INDOOR UNIT AND AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

An embodiment of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes: a housing having an exhaust port formed thereon; a heat exchanger housed on an inside of the housing; a blower that is housed on the inside of the housing, and that blows air to the exhaust port, and a biometric sensing device that detects biometric information regarding a living body, where the living body is located inside of a detection range thereof. A shutter that opens and closes at least a portion of the exhaust port, is provided in the exhaust port. The biometric sensing device is accommodated on the inside of the housing. The detection range of the biometric sensing device is provided outside a movable range of the shutter.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to an indoor unit and an air conditioner.

BACKGROUND

An indoor unit of an air conditioner that includes a biometric sensing device capable of detecting biometric information is known. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a configuration where a touchless sleep sensor that includes a Doppler sensor externally attached to an indoor unit is known.

PATENT DOCUMENTS

• • Patent Document 1: PCT International Publication No. WO 2016/157379

As in the indoor unit previously mentioned, there are cases where, depending on a location of a biometric sensing device, it is difficult to accurately detect biometric information using the biometric sensing device.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is made with the above problem in mind, and an object is to provide an indoor unit that includes a biometric sensing device, which has a construction that enhances biometric detection accuracy thereof, and an air conditioner that includes such indoor unit.

An embodiment of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes: a housing having an exhaust port formed thereon; a heat exchanger housed on an inside of the housing; a blower that is housed on the inside of the housing, and that blows air to the exhaust port, and a biometric sensing device that detects biometric information regarding a living body, where the living body is located inside of a detection range thereof. A shutter that opens and closes at least a portion of the exhaust port, is provided in the exhaust port. The biometric sensing device is accommodated on the inside of the housing, and transmits a transmission signal that passes through a wall of the housing to detect the biometric information. The detection range of the biometric sensing device is provided outside a movable range of the shutter.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the aforementioned indoor unit, and an outdoor unit.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to enhance biometric detection accuracy using a biometric sensing device, in an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A schematic diagram that shows an outline configuration of an air conditioner, in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 A perspective view that shows an indoor unit, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 A cross-sectional view that shows the indoor unit, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 A view that shows a biometric detection sensor, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 A schematic diagram that explains a mechanism of biometric detection using a biometric sensing device, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 A perspective view that shows the indoor unit, in a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 A cross-sectional view that shows the indoor unit, in a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are explained with reference to the drawings. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments below, and may be changed so long as the embodiments do not depart from the technical scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings below, scales and dimensions of various configurations may differ from scales and dimensions in the drawings below to facilitate better understanding of the various embodiments.

The drawings show an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis where appropriate. The X axis shows a side out of sides of a horizontal direction. The Y axis shows another side out of sides of the horizontal direction. The Z axis shows a vertical direction. In the explanation below, a horizontal direction along the X axis is referred to as a “front-rear direction X”, and a horizontal direction along the Y axis is referred to as a “left-right direction Y”. A vertical direction along the Z axis is referred to as a “vertical direction Z”. The front-rear direction X, the left-right direction Y, and the vertical direction Z are mutually orthogonal directions. In the explanation below, a side out of sides of the vertical direction Z in which the arrow of the Z axis faces is a “top side” (+Z side). The other side out of sides of the vertical direction Z which faces an opposite side the arrow of the Z axis faces is a “bottom side” (−Z side). A side out of sides in the front-rear direction X in which the arrow of the X axis faces is a “front side” (+X side). The other side out of sides of the front-rear direction X which faces an opposite side the arrow of the X axis faces is a “rear side” (−X side). The left-right direction Y is a left-right direction in a case where an indoor unit in the embodiments below is seen from the front (+X direction). In other words, a side out of sides of the left-right direction Y in which the arrow of the Y axis faces is a “right side” (+Y side). Another side out of sides of the left-right direction Y which faces an opposite side the arrow of the Y axis faces is a “left side” (−Y side).

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic view that shows an outline configuration of an air conditioner 100 in a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a circulation path 18. The outdoor unit 10 is disposed outdoors. The indoor unit 20 is disposed indoors. The indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 10 are connected to one another by the circulation path 18 that circulates a refrigerant 19.

By having the refrigerant 19 that flows within the circulation path 18, and the indoor unit 20 conduct heat exchange with air indoors, it is possible for the air conditioner 100 to adjust a temperature of the air indoors. A refrigerant such as a fluorine based refrigerant with a low global warming potential (GWP: Global Warming Potential), or a hydrocarbon based refrigerant or the like may be mentioned as examples of the refrigerant 19.

The outdoor unit 10 includes a housing 11, a compressor 12, a heat exchanger 13, a flow adjustment valve 14, a blower 15, a four-way valve 16, and a controller 17. The compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow adjustment valve 14, the blower 15, the four-way valve 16, and the controller 17 are accommodated on an inside of the housing 11.

The compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow adjustment valve 14, and the four-way valve 16 are provided on a part that is located on the inside of the housing 11, out of the circulation path 18. The compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow adjustment valve 14, and the four-way valve 16 are connected by the part that is located on the inside of the housing 11, out of the circulation path 18.

The four-way valve 16 is provided on a part that is connected to a discharge side of the compressor 12, out of the circulation path 18. By exchanging a portion of the circulation path 18, it is possible for the four-way valve 16 to reverse a direction of flow of the refrigerant 19 within the circulation path 18. When the path connected by the four-way valve 16 is the path of the four-way valve 16 that is shown by solid lines in FIG. 1, the refrigerant 19 within the circulation path 18 flows in the direction shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. 1. On the other hand, when the path connected by the four-way valve 16 is the path of the four-way valve 16 that is shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1, the refrigerant 19 flows within the circulation path 18 in the direction shown by the dashed line arrow in FIG. 1.

The indoor unit 20 includes a housing 21, a heat exchanger 22, a blower 23, and a controller 24. The heat exchanger 22, the blower 23, and the controller 24 are accommodated on an inside of the housing 21. It is possible for the indoor unit 20 to have a cooling operation where the air inside the environment in which the indoor unit 20 is disposed is cooled, and to have a heating operation where the air inside the environment in which the indoor unit 20 is disposed in is heated.

