JP2003185300A - Dry control valve and air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save on resources, energy and a space by dispensing with a electrically driving part in a dry control valve in an air conditioner. <P>SOLUTION: The dry control valve 1 has a valve element 12 in a valve chamber R and freely slides the valve element 12 between a first port 11a and a second port 11b. A spring 13 energizes the valve element 12 to be separated from a valve seat 14. A hydraulic force of refrigerant to the valve element 12 is controlled by operation control of a compressor 6 or the passage selection by a passage selector valve 5. A first port 11a is set to a high-pressure side, the valve element 12 is seated on the valve seat 14, thereby performing dehumidification operation. When the first port 11a is set to the high pressure side, the valve element 12 can be retained in an intermediate position by a guide groove 12a and a pin 17, thereby performing cooling operation. When the second port 11b is set to a high-pressure side, the valve element 12 is separated from the valve seat 14, thereby performing heating operation. Filters 16 disposed in the upper/lower parts of a throttle 15 provide sound attenuation effects. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dry control valve for dehumidifying operation in an air conditioner and an air conditioner using the dry control valve.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art (Prior Art-1) Conventionally, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-51514 for performing dehumidifying operation in an air conditioner. This Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-51514
In the one disclosed in the publication, a dehumidifying expansion device (dry control valve) is arranged between two indoor heat exchangers, and this dehumidification expansion device allows the refrigerant to pass as it is in an open state during heating and cooling operations, but dehumidification is performed. During operation, it is closed and acts as a throttle valve. The dehumidifying diaphragm device is opened and closed by driving the plunger with an electromagnetic coil.

(Prior Art-2) As a conventional expansion device for dehumidifying operation, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-50615. This Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-50615
The expansion device of the publication is connected as a second flow rate control device between the first indoor heat exchanger and the second indoor heat exchanger. The second flow rate control device drives the stepping motor to rotate the main valve body to open and close the throttle portion.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
Since the dehumidifying diaphragm device in Japanese Patent No. 51514 (Prior Art-1) requires a member such as an electromagnetic coil, a drive controller (relay, etc.) or a plunger, etc., as a drive unit.
There is room for improvement in terms of resource saving. In addition, it requires electric power for driving, leaving room for improvement in terms of energy saving. Furthermore, the drive unit is larger than the valve body,
There is room for improvement due to restrictions on the design of the air conditioner. Further, in the second flow rate control device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-50615 (Prior Art-2), a stepping motor or the like is required as a driving unit, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-5
There is room for improvement similar to that of the 1514 publication.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and eliminates a drive unit such as an electromagnetic coil or a motor that is electrically driven to save resources, save energy, and save space, and a dry control valve. An object is to provide an air conditioner using the dry control valve.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dry control valve which constitutes an indoor heat exchanger of an air conditioner.
A dry control valve provided between a heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, the valve chamber having a first port and a second port formed therein, and slidable between the ports in the valve chamber. A valve body seated on / separated from the valve seat on the side of the second port, a conduction means for electrically connecting the first port and the second port when the valve body is in the separated state, and the valve body Against the throttle means that throttles the flow of the refrigerant between the first port and the second port when seated, and the fluid force that urges the valve body toward the valve seat by the refrigerant flowing into the valve chamber. Position regulating means for switching and holding the seated position and the separated position of the valve body with respect to the valve seat, wherein the first port is the upstream side of the refrigerant with respect to the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling mode, and the second Switch the refrigerant flow by connecting to the indoor heat exchanger so that the port is on the downstream side of the refrigerant. By Rukoto, characterized in that so as to switch between the separated state the seating state of the valve member by the fluid force of the refrigerant.

A dry control valve according to a second aspect of the present invention is a dry control valve provided between a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger forming an indoor heat exchanger of an air conditioner, First
A valve chamber having a port and a second port, a valve body slidably provided between the ports in the valve chamber and seated / separated from a valve seat on the second port side; A valve body urging means for urging the body away from the valve seat; a conduction means for electrically connecting the first port and the second port when the valve body is in the separated state; and the valve body in the seated state At this time, the throttle means for restricting the flow of the refrigerant between the first port and the second port, and the fluid force for urging the valve body toward the valve seat side by the refrigerant flowing into the valve chamber are Position regulating means for switching and holding a seated position and a separated position of the valve body with respect to the valve seat, wherein the first port is the upstream side of the refrigerant and the second port is the second port with respect to the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling mode. Connected to the indoor heat exchanger so as to be on the downstream side of the refrigerant, with the fluid force of the refrigerant and the valve body By the urging force of the means it is characterized in that so as to switch between the spaced and the seating state of the valve body.

