JP6746246B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner capable of estimating the characteristics of a user from sensor information at the time of starting operation or after starting operation.

In patent document 1, a remote controller (remote controller) for driving and operating the air conditioner main body includes a key operation unit for setting the room temperature and a display unit for displaying the temperature, and the air conditioner main body detects the room temperature. Unit, an outside air temperature detection unit that detects the outside air temperature, a temperature setting unit that is set by the key operation unit, and a memory that stores a history of data of the detected room temperature and the set temperature set based on the outside air temperature After the start of the operation of the air conditioner, calculate the recommended indoor set temperature based on the currently detected room temperature and outside air temperature and the accumulated data of the set temperature for these detected temperatures stored in the storage unit. Is listed.

JP, 2006-57908, A

According to Patent Document 1, after the operation of the air conditioner is started, the recommended set temperature is obtained based on the detected room temperature and the outside air temperature and the past accumulated data of the set temperature with respect to these detected temperatures. However, there is a problem that the recommended set temperature cannot be easily determined because the preference varies depending on the user.

Further, when the air conditioner is started, it has been desired that the air conditioner is automatically controlled as simply as possible, for example, only by the user starting (pressing) heating or cooling of the remote controller.

The present invention is an invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioner capable of performing air conditioning suitable for a user based on sensor information at the time of operation start or after operation start.

To achieve the above object, an air conditioner of the present invention includes a control unit for controlling the temperature of the room to the set temperature, comprising a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the room, a temperature sensor that put in cooling operation start in the case the room temperature has been detected is higher than a predetermined temperature, the control section user is supposed to be sensitive to cold, and controlling the temperature of the room to a temperature higher than the setting temperature. Other aspects of the present invention will be described in the embodiments described later.

According to the present invention, air conditioning suitable for a user can be performed based on sensor information at the time of starting operation or after starting operation.

It is explanatory drawing of the external appearance structure of the air conditioner which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detailed drawing of the remote control of the air conditioner which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the sensor part of the air conditioner which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the control part of the air conditioner which concerns on this embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of a characteristic estimating unit according to the first embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows processing of a characteristic estimating part concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows processing of a characteristic estimating part concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the characteristic estimation part which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

Modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an external configuration of an air conditioner according to this embodiment. The air conditioner A is a device that performs air conditioning in a room such as cooling by using, for example, heat pump technology. The air conditioner A is roughly classified into an indoor unit 100 installed on a wall, a ceiling, a floor, etc. in the room, an outdoor unit 200 installed outdoors, and communicates with the indoor unit by infrared rays, radio waves, communication lines, or the like. A remote controller 40 (air-conditioning control terminal) for the user to operate the air conditioner and various sensors 50 for obtaining information used for controlling and displaying the air conditioner such as room temperature and outside temperature (see FIG. 5). ) And. The indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 are connected to the refrigerant pipe and a communication cable (not shown).

<Indoor unit>
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment. The indoor unit 100 includes a heat exchanger 102, a blower fan 103, a horizontal airflow direction plate 104, a vertical airflow direction plate 105, a front panel 106, a housing base 101, various sensor units 50 (see FIG. 5), and the like.

The heat exchanger 102 has a plurality of heat transfer tubes 102a, and heats the indoor air taken into the indoor unit 100 by the blower fan 103 with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes 102a to cool or cool the air. It is configured to be heated. The heat transfer tube 102a communicates with the refrigerant pipe described above and constitutes a part of a known refrigerant cycle. The blower fan 103 can adjust the wind speed. The left and right airflow direction vanes 104 are rotated in the forward and reverse directions by a motor for the left and right airflow direction vanes with the base end side being a fulcrum about a rotation shaft provided in the lower part of the indoor unit. The front end side of the left/right airflow direction plate 104 faces the indoor side, whereby the front end side of the left/right airflow direction plate 104 is operable to swing horizontally. The vertical airflow direction vanes 105 are normally and reversely rotated by the vertical airflow direction vane motors with rotation shafts provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 100 as fulcrums. Accordingly, the tip end side of the vertical wind direction plate 105 can be operated so as to swing in the vertical direction. The front panel 106 is installed so as to cover the front of the indoor unit, and can be rotated forward and backward by the front panel motor with the rotation shaft at the lower end as a fulcrum. Incidentally, the front panel 106 may be fixed to the lower end of the indoor unit without rotating.

