TWI397657B - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner including a position detecting function of a remote controller.

The air conditioner is configured to connect the indoor unit and the outdoor unit via a connection pipe. Indoors, the user operates an independent air conditioner (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) to operate the functions of the air conditioner.

The air conditioner takes the air in the room into the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, and adjusts the function of heating, cooling, dehumidification, etc., and blows the adjusted air to the room, thereby For indoor air conditioning. At this time, the control of the indoor temperature is performed according to the set temperature set by the user by the remote controller and the intake air temperature detected by the suction temperature heat resistor provided at the indoor unit body. .

However, since the indoor unit of the air conditioner is usually placed at a high place in the room, the temperature is not necessarily the same as the living space of the user, and a temperature difference is generated. In addition, depending on the indoor environment in which an obstacle is placed in front of the indoor unit, for example, a so-called short circuit in which the air that has been blown out by the air conditioner stays in the vicinity of the indoor unit and cannot be circulated indoors is generated. Phenomenon, there will be a large temperature difference between the temperature of the space in which the user lives.

Moreover, when the user is in a space where a local temperature difference such as a window in which a sunlight is incident or a kitchen having a gas burner is used, a large temperature is generated between the temperature of the air to be inhaled and the temperature of the air to be inhaled. Poor situation.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner of the prior art, there is proposed a control method in which a room temperature heat resistor that detects a room temperature is mounted on a remote controller that operates the air conditioner, and will be used by the user. The room temperature at any position is detected. Then, the detected room temperature is sent from the remote controller to the air conditioner, and the position of the user is recognized by the remote controller position detecting means, and the air temperature of the air inlet and the suction port is recognized. The temperature difference between them is corrected.

Further, as a means for detecting the room temperature, since the temperature of the resistor is changed to a low temperature with room temperature, and the detection accuracy is sufficient, many of them are used, but As a means of detecting the position of the remote controller, various methods have been proposed.

Patent Documents 1 to 4 are known as prior art for detecting the position of a remote controller.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of a remote controller for an air conditioner, which is provided with a remote controller control means including a remote control for bidirectional communication between a remote controller and an air conditioner. The means for communicating with the device and the time measuring means for measuring the time are characterized in that the air conditioning is calculated based on the elapsed time from the transmission of the command measured by the time measuring means until the processing result is received. The distance between the machines and the air conditioning control according to the distance.

Patent Document 1 detects a distance between a main body of an air conditioner and a remote controller by using infrared rays as a communication medium, and measures the time between transmission and reception in the case of communication in both directions. Since the communication speed of the infrared signal is the speed of light, the time required for the infrared signal to advance 1 m is only about 3.3 n seconds. Therefore, in order to detect the distance in the indoor space, it requires a resolution of at least several hundred seconds, but in general, the accuracy of the timer of the general-purpose microcomputer used in household electrical appliances is at most only It is a few microseconds, so it is a very high precision timer, which is not realistic if it is considered on the cost side.

Also, when it is considered to be actually used in household electrical appliances, it is also necessary to consider the false detection caused by noise, but in order to detect the time difference of several hundred p seconds, it is impossible to add noise interception. The filter circuit is used, and it is impossible to expect an increase in the S/N ratio, and there is a problem that detection cannot be performed with high accuracy.

Patent Document 2 discloses an environment adjustment system including an environmental device that makes an environmental condition in a confined space, and an environment in which a confined space is given by radio waves to the environmental device. The conditional command is attached to the remote controller of the sensor, and the strength of the signal received by the environmental device or the remote controller with the sensor or the transmission delay time is taken to obtain the distance.

Patent Document 2 is to use a radio wave as a communication medium to make a bidirectional communication between an environmental device and a remote controller, and to obtain a distance by the signal strength or transmission delay time at the time of receiving the signal. In order to detect the direction of the remote controller, it is necessary to set a plurality of antennas to be the receiving portion, and there is a problem in cost. In addition, in order to obtain the distance from the transmission delay time, the radio wave is also at a very high speed in the same manner as the infrared method of Patent Document 1, and therefore, there is a problem in the calculation processing. Moreover, since the radio wave is a subject of legal regulation, it is not possible to freely set the signal strength with respect to the specifications of the product, and there is a problem in general use.

Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for detecting a position detecting system, a position detecting method, and an infrared remote controller, in which two or more light receiving means having a light receiving infrared signal are provided, and each light receiving means is provided. The plurality of light-receiving units are arranged on the light-receiving surface formed by the M×N two-dimensional matrix, and the detection signal is output in response to the received light intensity, and the light-receiving position of the infrared signal on the light-receiving surface is specified. The position detecting means calculates the relative position of the remote controller from the light receiving position based on the principle of triangulation. Thereby, the relative positional relationship between the transmitter of the infrared remote controller and the receiver is detected.

In Patent Document 3, since the position of the remote controller is calculated by the principle of triangulation, it is necessary to provide a pair of light receiving units having an image of the infrared light source in a two-dimensional matrix on the indoor unit side. The accuracy of the image is high in the light-receiving portion of the optical system, which is very expensive, and the size of the indoor unit to be accommodated has to be increased, and the household electrical appliance is important in cost competitiveness. In the end, the system cannot be used after all.

Patent Document 4 discloses a technique of an electric device comprising an electric machine body and a remote controller, and the electric machine body is provided with signal transmission for a remote controller. The signal transmission means, the signal receiving means for performing the signal from the remote controller, the input means for the user to directly operate, and the remote position detecting signal by the input means for transmitting And the remote control device includes: a signal receiving means for transmitting a signal from the electrical machine body, and a signal transmitting means for performing signal transmission to the electronic machine body, and When the remote control position detection signal is received, the remote control position detection confirmation signal is directly sent to the communication means at the electric machine body, and the electric machine body is sent after the remote control position detection signal is sent, until The time elapsed after receiving the remote control position detection confirmation signal is measured, and the distance between the electric machine body and the remote controller is calculated according to the measurement time, and then the calculated distance is calculated. The signal is sent out, and the remote controller outputs an alarm based on the distance signal received.

Patent Document 4 is the same as Patent Document 1, and is a bidirectional communication device for an electric device main body and a remote controller, and measures the distance between the time of transmission and reception in the case of bidirectional communication. Therefore, in the same manner as in Patent Document 1, there is a large problem remaining on the accuracy or the cost.

[Previous Technical Literature]

[Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-309379

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-127348

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-197577

[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-304408

In the prior art, there is: depending on the air conditioner where the air conditioner is located The environmental condition of the space, and the problem of a large temperature difference between the set temperature and the ambient temperature of the user. For example, there is an environment in which the local temperature difference between the window or the kitchen is as large as the above, or the air blown after the air conditioner is generated stays in the vicinity of the indoor unit and is not made indoors. The so-called short circuit phenomenon of the cycle is a general environment.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, there is proposed a method of detecting a position of a user using a remote controller position detecting means and a temperature heat resistor provided in the remote controller as described above. The temperature is corrected by sending the detected position information and temperature information to the air conditioner.

However, as described above, in order to detect the position of the remote controller, a dedicated remote controller position detecting device is required, which has a problem that the cost is increased or the device is complicated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioner capable of detecting the position of a remote controller at low cost.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is an air conditioner including a remote controller capable of performing bidirectional communication using infrared rays as a communication medium, wherein the main body of the air conditioner includes a first infrared illuminating diode And the first infrared light receiving element, wherein the remote controller includes a second infrared light emitting diode and a second infrared light receiving element, and the infrared signal transmitted from the first infrared light emitting diode is pulsed No., and the radiation intensity of the pulse signal is changed in a plurality of stages, and the number of pulses of the infrared signal received by the second infrared light-emitting element is counted, and the result is detected based on the counting result. The distance from the body of the air conditioner to the remote controller.

According to the present invention, the infrared signal transmitted from the infrared light-emitting diode of the air conditioner body is set as a pulse signal, and the radiation intensity of the pulse signal is set to be a change in a plurality of stages, The number of pulses of the infrared signal received by the infrared light receiving element is counted, and based on the result of the counting, the distance between the body of the air conditioner and the remote controller can be detected.

