidifying operation. The cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 performs the dehumidifying operation by controlling the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so as to dehumidify the room (step S10).

On the other hand, if the user does not select the dehumidifying operation mode (step S9: No), the user selects the heating operation mode. The controller 103 is instructed. The heating operation control unit 103 performs the heating operation by controlling the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so as to heat the room (step S11).

<Control of automatic driving that responds to preferences>
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of control of preference-based automatic driving by the automatic driving control unit 105 according to the first embodiment. Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the control flow of the preference-based automatic driving by the automatic driving control unit 105 according to the first embodiment will be described. Each process shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to an example of the process executed in step S5 in FIG.

The set temperature determination unit 151 acquires the formula for calculating the set temperature from the operation mode table 200 (step S101).

Next, the set temperature determination unit 151 acquires the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the set temperature according to the acquired calculation formula from the storage unit 20 (step S102). Specifically, if the operation mode selected by automatic operation is the automatic cooling operation or the automatic low cooling operation, the set temperature determination unit 151 acquires the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the summer set temperature, and selects by automatic operation. If the operation mode to be set is the automatic heating operation, the upper limit value and lower limit value of the set temperature in winter are acquired.

Next, the set temperature determination unit 151 calculates the set temperature using the acquired upper limit value and lower limit value in a calculation formula (step S103).

The set temperature determination unit 151 notifies the calculated set temperature and operation mode to the temperature adjustment unit 152 and the operation control unit 153 . The operation control unit 153 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 according to the set temperature and the operation mode notified from the set temperature determination unit 151, and executes preference-based automatic operation (step S104).

While the set temperature determination unit 151 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12, the temperature adjustment unit 152 determines whether or not the automatic operation control unit 105 has received an instruction to change the set temperature from the mode switching unit 101. (Step S105).

When the automatic operation control unit 105 receives an instruction to change the set temperature (step S105: affirmative), the temperature adjustment unit 152 calculates the information of the remote control setting newly specified by the change of the set temperature and the set temperature determination unit 151 Based on the set temperature thus changed, the new set temperature after the change is notified to the operation control unit 153 to change the set temperature (step S106). After that, the processing of preference-based automatic driving returns to step S104.

On the other hand, when the automatic operation control unit 105 does not receive an instruction to change the set temperature (step S105: No), the operation control unit 153 acquires information on the indoor temperature from the indoor temperature sensor 13 every 5 minutes, It is determined whether or not the indoor temperature has stabilized (step S107). If the indoor temperature is not stable (step S107: No), the processing of the preference-based automatic driving returns to step S104.

On the other hand, if the indoor temperature has stabilized (step S107: affirmative), the operation control unit 153 determines whether or not the set temperature has been changed (step S108). If the set temperature has not been changed (step S108: No), the process of preference-based automatic driving proceeds to step S110.

On the other hand, if there is a change in the set temperature (step S108: affirmative), the operation control unit 153 changes the set temperature at the time when the room temperature is stabilized to the summer set temperature or the winter set temperature depending on the operation mode. is stored in the storage unit 20 (step S109).

Thereafter, the operation control unit 153 determines whether or not the automatic operation control unit 105 has received an operation stop instruction from the mode switching unit 101 (step S110). If the instruction to stop driving has not been received (step S110: No), the processing of preference-based automatic driving returns to step S104. On the other hand, if the operation stop instruction is received (step S110: affirmative), the operation control unit 153 stops control of the preference-based automatic operation.

<Control of normal automatic operation>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of normal automatic operation control by the automatic operation control unit 105 according to the first embodiment. Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the control flow of normal automatic operation by the automatic operation control unit 105 according to the first embodiment will be described. Each process shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to an example of the process executed in step S6 in FIG.

The set temperature determination unit 151 acquires the information of the previous remote control setting from the storage unit 20 (step S201).

The set temperature determination unit 151 acquires the information of the room temperature from the room temperature sensor 13, and acquires the set temperature corresponding to the remote control setting and the room temperature from the operation mode table 200 (step S202).

