GB2559911A

GB2559911A - Air-conditioning device

Info

Publication number: GB2559911A
Application number: GB1806963.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kubota Tsuyoshi; Okajima Jiro; Tsutsumi Hiroshi; Yamatani Takahiro
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2016-01-08
Filing date: 2016-01-08
Publication date: 2018-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-08
Also published as: JP6567086B2; GB2559911B; GB201806963D0; WO2017119138A1; JPWO2017119138A1

Abstract

This air-conditioning device is equipped with: a refrigerant circuit which is configured by a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a throttle device, and an outdoor heat exchanger being connected by a refrigerant pipe and circulates a refrigerant therethrough; an indoor blower which sends air to the indoor heat exchanger which provides air-conditioning for a room; and a control device which stores wind speed data in which the wind speed of the indoor blower has been defined according to the relationship between outdoor temperature and indoor temperature. The control device checks actual outdoor temperature and actual indoor temperature against the wind speed data and controls the wind speed of the indoor blower on the basis of the matching wind speed data.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Air-conditioning device Abstract Title: Air-conditioning device (57) This air-conditioning device is equipped with: a refrigerant circuit which is configured by a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a throttle device, and an outdoor heat exchanger being connected by a refrigerant pipe and circulates a refrigerant therethrough; an indoor blower which sends air to the indoor heat exchanger which provides air-conditioning for a room; and a control device which stores wind speed data in which the wind speed of the indoor blower has been defined according to the relationship between outdoor temperature and indoor temperature. The control device checks actual outdoor temperature and actual indoor temperature against the wind speed data and controls the wind speed of the indoor blower on the basis of the matching wind speed data.

Start operation of air-conditioning device

Operate indoor blower at maximum wind speed

Detect outdoor temperature and indoor temperature

Calculate optimum wind speed of indoor blower

Is actual wind speed of indoor blower within range of optimum wind speed?

Cause actual wind speed of indoor blower to fall within range of optimum wind speed

Maintain actual wind speed of indoor blower

AA Start

BB End

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FIG. 1 r

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FIG. 2

WIND SPEED OF INDOOR

TEMPERATURE

FIG. 3

WIND SPEED OF INDOOR

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FIG. 4

DESCRIPTION

Title of Invention

AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS

Technical Field [0001]

The present invention relates to an air-conditioning apparatus configured to control the wind speed of an indoor air-sending device.

Background Art [0002]

In the conventional air-conditioning apparatus, the wind speed of an indoor airsending device provided inside an indoor unit is set by a user. Once the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device is set, the wind speed remains fixed unless the user sets another wind speed. In an air-conditioning apparatus in which the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device is automatically changed, the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device is changed depending on the difference between a set temperature and an indoor temperature (refer to Patent Literature 1, for example). The automatic change of the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device has been intended to improve comfort received by the user by reducing the frequency of stopping a compressor and any other device or by adjusting change of the indoor temperature. Thus, the automatic change of the wind speed of the indoor airsending device has not been intended to reduce electric power consumption of the air-conditioning apparatus.

Citation List

Patent Literature [0003]

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-159905 Summary of Invention Technical Problem [0004]

In an air-conditioning apparatus, electric power consumption of a compressor and a fan motor of an outdoor unit decreases, particularly, in an environment in which a load due to external air is small, in other words, the external air temperature is low in a cooling operation and the external air temperature is high in a heating operation. Accordingly, the ratio of electric power consumption of the indoor unit becomes relatively high in electric power consumption of the entire air-conditioning apparatus.

In such a condition, the efficiency of the entire air-conditioning apparatus increases by reducing the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device. However, in the airconditioning apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the wind speed of the airsending device is changed depending on the difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature irrespective of the magnitude of a load due to the external air temperature. Accordingly, the air-conditioning apparatus cannot be efficiently operated with taken into account the load due to the external air temperature.

[0005]

The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem and provide an air-conditioning apparatus capable of efficiently operating by changing the wind speed of an indoor air-sending device depending on the magnitude of a load due to the external air temperature.

