JPWO2011043055A1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

The air conditioner 1 is capable of adjusting the cooling / heating capacity based on the illuminance output at predetermined time intervals from the illuminance sensor 2 provided in the indoor unit, and records the illuminance output at the predetermined time intervals. And a control unit 8 for adjusting the cooling / heating capacity if the illuminance recorded in the recording device is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value within a predetermined time range for a predetermined time or more.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that detects the illuminance in a room and adjusts the heating and cooling capacity based on the output result.

  Conventionally, this type of air conditioner determines the set temperature of the indoor unit installed in the dining room based on the information on the amount of solar radiation from the solar radiation amount measuring means and the information on the outside air temperature from the thermometer. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, in the case of heating in the winter season, the set temperature determining means of the set temperature determining device installed in the indoor unit inputs the information on the amount of solar radiation from the solar radiation amount measuring means. When the amount is larger than the preset value, it is judged that the temperature inside the dining room rises due to the greenhouse effect caused by sunlight, and the set temperature is set lower to reduce energy consumption.

  There has also been proposed an air conditioner that corrects a set temperature of air-conditioning control in an indoor space based on the amount of solar radiation entering the room through a window surface (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 2, when it is determined that there is solar radiation by a daylight sensor that detects the solar radiation amount of the window, the set temperature is lowered with respect to a set temperature pattern without solar radiation. As a result, an energy saving effect can be obtained depending on the combination.

JP 2000-88316 A JP 2005-37109 A

  However, although the room temperature generally takes a certain time to reach the set value, the air conditioners of Patent Documents 1 and 2 set the set temperature lower when the amount of solar radiation is greater than the set value, and thus the amount of solar radiation. If the set temperature fluctuates in response to this and the amount of solar radiation does not continue above the set value, the room temperature will not stabilize and the resident may become uncomfortable. Moreover, in the air conditioner of patent documents 1 and 2, it is controlled to change the set temperature uniformly, and even if there is an energy saving effect, the resident's favorite temperature setting cannot always be reflected. In addition, there is a problem that lowering the set temperature during cooling does not save energy.

  The present invention was made in view of such problems of the prior art, and when the illuminance in the room exceeds a reference value for a predetermined time within a predetermined time range, the heating and cooling capacity is adjusted. The purpose is to provide an air conditioner that realizes energy-saving operation without impairing comfort.

  In order to achieve the above object, an air conditioner of the present invention is an air conditioner capable of adjusting the heating / cooling capacity based on illuminance output at predetermined time intervals from an illuminance sensor provided in an indoor unit, and is provided at predetermined time intervals. A recording device for recording the output illuminance, and a control unit for adjusting the cooling / heating capacity if the illuminance recorded in the recording device is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value within a predetermined time range for a predetermined time or more. It is characterized by providing.

  The air conditioner of the present invention adjusts the cooling and heating capacity when the illuminance in the room exceeds a reference value for a predetermined time within a predetermined time range, and determines that the amount of heat due to solar radiation is supplied stably. In addition, since the temperature of the room is adjusted so that the resident does not feel uncomfortable, energy-saving operation can be realized without impairing comfort.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to Embodiments 1 to 3 of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a control flowchart according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the illuminance of various rooms and the sensor output voltage. Fig. 5 is a graph showing changes in the set temperature, thermal sensation, and comfort (in winter) according to the subject experiment FIG. 6 is a control flowchart according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a control flowchart according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a graph showing changes in the set temperature, thermal sensation, and comfort (summer) according to the subject experiment. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the illuminance of the camera module and the exposure time. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the illuminance and the exposure time when the gain is quadrupled compared to FIG.

  One aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner capable of adjusting the heating and cooling capacity based on the illuminance output at predetermined time intervals from the illuminance sensor provided in the indoor unit, and records the illuminance output at predetermined time intervals. A recording device and a control unit that adjusts the heating / cooling capacity if the illuminance recorded in the recording device is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value within a predetermined time range for a predetermined time or more. Since it is determined that the amount of heat generated by solar radiation is stably supplied, the room temperature is adjusted so that the occupant does not feel uncomfortable, thus realizing energy-saving operation without impairing comfort.

  Preferably, the air conditioner further includes an operation device capable of setting a room temperature by a resident's operation, and the control unit performs an adjustment process of the cooling / heating capacity when the room temperature is set by the operation device within a predetermined time range. Since the control unit does not change the set temperature uniformly when the temperature setting is changed to the occupant's favorite temperature setting, the occupant's comfort can be maintained.

