Air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner which can reduce power consumption.SOLUTION: An air conditioner of one embodiment of the present invention has an indoor unit and a control part. The control part executes an air-conditioning operation at a set temperature which is set by a user. The indoor unit has a wind direction plate and an organism sensor. The wind direction plate adjusts a wind direction of air-conditioned air which is blown out indoors. The organism sensor detects a position of the organism which exists indoors. The control part turns the wind direction plate so that a wind progresses toward the position of the organism which is detected by the organism sensor in a first mode, and performs control for performing a cooling operation or a dehumidification operation at a target temperature which is higher than the set temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In an air conditioning apparatus having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor unit performs air conditioning processes such as heat exchange on air drawn in from inside the room through an air intake, and then blows the conditioned air that has been air-conditioned into the room. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-034260 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Air conditioners are sometimes required to reduce their power consumption.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an air conditioner that can reduce power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An air conditioning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention has an indoor unit and a control unit. The control unit performs air conditioning operation at a set temperature set by a user. The indoor unit has an air deflector and a biosensor. The air deflector adjusts the direction of conditioned air blown into the room. The biosensor detects the position of a living organism in the room. In a first mode, the control unit orients the air deflector so that air is directed toward the position of the living organism detected by the biosensor, and controls the apparatus to perform cooling operation or dehumidification operation at a target temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0007] The biosensor includes a radar.

[0008] When multiple living organisms are detected by the biosensor, the control unit identifies a living organism among the multiple living organisms that satisfies a predetermined condition, and in the first mode, controls the wind direction vane so that wind is directed toward the position of the identified living organism.

[0009] When the number of living organisms detected by the biological sensor exceeds a predetermined number, the control unit transitions from the first mode to the second mode, and controls the unit to perform cooling operation or dehumidification operation at a set temperature in the second mode.

[0010] When the control unit detects multiple living organisms by the biological sensor, it changes to the first mode, identifies the directional range in which the multiple living organisms are present, and transitions to a third mode in which the air direction vane swings within the directional range, and in the third mode, controls the unit to perform cooling or dehumidification operation at a target temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0011] The air conditioner includes an operation terminal that transmits commands to the control unit. The operation terminal has a display unit that can display the set temperature.

[0012] The air conditioner displays information about the first mode on the display unit.

[0013] The indoor unit or the operation terminal has a room temperature sensor that detects the room temperature, and in the first mode, the control unit changes the target temperature according to the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature.

[0014] The indoor unit or the operation terminal further has a body surface temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the surface of the living body, and the control unit changes the target temperature in accordance with the temperature of the surface of the living body in the first mode.

[0015] The operation terminal further has an operation unit for instructing a set air volume, and the control unit controls in the first mode to perform a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation at a target air volume that is stronger than the set air volume.

[0016] The operation terminal is capable of receiving the amount of clothing worn, and the control unit determines the air volume according to the information relating to the amount of clothing worn transmitted from the operation terminal, and in the first mode, controls the air conditioner to perform cooling operation or dehumidification operation at the determined air volume.

[0017] The control unit determines an air volume according to the distance from the indoor unit to the living body detected by the living body sensor, and in the first mode, performs control so as to perform cooling operation or dehumidification operation at the determined air volume.

[0018] In the fourth mode, the control unit orients the air deflector so that air flows toward the position of the living body detected by the living body sensor, and performs control so as to perform heating operation at a target temperature that is lower than the set temperature.

[0019] In the fourth mode, the control unit controls the air conditioner to face the wind direction plate so as to direct wind toward the feet of the living body, and performs heating operation at a target temperature.

[0020] An air conditioning apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention has an indoor unit, a control unit, and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit has an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, an air deflector, a biological sensor, and a room temperature sensor. The indoor heat exchanger exchanges heat between indoor air and a refrigerant. The indoor fan blows the conditioned air that has been heat exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger into the room. The air deflector adjusts the wind direction of the conditioned air that is blown into the room. The biological sensor detects the position of a living organism in the room. The room temperature sensor detects the temperature inside the room. The outdoor unit has an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and a compressor. The outdoor heat exchanger exchanges heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant. The outdoor fan blows the conditioned air that has been heat exchanged in the outdoor heat exchanger to the outside. The compressor is capable of compressing the refrigerant circulating between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. In the first mode, during cooling or dehumidifying operation, the control unit orients the air deflector so that air is directed toward the position of the living body detected by the living body sensor, and controls the compressor to operate at a second drive frequency lower than the first drive frequency based on the difference between the set temperature and the room temperature.

[0021] According to the above air conditioner, for example, a biosensor detects the position of a living organism in a room, and in the first mode, the air conditioner tracks the detected position of the living organism while directing the air deflector toward the location of the living organism and performs cooling operation at a target temperature higher than the set temperature. As a result, when the living organism moves around in the room, the conditioned air is directed at the living organism, effectively lowering the organism's perceived temperature, and cooling operation can be performed at a load lower than the load corresponding to the set temperature. As a result, the comfort of the living organism in the room can be dynamically improved, and the power consumption of the air conditioner can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an indoor unit in the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration and operation of an indoor unit in the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration and operation of an indoor unit in the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of a biological sensor of the air conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a diagram showing information detected by a biological sensor of the air conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an operation terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram showing control modes of the air conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a top view showing air blow control of an indoor unit of the air conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a side view showing air blow control of an indoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a side view showing air blow control of an indoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing correction information for a power-saving cooling mode in the first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 13]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing correction information for a power-saving heating mode in a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing correction information for a power-saving cooling mode in a third modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing correction information for a power-saving heating mode in a fourth modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 16] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the operation of a display unit of an operation terminal according to a fifth modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a top view showing air blow control of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a sixth modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a top view showing air blow control of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a sixth modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a top view showing air blow control of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an eighth modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air-conditioning apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] (Embodiment) An air conditioner according to an embodiment can be configured as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioner.

[0025] The air conditioning device 1 has an operation terminal 94a, an indoor unit 10, and an outdoor unit 100. The indoor unit 10 is disposed in the room RM, and the outdoor unit 100 is disposed outside the room. The operation terminal 94a receives an operation instruction from a living body CR present in the room RM, and transmits a command to the indoor unit 10 in response to the received operation instruction. The operation terminal 94a is, for example, a remote controller. The operation terminal 94a may also be, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal device, or a personal computer. The operation terminal 94a may transmit a command to the indoor unit 10 via a network or a server connected to the network. The operation terminal 94a may have a button for commanding a set temperature. The button for commanding a set temperature may be a physical button, or may be a button of a display object displayed on a screen.

[0026] In this specification, the set temperature refers to a temperature commanded to the air conditioner 1 via the operation terminal 94a. The target temperature refers to a temperature as a control target for the air drawn by the air conditioner 1 from the room RM.

[0027] The indoor unit 10 has a biosensor 2, a control unit 3, a wind direction plate 4, a wind direction plate 5, a room temperature sensor 7, and a body surface temperature sensor 8. The outdoor unit 100 has a control unit 103. The control unit 3 and the control unit 103 cooperate with each other to perform air conditioning processing in response to a command received by the indoor unit 10 from the operation terminal 94a. That is, the control unit 3 and the control unit 103 can perform air conditioning operation at a set temperature set by a user via the operation terminal 94a. At the same time, the control unit 3 performs control using the biosensor 2. The biosensor 2 may be a human sensor in this case. The biosensor 2 may be, for example, a radar. The control unit 3 has a tracking control mode, a power-saving cooling mode (first mode), a power-saving heating mode (second mode), and a normal control mode as control modes.

[0028] The control unit 3 may be the one that mainly performs the air conditioning process. In that case, the outdoor unit 100 may have a configuration in which the control unit 103 is omitted. Alternatively, the control unit 103 may be the one that mainly performs the air conditioning process. In that case, the outdoor unit 100 may have a configuration in which the control unit 3 is omitted.

[0029] The tracking control mode is a mode for performing tracking control of the bio-CR using the bio-sensor 2. The bio-tracking control includes control performed while tracking the position of the bio-CR. The power-saving cooling mode is a mode for performing cooling operation including bio-tracking control using the bio-sensor 2 and power-saving control. The power-saving heating mode is a mode for performing heating operation including bio-tracking control using the bio-sensor 2 and power-saving control. The normal control mode is a mode for performing normal control without using the bio-sensor 2.

[0030] In the power-saving cooling mode, the biological sensor 2 detects the position of the biological CR in the room RM under the control of the control unit 3. The control unit 3 controls the air deflectors 4 and 5 to move in a direction toward the position of the detected biological CR while tracking the position of the detected biological CR. In other words, the air deflectors are oriented so that the wind is directed toward the position of the biological CR. At this time, the room temperature sensor 7 detects the temperature of the air in the room RM under the control of the control unit 3. The air conditioner 1 corrects the target temperature to a temperature higher than the set temperature instructed by the operation terminal 94a. The air conditioner 1 performs cooling operation so that the temperature of the air in the room RM detected by the room temperature sensor 7 approaches the target temperature.

[0031] As a result, when a living organism CR present in the room RM moves through the room RM, the conditioned air from the indoor unit 10 hits the living organism CR, effectively lowering the living organism's sensible temperature, and the air conditioner 1 can perform cooling operation with an operating load lower than the operating load corresponding to the set temperature. For example, if the living organism sensor 2 is a radar, the tracking ability of the control can be easily improved. In other words, the conditioned air can be made to hit the living organism CR in real time, and comfort is less likely to be impaired. As a result, the comfort of the living organism CR present in the room RM can be dynamically improved, and the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 can be reduced.

[0032] In the power-saving cooling mode, the control of directing the air deflector so that the wind is directed toward the position of the living body CR may include, in addition to the control of directing the air deflector exactly in the direction of the living body CR, the control of directing the air deflector in a direction that the wind hits the living body CR even if the air deflector is not exactly in the direction of the living body CR. The control of directing the air deflector so that the wind is directed toward the position of the living body CR may include, for example, a control of dividing the room into about 3 to 4 areas, identifying which area the living body CR is in, and sending air toward that area (a wider range). The control of directing the air deflector so that the wind is directed toward the position of the living body CR may include a control of swinging the air deflector left and right within a range in which the wind does not deviate from the position of the living body CR, with the position of the living body CR as the center.

[0033] In the power-saving heating mode, the biological sensor 2 detects the position of the biological organism CR in the room RM under the control of the control unit 3. The control unit 3 controls the air deflectors 4 and 5 to move in a direction toward the position of the feet of the detected biological organism CR while tracking the position of the detected biological organism CR. In other words, the air deflectors are oriented so that the wind is directed toward the position of the biological organism CR. At this time, the room temperature sensor 7 detects the temperature of the air in the room RM under the control of the control unit 3. The air conditioner 1 corrects the target temperature to a temperature lower than the set temperature instructed by the operation terminal 94a. The air conditioner 1 performs heating operation so that the temperature of the air in the room RM detected by the room temperature sensor 7 approaches the target temperature.

[0034] As a result, when a living organism CR present in the room RM moves within the room RM, the conditioned air from the indoor unit 10 reaches the feet of the living organism CR, and the living organism CR is warmed from the feet up, effectively raising the sensible temperature of the living organism, and the air conditioner 1 can perform heating operation with an operating load lower than the operating load corresponding to the set temperature. For example, if the living organism sensor 2 is a radar, the tracking ability of the control can be easily improved. In other words, the conditioned air can be made to reach the feet of the living organism CR in real time, and comfort is less likely to be impaired. As a result, the comfort of the living organism CR present in the room RM can be dynamically improved, and the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 can be reduced.

[0035] In the energy-saving heating mode, the control of directing the airflow vane so that the wind is directed to the position of the feet of the living body CR may include, in addition to the control of directing the airflow vane exactly in the direction of the feet of the living body CR, the control of directing the airflow vane in a direction that the wind hits the feet of the living body CR even if the airflow vane is not exactly in the direction of the feet of the living body CR. The control of directing the airflow vane so that the wind is directed to the position of the feet of the living body CR may include, for example, a control of dividing the room into about 3 to 4 areas, identifying which area the living body CR is in, and sending the wind toward that area (a wide range). The control of directing the airflow vane so that the wind is directed to the position of the feet of the living body CR may include a control of swinging the airflow vane left and right within a range in which the wind does not deviate from the position of the feet of the living body CR as the center.

[0036] In the power-saving cooling mode or power-saving heating mode, the body surface temperature sensor 8 may detect the temperature (body surface temperature) of the surface of the living body CR. Under the control of the control unit 3, the body surface temperature sensor 8 can scan an area near the position of the living body CR in the room RM to acquire temperature scan data. The body surface temperature sensor 8 is, for example, an infrared sensor. The control unit 3 can cut out a portion of the temperature scan data corresponding to the position of the living body CR, and obtain the body surface temperature according to the temperature data of the cut out portion. This allows the control unit 3 to perform control according to the body surface temperature.

[0037] In control modes other than the power-saving cooling mode and the power-saving heating mode (for example, the tracking control mode and the normal control mode), the air conditioner 1 performs cooling operation or heating operation at the set temperature instructed by the operation terminal 94a.

