JP4030396B2 - Display device and air conditioning apparatus provided with the same - Google Patents

Description

【０１０３】
上記のＨ₂Ｏ₂または・ＯＨは、極めて強力な活性を示すため、これら活性種の分解作用によって浮遊細菌が破壊される。したがって、正負両イオンを発生させることにより、効率的に空気中の浮遊細菌を、不活化、除去することができる。
【０１０４】
また、上記式（１）〜式（３）は、空気中の有害物質表面でも同様に生じ、活性種である過酸化水素（Ｈ₂Ｏ₂）または水酸基ラジカル（・ＯＨ）が、ホルムアルデヒドやアンモニアなどの化学物質を、酸化若しくは分解して、二酸化炭素や、水、窒素などの無害な物質に変換する。これにより、空気中の有害物質を実質的に無害化することが可能である。
【０１０５】
また、正負両イオンには、インフルエンザウィルス、コクサッキーウィルスなどのウィルス類も不活化する働きがある。したがって、正負両イオンの発生により、これらウィルスを分解・除去して、ウィルスの混入による汚染を防止することができる。
【０１０６】
また、正負両イオンには、臭いの元となる分子を分解する働きがあることも確かめられている。したがって、正負両イオンの発生により、空間の脱臭を行うこともできる。
【０１０７】
また、本実施形態の空気調整装置１においては、イオン発生素子４１は、放電面での放電により正負両イオンを発生させるとともに、装置の運転モードに応じて、正イオンと負イオンとの発生量を調整している。すなわち、イオン発生素子４１は、装置が除菌モードの場合は、正負ほぼ同量のイオンを発生させる一方、装置がリラックスモードの場合は、正イオンよりも多い量の負イオンを発生させている。これにより、１台の空気調整装置１で、装置周囲の除菌効果と使用者のリラクゼーション効果とを併せて得ることができる。
【０１０８】
また、本実施形態の空気調整装置１においては、装置外部から空気を吸引するとともに、吸引した空気をイオン発生素子４１の放電面に供給する送風機５１が設けられている。これにより、イオン発生素子４１に供給される空気を、その放電面にて確実にイオン化することができる。また、イオン発生素子４１の放電面に空気を吹き付けることによって、上記放電面に略平行な方向に空気（イオン）の流れを作ることができ、放電面にて発生したイオンをその空気の流れに乗せて本体２の外部へ導くことができる。
【０１０９】
このことから、空気調整装置１は、装置外部から空気を吸引するとともに、吸引した空気をイオン発生素子４１の放電面に略垂直方向から供給し、正負両イオンを含んだ空気が放電面に対して略水平方向に吹き出される構成であると言える。
【０１１０】
このとき、送風機５１は、吸引した空気をイオン発生素子４１の放電面に対して略垂直方向から供給するので、放電時に発声する放電音は、放電面に対して略垂直方向（送風機５１からイオン発生素子４１への空気の供給方向とは逆方向）に伝達されることになり、上記放電面に沿った方向にはほとんど伝播されない。つまり、このことは、放電面にて発生したイオンの流れる方向には、放電音はほとんど伝播されないことを意味する。これにより、イオンの装置外部への放出とともに放電音が装置外部に漏れるのを抑えることができ、静音設計で快適な空間を創出することのできる空気調整装置１を提供することができる。
【０１１１】
また、空気調整装置１では、本体２の各送出口１０から送出される正負両イオンの送出方向を調整するルーバー２７が設けられているので、装置外部における所望の範囲に正負両イオンを放出することができる。例えば、筐体後部２ｂの側面に対してルーバー２７の羽を前方４５度に傾ければ、装置前方の半径約１メートルの範囲内に正負両イオンを放出することができる。これにより、その範囲内の空気中の浮遊細菌を効率的に不活化することができるとともに、その範囲内の空気中に含まれる有害物質を効率的に除去することができ、所望の範囲において快適な空間を効率的に創出することができる。
【０１１２】
この結果、部屋全体の空気の清浄化を目的とする装置に比べて、イオン発生素子４１を小型化したり、ＤＣモータも能力の小さい小型のもので構成することが可能となる。これにより、空気調整装置１自体を小型化することができ、また、持ち運びが便利な携帯型の空気調整装置１を提供することができる。
【０１１３】
また、ルーバー２７の各羽の傾きを調節することで、本体２内で発生した正負両イオンを、装置外部の全方位に放出することができる。これにより、装置の使用者の位置や使用方法などに応じて、正負両イオンの放出方向を自由に設定することができ、装置の使用性が向上する。
【０１１４】
また、上記したルーバー２７は、各羽の傾きを調整することで各送出口１０を開状態にしたり閉状態にしたりすることができる。このように、ルーバー２７が各送出口１０を開閉する送出口開閉手段としても機能することにより、装置の運転時には、ルーバー２７によって各送出口１０を開状態にすることにより、本体２からイオンを装置周囲に放出することができる。一方、装置の非運転時には、ルーバー２７によって各送出口１０を閉状態にすることにより、装置外部の空気が送出口１０を介して本体２内に侵入するのを防ぐことができる。これにより、空気中に含まれる有害物質等によって本体２内部が汚染されるのを防止することができ、本体２内部を常に清浄に保つことができる。
【０１１５】
なお、ルーバー２７に送出方向調整手段としての機能のみを持たせ、別の送出口開閉手段をルーバー２７とは別に設ける構成としても勿論構わない。
【０１１６】
ところで、本実施形態では、本体２にスタンド４（載置手段）を取り付けることで、卓上型の空気調整装置１を構成したが、図１２に示すように、断面Ｕ字状の支持部材２８（載置手段）を設け、この支持部材２８の凹部２８ａに本体２を挿入することで、卓上型の空気調整装置１を構成しても構わない。
【０１１７】
また、本実施形態では、卓上型の空気調整装置１について説明したが、本発明の空気調整装置１は、この卓上型に限定されるわけではない。本発明の空気調整装置１は、例えば図１３に示すように、本体２が支持部材２９（壁掛手段）を介して壁に掛けられる壁掛け型の空気調整装置１であってもよいし、図１４に示すように、本体が吊り紐３０（吊下手段）によって部屋の天井から吊り下げられる吊り下げ型の空気調整装置１であってもよい。このように壁掛け型や吊り下げ型で空気調整装置１を構成しても、上述した本発明の効果を得ることができる。
【０１１８】
以上のことから、本実施形態の空気調整装置１は、装置を卓上に載置する載置手段（例えばスタンド４、支持部材２８）、装置を壁に掛けるための壁掛手段（例えば支持部材２９）、装置を天井から吊り下げるための吊下手段（例えば吊り紐３０）のいずれかを備えている構成であるとも言える。
【０１１９】
また、本実施形態では、フロントパネル３をフォトフレームで構成した例について説明したが、これに限定されるわけではない。例えば、図１５に示すように、フロントパネル３を鏡面で構成するようにしてもよい。また、この他にも、フロントパネル３を、絵画、模様を施した化粧パネル、電子黒板、液晶表示装置（例えば時刻表示が可能なもの）、伝言板、ソーラーパネル、タッチパネルなどで構成してもよい。このように構成されるフロントパネル３を、装置の使用者のニーズに応じて互いに交換可能とすることにより、使用者のニーズ、さらには装置の用途に応じた商品展開が可能となる。つまり、フロントパネル３は、装置の使用者のニーズに応じて選択、使用できるものである。
【０１２０】
特に、フロントパネル３をソーラーパネルで構成した場合には、このソーラーパネルにて受電しながら、ソーラーパネルから本体２の各部に駆動電力を供給することができる。したがって、本体２に電池や充電池等の電源手段を設けたり、室内のＡＣコンセントから電源をとる必要がない。その結果、本体２の軽量化、部品点数減少による本体２の小型化、ひいては、装置自体の軽量化、小型化を実現することができる。
【０１２１】
また、図１６は、フロントパネル３をソーラーパネルで構成した空気調整装置１の側面図である。この構成の場合は、同図に示すように、フロントパネル３を本体２に対して回動可能に取り付けることが望ましい。この場合、装置の使用時には、フロントパネル３を任意の角度で開くことで、上方からの光を効率よく受光して電力を本体２に供給することができるので、装置を長時間安定して使用することができる。上記フロントパネル３を開く角度は、例えば空気調整装置１が卓上型、壁掛け型、吊り下げ型でそれぞれ異なり、また、部屋の中での空気調整装置１の位置により異なるので、装置の使用形態、使用位置に応じて、効率よく受電できるように適宜設定すればよい。
【０１２２】
また、フロントパネル３をタッチパネルで構成した場合には、このタッチパネルに操作ボタン１５の機能を持たせることで、本体２に対して取り外し可能なフロントパネル３をリモコン代わりに用いることができ、装置から離れた位置でも、装置をＯＮ／ＯＦＦすることができる。ただし、この場合は、タッチパネルからの信号を受信するセンサを本体２に設ける必要がある。
【０１２３】
次に、本発明の表示装置について説明する。
図１は、本発明の表示装置の概略の構成を示す説明図である。本表示装置は、同図に示すように、表示基板３１と、制御基板６１と、電源回路８１とを有して構成されている。電源回路８１は、例えば＋１２Ｖの電圧を出力する回路である。
【０１２４】
表示基板３１は、２系統の回路ブロックＰ１・Ｐ２と、これらの回路ブロックＰ１・Ｐ２を駆動するための駆動素子３４（駆動手段）とを有している。なお、駆動素子３４は、制御基板６１側に設けられてもよい。これら２系統の回路ブロックＰ１・Ｐ２は、機器の運転モードに対応して設けられる青色および緑色の発光ダイオード３３を点灯（発光、表示）させるためのブロックであり、これら両回路ブロックＰ１・Ｐ２はともに駆動素子３４を介して制御基板６１の制御部６２と接続されている。
【０１２５】
一方の回路ブロックＰ１には、表示素子としての青色の発光ダイオード３３（以下、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂと称する）と、抵抗Ｒ１１・Ｒ１２と、コンデンサＣ２１と、ダイオードＤ１とが設けられている。ＬＥＤ３３Ｂのアノード側は、抵抗Ｒ１１の一端と接続されており、そのカソード側は、ダイオードＤ１のアノード側に接続されているとともに、駆動素子３４に接続されている。また、ダイオードＤ１のカソード側も、駆動素子３４に接続されている。
【０１２６】
また、抵抗Ｒ１１の他端（ＬＥＤ３３Ｂの接続側とは反対側）は、抵抗Ｒ１２の一端と接続されているとともに、コンデンサＣ２１の一端と接続されている。コンデンサＣ２１の他端は、ダイオードＤ１のカソード側と接続されているとともに、駆動素子３４と接続されている。抵抗Ｒ１２の他端（抵抗Ｒ１１の接続側とは反対側）は、電源回路８１に接続されている。
【０１２７】
また、他方の回路ブロックＰ２も、上記の回路ブロックＰ１と全く同様の構成である。すなわち、回路ブロックＰ２には、表示素子としての緑色の発光ダイオード３３（以下、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇと称する）と、抵抗Ｒ１３・Ｒ１４と、コンデンサＣ２２と、ダイオードＤ２とが設けられている。ＬＥＤ３３Ｇのアノード側は、抵抗Ｒ１３の一端と接続されており、そのカソード側は、ダイオードＤ２のアノード側に接続されているとともに、駆動素子３４に接続されている。また、ダイオードＤ２のカソード側も、駆動素子３４に接続されている。
【０１２８】
また、抵抗Ｒ１３の他端（ＬＥＤ３３Ｇの接続側とは反対側）は、抵抗Ｒ１４の一端と接続されているとともに、コンデンサＣ２２の一端と接続されている。コンデンサＣ２２の他端は、ダイオードＤ２のカソード側と接続されているとともに、駆動素子３４と接続されている。抵抗Ｒ１４の他端（抵抗Ｒ１３の接続側とは反対側）は、電源回路８１に接続されている。
【０１２９】
制御部６２は、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・ＬＥＤ３３Ｇの表示、すなわち発光をＯＮ／ＯＦＦするための制御信号を生成し、生成した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御するものであり、例えばマイクロコンピュータで構成される。より具体的には、制御部６２は、オープンドレインとなっている４つの出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２・Ｄ１１・Ｄ１２を有しており、生成した上記制御信号に基づいて、後述のように各出力ポートのＯＮ／ＯＦＦを制御することで駆動素子３４を制御している。
【０１３０】
駆動素子３４は、制御部６２の各出力ポートのＯＮ／ＯＦＦに基づいて、表示素子であるＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・ＬＥＤ３３Ｇを駆動するものであり、本実施形態では、Ｌｏｗアクティブ、Ｌｏｗ出力のトランジスタアレイで構成されている。
【０１３１】
ここで、図１７は、制御部６２が生成する複数パターンの制御信号の波形を示している。同図に示すように、制御部６２は、デューティ比の異なる複数の制御信号を生成している。なお、上記のデューティ比とは、所定時間（例えば９．６ｍｓｅｃ）内における表示素子のＯＮ時間とＯＦＦ時間との比を示すものである。
【０１３２】
本実施形態では、制御部６２は、デューティ比の異なる複数の制御信号を、輝度０から輝度２０に対応して２１個生成している。これら２１個の制御信号のうち、輝度０に対応する制御信号は、上記所定時間内における表示素子のＯＮ時間がゼロ、すなわち、デューティ比がゼロとなる制御信号であり、輝度２０に対応する制御信号は、上記所定時間内における表示素子のＯＦＦ時間がゼロ、すなわち、デューティ比が無限大となる制御信号である。そして、輝度０に対応する制御信号を基準として、上記所定時間内における表示素子のＯＮ時間を、９．６ｍｓｅｃ／２０＝０．４８ｍｓｅｃずつ増加させた制御信号を、それぞれ輝度１から輝度２０に対応する制御信号としている。
【０１３３】
制御部６２は、これら２１個の制御信号の中から、入力部としての操作ボタン１５から入力指示された運転モードに応じて、ＬＥＤ３３ＢおよびＬＥＤ３３Ｇを駆動するのに適切な制御信号を順次選択し、選択した制御信号に基づいて各出力ポートをＯＮ／ＯＦＦ制御する。より具体的には、制御部６２は、図１７の各制御信号において、ハイレベルのときは、出力ポートをＯＮ（本実施形態ではＬｏｗ状態）にする一方、ローレベルのときは、出力ポートをＯＦＦ（本実施形態ではオープン）にする。
【０１３４】
なお、図１７では、各制御信号の波形における立ち上がりのタイミング（表示素子のＯＮタイミング）を、各制御信号間で全て同じにしているが、上記所定時間内における表示素子のＯＮ時間（ハイレベルとなっている時間）が、それぞれの輝度に対応して確保できていれば、上記立ち上がりタイミングは、上記所定時間内でずれていても構わない。また、デューティ比の異なる制御信号の数は、上記の２１個に限定されるわけではなく、これよりも増減させることも勿論可能である。
【０１３５】
次に、上記構成の表示装置における動作について、図１、図１７および図１８のフローチャートに基づいて説明する。
【０１３６】
まず、制御部６２は、操作ボタン１５から入力指示された機器の運転モードが、インターバルモードであるか否かを判断する（Ｓ１）。Ｓ１にて、インターバルモードでなければ、次に、制御部６２は、入力指示された運転モードが除菌モードであるか否かを判断する（Ｓ２）。
【０１３７】
Ｓ２にて、除菌モードであれば、制御部６２は、３つの出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２・Ｄ１２をオープン（ＯＦＦ）状態に保ったまま（Ｓ３）、出力ポートＤ１１をＬｏｗ（ＯＮ）状態にする（Ｓ４）。すると、この状態では、電源回路８１→抵抗Ｒ１２→抵抗Ｒ１１→ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ→駆動素子３４→出力ポートＤ１１と電流が流れ、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂが点灯する。一方、制御部６２の出力ポートＰ１２・Ｄ１２がオープン状態なので、表示基板３１の回路ブロックＰ２のＬＥＤ３３Ｇには電流は流れず、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇは消灯したままである。
【０１３８】
次に、制御部６２は、除菌モードが解除されたか、つまり、機器の運転モードが他の運転モードに変更されたか否かを判断し（Ｓ５）、除菌モードが解除されていなければ、Ｓ３、Ｓ４の動作を繰り返す。一方、Ｓ５にて、除菌モードが解除されていれば、制御部６２は、出力ポートＤ１１をオープン状態にし、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂを消灯させる（Ｓ６）。その後は、Ｓ１に移行する。
