JP2023156114A - air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To accurately determine whether any person is present or not using a sensor.SOLUTION: An air conditioner 100 includes an indoor unit 1, an outdoor unit 2, a pyroelectric sensor 13, a determination part 111, and a threshold setting part 112. The indoor unit 1 is installed inside a room of a building. The outdoor unit 2 is installed outside a room of the building. The pyroelectric sensor 13 is installed in the indoor unit 1. The determination part 111 compares a detection value output from the pyroelectric sensor 13 with a threshold to determine whether any person is present or not. The threshold setting part 112 sets a threshold on the basis of at least one of the states of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

Patent Document 1 discloses a determination system that reduces erroneous determination of the presence or absence of a person based on the output of a pyroelectric sensor used to detect a human body. The pyroelectric sensor outputs an analog signal in response to changes in the intensity of infrared light received from the detection space. Since the environment of the detection space changes due to temperature, illuminance, wind, etc., the analog signal includes noise caused by changes in the environment of the detection space. The determination system determines the presence or absence of a person in the detection space by comparing the analog signal of the pyroelectric sensor with a threshold value, so if the analog signal contains noise, there is a high possibility that an erroneous determination will occur. Therefore, the determination system described in Patent Document 1 changes the threshold value according to the analog signal output by the pyroelectric sensor so as to avoid noise.

JP2020-51756A

However, since the determination system described in Patent Document 1 changes the threshold value for the next period according to the analog signal output by the pyroelectric sensor during a certain period, a time lag occurs from the generation of noise until the threshold value is changed. Therefore, the determination system described in Patent Document 1 still has the possibility of making an erroneous determination.

An object of the present invention is to accurately determine the presence or absence of a person using a sensor.

The air conditioner according to the present invention includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a sensor, a determination unit, and a threshold value setting unit. The sensor is provided in the indoor unit. The determination unit compares the detection value output by the sensor with a threshold value to determine whether or not a person is present. The threshold value setting section sets the threshold value based on a state of at least one of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately determine the presence or absence of a person using a sensor.

1 is a block diagram showing an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an indoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a determination method using a pyroelectric sensor by the determination unit of Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating five sets of threshold values in Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a threshold value selection operation of a threshold value setting unit in the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts, and the description will not be repeated.

<Embodiment 1>
An air conditioner 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment. Air conditioner 100 includes an indoor unit 1, an outdoor unit 2, and an operation terminal 3. The indoor unit 1 is installed indoors in a building. The outdoor unit 2 is installed outdoors of the building. The operating terminal 3 can communicate with the indoor unit 1 by wire or wirelessly, and transmits an operation instruction signal to the indoor unit 1. The commercial power source 4 supplies AC power to operate the air conditioner 100. The air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment is an indoor power supply type that supplies power from a commercial power source 4 from the indoor unit 1 to the outdoor unit 2.

The indoor unit 1 includes an indoor control section 11 , a room temperature sensor 12 , a pyroelectric sensor 13 , a threshold storage section 14 , an indoor ventilation section 15 , a wind direction change section 16 , and an indoor power supply circuit 17 . The indoor control unit 11 includes a determination unit 111 and a threshold setting unit 112. The wind direction changing section 16 includes a flap 161 and a louver 162. Although not shown, the indoor unit 1 includes piping through which refrigerant circulates, an indoor heat exchanger integrated with an indoor fan of the indoor ventilation section 15, and the like. In the illustrated example, the indoor unit 1 includes the indoor control unit 11, but the indoor unit 1 and the indoor control unit 11 may be configured separately.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the indoor unit 1 according to the first embodiment. The indoor unit 1 is installed on an indoor wall. In FIG. 2, the side of the indoor unit 1 facing the room is the front side, and the side facing the wall is the back side. Inside the indoor unit 1, an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan of the indoor ventilation section 15 are arranged (not shown). An air outlet 151 of the indoor ventilation section 15 is formed at the lower front of the indoor unit 1 . A flap 161 and a louver 162 of the wind direction changing section 16 are arranged at the air outlet 151 . The indoor control unit 11 controls the driving states of the indoor fan of the indoor ventilation unit 15, the flap 161, and the louver 162. Specifically, the indoor control unit 11 rotates or stops the indoor fan of the indoor blower unit 15, or increases or decreases the amount of rotational drive during driving, and sends out air from the air outlet 151. The indoor control unit 11 drives the flap 161 in the vertical direction to change the direction of the air sent out from the air outlet 151 in the vertical direction. The indoor control unit 11 drives the louver 162 in the left-right direction, and changes the direction of air sent out from the air outlet 151 in the left-right direction.

