JP2001304666A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a ceiling mounted air conditioner which can uniformly air condition a room. SOLUTION: In the air conditioner 1, a decoration panel 4, fixed to the lower surface of the body 2 of air conditioner in flush with the ceiling surface, is arranged with four air outlets 11 around an air inlet 10. The air conditioner is provided with a means 31 for regulating the air volume ratio between the air outlet 11. Under control of a control section 32, the regulating means 31 regulates the opening area of each air outlet 11 by means of a baffle plate 41. The regulating means 31 sets the highest air volume of one air outlet 11, in the order for circulating around the air inlet 10 in a specified direction. The specified direction is the rotating direction of a turbo fan 23, and dead zone is eliminated by generating a swirl circulating around the air inlet 10 thus air conditioning a room 6 uniformly. Air volume ratio can be set easily by means of a remote controller 33, and a part in a room can be air conditioned focused on it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an air conditioner such as an air conditioner. For example, the present invention relates to an air conditioner of a ceiling arrangement type in which an outlet is arranged on a ceiling.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air conditioner of a ceiling arrangement type has, for example, a main body arranged behind a ceiling and a decorative panel attached to a lower surface of the main body. The decorative panel is installed on the ceiling surface facing the room, and has an air inlet at the center and, for example, four air outlets arranged around the air inlet. The air conditioned inside the main body is blown into the room from four outlets at the same air volume.

[0003] By the way, there is a demand that a part of the room be mainly air-conditioned in accordance with the installation place and the use condition of the air conditioner. To meet this demand, it is conceivable to increase the air volume at some of the outlets relatively. For this purpose, there is an air conditioner that can adjust the air volume ratio between the outlets. In this air conditioner, a displaceable cover member is provided inside each outlet, and the opening area of each outlet is made different by each cover member, so that the amount of air blown out from each outlet is variable. However, in order to improve the appearance of the decorative panel from the interior of the room, the cover member is usually disposed inside the decorative panel. Therefore, in order to operate the cover member, it is necessary to remove the decorative panel. Moreover, this work is performed at a high place near the ceiling. As a result, adjustment of the air volume ratio between the outlets was troublesome.

[0004] On the other hand, there is a demand for an air conditioner that wants to air-condition a room evenly. This is because there is a region (so-called dead zone) in which air is not conditioned and air is stagnated between the areas where the blown air from each outlet can reach. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, to achieve more even air conditioning in a room, and to easily adjust the air volume ratio between the outlets so as to be suitable for the installation location. It is to provide a harmony device.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention The invention according to claim 1 is an air conditioner provided with an adjusting means for adjusting an air volume ratio between outlets, wherein the outlet is a suction port. Are arranged so as to surround the periphery of the
An air conditioner is provided, wherein the air volume of at least one outlet is set to be the largest in the order of turning around the inlet in a predetermined direction. According to the present invention, there are a plurality of areas to which the blown air from the outlet reaches, and are arranged in a ring. By increasing the amount of air blown out to one area, for example, a differential pressure is generated between the above-mentioned areas, and air flows. As the air flow is changed in the above-described order, the flow of the air moves in a predetermined direction and becomes a swirling flow. As a result, stagnation of air (dead zone) generated between areas is eliminated in order, and air conditioning can be performed evenly in the room. Further, since the swirling flow can promote the stirring of the air, the room can be quickly air-conditioned.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner having an adjusting means for adjusting an air volume ratio between outlets,
A plurality of the outlets are arranged in a polygonal shape, and the adjusting means sets the maximum air volume of one outlet in the order of turning in a predetermined direction around the polygon formed by the outlets. To provide an air conditioner. According to the present invention, there are a plurality of areas to which the blown air from the outlet reaches, and the area is arranged in a ring shape, and the same operation and effect as in claim 1 can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the air conditioner according to the first aspect, further comprising a turbo fan that sucks air from an inlet and blows air from a plurality of outlets, and the predetermined direction is the rotation of the turbo fan. An air conditioner characterized by being in the same direction as the direction is provided. According to the present invention, the turbo fan blows out the air while rotating the blown air in the rotation direction. Since the direction of the entrainment coincides with the above-described predetermined direction, a swirling flow is easily generated.

[0008] The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
The air conditioner according to any one of the above, wherein the adjusting means includes a setting means for setting an air volume ratio in a remote controller. According to the present invention, the desired air volume ratio can be easily adjusted by the remote controller. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the air-conditioning apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the adjusting unit is configured to detect a temperature distribution in the room based on a signal from the detecting unit.
An air conditioner characterized by changing an air volume ratio is provided.

According to the present invention, the air volume ratio can be automatically and appropriately adjusted based on the indoor temperature distribution. As a result, for example, even when the air conditioning load is biased indoors, air conditioning can be performed evenly in the room. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner of the fifth aspect, the detecting means includes a temperature sensor provided corresponding to a region where the air blown from each outlet can contribute to temperature control. An air conditioner is provided.

