JP2024006153A - air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner that can provide a desired living body with a desired wind.

SOLUTION: An air conditioner according to one embodiment comprises an indoor unit, a wind direction plate, a sensor, and a control unit. The indoor unit blows a wind into a room. The wind direction plate is provided in the indoor unit, and guides the wind to be blown by the indoor unit, and its direction can be changed. The sensor is provided in the indoor unit and can detect a living body in the room. The control unit can switch a mode among a plurality of modes and controls the direction of the wind direction plate with respect to the living body detected by the sensor in accordance with the mode selected out of the plurality of modes. The plurality of modes include a first mode and a second mode. The size of the living body that can be detected by the sensor in the first mode is different from the size of the living body that can be detected by the sensor in the second mode.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an air conditioner.

The indoor unit of an air conditioner blows air into the room to condition the air. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, air conditioners are known that detect living organisms indoors using sensors and perform operations according to the detection results of the sensors. For example, the direction in which the indoor unit blows air is controlled depending on the detected position of the living body.

International Publication No. 2016/181546

Depending on the size of the living body, it may be difficult for the sensor to detect the living body. If the sensor cannot detect a living body, the air conditioner may not be able to provide desired airflow to the desired living body.

An example of the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can provide desired air to a desired living body.

An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit, a wind direction plate, a sensor, and a control unit. The indoor unit blows wind indoors. The wind direction plate is provided on the indoor unit, guides the wind blown out by the indoor unit, and can change its direction. The sensor is provided in the indoor unit and is capable of detecting a living body in the room. The control unit is capable of switching a mode among a plurality of modes, and controls the direction of the wind direction plate relative to the living body detected by the sensor according to the mode selected from the plurality of modes. The plurality of modes include a first mode and a second mode. The size of the living body that can be detected by the sensor in the first mode is different from the size of the living body that can be detected by the sensor in the second mode.

In the above air conditioner, for example, the sensor includes a radar.

In the air conditioner, for example, the reception sensitivity of the radar in the first mode is different from the reception sensitivity of the radar in the second mode.

In the air conditioner, for example, the wavelength band of electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar in the first mode is different from the wavelength band of electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar in the second mode.

In the air conditioner, for example, in the first mode, the control unit may cause the indoor unit to avoid the living body detected by the sensor, or cause the indoor unit to avoid the living body detected by the sensor. The direction of the wind direction plate is controlled so that wind is blown toward the living body. In the second mode, the control unit controls the direction of the wind direction plate so that the wind blown by the indoor unit avoids the living body detected by the sensor. The size of the living body that can be detected by the sensor in the second mode is smaller than the size of the living body that can be detected by the sensor in the first mode.

In the air conditioner, for example, when the sensor does not detect the living body in the second mode, the control unit reduces the amount of air blown by the indoor unit, or the indoor unit The direction of the wind direction plate is controlled so as to blow the wind toward the space above.

The air conditioner further includes, for example, a ventilation member. The ventilation member is provided in the indoor unit, and is located between a closed position that covers at least a part of the air outlet of the indoor unit from which wind is blown, and an open position that opens at least a part of the air outlet. It is movable and has ventilation holes. When the ventilation member is located in the closed position, the indoor unit allows first air to be blown out from the air outlet through the ventilation hole, and to flow from the air outlet through a flow path different from the air outlet. A mixed wind that is mixed with the blown second wind is blown into the room. The control unit arranges the ventilation member at the closed position when the sensor does not detect the living body in the second mode.

According to the above air conditioner, for example, desired air can be provided to a desired living body.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing the indoor unit in which the wind direction plate of the first embodiment is located in the closed position. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the indoor unit of the first embodiment with the wind direction plate in the open position. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the indoor unit of the first embodiment with the wind direction plate in the open position. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the indoor unit in which the ventilation member of the first embodiment is located in the closed position. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the ventilation member of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the wind blown out by the indoor unit in the windless mode of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram functionally showing the indoor unit control section of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of controlling the indoor unit in the outing mode of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the indoor unit and the living body during non-detection control according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an indoor unit according to the second embodiment.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. Note that, in this specification, the vertically upward direction is basically defined as the upward direction, and the vertically downward direction is basically defined as the downward direction. Further, in this specification, a component according to an embodiment and a description of the component may be described in multiple expressions. The components and their descriptions are examples and are not limited by the language in this specification. Components may also be identified by different names than herein. Also, components may be described using language that differs from that used herein.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 includes an indoor unit 10 and an outdoor unit 100. The indoor unit 10 is placed indoors, for example. The outdoor unit 100 is placed outdoors, for example.

The indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment includes a radar 2, a plurality of wind direction plates 25 and 29, a ventilation member 26, and an indoor unit control section 80. In other words, the radar 2, the wind direction plates 25 and 29, the ventilation member 26, and the indoor unit control section 80 are provided in the indoor unit 10. Radar 2 is an example of a sensor. The wind direction plates 25, 29 and the ventilation member 26 may also be referred to as louvers. The indoor unit control section 80 is an example of a control section.

The indoor unit 10 uses the radar 2 to detect a detection target present in the room where the indoor unit 10 is installed. In this embodiment, the detection targets include a living body CR, an object such as furniture, and a wall. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 can also detect the volume and shape of the room (indoor) in which the indoor unit 10 is installed using the radar 2. Living CR includes adults, children, infants, and animals.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 1 acquires information regarding the presence or absence of a biological CR among the detection targets detected by the radar 2, the number of biological CRs, and shape information (for example, size) of the biological CR. Based on the information, the air conditioner 1 can determine a control mode so as to provide wind (conditioned air) suitable for the living body CR present in the room.

For example, the air conditioner 1 can regard (determine) a detection target moving indoors as a living body CR based on the detection result of the radar 2. When a detection target enters the room, the air conditioner 1 can recognize the detection target as a living body CR by detecting the entry motion, and can reflect this in the control of the indoor unit 10.

Even if the detection target is not moving, the air conditioner 1 can recognize the detection target as a living body CR when the detection target moves, and can reflect this in the control of the indoor unit 10. On the other hand, the air conditioner 1 considers objects that remain stationary continuously, such as furniture and walls, to be non-living objects, and excludes them from being subject to control by the indoor unit 10. Note that the determination of whether or not it is biological CR is not limited to this example. For example, the air conditioner 1 may regard the detection target as a living body CR based on the shape or pulsation of the detection target. Furthermore, the air conditioner 1 may determine whether or not the detection target is a living body CR, in conjunction with the detection results of other sensors such as an infrared sensor.

The operating terminal 94a of the air conditioner 1 receives an operating instruction from a living body CR existing indoors, and transmits an instruction to the indoor unit 10 in accordance with the accepted operating instruction. The operation terminal 94a is, for example, a remote controller. Further, the operating terminal 94a may be, for example, a smartphone that operates with an application for controlling the air conditioner 1.

The indoor unit control section 80 can perform air conditioning processing according to the command received from the operating terminal 94a, and can also perform control according to the biological CR detected using the radar 2. The air conditioner 1 has a "radar control mode" in which the indoor unit 10 is substantially automatically controlled based on the detection result by the radar 2, and a "radar control mode" in which the indoor unit 10 is controlled automatically based on the detection result by the radar 2, and a "radar control mode" in which the indoor unit 10 is controlled by the user using the operation terminal 94a without using the radar 2. and a "normal control mode" in which control (setting) is performed.

