JP6261295B2 - Air conditioning system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioning system that harmonizes air in a living room, and more particularly to an air conditioning system that controls an air conditioning apparatus in combination with an external information terminal.

  Generally, in order to adjust the temperature and humidity of a living room such as a home or office, an indoor unit of an air conditioner is provided in the living room, and an outdoor unit is provided outside the room. The refrigerant cooled by the outdoor unit provided outside or the heated refrigerant is guided to the indoor unit, and heat is exchanged with the indoor air by the heat exchanger in the indoor unit so that the room is cooled or heated. Yes. Furthermore, in addition to these cooling and heating functions, a dehumidifying function for adjusting the humidity in the room is also provided.

  And recently, external information terminals such as smartphones and tablet PCs have become widespread, and air conditioning systems that perform operation control of the air conditioner by communicating with these external information terminals are becoming widespread. For example, in JP 2009-133549 A (Patent Document 1), a control program for an existing air conditioner is updated without requiring manual operation, and in addition to this, a dedicated program provided in the air conditioner is provided. It is shown that the air conditioner is operated by an external information terminal other than the remote controller.

  According to Patent Document 1, a communication adapter that can communicate with an indoor unit of an air conditioning system is connected to a personal computer that is an external information terminal, GUI software is downloaded to the personal computer, and service is provided via the Internet using the GUI software. It is possible to access the center computer, download the latest indoor unit control program, and update the indoor unit control program via the communication adapter. Further, the air conditioning system can be operated through the communication adapter using the GUI software icon.

JP 2009-133549 A

  By the way, recently, the outside air temperature tends to increase due to the global warming phenomenon, and in particular, the state where the outside air temperature is high tends to continue for a long time in summer. For this reason, in summer, the room temperature may rise to a temperature (abnormally high temperature) at which a person living indoors may become heat stroke.

  In particular, elderly people, persons who need nursing care, infants, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “elderly persons etc.”) often have a relatively low physical self-judgment function, and symptoms such as heat stroke when the room is extremely hot There is a risk of not being able to notice the delay. In this case, a serious accident can be avoided if a householder other than the elderly or the like is living in the house and notices this. However, if a family member who takes care of the elderly or the like goes out and is absent, a serious accident may occur.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system capable of avoiding a serious accident such as, for example, a person who is indoors suffering from heat stroke.

  The feature of the present invention is that when there is a person in the room and the indoor environment is judged to have a high risk of developing heat stroke, alert information is displayed on the external information terminal associated with the air conditioner. There is a place to send and inform.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid a serious accident such as, for example, a person who is indoors suffers from heat stroke.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the air conditioning system to which this invention is applied. It is a sectional side view of an indoor unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the air conditioning system which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the control flow which implements the mode which transmits the alerting information which becomes the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the control flow which implements the mode which transmits the alerting information which becomes the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications and application examples are included in the technical concept of the present invention. Is also included in the range.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner is composed of an indoor unit 10 and an outdoor unit 12, and the indoor unit 10 is provided in a room of a home or office, and the air in the room is cooled or heated. Air conditioning. The outdoor unit 12 that cools or heats the refrigerant sent to the indoor unit 10 is connected to the indoor unit 10 through a communication cable and a power supply cable (not shown), and transmits and receives control information through these cables. In addition, it is designed to supply power.

  The remote controller 14 is operated by an operator and transmits a signal to the remote controller transmission / reception unit 16 of the indoor unit 10. The contents of this transmitted / received signal are commands such as an operation request, a change in set temperature, a timer, an operation mode change, and a stop request. The air conditioner executes an air conditioning operation mode such as a cooling mode, a heating mode, or a dehumidifying mode based on these signals. Alternatively, a configuration in which status information such as room temperature information, humidity information, and electricity bill information is transmitted from the remote controller transmission / reception unit 16 of the indoor unit 10 to the remote controller 14 may be employed.

