Control device, air conditioner, control method, and control program

Abstract

Provided are a control device, an air conditioner, a control method, and a control program for controlling an air wing and advancing the time taken for a space near a human body to reach a set temperature. A control device (50) for an air conditioner, which is equipped with: a blow-out port for air conditioned air opened downward provided in a panel body; a louver turnably provided in the blow-out port and adjusting the blow-out direction of the air-conditioned air; an air wing provided at the blow-out port of the panel body and having a wing part freely rotatable between a storage position of the wing part stored in the panel body and a louver direction position opposing the air-conditioned air to be blown out in the louver direction; a turning mechanism for turning the air wing between the storage position and the louver direction position; and a setting unit that sets the set temperature inside a room to be air-conditioned, comprises a floor surface temperature detection unit (52) that detects a floor surface temperature, and a determination unit (54) that performs the determination of a room temperature state on the basis of the difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature, the control device controlling the operation of the air wing on the basis of a determination result of the room temperature state of the determination unit (54).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, an air conditioner, a control method, and a control program.Background Art

[0002] It is known that an air conditioner, particularly a ceiling-embedded air conditioner, has a configuration for preventing a user from feeling a draft.

[0003] For example, PTL 1 discloses that a blowing direction of conditioned air is changed at a high frequency based on a difference between a floor temperature and a suction temperature to perform air agitating.

[0004] PTL 2 discloses controlling an air direction plate based on a human body surface temperature or a floor temperature. PTL 3 discloses an air wing that is rotatable to avoid a draft feeling.Citation ListPatent Literature

[0005] [PTL 1] Japanese Patent No. 5487855 [PTL 2] Japanese Patent No. 7123266 [PTL 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-109310 Summary of InventionTechnical Problem

[0006] However, in the inventions of PTLs 1 to 3, although it is disclosed that an air direction is controlled based on the difference between the floor surface temperature and the suction temperature, the difference from the set temperature is not considered. In the inventions of PTLs 1 to 3, there is a problem in that it is difficult to cope with a case where there is a deviation between the set temperature, which is a temperature desired by a user and the floor surface temperature at which the user is present. For the air wing, there is a problem in that the user has to set an operation switching.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a control device, an air conditioner, a control method, and a control program for controlling an air wing to accelerate reaching a set temperature for a space near a human body.Solution to Problem

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a control device, an air conditioner, a control method, and a control program of the present disclosure adopt the following means.

[0009] The control device of the present disclosure is a control device for an air conditioner including an air blowing port for air-conditioned air that is provided at a panel body and that opens downward, a louver that is rotatably provided at the air blowing port and that adjusts a blowing direction of the air-conditioned air, an air wing that is provided at the air blowing port of the panel body and that has a wing portion which is rotatable between a storage position where the air wing is stored in the panel body and a louver direction position where the air wing faces the air-conditioned air blown in a louver direction, a rotation mechanism that rotates the air wing between the storage position and the louver direction position, and a setting unit that sets a set temperature for a room to be air-conditioned, and the control device includes a floor surface temperature detection unit that detects a floor surface temperature in the room and a determination unit that determines a room temperature state based on a difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature, and controls an operation of the air wing based on a determination result of the room temperature state by the determination unit.

[0010] The air conditioner of the present disclosure includes the control device described above, an air blowing port for air-conditioned air that is provided at a panel body and that opens downward, a louver that is rotatably provided at the air blowing port and that adjusts a blowing direction of the air-conditioned air, an air wing that has a wing portion which is disposed outside the air blowing port of the panel body, is rotatable between a storage position where the air wing is flush with the panel body and a louver direction position where the air wing faces the air-conditioned air blown in a louver direction, and blocks blowing in the louver direction, and a setting unit that sets a set temperature.

[0011] The control method of the present disclosure is a control method for an air conditioner which includes an air blowing port for air-conditioned air that is provided at a panel body and that opens downward, a louver that is rotatably provided at the air blowing port and that adjusts a blowing direction of the air-conditioned air, an air wing that is provided at the air blowing port of the panel body and that has a wing portion which is rotatable between a storage position where the air wing is stored in the panel body and a louver direction position where the air wing faces the air-conditioned air blown in a louver direction, and a setting unit that sets a set temperature for a room to be air-conditioned, the control method for causing a computer to execute a process including a floor surface temperature detection step of detecting a floor surface temperature in the room, a determination step of determining a room temperature state based on a difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature, and a control step of controlling an operation of the air wing based on a determination result of the room temperature state in the determination step.

