JP5111417B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner including an infrared sensor that scans a temperature detection target range and detects a temperature of the temperature detection target.

  A conventional two-dimensional thermal image data detection apparatus using a thermoelectromotive force type infrared sensor includes an infrared sensor in which an infrared detection element group having an array of 1 × n elements and an optical system are integrated, and the infrared sensor is connected to an arbitrary depression angle θ. The two-dimensional thermal image data is acquired by projecting the output of area 1 to area n detected by each infrared detection element group onto the image.

  The two-dimensional thermal image data is constructed from a plurality of one-dimensional thermal image data acquired at arbitrary angles by rotating a thermoelectromotive force type infrared sensor from the initial position around the rotation axis. After acquiring the thermal image data, the infrared sensor rotates in the opposite direction to that at the time of acquiring the thermal image to return to the initial position, and performs a reciprocating motion that starts rotating to acquire the thermal image data again. Thermal image acquisition is not performed during recovery during reciprocation.

  A pyroelectric type and a thermoelectromotive force type are known as main thermal infrared detection sensors (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Since the pyroelectric infrared detection sensor is a sensor having differential change output characteristics and can only measure temperature change, it cannot measure absolute temperature. On the other hand, thermoelectromotive force type sensors can detect temperature changes and absolute temperatures at remote locations, and can be mounted on devices that require temperature information at remote locations such as air conditioners such as floors and walls. Is suitable.

JP 2007-017390 A

  As a means for reflecting the two-dimensional thermal image data in the control of the air conditioner in real time, the conventional method of acquiring the thermal image data only during the reciprocating operation improves the sampling time of the two-dimensional thermal image data. Therefore, there is a means for increasing the driving speed, but there is a problem that the driving noise increases when the driving speed is increased.

  Further, as a means for reflecting higher-resolution two-dimensional thermal image data in the control of the air conditioner, the conventional method of sampling thermal image data only at the time of the past increases the number of times of sampling of the one-dimensional thermal image data. However, there is a problem that it takes time to acquire two-dimensional thermal image data by an increase in the number of samplings.

  In addition, there is a problem that the system configuration becomes complicated in a system in which thermoelectromotive force type infrared sensors are two-dimensionally arranged to obtain two-dimensional thermal image data.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. High-resolution two-dimensional thermal image data is acquired in a shorter time without increasing the number of light receiving elements of the infrared sensor, and air conditioning control is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can be reflected in the air conditioner.

The air conditioner according to the present invention is
An air conditioner installed in the room,
An infrared sensor that scans a certain range of the room and detects the temperature of the range ;
A driving device for driving movement of the infrared sensor,
The scanning direction of the infrared sensor is switched between the predetermined direction and the opposite direction by the driving device, the thermal image data of the range scanned in the predetermined direction and the reverse direction by the infrared sensor is acquired, and based on the acquired thermal image data A control unit that controls the air conditioner,
Control unit, when switching the scanning direction of the infrared sensor, but the next scan to I line the infrared sensor from being shifted a predetermined amount an infrared sensor by the drive unit.

  In the air conditioner according to the present invention, when the control unit detects the temperature of the temperature detection target by scanning the temperature detection target range, the infrared sensor can be arbitrarily set by the driving device at the change point in the scanning direction. Since the control is performed so that the next scanning is performed after shifting by a predetermined amount in the direction, high-resolution two-dimensional thermal image data can be acquired in a shorter time without increasing the number of light receiving elements of the infrared sensor, and air conditioning control can be performed. In addition to being able to reflect, the effect of contributing to energy saving can be obtained by eliminating unnecessary airflow and unnecessary air conditioning.

