AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

 In an air conditioner of the present disclosure, a vertical wind blade is disposed at an outlet port of an indoor unit, and sets an angle in the vertical direction of an indoor air flow from the outlet port to an arbitrary angle between downward and forward. A controller executes a heating operation of controlling the vertical wind blade, and discharging the indoor air flow warmed by an indoor heat exchanger from the outlet port. The controller executes a circulation operation of circulating indoor air by the indoor air flow when room temperature is not lower than a set temperature during the heating operation. The circulation operation includes reducing the amount of the indoor air flow and changing the angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow to forward during a first time period, and increasing the amount of the indoor air flow after changing the angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow to forward.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

2. Background Art

[0002] Some air conditioners perform a circulator operation of moving air accumulating near a ceiling to a floor. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an air conditioner performing a circulator operation of moving air accumulating near a ceiling to a floor when a temperature near the ceiling becomes higher, by a predetermined threshold value or more, than a set temperature set by a user of an indoor space.

[Citation List]

[Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent No. 5289392

SUMMARY

[0004] An air conditioner described in Patent Literature 1 still has room for improvement in terms of reduction in power consumption and improvement in comfort. The present disclosure provides an air conditioner capable of reducing power consumption and improving comfort.

[0005] An air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The indoor unit includes a housing, an indoor fan, an indoor heat exchanger, a vertical wind blade, a temperature sensor, and a controller.

[0006] The housing includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The indoor fan is disposed in the housing and generates an indoor air flow. The indoor heat exchanger is disposed in a path of the indoor air flow in the housing. The vertical wind blade is disposed at the outlet port. The temperature sensor detects room temperature. The controller controls the indoor fan and the vertical wind blade.

[0007] The controller executes a heating operation of causing the vertical wind blade to set an angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow from the outlet port to an arbitrary angle between downward and forward, and discharging the indoor air flow warmed by the indoor heat exchanger from the outlet port. The controller executes a circulation operation of circulating indoor air by the indoor air flow when the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor during execution of the heating operation is not lower than a set temperature.

[0008] The circulation operation includes reducing an amount of the indoor air flow and changing an angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow to forward during a predetermined first time period, and changing the angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow to forward, and then increasing the amount of the indoor air flow.

[0009] The air conditioner of the present disclosure can reduce power consumption and improve comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] 

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of an indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state in which a vertical wind blade of the indoor unit shown in FIG. 2 faces a first direction.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the vertical wind blade of the indoor unit shown in FIG. 2 faces a second direction.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of an indoor air flow during a heating operation.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of an indoor air flow during a circulation operation.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of an indoor air flow during the circulation operation.

FIG. 9 is a time chart showing flows of the heating operation and the circulation operation.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an example of an indoor air flow during the circulation operation according to a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an example of the indoor air flow during the circulation operation according to the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a time chart showing flows of the heating operation and the circulation operation according to the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an indoor unit according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the indoor unit shown in FIG. 13 viewed from the above.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the indoor unit shown in FIG. 13 viewed from the above.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the indoor unit shown in FIG. 13 viewed from the above.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the indoor unit shown in FIG. 13 viewed from the above.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of an air conditioner according to the third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a time chart showing flows of a heating operation and a circulation operation according to the third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of an indoor space to illustrate indoor air flow according to a fourth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the indoor space shown in FIG. 20 viewed from different angles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(Background to the present disclosure)

[0011] When a heating operation is carried out using an air conditioner, warmed air remains near a ceiling. Therefore, a temperature near a floor is not as high as a temperature near the ceiling, and a user near the floor cannot obtain a sufficient heating effect. Thus, it has been studied to reduce unevenness in room temperature by stirring indoor air with a circulation function added to the air conditioner.

[0012] For example, the air conditioner described in Patent Literature 1 carries out a circulator operation of comparing a body-sensory temperature with a set temperature, and automatically moving air accumulating near the ceiling toward a floor when the body-sensory temperature is higher than the set temperature.

[0013] However, in the air conditioner described in Patent literature 1, since the circulator operation is carried out in a state in which a compressor is stopped, power consumption is increased when the compressor is restarted. Furthermore, when the circulator operation is carried out to stir the indoor air in a state in which the compressor is stopped, air that has not been warmed is blown out from the air conditioner. As a result, a user tends to feel that the air is cool.

[0014] The present inventors have studied an air conditioner capable of reducing power consumption and improving comfort, and have devised the present disclosure.

[0015] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to the present disclosure is described with reference to drawings in some cases. In the following drawings, orthogonal coordinates including an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis are used to represent vertical, horizontal, and longitudinal directions with respect to the air conditioner according to the present disclosure. That is to say, the positive direction of the X-axis represents the front side of the air conditioner (indoor unit), the positive direction of the Y-axis represents the right side of the air conditioner (indoor unit), and the positive direction of the Z-axis represents the vertical upper side.

