IT201900013962A1 - CONDITIONING APPARATUS AND REGULATION METHOD - Google Patents

Description

Description of the invention having as title:

"CONDITIONING APPARATUS AND REGULATION METHOD"

FIELD OF APPLICATION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a conditioning apparatus preferably, but not necessarily portable, that can be installed inside an environment, such as a room, or a bedroom, and is suitable for dynamically conditioning this environment to provide optimal comfort levels for a user.

The present invention also refers to a method of regulating a conditioning apparatus, which is able to dynamically condition the operation of a conditioning apparatus in relation to the environmental conditions and / or the user's needs, guaranteeing on every occasion the '' obtaining of environmental parameters, in particular of temperature and humidity, comfortable for the user.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Conditioning apparatuses configured to dynamically condition an internal environment in relation to the needs of a user are known.

For example, an internal environment means a room, or a space delimited with respect to an external environment by means of walls possibly provided with windows and / or doors.

Different types of air conditioning equipment are known, for example of the fixed type, which are installed immovably on a wall of the room to be conditioned, and of the portable type, i.e. which can be moved inside the room or area to be conditioned. for example by approaching or moving them away from a user.

In both cases, the known air conditioning systems are generally positioned in such a way as to emit a conditioned air flow towards a certain area in which it is assumed that the user will be positioned.

The user, however, can move and move around the room, and it may therefore happen that he moves away from the specific area.

To try to obviate this problem at least in part, air conditioning apparatuses are known provided with a portable detection unit, which can be positioned near a user, which comprises one or more sensors suitable for detecting at least the temperature of a room and for transmit the relative data to a control unit of the conditioning apparatus, which regulates the operation of the latter in such a way as to obtain desired temperature values in the area in which the portable detection unit is positioned.

These known solutions of conditioning apparatus and related known regulation methods do not allow a versatile regulation of the conditioning apparatus according to the needs and position of the user, therefore they do not allow to obtain optimal environmental conditions in the room to ensure ideal comfort. for the user.

In addition, these known air conditioning devices, portable or not, require an active intervention by the user in the choice of the optimal environmental conditions in the room, resulting in a lack of dynamism in the regulation of the environmental conditions inside the room, which can also lead to high energy consumption.

There is therefore a need to improve a conditioning method of a conditioning apparatus and a relative conditioning apparatus which can overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the technique.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a conditioning method that allows to dynamically adjust and optimize the environmental conditions in a detection zone, in particular in a zone surrounding the position of a user.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a conditioning apparatus which is suitable for optimizing the environmental conditions in the detection area, providing high levels of comfort to a user in any circumstance and regardless of the environmental conditions. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a portable conditioning apparatus that is automated and efficient and can provide the user with useful information for its optimal use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a conditioning apparatus and a method for regulating a conditioning apparatus which is particularly effective in providing the required environmental conditions.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a regulation method and a related conditioning apparatus capable of optimizing the energy consumption of the conditioning apparatus itself.

In order to obviate the drawbacks of the known art and to obtain these and further objects and advantages, the Applicant has studied, tested and implemented the present invention.

EXPOSURE OF THE FOUND

The present invention is expressed and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims disclose other features of the present invention or variants of the main solution idea.

In accordance with the aforesaid objects, the present invention relates to an apparatus for conditioning an environment and a method for regulating a conditioning apparatus which exceed the limits of the known art and eliminate the defects present therein.

The terms "conditioning" and "conditioning" here and hereinafter generally mean the actions suitable for cooling, heating or ventilating an environment, or a combination of the above.

The air conditioning apparatus according to the invention can be used indoors such as rooms, bedrooms, or the like, for air ventilation at room temperature, or to provide cooling, heating, thermoventilation, dehumidification, or air purification.

The air conditioning apparatus generally includes an air conditioner body inside which there are means and conditioning devices suitable for modifying the state of an air flow to bring a certain effect to the surrounding environment.

With the expression "change the state of an air flow" here and in the following description, we mean the modification of one or more characteristics of the flow, including, for example, flow rate, direction, temperature, humidity, any concentrations of CO2, or impurities, and possibly also the shape of the emitted stream.

The apparatus according to the invention also comprises a control and command unit arranged in the conditioning body and configured to regulate the operation of the conditioning means and devices to regulate each time at least the flow rate and / or the thermo-hygrometric characteristics. of the air flow delivered to the room to be conditioned according to certain target parameters to be achieved.

According to an aspect of the invention, the conditioning apparatus further comprises at least a portable remote detection unit comprising one or more detection devices configured to detect one or more environmental parameters in an area surrounding its position and suitable communication devices to communicate with the control and command unit at least to transmit the detected parameters.

Advantageously, the remote detection unit, being portable and mobile, can be carried by hand by the user who moves within the environment to be conditioned, or it can also be positioned on the user.

