JP2010145067A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

An air conditioner capable of easily switching a set temperature in a room by an air conditioner body according to a pet in the room.
In an air conditioner, an air conditioner main body 1 having a heat exchanging section 5 and blowing out air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanging section 5 into the room, and a switching operation section for switching a set temperature of the air conditioner. 3 and a pet mode button 24 that is provided in the switching operation unit 3 and switches the set temperature for pets.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner equipped with a pet mode in which switching of a set indoor temperature is performed according to a pet in a room.

  Recently, there is an increasing awareness that pets are part of the family, and an increasing number of pets are kept indoors.

  In recent years, as described in Patent Document 1 below, an indoor unit of an air conditioner is often installed indoors, and the set temperature in the room in which the indoor unit is installed is a human or a pet. Is adjusted to a temperature that can prevent heat stroke due to high temperatures and cold catches caused by low temperatures.

  It is said that the temperature at which dogs and cats, which are kept in large numbers among pets, are subject to heat stroke is 33 ° C or higher, and the upper limit set temperature when air-conditioning indoor units installed in human rooms (For example, 28 ° C.). In low-temperature conditions, such as less than 8 ° C, dogs and cats are said to catch a cold, which is lower than the lower limit temperature (eg, 20 ° C) for heating operation when a person is present. Low.

Therefore, when a person is in the room, the set temperature in the room is adjusted to 28 ° C. or lower during the cooling operation in summer and to 20 ° C. or higher during the heating operation in winter. Heat stroke and cold catch are naturally prevented.
JP 2001-215042 A

  However, the conventional air conditioner does not consider the following points.

  When a person goes out and there are only pets in the room, there is a temperature range (less than 28-33 ° C) where the pet will not suffer from heat stroke even if the set temperature during cooling operation is higher than when the person is in the room There is a temperature range (less than 8-20 ° C.) where the pet does not catch a cold even if the set temperature during heating operation is lower than when the person is indoors.

  Therefore, when a person goes out with a pet in the room, the set temperature during the cooling operation is within a range where the pet does not suffer from heat stroke and is higher than when the person is in the room, for example, set to 32 ° C. And, it is desirable from the viewpoint of energy saving that the set temperature during the heating operation is lower than that when the pet does not catch a cold and lower than when the person is indoors, for example, 9 ° C.

  However, every time a person goes out with the pet in the room, it is cumbersome to switch the set temperature in the room to a range in which the pet does not get sick such as heat stroke or cold and can save energy. Furthermore, since the lower limit of preset temperature is generally about 18 degreeC, the temperature which is lower than this cannot be set for the domestic air conditioner. For this reason, when a person goes out with the pet in the room, it is often the case that the set temperature in the room is kept the same as before the person was out in the room, so that it is not possible to save energy. .

  It is also said that the temperature at which humans feel comfortable and the temperature at which pets feel comfortable are different. Therefore, when leaving the pet in the room, it is desirable to switch the room temperature (room temperature) to a temperature at which the pet feels comfortable and to reduce the pet stress caused by the room temperature as much as possible.

  However, it is cumbersome to switch the room temperature so that the pet feels comfortable each time the person leaves the room and the person goes out. For this reason, when a person goes out leaving the pet in the room, the person often goes out with the set temperature of the air conditioner kept the same as before the person was out in the room.

  In addition, when the physical condition of the pet becomes unsatisfactory, it is desirable to switch the temperature in the room where the pet is present to a temperature at which the pet can recover its physical condition. However, it is difficult to notice that the pet's physical condition is unsatisfactory, and it is difficult to switch the set temperature of the air conditioner in response to the pet's physical condition becoming unsatisfactory. In particular, when the person is out and there are only pets in the room, the set temperature of the air conditioner cannot be switched even if the pet's physical condition is not good.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can easily perform switching of a set temperature according to a pet in a room. .

  A first feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is that the air conditioner has a heat exchanging unit, the air conditioner main body that blows out the air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanging unit into the room, and the air conditioner A switching operation unit that switches the set temperature; and a pet mode button that is provided in the switching operation unit and switches the set temperature for pets.