  In addition, indoor environment detection means 46 is installed at a lower portion near the center of the front panel 34 of the indoor unit 10 when viewed in the left-right direction. This indoor environment detection means 46 detects the brightness of the image processing means using image pickup means and image processing software capable of detecting a human body, an activity amount detection sensor composed of a Fresnel lens and an infrared sensor, and the brightness of the air-conditioned room. An illuminance sensor or the like is provided. These sensors only need to be provided in accordance with the specifications of the function mode of the air conditioner.

  In addition, when using an imaging unit with a viewing angle that cannot capture the entire indoor space at once, the imaging unit may be configured to be driven in the left-right direction.

  The imaging means images the room where the indoor unit 10 is installed. The imaging means is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera, and is installed at the lower part of the center of the front panel 34 in the left-right direction (see FIG. 1). The camera is installed such that the optical axis of the lens is directed downward by a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal line, so that the room in which the indoor unit 10 is installed can be appropriately imaged.

  The driving means drives the camera in the left-right direction to change the indoor area imaged by the camera. For example, the camera is connected to a shaft of a stepping motor that is a driving means, and reciprocates within a predetermined angle range by the operation of the motor.

  In this case, the motor stops for imaging for each area obtained by dividing the range of the predetermined angle into a plurality of areas, and after imaging, resumes operation to direct the camera to the next area. Note that if the time required for imaging is sufficiently short compared with the driving speed of the camera, the stepping motor may be continuously operated.

  The driving means directs the camera to a position where the left area, the center area, and the right area of the room can be imaged every minute during the operation of the air conditioner. As a result, even if an inexpensive camera with a narrow viewing angle is used, it is possible to image a wide range of the room.

  Instead of the camera, it may be determined whether there is a person in the room by using a pyroelectric infrared sensor. Further, regardless of the brightness in the room, it may be determined whether there is a person in the room by using a thermopile instead of the camera. However, it is desirable to detect a person with a camera in order to avoid erroneously detecting a cat or dog as a person. In order to increase detection accuracy, a person may be detected using both a camera and a pyroelectric infrared sensor or a thermopile.

  FIG. 2 shows a side cross section of the indoor unit 10, and the housing base 22 accommodates internal structures such as a heat exchanger 24, a blower fan 26, and a filter 28. The heat exchanger 24 has a plurality of heat transfer tubes 24a, and heats the air taken into the indoor unit 10 by the blower fan 26 with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes 24a to heat or cool the air. It is configured. The heat transfer tube 24a communicates with a refrigerant pipe (not shown) and constitutes a part of a known refrigerant cycle (not shown).

  The left and right wind direction plates 30 follow a command from an operation control means (not shown) provided in the indoor unit 10 and a left and right wind direction plate motor (not shown) with a rotating shaft (not shown) provided at the lower part as a fulcrum. ). The vertical wind direction plate 32 is rotated by a vertical wind direction plate motor (not shown) with pivot shafts (not shown) provided at both ends as fulcrums according to instructions from the operation control means.

  The front panel 34 is installed so as to cover the front surface of the indoor unit 10 and is configured to be rotatable by a front panel motor (not shown) with the lower end as an axis. Incidentally, you may comprise the front panel 34 as what is fixed to a lower end.

  When the blower fan 26 shown in FIG. 2 rotates, the room air is taken in through the air suction port 36 and the filter 28, and the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 24 is guided to the blowout air path. Furthermore, the air direction of the air guided to the blowout air path is adjusted by the right and left wind direction plates 30 and the up and down air direction plates 32 and is sent to the outside from the air blowing port 38 to air-condition the room.

  In addition, the air conditioner has a configuration in which a plurality of indoor units are connected not only to the wall-mounted indoor unit 10 but also to a ceiling-embedded indoor unit or one outdoor unit. Is also good.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an air conditioning system including an air conditioning apparatus side control means (hereinafter referred to as air conditioning side control means) 40 included in the indoor unit 10 and an external information terminal 42 such as a smartphone or a tablet PC. FIG. The load 44 of the air conditioner is, for example, an indoor fan motor (not shown) included in the indoor unit 10, a compressor motor (not shown) included in the outdoor unit 12, or a left / right wind direction plate installed on the left / right wind direction plate 30. A motor (not shown) is included. These loads 44 are driven in accordance with a control drive signal from the control means 40.

