JP5313031B2 - Air conditioner and its human body detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are an air-conditioner that is capable of accurately detecting the presence and the position of a human body inside a room and regulating the air blown from an indoor unit of the air-conditioner more appropriately, and a human body detector used for this purpose. The human body detector, which is mounted on the front surface of the indoor unit of the air-conditioner and that detects the presence of a human body inside the room, is equipped with a pair of infrared sensors (110L, 110R) that are provided adjacently in the horizontal direction with their detection areas partially overlapping, and is further equipped with a shielding plate (113) that is provided in front of a light collecting means (112) and that establishes a detection area wherein the space is divided into multiple concentric circles in order to restrict the incident direction of infrared rays. The space is divided into multiple areas by changing the position (angle) of the shielding plate in order to detect a human body serving as an infrared source.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner that detects the presence of a human body in an indoor space and controls air blowing and air blowing temperature, and a human body detection device thereof.

  Conventionally, performing air conditioning by detecting the presence and position of a human body in a room provided with an air conditioner is already known, for example, from Patent Documents 1 to 3 below. In particular, in Patent Document 1, in order to detect infrared rays from a human body that is an infrared source, for example, infrared detection means such as a pyroelectric sensor is provided, and a Fresnel lens as infrared collection means is provided in front of the infrared detection means. Further, an infrared shielding member is disposed in front of the Fresnel lens so as to cover the surface thereof, and the shielding member is rotated in conjunction with the louver for adjusting the wind direction. A harmony machine is disclosed.

  In the air conditioner having such a configuration, the shielding member rotates so as to cover the surface of the Fresnel lens, so that partial areas where infrared rays are actually detected are sequentially detected within the detection area that can be condensed by the Fresnel lens. Thus, control is performed to detect the presence of a human body in the room and to fix the wind direction adjusting louver in an area where the presence of the human body is estimated by infrared detection means.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-1121647 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-60004) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 62-175540 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-20659) JP-A 62-200126

  However, in general, in a conventional air conditioner using the above-described pyroelectric sensor (pyroelectric infrared sensor) as infrared detection means, when detecting a human body that is an infrared generation source (infrared source), air conditioning Although it is possible to estimate the direction of the infrared source viewed from the machine, however, the method from the air conditioner to the infrared source (= human body) depends on the output level from the pyroelectric sensor that is the infrared detection means. It is difficult to detect the distance in the line direction with high accuracy, and it is therefore difficult to optimally control the air flow into the room. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, for example, it is conceivable to provide infrared detection means for each distance from the air conditioner. However, this increases the number of infrared detecting means, and there is a problem in that the cost for that increases.

  In particular, as shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, while using a member that shields infrared rays, a plurality of partial detection areas are set by a multi-segment Fresnel lens, and the distance from the human body that is an infrared source is estimated. However, the distance between the infrared detection means and the infrared source differs greatly depending on whether the infrared source is present in front of the infrared detection means or in an oblique direction. Therefore, even with the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is still difficult to accurately detect the presence and position of the human body, which is an infrared source, and perform air conditioning.

  Therefore, the present invention has been achieved in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and more accurately detects the presence and position of a human body in a room to be air-conditioned, and more appropriately, an air conditioner. Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of controlling the wind direction from the air and a human body detection device therefor. Furthermore, it aims at providing the air conditioner which can control the wind speed and / or ventilation temperature of the wind from an air conditioner more appropriately, and the human body detection apparatus for it.

In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the present invention, first, an air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that harmonizes the air indoors with a refrigerant from the outdoor unit, wherein the indoor unit includes: Inside, at least a heat exchanger, a blower for blowing the air that has passed through the heat exchanger into the room, a wind speed control means for controlling the wind speed of the blow by the blower, and the wind of the blow by the blower Blower temperature control means for controlling the temperature, blow direction control means for controlling the wind direction of the blow by the blower, and a control unit for controlling the wind speed control means, the blow temperature control means, and the blow direction control means The indoor unit is further disposed in front of the indoor unit, and includes infrared detection means for detecting infrared rays from the room. The infrared detection means are arranged adjacent to each other so that their detection areas partially overlap, and each infrared detection means outputs an electrical signal by the incidence of infrared rays from the room, and in front of the infrared sensor. And a condensing means for condensing infrared rays from a predetermined angle range in the room onto the incident surface of the infrared detecting means, and arranged in front of the condensing means for limiting the incident direction of the infrared rays. , Movable incident direction limiting means, and further, the incident direction limiting means constituting each of the infrared detection means,
It has a curved shape extending upward for setting a detection area in which the indoor space is concentrically separated into a plurality of spaces, and the control unit moves the incident direction limiting means from the top to the bottom. Then, a detection area is set concentrically in the indoor space in the order of long distance, medium distance, and short distance, and a position where a human body exists in the room is estimated based on electric signals from the plurality of infrared detection means. In addition, an air conditioner is provided that controls the blowing direction control means based on the estimated position of the human body.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the air conditioner described above, it is preferable that the two infrared detection means are arranged, or the incident direction limiting means each move in the vertical direction. Along with this, it is preferable to set detection areas of a long distance, a medium distance, and a short distance concentrically in the indoor space. And it is preferable that the infrared sensor which comprises the said infrared detection means is an infrared dual sensor.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, in the air conditioner described above, the control unit obtains a reaction rate of human body presence from an electrical signal from the plurality of infrared detection means, and based on the reaction rate, It is preferable to estimate the presence of a human body in an indoor detection area, or the air blowing direction control means includes a horizontal louver and a vertical louver, and the control unit is based on the estimated position of the human body. It is preferable to control the angle of the horizontal louver and the vertical louver. Further, the control unit estimates an amount of activity of the human body in the room based on electrical signals from the plurality of infrared detection units, and based on the estimated amount of activity, the wind speed control unit and the blower temperature control unit It is preferable to control at least one of the above.