When the indoor unit 20 is operated in the cooling operation, the refrigerant 19 that flows within the circulation path 18, flows in the direction shown by solid lines in FIG. 1. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 is operated in the cooling operation, the refrigerant 19 that flows within the circulation path 18 circulates so as to return to the compressor 12 after passing through the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10, the flow adjustment valve 14, and the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20 in such an order. During the cooling operation, the heat exchanger 13 on an inside of the outdoor unit 10 functions as a condenser, and the heat exchanger 22 on an inside of the indoor unit 20 functions as an evaporator.

On the other hand, when the indoor unit 20 is operated in the heating operation, the refrigerant 19 that flows within the circulation path 18 flows in the direction shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 is operated in the heating operation, the refrigerant 19 that flows within the circulation path 18 circulates so as to return to the compressor 12 after passing through the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20, the flow adjustment valve 14, and the heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10 in such an order. During the heating operation, the heat exchanger 13 on the inside of the outdoor unit 10 functions as the evaporator, and the heat exchanger 22 on the inside of the indoor unit 20 functions as the condenser.

Next, the indoor unit 20 is explained in further detail. FIG. 2 is perspective view that shows the indoor unit 20. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view that shows the indoor unit 20. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the indoor unit 20 is a wall-mounted type indoor unit that is fixed on a wall surface inside the room. The indoor unit 20 is a long semi-rectangular shape that extends in the left-right direction Y. The housing 21 of the indoor unit 20 has a main body 21a, which is a long semi-rectangular shape that extends 15 in the left-right direction Y, and a shutter 21b that is attached to the main body 21a.

An intake port 20a, and an exhaust port 20b are formed on the housing 21. The intake port 20a is formed on a top surface, on the main body 21a of the housing 21. The exhaust port 20b is formed so as to straddle between a front side portion of a bottom surface on the main body 21a, and a bottom side portion of a front surface on the main body 21a. The exhaust port 20b opens to the front (+X direction) and to the bottom. As shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust port 20b extends in the left-right direction Y. A right end of the exhaust port 20b is located apart to the left (−Y direction), more than a right end of the housing 21. A center in the left-right direction Y of the exhaust port 20b is located to the left, more than a center in the left-right direction Y of the housing 21. The intake port 20a and the exhaust port 20b may be formed in any location on the housing 21.

A shutter 21b that opens and closes at least a portion of the exhaust port 20b, is provided in the exhaust port 20b. The shutter 21b opens and closes an opening on the front side (+X side), out of the exhaust port 20b in the first embodiment. The shutter 21b in the first embodiment is attached to an edge of a top side, on a portion that opens to a front surface of the main body 21a, out of the exhaust port 20b. The shutter 21b is rotatable around a rotation axis R1, as shown in FIG. 3. The rotation axis R1 is an imaginary axis that passes through the portion to which the shutter 21b out of the main body 21a is attached, and extends in the left-right direction Y. The shutter 21b is made to rotate around the rotation axis R1 using a motor, which is not shown on the drawings. Said motor is controlled by the controller 24.

The shutter 21b configures a portion of a front side wall of the housing 21, when the shutter 21b closes the opening of the front side (+X side) out of the exhaust port 20b. The shutter 21b is a long semi-rectangular shape, in the left-right direction Y. A plate surface of the shutter 21b faces the front-rear direction X, when the shutter 21b closes the opening of the front side out of the exhaust port 20b. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show a 10) state where the shutter 21b opens, and the opening of the front side out of the exhaust port 20b is in a state of being open. The shutter 21b, in a state of being opened, is such that the shutter 21b is in a state of protruding to the front, from the main body 21a. The plate surface of the shutter 21b, in a state of being opened, faces the vertical direction Z. The shutter 21b may be disposed in any fashion, with respect to the exhaust port 20b.

As shown in FIG. 2, top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a and 26b, and a left-right wind adjusting member 26c, are provided on the exhaust port 20b. The top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a, 26b and the left-right wind adjusting member 26c are wind adjusting members that are capable of adjusting a direction of the air being discharged from the exhaust port 20b. The top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a and 26b are members that are used to adjust a direction of the air being discharged from the exhaust port 20b, in the vertical direction Z. The left-right wind adjusting member 26c is a member that is used to adjust a direction of the air being discharged from the exhaust port 20b, in the left-right direction Y.

The top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a and 26b are plate surfaces that extend in the left-right direction Y. Each of the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a and 26b, is rotatable around an axis that extends in the left-right direction Y. Each of the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a and 26b is made to rotate about an axis that extends in the left-right direction Y, using a motor that is not shown on the drawings. Said motor is controlled by the controller 24. The top-bottom wind adjusting member 26a is located to the front (+X direction), more than the top-bottom wind adjusting member 26b.

In the first embodiment, the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a and 26b are switching members that open and close a portion of the exhaust port 20b. It is possible for the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a and 26b to open and close the opening on a bottom side out of the exhaust port 20b. It is possible for the top-bottom wind adjusting member 26a to open and close a front side portion on the opening on the bottom side out of the exhaust port 20b. It is possible for the top-bottom wind adjusting member 26b to open and close a rear side portion on the opening on the bottom side out of the exhaust port 20b. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a state where the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a and 26b open the exhaust port 20b is shown. The top-bottom wind adjusting member 26a and the top-bottom wind adjusting member 26b each configure a portion of a bottom side wall of the housing 21, in a state where a portion of the exhaust port 20b is closed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the left-right wind adjusting member 26c is disposed on the front side (+X side) and an end of the bottom side of the exhaust port 20b. The left-right wind adjusting member 26c has a plurality of blades 26d that are disposed on the left-right direction Y, with intervals therebetween. The plurality of blades 26d are plate surfaces that face the left-right direction Y. The plurality of blades 26d are rotatable around an axis that extends in the vertical direction Z. The left-right wind adjusting member 26c is rotated around an axis that extends in the vertical direction Z using a motor, which is not shown on the drawings. Said motor is controlled by the controller 24. The left-right wind adjusting member 26c in the first embodiment is attached to the top-bottom wind adjusting member 26a. The left-right wind adjusting member 26c may be attached to the housing 21. In such case, the left-right wind adjusting member 26c may be disposed between the top-bottom wind adjusting member 26a and the top-bottom wind adjusting member 26b. The top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a, 26b and the left-right wind adjusting member 26c may be disposed in any orientation with respect to the exhaust port 20b.

