JPH0650586A - Person follow-up spot air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a person follow-up spot air conditioner which can always effect air conditioning for a person by detecting a positional state of a human body. CONSTITUTION:Ducts 3, 5 are suspended from a ceiling, and cold air is guided from a cooler body 1. A cold air diffusing duct 11 for diffusing cold air from above a person is provided at the duct 5. Ultrasonic sensors A, B are extended downward at the duct 11 and have sensing regions in height near a standing human breast as a lower limit. Further, a controller controls a drive motor based on sense signals of the sensors A, B to control a direction of the duct 1 to a sensed direction of the person. Further, the controller holds the direction of the duct 11 in its state when a variation in a distance to the person within an infinitesimal time, a variation in a direction of the person within an infinitesimal time exhibit special variations based on the sense signals of the sensors A, B.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a person-following spot air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an interpersonal follow-up spot air conditioner which controls an air outlet suspended from a ceiling so as to follow the person is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-179850. This device sets the lower limit of the detection area of the interpersonal tracking sensor to a height above the chest of a person in order to prevent tracking of machines or desks placed on the floor, etc., while swinging for searching for people. When a person is detected, the air outlet is directed toward the person following the person.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned interpersonal tracking spot air-conditioning system, when a person squats down, the person moves out of the detection area of the interpersonal tracking sensor and swings for searching for a person. . Therefore, there is a problem that air conditioning cannot be performed at the human body position.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an interpersonal tracking spot air conditioner capable of detecting the position state of the human body and constantly air-conditioning the human body.

[0005]

As shown in FIG. 11, the present invention includes a cooler body M1 for generating cold air, and a duct M2 suspended from the ceiling and for guiding the cool air from the cooler body M1. An air outlet M3 that is rotatably provided in the duct M2 and that blows out cool air spotwise from above the person; an outlet rotating means M4 that rotates the air outlet M3; and the air outlet M3. An interpersonal detection sensor M5 that is provided in the vehicle, extends downward, and has a detection region whose lower limit is a height higher than the vicinity of the chest of a standing person.
And the interpersonal detection sensor M5 by controlling the outlet rotating means M4 based on the detection signal of the interpersonal detection sensor M5.
The first outlet control means M6 for controlling the direction of the air outlet M3 in the detection direction in which the person has been detected, and the change in the distance to the person within a very short time based on the detection signal of the interpersonal detection sensor M5. And a second air outlet control means M7 for maintaining the orientation of the air outlet M3 in that state when the change of the orientation of the person within a minute time shows a specific change. Is the gist.

[0006]

The first air outlet control means M6 controls the air outlet rotating means M4 based on the detection signal of the person detecting sensor M5 so as to detect the air outlet M3 in the detection direction in which the person detecting sensor M5 detects the person. Control orientation. On the other hand, the second outlet control means M7 changes the distance to the person within a minute time and the change in the direction of the person within the minute time based on the detection signal of the person detecting sensor M5. Air outlet M when shown
Hold the orientation of 3 in that state.

That is, by detecting a change in the distance to the person within a minute time and a change in the direction of the person within the minute time based on the detection signal of the person detecting sensor M5, the person may squat down or the like. Assuming that a specific change has occurred, the direction of the air outlet M3 is maintained in that state.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an apparatus embodied in a spot cooler for cooling a workplace such as a factory will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cooler body 1 is hung from a ceiling of a work site via a hanging metal fitting 2, and cold air is generated by a start switch (not shown). The cooler body 1 has a main duct 3 that guides cool air, and a hanging bracket 4
A plurality of sub-ducts 5 are branched from the main duct 3 toward the bottom side at predetermined intervals.

As shown in FIG. 2, an accommodating cylinder 6 is fixed to the lower end of the sub-duct 5, and the accommodating cylinder 6 is suspended and supported by the ceiling via a plurality of suspending metal fittings 7. .
A pair of support pieces 8 (only one of which is shown) are provided in a projecting manner in the diametrical direction on the lower end portion of the accommodating cylinder body 6, and a mounting cylinder 10 is rotatably supported on the support piece 8 by a shaft 9. A cold air blowing duct 11 as an air outlet is connected to the mounting cylinder 10 at its upper end.

A drive motor 12 as an outlet rotating means is mounted in the housing cylinder 6 via a mounting bracket 13. A drive arm 14 is fixed to the output shaft 12a of the drive motor 12, and the drive arm 14 is attached to the mounting cylinder 1
The link member 16 is rotatably supported by the linking piece 15 provided on the inner surface of the ring 0. Therefore, when the drive motor 12 is driven, the rotational force of the drive motor 12 is transmitted via the drive arm 14 and the link member 16 to the mounting cylinder 10.
And the cold air blowing duct 11 is rotated in the left-right direction as shown in FIG.

