RU2482398C2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: ventilation.

SUBSTANCE: area of resolution of action of the electrostatic spraying device 18, 18A is determined depending on the temperature and humidity of the air intaken to the indoor unit. If the temperature detected by the detection means 92 of the suction temperature, and humidity detected by the humidity detection means 94, are in the area of resolution of action, the action of the electrostatic spraying device 18, 18A is permitted, while if the temperature detected by the detection means 92 of the suction temperature and the moisture detected by the humidity detection means 94 are beyond the area of resolution of action, the action of the electrostatic spraying device 18, 18A is prohibited.

EFFECT: improved performance characteristics.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to an air conditioner provided with an indoor unit that has an air purification function for purifying indoor air.

Prior art

Some traditional air conditioners have a deodorization function. To this end, they include an air purification filter located close to, for example, the suction openings in the indoor unit to adsorb odorous components or a deodorization unit located, for example, in the air channel and having oxidation decomposition functions for adsorbing odorous components.

However, due to the fact that air conditioners having the deodorizing function remove odorous components contained in the air that has been sucked out through the suction openings to eliminate odors, they cannot remove smelling components contained in the air inside the room or those that are held on curtains, walls, etc.

In view of this, an air conditioner having an electrostatic atomizing device has been proposed. The electrostatic spray device is located in the air duct in the indoor unit to generate electrostatic fog with a size of a micron in the particle diameter and subsequently blows it together with the air into the room, thereby removing odorous components contained in the room air or those that are held on the curtains, walls, etc. (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or 2).

Another air conditioner has been proposed in which an electrostatic atomizing device includes Peltier elements. This air conditioner is provided with suction temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the air drawn into the indoor unit, humidity detection means for detecting humidity of such air, a Peltier element power supply and a high voltage power supply for applying a high voltage to the high voltage electrode. The power source of the Peltier element drive and the high voltage power source are controlled based on the detection result of the suction temperature detection means and the same humidity detection means so as to obtain the water necessary for electrostatic spraying without supplying water (see, for example, Patent Document 3 )

Another air conditioner has been proposed in which neither the suction temperature detection means nor the moisture detection means are provided for electrostatic spraying, and the electrostatic spraying is stably controlled by feedback controlling the power source of the Peltier element drive based on the detected discharge current using the relation between the amount of condensation water of the droplets and the amount of discharge current generated during electrostatic spraying (see, for example, Pat ntny Document 4).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-282873.

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-234245.

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-149538.

Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-21373.

Disclosure of invention

Problems Solved by the Invention

However, the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 3 requires a cooling surface temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the cooling surface of the Peltier elements, and the control means controls the voltage of the power supply of the Peltier element drive to bring the temperature of the cooling surface detected by the cooling surface temperature detection means close to the temperature dew points. The design is complex, causing cost problems.

Since the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 4 does not have a suction temperature detection means and humidity detection means when the humidity in the room is high, the distance between the water condensed on the high voltage electrode and the opposing electrode is reduced, thereby generating a malfunction sound or make it impossible to produce electrostatic fog with the desired particle diameter. On the other hand, when the humidity inside the room is low, the dew point temperature is not reached, even if the Peltier elements show their maximum capacities, thus causing the possibility of ozone generation, or even when the dew point temperature is below the freezing point, the electrostatic atomizing device works unnecessarily, thus reducing the life of the electrostatic atomizing device or making energy conservation impossible.

The present invention has been developed to overcome the above drawback.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner having an electrostatic spray device, in which an action resolution area is defined in which the electrostatic spray device can produce a desired electrostatic fog without producing noise or ozone. Only when the temperature and humidity of the air sucked into the indoor unit are both within the range of action, the electrostatic atomizing device is allowed to operate, thus allowing a low-cost air conditioner of simple design that can increase the life of the electrostatic atomizer or achieve energy savings.

Problem Solving Tools

To solve the above problem, the air conditioner according to the present invention is provided with an indoor unit having an air cleaning function for purifying indoor air, and includes an electrostatic atomizing device for generating electrostatic fog, a suction temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of the air sucked into the indoor unit, and means for detecting humidity in order to detect the humidity of the air drawn into the indoor unit, while domain authorization action of electrostatic atomizing device is defined based on the temperature and humidity of air sucked into the indoor unit. When the temperature detected by the suction temperature detection means and the humidity detected by the humidity detection means are within the resolution range, the action of the electrostatic spray device is allowed, while when the temperature detected by the suction temperature detection means and the humidity detected by the humidity detection means are outside the scope of the action, the action of the electrostatic atomizing device is prohibited. Also, the area of excessive drip condensation is determined outside the action resolution region when the humidity of the air drawn into the indoor unit is higher than the first predetermined value.

In another aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner includes an indoor unit, a human body detection sensor mounted on an indoor unit for detecting the presence or absence of a person, and an electrostatic spray device mounted on an indoor unit for generating electrostatic fog. A skin care mode and a room care mode are provided, and when it is determined that a person is present in a predetermined area in a range that can be detected by the human body detection sensor, the air flow direction in the skin care mode is controlled to direct air discharged from the indoor unit in the direction of a given area to allow electrostatic fog to reach a given area, while when it is determined that no one is present in a range that can be detected by a human body detection sensor, the direction of the air flow in the room care mode is controlled to direct the electrostatic fog up or to allow the electrostatic fog to reach an area remote from the indoor unit.

Effects of the invention

The air conditioner according to the present invention determines the resolution range of the electrostatic atomizing device based on the temperature and humidity of the air drawn into the indoor unit, and when the temperature detected by the suction temperature detection means and the humidity detected by the humidity detection means are within the resolution range, the action of the electrostatic atomizing device is permitted, while when any of them is outside the area of times action decisions, the action of an electrostatic atomizing device is prohibited. Accordingly, the air conditioner according to the present invention has a simple structure, can avoid generating noise or ozone without causing an increase in cost, and can increase the life of the electrostatic atomizing device or achieve energy saving.

In skin care mode, the air flow direction is controlled to direct the air discharged from the indoor unit to an area that has been detected by the human body detection sensor that the person is present there, or to a property area of an area having a high human presence frequency, so that electrostatic fog could reach such an area. In this way, electrostatic fog is supplied to the user in order to improve his skin.

In the room care mode, if it is determined that no one is present in a range that can be detected by the human body detection sensor, the electrostatic fog is directed upward or applied so as to reach an area remote from the indoor unit. Thus, electrostatic fog is applied to wall surfaces, curtains, etc., to which odorous components can stick, thus allowing to efficiently or qualitatively sterilize and remove odorous components and provide comfortable room conditions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention with its remote part.

Figure 2 is a schematic vertical section of an indoor unit according to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an electrostatic atomizing device installed in an indoor unit according to Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front view of the electrostatic atomizing device and part of the structure of the indoor unit according to Figure 1.

5 is a schematic representation of an electrostatic atomizing device.

6 is a block diagram of an electrostatic spray device.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an indoor unit, in particular showing a state in which an electrostatic atomizing device is mounted relative to the housing of the indoor unit.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modification of the indoor unit, in particular showing a state in which the electrostatic atomizing device is mounted relative to the housing of the indoor unit.

Fig.9 is a side view of the indoor unit according to Fig.1, in particular, showing the positional relationship between the electrostatic atomizing device and the exhaust fan unit.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modification of an electrostatic spray device.

11 is a side view of the indoor unit according to FIG. 1, in particular, showing the positional relationship between the electrostatic atomizing device of FIG. 10 and the exhaust fan unit.

12 is a graph indicating an allowable range of an electrostatic atomizing device.

13 is a block diagram of an indoor unit and an electrostatic spray device, in particular, showing a signal transition between a control unit of the first and a control unit of the latter.

14A is a front view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention having a human body detection device.

FIG. 14B is a front view of the indoor unit of FIG. 14A with the cover of the human body detection device removed.

Fig.14C is a side view of the indoor unit according to Fig.14A.

Figa is a perspective view of the indoor unit, in particular, showing the state in which the front suction openings are open by the front panel.

FIG. 15B is a side view of the indoor unit of FIG. 15A.

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view of the indoor unit of Fig. 14A.

17A is a front view of a human body detection device.

FIG. 17B is a side view of the human body detection apparatus of FIG. 17A.

Fig.17C is a perspective view of a device for detecting a human body according to Fig.17A.

18A is a schematic view of an indoor unit showing a change in the field of view caused by a change in the installation position of the human body detection device.

FIG. 18B is another schematic view of an indoor unit showing a change in the field of view caused by a change in the installation position of the human body detection device.

Fig. 18C is a further schematic view of an indoor unit showing a change in the field of view caused by a change in the installation position of the human body detection device.

Fig. 18D is another schematic view of an indoor unit showing a change in the field of view caused by a change in the installation position of the human body detection device.

Fig. 19 is a schematic view of regions distinguishing human positions that are detected by sensor units provided in the human body detection device.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of segmented regions detected by three sensor blocks. FIG.

Fig.21 is a block diagram for setting the properties of the area in each shown area according to Fig.19.

Fig. 22 is a block diagram for finally determining the presence or absence of a person in each area shown in Fig. 19.

23 is a time map showing a determination of the presence or absence of a person by each sensor unit.

Fig.24 is a schematic top view of the house in which the indoor unit according to figa was installed.

Fig.25 is a graph depicting the long-term cumulative results obtained by each block of sensors in relation to the house according to Fig.24.

FIG. 26 is a schematic top view of another house in which the indoor unit of FIG. 14A has been installed.

FIG. 27 is a graph showing the long-term cumulative results obtained by each sensor unit relative to the house of FIG.

Fig. 28 is a set of vertical sectional views of the indoor unit, each showing the current state of the vertical blade changing the direction of air flow installed in the indoor unit according to Fig. 14A.

Fig. 29 is a schematic view showing the set speeds of the indoor fan when each area shown in Fig. 19 is conditioned.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing the installed angles of a vertical blade that changes direction of air flow, and the angles of a horizontal blade that changes direction of air flow when each area shown in FIG. 19 is heated.

FIG. 31 is a schematic view showing the installed angles of a vertical blade changing direction of air flow and the angles of a horizontal blade changing direction of air flow during a rise or in an unstable state when each region shown in FIG. 19 is cooled.

Fig. 32 is a schematic view showing the installed angles of a vertical blade that changes direction of air flow, and the angles of a horizontal blade that changes direction of air flow, in an unstable state when each area shown in Fig. 19 is cooled.

Fig. 33 is a flowchart showing control of the direction of the air flow, which is performed depending on the number of areas to be air-conditioned.

Fig. 34A is a schematic view showing an air conditioning mode in which two regions are conditioned.

Fig. 34B is a schematic view showing another conditioning mode in which two regions are conditioned.

Fig. 34C is a schematic view showing an additional conditioning mode in which two regions are conditioned.

Fig. 34D is a schematic view showing yet another conditioning mode in which two regions are conditioned.

Fig. 34E is a schematic view showing another conditioning mode in which two regions are conditioned.

Fig. 35A is a schematic view showing a conditioning mode in which three regions are conditioned.

Fig. 35B is a schematic view showing another conditioning mode in which three regions are conditioned.

Fig. 35C is a schematic view showing an additional conditioning mode in which three areas are conditioned.

Fig. 36 is a schematic view showing the installed angles of a vertical vane changing the direction of air flow and the angles of a horizontal vane changing the direction of air flow when the electrostatic atomizing device operates without people.

Fig. 37 is a schematic view showing the set speeds of the indoor fan when the electrostatic atomizing device operates without people.

Fig. 38 is a time map of a power saving operation by controlling the capacity of the indoor fan and the capacity of the compressor installed in the outdoor unit.

Fig. 39 is a time map showing temperature control during heating.

40 is a time map showing temperature control during cooling.

