JP6249647B2 - Air conditioner indoor unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and more particularly to an indoor unit of an air conditioner that can change the blowing direction of conditioned air.

Conventionally, in order to increase the comfort of human beings in the room (hereinafter referred to as “occupants”), the position of the occupant is detected and air is blown to avoid the occupant, or the occupant is opposed to An air conditioner indoor unit (hereinafter referred to as an “indoor unit”) that blows air toward the air is known.
Then, not only the position of the occupant is detected, but also the activity state of the occupant is detected, and the blowout temperature, the blowout amount, and the blowout direction of the conditioned air are controlled based on the activity state. That is, when it is detected that the amount of activity is increasing due to light exercise or light hard work, the amount of heat generated by the activity by blowing air intensively toward the occupant (hereinafter referred to as “user”) An indoor unit is disclosed in which an increase in body temperature is suppressed by removing, so as not to feel hot (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-323599 (page 3-5, FIG. 2)

However, in the indoor unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, conditioned air is not concentrated and blown toward a user whose activity amount is not large, and normal blowing is performed. For this reason, in particular, immediately after entering the room from a hot (or cold) outdoor, it has not been possible to respond to the request for a rapid (temporary) cooling. In particular, immediately after entering the room, there is a demand for searching for a remote control (remote control device), eliminating the hassle of starting operation, and rapidly cooling (want to warm).
Also, when the temperature of the sensation varies depending on the attribute (male or female gender) and the air is exposed to air flow, especially during cooling operation, women feel colder than men, so both men and women are comfortable. There is a request to maintain sex.
Furthermore, there is a request to receive conditioned air easily (expose to the air flow) without troublesome operation of the remote control (remote control device), although it does not cool down rapidly (warm up) temporarily. There is.

  The present invention responds to the above-described demands, and does not require operation of a remote controller or the like, and can easily improve the comfort of a user whose body temperature differs depending on the attribute (gender). To obtain an indoor unit.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention has a suction port and an air outlet, respectively, and a main body installed on a wall surface of the room, and an air path that sucks indoor air from the air inlet and reaches the air outlet. A blower to be formed, a heat exchanger installed in the air passage and executing a part of the refrigeration cycle, and a wind direction adjusting device installed in the outlet and adjusting the air blowing direction harmonized in the heat exchanger And an imaging device that images the room, and a control device that controls at least the blower and the airflow direction adjustment device, wherein the control device is configured such that a human face imaged by the imaging device is a part of the imaging device. If it is determined that the face recognition range in the field of view is kept during the face recognition time which is a predetermined time, the person is recognized as a person who wants to be blown toward himself, Recognized It is determined whether the human attribute is male or female, and the number of revolutions per minute of the blower is changed based on the determination, and the current cooling operation or the current blowing operation or the operation when the previous operation was stopped When the mode is a cooling operation or a blowing operation and the recognized human is a male, the blower is rotated at a preset number of revolutions per minute or at the number of revolutions set per minute when the previous operation was stopped. When it is maintained at a certain rotation speed and the recognized human being is a woman when the operation mode at the time of the current cooling operation or the current blowing operation or the previous operation stop is the cooling operation or the blowing operation, the blower is turned on. When the number of revolutions is changed to a reduced number of revolutions per minute that is smaller than the maintenance number of revolutions, and the recognized human body temperature is out of a predetermined standard temperature range, the conditioned air is blown out. The air temperature is changed to a temperature that is different from the temperature of the conditioned air currently being operated or the temperature of the conditioned air that was previously stopped, and the recognized human body temperature has returned to a temperature within the standard temperature range. When the rotation speed is the reduced rotation speed , the rotation speed is returned to the maintenance rotation speed . When the rotation speed is the maintenance rotation speed , the fan is rotated at the rotation speed as it is, so that the recognized human or the position where the human is located is surrounded. The air is distributed over the range to be included.

When the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention determines that the human face approaching the main body remains in the face recognition range for the face recognition time, “the person is blowing toward himself / herself. And the attributes of the recognized human (hereinafter referred to as “user”) (same as gender determination to determine male or female) and cooling operation Alternatively, during the air blowing operation or when the cooling operation or the air blowing operation is about to start, when the user is a woman, the rotational speed of the blower is made smaller (low speed) per minute than when the user is a man.
For this reason, a smaller amount (slower speed) of cold air or air (dry air, etc.) is blown out to women than women, so women who are originally “cold” feel cold and uncomfortable. Is prevented.
The blowing operation means an operation of blowing indoor air with the refrigeration cycle stopped, or an operation of blowing conditioned air dehumidified with the refrigeration cycle operated.

The front view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. Sectional drawing of the side view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The perspective view which extracts and shows a part (periphery of a blower outlet) of the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus of the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The side view for demonstrating the user's face recognition point in the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the control flow in the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the control flow in the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the control flow in the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The top view explaining the blowing out point of the conditioned air in the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The front view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus of the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the control flow in the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the control flow in the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the control flow in the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG.

[Embodiment 1]
1 to 3 illustrate an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a sectional view in side view, and FIG. It is a perspective view which extracts and shows (the periphery of a blower outlet). In addition, each figure is drawn typically and this invention is not limited to the form shown in figure.
1 to 3, an air conditioner indoor unit (hereinafter referred to as “indoor unit”) 100 opens and closes a main body 1 having a suction port 3 formed in an upper portion and a blower outlet 7 formed in a lower portion, and the front surface of the main body 1. The front panel 2 that covers freely, the blower 5 that sucks room air from the suction port 3 and forms the air passage 6 leading to the blower outlet 7, and the heat exchange installed on the upstream side of the blower 5 (near the suction port 3) A vertical air direction plate 9 and a right and left air direction plate 10 are installed in the air path 6.

A refrigerant circuit is formed by a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and a refrigerant expansion valve installed in an outdoor unit (not shown), a heat exchanger 4 installed in the indoor unit 100, and a refrigerant pipe communicating these. The refrigeration cycle is executed.
In addition, a receiving device 40 that receives a signal from a remote controller (not shown) and an imaging device 50 that captures the state of the room are installed on the front surface of the main body 1 beside the air outlet 7.
Furthermore, at least a wind direction adjusting device (up and down wind direction plate 9 and left and right wind direction plate 10) and a control device 70 for controlling the blower 5 are installed inside the main body 1. The control is executed based on the position information of the person imaged by the imaging device 50 and the attribute information based on the human form (mainly face information) imaged by the imaging apparatus 50 (this will be described in detail separately). ).