A room temperature sensor 12 and a pyroelectric sensor 13 are arranged on the front left side of the indoor unit 1. The room temperature sensor 12 is a thermistor or the like, and detects room temperature. The pyroelectric sensor 13 detects infrared rays emitted from a person in the detection space, and outputs an analog signal (for example, a voltage value) according to the intensity of the detected infrared rays as a detected value. The detection space is a room in which the indoor unit 1 is installed. The pyroelectric sensor 13 corresponds to a "sensor provided in the indoor unit."

Inside the indoor unit 1, a board 18 on which various components constituting the indoor control section 11, the threshold storage section 14, the indoor power supply circuit 17, etc. are mounted is arranged. Room temperature sensor 12 and pyroelectric sensor 13 may be mounted on substrate 18 . Alternatively, the room temperature sensor 12 and the pyroelectric sensor 13 may be mounted on a board other than the board 18, and the board on which the room temperature sensor 12 and the pyroelectric sensor 13 are mounted may be electrically connected to the board 18. Note that the placement positions of the room temperature sensor 12, the pyroelectric sensor 13, and the substrate 18 are not limited to the front left side of the indoor unit 1.

The indoor control unit 11 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The processor realizes the functions of the indoor control section 11, the determination section 111, and the threshold value setting section 112 by executing a computer program stored in the memory.

The indoor control unit 11 receives the operation instruction signal transmitted from the operation terminal 3. The operation instruction signal includes at least one instruction of operation start, operation stop, heating operation, cooling operation, set temperature, air volume, air direction, and the like. Further, the indoor control section 11 is connected to the outdoor control section 21 of the outdoor unit 2 via the communication line 6, and performs bidirectional communication with the outdoor control section 21. The indoor control unit 11 operates based on the operation instruction signal received from the operation terminal 3, the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 12, the determination result of the determination unit 111, the current value of the outdoor current detection unit 25 received from the outdoor control unit 21, etc. and controls the operation of each part within the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2. The indoor control unit 11 generates an operation control signal to control the operation of each part in the outdoor unit 2, and transmits the generated operation control signal to the outdoor control unit 21 via the communication line 6.

The determination unit 111 compares the detection value output by the pyroelectric sensor 13 with a threshold value to determine whether a person is present. More specifically, the determination unit 111 determines the presence or absence of a person in the detection space of the pyroelectric sensor 13 by comparing the analog signal output by the pyroelectric sensor 13 with an upper threshold and a lower threshold. The threshold value setting unit 112 changes the upper limit threshold value and the lower limit threshold value that the determination unit 111 uses for determination, based on the state of at least one of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2. Specifically, based on the state of at least one of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2, an upper limit threshold and a lower limit threshold are selected from the threshold storage unit 14 and set for the determination unit 111.

The threshold storage unit 14 includes a memory such as a ROM, RAM, or SSD (Solid State Drive), for example. The memory that constitutes the threshold value storage section 14 may be shared with the memory that constitutes the indoor control section 11. The threshold storage unit 14 stores multiple sets of upper and lower thresholds depending on the state of at least one of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2. The upper limit threshold and the lower limit threshold are values determined by collecting in advance noise generated depending on the state of at least one of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2.

The indoor power supply circuit 17 is connected to a commercial power supply 4, which is an external power supply, through a power line 5. The indoor power supply circuit 17 includes a converter, an inverter, and the like (not shown), and generates operating power for operating each part in the indoor unit 1 from the AC power supplied from the commercial power supply 4. The indoor power supply circuit 17 supplies the generated operating power to each part within the indoor unit 1. In addition, in FIG. 1, illustration of the power supply line connecting the indoor power supply circuit 17 and each part in the indoor unit 1 is omitted.