The temperature setting determination unit 151 notifies the temperature adjustment unit 152 and the operation control unit 153 of the temperature setting and the operation mode. The operation control unit 153 performs normal automatic operation by controlling the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 according to the set temperature and operation mode notified from the set temperature determination unit 151 (step S203).

While the set temperature determination unit 151 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12, the temperature adjustment unit 152 determines whether or not the automatic operation control unit 105 has received an instruction to change the set temperature from the mode switching unit 101. (Step S204).

When the automatic operation control unit 105 receives the instruction to change the set temperature (step S204: affirmative), the temperature adjustment unit 152 sets the set temperature corresponding to the newly specified remote controller setting and operation mode information to the operation mode table 200. Get from Then, the temperature adjustment unit 152 notifies the operation control unit 153 of the acquired new set temperature to change the set temperature (step S205).

The operation control unit 153 changes the set temperature to control the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12, and stores the new remote control settings in the storage unit 20 (step S206). Thereafter, the normal automatic operation process returns to step S203.

On the other hand, when the automatic operation control unit 105 does not receive an instruction to change the set temperature (step S204: No), the operation control unit 153 acquires information on the indoor temperature from the indoor temperature sensor 13 every 5 minutes, It is determined whether or not the indoor temperature has stabilized (step S207). If the indoor temperature is not stable (step S207: No), the normal automatic operation process returns to step S203.

On the other hand, if the indoor temperature has stabilized (step S207: affirmative), the operation control unit 153 determines whether or not the set temperature has been changed (step S208). If the set temperature has not been changed (step S208: No), the process of preference-based automatic driving proceeds to step S210.

On the other hand, if there is a change in the set temperature (step S208: affirmative), the operation control unit 153 adjusts the set temperature at the time when the indoor temperature is stabilized in summer according to the operation mode. The temperature is stored in the storage unit 20 as the set temperature or winter set temperature (step S209).

After that, the operation control unit 153 determines whether or not the automatic operation control unit 105 has received an operation stop instruction from the mode switching unit 101 (step S210). If no instruction to stop operation has been received (step S210: No), the normal automatic operation process returns to step S203. On the other hand, if the operation stop instruction is received (step S210: affirmative), the operation control unit 153 stops control of normal automatic operation.

<Control in cooling operation mode and dehumidifying operation mode>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of control in the cooling operation mode and the dehumidifying operation mode by the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 according to the first embodiment. Next, the flow of control in the cooling operation mode and the dehumidifying operation mode by the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Each process shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to an example of the process executed in steps S8 and S10 in FIG.

The cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 in an operation mode selected by the user according to the specified set temperature to cool or dehumidify the room (step S301).

While controlling the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 determines whether or not an instruction to change the set temperature is received from the mode switching unit 101 (step S302).

When the instruction to change the set temperature is received (step S302: YES), the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 changes the set temperature used for control to the designated new set temperature (step S303).

On the other hand, if no instruction to change the set temperature is received (step S302: No), the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 acquires information on the indoor temperature from the indoor temperature sensor 13 every five minutes, is stabilized (step S304). If the indoor temperature is not stable (step S304: No), the control in the cooling operation mode or the dehumidifying operation mode returns to step S301.

On the other hand, if the indoor temperature has stabilized (step S304: affirmative), the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 determines whether or not the set temperature has been changed (step S305). If the set temperature has not been changed (step S305: No), control in the cooling operation mode or the dehumidifying operation mode proceeds to step S307.

On the other hand, if the set temperature has been changed (step S305: affirmative), the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 stores the set temperature at the time when the indoor temperature is stabilized as the summer set temperature in the storage unit 20. (Step S306).

After that, the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 determines whether or not an operation stop instruction has been received from the mode switching unit 101 (step S307). If no instruction to stop operation has been received (step S307: No), the control in the cooling operation mode or the dehumidifying operation mode returns to step S301. On the other hand, if the operation stop instruction is received (step S307: affirmative), the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 stops control of the normal automatic operation.

Here, although FIG. 7 shows the processing by the cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102, the control in the heating operation mode by the heating operation control unit 103 is also the same as the processing shown in FIG. However, in the case of heating operation, the winter set temperature is stored in the storage unit 20 in step S306.

