KR20120051124A - Controlling apparatus of air conditioner for environment and sleep manages and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a control device and a method of an air conditioner for environment and sleep management in a ubiquitous environment. The control device and method of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management according to the present invention provides an optimal sleep mode by implementing a comfortable air conditioning for each sleep step in consideration of the temperature characteristics of each sleep step of the human body taking a sleep. The purpose is. An apparatus for controlling an air conditioner for environment and sleep management according to the present invention includes: an indoor temperature sensor for detecting an indoor temperature; When the sleep mode is started, the sleep entry mode for rapid cooling so that the room temperature lowers rapidly to the first temperature lower than the set temperature, and the sleep mode and room temperature for gradually raising the room temperature to the second temperature higher than the set temperature And a control unit for controlling the sleep mode in a wake-up mode that increases to a third temperature higher than the second temperature.

Description

Controlling apparatus of air conditioner for environment and sleep management and method thereof

The present invention relates to an air conditioner for environment and sleep management in a ubiquitous environment, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for controlling an air conditioner for providing an optimal sleep environment when a user wants to sleep.

In general, the air conditioner is for cooling or heating the indoor space, and has various automatic operation modes for realizing an optimal temperature and humidity according to the state of the indoor space or the user's state.

One of such various automatic driving modes may include a sleep mode (or a sleep mode). Since the sleep mode is a driving mode that the user can select when he or she wants to sleep, it is possible to perform the optimal air conditioning suitable for the human body to sleep by considering the characteristics appearing in the human body in the state of sleep without movement.

On the other hand, sleep medicine, which studies sleep of patients, is defined as a behavioral state in which the surroundings are unrecognizable and do not respond to stimuli. Sleep can be largely divided into REM (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep (NREM). REM sleep is characterized by brain activity, muscle tension, and rapid eye movement. To explain this phenomenon easily, the body is paralyzed or active in the brain. Non-REM sleep is divided into stages 1 through 4 in proportion to the depth of sleep, and the body can move, but the brain's active state is defined as inactive time.

According to the classification of sleep stages by Rechtschaffen and Kales, each sleep stage is further divided into awakening stages, 1 to 4 stages, and REM sleep stages. Slow eye movement occurs in early sleep, especially in stage 1 sleep, in Birem, which accounts for about 75-80% of adult sleep and collectively refers to stages 1, 2, 3, and 4. Steps 1 and 2 can be referred to as shallow sleep, and steps 3 and 4, also called slow wave sleep, can be called deep sleep. These deep stages of sleep are associated with the recovery of body functions consumed during the day.

The awakening phase is characterized by alpha waves (8-13Hz) and beta waves (13-35Hz), which occupy less than 5% of the entire surface and can be controlled voluntarily.

The first stage is theta wave (4-7Hz), which occupies 2-5% of total sleep, and is characterized by slow-moving eye movements and low threshold for arousal.

Stage 2 develops spindles (12-14 Hz), which account for 45-50% of total sleep and little eye movement.

In the third stage, delta waves (2-4 Hz, 75 mv) are observed within the 20-50% (epoch) range and occupy 3-8% of total sleep. Eye movements are not observed and the muscles are in a relaxed state.

In the fourth stage, Delta waves account for more than 50% (epoch) and 10-15% of total sleep.

Finally, REM sleep states Beta and Theta waves, which account for 20-25% of total sleep and are characterized by rapid eye movements. At this time, the body muscles are in a state of powerlessness. In addition, respiratory and pulse irregularities, autonomic nervous system activity is increased and appearing late in the sleep.

Commonly used techniques to analyze sleep stages of sleepers include frequency analysis of electroencephalograms, oxygen saturation, which measures blood oxygen saturation to determine sleep status, and accelerometers. There is a method of measuring activity using the applied Actigraph and a method of using heart rate variability.

Among these techniques, analytical methods using oxygen saturation and analytical methods through activity measurement are frequently used because they can perform sleep stage analysis at a relatively low cost.

On the other hand, sleep apnea or insomnia have various causes and symptoms, and many of the people who snore are known to have sleep apnea, and at least 1% of the entire population suffer from the disease. The most common symptom is snoring. In addition, the respiratory disorder that occurs during sleep often wakes up, so that continuous sleep is not achieved. If you wake up in the morning, your head hurts and you become sleepy during the day and your concentration, understanding and memory decrease. Therefore, if left untreated without sleep apnea, cognitive impairment such as memory impairment occurs and psychiatric symptoms such as irritability, personality change, depression, and acute anxiety are combined, and serious symptoms such as hypertension, stroke, arrhythmia, sexual dysfunction, etc. Complications are caused.