Moreover, the present invention is an air conditioner including a remote controller capable of bidirectional communication using infrared rays as a communication medium, wherein the main body of the air conditioner includes a plurality of first infrared light emitting diodes And the first infrared light receiving element, wherein the remote controller includes a second infrared light emitting diode and a second infrared light receiving element, and the radiation intensity of the infrared signal transmitted from the plurality of first infrared light emitting diodes is The radiation intensity of the first infrared light-emitting diodes is transmitted in a direction different from each other, and the radiation intensity is set as described above for the second infrared light-receiving element. The infrared signal which is a change of the plurality of stages is received by the first infrared ray which transmits the infrared signal which can be transmitted until the weakest radiant intensity of the infrared signal received. The direction of radiation of the diode to detect the direction of the remote controller relative to the air conditioner body, and for the second infrared illuminator It is inputted at the The time at which the radiation intensity is set as the infrared signal which can be changed in the plural phase is counted, and the distance from the main body of the air conditioner to the remote controller is detected from the timing result.

According to the present invention, when the infrared light-receiving element of the remote controller is received by the infrared light-receiving element of the air conditioner, the radiation intensity is set to be a changeable infrared ray in a plurality of stages. In the case of a signal, it is possible to detect the radiation direction of the infrared light-emitting diode that can transmit the infrared signal to the weakest radiation intensity of the received infrared signal to the air conditioner. The direction of the remote controller of the main body, and can detect the time of the time when the infrared ray signal whose radiation intensity is set to be a plurality of stages is input to the infrared ray receiving element of the remote controller. The distance between the machine body and the remote control.

Moreover, the present invention is an air conditioner including a remote controller capable of bidirectional communication using infrared rays as a communication medium, wherein the main body of the air conditioner includes a plurality of first infrared light emitting diodes And the first infrared light receiving element, wherein the remote controller includes a second infrared light emitting diode and a second infrared light receiving element, and the infrared signal transmitted from the plurality of first infrared light emitting diodes is pulsed a signal, and the radiation intensity of the pulse signal is changed to a plurality of stages, and then the radiation directions of the plurality of first infrared light-emitting diodes are respectively sent to different directions, and the second The infrared light-receiving element is capable of being subjected to the above-mentioned infrared signal having a radiation intensity set to a change in a plurality of stages, and is capable of being received by the infrared radiation signal of the above-mentioned received infrared signal until the weakest radiation intensity. Infrared signal is used to detect the direction of the remote controller of the air conditioner body with respect to the radiation direction of the first infrared light emitting diode. For the number of pulses of the second infrared light emitting element of the infrared signal as the count of hearing suffered, from the counting result until the detected distance to the remote from the main body of the air conditioner.

According to the present invention, the infrared signal transmitted from the infrared light-emitting diode of the air conditioner main body having the radiation intensity set to a plurality of stages can be set as a pulse signal, and the infrared light receiving element of the remote controller is received. When the radiation intensity is set to be an infrared signal that can be changed in the plural phase, it is capable of transmitting an infrared signal that can be transmitted until the weakest radiation intensity of the received infrared signal is transmitted. The radiation direction of the infrared light-emitting diode detects the direction of the remote controller relative to the air conditioner body, and can count the number of pulses of the infrared signal received by the infrared light-receiving element of the remote controller To detect the distance between the air conditioner body and the remote controller.

The present invention can provide an air conditioner capable of detecting the position of a remote controller at low cost.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the overall configuration of the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 . 1 is a view showing an external configuration of an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1.

The air conditioner 1 shown in Fig. 1 is constructed by connecting the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 by a connecting pipe 4, and is air-conditioned indoors. The lower right end shown at the lower right of the figure of the indoor unit 2 is provided with an indoor transmission and reception unit 16 that receives an infrared operation signal from an independent remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 2 is generally configured such that a heat exchanger 7 is provided at a central portion of the casing base 6, and is disposed at a flow side below the heat exchanger 7. A cross-flow fan type indoor blower 8 having a length slightly equal to the width of the heat exchanger 7 is attached to the intake pan 9, and these are covered by the decorative frame 10, in front of the decorative frame 10. The front panel 11 is mounted.

Further, in the decorative frame 10, an air intake port 12 for taking in indoor air and an air outlet port 13 for blowing the air whose temperature and humidity are adjusted are provided. When the indoor blower 8 disposed at the downstream of the air flow of the heat exchanger 7 rotates, the indoor air passes through the air intake port 12 provided at the indoor unit 2, passes through the heat exchanger 7, and the indoor blower 8 And flowing to the air blowing duct 8a having a width slightly equal to the length of the indoor blower 8, and the left and right wind direction plates 14 disposed on the way of blowing the air passage 8a, the left and right direction of the airflow is made The deflection is further arranged by the lower air deflecting plate 15 at the air blowing port 13, so that the airflow direction is deflected upward and downward, and is blown out into the room.

Fig. 3 is a view showing a schematic configuration of the indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16 provided at the indoor unit 2 and its surroundings. The indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16 is provided with an indoor infrared light receiving element 18 that receives an infrared signal (operation signal) from the independent remote controller 5, and an infrared signal for transmitting the infrared signal to the remote controller 5. Three indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34. In addition, although it will be described later in detail, for example, the light distribution direction of the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34 is generally inclined so that the front end of the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 34 is directed to the right side. The configuration was pre-determined.

Further, the indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16 is provided with a light receiving cover 20 made of an infrared ray transmitting material.

Further, since the infrared signals transmitted from the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34 are transmitted through the light-receiving cover 20, it is easy to use infrared rays at the light-receiving cover 20. A material such as an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, or a high-density polyethylene resin which is not easily diffused is preferable, and the light-receiving cover 20 in the present embodiment is made of an acrylic resin.

Further, in the light-receiving cover 20 of the present embodiment, an acrylic resin having a filter performance that allows only the infrared wavelength light to pass through is used, and the externally-obscured light such as indoor fluorescent lamp illumination is prevented from being formed. By this, it is possible to improve the reliability of the received performance and prevent the degradation of the reception performance.

Further, at the indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16, a display unit 17 that is integrally formed is provided adjacent to each other. The display unit 17 is provided by internally setting 6 The display LEDs 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, and 17f are turned on, and the operation state is visually transmitted to the user.

Next, the system configuration in the air conditioner 1 will be described.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the system configuration of the air conditioner 1.

The indoor unit 2 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a control board 21 at an internal electric component box (not shown).

In FIG. 4, the power supply unit is constituted by the inrush current prevention circuit 52, the power relay 53, and the control power supply circuit 54. In the control power supply circuit 54, a fan motor 56 is connected to the fan motor drive circuit 55, and both sides 58 are connected via the two-way valve drive circuit 57. At these places, power from the AC power source 51 is supplied.

At the control board 21, an indoor unit microcomputer 22 is provided. At the indoor unit microcomputer 22, a reset circuit 59, an EEPROM 60, and a clock oscillating circuit 61 connected to the control power supply circuit 54 are connected.

Further, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 is connected to various sensors such as the indoor infrared light receiving element 18, the suction temperature heat resistor 23, the heat exchanger thermal resistor 24, and the temperature sensor 25. Further, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 is adapted to the operation signal from the remote controller 5 by the signal from the sensor and the light received by the indoor infrared light receiving element 18 to allow the user to visualize. The lighting of the light-emitting diodes (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, 17f) of the display unit 17 is controlled by the manner in which the operating state of the air conditioner 1 is recognized, and the buzzer 26 is audible. Motion control.

Further, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 is configured to rotate the front panel motor 28, the vertical wind direction plate motors 29a, 29b, and 29c, and the left and right wind direction plate motors 30a and 30b via the stepping motor drive circuit 27. control.

Then, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 is in charge of communication with the outdoor unit 3 via the indoor/outdoor communication circuit 30, and performs overall control for the indoor unit 2.

<Configuration of remote controller position detecting device on the indoor unit side>

Next, the configuration of the remote controller position detecting device on the indoor unit 2 side will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 . FIG. 5 is a view showing a system configuration of the indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16 that functions as a remote controller position detecting device on the indoor unit 2 side. Fig. 6 is a flow chart for explaining an output operation of a position discrimination signal from the indoor unit 2.

