JP6315995B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments according to the present invention relate to an air conditioner.

  When the on timer or off timer is set, an air conditioner is known that detects the presence of a person with a human sensor from, for example, one hour before the on timer set time or the off timer set time. This air conditioner does not start the air-conditioning operation when the presence of a person is not detected even when the on-timer set time arrives. On the other hand, the presence of a person is detected, for example, one hour before the turn-off timer set time. In such a case, a control means for continuing the air-conditioning operation even when the set-off timer has arrived is provided.

JP 2005-106355 A

  In a conventional air conditioner, control for detecting the presence of a person by a human sensor and starting or stopping an air conditioning operation is linked to an on timer or an off timer. In other words, the conventional air conditioner cannot start or stop the air conditioning operation by detecting the presence of a person by a human sensor without cooperation with an on timer or a turn-off timer, that is, without cooperation.

  By the way, an air conditioner that performs an automatic cleaning operation when the air conditioning operation is stopped is known. This automatic cleaning operation is performed by operating a filter cleaning device that cleans an air filter that captures dust contained in air before heat exchange, and operating an indoor fan in a cooling or dehumidifying operation mode to enter the ventilation path of the main body. At least one of drying operations for removing moisture such as generated condensed water is performed.

  In view of this, the present invention proposes an air conditioner that performs an automatic cleaning operation and suitably performs control for starting or stopping the air conditioning operation in accordance with the detection result of the human sensor without cooperation with the on timer or the off timer.

In order to solve the above problems, an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a suction port that sucks air in an air-conditioned room, a blow-out port that blows air after heat exchange into the air-conditioned room, the suction port, and the blower. An indoor unit body provided with an air filter, an indoor heat exchanger, and an indoor fan installed in an internal ventilation path communicating with the outlet, and an operation of a human body mounted in the indoor unit body to detect the human body in the air-conditioned room In an air conditioner comprising a human sensor, in the case where the human sensor continuously detects a human body in the air-conditioned room for a predetermined time, the air conditioner operation of the air conditioner is stopped. Even if the air conditioner operation of the air conditioner is stopped, the air conditioner operation of the air conditioner is performed when the detection result of the human sensor is monitored and the movement of the human body in the air conditioned room is detected. While resuming, the empty It is the air conditioning operation of the conditioner after stopping to mold and OPERATION you suppress the occurrence of bacteria of the internal air path to generate ions or ozone is completed prohibit restarting of the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner And a control unit.

The block diagram which shows the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the appearance which shows the indoor unit of the air harmony machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows an example of human operation control of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the other example of human operation control of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the other example of human operation control of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  An embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment includes an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor unit 3.

  The indoor unit 2 includes an upper and lower louver 5, a vertical louver motor 6, a left and right louver 7, a left and right louver motor 8, a light receiving unit 11, a light emitting unit 12, an indoor fan 13, and an indoor fan motor 14. The indoor heat exchanger 15, the indoor temperature sensor 16, the indoor fan drive unit 18, the upper and lower louver drive unit 19, the left and right louver drive unit 21, the EEPROM 22, the ROM 23, the RAM 25, and the sound generation unit 26, A speaker 27, a human sensor 28, and an indoor control unit 31 are provided.

  The outdoor unit 3 includes a compressor 41, a four-way valve 42, an outdoor heat exchanger 43, an expansion valve 45, an outdoor fan 46, and an outdoor control unit 47.

  During cooling, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 41 is guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 43 through the four-way valve 42, as indicated by solid arrows in FIG. The refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 passes through the expansion valve 45 and the indoor heat exchanger 15 and is sucked into the compressor 41 through the four-way valve 42 again. Through the flow path indicated by the solid line arrows of the refrigerant (hereinafter simply referred to as “cooling flow path”), the outdoor heat exchanger 43 functions as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger 15 functions as an evaporator.

  On the other hand, during heating, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 41 is guided to the indoor heat exchanger 15 via the four-way valve 42, as indicated by broken line arrows in FIG. The refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 15 passes through the expansion valve 45 and the outdoor heat exchanger 43 and is sucked into the compressor 41 through the four-way valve 42 again. Through the flow path (hereinafter simply referred to as “heating flow path”) of the broken line arrows of the refrigerant, the indoor heat exchanger 15 functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 43 functions as an evaporator.

  The outdoor fan 46 is disposed on the downstream side of the outdoor heat exchanger 43. The outdoor fan 46 sucks outdoor air into the outdoor unit 3 from the outdoor heat exchanger 43 side by operation, and blows out air after heat exchange to the outside of the outdoor unit 3 by the outdoor heat exchanger 43. The indoor fan 13 is disposed on the downstream side of the indoor heat exchanger 15, and the air in the air-conditioned room R is sucked into the indoor unit 2 by the operation of the indoor fan motor 14, and after heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger 15. Is blown into the air-conditioned room R.

