Air conditioners

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner that performs air-conditioning control enabling a user to feel comfortable.SOLUTION: An air conditioner includes: a human detection sensor outputting human body detection information indicating detection of a human body in an air-conditioned region; a warm / cold detection sensor outputting thermal image information indicating two-dimensional temperature distribution from infrared ray amount emitted in the air-conditioned region; and a control section performing air-conditioning control in the air-conditioned region on the basis of the human body detection information from the human detection sensor and the thermal image information from the warm / cold detection sensor. The control section specifies a human presence region in the air-conditioned region on the basis of the human body detection information, calculates warm / cold feeling of a person in the human presence region specified on the basis of the thermal image information, considers the human body detection information obtained by the human detection sensor as a radiation temperature of the air-conditioned region used when warm / cold feeling is calculated, and performs control on the basis of the warm / cold feeling calculated by using a value excluding the region where a person is present.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner that uses a thermopile module to detect the presence or absence of people and their movements to control air conditioning. This air conditioner is equipped with a temperature detection sensor (thermopile sensor) in thermography, and a control unit that detects the ambient temperature of the air conditioner and controls air conditioning.

[0003] Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2 report that there is a high correlation between the amount of heat dissipation from a person estimated from a thermal image obtained by thermography and the person's "thermal sensation." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-304655 A [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Shinichi Shikii, Koichi Kusunoki, Yuri Tanaka, Natsumi Nishimura, Hiroko Kubo, "Estimation of thermal sensation using thermography in summer", Proceedings of the Kinki Branch Academic Research Presentation Meeting of the Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan, A-55, p220-223 [Non-Patent Document 2] Shinichi Shikii, Koichi Kusunoki, Yuri Tanaka, Natsumi Nishimura, Hiroko Kubo, "Study on Thermal Comfort in Winter, Part 2: Estimation of Thermal Sensation Using Thermography", Proceedings of the Symposium on Human-Living Environment Systems, 38, pp. 281-284 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present disclosure provides an air conditioner that can accurately determine the location of a person in an air-conditioned area and control the air conditioning to make the person feel comfortable according to his or her situation, and / or to provide the "warm / cold feeling" that a normal person would feel at the temperature set by the person. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The air conditioner of the present disclosure comprises a human presence sensor that outputs human body detection information indicating the detection of a human body within the air-conditioned area, a warm / cold sensor that outputs thermal image information indicating a two-dimensional temperature distribution from the amount of infrared rays radiated in the air-conditioned area, and a control unit that performs air-conditioning control in the air-conditioned area based on the human body detection information from the human presence sensor and the thermal image information from the warm / cold sensor, and the control unit identifies a human presence area in the air-conditioned area based on the human body detection information, calculates the warm / cold sensation of people in the human presence area identified based on the thermal image information, takes into account the human body detection information from the human body sensor as the radiant temperature of the air-conditioned area used when calculating the warm / cold sensation, and performs air-conditioning control for the air-conditioned area based on the warm / cold sensation calculated using a value that excludes areas where people are present as unnecessary data. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The air conditioner disclosed herein detects a person's "sensation of warmth / coldness" based on the amount of radiation emitted by the person in the conditioned area, and can provide highly accurate air conditioning control that makes the person feel comfortable, and / or provides the "sensation of warmth / coldness" that a normal person would feel at the temperature set by the person. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a sensor holding unit in an air conditioner according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4]A flowchart showing a process for determining an amount of activity in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a temperature / cold sensation sensor in an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a thermal sensation sensor in an air conditioner according to a first embodiment, with a part of a sensor holding portion cut away; [Figure 7] A flowchart showing a filtering process of a thermal sensation detection control executed in the air conditioner of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows definitions of terms used in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a plurality of human body position determination regions in an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] Specific flowchart showing filtering processing of thermal sensation detection control executed in the air conditioner of the first embodiment [Figure 11] A flowchart showing air conditioning processing of thermal sensation detection control in the air conditioner of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or duplicate description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0011] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] In addition, the numerical values, shapes, configurations, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the present disclosure. Among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in an independent claim showing a top concept are described as optional components.

[0013] First, various aspects of the air conditioner of the present disclosure will be illustrated.

[0014] The air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a human presence sensor that outputs human body detection information indicating the detection of a human body within the air-conditioning target area; a temperature / cold sensation sensor that outputs thermal image information indicating a two-dimensional temperature distribution based on the amount of infrared rays radiated in the air-conditioned area; and A control unit that performs air conditioning control in the air conditioning target area based on human body detection information from the human body sensor and thermal image information from the thermal sensor, The control unit identifies a human presence area in the air-conditioning target area based on the human body detection information, and detects a “warm / cold sensation” of a person in the identified human presence area based on the thermal image information. The system is configured to take into account human body detection information from the human presence sensor as the radiant temperature of the air-conditioned area used when calculating the "warmth / cold feeling," and to perform air-conditioning control for the air-conditioned area based on the "warmth / cold feeling" detected using a value that excludes areas where people are present as unnecessary data.

[0015] In the first embodiment of the air conditioner configured in this manner, the radiant temperature of the area to be air-conditioned is accurately detected based on the human body detection information from the human presence sensor and the thermal image information from the warm / cold sensation sensor by appropriately eliminating unnecessary data with reference to the human body detection information from the human presence sensor, and the "warm / cold sensation" of a person is detected based on the amount of radiation from a person in a human presence area outside the human presence area, thereby enabling air conditioning control that the person finds suitable and / or highly precise air conditioning control to be performed so that the "warm / cold sensation" that a normal person would feel at the temperature set by that person is achieved.

[0016] In the air conditioner of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit in the first aspect is configured to detect the amount of activity of people in a specified human presence area based on the human body detection information, and if the detected amount of human activity is "low", control is performed on the air-conditioned area based on "warm / cold sensation", and if the amount of activity is "medium" or "high", control the air-conditioning using at least one of the amount of activity, human presence area information, and the radiant temperature within the air-conditioned area.

[0017] In the second aspect of the air conditioner configured in this manner, by identifying the amount of human activity, the "warm / cold sensation" of people present in the air-conditioned area can be detected with high accuracy using thermal image information from the warm / cold sensation sensor.

[0018] In an air conditioner of a third aspect of the present disclosure, the human presence sensor and the temperature / cold sensation sensor in the first or second aspect are the same element, and the human body detection information detected by the human presence sensor is divided into a plurality of human body position discrimination areas, and the air conditioner is configured to identify a human presence area in the plurality of human body position discrimination areas from the human body detection information and control the operation of the air conditioner.

[0019] In the air conditioner of the third aspect thus configured, it is possible to perform air conditioning suitable for occupants based on "thermal sensation" with high accuracy at low cost.

[0020] In the air conditioner of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the human presence sensor in the first or second aspect detects changes in the amount of infrared rays radiated in the air-conditioned area and outputs human body detection information indicating the detection of a human body within the air-conditioned area, and is a separate element from the temperature and cold sensor.The human body detection information detected by the human presence sensor is divided into a plurality of human body position discrimination areas, and is configured to identify a human presence area in the plurality of human body position discrimination areas from the human body detection information and control the operation of the air conditioner.

[0021] In the air conditioner of the fourth aspect thus configured, it is possible to perform air conditioning suitable for the occupants based on their "sense of warmth and cold" with extremely high accuracy.

[0022] The present disclosure is not limited in its application to the detailed configuration and arrangement of components set forth in the following specification or illustrated in the following drawings. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of the present specification and should not be limited. For example, the use of words such as "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the elements described thereafter and additional elements as well as equivalents thereof.