  Preferably, in the air conditioner, when the air conditioner is in the heating operation, the control unit increases the heating capacity if the illuminance recorded in the recording device is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value within a predetermined time range. It is characterized by lowering by a predetermined amount. By reducing the set temperature by the amount that it feels warm due to radiant heat from solar radiation, the occupant can realize energy-saving operation without impairing comfort.

  Preferably, in the air conditioner, when the air conditioner is in a cooling operation, the control unit has a predetermined amount of solar radiation recorded in the recording device within a predetermined time range for a predetermined second time or less. If it becomes, it is characterized by lowering the cooling capacity by a predetermined amount, and if the sunlight is shaded during cooling or if actions such as shielding the sunlight with a curtain are taken, the set temperature should not be set too low Thus, the resident does not get too cold without noticing, and the cooling capacity is lowered, so that energy saving operation can be realized.

  Preferably, in the air conditioner, when the air conditioner is in a cooling operation, the control unit has a cooling capacity if the amount of solar radiation recorded in the recording device is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value within a predetermined time range and the amount of solar radiation recorded in the recording device is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value. The room temperature is adjusted so that the occupant does not feel uncomfortable after judging that the amount of heat generated by solar radiation is being supplied stably. Can be obtained.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows an external view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an illuminance sensor 2 is provided in front of the air conditioner 1, and the illuminance sensor 2 detects the illuminance in the room. In addition, the air conditioner 1 includes a control unit 8 that controls air conditioning based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor 2 as shown in FIG. The control unit 8 includes, for example, a microcomputer, a nonvolatile memory, and a RAM.

  About the air conditioner 1 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and effect | action at the time of heating operation are demonstrated below. When the air conditioner 1 starts operation in accordance with an instruction from a remote controller (not shown), the air conditioner 1 controls the room temperature as instructed by the remote controller by blowing heated air into the room from the outlet 5. To do. The room temperature is detected by a temperature sensor 3 provided in the suction port 4.

  FIG. 3 shows a control flow of the control unit 8 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the control by the control unit 8 will be described along the flow of FIG. Simultaneously with the start of the operation of the air conditioner 1, the illuminance sensor 2 starts detecting the illuminance L1 in the living room (step S1). This detection value is sent to the control unit 8 and recorded in, for example, a RAM. When the illuminance detection value L1 is greater than or equal to the constant value α (step S2), the control unit 8 starts counting the detection time P (step S3). The value of α can be recognized as an increase in illuminance due to solar radiation, by setting it higher than the illuminance due to general lighting equipment in the room, distinguishing from the illuminance due to illumination. For example, the value of α is set to about 40% of the maximum output value Lmax of the illuminance sensor 2 when cooling, and similarly about 50% when heating.

  Here, FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the value obtained by measuring the illuminance at the position where the air conditioner 1 is installed in various rooms and the output value of the illuminance sensor 2. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, the value of α set during cooling or heating will be described. According to FIG. 4, the output value of the illuminance sensor 2 due to solar radiation does not fall below 40% of the maximum output value of the illuminance sensor 2 in the summer when the solar altitude is high, regardless of the installation position of the air conditioner 1. In winter, when the solar altitude is low and solar radiation is easy to enter through the window, it did not fall below 50% of the maximum output value of the illuminance sensor 2. Further, when the room was shielded by a thick curtain when there was solar radiation, or the output value of the illuminance sensor 2 by indoor lighting did not exceed the output value by the solar radiation.

  FIG. 3 will be referred to again. Here, when the detection time P that satisfies L1 ≧ α during the predetermined time range β is equal to or greater than β / 2 that the solar radiation is considered to surely affect the indoor heat load (step S4), the control unit 8 performs the solar radiation. It is determined that there is (step S5a). This β / 2 considered the possibility of temporary cloudy weather. Further, the predetermined time range β is set to, for example, about 10 minutes when the indoor air conditioning temperature is stabilized.

  Further, when the predetermined time range β where P ≧ β / 2 is continuous or when P ≧ β / 2 is satisfied at 2β in the predetermined time range 3β (step S6), it is not temporary solar radiation but continued. It is determined that there is natural solar radiation (hereinafter referred to as solar radiation confirmation) (step S7a), and the heating capacity is adjusted (step S8).

