JPH05312373A - Operation controller for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve comfortableness of a resident by air conditioning by estimating a temperature of the air of a residence area based on a surface temperature of a utensil and a time change rate of the temperature, and control ling air conditioning capacity with the air temperature of the residence area as a control index. CONSTITUTION:A surface temperature of a utensil (e.g. a desk) 6 mounted in a residence area is detected by an infrared ray sensor Ir, and an air temperature of the area is estimated based on the detected surface temperature of the utensil 6 and its time change rate. Thus, the air temperature of the area is accurately estimated. Air conditioning capacity is controlled by capacity control means 52 with the air temperature of the area as a control index. In this manner, the temperature of the circumferential air of a resident approaches a desired temperature to improve comfortableness of the resident by air conditioning.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation control device for an air conditioner in which conditioned air is blown downward from a ceiling side, and more particularly to measures for improving comfort in a living area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-1416
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 48, an infrared sensor is attached to an indoor unit as an air conditioner operation control device installed on the wall surface near the ceiling of an indoor space, and the infrared sensor detects the temperature of the indoor wall surface. It is a well-known technique to control the operation of the air conditioner based on the detected value of.

Further, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-231134, as an operation control device for a ceiling-suspended air conditioner, an infrared sensor detects radiant temperatures at a plurality of measurement points in a room, There are also those that try to maintain a uniform thermal environment in the indoor space by controlling the air flow distribution ratio in the direction of each measurement point based on this radiant temperature and dividing the air conditioning control according to the load at each measurement point. This is a known technique.

[0004]

By the way, in the case of an air conditioner configured to supply conditioned air from above an indoor space, generally, for the convenience of control, air suction on or near the ceiling surface is taken into consideration. The suction temperature sensor arranged at the mouth detects the room temperature, compares the room temperature with a set temperature, and controls the operation of the air conditioner so as to eliminate the temperature difference.

However, in this case, the actual living area is below the indoor space, which is considerably different from the temperature near the ceiling. Therefore, even if the operation of the air conditioner is controlled based on the temperature near the ceiling surface as described above, the comfort of air conditioning in the living area cannot be improved. On the other hand, providing a room thermostat near the living area is difficult when the indoor space is large.

In view of the above, the technique disclosed in the former publication attempts to obtain the approximate temperature of the living area by measuring the temperature of the wall surface below the indoor space using an infrared sensor. Does not always match the actual temperature of the living area. Also, in the technique of the latter publication, the indoor space is divided into a plurality of areas and the radiation temperature from each area is measured. This radiation temperature is the radiation temperature input to the infrared sensor near the ceiling. However, just because it is, there is a sympathy that it does not always match the temperature of the living area.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to detect the surface temperature of a furniture such as a desk set in a living area by using an infrared sensor,
The surface temperature is used to estimate the air temperature in the living area, and the air temperature in the living space is improved by controlling the operation of the air conditioner using this air temperature as a control index.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the means taken by the invention of claim 1 is, as shown in FIG. 1, a fixture (6) such as a desk in a living area in an indoor space (A). ) Is installed, and an air conditioner configured to supply conditioned air from the ceiling side to the lower living area is assumed.

As an operation control device of the air conditioner, an infrared sensor (Ir) for detecting the temperature of the surface of the furniture (6) and an output of the infrared sensor (Ir) are received based on the input level of infrared rays. , The living area temperature estimating means (51) for estimating the air temperature of the living area based on the surface temperature of the furniture (6) and the time rate of change of the surface temperature, and the living area temperature estimating means (51). Capacity control means (52) for controlling the air conditioning capacity using the residential area air temperature as a control index
And is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning mechanism for adjusting the focus position of the infrared sensor (Ir) so as to match the position of the furniture (6) surface. It is a thing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the first aspect, as shown by a broken line portion in FIG. 1, a driving mechanism for driving the infrared sensor (Ir) so as to make the focus position variable ( M) and a scanning means (8) for controlling the drive mechanism (M) so that the focus position of the infrared sensor (Ir) covers a plurality of parts of the living area.

According to the invention of claim 4, in the invention of claim 3, as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1, below the ceiling for detecting the air temperature below the ceiling of the indoor space (A). Under the condition that the temperature detecting means (Thc) and the air temperature under the ceiling detected by the below-ceiling temperature detecting means (Thc) change abruptly, among the detected values detected by the infrared sensor (Ir), A change time determination means (55) for determining the detected value whose time change rate is within a certain range and whose ratio of the time change and the time change of the air temperature below the ceiling is within a predetermined range as the surface temperature of the furniture (6). ) And are to be provided.

