Air conditioning device and air conditioning system

Abstract

An air conditioning device according to the present invention comprises: an outdoor unit; an indoor unit that air conditions a space to be air conditioned; a state detection device that detects the state of a user in the space to be air conditioned; and a control device that controls the outdoor unit and / or the indoor unit and that implements awakening operations to promote awakening of the user in the space to be air conditioned. The control device initiates and ends awakening operations on the basis of the detection result from the state detection device.

Description

Air conditioning device and air conditioning system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning apparatus and an air conditioning system that air-condition a space to be air-conditioned.

[0002] Conventionally, it has been known to control the lighting or airflow of a study or work space in order to prevent a decrease in the level of concentration of users in the study or work space. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an environmental control system that generates an awakening airflow as a method for improving the level of concentration of users without using visual, auditory, or olfactory stimuli. The environmental control system of Patent Document 1 controls the operating time and air volume of an environmental creating device such as a blower or ventilation fan installed in the study space to prevent a decrease in the level of concentration of users in the study space.

[0003] JP 2016-171840 A

[0004] In the environmental control system of Patent Document 1, for a user whose concentration level is estimated to have decreased, the environmental creating device is controlled to generate a wake-up airflow for an operating period defined in the first period information. In this case, even if the user's concentration level improves, the generation of the wake-up airflow continues for the operating period, which may impair the comfort of the user.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide an air conditioning device and an air conditioning system that can encourage users to wake up and prevent a decrease in user comfort.

[0006] The air conditioning apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises an outdoor unit, an indoor unit that conditions the air-conditioned space, a status detection device that detects the status of users in the air-conditioned space, and a control device that controls at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and performs a wake-up operation to wake up users in the air-conditioned space, and the control device starts and ends the wake-up operation based on the detection results of the status detection device.

[0007] The air conditioning system of the present disclosure comprises an air conditioning device that conditions the air-conditioned space, a status detection device that detects the status of users in the air-conditioned space, and a control device that controls the air conditioning device, wherein the air conditioning device performs an awakening operation to encourage users in the air-conditioned space to wake up, and the control device starts and ends the awakening operation in the air conditioning device based on the detection results of the status detection device.

[0008] According to the air conditioning device and air conditioning system of the present disclosure, by starting and ending the wake-up operation based on the detection results of the status detection device, it is possible to encourage the user to wake up and prevent a decrease in the user's comfort.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a control block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the air conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 1. Fig. 5 is a control block diagram of an air conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 2. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the air conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 2. Fig. 7 is a control block diagram of an air conditioning system according to a modified example.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, components with the same reference numerals are identical or equivalent components, and this applies throughout the entire specification. Furthermore, the size relationships between components in the drawings may differ from those in reality.

[0011] Embodiment 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning apparatus 100 pertaining to Embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioning apparatus 100 pertaining to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the air conditioning apparatus 100 of this embodiment comprises an outdoor unit 1 arranged outside the air-conditioned space R1, and an indoor unit 2 and a remote controller 3 arranged within the air-conditioned space R1. The outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are connected by piping and wiring such as power lines or signal lines. Furthermore, the indoor unit 2 and the remote controller 3 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via wire or wireless communication.

[0012] 2 , the outdoor unit 1 includes a compressor 11, a flow switching valve 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, an expansion valve 14, and an outdoor fan 15. The indoor unit 2 includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, an indoor fan 22, an air deflector 23, an indoor temperature sensor 24, a status detection device 4, and a control device 5.

[0013] The compressor 11, the flow switching valve 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the expansion valve 14, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 are connected by piping to form a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus 100 is, for example, a natural refrigerant such as carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon, or helium, a chlorine-free refrigerant such as HFC410A or HFC407C, or a fluorocarbon refrigerant such as R22 or R134a.

