JP7403384B2 - Air conditioner, air conditioning system, control device, air conditioner control method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner, an air conditioning system, a control device, an air conditioner control method, and a program.

An air supply means for generating hot or cold air and sending it into the room; an infrared sensor for detecting thermal radiation emitted from the room; a means for detecting temperature distribution in the room from the output of the infrared sensor; An air conditioning apparatus has been proposed that includes a control means for controlling an air supply means based on the temperature distribution (for example, see Patent Document 1). This air conditioner maintains a uniform temperature in each part of the room by controlling the flow rate of warm air or cold air to each part of the room based on the temperature distribution in the room.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 175540/1986

By the way, even if the temperature of each part of the room is maintained at a uniform temperature, for example, in a place where sunlight is shining through a window, the perceived temperature of the people living there will rise due to the radiant heat of the sunlight. Sometimes. In this case, a person in a place where sunlight is incident, that is, in a solar radiation area, may feel uncomfortable because the perceived temperature is higher than the set temperature of the air conditioner. Therefore, when performing indoor temperature control, it is required to improve the comfort of people in the room by controlling the temperature based on the positional relationship between the solar radiation area and the area where people are present in the room. However, in the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to distinguish and detect the solar radiation area where the temperature is rising due to the radiant heat of sunlight and the area where the human body is present, so it is difficult to control the indoor temperature. When performing this, it is not possible to perform temperature control based on the positional relationship between the solar radiation area and the area where people are present in the room, and there is a possibility that the indoor environment cannot be made sufficiently comfortable.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above reasons, and aims to provide an air conditioner, an air conditioning system, a control device, an air conditioner control method, and a program that can improve the comfort of an indoor environment. do.

In order to achieve the above object, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes:
Solar radiation information reflecting the intensity of light in a first wavelength band excluding the wavelength band of visible light included in light incident from each of a plurality of preset areas in the room corresponds to area identification information of each of the plurality of areas. a solar radiation information storage unit that stores the
a temperature level storage unit that stores temperature level information reflecting the temperature of each of the plurality of regions in association with region identification information of each of the plurality of regions;
a light detection unit that detects the intensity of light in the first wavelength band included in light incident from each of the plurality of regions;
a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each of the plurality of regions by detecting light in a second wavelength band on a longer wavelength side than the first wavelength band emitted from each of the plurality of regions;
a solar radiation information updating unit that updates solar radiation information for each of the plurality of regions based on the light intensity of each of the plurality of regions detected by the light detection unit;
a temperature level information updating unit that updates temperature level information for each of the plurality of regions based on the temperature of each of the plurality of regions detected by the temperature detection unit;
a solar radiation position identifying unit that identifies a solar radiation position in the room based on solar radiation information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit;
a human body position identifying unit that identifies the position of the human body in the room based on temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage unit;
A wind direction setting unit that sets the direction of wind to be sent to each of the plurality of regions based on the solar radiation position and the position of the human body.

According to the present disclosure, the solar radiation information updating unit updates solar radiation information for each of the plurality of regions based on the light intensity of each of the plurality of regions detected by the light detection unit, and the temperature level information updating unit updates the solar radiation information for each of the plurality of regions based on the light intensity of each of the plurality of regions detected by the light detection unit. Temperature level information for each of the plurality of regions is updated based on the detected temperatures of each of the plurality of regions. Further, the solar radiation identification unit identifies the solar radiation position indoors based on the solar radiation information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit, and the human body position identification unit identifies the indoor solar radiation position based on the temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage unit. Locate the human body. Since the wind direction setting unit sets the direction of the wind to be sent to each of the plurality of regions based on the solar radiation position and the position of the human body, the comfort of the indoor environment can be improved.

Schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure A diagram showing the relationship between the detection wavelength band of the optical sensor and thermal sensor and the wavelength band of sunlight according to Embodiment 1. Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 Block diagram showing the functional configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 An explanatory diagram of the operation of the optical sensor according to Embodiment 1 A diagram showing an example of information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit according to Embodiment 1. A diagram showing an example of information stored in the temperature level storage unit according to Embodiment 1. An explanatory diagram of the operation of the thermal sensor according to Embodiment 1 A diagram showing an example of information stored in the air conditioning area storage unit according to Embodiment 1. A diagram showing an example of an air conditioning area according to Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing an example of the flow of air conditioner control processing executed by the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing an example of the flow of solar radiation information update processing executed by the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing an example of the flow of temperature level information update processing executed by the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing an example of the flow of air conditioner control processing executed by the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 (A) is a diagram showing a time chart of the rotational speed of the wind direction plate when the air conditioner according to the first embodiment is operating in the cooling mode, and (B) is a diagram showing the time chart of the rotation speed of the wind direction plate when the air conditioner according to the first embodiment operates in the cooling mode. It is a time chart of air volume when a conditioner is operating in cooling mode. (A) is a diagram showing a time chart of the rotational speed of the wind direction plate when the air conditioner according to the first embodiment is operating in the heating mode, and (B) is a diagram showing the time chart of the rotation speed of the wind direction plate when the air conditioner according to the first embodiment is operating in the heating mode. It is a time chart of the air volume when the conditioner is operating in heating mode. A block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure Block diagram showing the functional configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 Flowchart showing an example of the flow of air conditioner control processing executed by the control device according to Embodiment 2 Flowchart showing an example of the flow of solar radiation information update processing executed by the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 Flowchart showing an example of the flow of temperature level information update processing executed by the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2

Hereinafter, a control device according to each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
The air conditioner according to the present embodiment receives solar radiation information that reflects the intensity of light in a first wavelength band excluding the visible light wavelength band included in light incident from each of a plurality of preset areas in the room. A solar radiation information storage unit that stores information in association with area identification information of each of a plurality of areas; and a temperature level storage unit that stores temperature level information that reflects the temperature of each of the plurality of areas in association with area identification information of each of the plurality of areas. It is equipped with a section and a section. The air conditioner also includes a light detection section that detects the intensity of light in a first wavelength band included in light incident from each of the plurality of regions, a temperature detection section that detects the temperature of each of the plurality of regions, and solar radiation information. The apparatus includes an updating section, a temperature level information updating section, a solar radiation position specifying section, a human body position specifying section, and an air volume setting section. Here, the solar radiation information updating section updates the solar radiation information for each of the plurality of regions based on the light intensity of each of the plurality of regions detected by the light detection section. Further, the temperature level information updating section updates the temperature level information of each of the plurality of regions based on the temperature of each of the plurality of regions detected by the temperature detection section. Further, the solar radiation position identifying section identifies the indoor solar radiation position based on the solar radiation information stored in the solar radiation information storage section, and the human body position identifying section identifies the indoor solar radiation position based on the temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage section. Locate the human body in The air volume setting unit controls the volume of air sent to each of the plurality of areas based on the positional relationship between the solar radiation position and the position of the human body.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment includes a heat exchanger 171, a compressor (not shown) that supplies refrigerant to the heat exchanger 171, a blower fan 16, and a compressor. The controller includes a control unit 11 that controls the machine and the blower fan 16, and a casing 15 that houses them. This air conditioner 1 is used, for example, while being fixed to the wall of a room. The housing 15 is provided with an inlet 15a and an outlet 15b. The air conditioner 1 then blows the air, which is introduced into the housing 15 from the suction port 15a and cooled or warmed by heat exchange by the heat exchanger, out of the housing 15 from the air outlet 15b using the blower fan. . Here, the control unit 11 controls the temperature of the air by controlling the compressor, and controls the volume of air blown out from the outlet 15b by controlling the blower fan 16.

The air conditioner 1 also includes a wind direction plate 142 for adjusting the direction of air blown out from the air outlet 15b, a wind direction plate driving section 141 that drives the wind direction plate 142, a temperature detection section 12, and a light detection section. 13. The wind direction plate 142 includes at least a horizontal wind direction plate for horizontally changing the direction of the air blown out from the air conditioner 1. The wind direction plate drive unit 141 includes, for example, a motor (not shown) that rotates by a rotation angle according to a control signal input from the control unit 11, and a transmission mechanism (not shown) that tilts the wind direction plate 142 according to the rotation angle of each motor. (not shown). As the motor, for example, one that rotates by a rotation angle according to the duty ratio of a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal input from the control unit 11 can be adopted.