Solution to Problem [0006]

An air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger configured to perform indoor air conditioning, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger are connected with each other through refrigerant pipes and in which refrigerant circulates; an indoor air-sending device configured to send air to the indoor heat exchanger; and a controller configured to store wind speed datasets on a wind speed of the indoor air-sending device each associating a wind speed with a relation between an outdoor temperature and an indoor temperature, the controller being configured to search wind speed datasets for a wind speed dataset corresponding to an actual outdoor temperature and an actual indoor temperature and control the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device based on the corresponding wind speed dataset.

Advantageous Effects of Invention [0007]

According to the present invention, a controller searches, for the actual outdoor temperature and the actual indoor temperature, wind speed dataset and controls the wind speed of an indoor air-sending device based on the corresponding wind speed dataset. With this configuration, the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device can be changed depending on the magnitude of a load due to the external air temperature, thereby achieving an air-conditioning apparatus capable of performing an efficient operation.

Brief Description of Drawings [0008] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a refrigerant circuit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relation among the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and the wind speed of an indoor air-sending device in a cooling operation of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the relation among the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device in a heating operation of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating control of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Embodiments [0009]

The following describes an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Any configuration illustrated in the drawings is merely exemplary and does not limit the present invention. Any components denoted by an identical reference sign in the drawings are identical or equivalent to each other. This notation applies through the entire description in the specification. The dimensional relation between components in the drawings is different from that in reality in some cases.

[0010]

Embodiment [Configuration of air-conditioning apparatus 100]

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a refrigerant circuit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 1, this air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes a heat source side unit 1, a use side unit 2, and a remote controller 19. The heat source side unit 1 and the use side unit 2 are connected with each other through a liquid connection pipe 11 and a gas connection pipe 10 serving as refrigerant pipes, thereby constituting the refrigerant circuit of the air-conditioning apparatus 100.

[0011]

Examples of refrigerant that circulates inside the refrigerant circuit of the airconditioning apparatus 100 include HFC refrigerant such as R410A, R407C, R404A, and R32, HFO refrigerant such as R1234yf/ze, HCFC refrigerant such as R22 and R134a, and natural refrigerant such as carbon dioxide (CO2), a hydrocarbon, helium, and propane.

[0012] [Use side unit 2]

As described above, the use side unit 2 is connected with the heat source side unit 1 through the liquid connection pipe 11 and the gas connection pipe 10, thereby constituting part of the refrigerant circuit. The use side unit 2 is also connected with the remote controller 19 to be described later through a transmission line.

[0013]

The following describes a detailed configuration of the use side unit 2. The use side unit 2 forms an indoor side refrigerant circuit as part of the refrigerant circuit, and includes an expansion device 6, an indoor heat exchanger 7, an indoor airsending device 9, and a use side control device 17. An indoor temperature sensor 14 configured to sense the actual indoor temperature is provided near the indoor heat exchanger 7. A gas pipe temperature sensor 13 configured to sense the temperature of a pipe is provided to a gas side pipe of the indoor heat exchanger 7.

A liquid pipe temperature sensor 12 configured to sense the temperature of a pipe is provided to a liquid side pipe of the indoor heat exchanger 7. The use side control device 17 corresponds to a controller in the present invention.

[0014]

The expansion device 6 is disposed and connected to a liquid side of the use side unit 2 and configured to perform, for example, flow control of refrigerant flowing inside the refrigerant circuit. The expansion device 6 includes an opening degree sensor 15 configured to sense the opening degree thereof.

[0015]

The indoor heat exchanger 7 is, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger of a cross-fin type including a heat transfer tube and a large number of fins. The indoor heat exchanger 7 functions as a refrigerant evaporator cooling indoor air in a cooling operation, and functions as a refrigerant condenser heating indoor air in a heating operation.