By way of non-limiting example, the remote detection unit can have shapes and sizes such that it can be placed in a pocket of a user's suit and, possibly, be removed from the pocket at the point where the detection is to be carried out.

Consequently, this remote detection unit allows to provide the environmental parameters at the point where it is located, allowing the command and control unit to modulate, regulate and control the conditioning means in order to obtain the best comfort for the user. right inside the area where it is located.

Thanks to the remote detection unit it is therefore possible to obtain a particularly effective and "intelligent" regulation of the air conditioning apparatus, which allows the values of the actual environmental parameters to converge quickly and effectively to the values of the target parameters, in particular in the area surrounding the user.

According to one aspect of the invention, the conditioning apparatus also comprises a spatial detection device configured to detect at least the distance between the remote detection unit and the air conditioner body and communicate it to the control and command unit.

According to one aspect of the invention, the control and command unit is configured to regulate the operation of the conditioning means at least according to commands received from the user through a user interface and the distance detected by the spatial detection device.

This solution allows to obtain an automated, efficient and versatile air conditioning apparatus, applicable in different indoor environments and suitable for ensuring a comfortable feeling for the user in every situation.

This solution, in fact, allows to obtain a measurement of at least temperature and humidity parameters, and possibly a control of the air speed as an indirect measurement as a function of the distance, in a detection area close to the user, in order to control the functionality of the machine within a range associated with a better perception for the user.

In particular, the control and command unit according to the detected distance can be configured to check if the remote detection unit is within a predefined area of optimal operation for the air conditioning system.

According to embodiments, in the event that the remote detection unit is located outside the predefined area, the control and command unit can provide a signal to the user.

For example, the control and command unit can provide an acoustic or visual signal to inform the user of a possible condition of difficulty in reaching the target parameters in the area where the remote detection unit is located, and, if necessary, ask him to reduce / increase the mutual distance between the remote detection unit and the air conditioner body.

According to embodiments, the remote detection unit and the control and command unit communicate by means of communication devices based on Bluetooth protocol, which allow to estimate the distance between them, integrating in a single device also the detection functions space.

According to further embodiments, the conditioning apparatus comprises a fixed detection unit, installed on the conditioning body, suitable for detecting one or more environmental parameters in a detection zone surrounding its position and the control and command unit can selectively receive the data of the parameters detected by one or the other detection unit according to the detected distance.

Embodiments described here also refer to a method of regulating a conditioning apparatus comprising a conditioning body inside which conditioning means and devices are arranged which are suitable for modifying the state of an air flow to bring about a certain effect. in the surrounding environment, where the method includes:

- receive an indication of the values of the objective environmental parameters to be achieved in the environment to be conditioned;

- detect the current environmental parameters in the environment to be conditioned; - detect a distance between the air conditioner body and a portable remote detection unit comprising one or more detection devices configured to detect one or more environmental parameters in an area surrounding your position;

- adjust the operation of the conditioning means by means of a control and command unit communicating with the portable remote detection unit to regulate the flow rate and / or the thermo-hygrometric characteristics of the air flow to be delivered to the environment to be conditioned according to the distance measured in such a way as to align the environmental parameters measured with the target environmental parameters.

By thermo-hygrometric characteristics of the air flow we mean characteristics relating at least to the temperature and humidity of the air flow, which strongly affect the level of comfort and well-being of a user.

According to embodiments, the target parameters can be set directly by a user, for example through a suitable interface, or be automatically selected by the control and command unit on the basis of a map or a predefined algorithm.

According to embodiments, the method provides for storing in the control and command unit values of minimum and maximum distance thresholds with respect to the air conditioner body defining a predefined area of optimal operation for the conditioning apparatus.

According to embodiments, the method provides for verifying, as a function of the detected distance, whether the portable remote detection unit is inside or outside the optimum operating area and, if not, providing a signal to the user to inform him of a possible difficult condition to reach the target parameters in the remote detection area and eventually invite him to approach or move away from the air conditioner body.

This is particularly useful in the case of portable air conditioning equipment, generally suitable for providing localized air conditioning, as their performance is strongly affected by their distance from the user.

If the user is too far away, it may happen that the area surrounding the user does not reach the desired temperature and / or humidity values even by adjusting both the air conditioning devices and the ventilation devices to the maximum, resulting in uncomfortable air conditioning for the user and high energy consumption.

According to further embodiments, according to the distance between the remote detection unit and the conditioning body, the command and control unit can decide which environmental parameters to use among those detected by the remote detection unit and those detected by a detection unit associated with the air conditioner body to regulate the operation of the air conditioning means in order to provide optimal comfort performance to the user.

Consequently, this solution allows to optimize the overall performance of the conditioning apparatus.

In particular, this solution is particularly effective in reaching the objective environmental parameters in correspondence with the detection area associated with the remote detection unit in the vicinity of a user when it is within the optimum operating area, but allows in any the case of obtaining comfortable environmental parameters for the user within the environment to be conditioned.