[0023] In embodiments, various steps are described herein in one order; however, in other embodiments of the method, steps may be performed in any order and / or not all of the steps may be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0024] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the configuration of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The air conditioner of embodiment 1 is composed of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected to each other by refrigerant piping and control wiring, etc., with the indoor unit being arranged in the area to be air-conditioned (living space) and the outdoor unit, which is equipped with a compressor, being arranged outside the area to be air-conditioned.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an indoor unit in an air conditioner according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the air conditioner according to embodiment 1, and is a cross-sectional view of a central portion of the air conditioner cut along a front-to-rear plane (the left side in Fig. 2 is the front side, and the right side is the rear side).

[0027] The indoor unit 1 shown in Fig. 1 has an exterior that is configured with a top surface facing the ceiling that has an intake port 2 (see Fig. 2) that takes in indoor air, a front surface facing the front, both side surfaces, a bottom surface that has an outlet port 3 that blows air out into the room, and a back surface that faces the wall. The front surface and both side surfaces of the indoor unit 1 are configured as smoothly continuous surfaces, with the height dimensions of both side surfaces gradually decreasing toward the front. For this reason, the bottom surface of the indoor unit 1 is inclined so that it faces forward.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 1, an air outlet 3 on the bottom surface of the indoor unit 1 is provided with up-down airflow louvers 4, which are configured to open and close the air outlet 3. Fig. 1 shows the indoor unit 1 with the up-down airflow louvers 4 opening the air outlet 3. Indoor air taken in through an intake port 2 formed on the top surface of the indoor unit 1 has dust removed from it and undergoes heat exchange inside the indoor unit 1, before being blown out from the air outlet 3.

[0029] As shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 2, the indoor unit 1 is provided inside with a filter 10 for capturing dust contained in the taken-in indoor air, a heat exchanger 11 for exchanging heat with the taken-in indoor air, and a once-through fan 12 for generating an airflow that draws air through the filter 10 from the intake port 2 and blows it out of the air outlet 3 into the room (living space) after passing through the heat exchanger 11. The front of the indoor unit 1 is formed by a front panel 8, which can be opened to replace the filter 10 inside the indoor unit 1, etc.

[0030] The air outlet 3 is provided with an up-down airflow direction louver 4 that changes the airflow direction in the up-down direction, and a left-right airflow direction louver 5 that changes the airflow direction in the left-right direction. The up-down airflow direction louver 4 has an upper blade 4a and a lower blade 4b. Each of the upper blade 4a and the lower blade 4b is configured to be rotated so that the airflow direction is in the up-down direction by a drive motor for the up-down airflow direction louver, such as a stepping motor, connected to a rotation shaft on either the left or right end. The left-right airflow direction louver 5 has a plurality of left-right airflow direction changing blades of substantially the same shape arranged side by side. The plurality of left-right airflow direction changing blades are connected to a connecting bar so that the respective left-right airflow direction changing blades are interlocked. This connecting bar is connected to the rotation shaft of a drive motor for the left-right airflow direction louver, such as a stepping motor, and the plurality of left-right airflow direction changing blades are interlocked by the rotation of this drive motor to change the direction to the left and right.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 2, in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner of the first embodiment, an electrical component unit 14 is provided in a part of the front upper space surrounded by the front panel 8, the filter 10, and the top panel 13 constituting the top surface. The electrical component unit 14 includes a control unit 25, which controls the operation of the air conditioner by driving and controlling the up / down air direction louvers 4, the left / right air direction louvers 5, the fan 12, and the compressor of the outdoor unit. The electrical component unit 14 is attached by utilizing a part of the frame constituting the frame of the indoor unit 1. The control unit 25 in the electrical component unit 14 is composed of a microcomputer, and controls the operation of the air conditioner based on various information from a group of sensors described later.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, a sensor holding section 9 is provided between the front panel 8 and the air outlet 3. The front surface of the sensor holding section 9 is inclined with respect to the front panel 8 having a substantially vertical surface. An infrared-transmitting resin decorative sheet 15 is attached to the front surface of the sensor holding section 9. Inside the sensor holding section 9, a human presence sensor 6, a temperature / cold sensation sensor 7, and the like are provided. Therefore, the human presence sensor 6 and the temperature / cold sensation sensor 7 are configured to detect the presence of a person, the movement of a person, thermal image information, and the like based on infrared rays from the air-conditioned area, which is the living space, through the decorative sheet 15. In addition, the indoor unit 1 of the first embodiment is provided with a radiation temperature sensor that detects radiation temperatures including the floor temperature of the air-conditioned area, a solar radiation sensor that detects the sunlight state in the air-conditioned area, and a light-emitting display section 16 for displaying the detection states of various sensors.

[0033] The human presence sensor 6 is a pyroelectric infrared sensor that detects infrared radiation emitted from the human body. The human presence sensor 6 detects the presence or absence of a person and their movement by changes in the amount of infrared radiation in the area to be air-conditioned. Since the human presence sensor 6 is configured to detect changes in the amount of infrared radiation in the area to be air-conditioned, even if the front is covered with the decorative sheet 15, there is no risk of false detection due to the decorative sheet 15, and no calibration is required.

[0034] On the other hand, the hot / cold sensor 7 is a thermopile sensor, and is configured by arranging a number of thermoelectric sensor elements in a matrix. A condensing lens is provided in front of the matrix-shaped sensor elements. In the first embodiment, for example, the sensor elements are arranged in an 8×8 matrix. The hot / cold sensor 7 of the first embodiment is configured to rotate and scan the sensor elements arranged in a matrix with the vertical and horizontal directions inclined obliquely with respect to the rotation axis, and to output a signal indicating thermal image information. For example, by scanning with the rotation axis of the hot / cold sensor 7 inclined, a signal is output that forms thermal image information corresponding to a horizontal viewing angle of about 180° and a vertical viewing angle of about 30°.

[0035] The thermopile sensor serving as the warm / cold sensor 7 in the air conditioner of the first embodiment forms two-dimensional thermal image information of thermal image information (temperature distribution information) of floor and wall surfaces in the area to be air-conditioned and / or thermal image information (temperature distribution information) of the human body. This thermal image information is formed from the amount of infrared rays detected by the warm / cold sensor 7. For this reason, unlike the human presence sensor 6 which detects changes in the amount of infrared rays, the thermal image information detected by the warm / cold sensor 7 through the decorative sheet 15 requires calibration. The calibration method for the warm / cold sensor 7 will be described later.

[0036] In the air conditioner of the first embodiment, a person's "sensation of warmth and cold" in the air-conditioned area is detected based on thermal image information from the thermal sensor 7, and the PMV scale (Predicted Mean Vote) is generally used as an index of "sensation of warmth and cold" that indicates how "hot" or "cold" a person feels. The PMV scale is a seven-point rating scale ranging from "+3 (Hot)" to "-3 (Cold)."

[0037] In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a nine-step thermal sensation scale proposed by the Thermal Sensation Subcommittee of the Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan is used as the thermal sensation scale. The nine-step evaluation scale adds "+4 (very hot)" and "-4 (very cold)" to both extremes of the PMV scale. This thermal sensation scale is used to perform thermal sensation detection control, which will be described later.

[0038] In the following description of the embodiment, "thermal sensation" indicates a value within the range of "-4" to "+4" on the thermal sensation scale. Similarly, terms related to "thermal sensation", such as "average thermal sensation", "standard thermal sensation", and "detected thermal sensation", which will be described later, each indicate a value within the range of "-4" to "+4" on the thermal sensation scale.