<Effect of Example 1>
As described above, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment can automatically operate by determining the set temperature using the past voluntarily set temperatures used voluntarily by the user. As a result, the set temperature can be adjusted to reflect the user's preference while limiting the adjustable range by the user. In addition, by using different past fixed period information for summer and winter, it is possible to appropriately reflect the user's preferences according to the external environment such as seasonal changes.

(Modification)
In Example 1, the set temperature was determined using the middle value between the upper limit and the lower limit of the past summer set temperature or winter set temperature, but the past voluntary set temperature is used to set the temperature that reflects the user's preference. Any other value may be used as the set temperature as long as it is possible to determine . Therefore, an example in which another method of determining the set temperature is used will be described below.

The cooling and dehumidifying operation control unit 102 stores the set temperature when the indoor temperature is stabilized as the summer set temperature in the storage unit 20, and stores the usage time of the set temperature in the period when the indoor temperature is stabilized in the storage unit 20. Memorize.

Similarly, the heating operation control unit 103 stores the set temperature when the indoor temperature is stabilized as the winter set temperature in the storage unit 20, and stores the usage time of the set temperature during the period when the indoor temperature is stable. 20 is stored.

The operation control unit 153 stores the set temperature when the indoor temperature is stabilized in the storage unit 20 as the summer set temperature or the winter set temperature according to the operation mode if the set temperature is changed. Further, the operation control unit 153 causes the storage unit 20 to store the set temperature in summer or the set temperature in winter and the usage time of the set temperature during the period when the indoor temperature is stable.

The set temperature determination unit 151 determines the total usage time of each summer set temperature stored in the storage unit 20 when determining the set temperature when controlling in the automatic cooling operation or the automatic low cooling operation in the preference-based automatic operation. calculate. Then, the set temperature determination unit 151 identifies the summer set temperature that is used for the longest time, and determines the identified summer set temperature as the set temperature. Thereafter, the set temperature determination unit 151 notifies the operation control unit 153 of the determined set temperature, and causes the operation control unit 153 to perform control in automatic cooling operation or automatic low cooling operation.

In addition, the set temperature determination unit 151 calculates the total usage time of each winter set temperature stored in the storage unit 20 when determining the set temperature when controlling in the automatic heating operation in the preference-based automatic operation. Then, the set temperature determination unit 151 identifies the winter set temperature that is used for the longest time, and determines the identified winter set temperature as the set temperature. Thereafter, the set temperature determination unit 151 notifies the operation control unit 153 of the determined set temperature, and causes the operation control unit 153 to perform control in the automatic heating operation.

<Effect of modification>
As described above, the air conditioner according to the present modification performs automatic operation using the set temperature that has been used for the longest time among the past voluntary set temperatures voluntarily used by the user. In this way, even when a value other than the middle value between the upper limit and the lower limit of the summer set temperature or the winter set temperature is used as the set temperature, the set temperature can be adjusted to reflect the user's preference.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the controller 10 in the air conditioner 1 according to the second embodiment. The air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that, when the preference-based automatic operation is performed, the operation is started at the set temperature according to the user's preference. On the other hand, if the surrounding environment (indoor temperature, indoor humidity, outdoor temperature, etc.) changes after the start of preference-based automatic driving, the learning model is used to adjust the set temperature according to the user's sensory temperature (hereinafter referred to as temperature adjustment) (hereinafter also referred to as automatic operation with learning function) is different from the first embodiment. In the following description, descriptions of the same functions as those of the first embodiment will be omitted. The air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment has a learning control unit 154 in the automatic operation control unit 105 .

<Configuration of control unit>
The mode switching unit 101 holds information on or off of the function of automatic driving with a learning function input by the user using the remote controller 15 . Then, when the automatic driving mode is selected by the user, the mode switching unit 101 controls the execution of the automatic driving with the learning function if the function of the automatic driving with the learning function is on. The unit 105 is instructed. Moreover, if the function of automatic operation with a learning function is turned off, the mode switching unit 101 instructs the automatic operation control unit 105 to execute normal automatic operation.