Fig. 3 shows the first embodiment, and is a perspective view of the air conditioner 100 viewed from the right front side. FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment, and is a perspective view of the air conditioner 100 viewed from the lower right side. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1, and is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (AA sectional drawing of FIG. 1) of the air conditioner 100. FIG. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment and shows the light distribution viewing angles of the infrared sensor 3 and the light receiving element. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the first embodiment, and is a perspective view of a housing 5 that houses the infrared sensor 3. In the figure which shows Embodiment 1, the perspective view of the infrared sensor 3 vicinity ((a) is the state which the infrared sensor 3 rotated to the right end edge part, (b) is the state which the infrared sensor 3 rotated to the center part, (C) is a state in which the infrared sensor 3 is rotated to the left end). FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and shows a vertical light distribution viewing angle in a vertical section of the infrared sensor 3. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the conditions at the time of center installation at the time of capability 2.2kw. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the floor surface and wall surface on thermal image data at the time of the capability of 2.2 kw of the air conditioner 100 when the installation position button of a remote control is set to the center. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment and shows a flow of calculating a room shape based on a human body detection position history. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the first embodiment, and is a conceptual diagram of simplified thermal image data at the time of going back and when returning a thermal image by scanning the infrared sensor 3 in the left-right direction. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the operation | movement of the infrared sensor 3 at the time of going forward and returning at the time of scanning the infrared sensor 3 in the left-right direction and acquiring a thermal image (shifting by 1/2 pixel in the left-right direction). FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the first embodiment, and is a conceptual diagram of synthesized thermal image data obtained by synthesizing thermal image data obtained when the infrared sensor 3 travels and returns. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment and shows thermal image data near the human body. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the operation | movement of the infrared sensor 3 at the time of going forward and returning at the time of scanning the infrared sensor 3 to the left-right direction, and acquiring a thermal image (shifting 1/2 pixel of an up-down direction). FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the first embodiment, and is a conceptual diagram of synthesized thermal image data obtained by synthesizing thermal image data obtained when the infrared sensor 3 travels and returns. FIG. 16 shows the first embodiment, and shows a vertical light distribution viewing angle in a vertical section of the infrared sensor 3 in FIG. 15. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the first embodiment, and is a perspective view in which a second stepping motor 26 is attached to the sensor assembly 10. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 is a figure which shows the left-right scanning method when combining the up-down and left-right shift.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 to 19 show the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the air conditioner 100 viewed from the front right side, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air conditioner 100 viewed from the lower right side, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a view showing the light distribution viewing angles of the infrared sensor 3 and the light receiving element, and FIG. 5 is a housing 5 that houses the infrared sensor 3. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the infrared sensor 3 ((a) is a state in which the infrared sensor 3 is rotated to the right end, (b) is a state in which the infrared sensor 3 is rotated to the center, and (c) ) Is a state in which the infrared sensor 3 is rotated to the left end), FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a vertical light distribution viewing angle in a longitudinal section of the infrared sensor 3, and FIG. Fig. 9 shows the air conditioner 100 when the remote control installation button is set at the center when the capacity of the air conditioner 100 is 2.2 kW. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of calculating the room shape based on the human body detection position history, and FIG. 11 is a thermal image obtained by scanning the infrared sensor 3 in the horizontal direction. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of simplified thermal image data at the time of going and returning, and FIG. 12 shows the operation of the infrared sensor 3 at the time of going and returning when scanning the infrared sensor 3 in the horizontal direction to acquire a thermal image. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of synthesized thermal image data obtained by synthesizing thermal image data obtained when the infrared sensor 3 is moved forward and backward, FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating thermal image data near the human body, and FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the infrared sensor 3 when the infrared sensor 3 is scanned in the left-right direction and when acquiring a thermal image (shifting by 1/2 pixel in the vertical direction). Conceptual image of the synthesized thermal image data combining the thermal image data of 17 is a view showing a vertical light distribution viewing angle in a vertical section of the infrared sensor 3 in FIG. 15, FIG. 18 is a perspective view in which the second stepping motor 26 is attached to the sensor assembly 10, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the left-right scanning method when it combines.

  When the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment scans the infrared sensor 3 in the left-right direction and acquires a thermal image, the air conditioner 100 sets pixels to a predetermined value (for example, 1 / It is characterized in that high-resolution thermal image data is obtained by shifting by two pixels.

  Before entering into this discussion, first, the basic configuration of the air conditioner 100 including the infrared sensor 3 and the basic operation of the infrared sensor 3 will be described.

  The overall configuration of the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. 1 and FIG. 2 are external perspective views of the air conditioner 100, but the view angle is different, and FIG. 1 shows that the upper and lower flaps 43 (up and down wind direction control plates, two on the left and right) are closed. FIG. 2 is different from FIG. 2 in that the upper and lower flaps 43 are open and the left and right flaps 44 (left and right wind direction control plates, many) are visible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) has a suction port 41 for sucking room air on the upper surface of a substantially box-shaped indoor unit housing 40 (defined as a main body).

