Abstract:
Disclosed is an air conditioner includes a cabinet that is configured to mount on an indoor ceiling. The air conditioner also include a front panel that is coupled to the cabinet and having an air inlet and outlet. The air conditioner further include a suction panel that is coupled to the front panel and configured to move between an open positione in which air is able to circulate through the air conditioner and a closed position in which air is blocked from circulating through the air conditioner. The air conditioner further include a sensor unit that is mounted on the suction panel, that is configured to move together with the suction panel and that is configured to detect a position of a person in the indoor place. In addition, the air conditioner also include a controller adjusting a direction of air flow from the outlet based on the deteded position of the person.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefits of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0001983 (filed on Jan. 9, 2009), which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an air conditioner. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, an air conditioner, which is an apparatus for heating or cooling air using a refrigerant cycle, is sorted into a household air conditioner and an industrial air conditioner. 
     The household air conditioner may include a separate type air conditioner in that an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are separated and an integrated type air conditioner in that an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are combined. The indoor unit of the separate type air condition can be sorted into a wall mounted type indoor unit that is mounted on a wall, a standing type indoor unit that stands on a bottom part, and a ceiling type (or cassette type) indoor unit that is mounted on a ceiling. 
     A structure where an Infra-Red (IR) sensor or a Pyroelectric Infra-Red (PIR) sensor, etc., is mounted on one side of the indoor to concentratedly supply cool air or warm air to a spot of the space in which indoor resident is positioned has been disclosed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, an air conditioner includes a cabinet configured to mount on an indoor ceiling. The air conditioner also includes a front panel coupled to the cabinet and having an air inlet and outlet. The air conditioner further includes a suction panel coupled to the front panel and configured to move between an open positione in which air is able to circulate through the air conditioner and a closed position in which air is blocked from circulating through the air conditioner. The air conditioner further includes a sensor unit that is mounted on the suction panel, that is configured to move together with the suction panel and that is configured to detect a position of a person in the indoor place. In addition, a controller configured to adjust a direction of air flow from the outlet based on the deteded position of the person. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the sensor unit is mounted on an edge part of the suction panel. The sensor unit is mounted on a central part of the suction panel. 
     In some implementations, The sensor unit includes a sensing element configured to rotate forward or reversely in response to a driving signal generated by a driving motor. The sensor unit also includes a sensor cover configured to cover the sensing element. The sensor cover is defined in a cylindrical shape or its bottom part has a convexly curved shape. The sensor cover is defined as an opaque body or material. 
     In some examples, the sensor unit further detects movement of the person in the indoor. The sensor unit further detects heat radiated from the person and generates a control signal to control a temperature of air output by the air conditioner based on comparing the detected the radient heat with a reference value. An amount of rotation of a discharge vane is adjusted by the controller. 
     In another aspect, an air conditioner includes a cabinet configured to mount on an indoor ceiling. The air conditioner also includes a front panel coupled to the cabinet. The air conditioner further includes a suction panel coupled to the front panel and configured to move between an open position in which air is able to circulate through the air conditioner and a closed position in which air is blocked from circulating through the air conditioner. The air conditioner further includes a sensor unit mounted on the suction panel configured to move together with the suction panel, configured to detect a position of a person and configured to start the detection in connection with movement of the suction panel during an initial stage of the air conditioner. In addition, a controller configured to adjust a direction of air flow from the outlet based on the deteded position of the person. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the sensor unit includes a sensing element configured to rotate forward or reversely in response to a driving signal generated by a driving motor. The sensing unit also includes a sensor cover configured to cover the sensing element. 
     In some implementations, the sensor cover is defined in a cylindrical shape or its bottom part has a convexly curved shape. The sensor cover is defined as an opaque body or material. The sensor unit is configured to start the detection after the movement of the suction panel is completed. 