【０１３９】
一方、Ｓ２にて、除菌モードでなければ、制御部６２は、操作ボタン１５から入力指示された運転モードが、リラックスモードであるか否かを判断する（Ｓ７）。Ｓ７にて、リラックスモードでなければ、制御部６２は、入力指示された運転モードが停止モードであると判断し、全ての出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２・Ｄ１１・Ｄ１２をオープン状態にする（Ｓ８）。これにより、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・ＬＥＤ３３Ｇには電流が流れないので、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・ＬＥＤ３３Ｇは、消灯を保ったままとなる。その後は、Ｓ１に移行する。
【０１４０】
一方、Ｓ７にて、リラックスモードであれば、制御部６２は、３つの出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２・Ｄ１１をオープン状態に保ったまま（Ｓ９）、出力ポートＤ１２をＬｏｗ状態にする（Ｓ１０）。すると、この状態では、電源回路８１→抵抗Ｒ１４→抵抗Ｒ１３→ＬＥＤ３３Ｇ→駆動素子３４→出力ポートＤ１２と電流が流れ、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇが点灯する。一方、制御部６２の出力ポートＰ１１・Ｄ１１がオープン状態なので、表示基板３１の回路ブロックＰ１のＬＥＤ３３Ｂには電流は流れず、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂは消灯したままである。
【０１４１】
次に、制御部６２は、リラックスモードが解除されたか、つまり、機器の運転モードが他の運転モードに変更されたか否かを判断し（Ｓ１１）、リラックスモードが解除されていなければ、Ｓ９、Ｓ１０の動作を繰り返す。一方、Ｓ１１にて、リラックスモードが解除されていれば、制御部６２は、出力ポートＤ１２をオープン状態にし、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇを消灯させる（Ｓ１２）。その後は、Ｓ１に移行する。
【０１４２】
一方、Ｓ１にて、インターバルモードであれば、制御部６２は、２つの出力ポートＤ１１・Ｄ１２をオープン状態に保ったまま（Ｓ１３）、出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２を、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇに対応する制御信号に基づいてそれぞれＯＮ（Ｌｏｗ状態）／ＯＦＦ（オープン状態）制御する（Ｓ１４）。
【０１４３】
本実施形態では、このＳ１３、Ｓ１４において、制御部６２は、各ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇの表示輝度の和が常に一定となるように、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇに対応する制御信号を生成し、これらの制御信号に基づいて、各出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２・Ｄ１１・Ｄ１２のＯＮ／ＯＦＦを制御しているが、この点については後述する。
【０１４４】
その後、制御部６２は、インターバルモードが解除されたか、つまり、運転モードが他の運転モードに変更されたか否かを判断し（Ｓ１５）、インターバルモードモードが解除されていなければ、Ｓ１３、Ｓ１４の動作を繰り返す。一方、Ｓ１５にて、インターバルモードが解除されていれば、制御部６２は、出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２をオープン状態にし、ＬＥＤ３３ＢまたはＬＥＤ３３Ｇを消灯させる（Ｓ１６）。その後は、Ｓ１に移行する。
【０１４５】
次に、Ｓ１３、Ｓ１４における動作の詳細について説明する。
まず、各出力ポートＤ１１がオープン状態で、出力ポートＰ１１がＬｏｗ状態のとき、表示基板３１の回路ブロックＰ１においては、出力ポートＰ１１がＬｏｗ状態になっている時間だけ、電源回路８１→抵抗Ｒ１２→抵抗Ｒ１１→ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ→ダイオードＤ１→Ｐ１１と電流が流れ、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂが点灯する。
【０１４６】
また、これと同時に、出力ポートＰ１１がＬｏｗ状態になっている時間だけ、コンデンサＣ２１が充電されるので、次に出力ポートＰ１１がオープン状態になったとしても、コンデンサＣ２１の＋側→抵抗Ｒ１１→ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ→ダイオードＤ１→コンデンサＣ２１の−側と電流が流れる。このため、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂは、すぐには消灯しない。
【０１４７】
このような前提のもとで、制御部６２は、出力ポートＰ１１をＬｏｗ状態にする時間を徐々に延ばしていく。すなわち、制御部６２は、デューティ比が所定時間ごとに昇順になるような、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂに対応する制御信号を順に選択し、選択した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御する。つまり、制御部６２は、図１７に示した複数の制御信号のうち、輝度０に対応する制御信号から輝度２０に対応する制御信号までをこの順で選択し、選択した制御信号のＯＮ時間（ハイレベルとなっている時間）だけ、出力ポートＰ１１をＬｏｗ状態にし、選択した上記制御信号のＯＦＦ時間（ローレベルとなっている時間）だけ、出力ポートＰ１１をオープン状態にし、駆動素子３４の駆動を制御する。
【０１４８】
これにより、駆動素子３４がこの出力ポートＰ１１の状態に基づいてＬＥＤ３３Ｂを駆動したときには、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂを流れる電流が時間経過とともに徐々に増加するので、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂの表示輝度は、時間経過とともに連続的に暗から明へと変化する。
【０１４９】
そして、制御部６２は、輝度２０に対応する制御信号のＯＮ時間だけ出力ポートＰ１１をＬｏｗ状態にした後は、今度は、デューティ比が所定時間ごとに降順となるような、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂに対応する制御信号を順に選択し、選択した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御する。つまり、制御部６２は、輝度１９に対応する制御信号から輝度０に対応する制御信号までをこの順で選択し、選択した制御信号のＯＮ時間だけ、出力ポートＰ１１をＬｏｗ状態にし、選択した上記制御信号のＯＦＦ時間だけ、出力ポートＰ１１をオープン状態にし、駆動素子３４の駆動を制御する。
【０１５０】
これにより、駆動素子３４がこの出力ポートＰ１１の状態に基づいてＬＥＤ３３Ｂを駆動したときには、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂを流れる電流が時間経過とともに徐々に減少するので、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂの表示輝度は、時間経過とともに連続的に明から暗へと変化する。
【０１５１】
その後、制御部６２は、以上の動作を繰り返す。つまり、制御部６２は、輝度０→輝度２０→輝度０→輝度２０・・・のように、デューティ比が所定時間ごとに昇順と降順とを繰り返して変化するような、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂに対応する制御信号を順に選択し、選択した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御する。これにより、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂの表示輝度は、図１９（ａ）の実線Ｂ１で示すように、時間経過とともに連続的に暗→明→暗→明・・・と連続的に徐々に変化する。
【０１５２】
一方、出力ポートＤ１２がオープン状態で、出力ポートＰ１２がＬｏｗ状態のとき、表示基板３１の回路ブロックＰ２においては、出力ポートＰ１２がＬｏｗ状態になっている時間だけ、電源回路８１→抵抗Ｒ１４→抵抗Ｒ１３→ＬＥＤ３３Ｇ→ダイオードＤ２→Ｐ１２と電流が流れ、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇが点灯する。
【０１５３】
また、これと同時に、出力ポートＰ１２がＬｏｗ状態になっている時間だけ、コンデンサＣ２２が充電されるので、次に出力ポートＰ１２がオープン状態になったとしても、コンデンサＣ２２の＋側→抵抗Ｒ１３→ＬＥＤ３３Ｇ→ダイオードＤ２→コンデンサＣ２２の−側と電流が流れる。このため、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇは、すぐには消灯しない。
【０１５４】
このような前提のもとで、制御部６２は、出力ポートＰ１２をＬｏｗ状態にする時間を徐々に減らしていく。すなわち、制御部６２は、デューティ比が所定時間ごとに降順になるような、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇに対応する制御信号を順に選択し、選択した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御する。つまり、制御部６２は、図１７に示した複数の制御信号のうち、輝度２０に対応する制御信号から輝度０に対応する制御信号までをこの順で選択し、選択した制御信号のＯＮ時間だけ、出力ポートＰ１２をＬｏｗ状態にし、選択した制御信号のＯＦＦ時間だけ、出力ポートＰ１２をオープン状態にし、駆動素子３４の駆動を制御する。
【０１５５】
これにより、駆動素子３４がこの出力ポートＰ１２の状態に基づいてＬＥＤ３３Ｇを駆動したときには、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇを流れる電流が時間経過とともに徐々に減少するので、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇの表示輝度は、時間経過とともに連続的に明から暗へと変化する。
【０１５６】
そして、制御部６２は、輝度０に対応する制御信号のＯＮ時間だけ出力ポートＰ１２をＬｏｗ状態（輝度０に対応する制御信号のＯＦＦ時間だけ出力ポートＰ１２をオープン状態）にした後は、今度は、デューティ比が所定時間ごとに昇順となるような、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇに対応する制御信号を順に選択し、選択した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御する。つまり、制御部６２は、輝度１に対応する制御信号から輝度２０に対応する制御信号までをこの順で選択し、選択した制御信号のＯＮ時間だけ、出力ポートＰ１２をＬｏｗ状態にし、選択した上記制御信号のＯＦＦ時間だけ、出力ポートＰ１２をオープン状態にし、駆動素子３４の駆動を制御する。
【０１５７】
これにより、駆動素子３４がこの出力ポートＰ１２の状態に基づいてＬＥＤ３３Ｇを駆動したときには、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇを流れる電流が時間経過とともに徐々に増加するので、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇの表示輝度は、時間経過とともに連続的に暗から明へと変化する。
【０１５８】
その後、制御部６２は、以上の動作を繰り返す。つまり、制御部６２は、輝度２０→輝度０→輝度２０→輝度０・・・のように、デューティ比が所定時間ごとに降順と昇順とを繰り返して変化するような、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇに対応する制御信号を順に選択し、選択した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御する。これにより、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇの表示輝度は、図１９（ａ）の破線Ｇ１で示すように、時間経過とともに連続的に明→暗→明→暗・・・と連続的に徐々に変化する。
【０１５９】
以上のように、本発明の表示装置は、機器としての空気調整装置１の運転モードに応じた表示を行うＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇと、複数の出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２・Ｄ１１・Ｄ１２を有しているとともに、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇの表示をＯＮ／ＯＦＦするための制御信号を生成し、生成した制御信号に基づいて各出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２・Ｄ１１・Ｄ１２のＯＮ／ＯＦＦを制御する制御部６２と、制御部６２における各出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２・Ｄ１１・Ｄ１２のＯＮ／ＯＦＦ状態に基づいて、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇを駆動する駆動素子３４とを備え、制御部６２は、所定時間（例えば９．６ｍｓｅｃ）内におけるＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３ＧのＯＮ時間とＯＦＦ時間との比を示すデューティ比の異なる複数の制御信号を生成するとともに、上記デューティ比が上記所定時間ごとに昇順と降順とを繰り返して変化するように、上記複数の制御信号の中から所定のデューティ比の制御信号を順次選択し、選択した制御信号に基づいて各出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２・Ｄ１１・Ｄ１２のＯＮ／ＯＦＦを制御する構成である。
【０１６０】
これにより、駆動素子３４が制御部６２の各出力ポートＰ１１・Ｐ１２・Ｄ１１・Ｄ１２のＯＮ／ＯＦＦ状態に基づいてＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇを駆動したときには、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇにおける表示輝度が、時間経過とともにそれぞれ徐々に明るくなったり、徐々に暗くなったりするようになる。そして、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇにおいては、このような表示輝度の変化が、明→暗→明→暗・・・と、繰り返し連続して行われる。したがって、表示輝度が徐々に変化するようなＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇを見る人間に、気分を和らげる快いリラクゼーション効果を与えることができる。
【０１６１】
以上のような作用効果を奏することから、本発明の表示装置は、機器の運転モードに応じた表示を行うＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇと、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇを駆動するための駆動素子３４と、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇの表示をＯＮ／ＯＦＦするための制御信号を生成し、生成した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御する制御部６２とを備え、制御部６２は、所定時間内におけるＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３ＧのＯＮ時間とＯＦＦ時間との比を示すデューティ比が上記所定時間ごとに昇順と降順とを繰り返して変化するような制御信号を生成し、生成した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御する構成であるとも言える。