[0016]

The indoor air-sending device 9 is a fan capable of changing the wind speed of air supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 7, and is, for example, a centrifugal fan or a multiblade fan driven by a DC motor (not illustrated). The indoor air-sending device 9 sucks indoor air into the use side unit 2 and performs heat exchange between the sucked indoor air and refrigerant inside the indoor heat exchanger 7. Then, the indoor air-sending device 9 supplies the air subjected to the heat exchange to a room as supply air.

[0017]

The liquid pipe temperature sensor 12, the gas pipe temperature sensor 13, and the indoor temperature sensor 14 provided in the use side unit 2 are, for example, thermistors.

[0018]

The use side control device 17 is, for example, a microcomputer configured to sense various temperatures from the liquid pipe temperature sensor 12, the gas pipe temperature sensor 13, and the indoor temperature sensor 14, and control, for example, the expansion device 6 and the indoor air-sending device 9.

[0019] [Heat source side unit 1]

The following describes a detailed configuration of the heat source side unit 1. The heat source side unit 1 is connected with the use side unit 2 through the liquid connection pipe 11 and the gas connection pipe 10, and forms part of the refrigerant circuit.

[0020]

The heat source side unit 1 includes a compressor 3, a four-way valve 4, an outdoor heat exchanger 5, an outdoor air-sending device 8, and a heat source side control device 16. An outdoor temperature sensor 18 configured to sense the actual outdoor temperature is provided near the outdoor heat exchanger 5.

[0021]

The compressor 3 is a device having a variable rotation speed (frequency), and in this example, includes a displacement compressor driven by a motor (not illustrated) controlled through an inverter.

[0022]

The four-way valve 4 is a valve having a function of switching the direction of refrigerant flow. In the cooling operation, as illustrated with dotted lines in the fourway valve 4 in Fig. 1, the four-way valve 4 switches refrigerant passages so that a discharge side of the compressor 3 is connected with a gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 5 and a suction side of the compressor 3 is connected with the gas connection pipe 10 side. In this manner, in the cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 5 functions as a condenser for refrigerant compressed through the compressor 3, and the indoor heat exchanger 7 functions as an evaporator for refrigerant condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger 5.

[0023]

In the heating operation, as illustrated with solid lines in the four-way valve 4 in Fig. 1, the four-way valve 4 switches refrigerant passages so that the discharge side of the compressor 3 is connected with the gas connection pipe 10 side and the suction side of the compressor 3 is connected with the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 5. In this manner, in the heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 7 functions as a condenser for refrigerant compressed through the compressor 3, and the outdoor heat exchanger 5 functions as an evaporator for refrigerant condensed through the indoor heat exchanger 7.

[0024]

The outdoor heat exchanger 5 is a fin-and-tube heat exchanger of a cross-fin type including a heat transfer tube and a large number of fins. The outdoor heat exchanger 5 has a gas side pipe connected with the four-way valve 4 and a liquid side pipe connected with the liquid connection pipe 11. The outdoor heat exchanger 5 functions as a refrigerant condenser in the cooling operation and functions as a refrigerant evaporator in the heating operation.

[0025]

The outdoor air-sending device 8 is a fan capable of changing the wind speed of air supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 5, and is, for example, a propeller fan driven by a DC motor (not illustrated). The outdoor air-sending device 8 has a function of sucking outdoor air into the heat source side unit 1 and discharging, out of the room, the air subjected to heat exchange with refrigerant inside the outdoor heat exchanger 5.

[0026]

The outdoor temperature sensor 18 configured to sense the outdoor temperature is provided in the heat source side unit 1. The outdoor temperature sensor 18 is, for example, a thermistor.

[0027]

The heat source side control device 16 is, for example, a microcomputer. The heat source side control device 16 senses the outdoor temperature from the outdoor temperature sensor 18 and receives an operation command from the use side control device 17. Accordingly, the heat source side control device 16 controls, for example, the compressor 3, the four-way valve 4, and the outdoor air-sending device 8.