[0039] In the thermal sensation detection control of the air conditioner of the first embodiment, the "thermal sensation" that an average person would normally feel for the set temperature of the air conditioner is set as the "standard thermal sensation," and the "standard thermal sensation" is set as the "target thermal sensation" to perform air conditioning control. In the thermal sensation detection control of the first embodiment, temperature shift control and blowing control are performed so that the target thermal sensation zone is within ±0.5 of the difference from the "standard thermal sensation." The temperature shift control and blowing control will be described later. Note that there is an experimental result that shows that 80% of people are not dissatisfied if the thermal sensation scale is within ±1, based on this experimental result, in the thermal sensation detection control of the first embodiment, the difference from the "target thermal sensation" on the thermal sensation scale is set within ±0.5.

[0040] 3 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor holding part 9 in which the human sensor 6 and the temperature / cold sensor 7 are provided. The sensor holding part 9 is provided below the front panel 8 of the indoor unit 1, and is arranged with the decorative sheet 15 provided on its front side facing diagonally downward and forward. As described above, the human sensor 6 and the temperature / cold sensor 7 are provided on the back side of the decorative sheet 15, and the human sensor 6 and the temperature / cold sensor 7 are held by the sensor holding part 9. The sensor holding part 9 is made of a resin having opaqueness, and is formed of a material having a lower infrared transmittance than the decorative sheet 15.

[0041] The internal space of the sensor holding part 9 in which the human presence sensor 6 and the temperature / cold sensation sensor 7 are held is sealed and is outside the air flow path inside the indoor unit. Both ends of the sensor holding part 9 are pivotally supported on the main body of the indoor unit 1, and the filter 10 provided on the back side of the sensor holding part 9 can be easily attached and detached by rotating the sensor holding part 9 towards the front.

[0042] In addition, a light-emitting display unit 16 is provided in the center of the sensor holding unit 9 so that the operating status and detection status of the human presence sensor 6, the temperature and cold sensor 7, etc. can be visually recognized. The light-emitting display unit 16 is configured to emit light from a light guide plate, for example, from multiple LEDs that emit light of different colors. [Human Presence Sensor] The human presence sensor 6 of the first embodiment is composed of three infrared sensors, each of which has a specific detection target area. As shown in Fig. 3, the human presence sensor 6 of the first embodiment has three infrared sensors arranged horizontally on the left end side of the sensor holding unit 9. The human presence sensor 6 is, for example, a pyroelectric infrared sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person by detecting infrared rays emitted from the human body. In the air conditioner of the first embodiment, each infrared sensor of the human presence sensor 6 outputs a pulse signal in response to a change in the amount of infrared rays detected, and the control unit 25 of the electrical unit 14 determines the presence or absence of a person based on the pulse signal.

[0043] In the air conditioner of the first embodiment, it is determined whether the human body is in a resting state where the human body is almost not moving or in an active state where the human body is active, based on the signal output from the human sensor 6. In the air conditioner of the first embodiment, the amount of human activity (movement) is determined to be large or small in four stages, namely, "large", "medium", "small", and "resting state", in the active state where the human body is active. Specifically, the control unit 25 determines the amount of activity of "large", "medium", "small", and "resting state" according to the number of times that the control unit 25 detects a human body indicated by the signal output from the human sensor 6 within a predetermined detection time (e.g., 2 minutes). More specifically, the control unit 25 compares the number of times that the human body is detected with a plurality of predetermined threshold values ​​to determine the amount of activity of "large", "medium", "small", and "resting state".

[0044] In the first embodiment, a "high" level of activity refers to a state in which the user is active in a large and frequent manner in a large area, such as when cleaning. A "medium" level of activity refers to a state in which the user is active in a small area, such as when cooking. A "low" level of activity refers to a state in which the user is somewhat active in a small area, such as when eating.

[0045] Furthermore, in the air conditioner of embodiment 1, the human body position discrimination region in the air-conditioned area is divided into seven regions based on signals output from the three infrared sensors in the human presence sensor 6. In this air conditioner, the detectable regions of the three infrared sensors in the human presence sensor 6 are configured to overlap, and the presence or absence of people is detected in the seven human body position discrimination regions in the air-conditioned area based on signals from the respective infrared sensors.

[0046] More specifically, of the three infrared sensors in the human presence sensor 6, the left infrared sensor is provided so as to be able to detect areas LM, LF, CM, and CF in Fig. 9, which will be described later. The center infrared sensor is provided so as to be able to detect areas N, LM, CM, and RM. The right infrared sensor is provided so as to be able to detect areas RM, RF, CM, and CF.

[0047] For example, if the left infrared sensor and the central infrared sensor detect a person, but the right infrared sensor does not detect a person, it can be determined that a person is present in the area LM.

[0048] The amount of activity can be determined, for example, by the following method: Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a process for determining the amount of activity.

[0049] First, in step 21, the reaction frequency (with output pulses) of the three infrared sensors in the human presence sensor 6 is measured every predetermined time T1, and in step 22, it is determined whether the number of measurements has reached a predetermined number. Note that the predetermined time T1 is the same as the predetermined cycle T1 in determining whether a person is present or not described above, but here it is set to, for example, 2 seconds, and the predetermined number of measurements is assumed to be set to, for example, 15, and 15 measurements are collectively referred to as one unit measurement (measurement for 30 seconds). Note also that the "number of measurements" here refers to the number of measurements in any one of blocks L, C, and R (see FIG. 9 described below) described later, and similar measurements are performed for all blocks.

[0050] In step 22, if it is determined that the number of measurements has not reached the predetermined number, the process returns to step 21, and if it is determined that the number of measurements has reached the predetermined number and one unit measurement has ended, it is determined in step 23 whether four unit measurements (two minutes of measurement) have ended. In step 23, if the four unit measurements have not ended, the process returns to step 21, and if the four unit measurements have ended, the process proceeds to step 24.

[0051] In step 24, it is determined whether the total reaction frequency of the sensor for four unit measurements (the past four unit measurements including the current unit measurement) has reached a predetermined number (e.g., five times). If the predetermined number has been reached, in step 25, the total number of unit measurements (p) after a determination of "low activity" is cleared, and then the process proceeds to step 26.

[0052] In step 26, it is determined whether the total response frequency of the infrared sensors in all blocks has reached a predetermined number (e.g., 40 times). If the predetermined number has been reached, in step 27, all areas determined to be present except for areas determined to be "resting" are determined to be "high activity." On the other hand, if the predetermined number has not been reached, in step 28, the areas in which the total response frequency of the infrared sensors measuring four units has reached a predetermined number are determined to be "moderate activity."

[0053] After the activity level determination in step 27 or step 28, in step 29, 1 is subtracted from the number of unit measurements (q) and the process returns to step 21. That is, in an area where the total response frequency of each infrared sensor exceeds a predetermined number in four consecutive unit measurements and the area is determined to be "highly active" or "moderately active," the area will continue to be determined to be "highly active" or "moderately active" after the next one-unit measurement if the total response frequency of the four unit measurements at that time exceeds the predetermined number.

[0054] Furthermore, if it is determined in step 24 that the total reaction frequency of the sensor in the four unit measurements is less than a predetermined number, then in step 30 it is determined whether the area is "resting," and if not, it is determined to be "low activity" in step 31. In the next step 32, the total number of unit measurements (p) after it has been determined to be "low activity" is counted, and in step 33 it is determined whether 60 unit measurements (30 minutes of measurement) have been completed after it has been determined to be "low activity."

