JP2002349935A - Air conditioner having function of dehumidification operation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner, having the function of dehumidification operation, in which operation is controlled so as to hinder a wasteful power consumption caused by a dehumidification operation in a ventilating state. SOLUTION: In the case when an opening/closing detector has detected that an opening/closing part is kept open over a predetermined time, the dehumidification operation is stopped and thereafter, when the opening/closing part has returned to a closing state, the dehumidification operation is resumed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a dehumidifying operation function, and more particularly to a dehumidifying operation control of such an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional air conditioner having a dehumidifying operation function automatically starts and stops a dehumidifying operation based on the humidity of room air or starts and stops a dehumidifying operation based on a user's operation command. , The dehumidifying operation was continuously performed regardless of the operation.

[0003]

However, when the doors, windows, etc. for ventilating the room according to the user's intention are opened, or the doors, windows, etc. are opened due to the carelessness or intention of the user. In such a case, if the degree of opening exceeds a certain level, indoor ventilation is actively performed. Further, in a room in such a ventilation state, the indoor humidity is affected by the amount of ventilation and the humidity included in the ventilation, and it is difficult to expect a dehumidifying effect by the dehumidifying operation. Therefore, in the dehumidifying operation control by the above dehumidifier, useless dehumidifying operation is performed in the ventilation state, and energy is wasted.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner having a dehumidifying operation function of controlling operation so as to avoid wasteful power consumption by a dehumidifying operation in a ventilation state.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an air conditioner having a dehumidifying operation function according to the present invention is provided.
An open / close detection device that detects the open / close state of a ventilation opening / closing unit such as a window and a door that is opened / closed when performing indoor ventilation, and detects that the ventilation opening / closing unit is opened to a set level or more by the open / close detection device. Further, when the opening is continued for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that the room is in the ventilation state, the dehumidifying operation is stopped, and then, the ventilation opening / closing unit is returned from the opening state to the closed state. And an operation control device that controls the operation of the dehumidifier so as to restart the dehumidifying operation when the operation is detected. The setting level of the ventilation opening / closing section is determined in consideration of the influence of ventilation generated when the ventilation opening / closing section is opened on indoor humidity control. With this configuration, wasteful power consumption due to unnecessary dehumidifying operation can be avoided, and a highly energy-efficient dehumidifying operation can be performed.

Further, the opening / closing detection device includes an ultrasonic receiver / transmitter arranged in the dehumidifier main body, and detects a time when ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic receiver / transmitter are reflected by the ventilation opening / closing unit and return. Then, the measurement distance from the dehumidifier body to the ventilation opening / closing section is calculated based on this time, and when the calculated measurement distance is larger than the reference value, the ventilation opening / closing section is opened to a set level or more. If the determination is made and the measured distance does not return to the reference value or less even after the elapse of the predetermined time, it may be determined that the room is in a ventilation state. Note that the reference value is a reference distance for determining whether or not the ventilation opening / closing section is opened to a level equal to or higher than a set level, and refers to a distance larger than the measurement distance when the ventilation opening / closing section is closed. Further, with this configuration, a remote-controlled open / close detection device can be configured by attaching the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver to the dehumidifier main body, and the configuration of the open / close detection device is simplified.

Further, the opening / closing detecting device has a humidity sensor together with an ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver in the dehumidifier body, wherein the measurement distance is larger than the reference value, and the indoor humidity of the room measured by the humidity sensor is measured. When the rate of change is equal to or higher than the reference rate of change, it may be determined that the ventilation opening / closing unit is opened to a level equal to or higher than the set level. Note that the reference change rate is a constant humidity change rate that is set in advance in consideration of the change rate of the indoor humidity that occurs when the opening / closing unit for ventilation is opened to about the set level. Further, with this configuration, the open state of the ventilation opening / closing unit is determined based on the amount of ventilation that affects indoor humidity control,
The determination as to whether or not to continue the dehumidifying operation is performed more strictly.

[0008] Such an air conditioner further includes a display unit for displaying that the dehumidifying operation is stopped because the room is in a ventilated state when the dehumidifying operation is stopped by the operation control device. May be configured. In this way, even a user who is unfamiliar with the machine can easily grasp the operating state, and can know that the dehumidifying operation is not stopped due to a failure.

