U.S. patent application number 13/196991 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-09 for indoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus and air-conditioning apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Tomoya FUKUI, Kunihiko KAGA, Takashi MATSUMOTO, Satoshi MICHIHATA, Takeshi MORI, Kenichi SAKODA, Mitsuhiro SHIROTA, Shinichi SUZUKI, Akira TAKAMORI, Yoshinori TANIKAWA, Shoji YAMADA.
Application Number | 20120031983 13/196991 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44735809 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120031983 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHIROTA; Mitsuhiro ; et
al. |
February 9, 2012 |
INDOOR UNIT OF AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS AND AIR-CONDITIONING
APPARATUS
Abstract
An indoor unit includes: a casing formed with a suction port and
a blow-out port; a plurality of fans provided in parallel in the
casing; a heat exchanger provided on the downstream side of the
fans and on the upstream side of the blow-out port; a horizontal
wind direction control vane provided at the blow-out port to
control the horizontal direction of an airflow blown out from the
blow-out port; a vertical wind direction control vane provided at
the blow-out port to control the vertical direction of the airflow
blown out from the blow-out port; and an infrared ray human
detection sensor configured to detect the position of a person
present in a room, and air volumes, the orientation of the
horizontal wind direction control vane, and the orientation of the
vertical wind direction control vane of the fans are each
controlled according to results of detection by the infrared ray
sensor.
Inventors: |
SHIROTA; Mitsuhiro; (Tokyo,
JP) ; FUKUI; Tomoya; (Tokyo, JP) ; YAMADA;
Shoji; (Tokyo, JP) ; SAKODA; Kenichi; (Tokyo,
JP) ; KAGA; Kunihiko; (Tokyo, JP) ; MORI;
Takeshi; (Tokyo, JP) ; MICHIHATA; Satoshi;
(Tokyo, JP) ; TAKAMORI; Akira; (Tokyo, JP)
; SUZUKI; Shinichi; (Tokyo, JP) ; TANIKAWA;
Yoshinori; (Tokyo, JP) ; MATSUMOTO; Takashi;
(Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation
Chiyoda-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
44735809 |
Appl. No.: |
13/196991 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
236/49.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/30 20180101;
F24F 1/0033 20130101; F24F 11/79 20180101; F24F 1/0011 20130101;
F24F 13/14 20130101; F24F 2120/10 20180101; F24F 1/0029
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/49.3 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/007 20060101
F24F007/007 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 4, 2010 |
JP |
2010-175336 |
Claims
1. An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus comprising: a
casing having a suction port formed in an upper portion and a
blow-out port formed on a lower side of a front surface portion; a
plurality of axial-flow or mixed-flow fans provided in parallel on
the downstream side of the suction port in the casing; a heat
exchanger provided on the downstream side of the fans and on the
upstream side of the blow-out port in the casing and configured to
exchange heat between air blown out from the fans and a
refrigerant; a horizontal wind direction control vane provided at
the blow-out port and configured to control a horizontal direction
of an airflow blown out from the blow-out port; a vertical wind
direction control vane provided at the blow-out port and configured
to control a vertical direction of the airflow blown out from the
blow-out port; and a human detection sensor configured to detect a
position of a person present in a room, wherein air volume, an
orientation of the horizontal wind direction control vane, and an
orientation of the vertical wind direction control vane of the fans
are each controlled according to detected results of the human
detection sensor.
2. The indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the horizontal wind direction control vane is divided into
a plurality of horizontal wind direction control vanes, the
vertical wind direction control vane is divided into the same
number of vanes as the horizontal wind direction control vane, and
the divided horizontal wind direction control vanes and the
vertical wind direction control vanes are controlled in terms of
orientation individually.
3. The indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus of claim 2,
wherein the horizontal wind direction control vane and the vertical
wind direction control vane are divided into the same number of
parts as the number of the fans.
4. The indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
wherein when there is a place where intensive air-conditioning is
desired in a room, the air volume of a fan closest to the
corresponding place is increased.
5. The indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
wherein when there is a place where avoidance of the airflow blown
out from the blow-out port is desired in the room, the air volume
of a fan closest to the corresponding place is decreased.
6. An air-conditioning apparatus comprising the indoor unit of the
air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an indoor unit having a fan
and a heat exchanger housed in a casing and an air-conditioning
apparatus having the indoor unit.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Conventionally, an air-conditioning apparatus (more
specifically, an indoor unit) having a vertical wind direction
control vane divided into three parts and a horizontal wind
direction control vane and configured to control the direction of
an airflow blown out from a blow-out port using the vertical wind
direction control vane divided into three parts and the horizontal
wind direction control vane has been proposed. More specifically,
two parts of the vertical wind direction control vane other than
the central part are controlled in the closing direction of the
blow-out port and the horizontal wind direction control vane is
controlled to throttle the airflow blown out from the blow-out
port, so that the velocity of the airflow blown out from the center
of the blow-out port is increased. Accordingly, people present in a
room are provided with more comfort (for example, see Japanese
Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-153428).
[0005] The conventional air-conditioning apparatus controls the
direction of the airflow blown out from the blow-out port using
only the vertical wind direction control vane divided into three
parts and the horizontal wind direction control vane. Therefore,
distribution of airflows different in air volume individually to
different places in the room were unfortunately not possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In order to solve the above-described problem, it is an
object of the invention to provide an indoor unit of an
air-conditioning apparatus, which is capable of distributing
airflows different in air volume individually to different places
in a room, and an air-conditioning apparatus having such an indoor
unit.
[0007] An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to
the invention includes: a casing having a suction port formed on an
upper portion and a blow-out port formed on a lower side of a front
surface portion; a plurality of axial-flow or mixed-flow fans
provided in parallel on the downstream side of the suction port in
the casing; a heat exchanger provided on the downstream side of
each fans and on the upstream side of each blow-out port in the
casing and configured to exchange heat between air blown out from
the fan and a refrigerant; a horizontal wind direction control vane
provided at the blow-out port and configured to control the
horizontal direction of an airflow blown out from the blow-out
port; a vertical wind direction control vane provided at the
blow-out port and configured to control the vertical direction of
the airflow blown out from the blow-out port; and a human detection
sensor configured to detect the position of a person present in a
room, in which the air volume, the orientation of the horizontal
wind direction control vane, and the orientation of the vertical
wind direction control vane of each of the fans are each controlled
according to detected results of the human detection sensor.
[0008] The air-conditioning apparatus according to the invention
includes the indoor unit described above.
[0009] According to the invention, the situation in the room (for
example, where a person is present) can be detected by the human
detection sensor. Then, by controlling the air volume, the
orientation of the horizontal wind direction control vane, and the
orientation of the vertical wind direction control vane of each of
the fans according to detected results of the human detection
sensor, airflows of different air volumes can be distributed
individually to different places in the room. Controlling each air
volume of the fans does not mean to differ each of the air volumes
of each fans. As a matter of course, the air volumes of some fans
may be the same.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating an
indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of
the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the
indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the indoor unit
according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an explanatory drawing illustrating each light
distribution view angles of light-receiving elements in an infrared
ray sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a housing for
accommodating the infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1 of
the invention.
[0016] FIG. 7A is an explanatory drawing illustrating a turning
state of the infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 7B is an explanatory drawing illustrating another
turning state of the infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1
of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 7C is an explanatory drawing illustrating still another
turning state of the infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1
of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an explanatory drawing illustrating vertical light
distribution view angles in a vertical cross section of the
infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 9 shows an example of heat image data obtained by the
infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1.
[0021] FIG. 10 shows an example in which the indoor unit according
to Embodiment 1 divides a floor surface area in a room into a
plurality of area blocks.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the
indoor unit according to Embodiment 2 of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the indoor unit
according to Embodiment 2 of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the
indoor unit according to Embodiment 3 of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the indoor unit
according to Embodiment 3 of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the indoor unit according
to Embodiment 1 of the invention when viewed from the front right
side.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the indoor unit according
to Embodiment 1 of the invention when viewed from the rear right
side.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the indoor unit according
to Embodiment 1 of the invention when viewed from the front left
side.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a drain pan
according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a
dew condensation forming position of the indoor unit according to
Embodiment 1 of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 20 is a configuration drawing illustrating a signal
processing device according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating
another example of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning
apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Hereinafter, detailed embodiments of an air-conditioning
apparatus according to the invention (more specifically, an indoor
unit of the air-conditioning apparatus) will be described. In the
following embodiments, the invention will be described with a wall
indoor unit taken as an example. In the drawings showing respective
embodiments, part of the shapes or the sizes of each units (or the
components of each units) may be different.
