JP7792864B2 - air conditioning equipment - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an air conditioning device.

Air conditioners equipped with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are known. Some air conditioners are equipped with a human detection sensor that detects whether a person is present in the room (room, indoors) where the indoor unit is installed, and have a function to reflect the detection result in air flow control. For example, some air conditioners have a function to blow air toward a person when the presence of that person is detected in the room.

International Publication No. 2020/075244

With this type of air conditioning system, blowing cool or warm air toward people can sometimes result in large variations in the temperature distribution inside the room.

One example of the problem solved by this invention is to provide an air conditioning system that can control the airflow to living organisms in a room while suppressing the increase in unevenness in the temperature distribution in the room.

An air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms, a temperature sensor, a biological sensor, and a control unit. The multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms are each capable of setting the direction of conditioned air blown into a room. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the walls inside the room. The biological sensor detects living organisms in the room. The control unit controls some of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms based on the detection results of the temperature sensor so that the airflow is directed toward the walls, and controls other parts of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms based on the detection results of the biological sensor so that the airflow is directed toward or away from the living organism.

The air conditioning device includes, for example, an indoor unit. The indoor unit has the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms and is installed in the room. At least one of the temperature sensor and the biological sensor is installed in a position separate from the indoor unit in the room.

In the air conditioning device, for example, the control unit controls some of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms so that the airflow direction is directed toward an area of the wall where the airflow direction can be set and where the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is the highest.

In the air conditioning device, for example, the control unit controls some of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms so that the airflow direction is directed toward the area of the wall that has been previously set as the target for airflow and whose temperature detected by the temperature sensor is the highest.

The air conditioning device includes, for example, a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit conditions the air. In dehumidification mode, the control unit controls the refrigerant circuit so that the temperature of the air blown into the room is lower than a set temperature.

The air conditioning apparatus includes, for example, an indoor unit. The indoor unit has the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms and a housing that supports the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms, and is installed inside the room. The housing has two side walls and a connecting section that spans the two side walls. The multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms are provided on at least one of the side walls and the connecting section.

The above air conditioning system can control the airflow to living organisms in the room while suppressing unevenness in the temperature distribution in the room.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the general configuration of an air conditioning apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment, and is an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view showing the case where the vertical air direction vanes are in a closed state. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment, and is an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view showing the case where the vertical air direction vanes are in an open state. FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic perspective view showing the configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment, and is an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view showing the case where the ventilation member is in an open state. FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic perspective view showing a ventilation member of the air conditioning apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the generation of turbulence by the ventilation member of the air conditioning apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing details of the indoor unit control unit of the air conditioning apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is an exemplary schematic side view showing a room in which an indoor unit according to the first embodiment is installed. FIG. 10 is an exemplary schematic plan view showing a room in which an indoor unit according to the first embodiment is installed. FIG. 11 is a front view exemplarily and schematically showing an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a side view exemplarily and schematically showing an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating an example of an airflow direction setting mechanism of an air conditioning apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram presenting and schematically illustrating an example of the flow of air blown out from the airflow direction setting mechanism of the air conditioning apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is an exemplary schematic plan view showing a room in which an indoor unit according to the second embodiment is installed. FIG. 16 is an exemplary schematic side view showing a room in which an indoor unit according to a first modified example of the second embodiment is installed. FIG. 17 is an exemplary schematic plan view showing a room in which an indoor unit according to a second modified example of the second embodiment is installed.

Embodiments of an air conditioning apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, components according to the embodiments and descriptions of those components may be described using multiple expressions. The components and their descriptions are merely examples and are not limited by the expressions in this specification. Components may also be identified by names different from those used in this specification. Furthermore, components may also be described using expressions different from those used in this specification.

The drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and proportions of each element may differ from reality. The drawings may also contain parts with different dimensional relationships and proportions. Furthermore, ordinal numbers in this specification are used only to distinguish between parts, members, locations, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the general configuration of an air conditioning apparatus 1 according to an embodiment, which is composed of an indoor unit 10 and an outdoor unit 100.

The air conditioning device 1 has an operation terminal 94a, an indoor unit 10, and an outdoor unit 100. The indoor unit 10 is placed indoors, and the outdoor unit 100 is placed outside the room R. The operation terminal 94a receives operation instructions from a living CR present in the room R, and transmits commands to the indoor unit 10 in accordance with the received operation instructions. The living CR is, for example, a human being or a pet. The operation terminal 94a is, for example, a remote controller. The operation terminal 94a may also be a smartphone or the like that runs on a dedicated application.

The indoor unit 10 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a radar 2 and detects detection targets present in the room in which the indoor unit 10 is installed. In this embodiment, the detection targets particularly include living CRs, as well as furniture that the living CR can use (chairs, sofas, beds, etc.) and walls. In other words, the radar 2 can also detect the size (room) and volume of the room in which the indoor unit 10 is installed. Living CRs are humans, pets, etc. The radar 2 is an example of a living sensor. Note that living sensors are not limited to the radar 2.

In this embodiment, the air conditioning apparatus 1 (indoor unit 10) acquires information about living CRs among the detection targets detected by radar 2, and determines a control mode to provide a wind (conditioned air) suitable for living CRs present in the room. For example, based on the detection results of radar 2, the control unit of the indoor unit 10 (indoor unit control unit 80, described below) can consider (determine) a moving detection target as a "living CR." When a detection target enters a room, the indoor unit 10 (radar 2) recognizes the detection target as a living CR upon detecting the entry movement and reflects this in the control of the indoor unit 10. Furthermore, even if the detection target does not move within the room (no change in detection position), if the detection target moves, for example, if the indoor unit 10 (radar 2) detects the movement of the detection target or partial behavior of the detection target, the indoor unit 10 (radar 2) recognizes the detection target as a living CR and reflects this in the control of the indoor unit 10. On the other hand, the indoor unit 10 (radar 2) considers objects that remain continuously stationary (such as furniture or walls) to be non-living objects, and excludes them from the objects that will be reflected in the control of the indoor unit 10. Note that the determination of whether or not an object is a living CR is not limited to this, and the shape or pulsation of the object may also be detected. In addition, other sensors, such as an infrared sensor, may be provided, and the results of this detection may be used in combination to determine whether or not an object is a living CR.

In addition to the radar 2, the indoor unit 10 has an indoor unit control unit 80, upper and lower airflow direction vanes 25, left and right airflow direction vanes 29, and room temperature sensors 3A and 3B. The room temperature sensor 3A detects, for example, the temperature of the air near the air intake 32 of the indoor unit 10. The indoor unit control unit 80 controls each unit so that the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 3A becomes the set temperature. The room temperature sensor 3B detects the temperature (temperature distribution) inside the room and the temperature (temperature distribution) of the room walls. The room temperature sensor 3B is, for example, an infrared sensor. The indoor unit control unit 80 controls the direction of the air blown out from the indoor unit 10 based on the detection results of the room temperature sensor 3B. The indoor unit control unit 80 performs air conditioning processing in response to commands received from the operation terminal 94a, and also performs control in response to the biological CR detected using the radar 2. The indoor unit 10 has a "radar control mode," which is essentially automatic control based on the detection results of radar 2, and a "normal control mode," in which the user controls (sets) the indoor unit 10 using the operation terminal 94a without using radar 2.