Explanation of Reference Positions

2 indoor unit housing, 2a front suction port, 2b upper suction port, 4 front panel, 5 filter, 6 heat exchanger, 8 room fan, 10 exhaust port, 12 vertical blade that changes the direction of air flow, 14 horizontal blade that changes the direction of air flow , 16 exhaust fan unit, 18, 18A electrostatic atomizing device, 20 main channel, 22 bypass channel, 22a bypass suction port, 22b bypass exhaust port, 22c bypass suction pipe, 22d bypass exhaust pipe, 22e m storage room, 24 high voltage transformer, 26 bypass fan, 28 radiating part, 30 electrostatic atomizing device, 32 silencer, 34 casing, 36 Peltier elements, 36a radiating surface, 36b cooling surface, 38 discharge electrode, 40 opposing electrode, 42 controller, 44 Peltier drive power supply, 46 frame, 46a rear wall, 46b side wall, 46c separation wall, 46d hole, 48 rear rail, 48a rear wall, 48b side wall, 58 exhaust passage, 62 hole, 64 damper, 66 block casing, 68 silencer cover, 7 2 controller, 92 suction temperature sensor, 94 humidity sensor, 96 speed detection tool, 100 cover, 114 middle blade, 116 middle blade drive mechanism, 118, 120, 122, 124 lever, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 sensor block , 126a, 128a, 130a, 132a, 134a circuit board, 126b, 128b, 130b, 132b, 134b lens, 136 sensor holders.

The best embodiment of the invention

Embodiments of the present invention are explained hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

(The whole design of air conditioner)

The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit connected to each other through a cooling pipe system, and FIGS. 1 and 2 show an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the indoor unit includes a main body 2 having front suction openings 2a and upper suction openings 2b, both of which are defined here as suction openings by which room air is sucked into the main body 2 The indoor unit also includes a movable front panel (hereinafter referred to as the "front panel" for simplicity) 4 to open and close the front suction openings 2a. When the air conditioner is not in operation, the front panel 4 is kept in close contact with the main body 2 to close the front suction holes 2a, while when the air conditioner is activated, the front panel 4 is moved away from the main body 2 to open front suction holes 2a.

The main body 2 accommodates a filter 5 located downstream of the front suction openings 2a and the upper suction openings 2b to remove dust contained in the air, a heat exchanger 6 located downstream of the filter 5 for heat exchange with the room air drawn in by means of front suction holes 2a and upper suction holes 2b, and a room fan 8 operable to transfer air after heat exchange with the heat exchanger 6. The main body 2 also includes a vertical blade 12, varying the direction of the air flow, acting to open and close the outlet 10, through which the air transmitted by the room fan 8 is blown into the room, and also acting to vertically change the direction of the air blown out of the outlet 10, and the horizontal blades 14, changing air flow direction, acting to horizontally change the air flow direction. The front panel 4 is connected by its upper part to the upper part of the main body 2 through a plurality of levers (not shown) provided on its respective side parts. Since one of the plurality of levers is connected to a drive motor (not shown) when the air conditioner is being actuated, the front panel 4 moves forward from a position (in which the front suction holes 2a are closed) while the air conditioner is stopped by the drive motor. A vertical blade 12 that changes the direction of air flow is likewise connected to the lower part of the main body 2 through a plurality of levers (not shown) provided on its respective side parts.

(Design of an electrostatic spray device)

An exhaust fan unit 16 operable to ventilate room air is located in a lateral part (in a part of the left side when viewed from the front of the indoor unit, or on the side of the bypass duct 22 relative to the partition wall 46c, as explained below) of the indoor unit, and an electrostatic atomizing the device 18 is located at the back of the exhaust fan unit 16. The electrostatic atomizing device 18 has an air cleaning function for purifying room air by generating electrostatic fog.

It should be noted that FIG. 1 shows the state in which the front panel 4 and the cover (not shown) for closing the main body 2 are removed, and FIG. 2 shows the state in which the electrostatic atomizing device 18 located inside the main body 2 is separated from the main body 2, in order to explain the connection between the main body 2 of the indoor unit and the electrostatic atomizing device 18. In fact, the electrostatic atomizing device 18 has a shape as shown in FIG. 3 and is mounted in the left side hour the main body 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 or 4.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the electrostatic atomizing device 18 is located in a bypass channel 22 bypassing the main channel 20, which connects the front suction holes 2a and the upper suction holes 2b to the exhaust hole 10 through a heat exchanger 6, a room fan 8, and the like . A high voltage transformer 24 used as a high voltage power supply and a bypass fan 26 are located upstream of the bypass channel 22, and an electrostatic atomizing device 30 having a radiating part 28 to provide radiation, and a muffler 32 are located behind the stream from the bypass channel 22. Accordingly, the high-voltage transformer 24, the bypass fan 26, the radiating part 28, the electrostatic atomizing device 30, and the muffler 32 are aligned in this order from the front to the flow side of the side, and they are all located inside the casing 34, which is part of the bypass channel 22, thereby allowing to improve the Assembly. In addition, since the casing 34 forms a channel, not only can the installation space be reduced for these elements, but also the air flow created by the bypass fan 26 can also be forcibly directed to heating elements such as a high voltage transformer 24 and a radiating part 28 to cool them. In addition, the electrostatic fog generated by the electrostatic atomizing device 30 can, of course, be introduced into the outlet 10 and released into the room to be conditioned.

Further, the casing 34 is vertically positioned so that the direction of the air flowing in the casing 34 can be parallel to the direction of the air flowing through the main channel 20, when viewed from the front of the main body 2 of the indoor unit. As a result, the casing 34 can be combined with the exhaust fan unit 16 in the laid-out position when viewed from the front of the main body 2, thereby allowing an additional reduction in the installation space.

Although the high voltage transformer 24 is not always placed inside the housing 34, it is preferable that the latter was placed within the latter in terms of suppressing temperature rise or reducing the installation space, because the high voltage transformer 24 is cooled by air flow in the bypass channel 22.

A conventional electrostatic atomizing device 30 is explained below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electrostatic atomizing device 30 includes a plurality of Peltier elements 36 having radiating surfaces 36a and cooling surfaces 36b, a radiating portion (e.g., radiating plates) 28 mentioned above and held in thermal close contact with the radiating surface 36a , the discharge electrode 38, held in thermal close contact with the cooling surface 36b through an electrical insulator (not shown) and extending upward from the cooling surface 36b, and the opposing electrode 40, is located nny at a predetermined distance from the discharge electrode 38.

As shown in FIG. 6, the electrostatic atomizing device 18 includes a controller 42 located adjacent to the exhaust fan unit 16 (see FIG. 1). The Peltier actuator power supply 44 and the high voltage transformer 24 are electrically connected to the controller 42, while the Peltier elements and the discharge electrode 38 are electrically connected to the Peltier actuator 44 and the high voltage transformer 24, respectively.

In order for the electrostatic atomizing device 30 to generate electrostatic fog by causing a high voltage discharge from the discharge electrode 38, a counter electrode 40 is not always required. For example, if one terminal of the high voltage power supply is connected to the discharge electrode 38 and the other terminal of the high voltage power supply is connected to the frame through structural housing, a discharge occurs between the discharge electrode 38 and a part of the structural housing connected to the frame, whose part is placed directly proximity to the discharge electrode 38. In this case, such a structural housing can be regarded as the opposing electrode 40.

In the electrostatic atomizing device 30 of the above construction, when the controller 42 controls the Peltier drive power supply 44, heat is transferred from the cooling surface 36b to the radiation surface 36a to provide electric current through the Peltier elements 36, and the temperature of the discharge electrode 38 decreases, thereby causing droplets to condense on the discharge electrode 38. Further, when the controller 42 controls the high voltage transformer 24 to supply high voltage to the discharge electrode 38, to which linden water dew condensation water undergoes dew condensation phenomenon of discharge, which in turn generates an electrostatic mist to the size of one millimicrons in diameter particle. Since the negative high voltage energy source is used as the high voltage transformer 24, the electrostatic fog is negatively charged.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the main channel 20 is delimited by the rear wall 46a of the frame 46 forming the main body 2, opposite side walls 46b (only the left side wall is shown in FIG. 7), extending forward from the respective side end portions the rear wall 46a, the rear wall 48a of the rear rail (air guide) 48 formed below the frame 46, and opposite side walls (only the left side wall is shown in Fig.7) 48b, extending forward from the respective lateral ends x portions of the back wall 48a. One (left side wall) 46b of the side walls of the frame 46 and one (left side wall) 48b of the side walls of the rear guide 48 form a separation wall 46c that separates the bypass channel 22 from the main channel 20. The side wall 46b of the frame 46 has a bypass port 22a the suction of the bypass channel 22 formed therein and the side wall 48b of the rear guide 48 has a bypass outlet port 22b of the bypass channel 22 formed therein.

In the case of air conditioners, the low temperature air that has passed through the heat exchanger 6 of the indoor unit has high relative humidity during cooling. Accordingly, in an electrostatic atomizing device 18 provided with Peltier elements 36 for supplying moisture, it is likely that dew condensation will occur on the whole Peltier elements 36, as well as on the discharge electrode 38 in the form of a pin. On the other hand, during heating, the high temperature air that has passed through the heat exchanger 6 has a low relative humidity and, therefore, the probability of dew condensation on the discharge electrode 38 is extremely low.

In view of this, a separation wall 46c is provided to separate the bypass channel 22 from the main channel 20, and an electrostatic spray device 18 is provided in order to generate an electrostatic mist in the bypass channel 22, as described above, so that the electrostatic spray device 18 can be supplied with air, which does not pass the heat exchanger 6 and, accordingly, is not controlled by temperature and humidity. With this design, dew condensation on the whole Peltier elements 36 of the electrostatic atomizing device 30 is effectively prevented during cooling, thereby increasing safety, while electrostatic fog can be positively generated even during heating.

The bypass channel 22 includes a bypass suction pipe 22c, the aforementioned casing 34, and a bypass exhaust pipe 22d. One end of the bypass suction tube 22c is connected to the suction bypass port 22a defined in the side wall 46b of the frame, and the bypass suction tube 22c extends to the left of the bypass suction port 22a (in a direction generally perpendicular to the left side wall 46b and generally parallel to the front panel 4 ) The other end of the bypass suction pipe 22c is connected to one end of the casing 34, the other end of which is connected to one end of the bypass exhaust pipe 22d, which extends downward and then bent to the right. The other end of the bypass exhaust pipe 22d is connected to the bypass exhaust channel 22b defined in the side wall 48b of the rear guide 48. When forming part of the bypass channel 22 with the casing 34, the installation space can be reduced, and the integral configuration of these elements can force the electrostatic mist from the electrostatic spray unit 30 into the main channel 20 through the bypass exhaust pipe 22d to release electrostatic fog into the air-conditioned room.

The bypass suction port 22a is located between the filter 5 and the heat exchanger 6, that is, further downstream of the filter 5 and upstream of the heat exchanger 6. Since the dust contained in the air that has been sucked in by the front suction holes 2a and the upper suction holes 2b is effective is removed by the filter 5, the penetration of dust into the electrostatic atomizing device 18 can be prevented, thereby making it possible to effectively prevent the accumulation of dust in the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 and stably discharge the ele ctrostatic fog.

In this embodiment, the filter 5 serves both as a filter for the electrostatic atomizing device 18 and as a filter for the main channel 20 and, therefore, the maintenance operation is completed when only the filter 5 is cleaned, thereby simplifying maintenance.

On the other hand, the bypass outlet 22b is located upstream of the heat exchanger 6 and the room fan 8 and close to the outlet 10 so that the electrostatic mist discharged from the bypass outlet 22b can travel through the air stream in the main stream 20 and propagate, so as to fill an entire room with electrostatic fog. Placing the bypass outlet 22b in a position upstream of the heat exchanger 6 is due to the fact that if the first is placed upstream of the latter, most (more than approximately 80% -90%) of the electrostatic fog composed of charged particles is absorbed by the heat exchanger 6 because the heat exchanger 6 is made of metal. Placing the bypass outlet 22b in a position upstream of the room fan 8 is due to the fact that if the former is placed upstream of the latter because there is turbulent flow in the room fan 8, then a portion (approximately 50%) of the electrostatic fog is absorbed by the room fan 8, when the air flowing in the room fan 8 enters various parts of the room fan 8.

