Air conditioning device

Abstract

An air-conditioning device (1) provided with a blower (2) that blows air, a nozzle (5) that is connected to the blower (2) and blows air, and a detection unit (8) that detects an object (P) to be air-conditioned, the air-direction changing unit being capable of changing the orientation of the nozzle (5) in at least two axes, and the air-volume changing unit being capable of changing the orientation of the nozzle (5) in at least two axes, and the detection unit (8) being capable of detecting the object (P) to be air-conditioned; the air volume changing part can change the air volume of the air ejected from the nozzle (5), and the control part (8) controls the air direction changing part and the air volume changing part according to the state of the air-conditioning object (P) detected by the detection part (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an air conditioning device. Background Art

[0002] Spot air conditioners are used in factories and offices, etc. Spot air conditioners focus more on adjusting the temperature around the air-conditioned object (people, objects, etc.) than adjusting the overall indoor temperature, and require that air be sprayed locally on the air-conditioned object.

[0003] Various studies have been conducted on spot air conditioners that track air conditioning objects. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-240339 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-50586 (Patent Document 2) disclose spot air conditioners that rotate air outlets toward a person detected by a person detection sensor.

[0004] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-240339;

[0005] Patent document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-50586.

[0006] However, in the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the movable range of the air outlet is insufficient, and therefore, the air conditioning target object may not be sufficiently tracked. Summary of the invention

[0007] Therefore, there is a demand for an air-conditioning apparatus that can track an air-conditioning target object with high accuracy.

[0008] The air conditioning device of the present invention includes an air blower, a nozzle and a detection unit, the air blower sends out air, the nozzle is connected to the air blower and sprays air, and the detection unit detects an air-conditioned object. The air conditioning device is characterized in that it includes a wind direction changing unit, an air volume changing unit and a control unit, the wind direction changing unit can change the direction of the nozzle on at least two axes, the air volume changing unit can change the air volume of air sprayed from the nozzle, and the control unit controls the wind direction changing unit and the air volume changing unit according to the state of the air-conditioned object detected by the detection unit.

[0009] According to this structure, the direction of the nozzle can be changed with a high degree of freedom, so that it is easy to track the air-conditioning object. In addition, since the air volume can be adjusted, it is possible to reduce energy consumption while maintaining a suitable environment around the air-conditioning object.

[0010] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments thereof, which is given with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an air conditioning device in an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the nozzle of the air conditioner in the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional perspective view of the vicinity of the nozzle of the air conditioning device in the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 2 is a structural diagram of an air conditioning device in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Embodiments of the air conditioning apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an example of the air conditioning apparatus of the present invention applied to an air conditioning apparatus 1 installed in a factory workroom R will be described.

[0016] [Structure of air conditioning unit]

[0017] The air conditioner 1 of this embodiment mainly includes a blower 2, an air duct 3, a bellows 4, a nozzle 5, a wind direction changer 6, an air volume changer 7, a detector 8, and a control unit 9 ( Figure 1 to Figure 4 ).

[0018] The blower 2, the air pipe 3, the bellows 4 and the nozzle 5 form an air flow path in the air conditioning device 1. That is, the nozzle 5 is connected to the blower 2 through the air pipe 3 and the bellows 4. The blower 2 sends out air conditioned air, for example. The air supplied by the blower 2 is ejected toward a worker P (an example of an air-conditioned object) working in the working room R through the air pipe 3, the bellows 4 and the nozzle 5.

[0019] The working room R is the air-conditioning target area of ​​the air-conditioning device 1. The working room R has a plurality of areas (area A, area B). The air-conditioning device 1 is provided with a blower 2 and an air duct 3 as common equipment in a plurality of areas. In addition, the air-conditioning device 1 has a set of a bellows 4, a nozzle 5, a wind direction changing unit 6, an air volume changing unit 7, a detection unit 8 and a control unit 9 in each area. The air supply range of a zone and the nozzle 5 corresponding to the zone is generally consistent. The air supply range can be determined by the power of the blower 2 or the shape of the nozzle 5, etc.

[0020] The blower 2 in this embodiment is a well-known ceiling-embedded air duct type package air conditioner. The blower 2 has an outlet connected to an air duct 3. The blower 2 supplies conditioned air to the air duct 3. The operation of the blower 2 is controlled by a blower control unit 21.

