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  Air conditioner and control method thereofUSPTO Application #: 20060286923Title: Air conditioner and control method thereof Abstract: An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided for controlling the direction in which conditioned air is discharged during powerful operation. The air conditioner is provided with a control unit. The control unit is connected, among other things, to a compressor, a four-way switching valve, a pressure-reducing device, a remote control, a fan motor, a flap motor, a temperature sensor, and an infrared sensor. The control unit controls the compressor, the four-way switching valve, the pressure-reducing device, the fan motor, and the flap motor. When a command for powerful operation is entered from the remote control, the control unit temporarily increases the rotational speed of the cross-flow fan, the operating frequency of the compressor, and the like, enhances the air conditioning capacity, and controls the direction of the horizontal flap according to the direction in which people are present in the room. (end of abstract)
Agent: GlobalIPCounselors, LLP - Washington, DC, US Inventors: Seiji Oka, Toru Suzuki, Akinori Nakai, Mituaki Nagamine USPTO Applicaton #: 20060286923 - Class: 454259000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Ventilation, Having Inlet Airway, Including Backdraft Preventer The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060286923. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner that is capable of powerful operation in which the fan speed, the operating frequency of the compressor, or the like is temporarily increased, and air conditioning capacity is enhanced. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling the air conditioner. RELATED ART [0002] Conventional air conditioners are known which are installed in residences, buildings, and the like, and which enhance the comfort of a room by ventilating conditioned air into the room. Such air conditioners maintain a room temperature that is comfortable to the occupants and enhance the comfort of the room by ventilating cool air or warm air into the room. [0003] An air conditioner is provided with an indoor air conditioning unit mounted indoors for performing air conditioning, and an outdoor air conditioning unit mounted outdoors. The indoor air conditioning unit and the outdoor air conditioning unit are connected to each other by a connection pipe, and air conditioning is performed by causing heat to be exchanged between the indoor air and the refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant pipe. [0004] There are also air conditioners in particular among those of this type that perform so-called powerful operation for temporarily increasing the operating frequency of the compressor, the fan speed, or the like and enhancing the air conditioning capacity according to an instruction entered by a user during cooling operation, heating operation, or the like. By entering a command for powerful operation from a remote control or the like, the operating capacity at that moment is temporarily increased. For example, the air conditioning capacity for heating and cooling at that moment is temporarily increased. [0005] <Prior Art 1: JP-A7-103551> DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0006] However, the abovementioned conventional air conditioner has such drawbacks as those described below. [0007] Specifically, when a command is entered for performing powerful operation in the conventional air conditioner described above, the air conditioner is controlled so that the operating frequency of the compressor, the fan speed, or the like is increased, and the air conditioning capacity is enhanced as described above. However, no control is performed regarding the direction in which the conditioned air is blown at this time, and the direction in which the air is blown is determined by the direction in which the air deflector happens to be turned when the command for powerful operation is entered. [0008] Therefore, although a large quantity of air that is colder than the air during normal cooling operation is fed into the room when the command for powerful operation is entered during cooling, for example, it is impossible for the user to realize that powerful operation is being performed when this air is fed in a direction entirely different from the direction in which people are present. On the other hand, although air that is air-conditioned in a state of increased capacity is fed into the room when the command for powerful operation is entered during cooling, for example, this air sometimes blows directly on the occupants and can cause the occupants to experience an excessive cold sensation and other discomfort during powerful cooling operation, for example. [0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner whereby the direction in which conditioned air is discharged during powerful operation can be controlled. [0010] An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an air conditioning mechanism for performing air conditioning of indoor air; an air deflector for adjusting the direction in which the conditioned air is discharged; and a control unit for performing powerful operation whereby the capacity of the air conditioning mechanism is temporarily increased. The control unit adjusts the direction of the air deflector so that air is discharged in the direction in which people are present during powerful operation. [0011] During powerful operation in this configuration, not only is the capacity of the air conditioning mechanism including a compressor, fan, or the like increased, but the direction in which conditioned air is discharged into the room is also controlled. [0012] In the conventional air conditioner, the sole difference during powerful operation was that the capacity of the air conditioning mechanism was temporarily increased, and control of the discharge direction of air at that time was not addressed. The direction of the air deflector during powerful operation was determined by whatever direction the air deflector happened to be facing immediately before the command for powerful operation was entered. Consequently, even when the same powerful operation was executed during cooling, for example, the direction of the air deflector could sometimes vary according to the operating conditions immediately preceding the powerful operation. [0013] Therefore, in the air conditioner of the present invention, such effects as the following can be obtained by also controlling the direction of the air deflector during powerful operation. [0014] Specifically, in the air conditioner of the present invention, the direction of the air deflector is controlled so that conditioned air is discharged in the direction in which people are present when the command for powerful operation is entered. The user who entered the command for powerful operation can thereby experience the heightened effects of powerful operation by directly receiving the air that is conditioned in a state of increased capacity of the air conditioning mechanism. In contrast, it is also possible in the air conditioner of the present invention for the direction of the air deflector to be controlled so that conditioned air is discharged in the direction in which people are not present when the command for powerful operation is entered. By this configuration, the room occupants can be prevented from experiencing discomfort due to excessive coldness during cooling operation, discomfort due to direct contact with warm air during heating, or other discomfort. [0015] The air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit adjusts the direction of the air deflector so that air is discharged in the direction in which people are present during powerful operation. [0016] In this arrangement, the direction of the air deflector is controlled so that conditioned air is discharged in the direction in which people are present when the command for powerful operation is entered. The user who entered the command for powerful operation can thereby experience the heightened effects of powerful operation by directly receiving the air that is conditioned in a state of increased capacity of the air conditioning mechanism. [0017] The air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit adjusts the direction of the air deflector so that air is discharged in the direction in which people are not present during powerful operation. [0018] In this arrangement, the direction of the air deflector is controlled so that conditioned air is discharged in the direction in which people are not present when the command for powerful operation is entered. By this configuration, the room occupants can be prevented from experiencing discomfort due to excessive coldness during cooling operation, discomfort due to direct contact with warm air during heating, or other discomfort, for example. [0019] The air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any of the first through third aspects, wherein the direction of the air deflector is fixed during powerful operation. [0020] In this arrangement, the direction of the air deflector is fixed in the direction in which people are present when the command for powerful operation is entered. By this configuration, it is possible both to adequately impart the sensation of power to the person, and to reliably prevent the person from experiencing discomfort due to excessive coldness during cooling operation. [0021] The air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any of the first through third aspects, wherein the swing range of the air deflector is changed during powerful operation. Continue reading... Full patent description for Air conditioner and control method thereof Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Air conditioner and control method thereof patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. 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