Since the room fan 8 transmits a predetermined speed to the air flow on the side of the main channel 20 relative to the side wall 48b of the rear guide 48 having the bypass outlet port 22b, a pressure differential is created between the side of the main channel 20 and the side of the bypass channel 22. Thus, the pressure on the side of the main channel 20 lower than on the side of the bypass channel 22 and, accordingly, negatively with respect to the latter and, therefore, air is introduced from the bypass channel 22 to the main channel 20. Therefore, it is sufficient if zuetsya low power fan as the bypass fan 26 and, in some cases, you can do without the bypass fan 26.

The bypass outlet pipe 22d is connected to the partition wall 46c (the side wall 48b of the rear guide 48) to extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the air flow in the main channel 20 in connection (bypass exhaust channel 22b) with the main channel 20. The reason for this is that the electrostatic atomizing device 18 uses the discharge phenomenon to generate an electrostatic fog, as described above, and the use of the discharge phenomenon is inevitably accompanied by a discharge sound having a directivity. Accordingly, when connecting the bypass channel 22 to the separation wall 46c so as to extend generally parallel to the front panel 4 in the connection (bypass outlet port 22b) between the bypass channel 22 and the main channel 20, it is highly unlikely that the discharge sound would be directed at the person standing in front or in front at an angle to the indoor unit, thus reducing noise.

As shown in FIG. 8, the bypass exhaust pipe 22d may be inclined relative to the partition wall 46c in connection with the main channel 20 to be directed upstream of the air flow in the main channel 20. This configuration is effective to further reduce noise caused by sound discharge.

Even if the bypass outlet pipe 22d is connected by the partition wall 46c to be directed downstream of the air flow in the main channel 20, it is sufficient if the expansion of the bypass outlet pipe 22d does not extend outward by the outlet 10. Thus, the amount of discharge sound appearing outside from the outlet 10, it becomes small, and only a small amount of discharge sound directly reaches the ears of the user, thereby reducing noise.

As described above, the main channel 20 and the bypass channel 22 are separated from each other by a separation wall 46c, and an electrostatic atomizing device 18 for generating electrostatic fog is provided in the bypass channel 22, which passes the heat exchanger 6 and is connected to the main channel 20. Accordingly, the electrostatic atomizing device 18 is supplied with air that does not pass the heat exchanger 6 and, accordingly, is not controlled by temperature and humidity, and dew condensation on whole elements 36 Peltier electrostatic the dusting unit 30 is effectively prevented during cooling, thereby increasing safety, while electrostatic fog can be forced to generate even during heating, thereby allowing the electrostatic fog to be stably generated regardless of the operating mode of the air conditioner, that is, at any time of the year.

Fig.9 shows the state, when viewed from the side of the housing 2 of the indoor unit, in which the electrostatic atomizing device 30 was installed. The electrostatic atomizing device 30 has a shape corresponding to the space located behind the exhaust fan unit 16, and is located within such a space.

10 shows an electrostatic atomizing device 18A having no casing. This electrostatic atomizing device 18A is included in the housing 2 of the indoor unit, as shown in FIG. 11. Alternatively, the electrostatic atomizing device 18A is included in the space 18B, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 11 (essentially the same position as the electrostatic atomizing device 18 and the silencer 32 provided upstream of the bypass channel 22 in the electrostatic atomizing device 18 shown figure 9). The electrostatic atomizing device 18A is located in a position overlapping with the exhaust fan unit 16 when viewed from above or from the front of the indoor unit, and this position is a position close to the opening 62 and damper 64 of the exhaust fan unit 16 through which air introduced by the exhaust unit 16 fan flowing.

More specifically, in the electrostatic atomizing device 18A of FIG. 10, an electrostatic atomizing unit 30 having a radiating part 28 is combined with a silencer 32, and the electrostatic atomizing unit 30, with the exception of the radiating part 28, and the silencing 32 are located within the respective casings (casing 66 block and casing 68 of the muffler). The silencer casing 68 has an opening 68a formed therein with which one end of the bypass exhaust pipe 22d is connected. The other end of the bypass exhaust pipe 22d is connected to the main channel 20. In this case, a storage space 22e that is separated from the main channel 20 by a partition wall 46c and formed between the partition wall 46c and the left side wall of the cover of the main body and in which the exhaust fan unit 16 is housed , the electrostatic atomizing device 18A and the like, acts instead of the bypass suction tube 22c and the casing 34, both of which are mentioned above. The storage space 22e also houses a bypass outlet pipe 22d and acts as a bypass channel 22.

Although noise reduction in the direction of the bypass exhaust pipe 22d relative to the air flow in the main channel 20 has been discussed above, the bypass exhaust pipe 22d is not always required, and the silencer casing 68 can be directly connected to the bypass exhaust channel 22b, thereby further simplifying the design of the electrostatic spray device 18A. However, attention should be paid to the direction of the silencer casing 68 for noise reduction, as is the case with the bypass exhaust pipe 22d.

With this design, air drawn into the main body 2 through the filter 5 is sucked into the storage space 22e through the bypass suction channel 22a placed downstream of the filter 5. Such air flows through the storage space 22e in a direction parallel to the air flow in the main channel 20 when viewed from the front of the main body 2 of the indoor unit. Air flowing through the storage space 22e cools the radiating portion 28 and is directed to the electrostatic spray unit 30 through an opening or openings (not shown) defined in the block casing 66.

The design described above causes the space formed around and in combination with the exhaust fan unit 16 in an overlapping manner when viewed from above or from the front of the indoor unit to act as a bypass channel 22, and a reduction in installation space can be achieved while making efficient use of the storage space 22e for an exhaust fan unit 16, an electrostatic atomizing device 18A, and the like. In such a design, the high voltage transformer 24 is placed in an arbitrary position at the storage location 22e, in which the exhaust fan unit 16, the electrostatic atomizing device 18A, and the like are located, and do without a bypass fan 26.

As described above, the bypass channel 22 is only separated from the main channel 20 by the dividing wall 46c so that the air flow in the bypass channel 22 can become parallel to the air flow in the main channel 20 when viewed from the front of the main body 2 of the indoor unit, thereby allowing easy provide a bypass channel 22 and reduce the number of elements.

In addition, the above construction allows a single filter 5 to be divided between the main channel 20 and the electrostatic atomizing device 18A.

It should be noted here that the opening 46d can be formed near the lower portion of the frame 46 located behind the exhaust fan unit 16 so that tubes (not shown) for connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can be installed through the opening 46d. The bypass suction port 22a mentioned above is an opening formed in the partition wall 46c (frame side wall 46b) for sucking air through it to the storage space 22e, and the bypass suction port 22a communicates with the outside of the indoor unit through the filter 5. However, the opening 46d formed in the lower portion of the frame 46 is an opening through which the storage space 22e communicates directly with the outside of the indoor unit to draw in atmospheric air. In this case, the storage space 22e is a bypass channel, which also bypasses the filter 5. Accordingly, the air sucked into the electrostatic atomizing device 18A passes through the opening 46d and not through the filter 5, and therefore, another electrostatic atomizing filter can be provided. devices 18A, if necessary. Even if an opening 46d is provided, the fact remains that the electrostatic atomizing device 18A is combined with the exhaust fan unit 16 in a superimposed manner when viewed from above or from the front of the indoor unit, and reduction of installation space can accordingly be achieved by making efficient use of the place 22e for storage.

As described above, since the room fan 8 reports a predetermined speed to the air flow on the side of the main channel 20 relative to the bypass outlet channel 22b, a pressure differential is created between the respective sides of the partition wall 46c. Thus, the pressure on the side of the main channel 20 becomes negative, and therefore, even if a bypass fan 26 is not provided, the radiating part 28 is cooled by air that is introduced from the storage location 22e, which is a bypass channel, to the main channel 20 through the bypass outlet pipe 22d and the electrostatic fog generated by the electrostatic spray unit 30 is introduced into the main channel 20 and discharged into an air-conditioned room. In addition, since the radiating part 28 is located near the opening 62 and the damper 64 and in the position where the air flows before being sucked through the holes 62, the radiating part 28 is also cooled by the suction air in the exhaust fan unit 16, thereby contributing to the radiation from the electrostatic spray unit 30.

If the fan intended for ventilation is used for the exhaust fan unit 16, the damper 64 is not provided, but the installation in which the radiating part 28 is located near the suction part of the exhaust fan unit 16 can effectively cool the radiating part 28.

In the structure mentioned above, the main channel 20 and the storage space 22e, which is a bypass channel, are separated by a partition wall 46c, and an electrostatic atomizing device 18A for generating electrostatic fog is provided in the storage space 22e. Accordingly, the electrostatic atomizing device 18A is supplied with air that does not pass through the heat exchanger 6 and accordingly is not controlled by temperature and humidity, and dew condensation on the whole Peltier elements 36 of the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 is effectively prevented during cooling, thereby increasing safety while how electrostatic fog can be forcedly generated even during heating, thus allowing the electrostatic fog to be stably generated independently IMO from the operating mode of the air conditioner, that is, at any time of the year.

(Control of electrostatic spray device)

For this control, many parameters are set as permit conditions for the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A. Only when all parameters indicate the resolution of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A permitted. On the other hand, when at least one of the parameters does not indicate permission to operate, the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is prohibited. In this way, the unnecessary operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is avoided in terms of energy saving or the life of the Peltier elements 36, and abnormal operation is also avoided.

In this embodiment, the following parameters are set as permit conditions for the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A:

(i) Indoor temperature and humidity in the area of permitting operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A.

(ii) The speed of indoor fan 8 exceeds a predetermined value.

(iii) Electrostatic atomizer 18, 18A is defective.

First, an operation permitting area of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A described in (i) is explained.

The indoor unit includes a suction temperature sensor 92 provided near the suction openings (front suction openings 2a and upper suction openings 2b) for detecting the temperature of the air sucked into it (see FIG. 13), and also includes a humidity sensor 94 provided, for example, on the basis of the energy source of the indoor unit, in order to detect the humidity of the air drawn into it (see FIG. 13). The work permitting area of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is determined based on the temperature and humidity of the air drawn into the indoor unit. If the temperature detected by the suction temperature sensor 92 and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 94 are both in the operation enable region, the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is allowed, while if any of the detected temperature and the detected humidity is outside areas of work authorization, the operation of the electrostatic spray device 18, 18A is prohibited.

This design does not require any means to detect the temperature of the cooling surface 36b of the Peltier elements 36 and is accordingly simple, without causing an increase in cost. If any of the detected temperature and detected humidity is outside the operating range, not only can the generation of abnormal sound or ozone be prevented by prohibiting the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A, but the life of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A can also be extended or energy saving can be achieved.

The operation resolution area of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is explained in relation to the graph in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, the region of excessive dew condensation, the first region outside the operating characteristics, and the region below the freezing point are determined depending on the temperature and humidity of the air sucked into the indoor unit, and the region not including these regions is defined as the region of work permit . Thus, the region of excessive dew condensation, the first region outside the operating characteristics, and the region below the freezing point are determined from the resolution region of operation. The area of excessive dew condensation is an area in which humidity is high (above the first predetermined value), and a contraction in the distance between the water condensed on the discharge electrode 38 and the opposing electrode 40 causes a short circuit condition in which the short circuit current produces an abnormal sound or no electrostatic fog is generated with the desired particle diameter. The first region outside the operating range is the region in which the humidity is low (below the second setpoint lower than the first setpoint mentioned above), and even if the Peltier elements 36 show their maximum power, the dew point temperature is not reached. In this region, an electric discharge occurs between the discharge electrode 38 and the opposing electrode 40, and not between the dew condensation water and the opposing electrode 40, thereby giving rise to the possibility of generating ozone. The area below the freezing point is the area in which the dew point temperature obtained from the psychometric map is below the freezing point.

