JP6238792B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  Conventionally, in the automatic operation mode of the air conditioner, if the room temperature is far from the target set temperature, strong air operation is performed until the room temperature approaches the target set temperature, and the air volume setting is automatically performed when the target set temperature is reached. It is common to perform control to weaken at However, when such control is performed, when a movie is viewed using a television set or a music is viewed using an audio device in a room where an air conditioner is installed, the rotating sound of the fan of the indoor unit is generated. It's in the way.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes, for the purpose of “operating an air conditioner efficiently without reducing the sense of reality by controlling the fan air volume corresponding to the scene of the audiovisual apparatus”. By detecting the sound pressure level and changing the air volume of the indoor fan of the air conditioner via the home bus in conjunction with the sound pressure level, the air volume of the air conditioner fan increases when the sound pressure level is high Thus, the efficiency of the air conditioner can be increased. "

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-157319

  However, according to the above-described conventional technique, it is necessary to finely control the fan while analyzing a sound signal that changes from time to time, the software control becomes complicated, and a high-performance microcomputer is required. In addition, when listening to music at night, etc., the volume must be reduced, and there is a risk that the fan will always run weakly. Therefore, when the set temperature and the room temperature are far apart, there is a problem that it takes time to reach the set temperature and the comfort is impaired.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above, Comprising: It aims at obtaining the air conditioner which can maintain the comfort of air-conditioning object space, suppressing an operation | movement sound.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an infrared sensor that detects the presence of a human body, a microphone that acquires sound by rotating at a constant cycle, and a temperature detection target space. An air conditioner including a temperature sensor that performs the operation when a human body is present in the air-conditioning target space and the control unit determines that it is necessary to obtain a sound of the air-conditioning target space and lower the operation sound. , the operation sound is suppressed automatically, the detected temperature of the space to be air-conditioned, when at this sensed temperature and the temperature difference between the set temperature starvation threshold or more, a temperature lower than the room temperature set by the user at the time of cooling the performs control to target, performs operation during heating performing control the temperature higher than the room temperature set by the user to the target, and detects the temperature of the re-conditioning target space, the sensed temperature is within the target temperature range It fits to and performs the operation.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain an air conditioner capable of suppressing the operation sound and maintaining the comfort of the air-conditioning target space.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example in the automatic operation mode of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a remote controller of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment in the automatic operation mode.

  Embodiments of an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of Embodiment 1 of an air conditioner according to the present invention. An air conditioner 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an infrared sensor 11, a temperature sensor 12, and a microphone 13. The infrared sensor 11 has a rotating mechanism in order to detect a human body and detect the presence of the human body in the entire room, which is an air-conditioning target space. The temperature sensor 12 detects the temperature of the room that is the air-conditioning target space. The microphone 13 is a unidirectional microphone that detects sound captured in the room. A plurality of microphones 13 are installed in order to be able to detect sound from various angles in the entire room, which is the air conditioning target space.

  Although not shown, the air conditioner 10 includes a control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioner itself, a fan necessary for the air conditioner to operate, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the first embodiment in the automatic operation mode of the air conditioner according to the present invention. First, processing is started (step S10), and it is determined whether or not the presence of a human body has been detected (step S11). The human body is detected by the infrared sensor 11 shown in FIG. When the presence of a human body is detected (when it is determined as Yes in step S11), it is determined whether or not sound is detected from a certain angular direction in the room that is the air-conditioning target space (step S12). When the presence of a human body is not detected (when it is determined No in step S11), the determination in step S11 is performed again.

  When sound is detected from a certain angle direction in the room that is the air-conditioning target space (when it is determined Yes in step S12), the operation sound is suppressed by lowering the rotational speed of a fan (not shown) inside the air conditioner. Thus, the operation of the air conditioner is controlled (step S13). In this way, when the presence of a human body is detected and sound is detected from a certain angle in the room, it is determined that the user existing in the room is listening to music or watching a movie and the like. This is to prevent this from being disturbed by the operating sound of the machine.

  In view of such a purpose, the position of the speaker of the audio device used for music appreciation or the position of the speaker of the television device used for movie appreciation is not changed after the installation once, and the position may be fixed. Since there are many, it is good to register the direction in which the microphone 13 acquires sound with respect to the installation direction of these speakers. In this way, by matching the direction in which the sound is acquired with the direction in which the speakers are installed, it is possible to detect the sound with high accuracy when a user in the room is listening to music or watching a movie. .

  Note that when air is detected from a certain angle in the room, the time (for example, 1 minute) during which it is determined that the user existing in the room is listening to music or watching a movie, etc. is the shipment of the air conditioner. It may be a fixed time that is sometimes set, may be a set time that is set when the air conditioner is installed (semi-fixed time), or may be a variable time that can be changed by the user during the operation of the air conditioner There may be.

  Similarly, the threshold of the sound level when detecting sound from a certain angle in the room may be a fixed threshold set at the time of shipment of the air conditioner, It may be a set value (semi-fixed threshold) set at the time of installation of the machine, or may be a variable value that can be changed by the user during operation of the air conditioner.