[0014] The compressor 11 draws in and compresses low-pressure gas refrigerant, and discharges it as high-pressure gas refrigerant. A reciprocating, rotary, scroll, or screw compressor, for example, is used as the compressor 11. The operating frequency of the compressor 11 is controlled by the control device 5.

[0015] The flow path switching valve 12 switches between a cooling operation in which the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as a condenser and a heating operation in which the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator. The flow path switching valve 12 is, for example, a four-way valve, and its switching is controlled by the control device 5. During the cooling operation, the flow path switching valve 12 switches so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 2. During the heating operation, the flow path switching valve 12 switches so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 2.

[0016] The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger, and exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside the circular or flat tubes and the air supplied by the outdoor fan 15. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is disposed between the flow path switching valve 12 and the expansion valve 14. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator during heating operation and as a condenser during cooling operation.

[0017] The expansion valve 14 is a valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to expand it. The expansion valve 14 is an electronic expansion valve with a variable opening. The opening of the expansion valve 14 is controlled by the control device 5. The expansion valve 14 is disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the indoor heat exchanger 21. Although the expansion valve 14 is disposed in the outdoor unit 1 in FIG. 2 , it may also be disposed in the indoor unit 2.

[0018] The outdoor fan 15 draws in air outside the air-conditioned space R1, passes it through the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and blows it out of the air-conditioned space R1. The outdoor fan 15 is, for example, a propeller fan, turbo fan, sirocco fan, or crossflow fan driven by a motor. The airflow rate of the outdoor fan 15 is controlled by the control device 5.

[0019] The indoor heat exchanger 21 is, for example, a fin-tube type heat exchanger, and exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside the circular or flat tubes and the air blown by the indoor fan 22. The indoor heat exchanger 21 is disposed between the expansion valve 14 and the flow path switching valve 12. The indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser during heating operation and as an evaporator during cooling operation.

[0020] The indoor fan 22 draws in air from the air-conditioned space R1, passes it through the indoor heat exchanger 21, and blows it out into the air-conditioned space R1. The indoor fan 22 is, for example, a propeller fan, turbo fan, sirocco fan, or crossflow fan driven by a motor. The airflow rate of the indoor fan 22 is controlled by the control device 5.

[0021] The indoor unit 2 is attached to a wall or ceiling of the air-conditioned space R1. The housing of the indoor unit 2 is provided with an air inlet 20a and an air outlet 20b. The indoor heat exchanger 21 is disposed in the air path from the air inlet 20a to the air outlet 20b. Air from the air-conditioned space R1 is drawn in through the air inlet 20a by the indoor fan 22, cooled or heated by the indoor heat exchanger 21, and blown out into the air-conditioned space R1 from the air outlet 20b.

[0022] The airflow direction vane 23 adjusts the blowing direction of the conditioned air cooled or heated by the indoor heat exchanger 21 at the air outlet 20b. The airflow direction vane 23 is rotatably mounted on a rotation axis parallel to the horizontal direction and adjusts the blowing direction of the conditioned air in the up and down direction, and the airflow direction vane rotatably mounted on a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction and adjusts the blowing direction of the conditioned air in the left and right direction. The angle of the airflow direction vane 23 is adjusted by the control device 5 controlling a stepping motor (not shown) attached to the rotation axis.

[0023] The indoor temperature sensor 24 is arranged around the air inlet 20a and detects the temperature of the air drawn into the indoor unit 2 from the air-conditioned space R1. The temperature of the drawn air detected by the indoor temperature sensor 24 is the temperature of the air-conditioned space R1, i.e., the indoor temperature. The indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 24 is sent to the control device 5.

[0024] The air conditioning apparatus 100 may also be equipped with a temperature sensor or pressure sensor other than the indoor temperature sensor 24. For example, the air conditioning apparatus 100 may be equipped with an outdoor air temperature sensor that is arranged, for example, outside the housing of the outdoor unit 1 and detects the temperature of the air outside the air-conditioned space R1 in which the outdoor unit 1 is installed. Furthermore, the air conditioning apparatus 100 may also be equipped with sensors that detect the temperature or pressure of the refrigerant discharged or sucked from the compressor 11, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 13 or the indoor heat exchanger 21, or the temperature of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2, etc.

