JPH10253131A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An object of the present invention is to intuitively indicate the operation mode or operation state of an air conditioner by changing the color of a liquid crystal display that indicates the operation mode or operation state of the air conditioner. Aim. SOLUTION: An instruction receiving unit for receiving an instruction indicating an operation mode, an operation control unit for performing operation control corresponding to the operation mode, an operation state detection unit for detecting an operation state, and a set of the operation state and the emission color are set to one. An emission color management unit that manages more than
An air conditioner comprising: a luminescent color determining unit for extracting a luminescent color paired with an operating state detected by an operating state detecting unit; and an irradiating unit for irradiating the liquid crystal display unit with the luminescent color extracted by the luminescent color determining unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner for displaying an operation mode or an operation state on a liquid crystal display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-70334 discloses a first conventional technique. In this prior art, a display means such as a liquid crystal is provided in an air conditioner, and operation modes such as cooling, heating, and dry are displayed on the display means by characters.

A second conventional technique is disclosed in
No. 75180. In this prior art, a remote control device includes a liquid crystal display unit, and a backlight that emits at least two colors to irradiate the liquid crystal display unit. The driving mode is intuitively indicated by changing the emission color of the backlight. In the case of the automatic operation mode, the operation mode of the air conditioner body such as cooling or heating is predicted according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature thermistor, and the emission color of the backlight is changed according to the predicted operation mode. Was something.

[0004]

However, in the first conventional technique, since the operation mode is displayed by characters, the operation mode cannot be intuitively understood. Further, there is no description of the automatic operation mode in the prior art, and when the present technology is applied to the automatic operation mode, "automatic operation" is displayed. Therefore, since the actual operation mode is not displayed in the automatic operation mode, there are the following inconveniences. In other words, the automatic operation mode is, for example, heating is performed when the detected room temperature is 17 degrees or less,
When the temperature is from 8 degrees to 25 degrees, it is automatic control to dry the air when the temperature is 26 degrees or more. Normally, a user who is good in the automatic operation mode, when the temperature is at a critical point, for example, when the temperature is 25 degrees, the air conditioner is more dry than the dry air When the user likes his / her taste, since the actual operation mode is not indicated, the user has to endure the heat without manually switching to the cooling operation. Furthermore, merely displaying the operation mode cannot display an operation state that is the state of the air conditioner during operation, for example, that defrosting control or odor cutting control during heating is being performed. During the defrosting control or the odor cutting control, the air supply from the air conditioner is restricted, and the user may feel uneasy if the heating is not operating normally, which is inconvenient.

Further, in the second conventional technique, the actual operation mode is predicted from the room temperature detected in the automatic operation mode. However, the prediction may be erroneous due to the accuracy of the room temperature thermistor. Further, since only the operation mode is displayed in the same manner as in the first conventional technique, it is not possible to indicate the operation state such as the defrost control to the user.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and to provide an intuitive indication of an actual operation mode and an intuitive operation state without error even in an automatic operation mode. .

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a liquid crystal display for displaying an operation mode or an operation state of an air conditioner, which is illuminated by an irradiation unit capable of emitting two or more colors. The driving mode and the driving state can be intuitively indicated.

Further, the present invention provides a command receiving unit for receiving a command indicating the operation mode of the air conditioner, an operation control unit for performing operation control corresponding to the operation mode received by the command receiving unit, and an operation control unit. An operation mode detection unit that detects an actual operation mode, a light emission color management unit that manages at least one set of operation mode and emission color, and a light emission color that is paired with the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit. The actual operation mode can be displayed without error even in the automatic operation mode by the emission color determination unit to be extracted and the irradiation unit that irradiates the liquid crystal display unit with the emission color extracted by the emission color determination unit. An opportunity to manually switch the mode can be provided.

Further, the present invention provides a command reception unit for receiving a command indicating an operation mode of an air conditioner, an operation control unit for performing operation control corresponding to the operation mode received by the command reception unit, and An operation state detection unit that detects a certain operation state, an emission color management unit that manages at least one set of the operation state and the emission color, and an emission color that extracts the emission color paired with the operation state detected by the operation state detection unit By having the deciding unit and the irradiating unit that irradiates the liquid crystal display unit with the luminescent color extracted by the luminescent color deciding unit, it is possible to display the operating state such as during defrosting, and to confirm that the air conditioner is not out of order Can be intuitively specified.