  The indoor temperature sensor 16 is provided on the suction side of the indoor heat exchanger 15 and detects the temperature of air sucked into the indoor unit 2. The indoor control unit 31 reads the detection result of the indoor temperature sensor 16.

  The light receiving unit 11 receives an infrared signal transmitted from a remote controller 51 (hereinafter simply referred to as “remote controller 51”). The light emitting unit 12 emits an infrared signal sent from the indoor control unit 31 to the remote controller 51.

  The indoor fan drive unit 18 drives the indoor fan motor 14 in accordance with an operation signal from the indoor control unit 31. The indoor fan 13 rotates by driving the indoor fan motor 14 to blow air. The vertical louver drive unit 19 drives the vertical louver motor 6 in accordance with an operation signal from the indoor control unit 31. By driving the vertical louver motor 6, the vertical louver 5 is rotated and set to a predetermined angle, thereby controlling the wind direction in the vertical direction. The left and right louver drive unit 21 drives the left and right louver motor 8 in accordance with an operation signal from the indoor control unit 31. The left and right louver 7 is rotated by driving the left and right louver motor 8 and is set at a predetermined angle, thereby controlling the wind direction in the left and right direction.

  The ROM 23 is a non-rewritable storage medium and stores a control program. The EEPROM 22 is a rewritable storage medium and stores operating conditions. The RAM 25 temporarily stores various information.

  The sound generator 26 converts various types of guidance information sent from the room controller 31 into actual sound signals, and emits sound from the speaker 27 to the air-conditioned room R.

  The human sensor 28 detects the movement of the human body using infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, visible light, or the like. Further, the human sensor 28 may be a sensor that detects an action of a human body using an element that electronically captures images, such as a CCD camera or a CMOS camera. In this case, the human sensor 28 includes a color visible camera, a gray scale visible camera, a near infrared camera, an infrared camera, a thermopile sensor in which sensors are arranged in an array, a thermopile sensor in a line, and a plurality of pyroelectric sensors. What is necessary is just to be able to image the image which can recognize the person in the air-conditioned room R, such as what was arranged.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the human sensor 28 includes a tilt mechanism that swings up and down, left and right, and a pan mechanism to detect a wide range. The detection result of the human motion by the human sensor 28 is sent to the indoor control unit 31.

  The indoor control unit 31 reads the operation of the remote controller 51 from the light receiving unit 11 and accepts the setting of the operation condition, and cooperates with the outdoor control unit 47 to execute the air conditioning operation according to the set operation condition. The outdoor control unit 47 and the indoor control unit 31 are connected to each other by a signal line 52.

  There are a plurality of operating conditions that can be received by the indoor control unit 31, for example, four settings of a normal mode, a silent mode, a sleeping mode, and a powerful mode, which are stored in the EEPROM 22 in advance. The normal mode is a normal air conditioner operation and is a standard operating condition. The silent mode is an operating condition in which the rotational speed of the indoor fan 13, the rotational speed of the outdoor fan 46, and the rotational speed of the compressor 41 are suppressed as compared with the normal mode. The sleep mode is an operation condition in which, for example, 2-hour timer control and turning off of the display lamps are added to stop the air conditioning operation in addition to the silent mode. The powerful mode is an operating condition in which the rotational speed of the indoor fan 13, the rotational speed of the outdoor fan 46, and the rotational speed of the compressor 41 are increased as compared with the normal mode. The indoor control unit 31 reads the information of the air conditioning operation for the predetermined operating condition received from the remote controller 51 from the EEPROM 22 and executes the air conditioning operation.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment forms an outer shell with a housing 63. A suction port 61 for sucking the air in the air-conditioned room R into the apparatus is formed on the upper surface side of the housing 63, and a blow-out port 62 for blowing the air after heat exchange into the air-conditioned room R is formed on the front surface of the lower surface. Yes. The upper and lower louvers 5 are arranged at the outlet portion of the air outlet 62.

  On the front surface of the housing 63 of the indoor unit 2, a light receiving unit 11 for performing mutual communication with the remote controller 51, a light emitting unit 12, and a human sensor 28 for detecting the operation of the human body in the air-conditioned room R are arranged. Yes. Inside the indoor unit 2, an air passage (not shown) that connects the suction port 61 and the air outlet 62 of the housing 63 is formed. An air filter (not shown) that captures dust in the air from the upstream side of the flow path, a filter cleaning device (not shown) that removes dust adhering to the surface of the air filter, ions or ozone Components such as an electrostatic precipitator (not shown) that absorbs and sterilizes fine dust that has been generated and passed through the air filter, an indoor heat exchanger 15, an indoor fan 13, and left and right louvers 7 are sequentially arranged.