  Moreover, the blower outlet 42 which blows off conditioned air is formed in the lower part of the front, and the blower outlet 42 is provided with the upper and lower flaps 43 and the left and right flaps 44 for controlling the direction of the blown air. The upper and lower flaps 43 control the up and down direction of the blowing air, and the left and right flaps 44 control the left and right direction of the blowing air.

  The infrared sensor 3 is provided on the outlet 42 in the lower part of the front surface of the indoor unit housing 40. The infrared sensor 3 is attached downward at an depression angle of about 24.5 degrees. Hereinafter, the infrared sensor 3 may be simply referred to as a sensor.

  The depression angle is an angle formed by the central axis of the infrared sensor 3 and a vertical line. In other words, the infrared sensor 3 is mounted downward at an angle of about 24.5 degrees with respect to the vertical line. In FIG. 17, the angle indicated by θ is the depression angle.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) includes a blower 45 inside, and a heat exchanger 46 is disposed so as to surround the blower 45. The heat exchanger 46 has an inverted V-shaped cross section, and includes a front upper heat exchanger 46a, a front lower heat exchanger 46b, and a rear heat exchanger 46c.

  The heat exchanger 46 is connected to a compressor or the like mounted on an outdoor unit (not shown) to form a refrigeration cycle. It operates as an evaporator during cooling operation and as a condenser during heating operation.

  Room air is sucked in from the suction port 41 by the blower 45, heat exchange is performed with the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle in the heat exchanger 46, and the conditioned air is blown out into the room from the blower outlet 42 through the blower 45.

  At the air outlet 42, the vertical and horizontal flaps 43 and left and right flaps 44 (not shown in FIG. 3) control the vertical and horizontal wind directions. In FIG. 3, the upper and lower flaps 43 are at a horizontal blowing angle.

  Next, the infrared sensor 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, the infrared sensor 3 has, for example, eight light receiving elements (not shown) arranged in a row in the vertical direction inside the metal can 1. On the upper surface of the metal can 1, there are provided lens windows (not shown) for passing infrared rays through the eight light receiving elements. The light distribution viewing angle 2 of each light receiving element is 7 degrees in the vertical direction and 8 degrees in the horizontal direction. The light distribution viewing angle 2 of each light receiving element is 7 degrees in the vertical direction and 8 degrees in the horizontal direction, but is not limited to 7 degrees in the vertical direction and 8 degrees in the horizontal direction. The number of light receiving elements changes according to the light distribution viewing angle 2 of each light receiving element. For example, the product of the vertical light distribution viewing angle of one light receiving element and the number of light receiving elements may be made constant.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the infrared sensor 3 as seen from the back side (from the inside of the air conditioner 100). As shown in FIG. 5, the infrared sensor 3 is housed in the housing 5. A first stepping motor 6 that drives the infrared sensor 3 is provided above the housing 5. The infrared sensor 3 is attached to the air conditioner 100 by fixing the mounting portion 7 integrated with the housing 5 to the lower front portion of the air conditioner 100. In a state where the infrared sensor 3 is attached to the air conditioner 100, the first stepping motor 6 and the housing 5 are vertical. And the infrared sensor 3 is attached inside the housing | casing 5 downward with the depression angle of about 24.5 degree | times. The first stepping motor 6 rotates the infrared sensor 3 around the axis in the arrangement direction of the light receiving elements constituting the infrared sensor 3.

  The basic operation of the infrared sensor 3 will be described below. Here, the left-right direction refers to the left and right viewed from the infrared sensor 3. The infrared sensor 3 is rotationally driven by a first stepping motor 6 within a predetermined angle range in the left-right direction (this rotational drive is expressed as rotating here), but as shown in FIG. It turns from the part (a) through the center part (b) to the left end part (c), and when it reaches the left end part (c), it reverses and rotates in the reverse direction. This operation is repeated. The infrared sensor 3 detects the temperature of the temperature detection target while scanning the room temperature detection target range from side to side.

  Conventionally, when rotating from the right end part (a) to the left end part (c) via the center part (b), a thermal image of the room is taken and comes to the left end part (c) in the reverse direction. When rotating in reverse, the thermal image of the room is not captured, and only returns to the right end (a).