A dry control valve according to a third aspect of the present invention has the structure according to the first or second aspect, and the position regulating means includes a guide groove and a pin that engage with each other between the valve body and the valve chamber. The guide groove includes a first retaining portion on the side of the first port where the pin is located when the valve body is seated, and the pin where the pin is located when the valve body is separated. A second stop on the second port side, the first stop and the second stop
A third retaining portion that restricts the movement of the pin toward the first port side at an intermediate position with the retaining portion, and a third retaining portion on the second port side where the pin is located when the valve body is in a separated state. Part, and by repeating the movement of the valve body to the first port side and the movement to the second port side, the pin, the first stop portion, the second stop portion, the third stop portion, The fourth
And a cam groove for guiding in order of the stopping portion and the first stopping portion.

A dry control valve according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is provided with the structure according to the first, second or third aspect, and the conducting means includes the first port and the second port when the valve body is in a seated state. Between the first port and the second port when the valve body is in the separated state, and the throttle means is provided in the valve body and is provided in the valve body. It is characterized in that a refrigerant flow noise reducing device for reducing the refrigerant flow noise is built in the valve body, which is composed of a diaphragm that connects the first port side opening and the second port side opening.

An air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention comprises the dry control valve according to the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, and drives and controls the air conditioner to change the flow state of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle. The position of the valve element of the dry control valve is switched according to the change of the flow state of the refrigerant.

An air conditioner according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is provided with the dry control valve according to the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, and the fluid force of the refrigerant is controlled by operating and stopping the compressor of the air conditioner. Is generated to switch the position of the valve element of the dry control valve.

An air conditioner according to a seventh aspect of the present invention comprises the dry control valve according to the first aspect, and controls a flow path switching valve for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner,
It is characterized in that the position of the valve element of the dry control valve is switched by the fluid force of the refrigerant in accordance with the flow direction of the refrigerant.

An air conditioner according to claim 8 of the present invention is provided with the dry control valve according to claim 2, 3 or 4, and the difference in the dry control valve is set by operating and stopping the compressor of the air conditioner. It is characterized in that the pressure is reduced to switch the position of the valve body of the dry control valve.

An air conditioner according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a flow path switching valve for switching the flow path mode of the refrigeration cycle in the air conditioner, and is capable of conducting the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle. A flow path switching valve and the dry control valve according to claim 2, 3 or 4 are provided, and the differential pressure in the dry control valve is reduced by connecting the high pressure side and the low pressure side by the flow path switching valve. Then, the position of the valve body of the dry control valve is switched.

An air conditioner according to a tenth aspect of the present invention has the structure of the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth aspect, and
A temperature sensor that detects a temperature in a heat exchanger that functions as a condenser during dehumidifying operation of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that form the indoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner; The position of the valve element of the dry control valve is determined based on the temperature detected by the sensor, and the position of the valve element of the dry control valve is controlled.

In the dry control valve according to the first aspect of the invention, the valve element moves in the direction in which it is seated on the valve seat by the fluid force of the refrigerant flowing from the first port in the cooling mode. Then, in the state where the seating position is held by the position restricting means, the valve body is seated on the valve seat, and the dehumidifying operation is performed. Further, in the state in which the separated position is held by the position restricting means, the valve body is held in a predetermined position separated from the valve seat, and the first port and the second port are brought into conduction by the conducting means to perform the cooling operation. Become.
Further, the valve body is separated from the valve seat by the fluid force of the refrigerant in the heating mode, and the first port and the second port are conducted by the conducting means, so that the heating operation is performed. Therefore, by eliminating the drive unit driven by electric power, resource saving, energy saving,
Space saving can be achieved.

According to another aspect of the dry control valve of the present invention, the valve body moves in the direction of seating on the valve seat against the biasing force of the biasing means by the fluid force of the refrigerant flowing from the first port in the cooling mode. Then, in the state where the seating position is held by the position restricting means, the valve body is seated on the valve seat, and the dehumidifying operation is performed. Further, in the state in which the separated position is held by the position restricting means, the valve body is held in a predetermined position separated from the valve seat, and the first port and the second port are brought into conduction by the conducting means to perform the cooling operation. Become. Further, when the fluid force of the refrigerant flowing from the first port is reduced by stopping the compressor or switching the flow path mode, the valve body is separated from the valve seat by the urging force of the urging means and the first port is connected by the conducting means. And the second port is conducted, the heating operation is performed. Therefore, it is possible to save resources, energy, and space by eliminating the drive section that is driven electrically.

According to the dry control valve of claim 3, the same operational effect as that of claim 1 or 2 is obtained, and the first stop portion, the second stop portion, and the third stop portion are moved by the movement of the valve element. , The fourth stop portion can be switched and selected, and the structure of the position regulating means can be simplified. Further, since the cam grooves for guiding the first stop portion, the second stop portion, the third stop portion, and the fourth stop portion can be formed in a part of the periphery of the valve body, the first port and the second The conducting means for conducting the ports can be formed as a gap between the valve body and the valve chamber around the valve body, which simplifies the structure.

According to the dry control valve of the fourth aspect, the same operational effect as that of the first, second or third aspect is obtained, and a throttle for restricting the flow of the refrigerant during the dehumidifying operation is provided in the valve body. In addition, since a refrigerant flow noise reduction device such as a filter is built in, it is possible to reduce the flow noise of the refrigerant during the dehumidifying operation and obtain a silencing effect.