The blower 23 is accommodated on a top side portion on the inside of the housing 21. The blower 23 in the first embodiment is a propeller fan that blows wind towards the bottom in the vertical direction Z. Two blowers 23 are provided so as to align in the left-right direction Y. Only one blower 23 may be provided, or three blowers 23 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the blower 23 is located below the intake port 20a. A filter 25 is disposed between the blower 23 and the intake port 20a in the vertical direction Z. The heat exchanger 22 is disposed below the blower 23. A configuration and/or disposition of the blower 23, and/or a configuration and/or a disposition of the heat exchanger 22 are not in any way particularly limited to the aforementioned.

By operating the blower 23, air indoors is taken in to the inside of the housing 21, from the intake port 20a. Air that is taken in to the inside of the housing 21 from the intake port 20a, is taken in by the blower 23, and is sent below from the blower 23, after passing through the filter 25. Air that is blown below from the blower 23 is discharged indoors, from the exhaust port 20b, after passing the heat exchanger 22. As such, the blower 23 sends air to the exhaust port 20b. The exhaust port 20b in the first embodiment is located to the bottom, more than the blower 23.

An accommodation 28 is formed on a portion that is located on the front (+X direction) of the blower 23 out of the housing 21. The accommodation 28 accommodates a biometric sensing device 40 to be mentioned later on, on an inside thereof. A wall that is located on the front, out of walls that configure the accommodation 28, is a portion of a front surface panel 21c of the housing 21. The front surface panel 21c is made of resin. The accommodation 28 is located on an end of the front side (+X side), on an end of the top side out of the housing 21. The accommodation 28 extends in the left-right direction Y.

As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 20 includes an indoor unit information sensing device 30, which is capable of detecting information regarding an indoor environment in which the indoor unit 20 is installed. Information regarding the indoor environment includes information about the environment itself, along with information about objects present indoors. Objects that exist indoors include inanimate objects such as furniture or the like, and animate objects (living body) such as people or the like. Information about the indoor environment itself includes the existence or lack thereof of people indoors, locations of said people indoors, a number of said people indoors, and so on.

The indoor unit information sensing device 30 in the first embodiment is provided on a portion that is located to the right (+Y direction) more than the exhaust port 20b, out of a bottom end of the housing 21. The indoor unit information sensing device 30 is provided on an end on the right side, out of the bottom end of the housing 21. The indoor unit information sensing device 30 is a semi-cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction Z. The indoor unit information sensing device 30 is movable in the vertical direction Z with respect to the housing 21, and is interchangeable between a 35 condition of protruding to the bottom from a bottom surface of the housing 21, or a condition of being accommodated on the inside of the housing 21. FIG. 2 shows a condition where the indoor unit information sensing device 30 protrudes to the bottom from the bottom surface of the housing 21. When protruding from the housing 21, the indoor unit information sensing device 30 detects information regarding the indoor environment.

The indoor unit information sensing device 30 has a base 31, and a sensor main body 32. The base 31 is a portion that connects to the housing 21. The sensor main body 32 is attached to a bottom end of the base 31. The sensor main body 32 is rotatable around a rotation axis R2 that extends in the vertical direction Z with respect to the base 31. By having the sensor main body 32 be rotatable around the rotation axis R2 with respect to the base 31, it is possible to have the sensor main body 32 be relatively movable with respect to the housing 21. The detector main body 32 is rotatable 360 degrees around the rotation axis R2, with respect to the base 31. The base 31 and the sensor main body 32 in the first embodiment are both movable in the vertical direction Z, with respect to the housing 21.

The sensor main body 32 is one or more type of contactless sensor. Said contactless sensor includes a thermal infrared detection sensor, an optical camera, a survey sensor, a light intensity sensor, a microphone, and/or a bolometer of a pyroelectric or a thermoelectric type sensor or the like. Said contactless sensor may be a sensor that has an SOI (Silicone On Insulator) construction. The sensor main body 32 detects information regarding the indoor environment in which the indoor unit 20 is installed, using one or more of said contactless sensor. The sensor main body 32, for example, detects information regarding the indoor environment of said room, while rotating around the rotation axis R2, with respect to the base 31. Accordingly, it is possible for the indoor unit information sensing device 30 to detect information regarding the indoor environment, from approximately all locations indoors. The sensor main body 32 may also detect information regarding the indoor environment without rotating around the base 31. It is possible to have the indoor unit information sensing device 30 not be movable in the vertical direction Z with respect to the housing 21. It is also possible to have the indoor unit information sensing device 30 be constantly protruding from the housing 21, so that the indoor unit information sensing device 30 is not accommodated on the inside of the housing 21. A construction and/or a disposition of the indoor unit information sensing device 30 is not particularly limited to the aforementioned.

As shown in FIG. 3, the indoor unit 20 includes a cleaning device 50 that cleans the filter 25. The cleaning device 50 is located above the blower 23. The filter 25 is built-into the cleaning device 50 so as to be detachable. In the first embodiment, a cleaning unit is configured using the cleaning device 50 and the filter 25. While winding the filter 25, the cleaning device 50 removes dust or the like that has attached to the filter 25, using a brush that is not shown on the drawings. A construction and/or disposition of the cleaning device 50 is not particularly limited to the aforementioned.