[0025] The remote controller 3 accepts instructions from the user P and transmits them to the control device 5. The user P can operate the remote controller 3 to instruct the air conditioning apparatus 100 to start or stop, the operating mode, set temperature, air volume, air direction, or timer setting. The operating modes of the air conditioning apparatus 100 include cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidification operation, fan operation, and defrosting operation. Furthermore, the air conditioning apparatus 100 of this embodiment can perform awakening operation while performing cooling operation or heating operation. The awakening operation is an operation that encourages awakening of the user P in the air-conditioned space R1, and is performed when the sleep prevention mode is selected by the user P. The awakening operation will be described in detail later.

[0026] The status detection device 4 detects the status of the user P in the air-conditioned space R1. The status detection device 4 periodically (e.g., every minute) detects the status of the user P in the air-conditioned space R1 and transmits the detection results to the control device 5. The status detection device 4 is an infrared sensor that detects infrared rays within the air-conditioned space R1, or a camera that captures images of the air-conditioned space R1. The amount of infrared rays detected when the status detection device 4 is an infrared sensor, or the captured images when the status detection device 4 is a camera, are transmitted to the control device 5 as detection results. Note that although the status detection device 4 is provided in the indoor unit 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the status detection device 4 may be provided independently of the indoor unit 2. In this case, the status detection device 4 is installed in the air-conditioned space R1 and transmits the detection results to the control device 5 of the indoor unit 2 via wired or wireless communication.

[0027] The control device 5 is a microcomputer equipped with a processor such as a CPU, memory, I / O ports, etc. The control device 5 controls the operation of the entire air conditioning apparatus 100 based on instructions from the user P input via the remote controller 3 and the detection results of the temperature sensors including the indoor temperature sensor 24, the pressure sensors, and the status detection device 4. Note that while FIG. 2 shows the control device 5 provided in the indoor unit 2, the control device 5 may also be provided in the outdoor unit 1, or individual control devices 5 may be provided in the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2, and they may communicate with each other. Alternatively, the control device 5 may be provided in a location remote from the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2.

[0028] (Operation of Air Conditioning Apparatus) Figure 3 is a control block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus 100 pertaining to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 3, the control device 5 of the air conditioning apparatus 100 has an operation control unit 51, an air volume control unit 52, an air direction control unit 53, a state determination unit 54, and a memory unit 55. The operation control unit 51, the air volume control unit 52, the air direction control unit 53, and the state determination unit 54 are functional units realized by the CPU of the control device 5 executing a program. Alternatively, at least one of the operation control unit 51, the air volume control unit 52, the air direction control unit 53, and the state determination unit 54 may be realized by a processing circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

[0029] The operation control unit 51 controls the operation frequency of the compressor 11, the switching of the flow path switching valve 12, the opening degree of the expansion valve 14, and the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 15 based on the setting of the operation mode and the set temperature input by the user P, as well as the detection results of the indoor temperature sensor 24, etc. Furthermore, the operation control unit 51 controls the operation frequency of the compressor 11 or the opening degree of the expansion valve 14 based on the state of the user P detected by the state detection device 4.

[0030] The air volume control unit 52 controls the air volume of the indoor fan 22 based on the setting information input via the remote controller 3 and the state of the user P detected by the state detection device 4. The air direction control unit 53 controls the angle of the air direction vane 23 based on the setting information input via the remote controller 3 and the state of the user P detected by the state detection device 4.

