JP2022175207A - air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner capable of achieving energy savings when ventilation is assumed.SOLUTION: An air conditioner 100 includes a compressor, an indoor fan, a display lamp 23 and a speaker 32 for executing notification to urge ventilation of an air conditioning room, and a control unit 30 for causing the display lamp 23 and the speaker 32 to execute notification. The control unit 30 reduces a rotation speed of at least one of the compressor and the indoor fan at a timing before the notification or after the notification when the display lamp 23 and the speaker 32 execute the notification as the control when causing the display lamp 23 and the speaker 32 to execute the notification, or makes an increase rate of the rotation speed of at least one of the compressor and the indoor fan smaller than in a normal air conditioning operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

In recent years, with the spread of infections such as the new coronavirus, it is particularly recommended to regularly ventilate the room. For such indoor ventilation, for example, a technique described in Patent Literature 1 is known. That is, Patent Literature 1 describes that the control unit executes at least one of predicting an abnormality related to the concentration of a predetermined gas in the room and controlling ventilation in the room.

Japanese Patent No. 6712509

However, Patent Literature 1 does not describe air-conditioning control during ventilation, and energy saving is required when ventilation is assumed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that saves energy when ventilation is assumed.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a compressor, an indoor fan, a notification unit that performs notification to prompt ventilation of an air-conditioned room, and a control unit that causes the notification unit to perform the notification. and the control unit controls when the notification unit performs the notification, when the notification unit performs the notification, before performing the notification, or after performing the notification and reducing the rotational speed of at least one of the compressor and the indoor fan, or making the rate of increase in the rotational speed of at least one of the compressor and the indoor fan smaller than during normal air conditioning operation. and

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the air conditioner which aimed at energy saving when ventilation is assumed can be provided.

1 is a front view of an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a remote control of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram including a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the case of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment, with the side plate and the top plate removed; 1 is a functional block diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing executed by a control unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which ventilation is not performed during air conditioning operation in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which ventilation is performed during air conditioning operation in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment; It is a functional block diagram of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by a control unit of an air conditioner according to the second embodiment;

<<First embodiment>>
<Configuration of air conditioner>
FIG. 1 is a front view of an indoor unit 20, an outdoor unit 40, and a remote controller 60 of an air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment.
The air conditioner 100 is a device that performs air conditioning such as cooling operation and heating operation. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 includes an indoor unit 20 installed indoors (air-conditioned room), an outdoor unit 40 installed outdoors, and a remote controller 60 operated by a user. .

The indoor unit 20 includes a remote control transmitting/receiving section 21, an imaging section 22, and a display lamp 23 (informing section).
The remote control transmitting/receiving unit 21 exchanges predetermined information with the remote control 60 by infrared communication or the like. Examples of the above information include start/stop commands, change of operation mode, change of set temperature, timer setting, and the like.

The imaging unit 22 is for imaging the air-conditioned room, and is provided in the indoor unit 20 .
The display lamp 23 is provided in the indoor unit 20 to perform a predetermined display regarding air conditioning operation and the like. Although omitted in FIG. 1, the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 40 are connected via a refrigerant pipe and also via a communication line.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram including the refrigerant circuit 50 of the air conditioner 100. As shown in FIG.
The solid line arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation.
On the other hand, dashed arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation.
As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 includes a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an outdoor fan 13, and an expansion valve . The air conditioner 100 also includes an indoor heat exchanger 15, an indoor fan 16, and a four-way valve 17 in addition to the above-described configuration.

The compressor 11 has a function of compressing the refrigerant and circulating it in the refrigerant circuit 50 . That is, the compressor 11 is a device that compresses a low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant and discharges it as a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant, and includes a compressor motor 11a that is a driving source. As such a compressor 11, a scroll compressor, a rotary compressor, or the like is used. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the suction side of the compressor 11 is provided with an accumulator 36 (see FIG. 4) for separating gas and liquid of the refrigerant.

The outdoor heat exchanger 12 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through its heat transfer tubes 12 b (see FIG. 4 ) and the outside air sent by the outdoor fan 13 .
The outdoor fan 13 is a fan that sends outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 12 . The outdoor fan 13 is provided near the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and has an outdoor fan motor 13a as a drive source.
The expansion valve 14 is a valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant condensed in the "condenser" (one of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the indoor heat exchanger 15). The refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve 14 is guided to an "evaporator" (the other of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the indoor heat exchanger 15).

The indoor heat exchanger 15 is a heat exchanger in which heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer pipes 15b (see FIG. 3) and the indoor air (the air in the air-conditioned room) sent by the indoor fan 16. is.
The indoor fan 16 is a fan that sends air into the air-conditioned room via the indoor heat exchanger 15 . The indoor fan 16 includes an indoor fan motor 16 c (see FIG. 5 ) as a drive source, and is provided near the indoor heat exchanger 15 .

The four-way valve 17 is a valve that switches the refrigerant flow path according to the operation mode of the air conditioner 100 . For example, during cooling operation (see the dashed arrow in FIG. 2), in the refrigerant circuit 50, the compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 (condenser), the expansion valve 14, and the indoor heat exchanger 15 (evaporator) The refrigerant circulates through sequentially. On the other hand, during heating operation (see solid line arrows in FIG. 2), in the refrigerant circuit 50, the compressor 11, the indoor heat exchanger 15 (condenser), the expansion valve 14, and the outdoor heat exchanger 12 (evaporator) The refrigerant circulates through sequentially.

