CN118310158A - Air conditioner, control method for air conditioner, and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents
Air conditioner, control method for air conditioner, and computer-readable storage medium Download PDFInfo
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- CN118310158A CN118310158A CN202311365032.7A CN202311365032A CN118310158A CN 118310158 A CN118310158 A CN 118310158A CN 202311365032 A CN202311365032 A CN 202311365032A CN 118310158 A CN118310158 A CN 118310158A
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- air
- ventilation
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- indoor
- ventilation duct
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 72
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 491
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 claims description 53
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 claims description 53
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 30
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 524
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 108
- 208000028659 discharge Diseases 0.000 description 96
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 62
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 description 62
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 53
- 238000007791 dehumidification Methods 0.000 description 49
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 25
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 23
- 238000007605 air drying Methods 0.000 description 19
- 238000010981 drying operation Methods 0.000 description 14
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 13
- 238000001179 sorption measurement Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000001172 regenerating effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 206010016807 Fluid retention Diseases 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008929 regeneration Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000011069 regeneration method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000003463 adsorbent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001495 poly(sodium acrylate) polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- NNMHYFLPFNGQFZ-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium polyacrylate Chemical compound [Na+].[O-]C(=O)C=C NNMHYFLPFNGQFZ-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910021536 Zeolite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxosilane;oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910001120 nichrome Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000741 silica gel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002027 silica gel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010457 zeolite Substances 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
- Devices For Blowing Cold Air, Devices For Blowing Warm Air, And Means For Preventing Water Condensation In Air Conditioning Units (AREA)
- Air Humidification (AREA)
Abstract
The invention provides an air conditioner, a control method of the air conditioner and a computer readable storage medium, the air conditioner comprises: an indoor unit; an outdoor unit; a ventilation duct fluidly connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit; a ventilation device capable of selectively performing any one of a humidification operation for supplying humidified air from outdoors to indoors via a ventilation duct, a supply ventilation operation for introducing outdoor air into indoors via a ventilation duct, and an exhaust ventilation operation for exhausting indoor air outdoors via a ventilation duct; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the ventilator, wherein the control unit executes the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation by the ventilator after a predetermined air conditioning operation, and sends the indoor or outdoor air into the ventilation duct.
Description
Technical Field
The invention relates to an air conditioner, a control method of the air conditioner and a computer readable storage medium.
Background
Conventionally, an air conditioner is known that includes a humidifying device that supplies humidified air from outside to inside via a humidifying hose. For example, patent document 1 discloses a humidifier in which a drying operation is performed in which outside air is blown into a humidifying hose when the outside air temperature is higher than the indoor temperature and the relative humidity of the air is such that dew condensation is likely to occur in the humidifying hose.
Prior art literature
Patent literature
Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 4341244
Disclosure of Invention
The air conditioner described in patent document 1 has a problem that dew condensation can be prevented only when the outside air temperature is higher than the indoor temperature because the outside air is blown into the humidifying hose when the outside air temperature is higher than the indoor temperature.
The invention provides an air conditioner capable of suppressing dew condensation in a ventilation duct, a control method of the air conditioner and a computer readable storage medium.
An aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioner, comprising:
An indoor unit;
an outdoor unit;
A ventilation duct that fluidly connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit (i.e., a ventilation duct that fluidly connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit);
A ventilation device capable of selectively performing any one of a humidification operation for supplying humidified air from outdoors to indoors via a ventilation duct, a supply ventilation operation for introducing outdoor air into indoors via a ventilation duct, and an exhaust ventilation operation for exhausting indoor air outdoors via a ventilation duct; and
A control part for controlling the motion of the air interchanger,
After a predetermined air conditioning operation, the control unit performs an air supply ventilation operation or an air discharge ventilation operation by the ventilation device, and sends indoor or outdoor air into the ventilation duct.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a control method of an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the air conditioner further including:
a ventilation duct fluidly connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit; and
A ventilation device capable of selectively performing any one of a humidification operation for supplying humidified air from the outside to the inside of the room via a ventilation duct, a supply ventilation operation for introducing the outside air into the room via the ventilation duct, and an exhaust ventilation operation for exhausting the inside air to the outside of the room via the ventilation duct,
The control method comprises the following steps: after a predetermined air conditioning operation, an air supply ventilation operation or an air discharge ventilation operation is performed by the ventilator, and air in the room or the outside is sent to the ventilation duct.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a control unit of an air conditioner to execute the control method of the air conditioner of the present invention.
Another aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioner, including:
An indoor unit;
an outdoor unit;
a ventilation duct fluidly connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit;
A ventilation device capable of selectively performing any one of a humidification operation for supplying humidified air from outdoors to indoors via a ventilation duct, a supply ventilation operation for introducing outdoor air into indoors via a ventilation duct, and an exhaust ventilation operation for exhausting indoor air outdoors via a ventilation duct; and
A control part for controlling the motion of the air interchanger,
The control unit performs an exhaust ventilation operation to supply air into the ventilation duct after the cooling operation and performs an air supply ventilation operation to supply air into the ventilation duct after the heating operation by the ventilation device.
According to the present invention, an air conditioner, a control method for an air conditioner, and a computer-readable storage medium that can suppress dew condensation occurring in a ventilation duct can be provided.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the ventilator.
Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the ventilator in the air supply ventilation operation.
Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the ventilator in the exhaust ventilation operation.
Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the ventilator during the humidification operation.
Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the ventilator during the dehumidifying operation.
Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing components related to control of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing a structure in the vicinity of the drain port of the ventilation duct.
Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a ventilator control process executed by the control unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a post-humidification drying process performed by the control unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a table showing conditions under which exhaust gas drying is permitted in the drying treatment after humidification.
Fig. 12 is a table showing conditions under which the air feed drying is performed in the drying treatment after humidification.
Fig. 13 is a flowchart of an exhaust drying process performed by the control unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 14 is a flowchart of the supply air drying process performed by the control unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 15 is a flowchart of the dehumidification drying process performed by the control unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 16 is a flowchart of a drying process after air supply ventilation performed by the control unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 17 is a table showing conditions under which exhaust drying is performed in the drying process after ventilation by air supply.
Fig. 18 is a table showing conditions under which the supply air drying is performed in the drying process after the supply air ventilation.
Fig. 19 is a flowchart of the discharge process performed by the control unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 20 is a flowchart of a ventilator control process including a process of a discharge operation performed after a humidification operation, which is executed by a control unit of an air conditioner according to another embodiment.
Fig. 21 is a flowchart of a ventilator control process executed by a control unit of an air conditioner according to another embodiment.
Description of the reference numerals
10 Air conditioner
20 Indoor unit
22 Indoor heat exchanger
24 Fan
26 Receiver
27 Temperature sensor (first sensor)
28 Humidity sensor (first sensor)
29 Humidity sensor
30 Outdoor unit
32 Outdoor heat exchanger
34 Fan
36 Compressor
38 Expansion valve
40 Four-way valve
42 Refrigerant piping
50 Air interchanger
52 Absorbent material
54 Motor
56 Ventilation catheter
56A drain outlet
58 First heater
60 Second heater
62 Fan (first fan)
64 First air door device
66 Second air door device
68 Third air door device
70 Fan (second fan)
72 Temperature sensor (second sensor)
73 Humidity sensor (second sensor)
74 Temperature sensor
80 Control part
82 Air pressure sensor
90 Remote controller
P1 flow path (first flow path)
P2 flow path (second flow path).
Detailed Description
An air conditioner of the present invention includes: an indoor unit; an outdoor unit; a ventilation duct fluidly connecting (i.e., fluidly connecting) the indoor unit and the outdoor unit; a ventilation device capable of selectively performing one of a plurality of air conditioning operations; and a control unit for selectively executing the ventilation device. The plurality of air conditioning operations include: a humidifying operation in which humidified air is supplied from outside to inside via the ventilation duct, and/or a dehumidifying operation in which dehumidified air is supplied from outside to inside via the ventilation duct. In addition, the plurality of air conditioning operations include: introducing outdoor air into indoor air supply and ventilation operation through a ventilation conduit; and an exhaust ventilation operation in which indoor air is discharged to the outside through a ventilation duct. After a predetermined air conditioning operation, the control unit performs an air supply ventilation operation or an air discharge ventilation operation by the ventilator, and supplies air indoors or outdoors into the ventilation duct. With this configuration, the air conditioner according to the present invention can suppress the occurrence of dew condensation in the ventilation duct. In addition, the air conditioner of the invention can inhibit noise caused by dew condensation.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment(s)
[ Schematic Structure of air conditioner ]
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in fig. 1, the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment includes an indoor unit 20 disposed in an indoor Rin of an air-conditioning target and an outdoor unit 30 disposed in an outdoor Rout.
The indoor unit 20 is provided with: an indoor heat exchanger 22 that exchanges heat with indoor air A1; and a fan 24 that sucks the indoor air A1 into the indoor unit 20 and blows out the indoor air A1 subjected to heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 22 to the indoor Rin.
The outdoor unit 30 is provided with: an outdoor heat exchanger 32 that exchanges heat with the outdoor air A2; and a fan 34 that sucks the outdoor air A2 into the outdoor unit 30 and blows out the outdoor air A2 subjected to heat exchange with the outdoor heat exchanger 32 to the outside Rout. The outdoor unit 30 is provided with a compressor 36, an expansion valve 38, and a four-way valve 40 that perform a refrigeration cycle with the indoor heat exchanger 22 and the outdoor heat exchanger 32.
The indoor heat exchanger 22, the outdoor heat exchanger 32, the compressor 36, the expansion valve 38, and the four-way valve 40 are connected by refrigerant pipes 42 through which refrigerant flows. In the case of performing the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation (weak cooling operation), the air conditioner 10 executes a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, the outdoor heat exchanger 32, the expansion valve 38, the indoor heat exchanger 22 in this order, and returns to the compressor 36. In the heating operation, the air conditioner 10 executes a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, the indoor heat exchanger 22, the expansion valve 38, and the outdoor heat exchanger 32 in this order, and returns to the compressor 36.
