JP7214342B2 - air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

Generally, the wind direction of an air conditioner is set using a remote controller. However, it is difficult to visually recognize the direction of the wind actually discharged from the air conditioner. Therefore, an air conditioner has been proposed in which the wind direction can be visually recognized by irradiating light in the same direction as the wind direction set in the air conditioner (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-7-205642

However, with the conventional technology, it is not possible to recognize the air volume set in the air conditioner just by looking at the light emitted from the air conditioner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of easily recognizing the air volume set in the air conditioner.

An air conditioner according to the present invention is an air conditioner , comprising: a blowing unit that blows air; a light emitting unit that emits light; a control unit that controls the blowing unit and the light emitting unit; Part, when the air volume from the air blowing unit is the first air volume, the focal position of the light emitted from the light emitting unit is the air volume from the air blowing unit that is stronger than the first air volume. Light emitted from the light emitting portion according to the air volume from the air blowing portion so as to be closer to the air conditioner than the focal position of the light emitted from the light emitting portion at the second air volume. to control.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the air conditioner which can recognize easily the air volume set to the air conditioner can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the air conditioner; FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a control unit, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing another example of the hardware configuration of the control unit; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a light-projection part. FIG. 3 is a view showing the lateral emission range of light from a light emitting portion fixed to a louver when the air conditioner is viewed from above; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a vertical emission range of light from a light emitting portion fixed to a flap when the air conditioner is viewed from the side; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the air conditioner; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an air conditioner 101 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The air conditioner 101 includes a blowing unit 102 for blowing air, a light emitting unit 103, a signal receiving unit 104, a control unit 105 as a main control unit, a housing 106, and a signal for operating the air conditioner 101. and a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 107 as an operation terminal for transmitting.

The air blowing unit 102 has a fan 102a that generates an airflow and an airflow direction adjusting unit 102b that adjusts the airflow direction. The blower 102 blows air.

The wind direction adjusting section 102b has a louver 102c and a flap 102d. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the wind direction adjusting section 102b has a plurality of flaps (specifically, the flap 102e as the first flap and the flap 102f as the second flap). Each of the flaps 102e and 102f is hereinafter also referred to as a flap 102d.

The light emitting section 103 has a light source 103a that emits light and an optical element 103b that is used together with the light source 103a. The light emitting portion 103 emits light (that is, light 103c shown in FIG. 4, which will be described later). The function of emitting the light 103c from the light emitting portion 103 is called an optical aiming function (also referred to as an optical aiming mode). That is, the air conditioner 101 has an optical aiming function.

The light emitting portion 103 is fixed to the wind direction adjusting portion 102b. In the example shown in FIG. 1, multiple light emitting portions 103 are fixed to the louver 102c. Specifically, two light emitting portions 103 are fixed to the louver 102c. One light emitting part 103 may be fixed at the center of the louver 102c in the horizontal direction.

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 1, multiple light emitting portions 103 are fixed to the flap 102d. Specifically, at least one light emitting portion 103 is fixed to the flap 102e, and at least one light emitting portion 103 is also fixed to the flap 102f.

When the wind direction adjusting unit 102b has a plurality of flaps 102d, the light emitting unit 103 is fixed at the center of each flap 102d in the horizontal direction (for example, the center of the flap 102e and the center of the flap 102f). In this case, in the louver 102c, the light emitting portion 103 is fixed to the wing plate closest to the light emitting portion 103 fixed to each flap 102d. Thereby, even when the direction of the wind from the air conditioner 101 is two or more directions, the direction of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting portion 103 can be controlled according to the direction of the wind.

For example, when the number of flaps 102d is one, the light emitting section 103 is fixed at the center of the flaps 102d in the lateral direction.

The number and positions of the light emitting portions 103 may be changed according to the number of flaps 102d.

Signal receiving section 104 receives a signal transmitted from remote controller 107 . A signal input from the remote controller 107 to the signal receiving unit 104 is transferred to the control unit 105 .

Remote control 107 has a button 107a for using the optical aiming function. A user of air conditioner 101 operates air conditioner 101 using remote controller 107 . For example, when the user uses the optical aiming function, the user presses button 107 a on remote control 107 . When the button 107a is pressed, a signal for executing the optical aiming function is input to the control section 105 of the air conditioner 101 via the signal receiving section 104, and the light emitting section 103 emits light 103c. In other words, the user can use the remote control 107 to control the lighting and extinguishing of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting section 103. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the air conditioner 101. As shown in FIG.
The controller 105 has an air controller 105a and a light source signal controller 105b. The control unit 105 controls the air blowing unit 102 and the light emitting unit 103 .

