JP5304574B2 - Control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control device capable of improving indoor comfort by controlling swing motion of an air conditioner. <P>SOLUTION: This control device 4 for controlling swing motion of vertically-swung flaps 22a-22d of the air conditioner 1, includes an operation mode determining section 41a, a swing pattern memory area 42, and a control command creating section 41e. The operation mode determining section 41a determines at least a cooling operation mode and a heating operating mode as operation modes of the air conditioner 1. The swing pattern memory area 42 memorizes a plurality of swing patterns as information relating to the swing motion. The control command creating section 41e creates a control command of the air conditioner 1 on the basis of the swing pattern according to the result of determination by the operation mode determining section 41a among the plurality of swing patterns. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device for an air conditioner that can change the direction of wind supplied from a blowout port by controlling a flap disposed at the blowout port.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a control device that controls a swing operation of an air conditioner is known (for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-196435)). The control device sends a control command for changing the inclination of the flap to the air conditioner. Thereby, the flow of the air discharged from the air conditioner is shaken up and down, the room air is stirred, and the temperature distribution in the vertical direction of the air-conditioning target space is eliminated. In particular, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-196435), the wind speed of the blowout is controlled by adjusting the width of the blowout opening according to the temperature of the blowout. Specifically, the control is performed so that the wind speed is reduced when the blowing temperature is low, and the wind speed is increased when the blowing temperature is high. As a result, it is possible to prevent a strong wind from being directly applied to the user when the blowing temperature is low, and to reduce the discomfort caused by the draft to the user.

  However, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-196435), the swing operation itself for adjusting the wind direction is a monotonous vertical movement, and only changes the wind speed in accordance with the change in the blowing temperature. For this reason, even if the wind speed is low, there is a possibility that a low temperature wind may be directly applied to the user, and there is a possibility that the user may feel uncomfortable due to the draft. Further, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-196435), such swing operation control is described only for the heating operation, and the swing operation control in the cooling operation is not particularly described.

  In addition, in an air conditioner that is sold as an actual product, the flap changes from horizontal blowing to lower blowing or from lower blowing to horizontal blowing without providing time for fixing the flap in a horizontal blowing or bottom blowing state. Some take 12 seconds. That is, in this air conditioner, horizontal blowing and bottom blowing are repeated at a cycle of 24 seconds. In such an air conditioner, the interval between the horizontal blow and the bottom blow of the flaps is short and effective in eliminating temperature unevenness in the indoor space, but it is difficult to air-condition every corner of the space.

  In another air conditioning apparatus, there is one that fixes the flap for 60 seconds in the state of bottom blowing. In such an air conditioner, since the time of down-blowing is long for 60 seconds, there is a risk of giving the user discomfort due to the draft.

  The subject of this invention is providing the control apparatus which controls the swing operation | movement of an air conditioning apparatus and improves indoor comfort.

A control device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a control device that controls a swing operation that swings the flap of an air conditioner up and down, and includes an operation mode determination unit, a swing pattern storage region, a control command generation unit, and a repetition time. An interval determination unit, a temperature value acquisition unit, a swing pattern selection unit, and a phase determination unit are provided. The operation mode determination unit determines at least a cooling operation mode and a heating operation mode which are operation modes of the air conditioner. The swing pattern storage area stores a plurality of swing patterns that are information related to the swing motion. The control command generation unit generates a control command for the air conditioner based on a swing pattern corresponding to a result determined by the operation mode determination unit among the plurality of swing patterns. The repetition time interval determination unit determines the first repetition time interval and the second repetition time interval based on a plurality of swing patterns. The first repetition time interval is a time interval until the flap inclination changes from the first posture to the second posture and further changes to the first posture. The second repetition time interval is a time interval until the flap inclination changes from the second posture to the first posture and further changes to the second posture. The temperature value acquisition unit acquires a predetermined temperature value in the room where the air conditioner is installed. The swing pattern selection unit selects a predetermined swing pattern from a plurality of swing patterns based on the result determined by the operation mode determination unit and the predetermined temperature value acquired by the temperature value acquisition unit. The phase determination unit determines each phase from the start-up period of the air conditioner to the stable period in which the air conditioning control of the room by the air conditioner is sufficiently performed. The plurality of swing patterns are associated with the operation mode. The swing operation is an operation that repeats the first posture and the second posture. In the first posture, the flap is inclined by the first angle with respect to the horizontal plane, and the air discharged from the air conditioner flows in a direction close to the horizontal direction. In the second posture, the flap is inclined by the second angle with respect to the horizontal plane, and the air discharged from the air conditioner flows in a direction close to the vertical direction. The swing pattern selection unit selects a swing pattern based on the phase determined by the phase determination unit. The repetition time interval determination unit determines the first repetition time interval and the second repetition time interval based on the predetermined swing pattern selected by the swing pattern selection unit. Further, the repetition time interval determination unit lengthens the repetition time interval from the start-up period to the stable period in the cooling operation mode based on the swing pattern selected by the swing pattern selection unit, and the start-up period in the heating operation mode. From time to time, the repetition time interval is reduced. The control command generation unit generates a control command according to the first repetition time interval and the second repetition time interval determined by the repetition time interval determination unit.

  In general, cold air tends to descend and warm air tends to rise. And most users exist in the lower part of the space. For this reason, for example, when a ceiling-suspended air conditioner performs air conditioning, in cooling operation, it is easy to prevent the user from being directly blown by blowing in the horizontal direction during normal operation. It will blow out in the direction and it will be easy to hit the user directly.

  Also, after a while after cooling operation or heating operation, it is divided into a cold air layer and a warm air layer, the cold air layer stagnates at the bottom of the space, and the warm air layer stagnates at the top of the space . As described above, if the air in the space is biased in the temperature distribution with respect to the vertical direction, the efficiency of the air conditioning is lowered and the user is uncomfortable. Therefore, in order to eliminate this uneven temperature distribution, it is conceivable to periodically perform the swinging operation of the flap unlike the normal operation of the cooling operation or the heating operation.

  However, in the case of cooling operation, if the wind supplied from the air outlet is directly applied to the user, there is a risk of giving the user unpleasant feeling due to the draft. Further, if the swing operation is a monotonous fixed pattern, the comfort felt by the user is gradually reduced. And in the case of heating operation, since the air supplied from a blower outlet is blown off in a horizontal direction (ceiling side), the bias of temperature distribution is promoted.

  In the control device of the present invention, two operation modes (cooling operation mode and heating operation mode) and a plurality of swing patterns are associated with each other and stored in the swing pattern storage area. The control command generation unit selects a swing pattern corresponding to the operation mode determined by the operation mode determination unit. And a control command generation part produces | generates the control command which concerns on the swing operation | movement of the flap of an air conditioning apparatus based on the selected swing pattern. That is, the control device of the present invention has a swing pattern that takes into account the comfort (for example, discomfort index) of the space in which the air conditioner is installed, according to the operation mode that is being performed at that time in the air conditioner. Will be executed.

  Therefore, different swing patterns can be executed so that the swing pattern in the cooling operation and the swing pattern in the heating operation are optimized for each of the cooling operation and the heating operation. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the discomfort caused by the draft while eliminating the uneven temperature distribution in the vertical direction that occurs in the air-conditioning target space, and to improve the comfort in the room.

  In the control device of the present invention, the repetition time interval determination unit determines the time interval from the first posture of the flap to the next first posture as the first repetition time interval based on the plurality of swing patterns. Similarly, the repetition time interval determination unit determines the time interval from the second posture of the flap to the next second posture as the second repetition time interval based on the plurality of swing patterns.

  Thereby, the frequency of the swing operation can be changed according to at least two or more operation modes (including the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode). Therefore, depending on the operation mode, different swing patterns can be executed so as to be optimal for the operation mode at that time. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the discomfort caused by the draft while eliminating the uneven temperature distribution in the vertical direction that occurs in the air-conditioning target space, and to improve the comfort in the room.

  Furthermore, in the control device of the present invention, a predetermined temperature value in the room where the air conditioner is installed is acquired. A predetermined swing pattern is selected from the plurality of swing patterns based on the result determined by the operation mode determination unit and the predetermined temperature value. Then, the repetition time interval is determined based on the selected swing pattern. The control command is generated according to the repetition time interval. Here, the “predetermined temperature value” is, for example, a value such as a blowing temperature, a suction temperature, or a bed temperature. The “predetermined swing pattern” here is a swing pattern corresponding to a predetermined temperature value.

  Therefore, the selected swing pattern can be changed according to not only the difference in the operation mode but also the air conditioning state such as the temperature distribution in the room. For this reason, it is possible to minimize the uncomfortable feeling caused by the draft while eliminating the uneven temperature distribution in the vertical direction of the space.