Insomnia also includes various forms of sleep apnea, periodic limb movement during sleep, lower limb syndrome, persistent arousal EEG, and insomnia due to gastroesophageal reflux. EEG analysis is performed using the test.

In the EEG analysis, the brain waves of the sleepers measured at the time of sleep are divided by frequency domain and the sleep stages are identified by the intensity of each frequency domain.

However, since the EEG analysis is performed by attaching an electrode to the patient's head, it is difficult for patients to take a normal sleep mode due to unfamiliar electrodes.

However, the sleep stage analysis technology through the frequency analysis of the EEG requires that the electrode is attached to the sleeper's head and sleeps for measurement, so that the sleeper feels very uncomfortable during the measurement, and the price of the EEG amplifier is very expensive, Care must be taken with respect to signals coming from equipment or other environments, so they can only be used in confined, free spaces such as professional inspections in hospitals.

In addition, in the case of an analysis technique using oxygen saturation, the sleeper usually feels uncomfortable because a measurement sensor for measuring the ear, the finger, or the toe is attached to the sleeper, which may act as a disturbing factor to the sleeper.

In addition, there is a technique for measuring the phenomenon that occurs during sleep, the actigraph using the accelerometer to measure the movement and condition, it is difficult to solve the inconvenience of the sleeper, as it must be equipped with an accelerometer on the wrist or waist, especially during sleep The foreign body makes it difficult to get an early night's sleep.

Moreover, there is a disadvantage in that it does not provide a function such as a sleeping environment configuration that adapts to sleepers.

The control device and method of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management in the ubiquitous environment according to the present invention is the optimal sleep mode by performing a comfortable air conditioning for each sleep step in consideration of the temperature characteristics of each sleep phase of the human body taking a sleep The purpose is to provide.

The control device of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management in the ubiquitous environment according to the present invention for this purpose,

An indoor temperature sensor for detecting an indoor temperature;

When the sleep mode is started, rapid cooling is performed so that the room temperature falls rapidly to a first temperature lower than the set temperature, the room temperature is gradually raised to a second temperature higher than the set temperature, and the room temperature is increased to the second temperature. And a control unit controlling a sleep mode for raising to a third temperature higher than the temperature.

In addition, the control method of the air conditioner for environment and sleep management in the ubiquitous environment according to the present invention,

A sleep entry step of performing rapid cooling so that the room temperature falls rapidly to a first temperature lower than the set temperature when the sleep mode is started;

A deep sleep step of gradually raising the room temperature to a second temperature higher than the set temperature;

And raising the room temperature to a third temperature higher than the second temperature.

As described above, the control device and method of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management in the ubiquitous environment according to the present invention by performing a comfortable air conditioning for each sleep step in consideration of the temperature characteristics of each sleep phase of the human body taking a sleep It is effective to provide an optimal sleep mode.

1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for controlling an air conditioner for environment and sleep management according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a graph showing the sleep mode temperature characteristics of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a control method of an air conditioner according to the sleep mode temperature characteristic shown in FIG. 2.
Figure 4 is a graph showing the temperature characteristics of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating still another embodiment of a control method of an air conditioner for environment and sleep management according to the sleep mode temperature characteristic shown in FIG. 4.
Figure 6 is a graph showing the temperature characteristics of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating still another embodiment of a method for controlling an air conditioner for environment and sleep management according to the sleep mode temperature characteristic shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating time and temperature control characteristics in a control method of an air conditioner for environment and sleep management according to the sleep mode temperature characteristics shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating another time and temperature control characteristic in a control method of an air conditioner for environment and sleep management according to the sleep mode temperature characteristic shown in FIG. 2.

When described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 a preferred embodiment of the present invention made as described above.

1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for controlling an air conditioner for environment and sleep management according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a user input unit 120 and an indoor temperature sensor 130 are connected to an input side of the controller 110 that controls the overall operation of the air conditioner, and a compressor 140 and an indoor unit fan 150 are arranged on the output side. ), The discharge blade 160 is connected. The controller 110 is provided with a timer.