Embodiment 1
<Basic Configuration>
[0034] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating an
indoor unit (referred to as "indoor unit 100") of an
air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the
invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the indoor
unit shown in FIG. 1. In the description of Embodiment 1 and other
embodiments described later, the left side in FIG. 1 is defined as
the front side of the indoor unit 100. Referring now to FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2, a configuration of the indoor unit 100 will be
described.
(General Configuration)
[0035] The indoor unit 100 supplies air-conditioned air to an area
to be air-conditioned such as an indoor space by utilizing a
refrigerating cycle circulating a refrigerant. The indoor unit 100
mainly includes a casing 1 formed with suction ports 2 for taking
in indoor air and a blow-out port 3 for supplying air-conditioned
air to the area to be air-conditioned, fans 20 housed in the casing
1 and configured to take in the indoor air from the suction ports 2
and blow out the air-conditioned air from the blow-out port 3, and
heat exchangers 50 disposed in air paths from the fans 20 to the
blow-out port 3 and configured to generate the air-conditioned air
by heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air. In
these components, each of the air paths (an arrow Z in FIG. 1)
communicates with the interior of the casing 1. The suction ports 2
are formed so as to open at an upper portion of the casing 1. The
blow-out port 3 is formed so as to open at a lower portion of the
casing 1 (more specifically, on the lower side of a front surface
portion of the casing 1). The fans 20 are each disposed on the
downstream side of the suction ports 2 and the upstream side of the
heat exchangers 50, and, for example, axial-flow fans or mixed-flow
fans are employed.
[0036] The indoor unit 100 is provided with a control device 281
configured to control the rotation speeds of the fans 20, the
orientations (angles) of a later described vertical wind direction
control vane 70 and a horizontal wind direction control vane 80 (if
an auxiliary vertical wind direction control vane 71, described
later, is provided, the auxiliary vertical wind direction control
vane 71 is also included), and so on. In some cases, illustration
of the control device 281 may be omitted in drawings illustrating
Embodiment 1 and other embodiments described later.
[0037] Since the fans 20 are provided on the upstream side of the
heat exchangers 50 in the indoor unit 100 as configured above,
generation of a swirl flow of air blown out from the blow-out port
3 and occurrence of variation in wind velocity distribution can be
restrained in comparison with the indoor unit of the conventional
air-conditioning apparatus having the fan 20 at the blow-out port
3. Therefore, blowing of comfortable air to the area to be
air-conditioned is achieved. Since no complex structure such as a
fan is provided at the blow-out port 3, measures against dew
condensation formed at a boundary between warm air and cool air at
the time of a cooling operation can easily be implemented. In
addition, since a fan motor 30 is not exposed to air-conditioned
air, namely, cool air or warm air, a long operational life can be
provided.
(Fan)
[0038] In general, the indoor unit of the air-conditioning
apparatus has limitations in terms of installation space, so the
fan cannot be increased in size in many cases. Therefore, in order
to obtain a desired air volume, a plurality of fans of moderate
sizes are arranged in parallel. In the indoor unit 100 according to
Embodiment 1, three fans 20 are arranged in parallel along the
longitudinal direction of the casing 1 (that is, along the
longitudinal direction of the blow-out port 3) as shown in FIG. 2.
In order to obtain a desired heat-exchange capacity with the indoor
unit of the air-conditioning apparatus having typical dimensions,
three to four fans 20 are preferably provided. In the indoor unit
according to Embodiment 1, substantially equivalent air volumes can
be obtained from all of the fans 20 by configuring all of the fans
20 to have an identical shape and so as to operate all with the
same rotation speed.
[0039] In this configuration, by combining the number, the shape,
and the size of the fans 20 according to the required air volume
and the air-flow resistance in the interior of the indoor unit 100,
an optimal fan design for the indoor units 100 having various
specifications is achieved.
(Bell Mouth)
[0040] In the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1, a
duct-like bell mouth 5 is arranged around each of the fans 20. The
bell mouth 5 is intended to guide intake air into and exhaust air
out of the fans smoothly. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the bell
mouth 5 according to Embodiment 1 has a substantially circular
shape in plan view. In the vertical cross section, the bell mouth 5
according to Embodiment 1 has the following shape. An end portion
of an upper portion 5a has a substantially circular arc shape
extending outward and upward. A center portion 5b is a straight
portion of the bell mouth 5, having a constant diameter. An end
portion of a lower portion 5c has a substantially circular arc
shape extending outward and downward. An end portion (a circular
arc portion on the suction side) of the upper portion 5a of the
bell mouth 5 forms the suction port 2.
[0041] The bell mouth 5 may be formed integrally with, for example,
the casing 1 in order to reduce the number of components and
improve the strength. It is also possible, for example, to improve
maintainability by modularizing the bell mouth 5, the fan 20, and
the fan motor 30 so as to be detachably attachable to the casing
1.
[0042] In Embodiment 1, the end portion (the circular arc portion
on the suction side) of the upper portion 5a of the bell mouth 5 is
formed so as to have a uniform shape in terms of the
circumferential direction of an opening surface of the bell mouth
5. In other words, the bell mouth 5 does not have structures such
as a notch or a rib in the direction of rotation about an axis of
rotation 20a of the fan 20, and has a uniform shape in terms of
axial symmetry.
[0043] With the configuration of the bell mouth 5 as described
above, the end portion (the circular arc portion on the suction
side) of the upper portion 5a of the bell mouth 5 has a uniform
shape with respect to the rotation of the fan 20, and hence a
uniform flow of the suction flow of the fan 20 is also realized.
Therefore, the noise generated by a drift of the suction flow of
the fan 20 can be decreased.
(Partitioning Panel)
[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 100 according to
Embodiment 1 is provided with partitioning panels 90 between the
adjacent fans 20. These partitioning panels 90 are installed
between the heat exchangers 50 and the fans 20. In other words, the
air paths between the heat exchangers 50 and the fans 20 are
divided into a plurality of air paths (three in Embodiment 1). The
partitioning panels 90 are arranged between the heat exchangers 50
and the fans 20, so each end portion that is in contact with the
heat exchanger 50 has a shape conforming to the shape of the heat
exchanger 50. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the heat
exchanger 50 is arranged so as to form a substantially A-shape in a
vertical cross section from the front side to the back side of the
indoor unit 100 (that is, the vertical cross section when viewing
the indoor unit 100 from the right side, referred to as "right
vertical cross-section", hereinafter). Therefore, an end portion of
each of the partitioning panels 90 on the side of the heat
exchanger 50 also has a substantially A-shape.
[0045] The position of an end portion of each of the partitioning
panels 90 on the side of the fan 20 may be determined as follows,
for example. When the adjacent fans 20 are positioned sufficiently
away from each other to avoid influencing each other on the suction
side, the end portion of each of the partitioning panels 90 on the
side of the fan 20 may need only be extend to an exit surface of
the fan 20. However, in a case where the adjacent fans 20 are as
near to each other to influence each other on the suction side and,
in addition, in a case where the shape of the end portion (the
circular arc portion on the suction side) of the upper portion 5a
of the bell mouth 5 can be formed sufficiently large, the end
portion of each of the partitioning panels 90 on the side of the
fan 20 may extend up to the upstream side of the fan 20 (the
suction side) so that the adjacent air paths do not influence each
other (the adjacent fans 20 do not influence each other on the
suction side).
[0046] The partitioning panels 90 may be formed of various
materials. For example, the partitioning panels 90 may be formed of
a metal such as steel or aluminum. Also, for example, the
partitioning panels 90 may be formed of a resin. When the
partitioning panels 90 are formed of a material with a low melting
point such as a resin, however, since the heat exchangers 50 are
heated to high temperatures at the time of a heating operation,
formation of slight spaces between the partitioning panels 90 and
the heat exchangers 50 is recommended. When the partitioning panels
90 are formed of a material with a high melting point such as
aluminum or steel, the partitioning panels 90 may be arranged so as
to be in contact with the respective heat exchangers 50. If the
heat exchangers 50 are, for example, fin and tube heat exchangers,
the partitioning panels 90 may be inserted between the fins of the
heat exchangers 50.
[0047] As described above, the air path between the heat exchangers
50 and the fans 20 is divided into a plurality of air paths (three
in Embodiment 1). It is also possible to reduce the noise generated
in the ducts by providing sound-absorbing materials in these air
paths, that is, on the partitioning panels 90 or in the casing
1.
[0048] The divided air paths are each formed into a substantially
square shape of L1.times.L2. In other words, the widths of the
divided air paths are L1 and L2. Therefore, the air volume
generated by the fan 20 installed in the interior of the
substantially square shape of L1.times.L2, for example, reliably
passes through the heat exchanger 50 surrounded by an area defined
by L1 and L2 on the downstream side of the fan 20.