The air conditioner 10 performs an air conditioning operation for supplying the outdoor air A3 to the indoor Rin and an air conditioning operation for discharging the indoor air A1 to the outdoor Rout, in addition to the air conditioning operation based on the refrigeration cycle. Accordingly, the air conditioner 10 includes: a ventilation duct 56 provided between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30; and a ventilation device 50 that moves air from the outdoor Rout to the indoor Rin or vice versa via a ventilation duct 56. In the example of fig. 1, the ventilator 50 is provided in the outdoor unit 30. In this case, the ventilation duct 56 is provided between the indoor unit 20 and the ventilator 50. The ventilation conduit 56 is also referred to as a hose or tube. The ventilation duct 56 may be used for purposes other than ventilation, for example, to humidify or dehumidify a room.
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the ventilator 50.
As shown in fig. 2, the ventilation device 50 includes an absorbent material 52 inside which outdoor air A3, A4 passes.
The absorbent material 52 is a component through which air can pass, and is a component that captures moisture from or provides moisture to the passing air. In the present embodiment, the absorbent material 52 has a disk shape and rotates around a rotation center line C1 passing through the center thereof. The absorbent material 52 is rotationally driven by a motor 54.
The absorbent 52 is, for example, a polymer absorbent that absorbs moisture in the air. The polymer adsorbent is composed of, for example, crosslinked sodium polyacrylate (sodium polyacrylate crosslinked body). The polymer adsorbent absorbs a larger amount of moisture per the same volume than the adsorbent such as silica gel or zeolite, and can desorb the retained moisture at a low heating temperature and retain the moisture for a long period of time.
A first flow path P1 and a second flow path P2, each of which passes through the absorbent 52 and through which the outdoor air A3 and A4 flow, respectively, are provided inside the ventilation device 50. The first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2 pass through the absorbent material 52 at different positions. A third flow path P3 having both ends connected to different portions of the first flow path P1 is also provided in the ventilation device 50.
The first flow path P1 is a flow path through which outdoor air A3 passing through the indoor unit 20 flows. The outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 is supplied into the indoor unit 20 through the ventilation duct 56.
In the present embodiment, the first flow path P1 includes a plurality of branch flow paths P1a and P1b on the upstream side with respect to the absorbent 52. Further, in the present specification, "upstream" and "downstream" are used for the air flow.
The plurality of branch flow paths P1a, P2a join on the upstream side with respect to the absorbent 52. The plurality of branch passages P1a and P1b are provided with a first heater 58 and a second heater 60, respectively, for heating the outdoor air A3.
The first and second heaters 58 and 60 may be heaters having the same heating capacity or heaters having different heating capacities. The first and second heaters 58 and 60 are PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient: positive temperature coefficient) heaters in which, for example, an increase in resistance when a current flows and the temperature rises, that is, excessive rise in the heating temperature can be suppressed. In the case of using the PTC heater, since the heater itself adjusts the heating temperature within a certain temperature range, the heating temperature may not be monitored. Alternatively, the first and second heaters 58 and 60 may be heaters using nichrome wire, carbon fiber, or the like.
The first flow path P1 is provided with a first fan 62 that generates an airflow of the outdoor air A3 to the inside of the indoor unit 20. In the present embodiment, the first fan 62 is disposed downstream of the absorbent 52. By the operation of the first fan 62, the outdoor air A3 flows from the outdoor Rout into the first flow path P1, passing through the absorbent 52.
The first flow path P1 is provided with a first damper (flap) device 64 for distributing the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 to the indoor Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20) or the outdoor Rout. In the present embodiment, the first damper device 64 is disposed downstream of the first fan 62. The outdoor air A3 distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the first damper device 64 enters the indoor unit 20 through the ventilation duct 56, and is blown out to the indoor Rin by the fan 24.
A second damper device 66 is also provided in the first flow path P1. In the case of the present embodiment, the second damper device 66 is disposed between the absorbent material 52 and the first fan 62. The second damper device 66 selectively opens and closes the first flow path P1, as will be described in detail later.
The third flow path P3 is also connected to the first flow path P1. The third flow path P3 connects a portion of the first flow path P1 between the first fan 62 and the second damper device 66 and a portion on the downstream side with respect to the first damper device 64. A third damper device 68 is provided in the third flow path P3. The third damper device 68 selectively opens and closes the third flow path P3, as will be described in detail later.
The second flow path P2 is a flow path through which the outdoor air A4 flows. Unlike the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1, the outdoor air A4 flowing through the second flow path P2 does not go to the indoor unit 20. The outdoor air A4 flowing through the second flow path P2 passes through the absorbent 52 and then flows out to the outdoor Rout.
The second flow path P2 is provided with a second fan 70 that generates an airflow of the outdoor air A4. In the present embodiment, the second fan 70 is disposed downstream of the absorbent 52. By the operation of the second fan 70, the outdoor air A4 flows from the outdoor Rout into the second flow path P2, passes through the absorbent 52, and then flows out to the outdoor Rout.
The ventilation device 50 selectively performs ventilation operation, humidification operation, and dehumidification operation using the absorbent material 52 (the motor 54), the first heater 58, the second heater 60, the first fan 62, the first damper device 64, the second damper device 66, the third damper device 68, and the second fan 70. The ventilation operation includes an air supply ventilation operation and an air discharge ventilation operation. In the air supply ventilation operation, the ventilation device 50 sends air from the outdoor Rout to the indoor Rin via the ventilation duct 56. In the exhaust ventilation operation, the ventilator 50 sends air from the indoor Rin to the outdoor Rout through the ventilation duct 56. In the humidification operation, the ventilator 50 sends humidified air from the outdoor Rout to the indoor Rin via the ventilation duct 56. In the dehumidifying operation, the ventilator 50 sends dehumidified air from the outdoor Rout to the indoor Rin via the ventilation duct 56.
Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the ventilator 50 in the air supply ventilation operation.
The supply air ventilation operation is an air conditioning operation for supplying the outdoor air A3 to the indoor Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). As shown in fig. 3, in the ventilation operation, the motor 54 is in an OFF (OFF) state, and the absorbent material 52 is not rotated. The motor 54 may be turned ON only when either or both of the first and second heaters 58, 60 are turned ON (ON). In addition, the motor 54 may also always be on. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are in an off state. In addition, either or both of the first heater 58 and the second heater 60 may be intermittently or continuously turned on to heat the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is turned on only when either or both of the first and second heaters 58, 60 is turned on, or is always turned on, whereby the outdoor air A3 circulates in the first flow path P1. The first damper device 64 is in a closed state, and thereby outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 is distributed to the indoor unit 20. The second damper device 66 is in an open (opened) state, whereby the outdoor air A3 flows from the absorbent material 52 to the first fan 62. The third damper device 68 is in a closed state, and thus, the outdoor air A3 does not flow through the third flow path P3. The second fan 70 is in an off state, and thus, no flow of the outdoor air A4 is generated in the second flow path P2. The second fan 70 may be turned on only when either one of the first and second heaters 58 and 60 is turned on, so that the outdoor air A4 flows through the second flow path P2.
According to such an air supply and ventilation operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, is not heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60, or is heated, and passes through the absorbent 52. The outdoor air A3 after passing through the absorbent material 52 is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the first damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 having passed through the first damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 is blown out into the room Rin by the fan 24. By such an air supply and ventilation operation, the outdoor air A3 is directly supplied to the indoor Rin, and the indoor Rin is ventilated.
Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the ventilator 50 in the exhaust ventilation operation.
The exhaust ventilation operation is an air conditioning operation for discharging the indoor air A1 to the outside Rout. As shown in fig. 4, in the exhaust ventilation operation, the motor 54 is in an off state, and the absorbent 52 does not rotate. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are in an off state. The first fan 62 is turned on, and thus, the indoor air A1 flows to the first fan 62 through the ventilation duct 56 and the third flow path P3. The first damper device 64 is in an open state, and thereby the indoor air A1 in the first flow path P1 is distributed to the outdoor Rout. The second damper device 66 is in a closed state, whereby the indoor air A1 does not flow toward the absorbent 52. The third damper device 68 is in an open state, whereby the indoor air A1 flows to the first fan 62 via the third flow path P3. The second fan 70 is turned off, and thus, the flow of the outdoor air A4 is not generated in the second flow path P2.
According to such an exhaust ventilation operation, when the first fan 62 is in the on state, the indoor air A1 flows into the portion of the first flow path P1 between the absorbent 52 and the first fan 62 via the ventilation duct 56 and the third flow path P3. At this time, since the second damper device 66 is in a closed state, the indoor air A1 does not flow to the absorbent 52. The indoor air A1 after passing through the first fan 62 is distributed to the outdoor Rout by the first damper device 64, and is discharged to the outdoor Rout. As a result, the room Rin is ventilated.
In addition, the third flow path P3 allows the first fan 62 to rotate in the same rotational direction as in the air supply ventilation operation during the air discharge ventilation operation. As a result, a sirocco fan can be used as the first fan 62.
Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the ventilator 50 during the humidification operation.
The humidification operation is an air conditioning operation in which the outdoor air A3 is humidified and the humidified outdoor air A3 is supplied to the indoor Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). As shown in fig. 5, during the humidification operation, the motor 54 continuously rotates the absorbent material 52. Either or both of the first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are on, and the outdoor air A3 is heated. The first fan 62 is turned on, and thereby the outdoor air A3 circulates in the first flow path P1. The first damper device 64 is in a closed state, and thereby the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 is distributed to the indoor unit 20. The second damper device 66 is in an open state, whereby the outdoor air A3 flows from the absorbent material 52 to the first fan 62. The third damper device 68 is in a closed state, and thus, the outdoor air A3 does not flow through the third flow path P3. The second fan 70 is turned on, and thereby the outdoor air A4 circulates in the second flow path P2.
In this humidification operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60, and passes through the absorbent 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A3 can acquire a larger amount of moisture from the absorbent 52 than in the case of not being heated. Thereby, the outdoor air A3 retains a large amount of moisture. The outdoor air A3, which retains a large amount of moisture by the absorbent 52, is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the first damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 having passed through the first damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 is blown out into the room Rin by the fan 24. By such a humidification operation, the outdoor air A3 having a large amount of moisture is supplied to the indoor Rin, and the indoor Rin is humidified.
Further, by turning off either the first heater 58 or the second heater 60, it is possible to perform a weak humidification operation in which the amount of moisture that the outdoor air A3 acquires from the absorbent 52, that is, the amount of humidification of the indoor Rin is small.