[0031] The state determination unit 54 determines whether or not a user P in the air-conditioned space R1 is asleep based on the detection results of the state detection device 4. First, if the state detection device 4 is an infrared sensor, the state determination unit 54 creates a thermal image representing the temperature distribution in the air-conditioned space R1 based on the amount of infrared light in the air-conditioned space R1 detected by the state detection device 4. Then, the state determination unit 54 identifies the position of the user P in the air-conditioned space R1 based on the created thermal image. The state determination unit 54 identifies the position of the user P by recognizing the difference area between the thermal image based on the detection results of the state detection device 4 and the thermal image when there is no person in the air-conditioned space R1, and if the temperature of the difference area is equivalent to a person's body temperature, it detects the difference area as the position of the user P.

[0032] The state determination unit 54 determines that the user P is asleep if the user P identified in the thermal image does not move for a preset time (e.g., several minutes). Whether the user P is moving is determined based on changes in the thermal image over time. Alternatively, the state determination unit 54 may determine whether the user P is asleep based on the posture of the user P identified in the thermal image. Specifically, the state determination unit 54 identifies pixels representing the user P's body and head from the temperatures shown in the thermal image, and estimates the positions of the user P's head and body from the coordinates of the identified pixels. If the position of the user P's head is lower than the reference position, the state determination unit 54 determines that the user P is asleep.

[0033] Furthermore, when the state detection device 4 is a camera, the state determination unit 54 uses image recognition technology to identify the user P and each part of the user P's face and body included in the image detected by the state detection device 4. The state determination unit 54 then measures the time the identified user P's eyelids are closed, and determines that the user P is asleep if the measured time is equal to or exceeds a predetermined time (e.g., several minutes). Alternatively, the state determination unit 54 may determine that the user P is asleep if the user P does not move for a predetermined time. Alternatively, the state determination unit 54 may determine whether the user P is asleep based on the posture of the user P included in the image. Specifically, the state determination unit 54 determines that the user P is asleep if the position of the user P's head is lower than a reference position.

[0034] The determination by the state determination unit 54 as to whether the user P is asleep may include not only a determination as to whether the user P is actually asleep, but also a determination as to whether the user P is feeling sleepy. If the user P is feeling sleepy, it can be determined based on the movement, posture, facial expression, or time the eyelids are closed of the user P, just like when the user P is asleep. In this case, the threshold time may be different from that when the user P is asleep.

[0035] The storage unit 55 is, for example, a volatile or non-volatile memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, etc. The storage unit 55 stores programs executed by the control device 5 and various parameters used in the programs.

[0036] (Cooling Operation) The operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 during cooling operation will be described. During cooling operation, first, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and becomes a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13, which functions as a condenser. The refrigerant releases heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 13, changing phase from a high-temperature, high-pressure gas to a liquid, and heating the air passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 13. The refrigerant is then decompressed by the expansion valve 14, becoming a two-phase mixture of low-temperature, low-pressure liquid and gas, and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21, which functions as an evaporator. In the indoor heat exchanger 21, the refrigerant absorbs heat and changes phase from liquid to gas, cooling the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 21. In this way, the air-conditioned space R1 is cooled. The refrigerant then flows into the compressor 11 and becomes a high-temperature, high-pressure gas again.

[0037] (Heating Operation) The operation of the air conditioner 100 during heating operation will be described. During heating operation, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and becomes a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21, which functions as a condenser. The refrigerant releases heat in the indoor heat exchanger 21, changing phase from a high-temperature, high-pressure gas to a liquid, and heating the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 21. This heats the air-conditioned space R1. The refrigerant is then decompressed by the expansion valve 14, becoming a two-phase mixture of low-temperature, low-pressure liquid and gas, and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13, which functions as an evaporator. In the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the refrigerant absorbs heat and changes phase from liquid to gas, cooling the air passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 13. The refrigerant then flows into the compressor 11 and becomes a high-temperature, high-pressure gas again.

[0038] (Awake operation) Furthermore, the air conditioning apparatus 100 of this embodiment performs wake operation while cooling operation or heating operation is being performed. The wake operation is performed when the user P selects the sleep prevention mode using the remote controller 3 and when a person in the air-conditioned space R1 is asleep. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to embodiment 1. Each process in Figure 4 is performed by the control device 5 while cooling operation or heating operation is being performed. First, the operation control unit 51 of the control device 5 determines whether or not the sleep prevention mode has been selected (S1).