In the radar control mode, the radar 2 continuously or intermittently detects the position of the detection target (biological CR) indoors under the control of the indoor unit control section 80. The indoor unit control unit 80 controls the wind direction plates 25 and 29 and the ventilation member 26 to send wind toward the living body CR or conversely to avoid the living body CR while tracking the position of the detected living body CR. .

The indoor unit control section 80 controls the direction in which the indoor unit 10 blows out wind (conditioned air) by controlling the operation of the wind direction plates 25 and 29. As a result, the air conditioner 1 can dynamically change the direction in which the indoor unit 10 blows air according to the movement of the living body CR existing indoors, thereby improving the comfort of the living body CR existing indoors. Can be improved dynamically.

Specifically, the indoor unit 10 performs air conditioning processing on the air sucked in from the room, and blows out the conditioned air (wind) that has been subjected to the air conditioning processing into the room. The air conditioning process includes, for example, endothermic treatment (cooling), heat treatment (heating), dehumidification treatment, humidification treatment, air blowing treatment, air cleaning treatment, and the like. Each of the endothermic treatment, heating treatment, dehumidification treatment, humidification treatment, ventilation treatment, and air cleaning treatment is performed in the cooling operation mode, heating operation mode, dehumidification operation mode, as the operation mode (main operation mode) of the air conditioner 1. Compatible with humidification operation mode, ventilation operation mode, and air purification operation mode.

The main operation mode is combined with a control mode (radar control mode, normal control mode). In the radar control mode, the air conditioner 1 can select any of the cooling operation mode, heating operation mode, dehumidification operation mode, humidification operation mode, ventilation operation mode, and air purification operation mode. The same applies to the normal control mode.

The air conditioner 1 has a windless mode as an auxiliary operation mode. In the windless mode, when the indoor unit 10 blows out wind, the air conditioner 1 generates turbulent flow that spreads over a wide range by mixing two types of wind with different flow speeds, so that the emitted wind is Create a gentle wind (so-called calm wind (registered trademark) wind). The auxiliary operation mode can be combined with the control mode and the main operation mode.

The air conditioner 1 may have an automatic operation mode as the main operation mode. The air conditioner 1 detects the indoor temperature using a room temperature sensor. In the automatic operation mode, the air conditioner 1 may operate in the heating operation mode if the detected temperature is higher than the set temperature, and may operate in the heating operation mode if the detected temperature is lower than the set temperature.

Indoor unit 10 further includes a heat exchanger 22, a fan 23, and a receiving device 94. Furthermore, the indoor unit 10 further includes a plurality of drive circuits 81 to 83 and a plurality of motors 84 to 87, which are controlled by the indoor unit control section 80.

The outdoor unit 100 includes a heat exchanger 122, a fan 123, a four-way valve 124, a compressor 125, and an outdoor unit control section 180. Furthermore, the outdoor unit 100 further includes a plurality of drive circuits 181 to 183 and a plurality of motors 184 to 186, which are controlled by the outdoor unit control section 180.

In the indoor unit 10, the fan 23 is located near the heat exchanger 22. The fan 23 guides the air sucked in from the room through the suction port of the indoor unit 10 to the heat exchanger 22, and also guides the conditioned air that has been heat exchanged with the heat exchanger 22 to the outlet of the indoor unit 10. The indoor unit control section 80 drives a motor 84 that rotates the fan 23 by controlling a drive circuit 81 . The indoor unit control section 80 can change the rotation speed of the fan 23.

The heat exchanger 22 includes, for example, refrigerant piping and a plurality of fins. The heat exchanger 22 is thermally connected to a refrigerant pipe that passes near the heat exchanger 22 . The heat exchanger 22 exchanges heat between the air sucked in from the room and the refrigerant.

In the outdoor unit 100, the fan 123 is located near the heat exchanger 122. The fan 123 sucks outside air and guides it to the heat exchanger 122, and discharges the outside air that has been heat exchanged with the heat exchanger 122 to the outside of the outdoor unit 100. Outdoor unit control section 180 drives motor 184 that rotates fan 123 by controlling drive circuit 181 . The indoor unit control section 80 can change the rotation speed of the fan 123.

The heat exchanger 122 includes, for example, refrigerant piping and a plurality of fins. The heat exchanger 122 is thermally connected to a refrigerant pipe that passes near the heat exchanger 122 . The heat exchanger 122 exchanges heat between the outside air and the refrigerant.

The four-way valve 124 is provided in the refrigerant pipe. The four-way valve 124 can switch the refrigerant flow path in the refrigerant pipe between the cooling side and the heating side according to control by the outdoor unit controller 180. The outdoor unit control section 180 drives the motor 185 that switches the four-way valve 124 by controlling the drive circuit 182. The indoor unit control section 80 can switch the four-way valve 124 between the cooling side and the heating side.

The compressor 125 is provided in the refrigerant pipe, compresses the refrigerant, and sends it out to the refrigerant pipe. The outdoor unit control unit 180 controls the drive circuit 183 to drive the motor 186 that causes the compressor 125 to perform a refrigerant compression cycle operation. The indoor unit control section 80 can change the number of cycles of the compressor 125 (the number of times compression cycles are executed per unit time) via the outdoor unit control section 180.

In the air conditioner 1 in the cooling operation mode, the indoor unit control section 80 switches the four-way valve 124 to the cooling side via the outdoor unit control section 180. The air conditioner 1 performs heat absorption processing in the heat exchanger 22, causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from indoor air, and blows out the heat-absorbed conditioned air indoors. Furthermore, the air conditioner 1 performs heat radiation processing in the heat exchanger 122 to release the heat absorbed by the refrigerant to the outside air.

In the air conditioner 1 in the heating operation mode, the indoor unit control section 80 switches the four-way valve 124 to the heating side via the outdoor unit control section 180. The air conditioner 1 performs heat absorption processing in the heat exchanger 122 to cause the refrigerant to absorb heat from the outside air. Furthermore, the air conditioner 1 performs heat treatment in the heat exchanger 22, heats indoor air with the heat absorbed by the refrigerant, and blows out the heated conditioned air indoors.

Each of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 guides the wind blown out by the indoor unit 10. Each of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 can change its direction by rotating, for example. By changing the orientation of the wind direction plates 25 and 29, the direction in which the indoor unit 10 blows out wind (hereinafter referred to as the wind direction) is changed.

In this specification, the indoor unit control unit 80 directly controls the direction in which the wind direction plates 25 and 29 face, but the description will be made assuming that the direction in which the wind direction plates 25 and 29 face and the wind direction are generally the same. That is, the indoor unit control section 80 can adjust the wind direction by adjusting the directions of the wind direction plates 25 and 29. The wind direction plates 25, 29 can be rotated individually. Thereby, the indoor unit 10 can blow out wind in one direction, or can blow out wind in different directions from two or more areas partitioned by the wind direction plates 25 and 29.

The wind direction plate 25 adjusts the wind direction in the vertical direction. The wind direction plate 29 adjusts the wind direction in the left and right directions. The wind direction plate 25 is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. The wind direction plate 25 located in the closed position closes the air outlet of the indoor unit 10. The wind direction plate 25 located in the open position opens the air outlet. The wind direction plates 25 and 29 adjust the wind direction in a state where the wind direction plate 25 is located at the open position.