[0009]

(Embodiment 1) The structure of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.
A description will be given based on FIGS. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of the dehumidifier according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the dehumidifier according to the present embodiment.

In the dehumidifier according to this embodiment, the inside of a main body 1 is vertically divided into two by a partition plate 2 and the like. The upper space houses the evaporator 3, the condenser 4, the blower fan 5 including the motor 5a, and the like. The partition plate 2 also serves as a water receiving tray for receiving dew condensation water dropped from the evaporator 3, and is provided with a drain port 2a on the rear side. In the lower space, a drain port 2a of the partition plate 2 is provided.
A drain tank 6, a compressor 7, and the like that receive dew water from the container are housed.

An intake port 11 having a filter 10 is formed in the upper rear portion of the main body 1, and an air outlet 17 is formed from the upper surface to the front surface of the main body 1. An outlet louver 16 composed of a front louver 13, a center louver 14, and a rear louver 15 is attached to the outlet 17. These louvers 13, 14, 15 are configured so that the blowing direction is variable by a stepping motor (not shown), and are configured so that the blowing direction as the blowing louver 16 can be set by cooperation. Although FIG. 1 shows the state in which the air outlet 17 is fully closed, the air outlet 17 is opened so that the air outlet 17 can be variably opened from a front air outlet state to a rear oblique upper air outlet state.

A power switch 21 is provided above the front of the main body 1, a display section 22 for displaying that the room is in a stopped state because the room is in a ventilated state, an operation mode selection switch 23, and an operation display lamp, as will be described later. There is provided an operation panel 20 including 24 and the like.

In this dehumidifier, a compressor 7, a condenser 4, an expansion device (not shown) and an evaporator 3 are sequentially connected to form a refrigeration cycle.

The dehumidifying operation of the dehumidifier is performed by the compressor 7.
And by driving the blower fan 5. The room air sucked through the filter 10 from the air inlet 11 is cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 3, reheated by the condenser 4, and blown out from the outlet 17 as so-called dehumidified air (dehumidified air). You.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams of the principle of the open / close detecting device using the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver used in the first embodiment. When the opening / closing of the ventilation opening / closing section is detected by this opening / closing detection device, the dehumidifier body 1 is connected to the ventilation opening / closing section (in this case, ventilation and entrance / exit of a person) as shown in FIGS. (Used door) 35. Then, the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver 31 which is a main component of the opening / closing detecting device is detachably attached to the dehumidifier body 1.

This ultrasonic open / close detector is based on the following principle. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver 31 attached to the dehumidifier body 1 to the ventilation opening / closing section 35. The time until the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver 31 is reflected by the ventilation opening / closing unit 35 and returns is measured.
From this time, the measurement distance L to the ventilation opening / closing section 35 is calculated by the following equation. d = 0.5T × V (t) × 0.001 where d; distance to window (cm) T; time until reflected wave is detected (μsec) V (t); sound velocity at temperature t ( m / sec) On the other hand, the distance to the ventilation opening / closing section 35 in a state where the ventilation opening / closing section 35 is closed is measured in advance, and a distance slightly larger than this distance is set as the reference value A. In this case, the reference value A is set in advance by predicting an open level that will affect the indoor humidity control. Therefore, if the measured distance L is larger than the reference value A (reference distance) (in the case of FIG. 4, a reflected wave from a wall or the like outside the room will be detected), the ventilation opening / closing section (door) 35 Is open above the set level.

In addition, a temporary short-time opening of a ventilation opening / closing section (door) that is opened for another purpose, such as normal access, and a ventilation state (indoor humidity) not regarded as such a temporary opening. Including the open state that may affect
In order to discriminate between the two, the case where it does not return to the reference value or less even after the elapse of the predetermined time is determined to be the ventilation state. When it is determined in this way, the dehumidifying operation is stopped as described later.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 5, the open / closed detection control system according to the first embodiment has an open / closed detection system provided with an ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver 31 as a main component on the input side of an operation control device 40 composed of a microcomputer. A device 41 is connected, and a compressor / fan drive circuit 43 and a display drive circuit 45 are connected to the output side.