(Heat exchanger)
In FIG. 2, the heat exchanger 4 includes a front heat exchange portion 4 a that is substantially parallel to the front panel 2, a heat exchange upper front portion 4 b that is a portion obliquely above the front surface of the blower 5, and a rear surface of the blower 5. And a heat exchange upper rear portion 4c which is an obliquely upper portion. A drain pan 8 is disposed below the pre-heat exchange portion 4a, and the upper surface 8a of the drain pan 8 forms a drain pan surface that actually receives the drain, and the lower surface 8b of the drain pan 8 forms the front side of the air passage 6. Yes.

(Blower)
The blower 5 shown in FIG. 2 includes a squirrel-cage air blower in which a plurality of fins are arranged in an annular shape with a predetermined interval, and a blower motor (not shown) that rotationally drives the air blower. . The number of revolutions per unit time of the blower motor (hereinafter referred to as “number of revolutions per minute”) is freely changeable, and the number of revolutions per minute is controlled by the control device 70. When the amount of air (and wind speed) is large (fast) and rotates at a low speed, the amount of air blown (and wind speed) is small (low). Note that the present invention does not limit the type of the blower 5.

(Wind direction adjusting device)
In FIG. 3, at a position near the air outlet 7 of the air passage, the horizontal direction (left-right direction) of the indoor air conditioned in the heat exchanger 4 (hereinafter referred to as “conditioned air”), which is a wind direction adjusting device, is provided. A left and right wind direction plate group 10L and a right and left wind direction plate group 10R (which are collectively referred to as “left and right wind direction plates 10”) for adjusting the blowing direction, and an outlet 7 which is an end of the air path 6 Is provided with an up / down wind direction plate 9 (the front up / down wind direction plate 9a and the rear up / down wind direction plate 9b are collectively referred to as the "up / down wind direction plate 9") for adjusting the vertical direction (vertical direction) of the conditioned air. It has been.
Note that the “left side” and “right side” refer to what is seen on the left hand when viewing the room from the indoor unit 100, that is, when viewing the front panel 2 from the back side of the main body 1. The ones that are visible on the right hand are referred to as the “right side”.

(Left and right wind direction plate)
The right and left wind direction plate group 10R is composed of left and right wind direction plates 10a, 10b,..., 10g, is rotatably installed on the lower surface 8b of the drain pan 8, and the right connecting rod 20R is connected to each. The left and right wind direction plate group 10L is composed of left and right wind direction plates 10h, 10i,..., 10n, and a left connecting rod 20L is connected to each.
The right and left wind direction plate group 10R and the right connecting rod 20R form a link mechanism, and the left and right wind direction plate group 10L and the left connecting rod 20L form a link mechanism, and the right connecting rod 20R has a right drive. The left driving means 30L is connected to the left connecting rod 20L.
Therefore, when the right connecting rod 20R is translated by the right driving means, the left and right wind direction plates 10a, 10b,... 10g rotate while maintaining parallel to each other, and the left connecting rod 20L is translated by the left driving means 30L. When done, the left and right wind direction plates 10h, 10i,..., 10n rotate while maintaining parallel to each other. For this reason, conditioned air is blown out in the same direction over the entire width of the blowout port 7, blown out in a direction away from each other at every half width of the blowout port 7, or blown out in a direction to collide with each other at every half width of the blowout port 7. Is possible.
The present invention is not limited to the shape of the left and right wind direction plates 10 illustrated. The number of the left and right wind direction plates 10 may be any number, and the left and right wind direction plates 10 are divided into three or more groups. The group may be joined to the connecting rod so as to be rotatable, and each connecting rod may be independently translated.

(Vertical wind direction plate)
The vertical wind direction plate 9 has a rotation center parallel to the horizontal direction (Y direction), and is rotatably installed on the main body 1. The rotation axis of the front vertical wind direction plate 9a and the rotation axis of the rear vertical wind direction plate 9b are respectively connected by a link mechanism or a gear mechanism and rotated by a common drive motor.
In addition, this invention is not limited to what shows the form of the up-and-down wind direction board 9, The front up-and-down wind direction board 9a and the back up-and-down wind direction board 9b may each be rotated by a separate drive motor. Also, each of them may be divided at the center in the left-right direction to make a total of four sheets, and each may be independently rotated.

(Imaging device)
The present invention does not limit the types and installation positions of the receiving device 40 and the imaging device 50. For example, the imaging device 50 is a CCD camera having 1 million or less pixels. You may install in the center.
In addition, the time interval at which the imaging device 50 captures an image is not limited, and can be regarded as a continuous time interval that enables the control described below during standby and during operation of the refrigeration cycle (for example, every second). It is.
Further, the indoor unit 100 is provided with a sound or video notification device (not shown) for notifying the operation status of the indoor unit 100 in the main body 1 or a remote controller (not shown).

(Control device)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1 and showing the configuration of the control device.
In FIG. 4, the control device 70 controls the number of rotations per minute of the blower 5 and the blowing direction (attitudes of the vertical and horizontal wind direction plates 9 and 10) according to the user (resident) U <b> 1.
That is, as will be described in detail below, the control device 70 recognizes the face F1 of the user U1 based on the image captured by the imaging device 50, and the face F1 is within the face recognition range for the face recognition time. If the user U1 continues to be present, the user U1 is recognized as a person who wants to be blown toward the user, and the user U1 is directed toward the authorized user U1 (if the user U1 moves, the destination is specified). The postures of the up and down wind direction plate 9 and the left and right wind direction plate 10 are controlled so as to blow out conditioned air (toward the destination).