The indoor unit 20 includes the biometric sensing device 40. The biometric sensing device 40 is capable of detecting biometric information regarding a living body, when said living body is located inside a detection range 44. So long as the biometric information is information that concerns the living body, the information is not particularly limited. The biometric information includes location of the living body, movement of the living body, movement of blood flow of the living body, and pulse (heart rate) of the living body, and so on. The living body is not limited to a human, and for example, includes animals such as dogs, cats, or the like.

The biometric sensing device 40 is accommodated on the inside of the housing 21. The biometric sensing device 40 in the first embodiment is accommodated on an inside of the accommodation 28. The biometric sensing device 40 is located to the top, more than a center part in the vertical direction Z of the housing 21. The biometric sensing device 40 is located to the front (+X direction), more than a center part in the front-rear direction X of the housing 21. The biometric sensing device 40 in the first embodiment is located on the front of the blower 23. The biometric sensing device 40 overlaps with the blower 23, as seen in the front-rear direction X. The biometric sensing device 40 is located to the top, more than the heat exchanger 22. The biometric sensing device 40 is located to the bottom, more than the intake port 20a, and is located to the top, more than the exhaust port 20b. The biometric sensing device 40 overlaps with the exhaust port 20b, as seen in the vertical direction Z. The biometric sensing device 40 is located on the top of an end on the front side (+X side) of the exhaust port 20b. As shown in FIG. 2, the biometric sensing device 40 in the first embodiment is accommodated on a portion towards the left side (towards the −Y side), more than a center part in the left-right direction Y out of the housing 21.

As shown in FIG. 3, the biometric sensing device 40 has a biometric detection sensor 41, and a sensor holding member 45 that holds the biometric detection sensor 41. The sensor holding member 45 is fixed to the inside of the accommodation 28. The biometric detection sensor 41 in the first embodiment is a Doppler sensor.

FIG. 4 is a view that shows the biometric detection sensor 41. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram that explains a mechanism of biometric detection, using the biometric sensing device 40 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, a human H is shown as an example of a living body. As shown in both FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the biometric detection sensor 41 has a substrate 42, a transmitter 43a and a receiver 43b that are mounted onto the substrate 42. The substrate 42 is a long rectangular shaped plate. As shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 42, is disposed so as to incline in the front-rear direction X, with respect to the vertical direction Y. The substrate 42 is located to the front (+X direction), as the top thereof is approached. A plate surface of the substrate 42 inclines in the front-rear direction X with respect to a plane (Y-Z plane), which is orthogonal with the front-rear direction X. An angle of inclination φ of the plate surface of the substrate 42 with respect to the plane (Y-Z plane) that is orthogonal with the front-rear direction X, is for example, greater than or equal to 5 degrees, and less than or equal to 45 degrees. The surface plate of the substrate 42 may be orthogonal with the front-rear direction X as well.

A surface on the front side (+X side) out of the plate surface of the substrate 42, is a mounting surface 42a. The mounting surface 42a faces the front, as well as the bottom. A depression angle that the mounting surface 42a inclines in with respect to the horizontal direction, is the same the angle of inclination φ, in which the surface plate of the plate 42 inclines. In FIG. 4, a state where the biometric detection sensor 41 is seen from the front side, in a direction that is orthogonal with the mounting surface 42a is shown. The transmitter 43a and the receiver 43b are mounted onto the mounting surface 42a. As shown in FIG. 5, the transmitter 43a is located to the top as well as the front (+X direction) of the receiver 43b. Further, a positional relationship between the transmitter 43a and the receiver 43b is not particularly limited to the aforementioned. The transmitter 43a and the receiver 43b for example, may be disposed so as to align in the left-right direction Y. In such case, the transmitter 43a may be located to the right (+Y direction) of the receiver 43b, or may be located to the left (−Y direction) of the receiver 43b.

The transmitter 43a is an antenna that transmits a signal S1. The transmitter 43a in the first embodiment transmits the signal S1 to the front (+X direction) and to the bottom. The transmission signal S1 passes through the front surface panel 21c made of resin, which configures a wall on the front side of the accommodation 28, and the signal S1 is sent to an outside of the indoor unit 20. The receiver 43b is an antenna that receives a signal S2, which reflects off of the object to which the signal S1 is transmitted, from the transmitter 43a. The signal S2 passes through the front surface panel 21c from the outside of the indoor unit 20, and is received by the receiver 43b. Both signal S1 and S2 are micro-waves.

When the signal S1 that is transmitted from the transmitter 43a reflects off of the living body, a phase of the signal S2 changes, depending on the movement of the living body, and minute movement of the living body outer surface, due to blood flow being sent from the heart of the living body. As such, it is possible for the biometric sensing device 40 to obtain information regarding the living body by comparing and analyzing the phase of the signal S2 that reflects off of the living body, to the phase of the of the signal S1 that is transmitted. Information regarding the living body that is detected at the biometric sensing device 40 is sent to the controller 24. In the first embodiment, the biometric sensing device 40 is electrically connected to the controller 24, via wiring that is not shown on the drawings. The biometric sensing device 40 may wirelessly transmit information regarding the living body, to the controller 24. The configuration and disposition of the biometric sensing device 40 are not limited to the 20 aforementioned.

The detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 in the first embodiment is the detection range 44 of the biometric detection sensor 41. The detection range 44 is the range where it is possible to emit the signal S1 that is transmitted from the transmitter 43a, and where it is possible to receive the signal S2 by the receiver 43b that is reflected, after the signal S1 is emitted. As a specific example of the detection range 44, a design value that is preset into the biometric sensing device 40 may be used. In other words, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40, for example, is a range of a preset design value. The detection range 44 expands from the biometric 30 sensing device 40 to the front (+X direction).

As explained above, in the first embodiment, since the substrate 42 is disposed so as to incline diagonally in the front-rear direction X with respect to the vertical direction Z, the detection range 44 expands to the front and diagonally to the bottom direction, from the biometric detection sensor 41 of the biometric sensing device 40. The detection: range 44 expands in the vertical direction Z and both sides in the left-right direction Y, as the detection range 44 moves apart from the biometric sensing device 40 to the front and diagonally to the bottom direction. An angle θz of expansion in the vertical direction Z of the detection range 44 is for example, greater than or equal to 20 degrees, and less than or equal to 120 degrees. An angle θy of expansion in the left-right direction Y of the detection range 44 shown in FIG. 2 is for example, greater than 90 degrees, and less than or equal to 170 degrees. In the first embodiment, the angle θy of expansion in the left-right direction Y is larger than the angle θz of expansion in the vertical direction Z.