The operation control unit 153 has the function of automatic driving with a learning function turned on, and when the automatic driving control unit 105 receives an instruction to execute automatic driving with a learning function from the mode switching unit 101, preference-based automatic driving is performed. do When performing preference-based automatic driving, the driving control unit 153 executes the following processes. The operation control unit 153 executes control of preference-adaptive automatic operation until the temperature in the room stabilizes. Then, when the indoor temperature is stabilized, the operation control unit 153 notifies the learning control unit 155 of control completion.

The learning control unit 154 stores learning models. The learning models include a learning model for cooling and a learning model for heating. As a learning model, for example, the sensible temperature for indoor users after 5 minutes is predicted according to the operating status of the air conditioner 1 in each home, and the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 are operated according to the predicted sensible temperature. There is a sensible temperature setting prediction model to control. The sensible temperature setting prediction model is, for example, a program that is executed when adjusting the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so that the user feels comfortable according to time-series indoor temperature, indoor humidity, outdoor temperature, etc. . For example, the learning control unit 154 changes settings so that the user feels comfortable by controlling the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 based on the sensible temperature setting prediction model. The air conditioner 1 is controlled based on such a sensible temperature setting prediction model, so that air conditioning and heating can be appropriately performed so as to make the user comfortable.

Also, the learning control unit 154 acquires information on indoor and outdoor temperatures from the temperature sensor 13 . The learning control unit 154 also acquires indoor humidity information from the humidity sensor 14 .

The learning control unit 154 changes the cooling settings such as the set temperature based on the stored cooling learning model, and controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 to cool the room using the changed settings. The cooling setting change is, for example, "sensible temperature up" or "sensible temperature down". “Sensible temperature increase” is a setting change for causing the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 to operate so as to increase the user's sensible temperature by the learning control unit 154 . “Sensible temperature down” is a setting change for causing the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 to operate so that the user's sensible temperature is lowered by the learning control unit 154 .

In addition, the learning control unit 154 changes the setting for heating such as the set temperature based on the stored learning model for heating, and controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 so as to heat the room using the changed setting. . The setting change for heating is also "sensible temperature up" or "sensible temperature down" like the setting change for cooling.

<Control of automatic driving with learning function>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of control of automatic operation with a learning function by the automatic operation control unit 105 according to the second embodiment. Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the control flow of automatic operation with a learning function by the automatic operation control unit 105 according to the second embodiment will be described.

The set temperature determination unit 151 acquires from the operation mode table 200 a formula for calculating the set temperature corresponding to the acquired room temperature when the remote control setting is standard (step S401).

Next, the set temperature determination unit 151 acquires the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the set temperature according to the acquired calculation formula from the storage unit 20 (step S402). Specifically, the set temperature determining unit 151 obtains the upper limit and lower limit of the summer set temperature in the case of automatic cooling operation or automatic low cooling operation, and acquires the upper limit of the winter set temperature in the case of automatic heating operation. and get the lower bound.

Next, the set temperature determining unit 151 calculates the set temperature using the obtained upper limit value and lower limit value in a calculation formula (step S403).

The set temperature determination unit 151 notifies the calculated set temperature and operation mode to the temperature adjustment unit 152 and the operation control unit 153 . The operation control unit 153 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 according to the operation mode designated according to the notified set temperature to execute preference-based automatic operation (step S404).

While the set temperature determination unit 151 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12, the temperature adjustment unit 152 determines whether or not the automatic operation control unit 105 has received an instruction to change the set temperature from the mode switching unit 101. (Step S405).

When the automatic operation control unit 105 receives the setting temperature change instruction (step S405: affirmative), the temperature adjustment unit 152 operates the setting temperature calculation formula corresponding to the newly specified remote control setting and operation mode information. Acquired from the mode table 200 . Then, the temperature adjustment unit 152 calculates a new set temperature after the change using the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the set temperature stored in the storage unit 20 . Then, the temperature adjustment unit 152 notifies the operation control unit 153 of the calculated new set temperature to change the set temperature (step S406). After that, the process of automatic driving with a learning function returns to step S404.