[0010] According to the present invention, optimal air conditioning can be performed in accordance with the actual room temperature.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional front view of a schematic configuration of the above-described air conditioner. The air-conditioning apparatus 1 is of a buried ceiling type, and an air-conditioning apparatus main body 2 (hereinafter, referred to as “apparatus main body”) arranged behind the ceiling.
And a decorative panel 4 attached to the lower surface 3 of the apparatus main body 2. The decorative panel 4 is arranged along the ceiling surface 5 so as to face the room 6.

As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 2, the decorative panel 4 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and has a substantially rectangular suction port 10 in the center thereof and a plurality of, for example, surrounding the suction port 10. And four outlets 11 arranged therein. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, each outlet 11 is provided with a wind direction plate 13 for guiding the blown air in a predetermined direction. Above the suction port 10, a filter 12 for removing dust is arranged. The apparatus main body 2 defines an air passage 20 therein, and the air passage 20 communicates the suction port 10 with each of the air outlets 11. The apparatus main body 2 includes a casing 21 formed in a box shape, a centrifugal blower 22 disposed at a central portion of the casing 21, and a fin coil type heat disperser disposed around the blower 22 in an annular shape. And an exchange 25. The blower 22 includes a turbo fan 23 and a fan motor 24 that drives the turbo fan 23 to rotate in a predetermined rotation direction. The turbo fan 23 rotates around a rotation center axis extending along the vertical direction. In addition, the apparatus main body 2 includes a heat insulating material 26 disposed along the inner surface of the casing 21 to insulate the air passage 20 and the outside of the casing 21 from the heat exchanger 25. Drain pan 27 that receives falling water droplets
A bell mouth 28 arranged inside the drain pan 27 to guide the air from the suction port 10 to the turbo fan 23, and an electric component box 29 arranged on the lower surface of the bell mouth 28 to accommodate electric components such as a circuit board. Is provided.

The air passage 20 is located at the center of the casing 21 and has a first portion in which air flows upward from the suction port 10 to the turbo fan 23, and the air is substantially horizontally directed radially outward by the turbo fan 23. It has a second portion that flows and passes through the heat exchanger 25 and a third portion that flows downward along the side surface of the casing 21 and reaches each outlet 11.
When the fan motor 24 is driven, air is sucked in from the suction port 10, passes through the first portion and the second portion of the air passage 20, and is heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 25. The air is heated during heating and cooled during cooling. And the air
The air is blown from the four outlets 11 toward the room 6 through the third portion of the air passage 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, each outlet 11 is a long one extending in a direction along each side of the square inlet 10, and is formed in a rectangular shape on the surface of the decorative panel 4. The length of the long side of this rectangle is formed to be substantially the same as the length of the rectangular side of the suction port 10. Partition plates 14 for separating the outlets 11 from each other at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the outlets 11.
Is provided. The partition plates 14 are arranged corresponding to the four corners of the suction port 10. The plurality of outlets 11 and the partition plate 14 cooperate with each other to surround the entire periphery of the inlet 10, and the outlet 11 surrounds the rectangular side of the inlet 10 from all sides. Thus, the plurality of outlets 11 are arranged such that the elongated outlet 11 forms a polygon (illustrated by a dashed line P1 in FIG. 2), for example, a rectangular side. Also,
The plurality of outlets 11 are arranged such that a line connecting the centers of the outlets 11 is polygonal (shown by a dashed line P2 in FIG. 2), for example, rectangular. In addition, each outlet 11 blows the blowing wind forward. The air blown out from the four air outlets 11 is blown out in different directions around the air inlet 10, for example, in four directions so as to move away from the air inlet 10 in plan view.

In particular, the air conditioner 1 of the present invention has adjusting means 31 for adjusting the air volume ratio between the outlets 11.
The adjusting means 31 has a plurality of air passage width adjustment mechanisms 40 for adjusting the opening areas of the plurality of air outlets 11, respectively, and a control unit 32 (see FIG. 7) for controlling each air passage width adjustment mechanism 40. are doing. Each air passage width adjusting mechanism 40 is provided corresponding to each air outlet 11.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the air path width adjusting mechanism 40. FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part of the air passage width adjusting mechanism 40. 5 and 6 are front cross-sectional views of the air passage width adjusting mechanism 40 and the vicinity thereof (part A in FIG. 1). FIG. 5 shows a state in which the air outlet 11 is open, and FIG. It shows the state where it was turned on. The air passage width adjusting mechanism 40 adjusts the opening area of each of the air outlets 11, and in particular, adjusts the air passage width in the short direction. Thus, the amount of air blown from each outlet 11 can be adjusted without changing the lateral width of the air blown from each outlet 11 (the width along the longitudinal direction of the outlet 11). The range of the adjustment at this time is a range of 0% to 100% in a ratio of the adjusted blowing air amount to the maximum blowing air amount. Here, the amount of blown air having a ratio of 0% corresponds to a state when the blowout port 11 is fully closed, and is a state in which there is no blown air.

As shown in FIG. 3, the air passage width adjusting mechanism 40 is disposed at the outlet 11 so as to be displaceable and can be displaced to obstruct the flow of air at the outlet 11 and the baffle plate 41. Displacement mechanism 4 for displacing the baffle plate 41
And 2. The outlet 11 is, as shown in FIG.
It has an outlet for the blown air facing the room 6, and an outlet air passage adjacent upstream of the outlet. A baffle plate 41 is arranged in the outlet air passage.