[0039] If the sleep prevention mode is not selected (S1: NO), the currently running cooling or heating operation continues as normal operation (S2). In this case, normal operation continues until the user P issues a command to stop operation via the remote controller 3. On the other hand, if the sleep prevention mode is selected (S1: YES), the status determination unit 54 determines whether or not a sleeping user P is present in the air-conditioned space R1 based on the detection result of the status detection device 4 (S3). If a sleeping user P is present in the air-conditioned space R1 (S3: YES), wake-up operation is initiated (S4).

[0040] During awakening operation, at least one of the temperature, air volume, or air direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2 is changed from the temperature, air volume, or air direction before the awakening operation started. For example, if heating operation was being performed before the awakening operation started, the operation control unit 51 controls the operating frequency of the compressor 11 or the opening degree of the expansion valve 14 to increase the temperature of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2. The air volume control unit 52 controls the indoor fan 22 to reduce the air volume of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2. Furthermore, the air direction control unit 53 controls the angle of the air deflector 23 so that the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2 hits the head of the sleeping user P. If heating operation was being performed, air at a temperature higher than the set temperature (i.e., air at an uncomfortable temperature) is blown out toward the user P to encourage awakening by the stimulation of the air.

[0041] Furthermore, if cooling operation was being performed before the start of awakening operation, the operation control unit 51 controls the operating frequency of the compressor 11 or the opening degree of the expansion valve 14 to lower the temperature of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2. The air volume control unit 52 controls the indoor fan 22 to reduce the volume of air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2. Furthermore, the air direction control unit 53 controls the angle of the air deflector 23 so that the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2 hits the head of the sleeping user P. If cooling operation was being performed, air at a temperature lower than the set temperature (i.e., air at an uncomfortable temperature) is blown onto the user P to encourage awakening by the stimulation of the air. By performing such control, the sleeping user P is encouraged to wake up.

[0042] Next, the state determination unit 54 determines whether the user P in the air-conditioned space R1 has woken up based on the detection result of the state detection device 4 (S5). If the state determination unit 54 determines that the user P in the air-conditioned space R1 is not asleep based on the detection result of the state detection device 4, it determines that the user P has woken up. If the user P is not woken up (S5: NO), the operating conditions for the awakening operation are changed (S6).

[0043] Here, during the wake-up operation, at least one of the temperature, air volume, or air direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2 is changed. For example, the operation control unit 51 controls the operating frequency of the compressor 11 or the opening degree of the expansion valve 14 to increase or decrease the temperature of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2. The air volume control unit 52 controls the indoor fan 22 to reduce the air volume of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2. This prevents the comfort of other users from being adversely affected by the continued wake-up operation. Furthermore, the air direction control unit 53 controls the angle of the air deflector 23 to change the part of the user P's body to which the air is blown or to blow the air intermittently, thereby adjusting the stimulation of the air blown to the sleeping user P. By performing such control, the sleeping user P is further encouraged to wake up.

[0044] Then, if the user P wakes up (S5: YES), the awakening operation is ended (S7), and the cooling operation or heating operation that was being carried out before the awakening operation started is resumed. After the awakening operation ends, or if there is no user P asleep in the air-conditioned space R1 (S3: NO), a determination is made as to whether or not to stop operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 (S8). Here, if a command to stop operation is given by the user P via the remote controller 3, it is determined that operation should be stopped. Then, if operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 is not to be stopped (S8: NO), the process returns to step S3, and the subsequent processing is repeated. If operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 is to be stopped (S8: YES), the air conditioning apparatus 100 is stopped.