A bellows-shaped connecting cylinder 17 is provided between the lower end of the accommodating cylinder 6 and the upper end of the cold air blowing duct 11 to cool the cold air between the accommodating cylinder 6 and the cold air blowing duct 11. It is designed to prevent leaks.

As shown in FIG. 3, the duct 11 for blowing cold air is provided.
The first and second ultrasonic sensors A and B are provided on one side surface of the lower end of the
Are fixed in a state of being separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and each ultrasonic sensor A is directed downward. Each ultrasonic sensor A, B
Are ultrasonic pulse type sensors, each of which is composed of an ultrasonic transmitter / receiver which emits ultrasonic waves and receives the reflected waves.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the first ultrasonic sensor A can detect a person in the directional first detection region Z1, and the second ultrasonic sensor B has a directional property. Second
The person in the detection area Z2 can be detected.
The detection areas Z1 and Z2 by both sensors A and B partially overlap, and this overlapped area is referred to as a third detection area Z3. The detection area Z3 coincides with the air blowing direction of the cold air blowing duct 11. Also, as shown in FIG.
The lower limit DP of the detection areas Z1 to Z3 of the ultrasonic sensors A and B is set to a height higher than the vicinity of the chest of the person M and does not detect an object (work desk, machine, etc.) placed on the floor F. It is like this.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the distance L from the ultrasonic sensors A and B to the detected body (human body) is measured by measuring the time from the transmission of ultrasonic waves to the reception of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic sensors A and B. It is able to detect. Further, the air blowing duct 11 (ultrasonic sensors A and B) can reciprocate between a left end direction C and a right end direction D in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, a control box 20 having a follow-up switch 21 for starting rotation control of the cold air blowing duct 11 is arranged on one side of the outer peripheral surface of the accommodating cylinder 6. The operation string 2 is attached to the follow-up switch 21.
1a is attached.

FIG. 4 shows the electrical construction of the spot air conditioner. The first and second ultrasonic sensors A and B are connected to the controller 22 provided in the control box 20, and the detection signals of the respective sensors A and B are input. A follow-up switch 21 is connected to the controller 22, and an operation signal is input from the follow-up switch 21. Further, the drive motor 12 is connected to the controller 22.

Then, the controller 22 drives the drive motor 12 based on the operation signal of the follow-up switch 21,
The duct 11 for blowing cold air is swung.

Further, the controller 22 is adapted to judge the presence or absence of a person in each of the detection areas Z1 to Z3 based on the detection signals of the ultrasonic sensors A and B. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the drive motor 12 is drive-controlled based on the detection signal so that the person M is detected by both ultrasonic sensors A and B, and the cold air blowing duct 11 is moved to the person. M
It is possible to apply cold air against. Further, the controller 22 has an angle detection switch 2
3 (see FIG. 4) is connected, the angle detection switch 23,
It turns on when the cold air blowing duct 11 reaches the center of the following range (indicated by P1 in FIG. 3). That is, when the ultrasonic sensors A and B detect the detected object, the direction θ of the detected object (angle from the reference direction D),
The distance L to the detected object corresponding to the direction θ is detected.

In this embodiment, the ultrasonic sensors A and B constitute an interpersonal detection sensor, and the controller 22 constitutes first and second outlet control means. Next, the operation of the thus-configured interpersonal tracking spot air conditioner will be described.

FIG. 5 shows a process (flow chart) executed by the controller 22. When the follow-up switch 21 is turned on, the controller 22 determines in step 101 whether or not both sensors A and B detect a person. When both sensors A and B detect a person, cold air is blown in step 102. The rotation of the duct 11 is stopped. Then, in step 103, the controller 22 measures the duct position (the angle from the follow-up range end D to the position directly below the duct in FIG. 3) θ,
In step 104, the distance L to the person is measured. And
The controller 22 calculates the change rate Δθ of the duct position θ within a predetermined minute time (75 ms) in step 105, and also calculates the predetermined minute time (75 m) in step 106.
The change rate ΔL of the distance L to the person within s) is calculated.

On the other hand, the controller 22 executes step 101.
If both sensors A and B do not detect a person in step 10
At 7, the rate of change ΔL of the distance L to the person is a predetermined value α (for example,
90 mm / 75 ms) or step 10
8, the change rate Δθ of the duct position θ is a predetermined value β (for example, 2
° / 75 ms). Then, the controller 22 sets ΔL ≧ α in steps 107 and 108.
If .DELTA..theta..ltoreq..beta., It is determined that the person M is squatting from the standing state, as shown in FIG. Wait for human detection.