The biometric sensing device 40 in the first embodiment is fixed to the housing 21, and does not relatively move, with respect to the housing 21. As such, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 does not change. The detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 for example, is set so as to be relatively wide, so that it is possible to easily detect biometric information of the human H occupying the indoor environment in which the indoor unit 20 is installed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the shutter 21b in an opened condition is located outside of the detection range 44. Although omitted from the drawings, the shutter 21b in a closed state is also located outside of the detection range 44. In other words, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is provided on an outside of the movable range of the shutter 21b. The shutter 21b in the first embodiment is located on the rear (−X direction) of the detection range 44. As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit information sensing device 30 is located outside of the detection range 44. In other words, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is provided on an outside of the movable range of the sensor main body 32 in the indoor unit information sensing device 30. The top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a, 26b and the left-right wind adjusting member 26c are located outside of the detection range 44. In other words, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is provided on an outside of the movable range of the wind adjusting members, i.e. the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a, 26b and left-right wind adjusting member 26c. The cleaning device 50 is located outside of the detection range 44. In other words, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is provided on an outside of the movable range of the cleaning device 50.

In the first embodiment, all movable parts out of parts that configure the indoor unit 20 are located outside of the detection range 44. In other words, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is provided on an outside of the movable range of all movable parts, out of the parts that configure the indoor unit 20. The movable parts out of the parts that configure the indoor unit 20, are parts that are automatically movable in response to signals from the controller 24. The movable parts in the first embodiment include the shutter 21b, the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a and 26b, the left-right wind adjusting member 26c, the blower 23, the sensor main body 32 of the indoor unit information sensing device 30, and the cleaning device 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the heat exchanger 22 is located outside of the detection range 44. In 10) other words, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is located on an outside of the heat exchanger 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 24 is accommodated on an inside, in an end on the right side (+Y side) of the housing 21. The controller 24 is located to the right (+Y direction), more than the exhaust port 20b. The controller 24 controls at least a portion of the parts that configure the indoor unit 20. The controller 24 in the first embodiment controls various parts of the indoor unit 20. Specifically, the controller 24 controls the blower 23, the shutter 21b, the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a and 26b, the left-right wind adjusting member 26c, the indoor unit information sensing device 30, the cleaning device 50, and the biometric sensing device 40.

The controller 24 controls at least a portion of the parts that configure the indoor unit 20, based on biometric information detected using the biometric sensing device 40. For example, when the biometric sensing device 40 obtains pulse of a human H as biometric information of the human H, the controller 24 discerns the condition of the human H in response to the size of said pulse, and adjusts the direction, amount, and speed of the air being discharged indoors from the indoor unit 20, as well as a set temperature of the indoor unit 20, according to the condition of the human H. When the controller 24 discerns that a human H is for example, is in a state of being relaxed, the controller 24 will control the blower 23, the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a and 26b, and the left-right wind adjusting member 26c, to blow air such that the human His able to be more relaxed. When the controller 24 discerns that the human His in a state of sleeping or being awake based on the biometric information detected using the biometric sensing device 40, the controller 24 adjusts the direction, the amount, and the speed of the air being discharged indoors from the indoor unit 20, as well as the set temperature of the indoor unit 20, according to the condition of the human H.

According to the first embodiment, the indoor unit 20 includes the biometric sensing device 40 that detects biometric information from a living body, when said living body is located on the inside of the detection range 44. The biometric sensing device 40 is accommodated on the inside of the housing 21. The detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is provided outside of the movable range of the shutter 21b. As such, even if the shutter 21b moves, the shutter 21b does not enter the inside of the detection range 44. Accordingly, the biometric sensing device 40 does not detect 10) movement of the shutter 21b, and the biometric detection using the biometric sensing device 40 is not hindered by movement of the shutter 21b. Therefore, it is possible to enhance biometric detection accuracy using the biometric sensing device 40. Since the biometric sensing device 40 is housed on the inside of the housing 21, it is possible to improve an aesthetic appearance of the indoor unit 20, compared to when the biometric sensing device 40 is housed on an outside of the housing 21.

According to the first embodiment, the indoor unit 20 includes the indoor unit information sensing device 30, which is capable of detecting information regarding an indoor environment in which the indoor unit 20 is installed. The indoor unit information sensing device 30 has the sensor main body 32, which is relatively movable with respect to the housing 21. The detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is provided on an outside of the movable range of the sensor main body 32, in the indoor unit information sensing device 30. As such, the biometric sensing device 40 does not detect movement of the sensor main body 32, and the biometric detection of the biometric sensing device 40 is not hindered by movement of the sensor main body 32. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance biometric detection accuracy using the biometric sensing device 40.

According to the first embodiment, the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a, 26b and the left-right wind adjusting member 26c, are provided in the exhaust port 20b as wind adjusting members capable of adjusting a direction of the air being discharged from the exhaust port 20b. The detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is provided on an outside of the movable range of the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a, 26b and the left-right wind adjusting member 26c. As such, the biometric sensing device 40 does not detect movement of the top-bottom wind adjusting members 26a, 26b and the left-right wind adjusting member 26c, and the biometric detection of the biometric sensing device 40 is not hindered by movement of each of the wind adjusting members. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance biometric detection accuracy using the biometric sensing device 40.

According to the first embodiment, the indoor unit 20 includes the cleaning device 50, which cleans the filter 25. The detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is provided on an outside of the movable range of the cleaning device 50. As such, the biometric sensing device 40 does not detect movement of the cleaning device 50, and the biometric detection of the biometric sensing device 40 is not hindered by movement of the cleaning device 50. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance biometric detection accuracy using the biometric sensing device 40.