  On the other hand, when no sound is detected from a certain angular direction in the room, which is the air-conditioning target space (when it is determined No in step S12), the determination in step S11 is performed again. That is, the determination in step S11 is repeated until the presence of a human body is detected and sound is detected from a certain angle in the room.

  Note that the rotation speed of the fan when controlling the operation of the air conditioner so as to suppress the operation sound by lowering the rotation speed of the fan in step S13 may also be a fixed value set at the time of shipment of the air conditioner. It may be a set value (semi-fixed value) set when the air conditioner is installed, or may be a variable value that can be changed by the user during the operation of the air conditioner.

  In addition, the rotation speed of the fan may be controlled by controlling the rotation speed of the fan itself or by controlling the ratio with respect to the rotation speed during normal operation. For example, it may be controlled so as to decrease to 500 rpm when the rotational speed of the fan is reduced regardless of the rotational speed of the fan during normal operation in a state where no sound is detected. Alternatively, when the rotational speed of the fan is decreased, control may be performed so that the rotational speed of the fan is decreased to 50% of the rotational speed of the fan during normal operation in a state where no sound is detected.

  Next, after lowering the number of rotations of the fan in step S13, the room temperature is compared with the set temperature to determine whether or not the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S14). ). When the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is equal to or greater than the threshold value (when determined Yes in step S14), the operation is controlled according to the current operation setting of the air conditioner. That is, the operation is performed by lowering the target set temperature during cooling, and the operation is performed by increasing the target set temperature during heating (step S15).

  When the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is not greater than or equal to the threshold value, that is, when the temperature difference is less than the threshold value (when determined No in step S14), the sound is heard from a certain angular direction in the room that is the air-conditioning target space It is determined whether or not is detected (step S16).

  When sound is detected from a certain angle direction in the room that is the air-conditioning target space (when it is determined Yes in step S16), the process returns to step S14 to compare the room temperature and the set temperature, and the room temperature and the set temperature. It is determined whether the temperature difference is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

  When sound is not detected from a certain angle direction in the room, which is the air-conditioning target space (when it is determined No in step S16), the temperature of the room temperature and the set temperature without performing control to reduce the rotation speed of the fan Switching to the conventional automatic operation mode in which priority is given to reducing the difference (step S17). Then, it returns to step S11.

  Note that the threshold value of the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature used in step S15 may also be a fixed value set at the time of shipment of the air conditioner, or a set value set at the time of installation of the air conditioner (Semi-fixed value) or a variable value that can be changed by the user during the operation of the air conditioner.

  In step S15, the operation is performed by lowering the target set temperature during cooling, and the range of increase or decrease during operation when the target set temperature is increased during heating is a fixed value set at the time of shipment of the air conditioner. Alternatively, it may be a set value (semi-fixed value) set when the air conditioner is installed, or may be a variable value that can be changed by the user during the operation of the air conditioner.

  Next, after controlling the operation according to the current operation setting of the air conditioner in step S15, it is determined whether the room temperature is within the set target temperature range (step S18). When the room temperature is not within the set target temperature range (when it is determined No in step S18), the operation is continued as it is and the determination in step S18 is repeated. When the room temperature is within the set target temperature range (when determined Yes in step S18), the target set temperature is returned to the set temperature and switched to the conventional automatic operation mode (step S19). Then, it returns to step S11.

  The target temperature range used in step S18 may also be a fixed value set at the time of shipment of the air conditioner or a set value (semi-fixed value) set at the time of installation of the air conditioner. It may be a variable value that can be changed by the user during operation of the air conditioner.

  The air conditioner of the present embodiment described above is an air conditioner that includes an infrared sensor that detects the presence of a human body, a microphone that acquires sound, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air-conditioning target space. If the control unit determines that a human body is present in the air-conditioning target space and the sound of the air-conditioning target space needs to be acquired to lower the operation sound, the operation sound is automatically suppressed, When the temperature of the target space is detected, and the temperature difference between the detected temperature and the set temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold value, strong operation is performed, the temperature of the air-conditioning target space is detected again, and the detected temperature is within the target temperature range. It is characterized by performing strong driving until it falls within the range.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a user in the room is watching music or watching a movie, it can only be prevented from being disturbed by the operation sound of the air conditioner. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in comfort in the air-conditioning target space by suppressing the operation sound of the air conditioner.