[0055] If it is determined in step 33 that the 60 unit measurements have not been completed, the process proceeds to step 29, whereas if it is determined that the 60 unit measurements have been completed, the areas that were determined to be "low activity" in all 60 unit measurements are determined to be "resting" in step 34, and then the process proceeds to step 29. That is, by proceeding to step 29, each area is newly determined to be "high activity," "medium activity," "low activity," or "resting" according to the total response frequency of each sensor in the past four unit measurements including the next one unit measurement.

[0056] At the beginning of activity measurement after the air conditioner is turned on, the activity level of each area is unknown, but according to the processing of this flowchart, it is not until 4 unit measurements have been completed from the start of measurement that each area is judged as "high activity," "medium activity," or "low activity," and it is not until 60 unit measurements have been completed that it is judged as "rest." Therefore, since there are no "rest" areas for a while after the start of measurement, the judgment is NO in step 30, and the area is judged as "low activity" in step 31. Thereafter, the area that has continued to be judged as "low activity" is judged as "rest" in step 34 after the 60 unit measurements have been completed, and thereafter, if the total response frequency of the sensors in the 4 unit measurements is less than a predetermined number, it continues to be judged as "rest."

[0057] In step 25, the total number of unit measurements (p) after the determination of "low activity" is cleared because the determination of "rest" starts from the determination of "low activity".

[0058] In the process of the above-mentioned flowchart, the amount of activity is determined as follows. (1)Rest The area where the sensor response frequency was less than 5 times / 2 minutes continued for 30 minutes or more. (2) High activity level When the total sensor response frequency of all areas is 40 times or more per 2 minutes and the sensor response frequency in at least one area continues for 5 times or more per 2 minutes, all areas except the area judged as "resting" are considered to be in a "resting" state. (3) Medium activity level When the total sensor response frequency of all areas is less than 40 times / 2 minutes, the sensor response frequency continues 5 times or more in 2 minutes. (4) Low activity level Areas that were not judged as quiet, high activity, or medium activity In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the "human body position determination region" may be simply referred to as "region". [Thermal sensor] 3, the temperature / cold sensation sensor 7 is disposed on the right side of the sensor holding portion 9, and the detection end 22, which is the sensor portion protruding downward, rotates approximately 180° to acquire thermal image information of the air-conditioned area I (living space). The temperature / cold sensation sensor 7 rotates and scans by a predetermined angle to detect the amount of infrared rays in the air-conditioned area itself.

[0059] Therefore, as described above, in the first embodiment, the temperature / cold sensation sensor 7 is configured to detect the amount of infrared rays through the decorative sheet 15, and therefore a calibration process is carried out as described below.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the temperature / cold sensor 7 arranged on the right side of the sensor holding portion 9. In FIG. 5, a part of the decorative sheet 15 is broken to show the temperature / cold sensor 7 arranged on the back side of the decorative sheet 15. As shown in FIG. 5, a front plate 19 is provided having a sensor window 17 that is open on the front side of the detection end (sensor portion) 22 of the temperature / cold sensor 7 extending downward and on both sides. The front plate 19 is a resin plate that covers the front of the sensor holding portion 9. The front plate 19 has a recessed groove 18 formed on both sides of the sensor window 17, and the rotation of the detection end 22 of the temperature / cold sensor 7 allows the entire area to be scanned without going through the front plate 19, through the opening of the sensor window 17 and the groove 18 of the front plate 19.

[0061] A sensor substrate having a group of sensor elements is provided at the detection end 22 of the temperature / cold sensation sensor 7. The temperature / cold sensation sensor 7 also has a rotation drive unit 20 (see FIG. 6), such as a stepping motor, provided above the detection end 22, so that the detection end 22 can be rotated (in the scanning direction) by the rotation drive unit 20.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the thermal sensor 7 with a part of the sensor holding part 9 broken away. As shown in FIG. 6, the thermal sensor 7 is configured to have a detection end 22 having a sensor substrate, a sensor housing 21 that rotatably holds the detection end 22, and a rotation drive part 20 that rotates the detection end 22. The detection end 22 and the sensor housing 21 are connected to each other so as to be biased in one direction via an elastic member, for example, a coil spring, and are configured to eliminate gear play during the scanning operation of the detection end 22. As a result, backlash is prevented from occurring during the scanning operation of the detection end 22, and highly accurate scanning operation without play is possible.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor holding portion 9 is provided with a sensor holding rib 23 for holding the sensor housing 21 of the temperature / cold sensor 7 in a predetermined position, and the sensor holding rib 23 is provided at one side position of the detection end 22 (the right side position in the first embodiment). A part of the sensor holding rib 23 is hollowed out so as not to block the detection end 22 in the right lateral scanning. Furthermore, the sensor holding portion 9 is provided with a sensor side rib 24 at the other side position of the detection end 22 (the left side position in the first embodiment). That is, the sensor side rib 24 is disposed so as to face the sensor holding rib 23 with the detection end 22 of the temperature / cold sensor 7 therebetween. In the first embodiment, the sensor side rib 24 becomes the calibration temperature detection area.

[0064] In the scanning operation of the detection end 22 of the temperature / cold sensor 7 in the first embodiment, the detection end 22 is configured to rotate beyond the area of ​​the air-conditioned region. Therefore, the detection end 22 of the temperature / cold sensor 7 is configured to directly detect the amount of infrared rays radiated from the sensor side ribs 24, which are the calibration temperature detection area, without going through the decorative sheet 15. As a result, it is possible to detect the temperature of the sensor side ribs 24 and indirectly detect the temperature of the sensor holding portion 9, thereby calibrating the thermal image information detected through the decorative sheet 15.

[0065] In the first embodiment, a configuration is described in which the sensor side ribs 24 are used as the calibration temperature detection area, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and the calibration temperature detection area may be an area that can be detected without going through the decorative sheet 15 during the scanning operation of the detection end 22. The calibration temperature detection area can be, for example, the sensor holding rib 23 on the opposite side, the sensor holding part 9 that can detect without going through the decorative sheet 15 during the scanning operation, or a sheet with a lower infrared transmittance than the decorative sheet 15 attached to the inner side of the decorative sheet 15. [Temperature and cold sensation detection in air conditioners] Next, a description will be given of thermal sensation detection based on thermal image information acquired by the thermopile sensor which is the thermal sensation sensor 7 in the air conditioner of the first embodiment.

[0066] First, a method for calculating the amount of heat dissipation from the human body from thermal image information obtained from the thermopile sensor, which is the temperature / cold sensation sensor 7, will be described.

[0067] Heat loss from the human body (H) [W / m 2 ] is generally represented by the following formula (1).

[0068] H=R+C+K+E sk +E res +C res (1) In formula (1), R is the amount of heat lost (received) by radiation from the human body [W / m 2 ], and C is the amount of heat lost (received) by convection in the human body [W / m 2 ], and K is the amount of heat dissipated (received) by conduction in the human body [W / m 2 ]. Also, E sk is the amount of heat loss due to evaporation of water from the skin [W / m 2 ], and E res is the amount of heat lost due to the evaporation of moisture in the breath [W / m 2 ] and C res is the amount of heat loss by convection in the exhaled air [W / m 2 ].

[0069] Furthermore, if the surface temperature of the clothing and skin is tcl, the surrounding wall temperature is tr, and the ambient air temperature is ta, then R and C are expressed by the following equations (2) and (3).

[0070] R = hr × (tcl-tr) (2) C = hc × (tcl-ta) (3) where hr is the radiation thermal conductivity [W / m 2 °C], and hc is the convection thermal conductivity [W / m 2 °C].