Thus, by prohibiting the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A in the area of excessive dew condensation, the generation of abnormal sound caused by high humidity in the room can be avoided, accompanied by a reduction in the distance between water excessively condensed on the high voltage electrode and the opposing electrode, thus allowing the generation of an electrostatic fog of the desired size in particle diameter.

In addition, by prohibiting the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A in the first region outside the operating range, ozone generation can be avoided even when the humidity in the room is low and therefore the dew point temperature is not reached even if the Peltier elements 36 show their maximum power .

In addition, by prohibiting the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A in the region below the freezing point, unnecessary operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A can be avoided when the dew point temperature is below the freezing point, thereby avoiding shortening the life of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A and achieve energy conservation.

In the graph of Fig. 12, the temperature of the upper limit is set, and since the region above the temperature of the upper limit depends on the size of the radiating part 28, this region can be defined as the second region outside the operating characteristics. As described above, when an electric current is applied to the Peltier elements 36, heat is transferred from the cooling surface 36b to the radiating surface 36a. As a result, the temperature of the discharge electrode 38 is lowered to cause dew condensation on the discharge electrode 38, and the heat transferred to the radiating surface 36a is dissipated from it. However, there are various restrictions on the size of the radiating part 28 from the point of view of storing the electrostatic atomizing unit 30. The size of the radiating part 28 is generally determined on the basis that the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 operates positively and normally at the maximum installation temperature (for example, 30 ° C) during heating time and that the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 operates almost normally even at temperatures (e.g. 32-35 ° C) above the maximum installation temperature. However, it is likely that the normal operation of the electrostatic atomizing unit 30 will be hindered above the maximum installation temperature with increasing temperature. Accordingly, the region in which the detected temperature exceeds the temperature of the upper limit, that is, the maximum temperature of the installation during heating, is defined as the second region outside the performance range in which the normal operation of the electrostatic spray unit 30 will be hampered. Even during cooling, the normal operation of the electrostatic spray unit 30 is also limited by the size of the radiating part 28, and after the room temperature has decreased below the upper limit temperature, for example 30 ° C, electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is put into operation.

Thus, by installing the second region outside the operating range, the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A can be prevented from operating in the unstable state of the Peltier elements 36 above the upper limit temperature from the operation permitting region.

The following explains the speed of the indoor fan 8, as indicated in (ii).

Although heat transferred from the cooling surface 36b to the radiating surface 36a of the Peltier elements 36 is dissipated from the radiating part 28, if the speed of the indoor fan 8 detected by the speed detecting means 96 (see FIG. 13) is less than a predetermined speed (for example, 400 revolutions per minute), the heat transfer from the radiating part 28 is insufficient and, therefore, the Peltier elements 36 cannot show the desired cooling ability. Accordingly, the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is permitted if the speed of the indoor fan 8 is greater than or equal to a predetermined speed, while the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is prohibited if the speed of the room fan 8 is less than the predetermined speed.

Such a setup can avoid unstable operation of the Peltier elements 36 due to insufficient heat transfer or ozone generation due to insufficient dew condensation water, which would be caused if the Peltier elements 36 could not show the desired cooling ability. In addition, when the speed of the indoor fan 8 is low, the discharge sound from the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A may become noticeable, but the generation of such sound can be avoided by stopping the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A when the speed of the indoor fan 8 is less than the set value .

The abnormal conditions of the electrostatic atomizer 18, 18A specified in (iii) include a malfunction of the high voltage transformer 24 (abnormal output voltage) and a malfunction of the Peltier drive power source 44 (abnormal output voltage). If the abnormality detection tool (see FIG. 13) provided in the controller 42 of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A does not detect a malfunction of the high voltage transformer 24 or the Peltier drive power source 44, the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is permitted, while if the abnormality detection tool detects a malfunction of the high voltage transformer 24 or the Peltier drive power source 44, the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is prohibited tsya, thereby enabling to prevent the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A of the work in an abnormal state.

13 is a block diagram of an indoor unit controller 72 and a controller 42 of an electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A depicting signal transmission between them.

As shown in FIG. 13, the output of the suction temperature sensor 92, the humidity sensor 94, and the speed detection means 96 are all input to the indoor unit controller 72, and the controller 42 of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A observes the output value of the high voltage transformer 24 and the output of the source 44 Peltier drive power. The temperature sensor and humidity sensor used to control the cooling cycle during air conditioning, that is, during cooling or heating and during drying, are also used as the suction temperature sensor 92 and the humidity sensor 94, respectively.

Only when the temperature detected by the suction temperature sensor 92 and the humidity 94 detected by the humidity sensor are both in the resolution range of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A, the speed of the indoor fan 8 detected by the speed detecting means 96 is greater than or equal to the set speed, and the abnormal signal from the controller 42 of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is not input to the controller 72 from the indoor unit, the controller 72 outputs a control enable signal step 42 of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A, and upon receipt of the operation enable signal, the controller 42 of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A controls the high voltage transformer 24 and the Peltier drive power source 44.

On the other hand, when the temperature detected by the suction temperature sensor 92 or the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 94 is outside the operating range of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A, the speed of the indoor fan 8 detected by the speed detection means 96 is lower than the set speed or an abnormal signal from the controller 42 of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is input to the controller 72 from the indoor unit, the controller 72 does not output a control enable signal Weller 42 of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A, thereby prohibiting operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A.

Although the block diagram of FIG. 13 shows that an operation enable signal is output from the indoor unit controller 72 to the controller 42 of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A, an enable signal may be generated instead of the operation enable signal.

The above construction is a simple construction that does not require any means of detecting the temperature of the cooling surface in order to detect the temperature of the cooling surface of the Peltier elements, and the detection means used for air conditioning, in addition to the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A, can also be used for a suction temperature sensor 92 and a humidity sensor 94, thereby avoiding an increase in cost.

Although in the above embodiment, parameters (i) to (iii) were set as the conditions for allowing the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A, the power consumption of the indoor unit, not including the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A, can be set in addition to such parameters. In this case, the controller 72 calculates the power consumption of the indoor unit, not including the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A, and if the estimated power consumption is less than or equal to the allowable energy value, the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is allowed, while if the estimated consumption the electric power exceeds the permissible energy value, the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is prohibited.

This parameter is explained in detail with reference to Table 1.

Table 1 Power consumption Sustainable power consumption 10 watts Drive vertical vane changing direction of air flow 2 watts Drive horizontal blade changing the direction of air flow 2 watts Electrostatic spray device High voltage transformer: 2 W Peltier element: max. 5 watts Other 3 watts

Table 1 indicates an example of the power consumption of the indoor unit. Suppose that the allowable energy consumption of the indoor unit is 18 W, if the power stably consumed by the microcomputer (controller 72) and the like is 10 W, it is necessary to simultaneously operate the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A, the vertical blade 12, which changes direction air flow, a horizontal blade 14, changing the direction of air flow, and other moving elements using the remaining 8 watts. Accordingly, if the total energy consumption value calculated without including the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is less than the allowable energy value (for example, 14 W), the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is enabled, while if the total value energy consumption exceeds the permissible energy value, the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is prohibited. Such a setting can prevent the energy consumption of the indoor unit from exceeding the allowable energy value.

A human body detection device mounted on the housing of the indoor unit 2 for detecting a person’s position, and air conditioning control, which should be performed based on a person’s position detected by the human body detection device, is explained below.

FIGS. 14A-14C, FIGS. 15A and 15B, and FIG. 16 depict an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention having a human body detection device. Figa-14C show the state in which the front suction holes 2a were closed by the front panel 4, and Figa and 15B show the state in which the front suction holes 2a were opened by the front panel 4.

As shown in FIG. 16, the main body 2 includes a middle vane 114 mounted thereon below the front suction openings 2a through the middle vane drive mechanism 116 to swing on the side of the outlet 10 relative to the front suction openings 2a, in addition to the vertical vane 12, changing the direction of air flow, configured to vertically change the direction of the air blown from the main body 2, and horizontal blades 14, changing the direction of air flow, made with possible The ability to horizontally change the direction of the air. The front panel 4 is connected in its upper part to the upper part of the main body 2 through two levers 118, 120 provided on its respective side parts. The lever 118 is connected to a drive motor (not shown), and when the air conditioner is put into operation, the front panel 4 moves forward and obliquely upward from a position (in which the front suction holes 2a are closed) while the air conditioner is stopped by driving the drive motor. The vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of the air flow, is connected to the lower part of the main body 2 through two levers 122, 124 provided on its corresponding side parts, and the method of driving it is explained below.

(Design of a human body detection device)

As shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C, a plurality (for example, five) of sensor units 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 are mounted as a human body detection device on the top of the front panel 4 so as to protrude from the main plane of the front panel 4. These sensor blocks 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 are held by the sensor holder 136, as shown in FIGS. 17A-17C. The human body detection device is covered with a cap 100, as shown in FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14B shows a state in which the lid 100 is removed.

The reason for providing the sensor blocks 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 on the top of the front panel 4 is because the field of view (the human position detection area, which will be discussed later) of each sensor block 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 may be enlarged to guarantee the most distant field of view, as shown in Fig. 18A. In addition, as shown in FIG. 18B, the far field of view can be provided by moving the front panel 4 forward from its stop position at the start of the air conditioner, and, as shown in FIG. 18C, the field of view can be further increased by moving the front panel 4 is slanted upward from its stop position. However, the position of each sensor unit 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 is not limited to the upper part of the front panel 4. Even if the front panel 4 is stationary, the field of view can be increased by installing a human body detection device on its upper part or upper part of the main body, compared with the case in which the human body detection device is mounted on the lower part of the front panel or the main body.

Since each sensor block 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 is mounted so as to protrude from the main plane of the front panel 4, as shown in Fig. 18D, each sensor block 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 can be located further forward, thus minimizing the “dead” space, as shown in FIGS. 18B-18D, which can be created by the components of the indoor unit (for example, a vertical blade 14 that changes the direction of air flow, the front panel 4 when opening the front suction holes 2a, and the like. ), and with increasing field of view.

In this embodiment, each sensor block 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 is mounted on the front panel 4, and when the front panel 4 opens the front suction holes 2a, each sensor block 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 moves further forward from the front panel 4.

The sensor unit 126 includes a mounting plate 126a, a lens 126b mounted on the mounting plate 126a, and a human body detection sensor (not shown) mounted inside the lens 126b. The same applies to other sensor units 128, 130, 132, 134. The human body detection sensor is, for example, an infrared sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a person by detecting infrared rays emitted from the human body. The presence or absence of a person is determined by the circuit board 126a based on a pulse signal output depending on a change in the number of infrared rays detected by the infrared sensor. Thus, the circuit board 126a acts as a means of determining to determine whether a person is present or absent.

(Assessment of a person’s position by a human body detection device)

FIG. 19 shows a plurality of areas for determining a person’s position, in each of which the presence or absence of a person is determined by sensor units 126, 128, 130, 132, 134. The areas in which the presence or absence of a person is detected by the sensor units 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 are as follows.

Block 126 sensors: areas A + C + D

Block 128 sensors: areas B + E + F

Block 130 sensors: areas C + G

Block 132 sensors: areas D + E + H

Block 134 sensors: areas F + I

In the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention, areas that can be detected by sensor units 126, 128 overlap partially with areas that can be detected by sensor units 130, 132, 134, and the presence or absence of a person is detected in each area AI, using sensor blocks less than the number of areas AI.

If at least three human body detection sensors are mounted on the upper part of the indoor unit, the position of the person in the room can be determined in the directions of the depth and width of the room when viewed from the indoor unit, that is, where the person is on the floor, can be determined in a two-dimensional way . 20 shows areas that can be detected by three human body detection sensors. In the example of FIG. 20, the presence or absence of a person in an area adjacent to the indoor unit is detected by one of the three sensors for detecting the human body, while the presence or absence of a person in areas remote from the indoor unit is detected by two of the three sensors for detecting the human body body.