  The second feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is that the air conditioner has a heat exchanging unit, and the air conditioner main body that blows out the air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanging unit into the room, and the pet in the room A physical condition detecting means for detecting the physical condition of the air conditioner, and a switching means for switching the set temperature of the air conditioner according to the detection result by the physical condition detecting means.

  According to the present invention, the setting temperature of the air conditioner can be easily switched according to the pets in the room.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
An air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing internal functions of the air conditioner. This air conditioner includes an indoor unit 1 that is an air conditioner body that is attached to an indoor wall surface, an outdoor unit 2 that is installed outdoors, and a remote controller 3 that is a switching operation unit.

  The indoor unit 1 includes a control unit 4, an indoor heat exchanger 5 that is a heat exchange unit, a fan motor 6, an indoor fan 7, a signal reception unit 8, a signal transmission / reception unit 9, and a room temperature ( And a room temperature sensor 4a for detecting (room temperature).

  The control unit 4 includes a CPU that performs various calculations, a ROM that stores fixed data such as programs, and a RAM that stores various signals that are input and output and that is used as a calculation area during calculations. 1 is controlled. A fan motor 6, a signal receiving unit 8, and a signal transmitting / receiving unit 9 are connected to the control unit 4.

  The signal receiving unit 8 receives a command signal such as an infrared signal transmitted from the remote controller 3 and transmits the received signal to the control unit 4.

  The signal transmission / reception unit 9 transmits / receives signals to / from the outdoor unit 2. In addition, the signal transmission / reception part 9 and the signal transmission / reception part 16 mentioned later of the outdoor unit 2 are connected by the signal wire | line.

  The indoor blower fan 7 is driven by a fan motor 6 and blows indoor air toward the indoor heat exchanger 5. The air blown toward the indoor heat exchanger 5 by the indoor blower fan 7 is heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 5 and blown out into the room as cold air or hot air. The room is cooled or heated by the blowing of the cold air or the hot air.

  The outdoor unit 2 is provided with a control unit 10, an outdoor heat exchanger 11, a compressor 12, an expansion valve 13, a fan motor 14, an outdoor blower fan 15, and a signal transmission / reception unit 16. The compressor 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the expansion valve 13, and the indoor heat exchanger 5 of the indoor unit 1 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 17 through which a refrigerant flows to constitute a refrigeration cycle. Although omitted in the drawing, a four-way valve for switching the refrigerant flow direction is provided in the middle of the refrigerant pipe 17 in the outdoor unit 2 so that air conditioning can be performed.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU that performs various calculations, a ROM that stores fixed data such as programs, and a RAM that stores various signals that are input and output and is used as a calculation area during calculations. 2 is controlled. A compressor 12, a fan motor 14, and a signal transmission / reception unit 16 are connected to the control unit 10.

  The compressor 12 compresses the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipe 17. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 12 flows toward the outdoor heat exchanger 11 during the cooling operation and flows toward the indoor heat exchanger 5 during the heating operation by switching a four-way valve (not shown).

  The signal transmission / reception unit 16 transmits / receives a signal to / from the signal transmission / reception unit 9 of the indoor unit 1 and transmits the received signal to the control unit 10.

  The outdoor blower fan 15 is driven by a fan motor 14 and blows outdoor air toward the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The air blown toward the outdoor heat exchanger 11 by the outdoor blower fan 15 is heat-exchanged in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and is radiated from the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 or absorbed into the refrigerant.

  The remote controller 3 includes a control unit 18, an operation unit 19, a signal transmission unit 20, and a liquid crystal display unit 21.

  The control unit 18 includes a CPU that performs various calculations, a ROM that stores fixed data such as a program, and a RAM that stores various signals to be output and is used as a calculation area during calculation. The respective units provided in the are controlled. An operation unit 19, a signal transmission unit 20, and a liquid crystal display unit 21 are connected to the control unit 18.

