KR20230015147A - Air Conditioner and Control Method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a control method thereof, which consider the living environment of an occupant to maintain a comfortable indoor space. According to the present invention, the air conditioner comprises: a case forming a space therein, wherein the lower side thereof is opened; a panel arranged on the lower side of the case, and provided with an inlet and a plurality of outlets arranged around the inlet; a fan arranged inside the case, and forming an airflow from the inlet to the plurality of outlets; a wind direction adjustment device arranged on the plurality of outlets, and adjusting the direction of air flowing through the plurality of outlets in a vertical direction; a camera arranged on one side of the panel, and acquiring an image of indoor space; and a control part adjusting the wind direction adjustment device based on image information acquired from the camera. The control part divides the plurality of outlets into first area outlets facing a living area and second area outlets facing a non-living area based on accumulated data of the image information acquired by the camera and adjusts the plurality of wind direction adjustment devices such that air discharged from the first area outlets and air discharged from the second area outlets are differently formed in the vertical direction.

Description

Air conditioner and control method thereof {Air Conditioner and Control Method thereof}

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an air conditioner and a control method thereof for dividing a space detected by a camera and adjusting air flow for each divided area.

The air conditioner may be installed on a wall surface, a floor surface, or a ceiling of an indoor space depending on the structure.

The ceiling type air conditioner may be mounted on the ceiling and discharge heat-exchanged air downward. In addition, the ceiling-type air conditioner includes a plurality of outlets that open in different directions, so that heat-exchanged air can be discharged to a plurality of areas.

In a ceiling-type air conditioner, when air direction controllers disposed in a plurality of outlets are equally controlled, the same air flow is formed over the entire area. The discharge of the air may form the same airflow over the entire area, and the temperature may be equally changed in a plurality of directions of the indoor space.

Korean Patent Registration No. KR 10-2034663 B1 discloses a method of controlling wind direction controllers disposed at a plurality of outlets based on the temperature of the floor by sensing the temperature of the floor. However, the control in the above document can perform control according to the temperature of the floor, but there is a problem that unnecessary air control may be performed in an area where the user does not live or cannot live.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a control method of an air conditioner for maintaining a comfortable indoor space in consideration of the living environment of occupants.

Another problem of the present invention is an air conditioner that quickly reaches the desired temperature of the indoor space in the living area of the occupant and maintains the comfort level of the indoor space while minimizing the air flow toward the occupant when the desired temperature is close to the desired temperature, and a control method thereof is to provide

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of increasing the accuracy of classifying a living area and a non-living area of an indoor space and a control method thereof.

The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of outlets opening downward and a plurality of air direction control devices disposed in the plurality of outlets, and the control unit controls the plurality of outlets as described above. Based on the cumulative data of the image information obtained by the camera, it is divided into a first area outlet toward the living area and a second area outlet toward the non-living area, and the air discharged from the first area outlet and the second area outlet Each of the plurality of wind direction control devices may be adjusted so that the discharged air is formed differently in the vertical direction, so that the air flow discharged to the living area and the non-living area may be differently formed.

The air conditioner may further include a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the indoor space, and the control unit may, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches a set temperature range, up and down air flow from the first area discharge port By adjusting the wind direction controller to change, the air flow can be set differently depending on when the indoor temperature is formed within or outside the set temperature range.

The control unit adjusts the wind direction control device so that the air discharged through the first area discharge port is lower in the vertical direction than the air discharged through the second discharge port when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is outside the set range. A direct airflow can be formed into the area.

The control unit adjusts the wind direction controller so that the air discharged through the first discharge port is higher than the air discharged through the second region discharge port in the vertical direction when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is within a set range. Indirect airflow can be formed in the living area.

When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is outside the set range, the control unit adjusts the wind direction controller so that the air discharged through the first area outlet is discharged in a first direction toward the ground, and the temperature sensor senses When the temperature is within the set temperature range, the air flow direction control device is adjusted so that the air discharged through the first area discharge port is discharged in the second direction, which is upward from the first direction, so that the airflow range is adjusted according to the temperature of the indoor air. can be adjusted upwards and downwards.

The control unit adjusts the wind direction control device so that the air discharged through the second area discharge port is discharged in a third direction between the first and second directions, forming a constant air flow in the non-living area. can make it

The wind direction control device includes a vane disposed at the discharge port and changing the arrangement to adjust a wind direction of air flowing through the discharge port, and the controller includes vanes disposed at the first area discharge port and the second area discharge port, respectively. By changing the arrangement of the air flow of the air discharged to the living area and non-living area can be formed differently.

The wind direction control device includes a wind direction control fan disposed at one side of the discharge port and adjusting a rotational speed of the air discharged through the discharge port, and the control unit includes the first area discharge port and the second area discharge port. By changing the rotational speed of the wind direction control fan disposed at each discharge port, air flow of air discharged to the living area and the non-living area may be formed differently.

The camera may further include a timer for measuring an image acquisition time, and the control unit, after a set time measured by the timer, divides the user's living area from the cumulative image information obtained from the camera, It can improve the accuracy of classifying living areas.

An output unit for outputting an image obtained from the camera is further included, and the control unit divides the image displayed on the output unit into a plurality of areas to distinguish a living area and a non-living area of occupants.

The image displayed on the output unit may be partitioned based on the direction in which the discharge port faces, and a living area and a non-living area may be divided based on a region in which air is controlled through the discharge port.

In order to achieve the above object, a control method of an air conditioner of the present invention includes acquiring images of a plurality of areas where the plurality of outlets discharge air with a camera, and cumulative data of the image information acquired by the camera. Determining the living area and the non-living area based on the above, and installing a wind direction control device so that the up-and-down airflow discharged from each of the first area outlet toward the living area and the second area outlet toward the non-living area is set differently. Including the adjusting step, the indoor space may be divided into a living area and a non-living area, and the air flow may be controlled for each divided area.

The step of adjusting the wind direction controller includes the step of grasping the temperature of the indoor space with a temperature sensor, and the discharge from the first area discharge port based on the relationship between the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor and the set temperature range. The air flow may be adjusted in detail based on whether the temperature of the indoor space reaches a set temperature range, including the step of adjusting the wind direction controller so that the air flow of the air to be heated is changed.

When the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor is within a set temperature range, the wind direction controller is adjusted to set the airflow of the air discharged from the first area outlet to be higher than the airflow of the air discharged from the second area outlet. Thus, indirect airflow can be sent to the living area.