(First exemplary embodiment)

[Overall Configuration]

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of air conditioner 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of indoor unit 20 of air conditioner 10 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of air conditioner 10 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state in which vertical wind blade 24 of indoor unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 faces a first direction. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which vertical wind blade 24 of indoor unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 faces a second direction.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, air conditioner 10 according to this exemplary embodiment includes indoor unit 20 disposed in an indoor space Rin to be air-conditioned, and outdoor unit 30 disposed in an outdoor space Rout.

[0018] As shown in FIGs. 1 and 3, outdoor unit 30 includes outdoor heat exchanger 32, outdoor fan 34, compressor 36, expansion valve 38, and four-way valve 40. Outdoor heat exchanger 32 exchanges heat with air in the outdoor space Rout. Outdoor fan 34 sucks the air in the outdoor space Rout into outdoor unit 30, and blows the air after heat exchange by outdoor heat exchanger 32 into the outdoor space Rout. Thus, outdoor air flow A2 is generated.

[0019] Compressor 36, expansion valve 38, and four-way valve 40 form a freezing cycle together with outdoor heat exchanger 32 and the below-mentioned indoor heat exchanger 23.

[0020] As shown in FIGs. 2 and FIG. 3, indoor unit 20 includes housing 21, indoor fan 22, indoor heat exchanger 23, vertical wind blade 24, temperature sensor 25, and controller 26. Housing 21 of indoor unit 20 includes inlet port 21a and outlet port 21b. Indoor fan 22 is disposed in housing 21.

[0021] Indoor fan 22 sucks air in the indoor space Rin, that is, indoor air through inlet port 21a into the inside of indoor unit 20, and blows the indoor air after heat exchange by indoor heat exchanger 23 into the indoor space Rin through blow port 21b. Thus, warmed indoor air flow A1 is generated. Indoor heat exchanger 23 is disposed in a path in housing 21 of indoor air flow A1 generated by indoor fan 22.

[0022] With vertical wind blade 24 is disposed at outlet port 21b. As shown in FIG. 2, vertical wind blade 24 rotates along an arrow G1 to open and close outlet port 21b and to change the blowing direction of indoor air flow A1 toward the upper side or lower side.

[0023] Controller 26 causes vertical wind blade 24 to rotate, sets the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 to the first direction, and as shown in FIG. 4, directs the direction of the indoor air flow A1 toward the lower direction. That is to say, the first direction is downward.

[0024] When vertical wind blade 24 faces the first direction, the direction of vertical wind blade 24 is preferably set at a depression angle of 38 to 42 degrees.

[0025] Controller 26 causes vertical wind blade 24 to rotate, sets the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 to the second direction, and as shown in FIG. 5, sets the direction of indoor air flow A1 to the front side (the positive direction of the X axis). The second direction is more upward, that is, forward, than the first direction. When vertical wind blade 24 faces the second direction, the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 is preferably set at a depression angle of 18 degrees or less.

[0026] When vertical wind blade 24 faces the second direction, indoor air flow A1 is discharged more upward than when vertical wind blade 24 faces the first direction. Specifically, when vertical wind blade 24 faces the first direction, indoor air flow A1 is blown out toward the lower side.

[0027] When vertical wind blade 24 faces the second direction, indoor air flow A1 is blown out toward the front side. Controller 26 changes the direction of indoor air flow A1 between downward and forward by causing vertical wind blade 24 to rotate.

[0028] The downward includes not only a case where the direction of indoor air flow A1 is toward the lower side in the vertical direction but also a case where the direction of indoor air flow A1 is slightly tilted toward the front side from the vertical direction. Similarly, the forward includes not only the case where the direction of indoor air flow A1 is horizontal, but also the case where the direction of indoor air flow A1 is slightly tilted toward the lower side from the horizontal direction.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, when vertical wind blade 24 is in the first direction, indoor air flow A1 moving toward the lower side is generated. As shown in FIG. 5, when vertical wind blade 24 is in the second direction, indoor air flow A1 moving toward the front side is generated.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, indoor unit 20 includes temperature sensor 25 and controller 26. Temperature sensor 25 detects a temperature of the indoor space Rin, that is, room temperature. Controller 26 controls indoor fan 22 and vertical wind blade 24, and thereby controls a series of operations of sucking indoor air flow A1 into indoor unit 20, and discharging indoor air flow A1 that has been heat-exchanged by indoor heat exchanger 23 into the indoor space Rin.

[0031] In this exemplary embodiment, controller 26 executes a heating operation by indoor air flow A1 warmed by indoor heat exchanger 23. During execution of the heating operation, controller 26 sets the direction of indoor air flow A1 to an arbitrary direction between downward shown in FIG. 4 and forward shown in FIG. 5. That is to say, controller 26, during execution of the heating operation, sets the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 to an arbitrary direction between the first direction and the second direction.