  Here, a method for acquiring thermal image data of the wall or floor of the room by the infrared sensor 3 will be described. The infrared sensor 3 and the like are controlled by a microcomputer programmed with a predetermined operation. A microcomputer programmed with a predetermined operation is defined as a control unit. In the following description, a description that each control is performed by the control unit (a microcomputer programmed with a predetermined operation) is omitted.

  When acquiring thermal image data of a wall or floor of a room, the infrared sensor 3 is rotated in the left-right direction (from right to left) by the first stepping motor 6, for example, the rotation angle of the first stepping motor 6. (Rotational drive angle of the infrared sensor 3) The infrared sensor 3 is stopped at each position for a predetermined time (0.1 to 0.2 seconds) every 1.6 degrees.

  After the infrared sensor 3 is stopped, it waits for a predetermined time (a time shorter than 0.1 to 0.2 seconds), and the detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements of the infrared sensor 3 are captured.

  After capturing the detection result of the infrared sensor 3, the first stepping motor 6 is driven again (rotation angle 1.6 degrees) and then stopped, and the detection result of the eight light receiving elements of the infrared sensor 3 is the same operation. Import (thermal image data).

  The above operation is repeated, and thermal image data in the detection area is calculated based on the detection results of 94 infrared sensors 3 in the left-right direction.

  The infrared sensor 3 is stopped at 94 positions every rotation angle 1.6 degrees of the first stepping motor 6 and the thermal image data is captured. Therefore, the rotation range of the infrared sensor 3 in the horizontal direction (rotation drive in the horizontal direction) Angle range) is about 150.4 degrees.

  When the infrared sensor 3 is rotated in the left-right direction by the first stepping motor 6 to acquire thermal image data of the wall or floor of the room, the orientation of the upper and lower flaps 43 of the air conditioner 100 is fixed horizontally. The left and right flaps 44 acquire room thermal image data for two cases of tilting to the right and maximizing to the left.

  FIG. 7 shows a vertical light distribution viewing angle in a vertical cross section of the infrared sensor 3 in which eight light receiving elements are vertically arranged in a row with the air conditioner 100 installed at a height of 1800 mm from the floor of the room. .

  The angle 7 ° shown in FIG. 7 is the vertical light distribution viewing angle of one light receiving element.

  Further, an angle 37.5 ° in FIG. 7 indicates an angle from a wall to which the air conditioner 100 in a region that does not enter the vertical field region of the infrared sensor 3 is attached. If the depression angle of the infrared sensor 3 is 0 °, this angle is 90 ° −4 (the number of light receiving elements below the horizontal) × 7 ° (vertical light distribution viewing angle of one light receiving element) = 62 °. Become. In the infrared sensor 3 of the present embodiment, the depression angle is 24.5 °, so that 62 ° -24.5 ° = 37.5 °.

  In this Embodiment, let the direction orthogonal to the wall surface of the air conditioner 100 installation side of the thermal image acquired by the said structure be a y-axis of orthogonal coordinates. In addition, a direction parallel to the wall surface on the air conditioner 100 installation side of the thermal image is set as an x-axis of orthogonal coordinates.

  FIG. 8 shows the conditions for central installation when the capacity is 2.2 kW. As shown in FIG. 8, the initial lateral distance intermediate point is set as the origin of the air conditioner 100. The origin of the air conditioner 100 is the positional relationship of the center (1.8 m from the side) of the room 3.5 m long and wide.

  FIG. 9 shows the positional relationship between the floor surface and the wall surface on the thermal image data when the remote control installation position button is set at the center when the air conditioner 100 has a capacity of 2.2 kw. It can be seen that the left wall 16, the front wall 19, the right wall 17, and the floor 18 are shown on the thermal image data as viewed from the infrared sensor 3 side. The floor surface dimensions of the capacity of 2.2 kW at the initial setting are as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the left wall surface 16, the front wall 19, and the right wall surface 17 are collectively referred to as a wall surface.

  Next, calculation of the room shape obtained from the human body detection position history will be described. FIG. 10 shows a flow of calculating the room shape based on the human body detection position history. The human body detection unit 61 uses the output of the infrared sensor drive unit 51 that drives the infrared sensor 3 as the thermal image data generated by the infrared image acquisition unit 52 as the thermal image data of 8 * 94 horizontal, and the previous thermal image data. It is characterized by determining the position of the human body by taking the difference between.