In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the outlet 11 is also referred to as a “longitudinal direction”, and the lateral direction of the outlet 11 is also referred to as a “lateral direction”. Further, in each drawing, an arrow Y indicating a longitudinal direction, an arrow X indicating a short direction, and an arrow Z indicating a vertical direction are illustrated as necessary. As shown in FIG. 3, the baffle plate 41 includes a first plate 44 and a second plate 45 in which adjacent one ends 46 and 49 are relatively rotatably connected to each other by a connection portion 52. The connecting portion 52 constitutes a hinge and includes a first shaft 53 serving as a center of relative rotation, and cylindrical portions 54 and 55 through which the shaft 53 is inserted. In addition, each plate 4
There are provided a second shaft 56 and a third shaft 57 extending along the other end edges 47, 50 of the 4, 45, respectively.

The baffle plate 41 can be folded by rotating the plates 44 and 45 relatively around the axis of the first shaft 53. Thereby, the baffle plate 41 connects the two plates 44 and 45 to the first
A flat state where the two plates 44 and 45 are arranged so as to extend in opposite directions from the shaft 53 of the first shaft 53 (see FIG. 6), and a superposed state where the two plates 44 and 45 are arranged so as to extend in the substantially same direction from the first shaft 53. (See FIG. 5), and the both plates 44 and 45 can be in a bent state where they are disposed so as to be bent in a substantially V shape. The two plates 44 and 45 are formed so as to cooperate with each other in a flat state so as to close the air outlet 11.

The displacement mechanism 42 can widen or narrow the distance between the inner surface of the air outlet passage and the edge of the baffle plate 41 by rotating and displacing the baffle plate 41. The width of the air path can be adjusted. Displacement mechanism 42
Has a guide mechanism 43 that guides the baffle plate 41 to a predetermined position while supporting the baffle plate 41 movably, and a drive mechanism 70 that drives the baffle plate 41 via the first shaft 53 while being guided by the guide mechanism 43. are doing.

The guide mechanism 43 includes the first to third shafts 5 described above.
3, 56, 57, and a pair of guide members 58 (see FIG. 4) for guiding the first to third shafts 53, 56, 57. The pair of guide members 58 are arranged to face each other and to correspond to the ends of the baffle plate 41 in the longitudinal direction.
The guide member 58 has a vertically extending vertical groove 66 for guiding the vertical movement of the first shaft 53 and a horizontal groove for guiding the short movement of the second shaft 56 and the third shaft 57. A pair of extended lateral grooves 67 and 68 are formed.

The drive mechanism 70 drives the first shaft 53 of the guide mechanism 43 along the vertical groove 66, as shown in FIG.
The drive mechanism 70 includes a bolt 72 whose axial movement is regulated and driven to rotate, a nut 73 into which a female screw is screwed and engaged with a male screw of the bolt 72, and an integrally rotatable provided at a lower end portion of the bolt 72. Worm wheel 82,
Worm gear 83 that meshes with this worm wheel 82
And a motor 83 that rotationally drives the worm gear 83
And a supporting member 7 for rotatably supporting an upper portion of the bolt 72.
4 and a support member 75 for rotatably supporting an upper portion of the bolt 72 via a bearing 84.

The bolt 72 includes a screw portion 78 having an external thread formed and extending in one direction (axial direction), and a connecting portion 79 provided at an end of the screw portion 78 and including a circumferential surface. A worm wheel 82 is fixed to a lower end of the portion 79. The screw portion 78 is arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction in parallel with the vertical groove 66 for guiding the first shaft 53. Bolt 72
Is connected to the connecting portion 7 by the support member 74 at the upper end of the screw portion 78.
At 9, it is rotatably supported by a support member 75 via a bearing 84. Further, the bearing 84 is sandwiched between the retaining ring 77 fitted in the connecting portion 79 and the worm wheel 82, whereby the axial movement of the bolt 72 is restricted.

The nut 73 is fitted and fixed to the driven first shaft 53, is rotatable relative to the bolt 72, and is not rotatable about the central axis of the bolt 72. When the bolt 72 rotates, the nut 73 and the first shaft 53 move vertically together. When the motor 83 is driven, its rotation is transmitted to the bolt 72 via the worm gear 83 and the worm wheel 82. When the bolt 72 rotates, the nut 73 and the first shaft 53 move into the vertical groove 66.
Move along. Accordingly, the second shaft 56 and the third shaft 57 move along the corresponding lateral grooves 67 and 68, and the baffle plate 41 is also smoothly displaced.

For example, by rotating the motor 83 in one direction, when the nut 73 and the first shaft 53 move downward, the second shaft 56 and the third shaft 57 move away from each other. To move. Accordingly, both plates 44, 4
Reference numeral 5 denotes a baffle plate 41 while relatively rotating around a first shaft 53.
Of the air path approaches the inner surface of the air path, and the air path width becomes narrower (see the arrow M1 in FIGS. 3 and 5). When the first shaft 53 reaches the lower end of the vertical groove 66, the baffle plate 41 is in the above-described flat state, and is in the closed position where the air passage width is the narrowest (FIG. 6).
reference).