[0032] In this exemplary embodiment, controller 26 executes a circulation operation of causing indoor air flow A1 to circulate an indoor air. Controller 26 executes the circulation operation when the room temperature is not lower than a set temperature of the heating operation during the heating operation. That is to say, after the indoor air is sufficiently warmed by the heating operation, controller 26 executes the circulation operation.

[0033] With reference to FIGs. 6 to 9, flows of the heating operation and the circulation operation are described. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of an indoor air flow during the heating operation. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of an indoor air flow during the circulation operation. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of an indoor air flow during the circulation operation. FIG. 9 is a time chart showing flows of the heating operation and the circulation operation.

[0034] Specifically, a graph (a) of FIG. 9 is a time chart showing a change over time in the orientation of vertical wind blade 24. A graph (b) of FIG. 9 is a time chart showing a change over time in an amount of indoor air flow A1. A graph (c) of FIG. 9 is a time chart showing a change over time of room temperature.

[0035] As shown in the graph (c) of FIG. 9, controller 26 executes the heating operation, and executes the circulation operation when the room temperature reaches the set temperature at time t1. During execution of the circulation operation, indoor air flow A1 is warmed by the heat exchange by indoor heat exchanger 23. Therefore, controller 26 executes the circulation operation while causing compressor 36 to operate.

[0036] In the circulation operation, firstly, controller 26 causes vertical wind blade 24 to face the second direction, and reduces the amount of indoor air flow A1. That is to say, controller 26 changes the direction of indoor air flow A1 to forward, and at the same time, reduces the amount of indoor air flow A1 to a predetermined low air volume (Low).

[0037] The orientation of vertical wind blade 24 is gradually changed over a predetermined first term. When vertical wind blade 24 faces the second direction at time t2, controller 26 gradually increases the amount of indoor air flow A1 over the time period from time t2 to time t3, from Low to a predetermined high air volume (High). Thereafter, controller 26, for a predetermined time period, causes vertical wind blade 24 to remain in the second direction and maintains the amount of indoor air flow A1 at high.

[0038] Controller 26 executes a circulation operation for a predetermined time period (time t3 to time t4), and then, executes a circulation operation again. Specifically, at time t4, controller 26 sets the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 to an arbitrary direction between the first direction and the second direction, and sets the amount of indoor air flow A1 to an arbitrary value between High and Low.

[0039] Hereinafter, the heating operation and the circulation operation are described in detail.

[0040] As described above, controller 26 sets the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 to an arbitrary direction between the first direction and the second direction, and executes a heating operation. Depending on the orientation of vertical wind blade 24, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, indoor air flow A1 becomes air flow AF1 that gradually lowers toward the front side.

[0041] Controller 26 sets the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 and the amount of indoor air flow A1 based on room temperature, setting by a user, and the like, during the heating operation.

[0042] FIG. 9 shows an example in which a heating operation is executed in the time period between time t0 to time t1. A graph (a) of FIG. 9 shows that vertical wind blade 24 is directed to an arbitrary direction between the first direction and the second direction, a graph (b) of FIG. 9 shows that the amount of indoor air flow A1 is set to an arbitrary value between Low (for example, about 700 rpm) and High (for example, about 900 rpm).

[0043] When the heating operation is executed, as shown in graph (c) of FIG. 9, the room temperature gradually rises. When the room temperature reaches a set temperature of the heating operation at time t1, controller 26 executes a circulation operation.

[0044] The circulation operation is carried out during the heating operation. That it to say, during execution of the circulation operation, air in the indoor space Rin is sucked into indoor unit 20, and is warmed by heat-exchange in indoor heat exchanger 23. Therefore, indoor air flow A1 is air warmed at the time of execution of the circulation operation.

[0045] The circulation operation includes directing vertical wind blade 24 to the second direction during the first time period, and increasing the amount of indoor air flow A1.

[0046] In the circulation operation, controller 26 firstly directs vertical wind blade 24 to the second direction during the first time period. The first time period is a time period between time t1 and time t2 shown in FIG. 9. The length of the first time period is, for example, 5 seconds or more and 30 second or less.

[0047] That is to say, as shown in FIG. 7 and the graph (a) of FIG 9, controller 26 gradually changes the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 to the second direction shown in FIG. 5, and changes indoor air flow A1 from air flow AF1 to air flow AF2 over a time period from time t1 to time t2. By changing the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 over time of, for example, 5 seconds to 30 seconds, user's discomfort is reduced. Airflow AF2 is indoor airflow A1 moving to the front side from outlet port 21b.

[0048] During a time period from time t1 to time t2, controller 26 reduces the amount of indoor air flow A1 as shown in a graph (b) of FIG. 9. Controller 26 reduces the amount of indoor air flow A1 by, for example, reducing rotational speed of indoor fan 22.