In the example of FIG. 2 , the compressor 11 , the outdoor heat exchanger 12 , the outdoor fan 13 , the expansion valve 14 and the four-way valve 17 are installed in the outdoor unit 40 . On the other hand, the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16 are installed in the indoor unit 20 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 20 taken along line III-III in FIG.
The indoor unit 20 shown in FIG. 3 includes a drain pan 18, a housing base 19, and filters 20a and 20b in addition to the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16 described above. Furthermore, the indoor unit 20 includes a front panel 24, a left/right wind direction plate 25 (wind direction plate), and an up/down direction plate 26 (wind direction plate).

The indoor heat exchanger 15 includes a plurality of fins 15a and a plurality of heat transfer tubes 15b passing through the fins 15a. In the example of FIG. 3, the indoor heat exchanger 15 has an inverted V shape when viewed in vertical cross section.
The indoor fan 16 is, for example, a cylindrical cross-flow fan, and includes an indoor fan motor 16c (see FIG. 5) as a drive source. As shown in FIG. 3 , the indoor fan 16 is provided near the indoor heat exchanger 15 .

The drain pan 18 receives condensed water from the indoor heat exchanger 15 and is arranged below the indoor heat exchanger 15 .
The housing base 19 is a housing in which the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16 as well as the filters 20a and 20b are installed.

The filters 20a and 20b collect dust from the air heading for the indoor heat exchanger 15 as the indoor fan 16 is driven. One filter 20 a is arranged in front of the indoor heat exchanger 15 , and the other filter 20 b is arranged above the indoor heat exchanger 15 .
The front panel 24 is a panel installed so as to cover the filter 20a on the front side, and is rotatable forward about its lower end portion. In addition, the structure which the front panel 24 does not rotate may be sufficient.

The left/right wind direction plate 25 is a plate-shaped member that adjusts the left/right direction of the air blown out from the indoor unit 20, and is rotated in the left/right direction by a left/right direction plate motor 25a (see FIG. 5). there is
The vertical wind direction plate 26 is a plate-shaped member that adjusts the vertical direction of the air blown out from the indoor unit 20, and is rotated vertically by a vertical wind direction plate motor 26a (see FIG. 5). there is

The air sucked through the air inlets 27 a and 27 b exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes 15 b of the indoor heat exchanger 15 , and the heat-exchanged air is guided to the blowout air passage 28 . The air flowing through the blowing air passage 28 is guided in a predetermined direction by the left/right airflow direction plate 25 and the up/down airflow direction plate 26, and is further blown into the room through the air blowing port 29. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing 41 of the outdoor unit 40 with the side plates and top plate removed.
4, illustration of the expansion valve 14 (see FIG. 2) and the four-way valve 17 (see FIG. 2) is omitted.
The housing 41 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with the compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 12, the outdoor fan 13, as well as the accumulator 36 and the electric component box 43. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 having an L-shape in plan view is installed on the bottom plate 41 a of the housing 41 . The outdoor heat exchanger 12 includes a large number of fins 12a arranged at predetermined intervals, and a plurality of heat transfer tubes 12b passing through these fins 12a. The refrigerant flows through the heat transfer tubes 12b while meandering in a predetermined manner.

The partition plate 42 shown in FIG. 4 is a metal plate that partitions the space in the housing 41 into a machine room R1 in which the compressor 11 and the accumulator 36 are installed, and a fan room R2 in which the outdoor fan 13 is installed. .
The electrical equipment box 43 is a box for housing a circuit board of an outdoor control circuit 35 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, and is provided above the partition plate 42 .

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the air conditioner 100. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the indoor unit 20 includes a remote controller transmission/reception section 21 (see also FIG. 1), an imaging section 22 (see also FIG. 1), and the like. As described above, the imaging unit 22 is for imaging the air-conditioned room, and includes a predetermined imaging element (not shown). As such an imaging device, for example, a CCD sensor (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS sensor (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) is used. Alternatively, a thermopile or the like that generates a thermal image of the air-conditioned room may be used as the imaging unit 22 . Captured image information generated by the imaging unit 22 is output to the indoor control circuit 33 .

Furthermore, the indoor unit 20 includes the indoor fan motor 16c, the motor 25a for the left/right wind direction plate, the motor 26a for the up/down wind direction plate, and the display lamp 23 (informing unit: see also FIG. 1). , an indoor temperature sensor 31 , a speaker 32 (informing unit), and an indoor control circuit 33 .
The indoor temperature sensor 31 is a sensor that detects the indoor temperature (the temperature of the air-conditioned room), and is installed, for example, on the air intake side of the indoor heat exchanger 15 (see FIG. 2). A detected value of the indoor temperature sensor 31 is output to the indoor control circuit 33 .
The display lamp 23 is designed to light up or flash in accordance with a command from the indoor control circuit 33 . The speaker 32 emits a predetermined sound (including voice) based on a command from the indoor control circuit 33 . The display lamp 23 and the speaker 32 function as a "notification unit" that notifies the ventilation of the air-conditioned room.

Although not shown, the indoor control circuit 33 includes electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and various interfaces. Then, the program stored in the ROM is read out and developed in the RAM, and the CPU executes various processes.