  The operation unit 19 is provided with various operation buttons for switching the operation state of the indoor unit 1, a cooling button 22 for turning on / off the cooling operation, a heating button 23 for turning on / off the heating operation, and a pet mode operation. A pet mode button 24 for turning on / off, an up / down button 25 for raising / lowering the set temperature of the indoor unit 1 and the like are included. Each button of the cooling button 22, the heating button 23, and the pet mode button 24 is a type that is switched on and off alternately by pressing the button. For example, when the pet mode operation is off, the pet mode button 24 is When pressed, the pet mode operation is turned on. When the pet mode operation is on, pressing the pet mode button 24 turns the pet mode operation off. It should be noted that the pet mode button 24 of the actual remote controller 3 has characters such as “pet mode” or “pet picture” on or near the button so that the button can be recognized as “pet mode button”. Printing and engraving are performed.

  Here, in the pet mode operation described in the first embodiment, the set temperature of the indoor unit 1 is switched to a temperature at which the pet in the room does not get sick and can save energy. It is said that the temperature at which dogs and cat pets suffer from heat stroke is said to be 33 ° C. or higher. If the set temperature for cooling operation during pet mode operation is 32 ° C., pet heat stroke can be prevented. At the same time, energy can be saved. Dogs and cat pets are said to catch colds at less than 8 ° C, and if the set temperature for heating operation during pet mode operation is 10 ° C, pets can be prevented from catching colds. And energy saving.

  The data of the set temperature during the pet mode operation (for example, the cooling operation starts when the room temperature reaches 32 ° C. and the heating operation starts when the room temperature reaches 10 ° C.) is stored in the ROM in the control unit 18. Has been. This set temperature data is transmitted to the indoor unit 1 together with the on signal when the pet mode operation on signal is transmitted from the remote controller 3 to the indoor unit 1.

  The signal transmission unit 20 transmits a signal generated based on an operation from the operation unit 19 toward the signal reception unit 8 of the indoor unit 1. For example, an ON signal and an OFF signal for the pet mode operation are transmitted to the signal receiving unit 8.

  The liquid crystal display unit 21 has an operation state of the indoor unit 1 set based on an operation from the operation unit 19, for example, whether the current operation state is a cooling operation, a heating operation, or a pet mode operation. , And how many degrees the set temperature is set is displayed.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of control by the remote controller 3 regarding the pet mode button 24.

  The control unit 18 of the remote controller 3 determines whether or not the pet mode button 24 is pressed (S1). If it is determined that the pet mode button 24 is pressed (YES in S1), the pet mode button 24 is determined. It is determined whether or not the driving state when is pressed is in the pet mode driving (S2).

  When it is determined that the pet mode operation is being performed when the pet mode button 24 is pressed (YES in S2), a signal for turning off the pet mode operation is transmitted to the indoor unit 1 (S3). .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the pet mode operation is not performed when the pet mode button 24 is pressed (NO in S2), a signal for turning on the pet mode operation is sent together with the set temperature data of the pet mode operation to the indoor unit. 1 is transmitted (S4).

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining control in the indoor unit 1 when the indoor unit 1 receives a signal for turning on the pet mode operation transmitted from the remote controller 3 or a signal for turning off the pet mode operation. is there.

  The control unit 4 of the indoor unit 1 determines whether or not a pet mode operation on signal has been received (S11) and whether or not a pet mode operation off signal has been received (S12).

  When it is determined that the pet mode operation ON signal has been received (YES in S11), the pet mode operation is started (S13).

  If it is determined that the pet mode driving off signal has been received (YES in S12), the pet mode driving ends (S14).

  In such a configuration, when the pet mode button 24 of the remote controller 3 is pressed when the indoor unit 1 is not in the pet mode operation, the pet mode operation ON signal is sent from the remote controller 3 to the indoor unit 1. It is transmitted together with the set temperature data at the time of mode operation, and the pet mode operation of the indoor unit 1 is started. In addition, as a case where pet mode driving | operation is performed, the case where a person goes out leaving a pet indoors is mentioned.

  When the pet mode operation is started, the indoor unit 1 is maintained so that the room temperature is maintained within the set temperature range of the pet mode operation (for example, a temperature that does not become 10 ° C. or lower in winter and a temperature that does not exceed 32 ° C. in summer). Is driven. During the pet mode operation, first, the indoor unit 1 reads the temperature of the room temperature sensor 4a, and if this temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature of 32 ° C, the indoor unit 1 performs the cooling operation so that the room temperature becomes 32 ° C. If it becomes less, the cooling operation is stopped. If the detected temperature of the room temperature sensor 4a is less than 32 ° C and 10 ° C or more, the air-conditioning operation is held stopped. If the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 4a is lower than the set temperature of 10 ° C in winter, the heating operation is automatically performed so that the room temperature becomes 10 ° C.