[0049] By reducing the amount of indoor air flow A1 while vertical wind blade 24 is directed in the second direction, a user is prevented from being hit by strong wind, and user's discomfort can be reduced. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the amount of indoor air flow A1 drops to Low at any time point in the time period from time t1 to time t2.

[0050] In this exemplary embodiment, when the amount of indoor air flow A1 is Low, the rotational speed of indoor fan 22 is set to, for example, about 600 rpm to about 700 rpm. When vertical wind blade 24 is directed in the second direction, the direction of indoor air flow A1 may be set at a depression angle of smaller than 34 degrees. Thus, the indoor air can be stirred more efficiently.

[0051] Controller 26 causes vertical wind blade 24 to face the second direction, and then increases the amount of indoor air flow A1. In the example shown in FIG. 9, during a time period from time t2 to time t3, the amount of indoor air flow A1 is changed from Low to High. In this exemplary embodiment, when the amount of indoor air flow A1 is High, the rotational speed of indoor fan 22 is set to, for example, about 700 rpm to about 1200 rpm.

[0052] Controller 26 increases the amount of indoor air flow A1, for example, by increasing the rotational speed of indoor fan 22. At this time, controller 26 may increase the rotational speed of indoor fan 22 in a stepwise manner. Specifically, as shown in the graph (b) of FIG. 9, the rotational speed of indoor fan 22 may be increased at a rate of, for example, 100 rpm/10 seconds during the time period from time t2 to time t3.

[0053] For example, when the rotational speed of indoor fan 22 is changed from Low to High, controller 26 gradually increases the rotational speed of indoor fan 22 over 20 seconds. Thus, it is possible to reduce user's discomfort due to an increase in a blowing sound accompanying the increase in the amount of indoor air flow A1.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 9, in the time period from time t3 to time t4, controller 26 sets the amount of indoor air flow A1 at High while causing vertical wind blade 24 to face the second direction. The time period from time t3 to time t4 is preferably, for example, 20 seconds or more and seconds or more and 60 seconds or less.

[0055] In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, indoor air flow A1 moving toward wall surface WL2 disposed in the front side of indoor unit 20 is discharged. When the amount of indoor air flow A1 is set to High, indoor air flow A1 hits wall surface WL2 and moves toward the floor FL (see arrow C 1 in FIG. 8).

[0056] Furthermore, this air flow hits a floor FL, and then moves along the floor FL toward wall surface WL1 on which indoor unit 20 is disposed. After hitting the wall surface WL1, the airflow rises toward a ceiling CL along the wall surface WL1 (see arrow C2). In this way, indoor air flow A1 circulates along the arrows C 1 and C2 in the indoor space Rin, whereby the indoor air can be stirred.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 9, controller 26 increases the amount of indoor air flow A1, and then maintains the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 in the second direction during a time period from time t3 to time t4. At the same time, controller 26 maintains the amount of indoor air flow A1 in a state in which the amount of indoor air flow A1 is increased. By operating air conditioner 10 in a state in which the amount of indoor air flow A1 is increased with the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 in the second direction, the indoor air can be stirred.

[0058] In time 4 or later, controller 26 sets the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 to an arbitrary direction between the first direction and the second direction, and the amount of indoor air flow A1 is set to an arbitrary value. Thus, controller 26 terminates the circulation operation and executes a heating operation.

[Advantageous effect]

[0059] According to this embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be achieved.

[0060] Air conditioner 10 includes outdoor unit 30 and indoor unit 20. Indoor unit 20 includes housing 21, indoor fan 22, indoor heat exchanger 23, vertical wind blade 24, temperature sensor 25, and controller 26.

[0061] Housing 21 includes inlet port 21a and outlet port 21b. Indoor fan 22 is disposed in housing 21 and generates indoor air flow A1. Indoor heat exchanger 23 is disposed in a path of indoor air flow A1 in housing 21.

[0062] Vertical wind blade 24 is disposed at outlet port 21b. Temperature sensor 25 detects room temperature. Controller 26 controls indoor fan 22 and vertical wind blade 24.

[0063] Controller 26 causes vertical wind blade 24 to set an angle in a vertical direction of indoor air flow A1 from outlet port 21b to an arbitrary angle between downward and forward, and executes a heating operation of discharging warmed indoor air flow A1 by indoor heat exchanger 23. The controller executes a circulation operation of allowing indoor air flow A1 to circulate the indoor air when the room temperature detected by a temperature sensor is the set temperature or higher during the heating operation.

[0064] The circulation operation includes reducing the amount of the indoor air flow, and changing the angle in the vertical direction of indoor air flow A1 to forward during a predetermined first time period. Furthermore, the circulation operation includes changing the angle in the vertical direction of indoor air flow A1 to forward and then increasing the amount of indoor air flow A1.