Furthermore, this solution can allow to reduce the energy consumption of the apparatus itself, at least under certain conditions, guaranteeing high versatility in the conditioning of an internal environment according to the optimal comfort for a user, i.e. a comfortable sensation perceived by the user, correlated to the values of temperature, humidity, and possibly air velocity near it.

According to further embodiments, the values of the objective environmental parameters to be achieved can be defined automatically by the control and command unit according to a specific operating mode selected by the user, for example by means of optimal comfort algorithms.

According to further embodiments, the method comprises transmitting the current environmental parameters detected and the distance detected to the command and control unit by means of a Bluetooth wireless communication protocol. In this way, the conditioning of the internal environment is more optimized, automated and easy to use for a user.

ILLUSTRATION OF DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an internal environment to be conditioned in which a conditioning apparatus is provided in accordance with the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a schematic top view of an internal environment in which the conditioning apparatus of fig. 1;

- fig. 3 is an exemplary schematic representation of a two-dimensional map, as a function of temperature and relative humidity, of the optimal operation of a conditioning apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, for cooling an environment.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used wherever possible to identify identical common elements in the figures. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be conveniently incorporated into other embodiments without further specification.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are illustrated in the attached figures. Each example is provided by way of illustration of the invention and is not intended as a limitation thereof. For example, the features illustrated or described as being part of an embodiment may be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce a further embodiment. It is understood that the present invention will include these modifications and variations.

Embodiments described here with reference to figs. 1 and 2 refer to a conditioning apparatus 10 which can be installed in an internal environment 11, distinct from an external environment 12, and adapted to condition the environmental parameters from time to time.

This conditioning apparatus 10 can be configured to cool, dehumidify, heat or ventilate the internal environment 11 or a combination of the above in order to suitably condition the internal environment 11.

The internal environment 11 can be defined by a plurality of walls 20 along which doors and / or windows may be present.

Although reference will be made in the description to a portable air conditioner, in the sector also defined PAC - Portable Air Conditioner, it is understood that the present invention can also be applied to fixed type air conditioners, such as heat pumps, dehumidifiers, or the like.

According to an embodiment, a conditioning apparatus 10 comprises a conditioning body 13 defining a housing compartment suitable for containing conditioning means 16 suitable for modifying the state of an air flow W to bring a certain effect to the surrounding environment 11.

This conditioning body 13 also comprises means 14 for drawing air and means 15 for delivering air.

According to embodiments, the conditioning means 16 comprise at least one ventilation device 17, for example a fan, an impeller, or other device suitable for moving and delivering an air flow, configured to cooperate with the delivery means 15 to deliver a stream of conditioned air.

In particular, the ventilation device 17 can be of the adjustable type and be configured to deliver air with different speeds and different flow rates.

According to embodiments, the conditioning means 16 comprise at least one conditioning device 18 capable of modifying the state of the air flow W to bring a certain effect within the internal environment 11 in which it is emitted.

For example, the conditioning device 18 can provide a heating, a cooling, or a dehumidification of the air flow, or even a combination of these in the case of an air conditioning apparatus 10 designed to perform different functions according to the needs.

The conditioning apparatus 10 also includes a user interface 28 through which the user can control its operation.

According to embodiments, through the user interface 28 the user can set certain temperature and / or humidity values, or can choose an automatic operating mode for the conditioning apparatus 10.

According to embodiments, the user interface 28 can be integrated into the conditioning body 13, or be separated from it.

According to embodiments, the conditioning apparatus 10 comprises a control and command unit 26 provided in the conditioning body 13 and configured to regulate the operation of the conditioning means 16 to obtain a suitable conditioned air flow W as a function of a command received by the user.

According to one embodiment, the conditioning apparatus 10 comprises at least one remote detection unit 19 of environmental parameters, which is mobile and separate from the conditioning body 13.

According to embodiments, the user interface 28 and the remote detection unit 19 can be integrated into a single control device.

According to possible variants, the user interface 28 and the remote detection unit 19 can be two distinct devices.

With reference to fig. 1, the remote detection unit 19 is portable so that it can be easily handled and transported by a user 22. In this way, the remote detection unit 19 will detect the environmental parameters wherever the user 22 takes it and place inside the internal environment 11.

This remote detection unit 19 can be configured to be hooked onto the user 22.

This remote detection unit 19 can have a pocket format. According to an embodiment, the remote detection unit 19 is provided with one or more detection devices 23 for the detection of environmental parameters in the point or in the area where the remote detection unit 19 is located.

According to embodiments, the detection devices 23 are configured to detect at least the temperature and humidity.

The detection devices 23 can comprise temperature sensors, humidity sensors, combined sensors, or other sensors capable of measuring other physical environmental quantities of the internal environment 11 in a detection zone ZI in which the remote detection unit 19 is placed.