[0038] Specifically, the indoor unit 10 performs air conditioning processing on air drawn in from the room RM through an intake port, and blows out the conditioned air that has been subjected to the air conditioning processing toward the room RM. The air conditioning processing includes, for example, heat absorption processing, heating processing, dehumidification processing, humidification processing, air blowing processing, and air cleaning processing. The heat absorption processing, heating processing, dehumidification processing, humidification processing, air blowing processing, and air cleaning processing correspond to the cooling operation mode, heating operation mode, dehumidification operation mode, humidification operation mode, air blowing operation mode, and air cleaning operation mode, which are operation modes (main operation modes) of the air conditioner 1, respectively.

[0039] The main operation mode can be arbitrarily combined with the control mode (for example, tracking control mode, normal control mode, power-saving cooling mode, power-saving heating mode). In the tracking control mode, the air conditioner 1 can take any of the cooling operation mode, heating operation mode, dehumidification operation mode, humidification operation mode, fan operation mode, and air purification operation mode. The same is true for the normal control mode. In the power-saving cooling mode, the air conditioner 1 can take the cooling operation mode. In the power-saving heating mode, the air conditioner 1 can take the heating operation mode.

[0040] In the air conditioning process, the humidification process may be omitted. In this case, as an operation mode of the air conditioner 1, the humidification operation mode may be omitted.

[0041] The air conditioner 1 has auxiliary operation modes: windless mode on and windless mode off. The auxiliary operation modes can be arbitrarily combined with the control modes (for example, tracking control mode, normal control mode, power-saving cooling mode, and power-saving heating mode) and can be arbitrarily combined with the main operation modes. In windless mode on, when conditioned air is blown out from the indoor unit 10, winds of two different flow speeds are mixed to generate turbulence that diffuses over a wide area, generating a natural wind (so-called wind with a windless feel).

[0042] The air conditioner 1 may have an automatic operation mode as an operation mode. The air conditioner 1 detects the temperature of the room RM with a room temperature sensor 7. The room temperature sensor 7 is provided in a location where it can detect the air in the room RM. The room temperature sensor 7 may be provided near the air intake port and detect the temperature of the air sucked from the room RM to the air intake port. In the automatic operation mode, the air conditioner 1 operates in a heating operation mode if the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 7 is higher than a set temperature, and operates in the heating operation mode if the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 7 is lower than the set temperature.

[0043] Various methods can be applied to the air purification process, and an electric dust collection method or a fan method may be applied. In the electric dust collection method, dust is removed from the air by passing air charged with dust through a filter and adsorbing the dust to the filter charged with the opposite polarity. In the fan method, dust is removed from the air by passing the air through a fine filter such as a HEPA filter and filtering the dust through the filter. Alternatively, the air purification process may be applied by a method of releasing ions into the air, or a method of sterilizing the inside of the housing of the air conditioner 1 by irradiating ultraviolet (UV) rays.

[0044] In the air conditioner 1, the indoor unit 10 has a biosensor 2, a control unit 3, louvers 4 and 5, a room temperature sensor 7, and a body surface temperature sensor 8, as well as a fan 23, a heat exchanger 22, a ventilation member 6, and a receiving device 94. The control unit 3 includes a control device 80, a drive circuit 81, a drive circuit 82, a drive circuit 83, a fan motor 84, louver motor 85, louver motor 86, and a switching motor 87. The outdoor unit 100 has a fan 123, a heat exchanger 122, a four-way valve 124, a compressor 125, and a control unit 103. The control unit 103 includes a control device 180, a drive circuit 181, a drive circuit 182, a drive circuit 183, a fan motor 184, a switching motor 185, and a motor 186.

[0045] In the indoor unit 10, the fan 23 is disposed near the heat exchanger 22. The fan 23 guides air drawn from the room RM through the air inlet of the indoor unit 10 to the heat exchanger 22, and also guides the conditioned air that has been heat exchanged in the heat exchanger 22 to the air outlet of the indoor unit 10. The control unit 3 drives the fan motor 84 with the drive circuit 81 to rotate the fan 23 around its rotation axis. The control unit 3 is capable of changing the rotation speed of the fan 23.

[0046] The heat exchanger 22 may have various configurations. For example, the heat exchanger 22 includes a plurality of fins and a refrigerant circuit (not shown) connected to the fins. The refrigerant circuit passes close to the fins and is in thermal contact with the refrigerant circuit. The heat exchanger 22 exchanges heat between the air drawn from the room RM and the refrigerant.

[0047] In the outdoor unit 100, the fan 123 is disposed near the heat exchanger 122. The fan 123 rotates in response to control by the control unit 103. As a result, the fan 123 draws in outside air and guides it to the heat exchanger 122, and also exhausts the outside air that has been heat exchanged in the heat exchanger 122 to the outside of the outdoor unit 100. The control unit 103 drives the fan motor 184 using the drive circuit 181, causing the fan 123 to rotate around the rotation axis. The control unit 103 is able to change the rotation speed of the fan 123 via the control unit 103.

[0048] The heat exchanger 122 may have various configurations. For example, the heat exchanger 122 may include a plurality of fins and a refrigerant circuit connected thereto. The fins are in thermal contact with the refrigerant circuit, with the refrigerant circuit passing nearby. The heat exchanger 122 exchanges heat with the refrigerant and the outside air.

[0049] The four-way valve 124 is disposed in the refrigerant circuit. The four-way valve 124 can switch the flow path of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit between the cooling side and the heating side according to the control by the control unit 103. The control unit 103 drives the switching motor 185 by the drive circuit 182, and can switch the four-way valve 124 between the cooling side and the heating side. The control unit 3 can switch the four-way valve 124 between the cooling side and the heating side via the control unit 103.

[0050] The compressor 125 is disposed in the refrigerant circuit. The compressor 125 compresses the refrigerant and sends it into the refrigerant circuit in accordance with the control of the control unit 3. The control unit 103 drives the motor 186 via the drive circuit 183 to cause the compressor 125 to perform a cycle of compressing the refrigerant. The control unit 3 can change the rotation speed of the compressor 125 (the number of compression cycles performed per unit time) via the control unit 103.

[0051] In cooling operation and heating operation, the higher the rotation speed of the compressor 125 (or the higher the drive frequency), the higher the operating load of the air conditioner 1 becomes, and the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 tends to increase.

[0052] For example, the air conditioner 1 switches the four-way valve 124 to the cooling side with the control unit 3 and the control unit 103 in (control mode, operation mode)=(normal control mode, cooling operation mode). The air conditioner 1 determines the drive frequency of the compressor 125 to a first drive frequency based on the temperature difference between the set temperature instructed by the operation terminal 94a and the room temperature with the control unit 3 and the control unit 103. While controlling the compressor 125 to operate at the first drive frequency, the air conditioner 1 performs a heat absorption process in the heat exchanger 22, causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the air in the room RM, and blows the conditioned air with the heat absorbed into the room RM. Alternatively, the air conditioner 1 determines the rotation speed of the compressor 125 to a first rotation speed corresponding to the set temperature instructed by the operation terminal 94a. The air conditioner 1 performs a heat absorption process in the heat exchanger 22 while controlling the compressor 125 to operate at a first rotation speed, causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the air in the room RM, and blows the conditioned air from which the heat has been absorbed into the room RM. A heat dissipation process is performed in the heat exchanger 122, and the heat absorbed by the refrigerant is released to the outside air.

[0053] Alternatively, the air conditioner 1 switches the four-way valve 124 to the cooling side in (control mode, operation mode) = (power-saving cooling mode, cooling operation mode) by the control unit 3 and the control unit 103. The air conditioner 1 determines the drive frequency of the compressor 125 to a second drive frequency based on a temperature difference smaller than the temperature difference between the set temperature commanded by the operation terminal 94a and the room temperature by the control unit 3 and the control unit 103. The second drive frequency is lower than the first drive frequency. The air conditioner 1 performs a heat absorption process in the heat exchanger 22 while controlling the compressor 125 to operate at the second drive frequency, causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the air in the room RM, and blows out the conditioned air with the heat absorbed into the room RM. Alternatively, the air conditioner 1 determines the rotation speed of the compressor 125 to a second rotation speed corresponding to a temperature higher than the set temperature commanded by the operation terminal 94a. The second rotation speed is lower than the first rotation speed. The air conditioner 1 performs a heat absorption process in the heat exchanger 22 while controlling the compressor 125 to operate at the second rotation speed, causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the air in the room RM, and blows the conditioned air from which the heat has been absorbed into the room RM. A heat dissipation process is performed in the heat exchanger 122, and the heat absorbed by the refrigerant is released to the outside air.

[0054] In the (control mode, operation mode) = (energy-saving cooling mode, cooling operation mode), the operation of the compressor 125 is controlled at a lower drive frequency compared to the (control mode, operation mode) = (normal control mode, cooling operation mode), so the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 can be reduced further. Alternatively, the operation of the compressor 125 is controlled at a lower rotation speed, so the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 can be reduced further.

[0055] Alternatively, the air conditioner 1 switches the four-way valve 124 to the heating side with the control unit 3 and the control unit 103 in (control mode, operation mode)=(normal control mode, heating operation mode). The air conditioner 1 determines the drive frequency of the compressor 125 to a third drive frequency based on the temperature difference between the set temperature instructed by the operation terminal 94a and the room temperature with the control unit 3 and the control unit 103. The air conditioner 1 performs a heat absorption process in the heat exchanger 122 while controlling the compressor 125 to operate at the third drive frequency, and causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the outside air. Alternatively, the air conditioner 1 determines the rotation speed of the compressor 125 to a third rotation speed corresponding to the set temperature instructed by the operation terminal 94a. The air conditioner 1 performs a heat absorption process in the heat exchanger 122 while controlling the compressor 125 to operate at the third rotation speed, and causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the outside air. Heating is performed in the heat exchanger 22, the air in the room RM is heated with the heat absorbed by the refrigerant, and the heated conditioned air is blown out into the room RM.

[0056] Alternatively, the air conditioner 1 switches the four-way valve 124 to the heating side in (control mode, operation mode) = (power-saving heating mode, heating operation mode) by the control unit 3 and the control unit 103. The air conditioner 1 determines the drive frequency of the compressor 125 to a fourth drive frequency based on a temperature difference smaller than the temperature difference between the set temperature commanded by the operation terminal 94a and the room temperature by the control unit 3 and the control unit 103. The fourth drive frequency is lower than the third drive frequency. The air conditioner 1 performs a heat absorption process in the heat exchanger 122 while controlling the compressor 125 to operate at the fourth drive frequency, and causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the outside air. Alternatively, the air conditioner 1 determines the rotation speed of the compressor 125 to a fourth rotation speed corresponding to a temperature lower than the set temperature commanded by the operation terminal 94a. The fourth rotation speed is lower than the third rotation speed. The air conditioner 1 performs a heat absorption process in the heat exchanger 122, while controlling the compressor 125 to operate at a fourth rotation speed, and causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the outside air. A heating process is performed in the heat exchanger 22, the air in the room RM is heated with the heat absorbed by the refrigerant, and the heated conditioned air is blown out into the room RM.

[0057] In the (control mode, operation mode) = (power-saving heating mode, heating operation mode), the operation of the compressor 125 is controlled at a lower drive frequency compared to the (control mode, operation mode) = (normal control mode, heating operation mode), so the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 can be reduced further. Alternatively, the operation of the compressor 125 is controlled at a lower rotation speed, so the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 can be reduced further.

[0058] The airflow direction vanes 4, 5 adjust the direction of the conditioned air blown into the room RM. The airflow direction means the direction of the wind. In this specification, the control unit 3 directly controls the direction of the airflow vanes 4, 5, but the direction of the airflow vanes 4, 5 and the direction of the wind (wind direction) immediately after it is blown out from the air outlet of the indoor unit 10 are treated as roughly the same. That is, the airflow vanes 4, 5 can adjust the airflow direction by their orientation, and the control unit 3 can control the airflow direction by controlling the orientation of the airflow vanes 4, 5. Note that the orientation of each of the multiple airflow vanes 4, 5 can be controlled individually. This allows air to be blown out from the entire air outlet of the indoor unit 10 with a uniform airflow direction, and allows two or more airflows with different airflow directions to be blown out from two or more areas of the air outlet of the indoor unit 10 partitioned by the multiple airflow vanes 4, 5, etc.

[0059] The airflow direction vane 4 can be switched between a closed position and an open position. When switched to the closed position, the airflow direction vane 4 blocks the air outlet. When switched to the open position, the airflow direction vane 4 opens the air outlet. When the air outlet is open, the airflow direction vanes 4, 5 adjust the direction of the conditioned air blown into the room RM. The airflow direction vane 4 adjusts the direction of the conditioned air in the vertical direction. The airflow direction vane 5 adjusts the direction of the conditioned air in the horizontal direction.

[0060] For example, the airflow direction vanes 4, 5 may be configured as shown in Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the indoor unit 10, showing the airflow direction vane 4 in the closed position. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration and operation of the indoor unit 10, showing the airflow direction vane 4 in the open position. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration and operation of the indoor unit 10, showing the airflow direction vane 4 in the open position. In the following, the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 10 is defined as the X direction, the height direction of the indoor unit 10 is defined as the Z direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions is defined as the Y direction.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the indoor unit 10 further includes a housing 21 and a filter 24 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG.