【０１６２】
また、制御部６２は、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇの表示輝度が時間経過とともに連続的に変化するような制御信号を生成し、生成した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御する構成であるとも言える。
【０１６３】
また、本発明の表示装置では、表示素子の表示輝度が徐々に変化するので、そのような表示装置を備えた空気調整装置１を室内に置いて駆動すれば、視覚的なインテリア効果を得ることもでき、より快適な室内環境を創出することもできる。
【０１６４】
また、本実施形態では、機器の運転モードが除菌モードとリラックスモードとで交互に切り替わるインターバルモードにおいて、制御部６２は、一方の表示素子（例えばＬＥＤ３３Ｂ）に対応する制御信号と、他方の表示素子（例えばＬＥＤ３３Ｇ）に対応する制御信号とで、上記デューティ比が上記所定時間ごとに互いに逆順で変化し、かつ、上記所定時間内におけるＯＮ時間が同一の時間差（上記の例では０．４８ｍｓｅｃ）で変化するように、各表示素子に対応する制御信号を生成（選択）し、生成（選択）した各制御信号に基づいて各出力ポートのＯＮ／ＯＦＦを制御している。これにより、駆動素子３４が上記各出力ポートのＯＮ／ＯＦＦ状態に基づいてＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇを駆動したときには、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇの表示輝度の和が常に一定となる。
【０１６５】
つまり、本実施形態では、制御部６２の上記制御により、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂの表示輝度は、所定時間ごとに０、１、２、・・・２０と連続的に変化する一方、ＬＥＤ３３Ｇの表示輝度は、所定時間ごとに２０、１９、１８、・・・０と変化するので、どの所定時間においても、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇの表示輝度の和は、この例では２０と一定である。これにより、全体的な表示輝度を一定に保ったまま、ＬＥＤ３３ＢおよびＬＥＤ３３Ｇの各々の表示輝度を連続的に変化させながら、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇをバランスよく交互に点滅させることができる。言い換えれば、ＬＥＤ３３ＢとＬＥＤ３３Ｇとの間で、各表示を重複させつつ、滑らかな表示の移り変わりを実現することができる。
【０１６６】
このことから、制御部６２は、機器の運転モードが除菌モードとリラックスモードとで交互に切り替わる運転状態において、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇの表示輝度の和が一定となるように、各ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇに対応する制御信号をそれぞれ生成（選択）していると言える。
【０１６７】
ところで、機器の運転モードが除菌モードとリラックスモードとで交互に切り替わる運転状態においては、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇの表示輝度の和がゼロよりも大きければ、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇの表示輝度の和は一定でなくても構わない。つまり、図１９（ａ）では、時間経過に伴うＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇの表示輝度の変化を示す実線Ｂ１、破線Ｇ１の曲線の波形が、互いに半周期だけずれた状態となっているが、例えば１／２周期や１／４周期など、所定周期だけずれるように、制御部６２が各ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇに対応する制御信号をそれぞれ生成（選択）する構成であっても構わない。この場合であっても、ＬＥＤ３３ＢおよびＬＥＤ３３Ｇの各々の表示輝度を連続的に変化させながら、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇを交互に点滅させることができ、ＬＥＤ３３ＢとＬＥＤ３３Ｇとの間で、表示を重複させながら滑らかな表示の移り変わりを実現できることに変わりはない。
【０１６８】
以上のことから、本発明の表示装置は、表示素子が機器の運転モードに対応して複数設けられており、制御部６２は、上記運転モードが交互に切り替わる運転状態において、各表示素子における表示輝度の和がゼロよりも大きくなるように（各表示素子における表示が重複するように）、各表示素子に対応する制御信号を生成する構成であるとも言える。
【０１６９】
ところで、本発明の表示装置においては、図１９（ｂ）に示すように、制御部６２は、機器の運転モードが交互に切り替わる運転状態において、各表示素子（ＬＥＤ３３ＢおよびＬＥＤ３３Ｇ）における表示輝度の和がゼロとなる時点が存在するように、各表示素子に対応する制御信号を生成する構成であってもよい。言い換えれば、制御部６２は、機器の運転モードが交互に切り替わる運転状態において、一方の表示素子における表示が終了した後に、他方の表示素子における表示が開始されるように、各表示素子に対応する制御信号を生成する構成であってもよい。これらの場合、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・ＬＥＤ３３Ｇにおける時間経過に伴う輝度変化は、例えば図１９（ｂ）の実線Ｂ２、破線Ｇ２のようにそれぞれ示される。
【０１７０】
このような構成であっても、各表示素子の表示輝度を連続的に変化させながら、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇをバランスよく交互に点滅させることができることに変わりはない。
【０１７１】
また、本発明の表示装置においては、機器の運転開始からの時間を計時する計時手段（例えば制御部６２）をさらに備え、制御手段としての制御部６２は、上記計時手段での計時に基づいて運転開始から一定時間を経過したと判断した場合には、少なくとも１個の表示素子を同一の最大輝度と同一の最小輝度との繰り返しで点滅表示させる制御信号を生成し、生成した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御する構成であってもよい。この場合、駆動素子３４の駆動により、運転開始から一定時間経過後は、上記表示素子における同一の最大輝度と同一の最小輝度との繰り返しによる点滅表示が行われる。したがって、本発明の表示装置はタイマー機能も有することになり、上記点滅表示によって、運転開始から所定時間経過したことを使用者に警告することができる。
【０１７２】
また、上記構成に加えて、制御手段としての制御部６２は、機器の運転モードが交互に切り替わる運転状態で運転開始から一定時間を経過したと判断した場合には、２個の表示素子を同一の最大輝度と同一の最小輝度との繰り返しで交互に点滅させる制御信号を生成し、生成した制御信号に基づいて駆動素子３４を制御する構成であってもよい。これにより、運転開始から所定時間経過後は、２個の表示素子が同一の最大輝度と同一の最小輝度との繰り返しで交互に点滅するので、運転開始から所定時間経過したことを、より確実に使用者に警告することができる。
【０１７３】
なお、本実施形態では、インターバルモードにおいてのみ、ＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇの表示輝度を徐々に変化させる構成としたが、除菌モード単独の場合やリラックスモード単独の場合でも、ＬＥＤ３３ＢまたはＬＥＤ３３Ｇの表示輝度を徐々に変化させる構成としても構わない。
【０１７４】
なお、本実施形態では、本発明の表示装置を、イオン発生素子４１を搭載した空気調整装置に適用した例について説明したが、これに限定されるわけではない。本表示装置は、機器の運転モードに応じた表示を必要とする機器であれば、どのような機器にも適用することができる。例えば、本発明の表示装置を空気調和器（エアーコンディショナー）に適用すれば、本体の冷房表示（例えば赤色表示）の表示輝度を、時間経過とともに連続的に変化させることができる。また、冷房と除湿とを交互に運転する場合においては、冷房表示と除湿表示（例えば緑色）とを、各表示輝度を連続的に変化させながら、交互に表示させることができる。
【０１７５】
なお、本実施形態では、表示素子として、ＬＥＤを用いているが、その他、ＬＤ（レーザダイオード）、ＥＬ（エレクトロルミネッセンス）などの自発光型の素子などを用いることもできる。
【０１７６】
なお、本実施形態では、表示素子として、２個のＬＥＤ３３Ｂ・３３Ｇを用いているが、機器の運転モードに応じた表示を行うことができればよく、１個であっても、３個以上であっても構わない。
【０１７７】
また、本実施形態では、表示基板３１を２系統の回路ブロックで構成しているが、機器の運転モードに応じた表示を行うことができればよく、１系統の回路ブロックであっても、あるいは３系統以上の回路ブロックで構成しても構わない。
【０１７８】
なお、本実施形態では、装置の運転モードとして、インターバルモード、除菌モード、リラックスモード、停止モードを挙げたが、例えば、除菌モードと停止モードとを交互に行う除菌間欠モードや、リラックスモードと停止モードとを交互に行うリラックス間欠モードを加えるようにしてもよい。
【０１７９】
【発明の効果】
本発明の表示装置によれば、制御手段は、表示素子のＯＮ時間が所定時間ごとに徐々に長くなったり、所定時間ごとに徐々に短くなったりするような制御信号を上記所定時間ごとに繰り返して生成し、上記制御信号に基づいて駆動手段を制御する。これにより、駆動手段は、表示輝度が時間経過とともに徐々に明るくなったり、徐々に暗くなったりするように表示素子を駆動する。そして、表示素子においては、このような表示輝度の変化が繰り返し連続して行われる。よって、そのような表示素子を見る人間に、気分を和らげる快いリラクゼーション効果を与えることができるという効果を奏する。
【０１８１】
また、本発明の表示装置と、運転モードを指示するための入力部とで空気調整装置を構成すれば、そのような空気調整装置の運転モードごとに、表示輝度が時間経過とともに徐々に変化するような表示を実現することができる。その結果、空気調整による効果（例えば負イオン放出によるリラクゼーション効果）に加えて、視覚によるリラクゼーション効果を得ることもでき、装置全体としてリラクゼーション効果を高めることができるという効果を奏する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明の表示装置の概略の構成を示す説明図である。
【図２】 （ａ）は、上記表示装置を備えた卓上型の上記空気調整装置の前方側から見たときの外観を示す斜視図であり、（ｂ）は、上記空気調整装置の正面図である。
【図３】 （ａ）は、上記空気調整装置の右側面側から見たときの外観を示す斜視図であり、（ｂ）は、上記空気調整装置の後方側から見たときの外観を示す斜視図である。
【図４】 上記空気調整装置の本体の外観を示す斜視図である。
【図５】 上記空気調整装置の概略の構成を示す分解斜視図である。
【図６】 （ａ）は、上記本体を構成する筐体前部の概略の構成を示す平面図であり、（ｂ）は、同図（ａ）の筐体前部におけるＡ−Ａ´線矢視断面図である。
【図７】 （ａ）は、上記本体を構成する同図（ｂ）の筐体後部におけるＢ−Ｂ´線矢視断面図であり、（ｂ）は、上記筐体後部の概略の構成を示す平面図である。
【図８】 上記本体の内部の詳細な構成を示す斜視図である。
【図９】 上記本体内部に収容されるイオン発生素子の概略の構成を示す斜視図である。
【図１０】 （ａ）は、装置が除菌モードで駆動される場合の、上記イオン発生素子の高圧パルス駆動回路が出力する高圧パルスの一例を示す波形図であり、（ｂ）は、装置がリラックスモードで駆動される場合の上記高圧パルス駆動回路が出力する高圧パルスの一例を示す波形図である。
【図１１】 上記本体の上面（または下面）に水平な面で上記空気調整装置を切ったときの、当該空気調整装置の断面図である。
【図１２】 卓上型の上記空気調整装置の他の構成例を示す説明図である。
【図１３】 本発明の空気調整装置を壁掛け型で構成した場合の構成例を示す説明図である。
【図１４】 本発明の空気調整装置を吊り下げ型で構成した場合の構成例を示す説明図である。
【図１５】 卓上型の上記空気調整装置のフロントパネルを鏡面で構成した場合の当該空気調整装置の外観を示す斜視図である。
【図１６】 卓上型の上記空気調整装置のフロントパネルをソーラーパネルで構成した場合の当該空気調整装置の使用状態の一例を示す説明図である。
【図１７】 上記表示装置の制御部が生成する複数の制御信号の波形を示す波形図である。
【図１８】 上記表示装置における動作の流れを示すフローチャートである。
【図１９】 （ａ）は、上記表示装置が備える２個の表示素子の時間経過に伴う表示輝度の変化をそれぞれ示すグラフであり、各表示素子に対応する制御信号間で、デューティ比が互いに逆順で変化し、かつ、ＯＮ時間が同一の時間差で変化する場合のグラフである。（ｂ）は、上記表示装置が備える２個の表示素子の時間経過に伴う表示輝度の変化をそれぞれ示すグラフであり、各表示素子の表示輝度の和がゼロとなる時点が存在する場合のグラフである。
【図２０】 従来における、表示装置を有する空気調和器の制御装置の概略の構成を示す説明図である。
【図２１】 従来の表示制御回路の概略の構成を示すブロック図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 空気調整装置
１５ 操作ボタン（入力部）
３１ 表示基板（表示装置）
３３ 発光ダイオード（表示素子）
３３Ｂ 青色発光ダイオード（表示素子）
３３Ｇ 緑色発光ダイオード（表示素子）
３４ 駆動素子（駆動手段）
６１ 制御基板（表示装置）
６２ 制御部（制御手段）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to, for example, a display device that is used in an electric device such as an air conditioning device including an ion generating element and performs display according to an operation mode of the device, and an air conditioning device including the display device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, a display device provided with an LED or the like is incorporated in an electric device as a device that displays an operation state (for example, ON / OFF). Conventionally, a method of switching the luminance in such a display device according to the purpose has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0003]
Here, FIG. 20 shows a schematic configuration of the control device 101 of the air conditioner having the display device described in Patent Document 1. In this configuration, when the LED 102 as the display device is turned on, a high-level DC voltage is output from the microcomputer 103, and the transistor 104 is turned on. As a result, the current limited by the resistor 105 flows through the LED 102, and the LED 102 is turned on. Note that the luminance at this time is a certain value determined by the current flowing through the LED 102.
