U.S. patent application number 15/532541 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-23 for indoor unit for air-conditioning apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Seiji HIRAKAWA, Junichi OKAZAKI, Mitsuhiro SHIROTA, Nobutaka TANABE.
Application Number | 20170336083 15/532541 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56849324 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170336083 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHIROTA; Mitsuhiro ; et
al. |
November 23, 2017 |
INDOOR UNIT FOR AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS
Abstract
The air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit includes a main body
that has an air inlet and an air outlet that accommodates a heat
exchanger and a fan, left-right deflectors that are arranged in the
air outlet and are configured to change the direction of an air
flow from the air outlet in a left-right direction, up-down
deflectors that are arranged in the air outlet and are configured
to change the direction of the air flow from the air outlet in an
up-down direction, the infrared sensor disposed at one end in the
left-right direction of the front surface of the main body, and a
large air flow control plate, a small air flow control plate, and
an upper air flow control plate that are arranged between the
infrared sensor and one end of the left-right deflector close to
the infrared sensor and that control the air flow from the air
outlet.
Inventors: |
SHIROTA; Mitsuhiro; (Tokyo,
JP) ; OKAZAKI; Junichi; (Tokyo, JP) ; TANABE;
Nobutaka; (Tokyo, JP) ; HIRAKAWA; Seiji;
(Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
56849324 |
Appl. No.: |
15/532541 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
March 2, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2015/056114 |
371 Date: |
June 2, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2120/14 20180101;
F24F 1/0011 20130101; F24F 11/79 20180101; F24F 1/0057 20190201;
F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 2120/10 20180101; F24F 13/14 20130101;
F24F 2120/12 20180101; F24F 13/15 20130101; F24F 11/89
20180101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 1/00 20110101
F24F001/00; F24F 11/00 20060101 F24F011/00; F24F 13/14 20060101
F24F013/14; F24F 13/15 20060101 F24F013/15 |
Claims
1. An air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit comprising: a housing
having an air inlet and an air outlet and accommodating a heat
exchanger and a fan; a left-right deflector configured to change a
direction of an air flow from the air outlet in a left-right
direction; an up-down deflector configured to change the direction
of the air flow from the air outlet in an up-down direction; an
infrared sensor disposed at one end in the left-right direction of
a front surface of the housing so that the infrared sensor is next
to one end in the left-right direction of the air outlet of the
housing; and at least one air flow control member disposed between
the infrared sensor and one end of the left-right deflector close
to the infrared sensor, the at least one air flow control member
controlling the air flow from the air outlet.
2. The air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit of claim 1, wherein
the at least one air flow control member is disposed on the up-down
deflector.
3. The air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit of claim 1, wherein
the at least one air flow control member is disposed on an upper
surface of the air outlet.
4. The air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit of claim 3, wherein
the at least one air flow control member includes two air flow
control members arranged on the up-down deflector and one air flow
control member disposed on the upper surface of the air outlet, and
wherein the one air flow control member on the upper surface of the
air outlet is disposed between the two air flow control members on
the up-down deflector.
5. The air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit of claim 2, wherein a
part of the at least one air flow control member on the up-down
deflector is a bearing of the up-down deflector.
6. The air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit of claim 4, wherein
one of the two air flow control members, arranged on the up-down
deflector, close to the infrared sensor has a larger area than an
other one of the two air flow control members.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an
air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit that eliminates or reduces
incorrect determination of an infrared sensor.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] An air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit including a sensor
for detecting, for example, a condition of a human body is known in
the art. In such a unit, the sensor is disposed at any one of left
and right ends of a front portion of a housing of the unit (refer
to Patent Literature 1, for example).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2010-270956
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] In the related-art air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit,
conditioned air flowing from an air outlet may be applied to an
area in the vicinity of the sensor. Disadvantageously, if the
conditioned air is applied to the sensor or a casing accommodating
the sensor and the sensor detects the temperature of a target
object or the position of a human body, the sensor may incorrectly
determine the temperature of the target object or the position of
the human body.
[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the above-described
disadvantage and to provide an air-conditioning-apparatus indoor
unit that eliminates or reduces the application of conditioned air
to an area in the vicinity of an infrared sensor.