When the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor is outside the set temperature range, the wind direction controller is adjusted to set the air flow discharged from the first area outlet to be lower than the air flow discharged from the second area outlet. , can direct airflow into living areas.

In the step of determining the living area and the non-living area, the plurality of outlets are divided into a first area outlet disposed in the living area and a second area discharge outlet disposed in the non-living area, and directed toward the living area and the non-living area. It is possible to distinguish discharge ports arranged to do so.

The step of determining the living area and the non-living area includes dividing the area displayed on the output unit into a plurality of areas based on the direction in which the plurality of outlets are directed, and the image acquired by the camera for the set time or longer. Accumulating information and determining a living area and a non-living area based on the accumulated image information obtained by the camera.

The step of adjusting the air direction control device may include maintaining a constant air flow discharged from the second area outlet and forming the air flow discharged from the first area outlet higher or lower than the air flow discharged from the second area outlet, The air flow of the first area outlet disposed in the living area may be changed in the vertical direction.

In the step of adjusting the wind direction control device, the air discharged to the living area and the non-living area is controlled by arranging the vanes disposed in the first area discharge port and the vanes disposed in the second area discharge port differently from each other. Airflow can be shaped differently.

In the step of adjusting the wind direction control device, the rotational speed of the wind direction control fan disposed in the first region discharge port and the wind direction control fan disposed in the second region discharge port are differently adjusted to discharge air into the living area and the non-living area. It is possible to form the air flow of the air to be different.

Details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the air conditioner and its control method of the present invention, one or more of the following effects are provided.

First, there is an advantage in that the comfort level can be increased in the occupant's living area by setting the airflow of the air discharged to the occupant's living area and non-living area differently in the indoor space.

Second, there is an advantage in that the desired temperature in the living area can be quickly reached by adjusting the height of the airflow discharged from the indoor space to the occupant's living area relative to the airflow discharged to the non-living area.

In addition, when the indoor space is close to the desired temperature, the airflow discharged to the living area is relatively high and low with the airflow discharged to the non-living area, thereby minimizing discomfort caused by direct friction of the discharged air to occupants. there is.

Third, based on the accumulated position detection of the human body, there is an advantage in that the accuracy of living area determination can be increased by distinguishing between living and non-living areas.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of one side of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view for explaining a discharge port and a wind direction adjusting device of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4a is a view for explaining the arrangement of the first position of the wind direction control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4b is a view for explaining the arrangement of the second position of the wind direction control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4c is a view for explaining the arrangement of the third position of the wind direction control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5A is a diagram for explaining an air flow range according to the arrangement of a wind direction controller in a heating mode of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5A is a diagram for explaining an air flow range according to the arrangement of a wind direction controller in a cooling mode of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram of a control unit and related components of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7A is a view for explaining a corresponding area of an air conditioner and an output unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a view dividing the output unit, and (b) shows the arrangement of the outlet of the air conditioner. it is a drawing
7B is a view for explaining a corresponding area of an air conditioner and an output unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a view of the second embodiment in which the output unit is partitioned, and (b) is a view of the outlet of the air conditioner. A drawing showing the layout.
8A is a partitioned image of an image output to an output unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an accumulation detection area of the human body in the accumulation image of FIG. 8A.
8C is a diagram in which a living area and a non-living area are divided into an output unit based on the drawing of FIG. 8B.
9 is data showing a change in air flow setting for each discharge port according to a change in temperature in an indoor space.
FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining air flow for each discharge port in the indirect air flow of FIG. 9 .
FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining air flow for each discharge port in the direct air flow of FIG. 9 .
11 is a flowchart of a control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a control method of an air conditioner embodying the living area determination step of FIG. 11 .
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a control method of an air conditioner embodying the air flow control step for each outlet of FIG. 11 .
14 is a side cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
15A is a view for explaining the arrangement of a first position of a wind direction adjusting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
15B is a view for explaining the arrangement of the second position of the wind direction adjusting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
15C is a view for explaining the arrangement of the third position of the wind direction control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
16 is a side cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
17A is a view for explaining the arrangement of a first position of a wind direction adjusting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
17B is a view for explaining the arrangement of the second position of the wind direction control device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
17C is a view for explaining the arrangement of the third position of the wind direction control device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a side cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
19A is a diagram for explaining the airflow according to the first rotational speed of the wind direction control device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
19B is a diagram for explaining the airflow according to the second rotational speed of the wind direction control device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 19c is a view for explaining the air flow according to the third rotational speed of the wind direction control device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only these embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to completely inform the person who has the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to drawings for explaining a control method of an air conditioner according to embodiments of the present invention.

The configuration of the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4C.

The air conditioner 100 of the present invention may be an air conditioner 100 mounted on a ceiling.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the air conditioner 100 includes a suction port 122 opening downward and a discharge port 124 disposed around the suction opening 122 and opening downward.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the air conditioner 100 has a case 110 opened to the lower side and a space formed therein, disposed below the case 110 and forming a suction port 122 and a discharge port 124. The panel 120, the fan 112 disposed inside the case 110, the fan motor 114 for rotating the fan 112, the air disposed inside the case 110 and flowing by the fan 112 It includes a heat exchanger 116 for heat exchange and a wind direction control device 130 disposed at the outlet 124 to adjust the wind direction of the flowing air.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a plurality of discharge ports 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d spaced apart from each other in different directions around the suction port 122 are formed on the panel 120. The outlet 124 includes a first outlet 124a, a second outlet 124b, a third outlet 124c, and a fourth outlet 124d. Each of the first discharge port 124a, the second discharge port 124b, the third discharge port 124c, and the fourth discharge port 124d may be sequentially adjacent to each other and disposed in a direction perpendicular to each other with respect to the suction port 122. can In each of the first outlet 124a, the second outlet 124b, the third outlet 124c, and the fourth outlet 124d, a first wind direction control device 130a, a second wind direction control device 130b, A third wind direction adjusting device 130c and a fourth wind direction adjusting device 130d are disposed.

Since the configuration of one outlet 124 and the wind direction control device 130 disposed therein, which will be described below, can also be applied to the other outlets and the air direction control device disposed therein, a common identification number is used.

Referring to FIG. 3, the wind direction controller 130 is connected to a first vane 140 connected to two links 160 and 170 and one link connected to the first vane 140, and one side is a panel. It includes a second vane 150 rotatably connected to 120. The first vane 140 and the second vane 150 disposed at each of the first discharge port 124, the second discharge port 124, the third discharge port 124, and the fourth discharge port 124 are moved to different positions. can be placed.