The living area temperature estimating means (51) is
The air temperature in the living area is estimated and calculated from the average value of the detected values determined as the surface temperature of the furniture (6) by the change determination means (55).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned third aspect of the invention, as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1, below the ceiling for detecting the air temperature below the ceiling of the indoor space (A). Temperature detecting means (Thc), outside air temperature detecting means (Thg) for detecting the outside air temperature, and outside air detected by the outside air temperature detecting means (Thg) under conditions where the indoor temperature is stable during cooling operation. The temperature is below the ceiling air temperature detecting means (T
When the temperature is lower than the ceiling lower side air temperature detected by hc), the lowest value among the detection values of the infrared sensor (Ir) is determined as the surface temperature of the furniture (6).
6) and are provided.

The living area temperature estimating means (51) is
The air temperature in the living area is estimated and calculated from the detected value which is determined to be the surface temperature of the furniture (6) by the cooling stable determination means (56).

According to the means of the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 3, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 1, below the ceiling for detecting the air temperature below the ceiling of the indoor space (A). Temperature detecting means (Thc), outside air temperature detecting means (Thg) for detecting the outside air temperature, and outside air detected by the outside air temperature detecting means (Thg) under conditions where the indoor temperature is stable during heating operation. When the temperature is lower than any detected value of the infrared sensor (Ir), the lowest value among the detected values of the infrared sensor (Ir) and the above-mentioned under-ceiling temperature detecting means (Thc).
Heating stable time determination means (57) for determining the detected value in the constant temperature range between the ceiling lower side air temperature and the surface temperature of the furniture (6) is provided.

The living area temperature estimating means (51) is
The air temperature in the living area is estimated and calculated from the average value of the detection values determined as the surface temperature of the furniture (6) by the heating stable time determination means (57).

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the person detecting means for detecting the position of the person in the living area and the infrared ray sensor (Ir) detected value include the person. A human position reference determination means (58) is provided for determining the detected value of the portion adjacent to the human position detected by the detection means as the surface temperature of the furniture (6).

The living area temperature estimating means (51) is
The human position reference determining means (58) is configured to estimate and calculate the residential area air temperature from the detected value determined as the surface temperature of the furniture (6).

[0020]

With the above construction, according to the first aspect of the invention, the temperature change of the furniture (6) installed in the living area and the air in the living area-
Considering the heat transfer coefficient between the surfaces of the furniture (6), the air temperature in the living area is a function of the surface temperature of the furniture (6) and the time rate of change of the surface temperature. Therefore, the living area air temperature is accurately estimated by the living area temperature estimating means (51) estimating the living area air temperature based on the surface temperature of the furniture (6) and the rate of change over time. The air conditioning capacity is controlled by the capacity control means (52) using the air temperature in the living area as a control index, so that the temperature of the ambient air of the occupant approaches the desired temperature, and the air temperature below the ceiling is used as the control index. Compared with what is done, the comfort of air conditioning for residents is improved.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the above-mentioned first aspect of the invention, the infrared sensor (Ir) is provided by the positioning mechanism.
Since the focus position of the fixture is adjusted so as to match the surface part of the fixture (6), the detection value of the infrared sensor (Ir) becomes the surface temperature of the fixture (6) accurately, and the estimation accuracy of the air temperature in the living area is improved. Will be done.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the above-mentioned first aspect of the invention, the infrared ray sensor (Ir) is driven by the drive mechanism (M).
Since the focal point of is scanned over a plurality of parts of the living area, the detection value of the infrared sensor (Ir) matches the surface temperature of the furniture (6) at any position, and as a result, the air temperature of the living area is increased. Will be detected more accurately.

According to the invention of claim 4, in the invention of claim 3, when the room temperature largely changes, such as when the thermo-off is changed to the thermo-on or vice versa, the time variation of the surface temperature of the fixture (6) is also changed. large. The time change of the surface temperature of the furniture (6) and the time change of the air temperature of the underside of the ceiling are obviously different from each other due to the difference in the specific heat. )
Of the infrared sensor (Ir
If the ratio of the temporal change in the surface temperature detected by) to the temporal change in the air temperature below the ceiling is within a predetermined range, the focus of the infrared sensor (Ir) is not on the person or the floor,
You can see that it fits the furniture (6). Therefore, the change determination means (55) determines that the detected value of the portion within such a range is the surface temperature of the furniture (6), and the living area temperature estimation means (51) detects that the condition is met. By estimating and calculating the residential air temperature from the average value, the residential air temperature can be estimated accurately.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, under the condition that the room temperature is stable during the cooling operation, the time variation of the surface temperature of the fixture (6) is small, so the detected value of the infrared sensor (Ir) is the fixture. It is difficult to judge whether or not it matches the surface temperature of (6). Here, when the room temperature is stable in the cooling operation, the surface temperature of the furniture (6) closer to the ceiling than the floor is lower than the floor temperature and lower than the human temperature. Therefore, under such a condition, the minimum detected value of the infrared sensor (Ir) is determined to be the surface temperature of the furniture (6) by the cooling stable time determination means (56), and the value is determined by the living area temperature estimation means (51). By estimating and calculating the living area air temperature from, the estimation accuracy of the living area air temperature in a stable state during the cooling operation is improved.