  Then, on the thermal image data, the coordinate point (X, Y) of each element is converted as a floor surface coordinate point by the floor surface coordinate conversion unit 55 and projected onto the floor surface 18.

  Further, the human body position history accumulation unit 62 accumulates the human body position history via the floor coordinate conversion unit 55 based on the foot position coordinates (X, Y) of the human body obtained from the difference of the thermal image data.

  Based on the human body detection position history information from the human body position history storage unit 62, the wall surface determination unit 58 obtains the floor surface 18 and wall surfaces (left wall surface 16, right wall surface 17, front wall 19) that are room shapes.

  The human body detection unit 61 that detects the presence / absence of the human body and the position of the human body, when taking the difference between the thermal image data, a threshold A that enables the difference detection of the vicinity of the head of the human body having a relatively high surface temperature, and a slight surface temperature. It is characterized by individually having a threshold value B that enables differential detection of a lower foot portion.

  Conventionally, when rotating from the right end part (a) to the left end part (c) via the central part (b) (when going), a thermal image of the room is captured and comes to the left end part (c). When rotating in the opposite direction (returning), the thermal image of the room is not captured and only returned to the right end (a). Capture the thermal image. Moreover, there is a feature in that, at the time of recovery, scanning is started after shifting to the left by, for example, 1/2 pixel.

  11 to 14, when a thermal image is acquired by scanning the infrared sensor 3 in the left-right direction, the pixels are shifted by a predetermined value (for example, 1/2 pixel) in the left-right direction between the forward and backward times to increase the A method for obtaining resolution thermal image data will be described.

  The time when the infrared sensor 3 is scanned left and right to acquire a thermal image refers to the case where the infrared sensor 3 is rotated from right to left. A scan in which a thermal image is acquired by rotating the infrared sensor 3 from right to left is referred to as scan 1.

  The recovery at the time of acquiring a thermal image by scanning the infrared sensor 3 in the left-right direction means a case where the infrared sensor 3 is rotated from left to right. A scan in which the infrared sensor 3 is rotated from left to right to acquire a thermal image is referred to as a scan 2. The point at which switching from the forward time to the backward time is taken as the change point in the scanning direction.

  In FIG. 11 and FIG. 13, the thermal image is shown in a simplified manner. Actually, both scan 1 and scan 2 acquire thermal images of 8 × 94 pixels.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in scan 1 (from right to left), the infrared sensor 3 first captures the detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements of the infrared sensor 3 in S1-1. Next, the first stepping motor 6 rotates the infrared sensor 3 to the left by 1.6 degrees to stop it, waits for a predetermined time (a time shorter than 0.1 to 0.2 seconds), and similarly the infrared sensor 3 The detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements are captured. This operation is repeated 94 times.

  In S1-2 of FIG. 12, scan 1 is completed. Conventionally, in S1-2, the operation of inverting the infrared sensor 3 by the first stepping motor 6 and returning it to the right is performed, but in the present embodiment, further to the left from S1-2, for example, , Rotate by 1/2 pixel (0.8 degree). At this time, the infrared sensor 3 does not capture the thermal image data. Just rotate it by 0.8 degrees.

  Next, scan 2 (from left to right) is started. The start point of scan 2 is S2-1 shifted to the left by 1/2 pixel from S1-2. In S2-1, detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements of the infrared sensor 3 are captured. Next, the first stepping motor 6 rotates the infrared sensor 3 to the right by 1.6 degrees to stop it, waits for a predetermined time (a time shorter than 0.1 to 0.2 seconds), and similarly the infrared sensor 3 The detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements are captured. This operation is repeated 94 times. In S2-2 of FIG. 12, the scan 2 is completed.

  When the scan 2 is completed in S2-2, the infrared sensor 3 is rotated to the right by 1/2 pixel by the first stepping motor 6, and the process returns to S1-1 of the scan 1. At this time, the infrared sensor 3 does not capture the thermal image data. Just rotate it by 0.8 degrees.

  The above-described operations of scan 1 (right to left), ½ pixel shift (to the left), scan 2 (left to right), ½ pixel shift (to the right), and 1 cycle Is configured. This cycle is repeated thereafter.