According to one embodiment, the remote detection unit 19 comprises wireless communication devices 27 configured to communicate with the control and command unit 26 at least to transmit the detected environmental parameters to the latter.

According to embodiments, the remote detection unit 19 and the control and command unit 26 are provided with conjugated communication devices 27, for example comprising respective emitters / receivers.

According to embodiments, the communication devices 27 can be configured to communicate with the control and command unit 26 via Bluetooth communication protocol, so as not to interfere with other electrical or electronic devices that may be present in the internal environment 11.

Bluetooth technology also allows communication between the control and command unit 26 and the remote detection unit 19 in any orientation, so the remote detection unit 19 can also be positioned laterally or behind the air conditioner body 13.

This solution also makes it possible to obtain a mapping of the room, i.e. of the internal environment 11 in which the air conditioner body 13 is located, for example by positioning the remote detection unit 19 on it in the PO position and in every corner of the room. P1-P4, so as to estimate the mutual distances and calculate the shape and general size of the internal environment 11.

According to variants of embodiments, the communication devices 27 can communicate via wifi connection, infrared, remote communication systems, or near field communication (NFC), beacon or other.

According to an embodiment, the conditioning apparatus 10 is provided with at least one spatial detection device 24 configured to detect at least the distance D between the remote detection unit 19 and the conditioning body 13 and, therefore, between the user 22 and body conditioner 13.

According to a preferred embodiment, communication devices 27 and the spatial detection device 24 based on Bluetooth protocol, are integrated in a single device suitable to perform both data transmission and distance detection functions with respect to the conditioning body 13. These devices, moreover, they have the advantage that it is not necessary to provide a “line of sight” (LOF - Line of Sight) without obstacles to allow communication between them.

According to possible embodiments, the spatial detection device 24 can also be selected from devices suitable for detecting a distance by means of ultrasonic or optical sensors, for example of the infrared type.

According to possible embodiment variants, for example illustrated with dashed lines in fig. 1, the spatial detection device 24 can comprise an emitter 24a associated with the conditioning body 13 and connected to the control and command unit 26 and a receiver 24b arranged on the remote detection unit 19, placed in reciprocal connection by means of communication protocols without wires.

According to embodiments, the distance between the conditioning body 13 and the remote detection unit 19 can be detected directly, depending on the intensity of the respective signal between the emitter 24a and the receiver 24b of the Bluetooth communication devices.

According to an embodiment, the control and command unit 26 is configured to regulate the operation of the conditioning means 16, and in particular of the ventilation device 17 and of the conditioning device 18 to confer different comfort performances depending on the distance from the remote detection unit 19 and therefore by the user 22.

According to an embodiment, the conditioning apparatus 10 also comprises a detection unit 25, which is fixed and integral with the conditioning body 13 configured to detect one or more environmental parameters in a second detection zone Z2 near the aforesaid conditioning body 13.

According to embodiments, the fixed detection unit 25 comprises one or more sensors suitable for detecting at least the temperature and humidity in a surrounding area.

According to these embodiments, the control and command unit 26 can receive information on the actual environmental parameters from one or the other of the remote detection units 19 or fixed 25 according to the distance detected by the spatial detection device 24.

In particular, the control and command unit 26 can receive information on the actual environmental parameters detected in the detection zone ZI by the remote detection unit 19 or in the second detection zone Z2 by the fixed detection unit 25 as a function of the detected distance. from the spatial detection device 24 between the remote detection unit 19 and the conditioning body 13.

According to embodiments, in the control and command unit 26 it is possible to store threshold values of minimum D1 and maximum D2 distance with respect to the conditioning body 13 defining a predefined area R of optimal operation for the conditioning apparatus 10 (fig. 2).

According to an embodiment, the control and command unit 26 is configured to consider the parameters detected by the fixed detection unit 25 and not those detected by the remote detection unit 19 when the latter is outside the area default R. This occurs when the detected distance D from the spatial sensing device 24 is less than the minimum distance D1, or greater than the maximum distance D2.

In other words, as long as the remote detection unit 19 remains inside the predefined area R, the control and command unit 26 regulates the operation of the conditioning means 16 according to the parameters detected by the latter in such a way that in a neighborhood of its position the environmental parameters reach the desired temperature and humidity values. This adjustment, therefore, allows to obtain predetermined comfortable air temperature and humidity values for user 22 in the detection area Z1 where the remote detection unit 19 is located and therefore the user 22 himself.

In this way, the control and command unit 26 advantageously selects the most correct environmental parameters to be detected to obtain the best comfort performance within the internal environment 11.