[0012] The control program of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the control method described above.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is not necessary for the user to set the operation of the air wing each time, and the convenience of the user is improved. Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, which is seen obliquely from below, in which a part is broken out. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where air wings provided at a panel body in some embodiments of the present disclosure are at a storage position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the air wings in some embodiments of the present disclosure are at a louver direction position. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the control device in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a function of the control device in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a detection range of a floor surface temperature detection unit in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a detection range of the floor surface temperature detection unit in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a detection state of a floor surface temperature detection unit in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detection state of the floor surface temperature detection unit in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing control of the air wing in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing direct airflow control in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing indirect airflow control in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing automatic airflow control in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a control flow of the automatic airflow control of the control device in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is another diagram showing a control flow of the automatic airflow control of the control device in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Description of Embodiments

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control device, an air conditioner, a control method, and a control program according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, which is seen obliquely from below, in which a part is broken out. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where air wings provided at a panel body are at a storage position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the air wings are at a louver direction position. The air conditioner 1 here is an air conditioner of a type, which is installed on a ceiling surface in a room, and the air conditioner 1 having a configuration in which air blowing ports 14 are provided in four directions at the panel body 3 provided below a unit body 2 is exemplified as shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] The unit body 2 is a housing having a cube shape of which the lower portion is open, which is installed in the ceiling, and includes a turbofan 4 installed at a central portion inside the unit body 2, a heat exchanger 5 bent and formed in a quadrangular shape and disposed to surround the turbofan 4, a drain pan 6 disposed below the heat exchanger 5, an air blowing path 7 formed between a peripheral wall of the drain pan 6 and an inner peripheral surface of the unit body 2, a bell mouth 8 disposed on a suction side of the turbofan 4, and the like. The air conditioner 1 is connected to an outdoor unit via two refrigerant pipes 9 consisting of a liquid pipe and a gas pipe, and an electric wire 10.

[0018] The panel body 3, which is installed to cover the lower surface of the unit body 2 and is also referred to as a ceiling panel or a decorative panel, is a panel having a substantially square shape. The panel body 3 is provided with an opening (suction port) 11 for intaking air in the room into the central portion, and a suction grill 12 is installed at the suction port 11. An air filter (not shown) is installed on a grill inner surface side of the suction grill 12. The air filter is installed to be liftable and lowerable so as to be lowered to near the floor surface in the room with respect to the panel body 3 via a wire 13, a lifting / lowering motor (not shown), or the like for replacement or cleaning. To automatically clean the air filter, a configuration in which an air filter automatic cleaning mechanism is incorporated may be adopted.

[0019] The panel body 3 is provided with the air blowing ports 14 in four directions in correspondence with the four sides of the panel body 3 to surround the periphery of the suction port 11 for the indoor air. Air cooled or heated by the heat exchanger 5 is blown into the room as the air-conditioned air from each air blowing ports 14. A louver 15 for adjusting a blowing direction (air direction) of the air-conditioned air is rotatably installed at each of the air blowing ports 14 in the four directions. The louver 15 is individually and independently rotated via an actuator (motor) (not shown).

[0020] Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the panel body 3 is provided with air wings 17 disposed outside each of the air blowing ports 14 and are rotatable between a storage position (position in FIG. 2) where the air wings are flush with the panel body 3 and a louver direction position (position in FIG. 3) where the air wings face the air-conditioned air blown from the air blowing ports 14. The air wing 17 is a flat plate-shaped member that protrudes to the louver direction position where the air wing faces the air blowing port 14 to block the air-conditioned air and change the air direction. The air wing 17 is for reducing or eliminating a draft feeling caused by the air-conditioned air blown from each air blowing port 14 directly hitting a person below.

[0021] The air wing 17 has a gate shape including a wing portion 18 that protrudes to a position where the wing portion faces the air-conditioned air blown from each air blowing port 14 in the louver direction to block the air-conditioned air, and an arm portion 19 that is integrally provided at both end portions of the wing portion 18. The air wing 17 is supported such that a base end portion of the arm portion 19 is rotatable with respect to the panel body 3 via a support shaft (not shown), and is rotatable between the two positions of the above-described storage position and the louver direction position.

[0022] The wing portion 18 and the arm portion 19 of the air wing 17 form a part of the panel body 3, and when the air wing 17 is rotated to the storage position shown in FIG. 2, the surfaces (lower surfaces) of the wing portion 18 and the arm portion 19 are flush with the surface (lower surface) of the panel body 3. The wing portion 18 is a flat plate-shaped member made of resin that has the same length as the air blowing port 14, is disposed along the outer side of the air blowing port 14, and has a constant width dimension forming a part of each side of the panel body 3. The wing portion 18 has a gate shape in which arm portions 19 that are narrower than the wing portion 18 are integrally formed at both end portions thereof. Ribs are integrally formed on the back surface sides of the wing portion 18 and both arm portions 19 so that the strength and rigidity of each of the wing portion 18 and both arm portions 19 are ensured.

[0023] The air wing 17 is rotatable between two positions of the storage position (position in FIG. 2) where the air wing 17 is flush with the panel body 3 via a rotation mechanism (not shown) and a louver direction position (position in FIG. 3) where the air wing 17 faces the air-conditioned air blown from the air blowing port 14.

[0024] The rotation mechanism (not shown) is provided in four sets, each set corresponding to one of the four sets of the air wings 17 provided in correspondence with the four-direction air blowing ports 14, so that each air wing 17 can be rotated independently of the others.

[0025] Each of the rotation mechanisms (not shown) is configured such that when the user performs an ON operation on the remote control to operate the air wing 17 selected by the user to reduce or eliminate the draft feeling, the corresponding air wing 17 is lowered and rotated to the louver direction position where the air wing faces the blowing direction of the air-conditioned air adjusted by the louver 15 by rotating the actuator of the rotation mechanism (not shown) corresponding to the air wing 17 in the normal direction. Each of the rotation mechanisms (not shown) is configured to detect a position at which the louver 15 is rotated at the time of the ON operation of the remote control, and to rotate the air wing 17 to a louver direction position corresponding to the position.