Returning to FIG. 19, this embodiment is further discussed, but in the discussion below, the sensor units 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 are referred to as the first sensor 126, the second sensor 128, the third sensor 130, the fourth sensor 132 and the fifth sensor 134, respectively. In addition, regions C, D, E, F are referred to as overlapping regions because they are detected by two sensors, while regions A, B, G, H, I other than the overlapping regions are referred to as common regions because they are detected by a single sensor. The overlapping regions are divided into overlapping regions C, D of the left side and overlapping regions E, F of the right side.

21 is a flowchart for setting a property of an area (to be explained later) in each of the areas AI using first to fifth sensors 126, 128, 130, 132, 134. A method for determining a person’s position is explained below. regarding these flowcharts.

In step S1, the presence or absence of a person in each overlapping area of the left side at predetermined intervals T1 (for example, 5 seconds) is first determined, and the sensor leads that satisfy the specified conditions are cleared in step S2.

Table 2 indicates a determination method in overlapping areas of the left side. When the sensor outputs match any of the three response results, as shown in Table 2, the outputs of the first sensor 126 and the third sensor 130 are cleared. In this Table, “1” means the presence of a response, and “0” means no response. The term “cleaning” is defined as providing “1 → 0”

table 2
(Definition in overlapping areas of the left side) Sensor First sensor Third sensor Fourth sensor Positioning Response result one one one C ∙ D one one 0 C one 0 one D

In step S3, the presence or absence of a person in each overlapping area of the right side is then determined in the predetermined intervals T1 mentioned above, and the sensor outputs satisfying the predetermined conditions are cleared in step S4.

Table 3 indicates a determination method in overlapping areas of the right side. When the sensor outputs match any of the three response results, as shown in Table 3, the outputs of the second sensor 128 and the fifth sensor 134 are cleared.

Table 3
(Definition in overlapping areas of the right side) Sensor Second sensor Fourth sensor Fifth sensor Positioning Response result one one one E ∙ F one one 0 E one 0 one F

When the sensor outputs correspond to any of the six response results as shown in Tables 2 and 3, the output of the fourth sensor 132 is also cleared, and the programs proceed to step S5, which determines the presence or absence of a person in each common area at predetermined T1 intervals, based on the Table 4. All sensor outputs are cleared in step S6.

Table 4
(Definition in general areas) Sensor Response result Positioning First sensor one A Second sensor one B Third sensor one G Fourth sensor one H Fifth sensor one I

This determination method is explained in relation to FIG. 23 when considering a case in which the presence or absence of a person in areas A, B and C is determined using only the first through third outputs of sensors 126, 128, 130.

As shown in FIG. 23, when all the first to third sensors 126, 128, 130 are in the OFF state (no pulse) during the period T1 immediately before the time t1, at time t1 it is determined that no one is present in areas A , B, and C (A = 0, B = 0, C = 0). When only the first sensor 126 outputs an ON signal (a pulse is present) and the second and third sensors 128, 130 are in the OFF state during a subsequent period T1 from time t1 to time t2, it is determined at time t2 that a person is present in areas A and no one is present in areas B and C (A = 1, B = 0, C = 0). When the first and third sensors 126, 130 output an “ON” signal and the second sensor 128 is in the “OFF” state during a subsequent period T1 from time t2 to time t3, at time t3 it is determined that a person is present in area C and no one present in areas A and B (A = 0, B = 0, C = 1). After that, the presence or absence of a person in regions A, B and C is also determined during each T1 period.

In practice, in which the area from areas AI is present, a person is determined using the first through fifth sensors 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, and Table 5 indicates the results of determining the presence or absence of a person in each area AI with using the findings of all sensors 126, 128, 130, 132, 134.

In Table 5, position determination, other than those shown in Tables 2-4, is made by combining the determination results obtained in steps S1, S3, and S5.

Based on the above results, the definitions of areas AI are classified into the first area in which the person is often present (the place of frequent presence), the second area in which the person is present during a short period of time (transition area, such as the area through which the person simply passes ; the area in which the person stays for a short period of time, etc.), and the third area in which the person is present during a fairly short period of time (non-residential area, such as walls, windows, etc., in which no one is present very often). The first, second and third regions are hereinafter sometimes referred to as residential sections I, II and III, respectively, which are hereinafter sometimes referred to as the region of the property of region I, the region of the property of region II, the region of the property of region III, respectively. Residential sections can be broadly classified depending on the frequency of presence or absence of a person with reference to residential section I (property of region I) and residential section II (property of region II) as a residential region (region in which a person lives (people)) and a reference to residential section III (a property of area III) as a non-residential area (an area in which no one lives).

This determination is made after step S7 in the flowchart of FIG. 21 and will be explained later with respect to FIGS. 24 and 25.

24 shows an arrangement of a house named “1LDK” consisting of a Japanese-style room, LD (living room and dining room), and a kitchen, with an indoor air conditioner unit according to the present invention installed in LD. The areas indicated by the ovals in FIG. 24 indicate places where the object is often present, as reported by the object.

As described above, a determination is made as to whether a person is present or absent in each area AI during each T1 period. The result of answer 1 (the presence of the answer) or 0 (no answer) is output after each period T1 has passed and, after repeating this many times, the determination is made in step S7 as to whether the predetermined cumulative time period of the air conditioner has expired. If it is determined in step S7 that the predetermined period of time has not expired, the program returns to step S1, but if it is determined that the predetermined period of time has expired, each area AI is defined as one of the living sections I, II, and III when comparing the response results each area AI accumulated over a given period of time with two threshold values.

A detailed explanation is made with respect to FIG. 25 indicating long-term cumulative results. The first threshold value and the second threshold value are set smaller than the first threshold value, with which long-term cumulative results are compared. The determination is made in step S8, regardless of whether the long-term cumulative results of each area AI are greater than the first threshold value. If it is determined that the long-term cumulative results are greater than the first threshold value, an area having such long-term cumulative results is determined as the living section I in step S9. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the long-term cumulative results of each region AI are not greater than the first threshold value, the determination is made in step S10, regardless of whether the long-term cumulative results of each region AI are greater than the second threshold value. If it is determined that the long-term cumulative results are greater than the second threshold value, the area having such long-term cumulative results is determined as residential section II in step S11, otherwise the region is determined as residential section III in step S12.

In the example of FIG. 25, regions E, F, and I are defined as residential section I, regions B and H as residential section II, and regions A, C, D, and G as residential section III.

FIG. 26 shows the location of another house having an LD in which an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention has been installed, and FIG. 27 indicates the long-term cumulative results of each area AI. In the example of FIG. 26, regions C, E, and G are defined as residential section I, regions A, B, D, and H as residential section II and regions F and I as residential section III.

Although the definition for the property of the area (residential section) mentioned above is repeated for each specified period of time, the results of the determination hardly change until the sofas, tables, etc., located inside the room to be determined are moved .

The final determination of the presence or absence of a person in each area AI is explained below with respect to the flowchart of FIG. 22.

Since steps S21 to S26 are the same as steps c1 to S6 in the flowchart of FIG. 21, an explanation thereof is omitted. At step S27, it is determined whether the response results are obtained for a given number M (for example, 15) of periods T1. If it is determined that the period T1 does not reach the predetermined number M, the program returns to step S21, while if it is determined that the period T1 has reached the predetermined number M, the number of the series of cumulative responses equal to the total results of the response during the periods T1 × M is calculated in step S28. The calculation of the number of the series of cumulative responses is repeated many times, and it is determined in step S29 whether the results of calculating a given number (for example, N = 4) of the series of cumulative responses were obtained. If it is determined that the calculation does not reach the set number, the program returns to step S21, while if it is determined that the calculation has reached the set number, the presence or absence of a person in each area AI is evaluated in step S30 based on the property of the area that was already defined and a given number of series of cumulative responses.

It should be noted here that since the program returns to step S21 from step S31, in which 1 is subtracted from the number (N) of the series of cumulative responses, the calculation of the plurality of the series of cumulative responses is repeated.

Table 6 indicates a record of the latest series of cumulative responses (T1 × M periods). In Table 2, ∑A0 means the number of series of cumulative responses in area A.

When the number of a series of cumulative answers immediately before ∑A0 is ∑A1, and the number of a series of cumulative answers immediately before ∑A1 is ∑A2 ∙∙∙, if N = 4, the presence or absence of a person is determined based on the last four records (∑A4, ∑A3 , ∑A2, ∑A1). In the case of residential section I, if the past four records indicate that at least a series of cumulative responses exceeds I, it is determined that the person is present. In the case of residential section II, if the past four records show that more than two rows of cumulative answers exceed 1, it is determined that the person is present. In the case of residential section III, if the past four records indicate that more than three rows of cumulative answers exceed 2, it is determined that the person is present.

After the T1 × M period from the determination of the presence or absence of the person mentioned above, the subsequent determination of the presence or absence of the person is similarly performed based on the following four entries, the property area and the predetermined number of the series of cumulative responses.

Thus, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention, since the presence or absence of a person is estimated using the number of sensors less than the number of distinctive areas A-I, the evaluation of each predetermined period can lead to an erroneous determination of the person's position. Whether or not the region is overlapping, the estimation of a person’s position for a single predetermined period is avoided, and the present invention attempts to obtain highly probable estimates of a person’s position using an estimate of a person’s position using the property of a region that is obtained after a long accumulation of region determination results for each given period, and past records indicating the number of series N of cumulative responses in each region, each series indicating the results of the determination eniya area for a predetermined number of periods.

When the presence or absence of a person is determined by the method as described above, if T1 = 5 seconds and M = 12, the period of time required to assess the presence of a person and which is required to assess the absence of a person is indicated in Table 7.

Table 7 Living section Presence Assessment Absence assessment I 60 seconds (short) 240 seconds (long) II 120 seconds (standard) 180 seconds (standard) III 180 seconds (long) 120 seconds (short)

After the area to be conditioned by the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention has been classified into a plurality of regions A-I in the above-described manner using the first to fifth sensors 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, the property of the area (residential section I -III) each area A-I is determined, and the time period required to assess the presence of a person and required to assess the absence of a person is changed.

Thus, after the settings for the air conditioner have been changed, approximately one minute is needed before the air flow reaches and, therefore, if the settings for the air conditioner have changed within a short period of time (for example, a few seconds), comfort is lost. In addition, it is preferable from the point of view of energy saving that the place which will be empty soon is not very air-conditioned. Therefore, the presence or absence of a person is first detected in each region AI, and the air conditioning is optimized especially in the area where the person is present.

More specifically, the period of time required to assess the presence or absence of a person in an area defined as residential section II is set to standard, and the presence of a person is evaluated within a shorter period of time in an area defined as residential section I than in an area defined as residential section II, while when a person disappears from the area, the absence of a person is assessed for a longer period of time in the area defined as residential section I than in the area defined as residential section I I. In other words, the period of time required to assess the presence of a person is set shorter, and the period of time required to assess the absence of a person is set longer in relation to the area defined as residential section I. On the other hand, the presence of a person is estimated to be longer the period of time in the area defined as residential section III than in the area defined as residential section II, while when a person disappears from the area, the person’s absence is assessed within a shorter a period of time in an area defined as residential section III than in an area defined as residential section II. In other words, the period of time required to assess the presence of a person is set longer, and the period of time required to assess the absence of a person is set shorter with respect to the area defined as residential section III. Further, as described above, the residential section installed in each area varies depending on the long-term cumulative results, and the period of time required to assess the presence of a person, and the period of time required to assess the absence of a person, both are set variable.

(Airflow direction control)

The speed control of the indoor fan 8, the air flow direction control by the vertical blade 12, which changes the air flow direction, and the air flow direction control, by the horizontal blade 14, which changes the air flow direction, are carried out depending on the air conditioning installation in each area AI. These controls are explained below.