  This set temperature is a temperature at which dogs and cats do not suffer from heatstroke in the summer, and does not catch a cold in the winter, as described above, and can prevent the pet from getting sick. it can.

  In addition, the summer set temperature (32 ° C.) during the pet mode operation is higher than the upper limit temperature (for example, 28 ° C.) during the cooling operation when a person is indoors, thereby saving energy. Further, the set temperature (10 ° C.) in winter during the pet mode operation is lower than the lower limit temperature (for example, 20 ° C.) during the heating operation when a person is indoors, and energy saving can be achieved.

  Moreover, such switching of the set temperature can be easily performed by simply pressing the pet mode button 24 of the remote controller 3 without taking time and effort. Although the set temperature during the pet mode operation is transmitted from the remote controller 3 to the indoor unit 1, the set temperature during the pet mode operation may be stored in the control unit 4 of the indoor unit 1 in advance. good. In this case, only the ON signal of the pet mode operation is transmitted from the remote controller 3 to the indoor unit 1.

(Second Embodiment)
The air conditioner of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on FIG. 4 thru | or FIG. Note that, in the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the same components as those of the other embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal functions of the air conditioner, and the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that, in the second embodiment, the set temperature of the indoor unit 1 is set according to the kind of pet in the room, and the pet has comfort. The point is to switch to the temperature you feel.

  The air conditioner of 2nd Embodiment is provided with the indoor unit 1, the outdoor unit 2, and remote controller 3A which is a switching operation part. The operation unit 19 of the remote controller 3A is provided with a cooling button 22, a heating button 23, a pet mode button 24A, a lift button 25, and a pet type selection button 26 which is a pet type selection unit.

  The pet mode button 24A is a button for turning on / off the pet mode operation. Here, in the pet mode operation described in the second embodiment, the set temperature of the indoor unit 1 is switched to a temperature at which a pet in the room feels comfortable. The room temperature at which a pet feels comfortable varies depending on the type of pet.

  The pet type selection button 26 is a button operated to select a set temperature at which the pet feels comfortable according to the type of pet in the room. When the pet type selection button 26 is pressed, a pet type selection screen 27 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21 of the remote controller 3A. A cursor 28 for selecting one of the pets is displayed in the pet type selection screen 27 as shown by shading, and this cursor 28 is moved by operating the lift button 25.

  FIG. 6 shows a pet-specific comfort temperature table 29 that associates the pet type with a comfortable temperature range (Tpe) at which the pet feels comfortable, and is stored in the ROM of the control unit 18. When the pet type selection screen 27 is displayed, when the pet type selection button 26 is pressed again, the comfortable temperature range (Tpe) of the pet on which the cursor 28 is displayed is selected. The selected comfortable temperature range (Tpe) is transmitted to the indoor unit 1 as the indoor set temperature range by the indoor unit 1 that is switched by pressing the pet mode button 24A.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of control by the remote controller 3A when the pet type selection button 26 or the pet mode button 24A of the remote controller 3A is pressed.

  The control unit 18 of the remote controller 3A determines whether or not the pet type selection button 26 has been pressed (S21) and whether or not the pet mode button 24A has been pressed (S22).

  If it is determined in step S21 that the pet type selection button 26 has been pressed (YES in S21), a pet type selection screen 27 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21 (S23), and a timer count is performed. Starts (S24).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the up / down button 25 has been operated (S25). If it is determined that the up / down button 25 has been operated (YES in S25), the pet type selection screen 27 is displayed along with the operation. The cursor 28 moves up and down (S26).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the pet type selection button 26 has been pressed again (S27).

