JP5542709B2 - Air conditioner indoor unit system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an indoor unit system for an air conditioner, and in particular, an air conditioner indoor unit having an air conditioner indoor unit having a wind direction control plate at each of a plurality of outlets, and a remote controller for commanding the movement of the wind direction control plate Machine system.

In a conventional ceiling-embedded indoor unit, air outlets are provided along each side of the rectangular decorative panel, and each air outlet independently has an air outlet (down blowing angle, swing, etc. A wind direction control board capable of setting “wind direction setting” is installed. The movement of each wind direction control plate (wind direction setting) is set by the remote controller.
In other words, since the mark (English letter “A, B, C, D”) is engraved on the outlet of the decorative panel, the user selects the mark (English letter) of the wind direction control plate to be set on the remote control screen. After that, the wind direction is set (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-126387 (page 2-3, FIG. 1)

However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the user needs to move directly under or near the decorative panel (indoor unit) in order to visually recognize a mark as a reference for selection.
In particular, when setting the wind direction of multiple indoor units (setting the blowout procedure) with a single remote controller, it is necessary to check the display by moving directly under each indoor unit, making the setting work complicated and quick. There was a problem of lacking.
When a predetermined indoor unit (for example, the first indoor unit) is selected on the remote controller and the wind direction is set, the indoor unit (for example, the first indoor unit) that the user wanted to set (for example, the first indoor unit) There was a problem that it was different from (2 indoor units).
Furthermore, since a mark is provided on the decorative panel (marking a mark that is easily visible), there is a problem that the design of the indoor unit may be hindered.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and provides an air conditioner capable of setting a desired wind direction control plate by a remote control operation from a remote position.
In an environment where a plurality of indoor units are connected to a single remote controller, the air conditioner can distinguish the indoor unit being set from a distance and can distinguish the wind direction control plate being set. An indoor unit system is obtained.
Furthermore, the indoor unit system of the air conditioner which does not inhibit the design property of an indoor unit is obtained.

An indoor unit system for an air conditioner according to the present invention is emitted from a plurality of indoor units, a remote controller that issues a signal for instructing wind direction setting of a plurality of wind direction control plates installed in each of the indoor units, and the remote controller. Control means for operating the wind direction control plate based on the received signal,
In the remote controller, when any one of the indoor units is selected, the control means controls a pre-specified wind direction control among a plurality of wind direction control plates installed in the selected indoor unit. The plate is caused to perform a first temporary motion, and the wind direction control plate excluding the specified wind direction control plate is caused to perform a second temporary motion different from the first temporary motion.

In the indoor unit system for an air conditioner according to the present invention, in a selected indoor unit, a first temporary operation is performed on a wind direction control plate specified in advance, and a second temporary operation is performed on a wind direction control plate excluding this. Therefore, the selected indoor unit can be distinguished from the unselected indoor unit even if they are far away from each other, and it is possible to visually check which position the wind direction control plate is a predetermined wind direction control plate. Is possible. Therefore, it is possible to easily and definitely change the contents of the wind direction setting (blowout procedure) of the wind direction control plate from a position far away.
In addition, it is not necessary to provide a mark (such as engraving a sign) at the position of each wind direction control plate in accordance with the mark for identifying the wind direction control plate displayed on the remote control. There is nothing to do.

The block diagram which illustrates typically the structure of the indoor unit system of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the indoor unit shown in FIG. The top view which shows the 1st screen displayed on the remote control shown in FIG. 1, and its display part. The top view which shows the 2nd screen displayed on the display part. The top view which shows the 3rd screen displayed on the display part. The top view which shows the motion of the top view which shows a 4th screen, and the wind direction control board corresponding to this. The top view which shows the motion of the wind direction control board corresponding to this with the top view which shows a 5th screen. The top view which shows the top view which shows a 6th screen, and the motion of the wind direction control board corresponding to this. The top view which shows the top view which shows a 6th screen, and the motion of the wind direction control board corresponding to this.

