KR20090085370A - Air Conditioner and Control Method - Google Patents

Abstract

Air conditioner and control method of the present invention by using the pyroelectric infrared sensor to estimate the position and the distance of the occupant to facilitate the discharge of the air conditioning. The present invention is a fixed scanning sensor module for generating a predetermined signal when any heat source enters the fixed region, and rotates a detection region overlapping at least a portion of the fixed region to detect infrared rays emitted from the arbitrary heat source to detect a detection signal. The rotation scanning sensor module outputs and rotates the rotation scanning sensor module according to the predetermined signal to receive the detection signal, and calculates a position and a separation distance for the arbitrary heat source to control the wind direction and the wind speed of the discharged air. It provides an air conditioner including a control unit.

Description

Air conditioner and its control method

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an air conditioner and a method of controlling the air conditioner that are easy to discharge air by estimating the occupant's position and distance using a pyroelectric infrared sensor. It is about.

In general, an air conditioner is a home appliance for maintaining indoor air in a state most suitable for use and purpose. For example, in summer, the room is cooled to a cool state, in winter, the room is heated to a warm state, and also the humidity of the room, and the air in the room to a clean state of clean. As life convenience products such as air conditioners are gradually expanded and used, consumers are demanding high energy use efficiency, performance improvement and convenience products.

Such an air conditioner includes a separate air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are separately separated, an integrated air conditioner in which the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are combined into one device, a wall-mounted air conditioner and a frame type air conditioner configured to be mounted on a wall, and a living room. A slim air conditioner configured to stand up, a single air conditioner configured to be used in a small place such as a home, and a capacity that can drive a single indoor unit, and a medium to large size composed of a very large capacity for use in a company or a restaurant. It is divided into an air conditioner and a multi type air conditioner having a capacity capable of sufficiently driving a plurality of indoor units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and a control method thereof for estimating the occupant's position and separation distance using a pyroelectric infrared sensor to facilitate the discharge of air-conditioned air.

The air conditioner of the present invention detects infrared rays emitted from the heat source by rotating a fixed scanning sensor module generating a predetermined signal when a heat source enters the fixed area, and a detection area overlapping at least a portion of the fixed area. A rotational scanning sensor module for outputting a detection signal and the rotational scanning sensor module according to the predetermined signal to receive the detection signal, calculate a position and a separation distance with respect to the arbitrary heat source, and wind direction of the discharged air; It includes a control unit for controlling the wind speed

In addition, the control method of the air conditioner of the present invention comprises the steps of detecting whether the entry into any heat source in the fixed area through the fixed scanning sensor module, the rotation detection of the detection area through the rotation scanning sensor module according to the detection result Determining whether the arbitrary heat source is the human body according to the rotation detection result, calculating a position and a separation distance with respect to the arbitrary heat source according to the determination result, and a position and the separation distance with respect to the arbitrary heat source. And adjusting the wind direction and the wind speed accordingly.

The air conditioner and the control method of the present invention calculate the location and the distance of the occupants in real time or at a predetermined time interval, and adjusts the wind direction and the wind speed according to the location and the distance of the occupant, cooperative to correspond to the position of the occupant By discharging air, there is an advantage of providing comfort to the occupants.

An embodiment of the air conditioner and control method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view when the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention is stopped, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1 is in operation.

1 and 2, the air conditioner of the present invention is provided with air inlets 4 and 6 through which air in the room is sucked, and air sucked through the air inlets 4 and 6. Air discharge ports 8 and 10 through which air-conditioned air, such as heated, cooled, or purified, are discharged inside the main body 2 are formed.

The main body 2 may be applied to any case such as a stand-type air conditioner, a wall-mounted air conditioner, or a ceiling-type air conditioner, but will be described below by taking a stand-type air conditioner as an example.

Hereinafter, the main body 2 has air inlets 4 and 6 formed at a lower portion thereof, and air discharge holes 8 and 10 formed at an upper portion thereof. And a flow path through which air is discharged through the air discharge portions 8 and 10.

The body 2 includes a base 12, a cabinet 20, and a lower and upper panel (not shown).

The base 12 forms an outer appearance of the bottom of the main body 2 and supports the cabinet 20 and the lower panel.

The cabinet 20 forms the exterior of the rear part of the main body 2 and is installed to be located above the rear part of the base 12.

The lower panel includes a left lower panel (not shown) having a left air inlet 4 and a right lower panel (not shown) having a right air inlet 6.

The left lower panel is disposed to be disposed above the left side of the front portion of the base 12, which is a lower front position of the cabinet 20, and the left air inlet 4 is formed to be open in the left and right directions or open in the left front direction.