Solution to Problem
[0006] The present invention provides an air-conditioning-apparatus
indoor unit including a housing that has an air inlet disposed in
an upper part of the housing and an air outlet disposed in a lower
part of a front surface of the housing and that accommodates a heat
exchanger and a fan, a left-right deflector that is provided to the
air outlet and that is configured to change a direction of an air
flow from the air outlet in a left-right direction, an up-down
deflector that is provided to the air outlet and that is configured
to change the direction of the air flow from the air outlet in an
up-down direction, an infrared sensor disposed at one end in the
left-right direction of the front surface of the housing so that
the infrared sensor is next to one end in the left-right direction
of the air outlet of the housing, and at least one air flow control
member that is disposed between the infrared sensor and one end of
the left-right deflector close to the infrared sensor and that
controls the air flow from the air outlet.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] Since the air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit according
to the present invention includes the air flow control member
disposed between the infrared sensor and the end of the left-right
deflector close to the infrared sensor, conditioned air from the
air outlet is blown in a direction away from the infrared sensor.
This configuration eliminates or reduces the application of the
conditioned air to an area in the vicinity of the infrared
sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an
air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of
the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating a nozzle of the
air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of
the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of
a controller of the air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating an infrared sensor
and its surrounding part of the air-conditioning-apparatus indoor
unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of the air-conditioning-apparatus
indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in
an operation stop mode.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side view of the air-conditioning-apparatus
indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in a
horizontal blowing operation mode.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating air flows in an
air outlet and its vicinity in the horizontal blowing operation
mode of the air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view illustrating air flows in the
vicinity of the infrared sensor in the horizontal blowing operation
mode of the air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a side view of the air-conditioning-apparatus
indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in a
downward blowing operation mode.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air flow in
the air outlet and its vicinity in the downward blowing operation
mode of the air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view illustrating air flows in the
vicinity of the infrared sensor in the horizontal blowing operation
mode of an air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit according to
Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view illustrating air flows in the
vicinity of the infrared sensor in the horizontal blowing operation
mode of an air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit according to
Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view illustrating air flows in the
vicinity of the infrared sensor in the horizontal blowing operation
mode of an air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit according to
Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below
with reference to the drawings.
[0022] Note that components designated by the same reference signs
in the drawings are the same components or equivalents. This
applies to the entire description of the specification.
[0023] Furthermore, note that the forms of components described in
the specification are intended to be illustrative only and are not
intended to be limited to their descriptions.
Embodiment 1
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an
air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 1
of the present invention.
[0025] The air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit 1 includes an
inverter-driven compressor whose rotation speed is controllable, a
four-way valve, a condensing-side heat exchanger, a pressure
reducing device, and an evaporating-side heat exchanger so that
these components are connected. The indoor unit 1 is of a
wall-mounted type and is capable of performing a cooling cycle
operation and a heating cycle operation by switching of the
four-way valve.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air-conditioning-apparatus
indoor unit 1 includes a main body 2 that serves as a housing
included in the indoor unit 1, a panel 3 included in the indoor
unit 1, and a grille 4 that is included in the indoor unit 1 and
serves as a design surface.
[0027] The air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit 1 further
includes an air inlet 22 disposed in an upper part of the main body
2 and an air outlet 23 disposed in a lower part of a front surface
of the main body 2. Air is suctioned into the air inlet 22, passes
through the heat exchanger (not illustrated) in the indoor unit,
and is blown from the air outlet 23 by a cross flow fan (not
illustrated).
[0028] The air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit 1 further
includes left-right deflectors 7a and 7b that are arranged in the
air outlet 23 and are capable of changing the direction of air
blown from the air outlet 23 in a left-right direction of a living
space, up-down deflectors 8a and 8b that are arranged in the air
outlet 23 and are capable of changing the direction of air blown
from the air outlet 23 in a height direction (up-down direction) of
the living space, a nozzle 28 constituting the air outlet 23, and
an infrared sensor 35 for determining the temperature of an indoor
floor; the temperature of a wall surface, the position of a human
body, and an activity condition of the human body.