[0026] For example, when the louver 15 is at the horizontal direction blowing position, the air wing 17 is rotated to a louver direction position corresponding to the position. The air wing 17 blocks and changes the flow of the air-conditioned air in the louver direction, thereby reducing the draft feeling. When the louver 15 is at the downward blowing position, the air wing 17 is rotated to a louver direction position corresponding to the position. The air wing 17 blocks and changes the flow of the air-conditioned air in the louver direction, thereby reducing or eliminating the draft feeling.

[0027] On the other hand, in a case where a draft is not felt with the air-conditioned air or in a case where a draft feeling is desired, the actuator of the rotation mechanism (not shown) is rotated in a reverse direction by performing an OFF operation on the remote control, and the air wing 17 can be rotated to the storage position where the air wing is flush with the surface of the panel body 3.

[0028] In the air conditioner 1, a set temperature for the room to be air-conditioned is set by a setting unit (for example, a remote control). The set temperature is input to the control device 50.

[0029] The air conditioner 1 includes a sensor 30. The sensor 30 is a thermopile sensor 30. The thermopile sensor 30 measures a floor surface temperature of the room to be air-conditioned. The measured floor surface temperature is input to the control device 50. The thermopile sensor 30 is provided, for example, at one corner of the panel body 3 of the air conditioner 1.

[0030] In the present embodiment, control of the air conditioner 1 in a case of cooling, dehumidification, and air blowing, particularly cooling will be described. However, the same control may be performed in a case of heating.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the control device in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the control device (controller) 50 is a computer system and includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU: processor) 1100, a secondary storage (ROM: memory) 1200, a main memory (RAM) 1300, a hard disk drive (HDD) 1400 as a large-capacity storage device, and a communication unit 1500 for connecting to a network or the like. A solid-state drive (SSD) may be used as a large-capacity storage device. Each of these units is connected via a bus 1800.

[0033] For example, the CPU 1100 controls the entire control device 50 using an operating system (OS) stored in the secondary storage 1200 connected via the bus 1800 and executes various types of processing by executing various programs stored in the secondary storage 1200. One or a plurality of CPUs 1100 may be provided and implement the processing in cooperation with each other.

[0034] For example, the main memory 1300 is configured with a writable memory such as a cache memory or a random-access memory (RAM) and is used as a work area for operations such as reading execution programs of the CPU 1100 and writing processing data of the execution programs.

[0035] The secondary storage 1200 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The secondary storage 1200 is, for example, a magnetic disk, a magnetooptical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like. Examples of the secondary storage 1200 include a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), a flash memory, and the like. The secondary storage 1200 stores, for example, an OS for controlling an entire information processing device, such as Windows (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), and Android (registered trademark), a basic input / output system (BIOS), various device drivers for hardware operations of peripheral devices, various types of application software, various pieces of data and files, and the like. Additionally, the secondary storage 1200 stores a program for implementing various types of processing and various pieces of data required to implement the various types of processing. A plurality of secondary storages 1200 may be provided, and the program and the data as described above may be divided and stored in each of the secondary storages 1200.

[0036] The control device 50 may include an input unit, a display unit including a liquid crystal display device that displays data, and the like. Further, the control device 50 may also include the display unit and a notification unit such as a lamp or a speaker that outputs sound, particularly an alarm sound.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a function of the control device in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 50 includes a temperature setting unit 51, a floor surface temperature detection unit 52, a suction temperature detection unit 53, and a determination unit 54.

[0039] A series of processes for implementing functions of the control device 50 is stored in the secondary storage 1200 (refer to FIG. 4) or the like in a form of a program as an example, and the CPU (processor) 1100 (refer to FIG. 4) reads the program into the main memory 1300 (refer to FIG. 4) to execute information processing and calculation processing, thereby implementing various functions. The program may be provided in various forms, such as being installed in the secondary storage 1200 in advance, stored in another non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, or distributed via wired or wireless communication means. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium include a magnetic disk, a magnetooptical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, and the like.

[0040] The temperature setting unit 51 shown in FIG. 5 acquires a set temperature for the room to be air-conditioned set by the user via a setting unit such as a remote control of the air conditioner 1.

[0041] The floor surface temperature detection unit 52 acquires the floor surface temperature of the room to be air-conditioned via the thermopile sensor 30 of the air conditioner 1.

[0042] The suction temperature detection unit 53 acquires the temperature (suction temperature) of the air suctioned into the air conditioner 1, that is, the temperature of the room to be air-conditioned, via a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the suction port 11 for the indoor air of the air conditioner 1.

[0043] The determination unit 54 determines the room temperature state based on each acquisition result of the temperature setting unit 51, the floor surface temperature detection unit 52, and the suction temperature detection unit 53.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a detection range of a floor surface temperature detection unit in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram of the air conditioner 1 installed on a ceiling of the room as seen from a lateral direction, with the ceiling of the room on the upper side of the drawing and a floor surface on the lower side of the drawing.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the thermopile sensor 30 of the air conditioner 1 is disposed toward a floor surface direction in the room and measures the floor surface temperature in the room.