The light detection unit 13 detects the intensity of light in the first wavelength band included in light incident from each of a plurality of preset areas in the room in which the air conditioner 1 is installed. Here, the first wavelength band corresponds to the wavelength band of near-infrared light. As shown in FIG. 2, the wavelength band of near-infrared light is included in the wavelength band of sunlight (300 nm or more and 3000 nm or less), and is a wavelength band of 700 nm or more and 2500 nm or less. On the other hand, the light emitted from artificial light sources such as fluorescent lamps and LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamps used in indoor lighting equipment includes light with wavelengths within the visible light wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm. However, light in the near-infrared wavelength band is not included. Therefore, by detecting near-infrared light using the light detection unit 13, sunlight can be detected separately from light emitted from an artificial light source. The light detection unit 13 detects near-infrared light that enters the room through, for example, a window of the room and is scattered by the floor, wall, etc. located in at least one of the plurality of areas described above. By doing so, it is detected whether sunlight is incident on at least one area. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the light detection unit 13 includes a near-infrared light sensor 13a that is directional to the light detection target area, and the light enters only from the area included in the light detection target area among the plurality of areas. Detects only light. The near-infrared light sensor 13a is a sensor using, for example, a photodiode having a sensitivity peak in the wavelength band of near-infrared light, and generates an intensity detection signal according to the intensity of light incident from a region included in the light detection target region. is output to the control unit 11. The light detection unit 13 also has a sensor orientation adjustment unit 13b for changing the light detection target area by changing the orientation of the near-infrared light sensor 13a, and changes the area included in the light detection target area to an arbitrary area. can be changed to . Here, the sensor orientation adjustment unit 13b includes a motor that rotates the near-infrared sensor 13a in a plane parallel to the vertical direction, and a motor that rotates the near-infrared sensor 13a in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, The area to be detected is changed by controlling the rotation angle of each motor.

The temperature detection unit 12 detects light in a second wavelength band on the longer wavelength side than the wavelength band of near-infrared light emitted from each of the plurality of regions described above in the room in which the air conditioner 1 is installed. Detects the temperature of each of multiple areas. When an object that generates heat is present in at least one of the plurality of regions, the temperature detection section 12 detects the heat radiated from the object. Here, the second wavelength band corresponds to the wavelength band of far-infrared light. The temperature detection unit 12 includes, for example, a heat sensor 12a that is directional to a heat detection target area, and detects only the heat radiated from only the area included in the heat detection target area among a plurality of areas. The thermal sensor 12a is a sensor using a pyroelectric element, for example, and outputs a temperature detection signal to the control unit 11 according to the temperature of the area included in the heat detection target area. The temperature detection unit 12 also includes a sensor orientation adjustment unit 12b for changing the heat detection target area by changing the orientation of the heat sensor 12a, and detects heat based on a control signal input from the control unit 11. The area included in the target area can be changed to any area. Here, the sensor orientation adjustment section 12b includes a motor that rotates the thermal sensor 12a in a plane parallel to the vertical direction, and a motor that rotates the thermal sensor 12a in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. By controlling the rotation angle of the area, the heat detection target area is changed.

The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a main storage section 102, an auxiliary storage section 103, input/output interfaces 1041, 1042, output interfaces 1051, 1052, 1053, and a bus 109 that connects these to each other. and. The main storage unit 102 is a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 is a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory, and stores programs for the CPU 101 to execute various processes. The input/output interface 1041 is connected to the temperature detection section 12 and converts control information input from the CPU 101 for controlling the sensor orientation adjustment section 12b into a control signal and outputs it to the temperature detection section 12. The heat detection signal input from 12 is converted into heat detection information and output to the CPU 101. The input/output interface 1042 is connected to the photodetector 13 and converts control information input from the CPU 101 for controlling the sensor orientation adjustment section 13b into a control signal and outputs it to the photodetector 13. The intensity detection signal input from 13 is converted into intensity detection information and output to the CPU 101. The output interface 1051 is connected to the wind direction plate drive unit 141 , converts control information input from the CPU 101 for controlling the wind direction plate drive unit 141 into a control signal, and outputs the control signal to the wind direction plate drive unit 141 . The output interface 1052 is connected to the blower fan 16 , converts control information input from the CPU 101 for controlling the blower fan 16 into a control signal, and outputs the control signal to the blower fan 16 . The output interface 1053 is connected to the compressor 172 , converts control information input from the CPU 101 for controlling the compressor 172 into a control signal, and outputs the control signal to the compressor 172 .

By reading the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executing it, the CPU 101 controls the temperature detection control unit 111, the temperature level information updating unit 112, the light detection control unit 113, as shown in FIG. It functions as a solar radiation information update section 114, a human body position identification section 115, a solar radiation position identification section 116, a wind direction/air volume setting section 117, a wind direction/air volume control section 118, and a compressor control section 119. The auxiliary storage section 103 shown in FIG. 3 also includes a divided area storage section 131, a temperature level storage section 132, a solar radiation information storage section 133, a human body information storage section 134, and an air conditioning area storage section 134, as shown in FIG. It has a storage section 135, an operation mode storage section 136, and a wind direction/air volume storage section 137.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the divided area storage unit 131 stores information when the room R, which is rectangular in plan view in which the air conditioner 1 is installed, is divided into 100 areas A1, A2, ..., J10. The position information of each area A1, A2, . . . , J10 is stored in association with area identification information. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the room R is divided into 100 areas A1, A2, . . . , J10, but the number of areas is not limited to 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the solar radiation information storage unit 133 stores solar radiation information that reflects the intensity of near-infrared light included in the light incident from each of the 100 areas A1, A2, ..., J10 in the room. 100 areas A1, A2, . . . , J10 are stored in association with area identification information. In addition, in FIG. 6, the columns where the rows of "A", "B", ..., "J" intersect with the columns of "1", "2", ..., "10" are as follows: Each represents solar radiation information in areas "A1", "A2", . . . , "J10". The solar radiation information is, for example, flag information indicating whether the intensity of near-infrared light is equal to or higher than a preset reference light intensity. In FIG. 6, "non-detection" indicates an area where the intensity of near-infrared light is less than the reference light intensity, and "detection" indicates an area where the intensity of near-infrared light is equal to or higher than the reference light intensity. It is shown that. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, if there is an area As in which sunlight shines through the window W of the room R in the areas E5, E6, ..., G7, as shown in FIG. , E6, . . . , the intensity of near-infrared light indicated by the solar radiation information of G7 is equal to or higher than the reference light intensity.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the temperature level storage unit 132 stores temperature level information that reflects the temperature of each of the 100 areas A1, A2, . . . , J10 in the room. , J1 are stored in association with each other's area identification information. In addition, in FIG. 7, the columns where the rows of "A", "B", ..., "J" intersect with the columns of "1", "2", ..., "10" are as follows: Each represents temperature level information in areas "A1", "A2", . . . , "J10". The temperature level information is, for example, flag information indicating whether the temperature is above a preset human body temperature lower limit and below a preset human body temperature upper limit. Note that the lower limit of human body temperature is set to, for example, 35.5°C, and the upper limit of human body temperature is set to, for example, 37.7°C. Here, "non-detection" indicates that the temperature is below the lower limit of human body temperature or higher than the upper limit of human body temperature, and "detected" means that the temperature is above the lower limit of human body temperature and the upper limit of human body temperature. It corresponds to the following areas. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, if there is an area Ap where there are people in areas E2 and F2, as shown in FIG. Become. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, even if there is an area As in areas E5, E6, . . . When the temperature is lower than the lower limit or higher than the preset upper limit of human body temperature, the temperature level information of the regions E5, E6, . . . , G7 is set to flag information indicating "non-detection."

Returning to FIG. 4, the human body information storage unit 134 sets the shape of the second region group consisting of mutually continuous regions whose temperature is higher than the lower limit of human body temperature and lower than the upper limit of human body temperature as a criterion for determining that it is a human body. Information indicating a preset human body discrimination reference shape is stored. For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 8, the information indicating the human body discrimination reference shape indicates that it is a group of regions in which two or more and three or less regions are lined up in a straight line.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the air conditioning area storage unit 135 stores area identification information of areas included in each of the seven air conditioning areas when the room is divided into seven air conditioning areas. It is stored in association with the harmonious area identification information. Here, the seven air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, ..., AA7 are set in areas extending radially from the location where the air conditioner 1 is installed, for example, as shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, area identification information ID(B1), ID(B2), ID(B3), . ..., ID (D2) are stored in association with the air conditioning area identification information ID (AA1).