[0071] In addition, the contact area of ​​the human body with the floor, etc. is small, so the amount of heat loss by conduction in the human body, K, is negligible, and the amount of heat loss by convection from exhaled air (C res ) is small, equation (1) can be expressed as the following equation (4).

[0072] H = hr × (tcl-tr) + hc × (tcl-ta) + E sk +E re (4) In the state that can be expressed by equation (4) as above, when a person is at rest and has a small amount of activity, the amount of heat loss due to water evaporation from the skin E sk , and the amount of heat lost due to evaporation of moisture in the breath E res can be considered to be approximately constant, equation (4) becomes equation (5) below.

[0073] H=hr×(tcl-tr)+hc×(tcl-ta) (5) In other words, if the difference (tcl-tr) between a person's surface temperature (tcl) and the wall temperature (tr) and the difference (tcl-ta) between a person's surface temperature (tcl) and the ambient air temperature (ta) are known, it is possible to estimate the person's heat dissipation (H).

[0074] The ambient air temperature (ta) may be a value detected by a temperature sensor mounted on the air conditioner, or a value obtained by correcting the detected value based on the operating conditions or the detected state of a person.

[0075] Furthermore, in particular when the ambient air temperature (ta) and the surrounding wall temperature (tr) are approximately equal (ta ≒ tr), equation (1) can be expressed as the following equation (6).

[0076] H = (hr + hc) × (tcl - tr) (6) In other words, in a state that can be expressed by equation (4), when a person is at rest and has a low level of activity, if the amount of heat loss due to evaporation of water from the skin Esk and the amount of heat loss due to evaporation of water in the exhaled breath Eres can be considered to be approximately constant, then the only variable in equation (4) is (tcl-tr).

[0077] Therefore, when a person is in a resting state and has a low activity level, and when the air conditioning operation is in a sufficiently stable state such that ta≒tr holds, if the difference (tcl - tr) between the surface temperature (tcl) of the person and the wall surface temperature (tr) is known, it becomes possible to estimate the heat dissipation amount (H) of that person.

[0078] If the heat dissipation amount (H) of a person is balanced with the metabolic amount (heat production amount M) of that person (H = M), it can be estimated that the heat balance of that person is maintained and that person feels comfortable. On the other hand, if the heat dissipation amount (H) is greater than the metabolic amount (heat production amount M) (H > M), depending on the degree of that magnitude, that person feels cold, and conversely, if the heat dissipation amount (H) is less than the metabolic amount (H < M), it can be estimated that that person feels hot.

[0079] Therefore, when a person is in a resting state and has a low activity level, by extracting the surface temperature (tcl) of the person and the surrounding wall surface temperature (tr) from the ambient air temperature (ta) and the thermal image information obtained from the thermopile sensor, which is the temperature and cold feeling sensor 7, and detecting the heat dissipation amount (H) of that person, it becomes possible to non - contact detect the "temperature and cold feeling" of that person.

[0080] The detection of the surrounding wall surface temperature (tr) will be described in detail later.

[0081] In the air conditioner of Embodiment 1, as described above, when a person has a low activity level or is in a resting state, the heat dissipation amount of the person is estimated non - contact, and based on the estimated heat dissipation amount, the "temperature and cold feeling" of that person is detected, and air conditioning control is performed. However, based only on the thermal image information obtained from the temperature and cold feeling sensor 7, it is difficult to specify the area where a person exists (person existence area) in the air - conditioned target area (living space), and furthermore, it is not easy to accurately detect whether the activity level of the person is low or the person is in a resting state.

[0082] Therefore, in the thermal sensation detection control based on thermal sensation detection in the air conditioner of embodiment 1, the configuration is such that the location of people in the air-conditioned area (living space), their activity state, and their "thermal sensation" are detected using temperature distribution information from thermal image information obtained from the thermopile sensor which is the thermal sensation sensor 7, human body detection information from the multiple infrared sensors of the human presence sensor 7, and temperature information from other sensors in the living space which is the air-conditioned area.

[0083] In the air conditioner of embodiment 1, it is described that thermal / cold sensation detection control is performed using thermal image information from the thermal / cold sensation sensor 7, human body detection information from the human presence sensor 6, and temperature information (room temperature information) from a temperature sensor (such as a room temperature sensor). However, the air conditioner of the present disclosure can also be configured to obtain room temperature information from the thermal image information of the thermal / cold sensation sensor 7, and use the thermal image information from the thermal / cold sensation sensor 7 and the human body detection information from the human presence sensor 6 to perform air conditioning control similar to the thermal / cold sensation detection control in embodiment 1.

[0084] In addition, in this embodiment, a case is described in which a person is at rest and has a small amount of activity, i.e., the metabolic rate (amount of heat production M) can be considered to be an approximately constant value. However, when the amount of activity is equal to or greater than a certain level, the metabolic rate (amount of heat production M) corresponding to the amount of activity is calculated, and the metabolic rate (amount of heat production M) is compared with the amount of heat dissipation H to detect a "warm / cold sensation." [Filtering process for thermal sensation detection control] The following describes the thermal sensation detection control in the air conditioner of embodiment 1. As described above, in the thermal sensation detection control in the air conditioner of embodiment 1, the thermal sensation detection control is performed using thermal image information detected by the thermal sensation sensor 7, human body detection information from the human presence sensor 6, and temperature information (room temperature information) of the air-conditioned area using a temperature sensor (such as a floor temperature sensor).

[0085] In the hot / cold sensation detection control, a "hot / cold sensation" is detected based on thermal image information detected by the hot / cold sensation sensor 7, but the thermal image information detected by the hot / cold sensation sensor 7 may contain noise and / or false detection due to disturbance. For this reason, in the hot / cold sensation detection control of the air conditioner of the first embodiment, a filtering process (exclusion determination process) described below is performed in a preliminary stage.

[0086] When the air conditioning operation is started in the air conditioner, the filtering process in the thermal sensation detection control is started. Fig. 7 is a schematic flow chart showing the filtering process in the thermal sensation detection control executed in the air conditioner. Note that, in the first embodiment, an example is described in which the steps are performed in the order shown in Fig. 7, but in other embodiments, the steps may be performed in any order without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and examples in which not all steps are performed are also included.

[0087] As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, first, in step 101, a "thermal sensor start judgment" is performed. The room temperature of the living space, which is the area to be air-conditioned, may be too high or too low immediately after the start of air conditioning operation. For this reason, the numerical value indicating the "thermal sensation" calculated immediately after the start of air conditioning operation may only detect an extremely high value or an extremely low value, and it is not necessary to detect the "thermal sensation" of a person. The "thermal sensor start judgment" in step 101 is one of the filtering processes that does not perform thermal sensation detection control until the room temperature reaches a predetermined temperature. In the first embodiment, the set temperature of the air conditioner at that time is set as the predetermined temperature as a threshold value in the "thermal sensor start judgment".

[0088] Steps 102 to 106 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are processes performed based on thermal image information from the temperature / cold sensation sensor 7, and are filtering processes (exclusion determination processes) for each person information in the air-conditioned area.

[0089] In step 102, a "determination to exclude abnormal thermal sensation values" is performed. As described above, the "thermal sensation" of the human thermal sensation scale in the first embodiment is an index within the range of "±4". However, since the control unit 25 simply calculates the "thermal sensation" in the air-conditioned area based on the thermal image information from the thermal sensation sensor 7, it may calculate a value that is impossible for a human's "thermal sensation". In other words, when the control unit 25 calculates a value exceeding "+4" or a value less than "-4" as the "thermal sensation", it determines that the value is irregular data (unnecessary data) and excludes the calculation result.