[0047] The thermopile sensor 30 measures the floor surface temperature for each blowing direction of each of the air blowing ports 14 of the air conditioner 1, that is, for each of the four directions. The thermopile sensor 30 assumes the face position (for example, a height of 1.1 m from the floor surface) of the user in a seated posture, and measures a predetermined range (for example, a range of 3 meters directly below the thermopile sensor 30) from directly below the thermopile sensor 30 at the height of the face position of the user in the seated posture. In this case, the measurement range of the thermopile sensor 30 on the floor surface is wider than a predetermined range at the height of the face position. The thermopile sensor 30 may measure the measurement range at once for each direction, or may measure the divided measurement range by moving the direction of the thermopile sensor 30. In the invention of the present application, the thermopile sensor 30 divides the measurement range into 16 parts by dividing the depth direction into 4 parts and dividing the lateral direction into 4 parts for one direction, and measures the floor surface temperature in the measurement range 16 times by dividing the divided 16 parts one by one.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a detection range of the floor surface temperature detection unit in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the room as seen from above (ceiling direction).

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, the thermopile sensor 30 of the air conditioner 1 measures the floor surface temperature for each blowing direction of each of the air blowing ports 14 of the air conditioner 1, that is, for each of the four directions, every predetermined time. The thermopile sensor 30 may have a standby period after performing measurements in four directions. The measurement range of the thermopile sensor 30 on one floor surface has a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. 7.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a detection state of a floor surface temperature detection unit in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] In FIG. 8, for example, it is assumed that the first row is a position farthest from the air conditioner 1 and the seventh row is a position closest to the air conditioner 1. In the present embodiment, the thermopile sensor 30 measures the floor surface temperature in 16 parts (four rows and four columns) for the floor surface in one direction. However, the measurement result by the thermopile sensor 30 may be subjected to image processing to obtain a pseudo result of seven rows and seven columns. As shown in FIG. 8, the result is displayed as a temperature distribution for each cell. In the temperature distribution, different colors may be used for each predetermined temperature range. In the case of FIG. 8, the darker the shading is, the higher the temperature is. A predetermined threshold value for determining the presence or absence of a human body is set, a cell exceeding the predetermined threshold value is determined that a human body is present, and a cell equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value is determined that no human bodies are present. The cells exceeding the predetermined threshold value and the cells equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value may be colored with different colors.

[0053] In this way, a human body can be detected by determining the presence or absence of a human body based on whether or not the cell indicates that the floor surface temperature is significantly high by using the measurement result of the thermopile sensor 30.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detection state of the floor surface temperature detection unit in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0055] Each cell in the seven rows and the seven columns of FIG. 9 corresponds to each cell of FIG. 8.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, cells exceeding 26 degrees in FIG. 8 are shown in white, and the other cells are shown in black. In the present embodiment, for example, 26 degrees is set as the predetermined threshold value for determining the presence or absence of a human body. However, the threshold value is not limited thereto and can be set as desired, and another value may be used.

[0057] Further, the seven rows and the seven columns of FIG. 9 may be divided into two of the upper three rows (area far from the air conditioner 1, three rows and seven columns) and the lower four rows (area close to the air conditioner 1, four rows and seven columns). As shown in FIG. 6, an area far from the air conditioner 1 is referred to as an Upper position, and an area close to the air conditioner 1 is referred to as a Lower position. The position for dividing the area can be set as desired.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 9, the Upper position is the upper three rows surrounded by the broken line (area far from the air conditioner 1, three rows and seven columns), and the Lower position is the lower four rows surrounded by the broken line (area close to the air conditioner 1, four rows and seven columns).

[0059] In the present embodiment, in addition to determining the presence or absence of a human body based on the determination result of each cell based on the measurement result measured by the thermopile sensor 30 for each blowing direction of each air blowing port 14 of the air conditioner 1, the position of the human body may be determined based on whether the position where the human body is determined to be present is any one or both of the Upper position and the Lower position.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing control of the air wing in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 10, whether or not to operate the air wing 17 is determined by a room temperature condition.

[0062] The temperature setting unit 51 of the control device 50 acquires a set temperature SP for the room. The floor surface temperature detection unit 52 acquires a floor surface temperature Tb_ave, and the suction temperature detection unit 53 acquires a suction temperature THI. A (°C) and B (°C) (A < B) are set as threshold values for determining the room temperature condition. For example, it is assumed that A = 2 (°C) and B = 4 (°C).

[0063] In a case where the room temperature condition is "SP + B < THI and SP + B < Tb_ave", that is, in a case where both the space and the floor surface are hot with the temperatures greatly exceeding the set temperature, the air wing 17 is turned OFF, that is, the air wing 17 is not rotated to the louver direction position and not operated.

[0064] In a case where the room temperature condition is "SP + A < THI ≤ SP + B and SP + A < Tb_ave ≤ SP + B", that is, in a case where both the space and the floor surface are hot with the temperature exceeding the set temperature, the air wing 17 is turned OFF, that is, the air wing 17 is not rotated to the louver direction position and not operated.