[0029] The infrared sensor 35 is disposed at one end, which is on
the right hand side in FIG. 1, in the left-right direction of the
front surface of the main body 2 so that the infrared sensor 35 is
next to the air outlet 23 of the main body 2 in the left-right
direction.
[0030] Although the configuration of the indoor unit including the
cross flow fan disposed downstream of the heat exchanger is
described herein, the indoor unit may include another type of fan,
for example, a propeller fan. Furthermore, the indoor unit may
include another type of fan, for example, a propeller fan, disposed
upstream of the heat exchanger.
[0031] FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating the nozzle 28 of the
air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 1
of the present invention.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the nozzle 28, which constitutes
the air outlet 23, includes the left-right deflectors 7a and 7b
capable of changing the direction of air blown from the air outlet
23 to the living space in the left-right direction, a left-right
deflector driving motor 25a to be driven to change the orientation
of the left-right deflector 7a, a left-right deflector driving
motor 25b to be driven to change the orientation of the left-right
deflector 7b, an up-down deflector driving motor 24a to be driven
to change the orientation of the up-down deflector 8a, and an
up-down deflector driving motor 24b to be driven to change the
orientation of the up-down deflector 8b.
[0033] The left-right deflectors 7a and 7b and the up-down
deflectors 8a and 8b are provided with the independent driving
motors 25a, 25b, 24a, and 24b, respectively. When there are persons
at two positions in an indoor space, the left-right deflectors 7a
and 7b and the up-down deflectors 8a and 8b arranged side by side
send air flows blown from the air outlet 23 in different
directions, thus achieving air-conditioning at the two positions
based on the floor temperature, the wall surface temperature, the
positions of human bodies, and activity conditions of the human
bodies determined by the infrared sensor 35.
[0034] Although the up-down deflectors 8a and 8b driven
independently of each other are arranged side by side in Embodiment
1, a single up-down deflector may be used. In addition, although
the left-right deflectors 7a and 7b driven independently of each
other are arranged side by side in Embodiment 1, the left-right
deflectors 7a and 7b may be connected by a link mechanism and be
driven by a single left-right deflector driving motor. Furthermore,
the left-right deflectors 7a and 7b may be configured so that the
orientation of each deflector is changed manually instead of by
motor.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of
a controller 12 in the air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit 1
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0036] The controller 12 in FIG. 3 including, for example, a
microcomputer is accommodated in the indoor unit 1. The controller
12 includes an input unit 12a, a central processing unit (CPU) 12b
that performs, for example, a calculating process and a determining
process, a memory 12c in which various control set values and a
control program for operation modes, such as a cooling operation
and a heating operation, and an output unit 12d that outputs
driving signals, based on information indicating calculation
results and determination results output from the CPU 12b, to the
motors 25a, 25b, 24a, and 24b.
[0037] The input unit 12a receives operation information (for
example, an operation mode, a set temperature, a set humidity, a
set air flow rate, and a set air flow direction) from a remote
control 11, and inputs the information to the CPU 12b. In addition,
the input unit 12a receives temperature information about the
temperature of an indoor space detected by the infrared sensor 35,
which turns from side to side, and information about a temperature
(indoor temperature) detected by an indoor temperature thermistor
(not illustrated) accommodated in the main body 2, and inputs the
received information to the CPU 12b. In this case, the CPU 12b
checks the temperature information (temperature distribution of the
indoor space) against the control set values stored in the memory
12c on the basis of the indoor temperature, thus obtaining
information about the floor temperature, the wall surface
temperature, the position of a human body, and an activity
condition of the human body in the indoor space.
[0038] In response to the driving signals output from the output
unit 12d, the rotation speed (air flow rate) of a fan motor 6a is
controlled, and the rotation angle of each of left-right deflector
driving motors 25a and 25b on the left and right sides is
controlled. Additionally, in response to the driving signals output
from the output unit 12d, the rotation angle of each of up-down
deflector driving motors 24a and 24b on the left and right sides is
controlled.
[0039] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating the infrared sensor
35 and its surrounding part of the air-conditioning-apparatus
indoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present
invention.