[0090] In step 103, a "human detection accuracy exclusion judgment" is performed. From the two-dimensional thermal image information from the thermal sensation sensor 7, the control unit 25 extracts the human area temperature based on the difference between the reference background temperature and the human area temperature, and calculates the "thermal sensation" of the person in the air-conditioned area. For this reason, when the number of samplings of the background temperature is small, such as immediately after the start of measurement by the thermal sensation sensor 7, the detection accuracy of the "thermal sensation" decreases. Therefore, in the thermal sensation detection control in embodiment 1, when the number of samplings is small, that information is excluded.

[0091] In step 104, a "human sensor detection range exclusion determination" is performed. The hot / cold sensation detection control is linked to the human position determination result based on the human body detection information from the human sensor 6. Therefore, in an area where no human is present as a result of the human position determination by the human sensor 6, information indicating a "hot / cold sensation" calculated from thermal image information cannot be used as information for performing the hot / cold sensation detection control. For this reason, the calculation result indicating such a "hot / cold sensation" is excluded.

[0092] Furthermore, in step 104, if a "warm / cold sensation" is calculated from thermal image information in an area where no person is present in the position (installation position) where the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is attached, the calculation result is also excluded. For example, in the case of an installation position where there is a wall near one side of the indoor unit 1, if a "warm / cold sensation" of a person is calculated behind the side wall, the calculation result is excluded because this is an area where no person is present.

[0093] In addition, in the thermal image information obtained by the temperature / cold sensor, the position of a person is calculated from the vertical angle, horizontal angle, and distance of the detected human body.

[0094] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing definitions of the terms "horizontal angle," "vertical angle," and "floor distance" used in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8(a), in the "horizontal angle," when the indoor unit 1 is viewed from above, the direct front of the temperature / cold sensor 7 (sensor position: detection end 22) is at a horizontal angle of "0" degrees, the left is the "-" region, and the right is the "+" region. As shown in FIG. 8(b), in the "vertical angle," the horizontal plane of the temperature / cold sensor 7 (sensor position: detection end 22) is at a vertical angle of "0" degrees, the upper side is the "-" region, and the lower side is the "+" region. On the floor surface, the distance from the position of the perpendicular line from the temperature / cold sensor 7 (sensor position) to the position of the human body to be detected is the "floor distance."

[0095] In step 105, a "determination to exclude the hot / cold sensor detection range" is performed. The hot / cold sensor 7 is a thermopile sensor, so it cannot accurately detect the "hot / cold sensation" for positions that are more than a certain distance away. Therefore, if the floor distance (see FIG. 8(b)) to the person for which the "hot / cold sensation" is calculated exceeds a predetermined distance, the "hot / cold sensation" is deemed to be inaccurate, and the calculation result in that case is excluded. Also, if the person is too close, the area occupied by the person in the thermal image information becomes extremely large, and the "hot / cold sensation" cannot be accurately detected. Therefore, if the angle formed by the line segment connecting the detection unit of the human sensor 6 and the foot position (floor surface) of the human body with respect to the horizontal plane of the position of the detection unit of the human sensor 6 exceeds a predetermined angle, the area occupied by the person in the thermal image information is large, and the calculation result in that case is excluded, and the "hot / cold sensation" cannot be accurately detected.

[0096] In step 106, "area allocation of human information" is performed. In the filtering process (exclusion determination process) in steps 101 to 105, human information (information on a person's "thermal sensation") is allocated to the seven areas of the human body position determination area of ​​the human sensor 6, and converted into "thermal sensation" for each of the human body position determination areas. Note that when multiple pieces of human information exist within the same area, the average value of the "thermal sensation" of that area is regarded as the "thermal sensation (average thermal sensation)" of that area.

[0097] 9 is a top view of seven human body position discrimination regions (N, LM, LF, CM, CF, RM, RF) divided using three infrared sensors. In the first embodiment, three infrared sensors are used as the human presence sensor 6, and each infrared sensor is configured to measure the change in the amount of infrared light in each block (block L, block C, block R). Block L corresponds to the left side of area N, area LM, and area LF. Block C corresponds to the center of area N, area CM, and area CF. Block R corresponds to the right side of area N, area RM, and area RF.

[0098] In step 106, "area allocation of human information," the "thermal sensation" detected by the thermal sensation sensor 7 is allocated to each human body position discrimination area and converted into a "thermal sensation" for that area. In the first embodiment, the "thermal sensation" detected is allocated separately for when heating is on and when not heating is on. In the first embodiment, the "thermal sensation" detected is allocated to each human body position discrimination area separately for when heating is on and when not heating is on (when cooling, dehumidifying, etc.).

[0099] Steps 102 to 111 shown in FIG. 7 are examples of filtering processing, and this disclosure does not specify the order of each step, nor does it specify the execution of all steps; any step may be selectively executed.

[0100] In steps 107 to 111 shown in FIG. 7, the information relating to "warm / cold sensation" allocated to each human body position discrimination region is compared with the human body detection information from the human presence sensor 6, and further unnecessary data is eliminated, and the "warm / cold sensation" is detected with high accuracy based on the remaining highly reliable data.

[0101] In step 107, a "human position exclusion determination" is performed. Because the warm / cold sensation sensor 7 is a thermopile sensor, it may mistakenly recognize a stationary heat source (e.g., a television, a floor lamp, etc.) as a person. Therefore, in step 107, the warm / cold sensation is compared with the human body detection information from the human body detection sensor 6 that detects human movement, and if the detected "warm / cold sensation" is in an area where no human is present in the human body detection information, the measurement result of the warm / cold sensation sensor 7 at that time is excluded.

[0102] Next, in step 108, a "block activity amount exclusion determination" is performed. In the thermal sensation detection control in this embodiment, the thermal sensation scale index is set based on a state of rest or a state in which the amount of activity of a person is "low". For this reason, when a person in the air-conditioned area is performing a certain amount of activity (activity amount>low), the detection of the "thermal sensation" of the person using the thermal image information from the thermal sensation sensor 7 is meaningless, and in such a case, it is difficult to detect the amount of activity of the person from the thermal image information. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the amount of activity of the person ("high", "medium", "low" or "resting state") is estimated based on the number of human detection reactions using the human body detection information from the human body sensor 6. Specifically, the presence or absence of a person is determined based on a signal corresponding to the change in the amount of infrared light detected by each infrared sensor in the human body sensor 6, and the amount of activity of the person ("high", "medium", "low" and "resting state") is estimated based on the number of human detection reactions in which the presence of a person is detected in each human body position discrimination area within a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) at that time.

[0103] In step 108, if it is determined from the human body detection information from the human sensor 6 that the amount of human activity is "medium" or more, the detection result of "warm / cold sensation" at that time is excluded.

[0104] In step 109, the "thermal sensation" confirmed by the filtering process (exclusion determination process) executed in steps 102 to 108 is determined as history.

[0105] FIG. 10 is a specific flowchart showing the filtering process of the thermal sensation detection control executed in the air conditioner of the first embodiment, and corresponds to the flowchart (steps 101 to 109) shown in the above-mentioned FIG.

[0106] In Fig. 10, step 201 corresponds to "temperature / cold sensor start determination" in step 101 in Fig. 7, and determines whether the room temperature has reached a predetermined temperature, for example, the set temperature at that time. If the room temperature has reached the predetermined temperature, filtering processing for each person information is started (step 202).

[0107] Step 203 corresponds to the "determination of abnormal thermal sensation value exclusion" in step 102 in FIG. 7, and determines whether the detected "thermal sensation" on the thermal sensation scale is within the normal range of "-4" or more and "+4" or less.

