JP7042395B2 - Ceiling fan - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a ceiling fan provided with a human detection unit.

Conventionally, it is known that this type of ceiling fan obtains comfort by detecting the presence or absence of a person in the ventilation target range by a person detection unit and controlling the operation of a motor according to the number of detections within a certain period of time. There is. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Hereinafter, the configuration of the conventional ceiling fan will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional ceiling fan.

The ceiling fan main body 101 can be engaged with the ceiling by a column portion 102 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and can be installed on the ceiling of the living room, for example, to blow air into the living room. A motor 103 that rotates around the support column 102 is arranged at the end of the support column 102 of the ceiling fan main body 101 on the floor surface side. The blade portion 104 is connected to the motor 103, and the blade portion 104 rotates to blow air. The human detection unit 105 is arranged at the floor side end portion of the ceiling fan main body 1.

The human detection unit 105 is a motion sensor, detects the presence or absence of a surrounding person, and converts it into a signal corresponding to each of the detection / non-detection of a person. The ceiling fan main body 1 controls the blowing of air based on the signal acquired by the human detection unit 105.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-138865

In such a ceiling fan, conventionally, when the number of times a person is detected by the person detection unit exceeds the specified value within a certain period of time, the air volume is increased, and when the number of times of detection within a certain period of time falls below the specified value, the air volume is increased. By reducing the air volume, the user was able to obtain comfort. However, in this method, since the air volume is determined only by the number of times a person is detected by the person detection unit, the air volume is frequently changed when the number of detections changes, that is, when the amount of activity changes drastically, and the user feels annoyed. Can be considered.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a ceiling fan capable of more comfortable operation for the user.

Then, in order to achieve this object, the ceiling fan according to the present invention detects the presence or absence of a support column attached to the ceiling, a motor fixed to the support column portion, a blade portion rotated by the motor, and a person. The operation control unit includes an activity amount calculation unit that calculates an activity amount based on a signal detected by the person detection unit, and an activity amount calculation unit that controls the operation of the motor. It is provided with an air volume determining unit that determines the air volume using the amount and a motor control unit that controls the operation of the motor based on the air volume determined by the air volume determining unit. The predetermined period has an air volume maintenance period in which the change in air volume due to the change in activity amount is not determined, and during the air volume maintenance period , the next air volume change is not determined even if the activity amount changes, and the air volume maintenance period elapses. Only after that time, the next air volume change is determined based on the change in the activity amount, and the motor control unit determines after the next air volume change is determined after the time when the air volume maintenance period has elapsed. The operation of the motor is controlled according to the amount of air flow, thereby achieving the intended purpose.

According to the ceiling fan according to the present invention, the air volume determination unit provides an air volume maintenance period for maintaining the air volume during output, and during the air volume maintenance period, the activity amount is not changed due to the change in the activity amount. Even if it changes frequently, the effect that the air volume does not change frequently and more comfortable driving can be obtained can be obtained.

A perspective view showing the configuration of the ceiling fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the ceiling fan which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. Perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional ceiling fan

The ceiling fan according to the present invention has a support column mounted on the ceiling, a motor fixed to the support column portion, a blade portion rotated by the motor, a person detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a person, and operation of the motor. Equipped with an operation control unit to control
The motion control unit is determined by the activity amount calculation unit that calculates the activity amount based on the signal detected by the human detection unit, the air volume determination unit that determines the air volume using the activity amount, and the air volume determination unit. It is equipped with a motor control unit that controls the operation of the motor based on the air volume.
The air volume determination unit has an air volume maintenance period that is effective only for a predetermined period, and the air volume maintenance period has a configuration in which the air volume is not changed due to a change in the activity amount.

As a result, the air volume determination unit provides an air volume maintenance period for maintaining the air volume during output, and during the air volume maintenance period, the air volume is not changed due to the change in the activity volume, so that even if the activity volume changes frequently. By preventing the air volume from changing frequently, it is possible to obtain the effect of more comfortable driving.

Further, the air volume maintenance period may be configured to be valid only for a predetermined period from the time when the air volume is changed.