As shown in FIG. 5, the indoor control circuit 33 includes a storage section 33a and an indoor control section 33b. The storage unit 33a stores data received via the remote control transmission/reception unit 21, data input from the imaging unit 22, detection values of each sensor, and the like. The indoor control unit 33b controls the indoor fan motor 16c, the left/right air deflector motor 25a, the up/down air deflector motor 26a, the display lamp 23, the speaker 32, and the like based on the data in the storage unit 33a.

As shown in FIG. 5, the indoor controller 33b includes a human detector 331b and a carbon dioxide concentration calculator 332b. The human detection unit 331b detects a person in the air-conditioned room (a person in the room) based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 22 .
The carbon dioxide concentration calculator 332b calculates the carbon dioxide concentration in the air-conditioned room based on the detection result of the human detector 331b. Processing executed by the human detection unit 331b and the carbon dioxide concentration calculation unit 332b will be described later.

The outdoor unit 40 includes an outdoor temperature sensor 34 and an outdoor control circuit 35 in addition to the compressor motor 11a, the outdoor fan motor 13a, the expansion valve 14, and the four-way valve 17 described above.
The outdoor temperature sensor 34 is a sensor that detects the outdoor temperature (outside air temperature) and is installed at a predetermined location of the outdoor unit 40 . Although not shown in FIG. 5, the outdoor unit 40 also includes other sensors for detecting the discharge temperature of the compressor 11 (see FIG. 1). Detected values of these sensors are output to the outdoor control circuit 35 .

Although not shown, the outdoor control circuit 35 includes electronic circuits such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and various interfaces, and is connected to the indoor control circuit 33 via a communication line. As shown in FIG. 5, the outdoor control circuit 35 includes a storage section 35a and an outdoor control section 35b.

The storage unit 35a stores data received from the indoor control circuit 33 in addition to predetermined programs and detection values of the respective sensors. The outdoor control unit 35b controls the compressor motor 11a, the outdoor fan motor 13a, the expansion valve 14, the four-way valve 17, etc. based on the data in the storage unit 35a. Note that the indoor control circuit 33 and the outdoor control circuit 35 are collectively referred to as a control section 30 .

<Indoor ventilation>
For example, even if infectious pathogens such as novel coronaviruses and influenza viruses are present indoors (air-conditioned rooms), adequate ventilation in the room will prevent infection through humans. Also, by ventilating the room, there is an advantage that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air in the room decreases while the concentration of oxygen increases.

However, for example, if the user opens a window for ventilation during cooling operation, the air cooled by the air conditioning goes out through the window, while the hot outside air enters the room through the window. The load increases significantly. If the normal cooling operation continues with the windows open, the rotation of the compressor 11 (see FIG. 2) and the indoor fan 16 (see FIG. 2) is required to maintain the room at a predetermined set temperature. Control is performed to increase the speed. As a result, the power consumption of the air conditioner 100 increases, leading to an increase in power costs.

In addition, when the user closes the window after ventilating the room, the air conditioning load during cooling operation decreases rapidly, so the air in the air conditioning room is temporarily overcooled and power is wasted. It is possible. The same thing can be said when ventilation is performed during heating operation. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the display lamp 23 or the speaker 32 notifies the user of the need to ventilate, the controller 30 adjusts the rotation speed of the compressor 11 (see FIG. 2) or the indoor fan 16 (see FIG. 2). By making it smaller, an increase in power consumption is suppressed. It is assumed that the air conditioner 100 is not particularly provided with a ventilation device for automatically ventilating the air-conditioned room.

<Processing of control unit>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing executed by the controller of the air conditioner (see FIGS. 2 and 5 as needed).
At the time of "START" in FIG. 6, it is assumed that a predetermined air conditioning operation such as cooling operation or heating operation is being performed.
In step S<b>101 , the control unit 30 reads the imaging result of the imaging unit 22 . This imaging result (that is, captured image information) includes data regarding the brightness of each pixel of the imaging unit 22 .

In step S<b>102 , the control unit 30 detects a person in the air-conditioned room using the human detection unit 331 b based on the imaging result (captured image information) of the imaging unit 22 . For example, the control unit 30 extracts a person's head, chest, arms, legs, etc. based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 22, and detects the person based on the positional relationship of each extracted part. Since detection of a person based on captured image information is well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S103, the control unit 30 calculates the carbon dioxide concentration α of the air-conditioned room. When calculating the carbon dioxide concentration α, the control unit 30 calculates the volume of the air-conditioned room and also calculates the amount of activity of each person in the room. To give a specific example, the control unit 30 first extracts the ridgeline between adjacent walls and the ridgeline between the wall and the floor in the air-conditioned room. Then, the control unit 30 calculates the floor area of the air-conditioned room based on the position of each ridge line and the number of pixels in the captured image, as well as the tilt angle of the imaging unit 22 and the standard installation height of the indoor unit 20 . Then, the control unit 30 calculates the volume of the air-conditioned room by multiplying the above floor area by the standard ceiling height of the air-conditioned room. Note that the method for calculating the volume of the air-conditioned room is not limited to this.