The outdoor unit 2 includes an outdoor control section 21 , a compressor 22 , an outdoor fan (not shown) of an outdoor blower section 23 , an outdoor power supply circuit 24 , and an outdoor current detection section 25 . Although not shown, the outdoor unit 2 is integrated with piping through which refrigerant circulates, a four-way valve that switches the direction of refrigerant circulation, an expansion valve that lowers the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant, and an outdoor fan of the outdoor blower section 23. Equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger, etc. In the illustrated example, the outdoor unit 2 includes the outdoor control unit 21, but the outdoor unit 2 and the outdoor control unit 21 may be configured separately.

The outdoor control unit 21 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU, and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM. The processor realizes the functions of the outdoor control unit 21 by executing a computer program stored in the memory.

The outdoor control section 21 controls the driving state of each section within the outdoor unit 2 based on an operation control signal received from the indoor control section 11 via the communication line 6. That is, the operation of each part within the outdoor unit 2 is controlled by the indoor control section 11 via the outdoor control section 21. Specifically, the outdoor control unit 21 drives or stops driving the compressor 22 or the outdoor fan of the outdoor blower unit 23, or increases or decreases the number of rotations during driving. Further, the outdoor control unit 21 transmits the current value detected by the outdoor current detection unit 25 (hereinafter referred to as “outdoor current value”) to the indoor control unit 11 via the communication line 6.

The compressor 22 compresses the low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant circulating through the pipes, and makes it high-pressure and high-temperature. The outdoor control unit 21 drives or stops driving the compressor 22, or increases or decreases the number of revolutions during driving. As the rotation speed of the compressor 22 changes, the temperature of the refrigerant changes, and as a result, the temperature of the air sent out from the outlet 151 of the indoor unit 1 changes.

A power line 5 extending from the commercial power source 4 is connected to an outdoor power circuit 24 of the outdoor unit 2 via the interior of the indoor unit 1 . The outdoor power supply circuit 24 includes a converter, an inverter, and the like (not shown), and generates operating power for operating each part in the outdoor unit 2 from the AC power supplied from the commercial power supply 4. The outdoor power supply circuit 24 supplies the generated operating power to each part within the outdoor unit 2. In addition, in FIG. 1, the illustration of the power supply line connecting the outdoor power supply circuit 24 and each part in the outdoor unit 2 is omitted.

The outdoor current detection unit 25 detects an outdoor current value flowing from the indoor unit 1 to the outdoor unit 2 via the power line 5.

Next, the pyroelectric sensor 13 will be explained. FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating a determination method using the pyroelectric sensor 13 by the determination unit 111 of the first embodiment. The vertical axis of the graph is voltage value, and the horizontal axis of the graph is time. The voltage value output by the pyroelectric sensor 13 is stabilized at a certain value larger than 0 [V] when there is no person in the detection space and there is little noise. The closer the person is to the pyroelectric sensor 13 and the more the person moves, the larger the amplitude of the voltage value output by the pyroelectric sensor 13 becomes. When a person is far away from the pyroelectric sensor 13, the amplitude of the voltage value becomes smaller. The determination unit 111 determines that a person is present when the voltage value is equal to or greater than the upper threshold ThU or equal to or less than the lower threshold ThL.