The user input unit 120 is for a user to input and set various values such as an operation mode or a desired temperature of the air conditioner, and the room temperature sensor 130 is for detecting a temperature of an indoor space. Compressor 140 is variable in capacity, preferably an inverter control method or a tandem method. It is preferable that the indoor unit fan 150 also has a variable rotation speed. The discharge blade 160 is installed at a discharge port through which cold air is discharged from the indoor unit, to variably control the discharge direction and the discharge area.

When the operation mode selected by the user is a sleep mode, the controller 110 basically operates the compressor 140 at the minimum capacity and operates the indoor unit fan 150 at the minimum rotational speed to maintain a minimum cooling capacity, and discharge blades. The direction and opening area of the 160 are adjusted to control the cold air to be delivered indirectly instead of directly to the user. However, when rapid cooling is required, the cooling capacity of the compressor 140, the rotational speed of the indoor unit fan 150, and the cool air discharge area are increased by increasing at least one (preferably all three).

2 is a graph showing the temperature characteristics of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is an embodiment of a sleep mode control method of the air conditioner according to the temperature characteristics shown in FIG. The flowchart shown.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the sleep mode of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management according to an embodiment of the present invention consists of a sleep entry step 210, a sleep step 220, a weather phase 230 . The sleep mode shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is based on the case where the total execution time is set to 8 hours, which is the standard execution time.

The sleep entry step 210 is a time from the waking state to the sleep state immediately after the user selects the sleep mode, and performs rapid cooling to the first temperature Ti-z, which is much lower than the set temperature Ti ( S100). That is, in order to minimize the operation of the human body temperature control center to reduce the temperature of the skin of the user to sleep, the room temperature is rapidly cooled to the first temperature Ti-z within a time from t20 to t21. The rapid cooling time, t20 to t21, is from a few minutes up to one hour.

During the rapid cooling, the cooling capacity of the compressor 140 and the rotation speed of the indoor unit fan 150 are increased, and the discharge blade 160 is controlled to control the discharge area and the discharge direction to induce smooth mixing of the indoor air. During the remaining time from the t21 to t22, the remaining time of the sleep entrance step 210, the indoor temperature is maintained at the first temperature Ti-z, which is a rapid cooling temperature, to continuously decrease the user's skin temperature (S110). The temperature drop width z in the sleep entrance step 210 is about 1 ° C. to about 4 ° C., and the total operating time of the sleep entrance step 210 is within a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 3 hours.

The deep sleep step 220 is a time when the user is in a deep sleep state, and raises the room temperature to a second temperature Ti + x higher than the set temperature Ti (S120), and the second temperature Ti + x. While maintaining a predetermined time (S130) and repeatedly raising and lowering (cooling) the room temperature within the range between the set temperature (Ti) and the second temperature (Ti + x) (S140, S150).

That is, during the period from t22 to t23, the room temperature becomes the second temperature Ti + x due to the continuous increase in the room temperature, thereby preventing excessive drop of the human skin temperature and inducing energy saving. The time from t22 to t23, which is the end of temperature rise, is within 3 to 5 hours. The room temperature is kept constant at the second temperature Ti + x for a time from t23 to t24 when the room temperature rise is completed. Thereafter, repeatedly raising and lowering the room temperature within the range between the set temperature Ti and the second temperature Ti + x prevents the user's human skin temperature from rising excessively (temperature drop). In addition, when the temperature of the human skin of the user reaches a normal state, the room temperature is restored to the second temperature (Ti + x), thereby saving energy (temperature rise). In the standard implementation time as shown in FIG. 2, the time from t23 to t24 for keeping the room temperature constant is within 1 hour to 3 hours, and the repetition time for the rise and fall of the room temperature is 2 hours or less in total.

The meteorological step 230 is a step for raising the body temperature to help activate the physiological activity of the human body, gradually increasing the room temperature to the third temperature (Ti + y) higher than the second temperature (Ti + x) After maintaining for a predetermined time (S160). The time from t26 to t27 where the wake-up step 230 is performed is from 30 minutes to 2 hours or less. When the sleep mode setting time elapses while the wake-up step 230 is in progress, the sleep mode ends (Yes in S170).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the entire execution time of the sleep mode may be set by the user directly through the user input unit 120. For example, when the user sets the total duration of the sleep mode to 8 hours, which is the standard duration, the sleep entry step 210, the sleep phase 220, and the wake-up step 230 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 are predetermined. Is performed for hours. At this time, the execution time of the sleep entry step 210 is at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours, and the execution time of the wake-up step 230 is at 30 minutes to 2 hours, and the rest of the time between the sleep stages 220 ) Is assigned to the execution time.