The air control unit 105a controls the blower unit 102. FIG. For example, the air control unit 105a controls the air volume, air direction, temperature setting, and operation modes of the air conditioner 101, such as heating operation and cooling operation. The air volume, air direction, temperature setting, and operation mode are set according to signals sent from the remote controller 107 . Control of air volume, air direction, temperature setting, and operation mode is collectively referred to as air conditioning control.

The light source signal control section 105 b controls the light emitting section 103 . For example, the light source signal control unit 105b controls the position of the light source 103a and the light intensity of the light source 103a.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 105. As shown in FIG.
FIG. 3B is a diagram showing another example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 105. As shown in FIG.

The control unit 105 is composed of, for example, a processor 108a and a memory 108b. The processor 108a is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes programs stored in the memory 108b. In this case, the functions of the air control unit 105a and the light source signal control unit 105b are implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware can be stored as programs in the memory 108b.

The memory 108b is a computer-readable recording medium, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), a nonvolatile memory, or a combination of a volatile memory and a nonvolatile memory. is.

The control unit 105 may be configured with a processing circuit 108c as dedicated hardware such as a single circuit or a composite circuit. In this case, the functions of the air control section 105a and the light source signal control section 105b are realized by the processing circuit 108c.

The control unit 105 (specifically, the air control unit 105a) controls the amount of air from the blower unit 102 by controlling the rotational speed of the fan 102a.

The control unit 105 (specifically, the light source signal control unit 105b) controls the light 103c emitted from the light emitting unit 103 according to the air volume from the air blowing unit 102. FIG. For example, the control unit 105 controls the intensity of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting unit 103 according to the air volume from the air blowing unit 102. FIG.

Further, the control unit 105 (specifically, the light source signal control unit 105b) can control the focal position and irradiation position of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting unit 103 according to the air volume from the air blowing unit 102. .

The focal position of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting section 103 is the focal position of an optical element 103b, which will be described later. The irradiation position of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting unit 103 is, for example, the position in the room where the light 103c from the light emitting unit 103 is emitted.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the light emitting section 103. As shown in FIG.
The light source 103a is, for example, a light emitting diode.

The optical element 103b is, for example, a lens. The light 103c emitted from the light emitting portion 103 is a ray. However, the configuration of the light emitting section 103 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

The color of the light 103c can be determined according to the operation mode of the air conditioner 101, such as heating operation and cooling operation. In this case, the light emitting section 103 may have a plurality of light sources 103a that emit lights of different colors. Thereby, each light emitting part 103 can change the color of the light 103c according to the operation mode.

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the control unit 105 (specifically, the light source signal control unit 105b) controls the position of the light source 103a with respect to the optical element 103b according to the air volume from the blower unit 102. The focal position and irradiation position of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting section 103 are controlled.

Specifically, the control unit 105 changes the distance from the light source 103a to the optical element 103b by changing the position of the light source 103a. This changes the focal position and irradiation position of the light 103c.

In this embodiment, by shortening the distance from the light source 103a to the optical element 103b, the focal position of the light 103c becomes closer to the optical element 103b. In this case, the light 103c from the light emitting portion 103 becomes vague light. On the other hand, by lengthening the distance from the light source 103a to the optical element 103b, the focal position of the light 103c is moved away from the optical element 103b. In this case, a position away from the light emitting section 103 is strongly illuminated.

For example, when the air volume of the air conditioner 101 is weak, the focal position of the light 103c is closer to the air conditioner 101 than the focal position of the light 103c when the air volume of the air conditioner 101 is strong. On the other hand, when the air volume of the air conditioner 101 is strong, the focal position of the light 103c is farther from the position of the air conditioner 101 than the focal position of the light 103c when the air volume of the air conditioner 101 is weak.

Therefore, when the air volume of the air conditioner 101 is weak, the light 103c is emitted near the air conditioner 101, and when the air volume of the air conditioner 101 is strong, the light 103c is emitted far from the air conditioner 101. In other words, when the air volume of the air conditioner 101 is low, the irradiation position of the light 103c is closer to the air conditioner 101 than the irradiation position of the light 103c when the air volume of the air conditioner 101 is high. On the other hand, when the air volume of the air conditioner 101 is strong, the irradiation position of the light 103c is farther from the position of the air conditioner 101 than the irradiation position of the light 103c when the air volume of the air conditioner 101 is weak.

The focal position and irradiation position of the light 103c may be the same or different.