As a result, the air volume determination unit enables the air volume maintenance period only for a predetermined time from the time of changing the air volume, so that the air volume can be kept constant for a predetermined time even if the activity amount changes frequently. It is possible to obtain the effect of being able to drive more comfortably without causing the user to feel annoyed.

Further, the air volume determining unit may be configured such that when the activity amount changes in the increasing direction, the air volume maintaining period is set to a shorter time as compared with the case where the activity amount changes in the decreasing direction.

As a result, the air volume determination unit is required to follow the change in the activity amount relatively quickly. In the case of a change in the direction of increase in air volume, the air volume can be changed earlier than the change in the direction of decrease. It is possible to obtain the effect of being able to drive more comfortably.

Further, the air volume determination unit may be configured to shorten the air volume maintenance period when the activity amount increases from the minimum value as compared with the air volume maintenance period when the activity amount changes.

As a result, when a person is detected from the absence of a person in the living room, the air volume determining unit can immediately start the operation with an appropriate air volume, and the effect is that more comfortable operation can be performed. Can be obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and the second and subsequent explanations are omitted. Further, in each drawing, the details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
The configuration of the ceiling fan main body 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the ceiling fan according to the first embodiment.

The ceiling fan main body 1 can be engaged with the ceiling by a column portion 2 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and can be installed on the ceiling of the living room, for example, to blow air into the living room. In the ceiling fan main body 1, a motor 3 that rotates about the support column 2 as an axis is arranged at an end portion of the support column portion 2 on the floor surface side. The blade portion 4 is connected to the motor 3, and the blade portion 4 rotates to blow air. The human detection unit 5 is arranged at the floor side end portion of the ceiling fan main body 1.

The human detection unit 5 is a motion sensor, detects the presence or absence of a surrounding person, and converts it into a signal corresponding to each of the detection / non-detection of a person. The ceiling fan main body 1 controls the blowing of air based on the signal acquired by the human detection unit 5.

In the conventional control using the motion sensor of such a ceiling fan, when the number of times of human detection by the human detection unit 5 exceeds the specified value within a certain time, the air volume is increased and the detection within a certain time is performed. It is known that the air volume is reduced when the number of times falls below the specified value. That is, the conventional ceiling fan controls that the larger the activity amount of the person in the space to be blown, the larger the air volume, and the smaller the activity amount, the smaller the air volume. The above-mentioned control allows the user to obtain comfort. However, in the above method, since the air volume is determined only by the number of detections within a certain period of time, the air volume is frequently changed when the number of detections changes drastically, which may be annoying to the user.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the ceiling fan main body 1 realizes more comfortable operation by not changing the air volume for a certain period even when the number of times a person is detected by the person detection unit 5 changes. As the method, the operation of the ceiling fan main body 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ceiling fan according to the first embodiment.

The operation of the motor 3, which is the main function of the ceiling fan main body 1, is determined by the operation control unit 6. The operation control unit 6 includes an activity amount calculation unit 7, an air volume determination unit 8, and a motor control unit 9. The activity amount calculation unit 7 calculates the activity amount based on the number of detections by the person detection unit 5 within a certain period of time. The air volume determination unit 8 determines the air volume using the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 7. Further, the air volume determination unit 8 includes an air volume maintenance period 10 that is valid only for a predetermined period, and when the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 7 changes while the air volume maintenance period 10 is valid. But it doesn't change the air volume. The motor control unit 9 controls the operation of the motor 3 based on the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit 8.

As described above, the air volume determination unit 8 includes the air volume maintenance period 10 that is valid only for a predetermined period, so that even if the number of times a person is detected by the person detection unit 5 changes, the air volume is not changed for a certain period. More comfortable driving is possible.

Hereinafter, the detailed flow of operation of the ceiling fan main body 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The ceiling fan main body 1 determines the operation content according to an instruction from the user by the remote controller 11. The remote controller 11 is an infrared remote controller or the like, and can send instructions about operation details and various settings to the ceiling fan main body 1. In addition to the operation mode, the operation content includes settings such as air volume setting, on timer, and off timer. As the type of operation mode of the ceiling fan main body 1, in addition to the automatic operation mode using the input from the human detection unit 5, that is, the "human sensor mode" described in the present embodiment, the instruction of the remote controller 11 can be used. Based on this, a mode or the like for operating with a constant air volume may be provided. Further, in the present embodiment, the air volume setting can be changed by the remote controller 11 even during the "presence sensor mode".