In "radar control mode," radar 2 continuously or intermittently detects the position of the detection target (living body CR) indoors under the control of the indoor unit control unit 80. The indoor unit control unit 80 tracks the position of the detected living body CR and controls the up/down air deflectors 25, left/right air deflectors 29, ventilation members 26, etc. to blow air toward the living body CR or, conversely, toward a position that avoids the living body CR. The indoor unit control unit 80 controls the direction of the air (conditioned air) blown out from the indoor unit 10 by controlling the operation of the up/down air deflectors 25 and left/right air deflectors 29.

This allows the way conditioned air is blown out from the indoor unit 10 to be dynamically changed in response to the movement of living CRs present within the detection area, thereby dynamically improving the comfort of living CRs present in the room.

Specifically, the indoor unit 10 performs air conditioning processing on air drawn in from the room through the air intake port, and then blows the conditioned air into the room. Air conditioning processing includes, for example, heat absorption processing (cooling), heating processing (heating), dehumidification processing, humidification processing, air blowing processing, and air purification processing. The heat absorption processing, heating processing, dehumidification processing, humidification processing, air blowing processing, and air purification processing correspond to the cooling operation mode, heating operation mode, dehumidification operation mode, humidification operation mode, air blowing operation mode, and air purification operation mode, which are the operating modes (main operating modes) of the air conditioner 1, respectively.

The main operation mode can be combined with the control modes (radar control mode, normal control mode) as appropriate. In radar control mode, the air conditioning device 1 (indoor unit 10) can be in any of the following operation modes: cooling operation mode, heating operation mode, dehumidification operation mode, humidification operation mode, fan operation mode, and air purification operation mode. In radar control mode, the operation modes that can be combined are not limited to those listed above, and other operation modes can also be combined. The same applies to normal control mode.

In the air conditioning process, the humidification process may be omitted. In this case, the humidification operation mode may be omitted as an operation mode of the air conditioning unit 1.

The indoor unit 10 has an auxiliary operation mode called a "windless mode" that mixes two different flow speeds when blowing out conditioned air, generating turbulence that diffuses over a wide area, making the released air flow gentle overall (so-called "windless" (registered trademark) wind). The auxiliary operation mode can be combined with the control modes (radar control mode, normal control mode) as appropriate, and can also be combined with the main operation mode as appropriate.

The indoor unit 10 may have an automatic operation mode as one of its operation modes. The indoor unit 10 detects the room and wall temperatures using the room temperature sensor 3A. In the automatic operation mode, the indoor unit 10 (indoor unit control unit 80) may operate in heating operation mode if the detected temperature is higher than the set temperature, and may operate in heating operation mode if the detected temperature is lower than the set temperature.

Air purification processes are carried out using, for example, an ion emission method that releases ions into the air, an ultraviolet irradiation method that irradiates the inside of the indoor unit 10 with ultraviolet light to sterilize it, or a dust collection method that collects dust when indoor air is drawn into the indoor unit 10. Dust collection methods include, for example, filter dust collection and electrostatic precipitator methods. In filter dust collection methods, air is passed through a fine filter such as a HEPA filter to filter out and remove dust and other contaminants from the air. In electrostatic precipitator methods, contaminants such as dust contained in the drawn-in air are charged by high-voltage discharge and then adsorbed onto a dust collection unit (e.g., the heat exchanger 22 or a filter charged to the opposite polarity). The contaminants adsorbed to the heat exchanger 22 can be automatically discharged outdoors, for example, when condensation water that has formed on the surface of the heat exchanger is discharged.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the air conditioning apparatus 1, the indoor unit 10 includes a radar 2, an indoor unit control unit 80, a room temperature sensor 3, a heat exchanger 22, a fan 23, a filter 24 (described below), upper and lower airflow direction vanes 25, left and right airflow direction vanes 29, ventilation members 26, a receiver 94, and the like. The indoor unit control unit 80, together with the outdoor unit control unit 180 of the outdoor unit 100, constitutes a control unit 200. The heat exchanger 22 is included in a refrigerant circuit 201 through which a refrigerant flows. The indoor unit 10 also includes a first control circuit 81, a second control circuit 82, a third control circuit 83, a hood motor 84, an upper and lower airflow direction vane motor 85, a left and right airflow direction vane motor 86, a switching motor 87, and the like, all of which are controlled by the indoor unit control unit 80. Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the indoor unit control unit 80 controls an air purification unit 4 that performs an electrostatic precipitator method for air purification.

The outdoor unit 100 also includes a heat exchanger 122, a fan 123, a four-way valve 124, a compressor 125, an outdoor unit control unit 180, a fourth drive circuit 181, a fifth drive circuit 182, a sixth drive circuit 183, a fan motor 184, a valve switching motor 185, a compressor motor 186, etc.

In the indoor unit 10, the fan 23 is arranged near the heat exchanger 22. The fan 23 guides air drawn in from the room through the air intake of the indoor unit 10 to the heat exchanger 22, and also guides the conditioned air that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger 22 to the air outlet of the indoor unit 10. The indoor unit control unit 80 drives the fan motor 84 using the first control circuit 81, causing the fan 23 to rotate around its axis of rotation. The indoor unit control unit 80 can change the rotation speed of the fan 23.

The heat exchanger 22 has, for example, a flow path connected to a refrigerant pipe and multiple fins. The heat exchanger 22 exchanges heat between the air drawn in from the room and the refrigerant passing through the flow path.

In the outdoor unit 100, the fan 123 is disposed near the heat exchanger 122. The fan 123 rotates under the control of the outdoor unit control unit 180. As a result, the fan 123 draws in outside air and guides it to the heat exchanger 122, and then expels the outside air that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger 122 outside the outdoor unit 100. The outdoor unit control unit 180 drives the fan motor 184 using the fourth drive circuit 181, causing the fan 123 to rotate around its axis of rotation. The indoor unit control unit 80 can change the rotation speed of the fan 123 via the outdoor unit control unit 180.

The heat exchanger 122 has, for example, a flow path and multiple fins. The heat exchanger 122 is in thermal contact with the refrigerant circuit passing nearby. The heat exchanger 122 exchanges heat between the refrigerant passing through the flow path and the outside air.