The control section 105 may control the direction of the light 103 c emitted from the light emitting section 103 . In this case, for example, the control unit 105 (specifically, the air control unit 105a) controls the direction of light emitted from the light emitting unit 103 by controlling the wind direction adjusting unit 102b.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a lateral emission range R1 of light 103c emitted from the light emitting portion 103 fixed to the louver 102c when the air conditioner 101 is viewed from above.
The emission range R1 is a range in which the direction of the light 103c can be changed according to the direction of the louver 102c. In other words, the emission range R1 is a range in which the light 103c is emitted from the light emitting portion 103 in the lateral direction (in other words, rightward and leftward directions).

As shown in FIG. 5, the direction of light 103c in the lateral direction changes according to the orientation of louver 102c. Therefore, the control unit 105 controls the direction of the light 103c in the horizontal direction by controlling the direction of the louver 102c. The user can recognize the wind direction in the horizontal direction of the air conditioner 101 by looking at the direction of the light 103c.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a vertical emission range R2 of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting portion 103 fixed to the flap 102e when the air conditioner 101 is viewed from the side.
The emission range R2 is a range in which the direction of the light 103c can be changed according to the orientation of the flap 102d (flap 102e in FIG. 6). In other words, the emission range R2 is a range in which the light 103c is emitted from the light emission section 103 in the vertical direction (in other words, upward and downward directions).

As shown in FIG. 6, the direction of light 103c in the longitudinal direction changes according to the orientation of flap 102d. Therefore, the control unit 105 controls the direction of the light 103c in the vertical direction by controlling the orientation of the flap 102d. The user can recognize the wind direction in the vertical direction of the air conditioner 101 by looking at the direction of the light 103c.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the air conditioner 101. As shown in FIG.
In step S<b>301 , signal receiving section 104 receives a signal transmitted from remote controller 107 . A signal input to the signal receiving section 104 is transferred to the control section 105 . Signals transmitted from remote control 107 include signals to perform climate control, signals to perform optical aiming functions, or both.

In step S302, control unit 105 (specifically, air control unit 105a) determines whether the signal received from remote control 107 via signal receiving unit 104 is a signal for using the optical aiming function.

When the signal received by the control unit 105 (specifically, the air control unit 105a) in step S301 is a signal for using the optical aiming function (Yes in step S302), the process proceeds to step S303. . The signal received by the air controller 105a from the signal receiver 104 is transferred to the light source signal controller 105b.

When the signal received by the control unit 105 (specifically, the air control unit 105a) in step S301 is not a signal for using the optical aiming function (No in step S302), the processing shown in FIG. 7 ends. do.

In step S<b>303 , the control unit 105 (specifically, the air control unit 105 a ) acquires the air volume from the blower unit 102 . The air volume from the air blowing unit 102 is, for example, the rotation speed of the fan 102a corresponding to the air volume specified by the user. Information indicating the air volume from the air blower 102 is transferred from the air controller 105a to the light source signal controller 105b.

In step S<b>304 , the control unit 105 (specifically, the light source signal control unit 105 b ) determines the control value of the light 103 c emitted from the light emitting unit 103 according to the air volume from the air blowing unit 102 . The control value of the light 103c is at least one of the focal position of the light, the intensity of the light, and the irradiation position of the light. In this embodiment, the control unit 105 (specifically, the light source signal control unit 105b) determines the focal position and intensity of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting unit 103 according to the air volume from the air blowing unit 102. do. Furthermore, when adjusting the irradiation position of the light according to the air volume, the light source signal control unit 105b determines the irradiation position of the light 103c in step S304.

The focal position, intensity, and irradiation position of the light 103c may be determined based on an instruction from the user (that is, data included in the signal transmitted from the remote control 107), or determined in advance according to the air volume. A control value may be determined.

In step S305, the control unit 105 (specifically, the light source signal control unit 105b) emits light from the light emitting unit 103 according to the air volume from the air blowing unit 102 based on the control value determined in step S304. Control the light 103c.

For example, when adjusting the focus position of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting unit 103, the light source signal control unit 105b adjusts the position of the light source 103a with respect to the optical element 103b based on the control value determined in step S304. Thereby, the focal position of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting portion 103 is adjusted. When adjusting the focal position of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting unit 103, the light source signal control unit 105b may adjust the position of the optical element 103b with respect to the light source 103a based on the control value determined in step S304. .

When adjusting the intensity of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting unit 103, the light source signal control unit 105b controls the light source 103a based on the control value determined in step S304, for example.