Returning to FIG. 4, the operation mode storage unit 136 stores operation mode information indicating the operation mode of the air conditioner 1. Here, the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is set to one of a cooling mode, a heating mode, and a blowing mode. The wind direction/air volume storage unit 137 stores wind direction/air volume information indicating the wind direction and air volume to each of the seven air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, ..., AA7, which are set based on the positional relationship between the solar radiation position and the position of the human body. remember. Here, the number of air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, ..., AA7 is set, for example, based on the air volume variable performance of the air conditioner 1, and is based on, for example, the scanning speed of the wind direction plate 142 and the air volume change instruction of the blower fan 16. It is set based on the response performance.

The photodetection control unit 113 generates control information for changing the photodetection target area of the photodetection unit 13 by controlling the sensor orientation adjustment unit 13b of the photodetection unit 13. The light detection control unit 113 outputs the generated control information to the light detection unit 13. The solar radiation information updating unit 114 updates the solar radiation information for each of the 100 areas based on the light intensity of each of the 100 areas A1, A2, . . . , J10 detected by the light detection unit 13. For each of the 100 areas A1, A2, . . . , J10, if the intensity of light in the area A1, A2, . The solar radiation information of A1, A2, . . . , J10 is set as flag information indicating "detection". On the other hand, for each of the 100 areas A1, A2, . . . , J10, if the intensity of light in the area A1, A2, . The solar radiation information of the areas A1, A2, . . . , J10 is set as flag information indicating "non-detection".

The temperature detection control unit 111 generates control information for changing the heat detection target area of the temperature detection unit 12 by controlling the sensor orientation adjustment unit 12b of the temperature detection unit 12. The temperature detection control section 111 outputs the generated control information to the temperature detection section 12. The temperature level information update unit 112 updates the temperature of each of the 100 areas A1, A2,..., J10 based on the temperature of each of the 100 areas A1, A2,..., J10 detected by the temperature detection unit 12. Update level information. The temperature level information update unit 112 determines, for each of the areas A1, A2, . . . , J10, that the temperature of the area A1, A2, . In this case, the temperature level information of the areas A1, A2, . . . , J10 is set as flag information indicating "detection". On the other hand, the temperature level information updating unit 112 determines, for each of the areas A1, A2, . . . , J10, that the temperature of the area A1, A2, . In this case, the temperature level information of the areas A1, A2, . . . , J10 is set as flag information indicating "non-detection."

The solar radiation position specifying unit 116 determines that the intensity of the near-infrared light is equal to or higher than the above-mentioned reference light intensity, and the number of mutually continuous regions is equal to or higher than a preset first lower limit number and a preset first upper limit. A first region group that is less than or equal to the number of regions is identified as a solar radiation position. Here, the first lower limit number is set to, for example, "6", and the first upper limit number is set to, for example, "80". Here, when the number of mutually consecutive regions where solar radiation is detected is larger than the first upper limit number, that is, when solar radiation is detected in most of the indoor regions of room R, Do not identify groups of these areas as solar radiation locations. Here, the first upper limit number can be set to, for example, 80% or more of the number of all regions. Since sunlight enters the interior of room R through the window of room R, the number of areas where solar radiation is detected is limited. On the other hand, even artificial light sources such as incandescent lamps emit near-infrared light. Therefore, if the number of areas where solar radiation is detected is excessively large, the area is not experiencing sunlight, but near-infrared radiation emitted from artificial light sources such as heat lamps installed indoors. It is thought to be detecting light. Therefore, the solar radiation position identification unit 116 determines whether or not the number of areas where solar radiation is detected is equal to or less than the first upper limit number, thereby identifying the area illuminated by sunlight and the artificial light source illuminated. This improves the accuracy of identifying solar radiation positions. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the intensity of near-infrared light emitted from nine mutually continuous regions E5, E6, ..., G7 including the region As is equal to or higher than the reference light intensity, The solar radiation position specifying unit 116 identifies a first region group consisting of nine areas E5, E6, . . . , G7 as a solar radiation position.

Returning to FIG. 4, the human body position specifying unit 115 determines that the temperature is above the human body temperature lower limit value and below the human body temperature upper limit value, that is, the temperature level information is set to flag information indicating "detection", and the temperature level information is set to the flag information indicating "detection" and is continuous with each other. A second region group in which the number of the plurality of regions is greater than or equal to a preset second lower limit number and less than or equal to a preset second upper limit number is identified as the position of the human body. Furthermore, when the shape of the second region group matches the human body discrimination reference shape described above, the human body position specifying unit 115 specifies the second region group as the position of the human body. For example, when the information indicating the human body discrimination reference shape indicates that it is a group of regions in which two or more and three or less regions are arranged in a straight line as described above, the human body position specifying unit 115 selects "detection". A second region group in which two or more and three or less regions set in the indicated flag information are lined up in a straight line is identified as the position of the human body. In this case, the second lower limit number is set to "2" and the second upper limit number is set to "3". In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the temperatures of two mutually continuous regions E6 and F6 that include the region Ap are greater than or equal to the lower limit of human body temperature and less than or equal to the upper limit of human body temperature, the human body position specifying unit 115 A second region group consisting of two regions E6 and F6 is specified as the position of the human body.

Returning to FIG. 4, the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 sets areas A1, A2, ..., set the amount of conditioned air sent to each of J10. Here, the "amount of conditioned air" refers to the time for sending air to areas A1, A2, ..., J10, and the amount of time per unit time for sending air to areas A1, A2, ..., J10. It corresponds to the amount determined by the product of the air volume and. Then, the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 sets the rotational speed and air volume (blow intensity) of the wind direction plate 142 for the rotation angle corresponding to each of the regions A1, A2, . . . , J10 of the wind direction plate 142. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, if the position of the human body consisting of two areas E6 and F6 is also included in the solar radiation position, the sensible temperature of the person located in the area group consisting of areas E6 and F6 will be affected by the influence of sunlight. It becomes more expensive. Then, when the operation mode information stored in the operation mode storage unit 136 indicates the cooling mode, the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 changes the air flow rate from the areas E6 and F6 by increasing the air volume of the air conditioning area AA4 including the areas E6 and F6. The sensible temperature of a person located in the area group is lowered to near the set temperature of the air conditioner 1. On the other hand, when the operation mode information stored in the operation mode storage unit 136 indicates the heating mode, the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 changes the air flow rate from the areas E6 and F6 by reducing the air volume in the air conditioning area AA4 including the areas E6 and F6. The sensible temperature of a person located in the area group is lowered to near the set temperature of the air conditioner 1.

The wind direction/air volume control unit 118 generates control information for controlling the wind direction board drive unit 141 and the ventilation fan 16 based on the wind direction/air volume information stored in the wind direction/air volume storage unit 137, and uses the generated control information. The output is directed toward the wind direction plate drive unit 141 and the blower fan 16, respectively. A wind direction setting unit in which the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 sets the direction of the wind to be sent to each of the plurality of air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, ..., AA7 based on the solar radiation position and the position of the human body; It functions as an air volume setting section that sets the air volume to be sent to each of the plurality of air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, . . . , AA7. The compressor control unit 119 generates control information for controlling the compressor 172 based on the operation mode information stored in the operation mode storage unit 136, and outputs the generated control information to the compressor 172.

Next, the air conditioner control process, solar radiation information update process, and temperature level information update process executed by the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. This air conditioner control process is started, for example, when power is turned on to the air conditioner 1 and at least the wind direction plate drive unit 141 and the blower fan 16 of the air conditioner 1 are started. Furthermore, the solar radiation information update process and the temperature level information update process are executed in parallel with the air conditioner control process. First, the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 and the human body position specifying unit 115 determine whether or not a preset wind direction/air volume setting update time has arrived, as shown in FIG. 11 (step S101). The frequency at which the wind direction/air volume setting update timing arrives is set to, for example, 10 minutes. As long as the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 and the human body position specifying unit 115 determine that the wind direction/air volume setting update time has not yet arrived (step S101: No), the process of step S101 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, assume that the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 and the human body position specifying unit 115 determine that the above-mentioned wind direction/air volume setting update time has arrived (step S101: Yes). In this case, the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 notifies the light detection control unit 113 and the solar radiation information updating unit 114 of a solar radiation information update command that instructs the solar radiation information storage unit 133 to update the solar radiation information stored therein. In addition, the human body position specifying unit 115 notifies the temperature detection control unit 111 and the temperature level information updating unit 112 of a temperature level information update command that instructs the temperature level storage unit 132 to update the temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage unit 132 (step S102). ).