[0028] [Remote controller 19]

The air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes the remote controller 19 configured to control the use side unit 2 and the heat source side unit 1 through the use side control device 17. The remote controller 19 is used to switch the airconditioning apparatus 100 between operations such as the heating operation and the cooling operation, and perform temperature setting or wind speed setting thereof. The remote controller 19 and the use side control device 17 are connected with each other through a transmission line to communicate, for example, information on operation setting therebetween. The use side control device 17 and the heat source side control device 16 are connected with each other through a transmission line to communicate, for example, operation information therebetween.

[0029]

The present embodiment describes the example in which the remote controller 19 and the use side control device 17 are connected with each other through the transmission line, and the use side control device 17 and the heat source side control device 16 are connected with each other through the transmission line. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and information may be communicated, for example, in a wireless manner.

[0030]

As described above, the heat source side unit 1 and the use side unit 2 are connected with each other through the liquid connection pipe 11 and the gas connection pipe 10, thereby constituting the refrigerant circuit of the air-conditioning apparatus 100.

[0031]

The present embodiment exemplarily describes the configuration with the single heat source side unit 1 and the single use side unit 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A plurality of heat source side units 1 and a plurality of use side units 2 may be provided. In the configuration with the plurality of heat source side units 1 and the plurality of use side units 2, these units may have displacement sizes different from each other or an identical displacement size.

[0032] [Basic operational behavior of air-conditioning apparatus 100]

The following describes the behavior of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment in each operation mode. The description will be first made on the behavior in the cooling operation with reference to Fig. 1.

[0033]

In the cooling operation, the four-way valve 4 is in a state illustrated with the dotted lines in Fig. 1, in other words, a state in which the discharge side of the compressor 3 is connected with the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 5 and the suction side of the compressor 3 is connected with a gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 7.

[0034]

High-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 passes through the four-way valve 4 and reaches the outdoor heat exchanger 5 functioning as a condenser. Then, the refrigerant condenses and liquifies due to an air-sending effect by the outdoor air-sending device 8 and becomes high-pressure and low-temperature refrigerant. The condensed and liquified highpressure and low-temperature refrigerant is transferred to the use side unit 2 through the liquid connection pipe 11, depressurized into two-phase refrigerant at the expansion device 6, and then transferred to the indoor heat exchanger 7. The depressurized two-phase refrigerant evaporates at the indoor heat exchanger 7 functioning as an evaporator due to an air-sending effect by the indoor air-sending device 9, and becomes low-pressure gas refrigerant. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 3 again through the four-way valve 4.

[0035]

The following describes the behavior in the heating operation with reference to Fig. 1. In the heating operation, the four-way valve 4 is in a state illustrated with the solid lines in Fig. 1, in other words, a state in which the discharge side of the compressor 3 is connected with the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 7 and the suction side of the compressor 3 is connected with the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 5.

[0036]

High-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 is transferred to the use side unit 2 through the four-way valve 4 and the gas connection pipe 10. Then, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant reaches the indoor heat exchanger 7 functioning as a condenser, condenses and liquifies due to the air-sending effect by the indoor air-sending device 9, and becomes high-pressure and low-temperature refrigerant. The condensed and liquified high-pressure and low-temperature refrigerant is depressurized into twophase refrigerant at the expansion device 6, transferred to the heat source side unit 1 through the liquid connection pipe 11, and then transferred to the outdoor heat exchanger 5. The depressurized two-phase refrigerant evaporates at the outdoor heat exchanger 5 functioning as an evaporator due to the air-sending effect by the outdoor air-sending device 8, and becomes low-pressure gas refrigerant. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 3 again through the fourway valve 4.

[0037]

The following describes the behavior in a defrosting operation with reference to Fig. 1. In the defrosting operation, the four-way valve 4 is in the state illustrated with the dotted lines in Fig. 1, in other words, the state in which the discharge side of the compressor 3 is connected with the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 5 and the suction side of the compressor 3 is connected with the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 7.

