Air conditioner and air conditioner control method

Abstract

An air conditioner and an air conditioner control method capable of reducing the operation cost of the air conditioner and capable of giving consideration to a wind curtain air supply process and a normal air supply process. The air conditioner control method includes: a temperature detection process in which the temperature of a plurality of regions in a room is detected after a first preset time length of a preset mode is run; a target region determination process in which a region in which the difference between the temperature detected in the temperature detection process and a set temperature is greater than an allowable temperature range for a second preset time length is determined as a target region; and a wind curtain air supply process in which air is supplied to the target region in the form of a wind curtain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and in particular to an air conditioner and an air conditioning control method. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, an air conditioning control method is known in which, after running in a preset mode (heating mode or cooling mode) for a preset time, a sensor detects the temperature of multiple areas in the room. If any area (e.g., near a window, door gaps, etc.) has a temperature that is not close to the set temperature, the air conditioner's airflow direction is controlled to be directed towards that target area, ensuring that all air from the air outlets is directed towards that target area. Furthermore, this action is repeated until the indoor temperature reaches the specified temperature (e.g., see patent document 1CN111457564A).

[0003] By adopting the above-mentioned air conditioning control method, the temperature of the target area can be adjusted in a timely manner to make the temperature of the target area close to the set temperature, thereby effectively ensuring the uniformity of indoor temperature and improving indoor environmental comfort.

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned air conditioning control method, the air conditioner repeatedly performs actions such as "detecting the temperature of multiple areas to determine the target area, and adjusting the air outlet direction of each air outlet towards the target area once the target area is determined". Therefore, the air conditioner has many operation steps and high operating costs.

[0005] Furthermore, if all the air blown out of the air conditioner's vents is directed towards the target area, then no vents will be used to regulate the air in other areas of the room besides the target area. Therefore, the action of "adjusting the airflow direction of each vent towards the target area" will affect the indoor air conditioning effect.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: CN111457564A Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned technical problems, and its purpose is to provide an air conditioner and an air conditioner control method, which can reduce the operating cost of the air conditioner and can take into account both the air curtain air supply process and the ordinary air supply process to avoid affecting the indoor air conditioning effect.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, a first aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioning control method, comprising: a temperature detection step, wherein the temperature of multiple areas in an indoor space is detected after running in a preset mode for a first preset duration; a target area determination step, wherein an area among the multiple areas where the temperature detected in the temperature detection step differs from a set temperature by more than an allowable temperature range for a second preset duration is determined as a target area; and an air curtain delivery step, wherein air is delivered to the target area in the form of an air curtain.

[0010] According to the aforementioned air conditioning control method, since the area is only identified as a target area and an air curtain air supply process is performed on the target area only if the temperature difference detected in the temperature detection process exceeds the set temperature range for a second preset time, unlike existing technologies that immediately adjust the air outlet direction of each outlet towards the target area once the target area is identified and repeat the above actions, the number of air conditioning operation steps can be reduced, thus lowering the air conditioning operating costs.

[0011] The air conditioning control method of the second aspect of the present invention is based on the air conditioning control method of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein a normal air supply process is performed simultaneously with the air curtain air supply process, and in the normal air supply process, air is supplied to the other areas of the plurality of indoor areas except the target area for air conditioning.

[0012] According to the above air conditioning control method, while the air curtain air supply process is in progress, a normal air supply process is also carried out to supply air to other areas in the room except for the target area for air conditioning. Therefore, it is possible to regulate the temperature of other areas while isolating the temperature of the target area from the indoor temperature, and to minimize the impact of the air curtain air supply process on the air conditioning effect of other areas in the room.

[0013] The air conditioning control method of the third aspect of the present invention is based on the air conditioning control method of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein in the air curtain air supply process, air is supplied to the farthest end of the target area at the maximum wind speed.

[0014] According to the above air conditioning control method, since the air is delivered to the farthest part of the target area at maximum wind speed, it can effectively isolate the temperature of the target area from the temperature of other areas in the room besides the target area.

[0015] The air conditioning control method of the fourth aspect of the present invention is based on the air conditioning control method of the first aspect of the present invention. When the preset mode is the heating mode, in the target area determination process, the area in which the difference between the lowest temperature detected in the temperature detection process and the set temperature is greater than the allowable temperature range for a second preset time is determined as the target area.

[0016] According to the above air conditioning control method, in heating mode, the area where the difference between the detected minimum temperature and the set temperature is greater than the allowable temperature range for a second preset duration is identified as the target area. Therefore, the target area can be identified in different ways depending on the air conditioning mode.