According to the air conditioner of claim 5, the operation and effect of the dry control valve of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4 can be obtained, and the flow of the refrigerant accompanying the switching of the flow path mode in the refrigeration cycle, for example. Since the position of the valve body of the dry control valve is switched by utilizing the change in the state, the drive unit dedicated to the valve body is not required and the configuration is simplified.

According to the air conditioner of claim 6, the operation and effect of the dry control valve of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 can be obtained, and the valve of the dry control valve can be controlled by operating and stopping the compressor. Since the position of the body is switched, the drive unit dedicated to the valve body is not required and the structure is simplified.

According to the air conditioner of claim 7, claim 1
The effect of the dry control valve can be obtained, and the position of the valve element of the dry control valve can be switched by controlling the flow path switching valve. Therefore, the control target is the flow path switching valve, and the control becomes easy.

According to the eighth aspect of the air conditioner, the operation and effect of the dry control valve according to the second, third or fourth aspect can be obtained, and the position of the valve element of the dry control valve can be switched by controlling the compressor. Therefore, the control target is the compressor, and the control becomes easy.

According to the air conditioner of claim 9, the operation and effect of the dry control valve of claim 2, 3 or 4 can be obtained, and the position of the valve element of the dry control valve can be controlled by controlling the flow path switching valve. Since it can be switched, the control target is the flow path switching valve, which facilitates control.

According to the air conditioner of the tenth aspect, the same effect as that of the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, or ninth aspect is obtained, and the position of the valve element is determined based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. Since the determination is made, the position of the valve body can be controlled reliably.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the dry control valve, the control device for the dry control valve, and the air conditioner of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main part of an air conditioner of the embodiment and a state thereof during dehumidifying operation, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of a dry control valve of the air conditioner during a cooling operation, and FIG. 3 is the same air conditioning. The figure which shows the state at the time of heating operation of the dry control valve of the machine, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line PP of FIG.

In the figure, 1 is a dry control valve, 2 is an indoor heat exchanger mounted in an indoor unit, 3 is a throttle device, 4 is an outdoor heat exchanger mounted in an outdoor unit, and 5 is a four-way valve. A rotary type flow path switching valve, 6 is a compressor.
The indoor heat exchanger 2 includes a first heat exchanger 21 connected to the expansion device 3 side and a second heat exchanger 22 connected to the flow path switching valve 5 side.
And the dry control valve 1 includes the first heat exchanger 21.
And the second heat exchanger 22. And
Dry control valve 1, first heat exchanger 21, second heat exchanger 2
2, the expansion device 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the flow path switching valve 5, and the compressor 6 are respectively connected by conduits as shown in the drawing to form a heat pump type refrigeration cycle A.

Reference numeral 10 is a control device composed of a microcomputer, a drive section (driving means), etc. This control device 10 controls the temperature of the first heat exchanger 21 by means of the temperature sensor 7 provided in the first heat exchanger 21. The coil temperature Ta is detected, and the opening degree of the expansion device 3, the switching drive of the flow path switching valve 5, and the operation control of the compressor 6 are performed. Then, the flow path of the refrigeration cycle A is switched by the flow path switching valve 5 to two flow paths of "cooling mode" and "heating mode". In addition, the flow path mode of the refrigeration cycle is the above-mentioned "heating mode" and "cooling mode", and the operation modes of the air conditioner are "heating operation", "cooling operation", "dehumidification operation" and "dehumidification operation". There are four types of "frost driving".

In the heating mode, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 6 flows from the flow path switching valve 5 into the second heat exchanger 22 as shown by the solid arrow in FIGS. 1 and 3, and the dry control valve 1
The refrigerant liquid that has flowed out via the first heat exchanger 21 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 4 via the expansion device 3, and flows from the outdoor heat exchanger 4 to the compressor 6 via the flow path switching valve 5. Be flowed in. On the other hand, in the cooling mode, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 6 flows from the flow path switching valve 5 into the outdoor heat exchanger 4, as shown by the broken line arrows in FIGS. The heat exchanger 21, the dry control valve 1, the second heat exchanger 22, the flow path switching valve 5, and the compressor 6 are circulated in this order.

Here, the dry control valve 1 is opened in an operation mode other than the dehumidifying operation, and the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 22 are substantially integrated with each other. Performs the function of 2. Thus, during the heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 2 functions as a condenser, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as an evaporator, and the room is heated. During the cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser, the indoor heat exchanger 2 functions as an evaporator, and the room is cooled.

On the other hand, during the dehumidifying operation, the dry control valve 1 functions to throttle the refrigerant, and the flow path mode at this time is the cooling mode. Therefore, the first heat exchanger 21 on the upstream side (high pressure side) is condensed. The second heat exchanger 22 on the downstream side (low pressure side) functions as an evaporator. That is, the heating by the condenser and the cooling / dehumidification by the evaporator can reduce the humidity without lowering the temperature in the room.