  The air conditioning side control means 40 of the indoor unit 10 is input with a detection signal of an indoor environment detection means 46 including a room temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and other various sensors described above built in the indoor unit 10. The air-conditioning-side control means 40 communicates with the outdoor unit 12 for each set air-conditioning operation mode to drive operation control of the compressor and the like, and operation control of the entire air conditioner such as management of wind speed, wind direction, and air-conditioning output. It is managed by the control unit 48. The drive control unit 48 includes a microcomputer, a ROM, an input / output LSI, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, a storage means 50 is provided separately from the storage means provided in the drive control section 48. In this storage means 50, various kinds of information, for example, the current indoor environment detection means are provided. 46 detection information, operation information and setting information executed in the previous air conditioning operation, detection information of the indoor environment detection means 46 at that time, and the like are stored.

  In addition, a occupant detection means may be provided as the indoor environment detection means 42. For example, as a sensor for detecting the environment in the air-conditioned room, a thermopile that measures the radiant heat in the air-conditioning room or a life scene in the air-conditioned room by performing light source identification A light source identification sensor for determining the presence of a person, a sound sensor for determining a living scene in the room from pattern recognition of the ambient sound in the room, and detecting a person in the room by photographing the room with a camera and performing face recognition and body recognition An image recognition sensor or the like may be used. The detailed operation control of the air conditioning operation is well known, and although not described here, the operation control suitable for each air conditioning apparatus to which the present embodiment is applied may be performed.

  The air-conditioning-side control means 40 is configured to enable information communication separately from the remote controller 14 through an external information terminal 42 provided with voice recognition means, for example, a smartphone or tablet PC and a communication network IT such as the Internet. When the operation control information from the operator of the air conditioner is received through the terminal 42, the air-conditioning operation and data communication are performed according to the received operation control information. As for this communication method, any communication method such as infrared communication, wireless LAN, JIGBEE, radio communication by specific low power radio, communication by FM radio wave or AM radio wave can be used.

  An operator of the air conditioner can transmit operation control information to the air conditioning side control means 40 of the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner via the remote controller 14 and the external information terminal 42. . Since the operation control information by the remote controller 14 is not related to the present embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The input from the operator to the external information terminal 42 includes manual input by key operation using the key 52, and voice utterance by the microphone 54 and voice recognition means (by voice recognition software) 56 provided in the external information terminal 42. It is possible to input by The external information terminal 42 includes a speaker 58 for performing voice notification and a display unit 60 including a liquid crystal display and the like, so that various information can be notified to the operator.

  The external information terminal 42 includes external information terminal side control means (hereinafter referred to as “terminal side control means”) 62 inside, and input information from the key 52, the microphone 54, and the voice recognition means 56 is input. Is calculated by a calculation device 66 provided in the terminal-side control means 62 and converted into a predetermined control signal. In this embodiment, the predetermined control signal is a control signal for instructing driving of the load of the air conditioner. The arithmetic unit 66 is composed of a microcomputer, a ROM, an input / output LSI, and the like.

  The terminal-side control means 62 includes voice synthesis means (by voice synthesis software) 64, and can send operation information corresponding to the control signal to the speaker 58 to perform voice notification. In addition to the voice, the display unit 60 can notify the driving information by character data. Further, the terminal-side control means 62 has a function of sending a notification signal sent from the air-conditioning side control means 40 of the indoor unit 10 to the voice synthesis means 64 and converting it into voice data or converting it into display data. Therefore, the alert information described later is notified by the speaker 58 or the display unit 60.

  Next, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments show typical examples, and other embodiments are technical examples of the present invention. It is included in the concept.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 4 shows a basic control flow of the present embodiment, and this control flow is executed by the air conditioning side control means 40. The control flow is activated by the arrival of activation timing at predetermined time intervals, for example, every 100 ms in this embodiment, and the function will be described below for each processing step. Note that it is possible to select whether to execute the mode for transmitting the alert information shown in FIG. 4. For example, by operating the external information terminal 42, the mode for transmitting the alert information may be switched on and off. .