(Indoor unit system)
1 to 9 schematically illustrate an indoor unit system for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating the configuration, and FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the indoor unit. 3 is a plan view showing the first screen displayed on the remote control and its display unit, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the second screen displayed on the display unit of the remote control, and FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit of the remote control. FIG. 6A is a plan view showing the fourth screen displayed on the display unit of the remote controller, and FIG. 6B is a wind direction control corresponding to FIG. 6A. FIGS. 7A and 7B are plan views showing the fifth screen displayed on the display unit of the remote control, and FIG. 7C is a plan view showing the movement of the plate. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a sixth screen displayed on the display unit of the remote controller. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing the movement of the wind direction control plate corresponding to b). 8B is a plan view showing the movement of the wind direction control plate corresponding to FIG. 8A, and FIGS. 9A and 9C show the sixth screen displayed on the display unit of the remote controller. FIGS. 9B and 9D are plan views showing the movement of the wind direction control plate corresponding to FIGS. 9A and 9C, respectively.

1 and 2, an air conditioner indoor unit system (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as an “indoor unit system”) 100 includes a first indoor unit X1 and a second indoor unit installed on a ceiling 9 in a room. X2, a third indoor unit (not shown), an outdoor unit Y installed outdoors, a remote controller Z, and a communication means C. Hereinafter, common contents will be described with the modifiers “first and second” and subscripts “1 and 2” deleted. Moreover, although only two indoor units X are illustrated, the present invention does not limit the number.
Each of the indoor units X is a casing having a rectangular decorative panel 5, and an indoor heat exchanger and indoor air blowing means (both not shown) are installed therein.

The outdoor unit Y is provided with a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor air blowing unit, a refrigerant expansion unit, a flow path changing unit that converts the flow direction of the refrigerant (none of which is shown), and the like. It is connected to a heat exchanger to form a refrigeration cycle.
The remote controller Z issues a predetermined command to a control unit (not shown) that controls devices installed in the indoor unit X and the outdoor unit Y, and is connected to the control unit and the communication means C. .
The control unit may be installed in either the indoor unit X or the outdoor unit Y, or may be installed in a distributed manner. Further, the communication means C may be wired or wireless.

(Wind direction control board)
The rectangular decorative panel 5 has air outlets 21, 22, 23, and 24 formed along each side, and the air outlets 21, 22, 23, and 24 are respectively referred to as wind direction control plates (hereinafter referred to as “vanes”). 1, 2, 3, 4 are installed, and the wind direction control plates 1, 2, 3, 4 are individually driven by independently controlled motors 31, 32, 33, 34.
In addition, in the following description, about the common content, the blower outlets 21, 22, 23, and 24 are put together, or each is made into the blower outlet 20, and the wind direction control plates 1, 2, 3, and 4 are put together or each is made into a wind direction The control board 10 and the motors 31, 32, 33, 34 are collectively or referred to as a motor 30.
When the wind direction control plate 10 becomes “horizontal blow”, the wind direction control plate 10 closes the outlet 20 and when it becomes “slightly horizontal blow”, the conditioned air is in the horizontal direction (direction parallel to the ceiling surface). The air is blown out in a slightly inclined direction. Further, when the wind direction control plate 10 is “downward blowing”, the conditioned air is blown in a direction slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction (floor direction), and when it is “slightly downward blowing”, the conditioned air is It blows off diagonally downward (slightly between horizontal blow and bottom blow). Note that the present invention does not limit the type of the blowing direction, and the blowing direction can be set stepwise at a finer angle.
Further, when the wind direction control plate 10 becomes “swing”, the wind direction control plate 10 reciprocates in a predetermined angle range (fan-shaped range) with respect to the vertical direction in a predetermined cycle, and continuously changes the blowing method while changing the blowing method. Is blown out.

(Remote controller)
In FIG. 3, the remote control Z includes a display unit 6 for displaying characters, graphics, and the like, selection buttons B1, B2, B3, B4 for generating a predetermined signal, menu button B5, return button B6, decision button B7, and An operation / stop button B8 is provided.
The first screen shown in FIG. 3 exemplifies the cooling operation, and is displayed by pressing the operation / stop button B8. At this time, the display unit 6 indicates that the current mode is the “cooling operation mode”, the room temperature is 28 ° C., the set temperature is 25 ° C., the wind speed is “weak”, and the selection buttons B1 to B4 are displayed. The function is displayed.
That is, the selection button B1 is for changing the selection mode, the selection button B2 is for lowering the set temperature, the selection button B3 is for raising the set temperature, and the selection button B4 is for lowering the set temperature Is. At this time, each time the selection button B1 is pressed, a predetermined mode (cooling, heating, dehumidification, etc.) is displayed in a rotating manner, and each time the selection button B2 and the selection button B3 are pressed, the values decrease and increase, respectively. Each time you press, the number and length of bars indicating strength increase, and when you press it further, the number of bars is one and the shortest.