Next, the structure and specific operation of the dry control valve 1 in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the concept of “up and down” in the following description is as shown in FIG.
~ Corresponds to the upper and lower sides in the drawings of Figs. 3 and 5. In the dry control valve 1, a main body case is formed by a cylindrical main body 11A and a lid 11B, and a valve chamber R is formed by sealing the upper end of the main body 11A with the lid 11B. Further, the first port 1 connected to the first heat exchanger 21 is provided at the upper end of the lid 11B.
1a is formed, and the second port 11b connected to the second heat exchanger 22 is formed at the lower end of the main body 11A.
Inside the valve chamber R, a valve body 12 having a guide groove portion 12a described later.
The valve body 12 is slidable between the ports 11a and 11b in the valve chamber R in a state where the guide groove portion 12a is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the main body 11A.

A spring 13 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower portion of the valve body 12, one end of which abuts on the end face of the guide groove 12a and the other end of which abuts on the inner lower end face of the main body 11A. It acts as a valve body urging means for urging the body 12 so as to separate it from the valve seat 14 formed on the second port 11b side. Then, the fluid force of the refrigerant on the valve body 12 is controlled by the operation control of the compressor 6 or the flow passage switching by the flow passage switching valve 5, and the valve body 12 resists the urging force of the spring 13 and moves to the valve seat 14. It is seated and is separated from the valve seat 14 by the urging force of the spring 13. The spring 13 is used in the first and second embodiments described later, and the spring 13 is not provided in the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide groove portion 12a is formed on the outer circumference of the valve body 12 at a position separated by 180 degrees with a width of about 90 degrees, whereby between the guide groove portions 12a, 12a. Is the first around the valve body 12.
A bypass passage Z that connects the port 11a side and the second port 11b side is formed. That is, the bypass passage Z closes the gap between the first port 11 a and the second port 11 b when the valve body 12 is seated on the valve seat 14, and when the valve body 12 is separated from the valve seat 14. First
It serves as a conducting means for conducting the port 11a and the second port 11b.

The valve body 12 is composed of a cylindrical valve body 12A and a lid 12B, and the throttle 1 is provided in the valve body 12A.
5. Two filters 16 (refrigerant flow noise reducing device) sandwiching the throttle 15 are arranged, and the lid 12B is fitted on the upper end of the valve body 12A. A first port side opening 12b is formed in the lid 12B, and a second port is formed at the lower end of the valve body 12A.
A port side opening 12c is formed. Then, the first port-side opening 1 is provided in the diaphragm 15 via the filter 16.
2b and the second port-side opening 12c for conducting the throttle groove 1
5a is formed. The filter 16 is formed of a porous permeable material made of a sintered metal having a ventilation hole (a surface of the porous body through which the refrigerant can permeate and pores inside) which is 40 micrometers.

Two pins 17 are attached to the inner peripheral surface of the main body 11A at positions separated by 180 ° about the axis.
The pin 17 is engaged with a guide groove 121 (FIG. 4) formed in the guide groove portion 12a of the valve body 12.

FIG. 5 is a development view of the outer peripheral side surface of the guide groove portion 12a, which is an enlarged view showing the width D corresponding to FIG. Further, in the same figure, a typical relative position of the pin 17 is also shown by a solid line. The guide groove 121 is the first port 11
The first stopping portion 121a vertically formed on the a side, the first stopping portion 121a, the first cam groove 121b inclined in an inverted V shape, and the first cam groove 121b to the second port 11
It is formed at the end of the second cam groove 121d and the second cam groove 121d which are vertically formed on the b side, and subsequently to the second cam portion 121c, which is inclined to the substantially central position of the guide groove portion 12a. It also has a third stopping portion 121e. Also,
Third cam groove 12 extending obliquely from the third stop portion 121e
1f, a fourth retaining portion 121g and a fourth retaining portion 121g that are vertically formed from the third cam groove 121f to the second port 11b side.
From the first stopping portion 121a to the fourth cam groove 121h inclined in a V shape.

Here, the valve body 12 can be moved up and down within the main body 11A. The valve body 12 is seated on the valve seat 14 as shown in FIG.
As described above, the upper end surface of the guide groove portion 12a comes into contact with the lower end of the lid 11B to regulate the upper end position. Further, the end of the inclined surface 121b-1 of the first cam groove 121b intersects the central axis of the first stop portion 121a, and the end of the inclined surface 121d-1 of the second cam groove 121d of the second stop portion 121c. It intersects the central axis. The third stop portion 121e faces the end of the inclined surface 121f-1 of the third cam groove 121f,
The inclined surface 121h-1 of the fourth cam groove 121h intersects the central axis of the fourth stop portion 121g. Therefore, the valve body 1
When 2 (the guide groove portion 12a) moves up and down, the pin 17 relatively moves in the manner of →→→→ of FIG. 5 following the guide groove 121, and the seated state of FIG. 1 and the first separated state of FIG.
The second separated state of FIG. 2, the first separated state of FIG. 3, and the seated state of FIG. 1 sequentially change.