First, the remote controller position detecting device on the indoor unit 2 side uses the indoor infrared light receiving element 18 and the indoor infrared ray of the indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16 that constitutes the two-way communication between the indoor unit 2 and the remote controller 5 as described above. Light-emitting diodes 32, 33, 34. By constructing in this way, the system is simplified and the cost is reduced.

In addition, "location" is expressed by "distance" and "direction".

In FIG. 5, a power supply unit is configured by switching (SW) power supply 70, 18.5 V power supply 71, 12 V power supply 72, 8.5 V power supply 73, regulator 74, and 5 V power supply 75. At these places, power from the AC power source 51 is supplied. The indoor unit microcomputer 22 is connected to the 5V power source 75.

The indoor unit microcomputer 22 is connected to the switching elements 35, 36, and 37, and controls the ON/OFF of each switching element. Further, the indoor frequency microcomputer 22 is connected to the carrier frequency generation switching element 49 for generating carrier frequency, and controls the generation of the carrier frequency (DUTY 50%) of 38 kHz. Further, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 is connected to the DC/DC converter circuit 38 that receives the 12V power source 72 as an input, and controls the output voltage of the DC/DC converter circuit 38.

At the output side of the DC/DC converter circuit 38, the anode side of the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32 is connected via the switching element 35, and is connected to the indoor infrared light-emitting unit via the switching element 36. The anode side of the polar body 33 is connected to the anode side of the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 34 via the switching element 37.

The cathode side of the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32 is connected to one end of the carrier frequency generating switching element 49 via the resistor R1, and the cathode side of the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 33 is connected via the resistor R2. At one end of the carrier frequency generating switching element 49, the cathode side of the indoor infrared light emitting diode 34 is connected to one end of the carrier frequency generating switching element 49 via the resistor R3. Further, the other end of the carrier frequency generating switching element 49 is 0V.

Although the details will be described later, the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34 are determined in advance for detecting the remote controller 5 at which position (area) is present (refer to FIG. 3). . For example, the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32 is used for detecting the intermediate area, and transmits an infrared signal to the front direction (middle area) when the indoor unit 2 is viewed from the front. Further, the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 33 is for detecting the left area, and transmits the infrared signal to the left direction (left area) when the indoor unit 2 is viewed from the front. Further, the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 34 is used for detecting the right area, and transmits an infrared signal to the right direction (right area) when the indoor unit 2 is viewed from the front.

In such a configuration, the output operation of the position discrimination signal from the indoor unit 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 (refer to FIG. 11 together).

When the indoor infrared light receiving element 18 receives a position detection request signal described later from the remote controller 5, the indoor infrared light receiving element 18 performs internal processing and converts it into a digital signal to output to the indoor unit microcomputer 22 (S1: YES The indoor unit microcomputer 22 starts the remote controller position detection control in response to the detected position detection request signal.

In the present embodiment, in order to implement the remote controller position detection control, three indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34 are used to detect the direction and distance of the remote controller 5.

First, the switching elements 35, 36, and 37 are turned ON, and the carrier frequency (38 kHz) is converted from the indoor infrared ray-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34 by the carrier frequency generating switching element 49 (DUTY). The infrared signal after 50%) is sent (S2). In addition, this infrared signal is illustrated in FIG. 11 as a basic operation signal. Further, in the basic operation signal, the operation information (suction temperature, humidity, etc.) of the indoor unit 2 is added.

Next, the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32 for detecting the medium region is used to transmit the position discrimination signal (S3) shown in FIG. Then, the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 33 for detecting from the left area is transmitted, and the position discrimination signal (S4) shown in Fig. 11 is transmitted. Thereafter, the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 34 for detecting from the right region are transmitted, and the position discrimination signal (S5) shown in Fig. 11 is transmitted.

Further, in step S3, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 turns on the switching elements 35 of the switching elements 35, 36, and 37, and generates the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32 for detecting the medium region by the carrier frequency. The infrared signal of the position discriminating signal after being modulated by the switching element 49 to the carrier frequency of 38 kHz is transmitted. At this time, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 outputs an output voltage command signal for changing the output voltage to a plurality of stages for the DC/DC converter circuit 38. Thereby, the driving current flowing in the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32 is changed, and the radiation intensity of the position determining signal is as shown in FIG. 11, from "strong" to "medium" to "weak". → "Weakly" and gradually weakened.

Further, similarly to S4 and S5, the switching elements 35, 36, and 37 are sequentially switched, and the radiation intensity of the position discriminating signal is gradually weakened in the same manner as in step S3.

The details of these will be described later with reference to FIG. 18 and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the drive current is made variable by the DC/DC converter circuit 38. However, by setting a plurality of limiting resistors, the limiting resistor is also switched. The same effect can be obtained.

<Configuration of remote controller position detecting device on the remote controller side>

Next, the configuration of the remote controller position detecting device on the remote controller side will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 . Fig. 7 is a view showing the appearance of the remote controller 5. Fig. 8 is a view showing the system configuration of the remote controller 5.

(a) of FIG. 7 is a display for the display operation surface of the remote controller 5. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the remote controller 5 is generally operated by an operation surface 48 provided with an operation key 65, an LCD module 50 on which operation information and the like are displayed, and an indoor unit 2 The communication is constituted by a remote controller transmitting and receiving unit 40 covered by the light-receiving cover 40a. Further, the light-receiving cover 40a is provided with a vent hole 40b for a room temperature heat resistor and a humidity sensor to be described later.

(b) of FIG. 7 is a display for the back surface of the display operation surface of the remote controller 5, and is provided with a back cover 80.

(c) of FIG. 7 is a display for the state in which the back cover 80 of the remote controller 5 is detached and the battery 44 is inserted. In other words, the remote controller 5 is designed to allow the user to operate the air conditioner 1 regardless of the position in the room, and is a wireless method using an infrared light-emitting diode, and has a built-in The remote controller sends the signal receiving unit 40 or the battery 44 to which the LCD module 50 supplies power.

(d) of FIG. 7 is a display for the configuration of the remote controller transmitting and receiving unit 40. Fig. 7(d) is a view seen from the direction A in the remote controller 5 shown in Fig. 7(a). The remote controller transmitting and receiving unit 40 is provided with a remote controller infrared light receiving element 41 and a remote controller infrared light emitting diode 42. Further, the remote controller transmitting and receiving unit 40 also functions as a remote controller position detecting device on the remote controller side, and the system is simplified and the cost is reduced.

Further, a room temperature heat resistor 43a and a humidity sensor 43b that detect the room temperature are mounted next to the remote controller transmitting and receiving unit 40, so that the room temperature and humidity around the remote controller 5 can be detected at any time. .

As shown in Fig. 8, in general, the remote controller 5 is provided with a remote controller microcomputer 45.

The remote controller microcomputer 45 is connected to the carrier frequency generation switching element 46 for carrier frequency generation, and controls the generation of the carrier frequency of 38 kHz. Further, the remote controller microcomputer 45 is connected to the switching element 47, and controls ON/OFF of the switching element 47.

The remote control infrared light receiving element 41 has one end connected to the battery 44 via the switching element 47 and the other end connected to the remote controller microcomputer 45. The remote control infrared light receiving element 41 receives the signal from the position signal transmitted from the indoor unit 2 and outputs it to the remote controller microcomputer 45. Further, the remote control infrared light receiving element 41 is turned ON/OFF by the switching element 47.

The remote control infrared light-emitting diode 42 has an anode side connected to the battery 44, and a cathode side connected to one end of the carrier frequency generating switching element 46 via a resistor R4. Further, the other end of the carrier frequency generation switching element 46 is 0V.

The room temperature heat resistor 43a has one end connected to the battery 44 and the other end connected to the remote controller microcomputer 45, and outputs a room temperature information signal to the remote controller microcomputer 45. The remote controller microcomputer 45 transmits the room temperature information as the ambient temperature of the remote controller 5 to the indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16 of the indoor unit 2 via the remote controller transmitting and receiving unit 40 based on the room temperature information signal. When the room temperature information of the remote controller 5 is received by the indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 is based on the room temperature information of the remote controller 5 and the suction temperature resistor 23 of the indoor unit 2. The room temperature information is compared and the temperature difference (temperature difference) is appropriately corrected (refer to Figure 4).