By taking out moisture from the heated outdoor air A3, the water retention amount of the absorbent material 52 is reduced, that is, the absorbent material 52 is dried. When the absorbent 52 is dried, the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 cannot take out moisture from the absorbent 52. As a countermeasure therefor, the absorbent 52 acquires moisture from the outdoor air A4 flowing through the second flow path P2. This can maintain the water retention amount of the absorbent 52 at a substantially constant level, and can continue the humidification operation.
Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the ventilator 50 during the dehumidification operation.
The dehumidifying operation is an air conditioning operation in which the outdoor air A3 is dehumidified and the dehumidified outdoor air A3 is supplied to the indoor Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). As shown in fig. 6, in the dehumidification operation, the adsorption operation and the regeneration operation are alternately performed.
The adsorption operation is an operation of dehumidifying the outdoor air A3 by causing the absorbent 52 to adsorb moisture held in the outdoor air A3. As shown in fig. 6, during the adsorption operation, the motor 54 continuously rotates the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are in an off state, and do not heat the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is turned on, and thereby the outdoor air A3 circulates in the first flow path P1. The first damper device 64 is in a closed state, and thereby the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 is distributed to the indoor unit 20. The second damper device 66 is in an open state, whereby the outdoor air A3 flows from the absorbent material 52 to the first fan 62. The third damper device 68 is in a closed state, and thus, the outdoor air A3 does not flow through the third flow path P3. The second fan 70 is in an off state, and thus, the flow of the outdoor air A4 is not generated in the second flow path P2.
In this adsorption operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, and passes through the absorbent 52 without being heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60. At this time, the moisture held by the outdoor air A3 is adsorbed to the absorbent 52. Thereby, the moisture retention amount of the outdoor air A3 is reduced, that is, the outdoor air A3 is dried. The outdoor air A3 dried by the absorbent 52 is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the first damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 having passed through the first damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 is blown out into the room Rin by the fan 24. By such adsorption operation, the dried outdoor air A3 is supplied to the indoor Rin, and the indoor Rin is dehumidified.
As the adsorption operation proceeds, the water retention amount of the absorbent 52 continues to increase, and as a result, the adsorption capacity of the absorbent 52 with respect to the moisture retained by the outdoor air A3 decreases. In order to restore the adsorption capacity, a regenerating operation for regenerating the absorbent 52 is performed.
During the regeneration operation, the motor 54 continuously rotates the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are turned on, and heat the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is turned on, and thereby the outdoor air A3 circulates in the first flow path P1. The first damper device 64 is in an opened state, thereby distributing the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the outdoor Rout instead of the indoor unit 20. The second damper device 66 is in an open state, whereby the outdoor air A3 flows from the absorbent material 52 to the first fan 62. The third damper device 68 is in a closed state, and thus, the outdoor air A3 does not flow through the third flow path P3. The second fan 70 is turned off, and thus, the flow of the outdoor air A4 is not generated in the second flow path P2.
In this regenerating operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60, and passes through the absorbent 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A3 acquires a large amount of moisture from the absorbent 52. Thereby, a large amount of moisture is held in the outdoor air A3. At the same time, the water retention of the absorbent material 52 is reduced, i.e., the absorbent material 52 dries and its adsorption capacity is regenerated. The outdoor air A3, which retains a large amount of moisture after passing through the absorbent material 52, is distributed to the outdoor Rout by the first damper device 64, and is discharged to the outdoor Rout. Thus, in the regenerating operation of the dehumidifying operation, the outdoor air A3, which retains a large amount of moisture due to the regeneration of the absorbent 52, is not supplied to the indoor Rin.
By alternately performing the adsorption operation and the regeneration operation, the adsorption capacity of the absorbent 52 can be maintained, and the dehumidification operation can be continued.
The air conditioning operation (cooling operation, dehumidifying operation (weak cooling operation), heating operation) by the refrigeration cycle and the air conditioning operation (ventilation operation (supply ventilation operation, exhaust ventilation operation), humidifying operation, dehumidifying operation) by the ventilator 50 may be separately performed, or may be simultaneously performed. For example, if the dehumidification operation by the refrigeration cycle and the dehumidification operation by the ventilator 50 are simultaneously performed, the indoor Rin can be dehumidified while maintaining the room temperature at a constant state.
The air conditioning operation performed by the air conditioner 10 is selected by the user. For example, the air conditioner 10 performs an air conditioning operation corresponding to a selection operation of the remote controller 90 shown in fig. 1 by a user.
Up to this point, the structure and operation of the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment will be schematically described. The features of the air conditioner 10 according to the present embodiment will be further described below.
[ Structure relating to control of air conditioner ]
Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing components related to control of the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 10 includes, in addition to the components of fig. 1, a receiver 26, a temperature sensor 27, a humidity sensor 28, a humidity sensor 29, a temperature sensor 72, a humidity sensor 73, a temperature sensor 74, a control unit 80, and an air pressure sensor 82 in order to control the operation of the air conditioner 10.
The receiver 26 is provided in the indoor unit 20 so as to be able to receive a wireless signal or an infrared signal from the remote controller 90. The receiver 26 transmits a user instruction or the like included in a signal received from the remote controller 90 to the control unit 80.
A temperature sensor 27 and a humidity sensor 28 are provided in the indoor unit 20. The temperature sensor 27 detects an indoor temperature T1 indicating the air temperature of the indoor Rin. The humidity sensor 28 detects an indoor relative humidity H1 indicating the relative humidity of the air in the room Rin. The temperature sensor 27 and the humidity sensor 28 are examples of the first sensor in the present specification. The first sensor may be a temperature and humidity sensor capable of measuring both the indoor temperature T1 and the indoor relative humidity H1.
The humidity sensor 29 is provided near an opening of the ventilation duct 56 on the indoor Rin side in the indoor unit 20. The humidity sensor 29 detects the in-tube relative humidity H3 indicating the relative humidity of the inside of the ventilation duct 56.
The temperature sensor 72 and the humidity sensor 73 are provided in the outdoor unit 30. The temperature sensor 72 detects an outdoor temperature T2 representing the air temperature of the outdoor Rout. The humidity sensor 73 detects an outdoor relative humidity H2 indicating the relative humidity of the air of the outdoor Rout. The temperature sensor 72 and the humidity sensor 73 are examples of the second sensor in the present specification. The second sensor may be a temperature and humidity sensor capable of measuring both the outdoor temperature T2 and the outdoor relative humidity H2.
The temperature sensor 74 is provided on the downstream side of the absorbent 52 in the outdoor unit 30 along the flow of the outdoor air A3. The temperature sensor 74 detects a supply air temperature T3 indicating the temperature of the outdoor air A3 after passing through the absorbent 52.
The air pressure sensor 82 is provided in the indoor unit 20 or the outdoor unit 30. The air pressure sensor 82 detects the air pressure in the vicinity of the air conditioner 10.
The control unit 80 is a controller that controls the operation of the air conditioner 10. The control unit 80 is provided in the indoor unit 20 or the outdoor unit 30. The control section 80 includes, for example, a processor 80a and a memory 80b.
The processor 80a is an arithmetic circuit that executes various processes in the air conditioner 10. The processor 80a includes: a general-purpose processor such as CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) that performs a predetermined function is realized by executing a program. The processor 80a is configured to be able to communicate with the memory 80b, and to call out and execute a calculation program or the like stored in the memory 80b, thereby realizing various processes in the air conditioner 10.
The processing in the air conditioner 10 includes: the ventilator control process, the drying process after humidification, the exhaust drying process, the supply air drying process, the dehumidification drying process, the drying process after supply air ventilation, and the exhaust process. The processing in the air conditioner 10 includes processing for executing cooling operation, heating operation, or the like. The processing in the air conditioner 10 includes processing for executing a humidification operation, a dehumidification operation, an air supply ventilation operation, an air discharge ventilation operation, or the like by the ventilator 50. In addition, the processing in the air conditioner 10 includes processing for switching the first heater and the second heater to an on state or an off state, respectively. The processor 80a is not limited to the manner in which the hardware resources and the software cooperate to realize the predetermined functions, and may be a hardware circuit designed specifically to realize the predetermined functions. That is, the Processor 80a may be realized by various processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit: graphics Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable GATE ARRAY: field programmable gate array), a DSP (DIGITAL SIGNAL Processor: digital signal Processor), and an ASIC (Application SPECIFIC INTEGRATED Circuit) in addition to a CPU and an MPU. Such a processor 80a can be constituted by a signal processing circuit which is a semiconductor integrated circuit, for example.
The memory 80b is a storage medium capable of storing various information. The memory 80b is implemented by, for example, a memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory: dynamic random access memory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory: static random access memory), a flash memory, an HDD (HARD DISC DRIVE: hard disk drive), an SSD (Solid STATE DISC: solid disk), other memory devices, or a combination thereof as appropriate. As described above, the memory 80b stores programs and data for implementing various processes performed by the processor 80 a. The program includes, for example, a command or the like for ventilation device control processing described later with reference to fig. 9 and the like. The data includes, for example, the length d1 of the ventilation catheter 56. The length d1 of the ventilation duct 56 may be input by a user or a constructor using the remote controller 90, for example, when the air conditioner 10 is installed.
The control unit 80 controls the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 to perform any one of a cooling operation, a dehumidifying operation (weak cooling operation), and a heating operation, in accordance with a user instruction transmitted from the receiver 26. The control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform any one of the air supply ventilation operation, the air discharge ventilation operation, the humidification operation, and the dehumidification operation in accordance with a user instruction. The control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 by performing a ventilator control process described later with reference to fig. 9 and the like based on a user command, the indoor temperature T1, the indoor relative humidity H1, the outdoor temperature T2, the outdoor relative humidity H2, the supply air temperature T3, the in-tube relative humidity H3, and the air pressure AP.
The function of the control unit 80 may be constituted by hardware alone, or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.
[ Drainage of ventilation catheter ]
When the ventilator 50 performs, for example, a humidification operation, an exhaust ventilation operation, or an air supply ventilation operation, dew condensation water may accumulate in the ventilation duct 56. In this case, the air bubbles of the air used for ventilation or the like are broken in the dew condensation water, or the air used for ventilation or the like fluctuates the water surface of the dew condensation water, which may cause noise and give a user a sense of discomfort. Therefore, the ventilation duct 56 has a drain port 56a as shown in fig. 8 in order to remove dew condensation water inside.
Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing a structure in the vicinity of the drain port 56a of the ventilation duct 56. The drain port 56a is provided at the lowest position in the ventilation duct 56. Due to the operation of the ventilator 50, dew water Wa is generated inside the ventilation duct 56 due to a change in the indoor temperature T1 or the outdoor temperature T2. In the operation of the ventilator 50, that is, when air is sent from the outdoor Rout to the indoor Rin or vice versa (that is, from the indoor Rin to the outdoor Rout) via the ventilation duct 56, the dew water Wa is pushed by the air and moves toward the indoor unit 20 or the ventilator 50. On the other hand, when the movement of the air through the ventilation duct 56 is stopped, if the ventilation duct 56 is formed by going from the drain port 56a to the indoor unit 20 with a straight gradient (gradient in which the liquid in the duct flows in the same direction), the dew condensation water Wa is sucked by gravity and concentrated in the vicinity of the drain port 56 a. Therefore, by performing a water discharge operation in which air such as a humidification operation, an exhaust ventilation operation, or an air supply ventilation operation is stopped for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds to several minutes) through the movement of the ventilation duct 56, dew condensation water Wa in the ventilation duct 56 is discharged from the water discharge port 56 a.
[ Drying in ventilation catheter ]
If only the movement of air through the ventilation duct 56 is stopped, some of the condensation water Wa may remain inside the ventilation duct 56 without being discharged. Further, even if the dew water Wa is discharged from the drain port 56a, it is considered that the dew water Wa is likely to be regenerated due to the operation of the ventilator 50 after that and also due to the change in the indoor temperature T1 or the outdoor temperature T2 when the inside of the ventilation duct 56 is in a high humidity state. Therefore, in order to prevent dew condensation water Wa from being generated, it is necessary to reduce the humidity in ventilation duct 56 by performing a drying operation or the like after the water discharge operation, in addition to discharging dew condensation water Wa from drain port 56 a. Therefore, the air conditioner 10 according to the present embodiment performs a specific operation by the ventilator 50, and then further performs an operation for drying the inside of the ventilation duct 56 by the ventilator 50.
[ Exhaust of air in ventilation catheter ]
After the drying operation as described above, the temperature in the ventilation duct 56 increases, and the air in the ventilation duct 56 may contain a large amount of moisture. When the temperature in the ventilation duct 56 is high, the air in the ventilation duct 56 can have a dew point higher than the temperature of the air around the ventilation duct 56 even if the relative humidity is low. The air surrounding the ventilation duct 56 may comprise outdoor air or indoor air. Therefore, when the ventilation duct 56 is cooled, condensation may occur in the ventilation duct 56. The air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention further suppresses the occurrence of such condensation by performing the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation based on the predetermined condition. The operation of the air conditioner 10 for suppressing the occurrence of condensation in the ventilation duct will be described below with reference to fig. 9 to 19.
[ Ventilator control Process ]
Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the ventilator control process executed by the control unit 80 of the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The ventilator control process of fig. 9 includes: a main operation for ventilation, humidification, or dehumidification of the indoor Rin; a drying operation for drying the inside of the ventilation duct 56; and a discharging operation for discharging the internal air of the ventilation duct 56. The main operation includes an air supply ventilation operation, an air discharge ventilation operation, a humidification operation, and a dehumidification operation. The drying operation includes an air supply ventilation operation, an air exhaust ventilation operation, and a dehumidification operation. The exhaust operation includes an air supply ventilation operation and an air discharge ventilation operation. In the present specification, the case of drying the inside of the ventilation duct 56 by performing the air supply ventilation operation, the air discharge ventilation operation, and the dehumidification operation will be referred to as "air supply drying", "air discharge drying", and "dehumidification drying", respectively. In the present specification, the air discharged from the ventilation duct 56 by performing the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation will be referred to as "air supply discharge" and "air discharge", respectively.
In step S1, the control unit 80 starts the main operation of the ventilator 50 in response to a user instruction acquired via the remote controller 90 and the receiver 26. In step S2, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform the main operation. The main operation to be performed is any one of the air supply ventilation operation, the air discharge ventilation operation, the humidification operation, and the dehumidification operation, in accordance with the user instruction received in step S1. In step S3, the control unit 80 ends the main operation of the ventilator 50 in accordance with the user command acquired via the remote controller 90 and the receiver 26.
In step S4, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform a water discharge operation for stopping the movement of the air through the ventilation duct 56 for a predetermined time period, so as to discharge dew condensation water in the ventilation duct 56 from the water discharge port 56 a.
After the drainage operation is performed in step S4, the control unit 80 performs a corresponding drying operation according to the type of the main operation (humidification operation, ventilation operation, or ventilation operation) performed in step S2. The humidification operation is mainly performed in winter, and the ventilation operation is mainly performed in summer. The control unit 80 performs an appropriate drying operation according to the conditions of the temperature and humidity of the indoor Rin and the outdoor Rout.
In step S5, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the main operation in step S2 is the humidification operation, and proceeds to step S8 if yes, and proceeds to step S6 if no. In step S8, the control unit 80 executes a post-humidification drying process described later with reference to fig. 10.
In step S6, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the main operation in step S2 is the air supply ventilation operation, and proceeds to step S9 if yes, and proceeds to step S10 if no. In step S9, the control unit 80 executes a drying process after ventilation by air supply described later with reference to fig. 16.
In step S7, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the main operation in step S2 is the exhaust ventilation operation, and proceeds to step S10 when yes, and ends the ventilator control process when no. In step S10, the control unit 80 executes a drying process after the exhaust ventilation described later with reference to fig. 19.
Steps S8 to S10 include a drying operation for drying the inside of the ventilation duct 56. If the main operation is the dehumidification operation (no in step S7), the humidity inside the ventilation duct 56 is considered to be sufficiently low, and thus the drying operation is not performed.
[ Drying treatment after humidification ]
Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a post-humidification drying process performed by the control unit 80 of the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In step S11, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the condition for allowing the exhaust gas to dry is satisfied, and proceeds to step S12 if yes, and proceeds to step S15 if no.
Fig. 11 is a table showing conditions under which exhaust gas drying is permitted in the drying treatment after humidification. The control unit 80 allows the exhaust gas drying when the value obtained by subtracting the indoor dew point Td1 from the outdoor temperature T2 is a predetermined threshold value, for example, 2 ℃ or higher, and does not perform the exhaust gas drying but performs the supply gas drying or the dehumidification drying when it is not. Therefore, the control unit 80 first acquires the indoor temperature T1 from the temperature sensor 27, acquires the outdoor temperature T2 from the temperature sensor 72, and acquires the indoor relative humidity H1 from the humidity sensor 28. The control unit 80 calculates the indoor dew point Td1 using the following formula based on the indoor temperature T1 (°c) and the indoor relative humidity H1 (%).
Td1＝0.9×T1+0.26×H1-22
In the case where T2-Td1. Gtoreq.2℃, it is considered that the internal humidity of the ventilation duct 56 can be reduced by performing exhaust drying. On the other hand, in the case where T2-Td1 < 2 ℃, when the exhaust drying is performed, the humidity inside the ventilation duct 56 increases instead, and dew may be generated. In this case, therefore, air feed drying or dehumidification drying is performed.
When the exhaust gas drying is permitted, it is determined whether or not the exhaust gas drying is actually required based on the relative humidity H3 in the tube inside the ventilation duct 56. Referring again to fig. 10, in step S12, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to temporarily perform the air supply ventilation operation for a predetermined time, for example, for 3 minutes. At this time, the control unit 80 acquires the relative humidity H3 in the tube from the humidity sensor 29. In step S13, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the in-pipe relative humidity H3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold Th1, for example, 60%, and if yes, the process proceeds to step S14, and if no, the exhaust gas drying is not performed, and the process is terminated. In step S14, the control unit 80 executes an exhaust drying process described later with reference to fig. 13, thereby performing an exhaust ventilation operation to dry the inside of the ventilation duct 56.
In step S15, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the condition for performing the air supply drying is satisfied, and proceeds to step S16 if yes, and proceeds to step S17 if no.
Fig. 12 is a table showing conditions under which air supply drying is performed in the drying treatment after humidification. The control unit 80 performs the supply air drying when the outdoor temperature T2 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, for example, 15 ℃, the length d1 of the ventilation duct 56 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, for example, 10.1m, and the outdoor relative humidity H2 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, for example, 80%, and performs the dehumidification drying when it is not. Therefore, the control unit 80 acquires the outdoor temperature T2 from the temperature sensor 72, acquires the outdoor relative humidity H2 from the humidity sensor 73, and reads the length d1 of the ventilation duct 56 from the internal memory 80 b. When the above three conditions are satisfied, it is considered that the humidity in the ventilation duct 56 can be reduced by performing the supply air drying. On the other hand, when T2 is not less than 15 ℃, d1 is not less than 10.1m, or H2 is not less than 80%, the humidity inside the ventilation duct 56 increases when the air supply drying is performed, and dew may be generated. In this case, therefore, dehumidification drying is performed.
In step S16, the control unit 80 executes the air supply drying process described later with reference to fig. 14, thereby performing the air supply ventilation operation to dry the inside of the ventilation duct 56. In step S17, the control unit 80 executes a dehumidification drying process described later with reference to fig. 15, thereby performing a dehumidification operation to dry the inside of the ventilation duct 56.
Fig. 13 is a flowchart of the exhaust drying process performed by the control unit 80 of the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In step S21, the control unit 80 acquires the indoor temperature T1 from the temperature sensor 27, the outdoor temperature T2 from the temperature sensor 72, the indoor relative humidity H1 from the humidity sensor 28, and the air pressure AP from the air pressure sensor 82. The control unit 80 further determines an exhaust drying time indicating the duration of the exhaust drying based on the indoor temperature T1, the outdoor temperature T2, the indoor relative humidity H1, and the air pressure AP. To determine the exhaust drying time, the control section 80 calculates the indoor absolute humidity H0 using the following formula based on the indoor temperature T1 (°c), the indoor relative humidity H1 (%), and the air pressure AP (hPa).
H0＝0.622×(e(T1)×H1/100)/(AP-(e(T1)×H1/100))
Here, e (t) is represented by a formula of a stent (Tetens) which represents the saturated water vapor pressure at the temperature t (c) as shown in the following formula.
e(t)＝6.1078×10(7.5×t/(t+237.3))
The control unit 80 calculates the saturated water vapor amount SV associated with the lower one t0=min (T1, T2) of the indoor temperature T1 and the outdoor temperature T2 using the following equation.