  And in the control apparatus of this invention, each phase from the starting period of an air conditioning apparatus to the stable period which is the state by which the air conditioning control by the air conditioning apparatus was fully performed is determined by a phase determination part. Then, the swing pattern selection unit selects a swing pattern based on the determined phase. Here, the state from the start-up period to the stable period of the air conditioner includes an intermediate time in which there is a temperature unevenness in the room. Also, depending on the selected swing pattern, in the cooling operation mode, air in the direction close to the vertical direction is frequently discharged during the start-up period from the stable period, and in the heating operation mode, the air flows in the vertical direction during the stable period from the start-up period. Air in the direction close to is frequently exhaled.

  Therefore, the selected swing pattern can be changed not only according to the difference in the operation mode but also according to the phase that is the air conditioning state such as the temperature distribution in the room. For this reason, it is possible to minimize the uncomfortable feeling caused by the draft while eliminating the uneven temperature distribution in the vertical direction of the space.

A control device according to a second invention is the control device according to the first invention, wherein the repetition time interval determination unit determines a plurality of first repetition time intervals at least in the cooling operation mode.

  In at least the cooling operation mode, it is not desirable to blow cool air downward in order not to give the user discomfort due to the draft. However, when the air in the space is biased in temperature distribution with respect to the vertical direction, the efficiency of air conditioning is reduced and the user is uncomfortable. As described above, when the discomfort caused by the uneven temperature distribution increases, it is necessary to eliminate the discomfort caused by the draft and to eliminate the uneven temperature distribution. However, in this case, even if the swing operation of the flap is periodically performed, the user is uncomfortable due to the draft.

  Thus, in the cooling operation mode, it is easy to give the user discomfort due to the draft. For this reason, in the control device of the present invention, at least in the cooling operation mode, the repetition time interval determination unit determines a plurality of first repetition time intervals.

  Therefore, the wind pattern directly applied to the user can be made irregular. In addition, it is possible to minimize the discomfort caused by the draft while eliminating the uneven temperature distribution in the vertical direction of the space.

The control device according to the third invention is the control device according to the first invention or the second invention , and the air conditioner is an air conditioner having four outlets. The swing pattern storage area stores a plurality of swing patterns for the flaps respectively provided at the four outlets.

  In the control device of the present invention, the swing pattern storage area stores a plurality of swing patterns associated with the four flaps of the air conditioner. Accordingly, the flaps of the four-way blown air conditioner can be controlled independently by different swing patterns.

A control device according to a fourth invention is the control device according to the third invention, wherein the four outlets are a first outlet, a third outlet, a second outlet, and a fourth outlet. It consists of an outlet. The third outlet is disposed symmetrically with respect to the first outlet. The second outlet extends from the vicinity of one end of the first outlet to the vicinity of one end of the third outlet, and is adjacent to the first outlet and the third outlet. The fourth outlet extends from the vicinity of the other end of the first outlet to the vicinity of the other end of the third outlet and is arranged symmetrically with respect to the second outlet, Adjacent to the third outlet. The control device of the present invention further includes an ID storage area and a pair setting unit. The ID storage area stores IDs corresponding to the four outlets. A pair setting part sets two sets of pairs which consist of two flaps provided in two adjacent blower outlets based on ID memorize | stored in ID storage area. Then, the control command generator generates a control command for synchronizing two flaps belonging to the same pair.

  In the control device of the present invention, IDs corresponding to the four outlets are stored in the ID storage area. And based on memorize | stored ID, the pair of 2 sets of flaps provided in two adjacent blower outlets is determined by the pair setting part. The flaps set in the same pair have their swing patterns synchronized based on the control command generated by the control command generator.

  If the swing patterns of the two flaps provided at the two adjacent outlets are synchronized and the vertical movement of the wind direction blown out from these outlets is matched, a swirl flow is likely to occur in the vertical direction of the space. Therefore, in the control device of the present invention, it is possible to generate a vertical swirling flow of air.

A control device according to a fifth aspect is the control device according to the fourth aspect , wherein the control command generation unit causes two pairs to execute the same swing pattern at different timings.

  In the control device of the present invention, among the four flaps provided at the four outlets, each pair executes the same swing pattern at different timings. That is, two flaps of the same pair (referred to as the first pair) and two flaps (second pair) different from the first pair are executed with different timing swing patterns. The swing pattern executed for one pair and the second pair is the same.

  Thereby, indoor air can be stirred.

A control device according to a sixth invention is the control device according to the fourth or fifth invention, and the pair setting unit changes the pair under a predetermined condition.

  In the control device of the present invention, the pair is changed under a predetermined condition. That is, two flaps belonging to different pairs are determined as a pair. Here, the predetermined condition is, for example, a predetermined time interval or an indoor air conditioning environment.

  Thereby, the indoor temperature nonuniformity can be eliminated as appropriate.

A control device according to a seventh aspect is the control device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the temperature acquisition unit acquires a value detected by a temperature sensor attached to the indoor unit.

  In the control device of the present invention, the value detected by the temperature sensor attached to the indoor unit is acquired, and the swing pattern is determined. In addition, the temperature sensor attached to the indoor unit includes, for example, a suction temperature sensor, an outlet temperature sensor, a floor temperature sensor, and the like.

  Thereby, a swing pattern can be determined according to the indoor environment, such as room temperature, and the conditions of indoor units, such as blowing temperature.

  In the control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the swing pattern in the cooling operation and the swing pattern in the heating operation can be executed so as to be optimized for each of the cooling operation and the heating operation. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the discomfort caused by the draft while eliminating the uneven temperature distribution in the vertical direction that occurs in the air-conditioning target space, and to improve the comfort in the room.

In the control device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the wind pattern directly applied to the user can be made irregular. In addition, it is possible to minimize the discomfort caused by the draft while eliminating the uneven temperature distribution in the vertical direction of the space.

In the control device according to the third aspect of the invention, the flaps of the four-way blown air conditioner can be independently controlled by different swing patterns.

In the control device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the air conditioner is controlled to synchronize the swings of two adjacent flaps, thereby generating a vertical swirling flow of air.

In the control device according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the indoor air can be agitated.

In the control device according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the temperature unevenness in the room can be eliminated as appropriate.

In the control device according to the seventh aspect of the invention, the swing pattern can be determined according to the indoor environment such as the room temperature and the situation of the indoor unit such as the blowout temperature.

1 is an external perspective view of an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is an expanded sectional view of a blower outlet, and is a figure which shows the position (horizontal blowing) which the flap inclined only 1st angle with respect to the horizontal surface. (B) It is an expanded sectional view of a blower outlet, and is a figure which shows the position (lower blow) which the flap inclined only 2nd angle with respect to the horizontal surface. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between an air-conditioning control part, various sensors, and various apparatuses. It is a figure showing a continuation time table. It is a figure showing a condition table. It is a figure showing a swing pattern table. It is a figure showing the transition by the time passage of the direction of the flap in pattern 1. It is a figure showing the transition by the time passage of the direction of the flap in pattern 2. FIG. It is a figure showing transition by the time progress of the direction of a flap in pattern 3. FIG. It is a figure showing the transition by the time passage of the direction of the flap in pattern 4. It is a figure showing transition by the time progress of the direction of a flap in pattern 5. FIG. It is a figure showing the transition by the time passage of the direction of the flap in pattern 6. FIG. It is a figure showing transition by the time progress of the direction of a flap in pattern 7. FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the process which determines a phase. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the process which determines a phase. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the process which determines a phase. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the process which determines a phase. It is a figure showing transition by the time progress of the direction of a flap in the pattern of modification (8).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an air conditioner 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioner 1 Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air conditioner 1 of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The air conditioner 1 is a system that performs air-conditioning control that improves the comfort of a user by using an indoor unit 2 (one unit in the present embodiment) arranged in a room of a building that is used by a user. The air conditioner has an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor unit 3. The indoor unit 2 according to this embodiment is a ceiling-mounted indoor unit that can blow out air in four directions. The indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 are connected via a refrigerant communication pipe 10 to form a refrigerant circuit (not shown). In the present embodiment, one indoor unit 2 is connected to one outdoor unit. The 21 outdoor unit 3 functions as a heat source unit that processes the heat load of the indoor unit 2. The indoor unit 2 functions as a utilization unit and performs air conditioning (cooling operation, heating operation, etc.) of the indoor space. The outdoor unit 3 has an air conditioning control unit 4 inside. The air conditioning control unit 4 is a device that controls various operations of the air conditioner 2.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the indoor unit 2 has the main body 21 and flap 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d. The main body 21 has a box-like shape, a square suction port 23 is formed at the approximate center of the lower surface, and four outlets 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d are formed (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The four outlets 21 a to 21 d are formed in an elongated rectangular shape so as to extend along the four sides of the inlet 15 outside the inlet 23. Air outlet IDs 1 to 4 are assigned to the air outlets 21a to 21d as information for identifying the air outlets 21a to 21d.