According to the invention of claim 6, the outside air temperature is controlled by the infrared sensor (Ir) under the condition that the room temperature is stable during the heating operation.
If any of the detected values of 1) is lower, the floor surface temperature is the lowest, so the lowest value among the detected values of the infrared sensor (Ir) is the floor surface temperature. Further, the air temperature below the ceiling is higher than the surface temperature of the furniture (6) below. Therefore, the heating stable time determination means (57) determines that the detection value in the fixed region between the lowest detection value of the infrared sensor (Ir) and the air temperature below the ceiling is the surface temperature of the furniture (6), and the residence The area temperature estimating means (51) estimates and calculates the living area air temperature from the average value of the surface temperature, thereby improving the estimation accuracy of the living area air temperature in a stable state during the heating operation.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the detection value of the portion closest to the position where the presence of a person is detected by the person detecting means among the detection values of the infrared sensor (Ir) by the person position reference determining means (58). Is determined to be the surface temperature of the furniture (6), and the living area temperature estimation means (51) estimates the living area surface temperature from the surface temperature, so that an accurate living condition corresponding to the actual position of a person exists. Control based on the regional air temperature is performed, and the comfort of air conditioning is particularly improved.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings starting from FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the air conditioner and the indoor space according to the embodiment. The indoor unit (Y) connected to the outdoor unit (X) by a connecting pipe is the ceiling surface of the indoor space (A). It is installed on the back side, and an air passage is formed inside the indoor unit (Y), and the heat exchanger (1) is formed in this air passage.
And an indoor fan (2). Further, on the air outlet side of the indoor fan (2), an outlet duct (3) extending horizontally along the back side of the ceiling surface is provided in the indoor space (A).
An air outlet provided over the entire area for supplying conditioned air from the blowout duct (3) to each of the living areas (A1), (A2), ... in the indoor space (A). (4a
1), (4a2), ... Are provided. That is, the air taken in from the air intake port (not shown) of the indoor unit is adjusted to the conditioned air through the heat exchanger (1), and the air is discharged from each air outlet (4a1), (4a2) into the indoor space (A). Living area (A
It is designed to blow out to 1), (A2), .... In addition, (5a1), (5a2), ... Are dampers for adjusting the air volume provided in the branch pipes (3a1), (3a2), ... Of the blowout duct (3), respectively. Further, (Thg) is an outside air temperature sensor serving as an outside air temperature detecting means arranged at the air inlet of the outdoor unit (X) and detecting the outside air temperature Tg.

On the other hand, each living area (A1) in the indoor space (A)
), (A2), ... Are provided with desks (6a1), (6a2), ... And
Each of the air outlets (4a1), (4a2), ...
1), (6a2), ... Infrared sensors (Ir1), (Ir2), for detecting the surface temperature, and under-ceiling temperature detecting means for detecting the air temperatures Tc1, Tc2 ,. , And air temperature sensors (Thc1), (Thc2), ...

FIG. 3 shows a mounting structure of the above infrared sensors (Ir1). The infrared sensor (Ir1) is a shaft member (J1).
It is rotationally driven by a drive motor (M1) via the, and the focal position is sequentially scanned over a plurality of parts including the surface of the desk (6a1).

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the control system for each of the above-mentioned devices. The outdoor control unit (8X), the indoor control unit (8Y) and the outlet control units (8a1), (8a2), ... Are signal lines to each other. Connected to each blowout decay control unit (8a1), the signal of the outside air temperature sensor (Thg) is transmitted via the outdoor control unit (8X), and also the direct infrared sensor (Ir1) and air temperature sensor (Thc1). Signals are input, and the drive motor (M1) of the infrared sensor (Ir1) and the air volume adjusting damper (5a1) are controlled according to the signals.

Next, each of the outlet control units (8a1), (8)
The control contents in a2), ... here,
In the flow, each outlet (8a1), (8a2),
Although the subscript indicating the number of ... is omitted, the control contents are common.