Here, in FIG. 3, the first period P1 is a period with little noise, and the second period P2 is a period with much noise. Further, it is assumed that there is no person in the detection space during the first period P1 and the second period P2. The voltage value of the pyroelectric sensor 13 has a larger amplitude as there is more noise. In the first period P1 with less noise, the voltage value falls within the range from the lower threshold ThL to the upper threshold ThU, so the determining unit 111 determines that there is no person. On the other hand, in the second period P2 where there is a lot of noise, the voltage value is greater than or equal to the upper limit threshold ThU and less than or equal to the lower limit threshold ThL, so the determination unit 111 determines that there is a person even though there is no person. In this way, when there is a lot of noise, there is a possibility that the determination unit 111 makes an erroneous determination. Therefore, the determination unit 111 of the first embodiment performs threshold determination using a threshold depending on the magnitude of noise.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating five sets of threshold values in the first embodiment. The vertical axis of the graph is voltage value, and the horizontal axis of the graph is time. The threshold storage unit 14 stores a first upper limit threshold ThU1 and a first lower limit threshold ThL1 that are first thresholds, a second upper limit threshold ThU2 and a second lower limit threshold ThL2 that are second thresholds, and a third upper limit that is a third threshold. It stores a threshold ThU3 and a third lower threshold ThL3, a fourth upper threshold ThU4 and a fourth lower threshold ThL4, which are fourth thresholds, and a fifth upper threshold ThU5 and a fifth lower threshold ThL5, which are fifth thresholds. .

Since the first threshold has the smallest difference value between the first upper threshold ThU1 and the first lower threshold ThL1, it is the threshold that is most susceptible to noise, that is, it is easy to determine that a person is present. On the other hand, since the fifth threshold has the largest difference value between the fifth upper limit threshold ThU5 and the fifth lower limit threshold ThL5, it is the threshold that is least susceptible to the influence of noise, that is, it is the most difficult to determine that a person is present.

When the state of the air conditioner 100 is the state with the least noise, the threshold value setting unit 112 selects the first upper limit threshold ThU1 and the first lower limit threshold ThL1, which are the first thresholds. On the other hand, when the state of the air conditioner 100 is the noisiest state, the threshold value setting unit 112 selects the fifth upper limit threshold ThU5 and the fifth lower limit threshold ThL5, which are the fifth thresholds. The determination unit 111 performs determination using the threshold value selected by the threshold value setting unit 112.

Here, an example of the operation of the air conditioner 100 that tends to generate noise will be described. For example, in the indoor power supply type air conditioner 100, when the current value flowing through the power line 5 on the outdoor unit 2 side increases depending on the state of the outdoor unit 2, the outdoor current value flowing from the indoor unit 1 to the outdoor unit 2 increases. It may be higher. In this case, the value of the current flowing through the power supply line 5 on the indoor unit 1 side also becomes high. The high current flowing through the power supply line 5 on the indoor unit 1 side has an adverse effect on the pyroelectric sensor 13. That is, noise occurs in the voltage value output by the pyroelectric sensor 13. For example, when the indoor control unit 11 increases the rotation speed of the compressor 22 in order to bring the room temperature measured by the room temperature sensor 12 closer to the set temperature, or when the rotation speed of the outdoor fan of the outdoor ventilation unit 23 is increased, the outdoor unit 2 side The outdoor current value flowing through the power line 5 of the indoor unit 1 side becomes high, and the current value flowing through the power line 5 on the indoor unit 1 side also becomes high.

For example, when the indoor control unit 11 increases the rotation speed of the indoor fan of the indoor blower unit 15 of the indoor unit 1 or drives the wind direction changing unit 16, the indoor power supply circuit 17 may be connected to the indoor blower unit 15 or The current value supplied to the motor (not shown) that drives the wind direction changing unit 16 increases. Therefore, the high current flowing through the power supply line 5 on the indoor unit 1 side affects the pyroelectric sensor 13, and noise occurs in the voltage value output by the pyroelectric sensor 13.

Note that when the louver 162 of the wind direction changing unit 16 swings to change the direction of the hot air sent out from the air outlet 151 to the left and right, the pyroelectric sensor 13 detects the louver 162 warmed by the hot air and moving in the left and right direction. However, the determination unit 111 may erroneously determine that a person is present. Therefore, even when driving the louver 162 during heating operation, it is preferable to change the threshold value to a value that makes it more difficult to determine that a person is present.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the threshold selection operation of the threshold setting unit 112 in the first embodiment. In this example, it is assumed that the threshold storage unit 14 stores the first to fifth thresholds shown in FIG. The threshold setting unit 112 repeatedly performs the operations shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In step S11, the threshold value setting unit 112 determines whether the air conditioner 100 is in heating operation by the indoor control unit 11 controlling the operation of each part of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2. If the air conditioner 100 is in heating operation (step S11; Yes), the process of the threshold setting unit 112 proceeds to step S12. In other cases (step S11; No), the process of the threshold setting unit 112 proceeds to step S13.