Hereinafter, a more specific structure of the indoor unit 10 will be described using FIGS. 2 to 7. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the indoor unit 10 in which the wind direction plate 25 of the first embodiment is located in the closed position Pc1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the indoor unit 10 in which the wind direction plate 25 of the first embodiment is located at the open position Po1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the indoor unit 10 in which the wind direction plate 25 of the first embodiment is located at the open position Po1.

As shown in the drawings, the X, Y, and Z axes are defined herein for convenience. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. The X-axis is provided along the width of the indoor unit 10. The Y-axis is provided along the depth of the indoor unit 10. The Z axis is provided along the height of the indoor unit 10.

Additionally, the X direction, Y direction and Z direction are defined herein. The X direction is a direction along the X axis, and includes a +X direction indicated by an arrow on the X axis, and a -X direction opposite to the arrow on the X axis. The Y direction is a direction along the Y axis, and includes a +Y direction indicated by an arrow on the Y axis and a -Y direction which is the opposite direction to the arrow on the Y axis. The Z direction is a direction along the Z axis, and includes a +Z direction indicated by an arrow on the Z axis and a -Z direction opposite to the arrow on the Z axis. In this embodiment, the +Z direction is the upward direction, and the -Z direction is the downward direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 10 has a housing 21. The housing 21 is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the X direction. Note that the housing 21 may be formed in other shapes. The housing 21 is attached to, for example, an indoor wall. The housing 21 has an upper surface 21a and a lower surface 21b. The upper surface 21a is provided at or near the upper end of the housing 21 and faces substantially upward. The lower surface 21b is provided at or near the lower end of the housing 21 and faces substantially downward.

The housing 21 is provided with a ventilation passage 31, an inlet 32, and an outlet 33. The ventilation path 31 is provided inside the housing 21 . The suction port 32 opens on the upper surface 21a of the housing 21, for example. The air outlet 33 opens on the lower surface 21b of the housing 21, for example. The suction port 32 and the air outlet 33 may be opened in other parts of the housing 21.

The indoor unit 10 can pass air through the ventilation path 31. The suction port 32 is provided at one end of the ventilation passage 31 and communicates the ventilation passage 31 with the outside of the indoor unit 10 . The air outlet 33 is provided at the other end of the ventilation passage 31 and communicates the ventilation passage 31 with the outside of the indoor unit 10 . In other words, the ventilation passage 31 is provided between the inlet 32 and the outlet 33 inside the housing 21 .

Heat exchanger 22 is provided in ventilation passage 31 . The heat exchanger 22 exchanges heat with surrounding gas in the ventilation passage 31. Thereby, the heat exchanger 22 cools the air flowing through the ventilation path 31 during the cooling operation, and heats the air flowing through the ventilation path 31 during the heating operation.

The fan 23 is provided in the ventilation path 31. The fan 23 sends air from the suction port 32 to the blowout port 33 in the ventilation path 31 by rotating around a rotation axis Axf extending in the X direction. Thereby, the indoor unit 11 sucks indoor air into the ventilation passage 31 from the suction port 32 and blows out the air (wind) in the ventilation passage 31 from the outlet 33 . Therefore, in this specification, the side of the ventilation passage 31 that is closer to the suction port 32 is referred to as upstream, and the side that is closer to air outlet 33 is referred to as downstream.

Fan 23 is located downstream of heat exchanger 22. Therefore, when the fan 23 generates wind, the air sucked in from the suction port 32 passes through the fins of the heat exchanger 22. Thereby, the air flowing through the ventilation path 31 exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 22.

Indoor unit 10 further includes a filter 24. The filter 24 is provided at the suction port 32 or near the suction port 32 in the ventilation path 31 . Filter 24 is located upstream of heat exchanger 22 .

The filter 24 covers the suction port 32 from inside the housing 21 . For example, the filter 24 filters the air sucked in from the suction port 32 and captures dust in the air. Filter 24 may include a HEPA filter.

The indoor unit 10 of this embodiment has two wind direction plates 25 (25A, 25B). Note that the number of wind direction plates 25 is not limited to this example. Each of the wind direction plates 25A and 25B is a member that adjusts the wind direction in the vertical direction, and may also be referred to as a vertical louver.

Each of the wind direction plates 25A and 25B has a shaft portion 41 and a plate portion 42. The shaft portion 41 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the X direction. The shaft portion 41 is rotatably supported by the housing 21 around a rotation axis Axl extending in the X direction. Note that the wind direction plates 25A and 25B each have an individual rotation axis Axl. The plate portion 42 protrudes from the shaft portion 41 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis Axl. The plate portion 42 is formed into a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the X direction.

Indoor unit control section 80 drives motor 85 that rotates wind direction plates 25A and 25B by controlling drive circuit 82 shown in FIG. The indoor unit control section 80 individually rotates the wind direction plates 25A and 25B between the closed position Pc1 shown in FIG. 2 and the open position Po1 shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the wind direction plate 25A located at the open position Po1 opens the first flow path C1. The wind direction plate 25B located at the open position Po1 opens the second flow path C2. Each of the first flow path C1 and the second flow path C2 is a part of the air outlet 33. That is, the wind direction plates 25A and 25B located at the open position Po1 open at least a portion of the air outlet 33.

The opening position Po1 includes various positions where the wind direction plates 25A and 25B open a part of the air outlet 33. For example, the opening position Po1 includes a position where the wind direction plates 25A and 25B face substantially horizontally, a position where the wind direction boards 25A and 25B face downward, and a plurality of positions between these two positions, as shown in FIG. include. That is, the wind direction plates 25A and 25B are rotatable between a position facing substantially horizontally and a position facing downward.

The wind direction plates 25A, 25B located at the open position Po1 adjust the wind direction in the vertical direction depending on the orientation of the wind direction plates 25A, 25B. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the indoor unit 10 blows out air in a substantially horizontal direction by directing the wind direction plates 25A and 25B in a substantially horizontal direction. On the other hand, since the wind direction plates 25A and 25B face downward, the indoor unit 10 blows air downward.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wind direction plate 25A located at the closed position Pc1 covers the first flow path C1. The wind direction plate 25B located at the closed position Pc1 covers the second flow path C2. That is, the wind direction plates 25A and 25B located at the closed position Pc1 cover at least a portion of the air outlet 33.

As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit 10 has a plurality of wind direction plates 29. Each of the plurality of wind direction plates 29 is supported by, for example, a rotating shaft extending approximately in the Z direction. The indoor unit control section 80 drives a motor 86 that rotates the plurality of wind direction plates 29 by controlling a drive circuit 82 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of wind direction plates 29 include, for example, a plurality of wind direction plates 29-1 to 29-k and 29-(k+1) to 29-2k. The plurality of wind direction plates 29-1 to 29-k, 29-(k+1) to 29-2k are members that adjust the wind direction in the left and right directions (-X direction, +X direction), and may also be referred to as left and right louvers. . Note that the -X side wind direction plates 29-1 to 29-k and the +X side wind direction plates 29-(k+1) to 29-2k may be individually rotated by the indoor unit control section 80.

The -X side wind direction plates 29-1 to 29-k are connected to a common rotating shaft. The indoor unit control section 80 rotates the wind direction plates 29-1 to 29-k all at once by driving the motor 86 via the drive circuit 82.