Next, control of the opening / closing detection of the ventilation opening / closing section 35 by the operation control device (microcomputer) 40 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power switch 21 is turned on (step S1), the dehumidifying operation is started (step S2). Next, the measured distance L to the ventilation opening / closing section 35 measured by the opening / closing detection device 41 is input (step S3), and the above-described reference value A stored in advance is stored.
Is compared with (step S4). Measurement distance L is reference value A
If it is larger, it can be determined that the ventilation opening / closing section 35 is opened to a level higher than the set level. If the measured distance L is smaller than the reference value A, it can be determined that the ventilation opening / closing section 35 is closed or in an open state below a set level, and the process returns to step 2 to continue the dehumidifying operation and the measurement.

If the measured distance L is larger than the reference value A in step S4, it is determined as a next step whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S4) in order to determine whether or not it is temporarily opened for another purpose. S5). If YES is determined in this step S5, the ventilation opening / closing section 35
Has been left open for a predetermined period of time, and is determined to be a ventilation state rather than a temporary opening for normal access. Therefore, the dehumidifying operation is stopped (Step S6). Further, the display unit driving circuit 45 is operated, and a message indicating that the dehumidifying operation is stopped because the room is in a ventilation state is displayed on the display unit 22 (step S7). Then, the process returns from step S7 to step S3. Therefore, when the ventilation opening / closing section 35 returns to the closed state, the determination in step S4 becomes NO,
It is determined that the ventilation state has ended, and the process returns to step S2 to resume the dehumidifying operation.

On the other hand, if NO is determined in step S5, it is not a ventilation state but a temporary release such as entry or exit of a person, or a state where it is not yet time to determine a ventilation state. It returns to step S2. When the ventilation opening / closing section 35 is closed within the predetermined time in this way, it is naturally determined as NO in step S4, and the closing of the ventilation opening / closing section 35 is confirmed.

In the first embodiment, since the operation is performed in this manner, in the ventilation state in which the ventilation opening / closing section 35 such as a window or a door is open, it is meaningless to perform the dehumidification operation, or if it is small, it is not. After the determination, the dehumidifying operation is stopped, and the dehumidifying operation is restarted after the ventilation opening / closing unit 35 is closed. Therefore,
Wasteful power consumption due to unnecessary dehumidifying operation during ventilation can be avoided. In addition, when the dehumidifying operation is stopped because the room is in a ventilated state, the fact is displayed on the display unit 22, so even if the user is not familiar with this machine, such as a machine failure. There is no danger of doubt.

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, the ventilation opening / closing section is only compared with the measured value L from the dehumidifier main body 1 to the ventilation opening / closing section 35 and the reference value (reference distance) A by ultrasonic waves. Although it has been determined whether the opening of the 35 is equal to or higher than the set level, in the second embodiment, in addition to this measurement, by detecting a change in the humidity in the room, it is possible to more strictly determine whether or not the dehumidifying operation can be continued. It was done.

Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are explanatory diagrams of the principle of the open / close detecting device using the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver used in the second embodiment. As shown in these drawings, the dehumidifier body 1 has a humidity sensor 3 in addition to the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver 31.
2 are installed.

The method of detecting the opening / closing of the ventilation opening / closing section 35 based on whether the distance L measured by the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver 31 is greater than the reference value A is a method of physically detecting the opening / closing of the ventilation opening / closing section 35. It is certain. However, the opening / closing determination required in the present invention is to determine whether it is meaningful to continue the dehumidifying operation. In other words, if the increase in humidity due to ventilation is greater than the dehumidification effect of the dehumidifier,
There is no point in performing the dehumidifying operation under such a ventilation condition. Therefore, it is for determining such a ventilation state. For example, a slight opening around a gap,
It is not necessary to stop the dehumidifying operation when the ventilation has little effect on the indoor humidity. However, the influence on the indoor humidity is affected not only by the degree of opening of the opening / closing unit but also by the conditions such as the temperature, humidity, and wind speed of the outdoor air. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the humidity change rate is adopted as an evaluation factor for determining whether or not the difference is slight. In addition, there may be an idea to detect the opening and closing of the opening / closing unit only based on the humidity change rate, but in this case, an increase in the humidity generated inside the room, for example, a state of boiling when hot water is boiled. In a case where the temperature becomes low, or when a damp one is dried with an iron, a rapid increase in humidity is expected, and it is difficult to distinguish from such a case.