The control of the direction of the air flow during heating is set so that warm air reaches the zone adjacent to the legs of the person, while controlling the direction of the air flow towards the legs of the person in the area in which it was determined that the person is present. The control of the direction of the air flow during cooling is set so that cold air reaches the area above the head of a person while controlling the direction of the air flow to the space above the head of a person. The direction of air flow is controlled by the speed of the indoor fan 8, the angle of the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow, and the angle of the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow.

Fig. 28 shows the control of a vertical vane 12 changing the direction of air flow. As shown in FIG. 28 (a), when the air conditioner is not in operation, the front panel 4, the vertical blade 12, changing the air flow direction, and the middle blade 114 are controlled so as to close the front suction openings 2a.

During cooling, in order for the air (cold air) discharged from the indoor unit to reach a space above the person’s head (airflow at the ceiling), the front panel 4, the vertical blade 12 changing the direction of the air flow, and the middle blade 114 are controlled so to move from state (a) to state (c) through state (b). The levers 118, 120 are driven to move the front panel 4 from the front suction holes 2a, and the levers 122, 124 are driven to move the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow, from the outlet 10.

In state (c), the air discharged from the outlet 10 is directed horizontally by a vertical vane 12, changing the direction of air flow, but the configuration, bent upward, of the end part of the lower stream of the vertical vane 12, changing the direction of air flow, can transmit air far across the room. At this point, the middle blade 114 covers the area above the outlet 10, that is, below the front panel 4, and thus, the air discharged from the outlet 10 is never introduced into the front suction openings 2a.

On the other hand, during heating, so that the air (warm air) discharged from the indoor unit reaches an area adjacent to the legs of the person (air flow to the legs of the person), the front panel 4, the vertical blade 12, changing the direction of air flow, and the middle blade 114 are controlled so as to move from state (a) to state (d) through state (b). In state (d), the air discharged from the outlet 10 is directed obliquely downward by a vertical vane 12, which changes the air flow direction, but the end part of the lower flow of the vertical vane 12, which changes the air flow direction, is curved towards the body of the indoor unit and, therefore, warm air , which tends to flow up inside the room, can be directed down.

It should be noted that state (e) is used during cooling to a steady state, and air released from the indoor unit is directed to the human body (air flow to the human body).

Fig. 29 shows the set speeds of the indoor fan 8 when each of the regions AI is air-conditioned. The speeds A1, A2 and A3 are the calculated speeds for the short distance regions, the middle distance regions and the larger distance regions, respectively, when viewed from the indoor unit. The speed difference A4 is set depending on the difference in position of the regions when the distance from the indoor unit is the same. The speeds A1, A2 and A3 and the speed difference A4 are set, for example, as follows:

A1: 800 rpm (during heating), 700 rpm (during cooling)

A2: 1000 rpm (during heating), 900 rpm (during cooling)

A3: 1200 rpm (during heating), 1100 rpm (during cooling)

A4: 10.0 rpm (during heating and cooling)

The expression “relative position” is used here as an expression indicating the positional relationship between each area and the indoor unit, such as, for example, the distance of each area from the indoor unit, the angle of each area from the front of the indoor unit, the vertical difference between each area and the indoor unit etc.

In addition, the expression “air conditioning demand level” is used here to indicate the level of difficulty in air conditioning in each area. The higher the demand for air conditioning, the more difficult the air conditioning is, and the lower the demand for air conditioning, the easier the air conditioning. As an example, as the distance between the region and the indoor unit increases, it is more difficult for the air outlet from the latter to reach the former, thereby leading to an increase in the degree of need for air conditioning. Thus, there is a close relationship between the degree of need for air conditioning and the relative position from the indoor unit, and in this embodiment, the degree of need for air conditioning is determined depending on the relative position from the indoor unit.

Accordingly, when each area AI is air-conditioned, the speed of the indoor fan 8 is set higher with increasing degree of demand for air conditioning. Thus, the speed of the indoor fan 8 is set higher with an increase in the distance between the area to be air-conditioned and the indoor unit. If the distance from the indoor unit is the same, the speed of the indoor fan 8 is set higher in the area moved from the front of the indoor unit than in the area placed in front of the indoor unit. In addition, if the number of areas to be air-conditioned is one, then the speed of the indoor fan 8 is set to a set speed for such an area, and if the number of areas to be air-conditioned is two or more, the speed of the room fan 8 is set to the set speeds for an area with a higher degree of air conditioning need.

Fig. 30 shows the set angles of a vertical vane 12, changing the direction of air flow, and the angles of a horizontal vane 14, changing the direction of air flow, during heating. The angles B1, B2 and B3 are the calculated angles of the vertical blade 12, changing the direction of air flow, for areas of short distance, areas of average distance and areas of long distance, respectively, when viewed from the indoor unit. The difference B4 in the angle of the vertical blade 12, changing the direction of air flow, is set depending on the difference in the position of the regions when the distance from the indoor unit is the same. On the other hand, the angles C1 and C2 are the calculated angles of the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow (positive in the counterclockwise direction). The differences C3 and C4 in the angle of the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow, each are set depending on the difference in the position of the regions.

These angles are set, for example, as follows, but it should be noted here that the angle of the vertical blade 12, changing the direction of air flow, is the angle measured in the counterclockwise direction from the calculated position of the angle 0 °, where the line connecting the front end and the rear end scapula, extends horizontally with the scapula, which is convex up:

B1: 70 °

B2: 55 °

B3: 45 °

B4: 10 °

C1: 0 °

C2: 15 °

C3: 30 °

C4: 45 °

More specifically, when an area A or B close to the indoor unit is heated, the angle of the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow, is set to the first angle (for example, 70 °), and the speed of the room fan 8 is set to the first speed (for example, 800 revolutions per minute) so that the direction of the air flow can be directed to the edge of region A or B on the side of the indoor unit (in front of the legs of the person), so as to make warm air reach the area adjacent to the legs of the person. When the area C, D, E or F, located at an average distance from the indoor unit, is heated, the angle of the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow, is set to a second angle (for example, 55 °), smaller than the first angle, and the speed of the indoor fan 8 is set to a second speed (for example, 1000 rpm) greater than the first speed, so that the direction of air flow can be directed to the edge of the region C, D, E or F on the side of the indoor unit (in front of the legs of the person) so thus make l warm air to reach the area adjacent to the legs of a person. Further, when the region G, H or I, remote from the indoor unit, is heated, the angle of the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow, is set to a third angle (for example, 45 °), smaller than the second angle, and the speed of the indoor fan 8 is set to a third speed (e.g. 1200 revolutions per minute), greater than the second speed, so that the direction of air flow can be directed to the edge of the G, H or I region on the side of the indoor unit (in front of the legs of the person), so that, forcing warm air reached l area adjacent to the legs of a person.

Fig. 31 shows the set angles of a vertical vane 12, changing the direction of air flow, and the angles of a horizontal vane 14, changing the direction of air flow, during elevation or in an unstable state. The angles E1, E2 and E3 are the calculated angles of the vertical blade 12, changing the direction of air flow, for areas of short distance, areas of average distance and areas of long distance, respectively, when viewed from the indoor unit. The difference E4 in the angle of the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow, is set depending on the difference in the position of the regions when the distance from the indoor unit is the same. On the other hand, the angles Fl and F2 are the calculated angles of the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow (positive in the counterclockwise direction). The differences F3 and F4 in the angle of the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow, each, are set depending on the difference in the position of the regions.

These angles are set, for example, as follows, but it should be noted here that the term “during elevation” means during the start of an air conditioner operation, and the term “unstable state” means a condition in which the current air conditioning in the room does not meet the established conditions ( e.g. set temperature):

E1: 50 °

E2: 35 °

E3: 25 °

E4: 10 °

F1: 0 °

F2: 15 °

F3: 25 °

F4: 35 °

32 shows the set angles of a vertical vane 12, changing the direction of air flow, and the angles of a horizontal vane 14, changing the direction of air flow, during a steady state during cooling. The angle H1 is the calculated angle of the vertical blade 12 in the case of air flow near the ceiling. The angle H2 is the calculated angle of the vertical blade 12 in the case of branched air. The difference H3 in the angle of the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of the air flow, is set depending on the difference in the position of the regions when the distance from the indoor unit is the same. On the other hand, the angles Il and I2 are the calculated angles of the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow (positive in the counterclockwise direction). The differences I3 and I4 in the angle of the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow, each, are set depending on the difference in the position of the regions.

These angles are set, for example, as follows, but here it should be noted that the term "steady state" means a state in which the current air conditioning inside the room meets the specified conditions (for example, the set temperature):

H1: 180 °

H2: 190 °

H3: 5 °

I1: 0 °

I2: 15 °

I3: 25 °

I4: 35 °

It should also be understood here that “ceiling airflow” is the airflow in a room when a vertical blade 12, changing the direction of the airflow, is located in the lower part of the outlet 10 for receiving all the air discharged from the outlet 10 on a concave surface vanes as shown in FIG. 28 (c), and that “branched air flow” is the air flow discharged from the outlet 10 when the vertical blade 12, changing the direction of air flow, was moved slightly up from the position creating the “air flow at the ceiling" to allow the air to partially (small amount) flow along the convex surface (lower surface ) the scapula so that dew condensation cannot occur on the convex surface of the scapula.

When the area A or B close to the indoor unit is cooled, the vertical blade 12, which changes the air flow direction, is set down at a predetermined angle (for example, 5 °) from the horizontal, and the speed of the room fan 8 is set to the first speed (for example, 700 revolutions per minute, less than the first speed during heating) so that cold air can reach a space above area A or B to fall after it in the form of a shower. When the region C, D, E or F, located at an average distance from the indoor unit, cools, the vertical blade 12, changing the direction of air flow, is set so as to extend generally horizontally, and the speed of the room fan 8 is set to a second speed (for example , 900 rpm, less than the second speed during heating), higher than the first speed so that cold air can reach a space above area C, D, E or F. Further, when area G, H or I is remote from the inside block , cooled, the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of the air flow, is installed upward at a predetermined angle (for example, 5 °) from the horizontal, and the speed of the indoor fan 8 is set to a third speed (for example, 1100 rpm, less than the third speed during heating ), higher than the second speed, so that cold air can reach a space above area G, H or I.

The control of the direction of the air flow, carried out depending on the number of areas that must be conditioned, is explained hereinafter in relation to the flowchart according to FIG.

At the beginning of the operation of the air conditioner, a determination is made in step S41 regarding whether a person is present or absent in each area AI. If it is determined in step S42 that the number of areas in which the person is present is one, that is, the number of air-conditioned areas is equal to one, one area is conditioned in step S43, based on the amount of air and the direction of the air flow directed towards it. If it is determined in step S42 that the area to be air-conditioned is not one, the determination is made in step S44 as to whether the two areas should be air-conditioned. If the two areas must be air-conditioned, the program proceeds to step S45.

Step S45, the amount of air is set in the amount set in the area having a higher degree of conditioning needs, and the locations of the two areas differ when one of the five modes is selected, as shown in FIGS. 34A-34E. In a subsequent step S46, airflow direction control is performed as shown in Table 8, depending on the selected mode.

Mode 1 indicates a case in which two areas are located at an average distance from the indoor unit and adjacent to the indoor unit. Mode 2 indicates a case where two areas are located at substantially the same angle as viewed from the indoor unit, and adjacent in the direction from the front to the back. Mode 3 indicates the case where the two areas are located essentially at an angle to it, when viewed from the indoor unit and remote from each other in the direction from the front to the back. Mode 4 indicates a case where two areas are placed at substantially the same distance from the indoor unit, but differ in angle from the indoor unit. Mode 5 indicates a case where the two areas are not adjacent and differ in both angle and distance from the indoor unit.