This solution allows to dynamically adjust the environmental parameters of the internal environment 11, adjusting the energy consumption and the performance of the conditioning apparatus 10 itself in relation to the environmental conditions detected in the vicinity of the user 22 by means of the remote detection unit 19 when it is located in the predefined area R, or by means of the fixed detection unit 25 integral with the conditioning body 13.

According to a possible embodiment, the conditioning apparatus 10 can comprise a plurality of remote detection units 19 of environmental parameters separated from the conditioning body 13 and positioned in different points of the internal environment 11, each provided with communication devices 27 of the type Bluetooth.

In the case of an air conditioning apparatus 10 with a portable air conditioner body 13, by positioning each remote detection unit 19 in a different room, it is possible to obtain an indication of the temperature in each of them to evaluate the best positioning for the air conditioner body. 13.

According to further embodiments, the remote detection unit (s) 19 may be provided with motion sensors suitable for recognizing and recording the presence of a user close to them, so as to be able to provide an indication of the best positioning. of the conditioning body 13 to obtain the optimal conditioning of the internal environment 11 also according to the positions usually assumed by the user.

According to embodiments, the control and command unit 26 comprises an internal memory 29 in which tables, maps and / or predefined operating algorithms for the conditioning means 16 can be stored to provide thermal comfort for the user.

According to embodiments, for example, a two-dimensional map of the type illustrated in Figure 3 can be stored in the internal memory 29, which identifies different areas of thermal comfort for the user, defined by pairs of temperature and humidity values, at which are associated with different operating modes of the conditioning means 16, suitable for obtaining, in the detection zone ZI of the actual environmental parameters, pairs of temperature and humidity values that fall within a range of values associated with a better perceived, which provide a feeling of comfort to the user.

Embodiments of the present invention also refer to a method of regulating a conditioning apparatus 10 which comprises:

- receive an indication of target environmental parameter values to be achieved in the environment to be conditioned according to a command given by a user via a user interface 28;

- detect the current environmental parameters in the internal environment 11 to be conditioned;

- detect a distance D between the air conditioner body 13 and the portable remote detection unit 19 comprising one or more sensors configured to detect one or more environmental parameters in an area surrounding one's position;

- regulating the operation of conditioning means 16 by means of a control and command unit 26 communicating with the remote detection unit 19 to regulate each time the flow rate and / or the temperature of the air flow to be delivered to the environment to be conditioned on the basis of the distance measured in such a way as to align the environmental parameters measured with the target environmental parameters.

According to embodiments, the method provides for verifying, as a function of the detected distance D, whether the portable remote detection unit 19 is inside or outside the predefined area R of optimal operation and, in the case it is inside outside the predefined area R, provide a signal to the user, for example via the user interface 28.

By way of example, it can be provided that the control and command unit 26 can provide the user with a signal, for example of a sound or acoustic type, to inform him of a possible condition of difficulty in reaching the target parameters in the detection zone ZI the remote detection unit 19. The control and command unit 26 can also provide a signal to invite the user to approach or move away from the conditioning body 13 or to move away or towards the conditioning body 13, if mobile.

The user interface 28 can provide light and / or acoustic signals to indicate to the user 22 when an optimal position has been reached.

According to one embodiment, the minimum distance thresholds DI and maximum D2 between the remote detection unit 19 and the conditioning body 13 are pre-stored in the internal memory 29 based on the type of conditioning body 13 and its parameters of use.

According to a further embodiment, the minimum D1 and maximum D2 distance thresholds are calculated from time to time by the control and command unit 26 as a function of the life status of the conditioning means 16, of the environmental parameters of the external environment 12 if necessary measured with external sensors (not shown) connected to the control and command unit 26 and the size of the internal environment 11.

According to a possible embodiment, the minimum D1 and maximum D2 distance thresholds can be preset by the user 22 through the user interface 28.

According to embodiments, a setting phase of the conditioning apparatus 10 can also be provided, in which the remote detection unit 19 is positioned in a plurality of points P0-P4 to estimate the shape and size of the internal environment 11, and the control and command unit 26 can optionally estimate the minimum D1 and maximum D2 distances on the basis of the estimated data.

According to an embodiment, the minimum distance threshold D1 can be between 0.5 m and 1.5 m.

According to an embodiment, the maximum distance threshold D2 can be between 3 m and 5 m.

According to an embodiment, the effective distance D between the remote detection unit 19 and the air conditioner body 13 can be detected by means of wireless communication protocols, for example by means of Bluetooth.

According to an embodiment, if the actual distance D detected is between the minimum distance thresholds Di and maximum D2, the method provides for detecting the current environmental parameters by means of the remote detection unit 19. Otherwise, the method provides for detect the current environmental parameters by means of the fixed detection unit 25 associated with the conditioning body 13.

According to embodiments, in the event that the user selects an automatic operating mode of the conditioning apparatus 10, the target environmental parameters for the optimal conditioning of the internal environment 11 are extracted and automatically defined by a comfort algorithm pre-stored in internal memory 29.