[0065] In a case where the room temperature condition is "SP + A < THI and Tb_ave ≤ SP +A ", that is, in a case where the space is hot with the temperature exceeding the set temperature but the floor surface is cool with the temperature close to the set temperature, the air wing 17 is turned ON, that is, the air wing 17 is rotated to the louver direction position and operated. In this manner, the air direction is fixed.

[0066] In a case where the room temperature condition is "THI ≤ SP + A and SP + A < Tb_ave", that is, in a case where the space is cool with the temperature close to the set temperature but the floor surface is hot with the temperature exceeding the set temperature, the air wing 17 is turned OFF, that is, the air wing 17 is not rotated to the louver direction position and not operated.

[0067] In a case where the room temperature condition is "THI ≤ SP + A and Tb_ave ≤ SP + A", that is, in a case where both the space and the floor surface are cool with the temperature close to the set temperature, the air wing 17 is turned ON, that is, the air wing 17 is rotated to the louver direction position and operated. In this manner, the air direction is fixed.

[0068] At the time of the start of the operation, in a case where the difference between the set temperature by the remote control and the floor surface temperature is large, that is, in a case where the floor surface is hot with the temperature exceeding the set temperature, the air wing 17 is not operated and cold air is sent to the room. After a while of the operation, in a case where the difference between the set temperature and the floor surface temperature is small, that is, in a case where the floor surface is cool with the temperature close to the set temperature, the air wing 17 is rotated and operated, and the cold air does not directly hit the human body.

[0069] The control device 50 controls the air wing 17 in this way, and thus, it is possible to concentrate on lowering the temperature near the human body until the room temperature reaches the set temperature, as compared with a case where the air wing 17 is manually set to be always ON, for example.

[0070] The above-described room temperature condition is a condition in a case where the air conditioner 1 performs cooling, dehumidification, or air blowing. In a case of performing heating, the room temperature condition can be applied by using conditions in which the temperatures SP + A and SP + B of the determination conditions are changed to SP - A and SP - B, respectively, and the directions of the inequality signs are reversed.

[0071] The control of the air wing 17 may be combined with the control of the air volume of the air conditioner 1 or the control of the louver 15. The control of the air volume of the air conditioner 1, the control of the louver 15, and the control of the air wing 17 are different depending on any one of "direct airflow control", "indirect airflow control", and "automatic airflow control" selected by the user. Each control can be selected for each air blowing port 14.

[0072] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing direct airflow control in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 11, in the direct airflow control, control is performed using the result of the human body detection (human body detection result) performed by the thermopile sensor 30.

[0074] The direct airflow control is set so that the air-conditioned air hits the user, and control is performed to adjust the air direction and the air volume so that the user feels a draft. Therefore, the air wing 17 is turned OFF, and is not rotated to the louver direction position and not operated. In addition, the air volume is increased more than the set air volume by the remote control.

[0075] In a case where there is no human body detection result, the louver 15 swings in all directions so that the air-conditioned air is distributed over the entire room because no human body is detected in the room and there is no target for direct airflow.

[0076] In a case where the human body detection result is at the Lower position, the human body at the Lower position is targeted for direct airflow, and the louver 15 swings in the human body detection direction, that is, to the Lower position and the vicinity thereof.

[0077] In a case where the human body detection result is at the Upper position, the human body at the Upper position is targeted for the direct airflow, and the louver 15 swings in the human body detection direction, that is, to the Upper position and the vicinity thereof.

[0078] In a case where the human body detection result is at both the Lower position and the Upper position, all the human bodies are targeted for the direct airflow, and the louver 15 swings in all directions so that the air-conditioned air is distributed over the entire room.

[0079] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing indirect airflow control in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 12, in the indirect airflow control, control is performed using the result of the human body detection (human body detection result) performed by the thermopile sensor 30.

[0081] The indirect airflow control is set so that the air-conditioned air does not hit the user, and performs control for adjusting the air direction and the air volume so that the user does not feel a draft. Therefore, the air wing 17 is turned ON, rotated to the louver direction position, and operated. The air volume is set to the set air volume by the remote control.

[0082] The louver 15 is fixed in the horizontal direction so that air does not hit a human body in any of a case where there is no human body detection result, a case where the human body detection result is at the Lower position, a case where the human body detection result is at the Upper position, and a case where the human body detection result is at both the Lower position and the Upper position.

[0083] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing automatic airflow control in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 13, in the automatic airflow control, control is performed using the result of the human body detection (human body detection result) performed by the thermopile sensor 30 and the room temperature condition.

[0085] The automatic airflow control is control in which the control device 50 of the air conditioner 1 automatically performs airflow control. Therefore, the air wing 17 and the air volume are controlled using the room temperature condition, and the louver 15 is controlled using the room temperature condition and the human body detection result. In the present embodiment, the control will be described by dividing the control into the five following controls of (1) to (5) according to the room temperature condition.