Here, the solar radiation information update process and the temperature level information update process that are executed in parallel with the air conditioner control process will be described in detail. In the solar radiation information update process, as shown in FIG. 12, first, the light detection control unit 113 and the solar radiation information update unit 114 determine whether there is a notification of a solar radiation information update command (step S201). As long as the light detection control unit 113 and the solar radiation information update unit 114 determine that there is no notification of the solar radiation information update command (step S201: No), the process of step S201 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, assume that the light detection control unit 113 and the solar radiation information update unit 114 determine that there is a notification of a solar radiation information update command (step S201: Yes). In this case, the light detection control unit 113 sets the detection target position of the light detection unit 13 to the initial position (step S202). Here, when the initial position is set to area A1, for example, the light detection control unit 113 directs control information for setting the near-infrared light sensor 13a to face area A1 to the sensor orientation adjustment unit 13b. and output it. Next, the photodetection control unit 113 outputs detection request information to the photodetection unit 13 (step S203). At this time, when a detection request signal corresponding to the detection request information is input from the control unit 11, the light detection unit 13 detects the intensity of near-infrared light emitted from the area of the detection target position, and detects the detected intensity. An intensity detection signal indicating this is output to the control unit 11. Subsequently, the solar radiation information update unit 114 acquires intensity detection information indicating the intensity of near-infrared light converted from the intensity detection signal input from the light detection unit 13 (step S204).

Thereafter, the solar radiation information update unit 114 updates the solar radiation information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit 133 based on the acquired intensity detection information (step S205). Specifically, when the intensity of near-infrared light indicated by the acquired intensity detection information is equal to or higher than the reference light intensity, the solar radiation information update unit 114 changes the solar radiation information of the area of the corresponding detection target position to indicate "detection". Set in flag information. On the other hand, when the intensity of near-infrared light indicated by the acquired intensity detection information is less than the reference light intensity, the solar radiation information updating unit 114 updates the solar radiation information of the area of the corresponding detection target position with flag information indicating "non-detection". Set to . Next, the light detection control unit 113 determines whether the detection target position of the light detection unit 13 has reached a preset end position (step S206). For example, if the detection target position starts from area A1 and moves in the order of areas A2, A3, . . . and finally ends at area J10, the end position is set to area J10. Here, if the light detection control unit 113 determines that the detection target position of the light detection unit 13 has not yet reached the end position (step S206: No), it sets the detection target position to the next area (step S207). ). Specifically, the light detection control unit 113 directs the sensor orientation adjustment unit 13b to control information for setting the near-infrared light sensor 13a to face an area adjacent to the area where the intensity detection information has been acquired, for example. Output. Subsequently, the processing from step S203 onwards is executed again. On the other hand, when the light detection control unit 113 determines that the detection target position of the light detection unit 13 has reached the end position (step S206: Yes), the solar radiation information update unit 114 notifies that the solar radiation information update has been completed. A solar radiation information update completion notification is output to the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 (step S208). After that, the process of step S201 is executed again.

In the temperature level information update process, as shown in FIG. 13, first, the temperature detection control unit 111 and the temperature level information update unit 112 determine whether there is a notification of a temperature level information update command (step S301 ). As long as the temperature detection control unit 111 and the temperature level information updating unit 112 determine that there is no notification of a temperature level information update command (step S301: No), the process of step S301 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, assume that the temperature detection control unit 111 and the temperature level information updating unit 112 determine that there is a notification of a temperature level information update command (step S301: Yes). In this case, the temperature detection control unit 111 sets the detection target position of the temperature detection unit 12 to the initial position (step S302). Here, the temperature detection control unit 111 outputs control information for setting the thermal sensor 12a to face the initial position to the sensor orientation adjustment unit 12b. Next, the temperature detection control unit 111 outputs detection request information to the temperature detection unit 12 (step S303). At this time, when a detection request signal corresponding to the detection request information is input from the control unit 11, the temperature detection section 12 detects the temperature in the area of the detection target position, and sends a temperature detection signal indicating the detected temperature to the control unit 11. Output to 11. Subsequently, the temperature level information update unit 112 acquires temperature information indicating the temperature of the area of the detection target position converted from the temperature detection signal input from the photodetector 13 (step S304).

Thereafter, the temperature level information updating unit 112 updates the temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage unit 132 based on the acquired temperature information (step S305). Specifically, when the temperature indicated by the acquired temperature information is above the human body temperature lower limit and below the human body temperature upper limit, the temperature level information update unit 112 updates the temperature level information of the area of the corresponding detection target position. Set in flag information indicating "detection". On the other hand, if the temperature indicated by the acquired temperature information is less than the lower limit of human body temperature or higher than the upper limit of human body temperature, the temperature level information update unit 112 indicates that the solar radiation information of the area of the corresponding detection target position is "non-detected". Set in flag information. Next, the temperature detection control unit 111 determines whether the detection target position of the temperature detection unit 12 has reached a preset end position (step S306). Here, if the temperature detection control unit 111 determines that the detection target position of the temperature detection unit 12 has not yet reached the end position (step S306: No), it sets the detection target position to the next area (step S307). ). Subsequently, the processing from step S303 onwards is executed again. On the other hand, if the temperature detection control unit 111 determines that the detection target position of the temperature detection unit 12 has reached the end position (step S306: Yes), the temperature level information update unit 112 determines that the temperature level information update has been completed. A temperature level information update completion notification is output to the human body position specifying unit 115 (step S308). After that, the process of step S301 is executed again.

Returning to FIG. 11, after the process of step S102 is executed, the solar radiation position identifying unit 116 and the human body position identifying unit 115 determine whether there is a solar radiation information update completion notification and a temperature level information update completion notification. (Step S103). As long as the solar radiation position identifying unit 116 and the human body position identifying unit 115 determine that there is no solar radiation information update completion notification or temperature level information update completion notification yet (step S103: No), the process of step S103 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, it is assumed that the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 and the human body position specifying unit 115 determine that there is a notification of completion of solar radiation information update and a notification of completion of temperature level information update (step S103: Yes). In this case, the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 sets the determination target area for determining whether or not it is included in the solar radiation position to a preset initial area (step S104). Next, the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 refers to the solar radiation information storage unit 133 and determines whether the determination target area is set to flag information indicating “detection” (step S105). If the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 determines that the determination target area is set to flag information indicating "non-detection" (step S105: No), the process of step S108, which will be described later, is executed.

On the other hand, it is assumed that the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 determines that the determination target area is set to flag information indicating "detection" (step S105: Yes). In this case, the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 determines that the number of regions that include the determination target region and that are set in the flag information indicating mutually consecutive "detection" is greater than or equal to the first lower limit number Nsl and less than or equal to the first upper limit number Nsh. It is determined whether or not (step S106). If the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 determines that the number of regions described above is less than the first lower limit number Nsl or greater than the first upper limit number Nsh (step S106: No), the process of step S108, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 determines that the number of the above-mentioned regions is greater than or equal to the first lower limit number Nsl and less than or equal to the first upper limit number Nsh (step S106: Yes), the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 selects a region group consisting of the above-mentioned regions as a solar radiation position. (Step S107). The solar radiation position specifying unit 116 notifies the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 of solar radiation position information indicating the specified solar radiation position. Subsequently, the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 determines whether the determination target area has reached a preset end area (step S108). Here, if the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 determines that the determination target area has not reached the end area (step S108: No), the determination target area is set to the next area (step S109). Subsequently, the process of step S105 is executed again.

On the other hand, assume that the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 determines that the determination target area has reached the end area (step S108: Yes). In this case, the human body position specifying unit 115 sets the determination target area for determining whether or not the area is included in the position of the human body to a preset initial area (step S110). Thereafter, the human body position identification unit 115 refers to the temperature level storage unit 132 and determines whether the determination target area is set to flag information indicating “detection” (step S111). When the human body position specifying unit 115 determines that the determination target area is set to flag information indicating "non-detection" (step S111: No), the process of step S114, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, assume that the human body position specifying unit 115 determines that the determination target area is set to flag information indicating "detection" (step S111: Yes). In this case, the human body position specifying unit 115 determines that the number of regions that include the determination target region and that are set in the flag information indicating mutually consecutive "detection" is greater than or equal to the second lower limit number Ntl and less than or equal to the second upper limit number Nth. It is determined whether or not (step S112).