The control unit 30 also calculates the amount of activity of each person in the room. Specifically, the control unit 30 calculates the moving distance (that is, moving speed) of the person in the room per unit time based on the movement trajectory of the person in the room. Then, the control unit 30 calculates the amount of activity of the person in the room based on the movement distance of the person in the room per unit time. In addition, "activity amount" is a metabolic rate per unit surface area of a person. As the amount of activity increases, the number of times of breathing per unit time and the amount of breathing for one breath of the person in the room also increase, so the carbon dioxide concentration α in the air-conditioned room tends to increase. Then, the control unit 30 calculates the carbon dioxide concentration α of the air-conditioned room based on the volume of the air-conditioned room and the amount of activity of each person in the room.

In step S104, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the carbon dioxide concentration α in the air-conditioned room is equal to or greater than a predetermined value α1. It should be noted that the predetermined value α1 is a threshold value of the carbon dioxide concentration that serves as a criterion for determining whether or not to issue a notification (S105) to encourage ventilation of the air-conditioned room, and is set in advance. In step S104, when the carbon dioxide concentration α in the air-conditioned room is less than the predetermined value α1 (S104: No), the process of the control unit 30 returns to step S101. In this case, since the carbon dioxide concentration α in the air-conditioned room is relatively low, even if a virus or the like is contained in the exhaled breath of a person in the room, the distribution density of the virus is relatively low. Therefore, there is no particular need for the person in the room to ventilate the room.

On the other hand, in step S104, when the carbon dioxide concentration α in the air-conditioned room is equal to or greater than the predetermined value α1 (S104: Yes), the process of the control unit 30 proceeds to step S105.
In step S105, the control unit 30 issues a notification to prompt ventilation of the air-conditioned room. For example, while lighting the display lamp 23 in a predetermined manner, the control unit 30 outputs from the speaker 32 a voice recommending that the windows and doors be opened for ventilation. That is, the control unit 30 causes the display lamp 23 and the speaker 32 to issue a notification to encourage ventilation based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 22 . This allows the person in the room to know that it is better to ventilate the air-conditioned room.

Next, in step S106, the control unit 30 executes the first control as the air conditioning control after performing the notification to encourage ventilation (S105). That is, when the control unit 30 issues a notification (S105) to encourage ventilation during the air conditioning operation, the rotation speed of the compressor 11 (that is, the compressor motor 11a: see FIG. 5) is reduced in step S106, and further, The rotation speed of the indoor fan 16 is also reduced. For example, the control unit 30 drives the compressor 11 and the like at a rotational speed of a predetermined ratio (ratio smaller than 1) based on the rotational speed of the compressor 11 and the like immediately before the notification of ventilation. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption associated with driving the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 even when the windows and doors are open. Note that the control unit 30 may execute the first control at the timing when performing the notification to encourage ventilation (S105) or before performing the notification to encourage ventilation (S105).

In addition, for example, the compressor 11 and the like are driven at a rotational speed of a predetermined ratio (ratio smaller than 1) based on the rotational speed of the compressor 11 and the like when it is assumed that normal air conditioning operation is performed. good too. In this case, the controller 30 may appropriately change the rotational speeds of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 in accordance with temperature changes in the air-conditioned room.

Note that the control unit 30 continues the first control even when the air conditioning load increases after the first control (control) is started. For example, when an occupant in the room hears the notification (S105) to encourage ventilation during cooling operation and opens the window for ventilation, the air cooled by the air conditioning goes out through the window, while the hot air Enter the air-conditioned room through the window. Therefore, ventilation increases the air conditioning load. Even if the air conditioning load increases in this way and the indoor temperature rises above the set temperature, the control unit 30 continues to drive the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 at a relatively low speed (S106). By this, the increase in the power consumption associated with the driving of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 can be suppressed.

Further, for example, the first control (S106) can suppress a sudden increase in the air-conditioning load immediately after the person in the room opens the window for ventilation and then closes the window. Therefore, it is possible to suppress excessive cooling due to the cooling operation and excessive heating due to the heating operation immediately after the window is closed, thereby suppressing wasteful consumption of electric power. In addition, since the control unit 30 continues the air conditioning operation while suppressing the rotation speed of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 after performing the notification to encourage ventilation, compared to the case where the air conditioning operation is interrupted during ventilation user's comfort.

FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which ventilation is not performed during air conditioning operation.
In the example of FIG. 7A, there are three people M1, M2, and M3 in the air-conditioned room, and the predetermined air-conditioning operation is being performed with the window W1 closed. If such a state continues for a long time, the exhaled air of the people M1, M2, and M3 staying in the room stays in the air-conditioned room, so the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air-conditioned room R10 gradually increases.

FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which ventilation is performed during air-conditioning operation.
In the example of FIG. 7B, the person M1 in the room opens the window W1, and another person M2 in the room opens the door D1 to ventilate the room. As a result, the air in the air-conditioned room R10 is replaced, so that the concentration of carbon dioxide is lowered, and the occurrence of virus infection among the persons M1, M2, and M3 in the room can be suppressed.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 7B , the control unit 30 controls the air blown from the indoor unit 20 based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 22 during the execution of the first control (control) so that the air blown from the indoor unit 20 It is preferable to adjust the orientation of the left/right air deflector 25 (air deflector: see FIG. 3) and the up/down air deflector 26 (air deflector: see FIG. 3) so as to focus on M1, M2, and M3. Accordingly, even in the first control in which the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 are driven at a relatively low speed, it is possible to perform air conditioning that is highly comfortable for people in the room.