  If it is determined in step S27 that the pet type selection button 26 has been pressed again (YES in S27), the comfortable temperature range of the pet in which the cursor 28 is displayed when the pet type selection button 26 is pressed ( Tpe) is selected, a signal (Tpe signal) of the selected comfortable temperature range (Tpe) is transmitted to the indoor unit 1 as a set temperature (S28), and the display of the pet type selection screen 27 is ended (S29).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S27 that the pet type selection button 26 is not pressed again (NO in S27), it is determined whether or not the timer count has expired (for example, 30 seconds have elapsed) (S30). If it is determined that the time is up (YES in S30), the display of the pet type selection screen 27 is terminated (S29). If it is determined that the time is not up (NO in S30), the process returns to step S25.

  If it is determined in step S21 that the pet type selection button 26 has not been pressed (NO in S21), it is determined whether or not the pet mode button 24A has been pressed (S22). If it is determined that the pet mode button 24A has been pressed (YES in S22), it is determined whether or not the pet mode operation is being performed when the pet mode button 24A is pressed (S31).

  In step S31, when it is determined that the pet mode button 24A is pressed and the pet mode operation is not being performed (NO in S31), a signal for turning on the pet mode operation is transmitted to the indoor unit 1. (S32).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S31 that the pet mode button 24A is pressed during the pet mode operation (YES in S31), a signal for turning off the pet mode operation is directed to the indoor unit 1. It is transmitted (S33).

  FIG. 8 shows the indoor unit 1 when the indoor unit 1 receives a pet Tpe signal transmitted from the remote controller 3A, a signal for turning on the pet mode operation, or a signal for turning off the pet mode operation. It is a flowchart explaining the control of.

  The control unit 4 of the indoor unit 1 determines whether the pet comfortable temperature range (Tpe) signal has been received (S41), whether the pet mode operation on signal has been received (S42), and the pet mode operation off signal. Is determined (S43).

  If it is determined in step S41 that the pet's Tpe signal has been received (YES in S41), the received comfort temperature range (Tpe) of the pet is stored in the RAM of the control unit 4 (S44).

  If it is determined in step S42 that the pet mode operation ON signal has been received (YES in S42), the pet mode operation is performed in which the set temperature is the pet comfortable temperature range (Tpe) stored in the control unit 4. Is started (S45).

  If it is determined in step S43 that the pet mode operation OFF signal has been received (YES in S43), the pet mode operation ends (S46).

  In such a configuration, before starting the pet mode operation, the pet type selection button 26 and the up / down button 25 are operated to select the type of pet in the room, so that each pet type is set. A comfortable temperature range (Tpe) in which the pet feels comfortable can be selected as a set indoor temperature by the indoor unit 1 from a plurality of comfortable temperature ranges (Tpe).

  Then, after selecting the indoor set temperature by the indoor unit 1, when the pet mode button 24A is pressed to start the pet mode operation, the room temperature is controlled so that the indoor unit 1 has the selected set temperature. Specifically, when chihuahua is selected as the type of pet, the comfortable temperature range is selected from 17 to 25 ° C. as shown in FIG. Therefore, the air conditioner is operated / stopped by switching the cooling / heating operation so that the room temperature falls within this temperature range. In general, the heating operation is performed so that the room temperature is 17 ° C. or higher at low temperatures in winter, and the cooling operation is performed so that the room temperature is 25 ° C. or lower in summer.

  Thereby, when leaving a pet indoors, the set temperature of the indoor unit 1 can be switched to a temperature at which the pet in the room feels comfortable, and the stress of the pet left in the room due to room temperature Can be made as small as possible.

  Moreover, this switching of the set temperature can be easily performed by operating the pet type selection button 26 and the lift button 25 of the remote controller 3A to select the pet type and then pressing the pet mode button 24A. .

(Third embodiment)
The air conditioner of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on FIG. 9 thru | or FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the internal functions of the air conditioner, and the basic configuration is the same as that of the air conditioner of the second embodiment. The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment is that, in the third embodiment, the set temperature of the indoor unit 1 is switched according to the physical condition (for example, body temperature) of the pet in the room. This is the point.

  The air conditioner of the third embodiment includes an indoor unit 1A, an outdoor unit 2, and a remote controller 3B. The operation unit 19 of the remote controller 3B is provided with a cooling button 22, a heating button 23, a pet mode button 24B, a lift button 25, and a pet type selection button 26A which is a pet type selection unit.