<< Step S40 >>
In step S40, the current operating state of the air conditioner is determined. If the air conditioner is in operation, it is basically determined that the room is air-conditioned. Therefore, it is determined that the room is not at an abnormal temperature that causes heat stroke and the risk is low. Therefore, the execution of the processing step for transmitting the alert information to the external information terminal 42 described below is omitted, and the process goes to the end. Then, when a predetermined activation timing comes after this, the same operation is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S40 that the air-conditioning operation is not performed by the air conditioner, the process proceeds to step S41, and the processing step of transmitting the alert information to the external information terminal 42 is executed.

<< Step S41 >>
If it is determined in step S40 that the air-conditioning operation is not performed, it is determined in this step S41 whether there is a person in the room. Whether or not there is a person in the room can be detected by the room environment detecting means 46. When the room is bright, the camera can be used to perform image recognition to detect the presence of the person. On the other hand, when the room is dark, it is possible to detect the presence of a person by performing heat source recognition using a thermopile. When it is determined that there is no person in the room by such a method, since there is no person who develops heat stroke, the execution of the processing step of sending the alert information to the external information terminal 42 is omitted, and the process ends. It is something that comes off.

  When the air-conditioning operation is not performed, the camera is positioned at the center in the left-right direction, and is driven in the left-right direction once every 5 minutes. In other words, when the air conditioner is stopped, the number of times the camera is driven is reduced compared to when the air conditioner is in operation. According to such a method, the life of the driving means can be extended.

  If it is determined in step S41 that a person exists in the room, the process proceeds to step S42, and the processing step of transmitting the alert information to the external information terminal 42 is continued.

<< Step S42A >>, << Step S42B >>
If it is determined in step S41 that a person is present in the room, it is determined in step S42 whether the room temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. The indoor temperature can be measured by a temperature sensor which is one of the indoor environment detection means 46. The indoor temperature is sequentially detected at a predetermined timing and stored in the storage means 50 of the air conditioning side control means 40. Therefore, the room temperature is read from the storage unit 50 in accordance with the start timing of the control flow of this embodiment, and it can be determined whether the read room temperature is higher or lower than the predetermined temperature. When a pyroelectric sensor or a thermopile is provided, the indoor surface temperature can be read simultaneously with the indoor temperature to determine whether the temperature is higher or lower than a predetermined temperature.

  Here, the predetermined temperature serving as a reference for comparison is set to a temperature at which there is a high risk of developing heat stroke, and is stored in advance in the storage unit 50 or the storage unit of the drive control unit 48. Furthermore, since heat stroke has a correlation between temperature and humidity, it is possible to set a predetermined temperature according to humidity. That is, a temperature table having such a characteristic that when the humidity is high, the predetermined temperature serving as a reference for comparison is lowered, and when the humidity is low, the predetermined temperature serving as a reference for comparison is increased is prepared. Can be used.

  For this purpose, the humidity in the room is measured by a humidity sensor which is one of the indoor environment detecting means 46, a predetermined temperature is read from the temperature table corresponding to this humidity, and the indoor temperature is set to a predetermined temperature in step S42. It is sufficient to make a judgment as to whether or not the number is exceeded.

  In addition, since it is considered that there is a high risk of heat stroke if you stay in a hot room for a certain period of time, you may compare the average value of the room temperature for a certain period of time with a predetermined temperature. Whether the indoor temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature may be used as a criterion for determination.

  In step S42, the risk of heat stroke is determined based on the room temperature. However, since heat stroke is also related to a sudden rise in temperature, the room temperature as in step S42A is used as a reference. Instead, instead of this, as in step S42B, the temperature rise degree (= rate of increase) of the room temperature can be used as a judgment criterion. In this case, the temperature stored in the storage means 50 is read every time a predetermined time elapses, the temperature difference between the previous temperature and the current temperature is obtained, and there is a risk of developing this temperature difference and the reference heat stroke. The risk of developing heat stroke can be determined by comparing the predetermined temperature difference.

  If it is determined in step S42A or step S42B that the risk of developing heat stroke is high, the process proceeds to step S43.