  At this time, the control device 70 determines the attribute (male or female) of the user U1, and when the determined attribute is female and the cooling operation or the blowing operation is being performed, or the cooling operation or the blowing operation is started. (Same when the previous stoppage was cooling or blowing operation) compared to when heating operation or the determined attribute is male and cooling or blowing operation. Thus, the number of rotations per minute of the blower 5 is reduced. That is, during cooling operation or air blowing operation, women feel colder than men, so for women, the number of revolutions per minute of the blower 5 is reduced, so that women are smaller (more than men) Comfort is ensured by allowing low-speed) conditioned air (cold air) to be blown.

In addition, when a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as “concentrated blowing time”) elapses after the conditioned air is intensively blown toward the user U1 (hereinafter referred to as “concentrated blowing”), the user U1 sufficiently Since it is considered to have cooled or warmed up, the concentrated blowing is stopped, and conditioned air is blown out in a distributed manner over a wide range including the user U1 (hereinafter referred to as “dispersed blowing”).
In the distributed blowout, since the woman does not feel unpleasant cold even when receiving cold air, the reduced number of revolutions per minute is returned to the original number of revolutions per minute, and a wide range of cooling is promoted.
Therefore, the control device 70 has means (face recognition means, attribute determination means, rotation speed maintenance means, rotation speed reduction means, start command) for executing at least each step described in the control flow (FIGS. 6 to 8) described later. Means, concentrated blowing command means, rotation speed returning means, distributed blowing command means, tracking means, tracking concentrated blowing command means, tracking rotation speed returning means, tracking distributed blowing command means, end means).

(User awareness)
FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining a user's recognition point in the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 5, the indoor unit 100 is installed at a position close to the ceiling surface 92 on one wall 91 (hereinafter referred to as “back wall”) 91 of the room 90.
In addition, the imaging apparatus (for example, a 300,000 pixel CCD camera) 50 has a field of view 51 that faces obliquely downward. In the field of view 51, the user U1 has a range 52 (shown by hatching in the drawing, hereinafter referred to as a “face recognition range”) 52 located at a distance L1 to a distance L2 (L1 <L2) from the imaging device 50. When the face F1 continues to stay for a predetermined time “face recognition time (for example, 2 seconds)”, the control device indicates that “the user U1 is a person who wants to be blown toward himself / herself. It is recognized.

Further, when the user U1 is closer than the distance L3 (away from the distance L2 (L2 <L3)) from the imaging device 50, “the user U1 causes the indoor unit 100 to recognize himself / herself. If the face F1 is not within the face recognition range 52 while approaching the distance L3, a notification means (not shown) is notified.
For example, a voice notification such as “Cannot recognize face” or “Please move closer” is used, or a lamp indicating that the face cannot be recognized is lit or blinked. Note that the notification means may display characters or images instead of the sound or lighting or blinking of the lamp.
Note that “the control device recognizes the face F1 of the user U1” has the same meaning as “the control device recognizes that the user U1 is a person who wants to blow toward him”. is there.

On the other hand, when the user U1 does not recognize the face F1 until the predetermined face recognition time (for example, 2 seconds) elapses while approaching the distance L3 from the imaging device 50 (the face F1 is placed in the face recognition range 52). "When the user U1 is not a person who wants to be blown toward himself / herself", that is, it is determined that there is no need to perform the control described later.
At this time, a notification means (not shown) may notify the fact. For example, a notification such as “I will drive in the operation mode at the end of the previous time” is given by voice, or a lamp indicating “Operation in the operation mode at the time of the previous end” is lit or blinked.

(User tracking)
After recognizing the user U1 (recognizing that the person wants to be blown toward himself / herself), the control device 70 tracks the user U1 from the image of the user U1 captured by the imaging device 50, The destination (hereinafter referred to as “user position”) P1 is specified.
That is, while the user U1 does not move and the face F1 remains in the face recognition range 52, the closest position P0 corresponding to the face recognition range 52 is specified as the user position P1. Further, after recognizing the face F1, the user U1 moves in a direction away from the indoor unit 100, and after such movement, that is, the position where the user U1 stops or sits is specified as the user position P1. .

(Determining user attributes)
The control device 70 determines whether the user U1 is “male” or “female” based on the recognized face F1 of the user U1 (more precisely, information about the face F1).
In addition, the point of attribute determination is not limited, and may be based on information that takes into account forms (physique, etc.) other than the face F1.

(Setting the number of rotations of the blower per minute)
When the user U1 is a woman and is about to start a cooling operation or a blowing operation, or a cooling operation or a blowing operation (when the operation mode at the time of the previous operation stop is a cooling operation or a blowing operation), The number of revolutions per minute (the number of revolutions per unit time) of the blower is smaller than the number of revolutions per minute when the user U1 is male (hereinafter referred to as “maintenance revolution (N)”). Number (hereinafter referred to as “reduced rotational speed (αN)”).
That is, since women are more “cool” than men, they feel uncomfortable when exposed to cold air that is intensively blown like men. Make it smaller.
In addition, when the user U1 is a male and during the heating operation even if the user U1 is a female, such a change for reducing (decreasing) the number of revolutions per minute is not performed.

Furthermore, as will be described later, after the concentrated air blowing toward the user U1 (position where the user U1 is located), the air blowing is switched to the distributed blowing when the concentrated blowing time has elapsed. αN) is returned to the maintenance rotation speed (N) so that the conditioned air is spread over a wide range.
That is, when exposed to the conditioned air blown intensively during the concentrated blowing time, the user U1 is considered to be sufficiently cool (or warmed), and thus becomes excessively cold (or excessively hot). In order to prevent this, the concentrated air blowing is switched to the distributed air blowing.
As a result, the amount of air reaching the user U1 due to the distributed blowing is reduced as compared with the case where the air is intensively blown, and therefore the user U1 (female) does not feel uncomfortable even when the rotational speed is restored. . Moreover, since the reach | attainment range of the conditioned air blown becomes wide, it is preferable to return the number of rotations per minute before the change to secure the amount of blown air.

(Control flow)
FIGS. 6-8 is a flowchart which shows the control flow in the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG.
In FIG. 6, when the face F1 of the user U1 is in the face recognition range 52 for at least the face recognition time (continues) (S1), the control device 70 indicates that “the user U1 is blown toward himself / herself. It is recognized that it is a human who wants the user (user recognition step, S2).
Further, the attribute (male or female) of the recognized user U1 is determined (attribute determination step, S3).