  The flaps 22a to 22d are provided near the air outlets 21a to 21d of the main body 21, respectively. The flaps 22a to 22d are wind direction adjusting plates for guiding the conditioned air blown from the air outlets 21a to 21d in the vertical direction, and are formed in an elongated rectangular shape similar to the shape of the air outlets 21a to 21d. Yes. As shown in FIG. 2A, the flaps 22 a to 22 d can open and close the air outlets 21 a to 21 d by rotating up and down with respect to the main body 21.

  2A shows a position where the flaps 22a to 22d are inclined by a first angle α with respect to the horizontal plane H (horizontal blowing), and FIG. 2B shows that the flaps 22a to 22d are horizontal plane H. A position (downward blowing) inclined by the second angle β is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the second angle β with respect to the horizontal plane H is larger than the first angle α. And if the inclination of flap 22a-22d is adjusted to the position of the 1st angle (alpha) from the horizontal surface H, the flow direction of the conditioned air which blows off from the blower outlets 21a-21d is a direction close | similar to a horizontal direction along a ceiling. Therefore, the main body 21 flows outward. Further, when the inclination of the flaps 22a to 22d is adjusted to the position of the second angle β from the horizontal plane H, the flow direction of the conditioned air blown from the outlets 21a to 21d is a direction close to the vertical direction and downward. Flowing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the indoor unit 2 sucks indoor air into the main body 21 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the use side heat exchanger (not shown), and then supplies the indoor air as supply air. It has the indoor fan 24 as a ventilation fan. The indoor fan 24 is a fan capable of changing the air volume of air supplied to the use side heat exchanger. In the present embodiment, the indoor fan 24 is a centrifugal blower driven by a motor 7m composed of a DC fan motor or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the indoor unit 2 includes a blowout temperature sensor 25 that detects the temperature of supply air blown out from the blowout port 21a, and a suction temperature sensor 26 that detects the temperature of indoor air sucked through the suction port 23. And a non-contact type floor temperature sensor 27 for detecting the temperature of the floor by detecting the amount of infrared rays from the floor. The blowout temperature sensor 25 and the suction temperature sensor 26 are composed of a thermistor, and the floor temperature sensor 27 is composed of a thermopile. In addition, in this embodiment, although the blowing temperature sensor 25 is arrange | positioned only at the blower outlet 21a among the four blower outlets 21a-21d, it is not restricted to this, At least any one of the blower outlets 21a-21d It suffices if one is provided. In the present embodiment, the floor temperature sensor 27 is a non-contact type temperature sensor that is not directly arranged on the floor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a temperature sensor (that is, a thermistor) that can directly detect the floor temperature is used. The temperature value detected may be acquired by connecting to the air conditioning control unit 4 via a communication line or wireless (such as ZigBee).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioning control unit 4 includes a data processing unit 41, a memory 42, a control unit 43, and a communication unit 44 in order to control the operation of the indoor unit 2. The communication unit 44 is connected to the indoor fan 24, the various temperature sensors 25 to 27, the remote controller 5 and the like via the communication line N, and performs various operations from the indoor fan 24, the various temperature sensors 25 to 27, the remote controller 5, and the like. Data is received, and control signals and the like are transmitted to the indoor fan 24, various temperature sensors 25 to 27, the remote controller 5, and the like.

  The data processing unit 41 calculates various types of information such as operation data processing and display processing obtained from the memory 42 and the communication unit 44 in accordance with a calculation program stored in the memory 42 to derive prescribed information, and the information Is transmitted to the memory 42 and the communication unit 44. The data processing unit 41 includes a phase determination unit 41a, a pattern selection unit 41b, a duration determination unit 41c, a pair setting unit 41d, and a swing pattern processing unit 41e.

  Here, the phase determination unit 41a performs phase determination described later. The phase determination unit 41a can also determine the operation mode. The pattern selection unit 41b selects an optimal swing pattern based on the phase determined by the phase determination unit 41a. The duration determination unit 41c determines a duration (see below) that is a time for keeping the flaps 22a to 22d based on a duration table and a swing pattern table, which will be described later. The pair setting unit 41d sets a flap 22a and a flap 22d that are adjacent flaps as a pair, and sets a flap 22b and a flap 22c that are the remaining adjacent flaps as a pair. Note that the pair setting unit 41d may change the pair according to the conditions. For example, the flap 22a and the flap 22b may be set as a pair, and the flap 22c and the flap 22d may be set as a pair. The pattern command generation unit 41e generates a control command to the flaps 22a to 22d set by the pair setting unit 41d based on the duration determined by the duration determination unit 41c.

  The memory 42 includes various control tables (not shown) necessary for controlling the air conditioner 1, information related to each air conditioner 1 such as position data necessary for communication of the air conditioner 1, various arithmetic programs, and the like. Is remembered. The memory 42 also includes a duration table that defines durations (see below), a condition table that associates conditions and swing patterns for determining phases and phases described later, an outlet ID, and each outlet 21a. A swing pattern table that associates the swing patterns of the flaps 22a to 22d corresponding to .about.21d is stored.

  In the duration table, as shown in FIG. 4, the duration is defined for the duration number. In addition, the continuation time here is the time for which the flaps 22a to 22d maintain the horizontal blowing position or the bottom blowing position. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, there are six durations from t0 to t5, which are defined in units of 10 seconds from 0 seconds to 50 seconds, respectively. The duration time is not limited to six ways from t0 to t5. Further, the duration is not limited to the time [second] defined in the present embodiment.

  In the condition table, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation mode such as the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode, the start-up period of the cooling operation mode in each operation mode such as the start-up period and the stable period, and the stability of the cooling operation mode Period 1 (no temperature unevenness), cooling operation mode stabilization period 2 (temperature unevenness), heating operation mode startup period, heating operation mode intermediate period 1, heating operation mode intermediate period 2, and heating operation mode Seven phases in the stable period are associated with swing patterns corresponding to each phase. Here, the “starting period of the cooling operation mode” is a case where it is determined that the blowing temperature is higher than the set temperature, and it is assumed that the cooling operation mode is immediately after starting. The “cooling operation mode stability period 1” and “cooling operation mode stability period 2” referred to here are cases in which the blowing temperature is lower than the temperature obtained by subtracting 10K from the set temperature for 10 minutes. Yes, it is assumed that the temperature of the indoor space is stable in the cooling operation mode. The “cooling operation mode stability period 1” is a case where there is no variation in the temperature distribution in the vertical direction of the indoor space (that is, there is no temperature unevenness), and the “cooling operation mode stability period 2” is the indoor space. This is a case where there is variation in the temperature distribution in the vertical direction (ie, there is temperature unevenness). The “heating period of the heating operation mode” here is a case where it is determined that the blowing temperature is lower than the set temperature, and it is assumed immediately after the heating operation mode is started. In addition, the “intermediate period 1 of the heating operation mode” here is a case where it is determined that the blow-out temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature, and before the stable period in which the temperature of the indoor space is stabilized in the heating operation mode ( It is assumed that this is the first stage of the interim period. In addition, the “intermediate period 2 of the heating operation mode” referred to here is a case where the state in which the blowing temperature is higher than the temperature obtained by adding 5K to the set temperature continues for 3 minutes. It is assumed that there are two stages. The “intermediate period 2 of the heating operation mode” referred to here is a case where the state where the blowing temperature is higher than the temperature obtained by adding 10K to the set temperature continues for 10 minutes, and the temperature of the indoor space in the heating operation mode. Is assumed to be stable.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the swing pattern table includes flap IDs, initial positions, initial movements, and duration patterns of flaps 22a to 22d to be operated with respect to the seven swing patterns associated with the seven phases described above. Are associated. Here, the “initial position” is the first position in the swing pattern of each of the flaps 22a to 22d. The horizontal blow and the bottom blow that are the positions of the flaps 22a to 22d described above are included in this position. There are two types. In addition, the “initial operation” referred to here is an initial operation in the swing pattern of each of the flaps 22a to 22d, and there are three types of this operation: swing, keep, and 10s keep. “Swing” means that each flap 22a to 22d moves its posture from a horizontal blowing position to a lower blowing position, or each flap 22a to 22d changes its posture from a lower blowing position to a horizontal blowing position. The movement is determined by the position of each flap immediately before the swing is performed. In this embodiment, the time required for one swing is fixed at 20 seconds, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be changed. “Keep” is to maintain the position for a predetermined duration, and the duration is determined by a duration pattern to be described later. “10 s keep” is to maintain the position for 10 seconds regardless of the defined duration, and is limited to the initial operation. Further, the “duration pattern” is a pattern in which a plurality of types of durations, which are times for the flaps 22a to 22d to keep their positions, are arranged in a plurality of times (specifically, the following swing pattern). See Control). Each of the flaps 22a to 22d always keeps for the duration of time determined at the position after the swing, and swings when the keep is completed. Therefore, swing and keep are alternately performed, and a duration pattern is defined by sequentially defining the keep time in accordance with the corresponding pattern.