  Here, in steps S42A and S42B, the risk of developing heat stroke is determined using a parameter called temperature, but the amount of solar radiation is detected by a solar radiation sensor to determine the risk of developing heat stroke. Alternatively, it may be determined in combination with the indoor temperature. For example, if the amount of solar radiation is large, the room temperature gradually increases, so it is effective to use the amount of solar radiation as a correction parameter. Actually, the predetermined temperature as a reference for comparison can be corrected so as to decrease as the amount of solar radiation increases, and the predetermined temperature can be corrected to increase as the amount of solar radiation decreases. Moreover, it can also judge by combining outside temperature or room temperature and outside temperature. Usually, there is no cold heat source in the room, and the room temperature is higher than the outside air temperature. Therefore, if a predetermined temperature is set as the outside air temperature, the risk of developing heat stroke can be determined.

  Furthermore, the time zone in which heat stroke is likely to occur is statistically increased around 10:00 in the morning and from 13:00 to 14:00 in the afternoon. Therefore, it is also effective to combine these temporal factors and determine the risk of developing heat stroke by correcting the reference temperature as a reference for comparison to be low in the above-described time zone.

<< Step S43 >>
In step 43, it is determined whether the high indoor temperature state continues for a predetermined time. In step S42A or step S42B, it is only determined whether the room temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, or whether the temperature change is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature difference. In other words, it is said that the human body temperature is controlled to be kept constant by the body temperature center in the hypothalamus, and it is active for a long time without replenishing water in a hot and humid environment. Continuing to cause increased body temperature and dehydration / circulatory failure. For this reason, in order to increase the accuracy of the determination of the risk of developing heat stroke, it is determined whether the room temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature or whether the temperature change is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature difference for a predetermined time. Of course, it goes without saying that it is possible to immediately estimate that there is a risk of heat stroke in Step S42A or Step S42B by estimating the safety high.

  Therefore, if it is determined in step 43 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the execution of the processing step for transmitting the alert information to the external information terminal 42 described below is omitted, and the process ends. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated when a predetermined activation timing arrives. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S43 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S44, and processing steps for transmitting the alert information to the external information terminal 42 are executed.

  In step S41, it is detected that there is a person in the room, it is determined that there is a risk of heat stroke in step S42, and even if a predetermined time has passed in step 43, the external information terminal 42 is alerted. After the information is transmitted, the alert information is not transmitted again to the external information terminal 42 until a predetermined time elapses.

<< Step S44 >>
In step S44, the air-conditioning-side control means 40 determines that the indoor environment has a high risk of developing heat stroke, activates the communication means provided by itself, and communicates with the external information terminal 42 via the communication network IT. Start communication. Warning information indicating that the room where the elderly or the like lives is in an environment where there is a high risk of developing heat stroke is sent to the external information terminal 42 of the householder who has gone out through this communication. As described above, the information is notified by voice by the speaker 58 or by the display unit 60 by character data. The householder who has received this notification can hurry home or contact his neighbors, acquaintances and administrative departments to deal with this situation.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information sent to the external information terminal is performed at least twice, and the first time is warning information that the room temperature has a high risk of developing heat stroke, which is always transmitted. Is. The second time is implemented as necessary, and is information on the operation of the air conditioner as to whether the air-conditioning operation has been started in order to improve the indoor environment or as it is. As a result, if the air-conditioning operation is started, the householder is given a sense of security, and conversely, if the current situation remains as it is, it is determined that the necessary response has not been taken, and the householder can recognize the urgency. This makes it possible to take necessary measures. Information sent to the external information terminal may be notified only once.

  Here, the air conditioning side control means 40 of the indoor unit 10 and the external information terminal 42 are associated with each other and can communicate with each other. In this case, the air conditioning side control means 40 of the indoor unit 10 and the terminal side control means 62 of the external information terminal 42 are assigned mutually corresponding ID codes, and the air conditioning side control means 40 of the outdoor unit 10 communicates. When it starts, it is configured to be automatically connected to the external information terminal 42 and called. Further, when a plurality of householders have the external information terminal 42, these ID codes are stored in the storage means 50 of the air conditioning side control means 42 of the indoor unit 10, and are simultaneously stored in the plurality of external information terminals 42. Alternatively, it can be transmitted with priority.