The four-way valve 124 is included in the refrigerant circuit 201. The four-way valve 124 can switch the refrigerant flow path in the refrigerant circuit 201 between the cooling side and the heating side according to control by the outdoor unit control unit 180. The outdoor unit control unit 180 drives the valve switching motor 185 using the fifth drive circuit 182, and can switch the four-way valve 124 between the cooling side and the heating side. The indoor unit control unit 80 can switch the four-way valve 124 between the cooling side and the heating side via the outdoor unit control unit 180.

The compressor 125 is included in the refrigerant circuit 201. The compressor 125 compresses and sends out the refrigerant under the control of the outdoor unit control unit 180 under the control of the indoor unit control unit 80. The outdoor unit control unit 180 drives the compressor motor 186 via the sixth drive circuit 183, causing the compressor 125 to perform cycles of refrigerant compression. The indoor unit control unit 80 can change the number of cycles (the number of compression cycles performed per unit time) of the compressor 125 via the outdoor unit control unit 180.

For example, in the air conditioning apparatus 1, the control unit 200 (indoor unit control unit 80 and outdoor unit control unit 180) switches the four-way valve 124 to the cooling side in cooling operation mode. Then, a heat absorption process is performed in the heat exchanger 22, causing the refrigerant to absorb heat from the indoor air, and the conditioned air with the absorbed heat is blown into the room. Then, a heat release process is performed in the heat exchanger 122, causing the heat absorbed by the refrigerant to be released into the outside air.

Alternatively, the air conditioning apparatus 1 switches the four-way valve 124 to the heating side in heating operation mode using the control unit 200 (indoor unit control unit 80 and outdoor unit control unit 180). Then, heat exchanger 122 performs a heat absorption process, causing the refrigerant to absorb heat from the outside air. Then, heat exchanger 22 performs a heating process, heating the indoor air with the heat absorbed by the refrigerant, and blowing the heated conditioned air into the room.

The vertical air deflectors 25 and horizontal air deflectors 29 each set (adjust) the direction of the conditioned air blown into the room. Air direction refers to the direction of the wind. In this specification, the indoor unit control unit 80 directly controls the direction in which the vertical air deflectors 25 and horizontal air deflectors 29 face, but the direction in which the vertical air deflectors 25 and horizontal air deflectors 29 face is treated as roughly the same as the direction of the wind immediately after it is blown out of the air outlet of the indoor unit 10. In other words, the vertical air deflectors 25 and horizontal air deflectors 29 can set (adjust) the wind direction by their orientation, and the indoor unit control unit 80 can control the wind direction by controlling the orientation of the vertical air deflectors 25 and horizontal air deflectors 29. Note that the orientation of the vertical air deflectors 25 and horizontal air deflectors 29 can each be controlled individually. This allows air to be blown out in one direction from the entire air outlet of the indoor unit 10, or two or more air streams with different directions to be blown out from two or more areas of the air outlet of the indoor unit 10 separated by the upper and lower air direction vanes 25, left and right air direction vanes 29, etc.

The vertical air deflectors 25 can be switched between a closed position and an open position. When switched to the closed position, the vertical air deflectors 25 close the air outlet. When switched to the open position, the vertical air deflectors 25 open the air outlet. When the air outlet is opened by the operation of the vertical air deflectors 25, the vertical air deflectors 25 and the left and right air deflectors 29 set (adjust) the direction of the conditioned air blown into the room. The vertical air deflectors 25 set (adjust) the direction of the conditioned air in the vertical direction. The left and right air deflectors 29 set (adjust) the direction of the conditioned air in the horizontal direction.

The specific structure of the indoor unit 10 will be explained using Figures 2 to 7. Figure 2 is an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the indoor unit 10.

As described above, the indoor unit 10 has a heat exchanger 22, a fan 23, a filter 24, multiple vertical airflow direction vanes 25 (25A, 25B), multiple horizontal airflow direction vanes 29 (see Figures 1 and 4), ventilation members 26, etc. inside the housing 21. The vertical airflow direction vanes 25, horizontal airflow direction vanes 29, and ventilation members 26 may also be referred to as louvers.

As shown in Figure 2 and subsequent drawings, the X, Y, and Z axes are defined in this specification for convenience. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to one another. The X axis extends along the width of the indoor unit 10. The Y axis extends along the depth of the indoor unit 10. The Z axis extends along the height of the indoor unit 10.

Furthermore, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are defined herein. The X direction is the direction along the X axis, and includes the +X direction indicated by the X axis arrow and the -X direction, which is the opposite direction of the X axis arrow. The Y direction is the direction along the Y axis, and includes the +Y direction indicated by the Y axis arrow and the -Y direction, which is the opposite direction of the Y axis arrow. The Z direction is the direction along the Z axis, and includes the +Z direction indicated by the Z axis arrow and the -Z direction, which is the opposite direction of the Z axis arrow. In this embodiment, the +Z direction is the upward direction, and the -Z direction is the downward direction.

The housing 21 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the X direction. However, the housing 21 may be formed in other shapes. For example, the housing 21 is hung on a wall of a building (indoors). The housing 21 has an upper surface 21a, a lower surface 21b, and two side surfaces 21e and 21f. The upper surface 21a is located at or near the upper end of the housing 21 and faces substantially upward. The lower surface 21b is located at or near the lower end of the housing 21 and faces substantially downward. The housing 21 also has two side walls 21h including the side surfaces 21e and 21f, and a bridge portion 21i spanning the two side walls 21h. The bridge portion 21i includes the upper surface 21a and the lower surface 21b.

The housing 21 is provided with an air passage 31, an intake port 32, and an outlet port 33. The air passage 31 is provided inside the housing 21. The intake port 32 opens, for example, to the upper surface 21a of the housing 21. The outlet port 33 opens, for example, to the lower surface 21b of the housing 21. The intake port 32 and the outlet port 33 may also open to other parts of the housing 21.

The indoor unit 10 can pass wind through the ventilation duct 31. Wind is a flow of gas such as air. The intake port 32 is provided at one end of the ventilation duct 31 and connects the ventilation duct 31 to the outside of the indoor unit 10. The outlet port 33 is provided at the other end of the ventilation duct 31 and connects the ventilation duct 31 to the outside of the indoor unit 10. In other words, the ventilation duct 31 is provided inside the housing 21, between the intake port 32 and the outlet port 33.

The heat exchanger 22 is provided in the ventilation duct 31. The heat exchanger 22 exchanges heat with the surrounding gas in the ventilation duct 31. As a result, the heat exchanger 22 cools the air flowing through the ventilation duct 31 during cooling operation, and heats the air flowing through the ventilation duct 31 during heating operation.

The fan 23 is provided in the ventilation duct 31. The fan 23 rotates around a rotation axis Axf extending in the X direction, thereby sending air from the air inlet 32 to the air outlet 33 in the ventilation duct 31. As a result, the indoor unit 10 draws indoor air into the ventilation duct 31 through the air inlet 32 and blows out the air (wind) in the ventilation duct 31 from the air outlet 33. For this reason, in this specification, the side of the ventilation duct 31 closer to the air inlet 32 is referred to as the upstream side, and the side closer to the air outlet 33 is referred to as the downstream side.