(Wind direction setting-1)
The “wind direction setting-1” of the wind direction control plate 10 will be described below.
The second screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed by pressing the menu button B5 on the first screen (see FIG. 3), and “Individual wind direction setting” is selected.
On the second screen, a predetermined page of the main menu is displayed and functions of the selection buttons B1 to B4 are displayed.

That is, the selection button B1 is for moving the cursor for selecting the menu upward, the selection button B2 is for moving the cursor for selecting the menu downward, and the selection button B3 is the page before the main menu. The selection button B4 is for displaying the next page of the main menu.
Therefore, if “individual wind direction setting” is not displayed on the second screen immediately after the menu button B5 is pressed, the selection button B3 or the selection button B4 is pressed to move to a page displaying “individual wind direction setting”. Then, the selection button B1 or the selection button B2 is pressed to move the cursor to “individual wind direction setting”. Then, the determination button B7 is pressed.

  The third screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed when the determination button B7 is pressed on the second screen (FIG. 4), and is for selecting an indoor unit for “wind direction setting”. At this time, the function of the selection buttons B2 to B4 is displayed on the display unit 6 together with the number “1/2/3 / ..” indicating the indoor unit. That is, the selection button B2 is for moving the cursor for selecting the indoor unit to the left, the selection button B3 is for moving the cursor for selecting the indoor unit to the right, and the selection button B4 is for the selected indoor unit It is for confirmation to determine.

The fourth screen shown in FIG. 6A is a screen that is displayed when the selection button B4 for determining the indoor unit is pressed on the third screen (FIG. 5). (In the case of immediately after the start of operation, it is the same as the “individual wind direction setting” state set when the previous operation was stopped).
That is, the wind direction control plate 1 is set to “horizontal blow”, the wind direction control plate 2 is set to “down blow”, the wind direction control plate 3 is set to “swing”, and the wind direction control plate 4 is set to “down blow”.
In FIG. 6B, although the current “individual wind direction setting” situation does not match, in order to confirm the indoor unit X to be set and the position of the wind direction control plate 10 to be set, the wind direction control plate 1 is swung (corresponding to “first provisional movement”. For convenience, a spiral line is drawn), and the wind direction control plates 2 to 4 are not swung (corresponding to “second provisional movement”). For example, “down blow” is set).
In order to avoid confusion in the following explanation, the swing is `` provisional swing '' even though no swing is actually set, and the bottom blow state is entered even though no down blow is actually set. This is called “provisional blow”.

Accordingly, the user can visually recognize the indoor unit X in which the wind direction control plate 1 temporarily swings from among the plurality of indoor units X and the wind direction control plates 2 to 4 are temporarily blown down. Whether or not X is the indoor unit X for which the wind direction is to be set can be confirmed even if it is separated.
Further, since the wind direction control plate 1 is temporarily swinging, it is possible to know which direction (for example, east, west, north, and south) the wind direction control plate 10 is the wind direction control plate 1 even if they are separated. Since the direction of the wind direction control plate 1 is known, naturally the direction of the wind direction control plates 2 to 4 other than the wind direction control plate 1 can also be known.

For example, when it is desired to set the wind direction of the wind direction control plate 1 set to “horizontal blowing” (actually swinging temporarily), the selection button B4 is pressed.
Further, for example, when it is desired to set the wind direction control plate 2 set to “downward blow” to a different content, the selection button B1 or the selection button B2 is pressed, and “2” and “2” indicating the wind direction control plate 2 are displayed. Move the cursor to “2 Down blow” and press Select button B4.
When there is no need to change the current setting contents or when the wrong indoor unit X is to be set, the return button B6 is pressed to return to the third screen (FIG. 5) or the determination button B7 is pressed to Return to one screen (FIG. 3).

The fifth screen shown in FIG. 7A is a screen that is displayed when the selection button B4 for determining the wind direction setting is pressed on the fourth screen (FIG. 6). “Individual wind direction setting” status is shown.
That is, since the fifth screen is displayed when it is determined to set the wind direction of the wind direction control plate 1 on the fourth screen (FIG. 6), “1” and “1” indicating the wind direction control plate 1 are displayed. The cursor is on "Horizontal". When it is decided to set the wind direction of the wind direction control plate 2 on the fourth screen (FIG. 6), the cursor is set to “2” and “2 down blow” indicating the wind direction control plate 2 on the fifth screen. It will be.