[0049] By dividing the air path in the casing 1 into the plurality
of air paths as described above, even when the flow field which is
generated by the fan 20 on the downstream side has a swirling
component, air blown out from each of the fans 20 is prevented from
moving freely in the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 100
(the direction orthogonal to the plane of the paper of FIG. 1).
Therefore, the air blown out from the fan 20 can be made to pass
through the heat exchanger 50 in the area defined by L1 and L2 on
the downstream side of the fan 20. Consequently, variations in air
volume distribution of the air flowing into all the heat exchangers
50 in the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 100 (the
direction orthogonal to the plane of the paper of FIG. 1) is
restrained, so that a high heat exchanging capacity can be
provided. Furthermore, by partitioning the interior of the casing 1
by using the partitioning panels 90, the mutual interference of the
swirl flows generated by the adjacent fans 20 can be prevented
between the fans 20 adjacent to each other. Therefore, an energy
loss of fluid due to the mutual interference of the swirl flows can
be prevented, and hence reduction of a pressure loss in the indoor
unit 100 is possible in addition to the improvement in the wind
velocity distribution. Each of the partitioning panels 90 does not
necessarily have to be formed of a single plate, and may be made up
of a plurality of plates. For example, the partitioning panel 90
may be divided into two parts on the side of a front heat exchanger
51 and on the side of a back side heat exchanger 55. Needless to
say, it is preferable that no gap be formed at a joint portion
between the respective plates which constitute the partitioning
panel 90. By dividing the partitioning panel 90 into a plurality of
plates, assemblability of the partitioning panels 90 is
improved.
(Fan Motor)
[0050] The fan 20 is driven and rotated by the fan motor 30. The
fan motor 30 to be used may be either of an inner-rotor type or an
outer-rotor type. In the case of the fan motor 30 of the
outer-rotor type, a motor having a structure in which a rotor is
integrated with a boss 21 of the fan 20 (the rotor is held by the
boss 21) is also employed. By setting the dimensions of the fan
motor 30 to be smaller than the dimensions of the boss 21 of the
fan 20, loss of airflow generated by the fan 20 can be prevented.
In addition, by disposing the motor in the interior of the boss 21,
an axial dimension can also be reduced. With the easily detachable
and attachable structure of the fan motor 30 and the fan 20,
cleanability is also improved.
[0051] By using a Brushless DC motor which is relatively high in
cost as the fan motor 30, improvement in efficiency, elongation of
service life, and improvement in controllability are achieved.
Needless to say, however, a primary function of an air-conditioning
apparatus is achieved even when motors of other types are
employed.
[0052] A circuit for driving the fan motor 30 may be integrated
with the fan motor 30, or may be provided externally for
dust-proofing measures and fire prevention measures.
[0053] The fan motor 30 is attached to the casing 1 using a motor
stay 16. In addition, by configuring the fan motor 30 to be of a
box-type fan motor (in which the fan 20, a housing, and the fan
motor 30 are integrally modularized) used for cooling a CPU and
configuring the fan motor 30 so as to be detachably attached to the
motor stay 16, maintainability can be improved, and accuracy of tip
clearance of the fan 20 can also be improved.
[0054] A drive circuit of the fan motor 30 may be provided either
in the interior of or on the exterior of the fan motor 30.
(Motor Stay)
[0055] The motor stay 16 is provided with a fixing member 17 and
supporting members 18. The fixing member 17 is a member to which
the fan motor 30 is attached. The supporting members 18 are members
configured to fix the fixing member 17 to the casing 1. The
supporting members 18 are, for example, rod-shaped members, and
extend, for example, radially from an outer peripheral portion of
the fixing member 17. As shown in FIG. 1, the supporting members 18
according to Embodiment 1 are extend approximately
horizontally.
(Heat Exchanger)
[0056] The heat exchangers 50 of the indoor unit 100 according to
Embodiment 1 are arranged on the downstream sides of the fans 20.
Fin and tube heat exchangers are preferably used as the heat
exchangers 50. The heat exchangers 50 are each divided by a line of
symmetry 50a in the right vertical cross section as shown in FIG.
1. The line of symmetry 50a divides the area substantially in the
center in the horizontal direction of which the heat exchanger 50
is installed in this cross section. In other words, the front side
heat exchanger 51 is arranged on the front side (the left side in
the plane of the paper in FIG. 1) with respect to the line of
symmetry 50a and the back side heat exchanger 55 is arranged on the
back side (the right side in the plane of the paper in FIG. 1) with
respect to the line of symmetry 50a, respectively. The front side
heat exchanger 51 and the back side heat exchanger 55 are arranged
in the casing 1 so that the distance between the front side heat
exchanger 51 and the back side heat exchanger 55 increases in the
direction of an air current, that is, so that the cross-sectional
shape of the heat exchanger 50 forms a substantially inverted
V-shape in the right vertical cross section. In other words, the
front side heat exchanger 51 and the back side heat exchanger 55
are arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the direction of
the air current supplied from the fan 20.
[0057] In addition, the heat exchanger 50 is characterized in that
the air path area of the back side heat exchanger 55 is larger than
the air path area of the front side heat exchanger 51. In other
words, the heat exchanger 50 is arranged so that the air volume of
the back side heat exchanger 55 is larger than the air volume of
the front side heat exchanger 51. In Embodiment 1, the length of
the back side heat exchanger 55 in the longitudinal direction is
larger than the length of the front side heat exchanger 51 in the
longitudinal direction in the right vertical cross section.
Accordingly, the air path area of the back side heat exchanger 55
is larger than the air path area of the front side heat exchanger
51. The rest of the configuration (such as the lengths in the depth
direction in FIG. 1) of the front side heat exchanger 51 and that
of the back side heat exchanger 55 are the same. In other words,
the heat conduction area of the back side heat exchanger 55 is
larger than the heat conduction area of the front side heat
exchanger 51. Also, the axis of rotation 20a of the fan 20 is
arranged above the line of symmetry 50a.
[0058] With the configuration of the heat exchanger 50 as described
above, the generation of the swirl flow of the air blown out from
the blow-out port 3 and the occurrence of a variation in wind
velocity distribution can be restrained in comparison with the
indoor unit of the conventional air-conditioning apparatus having
the fan at the blow-out port. Also, with the configuration of the
heat exchanger 50 as described above, the air volume of the back
side heat exchanger 55 is larger than the air volume of the front
side heat exchanger 51. Because of this difference in air volume,
when air currents having passed through the front side heat
exchanger 51 and the back side heat exchanger 55 merge, the merged
air current is curved toward the front side (the side of the
blow-out port 3). Therefore, necessity to curve the airflow steeply
in the vicinity of the blow-out port 3 is eliminated, and hence the
pressure loss in the vicinity of the blow-out port 3 can be
reduced.
[0059] In the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1, the air
current flowing out from the back side heat exchanger 55 flows in
the direction from the back side to the front side. Therefore, in
the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1, the air current
after having passed the heat exchanger 50 can be curved more easily
than in the case where the heat exchanger 50 is arranged in a
substantially V-shape in the right vertical cross section.
[0060] The indoor unit 100 includes the plurality of fans 20, which
often results in an increase in weight. When the weight of the
indoor unit 100 increases, a wall surface strong enough for
installing the indoor unit 100 is required, which leads to a
restriction of installation. Therefore, reduction of weight of the
heat exchanger 50 is preferred. In addition, in the indoor unit
100, since the fans 20 are arranged on the upstream sides of the
heat exchangers 50, the height of the indoor unit 100 is increased,
which often leads to a restriction of installation. Therefore,
downsizing of the heat exchanger 50 is preferred.
[0061] Accordingly, in Embodiment 1, the fin and tube heat
exchanger is employed as the heat exchanger 50 (the front side heat
exchanger 51 and the back side heat exchanger 55) to achieve
downsize of the heat exchanger 50. More specifically, the heat
exchanger 50 according to Embodiment 1 includes a plurality of fins
56 arranged side by side with predetermined gaps therebetween and a
plurality of heat-transfer tubes 57 penetrating through the fins
56. In Embodiment 1, the fins 56 are arranged side by side in the
horizontal direction of the casing 1 (the direction orthogonal to
the plane of the paper of FIG. 1). In other words, the
heat-transfer tubes 57 penetrate through the fins 56 along the
horizontal direction of the casing 1 (the direction orthogonal to
the plane of the paper of FIG. 1). In Embodiment 1, in order to
improve heat-transfer efficiency of the heat exchanger 50, two rows
of the heat-transfer tubes 57 are arranged in the direction of air
flow of the heat exchanger 50 (the width direction of the fins 56).
The heat-transfer tubes 57 are arranged in a substantially zigzag
shape in right vertical cross section.