The humidity sensor 43b has one end connected to the battery 44 and the other end connected to the remote controller microcomputer 45, and outputs the humidity information signal to the remote controller microcomputer 45. The remote controller microcomputer 45 transmits the humidity information as the humidity of the peripheral space of the remote controller 5 to the indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16 of the indoor unit 2 via the remote controller transmitting and receiving unit 40 based on the humidity information signal. When the humidity information of the remote controller 5 is received by the indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 performs the humidity information of the remote controller 5 and the humidity information from the humidity sensor 25 of the indoor unit 2 Compare and correct the difference in humidity (humidity difference) (refer to Figure 4).

In Fig. 8, the remote controller microcomputer 45 recognizes each operation mode by the user pressing a specific operation key 65. When the command signal of the remote controller position detection caused by the operation of the operation key (the position confirmation key (not shown) 65 is input to the remote controller microcomputer 45, the remote controller microcomputer 45 is for the position detection request signal described above. The signal is sent to the indoor unit 2, and the ON/OFF of the carrier frequency generating switching element 46 is controlled, and the driving current is flowed at the remote controller infrared light emitting diode 42 while the switching element 47 of the remote control infrared light receiving element 41 is controlled. Set to the ON state for a specific time. The reason why the remote control infrared light receiving element 41 is in the ON state for a specific time is to receive the signal for the position determination signal from the indoor unit 2 only for a specific time.

Normally, the power supply of the remote control infrared light receiving element 41 is turned off (the switching element 47 is turned off), and the standby power is consumed, whereby the battery life of the remote controller 5 is extended, and Prevention of malfunctions when exposed to strong noise.

<Distance detection of remote control>

Next, the detection of the distance between the indoor unit 2 and the remote controller 5 will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 12 . Figure 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the drive current flowing in the infrared light-emitting diode and the radiation intensity. Figure 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the arrival distance of the infrared signal and the radiation intensity. Fig. 11 is a view for explaining a position discrimination signal transmitted from the indoor unit 2 side. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the range of the receivable range of the remote control infrared light receiving element 41 at each radiation intensity of the position discriminating signal. Fig. 13 is a timing chart for explaining the detection operation of the distance between the indoor unit 2 and the remote controller 5.

As shown in Fig. 9, in general, the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes (32, 33, 34) are characterized in that the radiation intensity of the radiated infrared signals is slightly proportionally increased as the drive current is increased.

Further, as shown in Fig. 10, the infrared radiation intensity is attenuated as the distance increases in accordance with the law inversely proportional to the square of the distance. Therefore, the radiation intensity is a weak signal, and it is only able to reach a position close to the indoor unit 2. On the other hand, a signal with a strong radiant intensity can reach a greater distance than a signal with a weak radiant intensity.

Further, the infrared light receiving element (the remote control infrared light receiving element 41) cannot be recognized as a signal if a signal having a radiation intensity exceeding a certain threshold value is not input. Therefore, at a position closer to the indoor unit 2, all the signals from the signal with weak radiation intensity until the signal with strong radiation intensity are received, but if it is far away from the indoor unit 2 At the location, it is not possible to receive a signal that the radiation intensity is weak, but only the signal that the radiation intensity is strong.

In the present embodiment, the attenuation characteristics of the infrared rays described above are utilized.

As shown in FIG. 11, in general, the positional discrimination signal of the radiation intensity in the plural stages of "strong", "medium", "weak", and "weak" is transmitted from the indoor unit 2 to the remote controller 5. Corresponding to the position discrimination signal of the radiation intensity of the plurality of stages, the range of the remote control infrared light receiving element 41 of the remote controller 5 can be received as shown in FIG. 12, and becomes "far" according to the radiation intensity. The scope of the four stages of "中中", "近", and "very close".

That is, it can be generally defined as follows: the remote control infrared light receiving element 41, if it is capable of receiving a positional discrimination signal whose radiation intensity is "weak", the remote controller 5 is "very close" to the indoor unit 2 At the position of the position, if the positional signal can be received to the "weak" radiation intensity, the remote control 5 is located at the "near" position of the indoor unit 2, and if the radiation intensity is "medium" When the position discrimination signal is used, the remote controller 5 is positioned at the "middle" position of the indoor unit 2. If the position discrimination signal is only capable of receiving the radiation intensity "strong", the remote controller 5 is positioned in the indoor unit 2 The location of the "far".

Therefore, it can be seen that the distance between the indoor unit 2 and the remote controller 5 can be detected if the radiation intensity of the remote control infrared light receiving element 41 can be always received to the position discrimination signal.

Therefore, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 is designed to recognize the intensity of the radiation received by the remote controller 5, and at each radiant intensity, it will be "strong", "medium", "weak", "weak" in general. The bit information (radiation intensity information) is added to the position discrimination signal. Further, in order to cause the remote controller 5 to recognize which of the indoor infrared illuminating diodes 32, 33, 34 is sent by the position determining signal, the "middle area", the "left area", and the "right area" are used. The general bit information (area information) is attached to the position discriminating signal.

With such a configuration, the remote controller microcomputer 45 can easily discriminate the signal from the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32 from the positional signal received by the infrared light receiving element 41 received by the remote controller. The position of the signal sent by any of 33, 34 is discriminated, and the position discrimination signal until the radiation intensity has been received is determined. The remote controller microcomputer 45 sets the discrimination result as an infrared signal (position result signal), and transmits it to the indoor unit 2 via the remote control infrared light-emitting diode 42. The indoor unit microcomputer 22 of the air conditioner 1 can detect the distance from the remote controller 5 from the discrimination result of the received infrared signal ("far", "middle", "near", "pole" near").

Further, since the radiation intensity information is added to the position discriminating signal, the remote controller 5 does not require a circuit for measuring and discriminating the radiation intensity of the position discriminating signal.

Further, the position result signal transmitted from the remote controller 5 to the indoor unit 2 is set to include the information shown in Table 1 below. In other words, the position result signal includes: (1) a "remote controller ID" for authenticating the remote controller 5, and (2) an indoor infrared light emitting diode 32 for detecting the medium region. The position of the position discrimination signal transmitted from the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 33 for detecting the left-side area is determined by the positional discrimination signal of the position-determining signal transmitted from the left-hand side. (4) The result of the "position discrimination signal" of the position discrimination signal transmitted from the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 34 for detecting the right area, (5) Information such as "temperature, humidity" detected by the remote controller 5.

Further, the indoor unit 2 (the indoor unit microcomputer 22) that has received the position result signal of Table 1 from the remote controller 5 recognizes that the remote controller 5 is located at a position where the distance in the middle area is "near".

In addition, in the present embodiment, although it is set to identify the distance of four stages ("far", "middle", "near", "very close"), it is possible to use more plurals. The signal of the radiant intensity of the stage is sent for transmission, and the distance is detected more finely.

Next, a method of detecting the distance between the indoor unit 2 and the remote controller 5 will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. In this description, in order to make the description of the distance easy to understand, it is assumed that the general direction of the middle region, the right region, and the left region is not distinguished, that is, the difference between the directions is omitted.

First, the remote controller microcomputer 45 transmits the position detection request signal from the remote controller infrared light emitting diode 42 to the indoor unit 2 (time point ta). In addition, the location detection request for the transmission may be set as the sender by the operation of the user, or may be set as the function of the remote controller microcomputer 45 without depending on the operation of the user. .

When the indoor infrared light receiving element 18 provided in the indoor unit 2 receives the position detection request signal (the time point ta' which is slightly simultaneously with the time point ta), the indoor unit microcomputer 22 detects the position according to the received position. Requesting the signal, performing the general internal processing as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6, and transmitting the infrared signal (basic operation signal) of the specific transmission code from the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32, and then The position discrimination signal e whose radiation intensity is "strong", the position discrimination signal f whose radiation intensity is "middle", the position discrimination signal g whose radiation intensity is "weak", and the position discrimination signal h whose radiation intensity is "weak" Sending (time point tb). Here, since there is no difference in direction, the description will be made as the only light-emitting diode 32. In addition, the specific transmission code is, for example, based on the format of the Association of Home Appliances Products.