  The actions and effects of the operation shown in FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, the pixels of each scan are simplified and shown as 4 × 6 pixels. Actually, as described above, the number of pixels of the thermal image obtained by each scan is 8 × 94 pixels (vertical × horizontal).

  Since the scan 1 and the scan 2 are shifted by 1/2 pixel in the left-right direction, the number of pixels of the composite image of the scan 1 and the scan 2 increases in the left-right direction.

  In the example of FIG. 13, the number of pixels in each of scan 1 and scan 2 is 4 × 6, whereas in the combined image of scan 1 and scan 2, the number of pixels is increased to 4 × 13.

  Actually, since the number of pixels in each scan is 8 × 94 pixels, the number of pixels in the combined image of scan 1 and scan 2 increases to 8 × 189 pixels. Thereby, the resolution of the obtained thermal image data can be significantly improved in the shifting direction.

  For example, in the thermal image data near the human body, an example in which the detection accuracy of the human body edge at the boundary portion (edge region) in the horizontal direction of the human body is improved is as shown in FIG.

  One edge in the left-right direction of the human body in the thermal image data in the vicinity of the human body by only scan 1 exists in the edge region A of FIG. Further, one edge in the left-right direction of the human body in the thermal image data in the vicinity of the human body when the scan 1 and the scan 2 are combined exists in the edge region B in FIG.

  The proportion of the human body in the edge region B is significantly larger than the proportion of the human body in the edge region A. As the proportion of the human body in the edge region increases, the output of the sensor corresponding to the temperature of the human body also increases. Therefore, one cycle is an operation of scan 1 (right to left), shift by 1/2 pixel (to the left), scan 2 (left to right), and shift by 1/2 pixel (to the right). By configuring and synthesizing the thermal images of scan 1 (right to left) and scan 2 (left to right), for example, the detection accuracy of the left and right edges of the human body is improved.

  15 to 18, when the thermal image is acquired by scanning the infrared sensor 3 in the left-right direction, the pixel is set to a predetermined value (for example, 1/2 pixel (1/2 angle) in forward and backward directions. )) A method of shifting and obtaining high-resolution thermal image data will be described.

  The time when the infrared sensor 3 is scanned left and right to acquire a thermal image refers to the case where the infrared sensor 3 is rotated from right to left. A scan in which a thermal image is acquired by rotating the infrared sensor 3 from right to left is referred to as scan 1.

  The recovery at the time of acquiring a thermal image by scanning the infrared sensor 3 in the left-right direction means a case where the infrared sensor 3 is rotated from left to right. A scan in which the infrared sensor 3 is rotated from left to right to acquire a thermal image is referred to as a scan 2.

  In FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the pixels of each scan are simplified and shown as 4 × 6 pixels (vertical and horizontal). Actually, both scan 1 and scan 2 acquire thermal images of 8 × 94 pixels (vertical and horizontal).

  Although not shown, in the scan 1 (from right to left), the infrared sensor 3 first captures detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements of the infrared sensor 3. Next, the first stepping motor 6 rotates the infrared sensor 3 to the left by 1.6 degrees to stop it, waits for a predetermined time (a time shorter than 0.1 to 0.2 seconds), and similarly the infrared sensor 3 The detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements are captured. This operation is repeated 94 times.

When the scan 1 is completed, the second stepping motor 26 (FIG. 18) moves the infrared sensor 3 upward by a predetermined angle (in one example, 3.5 degrees which is half of 7 degrees in the vertical direction of the light distribution viewing angle 2 of the light receiving element). ) Rotate. 3.5 degrees which is half of the vertical direction 7 degrees of the light distribution viewing angle 2 of the light receiving element is also referred to as “1/2 angle” and “1/2 pixel (vertical direction)”.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the second stepping motor 26 is attached to the side of the sensor assembly 10 including the infrared sensor 3 and the first stepping motor 6 that drives the infrared sensor 3. Rotate up and down. When the sensor assembly 10 is rotated in the vertical direction, the infrared sensor 3 is also rotated in the vertical direction following it. The second stepping motor 26 rotates the infrared sensor 3 around an axis orthogonal to the axis in the arrangement direction of the light receiving elements constituting the infrared sensor 3.