[0062] Downsizing of the heat exchanger 50 is achieved by
configuring the heat-transfer tubes 57 with circular tubes having a
small diameter (on the order of diameters ranging from 3 mm to 7
mm), and employing R32 as the refrigerant flowing through the
heat-transfer tubes 57 (the refrigerant used in the indoor unit 100
and in the air-conditioning apparatus having the indoor unit 100).
In other words, the heat exchanger 50 exchanges heat between the
refrigerant flowing in the interiors of the heat-transfer tubes 57
and the indoor air via the fins 56. Therefore, when the diameter of
the heat-transfer tubes 57 is reduced, with the same amount of
circulation of the refrigerant, the pressure loss of the
refrigerant is larger than that of the heat exchanger provided with
heat-transfer tubes having a large diameter. However, the latent
heat of evaporation of R32 is higher than that of R410A at the same
temperature, and hence the same capacity can be obtained with a
smaller amount of circulation of the refrigerant. Therefore, by
using R32, reduction of the amount of a refrigerant to be used is
made possible, and the pressure loss in the heat exchanger 50 can
be reduced. Therefore, by employing thin circular tubes as the
heat-transfer tubes 57, and using R32 as the refrigerant,
downsizing of the heat exchanger 50 is achieved.
[0063] Furthermore, in the heat exchanger 50 according to
Embodiment 1, a reduction in the weight of the heat exchanger 50 is
achieved by forming the fins 56 and the heat-transfer tubes 57 with
aluminum or aluminum alloy. And if the weight of the heat exchanger
50 does not cause a restriction of installation, the heat-transfer
tubes 57 may be formed of copper as a matter of course.
(Finger Guard and Filter)
[0064] The indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1, a finger
guard 15 and a filter 10 are provided at the suction port 2. The
finger guard 15 is installed for the purpose of preventing the
rotating fan 20 from being touched. Therefore, the shape of the
finger guard 15 is arbitrary as long as the fan 20 is prevented
from being touched. For example, the shape of the finger guard 15
may be a lattice shape, or may be a circular shape made up of a
number of rings having different sizes. Alternatively, the finger
guard 15 may be formed either of materials such as resin or
metallic materials, However, when strength is required, it is
preferably formed of metal. The finger guard 15 is preferably
formed of materials and shapes as strong and thin as possible in
terms of reduction of air-flow resistance and retention of
strength. The filter 10 is provided for the purpose of preventing
dust from flowing into the interior of the indoor unit 100. The
filter 10 is provided in the casing 1 so as be detachable and
attachable. The indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes
an automatic cleaning mechanism which cleans the filter 10
automatically.
(Wind Direction Control Vane)
[0065] The indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a
vertical wind direction control vane 70 and a horizontal wind
direction control vane 80, which are mechanisms for controlling the
blowing direction of the airflow, at the blow-out port 3. In
Embodiment 1, the vertical wind direction control vane 70 and the
horizontal wind direction control vane 80 are controlled together
with the air volumes of each fans 20 on the basis of detected
results of the human detection sensor. Accordingly, airflow
controllability of the indoor unit 100 can be improved.
[0066] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the
indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. FIG. 4 is a
perspective view illustrating the same indoor unit. FIG. 3 is a
front cross-sectional view taken along the substantially center
portions of the fans 20. The indoor unit 100 shown in FIG. 3 and
FIG. 4 show the indoor unit 100 having the three fans 20 (fan 20A
to fan 20C).
[0067] The horizontal wind direction control vane 80 is coupled to
a motor 81, such as a stepping motor, via a link rod 82. By the
motor 81 driven according to the number of steps commanded by the
control device 281, the orientation (angle) of the horizontal wind
direction control vane 80 is changed and the direction of airflow
blown out from the blow-out port 3 can be controlled in the
horizontal direction. The vertical wind direction control vane 70
is coupled to a motor (not shown) such as a stepping motor. By this
motor driven according to the number of steps commanded by the
control device 281, the orientation (angle) of the vertical wind
direction control vane 70 is changed and the direction of airflow
blown out from the blow-out port 3 can be controlled in the
vertical direction.
[0068] In the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1, a human
detection sensor configured to detect the position of a person
present in a room is provided. As a human detection sensor, various
types such as a human detection sensor using a camera may be used.
In Embodiment 1, an infrared ray sensor 410 is used as the human
detection sensor. The infrared ray sensor 410 is configured to scan
the area of the room subject to the detection of temperature and
detect the temperature of the area of the room subject to the
detection of temperature, and detect the presence of a person, a
heat generating equipment, or the like.
[0069] The infrared ray sensor 410 is provided on the lower portion
of a front surface of the casing 1 above the blow-out port 3. The
infrared ray sensor 410 is rotatable in the horizontal direction,
and is attached so as to face downward at a depression angle of
approximately 24.5 degrees. Here, the depression angle means an
angle of a center axis of the infrared ray sensor 410 with respect
to a horizontal line. In other words, the infrared ray sensor 410
is attached so as to face downward at an angle of approximately
24.5 degrees with respect to the horizontal line.
[0070] FIG. 5 is an explanatory drawing illustrating each light
distribution view angles of a light-receiving element in the
infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 5, the infrared ray sensor 410 includes
eight light-receiving elements (not shown) arranged in a line in
the vertical direction in a metallic container 411. Provided on an
upper surface of the metallic container 411 is a window (not shown)
formed of a lens for allowing infrared rays to pass through to the
eight light-receiving elements. Light distribution view angles 412
of each light-receiving elements are 7 degrees in the vertical
direction and 8 degrees in the horizontal direction. Although the
configuration in which the light distribution view angles 412 of
each light-receiving elements are 7 degrees in the vertical
direction and 8 degrees in the horizontal direction is shown in
Embodiment 1, the light distribution view angles 412 are not
limited to these values (7 degrees in the vertical direction and 8
degrees in the horizontal direction). The number of the
light-receiving elements can be changed according to the light
distribution view angles 412 of each light-receiving elements. For
example, the light distribution view angles may be determined so
that the product of vertical light distribution view angles of a
single light-receiving element and the number of light-receiving
elements become constant.
[0072] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the housing for
accommodating the infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1 of
the invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion near the
infrared ray sensor 410 viewed from the back side (from inside the
casing 1).
[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, the infrared ray sensor 410 is housed in
the interior of a housing 413. Provided above the housing 413 is a
motor 414 configured to drive the infrared ray sensor 410 (more
specifically, to rotate the infrared ray sensor 410 in the
horizontal direction). The motor 414 is, for example, a stepping
motor. Mounting portions 415 formed integrally with the housing 413
are fixed to the lower portion of the front surface of the casing
1, so that the infrared ray sensor 410 is attached to the casing 1.
In a state in which the infrared ray sensor 410 is attached to the
casing 1, the motor 414 and the housing 413 are substantially
vertical. Subsequently, the infrared ray sensor 410 is attached to
the interior of the housing 413 so as to face downward at a
depression angle of approximately 24.5 degrees.
[0074] The infrared ray sensor 410 is driven by the motor 414 so as
to rotate within a predetermined angular range in the horizontal
direction (the rotary drive like this is referred to as "turn",
here). More specifically, the infrared ray sensor 410 is turned as
shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C.
[0075] FIG. 7A is an explanatory drawing illustrating a turning
state of the infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the
invention, FIG. 7B is an explanatory drawing illustrating another
turning state of the infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1
of the invention, and FIG. 7C is an explanatory drawing
illustrating still another turning state of the infrared ray sensor
according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. FIG. 7A, here, is a
perspective view illustrating a state in which the infrared ray
sensor is turned to the left end (the right end in a state of
viewing indoors from inside the indoor unit 100). FIG. 7B is a
perspective view illustrating a state in which the infrared ray
sensor is turned to a center portion. FIG. 7C is a perspective view
illustrating a state in which the infrared ray sensor is turned to
the right end (the left end in the state of viewing indoors from
inside the indoor unit 100).
[0076] The infrared ray sensor 410 is turned from the left end
(FIG. 7A) through the center portion (FIG. 7B) to the right end
(FIG. 7C), and when it reaches the right end (FIG. 7C), it is
inverted in direction and turns in the reverse direction. By
repeating actions as described above, the infrared ray sensor 410
detects the temperature of the area subject to the detection of
temperature while scanning the area of the room subject to the
detection of temperature in the horizontal direction.
[0077] Here, a method of acquiring heat image data of a wall, a
floor, or the like of a room using the infrared ray sensor 410 will
be described. Control of the infrared ray sensor 410 and the like
is performed by the control device 281 in which predetermined
actions are programmed (for example, a microcomputer). In the
following description, the expression "performed by the control
device 281" for each control is omitted.