When the remote control infrared light receiving element 41 of the remote controller 5 is connected to the specific transmission code (basic operation signal) and the position discrimination signal is received (the time point tb' which is slightly simultaneously with the time point tb), the remote controller The microcomputer 45 discriminates the signal from the received position to determine which of the "strong", "medium", "weak", and "weak" radiation signals can be received. In addition, although the indoor unit 2 is placed indoors in the same manner as the remote controller 5, even if the remote controller 5 is remote from the indoor unit 2 in the same room, only the radiation intensity can be received. Strong position discrimination signal. On the other hand, if the remote controller 5 is located at a position very close to the indoor unit 2, the remote controller can always receive a positional discrimination signal whose radiation intensity is "weak".

The remote controller microcomputer 45 transmits a position result signal (refer to Table 1) as a result of the discrimination to the indoor unit 2 via the remote control infrared light-emitting diode 42 (time point tc). For example, when the remote controller 5 can always receive a signal until the radiation intensity is "weak", the position result signal includes information representing "weakness".

When the indoor infrared light receiving element 18 provided in the indoor unit 2 receives the position result signal, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 detects the distance from the remote controller 5 from the received position result signal (" far "," "中中", "近近", "极近").

In Fig. 13, as an example, the remote control infrared light receiving element 41 receives the position discrimination signals e, f (time point tb'). On the other hand, the position discrimination signals g, h cannot be received. That is, since the signal having the radiation intensity "strong" corresponding to the position discriminating signal e and the signal of the radiation intensity "middle" corresponding to the position discriminating signal f are received, the signal is not received corresponding to the position discrimination. The signal of the "weak" radiation intensity of the signal g and the signal of the "weakness" of the radiation intensity corresponding to the position discrimination signal h can be determined that the distance from the remote controller 5 is "medium".

In addition, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that there is no difference in direction. However, as in the present embodiment, there are indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32 and 33 having directivity (refer to FIG. 15). In the case of 34, the remote controller 5 receives the position discrimination signal transmitted from the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34, and as shown in Table 1, the result of the result is obtained. The signal is sent from the remote controller 5 to the indoor unit 2, whereby the indoor unit 2 (the indoor unit microcomputer 22) can detect the correctness of the remote controller 5 by this (that is, by distinguishing the direction). distance.

Of course, the description here is only one example. In order to detect the distance between the indoor unit 2 and the remote controller 5, the bit information (radiation intensity information) is added to the position determination signal, but as described later. Generally, it is not limited to this example.

<Director detection by remote control>

Next, the direction detecting method of the remote controller 5 will be described with reference to Figs. 14 to 18 . FIG. 14 is a view showing the arrangement of the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes provided in the indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16 used as the remote controller position detecting device provided in the indoor unit 2. Fig. 15 is a view showing the directivity of the indoor infrared light-emitting diode. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of indoor environmental conditions. Figure 17 is a diagram for explaining the correction by placing the position information. Fig. 18 is a timing chart for explaining the position detecting operation of the remote controller.

As shown in FIG. 14( a ), in the indoor transmitting and receiving unit 16 used as the remote controller position detecting device of the indoor unit 2, three indoor infrared light emitting diodes are provided: The indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32 for area detection, the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 33 for detecting the left area, and the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 34 for detecting the right area. On the other hand, the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34 are arranged in a direction different from each other in a fan-shaped manner (arrow direction). Regarding this configuration, it is as described above with reference to FIG. 3 and generally described above.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 14, the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32 for detecting the middle area is a transmission position discrimination signal for the front direction (middle area) when the indoor unit 2 is viewed from the front side, left. The indoor infrared light-emitting diode 33 for area detection is a transmission position determination signal for the left direction (left area) when the indoor unit 2 is viewed from the front, and the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 34 for detecting the right area. The positional discrimination signal is transmitted to the right direction (right area) when the indoor unit 2 is viewed from the front.

Further, the mounting angle of the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 33 for detecting the left area and the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 33 for detecting the right area is the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32 for detecting the centering area. In the example in which the left and right sides are at the same angle, in this example, the overlapping portions of the respective regions are reduced and the ranges of the respective regions are slightly the same.

Fig. 15 is a view showing the directivity of the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes (32, 33, 34). The indoor infrared light-emitting diodes (32, 33, 34) have a slightly center of the lens as an optical axis, and radiate infrared rays from the center. Further, the radiated infrared rays are directional, that is, the optical axis is set to 0°, and generally becomes larger as the angle is like 10° or 20°, so that the radiation intensity is attenuated and weakened, and thus, The indoor infrared light-emitting diodes are arranged in the direction of the position of the remote controller 5 by arranging the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, 34 in different directions and transmitting (radiating) the position determining signal. The attenuation of the radiation intensity of the positional discrimination signal transmitted is minimized, and the attenuation of the radiation intensity of the positional discrimination signal transmitted by the indoor infrared light-emitting diode disposed in other directions becomes larger. Therefore, if the position discrimination signal from the indoor infrared light-emitting diode is transmitted in the direction toward the position of the remote controller 5, the remote controller 5 is sent in comparison with the other direction. The position discrimination signal is a position discrimination signal that can be transmitted to a weaker radiation intensity. As a result, the driving current flowing through the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34 is generally made variable in the above-described distance detection, and the radiation intensity is as "strong" or "medium". "Weak" and "Weak" are generally variable, and it is possible to discriminate in the direction in which the indoor infrared light-emitting diode that is the positional discrimination signal capable of receiving the weakest radiation intensity is transmitted. There is a remote controller 5.

Moreover, as another reason why the radiation intensity is made variable, the following general reasons are mentioned. This is because if it is assumed that only a single infrared signal (position discrimination signal) of the same radiation intensity is transmitted, the infrared signal is reflected and is reflected by indoor environmental conditions such as walls or obstacles. The reason for sending in the direction of dissimilarity.

That is, as shown in FIG. 16, when the radiation direction toward the left region is set to A, the radiation direction toward the middle region is B, and the radiation direction toward the right region is C, the orientation is The radiation in the right region is reflected by the walls of the room and becomes radiation towards the left region (reference symbol C'). For example, although the remote controller 5 is positioned in the left area (refer to the remote controller 5 of the solid line), the remote controller 5 is received an infrared signal that is sent to the right area and is sent to the wrong direction. . However, the reflected infrared signal is weakened due to its long transmission path and is attenuated when it collides with a wall or an obstacle. Therefore, the radiation intensity is weaker than that of the infrared signal directly subjected to the signal. And was accepted. Therefore, by making the radiation intensity changeable in the plural stage, since there is a difference in the radiation intensity of the signal to be received, there is no erroneous detection, and it is possible to determine the correct direction. .

For example, when there is a remote control 5 (refer to the solid line) in the area where the signal of the radiation intensity of the "weak" is always transmitted to the infrared signal transmitted to the left area, the infrared light is emitted from the room. The infrared signal (position discriminating signal) sent from the LED 33 is able to be received until it is "weak", but is sent to the right area and reflected and is made in the left area. The infrared signal received by the signal is unreachable due to the attenuation of the infrared signal with weak radiation intensity. Therefore, it is a "strong" signal that can only be signaled to be a strong radiation intensity signal. Therefore, it can be discriminated that the remote controller 5 is positioned in the left region of the position discrimination signal that can be always received to the weakest radiation intensity.

However, the indoor unit 2 is generally disposed at a position close to a corner of the room because it is placed on the wall surface of the room and avoids the position of the window or the like. Therefore, there are many indoor environmental conditions that cause reflection as described above.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the setting position of the indoor unit 2 is set, the setting of the adjustment can be performed in accordance with the indoor environmental conditions.

For this point, reference is made to the flowchart of FIG. 17 and explained.