Again, return to FIG. 6 and continue the description.
After performing the first control in step S106, in step S107, the control unit 30 determines whether or not a predetermined time Δt has passed since the start of the first control. Note that the predetermined time Δt is the time during which the first control is continued, and is set in advance. For example, the predetermined time Δt is set in advance based on the time during which the air-conditioned room is properly ventilated through the opened windows and doors.

In step S107, when the predetermined time Δt has not passed since the start of the first control (S107: No), the process of the control unit 30 returns to step S106. Then, in step S106, the control unit 30 continues the first control.
During the execution of the first control (control), the control unit 30 preferably lights or blinks the display lamp 23 in a predetermined manner and outputs a predetermined sound from the speaker 32 as a notification to prompt ventilation. In other words, it is preferable that the control unit 30 continues the notification to encourage ventilation in step S103 during execution of the first control in step S106. As a result, the user is less likely to feel uncomfortable with the temporary deterioration in the effectiveness of the cooling operation and the heating operation. In other words, the user can easily notice that the air conditioning operation assuming ventilation is being performed and that the air conditioner 100 is not malfunctioning.

Further, in step S107, when the predetermined time Δt has passed since the start of the first control (S107: Yes), the control unit 30 ends the series of processes (END). That is, the control unit 30 terminates the first control, and also terminates lighting or blinking of the display lamp 23 and output of sound from the speaker 32 . After that, although omitted in FIG. 6, the control unit 30 resumes the normal air conditioning operation.

In addition to the remote controller 60 (see FIG. 5), the user may operate a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, or a tablet in a predetermined manner to switch whether to notify the user to encourage ventilation. As a result, it is possible to increase the user's degree of freedom in selecting whether or not there should be a notification to encourage ventilation.

Incidentally, it is not always necessary for the control unit 30 to detect whether or not the user who heard the notification to encourage ventilation (S105) actually opened the window. This is because, if the notification prompting ventilation is bothersome, the user normally selects a mode in which this notification is not performed. In other words, in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the user opens the window to ventilate when the notification to encourage ventilation is given.

<effect>
According to the first embodiment, when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air-conditioned room reaches or exceeds a predetermined value (S104 in FIG. 6: Yes), the control unit 30 causes the display lamp 23 and the speaker 32 to notify the ventilation. (S105). By opening the windows and doors to ventilate the room, the person in the room who notices such a notification can suppress the infection of the virus and reduce the carbon dioxide concentration.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the carbon dioxide concentration in the air-conditioned room is calculated based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 22 . Therefore, since there is no particular need to provide a carbon dioxide concentration sensor (not shown) in the indoor unit 20, the manufacturing cost of the air conditioner 100 can be reduced.

Also, after performing the notification to encourage ventilation (S105 in FIG. 6), the control unit 30 reduces the rotational speeds of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 as first control (S106). As a result, even when the windows and doors of the air-conditioned room are open for ventilation, the amount of power consumed by driving the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 can be reduced. In addition, by making the rotation speed of the indoor fan 16 relatively low, it is possible to suppress the outflow of the conditioned air through the windows and doors.
In addition, since the control unit 30 continues to drive the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 even after the notification of prompting ventilation (S105), the comfort for the user can be improved compared to the case where the air conditioning operation is interrupted.

<<Second embodiment>>
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an air conditioner 100A (see FIG. 8) includes a window detection section 333b (see FIG. 8). Further, in the second embodiment, in the case where a notification prompting ventilation is performed, when it is detected that the window or door of the air conditioning room has been opened, the control unit 30A (see FIG. 8) performs the first control. The point is different from the first embodiment. Other points are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the portions different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the overlapping portions will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of an air conditioner according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the indoor controller 33Ab of the indoor unit 20A includes a window detector 333b in addition to the human detector 331b and the carbon dioxide concentration calculator 332b. The window detection unit 333b has a function of detecting the windows of the air-conditioned room and determining whether the windows are closed or open. For example, the control unit 30A extracts a rectangular high-brightness region included in the captured image of the air-conditioned room as the window region during a predetermined time period when sunlight enters the air-conditioned room.

Further, the window detection unit 333b extracts a predetermined rectangular window frame included in the window region, and determines whether the window is closed or open based on the lateral position of the window frame. determine the state. The window detection method described above (including the determination of the open/closed state of the window) is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to detecting the windows of the air-conditioned room, the window detection unit 333b also has a function of detecting the door of the air-conditioned room (including determination regarding the open/closed state of the door). The detection result of the window detection unit 333b is used to determine whether or not to start the first control after performing the notification to encourage ventilation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by the control unit of the air conditioner (see FIG. 8 as appropriate).
At the time of "START" in FIG. 9, it is assumed that a predetermined air conditioning operation such as cooling operation or heating operation is being performed. Further, since steps S101 to S105 in FIG. 9 are the same as those in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6), description thereof will be omitted.
After issuing a notification to prompt ventilation in step S105 of FIG. 9, in step S121, the control unit 30A determines whether or not the window or door of the air-conditioned room is opened by the window detection unit 333b.