     In yet another aspect, an air conditioner includes a cabinet configured to mount on an indoor ceiling. The air conditioner also includes a front panel coupled to the cabinet. The air conditioner further includes a suction panel coupled to the front panel configured to move between an open position in which air is able to circulate through the air conditioner and a closed position in which air is blocked from circulating through the air conditioner. The air conditioner further includes a sensor unit that is mounted on the suction panel, that is configured to move together with the suction panel and that is configured to detect a position of a person in the indoor place, wherein the detection is started indepentantly from the movement of the suction panel during an initial stage of the air conditioner. In addition, a controller configured to adjust a direction of air flow from the outlet based on the deteded position of the person. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the sensor unit includes a sensing element configured to rotate forward or reversely in response to a driving signal generated by a driving motor. the sensor unit also includes a sensor cover configured to cover the sensing element. 
     In some implementations, the sensor cover is defined in a cylindrical shape or its bottom part has a convexly curved shape. The sensor cover is defined as an opaque body or material. The sensor unit starts the detection in response to power on of the air conditioner. 
     In yet another aspect, an air conditioner includes a cabinet configured to mount on an indoor place. The air conditioner also includes a front panel coupled to the cabinet. The air conditioner further includes a suction panel coupled to the front panel and configured to move between an open positions in which air is able to circulate through the air conditioner and a closed position in which air is blocked from circulating through the air conditioner. The air conditioner further includes a sensor unit mounted on the suction panel and configured to detect a position of a person or moving object when the air conditioner is in a power off state or a sleeping mode. In addition, the air conditioner includes a controller configured to control the air conditioner to power on from the power off state or the sleeping mode in response to the deteded position. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the sensor unit is configured to start the detection in connection with the movement of the suction panel during an initial stage of the air conditioner. The sensor unit configured to start the detection independently from the movement of the suction panel during an initial stage of the air conditioner. 
     In yet another aspect, an air conditioner includes a front panel coupled to the cabinet. The air conditioner also includes a suction panel coupled to the front panel and configured to move between an open positions in which air is able to circulate through the air conditioner and a closed position in which air is blocked from circulating through the air conditioner. The air conditioner further includes a sensor unit mounted on the suction panel and configured to detect a position of a person or moving object when the air conditioner is in a power off state or a sleeping mode. In addition, a controller configured to control the air conditioner t to turn off the power in response to determining that no person or moving object is detected. 
     In yet another aspect, an air conditioner includes a front panel coupled to the cabinet. The air conditioner also includes a suction panel coupled to the front panel and configured to move between an open positions in which air is able to circulate through the air conditioner and a closed position in which air is blocked from circulating through the air conditioner. The air conditioner further includes a sensor unit mounted on the suction panel and configured to detect a position of a person or moving object when the air conditioner is in a power off state or a sleeping mode. In addition, a controller configured to control the air conditioner to decrease an amount of air flow in response to determining that no person or moving object is detected. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a ceiling type air conditioner; 
         FIG. 2  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically showing an inner configuration of the air conditioner in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an external appearance perspective view of a sensor unit; and 
         FIG. 4  is a side view showing a configuration of a detecting unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a ceiling type air conditioner having an indoor unit  10  includes a cabinet  11  that defines an external appearance, a front panel  12  that is coupled to a lower end of the cabinet  11 , a suction panel  13  that is elevatably coupled to the front panel  12 , a heat exchanger  17  that is enclosed around an inner side of the cabinet  11 , a fan assembly  14  that is positioned in an inner side space of the heat exchanger  17 , a shroud  16  that is positioned at a lower side of the fan assembly  14  to guide a flow of the sucked air, a filter  15  that is positioned on an upper end of the shroud  16  to purify the sucked air; and a sensor unit  20  that is mounted on one side of the suction panel  13  to detect a position and movement of indoor residents. The sensor unit  20  may be an Infra-Red sensor using infrared rays. 
     In detail, an edge part of the front panel  12  is connected with four outlets  121 . Each outlet  121  has a discharge vane  30  that is rotatable. And, the direction of air is controlled based on the rotation angle of the discharge vane. When a position of a indoor resident is detected by the sensor unit  20 , the rotation angle of the discharge vane  30  is controlled by a controller to provide air to the resident. 