The up-and-down movement of the valve element 12 causes the change of the flow direction of the refrigerant due to the start and stop of the compressor 6 or the switching of the flow path of the flow path switching valve 5, and the fluid force (pressure) and the spring at this time. It is switched according to the biasing force of 13. That is, the spring 13 is set so that the fluid force due to the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling mode always exceeds the urging force of the spring 13, and in the cooling mode, the valve body 12 is in the state of FIG. ) Or the state of FIG. 2 (cooling operation state). Further, in the heating mode, the state of FIG. 3 (heating operation state) is always maintained by the fluid force of the refrigerant and the urging force of the spring 13.

That is, in the state of FIG. 1, the first port 1
The refrigerant flowing from 1a into the valve chamber R is provided with the first port side opening 12b of the valve body 12, the filter 16, and the throttle groove 15 of the throttle 15.
a, the filter 16, and the second port side opening 12c, to flow out to the second port 11b. As a result, the dehumidifying operation is performed. During this dehumidifying operation, the flow rate of the refrigerant is throttled by the throttle groove 15a.
Since it passes through 6, the sound deadening effect is obtained.

In the state of FIG. 2, the first port 11a
The refrigerant flowing from the valve chamber R into the valve chamber R flows out to the second port 11b via the bypass passage Z and the valve body 12A of the valve body 12 and the valve seat 14. As a result, the cooling operation is performed. Further, in the state of FIG. 3, the refrigerant flowing into the valve chamber R from the second port 11b flows out to the first port 11a via the bypass passage Z and between the lid 12B of the valve body 12 and the lid 11B of the main body case. To be done. As a result, the heating operation is performed.

With the above configuration, the control device 10 controls as in the following first to third embodiments. In the following description, the positions (1) to (3) of the pin 17 shown in FIG. 5 will be appropriately described as the position of the valve body 12 in the dry control valve 1.

[First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the dry control valve 1 is switched by starting / stopping (ON / OFF) the compressor. (Starting → Heating) When the air conditioner (compressor 6) is not in operation, the valve body 12 is at the position shown in FIG. 3 (or the position shown in FIG. 5). Therefore, when there is a heating operation command at the start of the air conditioner, the heating operation can be performed by setting the flow path mode of the flow path switching valve 5 to the heating mode and starting the compressor 6 as it is (ON). .

(Starting → Cooling) When a command for cooling operation is given at the time of starting the air conditioner, when the compressor 6 is started (ON) by setting the flow path mode of the flow path switching valve 5 to the cooling mode, the valve body 12 5 moves to → in FIG. 5 and is held at the position (position) in FIG. 2, or moves to → to the position in FIG.
Position). Note that the position (position) in FIG.
Is held when the operation mode immediately before the last operation stop was the heating operation or the dehumidification operation, and the position (the position) in FIG. 1 is held at the operation immediately before the last operation stop. This is when the mode is heating operation or cooling operation.

When it is held at the position (position) in FIG. 2, the compressor 6 is driven as it is to enable the cooling operation. On the other hand, when it is held at (the position of) FIG. 1, the dehumidifying operation is performed. Therefore, the temperature sensor 7
The coil temperature of the heat exchanger 21 is detected, and it is determined whether the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is currently performed based on the coil temperature. That is, if the coil temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the cooling operation is in progress and the operation is continued. If the coil temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, it is in the dehumidification operation state. Therefore, the compressor 6 is temporarily stopped (OFF) for a predetermined time. After that, the compressor 6 is restarted (ON). As a result, the valve body 12
Moves from → to → and is held at the position (position) in FIG. 2, so the operation is continued as it is to perform the cooling operation. The dehumidifying operation is performed according to the dehumidifying operation command, and the same control is performed when the cooling operation command is issued. That is, the valve body 12 moves →→→. After performing this switching control, reconfirm the state by the coil temperature,
If it is different, stop / start the compressor 6 again (OF
Needless to say, F / ON) is sufficient.

(Starting → Dehumidification) When a dehumidifying operation is instructed at the time of starting the air conditioner, when the compressor 6 is started (ON) by setting the flow path mode of the flow path switching valve 5 to the cooling mode, the above cooling operation is performed. Similar to the command at the time of, the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is performed, but if the coil temperature detected by the temperature sensor 7 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the operation is as it is because the dehumidifying operation is performed. Since it is in the cooling operation state, the compressor 6 is once stopped (OFF), and after a predetermined time, the compressor 6 is restarted (ON). This allows
Since the valve body 12 moves from → to → and is held at the position (position) in FIG. 1, the valve body 12 is operated as it is to perform the dehumidifying operation. The same control is performed when the cooling operation is performed according to the cooling operation command and the dehumidifying operation is commanded.
That is, the valve body 12 moves →→→.