The first vane 140 may cover the discharge port 124 or may be disposed below the discharge port 124 . The first vane 140 is formed longer than the second vane 150 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the first vane 140 is disposed below the second vane 150 when the fan 112 is not operating. The first vane 140 protrudes upward from both ends in the left and right directions of the first vane plate 142 for guiding the wind direction of the flowing air, and includes a plurality of links 160 and 170. It includes a first link plate 144 that is connected.

The second vane 150 includes a second vane plate 152, a second link plate 154 protruding upward from both ends in the left and right directions of the second vane plate 152 and connected to the third link 180, A connector 156 disposed in the left and right directions of the second vane plate 152 and connected to the panel 120 is included. The second vane plate 152 may be formed in a curved shape. However, as another embodiment, it is also possible for the second vane plate 152 to have a flat shape.

Referring to FIG. 3, the wind direction control device 130 is disposed spaced apart from the first link 160, the first link 160 rotatably connected to the panel 120 and the first vane 140, and the panel 120 ) And a second link 170 rotatably connected to the first vane 140. Referring to FIG. 3 , the wind direction control device 130 includes a third link 180 rotatably connected to one end of the first link 160 and the second vane 150 .

The first link 160 is rotatably connected to the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 . The first link 160 may rotate while being connected to a vane motor (not shown). The first link 160 includes a panel connecting portion 162 rotatably connected to the panel 120, extending toward the first vane 140 from the panel connecting portion 162, and having an end rotated on the first vane 140. A first link bar 164 that is possibly connected, a second link bar 166 extending from the panel connection portion 162 toward the second vane 150 and having an end rotatably connected to the second vane 150 include

Referring to FIG. 4A , the length 164L of the first link bar 164 is longer than the length 166L of the second link bar 166 . The length 164L of the first link bar 164 is shorter than the length 170L of the second link 170 . The length 164L of the first link bar 164 is longer than the length 180L of the third link 180 .

The first link 160 is disposed closer to the inlet 122 than the second link 170 .

The arrangement of the first vane 140 may be changed by the first link 160 and the second link 170 . Since the arrangement of the first vane 140 is changed by the first link 160 and the second link 170, it may be spaced downward from the outlet 124. The first vane 140 is elevated downward from the discharge port 124, and then the inclination is changed in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

In the second vane 150, the first end 151a moves downward, and then the first end 151a can move inward and outward according to the arrangement of the third link 180.

Referring to FIG. 3, each of the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 sets the end disposed far from the intake 122 as the first end 141a, 151a, and the intake 122 The first vane 140 and the second vane 150 will be described below by setting the ends disposed adjacent to the second ends 141b and 151b.

The second vane 150 is rotatably connected to the panel 120 in an inward direction from the first vane 140 . Here, a direction adjacent to the inlet 122 may be set as an inward direction, and a direction away from the inlet 122 may be set as an outward direction.

Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4C , the wind direction control device 130 according to the first embodiment may adjust the wind direction of air discharged through the outlet 124 according to arrangement.

Referring to FIG. 4A , the wind direction controller 130 may be disposed at a first position P1 to send air discharged through the outlet 124 in a direction horizontal to the ground. Referring to FIG. 4A , when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the first position P1, the first vane 140 may be disposed substantially horizontally on the ground. Referring to FIG. 4A, when the wind direction control device 130 is disposed at the first position P1, the first vane 140 has a first inclination angle θ1 within 30 degrees with an imaginary horizontal line parallel to the ground. can form Here, the first inclination angle θ1 is an inclination angle formed between an imaginary horizontal line parallel to the ground and the first vane 140, and may vary depending on the arrangement of the first vane 140.

Referring to FIG. 4A, when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the first position P1, the second end 141b of the first vane 140 is the first end of the second vane 150 ( 151a) may be disposed adjacent to. The second end 141b of the first vane 140 may be disposed to face the first end 151a of the second vane 150 .

Referring to FIG. 4A, when the wind direction control device 130 is disposed at the first position P1, the first inclination angle θ1 between the first vane 140 and an imaginary horizontal line is the second vane 150 Smaller than the second inclination angle (θ2, or 'the second inclination angle between the second vane and the imaginary horizontal mountain') between the imaginary line connecting the first end 151a and the second end 151b and the imaginary horizontal line. can be formed Here, the second inclination angle θ2 is an inclination angle formed between an imaginary line connecting the first end 151a and the second end 151b of the second vane 150 and an imaginary horizontal line, and the second vane 150 ) may vary depending on the arrangement of

Accordingly, the air flowing downward through the outlet 124 may flow through the second vane 150 and the first vane 140 sequentially. Referring to FIG. 4A , when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the first position P1, air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in a direction parallel to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 4B , the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 may be disposed at a second position P2 to send air discharged from the outlet 124 in a direction perpendicular to the ground. Referring to FIG. 4B , when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the second position P2, the first vane 140 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the ground. Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind direction control device 130 is disposed at the second position P2, the first vane 140 forms a first inclination angle θ1 of 60 degrees or more with an imaginary horizontal line parallel to the ground. can do.

Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the second end 141b of the first vane 140 is the first end of the second vane 150 ( 151a) and may be spaced apart from each other. Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the second end 141b of the first vane 140 is the first end of the second vane 150 ( 151a) may be disposed above.

Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the second end 141b of the first vane 140 is the second end 151b of the second vane 150. ) is placed toward the upper side. Referring to Figure 4b, when the wind direction control device 130 is disposed in the second position (P2), the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 may be disposed substantially parallel.

Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the second position P2, the first inclination angle θ1 between the first vane 140 and an imaginary horizontal line is the second vane 150 It is formed similarly to the second inclination angle (θ2) between the and the imaginary horizontal line. Referring to FIG. 4B , when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the second position P2 , air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 4C , the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 may be disposed at a third position P3 to send air discharged from the discharge port 124 to the ground in an inclined direction. When the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the third position P3, the air discharged through the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 is directed downward than the horizontal wind at the first position P1. , it is possible to form an inclined wind directed upward from the vertical wind at the second position P2.