When the blower fan 103 rotates, the indoor unit 100 takes in indoor air into the indoor unit 100 via the air suction port 107 and the filter 108, and heat-exchanges this air with the heat exchanger 102. As a result, the air after the heat exchange is cooled or heated by the heat exchanger 102. The air after the heat exchange is guided to the blowout air passage 109a. Further, the air guided to the blowout air passage 109a is sent out from the indoor unit through the air blowout port 109b to condition the inside of the room. When the air is blown from the air outlet 109b after the heat exchange into the room, the horizontal wind direction is adjusted by the left and right wind direction plate 104, and the vertical wind direction is adjusted by the up and down wind direction plate 105.

<Outdoor unit>
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment. The outdoor unit 200 of the air conditioner A includes a compressor 202 that compresses a refrigerant, an expansion valve that decompresses a high-pressure refrigerant, a four-way valve that switches a refrigerant flow path, a heat exchanger 206 that exchanges heat between the outside air and the refrigerant, and the like. Equipped with the device. The outdoor unit 200 divides (divides) the heat exchanger chamber 204 and the machine chamber 205 by the partition plate 211, the electrical component box 210, and the lead wire support component 209. In the heat exchanger chamber 204, a propeller fan 207 that promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipe and the outside air, a motor for driving the propeller fan 207, a fan support column that rotatably supports the propeller fan 207, and circulates with the outside air. A heat exchanger 206 that exchanges heat of the refrigerant is provided. In the machine room 205, a compressor 202 that converts a circulating refrigerant into a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant, an electric expansion valve that converts a room-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant into a low-temperature low-pressure liquid refrigerant, a reactor of electric parts, and a refrigerant flow. A heat transfer pipe of a refrigerant pipe is arranged. The electrical component box 210 stores electrical components that control the outdoor unit, and an electrical component lid is placed on the upper portion of the electrical component box 210.

<Remote control>
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the external appearance of the remote controller of the air conditioner according to this embodiment. The remote controller 40 is operated by the user and transmits an infrared signal to the remote controller receiver Q (see FIG. 1) of the indoor unit. The contents of the signal are various commands such as an operation request, a change in set temperature, a timer, an operation mode change, and a stop request. Based on these signals, the air conditioner A can perform at least indoor cooling, heating, dehumidification, and the like. Further, it may have other air conditioning functions such as air cleaning. The air conditioner can adjust the air in the room in various ways.

On the display screen 41 of the remote controller 40, the current user characteristic 42 estimated by the characteristic estimating unit 61 (see FIG. 6) is displayed. Specifically, the characteristics 42 of the user include “hot weather”, “comfort priority”, “power saving priority”, and “cold weather”, which will be described later in detail.

<Sensor section>
FIG. 5: is a figure which shows the structure of the sensor part of the air conditioner which concerns on this embodiment. The sensor unit 50 is provided in the indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200. The sensor unit 50 includes a room temperature sensor, an outside air temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a refrigerant pipe temperature sensor, a compressor temperature sensor, a human detection sensor 110 (see FIG. 1 ), a temperature detection sensor 111 (see FIG. 1 ), a clock, and the like. It

The human detection sensor 110 is an imaging unit, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, and is installed in the lower part of the front panel 106 at the center in the left-right direction. Other than this, an infrared sensor, a near infrared sensor, a thermography, a pyroelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a noise sensor may be used. What is detected by the human detection sensor 110 is not limited to the presence or absence of a person, and may be a position, an amount of activity, a life scene, or the like.

The temperature detection sensor 111 is a temperature detection means, for example, a thermopile composed of 1×1 pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions, 4×4 pixels, and 1×8 pixels, and the front panel 106 (not shown in FIG. 1). ) Is installed at the bottom of the left-right center. Other than this, an infrared sensor, a near infrared sensor, or a thermography may be used. What is detected by the temperature detection sensor 111 is not limited to the average surface temperature in the room, but the surface temperature in the room excluding the person within the detection range, the surface temperature of the person's clothes, the temperature of the person's skin, and the floor. The surface temperature of may be.

<Control part>
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. The control unit 60 is provided in the electrical equipment. The control unit 60 drives the blower fan 103, the left/right airflow direction plate 104, and the up/down airflow direction plate 105 of the indoor unit 100 based on the information from the remote controller 40 via the transmission/reception unit 45 and the information from the sensor unit 50, and the outdoor unit. The compressor 202 and the propeller fan 207 of 200 are driven.

The control unit 60 includes a characteristic estimation unit 61, which is a feature of the present application, and a storage unit 62.