[0108] Step 204 corresponds to "human detection accuracy exclusion determination" in step 103 in FIG. 7, and determines whether the number of samplings of the background temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined number in order to exclude cases where the number of samplings is small.

[0109] Step 205 corresponds to "judgment for excluding human sensor detection range" in step 104 in Fig. 7. In step 205, if a "warm / cold sensation" is detected in an area where no human is present in the human position judgment result by the human sensor 6, that information is excluded.

[0110] Step 206 corresponds to "determination of exclusion from thermal sensation sensor detection range" in step 105 in Fig. 7. It is determined whether the floor distance to the person for which the "thermal sensation" is to be calculated is within a predetermined distance, and whether the angle formed by the line segment connecting the detection unit of the human sensor 6 and the foot position (floor surface) of the human body with respect to the horizontal plane of the position of the detection unit of the human sensor 6 is within a predetermined angle.

[0111] Step 207 corresponds to the "area allocation of human information" in step 106 in FIG. 7, and distributes the detected "thermal sensation" information to the seven human body position discrimination areas of the human sensor 6 and converts it into "thermal sensation" for each human body position discrimination area.

[0112] It should be noted that human information that is not applicable in steps 203 to 206 (information on the human's "warm / cold sensation") is discarded. In step 209, it is confirmed that the filtering process on the detected human information has been completed, and the process proceeds to the filtering process for each human body position discrimination region (step 210).

[0113] Step 211 corresponds to "human position exclusion judgment" in step 107 in Fig. 7. In step 211, it is judged whether or not a person is present in the human body detection information in the area corresponding to the "hot / cold sensation" detected in the thermal image information by the hot / cold sensation sensor 7. If the "hot / cold sensation" is detected in the area where no person is present in the human body detection information, the detection information at that time is discarded.

[0114] Step 212 corresponds to "block activity amount exclusion determination" in step 108 in Fig. 7. In step 212, it is determined whether or not the activity amount of a person is less than "medium" based on the human body detection information from the human presence sensor 6. If it is determined in step 212 that the activity amount of a person is "low" or in a resting state, in step 213, the "thermal sensation" of the person in each area is determined, and the filtering process for all areas is completed (step 215). [Radiation temperature detection] Here, the thermopile, which is the temperature sensor 7, also serves as a radiation temperature sensor that measures the radiation temperature of the area to be air-conditioned, and is capable of detecting the surface temperature of a person (tcl) and the surrounding wall temperature (tr) from the obtained thermal image information.

[0115] However, as mentioned above, when a person is detected only by the temperature / cold sensor 7, there is a possibility of a false positive (recognizing a non-human as a human, or a human as a non-human), in other words, the floor or wall surface of the air-conditioned area may not be accurately recognized.

[0116] Therefore, in step 110, the areas where no people are present as detected by the temperature / cold sensor 7 and the areas where no people are present based on the human body detection information from the human presence sensor 6 are matched to the seven human body position discrimination areas shown in Figure 9, and the areas where no people are present as determined by both the temperature / cold sensor 7 and the human presence sensor 6 are determined to be "areas where no people are present."

[0117] Then, in the next step 111, the surrounding wall surface temperature is detected for each "non-occupied area", and the average value is determined as the radiation temperature tr.

[0118] For example, if the areas where both the warm / cold sensor 7 and the human presence sensor 6 have determined that no human is present are areas N, CM, CF, and RF in FIG. 9, the radiation temperature for each of these four "no human presence areas" is detected from the thermal image obtained. The average of the four radiation temperatures obtained is determined as the radiation temperature tr. Using this radiation temperature tr makes it possible to obtain a highly accurate "warm / cold sensation."

[0119] The filtering process for the entire area in the thermal sensation detection control shown in the above steps is performed each time thermal image information is acquired by the thermal sensation sensor 7, and the "thermal sensation" of the entire area is always grasped and determined with high accuracy in the air conditioner. [Air conditioning processing in thermal sensation detection control] Each time the "thermal sensation" of the entire area (all human body position determination areas) is determined as described above, an air conditioning process in the thermal sensation detection control, which will be described below, is executed.

[0120] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the air conditioning process in the thermal sensation detection control. In step 301 in FIG. 11, it is determined whether the detected "thermal sensation" is divided into a plurality of regions, that is, whether people are present in a plurality of regions. If the detected "thermal sensation" is present in a plurality of regions, it is determined in step 302 whether the difference in "thermal sensation" in the plurality of regions where the presence of people is detected is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the difference in "thermal sensation" in the plurality of regions is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, then the control unit 25 controls the wind direction and / or the wind volume for the corresponding region according to the difference in "thermal sensation" (step 303). That is, the control unit 25 controls the wind direction and / or the wind volume so that the "thermal sensation" of the people in the detected corresponding region is the same and / or is equal to the "standard thermal sensation" determined by the set temperature at that time. For example, the control unit 25 changes the wind volume for the regions with different "thermal sensations" so that the difference in "thermal sensation" is within "±0.5".

[0121] In the first embodiment, the term "standard thermal sensation" refers to the "standard thermal sensation" felt by an ordinary person when the room temperature is the set temperature. For example, when the set temperature is 20° C., the "standard thermal sensation" felt by an ordinary person is approximately "-1," and when the set temperature is 25° C., the "standard thermal sensation" felt by an ordinary person is approximately "+1." This "standard thermal sensation" may be changed depending on the season.

[0122] On the other hand, in step 301, if the detected "thermal sensation" is not divided into multiple regions and multiple people exist in one region, the "average thermal sensation" of the region in which multiple people exist is calculated (step 304). This "average thermal sensation" is also applied in the above-mentioned step 302 when multiple "thermal sensations" exist in each region, and the "average thermal sensation" is calculated for each region.

[0123] In step 305, it is determined whether the difference between the calculated "average thermal sensation" and the "standard thermal sensation" determined by the set temperature at that time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, for example, "±1". If the difference between the "average thermal sensation" and the "standard thermal sensation" of the corresponding area is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, air conditioning control is performed by changing the airflow direction and / or airflow rate for the air-conditioned area and / or shifting the target temperature so that the difference between the "average thermal sensation" and the "standard thermal sensation" is within the target thermal sensation zone of "±0.5" or less (step 306).

[0124] The air conditioning process of steps 301 to 306 is performed at predetermined time intervals, and the air conditioning process of the thermal sensation detection control is performed when the amount of human activity is "low" or "resting state". Therefore, when the presence of a person disappears or the amount of human activity changes to "high" or "medium", the thermal sensation detection control is terminated.

[0125] Even if the person's activity level is "high" or "medium," comfortable air conditioning can be provided to the occupants by controlling the room temperature and air direction of the air conditioner using at least one of the person's position information, activity level, and the aforementioned radiant temperature tr.

[0126] In addition, the thermal image information transmitted from the thermal sensation sensor 7 to the control unit 25 in embodiment 1 includes data such as the number of people detected, their positions (vertical angle, horizontal angle and distance), and "thermal sensation" (see Figures 8(a) and (b)).

[0127] In the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, an example has been described in which a human presence area in an air-conditioned area is identified based on human body detection information from the human presence sensor 6 and thermal image information from the thermal sensor 7, a "thermal sensation" of the person is estimated and detected based on the radiation of the person in the human presence area, and air conditioning control is performed so that the temperature set by the person is a "standard thermal sensation." However, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure can also identify a human presence area in an air-conditioned area based on human body detection information from the human presence sensor 6 and thermal image information from the thermal sensor 7, estimate and detect a "thermal sensation" of the person based on the radiation of the person in the human presence area, and perform air conditioning control so that the "thermal sensation" that the person feels is suitable, that is, "0" on the thermal sensation scale (also called a 9-step thermal sensation scale, a scale obtained by adding "-4 (very cold)" and "+4 (very hot)" to the PMV scale).

