Environment Control Device, Environment Adjustment Device, Air Conditioner, Environment Control Method, and Program

This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2023/040056, filed Nov. 7, 2023, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-013127, filed Jan. 31, 2023, the contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present disclosure relates to an environment control device, an environment adjustment device, an air conditioner, an environment control method, and a program.

The air conditioner of Patent Document 1 determines the attribute of a target person, and controls the volume of air and the number of revolutions of the compressor in accordance with the attribute of the person. This configuration improves the comfort of the target person.

A first aspect is directed to an environment control device comprising a control unit configured to control an environment adjustment portion configured to adjust an environment of a space in which a person is present. The control unit is configured to generate a second signal indicating biological information of a target person by processing a first signal output from a non-contact biosensor configured to detect biological information of the person present in the space, based on state information indicating a state of the person present in the space acquired by a state acquisition unit; estimate emotion information of the target person, based on the second signal; and control the environment adjustment portion, based on the emotion information of the target person.

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment shown below, and various changes can be made within the scope without departing from the technical concept of the present disclosure. Since each of the drawings is intended to illustrate the present disclosure conceptually, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary for the sake of ease of understanding.

An environment control device (E) of the present disclosure is applied to an air conditioner (). The air conditioner () is an example of an environment adjustment device. As illustrated in, the air conditioner () applies an environmental stimulus to a target person (T) in an indoor space (I) which is a target space. The air conditioner () adjusts an environment of the indoor space (I). The air conditioner () conditions air in the indoor space (I). The air conditioner () of this embodiment adjusts the temperature of air in the indoor space (I).

As illustrated in, the air conditioner () includes an outdoor unit (), an indoor unit (), a first connection pipe (), and a second connection pipe (). The air conditioner () is a pair-type air conditioner including one outdoor unit () and one indoor unit (). The first connection pipe () is a gas connection pipe, and the second connection pipe () is a liquid connection pipe. The outdoor unit () and the indoor unit () are connected to each other via the first connection pipe () and the second connection pipe () to constitute a refrigerant circuit (). The refrigerant circuit () circulates the refrigerant therethrough to perform a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant is, for example, difluoromethane.

The outdoor unit () is installed outdoors. The outdoor unit () includes an outdoor casing (), a compressor (), an outdoor heat exchanger (), an expansion valve (), a four-way switching valve (), and an outdoor fan (). The outdoor casing () houses the compressor (), the outdoor heat exchanger (), the expansion valve (), the four-way switching valve (), and the outdoor fan ().

The compressor () is, for example, a rotary compressor of an oscillating piston type, a rotary type, or a scroll type. The outdoor heat exchanger () is a fin-and-tube heat exchanger. The four-way switching valve () switches between a first state (the state indicated by the solid curves in) and a second state (the state indicated by the broken curves in). The four-way switching valve () in the first state makes a discharge portion of the compressor () and a gas end of the outdoor heat exchanger () communicate with each other, and makes a suction portion of the compressor () and the first connection pipe () communicate with each other. The four-way switching valve () in the second state makes the discharge portion of the compressor () and the first connection pipe () communicate with each other, and makes the suction portion of the compressor () and the gas end of the outdoor heat exchanger () communicate with each other. The outdoor fan () is a propeller fan.

The indoor unit () illustrated inis installed in the indoor space (I). The indoor unit () is a wall-mounted unit installed on a wall (W) of the indoor space (I). The indoor unit () includes an indoor casing (), an air filter (), an indoor heat exchanger (), an indoor fan (), a drain pan (), first flaps (), and second flaps ().

The indoor casing () is formed in a hollow shape that is long in the left-right direction. The indoor casing () houses the air filter (), the indoor heat exchanger (), the indoor fan (), the drain pan (), the first flaps (), and the second flaps (). The indoor casing () has an inlet () and an outlet (). The inlet () is formed in an upper portion of the indoor casing (). The inlet () is an opening through which air is sucked into the indoor space (I). The inlet () extends in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the indoor casing (). The outlet () is formed near the front side in a lower portion of the indoor casing (). The outlet () extends in the longitudinal direction of the indoor casing (). The indoor casing () includes therein an air passage () from the inlet () to the outlet ().

The air filter () is disposed upstream of the indoor heat exchanger () in the air passage (). The air filter () is a mesh member formed along the inlet (). The air filter () catches dust in intake air sucked through the inlet ().

The indoor heat exchanger () is disposed upstream of the indoor fan () in the air passage (). The indoor heat exchanger () is a fin-and-tube heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger () allows heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing therethrough and air transferred by the indoor fan ().