After the indoor unit 2 is placed, it is determined whether or not the indoor unit 2 is set in the indoor unit microcomputer 22 (S11). In the present embodiment, the decision of S11 is dependent on the judgment of the user. When the result of the determination by the user at S11 is that the setting is not made, the "no setting" instruction is passed through the remote controller 5 as an infrared signal for the indoor unit microcomputer 22 in response to the user's operation. The lower command (S12) and the indoor unit microcomputer 22 directly perform the normal determination (S13). In addition, if the initial state of the indoor unit microcomputer 22 is "no setting", the S12 system can be omitted.

On the other hand, when the result of the determination by the user at S11 is that the setting is made, the "set" indication is passed through the remote controller 5 as an infrared signal for the indoor unit in response to the user's operation. The microcomputer 22 commands (S14), and the next step is made by the user.

That is, when the setting of the wall is immediately on the left side of the indoor unit 2, the instruction of "the wall exists on the left side" is used as the infrared signal by the remote controller 5 by the operation of the user. The indoor unit microcomputer down command (S15), and the indoor unit microcomputer 22 performs the adjustment of the output result information of the position signal of the left area as the increase of the α stage (S16), and performs the normal adjustment according to the adjustment. Decision (S17).

Moreover, when the setting of the wall is immediately adjacent to the right side of the indoor unit 2 as shown in FIG. 16, the indication that "the wall exists on the right side" is passed through the remote controller 5 by the user's operation. As an infrared signal, for the indoor unit microcomputer down command (S18), the indoor unit microcomputer 22 performs an adjustment (S19) of increasing the output result information of the position result signal of the right area (step S19), and performs the adjustment according to this. The usual judgment after adjustment (S20).

That is, it is assumed that a remote controller 5' exists at a position shown by a broken line in Fig. 16, and as a result, the remote controller 5' is capable of emitting infrared diodes 32, 33, 34 from the room. The location discriminating signals sent by the respective messages have been reported to be "weak". Therefore, when it is assumed that the position result signal transmitted from the remote controller 5' is as in the case of Table 2 below, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 cannot determine where the remote controller 5' exists. However, if the "wall exists on the right side" is set in the indoor unit microcomputer 22 as in S18, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 outputs the result information of the right area of the position result signal of Table 2 as in S19 (radiation). The strength is corrected by the increase of the two stages (α=2), that is, from "weak" to "strong", so that the position of the remote controller 5' can be correctly recognized. That is, when it is assumed that the remote controller 5' is present at the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 16, the position discrimination signal transmitted from the indoor unit 2 toward the right area is originally in the remote controller 5. 'The department can't detect it, or even if it can detect it, it can only detect the radiation intensity is "strong". In the present embodiment, by setting this matter (there is a wall on the right side) in the indoor unit microcomputer 22 (S18), the indoor unit microcomputer 22 is capable of the general remote controller 5 as shown in FIG. 'It is correctly judged (S20) for the direction in the vicinity of the boundary between the middle region and the left region.

For the position result signal, after receiving the signal, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 corrects the value of the right area.

Moreover, when the setting of the wall is immediately adjacent to both sides of the indoor unit 2, the instruction of "there is a wall on both sides" is used as the infrared signal by the remote controller 5 by the user's operation. The indoor unit microcomputer down command (S21) and the indoor unit microcomputer 22 perform the adjustment of the output result information of the position result signals of the left and right areas as the α stage increase correction (S22), and perform the normal adjustment according to the adjustment. Decision (S23). The idea of this point is also the same as the idea of S18 to S20 described above.

That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, by means of setting in the air conditioner 1 a setting for whether the left, right or both sides of the indoor unit 2 are placed at the wall side is set. The system configuration system is such that when it is set to exist in the wall side, the output of the position discrimination signal is adjusted for the correction of the specific stage, and the detection of the false detection caused by the reflection is further avoided. Composition.

Further, in the present embodiment, the indoor environmental condition is set by the user via the remote controller 5. However, for example, a DIP switch (not shown) may be provided at the indoor unit 2. (Dual In-line Package switch), etc., to allow the user to use the DIP switch without setting the remote control 5.

Further, in the present embodiment, the output result information of the position result signal transmitted from the remote controller 5 is adjusted by the indoor unit 2 (the indoor unit microcomputer 22) (refer to Table 2). However, this department is only one of them. For example, the current value of the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34 may be changed so as to be corrected (adjusted) when the position determination signal is transmitted to the remote controller 5 .

Further, it may be set such that the correction of the output result information (radiation intensity) at the position result signal shown in Table 2 is performed by the remote controller 5 (remote controller microcomputer 45) that generates the position result signal, and The corrected position result signal (refer to the table below Table 2) is sent to the indoor unit 2. In this case, the setting of the indoor environmental conditions is performed on the remote controller microcomputer 45, for example, in accordance with the flowchart of FIG.

Further, for example, when the setting is "there is a wall on the right side", as in S19, the output result information (radiation intensity) of the right region of the position result signal received from the remote controller 5 is set. The corrector of the increase in the α phase is, for example, the correction of the output result information may be performed without modifying the output result information. Specifically, when the setting of the "wall on the right side" is set, if the output result information in the position result signal received by the indoor unit microcomputer 22 is the "weak" radiation intensity in the right area, It can be set as follows: the output result information is not corrected, and the distance is corrected and recognized in a manner similar to the "middle" distance. That is, it is also possible to set the correspondence between the radiation intensity and the distance shown in FIG. 12 in accordance with the setting of the indoor environmental conditions. The idea of this point is the same when it is set to "there is a wall on the left side".

Further, when there is substantially no indoor environmental condition in the right region as shown in FIG. 16, the operation of the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 34 for detecting the right region may be stopped. The idea of this point is the same when the setting of "there is a wall on the left side" (that is, the case where there is substantially no left area).

Next, the operation of the position detection of the remote controller 5 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. This timing chart is based on the flowchart of FIG.

First, the remote controller microcomputer 45 transmits the position detection request signal to the indoor unit 2 via the remote control infrared light-emitting diode 42 in response to the operation of the operation key 65 (time point tj).

When the indoor infrared light receiving element 18 provided in the indoor unit 2 receives the position detection request signal from the remote controller 5 (the time point tj' which is slightly simultaneously with the time point tj), the indoor unit microcomputer 22 responds to The received position detection request signal is internally processed, and the infrared signal of the specific transmission code is simultaneously transmitted from the indoor infrared illuminating diodes 32, 33, 34 (time point tk). The same as the foregoing, the specific transmission code is equivalent to the basic operation signal of FIG. 11, for example, according to the format of the Association of Home Appliances Products Association.

The infrared signal of the specific transmission code is received by the remote control infrared light receiving element 41 at a time point tk' which is slightly at the same time as the time point tk.

Next, the indoor microcomputer 22 is an indoor infrared light-emitting diode 32 for detecting the medium area, and sequentially transmits the positional discrimination signal e of the radiation intensity "strong", the positional discrimination signal f of the radiation intensity "middle", and the radiation intensity". The weak position of the position discrimination signal g and the radiation intensity "weak" position discrimination signal h (time point tm). Next, the indoor microcomputer 22 transmits the same position discrimination signal (e, f, g, h) (time point tn) in order from the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 33 for detecting the left area. Next, the indoor microcomputer 22 transmits the same position discrimination signal (e, f, g, h) (time point tp) from the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 34 for detecting the right area.

Further, in the position discriminating signal transmitted from the indoor infrared illuminating diodes (32, 33, 34), it is possible to know the manner in which the indoor infrared illuminating diode is transmitted from the room. With the general direction information (identification information) of "middle area", "left area" and "right area", and with the ability to identify the radiation intensity of the system, "strong" and " Medium, "weak", "weak" general radiation intensity information.

On the other hand, the remote controller microcomputer 45 on the remote controller 5 side passes through the infrared light receiving element 41 of the remote controller, and at a time point tm' which is slightly simultaneously with the time point tm, and a time point which is slightly simultaneously with the time point tn Tn', at the time point tp' at which the time point tp is slightly engraved, and the received position discriminates the signal. In Fig. 18, at the time point tm', the position discrimination signals e, f are received, and at the time point tn', the position discrimination signals e, f, g are received, at the time point tp', The receiver has a position discrimination signal e.

Then, the remote controller microcomputer 45, when all the position discrimination signals are received at the time point tp', receives the received result of the position discrimination signal as the position result signal (reference table) 1), and is sent to the indoor unit 2 via the remote control infrared light-emitting diode 42 (time point tr).