[0021] The air pipe 3 is arranged at the upper part of the working room R. A plurality of openings 31 are provided along the air pipe 3. The plurality of openings 31 are respectively connected to one end of the bellows 4. The other end of the bellows 4 is connected to a nozzle 5. That is, the air conditioning device 1 has a plurality of nozzles 5 connected to the blower 2 through the air pipe 3 and the bellows 4. These plurality of nozzles 5 function as a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting air into the working room R. In addition, the air pipe 3 and the bellows 4 can use components that have been used in the field of air conditioning equipment in the past.

[0022] The nozzle 5 includes a tubular nozzle body 51, a support shaft 52 extending into the nozzle body 51, and a support frame 53 ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 The wind direction changing unit 6 is connected to the support shaft 52. The orientation of the nozzle 5 is changed by changing the posture of the support shaft 5 through the wind direction changing unit 6.

[0023] The wind direction changing unit 6 is a structure capable of changing the direction of the nozzle 5 on at least two axes. The wind direction changing unit 6 in this embodiment has a first servo motor 61 and a second servo motor 62 (an example of at least two drive devices) ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 ). The first servo motor 61 and the second servo motor 62 are both arranged on the inner side of the bellows 4. A first frame 63 is provided to extend from the opening 31 to the bottom. The first servo motor 61 is supported by the first frame 63. A second frame 64 is mounted on the driving shaft of the first servo motor 61. The second servo motor 62 is supported by the second frame 64. The support shaft 52 of the nozzle 5 is mounted on the driving shaft of the second servo motor 62.

[0024] By driving the first servo motor 61, the second frame 64 and the second servo motor 62 rotate around the first axis X1. In addition, by driving the second servo motor 62, the support shaft 52 rotates around the second axis X2. The above actions can change the direction of the nozzle 5 on the two axes of the first axis X1 and the second axis X2. With this structure, the direction of the nozzle 5 can be freely controlled within a hemispherical range centered on the opening 31, and the nozzle 5 can track the worker P with higher accuracy.

[0025] The air volume changing unit 7 is a structure capable of changing the air volume of the air ejected from the nozzle 5. This embodiment includes a movable shutter unit 71 provided at the opening 31 as the air volume changing unit. The movable shutter unit 71 is provided inside the bellows 4.

[0026] The movable shutter portion 71 includes a fixed plate 72, a movable plate 73, and a third servo motor 74. The fixed plate 72 is a disc-shaped component provided with a plurality of fan-shaped vents, and is fixedly provided at the opening portion 31. The movable plate 73 is a disc-shaped component provided with a plurality of fan-shaped vents, and is rotatably provided relative to the center of the fixed plate 72. Among them, the plurality of vents of the fixed plate 72 and the plurality of vents of the movable plate 73 are provided in a positional relationship that can overlap. When the movable plate 73 rotates relative to the fixed plate 72, the relative positional relationship between the vents of the fixed plate 72 and the vents of the movable plate 73 can be changed, and the opening area (opening region) of the opening portion 31 can be changed. That is, the opening area (opening region) of the opening portion 31 can be changed between a first state in which the vents of the fixed plate 72 and the vents of the movable plate 73 are almost identical and the opening area becomes the largest, and a second state in which the vents of the fixed plate 72 are blocked by the movable plate 73 and there is no opening. According to this configuration, the volume of air ejected from the nozzle 5 can be changed.

[0027] The third servomotor 74 is mounted on the first frame 63. The movable plate 73 is connected to the driving shaft of the third servomotor 74. That is, by driving the third servomotor 74, the movable plate 73 can rotate relative to the fixed plate 72, and the opening area (opening region) of the opening 31 can be changed.

[0028] The detection unit 8 is a device capable of detecting the worker P. This embodiment includes a first camera 81 and a second camera 82 as the detection unit 8. The first camera 81 is installed at the end of the nozzle 5. The first camera 81 is configured so that the direction in which the nozzle 5 is facing, that is, the direction in which the wind from the nozzle 5 is ejected, enters the field of view. The second camera 82 is installed at the upper part of the corresponding area. The second camera 82 is configured so that most of the corresponding area enters the field of view.

[0029] The first camera 81 provided at the end of the nozzle 5 tracks the worker P. Even if the worker P moves in the area, the worker P can be included in the field of view of the first camera 81. However, the first camera 81 has a blind spot on the opposite side of the direction of the nozzle 5. On the other hand, the second camera 82 is unlikely to have a blind spot, but depending on the relationship between the field of view of the second camera 82 and the size of the area, it is sometimes difficult to include the entire area of ​​the area in its field of view. In addition, it is also possible to configure a plurality of second cameras 82 for one area.