The indoor fan () is an example of a fan. The indoor fan () is a cross-flow fan. The indoor fan () extends in the longitudinal direction of the indoor casing (). The indoor fan () is rotationally driven by a fan motor (). The indoor fan () transfers air in the air passage (). When the indoor fan () is driven, air in the indoor space (I) is sucked into and flows through the air passage (). At the same time, the air in the air passage () is blown out through the outlet (). The indoor fan () is configured to adjust the volume of blown air supplied to the indoor space (I) through the outlet (). The number of revolutions of the fan motor () is adjusted to adjust the volume of blown air.

The drain pan () is disposed below the indoor heat exchanger (). The drain pan () is a tray which receives water generated in the indoor casing (). The drain pan () receives condensation water generated on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger ().

The first flaps () and the second flaps () constitute an airflow direction adjustment portion configured to adjust the airflow direction of blown air. The indoor unit () includes two first flaps () and eight second flaps (), but these numbers are mere examples. The first flaps () adjust the up-and-down direction of the blown air. The second flaps () adjust the left-right direction of the blown air. The two first flaps () are arranged in the up-and-down direction. The first flaps () extend in the longitudinal direction of the indoor casing (). The first flaps () are driven by a first flap motor () so as to turn in the up-and-down direction. The multiple second flaps () are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the indoor casing (). The second flaps () extend in the up-and-down direction. The second flaps () are driven by a second flap motor () so as to turn in the left-right direction.

As illustrated in, the air conditioner () includes a remote controller (). The remote controller () includes an operation unit () and a display (). The operation unit () allows the user to input various instructions to the air conditioner (). The operation unit () is a button, a switch, or a touch panel. The instructions include switching the air conditioner () ON and OFF, selecting the operating mode of the air conditioner (), and changing the set temperature of the indoor space (I). The display () displays information on the state and the operation of the air conditioner (). This information includes the operating mode and the set temperature of the air conditioner ().

The air conditioner () includes multiple sensors. The multiple sensors include an indoor temperature sensor (), an infrared ray sensor (), and a radio-frequency sensor (). The indoor temperature sensor () is disposed near the inlet (). As illustrated in, the infrared ray sensor () and the radio-frequency sensor () are disposed on the front surface of the indoor casing (). The infrared ray sensor () and the radio-frequency sensor () are disposed at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) on the front surface of the indoor casing ().

The indoor temperature sensor () detects the temperature of air in the indoor space (I). The indoor temperature sensor () detects the temperature of air sucked into the inlet ().

The infrared ray sensor () detects the temperature distribution of air in the indoor space (I) and the surface temperature of a person in the indoor space (I). The infrared ray sensor () is used to divide the indoor space (I) into multiple two-dimensional sections and acquire data of the temperatures of the sections.

The radio-frequency sensor () is a sensor for acquiring emotion information of the target person (T). The radio-frequency sensor () is a vital sensor configured to detect biological signals of the target person (T) by using microwaves. The radio-frequency sensor () is a non-contact vital sensor. In other words, the radio-frequency sensor () can detect biological signals of the target person (T) without contact with the target person (T). The biological signals include signals derived from respiration, heartbeat, pulse waves, brain waves, body movement, and the like of the target person (T). The radio-frequency sensor () corresponds to a biosensor of the present disclosure.

The control unit () constitutes an environment control device (E) configured to control an air conditioner (). Strictly speaking, the control unit () is configured to control an air conditioning portion (A). The air conditioning portion (A) is a mechanical element required to perform air conditioning of the indoor space (I). The air conditioning portion (A) constitutes an environment adjustment portion for adjusting the environment around the target person and applying an environmental stimulus to the target person (T).

As illustrated in, the control unit () includes an indoor control unit (IC), an outdoor control unit (OC), and an operation control unit (RC). The indoor control unit (IC), the outdoor control unit (OC), and the operation control unit (RC) are configured to communicate with each other in a wired or wireless manner. The indoor control unit (IC), the outdoor control unit (OC), and the operation control unit (RC) each include a micro control unit (MCU), an electric circuit, and an electronic circuit. The MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and a communication interface. The memory stores various programs to be executed by the CPU.

The outdoor control unit (OC) is provided for the outdoor unit (). The outdoor control unit (OC) is disposed inside the outdoor casing (). The outdoor control unit (OC) controls the compressor (), the expansion valve (), the four-way switching valve (), and the outdoor fan (). Strictly speaking, the outdoor control unit (OC) controls start and stop of the compressor (), the number of revolutions of the compressor (), the opening degree of the expansion valve (), the state of the four-way switching valve (), start and stop of operation of the outdoor fan (), and the number of revolutions of the outdoor fan ().