FIG. 5 shows the contents of the sampling module. In step ST1, the power is turned on and step S
At T2, when the sampling timer (Tm1) times out, the process proceeds to step ST3, and the infrared sensor (Ir)
From the signal of the surface temperature of each part of the desk (5a) Tr (i) (i = 1
Up to n) are sampled, the motor (M) is driven to rotate the infrared sensor (Ir) by (360 ° / n) in step ST4, and in step ST5, the living area (A1)
When the sampling of n points in step) is completed, the air temperature Tc on the lower side of the ceiling is sampled from the signal of the air temperature sensor (Thc) in step ST6. Then, in step ST7, the timer (Tm1) is reset, the sampling module is terminated, and the process proceeds to the next control.

FIG. 6 shows the contents of the temperature control module. In step ST8, it is judged whether or not the position detection flag TTd of the living area surface temperature is "1". If FTd = 1, then in step ST9, The living area surface temperature Td is calculated as an average value of the surface temperature Tr (i) of the portion where the previous living area surface temperature position flag Fdb (i) (i = 1 to n) is "1". Then, the calculated value Tdb of the previous living area air temperature is subtracted from this living area surface temperature Td (ΔTd = Td−Tdb) to calculate the time change ΔTd of the surface temperature.

Next, in step ST10, it is determined whether or not ΔTd> 0. If ΔTd> 0, step ST11
If C = Ca and ΔTd> 0 is not satisfied, step ST
At 12, C = Cb (Ca and Cb are different constants), and the coefficient C for the next calculation is determined. Then, in step ST13, the living area air temperature Ta is calculated based on the following equation (1) Ta = Td + C.ΔTd / Tm1 (1).

On the other hand, in the determination in step ST8, FTd
If = 1 is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step ST14 and Ta = T
Let c.

Then, in step ST15, capacity control is performed using the living area air temperature Ta obtained above, and in step ST16, the living area surface temperature Td is updated, and the temperature control module is terminated.

Next, FIG. 7 shows the contents of the residential area surface temperature position determination module based on the surface temperature change rate. In step ST17, it is determined whether the current operating state is the thermo-on state or the thermo-off state. Step ST
After the operation flag Fut is set to "1" in 18 and the operation flag Fut is set to "0" in step ST19 if the thermostat is off,
In step ST20, it is determined whether or not the current operation flag Fut is equal to the previous operation flag Futb. If not, it is determined that the operation state has changed, the process proceeds to step ST21, and the change rate sampling timer ( As the surface temperature Tra (i) and the air temperature Tca under the ceiling at the start of counting (Tm2), the surface temperature Tr (i) and the air temperature Tc detected in step ST3 are input, and the change rate sampling end flag FTm2 Is set to "0", the change rate sampling timer (Tm2) is reset, and the counting is started.

On the other hand, in the determination of step ST20, Fut =
If it is Futb, it is determined that the operating state has not changed, and the process proceeds to step ST22. If FTm2 = 1 is not satisfied, the rate of change sampling is not completed. Then, the process proceeds to step ST23 and the rate of change sampling timer (Tm2 )
Waits until the change rate sampling timer (Tm2) times out, step ST24
Proceed to formula (2) and (3) dTr (i) / dTc = {Tr (i) -Tra (i)} / (Tc-Tca) (2) dTr (i) / dt = {Tr (i ) -Tra (i)} / Tm2 (3), the ratio of the change in the surface temperature Tr to the change in the air temperature Tc dTr (i) / dTc, the rate of change of the surface temperature Tr with time dT
r (i) / dt is calculated, and in step ST25, the following I
F control is executed. That is, the ratio of the change in the surface temperature Tr calculated above to the change in the air temperature Tc dTr (i) / dT
c 1 and | dTr (i) / dTc |> C2, and | dT
Whether r (i) / dt |> C3 (C1 to C3 are all constants), that is, the air temperature Tc in the space below the ceiling changes abruptly, and the surface temperature Tr changes and the air temperature Tc changes. Ratio d
If Tr (i) / dTc is within a predetermined range, Fd (i) = 1 is set, and if the above condition is not satisfied, Fd (i) = 0 is set, and IF is set.
Terminate control.

Then, in step ST26, all F
It is determined whether d (i) is "0", and all Fd (i) are "0".
If so, FTd = 0 is set in step ST27, and if not all FTd (i) are “0”, step ST
At 28, FTd = 1 is set and the position detection flag FTd of the living area surface temperature is set.

Next, FIGS. 8 and 9 show the contents of the surface temperature comparison / estimation module in the stable state. First, step ST
At 28, it is determined whether the operation flag Fut is "1", and Fut
If = 1, the process proceeds to step ST29 and the rate of change of the surface temperature Tr with time is calculated based on the following formula (4) dTr (i) / dt = {Tr (i) -Trb (i)} / Tm1 (4). dTr (i) / dt is calculated, and in step ST30, all the change rates dTr (i)
For / dt, it is determined whether or not | dTr (i) / dt | <C4 (C4 is a constant) is established, and if so, it is determined to be a stable state, and the control from step ST31 is executed.