The vertical direction of the air flow in modes 1-4 is fixed in the area having a lower degree of demand for air conditioning during heating, and in the area having a higher degree of demand for air conditioning during cooling. The vertical direction of air flow in mode 5 is first fixed in the first region from two regions (first and second regions) for a given period of time (fixed in the corner), subsequently changes to the second region, then is fixed in the second region for a given period of time, and after This changes to the first area. This movement is repeatedly carried out by the control of a vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow. The predetermined period of time during which the vertical direction of the air flow is fixed in each region is set depending on, for example, the distance from the indoor unit, and it is preferable that such a predetermined period of time be extended with increasing distance from the indoor unit.

The horizontal direction of air flow in mode 1 is fixed in the center between two areas adjacent to each other. In the case of mode 2 or 3, the horizontal direction of the air flow is fixed in the area having a higher degree of air conditioning demand, because these two areas can be regarded as located essentially in the same direction when viewed from the indoor unit, although the distance from the indoor unit the block is different. In mode 4 or mode 5, indicating the separation of the two regions, the horizontal direction of the air flow is controlled by controlling the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow, in a manner similar to the control of the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow. Thus, the horizontal direction of the wind is first fixed in the first region for a given period of time, subsequently changes to a second region, then fixed in a second region for a given period of time, and then changes to the first region. This movement is carried out repeatedly. A predetermined period of time during which the horizontal direction of the wind flow is fixed in each area is set depending on its relative position relative to the indoor unit, for example, the position of the angle from the front of the indoor unit. Preferably, such a predetermined period of time is extended with increasing angle from the front of the indoor unit.

In step S44, if it is determined that not two areas must be air-conditioned, the location of three or more areas that must be air-conditioned is determined in step S47 as being any of the two modes, normal mode and special mode. The special mode indicates a case where there are a total of three areas, including two areas located at an average distance from the indoor unit and adjacent to each other in front of the indoor unit, and also including one area located remotely from and in front of the indoor unit. Normal mode indicates a case where there are three or more areas, except in the case of special mode. If there are three or more areas that need to be air-conditioned, the amount of air is set to the amount set for the area having the highest degree of air conditioning need. In step S47, if it is determined that the arrangement of the areas corresponds to a special mode, as shown in FIG. 35A (proximity to the center), the air flow direction is set in step S48 in a manner similar to mode I according to FIG. 34A.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S47 that the arrangement of the areas does not correspond to the special mode, normal operation, as shown in FIG. 35B or FIG. 35C, is carried out in step S49, so that the angle of the vertical blade 12 changing direction air flow varies between an angle set to the area closest to the indoor unit and an angle set to the area farthest from the indoor unit.

In normal mode, the angle of the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow, varies between the angle of the left-side edge of the leftmost area (region C in Fig. 35B and Fig. 35C) and the angle of the right-side edge of the rightmost region (region I in Fig. 35B and region H in Fig. 35C). The horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow in normal mode, is controlled by repeating such a movement that after the blades were fixed to the corner of the left-side edge of the leftmost area for a given period of time, they change the direction of the wind to the rightmost area (rolling ) and are fixed to the right-hand edge of the rightmost region for a given period of time, and they again change the direction of air flow to the leftmost region (rolling). The oscillating speed of the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow, is lower than the speed of the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow, in mode 4 or 5. The specified period of time during which the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow, is set on the left-hand edge of the left area or the right-hand edge of the right-most area is determined depending on, for example, the angle with the front of the indoor unit, and it is preferable that such a given period of time The angle increases with increasing angle from the front of the indoor unit.

After each air conditioning control has been carried out in step S43, S46, S48 or S49, the program returns to step S41.

(Management of skin and room care)

A method for efficiently using electrostatic fog by combining an electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A and controlling the direction of air flow using a human body detection device (sensor devices 126, 128, 130, 132, 134) are both mentioned above. Electrostatic fog has the effect of improving the skin, in addition to the effect of eliminating odor to remove odorous components, as described above. When an electrostatic fog reaches the skin of a person in the room, the skin enhancement effect moisturizes the skin, although there are differences in effectiveness among individuals.

In this embodiment, a skin care method relates to a control in which an electrostatic fog is generated when a person is present in a room in order to exert an improvement effect on human skin, and a room care regimen refers to a control in which an electrostatic fog is generated when no one is present in the room, with the goal of manifesting the effect of eliminating odor in the interior of the room. If the electrostatic fog generated in skin care mode reacts with odorous components in the room, the electrostatic fog arrives to exhibit the effect of eliminating odor.

An air conditioner in this embodiment is provided with an indoor unit that includes a plurality of human body detection sensors used as a human body detection device (sensor blocks 126, 128, 130, 132, 134) to detect the presence or absence of a person, and an electrostatic atomizer a device 18, 18A operable to generate electrostatic fog, while the indoor unit has two control modes, namely, a skin care mode that will be executed when someone at utstvuet in the room, and care regimen location, which will be executed when no one is present in the room. Thus, if it has been determined that a person is present in an area in a range that can be detected by human body detection sensors, control is performed in a skin care mode in which the air flow direction is controlled in such a direction as to transmit electrostatic fog to achieve person or area discovered this way. On the other hand, if it has been determined that no one is present in a range that can be detected by human body detection sensors, control is carried out in a room care mode in which electrostatic fog is directed upward or provided to reach an area remote from the indoor unit.

Although controlling the direction of air flow during heating or cooling is designed to control the direction of air flow due to room temperature or the temperature felt by a person in the room, electrostatic fog can be produced during heating or cooling, or during operation of the indoor fan when the cooling cycle is not is in work.

With this design, human skin is moistened with an electrostatic mist in a skin care regimen. In the room care mode, since no one is present in the room, no attention should be paid to the direction of the air flow from the indoor unit, and it is enough if the electrostatic fog spreads along the inside of the room in order to sterilize and remove effectively or qualitatively odorous components held on the ceiling, walls, curtains, etc., thus allowing for comfortable room conditions.

A detailed control method after detecting a direction or area in which a person is present using human body detection sensors is explained below.

In the skin care mode, which will be performed when a person is present in the room, control of the speed of the indoor fan 8, control of the air flow direction of the vertical blade 12, changing the direction of air flow, and control of the air flow direction of the horizontal blade 14, changing the direction of air flow, in a manner similar to that discussed above, depending on the air conditioning installed in each area AI. Thus, the direction of the air flow during heating is controlled towards the area in front of the legs of the person in the area in which the presence of the person was determined, while the direction of the air flow during cooling is controlled in the direction of direct air (cold air) discharged from the exhaust openings to the space above the human head. At the same time, when the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is operating, the electrostatic fog generated by the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is forced to reach a person along with warm air or cold skin care air.

In the skin care mode, controlling the speed of the indoor fan 8, controlling the air flow direction of the vertical blade 12, changing the air flow direction, and controlling the air flow direction of the horizontal blade 14, changing the air flow direction, can be carried out so that the electrostatic fog can reach the area ( property region of region I) having a high frequency of human presence, without controlling the direction of the air flow to the region where the person is present.

On the other hand, in the room care mode, which will be executed when no one is present in the room, the room fan 8 and the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A are controlled to remove odorous components held on the walls, curtains, floor and ceiling, and the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow, and the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow, is controlled so that the electrostatic fog can reach areas A, B, C, F, G, H and I in this order within a given interval and time, using the airflow near the ceiling, which is mainly created during cooling, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 32.

Of the nine divided regions, regions A, B, C, F, G, H, and I are external regions that are adopted such that walls or curtains are present. In addition, by using airflow from a ceiling in which air is blown upward, electrostatic fog can be forced to reach a ceiling in which the aroma of cigarettes or tobacco is supposed to be held. Further, since the electrostatic fog flowing along the ceiling touches the walls and then flows down, it can sterilize and deodorize the floor.

However, it is unlikely that ceiling airflow can satisfactorily sterilize and deodorize the mounting surface (wall surface) of the indoor unit, because areas A, B are close to the mounting surface of the indoor unit. Therefore, instead of controlling the air flow direction shown in FIG. 32, the air flow direction control can be carried out by setting the angle of the vertical blade 12, changing the direction of the air flow, and the angle of the horizontal blade 14, changing the direction of the air flow, thus, as shown in FIG. 36.

J1: 0 ° ~ 25 °

J2: 25 ° ~ 50 °

J3: 50 ° ~ 90 °

K1: -5 ° ~ 5 °

K2: 0 ° ~ 15 °

K3: 0 ° ~ 60 °

K4: 5 ° ~ 20 °

K5: 15 ° ~ 45 °

Next, the control of the indoor fan 8, the control of the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow, and the control of the horizontal blade 14, which changes the direction of air flow, are carried out taking into account the properties I, II, III of the region mentioned above. The region of the property of region I is the region having a high frequency of human presence, and the frequency of human presence decreases in the order of properties of regions I, II, and III. Accordingly, the electrostatic fog is forced to reach each area for a given period of time in the order of the properties of the I, II and III regions, that is, in the order of decreasing the frequency of human presence when controlling the indoor fan 8, the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow, and the horizontal blade 14 changing the direction of air flow. In addition, since it is likely that the aroma adheres to a region having a high frequency of human presence, a predetermined period of time during which the electrostatic fog reaches each region can be increased in order of the properties of region III, II and I. The control of the direction of air flow carried out in the above manner can remove odorous components.

On the other hand, it is possible that an area having a high frequency of human presence is fully provided by electrostatic fog in a skin care regime when someone is present in the room. Accordingly, the electrostatic fog can be forced to reach each area within a predetermined period of time in the order of the properties of region III, II and I, that is, in order of increasing the frequency of human presence when controlling the indoor fan 8, the vertical blade 12, which changes the direction of air flow, and the horizontal blade 14, changing the direction of air flow. It is also possible that in a skin care regimen, the aroma is not completely removed in an area having a low frequency of human presence. Accordingly, a predetermined period of time during which the electrostatic fog reaches each region can be increased in the order of the properties of regions I, II and III. The control of the direction of air flow carried out in this way can remove odorous components that remain in each area without being completely removed.

Alternatively, a time measuring means for measuring a period of time during which a person is present may be provided. In this case, in the skin care mode, the predetermined period of time during which the electrostatic fog reaches each region varies with the time period measured by the time measuring means. Thus, it is possible that the odor remains with an increase in the measured time period and, therefore, the odor elimination effect or the sterilization effect can be further improved by increasing the predetermined period of time during which the electrostatic fog reaches each area in the room care mode.

The example of FIG. 29 shows that the maximum speed of the indoor fan 8 during air conditioning is set to 1200 rpm, but since no attention should be paid to noise when no one is present, the speed of the internal fan 8 can be determined in this way as shown in Fig. 37, taking into account the air resistance of the means of changing the direction of air flow (vertical blade 12, changing the direction of air flow, and horizontal blade 14, changing the direction of flow air) to thereby increase the available range of electrostatic fog.

L1: 1200 rpm

L2: 1300 rpm

L3: 1400 rpm

Further, if room air is let out by the operation of the exhaust fan unit 16, the cleaning of room air is improved.

If a human input is detected by any of the first of the five sensors 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 in the room care mode, controlling the speed of the internal fan 8, controlling the vertical blade 12 changing the direction of air flow, and controlling the horizontal blade 14 changing the direction of flow air returns to the controls mentioned above, carried out when a person is present in the room, depending on the air conditioning installed in the detected area.

The absence of a person is assumed to be a temporary case during operation of the air conditioner or a case of a person leaving after stopping the operation of the air conditioner. If the room becomes temporarily empty during operation of the air conditioner, the room care mode can be initialized depending on the length of the person’s absence through heating or cooling operations supported under current conditions, or the energy saving operation (explained later) can be performed in room care mode . If the room becomes empty due to the exit of a person, control in the room care mode can be carried out for a predetermined period of time with the operation of only the indoor fan 8.