The right lower panel is disposed to be disposed on the right side of the front portion of the base 12, which is a lower front position of the cabinet 20, and the right air inlet 8 is formed to be open in the left and right directions or open in the right front direction.

The upper panel is disposed above the front of the cabinet 20, and the left air discharge port 8 is formed in the left discharge part (not shown) in the left and right directions or is formed in the left front direction.

Here, the left discharge part is recessed in the inner direction of the main body 2 so that the left wind direction adjusting part 24 provided to protrude on the left vane 22 is inserted and received when the left vane 22 is closed.

In addition, the upper panel has a right discharge part (not shown), and the right air discharge port 10 is formed in the right discharge part in the left and right directions or is formed in the right front direction.

Here, the right discharge part is formed to be recessed inwardly of the main body 2 so that the right wind direction control unit 28 protruding from the right vane 26 is inserted and accommodated when the right vane 26 is closed.

In addition, the front panel 30 is connected to the front of the main body 2 to be rotated to the center to one side of the left and right.

 The front panel 30 forms a front side appearance of the air conditioner, and may be fixedly mounted to at least one of the base 12, the left lower panel, the right lower panel and the upper panel, and the left side The base 12 and the left lower panel and the right lower panel and the upper panel may be rotatably connected to one of the left and right sides so as to open and close a space between the lower panel and the lower right panel. Of course.

And inside the main body 2, a blower (not shown) for generating a blowing force to suck the air in the room into the main body 2 and to be discharged to the outside of the main body 2, and the air blown from the blower And a heat exchanger (not shown) for heat exchange with the refrigerant.

On the other hand, the main body 2 is provided with vanes 22 and 26 for guiding air while opening and closing at least one of the air intake ports 4 and 6 and the air discharge ports 8 and 10.

Hereinafter, the vanes 22 and 26 simultaneously open and close the air intake ports 4 and 6 and the air discharge ports 8 and 10 together to guide both the intake air and the discharge air, and are formed to be long in the vertical direction as a whole.

The main body 2 is formed with a discharge port unit 40 having an air discharge port 42 formed therein, and the discharge port unit 40 is lifted above the main body 2 at the inner upper portion of the main body 2 and the main body from above the main body 2. It has a discharge part structure descending inward of (2).

Here, the main body 2 has an opening surface whose entire upper surface is opened in the up and down direction, or an opening is formed in the upper surface and is opened in the upper and lower direction, and the discharge port unit 40 is configured to open the opening surface or the opening of the main body 2. Driven up and down.

The main body 2 is provided with a fixed scanning sensor module 50 and a rotation scanning sensor module 60 on the upper portion of the discharge port unit 40 to detect infrared rays emitted from the human body during operation of the air conditioner.

Here, the fixed scanning sensor module 50 is fixed to detect whether or not to enter any heat source in the fixed area. In addition, the rotation scanning sensor module 60 includes first and second scanning sensor modules 62 and 64, and when the arbitrary heat source enters into the fixed area by detecting a different sensing area by rotation, the location of the arbitrary heat source And a sensing signal for calculating the separation distance.

Here, each of the fixed and rotation scanning sensor modules 50 and 60 includes a pyroelectric infrared sensor unit (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the fixed and rotating scanning sensor modules 50 and 60 are formed to be spaced apart at regular intervals on the upper portion of the discharge port unit 40, but may be formed on both sides of the air discharge port 42. It may also be formed in other parts of 2).

3 is a perspective view briefly showing an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a coupling diagram of the scanning sensor module shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows the structure of the scanning sensor module shown in FIG. 4. Perspective view.

Referring to FIG. 3, the air conditioner of the present invention is fixed to the upper end of the main body 2 and the rotating scanning sensor modules 50 and 60 are installed at a predetermined height H.

The fixed scanning sensor module 50 detects the fixed area X0 at a predetermined angle A0 to detect whether or not a heat source enters into the fixed area X0.

Here, although the fixed scanning sensor module 50 is located at the center and the fixed area X0 is set as the center portion of the main body 2, the present invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, the fixed scanning sensor module 50 outputs a predetermined signal when the arbitrary heat source enters the fixed area X0.

The rotation scanning sensor module 60 is inclined at a first angle A1 to detect the heat source by sensing the rotation of the first detection area X1 and the first scanning sensor module 62 and the second angle A2. It includes a second scanning sensor module 64 to detect the arbitrary heat source by rotating to detect the second detection area (X2) inclined to.