[0045] As described above, in the air conditioning apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the awakening operation is started and ended according to the state of the user P detected by the state detection device 4. This makes it possible to automatically detect an awakened user P who does not need the awakening operation and end the awakening operation, thereby preventing a decrease in the comfort of the user P that would be caused by performing an unnecessary awakening operation. Furthermore, in the awakening operation, power consumption increases by lowering the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor unit 2 more than necessary or increasing the airflow more than necessary. Therefore, by not performing unnecessary awakening operation, it is possible to prevent an increase in power consumption in the air conditioning apparatus 100.

[0046] Embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 will be described. The air conditioning apparatus 100A according to Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in the control of the wake-up operation performed by the control device 5A. The other configurations and controls of the air conditioning apparatus 100A according to Embodiment 2 are the same as those according to Embodiment 1.

[0047] Fig. 5 is a control block diagram of an air conditioning apparatus 100A according to embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 5, the control device 5A of the air conditioning apparatus 100A according to this embodiment has a learning unit 56 in addition to the same functional units as the control device 5 according to embodiment 1. The learning unit 56 is a functional unit that is realized by the CPU of the control device 5A executing a program. Alternatively, the learning unit 56 may be realized by a processing circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

[0048] The learning unit 56 learns multiple pieces of environmental information at the start of awakening operation and operating information when the user P awakens during awakening operation, and constructs a machine learning model in which the environmental information at the start of awakening operation is input data and optimal operating conditions for awakening operation are output data. The environmental information at the start of awakening operation is at least one of the operating mode of the air conditioning device 100, the indoor temperature, the airflow rate of the indoor fan 22, and the angle of the air direction flap 23 at the start of awakening operation. The operating information when the user P awakens during awakening operation is at least one of the operating mode of the air conditioning device 100, the operating frequency of the compressor 11, the opening degree of the expansion valve 14, the airflow rate of the indoor fan 22, and the angle of the air direction flap 23 when the user P awakens during awakening operation. The optimal operating conditions for awakening operation are at least one of the operating mode of the air conditioning device 100, the operating frequency of the compressor 11, the opening degree of the expansion valve 14, the airflow rate of the indoor fan 22, and the angle of the air direction flap 23. The environmental information at the start of awake driving, the driving information when user P wakes up during awake driving, and the machine learning model are stored in the memory unit 55.

[0049] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100A according to embodiment 2. Each process in Fig. 6 is executed by the control device 5A during cooling operation or heating operation. First, the operation control unit 51 of the control device 5 determines whether or not the sleep prevention mode has been selected (S21).

[0050] If the sleep prevention mode is not selected (S21: NO), the currently running cooling or heating operation continues as normal operation (S22). In this case, normal operation continues until the user P issues a command to stop operation via the remote controller 3. On the other hand, if the sleep prevention mode is selected (S21: YES), the status determination unit 54 determines whether or not a sleeping user P is present in the air-conditioned space R1 based on the detection result of the status detection device 4 (S23). If a sleeping user P is present in the air-conditioned space R1 (S23: YES), environmental information is acquired and stored in the memory unit 55 (S24). The environmental information acquired here is at least one of the operating mode of the air conditioning apparatus 100, the indoor temperature, the airflow rate of the indoor fan 22, and the angle of the air direction flap 23.

[0051] Then, the awakening operation is started (S25). Here, the control device 5A inputs the acquired environmental information at the start of the awakening operation into the machine learning model stored in the memory unit 55, and sets the output operating conditions as the operating conditions for the awakening operation. The control device 5A then controls the compressor 11, the expansion valve 14, the indoor fan 22, or the air direction vane 23 to match the set operating conditions, and changes at least one of the temperature, air volume, or air direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2. Specific examples of the changes are the same as those in the first embodiment. In this way, by performing the awakening operation using operating conditions obtained by learning past information, it is possible to prompt the sleeping user P to wake up quickly.