  Note that the configuration of the driving device that drives the infrared sensor 3 in a predetermined direction is not limited to the combination of the first stepping motor 6 and the second stepping motor 26 and the two motors. One of the rotations is performed by a motor (for example, the first stepping motor 6 in the left-right direction), and the other is driven by a mechanism composed of mechanical parts that operate using the driving force of the motor. It may be.

  Further, without rotating the infrared sensor 3, the power of the motor may be transmitted by a belt or a chain, and the infrared sensor 3 may be driven in the left-right direction or the vertical direction by sliding on the rail, for example. For example, the drive device may be configured to combine rotation and slide movement, such as rotating the infrared sensor 3 in the left-right direction and sliding in the up-down direction. The driving device for the infrared sensor 3 in a predetermined direction is selected from various driving means.

  Next, scan 2 (from left to right) is started. The start point of scan 2 is the same as the end point of scan 1 (from right to left) in the left-right direction, but the vertical direction is different and is shifted upward by 1/2 angle (1/2 pixel (vertical direction)). Yes.

  At the starting point of the scan 2, the detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements of the infrared sensor 3 are captured. Next, the first stepping motor 6 rotates the infrared sensor 3 to the right by 1.6 degrees to stop it, waits for a predetermined time (a time shorter than 0.1 to 0.2 seconds), and similarly the infrared sensor 3 The detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements are captured. This operation is repeated a total of 94 times to complete the scan 2.

  When the scan 2 is completed, the infrared sensor 3 is rotated downward by 1/2 angle (1/2 pixel (vertical direction)) by the second stepping motor 26 to return to the start point of the scan 1.

  Scan 1 (right to left), 1/2 angle (1/2 pixel (vertical direction)) shift (upward), scan 2 (left to right), 1/2 angle (1/2 pixel) One cycle is constituted by the movement (downward) of (vertical direction)). This cycle is repeated thereafter.

  The actions and effects of the operations shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, a case where the human body is in a certain area 1 (here, area 1 (region) closest to the air conditioner 100) in the vertical light distribution viewing angle in the longitudinal section of the infrared sensor 3 in the room. Suppose.

  Suppose that the human body is present behind the center of area 1. In this case, for example, in a conventional scan only of scan 1 (from right to left), it can be seen that a human body exists in area 1, but it is not known where in human body 1 exists.

  By performing the scan 2 with the start point shifted upward by a half angle (1/2 pixel (vertical direction)), the human body should be located behind the center of the area 1 as shown in FIG. Can be detected from the thermal image data.

  Since the details of the position in the depth direction of the human body can be obtained, it is possible to perform air flow control with high accuracy in consideration of the detailed position in the depth direction of the human body detected on the thermal image. By concentrating and supplying airflow to an area where a human body exists rather than an area where no human body exists, wasteful airflow and thus unnecessary air conditioning can be omitted, which contributes to energy saving.

  Next, a method for obtaining high-resolution thermal image data by combining vertical and horizontal shifts when acquiring a thermal image by scanning the infrared sensor 3 in the horizontal direction will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 19, the pixels of each scan are simplified and shown as 4 × 6 pixels (vertical and horizontal). Actually, both scan 1 and scan 2 acquire thermal images of 8 × 94 pixels (vertical and horizontal).

  First, in scan 1, the infrared sensor 3 is rotated from right to left to acquire a thermal image of 8 × 94 pixels (vertical and horizontal).

  When the scan 1 is completed, the second stepping motor 26 (FIG. 18) moves the infrared sensor 3 upward by a predetermined angle (in one example, 3.5 degrees which is half of 7 degrees in the vertical direction of the light distribution viewing angle 2 of the light receiving element). , 1/2 pixel).

  In scan 2, the infrared sensor 3 is rotated from left to right to acquire a thermal image of 8 × 94 pixels (vertical and horizontal).

  When the scan 2 is completed, the first stepping motor 6 (FIGS. 5 and 18) rotates the infrared sensor 3 to the left by a predetermined angle (1/2 pixel), and then the scan 3 is executed. In scan 3, the infrared sensor 3 is rotated from right to left to acquire a thermal image of 8 × 94 pixels (vertical and horizontal).

  When the scan 3 is completed, the second stepping motor 26 (FIG. 18) moves the infrared sensor 3 downward by a predetermined angle (in one example, 3.5 degrees, which is half of 7 degrees in the vertical direction of the light distribution viewing angle 2 of the light receiving element). , 1/2 pixel).