[0078] When acquiring the heat image data such as the wall, the
floor, or the like of a room, the infrared ray sensor 410 is turned
in the horizontal direction by the motor 414, and the infrared ray
sensor 410 is stopped for a predetermined period (0.1 to 0.2
seconds) at each position at every 1.6 degree of turning angle of
the motor 414 (the angle of rotary drive of the infrared ray sensor
410). After every stop of the infrared ray sensor 410 at each
position, the infrared ray sensor 410 is held as-is for a
predetermined period (a period shorter than 0.1 to 0.2 seconds) to
acquire the results of detection (heat image data) of the eight
light-receiving elements of the infrared ray sensor 410. After
having acquired the results of detection of the infrared ray sensor
410, the motor 414 is driven (at a turning angle of 1.6 degrees)
again and then is stopped, and the results of detection (heat image
data) of the eight light-receiving elements of the infrared ray
sensor 410 are acquired with the same actions.
[0079] The above-described operation is performed repeatedly, and
the heat image data in a detecting area are calculated on the basis
of the results of detection of the infrared ray sensor 410 at 94
points in the horizontal direction. Since the heat image data is
acquired by stopping the infrared ray sensor 410 at 94 points at
every 1.6 degrees of turning angle of the motor 414, the turning
range of the infrared ray sensor 410 in the horizontal direction
(the angular range of rotary drive in the horizontal direction) is
approximately 150.4 degrees.
[0080] FIG. 8 is an explanatory drawing illustrating the vertical
light distribution view angles in a vertical cross section of the
infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.
FIG. 8 shows the vertical light distribution view angles in the
vertical cross section of the infrared ray sensor 410 having the
eight light-receiving elements arranged in a row in the vertical
direction, in a state in which the indoor unit 100 is installed at
a height of 1800 mm from the floor surface of the room. The angle 7
degrees shown in FIG. 8 is the vertical light distribution view
angle of a single light-receiving element.
[0081] The angle of 37.5 degrees in FIG. 8 shows an area out of the
vertical view angle area of the infrared ray sensor 410 (an angle
from the wall on which the indoor unit 100 is attached). If the
depression angle of the infrared ray sensor 410 is 0 degree, this
angle is 90 degrees-4 (the number of light-receiving elements
positioned below the horizontal line).times.7 degrees (the vertical
light distribution view angle of a single light-receiving
element)=62 degrees, since the depression angle of the infrared ray
sensor 410 according to Embodiment 1 is 24.5 degrees, this angle is
62 degrees-24.5 degrees=37.5 degrees.
[0082] By using the infrared ray sensor 410 configured as above,
the heat image data as shown below, for example, may be
acquired.
[0083] FIG. 9 shows an example of the heat image data acquired by
the infrared ray sensor according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 9 shows a
result obtained by calculating the heat image data on the basis of
the results of detection acquired while causing the infrared ray
sensor 410 to turn in the horizontal direction in a daily instance
in which a housewife 416 holds an infant 417 in her arms in a room
measuring eight tatami mats (13.2 square meters).
[0084] FIG. 9 shows a heat image data acquired on a cloudy day in
winter. Therefore, the temperature of a window 418 is as low as 10
to 15 degree C. In contrast, the temperatures of the housewife 416
and the infant 417 are the highest. In particular, the upper body
temperatures of the housewife 416 and the infant 417 range from 26
to 30 degree C. By turning the infrared ray sensor 410 in the
horizontal direction in this manner, the temperature information
relating to each part of the room, for example, can be
obtained.
[0085] The indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1, then controls
the air volumes of each fans 20, the orientation of the vertical
wind direction control vane 70, and the orientation of the
horizontal wind direction control vane 80 on the basis of the
temperature information of each part of the room obtained by the
infrared ray sensor 410. More specifically, the control device 281
provided in the indoor unit 100 is provided with an input unit, a
CPU, a memory, and an output unit. In addition, the CPU includes an
indoor state gauging unit, a target area determining unit, an area
wind direction control unit integrated in the interior thereof. The
control device 281 divides the floor surface area in the room into
a plurality of area blocks, and replaces each coordinate points of
the heat image data acquired by the infrared ray sensor 410 with
these plurality of area blocks. Accordingly, the area blocks in the
room where a person is present can be recognized with high degree
of accuracy.
[0086] FIG. 10 shows an example in which the indoor unit according
to Embodiment 1 divides the floor surface area in the room into the
plurality of area blocks.
[0087] For example, the control device 281 of the indoor unit 100
divides the floor surface area in the room into fifteen area
blocks, namely A1 to E3. Then, the control device 281 controls the
orientations of the vertical wind direction control vane 70 and the
horizontal wind direction control vane 80 on the basis of the heat
source data acquired from the infrared ray sensor 410. The control
device 281 also controls the air volumes of each fans 20 on the
basis of the heat source data acquired from the infrared ray sensor
410.
[0088] For example, when the airflow blown out from the blow-out
port 3 needs to be distributed far, the rotation speed of all the
fans 20 are increased (the air volumes of all the fans 20 are
increased), and the air volume blown out from the blow-out port 3
is increased. Also, for example, when the airflow blown out from
the blow-out port 3 needs to be distributed very close to the
indoor unit 100, the revolution speed of all the fans 20 are
decreased (the air volumes of all the fans 20 are decreased), and
the air volume blown out from the blow-out port 3 is decreased.
[0089] Also, for example, there are instances when intensive
air-conditioning is desired in an area block where a person is
present even when the room temperature is close to its set
temperature. In such a case, the air volume (that is, the rotation
speed) of the fan 20 which generates an airflow reaching a place
where the intensive air-conditioning is desired (the area block
where a person is present) is increased. At this time, the
remaining fans 20 may be operated at a low rotation speed or may be
stopped. By controlling the air volumes of each fans 20 in this
manner, the airflow can be distributed intensively to an area block
where a person is present although the air volume of the entire
airflow blown out from the blow-out port 3 of the indoor unit 100
is small. Accordingly, the temperature environment in the area
block where a person is present can be further maintained, and
comfortable and energy-saving operation of the indoor unit 100 can
be realized.
[0090] Also, for example, there may be some who want to keep away
from the airflow blown out from the blow-out port 3 of the indoor
unit 100. In this manner, if there is an area where avoidance of
the airflow blown out from the blow-out port 3 of the indoor unit
100 is desired, the air volume (that is, the rotation speed) of the
fan 20 which generates the airflow reaching the place where the
avoidance of the airflow blown out from the blow-out port 3 is
desired is decreased. By controlling the air volumes of each fans
20 in this manner, the air conditioning in the room can be
performed while restraining the airflow blown out from the blow-out
port 3 from reaching the corresponding place. Accordingly, the
comfortable and energy-saving operation of the indoor unit 100 can
be realized while maintaining the environment of the place where
avoidance of the airflow blown out from the blow-out port 3 of the
indoor unit 100 is desired.
[0091] When controlling the air volumes of each fans 20
individually as described above, the fan 20 to generate the airflow
reaching the "place where intensive air-conditioning is desired" or
the "place where avoidance of the airflow blown out from the
blow-out port 3 is desired" may be assigned to the fan 20 which is
closest to the corresponding place. For example, when the area
block E3 shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to the place as described
above, the fan 20 which is to generate an airflow reaching the area
block E3 may be assigned to the fan 20C (see FIG. 3). By selecting
the fan 20 in this manner, the overall airflow blown out from the
blow-out port 3 of the indoor unit 100 can be distributed to the
substantially center portion in the room, so that further
energy-saving operation of the indoor unit 100 can be realized.
(Drain Pan)
[0092] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the indoor unit according
to Embodiment 1 of the invention when viewed from the front right
side. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the same indoor unit when
viewed from the back right side. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of
the same indoor unit when viewed from the front left side. FIG. 18
is a perspective view illustrating a drain pan according to
Embodiment 1 of the invention. In order to facilitate understanding
of the shape of the drain pan, the right side of the indoor unit
100 is shown in cross section in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, and the left
side of the indoor unit 100 is shown in cross section in FIG.
17.
[0093] Provided below a lower end portion of the front side heat
exchanger 51 (a front side end portion of the front side heat
exchanger 51) is a front side drain pan 110. Provided below a lower
end portion of the back side heat exchanger 55 (a back side end
portion of the back side heat exchanger 55) is a back side drain
pan 115. In Embodiment 1, the back side drain pan 115 and a back
side portion 1b of the casing 1 are integrally formed. In the back
side drain pan 115, connecting ports 116 to which a drain hose 117
is connected are provided on both a left side end portion and a
right side end portion. It is not necessary to connect the drain
hose 117 to both of the connecting ports 116, and the drain hose
117 may be connected to one of the connecting ports 116. For
example, when drawing of the drain hose 117 to the right side of
the indoor unit 100 is desired at the time of installation of the
indoor unit 100, the drain hose 117 is connected to the connecting
port 116 provided on the right side end portion of the back side
drain pan 115, and the connecting port 116 provided on the left
side end portion of the back side drain pan 115 may be closed with
a rubber cap or the like.