[0040] The infrared sensor 35 is covered with a casing 36 included
in the main body 2. The infrared sensor 35 and the casing 36
protrude from the design surface of the main body 2. The infrared
sensor 35 is disposed next to the air outlet 23 in the left-right
direction (horizontal direction). The infrared sensor 35, which is
turned by a motor (not illustrated), can obtain temperature
information in a wide range of the indoor space.
[0041] The up-down deflector 8b includes a large air flow control
plate 41 and a small air flow control plate 43 arranged on an upper
surface of the up-down deflector 8b facing the infrared sensor 35
when the up-down deflector 8b is located in an open position during
operation. The air flow control plates each serve as an air flow
control member.
[0042] The large air flow control plate 41 and the small air flow
control plate 43 are arranged between the infrared sensor 35 and
one end of the left-right deflector 7b close to the infrared sensor
35. The large air flow control plate 41 and the small air flow
control plate 43 extend upwardly from the upper surface of the
up-down deflector 8b so that the surfaces of these plates face in
the left-right direction of the air outlet 23.
[0043] The large air flow control plate 41 is disposed at one end
(in FIG. 4, right end) of the up-down deflector 8b closer to the
infrared sensor 35 than the small air flow control plate 43.
[0044] A part of the large air flow control plate 41 is a bearing
44 that receives an output shaft for the up-down deflector 8b and
the up-down deflector driving motor 24b. The strength of the
bearing 44 can be increased by forming the large air flow control
plate 41 so that the part of the plate is the bearing 44. In
addition, the large air flow control plate 41 in this form can be
made with a smaller amount of resin used than that in a case where
the large air flow control plate 41 is formed as a member separate
from the bearing 44.
[0045] Furthermore, the large air flow control plate 41 has a
larger area than the small air flow control plate 43 so that the
large air flow control plate 41 appears to protrude from the indoor
unit 1 when the indoor unit 1 is viewed from a side during
operation.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a side view of the air-conditioning-apparatus
indoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in
an operation stop mode. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the large air
flow control plate 41 has a size so that this plate is accommodated
in the indoor unit 1, or does not protrude from the indoor unit 1
when the indoor unit 1 is viewed from the side in the operation
stop mode.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the air outlet 23 includes an
upper air flow control plate 42, serving as an air flow control
member, disposed on an upper surface of the air outlet 23. The
upper air flow control plate 42 is disposed between the infrared
sensor 35 and the end of the left-right deflector 7b close to the
infrared sensor 35. The upper air flow control plate 42 extends
downwardly from the upper surface of the air outlet 23 so that the
surfaces of the plate face in the left-right direction of the air
outlet 23.
[0048] In Embodiment 1, the large air flow control plate 41 and the
small air flow control plate 43, or the two air flow control plates
are arranged on the up-down deflector 8b, and the upper air flow
control plate 42, or the single air flow control plate is disposed
on the upper surface of the air outlet 23.
[0049] The upper air flow control plate 42 is disposed between the
large air flow control plate 41 and the small air flow control
plate 43, or the two air flow control plates arranged on the
up-down deflector 8b.
[0050] In other words, each of the large air flow control plate 41,
the small air flow control plate 43, and the upper air flow control
plate 42 is located between the infrared sensor 35 and the end of
the left-right deflector 7b close to the infrared sensor 35. The
large air flow control plate 41, the small air low control plate
43, and the upper air flow control plate 42 are arranged from the
infrared sensor 35 in this order of the large air flow control
plate 41, the upper air flow control plate 42, and the small air
flow control plate 43.
[0051] The air outlet 23 includes a pseudo air passage 45 disposed
between the infrared sensor 35 and the end of the left-right
deflector 7b close to the infrared sensor 35. The up-down deflector
8b is disposed in the pseudo air passage 45, but conditioned air is
not blown through the pseudo air passage 45. The pseudo air passage
45 is formed by partly closing an opening of the air outlet 23 with
an internal cover.
