JP6700625B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor module having a sensor that detects a human body and the like and an electric device including the sensor module.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a temperature sensor. The detection unit of the temperature sensor detects the presence of a human body in the room or the radiant temperature of the floor surface or the wall surface (hereinafter, the human body). The temperature sensor rotates about a vertical axis. Therefore, the human body or the like can be detected over a wider range than the angle of view of the detection unit of the temperature sensor.

JP, 2016-8796, A

  In Patent Document 1, the temperature sensor projects from the lower surface of the air conditioner. The appearance of the air conditioner deteriorates. Moreover, the temperature sensor is not protected from the collision of other articles.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor module in which the appearance of an electric device is improved by accommodating a sensor in a housing and a protective function can be easily secured, and an electric device including the sensor module.

  One form of the present invention is a sensor case that is rotatably supported by a support member and is formed into a cylindrical shape, and an oblique cut surface that intersects the rotation axis with a center axis of the sensor case as a rotation axis at a predetermined inclination angle. A sensor module including: a bottom plate extending along a line; a window hole defined by a side surface of the sensor case in an area where a busbar makes an acute angle with the bottom plate; and a sensor housed in the sensor case and facing the window hole. Is.

  The sensor module can be used in electrical equipment. The sensor module is housed in the housing of the electric device. The bottom plate of the sensor module is arranged so as to face an opening provided on the outer surface of the housing. The cylindrical sensor case is housed in the housing. The protrusion of the sensor case is prevented. The appearance of electrical equipment is not impaired. At this time, the window hole of the sensor case is directed into the housing of the electric device.

  When the sensor case rotates around the rotation axis, the region of the side surface of the sensor case where the busbar makes an acute angle with the bottom plate appears outside from the outer surface of the housing. Therefore, the window hole is arranged outside the housing. The sensor secures a detection range in the space outside the housing through the window hole. The sensor exerts its original detection function.

  The sensor module may include a power source that generates a rotational force of the sensor case around the rotation axis. The power source serves to rotate the sensor case around the axis of rotation. If the sensor case rotates during operation of the detection function, the detection range is secured over a range wider than the angle of view of the sensor. Moreover, the power source places the sensor case between the first position where the side surface (hereinafter, cylindrical surface) of the sensor case is stored in the housing when not operating and the second position where the cylindrical surface is exposed to the outside of the housing when operating. Can be driven. The so-called swinging operation and the storage/exposure switching operation are realized by a single power source.

  The electric device may further include a wall surrounding the cylindrical surface of the sensor case, which is continuous from the inner surface of the housing. When a cylindrical surface extending between the oblique cutting surface and the cutting surface orthogonal to the rotation axis appears outward from the outer surface of the housing, a gap is formed between the edge of the opening of the housing and the bottom plate of the sensor case. It The gap is closed by the enclosure wall. The enclosure wall can cover the structure inside the housing. Even when the detection function is activated, the appearance of the electric device can be favorably maintained.

  The electric device may further include a control circuit that sets a detection range for each angular position around the rotation axis when the sensor operates. Since the rotation axis of the sensor case is inclined with respect to the outer surface of the housing, the edge of the opening enters the detection range of the sensor according to the change in the angular position. The control circuit can exclude the housing of the own device from the detection range by changing the detection range according to the angular position. Thus, the sensor can realize the detection function with high accuracy.

  As described above, according to the disclosed device, a sensor module capable of improving the appearance of an electric device and easily ensuring a protective function, and an electric device including the same are provided.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows roughly the structure of the air conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of the electric equipment by this invention. It is a front view showing roughly the appearance of the indoor unit concerning one embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view of an indoor unit. It is an expansion vertical sectional view of a sensor module. It is a front view of an indoor unit. It is an expansion vertical sectional view of a sensor module. It is a conceptual diagram of the sensor module which protrudes from the outer surface of a housing.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioner FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of an air conditioner 11 according to an embodiment of an electric device according to the present invention. The air conditioner 11 includes an indoor unit 12 and an outdoor unit 13. The indoor unit 12 is installed in, for example, an indoor space inside a building. In addition, the indoor unit 12 may be installed in a space corresponding to the indoor space. An indoor heat exchanger 14 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12. A compressor 15, an outdoor heat exchanger 16, an expansion valve 17, and a four-way valve 18 are incorporated in the outdoor unit 13. The outdoor unit 13 should just be installed outdoors which can exchange heat with outdoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 14, the compressor 15, the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17 and the four-way valve 18 form a refrigeration circuit 19.