If it is not determined in step S121 that the window has been opened (S121: No), the control unit 30A ends the series of processes relating to ventilation (END). It should be noted that the series of processes in FIG. 9 are repeated in a predetermined manner.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S121 that the window or door has been opened (S121: Yes), the process of the control unit 30A proceeds to step S106. Then, the control unit executes the first control in step S106. That is, when the control unit 30A causes the display lamp 23 and the speaker 32 to notify the ventilation is performed (S105), based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 22, it detects that the window or door of the air conditioning room has been opened. If so (S121: Yes), the first control (control) is executed (S106).

Note that the contents of the first control in step S106 are the same as those described in the first embodiment (S106 in FIG. 6). That is, the controller 30A reduces the rotational speed of the compressor 11 (see FIG. 2) and further reduces the rotational speed of the indoor fan 16 (see FIG. 2) in the first control. As a result, the air conditioning operation can be continued with the windows and doors opened while suppressing an increase in power consumption.

Further, during execution of the first control (control), the control unit 30A adjusts the left/right wind direction based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 22 so that the air blown from the indoor unit 20A is not directed to the window or door of the air-conditioned room. It is preferable to adjust the orientation of the plate 25 (see FIG. 3) and the up/down wind direction plate 26 (see FIG. 3). As a result, it is possible to prevent air-conditioned air from flowing out through open windows and doors.

After performing the processing of step S106, in step S122, the control unit 30A determines whether or not the window or door is closed by the window detection unit 333b. If it is determined in step S122 that the window or door is closed (S122: Yes), the control unit 30A ends the first control (END). This can prevent the first control from being continued even after the windows and doors are closed. Note that when it is determined that the window or door is closed (S122: Yes), the control unit 30A may resume normal air conditioning operation.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S122 that the window or door is not closed (S122: No), the processing of the control section 30A proceeds to step S123.
In step S123, the control unit 30A determines whether or not a predetermined time Δt has elapsed since the start of the first control (S105). Note that the predetermined time Δt is the time during which the first control is continued, and is set in advance.

In step S123, when the predetermined time Δt has not passed since the start of the first control (S123: No), the control unit 30A returns to the process of step S106 and continues the first control. In addition, it is preferable that the control unit 30A continues the notification to prompt ventilation (S105) during the execution of the first control. As a result, the user is less likely to feel uncomfortable with the temporary deterioration in the effectiveness of the cooling operation and the heating operation.

On the other hand, in step S123, when the predetermined time Δt has passed since the start of the first control (S123: Yes), the control unit 30A ends the first control (END). As a result, it is possible to prevent the first control from being performed for an unnecessarily long time. In this way, the control unit 30A detects that the window or door that was once opened after the notification to encourage ventilation is closed again (S122: Yes), and from the start of the first control (control) The first control (control) is continued until the timing when the predetermined time Δt has passed (S123: Yes), whichever comes first.

<effect>
According to the second embodiment, the control unit 30A performs the first control when it detects that the window or door has been opened (S121: Yes) after performing the notification to encourage ventilation (S105) ( S106). As a result, it is possible to prevent the first control from being started in a state where the windows and doors are closed, thereby improving comfort for the user.

Further, when the controller 30A detects that the once opened window or door is closed again (S122: Yes) after issuing the notification to encourage ventilation (S105), the first control ends. This prevents continuation of the first control even though the windows and doors are closed, thereby increasing comfort for the user.

<<Modification>>
Although the air conditioners 100 and 100A according to the present invention have been described in each embodiment, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the first embodiment, as an example of the first control (S106 in FIG. 6) after performing the notification to encourage ventilation, the case where the control unit 30 reduces the rotational speeds of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 will be described. However, it is not limited to this. For example, as the first control, the control unit 30 may reduce the rotation speed of one of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16, and may not particularly reduce the rotation speed of the other. It should be noted that the timing at which the control unit 30 executes (starts) the first control (control) may be the timing at the time of performing the notification to prompt ventilation in addition to after performing the notification to prompt ventilation. The timing may be before the notification to encourage ventilation. That is, as the first control (control) when the control unit 30 causes the display lamp 23 (notification unit) and the speaker 32 (notification unit) to perform notification to prompt ventilation, the display lamp 23 and the speaker 32 provide notification to prompt ventilation. You may make it reduce the rotational speed of at least one among the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 before performing alerting|reporting, or at the timing after alerting|reporting, when performing. In addition, the same thing can be said about the second embodiment.
Further, after the start of the first control (control), the control unit 30 may, for example, continue to reduce the rotation speeds of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16, or may maintain a predetermined value after the rotation speed has been reduced. can be In this way, the first control (control) also includes a state in which the values of the rotational speeds of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 after being reduced are maintained.

Further, for example, as the first control (control) when the indicator lamp 23 or the speaker 32 is caused to notify the user of the need to ventilate, the control unit 30 controls the rate of increase in the rotation speed of at least one of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16. may be made smaller than during normal air conditioning operation. It should be noted that the timing at which the control unit 30 executes (starts) the first control (control) may be the timing at the time of performing the notification to prompt ventilation in addition to after performing the notification to prompt ventilation. The timing may be before the notification to encourage ventilation. That is, as the first control (control) when the control unit 30 causes the display lamp 23 (notification unit) and the speaker 32 (notification unit) to perform notification to prompt ventilation, the display lamp 23 and the speaker 32 provide notification to prompt ventilation. When performing, before or after the notification, the rate of increase in the rotation speed of at least one of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 is made smaller than during normal air conditioning operation. good too.
For example, in the case of normal air conditioning operation, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 16 is increased at a rate of increase of 10%, but in the case of the first control, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 16 is increased at a rate of increase of 5%. can be Thereby, the power consumption of the indoor fan 16 and the like can be suppressed when the user is ventilating. The same thing can be said about the second embodiment.
Further, after the start of the first control (control), the control unit 30 may, for example, continue to decrease the rate of increase in the rotational speeds of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 compared to during normal air conditioning operation, or A predetermined rate of increase may be maintained after the decrease. In this way, the first control (control) also includes a state in which the values after the increase rates of the rotational speeds of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 are maintained.