[First Embodiment]
<Characteristic estimation unit>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of the characteristic estimating unit according to the first embodiment. The characteristic estimating unit 61 estimates the characteristic of the user with respect to the use of the air conditioner A from the output of the sensor when the operation of the air conditioner A is started by the operation of the remote controller 40 by the user. The estimated characteristics of the user with respect to the use of the air conditioner A are the characteristics regarding the preference of the use of the air conditioner A, such as “comfort-oriented”, “power saving-oriented”, “hot”, “cold”.

When the characteristic estimation unit 61 receives the operation start command (S71), the characteristic estimation unit 61 receives the output from the sensor unit 50 (S72), and the characteristic of the user based on the sensor information from the sensor unit 50 and Table 1 and Table 2. ("Emphasis on comfort", "Emphasis on power saving", "Hot weather", "Cold weather") is estimated (S73), and the estimated result is stored in the storage unit 62 (S74). Then, the characteristic estimation unit 61 transmits the control change to the compressor 202, the left/right airflow direction plate 104, the up/down airflow direction plate 105, the blower fan 103, the propeller fan 207, etc. shown in FIG. 6 (S75).

The estimation of the characteristics of the user in S73 will be described in detail.
In the storage unit 62, the values used when the characteristic estimating unit 61 estimates the characteristic of the user are stored in Table 1 and Table 2 in advance. Here, the room temperature T at the start of operation will be described as an example. It may be a combination from multiple sensors (eg room temperature and humidity).

According to Table 1, in the case of cooling, if the room temperature T at the start of operation is less than 26° C., it is estimated as the characteristic of “hot” as the characteristic of the user. If the room temperature T is equal to or higher than 26° C. and lower than 28° C., it is estimated that the user's characteristic is “comfort-oriented”. If the room temperature T is 28° C. or higher and lower than 30° C., it is estimated that the user's characteristic is “emphasis on power saving”. If the room temperature T is 30° C. or higher, it is estimated as the characteristic of “cold” as the characteristic of the user.

According to Table 2, in the case of heating, if the room temperature T at the start of operation is lower than 4° C., it is estimated as the characteristic of “hot” as the characteristic of the user. If the room temperature T is 4° C. or higher and lower than 14° C., it is estimated that the user's characteristic is “emphasis on power saving”. If the room temperature T is 14° C. or higher and lower than 22° C., it is estimated that the user's characteristic is “comfort-oriented”. If the room temperature T is 22° C. or higher, it is estimated as a “cold” characteristic of the user.

The characteristic estimation unit 61 estimates that the user attaches importance to power saving when the heating operation is started at room temperature of 5° C., and the user attaches importance to comfort when the heating operation starts at room temperature of 15°. Presumed to be Alternatively, for example, when the cooling operation is started when the room temperature is 25° C., the user is estimated to be hot, and when the heating operation is started when the room temperature is 22° C., the user is estimated to be cold. To do. The information from the various sensors used by the characteristic estimating unit 61 may be an average value after a fixed time from the start of operation or within a predetermined time from the start of operation.

Of the user characteristics stored in the storage section 62, the characteristic estimation section 61 of the control section 60 reflects the largest number of characteristics among the ten latest storages as the user characteristic in the control. The average value of the 10 latest storages may be reflected in the control of the air conditioner A as a characteristic of the user. Alternatively, the most common characteristic in the last month may be reflected in the control as the characteristic of the user. Alternatively, the largest number of characteristics in each operation mode may be reflected in the control for each operation mode as the characteristics of the user.

The control unit 60 stores the characteristics of the user in Table 3 and the table stored in advance in the storage unit 62 such as the set temperature, the compressor rotation speed, the maximum current amount, the left and right airflow direction vanes, the vertical airflow direction vanes, and the blowing fan rotation speed. Reflect in control according to 4. The rotation speed means the number of rotations per unit time.

Specifically, when the user who has been estimated as "power saving" starts the heating operation, the set temperature is increased, the rotation speed of the compressor 202 is decreased, the maximum current amount is decreased, and the rotation speed of the blower fan 103 is decreased. Control such as

Alternatively, when the user estimated to be "comfort-oriented" starts the heating operation, the set temperature is increased, the rotation speed of the compressor 202 is increased, the maximum current amount is increased, the left/right wind direction plate 104 is directed to the user, and the up/down air direction. Control such that the plate 105 is directed toward the user's feet and the rotation speed of the blower fan 103 is increased is performed.