[0004]
On the other hand, when the user switches the luminance, the luminance switching switch 106 is operated. Then, by this operation, the voltage value applied to the microcomputer 103 becomes zero, and the microcomputer 103 outputs a pulse waveform in which ON and OFF are repeated at a constant cycle so that the luminance corresponds to the input voltage. . The transistor 104 receives this output waveform and turns it on / off, whereby a pulse current flows through the LED 102 and the LED 102 blinks.
[0005]
At this time, if the pulse current is switched ON / OFF at a certain speed or more, the human eye cannot follow the blinking of the LED 102 and the LED 102 appears to be lit. The ON / OFF ratio at this time is referred to as a duty ratio. By changing the duty ratio in this way, the display device can be adjusted to a luminance according to the user's preference.
[0006]
FIG. 21 shows a schematic configuration of the display control circuit 201 described in Patent Document 2. In this configuration, the main control unit 202 of the display control circuit 201 calculates the number of lighting dots of the display image data in the dot matrix format generated from the display data input from the outside, and sends it to the duty control unit 203.
[0007]
The duty control unit 203 generates a display duty ratio corresponding to the number of lighting dots from the main control unit 202 and sends it to the driver unit 204. The driver unit 204 outputs the display image data generated by the main control unit 202 to the display element unit 205 as a display signal according to the display duty ratio from the duty control unit 203. The display element unit 205 displays an image according to the display signal sent from the driver unit 204.
[0008]
Usually, when the display duty ratio is reduced, the visibility of the display element unit 205 is lowered. However, in the above configuration, when the number of lighting dots of the display image data is increased, the display duty ratio is controlled to be reduced. Therefore, an increase in the total current consumption of the display device is suppressed to reduce the device price and the size of the device.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-288465 (paragraphs [0013] to [0016], FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-5-66731 (paragraphs [0010] to [0011], [0016] to [0017], FIG. 1)
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the LED 102 is blinking at high speed, it appears to the human eye as if it is lit at a constant luminance. Therefore, the LED 102 is turned on (fast blinking) when the air conditioner is turned on and off. OFF can be said to instantaneously switch the luminance from a constant value to zero. In the technique described in Patent Document 2, the brightness of each dot is determined according to the number of lighting dots of the display image data and changes for each display image data. There is no change to what instantly switches the brightness from a constant value to zero.
[0011]
As described above, when the display brightness of the display element such as the LED 102 is instantaneously switched, it may be annoying to humans. For example, even in an air conditioner that releases negative ions generated by an ion generating element into the air to give a relaxation effect to humans, a display element that performs display according to the operation mode of the device is incorporated. In such an air conditioning device, it is possible to obtain a visual relaxation effect in addition to the relaxation effect associated with the release of negative ions by gradually changing the display brightness rather than instantaneously changing the display brightness of the display element. It is expected that. However, since any of the above-described conventional techniques changes the display brightness instantaneously, there is a problem that a visual relaxation effect cannot be obtained even if these techniques are applied to an air conditioning apparatus.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of obtaining a visual relaxation effect by gradually changing the display luminance in the display element, and an air equipped with the display device. And providing an adjusting device.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention includes two display elements that perform display corresponding to the operation mode of the device,
Driving means for driving the display element;
Control means for generating a control signal for turning ON / OFF the display of the display element and controlling the driving means based on the generated control signal;
The control means generates and generates a control signal such that a duty ratio indicating a ratio between the ON time and the OFF time of the display element within a predetermined time is repeatedly changed in ascending order and descending order for each predetermined time. While controlling the drive means based on the control signal,
  In the operation state in which the operation modes are alternately switched, the control means includes a control signal corresponding to one display element and a control signal corresponding to the other display element in which the duty ratios are reverse to each other every predetermined time. And a control signal corresponding to each display element is generated so that the sum of display luminances of each display element is constant at any given time.
[0015]
  SystemThe control means repeatedly generates a control signal such that the ON time of the display element gradually increases every predetermined time or gradually decreases every predetermined time, based on the control signal. To control the driving means. As a result, the driving means drives the display element so that the display luminance gradually increases or decreases with time. In the display element, such a change in display luminance is repeatedly and continuously performed.
[0016]
  That is, in a display element that performs display in accordance with the operation mode of a device (for example, an air conditioner), the luminance change from light to dark and from dark to light is gradually performed over time, and from light to dark and dark. The brightness changes from light to light, light to dark ...The
[0017]
  in this way,2Since the display brightness of the individual display elements gradually changes with time, it is possible to give a pleasant relaxation effect to the person who sees such display elements.
[0020]
  AlsoWhen the display brightness of one display element is maximum, the display brightness of the other display element is minimum, and the maximum and minimum display brightness are alternately switched over time between the two display elements. Therefore, the two display elements can be alternately blinked while continuously changing the display brightness of the two display elements over time, and the relaxation effect can be further enhanced.
[0021]
Moreover, if an air conditioner is comprised by the display apparatus of this invention and the input part for instruct | indicating an operation mode, a display apparatus will display according to the operation mode instruct | indicated by the input part. This makes it possible to realize a display in which the display brightness gradually changes over time for each operation mode of the air conditioner. In such an air conditioner, the effect of air adjustment (for example, negative ion emission) In addition to the relaxation effect due to (1), a visual relaxation effect can also be obtained, and the relaxation effect as a whole device can be enhanced.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an appearance when viewed from the front side of the air conditioner 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the air conditioner 1. FIG. 3A is a perspective view when viewed from the right side surface of the air conditioner 1, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view when viewed from the rear side of the air conditioner 1. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the air conditioning apparatus 1.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIGS. 3A and 3B, the air conditioner 1 of the present invention has a main body 2 and a front panel 3 provided on the front surface of the main body 2. It is configured.
[0024]
The main body 2 has an ion generating element 41 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, and adjusts the air by discharging both positive and negative ions generated by the ion generating element 41 to the outside of the apparatus, that is, in the air around the apparatus. Inactivate floating bacteria and / or decompose and remove harmful substances. The main body 2 is supported on a table by a metal stand 4 (mounting means) with the front panel 3 attached or with the front panel 3 removed.
[0025]
In the present embodiment, the front panel 3 is composed of a photo frame that can display a photograph. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the front panel 3 includes two transparent glass plates 3a and 3b that can sandwich a photograph. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 also serves as a photo stand in addition to the role of air adjustment. Moreover, since the front panel 3 also serves as a decoration function of the apparatus, there is an advantage that the interior effect of the room can be enhanced.
[0026]
The front panel 3 is detachable with respect to the main body 2 and is fixed to the main body 2 at two upper and lower positions with special screws 5 that can be loosened and tightened without using a tool. In addition, the fixing position and fixing method with respect to the main body 2 of the front panel 3 are not necessarily limited to this.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the front panel 3 is formed in a shape having a panel area larger than the contact surface in the main body 2. Thereby, when the air conditioning apparatus 1 is viewed from the front, the main body 2 is hidden by the front panel 3, so that the air around the apparatus can be adjusted by the main body 2 without realizing that the main body 2 exists. . The size of the front panel 3 is not limited to this, and may be a size that is the same as or smaller than the contact surface with the main body 2.
[0028]
Next, the above-described main body 2 will be described in more detail mainly based on FIG. 4 and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the main body 2 with the front panel 3 removed.
[0029]
The main body 2 is configured by adhering a housing front portion 2a and a housing rear portion 2b that divide the main body 2 into two in the front and rear directions. The housing front part 2a and the housing rear part 2b are formed of a resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer). The housing rear portion 2b is deeper than the housing front portion 2a.
[0030]
Here, FIG. 6A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the housing front portion 2a, and FIG. 6B is a line AA ′ in the housing front portion 2a of FIG. 6A. It is arrow sectional drawing. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB ′ of the housing rear portion 2b of FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7B is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the housing rear portion 2b. FIG.
[0031]
As shown in these figures, convex positioning fixing portions 6 and 7 having concave portions or convex portions formed at the respective tips are formed at the four corners inside the housing front portion 2a and the housing rear portion 2b. At the time of bonding, the front end portions 2a and the rear portion 2b of the casing are bonded together without being displaced because the ends of the positioning fixing portions 6 and 7 are fitted to each other. Therefore, the housing front portion 2a and the housing rear portion 2b can be easily bonded to each other without using a fixing metal fitting (for example, a screw), and can be easily separated.
[0032]
Further, the edges of the case front part 2a and the case rear part 2b, that is, the bonding surfaces are formed in a shape that fits in an uneven state, and the case front part 2a and the case rear part 2b. Fixing by sticking together is made more reliable. Needless to say, the housing front portion 2a and the housing rear portion 2b may be secured with screws or the like.
[0033]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, locking portions 8 are provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the housing front portion 2 a so as to protrude from the upper surface and the lower surface toward the outside of the main body. The locking portion 8 has a through hole 8 a for locking the front panel 3. The above-described special screw 5 is inserted into the through-holes 3c and 3d provided in the front panel 3 and the through-hole 8a of the locking portion 8 of the housing front portion 2a, and is fixed with the nut 9, whereby the front panel 3 Can be attached to the main body 2.
[0034]
On each of the left and right side surfaces of the housing rear portion 2b, that is, one opposing surface of the main body 2, there are provided outlets 10 for sending ions generated in the main body 2 to the outside of the apparatus. Each delivery port 10 is formed in a slit shape in the vertical direction (direction perpendicular to the upper surface and the lower surface of the housing rear portion 2b). The position of the delivery port 10 is not limited to each side surface of the housing rear portion 2b, and may be the upper surface of the housing rear portion 2b, for example. Further, each delivery port 10 may have a slit shape in the horizontal direction.
[0035]
Thus, by providing each delivery port 10 on one opposing surface, when positive and negative ions are released to the outside of the device through each delivery port 10, the air around the device can be adjusted efficiently.
[0036]
Further, by forming each delivery port 10 on a surface different from the mounting surface of the front panel 3 in the main body 2 (housing rear portion 2b), the front of the apparatus (on the opposite side of the main panel 2 from the front panel 3). The air around the device can be adjusted without the air containing ions directly hitting the user in the direction.
[0037]
From this, it can be said that the air conditioning apparatus 1 of the present invention has a configuration in which air containing both positive and negative ions is blown out to the front of the apparatus through the outside of the front panel 3 provided on the front side of the apparatus.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 5, a suction port 11 for sucking air into the apparatus is provided at a position below the back surface of the housing rear portion 2. That is, in this embodiment, each delivery port 10 and the suction port 11 are provided on different surfaces of the main body 2. As a result, the ions delivered from each delivery port 10 are not directly attracted to the suction port 11, and the ions delivered from the main body 2 can be reliably diffused around the apparatus.
[0039]
A removable filter 12 is attached to the back surface of the housing rear portion 2b so as to cover the suction port 11 from the outside of the apparatus. Thereby, when air is sucked from the outside of the apparatus, dust and dust in the air are removed by the filter 12. The filter 12 is fitted in a recess 13 formed in the housing rear portion 2b that is slightly larger than the suction port 11. Of course, this filter 12 may have a deodorizing action.
[0040]
Further, a stand attachment hole (not shown) for attaching the stand 4 is provided at a position below the suction port 11 on the back surface of the rear case 2b.
[0041]
On the other hand, an operation unit 14 for operating the apparatus is provided on the upper surface of the housing rear part 2b. The operation unit 14 turns on / off the driving of the device, and also operates an operation button 15 (input unit) for instructing an operation mode to be described later of the ion generating element 41 and an operation mode of the air preparation device 1 as an electric device. And a display unit 16 for performing display according to the above. In the present embodiment, the expression “apparatus operation mode” includes both “operation mode of the air conditioning device 1” and “operation mode of the ion generating element 41”.
[0042]
Note that the present invention is characterized in the manner of display on the display unit 16, which will be described later.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the operation button 15 and the display unit 16 have the same cross-sectional shape (for example, the cross-section is an inverted home base type) and are continuously connected with emphasis on the design of the operation unit 14. It is formed in such a shape. Thereby, the visibility of the operation unit 14 is improved, the completeness of the entire operation unit 14 can be improved, and the operation is facilitated. The operation buttons 15 and the display unit 16 are provided such that their tips protrude from an opening 17 provided on the upper surface of the housing rear portion 2b.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, the display unit 16 is formed such that its length in the longitudinal direction is longer than that of the operation button 15, but the present invention is not limited to this. The operation button 15 may be a soft touch type button.
[0045]
In FIG. 5, the housing rear part 2 b is illustrated with its upper surface removed, but this is merely for convenience of explanation of the operation unit 14. In this embodiment, the housing rear part 2 b The upper surface is integrated with the side surface and the back surface of the housing rear portion 2b. However, as a matter of course, the housing rear portion 2b may be configured such that its upper surface can be removed.
[0046]
Next, details of the internal configuration of the main body 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 </ b> A, 6 </ b> B, 7 </ b> A, 7 </ b> B, and 8. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration inside the main body 2, and shows a state where the housing front part 2 a is removed from the main body 2.
[0047]
Inside the main body 2, a display substrate 31, an ion generating element 41, a blower (suction means) 51, a control substrate 61, and a power supply circuit 81 (see FIG. 1) are provided. The power supply circuit 81 supplies DC power to each part in order to drive each part of the main body 2, and is connected to an AC outlet in the room via a DC adapter 82.
[0048]
Needless to say, the power supply circuit 81 may be formed of a battery, a rechargeable battery, a solar battery, or the like. In this case, the apparatus can be carried freely, and there is no restriction on the installation position due to the length of the cord.