Here, if the human body position specifying unit 115 determines that the number of regions described above is less than the second lower limit number Ntl or greater than the second upper limit number Nth (step S112: No), the process of step S114, which will be described later, is executed. Ru. On the other hand, if the human body position specifying unit 115 determines that the number of the above-mentioned regions is greater than or equal to the second lower limit number Ntl and less than or equal to the second upper limit number Nth (step S112: Yes), as shown in FIG. A group of regions consisting of is specified as the position of the human body (step S113). The human body position specifying unit 115 notifies the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 of human body position information indicating the position of the specified human body. Next, the human body position specifying unit 115 determines whether the determination target area has reached a preset end area (step S114). Here, if the human body position specifying unit 115 determines that the determination target area has not reached the end area (step S114: No), the determination target area is set to the next area (step S115). Subsequently, the process of step S111 is executed again. On the other hand, assume that the human body position specifying unit 115 determines that the determination target area has reached the end area (step S114: Yes). In this case, the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 refers to the air conditioning area storage unit 135 and compares the solar radiation position and the position of the human body with each air conditioning area AA1, AA2, ..., AA7 (step S116). .

After that, the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 determines whether there is an air conditioning area (for example, air conditioning area AA4) that includes a solar radiation position and a human body position (step S117). If the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 determines that there is no air conditioning area that includes the solar radiation position and the position of the human body (step S117: No), the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 sets the amount of conditioned air to each air conditioning area AA1, AA2, ..., AA7. are set to the same amount (step S118). Next, the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, when the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 determines that there is an air conditioning area that includes the solar radiation position and the position of the human body (step S117: Yes), the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 refers to the operation mode storage unit 136 and operates the air conditioner 1. It is determined whether the mode is the cooling mode (step S119). When the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 determines that the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is the cooling mode (step S119: Yes), the amount of conditioned air to the air conditioning area AA4 including the solar radiation position and the position of the human body is set to other settings. (step S120). Here, if the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 has already set the air volume to the air conditioning area AA4, which includes the solar radiation position and the position of the human body, to be larger than the volume of conditioned air to other air conditioning areas. , keep that setting. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the solar radiation position and the position of the human body exist in the air conditioning area AA4, if the air conditioner 1 blows air to the air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, AA3, AA4, AA5, AA6, and AA7 in this order. do. In this case, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 controls the rotation speed of the wind direction plate 142 to a preset rotation speed while blowing air to the air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, and AA3, as shown in FIG. 15(A), for example. The wind direction plate drive unit 141 is controlled so that the wind direction plate 142 rotates at S0. Then, when the timing for blowing air to the air conditioning area AA4 comes, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 causes the wind direction plate 142 to rotate at a preset rotation speed S1 that is slower than the rotation speed S0. Controls the wind direction plate drive unit 141. After that, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 controls the wind direction plate drive unit 141 so that the wind direction plate 142 rotates again at the rotational speed S0 when the timing for blowing air to the air conditioning area AA5 comes. Further, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 maintains the air volume of the ventilation fan 16 at a preset air volume B0 while blowing air to the air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, and AA3, as shown in FIG. 15(B), for example. The blower fan 16 is controlled so that the Then, when the timing for blowing air to the air-conditioning area AA4 comes, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 controls the blower fan 16 so that the air volume of the fan 16 becomes an air volume B1 larger than the air volume B0. Thereafter, when the timing for blowing air to the air conditioning area AA5 comes, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 controls the blower fan 16 so that the air volume of the fan 16 becomes the air volume B0 again. In this case, the amount of conditioned air to the air conditioning area AA4 is larger than the amount of conditioned air to the air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, AA3, AA5, AA6, and AA7.
Returning to FIG. 14, the process of step S101 is then executed again.

On the other hand, if the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 determines that the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is not the cooling mode (step S119: No), it determines whether the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is the heating mode. (Step S121). When the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 determines that the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is the heating mode (step S121: Yes), it sets the amount of conditioned air to the air conditioning area AA4 including the solar radiation position and the position of the human body to other areas. (step S122). Here, the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 has already set the amount of conditioned air to the air conditioning area AA4, which includes the solar radiation position and the position of the human body, to be smaller than the amount of conditioned air to the other air conditioning areas. If so, keep that setting. In this case, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 controls the rotation speed of the wind direction plate 142 to a preset rotation speed while blowing air to the air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, and AA3, as shown in FIG. 16(A), for example. The wind direction plate drive unit 141 is controlled so that the wind direction plate 142 rotates at S0. Then, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 controls the wind direction plate 142 to rotate at a preset rotation speed S2, which is faster than the rotation speed S0, when the timing for blowing air to the air conditioning area AA4 comes. Controls the wind direction plate drive unit 141. After that, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 controls the wind direction plate drive unit 141 so that the wind direction plate 142 rotates again at the rotational speed S0 when the timing for blowing air to the air conditioning area AA5 comes. Further, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 maintains the air volume of the ventilation fan 16 at a preset air volume B0 while blowing air to the air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, and AA3, for example, as shown in FIG. 16(B). The blower fan 16 is controlled so that the Then, when the timing for blowing air to the air conditioning area AA4 comes, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 controls the blower fan 16 so that the air volume of the fan 16 becomes an air volume B2 smaller than the air volume B0. Thereafter, when the timing for blowing air to the air conditioning area AA5 comes, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 controls the blower fan 16 so that the air volume of the fan 16 becomes the air volume B0 again. In this case, the amount of conditioned air to the air conditioning area AA4 is larger than the amount of conditioned air to the air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, AA3, AA5, AA6, and AA7. Returning to FIG. 14, the process of step S101 is then executed again. On the other hand, if the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 determines that the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is the blowing mode (step S121: No), the process of step S118 is executed.

As explained above, according to the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, the solar radiation information update section 114 updates the light intensity of each of the areas A1, A2, ..., J10 detected by the light detection section 13. Based on this, solar radiation information for each of areas A1, A2, . . . , J10 is updated. Further, the temperature level information updating unit 112 updates the temperature level information of each of the areas A1, A2, . . . , J10 based on the temperatures of the areas A1, A2, . Update. Further, the solar radiation position identifying unit 116 identifies the solar radiation position indoors based on the solar radiation information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit 133, and the human body position identifying unit 115 identifies the solar radiation position in the room based on the solar radiation information stored in the temperature level storage unit 132. Based on this, the position of the human body in the room is identified. The wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 sets an appropriate wind direction and air volume for each of the areas A1, A2, ..., J10 based on the positional relationship between the solar radiation position and the position of the human body, so that the indoor environment is comfortable. can improve sex.

For example, if it is determined that there is a region group of solar radiation positions and that there is a region group corresponding to the position of the human body within the region group, there is an area As where sunlight shines into the room, and there is a person in the area As. This is a state in which a person's perceived temperature increases due to sunlight. When the air conditioner 1 is operating in the cooling mode, the air conditioner 1 estimates that the comfort of the person in the room is impaired due to a rise in the perceived temperature, and gives priority to the air conditioning area that includes the position of the person's body. sends cold air to the target. On the other hand, when the air conditioner 1 is operating in the heating mode, it is estimated that the people in the room can maintain comfort even if the volume of warm air from the air conditioner 1 is small due to an increase in the perceived temperature. Reduce the amount of air sent to the air conditioning area that includes the position of the person's body. This makes it possible to create a comfortable indoor environment.

Further, the human body position specifying unit 115 according to the present embodiment specifies the second region group as the position of the human body when the shape of the second region group matches a preset human body discrimination reference shape. Thereby, the position where a person is present in the room can be specified with high accuracy.

Furthermore, the light detection unit 13 according to the present embodiment detects light in the wavelength band of near-infrared light. Thereby, sunlight can be detected separately from light emitted from an artificial light source, so it is possible to specify the sunlight position with high accuracy.

(Embodiment 2)
In the air conditioning system according to the present embodiment, an air conditioner control unit and a control device that is separate from the air conditioner and can communicate with the air conditioner cooperate to perform air conditioner control processing. This embodiment differs from the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment in that it is executed.