  The pet mode button 24B is a button for turning on / off the pet mode operation. Here, in the pet mode operation described in the third embodiment, the indoor unit 1 is set so as to recover the physical condition of the pet in the room when it is determined that the physical condition (for example, body temperature) of the pet is abnormal. The temperature is switched.

  The pet type selection button 26A is a button operated to select the type of pet in the room. When the pet type is selected by the pet type selection button 26A, a pet type selection screen 30 as shown in FIG. A cursor 31 for selecting one of the pets is displayed in the pet type selection screen 30 as indicated by shading, and this cursor 31 is moved by operating the lift button 25.

  FIG. 11 is an abnormal time body temperature table 32 for each pet type that associates the pet type and the pet's abnormal body temperature (Tx) as a reference for determining that the pet's physical condition is unsatisfactory, and the remote controller 3B. Is stored in the ROM of the controller 18. When the pet type selection screen 30 is displayed, the pet type selection button 26 </ b> A is pressed again, so that the body temperature (Tx) of the pet on which the cursor 31 is displayed is selected. The selected abnormal body temperature (Tx) is transmitted to the control unit 4 of the indoor unit 1A and stored in the RAM in the control unit 4.

  In addition, the normal body temperature of a dog is 37.5-39 degreeC, and when body temperature exceeds 39 degreeC, it can be judged that the risk of becoming heat stroke increases. Moreover, it can be judged that the normal body temperature of a cat is slightly higher than that of a dog, and that the risk of heat stroke increases when the body temperature exceeds 40 ° C. Therefore, the dog body temperature (Tx) is set to 39 ° C. for dogs and 40 ° C. for cats.

  A collar-type thermometer 33 which is a physical condition detecting means for detecting the physical condition of the pet is attached to the pet in the room. From the thermometer 33, the detected body temperature data of the pet is transmitted to the indoor unit 1A at regular time intervals (for example, every 20 minutes), and the transmitted body temperature data is received by the signal receiving unit 8.

  When the pet body temperature data received by the signal receiving unit 8 exceeds the abnormal body temperature (Tx) stored in the RAM in the control unit 4, the operation state of the indoor unit 1A is switched to the pet mode operation. Thus, the set temperature of the indoor unit 1A is switched to a temperature that can promote the recovery of the physical condition of the pet. Since the temperature at which the physical condition of the pet can be promoted normally matches the comfort temperature range (Tpe) of the pet shown in FIG. 6, the air-conditioning operation is performed so as to be within the comfort temperature range (Tpe). That is, in the air conditioner of the second embodiment, the pet mode button 24A is operated to automatically operate so as to be within the pet's comfortable temperature range (Tpe). In the air conditioner of the embodiment, the pet mode button 24B is operated and the pet mode operation is set, and the physical condition of the pet is monitored. Only when it is confirmed that the pet's physical condition is deteriorated, the comfort of the pet The air conditioning operation is automatically performed so as to be in the temperature range (Tpe). For this reason, compared with 2nd Embodiment, electric power consumption can be reduced and it becomes energy saving.

  The indoor unit 1A is provided with an LED 34 that is a display unit that lights up when the operation state of the indoor unit 1A is switched to the pet mode operation.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for describing control in the remote controller 3B when the pet type selection button 26A or the pet mode button 24B of the remote controller 3B is pressed.

  The control unit 18 of the remote controller 3B determines whether or not the pet type selection button 26A has been pressed (S51) and whether or not the pet mode button 24B has been pressed (S52).

  If it is determined in step S51 that the pet type selection button 26A has been pressed (YES in S51), a pet type selection screen 30 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21 (S53), and the timer count is displayed. Starts (S54).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the elevating button 25 has been operated (S55). If it is determined that the elevating button 25 has been operated (YES in S55), the operation in the pet type selection screen 30 is accompanied by the operation. The cursor 31 moves (S56).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the pet type selection button 26A has been pressed again (S57).

  If it is determined in step S57 that the pet type selection button 26A has been pressed again (YES in S57), the abnormal body temperature of the pet on which the cursor 31 is displayed when the pet type selection button 26 is pressed ( Tx) is selected, a signal (Tx signal) of the selected abnormal body temperature (Tx) is transmitted to the indoor unit 1 (S58), and the display of the pet type selection screen 30 is ended (S59).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S57 that the pet type selection button 26A is not pressed again (NO in S57), it is determined whether or not the timer count has expired (for example, 30 seconds have elapsed) (S60). If it is determined that the time is up (YES in S60), the display of the pet type selection screen 30 is terminated (S59). If it is determined that the time is not up (NO in S60), the process returns to step S55.