[0017] The air conditioning control method of the fifth aspect of the present invention is based on the air conditioning control method of the first aspect of the present invention. When the preset mode is the cooling mode, in the target area determination process, the area in which the difference between the highest temperature detected in the temperature detection process and the set temperature is greater than the allowable temperature range for a second preset time is determined as the target area.

[0018] According to the above air conditioning control method, in the cooling mode, the area where the difference between the detected maximum temperature and the set temperature is greater than the allowable temperature range for a second preset duration is identified as the target area. Therefore, the target area can be identified in different ways depending on the air conditioning mode.

[0019] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioner that uses an air conditioning control method of any one of the first to fifth aspects to regulate indoor air, comprising: an air conditioner housing having elongated side air outlets formed on both sides of the air conditioner housing; a thermal imaging sensor that detects the temperature of multiple areas in the room; and a controller that communicates with the thermal imaging sensor, wherein when an area where the temperature detected by the thermal imaging sensor differs from a set temperature from an allowable temperature range for a sustained second preset duration is determined as a target area, the controller generates an air curtain blowing command, that is, controls the air blown from the side air outlets to be blown towards the target area in the form of an air curtain.

[0020] According to the aforementioned air conditioner, by forming elongated side air outlets on both sides of the air conditioner casing, the air blown out from the side air outlets can be shaped into a desired air curtain, which helps to isolate the temperature of the target area from the temperature of other areas. When an area where the temperature detected by the thermal imaging sensor differs from the set temperature by more than a second preset time for a continuous period is identified as the target area, the controller performs one air curtain blowing operation. This eliminates the need for repeated adjustments to the air outlet direction once the target area is identified, as is done in existing technologies. Therefore, the number of operating steps for the air conditioner can be reduced, lowering its operating costs.

[0021] The seventh aspect of the present invention is based on the air conditioner of the sixth aspect, wherein an upper air outlet and a lower air outlet are further formed on the air conditioner housing, and the upper air outlet and the lower air outlet are configured to open simultaneously with the air curtain air supply process, and to perform a normal air supply process for air conditioning by supplying air to areas other than the target area among the plurality of areas in the room.

[0022] According to the aforementioned air conditioner, by setting an upper air outlet and a lower air outlet on the basis of setting two side air outlets, a structural basis can be provided for the air curtain air supply process to the target area and the ordinary air supply process to other areas in the room other than the target area.

[0023] The air conditioner of the eighth aspect of the present invention is based on the air conditioner of the seventh aspect, wherein an air guide plate and an air guide plate adjustment device are provided at the side air outlet, and the controller controls the air guide plate adjustment device to adjust the air guide plate to a position facing the target area.

[0024] According to the above-mentioned air conditioner, by installing an air guide plate and an air guide plate adjustment device at the side air outlet, it can respond to the controller's air curtain delivery command in a timely manner and prepare for air curtain delivery. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the general structure of the air conditioner of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a scenario where the air conditioner of the present invention is installed indoors.

[0027] Figure 3 It means by Figure 1 The diagram shows a general flowchart of the air conditioning control method implemented by the air conditioner.

[0028] (Symbol Explanation)

[0029] 1. Air conditioner

[0030] 11 Air Conditioner Housing

[0031] 111 Upper air outlet

[0032] 112 Lower air outlet

[0033] 113 Left side air outlet

[0034] 114 Right side air outlet

[0035] 115 Vortex Fan

[0036] 12 air guide plates

[0037] 121 Upper air guide plate

[0038] 122 Lower air guide plate

[0039] 123 Left side air guide plate

[0040] 124 Right side air guide plate

[0041] 13 Thermal Imaging Sensors

[0042] A First Target Area

[0043] A1 The farthest point of the first target area

[0044] B. Second Target Area

[0045] B1 The farthest point of the second target area Detailed Implementation

[0046] The following is for reference Figures 1 to 3 Various embodiments of the air conditioner and air conditioning control method of the present invention will be described. The air conditioner of the present invention is used for air conditioning in indoor spaces that can form enclosed spaces (such as offices, shopping malls, residences, etc.).