[0094] The front side drain pan 110 is arranged at a position
higher than the back side drain pan 115. Provided between the front
side drain pan 110 and the back side drain pan 115 on both of the
left side end portion and the right side end portion are drain
channels 111 which correspond to drain flow channels. The drain
channels 111 are each connected at an end portion on the front side
thereof to the front side drain pan 110, and are provided so as to
incline downward from the front side drain pan 110 toward the back
side drain pan 115. Also, formed at end portions of the drain
channels 111 on the back side are tongue portions 111a. The end
portions of the drain channels 111 on the back side are arranged so
as to extend over an upper surface of the back side drain pan
115.
[0095] When the indoor air is cooled by the heat exchangers 50 at
the time of cooling operation, dew condensation forms on the heat
exchangers 50. Then, dew on the front side heat exchanger 51 drops
from the lower end portion of the front side heat exchanger 51, and
is collected by the front side drain pan 110. Dew on the back side
heat exchanger 55 drops from the lower end portion of the back side
heat exchanger 55, and is collected by the back side drain pan
115.
[0096] Since the front side drain pan 110 is provided at a position
higher than the back side drain pan 115 in Embodiment 1, the drain
water collected by the front side drain pan 110 flows through the
drain channel 111 toward the back side drain pan 115. Then, the
drain water drops down from the tongue portion 111a of the drain
channel 111 to the back side drain pan 115, and is collected by the
back side drain pan 115. The drain water collected by the back side
drain pan 115 passes through the drain hose 117, and is drained to
the outside of the casing 1 (the indoor unit 100).
[0097] As in Embodiment 1, by providing the front side drain pan
110 at a position higher than the back side drain pan 115, the
drain water collected by both of the drain pans can be gathered in
the back side drain pan 115 (the drain pan arranged on the backmost
side of the casing 1). Therefore, by providing the connecting port
116 of the drain hose 117 in the back side drain pan 115, the drain
water collected in the front side drain pan 110 and the back side
drain pan 115 can be drained to the outside of the casing 1. When
performing maintenance (cleaning of the heat exchangers 50 and the
like) of the indoor unit 100 by opening the front side portion or
the like of the casing 1, there is, therefore, no need to detach
and attach the drain pan having the drain hose 117 connected
thereto, thus workability such as maintenance is improved.
[0098] Since the drain channels 111 are provided on both the left
side end portion and the right side end portion, even when the
indoor unit 100 is installed in an inclined state, the drain water
collected in the front side drain pan 110 can be guided reliably to
the back side drain pan 115. Since the connecting ports to which
the drain hoses 117 are to be connected are provided on both the
left side end portion and the right side end portion, the drawing
direction of the hose can be selected according to the conditions
of the indoor unit 100 in installation, so that workability when
installing the indoor unit 100 is improved. Also, since the drain
channels 111 are provided so as to extend over the back side drain
pan 115 (that is, since a connecting mechanism is not necessary
between the drain channel 111 and the back side drain pan 115),
attachment and detachment of the front side drain pan 110 is
facilitated, and hence maintainability is further improved.
[0099] It is also possible to connect the back side end of the
drain channels 111 to the back side drain pan 115 and arrange the
drain channels 111 so that the front side drain pan 110 extends
over the drain channels 111. In this configuration as well, the
same effects as the configuration in which the drain channels 111
are arranged so as to extend over the back side drain pan 115 are
achieved. The front side drain pan 110 does not necessarily have to
be provided at a higher position than the back side drain pan 115,
and the drain water collected in both drain pans can be drained
from the drain hose connected to the back side drain pan 115 even
when the front side drain pan 110 and the back side drain pan 115
are provided at the same level.
(Nozzle)
[0100] The indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 is configured
in such a manner that an opening length d1 of a nozzle 6 on the
suction side (a throttle length d1 between the drain pans defined
by a portion between the front side drain pan 110 and the back side
drain pan 115) is defined to be larger than an opening length d2
(the length of the blow-out port 3) of the nozzle 6 on the blow-out
side. In other words, the nozzle 6 of the indoor unit 100 has
opening lengths which satisfy d1>d2.
[0101] The reason why the nozzle 6 is configured to have opening
lengths of d1>d2 is as follows. Since the value d2 affects the
distribution distance of the airflow, which is one of basic
functions of the indoor unit, the opening length d2 of the indoor
unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 is assumed to be a comparable
length with the blow-out port of the conventional indoor unit in
the description given below.
[0102] By setting the dimensions of the nozzle 6 in the vertical
cross section to be d1>d2, the air path is widened, and an angle
A of the heat exchanger 50 arranged on the upstream side (the angle
formed between the front side heat exchanger 51 an the back side
heat exchanger 55 on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 50)
can be widened. Therefore, the wind velocity distribution generated
in the heat exchanger 50 is reduced, and the air path of the
downstream side of the heat exchanger 50 can be widened, whereby
reduction of pressure loss in the entire indoor unit 100 can be
achieved. In addition, the deviation of the wind velocity
distribution generated in the vicinity of the inlet portion of the
nozzle 6 can be unified and guided to the blow-out port by the
effect of flow contraction.
[0103] For example, when the deviation of the wind velocity
distribution generated in the vicinity of the inlet portion of the
nozzle 6 (for example, a flow deviated toward the back side) is
reflected directly in the deviation of the wind velocity
distribution at the blow-out port 3. In other words, when d1=d2,
air is blown out from the blow-out port 3 still having the
deviation in the wind velocity distribution. When d1<d2 is
satisfied, for example, the contraction flow loss is increased when
airflows passed through the front side heat exchanger 51 and the
back side heat exchanger 55 merge in the vicinity of the inlet
portion of the nozzle 6. Therefore, when d1<d2 is satisfied, a
loss corresponding to the contraction flow loss is generated unless
otherwise a diffusion effect at the blow-out port 3 cannot be
obtained.
(ANC)
[0104] In the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1, an active
silencing mechanism is provided as shown in FIG. 1.
[0105] More specifically, the silencing mechanism of the indoor
unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a noise detection
microphone 161, a control speaker 181, a silencing effect detection
microphone 191, and a signal processing device 201. The noise
detection microphone 161 is a noise detection device configured to
detect an operation sound (noise) of the indoor unit 100 including
a blast sound of the fan 20. The noise detection microphone 161 is
arranged between the fan 20 and the heat exchanger 50. In
Embodiment 1, the noise detection microphone 161 is provided on the
front surface portion in the casing 1. The control speaker 181 is a
control sound output device configured to output a control sound
with respect to the noise. The control speaker 181 is arranged
below the noise detection microphone 161 and above the heat
exchanger 50. In Embodiment 1, the control speaker 181 is provided
on the front surface portion in the casing 1 so as to face the
center of the air path. The silencing effect detection microphone
191 is a silencing effect detection device configured to detect the
silencing effect using the control sound. The silencing effect
detection microphone 191, being intended to detect a noise coming
from the blow-out port 3, is provided in the vicinity of the
blow-out port 3. The silencing effect detection microphone 191 is
attached at a position avoiding the airflow so as not to be exposed
to the air coming out from the blow-out port 3. The signal
processing device 201 is a control sound generating device
configured to cause the control speaker 181 to output the control
sound on the basis of the results of detection by the noise
detection microphone 161 and the silencing effect detection
microphone 191. The signal processing device 201 is housed, for
example, in the control device 281.
[0106] FIG. 20 is a configuration drawing illustrating a signal
processing device according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.
Electric signals supplied from the noise detection microphone 161
and the silencing effect detection microphone 191 are amplified by
a microphone amplifier 151, and are converted from analogue signals
to digital signals by an A/D converter 152. The converted digital
signals are input to an FIR filter 158 and an LMS algorithm 159. In
the FIR filter 158, a control signal, which is corrected to cause a
noise with the same amplitude as and an opposite phase from the
detected noise by the noise detection microphone 161 when the noise
reaches a position where the silencing effect detection microphone
191 is installed, and is converted from a digital signal to an
analogue signal by an D/A converter 154, then is amplified by an
amplifier 155, and then is emitted as the control sound from the
control speaker 181.