[0010] Further, an LED is used for the irradiation part,
To one or two or three of the four sides of the rectangular liquid crystal display
By arranging on the side, illuminance for easy-to-view display can be obtained with minimum cost.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an air conditioner having a liquid crystal display section and an irradiating section for emitting and irradiating the liquid crystal display section with at least two colors. In addition to sometimes indicating the automatic operation mode, the actual operation mode (cooling, heating, dry, etc.) of the air conditioner is intuitively indicated by color.

In addition, the operating state of the air conditioner, such as during defrosting control during heating, is intuitively indicated by color to give the user a sense of security.

Further, by arranging the LED as an irradiating unit on only one side, two sides or three sides of a rectangular liquid crystal display unit, it is possible to obtain a necessary minimum illuminance at a minimum cost.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of an air conditioner.
A liquid crystal display 26 is provided. In addition, an air conditioner shall mean an indoor unit of an air conditioner unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner according to this embodiment. The air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes a command receiving unit 21, an operation control unit 22, an operation mode detection unit 23, and a luminescent color management unit 24.
Light emission color determination unit 25, liquid crystal display unit 26, irradiation unit 2
7 is provided.

The instruction receiving unit 21 is provided for cooling, heating, dry,
An instruction to switch operation modes such as automatic operation is received.

The operation control section 22 sets an appropriate operation mode from among the cooling mode, heating mode, and dry mode to the operation mode received by the instruction receiving section 21, and operates.

The operation mode detecting section 23 detects an actual operation mode of the air conditioner. The emission color management unit 24 manages the correspondence between the operation modes and the emission colors corresponding to the operation modes.

The emission color determination unit 25 includes an operation mode detection unit 2
The light emission color corresponding to the actual operation mode of the air conditioner detected by 3 is extracted.

The liquid crystal display unit 26 includes an operation mode detection unit 23
Receives the detected actual operation mode, and displays the operation mode in characters.

The irradiating section 27 irradiates the liquid crystal display section 26 with the luminescent color extracted by the luminescent color determining section 25.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the irradiation section 27.
That is, nine LEDs 271 are attached to the upper side of the square irradiation part 27, and LEDs emitting red, green, and blue colors from the left.
Are arranged three by one.

The operation of the air conditioner of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S401) The instruction receiving unit 21
It is determined whether or not an instruction to switch the operation mode has been received. If the command has been received, the process proceeds to step S402. If the command has not been received, the process returns to step S401.

(Step S402) The operation control unit 22
It is determined whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is cooling. In the case of cooling, the procedure goes to step S407, and if not, the procedure goes to step S403.

(Step S403) The operation control unit 22
It is determined whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is heating. If it is heating, go to step S408; if not, go to step S404.

(Step S404) The operation control unit 22
It is determined whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is dry. If dry, go to step S409; if not dry, go to step S405.

(Step S405) The operation control unit 22
It is determined whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is an automatic operation. In the case of automatic driving, go to step S410,
If it is not automatic operation, go to step S406.

(Step S406) The operation control unit 22
It is determined whether or not the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is operation stop. If the operation is stopped, go to step S411,
If the operation is not stopped, the process returns to step S401.

(Step S407) Upon receiving step S402, the operation control unit 22 performs a cooling operation.

(Step S408) Upon receiving step S403, the operation control section 22 performs a heating operation.

(Step S409) Upon receiving step S404, the operation control unit 22 performs a dry operation.

(Step S410) In response to step S405, the operation control unit 22 detects the room temperature by means not shown, and selects and executes an appropriate operation from among the cooling, heating, and dry operations based on the detected room temperature.

(Step S411) In response to step S406, the operation control unit 22 stops the operation and ends.

(Step S412) Operation Mode Detector 2
3 detects the actual operation mode of the air conditioner.

(Step S413) The liquid crystal display unit 26
The actual operation mode (cooling, heating, dry) of the air conditioner detected by the operation mode detection unit 23 is displayed by characters.

(Step S 414) Emission color determination section 25
Search the emission color management unit 24 for the emission color corresponding to the actual operation mode of the air conditioner detected by the operation mode detection unit 23.

