JP2002257394A - Control method for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform effective deodorization and sterilization of the internal part of the indoor machine of an air conditioner and to improve comfortability of indoor environment. SOLUTION: A control method for an air conditioner is that, when a clean operation signal is received through remote control, a plurality of front panels and upper surface panels of an indoor machine are opened, a short circuit panel is closed, and air supply operation and a heating cycle and repeated at a specified interval for a given time (a step ST1 or ST8) to dry the internal part of an indoor machine. Thereafter, the front panels and the upper panels are closed, the short circuit panel is opened, and supply air can be sucked. Meanwhile, a vertical wind direction plate forms upward air supply, and operating an electric dust collection part, ozone is generated at the internal part of an indoor machine (a step ST9 or ST12), and the indoor fan of the indoor machine is operated intermittently for a given time (a step ST11, ST13, or ST15).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for controlling an air conditioner, and more particularly, to a method for controlling an air conditioner that effectively deodorizes and sterilizes the interior of an indoor unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, various types of air conditioners have been proposed in which various functions are added to pursue comfort in an indoor environment. For example, in an air conditioner equipped with an electric dust collector in an indoor unit, fine dust such as cigarette smoke is charged at a high voltage to collect dust, collect dirt from the air, purify the air, and clean the indoor environment. I try to improve.

[0003] Further, the electric precipitator is disposed between an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan constituting a refrigeration cycle,
The air blown out during the cooling operation and the dry operation is prevented from being excessively cooled, thereby preventing deterioration of the indoor environment. In this case, during cooling operation or dry operation (for example, weak cooling operation), condensed water may adhere to the indoor heat exchanger, and the condensed water is discharged via the drain pan.

Further, there has been proposed an apparatus in which an opening / closing panel provided in an indoor unit is closed, and electricity is supplied to the electric dust collecting unit to generate ozone, thereby deodorizing and sterilizing the interior of the indoor unit. I have.

[0005]

In the above-described method of controlling an air conditioner, the ozone generated by energization of the electrostatic precipitator does not sufficiently diffuse into the interior of the indoor unit, so that the effect of deodorization and sterilization is low. There is. Therefore, it is conceivable to rotate the indoor fan. However, the ozone generated inside the indoor unit diffuses into the room, resulting in a problem that the effect of deodorization and sterilization is reduced.

Further, after the operation is stopped, condensed water remains in the drain pan, and dust adheres to the remaining condensed water to cause mold, so that various bacteria grow inside the indoor unit. For this reason, unpleasant odors occur,
At the time of driving, the unpleasant odor is blown out from the indoor unit into the room, causing a problem that the comfort of the indoor environment is impaired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to effectively deodorize and sterilize the interior of an indoor unit and suppress the generation of germs and odors, thereby improving the comfort of an indoor environment. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner control method capable of achieving the above.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an indoor unit having at least a plurality of front panels and an upper panel for forming an air inlet, and forming an indoor heat source constituting a refrigeration cycle. In a control method for an air conditioner that blows air that has been heat-exchanged by an exchanger to control room temperature and blows air that has been cleaned by an electric dust collecting means of the indoor unit, a clean operation signal is received by remote control operation. When the front panel and the top panel are opened, the interior of the indoor unit is dried by performing a heating cycle operation for a predetermined time, and then the front panel and the top panel are closed and the electric dust collecting means is operated to open the indoor unit. Ozone is generated inside the unit, and the indoor fan of the indoor unit is operated intermittently for a predetermined time. It is set to.

According to the present invention, there is provided an indoor heat exchanger comprising a plurality of front panels, an upper panel, and a short circuit panel below the front panel for forming an air intake port in an indoor unit, and constituting a refrigeration cycle. In the control method of the air conditioner, which blows the heat-exchanged air in the direction of the upper and lower wind direction plates to control the room temperature and blows the air cleaned by the electric dust collecting means of the indoor unit, clean operation by remote control operation When a signal is received, the plurality of front panels and the top panel are opened, the short circuit panel is closed, and the inside of the indoor unit is dried by repeating the ventilation operation and the operation of the heating cycle at regular intervals for a predetermined period of time. Close the front and top panels, open the short circuit panel, In order to generate the ozone inside the indoor unit by operating the electric dust collecting means by allowing the blown air to be sucked and the upper and lower wind direction plates to blow upward, the indoor fan of the indoor unit is operated intermittently for a predetermined time. It is characterized by having.