This comfort algorithm can provide an operating map of the conditioning apparatus 10 as a function of the actual environmental parameters detected in the internal environment 11.

Advantageously, the aforementioned algorithm allows to obtain pairs of temperature and humidity values in correspondence with the detection area, suitable for providing a feeling of comfort for the user at least within the aforementioned area R for optimal operation of the conditioning means 16.

In particular, with reference by way of example to fig. 3, the comfort algorithm can provide a two-dimensional map of the operation of the conditioning apparatus 10 as a function of the values of temperature and relative humidity detected in the internal environment 11 in which the correct operation of the conditioning means 16 is indicated to obtain a comfortable sensation for a user 22 in correspondence with the detection zone Z1, ie pairs of temperature and humidity defining the objective environmental parameters.

More comfort algorithms can be provided depending on the type of application of the conditioning apparatus 10, i.e. the type of conditioning to be carried out, for example heating, cooling, dehumidification.

According to embodiments, the comfort algorithms can be predefined, for example stored in the internal memory 29 in the production or programming phase of the apparatus 10.

According to possible variants of embodiment, it can also be provided that the comfort algorithms can be modified or adapted according to the preferences of a user, for example on the basis of information and / or feedback provided by the latter through the user interface 28 .

According to further variants, it may also be provided that the control and command unit 26 is configured to process and / or modify comfort algorithms on the basis of the settings and commands provided by the user, for example according to the most frequently selected target environmental parameters. .

In fig. 3 shows, by way of example but not limitedly, a two-dimensional operating map for a conditioning apparatus 10 for cooling the internal environment 11, in which the conditioning means 16 comprise a ventilation device 17 and a compressor 18 as a conditioning device. ento.

It is understood that, in the case of conditioning apparatuses 10 of a different type, for example in which the conditioning device comprises a resistance, or an oil exchanger, maps and algorithms may be provided from time to time, which regulate its operation for the heating of an environment as a function of pairs of temperature / humidity values.

Referring by way of example to fig. 3, areas of different functioning of the conditioning means 16 can be identified depending on the temperature and relative humidity detected by the remote detection unit 19 in the detection area Z1.

Depending on the pairs of temperature and humidity values, zones with different levels of comfort for the user are defined.

For example, zone A, delimited by a line L1 passing through pairs of temperature / humidity (T / HR) values including (16 ° C, 75%), (22 ° C, 60%), (27 ° C, 50 %) defines the optimal comfort zone for the user. Zone B, bounded below by line L1 and above by a line L2 passing through pairs of temperature / humidity values (T / HR) including (16 °, 90%), (22 ° C, 80%), (27 ° C , 70%) defines an average comfort zone.

Zone C, delimited below by line L2 indicates an area with unfavorable thermal conditions for the user, in which both the relative humidity values and the temperature values are particularly high.

Zone D is defined by a line L3 at constant temperature T, for example less than or equal to 15.5 ° C, while zone E is defined by a line L4 at constant temperature T, for example less than or equal to 32.5 ° C, i.e. temperature values that lead to sensations of cold and excessive heat.

In automatic operating mode, the control and command unit 26 controls the conditioning means 16 in a differentiated manner according to where the pair of actual environmental parameters detected each time is positioned on the map, in order to obtain, in the area detection Z1, of environmental parameters with pairs of T-HR values within the optimal zone A.

In particular, zone D and zone E provide for an operation of the conditioning means 16 independent of the humidity detected, that is, temperature thresholds are identified beyond which the conditioning means 16 are regulated independently of the humidity detected.

For example, below 15-16 ° C (zone D), neither the ventilation device 17 nor the conditioning device 18 are activated, regardless of the humidity detected as it is not necessary to cool the internal environment 11.

According to embodiments, the method can provide that, above 32-33 ° C (zone E), the ventilation device 17 and the conditioning device 18 are activated at maximum power to quickly cool the internal environment 11 independently relative humidity detected.

In the case of a comfort algorithm suitable for heating the internal environment 11, in the case of pairs of detected values belonging to zone D, it could be envisaged to activate the ventilation device 17 and to set the conditioning device 18 in heating mode , to heat the internal environment 11, so as to bring the actual thermal parameters back into zone A so as to create a comfort zone around the user, while in zone E it may not be necessary to activate the conditioning means 16.

According to embodiments, if the detected environmental parameters are included in zone B, the temperatures being generally contained, the adjustment method could provide for activating only the ventilation device 17, possibly at variable powers depending on humidity and temperature. detected, while the conditioning device 18 could be deactivated.

In the case of zone B and zone C, in the case of cooling, the ventilation device 17 could foresee higher ventilation speeds as the temperature and humidity detected increase and the conditioning device 18 could cool the air pre-purged from the means more and more suddenly. withdrawal tube 14 to ensure optimal comfort conditions.