(Step S415) The irradiating section 27 irradiates the liquid crystal display section 26 with the luminescent color searched by the luminescent color determining section 25. It returns to step S401.

Next, a specific operation of the air conditioner of this embodiment will be described. Now, the correspondence between the operation mode and the emission color as shown in FIG. 5 is managed by the emission color management unit 24.

Further, the operation control unit 22 performs control such that the heating operation is performed when the room temperature is 17 degrees or less, the dry operation is performed when the room temperature is 18 degrees to 25 degrees, and the cooling operation is performed when the room temperature is 26 degrees or more. .

At this time, it is assumed that a command indicating the "automatic driving mode" is received by the command receiving unit 21. At this time, it is assumed that the operation control unit 22 detects the room temperature by a room temperature detection unit (not shown) (for example, a temperature sensor added to the air conditioner) and detects that the room temperature is “15 degrees”. Then, the operation control unit 22 performs the heating operation. Then, the operation mode detection unit 23 detects that the actual operation mode of the air conditioner is “heating”. Next, the liquid crystal display unit 26 displays the operation mode detection unit 2.
The actual operation mode “heating” of the air conditioner detected by No. 3 is displayed in characters (see FIG. 6). Next, the emission color determination unit 25
Retrieves, from the emission color management unit 24, the emission color “red” corresponding to the actual operation mode “heating” of the air conditioner detected by the operation mode detection unit 23. Next, the irradiating unit 27 irradiates the liquid crystal display unit 26 with the luminescent color “red” searched by the luminescent color determining unit 25 (see FIG. 7).

Consider a case where a command indicating the “cooling mode” is received by the command receiving unit 21. At this time, the operation control unit 22 switches to the cooling operation. And
The operation mode detection unit 23 detects that the actual operation mode of the air conditioner is “cooling”. Next, the liquid crystal display unit 26 displays the actual operation mode “cooling” of the air conditioner detected by the operation mode detection unit 23 in characters. Next, the emission color determination unit 25 searches the emission color management unit 24 for the emission color “blue” corresponding to the actual operation mode “cooling” of the air conditioner detected by the operation mode detection unit 23. Next, the irradiating unit 27 irradiates the liquid crystal display unit 26 with the luminescent color “blue” searched by the luminescent color determining unit 25 (see FIG. 8).

As described in the present embodiment, the irradiating section in which the LEDs are arranged only on the upper side makes it possible to display an operation mode that is inexpensive and has sufficient illuminance, and indicates the operation mode by a difference in emission color. This makes it possible to display an intuitive driving mode. Furthermore, by detecting the actual operation mode of the air conditioner by the operation mode detection unit, even in the case of the automatic operation mode, the actual operation mode can be reliably grasped, and the correct operation mode is intuitively displayed by the liquid crystal display unit. Can be.

In this embodiment, the air conditioner is an indoor unit and is shown in FIG. 1 as being separated from the outdoor unit. However, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are not necessarily separated. There is no.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Portions having the same configuration as in the first embodiment and performing the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different portions will be mainly described.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner of this embodiment. The air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes a command receiving unit 21, an operation control unit 22, an operation mode detection unit 23, a light emission color management unit 94, and a light emission color determination unit 9.
5, a liquid crystal display unit 26, and an irradiation unit 97.

The emission color management unit 94 manages the correspondence between the set of the operation mode received by the command reception unit 21 and the actual operation mode of the air conditioner detected by the operation mode detection unit 23 and the emission color.

The emission color determination section 95 extracts emission colors corresponding to a set of the operation mode received by the instruction reception section 21 and the actual operation mode of the air conditioner detected by the operation mode detection section 23.

The configuration of the irradiating section 97 is shown in FIG. 10, and the irradiating section 97 irradiates the liquid crystal display section 26 with the luminescent color extracted by the luminescent color determining section 95.

The irradiation unit 97 in FIG.
6 are attached to the left and right sides of the irradiation unit 97, respectively.
In this example, LEDs emitting green and blue colors are grouped one by one, and two sets of the groups are arranged.

The operation of the air conditioner of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S1101) Instruction Receiving Unit 21
Determines whether or not has received an instruction to switch the operation mode. If an instruction has been received, step S11
02, if no instruction has been received, step S1
Return to 101.