In addition, according to the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a human body detection device is installed in a space and detects the presence of a human body in the space by detecting infrared rays from the space. A plurality of infrared detection means arranged adjacent to each other so that their detection areas partially overlap in the horizontal direction, and each infrared detection means receives an electric signal by the incidence of infrared rays from within the space. An infrared sensor for outputting, a light collecting means disposed in front of the infrared sensor, for collecting infrared light from a predetermined angle range in the space on an incident surface of the infrared light detecting means, and in front of the light collecting means. And a movable incident direction limiting means for limiting the incident direction of the infrared rays, and further, the incident direction limiting means constituting each of the infrared detection means, Is the provided with a curved shape extending upward to set the detection area in which a plurality of the separation concentrically space, and the space of the chamber by moving the incident direction restricting means in a direction from top to bottom A control unit that concentrically sets detection areas in the order of long distance, medium distance, and short distance, and further estimates a position where a human body exists in the space based on electric signals from the plurality of infrared detection means. A human body detection device is provided.

  And in this invention, in the human body detection apparatus described above, it is preferable that the two infrared detection means are arranged, and the incident direction limiting means is respectively moved in the vertical direction. It is preferable to set detection areas of long distance, medium distance, and short distance concentrically in the space. Further, the infrared sensor constituting the infrared detection means is preferably an infrared dual sensor, and the control unit obtains the reaction rate of the human body from electrical signals from the plurality of infrared detection means, and It is preferable to estimate the presence of a human body in the detection area in the space based on the reaction rate.

  According to the present invention described above, it is possible to more accurately detect the presence and position of a human body in a room to be air-conditioned, and more appropriately control the wind direction from the air conditioner. It is possible to provide a simple air conditioner and a human body detection device therefor.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the air conditioner which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the indoor unit of the said air conditioner. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of the human body detection apparatus of the said air conditioner. It is a figure for demonstrating the human body detection apparatus provided in the housing surface of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which becomes a 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the detection area which can be detected with a pair of infrared sensor in the said human body detection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the movement position (angle) of the shielding board in the said infrared sensor, and the detection area which can be detected. It is a figure explaining the reaction rate computed based on the electrical signal output from a pair of said infrared sensor. It is a schematic flowchart figure which shows an example of the ventilation control performed in the indoor unit of an air conditioner based on the presence position of the human body estimated by the said human body detection apparatus. It is a detailed flowchart figure which shows the detailed content of estimation of the human body presence in the horizontal direction in the said schematic flowchart. It is a detailed flowchart figure which shows the detailed content of estimation of the active mass in the said schematic flowchart. It is a detailed flowchart figure which shows the detailed content of estimation of the human body presence in the perspective direction in the said schematic flowchart. It is a figure explaining the detection area which can be detected with the human body detection apparatus of the air conditioner which becomes the 2nd Example of this invention, and its pair of infrared sensor. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the movement position (angle) of the shielding board in the said infrared sensor, and the detection area which can be detected. It is a detailed flowchart figure which shows the detailed content of estimation of the human body presence in the perspective direction in the air conditioner which becomes the said 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the modification of the human body detection apparatus in the air conditioner of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 attached here shows an air conditioner used in a general home, that is, usually composed of an indoor unit 10 and an outdoor unit 20 connected by a refrigerant pipe (not shown here) between them. ing. In addition, in this figure, the code | symbol 100 has shown the infrared sensor as a human body detection apparatus provided in the housing surface of the indoor unit 10, although it demonstrates also in detail below.

  Note that the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner is an air conditioner including a blower, a motor, and the like provided with a heat exchanger, a filter, and a multiblade fan (not shown here) in its housing, similarly to a normal indoor unit. 2 and the following constituent elements shown in FIG. 2 are provided.

That is, in FIG. 2, the human body detection device 100, which will be described in detail below, includes at least a pair of infrared sensors (infrared detectors) 110 that output signals when infrared rays are incident from a human body H that is an infrared source. That is, two sensors (ie, 110 _L and 110 _R ) are provided, and the sensor (however, only one infrared sensor 110 _L will be described below) is an infrared dual sensor body. The sensor 111, a lens assembly (condensing means) 112 that is disposed in front of the sensor and collects infrared rays from a predetermined angle range onto the incident surface of the infrared dual sensor 111, and the lens assembly It is arranged in front of the body and is composed of a movable shielding plate (incident direction limiting means) 113 that limits the incident direction of infrared rays. Reference numeral 114 in the drawing denotes a shielding plate driving motor (incident direction limiting means driving means) for driving the above (incident direction limiting means) 113.

  More specifically, the shielding plate (incident direction limiting means) 113 is formed of a material that does not transmit infrared rays, such as an opaque synthetic resin, and the shielding plate 113 is, as shown below, The infrared rays from the human body H that is an indoor infrared source are blocked from entering the infrared dual sensor 111 that is the sensor body from a specific direction. That is, the shielding plate 113 functions to regulate the incident direction of the infrared rays from the human body H to the infrared dual sensor 111 in front of the lens assembly 112. Further, as will be described later, since the shielding plate 113 has a predetermined shape, the indoor space to be air-conditioned is substantially concentric with the human body detection device 100 provided on the housing surface of the indoor unit 10 as the center. It is possible to divide into a plurality of regions (equal distance areas) and selectively allow (or shield) the infrared rays from the human body H in the areas to the infrared sensor body 111. That is, according to this, it is possible to estimate the presence of the human body H existing in a plurality of concentric regions centering on the infrared sensor.

  In addition, the shielding plate driving unit 114 is configured by, for example, a stepping motor or the like, and the shielding plate 113 moves up and down in front of the lens assembly 112 by rotating the motor (see arrows in the figure). ), The detection area by the infrared dual sensor 111 can be changed to, for example, a long distance, a medium distance, and a short distance, so that the position of the human body that is the infrared source, in other words, from the indoor unit 10 It becomes possible to estimate the distance to the human body H, which is an infrared source, more accurately.