If the user sets the total duration of the sleep mode to be shorter than the standard duration (for example, about 4 hours), a part of the deep sleep stage 220 and the wake up stage 230 are omitted.

On the contrary, if the user sets the total duration of the sleep mode to be longer than the standard duration (for example, about 12 hours), the t23-t26 section of the deep sleep stage 220 is repeated for a longer time than the standard duration. Each of these embodiments is shown in FIGS. 4 to 7.

4 is a graph illustrating sleep mode temperature characteristics of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a further embodiment of a sleep mode control method of an air conditioner according to the sleep mode temperature characteristics shown in FIG. 4. A flowchart showing an example. 4 and 5, when the total running time of the sleep mode is set to about 4 hours, which is significantly less than the standard running time (8 hours), the sleep entering step 310 is performed and then the deep sleep step (for Only part of 320).

That is, in the sleep entry step 310, rapid cooling is performed to the first temperature Ti-z which is much lower than the set temperature Ti for a time from t40 to t41 (S200), and thereafter, rapid cooling for t41-t42 time. Maintaining the room temperature at the first temperature (Ti-z) which is the temperature to achieve a continuous drop of the user's skin temperature (S210).

In the deep sleep step 320, the room temperature is raised to the second temperature Ti + x higher than the set temperature Ti, and the second temperature Ti + x is maintained for a predetermined time (S220 and S230). 4 and 5, since the entire execution time of the sleep mode is short, not only the wake-up step but also the deep sleep step 320 may not be performed completely, and thus the remaining time after the sleep entry step 310 is performed (t42). After the sleep mode 320 is performed during the sleep mode (t44), when the sleep mode setting time (4 hours in this embodiment) elapses, the sleep mode ends (Yes in S240).

6 is a graph illustrating sleep mode temperature characteristics of an air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is another embodiment of a sleep mode control method of an air conditioner according to the sleep mode temperature characteristics shown in FIG. 6. A flowchart showing an example. 6 and 7, when the user sets the total duration of the sleep mode to be longer than the standard duration (for example, about 12 hours), t63 of the deep sleep step 420 for a time longer than the standard duration Repeat the -t66 section.

That is, in the water ingress stage 410, rapid cooling is performed to a first temperature Ti-z which is much lower than the set temperature Ti for a time from t60 to t61 (S300), and thereafter, rapid cooling for t61-t62 time. Maintaining the room temperature at the first temperature (Ti-z) that is the temperature to achieve a continuous drop of the user's skin temperature (S310).

In the deep sleep step 420, the room temperature is increased to a second temperature Ti + x higher than the set temperature Ti (S320). In this state, the room temperature is maintained at the second temperature Ti + x for a predetermined time (S330), and then lowered (cooled) to the set temperature Ti again (S340).

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sleep time set by the user is 4 hours longer than the standard time, so that the sleep time mode 420 is increased by the increased time. And further extending, but increasing the room temperature within a range between the set temperature Ti and the second temperature Ti + x for an increased time as shown in 440 of FIG. 6 and S350, S360, S370 of FIG. Repeat the descent (cooling) to maintain a room temperature suitable for the user to get a good night's sleep.

In the gas phase 430, as in the case of FIGS. 2 and 3, the room temperature is gradually raised to a third temperature Ti + y higher than the second temperature Ti + x and maintained for a predetermined time (S380). ). When the sleep mode setting time elapses while the wake-up step 430 is in progress, the sleep mode ends (Yes in S390).

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating time and temperature control characteristics in the sleep mode control method of the air conditioner according to the sleep mode temperature characteristics shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 illustrates a standard implementation time of the sleep mode illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. . As shown in FIG. 8, in performing the sleep mode of the air conditioner, the sleep entrance step 210, the sleep sleep step 220, and the vapor phase step 230 are controlled in units of 30 minutes to 0.5 ° C. However, if the execution time is 30 minutes or less, such as an operation of rapidly lowering the room temperature to the first temperature (Ti-2.5 ° C.) in the sleep entry step 210 of FIG. To control.