     In addition, the central part of the front panel  12  has an inlet  111  for sucking the indoor air and the inlet  111  is selectively shielded by the suction panel  13 . A plurality of racks  18  are extended to the upper surface of the suction panel  13 . A pinion  19  that is positioned on a upperside of the front panel  12  is coupled to the rack  18  and a driving motor. The pinion  19  is rotated by driving the driving motor. Therefore, the suction panel  13  can move a predetermined distance between the upper and lower positions by the operations of the rack  18  and pinion  19 . And, the inlet  111  is selectively opened and closed by the movement of the suction panel  13 . It is to be noted that the moving unit of the suction panel  13  is not limited to the foregoing rack/pinion structure. 
     In addition, air that includes foreign materials sucked through the inlet  111  are filtered by passing through the filter  15  and the filtered air is sucked toward the fan assembly  14 . The fan assembly  14  includes a centrifugal fan  142  and a fan motor  141  for driving the centrifugal fan  142 . The centrifugal fan  142  is configured to direct a air flow from a suction part of the air conditioner to radical discharge part of the air conditioner as shown in  FIG.2 . The air sucked by the fan assembly  14  passes through the heat exchanger  17  and is then provided to the room through the outlet  121 . 
     In some examples, the sensor unit  20  is mounted on the suction panel  13  and its mount position may be mounted on one side edge of the suction panel  13  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the sensor unit  20  may be mounted at the central part of the suction panel  13 . 
     If a sensor unit  20  is mounted on the one side of the front panel  12 , the suction panel  13  can serve as an obstacle because the suction panel  13  is located at the lower position. For instance, the infrared rays sent from the sensor unit  20  impinge on the suction panel  13 , such that the sensor unit  20  cannot detect a position of a resident in a room. However, if the sensor unit  20  is mounted on the suction panel  13 , the above obstacle may be reduced. As a result, the phenomenon of limiting the sensing range due to moving the suction panel  13  may be reduced. 
     Further, as radiating infrared rays are received by a sensing element that is positioned inside the sensor unit  20 , the sensing element of the sensor unit  20  can be rotated 360° by a driving unit. The configuration and operation of the sensor unit  20  will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the sensor unit  20  includes a case  21  connecting a part of the detecting unit shown in  FIG. 4  and a sensor cover  22  coupled to the lower end of the case  21 . A bracket  211  is extended to the outer circumferential surface of the case  21  and the bracket  211  is fixed to the upper surface of the suction panel  13  by a connection member. The sensor cover  22  is defined in a cylindrical shape and its bottom surface has a convexly curved shape, having a predetermined curvature. The bottom surface of the sensor cover  22  is convexly curved, such that the refraction of the signal radiated from the detecting unit is minimized. The sensor cover  22  can be made of opaque materials and has a thickness that can easily transmit the infrared signal radiated from the detecting unit. For example, the sensor cover  22  is made of opaque materials, such that the indoor resident does not misunderstand the sensor as a surveillance camera. Although that, as explained, the sensor can transmit most infrared signals to easily detect the indoor resident. Only the convex bottom part of the sensor cover  22  may be exposed to the indoor. 
     The detecting unit includes a sensing element  23  that radiates the sensing signals such as infrared rays, a circuit board  24  coupled to the sensing element  23  and has circuits for the operation of the sensor unit mounted thereon, a supporter  25  that supports the circuit board  24 , and a driving motor  26  that is connected to the lower side of the supporter  25  to rotate the supporter  25 . 
     In addition, the rotation shaft  261  of the driving motor  26  is connected to the lower end of the supporter  25 . The upper surface of the supporter  25  is connected to the circuit board  24  and configured to be inclined at a predetermined angle as shown  FIG. 4 . Therefore, the sensing element  23  can rotate 360° at the state inclined at a predetermined angle from a vertical line, such that the sensing range is extended. The sensing element  23  is mounted to be inclined from a vertical line, such that the bottom surface of the sensor cover  22  is defined in a convexly curved shape, thereby making it possible to minimize the refraction phenomenon of the infrared signals radiated from the sensing element  23 . For example, the infrared rays radiated from the sensing element  23  are orthogonal to a tangential line that passes through the bottom surface of the sensor cover  22  corresponding to a point through which the infrared rays pass, such that the signals radiated from the sensing element  23  can effectively transmit the sensor cover  22 . 
     The driving motor  26  may be a step motor that can rotate forward or reversely and the sensing element  23  also rotates 360° forward and then rotates 360° reversely by the forward/reverse rotation of the driving motor  26 . 