[0128] Furthermore, in the air conditioner of embodiment 1, an example has been described in which the air conditioning controls the airflow direction and / or airflow volume for the conditioned area so that the "thermal sensation" of people in a specified human presence area becomes the "standard thermal sensation" that is normally felt at the set temperature set in the air conditioner, but a configuration is also possible in which air conditioning control is performed to change the target temperature in addition to air conditioning control of the airflow direction and / or airflow. In this way, by performing air conditioning control to change the target temperature in addition to air conditioning control to change the airflow direction and / or airflow, it is possible to perform even more accurate air conditioning control for the "thermal sensation" of people in the human presence area.

[0129] As described above, in the air conditioner of the first embodiment, highly accurate air conditioning control is performed based on the human body detection information from the human detection sensor 6, the thermal image information from the thermal sensor 7, and various information indicating the state of the air-conditioned area. In particular, based on the human body detection information from the human detection sensor 6 and the thermal image information from the thermal sensor 7, it is possible to estimate the "thermal sensation" felt by a person when the person's activity level is "low" or the person is at rest, and perform air conditioning control that is suitable for that person, or air conditioning control that provides the "thermal sensation" felt by a normal person at the set temperature at that time.

[0130] As described above, according to the air conditioner of the present disclosure, a human presence area in the air-conditioned area where a person is present can be identified based on a signal indicating a change in the amount of infrared rays from the human presence sensor, and based on the amount of radiation emitted by the person in the air-conditioned area from the thermal image information from the temperature / cold sensation sensor, air-conditioning control that the person feels is suitable, and / or highly accurate and person-friendly air-conditioning control can be performed to achieve the "standard temperature / cold sensation" that a normal person would feel at the temperature set by the person. [Human presence sensor and temperature sensor are configured as the same element] Until now, the presence area of ​​people in the air-conditioned area has been identified based on a signal indicating a change in the amount of infrared rays from the human presence sensor 6, and the air conditioner has been controlled in combination with thermal image information from a separate element, the temperature and cold sensor 7.

[0131] On the other hand, the temperature / cold sensation sensor 7 can also detect the presence or absence of people in any small area within the air-conditioned area by using the thermal image.

[0132] The hot / cold sensor 7 is a thermopile sensor, and is configured by arranging a number of thermoelectric sensor elements in a matrix. A condensing lens is provided in front of the matrix-shaped sensor elements. In this embodiment, for example, the sensor elements are arranged in an 8×8 matrix. In the hot / cold sensor 7 of this embodiment, the sensor elements arranged in a matrix are rotated and scanned while being inclined vertically and horizontally with respect to the rotation axis, and a signal indicating thermal image information is output. For example, by scanning with the rotation axis of the hot / cold sensor 7 inclined, a signal is output that forms thermal image information corresponding to a horizontal viewing angle of about 180° and a vertical viewing angle of about 30°.

[0133] In order to detect "warm / cold sensation," i.e., to obtain a person's surface temperature (TCL), it is necessary to obtain a high-resolution thermal image. By tilting and rotating an 8 x 8 matrix of elements, high-resolution thermal images are obtained that far exceed the 64-pixel resolution of an individual element.

[0134] On the other hand, it is also possible to obtain a thermal image of the area to be air-conditioned with the thermal sensation sensor 7 fixed. In this case, a thermal image of 64 pixels, which is the resolution of the element, is obtained. This resolution is too rough and insufficient to detect "thermal sensation", but it is possible to detect the presence of a person in a small area within the area to be air-conditioned by using a known detection means.

[0135] That is, if the temperature difference between adjacent elements is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature (for example, 2° C.), the element region is identified as a region in which a person is present.

[0136] This "human detection information detected by fixing the temperature and cold sensor 7" is assigned to each area as shown in FIG. 9, for example, and the "human detection information detected by fixing the temperature and cold sensor 7" is regarded as the output of the human sensor 6 and controlled according to the chart shown in FIG.

[0137] Although the temperature / cold sensor 7 and the human presence sensor 6 are the same element, when detecting "temperature / cold sensation" a thermal image obtained by rotating the element is used, and when obtaining "human detection information" as the human presence sensor 6, a thermal image obtained by fixing the element is used, thereby enabling "areas without people" to be detected more accurately at low cost, enabling highly accurate air conditioning control at low cost.

[0138] Although the present disclosure has been described in embodiments with a certain degree of detail, the disclosed contents of the embodiments may vary in structural details, and changes in the combination and order of elements in the embodiments may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as claimed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0139] The present disclosure can be applied to air conditioning equipment in general, because it can provide an air conditioner that detects the "warm / cold sensation" felt by a person in an air-conditioned area and performs air conditioning control that the person finds suitable based on the detected "warm / cold sensation." [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1 Indoor unit 2 Intake port 3 Air outlet 4 Up and down air direction louvers 5. Left and right air direction louvers 6. Human Sensor 7. Temperature and cold sensor 8 Front Panel 9 Sensor holder 10 Filters 11 Heat exchanger 12 Fan 13 Top Panel 14 Electrical unit 15 Decorative Sheet 16 Illuminating display 17 Sensor window 18 Concave groove 19 Front plate 20 Rotation drive unit 21 Sensor housing 22 Detection end 23 Sensor retention rib 24 Sensor side rib (temperature detection area for correction) 25 Control Unit

Claims

1. An air conditioner comprising a human body detection sensor that outputs human body detection information indicating the detection of a human body within a target area for air conditioning; a thermal sensor that outputs thermal image information indicating a two-dimensional temperature distribution from the amount of infrared rays radiated in the target area for air conditioning; and a control unit that performs air conditioning control in the target area for air conditioning based on the human body detection information from the human body detection sensor and the thermal image information from the thermal sensor, wherein the control unit identifies a human presence area in the target area for air conditioning based on the human body detection information, calculates the thermal sensation of people in the identified human presence area based on the thermal image information, takes into account the human body detection information from the human body sensor as the radiant temperature of the target area for air conditioning used when calculating the thermal sensation, and performs air conditioning control for the target area for air conditioning based on the thermal sensation calculated using a value that excludes areas where people are present as unnecessary data.

2. The air conditioner described in claim 1, characterized in that the control unit detects the amount of activity of people in a human presence area identified based on the human body detection information, and when the detected amount of activity is ``small,'' performs control based on the thermal sensation for the air-conditioned area, and when the amount of activity is ``medium'' or ``large,'' performs air-conditioning control using at least one of the amount of activity, information about the human presence area, and the radiant temperature within the air-conditioned area.

3. An air conditioner as described in any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the human presence sensor and the temperature / cold sensation sensor are the same, the human body detection information detected by the human presence sensor is divided into a plurality of human body position discrimination areas, and a human presence area in the plurality of human body position discrimination areas is identified from the human body detection information to control operation of the air conditioner.

4. The human presence sensor detects changes in the amount of infrared radiation emitted in the air-conditioned area and outputs human body detection information indicating the detection of a human body within the air-conditioned area, and is a separate element from the temperature and cold sensor.The human body detection information detected by the human presence sensor is divided into a plurality of human body position discrimination areas, and the air conditioner described in either one of claims 1 and 2 is characterized in that the human body detection information identifies a human presence area within the plurality of human body position discrimination areas and controls the operation of the air conditioner.

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