[0065] With such a configuration, power consumption can be reduced, and comfort can be improved. In this exemplary embodiment, since the circulation operation is executed during the heating operation, indoor air can be stirred by the warmed indoor air flow A1. Therefore, since the circulation operation can be executed without reducing the room temperature, the power consumption can be reduced.

[0066] Furthermore, by stirring the indoor air by using the warmed indoor air flow A1, it is possible to prevent cold air from hitting a user, and thereby to prevent the user from feeling discomfort.

[0067] According to conventional air conditioners, during a heating operation, warmed air tends to remain near a ceiling CL, a room temperature near a floor FL may be lower. In this exemplary embodiment, after room temperature reaches a set temperature during the heating operation, a circulation operation is executed with air warmed by heat exchange with indoor heat exchanger 23, and thereby a user in the indoor space Rin is prevented from feeling discomfort by cold air.

[0068] Controller 26 may increase the amount of indoor air flow A1 by increasing the rotational speed of indoor fan 22. With such a configuration, the amount of indoor air flow A1 can be easily increased.

[0069] Controller 26 may increase the rotational speed of indoor fan 22 in a stepwise manner. Such a configuration can recue discomfort by an increase in the blowing sound accompanying the increase in the amount of indoor air flow A1.

[0070] Outdoor unit 30 includes compressor 36, and controller 26 may execute a circulation operation while compressor 36 is operated. Such a configuration can reduce power consumption of air conditioner 10.

[0071] This exemplary embodiment describes an example in which the amount of indoor air flow A1 is increased by increasing the rotational speed of indoor fan 22. However, for example, a damper for controlling the amount of indoor air flow A1 may be used to increase the amount of indoor air flow A1.

[0072] This exemplary embodiment describes an example in which the rotational speed of indoor fan 22 is increased in a stepwise manner. However, controller 26 may rapidly increase the rotational speed of indoor fan 22.

(Second exemplary embodiment)

[0073] With reference to FIGs. 10 to 12, a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described. In the second exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to configurations the same or substantially the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0074] FIGs. 10 and 11 are schematic views each showing an example of indoor air flow during execution of a circulation operation in the second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 12 is a time chart showing flows of a heating operation and a circulation operation according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0075] Specifically, a graph (a) of FIG. 12 is a time chart showing a change over time of the orientation of vertical wind blade 24. A graph (b) of FIG. 12 is a time chart showing a change over time of an amount of indoor air flow A1. A graph (c) of FIG. 12 is a time chart showing a change over time of room temperature.

[0076] In the circulation operation according to the second exemplary embodiment, controller 26 increases the amount of indoor air flow A1. Thereafter, controller 26 reduces the amount of indoor air flow A1, and gradually changes the direction of indoor air flow A1 to downward over a predetermined second time period. The second exemplary embodiment is different from the first exemplary embodiment in that these operations are included.

[0077] Furthermore, in the circulation operation according to the second exemplary embodiment, controller 26 changes the direction of indoor air flow A1 to downward. Thereafter, controller 26 increases the amount of indoor air flow A1. The second exemplary embodiment is different from the first exemplary embodiment in that these operations are included. A configuration of air conditioner 10 is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0078] In this exemplary embodiment, controller 26 causes vertical wind blade 24 to face the second direction and executes a circulation operation, and then causes vertical wind blade 24 to face the first direction and continues the circulation operation. Control from time t10 to time t14 shown in FIG. 12 is the same as the control from time t0 to time t4 shown in FIG. 4 with respect to the heating operation and the circulation operation in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0079] After the circulation operation is executed while vertical wind blade 24 is allowed to face the second direction, controller 26 changes vertical wind blade 24 from the second direction to the first direction as shown in FIG. 10 and a graph (a) of FIG. 12, and changes indoor air flow A1 from air flow AF2 to air flow AF3. That is to say, the direction of indoor air flow A1 is changed from forward to downward. Air flow AF3 is indoor air flow A1 moving from outlet port 21b toward the lower side.

[0080] At this time, controller 26 gradually changes the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 from the second direction to the first direction over the second time period. The second time period is a time period from time t14 to time t15 shown in FIG. 12. The length of the second time period is, for example, 5 seconds or more and 30 seconds or less.

[0081] As in the case where vertical wind blade 24 is directed to the second direction, vertical wind blade 24 is gradually directed to the first direction over time of, for example, 5 seconds or more and 30 seconds or less. Thus, user's discomfort can be reduced.

[0082] As shown in a graph (b) of FIG. 12, at time t14, controller 26 reduces the amount of indoor air flow A1. In the example of FIG. 12, at any time point in the time period between time t14 and time t15, the amount of indoor air flow A1 is reduced to Low.

[0083] After vertical wind blade 24 is directed to the first direction, controller 26 increases the amount of indoor air flow A1. In an example of FIG. 12, in the time period from time t15 to time t16, the amount of indoor air flow A1 is changed from Low to High. Controller 26 increases the amount of indoor air flow A1, for example, by increasing the rotational speed of the indoor fan.