[0047] (Implementation Method)

[0048] (The general structure of air conditioner 1)

[0049] like Figure 1As shown, the air conditioner 1 includes: an air conditioner housing 11, which is generally box-shaped, with an upper air outlet 111 on the upper side, a lower air outlet 112 on the lower side, a long strip-shaped left air outlet 113 on the left side, and a long strip-shaped right air outlet 114 on the right side; two vortex fans 115, which are respectively disposed inside the air conditioner housing 111 and supply air to each air outlet; and four air guide plates 12 (including an upper air guide plate 121, a lower air guide plate 122, a left air guide plate 123, and a right air guide plate 124), wherein the upper air guide plate 12 is provided with The air conditioner includes an upper air outlet 111, a lower air guide plate 122 located at the lower air outlet 112, a left air guide plate 123 located at the left air outlet 113, and a right air guide plate 124 located at the right air outlet 114; an air guide plate adjustment device (not shown) that can adjust the air guide plate 12 to a specified position; a thermal imaging sensor 13 located at the upper air outlet 111 that detects the temperature of multiple areas in the room; and a controller (not shown) located inside the air conditioner housing 11 that controls the operation of the air conditioner.

[0050] The air conditioner 1, configured as described above, can simultaneously supply air through the left air outlet 113 and the right air outlet 114 via an air curtain, and simultaneously regulate the air quality of other areas C within the room S via the upper air outlet 111 and the lower air outlet 112. Therefore, it provides a structural basis for both the air curtain supply process to the target area and the ordinary air supply process to other areas within the room besides the target area. This avoids the impact of the air curtain supply process on the indoor air conditioning effect.

[0051] Furthermore, in the aforementioned air conditioner 1, the thermal imaging sensor 13 is located at the upper air outlet 111, which facilitates the acquisition of the temperature of multiple areas within the indoor S. Therefore, it helps the thermal imaging sensor 13 to reliably detect the temperature of multiple areas within the indoor S.

[0052] Furthermore, the controller can communicate with the thermal imaging sensor 13. Data detected by the thermal imaging sensor 13 is transmitted to the controller, which analyzes the data and generates a command to initiate the air curtain ventilation process. Thus, the controller controls the air conditioner 1 to deliver air to the target area in the form of an air curtain.

[0053] (Settings for Air Conditioner 1)

[0054] The following is based on Figure 2The example shown illustrates the use of an air conditioner 1 to provide airflow through an air curtain in an indoor space with two target areas (i.e., the first target area A and the second target area B). However, this is not a limitation. The number and location of the air conditioners 1 can be appropriately set according to the number and location of the target areas in the room, as long as the air curtain generated by the air conditioner 1 can be reliably delivered to the farthest point of each target area (e.g., the farthest point A1 of the first target area A and the farthest point B1 of the second target area B) to isolate the temperature of each target area from the temperature of other areas C in the room S.

[0055] exist Figure 2 In this room, air conditioner 1 is located in a corner of room S. Room S contains two target areas: a first target area A and a second target area B, and other areas C besides the first target area A and the second target area B. When air conditioner 1 operates an air curtain, if... Figure 2 As shown by the arrows, air is supplied from the left air outlet 113 of the air conditioner 1 in the form of an air curtain to the second target area B, and the air curtain formed can reach the farthest end B1 of the second target area B. Air is supplied from the right air outlet 114 of the air conditioner 1 in the form of an air curtain to the first target area A, and the air curtain formed can reach the farthest end A1 of the first target area A.

[0056] Thus, when the air conditioner 1 delivers air through the air curtain, the air curtain formed from the two side air outlets of the air conditioner 1 can completely isolate the first target area A and the second target area B from other areas C, thereby avoiding the influence of the temperature of the first target area A and the second target area B on the temperature of other areas C.

[0057] (Air conditioning control method implemented by air conditioner 1)

[0058] according to Figure 1 The air conditioner 1 shown can implement the following air conditioning control method.

[0059] like Figure 3As shown, after the air conditioner 1 is turned on, it starts to run a preset mode (heating mode or cooling mode). After the first preset time t1, it enters the temperature detection process. In the temperature detection process, the thermal imaging sensor 13 detects the temperature of multiple areas (e.g., A1, A2, C) of the indoor S. After detecting the temperatures of multiple areas in the room S, the system proceeds to the target area determination process. For example, in heating mode, when the temperature difference ΔTA of area A and the set temperature Tset exceeds the allowable temperature range and this state continues for a second preset duration t2, or in cooling mode, when the temperature difference ΔTA of area A and the set temperature Tset exceeds the allowable temperature range and this state continues for a second preset duration t2, the controller determines area A as the first target area and generates an instruction to supply air to the first target area A via an air curtain. Similarly, in heating mode, when the temperature difference ΔTB of area B and the set temperature Tset exceeds the allowable temperature range and this state continues for a second preset duration t2, or in cooling mode, when the temperature difference ΔTB of area B and the set temperature Tset exceeds the allowable temperature range and this state continues for a second preset duration t2, the controller determines area B as the second target area and generates an instruction to supply air to the second target area B via an air curtain. Next, the air curtain supply process begins. The controller adjusts the wind speed of the two fans of the air conditioner 1 to the maximum wind speed, and guides a portion of the air at the maximum wind speed to the left air outlet 113 and the right air outlet 114, while guiding the remaining portion of the air at the maximum wind speed to the upper air outlet 111 and the lower air outlet 112.