SV＝0.622×e(T0)/(AP-e(T0))
The control unit 80 determines the exhaust drying time so that the smaller the value obtained by subtracting the indoor absolute humidity H0 from the saturated steam amount SV, the longer the exhaust drying time, for example, according to the following table.
When SV-H0 is not less than 0.003, the indoor absolute humidity H0 is considered to be low based on the saturated steam quantity SV, and the effect of exhaust drying is considered to be high, so that a short exhaust drying time is set. On the other hand, when 0.001 > SV-H0, the indoor absolute humidity H0 is considered to be high based on the saturated steam amount SV, and the effect of exhaust drying is considered to be low, so that a long exhaust drying time is set.
In step S22, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform an exhaust ventilation operation. In the case of performing the exhaust ventilation operation of the dry operation, the rotation speed of the first fan 62 may be set to be lower than that in the case of performing the exhaust ventilation operation of the main operation.
In step S23, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the exhaust gas ventilation operation has elapsed since the start of the exhaust gas ventilation operation, and if yes, stops the exhaust gas ventilation operation, ends the process, and if no, returns to step S22 to continue the exhaust gas ventilation operation.
Fig. 14 is a flowchart of the supply air drying process performed by the control unit 80 of the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In step S31, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform the air supply ventilation operation. Here, the control unit 80 turns on the first and second heaters 58 and 60 intermittently. In order to control the first and second heaters 58, 60, the control unit 80 acquires the supply air temperature T3 from the temperature sensor 74. When the supply air temperature T3 is equal to or higher than a first threshold value, for example, 55 ℃, the control unit 80 turns off the first and second heaters 58 and 60. When a predetermined time, for example, 20 minutes or more has elapsed since the first and second heaters 58 and 60 were turned on, and the supply air temperature T3 has become a second threshold value, for example, 45 ℃ or less, the control unit 80 turns on the first and second heaters 58 and 60. The control unit 80 may intermittently turn on only one of the first and second heaters 58 and 60 and always turn off the other. The control unit 80 may turn on the first fan 62 regardless of whether the first and second heaters 58 and 60 are turned on or off. In the case of the air supply and ventilation operation in which the dry operation is performed, the rotation speed of the first fan 62 may be set to be lower than that in the case of the air supply and ventilation operation in which the main operation is performed.
The control unit 80 may control the ventilator 50 as a preparation operation before the air supply ventilation operation for the drying operation, so as to perform the regenerating operation described with reference to fig. 6, that is, to discharge the moisture contained in the absorbent 52 to the outside Rout. In the ventilation operation, when dew condensation water is generated in the ventilation duct 56, a large amount of water is often contained in the absorbent 52. Therefore, the moisture contained in the absorbent material 52 is released, so that the humidity inside the ventilation duct 56 is less likely to rise.
In step S32, the control unit 80 determines whether or not a predetermined air supply drying time, for example, 30 minutes has elapsed from the start of the air supply ventilation operation, and if yes, stops the air supply ventilation operation and proceeds to step S34, and if no, proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the control unit 80 acquires the relative humidity H3 in the pipe from the humidity sensor 29. The control unit 80 further determines whether or not the relative humidity H3 in the tube is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold Th2, for example, 80% for a predetermined period of time, for example, 10 minutes, and returns to step S31 to continue the air supply and ventilation operation if yes, and stops the air supply and ventilation operation if no, and proceeds to step S34.
In step S34, the control unit 80 determines whether or not at least one of the first heater 58 and the second heater 60 is turned on during the air supply and ventilation operation. If yes, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S35. If no, the supplied air drying process is ended.
In step S35, the control unit 80 performs a discharge process for discharging the inside air of the ventilation duct 56 to the outside of the ventilation duct 56. The discharge process is a process when the ventilator 50 is caused to perform the above-described discharge operation. The flow chart of the discharge process will be described later. The discharge process is performed after the drying process in the ventilation duct 56 by the air supply ventilation operation. The control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform an air supply ventilation operation or an air discharge ventilation operation, and the ventilator 50 sends (blows) indoor or outdoor air to the ventilation duct 56. For example, the ventilator 50 uses the first fan 62 to send air (indoor or outdoor air) having a low possibility of condensation occurring in the ventilation duct 56 to the ventilation duct 56. That is, the control unit 80 causes the ventilator 50 to perform the operation in which the possibility of condensation occurring in the ventilation duct 56 is low, in the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation.
When the dew point in the ventilation duct 56 is higher than the temperature around the ventilation duct 56, the air in the ventilation duct 56 is cooled, and dew condensation may occur in the ventilation duct 56. When air having a low temperature out of the indoor air and the outdoor air is blown to the ventilation duct 56, the possibility of condensation occurring in the ventilation duct 56 can be reduced. In addition, when air having a low dew point in the indoor air and the outdoor air is blown to the ventilator, the possibility of dew condensation occurring in the ventilation duct 56 can be reduced. For example, the control unit 80 can estimate which of the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation is an operation having a low possibility of condensation occurring in the ventilation duct 56 by comparing the indoor and outdoor temperatures.
Specifically, the control unit 80 determines whether to perform the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation by performing the following processing. The control unit 80 first acquires the indoor temperature T1 from the temperature sensor 27 and acquires the outdoor temperature T2 from the temperature sensor 72. When T1 > T2, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform the air supply ventilation operation for a predetermined discharge operation time, for example, 30 seconds. When T1 is equal to or less than T2, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform the exhaust ventilation operation for a predetermined exhaust operation time, for example, 30 seconds. The predetermined discharge operation time is not necessarily 30 seconds, but may be any time such as several seconds or 10 seconds. The discharge operation time when T1 > T2 and the discharge operation time when T1. Ltoreq.T2 may be the same or different.
In the case of performing the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation with respect to the discharge operation, the rotation speed of the first fan 62 may be set to be lower than that in the case of performing the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation in the main operation. After the drying operation is performed, if the dew point inside the ventilation duct 56 is higher than the ambient temperature of the ventilation duct 56, the inside air of the ventilation duct 56 may be cooled to cause dew condensation inside the ventilation duct 56. By performing the exhaust process, air having a low temperature or dew point of the indoor air and the outdoor air is sent into the ventilation duct 56, and therefore, the possibility of dew condensation occurring in the ventilation duct 56 can be reduced. After step S35, the control unit 80 ends the air-feed drying process.
Fig. 15 is a flowchart of the dehumidification drying process performed by the control unit 80 of the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In step S41, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform the dehumidifying operation. In the case of the dehumidification operation in which the dry operation is performed, the rotation speed of the first fan 62 may be set to be lower than that in the case of the dehumidification operation in which the main operation is performed.
In step S42, the control unit 80 determines whether or not a predetermined dehumidification drying time, for example, 30 minutes has elapsed from the start of the dehumidification operation, stops the dehumidification operation if yes, proceeds to step S44, and proceeds to step S43 if no. In step S43, the control unit 80 acquires the relative humidity H3 in the pipe from the humidity sensor 29. The control unit 80 further determines whether or not the relative humidity H3 in the pipe is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold Th2, for example, 80%, and returns to step S41 to continue the dehumidification operation if yes, and stops the dehumidification operation if no, and proceeds to step S44.
In step S44, the control unit 80 performs the discharge process. The discharge process is performed after the drying process in the ventilation duct 56 by the dehumidification operation. The discharge process of step S44 is the same as the discharge process of step S35. After step S44, the control unit 80 ends the dehumidification drying process.
[ Drying treatment after air supply and ventilation ]
Fig. 16 is a flowchart of a drying process after ventilation by the control unit 80 of the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In step S51, the control unit 80 acquires the relative humidity H3 in the pipe from the humidity sensor 29, determines whether or not the relative humidity H3 in the pipe is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold Th3, for example, 80%, and proceeds to step S52 when yes, and ends the process when no.
In step S52, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the condition for performing the exhaust drying is satisfied, and proceeds to step S54 if yes, and proceeds to step S53 if no.
Fig. 17 is a table showing conditions under which exhaust drying is performed in the drying process after ventilation by air supply. The control unit 80 performs the exhaust drying when the value obtained by subtracting the indoor temperature T1 from the outdoor temperature T2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, for example, 0 ℃, and the indoor relative humidity H1 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, for example, 70%, and performs the supply air drying or the dehumidification drying when this is not the case. For this purpose, the control unit 80 acquires the indoor temperature T1 from the temperature sensor 27, acquires the outdoor temperature T2 from the temperature sensor 72, and acquires the indoor relative humidity H1 from the humidity sensor 28. When the above two conditions are satisfied, it is considered that the exhaust drying can be performed to reduce the internal humidity of the ventilation duct 56. On the other hand, when T2-T1 is less than 0 ℃ or H1 is not less than 70%, the humidity in the ventilation duct 56 increases instead when the exhaust drying is performed, and dew may be generated. In this case, therefore, air feed drying or dehumidification drying is performed.
In step S53, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the condition for performing the air supply drying is satisfied, and proceeds to step S55 if yes, and proceeds to step S56 if no.
Fig. 18 is a table showing conditions under which supply air drying is performed in the drying process after supply air ventilation. The conditions of fig. 18 are substantially the same as those of fig. 12. However, in the example of fig. 18, 20 ℃ is set as the threshold value of the outdoor temperature T2, and 90% is set as the threshold value of the outdoor relative humidity H2.
In step S54, the control unit 80 executes an exhaust drying process. The exhaust drying process of step S54 is the same as that of fig. 13.
In step S55, the control unit 80 executes the supply air drying process. The air feed drying process of step S55 is the same as that of fig. 14. However, the control unit 80 may turn on the first fan 62 only when the first and second heaters 58 and 60 are turned on.
In step S56, the control unit 80 executes a dehumidifying and drying process. The dehumidification drying process of step S56 is the same as the dehumidification drying process of fig. 15.
According to the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment, appropriate drying operations in the exhaust drying, the supply air drying, and the dehumidification drying can be performed according to the conditions of the temperature and the humidity of the indoor Rin and the outdoor Rout.
The exhaust drying, the supply air drying, and the dehumidification drying, for example, have the following features, respectively.
The exhaust drying, the supply air drying, and the dehumidification drying, for example, have the following features, respectively.