(Step S1102) Operation control unit 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is cooling. In the case of cooling, the procedure goes to step S1107, and if not, the procedure goes to step S1103.

(Step S1103) Operation control unit 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is heating. In the case of heating, the process proceeds to step S1108, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1104.

(Step S1104) Operation control unit 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is dry. If dry, go to step S1109; if not dry, go to step S1105.

(Step S1105) Operation control unit 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is an automatic operation. In the case of automatic operation, the flow proceeds to step S1110, and if not, the flow proceeds to step S1106.

(Step S1106) Operation control unit 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is operation stop. If the operation has stopped, the process proceeds to step S1111. If the operation has not stopped, the process returns to step S1101.

(Step S1107) Step S110
2, the operation control unit 22 performs the cooling operation.

(Step S1108) Step S110
In response to 3, the operation control unit 22 performs the heating operation.

(Step S1109) Step S110
4, the operation control unit 22 performs the dry operation.

(Step S1110) Step S110
5, the operation control unit 22 detects the room temperature by means (not shown), and selects and executes an appropriate operation from cooling, heating, or dry operation based on the detected room temperature.

(Step S1111) Step S110
6, the operation control unit 22 stops the operation and ends the operation.

(Step S1112) The operation mode detecting section 23 detects an actual operation mode.

(Step S1113) Liquid crystal display section 26
However, both the command (cooling, heating, dry, automatic operation) received by the command receiving unit 21 and the actual operation mode (cooling, heating, dry) detected by the operation mode detecting unit 23 are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 26 in characters. indicate. When the operation mode indicated by the received command matches the actual operation mode, only one operation mode is displayed in characters to avoid duplication.

(Step S1114) The operation mode indicated by the command received by the command reception unit 21 and the operation mode detection unit 2
The emission color determination unit 95 searches the emission color management unit 94 for the emission color corresponding to the actual operation mode detected in Step 3.

(Step S1115) Emission color determination section 95
The irradiation unit 97 irradiates the liquid crystal display unit 26 with the luminescent color searched for. It returns to step S1101.

Next, a specific operation of the air conditioner of this embodiment will be described. Now, the driving mode and the driving mode detecting unit 23 received by the command receiving unit 21 as shown in FIG.
The emission color management unit 94 manages the correspondence between the set of the actual operation mode detected by the device and the emission color.

Further, the operation control unit 22 performs control such that the heating operation is performed when the room temperature is 17 degrees or less, the dry operation is performed when the room temperature is 18 to 25 degrees, and the cooling operation is performed when the room temperature is 26 degrees or more. .

At this time, it is assumed that a command indicating the "automatic driving mode" is received by the command receiving unit 21. At this time, it is assumed that the operation control unit 22 detects the room temperature by a room temperature detecting unit (not shown) and detects that the room temperature is “28 degrees”. Then, the operation control unit 22 switches to the cooling operation. Then, the operation mode detection unit 23
It detects that the actual operation mode of the air conditioner is “cooling”. Next, the liquid crystal display unit 26 displays the operation mode “automatic operation” received by the instruction reception unit 21 and the actual operation mode “cooling” detected by the operation mode detection unit 23 in characters. Next, the emission color determination unit 95 sets the operation mode “automatic operation” received by the instruction reception unit 21 and the actual operation mode “cooling” of the air conditioner detected by the operation mode detection unit 23.
The emission colors "red", "green"("red" LED and "green" LED are ON, and "blue" LED is OFF
It means that ) Is retrieved from the emission color management unit 94. Next, the irradiation unit 27 irradiates the liquid crystal display unit 26 with the emission colors “red” and “green” searched by the emission color determination unit 95 (see FIG. 13).