Here, the rotation of the first and second scanning sensor modules 62 and 64 may be such that the radius is smaller than 180 °.

4 and 5, the fixed and rotational scanning sensor modules 50 and 60 are formed in substantially the same configuration, which will be described as a fixed scanning sensor module 50 in FIG. 4.

The fixed scanning sensor module 50 is installed on the substrate 52, the pyroelectric infrared sensor unit 54 installed on the substrate 52, and the substrate 52, and infrared rays emitted from the occupants by the first pyroelectric infrared sensor 54. And a case 56 having a space S for determining the amount of.

Here, the rotation scanning sensor module 60 further includes a rotation mechanism 58 to rotate the case 50 so that the infrared rays are incident on the first and second sensing regions X1 and X2.

The pyroelectric infrared sensor 54 is coupled to a Curtron filter (not shown) through which the infrared light passes, and outputs whether the infrared light is detected.

In addition, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 54 includes a lens (not shown) spaced apart by a focal length.

The pyroelectric infrared sensor 54 emits electromagnetic waves corresponding to the temperature of the water in an object of absolute zero (-273 ° C.) or longer, and detects infrared rays that have a longer wavelength than visible light and are undetectable to the eye.

That is, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 54 may be provided with an electrode therein to detect the charge generated according to the temperature change as a voltage and thus know the temperature change.

In addition, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 54 detects infrared wavelengths of 6 μm to 16 μm.

Here, a circuit portion (not shown) for amplifying and sampling a signal output from the pyroelectric infrared sensor 54 and outputting a different voltage is provided on the substrate 52.

The case 56 is installed in the outer case 56a and the outer case 56a having a space S formed therein, the lens is installed, and the lens coupled to the substrate 52 so that the lens and the substrate 52 are spaced apart from each other. And a case 56b.

The case 56 of the rotation scanning sensor module 60 is connected to the rotation mechanism 58.

Here, the space S is preferably formed to gradually increase in size away from the pyroelectric infrared sensor 54. That is, the space S has a different size of the fixed area X0 depending on the size of the opening at the end of the case 56, and the pyroelectric infrared sensor 54 enters any heat source into the fixed area X0. The scope of detection is different.

6 is a control block diagram illustrating an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the air conditioner of the present invention includes a fixed scanning sensor module 50 that generates a predetermined signal when an arbitrary heat source enters the fixed area X0, and a detection area in which at least a portion overlaps the fixed area X0. Rotating (X1, X2) to adjust the wind direction of the air discharged to the rotary scanning sensor module 60, the air discharge port (8, 10, 42) to detect the infrared rays emitted from the arbitrary heat source and output a detection signal Wind direction control unit 72, the wind speed control unit 74 for adjusting the wind speed of the blower (not shown) and the rotation scanning sensor module 60 is rotated in accordance with the predetermined signal to receive the detection signal, the arbitrary It includes a control unit 76 for controlling the wind direction control unit 72 and the wind speed control unit 74 by calculating the position and the distance to the heat source.

Here, the fixed scanning sensor module 50 is fixed and inclined at a predetermined fixed angle A0 at a predetermined height H, and generates the predetermined signal according to whether or not the arbitrary heat source enters the fixed area X0. To the control unit 76.

The fixed scanning sensor module 50 detects the infrared rays emitted from the arbitrary heat source entering the fixed area X0.

The rotation scanning sensor module 60 is installed at a predetermined height H on the left and right sides of the fixed scanning sensor module 50 and detects infrared rays emitted from the arbitrary heat sources in the first and second detection areas X1 and X2. And first and second scanning sensor modules 62 and 64.

Here, the first and second scanning sensor modules 62 and 64 are inclined at the first and second angles A1 and A2 to have different rotation radii on the ground, and rotate with a rotation angle smaller than 180 °.

That is, the first and second scanning sensor modules 62 and 64 transmit the first and second detection signals to the controller 76 when the arbitrary heat source is detected in the first and second detection areas X1 and X2.

Each of the fixed and first and second scanning sensor modules 50, 62, and 64 respectively detects the infrared rays passing through the Curtron filter and outputs the predetermined signal and the first and second detection signals. 62a and 64a, and circuit parts 50b, 62b and 64b for transmitting the predetermined signal and the voltage obtained by amplifying and sampling the first and second sensing signals to the controller 76.

Here, the controller 76 determines that the arbitrary heat source has entered the fixed area X0 according to the predetermined signal transmitted from the fixed scanning sensor module 50, and then detects the rotation scanning sensor module 50 by rotation. To control.