[0052] At the back of the pseudo air passage 45, for example, the
left-right deflector driving motor 25b and a drain port (not
illustrated) for connection to a drain hose for discharging water
generated during cooling to an outdoor space are arranged. There is
no side wall close to the pseudo air passage 45, through which
conditioned air is not blown. When the left-right deflector 7b is
turned to the right in FIG. 4, an air flow can be sent farther to
the right than that in a case where an air passage side wall is
placed close to the pseudo air passage 45.
[0053] FIG. 6 is a side view of the air-conditioning-apparatus
indoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in
a horizontal blowing operation mode. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram
illustrating air flows in the air outlet 23 and its vicinity in the
horizontal blowing operation mode of the air-conditioning-apparatus
indoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view illustrating air flows in the vicinity
of the infrared sensor 35 in the horizontal blowing operation mode
of the air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit 1 according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0054] In the horizontal blowing operation mode illustrated in
FIGS. 6 to 8, the up-down deflector 8b is substantially located in
a horizontal blowing position and the left-right deflector 7b is
turned to the right (to the infrared sensor 35) in FIGS. 7 and
8.
[0055] Conditioned air blown from the air outlet 23 is directed to
the right in FIGS. 7 and 8 by the left-right deflector 7b. The
conditioned air is then divided into two air flows so that one air
flow flows on a lower surface of the up-down deflector 8b facing
away from the infrared sensor 35 and the other air flow flows on
the upper surface thereof facing the infrared sensor 35.
[0056] The conditioned air flowing on the lower surface of the
up-down deflector 8b facing away from the infrared sensor 35 flows
at an angle defined by the left-right deflector 7b and is sent to
the indoor space.
[0057] On the other hand, the conditioned air flowing on the upper
surface of the up-down deflector 8b facing the infrared sensor 35
is partly deflected to a front side of the indoor unit by the small
air flow control plate 43 disposed on the up-down deflector 8b. The
conditioned air flowing over the small air flow control plate 43
flows toward the infrared sensor 35.
[0058] The conditioned air flowing over the small air flow control
plate 43 toward the infrared sensor 35 is partly deflected to the
front side by the upper air flow control plate 42 disposed on the
upper surface of the air inlet 22 (the nozzle 28). The conditioned
air flowing under the upper air flow control plate 42 flows toward
the infrared sensor 35.
[0059] The conditioned air flowing under the upper air flow control
plate 42 toward the infrared sensor 35 is deflected to the front
side by the large air flow control plate 41 that blocks an air
passage on the upper surface of the up-down deflector 8b.
[0060] In particular, the conditioned air flowing toward the
infrared sensor 35 through the small air flow control plate 43, the
upper air flow control plate 42, and the large air flow control
plate 41 in that order experiences higher flow resistance, as the
conditioned air approaches the infrared sensor 35 while passing
through a zigzag path defined by these three plates extending in
the up-down direction. Consequently, the conditioned air is
gradually deflected to the front side, and is completely deflected
to the front side by the large air flow control plate 41.
[0061] An increase in area of the small air flow control plate 43,
which has an air flow controlling effect, may cause condensation on
the suction surface of the plate in the cooling operation. For this
reason, this plate is reduced in size to produce a leakage air flow
to the infrared sensor 35. This configuration reduces the
difference in temperature between the suction surface and the
pressure surface of the small air flow control plate 43, thus
eliminating or reducing condensation. The same applies to the upper
air flow control plate 42. In addition, arranging the upper air
flow control plate 42 and the large air flow control plate 41
closer to the infrared sensor 35 than the small air flow control
plate 43 produces a leakage air flow at the small air flow control
plate 43 and the upper air flow control plate 42. As the leakage
air flow approaches the infrared sensor 35, the amount of leakage
air flow decreases. Thus, the leakage air flow reaching the
infrared sensor 35 can be eliminated or reduced.
[0062] The conditioned air flowing from the air outlet 23 in the
vicinity of the infrared sensor 35 is deflected to the front side
by the above-described three air flow control plates, or the small
air flow control plate 43, the upper air flow control plate 42, and
the large air flow control plate 41. Consequently, the conditioned
air can be prevented from being directly applied to the infrared
sensor 35 and the casing 36 covering the infrared sensor 35.