The wind direction plates 29-(k+1) to 29-2k on the +X side are connected to a common rotating shaft. The indoor unit control section 80 drives the motor 86 via the drive circuit 82 to rotate the wind direction plates 29-(k+1) to 29-2k all at once.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the indoor unit 10 in which the ventilation member 26 of the first embodiment is located in the closed position Pc2. When the wind direction plate 25A is located at the open position Po1, the ventilation member 26 is movable between the closed position Pc2 shown in FIG. 5 and the open position Po2 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ventilation member 26 located at the closed position Pc2 covers at least a portion (first channel C1) of the air outlet 33 opened by the wind direction plate 25A located at the open position Po1. Note that the ventilation member 26 may cover the second flow path C2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the ventilation member 26 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the ventilation member 26 has a shaft portion 51 and a plate portion 52. The shaft portion 51 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the X direction. The shaft portion 51 is rotatably supported by the housing 21 around a rotation axis Axc extending in the X direction. The plate portion 52 protrudes from the shaft portion 51 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis Axc. The plate portion 52 is formed into a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the X direction.

The indoor unit control section 80 drives the motor 87 that rotates the ventilation member 26 by controlling the drive circuit 83 shown in FIG. The indoor unit control section 80 moves (rotates) the ventilation member 26 between the closed position Pc2 and the open position Po2. Note that the ventilation member 26 may be moved in parallel between the closed position Pc2 and the open position Po2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the plate portion 52 has an inner surface 52a facing the ventilation passage 31 in the closed position Pc2, and an outer surface 52b facing the outside in the closed position Pc2. The plate portion 52 is provided with at least one ventilation port 56 that opens to the inner surface 52a and the outer surface 52b. A plurality of ventilation holes 56 are provided in the plate portion 52 of this embodiment.

When the ventilation member 26 is located at the closed position Pc2, the wind flowing through the first flow path C1 passes through the ventilation port 56 and is blown out from the air outlet 33. That is, the ventilation member 26 located at the closed position Pc2 is inserted into the first flow path C1, and changes the aperture ratio of the first flow path C1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ventilation member 26 located at the open position Po2 opens the first flow path C1. That is, by moving the ventilation member 26 to the open position Po2, the insertion of the ventilation member 26 into the first flow path C1 is canceled (for example, it is evacuated from the first flow path C1), and the ventilation member 26 is removed from the first flow path C1. The aperture ratio of C1 is returned to its original value.

The ventilation member 26 located at the open position Po2 is accommodated in the recess 21c of the housing 21 provided near the air outlet 33. The depression 21c is recessed from the inner surface 21d of the housing 21, which forms a part of the ventilation passage 31. The ventilation member 26 located at the open position Po2 is accommodated in the recess 21c, thereby being prevented from interfering with the wind flowing through the first flow path C1.

In the windless mode as the auxiliary operation mode, the indoor unit control unit 80 places the ventilation member 26 in the closed position Pc2 and changes the aperture ratio of the first flow path C1. On the other hand, the aperture ratio of the second channel C2 in which the ventilation member 26 is not present is maintained as it was.

The indoor unit control unit 80 moves the ventilation member 26 to the open position Po2 when the windless mode as the auxiliary operation mode is canceled. As a result, the ventilation member 26 is retracted from the first flow path C1, and the aperture ratio of the first flow path C1 is returned to its original value.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the wind blown out by the indoor unit 10 in the windless mode of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, when the ventilation member 26 is located at the closed position Pc2, the opening ratio of the first flow path C1 becomes smaller than when the ventilation member 26 is located at the open position Po2. When the ventilation member 26 is located at the closed position Pc2, the wind moving in the ventilation path 31 by the fan 23 passes through the ventilation opening 56 and changes to wind W1a. Wind W1a is an example of the first wind.

On the other hand, the ventilation member 26 is not provided in the second flow path C2. The aperture ratio of the second channel C2 is maintained as it was. That is, the wind discharged from the second flow path C2 becomes the wind W2a that does not pass through the ventilation member 26. Wind W2a is an example of the second wind. The wind W2a is, for example, a laminar flow. The wind W1a passing through the ventilation member 26 provided in the first channel C1 and the wind W2a passing through the second channel C2 in which the ventilation member 26 is not provided are formed adjacent to each other.

As the aperture ratio of the first channel C1 becomes smaller, the flow velocity of the wind W1a becomes faster. Therefore, the wind W1a draws in the wind W2a. As a result, the wind W2a hits the wind W1a. Furthermore, the wind W1a that has transitioned to turbulent flow is diffused and hits the wind W2a that flows adjacent to the wind W1a. In this way, the wind W1a and the wind W2a having different flow speeds and conditions (laminar flow or turbulent flow) flow adjacent to each other and collide with each other. That is, the wind W2a that does not pass through the ventilation member 26 (ventilation port 56) and the wind W1a that passes through the ventilation member 26 (ventilation port 56) interfere with each other.

When the wind W1a and the wind W2a hit each other, for example, a lump of the wind W1a and the wind W2a is broken up, and the turbulent wind W1a is carried by the wind W2a. The wind W1a and the wind W2a cause such various interactions to generate a mixed wind Ws that spreads over a wide area.

According to another expression, when the ventilation member 26 is located at the closed position Pc2, the indoor unit 10 generates a wind W1a blown out from the air outlet 33 through the air outlet 56, which is different from the air W1a blown out from the air outlet 33 through the air outlet 56. A mixed wind Ws, which is a mixture of the wind W2a and the wind W2a blown out through the second flow path C2, is blown into the room. Note that, as long as the wind blown out by the indoor unit 10 becomes the mixed wind Ws, the wind immediately after the indoor unit 10 blows out does not have to be the mixed wind Ws.

The mixed wind Ws is a turbulent flow. The mixed wind Ws blown out from the indoor unit 10 is closer to natural wind (so-called windless wind) than the wind immediately after being blown out from the air outlet 33. Since the ventilation member 26 only needs to be provided in either the first flow path C1 or the second flow path C2, an increase in the number of parts, a complicated configuration of the indoor unit 10, and an increase in cost can be suppressed. can. Further, the ventilation member 26 has a simple structure, and it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and a decrease in the strength of the ventilation member 26.

In the above example, the indoor unit 10 has two wind direction plates 25, one ventilation member 26, and a plurality of wind direction plates 29, but the wind direction plates 25, 29 and the ventilation member 26 are limited to this example. I can't. For example, the indoor unit 10 may include a plurality of wind direction plates 25 arranged in the X direction, a plurality of ventilation members 26 arranged in the X direction, and a plurality of wind direction boards 29 arranged in the X direction. good. In this case, the indoor unit control unit 80 can individually control the directions of the plurality of wind direction plates 25 and 29 to blow out wind in different directions from two or more areas partitioned by the wind direction plates 25 and 29. Can be done. In addition, by individually setting the positions of the plurality of ventilation members 26 to the closed position Pc2 or the open position Po2, the indoor unit control unit 80 can prevent two or more areas covered with or open from the ventilation members 26, respectively. It is possible to blow out wind with different properties (laminar flow or windless wind).

The radar 2 shown in FIG. 1 is capable of detecting the position, moving speed, angle, and shape of a detection target (for example, living body CR) indoors. The radar 2 is an ultrasound radar, a millimeter wave radar, a microwave radar, or a Doppler radar such as Doppler LiDAR. Note that the radar 2 is not limited to this example. Further, the sensor provided in the air conditioner 1 is not limited to the radar 2, but may be another sensor capable of detecting biological CR such as an optical sensor or an infrared sensor.