The configuration of the opening / closing detection control system according to Embodiment 2 is as follows.
It is the same as FIG. 5 except that it has a humidity sensor 32. In the second embodiment, when the measured distance L is equal to or greater than the reference value A, and the humidity change rate is equal to or greater than a reference change rate (hereinafter, referred to as a reference value B) predetermined by an empirical value or the like. In addition, it is determined that the ventilation opening / closing section 35 is in the open state at or above the set level.

Next, control for detecting the opening / closing of the ventilation opening / closing section 35 by the operation control device (microcomputer) 40 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power switch 21 is turned on (step S11), the dehumidifying operation is started (step S12). Next, the measured distance L to the ventilation opening / closing section 35 measured by the opening / closing detection device 41 is input (step S13), and is compared with the previously stored reference value A (step S14). If the measured distance L is smaller than the reference value A, it is determined that the ventilation opening / closing unit 35 is closed or in an open state below the set level, and the process returns to step 12, where the dehumidifying operation and the measurement are continued.

When the measured distance L is larger than the reference value A, it can be determined that the ventilation opening / closing section 35 is considerably opened. However, a change in humidity measured by the humidity sensor 32 is input to check whether the open level is equal to or higher than the set value, and the change rate is calculated (step S1).
5) Then, the humidity change rate is compared with a reference value B (step S15). When the humidity change rate is larger than the reference value B, it is determined that the opening of the ventilation opening / closing unit 35 is at or above the set level. When the humidity change rate is equal to or less than the reference value B,
It is determined that the opening of the ventilation opening / closing section 35 is equal to or lower than the set level, and it is meaningful to continue the dehumidifying operation, and the process returns to step 12 to continue the measurement.

If the humidity change rate is greater than the reference value B in step S16, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed in this state (step S17). If the determination in step S17 is YES, the ventilation opening / closing unit 35 is opened above the set level and opened for a predetermined period of time, so that the temporary opening / closing unit for normal access and the like is temporarily stopped. Judgment is not open but ventilation. Therefore, the dehumidifying operation is stopped (Step S18). Further, the display unit driving circuit 45 is operated, and a message indicating that the dehumidifying operation is stopped is displayed on the display unit 22 because the room is in a ventilation state (step S18). Then, the process returns from step S19 to step S13. Therefore, when the ventilation opening / closing section 35 returns to the closed state thereafter, the determination in step S14 is NO, and it is determined that the ventilation state has ended, and the dehumidifying operation is restarted.

On the other hand, if NO is determined in step S16, it means that the vehicle is not in the ventilation state but is a temporary release such as entering and exiting the vehicle, or the ventilation state is not yet reached. It is determined that it is in the state, and step S1
Return to 2. When the ventilation opening / closing section 35 is closed within the predetermined time in this way, naturally, at step S14, N
It is determined as O, and the closing of the ventilation opening / closing unit 35 is confirmed.

In the second embodiment, since the opening / closing of the ventilation opening / closing section 35 is detected in this manner, the dehumidifying operation is not performed in the ventilation state in which the ventilation opening / closing section 35 such as a window or a door is opened to a set level or more. Since there is no point in performing the operation, the dehumidifying operation is stopped, and the dehumidifying operation is restarted after the ventilation opening / closing unit 35 is closed. Therefore, wasteful power consumption due to unnecessary dehumidifying operation in the ventilation state can be avoided. In addition, since the indoor humidity change rate is taken into consideration as a factor for determining whether or not the ventilation opening / closing unit 35 is opened above the set level, the determination as to whether or not the ventilation state is made is made more strictly. Further, when the dehumidifying operation is suspended because the room is in a ventilated state, the fact is displayed on the display unit 22. Therefore, even if the user is not familiar with the machine, the dehumidifying operation is performed due to a failure. There is no possibility that the user may be suspicious that the vehicle has been stopped.

[0032]

As described above, the present invention has the following advantages. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the opening / closing detection apparatus which detects the opening / closing state of the ventilation opening / closing part, such as a window and a door, which is opened / closed when performing indoor ventilation, and the ventilation opening / closing part is opened to a set level or more by the opening / closing detection apparatus. Is detected, and if this opening is continued for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that the room is in a ventilation state and the dehumidifying operation is stopped, and then the ventilation opening / closing unit is closed from this opening state. The operation control device controls the operation of the dehumidifier so as to restart the dehumidifying operation when it is detected that the air conditioner has returned to the original state. Power consumption can be avoided,
Energy-efficient dehumidification operation can be performed.