Referring to Figure 4c, when the wind direction control device 130 is disposed in the third position (P3), the first vane 140, when the wind direction control device 130 is disposed in the first position (P1) It may be disposed at an inclination angle between the first vane 140 and the first vane 140 when the wind direction control device 130 is disposed at the second position P2. Referring to FIG. 4C, when the wind direction control device 130 is disposed at the third position P3, the first vane 140 has a first inclination angle w of 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less with an imaginary horizontal line parallel to the ground. (θ1) can be formed.

The distance between the second end 141b of the first vane 140 and the first end 151a of the second vane 150 when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the third position P3. In the first position, the second end 141b of the first vane 140 and the first end 151a of the second vane 150 are formed longer than the distance apart from each other.

The distance between the second end 141b of the first vane 140 and the first end 151a of the second vane 150 when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the third position P3. , The second end 141b of the first vane 140 and the first end 151a of the second vane 150 are spaced apart from each other when the wind direction control device 130 is disposed at the second position P2. formed shorter than the distance.

When the wind direction control device 130 is disposed at the first position P1, indirect wind may be generated to send the air discharged through the discharge port in a direction horizontal to the ground. When the wind direction control device 130 is disposed at the second position P2, it is possible to form a vertical wind that sends air discharged through the outlet in a direction perpendicular to the ground. When the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the third position P3, it is possible to form inclined wind that sends the air discharged through the outlet between the indirect wind and the vertical wind.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B , the air discharged through the outlet 124 may be divided into three directions in an up and down direction by a wind direction adjusting device 130 .

When the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the first position P1, the air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow upward. When the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the second position P2, the air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow downward. When the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the third position P3, the air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in an intermediate direction between the upper and lower directions.

When the wind direction controller 130 is at the first position (P1), the second position (P2), and the third position (P3), the range of the up-and-down air flow is at the third position (P3), at the first position ( It is formed lower than the air flow at P1) and higher than the air flow at the second position P2.

In the cooling condition and the heating condition, the ranges of up and down air flow may be different according to the first position (P1), the second position (P2), and the third position (P3) of the wind direction controller 130.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B , when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the first position P1, air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in the first direction D1. Here, the first direction D1 may mean that the angle formed between the direction in which the main flow of air discharged from the discharge port 124 flows and the ground is formed within a range of 0 degrees to 30 degrees. The first direction D1 may be equally formed under a heating condition or a cooling condition.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B , when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the second position P2 , air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in the second direction D2 .

The second direction D2 may have different ranges in the heating condition and the cooling condition. Referring to FIG. 5A, in the heating condition, the second direction D2 is an angle formed between the direction in which the main airflow of the air discharged from the outlet 124 flows and the ground is formed in the range of 60 to 90 degrees that can mean Referring to FIG. 5B, in the cooling condition, in the second direction D2, the direction in which the main airflow of the air discharged from the outlet 124 flows is formed between the ground and the angle formed in the range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees can mean becoming

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B , when the wind direction controller 130 is disposed at the third position P3, air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in the third direction D3.

The third direction D3 may have different ranges in the heating condition and the cooling condition. Referring to FIG. 5A, in the heating condition, in the third direction D3, the direction in which the main airflow of the air discharged from the discharge port 124 flows is formed between the ground and the angle formed in the range of 30 to 60 degrees. that can mean Referring to FIG. 5B, in the cooling condition, in the third direction D3, the direction in which the main airflow of the air discharged from the discharge port 124 flows is formed between the ground and the angle formed in the range of 45 to 60 degrees. that can mean

The angle ranges of the first direction (D1), the second direction (D2), and the third direction (D3) are according to one embodiment, depending on the space in which the air conditioner is disposed or the structure of the air conditioner. may be set differently.

In addition, in FIGS. 5A and 5B, three areas are divided, but it is also possible to subdivide them into four to six areas.

<Control section related>

The air conditioner of the present invention is disposed on one side of the panel 120, and the camera 510 acquires image information of the indoor space, the output unit 530 outputs the image information obtained from the camera 510, and the indoor space It includes a temperature sensor 520 that senses the temperature of and a control unit 500 that adjusts the wind direction control device 130 based on image information acquired from the camera 510.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 7A , the output unit 530 may be divided into a plurality of areas. The output unit 530 of FIG. 7A (a) includes a plurality of regions divided based on the direction in which the plurality of outlets 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d disposed in the air conditioner of FIG. 7A (b) are directed ( It can be classified into Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, IV, Ⅴ, Ⅵ).

Referring to (a) of FIG. 7A, the area displayed on the output unit 530 is divided into area 1 (I) and area 2 ( Ⅱ), 3 regions (III), and 4 regions (IV). In addition, according to the screen display of the output unit 530, an additional 5 area (V) and 6 area (VI) can be divided outside the 2 area (II) and 4 area (IV) parts.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 7B, the area displayed on the output unit 530 is divided into area 1 (I) and area 2 ( Ⅱ), 3 regions (Ⅲ), and 4 regions (IV), and additional 5 regions (V), 6 regions (VI) and 1 region outside the 2 regions (II) and 4 regions (IV) It is also possible to divide into additional 7 regions (VII) and 8 regions (VIII) outside of the Ⅰ) and 3 region (Ⅲ) parts.

The controller 500 may determine the living area of the occupant based on the image acquired by the camera 510 . The controller 500 may capture an image captured by the camera 510 and detect a human body based on the acquired image. In addition, by accumulating human body position information based on accumulated image information, it is possible to determine an area where the human body position information is accumulated as a living area.

The camera 510 may include an image sensor (not shown) that converts light into an electrical signal. The image sensor may include a plurality of photodiodes corresponding to a plurality of pixels constituting an image. The image sensor may be implemented as a charged coupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner may further include a lens through which light emitted from a subject passes, a digital signal processor configured to configure and process an image based on a signal output from an image sensor, and the like. Here, the digital signal processing device may be composed of at least a part of the control unit 500 or a separate processor operated independently of the control unit 500. For example, when the digital signal processing device is configured as a separate processor, the image processed by the digital signal processing device may be stored in the storage unit 540 as it is or after being additionally processed by the controller 500 .

The controller 500 may process an image obtained through an image sensor. For example, the controller 500 may remove noise from an image, perform gamma correction, color filter array interpolation, color matrix, and color correction for an image. ), and signal processing such as color enhancement.

The controller 500 may detect an object included in an image using at least one method. For example, the controller 500 may extract feature points included in the image through a method such as scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) or histogram of oriented gradient (HOG), and include the feature points in the image based on the extracted feature points. object can be detected. In this case, the control unit 500 may detect an object included in the image by determining the boundary of the object through an algorithm such as a support vector machine (SVM) or Adaboost.