  Further, reference numeral 150 in the figure denotes a control unit. As shown in the figure, the control unit 150 outputs, for example, a control signal (see the arrow in the figure), thereby shielding the above-described shielding plate. A shielding plate control unit 151 that rotationally drives the motor of the driving unit 114 is provided, whereby the shielding plate 113 is moved or stopped at an arbitrary position, thereby detecting the position of a human being an infrared source. Limit (set) the area. That is, the shielding plate 113 is moved so that the detection area is repeated in the order of long distance, medium distance, and short distance.

Further, the control unit 150 estimates the position of the human body H, which is an infrared source, based on the outputs d _L and d _R from the pair of infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _{R of the} human body detection device 100. In addition to the estimation unit 152, an exercise amount estimation unit 153 that estimates the magnitude of movement of the human body H, which is an infrared source, based on outputs from the pair of infrared sensors. Incidentally, as shown in FIG., An electrical signal d1, d2 is output from the pair of infrared sensors ₁₁₀ L, 110 _R is the reaction rate (RA) calculator 155, the respective reaction rate _RA L, the RA _R After the conversion, it is input to the control unit 150.

  Further, in this indoor unit 20, a wind direction plate that controls the direction (wind direction) of the air blown into the room from the indoor unit based on the output from the human body position estimating unit 152 and the output from the momentum estimating unit 153. The control unit 160, the wind speed control unit 170 that controls the speed (wind speed) of the wind blown into the room from the indoor unit, and the temperature (wind temperature) of the wind that is blown into the room from the indoor unit. And an air temperature control unit 180. In the present embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the wind direction plate control unit 160 controls the wind direction by using, for example, a horizontal louver that extends in the horizontal direction and moves the wind up and down in the blowing direction, or a vertical plate. The angle (position) of the vertical louver that moves the wind in the left-right direction of the blowing direction is controlled, the wind speed control unit 170 controls the rotation speed of the motor that rotates the blower, and the wind temperature control unit 180 Change (adjust) the set temperature of the air blown from the indoor unit.

In the present embodiment, the shield plate control section 151 described above, the human body position estimation unit 152, a control unit 150 which includes a motion estimation unit 153, and further, the reaction rate output d _L, d _R of a pair of infrared sensor RA _L, the reaction rate of converting the RA _R (RA) calculating unit 155, for example, constituted by a microcomputer or the like, functions based on the software stored in the storage device (not shown), which also detailed below herein To achieve.

<Principle of human body detection device>
Next, the principle of a human body detection device that detects the presence and position of a human body in a room provided with an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described below.

  An infrared dual sensor 111 (see FIG. 2 above) that detects the amount of infrared light from an infrared source including the human body generates an electrical signal d corresponding to the amount of change in the incident intensity of the infrared light and the frequency of the change in the incident intensity. This is a sensing element that includes a pyroelectric element and the like. As shown in FIG. 3A, the infrared sensor 110 including the infrared dual sensor 111 is generally infrared in a detection area (infrared detection area) A via a lens assembly 112 provided on the front surface thereof. An infrared ray from the human body H that is a source is incident, and an electric signal d that changes its polarity positively or negatively (so-called alternating current) is generated according to the amount of change in intensity and the frequency of change in incident intensity. The greater the temperature difference between the human body H that is the source and its background, the greater the electrical signal that is generated. FIG. 3B shows the time on the horizontal axis and the output signal d from the infrared dual sensor 111 on the vertical axis. As shown in the figure, when the human body H, which is an infrared source, enters the detection area A, the sensor 111 outputs an electrical signal 3d corresponding to the detected intensity. Therefore, in the present invention, the detection area A is divided into a plurality of concentric circles so that the distance from the infrared dual sensor 111 is substantially the same, thereby detecting the presence of the human body H that is an infrared source.

[Example 1]
FIG. 4 attached herewith shows an air conditioner according to a first embodiment (Embodiment 1) of the present invention, in particular, a human body detection device 100 provided on the housing surface of the indoor unit 10, and also from the figure. obviously, the infrared sensor 110 _L, 110 _R of the pair (2), such that the a _L and a _R is the detection area overlap partially shows the configuration of a detector disposed adjacent to each other Yes. In the example of this figure, each of the infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R includes lens assemblies 112 _L and 112 _R (details will be described later) that collect infrared rays together with the infrared dual sensors 111 _L and 111 _R , respectively. ing. As described above, these infrared sensors 110 _L and the infrared sensor 110 _R, the is installed so as to partially overlap the detection area, placing as thus part of the detection area overlap each other Thus, it is possible to detect an infrared source in a region (three regions divided in the horizontal direction, A _L , A _R and A _{M in} FIG. 4) that is equal to or greater than the number (two) of infrared sensors.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5 (A) ~ (C), infrared sensors 110 _L only by detectable detection area _{A L,} the infrared sensor 110 _R only can be detected by a detection area _{A R,} and both infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R can be detected by a detection area a _M, it is possible to set a total of three detection areas. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the two infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R are installed on the same plane by being installed on different planes (that is, on an isosceles triangular base). Compared with the case where it is, it becomes possible to detect infrared rays in a wider range.

  The lens assembly 112 constituting the infrared sensor is a means for condensing infrared rays on the infrared dual sensor 111. For example, a plurality of Fresnel lenses are integrated into a dome shape (hollow hemisphere). It is constituted by the formed optical lens. The Fresnel lens can freely select the refraction angle of incident light. In this example, each lens is focused on the infrared dual sensor 111. Also, by integrating a plurality of Fresnel lenses, the incident angle of infrared rays to the infrared dual sensor 111 can be limited to a predetermined range. It becomes possible to detect the human H as a source.