In addition, when at least one of the first and second sensing signals is transmitted from the rotation scanning sensor module 50, the controller 76 determines whether the arbitrary heat source is a human body and recognizes the human body.

Here, the controller 76 determines whether the human body is based on a voltage of an input signal among the first and second detection signals.

If the predetermined heat source is determined as the human body, the controller 76 may determine a predetermined height H and a predetermined angle of the first and second scanning sensor modules 62 and 64 that transmit at least one of the first and second signals. A1, A2) and the voltage estimate the position and separation distance for the arbitrary heat source.

For example, when the first detection signal is transmitted among the first and second detection signals, the controller 76 may determine that the first scanning sensor module 62 of the first and second scanning sensor modules 62 and 64 is located. The occupant's location and distance are estimated based on a first angle A1, a predetermined height H1, and a voltage of the first detection signal.

If the first and second detection signals are simultaneously transmitted, the controller 76 may determine the first and second angles A1 and A2, the predetermined height H, and the first and second angles of the first and second scanning sensor modules 62 and 64. The occupant's position and distance are estimated using the voltages of the first and second sensing signals, and the occupant is determined to overlap between the fixed region X0 and the first and second sensing regions X1 and X2.

Here, the controller 76 controls the wind direction controller 72 and the wind speed controller 74 to adjust the wind direction and the wind speed of the discharged air when the position and the distance for the predetermined heat source are calculated.

The first and second sensing regions X1 and X2 do not overlap each other and may vary according to the first and second angles A1 and A2.

That is, the controller 76 lowers the wind speed of the blower by the wind speed controller 74 when the distance from the occupant decreases, and when the distance from the occupant increases, the winder by the wind speed controller 74. To increase the wind speed.

And, if the first and second detection signals are not transmitted, the controller 76 controls to maintain the current wind direction and wind speed or to turn off the blower.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the air conditioner of the present invention is supplied with power to the fixed scanning sensor module 50 to detect whether or not an arbitrary heat source enters the fixed area X0 at a predetermined fixed angle A0 (S100). ).

That is, the controller 76 controls the fixed scanning sensor module 50 to detect whether the arbitrary heat source enters the fixed area X0.

The fixed scanning sensor module 50 outputs a predetermined signal to the control unit 76 when the arbitrary heat source enters the fixed area X0, and the control unit 76 supplies the predetermined heat source according to whether the predetermined signal is transmitted. It is determined whether the detection (S102).

The controller 76 determines that the arbitrary heat source enters the fixed area X0 when the predetermined signal is transmitted, and operates the first and second scanning sensor modules 62 and 64 of the rotation scanning sensor module 60. (S104).

That is, the controller 76 determines that the arbitrary heat source enters the fixed area X0 when the predetermined signal is transmitted, and thus, the first and second scanning sensors to calculate the position and the separation distance with respect to the arbitrary heat source. The modules 62 and 64 control the rotation detection of the first and second detection areas X1 and X2.

When the detection signal detected by any one of the first and second scanning sensor modules 62 and 64 is transferred, the controller 76 may determine that the first detection signal that detects the arbitrary heat source is detected by the first scanning sensor module 62. In operation S106, if the first detection signal is not transmitted, it is determined whether the second detection signal detected by the second scanning sensor module 64 is transmitted (S108).

That is, the controller 76 determines whether the transmitted detection signal is the first detection signal output from the first scanning sensor module 62 or the second detection signal output from the second scanning sensor module 64. do.

The controller 76 checks whether the arbitrary heat source is a human body with any one of the first and second detection signals, and if the arbitrary heat source is a human body, the voltage and a predetermined height H of any one of the first and second detection signals. ), The position and the separation distance for the arbitrary heat source is calculated through any one of the first and second angles (S110).

That is, the controller 76 determines whether the human body is recognized by comparing the voltage of one of the first and second sensing signals with a set value.

The controller 76 adjusts the wind direction and the wind speed of the discharged air according to the position and the separation distance with respect to the arbitrary heat source (S112).

That is, when the separation distance between the arbitrary heat source and the main body 2 is reduced, the controller 76 adjusts the wind speed adjusting unit 74 to lower the wind speed, and the separation distance between the arbitrary heat source and the main body 2 is reduced. Increasing to control the wind speed control unit 74 to increase the wind speed.

In addition, the control unit 76 controls the air to be discharged in the direction corresponding to the arbitrary heat source position to the wind direction control unit 72 according to the arbitrary heat source position.