The controller 500 may detect motion of an object included in the plurality of images based on a result of processing the plurality of images. For example, the controller 500 may calculate a motion vector for a plurality of pixels constituting an object detected in an image using a dense optical flow method, and calculate the motion vector. The motion of the object may be calculated based on the motion vector. In this embodiment, it is described that a dense optical flow method is used, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a sparse optical flow method for calculating motion vectors for some characteristic pixels is used. It could be.

The controller 500 may determine the amount of activity of the object detected in the image. For example, the controller 500 may determine the amount of activity of an object included in an image according to a value obtained by dividing the total sum of magnitudes of motion vectors of pixels constituting the object by the number of pixels constituting the object. there is.

The air conditioner of the present invention may include a storage unit 540 for storing an image acquired from the camera 510 and a timer 550 for measuring an image acquisition time of the camera 510 . The storage unit 540 may sequentially store images obtained from the camera 510 .

After the set time measured by the timer 550, the controller 500 distinguishes the living area of the user from the cumulative image information obtained from the camera, thereby increasing the accuracy of classifying the living area and the non-living area.

8A to 8C , based on image information obtained from the camera 510, area 1 (I), area 4 (IV), and area 6 (VI) are determined as living areas, and area 2 ( II), 3 areas (III), and 5 areas (V) can be judged as non-living areas. At this time, the outlets 124a and 124d disposed to face the 1 area (I), 4 area (IV), and 6 area (VI) are set as the first area outlet 124-1, and the 2 area (II) , the discharge ports 124b and 124c disposed toward the third region (III) and the fifth region (V) may be set as the second region discharge ports 124-2.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A , the screen displayed by the output unit 530 is divided into a plurality of areas based on the area where the discharge port is disposed. The image shown in FIG. 8A is an image captured from the ceiling through a camera 510 disposed on one side of the panel 120 .

As shown in FIG. 8B, an area where the human body is detected is extracted based on the accumulated image information. Based on the data extracted in FIG. 8B, the area divided into the output unit 530 as shown in FIG. 8C is divided into a living area and a non-living area.

The controller 500 may receive human body sensing data including a result of recognizing a location of a occupant from image information obtained from the camera 510 and accumulate the received human body sensing data. The controller 500 may generate a histogram when a certain number of data or more is accumulated while accumulating and counting human body sensing data.

The controller 500 may use the generated histogram as input data to distinguish a living area from a non-living area based on machine learning. The machine learning may use techniques such as SVM (Support Vector Machine) and Adaboost, and more preferably, deep learning techniques.

The control unit 500 includes an Artificial Neural Network pre-learned through machine learning, generates a histogram for each of a plurality of areas, and uses the generated histogram as input data of the artificial neural network to determine the living area and beauty area. areas of life can be distinguished.

In addition, the control unit 500 may collect a plurality of classification results while repeatedly performing the above process, and finally classify a plurality of areas of the indoor space into a living area and a non-living area based on the collected results. there is. That is, by deriving the final result when the living area classification results are accumulated over a certain number, reliability of the living area recognition result can be secured and temporary errors in the non-living area caused by human body detection errors can be removed.

The controller 500 may adjust the first area air direction control device 130 disposed in the first area outlet 124-1 disposed in the living area. The controller 500 may adjust the second area air direction control device 130 disposed at the second area outlet 124-2 disposed in the non-living area.

The control unit 500 may adjust the second air direction control device 130 so that the discharge direction of the second area outlet 124-2 disposed in the non-living area is uniform. The control unit 500 configures the first area wind direction adjusting device 130 so that the discharge direction of the first area outlet 124-1 disposed in the living area is higher or lower than that of the second area outlet 124-2. ) can be adjusted.

The controller 500 may adjust the wind direction controller 130 based on the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor 520 and a desired temperature set by the user.

The controller 500 may adjust the wind direction controller 130 depending on whether the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor 520 is within or outside the set temperature range.

The set temperature range may be set to a value considering a correction temperature in a desired temperature set by the user. The desired temperature can be set by the user. The correction temperature may be set according to the use environment and the like.

That is, the set temperature range may be set to a desired temperature ± a correction temperature. Referring to FIG. 9 , when the corrected temperature is set to 2 degrees, the control unit 500 may determine a set temperature range from a region 2 degrees higher than the desired temperature.

The controller 500 may adjust the second area wind direction control device 130 so that the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 flows in the third direction D3. Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B , the air discharged from the second region outlet 124-2 may be uniformly formed regardless of the temperature of the indoor space. However, the air discharged from the second region discharge port 124-2 may have different airflows in the vertical direction depending on the cooling condition or the heating condition.

The controller 500 may adjust the first area wind direction control device 130 so that the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 flows in the first direction D1 or the third direction D3. Referring to FIG. 10A , when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 520 is outside the set temperature range, the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 flows in the second direction (lower than the third direction D3) ( The first area wind direction control device 130 may be adjusted so as to flow in D2). Referring to FIG. 10B , when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 520 is within the set temperature range, the air discharged from the first region discharge port 124-1 flows in the first direction (which is higher than the third direction D3) ( The first area wind direction control device 130 may be adjusted so as to flow in D1).

Hereinafter, a method of controlling an air conditioner will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13 .

The air conditioner is operated, and the camera 510 goes through a step of acquiring image information (S100). The camera 510 is disposed on one side of the panel 120 and can take pictures of the lower space from the ceiling of the indoor space.

Thereafter, the controller 500 determines a living area for a space photographed by the camera 510 based on accumulated data of image information acquired by the camera 510 (S200). In the step of determining the living area (S200), a part of the human body with a large number of cumulative detections may be classified as a living area, and the remaining areas may be classified as a non-living area. In the step of determining the living area (S200), the plurality of discharge ports 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d are set to a first area discharge port 124-1 directed to the living area and a second area outlet 124-1 directed to the non-living area. 2) can be distinguished.

Referring to FIG. 12, the step of determining the living area and the non-living area (S200) includes the step of detecting the human body in the image obtained from the camera 510 (S210), and the step of accumulating the positional information of the human body (S200). S220) may be included.

The controller 500 may capture an image captured by the camera 510 and detect a human body based on the acquired image. In addition, by accumulating human body position information based on accumulated image information, it is possible to determine an area where the human body position information is accumulated as a living area.