  The control unit 43 controls the air conditioner 1 according to a calculation program recorded in the memory 42, a control command generated by the pattern command generation unit 41e, and the like.

  The air conditioner 1 is provided with a remote controller 5 having an input unit 51 so as to be connected to the communication line N, and various data can be input via the input unit 51. Specifically, in this remote controller 5, the user corresponds to the control of the indoor unit 2, switches between operation modes such as a cooling operation mode and a heating operation mode, inputs a set temperature in various operation modes, and sets a time. Operations such as on / off setting (timer setting) can be performed. The remote controller 5 is assumed to be a wireless remote controller or a wired remote controller corresponding to the indoor unit 2. However, the remote controller 5 is not limited to this, and a central remote controller that can manage a plurality of air conditioners installed in a building or all of the buildings. It may be a management device that can manage the operation status of the facility. Here, the “set temperature” is a target temperature that finally brings the room temperature (room temperature) closer. In other words, in the air conditioner 1, by setting the set temperature, the room air is air-conditioned so that the room temperature approaches the set temperature.

(2) Swing pattern control In the air conditioning apparatus 1, the phase mentioned above is judged, and according to the phase, a swing pattern is changed so that a user may reduce discomfort. In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 1 changes the swing pattern according to the seven phases using the system configuration described above.

  Hereinafter, the swing patterns (patterns 1 to 7) in the seven phases will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 7 to 13, the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents the directions of the four flaps 22 a to 22 d, and the transition of the directions of the flaps 22 a to 22 d over time is a diagram. One scale engraved with respect to the horizontal axis is 10 seconds. Moreover, the ratio of the opening of the blower outlets 21a-21d changes according to the direction of each flap 22a-22d. That is, in the case of horizontal blowing, it is in a slightly open state, and in the case of downward blowing, it is in a fully open state. And since the four flaps 22a-22d are each controlled by the fine open state and the full open state independently, the ratio of the air volume which blows off from the blower outlets 21a-21d changes according to the opening degree. For example, when two flaps are in the slightly open state and the two flaps are in the fully open state, the air volume of about 10% of the total air volume is respectively emitted from the air outlet where the flap in the slightly open state is located. Is blown out, and from the air outlet where the fully opened flap is located, a wind of about 40% of the total air volume blows out. The ratio of the air volume blown from each outlet to the entire air volume is described at the bottom of the time chart of each flap in FIGS. The unit of this numerical value is%. In addition, when the air volume is as small as 10%, for example, the wind speed increases, and the reach distance of the air flow in that case increases. On the other hand, when the air volume is as large as 40%, for example, the wind speed becomes slow and the reach of the air current becomes short.

  Further, each of the four flaps 22a to 22d can swing independently. In the present embodiment, the swing patterns of the four flaps 22a to 22d are such that the swing pattern set for at least one flap is out of phase with the swing pattern set for other flaps, or the same It will be in phase. Therefore, in the description of each swing pattern, the swing pattern of the flap 22a will be described as a representative.

(2-1) Pattern 1
During the start-up period of cooling operation, the temperature of the air blown out from the air conditioner is not sufficiently low, and simply using horizontal blowing may not be effective for cooling, causing discomfort to the user. There are many. Moreover, if too much time is blown down, a warm wind will be applied to the user, which is considered to cause discomfort. Pattern 1 is set as a pattern to be performed during the start-up period of the cooling operation. In order to solve the above-described problem, the swing pattern has a variation in air volume immediately after the start of the cooling operation.

  More specifically, the pattern 1 will be described based on the swing pattern table of FIG. 6 and a time chart showing the direction of the flap in the pattern 1 of FIG.

  The initial position of the flap 22a (flap ID1) in the pattern 1 is down blowing, and the initial operation is swing. In pattern 1, two types of durations (tk0 and tk1) are arranged four times (1st to 4th), and the first (1st) duration is kept after the swing of the initial operation. Thereafter, a swing is performed, and the second (2nd) duration time is maintained. Then, the swing and keep are repeated until the fourth (4th), and when the fourth (4th) keep is completed, the swing is returned to the first (1st) keep. In this way, swing and keep are performed alternately.

  In pattern 1, the swing pattern is a swing pattern in which the flap 22a and the flap 22d are synchronized, and the swing pattern is a swing pattern in which the flap 22b and the flap 22c are synchronized. When the flap 22b and the flap 22c are rearranged in the order of the duration pattern from the third (3rd) to the fourth (4th), first (1st), and second (2nd), the flap 22a And it becomes the same as the duration pattern in the swing pattern of the flap 22d. However, even if rearranged in this way, in the case of the flap 1 in the case of the flap 22a and the flap 22d, the initial position (position immediately before swinging to the position of the keep in the first duration) is lower than the flap 22b. In the case of rearrangement as described above in the flap 22c, the initial position (position immediately before swinging to the keep position in the third duration) is horizontal blowing, and the position corresponding to the initial position is completely opposite. .

  By controlling as described above, the air volume blown from the air outlets 21a to 21d 20 seconds after the start of the pattern 1 is blown out by 10% from the air outlets 22a and 22d, respectively, and the air outlets 22b and 22c. 40% of air volume will be blown out from each. Then, 17 to 33% of the air volume is blown out from each of the air outlets 21a to 21d after 50 seconds from the start of pattern 1, and 25% of the air volume is blown out from each of the air outlets 21a to 21d after 10 seconds. Further, 10 seconds later, 17 to 33% of the air volume is blown out from each of the outlets 21a to 21d. Thus, in the start-up period of the cooling operation, a plurality of types (at least two or more types) of air volumes between 10 to 40% are blown out from the outlets 21a to 21d. Considering that the two flaps swing in synchronism, when 40% of the air volume comes out from one outlet, it can be said that the air volume is relatively large. On the contrary, it can be said that it is relatively small in the case of 10%.

  In pattern 1, the duration time of the duration pattern is two types, tk0 (0 seconds) and tk1 (10 seconds), and is as short as 10 seconds at the longest, so the same amount of air is blown from one outlet. Is rarely continued. That is, by setting the duration to 10 seconds at the longest, the air volume blown from each outlet can be set randomly between 10 to 40%. Moreover, since each of the flaps 22a to 22d is swinging, the air in the indoor space can be actively stirred, and the temperature unevenness in the indoor space can be eliminated.

  Further, when the air volume is 40%, the position of each flap 22a to 22d is the case of the bottom blowing, and when the air volume is 10%, the position of each flap 22a to 22d is limited to the case of the horizontal blowing. For this reason, when the air volume is large, a slow wind speed is sent downward (that is, to the user side), so the vertical direction of the space does not give the user a feeling of draft even in the case of a down blow. Can be stirred. In addition, when the air volume is small, wind with a high wind speed is sent in the horizontal direction, so that a circulating air flow over a wide range can be generated and cooling can be performed quickly. Further, the frequency of the bottom blowing is twice per cycle (100 seconds in the pattern 1), 0.2 times per 10 seconds, which is more frequent than the other patterns (see later), and the number of bottom blowing. Is increasing. This is because the blowing temperature is not sufficiently low, so that it can be considered that even if it hits the user directly, it will hardly cause discomfort.

(2-2) Pattern 2 and Pattern 3 (Stable period of cooling operation mode)
The stable period of the cooling operation is a state after a sufficient amount of time has elapsed since the start of the cooling operation, and is a state where it has been determined that the blowing temperature blown out from the air conditioner has become sufficiently low. In the stable period of the cooling operation, the indoor space is divided into a cold air layer and a warm air layer. As described above, if the air in the space is biased in the temperature distribution with respect to the vertical direction, the efficiency of the air conditioning is lowered and the user is uncomfortable. However, in the case of cooling operation, if the wind supplied from the air outlet is directly applied to the user, there is a risk of giving the user an uncomfortable feeling due to the draft. Further, if the swing operation is a monotonous fixed pattern, the comfort felt by the user is gradually reduced. Therefore, in the stable period of cooling operation, in order to solve these problems, it is divided into the case where the temperature distribution is biased (when there is temperature unevenness) and the case where it is not (when there is no temperature unevenness). The optimum swing pattern is applied to each.

  Hereinafter, a pattern 2 that is a swing pattern applied when there is temperature unevenness and a pattern 3 that is a swing pattern applied when there is no temperature unevenness will be described.

  Specifically, the pattern 2 will be described based on the swing pattern table in FIG. 6 and a time chart showing the direction of the flap in the pattern 2 in FIG.