[0030] Thus, the first camera 81 that tracks the worker P changing direction and the second camera 82 that overlooks at least a portion of the corresponding area are combined to realize a detection unit 8 that is less likely to have a blind spot. In addition, in this embodiment, the detection unit 8 in each area can detect a range larger than the range of the area.

[0031] In the air conditioning device 1 of this embodiment, the wind direction changing unit 6 controls the wind direction, the wind volume changing unit 7 controls the wind volume, and the power of the air blower 2 is controlled according to the state of the air conditioning object detected by the first camera 81 and the second camera 82. The specific control method will be described later.

[0032] The control unit 9 performs arithmetic processing for controlling the wind direction changing unit 6 and the wind volume changing unit 7. The control unit 9 electrically connects the wind direction changing unit 6 (the first servo motor 61 and the second servo motor 62), the wind volume changing unit 7 (the third servo motor 74), and the detection unit 8 (the first camera 81 and the second camera 82) ( Figure 4 The control unit 9 can input signals representing various parameters such as the captured images of the first camera 81 and the second camera 82 (an example of the detection result obtained by the detection device), the control amount of the first servo motor 61 and the second servo motor 62 (related to the direction of the nozzle 5), and the control amount of the third servo motor 74 (related to the air volume of the air ejected from the nozzle 5).

[0033] In this embodiment, a plurality of control units 9 are provided corresponding to the plurality of zones, respectively. The plurality of control units 9 are electrically connected to each other. In addition, each control unit 9 is also electrically connected to the air supply control unit 21 that controls the air blower 2.

[0034]

Control of air conditioning device

[0035] (1) Individual control of each nozzle

[0036] The control unit 9 performs a calculation process to determine the position of the worker P based on the captured images of the first camera 81 and the second camera 82. As specific examples of performing the calculation process, there can be listed a calculation process to recognize a specific mark (image, color, etc.) worn by the worker P, a calculation process to recognize a moving object in the field of view, face recognition, etc. Next, the wind direction changing unit 6 (the first servo motor 61 and the second servo motor 62) operates to direct the ejection port of the nozzle 5 toward the determined position of the worker P. That is, the wind direction changing unit 6 can control the direction of the nozzle 5 corresponding to the corresponding area (i.e., the ejection range of the nozzle 5) based on the detection result of the worker P in the corresponding area.

[0037] In addition, when the nozzle 5 is controlling to track the first worker P in an area, if a second worker (referred to as "second worker Q" to distinguish the first worker P, not shown in the figure) enters the area, the first worker P, which was the tracking target at first, is tracked first, and the second worker Q is not tracked. It can be configured so that when the first worker P, which was the tracking target at the beginning, leaves the area and the first worker P cannot be identified, the tracking of the second worker Q is started.

[0038] In addition, the control unit 9 can perform a calculation process for estimating the distance from the nozzle outlet of the nozzle 5 to the worker P based on the captured images of the first camera 81 and the second camera 82. Specifically, the distance from the nozzle outlet of the nozzle 5 to the worker P is estimated based on the size of the worker P in the captured image. Then, based on the estimated result of the distance to the worker P, the air volume change unit 7 (third servo motor 74) can be controlled to spray a suitable amount of air from the nozzle 5. In addition, when there is no worker P in the captured image, the opening 31 is placed in the second state by means of the air volume change unit 7 so that air is not sprayed from the nozzle 5. That is, the air volume change unit 7 can change the air volume of the air sprayed from the nozzle 5 corresponding to a region (i.e., the spray range of the nozzle 5) based on the detection result of the worker P in the region.

[0039] (2) Linkage control of multiple nozzles

[0040] After the worker P is detected based on the images captured by the first camera 81 and the second camera 82, the control unit 9 can perform a calculation process to predict the movement of the worker P in a few seconds. For example, the future movement path of the worker P can be predicted based on the transition of the position of the worker P in a plurality of images captured continuously.

[0041] Here, the control of the first area A and the second area B adjacent to each other and the worker P moving from the second area B to the first area A is described ( Figure 1 ). In the initial state, there is a worker P in the second area B, and the second detection unit 8B corresponding to the second area B detects the worker P. At this time, the wind direction change unit 6B corresponding to the second area B is controlled to make the second nozzle 5B corresponding to the second area B track the worker P, and the wind volume change unit 7B is controlled to make the second nozzle 5B spray air with a suitable wind volume. At this time, since there is no one in the first area A, the first nozzle 5A corresponding to the first area A does not spray air.