[0086] (1) Case where the room temperature condition is "SP + B < THI and SP + B < Tb_ave" (2) Case where the room temperature condition is "SP + A < THI ≤ SP + B and SP + A < Tb_ave ≤ SP + B" (3) Case where the room temperature condition is "SP + A < THI and Tb_ave ≤ SP + A" (4) Case where the room temperature condition is "THI ≤ SP + A and SP + A < Tb_ave" (5) Case where the room temperature condition is "THI ≤ SP + A and Tb_ave ≤ SP + A" (1) Case where the room temperature condition is "SP + B < THI and SP + B < Tb_ave"

[0087] In this case, the air wing 17 is turned OFF, that is, the air wing 17 is not rotated to the louver direction position and not operated. The air volume is increased more than the set air volume by the remote control as in the direct airflow control.

[0088] In a case where there is no human body detection result, the louver 15 swings in all directions so that the air-conditioned air is distributed over the entire room because no human body is detected in the room and there is no target for direct airflow.

[0089] In a case where the human body detection result is at the Lower position, in a case where the human body detection result is at the Upper position, and in a case where the human body detection result is at both the Lower position and the Upper position, the louver 15 swings in a direction in which the human body is not detected and in a human body non-detection direction, respectively. Here, in a case where the human body detection result is at both the Lower position and the Upper position, swinging is mainly performed toward the Upper position.

[0090] In a case where both the space and the floor surface are hot with the temperature greatly exceeding the set temperature as described above, the air volume is increased and the louver 15 is swung in a direction where there is no human body.

[0091] (2) Case where the room temperature condition is "SP + A < THI ≤ SP + B and SP + A < Tb_ave ≤ SP + B"

[0092] In this case, the air wing 17 is turned OFF, that is, the air wing 17 is not rotated to the louver direction position and not operated. The air volume is increased more than the set air volume by the remote control as in the direct airflow control.

[0093] In a case where there is no human body detection result, the louver 15 swings in all directions so that the air-conditioned air is distributed over the entire room because no human body is detected in the room and there is no target for direct airflow.

[0094] In a case where the human body detection result is at the Lower position, in a case where the human body detection result is at the Upper position, and in a case where the human body detection result is at both the Lower position and the Upper position, the louver 15 swings in a direction in which the human body is not detected and in a human body non-detection direction, respectively. Here, in a case where the human body detection result is at both the Lower position and the Upper position, swinging is mainly performed toward the Upper position. In addition, the swing range controlled with (2) is a swing range smaller than the swing range controlled with (1).

[0095] In a case where both the space and the floor surface are hot with the temperature exceeding the set temperature as described above, the air volume is increased and swing is performed in a direction where there is no human body, and the swing range is smaller than in the case of (1).

[0096] (3) Case where the room temperature condition is "SP + A < THI and Tb_ave ≤ SP + A"

[0097] In this case, the air wing 17 is turned ON, that is, the air wing 17 is rotated to the louver direction position and operated. The air volume is set to the set air volume by the remote control as in the indirect airflow control.

[0098] The louver 15 is fixed in the horizontal direction so that air does not hit a human body in any of a case where there is no human body detection result, a case where the human body detection result is at the Lower position, a case where the human body detection result is at the Upper position, and a case where the human body detection result is at both the Lower position and the Upper position.

[0099] In a case where the space is hot with the temperature exceeding the set temperature and the floor surface is cool with the temperature close to the set temperature, the air direction is fixed in the horizontal direction in this way.

[0100] (4) Case where the room temperature condition is "THI ≤ SP + A and SP + A < Tb_ave"

[0101] In this case, the air wing 17 is turned OFF, that is, the air wing 17 is not rotated to the louver direction position and not operated. The air volume is set to the set air volume by the remote control as in the indirect airflow control.

[0102] In a case where there is no human body detection result, the louver 15 swings in all directions so that the air-conditioned air is distributed over the entire room because no human body is detected in the room and there is no target for direct airflow.

[0103] In a case where the human body detection result is at the Lower position, in a case where the human body detection result is at the Upper position, and in a case where the human body detection result is at both the Lower position and the Upper position, the louver 15 swings in a direction in which the human body is not detected and in a human body non-detection direction, respectively. Here, in a case where the human body detection result is at both the Lower position and the Upper position, swinging is mainly performed toward the Upper position. In addition, the swing range controlled with (2) is a swing range smaller than the swing range controlled with (1).

[0104] In a case where the space is cool with the temperature close to the set temperature and the floor surface is hot with the temperature exceeding the set temperature, the louver 15 is swung in a direction where there is no human body with the air volume unchanged.

[0105] (5) Case where the room temperature condition is "THI ≤ SP + A and Tb_ave ≤ SP + A"

[0106] In this case, the air wing 17 is turned ON, that is, the air wing 17 is rotated to the louver direction position and operated. The air volume is set to the set air volume by the remote control as in the indirect airflow control.

[0107] The louver 15 is fixed in the horizontal direction so that air does not hit a human body in any of a case where there is no human body detection result, a case where the human body detection result is at the Lower position, a case where the human body detection result is at the Upper position, and a case where the human body detection result is at both the Lower position and the Upper position.

[0108] In a case where the space and the floor surface are cool with the temperature close to the set temperature, the air direction is fixed in the horizontal direction in this way.