When the plurality of front panels and the top panel are opened when the clean operation signal is received,
It is preferable to open a part of the plurality of front panels and the top panel. As a result, the amount of air taken into the indoor unit is reduced, and the temperature inside the indoor unit is easily increased. Therefore, drying inside the indoor unit is accelerated, and condensed water remaining in the drain pan can be quickly removed. .

When the indoor fan is operated intermittently for a predetermined time, it is preferable that the time during which the indoor fan is rotating is shorter than the time when the indoor fan is stopped.
Thus, the amount of the blown air is suppressed, so that the influence on the indoor environment is suppressed as much as possible. Further, since the generated ozone stays inside the indoor unit for a long time, deodorization and sterilization are effectively performed.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 and 3
In the air conditioner of the present embodiment, a control circuit (microcomputer) 1 on the indoor unit side and an outdoor unit control device 2
And the control necessary for the room temperature control is performed.

The indoor unit has opening / closing panel portions 3a and 3b including a plurality of front panels and an upper panel for forming an air intake port, and a suction port provided at a lower portion of the front panel 3a for sucking the blown air. A short circuit panel portion 3c for forming a mouth, and upper and lower wind direction plate portions 4 and left and right wind direction plate portions 5 for changing an air blowing direction.
, Indoor heat exchangers 6a, 6b, 6c, and indoor fan unit 7
And an electric dust collector 8 disposed behind the front panel for purifying blown air, and a main body display 9 for displaying the operation state and the like. The open / close panel sections 3a and 3b, the short circuit panel section 3c, the vertical wind direction plate section 4, the left and right wind direction plate section 5, and the indoor fan section 7 each include a motor and the like.

The control circuit 1 includes opening / closing panel sections 3a and 3b, a short circuit panel section 3c, a vertical wind panel section 4, a left and right wind panel section 5, an indoor fan section 7 and an electric dust collecting section 8 in accordance with the operation of the remote controller 10. While transmitting the operating frequency code and the like of the compressor 11 of the outdoor unit according to the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature to the outdoor unit control device 2, which is necessary for the room temperature control with the outdoor unit control device 2. Send and receive signals.

The control circuit 1 determines a signal from the remote controller 10 and determines the same in order to display the operation state on the main body display unit 9 based on the signal.
And a timer unit 1b having first to third timers used in a later-described routine, and a memory unit 1c for storing an operation mode and the like. In addition, in the air conditioner,
In addition, a refrigeration cycle part (compressor 11 etc.) necessary for room temperature control, various sensors and a drain pan 12 are provided.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when a setting operation of the remote controller 10 is performed, control necessary for the room temperature control is performed by the control circuit 1 on the indoor unit side and the outdoor unit control device 2 according to the setting operation.

In this case, the control circuit 1 automatically controls the opening and closing of the open / close panel sections 3a and 3b according to the operation mode of the setting operation and the like, and controls the electric dust collecting section 8. The short circuit panel 3c is normally closed.

When the operation of setting the clean operation of the remote controller 10 is performed during the operation of the air conditioner described above or during the stop of the operation (when the clean button of the remote controller 10 is pressed), the control circuit 1 returns to FIG. Execute the indicated routine.