The air conditioning system according to this embodiment includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, an air conditioner 2001 and a control device 2002 that can communicate with the air conditioner 2001 via a network NW. Note that in FIG. 17, the same components as in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3. The control unit 2011 includes a CPU 101, a main memory section 102, an auxiliary memory section 103, input/output interfaces 1041, 1042, output interfaces 1051, 1052, 1053, a communication section 2106, and a bus 109 that connects these to each other. , is provided. The communication unit 2106 includes a modem, a gateway, and the like, and transmits information transferred from the CPU 101 to the control device 2002 and transfers information received from the control device 2002 to the CPU 101.

By reading the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executing it, the CPU 101 controls the temperature detection control unit 111, temperature level information updating unit 112, light detection control unit 113, It functions as a solar radiation information update section 114, a temperature level information transmission section 2115, a solar radiation information transmission section 2116, a wind direction/air volume information reception section 2117, an operation mode transmission section 2118, and a compressor control section 119. Note that in FIG. 18, the same components as in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4. Further, the auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 17 includes a divided area storage unit 131, a temperature level storage unit 132, a solar radiation information storage unit 133, an operation mode storage unit 136, and a wind direction/air volume. It has a storage unit 137. Each time the temperature level information of all the areas stored in the temperature level storage unit 132 is updated by the temperature level information updating unit, the temperature level information transmitting unit 2115 transmits the updated temperature level information of each area to the control device. Send to 2002.

The solar radiation information transmitting unit 2116 transmits the updated solar radiation information of each area to the control device 2002 every time the solar radiation information of all the areas stored in the solar radiation information storage unit 133 is updated by the solar radiation information updating unit 114. do. When the wind direction/air volume information receiving unit 2117 receives the wind direction/air volume information indicating the wind direction and air volume to each of the plurality of air conditioning areas transmitted from the control device 2002, the wind direction/air volume information receiving unit 2117 stores the received wind direction/air volume information in the wind direction/air volume storage unit 137. to be memorized. The driving mode transmitting unit 2118 transmits the updated driving mode information to the control device 2002 every time the driving mode information stored in the driving mode storage unit 136 is updated.

As shown in FIG. 17, the control device 2002 includes a CPU 201, a main storage section 202, an auxiliary storage section 203, a communication section 206, and a bus 209 that connects these to each other. The main storage unit 102 is a volatile memory and is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The auxiliary storage unit 203 is a nonvolatile memory, and stores programs for the CPU 201 to execute various processes. The communication unit 206 includes a modem, a gateway, etc., and transmits information transferred from the CPU 201 to the air conditioner 2001, and transfers information received from the air conditioner 2001 to the CPU 201.

By reading the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into the main storage unit 202 and executing it, the CPU 201 operates as shown in FIG. It functions as a solar radiation position specifying section 214, a wind direction/air volume setting section 215, a wind direction/air volume information transmitting section 216, and an operation mode receiving section 217. The auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 17 also stores a temperature level storage unit 232, a solar radiation information storage unit 233, a human body information storage unit 234, an air conditioning area storage unit 235, and an operation mode storage unit 235, as shown in FIG. It has a storage section 236 and a wind direction/air volume storage section 237. The temperature level storage unit 232 stores the temperature level information of each region received from the air conditioner 2001 in association with the region identification information of each region. The solar radiation information storage unit 233 stores the solar radiation information of each region received from the air conditioner 2001 in association with the region identification information of each region. Similar to the human body information storage unit 134 according to the first embodiment, the human body information storage unit 234 stores information indicating a preset human body discrimination reference shape that is a reference for determining that the shape of the region group is a human body. remember.

Similar to the air conditioning area storage unit 135 according to the first embodiment, the air conditioning area storage unit 235 stores area identification information of areas included in each air conditioning area when the room is divided into a plurality of air conditioning areas. , is stored in association with air conditioning area identification information that identifies the air conditioning area. The operation mode storage unit 236 stores the operation mode information received from the air conditioner 2001. The wind direction/air volume storage unit 237 stores wind direction/air volume information indicating the wind direction and air volume to each of a plurality of air conditioning areas set based on the positional relationship between the solar radiation position and the position of the human body.

Upon receiving the solar radiation information from the air conditioner 2001, the solar radiation information receiving unit 213 updates the solar radiation information of each region stored in the solar radiation information storage unit 233 using the received solar radiation information. Upon receiving the temperature level information from the air conditioner 2001, the temperature level information receiving unit 211 updates the temperature level information of each region stored in the temperature level storage unit 232 using the received temperature level information. The solar radiation position specifying unit 214 refers to the solar radiation information of each region stored in the solar radiation information storage unit 233, and determines the number of regions where the intensity of near-infrared light is equal to or higher than the above-mentioned reference light intensity and which are continuous with each other. , a first region group that is equal to or greater than a preset first lower limit number and equal to or less than a preset first upper limit number is identified as a solar radiation position. The human body position specifying unit 212 refers to the temperature level information of each area stored in the temperature level storage unit 232, and identifies a plurality of consecutive areas where the temperature is equal to or higher than the human body temperature lower limit value and lower than the human body temperature upper limit value. A second region group in which the number of regions is greater than or equal to a preset second lower limit number and less than or equal to a preset second upper limit number is identified as the position of the human body.

When the operating mode receiving unit 217 receives the operating mode information transmitted from the air conditioner 2001, the operating mode receiving unit 217 stores the received operating mode information in the operating mode storage unit 236. The wind direction/air volume setting unit 215 is based on the solar radiation position specified by the solar radiation position identification unit 214, the position of the human body specified by the human body position identification unit 212, and the driving mode information stored in the driving mode storage unit 236. to set the volume of air sent to each air conditioning area. The wind direction/air volume setting unit 215 causes the wind direction/air volume storage unit 237 to store wind direction/air volume information indicating the set wind direction and air volume. The air volume transmitting unit 216 transmits the wind direction/air volume information stored in the wind direction/air volume storage unit 237 to the air conditioner 2001.

Next, the air conditioner control process executed by the control device 2002 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 19. This air conditioner control process is started, for example, when the control device 2002 is powered on. Note that in FIG. 19, processes similar to the air conditioner control process according to Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 11. First, the solar radiation position specifying unit 214 and the human body position specifying unit 212 determine whether a preset wind direction/air volume setting update time has arrived (step S101). The frequency at which the wind direction/air volume setting update timing arrives is set to, for example, 10 minutes. As long as the solar radiation position specifying unit 214 and the human body position specifying unit 212 determine that the wind direction/air volume setting update time has not yet arrived (step S101: No), the process of step S101 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, assume that the solar radiation position specifying unit 214 and the human body position specifying unit 212 determine that the above-mentioned wind direction/air volume setting update time has arrived (step S101: Yes). In this case, the solar radiation position specifying unit 214 transmits solar radiation information update command information to the air conditioner 2001 instructing the air conditioner 2001 to update the solar radiation information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit 133. In addition, the human body position specifying unit 212 transmits temperature level information update command information to the air conditioner 2001, which instructs the air conditioner 2001 to update the temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage unit 132 (step S2102). ).

Here, the solar radiation information update process and the temperature level information update process executed by the air conditioner 2001 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. Note that in FIGS. 20 and 21, processes similar to the solar radiation information update process and temperature level information update process according to Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 12 and 13. This air conditioner control process is started, for example, when power is turned on to the air conditioner 1 and at least the wind direction plate drive unit 141 and the blower fan 16 of the air conditioner 1 are started. In the solar radiation information update process, as shown in FIG. 20, first, the light detection control unit 113 and the solar radiation information update unit 114 determine whether or not solar radiation information update command information has been received from the control device 2002 (step S2201). As long as the light detection control unit 113 and the solar radiation information update unit 114 determine that the solar radiation information update command information has not been received (step S2201: No), the process of step S2201 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, assume that the light detection control unit 113 and the solar radiation information update unit 114 determine that the solar radiation information update command information has been received (step S2201: Yes). In this case, a series of processes from steps S203 to S205 are executed. Next, the light detection control unit 113 determines whether the detection target position of the light detection unit 13 has reached a preset end position (step S206). Here, if the light detection control unit 113 determines that the detection target position of the light detection unit 13 has not yet reached the end position (step S206: No), it sets the detection target position to the next area (step S207). ). On the other hand, if the light detection control unit 113 determines that the detection target position of the light detection unit 13 has reached the end position (step S206: Yes), the solar radiation information transmission unit 2116 transmits the updated information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit 133. The solar radiation information is transmitted to the control device 2001 (step S2208). After that, the process of step S2201 is executed again.