As described in this embodiment, by using the left and right LEDs as the irradiating section, it is possible to display an inexpensive operation mode having sufficient illuminance.
In addition, by detecting the actual operation mode of the air conditioner by the operation mode and the operation mode detection unit received by the instruction reception unit, the automatic operation mode also ensures that the automatic operation is performed and the actual operation mode is ensured. It can be displayed intuitively. By intuitively displaying the actual operation mode during automatic operation, it is effective when the user's preference is not met at the boundary of automatic switching between cooling, drying, and heating of the air conditioner. That is, at the boundary of the automatic switching of the air conditioner, an opportunity to manually switch the operation mode can be given to the user.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Portions having the same configuration as in the first embodiment or the second embodiment and performing the same operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different portions will be mainly described.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner of this embodiment. The air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes a command receiving unit 21, an operation control unit 22, an operation mode detection unit 23, an emission color management unit 144, an emission color determination unit 145, a liquid crystal display unit 26, and an irradiation unit. 147 and an operation state detection unit 148.

The emission color management section 144 manages the correspondence between the operating state and the emission color. The operating state detector 148 detects the operating state of the air conditioner (during defrosting, cutting odor, etc.).

The emission color determining section 145 is provided with the operating state detecting section 14.
The light emission color corresponding to the operation state detected by 8 is extracted.

The irradiating section 147 irradiates the liquid crystal display section 26 with the luminescent color extracted by the luminescent color determining section 145.

FIG. 15 is a view showing the structure of the irradiation unit 147. Nine LEDs 1471 are mounted on the upper part of the irradiation unit 147 and six LEDs are mounted on the left part, and red, green and blue colors are emitted on the upper part. In this example, three sets of LEDs are arranged one by one from the left, and two sets of LEDs emitting blue, green, and red colors are arranged on the left one by one from the top.

The operation of the air conditioner of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S1601) Instruction Receiving Unit 21
Determines whether or not has received an instruction to switch the operation mode. If an instruction has been received, step S16
02, if no instruction has been received, step S1
Return to 601.

(Step S1602) Operation control unit 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is cooling. In the case of cooling, the procedure goes to step S1607, and if not, the procedure goes to step S1603.

(Step S1603) Operation control section 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is heating. In the case of heating, the process proceeds to step S1608, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1604.

(Step S1604) Operation control section 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is dry. If dry, go to step S1609; if not dry, go to step S1605.

(Step S1605) Operation control section 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is an automatic operation. In the case of automatic operation, the flow proceeds to step S1610, and if not, the flow proceeds to step S1606.

(Step S1606) Operation control unit 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is operation stop. If the operation has stopped, the process proceeds to step S1611. If the operation has not stopped, the process returns to step S1601.

(Step S1607) Step S160
2, the operation control unit 22 performs the cooling operation.

(Step S1608) Step S160
In response to 3, the operation control unit 22 performs the heating operation.

(Step S1609) Step S160
4, the operation control unit 22 performs the dry operation.

(Step S1610) Step S160
5, the operation control unit 22 detects the room temperature by means (not shown), and selects and executes an appropriate operation from cooling, heating, or dry operation based on the detected room temperature.

(Step S1611) Step S160
6, the operation control unit 22 stops the operation and ends the operation.

(Step S1612) Operating state detecting section 1
48 detects the current operation state of the air conditioner, and writes the operation state in a temporary buffer of the operation state detection unit 148.

(Step S1613) Operating state detecting section 1
The operation state stored in the operation state buffer included in 48 and the operation state of the temporary buffer are compared. If the values of both buffers are different (if the operating state changes), step S16
Go to 14. If the values of both buffers are the same, the process returns to step S1602.

(Step S1614) Operating state detecting section 1
48 stores the operation state of the temporary buffer in the operation state buffer.

(Step S1615) The liquid crystal display unit 26 displays the operating state stored in the operating state buffer in characters.

(Step S1616) Emission color determination unit 14
5 searches the emission color management unit 144 for the emission color corresponding to the operation state detected by the operation state detection unit 148.

(Step S1617) The irradiating section 27 irradiates the liquid crystal display section 26 with the luminescent color searched by the luminescent color determining section 145.

Next, a specific operation of the air conditioner of this embodiment will be described. Now, the correspondence between the operating state and the emission color as shown in FIG. 17 is managed by the emission color management unit 144.