In FIG. 7A, the selection button B1 is used to move the cursor for selecting the wind direction control plate counterclockwise (directions 1 to 4), and the selection button B2 is used to move the cursor for selecting the wind direction control plate. It is for moving clockwise (from 1 to 2).
Further, the selection button B3 and the selection button B4 are for selecting the content of the wind direction setting (how to blow out) for the selected wind direction control plate. For example, every time the selection button B3 is pressed, the contents of the wind direction setting are displayed in the order of “swing, horizontal blowing, slightly horizontal blowing, slightly downward blowing, down blowing, swing...”, And every time the selection button B4 is pressed. The contents of the wind direction setting are displayed in the order of “lower blow, slightly lower blow, slightly horizontal blow, horizontal blow, swing, lower blow...” Opposite to this.

  Therefore, for example, when the wind direction control plate 1 currently set to “down blowing” (actually swinging temporarily) is to be changed to “slightly horizontal”, the cursor is positioned on the wind direction control plate 1. Instead of pressing the selection buttons B1 and B2, the selection button B3 may be pressed three times or the selection button B4 may be pressed twice.

In FIG. 7B, for example, to change the wind direction control plate 2 currently set to “down blowing” (actual down blowing state) to “swing”, the selection button B4 is pressed once, The cursor may be moved to “2” indicating the wind direction control plate 2 and “2 down blowing” indicating the content of the wind direction setting, and the selection button B3 is pressed once or the selection button B4 is pressed four times.
In addition, for example, it is necessary to change the wind direction setting of the wind direction control plate 3 (which is in the state of temporary down blowing while being set to swing) and the wind direction control plate 4 (which is set to be down blowing and actually in the state of down blowing). If there is not, the determination button B7 is pressed without pressing the selection buttons B1 to B4 (not shown).

In FIG. 7C, the wind direction control plate 1 actually swings temporarily while setting the wind direction of each wind direction control plate 10, that is, until the decision button B7 is pressed (for convenience, a spiral line ), The wind direction control plates 2 to 4 continue to be temporarily blown down. When the determination button B7 is pressed, the wind direction control plates 1 to 4 are actually set in the wind direction, and the first screen (FIG. 3) is displayed on the display unit 6.
Therefore, the user can visually recognize the indoor unit X for which the wind direction is to be set and the wind direction control plate 10 for which the wind direction of the indoor unit X is to be set even from a remote position, and can easily set the contents of the wind direction setting. It becomes possible.
Further, in accordance with the numbers “1, 2, 3, 4” for identifying the wind direction control plates 1, 2, 3, 4 displayed on the display unit 6, marks are provided at the positions of the respective wind direction control plates 10 (reference numerals). The design of the indoor unit X is not hindered.

(Wind direction setting -2)
The sixth screen shown in FIG. 8A explains “wind direction setting-2”, and corresponds to the fifth screen (FIG. 7) explaining “wind direction setting-1” (first). (Displayed when it is decided to set the wind direction of the wind direction control plate 1 on the four screens (FIG. 6)).
“Wind direction setting-2” is different from “wind direction setting-1” only in the movement of the wind direction control board 10 corresponding to the sixth screen, and the other display portions 6 (first screen to fourth screen) are displayed. Since it is the same as “wind direction setting-1”, description of common contents is omitted.
That is, in the “wind direction setting-1”, the wind direction control plate 1 always corresponds to the fifth screen (FIG. 7) while the content of the wind direction control plate 1 to 4 is selected for the wind direction control plates 1 to 4. Was. On the other hand, in “wind direction setting-2”, only one of the wind direction control plates 1 to 4 selected to be set is provisionally swung.

FIG. 8 (b) corresponds to FIG. 8 (a), and the cursor is positioned at “1” and “1 horizontal” indicating the wind direction control plate 1 in the sixth screen. Since 1 is selected, the wind direction control plate 1 is temporarily swung (indicated by a spiral line), and the wind direction control plates 2 to 4 are in a state of temporary bottom blowing.
While the wind direction is being set (when the selection button B3 or the selection button B4 is pressed), the wind direction control board 1 continues the temporary swing and does not operate according to the content of the wind direction setting. Absent.

