JPH01239334A - Spot airconditioner equipped with person-following device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an spot air condition equipped with a person following which subdivides a detection region, by changing the direction of detection region of person detection means based on a detection direction change means, and allowing said person detection means to detect the presence of people at that time within the detection region. CONSTITUTION:A first ultrasonic sensor C1, and a second ultrasonic sensor C2, which are means designed for detecting the pressure of people are fixedly installed to the upper surface of the end of a cooled-air outlet duct 3. The respective sensors C1, and C2 are based on an ultrasonic pulse system, and are capable of detecting the presence of people respectively within a first detection region Z1, and a second detection region Z2, each of which has directivity. The detection regions Z1 and Z2 detected by both the sensors C1 and C2 are partially overlapped, and thereby form a third detection region Z3. The drive of a motor 3 rotates the cooled-air outlet duct 3 and the sensors C1 and C2 right and left in an integral motion, and change the direction of detection. A controller 13 judges the presence of people within the respective detection regions Z1, Z2 and Z3 based on the detection signals transmitted from the sensors C1 and C2. When only the sensor 2 detects the presence of people M, the duct 3 is designed to rotate. On the other hand, when the both sensors detect the presence of the people M, the drive motor 7 is designed to rotate, thereby directing the duct 3 at the people M with accuracy.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention includes a person-following device and the device, and changes and controls the blowing direction of cold air or hot air in synchronization with the detected movement of the person, and locally This relates to a spot air conditioner that performs heating and cooling.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in local air conditioning using a spot air conditioner, air conditioning and heating using a fixed wind blowing duct, cooling by swinging a cold air blowing duct, and the method disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-9155 have been proposed. As shown in Figure 2, intermittent cooling with cold air has been performed by changing the direction of the opening that blows cold air two-dimensionally.

However, in the case of a fixed air outlet duct, it is effective for work in a fixed position where the worker does not move, but in mobile work, whenever the worker moves around and moves out of the air conditioning range, the worker must It was troublesome as it was necessary to change the direction. In addition, in the method shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-9155, cold air is blown out regardless of the position of the person.
Particularly in workplaces and the like in extremely hot environments, there is a problem in that the feeling of cooling is insufficient.

In order to solve the above problems, the applicant first filed a patent application
In No. 2-189667, a pair of ultrasonic sensors for detecting a person within a predetermined detection area are fixedly installed on the spot cooler body, and the detection areas are set to have an area where they overlap each other. 3 when the sensor detects a person and when both sensors detect a person
We are proposing a system in which the cold air outlet can be rotated in the direction of the street.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention 1] However, in the method proposed above, the ultrasonic sensor is fixed to the spot cooler body and the number of detection areas is limited. It is not possible to accurately aim the air conditioner, and depending on the position of the person within the detection area, it may not be possible to obtain a sufficient cooling sensation.

In order to solve this problem, it is possible to increase the number of ultrasonic sensors, subdivide the detection area, and aim the cold air outlet toward the person accurately, but increasing the number of sensors makes the structure complicated. There are other problems, and if the number of sensors is large, it takes time to detect the position of the person, and there is also the problem that the rotation of the cold air outlet is delayed after a large amount of movement.

This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a human tracking device that can subdivide the detection area by changing the detection direction of the human detecting means and has a simple structure. In addition, it is equipped with a human tracking device that rotates the wind outlet without delaying the movement of the person.
To provide a spot air conditioner capable of always accurately blowing cold air or hot air onto a person to improve the feeling of cooling or heating.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes an interpersonal detection means that includes a predetermined directional detection area and detects a person within the detection area, and a detection method of the interpersonal detection means. A detection direction changing means for changing the direction of the area, and a direction change control means for controlling the detection direction changing means to direct the direction of the detection area of the interpersonal detection means toward the person based on a detection signal from the interpersonal detection means. ing.

The spot air II i includes an air outlet rotatably provided on the spot air conditioner body for blowing out cold air or hot air, an air outlet rotating means for rotating the air outlet, and a detection means for detecting the person. a direction change control means for controlling the detection direction changing means to change the direction of the area in synchronization with the air outlet; and a direction change control means for controlling the air outlet rotation means based on a detection signal of the person detection means to change the direction of the area in synchronization with the air outlet; and an air outlet rotation control means for controlling the direction of the air outlet in the detection direction in which the detection means detects a person.