In step S12, the threshold setting unit 112 determines whether the indoor control unit 11 is swinging the louver 162. If the louver 162 is swinging (step S12; Yes), the process of the threshold setting unit 112 proceeds to step S20. If the louver 162 is not swinging (step S12; No), the process of the threshold setting unit 112 proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the threshold value setting unit 112 determines whether the rotation speed of the compressor 22, which the indoor control unit 11 instructs the outdoor control unit 21, is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is a value that is preset in the threshold value setting section 112, and is a value that causes noise in the voltage value output by the pyroelectric sensor 13. If the rotational speed instruction value of the compressor 22 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S13; Yes), the process of the threshold value setting unit 112 proceeds to step S19. If the rotational speed instruction value of the compressor 22 is less than the predetermined value (step S13; No), the process of the threshold value setting unit 112 proceeds to step S14.

In step S<b>14 , the indoor control unit 11 receives the outdoor current value detected by the outdoor current detection unit 25 from the outdoor control unit 21 via the communication line 6 . The threshold setting unit 112 determines whether the outdoor current value received by the indoor control unit 11 from the outdoor control unit 21 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is a value that is preset in the threshold value setting section 112, and is a value that causes noise in the voltage value output by the pyroelectric sensor 13. If the outdoor current value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value (step S14; Yes), the process of the threshold setting unit 112 proceeds to step S18. If the outdoor current value is less than the predetermined value (step S14; No), the process of the threshold setting unit 112 proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, the threshold setting unit 112 determines whether the outdoor current value is 0 [A]. If the outdoor current value is 0 [A] (step S15; Yes), the process of the threshold value setting unit 112 proceeds to step S16. If the outdoor current value is other than 0 [A] (step S15; No), the process of the threshold setting unit 112 proceeds to step S17. Note that the outdoor current value in step S15 does not need to be strictly 0 [A], and may be in a predetermined range including 0 [A].

When the outdoor current value is 0 [A] (step S15; Yes), in step S16, the threshold setting unit 112 obtains the first upper limit threshold ThU1 and the first lower limit threshold ThL1, which are the first thresholds, from the threshold storage unit 14. select. The threshold setting unit 112 sets the selected first upper threshold ThU1 and first lower threshold ThL1 to the determining unit 111.

If the outdoor current value is larger than 0 [A] (step S15; No), in step S17, the threshold setting unit 112 obtains the second upper limit threshold ThU2 and the second lower limit threshold ThL2, which are the second thresholds, from the threshold storage unit 14. select. The threshold setting unit 112 sets the selected second upper limit threshold ThU2 and second lower limit threshold ThL2 to the determining unit 111.

If the outdoor current value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value (step S14; Yes), in step S18, the threshold setting unit 112 selects the third upper limit threshold ThU3 and the third lower limit threshold ThL3 from the threshold storage unit 14. do. The threshold setting unit 112 sets the selected third upper limit threshold ThU3 and third lower limit threshold ThL3 to the determining unit 111.

When the rotational speed instruction value of the compressor 22 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (step S13; Yes), in step S19, the threshold setting unit 112 sets the fourth upper limit threshold ThU4, which is the fourth threshold, and the fourth Select lower threshold ThL4. The threshold setting unit 112 sets the selected fourth upper limit threshold ThU4 and fourth lower limit threshold ThL4 to the determining unit 111.

During the heating operation and when the louver 162 is swinging (step S12; Yes), in step S20, the threshold setting unit 112 sets the fifth upper limit threshold ThU5 and the fifth lower limit threshold from the threshold storage unit 14. Select ThL5. The threshold setting unit 112 sets the selected fifth upper limit threshold ThU5 and fifth lower limit threshold ThL5 to the determining unit 111.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment. The air conditioner 100 performs the operations shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the operations shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 in parallel.