Alternatively, as the first control, the control unit 30 may reduce the upper limit value of the rotation speed of at least one of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 . As the first control, the control unit 30 may stop at least one of the compressor 11 and the indoor fan 16 .

Also, in the second embodiment, the case where the window detection unit 333b (see FIG. 8) detects opening and closing of the windows and doors of the air conditioning room has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the indicator lamp 23 or the speaker 32 is caused to notify the user of the need for ventilation, the control unit 30 controls the window or the humidity when the absolute value of the change speed of at least one of the temperature and humidity in the air-conditioned room is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. It may be determined that the door is opened, and the first control (control) may be performed. For example, if the temperature of the air-conditioned room rises at a rate of change greater than or equal to a predetermined value after the notification to encourage ventilation during cooling operation, the control unit 30 determines that the window or door has been opened, and performs the first control. may be started. This simplifies the process of detecting the opening and closing of windows and doors.
In a similar manner, it is also possible to detect that a window or door that has been opened after an announcement to encourage ventilation has been closed again based on the rate of change in at least one of the temperature and humidity in the air-conditioned room. be. In addition, the same thing can be said about the second embodiment.

Further, when the absolute value of the difference between the temperature of the air-conditioned room and the outdoor temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is preferable that the control unit 30 does not issue a notification to encourage ventilation and does not perform the first control (control). For example, if a window or door is opened during cooling operation when the outside air temperature is extremely high in the summer, high temperature outside air enters the air conditioning room, which may impair the user's comfort. is.
Further, when the absolute value of the difference between the temperature of the air-conditioned room and the set temperature during the air-conditioning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 30 does not perform the notification to prompt ventilation, and performs the first control (control). preferably not. For example, immediately after the cooling operation is started, the difference between the temperature of the air-conditioned room and the set temperature is relatively large, and the air-conditioned room is not sufficiently cooled. This is because if a window or door is opened in such a state, high-temperature outside air enters the air-conditioned room, which is not so cold, and comfort for the user may be impaired.
If the absolute value of the difference between the air-conditioned room temperature and the outdoor temperature is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or if the absolute value of the difference between the air-conditioned room temperature and the set temperature during air-conditioning operation is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, Alternatively, the first control (control) may not be performed even when the control unit 30 issues a notification to encourage ventilation. Such processing can also provide the same effects as those described above, and can inform the user that it is better to ventilate.

Further, the control unit 30 may not perform the notification for prompting ventilation and the first control (control) until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the air-conditioning operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the notification prompting ventilation immediately after the start of the air-conditioning operation, and furthermore, it is possible to prevent the user who has heard the notification of ventilation from feeling annoyed.
Further, for the same reason, the control unit 30 does not issue a notification to encourage ventilation and does not perform the first control (control) until the temperature of the air-conditioned room reaches a predetermined temperature after the air-conditioning operation is started. may Note that the temperature of the air-conditioned room "reaches a predetermined temperature" means that the temperature of the air-conditioned room falls below a predetermined temperature during cooling operation, and that the temperature of the air-conditioned room rises above a predetermined temperature during heating operation. means to become
Note that the control unit 30, until a predetermined time elapses from the start of the air conditioning operation, or until the temperature of the air-conditioned room reaches a predetermined temperature after the start of the air conditioning operation, even when performing notification to encourage ventilation, The first control (control) may not be performed. Such processing can also provide the same effects as those described above, and can inform the user that it is better to ventilate.

In addition, it is preferable that the controller 30 reduces the frequency with which the notification for prompting ventilation is performed as the absolute value of the difference between the temperature of the air-conditioned room and the outside air temperature increases. For example, the greater the absolute value of the difference between the temperature of the air-conditioned room and the outside air temperature, the greater the control unit 30 increases the carbon dioxide concentration threshold, which is the criterion for determining whether or not to issue a notification to encourage ventilation. As a result, for example, when the temperature of the outside air is extremely high and the air-conditioned room is relatively cold, it is possible to prevent frequent notification of prompting ventilation.

Further, in each embodiment, the case where the control unit 30 issues a notification to prompt ventilation when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air-conditioned room is equal to or higher than the predetermined value has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, based on the image pickup result of the image pickup unit 22, the control unit 30 may digitize the degree of crowding, and when the degree of crowding is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a notification to encourage ventilation may be made. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of virus infection among people in a crowded state.

Moreover, although each embodiment demonstrated the case where the display lamp 23 and the speaker 32 were used as a "notification part" which alert|reports the ventilation of an air-conditioning room, it does not restrict to this. That is, either one of the display lamp 23 and the speaker 32 may be used as the "notification section". Further, as the "notification unit", the display and voice output of the remote controller 60 (see FIG. 5) may be used, or a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet may be used to perform predetermined display and voice output. good too.