In the closed position, as shown in FIG.
4 and 45 are in a flat state, and the direction in which the two plates 44 and 45 are arranged is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the flow in the airflow path.
As a result, the air passage width of the air outlet air passage becomes zero, and the air outlet 1
1 is fully closed, and the blowout air volume becomes zero. On the other hand, the motor 8
When the nut 73 and the first shaft 53 move upward by rotating and driving the third shaft 3 in the other direction, the second shaft 56
And the third shaft 57 move closer to each other. Accordingly, the baffle plate 41 is in the above-described bent state, and the two plates 44 and 45 relatively rotate around the first shaft 53 while
The edges 47 and 50 of the baffle plate 41 move away from the inner surface of the wind path,
The width of the wind path becomes wider. When the first shaft 53 reaches the upper end of the vertical groove 66, the baffle plate 41 is in the overlapping state, and is in the open position for widening the air passage width.

In the open position, the baffle plate 41 is disposed substantially at the center of the outlet air path along the short direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the baffle plate 41 is in a superposed state,
5 is folded, the surfaces are opposed to each other, the air path width is the widest, and the outlet 11 is fully opened. As a result, the amount of blown air also becomes maximum. Also, by driving the motor 83, the first shaft 53 is positioned at a desired position in the vertical direction of the vertical groove 66, and by stopping the rotation of the motor 83,
The first shaft 53 can be maintained at a desired position. This allows
The baffle plate 41 can be maintained at a desired position between the open position and the closed position, and the air passage width and the opening degree of the outlet 11 can be adjusted to desired values corresponding to this position. At this time, the width of the air passage is determined by the inner surfaces of the pair of air passages facing in the lateral direction and the edge 4 of the baffle plate 41.
7, 50, and the air having the air volume corresponding to this interval flows on both sides of the baffle plate 41 in the short direction.

Here, stopping the rotation of the motor 83 may mean driving the motor 83 while maintaining energization so as to maintain the angular position of the rotating shaft, or stopping the energization to rotate the motor 83. It may be set to a state where it is not driven. In the latter case, it is preferable to provide a means for maintaining the position of the baffle plate 41. In the present embodiment, the screw mechanism formed by the bolt 72 and the nut 73 of the drive mechanism 70 and the worm gear mechanism formed by the worm wheel 82 and the worm gear 83 are less likely to be displaced by a reverse input from the driven side. Therefore, it functions as a means that can be maintained as described above. As a result, even when the energization of the motor 83 is stopped, the displacement of the baffle plate 41 due to the wind pressure can be prevented.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 7, the air conditioner 1 controls the entire operation of the air conditioner 1 and supplies various control signals to the control circuit 36. It has a remote controller 33 and a plurality of temperature sensors 35 as detecting means for detecting the temperature distribution in the room 6. The control unit 32 of the adjusting unit 31 is formed integrally with the control circuit unit 36, and is connected to the remote controller 33 and the temperature sensor 35 via the control circuit unit 36.

The control section 32 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, which are constituted by a microcomputer or the like. The control section 32 controls each section of the adjusting means 31 based on programs, data, and the like stored in a ROM or the like. Each motor 83 is connected to the control unit 32.
Each temperature sensor 35 is connected. Temperature sensor 35
Is provided corresponding to the area 7 (shown by hatching in FIG. 10) that includes, for example, a thermistor and in which the blown air from each outlet 11 can contribute to temperature control.
It is located on the wall in the direction that the wind blows from.

The remote controller 33 is electrically connected to the control section 32, is separated from the apparatus main body 2, and is arranged on, for example, a wall surface, and gives a command signal by remote control. The connection between the remote controller 33 and the control unit 32 may be a wireless connection or a connection via a signal line.
Any connection can be used as long as the connection can receive a command signal from the PC. Further, the remote controller 33 includes an operation switch 34 for giving various command signals related to the operation of the adjusting unit 31. Thereby, the adjusting means 31 can be operated by the command signal from the remote controller 33.

Next, the control contents of the adjusting means 31 will be described. The adjusting means 31 performs first and second control processes for automatically adjusting the air volume ratio between the outlets 11 in the first and second modes. The first control process is started in response to a command signal from the remote controller 33 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 (step S1). Then, until a command signal for ending the first control process is received from the remote controller 33,
Processing for setting the maximum air volume of one air outlet 11 in the order of turning around the suction port 10 in the predetermined direction R1 (step S2)
To 9) are repeated.