The radar 2 includes a transmitter 2a, a receiver 2b, and a signal processor 2c. The radar 2 generates electromagnetic waves such as millimeter waves or microwaves, sound waves, or light such as visible light, infrared rays, or ultraviolet rays in a signal processing section 2c, and transmits them into the room from a transmitting section 2a. The radar 2 receives a reflected wave reflected by a detection target (biological CR) existing indoors at the receiving section 2b, and outputs a signal corresponding to the reflected wave from the signal processing section 2c.

The radar 2 is provided, for example, at any position on the front surface of the casing 21 of the indoor unit 10 or at another position where it is easy to detect the position of the detection target (biological CR) indoors. The radar 2 may be embedded at a position near the center in the X direction in the front part of the housing 21, as shown by the broken line in FIG. The transmitter 2a and the receiver 2b are exposed from the surface of the housing 21.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram functionally showing the indoor unit control section 80 of the first embodiment. The indoor unit control unit 80 includes, for example, a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microcontroller, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage device such as a flash memory. It is a computer with Note that the indoor unit control section 80 is not limited to this example.

For example, the CPU of the indoor unit control unit 80 implements a module that reads a control program installed and stored in a ROM or a storage device, and executes various controls and arithmetic processing according to the program. The indoor unit control section 80 includes modules such as an operation mode control section 80a, a drive circuit control section 80b, a radar control section 80c, and a living body detection section 80d. Note that each of these modules may be realized by hardware. Moreover, each module may be integrated or divided for each function.

The operation mode control unit 80a controls the control modes (radar control mode and normal control mode), main operation modes (cooling operation mode, heating operation mode, dehumidification operation mode, humidification operation mode, ventilation operation) as the operation modes of the indoor unit 10. mode, air purifying operation mode), and auxiliary operation mode (calm mode). These switching operations are performed based on command signals from the operating terminal 94a operated by the user, or automatically based on the detection results of the radar 2.

The drive circuit control section 80b controls the fan 23, the wind direction plates 25 and 29, and the ventilation member via the drive circuits 81 to 83 based on the main operation mode, control mode, and auxiliary operation mode set in the operation mode control section 80a. 26 operations are controlled. In the normal control mode, the drive circuit control section 80b controls the operations of the fan 23, the wind direction plates 25 and 29, and the ventilation member 26 based on the user's operation.

The drive circuit control unit 80b controls the motor 85 via the drive circuit 82 to control the position of the wind direction plate 25 in the left and right direction. Further, the drive circuit control unit 80b controls the motor 86 via the drive circuit 82 to control the vertical position of the wind direction plate 29. The drive circuit control unit 80b can appropriately change the direction (reaching position) of the air blown out from the air outlet 33 by controlling the direction of the wind direction plate 25 and the direction of the wind direction plate 29 in combination.

The drive circuit control unit 80b can change the rotational speed of the fan 23 by controlling the motor 84 via the drive circuit 81, thereby changing the flow rate of the wind blown out by the indoor unit 10. In the windless mode as the auxiliary operation mode, the drive circuit control unit 80b controls the motor 87 via the drive circuit 83 to move the ventilation member 26 to the closed position Pc2. Thereby, in the windless mode, the indoor unit 10 can blow out turbulent flow (so-called calm wind) from the outlet 33. In this way, the drive circuit control section 80b can change the quality of the air blown out by the indoor unit 10.

The radar control unit 80c controls transmission and reception of the radar 2 (transmission unit 2a, reception unit 2b), and acquires analysis results (detection results) of transmitted waves and received waves from the signal processing unit 2c. Note that the radar 2 may enable the detection process after the indoor unit 10 is activated by operating the operation terminal 94a, or may always stand by in standby mode regardless of the activation of the indoor unit 10 and detect objects ( When a movement (motion) of a detection target is detected, normal activation may be performed to obtain information such as the presence or absence of a detection target, the number of detection targets, and shape information of the detection target.

Based on the detection results of the radar 2 acquired by the radar control unit 80c, the living body detection unit 80d identifies, for example, a living body CR from among the detection targets, assigns an ID (identifier) to each identified living body, and stores it in a RAM, for example. Or store it in a storage device. Note that, for example, the living body detection unit 80d considers the detection target to be a living body CR when the amount of change due to movement is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and determines the ID when the movement is detected or when the amount of change exceeds the predetermined threshold. Submit to biological CR. Further, for example, a detection target newly entering the room is regarded as a living body CR, and an ID is attached to the living body CR when or immediately after entering the room. Thereafter, the living body detection unit 80d maintains and monitors the ID until a predetermined period of time elapses when the living body CR is lost due to, for example, leaving the room or entering a blind spot in the room.

The living body detection unit 80d tracks valid IDs present in the room. If the detection target (biological CR, ID) being tracked enters a blind spot and is lost, the living body detection unit 80d maintains the ID for a predetermined period (for example, 30 minutes), and when it appears from the same blind spot, activates the same ID. You may also do so. In this case, the indoor unit control section 80 may continue the wind control mode immediately before losing track of the valid ID. Furthermore, the living body detection unit 80d may attach a new ID to the detection target (living body CR) that appears from the blind spot after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. Furthermore, when the detection target (living body CR) to which the ID is attached leaves the room through the entrance/exit (room entrance/exit), the living body detection unit 80d may invalidate the ID.

The drive circuit control unit 80b in the radar control mode controls the fan 23, the wind direction plates 25, 29, and the ventilation member 26 according to the position of the detection target (biological CR) in the room that can be detected by the radar 2, and controls the air outlet. Controls the direction and quality of the wind blown out from 33. Note that the drive circuit control unit 80b in the radar control mode may control the fan 23, the wind direction plates 25 and 29, and the ventilation member 26 according to not only the position of the living body CR but also other conditions.

The air conditioner 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of radar control modes. The driving mode control unit 80a can switch the radar control mode among a plurality of radar control modes. The drive circuit control unit 80b controls the orientation of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 with respect to the living body CR detected by the radar 2, depending on the radar control mode selected from among the plurality of radar control modes.

The plurality of radar control modes include, for example, a wind protection mode, a wind avoidance mode, and an outing mode. Note that the radar control mode is not limited to this example. The wind protection mode or the wind protection mode is an example of the first mode. The outing mode is an example of the second mode. Note that the radar control mode may include other modes.

In the wind blowing mode, the drive circuit control unit 80b controls the wind direction plates 25, 29 so that the indoor unit 10 blows wind toward the living body CR that is detected by the radar 2 and tracked by the living body detection unit 80d, for example. control the orientation of That is, the drive circuit control unit 80b controls the wind direction plates 25 and 29 so that the wind always hits the biological body CR. In the wind blowing mode, the air conditioner 1 can improve the feeling of coolness during cooling control, for example.

In each of the wind avoidance mode and the outing mode, the drive circuit control unit 80b controls the wind direction so that the wind blown by the indoor unit 10 is detected by the radar 2 and avoids the living body CR being tracked by the living body detection unit 80d. The orientation of plates 25 and 29 is controlled. In other words, the drive circuit control unit 80b controls the wind direction plates 25 and 29 so that the indoor unit 10 blows wind toward a position where the living body CR does not exist (an absent area). Therefore, in the wind avoidance mode, the air conditioner 1 can suppress the wind from directly hitting the biological body CR, and can reduce the discomfort of the biological body CR.