In this way, the room temperature is measured every 30 minutes to control the rise or fall of the room temperature, the room temperature can be more precisely controlled by controlling the rise or fall width of the temperature in 0.5 ° C units.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating another time and temperature control characteristic in the sleep mode control method of the air conditioner according to the sleep mode temperature characteristic shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 9 illustrates a standard execution time of the sleep mode illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is. As shown in FIG. 9, in the sleep mode of the air conditioner, the sleep entrance step 210, the sleep sleep step 220, and the wake up step 230 are controlled in units of 1 hour-1 ° C. That is, the room temperature is measured every 1 hour to control the rise or fall of the room temperature, but the temperature of the compressor 140 or the indoor unit fan is controlled by controlling the rise or fall width of the temperature in units of 1 ° C. 150, the number of operations of the discharge blade 160 may be reduced to reduce energy consumption.

110: control unit
120: user input unit
130: room temperature sensor
140: compressor
150: indoor unit fan
160: discharge blade
210, 410, 410: sleep entry stage
220, 420, 420: Sleep levels
230, 406, 430: weather phase

Claims (15)

An indoor temperature sensor for detecting an indoor temperature;
When the sleep mode starts, the control mode enters the sleep entry mode so as to rapidly cool the room temperature to the first temperature lower than the set temperature, and the sleep mode so that the room temperature gradually rises to the second temperature higher than the set temperature. And a control unit for controlling in a wake-up mode such that the room temperature rises to a third temperature higher than the second temperature.
The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to maintain the room temperature at the first temperature for a predetermined time when the room temperature drops to the first temperature in the sleep entry mode. Control unit of air conditioner.
2. The air of claim 1, wherein the controller maintains the indoor temperature at the second temperature for a predetermined time when the indoor temperature rises to the second temperature in the deep sleep mode. Control device of the harmonizer.
The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to repeatedly raise and lower the room temperature within a temperature range between the set temperature and the second temperature when the room temperature rises to the second temperature in the deep sleep mode. Characteristic control device of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management.
The air of claim 1, wherein the controller maintains the indoor temperature at the third temperature for a predetermined time when the indoor temperature rises to the third temperature in the wake-up mode. Control device of the harmonizer.
The environment and sleep management of claim 5, wherein the controller maintains the room temperature at the third temperature for a predetermined time in the wake-up mode and ends the sleep mode when a predetermined sleep mode time elapses. Control unit of air conditioner.
The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the air conditioner further comprises a user input unit; The overall operating time of the sleep mode is determined according to the user's setting through the user input unit, the control device of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management.
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to: allocate a preset fixed time for driving the sleep entry mode and the wake-up mode among the total driving time of the sleep mode; The control apparatus of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management, characterized in that the remaining time except for the sleep entry mode and the driving time of the wake-up mode of the total operation time of the sleep mode is allocated to the operation time of the sleep mode.
The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising: a variable capacity compressor, a variable speed indoor unit fan, a discharge direction, and a discharge area variable discharge port; The control unit operates the compressor at the minimum capacity in the sleep mode, operates the indoor unit fan at the minimum rotational speed, and controls the discharge port so that cold air is not directly delivered to the user, but when rapid cooling is required. The control apparatus of the air conditioner for the environment and sleep management, characterized in that for increasing the cooling capacity of the compressor, the rotational speed of the indoor unit fan, the cold air discharge area.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the temperature in units of 0.5 ° C. every 30 minutes in the sleep mode.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the temperature in units of 1 ° C. every 1 hour while in the sleep mode.
A sleep entry step of performing rapid cooling so that the room temperature falls rapidly to a first temperature lower than the set temperature when the sleep mode is started;
A deep sleep step of gradually raising the room temperature to a second temperature higher than the set temperature; And
And a vapor phase step of raising the room temperature to a third temperature higher than the second temperature.
The air conditioner of claim 12, wherein in the sleep entering step, when the indoor temperature drops to the first temperature, the indoor temperature is maintained at the first temperature for a predetermined time. Control method.
The air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein the deep sleep comprises maintaining the room temperature at the second temperature for a predetermined time when the room temperature rises to the second temperature. Control method.
The method of claim 12, wherein in the deep sleep step, the room temperature is repeatedly raised and lowered within the temperature range between the set temperature and the second temperature when the room temperature rises to the second temperature. Control method of air conditioner for environment and sleep management.

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