Then, when the user U1 is in the cooling operation, the air blowing operation, or the air cooling operation or the air blowing operation is started (the operation mode at the time of the current air cooling operation or the air blowing operation or at the end of the previous operation is the air cooling operation or the air blowing operation). When it is not determined to be female (when the operation mode at the end of the current operation or at the end of the previous operation is heating, or the operation mode at the end of the current operation or at the end of the previous operation is cooling, and the user U1 is determined to be male) If not, the same S4), the rotation speed per minute of the blower 5 is set to the maintenance rotation speed (N) of the blower 5 during the current operation or at the end of the previous operation (rotation speed maintaining step, S5).
On the other hand, when it is determined that the user U1 is a woman during the cooling operation or the blowing operation or the operation mode at the end of the previous operation is the cooling operation or the blowing operation (S4), the rotational speed of the blower 5 per minute is set. Then, during the current operation or at the end of the previous operation, the rotational speed per minute of the blower 5 is set to a reduced rotational speed (αN) (rotational speed reduction step, S6). The magnitude of the reduced rotational speed (αN) with respect to the maintenance rotational speed (N) is not limited. For example, it is 80% (α = 0.80) or 70% (α = 0.70). Also good.

Then, it is determined whether the refrigeration cycle is in operation (air-cooling operation, heating operation, etc.) or stopped (in air-blowing operation) (S7). If the refrigeration cycle is stopped, the refrigeration cycle is started (startup step, S8).
Therefore, the blower 5 is rotated at a set rotation speed (maintenance rotation speed or reduced rotation speed) per minute, and the conditioned air is intensively blown toward the closest position P0 where the user U1 or the user U1 is standing (concentration). Blowing step, S9).
Then, it is determined whether or not the user U1 has moved from the closest position P0 (a range immediately below the face recognition range 52) to another position (S10).

In FIG. 7, when it is determined that the user U1 stays at the closest position P0 (S10), until a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as “concentrated blowing time”) elapses after the concentrated blowing is started (S11). ) And the concentrated blowing step (S9) is continued.
On the other hand, when the concentrated blowing time has elapsed (S11), when the blower 5 is rotating at a reduced rotational speed (S12), the rotational speed per minute of the blower 5 is returned to the maintenance rotational speed (rotational speed returning step). , S13), the concentrated blowing is stopped, the blower 5 is rotated at the maintenance rotation speed, and the conditioned air is blown out in a distributed manner over a wide range including the user U1 and the closest position P0 (dispersed blowing step, S14). During this time, unless the end button is pressed (S15), the process returns to the step (S10) for determining whether the user U1 has moved, and the operation of the refrigeration cycle is stopped by pressing the end button.

In FIG. 8, when it is determined that the user U1 has moved from the closest position P0 to another place in the room (S10), the user U1 is tracked and the position of the user U1 (hereinafter referred to as “user position P1”) is determined. Specify (tracking step, S16).
Until the concentrated blowing time elapses (S17), the blower 5 is rotated at the set number of revolutions per minute, and the conditioned air is intensively blown toward the user position P1 (tracking concentrated blowing step, S18). .
On the other hand, when the concentrated blowing time has elapsed (S17), when the blower 5 is rotating at a reduced rotational speed (S19), the rotational speed per minute of the blower 5 is returned to the maintenance rotational speed (tracking rotational speed return). Step S20), the concentrated blowing is stopped, the blower 5 is rotated at the maintenance rotation speed, and the conditioned air is blown in a distributed manner toward the range including the periphery of the user position P1 (tracking distributed blowing step, S21).
When the end button provided on the remote controller (not shown) is pressed (S22), the operation of the refrigeration cycle is stopped. On the other hand, if the end button is not pressed, the process returns to the tracking step (S16) and the subsequent steps are repeated. In any step after step S1, if the end button is pressed (not shown), the operation of the refrigeration cycle is stopped.

(Function and effect)
Since the indoor unit 100 executes the above control flow, the following operational effects can be obtained.
Since the user U1 stands at the close position P0 of the indoor unit 100, the conditioned air is intensively blown toward the user without operating the remote controller or the like, so that the user U1 can receive the conditioned air easily and quickly. Yes (can cool or warm up quickly).
At this time, when it is determined that the user U1 is a woman during the cooling operation, the air blowing operation, or the air cooling operation or the air blowing operation, the rotational speed per minute of the blower 5 is reduced. For this reason, since a smaller amount (slower speed) of cold air is blown out to women than women, it is prevented that women who are originally “cold san” feel cold and become uncomfortable.
Furthermore, when the user U1 moves, the user U1 is tracked and can receive conditioned air at the specified destination, so in this case as well, the user U1 harmonizes himself / herself without operating the remote controller or the like. Since air is blown out, conditioned air can be received easily and quickly.

Furthermore, since the operation is started when the operation is stopped, the trouble of searching for a remote control or the like can be saved. Therefore, since it can cool (warm up) rapidly without requiring special work, convenience and comfort increase.
Furthermore, when the user U1 is warmed (cooled), the concentrated blowing is switched to the distributed blowing, so that the user U1 does not overcool (becomes hot) and has a wide indoor range (to the user position P1). The conditioned air spreads over the same range including the periphery of the user position P1 that is not limited, so that a wide indoor area can be made into a comfortable air-conditioning environment.
In the case of concentrated blowing toward the woman in the cooling operation or the air blowing operation, the blower rotates at a reduced rotation speed, while in the case of distributed blowing, the fan is rotated at the maintenance rotation speed. Discomfort can be eliminated and a wide range of indoor air-conditioning environment can be improved.

(Blowout procedure)
FIG. 9 is a plan view for explaining the conditioned air blowing procedure in the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1. The above shows what is continuously blown toward the user position P1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the user position P1 is switched by switching the “blower mode” by operating a remote controller or the like. Alternatively, the air may be intermittently sent (hereinafter referred to as “swing air”).
Further, a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as “dispersed blowing start time”, for example, 15 minutes) is determined by an operation of the remote controller or the like, and after the distributed blowing start time has elapsed, the position is limited to the user position P1. Alternatively, the conditioned air may be uniformly sent over a wide range in the room (distributed blowing). Each will be described below.