Further, the opening / closing detection device includes an ultrasonic wave receiving / transmitting device arranged in the dehumidifier main body, and detects a time when ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic wave receiving / transmitting device are reflected by the ventilation opening / closing section and return. Then, the measurement distance from the dehumidifier body to the ventilation opening / closing section is calculated based on this time, and when the calculated measurement distance is larger than the reference value, the ventilation opening / closing section is opened to a set level or more. Judgment, and if the measured distance does not return to the reference value or less even after the elapse of the predetermined time, it is assumed that the room is in a ventilation state, so by attaching an ultrasonic transceiver to the dehumidifier body In addition, a remote operation type open / close detection device can be configured, and the configuration of the open / close detection device is simplified.

Further, the opening / closing detecting device has a humidity sensor together with an ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver in the dehumidifier body, wherein the measurement distance is larger than the reference value and the indoor humidity of the room measured by the humidity sensor is measured. When the rate of change is equal to or greater than the reference rate of change, it is determined that the ventilation opening / closing section is opened to a set level or more, so the open state of the ventilation opening / closing section affects the indoor ventilation state. The determination can be made based on the ventilation volume, and the determination as to whether or not to continue the dehumidifying operation can be made more strictly.

Further, such an air conditioner further includes a display unit for displaying that the dehumidifying operation is being stopped because the room is in a ventilated state when the dehumidifying operation is stopped by the operation control device. Therefore, even a user who is not accustomed to the machine can easily grasp the operation state, and can know that the dehumidification operation is not stopped due to a failure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the principle of the open / close detecting device using the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver according to the first embodiment, showing a state when the door is closed.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the principle of the open / close detecting device using the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver according to the first embodiment, and shows a state when the door is open.

FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram of an opening / closing detection control system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the open / close detection control system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the principle of the open / close detection device using the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver according to the second embodiment, showing a state when the door is closed.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the principle of the open / close detecting device using the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver according to the second embodiment, showing a state where the door is open.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the open / close detection control system according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Dehumidifier main unit, 22 display, 31 ultrasonic transmitter / receiver, 32 humidity sensor, 35 (detection target of windows, doors, etc.)
Opening / closing section, 40 operation control device, 41 opening / closing detection device, 4
3 Compressor / fan drive circuit, 45 Display drive circuit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Maeda 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka F-term in Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 3L060 AA07 CC07 CC08 DD01 DD06 EE01 3L061 BA01 BA06 BA07

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An opening / closing detection device for detecting the opening / closing state of a ventilation opening / closing portion such as a window or a door which is opened / closed when performing indoor ventilation, and the ventilation opening / closing portion is opened to a predetermined level or more by the opening / closing detection device. Is detected, and furthermore, when this opening is continued for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that the room is in a ventilation state and the dehumidifying operation is stopped, and then the ventilation opening / closing unit is closed from this opening state. An air conditioner having a dehumidifying operation function, comprising: an operation control device that controls the operation of the dehumidifier so that the dehumidifying operation is restarted when it is detected that the air conditioner has returned to the normal state. 2. The opening / closing detection device includes an ultrasonic receiving / transmitting device disposed in a dehumidifier main body, and detects a time when ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic receiving / transmitting device are reflected by the ventilation opening / closing unit and return. Then, the measurement distance from the dehumidifier body to the ventilation opening / closing section is calculated based on this time, and when the calculated measurement distance is larger than the reference value, the ventilation opening / closing section is opened to a set level or more. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the determination is made and the measured distance does not return to the reference value or less even after the lapse of a predetermined time, it is determined that the room is in a ventilation state.
An air conditioner having the dehumidifying operation function described in the above. 3. The opening / closing detection device has a humidity sensor together with an ultrasonic transmitter / receiver in a dehumidifier main body, wherein the measurement distance is larger than the reference value, and the indoor humidity of the room measured by the humidity sensor. The air conditioner having a dehumidifying operation function according to claim 2, wherein when the rate of change is equal to or greater than a reference rate of change, it is determined that the ventilation opening / closing section is opened to a level equal to or higher than a set level. 4. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying that the dehumidifying operation is being stopped because the room is in a ventilated state when the dehumidifying operation is stopped by the operation control device. An air conditioner having a dehumidifying operation function according to any one of Items 1 to 3.