In step S21, upon receiving an operation instruction signal including an instruction to start operation from the operating terminal 3, the indoor control unit 11 starts normal operation. For example, when the operation instruction signal includes an instruction for heating operation at a set temperature of 22 degrees, the indoor control unit 11 controls the operation of each part of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 to perform heating operation for the air conditioner 100. Drive. At this time, the indoor control unit 11 controls the operating loads of each part of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 so that the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 12 becomes the set temperature of 22 degrees. For example, the indoor control unit 11 performs control to increase the rotation speed of the compressor 22 when the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is large.

In step S22, the determination unit 111 compares the voltage value output by the pyroelectric sensor 13 with the upper and lower thresholds set by the threshold setting unit 112, and determines whether there is a person within the detection range of the pyroelectric sensor 13. Determine whether or not.

If it is determined that there is a person (step S23; Yes), the process of the indoor control unit 11 returns to step S21. If it is determined that no one is present (step S23; No), the process of the indoor control unit 11 proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, the indoor control unit 11 determines whether the state in which it is determined that there is a person has continued for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined time is a time set in advance for the indoor control unit 11. If the state in which it is determined that there is a person continues for a predetermined period of time (step S24; Yes), the process of the indoor control unit 11 proceeds to step S25. If the predetermined period of time has not elapsed since it has been determined that a person is present (step S24; No), the process of the indoor control unit 11 returns to step S22.

In step S25, since no one is present in the room, the indoor control unit 11 controls the operation of each part of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 to perform energy-saving operation of the air conditioner 100. For example, the indoor control unit 11 changes the set temperature to a value lower than 22 degrees received from the operating terminal 3.

When the indoor control unit 11 receives an operation instruction signal including an instruction to stop operation from the operating terminal 3 (step S26; Yes), the indoor control unit 11 stops the operation of the air conditioner 100. In other cases (step S26; No), the process of the indoor control unit 11 returns to step S22.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the air conditioner 100 includes the indoor unit 1, the outdoor unit 2, the pyroelectric sensor 13, the determination section 111, and the threshold value setting section 112. . The pyroelectric sensor 13 is provided in the indoor unit 1. The determination unit 111 compares the detection value output by the pyroelectric sensor 13 with a threshold value to determine whether a person is present. The threshold setting unit 112 sets a threshold based on the state of at least one of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2. Therefore, the air conditioner 100 can shorten the time lag from noise generation to threshold change, and can accurately determine whether a person is present using the pyroelectric sensor 13.

The indoor unit 1 further includes an indoor fan (not shown), a flap 161, and a louver 162. The air conditioner 100 further includes an indoor control unit 11 that controls the driving states of the indoor fan, the flap 161, and the louver 162. When the indoor control unit 11 changes the driving state of at least one of the indoor fan, the flap 161, and the louver 162, the threshold value setting unit 112 changes the threshold value. The indoor fan, a motor (not shown) that drives the flap 161 and the louver 162, and warm air in the detection space become noise sources for the pyroelectric sensor 13. Since the air conditioner 100 changes the threshold value according to the noise source, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not someone is present.

When the indoor control unit 11 drives at least one of the indoor fan, the flap 161, and the louver 162, or increases the driving amount, the threshold setting unit 112 determines that the determination unit The threshold value is changed so that it becomes difficult to determine that 111 is a person. When at least one of the indoor fan, flap 161, and louver 162, which are the noise sources of the pyroelectric sensor 13, is driven or the amount of drive thereof is increased, the noise increases. The air conditioner 100 can accurately determine whether a person is present by changing the threshold value to a value that makes it more difficult to determine that a person is present in a driving state where noise is large.