[0107] In a case where the air-conditioning apparatus is in cooling
operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the temperature in an
area B between the heat exchanger 50 and the blow-out port 3 is
lowered due to cool air, thereby causing dew condensation to appear
as water droplets from water vapor in the air. Therefore, in the
indoor unit 100, a water trap or the like (not shown) is attached
in the vicinity of the blow-out port 3 for preventing the water
droplets from coming out from the blow-out port 3. The area where
the noise detection microphone 161 and the control speaker 181 are
arranged, which is on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 50 is
not subjected to dew condensation, because it is located on the
upstream side of the area to be cooled by cool air.
[0108] Subsequently, a method of restraining an operating sound of
the indoor unit 100 will be described. The operating sound (noise)
including the blast sound of the fan 20 in the indoor unit 100 that
is detected by the noise detection microphone 161 attached between
the fan 20 and the heat exchanger 50 is converted into a digital
signal via the microphone amplifier 151 and the ND converter 152,
and is supplied to the FIR filter 158 and the LMS algorithm
159.
[0109] A tap coefficient of the FIR filter 158 is updated
sequentially by the LMS algorithm 159. The tap coefficient is
updated by the LMS algorithm 159 according to an expression
1(h(n+1)=h(n)+2.mu.e(n).times.(n)), and is updated to an optimal
tap coefficient so as to cause an error signal e to approach
zero.
[0110] In the expression shown above, h is a tap coefficient of the
filter, e is the error signal, x is a filter input signal, and .mu.
is a step size parameter, and the step size parameter .mu. is used
for controlling the update amount of the filter coefficient at
every sampling.
[0111] In this manner, the digital signal passed through the FIR
filter 158 whose tap coefficient is updated by the LMS algorithm
159 is converted into an analogue signal by the D/A converter 154,
is amplified by the amplifier 155, and is released into the air
path in the indoor unit 100 as the control sound from the control
speaker 181 attached between the fan 20 and the heat exchanger
50.
[0112] And the silencing effect detection microphone 191, attached
to a lower end of the indoor unit 100 on the outer wall of the
blow-out port 3 so as to avoid wind blown out from the blow-out
port 3, detects a sound which has been propagated from the fan 20
to the air path coming out from the blow-out port, the sound after
having been interfered by the control sound released from the
control speaker 181.
[0113] Since the sound detected by the silencing effect detection
microphone 191 is input to the error signal of the LMS algorithm
159 described above, the tap coefficient of the FIR filter 158 is
updated so as to cause the sound after the interference to approach
zero. Consequently, the noise in the vicinity of the blow-out port
3 can be restrained by the control sound having passed through the
FIR filter 158.
[0114] In this manner, in the indoor unit 100 to which an active
silencing method is applied, the noise detection microphone 161 and
the control speaker 181 are arranged between the fan 20 and the
heat exchanger 50, and the silencing effect detection microphone
191 is attached to a position avoiding the airflow from the
blow-out port 3. Therefore, since it is not necessary to attach
members required for active silencing to area B which is subjected
to dew condensation, water droplets dropping on the control speaker
181, the noise detection microphone 161, and the silencing effect
detection microphone 191 is prevented, and hence deterioration of
silencing capabilities or defects of the speaker or the microphone
can be prevented.
[0115] The positions where the noise detection microphone 161, the
control speaker 181, and the silencing effect detection microphone
191 are attached shown in Embodiment 1 are only examples. For
example, as shown in FIG. 21, the silencing effect detection
microphone 191 may be arranged between the fan 20 and the heat
exchanger 50 together with the noise detection microphone 161 and
the control speaker 181. Although the microphone is exemplified as
detecting means for detecting the noise or the silencing effect
after having cancelled the noise using the control sound, it may be
an acceleration sensor or the like for sensing vibrations of the
casing. Alternatively, it is also possible to understand the sound
as turbulence of air current, and detect the noise or the silencing
effect after having cancelled the noise by the control sound as
turbulence of the air current, In other words, a flow velocity
sensor which detects the air current or a hot-wire probe may be
used as the detecting means for detecting the noise or the
silencing effect after having cancelled the noise using the control
sound. It is also possible to detect the air current by increasing
a gain of the microphone.
[0116] Although the FIR filter 158 and the LMS algorithm 159 are
employed in the signal processing device 201 in Embodiment 1, any
adaptive signal processing circuit may be employed as long as it
causes the sound detected by the silencing effect detection
microphone 191 to approach zero, and also may be one in which a
filtered-X algorithm generally used in the active silencing method
is applicable. In addition, the signal processing device 201 may be
configured to generate the control signal using a fixed tap
coefficient instead of employing adaptive signal processing. And
further, the signal processing device 201 may be an analogue signal
processing circuit instead of the digital signal processing
circuit.
[0117] In addition, in Embodiment 1, the heat exchanger 50 disposed
to cool air which forms due condensation has been described, but
the invention can be applied also to a case where the heat
exchanger 50 of a level which does not cause dew condensation is
arranged, and has effects to prevent deterioration of performances
of the noise detection microphone 161, the control speaker 181, the
silencing effect detection microphone 191, and the like without
considering the presence or absence of occurrence of due
condensation due to the heat exchanger 50.
Embodiment 2
[0118] (Dividing Vane into Plurality of Parts)
[0119] When controlling the vertical wind direction control vane
70, the horizontal wind direction control vane 80, and the air
volume of each fans 20 on the basis of the results of detection by
the infrared ray sensor 410, dividing the vertical wind direction
control vane 70 and the horizontal wind direction control vane 80
into a plurality of parts and controlling the same individually is
recommended. Accordingly, comfort can further be improved. In
Embodiment 2, items not specifically described are the same as
those in Embodiment 1, and the same numbers reference the same
functions and configurations in the description.
[0120] FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the
indoor unit according to Embodiment 2 of the invention. FIG. 12 is
a perspective view illustrating the same indoor unit. FIG. 11 is a
front cross-sectional view taken along the substantially center
portions of the fans 20.
[0121] In the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 2, the
vertical wind direction control vane 70 and the horizontal wind
direction control vane 80 are divided into a plurality of parts (in
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the vertical wind direction control vane 70
and the horizontal wind direction control vane 80 are each divided
into two parts).
[0122] More specifically, the horizontal wind direction control
vane 80 is divided into a horizontal wind direction control vane
80a arranged on the left side of the casing 1 and a horizontal wind
direction control vane 80b arranged on the right side of the casing
1. The horizontal wind direction control vane 80a is coupled to a
motor 81a, such as a stepping motor, via a link rod 82a. The
horizontal wind direction control vane 80b is coupled to a motor
81b, such as a stepping motor, via a link rod 82b. By the motor 81a
and the motor 81b driven according to the number of steps commanded
by the control device 281, the orientations (angles) of the
horizontal wind direction control vane 80a and the horizontal wind
direction control vane 80b are changed and the direction of airflow
blown from the blow-out port 3 can be controlled in the horizontal
direction. The orientations (angles) of the horizontal wind
direction control vane 80a and the horizontal wind direction
control vane 80b can each be changed individually.
[0123] The vertical wind direction control vane 70 is divided into
a vertical wind direction control vane 70a arranged on the left
side of the casing 1 and a vertical wind direction control vane 70b
arranged on the right side of the casing 1. The vertical wind
direction control vane 70a and the vertical wind direction control
vane 70b are each coupled to motors (not shown) such as stepping
motors. By these motors driven according to the number of steps
commanded by the control device 281, the orientations (angles) of
the vertical wind direction control vane 70a and the vertical wind
direction control vane 70b are changed and the direction of airflow
blown from the blow-out port 3 can be controlled in the vertical
direction. The orientations (angles) of the vertical wind direction
control vane 70a and the vertical wind direction control vane 70b
can each be changed individually.
[0124] In other words, the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment
2 is capable of distributing airflows having different air volumes
simultaneously to two different places in a room. Therefore, the
air volumes in the two different places in the room can be
controlled individually in such a manner that the air volume of the
airflow to be distributed to the corresponding place may be
increased if intensive distribution of the airflow is desired, and
the air volume of the airflow to be distributed to the
corresponding place may be decreased if avoidance of the airflow is
desired. Therefore, air-conditioning in the room while maintaining
the environments at two different places simultaneously is
enabled.
[0125] For example, assume that two people are present in two
separate area blocks in a room. Then, if intensive air-conditioning
of these two area blocks is desired, the air volumes (that is, the
rotation speed) of the fans 20 which generate the airflows reaching
these two area blocks are increased. The remaining fan 20 is
operated with a low air volume or is stopped. By controlling the
air volumes of each fans 20 in this manner, the airflow can be
distributed intensively to the area block where people are present
although the air volume of the overall airflow blown out from the
blow-out port 3 of the indoor unit 100 is decreased. Accordingly,
the temperature environment in the area block where people are
present can be further maintained, and comfortable and
energy-saving operation of the indoor unit 100 can be realized.