(Cooling → Dehumidification or Dehumidification → Cooling Cycle Operation) As described above, the operation for switching from the cooling operation to the dehumidifying operation or from the dehumidifying operation to the cooling operation is as follows.
Each time the compressor 6 is stopped (OFF) and started (ON), cooling and dehumidification are switched. Therefore, the control device 10 monitors the room temperature, and when the room temperature Tr becomes lower than the set temperature Ts (temperature preset by the user) during the cooling operation, the compressor 6 is stopped (OFF). Next, when the room temperature Tr becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature Ts, the compressor 6 is started (ON). As a result, the dehumidifying operation is started. During the dehumidifying operation, the compressor 6 is stopped (OFF) when the condition Tr> Ts + α is satisfied, and the compressor 6 is restarted (ON) after a predetermined time. Thereby, the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation are appropriately selected, and a comfortable air-conditioning environment is always obtained.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, as the flow path switching valve 5, for example, a conduction step for conducting the high pressure side and the low pressure side as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-46229 is performed. It is an example in the case of using the provided rotary type flow path switching valve. By controlling this flow path switching valve 5, the pressure difference between the first port 11a and the second port 11b of the dry control valve 1 is eliminated, the valve body 12 is separated, and the compressor 4 is not stopped. The operation mode is switched from operation to dehumidification operation or from dehumidification operation to cooling operation.

In the case of the rotary type flow path switching valve disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-46229, a main valve body that rotates and moves up and down in the valve body is provided, and the flow path mode is switched according to the rotational position of the main valve body. To be When a direct current is applied to the electromagnetic coil of the rotary flow path switching valve in the forward direction, the flow path mode is latched, for example, in "heating mode" (heating operation), and when the current is applied in the reverse direction, the flow path is changed. The mode is, for example, "cooling mode" (cooling operation, dehumidifying operation, defrosting operation) and latched. Further, in this rotary type flow path switching valve, when the electromagnetic coil is energized, the main valve body rises and once rises from the valve seat, and the low pressure side and the high pressure side are electrically connected. Therefore,
Due to the conduction between the low pressure side and the high pressure side, the differential pressure between the first port 11a and the second port 11b of the dry control valve 1 becomes a low differential pressure. Therefore, with the compressor 6 still operating, the flow path switching valve 5
The operation mode is switched as follows (the flow path is not switched) by the ascending operation of the valve body.

(Dehumidification → Cooling) Valve body 12 of dry control valve 1
Is in the seated state (position), the electromagnetic coil of the flow path switching valve 5 is OFF and dehumidifying operation is being performed, and when there is an operation request command to the cooling operation, the electromagnetic coil of the flow path switching valve 5 is turned back on again. When it is turned on in the direction, the differential pressure in the dry control valve 1 becomes a low differential pressure, and the urging force of the spring 13 causes the valve body 12 to move to the valve seat 1
The position is separated from 4. And the flow path switching valve 5
Turn off the electromagnetic coil of. As a result, the flow path mode is kept in the cooling mode, the compressor 6 continues to operate, the fluid force in the dry control valve 1 works in a direction to seat the valve body 12, and the valve body 12 moves to the position of. Then stop there. Therefore, the valve body 12 of the dry control valve 1 is separated from the valve seat 14 and switched to the cooling operation.

(Cooling → Dehumidification) The valve body 12 of the dry control valve 1
Is in the separated state (position), the electromagnetic coil of the flow path switching valve 5 is OFF and the cooling operation is performed, and when there is an operation request command to the dehumidifying operation, the electromagnetic coil of the flow path switching valve 5 is turned back on again. When it is turned on in the direction, the differential pressure in the dry control valve 1 becomes a low differential pressure, and the urging force of the spring 13 causes the valve body 12 to move to the valve seat 1
The position is separated from 4. And the flow path switching valve 5
Turn off the electromagnetic coil of. As a result, the flow path mode remains in the cooling mode, and the compressor 6 remains in operation during this time, and the fluid force in the dry control valve 1 acts in the direction of seating the valve body 12, and the valve body 12 moves from the position of. Move to the position and stop there. Therefore, the valve body 12 of the dry control valve 1 is seated on the valve seat 14 and switched to the dehumidifying operation.

[Third Embodiment] The dry control valve 1 according to the third embodiment is constructed so as not to include the spring 13, and the dry control valve 1 is switched only by the fluid force of the refrigerant. In addition, the flow path switching valve 5 in the third embodiment is operating in the cooling mode or the heating mode, for example, like the flow path switching valve disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-012818, and the compressor is temporarily stopped. Stop (OF
Each time F) and restart (ON), the flow path mode is switched from the cooling mode to the heating mode or from the heating mode to the cooling mode. That is,
The flow path mode is switched without using an electromagnetic coil or the like.

It is assumed that the compressor 6 is stopped when the flow path mode of the flow path switching valve 5 is the heating mode and the valve body 12 of the dry control valve 1 is at the position. When the compressor 6 is started after a predetermined time, the flow path switching valve 5 enters the cooling mode. Therefore, in the dry control valve 1, the fluid force of the refrigerant acts in the direction to seat the valve body 12, and the valve body 12 moves from the position of to the position of and sits on the valve seat 14. As a result, the dehumidifying operation is performed.