Alternatively, when the user who presumes "cold" starts the heating operation, the set temperature is further increased, the compressor rotation speed is increased, the maximum current amount is increased, and the left and right wind direction plates are operated by the user rather than "comfort-oriented". Control such as directing to the user, orienting the vertical wind direction plate toward the user's feet, and increasing the rotation speed of the blower fan.

On the other hand, when the user who presumes "hot" starts cooling operation, the set temperature is further reduced, the compressor rotation speed is increased, the maximum current amount is increased, the left and right wind direction plates are turned to the user, and the up and down wind direction plate is set by the user. Control such as directing to, and increasing the rotation speed of the blower fan.

Although the room temperature is used as the sensor information in the description here, the sensors to be used may be the outside air temperature, the humidity, the human detection sensor 110, the temperature detection sensor 111, and the timepiece.

<Effect>
Since the characteristic estimation unit 61 estimates the characteristic of the user based on the sensor information at the start of operation, the characteristic estimation unit 61 can estimate the environment in which the user needs air conditioning. That is, if the user does not need heating to a low room temperature, it can be estimated that the user is resistant to cold. Alternatively, if the user needs cooling even at low room temperature, the user can be presumed to be vulnerable to heat.

Since the control is performed based on the characteristics of the user, it is possible to perform the control such that the power is automatically saved based on the estimation by the characteristic estimation unit 61 even if the user does not press the "power saving button". Alternatively, in order to improve comfort, even if the user does not change the wind direction to face the user himself or increase the wind speed, the user automatically becomes comfortable based on the estimation by the characteristic estimation unit 61. Control can be performed.

By storing the characteristics of the user by the characteristic estimation unit 61 in the storage unit 62, it is possible to ignore sudden control as noise. In other words, during the heating season, when a user who is usually "power saving" starts heating operation at a room temperature higher than usual in accordance with the characteristics of "comfort-oriented" visitors, the user who is estimated to be "comfort-oriented" is The characteristics are ignored due to the difference in frequency from the characteristics of the normal "power-saving-oriented" user, and the characteristics of the normal "power-saving-oriented" user can be retained. Alternatively, even when a plurality of users use one air conditioner A, it is possible to realize the control required by the user who uses the most with a highest probability by reflecting the characteristics of the user who uses the most. Becomes

The control unit 60 may make it possible to add a difference in the characteristics due to the difference between the users, by setting the average value of the 10 most recent memories as the characteristics of the user. That is, even when a plurality of users use one air conditioner A, by averaging the differences in the characteristics of the plurality of users, it is possible to realize control with less dissatisfaction for both the power saving-oriented user and the comfort-oriented user. It becomes possible.

The control unit 60 may reflect the characteristics of the most users in the last month in the control. In other words, by limiting the characteristics of the user to a certain period such as one month, it is possible to estimate the changes in the characteristics of the user due to the changes in temperature and humidity over time, and the changes in air conditioning required by the user. Can be reflected in the control.

The control unit 60 may reflect the largest number of characteristics in each operation mode as the characteristics of the user in the control for each operation mode. That is, when the user has the characteristics of a user who is strong in cold but weak in heat, it is estimated that "power saving is important" during heating operation and "comfort is important" during cooling operation. This is because the user may feel uncomfortable due to the heat if the control of "emphasis on power saving" is performed also for the cooling operation based on the estimation of the characteristics during the heating operation. On the other hand, by reflecting the characteristics of the user on the control for each operation mode, it becomes possible to reflect the characteristics of the user on the heat and the cold on the control.

Furthermore, the air conditioner A of the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and may perform the following control. For example, the control unit 60 may change the time for which the left/right wind direction plate 104 or the up/down wind direction plate 105 is directed to the user. Alternatively, the frequency of turning to the user may be changed. The control unit 60 may change the degree of changing the set temperature according to the degree of characteristics of the user. That is, when the user's characteristic is cold and the degree thereof is weak, the time for directing the wind toward the user during the heating operation is 2 seconds per swing, and the user's characteristic is cold and the degree thereof is strong. In this case, the time for directing the wind toward the user during the heating operation is set to 4 seconds per swing.

The characteristic estimation unit 61 may estimate the characteristic of the user based on information from one sensor, or may estimate the characteristic of the user using information from a plurality of sensors. That is, the characteristics of the user may be estimated at room temperature, or the characteristics of the user may be estimated based on the sensible temperature calculated based on factors such as room temperature and humidity. The characteristics of the user include "weak in dryness" and "strong in dryness" in addition to "comfort-oriented", "power-saving-oriented", "hot", "cold".