  According to the first embodiment described above, when a person is present in the room, the indoor temperature becomes higher than a predetermined temperature (abnormal temperature), or the increase in the indoor temperature exceeds the predetermined increase. It can be determined that the risk of developing heat stroke is high, and alert information can be transmitted and notified to an external information terminal associated with the air conditioner.

  As a result, when the room is in an abnormal environment that causes heat stroke, alert information that the room is in an abnormal environment is sent to the external information terminal that the householder has, For example, even if the housekeeper is out, the necessary information can be dealt with by the alert information, and a serious accident can be avoided.

  In the first embodiment, when the air conditioning operation is not executed in step S40, the processing step of transmitting the alert information to the external information terminal is executed. However, step S40 can be omitted. Even when the air-conditioning operation is being performed, it is possible to cope with a case where the indoor environment falls into an environment that causes heat stroke for some reason.

  In the present embodiment, it is detected that there is a person in the room in step S41, and when it is determined that there is a risk of heat stroke in step S42, a processing step of transmitting alert information to the external information terminal is executed. However, step S42 may be omitted, and alert information may be transmitted to the external information terminal 42 in step S44 when it is detected in step S41 that there is a person in the room. Since the temperature at which heat stroke occurs varies depending on the person, the risk of heat stroke can be further reduced according to such a method.

  Further, it is determined whether there is a risk of heat stroke in step S42 first, and it is not determined that there is a risk of heat stroke. In step S41, the camera is driven by the driving means to detect whether there is a person in the room. You may make it do. According to such a method, the life of the driving means can be extended.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The flow chart of FIG. 5 is based on the basic control flow shown in FIG. 4 and uses common processing steps from step S40 to step S44. Therefore, since the process from step S40 to step S44 is duplicated, detailed description is omitted.

  Hereinafter, the function will be described for each newly added processing step. In the first embodiment, the case where the alert information is transmitted to the external terminal 42 is described. In the second embodiment, the alert information is transmitted after the alert information is transmitted. This is a new process.

<< Step S50 >>
After the alert information is transmitted to the external information terminal 42 in step S44, step S50 is subsequently executed. Since the air conditioning operation is not performed in the current situation, this step S50 is a processing step for starting the air conditioning operation in order to quickly improve the environment in which heat stroke develops. Thereby, the room where the temperature has risen is cooled by the cold air from the indoor unit 10, and the risk of developing heat stroke can be reduced. This step S50 may be performed automatically by the air conditioning side control means 40 of the indoor unit 10 or may be performed by a command instruction from the external information terminal 42.

  When the air conditioning operation is started by the air conditioning side control means 40 of the indoor unit 10, the air conditioning operation is started when the air conditioning control application of the air conditioning side control means 40 receives information that the alert information is sent to the external information terminal 42. If the processing step to be performed is set, the air conditioning control application can start the air conditioning operation when receiving the information that the alert information is sent.

  Further, when the air conditioning operation is started in response to a command instruction from the external information terminal 42, the command instruction to start the air conditioning operation from the external information terminal 42 is issued by the householder who has received the alerting information by the air conditioning side control means 40 of the indoor unit 10. The air conditioning side control means 40 of the indoor unit 10 can start the air conditioning operation control application and similarly start the air conditioning operation.

Here, the air conditioning operation is started with the operation mode, the set temperature, and the like at the time of the previous stop of the air conditioning operation as set values. By adopting such a set value, there is a high possibility that an operation suitable for the user can be executed.
The air conditioning operation may be initially performed in the rapid cooling mode in order to improve the indoor environment at an early stage, and thereafter the air conditioning operation may be performed in which the cooling capacity is gradually lowered as the indoor temperature decreases. However, in this case, the air-conditioning operation mode can be set in advance depending on the physical condition of the person living indoors. For example, if the body is cooled rapidly, the burden on the heart will increase, so if you have a person with heart disease, you can set it to weak cooling mode so that the body does not cool quickly It is.