If there is a command to release the dehumidifying operation, the compressor 6
To stop. When the compressor 6 is started after a predetermined time, the flow path mode of the flow path switching valve 5 becomes the heating mode. Therefore,
In the dry control valve 1, the fluid force of the refrigerant acts in a direction to separate the valve body 12 from the valve seat 14, and the valve body 12 moves to a position from and separates. At this time, the indoor fan is stopped and the heating operation is not performed. Of course, if the command is heating operation, it goes without saying that the indoor fan is operated.

Next, the compressor is stopped. When the compressor 6 is started after a predetermined time, the flow path mode of the flow path switching valve 5 becomes the cooling mode. Therefore, in the dry control valve 1, the fluid force of the refrigerant acts in the direction in which the valve body 12 is seated on the valve seat 14, and the valve body 12 moves from the position of to and stops. As a result, the cooling operation is performed.

Further, when the compressor 6 is stopped and restarted after a predetermined time, the flow path mode of the flow path switching valve 5 becomes the heating mode. Therefore, in the dry control valve 1, the fluid force of the refrigerant acts in the direction of separating the valve body 12 from the valve seat 14, and the valve body 12 moves to the position from and is separated.

As described above, the passage mode is switched by the passage switching valve 5 by stopping and starting the compressor 6, and the dry control valve 1 can be switched according to the passage mode. When the flow path mode of the flow path switching valve 5 is the heating mode, the valve body 12 is at any position, and the heating operation can be performed at any position. Further, when the flow path mode of the flow path switching valve 5 is the cooling mode, the valve body 12 is in either position, but it needs to be in the position at the time of the command of the cooling operation and at the position at the time of the command of the dehumidifying operation. There is. Therefore, in the cooling mode, the temperature sensor 7 is used to operate the valve element 1 in the same manner as described in the column [0045].
The position 2 may be confirmed, and if it is different from the command, the flow path mode may be once switched to the end heating mode and then to the cooling mode again.

In the third embodiment, a flow path switching valve that switches by stopping / starting the compressor is used. For switching between dehumidification of the dry control valve and cooling (in FIG. 5), it is sufficient to return to the position of once (the heating operation should be performed once). Therefore, it goes without saying that the flow path switching valve may have any form.

In the dry control valve 1 of the above embodiment, the throttle 15 and the filter 16 as a refrigerant flow noise reduction device are built in the valve body 12 on both sides thereof, so that the silencing effect during the dehumidifying operation is enhanced. . The filter 16 may be omitted from the viewpoint of switching the dry control valve by a non-electrical force. In addition, the inside of the valve body 12 may not be electrically connected, and a throttle mechanism may be provided between the first port 11a and the second port 11b.

[0060]

According to the dry control valve of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to save resources, energy and space by eliminating the drive section driven by electric power.

According to the dry control valve of the second aspect, it is possible to save resources, energy and space by eliminating the drive section driven by electric power.

According to the dry control valve of the third aspect, the same effect as that of the first or second aspect can be obtained, and the structure of the position regulating means is simplified and the structure of the conducting means is also simplified.

According to the dry control valve of the fourth aspect, the same effect as that of the first, second, or third aspect is obtained, and the throttle for restricting the flow of the refrigerant during the dehumidifying operation is provided in the valve body.
Since a refrigerant flow noise reduction device such as a filter is built in together with this throttle, it is possible to reduce the flow noise of the refrigerant during the dehumidifying operation and obtain a silencing effect.

According to the air conditioner of the fifth aspect, the effect of the dry control valve of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect can be obtained, and the drive unit dedicated to the valve body is not required, and the structure is simplified. .

According to the air conditioner of the sixth aspect, the effect of the dry control valve of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect can be obtained, and the drive unit dedicated to the valve body is not required, and the structure is simplified. .

According to the air conditioner of claim 7, claim 1
The effect of the dry control valve can be obtained, and the control target is the flow path switching valve, which facilitates the control.

According to the air conditioner of the eighth aspect, the effect of the dry control valve of the second, third, or fourth aspect can be obtained, and the control target is the compressor, which facilitates the control.

According to the air conditioner of the ninth aspect, the effect of the dry control valve of the second, third, or fourth aspect can be obtained, and the control target is the flow path switching valve, which facilitates the control.