When the position result signal is received by the indoor infrared light receiving element 18 provided in the indoor unit 2 (the time point tr' which is slightly at the same time as the time point tr), the indoor unit microcomputer 22 is received from the received signal. The position result signal is used to determine which position discrimination signal is detected in the "strong to weak", "strong to weak", and "strong to weak" in the right region, and the difference is detected. The distance and direction of the remote control 5 (that is, the position).

In the example shown in Fig. 18, the remote control infrared light receiving element 41 of the remote controller 5 is "strong" in the position discriminating signal transmitted from the indoor infrared light emitting diode 32 for detecting the middle area. And "Zhong", and received "strong" and "medium" and "weak" in the position discrimination signal sent from the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 33 for detecting the left area. The "strong" in the position discrimination signal sent from the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 34 for the right area detection.

As a result, the remote controller microcomputer 45 transmits the received result of the position discrimination signal as a position result signal to the indoor unit 2 via the remote control infrared light-emitting diode 42 ( Time point tr).

When the position result signal is received via the indoor infrared light receiving element 18 provided in the indoor unit 2, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 performs calculation processing based on the received position result signal. In the example shown in Fig. 18, among the three position result signals, the position discrimination signal transmitted from the indoor infrared light-emitting diode 33 for detecting the left area can be always transmitted to the weakest. Since the radiation intensity is up, the direction of the remote controller 5 is set to "left area", and since the distance system can always be "weak", it is set to "near" and the position of the remote controller 5 is determined. It is "near left area", and the distance from the remote controller 5 is set to "near", and the direction is set to "left area", and the position of the remote controller 5 is detected.

According to the present embodiment, the air conditioner 1 that performs the bidirectional communication between the indoor unit 2 and the remote controller 5 maintains the infrared ray transmitting and receiving system while using the existing infrared ray transmitting and receiving system. The drive current is made variable, and the remote controller position can be detected easily and at low cost without separately providing a dedicated system.

In addition, the temperature and humidity information of any space in which the remote controller user is located can also be detected by the function of the two-way communication of the prior art.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, although the radiation intensity of the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34 of the indoor unit 2 is variable, the remote controller infrared of the remote controller 5 may be used. The radiation intensity of the light-emitting diode 42 is set to be variable, and the distance is detected by the reception result of the indoor infrared light-receiving element 18.

Further, a plurality of indoor infrared light-receiving elements 18 may be provided, and the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes 32, 33, and 34 may be disposed in a predetermined direction in advance, and then from each indoor infrared light-receiving element. The result of the reception detects the direction of the remote controller 5.

Further, in the present embodiment, the information of the radiation intensity is added as the bit information to the position determination signal. However, as another embodiment, the pulse of the interval A to X may be prepared. The pulse in the interval from A to B is set to the radiation intensity "strong", and the pulse in the C to D interval is set to the radiation intensity "medium", and the pulse in the E to F interval is set to the radiation intensity "weak". The pulse in the G to H interval is set to be "weak" in the radiation intensity, and is sent to the middle region. Similarly, the pulse having the change in the radiation intensity is sent to the left region in each interval from I to P. Similarly, a pulse in which the radiation intensity is changed in each of the intervals of Q to X is sent to the right region. Then, the radiation intensity at each of the regions (middle, left, and right) is detected by counting the pulse that can be always received at each region.

Fig. 19 is a view showing a specific example of a case where a pulse in a section from A to X is used.

For example, the interval of A to B, the interval of C to D, the interval of E to F, and the interval of G to H are fixed to 30 pulses of a certain period, and are transmitted as position discrimination signals for changing the radiation intensity to In the middle region, and similarly, the pulse of each interval of I to P is sent to the left region as a position discrimination signal that changes the radiation intensity, and the pulse of each interval of Q to X is used as the radiation intensity. The changed position discrimination signal is sent to the right area. When the result of the remote control side of the infrared signal is sent to the indoor unit 2, the indoor unit microcomputer 22 can be subjected to each area (middle, left, right), and the intensity of each radiation intensity. As a result, the position is detected by the direction and distance of the remote controller 5. Further, if the remote controller 5 is positioned in the vicinity of the indoor unit 2, a large number of pulses can be counted.

Further, the pulse at this time is an infrared signal which is determined in advance such as 38 kHz and DUTY 50%.

Further, as another embodiment, it may be set to count from t1 seconds until t24 seconds. For t1 seconds to t2 seconds, the radiation intensity is "strong", and t3 seconds to t4 seconds are set to the radiation intensity "medium", and t5 seconds to t6 seconds are set to the radiation intensity "weak", and then t7 seconds to t8. The second is set to the radiation intensity "weak", and sent to the middle area, the same, at each time t9 seconds ~ t16 seconds, the radiation intensity is changed, and sent to the left area, the same, in At each time from t17 seconds to t24 seconds, the radiation intensity is changed and sent to the right area. Then, the radiant intensity at each of the regions (middle, left, and right) is detected by counting the time at which each of the regions can be always received.

Fig. 20 is a view showing a specific example of the case where the time is counted from t1 to t24 seconds.

For example, as a position discrimination signal that changes the radiation intensity at each of times t1 to t2, t3 to t4, t5 to t6, and t7 to t8, the signal is sent to the middle region, and the same is performed at t9 to The position discrimination signal that changes the radiation intensity at each time of t16 is sent to the left area, and the same as the position discrimination signal that changes the radiation intensity at each time from t17 to t24. Send to the right area. When the result of the remote control side of the infrared signal is sent to the indoor unit, the indoor unit microcomputer can receive the result of each radiation intensity by each area (middle, left, right). , to detect the position by the direction and distance of the remote control. Further, if the remote controller 5 is located in the vicinity of the indoor unit 2, it can be received for a longer period of time.

In addition, the timing from t1 second to t24 seconds is started as t0 seconds when the termination bit representing the end of the basic information among the basic information added to the basic operation signal.

In addition, the timing signal uses an infrared signal having a predetermined determination of 38 kHz, DUTY 50%, and the like.

1. . . Air conditioner (main body of air conditioner)

2. . . Indoor unit

3. . . The outdoor unit

4. . . Connection piping

5. . . remote control

16. . . Indoor delivery and reception department

17. . . Display department

18. . . Indoor infrared light receiving element (first infrared light receiving element)

twenty one. . . Control substrate

twenty two. . . Indoor unit microcomputer (control means, switching control means, adjustment means, current control means)

twenty three. . . Suction temperature thermal resistance device (1st temperature detection means)

25. . . Humidity sensor (1st humidity detection means)

27. . . Stepper motor drive circuit

28. . . Front panel motor

29a, 29b, 29c. . . Upper and lower wind direction plate motor

30a, 30b. . . Left and right wind direction plate motor

32, 33, 34. . . Indoor infrared light emitting diode (first infrared light emitting diode)

35, 36, 37, 47. . . Switching element

38. . . DC/DC converter circuit

40. . . Remote control sent to the receiving department

41. . . Remote control infrared light receiving element (second infrared light receiving element)

42. . . Remote control infrared light emitting diode (second infrared light emitting diode)

43a. . . Room temperature resistor (second temperature detection means)

43b. . . Humidity sensor (2nd humidity detection means)

44. . . battery

45. . . Remote control microcomputer

46, 49. . . Carrier frequency generation switching element

48. . . Operating surface

50. . . LCD module

51. . . AC power

54. . . Control power circuit

65. . . Operation key

Fig. 1 is a view showing an appearance configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] A side sectional view of the indoor unit.

Fig. 3 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an indoor transmitting and receiving unit provided at an indoor unit and its surroundings.

Fig. 4 is a view showing a system configuration of an air conditioner.

Fig. 5 is a view showing a system configuration of a remote controller position detecting device as an indoor unit side.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart for explaining an output operation of a position discrimination signal from an indoor unit.

Fig. 7 is a view showing the appearance of a remote controller.

Fig. 8 is a view showing a system configuration of a remote controller position detecting device as a remote controller side.

Fig. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the driving current of the infrared light emitting diode and the radiation intensity.