The controller 500 may determine an area in which human body information is accumulated as a living area and determine the remaining areas as a non-living area based on a plurality of areas partitioned by the output unit 530 .

The step of determining the living area and the non-living area (S200) may include a step of determining whether the time for the camera 510 to acquire image information has elapsed a set time (S230). When the time for the camera 510 to obtain image information has elapsed, the controller 500 can divide the indoor space into a living area and a non-living area through accumulated data of human body location information. Accuracy of the actual living area and non-living area of the occupant can be increased when the cumulative position information of the human body is identified based on data over a certain period of time.

The control unit 500 may perform a step of controlling the air flow for each outlet (S300).

Among the plurality of outlets formed in the air conditioner, the control unit 500 assigns a discharge port disposed in the direction toward the living area to the first area outlet 124-1, and a discharge port disposed in the direction toward the non-living area to the second area. It can be set as the discharge port 124-2.

The control unit 500 controls the wind direction controller 130 so that the air flow discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 and the air flow discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 are set differently in the vertical direction. to adjust

The wind direction adjusting device 130 includes a first area wind direction adjusting device 130 disposed at the first area discharge port 124-1 and a second area wind direction adjusting device disposed at the second area discharge port 124-2 ( 130) can be distinguished.

In the step of adjusting the wind direction control device (S300), the airflow discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 is constantly maintained, and the airflow discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 is changed to the second area outlet (S300). 124-2) can be formed higher or lower than the air flow discharged.

The step of controlling the air flow for each outlet (S300) includes the step of sensing the temperature of the indoor space with a temperature sensor (S310), and the step of determining whether the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor and the set temperature range are included (S320). ) may be included.

When the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor 520 is within the set temperature range, the airflow of the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 is changed to that of the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2. It is possible to adjust the wind direction controller 130 to set higher than the air flow (S330). That is, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B , the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 flows in the third direction D3, and the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 flows in the third direction D3. The wind direction control device 130 may be adjusted to flow in one direction (D1).

In addition, when the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor 520 is outside the set temperature range, the airflow of the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 is the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2. It is possible to adjust the wind direction control device 130 so that it is formed lower than the air flow of (S340). That is, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B , the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 flows in the third direction D3, and the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 flows in the third direction D3. The wind direction control device 130 may be adjusted to flow in two directions (D2).

However, when the user sets the indirect wind as the preferred wind, the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 flows in the first direction D1 and is discharged from the second area outlet 124-2. The wind direction controller 130 may be adjusted so that the air flows in the second direction D2. A user may set a preferred wind through an input unit such as a remote controller (not shown). Here, the indirect wind is a case where the vane is disposed so that the air flow is not directly transmitted to the user.

When the user sets the indirect wind as the preferred wind, only the indirect air flow is set in the first area outlet 124-1 that discharges air into the living area. Accordingly, air is discharged in the first direction D1 from the first area discharge port 124-1. However, when the room temperature is outside the set temperature range, the second area outlet 124-2 for discharging air to the non-living area may discharge air in the second direction D2 to quickly reach the set temperature.

In the step of adjusting the wind direction control device (S300), the airflow discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 is constantly maintained, and the airflow discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 is changed to the second area outlet (S300). 124-2) can be formed higher or lower than the air flow discharged.

<Second Embodiment>

Hereinafter, the configuration of the air conditioner 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 15C.

The air conditioner 200 according to the second embodiment is different from the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the wind direction controller 230.

Therefore, the rest of the components except for the wind direction controller 230 may be replaced with the description of the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment.

The air conditioner 230 of the air conditioner 200 according to the second embodiment includes one vane 240 disposed at each outlet 224 and a vane motor (not shown) for driving the vane 240. ). The arrangement of the vane 240 is changed by the operation of the vane motor.

Referring to FIGS. 15A to 15C , the wind direction control device 230 may change the inclination angle of the vane 240 disposed at the outlet 224 to adjust the wind direction of air flowing through the outlet 224. The vane 240 is disposed to close the outlet 224 or to adjust the wind direction of air flowing through the outlet 224 .

Referring to FIG. 15A , the wind direction control device 230 may be disposed at a first position P1 in which the vane 240 is substantially parallel to an imaginary horizontal line parallel to the ground. When the wind direction controller 230 is disposed at the first position P1, the vane 240 may form an inclination angle θ within 30 degrees to the virtual horizontal line HL. The inclination angle θ is formed between the vanes 240 and the imaginary horizontal line HL, and may vary depending on the arrangement of the vanes 240 .

Referring to FIG. 15B , the wind direction control device 230 may be disposed at a second position P2 in which the vane 240 is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal line parallel to the ground. When the wind direction controller 230 is disposed at the second position P2, an inclination angle θ of 60 degrees or more may be formed with the imaginary horizontal line HL.

Referring to FIG. 15C , the wind direction controller 230 may be disposed at a third position P3 where the vane 240 forms an angle between the first position P1 and the second position P2. When the wind direction controller 230 is disposed at the third position P3, an inclination angle θ of 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less may be formed on the virtual horizontal line HL.

When the wind direction control device 230 is disposed at the first position P1, it is possible to form indirect wind that sends air discharged through the outlet in a direction horizontal to the ground. When the wind direction control device 230 is disposed at the second position P2 , vertical wind may be generated to send air discharged through the outlet in a direction perpendicular to the ground. When the wind direction controller 230 is disposed at the third position P3, it is possible to form inclined wind that sends the air discharged through the outlet between the indirect wind and the vertical wind.

The air conditioner according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, according to the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3 of the wind direction control device 230, Air discharged from the outlet 224 may be sent in a first direction D1 , a second direction D2 , and a third direction D3 .

<Third Embodiment>

Hereinafter, the configuration of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 17C.

The air conditioner 300 according to the third embodiment is different from the air conditioner according to the first embodiment in configuration and operating structure of the wind direction controller. In addition, there is a difference in the shape of the discharge port and the arrangement of the vanes. Therefore, the shape of the outlet and the rest of the configuration except for the wind direction control device may be replaced with the description of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

In the air conditioner 300 according to the third embodiment, a plurality of discharge ports 324 are formed around the suction port 322 . Here, the inlet 332 has a rectangular shape, and a discharge port 324 may be formed spaced outward from each side forming the inlet 332 . In addition, it is also possible for the inlet 332 to have a circular shape. At this time, a plurality of discharge ports 324 may be formed at positions spaced radially from the outer circumference of the circular suction port 332 .