[0109] The above-described room temperature condition is a condition in a case where the air conditioner 1 performs cooling, dehumidification, or air blowing. In a case of performing heating, the room temperature condition can be applied by using conditions in which the temperatures SP + A and SP + B of the determination conditions are changed to SP - A and SP - B, respectively, and the directions of the inequality signs are reversed.

[0110] FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams showing a control flow of the automatic airflow control of the control device in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0111] In step S101 in FIG. 14, the temperature setting unit 51 of the control device 50 acquires the set temperature SP, the floor surface temperature detection unit 52 acquires the floor surface temperature Tb_ave, and the suction temperature detection unit 53 acquires the suction temperature THI.

[0112] The determination unit 54 determines the suction temperature THI (S102). In a case where THI > SP + B is established, the process transitions to step S103. In a case where SP + A < THI ≤ SP + B is established, the process transitions to step S105. In a case where THI ≤ SP + A is established, the process transitions to A in FIG. 15, that is, to step S108 in FIG. 15. Here, it is assumed that A < B.

[0113] In a case where THI > SP + B is established in the determination of the suction temperature THI, it is determined whether or not the floor surface temperature Tb_ave exceeds SP + B (S 103). When it is determined that the floor surface temperature Tb_ave exceeds SP+B, the process transitions to step S104, and the control of (1) in FIG. 13 is performed.

[0114] In a case where SP + A < THI ≤ SP + B is established in the determination of the suction temperature THI, the floor surface temperature Tb_ave is determined (S105). In a case where SP + A < Tb_ave ≤ SP + B is established, the process transitions to step S106. In a case where Tb_ave ≤ SP + A is established, the process transitions to step S107.

[0115] When the process transitions to step S106, the control of (2) in FIG. 13 is performed. On the other hand, when the process transitions to step S107, the control of (3) in FIG. 13 is performed.

[0116] In a case where THI ≤ SP + A is established in the determination of the suction temperature THI, the process transitions to A in FIG. 15, and the floor surface temperature Tb_ave is determined (S108 in FIG. 15). In a case where SP + A < Tb_ave ≤ SP + B is established, the process transitions to step S109. In a case where Tb_ave ≤ SP + A is established, the process transitions to step S110.

[0117] When the process transitions to step S109, the control of (4) in FIG. 13 is performed. On the other hand, when the process transitions to step S110, the control of (5) in FIG. 13 is performed.<Supplementary Notes>

[0118] The control device, the air conditioner, the control method, and the control program described in the embodiment above are understood as follows, for example.

[0119] A control device (50) according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is a control device for an air conditioner (1) including an air blowing port (14) for air-conditioned air that is provided at a panel body (3) and that opens downward, a louver (15) that is rotatably provided at the air blowing port and that adjusts a blowing direction of the air-conditioned air, an air wing (17) that is provided at the air blowing port of the panel body and that has a wing portion (18) which is rotatable between a storage position where the air wing is stored in the panel body and a louver direction position where the air wing faces the air-conditioned air blown in a louver direction, a rotation mechanism that rotates the air wing between the storage position and the louver direction position, and a setting unit that sets a set temperature for a room to be air-conditioned, the control device includes a floor surface temperature detection unit (52) that detects a floor surface temperature in the room and a determination unit (54) that determines a room temperature state based on a difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature, in which the control device controls an operation of the air wing based on a determination result of the room temperature state by the determination unit.

[0120] The air wing operation of blocking the blowing of the air-conditioned air in the louver direction blown from the air blowing port needs to be set by the user. However, since the air wing operation is controlled based on the determination result of the room temperature state, the user does not need to perform a setting operation to able or disable the air wing with a remote control or the like, and the convenience of the user is improved.

[0121] In the control device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the air wing may be rotated to the louver direction position in a case where the difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature is smaller than a first threshold value.

[0122] In a case where a difference between the floor surface temperature of the space in which the air conditioner is installed and the set temperature is small, that is, in a case where the floor surface temperature is close to the set temperature, since the air wing is rotated to the louver direction position to block the blowing of the air-conditioned air in the louver direction, the draft feeling can be reduced or eliminated.

[0123] The control device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the first or second aspect, may further include a suction temperature detection unit (53) that detects a suction temperature of the air conditioner, and the determination unit determines the room temperature state based on the difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature and a difference between the suction temperature and the set temperature.

[0124] Since determination is performed based on the difference between the suction temperature and the set temperature in addition to the difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature, determination can be performed based on various room temperature states.

[0125] In the control device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to third aspects, a swing direction of the louver may be controlled based on the determination result of the room temperature state by the determination unit.

[0126] The blowing direction of the air-conditioned air can be controlled by a louver operation in addition to the air wing. It is possible to cope with various room temperature states with a combination of the louver operation and the air wing operation.

[0127] In the control device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the fourth aspect, presence or absence of a human body and a position of the human body may be estimated based on the floor surface temperature detected by the floor surface temperature detection unit, and the swing direction of the louver may be controlled based on the presence or absence of the human body and the position of the human body.

[0128] Since the swing direction of the louver is controlled based on the presence or absence of the human body and the position of the human body, it is possible to control the air-conditioned air in consideration of the presence or absence of the draft feeling on the human body.

[0129] In the control device according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the fourth or fifth aspect, an air volume of the air-conditioned air may be controlled based on the determination result of the room temperature state by the determination unit.