In this setting process, first, the air volume ratio between the adjacent air outlets 11 is set to a predetermined value for each air outlet 11 (step S2). That is, the opening degree of each outlet 11 is adjusted by the air path width adjusting mechanism 40. In the following description, the openings are indicated by “large”, “medium”, and “small” in the order of relatively large, and (opening large)> (medium opening)> (opening small)>
0 (fully closed). First outlet 11 (111)
And the opening degree of the first outlet 11 is increased. The air volume of the second outlet 11 (112) adjacent to the first outlet 11 along the above-described predetermined direction is minimized,
The degree of opening of the second outlet 11 is reduced. Third outlet 11
The air volume of each of the air outlet (113) and the fourth air outlet 11 (114) is set so that the air volume increases in an inclined manner along a predetermined direction. The air volume of the third air outlet 11 is set to an intermediate air volume between the air volume of the first air outlet 11 and the air volume of the second air outlet 11, and the opening degree of the third air outlet 11 is set to medium. Further, the air volume of the fourth air outlet 11 adjacent to the first air outlet 11 along the opposite direction to the above-described predetermined direction is made equal to the air volume of the first air outlet 11, and the air volume of the fourth air outlet 11 is Increase the opening.

An area to which the air blown from each outlet 11 reaches (this area is shown by hatching in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, the above-mentioned area is schematically shown.
The actual blowing wind spreads over a wider area while weakening. )
Are located in front of the outlets 11 and are arranged in a ring. By increasing the air volume of the first air outlet 11 (111) as described above, a differential pressure is generated between the above-described adjacent areas, and air flows between the areas (open in FIG. 9). Arrow)). In particular, the first outlet 11 (111) and the second
The pressure difference between the areas corresponding to the air outlets 11 (112) becomes large, and the air easily flows.

The air volume ratio adjusted in step S2 is maintained for a predetermined time (step S3). Here, the predetermined time is a time sufficient for air to flow between the above-described adjacent areas. Next, the air volume ratio between the outlets 11 is made different (step S4). At this time, the air volume of the one outlet 11 before the change (the air volume in step S2) is
1 (111) and another outlet 11 (112) adjacent thereto (the other outlet 11 (112) is adjacent to the periphery of the inlet 10 in a direction turning in the predetermined direction R1). Is changed to Therefore, the air volume from all the outlets 11 is maintained. This state is maintained for a predetermined time (step S
5).

Thereafter, the same processing as in steps S4 and S5 is performed in order until the air flow ratio state described in step S2 is reached (steps S6 to S9), and thereafter is repeated (steps S2 to S9). As the air flow is changed in the order of turning in the predetermined direction R1, the flow of air between the above-described areas moves along the predetermined direction R1 and the suction port 10 moves.
A swirling flow around the. As a result, the stagnation of air which has conventionally occurred between the areas, that is, a so-called dead zone (shown by a dashed line DZ in FIG. 9) is eliminated in order, and the room 6 can be air-conditioned evenly. Further, since the swirling flow can promote the stirring of the air, the room 6 can be quickly air-conditioned. Therefore, the comfort of air conditioning can be improved.

The predetermined direction R1 is the same as the rotation direction R2 of the turbo fan 23. The turbo fan 23 is provided for sucking air from the suction port 10 and blowing out the air from the plurality of outlets 11, and is rotated around a rotation center axis in a predetermined rotation direction R2.
While the air is sucked in from the center, the air is blown out from the outer periphery in the radial direction along the radial direction. The blown air tends to follow the turbo fan 23 and flow toward the front in the rotation direction of the turbo fan 23. As a result, the blowout wind is likely to flow from one outlet 11 (111) toward an area in front of the other outlet 11 (112).

Here, the turbo fan may be an impeller that sends out air by applying a centrifugal force to the air by its rotation, and the shape of the blade in the radial direction when viewed in a cross section that cuts the rotation axis. However, the present invention is not limited to the rear-wheel impeller that extends rearward in the rotation direction while extending outward.
In the first control process, during operation, all the outlets 1
Since the air volume of 1 changes evenly, the entire room 6 is uniformly air-conditioned.

On the other hand, in the second control process, some of the outlets 1
The air volume of 1 can be increased or decreased,
Even if a part of the room 6 has an air-conditioning load such as a heat source, the room 6 can be air-conditioned evenly. In the following description, an example will be described in which the heat source is located in an area in front of the first outlet 11, the temperature in the vicinity thereof is high, and the entire room 6 is cooled. The second control process is started in response to a command signal from the remote controller 33 as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
11).

First, the opening of each outlet 11 is adjusted to an initial value, and as a result, the amount of air blown out from each outlet 11 is set to an initial value (step S12). For example, the opening of each air outlet 11 is set to the same medium. Then, until a command signal for ending the second control process is received from the remote controller 33,
The following processing is repeated (steps S13 to S15).
That is, in this process, based on a signal from the temperature sensor 35 as a detecting means for detecting the temperature distribution in the room 6, the temperature difference of each part of the room 6 is obtained, and the temperature of each outlet 11 is reduced so as to eliminate the temperature difference. By adjusting the opening, the air volume ratio of each outlet 11 is changed. The details will be described below.

First, the temperature of the area 7 (shown by hatching in FIG. 11) in which the air blown from each outlet 11 contributes to the temperature control is detected by each temperature sensor 35 (step S13). Thereby, each outlet 11
And the temperature distribution corresponding to this as it is. For example, the first
The measurement value (TM1) of the first temperature sensor 35 in the area 7 corresponding to the air outlet 11 is higher than the measurement values (TM2 to TM4) of the other temperature sensors 35.