In the outlet 324 formed in the air conditioner 300 according to the third embodiment, the outer end 324b is disposed above the inner end 324a. In addition, the discharge passage 335 formed on the upper side of the discharge port 324 has a structure extending outward from the upper side to the lower side.

The wind direction control device 350 of the air conditioner according to the third embodiment is disposed on the panel 320 and has a vane 340 protruding into the discharge port 324 and having a variable length, and disposed on the panel 320. A vane motor (not shown) for driving the vane 340 and a vane gear 350 rotated by the vane motor and engaged with the vane 340 to move the disposition of the vane 340 .

One end of the vane 340 meshed with the vane gear 350 may have a rack gear structure.

The vane 340 is disposed at the inner end 324a of the discharge port 324 . The vane 340 is disposed to protrude outward from the inner end 324a of the discharge port 324 . The length of the vane 340 protruding from the discharge port 324 is changed by the operation of the vane motor.

The wind direction adjusting device 330 may adjust the wind direction of the air flowing through the discharge port 324 according to the protruding length of the vane 340 toward the discharge port 324 .

Referring to FIGS. 17A to 17C , the wind direction control device 330 may adjust the wind direction of air flowing through the discharge port 324 by varying the protruding length of the vane 340 toward the discharge port 324 .

Referring to FIG. 17A , the wind direction control device 330 may be disposed at a first position P1 in which the vane 340 protrudes to the discharge port 324 to the maximum. When the wind direction control device 330 is disposed at the first position P1, the vane 340 may protrude to the maximum value of the protruding range. Accordingly, when the wind direction controller 330 is disposed at the first position P1, air flowing through the discharge passage 335 may be guided in a direction horizontal to the ground. When the wind direction controller 330 is disposed at the first position P1, since the vane 340 is disposed lower than the outer end 324b of the discharge port 324, the air discharged through the discharge port 324 It can flow in a direction horizontal to the ground along 340.

Referring to FIG. 17B , the wind direction control device 330 may be disposed at a second position P2 in which the vane 340 does not protrude into the outlet 324. When the wind direction control device 330 is disposed in the second position P2, it is disposed not to be exposed to the discharge port 324. Accordingly, when the wind direction controller 330 is disposed at the second position P2 , the air flowing through the discharge passage 335 may be discharged through the discharge port 324 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ground. However, depending on the shape of the discharge passage 335, it is also possible that the air flowing through the discharge port 324 flows partially inclined to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 17C, the wind direction control device 330 is moved to a third position P3 protruding shorter than the protruding length of the vane 340 in a state where the wind direction control device 330 is disposed at the first position P1. are placed When the wind direction controller 330 is disposed at the third position P3, the vane 340 protrudes longer than the protruded length of the vane 340 toward the outlet 324 at the second position P2. When the wind direction control device 330 is disposed at the third position (P3), the length of the vane 340 protruding toward the outlet 324 when the wind direction control device 330 is disposed at the second position (P2) It may protrude to a length of 1/3 to 2/3 of the.

When the wind direction control device 330 is disposed at the first position P1, indirect wind may be generated to send the air discharged through the outlet in a direction horizontal to the ground. When the wind direction control device 330 is disposed at the second position P2 , vertical wind may be generated to send air discharged through the outlet in a direction perpendicular to the ground. When the wind direction controller 330 is disposed at the third position P3, it is possible to form inclined wind that sends the air discharged through the outlet between the indirect wind and the vertical wind.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, according to the air conditioner according to the third embodiment, according to the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3 of the wind direction control device 330, Air discharged from the outlet 324 may be sent in a first direction D1 , a second direction D2 , and a third direction D3 .

<The fourth embodiment>

Hereinafter, the configuration of the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 19C.

The air conditioner 400 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the wind direction control device. In the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment, the inlet 422 may have a circular shape, and the outlet 424 may be formed in an annular shape around the inlet 422 .

The wind direction control device 430 of the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment includes a wind direction control fan 440 disposed on one side of the outlet 424 . The wind direction control fan 440 is disposed on one side of the direction in which the suction port 422 is disposed in the area where the discharge port 424 is formed, and can adjust the wind direction of air discharged through the discharge port 424 .

The wind direction control fan 440 is disposed on one side of the outlet 424 to adjust the wind direction of air discharged through the outlet 424 . A plurality of wind direction control fans 440 are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the annular shape in which the discharge port 424 is formed.

The wind direction control fan 440 may control the wind direction of the air flowing through the outlet 424 by sucking air around the outlet 424 and changing the pressure. The wind direction control fan 440 may control the intake amount of air around the outlet 424 .

The wind direction control device 430 may adjust the wind direction of the air discharged through the outlet 424 by controlling or stopping the rotational speed of the wind direction control fan 440 . When the wind direction control fan 440 is stopped, the air flowing into the discharge port 424 is affected by the shape of the discharge passage 425 and the opening direction of the discharge port 424 . Therefore, when the wind direction control fan 440 is stopped, the air flowing through the outlet 424 can be discharged in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

However, when the wind direction control fan 440 is operated, since some of the air discharged through the outlet 424 is affected by the wind direction control fan 440, the air discharged through the outlet 424 is directed horizontally to the ground. It can tilt and float. At this time, the flow direction of the air flowing through the outlet 424 may be adjusted according to the amount of air sucked into the wind direction control fan 440 . When the rotational speed of the wind direction control fan 440 increases, the amount of air sucked into the wind direction control fan 440 increases, so that the air can flow in a direction parallel to the ground.

Referring to FIGS. 19A to 19C , the wind direction control device 430 may control the wind direction of the air discharged through the outlet 424 by adjusting the operation or rotational speed of the wind direction control fan 440 .

Referring to FIG. 19A , the wind direction control device 430 may rotate at a first set speed that rotates the rotational speed of the wind direction control fan 440 at the maximum value. When the wind direction control device 430 rotates at the first set speed, it is possible to form an indirect wind that sends air discharged through the discharge port in a direction horizontal to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 19B , the wind direction control device 430 may rotate the rotational speed of the wind direction control fan 440 at a minimum value or at a second set speed that stops. Here, the second set speed corresponds to a speed including '0'. Accordingly, the second set speed of the wind direction control device 430 may include a state in which the wind direction control fan 440 is stopped. When the wind direction control device 430 rotates at the second set speed, it is possible to form a vertical wind that sends air discharged through the discharge port in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 19C , the wind direction control device 430 may rotate the wind direction control fan 440 at a third set speed that rotates in a range between the first set speed and the second set speed. When the wind direction control device 430 rotates at the third set speed, it is possible to form inclined wind that sends the air discharged through the discharge port between the indirect wind and the vertical wind.