(Concentrated blowing)
9A, when the user position P1 is on the left side of the room 90 (left hand as viewed from the indoor unit 100), both the right and left wind direction plate group 10R and the left and right wind direction plate group 10L (see FIG. 3) are The posture is such that the conditioned air is blown out toward the user position P1 (concentrated blowing posture). Therefore, the user U1 receives the conditioned air for a longer time or in a larger amount than the case where the conditioned air is blown out almost uniformly into the room 90 (distributed blowing).
That is, when the user U1 enters the room 90 from the outside where the temperature is high (or low), the user U1 does not need to search for the remote control and press the operation start button installed on the remote control. You can start a powerful (high-power) operation just by moving it closer to. Moreover, if the user moves and stops or sits after starting the strong driving, the position is automatically specified as the user position P1, and strong cold air or warm air (the blowing temperature is set to the user position P1). It is not necessary to operate the remote control etc. to ensure that conditioned air reaches your location. Therefore, convenience and comfort are improved.
That is, a local “strong cool feeling (high power cool) mode” or “strong warm feeling (high power hot) mode” is realized for the user U1.

The air flow of the conditioned air that has been blown out can be regarded as a bundle of substantially uniform flow speeds having substantially the same cross section as the size of the air outlet 7 immediately after being blown out, but mixes with the surrounding air while flowing through the room 90. Therefore, the air flow when actually reaching the user position P1 has a large cross section compared to the size of the blowout port 7, and in the cross section, the flow direction and the flow velocity are various. It is a set of flow bundles.
For this reason, “the conditioned air is sent toward the user position P1” and “concentrated blowout” in the present invention mean that the center when the spread air flow is averaged is “toward a specific position”. This means that conditioned air has also reached around the user position P1.

(Dispersed blowing)
In (b) or (c) of FIG. 9, the left and right wind direction plate group 10L is always fixed in a posture in which conditioned air is blown out toward the user position P1, and the right and left wind direction plate group 10R is fixed to the user position P1 and the user position P2. Rotating (swinging) so as to blow out conditioned air while reciprocating within a predetermined range (indicated by α in the figure).
Then, since a larger amount of conditioned air is intensively blown toward the recognized user U1, the comfort of the user U1 is improved, and a smaller amount of conditioned air is present in the range excluding the user position P1. It will be blown out intermittently.
For this reason, when the user U2 who does not want to be exposed to the direct wind flow is in the user position P2, which is a position different from the user position P1, a smaller amount of conditioned air is intermittently blown out to the user position P2. Therefore, the comfort of the user U2 is also maintained.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the left and right wind direction plate group 10L is always fixed in a posture in which conditioned air blows out toward the user position P1, and the right and left wind direction plate group 10R includes the user position P1 and the user position. You may rotate (swing) so that conditioned air may be blown out while reciprocating within a predetermined range (indicated by α in the figure) including P2.
Then, since a larger amount of conditioned air is intensively blown toward the recognized user U1, the comfort of the user U1 is improved, and a smaller amount of conditioned air is present in the range excluding the user position P1. It will be blown out intermittently.
For this reason, when the user U2 whose body temperature (or sensible temperature) is different from the user U1 is in the user position P2, which is a position different from the user position P1, a smaller amount of conditioned air is intermittently present in the user position P2. Therefore, the comfort of the user U2 is also maintained.

(Swing blowout)
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9C, both the right and left wind direction plate group 10R and the left and right wind direction plate group 10L are in a predetermined range including the user position P1 and the user position P2 (indicated by α in the figure). ) Is rotated (swinged) to blow out conditioned air, and in the range (indicated by β in the figure) toward the user position P1, the swing speed is slower (the blowing time is longer) than the range excluding this. ). Then, similarly to the case shown in FIG. 9B, the comfort of the user U2 whose body temperature (or body temperature) is different from the user U1 is maintained together with the recognized user U1.
It should be noted that the selection of the point of concentrated blowing (selection shown in (a), (b) or (c) of FIG. 9) may be determined in advance, or the user U1 selects the concentrated blowing. It may be determined or changed by a remote controller or the like when or after starting.

In addition, you may make it wind intermittently toward the user position P1, synchronizing both rotation (swing) of 10R of right right / left wind direction board groups and 10L of left left / right wind direction board groups.
At this time, the body temperature of the user U1 apparently recuperates during a time period in which no ventilation is received. In other words, the average body temperature of the user U1 who entered the room from a cold (hot) place gradually rises (falls), but in the time zone where the air is not received compared to the time zone where the air is received. Becomes colder.

[Embodiment 2]
10 to 14 illustrate an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view, FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device, and FIG. -14 is a flowchart which shows a control flow. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same as that of Embodiment 1, or an equivalent part, and one part description is abbreviate | omitted.
The indoor unit (hereinafter referred to as “indoor unit”) 200 of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention detects the body temperature of the user U1, and changes the blowing temperature of the conditioned air according to the detected body temperature. To do. That is, the indoor unit 100 described in the first embodiment rotates the blower at a reduced rotational speed toward the woman during the cooling operation or the blowing operation, whereas the indoor unit 200 described in the second embodiment is the cooling unit. The air blower is rotated at a reduced rotational speed toward a woman during driving or air blowing operation, and the blowing temperature is changed according to the detected body temperature.

In FIG. 10, an indoor unit 200 includes a receiving device 40 that receives a signal from a remote controller (not shown), an imaging device 50 that images an indoor state, A temperature measuring device 60 for detecting the temperature is installed.
Further, the refrigeration cycle (compressor or refrigerant expansion valve not shown), wind direction adjustment, etc., inside the main body 1 based on at least the human position information imaged by the imaging device 50 and the human body temperature information detected by the temperature measuring device 60. The control apparatus 80 which controls an apparatus (upper and lower wind direction board 9 and right and left wind direction board 10) and the air blower 5 is installed.