The fan 23 is located downstream of the heat exchanger 22. Therefore, when the fan 23 generates air, the air drawn in through the air intake 32 passes through the fins of the heat exchanger 22. As a result, the air flowing through the ventilation passage 31 exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 22.

The filter 24 is provided at the air inlet 32 or near the air inlet 32 in the ventilation duct 31. The filter 24 is located upstream of the heat exchanger 22. The filter 24 covers the air inlet 32 from inside the housing 21. The filter 24, for example, filters the air drawn in through the air inlet 32 and captures dust particles in the air. As mentioned above, higher quality air purification can be achieved by constructing the filter 24 from a HEPA filter or the like.

The vertical airflow direction vanes 25 and horizontal airflow direction vanes 29 can be configured as shown in Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 shows the vertical airflow direction vanes 25 in the closed position Pc1 (sometimes referred to as the first closed position). Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration and operation of the indoor unit 10, showing the vertical airflow direction vanes 25 in the open position Po1 (sometimes referred to as the first open position). Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration and operation of the indoor unit 10, showing the vertical airflow direction vanes 25 in the open position and the horizontal airflow direction vanes 29 visible.

The vertical air direction vane 25 may include multiple vertical air direction vanes 25A, 25B. The vertical air direction vanes 25A, 25B are components that set (adjust) the direction of conditioned air in the vertical direction, and are also called vertical louvers. The vertical air direction vane 25A forms a first flow path C1 for the conditioned air, and the vertical air direction vane 25B forms a second flow path C2 for the conditioned air. The vertical air direction vanes 25A, 25B each have a shaft portion 41 and a plate portion 42.

The shaft portion 41 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape extending in the X direction. The shaft portion 41 is supported by the housing 21 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis Axl extending in the X direction. Note that the upper and lower air direction vanes 25A, 25B each have their own individual rotation axis Axl. The plate portion 42 protrudes from the shaft portion 41 in a direction generally perpendicular to the rotation axis Axl. The plate portion 42 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape extending in the X direction.

The vertical air deflector 25A is supported by a rotating shaft Axl, and the vertical air deflector motor 85 is controlled by the second control circuit 82, allowing it to move between the closed position Pc1 shown in FIG. 2 and the open position Po1 shown in FIG. 3. The vertical air deflector 25B is supported by a rotating shaft Axl, and the vertical air deflector motor 85 is controlled by the second control circuit 82, allowing it to move between the closed position Pc1 shown in FIG. 2 and the open position Po1 shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the vertical airflow direction vane 25A is switched to the closed position Pc1, it blocks the air outlet 33, which is the outlet of the first flow path C1. When the vertical airflow direction vane 25B is switched to the closed position Pc1, it blocks the air outlet 33, which is the outlet of the second flow path C2. The first flow path C1 and the second flow path C2 form the air outlet 33 of the indoor unit 10.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the vertical airflow direction flap 25A is switched to the open position Po1, it opens the first flow path C1. When the vertical airflow direction flap 25B is switched to the open position Po1, it opens the second flow path C2.

The open position Po1 includes various positions where the upper and lower air deflectors 25A, 25B open a portion of the air outlet 33. For example, the open position Po1 includes a position where the upper and lower air deflectors 25A, 25B face approximately horizontally, as shown in Figure 3, a position where the upper and lower air deflectors 25A, 25B face downward, and multiple positions between these two positions. In other words, the upper and lower air deflectors 25A, 25B can rotate between a position where they face approximately horizontally and a position where they face downward.

The vertical airflow direction vanes 25A, 25B positioned in the open position Po1 determine the vertical (+Z and -Z) direction of the air released from the air outlet 33 depending on the orientation of the vertical airflow direction vanes 25A, 25B. That is, as shown in Figure 3, when the vertical airflow direction vanes 25A, 25B are oriented substantially horizontally, the indoor unit 10 releases air in a substantially horizontal direction. On the other hand, when the vertical airflow direction vanes 25A, 25B are oriented downward, the indoor unit 10 releases air downward.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the vertical airflow direction vane 25A includes multiple (for example, two) vertical airflow direction vanes 25A1, 25A2. The two vertical airflow direction vanes 25A1, 25A2 are aligned in the left-right direction. The two vertical airflow direction vanes 25A are rotatable (movable) around the rotation axis Ax1 independently of each other. The two vertical airflow direction vanes 25A are driven by separate left-right airflow direction vane motors 86. In detail, in this embodiment, separate left-right airflow direction vane motors 86 are provided for the two vertical airflow direction vanes 25A1, 25A2 and one vertical airflow direction vane 25B. In other words, multiple left-right airflow direction vane motors 86 are provided (for example, three).

As shown in Figure 4, the left and right air deflectors 29 are supported by a rotation axis Ax2 (not shown) extending in the X direction, and the left and right air deflector motor 86 is controlled by the second control circuit 82, allowing them to move between a rotation position toward the -X end and a rotation position toward the +X end.

The left and right airflow direction vanes 29 may include multiple left and right airflow direction vanes 29-1 to 29-k, 29-(k+1) to 29-2k. The multiple left and right airflow direction vanes 29-1 to 29-k, 29-(k+1) to 29-2k are components that set (adjust) the direction of conditioned air in the left and right directions (-X direction, +X direction), respectively, and are also called left and right louvers. In this embodiment, the left and right airflow direction vanes 29-1 to 29-k on the -X side and the left and right airflow direction vanes 29-(k+1) to 29-2k on the +X side are driven independently by separate left and right airflow direction vane motors. In other words, the orientations of the left and right airflow direction vanes 29-1 to 29-k on the -X side and the left and right airflow direction vanes 29-(k+1) to 29-2k on the +X side can be independently controlled by the indoor unit control unit 80.

The left and right air deflectors 29-1 to 29-k on the -X side may be connected to a common rotation axis Ax2 (not shown), and the second control circuit 82 may control the left and right air deflector motor 86, allowing them to move together between the open position at the -X end and the open position at the +X end. The left and right air deflectors 29-(k+1) to 29-2k on the +X side may be connected to a common rotation axis Ax2 (not shown), and the second control circuit 82 may control the left and right air deflector motor 86, allowing them to move together between the open position at the -X end and the open position at the +X end.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 are provided. The multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 include airflow direction setting mechanism 202A and airflow direction setting mechanism 202B. Airflow direction setting mechanism 202A has up/down airflow direction flap 25A1 on the -X side, left/right airflow direction flap 29-1 to 29-k on the -X side, and up/down airflow direction flap motor 85 and left/right airflow direction flap motor 86 that drive them. Airflow direction setting mechanism 202B has up/down airflow direction flap 25A2 on the +X side, left/right airflow direction flap 29-(k+1) to 29-2k on the +X side, and up/down airflow direction flap motor 85 and left/right airflow direction flap motor 86 that drive them. The multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 configured in this way can each set the direction of the conditioned air blown into the room.