Further, as described above, the shielding plate 113 is further provided on the front surface of the lens assembly 112 so as to be movable up and down, thereby setting the detection area in a concentric circle (arc) shape, that is, The detection area is divided into a plurality of concentric circles and separated into, for example, a long distance, a medium distance, and a short distance, so that the presence of the human H as an infrared source can be detected. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Here, only one of the two infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _{R provided} therein (for example, the infrared sensor 110 _L ) will be described. In the present embodiment, the shielding plate 113 is configured to move up and down in conjunction with the above-described vertical louvers using, for example, a link mechanism (not shown).

First, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), a shielding plate 113 is provided on the outer surface side of the lens assembly 112, and the shielding plate 113 does not transmit infrared rays as described above. Therefore, the incidence of infrared rays from a specific direction of infrared rays to the infrared dual sensor 111 is blocked (see FIG. 6C). Furthermore, the shape of the end portion of the shielding plate 113 is formed in a curved shape including, for example, a circle or an ellipse (see FIG. 6A). The range of the incident infrared rays, that is, the detection area in the indoor space is set to a plurality of substantially concentric areas (equal distance areas) centering on the human body detection device 100, so that a plurality of infrared sensors are centered. It is possible to estimate the presence of the human body H within the concentric region (see FIG. 6B). In particular, when two infrared sensors are provided (that is, infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R ), as is apparent from FIG. 6B, the infrared sensor 110 is installed in the indoor space. A long-distance area (detection area A _F ) set concentrically at the center is set as a detection area A _FL , A _FM , A _FR separated into three parts, the left side, the center, and the right side. The presence of human H can be detected (estimated).

Next, when the shielding plate 113 moves downward from the state of FIG. 6A described above in front of the lens assembly 112, the detection area is divided into the above-described three long-range detection areas, In addition to A _FL , A _FM , and A _FR , it is further expanded to three detection areas of medium distance (detection area A _I ), A _IL , A _IM , and A _IR. It is possible to detect (estimate) the presence of a certain person H (see FIGS. 6D, 6E, and 6F).

When the shielding plate 113 moves further downward, the detection area is added to the above-described six long-range detection areas, A _FL , A _FM , A _FR , A _LM , A _IM , A _IR . , Extending to three detection areas A _NL , A _NM , A _NR in the short distance (detection area A _N ), and detecting (estimating) the presence of the human H as the infrared source in each of the nine detection areas in total. (See FIGS. 6 (g), (h) and (i)).

<Human Body Detection / Blower Control Method>
Subsequently, a method for detecting (estimating) the presence and position of a human body in the room by the human body detection apparatus 100 whose principle has been described above, and controlling air flow from the indoor unit 10 will be described below. .

First, FIG. 7 shows electric signals d _L and d _R output from the pair (two) of infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R , and these signals d _L and d _R are respectively set to predetermined values. It is compared with a positive / negative threshold, and when the output exceeds a predetermined magnitude threshold, it is determined to be “ON”. Then, this determination is performed at a fixed time interval (for example, 1/100 second interval) within a fixed time (for example, 15 seconds), and all the determination times executed within the fixed time. The ratio of the number of times determined to be “ON” occupying (= “ON” determination count / total determination count × 100%) is output as the reaction rate (RA). This determination is the reaction rate (RA) calculator 155 configured by the above-mentioned microcomputer, the reaction rate _RA L, is output as RA _R.

Then, the reaction rate was described in RA _L, by utilizing RA _R, to estimate the presence of a human body H is an infrared source in the indoor space, controls the air blowing from the indoor unit 10 for the existence position An example of the control method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart is a so-called general flow, and details thereof will be described with reference to the following detailed flowchart.

First, in FIG. 8, first, when starting the control, the above-described reaction rate RA _L, based on the RA _R, the horizontal direction, i.e., above left, center, detection area separated into three right, A _L , A _M and A _R , the presence of the human body H that is an infrared source is estimated (estimation in the horizontal direction: S801).
<Estimation of human presence in the horizontal (left-right) direction>

Here, details of the estimation of the presence of the human body in the horizontal direction (S801) will be described with reference to FIG. That is, in this estimation in the horizontal direction, first, the reaction rate RA _L from the left side of the infrared sensor 110 _L predetermined threshold (e.g., 10%) as compared to (S901). As a result, if the reaction rate _{R A L} is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold (“No” in the figure), the left detection area of the infrared sensor 110 _L (that is, the left detection area A _L and the center detection area A _M). the) estimated that it does not exist a human body H is an infrared source, then the right side of the reaction rate RA _R a predetermined threshold value from the infrared sensor 110 _R (e.g., compared with 10%) and (S902). As a result of this determination S902, when determining that also the reaction rate RA _R from the right side of the infrared sensor 110 _R does not exceed the predetermined threshold value (in FIG. "No"), the chamber shall be presumed that the human body H is absent ("Human absence" in the figure: S903). For example, the reaction rate RA _L from the left side of the infrared sensor 110 _L is 0% when the reaction rate RA _R from the right side of the infrared sensor 110 _R is 5 percent, given as an example.

On the other hand, the result of the determination S902, if it is determined that the reaction rate RA _R from the right side of the infrared sensor 110 _R exceeds a predetermined threshold value ( "Yes" in the figure), the detection area divided into three in the indoor space on the right side of the area a _R of the human body H is an infrared source is estimated to be present ( "human presence in a _R" in Figure: S904). Here, for example, the reaction rate RA _L from the left side of the infrared sensor 110 _L is 0% when the reaction rate RA _R from the right side of the infrared sensor 110 _R is 55% as an example.