Further, in this spot air conditioner, the human detection means is two sensors fixedly installed at the air outlet, and the two sensors are provided so that their detection areas overlap with each other, and the two sensors are provided so that their detection areas overlap with each other. The means controls the air outlet rotation means so that both of the two sensors detect a person.
The air outlet is configured to change the direction of the air outlet.

[Operation] By employing the above configuration, in the interpersonal tracking device of the present invention, the direction of the detection area of the interpersonal detection means is changed by the detection direction changing means, and the interpersonal detection means changes the direction of the detection area within the detection area at that time. Detect people. direction change side ti
The l1 means controls the detection direction changing means based on the detection signal from the interpersonal detection means to change the direction of the detection area of the interpersonal detection means to face the person.

In the above-mentioned spot vacuum cleaner equipped with the human tracking device, the detection direction changing means is controlled by the direction change control means, and the direction of the detection area of the human detecting means is changed in synchronization with the air outlet. The outlet rotation control means controls the outlet rotation means based on the person detection signal from the person detection means, and controls the direction of the outlet in the direction in which the person detection means detects the person.

The outlet rotation control means controls the outlet rotation means to control the direction of the outlet so that both of the two sensors, which are provided so that the detection areas overlap with each other, detect a person. The air outlet is oriented precisely towards the person.

[Embodiment] An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a spot cooler as a spot air conditioner will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cold air blowing duct 3 serving as a blowing outlet is supported at the center of the front upper part of the box-shaped Tara main body 2 of the spot cooler 1 so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction.

First and second ultrasonic sensors C1 and C2 as interpersonal detection means are fixedly installed on the upper surface of the tip of this cold air blowing duct 3, and the first ultrasonic sensor C1 is located diagonally to the left front (first 4), and the second ultrasonic sensor C2 is directed obliquely to the right front (downward in FIG. 4) in the horizontal plane. Each ultrasonic sensor C1,
Each of C2 is an ultrasonic pulse type sensor, and is composed of an ultrasonic transceiver that emits ultrasonic waves and receives the reflected waves. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, this first ultrasonic sensor C1 has a directional first detection area Z.
The second ultrasonic sensor C2 can detect a person within a second directional detection area Z2.

The detection areas ZiZ2 by both sensors C1 and C2 partially overlap, and this overlapping area is defined as a third detection area Z3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base of the cold air blowing duct 3 is connected to a mounting tube 5 that is rotatably supported in the left-right direction by a support shaft 4 within the Tara main body 2. As shown in FIG. A rotating member 6 is fixedly installed on the inner surface of the mounting tube 5, and this rotating member 6 serves as an air outlet rotating means and a detection direction changing means for changing the direction of the detection area of the ultrasonic sensors C1 and C2. motor 7
It is connected via a link member 10 to a drive arm 9 of a reduction gear device 8 that decelerates and outputs the rotation of the motor.

When the drive motor 7 is driven, the rotational force reduced by the speed reducer 8 is transferred to the drive arm 9. It is transmitted to the mounting tube 5 via the link member IO, and the cold air blowing duct 3 and the ultrasonic sensors C1 and C2 are rotated together in the left-right direction. That is, the ultrasonic sensors C1 and C2 are rotated in synchronization with the cold air blowing duct 3, and their detection directions are changed.

As shown in FIG. 1, a fan switch 11 and a follow-up switch 12 are arranged at the upper front of the Tara main body 2. This fan switch 11 starts the drive control of the refrigeration cycle compressor 14 (see Fig. 3) installed in the spot cooler 1 and the drive control of the evaporator fan 15 (see Fig. 3), and starts the drive control of the evaporator fan 15 (see Fig. 3) from the cold air blowing duct 3. This is a switch to blow out cold air. Further, the follow-up switch 12 is a switch for starting rotation control of the cold air blowing duct 3 based on the detection of a person by each sensor CL C2.

Next, the electrical configuration of the person-following device of the spot cooler I configured as described above will be explained with reference to FIG.

The controller 13 as an outlet rotation control means and a direction change control means includes the first and second ultrasonic sensors C1.
, C2 are connected, and detection signals from the respective sensors C1 and C2 are input.