(Imaging device, temperature detector)
The present invention does not limit the types and installation positions of the receiving device 40, the imaging device 50, and the temperature measuring device 60. For example, the imaging device 50 is a CCD camera having 1 million or less pixels, and the temperature measuring device 60 is used. May be an infrared sensor and both may be installed together, for example, at the center of the front panel 2 or at separate locations.
Further, the time interval for imaging by the imaging device 50 and the time interval for measuring the temperature of the temperature measuring device 60 are not limited, and the time interval can be regarded as continuous that enables the control described below during standby and during operation of the refrigeration cycle. (For example, every second).

(Control device)
In FIG. 11, the control device 80 sets the blowing temperature of the conditioned air together with the number of rotations per minute of the blower 5 and the blowing direction (postures of the vertical and horizontal wind direction plates 9 and 10) according to the user (occupant). It is something to control.
That is, as will be described in detail below, the control device 80 determines the attribute of the user U1 whose imaging device 50 has recognized the face F1, and the body temperature of the recognized user U1 (user U1 whose attribute has been determined). T1 is detected by the temperature measuring device 60, the blowing temperature is set (changed or maintained) based on the body temperature T1, and directed to the user U1 (if the user U1 moves, the destination is specified and the destination is set) The orientation of the up-and-down wind direction plate 9 and the left-and-right wind direction plate 10 is controlled so as to blow out conditioned air at the set blowing temperature.

At this time, the control device 80 determines the attribute (male or female) of the user U1 together with the setting of the blowout temperature, as well as the indoor unit 100, and the determined attribute is female and the cooling operation or the air blowing operation is performed. When trying to start medium or cooling operation or blowing operation, the rotational speed of the blower 5 is reduced per minute, and the woman is exposed to a smaller amount (lower speed) of conditioned air (cool air) than a man. By doing so, comfort is guaranteed.
Furthermore, the conditioned air is concentrated and blown toward the user U1, and the detected body temperature T1 determines whether the user U1 is sufficiently cooled or warmed, and sets (returns or maintains) the blowing temperature and concentrates. Stop blowing and switch to distributed blowing. In addition, in the distributed blowout, women do not feel unpleasant cold even when they receive cold air. Therefore, the reduced number of revolutions per minute is returned to the original number of revolutions per minute, and the room is cooled over a wide range. Yes.

  Therefore, the control device 80 has means (face recognition means, attribute judgment means, rotation speed maintenance means, body temperature judgment means, temperature setting means) for executing at least each step described in the control flow (FIGS. 12 to 14) described later. , Starting means, concentrated blowing command means, temperature returning means, rotation speed returning means, distributed blowing command means, tracking means, tracking concentrated blowing command means, tracking temperature returning means, tracking rotation speed returning means, tracking distributed blowing command means) Have.

(Determining the user's temperature)
The body temperature of the user U1 at the user position P1 is specified based on the indoor temperature (more precisely, temperature distribution) detected by the temperature measuring device 60. When the specified body temperature is out of the predetermined “standard temperature range”, the conditioned air blowing temperature is changed as described below. In addition, when the imaging device 50 does not recognize a face, the control described below is not performed.

(Setting of blowing temperature)
When the specified body temperature is higher than the upper limit temperature (for example, 38 ° C.) of the predetermined “standard temperature range”, the user U1 enters the room from a hot outdoor room or is out of the bath and quickly cools down. If it is determined that it is going to be performed, the conditioned air blowing temperature is changed to a temperature lower than the conditioned air blowing temperature at that time (for example, a temperature lower by 5 ° C.) If it is currently stopped, the temperature is changed to a temperature lower than the conditioned air blowing temperature set when the previous operation was stopped (for example, a temperature lower by 5 ° C.) (strong blowing, high power blowing). .

  On the other hand, when the specified body temperature is lower than the predetermined lower limit temperature (for example, 35 ° C.) of the “standard temperature range”, it is determined that the user U1 enters from a cold outdoor room and is about to warm up rapidly. When the conditioned air blowing temperature is currently in operation, the conditioned air blowing temperature is changed to a temperature higher than the conditioned air blowing temperature at that time (for example, a temperature higher by 5 ° C.) and is currently stopped. In this case, the temperature is changed to a temperature (for example, a temperature higher by 5 ° C.) than the conditioned air blowing temperature that was set when the previous operation was stopped (strong blowing, high power blowing).

  In addition, when the specified body temperature is a temperature within a predetermined “standard temperature range” (for example, 35 to 38 ° C.), the user U1 causes the conditioned air to be intensively blown toward the user. If it is determined that the conditioned air is currently being operated, the conditioned air blowing temperature remains the same as the conditioned air blowing temperature at that time. Is set to the same temperature as the conditioned air blowing temperature that was set when the operation was stopped (standard blowing).

  When the right and left wind direction plate group 10R and the left and right wind direction plate group 10L are both turned (swing) in synchronism and intermittently blown toward the user position P1, the air is not blown. In the belt, the body temperature of the user U1 apparently recovers. In other words, the average body temperature of the user U1 who entered the room from a cold (hot) place gradually rises (falls) in the powerful blowout step, but the temperature actually detected by the temperature measuring device 60 is subject to air blowing. The time zone that is not receiving air blows is lower than the time zone. Therefore, it is preferable to set the temperature detected by the temperature measuring device 60 as the “body temperature” in a time zone during which no air is received (blowing out other than the user position P1).

(Control flow)
In FIG. 12, when the face recognition range 52 is at least for the face recognition time (continues to remain) (S101), the control device 70 indicates that “the user U1 is a person who wants to be blown toward himself / herself. (User recognition step, S102). Further, the attribute (male or female) of the recognized user U1 is determined (attribute determination step, S103).