[0049]
The display substrate 31 is provided on the upper surface side inside the main body 2, and the control substrate 61 is provided on the lower surface side inside the main body 2. The ion generating element 41 is provided between the display substrate 31 and the control substrate 61 and in the vicinity of the display substrate 31, and the blower 51 is located at a substantially intermediate position between the ion generating element 41 and the control substrate 61. Is provided.
[0050]
The display substrate 31 and the control substrate 61 are electrically connected via a flat flat cable 71 (see FIG. 8). Since the flat cable 71 also serves to mechanically and linearly connect the display board 31 and the control board 61 so as to avoid the blower 51, the vertical direction of the display board 31 and the control board 61 (the board) The movement in the direction perpendicular to the surface can be further suppressed. Instead of the flat cable 71, a flexible printed board that simply electrically connects the display board 31 and the control board 61 may be used.
[0051]
Next, details of the display substrate 31, the ion generating element 41, the blower 51, and the control substrate 61 will be described in order below.
[0052]
First, details of the display substrate 31 will be described.
The display board 31 is a circuit board for realizing display according to the operation mode of the device. On the display substrate 31, as shown in FIG. 5, an operation switch 32, a light emitting diode 33, and a plurality of connection terminals are formed.
[0053]
The display substrate 31, the control substrate 61, and the power supply circuit 81 constitute a display device of the present invention, and details of this display device will be described later.
[0054]
The operation switch 32 switches ON / OFF of the operation of the apparatus, and the switching is performed by pressing the operation button 15 of the operation unit 14. A switching signal of the operation switch 32 is sent to the control board 61 via the flat cable 71.
[0055]
The light emitting diode 33 emits light corresponding to the operation mode of the device, and in the present embodiment, it is composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes that emit blue and green light. Note that the emission color is not limited to these colors. The display unit 16 of the operation unit 14 serves as a cover that covers the surface of the light emitting diode 33. Therefore, by recognizing the emission color of the light emitting diode 33 via the display unit 16, the user can recognize the device ( It is possible to easily grasp the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 or the ion generating element 41).
[0056]
For example, the display substrate 31 is configured such that the blue light-emitting diode 33 is lit when the device is operated in the sterilization mode, and the green light-emitting diode 33 is lit when the device is operated in the relax mode. Thereby, the user can recognize easily the display color of the display unit 16 by recognizing whether the operation state (drive state) of the apparatus is the sterilization mode or the relaxation mode.
[0057]
The above-mentioned sterilization mode is an operation mode in which approximately the same amount of positive and negative ions are generated from the ion generating element 41 and released to the outside of the apparatus in order to inactivate airborne bacteria in the air or remove harmful substances. In the relax mode described above, negative ions (or only negative ions) are mainly generated from the ion generating element 41 and released to the outside of the device in order to relax the user of the device and the people around the device. Refers to the operation mode.
[0058]
In the main body 2, the display substrate 31 configured as described above is provided at the display substrate support portions 18 and 19 (see FIG. 6A and FIG. 7B) provided in the housing front portion 2a and the housing rear portion 2b. It is supported. The display substrate support portions 18 and 19 are U-shaped standing walls that protrude from the inner surfaces of the housing front portion 2a and the housing rear portion 2b, respectively, and the display substrate 31 is inserted into the recesses to thereby display the display substrate 31. Is supported and fixed. Note that a configuration may be employed in which a locking piece and a screw hole are provided in the housing rear portion 2b, and the display substrate 31 is screwed thereto.
[0059]
Next, the ion generating element 41 will be described.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration when viewed from the discharge surface side of the ion generating element 41. The ion generating element 41 emits both positive and negative ions by discharge on the discharge surface, and includes a box-shaped main body 42, a dielectric 43, an internal electrode 44, an external electrode 45, a high-voltage pulse drive circuit 46, and the like. And a lead wire 47.
[0060]
A rectangular opening 42a is formed on one surface of the main body 42, and the dielectric 43 is provided so as to be flush with the surface of the main body 42 provided with the opening 42a. In addition, a plate-like internal electrode 44 and a net-like external electrode 45 are formed on one opposing surface of the dielectric 43, and the dielectric 43 is the main body so that the external electrode 45 is exposed from the opening 42a. 42 is provided. The high-voltage pulse drive circuit 46 is connected to the internal electrode 44 and the external electrode 45 through a lead wire 47. Further, the high voltage pulse drive circuit 46 is connected to the power supply circuit 81 via a connection terminal formed outside the main body 42.
[0061]
With this configuration, when the high voltage pulse drive circuit 46 is driven, a high voltage pulse voltage consisting of a positive voltage and a negative voltage is applied between the internal electrode 44 and the external electrode 45, and plasma discharge occurs. As a result, the air around the external electrode 45 is ionized, for example, H⁺(H₂O)_mA positive ion composed of (m is an arbitrary natural number) and, for example, O₂ ^-(H₂O)_nAlmost the same number of negative ions (where n is an arbitrary natural number) is generated. Therefore, the above discharge surface refers to the surface of the main body 42 on the external electrode 45 side.
[0062]
The internal electrode 44 may be grounded, and the high voltage pulse drive circuit 46 may apply a high voltage pulse voltage only to the external electrode 45.
[0063]
Here, the operation of the ion generating element 41 is different between the sterilization mode and the relaxation mode of the apparatus. More specifically, the ion generating element 41 adjusts the generation amount of positive ions and negative ions according to the operation mode of the apparatus. This will be described as follows. Here, in order to facilitate understanding of the description, a case in which the internal electrode 44 is grounded and a high voltage pulse voltage is applied to the external electrode 45 will be described.
[0064]
10A and 10B show the waveform of the high voltage pulse output from the high voltage pulse drive circuit 46. FIG. In the sterilization mode, the high voltage pulse drive circuit 46 of the ion generating element 41 generates a high voltage pulse in which a positive voltage and a negative voltage are alternately repeated in the same application period as shown in FIG. 45 is applied. As a result, corona discharge occurs in the vicinity of the external electrode 45 based on the potential difference between the internal electrode 44 and the external electrode 45, and approximately the same amount of positive and negative ions are released from the ion generating element 41.
[0065]
On the other hand, in the relax mode, as shown in FIG. 10B, the high voltage pulse drive circuit 46 externally outputs a high voltage pulse in which the positive and negative voltages are alternately repeated in the application period in which the negative voltage is longer than the positive voltage. Applied to the electrode 45. Thus, corona discharge occurs in the vicinity of the external electrode 45 based on the potential difference between the internal electrode 44 and the external electrode 45, and negative ions having a larger amount than positive ions are released from the ion generating element 41.
[0066]
Here, the high-voltage pulse drive circuit 46 may be a circuit that generates only negative ions from the ion generating element 41 by applying only a negative DC high voltage to the external electrode 45 in the relax mode. . In this case, the relaxation effect due to the release of negative ions can be further enhanced.
[0067]
The ion generating element 41 having the above configuration is accommodated in the main body 2 such that the discharge surface faces the blower 51. In the main body 2, the side surface in the short direction of the ion generating element 41 is supported by the rib 20 (see FIG. 8) provided on the inner side surface of the housing rear portion 2 b, and the inner rear surface of the housing rear portion 2 b. The side surface in the longitudinal direction of the ion generating element 41 is supported by the rib 21 (see FIG. 7B) provided on the side. The rib 21 is formed in a substantially U shape when viewed from the vertical direction with respect to the back surface of the housing rear portion 2b.
[0068]
Next, the blower 51 will be described.
The blower 51 sucks air from the outside of the apparatus and supplies the sucked air to the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41. As shown in FIG. 8, a casing 52, a DC motor and a turbo fan (not shown) It is comprised.
[0069]
The casing 52 has a delivery port 53 that is open on one side, and a suction port (not shown) for sucking air from outside the apparatus through the suction port 11 of the main body 2. It has a shape like an involute curve. The outlet 53 is formed in the casing 52 so as to be positioned substantially opposite to the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41 when the ion generating element 41 and the blower 51 are accommodated in the main body 2. As a result, the air sucked from the outside of the apparatus by the blower 51 hits the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41 through the outlet 53 substantially perpendicularly.
[0070]
Since the casing 52 is shaped like an involute curve in plan view as described above, when the blower 51 is accommodated in the housing rear portion 2b, the outlet 53 is opposite to the housing rear portion 2b. It becomes the position which approaches either one of the delivery ports 10 provided on the surface.
[0071]
The DC motor is driven by the power supply circuit 81 and is embedded in the center of the casing 52. Thereby, air blower 51 itself can be comprised thinly. The turbo fan is rotated at a high speed by a DC motor, thereby sucking air outside the apparatus through the suction port 11 of the main body 2 and the suction port of the casing 52, and the sucked air through the outlet 53. It plays the role of supplying to 41.
[0072]
The blower 51 having the above-described configuration is accommodated in the main body 2 by being fitted into a standing wall 22 (see FIG. 7B) that is substantially the same shape as the blower 51 and formed in the housing rear portion 2 b. At this time, the blower 51 is accommodated in the main body 2 so that the delivery port 53 faces the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41 and the suction port of the casing 52 faces the suction port 11 of the housing rear portion 2b. . Further, in the main body 2, the DC motor is pressed in the direction of the housing rear portion 2 b by a plurality of motor pressing portions 23 (see FIG. 6A) provided in the housing front portion 2 a. Stable placement.
[0073]
Further, when the ion generating element 41 and the blower 51 are housed in the main body 2, a predetermined space is formed between the ion generating element 41 and the blower 51. As a result, when air is supplied from the blower 51 to the ion generating element 41, ions generated in the ion generating element 41 flow in a substantially horizontal direction along the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41, and each feed of the body 2 It is discharged from the outlet 10 to the outside of the apparatus. This reduces the discharge noise.
[0074]
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the flow of the ions is restricted to the rear part 2 b of the casing so that ions generated on the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41 are sent out from each outlet 10 in substantially the same amount. A regulating part (regulating means) 26 is provided. The reason is as follows.
[0075]
As described above, when the blower 51 is accommodated in the housing rear portion 2b, the delivery port 53 of the blower 51 is formed by the shape of the casing 52, so that each of the delivery ports 10 provided on one facing surface of the housing rear portion 2b. Since the position is closer to either one, when air is blown from the outlet 53 of the blower 51 to the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41, the ions generated on the discharge surface approach the outlet 53 of the blower 51. The larger number is sent from the outlet 10 on the side surface of the rear portion 2b of the housing.
[0076]
Therefore, in the housing rear portion 2b, the restricting portion 26 is formed near the outlet 10 from which more ions are released, and the amount of ions flowing to one of the outlets 10 is restricted, whereby the ion generating element 41. Can be emitted from both outlets 10 in substantially the same amount. Thereby, since ions are discharged from each delivery port 10 to the outside of the apparatus in a balanced manner, the surroundings of the apparatus can be efficiently made comfortable, and the comfort level around the apparatus can be improved.
[0077]
The shape, size, and arrangement position of the restricting portion 26 are the amount of air (air volume) and the wind speed that the blower 51 supplies to the ion generating element 41, the size and forming position of the outlet 53, and the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41. However, depending on the size and the formation position of the ion generating element 41, the restricting portion 26 is configured so that the ions generated on the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41 are sent out from the respective outlets 10 in substantially the same amount with sufficient consideration. What is necessary is just to set suitably the shape, magnitude | size, and arrangement position of this.
[0078]
Next, the control board 61 will be described.
The control board 61 controls the operation of each part in the main body 2, and includes a control part 62 (see FIG. 1) of the display board 31, an operation mode switching circuit, a control circuit for the ion generating element 41, and a DC motor for the blower 51. Control circuit.
[0079]
The control unit 62 of the display substrate 31 is a circuit that controls lighting (ON) and extinguishing (OFF) of the light emitting diodes 33 on the display substrate 31, details of which will be described later.
[0080]
The operation mode switching circuit is a circuit that switches the operation mode of the apparatus when the operation button 15 is pressed. For example, every time the operation button 15 is pressed, the operation mode switching circuit switches the operation mode of the apparatus in the order of the interval mode, the sterilization mode, the relaxation mode, and the stop mode. In addition, said interval mode is a mode which performs said disinfection mode and said relaxation mode alternately.
[0081]
The control circuit of the ion generating element 41 is a circuit that controls the driving of the ion generating element 41 in accordance with the operation mode of the device ascertained by the operation mode switching circuit. More specifically, the control circuit of the ion generating element 41 is such that when the apparatus is in the sterilization mode, both the positive and negative ions are released by the ion generating element 41, and when the apparatus is in the relax mode, the ion generating element 41 The high-voltage pulse drive circuit 46 of the ion generating element 41 is driven so that negative ions are mainly emitted at.
[0082]
Further, the control circuit of the ion generating element 41 is configured so that when the apparatus is in the interval mode, the ion generating element 41 discharges both positive and negative ions and negative ions alternately. The drive circuit 46 is driven. Further, when the apparatus is in the stop mode, the control circuit for the ion generating element 41 stops driving the high-voltage pulse driving circuit 46 and stops the generation of ions from the ion generating element 41.
[0083]
The control circuit for the DC motor of the blower 51 is a circuit that controls the driving of the DC motor of the blower 51 in accordance with the operation mode of the device ascertained by the operation mode switching circuit. More specifically, the DC motor control circuit rotates the DC motor when the apparatus is in the interval mode, the sterilization mode, and the relaxation mode, and stops the DC motor when the apparatus is in the stop mode.
[0084]
In the main body 2, the control board 61 is connected to the control board support portions 24 and 25 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIG. 7B) provided in the housing front portion 2a and the housing rear portion 2b. It is supported. The control board support parts 24 and 25 are U-shaped standing walls protruding from the inner surfaces of the housing front part 2a and the housing rear part 2b, respectively, and the control board 61 is inserted into the recesses to thereby control the control board 61. Is supported and fixed. Note that a configuration may be employed in which a locking piece and a screw hole are provided in the housing rear portion 2b, and the control board 61 is screwed thereto.