In addition, in the temperature level information update process, as shown in FIG. ). As long as the temperature detection control unit 111 and the temperature level information update unit 112 determine that the temperature level information update command information has not been received (step S2301: No), the process of step S2301 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, it is assumed that the temperature detection control unit 111 and the temperature level information updating unit 112 determine that the temperature level information update command information has been received (step S2301: Yes). In this case, a series of processes from steps S302 to S305 are executed. Next, the temperature detection control unit 111 determines whether the detection target position of the temperature detection unit 12 has reached a preset end position (step S306). Here, if the temperature detection control unit 111 determines that the detection target position of the temperature detection unit 12 has not yet reached the end position (step S306: No), it sets the detection target position to the next area (step S307). ). Subsequently, the processing from step S303 onwards is executed again. On the other hand, when the temperature detection control unit 111 determines that the detection target position of the temperature detection unit 12 has reached the end position (step S306: Yes), the temperature level information transmission unit 2115 updates the temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage unit 132. The subsequent temperature level information is transmitted to the control device 2001 (step S2308). After that, the process of step S2301 is executed again.

Returning to FIG. 19, after the process of step S2102 is executed, the solar radiation information receiving unit 213 and the temperature level information receiving unit 211 determine whether solar radiation information and temperature level information have been received (step S2103). As long as the solar radiation information receiving unit 213 determines that the solar radiation information is not received or the temperature level information receiving unit 211 determines that the temperature level information is not received (step S2103: No), the process of step S2103 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, assume that the solar radiation information receiving unit 213 and the temperature level information receiving unit 211 determine that the solar radiation information and temperature level information have been received (step S2103: Yes). In this case, a series of processes starting from step S104 are executed.

As explained above, according to the air conditioning system according to this embodiment, the function of the control unit 2011 of the air conditioner 2001 can be simplified. Therefore, the variations of the air conditioner 2001 that can be applied to the air conditioning unit according to the present embodiment can be expanded, and the degree of freedom in the configuration of the air conditioning system can be increased.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the photodetector 13 may detect light in a wavelength band of near-ultraviolet light. As shown in FIG. 2, the wavelength band of near-ultraviolet light is included in the wavelength band of sunlight (300 nm or more and 3000 nm or less), and is a wavelength band of 200 nm or more and 380 nm or less. On the other hand, the light emitted from artificial light sources such as fluorescent lamps and LED lamps used in indoor lighting equipment includes light with wavelengths within the visible light wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm, but near-ultraviolet light Light in the optical wavelength band is not included. Therefore, by detecting near-ultraviolet light using the light detection unit 13, sunlight can be detected separately from light emitted from an artificial light source.

In each embodiment, even if the position of the human body is not included in the solar radiation position, when it is assumed that a person will soon enter the room, the amount of wind to the air conditioning area including the solar radiation position is adjusted. The volume of wind flowing to other air-conditioning areas may be greater than the volume of wind flowing to other air-conditioning areas, or the volume of wind flowing to air-conditioning areas including solar radiation positions may be smaller than the volume of wind flowing to other air-conditioning areas. .

In each actual embodiment, an example has been described in which the size of the unit area where the light detection section 13 detects light and the size of the unit area where the temperature detection section 12 detects temperature, that is, the detection particle size are the same. However, the particle size detected by the photodetector 13 and the particle size detected by the temperature detector 12 are not necessarily limited to being the same. For example, the detection particle size of the temperature detection section 12 may be smaller than the detection particle size of the light detection section 13.

In each embodiment, the temperature detection section 12 may include a plurality of thermal sensors arranged in a matrix. In this case, each of the plurality of thermal sensors may simultaneously detect the temperature of each of the plurality of regions.

In each embodiment, an example has been described in which the wind direction/air volume setting unit 117 sends conditioned air to all of the air conditioning areas AA1, AA2, ..., AA7. Conditioned air may be set to be sent only to the air conditioning area (for example, air conditioning area A44) that includes the location.

In each embodiment, when the air conditioner 1 or 2001 operates in the cooling mode when the position of the human body is included in the solar radiation position, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 blows air to the air conditioning area that includes the solar radiation position. At this time, the scanning speed of the wind direction plate 142 may be lowered compared to the case where air is blown to other air conditioning areas while keeping the air volume the same as that of other air conditioning areas. In addition, when the air conditioner 1, 2001 operates in heating mode when the position of the human body is included in the solar radiation position, when blowing air to the air conditioning area that includes the solar radiation position, the air volume is set to be the same as that of other air conditioning areas. However, the scanning speed of the wind direction plate 142 may be increased compared to when blowing air to other air conditioning areas.

Alternatively, when the air conditioner 1, 2001 includes the position of the human body in the solar radiation position, when operating in cooling mode, it blows air only to the air conditioning area that includes the solar radiation position, and when operating in heating mode, it blows air only to the air conditioning area that includes the solar radiation position. Air may not be blown only to the air-conditioned area containing the air conditioner. When the air conditioner 1, 2001 is equipped with an opening/closing slot or a louver (not shown) that opens and closes the air outlet 15b, for example, the wind direction/air volume control unit 118 keeps the air volume of the blower fan 16 constant and blows the air. The air conditioning area to which air is to be blown may be selected by adjusting the opening/closing slot or the opening degree of the louver for each conditioning area.

In each embodiment, the human body position specifying unit 115 sets the temperature level information to flag information indicating "detection" and the number of mutually continuous regions is greater than or equal to the second lower limit number and less than or equal to the second upper limit number. An example in which the second region group is specified as the position of the human body has been described. However, the method for specifying the position of the human body is not limited to this. For example, the human body position specifying unit 115 first acquires a thermal image indicating temperature information in the room R, and determines one target pixel from the thermal image. Next, the human body position specifying unit 115 calculates the temperature difference between the temperature of one target pixel and the temperatures of eight pixels adjacent to the pixel on the left, right, top, bottom, and diagonal. Then, if the calculated temperature difference is within the threshold, the human body position specifying unit 115 extracts the target pixel as a candidate pixel that is a candidate for a pixel corresponding to the human body. Then, when a preset number of extracted candidate pixels exist together, the human body position specifying unit 115 determines whether or not this group of candidate pixels has a preset shape of a human body. . If the group of candidate pixels has the shape of a human body and has a temperature close to that of the human body, the human body position specifying unit 115 estimates this group of candidate pixels to be a pixel group corresponding to the human body.

In each embodiment, each time the above-mentioned wind direction/air volume setting update time arrives, the solar radiation position identifying unit 116 notifies the light detection control unit 113 and the solar radiation information updating unit 114 of a solar radiation information update command, and identifies the human body position. An example has been described in which the unit 115 notifies the temperature detection control unit 111 and the temperature level information update unit 112 of a temperature level information update command. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the solar radiation position specifying unit 116 notifies the light detection control unit 113 and the solar radiation information updating unit 114 of a solar radiation information update command at a cycle longer than the arrival cycle of the wind direction/air volume setting update timing. You can do it like this. This is based on the fact that since the solar radiation position does not change rapidly compared to the position of the human body, the frequency of updating the solar radiation information may be reduced.

Further, various functions of the control units 11 and 2011 and the control device 2002 of the air conditioners 1 and 2001 according to the present disclosure may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. In this case, the software or firmware is written as a program, and the program is stored on a computer-readable disk such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and MO (Magneto-Optical Disc). By storing and distributing the program in a recording medium, reading the program into the computer, and installing the program, a computer capable of realizing each of the above-mentioned functions may be configured. When each function is realized by sharing between an OS (Operating System) and an application, or by cooperation between the OS and an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored in the recording medium.

Furthermore, it is also possible to superimpose each program on a carrier wave and distribute it via a network. For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS, Bulletin Board System) on a network and distributed via the network. The above-described process may be executed by starting these programs and executing them under the control of the OS in the same way as other application programs.

The present disclosure is suitable for an air conditioner installed in a room where sunlight shines, and an air conditioning system using the air conditioner.