On the other hand, when the automatic operation control unit 105 does not receive an instruction to change the set temperature (step S405: No), the operation control unit 153 acquires information on the indoor temperature from the indoor temperature sensor 13 every 5 minutes, It is determined whether or not the indoor temperature has stabilized (step S407). If the indoor temperature is not stable (step S407: No), the process of automatic operation with learning function returns to step S404.

On the other hand, if the indoor temperature has stabilized (step S407: affirmative), the operation control unit 153 determines whether or not the set temperature has been changed (step S408). If the set temperature has not been changed (step S408: No), the process of preference-based automatic driving proceeds to step S410.

On the other hand, if there is a change in the set temperature (step S408: affirmative), the operation control unit 153 changes the set temperature at the time when the indoor temperature is stabilized to the summer set temperature or the winter set temperature depending on the operation mode. is stored in the storage unit 20 (step S409).

Thereafter, the operation control unit 153 notifies the learning control unit 154 of control completion. When the learning control unit 154 receives the control completion notification from the operation control unit 153, the learning model corresponding to the operation mode among the stored learning models is used to change settings such as the set temperature (step S410).

After that, the learning control unit 154 controls the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 according to the operation mode using the changed setting (step S411).

After that, the learning control unit 154 determines whether or not the automatic operation control unit 105 has received an operation stop instruction from the mode switching unit 101 (step S412). If no instruction to stop operation has been received (step S412: No), the process of automatic operation with a learning function returns to step S410. On the other hand, when the instruction to stop the operation is received (step S412: affirmative), the learning control unit 154 stops controlling the automatic operation with the learning function.

<Effect of Example 2>
As described above, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment determines the set temperature at the start of operation using the past voluntarily set temperature used voluntarily by the user, and performs automatic operation according to preference. After that, using the learning model, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are controlled according to the sensible temperature to adjust the set temperature.

The air conditioner according to the present embodiment starts automatic operation using a set temperature that reflects the user's preference. Therefore, the set temperature at the start of automatic operation does not greatly deviate from the user's preferred temperature. Furthermore, since control using a learning model is performed during automatic operation, the temperature is adjusted to the user's preference according to the surrounding environment. This makes it possible to improve the user's comfort.

Furthermore, in the control using the learning model, in order not to impair the user's comfort, for example, the setting temperature is adjusted by 0.5°C every 5 minutes. may be done. Even when the change in the set temperature is moderated in this way, the set temperature at the start of operation does not deviate greatly from the user's preferred temperature, so the adjustment time to reach the user's preferred temperature can be shortened. This makes it possible to further improve the user's comfort.

On the other hand, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment performs control using the learning model after performing control using the set temperature that reflects the user's preference. In this case, since the set temperature already reflects the user's preference, the result of automatic operation using the set temperature is close to the user's optimum temperature, and the user's adjustment time to the optimum temperature can be shortened. This makes it possible to improve the user's comfort.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioning system according to the third embodiment. In each of the above embodiments, the storage unit 20 of the air conditioner 1 stores the summer set temperature and the winter set temperature, which are voluntarily set temperatures. be. For example, the server 3 arranged on the cloud 2 shown in FIG. 10 may hold the voluntary set temperature. The server 3 is connected to the air conditioner 1 via a network.

<Configuration of air conditioning system>
The cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 102 of the air conditioner 1 transmits and stores the summer set temperature to the server 3 when operating in the cooling operation mode and the dehumidifying operation mode selected by the user. Further, the heating operation control unit 103 of the air conditioner 1 transmits and stores the winter set temperature to the server 3 when operating in the heating operation mode selected by the user.

The set temperature determination unit 151 of the air conditioner 1 requests the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the summer set temperature from the server 3 arranged in the cloud 2 when operating in the automatic cooling operation in the preference-based automatic operation. After that, the set temperature determining unit 151 obtains the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the summer set temperature from the server 3, and calculates the set temperature using a calculation formula.