[0062] The housing 21 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the X direction. The housing 21 may be formed in other shapes. The housing 21 is hung, for example, on a wall of the room RM. The housing 21 has an upper surface 21a and a lower surface 21b. The upper surface 21a is provided at or near the upper end of the housing 21 and faces substantially upward. The lower surface 21b is provided at or near the lower end of the housing 21 and faces substantially downward.

[0063] The housing 21 is provided with an air passage 31, an inlet 32, and an outlet 33. The air passage 31 is provided inside the housing 21. The inlet 32 ​​opens, for example, to the upper surface 21a of the housing 21. The outlet 33 opens, for example, to the lower surface 21b of the housing 21. The inlet 32 ​​and the outlet 33 may open to other parts of the housing 21.

[0064] The indoor unit 10 can pass wind through the ventilation passage 31. Wind is a flow of gas such as air. The intake port 32 is provided at one end of the ventilation passage 31, and connects the ventilation passage 31 to the outside of the indoor unit 10. The outlet port 33 is provided at the other end of the ventilation passage 31, and connects the ventilation passage 31 to the outside of the indoor unit 10. In other words, the ventilation passage 31 is provided inside the housing 21, between the intake port 32 and the outlet port 33.

[0065] Heat exchanger 22 is provided in ventilation passage 31. Heat exchanger 22 exchanges heat with the surrounding gas in ventilation passage 31. As a result, heat exchanger 22 cools the air flowing through ventilation passage 31 during cooling operation, and heats the air flowing through ventilation passage 31 during heating operation.

[0066] The fan 23 is provided in the ventilation passage 31. The fan 23 rotates about a rotation axis Axf extending in the X direction, thereby sending air from the intake port 32 to the exhaust port 33 in the ventilation passage 31. As a result, the indoor unit 10 draws indoor air into the ventilation passage 31 from the intake port 32, and blows out air (wind) in the ventilation passage 31 from the exhaust port 33. For this reason, in this specification, the side of the ventilation passage 31 closer to the intake port 32 is referred to as the upstream side, and the side closer to the exhaust port 33 is referred to as the downstream side.

[0067] The fan 23 is located downstream of the heat exchanger 22. Therefore, when the fan 23 generates air, the air sucked in from the air inlet 32 ​​passes through the fins of the heat exchanger 22. As a result, the air flowing through the ventilation passage 31 exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 22.

[0068] Filter 24 is provided at suction port 32 or near suction port 32 in ventilation passage 31. Filter 24 is located upstream of heat exchanger 22. Filter 24 covers suction port 32 from inside housing 21. Filter 24 filters, for example, air sucked in from suction port 32 and captures dust in the air.

[0069] The airflow direction vane 4 may include a plurality of airflow direction vanes 25A, 25B. The plurality of airflow direction vanes 25A, 25B are members that adjust the wind direction of the conditioned air in the vertical direction, and are also called up-down louvers. The airflow direction vane 25A forms a flow path C1 for the conditioned air, and the airflow direction vane 25B forms a flow path C2 for the conditioned air. Each of the plurality of airflow direction vanes 25A, 25B has an axis portion 41 and a plate portion 42.

[0070] The shaft portion 41 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape extending in the X direction. The shaft portion 41 is supported by the housing 21 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis Axl extending in the X direction. Each of the multiple airflow direction plates 25A, 25B has its own individual rotation axis Axl. The plate portion 42 protrudes from the shaft portion 41 in a direction generally perpendicular to the rotation axis Axl. The plate portion 42 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape extending in the X direction.

[0071] The vane 25A is supported by a rotating shaft Axl, and the vane motor 85 is controlled by a drive circuit 82, so that the vane can move between a closed position Pc1 and an open position Po1. The vane 25B is supported by a rotating shaft Axl, and the vane motor 85 is controlled by a drive circuit 82, so that the vane can move between a closed position Pc2 and an open position Po2.

[0072] 2, when the airflow direction vane 25A is switched to the closed position Pc1, it closes the vent C1 which is the outlet of the flow path C1. When the airflow direction vane 25B is switched to the closed position Pc1, it closes the vent C2 which is the outlet of the second flow path. The vent C1 and the vent C2 form the air outlet 33 of the indoor unit 10.

[0073] 3 and 4, when the airflow direction flap 25A is switched to the open position Po1, the airflow opening C1 is opened. When the airflow direction flap 25B is switched to the open position Po1, the airflow opening C2 is opened.

[0074] The open position Po1 includes various positions where the airflow direction plates 25A, 25B open a part of the air outlet 33. For example, the open position Po1 includes a position where the airflow direction plates 25A, 25B face substantially horizontally, a position where the airflow direction plates 25A, 25B face downward, and a plurality of positions between these two positions, as shown in Fig. 3. That is, the airflow direction plates 25A, 25B can rotate between a position where they face substantially horizontally and a position where they face downward.

[0075] The airflow direction vanes 25A, 25B located in the open position Po1 adjust the vertical direction (+Z direction to -Z direction) of the airflow discharged from the air outlet 33 depending on the orientation of the airflow direction vanes 25A, 25B. That is, when the airflow direction vanes 25A, 25B face substantially horizontally as shown in Fig. 3, the indoor unit 10 discharges airflow in a substantially horizontal direction. On the other hand, when the airflow direction vanes 25A, 25B face downward, the indoor unit 10 discharges airflow downward.

[0076] The wind direction vane 5 is supported by a rotation shaft Ax2 (not shown), and a wind direction vane motor 86 is controlled by a drive circuit 82, so that the wind direction vane 5 can move between an open position at the -X side end and an open position at the +X side end.

[0077] The airflow direction vane 5 may include a plurality of airflow direction vanes 29-1 to 29-k, 29-(k+1) to 29-2k. The plurality of airflow direction vanes 29-1 to 29-k, 29-(k+1) to 29-2k are members that adjust the wind direction of the conditioned air in the left-right direction (-X direction and +X direction), respectively, and are also called left-right louvers. Note that the directions of the -X side airflow vanes 29-1 to 29-k and the +X side airflow vanes 29-(k+1) to 29-2k may be independently controllable by the control unit 3.

[0078] The -X side air deflectors 29-1 to 29-k may be connected to a common rotation axis Ax2, and the air deflector motor 86 may be controlled by the drive circuit 82, so that they can be moved together between the open position at the -X side end and the open position at the +X side end. The +X side air deflectors 29-(k+1) to 29-2k may be connected to a common rotation axis Ax2, and the air deflector motor 86 may be controlled by the drive circuit 82, so that they can be moved together between the open position at the -X side end and the open position at the +X side end.

[0079] 1 is capable of detecting the position and speed of a living body CR in a room RM. The living body CR may be, for example, a person, and in that case, the living body sensor 2 may be a human presence sensor. The living body sensor 2 may be, for example, a radar, and may be a Doppler radar such as a millimeter wave radar or a microwave radar.

[0080] The biosensor 2 has a transmitter 2a, a receiver 2b, and a signal processor 2c. The biosensor 2 generates radio waves such as millimeter waves and microwaves in the signal processor 2c, transmits them from the transmitter 2a to the biosensor CR, receives the reflected waves in the receiver 2b, and passes them to the signal processor 2c. The signal processor 2c may be realized as a hardware signal processing circuit.

[0081] The biosensor 2 may be provided at any position in the indoor unit 10, but is preferably provided at a position where it is easy to detect the position and speed of the living body CR in the room RM. The biosensor 2 may be embedded in a position near the center in the X direction in the +Y side part of the housing 21, as shown by the dashed lines in Figs. 2 to 4.

[0082] The biosensor 2 can detect the position of the living body CR from the phase difference and direction of the transmitted wave and received wave by the signal processing unit 2c, as shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the biosensor 2 (for example, a radar). In Fig. 5, the position of the detected living body CR is indicated by a dot.

[0083] The biosensor 2 detects the target space and the position of the living body CR within the target space in response to control by the control unit 3. The biosensor 2 periodically or continuously transmits and receives radio waves to the living body CR, detects the position of the living body CR, and periodically or continuously supplies the detection result to the control unit 3.

[0084] At this time, if the signal processing function in the signal processing unit 2c is realized as a hardware signal processing circuit, the signal processing can be performed at a higher speed than when the signal processing function is realized by software. By performing signal processing at a high speed in the signal processing circuit, the process of detecting the position of the living body CR from the phase difference between the transmitted wave and the received wave can be performed at a high speed. This makes it possible to detect the current position of the living body CR almost in real time, and makes it easy to perform control following the current position of the living body CR.

[0085] For example, the biosensor 2 detects a room RM having a length L1, a width W1, and an area L1×W1. The control unit 3 identifies the room RM having a length L1, a width W1, and an area L1×W1 as a target space according to the detection result of the biosensor 2, as shown in Fig. 6(a), and assigns a space identifier SP1. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing information detected by the biosensor 2, where Fig. 6(a) shows information about the space detected by the biosensor 2, and Fig. 6(b) shows information about the biosensor CR detected by the biosensor 2.

[0086] The control unit 3 sets coordinates in the target space SP1. The biosensor 2 may detect the target space further including the height of the space. In this case, the volume of the target space can also be detected. In FIG. 5, the specified target space is shown as a rectangle, and horizontal and vertical coordinates are shown. The biosensor 2 detects the position of the biosensor CR in the target space SP1 according to the control by the control unit 3. The biosensor 2 detects the distance, horizontal angle, and vertical angle for each of the two biosensors CR.

[0087] 6(b), the control unit 3 assigns biometric identifiers ID1 and ID2 to the two biometric CRs, respectively, according to the detection results of the biometric sensor 2. The control unit 3 specifies the distance D1, horizontal angle θ1, and vertical angle α1 of the biometric CR of ID1, and specifies the distance D2, horizontal angle θ2, and vertical angle α2 of the biometric CR of ID2, according to the detection results of the biometric sensor 2.

[0088] The control unit 3 converts the distance, horizontal angle, and vertical angle of the two living body CRs into coordinates (horizontal and vertical coordinates) in the target space. The control unit 3 recognizes that the two living body CRs are present at those coordinates, as shown by dots in Fig. 5. The control unit 3 determines that, for each of the two living body CRs, even if they move, spatially close coordinates for the detection results that are consecutive in time correspond to the same identifier.

[0089] When one biological CR is detected by the biological sensor 2, the control unit 3 locks on to the detected biological CR. When multiple biological CRs are detected by the biological sensor 2, the control unit 3 selects one biological CR from the multiple biological CRs according to a predetermined condition, and locks on to the selected biological CR. The control unit 3 can continuously recognize the position of the locked-on biological CR according to the continuous detection results of the biological sensor 2. This allows the control unit 3 to track the locked-on biological CR.

[0090] Furthermore, the biosensor 2 can detect the positions of multiple locations on the biosensor 2. The control unit 3 may assign a biosensor to each set of multiple spatially adjacent detection positions according to the detection results of the biosensor 2. In the case of FIG. 5, the control unit 3 specifies the positional relationship between the multiple detection positions in the set of multiple detection positions for each of the two biosensors CR. This allows the control unit 3 to grasp the posture (e.g., posture sitting on the floor, posture sitting on a chair, posture standing, posture lying down, posture crouching, etc.) for each of the two biosensors CR.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 5, the biosensor 2 can detect the speed of the living body CR by the Doppler effect from the frequency difference (or wavelength difference) between the transmitted wave and the received wave in the signal processing unit 2c.

[0092] In the case of Fig. 5, the biosensor 2 further detects the speed of each of the two biosensors CR. The control unit 3 specifies the speed v1 of the biosensor ID1 and the speed v2 of the biosensor ID2, as shown in Fig. 6(b), according to the detection result of the biosensor 2. In Fig. 5, the speed of each biosensor CR specified by the control unit 3 is indicated by the length of the line.

[0093] The receiving device 94 shown in Fig. 1 receives a command from an operation terminal 94a. The receiving device 94 supplies the received command to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 may transfer the command to the control unit 103. For example, the operation terminal 94a may have a button for issuing a command to use the power-saving cooling mode or the power-saving heating mode, as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the operation terminal 94a, and illustrates the configuration when the operation terminal 94a is a remote controller.

[0094] The operation terminal 94a has a shape and dimensions suitable for operation by the living body CR, and has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped appearance. The operation terminal 94a has a plurality of buttons and a display unit 949 on its operation surface. The plurality of buttons include, for example, a living body sensor button 941, a cooling button 942, a heating button 943, an air purification button 944, a temperature setting button 945, a dehumidification button 946, a windless feeling button 947, a stop button 948, a power-saving cooling button 9410, a power-saving heating button 9411, a power-saving setting button 9412, and a set air volume button 9413. When the living body sensor 2 is a radar, the living body sensor button 941 may be a radar button. The display unit 949 may be a display or a display device. The display includes a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display device includes a 7-segment LED display.