The ventilation member 26 shown in Figure 2 can be switched between a closed position Pc2 (sometimes referred to as a second closed position) and an open position Po2 (sometimes referred to as a second open position). The ventilation member 26 can be positioned in the closed position Pc2, which covers at least a portion of the outlet 33 (first flow path C1) opened by the vertical air direction vane 25A positioned in the open position Po1. The ventilation member 26 has an inner surface facing the ventilation passage 31 in the closed position Pc2 and an outer surface facing the outside in the closed position Pc2, and is provided with at least one ventilation port 56 opening on the inner and outer surfaces. In the closed position Pc2, the ventilation member 26 forms a first outlet flow path (first flow path C1) through which air blown by the fan 23 passes through the ventilation port 56 and is discharged to the outside, and a second outlet flow path (second flow path C2) that is adjacent to the first outlet flow path (first flow path C1) and is discharged to the outside without passing through the ventilation port 56. In other words, when switched to the closed position Pc2, the ventilation member 26 is inserted into part of the flow path of the conditioned air blown into the room, changing the aperture ratio of part of the flow path.

When the ventilation member 26 is switched to the open position Po2, it is released from part of the flow path (e.g., retracted from part of the flow path), and the opening ratio of that part of the flow path is returned to its original state.

In the air conditioning apparatus 1, when the auxiliary operation mode is switched to the windless mode, the indoor unit control unit 80 switches the ventilation member 26 to the closed position Pc2. With the ventilation member 26 switched to the closed position Pc2, it is selectively inserted into the first flow path C1, changing the opening rate of the first flow path C1. Meanwhile, the opening rate of the second flow path C2, which is opened and closed by the vertical air direction flap 25B where the ventilation member 26 is not present, remains unchanged. When the auxiliary operation mode is switched out of the windless mode, the indoor unit control unit 80 switches the ventilation member 26 to the open position Po2. With the ventilation member 26 switched to the open position Po2, it is retracted from the first flow path C1, and the opening rate of the first flow path C1 is restored to its original state.

For example, the ventilation member 26 can be opened and closed between the open position Po2 shown in Figure 3 and the closed position Pc2 shown in Figure 5. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the ventilation member 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the ventilation member 26 is switched to the open position Po2, it is housed in a recess 21c of the housing 21 provided near the air outlet 33. The recess 21c is recessed from the inner surface 21d of the housing 21, which forms part of the ventilation passage 31. When the ventilation member 26 is located in the open position Po2, being housed in the recess 21c prevents it from obstructing the air flowing through the first flow path C1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ventilation member 26 is inserted into the first flow path C1 while switched to the closed position Pc2, changing the aperture ratio of the first flow path C1. The aperture ratio of the first flow path C1 becomes smaller than before the ventilation member 26 was inserted. As shown in FIG. 6, the ventilation member 26 is a member having a plate-shaped plate portion 52 with multiple ventilation holes 56 arranged on it. The ventilation member 26 is supported by a shaft portion 51, and the switching motor 87 is controlled by the third control circuit 83, allowing it to move between the closed position Pc2 and the open position Po2. When moved to the closed position Pc2, as shown in FIG. 7, the air moved within the ventilation path 31 by the fan 23 passes through the ventilation holes 56 and changes into air W2a.

On the other hand, no ventilation member 26 is provided at the outlet 33 that forms the second flow path C2. The aperture ratio of the second flow path C2 remains unchanged. In other words, the wind released from the second flow path C2 becomes wind W1a (laminar flow) that does not pass through the ventilation member 26. As a result, wind W2a that passes through the ventilation member 26 provided in the first flow path C1 and wind W1a that passes through the second flow path C2, where no ventilation member 26 is provided, are formed adjacent to each other.

In this case, the flow speed of wind W2a increases as the opening ratio of the first flow path C1 decreases. As a result, wind W2a draws in wind W1a, causing wind W1a to hit wind W2a. Furthermore, wind W2a, which has transitioned to turbulent flow, diffuses and hits wind W1a flowing adjacent to wind W2a. In this way, winds W1a and W2a, which have different flow speeds and states (laminar flow or turbulent flow), flow next to each other and hit each other. In other words, wind W1a, which does not pass through ventilation member 26 (ventilation opening 56), and wind W2a, which has passed through ventilation member 26 (ventilation opening 56), interfere with each other.

When wind W1a and wind W2a collide with each other, for example, chunks of wind W1a and wind W2a are broken up, and turbulent wind W2a is carried by wind W1a. Wind W1a and wind W2a interact in various ways, generating turbulent flow Ws (mixed wind) that diffuses over a wide area. As a result, the turbulent flow Ws emitted from the indoor unit 10 is closer to natural wind (so-called wind without a wind-like sensation) than wind immediately after being emitted from the outlet 33. In this case, the ventilation member 26 only needs to be formed on either the first flow path C1 or the second flow path C2, which helps to prevent an increase in the number of parts, a complex configuration of the indoor unit 10, and cost increases. Furthermore, the ventilation member 26 has a simple structure equipped only with the ventilation port 56, which helps to prevent increases in cost and a decrease in the strength of the ventilation member 26.

Returning to Figure 1, radar 2 can detect the position, movement speed, angle, and shape (height from the floor, etc.) of a detection target (e.g., a living body CR) in a room. Radar 2 is a Doppler radar such as ultrasonic radar, millimeter-wave radar, microwave radar, or LIDAR. Radar 2 has a transmitter 2a, a receiver 2b, and a signal processor 2c. Radar 2 generates radio waves, such as millimeter waves and microwaves, sound waves, and light in the signal processor 2c and transmits them into the room from the transmitter 2a. Reflected waves from detection targets (living body CRs) that may be present in the room are received by the receiver 2b and passed to the signal processor 2c. Radar 2 is located anywhere on the front of the housing 21 of the indoor unit 10, but it is desirable to locate it in a position that makes it easy to detect the position of a detection target (living body CR) in the room. Radar 2 may be embedded in a position near the center of the X direction in the +Y side of the housing 21, as shown by the dotted lines in Figures 2 to 5. It is desirable that the transmitter 2a and receiver 2b be exposed from the surface of the housing 21, as shown in Figure 4. Details of the detection process by the radar 2 will be described later.

Figure 8 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing details of the indoor unit control unit 80 of the indoor unit 10 (air conditioning apparatus 1) configured as described above.