[Fig. 10] A graph showing the relationship between the arrival distance of the infrared signal and the radiation intensity.

[Fig. 11] A diagram for explaining a position discrimination signal transmitted from an indoor unit.

[Fig. 12] A diagram showing the receivable range of the remote control infrared light receiving element at each radiation intensity of the position discriminating signal.

Fig. 13 is a timing chart for explaining a detection operation of the distance between the indoor unit and the remote controller.

Fig. 14 is a view showing the arrangement of the indoor infrared light-emitting diodes provided on the indoor unit side.

Fig. 15 is a view showing the directivity of an infrared light emitting diode.

Fig. 16 is a view showing an example of an indoor environmental condition.

[Fig. 17] A flow chart for explaining an output adjustment according to a placement position of an indoor unit.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart for explaining a position detecting operation of the remote controller.

[Fig. 19] A diagram showing a specific example of a case where a pulse in a section from A to X is used.

FIG. 20 is a view showing a specific example of a case where time is counted from t1 to t24 seconds.

5. . . remote control

18. . . Indoor infrared light receiving element

twenty two. . . Indoor unit microcomputer

32~34. . . Indoor infrared light emitting diode

35~37. . . Switching element

38. . . DC/DC converter circuit

49. . . Carrier frequency generation switching element

51. . . AC power

70. . . SW power supply

71. . . 18.5V power supply

72. . . 12V power supply

73. . . 8.5V power supply

74. . . Regulator

75. . . 5V power supply

R1 ~ R3. . . resistance

Claims (14)

An air conditioner comprising a remote controller capable of bidirectional communication using infrared rays as a communication medium, wherein the air conditioner has a first infrared light emitting diode and a first infrared light. In the light receiving element, the remote controller includes a second infrared light emitting diode and a second infrared light receiving element, and the infrared signal transmitted from the first infrared light emitting diode is a pulse signal, and the pulse signal is provided. The radiation intensity is set to be a change in a plurality of stages, and the number of pulses of the infrared signal received by the second infrared light receiving element is counted, and based on the result of the counting, the body from the air conditioner is detected. The distance up to the aforementioned remote controller. An air conditioner comprising a remote controller capable of bidirectional communication using infrared rays as a communication medium, wherein the main body of the air conditioner includes a first infrared light emitting diode and a first infrared light receiving element. The remote controller includes a second infrared light emitting diode and a second infrared light receiving element, and the radiation intensity of the infrared signal transmitted from the first infrared light emitting diode is changed in a plurality of stages, The second infrared light-receiving element has a radiation intensity as a plurality of stages. As a result of the received infrared signal, the distance from the main body of the air conditioner to the remote controller is detected, and the air conditioner includes a plurality of the first infrared light emitting diodes. And transmitting the infrared signal to the radiation direction of the plurality of first infrared light-emitting diodes in different directions, and the second infrared light-receiving element is configured to change the radiation intensity to an infrared signal capable of changing at a plurality of stages. When the signal is received, it is detected by the radiation direction of the first infrared light-emitting diode that can transmit the infrared signal to the weakest radiation intensity of the infrared signal received. A direction relative to the aforementioned remote controller of the air conditioner body. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body of the air conditioner includes a DC/DC converter circuit connected to the first infrared ray-emitting diode, and A control means for controlling the radiation intensity of the first infrared light-emitting diode for the DC/DC converter circuit to output a command signal. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body of the air conditioner includes a plurality of resistors connected to the first infrared ray-emitting diode, and the plurality of resistors The switching of the resistance of the first infrared light-emitting diode is controlled by switching the connection of the resistors. The air conditioner according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the infrared signal transmitted from the first infrared light-emitting diode is added to the first infrared light-emitting diode Identify identification information. The air conditioner according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the infrared signal transmitted from the first infrared light emitting diode is supplemented with radiation intensity information for identifying the radiation intensity. . An air conditioner comprising a remote controller capable of bidirectional communication using infrared rays as a communication medium, wherein the air conditioner has a plurality of first infrared light emitting diodes and a plurality of An infrared light receiving element, wherein the remote controller includes a second infrared light emitting diode and a second infrared light receiving element, and the radiation intensity of the infrared signal transmitted from the plurality of first infrared light emitting diodes is set to In the plural phase, the radiation direction of the first plurality of infrared light-emitting diodes is transmitted in a direction different from each other, and the second infrared light-receiving element is set to be plural in the radiation intensity. When the infrared signal of the change of the stage is received, the first infrared light emitting diode which transmits the infrared signal which can be transmitted until the weakest radiation intensity of the infrared signal received is transmitted. The direction of radiation of the body to detect the direction of the remote controller relative to the air conditioner body, and for the second infrared light receiving element It is lost The time when the radiation intensity is set to the infrared signal which can be changed in the plural stage is counted, and the distance from the main body of the air conditioner to the remote controller is detected from the timing result. An air conditioner comprising a remote controller capable of bidirectional communication using infrared rays as a communication medium, wherein the air conditioner has a plurality of first infrared light emitting diodes and a plurality of An infrared light receiving element, wherein the remote controller includes a second infrared light emitting diode and a second infrared light receiving element, and the infrared signal transmitted from the plurality of first infrared light emitting diodes is a pulse signal. And the radiation intensity of the pulse signal is changed in a plurality of stages, and then the radiation directions of the plurality of first infrared light-emitting diodes are respectively sent to different directions, and the second infrared light is received. When the component receives the infrared signal whose radiation intensity is changed to be a plurality of stages, the infrared signal of the infrared signal which is received until the weakest radiation intensity can be received. Detecting the direction of the remote controller relative to the main body of the air conditioner, and detecting the direction of radiation of the first infrared illuminating diode The number of pulses in the infrared signal of the second hearing suffered infrared light emitting element as the count from the counting result detected up to a distance from the body of the air conditioner until the remote controller. The air conditioner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air conditioner is provided with: a body according to the body The position is set to correspond to the adjustment means for adjusting the reception result of the infrared signal received by the second infrared ray receiving element. The air conditioner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body of the air conditioner is configured according to a setting corresponding to a position of the main body. 1 The current value of the infrared light emitting diode is set to be variable. An air conditioner comprising a remote controller capable of bidirectional communication using infrared rays as a communication medium, wherein the air conditioner has a first infrared light emitting diode and a first infrared light. In the light receiving element, the remote controller includes a second infrared light emitting diode and a second infrared light receiving element, and the infrared signal transmitted from the second infrared light emitting diode is a pulse signal, and the pulse signal is provided. The radiation intensity is set to be a change in a plurality of stages, and the number of pulses of the infrared signal received by the first infrared light-emitting element is counted, and based on the result of the counting, the body from the air conditioner is detected. The distance up to the aforementioned remote controller. An air conditioner comprising a remote controller capable of bidirectional communication using infrared rays as a communication medium, wherein the main body of the air conditioner includes a first infrared light emitting diode and a first infrared light receiving element. The remote controller includes a second infrared ray emitting diode and a second infrared ray receiving element. The radiation intensity of the infrared signal transmitted from the second infrared light-emitting diode can be changed in a plurality of stages, and the radiation intensity can be changed to a plurality of stages according to the first infrared light-receiving element. The infrared signal is detected as a result of detecting the distance from the main body of the air conditioner to the remote controller, and the air conditioner includes a plurality of the first infrared light receiving elements, and the foregoing The plurality of first infrared light-receiving elements are disposed in different directions, and the plurality of first infrared light-receiving elements respectively disposed in the different directions are set to have a change in the radiation intensity as a plurality of stages. The infrared signal is signaled to detect the direction of the remote controller relative to the air conditioner body. The air conditioner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air conditioner is provided with a first temperature detecting means, and the remote controller is The second temperature detecting means is provided, and the body of the air conditioner compares the temperature information detected by the first temperature detecting means with the temperature information detected by the second temperature detecting means, and Correct the temperature difference. The air conditioner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air conditioner is provided with a first humidity detecting means, and the remote controller is The second humidity detecting means is provided, and the main body of the air conditioner is configured by the first humidity detecting means The detected humidity information is compared with the humidity information detected by the second humidity detecting means, and the humidity difference is corrected.