According to the air conditioner of claim 10, the same effect as that of claim 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 can be obtained, and the position of the valve element can be controlled reliably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main part of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention and a state of a dehumidifying operation thereof.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of a dry control valve of the air conditioner during a cooling operation.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of a dry control valve of the air conditioner during a heating operation.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line P-P in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a development view of the outer peripheral side surface of the guide groove portion according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Dry control valve 2 Indoor heat exchanger 5 flow path switching valve 6 compressor 7 Temperature sensor 21 First heat exchanger 22 Second heat exchanger 10 Control device 12 valve bodies 11a 1st port 11b 2nd port 12a guide groove 13 spring 14 seat 15 aperture 16 filters 17 pin 121 guide groove 121a First stop 121b First cam groove 121c Second stop 121d second cam groove 121e Third stop 121f Third cam groove 121g 4th stop 121h 4th cam groove A refrigeration cycle R valve chamber Z bypass passage

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroshi Ito             535 Sasai, Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture Sagimiya Co., Ltd.             Tokoroyama Office F term (reference) 3H056 AA01 BB47 CB02 CC18 CD01                       DD09 GG13                 3L092 AA02 BA14 BA26

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A dry control valve provided between a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger forming an indoor heat exchanger of an air conditioner, wherein a first port and a second port are formed. An open valve chamber, a valve body slidably provided between the ports in the valve chamber and seated / separated from the valve seat on the second port side; A conduction means for conducting the 1st port and the 2nd port, a throttle means for restricting the flow of the refrigerant between the 1st port and the 2nd port when the valve body is in a seated state, and a refrigerant flowing into the valve chamber. Position regulating means for switching and holding the seated position and the spaced position of the valve body with respect to the valve seat against the fluid force that urges the valve body toward the valve seat side by the refrigerant in the cooling mode. The first port is on the upstream side of the refrigerant and the second port is on the downstream side of the refrigerant. As described above, the dry control valve is characterized in that the valve body is connected to the indoor heat exchanger and the flow of the refrigerant is switched so that the seated state and the separated state of the valve body are switched by the fluid force of the refrigerant. . 2. A dry control valve provided between a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger forming an indoor heat exchanger of an air conditioner, wherein a first port and a second port are formed. And a valve body that is slidably provided between the ports in the valve chamber and is seated / separated from the valve seat on the second port side, and the valve body is separated from the valve seat. Valve body urging means for urging the valve body, a conduction means for electrically connecting the first port and the second port when the valve body is in a separated state, and the first port and the first port when the valve body is in a seated state. Throttling means for narrowing the flow of the refrigerant between the two ports, and the seating of the valve body to the valve seat against the fluid force that urges the valve body toward the valve seat side by the refrigerant flowing into the valve chamber. A position regulation means for switching and holding the position and the separated position, with respect to the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling mode. The first port is connected to the indoor heat exchanger so that the first port is on the upstream side of the refrigerant and the second port is on the downstream side of the refrigerant, and the valve is actuated by the fluid force of the refrigerant and the urging force of the valve element urging means. A dry control valve characterized in that a sitting state and a separation state of the body are switched. 3. The position regulating means includes a guide groove and a pin that engage with each other between the valve body and the valve chamber, and the guide groove includes the pin when the valve body is in a seated state. Is located on the side of the first port, the second port is located on the side of the second port where the pin is located when the valve body is in the separated state, the first port and the second port are A third retaining portion that restricts movement of the pin toward the first port side at an intermediate position with the portion, and a third retaining portion on the second port side where the pin is located when the valve body is in a separated state. And by repeating the movement of the valve body to the first port side and the movement to the second port side, the pin is moved to the first stop portion, the second stop portion, the third stop portion, the A fourth stop portion and a cam groove for guiding the first stop portion in this order are provided. Dry the control valve of the second aspect. 4. The conducting means closes between the first port and the second port when the valve body is in a seated state, and the first port and the second port when the valve body is in a separated state.
The throttle means is provided in the valve body and electrically connects the first port side opening and the second port side opening of the valve body, The dry control valve according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a refrigerant flow noise reduction device for reducing the refrigerant flow noise is built in the valve body. 5. The dry control valve according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the air conditioner is driven and controlled to change the flow state of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle, and the flow state of the refrigerant is changed. An air conditioner characterized in that the position of the valve element of the dry control valve is switched. 6. The dry control valve according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, comprising: generating and generating a fluid force of the refrigerant by operating and stopping a compressor of an air conditioner. An air conditioner characterized in that the position of the valve body is switched. 7. The dry control valve according to claim 1, controlling a flow path switching valve for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner, and controlling the fluid force of the refrigerant according to the flow direction of the refrigerant. The air conditioner is characterized in that the position of the valve element of the dry control valve is switched by the above. 8. The dry control valve according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the differential pressure in the dry control valve is reduced by operating and stopping a compressor of an air conditioner. An air conditioner characterized in that the position of the valve element is switched. 9. A flow path switching valve for switching a flow path mode of a refrigeration cycle in an air conditioner, the flow path switching valve capable of electrically connecting a high pressure side and a low pressure side of a refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle,
The dry control valve according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the flow control valve connects the high pressure side and the low pressure side to reduce the differential pressure in the dry control valve to reduce the differential pressure. An air conditioner characterized in that the position of the valve body is switched. 10. A temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in a heat exchanger, which functions as a condenser during dehumidifying operation, of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger constituting the indoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner. 7. The position of the valve body of the dry control valve is determined based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and the position of the valve body of the dry control valve is controlled. 7,
The air conditioner according to 8 or 9.