[0084] At this time, controller 26 may increase the rotational speed of indoor fan 22 in a stepwise manner. Specifically, as shown in a graph (b) of FIG. 12, in the time period from time t15 to time t16, the rotational speed of the indoor fan may be increased at a rate of, for example, 100 rpm/10 seconds.

[0085] During the time period from time t16 to time t17 shown in FIG. 12, controller 26 sets the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 to the first direction, and maintains the amount of indoor air flow A1 at High.

[0086] In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, indoor air flow A1 moving from outlet port 21b toward floor FL is generated. When the amount of indoor air flow A1 is set to High, indoor air flow A1 hits floor FL and moves toward wall surface WL2 at the front side of indoor unit 20 (see arrow C3 of FIG. 11).

[0087] Furthermore, this air flow hits wall surface WL2, and then rises toward a ceiling CL along wall surface WL2 (see an arrow C4 of FIG. 11). In this way, when indoor air flow A1 circulates inside the indoor space Rin along arrows C3 and C4, the indoor air can be stirred.

[0088] As described above, in this exemplary embodiment, after the indoor air is stirred by the air flow along the arrows C1 and C2 of FIG. 8, the indoor air is stirred by the air flow along the arrows C3 and C4 of FIG. 11. By changing the air flow during the circulation operation with vertical wind blade 24, stirring can be carried out more efficiently, and unevenness in room temperature can be reduced.

[0089] During the time period from time t16 to time t17 shown in FIG. 12, controller 26 maintains the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 that is set to the first direction, and maintains the amount of indoor air flow A1 that is set at High. By carrying out the circulation operation in this state, the indoor air can be sufficiently stirred.

[0090] In time 17 or later, controller 26 sets the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 to an arbitrary direction between the first direction and the second direction, and sets the amount of indoor air flow A1 to an arbitrary value to terminate the circulation operation, and execute a heating operation.

[Advantageous effect]

[0091] According to this aspect, the following advantageous effects can be achieved.

[0092] The circulation operation includes reducing the amount of the indoor air flow after increasing the amount of indoor air flow A1, and setting the direction of indoor air flow A1 to downward during the second time period. The circulation operation includes increasing the amount of indoor air flow A1 after setting the direction of indoor air flow A1 to the downward.

[0093] With such a configuration, the indoor air can be stirred more efficiently, and unevenness in the room temperature can be reduced to improve user's comfort.

(Third exemplary embodiment)

[0094] With reference to FIGs. 13 to 19, a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described. In the third exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to configurations the same or substantially the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0095] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing indoor unit 20A according to the third exemplary embodiment. FIGs. 14 to 17 are schematic views each showing indoor unit 20A shown in FIG. 13 viewed from the above. The third exemplary embodiment is different from the first exemplary embodiment in that indoor unit 20Aincludes horizontal wind blades 27.

[0096] As shown in FIGs. 14 to 17, indoor unit 20A includes a plurality of horizontal wind blades 27 arranged in the horizontal direction of outlet port 21b. Horizontal wind blades 27 change the direction of indoor air flow A1 to the horizontal direction. As shown in FIGs. 13 to 17, each of horizontal wind blades 27 has a plate shape.

[0097] For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the orientation of each of horizontal wind blades 27 is set such that each main surface becomes substantially perpendicular to the horizontal direction, indoor air flow A1 moving from outlet port 21b toward the front side is generated.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 15, when the orientation of each of horizontal wind blades 27 is set such that each main surface is tilted to the left side, indoor air flow A1 moving from outlet port 21b to the right front side.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 16, when each of horizontal wind blades 27 is disposed such that the main surface is tilted to the right side, indoor air flow A1 moving from outlet port 21b to the left front side is generated.

[0100] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of air conditioner 10A according to the third exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, controller 26 controls horizontal wind blade 27 similar to vertical wind blade 24. Controller 26 controls horizontal wind blade 27 and changes the direction of indoor air flow A1 to the horizontal direction.

[0101] FIG. 19 is a time chart showing flows of the heating operation and the circulation operation in the third exemplary embodiment.

[0102] Specifically, a graph (a) of FIG. 19 is a time chart showing a change over time of the orientation of vertical wind blade 24. A graph (b) of FIG. 19 is a time chart showing a change over time of the orientation of horizontal wind blade 27. A graph (c) of FIG. 19 is a time chart showing a change over time of the amount of indoor air flow A1. A graph (d) of FIG. 19 is a time chart showing a change over time of room temperature.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 19, during the time period from the time when a heating operation is started to the time when room temperature reaches the set temperature, controller 26 causes horizontal wind blade 27 to swing the horizontal wind of indoor air flow A1 between the direction shown in FIG. 15 and the direction shown in FIG. 16.