At this time, if a command indicating “heating” is received by the command receiving unit 21, the operation control unit 22
Starts the heating operation. Then, the driving state detecting unit 148
Detects that the operating state of the air conditioner is “normal heating”. Next, the liquid crystal display unit 26 displays the operation state detection unit 1.
The detected operating state “normal heating” of 68 is displayed in characters. Next, the emission color determination unit 145
The luminescent color management unit 144 searches the luminescent color “red” corresponding to the detected operating state “normal heating” of No. 8 from the luminescent color management unit 144. Next, the irradiation unit 27 irradiates the liquid crystal display unit 26 with the emission color “red” searched by the emission color determination unit 145. Next, it is assumed that the operation state changes from “normal heating” to “during defrost” after a predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, the operation state detection unit 148 detects that the operation state has been changed to “during defrosting”. Then, the operation state “during defrosting” is stored in the operation state buffer. Next,
The liquid crystal display unit 26 displays the operating state “during defrosting” in characters. Next, the emission color determination unit 145 sets the operating state “during defrost”.
Is extracted from the emission color management unit 144. Next, the irradiation unit 147 irradiates the liquid crystal display unit 26 with the emission color “blue” determined by the emission color determination unit 145. FIG. 18 shows a display on the liquid crystal display unit 26 in this case. However, in FIG. 18, not only the operation state “during defrosting” but also the operation mode “heating” is displayed. However, the operation mode may or may not be displayed.

As described in this embodiment, by using the upper and left LEDs as the irradiating section, it is possible to display the operating state at low cost and with sufficient illuminance. By indicating the operation state, the operation state can be displayed intuitively, and the user is not anxious that heating is stopped and the air conditioner is out of order. Here, the operation state refers to an operation state of the air conditioner during operation, an operation control method during defrosting in the heating mode, an odor cut in the cooling mode and the dry mode, and the like.

(Embodiment 4) Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Portions having the same configuration as in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, or the third embodiment and performing the same operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different portions will be mainly described.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner of this embodiment. The air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes a command receiving unit 21, an operation control unit 22, an operation mode detecting unit 23, an emission color management unit 194, an emission color determination unit 195, a liquid crystal display unit 26, and an irradiation unit. 197 and an operation state detection unit 148.

The emission color management section 194 manages the correspondence between the operation mode received by the command reception section 21, the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection section 23, the operation state detected by the operation state detection section 148, and the emission color. .

The emission color determination unit 195 extracts emission colors corresponding to the operation mode received by the command reception unit 21, the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit 23, and the operation state detected by the operation state detection unit 148.

The irradiating section 197 irradiates the liquid crystal display section 26 with the luminescent color extracted by the luminescent color determining section 195 by a backlight.

The operation of the air conditioner of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S2001) Instruction Receiving Unit 21
Determines whether or not has received an instruction to switch the operation mode. If an instruction has been received, step S20
02, if no instruction has been received, step S2
Return to 001.

(Step S2002) Operation Control Unit 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is cooling. In the case of cooling, the procedure goes to step S2007, and if not, the procedure goes to step S2003.

(Step S2003) Operation control section 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is heating. In the case of heating, the procedure goes to step S2008, and if not, the procedure goes to step S2004.

(Step S2004) Operation control unit 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is dry. If dry, go to step S2009; if not dry, go to step S2005.

(Step S2005) Operation control unit 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is an automatic operation. In the case of automatic operation, the flow proceeds to step S2010, and if not, the flow proceeds to step S2006.

(Step S2006) Operation control unit 22
Determines whether the command received by the command receiving unit 21 is operation stop. If the operation has been stopped, the process proceeds to step S2011, and if not, the process returns to step S2001.

(Step S2007) Step S200
In response to 2, the operation control unit 22 performs the cooling operation.

(Step S2008) Step S200
In response to 3, the operation control unit 22 performs the heating operation.

(Step S2009) Step S200
In response to 4, the operation control unit 22 performs the dry operation.

(Step S2010) Step S200
In response to 5, the operation control unit 22 detects the room temperature by means (not shown), and selects and executes an appropriate operation from cooling, heating, or dry based on the detected room temperature.

(Step S2011) Step S200
In response to 6, the operation control unit 22 stops the operation and ends.

(Step S2012) Operating state detecting section 1
48 detects the current operation state of the air conditioner, and writes the operation state in a temporary buffer of the operation state detection unit 148.

(Step S2013) Operating state detecting section 1
The operation state stored in the operation state buffer included in 48 and the operation state of the temporary buffer are compared. If the values of both buffers are different (if the operating state changes), step S20
Go to 14. If the values of both buffers are the same, the process returns to step S2002.