The wind protection mode and the wind protection mode are used, for example, when an adult biological CR is indoors. On the other hand, the outing mode is used, for example, when the living body CR that is an adult is not indoors, but the living body CR that is a child, infant, or animal is indoors. Note that the manner in which the wind protection mode, wind protection mode, and outing mode are used is not limited to this example.

Depending on the above-mentioned usage mode, the radar 2 in the wind protection mode and the wind protection mode mainly detects living CRs that are adults. On the other hand, in the outing mode, the radar 2 detects a living CR such as a child, infant, or animal. Generally, a biological CR that is a child, infant, or animal is smaller than a biological CR that is an adult.

The radar 2 of this embodiment can easily detect a living body CR that is an adult in the wind protection mode and the wind avoidance mode, and can easily detect a living body CR that is a child, infant, or animal in the outing mode. The size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the outing mode is smaller than the size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode and the wind avoidance mode. That is, the size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode and the wind protection mode is different from the size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the outing mode.

The size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode and the size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode may be different from each other. In this case as well, the size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the outing mode is smaller than the size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode, and the size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode. It is smaller than the size of biological CR.

Note that the size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 indicates the minimum size of the living body CR that the radar 2 can detect. That is, even in the outing mode, the radar 2 can detect the living body CR, which is an adult.

Specifically, in one example, the reception sensitivity of the radar 2 in the wind protection mode and the wind protection mode is different from the reception sensitivity of the radar 2 in the outing mode. The reception sensitivity of the radar 2 in this embodiment is the degree of ease with which the radar 2 can detect a biological CR.

For example, as described above, the radar control unit 80c acquires the detection result from the radar 2, and the living body detection unit 80d identifies the living body CR from the detection target based on the detection result of the radar 2. The conditions for the living body detection unit 80d to consider the detection target to be a living body CR are different between the wind protection mode, the wind protection mode, and the outing mode.

For example, the living body detection unit 80d regards a detection target whose size is smaller than a predetermined threshold value as noise among the detection results of the radar 2, and does not identify it as a living body CR. Thereby, the living body detection unit 80d can suppress, for example, erroneously identifying dust or dust as a living body CR. The threshold value in the outing mode is set smaller than the threshold values in the wind protection mode and the wind protection mode. That is, in the outing mode, the living body detection unit 80d can identify a smaller detection target as the living body CR.

The reception sensitivity of the radar 2 may be changed by other methods. For example, the radar control unit 80c may filter the detection results of the radar 2 and remove information indicating a small movement of the detection target in the detection results as noise. In this case, in the outing mode, the radar control unit 80c loosens the filtering conditions more than in the wind protection mode and the wind avoidance mode, and does not remove information indicating relatively small movement of the detection target. Thereby, a smaller living body CR can be detected in the outing mode.

Further, the signal processing section 2c of the radar 2 may filter the signal corresponding to the reflected wave received by the receiving section 2b. In this case, in the outing mode, the signal processing unit 2c loosens the filtering conditions more than in the wind protection mode and the wind protection mode. Thereby, a smaller living body CR can be detected in the outing mode.

In another example, the wavelength band of electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode and the wind protection mode is different from the wavelength band of electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar 2 in the outing mode. For example, the lower limit wavelength (or center wavelength or upper limit wavelength) of the electromagnetic wave wavelength band transmitted by the radar 2 in the outing mode is the lower limit wavelength (or center wavelength) of the electromagnetic wave wavelength band transmitted by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode and the wind protection mode. wavelength or upper limit wavelength).

The radar 2 of this embodiment is a pulse type or FMCW type time of flight (TOF) sensor. The pulse type radar 2 transmits electromagnetic waves in a pulsed manner from its antenna. The FMCW radar 2 continuously changes the frequency of electromagnetic waves transmitted from an antenna.

In the pulse type radar 2, the frequency of the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar 2 in the outing mode is set higher than the frequency of the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode and the wind protection mode. In the FMCW radar 2, the upper limit frequency (or center frequency or lower limit frequency) of the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar 2 in the outing mode is the upper limit frequency (or center frequency) of the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode and the wind protection mode. or lower limit frequency).

The higher the frequency and the shorter the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves to be transmitted, the smaller the distance resolution and angular resolution of the radar 2 become. Therefore, in the outing mode, the living body detection unit 80d can identify a smaller detection target as the living body CR.

The operation control of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 in the wind exposure mode, wind protection mode, and outing mode is not limited to the above-mentioned example. For example, in the wind exposure mode or the wind avoidance mode, the drive circuit control unit 80b may periodically change the wind direction to alternately create a state where the wind hits the biological body CR and a state where the wind does not hit the living body CR.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the indoor unit 10 in the outing mode of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, an example of control of the indoor unit 10 in the outing mode will be described. Note that the control of the indoor unit 10 in the outing mode is not limited to the example described below.

First, when the driving mode control section 80a sets the control mode to the outing mode, for example, by a user's operation, the living body detection section 80d sets the reception sensitivity of the radar 2 to high sensitivity (S101). Specifically, as described above, the living body detection unit 80d sets the threshold value for determining whether or not the detection target is regarded as noise to be smaller than the threshold value in the wind protection mode and the wind protection mode. Note that, as described above, the reception sensitivity of the radar 2 may be changed by other methods.

Next, the living body detection unit 80d determines whether a living body CR has been detected (S102). As described above, when there is a detection target moving indoors, the living body detection unit 80d regards the detection target as a living body CR, attaches an ID to the living body CR, and tracks it. On the other hand, the living body detection unit 80d does not consider a detection target that does not move continuously as a living body CR.

When the living body detection unit 80d detects the living body CR by the radar 2 (S102: Yes), the driving mode control unit 80a determines whether the windless mode is set to ON (S103). If the windless mode as the auxiliary driving mode is set to on (S103: Yes), the driving mode control unit 80a turns off the windless mode (S104).

When the operation mode control unit 80a sets the windless mode to OFF, the drive circuit control unit 80b drives the motor 87 via the drive circuit 83 to move the ventilation member 26 from the closed position Pc2 to the open position Po2. As a result, the indoor unit 10 blows out normal wind, rather than calm wind, from the air outlet 33.

When the driving mode control unit 80a turns off the windless mode in S104, or when the windless mode is set to off in S103 (S103: No), the drive circuit control unit 80b performs wind protection control ( S105). Specifically, the drive circuit control unit 80b controls the orientation of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 so that the wind blown by the indoor unit 10 avoids the living body CR. Note that S103 and S104 may be omitted. That is, the drive circuit control section 80b may perform wind protection control while the windless mode is on.

On the other hand, in S102, when the living body detection unit 80d does not detect the living body CR by the radar 2 (S102: No), the drive circuit control unit 80b performs non-detection control (S106). FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the indoor unit 10 and the living body CR in the non-detection control according to the first embodiment. For example, even if the living body detection unit 80d does not detect a living body CR by the radar 2, such as when there is no movement due to sleep or when the living body is in the blind spot of the radar 2, a small living body such as a child, infant, or animal may be detected. CR may be present indoors. The drive circuit control unit 80b in the non-detection control controls at least one of the fan 23, the wind direction plates 25 and 29, and the ventilation member 26 so as not to apply strong wind to the small living body CR.