[0060] At the same time, the controller (not shown) drives the air guide plate adjustment device (not shown) to open the air guide plates 12 located at the upper air outlet 111 and the lower air outlet 112, and send air to other areas C of the room S. At the same time, the air guide plate 12 located at the left air outlet 113 is adjusted to a position that allows the air blown from the left air outlet 113 to be blown into the farthest end B1 of the second target area B in the form of an air curtain. The air guide plate 12 located at the right air outlet 114 is adjusted to a position that allows the air blown from the right air outlet 114 to be blown into the farthest end A1 of the first target area A in the form of an air curtain.

[0061] After a third preset time t3, the thermal imaging sensor 13 re-detects the temperature of the first target area A and the second target area B, and determines whether the difference between the detected temperature of the first target area A and the temperature of the second target area B and the set temperature is greater than the allowable temperature range. If so, it returns to continue the air curtain air supply process. If not, the controller of the air conditioner 1 ends the air curtain air supply process, but continues to execute the normal air supply process.

[0062] Therefore, the air curtain from the left air outlet 113 and the right air outlet 114 can isolate the temperature of the first target area A and the second target area B from the temperature of other areas C in the room S, while the air supply from the upper air outlet 111 and the lower air outlet 112 continues to regulate the air in other areas C of the room S. Thus, the impact of the air curtain air supply process on the air conditioning effect in other areas of the room can be minimized.

[0063] According to the aforementioned air conditioning control method, the controller only determines the area as the target area and performs an air curtain ventilation process when the temperature difference between a certain area and the set temperature exceeds a specified temperature range and this state continues for a second preset time t2. This is unlike the previous method of repeatedly performing air curtain ventilation as soon as the target area is determined. This reduces the number of operating steps for the air conditioning system and lowers its operating costs.

[0064] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention. However, in addition to the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, the elements of the above embodiments can be combined to obtain the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the thermal imaging sensor is located at the upper air outlet, but it is not limited to this and can also be located at other air outlets.

[0066] In the above implementation, an air conditioner is used to supply air to two target areas through an air curtain, but it is not limited to this. An air conditioner can also be used to supply air to one target area through an air curtain.

Claims

1. An air conditioning control method, characterized in that, include: The temperature detection process involves detecting the temperature of multiple areas within the room after running in a preset mode for a first preset duration. In the target area determination process, the region in which the temperature detected in the temperature detection process is greater than the set temperature for a second preset duration is determined as the target region. as well as In the air curtain air supply process, air is supplied to the target area in the form of an air curtain. Simultaneously with the air curtain supply process, a regular air supply process is also performed, in which air is supplied to areas other than the target area in the multiple indoor zones for air conditioning.

2. The air conditioning control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the air curtain air supply process, air is supplied at maximum wind speed to the farthest point of the target area.

3. The air conditioning control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the preset mode is heating mode, in the target area determination process, the area in which the difference between the lowest temperature detected in the temperature detection process and the set temperature is greater than the allowable temperature range for a second preset duration is determined as the target area.

4. The air conditioning control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the preset mode is cooling mode, in the target area determination process, the area in which the difference between the highest temperature detected in the temperature detection process and the set temperature is greater than the allowable temperature range for a second preset duration is determined as the target area.

5. An air conditioner that uses the air conditioning control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to regulate indoor air, characterized in that, include: The air conditioner housing has elongated side air outlets formed on both sides. A thermal imaging sensor that detects the temperature in multiple areas of an indoor space; The controller, which communicates with the thermal imaging sensor, determines a target area as an area where the temperature difference detected by the thermal imaging sensor exceeds a set temperature range for a second preset duration. In this case, the controller generates an air curtain command, controlling the air blown from the side air outlet to be directed towards the target area in an air curtain manner. The air conditioner housing also has an upper air outlet and a lower air outlet. The upper air outlet and the lower air outlet are configured to open simultaneously with the air curtain air supply process, and to perform a normal air supply process to supply air to the other areas of the multiple indoor areas except for the target area for air conditioning.

6. The air conditioner as described in claim 5, characterized in that, An air guide plate and an air guide plate adjustment device are provided at the side air outlet. The controller controls the air guide plate adjustment device to adjust the air guide plate to a position facing the target area.

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