  Specifically, after the solar radiation determination is determined, the compressor and / or the blower fan provided in the air conditioner are controlled to lower the heating capacity and lower the set temperature by about 1/3 ° C. If the conditions are further satisfied, the set temperature is further lowered by about 1/3 ° C. every 2β and is not lowered beyond 1 ° C. If the set temperature is lowered by 1 ° C. during heating operation, the energy saving effect is about 10%.

  The effectiveness of the method of lowering the set temperature can be explained from the test result of the subject shown in FIG. According to FIG. 5, as a result of freely adjusting the set temperature to the subject who was radiated with the amount of heat equivalent to solar radiation in the winter for 60 minutes in the experiment time, almost the same level of thermal sensation as compared with the case without radiation, The set temperature was lowered by about 1.5 ° C. while maintaining a comfortable feeling. This seems to have felt warmer due to the effects of radiant heat from solar radiation. In actual air conditioning, the set temperature is lowered in a range smaller than 1.5 ° C. in consideration of changes in the living position of the resident and the amount of activity. In other words, even if the resident is away from a window that is not easily affected by solar radiation, or if you want to keep the set temperature high with less activity, adjust the heating capacity within a range that does not affect comfort. . In general, many people notice a change in temperature when the set temperature is lowered by 1 minute in 10 minutes, but few people notice a change in the set temperature of 1 ° C. in one hour.

  Next, a case where the resident changes the set temperature in the control flow will be described. If the resident feels the influence of radiant heat due to solar radiation in the room, the resident may lower the set temperature by the remote controller himself before changing the heating capacity by the control flow. In this case, the control flow once returns to step S1. This is because when the set temperature is changed, the resident wants to set the room to the changed temperature, and thus proceeding the control flow as it is may damage the resident's comfort. If the set temperature is not changed thereafter, it is the comfortable temperature, and the control flow is started from there, and the heating capacity is adjusted to such an extent that the comfortable feeling is not impaired as described above.

  In order to maintain a more comfortable feeling, it may be set so that the control flow is not entered when the outside air temperature is less than 0 ° C. This is because when the outside air temperature is low, it is considered that the influence of the cold radiation due to the outside air temperature is larger than the influence due to the solar radiation.

  If it is controlled as described above, after judging that the amount of heat from solar radiation is being supplied stably, the resident can save energy without sacrificing comfort in order to lower the set temperature by the amount felt warm by radiant heat. Driving can be realized. Further, when the resident changes the set temperature, the control is once stopped and the control unit does not change the set temperature uniformly, so that the resident can maintain a comfortable feeling at the desired set temperature.

  In step S4, when the detection time P is not β / 2 or more, the control unit 8 determines that there is no solar radiation (step S5b), and returns to step S1. If the predetermined time range β where P ≧ β / 2 does not continue in step S6, or if P ≧ β / 2 is not satisfied at 2β in the predetermined time range 3β, the control unit 8 Then, it is determined that the solar radiation is not continuous solar radiation (hereinafter referred to as solar radiation non-confirmed), and the process returns to step S1 without adjusting the heating capacity.

The illuminance sensor 2 may be realized using a camera module. This method will be described.
The camera module includes an auto exposure adjustment (AEC) function and an auto gain control (AGC) function that change the exposure time of shooting to prevent overexposure of images in bright scenes and blackout in dark scenes. It is often equipped with an automatic image quality adjustment function. By using these functions, the illuminance can be measured using the camera module.

  Here, the gain value is constant without using the AGC function. As an AEC function, the exposure time is controlled so that the average luminance value of a photographed image becomes a constant value. At this time, the relationship between the average luminance value of the photographed image and the exposure time is an inversely proportional relationship. That is, the illuminance and the exposure time have an inversely proportional relationship, and the illuminance can be obtained by obtaining the exposure time during illuminance measurement. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the illuminance and the exposure time of a camera module equipped with an AEC function. From this figure, it can be seen that the illuminance L1 in the living room can be detected as in the case where the illuminance sensor 2 is used. When the camera module has an AEC function, the exposure time is obtained by reading the register value of the camera module.

  In addition, the AGC function and the AEC function may be used simultaneously without making the gain value constant. When the illuminance is constant, the gain and the exposure time are inversely proportional, and when the gain is doubled, the exposure time is halved. That is, the illuminance can be measured by acquiring the gain value and the exposure time when measuring the illuminance.

  FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the illuminance and the exposure time when the gain is quadrupled compared to FIG. Here, the resolution of illuminance measurement is considered. When measuring the illuminance using the exposure time, when the illuminance changes by a certain value, the larger the change in the exposure time, the higher the resolution, which is considered suitable for illuminance measurement. Compared with FIG. 9 in which the gain is increased as compared with FIG. 9, in the region where the illuminance is high, the change width of the exposure time is small and the resolution is low, so it is not suitable for illuminance measurement. Since the change width of the exposure time is large and the resolution is high, it is suitable for illuminance measurement. That is, optimal illuminance measurement can be realized by reducing the gain when the illuminance is high and increasing the gain when the illuminance is low. This is consistent with normal AGC operation that prevents overexposure and underexposure, so the illuminance can be measured using the AGC and AEC functions of a typical camera module.

  Of course, only the AGC function may be used, and the illuminance may be measured from the gain value without using the AEC function.

(Embodiment 2)
About the air conditioner 1 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, operation | movement and an effect | action at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation are demonstrated hereafter. When the air conditioner 1 starts to operate according to an instruction from a remote controller (not shown), the air conditioner 1 controls the room temperature to be instructed by the remote controller by blowing cooling air into the room from the outlet 5. To do. The room temperature is detected by a temperature sensor 3 provided in the suction port 4.

  FIG. 6 shows a control flow of the control unit 8 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the control by the control unit 8 will be described along the flow of FIG. The same flow as that of the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In step S6, when the predetermined time range β where P> β / 2 continues or when P> β / 2 is established when 2β of 3β is satisfied, it is determined that the solar radiation is confirmed (step S7a). Adjustment is performed (step S8b).

  Specifically, after determining solar radiation, the cooling capacity is increased by controlling the compressor and / or the blower fan, and the set temperature is lowered by about 1/3 ° C. If the condition continues further, the set temperature is further lowered by about 1/3 ° C. every 2β, and is not lowered beyond 1 ° C.

  Next, a case where the resident changes the set temperature in the control flow will be described. If the resident feels the influence of radiant heat due to solar radiation in the room, the resident may lower the set temperature with the remote controller before changing the cooling capacity by the control flow. In this case, the control flow once returns to step S1. This is because when the set temperature is changed, the resident wants to set the room to the changed temperature, and thus proceeding the control flow as it is may damage the resident's comfort. If the set temperature is not changed thereafter, it is the comfortable temperature. Therefore, the control flow is started from there and the cooling capacity is adjusted to such an extent that the comfortable feeling is not impaired as described above.

  In order to maintain a more comfortable feeling, the control flow may be set not to enter if the outside air temperature is less than 30 ° C. This is because the effect of solar radiation is considered to be small when the outside air temperature is low.

  If it is controlled as described above, after judging that the amount of heat from solar radiation is being supplied stably, the resident will not lose comfort by lowering the set temperature for the amount of warmth felt by radiant heat. . Further, when the resident changes the set temperature, the control is once stopped and the control unit does not change the set temperature uniformly, so that the resident can maintain a comfortable feeling.

(Embodiment 3)
About the air conditioner 1 in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, operation | movement and an effect | action at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation are demonstrated hereafter. When the air conditioner 1 starts to operate according to an instruction from a remote controller (not shown), the air conditioner 1 controls the room temperature to be instructed by the remote controller by blowing cooling air into the room from the outlet 5. To do. The room temperature is detected by a temperature sensor 3 provided in the suction port 4.

  FIG. 7 shows a control flow of the control unit 8 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the control by the control unit 8 will be described along the flow of FIG. The same flow as that of the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  After step S6, when the predetermined time range β where P> β / 2 continues, or when 2> β among 3β and P> β / 2 is established, the section is determined as the solar radiation determination section (step S7c). . Then, when the detected illuminance value L1 is equal to or less than a certain value γ throughout the predetermined time range β in the solar radiation determination section (step 9), it is determined that there is solar radiation shielding (step 10). As is apparent from FIG. 4, for example, γ may be about α / 2. This step 10 may be a case where the solar radiation is shaded by cloudy weather or the resident feels the solar radiation hot and takes actions such as closing the curtain. At this time, if the occupant continues to operate with the same cooling capacity as the section affected by solar radiation, the resident feels cold, so the cooling capacity is adjusted (step 11).