Next, a temperature difference between the areas 7 in the room 6 is determined (step S14). Specifically, the average temperature (TA) is obtained as the average value of the measured values (TM1 to TM4) of each temperature detected in step S13. The difference between the average temperature and each measured value is determined, and this difference is referred to as a temperature difference (DT1 to DT).
4). TA = (TM1 + TM2 + TM3 + TM4) / 4 DT1 = TM1-TA, DT2 = TM2-TA,... For example, the measurement value (TM1) of the first temperature sensor 35 is
The temperature becomes higher than the average temperature, and the temperature difference (DT1) also takes a positive value. On the other hand, the measured value of the other temperature sensor 35 (TM2
To TM4) is lower than the average temperature, and the temperature difference (DT2)
To DT4) is a negative value, and its absolute value is DT1.
Smaller than.

Here, the above-mentioned temperature difference may represent the temperature difference between the respective areas 7 of the room 6, and the set temperature may be used as a reference temperature instead of the average temperature. This set temperature is a target temperature for air conditioning. Next, the opening of each outlet 11 is adjusted based on the temperature difference obtained in step S14 (step S15). Specifically, based on the temperature difference, the amount of change in the degree of opening when adjusting the degree of opening is determined by the following equation for each outlet.

(Amount of change in opening of outlet 11) = (proportional coefficient) × (temperature difference corresponding to outlet 11) / (sum of absolute values of temperature difference) Here, the proportional coefficient is temperature, temperature It is a value that is determined in advance based on the difference, the opening degree of the outlet 11, and the like. Then, the air path width adjusting mechanism 40 is driven by the amount of change thus obtained, and the opening degree of each outlet 11 is adjusted. For example, since the temperature difference (DT1) corresponding to the first outlet 11 is larger than the temperature differences (DT2 to DT4) of the other outlets 11, the amount of change in the opening degree of the first outlet 11 is: It is made larger than the amount of change in the degree of opening of the other outlets 11. As a result, the opening of the first outlet 11 is changed from the same state as the openings of the other outlets,
The opening degree of the other outlets is set to be larger. The temperature difference (DT1) corresponding to the first outlet 11 is
Since it is a positive value, the first outlet 11 is adjusted so as to expand. On the other hand, since the temperature differences (DT2 to DT4) corresponding to the other outlets 11 are negative values, the other outlets 11 are adjusted to be narrower. Accordingly, the amount of cold air from the first outlet 11 increases, so that the temperature can be sufficiently lowered even when the temperature is hardly lowered by the heat source. On the other hand, since the amount of cold air from the second to fourth outlets 11 is relatively small, the decrease in temperature in the corresponding region is relatively small. As a result, air conditioning is performed evenly so that the temperature difference between the respective parts of the room 6 disappears. Further, although the amount of cool air from the second to fourth outlets 11 is relatively small, the total amount of air from all the outlets 11 and thus the entire air conditioning capacity is maintained, so that the entire interior of the room 6 is air-conditioned. No extra time is required.

Further, the adjusting means 31 can automatically perform the first and second control processes in cooperation with each other.
For example, the second control process and the first control process are alternately performed at predetermined time intervals. When the temperature distribution detected by the temperature sensor 35 exceeds a predetermined range, a second control process is performed, and when the temperature distribution is within the predetermined range, a first control process is performed. As described above, by performing the first and second control processes in cooperation with each other, it is possible to eliminate a dead zone and eliminate a temperature difference, thereby quickly realizing uniform air conditioning.

The adjusting means 31 includes an operation switch 34 on the remote controller 33 as setting means for setting the air volume ratio.
The operation switch 34 of the remote controller 33 may be used also as an operation switch for operating the air conditioner 1, or may be a dedicated switch. Operation switch 34 of remote controller 33
, The air volume ratio between the outlets 11 can be set to a desired value. Further, the air volume and the opening degree of the air outlet 11 may be set for each air outlet 11 by the operation switch 34. The adjusting unit 31 drives the motor 83 of the air path width adjusting mechanism 40 to adjust the air path width of the outlet 11 according to the set value, and to rotate the motor 83 at a desired air volume ratio. To stop. The state of the air volume ratio set in this way is
Will be maintained as it is.

The adjusting means 31 has a function of setting the air volume ratio of each outlet 11 at the time of execution of the first control process to the relationship of the air volume ratio set by the setting means as described above. And a function of maintaining the air flow ratio between the two at the time when the command signal is received. For example, when increasing the amount of air blown to one of the areas where the blown wind reaches, the first
The control process is executed to change the amount of air blown from the outlet 11 in order. When a desired blowing air volume is obtained, a command signal is issued to maintain the status at this time.
Thus, the state of the desired air volume ratio can be directly and easily understood. Further, a desired air volume ratio may be set in advance by the setting unit, and the first control process may be executed with this air volume ratio. For example, even if the operator is unfamiliar with the setting, it is sufficient to set only the air volume ratio, and the blowing air volume can be automatically changed in the above-described order and can be adjusted to the installation state. The desired state of the blowing air can be easily adjusted without any trouble.