[0104] In this exemplary embodiment, for the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 and the amount of indoor air flow A1, controller 26 carries out the same control as in the first exemplary embodiment. That is to say, as shown in a graph (a) of FIG. 19, controller 26 executes a heating operation, and gradually changes the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 from the first direction to the second direction when room temperature reaches the set temperature at time t21, over the time period from time t21 to time t22. At time t21, controller 26 sets the amount of indoor air flow A1 to Low.

[0105] In this exemplary embodiment, as shown in a graph (b) of FIG. 19, during the time period from time t20 to time t22, controller 26 causes horizontal wind blades 27 to swing to left and right. At time t22, when vertical wind blade 24 is directed to the second direction, controller 26 gradually increases the amount of indoor air flow A1 from Low to High over the time period from time t22 to time t23.

[0106] As shown in a graph (b) of FIG. 19, after time t22, controller 26 tilts the orientations of the plurality of horizontal wind blades 27 toward the center of outlet port 21b in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 17).

[0107] That is to say, among a plurality of horizontal wind blades 27, the respective directions of horizontal wind blades 27a disposed on the left side from the center of outlet port 21b are set so that the principal surfaces thereof are tilted to the left side. Among the plurality of horizontal wind blades 27, the respective directions of horizontal wind blades 27b disposed on the right side from the center of outlet port 21b are set so that the principal surfaces thereof are tilted to the right side.

[0108] Thus, as shown in FIG. 17, indoor air flow A1 moving from outlet port 21b to the center in the horizontal direction of indoor unit 20A is generated.

[0109] Thereafter, controller 26 executes a circulation operation in a predetermined time period (time t23 to time t24), and then executes a heating operation again. Specifically, at time t24, controller 26 sets the orientation of vertical wind blade 24 to an arbitrary direction between the first direction and the second direction, causes horizontal wind blade 27 to swing, and further sets the amount of indoor air flow A1 to an arbitrary value between High and Low.

[Advantageous effect]

[0110] According to this embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be achieved.

[0111] Indoor unit 20A further includes a plurality of horizontal wind blades 27 arranged in the horizontal direction of indoor unit 20A and changing the wind of indoor air flow A1 to the horizontal direction. Controller 26 tilts the orientation of each of the plurality of horizontal wind blades 27 toward the center in the horizontal direction of outlet port 21b when the amount of indoor air flow A1 is increased.

[0112] With such a configuration, when indoor air flow A1 moving toward the front side is generated, by tilting horizontal wind blades 27 toward the center in the horizontal direction, the air flow can be converged on the front face of indoor unit 20. Therefore, warmed indoor air flow A1 can reach wall surface WL2 in the front side of indoor unit 20A more quickly, and the indoor air can be efficiently stirred.

(Fourth exemplary embodiment)

[0113] With reference to FIGs. 20 to 21, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described. In the fourth exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to configurations that are the same or substantially the same as in the third exemplary embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0114] FIG. 20 is a schematic view of an indoor space Rin to illustrate indoor air flow A1 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the indoor space Rin shown in FIG. 20 viewed from a different angle. The fourth exemplary embodiment is different from the third exemplary embodiment in that controller 26 sets the orientation of horizontal wind blade 27 based on the position of furniture 100 disposed in the indoor space Rin. The configuration of indoor unit 20A is similar to that of the third exemplary embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0115] In this exemplary embodiment, during execution of the circulation operation, controller 26 sets the orientation of horizontal wind blade 27 based on the position of furniture 100 disposed in the indoor space Rin. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, controller 26 causes horizontal wind blades 27 to face the direction in which furniture 100 is not disposed.

[0116] For example, the position of furniture 100 in the indoor space Rin may be set by a user in advance. Controller 26 may determine, based on information detected by a human sensor or the like, that the furniture is disposed in a place where a user often exists in the indoor space Rin.

[0117] By controlling the orientation of horizontal wind blades 27 in this way, the air flow AF4 from indoor unit 20A is generated so as to avoid an obstacle such as furniture 100.

[0118] In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, indoor air circulates along arrow C5 and arrow C6. Therefore, when the indoor air is stirred in the circulation operation, it is possible to prevent furniture 100 from inhibiting the indoor flow. Therefore, the indoor air can be efficiently stirred.

[Advantageous effect]

[0119] According to this exemplary embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be achieved.

[0120] Controller 26 sets the orientation of horizontal wind blade 27 based on the position of furniture 100 disposed in the indoor space Rin.

[0121] With such a configuration, when the indoor air is stirred, an indoor air flow can be generated while an obstacle such as furniture 100 is avoided. Therefore, the advantageous effect of the circulation operation can be improved.

(Outline of exemplary embodiments)

[0122] (First aspect) An air conditioner of the present disclosure includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The indoor unit includes a housing, an indoor fan, an indoor heat exchanger, a vertical wind blade, a temperature sensor, and a controller.