Similarly, one can think of an algorithm for the case of heating an internal environment 11. In this case, as the temperature and relative humidity increase, the ventilation device 17 could provide for higher ventilation speeds while the conditioning device 18 would gradually come turned off. This solution would ensure a ventilated environment, even in the case of temperatures above 25 ° C, without necessarily heating the air using the conditioning device 18.

According to embodiments, the comfort algorithm can provide for the use of a three-dimensional operating map of the conditioning apparatus 10, which provides for differentiated operating modes of the conditioning means 16 according to both the temperature and relative humidity values detected in the internal environment 11, and the distance detected between the air conditioner body 13 and the remote detection unit 19.

For example, it can be provided that the ventilation device 17 and the conditioning device 18 can be operated in a plurality of intermediate levels, depending on the distance between the conditioning body 13 and the remote detection unit 19, so as to reach more quickly possible values of environmental parameters belonging to zone A.

According to further embodiments, the conditioning apparatus 10 can be provided with means 15 for delivering the flow of an adjustable type, for example to modify at least one of the inclination, the amplitude and / or the direction of the flow of air emitted.

For example, said dispensing means 15 can comprise one or more outlet holes with adjustable opening and / or a grid, associated with said outlet holes, which can be tilted, rotated or deformed in order to give a desired shape to the air flow in exit.

By way of non-limiting example, for increasing distances D between the conditioning body 13 and the remote detection unit 19, the method can provide that the control and command unit 26 commands the gradual increase of the ventilation speed of the ventilation device 17 to reach ever greater distances within the maximum distance threshold D2. Conversely, the opposite is true for decreasing measured distances.

In fact, at a distance D close to the maximum distance D2, it is possible to deliver a flow of air at a high flow rate, or to operate the ventilation device 17 at maximum speed, without the risk of creating discomfort for the user, while at a distance relatively small, close to the minimum distance D1, high airflow could be annoying.

Furthermore, for gradually increasing distances D, the control and command unit 26 can control a gradual increase, by means of the conditioning device 18, of the heating and / or cooling, of the air to be introduced into the internal environment 11 depending on the type of conditioning to be carried out.

In particular, this gradual increase can follow a temperature and / or humidity trend pre-stored in the internal memory 29 as a function of the actual distance D detected in such a way as to ensure that a suitable comfort value is reached for each of the actual distances detected at the inside the default area R.

This trend could be a curve that gradually tends to the target temperature and / or humidity value within the internal environment 11.

According to a possible embodiment, for each detected humidity and temperature value, the control and command unit 26 can communicate to a user 22 through the user interface 28 the optimal position of the conditioning body 13 with respect to the remote detection unit 19, and then to the user 22, to obtain optimal conditioning levels in the vicinity of the area in which the user 22 is located.

According to a possible embodiment, the three-dimensional algorithm provides that below the minimum distance threshold D1 and above the maximum distance threshold D2, i.e. outside the area R, the operation of the conditioning apparatus 10 is independent of the temperature and relative humidity measured by the remote detection unit 19. In this case, for the detection of the environmental parameters the remote detection unit 19 will no longer be used but rather the fixed detection unit 25 provided on the air conditioner body 13.

According to a possible embodiment, the spatial detection device 24 can be configured to detect the dimensions of the internal environment 11 and to communicate them via Bluetooth or other technology similar to the control and command unit 26. In this way the conditioning apparatus 10 it can also adjust the environmental parameters according to the size of the room or internal environment 1 1 to be conditioned.

According to one embodiment, based on the size of the room, the control and command unit 26 reworks the comfort algorithm in such a way as to obtain a conditioning apparatus 10 that is versatile and usable in different types of indoor environments 11.

According to an embodiment, if the detected effective distance D is not included between the thresholds of minimum distance D1 and maximum D2, the automatic operating mode can be deactivated, and the values set by the user 22 can be considered as target environmental parameters by means of user interface 28.

According to one embodiment, the internal memory 29 can be configured to save and store the environmental parameters required by the user from time to time by creating a history of environmental parameters preferred by the user from which to extrapolate the target environmental parameters.

According to an embodiment, if the actual distance D detected is not included between the thresholds of minimum distance D1 and maximum D2, the target environmental parameters for the optimal conditioning of the internal environment 11 can be extracted from the history of environmental parameters preferred by the user. processed by internal memory 29.

In this way, the target parameters will be extracted from the comfort algorithm without the need for the user 22 to enter the desired environmental parameters while ensuring, at the same time, a continuous and dynamic conditioning of the internal environment 11 to obtain optimal comfort for the user 22.

