JP7094658B2 - Sensor modules and electrical equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sensor module having a sensor for detecting a human body or the like and an electric device provided with the sensor module.

Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner. The air conditioner is equipped with a temperature sensor. The detection unit of the temperature sensor detects the presence of a human body or the radiant temperature of the floor or wall surface (hereinafter referred to as the human body) in the room. The temperature sensor rotates about a vertical axis. Therefore, it is possible to detect the human body or the like in a wider range than the angle of view of the detection unit of the temperature sensor.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-8996

In Patent Document 1, the temperature sensor protrudes 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 capable of improving the appearance of an electric device by accommodating the sensor in a housing and easily ensuring a protective function, and an electric device provided with the sensor module.

One embodiment of the present invention is a sensor case rotatably supported by a support member and formed in a cylindrical shape, and an oblique cut surface that intersects the rotation axis at a predetermined inclination angle with the central axis of the sensor case as the rotation axis. A sensor module including a bottom plate extending along the sensor case, a window hole defined in a region of the side surface of the sensor case where a bus line forms a sharp angle with the bottom plate, and a sensor housed in the sensor case and facing the window hole. Is.

Sensor modules can be used in electrical equipment. The sensor module is housed in the housing of the electrical equipment. The bottom plate of the sensor module is arranged so as to face the opening provided on the outer surface of the housing. The cylindrical sensor case is housed in a 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 to the inside of the housing of the electric device.

When the sensor case rotates around the axis of rotation, a region of the side surface of the sensor case where the bus has an acute angle with the bottom plate appears from the outer surface of the housing to the outside. Therefore, the window holes are arranged on the outside of 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 produces a rotational force of the sensor case around the axis of rotation. By the action of the power source, the sensor case can rotate around the axis of rotation. If the sensor case rotates when the detection function is operating, the detection range is secured over a range wider than the angle of view of the sensor. Moreover, the power source is a sensor case between the first position where the side surface of the sensor case (hereinafter referred to as the cylindrical surface) is stored in the housing during non-operation and the second position where the cylindrical surface is exposed to the outside of the housing during operation. Can be driven. The so-called swinging motion during operation and the switching motion between storage and exposure are realized by a single power source.

The electrical device may further include an enclosure 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 diagonal cut surface and the cut surface orthogonal to the axis of rotation appears from the outer surface of the housing to the outside, a gap is formed between the edge of the opening of the housing and the bottom plate of the sensor case. Orthogonal. The gap is closed by an enclosure wall. The enclosure wall can cover the structure inside the housing. The appearance of the electric device can be maintained well even when the detection function is activated.

The electrical device may further include a control circuit that sets a detection range for each corner position around the rotation axis when the sensor is activated. 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 machine from the detection range by changing the detection range according to the corner position. In this way, 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 the electric device and easily ensuring a protection function and an electric device provided with the sensor module are provided.

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

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioner FIG. 1 schematically shows the 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, for example, in 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. The outdoor unit 13 incorporates a compressor 15, an outdoor heat exchanger 16, an expansion valve 17, and a four-way valve 18. The outdoor unit 13 may be installed outdoors where heat exchange with the outdoor air is possible. 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 refrigerating 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 from the first port 18a to the suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15. 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 heat energy between the passing refrigerant and the surrounding air. The indoor heat exchanger 14 exchanges heat energy between the passing refrigerant and the surrounding 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 air flow according to the rotation of the impeller, for example. The airflow passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 by the action 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 air flow according to the rotation of the impeller. Indoor air is sucked into the indoor unit 12 by the action 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 carried out in the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the third port 18c to each other, and connects 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 flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 in order. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 dissipates heat from the refrigerant 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 surrounding air in the indoor heat exchanger 14. Cold air is generated. The cold air is blown into the indoor space by the action of the blower fan 24.

When the heating operation is carried out in the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the fourth port 18d to each other, and connects the first port 18a and the third port 18c to each other. A high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 15 to the indoor heat exchanger 14. The refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion valve 17, and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 in order. The indoor heat exchanger 14 dissipates heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding air. Warm air is generated. The warm air is blown into the indoor space by the action 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 surrounding air by 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 may be installed on a wall surface of a room including a floor surface parallel to a horizontal plane orthogonal to the direction of gravity and a wall surface perpendicular to the floor surface. The indoor unit 12 includes a housing 26. An outlet 28 is formed on the bottom plate 27 of the housing 26. The air outlet 28 is opened toward the room. The outlet 28 blows out a cold or warm air flow generated by the indoor heat exchanger 14. The bottom plate 27 of the housing 26 extends along a horizontal plane orthogonal to the direction of gravity.

For example, one vertical wind direction plate 29 is arranged at the air outlet 28. The vertical wind direction plate 29 can rotate about a horizontal axis 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 airflow blown out can be changed according to the angle of the vertical wind direction plate 29.

A suction port 32 is formed on the top plate 31 of the housing 26. The air flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 14 is taken in from 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 partitioned into a bottom plate 27 which is an outer surface of the housing 26 at a position away from the air outlet 28. A window hole 37 is partitioned on the cylindrical surface 36 of the sensor case 35. The 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 mounting members 39 that are mounted on the left and right ends of the indoor heat exchanger 14. The mounting member 39 can be fixed to, for example, a wall surface in the room at the rear end. An electrical component box 41 is supported by the mounting member 39. The electrical component box 41 houses a control circuit that controls the operation of the sensor module 33. 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 rotatably supports the sensor case 35 around the rotation axis Px. The support 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 side surface of a cylinder (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 made 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 integrally formed with the sensor case 35.