[0063] If the above-described three air flow control plates are not
arranged, conditioned air blown from the air outlet 23 would
contact the casing 36 covering the infrared sensor 35. Unlike an
indoor temperature, the temperature in the casing 36 would vary
with fluctuations of the conditioned air blown from the air outlet
23. The temperature in the casing 36 would disturb the amount of
infrared radiation to be detected by the infrared sensor 35,
resulting in an incorrect amount of infrared radiation.
Unfortunately, the infrared sensor 35 could not correctly obtain
information about the temperature of a floor, the temperature of a
wall surface, the position of a human body, and an activity
condition of the human body. Thus, it would be necessary to
restrict the orientations of the up-down deflectors 8a and 8b so
that conditioned air is not applied to the casing 36.
Disadvantageously, conditioned air could not be blown horizontally.
It would be difficult to perform a moderate cooling operation.
[0064] According to Embodiment 1, conditioned air flowing from the
air outlet 23 in the vicinity of the infrared sensor 35 is
deflected to the front side by the small air flow control plate 43,
the upper air flow control plate 42, and the large air flow control
plate 41, thus preventing the conditioned air from directly
contacting the casing 36 that covers the infrared sensor 35. The
temperature in the casing 36 can be maintained at the same level as
that of the indoor temperature, resulting in a correct amount of
infrared radiation to be detected by the infrared sensor 35.
Consequently, the infrared sensor 35 can correctly obtain
information about the temperature of a floor, the temperature of a
wall surface, the position of a human body, and an activity
condition of the human body.
[0065] According to Embodiment 1, it is unnecessary to restrict the
orientations of the up-down deflectors 8a and 8b so that
conditioned air is not applied to the casing 36. The conditioned
air can be blown to a human body in the horizontal direction close
to the infrared sensor 35. For example, the moderate cooling
operation can also be performed.
[0066] FIG. 9 is a side view of the air-conditioning-apparatus
indoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in
a downward blowing operation mode. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram
illustrating an air flow in the air outlet and its vicinity in the
downward blowing operation mode of the air-conditioning-apparatus
indoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present
invention.
[0067] In the downward blowing operation mode illustrated in FIGS.
9 and 10, the up-down deflector 8b is in a downward blowing
position and the left-right deflector 7b is turned to the right (to
the infrared sensor 35) in FIG. 10.
[0068] Conditioned air blown from the air outlet 23 is sent to the
right in FIG. 10 by the left-right deflector 7b.
[0069] An air flow flows on the lower surface of the up-down
deflector 8b facing away from the infrared sensor 35 and is sent to
the indoor space at an angle defined by the left-right deflector
7b.
[0070] The conditioned air barely flows on the upper surface of the
up-down deflector 8b facing the infrared sensor 35. The conditioned
air does not reach an area in the vicinity of the infrared sensor
35. This results in a correct amount of infrared radiation to be
detected by the infrared sensor 35. The infrared sensor 35 can
correctly obtain information about the temperature of a floor, the
temperature of a wall surface, the position of a human body, and an
activity condition of the human body.
[0071] In particular, in the heating operation in which the up-down
air flow direction is set to downward blowing to directly heat the
floor surface of an indoor space, wide-angle air blowing in the
left-right direction is critical to improving comfort in the indoor
space. Because the small air flow control plate 43, the upper air
flow control plate 42, and the large air flow control plate 41 do
not provide the air flow controlling effect in the downward blowing
operation mode in Embodiment 1, the wide-angle air blowing in the
left-right direction is not reduced.
[0072] In Embodiment 1 described above, the three air flow control
plates, or the small air flow control plate 43, the upper air flow
control plate 42, and the large air flow control plate 41 are
arranged. The number of air flow control plates may be increased or
reduced. When the number of air flow control plates is reduced,
conditioned air can be prevented from reaching the area in the
vicinity of the infrared sensor 35 by controlling the size of each
air flow control plate and a movable range of the left-right
deflector.
[0073] In Embodiment 1 described above, the pseudo air passage 45
is provided. When the pseudo air passage 45 is not provided, the
air flow control plates can also prevent conditioned air from
reaching the area in the vicinity of the infrared sensor 35.