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the characteristic estimation unit 61 estimates the characteristic of the user from the difference between the predetermined value and the output of the sensor. The air conditioner A according to the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and the description thereof will be omitted.

<Characteristic estimation unit>
The characteristic estimation unit 61 estimates the characteristic of the user from the difference between the predetermined value T ₀ and the room temperature T which is the output of the sensor. That is, the characteristic estimation unit 61 issues a control command according to Table 5 stored in the storage unit 62 in advance.

Specifically, the characteristics of the user are estimated based on the difference between the air-conditioning/heating room temperature recommended by the government and the room temperature, the difference between the average operation start temperature of the Japanese and the room temperature, and the like. Assuming that the air conditioning room temperature recommended by the government is T ₀ , if the room temperature T at the start of operation is lower than 2°C, the user's characteristic is estimated to be “hot”, and the difference is within −2°C (from −2°C to 0°C). If the difference is within +2°C (0°C or more and less than +2°C), it is estimated to be “power saving”, and if the difference is +2°C or more, “cold” It is estimated. In the case of heating, similarly, the characteristics of the user can be estimated from the difference between the predetermined value T ₀ and the room temperature T which is the output of the sensor.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the characteristic estimating unit according to the second embodiment. When the characteristic estimation unit 61 receives the operation start command (S81), the characteristic estimation unit 61 receives the output from the sensor unit 50 (S82) and calculates the output difference between the predetermined value (predetermined value) and the sensor unit 50 (S83). .. The characteristic estimation unit 61 estimates the characteristics of the user (“comfort-oriented”, “power saving-oriented”, “hot”, “cold”) based on, for example, Table 5 (S84), and stores the estimated result in the storage unit 62. Yes (S85). Then, the characteristic estimation unit 61 transmits the control change to the compressor 202, the left/right airflow direction plate 104, the up/down airflow direction plate 105, the blower fan 103, the propeller fan 207, etc. shown in FIG. 6 (S86).

Also, when the characteristics of the user of the air conditioner A are collected by the server, the server is connected to the server and compared with the domestic driving history at the room temperature where the user is placed, and the relative heat among the domestic users. -The characteristics of cold weather may be estimated as the characteristics of the user. Alternatively, it may be possible to estimate the relative characteristics of power saving and comfort as the characteristics of the user by connecting to the server and comparing with the driving states of nearby users.

<Effect>
The characteristic estimation unit 61 can estimate the characteristic of the user based on a constant standard by comparing with the room temperature at the time of cooling or the room temperature at the time of heating recommended by the government. Further, when the characteristics of the user of the air conditioner A are collected by the server, by connecting to the server, it becomes possible to estimate the characteristics of the user based on the general actual usage.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the characteristics of the user are estimated based on the sensor information obtained when a predetermined time has passed after the sensor unit 50 outputs a predetermined output. The air conditioner A according to the third embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and the description thereof will be omitted.

<Characteristic estimation unit>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the characteristic estimating unit according to the third embodiment. The characteristic estimation unit 61 estimates the characteristic of the user during the heating operation based on the indoor surface temperature by the temperature detection sensor 111, for example, 10 minutes after the person is detected by the human detection sensor 110 (see FIG. 1). Further, when the human detection sensor 110 detects the amount of activity of a person and detects that the amount of activity is large, the characteristics of the user during the heating operation may be estimated based on the indoor surface temperature.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the characteristic estimating unit according to the third embodiment. The characteristic estimating unit 61 receives a predetermined output from the sensor unit 50 (S91), and upon detecting the passage of a predetermined time (S92), receives the output from the sensor unit 50 (S93). The characteristic estimation unit 61 estimates the characteristics of the user (“comfort-oriented”, “power saving-oriented”, “hot”, “cold”) based on Table 1 or Table 2 (S94), and the estimated result is stored in the storage unit. It is stored in 62 (S95). Then, the characteristic estimation unit 61 transmits the control change to the compressor 202, the left/right airflow direction plate 104, the up/down airflow direction plate 105, the blower fan 103, the propeller fan 207, etc. shown in FIG. 6 (S96).