  The refrigeration circuit 19 includes a first circulation path 21. The first circulation path 21 connects the first port 18a and the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18 to each other. A compressor 15 is provided in the first circulation path 21. The suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15 is connected to the first port 18a of the four-way valve 18 via a refrigerant pipe. The gas refrigerant is supplied to the suction pipe 15 a of the compressor 15 from the first port 18 a. The compressor 15 compresses the low-pressure gas refrigerant to a predetermined pressure. The discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15 is connected to the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18 via a refrigerant pipe. The gas refrigerant is supplied from the discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15 to the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18. The refrigerant pipe may be, for example, a copper pipe.

  The refrigeration circuit 19 further includes a second circulation path 22. The second circulation path 22 connects the third port 18c and the fourth port 18d of the four-way valve 18 to each other. The outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 are incorporated in the second circulation path 22 in order from the third port 18c side. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 exchanges thermal energy between the passing refrigerant and the ambient air. The indoor heat exchanger 14 exchanges heat energy between the passing refrigerant and the ambient air. The second circulation path 22 may be formed of a refrigerant pipe such as a copper pipe.

  A blower fan 23 is incorporated in the outdoor unit 13. The blower fan 23 ventilates the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The blower fan 23 generates an airflow according to the rotation of the impeller, for example. The airflow passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 by the function of the blower fan 23. The outdoor air passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The heat-exchanged cold or warm airflow is blown out from the outdoor unit 13. The flow rate of the airflow passing through is adjusted according to the rotation speed of the impeller.

  A blower fan 24 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12. The blower fan 24 ventilates the indoor heat exchanger 14. The blower fan 24 generates an airflow according to the rotation of the impeller. Room air is sucked into the indoor unit 12 by the function of the blower fan 24. The indoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The heat-exchanged cold or warm airflow is blown out from the indoor unit 12. The flow rate of the airflow passing through is adjusted according to the rotation speed of the impeller.

  When the cooling operation is performed in the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the third port 18c to each other and the first port 18a and the fourth port 18d to each other. Therefore, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 from the discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15. The refrigerant sequentially flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14. In the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the refrigerant radiates heat to the outside air. The expansion valve 17 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to a low pressure. The decompressed refrigerant absorbs heat from the ambient air in the indoor heat exchanger 14. Cold air is produced. The cool air is blown into the indoor space by the function of the blower fan 24.

  When the heating operation is performed in the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the fourth port 18d to each other and the first port 18a and the third port 18c to each other. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 15 to the indoor heat exchanger 14. The refrigerant sequentially flows through the indoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion valve 17, and the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The indoor heat exchanger 14 radiates heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding air. Warm air is generated. The warm air is blown into the indoor space by the function of the blower fan 24. The expansion valve 17 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to a low pressure. The decompressed refrigerant absorbs heat from the ambient air in the outdoor heat exchanger 16. After that, the refrigerant returns to the compressor 15.

(2) Configuration of Indoor Unit FIG. 2 schematically shows the appearance of the indoor unit 12 according to the embodiment. The indoor unit 12 should just be installed in the wall surface of the room which consists of a floor surface parallel to the horizontal plane orthogonal to the gravity direction, and a wall surface perpendicular to the floor surface. The indoor unit 12 includes a housing 26. An outlet 28 is formed in the bottom plate 27 of the housing 26. The air outlet 28 is opened toward the inside of the room. The air outlet 28 blows out an air flow of cold air or warm air generated in the indoor heat exchanger 14. The bottom plate 27 of the housing 26 extends along a horizontal plane orthogonal to the direction of gravity.

  At the air outlet 28, for example, one vertical airflow direction vane 29 is arranged. The vertical wind direction plate 29 can rotate around a horizontal axis that is horizontal to the floor surface of the room in which the indoor unit 12 is installed. The vertical wind direction plate 29 can open and close the air outlet 28 according to the rotation. The direction of the blown airflow can be changed according to the angle of the vertical airflow direction plate 29.

  A suction port 32 is formed in the top plate 31 of the housing 26. The air flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 14 is taken in through the suction port 32. A plurality of air filter assemblies (not shown) are detachably attached to the housing 26 below the top plate 31 and in front of the indoor heat exchanger 14.