[0042] The second control unit 9B corresponding to the second area B predicts the movement of the worker P, and as a result, predicts that the worker P enters the first area A. At this time, the entry position E when the worker P enters the first area A is predicted. Among them, the second control unit 9B corresponding to the second area B sends information related to the possibility of the worker P entering the first area A from the entry position E to the first control unit 9A corresponding to the first area A. The first control unit 9A that receives this information pre-directs the first nozzle 5A corresponding to the first area A toward the predicted entry position E.

[0043] In addition, the first control unit 9A controls the air volume change unit 7 corresponding to the first area A so that the worker P starts to eject air from the first nozzle 5A at the time point when entering the first area A. In addition, since the range that can be detected by the first detection unit 8A is configured to be larger than the range of the first area A, the first detection unit 8A can detect the worker P before entering the first area A. Therefore, the time point when the air ejection from the first nozzle 5A starts can be synchronized with the entry of the worker P. Thus, even if the worker P leaves the second area B and cannot receive the air supply from the second nozzle 5B, the air supply from the first nozzle 5A can be received in the first area A. That is, continuous air supply is achieved, and it is not easy to destroy the comfort of the worker P. In addition, with the start of the air ejection from the first nozzle 5A, the air ejection from the second nozzle 5B stops.

[0044] That is, when the worker P moves from the second area B to the first area A, the air ejection from the first nozzle 5A is controlled based on the predicted entry position of the worker P into the first area A based on the detection result of the second detection unit 8B corresponding to the second area B, and the time point when the worker P actually enters the first area A based on the detection result of the first detection unit 8A corresponding to the first area A. That is, the wind direction control of the first nozzle 5A corresponding to the first area A is performed based on the detection results of the worker P obtained by the first detection unit 8A corresponding to the first area A and the second detection unit 8B corresponding to the second area B.

[0045] (3) Control of the blower

[0046] The control units 9 (control units 9 of each set) corresponding to the plurality of zones respectively send the control state of the air volume changing unit 7 (the control amount of the third servo motor 74 or the air volume of the nozzle 5 converted from the control amount) to the blower control unit 21. The blower control unit 21 calculates the total air volume of the nozzle 5 of all zones based on the information received from the plurality of control units 9, and controls the power of the blower 2 so that the total air volume can be supplied. Thus, the power of the blower 2 can be controlled to a level necessary and sufficient to maintain the comfort of the worker P, which contributes to energy saving.

[0047] [Other implementation methods]

[0048] Finally, other embodiments of the air conditioning device of the present invention are described. In addition, the structures disclosed in the following embodiments can also be used in combination with the structures disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the structure in which the air blower 2 is a ceiling-embedded air duct type package air conditioner is described as an example. However, a structure in which air is blown using an air blower without an air conditioning function may also be used.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the structure in which the worker P is the air-conditioned object is described as an example. In addition to using a person as the air-conditioned object, an object that moves by itself, such as an animal or a machine, or an article (raw material, semi-finished product, finished product, etc.) transported by a conveyor belt or the like can also be used as the air-conditioned object.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the nozzle 5 is connected to the blower 2 via the air pipe 3 and the bellows 4. However, the connection between the blower and the nozzle is not limited to this.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the wind direction changing unit 6 has a configuration including the first servomotor 61 and the second servomotor 62. The direction of the nozzle may be changed in three or more axes, and a device other than a servomotor may be used.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the air volume changing unit 7 is described as including the shutter unit 71 having the fixed plate 72, the movable plate 73, and the third servomotor 74. The air volume changing unit may be a device such as an adjustment valve.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the air volume changing unit 7 is provided at the opening 31 of the air duct 3. The air volume changing unit may be provided at any place. In addition, a plurality of air volume changing units may be provided.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the structure in which the detection unit 8 has the first camera 81 and the second camera 82 is described. The detection unit may be a structure using sensors such as infrared sensors, infrared arrays, infrared cameras, ultrasonic sensors, RFID tags, beacons, wireless LANs, magnetic fields, and CO2 concentrations. In addition, the number of each device constituting the detection device is not limited, and a single device may detect the air-conditioned object in the area, or multiple devices may cooperate to detect the air-conditioned object in the area.

[0056] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure of the control unit 9 that performs the operation processing related to the control is described. A control unit independent of the wind direction changing unit and the wind volume changing unit can be provided. The detection unit can perform the operation processing of determining the distance to the air-conditioned object and other matters. In addition, a wind direction changing unit, a wind volume changing unit and a detection unit corresponding to a plurality of areas can also be provided, as well as a control unit that performs the operation processing related to the blower in an integrated manner.