  In scan 4, the infrared sensor 3 is rotated from left to right to acquire a thermal image of 8 × 94 pixels (vertical and horizontal).

  When the scan 4 is completed, the infrared sensor 3 is rotated rightward by a predetermined angle (1/2 pixel) by the first stepping motor 6 (FIGS. 5 and 18). This state coincides with the start point of scan 1.

  In this way, by shifting 1/2 pixel in the order of upper → left → lower → right for each scan, the original (not shifted) thermal image data of 8 × 94 pixels is converted to 17 × 189 pixels. High resolution thermal image data can be obtained.

  As a result, the detection accuracy of the edge of the human body in the left-right direction is improved, and details of the distance in the depth direction of the human body can be obtained, so that the position in the depth direction of the human body detected on the thermal image is taken into consideration. Accurate airflow control can be performed. Concentrating and supplying airflow to areas where human bodies exist rather than areas where no human bodies exist contributes to energy saving.

  The shift for each scan is not limited to upper → left → lower → right. In addition, for example, top → right → bottom → left, bottom → left → top → right, bottom → right → top → left, left → top → right → bottom, left → bottom → right → top, right → top → left → Bottom, Right → Bottom → Left → Top etc.

  In the above description, the horizontal shift by the first stepping motor 6 of the infrared sensor 3 and the vertical shift by the second stepping motor 26 of the infrared sensor 3 are 1/2 pixels (1/2 square). However, it is not limited to 1/2 pixel (1/2 square). The shift amount can be arbitrarily selected.

  For example, when the horizontal shift is set to 1/4 pixel, the horizontal scanning of the infrared sensor 3 takes two cycles and takes one cycle. Although the time required for one cycle becomes long and the state of the detection target may change, the resolution can be further improved when there is no change in the state of the detection target.

  Moreover, since the infrared sensor 3 is attached downward at an depression angle of about 24.5 degrees, it is difficult to detect a thermal image of the ceiling. Therefore, it is also possible to obtain the thermal image data of the ceiling by largely shifting the infrared sensor 3 upward by the second stepping motor 26.

  Moreover, although the infrared sensor 3 has shown what has arrange | positioned eight light receiving elements in the vertical direction in the metal can 1, for example, it may be arranged in the horizontal direction in a line.

  In addition, as an example of the scanning direction of the infrared sensor 3, when a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in the vertical direction, an example of scanning in the left and right directions has been shown. May be.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Metal can, 2 Light distribution viewing angle, 3 Infrared sensor, 5 Case, 6 1st stepping motor, 7 Mounting part, 10 Sensor assembly, 16 Left wall surface, 17 Right wall surface, 18 Floor surface, 19 Front wall, 26 Second stepping motor, 40 indoor unit housing, 41 air inlet, 42 air outlet, 43 upper and lower flaps, 44 left and right flaps, 45 blower, 46 heat exchanger, 46a front upper heat exchanger, 46b front lower heat exchanger, 46c Back heat exchanger, 51 Infrared sensor drive unit, 52 Infrared image acquisition unit, 55 Floor coordinate conversion unit, 58 Wall position determination unit, 61 Human body detection unit, 62 Human body position history storage unit, 100 Air conditioner.

Claims (3)

In an air conditioner installed in a room,
An infrared sensor that scans a certain range of the room and detects the temperature of the range;
A driving device for driving the infrared sensor;
The driving device repeatedly switches the scanning direction of the infrared sensor between a predetermined direction and the reverse direction, and acquires thermal image data in a range scanned by the infrared sensor in the predetermined direction and the reverse direction. A control unit that controls the air conditioner based on thermal image data,
Wherein, each time switching the scanning direction of the infrared sensor, the selected alternately right and left direction and the vertical direction as the direction of shifting the infrared sensor, a predetermined amount of the infrared sensor in a direction the selected by said driving device An air conditioner that causes the infrared sensor to perform the next scan after shifting. It said predetermined direction and the reverse direction, the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that the left-right direction. Wherein, each time switching the scanning direction of the infrared sensor, the next scan to the infrared sensor the infrared sensor by the drive unit from being shifted 1/2 pixels of the thermal image data in a direction the selected The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the air conditioner is performed.

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