The CPU that constitutes the indoor unit control unit 80 reads control programs installed and stored in a non-volatile storage device such as ROM, and implements modules that perform various controls and calculations in accordance with the programs. The indoor unit control unit 80 includes modules such as an operation mode control unit 80a, a drive circuit control unit 80b, a radar control unit 80c, an air purification control unit 80f, a wind control unit 80g, and a temperature monitoring unit 80h. Each of these modules may be configured as hardware. Furthermore, each module may be integrated or separated by function.

The operation mode control unit 80a switches the indoor unit 10's operation modes between the "radar control mode" and "normal control mode" described above, as well as between cooling operation mode, heating operation mode, dehumidification operation mode, humidification operation mode, ventilation operation mode, air purification operation mode, etc. These switching operations are performed based on command signals from the operation terminal 94a operated by the user, or automatically based on the detection results of radar 2.

The drive circuit control unit 80b controls the first control circuit 81, second control circuit 82, and third control circuit 83 based on the operation mode switched by the operation mode control unit 80a and the position of the living body CR included in the detection target present in the room, and controls the operation of the fan 23, upper and lower air deflectors 25, left and right air deflectors 29, and ventilation member 26.

The radar control unit 80c controls the transmission and reception of the radar 2 (transmitter 2a, receiver 2b) and controls the signal processing unit 2c to obtain analysis results (detection results) of the transmitted and received waves. The radar 2 may enable detection processing after the indoor unit 10 is started by operation of the operation terminal 94a, or it may be configured to always wait in standby mode regardless of whether the indoor unit 10 is started, and then, for example, when it detects movement (motion) of an object (detection target) in an initially configured room, start up normally to obtain information such as the presence or absence of a detection target, the number of detection targets, and shape information of the detection target.

The air purification control unit 80f controls whether or not to perform air purification processing in room R, the efficiency of air purification, etc., depending on the detection status of living organisms CR in room R. The air purification control unit 80f controls the air purification unit 4, and performs air control processing using, for example, an electrostatic precipitator system. As mentioned above, the air purification unit 4 is equipped with a high-voltage discharge unit, etc., to charge contaminants such as dust contained in the air drawn in through the air intake 32. In this case, the air purification control unit 80f controls the fan motor 84 via the first control circuit 81 to adjust the strength of the fan 23, thereby adjusting the amount of air drawn in through the air intake 32 and thereby adjusting the air purification efficiency.

The airflow control unit 80g controls the direction and quality of the air (e.g., air conditioning air, heating air, etc.) blown out from the air outlet 33 depending on the presence of a detection target (living body CR) within the room R that can be detected by the radar 2. The airflow control unit 80g controls the vertical airflow direction motor 85 via the second control circuit 82 to control the left-right position of the vertical airflow direction flap 25. The airflow control unit 80g also controls the left-right airflow direction flap motor 86 via the left-right airflow direction flap motor 86 to control the left-right position of the left-right airflow direction flap 29. By combining the direction control of the vertical airflow direction flap 25 and the left-right airflow direction flap 29, the airflow control unit 80g can appropriately change the direction (arrival position) of the air blown out from the air outlet 33. In other words, the airflow control unit 80g can control multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 to set the direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 33.

For example, the airflow control unit 80g controls one of the airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 (one of the airflow direction setting mechanisms 202A and 202B) based on the detection results of the room temperature sensor 3B (temperature sensor) so that the airflow is directed toward the wall of the room. For example, during cooling operation, the airflow control unit 80g controls one of the airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 so that the airflow is directed toward a relatively hot wall. During heating operation, the airflow control unit 80g controls one of the airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 so that the airflow is directed toward a relatively cold wall. Furthermore, based on the detection results of the radar 2 (biological sensor), the airflow control unit 80g controls another of the airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 (the other of the airflow direction setting mechanisms 202A and 202B) so that the airflow is directed toward or away from the living CR. For example, the airflow control unit 80g controls the airflow direction setting mechanism 202 so that the airflow is always directed toward the living CR, thereby improving the feeling of coolness during cooling control, for example. Conversely, the wind control unit 80g can find a position where the living body CR is not present (absence area) and control the wind direction setting mechanism 202 to prevent the wind from blowing on the living body CR, thereby reducing the discomfort caused by direct wind blowing. The wind control unit 80g may also periodically change the direction of the wind to alternate between states where the wind blows and states where the wind does not blow.

An example of wind direction control by the wind control unit 80g will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is an exemplary and schematic side view showing a room in which an indoor unit according to an embodiment is installed. Figure 10 is an exemplary and schematic plan view showing a room in which an indoor unit according to an embodiment is installed.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the room R (space) in which the indoor unit 10 is installed is surrounded by multiple walls RW. The multiple walls RW include a ceiling wall RW1, a floor wall RW2, and multiple standing walls RW3 to RW6. In the example of Figures 9 and 10, the indoor unit 10 is attached to the standing wall RW3. The standing wall RW5 has a base portion RWa with a window RWb (opening) and window glass RWc inserted in the window RWb. In this case, the room temperature sensor 3B detects the temperatures (wall surfaces) of at least the ceiling wall RW1, the floor wall RW2, and the standing walls RW4 to RW6. The room temperature sensor 3B may also detect the temperature of the standing wall RW3. The airflow direction setting mechanism 202 sets the airflow direction for the floor wall RW2 and the standing walls RW4 to RW6. Note that the targets for setting the wind direction of the wind direction setting mechanism 202 may also include other walls (ceiling wall RW1, standing wall RW3).

In such a room R, for example, during the daytime in summer, sunlight increases the amount of heat in the window glass RWc, causing the temperature of the window glass RWc and, ultimately, the standing wall 5 to rise. As an example, if the room temperature sensor 3B detects that the temperature of the window glass RWc of the standing wall RW5 is the highest among the multiple walls RW, the airflow control unit 80g performs the following control. That is, the airflow control unit 80g controls the airflow direction setting mechanism 202B, whichever of the airflow direction setting mechanisms 202A and 202B is closer to the standing wall RW5, so that the airflow direction of the airflow direction setting mechanism 202B is toward the area of the standing wall RW5 with the highest temperature (e.g., the window glass RWc). This reduces the sensible heat temperature of the window glass RWc. In other words, the sensible heat of the window glass RWc of the standing wall RW5, which is a heat source within the room R, can be cooled.

In addition, the wind control unit 80g controls the wind direction setting mechanism 202A based on the detection results of the radar 2 so that the wind direction of the wind direction setting mechanism 202A is directed toward the living body CR. In addition, the wind control unit 80g may also control the wind direction setting mechanism 202A based on the detection results of the radar 2 so that the wind direction of the wind direction setting mechanism 202A is directed toward the living body CR and away from the living body CR.