The signal from the remote controller 11 received by the ceiling fan main body 1 is analyzed by the operation control unit 6. The operation control unit 6 starts the "presence sensor mode" operation by receiving the "presence sensor mode" operation start signal from the remote controller 11 while the ceiling fan main body 1 is energized. At that time, the air volume determined by the air volume determining unit 8 uses the air volume set by the remote controller 11 as the reference air volume. When the energization of the ceiling fan main body 1 is started, the operation may be automatically started with the initial air volume or the air volume set at the time of the previous operation.

The operation control of the "presence sensor mode" will be described below. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, "start of operation" means the start of operation of the "presence sensor mode".

The activity amount calculation unit 7 of the operation control unit 6 of the ceiling fan main body 1 starts sampling the detection state of the person detection unit 5 at the same time as the start of operation. That is, the activity amount calculation unit 7 acquires the detection state input from the human detection unit 5 as “detection” or “non-detection” signal data in a predetermined sampling cycle t1. Further, the activity amount calculation unit 7 totals and records the number of “detections” observed during the unit time t2 (hereinafter referred to as the number of detections) when a predetermined unit time t2 has elapsed from the start of operation. However, t2 is an integral multiple of t1. After that, similarly, the activity amount calculation unit 7 records the number of detections observed every unit time t2. Further, the activity amount calculation unit 7 calculates the total number of detections for N times used for the activity amount calculation when the number of detections for each unit time t2 is acquired N times. That is, assuming that the number of detections of the unit time t2 of the i-th time from the start of operation is ni times, the total number of detections nsum used for the first activity amount calculation is represented by nsum = n1 + n2 + n3 + ... + nN times. Further, the second activity amount calculation timing is after the unit time t2 has elapsed from the first calculation, and the total detection number nsum used for the second activity amount calculation is expressed as nsum = n2 + n3 + ... + nN + n (N + 1) times. To. In this way, the total number of detections of the unit time t2 for the immediately preceding N times is used for the activity amount calculation. The amount of activity is determined in at least three stages according to the range of nsum values. In this embodiment, the amount of activity is determined in three stages of "absence", "small amount of activity", and "large amount of activity" in order from the one with the smallest amount of activity. Specifically, the amount of activity is determined as follows using the first threshold value na, the second threshold value nb, and the total number of samplings nall for N times per unit time. The amount of activity when 0 ≦ nsum <na is judged to be “absent”. The amount of activity when na≤nsum <nb is determined to be "small amount of activity". The amount of activity in the case of nb ≦ nsum ≦ alll is judged to be “large amount of activity”.

As described above, the activity amount calculation unit 7 calculates the activity amount only when the data of the number of detections for N times is acquired from the start of operation. That is, the initial activity amount is calculated after the lapse of time of t2 × N from the start of operation. From the start of operation to the calculation of the initial activity amount, the activity amount is the initial value. In this embodiment, the initial value of the activity amount is "small activity amount". The activity amount calculation unit 7 continues to calculate the activity amount in the same manner using the data of the number of detections of the immediately preceding N times every time the unit time t2 elapses after the first activity amount calculation. That is, the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 7 is updated every unit time t2. The calculation of the amount of activity continues until the operation of the "presence sensor mode" is completed.

Next, the air volume determination unit 8 determines the air volume to be operated using the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 7. In the present embodiment, the air volume can be set in 9 steps from 1st speed to 9th speed. The air volume determination unit 8 determines the air volume based on the reference air volume according to the calculated activity amount, with the air volume set by the remote controller 11 at the start of operation as the reference air volume. For example, in the case of "large activity amount", the reference air volume + F1 speed air volume, in the case of "small activity amount", the reference air volume, and in the case of "absence", the reference air volume-F2 speed air volume is used. F1 and F2 are stages of air volume change from the reference air volume. However, if the reference air volume + F1 speed is 9th speed or higher of the maximum air volume, it is operated at 9th speed, and if the reference air volume-F2 speed is 1st speed or less of the minimum air volume, it is operated at 1st speed.