[0038]

High-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 reaches the outdoor heat exchanger 5 functioning as a condenser through the four-way valve 4. The refrigerant exchanges heat at the outdoor heat exchanger 5 to melt frost generated at the outdoor heat exchanger 5. Then, the refrigerant is depressurized at the expansion device 6 and cools indoor air through heat exchange at the indoor heat exchanger 7. Thereafter, the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 3 again through the four-way valve 4.

[0039]

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relation among the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device in the cooling operation of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the vertical axis of this graph represents the indoor temperature sensed by the indoor temperature sensor 14, and the horizontal axis of the graph represents the outdoor temperature sensed by the outdoor temperature sensor 18. The wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is divided into, for example, four stages of Optimum Wind Speed 1 to Optimum Wind Speed 4. The wind speed is slowest at Optimum Wind Speed 1 and then faster in the order of Optimum Wind Speed 2, Optimum Wind Speed 3, and Optimum Wind Speed 4. Datasets on the optimum wind speeds of the indoor air-sending device 9 is associating a wind speed with the relation between the outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature illustrated in Fig. 2 and stored in the use side control device 17 in advance. The datasets on the optimum wind speeds of the indoor air-sending device 9 corresponds to an element of wind speed dataset in the present invention.

[0040]

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the optimum wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is Optimum Wind Speed 1 when the value of the outdoor temperature is

Toutl and the value of the indoor temperature is Tin. The use side control device 17 compares the actual wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 with the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 1, and controls the indoor air-sending device 9 so that the actual wind speed is in the range of the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 1. [0041]

Similarly, the optimum wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is Optimum Wind Speed 2 when the value of the outdoor temperature is Tout2 and the value of the indoor temperature is Tin. The use side control device 17 compares the actual wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 with the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 2, and controls the indoor air-sending device 9 so that the actual wind speed is in the range of the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 2.

[0042]

Similarly, the optimum wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is Optimum Wind Speed 3 when the value of the outdoor temperature is Tout3 and the value of the indoor temperature is Tin. The use side control device 17 compares the actual wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 with the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 3, and controls the indoor air-sending device 9 so that the actual wind speed is in the range of the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 3.

[0043]

Similarly, the optimum wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is Optimum Wind Speed 4 when the value of the outdoor temperature is Tout4 and the value of the indoor temperature is Tin. The use side control device 17 compares the actual wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 with the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 4, and controls the indoor air-sending device 9 so that the actual wind speed is in the range of the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 4.

[0044]

Since the rotation speeds of the compressor 3 and the outdoor air-sending device 8 are controlled the higher the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature are in the cooling operation in this manner, the use side control device 17 controls the indoor air-sending device 9 to increase the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9, thereby increasing cooling capacity. Although the present embodiment describes the example in which the wind speed is divided into the four stages of optimum wind speeds, the present invention is not limited thereto. The wind speed may be divided into five stages or more or into two or three stages depending on the performance or specification of the indoor air-sending device 9. A multiple, larger number of more finely divided optimum wind speeds lead to a more efficient operation of the indoor air-sending device 9 and thus a larger reduction of electric power consumption.

[0045]

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the relation among the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device in the heating operation of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the vertical axis of this graph represents the indoor temperature sensed by the indoor temperature sensor 14, and the horizontal axis of the graph represents the outdoor temperature sensed by the outdoor temperature sensor 18. The wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is divided into, for example, four stages of Optimum Wind Speed 1 to Optimum Wind Speed 4. The wind speed is slowest at Optimum Wind Speed 1 and then faster in the order of Optimum Wind Speed 2, Optimum Wind Speed 3, and Optimum Wind Speed 4. Datasets on the optimum wind speeds of the indoor air-sending device 9 is determined based on the relation between the outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature illustrated in Fig. 3 and stored in the use side control device 17 in advance. The datasets on the optimum wind speeds of the indoor air-sending device 9 corresponds to an element of the wind speed dataset in the present invention.

