JPH0694536A - Thermal image detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To monitor a detection status by placing a monitoring device in a two-dimensional thermal image detection system for rotating one-dimensionally arranged pyroelectric type heat detecting elements and an optic system as a single unit. CONSTITUTION:A thermal image detector 2 is built into an indoor chamber body 1 of an air-conditioner to detect a temperature distribution in a room, behavior of human bodies, etc. The detector 2 houses pyroelectric type heat detecting elements 3. The detecting elements 3 comprise, for example, five pyroelectric type heat detecting elements 3a to 3e arranged on a line and vertically divide a field of view into five. The detecting elements 3 are integrated with an optic system (lens) where an angle of visibility is set to be narrow in the horizontal direction, and the horizontal angle of visibility is sequentially moved with rotation of a rotation shaft 6. Thus a two-dimensional thermal image can be obtained. By providing a monitoring device 5, a thermal image detection status can be monitored. Thus, for example, an invisible temperature distribution in the room can be displayed, so that a room temperature can be comfortably controlled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to radiation temperature detection and human body behavior detection by a thermal image such as temperature distribution in a living room at home and human body behavior detection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been a quantum infrared sensor and a thermal infrared sensor as methods for non-contact temperature measurement. Although the quantum infrared sensor has high sensitivity and quick response, it requires cooling (about -200 ° C) and is not suitable for consumer use. On the other hand, the thermal infrared sensor has a relatively low sensitivity and a low response speed, but does not require cooling, and thus is put into practical use in the consumer market.

Among thermal infrared sensors, a pyroelectric infrared sensor utilizing the pyroelectric effect is often used. The pyroelectric infrared sensor has a differential output characteristic and produces an output only when the incident temperature changes. For example, when a human body passes in front of the pyroelectric infrared sensor, the radiation temperature of the human body is input to the pyroelectric infrared sensor as a time input of appearance, disappearance, appearance, disappearance, .... Therefore, the output of the pyroelectric infrared sensor is output in synchronization with this time change.

Further, as a means for obtaining a two-dimensional thermal image, a method of arranging a pyroelectric infrared sensor in two dimensions has been considered.

[0005]

However, if the pyroelectric infrared sensors are arranged two-dimensionally, the system becomes complicated.

Further, in the case of constructing a system by a method of scanning a pyroelectric type heat detecting element group arranged one-dimensionally on a straight line, if the optical system is outside the pyroelectric type heat detecting element group, the optical system is Must cover the entire scanning range,
There is no choice but to make it large, and even if it covers the entire scanning range, there is a problem that the sensitivity of the entire visual field is not uniform due to the deviation of the optical axis.

According to the present invention, a pyroelectric infrared sensor is used to detect a two-dimensional thermal image with a small size and a relatively simple structure.
A system for monitoring a three-dimensional thermal image is provided.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a plurality of pyroelectric thermal detection element groups which are arranged one-dimensionally on a linear axis, and the pyroelectric thermal detection element group. Having an integrated optical system and a rotation axis parallel to the linear axis or inclined by a constant angle, the integrated pyroelectric heat detection element group and the optical system are rotated about the rotation axis. To obtain a two-dimensional thermal image.

Further, the present invention provides the thermal image detecting device with a monitor device for monitoring the two-dimensional thermal image.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to monitor the two-dimensional thermal image, a monitor connection terminal is installed in the thermal image detecting device.

[0011]

The present invention provides a two-dimensional thermal image detection system having a small size and a simple structure by integrally rotating a plurality of pyroelectric type heat detection element groups arranged linearly in one line and an optical system. To do. Further, the thermal image detection situation is monitored by installing a monitor device in the thermal image detection device. Further, by installing a monitor connection terminal in the thermal image detection device, the thermal image detection status is monitored using an external monitor.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is an air conditioner indoor unit body. The thermal image detection device 2 is incorporated in the air conditioner indoor unit body 1 and detects the temperature distribution in the room, the behavior of the human body, and the like. The thermal image detection device 2 has a pyroelectric heat detection element group 3 built therein. The two-dimensional thermal image detected by the thermal image detecting device 2 is displayed on the monitor 5 connected to the monitor connecting terminal 4.