In this routine, a first timer (for example, a three-minute timer) of the timer section 1b is started (step S).
T1) The operation mode of the air conditioner is set to a heating operation,
The operation frequency code of the compressor 11 of the outdoor unit is set to “0” and transmitted, and the fan rotation speed of the indoor fan unit 7 is set to a predetermined rotation speed (for example, the minimum rotation speed of 900 rpm). Further, the open / close panel sections 3a and 3b are fully opened, the short circuit panel section 3c is closed, the vertical wind direction plate section 4 is set in the horizontal direction, and the left and right wind direction plate section 5 is set in the front direction (step ST2). So that it is in the front direction.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the three-minute timer has expired (step ST3).
If it has been performed for one minute, the process proceeds from step ST3 to ST4, in which the number of times of transmission (count) of the operating frequency code “0” of the compressor 11 is incremented by one. If the number of transmissions of the operating frequency code “0” is not a predetermined value (for example, 4), step S
The process proceeds from T5 to ST6 to start a second timer (for example, a 2-minute timer) of the timer unit 1b.

Subsequently, the operation mode is set to heating, the operation frequency code is transmitted as "8", and the fan of the indoor fan unit 7 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed (for example, the minimum rotation speed of 900 rpm) (step ST7). The operation frequency code “8”
Is the minimum rotation speed of the air conditioner (39 rps; the maximum rotation speed is 120 rps).

By setting the operating frequency code of the compressor 11 to "8", the sucked air is warmed.
While removing moisture etc. inside the indoor unit, the drain pan 1
When the condensed water remains in 2, the condensed water can be evaporated.

When the 2-minute timer expires, the process returns from step 8 to ST1 to repeat the above-described processing.
That is, the air blowing operation is performed for three minutes, and then the heating operation is performed for two minutes, and the series of operations is repeated four times.
Note that the heating operation is extremely weak, and the influence on the indoor environment is suppressed. In this case, if only a part of the plurality of front panels 3a and upper panels 3b is opened, the influence on the indoor environment can be further suppressed.

As described above, the ventilation and the weak heating are repeated at regular intervals, whereby the inside of the indoor unit is sufficiently dried, and the condensed water remaining in the drain pan 12 is evaporated and removed.

When the number of transmissions of the operation frequency code "0" reaches four, the operation set in step ST2 is temporarily stopped (step ST9), and the open / close panel sections 3a, 3b are fully closed. The short circuit panel portion 3c is opened, and the vertical wind direction plate portion 4 is directed upward (upward blowing).

Subsequently, a third timer (for example, a 15-minute timer) of the timer section 1b is started (step ST1).
1) Turn on the electric precipitator 8 (step ST1)
2) Generate ozone inside the indoor unit.

The indoor fan 7 is operated for 5 seconds (for example, the minimum rotation speed of 600 rpm; step ST13), and then the operation of the indoor fan 7 is stopped for 1 minute. The indoor fan unit 7 operates intermittently until the 15-minute timer expires.

As a result, air is intermittently blown out of the indoor unit, and since the blown air is upward, the blown air is immediately sucked into the indoor unit via the short circuit panel 3c. Therefore, along with the air circulating in the indoor unit, the ozone generated inside the indoor unit also circulates in the indoor unit.

Therefore, the ozone generated inside the indoor unit does not diffuse into the room and returns to the inside of the indoor unit, so that the ozone is sufficiently circulated and distributed throughout the indoor unit, and deodorization and sterilization of the inside of the indoor unit are effective. It is done on a regular basis. Further, since the operation of the indoor fan unit 7 is performed intermittently, for example,
The adverse effect on the indoor environment can be avoided without causing unpleasant odor to flow into the room and without changing the room temperature.

When the 15-minute timer expires,
The operation of the air conditioner is stopped, and the routine ends.
In addition, when the air conditioner is in operation, the operation may be returned to the operation according to the previous setting operation of the remote controller 10.

In the above-described embodiment, the rotation of the indoor fan 7 is intermittently controlled. However, the rotation of the indoor fan 7 may be continuously controlled.
May be reduced to less than 600 rpm.
That is, in the case where the rotation of the indoor fan unit 7 is continuously controlled, ozone is sufficiently diffused into the indoor unit without increasing the rotation speed so much.