The exhaust drying can be performed with less power consumption than the supply drying and the exhaust drying. Further, since the exhaust air is dried to move the air from the indoor Rin to the outdoor Rout, the moisture evaporated from the absorbent 52 does not reach the indoor Rin, and there is no fear of odor. However, in the exhaust drying, when the indoor temperature is high, it takes time to dry the inside of the ventilation duct 56 than in the air supply drying and the dehumidification drying.
The supply air drying can effectively dry the inside of the ventilation duct 56 in a shorter time than the exhaust air drying. However, in the supply air drying, the power consumption may be increased as compared with the exhaust air drying.
The dehumidifying drying can effectively dry the inside of the ventilation duct 56 in a shorter time than the exhaust drying and the supply air drying. However, in the dehumidification drying, the power consumption is increased as compared with the exhaust drying, and further, the period in which the operation sound is generated and the period in which the operation sound is not generated are alternately repeated.
According to the above-described features of the exhaust drying, the supply air drying, and the dehumidification drying, if possible, the exhaust drying is performed, and even when the exhaust drying cannot be performed, the dehumidification drying is not performed as much as possible, so that the power consumption can be reduced, and noise is less likely to be generated.
[ Discharge treatment ]
Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing the discharge process executed by the control unit 80 of the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the ventilator 50 performs such an operation that air having a higher temperature than the ambient air of the ventilation duct 56 is blown into the ventilation duct 56, the temperature of the air existing in the ventilation duct 56 may be higher than the temperature of the air around the ventilation duct 56. In the case where the temperature of the air in the ventilation duct 56 is higher than the temperature of the air around the ventilation duct 56, the dew point of the air in the ventilation duct 56 may be higher than the temperature of the air around (dew point) even if the relative humidity of the air in the ventilation duct 56 is low. In this case, when the air in the ventilation duct 56 is cooled, dew condensation may occur in the ventilation duct 56.
In order to suppress the occurrence of condensation, the control unit 80 of the air conditioner 10 according to the present embodiment controls the ventilator 50 based on predetermined conditions so as to discharge the air in the ventilation duct 56. Specifically, as described above, the control unit 80 of the air conditioner 10 according to the present embodiment performs the air supply ventilation operation by turning on at least one of the first heater 58 and the second heater 60 at least temporarily, and then performs the discharge process. In the present specification, this air supply and ventilation operation is also referred to as an air supply and ventilation operation including heating by a heater. That is, the air supply ventilation operation including heating by the heater means: in the air supply and ventilation operation, at least one of the first heater 58 and the second heater 60 is operated to heat, at least temporarily, air supplied from the outside to the room via the ventilation duct 56. The control unit 80 executes the discharging process after performing the dehumidifying operation by the ventilator 50. The air supply ventilation operation including heating by the heater and the dehumidification operation are examples of the predetermined air conditioning operation in the present invention. As will be described later, the humidification operation is also an example of the predetermined air conditioning operation, and therefore the predetermined air conditioning operation may include: including a supplied air ventilation operation, a dehumidifying operation, or a humidifying operation by heating by a heater.
In step S61, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the indoor temperature T1 is higher than the outdoor temperature T2. The control unit 80 acquires the indoor temperature T1 from the temperature sensor 27 and acquires the outdoor temperature T2 from the temperature sensor 72. If yes, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S62, where the supply air is discharged. That is, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform the air supply ventilation operation. If no, the control unit 80 proceeds to step 63, where the exhaust gas is discharged. That is, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform the exhaust ventilation operation.
In step S64 or S65, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the discharge operation time has elapsed since the start of the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation. If no, the control unit 80 returns to step S62 or S63, and continues the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation. If yes, the control unit 80 stops the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation, and ends the process.
Effect of the embodiment
According to the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
The air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: an outdoor unit 30; an indoor unit 20; a ventilation duct 56 fluidly connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit; a ventilator 50 capable of selectively performing any one of a humidification operation for supplying humidified air from outdoors to indoors via a ventilation duct 56, a supply ventilation operation for introducing outdoor air into indoors via the ventilation duct 56, and an exhaust ventilation operation for discharging indoor air outdoors via the ventilation duct 56; and a control unit 80 for controlling the operation of the ventilator 50. After a predetermined air conditioning operation, the control unit 80 performs an air supply ventilation operation or an air discharge ventilation operation by the ventilator 50, and sends indoor or outdoor air into the ventilation duct 56.
With this configuration, the air conditioner 10 can suppress dew condensation in the ventilation duct 56. This makes it possible to suppress noise occurrence due to dew condensation occurring in the ventilation duct 56 in the air conditioner 10. Specifically, as described above, there may be air in the ventilation duct 56 after the predetermined air conditioning operation, the temperature of which is higher than the ambient temperature of the ventilation duct 56. For example, when air heated by the first heater 58 or the second heater 60 is sent (blown) into the ventilation duct 56, the ventilation device 50 may be in this state. Such air may be in a state of containing a large amount of moisture. For example, when the air in the ventilation duct 56 is cooled by the air around the ventilation duct 56, dew condensation may occur in the ventilation duct 56. According to the air conditioner 10 of the embodiment of the present invention, after a predetermined air conditioning operation, the control unit 80 performs an air supply ventilation operation or an air discharge ventilation operation by the ventilator 50, and supplies air indoors or outdoors into the ventilation duct 56. As a result, the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can discharge the air in the ventilation duct 56, suppress the occurrence of condensation in the ventilation duct 56, and suppress the occurrence of noise.
In the air conditioner 10 according to the present invention, the control unit 80 causes the ventilator 50 to perform an operation in which the possibility of condensation occurring in the ventilation duct 56 is low, among the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation. With this configuration, the control unit 80 performs the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation by using the ventilator 50, and air having a low possibility of condensation between the indoor air and the outdoor air is blown into the ventilation duct 56. As a result, the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can discharge the air in the ventilation duct 56, suppress the occurrence of condensation in the ventilation duct 56, and suppress the occurrence of noise.
The air conditioner 10 of the present invention further includes a first sensor 27 capable of measuring an indoor temperature and a second sensor 72 capable of measuring an outdoor temperature. The control unit 80 is connected to the first sensor 27 and the second sensor 72. The control unit 80 causes the ventilator 50 to perform the air supply ventilation operation when the indoor temperature measured by the first sensor 27 is higher than the outdoor temperature measured by the second sensor 72, and causes the ventilator 50 to perform the air discharge ventilation operation when the indoor temperature measured by the first sensor 27 is equal to or lower than the outdoor temperature measured by the second sensor 72. With this configuration, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to supply air having a relatively low temperature into the ventilation duct 56. Since the air having a low temperature is blown into the ventilation duct 56, there is a high possibility that the temperature of the air in the ventilation duct 56 becomes equal to or lower than the outdoor temperature. Therefore, the possibility that the air in the ventilation duct 56 is cooled by the ambient air of the ventilation duct 56 is reduced, and the occurrence of dew condensation can be suppressed. Therefore, the air conditioner 10 of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of condensation in the ventilation duct 56 and suppress the occurrence of noise.
In the air conditioner 10 of the present invention, the predetermined air conditioning operation includes a dehumidifying operation. After the dehumidifying operation, the air conditioner 10 of the present invention can blow air inside or outside the room into the ventilation duct 56 by the ventilator 50, and can discharge the air inside the ventilation duct 56. Therefore, the air conditioner 10 of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of condensation and noise even if air having a higher temperature than the ambient air of the ventilation duct 56 exists in the ventilation duct 56 after the dehumidification operation.
The air conditioner 10 of the present invention further includes one or more heaters 58 and 60. The prescribed air conditioning operation includes: in the air supply and ventilation operation, the heaters 58 and 60 perform an operation of heating air supplied from the outside to the inside via the ventilation duct 56 at least temporarily. In the air supply and ventilation operation including heating by the heater, the air heated by the heaters 58 and 60 can be blown into the ventilation duct 56 by the ventilator 50. After the air-supplying and ventilating operation including the heating by the heater, the air conditioner 10 of the present invention can supply the indoor or outdoor air into the ventilating duct 56 by the ventilating device 50 and discharge the air in the ventilating duct 56. Therefore, in the air conditioner 10 of the present invention, after the air supply ventilation operation in which the air heated at least temporarily by the heaters 58 and 60 is introduced from the outside into the room, even if the air having a higher temperature than the ambient air of the ventilation duct 56 exists in the ventilation duct 56, the occurrence of condensation and the occurrence of noise can be suppressed.
Other embodiments
For example, in the case of the above embodiment, the example in which the air exchanging apparatus 50 is provided in the outdoor unit 30 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the ventilator 50 may be provided in the indoor unit 20 or may be provided separately from the air conditioner.
In the above embodiment, for example, fig. 7 illustrates an example in which the humidity sensor 29 is provided in the indoor unit 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the humidity sensor 29 may be provided near an opening of the ventilation duct 56 on the outdoor Rout side in the outdoor unit 30. Alternatively, the humidity sensor 29 may be provided in both the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30. Thus, when the exhaust ventilation operation is performed, the humidity sensor 29 can detect the in-tube relative humidity H3 in the ventilation duct 56.
In order to display that the drying operation is being performed, the indoor unit 20 may include a display such as a light emitting diode. The indoor unit 20 may include a buzzer or a speaker for notifying the user of the start and end of the drying operation.
The temperature sensor 27 that detects the indoor temperature T1 may be provided near the opening of the ventilation duct 56 on the indoor Rin side. In this case, the temperature sensor 27 may be integrally formed with the humidity sensor 29.
The control unit 80 may use the in-tube relative humidity H3 instead of the indoor relative humidity H1 in order to execute the ventilator control process described with reference to fig. 9 to 19. In this case, the humidity sensor 28 does not need to be provided, and the cost of the air conditioner 10 can be reduced.
In calculating the indoor absolute humidity H0 and the saturated water vapor amount SV, the control unit 80 may use a predetermined fixed value such as 1013.25hPa instead of the air pressure AP detected by the air pressure sensor 82. In this case, the air pressure sensor 82 does not need to be provided, and the cost of the air conditioner 10 can be reduced.