[0095] When the biosensor button 941, the cooling button 942, the heating button 943, the air purification button 944, the dehumidification button 946, the windless button 947, the stop button 948, the power-saving cooling button 9410, or the power-saving heating button 9411 is pressed, the operation terminal 94a detects the pressing of the button. The operation terminal 94a detects the pressing of the △ button or ▽ button for the temperature setting button 945. The operation terminal 94a detects the pressing of the △ button or ▽ button for the air volume setting button 9413. The operation terminal 94a detects the pressing of the △ button or ▽ button for the power-saving setting button 9412. When the operation terminal 94a detects the pressing of the button, it displays information on the command corresponding to the pressed button on the display unit 949, and transmits a signal (e.g., an infrared signal or a wireless signal) indicating the command corresponding to the pressed button from its end.

[0096] The operation terminal 94a may be capable of receiving a command to turn the power-saving cooling mode on and off via a power-saving cooling button 9410.

[0097] When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of a button that commands turning on the power-saving cooling mode (for example, pressing of the power-saving cooling button 9410), it transmits a command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode to the indoor unit 10. When the receiving device 94 receives the command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode, it supplies the command to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 transfers the command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode to the control unit 103.

[0098] When the operation terminal 94a receives a command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode, the operation terminal 94a may display information about the power-saving cooling mode (information about the first mode) on the display unit 949. The information about the power-saving cooling mode may be, for example, text information indicating the power-saving cooling mode, such as "power-saving cooling", or may be a display object such as a figure or symbol indicating "power-saving cooling".

[0099] Furthermore, the control unit 3 transfers the power-saving cooling mode ON command to the control unit 103 so that the control units 3 and 103 cooperate to control operation in the power-saving cooling mode, but the control unit 3 may be the one that mainly performs the air-conditioning process. In that case, the process in which the control unit 3 transfers the power-saving cooling mode ON command to the control unit 103 may be omitted. The outdoor unit 100 may be configured so that the control unit 103 is omitted. Alternatively, the control unit 103 may be the one that mainly performs the air-conditioning process. In that case, the outdoor unit 100 may be configured so that the control unit 3 is omitted. The receiving device 94 may directly transfer the power-saving cooling mode ON command to the control unit 103.

[0100] When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of a button to command turning off the power-saving cooling mode (for example, pressing the stop button 948 or pressing the power-saving cooling button 9410 again), it transmits a command to turn off the power-saving cooling mode to the indoor unit 10. When the receiving device 94 receives the command to turn off the power-saving cooling mode, it supplies the command to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 transfers the command to turn off the power-saving cooling mode to the control unit 103.

[0101] The operation terminal 94a may be capable of receiving, via the power-saving heating button 9411, a command to turn the power-saving heating mode on and off.

[0102] When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of a button that commands turning on the power-saving heating mode (for example, pressing of the power-saving heating button 9411), it transmits a command to turn on the power-saving heating mode to the indoor unit 10. When the receiving device 94 receives the command to turn on the power-saving heating mode, it supplies the command to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 transfers the command to turn on the power-saving heating mode to the control unit 103.

[0103] When the operation terminal 94a receives a command to turn on the power-saving heating mode, it may display information about the power-saving heating mode (information about the second mode) on the display unit 949. The information about the power-saving heating mode may be, for example, text information indicating the power-saving heating mode, such as "power-saving heating", or may be a display object such as a figure or symbol representing "power-saving heating".

[0104] Also, the control unit 3 transfers the command to turn on the power-saving heating mode to the control unit 103 so that the control units 3 and 103 work together to control operation in the power-saving heating mode, but the control unit 3 may be the one that mainly performs the air-conditioning process. In that case, the process in which the control unit 3 transfers the command to turn on the power-saving heating mode to the control unit 103 may be omitted. The outdoor unit 100 may be configured so that the control unit 103 is omitted. Alternatively, the control unit 103 may be the one that mainly performs the air-conditioning process. In that case, the outdoor unit 100 may be configured so that the control unit 3 is omitted. The receiving device 94 may directly transfer the command to turn on the power-saving heating mode to the control unit 103.

[0105] When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of a button to command turning off the power-saving heating mode (for example, pressing the stop button 948 or pressing the power-saving heating button 9411 again), it transmits a command to turn off the power-saving heating mode to the indoor unit 10. When the receiving device 94 receives the command to turn off the power-saving heating mode, it supplies the command to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 transfers the command to turn off the power-saving heating mode to the control unit 103.

[0106] The operation terminal 94a may be capable of receiving a command for a set temperature via a temperature setting button 945.

[0107] When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the △ button of the temperature setting buttons 945, it increases the set temperature value from the current value, displays the increased set temperature value on the display unit 949, and sends a command for the increased set temperature to the indoor unit 10. When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the ▽ button of the temperature setting buttons 945, it decreases the set temperature value from the current value, displays the decreased set temperature value on the display unit 949, and sends a command for the decreased set temperature to the indoor unit 10. When the receiving device 94 receives a command for an increased or decreased set temperature, it supplies the command to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 may transfer the set temperature command to the control unit 103.

[0108] The operation terminal 94a may be capable of receiving a command for setting the air volume via the air volume setting button 9413.

[0109] When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the △ button of the air volume setting buttons 9413, it increases the set air volume from the current volume, displays the changed set air volume value on the display unit 949, and transmits a command for the changed set air volume to the indoor unit 10. When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the ▽ button of the air volume setting buttons 9413, it decreases the set air volume from the current volume, displays the changed set air volume value on the display unit 949, and transmits a command for the changed set air volume to the indoor unit 10. When the receiving device 94 receives the command for the set air volume, it supplies the command to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 transfers the command for the set air volume to the control unit 103.

[0110] The control unit 3 comprehensively controls the indoor units 10. The control unit 3 has a tracking control mode, a power-saving cooling mode, a power-saving heating mode, and a normal control mode as control modes, as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a state transition diagram showing the control modes of the air conditioner 1.

[0111] When the air conditioning apparatus 1 is stopped, if the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of a button that commands turning on the power-saving cooling mode (for example, pressing of the power-saving cooling button 9410), a command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode is sent from the operation terminal 94a to the indoor unit 10. Upon receiving the command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 transitions the control mode from "stop" to the power-saving cooling mode in response to the command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode.

[0112] When the air conditioning device 1 is stopped, if the operation terminal 94a detects that a normal operation button (for example, the cooling button 942, the heating button 943, the air cleaning button 944, or the dehumidification button 946) has been pressed, a normal operation command is sent from the operation terminal 94a to the indoor unit 10. Upon receiving the normal operation command, the control unit 3 transitions the control mode from "stop" to the normal control mode in response to the normal operation command.

[0113] In the normal control mode, when the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of a button (for example, pressing of the power-saving cooling button 9410) that commands turning on the power-saving cooling mode, a command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode is transmitted from the operation terminal 94a to the indoor unit 10. Upon receiving the command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 transitions the control mode from the normal control mode to the power-saving cooling mode in response to the command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode.

[0114] In the power-saving cooling mode, when the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of a button commanding to turn off the power-saving cooling mode and turn on normal operation (for example, pressing the power-saving cooling button 9410 again), a command to turn off the power-saving cooling mode and turn on normal operation is transmitted from the operation terminal 94a to the indoor unit 10. Upon receiving the command to turn off the power-saving cooling mode and turn on normal operation, the control unit 3 transitions the control mode from the power-saving cooling mode to the normal control mode in response to the command to turn off the power-saving cooling mode and turn on normal operation.

[0115] The transition from the power-saving cooling mode to the normal control mode may be triggered by the passage of a predetermined time (e.g., two hours). For example, the control unit 3 may have a timer (not shown) in which a predetermined time is set. The predetermined time may be arbitrarily set in the timer via the operation terminal 94a. When the control mode becomes the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 starts timing with the timer. When the time on the timer reaches the predetermined time, the control unit 3 automatically ends the power-saving cooling mode and transitions the control mode from the power-saving cooling mode to the normal control mode.

[0116] In the power-saving cooling mode, when the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of a button for turning off the power-saving cooling mode and stopping operation (for example, pressing of the stop button 948), a command for turning off the power-saving cooling mode and stopping operation is transmitted from the operation terminal 94a to the indoor unit 10. In response to the command for turning off the power-saving cooling mode and stopping operation, the control unit 3 transitions the control mode from the power-saving cooling mode to "stopped".

[0117] In the normal control mode, when the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of a button that commands turning on the power-saving heating mode (for example, pressing of the power-saving heating button 9411), a command to turn on the power-saving heating mode is transmitted from the operation terminal 94a to the indoor unit 10. Upon receiving the command to turn on the power-saving heating mode, the control unit 3 transitions the control mode from the normal control mode to the power-saving heating mode in response to the command to turn on the power-saving heating mode.

[0118] In the power-saving heating mode, when the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of a button commanding to turn off the power-saving heating mode and turn on normal operation (for example, pressing the power-saving heating button 9411 again), a command to turn off the power-saving heating mode and turn on normal operation is transmitted from the operation terminal 94a to the indoor unit 10. Upon receiving the command to turn off the power-saving heating mode and turn on normal operation, the control unit 3 transitions the control mode from the power-saving heating mode to the normal control mode in response to the command to turn off the power-saving heating mode and turn on normal operation.

[0119] The transition from the power-saving heating mode to the normal control mode may be triggered by the passage of a predetermined time (e.g., two hours). For example, the control unit 3 may have a timer (not shown) in which the predetermined time is set. The predetermined time may be arbitrarily set in the timer via the operation terminal 94a. When the control mode becomes the power-saving heating mode, the control unit 3 starts timing with the timer. When the time on the timer reaches the predetermined time, the control unit 3 automatically ends the power-saving heating mode and transitions the control mode from the power-saving heating mode to the normal control mode.

[0120] In the power-saving heating mode, when the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of a button for turning off the power-saving cooling mode and stopping operation (for example, pressing of the stop button 948), a command for turning off the power-saving cooling mode and stopping operation is transmitted from the operation terminal 94a to the indoor unit 10. In response to the command for turning off the power-saving cooling mode and stopping operation, the control unit 3 transitions the control mode from the power-saving heating mode to "stopped".

[0121] In the normal control mode, when the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of an operation stop button (for example, pressing of the stop button 948), a command to stop operation is transmitted from the operation terminal 94a to the indoor unit 10. In response to the command to stop operation, the control unit 3 transitions the control mode from the normal control mode to "stop."

[0122] In the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 periodically or continuously receives the detection result from the biological sensor 2. In the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 controls the air deflectors 4, 5 to perform a predetermined operation while tracking the position of the biological CR in the room RM. At the same time, the control unit 3 and the control unit 103 control the refrigerant circuit to perform a cooling operation at a target temperature higher than the set temperature. The control unit 103 controls the compressor 125 to operate at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed corresponding to the set temperature.

[0123] The predetermined operation is an operation of directing the air deflectors 4 and 5 in a direction toward the position of the living body CR. The control by the control unit 3 to make the air deflectors 4 and 5 perform the predetermined operation is also called wind control. The control by the control unit 3 to perform the predetermined operation on the air deflectors 4 and 5 in the power saving cooling mode or the tracking control mode may be set in advance in the control unit 3 via the operation terminal 94a.

[0124] The wind blow control in the energy-saving cooling mode or the wind blow control in the tracking control mode may be performed, for example, as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. Fig. 9 is a top view showing the wind blow control of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and Fig. 10 is a side view showing the wind blow control of an indoor unit of an air conditioner. Figs. 9(a) to 9(d) exemplify the time progression of the wind blow control in an XY top view. Figs. 10(a) to 10(d) exemplify the time progression of the wind blow control in a YZ side view.

[0125] For example, as shown in FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 10(a), the operation terminal 94a is operated by the living body CR, and the power-saving cooling button 9410 is pressed. In response to this, a command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode and a command for the set temperature are transmitted from the operation terminal 94a to the indoor unit 10, and are received by the receiving device 94 of the indoor unit 10. The control unit 3 of the indoor unit 10 sets the control mode to the power-saving cooling mode and the operation mode to the cooling operation mode. The control unit 3 determines a target temperature that is lower than the set temperature. The air conditioner 1 switches the four-way valve 124 to the cooling side, starts rotating the fans 23, 123, and starts controlling the compressor 125 at a rotation speed corresponding to the target temperature. As a result, the air conditioner 1 starts performing a cooling operation so that the temperature of the room RM detected by the room temperature sensor 7 approaches the target temperature. The air conditioner 1 may perform a cooling operation at a set air volume.

[0126] 9(b) and 10(b), when the control mode becomes the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 of the indoor unit 10 detects the position of a living body CR in the room RM with the living body sensor 2. The control unit 3 recognizes that one living body CR in the room RM has been detected by the living body sensor 2, and locks on to the living body CR as a tracking target.

[0127] As shown in Fig. 9(b), the biosensor 2 detects that a living organism CR is present at planar position P12b on the -X side of the room RM and near the center in the Y direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 10(b), the biosensor 2 detects that the living organism CR is sitting on the floor. The biosensor 2 supplies the detection result to the control unit 3. As shown in Fig. 9(b), in response to the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 controls the air direction plate 5 to face the direction toward planar position P12b in the XY top view, and blows out conditioned air as indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0128] 10(b), the control unit 3 controls the air direction vane 4 to face a height position P13b of the living body CR (e.g., the position of the face of the living body CR) corresponding to the living body CR in the YZ side view according to the detection result of the living body sensor 2, and blows out conditioned air as shown by the dashed arrow. The height position from which the conditioned air is blown out can be set to correspond to any position on the living body CR, such as the torso. The dashed arrow indicates the flow of the conditioned air that is the main stream.