[0123] The housing includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The indoor fan is disposed in the housing and generates an indoor air flow. The indoor heat exchanger is disposed in a path of the indoor air flow in the housing. The vertical wind blade is disposed at the outlet port. The temperature sensor detects room temperature. The controller controls the indoor fan and the vertical wind blade.

[0124] The controller executes a heating operation of causing the vertical wind blade to set an angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow from the outlet port to an arbitrary angle between downward and forward, and discharging the indoor air flow warmed by the indoor heat exchanger from the outlet port. The controller executes a circulation operation of causing the indoor air flow to circulate an indoor air when the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor during execution of the heating operation is not lower than a set temperature.

[0125] The circulation operation includes reducing an amount of the indoor air flow and changing an angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow to forward during a predetermined first time period, and changing the angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow to forward, and then increasing the amount of the indoor air flow.

[0126] (Second aspect) In the air conditioner of the first aspect, the controller may increase the amount of the indoor air flow by increasing the rotational speed of the indoor fan.

[0127] (Third aspect) In the air conditioner of the second aspect, the controller may increase the rotational speed of the indoor fan in a stepwise manner.

[0128] (Fourth aspect) In the air conditioner of any one of the first to third aspects, the circulation operation may further include the amount of the indoor air flow, then reducing the amount of the indoor air flow, and changing the vertical angle of the indoor air flow to downward during a predetermined second time period, and changing the orientation of the vertical wind blade to downward, and then increasing the amount of the indoor air flow.

[0129] (Fifth aspect) In the air conditioner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the indoor unit may further include a plurality of horizontal wind blades. The plurality of horizontal wind blades is arranged in the horizontal direction of an outlet port, and changes the angle of the indoor air flow in the horizontal direction. When the amount of the indoor air flow is increased, the controller may tilt the orientation of each of the plurality of horizontal wind blades to the center in the horizontal direction of an outlet port.

[0130] (Sixth aspect) In the air conditioner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the indoor unit may further include a horizontal wind blade. The horizontal wind blade is disposed at an outlet port, and changes the angle in the horizontal direction of the indoor air flow from the outlet port. The controller may set the orientation of the horizontal wind blade based on the position of an obstacle disposed in the indoor sp ace.

[0131] (Seventh aspect) In the air conditioner of any one of the first to sixth aspects, the outdoor unit may include a compressor, and the controller may execute the circulation operation with the compressor operated.

[0132] The present disclosure can be applied to an air conditioner capable of executing a heating operation and a circulation operation.

Claims

1. An air conditioner comprising:

an outdoor unit; and

an indoor unit, wherein

the indoor unit includes:

a housing including an inlet port and an outlet port;

an indoor fan disposed in the housing and generating an indoor air flow;

an indoor heat exchanger disposed in a path of the indoor air flow in the housing;

a vertical wind blade disposed at the outlet port;

a temperature sensor for detecting room temperature; and

a controller for controlling the indoor fan and the vertical wind blade,

the controller:

executes a heating operation of causing the vertical wind blade to set an angle in a vertical direction of the indoor air flow from the outlet port to an arbitrary angle between a first direction and a second direction, and discharging the indoor air flow warmed by the indoor heat exchanger from the outlet port, and

executes a circulation operation of circulating indoor air by the indoor air flow when the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor during execution of the heating operation is not lower than a set temperature, and

the circulation operation includes:

reducing an amount of the indoor air flow and changing an angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow to the second direction during a predetermined first time period, and

changing the angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow to the second direction and then increasing the amount of the indoor air flow.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the controller increases the amount of the indoor air flow by increasing rotational speed of the indoor fan.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the controller increases the rotational speed of the indoor fan in a stepwise manner.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein
the circulation operation further includes:

increasing the amount of the indoor air flow, then reducing the amount of the indoor air flow, and changing the angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow to the first direction during a predetermined second time period, and

changing the angle in the vertical direction of the indoor air flow to the first direction, and then increasing the amount of the indoor air flow.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein

the indoor unit further includes a plurality of horizontal wind blades arranged in a horizontal direction of the outlet port, and changing an angle in a horizontal direction of the indoor air flow from the outlet port, and

the controller causes an orientation of each of the plurality of horizontal wind blades to be tilted toward a center in the horizontal direction of the outlet port when the amount of the indoor air flow is increased.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the indoor unit further includes a horizontal wind blade disposed at the outlet port, and changing an angle in the horizontal direction of the indoor air flow from the outlet port, and
the controller sets the orientation of the horizontal wind blade based on a position of an obstacle.

7. The air conditioner according to any one of claim 1 to claim 6, wherein

the outdoor unit includes a compressor, and

the controller executes the circulation operation with the compressor operated.

Drawing