Here, in dehumidification mode, the control unit 200 controls the refrigerant circuit so that the temperature of the air blown into room R is lower than the temperature set by the operation terminal 94a. In this case, in the example shown in Figures 9 and 10, air drawn into the indoor unit 10 is cooled and dehumidified through heat exchange in the heat exchanger 22. The cooled air is then blown toward the vertical wall RW5 (window glass RWc), where it is heated by hitting the vertical wall RW5 (window glass RWc) and diffused into room R. This dehumidifies the air in room R. In other words, so-called reheat dehumidification is performed. This reheat dehumidification uses the sensible heat of the wall RW, thereby minimizing increases in electricity costs. Furthermore, since the air from which moisture has been removed by the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 10 can be heated by the relatively high temperature of the vertical wall RW, dehumidification can be performed without excessively lowering the temperature in room R. Note that the temperature of the blown-out cool air may be adjusted depending on the temperature of the vertical wall RW5. Additionally, if the temperature of the standing wall RW5 drops due to cold air hitting it, the wind direction is set so that the wind is blown onto other walls RW that are warmer.

The temperature monitoring unit 80h controls the operation mode control unit 80a based on the temperature (room temperature) provided by the room temperature sensor 3, and can perform at least air conditioning control (control of the heat exchange mode) regardless of operation of the operation terminal 94a. For example, if radar 2 detects a living CR in room R and the temperature monitoring unit 80h detects that the room temperature deviates from a predetermined temperature, e.g., reaches 32°C or higher, the indoor unit 10 initiates air conditioning control regardless of operation of the operation terminal 94a. For example, even if the living CR is a child, infant, or pediatrician who is unable to determine an appropriate room temperature or operate the operation terminal 94a, or even if the living CR is an adult and unable to determine an appropriate room temperature or operate the operation terminal 94a due to illness, the temperature in room R (indoor) can be maintained appropriately. In particular, automatic air conditioning control is effective in preventing heatstroke and other issues (reducing strain on the living CR). When a living body CR is detected and the room temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the temperature monitoring unit 80h cooperates with the airflow control unit 80g to blow air toward the detected living body CR for a predetermined time after the start of cooling control, thereby efficiently lowering the body temperature. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the airflow direction may be changed to a direction where the living body CR is not present, or control may be switched to windless control. In this case, the temperature burden on the living body CR can be effectively reduced, and once it is determined that the burden on the living body CR has been reduced, it becomes easier to provide a more comfortable environment in the room R for the living body CR.

The temperature monitoring unit 80h may also be configured to automatically perform heating control (control of the heat exchange mode) when the room temperature falls below a predetermined temperature. In this case, as with cooling control, it is possible to automatically maintain a comfortable room temperature.

As described above, the air conditioning apparatus 1 of this embodiment comprises multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202, a room temperature sensor 3B (room temperature sensor 3B), radar 2 (biological sensor), and a control unit 200. Each of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 can set the direction of the conditioned air blown into room R. The room temperature sensor 3B detects the temperature of the wall RW within room R. More specifically, the room temperature sensor 3B detects the temperature of the wall surface of the wall RW. The radar 2 detects living organisms CR within room R. The control unit 200 controls some of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 based on the detection results of the room temperature sensor 3B so that the airflow is directed toward the wall RW. Furthermore, the control unit 200 controls other parts of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 based on the detection results of radar 2 so that the airflow is directed toward or away from the living organism CR.

With this configuration, the airflow direction of some of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 is directed toward the wall RW, and the airflow direction of other parts of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 is directed toward or away from the living body CR. This makes it possible to control the airflow toward the living body CR in room R while suppressing unevenness in the temperature distribution within room R.

In the air conditioning unit 1, for example, the control unit 200 controls some of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 so that the airflow direction is directed toward an area of the wall RW where the airflow direction can be set and where the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 3B is the highest (e.g., the window glass RWc).

This configuration further reduces uneven temperature distribution within room R.

The air conditioning unit 1 includes, for example, a refrigerant circuit 201. The refrigerant circuit 201 conditions the air. In dehumidification mode, the control unit 200 controls the refrigerant circuit 201 so that the temperature of the air blown into room R is lower than a set temperature.

This configuration improves the dehumidification efficiency within room R.

Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described. In this modification, the control unit 200 controls some of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 so that the airflow is directed toward the area of the wall RW that has been preset as the airflow target and that has the highest temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 3B (for example, the window glass RWc). The airflow target is, for example, the vertical walls RW4 to RW6. In this case, even if the ceiling wall RW1 or floor wall RW2 has the highest temperature among the walls RW, the ceiling wall RW1 and floor wall RW2 are not the airflow target, so the airflow direction is not set toward the ceiling wall RW1 or floor wall RW2. Note that the airflow target may also include the ceiling wall RW1 and floor wall RW2.

This configuration makes it easier to simplify the wind direction control process performed by the control unit 200.

Second Embodiment
Fig. 11 is a front view exemplarily and schematically showing the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 12 is a side view exemplarily and schematically showing the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment.

11 and 12, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the indoor unit 10 has multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202. The airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 in this embodiment are punker louvers. The punker louvers can change the airflow direction up, down, left, or right of the punker louvers. The airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 are distributed across the two side walls 21g, 21h and the connecting section 21i of the housing 21 of the indoor unit 10. The airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 provided on the side walls 21g, 21h can set the airflow direction within a range that includes the sides (left or right) of the housing 21. The airflow direction setting mechanism 202 provided on the connecting section 21i can set the airflow direction within a range that includes the front of the housing 21. Each of the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 is also provided with a blower fan 220 (see FIG. 14). This allows the airflow volume to be adjusted for each airflow direction setting mechanism 202. For example, the air volume may be increased as the temperature increases. Furthermore, when the temperature of the living body CR is relatively high (e.g., when the body is flushed), the air volume may be increased, and when the temperature of the living body CR is relatively low (e.g., when the body is sleeping), the air volume may be decreased. It is not necessary to provide an individual airflow fan 220 for each airflow direction setting mechanism 202; instead, a single common fan (e.g., a fan similar to fan 23 in the first embodiment) may be provided, and the opening of the airflow direction setting mechanism 202 (panker louver) may be adjustable.

The airflow direction setting mechanism 202 has a support portion 205 and a louver portion 210 that is rotatably (possibly changeable) supported on the support portion 205. A motor is provided for each airflow direction setting mechanism 202 to drive the airflow direction setting mechanism 202.

Figure 13 is a front view showing, in an exemplary and schematic manner, the airflow direction setting mechanism 202 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 in the second embodiment. Figure 14 is a diagram showing, in an exemplary and schematic manner, an example of the flow of air blown out from the airflow direction setting mechanism 202 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 in the second embodiment.