When the indoor control unit 11 drives the louver 162 or increases the driving amount during the heating operation, the threshold setting unit 112 determines that the determination unit 111 is higher than when the louver 162 is driven without the heating operation. The threshold value is changed so that it becomes difficult to determine that there is a person present. Even when the pyroelectric sensor 13 detects the moving louver 162 warmed by hot air, the presence or absence of a person can be accurately determined by changing the threshold value to a value that makes it more difficult to determine that a person is present.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 6). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Modifications 1 and 2 will be explained below.

<Modification 1>
In the above embodiment, the indoor power supply type air conditioner 100 that supplies AC power from the commercial power source 4 from the indoor unit 1 to the outdoor unit 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The air conditioner 100 may be an outdoor power supply type that supplies AC power from the commercial power source 4 from the outdoor unit 2 to the indoor unit 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a modification of the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the outdoor power supply circuit 24 is connected to the commercial power supply 4 through a power line 5. A power line 5 extending from the commercial power supply 4 is connected to the indoor power supply circuit 17 via the inside of the outdoor unit 2. In addition, in FIG. 7, the illustration of the power wires that connect the outdoor power supply circuit 24 and each part in the outdoor unit 2, and the power supply wires that connect the indoor power supply circuit 17 and each part in the indoor unit 1 are omitted. .

The indoor current detection unit 26 detects a current value (hereinafter referred to as "indoor current value") flowing from the outdoor unit 2 to the indoor unit 1 via the power supply line 5. The indoor current value detected by the indoor current detection section 26 is transmitted from the outdoor control section 21 to the indoor control section 11 via the communication line 6.

In the outdoor power feeding type air conditioner 100, when the current flowing through the power line 5 on the outdoor unit 2 side increases depending on the state of the outdoor unit 2, the value of the indoor current flowing from the outdoor unit 2 to the indoor unit 1 increases. There is. For example, when the driving state of at least one of the outdoor fan of the outdoor ventilation section 23 and the compressor 22 is changed, the indoor current value changes. Further, for example, when at least one of the outdoor fan and the compressor 22 is driven or the amount of drive thereof increases, the indoor current value increases. When the indoor current value increases, the current value flowing through the power line 5 on the indoor unit 1 side also increases. The high current flowing through the power supply line 5 on the indoor unit 1 side has an adverse effect on the pyroelectric sensor 13, causing noise in the voltage value output by the pyroelectric sensor 13.

Therefore, the threshold setting unit 112 of the first modification selects the upper limit threshold and the lower limit threshold from the threshold storage unit 14 based on the indoor current value detected by the indoor current detection unit 26, and sets them for the determination unit 111. The threshold storage unit 14 stores a plurality of sets of upper and lower thresholds determined by collecting in advance noise generated depending on the state of at least one of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2. At least one set of the upper limit threshold and the lower limit threshold among the plurality of sets of upper limit threshold and lower limit threshold is a value determined by collecting in advance noise generated according to the indoor current value.

As described above, in the outdoor power feeding type air conditioner 100, when the outdoor control unit 21 changes the driving state of at least one of the compressor 22 and the outdoor fan, the threshold value setting unit 112 changes the threshold value. The compressor 22 and the outdoor fan become noise sources for the pyroelectric sensor 13. Since the air conditioner 100 changes the threshold value according to the noise source, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not someone is present.

When the outdoor control unit 21 drives at least one of the compressor 22 and the outdoor fan or increases the amount of drive thereof, the threshold value setting unit 112 changes the threshold value so that it becomes difficult for the determination unit 111 to determine that a person is present. do. When at least one of the compressor 22 and the outdoor fan, which are the noise sources of the pyroelectric sensor 13, is driven or the amount of drive thereof is increased, the noise increases. The air conditioner 100 can accurately determine whether a person is present by changing the threshold value to a value that makes it more difficult to determine that a person is present in a driving state where noise is large.

Note that, similarly to the above embodiment, in Modification 1, the threshold storage unit 14 stores a plurality of sets determined by collecting in advance noise generated according to the driving states of the compressor 22, the outdoor fan, etc. The upper limit threshold and the lower limit threshold may be stored. The threshold value setting unit 112 selects an upper limit threshold value and a lower limit threshold value from the threshold value storage unit 14 according to the driving state of the compressor 22, the outdoor fan, and the like.