  The initial position of the flap 22a (flap ID1) in the pattern 2 is horizontal blowing, and the initial operation is swing. In pattern 2, three types of durations (tk0, tk2, and tk4) are arranged in eight times (1st to 8th), and the first (1st) duration is kept after the initial swing. Thereafter, a swing is performed, and the second (2nd) duration time is maintained. The swing and keep are repeated up to the fourth (4th), and when the eighth (8th) keep is completed, the swing is returned to the first (1st). In this way, swing and keep are performed alternately.

  In the pattern 2, the swing pattern is a synchronized swing pattern of the flaps 22a and 22d, and the swing pattern is a synchronized pattern of the flaps 22b and 22c. The flap 22b and the flap 22c have their duration patterns beginning with the fifth (5rd), and thereafter, the sixth (6th), the seventh (7th), the eighth (8th), the first (1st), 2 When rearranged in the order of the second (2nd), third (3rd), and fourth (4th), it becomes the same as the duration pattern in the swing pattern of the flap 22a and the flap 22d.

  By controlling as described above, the air volume blown from each of the air outlets 21a to 21d 20 seconds after the start of the pattern 2 is blown by 25% from each of the air outlets 22a to 22d. And after 80 seconds from the start of pattern 2, 10% from the air outlets 21a, 21d and 40% from the air outlets 21b, 21c are blown out, and after 20 seconds, 40% from the air outlets 21a, 21d, An air volume of 10% is blown out from the outlets 21b and 21c. After 140 seconds from the start of pattern 2, the swing pattern for the first 140 seconds of pattern 2 ends. The second half of the pattern 2 is substantially the same as the first half, and the difference from the first half is that the air volume at the air outlets 21a and 21d and the air volume at the air outlets 21b and 21c are opposite 80 seconds and 100 seconds after the start of the second half. . The pattern 2 has been described separately for the first half and the second half. However, for the sake of explanation, the first half and the second half are merely defined for convenience, and the first half and the second half are not particularly distinguished in practice.

  In the pattern 2, 20% after the start of the first half and the latter half in one cycle, 25% of the air volume is blown out simultaneously from the four outlets 22a to 22d. For this reason, the air in indoor space can be stirred with a gentle wind. Further, 80 to 100 seconds after the start of the first half and the second half, the air outlets 21a and 21d and the air outlets 21b and 21c alternately blow 40% air volume and 10% air volume. As described above, when the air volume is large, a slow wind speed is sent downward (that is, to the user side). Stirring in the vertical direction can be promoted. In addition, when the air flow rate is small and the horizontal blown air amount is 10%, a fast wind speed is sent in the horizontal direction, so that a circulating air flow over a wide range can be generated and cooling can be performed quickly. That is, by combining 40% airflow and 10% airflow for a relatively short period of 20 seconds, the air can be stirred to every corner of the space, It is effective in eliminating the unevenness. Further, the frequency of the bottom blowing is 4 times per cycle (240 seconds in pattern 2), and is 0.14 times per 10 seconds, which is less than pattern 1.

  Pattern 3 is a swing pattern similar to pattern 2. The part where pattern 3 is different from pattern 2 is the duration of the duration pattern. The duration of pattern 3 is obtained by replacing the duration tk2 (20 seconds) of pattern 2 with tk4 (40 seconds) and the duration tk4 (40 seconds) of pattern 2 with tk5 (80 seconds). That is, in Pattern 3, the predetermined duration (2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th) is twice as long as in Pattern 2. This means that the time interval from the bottom blowing of pattern 3 to the next bottom blowing is doubled. Pattern 3 is a swing pattern performed when the cooling operation is in a stable period and there is no temperature unevenness. Therefore, the frequency of down-blowing is 0.1 times per 10 seconds as compared with the case where there is temperature unevenness as in pattern 2. And few.

  Note that the pattern 2 may be a pattern in which the duration of keep in horizontal blowing is shortened by 10 seconds, for example. In this case, since the frequency of the bottom blowing is higher than that of the pattern 2, the temperature unevenness in the room can be eliminated.

  In the stable period of the cooling operation, the set temperature may be set to + T ° C. (for example, 1 ° C.). As a result, it is possible to reduce discomfort caused by the draft, and it is possible to drive while suppressing energy consumption.

(2-3) Pattern 4 (starting period of heating operation mode)
In the start-up period of the heating operation, the temperature of the air blown out from the air conditioner is not sufficiently high. It makes you feel uncomfortable. Moreover, warm wind cannot be sent to the lower part of the indoor space where the user is located in the state of horizontal blowing. Therefore, it is necessary to blow down at an appropriate frequency. Pattern 4 is a pattern performed during the start-up period of such a heating operation. In order to solve the above-described problem, the frequency of downward blowing immediately after the start of the heating operation is reduced.

  More specifically, the pattern 4 will be described based on the swing pattern table in FIG. 6 and a time chart showing the direction of the flaps in the pattern 4 in FIG.

  The initial position of the flap 22a (flap ID1) in the pattern 4 is horizontal, and the initial operation is swing. In pattern 4, two types of durations (tk0 and tk4) are arranged twice (1st, 2nd), and the first (1st) duration is kept after the swing of the initial operation. Thereafter, a swing is performed, and the second (2nd) duration time is maintained. When the second (2nd) duration is kept, the swing is returned to the first (1st) duration. In this way, swing and keep are performed alternately.

  In pattern 4, the swing pattern is a swing pattern in which the flap 22a and the flap 22d are synchronized, and the swing pattern is a swing pattern in which the flap 22b and the flap 22c are synchronized. Contrary to the flaps 22a and 22d, the swing patterns of the flaps 22b and 22c are obtained by rearranging the duration patterns in the order of second (2nd) and first (1st). The swing patterns of the flaps 22b and 22c are different in that the initial operation is keep. That is, in the swing pattern of the flaps 22b and 22c in the pattern 4, the first (1st) duration is kept first, and then the swing is kept and the second (2nd) duration is kept. . When the second (2nd) keep is completed, the swing is finally performed and the first (1st) duration time is returned to the keep. Thus, even if the initial operation is keep, swing and keep are alternately performed.

  By controlling as described above, when the flaps 22a and 22d are in the bottom blowing state, the flaps 22b and 22c are in a state in which exactly half the duration of the horizontal blowing keep has elapsed, The flaps 22a and 22d and the flaps 22b and 22c swing alternately. In the pattern 4, it takes 20 seconds for the flaps 22a to 22d to perform one swing, and in the pattern 4, the duration of the bottom blowing is 0 second. The duration of the keep in the state where the flaps 22a to 22d are horizontally blown is 40 seconds. For this reason, when one pair is swinging, the other pair is keeping in a horizontal blowing state. And when one pair is in the state of the bottom blowing, 40% of the air volume is blown out from the air outlet where the pair is located, and 10% of the air volume is blown out from the air outlet where the other pair is located. Will be.

  Since the pattern 4 is a swing pattern performed in the heating operation, the duration of the bottom blowing is 0 second. Pattern 4 further has a longer period of 40 seconds (ie, the duration of horizontal blowing) until the blown out air is not sufficiently warm because it is in the start-up period of the heating operation, so that the time until the bottom is blown down (that is, the duration of horizontal blowing). For this reason, it is possible to prevent the wind that is not so warm from being applied to the user as much as possible, and to reduce the draft feeling. Further, since not only horizontal blowing but also regular down blowing is performed, even if the wind is not sufficiently warm, it is sent to the lower part of the space, so that occurrence of temperature unevenness in the vertical direction of the indoor space can be reduced. Further, the frequency of the bottom blowing is once per cycle (80 seconds in the pattern 4), and is 0.13 times per 10 seconds, which is smaller than other patterns (see later).

(2-4) Pattern 5 and Pattern 6 (interim period of heating operation)
The intermediate period of the heating operation is a state in which the blowout temperature is higher than that in the start-up period of the heating operation but not yet sufficiently warmed. That is, the intermediate period of the heating operation is a state defined in stages from the start-up period of the heating operation to the stable period of the heating operation in which the blowout temperature is sufficiently warm and the room temperature is also warm. . And in the middle period of heating operation, it divides into two in steps. In the intermediate period of the heating operation, the blowout temperature is higher than that in the start-up period, so that the possibility of giving the user discomfort due to the draft is reduced even if the blow is performed more frequently than in the start-up period. Patterns 5 and 6 are swing patterns that are performed during the intermediate period of such heating operation, and the frequency of downward blowing is increased compared to the start-up period of the heating operation.