[0032]

According to the present invention described above, the following effects can be obtained. The control method of the air conditioner of the present invention,
When a clean operation signal from the remote control is received,
Open the front panel and top panel of the indoor unit and perform the heating cycle operation for a predetermined time to dry the inside of the indoor unit.After that, close the front panel and top panel and operate the electric precipitator to operate the interior of the indoor unit. Since ozone is generated and the indoor fan of the indoor unit is operated intermittently for a predetermined time, ozone is generated after drying the inside of the indoor unit to effectively deodorize and sterilize the inside of the indoor unit. Can be. Therefore, by drying the inside of the indoor unit, the residual condensed water of the donpan is removed to suppress the growth of various germs and the like, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of various germs and odors, thereby improving the indoor environment comfort. is there.

The method for controlling an air conditioner according to the present invention includes the steps of opening a plurality of front panels and upper panels of an indoor unit,
After closing the short circuit panel and repeating the ventilation operation and heating cycle operation for a predetermined period of time and drying the interior of the indoor unit, close the front panel and top panel, open the short circuit panel and inhale the blown air The upper and lower wind direction plates are upwardly blown, and the electric dust collector is operated to generate ozone inside the indoor unit, and the indoor fan of the indoor unit is operated intermittently for a predetermined time. The generated ozone is efficiently circulated to the indoor unit via the short circuit panel. Therefore, not only is the amount of ozone diffused into the room extremely small, but also the ozone spreads inside the indoor unit, which has a great effect on deodorization and sterilization inside the indoor unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram for explaining an indoor unit to which an air conditioner control method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a control device to which the control method of the air conditioner of the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control circuit (microcomputer of an indoor unit) 2 Outdoor unit control part 1b Timer part 3a, 3b Opening / closing panel part (upper panel, front panel) 3c Short circuit panel part 4 Up and down wind direction board part 5 Left and right wind direction board parts 6a, 6b, 6c Indoor heat exchanger 7 Indoor fan section 8 Electric dust collecting section 9 Main body display section 10 Remote control 11 Compressor 12 Drain pan

Claims (4)

[The claims] Claims: 1. To form an air intake port in an indoor unit,
Comprising at least a plurality of front and top panels,
In a method for controlling an air conditioner, which blows air exchanged by an indoor heat exchanger constituting a refrigeration cycle to perform room temperature control, and blows air cleaned by an electric dust collecting means of the indoor unit, When a clean operation signal is received by the operation, the front panel and the upper panel are opened to perform a heating cycle operation for a predetermined time to dry the inside of the indoor unit, and thereafter,
The front panel and the upper panel are closed to operate the electric dust collecting means to generate ozone inside the indoor unit, and the indoor fan of the indoor unit is operated intermittently for a predetermined time. Control method of air conditioner. 2. In order to form an air intake port in an indoor unit,
A plurality of front panels and a top panel, and a short circuit panel provided at the lower part of the front panel, performs room temperature control by blowing air exchanged heat by an indoor heat exchanger constituting a refrigeration cycle in the direction of the upper and lower wind direction plates, In the control method of the air conditioner configured to blow out the air cleaned by the electric dust collecting means of the indoor unit, when a clean operation signal is received by remote control operation, the plurality of front panels and the top panel are opened, Close the short circuit panel, repeat the blowing operation and the heating cycle operation at regular intervals for a predetermined time to dry the inside of the indoor unit, and then close the front panel and the upper panel, open the short circuit panel, and blow out. Air can be sucked in, and the upper and lower wind direction plates are Control method of an air conditioner, characterized in that with ozone is generated inside the indoor unit by operating the electrostatic precipitator unit, and so as to operate the indoor fan of the same indoor unit for a predetermined time intermittently Te. 3. When the plurality of front panels and the top panel are opened when the clean operation signal is received, a part of the plurality of front panels and the top panel is opened. 3. The method for controlling an air conditioner according to item 2. 4. When the indoor fan is operated intermittently for a predetermined time, the time during which the indoor fan is rotating is determined by:
4. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the time during which the indoor fan is stopped is made shorter.