  If it is determined in step S51 that the pet type selection button 26A has not been pressed (NO in S51), it is determined whether or not the pet mode button 24B has been pressed (S52). If it is determined that the pet mode button 24B has been pressed (YES in S52), it is determined whether the pet mode operation is being set when the pet mode button 24B is pressed (S61).

  In step S61, when it is determined that the pet mode operation is not set when the pet mode button 24B is pressed (NO in S61), a signal for turning on the pet mode operation is directed to the indoor unit 1. Is transmitted (S62).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S61 that the pet mode operation is being set when the pet mode button 24B is pressed (YES in S61), a signal for turning off the pet mode operation is sent to the indoor unit. 1 is transmitted (S63).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for describing control in the indoor unit 1A.

  The control unit 4 of the indoor unit 1A determines whether or not a Tx signal has been received (S71). If the Tx signal is received, the received Tx is stored in the storage unit in the control unit 4 (S72). .

  Next, it is determined whether or not the pet mode operation is currently set (S73). If it is determined that the pet mode operation is not currently set (NO in S73), the pet mode operation is set. It is determined whether or not a signal to turn on has been received (S74).

  If it is determined that the pet mode operation is currently set (YES in S73), the process proceeds to step S76 described later.

  When it is determined that a signal for turning on the pet mode operation setting has been received (YES in S74), the current operation state of the indoor unit 1A is saved, and the pet mode operation is set (S75).

  Then, after the pet mode operation is set, it is determined whether or not a pet body temperature (Tk) signal has been received (S76).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S74 that a signal for turning on the pet mode operation setting is not received (NO in S74), it is determined whether a signal for turning off the pet mode operation setting is received. (S77).

If it is determined in step S76 that a pet body temperature (Tk) signal has been received (YES in S76), it is determined whether or not the pet body temperature (Tk) is higher than the pet body temperature (Tx). (S78). If it is determined that the body temperature (Tk) of the pet is higher than the body temperature (Tx) at the time of the malfunction of the pet (YES in S78), it means that the risk of the pet becoming heat stroke is increased. If it is determined in S78 that the pet's body temperature (Tk) is higher than the pet's abnormal body temperature (Tx) (YES in S78), the timer is cleared (S79) and the timer becomes countable (S79). S80). Then, the pet mode operation (cooling operation) in which the set temperature of the indoor unit 1A is switched to the temperature (Ts) at which the pet's physical condition can be recovered is started (S81), and the switching means is executed here. Further, the LED 34 indicating that the operation state of the indoor unit 1A has been switched to the pet mode operation is turned on (S82). The value of Ts is set to a temperature 5 ° C. lower than the normally set cooling temperature, for example.

  If it is determined in step S78 that the body temperature (Tk) of the pet is lower than the abnormal body temperature (Tx) (NO in S78), it is determined whether or not the timer is operable (S83). Is in an operable state (YES in S83), the timer starts counting (S84).

  After the timer count is started in step S84, it is determined whether or not the timer count value has passed one hour (S85). If it is determined that the timer count value has passed 1 hour (YES in S85), the timer count value is cleared (S86), and the operation state of the indoor unit 1A is returned to the operation state stored in step S75. (S87), the LED 34 is turned off (S87), and the operation state is returned to the operation state other than the pet mode operation.

  If it is determined in step S77 that a signal for turning off the pet mode operation setting has been received (YES in S77), the process proceeds to step 86.

  In such a configuration, the pet type selection button 26A is operated to select the pet type, and the pet mode button 24B is pressed to set the pet mode operation. When the body temperature (Tx) is exceeded, the indoor unit 1A can be automatically switched to the pet mode operation state.