Specifically, when the reference air volume is 5th speed, F1 = 2, F2 = 3, the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 7 is "large activity amount", "small activity amount", and "absent". For each of the above cases, the air volume determined by the air volume determining unit 8 becomes 7th speed, 5th speed, and 2nd speed in order. If the reference air volume is 8th speed and the activity amount is "high activity amount", the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit 8 is 9th speed, the reference air volume is 4th speed, and the activity amount is "absent". , The air volume determined by the air volume determining unit 8 is the first speed. In this way, by using the reference air volume, it is possible to change the air volume according to the activity amount based on the air volume desired by the user. If the set air volume is changed by the remote controller 11 during operation, the reference air volume is updated to the newly set air volume, and the air volume is controlled in the same manner.

When the activity amount "absence" continues, in order to reduce power consumption, the control may be such that the operation is performed at the reference air volume-F2 speed air volume for a predetermined time, and then the operation is performed at the minimum air volume 1st speed. Further, the absence setting 12 may be provided so that the operation can be stopped when the "absence" continues for a predetermined time. In the case of this configuration, either "setting" or "cancellation" is selected for the absentee stop setting 12, and the setting / cancellation can be changed by the setting instruction from the remote controller 11. In the air volume determination unit 8, when the absentee stop setting 12 is in the “set” state and the activity amount “absence” continues for a predetermined time, the motor control gives an instruction to set the air volume to 0, that is, an instruction to stop the motor. Put it out in part 9.

Specifically, when the reference air volume is 9th speed, F1 = 2, F2 = 3, and the state of activity "absence" continues, the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit 8 is 6th speed for a predetermined time. After that, it becomes 1st speed. Further, the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit 8 becomes 0 after a predetermined time elapses when the absentee stop setting 12 is in the "setting" state, and is 0 when the absentee stop setting 12 is in the "release" state. Continue to 1st gear.

In this way, if the absence setting 12 is provided, the operation when the state in which the amount of activity is small continues can be changed according to the user's preference.

Here, as described above, the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 7 is updated every unit time t2. Therefore, when the value of the total number of detections nsum is near the threshold value na or nb, the amount of activity frequently changes between "large amount of activity" and "small amount of activity", or "small amount of activity" and "absence". there's a possibility that. Therefore, when the air volume is determined by the air volume determination unit 8 using only the activity amount as described above, the air volume may change frequently, which may make the user feel annoyed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the air volume is calculated by the air volume determination unit 8, the air volume is determined by using the air volume maintenance period 10, which is a period for keeping the air volume constant, in addition to the activity amount. The configuration does not change frequently.

The air volume maintenance period 10 is valid only for a predetermined period. During the period in which the air volume maintenance period 10 is valid, the air volume determination unit 8 does not change the air volume even if the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 7 changes. Since the amount of activity immediately after the start of operation until the initial amount of activity is calculated is "small amount of activity", the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit 8 is the reference air volume. After that, when the air volume is changed due to a change in the activity amount or a setting change with the remote controller 11, the timer T for determining the air volume maintenance period 10 is started to be counted. That is, the value of the timer T is the time during which the current output air volume continues.

In the air volume maintenance period 10, the time t3 for increasing the air volume as the activity amount increases and the time t4 for decreasing the air volume due to the decrease in the activity amount are defined in advance, and the air volume determination unit 8 determines the conditions. The effective period of the air volume maintenance period 10 is changed. That is, when the air volume is increased due to the change in the activity amount, the air volume maintenance period 10 is a period of T <t3, and when the air volume is decreased, the air volume maintenance period 10 is a period of T <t4.

As a specific operation, when the activity amount changes from "small activity amount" to "large activity amount" between the time when the air volume is changed and the passage of t3, it corresponds to the air volume maintenance period 10, so the air volume determination unit 8 The air volume determined in is maintained at the air volume during output until the passage of t3. That is, the air volume is not changed until the passage of t3. After that, if the state is "high activity" when t3 elapses, the air volume determination unit 8 changes the air volume to correspond to the "high activity" at that time, and restarts the timer T counting. ..