[0129] This allows the wind direction to be controlled so that the wind blown out from the indoor unit 10 hits the living body CR. By blowing the wind to the living body CR, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be effectively lowered. As a result, in the wind blowing control in the power-saving cooling mode, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be brought closer to the set temperature while performing cooling operation at the target temperature.

[0130] As shown in Figs. 9(c) and 10(c), following Figs. 9(b) and 10(b), the control unit 3 of the indoor unit 10 detects the position of the living body CR in the room RM using the living body sensor 2.

[0131] As shown in Fig. 9(c), the biosensor 2 detects that a living organism CR is present at planar position P12c near the center in the X direction and the center in the Y direction of the room RM. Also, as shown in Fig. 10(c), the biosensor 2 detects that the living organism CR is sitting in a chair. The biosensor 2 supplies the detection result to the control unit 3. As shown in Fig. 9(c), in response to the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 controls the air direction plate 5 to face the direction toward planar position P12c in the XY top view, and blows out conditioned air as indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 10(c), in accordance with the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 controls the air deflector 4 to face in a direction toward a height position P13c of the biosensor CR (e.g., the position of the face of the biosensor) corresponding to the posture of the biosensor 2 in the YZ side view, and blows out conditioned air as indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0133] This allows the direction of the wind blown out from the indoor unit 10 to be controlled so that the air blown out hits the living body CR while tracking the locked-on living body CR. By blowing the air onto the living body CR, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be effectively lowered. As a result, in the wind blowing control in the power-saving cooling mode, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be brought closer to the set temperature while performing cooling operation at the target temperature.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 9(d) and FIG. 10(d), following on from FIG. 9(c) and FIG. 10(c), the control unit 3 of the indoor unit 10 detects the position of the living body CR in the room RM using the living body sensor 2.

[0135] As shown in Fig. 9(d), the biosensor 2 detects that a living organism CR is present at planar position P12d on the +X side and +Y side of the room RM. Also, as shown in Fig. 10(d), the biosensor 2 detects that the living organism CR is standing. The biosensor 2 supplies the detection result to the control unit 3. As shown in Fig. 9(d), in response to the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 controls the air direction plate 5 to face the direction toward planar position P12d in the XY top view, and blows out conditioned air as shown by the dashed arrow.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 10(d), in response to the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 controls the air deflector 4 to face in a direction toward a height position P13d of the biosensor CR (e.g., the position of the face of the biosensor) corresponding to the posture of the biosensor 2 in the YZ side view, and blows out conditioned air as indicated by the dotted arrow.

[0137] This allows the direction of the wind blown out from the indoor unit 10 to be controlled so that the air blown out hits the living body CR while tracking the locked-on living body CR. By blowing the air onto the living body CR, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be effectively lowered. As a result, in the wind blowing control in the power-saving cooling mode, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be brought closer to the set temperature while performing cooling operation at the target temperature.

[0138] In the power-saving cooling mode, the correction value for how many degrees higher the target temperature should be than the set temperature may be fixedly set in the control unit 3 and the control unit 103. For example, the correction value may be fixed to +1°C.

[0139] Alternatively, in the power-saving cooling mode, the correction value may be arbitrarily set via the operation terminal 94a. For example, the correction value may be set within a range of +1°C to +3°C.

[0140] The operation terminal 94a may be capable of accepting, via the power saving setting button 9412, the setting of a correction value in the power saving cooling mode.

[0141] When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the △ button of the power saving setting button 9412, it increases the correction value from the current value, displays the increased correction value on the display unit 949, and transmits a command for the increased correction value to the indoor unit 10. When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the ▽ button of the temperature setting button 945, it decreases the correction value from the current value, displays the decreased correction value on the display unit 949, and transmits a command for the decreased correction value to the indoor unit 10. When the receiving device 94 receives a command for the increased or decreased correction value, it supplies the command to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 corrects the set temperature with the correction value to obtain a target temperature and transfers it to the control unit 103. The control units 3 and 103 control the cooling operation at the target temperature.

[0142] This allows the power-saving level in the power-saving cooling mode to be adjusted according to the setting of the correction value. The larger the correction value is set, the greater the power-saving level in the power-saving cooling mode can be adjusted.

[0143] In the power-saving heating mode, the control unit 3 periodically or continuously receives the detection result from the biosensor 2. In the power-saving heating mode, the control unit 3 controls the air deflectors 4, 5 to perform a predetermined operation while tracking the position of the biosensor CR in the room RM. At the same time, the control unit 3 and the control unit 103 control the refrigerant circuit to perform heating operation at a target temperature lower than the set temperature. The control unit 103 controls the compressor 125 to operate at a fourth rotation speed lower than the third rotation speed corresponding to the set temperature.

[0144] The predetermined operation is an operation of directing the air deflectors 4, 5 in a direction toward the position of the living body CR. The control by the control unit 3 to make the air deflectors 4, 5 perform the predetermined operation is also called wind control. The control by the control unit 3 to perform the predetermined operation on the air deflectors 4, 5 in the energy-saving heating mode or the tracking control mode may be set in advance in the control unit 3 via the operation terminal 94a.

[0145] The wind blow control in the power-saving heating mode or the wind blow control in the tracking control mode may be performed, for example, as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a side view showing the wind blow control of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. Fig. 11(a) to Fig. 11(d) exemplify the time progression of the wind blow control in the YZ side view.

[0146] For example, as shown in FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 11(a), the operation terminal 94a is operated by the living body CR, and the power-saving heating button 9411 is pressed. In response to this, a command to turn on the power-saving heating mode and a command for the set temperature are transmitted from the operation terminal 94a to the indoor unit 10, and are received by the receiving device 94 of the indoor unit 10. The control unit 3 of the indoor unit 10 sets the control mode to the power-saving heating mode and the operation mode to the heating operation mode. The control unit 3 determines a target temperature higher than the set temperature. The air conditioner 1 switches the four-way valve 124 to the heating side, starts rotating the fans 23, 123, and starts controlling the compressor 125 at a rotation speed corresponding to the target temperature. As a result, the air conditioner 1 starts performing a heating operation so that the temperature of the room RM detected by the room temperature sensor 7 approaches the target temperature. The air conditioner 1 may perform a heating operation at a set air volume.

[0147] 9(b) and 11(b), when the control mode becomes the power-saving heating mode, the control unit 3 of the indoor unit 10 detects the position of a living body CR in the room RM by the living body sensor 2. The control unit 3 recognizes that one living body CR in the room RM has been detected by the living body sensor 2, and locks on to the living body CR as a tracking target.

[0148] As shown in Fig. 9(b), the biosensor 2 detects that a living organism CR is present at planar position P12b on the -X side of the room RM and near the center in the Y direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 11(b), the biosensor 2 detects that the living organism CR is sitting on the floor. The biosensor 2 supplies the detection result to the control unit 3. As shown in Fig. 9(b), in response to the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 controls the air direction plate 5 to face the direction toward planar position P12b in the XY top view, and blows out conditioned air as indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0149] 11(b), the control unit 3 controls the airflow direction vane 4 to face the direction toward the height position P14b of the feet of the living body CR according to the posture of the living body CR in the YZ side view according to the detection result of the living body sensor 2, and blows out the conditioned air as shown by the dashed arrow. The dashed arrow indicates the flow of the conditioned air that is the main flow.

[0150] This allows the direction of the wind blown out from the indoor unit 10 to be controlled so that it reaches the feet of the living body CR. By allowing the wind to reach the feet of the living body CR, the living body CR can be warmed from the feet, and the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be effectively increased. As a result, in the wind blowing control in the power-saving heating mode, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be brought closer to the set temperature while performing heating operation at the target temperature.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 9(c) and FIG. 11(c), following on from FIG. 9(b) and FIG. 11(b), the control unit 3 of the indoor unit 10 detects the position of the living body CR in the room RM using the living body sensor 2.

[0152] As shown in Fig. 9(c), the biosensor 2 detects that a living organism CR is present at planar position P12c near the center in the X direction and the center in the Y direction in the room RM. Also, as shown in Fig. 11(c), the biosensor 2 detects that the living organism CR is sitting in a chair. The biosensor 2 supplies the detection result to the control unit 3. As shown in Fig. 9(c), in response to the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 controls the air direction plate 5 to face the direction toward planar position P12c in the XY top view, and blows out conditioned air as indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0153] As shown in Figure 11 (c), in accordance with the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 controls the air deflector 4 to face in a direction toward the height position P14c of the feet of the biosensor 2 in accordance with the posture of the biosensor 2 when viewed from the YZ side, and blows out conditioned air as indicated by the dotted arrow.

[0154] This allows the direction of the wind blown out from the indoor unit 10 to be controlled so that the wind reaches the feet of the living body CR while tracking the locked-on living body CR. By allowing the wind to reach the feet of the living body CR, the living body CR can be warmed from the feet, and the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be effectively increased. As a result, in the wind blowing control in the power-saving heating mode, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be brought closer to the set temperature while performing heating operation at the target temperature.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 9(d) and FIG. 11(d), following on from FIG. 9(c) and FIG. 11(c), the control unit 3 of the indoor unit 10 detects the position of the living body CR in the room RM using the living body sensor 2.

[0156] As shown in Fig. 9(d), the biosensor 2 detects that a living organism CR is present at planar position P12d on the +X side and +Y side of the room RM. Also, as shown in Fig. 11(d), the biosensor 2 detects that the living organism CR is standing. The biosensor 2 supplies the detection result to the control unit 3. As shown in Fig. 9(d), in response to the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 controls the air direction plate 5 to face the direction toward planar position P12d in the XY top view, and blows out conditioned air as shown by the dashed arrow.

[0157] As shown in Figure 11 (d), in accordance with the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 controls the air deflector 4 to face in a direction toward the height position P14d of the feet of the biosensor 2 in accordance with the posture of the biosensor 2 in a YZ side view, and blows out conditioned air as indicated by the dotted arrow.

[0158] This allows the direction of the wind blown out from the indoor unit 10 to be controlled so that the wind reaches the feet of the living body CR while tracking the locked-on living body CR. By allowing the wind to reach the feet of the living body CR, the living body CR can be warmed from the feet, and the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be effectively increased. As a result, in the wind blowing control in the power-saving heating mode, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be brought closer to the set temperature while performing heating operation at the target temperature.

[0159] In the power-saving heating mode, the correction value for how many degrees the target temperature should be lowered from the set temperature may be fixedly set in the control unit 3 and the control unit 103. For example, the correction value may be fixed to -1°C.

[0160] Alternatively, in the power-saving heating mode, the correction value may be arbitrarily set via the operation terminal 94a. For example, the correction value may be set within a range of -1°C to -3°C.

[0161] The operation terminal 94a may be capable of accepting, via the power saving setting button 9412, the setting of a correction value in the power saving heating mode.

[0162] When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the △ button of the power saving setting buttons 9412, it increases the correction value from the current value, displays the increased correction value on the display unit 949, and transmits a command for the increased correction value to the indoor unit 10. When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the ▽ button of the temperature setting buttons 945, it decreases the correction value from the current value, displays the decreased correction value on the display unit 949, and transmits a command for the decreased correction value to the indoor unit 10. When the receiving device 94 receives a command for the increased or decreased correction value, it supplies the command to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 transfers the command for the set temperature to the control unit 103.

[0163] This allows the power-saving level in the power-saving heating mode to be adjusted according to the setting of the correction value. The smaller the correction value is set (the larger the absolute value), the greater the power-saving level in the power-saving heating mode can be adjusted.

[0164] As described above, in the embodiment, for example, the biological sensor 2 detects the position of the biological CR in the room RM. In the power-saving cooling mode, the air conditioner 1 tracks the detected position of the biological CR, directs the air deflectors 4 and 5 in a direction toward the position of the biological CR, and performs cooling operation at a target temperature higher than the set temperature. In this way, when the biological CR moves in the room RM, the conditioned air can be made to hit the biological CR, effectively lowering the sensible temperature of the biological CR, and cooling operation can be performed at a load lower than the load corresponding to the set temperature. As a result, the comfort of the biological CR present in the room RM can be dynamically improved, and the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 can be reduced.

[0165] In the embodiment, the indoor unit 10 has one biosensor 2, but the indoor unit 10 may have multiple biosensors. In this case, the indoor unit 10 detects the position of the biosensor CR using multiple biosensors, so the accuracy of position detection can be easily improved. In addition, in the embodiment, the power-saving cooling mode is exemplified, but the unit may also have a power-saving dehumidification mode (first mode) that performs the same control as the power-saving cooling mode. In other words, the unit may also have a mode in which the wind direction plate is turned so that the wind is directed toward the position of the biosensor CR, and dehumidification operation is performed at a target temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0166] When the temperature of the room RM detected by the room temperature sensor 7 falls within a predetermined temperature range including the target temperature, the air conditioner 1 may perform thermo-off control and change the operation mode to the fan operation mode while maintaining the control mode in the power-saving cooling mode. The predetermined temperature range is a temperature range that can be considered close to the target temperature, and may be, for example, a temperature range of the target temperature -0.5°C or more and the target temperature +0.5°C or less. In the thermo-off control, the compressor 125 is stopped and the circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit is stopped.