It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts or phases may be made to the conditioning apparatus 10 and to the adjustment method described up to now, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will certainly be able to realize many other equivalent forms of conditioning apparatus and regulation method, having the characteristics expressed in the claims and therefore all falling within the scope of protection defined by them.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1. Method for regulating an air conditioning apparatus (10) comprising a conditioning body (13) inside which conditioning means (16) suitable for modifying the state of an air flow (W) are arranged to provide a determined effect in an indoor environment (11), characterized by the fact that the method includes: - receive an indication of the values of the objective environmental parameters to be achieved in said internal environment (11); - detect the current environmental parameters in the internal environment (11) to be conditioned in correspondence with a detection area (ZI; Z2); - detecting a distance (D) between the conditioning body (13) and a portable remote detection unit (19) comprising one or more detection devices (23) configured to detect one or more environmental parameters in a detection zone (ZI ) surrounding your position; - adjust the operation of the conditioning means (16) by means of a control and command unit (26) communicating with said portable remote detection unit (19) to regulate the flow rate and / or the thermo-hygrometric characteristics of the conditioned air flow (W) to be delivered into said internal environment (11) as a function of said distance (D) detected in such a way as to align said detected environmental parameters to said target environmental parameters. 2. Method as in claim 1, characterized in that it provides for storing, in said control and command unit (26), threshold values of minimum (DI) and maximum (D2) distance with respect to said conditioning body (13) , defining a predefined area (R) of optimal operation for said conditioning apparatus (10). 3. Method as in claim 2, characterized in that, if said actual detected distance (D) is comprised between said minimum (D1) and maximum (D2) distance thresholds, the method provides for detecting said current environmental parameters in said first detection zone (ZI) by means of said remote detection unit (19). 4. Method as in claim 2 or 3, characterized by the fact that, if the actual measured distance (D) is not included between said minimum (D1) and maximum (D2) distance thresholds, the method provides for detecting said current environmental parameters by means of a fixed detection unit (25) associated with the conditioning body (13) and configured to detect one or more environmental parameters in a second detection zone (Z2) near said conditioning body (13). 5. Method as in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by the fact that, according to said detected distance (D), whether the portable remote detection unit (19) is inside or outside 'outside of said predefined area (R) of optimal operation and, if not, provide a signal to the user, through a user interface (28), to inform him of a possible non-optimal operating condition and / or invite him to approach or moving away from said conditioning body (13) to re-enter said predefined area (R). 6. Method as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the values of the target environmental parameters to be achieved are defined automatically by said control and command unit (26) as a function of a specific operating mode selected by the user in which the target environmental parameters are automatically extracted and defined by a comfort algorithm stored in an internal memory (29) provided in said control and command unit (26). 7. Method as in claim 6, characterized in that said comfort algorithm comprises a two-dimensional operating map of said conditioning apparatus (10) which reports, as a function of pairs of temperature and relative humidity values, certain operating parameters for said conditioning means (16) suitable for obtaining in said detection zone (Z1) pairs of temperature and humidity values corresponding to an optimal comfort zone (A) and said control and command unit (26) commands said control means conditioning (16) on the basis of said operating parameters. 8. Method as in claim 6 or 7, characterized by the fact that said comfort algorithm provides for the use of a three-dimensional map of operation of the conditioning apparatus (10), which provides for different operating modes of the conditioning means (16) in function both of said values of temperature and relative humidity detected in the internal environment (11), and of said distance (D) detected. 9. Method as in any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, if said actual detected distance (D) is not included between said minimum (D1) and maximum (D2) distance thresholds, the method provides for deactivating said operating mode specifies and to consider as target environmental parameters the values set by the user (22) through a user interface (28). 10. Method as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it provides for using devices based on Bluetooth communication protocol both to transmit the environmental parameters detected in said detection zone (Z1) to said control and command unit (26) , and to detect said distance (D) between said remote detection unit (19) and said conditioning body (13). 11. Air conditioning apparatus comprising a conditioning body (13) inside which conditioning means (16) suitable for modifying the state of an air flow (W) to bring a certain effect to the surrounding environment are arranged, characterized by the fact that it includes: - a control and command unit (26) arranged in the conditioning body (13) and configured to regulate the operation of the conditioning means (16); - at least a portable remote detection unit (19) comprising one or more detection devices (23) configured to detect one or more environmental parameters in a detection zone (Z1) surrounding one's position and suitable communication devices (27) to communicate with the control and command unit (26) at least to transmit the detected environmental parameters; - a spatial detection device (24) configured to detect at least the distance (D) between the remote detection unit (19) and the air conditioner body (13) and communicate it to the control and command unit (26); wherein said control and command unit (26) is configured to regulate and adapt the operation of said conditioning means (16) at least as a function of commands received by the user through a user interface (28) and of the distance (D) detected between said remote detection unit (19) and said conditioning body (13). 12. Air conditioning apparatus as in claim 11, characterized in that said communication devices (27) and said spatial detection device (24) are integrated in a single device using a Bluetooth communication protocol and configured to perform both functions of data transmission and detection of said distance (D).