<Effect>
The characteristic estimation unit 61 estimates the characteristic of the user based on the sensor information at the time when a predetermined time has elapsed after the sensor unit 50 outputs a predetermined output, so that the room temperature is 5° C. when going out during the daytime in winter, for example. If the heating operation is started immediately after entering the room, it is possible to eliminate the risk that the user is judged to be "a user who is resistant to cold until the room temperature reaches 5°C" according to Table 2 above. Become. That is, since a user's characteristic is estimated when a person is active in a room for a certain period of time and accepts the environment, it is possible to more accurately estimate the user's characteristic.

Furthermore, the air conditioner A of the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and may have the following configuration. The characteristic estimation unit 61 collects information from the sensor unit 50 at a predetermined frequency. That is, the characteristic estimation unit 61 detects the room temperature and the presence or absence of a person once every 30 minutes. The characteristic estimation unit 61 may collect the information from the sensor unit 50 at a predetermined frequency only during the operation of the air conditioner A or only during the operation stop, and may be performed during both the operation stop and the operation. Good.

Further, the characteristic estimation unit 61 may estimate the characteristic of the user based on the information from the sensor unit 50 acquired at a predetermined frequency, which is a predetermined time before the start of operation. Alternatively, the characteristics may be estimated based on the information from the sensor unit 50 acquired at a predetermined frequency after a predetermined time after the operation is started.

Further, the characteristic estimation unit 61 may estimate the characteristic of the user based on the information from the sensor unit 50 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the human detection sensor 110 detected a predetermined number of people. Alternatively, the characteristic estimation unit 61 may estimate the characteristic of the user based on the information from the sensor unit 50 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the human detection sensor 110 detected the predetermined amount of activity.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment, the characteristics of the user are estimated based on the content of the setting when the driving is started or the setting after the change. The air conditioner A of the fourth embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

<Characteristic estimation unit>
The characteristic estimation unit 61 can estimate the characteristic of the user according to the setting change even in the same heating mode. That is, the characteristic estimating unit 61 issues a control command according to Table 6 stored in the storage unit 62 in advance during heating. Note that T is the room temperature at the start of operation, and T1 is the temperature set by the user. The wind speed 1 is the initial set value, and the wind speed 2 is the set value after the wind speed 1.

Specifically, when the room temperature is 5° C., for example, the characteristic estimating unit 61 estimates that the user who starts the heating operation at the set temperature of 20° C. using the remote controller 40 shown in FIG. A user who starts the heating operation at the set temperature of 27° C. when the room temperature is 5° C. is estimated to be “comfort-oriented”. Alternatively, when the indoor surface temperature is 10° C., the set temperature is set to 20° C., the user who starts the heating operation with the wind speed of strong wind is estimated to be “comfort-oriented”, and the set temperature is set to 20° C. when the indoor surface temperature is 10° C. The user who starts the heating operation with the wind speed as strong wind and then changes to weak wind may be estimated to be “power saving priority”. In the first embodiment, when the room temperature at the start of operation is the same 5° C. and 10° C., the user characteristics are determined to be “emphasis on power saving”, but in the fourth embodiment, other settings are set. The characteristic is that the characteristics of the user differ depending on the combination with. In the case of cooling, similarly, the characteristics of the user can be estimated based on the content of the setting when the operation is started or the setting after the change.

In the period from the start of operation to the change of setting, for example, in the case of heating operation, warm air is blown after the start of heating operation and the remaining heat operation time elapses, and the user feels it and determines whether to change the setting. It may be the time to reach. Alternatively, it may be the time until the residual heat operation is started after the heating operation is started.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the characteristic estimating unit according to the fourth embodiment. When the characteristic estimation unit 61 receives the operation start command and the setting change (S11), the characteristic estimation unit 61 receives the output from the sensor unit 50 (S12), and outputs the sensor information from the sensor unit 50, for example, to Table 6. Based on the estimated characteristics of the user (S13), the estimation result is stored in the storage unit 62 (S14). Then, the characteristic estimation unit 61 transmits the control change to the compressor 202, the left/right airflow direction plate 104, the up/down airflow direction plate 105, the blower fan 103, the propeller fan 207, etc. shown in FIG. 6 (S15).

<Effect>
The characteristic estimation unit 61 estimates the characteristic of the user based on the setting contents at the time of starting the operation or the setting contents after the change, whereby the estimation based on the degree of the environment desired by the user can be performed. That is, the estimation based on the output of the sensor unit 50 at the start of operation is the estimation of the user's characteristics based on the environment that the user can endure without using the air conditioner A, whereas the estimation based on the setting contents at the start of operation. The estimation is an estimation of the characteristics of the user based on the environment required by the user. These two estimations may be reflected in the control as independent estimations, or may be reflected in the control by taking them into consideration, such as using an average value of the two. Furthermore, the air conditioner A of the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and may have the following configuration.