[0085]
As described above, on the inner surfaces of the case front part 2a and the case rear part 2b, which are a plurality of separate cases of the main body 2, each component housed in the main body 2, that is, the display substrate 31, the ion generating element 41, the blower 51 and the control board 61 are locked, and a component fixing portion for pressing and fixing each component in the main body 2 is formed by bonding the housing front portion 2a and the housing rear portion 2b. In the example of the present embodiment, the component fixing parts are the display board support parts 18 and 19, the ribs 20 and 21, the standing wall 22, the motor pressing part 23, and the control board support parts 24 and 25. Thereby, when the case front part 2a and the case rear part 2b are bonded together, the above-described components can be stably accommodated in the main body 2. In addition, it is possible to assemble the device by fixing each component in the main body 2 without using a screw, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of component defects when the device is disassembled. Furthermore, maintenance of the apparatus is facilitated.
[0086]
In the main body 2, as shown in FIG. 11, ions are generated by the ion generating element 41 and are delivered from the respective outlets 10 formed on the left and right side surfaces (one opposing surface) of the housing rear portion 2b. There is provided a louver (sending direction adjusting means) 27 for adjusting the sending direction. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner 1 when the air conditioner 1 is cut along a plane that is horizontal to the upper surface (or lower surface) of the main body 2. The louver 27 has a plurality of wings, and is configured such that each wing can be tilted up and down or left and right automatically by the operation of the operation unit 14 or manually.
[0087]
In the main body 2, when the front panel 3 is attached on the front side and the air suction side is on the rear side, in the figure, each wing of the louver 27 can be adjusted only in the front-rear direction. However, actually, in addition to this, it is also possible to adjust in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the discharge surface).
[0088]
In the case of manually tilting each wing, an opening for guiding a communication rod for adjusting the tilt of each wing of the louver 27 to the outside of the apparatus, for example, at an upper or lower position of each delivery port 10 of the main body 2. It is possible to adjust the inclination of each wing vertically and horizontally by operating this connecting rod outside the apparatus.
[0089]
Next, an example of the assembly method of the air conditioner 1 will be described mainly based on FIGS. 5 and 8.
[0090]
First, the ion generating element 41 and the blower 51 are inserted into predetermined positions of the housing rear part 2b. At this time, the ion generating element 41 is supported by the ribs 20 and 21 (see FIG. 7B), and the blower 51 is supported by the standing wall 22 (see FIG. 7B). Then, one end of the stand 4 is inserted into the stand attachment hole on the back surface of the housing rear portion 2b, and is fixed with a nut from the inside of the housing rear portion 2b.
[0091]
Subsequently, the operation button 15 and the display unit 16 are placed on the display substrate 31, and a flat cable 71 is attached to the display substrate 31 and the control substrate 61, and the display substrate 31 and the control substrate 61 are connected to a predetermined part of the housing rear portion 2b. Insert in position. At this time, the display substrate 31 is supported by the display substrate support portions 18 and 19 (see FIGS. 6A and 7B), and the control substrate 61 is controlled by the control substrate support portions 24 and 25 (FIG. 6A). , See FIG. 7B). Further, since the display board 31 and the control board 61 are mechanically connected by the flat cable 71, the vertical positions of the display board 31 and the control board 61 are also fixed.
[0092]
Then, the housing rear part 2b and the housing front part 2a are bonded together to complete the main body 2, and finally the front panel 3 is attached to the main body 2, whereby the air conditioning device 1 is completed.
[0093]
Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 of the present invention will be described.
In the air conditioning apparatus 1, every time the user presses the operation button 15, the operation mode of the apparatus is changed in the order of the interval mode, the sterilization mode, the relaxation mode, and the stop mode.
[0094]
That is, when the user presses the operation button 15 once, a signal is transmitted from the display board 31 to the control board 61 via the flat cable 71. And by the control by the control board 61, the ion generating element 41 and the blower 51 are energized, the ion generating element 41 is driven in the interval mode, and the turbo fan of the blower 51 rotates. Thereby, in the ion generating element 41, for example, H⁺(H₂O)_mA positive ion composed of (m is an arbitrary natural number) and, for example, O₂ ^-(H₂O)_nA sterilization mode in which negative ions composed of (n is an arbitrary natural number) are generated in substantially the same amount and a relaxation mode in which only negative ions are generated are repeated.
[0095]
At this time, the control board 61 transmits a signal to the display board 31 via the flat cable 71, and turns on the blue light emitting diode 33 and the green light emitting diode 33 of the display board 31 alternately as will be described later. The details of this alternate lighting will be described later.
[0096]
On the other hand, the blower 51 sucks air from the outside of the apparatus through the suction port 11 of the main body 2 and the suction port of the blower 51 by the rotation of the turbo fan, and discharges the sucked air from the outlet 53 to the ion generating element 41. Spray onto the surface from a nearly vertical direction. Thus, both positive and negative ions or negative ions generated in the ion generating element 41 are mixed with the air and flow in the direction of the respective outlets 10 of the main body 2 along the discharge surface. The positive and negative ions or negative ions are emitted to the outside of the apparatus at an angle of about 45 degrees in front of the apparatus by the louver 27 provided in the vicinity of each delivery port 10.
[0097]
Subsequently, when the user presses the operation button 15 once again, a signal is transmitted from the display board 31 to the control board 61 via the flat cable 71, and the ion generating element 41 is sterilized by the control of the control board 61. Driven in mode. Thereby, in the ion generating element 41, the above-mentioned positive and negative ions are generated.
[0098]
At this time, the control board 61 transmits a signal to the display board 31 via the flat cable 71 and turns on the blue light emitting diode 33 of the display board 31. Both positive and negative ions generated by the ion generating element 41 are mixed with the air blown by the blower 51, flow along the discharge surface in the direction of the outlet 10 of the main body 2, and are sent in the direction controlled by the louver 27. Released from the outlet 10.
[0099]
Subsequently, when the user presses the operation button 15 once again, a signal is transmitted from the display substrate 31 to the control substrate 61 via the flat cable 71, and the ion generating element 41 is in the relax mode under the control of the control substrate 61. It is driven by. Thereby, in the ion generating element 41, negative ions are mainly generated.
[0100]
At this time, the control board 61 transmits a signal to the display board 31 via the flat cable 71 to turn on the green light emitting diode 33 of the display board 31. Negative ions generated by the ion generating element 41 are mixed with the air blown by the blower 51 and flow along the discharge surface in the direction of each outlet 10 of the main body 2, and each outlet in a direction controlled by the louver 27. 10 is released.
[0101]
Finally, when the user presses the operation button 15 once again, a signal is transmitted from the display board 31 to the control board 61 via the flat cable 71, and the ion generating element 41 and the control board 61 are controlled by the control board 61. The energization to the blower 51 is released, the driving of the ion generating element 41 and the blower 51 is stopped, and the light emitting diode 33 of the display substrate 31 is turned off.
[0102]
As described above, in the air conditioning device 1 of the present embodiment, the ion generating element 41 is, for example, H⁺(H₂O)_mA positive ion composed of (m is an arbitrary natural number) and, for example, O₂ ^-(H₂O)_nNegative ions composed of (n is an arbitrary natural number) are generated, and both these ions are released into the air outside the apparatus. Then, both these ions adhere to the surface of airborne bacteria in the air and cause chemical reactions shown in the following formulas (1) to (3). As a result, the active species hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) Or hydroxyl radical (.OH). In the following formulas (1) to (3), m, m ′, n, and n ′ are arbitrary natural numbers.

[0103]
Above H₂O₂Or OH exhibits extremely strong activity, and therefore, suspended bacteria are destroyed by the decomposition action of these active species. Therefore, airborne bacteria in the air can be inactivated and removed efficiently by generating both positive and negative ions.
[0104]
Further, the above formulas (1) to (3) are similarly generated on the surface of harmful substances in the air, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) Or hydroxyl radical (.OH) oxidizes or decomposes chemical substances such as formaldehyde and ammonia to convert them into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen. Thereby, it is possible to substantially detoxify harmful substances in the air.
[0105]
The positive and negative ions also have the effect of inactivating viruses such as influenza virus and Coxsackie virus. Therefore, generation of both positive and negative ions can decompose and remove these viruses and prevent contamination due to virus contamination.
[0106]
It has also been confirmed that both positive and negative ions have a function of decomposing molecules that cause odors. Therefore, the space can be deodorized by generating both positive and negative ions.
[0107]
Moreover, in the air conditioning apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the ion generating element 41 generates both positive and negative ions by discharging on the discharge surface, and the generation amount of positive ions and negative ions according to the operation mode of the apparatus. Is adjusted. That is, the ion generating element 41 generates substantially the same amount of positive and negative ions when the device is in the sterilization mode, while generating a larger amount of negative ions than the positive ions when the device is in the relaxation mode. . Thereby, with the one air conditioning apparatus 1, the disinfection effect around the apparatus and the user's relaxation effect can be obtained together.
[0108]
Moreover, in the air conditioning apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the air blower 51 which sucks air from the outside of the apparatus and supplies the sucked air to the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41 is provided. Thereby, the air supplied to the ion generating element 41 can be reliably ionized at the discharge surface. In addition, by blowing air to the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41, a flow of air (ion) can be made in a direction substantially parallel to the discharge surface, and the ions generated on the discharge surface are converted into the air flow. It can be placed and guided to the outside of the main body 2.
[0109]
Therefore, the air conditioning apparatus 1 sucks air from the outside of the apparatus and supplies the sucked air to the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41 from a substantially vertical direction so that the air containing both positive and negative ions is with respect to the discharge surface. It can be said that the structure is blown out in a substantially horizontal direction.
[0110]
At this time, since the blower 51 supplies the sucked air from a substantially vertical direction with respect to the discharge surface of the ion generating element 41, the discharge sound uttered at the time of discharge is substantially perpendicular to the discharge surface (ion from the blower 51). It is transmitted in the direction opposite to the direction of air supply to the generating element 41) and hardly transmitted in the direction along the discharge surface. That is, this means that the discharge sound is hardly propagated in the direction in which ions generated on the discharge surface flow. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the air conditioner 1 that can suppress discharge noise from leaking to the outside of the apparatus along with the release of ions to the outside of the apparatus, and can create a comfortable space with a quiet design.
[0111]
Moreover, in the air conditioning apparatus 1, since the louver 27 which adjusts the sending direction of the positive / negative ion sent out from each delivery port 10 of the main body 2 is provided, positive / negative both ions are discharge | released to the desired range outside the apparatus. be able to. For example, if the wings of the louver 27 are tilted 45 degrees forward with respect to the side surface of the housing rear part 2b, both positive and negative ions can be released within a radius of about 1 meter in front of the apparatus. As a result, airborne bacteria in the range can be inactivated efficiently, and harmful substances contained in the air in the range can be efficiently removed, and comfortable in the desired range. Space can be created efficiently.
[0112]
As a result, the ion generating element 41 can be downsized, and the DC motor can also be configured with a small capacity and a small capacity as compared with an apparatus for purifying the air in the entire room. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 itself can be reduced in size, and the portable air conditioner 1 that is convenient to carry can be provided.
[0113]
Further, by adjusting the inclination of each wing of the louver 27, both positive and negative ions generated in the main body 2 can be released in all directions outside the apparatus. Thereby, the emission direction of both positive and negative ions can be freely set according to the position of the user of the apparatus and the usage method, and the usability of the apparatus is improved.
[0114]
The louver 27 described above can open or close each delivery port 10 by adjusting the inclination of each wing. Thus, the louver 27 also functions as a delivery port opening / closing means for opening and closing each delivery port 10, so that, when the apparatus is in operation, the louver 27 opens each delivery port 10 to open ions from the main body 2. It can be released around the device. On the other hand, when the apparatus is not in operation, the air outlets 10 can be prevented from entering the main body 2 through the outlet 10 by closing each outlet 10 by the louver 27. Thereby, the inside of the main body 2 can be prevented from being contaminated by harmful substances contained in the air, and the inside of the main body 2 can always be kept clean.
[0115]
Of course, the louver 27 may have only a function as a delivery direction adjusting means, and a separate delivery opening / closing means may be provided separately from the louver 27.
[0116]
By the way, in this embodiment, although the desk-type air conditioner 1 was comprised by attaching the stand 4 (mounting means) to the main body 2, as shown in FIG. A table-type air conditioner 1 may be configured by providing a mounting means) and inserting the main body 2 into the recess 28a of the support member 28.
[0117]
Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the desktop type air conditioner 1, the air conditioner 1 of this invention is not necessarily limited to this table type. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the air conditioner 1 of the present invention may be a wall-hanging type air conditioner 1 in which the main body 2 is hung on a wall via a support member 29 (wall-hanging means). As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioning apparatus 1 may be a hanging type in which the main body is suspended from the ceiling of the room by a hanging strap 30 (suspending means). Thus, even if the air conditioning apparatus 1 is configured with a wall-hanging type or a hanging type, the above-described effects of the present invention can be obtained.
[0118]
From the above, the air conditioning apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a mounting means (for example, the stand 4 and the support member 28) for mounting the apparatus on the table, and a wall hanging means (for example, the support member 29) for hanging the apparatus on the wall. It can also be said that it is the structure provided with either the suspending means (for example, the hanging strap 30) for suspending an apparatus from a ceiling.
[0119]
In the present embodiment, an example in which the front panel 3 is configured by a photo frame has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the front panel 3 may be configured as a mirror surface. In addition to this, the front panel 3 may be composed of a picture, a decorative panel with a pattern, an electronic blackboard, a liquid crystal display device (for example, capable of displaying time), a message board, a solar panel, a touch panel, and the like. . By making the front panel 3 configured as described above interchangeable according to the needs of the user of the apparatus, it is possible to develop products according to the needs of the user and the use of the apparatus. That is, the front panel 3 can be selected and used according to the needs of the user of the apparatus.