The indoor control unit (IC) is provided for the indoor unit (). The indoor control unit (IC) is disposed inside the indoor casing (). The indoor control unit (IC) controls the indoor fan (). Specifically, the indoor control unit (IC) controls start and stop of the indoor fan () and the number of revolutions of the fan motor () of the indoor fan (). The indoor control unit (IC) controls the first flaps () and the second flaps (). Specifically, the indoor control unit (IC) controls the first flap motor () and the second flap motor () so as to adjust the angular positions of the first flaps () and the second flaps ().

The detection signals detected by the indoor temperature sensor (), the infrared ray sensor (), and the radio-frequency sensor () are input to the indoor control unit (IC).

The operation control unit (RC) transmits, to the indoor control unit (IC), a command for the operating mode and the set temperature input by the user using the operation unit (). This command is transmitted from the indoor control unit (IC) to the outdoor control unit (OC).

The air conditioner () performs the cooling operation and the heating operation.

The cooling operation is an operation for cooling air in the indoor space (I) so that the air in the indoor space (I) approaches the set temperature (target temperature). In the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve () is switched to the first state. The refrigerant that has compressed in the compressor () dissipates heat in the outdoor heat exchanger () and is then decompressed in the expansion valve (). The refrigerant that has been decompressed evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger (). The air that has cooled in the indoor heat exchanger () is supplied to the indoor space (I). The refrigerant that has evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger () is sucked into the compressor ().

The heating operation is an operation for heating air in the indoor space (I) so that the air in the indoor space (I) approaches the set temperature (target temperature). In the heating operation, the four-way switching valve () is switched to the second state. In the heating operation, the refrigerant that has compressed in the compressor () dissipates heat in the indoor heat exchanger (), and is then decompressed in the expansion valve (). The air that has heated in the indoor heat exchanger () is supplied to the indoor space (I). The refrigerant that has been decompressed evaporates in the outdoor heat exchanger (), and is then sucked into the compressor ().

The air conditioner () performs target-prioritized operation. The target-prioritized operation includes applying an environmental stimulus to the target person (T) identified based on the priority information and keeping the pleasant emotions of the target person (T). Details of the target-prioritized operation will be described.

The air conditioner () includes a state acquisition unit () for acquiring state information indicating the state of a person present in the indoor space (I). The state acquisition unit () comprises an infrared ray sensor () and a first arithmetic processing unit (). In this embodiment, the first arithmetic processing unit () is provided in the control unit () of the air conditioner (). Specifically, as shown in, the first arithmetic processing unit () is provided in the indoor control unit (IC).

The state acquisition unit () generates a two-dimensional thermal image indicating the temperature distribution in the indoor space (I), based on the output of the infrared ray sensor (). The thermal image is a lattice arrangement of a plurality of pixels, for example. The state acquisition unit () outputs the state information of the person, based on the generated thermal image. The state acquisition unit () analyzes the thermal image and outputs the state information of the person. The state information of the person present in the indoor space (I) is obtainable in this manner. The state information includes information on the number, location, posture, or physique of the people present in the indoor space (I).

The air conditioner () includes an emotion estimation unit () for estimating the emotion information of the target person (T). The emotion estimation unit () comprises a radio-frequency sensor () and a second arithmetic processing unit (). In this embodiment, the second arithmetic processing unit () is provided in the control unit () of the air conditioner (). Specifically, as shown in, the second arithmetic processing unit () is provided in the indoor control unit (IC).

The emotion estimation unit () estimates the emotion information of the target person (T), based on a biological signal detected by the radio-frequency sensor (). The emotion estimation unit () of this embodiment estimates the emotion of the target person (T), based on the pleasant-unpleasant valence and the state of arousal-nonarousal. As illustrated in, the emotion of a person can be represented by, for example, an emotion circumplex model estimated by Russell. With the horizontal axis X indicating the pleasant-unpleasant valence, and the vertical axis Y indicating the arousal-nonarousal, the emotion circumplex model conceptually represents the relationship between the emotion of a person and the valence of emotion and degree of arousal. Accordingly, the emotion of a person can be estimated by grasping the pleasant-unpleasant valence and the state of arousal-nonarousal.

The pleasant-unpleasant valence can be estimated on the basis of the index indicating the state of autonomic nerve. The parameters of the valence include autonomic balance (LF/HF) and autonomic neural activity (SDNN). These parameters can be all acquired on the basis of heartbeat components extracted from the biological signals detected by the radio-frequency sensor ().