FIG. 9B corresponds to FIG. 9A, and the cursor is positioned at “2” and “2 down blow” indicating the wind direction control plate 2 on the sixth screen, so that the wind direction control is performed. Since the plate 2 is selected, the wind direction control plate 2 is temporarily swung (indicated by a spiral line), and the wind direction control plates 1, 3, and 4 are in a temporarily blown state.
FIG. 9D corresponds to FIG. 9C, and “3” indicating the wind direction control plate 3 on the sixth screen and “3” because the cursor is aligned with the swing, the wind direction control plate 3 Is selected, the wind direction control plate 3 temporarily swings (a spiral line is drawn, which happens to match the current setting), and the wind direction control plates 1, 2, and 4 are temporarily It is in the state of blowing.

Therefore, the user can visually recognize the indoor unit X for which the wind direction is to be set even from a position away from the indoor unit X, and can visually recognize the wind direction control plate 10 that is actually swinging to set the wind direction. It becomes possible to make things easier and error-free.
It should be noted that either the “wind direction setting-1” or “wind direction setting-2” operation may be selected by the user, or for each indoor unit system 100 so that one operation is performed in advance. It may be decided.

In addition, although the case where the wind direction control board 10 is four was demonstrated above, this invention is not limited to this, For example, two sheets arrange | positioned in the position which opposes may be sufficient.
In addition, since the cursor is to make it known that the cursor has been selected, the present invention is not limited to the cursor surrounding the character with a frame of a predetermined color, but the size or font of the character itself can be changed, You may blink characters. Further, instead of characters, it may be illustrated by a plurality of radiations indicating the blowing direction, and a predetermined radiation may be selected. Furthermore, the selection buttons B1 to B4, the menu button B5, the return button B6, and the decision button B7 may be taken into the display unit 6.

  1-4: Wind direction control board, 5: Makeup panel, 6: Display, 9: Ceiling, 21-24: Air outlet, 31-34: Motor, 100: Indoor unit system, B1-B4: Selection button, B5: Menu button, B6: Return button, B7: Enter button, B8: Run / Stop button, C: Communication means, X1: Indoor unit, X2: Indoor unit, Y: Outdoor unit, Z: Remote control.

Claims (6)

A plurality of indoor units, a remote controller that issues a signal for instructing the wind direction setting of a plurality of wind direction control plates installed in each of the indoor units, and a control that operates the wind direction control plate based on the signal emitted from the remote controller Means,
In the remote controller, when any one of the indoor units is selected, the control means controls a pre-specified wind direction control among a plurality of wind direction control plates installed in the selected indoor unit. An air conditioner characterized in that a first temporary operation is performed on the plate, and a second temporary operation different from the first temporary operation is performed on the wind direction control plate excluding the previously specified wind direction control plate. Indoor unit system.   After any one of the indoor units is selected, an instruction to change the contents of the wind direction setting is given to a predetermined wind direction control plate among a plurality of wind direction control plates installed in the selected indoor unit. In this case, the control means causes the pre-specified wind direction control plate to perform a first temporary operation, and the wind direction control plate excluding the pre-specified wind direction control plate differs from the first temporary operation. The indoor unit system for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the second temporary operation is performed.   After any one of the indoor units is selected, an instruction to change the content of the wind direction setting is given to a predetermined wind direction control plate among a plurality of wind direction control plates installed in the selected indoor unit. In this case, the control means causes the instructed wind direction control plate to perform a first temporary operation, and causes the wind direction control plates other than the selected wind direction control plate to differ from the first temporary operation. The indoor unit system for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the temporary operation is performed.   The indoor unit is installed on a ceiling in the room, and the first temporary operation is an operation of continuously reciprocatingly tilting the blowing direction within a predetermined range, and the second temporary operation is moving the blowing direction to the indoor floor. The indoor unit system for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the indoor unit system is a directing operation. The remote controller includes a display unit having a display screen indicating which one of the plurality of wind direction control plates is the wind direction control plate performing the first temporary operation. The indoor unit system for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The display unit of the remote controller indicates a wind direction set for each of the plurality of wind direction control plates, and a wind direction control plate in which the wind direction setting of the plurality of wind direction control plates can be changed is the plurality of wind direction controls. 6. The indoor unit system for an air conditioner according to claim 5, further comprising a display screen that can be distinguished from a wind direction control plate whose wind direction setting cannot be changed.

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