In addition, when operating in automatic heating operation in preference-based automatic operation, the set temperature determination unit 151 of the air conditioner 1 requests the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the winter set temperature from the server 3 arranged in the cloud 2. do. After that, the set temperature determining unit 151 acquires the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the winter set temperature from the server 3, and calculates the set temperature using a calculation formula.

The operation control unit 153 of the air conditioner 1 transmits and stores the summer set temperature or the winter set temperature to the server 3 according to the operation mode when operating in the automatic operation mode.

The server 3 accumulates the summer temperature setting and winter temperature setting transmitted from the air conditioner 1 via the network. Here, the server 3 on the cloud 2 can secure and transfer a sufficient storage capacity. Therefore, the server 3 can hold the data of the summer temperature setting and the winter temperature setting for a predetermined number of days or more, which are used for calculating the temperature setting.

The server 3 receives a request to acquire the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the set temperature in summer from the set temperature determination unit 151 of the air conditioner 1 . Then, the server 3 extracts the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the stored summer set temperatures up to a predetermined number of days ago. After that, the server 3 transmits the extracted upper limit value and lower limit value of the summer set temperature to the set temperature determination unit 151 of the air conditioner 1 .

The server 3 also receives a request to acquire the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the winter set temperature from the set temperature determination unit 151 of the air conditioner 1 . Then, the server 3 extracts the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the stored winter set temperatures up to a predetermined number of days before the winter set temperatures. After that, the server 3 transmits the extracted upper limit value and lower limit value of the winter set temperature to the set temperature determination unit 151 of the air conditioner 1 .

<Effect of Example 3>
As described above, by accumulating the voluntary set temperatures in a place other than the air conditioner 1, the air conditioner 1 does not need to hold a memory with a large storage capacity, thereby saving space and reducing manufacturing costs. becomes possible. In addition, the server can store a large amount of voluntarily set temperature data, which can be easily used for other controls.

1 air conditioner 2 cloud 3 server 10 control unit 11 indoor unit 12 outdoor unit 13 temperature sensor 14 humidity sensor 15 remote controller 20 storage unit 101 mode switching unit 102 cooling/dehumidifying operation control unit 103 heating operation control unit 105 automatic operation control unit 151 setting Temperature determination unit 152 Temperature adjustment unit 153 Operation control unit 154 Learning control unit

Claims (11)

An air conditioner having a cooling operation mode, a heating operation mode, and an automatic operation mode as operation modes,
a set temperature determination unit that sets the set temperature based on the history of the indoor temperature or the voluntary set temperature voluntarily set by the user when the automatic operation mode is selected as the operation mode;
An air conditioner, comprising: an operation control section that controls the air conditioner based on the set temperature set by the set temperature determination section. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores said voluntary set temperature. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the spontaneous set temperature includes a set temperature set by the user in the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the set temperature determining unit sets the set temperature based on an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the spontaneous set temperature. The operation control unit is
determining the set temperature during cooling operation in the automatic operation mode based on the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the voluntary set temperature in the cooling operation mode;
The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the set temperature during heating operation in the automatic operation mode is determined based on the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the spontaneous set temperature in the heating operation mode. machine. In the automatic operation mode, further comprising a temperature adjustment unit that changes the set temperature in response to a change instruction from the user within a predetermined range,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the voluntary set temperature includes the set temperature changed by the temperature adjustment section. The voluntarily set temperature is the set temperature when the room temperature of the air-conditioned space reaches a predetermined temperature range from the set temperature and the room temperature is stabilized. air conditioner. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein date information is added to the voluntary set temperature. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the voluntarily set temperature is the set temperature for a predetermined number of days. The voluntary set temperature is stored in a storage unit of a server connected to the air conditioner via a network,
The set temperature determination unit obtains from the server an upper limit value and a lower limit value extracted from the spontaneously set temperatures for a predetermined number of days by the server, and based on the obtained upper limit value and the lower limit value, The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the set temperature is set. 10, further comprising a learning control unit for controlling the air conditioner based on a result of sensible temperature prediction using a learning model after the air conditioner is controlled by the operation control unit. The air conditioner according to any one of .

Images