Further, when the first control is started during the cooling operation, if the vertical airflow direction plate 26 is oriented downward from the horizontal direction, the control unit 30 preferably causes the vertical airflow direction plate 26 to be oriented upward from the horizontal direction. . This can prevent cold air from accumulating in the vicinity of the floor of the air conditioning room.
On the other hand, when the first control is started during the heating operation, if the up/down airflow direction plate 26 is oriented above the horizontal direction, the controller 30 preferably causes the up/down direction plate 26 to be oriented below the horizontal direction. . This can prevent warm air from accumulating near the ceiling of the air conditioning room.

Moreover, although each embodiment demonstrated the structure provided with the indoor unit 20 (refer FIG. 1) and the outdoor unit 40 (refer FIG. 1) respectively, it does not restrict to this. That is, a plurality of indoor units connected in parallel may be provided, or a plurality of outdoor units connected in parallel may be provided.
In addition, the air conditioners 100 and 100A described in each embodiment can be applied to various types of air conditioners as well as wall-mounted air conditioners.

Moreover, each embodiment is described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. Moreover, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.
Further, the mechanisms and configurations described above show those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily show all the mechanisms and configurations on the product.

100, 100A Air conditioner 20 Indoor unit 40 Outdoor unit 50 Refrigerant circuit 60 Remote controller 11 Compressor 12 Outdoor heat exchanger 13 Outdoor fan 14 Expansion valve 15 Indoor heat exchanger 16 Indoor fan 17 Four-way valve 22 Imaging unit 23 Indicator lamp (notification part)
25 Left and right wind direction plate (wind direction plate)
26 Vertical wind direction plate (wind direction plate)
32 speaker (notification unit)
331b human detection unit 332b carbon dioxide concentration calculation unit 333b window detection unit 30, 30A control unit M1, M2, M3 person in room R10 air conditioning room W1 window D1 door

In order to solve the above-described problems, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a compressor, an indoor fan, a notification unit that performs notification to prompt ventilation of an air-conditioned room, and a control unit that causes the notification unit to perform the notification. and the control unit controls when the notification unit performs the notification, when the notification unit performs the notification, before performing the notification, or after performing the notification reducing the rotation speed of at least one of the compressor and the indoor fan, or making the rate of increase in the rotation speed of at least one of the compressor and the indoor fan smaller than during normal air conditioning operation ; The control unit detects that the window or door that was once opened after the notification is closed again, or until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the control, whichever is earlier. It was decided to continue the control . In addition, about others, it demonstrates in embodiment.

Claims (12)

a compressor;
indoor fan,
a notification unit that performs notification to prompt ventilation of the air conditioning room;
A control unit that causes the notification unit to perform the notification,
The control unit, as a control when causing the notification unit to perform the notification,
When the notification unit performs the notification, before performing the notification, or at a timing after performing the notification,
reducing the rotational speed of at least one of the compressor and the indoor fan;
or
An air conditioner in which a rate of increase in rotational speed of at least one of the compressor and the indoor fan is made smaller than during normal air conditioning operation. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit continues the control even when an air conditioning load increases after the start of the control. an imaging unit that images the air-conditioned room;
a wind direction plate for adjusting the wind direction of the air blown out from the indoor unit,
During the execution of the control, the control unit controls the direction of the wind direction plate so that the air blown from the indoor unit is mainly directed toward people in the air-conditioned room, based on the imaging result of the imaging unit. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that it adjusts an imaging unit that images the air-conditioned room;
a wind direction plate for adjusting the wind direction of the air blown out from the indoor unit,
During execution of the control, the control unit adjusts the direction of the wind direction plate based on the imaging result of the imaging unit so that the air blown from the indoor unit is not directed to the window or door of the air conditioning room. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by: An imaging unit that images the air-conditioned room,
wherein the control unit performs the control when detecting that the window or door of the air conditioning room has been opened based on the imaging result of the imaging unit when causing the notification unit to perform the notification. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that. The control unit performs the control when an absolute value of a rate of change of at least one of the temperature and humidity of the air-conditioned room is equal to or greater than a predetermined value when causing the notification unit to perform the notification. The air conditioner according to claim 1. The notification unit has an indicator lamp provided in the indoor unit,
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display lamp to light or blink in a predetermined manner during execution of the control. The control unit detects that the window or door that was once opened after the notification is closed again, or until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the control, whichever is earlier. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein control is continued. When the absolute value of the difference between the air-conditioned room temperature and the outdoor temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined value,
or
When the absolute value of the difference between the temperature of the air-conditioned room and the set temperature during air-conditioning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit neither performs the notification nor performs the control. Item 1. The air conditioner according to item 1. When the absolute value of the difference between the air-conditioned room temperature and the outdoor temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined value,
or
When the absolute value of the difference between the temperature of the air-conditioned room and the set temperature during air-conditioning operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit does not perform the control even when performing the notification. The air conditioner according to claim 1. The control unit does not perform the notification and also performs the control until a predetermined time elapses from the start of the air conditioning operation, or until the temperature of the air conditioning room reaches a predetermined temperature after the start of the air conditioning operation. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that there is no Until a predetermined time elapses from the start of air-conditioning operation, or until the temperature of the air-conditioned room reaches a predetermined temperature after starting air-conditioning operation. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is not performed.

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