  And the indoor control part 31 of the air conditioner 1 prevents the generation | occurrence | production of the mold | fungi to the components arrange | positioned in the ventilation path of the indoor unit 2 at the time of an air-conditioning driving | operation stop, the removal of the dust adhering to an air filter, etc. An automatic cleaning operation function is provided to keep the interior of the machine clean.

  The indoor control unit 31 performs the automatic cleaning operation when the air conditioning operation is stopped as follows. However, the indoor control unit 31 does not perform the automatic cleaning operation when the operation time before the operation stop is short (for example, less than 10 minutes).

(1) Automatic cleaning operation when cooling or dehumidifying operation is stopped After the air conditioning operation is stopped, the indoor control unit 31 operates the filter cleaning device to remove dust attached to the air filter surface. Thereafter, the indoor control unit 31 operates the indoor fan 13 for a predetermined time to execute internal drying. At that time, during the internal drying operation, the electrostatic precipitator is energized for a predetermined time to generate an ion or ozone to execute an internal sterilization operation for sterilizing the ventilation path, and the cleaning operation is completed.

(2) Automatic cleaning operation during heating operation After stopping the air conditioning operation, the indoor control unit 31 operates the filter cleaning device to remove dust attached to the air filter surface, and ends the cleaning operation. The internal drying operation during the cooling operation is not executed because no condensation occurs in the ventilation path.

  Next, human operation control by the air conditioner 1 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of human operation control of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the indoor control unit 31 of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, during the air conditioning operation (step S <b> 1), the human sensor 28 determines in advance the operation of the human body in the air-conditioned room R. When the time T1 continues and is not detected (step S2 Yes), the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped (step S3). On the other hand, during the air conditioning operation (step S1), the indoor control unit 31 detects the human body motion in the air-conditioned room R within a predetermined time T1 (No in step S2). The air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is continued (step S1).

  In addition, the indoor control unit 31 monitors the detection result of the human sensor 28 while the air-conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped (step S5), and the operation of the human body in the air-conditioned room R Is detected (step S6 Yes), the air-conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is resumed (step S1). On the other hand, the indoor control unit 31 monitors the detection result of the human sensor 28 while the air-conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped (step S5), and the action of the human body in the air-conditioned room R Is not detected (No in step S6), the automatic return standby state is continued while the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped (step S5).

  Further, the indoor control unit 31 prohibits the resumption of the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 from the stop of the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 until the automatic cleaning operation ends (steps S3 to S5). Specifically, after stopping the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 (step S3), the indoor control unit 31 performs an automatic cleaning operation that suppresses generation of mold and fungi in the ventilation path when the operation is stopped (step S4). Is completed, the state transitions to the automatic return standby state (step S5).

  As described above, the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment prohibits the resumption of the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 from the stop of the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 until the automatic cleaning operation ends. The automatic cleaning operation is executed in cooperation with the control for starting or stopping the air conditioning operation according to the detection result of the feeling sensor 28 to suppress the occurrence of mold and fungi in the indoor unit 2.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the human operation control of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that the processing from step S1 to step S5 in FIG. 4 is the same as the processing from step S1 to step S5 in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor control unit 31 of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment restarts the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 (from step S7 through step S8 to step S1). time in ΔT sensor 28 shall be determined in advance (step S7), and detects the human body of the operation of the multiple N specified in advance (step S8) be subject to a.

  Specifically, the indoor control unit 31 measures the elapsed time t from the stop of the air-conditioning operation while the air-conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped (step S5), and determines a second time T2 that is determined in advance. If the time elapses (step S7 Yes), the detection result of the human sensor 28 is monitored (step S8). On the other hand, while the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped (step S5), the indoor control unit 31 measures the elapsed time t from the stop of the air conditioning operation and before the predetermined second time T2 has elapsed. (No in step S7), the automatic return standby state is continued while the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped (step S5).

  In addition, the indoor control unit 31 monitors the detection result of the human sensor 28 after the predetermined second time T2 has elapsed (step S7 Yes), and determines the number of human bodies N that are predetermined in the air-conditioned room R. When the operation is detected (Yes in step S8), the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is resumed (step S1). On the other hand, after the predetermined second time T2 has elapsed (Yes in step S7), the indoor control unit 31 monitors the detection result of the human sensor 28 and determines the number of human bodies N that are predetermined in the air-conditioned room R. When the operation is not detected (No at Step S8), the automatic return standby state is continued while the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped (Step S5).