Further, the controller 22 executes step 107,
If ΔL <α or Δθ> β in 108, FIG.
The process proceeds to step 111 of The controller 22 determines in step 111 whether the first ultrasonic sensor A detects a person, and if it detects a person, determines in step 112 whether the second ultrasonic sensor B detects a person, If it is not detected, in step 113, the cold air blowing duct 11 is driven to the left. On the other hand, if the first ultrasonic sensor A does not detect a person in step 111, the controller 22 proceeds to step 11
In step 4, it is judged whether or not the second ultrasonic sensor B detects a person. If the person is detected, in step 115 the cold air blowing duct 11 is driven to the right.

If the second ultrasonic sensor B does not detect a person in step 114, the controller 22 swings the cold air blowing duct 11 to search for a person in step 116. That is, if both the sensors A and B do not detect a person, in step 116, a swinging motion is performed to search for a person.

With this operation, as shown in FIG. 8, when the person M moves in the rotating direction of the duct 11 for blowing cold air and one of the ultrasonic sensors B becomes a non-detection state, The distance L to the person when both sensors are detected changes from L3 to L4, but the rate of change ΔL of the distance L to the person M is small and ΔL <α, and it is determined that the person is moving. Further, even if the person moves quickly and the change rate ΔL of the distance L to the person becomes α or more (ΔL ≧ α), the duct position θ changes from θ1 to θ2.
The change rate Δθ of the duct position θ becomes larger than β (Δθ> β), and it is determined that the person M is moving. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when a person moves in a direction perpendicular to the rotating direction of the duct 11 for blowing cold air and one ultrasonic sensor A is in a non-detection state, when both sensors are detected. Since the distance L to the person is constant at L5, the rate of change ΔL of the distance L to the person is smaller than a (ΔL <α), and it is determined that the person is moving.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic sensors A and B (person detecting sensors) extend downward,
Moreover, the controller 22 (first and second outlet control means) uses a sensor having detection areas Z1 and Z2 (see FIG. 3) whose lower limit is a height above the chest of the standing person M. The ultrasonic wave sensors A and B are controlled by controlling the drive motor (air outlet rotation means) based on the detection signals of the ultrasonic wave sensors A and B.
Controls the direction of the cold air blowout duct (air blowout port) 11 in the detection direction in which the person M is detected. Further, the controller 22 makes a specific change between the change ΔL of the distance L to the person M within a minute time and the change Δθ of the direction θ of the person M within a minute time based on the detection signals of the ultrasonic sensors A and B. Is indicated, the orientation of the cold air blowing duct 11 is maintained in that state.

As a result, in a system in which the lower limit of the detection area of the interpersonal tracking sensor is set to be higher than the vicinity of the chest of the person M in order to prevent the machine or the desk from following on the floor or the like,
When a person squats down, the person moves out of the detection area of the interpersonal tracking sensor, but the position of the duct is maintained at that position without swinging for searching for a person. Therefore, the human body can be constantly air-conditioned by detecting the position state of the human body.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, although two sensors are installed in the above-mentioned embodiment, one sensor may be installed in the center of the cold air blowing duct 11. . In this case, cost reduction can be achieved.

An infrared sensor may be used instead of the ultrasonic sensor as the interpersonal detection sensor.

[0030]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
The excellent effect of detecting the position state of the human body and constantly performing air conditioning on the human body is exhibited.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interpersonal tracking spot air conditioner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the base of the duct.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of an interpersonal tracking spot air conditioner.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation.

FIG. 11 is a claim correspondence diagram.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooler main body 3 Main duct 11 Cold air blowing duct as an air outlet 12 Drive motor as an outlet rotating means 22 Controller as first and second outlet controlling means A, B Ultrasonic sensor as an interpersonal detection sensor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cooler main body for generating cold air, a duct suspended from a ceiling and for guiding the cool air from the cooler main body, rotatably provided on the duct, and spotted cool air from above a person. And an air outlet for rotating the air outlet, and an air outlet for rotating the air outlet, the air outlet being provided at the air outlet, extending downward, and having a height higher than the vicinity of the chest of a standing person. An interpersonal detection sensor having a detection area having a lower limit, and the air outlet in the detection direction in which the interpersonal detection sensor detects a person by controlling the air outlet rotation means based on a detection signal of the antipersonal detection sensor. The first outlet control means for controlling the direction, and the change in the distance to the person within a minute time and the change in the person's direction within the minute time are specific changes based on the detection signal from the person detecting sensor. When said A person-following spot air conditioner, comprising: a second outlet control means for holding the direction of the air outlet in that state.