In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 80 is configured to start and end the main operation of the ventilator 50 in accordance with the user command acquired via the remote controller 90 and the receiver 26, but is not limited thereto. For example, the control unit 80 may be configured to automatically start or end the main operation based on information acquired from various sensors such as the temperature sensor 27. The control unit 80 may be configured to determine, based on the information, whether to perform any one of the air supply ventilation operation, the air discharge ventilation operation, the humidification operation, and the dehumidification operation in the main operation by the ventilator 50.
In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 80 determines whether to perform the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation based on the indoor temperature T1 and the outdoor temperature T2 acquired from the temperature sensor 27 and the temperature sensor 72, but the present invention is not limited to this. The control unit 80 may determine which operation of the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation is to be performed, based on the indoor dew point Td1 and the outdoor dew point Td2, and may control the ventilator 50. In this way, the control unit 80 can estimate air having a low possibility of condensation occurring in the ventilation duct 56 based on the indoor dew point Td1 and the outdoor dew point Td 2. Thus, the control unit 80 can estimate an operation in which condensation is less likely to occur in the ventilation duct 56 during the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation.
As described above, the control unit 80 can calculate the indoor dew point Td1 based on the indoor temperature T1 acquired from the temperature sensor 27 and the indoor relative humidity H1 acquired from the humidity sensor 28, for example. The control unit 80 can calculate the outdoor dew point Td2 based on, for example, the outdoor temperature T2 acquired from the temperature sensor 72 and the outdoor relative humidity H2 acquired from the humidity sensor 73. The air conditioner 10 may include a temperature and humidity sensor capable of measuring the indoor temperature T1 and the indoor relative humidity H1, and a temperature and humidity sensor capable of measuring the outdoor temperature T2 and the outdoor relative humidity H2, and the control unit 80 may acquire the indoor dew point Td1 and the outdoor dew point Td2 from the temperature and humidity sensors.
When Td1 > Td2, the control unit 80 may control the ventilator 50 to perform the air supply ventilation operation for a predetermined discharge operation time, for example, 30 seconds. When Td1 is equal to or less than Td2, the control unit 80 may control the ventilator 50 to perform the exhaust ventilation operation for a predetermined exhaust operation time, for example, 30 seconds. The predetermined discharge operation time is not necessarily 30 seconds, but may be any time such as several seconds or 10 seconds. The discharge operation time in the case of T1 > T2 and the discharge operation time in the case of T1. Ltoreq.T2 may be the same or different.
According to the air conditioner 10 of the present invention, the indoor unit 20 includes 1 or more first sensors 27, 28 capable of measuring the indoor temperature and the indoor relative humidity. The outdoor unit 30 includes 1 or more second sensors 72 and 73 capable of measuring an outdoor temperature and an outdoor relative humidity. The control unit 80 is connected to 1 or more first sensors and 1 or more second sensors, calculates an indoor dew point Td1 from the indoor temperature T1 and the indoor relative humidity H1, and calculates an outdoor dew point Td2 from the outdoor temperature T2 and the outdoor relative humidity H2. When the indoor dew point Td1 is higher than the outdoor dew point Td2, the control unit 80 causes the ventilator 50 to perform the air supply ventilation operation, and when the indoor dew point Td1 is equal to or lower than the outdoor dew point Td2, the control unit 80 causes the ventilator 50 to perform the air discharge ventilation operation.
With this configuration, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to supply air having a low dew point into the ventilation duct 56. Since the air having a low dew point is blown into the ventilation duct 56, there is a high possibility that the dew point of the air in the ventilation duct 56 is equal to or lower than the outdoor temperature. Therefore, the air temperature in the ventilation duct 56 is cooled by the ambient air of the ventilation duct 56, and the possibility of the air temperature falling below the air dew point in the ventilation duct 56 is reduced, and the occurrence of dew condensation can be suppressed. Therefore, the air conditioner 10 of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of condensation in the ventilation duct 56 and suppress the occurrence of noise.
In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 80 determines which operation of the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation is to be performed based on the outdoor temperature and the outdoor temperature at the time of the discharge operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 80 may determine which of the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation is to be performed during the discharge operation based on the season or the date. The control unit 80 may control the ventilator 50 to perform the exhaust ventilation operation during the exhaust operation in the spring and the summer and to perform the supply ventilation operation in the autumn and the winter, for example. The control unit may control the ventilator 50 to perform the exhaust ventilation operation at the time of the exhaust operation and to perform the supply ventilation operation at the time of the 10 months to 3 months, for example, during the 4 months to 9 months. Of course, the operation performed based on the season and the date is not limited to the above-described mode, and may be arbitrarily set. The control unit 80 may set such a date by using the remote control 90, for example, and store it in the memory 80b. The control unit 80 may determine the season based on the date.
In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 80 performs the discharging operation after performing the humidification operation or the ventilation operation as the main operation, and after performing the ventilation operation including the heating by the heater or after performing the dehumidification operation, but is not limited thereto. The control unit 80 may perform the discharging operation after performing the air supply ventilation operation including the heating by the heater or after performing the dehumidifying operation, regardless of the type of the main operation. The control unit 80 may perform the exhaust operation after the air supply ventilation operation when the control is performed so that at least one of the heaters 58 and 60 is temporarily turned on during the air supply ventilation operation performed as the main operation. The control unit 80 may perform the discharge operation after the humidification operation is performed, for example. In the present specification, the humidification operation is also referred to as a predetermined air conditioning operation. As will be described later, the control unit 80 can perform the discharge operation even after temporarily stopping the humidification operation. In the present specification, after the humidification operation is performed, the completion of the humidification operation and the temporary stop of the humidification operation are included.
Fig. 20 is a flowchart of a ventilator control process including a process of a discharge operation, which is executed by the control unit 80 of the air conditioner 10 according to another embodiment after a humidification operation.
In S71, the control unit 80 starts the main operation of the ventilator 50 in response to the user command acquired via the remote controller 90 and the receiver 26. In S72, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform the humidification operation as the main operation. In step S73, the control unit 80 determines whether or not a predetermined end condition is satisfied. If yes, the process proceeds to step S78 described later. The control unit 80 may determine whether to end the main operation of the ventilator 50, for example, based on a user instruction acquired via the remote controller 90 and the receiver 26. That is, the control unit 80 may determine that the end condition is satisfied when the stop instruction is received. If no, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S74.
In step S74, the control unit 80 determines whether or not a predetermined temporary stop condition is satisfied. If yes, the control unit 80 temporarily stops the humidification operation performed by the ventilator 50. If no, the control unit 80 returns to step S72 to maintain the humidification operation. For example, when the indoor relative humidity H1 acquired from the humidity sensor 28 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 80 may determine that a predetermined temporary stop condition is satisfied. The predetermined threshold value may be 60%, for example, or may be a value input by the user via the remote controller 90. When the indoor temperature T1 acquired from the temperature sensor 27 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 80 may determine that a predetermined temporary stop condition is satisfied. The predetermined threshold value may be determined based on a set temperature set during the heating operation, for example.
When the humidification operation is temporarily stopped, the control unit 80 executes the discharge process in step S75. The discharge process in step S75 is the same as the discharge process in step S35 shown in fig. 19. When the discharge process is performed, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S76, and determines whether or not a predetermined restart condition is satisfied. For example, when the indoor relative humidity H1 acquired from the humidity sensor 28 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 80 may determine that a predetermined restart condition is satisfied. The predetermined threshold value may be, for example, 40%, or may be a value input by the user via the remote controller 90. If yes, the control unit 80 returns to step S72 to restart the humidification operation. If no, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S77. When the indoor temperature T1 acquired from the temperature sensor 27 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 80 may determine that a predetermined restart condition is satisfied. The predetermined threshold value may be determined based on a set temperature set during the heating operation, for example.
In step S77, the control unit 80 determines whether or not a predetermined end condition is satisfied. The predetermined end condition may be the same as the end condition in step S73. The control unit 80 may be configured to determine that the end condition is satisfied when the period in which the restart condition in step S76 is not satisfied continues for a predetermined period or longer. The predetermined period may be, for example, 1 hour or 2 hours. If no in step S77, the control unit 80 returns to step S76 to determine whether or not the restart condition is satisfied. If yes in step S77, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S78.
In step S78, the control unit 80 ends the humidification operation, which is the main operation of the ventilator 50, and ends the ventilator control process. After the humidification operation is completed, the control unit 80 may perform the post-humidification drying process in step S8 shown in fig. 9. The control unit 80 may determine whether to end the main operation of the ventilator 50, for example, based on a user instruction acquired via the remote controller 90 and the receiver 26. That is, the control unit 80 may determine that the end condition is satisfied when receiving the stop command.
As described above, the control unit 80 can control the ventilator 50 based on predetermined conditions to temporarily stop the humidification operation. During the temporary stop, there may be high temperature and high humidity air within the ventilation duct 56. When the ventilation duct 56 is cooled, the temperature of the air decreases, and condensation may occur in the ventilation duct 56. By performing the discharge processing during the temporary stop of the humidification operation as described above, the control unit 80 can suppress the occurrence of condensation in the ventilation duct 56 in the air conditioner 10. Therefore, the air conditioner 10 can suppress the occurrence of noise caused by dew condensation generated in the ventilation duct 56.
In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 80 performs the discharge process after the predetermined air conditioning operation, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the control unit 80 may be configured to perform the discharge process after the predetermined air conditioning operation and when the predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined conditions may include, for example: the dew point of the air within the ventilation duct 56 is higher than the ambient temperature of the ventilation duct 56. The control unit 80 can calculate the air dew point in the ventilation duct 56 based on the in-duct temperature and the in-duct relative humidity H3 acquired from a temperature sensor (not shown) disposed in the ventilation duct 56 and the humidity sensor 29 disposed in the ventilation duct 56. With this configuration, the control unit 80 can perform the discharge process after the predetermined air conditioning operation and when there is a high possibility of condensation occurring in the ventilation duct 56.
The control unit 80 may execute the discharge operation after executing the cooling operation or the heating operation. Specifically, the control unit 80 may control the ventilator 50 to perform the exhaust ventilation operation after the cooling operation and to perform the air supply ventilation operation after the heating operation.
Fig. 21 is a flowchart of ventilation device control processing executed by the control unit 80 of the air conditioner 10 according to another embodiment. The ventilator control process means that the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 after the cooling operation or the heating operation by the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 is completed.