Here, the relationship between the time t3 when the air volume determining unit 8 increases the air volume and the time t4 when the air volume is decreased is t3 <t4. This is because the user is likely to feel the heat when the activity amount changes in the increasing direction, and it is desirable to change the air volume relatively quickly when the activity amount decreases.

As a specific operation, when the activity amount changes from "small activity amount" to "large activity amount" during the period of t3≤T <t4, it does not correspond to the air volume maintenance period 10 from t3≤T. The air volume determining unit 8 changes the air volume. However, if the activity amount changes from "small activity amount" to "absence" during the same period of t3≤T <t4, it corresponds to the air volume maintenance period 10 from T <t4. Until the passage of t4, the air volume during output is continued. If the activity amount becomes "small activity amount" again when t4 elapses, the air volume determination unit 8 does not change the air volume even after t4 elapses, and the timer T count continues.

In addition, if the activity amount "absent" continues and the air volume is reduced, it is assumed that there are no people in the space to be blown. If the amount of activity becomes "small" or "large" from the state where the air volume is low, it is possible that a person has entered the living room, so it is possible to immediately start operation with an appropriate air volume. desirable. Therefore, when the amount of activity changes from the minimum value of "absence", it is desirable to set the air volume maintenance period 10 to a shorter period than the above-mentioned t3.

On the other hand, when the signal for changing the air volume setting is received from the remote controller 11, it is desirable to change the air volume even during the air volume maintenance period 10 in order to give priority to the user's intention. In this case, the reference air volume is updated to the air volume set by the remote controller 11, the timer T is restarted, and then the air volume is determined by the same flow as described above.

In the present embodiment, the air volume can be changed by the remote controller 11 even in the "presence sensor mode", and the reference air volume is used to determine the air volume according to the activity amount. It may be configured to determine the air volume without using it. That is, the air volume setting by the remote controller 11 may be invalidated, and the air volume corresponding to each of "large activity amount", "small activity amount", and "absent" may be uniquely determined.

Further, the air volume maintenance period 10 is configured to start counting the timer T based on the change in air volume, but when the counting of the timer T is started based on the change in activity amount and the same activity amount continues for a certain period of time, the air volume is started. May be configured to change.

Finally, the motor control unit 9 can change the output air volume by changing the control signal for driving the motor 3 according to the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit 8.

As described above, a ceiling fan capable of realizing more comfortable operation for the user can be obtained.

The ceiling fan according to the present invention determines the operation of the motor based on the detection state of the human detection unit and the air volume maintenance period, and is useful as a ceiling fan or the like having a human detection unit.

1 Ceiling fan body 2 Prop 3 Motor 4 Blade 5 Person detection 6 Motion control 7 Activity calculation 8 Air volume determination 9 Motor control 10 Air volume maintenance period 11 Remote control 12 Absent stop setting

Claims (3)

The pillars that can be attached to the ceiling and
The motor fixed to the support column and
The blades rotated by the motor and
A person detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a person, and
It is equipped with an operation control unit that controls the operation of the motor.
The motion control unit
The activity amount calculation unit that calculates the activity amount based on the signal detected by the person detection unit, and the activity amount calculation unit.
An air volume determination unit that determines the air volume using the activity amount,
A motor control unit that controls the operation of the motor based on the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit is provided.
The air volume determination unit
The predetermined period after the air volume is changed has an air volume maintenance period that does not determine the air volume change due to the activity change .
During the air volume maintenance period, even if the activity amount changes, the next air volume change is not decided.
Only after the time when the air volume maintenance period has elapsed, the determination of the next air volume change is made based on the change in the activity volume.
The motor control unit
A ceiling fan characterized in that the operation of the motor is controlled according to the determined air volume after the determination of the next air volume change after the time when the air volume maintenance period has elapsed . Claim 1 is characterized in that, when the activity amount changes in the increasing direction, the air volume determining unit sets the air volume maintenance period to a shorter time as compared with the case where the activity amount changes in the decreasing direction. Ceiling fan described in. The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the air volume determination unit shortens the air volume maintenance period when the activity amount increases from the minimum value as compared with other air volume maintenance periods when the activity amount changes. The listed ceiling fan.

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