  The indoor unit 12 includes a sensor module 33 incorporated in the housing 26. The sensor module 33 has a sensor case 35 arranged in an opening 34 that opens to the outer surface of the housing 26. The opening 34 is defined by a bottom plate 27 that is an outer surface of the housing 26 at a position outside the air outlet 28. A window 37 is defined in the cylindrical surface 36 of the sensor case 35. A sensor 38 housed in the sensor case 35 faces the window hole 37. Details of the sensor module 33 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the indoor unit 12 includes a pair of attachment members 39 attached to the left and right ends of the indoor heat exchanger 14. The mounting member 39 can be fixed at the rear end to, for example, a wall surface inside the room. An electric component box 41 is supported by the mounting member 39. A control circuit that controls the operation of the sensor module 33 is housed in the electrical component box 41. The control circuit is electrically connected to the sensor module 33 through wiring.

  The sensor module 33 is attached to the electrical component box 41. The sensor module 33 includes a support member 42 that supports the sensor case 35 rotatably around the rotation axis Px. The supporting member 42 is fixed to the electrical component box 41.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor case 35 and the support member 42 are housed in the housing 26. The outer circumference of the sensor case 35 is a cylindrical side surface (cylindrical surface 36). The axis of the cylindrical surface 36 coincides with the rotation axis Px. The cylindrical surface 36 is parallel to the rotation axis Px. The rotation axis Px is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle α with respect to the plane VP defining the opening 34 (the outer surface of the bottom plate 27). An annular flange 43 formed of a flat plate orthogonal to the rotation axis Px is connected to the upper end of the cylindrical surface 36. The flange 43 is formed integrally with the sensor case 35.

  The support member 42 includes a tube receiver 44 that receives the flange 43 of the sensor case 35. The tube receiver 44 has an annular plate 45 that surrounds the cylindrical surface 36 over the entire circumference and is in surface contact with the lower surface of the flange 43. The tube receiver 44 allows the sensor case 35 to rotate about the rotation axis Px.

  A power source 46 connected to the sensor case 35 is supported by the support member 42. The power source 46 is, for example, a stepping motor. The power source 46 exerts a driving force based on the electric power supplied from the above-mentioned control circuit, for example. The drive shaft 47 of the stepping motor may be directly coupled to the sensor case 35, or may be coupled to the sensor case 35 via a gear mechanism assembled at a predetermined reduction ratio.

  The sensor case 35 includes a bottom plate 48. The bottom plate 48 extends along an oblique cutting plane SP that intersects the rotation axis Px at an inclination angle α. The window hole 37 is defined in a region of the side surface of the sensor case 35 where the busbar makes an acute angle with the bottom plate 48. Specifically, it is between the cutting plane SS orthogonal to the rotation axis Px of the sensor case 35 and the diagonal cutting plane SP intersecting with the side surface of the cylinder, and the bottom plate 48. The window hole 37 may be provided at a position including the longest generating line on the surface of the cylindrical surface 36. The window hole 37 is closed by, for example, a film-shaped infrared transmission filter 49.

  A sensor substrate 51 is housed in the sensor case 35. The sensor (element) 38 is mounted on the surface of the sensor substrate 51. An infrared sensor element is used for the sensor 38, for example. The infrared sensor element can detect the temperature distribution within the detection range. The detection range expands at an angle of 60 degrees to the left and right, for example, in a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis Px. Alternatively, an image sensor for discriminating a human body or furniture within a detection range by an image, or a sound wave sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an object by a sound wave may be used.

  The indoor unit 12 includes an enclosure wall 52 that surrounds the cylindrical surface 36 of the sensor case 35 on the inner surface of the housing 26. The surrounding wall 52 has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotation axis Px. The annular plate 45 of the support member 42 is received by the upper end of the surrounding wall 52.

  The sensor 38 detects the temperature distribution within a limited detection range. When detecting the temperature distribution, the sensor case 35 rotates about the rotation axis Px. The forward rotation and the reverse rotation are repeated within the determined angle range. A so-called swinging movement is realized. A control signal is supplied from the control circuit in the electrical component box 41 to the power source 46 when the sensor case 35 rotates. Based on the detected temperature distribution, the control circuit controls the movement of the vertical wind direction plate 29 and the movement of the horizontal wind direction plate (not shown). For example, at the start of the heating operation, warm air is directed to the cold floor surface in the room. When the room temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the warm air is sent toward the direction without people.

  By rotating the sensor case 35 around the rotation axis Px, the sensor case 35 moves to the first position where the cylindrical surface 36 is stored in the housing 26 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and to the outside of the housing 26 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The posture can be changed between the second position exposing the cylindrical surface 36 and the second position. As shown in FIG. 6, in the first position, the bottom plate 48 of the sensor case 35 is arranged along the plane VP defining the opening 34 (the outer surface of the bottom plate 27).