Further, the fan switch 11 and follow-up switch 12 are connected to the controller 13, and operation signals are input from each switch 11.12. Furthermore, the drive motor 7 , a refrigeration cycle compressor 14 , and an evaporator fan 15 are connected to the controller 13 .

Then, the controller 13 drives and controls the compressor 14 and the evaporator fan 15 based on the operation signal of the fan switch 11, blows out cold air from the cold air blowing duct 3, and also controls the drive of the compressor 14 and the evaporator fan 15 based on the operation signal of the following switch 12. The drive motor 7 is driven to open the cold air blowing duct 3.
It is designed to make a swinging motion.

Further, the controller 13 is adapted to determine whether or not there is a person in each of the detection areas Zl, Z2, Z3 based on the detection signals of the sensors C1, C2.

For example, when a person M is detected by only the ultrasonic sensor C2 as shown in FIG.
When the person M is detected by both sensors C1 and C2 as shown in FIG. 5, the drive motor 7 is stopped based on the detection signal, and the cold air blowing duct is 3 can be accurately aimed at Person M and blow cold air onto him.

Next, the operation of the spot cooler 1 configured as described above will be explained based on FIG. 6.

When the fan switch 11 is turned on, the controller 13 drives the compressor 14 and the evaporator fan 15 to blow out cold air from the cold air blowing duct 3. Further, when the follow-up switch 12 is turned on, the controller 13 executes the following operations based on the input signals from both sensors C1 and C2.

First, if both the first ultrasonic sensor C1 and the second ultrasonic sensor C2 do not detect a person, the controller 13 determines that there is no person in any of the detection areas 71 to Z3, and the controller 13 controls the drive motor 7. The drive is started to swing the cold air blowing duct 3.

When a worker is detected only by the first ultrasonic sensor C1 as the cold air blowing duct 3 rotates, the controller 13 determines that there is a person in the first detection area Z1 and starts the drive motor 7. Drive the cold air blowing duct 3 to the sensor C1
Rotate it to the side. Further, when a person is detected only by the second ultrasonic sensor C2, the controller 13 determines that there is a person in the second detection area Z2, and drives the drive motor 7 to move the cold air blowing duct 3 to the sensor C2. Rotate it to the side.

When both sensors C1 and C2 detect a person due to rotation of the cold air blowing duct 3 toward the sensor C1 side or the sensor C2 side, the controller 13 determines that there is a person in the third detection area Z3. The drive motor 7 is stopped, and the rotation of the cold air blowing duct 3 is stopped.

As a result, even if the worker moves within the workplace, the cold air blowing duct 3 rotates to follow the worker's movement.

As described above, in this embodiment, 1. Cold air blowing duct 3
At the same time, the two ultrasonic sensors C1 and C2 are rotated, and both sensors C1 and C2 detect the direction in which a person is present, and when both sensors C1 and C2 detect a person, the cold air blowing duct 3 is moved to that rotation position. Since the machine is made to stop and blow out cold air, even if the worker needs to move, the cold air blowing duct 3 follows the worker's movement without delay, and always accurately hits the worker with cold air. It is possible to improve the cooling window and improve the working environment.

In this embodiment, two ultrasonic sensors C1 and C2 are fixedly installed in the cold air blowing duct 3, and the cold air blowing duct 3 and the Ryokawa sonic sensors C1 and C2 are rotated together by one drive motor 7. Therefore, there is no need to provide separate drive motors, and the structure can be simple, and the rotation of the cold air blowing duct 3 can be easily controlled.

In addition, in the above embodiment, it was carried out on the spot cooler 1, but
The present invention may be implemented in a spot air conditioner that can switch between cold air and hot air by switching a switch, a spot hot air fan that blows out warm air, and the like.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the ultrasonic sensors C1 and C2 were fixedly installed on the upper surface of the tip of the cold air blowing duct 3, but as shown in FIG. You can do it like this.

Further, in the above embodiment, the ultrasonic sensors C1 and C2 are fixedly installed in the cold air blowing duct 3, but they may be rotatably installed in the cold air blowing duct 3 or the cooler main body 2. In this case, a separate drive motor and drive mechanism may be provided to rotate both sensors C1 and C2 in synchronization with the cold air blowing duct 3.

Further, in the above embodiment, the human detection means is of an ultrasonic pulse type, but an infrared sensor may also be used.