When the wind direction control device 430 rotates at the first rotational speed, which is the maximum speed, it is possible to form an indirect wind that sends the air discharged through the discharge port in a direction horizontal to the ground. When the wind direction control device 330 rotates at a minimum speed or rotates at a second rotational speed that is stopped, it is possible to form a vertical wind that sends air discharged through the discharge port in a direction perpendicular to the ground. When the wind direction control device 330 rotates at the third rotational speed corresponding to the range between the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed, it is possible to form inclined wind that sends the air discharged through the outlet between the indirect wind and the vertical wind. there is.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment is discharged from the outlet 324 according to the first rotational speed, the second rotational speed, and the third rotational speed of the wind direction control device 330. air can be sent in a first direction (D1), a second direction (D2), and a third direction (D3).

The air conditioner control method according to FIGS. 11 to 13 may also be applied to the air conditioner according to the second to fourth embodiments.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and in the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Various modifications and implementations are possible by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

100, 200, 300, 400: air conditioner
124, 224, 324, 424: discharge port
130, 230, 330, 430: Wind direction control device
500: control unit
510: camera
520: temperature sensor
530: output unit
540: storage unit
550: timer

Claims (20)

A case forming a space inside and having an open lower side;
a panel disposed under the case and having a suction port and a plurality of discharge ports disposed around the suction port;
a fan disposed inside the case and forming an air flow from the suction port to the plurality of discharge ports;
a wind direction control device disposed at each of the plurality of outlets and controlling a wind direction of air flowing through each of the plurality of outlets in an up and down direction;
a camera disposed on one side of the panel and acquiring an image of an indoor space;
A control unit for adjusting the wind direction adjusting device based on image information obtained from the camera;
The control unit divides the plurality of outlets into a first area outlet toward a living area and a second area outlet toward a non-living area based on accumulated data of image information acquired by the camera, and in the first area outlet The air conditioner controls each of the plurality of air direction controllers so that the air discharged from the second area outlet is differently formed in the vertical direction. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the indoor space,
The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein the control unit adjusts the wind direction controller to change the air flow in the up and down directions of the first region outlet when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches a set temperature range. According to claim 2,
The controller adjusts the wind direction control device so that when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is outside the set range, the air discharged through the first area discharge port is lower than the air discharged through the second discharge port in the vertical direction. energy. According to claim 2,
The control unit adjusts the wind direction controller so that the air discharged through the first discharge port is higher than the air discharged through the second region discharge port in the vertical direction when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is within a set range. conditioner. According to claim 2,
When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is outside the set range, the control unit adjusts the wind direction controller so that the air discharged through the first area outlet is discharged in a first direction toward the ground, and the temperature sensor senses An air conditioner that adjusts a wind direction controller so that air discharged through the first area discharge port is discharged in a second direction upwards from the first direction when the temperature is within a set temperature range. According to claim 5,
The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein the control unit adjusts a wind direction controller so that air discharged through the second region discharge port is discharged in a third direction between the first and second directions. According to claim 1,
The wind direction control device includes a vane disposed at the outlet and changing the arrangement to adjust a wind direction of air flowing through the outlet,
The control unit changes the arrangement of the vanes disposed in each of the first area discharge port and the second area discharge port. According to claim 1,
The wind direction control device includes a wind direction control fan disposed on one side of the discharge port and adjusting a rotational speed of the air discharged through the discharge port,
The control unit changes the rotational speed of the wind direction control fan disposed at each of the first area discharge port and the second area discharge port. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a timer for measuring a time for the camera to acquire an image,
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit distinguishes a user's living area from cumulative image information obtained from the camera after a set time measured by the timer. According to claim 1,
Further comprising an output unit for outputting an image obtained from the camera,
The controller divides the image displayed on the output unit into a plurality of areas, and divides the occupant's living area and non-living area. According to claim 10,
The air conditioner divides the image displayed on the output unit based on the direction in which the outlet is directed. An air conditioner control method comprising a suction port and a plurality of discharge ports arranged around the suction port, wherein the plurality of discharge ports discharge air to different areas,
obtaining images of a plurality of areas where the plurality of outlets discharge air with a camera;
determining a living area and a non-living area based on accumulated data of image information acquired by the camera;
and adjusting a wind direction controller so that up-and-down airflows discharged from a first area discharge port toward the living area and a second area discharge port toward the non-living area are set differently. According to claim 12,
Adjusting the wind direction control device,
Grasping the temperature of the indoor space with a temperature sensor;
controlling the air conditioner so that the air flow discharged from the first area outlet is changed based on a relationship between the temperature of the indoor space detected by the temperature sensor and a set temperature range; method. According to claim 13,
When the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor is within a set temperature range, the wind direction controller is adjusted to set the airflow of the air discharged from the first area outlet to be higher than the airflow of the air discharged from the second area outlet. A control method of an air conditioner to do. According to claim 13,
When the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor is outside the set temperature range, adjusting the air direction control device to set the air flow of air discharged from the first area outlet to be lower than the air flow of air discharged from the second area outlet. Air conditioner control method. According to claim 12,
The step of determining the living area and the non-living area,
A control method of an air conditioner that divides the plurality of outlets into a first area outlet disposed in a living area and a second area outlet disposed in a non-living area. According to claim 12,
The step of determining the living area and the non-living area,
dividing an area displayed on an output unit into a plurality of areas based on directions in which the plurality of discharge ports are directed;
accumulating image information obtained by the camera for more than the set time;
A method of controlling an air conditioner comprising determining a living area and a non-living area based on accumulated image information obtained by the camera. According to claim 12,
The step of adjusting the wind direction control device,
Maintaining a constant air flow discharged from the second area discharge port,
A control method of an air conditioner in which the air flow discharged from the first area discharge port is higher or lower than the air flow discharged from the second area discharge port. According to claim 12,
Adjusting the wind direction control device,
A method of controlling an air conditioner in which a vane disposed in the first region discharge port and a vane disposed in the second region discharge port are differently disposed. According to claim 12,
In the controlling of the wind direction control device, the rotational speed of the wind direction control fan disposed in the first region discharge port and the wind direction control fan disposed in the second region discharge port are differently adjusted.

Images