[0167] For example, when the temperature of the room RM falls within a predetermined temperature range, the direction of the wind blown out from the indoor unit 10 can be controlled so that the air blown out hits the living body CR while tracking the locked-on living body CR. By blowing the air onto the living body CR, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be effectively lowered. As a result, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be brought closer to the set temperature while performing the blowing operation within a predetermined temperature range. That is, the operating load of the air conditioner 1 can be further reduced, and the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 can be further reduced.

[0168] When the temperature of the room RM falls outside a predetermined temperature range, the air conditioner 1 may cancel the thermo-off control and return the operation mode to the cooling operation mode while maintaining the control mode in the power-saving cooling mode.

[0169] (First Modification of the Embodiment) The target temperature in the power-saving cooling mode may be changed according to the difference (temperature difference) between the temperature of the room RM detected by the room temperature sensor 7 and the set temperature instructed by the operation terminal 94a.

[0170] In the energy-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 receives a detection result indicating the indoor temperature from the room temperature sensor 7, and receives a command for the set temperature from the operation terminal 94a. The control unit 3 calculates the difference between the indoor temperature and the set temperature to obtain the temperature difference. The control unit 3 calculates a correction value according to the temperature difference.

[0171] At this time, the control unit 3 may be set with correction information for the power-saving cooling mode as shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing correction information for the power-saving cooling mode in the first modified example of the embodiment.

[0172] In the correction information for the power-saving cooling mode, the temperature difference category and the correction value are associated with each other for a plurality of temperature difference categories. In the case of Fig. 12, the correction value is determined to be smaller in stages as the temperature difference becomes smaller.

[0173] By referring to the correction information, the control unit 3 can obtain a correction value corresponding to the difference (temperature difference) between the indoor temperature and the set temperature in the power-saving cooling mode. When the control unit 3 receives the set temperature commanded by the operation terminal 94a, it can correct the set temperature with the correction value to obtain the target temperature.

[0174] In the case of FIG. 12, if the temperature difference is D1 or more, the correction value is obtained as +3°C from the correction information. If the temperature difference is D2 (<D1) or more and less than D1, the correction value is obtained as +2°C from the correction information. If the temperature difference is D3 (<D2) or more and less than D2, the correction value is obtained as +1°C from the correction information. If the temperature difference is 0 or more and less than D3, the correction value is obtained as +0.5°C from the correction information.

[0175] For example, assume D1 = 9°C, D2 = 5°C, and D3 = 3°C. In this case, if the indoor temperature = 36°C and the set temperature = 26°C, the temperature difference = 10°C. Since the temperature difference is D1 or more and less than D1, the correction value is obtained as +3°C from the correction information shown in FIG. 12. The control unit 3 corrects the set temperature = 26°C with the correction value = +3°C to obtain the target temperature = 26°C + 3°C = 29°C.

[0176] Alternatively, if the indoor temperature = 32°C and the set temperature = 26°C, the temperature difference = 6°C. Since the temperature difference is D2 or more and less than D1, the correction value is obtained as +2°C from the correction information shown in FIG. 12. The control unit 3 corrects the set temperature = 26°C with the correction value = +2°C to obtain the target temperature = 26°C + 2°C = 28°C.

[0177] Alternatively, if the indoor temperature = 30°C and the set temperature = 26°C, the temperature difference = 4°C. Since the temperature difference is D3 or more and less than D2, the correction value is obtained as +1°C from the correction information shown in FIG. 12. The control unit 3 corrects the set temperature = 26°C with the correction value = +1°C to obtain the target temperature = 26°C + 1°C = 27°C.

[0178] Alternatively, if the room temperature is 28°C and the set temperature is 26°C, the temperature difference is 2°C and is greater than or equal to 0 and less than D3, so the correction value is determined to be +0.5°C from the correction information shown in Fig. 12. The control unit 3 corrects the set temperature of 26°C with the correction value of +0.5°C to determine the target temperature of 26°C + 0.5°C = 26.5°C.

[0179] Thus, in the first modified embodiment, the air conditioner 1 changes the target temperature in the power-saving cooling mode according to the difference (temperature difference) between the temperature of the room RM and the set temperature. For example, in the power-saving cooling mode, the air conditioner 1 gradually decreases the correction value as the temperature difference decreases, and corrects the set temperature with the correction value to obtain the target temperature. This makes it possible for the target temperature to gradually approach the set temperature as the air conditioning load decreases. As a result, the comfort of the living body CR can be gradually improved while reducing the power consumption of the air conditioner 1.

[0180] (Second Modification of the Embodiment) The target temperature in the power-saving heating mode may be changed according to the difference (temperature difference) between the temperature of the room RM (room temperature) detected by the room temperature sensor 7 and the set temperature instructed by the operation terminal 94a.

[0181] In the energy-saving heating mode, the control unit 3 receives a detection result indicating the indoor temperature from the room temperature sensor 7, and receives a command for the set temperature from the operation terminal 94a. The control unit 3 calculates the difference between the indoor temperature and the set temperature to obtain the temperature difference. The control unit 3 calculates a correction value according to the temperature difference.

[0182] At this time, the control unit 3 may be set with correction information for the power-saving heating mode as shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing correction information for the power-saving heating mode in the second modified example of the embodiment.

[0183] In the correction information for the energy-saving heating mode, the temperature difference category and the correction value are associated with each other for a plurality of temperature difference categories. In the case of Fig. 13, the correction value is determined to be gradually larger (the absolute value is smaller) as the temperature difference is smaller.

[0184] By referring to the correction information, the control unit 3 can obtain a correction value corresponding to the difference (temperature difference) between the indoor temperature and the set temperature in the power-saving heating mode. When the control unit 3 receives the set temperature commanded by the operation terminal 94a, it can correct the set temperature with the correction value to obtain the target temperature.

[0185] In the case of FIG. 13, if the temperature difference is D11 or more, the correction value is obtained as -3°C from the correction information. If the temperature difference is D12 (<D11) or more and less than D11, the correction value is obtained as -2°C from the correction information. If the temperature difference is D13 (<D12) or more and less than D12, the correction value is obtained as -1°C from the correction information. If the temperature difference is 0 or more and less than D13, the correction value is obtained as -0.5°C from the correction information.

[0186] For example, assume that D11 = 9°C, D12 = 5°C, and D13 = 3°C. In this case, if the indoor temperature = 36°C and the set temperature = 26°C, the temperature difference = 10°C. Since the temperature difference is D11 or more and less than D11, the correction value is obtained as -3°C from the correction information shown in FIG. 13. The control unit 3 corrects the set temperature = 26°C with the correction value = -3°C to obtain the target temperature = 26°C - 3°C = 23°C.

[0187] Alternatively, if the indoor temperature = 32°C and the set temperature = 26°C, the temperature difference = 6°C. Since the temperature difference is D12 or more and less than D11, the correction value is obtained as -2°C from the correction information shown in FIG. 13. The control unit 3 corrects the set temperature = 26°C with the correction value = -2°C to obtain the target temperature = 26°C - 2°C = 24°C.

[0188] Alternatively, if the indoor temperature = 30°C and the set temperature = 26°C, the temperature difference = 4°C. Since the temperature difference is D13 or more and less than D12, the correction value is obtained as -1°C from the correction information shown in FIG. 13. The control unit 3 corrects the set temperature = 26°C with the correction value = -1°C to obtain the target temperature = 26°C - 1°C = 25°C.

[0189] Alternatively, if the room temperature is 28°C and the set temperature is 26°C, the temperature difference is 2°C and is greater than or equal to 0 and less than D13, so the correction value is calculated as -0.5°C from the correction information shown in Fig. 13. The control unit 3 corrects the set temperature of 26°C with the correction value of -0.5°C to calculate the target temperature of 26°C - 0.5°C = 25.5°C.

[0190] Thus, in the second modified embodiment, the air conditioner 1 changes the target temperature in the power-saving heating mode according to the difference (temperature difference) between the temperature of the room RM and the set temperature. For example, in the power-saving heating mode, the air conditioner 1 gradually decreases the correction value as the temperature difference decreases, and corrects the set temperature with the correction value to obtain the target temperature. This makes it possible for the target temperature to gradually approach the set temperature as the air conditioning load decreases. As a result, the comfort of the living body CR can be gradually improved while reducing the power consumption of the air conditioner 1.

[0191] (Third Modification of the Embodiment) The target temperature in the power-saving cooling mode may be changed according to the temperature of the surface of the living body CR (body surface temperature).

[0192] In the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 receives a detection result indicating the position of the living body CR from the living body sensor 2. The control unit 3 receives temperature scan data of an area near the position of the living body CR in the room RM from the body surface temperature sensor 8. The control unit 3 cuts out a portion of the temperature scan data corresponding to the position of the living body CR, and calculates the body surface temperature according to the temperature data of the cut-out portion. The control unit 3 calculates a correction value according to the body surface temperature.

[0193] At this time, the control unit 3 may be set with correction information for the power-saving cooling mode as shown in Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing correction information for the power-saving cooling mode in the third modified example of the embodiment.

[0194] For the correction information in the power-saving cooling mode, the classification of body surface temperature and the correction value are associated with a plurality of classifications of body surface temperature. In the case of FIG. 14, it is determined that the correction value increases step by step as the body surface temperature decreases.

[0195] By referring to the correction information, the control unit 3 can obtain the correction value corresponding to the body surface temperature in the power-saving cooling mode. When the control unit 3 receives the set temperature commanded by the operation terminal 94a, it can correct the set temperature with the correction value to obtain the target temperature.

[0196] In the case of FIG. 14, if the body surface temperature is T1 or higher, the correction value is obtained as +1°C from the correction information. If the body surface temperature is T2 (<T1) or higher and less than T1, the correction value is obtained as +2°C from the correction information. If the body surface temperature is less than T2, the correction value is obtained as +3°C from the correction information.

[0197] Thus, in the third modification of the embodiment, the air conditioner 1 changes the target temperature according to the body surface temperature in the power-saving cooling mode. For example, in the power-saving cooling mode, the air conditioner 1 gradually increases the correction value as the body surface temperature decreases, and corrects the set temperature with the correction value to obtain the target temperature. As a result, the target temperature can be gradually increased from the set temperature as the body surface temperature decreases. As a result, the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 can be gradually reduced while maintaining the comfort of the living body CR.

[0198] (Fourth Modification of the Embodiment) The target temperature in the power-saving heating mode may be changed according to the temperature of the surface of the living body CR (body surface temperature).

[0199] In the power-saving heating mode, the control unit 3 receives a detection result indicating the position of the living body CR from the biological sensor 2. The control unit 3 receives temperature scan data of an area near the position of the living body CR in the indoor RM from the body surface temperature sensor 8. The control unit 3 cuts out the portion of the position of the living body CR in the temperature scan data, and obtains the body surface temperature according to the temperature data of the cut-out portion. The control unit 3 obtains a correction value according to the body surface temperature.

[0200] At this time, correction information for the power-saving heating mode as shown in FIG. 15 may be set in the control unit 3. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing correction information for the power-saving heating mode in the fourth modification of the embodiment.

[0201] The correction information for the power-saving heating mode has a body surface temperature category and a correction value associated with a plurality of body surface temperature categories. In the case of FIG. 15, it is determined such that the correction value gradually decreases (the absolute value increases) as the body surface temperature increases.

[0202] By referring to the correction information, the control unit 3 can obtain a correction value corresponding to the body surface temperature in the power-saving heating mode. When the control unit 3 receives the set temperature commanded by the operation terminal 94a, it can correct the set temperature with the correction value to obtain the target temperature.

[0203] In the case of FIG. 15, if the body surface temperature is T11 or higher, the correction value is obtained as -3°C from the correction information. If the body surface temperature is T12 (<T11) or higher and less than T11, the correction value is obtained as -2°C from the correction information. If the body surface temperature is less than T12, the correction value is obtained as -1°C from the correction information.

[0204] Thus, in the fourth modified embodiment, the air conditioner 1 changes the target temperature in accordance with the body surface temperature in the power-saving heating mode. For example, in the power-saving heating mode, the air conditioner 1 gradually decreases the correction value (increases the absolute value) as the body surface temperature increases, and corrects the set temperature with the correction value to obtain the target temperature. This makes it possible to gradually move the target temperature away from the set temperature as the body surface temperature increases. As a result, it is possible to gradually reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner 1 while maintaining the comfort of the living body CR.

[0205] (Fifth Modification of the Embodiment) The air volume in the power-saving cooling mode may be different from the set air volume instructed via the operation terminal 94a.

[0206] For example, in the power-saving cooling mode, the air conditioner 1 may perform cooling operation at a target airflow that is stronger than the set airflow.