First, in step ST31, the maximum value Trmax of the surface temperature Tr of each part and its number Imax and the minimum value Trmin and its number Imin are calculated, and step ST3.
At 2, it is determined whether the operation is the cooling operation or the heating operation. If it is the heating operation, it is determined in step ST33 whether Tg <Trmin. If Tg <Trmin, step ST34.
Then, the estimated position flag FTr (i) (estimated position flag of the living area surface temperature Td when operating at room temperature stable) is set by the following IF control. That is, C5> {Tr (i)
If -Trmin} / (Tc-Trmin)> C6, then FTr
(i) = 1 is set, and if this condition is not met, FTr (i)
= 0.

Further, in step ST35, using the estimated position flag FTr (i) set in step ST34, the living area surface temperature position flag F by the following IF control is used.
Set d (i). That is, FTr (i) = 1 and Fd
If (i) = 1, Fd (i) = 1 is set, and if this condition is not satisfied, Fd (i) = 0 is set. That is, only the detected value Tr (i) within this predetermined range is used to calculate the residential area air temperature Ta by the control of steps ST8 to ST13.

Then, in step ST36, it is determined whether or not all the flags Fd (i) of the residential area surface temperature position flags Fd (i) set in the above steps are "0", and all flags Fd (i ) Is "0", step ST3
Set FTd = 0 in 7 and set all flags Fd (i) to “0”
If not, FTd = 1 is set in step ST38 and the position detection flag FTd of the living area surface temperature is set.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the above-mentioned step ST32 that the cooling operation is being performed, the outside air temperature Tg is determined in step ST39.
And the air temperature Tc of the space under the ceiling are compared, and Tg> Tc
If so, Fd (i) = 0 is set in step ST40, and Fd (Imin) = 1 is set in step ST41. That is, the flag Fd is set to "1" only for the lowest detection value Trmin, and the flag Fd is set to "0" for all other detection values Tr (i).
As the calculation of the residential air temperature a (steps ST8 to S
Do not participate in T13). And step S
FTd = 1 is set at T42.

When the operation flag Fut is not "1" in the determination of step ST28, the absolute values of all surface temperature change rates | dTr (i) /
When dt | is not smaller than the constant C4, when the determination in step ST33 is not Tg <Trmin, and when the determination in step ST39 is not Tg> Tc, each flag is not set by the above control.

Then, in step ST43, the operation flag Fut and the estimated position flag Fr (i) are updated, and then the process returns to step ST2.

In the above flow, steps ST8-
The living area temperature estimating means (51) according to the invention of claim 1 is configured by the control of ST13, and the capacity control means (52) is configured by the control of step ST15.

In the above embodiment, the desks (6a1), (6a2),
Using furniture such as…, each residential area (A1, (A2),…
The air temperatures Ta1, Ta2, ... Of are accurately estimated. That is, based on the model as shown in FIG. 10, each residential area (A
The relationship between the air temperature Ta in 1) and the temperature (surface temperature) Td of the desk (6a1) is calculated as follows.

The amount Qt of heat transferred from the air to the desk (6a1) during a constant sampling time Δt is expressed by the following equation (5) Qt = αa · (Ta (t) −Td (t)) · 2A · Δt (5) (Where αa is the heat transfer coefficient between air and the desk surface, and A is the surface area on one side of the desk). Further, the heat quantity Qr received by the desk (6a1) within a certain time Δt is obtained from the temperature rise, and the following equation (6) Qr = P · (td · A · ρ) · {(Td (t) −Td ( t-Δt)} (6) (where td is the thickness of the desk, ρ is the specific gravity of the desk, and P is the specific heat of the desk), and since Qt = Qr, the following equation (7) αa・ {(Ta (t) -Td (t)} ・ 2A ・ Δt = P ・ (td ・ A ・ ρ) ・ (Td (t) -Td (t-Δt)} (7) holds. When transformed, the following equation (8) Ta (t) = Td (t) + (0.5P · td · ρ / αa) × [{(Td (t) −Td (t−Δt)} / Δt] (8 That is, the surface temperature Td (t) of the desk (6a1) and the time rate of change of the surface temperature Td (t) are obtained, the air temperature around the occupant, that is, the air temperature Ta in the living area is detected. It will be.

Therefore, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, the surface temperature Td (t) of the furniture such as the desk (6a1) is controlled by the infrared sensor (Ir).
And the living area estimation means (51) detects the desk (6a1)
Surface temperature Td (t) and its rate of change over time {(Td (t) -T
By estimating the residential area air temperature Ta based on d (t-Δt)} / Δt and using this residential area air temperature Ta as a control index,
The temperature of the living area (A1) different from the temperature of the space under the ceiling can be brought close to the set temperature, and more accurate control of the air conditioning capacity can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the air-conditioning comfort of the occupants.