[0046]

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the optimum wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is Optimum Wind Speed 1 when the value of the outdoor temperature is Tout8 and the value of the indoor temperature is Tin. The use side control device 17 compares the actual wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 with the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 1, and controls the indoor air-sending device 9 so that the actual wind speed is in the range of the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 1. [0047]

Similarly, the optimum wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is Optimum Wind Speed 2 when the value of the outdoor temperature is Tout7 and the value of the indoor temperature is Tin. The use side control device 17 compares the actual wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 with the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 2, and controls the indoor air-sending device 9 so that the actual wind speed is in the range of the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 2.

[0048]

Similarly, the optimum wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is Optimum Wind Speed 3 when the value of the outdoor temperature is Tout6 and the value of the indoor temperature is Tin. The use side control device 17 compares the actual wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 with the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 3, and controls the indoor air-sending device 9 so that the actual wind speed is in the range of the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 3.

[0049]

Similarly, the optimum wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is Optimum Wind Speed 4 when the value of the outdoor temperature is Tout5 and the value of the indoor temperature is Tin. The use side control device 17 compares the actual wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 with the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 4, and controls the indoor air-sending device 9 so that the actual wind speed is in the range of the wind speed of Optimum Wind Speed 4.

[0050]

Since the rotation speeds of the compressor 3 and the outdoor air-sending device 8 is controlled the lower the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature are in the heating operation, the higher the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device is in this manner, the use side control device 17 controls the indoor air-sending device 9 to increase the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9, thereby increasing heating capacity. Although the present embodiment describes the example in which the wind speed is divided into the four stages of optimum wind speeds, the present invention is not limited thereto. The wind speed may be divided into five stages or more or into two or three stages depending on the performance or specification of the indoor air-sending device 9. A larger number of more finely divided optimum wind speeds lead to a more efficient operation of the indoor airsending device 9 and thus a larger reduction of electric power consumption.

[0051]

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating control of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The following describes a control operation of the use side control device 17 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 based on steps illustrated in Fig. 2 with reference to Fig. 1.

[0052] (StepSI)

The use side control device 17 receives a command to start operation from a user, and starts the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100. Thereafter, the use side control device 17 transitions to (Step S2).

[0053] (Step S2)

The use side control device 17 operates the indoor air-sending device 9 at the maximum wind speed. Thereafter, the use side control device 17 transitions to (Step S3).

[0054] (Step S3)

The use side control device 17 senses the actual outdoor temperature through the outdoor temperature sensor 18 and senses the actual indoor temperature from the indoor temperature sensor 14. Thereafter, the use side control device 17 transitions to (Step S4).

[0055] (Step S4)

The use side control device 17 searches, for a dataset corresponding to the actual indoor temperature and the actual outdoor temperature, the dataset on the optimum wind speeds of the indoor air-sending device 9 that are determined based on the relation between the outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature and stored in the use side control device 17 in advance. Then, the use side control device 17 calculates an optimum wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 from the actual indoor temperature and the actual outdoor temperature. The optimum wind speed indicates a wind speed at which the air-conditioning apparatus 100 has a maximum system efficiency for each pair of the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature in the cooling operation or the heating operation. Thereafter, the use side control device 17 transitions to (Step S5).

[0056] (Step S5)

The use side control device 17 determines whether the actual wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is in the range of the optimum wind speed. The use side control device 17 transitions to (Step S7) when the actual wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is in the range of the optimum wind speed, or transitions to (Step S6) otherwise.

[0057] (Step S6)

The use side control device 17 controls the wind speed of the indoor airsending device 9 so that the actual wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is in the range of the optimum wind speed. Thereafter, the use side control device 17 transitions to (Step S3).

[0058]

As described in the steps above, the use side control device 17 searches, for a dataset corresponding to the actual indoor temperature and the actual outdoor temperature the dataset on the optimum wind speeds of the indoor air-sending device 9 that are determined based on the relation between the outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature and stored in the use side control device 17 in advance. Then, the use side control device 17 controls, based on a result of the matching, the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 so that the wind speed is in the range of the optimum wind speed. In this manner, the system efficiency of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 can be improved depending on a load due to external air.