As a result of the determination S901, if it is determined that the reaction rate RA _L from the left side of the infrared sensor 110 _L exceeds a predetermined threshold value ( "Yes" in the figure), and further, also the right of infrared sensor 110 _R , the reaction rate RA _R is a predetermined threshold value (e.g., 10%) determines whether beyond (S905). As a result, the reaction rate RA _R from the right side of the infrared sensor 110 _R, when judged not to exceed the predetermined threshold value ( "No" in the figure), human H is an infrared source, only the left side of the infrared sensor 110 _L to estimate to that present on the left side of the area a _L is detected area ( "human presence in a _L" in Figure: S906). Here, as an example, the reaction rate RA _L from the left side of the infrared sensor 110 _L is 60%, and if the reaction rate RA _R from the right side of the infrared sensor 110 _R is 0%.

On the other hand, the result of the determination S905, also the reaction rate RA _R from the right side of the infrared sensor 110 _R, again, if it is determined to be above a predetermined threshold ( "Yes" in the figure), and further, the left infrared sensor 110 the difference between the reaction rate RA _R from reaction rate RA _L and right infrared sensor 110 _R from _L to _(RA L -RA _R) determined, whether the difference is a predetermined value (e.g., 15%) or more Is determined (S907). As a result, if the difference of the reaction rate _(RA L -RA _R) is less than the predetermined value ( "No" in the figure), the detection area of both the left infrared sensor 110 _L of the right infrared sensor 110 _R It is presumed that a human body H that is an infrared source exists in a certain central area A _M (“human body exists in A _M ” in the figure: S908). On the other hand, the left difference of the reaction rate _(RA L -RA _R) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value ( "Yes" in the figure), the human body H is an infrared source, a detection area of the left infrared sensor 110 _L with the area _{a L,} is estimated to be present in the right area _{a R} is a detection area of the right infrared sensor 110 _R ( "human presence in _{a L} and _{a R} 'of FIG: S909). As this example, the reaction rate RA _L from the left side of the infrared sensor 110 _L is 60%, and if the reaction rate RA _R from the right side of the infrared sensor 110 _R is 15%.

Here, returning to FIG. 8 again, based on the result of the estimation in the horizontal direction (S81) described above, the angle (position) of the longitudinal louver is controlled via the wind direction plate controller 160 (S82). ). More specifically, when it is estimated that the human body H that is an infrared heat source is “absence of human body” (S903), for example, the operation of the air conditioner is stopped. Further, in the right area A _R, if is assumed that the human body H is an infrared source is present (S904) is such that the air from the indoor unit 10 reaches the right area A _R of the chamber, longitudinal Set the angle (position) of the louver. On the other hand, if is assumed that the human body H is an infrared source on the left side of the area A _L is present (S906) is such that the air from the indoor unit 10 reaches the left side of the area A _L in the room in the vertical direction Set the louver angle (position). Then, when it is estimated that the human body H that is an infrared source exists in the central area A _M (S908), the angle (position) of the vertical louver is set toward the central area A _M and the left area A in a case where it is estimated there to _L and the right area a _R (S910), divides the longitudinal direction of the louver to the left and right, respectively, blowing is set to point to the left area a _L and the right area a _R.
<Estimation of activity>

  Next, following the “vertical louver position control” S82 described above, “estimation of activity” shown in FIG. 10 is performed. This “estimation of activity” is performed based on the result of “position control of vertical louvers”.

First, it is determined whether or not the human body H that is an infrared source exists in both the left and right sides of the indoor space (area A _L and area A _R ) (S1001). As a result, when it is determined that the human body H exists on both the left side and the right side (area A _L and area A _R ) (“Yes” in the figure), the reaction rate _{R A L} from the left infrared sensor 110 _L and averaging a reaction rate RA _R from the right side of the infrared sensor _{110 R (= (RA L +} RA R) / 2), the obtained average is a predetermined threshold value th (for example, 50%) whether more than Determination is made (S1002). Then, as a result, when the average value is determined to exceed the predetermined threshold value th ( "Yes" in the figure), the amount of activity of the human body existing in the area A _L and area A _R A "large" listen estimate (S1003). On the other hand, when it is determined that the average value does not exceed the predetermined threshold th (“No” in the figure), the activity amount is estimated to be about “medium” (S1004).

Then, in the determination S1001, if the area _{A L} and area _{A R} is determined that there is no human body H ( "No" in the figure), one of the regions, i.e., the area _{A L} or area A _It is determined whether or not a human body exists in _R (S1005). As a result, when the human body H is the heating element is determined to exist in the area A _L or area A _R ( "Yes" in the figure), the reaction rate RA L from the left side of the infrared sensor 110 _L, or right the reaction rate RA _R a predetermined threshold value th from the infrared sensor 110 _R (e.g., 40%) compared to (S1006). As a result, the reaction rate RA _L, or, when RA _R is determined to exceed the predetermined threshold value th ( "Yes" in the figure), the amount of activity is estimated to be about "medium" (S1004) . On the other hand, the reaction rate RA _L, or, when RA _R is determined not to exceed the predetermined threshold value th ( "No" in the figure), Activity estimates "small" site (S1007).

Further, in the above determination S1005, when in the area A _L or area A _R is determined that the human body does not exist ( "No" in the figure), further, the body in the center of the area A _M is the remaining area It is determined whether or not there exists (S1008). As a result, the center of the area A _M is determined that a human body is present ( "Yes" in the figure) in the case, the reaction rate RA _R from reaction rate RA _L and right infrared sensor 110 _R average (= (RA _L + RA _R ) / 2), and the obtained average value is compared with a predetermined threshold th (for example, 40%) (S1009). As a result, when it is determined that the obtained average value exceeds the predetermined threshold th (“Yes” in the figure), the activity amount is estimated to be about “medium” (S1004). On the other hand, if the threshold th is not exceeded (“Yes” in the figure), it is estimated that the amount of activity is “small” (S1007). In addition, in the above determination S1008, when there is no human body in the middle of the area A _M is the remaining area ( "No" in the figure), the activity amount is set to "none" (S1010).