And, when the operation mode at the time of the current cooling operation or the blowing operation or at the end of the previous operation is the cooling operation or the blowing operation and the user U1 is not determined to be female (the operation mode at the time of the current operation or the end of the previous operation is heating) S104), every minute of the blower 5 or when the operation mode at the time of cooling operation or blowing operation or at the end of the previous operation is cooling or blowing operation and the user U1 is not determined to be male. The rotation speed is set to the maintenance rotation speed (N) of the blower 5 during the current operation or at the end of the previous operation (rotation speed maintaining step, S105).
On the other hand, if it is determined that the current operation mode or the operation mode at the end of the previous operation is cooling and the user U1 is female (S104), the rotational speed of the blower 5 per minute is set to the current operation or at the end of the previous operation. The number of revolutions per minute of the blower 5 is reduced and set to a reduced number of revolutions (αN) (revolution number reduction step, S106). The magnitude of the reduced rotational speed (αN) with respect to the maintenance rotational speed (N) is not limited. For example, it is 80% (α = 0.80) or 70% (α = 0.70). Also good.

  Then, the temperature measuring device 60 detects the recognized body temperature (T1) of the user U1 (S107), and determines whether or not the body temperature (T1) is within a preset standard temperature range (body temperature determination). Step, S108).

When the body temperature (T1) is higher than the upper limit temperature (TU) of the standard temperature range (T1> TU), the conditioned air blowing temperature is set at the current conditioned air blowing temperature or when the previous operation is stopped. It sets to the blowing temperature (T-ΔT) lower than the blowing temperature of the conditioned air that has been set (temperature setting step, S109-1).
Further, when the body temperature (T1) is lower than the lower limit temperature (TL) of the standard temperature range (T1 <TL), the conditioned air blowing temperature is set when the conditioned air blowing temperature during the current operation or when the previous operation is stopped. It sets to the blowing temperature (T + ΔT) which is higher than the blowing temperature of the conditioned air which has been done (Temperature setting step, S109-2).
Further, when the body temperature (T1) is within the standard temperature range (TL ≦ T1 ≦ TU), the conditioned air blowing temperature is set to the conditioned air blowing temperature currently being operated or the harmonizing that was set when the previous operation was stopped. The same blowing temperature (T) as the blowing temperature of air is set (temperature setting step, S109-3).

Then, it is determined whether the refrigeration cycle is in operation (cooling operation, heating operation, etc.) or stopped (fan operation) (S110), and if it is stopped, the refrigeration cycle is started (starting step). , S111).
Therefore, the blower 5 is rotated at a set rotation speed (maintenance rotation speed or reduced rotation speed) per minute, and the conditioned air is intensively blown toward the closest position P0 where the user U1 or the user U1 is standing (concentration). Blowing step, S112).
Then, it is determined whether or not the user U1 has moved from the closest position P0 (a range immediately below the face recognition range 52) to another position (S113).

In FIG. 13, when it is determined that the user U1 remains at the closest position P0 (S113), whether or not the body temperature (T2) of the user U1 detected by the temperature measuring device 60 is within a preset standard temperature range. Is determined (S114).
Therefore, when it is determined that the body temperature (T2) is within the standard temperature range (TL ≦ T2 ≦ TU), the conditioned air blowing temperature is returned to the blowing temperature (T) before being set (temperature returning step, S115). Until the body temperature (T2) is within the standard temperature range, the process returns to the concentrated blowing step (S112) and the subsequent steps are continued unless the end button is pressed.

  And when the blower temperature is returned to the blowout temperature (T) before the blowout temperature is set and the blower 5 is rotating at a reduced rotational speed (S116), the rotational speed per minute of the blower 5 is set to the maintenance rotational speed. Return (rotation speed return step, S117), stop the concentrated blowing, rotate the blower 5 at the maintenance rotation speed, the conditioned air of the blowing temperature (T) before being set around the user U1 and the closest position P0 Are blown in a dispersed manner toward the range including (dispersion blowing step, S118). During this time, unless the end button is pressed (S119), it is determined whether the user U1 has moved (S113), and the subsequent steps are continued.

  In FIG. 14, when it is determined that the user U1 has moved from the closest position P0 to another location in the room (S113), the user U1 is tracked and the position of the user U1 (hereinafter referred to as “user position P1”). Specify (tracking step, S120). And until the body temperature (T2) of the user U1 detected by the temperature measuring device 60 is within a temperature range (TL ≦ T2 ≦ TU) within a preset standard temperature range (S121), the blower 5 is set every minute. Rotating at the rotation speed (maintenance rotation speed or reduction rotation speed), the conditioned air having the set blowing temperature is intensively blown toward the user position P1 (tracking concentration blowing step, S122).

Then, when the body temperature (T2) of the user U1 detected by the temperature measuring device 60 is within a preset standard temperature range (TL ≦ T2 ≦ TU), or at a temperature within the standard temperature range from the beginning. If there is (S121), the set blowing temperature is returned to the temperature (T) before the setting (tracking temperature returning step, S123). Further, when the blower 5 is rotating at a reduced rotational speed (S124), the rotational speed per minute of the blower 5 is returned to the maintenance rotational speed (tracking rotational speed returning step, S125).
Therefore, the blower 5 is rotated at the maintenance rotation speed, and the conditioned air at the blowing temperature before being set is blown in a distributed manner toward a range including the periphery of the user position P1 (tracking dispersion blowing step, S126).
When the end button provided on the remote controller (not shown) is pressed (S127), the operation of the refrigeration cycle is stopped. On the other hand, if the end button is not pressed, the process returns to the tracking step (S120) and the subsequent steps are repeated.
In any step after step S1, if the end button is pressed (not shown), the operation of the refrigeration cycle is stopped.

(Function and effect)
Since the indoor unit 200 executes the above control flow, in addition to the operational effects exhibited by the indoor unit 100 (Embodiment 1), the following operational effects are achieved.
The user U1 who has entered the room from a cold (hot) place has a low (high) body temperature, and is quickly warmed (cooled) by strong conditioned air (the blowing temperature is changed) by standing at the close position P0 of the indoor unit 200. be able to. In addition, when the user U1 moves from the closest position P0 before the user U1 is sufficiently warmed (cooled), the user U1 is tracked and the strong conditioned air (the blowing temperature is changed at the specified position). ) Can quickly warm (cool).
On the other hand, the user U1 who wants to blow the conditioned air currently being operated (the blowing temperature is not changed) toward the user U1 stands at the closest position P0 of the indoor unit 200, thereby changing the conditioned air currently being operated. Can receive.