The support member 42 includes a cylinder receiver 44 that receives the flange 43 of the sensor case 35. The cylinder receiver 44 has an annular plate 45 that surrounds the cylindrical surface 36 and contacts the lower surface of the flange 43 on the entire circumference. The cylinder receiver 44 allows the sensor case 35 to rotate around the rotation axis Px.

A power source 46 connected to the sensor case 35 is supported on the support member 42. The power source 46 is, for example, a stepping motor. The power source 46 exerts a driving force based on, for example, the electric power supplied from the above-mentioned control circuit. 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 cut surface 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 bus line forms an acute angle with the bottom plate 48. Specifically, it is between the diagonal cut surface SP orthogonal to the rotation axis Px of the sensor case 35 and the cut surface SS and the bottom plate 48 intersecting on the side surface of the cylinder. The window hole 37 may be provided at a position on the surface of the cylindrical surface 36 including the longest generatrix. The window hole 37 is closed by, for example, a film-shaped infrared transmission filter 49.

The sensor board 51 is housed in the sensor case 35. The sensor (element) 38 is mounted on the surface of the sensor substrate 51. For example, an infrared sensor element is used for the sensor 38. The infrared sensor element can detect the temperature distribution within the detection range. The detection range extends at an angle of 60 degrees to the left and right in a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis Px, for example. In addition, an image sensor that discriminates a human body or furniture within the detection range by an image, or a sound wave sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object by sound waves may be used.

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

The sensor 38 detects the temperature distribution within a limited detection range. In detecting the temperature distribution, the sensor case 35 rotates around the rotation axis Px. Forward rotation and reverse rotation are repeated within a predetermined angle range. The so-called swinging motion is realized. Upon rotation of the sensor case 35, a control signal is supplied from the control circuit in the electrical component box 41 to the power source 46. The control circuit controls the movement of the vertical wind direction plate 29 and the movement of the left and right wind direction plates (not shown) based on the detected temperature distribution. For example, at the start of heating operation, warm air is directed to a cold floor in the room. When the room temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, warm air is sent in the direction of no people.

By rotating the sensor case 35 around the rotation axis Px, the sensor case 35 has a first position for storing the cylindrical surface 36 in the housing 26 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and outside the housing 26 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The posture can be changed from the second position where the cylindrical surface 36 is exposed. 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 protrusion of the sensor case 35 is prevented. 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 around the rotation axis Px, the cylindrical surface 36 extending between the diagonal cut surface SP and the cut surface SS orthogonal to the rotation axis Px appears from the outer surface of the housing 26 to the outside. .. As a result of the rotation of the sensor case 35, the window hole 37 is arranged on the outside of the housing 26. The sensor 38 secures a detection range in the space outside the housing 26 through the window hole 37. The sensor 38 exerts a detection function.

In the sensor module 33, the sensor case 35 can rotate around the rotation axis Px by the action of the power source 46. 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 itself of the sensor 38 is limited. The power source 46 has a rotation axis between a first position for storing the cylindrical surface 36 inside the housing 26 when the indoor unit 12 is not operating and a second position for exposing the cylindrical surface 36 outside the housing 26 during operation. The sensor case 35 is driven around Px. The so-called swinging motion during operation and the retracting and exposing switching motion are realized by a single power source 46.

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

The 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 located 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 machine from the detection range by changing the detection range according to the corner position. In this way, the sensor can realize the detection function with high accuracy.

12 ... Electrical equipment (indoor unit), 26 ... Housing, 27 ... Bottom plate (of housing), 33 ... Sensor module, 34 ... Opening (of housing), 35 ... Sensor case, 36 ... Cylindrical surface, 37 ... Window Hole, 38 ... Sensor, 41 ... Electrical equipment box (control circuit), 46 ... Power source, 52 ... Enclosure wall, Px ... Rotating axis, SP ... Diagonal cut surface, SS ... (Orthogonal) cut surface, VP ... (Opening) ) Plane, α ... Tilt angle.

Claims (4)

A sensor case that is rotatably supported by a support member around a rotation axis that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane and is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotation axis .
A bottom plate extending along an oblique cut surface that intersects the rotation axis at a predetermined inclination angle with the central axis of the sensor case as the rotation axis.
A window hole in the side surface of the sensor case, which is divided into an area where the bus has an acute angle with the bottom plate.
A sensor housed in the sensor case and facing the window hole,
A sensor module characterized by being equipped with. The sensor module according to claim 1, wherein the window hole is arranged on a cylindrical surface having a generatrix parallel to the rotation axis. A housing with an opening on the outer surface and
The sensor module according to claim 1 is provided in the housing.
The sensor module is an electric device characterized in that it is rotatably supported around a rotation axis inclined at the inclination angle with respect to a plane defining the opening and the bottom plate faces the opening. The electric device according to claim 3, further comprising an enclosure wall surrounding the side surface of the sensor case, which is continuous from the inner surface of the housing.

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