<Modification 2>
In the above embodiment, the air conditioner 100 is configured to switch from normal operation to energy-saving operation when it detects the absence of a person, and resumes normal operation when it detects the presence of a person. The operation of the air conditioner 100 according to the above is not limited to this.

For example, when the determination unit 111 detects a person during a time when no one is supposed to be present, the indoor control unit 11 transmits a determination signal to a smartphone or the like in which contact information is registered in advance.

Further, for example, the determination unit 111 determines the amount of activity of the person, and the indoor control unit 11 controls the operation of each part of the air conditioner 100 according to the amount of activity. As an example of a method for determining the amount of activity, the determining unit 111 determines whether a person's It is determined that the amount of activity is high.

For example, if a person is active a lot, the person feels hot. Therefore, the indoor control unit 11 lowers the set temperature of the cooling operation or increases the amount of air blown by the indoor ventilation unit 15. Alternatively, the indoor control unit 11 lowers the set temperature of the heating operation or reduces the amount of air blown by the indoor ventilation unit 15. On the other hand, when the amount of activity of the person is low, the indoor control unit 11 increases the set temperature for cooling operation or reduces the amount of air blown by the indoor ventilation unit 15, or increases the set temperature for heating operation or decreases the amount of air blown by the indoor ventilation unit 15. Increase air flow.

<Modification 3>
In the above description, the configuration is such that two thresholds, the upper limit threshold and the lower limit threshold, are used to determine the presence or absence of a person, but the configuration may be such that one threshold is used. Furthermore, in the above description, the threshold storage unit 14 stores a plurality of sets of upper and lower thresholds, but it may also be configured to calculate a plurality of upper and lower thresholds using a function or the like. good.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention is suitable for use in the air conditioner which performs operation control etc. using the determination result of the presence or absence of a person.

1 Indoor unit 2 Outdoor unit 3 Operation terminal 4 Commercial power supply 5 Power line 6 Communication line 11 Indoor control unit 12 Room temperature sensor 13 Pyroelectric sensor (sensor)
14 Threshold storage section 15 Indoor blower section 16 Wind direction change section 17 Indoor power supply circuit 18 Board 21 Outdoor control section 22 Compressor 23 Outdoor blower section 24 Outdoor power supply circuit 25 Outdoor current detection section 26 Indoor current detection section 100 Air conditioner 111 Judgment section 112 Threshold setting unit 151 Air outlet 161 Flap 162 Louver

Claims (6)

indoor unit and
outdoor unit and
a sensor provided in the indoor unit;
a determination unit that compares the detection value output by the sensor with a threshold value to determine the presence or absence of a person;
An air conditioner comprising: a threshold value setting section that sets the threshold value based on a state of at least one of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The indoor unit further includes an indoor fan, a flap, and a louver,
further comprising an indoor control unit that controls driving states of the indoor fan, the flap, and the louver;
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the indoor control unit changes a driving state of at least one of the indoor fan, the flap, and the louver, the threshold value setting unit changes the threshold value. When the indoor control unit drives at least one of the indoor fan, the flap, and the louver, or increases the driving amount, the threshold value setting unit controls the indoor fan, the flap, and the louver. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the threshold value is changed so that it becomes difficult for the determination unit to determine that a person is present. When the indoor control unit drives the louver or increases the driving amount during the heating operation, the threshold value setting unit determines that the determination is more accurate than when the louver is driven without the heating operation. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the threshold value is changed so that it becomes difficult to determine that a person is present. A configuration in which power is supplied from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit,
The outdoor unit further includes a compressor and an outdoor fan,
further comprising an outdoor control unit that controls driving states of the compressor and the outdoor fan;
When the outdoor control unit changes the driving state of at least one of the compressor and the outdoor fan, the threshold value setting unit changes the threshold value. harmonizer. When the front outdoor control unit drives at least one of the compressor and the outdoor fan or increases the amount of drive thereof, the threshold value setting unit sets the threshold value so that it becomes difficult for the determination unit to determine that a person is present. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the air conditioner changes:

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