For example, the drive circuit control unit 80b controls the motor 84 via the drive circuit 81 to reduce the rotation speed of the fan 23. That is, when the radar 2 does not detect a living body CR in the outing mode, the drive circuit control unit 80b performs low wind operation to reduce the amount of air blown out by the indoor unit 10. Therefore, even if the wind blown by the indoor unit 10 hits the living body CR, the influence of the wind on the living body CR is reduced.

Furthermore, the drive circuit control unit 80b controls the motor 85 via the drive circuit 82, and controls the direction of the wind direction plate 25 so that the wind direction plate 25 faces substantially horizontally. In other words, the drive circuit control unit 80b directs the wind direction plate 25 toward the uppermost side of the movable range of the wind direction plate 25 in cooling operation, heating operation, and dehumidification operation.

With the wind direction plate 25 facing in the substantially horizontal direction, the indoor unit 10 blows wind toward the upper space Su in the room. The space Su is a portion of the room above a predetermined height. Generally, living bodies CR such as children, infants, or animals are rarely present in the upper space Su in the room. Therefore, the wind direction plate 25 can prevent the wind blown by the indoor unit 10 from directly hitting the living body CR.

The direction of the wind direction plate 25 is not limited to the substantially horizontal direction. For example, when the radar 2 detects an indoor doorway, the drive circuit control unit 80b controls the direction of the wind direction plate 25 so that the indoor unit 10 blows wind toward the space above the doorway. It's okay. Furthermore, when the radar 2 detects the wall opposite to the wall on which the indoor unit 10 is installed, the drive circuit control unit 80b directs the drive circuit toward a portion above a predetermined height on the opposite wall. The direction of the wind direction plate 25 may be controlled so that the indoor unit 10 blows out wind.

Additionally, the driving mode control unit 80a turns on a windless mode as an auxiliary driving mode. Thereby, the drive circuit control section 80b controls the motor 87 via the drive circuit 83 to move the ventilation member 26 to the closed position Pc2. That is, the drive circuit control unit 80b arranges the ventilation member 26 at the closed position Pc2 when the radar 2 does not detect the living body CR in the outing mode.

By setting the calm wind mode to ON, the indoor unit 10 blows out wind (mixed wind Ws) with a calm wind similar to natural wind. Therefore, even if the wind blown by the indoor unit 10 hits the living body CR, the influence of the wind on the living body CR is reduced.

The non-detection control includes at least one of the above-mentioned weak wind operation, changing the direction of the wind direction plate 25, and turning on the windless mode. Further, the drive circuit control unit 80b may switch the low wind operation, change the direction of the wind direction plate 25, and turn on the windless mode based on other conditions. For example, when the cooling operation mode is selected as the main operation mode, the drive circuit control unit 80b performs low wind operation as non-detection control when the indoor temperature is low, and performs non-detection control when the indoor temperature is high. The windless mode may be turned on as a time control. Further, the non-detection control may be switched by an operation using the operating terminal 94a.

When the drive circuit control unit 80b executes the wind protection control in S105 of FIG. 9 or executes the non-detection control in S106, the driving mode control unit 80a determines whether there is an instruction to end the outing mode (S107). . Specifically, the driving mode control unit 80a determines whether or not a command signal for switching the control mode from the outing mode to another mode is received from the operation terminal 94a operated by the user, for example.

If the outing mode does not end and continues (S107: No), the process returns to S102 and repeats S102 to S107. If there is an instruction to end the outing mode in S107 (S107: Yes), the living body detection unit 80d sets the reception sensitivity of the radar 2 to normal sensitivity (S108). That is, the living body detection unit 80d sets a threshold value for determining whether or not a detection target is regarded as noise to be larger than the threshold value in the outing mode. When the reception sensitivity of radar 2 is restored, the outing mode ends.

In the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the indoor unit control section 80 can switch the control mode among a plurality of control modes. The indoor unit control unit 80 controls the orientation of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 with respect to the living body CR detected by the radar 2 according to the control mode selected from among the plurality of control modes. The plurality of control modes include a wind protection mode (or wind protection mode) and an outing mode. The size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the wind avoidance mode is different from the size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the outing mode. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 can blow out wind in a desired direction in each control mode. As an example, in the wind avoidance mode and the outing mode, the indoor unit control unit 80 controls the orientation of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 so that the wind blown by the indoor unit 10 avoids the living body CR detected by the radar 2. When a relatively large biological CR such as an adult is detected by the radar 2 in the wind avoidance mode, a relatively small biological CR such as a child, infant, or small animal is determined to be noise, and the air conditioner 1 detects a relatively small biological CR such as a child, infant, or small animal. There is a possibility of blowing wind towards biological CR. However, when a relatively small biological CR is detected by the radar 2 in the outing mode, the indoor unit control unit 80 changes the direction of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 so that the wind blown by the indoor unit 10 avoids the relatively small biological CR. Can be controlled. In this way, the air conditioner 1 can provide a desired wind to a desired living body CR by switching the control mode between the wind avoidance mode and the outing mode.

The air conditioner 1 has a radar 2 as a sensor. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 can improve the tracking accuracy of the living body CR. For example, the radar 2 is less susceptible to brightness and moisture than, for example, an optical sensor or an infrared sensor. Furthermore, the air conditioner 1 can detect the moving speed of the living body CR using the radar 2 by utilizing the Doppler effect.

The reception sensitivity of the radar 2 in the wind protection mode is different from the reception sensitivity of the radar 2 in the outing mode. As a result, the air conditioner 1 has one radar 2, so that the size of the biological CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode is different from the size of the biological CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the outing mode. can be set. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 does not require a plurality of radars 2, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

The wavelength band of electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode is different from the wavelength band of electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar 2 in the outing mode. Generally, if the wavelength band of the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar 2 is short, the spatial resolution and distance resolution of the radar 2 will be reduced, and the radar 2 can detect smaller biological CRs. As a result, the air conditioner 1 has one radar 2, so that the size of the biological CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode is different from the size of the biological CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the outing mode. can be set. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 does not require a plurality of radars 2, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

In the wind avoidance mode, the indoor unit control unit 80 controls the orientation of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 so that the wind blown by the indoor unit 10 avoids the living body CR detected by the radar 2. Further, in the wind blowing mode, the indoor unit control unit 80 controls the orientation of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 so that the indoor unit 10 blows wind toward the living body CR detected by the radar 2. In the outing mode, the indoor unit control unit 80 controls the orientation of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 so that the wind blown by the indoor unit 10 avoids the living body CR detected by the radar 2. The size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the outing mode is smaller than the size of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode (or wind protection mode). That is, the indoor unit control unit 80 in the outing mode controls the orientation of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 so as to avoid the biological CR where the wind blown by the indoor unit 10 is relatively small. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 can prevent children, infants, or small animals from being directly exposed to the wind. On the other hand, by selecting the wind blowing mode, the air conditioner 1 can directly provide wind to the living body CR that wants to feel cool or warm. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 switches the control mode between the wind avoidance mode, the wind application mode, and the outing mode to create a desired wind (wind that directly hits the living body CR, or wind that directly hits the living body CR). It is possible to provide air conditioning (airflow) to the room without hitting CR.