As shown in Figure 13, the louver portion 210 of the airflow direction setting mechanism 202 has an outer cylindrical portion 211, an inner cylindrical portion 212, and multiple plate portions 213. The inner cylindrical portion 212 is located inside the outer cylindrical portion 211. The multiple plate portions 213 extend radially from the inner cylindrical portion 212 to the outer cylindrical portion 211. Air passing through the cylindrical holes 212a of the inner cylindrical portion 212 becomes turbulent. This can generate a turbulent flow. Furthermore, air passing through the spaces 213a between the plate portions 213 becomes a laminar flow. When the turbulent air and the laminar air meet, the air flow diffuses and moves over a larger surface area, allowing air to be blown over a wider area. Figure 14 shows the air flow.

Figure 15 is an exemplary schematic plan view showing a room R in which an indoor unit 10 according to the second embodiment is installed. As shown in Figure 15, in this embodiment, the indoor unit 10 is attached to a vertical wall RW5. In addition, a room temperature sensor 3B is installed in a position separate from the indoor unit 10 within the room R. As an example, the room temperature sensor 3B is attached to a vertical wall RW6.

The example in Figure 15 shows a case where the detection result of the room temperature sensor 3B indicates that the temperature of the window glass RWc of the vertical wall RW5 is the highest among the multiple walls RW. The airflow control unit 80g performs the following control. That is, the airflow control unit 80g controls the airflow direction setting mechanism 202B so that the airflow direction of the airflow direction setting mechanism 202 closest to the vertical wall RW5 (the airflow direction setting mechanism 202 of the side wall 21h) is directed toward the vertical wall RW5. This reduces the sensible heat temperature of the window glass RWc. Furthermore, based on the detection result of the radar 2, the airflow control unit 80g controls the airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 so that the airflow direction of one or more of the other airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 is directed toward the living body CR. Note that the airflow control unit 80g may also control the other airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 so that the airflow direction of the airflow direction setting mechanism 202 is directed toward the living body CR and away from the living body CR, based on the detection result of the radar 2.

As described above, in this embodiment, the indoor unit 10 has multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 and a housing 21 that supports the multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202, and is installed in room R. The housing 21 has two side walls 21g, 21h and a connecting portion 21i that spans the two side walls 21g, 21h. The multiple airflow direction setting mechanisms 202 are provided on the side walls 21g, 21h and the connecting portion 21i. Note that the airflow direction setting mechanism 202 may be provided on only one of the side walls 21g, 21h.

With this configuration, the air blown out from the indoor unit 10 can be sent over a wide area of the room R. This further reduces unevenness in the temperature distribution within the room R.

Figure 16 is an exemplary schematic side view showing a room R in which an indoor unit 10 according to a first modified example of the second embodiment is installed. As shown in Figure 16, in this embodiment, the indoor unit 10 is attached to a vertical wall RW4. In addition, a room temperature sensor 3B is installed in a position separate from the indoor unit 10 within the room R. As an example, the room temperature sensor 3B is attached to the vertical wall RW3.

In dehumidification mode, the control unit 200 controls the refrigerant circuit 201 so that the temperature of the air blown into room R is lower than the temperature set by the operation terminal 94a. In this case, in the example of Figure 16, the air drawn into the indoor unit 10 is cooled and moisture is removed by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 22. The cooled air is then blown out toward the ceiling wall RW1, where it is heated as it hits the ceiling wall RW1 and diffuses into room R. This dehumidifies the air in room R.

As described above, in this modified example, at least one of the room temperature sensor 3B and the radar 2 (for example, the room temperature sensor 3B) is installed in a position separate from the indoor unit 10 in room R.

This configuration allows for greater flexibility in installing the room temperature sensor 3B. For example, the room temperature sensor 3B can be installed in a location that allows it to detect almost the entire room R (a wide area). This improves the detection accuracy of the room temperature sensor 3B.

Note that both the room temperature sensor 3B and the radar 2 may be installed in a location separate from the indoor unit 10 within room R, or the radar 2 may be installed in a location separate from the indoor unit 10 within room R.

Figure 17 is an exemplary schematic plan view showing a room R in which an indoor unit 10 is installed in a second modified example of the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 17, in this modified example, the multiple walls RW of the room R include a ceiling wall RW1, a floor wall RW2, and multiple standing walls RW3 to RW6, as well as standing walls RW7 and RW8. The indoor unit 10 is attached to the standing wall RW5. In addition, a room temperature sensor 3B is installed in a position separate from the indoor unit 10 within the room R. As an example, one room temperature sensor 3B is attached to the standing wall RW6, and the other room temperature sensor 3B is provided on the standing wall RW3. In this modified example, the room temperature and the temperature of the wall RW are determined from the detection results of both room temperature sensors 3B.

In the above-described embodiment, the air conditioning unit 1 was described assuming, for example, a residential air conditioning unit, but the configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to various types of air conditioning units 1. For example, the configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to commercial (store, etc.) air conditioning units, and similar effects can be obtained.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but the above embodiment is merely an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiment can be implemented in various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above embodiment is included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

1...air conditioning unit, 2...radar (biometric sensor), 3B...room temperature sensor (temperature sensor), 10...indoor unit, 21...housing, 21g, 21h...side walls, 21i...bridge section, 200...controller, 201...refrigerant circuit, 202, 202A, 202B...airflow direction setting mechanism, R...room, RW...wall, RW1...ceiling wall, RW2...floor wall, RW3-RW8...standing wall, RWc...window glass (area).

Claims (5)

a plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms each capable of setting the direction of the conditioned air blown into the room;
a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a wall inside the room;
a biological sensor that detects a living body in the room;
a control unit that controls some of the plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms based on the detection result of the temperature sensor so that the airflow direction is directed toward the wall, and controls other parts of the plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms based on the detection result of the biological sensor so that the airflow direction is directed toward the living body or away from the living body;
Equipped with
the control unit controls the part of the plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms so that the airflow direction is directed toward an area of the wall where the airflow direction can be set and where the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is the highest.
Air conditioning equipment. a plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms each capable of setting the direction of the conditioned air blown into the room;
a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a wall inside the room;
a biological sensor that detects a living body in the room;
a control unit that controls some of the plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms based on the detection result of the temperature sensor so that the airflow direction is directed toward the wall, and controls other parts of the plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms based on the detection result of the biological sensor so that the airflow direction is directed toward the living body or away from the living body;
Equipped with
The control unit controls some of the plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms so that the airflow direction is directed toward an area of the wall that has been set as an airflow target in advance and that has the highest temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
Air conditioning equipment. an indoor unit having the plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms and installed in the room;
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein at least one of the temperature sensor and the biological sensor is installed in a position in the room separate from the indoor unit. a refrigerant circuit for conditioning the air;
The control unit controls the refrigerant circuit in a dehumidification mode so that the temperature of the air blown into the room is lower than a set temperature.
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . an indoor unit having the plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms and a housing supporting the plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms, the indoor unit being installed in the room;
the housing has two side walls and a connecting portion extending between the two side walls,
The plurality of airflow direction setting mechanisms are provided on at least one of the side walls and the connecting portion.
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 .