The “LF/HF” indicates the balance between the sympathetic nerve and the parasympathetic nerve of the target person (T). The emotion estimation unit () performs, for example, frequency analysis of heartbeat intervals to determine a low-frequency component (LF) in a range between 0.05 Hz to 0.20 Hz and a high-frequency component (HF) of 0.20 Hz or higher, thereby determining the ratio of these components as LF/HF. The HF is greater when the parasympathetic nerves dominate the sympathetic nerves, and the LF is greater when the sympathetic nerves dominate the parasympathetic nerves. Thus, if the target person (T) feels uncomfortable and is highly stressed, the target person (T) has a higher LF/HF. Conversely, if the target person (T) feels comfortable and is less stressed, the target person (T) has a lower LF/HF.

The SDNN is an index indicating the variation of N-N intervals. The SDNN is, for example, a standard deviation of N-N intervals in five minutes. The SDNN is greater when the parasympathetic nerves dominate the sympathetic nerves, and smaller when the sympathetic nerves dominate the parasympathetic nerves. Thus, if the target person (T) feels uncomfortable and is highly stressed, the target person (T) has a smaller SDNN. Conversely, if the target person (T) feels comfortable and is less stressed, the target person (T) has a greater SDNN.

The state of arousal-nonarousal affects the body movement, respiration, heartbeat, and other conditions of the target person (T). Accordingly, whether the target person (T) is in the state of arousal or the state of nonarousal can be estimated by extracting the signals derived from the body movement, the respiration, and the heartbeat from the biological signals acquired by the radio-frequency sensor ().

As described above, if the pleasant-unpleasant valence and the state of arousal-nonarousal are known, it is possible to estimate the emotion of the target person (T) using the emotion circumplex model.

Details of the target-prioritized operation will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of.

When the user operates the operation unit () of the remote controller () to perform an input operation to start the target-prioritized operation, the control unit () is requested to start the target-prioritized operation. In response, the control unit () starts the target-prioritized operation.

As illustrated in, when the target-prioritized operation starts, the control unit () identifies the target person (T) in step S, based on the priority information input by the user. Specifically, the control unit () first outputs, to the display (), a signal for prompting the user to input the priority information. When this signal is output to the display (), the user operates the operation unit () to input the priority information. In receipt of the priority information, the control unit () identifies the target person (T), based on the input priority information. The user operates the operation unit () and selects one piece of priority information or multiple pieces of priority information from the multiple pieces of priority information displayed on the display ().

The priority information relates to priorities used in identifying the target person (T) for the emotion estimation. Examples of the priority information include information on the location (e.g., front, center, or back) in the indoor space (I), the attribute (e.g., infant or adult) of the person, the posture (e.g., standing, sitting, or lying) of the person, and the state (e.g., sleeping or resting) of the person. For example, if the indoor space (I) is divided into three sections in the direction away from the indoor unit (), and the information on the location input as the priority information is “front,” the target person (T) is a person in the closest section to the indoor unit (). The target person (T) here may be identified based on a piece of priority information or multiple pieces of priority information.

Next, in step S, the control unit () causes the air conditioning portion (A) to start an initial operation. In the initial operation, the same operation as the cooling operation or the heating operation described above is performed so that the temperature of the indoor space (I) approaches a predetermined temperature. That is, the air cooled or heated by the indoor heat exchanger () is supplied to the indoor space (I). The predetermined temperature here is, for example, a target temperature indoors. The target temperature corresponds to a set temperature set by the remote controller (). In the initial operation, the first flaps () and the second flaps () are adjusted so that the blown air reaches the target person (T).

Next, from step Sto step S, the control unit () performs an emotion estimation operation. In the emotion estimation operation, the control unit () estimates the emotion information of the target person (T). Specifically, the control unit () estimates the pleasant-unpleasant valence and the state of arousal-nonarousal of the target person (T) as described above, based on the biological signal detected by the radio-frequency sensor ().

Specifically, in step S, the state acquisition unit () acquires state information of the person present in the indoor space (I). That is, in step S, the first arithmetic processing unit () acquires the state information of the person as described above, based on the output of the infrared ray sensor ().

Next, in step S, the second arithmetic processing unit () acquires the first signal output from the radio-frequency sensor (). The first signal includes a signal derived from respiration, heartbeat, pulse wave, body movement, and other conditions of the people including the target person (T) present in the indoor space (I). If there is only one person in the indoor space (I), the first signal is a signal in which signals derived from the respiration, heartbeat, or other conditions of the person are superimposed. If there are multiple people in the indoor space (I), the first signal is a signal in which signals derived from the respirations, heartbeats, and other conditions of all the people present in the indoor space (I) are superimposed.

Next, in step S, the second arithmetic processing unit () generates the second signal, based on the first signal and the state information. Specifically, in step S, the second arithmetic processing unit () generates the second signal by processing the first signal based on the state information. Details of the process of generating the second signal (second signal generation process) will be described later.