In this case, by providing a positioning mechanism for adjusting the focus position of the infrared sensor (Ir1) so as to match the surface portion of the desk (6a1) or the like, an accurate surface temperature Td of the desk (6a1) or the like can be obtained. It becomes possible to detect. For that purpose, the infrared sensor (Ir1) may be rotated by a motor or may be manually adjusted.

Particularly, as in the above embodiment, the motor (M1
), The infrared sensor (Ir1) is rotated so that the focal point of the infrared sensor (Ir1) is scanned over a plurality of parts of the living area (A1). It becomes the surface temperature of furniture such as the desk (6a1) of A1),
As a result, the residential air temperature Ta can be detected more accurately.

Here, in the above embodiment, step ST2
3, The air temperature Tc below the ceiling is changed by the control of ST24 in accordance with the change of the operating condition such as the thermo-on to thermo-off.
Under the condition that the temperature changes abruptly, the ratio of the time change of the detected value Tr of the surface temperature to the time change of the lower ceiling air temperature Tc within a certain time is within a predetermined range, and the time change rate of the surface temperature is When it is within a certain range, it is determined that Fd (i) = 1, that is, the surface temperature of the desk (6a1) or the like. By this control, the change judgment means (55) according to the invention of claim 4 is constituted. Further, in step ST9, the average value Td of the surface temperature Tr (i) determined to be Fd (i) = 1 in steps ST23 and ST24 is calculated, and further step ST
At 13, the residential area air temperature Ta is calculated from this average value Td. With this control, the function of the living area temperature estimating means (51) according to the invention of claim 4 is configured.

That is, when the thermo-off is changed to the thermo-on or vice versa, the desk (6
The amount of time-dependent change in the surface temperature of a1) is large. And the desk (6
The time change of the surface temperature Td such as a1) and the time change of the air temperature Tc under the ceiling are obviously different from each other in the heat transfer coefficient and the heat transfer direction, and there is a constant relationship between the two changes. Therefore, the rate of temporal change of the desk (6a1) is within a certain range, and the temporal change of the surface temperature detection value Tr by the infrared sensor (Ir) dTr (i) and the temporal temperature of the air temperature below the ceiling are temporally changed.
If the ratio with dTc is within the specified range, the infrared sensor (Ir
) Is not focused on the person or the floor, but on the desk (6a
1) It can be seen that it is suitable for furniture. Then, the change time determining means (55) determines that the surface temperature Tr at that time is the living area surface temperature, and the living area temperature estimating means (5)
According to 1), since the living area air temperature Ta is estimated from the average value Td of the detection values satisfying this condition, it is possible to more accurately estimate the living area air temperature Ta.

Further, in the stable state at room temperature, since the time change of the desk (6a1) or the like is small, it is determined whether the detected value Tr of the infrared sensor (Ir) matches the surface temperature Td of the desk (6a1) or the like. Judgment is difficult. Here, in the above embodiment, the outside air temperature Tg is controlled by the control of steps ST39 to 42 under the condition that the indoor temperature is stable during the cooling operation.
Is higher than the air temperature Tc below the ceiling, Fd (Imin) only at the part corresponding to the minimum value of the surface temperature Tr.
= 1 and it is determined that the surface temperature of the desk (6a1) or the like, and this control constitutes the cooling stable time determining means (56) according to the invention of claim 5. Further, in steps ST9 and ST13, the surface temperature and the minimum detection value T determined above are determined.
The living area air temperature Ta is estimated and calculated from rmin, and by this control, the living area temperature estimating means (5
The function 1) is configured.

That is, when the room temperature is stable in the cooling operation, the surface temperature of the desk (6a1) close to the outlet of the conditioned air is obviously lower than the floor surface and lower than the temperature of the person who is the heat source. .. Therefore, under such a condition, the infrared sensor (Ir1) is determined by the cooling stable time determination means (56).
The lowest value of the detected values Tr (i) is regarded as the surface temperature Td of the desk (6a1) or the like, and the living area temperature estimating means (51) estimates and calculates the living area air temperature Ta from the surface temperature Td. As a result, the estimation accuracy can be improved.

Further, under the control of steps ST33 to ST35, the outside air temperature Tg is lower than any surface temperature Tr and the surface temperature Tr (i ) Is in a constant temperature range between the ceiling lower side air temperature Tc and the minimum surface temperature Trmin, Fd (i) = 1 is set only for that portion, and by this control, when heating is stable according to the invention of claim 6. A judging means (57) is configured. Further, in steps ST9 and ST13, the residential area air temperature Ta is estimated and calculated from the average value of the surface temperature Tr (i) where Fd (i) = 1, and by this control, the residential area temperature according to the invention of claim 6 is obtained. The function of the estimation means (51) is configured.