According to the first embodiment, the indoor unit 20 is a wall-mounted type indoor unit. The exhaust port 20b is located to the bottom, more than the blower 23. The biometric sensing device 40 is located on the front of the blower 23. The detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 expands to the front, from the biometric sensing device 40. As such, the blower 23 does not enter the inside of the detection range 44. As such, the biometric sensing device 40 does not detect movement of the blower 23, and the biometric detection of the biometric sensing device 40 is not hindered by movement of the blower 23. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance biometric detection accuracy using the biometric sensing device 40. By having the exhaust port 20b be located to the bottom more than the blower 23, and disposing the biometric sensing device 40 in front of the blower 23, it is possible to suitably suppress air that is sent to the exhaust port 20b from the blower 23, out of the indoor unit 20, from entering the inside of detection range 44. As such, even if a portion of the housing 21 vibrates due to air sent from the blower 23 colliding therewith, it is possible to suppress the biometric sensing device 40 from detecting movement of said vibrating portion. Accordingly, it is possible to further suppress having the biometric detection of the biometric sensing device 40 be hindered, and it is possible to further enhance biometric detection accuracy using the biometric sensing device 40.

According to the first embodiment, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 expands to the front and diagonally to the bottom direction, from the biometric sensing device 40. As such, it is possible to easily have a part out of the space indoors, that is located more to the bottom than the wall-mounted type indoor unit 20, and that is relatively closer to the indoor unit 20 in the front-rear direction X, easily enter the inside of the detection range 44. Therefore, it is possible to have detection using the biometric sensing device 40, of biometric information of a living body that is located in a location relatively closer to the indoor unit 20 in the front-rear direction X become easier.

According to the first embodiment, the biometric sensing device 40 is located to the top, more than a center of the housing 21 in the vertical direction Z. As such, it is easier to include a part out of the space indoors that is located in a location which is relatively separated to the front from indoor unit 20, in the detection range 44 that spreads towards the front and the bottom from the biometric sensing device 40. Accordingly, detecting biometric information of a living body in a location that is located far to the front from the indoor unit 20, using the biometric sensing device 40 becomes easier. According to the first embodiment, even in a state where the shutter 21b is open and protrudes to the front, it is possible to have the detection range 44 that expands to the front and diagonally to the bottom direction from the biometric sensing device 40, be more to the front than the shutter 21b, making it easier to provide the detection range 44 outside of the movable range of the shutter 21b.

According to the first embodiment, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is provided outside of the movable range of all movable parts, out of the parts that configure the indoor unit 20. As such, the biometric sensing device 40 does not detect movement of any of the movable parts in the indoor unit 20, and the biometric detection of the biometric sensing device 40 is not hindered by movement of the movable parts in the indoor unit 20. Therefore, it is possible to suitably enhance biometric detection accuracy of the biometric sensing device 40.

Using analysis, it is also possible for the biometric sensing device 40 to cancel out signals that are reflected from bodies other than the living body as noise. However, as said noise becomes large, the biometric detection accuracy of the biometric sensing device 40 decreases. Specifically, when an output of the biometric sensing device 40 becomes large due to the biometric sensing device 40 trying to obtain biometric information of a living body that is farther apart from the indoor unit 20, it is easy for effects of said noise to become larger. In contrast to this, according to the first embodiment, since movement of the movable parts out of the parts that configure the indoor unit 20 is not detected by the biometric sensing device 40 as previously mentioned, it is possible to suitably reduce noise that originates from signal that are reflected from bodies other than the living body. Accordingly, it is possible to enhance biometric detection accuracy using the biometric sensing device 40.

According to the first embodiment, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40 is provided on a region that is on an outside of the heat exchanger 22. As such, the signal S1 that is transmitted from the biometric sensing device 40, and the signal S2 that is received by the biometric sensing device 40 are not blocked by the heat exchanger 22, which is made of metal. Accordingly, it is possible to suitably emit the signal S1 that is transmitted from the biometric sensing device 40 to the living body, and it is possible to suitably receive the signal S2 that reflects off of the living body, by the biometric sensing device 40. Therefore, it is possible to further suitably enhance biometric detection accuracy of the biometric sensing device 40.

According to the first embodiment, the biometric sensing device 40 has the biometric detection sensor 41 as a Doppler sensor. As such, by analyzing and comparing a phase of the signal S1 that is emitted from the biometric detection sensor 41 to the living body, and a phase of the signal S2 that is reflected off of the living body and received by the biometric detection sensor 41, it is possible to suitably detect biometric information of the living body.

According to the first embodiment, the indoor unit 20 includes the controller 24. The controller 24 controls at least a portion of the parts that configure the indoor unit 20, based on the biometric information detected by the biometric sensing device 40. As such, according to the biometric information of a living body in the indoor environment where the indoor unit 20 is installed, in other words, the biometric information of the human H, it is possible to adjust the air of the indoor environment so that the human His comfortable.

According to the first embodiment, the detection range 44 of the biometric sensing device 40, is the range of the preset design value. As such, it is possible to easily set the detection range 44 by designing the design value of the biometric sensing device 40 so as to match the indoor unit 20. Even when an actual detection range of the biometric sensing device 40 deviates from the detection range 44 that is preset as the design value, it is possible to easily provide said actual detection range outside of the movable range of movable parts such as the shutter 21b or the like. Therefore, as previously mentioned, it is possible to suitably enhance biometric detection accuracy using the biometric sensing device 40.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a perspective view that shows an indoor unit 220, in a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view that shows the indoor unit 220, in the second embodiment. In the explanations below, configurations similar to the configurations previously mentioned have the same reference signs and the like affixed thereto, with explanations thereof being omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, an exhaust port 220b is formed on a bottom surface in the center part of the front-rear direction X of a main body 221a, on a housing 221 of the indoor unit 220. The exhaust port 220b opens to the bottom. As shown in FIG. 6, the exhaust port 220b extends in the left-right direction Y, and is formed almost on an entirety of the bottom surface of the housing 221.