     If an operation instruction from the indoor unit  10  is provided to the sensor unit  20 , the driving motor  26  can rotate in a forward direction and then rotate in a reverse direction at a predetermined time interval. For example, the driving motor rotates in a forward direction at a predetermined speed and then rotates in a reverse rotation at the same speed. The driving motor performs the forward direction and the reverse rotation again after the predetermined time elapses. The sensing signal is transmitted from the sensing element  23  and returned to the sensing element reflected by the residents, thereby detecting the position of the residents in the indoor, room or space. The sensing element  23  can detect the position or movement of the resident as well as detect heat radiated from the resident, making it possible to detect the state of the resident by the controller. For example, in the heating mode, if the heat radiated from the resident is lower than a reference value stored in the memory of the controller, it is determined that the resident feels a chill, thereby making it possible to control the rotation angle of the discharge vane  30  to provide heated air to the resident. The sensing element  23  may start detecting a position of the resident after the movement of suction panel  13  is completed. When the air conditioner is turned on or activated from a sleeping state, the suction panel  13  moves toward a lower position from the ceiling. After the movement of the suction panel  13  is completed or almost completed, an instruction signal is sent to the sensing unit  24  from the indoor unit  10  and then the driving motor  26  drives the sensing element  23  to search a position of the resident in the room. The sensing element  23  then sends an infrared signal and receives the infrared signal reflected by the person in the room. Based on the movement of sensing element  24 , for example rotating forward or reverse, the sensing unit  23  can detect any object or person currently in the room. The sensing element  23  is located in the lowest position from the bottom of the room, there is no obstacle when the sensing element  23  sends and receives the infrared signal to detect the person in the room. In this implementation, in a sleeping mode, an activating temperature of the air conditioner to activate the air conditioner based on the setting temperature is adjusted to higher than an activating temperature of the air conditioner that user sets. For example, the activating temperature of the air conditioner is adjusted three degree up comparing to a current a activating temperature of the air conditioner. 
     As another example, the sensing element  23  may start a sensing operation earlier than the above implementation. For example, the sensing element starts detecting an object in response to power on signal of the air conditioner. When the air conditioner is turned on or activated from a sleeping state, the suction panel  13  moves toward a lower position from the ceiling. While the suction panel is moving, the sensing unit  24  carries out the search operation in response to an instruction signal from the controller of the air conditioner. Therefore, a cool air generated by the air conditioner can be supplied to the resident as soon as the operation of the air conditioner begins. 
     In addition, the sensing unit  20  can control the air conditioner in response to detecting a moving object or person in the room. In this implementation, the sensing element  23  can search an object or a person in the room periodically for example, every one minute while the air conditioner is turned off. The sensing element  23  may have a separate power source such as a battery or may have a different power line from the air conditioner for this operation. If a person comes into the room while the air conditioner turns off, the sensing unit  20  can detect a position of the person in response to receiving the sensing signal, and then sends a command to the air conditioner. In response to the command, the air conditioner turns on, the suction panel moves down from ceiling, and air passes through the inlet  111 , a heat exchange  17  and a discharge vane  30  sequentially. Therefore, a cool air can be supplied to the person in response to detection the position of the person in the room. Alternatively, the command can be generated in the controller of the air conditioner. In this case, the controller has a power source. 
     Furthermore, if the sensing element can not detect a person for a predetermined time, another control signal is provided to the air conditioner. For example, when the person leaves the room, the sensing element  23  can not detect any moving object any more. If the sensing element  23  can not detect any object or person for a predetermined time such as five minutes, the sensor unit  20  sends an another command to the air conditioner. The air conditioner is then turned off or decreases an amount of the cool air in response to the command signal. Those operations are controlled by the controller of the air conditioner. Another implementation is that, in response to the command signal, the air conditioner decreases the amount of the cool air for a predetermined time, for example thirty minutes, and then turns off. In this implementation, instead of power off, the air conditioner may be set to the sleeping mode. For example, an activating temperature may be changed three degree higher than an activating temperature that the air conditioner currently is set. 
     It will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. For example, advantageous results still could be achieved if steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different order and/or if components in the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.