That is, when the room temperature is stable during the heating operation, the outside air temperature Tg is the detected value T of the surface temperature.
Under normal conditions lower than r (i) (such as winter), the floor surface temperature is the lowest and the ceiling lower air temperature Tc is the highest. Therefore, the heating stable time determination means (57) determines the minimum detection value Trmin of the infrared sensor (Ir) and the air temperature T below the ceiling.
The detected value Tr (i) within a certain area between c and c is regarded as the surface temperature of the desk (6a1), and the living area temperature estimation means (51) determines the detected value Tr (i) By estimating and calculating the living area air temperature Ta from the average value Td, it is possible to improve the estimation accuracy of the living area air temperature Ta in a stable state.

In the above embodiment, the case where a plurality of living areas (A1), (A2), ... Are provided in the indoor space (A) has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiment. Instead, it can be applied to an air conditioner that air-conditions an indoor space having one living area.

Next, although the embodiment is omitted, the position of the resident in each of the living areas (A1), (A2), ... Using the infrared sensors (Ir1), (Ir2) ,. Can be detected. That is, when the focus position of the infrared sensor (Ir1) is on the surface of the human body, the human body moves, so that the input level of the infrared sensor (Ir1) fluctuates frequently, and the infrared sensor (Ir1) and the stationary object such as the desk (6a1) move. Can be clearly distinguished. Then, while the infrared sensor (Ir1) is scanned by the motor (M1), the detection value closest to the position where the person is detected by the person position reference determining means (58) is set as the living area surface temperature Td, and the living area is determined. The temperature estimating means (51) may perform an estimation calculation of the residential area air temperature Ta from the residential area surface temperature Td.

In that case, the air temperature Ta in the living area is accurately estimated in accordance with the actual position of the person, so that the comfort of air conditioning in the living area is significantly improved.

An infrared sensor for detecting a person may be provided separately.

[0064]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, furniture such as a desk is installed in the living area in the indoor space,
As an operation control device of an air conditioner configured to supply air-conditioned air from the ceiling side to the residential area, an infrared sensor detects the surface temperature of the furniture, and the surface temperature and the time change rate of the surface temperature are calculated. Based on this, the air temperature in the living area is estimated, and the air-conditioning capacity is controlled using this air temperature in the living area as a control index. Compared to the one using temperature as a control index, the occupant's air conditioning comfort is improved.

According to the invention of claim 2, in the invention of claim 1, a positioning mechanism for adjusting the focus position of the infrared sensor to coincide with the surface portion of the furniture is provided. Accurately becomes the surface temperature of the furniture, and the estimation accuracy of the air temperature in the living area can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 1, the driving mechanism scans the focus position of the infrared sensor so as to cover a plurality of parts of the living area. The detection value of the infrared sensor can be matched with the surface temperature of the furniture, and as a result, the air temperature in the living area can be detected more accurately.

According to the invention of claim 4, in the invention of claim 3, the temperature of the infrared sensor is changed under a condition that the room temperature is largely changed and the time change rate of the detection value of the infrared sensor is not so severe. Among the detected values, the rate of change over time is within a certain range, and the value of the ratio of the change over time with the change over time of the air temperature below the ceiling is within the predetermined range is determined as the surface temperature of the furniture, and such detection is performed. Since the residential area air temperature is estimated and calculated from the average value of the values, the accuracy of estimating the residential area air temperature can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 3, under the condition that the room temperature is stable during the cooling operation, the lowest detected value of the infrared sensor is judged to be the surface temperature of the furniture, and Since the living area air temperature is estimated and calculated from the value, the accuracy of estimating the living area air temperature in a stable state during the cooling operation is improved.

According to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 3, when the outside air temperature is lower than any detected value of the infrared sensor under the condition that the room temperature is stable during the heating operation, the infrared sensor Since the detected value in a certain area between the lowest detected value of the room and the air temperature below the ceiling is determined as the surface temperature of the furniture, the residential area air temperature is estimated and calculated from the average value of this surface temperature. It is possible to improve the estimation accuracy of the regional air temperature.

According to the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 3, the position of the person is detected, and of the detection values of the infrared sensor, the portion closest to the position where the presence of the person is detected is detected. The value is determined as the surface temperature of the furniture, and the living area surface temperature is estimated and calculated from the surface temperature.Therefore, the air conditioning temperature is controlled by the control based on the accurate living area air temperature corresponding to the actual position of a person. A remarkable improvement in comfort can be achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall system of an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of an infrared sensor.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an infrared sensor.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the contents of a sampling module for control according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the temperature control module.
FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the residential area surface temperature position determination module based on the surface temperature change rate.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the first half of the stable surface temperature comparison and estimation module.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the surface temperature comparison and estimation module at the time of stability.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a thermal relationship between an air temperature and a desk surface temperature in a living area.