  By this switching, the body temperature of the pet can be lowered as the room temperature is lowered, and the pet can be prevented from becoming heat stroke by lowering the body temperature of the pet. Furthermore, since the LED 34 is turned on when the indoor unit 1A is switched to the pet mode operation state, a person in the room confirms that the LED 34 is turned on, so that the body temperature of the pet rises and the physical condition of the pet becomes unstable. It is possible to confirm that it has become, and it is possible to take a treatment for restoring the physical condition of the pet, for example, a treatment such as giving water.

  In addition, when the pet body temperature (Tk) is lower than the pet body temperature (Tx) due to the pet mode operation, the pet mode operation is not immediately terminated, and one hour after the Tk has decreased from the Tx has elapsed. Later, pet mode operation was terminated. Thereby, recovery of a pet's physical condition can be performed reliably.

  In the present embodiment, the thermometer 33 that detects the body temperature of the pet has been described as an example of the physical condition detection means. However, as the physical condition detection means, a means for detecting the heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse, etc. of the pet. May be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the pet type-specific abnormal body temperature table 32 is stored in the ROM in the control unit 18 of the remote controller 3B has been described as an example. 32 may be stored in the ROM in the control unit 4 of the indoor unit 1A. In this case, the selected pet type data is transmitted from the remote controller 3B to the indoor unit 1A, and the control unit 4 of the indoor unit 1A calls the abnormal body temperature of the pet.

  As described above, in each embodiment of the present invention, the room temperature is monitored during the pet mode operation, and the room is automatically operated by the air conditioner so as to be within a predetermined temperature range corresponding to the presence of the pet according to the posted room temperature. It is air-conditioned.

It is a block diagram which shows the internal mechanism of the air conditioner which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the control by the remote controller regarding a pet mode button. It is a flowchart explaining the control in an indoor unit. It is a block diagram which shows the internal mechanism of the air conditioner which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a pet kind selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal display part of a remote controller. It is a schematic diagram which shows the content of the comfortable temperature table classified by pet type which linked | related the kind of pet and the comfortable temperature range (Tpe) of the pet. It is a flowchart explaining the control by the remote controller regarding a pet mode button. It is a flowchart explaining the control in an indoor unit. It is a block diagram which shows the internal mechanism of the air conditioner which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a pet kind selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal display part of a remote controller. It is a schematic diagram which shows the content of the pet-type malfunction time body temperature table by which the kind of pet and the pet malfunction time body temperature (Tx) were linked | related. It is a flowchart explaining the control by the remote controller regarding a pet mode button. It is a flowchart explaining the control in an indoor unit.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Indoor unit (air conditioner main body), 1A ... Indoor unit (air conditioner main body), 3 ... Remote controller (switching operation part), 3A ... Remote controller (switching operation part), 3B ... Remote controller (switching operation part) 5) Indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger), 24 ... Pet mode button, 24A ... Pet mode button, 24B ... Pet mode button, 26 ... Pet type selection button, 26A ... Pet type selection button, 33 ... Thermometer ( Physical condition detection means), 34 ... LED (display unit)

Claims (8)

An air conditioner body that has a heat exchange section and blows out the air heat-exchanged in the heat exchange section into the room;
A switching operation section for switching the set temperature of the air conditioner;
A pet mode button that is provided in the switching operation section and switches the set temperature for pets;
An air conditioner comprising:   2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the set temperature for the pet is a temperature at which the pet in the room does not get sick and can save energy.   2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the set temperature for the pet is a temperature at which the pet in the room feels comfortable.   A plurality of the set temperatures that are switched by the pet mode button are set according to the pet type, and a pet type selection unit that selects one of the set temperatures according to the pet type is the switching operation. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air conditioner is provided in a section. An air conditioner body that has a heat exchange section and blows out the air heat-exchanged in the heat exchange section into the room;
Physical condition detecting means for detecting the physical condition of the pet in the room;
Switching means for switching the set temperature of the air conditioner according to the detection result by the physical condition detection means;
An air conditioner comprising:   A plurality of the set temperatures to be switched by the switching means are set according to the type of the pet, and a pet type selection unit that selects one of the set temperatures according to the type of the pet is the switching operation unit. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the air conditioner is provided.   The air conditioner according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the physical condition detection means is a thermometer that detects a body temperature of the pet.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a display section for displaying that the set temperature has been switched by the switching means is provided in the air conditioner body.

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