  The pattern 5 is a swing pattern similar to the pattern 4. The part where the pattern 5 is different from the pattern 4 is the duration of the duration pattern. The duration of pattern 5 is obtained by replacing tk4 (40 seconds) of the duration of pattern 4 with tk3 (30 seconds). That is, in Pattern 5, the predetermined duration (horizontal blowing duration) is 3/4 shorter than that in Pattern 4. The pattern 5 is the intermediate period 1 (first stage of the intermediate period) of the heating operation, and the blowing temperature is higher than the start-up period and lower than the intermediate period 2 (second stage of the intermediate period). For this reason, the frequency of downward blowing is higher than that of pattern 4 at 0.14 times per 10 seconds.

  The pattern 6 is also a swing pattern similar to the pattern 4 like the pattern 5. The part where the pattern 6 is different from the pattern 4 is the duration of the duration pattern. The duration of pattern 6 is obtained by replacing tk4 (40 seconds) of the duration of pattern 4 with tk2 (20 seconds). That is, in Pattern 6, the predetermined duration (horizontal blowing duration) is shortened to ½ compared to Pattern 4. The pattern 6 is the intermediate period 2 of the heating operation, higher than the intermediate period 1 of the heating operation, and lower than the stable period of the heating operation. For this reason, the frequency of downward blowing is higher than pattern 5 at 0.17 times per 10 seconds.

(2-5) Pattern 7 (stable period of heating operation)
The stable period of the heating operation is a state where the blowing temperature is sufficiently high and the room is sufficiently warmed. In the stable period of the heating operation, since the blowing temperature is higher than that in the intermediate period, even if the blowing is performed more frequently than in the start-up period, the possibility of giving the user discomfort due to the draft is reduced. Pattern 7 is a swing pattern that is performed during the stable period of such heating operation, and the frequency of downward blowing is further increased than in the intermediate period of heating operation.

  Pattern 7 is a swing pattern similar to pattern 4. The part where the pattern 7 is different from the pattern 4 is the duration of the duration pattern. The duration of pattern 7 is obtained by replacing tk4 (40 seconds) of the duration of pattern 4 with tk1 (10 seconds). That is, in Pattern 7, the predetermined duration (horizontal blowing duration) is shortened to 1/4 compared to Pattern 4. The pattern 7 is a stable period of heating operation, and the blowing temperature is higher than the intermediate period 2. For this reason, the frequency of downward blowing is higher than that of the pattern 6 as 0.2 times per 10 seconds.

(3) Swing Pattern Selection Control In the air conditioner 1, the above-described seven phases are determined by monitoring the blowout temperature, the room temperature (in this embodiment, the suction temperature), the set temperature, and the like. 14 to 17 are flowcharts showing a flow of processing for determining each phase.

  Hereinafter, the phase determination method will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, in step S1, it is determined whether to execute or cancel the swing. This determination is made based on settings made by the user using input means such as the remote controller 5. Specifically, it is determined that the swing is executed when the user has set the swing-on using the input means such as the remote controller 5, and the swing is determined to be canceled when the user has set the swing-off. In step S1, when the swing-on setting is performed, the process proceeds to the next step S2, and when the swing-off setting is performed, the swing operation is stopped.

  In step S2, it is determined whether there is an automatic swing request. Thereby, the swing pattern control according to the present embodiment is performed only when the automatic swing is set. If it is determined in step S2 that there is an automatic swing request, the process proceeds to the next step S3, and if it is determined that there is no automatic swing request, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S3, it is determined whether the operation mode is the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode. In step S3, when it is determined that the cooling operation mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S4 (see FIG. 15). When it is determined that the heating operation mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S13 (refer to FIGS. 16 and 17). Transition.

(Phase judgment of cooling operation mode)
Next, the case where it is determined in step S3 that it is in the cooling operation mode (steps S4 to S12) will be described based on FIG.

  In step S4, it is determined whether or not the blowing temperature is lower than the temperature obtained by subtracting T1 [K] (for example, 10K) from the set temperature. When it is determined that the blowing temperature is lower than the temperature obtained by subtracting T1 [K] from the set temperature, the process proceeds to step S5, and it is determined that the blowing temperature is lower than the temperature obtained by subtracting T1 [K] from the set temperature. If not, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S5, it is determined whether or not the first time flag is 1. Here, based on the first time flag, it is determined whether or not time measurement is performed in a state where the condition of step S4 is satisfied. In step S5, when the first time flag is 1, it is determined that time measurement is being performed in the state where the condition of step S4 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S6, and when the first time flag is not 1 ( In the case of 0), it is determined that the time measurement is not performed in the state where the condition of step S4 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S6, time measurement is started and the first time flag is set to 1. Here, by setting the first time flag to 1, it can be determined that the time measurement is being performed in a state where the condition of step S4 is satisfied. When step S6 ends, the process proceeds to step S7.

  Step S7 is performed when the condition of step S5 is satisfied (that is, when time measurement is performed in the state where the condition of step S4 is satisfied). In step S7, it is determined whether 10 minutes have elapsed since the start of time measurement. In step S6, if 10 minutes have elapsed since the start of time measurement, the process proceeds to step S10, and if 10 minutes have not elapsed since the start of time measurement, the process proceeds to step S9.

  Step S8 is performed when the condition of step S4 is not satisfied. In step S8, when time measurement is being performed, the time measurement is stopped, and after the first time flag is set to 0, the process proceeds to step S9. If time measurement has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the swing pattern of pattern 1 is selected from the swing pattern table. Then, the swing pattern of pattern 1 is executed, and then the process returns to step S1.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not there is temperature unevenness in the vertical direction of the interior space (indoor space). The determination made here is specifically determined that the difference between the suction temperature detected by the suction temperature sensor 26 and the floor temperature detected by the floor temperature sensor 27 is Δt [K] (for example, 4K) or more. In this case, it is determined that there is temperature unevenness in the vertical direction of the indoor space. If it is determined in step S10 that there is temperature unevenness in the vertical direction of the indoor space, the process proceeds to step S11. If it is determined that there is no temperature unevenness in the vertical direction of the indoor space, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S11, the swing pattern of pattern 2 is selected from the swing pattern table. Then, the swing pattern of pattern 2 is executed, and then the process returns to step S1.

  In step S12, the swing pattern of pattern 3 is selected from the swing pattern table. Then, the swing pattern of pattern 3 is executed, and then the process returns to step S1.

  In step S4 to step S8, it is determined whether it is the start-up period of the cooling operation mode or the stable period of the cooling operation mode. Here, in the present embodiment, the “stable period of the cooling operation mode” refers to a state where the blowing temperature is lower than the temperature obtained by subtracting T1 [K] (for example, 10 K) from the set temperature for t1 [minute] (for example, 10 minutes) or more. This is the case. The “starting period of the cooling operation mode” is a case other than the “stable period of the cooling operation mode”. That is, when the process proceeds to step S9 through step S4 to step S8, it is regarded as the start-up period of the cooling operation mode, and when the process proceeds to step S10, it is regarded as the stable period of the cooling operation mode. . In step S10, the stable period of the cooling operation mode is further divided into a case where there is temperature unevenness and a case where there is no temperature unevenness.

  As described above, in steps S4 to S8 and step S10, the three phases in the cooling operation mode are determined, and the swing pattern corresponding to each phase is executed. That is, the swing pattern of pattern 1 is executed in the start-up period of the cooling operation mode, the swing pattern of pattern 2 is executed in the stable period of the cooling operation mode (with temperature unevenness), and the stable period of the cooling operation mode (temperature In the case of no unevenness, the swing pattern of pattern 3 is executed.

(Phase judgment of heating operation mode)
Next, the case where it is determined in step S3 that the heating operation mode is selected (steps S13 to S27) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In step S13, it is determined whether the blowing temperature is lower than the set temperature. If it is determined that the blowing temperature is lower than the set temperature, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is not determined that the blowing temperature is lower than the set temperature, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S14, the swing pattern of pattern 4 is selected from the swing pattern table. Then, the swing pattern of pattern 4 is executed, and then the process returns to step S1.

  In step S15, it is determined whether or not the blowing temperature is higher than a temperature obtained by adding T3 [K] (for example, 10K) to the set temperature. If it is determined that the blowing temperature is higher than the temperature obtained by adding T3 [K] to the set temperature, the process proceeds to step S16, and it is determined that the blowing temperature is higher than the temperature obtained by adding T3 [K] to the set temperature. If not, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S16, it is determined whether or not the third time flag is 1. Here, based on the third time flag, it is determined whether or not time measurement is performed in a state where the condition of step S15 is satisfied. If the third time flag is 1 in step S16, it is determined that time measurement is being performed in the state where the condition of step S15 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S18. If the third time flag is not 1 ( In the case of 0), it is determined that time measurement is not performed in the state where the condition of step S15 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, time measurement is started and the third time flag is set to 1. Here, by setting the third time flag to 1, it is possible to determine that the time measurement is being performed with the condition of step S15 being satisfied. When step S17 ends, the process proceeds to step S18.