The second time T2 is preferably set to about 1 hour, for example, taking into account the time required for the automatic cleaning operation. The multiple times N is preferably set so as to determine the number of times of detection when the human body temporarily passes or moves through the detection range of the human sensor 28, for example. Therefore, in step S8, the indoor control unit 31 makes a determination every time ΔT that is extremely shorter than the second time T2, such as about 30 seconds to 5 minutes, for example, when monitoring a predetermined number N of human motions. repeat.

As described above, the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, removes forgotten items after going out by resuming the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 when the operation of the human body N is detected a plurality of times within the time ΔT. When the human body temporarily enters the air-conditioned room R, such as when returning to the room or when moving to another room after passing through the air-conditioned room R where the air conditioner 1 is installed Avoid resuming operation.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of human operation control of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that the processing from step S1 to step S6 in FIG. 5 is the same as the processing from step S1 to step S6 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the indoor control unit 31 of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment has a human sensor until the predetermined third time T <b> 3 elapses after the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is restarted. Even if 28 does not detect the human body operation in the air-conditioned room R for a predetermined time continuously, the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is prohibited from being stopped.

  Specifically, the indoor control unit 31 monitors the detection result of the human sensor 28 while the air-conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped (step S5), and in the air-conditioned room R When the motion of the human body is detected (step S6 Yes), the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is resumed (step S9).

  Then, after the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is resumed (step S9), the indoor control unit 31 sets the elapsed time t2 from the resumption of the air conditioning operation while the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is in operation. Before the elapse of the predetermined third time T3 (No in step S11), the automatic stop standby state is continued while the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is operated (step S10). On the other hand, the indoor control unit 31 measures the elapsed time t2 from the restart of the air conditioning operation while the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 is in operation (step S9), and the predetermined third time T3 elapses. If this is the case (step S11 Yes), monitoring of the human sensor 28 is resumed (step S2).

  The third time T3 is preferably about 1 hour, for example, in order to avoid frequent repetition of stopping and restarting the air conditioning operation.

  Further, the indoor control unit 31 may perform the control from step S9 to step S11 between step S8 Yes and step S1 in FIG.

  As described above, the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment transitions to the automatic stop standby state from the restart of the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1 until the third time T3 elapses, whereby the air-conditioned room Even in a situation where the human body frequently enters and exits R, it is avoided that the air-conditioning operation frequently repeats stop and restart.

  Therefore, according to the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment, the automatic cleaning operation is performed, and the control for starting or stopping the air conditioning operation according to the detection result of the human sensor 28 in cooperation with the on timer or the off timer is suitably performed. be able to.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 2 Indoor unit 3 Outdoor unit 5 Upper / lower louver 6 Upper / lower louver motor 7 Left / right louver 8 Left / right louver motor 11 Light receiving unit 12 Light emitting unit 13 Indoor fan 14 Indoor fan motor 15 Indoor heat exchanger 16 Indoor temperature sensor 18 Indoor fan drive unit 19 Vertical louver drive unit 21 Left and right louver drive unit 22 EEPROM
23 ROM
25 RAM
26 Voice generator 27 Speaker 28 Human sensor 31 Indoor controller 41 Compressor 42 Four-way valve 43 Outdoor heat exchanger 45 Expansion valve 46 Outdoor fan 47 Outdoor controller 51 Remote controller (remote controller)
52 signal line 61 inlet 62 outlet 63

Claims (3)

An air inlet that sucks in air in the air-conditioned room, an air outlet that blows out air after heat exchange into the air-conditioned room, an air filter that is installed in an internal ventilation path that connects the air inlet and the air outlet, and indoor heat exchange In an air conditioner comprising: an indoor unit main body including an indoor unit and an indoor fan; and a human sensor mounted on the indoor unit main body to detect an operation of a human body in the air-conditioned room,
In the case where the human sensor does not detect the motion of the human body in the air-conditioned room for a predetermined time continuously, the air-conditioning operation of the air conditioner is stopped and the air-conditioning operation of the air conditioner is stopped. In the middle, when the detection result of the human sensor is monitored to detect the movement of the human body in the air-conditioned room, the air-conditioning operation of the air-conditioning apparatus is resumed while the air-conditioning operation of the air-conditioning apparatus is resumed. air after stopping to oPERATION finishes suppress the occurrence of mold and bacteria by generating ions or ozone the internal air path comprising a control unit to prohibit the restart of the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner of Harmony machine. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the air-conditioning operation of the air conditioner is resumed, the human sensor detects a plurality of predetermined human motions within a predetermined second time. Air conditioner as described in. The control unit continues the operation of the human body in the air-conditioned room for a predetermined time until a predetermined third time elapses after restarting the air-conditioning operation of the air conditioner. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein even in the case of detection, the air conditioner operation is prohibited from being stopped.

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