[0059]

For example, when the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is decreased by controlling the wind speed based on the outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature, any of the cooling capacity and the heating capacity slightly decreases while the system efficiency of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 improves. The user prioritizes the cooling capacity and the heating capacity over the system efficiency in some cases. In such a case, the remote controller 19 or a switch (not illustrated) provided to the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is used to perform switching between a wind speed automatic mode in which the system efficiency is prioritized and a fixed wind speed mode in which the cooling and heating capacities is prioritized.

[0060]

In a system configuration in which the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is connected with a plurality of use side units 2, the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device is individually controlled at each use side unit 2 while the indoor temperature is different between rooms. In this manner, comfort in the room can be achieved depending on preference of the user in each room.

[0061]

Although the above-described system configuration ofthe air-conditioning apparatus 100 is an exemplary system of an air-cooled heat source unit, the present embodiment is also applicable to a system of a water-cooled heat source unit. In the system of a water-cooled heat source unit, the temperature of water at an inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 5 may be used in place of the outdoor temperature.

[0062]

Although the present embodiment describes the example in which the outdoor temperature is sensed by the outdoor temperature sensor 18, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the actual outdoor temperature may be determined based on a liquid pipe temperature sensed by the liquid pipe temperature sensor 12, a gas pipe temperature sensed by the gas pipe temperature sensor 13, or the opening degree of the expansion device 6 sensed by the opening degree sensor 15. This configuration eliminates the need to receive information from the heat source side control device 16 of the heat source side unit 1, which leads to reduction of a load of communication with the heat source side unit 1.

[0063]

The outdoor temperature may be determined based on, for example, the rotation speed of the compressor 3, the rotation speed of the outdoor air-sending device 8, refrigerant pipe temperature, or refrigerant pressure.

[0064] [Effects of embodiment]

As described above, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes: the refrigerant circuit in which the compressor 3, the indoor heat exchanger 7, the expansion device 6, and the outdoor heat exchanger 5 are connected with each other through the refrigerant pipes and in which refrigerant circulates; the indoor air-sending device 9 configured to send air to the indoor heat exchanger 7; and the use side control device 17 configured to store the wind speed dataset on the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 each associating a wind speed with the relation between the outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature. The use side control device 17 searches, for a dataset corresponding to the actual outdoor temperature and the actual indoor temperature, the wind speed dataset and controls the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 based on the corresponding wind speed dataset.

With this configuration, the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 can be changed depending on the magnitude of a load due to external air, thereby achieving an air-conditioning apparatus 100 capable of performing an efficient operation.

[0065]

The use side control device 17 controls the wind speed of the indoor airsending device 9 such that the higher the actual indoor temperature and the actual outdoor temperature are in the cooling operation, the higher the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device is. The use side control device 17 controls the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 such that the higher the actual indoor temperature and the actual outdoor temperature are in the heating operation, the lower the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device is. When the wind speed of the indoor airsending device 9 is changed depending on actual loads due to indoor air and outdoor air in this manner, the system efficiency of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 can be improved.

[0066]

The use side control device 17 maximizes the wind speed of the indoor airsending device 9 at start of an operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100, and controls the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 after the wind speed is maximized. With this configuration, a room temperature desired by the user can be achieved fast at start of an operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100.

[0067]

The air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes the remote controller 19 or the switch configured to perform switching between the mode in which the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device 9 is changed and the mode in which the wind speed is fixed. This configuration allows handling of a case in which the user prioritizes the cooling capacity and the heating capacity over the system efficiency.

[0068]

The use side control device 17 determines the actual outdoor temperature based on the liquid pipe temperature of the use side unit 2, the gas pipe temperature of the use side unit 2, or the opening degree of the expansion device 6. This configuration eliminates the need to receive information from the heat source side control device 16 of the heat source side unit 1, which leads to reduction of a load of communication with the heat source side unit 1.