  Step S18 is performed when the condition of step S16 is satisfied (that is, when time measurement is performed in the state where the condition of step S15 is satisfied). In step S18, it is determined whether 10 minutes have elapsed since the start of time measurement. In step S18, when 10 minutes have elapsed since the start of time measurement, the process proceeds to step S19, and when 10 minutes have not elapsed since the start of time measurement, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S19, the swing pattern of pattern 7 is selected from the swing pattern table. And the swing pattern of the pattern 7 is performed, and it returns to step S1 after that.

  Step S20 is performed when the condition of step S15 is not satisfied. In step S20, when the time measurement is performed, the time measurement is stopped, the third time flag is set to 0, and then the process returns to step S1. If time measurement has not been performed, the process directly returns to step S1.

  In step S21, it is determined whether or not the blowing temperature is higher than a temperature obtained by adding T2 [K] (for example, 5K) to the set temperature. If it is determined that the blowing temperature is higher than the temperature obtained by adding T2 [K] to the set temperature, the process proceeds to step S22, and it is determined that the blowing temperature is higher than the temperature obtained by adding T2 [K] to the set temperature. If not, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S22, it is determined whether or not the second time flag is 1. Here, based on the second time flag, it is determined whether or not time measurement is performed in a state where the condition of step S21 is satisfied. In step S22, when the second time flag is 1, it is determined that time measurement is being performed in a state where the condition of step S21 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S24, and when the first time flag is not 1 ( In the case of 0), it is determined that the time measurement is not performed in the state where the condition of step S21 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, time measurement is started and the second time flag is set to 1. Here, by setting the second time flag to 1, it can be determined that the time measurement is being performed in a state where the condition of step S21 is satisfied. When step S23 ends, the process proceeds to step S24.

  Step S24 is performed when the condition of step S22 is satisfied (that is, when time measurement is performed with the condition of step S21 being satisfied). In step S23, it is determined whether or not 3 minutes have elapsed since the start of time measurement. In step S24, when 3 minutes have elapsed since the start of time measurement, the process proceeds to step S25, and when 3 minutes have not elapsed since the start of time measurement, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S25, the swing pattern of pattern 6 is selected from the swing pattern table. Then, the swing pattern of pattern 6 is executed, and then the process returns to step S1.

  Step S26 is performed when the condition of step S21 is not satisfied. In step S27, when the time measurement is being performed, the time measurement is stopped and the second time flag is set to 0, and then the process proceeds to step S27. If time measurement is not performed, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S27, the swing pattern of pattern 5 is selected from the swing pattern table. And the swing pattern of the pattern 5 is performed, and it returns to step S1 after that.

  In step S13 to step S27, it is determined in step S13 whether the heating operation mode is started or not. The “starting period of the heating operation mode” is a case where the blowing temperature is lower than the set temperature as determined in step S13. And when it is not the starting period of heating operation mode, it classify | categorizes into three phases in steps by step S15-step S27, and the swing pattern corresponding to each phase is performed. Specifically, when it is not the start-up period of the heating operation mode, as described above, it is classified into the three phases of the intermediate period 1 of the heating operation mode, the intermediate period 2 of the heating operation mode, and the stable period of the heating operation mode. doing. The “intermediate period 1 of the heating operation mode” is a case where the blow-out temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature, and is a case other than the intermediate period 2 of the heating operation mode and the stable period of the heating operation mode described later. In addition, “intermediate period 2 of the heating operation mode” is a case where the state where the blowing temperature is higher than the temperature obtained by adding T2 [K] to the set temperature continues for 3 minutes. In addition, the “stable period of the heating operation mode” is a case where the blowing temperature is higher than the temperature obtained by adding T3 [K] to the set temperature for 10 minutes.

  As described above, in steps S13 to S27, four phases in the heating operation mode are determined, and swing patterns corresponding to the respective phases are executed. That is, the swing pattern of pattern 4 is executed in the start-up period of the heating operation mode, the swing pattern of pattern 5 is executed in the intermediate period 1 of the cooling operation mode, and the pattern 6 of swing is executed in the intermediate period 2 of the cooling operation mode. The swing pattern is executed, and the swing pattern of pattern 7 is executed in the stable period of the cooling operation mode.

  In addition, in the flowchart performed by determination of each above-mentioned phase, although the unit of t1-t3 is set to [minute], it is not limited to this. In addition, although specific values are given for t1 to t3, for example, they are not limited to these values.

<Features>
(1)
In the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment, the two operation modes (cooling operation mode and heating operation mode) are further subdivided into seven phases (3 for cooling operation) according to the conditions (start-up period, stable period, and intermediate period). In the heating operation, 4) and 7 swing patterns are associated with each other and stored in the memory 42. The swing pattern processing unit 41b selects a swing pattern corresponding to the seven phases determined by the phase determination unit 41a. Each phase from the start-up period of the air conditioner 1 to the stable period in which the indoor air conditioning control by the air conditioner 1 is sufficiently performed is determined by the phase determination unit 41a. And the swing pattern process part 41b produces | generates the control command which concerns on the swing operation | movement of the flap of an air conditioning apparatus based on the selected swing pattern. That is, the air conditioner 1 executes a swing pattern that takes into account the comfort (for example, the discomfort index) of the space in which the air conditioner is installed, according to the phase determined by the conditions in the air conditioner. Will do. In the air conditioner 1, when the swing pattern processing unit 41b executes the swing pattern, the duration determination unit 41c determines, as the duration, the time for which the flap maintains a predetermined posture based on the plurality of swing patterns. The determined duration is transmitted to the swing pattern processing unit 41. Here, the state from the start-up period to the stable period of the air conditioner includes an intermediate period in which there is temperature unevenness in the room. Also, depending on the selected swing pattern, in the cooling operation mode, air in the direction close to the vertical direction is frequently discharged during the start-up period from the stable period, and in the heating operation mode, the air flows in the vertical direction during the stable period from the start-up period. Air in the direction close to is frequently exhaled.

  Therefore, it is possible to execute an optimum swing pattern for seven phases with different conditions. Further, the frequency of the swing operation can be changed when executing the swing pattern. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the discomfort caused by the draft while eliminating the uneven temperature distribution in the vertical direction that occurs in the air-conditioning target space, and to improve the comfort in the room.

(2)
In the air conditioning apparatus of the present embodiment, the blowout temperature, the suction temperature, and the floor temperature are detected, and the phase determination unit 41a determines the seven phases based on the detected temperature and the operation mode at that time. Yes.

  As described above, since the seven phases are determined in accordance with the state of the temperature condition in the phase determination unit room, it is possible to select the optimum swing pattern for the temperature condition at that time.

(3)
In the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment, the memory 42 stores a plurality of swing patterns associated with the four flaps 22a to 22d of the air conditioner. Further, in the air conditioning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, IDs corresponding to the four outlets 21a to 21d are stored in the memory 42. And based on memorize | stored ID, two pairs of flaps provided in the blower outlets 21a and 21d which are adjacent two blower outlets, and the blower outlets 21b and 21c are determined by the pair setting part 41d. The swing patterns of the flaps 22a to 22d set in the same pair are synchronized based on the control command generated by the swing pattern processing unit. Moreover, in the air conditioning apparatus 1, among the four flaps provided at the four outlets 21a to 21d, each pair executes the same swing pattern at a different timing. That is, two flaps of the same pair (referred to as the first pair) and two flaps (second pair) different from the first pair are executed with different timing swing patterns. The swing pattern executed for one pair and the second pair is the same.

  If the swing patterns of the two flaps provided at the two adjacent outlets are synchronized and the vertical movement of the wind direction blown out from these outlets is matched, a swirl flow is likely to occur in the vertical direction of the space. Therefore, in the control device of the present invention, it is possible to generate a vertical swirling flow of air. In addition, since each pair executes the same swing pattern at different timings, an irregular air current can be generated in the space. For this reason, the user can prevent the discomfort caused by the familiarity with the monotonous swing pattern as much as possible.

<Modification>
(1)
In the air conditioner 3 in the embodiment and the modification example thereof, the case where the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 is a ceiling-mounted indoor unit that can blow out air in four directions is given as an example. For example, it may be a ceiling-mounted indoor unit that can blow air in two directions, or a ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted indoor unit that blows air in one direction. good.

  An indoor unit that blows air in two directions (hereinafter referred to as a double flow type indoor unit) is an indoor unit in which two elongated rectangular outlets are arranged in parallel. In the double flow type indoor unit, the horizontal blow blows in the horizontal direction opposite to the center direction of the indoor unit (that is, the outside of the indoor unit), and the lower blow blows to the lower side of the indoor unit. In the above embodiment, four flaps are divided into two pairs and the swing operation is controlled. However, in the double flow type, one of the two flaps has one pair of four-way blows. Corresponding, the other flap will be controlled to correspond to the other pair.