(Step S2014) Operating state detecting section 1
48 stores the operation state of the temporary buffer in the operation state buffer.

(Step S2015) The operation mode detection section 23 detects the current operation mode.

(Step S2016) The liquid crystal display section 26 displays the operation mode received by the command reception section 21, the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection section 23, and the operation state stored in the operation state buffer in characters.

(Step S2016) Emission color determination section 19
5 searches the emission color management unit 194 for emission colors corresponding to the operation mode received by the instruction reception unit 21, the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit 23, and the operation state detected by the operation state detection unit 148.

(Step S2017) The irradiating section 27 irradiates the liquid crystal display section 26 with the luminescent color searched by the luminescent color determining section 195. It returns to step S2001.

Next, a specific operation of the air conditioner of this embodiment will be described. Now, as shown in FIG. 21, the emission color management unit 194 manages the correspondence between the operation mode received by the instruction reception unit, the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit, the operation state detected by the operation state detection unit, and the emission color. ing.

At this time, a command indicating "automatic operation" is received by the command receiving unit 21, and the room temperature is 28 degrees by means for detecting the room temperature (not shown), for example, a temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner. Is detected, the operation control unit 22 starts the cooling operation.

Then, the operating state detecting section 148 detects that the operating state of the air conditioner is "normal cooling" at the beginning of the operation. Next, the liquid crystal display unit 26 displays the operation state detection unit 1.
The detected operation state “normal cooling” of 48 is displayed in characters. Next, the emission color determination unit 195 determines that the operation mode “automatic operation” received by the command reception unit 21 and the operation mode detection unit 2
3 detects the operation mode “cooling” and the operation state detector 14
The luminescent color management unit 194 searches for the luminescent color “blue” corresponding to the detected operating state “normal cooling” of No. 8. Next, the irradiating unit 27 irradiates the liquid crystal display unit 26 with the luminescent color “blue” searched by the luminescent color determining unit 195. Next, after a certain period of time, the operation status changes from "normal cooling" to "smell cutting".
(“Odor cutting” refers to control for stopping air blowing for a certain period of time in order to prevent generation of an undesirable odor during operation of the air conditioner.) In this case,
The operation state is detected by the operation state detection unit 148 as “cutting odor”.
Is detected. Then, the operation state “smell cutting” is stored in the operation state buffer. Next, the liquid crystal display unit 26 displays the operation mode “automatic operation” received by the command reception unit 21, the operation mode “cooling” detected by the operation mode detection unit 23, and the operation state “odor cut” detected by the operation state detection unit 148. "Medium" is displayed in characters. Next, the emission color determination unit 145 extracts the emission color “purple” corresponding to the operation state “smell cutting” from the emission color management unit 194. Next, the irradiation unit 147 irradiates the liquid crystal display unit 26 with the emission color “purple” determined by the emission color determination unit 195. FIG. 22 shows a display on the liquid crystal display section 26 in this case. However, in FIG. 22, not only the operation state “smell cutting” but also the command receiving unit 2
The operation mode “automatic operation” received by the operation mode 1 and the operation mode “cooling” detected by the operation mode detection unit 23 are also displayed. However, the operation mode received by the instruction reception unit 21 and the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit 23 may or may not be displayed.

As described in this embodiment, the operation mode accepted and the actual operation mode and the operation state are indicated by the difference in the emission color, so that the operation status of the air conditioner can be intuitively displayed. In the operation mode, the user can intuitively understand the actual operation mode and also indicate the operation state to give the user anxiety that the operation has stopped and the air conditioner has failed. There is no. Further, since it is known that the operation state of the air conditioner has become a steady state (eg, “normal heating”), if the temperature is cold at that time, it is possible to prompt the user to manually increase the temperature setting.

In the present embodiment, the emission color emitted by the irradiation unit depends on the operation mode received by the instruction reception unit, the actual operation mode, and the operation state. Alternatively, the emission color may be changed depending only on the actual operation mode and the operation state.

Although the operating status and the like are displayed in characters, the characters may not be displayed. Further, the character display may indicate the operation mode, and only the irradiation color may be dependent on the operation state.