[0207] In the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 receives a command for the set air volume from the operation terminal 94a. The control unit 3 determines a target air volume that is stronger than the set air volume. If the air volume can be set in multiple stages, the control unit 3 may change the number of stages commanded in the command for the set air volume to the stronger side, and set the changed number of stages as the target air volume. This changed number of stages may be determined as a fixed number (for example, +1 stage). The control unit 3 rotates the fan 23 at a rotation speed corresponding to the target air volume. This allows the air conditioner 1 to perform cooling operation in the power-saving cooling mode at a target air volume that is stronger than the set air volume.

[0208] Alternatively, in the power-saving cooling mode, the air conditioner 1 may perform cooling operation at a target air volume determined according to the temperature difference.

[0209] In the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 receives the detection result indicating the indoor temperature from the room temperature sensor 7 and receives the command of the set temperature from the operation terminal 94a. The control unit 3 takes the difference between the indoor temperature and the set temperature to obtain the temperature difference. The control unit 3 determines the number of change steps of the reference air volume according to the temperature difference. The reference air volume is the air volume serving as the reference for change. When receiving the set air volume commanded by the operation terminal 94a, the reference air volume may be the set air volume commanded by the operation terminal 94a. When receiving the automatic air volume commanded by the operation terminal 94a, the reference air volume may be the air volume at the center of multiple steps.

[0210] Assume that the air volume can be set in multiple steps, and the larger the number of steps, the stronger the corresponding air volume. The control unit 3 may determine so that the number of change steps gradually decreases as the temperature difference decreases. If the temperature difference is D1 or more, the number of change steps may be determined as +3 steps. If the temperature difference is D2 (<D1) or more and less than D1, the number of change steps may be determined as +2 steps. If the temperature difference is less than D2, the number of change steps may be determined as +1 step.

[0211] The control unit 3 can change the reference air volume by the number of change steps to obtain the target air volume. The control unit 3 rotates the fan 23 at the rotation speed corresponding to the target air volume. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 can perform the cooling operation with the target air volume determined according to the temperature difference in the power-saving cooling mode.

[0212] Alternatively, the air conditioner 1 may perform the cooling operation with the target air volume determined according to the distance to the living body CR in the power-saving cooling mode.

[0213] In the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 receives the detection result of the biological sensor 2 and obtains the distance to the living body CR according to the detection result. In the cases shown in FIGS. 9(b) and 10(b), the control unit 3 obtains the distance to the living body CR according to the XY distance from the biological sensor 2 to the horizontal position P12b and the difference between the Z height of the biological sensor 2 and the Z height of the position P13b according to the detection result of the biological sensor 2.

[0214] The air volume can be set in multiple stages, with a larger number of stages corresponding to a stronger air volume. The control unit 3 may determine the number of stages to be changed so that it gradually increases as the distance to the living body CR increases. Considering that the sensible temperature drops by 1 degree per meter of wind speed, the control unit 3 may control the wind speed to be equal to or higher than a predetermined speed (e.g., 1 m / s or higher) at the location of the living body CR.

[0215] The control unit 3 can change the reference air volume by a change step number to obtain the target air volume. The control unit 3 rotates the fan 23 at a rotation speed according to the target air volume. This allows the air conditioner 1 to perform cooling operation in the power-saving cooling mode at a target air volume determined according to the distance to the living body CR.

[0216] Alternatively, the air conditioning device 1 may be capable of receiving a clothing setting related to the clothing of the living body CR, and in the power-saving cooling mode, may perform cooling operation with an airflow direction and airflow volume determined according to the clothing setting. That is, the air conditioning device 1 may perform cooling operation with an airflow direction and airflow volume determined according to information related to the set amount of clothing (including not only the amount of clothing but also numbers, letters, and figures corresponding to the amount of clothing).

[0217] When the operation terminal 94a shown in Fig. 7 detects pressing of a button commanding to call up a power saving mode setting screen (e.g., pressing and holding the power saving setting button 9412), it may display a power saving mode setting screen 9491 shown in Fig. 16(a) on the display unit 949. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the operation of the display unit 949 of the operation terminal in the fifth modified example of the embodiment. Figs. 16(a) to 16(d) show the transition of the power saving mode setting screen 9491. The power saving mode setting screen 9491 is a screen for setting information used in a power saving cooling mode or a power saving heating mode.

[0218] A power saving mode setting screen 9491 shown in FIG. 16(a) is an initial screen. The power saving mode setting screen 9491 has a clothing setting field 9492 and a power saving amount field 9495. The clothing setting field 9492 includes an upper clothing setting field 9496 and a lower clothing setting field 9497. The upper clothing setting field 9496 includes a button 9496. The button 9496 displays the current upper clothing setting (e.g., "heavy clothing"). The lower clothing setting field 9497 includes a button 9497. The button 9497 displays the current lower clothing setting (e.g., "normal"). The power saving amount field 9495 includes a button 9498. The button 9498 displays the current power saving amount setting (e.g., "large").

[0219] When the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the ▽ button of the power saving setting button 9412 while the power saving mode setting screen 9491 shown in FIG. 16(a) is displayed on the display unit 949, the operation terminal 94a displays the power saving mode setting screen 9491 shown in FIG. 16(b) on the display unit 949. In the power saving mode setting screen 9491 shown in FIG. 16(b), a drop-down menu 9496a is displayed below the button 9496. The drop-down menu 9496a includes "heavy clothing", "normal clothing", "light clothing", and "short sleeves" as candidates for the upper clothing setting. In FIG. 16(b), the button 9496 is highlighted to indicate that it is in a selected state, but each time the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the ▽ button of the power saving setting button 9412, it sequentially highlights each candidate in the drop-down menu 9496a, and when it detects pressing of the △ button of the power saving setting button 9412, the highlighted candidate can be selected. When "Lightly Dressed" is selected in the drop-down menu 9496a, the operation terminal 94a changes the display of the button 9496 from "Heavy Dressed" to "Lightly Dressed."

[0220] Furthermore, when the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the ▽ button of the power saving setting button 9412, the operation terminal 94a displays a power saving mode setting screen 9491 shown in FIG. 16(c) on the display unit 949. In the power saving mode setting screen 9491 shown in FIG. 16(c), a drop-down menu 9497a is displayed below the button 9497. The drop-down menu 9497a includes "heavy clothing", "normal clothing", "light clothing", and "short pants" as candidates for the lower clothing setting. In FIG. 16(c), the button 9497 is highlighted to indicate that it is in a selected state, but each time the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the ▽ button of the power saving setting button 9412, it sequentially highlights each candidate in the drop-down menu 9497a, and when it detects pressing of the △ button of the power saving setting button 9412, the highlighted candidate can be selected. When "lightly dressed" is selected in the drop-down menu 9497a, the operation terminal 94a changes the display of the button 9497 from "normal" to "lightly dressed."

[0221] Furthermore, when the operation terminal 94a detects pressing of the ▽ button of the power saving setting button 9412, the operation terminal 94a displays a power saving mode setting screen 9491 shown in FIG. 16(d) on the display unit 949. In the power saving mode setting screen 9491 shown in FIG. 16(d), a drop-down menu 9498a is displayed below the button 9498. The drop-down menu 9498a includes "large", "medium", and "small" as candidates for the amount of power saving. In FIG. 16(d), the button 9498 is highlighted to indicate a selected state, but the operation terminal 94a sequentially highlights each candidate in the drop-down menu 9497a every time it detects pressing of the ▽ button of the power saving setting button 9412, and when it detects pressing of the △ button of the power saving setting button 9412, the highlighted candidate can be selected. When "medium" is selected in the drop-down menu 9498a, the operation terminal 94a changes the display of the button 9498 from "large" to "medium".

[0222] Thereafter, the operation terminal 94a closes the power saving mode setting screen 9491, and displays a normal screen on the display unit 949. At the same time, the clothing setting information and the power saving amount setting information set in the clothing setting field 9492 and the power saving amount field 9495 are transmitted from the operation terminal 94a to the control unit 3 via the receiving device 94, respectively.

[0223] In the power-saving cooling mode, when the control unit 3 receives the clothing setting information, the control unit 3 determines the airflow direction and the target airflow volume according to the clothing setting information. In the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 performs the cooling operation with the airflow direction and the target airflow volume while tracking the position of the living body CR.

[0224] For example, the control unit 3 sets the airflow direction toward the face of the living body CR according to the upper clothing setting = "heavy clothing" and the lower clothing setting = "heavy clothing", and changes the reference airflow volume to the stronger side to set it as the target airflow volume. The reference airflow volume is the airflow volume that is the basis for the change. When receiving a set airflow volume commanded by the operation terminal 94a, the reference airflow volume may be the set airflow volume commanded by the operation terminal 94a. When receiving an automatic airflow volume commanded by the operation terminal 94a, the reference airflow volume may be the central airflow volume of multiple stages.

[0225] The control unit 3 directs the airflow toward the face of the living body CR according to the upper clothing setting = "light clothing" and the lower clothing setting = "light clothing", and changes the reference airflow volume to the weaker side to set it as the target airflow volume.

[0226] The control unit 3 directs the airflow toward the upper body of the living body CR according to the upper clothing setting = "heavy clothing", "normal clothing" or "light clothing" and the lower clothing setting = "shorts", and changes the standard airflow volume to the weaker side to set it as the target airflow volume.

[0227] The control unit 3 directs the airflow toward the lower body of the living body CR according to the upper clothing setting = "short sleeves" and the lower clothing setting = "heavy clothing", "normal clothing" or "light clothing", and changes the standard airflow volume to the weaker side to set it as the target airflow volume.

[0228] In this way, in the power-saving cooling mode, the air conditioner 1 can perform cooling operation with the airflow direction and target air volume determined according to the clothing settings.

[0229] The clothing setting information may be generated automatically. For example, if the indoor unit 10 has a camera (not shown), the control unit 3 receives a detection result indicating the position of the living body CR from the living body sensor 2. The control unit 3 captures an image of an area near the position of the living body CR in the room RM with the camera, and obtains an image of the living body CR from the camera. The control unit 3 may automatically determine the clothing of the living body CR in the image, and generate the clothing setting information according to the determination result.

[0230] In the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 may further determine a target temperature according to the power-saving amount setting information upon receiving the power-saving amount setting information. In the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 performs cooling operation at the target temperature while tracking the position of the living body CR.

[0231] The control unit 3 sets the correction value to +3° C. in accordance with the amount of power saving=“large”, and sets (set temperature)+3° C.=(target temperature).

[0232] The control unit 3 sets the correction value to +2° C. in accordance with the amount of power saving=“medium”, and sets (set temperature)+2° C.=(target temperature).

[0233] The control unit 3 sets the correction value to +1° C. in accordance with the amount of power saving=“small”, and sets (set temperature)+1° C.=(target temperature).

[0234] In the power-saving heating mode, the control unit 3 may further determine a target temperature according to the power-saving amount setting information upon receiving the power-saving amount setting information. In the power-saving heating mode, the control unit 3 performs heating operation at the target temperature while tracking the position of the living body CR.

[0235] The control unit 3 sets the correction value to -3°C in accordance with the amount of power saving = "large", and sets (set temperature) - 3°C = (target temperature).

[0236] The control unit 3 sets the correction value to -2°C in accordance with the amount of power saving = "medium", and sets (set temperature) - 2°C = (target temperature).

[0237] The control unit 3 sets the correction value to -1°C in accordance with the amount of power saving = "small", and sets (set temperature) - 1°C = (target temperature).

[0238] (Sixth Modification of the Embodiment) In the power-saving cooling mode, when multiple living CRs are detected by the biological sensor 2, the control unit 3 may identify a living CR that satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple living CRs, lock on to the identified living CR, and perform air blowing control and power saving control. The air blowing control includes control to orient the air direction plates 4, 5 in a direction toward the position of the living CR. The power saving control includes control to perform cooling operation at a target temperature lower than the set temperature. In this case, the predetermined condition may be a condition as shown in FIG. 17 or FIG. 18. FIGS. 17 and 18 are top views showing air blowing control of the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioning device 1 according to a sixth modified example of the embodiment.

[0239] In the case of Fig. 17(a), when the indoor unit 10 receives a command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode from the operation terminal 94a at the receiving device 94, the biosensor 2 detects the positions of the multiple living bodies CR1-CR3 in the room RM and the position of the operation terminal 94a. In accordance with the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 identifies the living body CR1 that is spatially closest to the operation terminal 94a among the multiple living bodies CR1-CR3 as the living body CR1, and locks on to the living body CR1. After this, as shown in Fig. 17(b), the control unit 3 performs control such as wind blowing control while tracking the living body CR1.

[0240] In addition, when the living body spatially closest to the operation terminal 94a among the living bodies CR1 to CR3 is replaced, the control unit 3 may replace the target to be locked on accordingly. For example, when the control unit 3 identifies that the living body spatially closest to the operation terminal 94a among the living bodies CR1 to CR3 is the living body CR2 while locking on to the living body CR1 and tracking the living body CR1, the control unit 3 locks on to the living body CR2 instead of the living body CR1. After this, the control unit 3 performs control such as wind exposure control while tracking the living body CR2 until the living body spatially closest to the operation terminal 94a is replaced again.