When adjusting the irradiation position of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting unit 103, the light source signal control unit 105b controls, for example, the position of the light source 103a, the position of the optical element 103b, and Adjust one or more of the intensities of the light from light source 103a.

As a result of the processing in step S305, light 103c is emitted from the light emitting portion 103 in accordance with the air volume from the air blowing portion 102. FIG.

A user can easily recognize the air volume set in the air conditioner 101 by looking at the light 103c from the light emitting unit 103 . That is, the user can easily recognize the air volume set in the air conditioner 101 by looking at the focal position, intensity, or irradiation position of the light 103c from the light emitting unit 103. FIG. Thereby, even when the user is away from the air conditioner 101, the air volume set in the air conditioner 101 can be easily recognized.

Therefore, the user can adjust the air volume of the air conditioner 101 based on the light 103c from the light emitting unit 103 (that is, the focal position, intensity, or irradiation position of the light 103c). As a result, even when the user is away from the air conditioner 101, the air volume set in the air conditioner 101 can be easily recognized, and the air volume of the air conditioner 101 can be appropriately adjusted. can.

Embodiment 2.
FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of air conditioner 201 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
Air conditioner 201 according to Embodiment 2 differs from air conditioner 101 according to Embodiment 1 in that at least one light emitting unit 103 is fixed to housing 106 . The light emitting section 103 fixed to the housing 106 is, for example, a searchlight. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, at least one light emitting portion 103 may also be fixed to the wind direction adjusting portion 102b.

As in the first embodiment, signals transmitted from remote control 107 include signals for performing climate control, signals for performing optical aiming functions, or both. As in Embodiment 1, the air control unit 105a controls the blower unit 102 to perform air conditioning control.

The light source signal control unit 105b controls the focal position and irradiation position of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting unit 103 according to the air volume from the air blowing unit 102. FIG. Further, the light source signal control unit 105b controls the direction of light emitted from the light emitting unit 103 based on the signal transmitted from the remote controller 107 (specifically, the direction of the wind indicated by the user). That is, the light source signal control unit 105b controls the direction of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting unit 103 fixed to the housing 106 independently of the operation of the wind direction adjusting unit 102b (that is, the louver 102c and the flap 102d). do.

The air conditioner 201 according to the second embodiment has the same effects as the air conditioner 101 according to the first embodiment.

Furthermore, in the air conditioner 201 according to Embodiment 2, the control unit 105 (specifically, the air control unit 105a) operates independently of the operation of the wind direction adjustment unit 102b (that is, the louvers 102c and the flaps 102d). The direction of light 103c emitted from the light emitting portion 103 fixed to the housing 106 can be controlled. Thereby, the direction of the light 103c emitted from the light emitting portion 103 fixed to the housing 106 can be freely adjusted.

The features of the embodiments described above can be combined as appropriate.

101, 201 Air conditioner 102 Blower unit 102a Fan 102b Wind direction adjusting unit 102c Louver 102d, 102e, 102f Flap 103 Light emitting unit 103a Light source 103b Optical element 103c Light 104 Signal receiving unit 105 Control unit 105a Air control unit 105b Light source signal control unit 106 Housing 107 Remote controller 107a Button 108a Processor 108b Memory 108c Processing circuit.

Claims (13)

an air conditioner,
a blower that blows air;
a light emitting portion that emits light;
A control unit that controls the air blowing unit and the light emitting unit,
The control unit controls the focal position of the light emitted from the light emitting unit when the air volume from the air blowing unit is the first air volume so that the air volume from the air blowing unit is higher than the first air volume. is emitted from the light emitting portion according to the air volume from the air blowing portion so that the focus position of the light emitted from the light emitting portion is closer to the air conditioner than the second air volume is An air conditioner that controls the light that illuminates. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the blower section has a wind direction adjusting section that adjusts the wind direction. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the control section controls the direction of light emitted from the light emitting section by controlling the wind direction adjusting section. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the light emitting section is fixed to the wind direction adjusting section. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the control section controls the direction of the light emitted from the light emitting section independently of the operation of the wind direction adjusting section. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the wind direction adjusting section has a louver. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the wind direction adjusting section has a flap. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control section controls a focal position of light emitted from the light emitting section according to the air volume. 9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the light emitting section has a light source that emits the light and an optical element that is used together with the light source. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the controller controls the focal position by controlling the position of the light source with respect to the optical element according to the air volume. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control section controls intensity of light emitted from the light emitting section according to the air volume. The air conditioner according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the blower section has a fan that generates airflow. 13. The air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein the controller controls the air volume by controlling the rotation speed of the fan.

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