Embodiment 2
[0074] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view illustrating air flows in the
vicinity of the infrared sensor 35 in the horizontal blowing
operation mode of an air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit 1
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the indoor unit 1 according to
Embodiment 2 includes the upper air flow control plate 42 alone as
an air flow control plate.
[0076] At the end, where the large air flow control plate 41 is
disposed in Embodiment 1, of the up-down deflector 8b close to the
infrared sensor 35, the bearing 44 alone is provided.
[0077] In the horizontal blowing operation mode in FIG. 11, the
up-down air flow direction is set to horizontal blowing and the
left-right air flow direction is set to rightward blowing for the
heating operation of the indoor unit 1 including only the upper air
flow control plate 42.
[0078] In the heating operation, heated air blown from the air
outlet 23 has a low air density in the vicinity of the pseudo air
passage 45, and a main stream of the heated air flows through an
upper air passage part that is over the upper surface of the
up-down deflector 8b. Consequently, the heated air blown from the
air outlet 23 is deflected to the front side by the upper air flow
control plate 42. The heated air does not reach the area in the
vicinity of the infrared sensor 35.
Embodiment 3
[0079] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view illustrating air flows in the
vicinity of the infrared sensor 35 in the horizontal bowing
operation mode of an air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit 1
according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the indoor unit according to
Embodiment 3 includes the small air flow control plate 43 alone as
an air flow control plate.
[0081] At the end, where the large air flow control plate 41 is
disposed in Embodiment 1, of the up-down deflector 8b close to the
infrared sensor 35, the bearing 44 alone is provided.
[0082] In the horizontal blowing operation mode in FIG. 12, the
up-down air flow direction is set to horizontal blowing and the
left-right air flow direction is set to rightward blowing for the
cooling operation of the indoor unit 1 including the small air flow
control plate 43 disposed on the up-down deflector 8b.
[0083] In the cooling operation, cooled air blown from the air
outlet 23 has a high air density in the vicinity of the pseudo air
passage 45, and a main stream of the cooled air flows on the upper
surface of the up-down deflector 8b. Consequently, the cooled air
blown from the air outlet 23 is deflected to the front side by the
small air flow control plate 43. The cooled air does not reach the
area in the vicinity of the infrared sensor 35.
Embodiment 4
[0084] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view illustrating air flows in the
vicinity of the infrared sensor 25 in the horizontal blowing
operation mode of an air-conditioning-apparatus indoor unit 1
according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0085] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the indoor unit according to
Embodiment 4 includes, as air flow control plates, the small air
flow control plate 43 disposed on the up-down deflector 8b and the
upper air flow control plate 42 disposed on the upper surface of
the air outlet 23.
[0086] At the end, where the large air flow control plate 41 is
disposed in Embodiment 1, of the up-down deflector 8b close to the
infrared sensor 35, the bearing 44 alone is provided.
[0087] In the horizontal blowing operation mode in FIG. 13, the
up-down air flow direction is set to horizontal blowing and the
left-right air flow direction is set to rightward blowing for the
cooling operation or the heating operation of the indoor unit 1
including the small air flow control plate 43 and the upper air
flow control plate 42.
[0088] In the cooling operation, cooled air blown from the air
outlet 23 has a high air density in the vicinity of the pseudo air
passage 45, and a main stream of the cooled air flows on the upper
surface of the up-down deflector 8b. Consequently, the cooled air
blown from the air outlet 23 is deflected to the front side by the
small air flow control plate 43. The cooled air does not reach the
area in the vicinity of the infrared sensor 35.
[0089] On the other hand, in the heating operation, heated air
blown from the air outlet 23 has a low air density in the vicinity
of the pseudo air passage 45, and a main stream of the heated air
flows through the upper air passage part that is over the upper
surface of the up-down deflector 8b. Consequently, the heated air
blown from the air outlet 23 is deflected to the front side by the
upper air flow control plate 42. The heated air does not reach the
area in the vicinity of the infrared sensor 35.
[0090] In Embodiment 4, a likelihood that an air flow may reach the
area in the vicinity of the infrared sensor 35 can be eliminated or
reduced in both the cooling operation and the heating
operation.