The pyroelectric heat detecting element group 3 is, for example, 3 in FIG.
As shown by a to 3e, five pyroelectric heat detecting elements are arranged on a straight line, and are responsible for dividing the visual field into five in the vertical direction. 6 is a rotating shaft.

A mechanism for obtaining a two-dimensional thermal image from the pyroelectric thermal detection elements (3a to 3e) arranged in a line in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 3A shows the stereoscopic viewing angle of the thermal image to be detected, and FIG. 3B shows the detected thermal image.

The pyroelectric heat detecting element group 3 is used in combination with an optical lens and a chopper (not shown).

The viewing angle is set narrow in the horizontal direction, and the viewing angle in the horizontal direction is sequentially moved as the rotary shaft 6 rotates.
The pyroelectric heat detection element group 3 measures the temperature each time the pyroelectric heat detection element group 3 is sequentially moved.

For example, when the human body 7 stands in front of the pyroelectric heat detecting element group 3, a two-dimensional thermal image as shown in FIG. 3B is obtained. Here, the shaded portion 8 is the human body image detected.

Further, since the pyroelectric heat detecting element group 3 arranged one-dimensionally is rotated around the rotating shaft 6 and the temperature is measured in synchronization with the opening and closing of the chopper, the horizontal output is shown in FIG. The serial output as shown is obtained, and the system becomes simpler than the case where the pyroelectric heat detection element group is two-dimensionally arranged.

In addition, the thermal image detecting device 2 is provided with a monitor device 5.
By equipping the monitor 5, the thermal image detection status can be displayed on the monitor 5. As a result, for example, an invisible temperature distribution in the room can be displayed, and the room temperature can be controlled more comfortably.

By installing the monitor connection terminal 4 in the thermal image detection device 2, the thermal image detection status can be displayed on the external monitor 5. For example, when the present invention is commercialized, it is possible to visually appeal if a monitor is connected at the time of explaining the product, which facilitates the explanation and enhances the persuasive power.
If the monitor is provided with a failure detection system, the failure can be detected simply by connecting the monitor to the monitor connection terminal 4, which facilitates the failure diagnosis and shortens the time. Therefore, by installing the monitor connection terminal 4 in the thermal image detection device 2, serviceability is improved.

Here, when the thermal image detecting device 2 is intermittently scanned, the monitor screen is held until the next input.

In the above embodiment, the thermal image detecting device is mounted on the air conditioner, but the same effect can be obtained by mounting the device on a microwave oven or a video camera.

[0024]

According to the present invention, a two-dimensional thermal image can be detected with a small and simple structure by rotating the one-dimensionally arranged pyroelectric type heat detection element group and the optical system as a unit. Also, by installing a monitor device in the thermal image detection device, it becomes possible to display the temperature distribution in the room on the monitor. Also, by installing a monitor connection terminal in the thermal image detection device, a thermal image can be displayed on the monitor, improving serviceability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a thermal image detecting means according to the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of a mechanism for obtaining a thermal image. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of a mechanism for obtaining a thermal image.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of serial output.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Air conditioner indoor unit main body 2 Thermal image detection device 3 Pyroelectric thermal image detection element group 4 Monitor connection terminal 5 Monitor 6 Rotation axis

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of pyroelectric heat detecting element groups arranged one-dimensionally on a straight line, an optical system integrated with the pyroelectric heat detecting element group, and parallel or fixed to the linear axis. A thermal image detecting device for obtaining a two-dimensional image by rotating the pyroelectric type thermal detection element group and the optical system about a rotation axis inclined by an angle. 2. An apparatus comprising a thermal image detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a monitor device for monitoring a thermal image by the thermal image detecting device. 3. An apparatus equipped with the thermal image detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a monitor connection terminal for monitoring a thermal image by the thermal image detecting device.