<Display>
The air conditioner A of the present embodiment may further include a display unit, and may display the characteristics of the user estimated by the characteristic estimation unit 61. That is, a display unit may be provided to display the characteristics of the user estimated by the characteristic estimation unit 61, such as “comfort-oriented”, “power-saving-oriented”, “hot”, “cold”.

The display unit is provided in a place visible to the user of the indoor unit, and displays the characteristics of the user by turning on an LED (Light Emitting Diode). Alternatively, the remote controller 40 shown in FIG. 4 may be provided with a display unit (for example, the display screen 41), and the characteristics of the user (see the characteristics 42 of the user of FIG. 4) are displayed on the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Good.

Further, a characteristic correction unit for correcting the characteristic estimated by the characteristic estimation unit 61 by the user may be provided. The user characteristic corrected by the user has priority over the user characteristic estimated by the characteristic estimating unit 61. Alternatively, a reset unit that deletes the user's characteristic estimated by the characteristic estimating unit 61 and the contents stored in the storage unit 62 may be provided.

The control of this embodiment is not limited to Tables 3 and 4, and may be controlled as follows, for example.
The air conditioner A includes a temperature sensor (for example, a room temperature sensor) that detects the temperature inside the room, and if the temperature inside the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the cooling operation is higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, if the user If it is cold), the control unit 60 may control the temperature inside the room to a temperature higher than the set temperature.

The air conditioner A includes a control unit 60 that controls the temperature inside the room to a set temperature, and a temperature sensor (for example, a room temperature sensor) that detects the temperature inside the room, and the temperature sensor detects when the heating operation is started. When the room temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature (for example, when the user is hot), the control unit 60 may control the room temperature to be lower than the set temperature.

The air conditioner A includes a control unit 60 that controls the rotation speed of the blower fan and a temperature sensor (for example, a room temperature sensor) that detects the temperature inside the room, and the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the cooling operation. If the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the controller 60 may control the rotation speed of the blower fan 103 to a value smaller than the set value.

The air conditioner A includes a control unit 60 that controls the wind direction, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the room (for example, a room temperature sensor), and a person detection sensor 110 that detects the position of a person. When the indoor temperature detected by the temperature sensor in is higher than a predetermined temperature (when the user is cold), the control unit 60 may direct the wind to a position other than the position of the person detected by the human detection sensor 110.

The air conditioner A includes a control unit 60 that controls the rotation speed of the blower fan, and a temperature sensor (for example, a room temperature sensor) that detects the temperature of the room, and the inside of the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the heating operation is detected. When the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature (for example, when the user is hot), the control unit 60 may control the rotation speed of the blower fan 103 to a value smaller than the set value.

The air conditioner A includes a control unit 60 that controls the wind direction, a temperature sensor (for example, a room temperature sensor) that detects the temperature inside the room, and a person detection sensor 110 that detects the position of a person. When the temperature inside the room detected by the temperature sensor in is lower than a predetermined temperature (for example, when the user is hot), the control unit 60 may direct the wind to a position other than the position of the person detected by the human detection sensor 110. ..

The air conditioner A includes a control unit 60 that controls the room temperature to a set temperature and a temperature sensor (for example, a room temperature sensor) that detects the room temperature, and the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the cooling operation. When the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature (for example, when the user is hot), the control unit 60 may control the indoor temperature to be lower than the set temperature.

The air conditioner A includes a control unit 60 that controls the temperature of the room to a set temperature and a temperature sensor (for example, a room temperature sensor) that detects the temperature of the room, and the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the heating operation. When the temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, when the user is cold), the controller may control the room temperature to be higher than the set temperature.

The air conditioner A includes a control unit 60 that controls the rotation speed of the blower fan 103 and a temperature sensor (for example, a room temperature sensor) that detects the temperature inside the room, and the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the cooling operation. When the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature (for example, when the user is hot), the control unit 60 may control the rotation speed of the blower fan 103 to a value higher than the set value.

The air conditioner A includes a control unit 60 that controls the wind direction, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the room (for example, a room temperature sensor), and a person detection sensor 110 that detects the position of a person. When the temperature in the room detected by the temperature sensor in is lower than the predetermined temperature (for example, when the user is hot), the control unit 60 may direct the wind toward the position of the person detected by the person detection sensor 110.