As described above, the air volume ratio can be easily adjusted.
In particular, by setting the air volume ratio at a low place in the room 6, the decorative panel 4
Can be adjusted to a desired air volume ratio without removing the. Therefore,
The workability at the time of installation as shown in FIG. 12 and the workability when air conditioning is to be focused on a part of the room as shown in FIG. 13 are improved. As shown in FIG. 12, when the air-conditioning apparatus 1 is placed in a skewed position in the room 6, some air outlets 11 near the wall are closed in order to perform air conditioning in accordance with the installation position. It may be adjusted by reducing the opening degree. At this time, the adjusting means 31 is controlled by the remote controller 33.
, The adjustment of the air outlet 11 can be easily performed, and the workability at the time of installation of the air conditioner 1 can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 13, in a store 90 such as a convenience store or a grocery store, the temperature near the cold storage showcase 91 is low, and the cashier counter 92 and the window 9 are closed.
3 tends to be high, so the registration counter 92
There are times when it is desired to air-condition the window 93 and the window. Therefore,
At the time of cooling, the air volume at the air outlet 11 toward the cashier counter 92 and the window 93 can be increased, and the air volume at the air outlet 11 toward the showcase 91 can be easily set as described above. Further, the outlet 1 toward the cashier counter 92 or the like.
The air volume of 1 does not need to be large during heating in winter as compared with cooling in summer, so that the air volume can be easily changed between summer and winter to achieve air conditioning according to the season.

Further, since the amount of air blown from the air outlet 11 toward the cool storage showcase 91 can be easily suppressed, the energy saving effect of the entire room 6 including the cool storage showcase 91 and the air conditioner 1 can be enhanced. This is because some cold storage showcases 91 partition the inside and the front with a cooling air curtain, and if this air curtain is disturbed by air-conditioning blow-off, there is a concern that the cooling efficiency may decrease. However, by suppressing the blown air, the air curtain can be prevented from being disturbed, and as a result, the cooling efficiency can be maintained at a high level.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, one of the outlets 11 is turned in the order of turning in the predetermined direction R1.
As a result of obtaining a swirling flow in which air flows so as to surround the suction port 10 by the first control processing for setting the largest airflow, the dead zones generated between the areas in front of the outlet 11 are eliminated in order, 6 can be air-conditioned evenly. Further, since the swirling flow can promote the stirring of the air, the room 6 can be quickly air-conditioned.

Here, in order to obtain the above-described operation and effect by the first control process, the number of the blow-out ports 11 for which the air volume is maximized may be two adjacent ones, a single blow-out port, or a large number of blow-out ports. If there is an outlet 11, the distance may be two, and the air volume of at least one of the outlets 11 may be the largest. Further, in order to obtain the above-described operation and effect by the first control process,
The outlets 11 may be arranged so that the plurality of outlets 11 surround the periphery of the inlet 10. For example, when three or more outlets 11 are arranged around the inlet 10, two outlets 11 are arranged on both sides of the inlet 10 so that the shapes of the outlets 11 are different from each other. And a case where they are formed so as to surround the suction port 10 in cooperation.

Further, as another arrangement of the air outlets 11 for obtaining the above-described operation and effect by the first control processing, a plurality of air outlets 11 may be arranged in a polygonal shape. In this case, the areas to which the blown air from the plurality of outlets 11 reach are arranged in a ring shape, and the same operation and effect as in the case of the arrangement of the outlets 11 described above can be obtained. For example, three or more outlets 11 are distributed and arranged, and a figure connecting the center positions of the outlets 11 is a polygon, and two or more outlets 11 cooperate to form a polygonal shape. The case where the shape of each outlet 11 is formed can be mentioned. In the latter case, the polygonal shape includes not only a polygon such as a triangle, a rectangle, and a pentagon, but also a shape with rounded corners of a polygon, and a substantially circular shape such as a circle and an ellipse.

The predetermined direction R1 according to the first control process
Is the same direction as the rotation direction R2 of the turbo fan 23. Since the turbo fan 23 blows out the blown air while rotating it in the rotation direction R2, the direction of the rotation is coincident with the above-described predetermined direction R1, so that the swirl flow is easily generated. Further, the desired air volume ratio can be more easily adjusted using the remote controller 33. The outlet 11
Can be operated at a low place using the remote controller 33, the operation is even easier.

Further, by the second control process, the air volume ratio between the outlets 11 can be automatically and appropriately adjusted based on the temperature distribution in the room 6. As a result, for example, even if the air-conditioning load is biased toward the room 6, the room 6 can be air-conditioned evenly so that the temperature difference is eliminated. Further, since the temperature sensors 35 are provided corresponding to the regions where the air blown out from each outlet 11 can contribute to the temperature control, it is possible to perform optimal air conditioning in accordance with the actual temperature of the room 6.

Here, the temperature sensor 35 is, for example, an infrared type temperature sensor 35 (shown by a broken line) provided on the decorative panel 4 in addition to the temperature sensors distributed on the wall surface in front of each outlet 11. It may be. By arranging a plurality of infrared temperature sensors 35 so as to be able to detect the temperature of the above-described region 7 in front of each outlet 11, the temperature distribution in the room 6 can be detected. When the infrared temperature sensor 35 is used, the installation of the temperature sensor 35 and the installation of the decorative panel 4 can be performed at the same time, and the construction for dispersing and installing the temperature sensor 35 in the room 6 is unnecessary. become. As a result, the air conditioner 1
Installation work can be simplified.