[0052] Next, the state determination unit 54 determines whether the user P in the air conditioned space R1 has woken up based on the detection result of the state detection device 4 (S26). If the state determination unit 54 determines that the user P in the air conditioned space R1 is not asleep based on the detection result of the state detection device 4, it determines that the user P has woken up. If the user P is not woken up (S26: NO), the operating conditions for the awakening operation are changed (S27).

[0053] Here, during the awakening operation, at least one of the temperature, air volume, or air direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2 is changed. For example, the operation control unit 51 controls the operating frequency of the compressor 11 or the opening degree of the expansion valve 14 to increase or decrease the temperature of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2, thereby increasing the temperature increase or decrease. The air volume control unit 52 controls the indoor fan 22 to reduce the air volume of the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2. Furthermore, the air direction control unit 53 controls the angle of the air deflector 23 to change the part of the user P's body to which the air is blown or to blow the air intermittently, thereby adjusting the stimulation of the air blown to the sleeping user P. By performing such control, the sleeping user P is encouraged to wake up.

[0054] If the user P wakes up (S26: YES), the operating information at the time the user P woke up is acquired and stored in the memory unit 55 (S28). The wake-up operation is then terminated (S29), and the cooling operation or heating operation that was being performed before the start of the wake-up operation is resumed. The learning unit 56 then performs a learning process for the machine learning model (S30). Here, the machine learning model is updated based on the environmental information at the start of the wake-up operation that is newly stored in the memory unit 55 due to the execution of this wake-up operation, and the operating information at the time the user P woke up during the wake-up operation.

[0055] After the learning process is completed, or if there is no sleeping user P in the air-conditioned space R1 (S23: NO), a determination is made as to whether or not to stop operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100A (S31). Here, if a command to stop operation is given by the user P via the remote controller 3, it is determined that operation should be stopped. Then, if operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100A is not to be stopped (S31: NO), the process returns to step S23 and the subsequent processes are repeated. If operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100A is to be stopped (S31: YES), the air conditioning apparatus 100A is stopped.

[0056] As described above, in addition to the same effects as in Embodiment 1, air conditioning apparatus 100A of this embodiment can encourage a user P who needs to be awakened to awaken more quickly by setting optimal operating conditions for awakening operation using a machine learning model that has learned from environmental information at the start of awakening operation and operating information when user P awakens during awakening operation. This makes it possible to shorten the time for awakening operation and suppress an increase in power consumption in air conditioning apparatus 100.

[0057] Although the above is a description of the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications and combinations are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the air conditioning apparatus 100 is not limited to a case where one indoor unit 2 is provided for one outdoor unit 1, but may be provided with multiple indoor units 2 for one outdoor unit 1. If multiple indoor units 2 are provided, each indoor unit 2 may be provided with a status detection device 4 and a status determination unit 54. Alternatively, if multiple indoor units 2 are installed in one air-conditioned space R1, any one of the multiple indoor units 2 may be provided with a status detection device 4 and a status determination unit 54.

[0058] The air conditioning apparatus 100 may also be equipped with a humidity sensor that detects the humidity in the air-conditioned space R1. In this case, humidity may be acquired and stored as environmental information at the start of awakening operation in embodiment 2. Furthermore, other environmental information at the start of awakening operation may also be acquired, such as outside temperature, weather, time, or the location of the user P.

[0059] In addition, in the first embodiment, step S6 in the flowchart of Fig. 4 is not essential and may be omitted. In this case, the wake-up operation is performed under the same operating conditions until the user P wakes up. Alternatively, the operating conditions may be changed if the user P does not wake up within a preset time (e.g., 5 minutes).

[0060] Furthermore, the status detection device 4 and the functional units of the control device 5 or control device 5A in the above-described embodiment do not necessarily belong to the air conditioning apparatus 100 or air conditioning apparatus 100A. FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of an air conditioning system 200 according to a modified example. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the status detection device 4 and the status determination unit 54 may be provided in an external terminal 70 such as a smart speaker, and the storage unit 55 and learning unit 56 may be provided in an external server 80 on the cloud. In this case, the air conditioning apparatus 100 communicates with the external terminal 70 and the external server 80 via a network 300 such as a LAN or WAN, and performs sleep prevention operation.