  An indoor unit that blows air in one direction (hereinafter referred to as a single flow type indoor unit) is an indoor unit in which one elongated rectangular outlet is disposed. There are two types of single-flow indoor units: ceiling-mounted type and wall-mounted type (room air conditioner). In a single flow type indoor unit, since there is one blower outlet, the flap corresponding to it is also one. The swing motion is controlled so as to correspond to the swing pattern of one flap (for example, the flap 22a) of the above-described embodiment.

  By controlling as described above, in the double flow type or single flow type indoor unit, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as in the above embodiment.

(2)
In the said embodiment, although the air-conditioning control part 4 is mounted in the outdoor unit 3, it is not limited to this but functions independently without being incorporated in the air conditioning apparatus 1, such as a centralized remote controller, an air-conditioning controller, and a central monitoring device. It may be what you do. In this case, the air conditioning control unit 4 is connected to the air conditioner 1 through a communication line, and transmits and receives various types of information.

(3)
In the said embodiment, although the air conditioning apparatus 1 is a pair type air conditioning apparatus with which the one indoor unit 2 respond | corresponds to the one outdoor unit 3, it is not restricted to this, The one outdoor unit 3 A multi-type air conditioner to which a plurality of indoor units 2 correspond may be used.

  In this case, the temperature unevenness of the cooling operation is determined by interlocking the plurality of indoor units 2 and determining that there is temperature unevenness in X% (for example, 50%) of the total number of the plurality of indoor units 2. In this case, it is determined that there is temperature unevenness.

(4)
In the above embodiment, the determination of the phase of the cooling operation and the determination of the phase of the heating operation are performed based on the relationship between the blowing temperature and the set temperature, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, when the absolute value of the temperature obtained by subtracting the set temperature from the room temperature is less than T11 [K], it may be determined that the cooling operation or the heating operation is stable. Alternatively, the floor temperature may be detected, and when the absolute value of the temperature obtained by subtracting the floor temperature from the set temperature is less than T12 [K], it may be determined that the cooling operation or the heating operation is stable. Further, when the absolute value of the temperature obtained by subtracting the current room temperature (or floor temperature) from the room temperature (or floor temperature) before a predetermined time is less than T13 [K], the cooling operation or heating operation is stable. May be determined.

(5)
In the above-described embodiment, the swing pattern (pattern 2) for automatically determining the temperature unevenness and eliminating the temperature unevenness in the cooling operation is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user feels the temperature unevenness. You may perform the swing pattern which eliminates temperature irregularity.

(6)
In the above embodiment, the temperature unevenness determination in the heating operation is not performed, but the temperature unevenness determination may be performed in the same manner as the temperature unevenness determination in the cooling operation (see step S10).

  In this case, when it is determined that there is temperature unevenness, a swing pattern with a high frequency of downward blowing is selected to eliminate the temperature unevenness.

(7)
In the above embodiment, the temperature value acquired by the suction temperature sensor 26 is used as the room temperature. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the room near the height where the user exists from the detected suction temperature and floor temperature. The temperature may be estimated, or an indoor temperature sensor that can acquire the indoor temperature (for example, at a height where the user exists) may be provided, and the temperature value acquired by the temperature sensor may be used as the indoor temperature. . In addition, when providing an indoor temperature sensor, you may connect with the air-conditioning control part 4 by a communication line, and may connect by radio | wireless (ZigBee etc.).

(8)
In the above embodiment, the cooling pattern and the heating operation both propose a swing pattern that is effective from the viewpoint of avoiding a draft that does not give the user a draft feeling. However, in the case of the heating operation (particularly in the stable period of the heating operation). Is not limited to this. Swing pattern that warms the feet rather than avoiding the draft feeling according to the user's request (for example, when the user operates with a remote control) because the blowout temperature is sufficiently high in the stable period of heating operation (See FIG. 18) may be selected.

  The control device according to the present invention has an effect that indoor comfort can be improved, and air that can change the direction of the wind supplied from the air outlet by controlling the flaps arranged in the air outlet. It is useful as a control device for a harmony device.

1 Air conditioner 4 Air conditioning control unit (control device)
21a-21d Air outlet 22a-22d Flap 26 Suction temperature sensor (temperature acquisition part)
27 Floor temperature sensor (temperature acquisition unit)
41a Phase determination unit (operation mode determination unit, phase determination unit)
41b Pattern selection unit (swing pattern selection unit)
41c Duration determination unit (repetition time interval determination unit)
41d Pair setting unit 41e Pattern command generation unit (control command generation unit)
42 memory (swing pattern storage area, ID storage area)
H Horizontal plane α First angle β Second angle

JP-A-9-196435

Claims (7)

A control device (4) for controlling a swing operation for swinging the flaps (22a to 22d) of the air conditioner (1) up and down,
An operation mode determination unit (41a) for determining at least a cooling operation mode and a heating operation mode, which are operation modes of the air conditioner;
A swing pattern storage area (42) for storing a plurality of swing patterns which are information relating to the swing motion;
A control command generation unit (41e) that generates a control command for the air conditioner based on a swing pattern according to a result determined by the operation mode determination unit among the plurality of swing patterns ;
A first repetition time interval, which is a time interval until the inclination of the flaps (22a to 22d) changes from the first posture to the second posture and further changes to the first posture, and the inclination of the flap is A repetition time interval for determining a second repetition time interval, which is a time interval from the second posture to the first posture and further to the second posture, based on the plurality of swing patterns. A determination unit (41c);
A temperature value acquisition unit (26, 27) for acquiring a predetermined temperature value in a room in which the air conditioner (1) is installed;
A swing pattern for selecting a predetermined swing pattern from the plurality of swing patterns based on the result determined by the operation mode determination unit and the predetermined temperature value acquired by the temperature value acquisition unit (26, 27). A selection unit (41b);
A phase determination unit (41a) that determines each phase from the time when the air conditioner (1) rises to the time when the indoor air conditioning control by the air conditioner (1) is sufficiently performed. When,
Equipped with a,
The plurality of swing patterns are associated with the operation mode,
The swing motion is a motion that repeats the first posture and the second posture;
In the first posture, the flaps (22a to 22d) are inclined by a first angle (α) with respect to the horizontal plane (H), and the air discharged from the air conditioner (1) is in a direction close to the horizontal direction. flow,
In the second posture, the flaps (22a to 22d) are inclined by a second angle (β) with respect to the horizontal plane (H), and the air discharged from the air conditioner (1) is close to the vertical direction. Flow to
The swing pattern selection unit (41b) selects the swing pattern based on the phase determined by the phase determination unit (41a),
The repetition time interval determination unit (41c) determines the first repetition time interval and the second repetition time interval based on the predetermined swing pattern selected by the swing pattern selection unit (41b), and In the cooling operation mode, the first repetition time interval and the second repetition time interval are lengthened from the rise to the stable time, and in the heating operation mode, the first repetition time interval from the rise to the stable time. And shortening the second repetition time interval,
The control command generation unit (41e) generates the control command according to the first repetition time interval and the second repetition time interval determined by the repetition time interval determination unit.
Control device (4). The repetition time interval determining unit (41c) determines a plurality of the first repetition time intervals at least in the cooling operation mode.
The control device (4) according to claim 1 . The air conditioner (1) is an air conditioner (1) having four outlets (21a to 21d),
The swing pattern storage area (42) stores the plurality of swing patterns for the flaps (22a to 22d) provided at the four outlets (21a to 21d), respectively.
Control device (4) according to claim 1 or 2 . The four air outlets (21a to 21d) include a first air outlet (21a), a third air outlet (21c) arranged symmetrically with respect to the first air outlet (21a), and Extends from the vicinity of one end of the first air outlet (21a) to the vicinity of one end of the third air outlet (21c), and is adjacent to the first air outlet (21a) and the third air outlet (21c). And the second air outlet (21b) extending from the vicinity of the other end of the first air outlet (21a) to the vicinity of the other end of the third air outlet (21c) 21b) and is arranged symmetrically with respect to the first air outlet (21a) and the fourth air outlet (21d) adjacent to the third air outlet (21c),
An ID storage area (42) for storing IDs corresponding to the four outlets (21a to 21d);
Based on the ID stored in the ID storage area, a pair setting unit (41d) for setting two pairs of two flaps provided at two adjacent outlets;
Further comprising
The control command generation unit (41e) generates a control command for synchronizing two flaps belonging to the same pair,
Control device (4) according to claim 3 . The control command generation unit (41e) causes the two pairs to execute the same swing pattern at different timings.
Control device (4) according to claim 4 . The pair setting unit (41d) changes the pair under a predetermined condition.
Control device (4) according to claim 4 or 5 . The temperature acquisition unit (26, 27) acquires a value detected by a temperature sensor attached to the indoor unit.
The control device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .

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