Top-bottom wind adjusting members 226a and 226b, and left-right wind adjusting member 226c are provided in the exhaust port 220b. The top-bottom wind adjusting members 226a and 226b are wind adjusting members for adjusting air being discharged in the vertical direction Z from the exhaust port 220b, and are portions of a shutter of the exhaust port 220b that is openable and closable. The left-right wind adjusting member 226c is a wind adjusting member for adjusting air being discharged in the left-right vertical direction Y from the exhaust port 220b.

The housing 221 has an accommodation 228. The accommodation 228 is located on the bottom side portion on an end in the front side (+X side), out of the housing 221. The accommodation 228 extends in the left-right direction Y. As shown in FIG. 7, a wall on the front side (+X side), out of walls that configure the accommodation 228 is a bottom side portion of a front surface panel 221c of the housing 221. The wall on the bottom side out of the walls that configure the accommodation 228 is a diagonal wall 221e. The diagonal wall 221e extends to the front (+X direction) and the top, from a front end of the exhaust port 220b. The diagonal wall 221e is made of resin.

As shown in FIG. 6, a controller 224 is accommodated within the accommodation 228. With the exception of being accommodated within a different location in the housing 221, the controller 224 has the same configuration as the controller 24 of the first embodiment. Although omitted from the drawings, a device for generating water particles (mist) that are electrically energized, and a receiver that receives a signal from a remote controller, are accommodated within the accommodation 228.

An indoor unit information sensing device 230 in the first embodiment is provided on an end, on the right side (+Y side) of the diagonal wall 221e. Other configurations of the indoor unit information sensing device 230 are the same as the other configurations of the indoor unit information sensing device 30 in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, a blower 223 in the second embodiment is disposed inside in a center part in the vertical direction Z of a rear side portion, out of the housing 221. The blower 223 is a cross-flow fan that extends in the left-right direction Y. The blower 223 has an impeller that rotates around a rotation axis, which extends in the left-right direction Y. The blower 223 is located on the rear (−X direction) of the accommodation 228. The blower 223 overlaps with the accommodation 228, as seen in the front-rear direction X. The blower 223 is located on a top end of an airway 221d, which is formed on an inside of the housing 221. The airway 221d extends to the bottom and to the front from the blower 223, and is connected to the exhaust port 220b.

A heat exchanger 222 is disposed in front of the blower 223. The heat exchanger 222 has a portion that is located on the top of the blower 223, and a portion that is located on the front (+X direction), in a top side portion of the blower 223. A filter 225 is disposed on top of the heat exchanger 222. The filter 225 is located between the heat exchanger 222, and an intake port 220a that is formed on a top surface of the housing 221.

In the second embodiment, a cleaning device 250 is located on top of the heat exchanger 222. In the second embodiment, a cleaning unit is configured using the cleaning device 250 and the filter 225. The cleaning device 250 has a cleaning device main body 251 that cleans the filter 225, and a filter accommodation 252 that accommodates the filter 225. The cleaning device main body 251 is located on a top end of a front side portion out of the housing 221. The cleaning device main body 251 is located on top of the accommodation 228. The filter accommodation 252 extends to the rear (−X direction), more than the cleaning device main body 251. The filter accommodation 252 is disposed so as to face the bottom of the intake port 220a.

When the blower 223 operates, air indoors is taken to the inside of the housing 221 from the intake port 220a. The air that is taken in to the inside of the housing 221 from the intake port 220a passes the heat exchanger 222, and is taken in by the blower 223, after passing through the filter 225. The air that is taken in by the blower 223 is discharged to the airway 221d, flows along the airway 221d, and is discharged from the exhaust port 220b to the indoors.

A biometric sensing device 240 in the second embodiment is disposed on the inside of the accommodation 228. As shown in FIG. 6, the biometric sensing device 240 is located on a portion towards the left side (towards the +Y side) out of the inside of the accommodation 228. The biometric sensing device 240 is located on the left (−Y direction), more than the indoor unit information sensing device 230. As shown in FIG. 7, the biometric sensing device 240 is located on the bottom, more than the center in the vertical direction Z of the housing 221. The biometric sensing device 240 is located on the front (+X direction) of the blower 223. The biometric sensing device 240 overlaps with a bottom side portion of the blower 223, as seen in the front-rear direction X. The biometric sensing device 240 is located on the bottom of the cleaning device 250. The biometric sensing device 240 is located to the front, more than the exhaust port 220b, the top-bottom wind adjusting members 226a and 226b, and left-right wind adjusting member 226c.

As shown in FIG. 7, the biometric sensing device 240 has a biometric detection sensor 241. Although a disposition of the biometric detection sensor 241 on the inside of the housing 221 is different, the biometric detection sensor 241 is disposed in the same orientation as the orientation of the biometric detection sensor 41 of the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the biometric detection sensor 241 is a Doppler type sensor. A detection range 244 of the biometric sensing device 240 expands towards the front and the bottom from the biometric sensing device 240. Besides an aspect of a location of the biometric sensing device 240 on the inside of the housing 221, which is a starting point, being different, the detection range 244 is the same as the detection range 44 of the first embodiment.

According to the second embodiment, as with the first embodiment, the detection range 244 of the biometric sensing device 240 is located on an outside of the movable range of movable parts that include the top-bottom wind adjusting members 226a and 226b, which are shutters. Therefore, as with the first embodiment, it is possible to enhance biometric detection accuracy using the biometric sensing device 240.

According to the second embodiment, the biometric sensing device 240 is located on the bottom, more than the center in the vertical direction Z of the housing 221. As such, including a portion that is located on the bottom more than the indoor unit 220 out of the indoor environment, in the detection range 244 that expands towards the front and the bottom from the biometric sensing device 240 is easier. Accordingly, it is possible to easily detect biometric information of a living body that is in a relatively close location to the wall-mounted type indoor unit 220 in the front-rear direction X.

Although various embodiments of the present disclosure are described above, the present disclosure is not limited to configurations of each of the embodiments thereof, and it is possible to adopt the configurations and/or methods mentioned below.