  Here, returning to FIG. 8 again, based on the result obtained in the above-described activity amount estimation (S83), for example, the speed (wind speed) and temperature (wind temperature) of the wind blown into the room from the indoor unit. ) Is controlled (S84). More specifically, when the estimated amount of activity is “large”, the wind direction plate control unit 160 increases the speed of the wind sent from the indoor unit 10 and lowers the set temperature in the wind temperature control unit 180 downward. Correct it. When the estimated amount of activity is “medium”, it is conceivable that the range of the increase in wind speed and the downward correction of the set temperature is set lower than that in the case of “large”.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8, an operation for estimating the presence of the human body H, which is a heating element, in the perspective direction, that is, the depth direction in the indoor space when viewed from the indoor unit 10 is performed (FIG. 8: S85). ). In this “estimation of the presence of a human body in the perspective direction”, as described above, a long-distance detection area (A _F ), based on the position (angle) of the shielding plate 113 arranged on the front surface of the lens assembly 112, Presence of the human body H, which is an infrared source, is estimated for an area that is divided into three areas: a medium-range detection area (A _I ) and a short-range detection area (A _N ).
<Estimation of human presence in the perspective (depth) direction>

The details of this “estimation of the presence of a human body in the perspective direction” are shown in FIG. That is, first, all the detection areas (A _F + A _I + A _N ) of the long-range detection area (A _F ), the medium-range detection area (A _I ), and the short-range detection area (A _N ) at least one of the reaction rate RA _R from reaction rate RA _L and right infrared sensor 110 _R from the infrared sensor 110 _L, i.e., the reaction rate RA _L and / or reaction rate RA _R is a predetermined threshold value th It is determined whether (for example, 10%) is exceeded (S1101). As a result, if not exceeding any predetermined threshold value th of the reaction rate RA _L and / or reaction rate RA _R ( "No" in the figure), in-room, as the human body H is absent is an infrared source Again, the process returns to step S1101, and the above determination is repeated.

As described above, when the presence of the human body H is detected in all the detection areas (A _F + A _I + A _N ), the pair of left and right infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R described above are configured as shown in FIG. As shown in g), the shielding plate 113 is moved to the lowest position, that is, the incident infrared ray is not blocked and all infrared rays are incident on the infrared dual sensor 111 through the lens assembly 112. It has become.

As a result of the determination S1101, if the reaction rate RA _L and / or the reaction rate RA _R exceeds a predetermined threshold value th ( "Yes" in the figure), in-room, the human body H is an infrared source as present, then the long-range detection area _{(a F),} or in the same manner as described above, the reaction rate RA _L and / or reaction rate RA _R exceeds the predetermined threshold value th (for example, 10%) It is determined whether or not (S1102). In addition, as shown in FIG. 6A, the pair of infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R at this time has their shielding plate 113 moved to the uppermost position, that is, a detection area (A _I ) at a medium distance. The infrared rays from the detection area (A _N ) at a short distance are cut off, and the infrared rays from the human body H existing in the detection area (A _F ) at a long distance are incident on the infrared dual sensor 111. ing.

The determination S1102 results in long-range detection area _{(A F),} if the reaction rate RA _L and / or the reaction rate RA _R exceeds a predetermined threshold value th ( "Yes" in the figure), the long-distance It is estimated that the human body H which is an infrared source exists in the detection area (A _F ) (S1103). On the other hand, in the determination S1102, the reaction rate RA _L and / or reaction rate RA _R does not exceed the predetermined threshold value th ( "No" in the figure) in the case, there is a human body H in the long-distance detection area Further, in the detection area at a long distance and the detection area (A _F + A _I ) at a long distance, the reaction rate _{R A L} and / or the reaction rate _{R A R} is a predetermined threshold th ( For example, it is determined whether it exceeds 10% (S1104).

In this determination S1104, as shown in FIG. 6D, the pair of infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R moves the shielding plate 113 to the intermediate position, that is, detects a short distance. The state where infrared rays from the area (A _N ) are cut off and the infrared rays from the human body H existing in the detection area (A _I + A _F ) in the middle distance and the detection area (A _I + A _F ) in the long distance are incident on the infrared dual sensor 111 It has become.

As a result, the medium distance and short distance detection area _(A I + A _N), when the reaction rate RA _L and / or the reaction rate RA _R exceeds a predetermined threshold value th ( "Yes" in the figure), medium-range It is estimated that the human body H that is an infrared source exists in the detection area (A _I ) (S1105). When the reaction rate RA _L and / or the reaction rate RA _R does not exceed the predetermined threshold value th ( "No" in the figure), however, since its presence is already estimated in the above determination S1101, the remaining It is estimated that the human body H, which is an infrared source, exists in the short-range detection area (A _N ) (S1106).

Thereafter, returning to FIG. 8 again, the angle (position) of the lateral louver is controlled via the wind direction plate control unit 160 based on the result of the estimation of the presence of the human body in the perspective direction (S85) described above ( S86). More specifically, in the above, when it is estimated that the human body H that is an infrared source is present in the long-distance detection area (A _F ) (FIG. 11: S1103 above), the angle of the horizontal louver (Position) is set so that the air can reach far away in the room, that is, upward. On the other hand, when it is estimated that the human body H exists in the detection area (A _N ) at a short distance (FIG. 11: S1105), on the contrary, that is, the air blows only below the indoor unit 10. The louver angle (position) in the horizontal direction is set downward so as to be performed. When it is estimated that the human body H is present in the detection area (A _I ) at a medium distance (FIG. 11: S1106), the angle (position) of the lateral louver is set to the above approximately intermediate angle. Set to (Position).

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, at least two infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R are installed so that their detection areas partially overlap each other, and the front surface of each infrared sensor In addition, by providing a movable shielding plate 113 for setting the detection area in a concentric circle (arc) shape, the two infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R allow the room to be horizontally divided into three regions, A _L and A _Further, the presence of the human body H, which is an infrared source, is further divided into _R and A _M and separated in the perspective (depth) direction, for example, into a long distance A _F , a medium distance A _I , and a short distance A _N. It is possible to provide an air conditioner that can accurately estimate and thereby control the wind direction from the air conditioner more appropriately. That is, the occupant present in the room can take a wind with a more appropriate wind direction and a more appropriate wind temperature at the position at a more appropriate wind speed.