[0129]

As is clear from the above embodiments, the inventions according to the first and second aspects irradiate the liquid crystal display section for displaying the operating state of the air conditioner with the irradiating section. Even in the automatic operation mode, the actual operation mode can be intuitively displayed without error, and the user can be given an opportunity to manually switch the operation mode.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the emission color of the irradiation unit is changed by a combination of the operation mode received by the command reception unit and the actual operation mode of the air conditioner detected by the operation mode detection unit. The combination of the operation mode designated by the user and the actual operation mode of the air conditioner can be intuitively displayed, and the user can be given an opportunity to manually switch the operation mode.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the driving state can be displayed intuitively, it is possible to give the user a sense of security that it is not a failure, and to provide an environment that can be satisfied even after entering the steady state. If not, you can give the opportunity to change the temperature setting to get the desired environment.

The invention according to claim 5 and claim 6
Since the combination of the operation mode and the operation state can be displayed intuitively, the same effect as that of the fourth aspect is obtained.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the display which can maximize the cost-effectiveness can be realized by limiting the illumination necessary for obtaining the minimum illuminance required for the display.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the irradiation unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioner.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of data managed by the emission color management unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation mode display by characters on the liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example by the liquid crystal display unit and the irradiation unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example by the liquid crystal display unit and the irradiation unit.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of the irradiation unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioner.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of data managed by the luminescent color management unit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example by the liquid crystal display unit and the irradiation unit.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of the irradiation unit.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioner.

FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of data managed by the emission color management unit.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example by the liquid crystal display unit and the irradiation unit.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioner.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of data managed by the luminescent color management unit.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a display example by the liquid crystal display unit and the irradiation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 21 Command reception unit 22 Operation control unit 23 Operation mode detection unit 24, 94, 144, 194 Emission color management unit 25, 95, 145, 195 Emission color determination unit 26 Liquid crystal display unit 27, 97, 147, 197 Irradiation unit 271, 971, 1471 LED 148 Operating state detector

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Mitsuhisa Nakai, 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Yasuyuki Eshima 1006 Odaka Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Pref.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner comprising: a liquid crystal display; and an irradiator for emitting light of two or more colors to irradiate the liquid crystal display. 2. An operation control unit for receiving an instruction having an operation mode of an air conditioner, an operation control unit for performing operation control corresponding to the operation mode received by the instruction reception unit, and the operation control unit. An operation mode detection unit that detects an actual operation mode, a light emission color management unit that manages one or more sets of operation modes and emission colors, and a light emission color paired with the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit is extracted. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a luminescent color determining unit, wherein the irradiating unit irradiates the liquid crystal display unit with the luminescent color extracted by the luminescent color determining unit. 3. An emission color management unit manages at least one set of the operation mode received by the instruction reception unit, the actual operation mode of the air conditioner detected by the operation mode detection unit, and the emission color. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the emission color determination unit extracts a light emission color that is paired with the received operation mode and the actual operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit. 4. An operation receiving section for receiving an instruction indicating an operation mode of the air conditioner, an operation control section for performing operation control corresponding to the operation mode received by the instruction receiving section, and an operating state being an operating state. A driving state detection unit for detecting
A luminescent color management unit that manages one or more sets of operating states and luminescent colors, a luminescent color determining unit that extracts a luminescent color that is paired with the operating state detected by the operating state detecting unit, and the luminescent color determining unit extracts An air conditioner equipped with an irradiating unit that irradiates a liquid crystal display unit with emission colors. 5. A light emission color management unit manages at least one set of an operation mode, an operation state, and an emission color, and a light emission paired with the operation mode received by the command reception unit and the operation state detected by the operation state detection unit. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the color is determined by the emission color determination unit. 6. An emission color management unit manages at least one set of an operation mode received by the instruction reception unit, an actual operation mode performed by the operation control unit, an operation state, and an emission color, and the instruction reception unit receives the set. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the emission color determination unit extracts a light emission color that is a combination of the set operation mode, the operation mode performed by the operation control unit, and the operation state detected by the operation state detection unit. 7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the irradiating section is constituted by LEDs of at least two colors, and the LEDs are arranged on one, two or three sides of four sides of the rectangular liquid crystal display section. Machine.