Further, the air passage width adjusting mechanism 40 narrows the air passage width in the short direction of the outlet 11 when suppressing the amount of blown air, so that the air passage width in the longitudinal direction of the outlet 11 is reduced. As a result, the width of the air passage can be maintained in the same manner as in the case where the amount of blown air is not suppressed, so that the lateral width (width along the longitudinal direction) of the blown air can be maintained wide. Therefore, since a wide range of the room 6 can be air-conditioned, there is no stagnant air in a part of the room 6 and the comfort can be improved.

Further, in the first control process, the blowing air
It can be spread evenly. In the second control process, the blown air can be sufficiently distributed to a necessary place in the room 6. Therefore, unnecessary cooling and heating operations are not required, and as a result, cooling and heating efficiency can be improved. That is, when the blowing wind does not reach the room 6 evenly, or when the blowing wind does not sufficiently reach the necessary place of the room 6, the room 6 needs This is because the whole of the room 6 is excessively cooled and heated more than necessary, and the cooling and heating efficiency of the whole room 6 may be reduced.

It should be noted that the air path width adjusting mechanism 40 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may use another known configuration. For example,
The baffle plate 41 may be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the outlet 11 to adjust the air passage width of the outlet 11, or may be a single plate. Further, the drive mechanism 70 includes the baffle plate 4
1 may be slid. In addition, the adjusting unit 31 can perform both the first control process, the second control process, and the setting process, but is not limited thereto.
For example, the second control process may be omitted as necessary. In this case, each temperature sensor 35 for detecting the temperature distribution in the room 6 can be omitted. It is also conceivable to omit the setting process. In this case, each outlet 1
If it is not necessary to bring 1 into the fully closed state, the baffle plate 41
May block a part of the air outlet 11.

In addition, various design changes can be made without changing the gist of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a schematic configuration of an air conditioner showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the decorative panel of the air conditioner shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a baffle plate and a drive mechanism of the adjusting means of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a baffle plate and a drive mechanism of the adjusting means of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view showing the operation of the baffle plate of the adjusting means of FIG. 3, illustrating a state where the baffle plate is opened.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing the operation of the baffle plate of the adjusting means of FIG. 3, showing a state where the baffle plate is closed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an adjusting unit and a temperature sensor of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a first control process of the adjusting means of FIG. 3;

9 is a plan view of an air conditioner and an installation place for explaining the operation of the adjusting means of FIG. 3, and also shows a swirling flow and a dead zone.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an installation place showing an arrangement of the temperature sensor shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a second control process of the adjusting means shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an installation place showing a use situation of the air-conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and shows a case where the air-conditioning apparatus is unevenly placed indoors.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an installation place showing a use situation of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1, and shows a case where the air conditioner is arranged in a store.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 6 Room 7 Area 10 Suction port 11 Air outlet 23 Turbo fan 31 Adjustment means 33 Remote control 34 Operation switch (setting means) 35 Temperature sensor (detection means) R1 Predetermined direction R2 Turbo fan rotation direction P1, P2 Polygon

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masaki Yamamoto 1304 Kanaokacho, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture Daikin Industries, Ltd. Sakai Seisakusho Kanaoka Plant F-term (reference) 3L060 AA05 CC02 DD08 EE01 3L061 BB01 BE04 BF02

Claims (6)

[Claims] An adjusting means for adjusting an air volume ratio between outlets (11).
An air conditioner (1) provided with an air outlet (11), wherein a plurality of the outlets (11) are arranged so as to surround the inlet (10), and the adjusting means (31) is provided with an inlet (10). The air conditioner is characterized in that the air volume of at least one of the outlets (11) is set to be the largest in the order of turning in the predetermined direction (R1). 2. Adjusting means for adjusting the air volume ratio between the air outlets (11).
An air conditioner (1) including (31), wherein the plurality of outlets (11) are arranged in a polygonal shape, and the adjusting means (31) is a polygon formed by the outlet (11). An air conditioner characterized by setting the largest air volume of one outlet (11) in the order of turning around (P1, P2) in a predetermined direction (R1). 3. The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: a turbo fan (23) that draws air from a suction port (10) and blows air from a plurality of outlets (11); (R1) is the rotation direction (R2) of the turbo fan (23).
An air conditioner characterized by being in the same direction as that of the air conditioner. 4. The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting means (31) includes a setting means (34) for setting an air volume ratio in a remote control (33). An air conditioner characterized by the following. 5. The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting means (31) receives a signal from a detecting means (35) for detecting a temperature distribution in the room (6). An air conditioner characterized by changing an air volume ratio based on the air conditioner. 6. An air conditioner (1) according to claim 5, wherein said detecting means (35) corresponds to a region (7) in which air blown out from each outlet (11) can contribute to temperature control. An air conditioner, comprising: a temperature sensor (35) provided in the air conditioner.