Further, in the embodiment described above, an example was described in which the rotational control of the cold air blowing duct 3 in the spot cooler I was implemented, but it may also be implemented in a radiant heater 17 as shown in FIG. That is, a heater main body 18 having a heating element 19 is rotatably provided on the pedestal 20 via a drive mechanism section 21 serving as a detection direction changing means that includes a motor (not shown) or the like. The ultrasonic sensors C1 and C2 are fixedly installed on the upper part of the heater main body 18, and both sensors C1 and C2
is rotated together with the heater main body 18 by the operation of the drive mechanism section 21.

In this example as well, when the worker needs to move the heater, he or she can move the heater body without delay.
B can be accurately tracked to keep workers warm at all times.
It is possible to improve the feeling of heating and improve the working environment.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, the present invention may be embodied in a security camera 22 attached to a ceiling (or wall) or the like via a drive mechanism section 23 as a detection direction changing means.

In this example, ultrasonic sensors C1 are provided on both sides of the body 24.
, C2 are fixedly installed, and both sensors C1 and C2 are rotated together with the body 24 by the operation of the drive mechanism section 23.

In this example, the security camera 22 can accurately follow the movement of the person and constantly monitor the person.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the human tracking device of the present invention, the detection area can be subdivided by changing the detection direction of the human detecting means, and the structure can be simplified. . The spot air conditioner equipped with this person-tracking device rotates the air outlet without delaying the movement of the person, and always accurately blows cold or warm air toward the person, improving the feeling of cooling or heating. be able to. Further, the detection area is provided so as to have an area overlapping with each other, two sensors are provided, and the air outlet rotation control means controls the air outlet rotation means so that both sensors detect a person. By configuring the device to change the direction of the air outlet, there is an effect that the air outlet can be reliably directed toward the person.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention as a spot cooler as a spot air conditioner, Fig. 2 is a view showing a rotating mechanism of a cold air blowing duct, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the spot cooler as a spot air conditioner. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the spot cooler, Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the operating state of the spot cooler, and Fig. 6 is an electrical block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the tracking device. A flowchart for explaining the method, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the installation method of the ultrasonic sensor when the ultrasonic sensor is installed sideways, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention in a radiant heater, and FIG. It is a perspective view showing an example embodied in a security camera. In the figure, 1 is a spot cooler, 2 is a cooler main body, 3 is a duct for blowing cold air as an outlet, 7 is a drive motor as an outlet rotation means and a detection direction changing means, 13 is a direction change control means and an outlet A controller as a rotation control means, 17 a radiant heater, 22 a security camera, C1 a first ultrasonic sensor as an interpersonal detection means, C2 a second ultrasonic sensor as an interpersonal detection means, M a person, Zl, Z2
゜Z3 is a detection area. Patent applicant Nippondenso Co., Ltd. Agent
Patent Attorney On 1) Hironobu Figure 2 Figure 3 □□Half 7 □10... □□□□□□□□] Figure 4 4 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An interpersonal detection means that includes a predetermined detection area with unidirectionality and detects a person within the detection area; a detection direction changing means that changes the direction of the detection area of the interpersonal detection means; and a direction change control means for controlling the detection direction change means to direct the detection area of the person detection means toward the person based on the detection signal from the person detection means. A two-spot air conditioner is equipped with a rotatable outlet for blowing out cold air or hot air, an outlet rotating means for rotating the outlet, and a predetermined directional detection area. interpersonal detection means for detecting a person within a detection area; detection direction changing means for changing the direction of the detection area of the interpersonal detection means; and changing the direction of the detection area of the interpersonal detection means in synchronization with the air outlet. a direction change control means for controlling the detection direction change means so as to control the air outlet rotating means based on a detection signal of the interpersonal detection means to move the air outlet in the detection direction in which the human detection means detects a person; 1. A spot air conditioner equipped with an interpersonal tracking device, characterized in that it is equipped with an outlet rotation control means for controlling the direction of the air outlet. 3. The interpersonal detection means is two sensors fixed to the air outlet, and the two sensors are provided so that their detection areas overlap with each other, and the air outlet rotation control means 3. A spot air conditioner equipped with a person tracking device according to claim 2, wherein the air outlet rotating means is controlled to change the direction of the air outlet so that both of the two sensors detect a person. .