[0057] In the above embodiment, a structure in which a plurality of nozzles 5 are provided for a plurality of regions is described. The number of nozzles may be one or more. In addition, the number of nozzles, detection units, wind direction change units, and wind volume change units provided is not limited to the same number.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the distance from the tip of the nozzle 5 to the worker P is estimated, and the air volume is controlled based on the distance. However, the air volume may be controlled based on information other than the distance.

[0059] In the air conditioning device of the present invention, two adjacent areas in the air conditioning target area may have overlapping parts, may be connected by a boundary line, or may be spaced apart from each other.

[0060] When two adjacent areas overlap, air can be ejected from two adjacent nozzles relative to the overlapping area. This allows air to be supplied to multiple air-conditioned objects at the same time. For example, this method is suitable for areas with a high density of air-conditioned objects within the air-conditioned area.

[0061] When two or more areas are spaced apart from each other, a portion of the air conditioning target area may be inaccessible to the air ejected from the nozzle. However, by dividing the area where there is no or little air conditioning target into the area inaccessible to the air ejected from the nozzle, the number of nozzles or detection units can be reduced, thereby suppressing equipment costs and operating costs.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the structure in which the wind direction control of the first nozzle 5A corresponding to the first area A is performed based on the detection results of the worker P obtained by the first detection unit 8A corresponding to the first area A and the second detection unit 8B corresponding to the second area B is described. The wind direction of the nozzle corresponding to the first area A can be controlled only based on the detection result of the air-conditioning object obtained by the detection unit corresponding to the second area B. In the above example, it can also be configured that the time point when the first nozzle 5A starts to spray air is not controlled based on the detection result of the first detection unit 8A, and the first nozzle 5A starts to spray air at the time point when the first nozzle 5A is directed to the entry position E predicted based on the detection result of the second detection unit 8B regardless of the detection result of the first detection unit 8A. In addition, it can also be configured that the time point when the worker P enters the first area A is predicted based on the detection result of the second control unit 8B, and the time point when the first nozzle 5A starts to spray air is controlled.

[0063] For other formations, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed in this specification are exemplary in all aspects, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can easily understand that, within the scope of not departing from the gist of the present invention, appropriate changes can be made. Therefore, other embodiments that are changed within the scope of not departing from the gist of the present invention are certainly also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0064] Description of Reference Numerals

[0065] 1: air conditioning device, 2: blower, 3: air duct, 4: bellows, 5: nozzle, 6: wind direction changing unit, 7: wind volume changing unit, 8: detection unit, 9: control unit.

Claims

1. An air conditioner comprising a blower, a nozzle and a detection unit, wherein the blower blows out air, the nozzle is connected to the blower and sprays out air, and the detection unit detects an air-conditioned object, wherein the air conditioner is characterized in that: The wind direction changing unit can change the direction of the nozzle on at least two axes, the wind volume changing unit can change the wind volume of air ejected from the nozzle, and the control unit controls the wind direction changing unit and the wind volume changing unit according to the state of the air-conditioned object detected by the detection unit.

2. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein: The invention further comprises a bellows arranged between the blower and the nozzle, wherein the wind direction changing unit has at least two driving devices arranged inside the bellows.

3. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The air volume changing unit includes a movable shutter portion provided between the air blower and a discharge port of the nozzle.

4. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein: It also has an air pipe and a bellows, the air pipe is connected to the air blower and has an opening, the bellows connects the opening and the nozzle, the wind direction changing unit has at least two driving devices arranged on the inside of the bellows, and the air volume changing unit has a movable shutter unit arranged on the opening.

5. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein: The air volume changing unit controls the air volume based on the estimated information of the distance between the detection unit and the air-conditioning target object detected by the detection unit.

6. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein: The detection unit includes a first detection unit and a second detection unit, wherein the first detection unit detects an air-conditioned object in a first area, and the second detection unit detects an air-conditioned object in a second area. The nozzle includes a first nozzle and a second nozzle, the first nozzle sprays air into the first area, and the second nozzle sprays air into the second area. The air volume changing unit includes a first air volume changing unit and a second air volume changing unit, wherein the first air volume changing unit changes the air volume of air ejected from the first nozzle according to the state of the air-conditioned object detected by the first detection unit, and the second air volume changing unit changes the air volume of air ejected from the second nozzle according to the state of the air-conditioned object detected by the second detection unit. The invention further includes a blower control unit configured to change the power of the blower based on the air volume of the first air volume changing unit and the air volume of the second air volume changing unit.

Images