[0091] In Embodiments 1 to 4 described above, the large air flow
control plate 41, the small air flow control plate 43, and the
upper air flow control plate 42 are arranged between the infrared
sensor 35 and the end of the left-right deflector 7b close to the
infrared sensor 35. This arrangement enables the large air flow
control plate 41, the small air flow control plate 43, and the
upper air flow control plate 42 to deflect an air flow flowing in
the left-right direction from the air outlet 23 to the front side
before the air flow reaches the area in the vicinity of the
infrared sensor 35, thus eliminating or reducing false detection
caused by the application of the air flow to the area in the
vicinity of the infrared sensor 35. In other words, the casing 36
covering the infrared sensor 35 has substantially the same
temperature as that in an indoor space, the amount of infrared
radiation to be detected by the infrared sensor 35 is correct
without being disturbed by the temperature of the casing 36, and
the infrared sensor 35 can correctly obtain information about the
temperature of a floor, the temperature of a wall surface, the
position of a human body, and an activity condition of the human
body.
[0092] The large air flow control plate 41 and the small air flow
control plate 43 are arranged on the up-down deflector 8b. This
arrangement enables the large air flow control plate 41 and the
small air flow control plate 43 to deflect the air flow flowing in
the left-right direction from the air outlet 23 to the front side
before the air flow reaches the infrared sensor 35, thus
eliminating or reducing false detection caused by the application
of the air flow to the area in the vicinity of the infrared sensor
35.
[0093] The upper air flow control plate 42 is disposed on the upper
surface of the air outlet 23. This arrangement enables the upper
air flow control plate 42 to deflect the air flow flowing in the
left-right direction from the air outlet 23 to the front side
before the air flow reaches the infrared sensor 35, thus
eliminating or reducing false detection caused by the application
of the air flow to the area in the vicinity of the infrared sensor
35.
[0094] The upper air flow control plate 42 is disposed between the
large air flow control plate 41 and the small air flow control
plate 43. This arrangement allows the large air flow control plate
41, the small air flow control plate 43, and the upper air flow
control plate 42 disposed between these two plates to define a
zigzag path. This zigzag path increases flow resistance in the
passage to the infrared sensor 35, so that an air flow flowing in
the left-right direction from the air outlet 23 can be deflected to
the front side before the air flow reaches the infrared sensor 35.
This eliminates or reduces false detection caused by the
application of the air flow to the area in the vicinity of the
infrared sensor 35.
[0095] The large air flow control plate 41 is included in the
bearing 44 of the up-down deflector 8b. This arrangement enhances
the strength of the bearing 44 of the up-down deflector 8b.
[0096] The large air flow control plate 41 disposed close to the
infrared sensor 35 has a larger area than the small air flow
control plate 43. This increases flow resistance in the passage to
the infrared sensor 35 and also results in a reduction in amount of
material used. Since an increase in area of the small air flow
control plate 43, which has the air flow controlling effect, may
cause condensation on the suction surface of this plate in the
cooling operation, the small air flow control plate 43 is allowed
to produce a leakage air flow to reduce the difference in
temperature between the suction surface and the pressure surface of
the small air flow control plate 43. This eliminates or reduces
condensation. Although the leakage air flow is produced at the
small air flow control plate 43, the large air flow control plate
disposed close to the infrared sensor 35 can eliminate or reduce
the leakage air flow reaching the infrared sensor 35.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0097] 1: indoor unit; 2: main body; 3: panel; 4: grille; 6a: fan
motor; 7a: left-right deflector; 7b: left-right deflector; 8a:
up-down deflector; 8b: up-down deflector; 11: remote control; 12:
controller; 12a: input unit; 12b: CPU; 12c: memory; 12d: output
unit; 22: air inlet; 23: air outlet; 24a: up-down deflector driving
motor; 24b: up-down deflector driving motor; 25a: left-right
deflector driving motor; 25b: left-right deflector driving motor;
28: nozzle; 35: infrared sensor; 36: casing; 41: large air flow
control plate; 42: upper air flow control plate; 43: small air flow
control plate; 44: bearing; and 45: pseudo air passage
* * * * *