The air conditioner of the present invention and the control method thereof use the fixed scanning sensor module to estimate the exact position and the separation distance by using the rotation scanning sensor module when any heat source enters the fixed region, thereby providing a position for any heat source. And it is possible to adjust the wind direction and wind speed according to the separation distance to provide comfort to any heat source, that is, residents.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It will be appreciated that modifications or variations may be made. Accordingly, modifications to future embodiments of the present invention will not depart from the technology of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view when the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention is stopped.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1 is in operation. FIG.

3 is a perspective view briefly showing an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a coupling diagram of the scanning sensor module shown in FIG. 3.

5 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of the scanning sensor module illustrated in FIG. 4.

6 is a control block diagram illustrating an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

50: fixed scanning sensor module 60: rotary scanning sensor module

72: wind direction control unit 74: wind speed control unit

76: control unit

Claims (15)

A fixed scanning sensor module generating a predetermined signal when any heat source enters the fixed area; A rotating scanning sensor module configured to rotate a sensing region overlapping the fixed region and at least a portion thereof to detect infrared rays emitted from the arbitrary heat source and output a sensing signal; And The air conditioning unit includes a control unit configured to control the wind direction and the wind speed of the discharged air by receiving the detection signal by rotating the rotation scanning sensor module according to the predetermined signal, calculating a position and a separation distance with respect to the arbitrary heat source. group. The method of claim 1, A wind direction controller configured to adjust the wind direction of the air according to a control command of the controller; And And a wind speed controller configured to adjust the wind speed of the air according to a control command of the controller. The method of claim 1, wherein the fixed scanning sensor module, The air conditioner according to the control of the control unit is inclined at a predetermined fixed angle to detect the fixed area and transmits the predetermined signal to the control unit when entering the arbitrary heat source. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the fixed and rotary scanning sensor module, A pyroelectric infrared sensor configured to detect the infrared light passing through the tron filter and output the predetermined signal and the detected signal; And And a circuit unit configured to amplify and sample the predetermined signal and the sensed signal, convert the predetermined signal into a predetermined voltage, and transmit the converted signal to the controller. The method of claim 4, wherein the pyroelectric infrared sensor, An air conditioner for detecting that the infrared wavelength is 6㎛ 16㎛. The method of claim 1, The sensing region includes first and second sensing regions different from each other. The rotation scanning sensor module, A first scanning sensor module tilting at a first angle and rotatingly detecting the infrared rays fixed in the first sensing region to output a first sensing signal among the sensing signals; And And a second scanning sensor module inclined at a second angle smaller than the first angle to rotate and detect the infrared rays fixed in the second detection area to output a second detection signal among the detection signals. The method of claim 6, wherein the control unit, When the first and second detection signals are delivered to the air conditioner to determine whether the arbitrary heat source is a human body and calculate the position and distance for the arbitrary heat source. The method of claim 7, wherein the control unit, And a position and a separation distance with respect to the arbitrary heat source through at least one of the fixed angle, the first and second angles, the voltage of the predetermined signal and the voltage of the first and second sensing signals. The method of claim 7, wherein the control unit, If the separation distance from the arbitrary heat source is reduced, the wind speed is lowered, An air conditioner for controlling to increase the wind speed when the separation distance from the arbitrary heat source increases. Detecting whether a heat source enters a fixed region through the fixed scanning sensor module; Detecting rotation of a detection area through the rotation scanning sensor module according to the detection result; Determining whether the arbitrary heat source is a human body according to the rotation detection result; Calculating a position and a separation distance with respect to the arbitrary heat source according to the determination result; And And controlling the wind direction and the wind speed according to the position and the separation distance with respect to the arbitrary heat source. The method of claim 10, wherein the detecting step, And a predetermined signal is output when the arbitrary heat source enters the fixed region. The method of claim 11, wherein the rotation detection step, When the predetermined signal is output, the first and second scanning sensor modules included in the rotation scanning sensor module are operated to detect the arbitrary heat source on the detection area and output at least one of the first and second detection signals. Control method. The method of claim 12, wherein the calculating step, When the first detection signal is output, a position and a separation distance for the arbitrary heat source are calculated based on a first angle with respect to the first scanning sensor module and a voltage with respect to the first detection signal. And a second angle with respect to the second scanning sensor module and a position and a separation distance with respect to the arbitrary heat source when the second sensing signal is output. The method of claim 13, wherein the adjusting step, If the separation distance with respect to the arbitrary heat source is reduced, the wind speed is lowered, The control method of the air conditioner to increase the wind speed when the separation distance to the arbitrary heat source increases. The method of claim 13, wherein the adjusting step, The control method of the air conditioner for adjusting the wind direction in which the air is discharged in the direction corresponding to the position for the arbitrary heat source.

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