1,2001 air conditioner, 11,2011 control unit, 12 temperature detection section, 12a heat sensor, 12b, 13b sensor orientation adjustment section, 13 light detection section, 13a near-infrared light sensor, 15 housing, 15a suction port, 15b air outlet, 16 blower fan, 101,201 CPU, 102,202 main memory section, 103,203 auxiliary memory section, 109,209 bus, 111 temperature detection control section, 112 temperature level information update section, 113 light detection control section , 114 Solar radiation information update unit, 115,212 Human body position identification unit, 116,214 Solar radiation position identification unit, 117,215 Wind direction/air volume setting unit, 118 Wind direction/air volume control unit, 131 Divided area storage unit, 132,232 Temperature level Storage unit, 133,233 Solar radiation information storage unit, 134,234 Human body information storage unit, 135,235 Air conditioning area storage unit, 136,236 Operation mode storage unit, 137,237 Wind direction/air volume storage unit, 141 Wind direction plate drive unit , 142 wind direction plate, 171 heat exchanger, 206, 2106 communication section, 211 temperature level information reception section, 213 solar radiation information reception section, 216 wind direction/air volume information transmission section, 217 operation mode reception section, 1041, 1042 input/output interface, 1051, 1052, 1053 Output interface, NW network, R room, W window

Claims (10)

Solar radiation information reflecting the intensity of light in a first wavelength band excluding the wavelength band of visible light included in light incident from each of a plurality of preset areas in the room corresponds to area identification information of each of the plurality of areas. a solar radiation information storage unit that stores the
a temperature level storage unit that stores temperature level information reflecting the temperature of each of the plurality of regions in association with region identification information of each of the plurality of regions;
a light detection unit that detects the intensity of light in the first wavelength band included in light incident from each of the plurality of regions;
a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each of the plurality of regions by detecting light in a second wavelength band on a longer wavelength side than the first wavelength band emitted from each of the plurality of regions;
a solar radiation information updating unit that updates solar radiation information for each of the plurality of regions based on the light intensity of each of the plurality of regions detected by the light detection unit;
a temperature level information updating unit that updates temperature level information for each of the plurality of regions based on the temperature of each of the plurality of regions detected by the temperature detection unit;
a solar radiation position identifying unit that identifies a solar radiation position in the room based on solar radiation information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit;
a human body position identifying unit that identifies the position of the human body in the room based on temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage unit;
a wind direction setting unit that sets the direction of wind to be sent to each of the plurality of regions based on the solar radiation position and the position of the human body;
Air conditioner. The solar radiation position specifying unit is configured such that the intensity of light in the first wavelength band is equal to or higher than a preset reference light intensity, and the number of mutually continuous regions is greater than or equal to a first lower limit number and less than or equal to a first upper limit number. identifying a first region group as the solar radiation position;
The air conditioner according to claim 1. The human body position specifying unit is configured such that the number of the plurality of regions where the temperature is greater than or equal to a preset human body temperature lower limit and less than or equal to a preset human body temperature upper limit and that are continuous with each other is greater than or equal to a second lower limit number and a second upper limit number. identifying the following second region group as the position of the human body;
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2. The human body position specifying unit further specifies the second region group as the position of the human body when the shape of the second region group matches a preset human body discrimination reference shape.
The air conditioner according to claim 3. The first wavelength band is a wavelength band of near-infrared light,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4. further comprising an air volume setting unit that sets an air volume to be sent to each of the plurality of regions based on the solar radiation position and the position of the human body;
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5. a light detection unit that detects the intensity of light in a first wavelength band excluding the wavelength band of visible light contained in light incident from each of a plurality of preset areas in a room; an air conditioner comprising: a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each of the plurality of regions by detecting light in a second wavelength band on the longer wavelength side than the first wavelength band;
A control device that controls the air conditioner,
The control device includes:
a solar radiation information storage unit that stores solar radiation information that reflects the intensity of light in the first wavelength band included in light incident from each of the plurality of regions in association with area identification information of each of the plurality of regions;
a temperature level storage unit that stores temperature level information reflecting the temperature of each of the plurality of regions in association with region identification information of each of the plurality of regions;
a solar radiation information updating unit that updates solar radiation information for each of the plurality of regions based on the light intensity of each of the plurality of regions detected by the light detection unit;
a temperature level information updating unit that updates temperature level information for each of the plurality of regions based on the temperature of each of the plurality of regions detected by the temperature detection unit;
a solar radiation position identifying unit that identifies a solar radiation position in the room based on solar radiation information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit;
a human body position identifying unit that identifies the position of the human body in the room based on temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage unit;
a wind direction setting unit that sets the direction of wind to be sent to each of the plurality of regions based on the solar radiation position and the position of the human body;
air conditioning system. a light detection unit that detects the intensity of light in a first wavelength band excluding the wavelength band of visible light contained in light incident from each of a plurality of preset areas in a room; A control device for controlling an air conditioner, comprising: a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each of the plurality of regions by detecting light in a second wavelength band on the longer wavelength side than the first wavelength band,
a solar radiation information storage unit that stores solar radiation information that reflects the intensity of light in the first wavelength band included in light incident from each of the plurality of regions in association with area identification information of each of the plurality of regions;
a temperature level storage unit that stores temperature level information reflecting the temperature of each of the plurality of regions in association with region identification information of each of the plurality of regions;
a solar radiation information updating unit that updates solar radiation information for each of the plurality of regions based on the light intensity of each of the plurality of regions detected by the light detection unit;
a temperature level information updating unit that updates temperature level information of each of the plurality of regions stored in the temperature level storage unit based on the temperature of each of the plurality of regions detected by the temperature detection unit;
a solar radiation position identifying unit that identifies a solar radiation position in the room based on solar radiation information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit;
a human body position identifying unit that identifies the position of the human body in the room based on temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage unit;
a wind direction setting unit that sets the direction of wind to be sent to each of the plurality of regions based on the solar radiation position and the position of the human body;
Control device. The control device transmits solar radiation information that reflects the intensity of light in a first wavelength band excluding the wavelength band of visible light included in light incident from each of a plurality of preset areas in the room to each of the plurality of areas. a step of storing the solar radiation information storage unit in association with the identification information;
a step in which the control device stores temperature level information reflecting the temperature of each of the plurality of regions in a temperature level storage unit in association with region identification information of each of the plurality of regions;
The control device detects the solar radiation based on the light intensity of each of the plurality of regions detected by a light detection unit that detects the intensity of light in the first wavelength band included in the light incident from each of the plurality of regions. updating solar radiation information for each of the plurality of areas stored in the information storage unit;
The control device includes a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each of the plurality of regions by detecting light in a second wavelength band on a longer wavelength side than the first wavelength band emitted from each of the plurality of regions. updating temperature level information of each of the plurality of regions stored in the temperature level storage unit based on the detected temperature of each of the plurality of regions;
a step in which the control device specifies a solar radiation position in the room based on solar radiation information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit;
the control device identifying the position of the human body in the room based on temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage unit;
the control device setting a direction of wind to be sent from the air conditioner to each of the plurality of regions based on the solar radiation position and the position of the human body;
Air conditioner control method. computer,
Solar radiation information reflecting the intensity of light in a first wavelength band excluding the wavelength band of visible light included in light incident from each of a plurality of preset areas in the room corresponds to area identification information of each of the plurality of areas. a solar radiation information storage unit that stores the
a temperature level storage unit that stores temperature level information reflecting the temperature of each of the plurality of regions in association with region identification information of each of the plurality of regions;
The solar radiation information storage section stores information based on the light intensity of each of the plurality of regions detected by a light detection section that detects the intensity of light in the first wavelength band included in light incident from each of the plurality of regions. a solar radiation information update unit that updates solar radiation information for each of the plurality of regions;
The plurality of temperatures detected by the temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each of the plurality of regions by detecting light in a second wavelength band on the longer wavelength side than the first wavelength band emitted from each of the plurality of regions. a temperature level information updating unit that updates temperature level information of each of the plurality of regions stored in the temperature level storage unit based on the temperature of each of the regions;
a solar radiation position identifying unit that identifies a solar radiation position in the room based on solar radiation information stored in the solar radiation information storage unit;
a human body position identifying unit that identifies the position of the human body in the room based on temperature level information stored in the temperature level storage unit;
a wind direction setting unit that sets the direction of wind to be sent to each of the plurality of regions based on the solar radiation position and the position of the human body;
A program to function as

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