  In the present embodiment, the bottom plate 48 of the sensor case 35 is arranged along the outer surface of the housing 26 at the first position. At this time, the sensor case 35 is prevented from protruding. The appearance of the indoor unit 12 is not impaired. The window hole 37 of the sensor case 35 is directed into the housing 26 of the indoor unit 12.

  As described above, when the sensor case 35 rotates about the rotation axis Px, the cylindrical surface 36 extending between the oblique cutting plane SP and the cutting plane SS orthogonal to the rotation axis Px appears outside from the outer surface of the housing 26. .. As a result of the rotation of the sensor case 35, the window hole 37 is arranged outside the housing 26. The sensor 38 secures a detection range in a space outside the housing 26 through the window 37. The sensor 38 exhibits a detection function.

  In the sensor module 33, the power source 46 serves to rotate the sensor case 35 around the rotation axis Px. If the sensor case 35 rotates during the operation of the detection function, the detection range can be secured over a wide range even if the detection range of the element of the sensor 38 itself is limited. The power source 46 has a rotation axis between a first position where the cylindrical surface 36 is stored inside the housing 26 when the indoor unit 12 is not operating and a second position where the cylindrical surface 36 is exposed outside the housing 26 when operating. The sensor case 35 is driven around Px. A single power source 46 realizes a so-called swinging operation and a storage/exposure switching operation.

  The housing 26 of the indoor unit 12 includes an enclosing wall 52 that is continuous from the inner surface of the bottom plate 27 and that surrounds the cylindrical surface 36 of the sensor case 35. When the cylindrical surface 36 extending between the oblique cutting surface SP and the cutting surface SS orthogonal to the rotation axis Px appears outward from the outer surface of the housing 26, the edge of the opening 34 of the housing 26 and the bottom plate of the sensor case 35. A gap is formed between the two and 48 (see FIG. 4). The gap is closed by the surrounding wall 52. The enclosure wall 52 can cover the structure inside the housing 26. The appearance of the indoor unit 12 can be favorably maintained even when the detection function is activated.

  A control unit (not shown) in the electrical component box 41 may limit the detection range for each predetermined angle at which the sensor 38 is positioned around the rotation axis Px. As shown in FIG. 7, since the rotation axis Px of the sensor case 35 is inclined with respect to the outer surface of the housing 26, the edge of the opening 34 enters the detection range of the sensor 38 according to the change in the angular position. The control circuit can exclude the housing 26 of the own device from the detection range by changing the detection range according to the angular position. Thus, the sensor can realize the detection function with high accuracy.

  12... Electric equipment (indoor unit), 26... Housing, 27... (Housing) bottom plate, 33... Sensor module, 34... (Housing) opening, 35... Sensor case, 36... Cylindrical surface, 37... Window Holes, 38... Sensors, 41... Electrical equipment box (control circuit), 46... Power source, 52... Enclosure wall, Px... Rotation axis line, SP... Diagonal cutting plane, SS... (Orthogonal) cutting plane, VP... (Opening) Plane), α... inclination angle.

Claims (4)

A casing having an opening that is partitioned into the bottom plate and opens to the outer surface;
Is disposed inside the casing continuously from the opening, and the surrounding wall of the cylindrical that having a central axis inclined with respect to the bottom plate,
A sensor case that is arranged inside the enclosure wall rotatably around an axis and has a cylindrical surface facing the enclosure wall,
A cylinder receiver provided at the upper end of the surrounding wall and surrounding the cylindrical surface of the sensor case over the entire circumference,
Driven around the axis while being connected to the upper end of the cylindrical surface, formed in an annular shape including a plane orthogonal to the axis and larger than the cylindrical surface, and being axially supported by the tube receiver in the axial direction of the cylindrical surface. and a flange that is,
A window opening at a position recessed from the cylindrical surface of the sensor case,
A first position that is housed in the sensor case, faces the window, and faces the enclosure wall and is stored in the housing in response to rotation of the sensor case supported by the tube receiver ; A sensor that moves between a second position exposed from the opening to the outside of the housing;
An air conditioner comprising:   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder receiver has an annular plate that supports the outer periphery of the flange and surrounds the cylindrical surface over the entire periphery and is in surface contact with the flange. Air conditioner.   The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the outer diameter of the annular plate is larger than the outer diameter of the surrounding wall. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the cylinder receiver is formed as a member separate from the surrounding wall.