In step S81, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the cooling operation by the air conditioner 10 is completed. If no, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S82. If yes, the control unit 80 proceeds to step 83, where the exhaust gas is discharged. That is, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform the exhaust ventilation operation. In step S82, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the heating operation by the air conditioner 10 is completed. If yes, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S84, where the supply air is discharged. That is, the control unit 80 controls the ventilator 50 to perform the air supply ventilation operation. In step S82, if no, the control unit 80 ends the ventilator control process.
In step S83 or S84, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the discharge operation time has elapsed since the start of the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation. If no, the control unit 80 returns to step S83 or S84, respectively, and continues the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation. If yes, the control unit 80 stops the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation, and ends the ventilator control process.
By doing so, the control unit 80 can determine whether to perform the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation without comparing the indoor and outdoor temperatures. Therefore, even if the air conditioner 10 does not have at least one of a sensor capable of detecting an indoor temperature and a sensor capable of detecting an outdoor temperature, condensation in the ventilation duct 56 and noise can be suppressed by the control unit 80 performing the discharge operation. In addition, by doing so, the air conditioner 10 can reduce the load of the processing performed by the control unit 80.
In the present specification, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used for illustration only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order of technical features (order). Features defined as "first" and "second" are either explicit or implicit to include one or more of the feature.
The present invention has been described above by way of the above embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The technique of the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to an embodiment in which changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like are appropriately performed.
The present invention has been fully described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, but various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as long as they do not depart from the scope of the invention.
(Summary of modes)
As is apparent from the above description, the present invention includes the following aspects. In the following, reference numerals are given to brackets only for the purpose of illustrating the correspondence with the embodiments.
(Embodiment 1) an air conditioner (10) comprising:
an indoor unit (20);
an outdoor unit (30);
a ventilation duct (56) that fluidly connects the indoor unit (20) and the outdoor unit (30);
A ventilation device (50) capable of selectively performing any one of a humidification operation for supplying humidified air from outdoors to indoors via a ventilation duct (56), a supply ventilation operation for introducing outdoor air into indoors via the ventilation duct (56), and an exhaust ventilation operation for discharging indoor air outdoors via the ventilation duct (56); and
A control unit (80) for controlling the operation of the ventilation device (50),
After a predetermined air conditioning operation, the control unit (80) executes an air supply ventilation operation or an air discharge ventilation operation by the ventilation device (50) and sends indoor or outdoor air into the ventilation duct (56).
In the air conditioner (10) of the embodiment 1, the predetermined air conditioning operation may include a humidification operation.
In the air conditioner (10) according to any one of the aspects 1 to2, the predetermined air conditioning operation may include a dehumidification operation for supplying dehumidified air.
The air conditioner (10) according to any one of the modes 1 to 3 may further include heaters (58, 60),
The predetermined air conditioning operation may include: during the air supply and ventilation operation, the heaters (58, 60) perform an operation of heating air supplied from the outside to the inside via the ventilation duct (56) at least temporarily.
In the air conditioner (10) according to any one of the aspects 1 to 4, the control unit (80) may cause the ventilator (50) to perform an operation in which the possibility of condensation occurring in the ventilation duct is low, among the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation.
The air conditioner (10) according to aspect 5 may further include:
a first sensor (27) capable of measuring the indoor temperature; and
A second sensor (72) capable of measuring an outdoor temperature,
The control unit (80) causes the ventilation device (50) to perform an air supply ventilation operation when the indoor temperature measured by the first sensor (27) is higher than the outdoor temperature measured by the second sensor (72), and causes the ventilation device (50) to perform an air discharge ventilation operation when the indoor temperature measured by the first sensor (27) is equal to or lower than the outdoor temperature measured by the second sensor (72).
The air conditioner (10) of the aspect 5 may further include:
More than 1 first sensors (27, 28) capable of measuring the indoor temperature and indoor relative humidity;
more than 1 second sensor (72, 73) capable of measuring outdoor temperature and outdoor relative humidity,
And a control unit (80) for calculating an indoor dew point from the indoor temperature and the indoor relative humidity, calculating an outdoor dew point from the outdoor temperature and the outdoor relative humidity, and causing the ventilator (50) to perform an air supply ventilation operation when the indoor dew point is higher than the outdoor dew point, and causing the ventilator (50) to perform an air discharge ventilation operation when the indoor dew point is not higher than the outdoor dew point.
(Mode 8) A control method for an air conditioner (10), which is a control method for an air conditioner (10) comprising an indoor unit (20) and an outdoor unit (30),
The air conditioner (10) further comprises:
A ventilation duct (56) that fluidly connects the indoor unit (20) and the outdoor unit (30); and
A ventilation device (50) capable of selectively performing any one of a humidification operation for supplying humidified air from the outside to the inside of a room via a ventilation duct (56), a supply ventilation operation for introducing the outside air into the room via the ventilation duct (56), and an exhaust ventilation operation for discharging the inside air to the outside of the room via the ventilation duct (56),
The control method comprises the following steps: after a predetermined air conditioning operation, an air supply ventilation operation or an air discharge ventilation operation is performed by a ventilation device (50), and air in the room or the outside is sent to a ventilation duct (56).
(Aspect 9) a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a control unit (80) of an air conditioner (10) to execute the control method of aspect 8.
(Aspect 10) an air conditioner (10) includes:
an indoor unit (20);
an outdoor unit (30);
a ventilation duct (56) that fluidly connects the indoor unit (20) and the outdoor unit (30);
A ventilation device (50) capable of selectively performing any one of a humidification operation for supplying humidified air from outdoors to indoors via a ventilation duct (56), a supply ventilation operation for introducing outdoor air into indoors via the ventilation duct (56), and an exhaust ventilation operation for discharging indoor air outdoors via the ventilation duct (56); and
A control unit (80) for controlling the operation of the ventilation device (50),
The control unit (80) performs an exhaust ventilation operation after a cooling operation and supplies air into the ventilation duct (56) by the ventilation device (50), and performs an air supply ventilation operation and supplies air into the ventilation duct (56) after a heating operation.
The system described in the present invention can be realized by cooperation of hardware resources such as a processor, a memory, and software resources (computer programs).
Industrial applicability
According to the present invention, an air conditioner, a control method for an air conditioner, and a computer-readable storage medium, which can suppress dew condensation in a ventilation duct, can be provided, and therefore, can be suitably used in such industrial fields.
Claims (10)
1. An air conditioner, comprising:
An indoor unit;
an outdoor unit;
A ventilation duct fluidly connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit;
a ventilation device capable of selectively performing any one of a humidification operation for supplying humidified air from outdoors to indoors via the ventilation duct, a supply ventilation operation for introducing outdoor air into indoors via the ventilation duct, and an exhaust ventilation operation for exhausting indoor air outdoors via the ventilation duct; and
A control unit for controlling the operation of the ventilator,
After a predetermined air conditioning operation, the control unit executes the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation by the ventilation device, and sends indoor or outdoor air into the ventilation duct.
2. An air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein:
The predetermined air conditioning operation includes the humidification operation.
3. An air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein:
The predetermined air conditioning operation includes a dehumidifying operation for supplying dehumidified air.
4. An air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein:
also comprises a heater, wherein the heater is arranged at the bottom of the heater,
The prescribed air conditioning operation includes: in the air supply and ventilation operation, the heater at least temporarily heats air supplied from outside to inside via the ventilation duct.
5. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
The control unit causes the ventilator to perform one of the air supply ventilation operation and the air discharge ventilation operation, which is less likely to cause condensation in the ventilation duct.
6. An air conditioner according to claim 5, further comprising:
A first sensor capable of measuring an indoor temperature; and
A second sensor capable of measuring an outdoor temperature,
The control unit causes the ventilator to perform the air supply ventilation operation when the indoor temperature measured by the first sensor is higher than the outdoor temperature measured by the second sensor, and causes the ventilator to perform the air discharge ventilation operation when the indoor temperature measured by the first sensor is equal to or lower than the outdoor temperature measured by the second sensor.
7. An air conditioner according to claim 5, further comprising:
more than 1 first sensor capable of measuring indoor temperature and indoor relative humidity; and
More than 1 second sensor capable of measuring outdoor temperature and outdoor relative humidity,
The control unit calculates an indoor dew point from the indoor temperature and the indoor relative humidity, calculates an outdoor dew point from the outdoor temperature and the outdoor relative humidity, and causes the ventilator to perform the air supply ventilation operation when the indoor dew point is higher than the outdoor dew point, and causes the ventilator to perform the air discharge ventilation operation when the indoor dew point is equal to or lower than the outdoor dew point.
8. A control method of an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the control method characterized by:
the air conditioner further includes:
A ventilation duct fluidly connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit; and
A ventilation device capable of selectively performing any one of a humidification operation for supplying humidified air from outdoors to indoors via the ventilation duct, a supply ventilation operation for introducing outdoor air into indoors via the ventilation duct, and an exhaust ventilation operation for exhausting indoor air outdoors via the ventilation duct,
The control method comprises the following steps: after a predetermined air conditioning operation, the air supply ventilation operation or the air discharge ventilation operation is performed by the ventilation device, and air in the room or the outside is sent to the ventilation duct.
9. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized by:
a computer program for causing an air conditioner to execute the control method according to claim 8 is stored.
10. An air conditioner, comprising:
An indoor unit;
an outdoor unit;
A ventilation duct fluidly connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit;
a ventilation device capable of selectively performing any one of a humidification operation for supplying humidified air from outdoors to indoors via the ventilation duct, a supply ventilation operation for introducing outdoor air into indoors via the ventilation duct, and an exhaust ventilation operation for exhausting indoor air outdoors via the ventilation duct; and
A control unit for controlling the operation of the ventilator,
The control unit performs the exhaust ventilation operation to supply air into the ventilation duct after the cooling operation, and performs the supply ventilation operation to supply air into the ventilation duct after the heating operation, by the ventilation device.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2022-169344 | 2022-10-21 | ||
| JP2022169344A JP2024061409A (en) | 2022-10-21 | 2022-10-21 | Air conditioner, control method of air conditioner, program, and computer-readable storage medium |
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| CN118310158A true CN118310158A (en) | 2024-07-09 |
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| CN202311365032.7A Pending CN118310158A (en) | 2022-10-21 | 2023-10-20 | Air conditioner, control method for air conditioner, and computer-readable storage medium |
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| JP (1) | JP2024061409A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN118310158A (en) |
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