[0126] Also, for example, assume that two people are present in two
separate area blocks in a room, and a set temperature is reached in
one of the area blocks but not in the remaining one area block. In
such a case, the air volume (that is, the rotation speed) of the
fan 20 which generates an airflow reaching a place where the
intensive air-conditioning is desired (the area block where the set
temperature is not reached) is increased. The air volume (that is,
the rotation speed) of the fan 20 which generates the airflow
reaching the area block in which the set temperature is reached is
decreased to a low air volume. The remaining fan 20 is operated
with a low air volume or is stopped. By controlling the air volumes
of each fans 20 in this manner, the airflow can be distributed
intensively to a place where the intensive air-conditioning is
desired (the area blocks where the set temperature is not reached),
and the airflow with a small air volume can be distributed also to
the area block where the set temperature is reached.
[0127] In other words, with the indoor unit 100 according to
Embodiment 2 in which the vertical wind direction control vane 70
and the horizontal wind direction control vane 80 are divided into
parts, more comfortable and energy-saving operation than that of
the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 can be realized.
Embodiment 3
[0128] (Dividing Vane into Number of Parts as Same as the Number of
Fans)
[0129] By increasing the number of divisions of the vertical wind
direction control vane 70 and the horizontal wind direction control
vane 80, the comfort can further be improved. Also, by employing
the number of divisions of the vertical wind direction control vane
70 and the horizontal wind direction control vane 80 as many as the
number of the fans 20, the comfort can further be improved. In
Embodiment 3, items not specifically described are the same as
those in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, and the same numbers
reference the same functions and configurations in the
description.
[0130] FIG. 13 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the
indoor unit according to Embodiment 3 of the invention. FIG. 14 is
a perspective view illustrating the same indoor unit. FIG. 13 is a
front cross-sectional view taken along the substantially center
portions of the fans 20. The indoor unit 100 shown in FIG. 13 and
FIG. 14 show the indoor unit 100 having three fans 20 (fans 20A to
20C).
[0131] In the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 3, the
vertical wind direction control vane 70 and the horizontal wind
direction control vane 80 are divided into parts as many as the
number of the fans 20. Since the indoor unit 100 according to
Embodiment 3 includes three fans 20 (fans 20A to 20C), the vertical
wind direction control vane 70 and the horizontal wind direction
control vane 80 are each divided into three parts.
[0132] More specifically, the horizontal wind direction control
vane 80 is divided into the horizontal wind direction control vane
80a arranged on the left side of the casing 1, the horizontal wind
direction control vane 80b arranged at the center portion of the
casing 1, and a horizontal wind direction control vane 80c arranged
on the right side of the casing 1. The horizontal wind direction
control vane 80a is coupled to the motor 81a, such as the stepping
motor, via the link rod 82a. The horizontal wind direction control
vane 80b is coupled to the motor 81b, such as the stepping motor,
via the link rod 82b. The horizontal wind direction control vane
80c is coupled to a motor 81c, such as a stepping motor, via a link
rod 82c. By the motor 81a to the motor 81c each driven according to
the number of steps commanded by the control device 281, the
orientations (angles) of the horizontal wind direction control vane
80a to the horizontal wind direction control vane 80c are changed
and the direction of airflow blown from the blow-out port 3 can be
controlled in the horizontal direction. The orientations (angles)
of the horizontal wind direction control vane 80a to the horizontal
wind direction control vane 80c can each be changed
individually.
[0133] The vertical wind direction control vane 70 is divided into
the vertical wind direction control vane 70a arranged on the left
side of the casing 1, the vertical wind direction control vane 70b
arranged at the center portion of the casing 1, and a vertical wind
direction control vane 70c arranged on the right side of the casing
1. The vertical wind direction control vane 70a to the vertical
wind direction control vane 70c are each coupled to motors (not
shown) such as stepping motors. By these motors driven according to
the number of steps commanded by the control device 281, the
orientations (angles) of the vertical wind direction control vane
70a to the vertical wind direction control vane 70c are changed and
the direction of airflow blown from the blow-out port 3 can be
controlled in the vertical direction. The orientations (angles) of
the vertical wind direction control vane 70a to the vertical wind
direction control vane 70c can each be changed individually.
[0134] In other words, the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment
3 is capable of distributing airflows having different air volumes
simultaneously to three different places in a room. Therefore, the
air volumes in the three different places in the room can be
controlled individually in such a manner that the air volume of the
airflow to be distributed to the corresponding place may be
increased if intensive distribution of the airflows is desired, and
the air volume of the airflow to be distributed to the
corresponding place may be decreased if avoidance of the airflow is
desired. Therefore, air-conditioning in the room while maintaining
the environments at the three different places simultaneously is
enabled.
[0135] For example, assume that three people are present in three
separate area blocks in a room, and a set temperature is reached in
one of the area blocks but not in the remaining two area blocks. In
such a case, the air volumes (that is, the rotation speeds) of the
fans 20 which generate airflows reaching places where the intensive
air-conditioning is desired (the two area blocks where the set
temperature is not reached) are each increased. The air volume
(that is, the rotation speed) of the fan 20 which generates the
airflow reaching the area block in which the set temperature is
reached is decreased to a low air volume. By controlling the air
volumes of each fans 20 in this manner, the airflows can be
distributed intensively to places where the intensive
air-conditioning is desired (the two area blocks where the set
temperature is not reached), and the airflow with a small air
volume can be distributed also to the area block where the set
temperature is reached. Accordingly, the temperature environment of
the area block where the set temperature is reached can be
maintained while actively air-conditioning the places where the
intensive air-conditioning are desired (the two area blocks where
the set temperature is not yet reached).
[0136] In other words, with the indoor unit 100 according to
Embodiment 3 in which the number of divisions of the vertical wind
direction control vane 70 and the horizontal wind direction control
vane 80 is larger than that in Embodiment 2, further comfortable
and energy-saving operation than that of the indoor unit 100
according to Embodiment 2 can be realized.
[0137] Also, in Embodiment 3, since the numbers of divisions of the
vertical wind direction control vane 70 and the horizontal wind
direction control vane 80 are set to be the same as the number of
the fans 20, the comfort can further be improved. In other words,
as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the direction of the airflow
generated by the fan 20A is controlled by the vertical wind
direction control vane 70a and the horizontal wind direction
control vane 80a. The direction of the airflow generated by the fan
20B is controlled by the vertical wind direction control vane 70b
and the horizontal wind direction control vane 80b. The direction
of the airflow generated by the fan 20C is controlled by the
vertical wind direction control vane 70c and the horizontal wind
direction control vane 80c. Therefore, the airflows controlled
respectively by the vertical wind direction control vane 70 and the
horizontal wind direction control vane 80 are not the airflows
generated by the plurality of fans 20, but an airflow generated by
a single fan 20. Therefore, the air volume of the airflow to be
distributed to a place where intensive control of the air volume is
desired can be adjusted with high degree of accuracy, and further
comfortable and energy-saving operation than the indoor unit 100 in
which the numbers of divisions of the vertical wind direction
control vane 70 and the horizontal wind direction control vane 80
and the number of the fans 20 are different (for example, the
indoor units 100 according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2) can be
realized.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0138] 1 casing, 1b back side portion, 2 suction port, 3 blow-out
port, 5 bell mouth, 5a upper portion, 5b center portion, 5c lower
portion, 6 nozzle, filter, 15 finger guard, 16 motor stay, 17 fixed
member, 18 supporting member, 20 fan, 20a axis of rotation, 21
boss, 30 fan motor, 50 heat exchanger, 50a line of symmetry, 51
front side heat exchanger, 55 back side heat exchanger, 56 fin, 57
heat-transfer tube, vertical wind direction control vane, 70a
vertical wind direction control vane, 70b vertical wind direction
control vane, 70c vertical wind direction control vane, 80
horizontal wind direction control vane, 80a horizontal wind
direction control vane, 80b horizontal wind direction control vane,
80c horizontal wind direction control vane, 81 motor, 81a motor,
81b motor, 81c motor, link rod, 82a link rod, 82b link rod, 82c
link rod, 90 partitioning panel, 100 indoor unit, 110 front side
drain pan, 111 drain channel, 111a tongue portion, 115 back side
drain pan, 116 connecting port, 117 drain hose, 151 microphone
amplifier, 152 ND converter, 154 D/A converter, 155 amplifier, 158
FIR filter, 159 LMS algorithm, 161 noise detection microphone, 181
control speaker, 191 silencing effect detection microphone, 201
signal processing device, 281 control device, 410 infrared ray
sensor, 411 metallic container, 412 light distribution view angle,
413 housing, 414 motor, 415 mounting portion, 416 housewife, 417
infant, 418 window
* * * * *