[Example 2]
FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (d) show a front view and a side view of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment (Example 2) of the present invention, in particular, an infrared sensor 110 thereof. In particular, in Example 2, as is apparent from the drawing, the infrared sensor 110 includes a hemispherical shielding plate (incident direction limiting means) 113 ′ having an opening 130 formed on a part of its surface. . Inside the shielding plate 113 ′, a lens assembly 112 and an infrared dual sensor 111 constituting an infrared sensor are provided, and the shielding plate 113 ′ is a shielding plate driving unit that is an incident direction limiting unit driving unit. The rotation by the motor 114 is the same as described above.

In the second embodiment, the opening 130 formed in a part of the surface of the shielding plate 113 ′ is an opening formed in a slit shape unlike the shielding plate 113 of the first embodiment. However, the shape is also formed in a curved shape including a circle and an ellipse as described above (see FIGS. 12A and 12B). That is, according to this, the range of infrared rays incident on the infrared dual sensor 111, that is, the detection area in the indoor space, is a substantially concentric area (equal distance area) centering on the human body detection device 100. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the presence of the human body H in a plurality of concentric regions centering on the infrared sensor (see FIGS. 12C and 12D). Although not shown here, two said infrared sensor (i.e., an infrared sensor 110 _L and 110 _R), and so overlap the A _L and A _R is the detection area part, arranged adjacent to each other This is the same as in the first embodiment.

That is, according to the infrared sensor 110 according to the second embodiment described above, the human H as an infrared source is detected through the slit-shaped opening 130 as shown in FIGS. 12 (c) and 12 (d). By limiting the area to be performed to a predetermined range (in the figure, detection areas A _LI and A _RI ), infrared rays from the human body H can be incident on the infrared dual sensor 111. In addition, a pair of (two) infrared sensors 110 are arranged adjacent to each other so that their detection areas partially overlap, thereby setting a plurality of detection areas (A _L , A _M, and A _R ) in the horizontal direction. As described above, the position of the human body H, which is an infrared source in the room, can be estimated more accurately than in the past.

  Further, FIG. 13 attached shows changes in the detection area by the infrared sensor 110 according to the second embodiment described above, and the shielding plate 113 ′ having the slit-shaped opening 130 described above is driven by the incident direction limiting means. By rotating and driving with a shielding plate drive motor 114 as a means (see FIGS. 13A, 13D, and 13G), the detection area of the infrared sensor 110 is set in a room provided with an air conditioner. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the detection area is divided and the position of the human body H existing in the area is sequentially detected (FIGS. 13B and 13C, FIGS. 13E and 13F, and FIG. 13 (h) and (i)). As is apparent from these drawings, the infrared sensor 110 according to the second embodiment also has a detection area in the room concentrically with the mounting position of the infrared sensor 110 as the center as in the above-described embodiment. By detecting by dividing into a plurality of parts at substantially equal distances and also in the horizontal direction, the position of the human body H, which is an infrared source, can be estimated more accurately than in the past. .

In the case of the second embodiment, the “estimation of the presence of a human body in the perspective direction” (S85) in FIG. 8 performs the process shown in FIG. 14 instead of the process shown in FIG. That is, first, for a long-distance detection area (A _F ) (refer to FIGS. 13A to 13C for the state of the infrared sensor 110 at this time), the reaction rate RA from the left infrared sensor 110 _L is shown. _L at least one of the reaction rate RA _R from the right side of the infrared sensor 110 _R, i.e., whether the reaction rate RA _L and / or reaction rate RA _R exceeds the predetermined threshold value th (for example, 10%) It is determined whether or not (S1401). As a result, if one of the reaction rate RA _L and / or reaction rate RA _R exceeds a predetermined threshold value th ( "Yes" in the figure), the human body to the distant detection area (A _F) It is estimated that it exists (S1402).

On the other hand, if it is determined in the above-described determination S1401 that the reaction rate RA from any of the infrared sensors does not exceed the predetermined threshold th (“No” in the figure), next, a medium-range detection area ( for a _I) (state of the infrared sensor 110 at this time, FIG 13 (d) see ~ (f)), the reaction rate RA _L and / or reaction rate RA _R is a predetermined threshold value th (for example, 10% ) Is determined (S1403). As a result, if one of the reaction rate RA _L and / or reaction rate RA _R exceeds a predetermined threshold value th ( "Yes" in the figure), the human body detection area of the medium range (A _I) It is estimated that it exists (S1404). If it is determined in the above determination (S1403) that the reaction rate RA from any of the infrared sensors does not exceed the predetermined threshold th (“No” in the figure), the following medium distance detection is further performed. The above operation is repeated for the area (A _I ). That is, the short-range detection area _{(A N)} (the infrared sensor 110 when this state, referring to FIG 13 (g) ~ (i) ), and the reaction rate RA _L from the left side of the infrared sensor 110 _L at least one predetermined threshold value th of the reaction rate RA _R from the right side of the infrared sensor 110 _R (e.g., 10%) determines whether exceeded (S1405). As a result, when any of the reaction rate RA _L and / or reaction rate RA _R exceeds a predetermined threshold value th ( "Yes" in the figure), there is a human body to the short-range detection area (A _F) It is estimated that it will be performed (S1406). On the other hand, in the case of “No” in this determination S1405, it is possible to return to the determination process S1401 again and repeat the above determination process, thereby more reliably estimating the presence of the human body in the perspective direction. Become.