The air conditioner A includes a control unit 60 that controls the rotation speed of the blower fan 103 and a temperature sensor (for example, a room temperature sensor) that detects the temperature inside the room, and the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the heating operation. When the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature (for example, when the user is cold), the control unit 60 may control the rotation speed of the blower fan 103 to a value higher than the set value.

The air conditioner A includes a control unit 60 that controls the wind direction, a temperature sensor (for example, a room temperature sensor) that detects the temperature inside the room, and a person detection sensor 110 that detects the position of a person. When the temperature in the room detected by the temperature sensor in is higher than the predetermined temperature, the control unit 60 may direct the wind toward the position of the person detected by the person detection sensor 110.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to estimate the environment in which the user needs air conditioning, because it is the sensor information at the time of operation start or after the operation start that estimates the characteristics of the user. That is, if the user does not need heating to a low room temperature, it can be estimated that the user is resistant to cold. Alternatively, if the user needs cooling even at low room temperature, the user can be presumed to be vulnerable to heat.

40 Remote control (air conditioning control terminal)
41 Display screen (display)
45 Transmitter/receiver unit 50 Sensor unit 60 Control unit 61 Characteristic estimation unit 62 Storage unit 100 Indoor unit 103 Blower fan 104 Left and right wind direction plate 105 Vertical wind direction plate 106 Front panel 110 Human detection sensor 200 Outdoor unit 202 Compressor 207 Propeller fan A Air conditioner

Claims (12)

A control unit that controls the room temperature to a set temperature,
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the room,
When the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the cooling operation is higher than a predetermined temperature, the control unit estimates that the user is cold and controls the room temperature to a temperature higher than the set temperature. An air conditioner characterized by that. A control unit that controls the room temperature to a set temperature,
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the room,
When the indoor temperature detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the heating operation is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit estimates that the user is hot and controls the indoor temperature to be lower than the set temperature. An air conditioner characterized by. A control unit that controls the rotation speed of the blower fan,
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the room,
When the temperature of the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the cooling operation is higher than a predetermined temperature, the control unit estimates that the user is cold and sets the rotation speed of the blower fan to a value smaller than the set value. An air conditioner characterized by control. A control unit for controlling the wind direction,
A temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the room,
A human detection sensor for detecting the position of a person;
When the temperature of the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the cooling operation is higher than a predetermined temperature, the control unit presumes that the user is cold, and positions the person other than the position of the person detected by the person detection sensor. An air conditioner characterized by directing the wind. A control unit that controls the rotation speed of the blower fan,
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the room,
When the temperature of the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the heating operation is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit estimates that the user is hot and controls the rotation speed of the blower fan to a value smaller than a set value. An air conditioner characterized by: A control unit for controlling the wind direction,
A temperature sensor that detects the temperature in the room,
A human detection sensor for detecting the position of a person;
When the temperature of the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the heating operation is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit presumes that the user is hot, and the wind direction is directed to a position other than the position of the person detected by the person detection sensor. An air conditioner that is characterized by directing. A control unit that controls the room temperature to a set temperature,
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the room,
When the indoor temperature detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the cooling operation is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit estimates that the user is hot and controls the indoor temperature to be lower than the set temperature. An air conditioner characterized by. A control unit that controls the room temperature to a set temperature,
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the room,
When the indoor temperature detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the heating operation is higher than a predetermined temperature, the control unit estimates that the user is cold and controls the indoor temperature to a temperature higher than the set temperature. An air conditioner characterized by that. A control unit that controls the rotation speed of the blower fan,
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the room,
When the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the cooling operation is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit estimates that the user is hot and controls the rotation speed of the blower fan to a value higher than a set value. An air conditioner characterized by: A control unit for controlling the wind direction,
A temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the room,
A human detection sensor for detecting the position of a person;
When the temperature of the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the cooling operation is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit estimates that the user is hot and directs the wind to the position of the person detected by the person detection sensor. An air conditioner characterized by. A control unit that controls the rotation speed of the blower fan,
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the room,
When the temperature of the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the heating operation is higher than a predetermined temperature, the control unit estimates that the user is cold and sets the rotation speed of the blower fan to a value higher than the set value. An air conditioner characterized by control. A control unit for controlling the wind direction,
A temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the room,
A human detection sensor for detecting the position of a person;
When the temperature of the room detected by the temperature sensor at the start of the heating operation is higher than a predetermined temperature, the control unit estimates that the user is cold and directs the wind to the position of the person detected by the person detection sensor. An air conditioner characterized by that.

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