  Furthermore, when the user U1 is warmed (cooled), the “non-powerful conditioned air” that has been returned to the temperature before the change of the blowing temperature is sent to the user position P1, so that special work is required. And enjoy a comfortable air-conditioning environment.

Note that even if the user U1 continues to stand at the closest position P0 and the body temperature (T2) remains outside the standard temperature range (T2 <TL, TU <T2), the conditioned air blowing temperature is set. In such a case, the user U1 once leaves the closest position P0 and recognizes the face F1 again.
In addition, although it described so that the blowing temperature of conditioned air may be set (changed, maintained), the refrigerant temperature in the refrigeration cycle (for example, the outlet temperature of the compressor, the refrigerant expansion valve, or the like) is used instead of the blowing temperature. Or the like may be set.

  1 Main body, 2 Front panel, 3 Suction port, 4 Heat exchanger, 4a Heat exchange part, 4b Heat exchange front part, 4c Heat exchange upper part, 5 Blower, 6 Air passage, 7 Air outlet, 8 Drain pan, 8a upper surface, 8b lower surface, 9 up / down wind direction plate, 9a front up / down wind direction plate, 9b rear up / down wind direction plate, 10 left / right wind direction plate, 10L left / right wind direction plate group, 10R right / left wind direction plate group, 10a-10n left / right wind direction plate, 20L Left connecting rod, 20R right connecting rod, 30L left driving means, 40 receiving device, 50 imaging device, 51 field of view, 52 face recognition range, 60 temperature measuring device, 70 control device (Embodiment 1), 80 control device (implementation) Form 2), 90 indoors, 92 ceiling surface, 100 indoor units (Embodiment 1), 200 indoor units (Embodiment 2).

Claims (7)

A main body that is formed on the wall surface of the room, each of which has an inlet and an outlet,
A blower that sucks room air from the suction port and forms an air passage leading to the blowout port;
A heat exchanger installed in the air passage and performing a part of the refrigeration cycle;
A wind direction adjusting device that is installed at the air outlet and adjusts the air blowing direction harmonized in the heat exchanger;
An imaging device for imaging the room;
A control device for controlling at least the blower and the wind direction adjusting device,
The controller is
When it is determined that the human face imaged by the imaging device continues to exist for a face recognition time that is a predetermined time in the face recognition range within the field of view of the imaging device, the person is directed toward himself / herself Recognizing that the person wants to be blown,
Determining whether the recognized human attribute is male or female, and changing the number of revolutions per minute of the blower based on the determination;
When the recognized human being is a male when the current cooling operation or the current blowing operation or the operation mode at the time of the previous operation stop is the cooling operation or the blowing operation, the rotation speed per minute set in advance for the blower Or it is maintained at the maintenance rotation speed that is the rotation speed per minute that was set at the time of the previous shutdown,
When the recognized human being is a woman when the operation mode at the time of the current cooling operation or the current blowing operation or the previous operation stop is the cooling operation or the blowing operation, the blower is set to a value smaller than the maintenance rotation speed. Changed to a reduced number of revolutions per minute,
When the recognized human body temperature is out of a predetermined standard temperature range, the conditioned air blowing temperature is changed to the conditioned air blowing temperature currently being operated or the conditioned air blowing temperature at the previous stoppage. Change to a different blowing temperature,
When the recognized human body temperature returns to a temperature within the standard temperature range, if it is the reduced rotation speed , it is returned to the maintenance rotation speed , and in the case of the maintenance rotation speed , the fan is rotated at the same rotation speed. An indoor unit of an air conditioner that blows air in a range including the periphery of the recognized human or the position where the human is present by rotating. The number of rotations per minute of the blower is
The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the recognized human attribute is female, the attribute is made smaller than when the male attribute is male. The controller is
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wind direction adjusting device is controlled so as to blow air toward the recognized person or a position where the person is present. A main body that is formed on the wall surface of the room, each of which has an inlet and an outlet,
A blower that sucks room air from the suction port and forms an air passage leading to the blowout port;
A heat exchanger installed in the air passage and performing a part of the refrigeration cycle;
A wind direction adjusting device that is installed at the air outlet and adjusts the air blowing direction harmonized in the heat exchanger;
An imaging device for imaging the room;
A control device for controlling at least the blower and the wind direction adjusting device,
The controller is
When it is determined that the human face imaged by the imaging device continues to exist for a face recognition time that is a predetermined time in the face recognition range within the field of view of the imaging device, the person is directed toward himself / herself Recognizing that the person wants to be blown,
Determining whether the recognized human attribute is male or female, and changing the number of revolutions per minute of the blower based on the determination;
When the recognized human being is a male when the current cooling operation or the current blowing operation or the operation mode at the time of the previous operation stop is the cooling operation or the blowing operation, the rotation speed per minute set in advance for the blower Or it is maintained at the maintenance rotation speed that is the rotation speed per minute that was set at the time of the previous shutdown,
When the recognized human being is a woman when the operation mode at the time of the current cooling operation or the current blowing operation or the previous operation stop is the cooling operation or the blowing operation, the blower is set to a value smaller than the maintenance rotation speed. Changed to a reduced number of revolutions per minute,
When a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of air blowing toward the recognized human or the position where the person is present at the maintenance rotational speed or the reduced rotational speed, when the rotational speed is the reduced rotational speed, back to maintain the rotational speed, the case of maintaining the rotational speed by rotating the blower as it speed dispersed for blowing the range including the periphery of the position where the recognized person or the person is present, air The indoor unit of the harmony machine. The controller is
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the recognized human body temperature returns to a temperature within the standard temperature range, the changed blowing temperature is returned to the blowing temperature before being changed. The controller is
The said wind direction adjustment apparatus is controlled so that the said moving place of the said person may be specified and the said direction may be blown toward the specified position when the said recognized person moves. The indoor unit of the described air conditioner. The controller is
When it is determined that the human face imaged by the imaging device during the refrigeration cycle is stopped during the face recognition time that is a predetermined time in the face recognition range in the field of view of the imaging device, The indoor unit of the air conditioner as described in any one of Claims 1-6 which starts the said refrigeration cycle.

Images