[0130] The air volume of the air-conditioned air can be controlled in addition to the air wing and the louver. It is possible to cope with various room temperature states with a combination of the louver operation, the air wing operation, and the air volume.

[0131] An air conditioner according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes the control device according to any one of first to sixth aspects, an air blowing port for air-conditioned air that is provided at a panel body and that opens downward, a louver that is rotatably provided at the air blowing port and that adjusts a blowing direction of the air-conditioned air, an air wing that has a wing portion which is disposed outside the air blowing port of the panel body, is rotatable between a storage position where the air wing is flush with the panel body and a louver direction position where the air wing faces the air-conditioned air blown in a louver direction, and blocks blowing in the louver direction, and a setting unit that sets a set temperature.

[0132] In the air conditioner according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the seventh aspect, the panel body may be provided with a plurality of the air blowing ports, and the air wing may be disposed corresponding to each of the air blowing ports.

[0133] A control method according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for an air conditioner which includes an air blowing port for air-conditioned air that is provided at a panel body and that opens downward, a louver that is rotatably provided at the air blowing port and that adjusts a blowing direction of the air-conditioned air, an air wing that is provided at the air blowing port of the panel body and that has a wing portion which is rotatable between a storage position where the air wing is stored in the panel body and a louver direction position where the air wing faces the air-conditioned air blown in a louver direction, and a setting unit that sets a set temperature for a room to be air-conditioned, the control method for causing a computer to execute a process including a floor surface temperature detection step of detecting a floor surface temperature in the room, a determination step of determining a room temperature state based on a difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature, and a control step of controlling an operation of the air wing based on a determination result of the room temperature state in the determination step.

[0134] A control program according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to the ninth aspect.Reference Signs List

[0135] 1:air conditioner 3:panel body 14:air blowing port 15:louver 17:air wing 18:wing portion 19:arm portion 30:thermopile sensor (sensor) 50:control device 51:temperature setting unit 52:floor surface temperature detection unit 53:suction temperature detection unit 54:determination unit

Claims

1. A control device for an air conditioner including an air blowing port for air-conditioned air that is provided at a panel body and that opens downward, a louver that is rotatably provided at the air blowing port and that adjusts a blowing direction of the air-conditioned air, an air wing that is provided at the air blowing port of the panel body and that has a wing portion which is rotatable between a storage position where the air wing is stored in the panel body and a louver direction position where the air wing faces the air-conditioned air blown in a louver direction, a rotation mechanism that rotates the air wing between the storage position and the louver direction position, and a setting unit that sets a set temperature for a room to be air-conditioned, the control device comprising: a floor surface temperature detection unit that detects a floor surface temperature in the room; and a determination unit that determines a room temperature state based on a difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature, wherein the control device controls an operation of the air wing based on a determination result of the room temperature state by the determination unit.

2. The control device according to Claim 1, wherein the air wing is rotated to the louver direction position in a case where the difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature is smaller than a first threshold value.

3. The control device according to Claim 1, further comprising: a suction temperature detection unit that detects a suction temperature of the air conditioner, wherein the determination unit determines the room temperature state based on the difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature and a difference between the suction temperature and the set temperature.

4. The control device according to Claim 1, wherein a swing direction of the louver is controlled based on the determination result of the room temperature state by the determination unit.

5. The control device according to Claim 4, wherein presence or absence of a human body and a position of the human body are estimated based on the floor surface temperature detected by the floor surface temperature detection unit, and the swing direction of the louver is controlled based on the presence or absence of the human body and the position of the human body.

6. The control device according to Claim 4, wherein an air volume of the air-conditioned air is controlled based on the determination result of the room temperature state by the determination unit.

7. An air conditioner comprising: the control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6; an air blowing port for air-conditioned air that is provided at a panel body and that opens downward; a louver that is rotatably provided at the air blowing port and that adjusts a blowing direction of the air-conditioned air; an air wing that has a wing portion which is disposed outside the air blowing port of the panel body, is rotatable between a storage position where the air wing is flush with the panel body and a louver direction position where the air wing faces the air-conditioned air blown in a louver direction, and blocks blowing in the louver direction; and a setting unit that sets a set temperature.

8. The air conditioner according to Claim 7, wherein the panel body is provided with a plurality of the air blowing ports, and the air wing is disposed corresponding to each of the air blowing ports.

9. A control method for an air conditioner which includes an air blowing port for air-conditioned air that is provided at a panel body and that opens downward, a louver that is rotatably provided at the air blowing port and that adjusts a blowing direction of the air-conditioned air, an air wing that is provided at the air blowing port of the panel body and that has a wing portion which is rotatable between a storage position where the air wing is stored in the panel body and a louver direction position where the air wing faces the air-conditioned air blown in a louver direction, and a setting unit that sets a set temperature for a room to be air-conditioned, the control method for causing a computer to execute a process comprising: a floor surface temperature detection step of detecting a floor surface temperature in the room; a determination step of determining a room temperature state based on a difference between the floor surface temperature and the set temperature; and a control step of controlling an operation of the air wing based on a determination result of the room temperature state in the determination step.

10. A control program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to Claim 9.

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