  Furthermore, since the air conditioning operation is suddenly performed when the air conditioning operation is started, the person may be suspicious. Therefore, the temperature in the room is high due to the display unit provided in the indoor unit 10 or the speaker. The notification of the start is performed to dispel the suspicious feeling. Further, in the case of the air conditioning operation by the instruction instruction of the external information terminal 42, it is notified that the start of the air conditioning operation has been instructed from a display unit provided in the indoor unit 10 or a speaker.

  Since the external information terminal 42 is assigned an ID code, if the ID code and the name of the housekeeper are associated with each other and stored in the storage means 50 of the air conditioning side control means 40, the name of the housekeeper is notified and It can be notified that the air-conditioning operation has started. As a result, the elderly living in the room can feel secure. Further, at the same time, the external information terminal 42 is notified that the air-conditioning operation has been started, thereby giving confirmation notification and a sense of security to the housekeepers who have gone out.

  When the air conditioning operation is automatically started by the air conditioning side control means 40 of the indoor unit 10 in step S50, the following control operations can be combined. In other words, since the indoor environment has a high risk of developing heat stroke, a voice notification that prompts the user to start the air conditioning operation is performed a predetermined number of times, and if the air conditioning operation is not started as a result, the air conditioning operation is automatically started. It is what you want to do.

  According to this, it becomes possible to take necessary actions by realizing that an elderly person or the like is in an environment in which heat stroke develops by voice notification. In addition, when the air conditioning operation cannot be performed by voice notification, the air conditioning operation is automatically started, so that the risk of developing heat stroke can be reduced.

  Further, when the air-conditioning operation is started and the operation mode in which the camera is not driven is executed, the driving of the camera is stopped. According to such a method, there is no need to change the process between the case where the air-conditioning operation is started by the user's operation and the case where the air-conditioning operation is started by the process in the present embodiment.

  And in the process which is performing the air-conditioning driving | operation, in a present Example, the process step is set so that next step S51 may be performed.

<< Step S51 >>
In step S51, it is determined whether or not to continue the air conditioning operation. There are various purposes and methods for this determination, and typical examples will be described below. Therefore, an appropriate process step may be set according to the required purpose. Needless to say, it is possible to determine whether or not to continue the air conditioning operation by combining these processing steps.

  For example, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a person in the room by executing the same processing as in step S41. The reason for making this determination is that if a person leaves the room while the indoor environment is being improved by the air conditioning operation, there is a possibility that the air conditioning operation is wasted. In this embodiment, it is possible to detect the presence of a person by performing image recognition using a camera, or to detect the presence of a person by performing heat source recognition using a thermopile. Otherwise, it is determined that the air conditioning operation may be stopped.

  In addition, if the indoor environment is improved and the indoor temperature falls to a predetermined lower limit temperature, the risk of developing heat stroke is reduced, so it is considered that there is no problem even if the air conditioning operation is stopped. Therefore, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, which is the indoor environment detection means 46, is compared with a predetermined indoor temperature that can avoid the onset of heat stroke, and if it is determined that the indoor temperature has dropped sufficiently, the air conditioning operation is stopped. Judge that you can.

  Also, the elapsed time from the start of the air conditioning operation is measured, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, it can be assumed that the room temperature has dropped sufficiently, and therefore the risk of developing heat stroke is reduced. It seems that there is no problem even if it stops. Therefore, it is determined that the air conditioning operation may be stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the air conditioning operation.

  Furthermore, since the air conditioning side control means 40 of the indoor unit 10 measures the outside air temperature, the risk of developing heat stroke is reduced when the outside air temperature falls below a predetermined temperature, so the air conditioning operation is stopped. It seems that there is no problem. Therefore, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor provided in the outdoor unit 12 is compared with a predetermined outdoor temperature that can avoid the onset of heat stroke, and if it is determined that the outdoor temperature has dropped sufficiently, the air conditioning operation is stopped. Judge that it is okay.

  If it is determined in step S51 that the air-conditioning operation is to be continued, the process goes to the end and waits for the next start timing. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 that the air conditioning operation is not continued, that is, the air conditioning operation is stopped, the process proceeds to step S52.