(Managing energy saving in the absence of a person and managing when the user forgot to turn off the air conditioner)

The indoor unit is provided with a timer. When no one is present in an area that needs to be air-conditioned, energy-saving management or control when the user forgot to turn off the air conditioning is carried out using a timer. These room care controls are discussed below.

Fig. 38 shows an example of energy-saving management work when no one is present in the room, the flow rate (speed) of the indoor fan 8, and the power of the compressor installed in the outdoor unit.

More specifically, the heat transfer efficiency of the heat exchanger 6 increases with the flow rate of the indoor fan 8, and if the compressor frequency is the same, the heating and cooling performance increases. Accordingly, in order to maintain the room temperature at the set temperature, the frequency of the compressor can be reduced, thereby reducing the required power consumption. In addition, even if the flow rate of the indoor fan 8 increases when no one is present, strong airflow or increased noise from the indoor fan 8 does not cause discomfort. Accordingly, when blowing air together with an electrostatic fog, electrostatic fog can be spread everywhere in the place to eliminate odor and sterilization.

As shown in FIG. 38, when the first of five sensors 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 detect that no one is present in each area AI (time t0), the timer starts counting. After the timer starts, when it was confirmed at time t1 (for example, 10 minutes) that no one is present, the flow rate of indoor fan 8 increases, and the compressor frequency decreases gradually to time t2 (for example, 30 minutes after the start of the count). After a period of time t2, the compressor frequency is kept constant (limit value). If it was sequentially confirmed at time t2, time t3 (for example, one hour after the start of the count), time t4 (for example, two hours after the start of count) and time t5 (for example, four hours after the start of count) that no one is present, the operation of the air conditioner stops at time t5 after the user has forgotten to turn off the air conditioner.

If the presence of a person is detected from time t1 to time t5, the flow rate of the indoor fan 8 and the compressor frequency return to the set values set before time t1.

The method of changing the set room temperature to the target temperature depending on the elapsed time in order to achieve other energy-saving work is further explained in relation to Table 9 and Fig. 39. First, control during heating will be discussed.

Fig. 39 shows an example of temperature changes in which a temperature of 28 ° C is a set temperature Tset and a temperature of 20 ° C (lower limit) is a target temperature. ΔT represents the temperature difference between the set temperature Tset and the target temperature. The target temperature is the limit when thermal power is lowered to save energy in the absence of any person.

When the first of the five sensors 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 detect that no one is present in each of the areas AI, the timer starts to count. After the timer starts, when it is confirmed at time t1 (for example, 10 minutes) that no one is present, the set temperature Tset automatically decreases by 2 ° C (1 / 4ΔT). After it is confirmed at time t2 (for example, 30 minutes after the start of counting) that no one is present, the set temperature Tset again automatically decreases by 2 ° C (1 / 4ΔT). Similarly, when it is confirmed at time t3 (for example, one hour after the start of the countdown) or time t4 (for example, two hours after the start of the countdown) that no one is present, the set temperature Tset automatically decreases 2 ° C (1 / 4ΔT), respectively. With such an automatic reduction in the set temperature Tset, the heat output is reduced by reducing the compressor frequency. For example, the compressor frequency gradually decreases from time t2 to time t4 by a frequency that decreases from time t1 to time t2.

At time t4, the initial set temperature Tset decreases by only 8 ° C and becomes equal to 20 ° C. Although the set temperature Tset is maintained at the target temperature until time t5 (for example, four hours after the start of counting), if it is confirmed at time t5 that no one is still present, the air conditioner will stop operating if the user has forgotten to turn off the air conditioner . The energy-saving management, carried out in this way in the absence of any person, avoids the uneconomical work of heating in order to thereby reduce energy consumption. At the same time, with an increase in the flow rate of the room fan 8 and the blown air, together with the electrostatic fog, the electrostatic fog can be spread everywhere in the place to eliminate odor and sterilization in the room care mode.

When the presence of a person is detected during a period of time from time t1 to time t5, the set temperature, Tset returns to the initial temperature set before time t1.

The width of the temperature changes (temperature decrease) is set based on Table 9 depending on the temperature difference ΔT between the set temperature Tset and the target temperature. The smaller the temperature difference ΔT, the smaller the width of the temperature changes. If the set temperature Tset is lower than the target temperature, the current temperature is maintained, but if it is confirmed at time t5 that no one is present, the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, as in the example according to Fig. 39.

Management during cooling is discussed further in relation to Table 10 and FIG. 40.

Fig. 40 shows an example of temperature changes in which a temperature of 20 ° C is a set temperature Tset and a temperature of 28 ° C (upper limit) is a target temperature. ΔT represents the temperature difference between the set temperature Tset and the target temperature.

When the first of the five sensors 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 detect that no one is present in each of the areas AI, the timer starts to count. After the timer starts, when it is confirmed at time t1 (for example, 10 minutes) that no one is present, the set temperature Tset automatically increases by 2 ° C (1 / 4ΔT). After it is confirmed at time t2 (for example, 30 minutes after the start of counting) that no one is present, the set temperature Tset again automatically increases by 2 ° C (1 / 4ΔT). In the same way as it was confirmed at time t3 (for example, one hour after the start of the countdown) or time t4 (for example, two hours after the start of the countdown) that no one is present, the set temperature Tset automatically increases by 2 ° C ( 1 / 4ΔT), respectively.

At time t4, the initial set temperature Tset increases by only 8 ° C and becomes equal to 28 ° C. Although the set temperature Tset is maintained at the target temperature up to time t5 (for example, four hours after the start of counting), if it was confirmed at time t5 that no one is still present, the operation of the air conditioner stops if the user forgot to turn off the air air conditioning. The energy-saving management thus carried out in the absence of any person avoids an uneconomical cooling operation in order to thereby reduce energy consumption. At this time, with an increase in the flow rate of the room fan 8 and when blowing air together with the electrostatic fog, electrostatic fog can be spread everywhere in the place to eliminate odor and sterilization in the room care mode.

When a human presence is detected during a period of time from time t1 to time t5, the set temperature Tset returns to the initial temperature set before time t1.

The width of the temperature change (temperature increment) is set based on Table 10 depending on the temperature difference ΔT between the set temperature Tset and the target temperature. The smaller the temperature difference ΔT, the smaller the width of the temperature change. If the set temperature Tset is higher than the target temperature, the current temperature is maintained, but if it was confirmed at time t5 that no one was present, the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, as in the example according to Fig. 40.

Each of the above examples according to Figs. 38-40 is designed to achieve when no one is present for a predetermined period of time during normal operation, energy-saving operation, which is less in energy consumption than normal operation. If no one is present for a consecutive predetermined period of time, energy saving is achieved by stopping the air conditioner (“normal operation” means work ordered by the user).

It is possible that if human body detection sensors erroneously detect some disturbance besides a person, such as, for example, curtains that can cause a change in temperature despite a state of continuous absence for a long period of time, normal operation continues in this state (no person is present ) Accordingly, uneconomical operation can be positively minimized by stopping the operation of the air conditioner after a period of time t6 (for example, 24 hours) longer than time t5. The main body of the indoor unit or the remote controller is preferably provided with a loudspeaker or indicator, such as LED (LED), so that the user can clearly or visually understand the condition of the air conditioner immediately before stopping operation after a period of time t5 or time t6, which is longer than time t5. Alternatively, letters or symbols may be indicated on the screen. In addition, if the automatic stop selection means, to choose whether or not an automatic stop of operation is performed after a period of time t5 or time t6, is provided in the remote controller or the like, then more convenience is provided to the user.

Industrial applicability

The air conditioner according to the present invention allows the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device only when the temperature and humidity of the air sucked into the indoor unit are both in the operating range of the electrostatic atomizing device. Accordingly, the life of the electrostatic atomizing device can be extended or energy saving can be achieved without generating noise or ozone, and therefore, the air conditioner according to the present invention is very useful for various air conditioners, including air conditioners for domestic use. In addition, an air conditioner having a skin care mode or a room care mode can fulfill convenient room conditions — improving a person’s skin, cleaning a room depending on the presence or absence of a person — and accordingly be useful especially for air conditioners for domestic use.

Claims (9)

1. An air conditioner equipped with an indoor unit having an air purification function for purifying indoor air, comprising: an electrostatic atomizing device for generating electrostatic fog;
suction temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of air sucked into the indoor unit; and
humidity detection means for detecting humidity of air drawn into the indoor unit;
wherein the resolution area of the electrostatic spray device is determined based on the temperature and humidity of the air drawn into the indoor unit; and when the temperature detected by the suction temperature detection means and the humidity detected by the moisture detection means are within the resolution range, the action of the electrostatic atomizing device is allowed, while when one is one or the temperature detected by the suction temperature detection means, or the humidity detected by the moisture detection means is outside the scope of the action, the action of the electrostatic spray device is prohibited;
moreover, the area of excessive drip condensation is determined outside the action resolution area when the humidity of the air drawn into the indoor unit is higher than the first predetermined value. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, in which the first non-fulfillment area is formed as a region in which the humidity of the air drawn into the indoor unit is lower than the second setpoint, less than the first setpoint, and even if the electrostatic spray device shows its maximum productivity, the dew point temperature is not reached, and an area below freezing is formed, as the area in which the dew point temperature obtained from the psychometric map is below the freezing point At the same time, the area of non-fulfillment and the area below freezing are outside the scope of the action. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, in which a second non-fulfillment area is formed as a region in which the temperature of the air drawn into the indoor unit exceeds a predetermined value, and the normal operation of the electrostatic spray device is suppressed, the second non-fulfillment area being outside the action resolution area . 4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting a fan speed for detecting a speed of a room fan installed in the indoor unit, wherein when a room fan speed detected by the means for detecting a fan speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined speed, the action the electrostatic atomizing device is allowed while the speed of the indoor fan detected by the fan speed detection means is less than m set speed, the action of an electrostatic spray device is prohibited. 5. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a malfunction detection means for detecting a malfunction of the electrostatic spray device, wherein when the malfunction detection means does not detect a malfunction of the electrostatic spray device, the action of the electrostatic spray device is permitted, while if the malfunction detection means detects malfunction of the electrostatic spray device, the effect of the electrostatic spray troystva prohibited. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising means for calculating an electric energy consumption for calculating an electric energy consumption of the indoor unit, excluding an electrostatic atomizing device, wherein when the total electric energy consumption value calculated by the electric energy consumption calculating means is less than or equal to the allowed energy value, the action of the electrostatic atomizing device is permitted, while when the full value otrebleniya electric energy calculation means calculated electric power consumption exceeds the allowable power value, operation of the electrostatic atomizing device is prohibited. 7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a human body detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a person, wherein a skin care mode and a room care mode are provided, and when it is determined that the person is present in a predetermined area in a range that can be detected by a human body detection sensor, the direction of air flow in the skin care mode is controlled to direct the air discharged from the indoor unit in the direction of a given area so that to allow the electrostatic fog to reach a predetermined area, while when it is determined that no one is present in a range that can be detected by the human body detection sensor, the air flow direction is controlled in room care mode to direct the electrostatic fog up, or to allow electrostatic fog to reach an area remote from the indoor unit. 8. An air conditioner comprising:
indoor unit;
a human body detection sensor mounted on an indoor unit for detecting the presence or absence of a person; and
an electrostatic spray device mounted on an indoor unit for generating electrostatic fog;
in this case, a skin care mode and a room care mode are provided, and when it is determined that the person is present in a predetermined area in a range that can be detected by the human body detection sensor, the air flow direction is controlled in the skin care mode for air direction, discharged from the indoor unit in the direction of the predetermined area to allow electrostatic fog to reach the predetermined area, while when it is determined that no one is in the range, which can be detected by the human body detection sensor, the air flow direction is controlled in room care mode to direct the electrostatic fog up, or to allow the electrostatic fog to reach an area remote from the indoor unit. 9. The air conditioner according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the room care mode is carried out during the operation of the indoor fan when the refrigeration cycle is not in operation.

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