[Explanation of symbols]

A Indoor space 6a1, 6a2, ... Desk (fixture) 8a1, 8a2, ... Scanning means 51 Living area temperature estimation means 52 Capacity control means 55 Change time determination means 56 Cooling stable time determination means 57 Heating stable time determination means 58 Person position reference Determining means Ir1, Ir2, ... Infrared sensor M1, M2, ... Motor (driving mechanism) Thc1, Thc2, ... Air temperature sensor (below-ceiling temperature detecting means) Thg Outside air temperature sensor (outside air temperature detecting means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner configured to install furniture (6) such as a desk in a living area in an indoor space (A) and to supply conditioned air from a ceiling side to a lower living area. , An infrared sensor (Ir) for detecting the temperature of the surface of the furniture (6) based on the input level of infrared rays, and an output of the infrared sensor (Ir), and the time of the surface temperature of the furniture (6) and the surface temperature. A living area temperature estimating means (51) for estimating the air temperature of the living area based on the rate of change, and controlling the air conditioning capacity using the living area air temperature estimated by the living area temperature estimating means (51) as a control index. An operation control device for an air conditioner, comprising an ability control means (52). 2. The operation control device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning mechanism for adjusting the focus position of the infrared sensor (Ir) so as to match the position of the surface of the furniture (6). And an air conditioner operation control device. 3. The operation control device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a drive mechanism (M) for driving the infrared sensor (Ir) so that the focal position of the infrared sensor is variable, and the focal position of the infrared sensor (Ir) are An operation control device for an air conditioner, comprising: a scanning means (8) for controlling the drive mechanism (M) so as to cover a plurality of parts of a living area. 4. The operation control device for an air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein an under-ceiling temperature detecting means (Thc) for detecting an air temperature under the ceiling of the indoor space (A), and the under-ceiling temperature detecting means. Under the condition that the air temperature under the ceiling detected by (Thc) changes rapidly, the infrared sensor (I
Among the detection values detected in r), the detection value is such that the rate of change over time is within a certain range and the ratio of the time change to the time change of the air temperature below the ceiling is within a predetermined range. Change time determining means (55) for determining the surface temperature of the living room temperature estimating means (51), and the living area temperature estimating means (51) detects the detected value determined as the surface temperature of the furniture (6) by the changing time determining means (55). An operation control device for an air conditioner, which estimates and calculates a residential air temperature from an average value. 5. The operation control device for an air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein below-ceiling temperature detecting means (Thc) for detecting an air temperature below the ceiling of the indoor space (A), and outside air for detecting an outside air temperature. The temperature detecting means (Thg) and the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means (Thg) are detected by the below-ceiling temperature detecting means (Thc) under the condition that the indoor temperature is stable during the cooling operation. When the temperature is higher than the air temperature below the ceiling, the minimum value of the detected values of the infrared sensor (Ir) is determined as the surface temperature of the furniture (6), and a stable cooling determination means (56) is provided, and the living area temperature estimation means is provided. (51) is an operation control device for an air conditioner, which estimates and calculates a living area air temperature from a detected value which is determined as the surface temperature of the furniture (6) by the cooling stable determination means (56). 6. The operation control device for an air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the outside air temperature detecting means (Thg) for detecting the outside air temperature, and the outside air temperature under the condition that the indoor temperature is stable during the heating operation. When the outside air temperature detected by the temperature detecting means (Thg) is lower than any of the detected values of the infrared sensor (Ir), the lowest value among the detected values of the infrared sensor (Ir) and the above-below-ceiling temperature detecting means (Thc). ) And a heating stable time judging means (57) for judging the detected value in the constant temperature range between the lower ceiling air temperature and the surface temperature of the furniture (6), the living area temperature estimating means ( Reference numeral 51) is an operation control of an air conditioner characterized by estimating and calculating a living area air temperature from an average value of detection values determined as the surface temperature of the furniture (6) by the heating stable time determination means (57). apparatus. 7. The operation control device for an air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the person detecting means for detecting the position of a person in the living area, and the person detecting means among the detection values of the infrared sensor (Ir) are used. Person position reference determination means (5) for determining the detected value of the portion adjacent to the detected human position as the surface temperature of the furniture (6).
8) and the living area temperature estimating means (51) estimates and calculates the living area air temperature from the detected value which is determined to be the surface temperature of the furniture (6) by the human position reference determining means (58). A characteristic operation control device for an air conditioner.