<< Step S51 >>
If it is determined in step S51 that the air-conditioning operation is not continued, a process for stopping the air-conditioning operation is executed in step S52. In response to this, by notifying the speaker or display device of the indoor unit 10 that the air-conditioning operation has been stopped, the elderly and the like are informed that the risk of developing heat stroke has been reduced. To give. At the same time, the external information terminal 42 is notified that the air-conditioning operation has been stopped, and a confirmation notification is sent to the householder. More preferably, a sense of security is given by notifying the reason for stopping the air-conditioning operation.

  When the air conditioning operation is stopped and the indoor unit 10 and the external information terminal 42 are notified in step S51 that the air conditioning operation has been stopped, this processing step ends, the process returns to the end, and the next start timing is awaited.

  In step S43, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed, and after sending alert information to the external information terminal in step S44, the air conditioning operation is started in step S50. However, step S40, step S42, step S43 and step S44 may be omitted as necessary. That is, if it is detected in step S41 that there is a person in the room, the air conditioning operation may be started in step S50.

  Finally, in the embodiment described above, the case where the operation by the remote controller 14 is not performed is shown. However, when the operation by the remote controller 14 is performed, the operation instruction of the remote controller 14 is executed with priority. It is.

  As described above, in the present invention, when there is a person in the room and the indoor environment is determined to have a high risk of developing heat stroke, the alert information is given to the external information terminal associated with the air conditioner. Is transmitted for notification.

  According to this, when the room is in an abnormal environment that causes heat stroke, the alert information that the room is in an abnormal environment is sent to the external information terminal of the householder for notification. Therefore, for example, even when a householder is out, it is possible to take a necessary response by this alerting information, and an effect that a serious accident can be avoided can be achieved.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Indoor unit, 12 ... Outdoor unit, 14 ... Remote control, 22 ... Housing base, 24 ... Heat exchanger, 30 ... Left and right wind direction plate, 32 ... Up and down wind direction plate, 34 ... Front panel, 40 ... Control means of indoor unit, 42 ... External information terminal, 44 ... Load, 46 ... Indoor environment detection means, 48 ... Drive control section, 50 ... Storage means, 54 ... Microphone, 56 ... Voice recognition means, 58 ... Speaker, 60 ... Display section, 62 ... External Information terminal control means, 64... Speech synthesis means, 66.

Claims (6)

An air conditioner having an air conditioning side control means having a room temperature detection means for detecting a room temperature, and an external information terminal having a terminal side control means connected to the air conditioning side control means via a communication network, and The air conditioning side control means and the terminal side control means are assigned ID codes corresponding to each other,
When room temperature the detected room temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, comprising a first function of notifying from the external information terminal via the communication network,
The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the first function does not notify again until a predetermined time elapses from the previous notification even if the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. An air conditioner having an air conditioning side control means having a room temperature detection means for detecting a room temperature, and an external information terminal having a terminal side control means connected to the air conditioning side control means via a communication network, and The air conditioning side control means and the terminal side control means are assigned ID codes corresponding to each other,
Wherein when the state at room temperature detected is higher than a predetermined temperature continues for a predetermined time at room temperature detecting means comprises a first function of notifying from the external information terminal via the communication network,
The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the first function does not notify again until a predetermined time elapses from the previous notification even if the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. In the air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2,
An air conditioning system comprising a second function of starting an air conditioning operation of the air conditioner according to an instruction from the external information terminal. The air conditioning system according to claim 3 ,
An air conditioning system comprising a third function of notifying from an informing means provided in an indoor unit of the air conditioner when an air conditioning operation is started by the second function. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When room temperature detected by said room temperature detecting means after starting the air conditioning operation is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, it stops the air conditioning operation, distribution intellectual means provided in the chamber machine, or via the communication network the An air conditioning system characterized by notification from an external information terminal. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the predetermined time from the start of the air conditioning operation has elapsed, stops the air conditioning operation, distribution intellectual means provided in the chamber unit, or to notification from the external information terminal via said communication network Air conditioning system.

Images