  Specifically, after the solar radiation shielding is confirmed and the predetermined time range β continues, the cooling capacity is lowered and the set temperature is raised by about 1/3 ° C. If the conditions are further satisfied, the set temperature is further raised by about 1/3 ° C. every 2β and is not lowered beyond 4/3 ° C.

  The effectiveness of this method of raising the set temperature can be explained from the test result of the subject shown in FIG. According to FIG. 8, the set temperature is similarly adjusted without shielding the amount of heat corresponding to solar radiation as a result of freely adjusting the set temperature to the radiated subject by shielding the amount of heat corresponding to solar radiation during the 60-minute experimental period. The set temperature was raised by about 2 ° C. while maintaining the same level of warmth and comfort as compared with the case. This is thought to be due to the effect felt cool by blocking the radiant heat from solar radiation. In actual air-conditioning, taking into account changes in the living position of the occupants and the amount of activity, the set temperature is raised within a range of less than 2 ° C. in determining solar shading. That is, even when the resident is on the window side that is easily affected by solar radiation, or when the amount of activity is large and it is desired to keep the set temperature low, the cooling capacity is adjusted within a range that does not affect comfort. In general, many people notice a change in the set temperature of 1 ° C. in 10 minutes, but few people notice a change in the set temperature of 1 ° C. in one hour.

  Next, a case where the resident changes the set temperature in the control flow will be described. When a resident feels the influence of radiant heat due to solar radiation in the room and shields the solar radiation, the resident may raise the set temperature by the remote controller himself before changing the cooling capacity by the control flow. In this case, the control flow once returns to step S1. This is because when the set temperature is changed, the resident wants to set the room to the changed temperature, and thus proceeding the control flow as it is may damage the resident's comfort. If the set temperature is not changed thereafter, it is the comfortable temperature. Therefore, the control flow is started from there, and the cooling capacity is adjusted to such an extent that the comfortable feeling is not impaired as described above.

  In order to maintain a more comfortable feeling, the control flow may be set not to enter if the outside air temperature is less than 30 ° C. This is because the effect of solar radiation is considered to be small when the outside air temperature is low.

  If it is controlled as described above, the resident will be able to make sure that the solar radiation is shielded when the amount of heat from solar radiation is supplied, and then raise the set temperature to feel cool by blocking the radiant heat. Can realize energy-saving operation without sacrificing comfort. Further, when the resident changes the set temperature, the control is temporarily stopped and the control unit does not change the set temperature uniformly, so that the resident can maintain a comfortable feeling.

  As described above, the air conditioner according to the present invention adjusts the cooling / heating capacity when the illuminance in the room exceeds the reference value for a predetermined time within a predetermined time range, and performs energy-saving operation without impairing comfort. Since it can be realized, it can be applied to the use of an air conditioner such as a living room of a house or a hotel room.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 2 Illuminance sensor 3 Temperature sensor 4 Suction inlet 5 Outlet 6 Horizontal flap 7 Vertical flap 8 Control part

Claims (6)

An air conditioner capable of adjusting the heating and cooling capacity based on the illuminance output at predetermined time intervals from the illuminance sensor provided in the indoor unit, and a recording device for recording the illuminance output at the predetermined time intervals, and a predetermined time range An air conditioner comprising: a control unit that adjusts the cooling and heating capacity when the illuminance recorded in the recording device is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value for a predetermined time or more. An operation device capable of setting a room temperature by a resident's operation is further provided, and the control unit terminates the adjustment processing of the cooling / heating capacity when the room temperature is set by the operation device within the predetermined time range. The air conditioner according to claim 1. When the air conditioner is in a heating operation, the control unit lowers the heating capacity by a predetermined amount if the illuminance recorded in the recording device is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value within a predetermined time range. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2. When the air conditioner is in a cooling operation, the control unit increases the cooling capacity if the illuminance recorded in the recording device is equal to or lower than a predetermined second reference value within a predetermined time range for a predetermined time or more. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air conditioner is lowered by a predetermined amount. When the air conditioner is in cooling operation, the control unit increases the cooling capacity by a predetermined amount if the illuminance recorded in the recording device is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value within the predetermined time range. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the illuminance sensor includes a camera module.

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