The indoor unit control unit 80 reduces the amount of air blown out by the indoor unit 10 when the radar 2 does not detect a living body CR in the outing mode, or causes the indoor unit 10 to blow out air toward the upper space Su in the room. The directions of the wind direction plates 25 and 29 are controlled as follows. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 can suppress the relatively small living body CR that is not detected from being directly exposed to strong wind.

The ventilation member 26 is provided in the indoor unit 10, and is provided with a ventilation port 56. The ventilation member 26 is movable between a closed position Pc2 and an open position Po2. In the closed position Pc2, the ventilation member 26 covers at least a portion of the air outlet 33 of the indoor unit 10 from which wind is blown. At the open position Po2, the ventilation member 26 opens at least a portion of the air outlet 33. When the ventilation member 26 is located in the closed position Pc2, the indoor unit 10 receives wind W1a blown from the outlet through the ventilation opening 56, and wind blown out from the outlet through a flow path different from the ventilation opening 56. A mixed wind Ws in which W2a and W2a are mixed is blown into the room. The indoor unit control unit 80 arranges the ventilation member 26 at the closed position Pc2 when the radar 2 does not detect a living body CR in the outing mode. The speed of the wind W1a is increased by passing through the ventilation port 56. Therefore, the wind W1a and the wind W2a differ from each other in at least one of the flow velocity and the state (turbulent flow or laminar flow). By mixing the winds W1a and W2a, the lumps of the winds W1a and W2a are broken up, and the mixed wind Ws becomes a turbulent flow similar to natural wind. The mixed wind Ws, which is close to natural wind, is less likely to make the biological CR feel cold and hot than the laminar wind. As a result, the air conditioner 1 can prevent the undetected relatively small living body CR from receiving laminar wind, which tends to feel cold and hot.

(Second embodiment)
The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 11. In the following description of the embodiments, components having the same functions as already described components are given the same reference numerals as the already described components, and further explanation may be omitted. Furthermore, the plurality of components labeled with the same reference numerals do not necessarily have all functions and properties in common, and may have different functions and properties depending on each embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the indoor unit 10 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the indoor unit 10 of the second embodiment has two radars 2. The two radars 2 have different receiving sensitivities or wavelengths of electromagnetic waves used. Note that the two radars 2 may be two different types of sensors.

The radar control unit 80c can switch between the two radars 2 to be used. The radar control unit 80c can change the reception sensitivity of the radar 2 or the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave transmitted by the radar 2 by switching the radar 2 to be used.

For example, when the operation mode control unit 80a sets the radar control mode to wind protection mode or wind protection mode, the radar control unit 80c controls the radar 2 that transmits electromagnetic waves with low reception sensitivity or long wavelengths to Set to 2. On the other hand, when the driving mode control unit 80a sets the radar control mode to the outing mode, the radar control unit 80c sets the radar 2 to be used, which transmits electromagnetic waves with high reception sensitivity or short wavelengths.

As described above, the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment switches the radar 2 to make the reception sensitivity of the radar 2 in the wind protection mode and the wind avoidance mode different from the reception sensitivity of the radar 2 in the outing mode. be able to. Furthermore, by switching the radar 2, the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment changes the wavelength band of the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar 2 in the wind protection mode and the wind avoidance mode to the wavelength band of the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar 2 in the outing mode. It can be made different from the wavelength band. Thereby, in the outing mode, the living body detection unit 80d can identify a smaller detection target as the living body CR.

In the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment described above, the air conditioner 1 includes a plurality of radars 2. The radar 2 that transmits electromagnetic waves in the wind protection mode (or wind protection mode) and the radar 2 that transmits electromagnetic waves in the outing mode are different from each other. Thereby, for example, the air conditioner 1 can largely change the magnitude of the living body CR that can be detected by the radar 2 between the wind avoidance mode and the outing mode.

In the windless mode of the above embodiment, the wind W1a blown out through the ventilation port 56 of the ventilation member 26 and the wind W2a blown out from the second flow path C2 are mixed to generate a mixed wind Ws. However, the windless mode is not limited to this example. For example, the ventilation member 26 may be provided with a ventilation port 56 and a slit. The mixed wind Ws may be generated by mixing the wind W1a blown out through the ventilation port 56 and the wind (laminar flow) blown out through the slit.

The plurality of radar control modes in the above embodiments include a wind protection mode, a wind avoidance mode, and an outing mode. However, one of the wind exposure mode and the wind protection mode may be omitted. In addition to or instead of the outing mode, the radar control mode may include another mode in which the magnitude of the biological CR that can be detected by the radar 2 is smaller than the wind protection mode or the wind avoidance mode. good. That is, the radar control mode only needs to have two or more modes in which the magnitude of the biological CR that can be detected by the radar 2 is different from each other.

In the above description, suppression is defined as, for example, preventing the occurrence of an event, effect, or effect, or reducing the degree of an event, effect, or effect.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Air conditioner, 2... Radar, 10... Indoor unit, 25, 25A, 25B, 29... Wind direction board, 26... Ventilation member, 33... Air outlet, 56... Ventilation opening, 80... Indoor unit control part, CR... Living body, Pc2...closed position, Po2...open position, W1a, W2a...wind, Ws...mixed wind, Su...upper space.

Claims (7)

An indoor unit that blows air into the room,
a wind direction plate provided on the indoor unit, which guides the wind blown by the indoor unit and whose direction can be changed;
a sensor provided in the indoor unit and capable of detecting a living body in the room;
a control unit capable of switching a mode among a plurality of modes, and controlling the direction of the wind direction plate relative to the living body detected by the sensor according to the mode selected from the plurality of modes;
Equipped with
The plurality of modes include a first mode and a second mode,
The size of the living body that can be detected by the sensor in the first mode is different from the size of the living body that can be detected by the sensor in the second mode.
Air conditioner. the sensor has a radar;
The air conditioner according to claim 1. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the reception sensitivity of the radar in the first mode is different from the reception sensitivity of the radar in the second mode. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein a wavelength band of electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar in the first mode is different from a wavelength band of electromagnetic waves transmitted by the radar in the second mode. In the first mode, the control unit may cause the indoor unit to blow air so as to avoid the living body detected by the sensor, or cause the indoor unit to blow air toward the living body detected by the sensor. controlling the direction of the wind direction plate so as to blow out
In the second mode, the control unit controls the direction of the wind direction plate so that the wind blown by the indoor unit avoids the living body detected by the sensor;
The size of the living body that can be detected by the sensor in the second mode is smaller than the size of the living body that can be detected by the sensor in the first mode.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When the sensor does not detect the living body in the second mode, the control unit reduces the amount of air blown by the indoor unit, or causes the indoor unit to blow air toward an upper space in the room. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the direction of the wind direction plate is controlled so as to blow air. provided in the indoor unit and movable between a closed position that covers at least a part of the air outlet of the indoor unit from which wind is blown, and an open position that opens at least a part of the air outlet; A ventilation member provided with a ventilation hole,
further comprising;
When the ventilation member is located in the closed position, the indoor unit allows first air to be blown out from the air outlet through the ventilation hole, and to flow from the air outlet through a flow path different from the air outlet. blowing a mixed wind mixed with the second wind blown into the room;
The control unit places the ventilation member in the closed position when the sensor does not detect the living body in the second mode.
The air conditioner according to claim 5.

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