[0120]
In particular, when the front panel 3 is configured by a solar panel, driving power can be supplied from the solar panel to each part of the main body 2 while receiving power from the solar panel. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide power source means such as a battery or a rechargeable battery in the main body 2 or to take power from an indoor AC outlet. As a result, it is possible to reduce the weight of the main body 2, reduce the size of the main body 2 by reducing the number of parts, and thus reduce the weight and size of the device itself.
[0121]
FIG. 16 is a side view of the air conditioner 1 in which the front panel 3 is a solar panel. In the case of this configuration, it is desirable that the front panel 3 is pivotably attached to the main body 2 as shown in FIG. In this case, when the device is used, the front panel 3 can be opened at an arbitrary angle so that light from above can be efficiently received and power can be supplied to the main body 2 so that the device can be used stably for a long time. can do. The angle at which the front panel 3 is opened differs depending on, for example, the air conditioning device 1 of the desktop type, the wall hanging type, and the hanging type, and also varies depending on the position of the air conditioning device 1 in the room. What is necessary is just to set suitably so that it can receive electric power efficiently according to a use position.
[0122]
Further, when the front panel 3 is configured by a touch panel, the front panel 3 removable from the main body 2 can be used instead of the remote control by giving the function of the operation button 15 to the touch panel. The device can be turned ON / OFF even at a remote location. However, in this case, it is necessary to provide the main body 2 with a sensor that receives a signal from the touch panel.
[0123]
Next, the display device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display device of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the present display device includes a display substrate 31, a control substrate 61, and a power supply circuit 81. The power supply circuit 81 is a circuit that outputs a voltage of, for example, + 12V.
[0124]
The display substrate 31 includes two systems of circuit blocks P1 and P2, and a drive element 34 (drive means) for driving the circuit blocks P1 and P2. The drive element 34 may be provided on the control board 61 side. These two system circuit blocks P1 and P2 are blocks for lighting (emitting and displaying) the blue and green light emitting diodes 33 provided corresponding to the operation mode of the device. Both are connected to the control unit 62 of the control board 61 via the drive element 34.
[0125]
One circuit block P1 is provided with a blue light emitting diode 33 (hereinafter referred to as LED 33B) as a display element, resistors R11 and R12, a capacitor C21, and a diode D1. The anode side of the LED 33 </ b> B is connected to one end of the resistor R <b> 11, and the cathode side is connected to the anode side of the diode D <b> 1 and to the driving element 34. The cathode side of the diode D1 is also connected to the drive element 34.
[0126]
The other end of the resistor R11 (the side opposite to the connection side of the LED 33B) is connected to one end of the resistor R12 and to one end of the capacitor C21. The other end of the capacitor C21 is connected to the cathode side of the diode D1 and to the drive element 34. The other end of the resistor R12 (the side opposite to the connection side of the resistor R11) is connected to the power supply circuit 81.
[0127]
The other circuit block P2 has the same configuration as the circuit block P1. That is, the circuit block P2 is provided with a green light emitting diode 33 (hereinafter referred to as LED 33G) as a display element, resistors R13 and R14, a capacitor C22, and a diode D2. The anode side of the LED 33G is connected to one end of the resistor R13, and the cathode side is connected to the anode side of the diode D2 and to the driving element 34. The cathode side of the diode D2 is also connected to the drive element 34.
[0128]
The other end of the resistor R13 (the side opposite to the connection side of the LED 33G) is connected to one end of the resistor R14 and to one end of the capacitor C22. The other end of the capacitor C22 is connected to the cathode side of the diode D2 and to the driving element 34. The other end of the resistor R14 (the side opposite to the connection side of the resistor R13) is connected to the power supply circuit 81.
[0129]
The control unit 62 generates a control signal for turning on / off the display of the LED 33B / LED 33G, that is, the light emission, and controls the driving element 34 based on the generated control signal. . More specifically, the control unit 62 has four output ports P11, P12, D11, and D12 that are open drain, and based on the generated control signal, each output port is described below. The drive element 34 is controlled by controlling ON / OFF of the.
[0130]
The drive element 34 drives the LEDs 33B and 33G, which are display elements, based on ON / OFF of each output port of the control unit 62. In the present embodiment, the drive element 34 is composed of a transistor array of Low active and Low output. ing.
[0131]
Here, FIG. 17 shows waveforms of a plurality of patterns of control signals generated by the control unit 62. As shown in the figure, the control unit 62 generates a plurality of control signals having different duty ratios. The duty ratio indicates the ratio between the ON time and OFF time of the display element within a predetermined time (for example, 9.6 msec).
[0132]
In the present embodiment, the control unit 62 generates 21 control signals having different duty ratios corresponding to luminance 0 to luminance 20. Among these 21 control signals, the control signal corresponding to the luminance 0 is a control signal in which the ON time of the display element within the predetermined time is zero, that is, the duty ratio is zero. The signal is a control signal in which the OFF time of the display element within the predetermined time is zero, that is, the duty ratio is infinite. Then, with reference to the control signal corresponding to the luminance 0, the control signal in which the ON time of the display element within the predetermined time is increased by 9.6 msec / 20 = 0.48 msec corresponds to the luminance 1 to the luminance 20, respectively. Control signal.
[0133]
The control unit 62 sequentially selects an appropriate control signal for driving the LED 33B and the LED 33G from these 21 control signals according to the operation mode instructed by the operation button 15 as the input unit, Each output port is ON / OFF controlled based on the selected control signal. More specifically, the control unit 62 sets the output port to ON (Low state in the present embodiment) when each control signal in FIG. 17 is at a high level, while setting the output port at a low level. Set to OFF (open in this embodiment).
[0134]
In FIG. 17, the rising timings (display element ON timings) in the waveforms of the control signals are all the same between the control signals, but the ON times (high level and The rising timing may be deviated within the predetermined time as long as it is ensured corresponding to each luminance. Further, the number of control signals having different duty ratios is not limited to the above-mentioned 21, but it is of course possible to increase or decrease the number of control signals.
[0135]
Next, the operation of the display device having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0136]
First, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the operation mode of the device input from the operation button 15 is the interval mode (S1). If it is not interval mode in S1, next, the control part 62 will judge whether the operation mode instruct | indicated input is disinfection mode (S2).
[0137]
In S2, in the sterilization mode, the control unit 62 keeps the three output ports P11, P12, and D12 in the open (OFF) state (S3) and sets the output port D11 to the Low (ON) state. (S4). Then, in this state, current flows through the power supply circuit 81 → resistor R12 → resistor R11 → LED 33B → drive element 34 → output port D11, and the LED 33B is lit. On the other hand, since the output ports P12 and D12 of the control unit 62 are in the open state, no current flows through the LED 33G of the circuit block P2 of the display substrate 31, and the LED 33G remains off.
[0138]
Next, the control unit 62 determines whether the sterilization mode has been canceled, that is, whether the operation mode of the device has been changed to another operation mode (S5), and if the sterilization mode has not been canceled, The operations of S3 and S4 are repeated. On the other hand, if the sterilization mode is released in S5, the control unit 62 opens the output port D11 and turns off the LED 33B (S6). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S1.
[0139]
On the other hand, if it is not the sterilization mode in S2, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the operation mode instructed by the operation button 15 is the relaxation mode (S7). If the relaxation mode is not set in S7, the control unit 62 determines that the operation mode instructed to be input is the stop mode, and sets all the output ports P11, P12, D11, and D12 to the open state (S8). As a result, no current flows through the LEDs 33B and 33G, and the LEDs 33B and 33G remain off. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S1.
[0140]
On the other hand, if the mode is the relax mode in S7, the control unit 62 keeps the three output ports P11, P12, and D11 in the open state (S9) and sets the output port D12 in the Low state (S10). Then, in this state, current flows through the power supply circuit 81 → resistor R14 → resistor R13 → LED 33G → drive element 34 → output port D12, and the LED 33G is lit. On the other hand, since the output ports P11 and D11 of the control unit 62 are in the open state, no current flows through the LED 33B of the circuit block P1 of the display substrate 31, and the LED 33B remains off.
[0141]
Next, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the relaxation mode has been released, that is, whether or not the operation mode of the device has been changed to another operation mode (S11). If the relaxation mode has not been released, S9, The operation of S10 is repeated. On the other hand, if the relax mode is released in S11, the control unit 62 opens the output port D12 and turns off the LED 33G (S12). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S1.
[0142]
On the other hand, if the interval mode is selected in S1, the control unit 62 keeps the two output ports D11 and D12 open (S13), and sets the output ports P11 and P12 to the control signals corresponding to the LEDs 33B and 33G. On (Low state) / OFF (Open state) control based on each (S14).
[0143]
In the present embodiment, in S13 and S14, the control unit 62 generates control signals corresponding to the LEDs 33B and 33G so that the sum of the display luminances of the LEDs 33B and 33G is always constant. Based on this, ON / OFF of the output ports P11, P12, D11, and D12 is controlled, which will be described later.
[0144]
Thereafter, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the interval mode has been released, that is, whether or not the operation mode has been changed to another operation mode (S15). Repeat the operation. On the other hand, if the interval mode is released in S15, the control unit 62 opens the output ports P11 and P12 and turns off the LED 33B or LED 33G (S16). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S1.
[0145]
Next, details of the operations in S13 and S14 will be described.
First, when each output port D11 is in an open state and the output port P11 is in a low state, in the circuit block P1 of the display substrate 31, the power supply circuit 81 → resistor R12 → only during the time that the output port P11 is in the low state. A current flows through the resistor R11 → LED 33B → diode D1 → P11, and the LED 33B is lit.
[0146]
At the same time, the capacitor C21 is charged only during the time that the output port P11 is in the low state. Therefore, even if the output port P11 is in the open state next time, the positive side of the capacitor C21 → the resistor R11 → Current flows through the LED 33B → the diode D1 → the negative side of the capacitor C21. For this reason, LED33B does not turn off immediately.
[0147]
Under such a premise, the control unit 62 gradually extends the time for which the output port P11 is in the low state. That is, the control unit 62 sequentially selects control signals corresponding to the LEDs 33B such that the duty ratio is in ascending order every predetermined time, and controls the drive element 34 based on the selected control signal. That is, the control unit 62 selects a control signal corresponding to the luminance 0 to a control signal corresponding to the luminance 20 among the plurality of control signals shown in FIG. 17 in this order, and the ON time ( The output port P11 is set in the Low state only during the high level), and the output port P11 is opened for the OFF time (the low level) of the selected control signal, and the drive element 34 is driven. To control.
[0148]
Thereby, when the drive element 34 drives the LED 33B based on the state of the output port P11, the current flowing through the LED 33B gradually increases with time, so that the display brightness of the LED 33B continuously decreases from time to time. It changes to light.
[0149]
Then, after the control unit 62 sets the output port P11 to the Low state for the ON time of the control signal corresponding to the luminance 20, this time, the control corresponding to the LED 33B so that the duty ratio is descending every predetermined time. The signals are sequentially selected, and the drive element 34 is controlled based on the selected control signal. That is, the control unit 62 selects the control signal corresponding to the luminance 19 to the control signal corresponding to the luminance 0 in this order, and sets the output port P11 to the Low state for the ON time of the selected control signal, and selects the selected The output port P11 is opened for the OFF time of the control signal, and the drive of the drive element 34 is controlled.
[0150]
As a result, when the drive element 34 drives the LED 33B based on the state of the output port P11, the current flowing through the LED 33B gradually decreases with time, so that the display brightness of the LED 33B is continuously bright with time. It changes to dark.
[0151]
Thereafter, the control unit 62 repeats the above operation. That is, the control unit 62 controls the LED 33B so that the duty ratio changes repeatedly in ascending order and descending order every predetermined time, such as luminance 0 → luminance 20 → luminance 0 → luminance 20. Are sequentially selected, and the drive element 34 is controlled based on the selected control signal. Thereby, as indicated by the solid line B1 in FIG. 19A, the display luminance of the LED 33B continuously and gradually changes from dark → light → dark → light.
[0152]
On the other hand, when the output port D12 is in the open state and the output port P12 is in the low state, in the circuit block P2 of the display substrate 31, the power supply circuit 81 → resistor R14 → resistor only during the time when the output port P12 is in the low state. A current flows through R13 → LED33G → diode D2 → P12, and LED33G is turned on.
[0153]
At the same time, the capacitor C22 is charged only during the time that the output port P12 is in the low state. Therefore, even if the output port P12 is in the open state next time, the positive side of the capacitor C22 → the resistor R13 → Current flows through the LED 33G → the diode D2 → the negative side of the capacitor C22. For this reason, the LED 33G is not immediately turned off.
[0154]
Under such a premise, the control unit 62 gradually reduces the time for which the output port P12 is in the low state. That is, the control unit 62 sequentially selects control signals corresponding to the LEDs 33G such that the duty ratio is in descending order at every predetermined time, and controls the drive element 34 based on the selected control signal. That is, the control unit 62 selects a control signal corresponding to the luminance 20 to a control signal corresponding to the luminance 0 among the plurality of control signals shown in FIG. 17 in this order, and only the ON time of the selected control signal. The output port P12 is set to the Low state, and the output port P12 is opened for the OFF time of the selected control signal, and the drive of the drive element 34 is controlled.
[0155]
Thereby, when the drive element 34 drives the LED 33G based on the state of the output port P12, the current flowing through the LED 33G gradually decreases with time, so that the display luminance of the LED 33G is continuously bright with time. It changes to dark.