So long as a biometric sensing device is a device that is capable of detecting biometric information of a living body, said device may have any configuration. As opposed to the Doppler type sensor, or in addition to the Doppler type sensor mentioned above, the biometric sensing device may have a radar type sensor such as an FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radar type or the like. As opposed to the Doppler type sensor, or in addition to the Doppler type sensor mentioned above, the biometric sensing device may have one or more type of a pyroelectric type or a thermoelectric type thermal infrared detection sensor, a visible light camera, a proximity sensor, or a bolometer or the like. When the biometric sensing device contains a plurality of sensors, a detection range of the biometric sensing device is decided based on the plurality of sensors. In such case, the detection range of the biometric sensing device is for example, a range in which detection ranges of the plurality of sensors overlap. When the biometric sensing device is a visible light camera, a face of a human that is detected by the visible light camera is included in the biometric information that is detected by the visible light camera.

So long as the detection range is outside of a movable range of a shutter, the biometric sensing device may be provided on any location on an inside of a housing of an indoor unit. The biometric sensing device may be disposed in any orientation on the inside of the housing. In other words, locations and orientations of each embodiment mentioned above are just one example. Relative positional relationships of various parts in the biometric sensing device in each of the aforementioned embodiments are just one example, and the relative positional relationship of the various parts in the biometric sensing device is not particularly limited thereto. So long as the detection range of the biometric sensor is provided on an outside of a movable range of a shutter that opens and closes at least a portion of an exhaust port, the detection range thereof is not limited. The detection range of the biometric sensing device may include a movable range of a movable part, out of parts that configure the indoor unit. The biometric sensing device may be attached to the housing via a construction that has springs, sponges or the like to absorb vibrations. In such a case, it is possible to suppress vibration of the biometric sensing device that is caused by vibration of the indoor unit, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy of the biometric sensing device.

The detection range of the biometric sensing device provided outside of movable range of the shutter may be an actual range in which biometric information is detectable by the biometric sensing device. There are cases where the actual range in which biometric information is detectable, is off from a value that is preset as a design value in the biometric sensing device. When the detection range of the biometric sensing device that is provided outside of the movable range of the shutter is the preset design value, so long as the detection range, which is preset as a design value, fulfills the positional relationship with movable parts such as the aforementioned shutter or the like, any range may be provided as an actual detection range of the biometric sensing device. When the detection range of the biometric sensing device that is provided outside of the movable range of the shutter is the actual detectable range of the biometric information using the biometric sensing device, so long as the actual detection range fulfills the positional relationship with movable parts such as the aforementioned shutter or the like, any range may be provided as a detection range that is preset as the design value in the biometric sensing device.

A number of wind adjusting members is not particularly limited, and only one may be provided, or two or more may be provided. In the aforementioned embodiments, one of the wind adjusting members may be provided, or three or more may be provided. The biometric sensing device need not be provided. A cleaning device that cleans a filter need not be provided. The indoor unit of the present disclosure may be any type of indoor unit, and may be an indoor unit embedded into a ceiling, or may be an indoor unit that is placed on a floor.

Positional relationships, dimensions, and so on of various parts in the various configurations mentioned above are only an example, and so long as the technical scope of the present disclosure is not departed therefrom, the positional relationships, dimensions and so on are not limited particularly limited thereto. The various configurations and various methods explained in the above specification may be combined as needed, so long as no conflicts in the technical scope thereof occurs.

Claims

1. An indoor unit of an air conditioner comprising: a housing having an exhaust port formed thereon;a heat exchanger housed on an inside of the housing;a blower that is housed on the inside of the housing, and that blows air to the exhaust port, anda biometric sensing device that detects biometric information regarding a living body, where the living body is located inside of a detection range thereof,whereina shutter that opens and closes at least a portion of the exhaust port, is provided in the exhaust port,the biometric sensing device is accommodated on the inside of the housing, and transmits a transmission signal that passes through a wall of the housing to detect the biometric information, andthe detection range of the biometric sensing device is provided outside a movable range of the shutter.

2. The indoor unit according to claim 1 further comprising: an indoor unit information sensing device which detects information regarding an indoor environment in which the indoor unit is installed, whereinthe indoor unit information sensing device has a sensor main body that is relatively movable with respect to the housing, andthe detection range of the biometric sensing device is provided outside a movable range of the sensor main body in the indoor unit information sensing device.

3. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein wind adjusting members that adjust a direction of air being discharged from the exhaust port are provided on the exhaust port, andthe detection range of the biometric sensing device is provided outside of a movable range of the wind adjusting members.

4. The indoor unit according to claim 1 further comprising: a cleaning device that cleans a filter, whereinthe detection range of the biometric sensing device is provided on an outside of a movable range of the cleaning device.

5. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the indoor unit is a wall-mounted type indoor unit, the exhaust port is located to the bottom, more than the blower,the biometric sensing device is located on a front of the blower, andthe detection range of the biometric sensing device expands to the front, from the biometric sensing device.

6. The indoor unit according to claim 5, wherein the detection range of the biometric sensing device expands to the front and diagonally to a bottom direction, from the biometric sensing device.

7. The indoor unit according to claim 6, wherein the biometric sensing device is located to a top, more than a center part in a vertical direction of the housing.

8. The indoor unit according to claim 6, wherein the biometric sensing device is located on the bottom, more than the center in the vertical direction of the housing.

9. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the detection range of the biometric sensing device is provided on an outside of a movable range of all movable parts, out of the parts that configure the indoor unit.

10. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the detection range of the biometric sensing device is provided on a region that is on an outside of the heat exchanger.

11. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the biometric sensing device has a Doppler type sensor.

12. The indoor unit according to claim 1 further comprises a controller, whereinthe controller controls at least a portion of parts that configure the indoor unit, based on biometric information detected using the biometric sensing device.

13. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the detection range of the biometric sensing device, is a range of a preset design value.

14. An air conditioner comprising: the indoor unit according to claim 1, andan outdoor unit. an outdoor unit.