  In addition, in this Embodiment, although the form with which two or more microphones were installed in the air conditioner 10 was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this. The air conditioner 10 may be provided with only one microphone. In this case, a rotation mechanism may be added to the microphone, and the microphone having the rotation mechanism may be rotated at a constant cycle so that sounds from various angles in the entire room, which is the air-conditioning target space, can be detected. . FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is different from FIG. An air conditioner 10a illustrated in FIG. 3A includes an infrared sensor 11, a temperature sensor 12, and a microphone 14 having a rotation mechanism. 3B-1 and 3B-2 are enlarged views of the microphone 14 having a rotation mechanism. The microphone 14 having a rotation mechanism shown in FIG. 3B-1 includes a cover 14a, a movable portion 14b, and a voice acquisition unit 14c, and the direction of the voice acquisition unit 14c may be rotated on the installation surface. Yes, it can be moved up and down. As shown in FIG. 3, if only one microphone is provided in the air conditioner 10a, the cost can be reduced as much as the number of microphones can be reduced.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the description has been given of the mode in which the user detects that the user is watching music or watching a movie by detecting the sound using the microphone. However, in this embodiment, the user is watching music or watching the movie. A mode in which it is possible to set in advance using a remote controller will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the air conditioner remote control according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The remote controller 20 shown in FIG. 4 includes a music appreciation (movie appreciation) mode button 21, an air conditioner operation button group 22, and a display panel 23. When performing music appreciation or movie appreciation in the air-conditioned space of the air conditioner, the music appreciation mode button 21 is pressed to control the operation sound of the air conditioner. In this way, by setting to perform music appreciation or movie appreciation with the remote controller of the air conditioner, it is possible to perform an operation of suppressing operation sound during music appreciation or movie appreciation with a simple configuration.

  The air conditioner according to the present embodiment may be the air conditioner 10 described in the first embodiment or the air conditioner 10a.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the second embodiment when the air conditioner according to the present invention is in the automatic operation mode. First, the process starts when the music appreciation mode button 21 is pressed (step S20), and the operation of the air conditioner is controlled so as to suppress the operation sound by lowering the rotation speed of the fan inside the air conditioner (step S21). ).

  Next, after lowering the number of rotations of the fan in step S21, the room temperature is compared with the set temperature to determine whether or not the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S22). ). When the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is equal to or greater than the threshold value (when determined Yes in step S22), the operation is controlled according to the current operation setting of the air conditioner. That is, the operation is performed by lowering the target set temperature during cooling, and the operation is performed by increasing the target set temperature during heating (step S23).

  When the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is not equal to or greater than the threshold value, that is, when the temperature difference is less than the threshold value (when determined No in step S22), the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The operation is continued until the result becomes, and the determination in step S22 is repeated.

  Next, after controlling the operation according to the current operation setting of the air conditioner in step S23, it is determined whether or not the room temperature is within the set target temperature range (step S24). If the room temperature is not within the set target temperature range (when determined No in step S24), the operation is continued until the target temperature range is reached, and the determination in step S24 is repeated. When the room temperature is within the set target temperature range (when determined Yes in step S24), the target set temperature is returned to the set temperature and switched to the conventional automatic operation mode (step S25). Thereafter, the process returns to step S22.

  Also in the present embodiment, the fan speed, the target set temperature is lowered during cooling and the operation is performed, and the heating is performed while the target set temperature is raised and the range of increase and decrease, the room temperature and the set temperature. The difference threshold and the target temperature range may be fixed values set at the time of shipment of the air conditioner, or may be set values (semi-fixed values) set at the time of installation of the air conditioner. It may be a variable value that can be changed by the user during operation of the air conditioner.

  The air conditioner of the present embodiment described above includes an infrared sensor that detects the presence of a human body, a microphone that acquires sound, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air-conditioning target space, and is controlled by a remote controller. When the music appreciation mode button of the remote controller is pressed, the control unit determines that the operation sound needs to be lowered and the operation sound is automatically suppressed, and the temperature of the air-conditioning target space is reduced. When the temperature difference between the detected temperature and the set temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold value, strong operation is performed, the temperature of the air-conditioning target space is detected again, and the detected temperature is strong until it falls within the target temperature range. It is characterized by performing driving.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user in the room performs music appreciation or movie appreciation, the user makes settings so that the operation sound of the air conditioner does not hinder this. Not only can this be done, but it is also possible to prevent a decrease in comfort in the air-conditioned space due to the suppression of the operation sound of the air conditioner.

  As described above, the air conditioner according to the present invention is useful as an air conditioner installed in a room in which audio devices for listening to music and television devices are installed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,10a Air conditioner, 11 Infrared sensor, 12 Temperature sensor, 13 Microphone, 14 Microphone which has a rotation mechanism, 14a Cover, 14b Movable part, 14c Sound acquisition part, 20 Remote control, 21 Music appreciation mode button, 22 Operation button group , 23 display panel, S10 to S25 steps.

Claims (2)

An air conditioner comprising an infrared sensor that detects the presence of a human body, a microphone that acquires sound by rotating at a constant cycle, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of an air-conditioning target space,
When a human body is present in the air-conditioning target space and the control unit determines that it is necessary to lower the operation sound by acquiring sound of the air-conditioning target space, the operation sound is automatically suppressed,
Detecting the temperature of the air-conditioning target space, when this is sensed temperature and the temperature difference between the set temperature starvation threshold or performs control to target temperature lower than the room temperature set by the user at the time of cooling, when the heating is Perform operation to control the target temperature higher than the room temperature set by the user,
An air conditioner that detects the temperature of the air-conditioning target space again and performs the operation until the detected temperature falls within a target temperature range . 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the operation sound is suppressed by lowering a rotation speed of a fan that adjusts an air volume of the air conditioner.

Images