Note that the louver angle (position) in the lateral direction is controlled via the wind direction plate control unit 160 based on the result of the above-mentioned “estimation of human presence in the perspective direction” (S86). That is, according to the second embodiment, at least two infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R are installed so that their detection areas partially overlap each other, and the detection areas are concentrically arranged on the front surface of each infrared sensor. By providing a movable shielding plate 113 set in an (arc) shape, the two infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R divide the room into three regions, A _L , A _R and A _M in the horizontal direction. In addition, in the perspective (depth) direction, for example, by separating into a long distance A _F , a medium distance A _I , and a short distance A _N , the existence of the human body H that is an infrared source is estimated more accurately, An air conditioner capable of more appropriately controlling the wind direction from the air conditioner is provided. That is, the occupant present in the room can take a wind with a more appropriate wind direction and a more appropriate wind temperature at the position at a more appropriate wind speed.

  In the embodiment described in detail above, the shape of the shielding plate 113 is formed in, for example, a curved shape including, for example, a circle or an ellipse, in the shape of the end portion or the slit-shaped opening. However, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as it can divide the detection area into a substantially concentric circle around at least the infrared sensor 110, and in other shapes. There may be.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, only the configuration in which the two infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R are installed so that their detection areas partially overlap each other has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to increase the number of infrared sensors (N), for example, as shown in FIG. In this case, the areas that can be detected by being divided in the horizontal (left and right) direction by the two infrared sensors 110 _L and 110 _R described above are detected from the above three locations (A _L , A _M, and A _R ). Further, it can be further divided into 3 + 2N (in the case of FIG. 14, a total of five areas of A _L , A _L−M , A _M , A _R−M , and A _R ). That is, according to this, it is possible to further subdivide the detection area in the room and thereby estimate the position of the human body H which is an infrared source.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Indoor unit, 20 ... Outdoor unit, 100 ... Human body detection apparatus, 110 ... Infrared sensor, 111 ... Infrared dual sensor, 112 ... Lens assembly (condensing means), 113 ... Shielding plate (incident direction limiting means), 114 ... shielding plate driving motor (incident direction limiting means driving means), 150 ... control unit, 151 ... shielding plate control unit, 152 ... human body position estimation unit, 153 ... momentum estimation unit, 155 ... reaction rate (RA) calculation unit, 160, wind direction plate control unit, 170, wind speed control unit, 180, wind temperature control unit.

Claims (10)

An air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that harmonizes the air indoors with a refrigerant from the outdoor unit, wherein the indoor unit includes at least a heat exchanger and the heat exchanger. A blower for blowing the air that has passed through the room, a wind speed control means for controlling the wind speed of the blow by the blower, a blow temperature control means for controlling the air temperature of the blow by the blower, and the wind direction of the blow by the blower And a control unit for controlling the air speed control means, the air temperature control means, and the air direction control means.
The indoor unit is further provided with an infrared detecting means disposed in front of the indoor unit for detecting infrared rays from the room,
A plurality of the infrared detection means are arranged in the horizontal direction so that their detection areas partially overlap, and each infrared detection means is
An infrared sensor that outputs an electrical signal upon incidence of infrared light from the room;
A condensing unit disposed in front of the infrared sensor, and condensing infrared rays from a predetermined angle range in the room onto an incident surface of the infrared detection unit;
A movable incident direction limiting means arranged in front of the light collecting means for limiting the incident direction of the infrared rays, and
The incident direction limiting means constituting each infrared detection means includes a curved shape extending upward to set a detection area in which the indoor space is divided into a plurality of concentric circles, and
The control unit moves the incident direction limiting means from above to below to set a detection area in the order of long distance, medium distance, and short distance in a concentric manner in the indoor space, and further, the plurality of infrared detections An air conditioner that estimates a position where a human body exists in the room based on an electrical signal from the means, and controls the blowing direction control means based on the estimated position of the human body.   2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein two infrared detecting means are arranged. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the infrared sensor constituting the infrared detecting means is an infrared dual sensor . The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit obtains a reaction rate of the presence of a human body from an electrical signal from the plurality of infrared detection means, and based on the reaction rate, in the detection area in the room An air conditioner characterized by estimating the presence of a human body . The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air blowing direction control means includes a horizontal louver and a vertical louver, and the control unit is configured to detect the horizontal louver and the vertical louver based on the estimated position of the human body. An air conditioner that controls the angle of a louver . In the air conditioner according to claim 1, the control unit estimates an activity amount of a human body in the room based on electrical signals from the plurality of infrared detection means, and based on the estimated activity amount, An air conditioner that controls at least one of the wind speed control means and the blowing temperature control means . A human body detection device that is attached in a space and detects the presence of a human body in the space by detecting infrared rays from the space ,
A plurality of infrared detection means arranged adjacent to each other so that the detection areas partially overlap in the horizontal direction; and
Each infrared detection means
An infrared sensor that outputs an electrical signal by the incidence of infrared rays from within the space ;
A condensing unit disposed in front of the infrared sensor, and condensing infrared rays from a predetermined angle range in the space onto the incident surface of the infrared detection unit ;
Is disposed in front of the front Symbol focusing means, for limiting the incident direction of the infrared, and a movable direction of incidence limiting means, further,
The incident direction limiting means constituting each infrared detection means includes a curved shape extending upward to set a detection area in which the space is concentrically separated into a plurality of areas, and
The incident direction limiting means is moved from top to bottom to set a detection area concentrically in the indoor space in the order of long distance, medium distance, and short distance, and further, electrical signals from the plurality of infrared detection means A human body detection apparatus comprising a control unit that estimates a position where a human body exists in the space based on the above . 8. The human body detection device according to claim 7, wherein two infrared detection means are arranged . 8. The human body detection device according to claim 7, wherein the infrared sensor constituting the infrared detection means is an infrared dual sensor . 8. The human body detection device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit obtains a reaction rate of the presence of a human body from electrical signals from the plurality of infrared detection means, and a detection area in the space based on the reaction rate. A human body detection device for estimating the presence of a human body in a human body .

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