[0241] In the case of Fig. 17(c), when the indoor unit 10 receives a command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode from the operation terminal 94a at the receiving device 94, the biological sensor 2 detects the positions of the multiple living organisms CR1-CR3 in the room RM and the distances to the multiple living organisms CR1-CR3. In accordance with the detection result of the biological sensor 2, the control unit 3 identifies the living organism CR2 as the living organism that is spatially closest to the biological sensor 2 (or the indoor unit 10) among the multiple living organisms CR1-CR3, and locks on to the living organism CR2. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 17(d), the control unit 3 performs control such as wind blowing control while tracking the living organism CR2.

[0242] Note that the control unit 3 may change the target to be locked on when the living organism spatially closest to the living organism sensor 2 (or the indoor unit 10) is replaced among the multiple living organisms CR1 to CR3. For example, when the control unit 3 identifies that the living organism spatially closest to the living organism sensor 2 (or the indoor unit 10) is the living organism CR1 among the multiple living organisms CR1 to CR3 while locking on to the living organism CR2 and tracking the living organism CR2, the control unit 3 locks on to the living organism CR1 instead of the living organism CR2. After this, the control unit 3 performs control such as wind exposure control while tracking the living organism CR1 until the living organism spatially closest to the living organism sensor 2 (or the indoor unit 10) is replaced again.

[0243] Alternatively, a predetermined detection pattern of the biosensor 2 corresponding to a command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode is preregistered in the control unit 3. The indoor unit 10 detects a gesture of a living body in the room with the biosensor 2. The control unit 3 determines whether the pattern of the detected gesture matches the predetermined detection pattern, and if so, can determine that a command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode has been issued. In response to this, the control unit 3 can transition the control mode to the power-saving cooling mode. This allows the command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode to be issued even if the living body CR is unfamiliar with operating the operation terminal 94a.

[0244] In the case of Fig. 18(a), when the indoor unit 10 detects a command by a gesture to turn on the power-saving cooling mode with the biosensor 2, the indoor unit 10 detects the position of the living body CR1 who made the gesture with the biosensor 2. The control unit 3 locks on to the living body CR1 who made the gesture according to the detection result of the biosensor 2. After this, as shown in Fig. 18(b), the control unit 3 performs control such as wind blowing control while tracking the living body CR1.

[0245] In the case of FIG. 18(c), when the indoor unit 10 receives a command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode from the operation terminal 94a at the receiving device 94, the biosensor 2 detects the positions of the multiple living organisms CR1-CR3 in the room RM and the amount of movement of the multiple living organisms CR1-CR3. The amount of movement may be the amount of movement per unit time, or the movement speed at the moment of detection. In FIG. 18(c), the amount of movement of each living organism CR1-CR3 is shown as a distance from a position shown by a broken line to a position shown by a solid line (a moving distance in a predetermined time as shown by a broken arrow). According to the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 identifies the living organism CR3 as the living organism with the largest amount of movement among the multiple living organisms CR1-CR3, and locks on to the living organism CR3. After this, as shown in FIG. 18(d), the control unit 3 performs control such as wind blowing control while tracking the living organism CR3. In addition to the control illustrated in FIG. 18(c), the control unit 3 may perform control such that, according to the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 locks onto the living body approaching the biosensor 2 and having the greatest amount of movement.

[0246] In this way, the air conditioner 1 can identify a living organism that satisfies a predetermined condition among the living organisms when multiple living organisms CR (for example, living organisms CR1 to CR3) are detected by the biological sensor 2. In the power-saving cooling mode, the air conditioner 1 can perform power-saving control to perform cooling operation at a target temperature lower than the set temperature while performing air blowing control to orient the air direction plates 4, 5 in a direction toward the position of the identified living organism CR.

[0247] Similarly, in the power-saving heating mode, when multiple biological CRs are detected by the biological sensor 2, the control unit 3 may identify a biological CR among the multiple biological CRs that satisfies specified conditions, lock on to the identified biological CR, and perform air blowing control and power-saving control.

[0248] (Seventh Modification of the Embodiment) In the power-saving cooling mode, the control unit 3 may cancel the power-saving cooling mode when the number of living CRs detected by the biological sensor 2 exceeds a predetermined number. For example, when the control unit 3 receives the detection result of the biological sensor 2 in the power-saving cooling mode, it can specify the number of living CRs according to the detection result of the biological sensor 2. The control unit 3 compares the specified number of living CRs with a predetermined number (e.g., four people), and if the number of living CRs exceeds the predetermined number, transitions the control mode from the power-saving cooling mode to the normal control mode, as shown in parentheses in FIG. 8.

[0249] As a result, when the number of biological CRs detected by the biological sensor 2 exceeds a predetermined number in the power-saving cooling mode, the air conditioning device 1 transitions from the power-saving cooling mode to the normal control mode, and can perform cooling operation at the set temperature in the normal control mode.

[0250] Similarly, in the power-saving heating mode, the control unit 3 may cancel the power-saving heating mode when the number of living CRs detected by the biosensor 2 exceeds a predetermined number. For example, when the control unit 3 receives the detection result of the biosensor 2 in the power-saving heating mode, it can identify the number of living CRs according to the detection result of the biosensor 2. The control unit 3 compares the identified number of living CRs with a predetermined number (e.g., four people), and if the number of living CRs exceeds the predetermined number, transitions the control mode from the power-saving heating mode to the normal control mode, as shown in parentheses in FIG. 8.

[0251] As a result, when the number of biological CRs detected by the biological sensor 2 exceeds a predetermined number in the power-saving heating mode, the air conditioning device 1 transitions from the power-saving heating mode to the normal control mode, and can perform heating operation at the set temperature in the normal control mode.

[0252] (Eighth Modification of the Embodiment) In the power-saving cooling mode, when a plurality of living bodies CR are detected by the living body sensor 2, the control unit 3 may specify a directional range of the plurality of living bodies CR and swing the louvers 4 and 5 in that directional range.

[0253] In the power-saving cooling mode, when a plurality of living CRs are detected by the living sensor 2, the control unit 3 may specify the positions of the plurality of living CRs, and sequentially select the positions of the plurality of living CRs to perform wind blowing control and power saving control. The wind blowing control includes control for making the wind direction plates 4, 5 face in a direction toward the positions of the living CRs. The wind blowing control for sequentially selecting the positions of the plurality of living CRs includes control for swinging the wind direction plates 4, 5 in the direction range of the plurality of living CRs. The power saving control includes control for performing cooling operation at a target temperature higher than the set temperature. In this case, the wind blowing control may be control as shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a top view showing the wind blowing control of the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to the eighth modified example of the embodiment.

[0254] 19(a), when a command to turn on the power-saving cooling mode is received from the operation terminal 94a at the receiving device 94, the control unit 3 detects the positions of the multiple living bodies CR1-CR3 in the room RM and the position of the operation terminal 94a with the biosensor 2. According to the detection result of the biosensor 2, the control unit 3 specifies the order of selection of the positions of the multiple living bodies CR1-CR3 as follows: living body CR1 → living body CR3 → living body CR2 → living body CR3 → living body CR1.

[0255] In accordance with the specified order, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the control unit 3 selects the living body CR1, and performs wind exposure control and power saving control by directing the wind direction plates 4 and 5 in a direction toward the position of the living body CR1.

[0256] Next, as shown in FIG. 19(c), the control unit 3 selects the living body CR3, and performs wind control and power saving control by directing the wind direction vanes 4 and 5 in a direction toward the position of the living body CR3.

[0257] Next, as shown in FIG. 19(d), the control unit 3 selects the living body CR2, and performs wind control and power saving control by directing the wind direction vanes 4 and 5 in a direction toward the position of the living body CR2.

[0258] Next, as shown in FIG. 19(c), the control unit 3 selects the living body CR3, and performs wind control and power saving control by directing the wind direction vanes 4 and 5 in a direction toward the position of the living body CR3.

[0259] Next, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the control unit 3 selects a living body CR1, and performs wind exposure control and power saving control by directing the air deflectors 4 and 5 in a direction toward the position of a living body CR3.

[0260] After this, the control unit 3 sequentially selects the positions of the plurality of living bodies CR1 to CR3 in accordance with the specified order, and repeatedly performs the wind exposure control and the power saving control.

[0261] In addition, when multiple biological CRs are detected by the biological sensor 2, the control unit 3 may identify the positions of the two end biological CRs among the multiple biological CRs within the movable range of the air deflector 5, and perform wind control to swing the air deflector 5 within the directional range between the two end biological CRs.

[0262] When multiple biological CRs are detected by the biological sensor 2 and the positions of some of the multiple biological CRs are outside the movable range of the air deflector 5, the control unit 3 may perform wind control by swinging the air deflector 5 within the directional range, with the movable range of the air deflector 5 being the directional range.

[0263] In this way, when the biological sensor 2 detects a plurality of living organisms CR (for example, living organisms CR1 to CR3), the air conditioning apparatus 1 can specify the directional range of the plurality of living organisms CR and swing the louvers 4 and 5 within that directional range.

[0264] The air conditioner 1 may combine the power-saving heating mode and the windless mode. For example, the ventilation member 26 can be switched between an open position (the position shown in FIG. 3) and a closed position (the position where the ventilation member 26 is rotated around the X-axis to close the air outlet 33 (the first flow path C1) with the ventilation member 26).

[0265] When the windless feeling mode is on, ventilation member 26 is switched to the closed position as shown in Fig. 3. When in the closed position, ventilation member 26 can form a first outlet flow path (first flow path C1) through which wind sent by fan 23 is discharged to the outside through ventilation port 56, and a second outlet flow path (second flow path C2) through which the air is discharged to the outside adjacent to the first outlet flow path (first flow path C1) without passing through ventilation port 56. In other words, when ventilation member 26 is switched to the closed position, it is inserted into a part of the flow path of the conditioned air blown into the room, and changes the opening ratio of a part of the flow path.

[0266] In this case, the flow speed of the wind W2a increases as the opening ratio of the first flow path C1 decreases. Therefore, the wind W2a draws in the wind W1a. As a result, the wind W1a hits the wind W2a. The wind W2a that has transitioned to a turbulent flow diffuses and hits the wind W1a flowing adjacent to the wind W2a. In this way, the winds W1a and W2a, which have different flow speeds and states (laminar flow or turbulent flow), flow next to each other and hit each other. That is, the wind W1a that does not pass through the ventilation member 26 (ventilation opening 56) and the wind W2a that has passed through the ventilation member 26 (ventilation opening 56) interfere with each other.

[0267] When the wind W1a and the wind W2a collide with each other, for example, the masses of the wind W1a and the wind W2a are broken up, and the wind W2a, which is a turbulent flow, is carried by the wind W1a. The wind W1a and the wind W2a generate such various interactions to generate a turbulent flow Ws (mixed wind) that diffuses over a wide range. As a result, the turbulent flow Ws discharged from the indoor unit 10 becomes closer to a natural wind (so-called wind without a windy feeling) than the wind immediately after being discharged from the air outlet 33.

[0268] In (control mode, operation mode, auxiliary operation mode) = (power saving heating mode, heating mode, windless mode on), the control unit 3 detects the position of the living body CR, locks on to the living body CR, and switches the ventilation member 26 to the closed position. While tracking the position of the living body CR, the control unit 3 controls the air deflectors 4 and 5 to face the feet of the living body CR, and performs heating operation at the target temperature.

[0269] This allows the direction of the wind blown out from the indoor unit 10 to be controlled so that it reaches the feet of the living body CR in a state close to natural wind (so-called wind without wind), while tracking the locked-on living body CR. By allowing the wind without wind to reach the feet of the living body CR, the living body CR can be enveloped in a warm wind without wind (diffused soft wind) from the feet, and the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be effectively increased. As a result, in a combination of the power-saving heating mode and the windless mode on, the sensible temperature of the living body CR can be brought closer to the set temperature while performing heating operation at the target temperature.

[0270] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0271] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 air conditioner, 2 biosensor, 3 control unit, 4, 5 air deflector, 7 room temperature sensor, 8 body surface temperature sensor, 10 indoor unit, 22 heat exchanger, 23 fan, 94a, 194a operation terminal, 122 heat exchanger, 125 compressor

Claims

1. An indoor unit; A control unit capable of performing air conditioning operation at a set temperature and a set air volume set by a user; Equipped with The indoor unit includes: A wind deflector that adjusts the direction of the conditioned air blown into the room; a biological sensor that detects a position of a biological body in the room; having The control unit, in a first mode, controls the airflow direction of the air deflector so that the air is directed toward the position of the living body detected by the living body sensor, and controls the air conditioner to perform a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation at a target temperature higher than the set temperature and at the set air volume, and in a second mode, controls the airflow direction of the air deflector so that the air is directed toward the position of the living body detected by the living body sensor, and controls the air conditioner to perform a heating operation at a target temperature lower than the set temperature and at the set air volume. Air conditioning units.

2. The control unit controls the wind direction plate in the second mode so that wind is directed toward the feet of the living body. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1.

3. When a plurality of living bodies are detected by the biosensor in the first mode and the second mode, the control unit controls the wind direction plate so that wind is directed to a position of a living body that is closest to the biosensor among the plurality of living bodies. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1.

4. An operation terminal having a display unit, The display unit displays, in either the first mode or the second mode, information related to the first mode or the second mode together with the set temperature. An air-conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images