[0156]
Then, after the control unit 62 sets the output port P12 to the Low state for the ON time of the control signal corresponding to the luminance 0 (the output port P12 is opened for the OFF time of the control signal corresponding to the luminance 0), this time, The control signals corresponding to the LEDs 33G are sequentially selected such that the duty ratio is in ascending order every predetermined time, and the drive element 34 is controlled based on the selected control signal. That is, the control unit 62 selects the control signal corresponding to the luminance 1 to the control signal corresponding to the luminance 20 in this order, and sets the output port P12 to the Low state for the ON time of the selected control signal, and selects the selected signal. The output port P12 is opened for the OFF time of the control signal, and the drive of the drive element 34 is controlled.
[0157]
As a result, when the drive element 34 drives the LED 33G based on the state of the output port P12, the current flowing through the LED 33G gradually increases with time, so that the display brightness of the LED 33G continuously decreases from time to time. It changes to light.
[0158]
Thereafter, the control unit 62 repeats the above operation. That is, the control unit 62 controls the LED 33G so that the duty ratio changes repeatedly in descending order and ascending order every predetermined time, such as luminance 20 → luminance 0 → luminance 20 → luminance 0. Are sequentially selected, and the drive element 34 is controlled based on the selected control signal. Thereby, as indicated by a broken line G1 in FIG. 19A, the display luminance of the LED 33G continuously and gradually changes from light → dark → light → dark.
[0159]
As described above, the display device of the present invention has the LEDs 33B and 33G that perform display according to the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 as a device, and the plurality of output ports P11, P12, D11, and D12. A control unit 62 that generates a control signal for turning on / off the display of the LEDs 33B and 33G, and controls ON / OFF of each of the output ports P11, P12, D11, and D12 based on the generated control signal; 62, based on the ON / OFF states of the output ports P11, P12, D11, and D12, the drive unit 34 that drives the LEDs 33B and 33G. The control unit 62 includes the LED 33B within a predetermined time (eg, 9.6 msec). -A plurality of control signals having different duty ratios indicating the ratio between the ON time and the OFF time of 33G are generated. A control signal having a predetermined duty ratio is sequentially selected from the plurality of control signals so that the duty ratio changes in ascending order and descending order every predetermined time, and each output port is selected based on the selected control signal. This is a configuration for controlling ON / OFF of P11, P12, D11, and D12.
[0160]
Thereby, when the drive element 34 drives the LEDs 33B and 33G based on the ON / OFF states of the output ports P11, P12, D11, and D12 of the control unit 62, the display brightness of the LEDs 33B and 33G gradually increases with time. It becomes brighter or darker gradually. In the LEDs 33B and 33G, such a change in display luminance is repeatedly and continuously performed from light to dark to light to dark. Therefore, it is possible to give a pleasant relaxation effect to the person who sees the LEDs 33B and 33G whose display brightness gradually changes, to relieve the mood.
[0161]
Because of the effects as described above, the display device of the present invention includes the LEDs 33B and 33G that perform display in accordance with the operation mode of the device, the drive element 34 that drives the LEDs 33B and 33G, and the LEDs 33B and 33G. A control unit 62 that generates a control signal for turning on / off the display and controls the drive element 34 based on the generated control signal. The control unit 62 includes the ON time of the LEDs 33B and 33G within a predetermined time period. It can be said that the control signal is generated such that the duty ratio indicating the ratio to the OFF time is changed in ascending order and descending order every predetermined time, and the drive element 34 is controlled based on the generated control signal. .
[0162]
Further, it can be said that the control unit 62 is configured to generate a control signal such that the display luminance of the LEDs 33B and 33G continuously changes with time, and to control the drive element 34 based on the generated control signal.
[0163]
In the display device of the present invention, since the display brightness of the display element gradually changes, a visual interior effect can be obtained by driving the air conditioner 1 having such a display device in a room. It can also create a more comfortable indoor environment.
[0164]
In the present embodiment, in the interval mode in which the operation mode of the device is alternately switched between the sterilization mode and the relaxation mode, the control unit 62 controls the control signal corresponding to one display element (for example, the LED 33B) and the other display. With the control signal corresponding to the element (for example, LED 33G), the duty ratio changes in the reverse order for each predetermined time, and the ON time within the predetermined time is the same time difference (0.48 msec in the above example). The control signal corresponding to each display element is generated (selected) so that the output port changes, and on / off of each output port is controlled based on the generated (selected) control signal. Thereby, when the drive element 34 drives the LEDs 33B and 33G based on the ON / OFF states of the output ports, the sum of the display luminances of the LEDs 33B and 33G is always constant.
[0165]
That is, in the present embodiment, the display luminance of the LED 33B continuously changes as 0, 1, 2,... 20 every predetermined time by the above control of the control unit 62, while the display luminance of the LED 33G is predetermined. Since it changes with 20, 19, 18,... 0 every time, the sum of the display luminances of the LEDs 33B and 33G is constant at 20 in this example at any given time. As a result, the LEDs 33B and 33G can be alternately blinked in a well-balanced manner while continuously changing the display brightness of each of the LEDs 33B and 33G while keeping the overall display brightness constant. In other words, smooth display transition can be realized while overlapping each display between the LED 33B and the LED 33G.
[0166]
Therefore, the control unit 62 corresponds to each of the LEDs 33B and 33G so that the sum of the display luminances of the LEDs 33B and 33G is constant in the operation state in which the operation mode of the device is alternately switched between the sterilization mode and the relaxation mode. It can be said that each control signal to be generated (selected) is generated.
[0167]
By the way, in the operation state in which the operation mode of the device is alternately switched between the sterilization mode and the relaxation mode, if the sum of the display luminances of the LEDs 33B and 33G is larger than zero, the sum of the display luminances of the LEDs 33B and 33G is not constant. It doesn't matter. That is, in FIG. 19A, the waveforms of the solid line B1 and the broken line G1 indicating the change in display luminance of the LEDs 33B and 33G with the passage of time are shifted from each other by a half cycle. The control unit 62 may generate (select) control signals corresponding to the LEDs 33B and 33G so as to be shifted by a predetermined cycle such as two cycles or a quarter cycle. Even in this case, the LEDs 33B and 33G can be alternately blinked while continuously changing the display brightness of each of the LEDs 33B and 33G, and the display is made smooth while overlapping the display between the LEDs 33B and 33G. There is no change in the display transition.
[0168]
From the above, in the display device of the present invention, a plurality of display elements are provided corresponding to the operation mode of the device, and the control unit 62 performs display on each display element in the operation state in which the operation mode is switched alternately. It can also be said that the control signal corresponding to each display element is generated so that the sum of luminances is greater than zero (so that the display on each display element overlaps).
[0169]
By the way, in the display device of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 19 (b), the control unit 62 displays the sum of the display brightness in each display element (LED33B and LED33G) in the operation state in which the operation mode of the device is switched alternately. The configuration may be such that the control signal corresponding to each display element is generated so that there is a point in time when the value becomes zero. In other words, the control unit 62 corresponds to each display element so that the display on one display element is started after the display on one display element is finished in the operation state in which the operation modes of the devices are alternately switched. The structure which produces | generates a control signal may be sufficient. In these cases, the luminance change with time in the LEDs 33B and 33G is indicated, for example, as indicated by a solid line B2 and a broken line G2 in FIG.
[0170]
Even in such a configuration, the LEDs 33B and 33G can be alternately blinked in a well-balanced manner while continuously changing the display luminance of each display element.
[0171]
Further, the display device of the present invention further includes a time measuring unit (for example, the control unit 62) for measuring the time from the start of operation of the device, and the control unit 62 as the control unit is based on the time measurement by the time measuring unit. When it is determined that a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of operation, a control signal for blinking and displaying at least one display element with the same maximum luminance and the same minimum luminance is generated, and based on the generated control signal The drive element 34 may be controlled. In this case, by the drive of the drive element 34, after a certain time has elapsed from the start of operation, blinking display is performed by repeating the same maximum brightness and the same minimum brightness on the display element. Therefore, the display device of the present invention also has a timer function, and the blinking display can warn the user that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of operation.
[0172]
In addition to the above-described configuration, the control unit 62 as a control unit determines that two display elements are identical when it is determined that a certain time has elapsed from the start of operation in an operation state in which the operation mode of the device is alternately switched. A configuration may be adopted in which a control signal for alternately blinking is generated by repeating the maximum luminance and the same minimum luminance, and the drive element 34 is controlled based on the generated control signal. Thus, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of operation, the two display elements flash alternately with the same maximum luminance and the same minimum luminance, so that it is more reliable that the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of operation. The user can be warned.
[0173]
In the present embodiment, the display brightness of the LEDs 33B and 33G is gradually changed only in the interval mode. However, the display brightness of the LED 33B or the LED 33G is gradually increased even in the sterilization mode alone or the relaxation mode alone. It does not matter even if it is the composition changed to.
[0174]
In the present embodiment, an example in which the display device of the present invention is applied to an air conditioner equipped with an ion generating element 41 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present display device can be applied to any device as long as the device requires display according to the operation mode of the device. For example, when the display device of the present invention is applied to an air conditioner (air conditioner), the display brightness of the cooling display (for example, red display) of the main body can be continuously changed over time. Further, when the cooling and dehumidifying operations are alternately performed, the cooling display and the dehumidifying display (for example, green) can be alternately displayed while continuously changing the display brightness.
[0175]
In this embodiment, an LED is used as the display element, but other self-luminous elements such as LD (laser diode) and EL (electroluminescence) can also be used.
[0176]
In this embodiment, the two LEDs 33B and 33G are used as the display elements. However, it is sufficient that the display according to the operation mode of the device can be performed. It doesn't matter.
[0177]
In the present embodiment, the display substrate 31 is constituted by two circuit blocks. However, the display substrate 31 only needs to be able to perform display according to the operation mode of the device. You may comprise by the circuit block more than a system | strain.
[0178]
In the present embodiment, the operation mode of the apparatus includes the interval mode, the sterilization mode, the relaxation mode, and the stop mode. For example, the sterilization intermittent mode that alternately performs the sterilization mode and the stop mode, and the relaxation mode. You may make it add the relaxation intermittent mode which performs mode and stop mode alternately.
[0179]
【The invention's effect】
According to the display device of the present invention, the control means repeats a control signal such that the ON time of the display element gradually increases every predetermined time or gradually decreases every predetermined time every predetermined time. And driving means is controlled based on the control signal. As a result, the driving means drives the display element so that the display luminance gradually increases or decreases with time. In the display element, such a change in display luminance is repeatedly and continuously performed. Therefore, there is an effect that a person who sees such a display element can be given a pleasant relaxation effect to ease the mood.
[0181]
Moreover, if an air conditioner is comprised by the display apparatus of this invention and the input part for instruct | indicating an operation mode, display brightness will change gradually with progress of time for every operation mode of such an air conditioner. Such a display can be realized. As a result, in addition to the effect of air adjustment (for example, the relaxation effect due to the release of negative ions), a visual relaxation effect can be obtained, and the relaxation effect of the entire device can be enhanced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display device of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the desktop air conditioning device provided with the display device as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the air conditioning device. It is.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an appearance when viewed from the right side of the air conditioner, and FIG. 3B shows an appearance when viewed from the rear side of the air conditioner. It is a perspective view.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a main body of the air conditioning apparatus.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the air conditioner.
6A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a front portion of the casing that constitutes the main body, and FIG. 6B is an AA ′ line in the front portion of the casing in FIG. It is arrow sectional drawing.
7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B ′ in the rear part of the casing of FIG. 7B that constitutes the main body, and FIG. 7B is a schematic configuration of the rear part of the casing; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the inside of the main body.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an ion generating element housed in the main body.
FIG. 10A is a waveform diagram showing an example of a high-voltage pulse output from the high-voltage pulse driving circuit of the ion generating element when the device is driven in a sterilization mode, and FIG. It is a wave form diagram which shows an example of the high voltage | pressure pulse which the said high voltage | pressure pulse drive circuit outputs when driving in a relaxation mode.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner when the air conditioner is cut in a plane horizontal to the upper surface (or lower surface) of the main body.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the desktop type air conditioning device.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example when the air conditioning device of the present invention is configured as a wall-hanging type.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example when the air conditioning device of the present invention is configured as a suspended type.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the air conditioner when the front panel of the desk type air conditioner is configured as a mirror surface.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a usage state of the air conditioner when the front panel of the desk type air conditioner is configured by a solar panel.
FIG. 17 is a waveform diagram showing waveforms of a plurality of control signals generated by the control unit of the display device.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in the display device.
FIG. 19A is a graph showing changes in display luminance over time of two display elements included in the display device, and duty ratios between control signals corresponding to the display elements are mutually different; It is a graph when it changes in reverse order and ON time changes with the same time difference. (B) is a graph which respectively shows the change of the display brightness with the passage of time of two display elements with which the above-mentioned display device is provided, and is a graph when there is a time point when the sum of the display brightness of each display element becomes zero. It is.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional control device for an air conditioner having a display device.
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional display control circuit.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Air conditioner
15 Operation buttons (input section)
31 Display substrate (display device)
33 Light-emitting diode (display element)
33B Blue light emitting diode (display element)
33G Green light-emitting diode (display element)
34 Drive element (drive means)
61 Control board (display device)
62 Control part (control means)

Claims (2)

Two display elements for displaying corresponding to the operation mode of the device;
Driving means for driving the display element;
Control means for generating a control signal for turning ON / OFF the display of the display element and controlling the driving means based on the generated control signal;
The control means generates and generates a control signal in which a duty ratio indicating a ratio between the ON time and the OFF time of the display element within a predetermined time is repeatedly changed in ascending order and descending order for each predetermined time. While controlling the drive means based on the control signal ,
In the operation state in which the operation modes are alternately switched, the control means includes a control signal corresponding to one display element and a control signal corresponding to the other display element in which the duty ratios are reverse to each other every predetermined time. And a control signal corresponding to each display element is generated so that the sum of display luminances of each display element is constant at any given time . An air conditioner comprising the display device according to claim 1 and an input unit for instructing an operation mode.

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