[0061] Furthermore, when there are multiple users P in the air-conditioned space R1, the status detection device 4 may detect the status of each user P (location and whether they are asleep). In this case, the operation control unit 51 of the control device 5 performs awakening operation when the sleep prevention mode is selected and there is at least one sleeping user P. Furthermore, the left and right air direction vanes and the up and down air direction vanes of the air direction vane 23 are configured to be divided into multiple sections, and the air direction control unit 53 controls the divided air direction vanes 23 individually in awakening operation so that the air blown out from the air outlet 20b of the indoor unit 2 is directed only at the sleeping user P. In this way, even when there are multiple users P in the air-conditioned space R1, it is possible to encourage the sleeping user P to wake up.

[0062] 1 Outdoor unit, 2 Indoor unit, 3 Remote controller, 4 Status detection device, 5, 5A Control device, 11 Compressor, 12 Flow path switching valve, 13 Outdoor heat exchanger, 14 Expansion valve, 15 Outdoor fan, 20a Intake port, 20b Outlet, 21 Indoor heat exchanger, 22 Indoor fan, 23 Air direction vane, 24 Indoor temperature sensor, 51 Operation control unit, 52 Air volume control unit, 53 Air direction control unit, 54 Status determination unit, 55 Memory unit, 56 Learning unit, 70 External terminal, 80 External server, 100, 100A Air conditioning device, 200 Air conditioning system, 300 Network, P User, R1 Air-conditioned space.

Claims

1. The outdoor unit, An indoor unit that conditions the space to be air-conditioned; A status detection device that detects the status of a user in the air-conditioned space; a remote controller that accepts a user's selection of a sleep prevention mode; a control device that controls at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit when the sleep prevention mode is selected, and performs a wake-up operation to wake up the user in the air-conditioned space; A storage unit that stores environmental information at the start of the awake driving and driving information at the end of the awake driving, The control device starts and ends the wakefulness operation based on the detection result of the state detection device, An air conditioning apparatus that uses the environmental information and operating information stored in the memory unit to learn a machine learning model in which environmental information at the start of the awake operation is used as input data and optimal operating conditions for the awake operation are used as output data.

2. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control device changes at least one of the temperature, air volume, or wind direction of the air blown out from the indoor unit to the air-conditioned space during the awakening operation from the temperature, air volume, or wind direction before the awakening operation is started.

3. The control device includes: determining whether the user is asleep based on a detection result of the state detection device; When it is determined that the user is asleep, the wakefulness operation is started. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the awakening operation is terminated when it is determined that the user is not asleep during the execution of the awakening operation.

4. The control device includes: The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that the user is asleep while the awakening operation is being performed, at least one of a temperature, an air volume, and an air direction of the air blown out from the indoor unit is changed.

5. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device sets operating conditions for the awakening operation using the machine learning model.

6. The air-conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the state detection device is an infrared sensor that detects infrared rays in the target space for air conditioning, or a camera that captures an image of the target space for air conditioning.

7. An air conditioning device that conditions a space to be air-conditioned; A status detection device that detects the status of a user in the air-conditioned space; a remote controller that accepts a user's selection of a sleep prevention mode; A control device for controlling the air conditioning device; A storage unit, When the sleep prevention mode is selected, the air conditioning device performs an awakening operation to encourage the user in the air-conditioned space to be awakened, The storage unit stores environmental information at the start of the awake driving and driving information at the end of the awake driving, The control device includes: starting and ending the awakening operation in the air conditioning apparatus based on a detection result of the state detection device; An air conditioning system that uses the environmental information and operating information stored in the memory unit to learn a machine learning model in which environmental information at the start of the awake operation is used as input data and optimal operating conditions for the awake operation are used as output data.