Reference Signs List [0069] heat source side unit 2 use side unit 3 compressor 4 four-way valve 5 outdoor heat exchanger 6 expansion device 7 indoor heat exchanger 8 outdoor air-sending device 9 indoor air-sending device 10 gas connection pipe 11 liquid connection pipe sensor 13 gas pipe temperature sensor opening degree sensor 16 heat source side control device 17 use side control device 18 outdoor temperature sensor 19 remote controller 100 air-conditioning apparatus liquid pipe temperature 14 indoor temperature sensor 15

Claims

CLAIMS [Claim 1]

An air-conditioning apparatus comprising:

a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger configured to perform indoor air conditioning, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger are connected with each other through refrigerant pipes and in which refrigerant circulates;

an indoor air-sending device configured to send air to the indoor heat exchanger; and a controller configured to store wind speed datasets on a wind speed of the indoor air-sending device each associating a wind speed with a relation between an outdoor temperature and an indoor temperature, the controller further being configured to search wind speed datasets for a wind speed dataset corresponding to an actual outdoor temperature and an actual indoor temperature and control the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device based on the corresponding wind speed dataset.
[Claim 2]

The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device such that the higher the actual indoor temperature and the actual outdoor temperature are in a cooling operation, the higher the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device is, and control the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device such that the higher the actual indoor temperature and the actual outdoor temperature are in a heating operation, the lower the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device is.
[Claim 3]

The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is configured to maximize the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device at start of an operation, and control the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device after the wind speed is maximized.

[Claim 4]

The air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a remote controller or a switch configured to perform switching between a mode in which the wind speed of the indoor air-sending device is changed and a mode in which the wind speed is fixed.

5 [Claim 5]

The air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller is configured to determine the actual outdoor temperature based on a liquid pipe temperature of a use side unit, a gas pipe temperature of the use side unit, or an opening degree of the expansion device.

INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. PCT/JP2 016/050579 A. CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER F24F11/053(2006 .01)i According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC B. FIELDS SEARCHED Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) F24F11/053 Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched Jitsuyo Shinan Koho 1922-1996 Jitsuyo Shinan Toroku Koho 1996-2016 Kokai Jitsuyo Shinan Koho 1971-2016 Toroku Jitsuyo Shinan Koho 1994-2016 Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used) C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. Y JP 6-18072 A (Hitachi, Ltd.) r 1-2 A 25 January 1994 (25.01.1994), paragraphs [0002] to [0013]; fig. 1 to 4 3-5 (Family: none) Y US 2012/0232702 Al (HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL 1-2 A INC.), 3-5 13 September 2012 (13.09.2012), paragraphs [0026] to [0028], fig. 1 to 3 [0041] to [ 0052]; (Family: none) Y US 2014/0000861 Al (ZONER LLC), 1-2 02 January 2014 (02.01.2014), paragraphs [0107] to [0110], [0164] to [ 0165] & WO 2010/078459 Al & EP & CA 2748724 A 2370748 A 1 ^x 1 Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C. 1 1 See patent family annex. * Special categories of cited documents: “T” later document published after the international filing date or priority “A” document defining the general state of the art which is not considered to date and not in conflict with the application but cited to understand be of particular relevance the principle or theory underlying the invention “E” earlier application or patent but published on or after the international filing “X” document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be date considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive “L” document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or which is step when the document is taken alone cited to establish the publication date of another citation or other “Y” document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be special reason (as specified) considered to involve an inventive step when the document is “0” document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other means combined with one or more other such documents, such combination “P” document published prior to the international filing date but later than the being obvious to a person skilled in the art priority date claimed document member of the same patent family Date of the actual completion of the international search Date of mailing of the international search report 16 March 2016 (16.03.16) 29 March 2016 (29. 03.16) Name and mailing address of the ISA/ Authorized officer Japan Patent Office 3-4-3,Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokvo 100-8915, Japan Teleohone No.

Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (January 2015)