JP2003287257A - Indoor unit of air-conditioner, and the air-conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an indoor unit used for both a pair-type air-conditioner and a multi type air conditioner for determining acceptance/rejection of adequate air supply operation even when air supply from an outdoor unit is not performed. <P>SOLUTION: Indoor units 3a-3e are connected to outdoor units 2 and 12 to constitute an air-conditioner, and comprise a control unit 50 and an EEPROM 51. The control unit 50 controls the air supply operation. The EEPROM 51 stores a first data 61 on transmission information on acceptance/rejection of the air supply operation based on the transmission information from the outdoor units 2 and 12 when the communication with the outdoor units 2 and 12 is possible. The control unit 50 refers to the data in the EEPROM 51, and determines whether or not the air supply operation is prohibited. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner indoor unit and an air conditioner, and more particularly to a pair type / multi type indoor unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A separate type air conditioner divided into an indoor unit and an outdoor unit includes a pair type air conditioner in which only one indoor unit is connected to one outdoor unit. There is a multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected in parallel to one outdoor unit. Among these, in a multi-room multi-type air conditioner having a plurality of indoor units, during the heating operation of the outdoor unit, even if the indoor unit is stopped due to thermo-OFF, etc., control is made to flow a small amount of refrigerant. It is being appreciated. This is because when the refrigerant does not flow to the stopped indoor unit, the refrigerant is condensed and liquefied inside the indoor unit due to heat dissipation from the indoor heat exchanger due to natural convection, and the refrigerant is discharged to the operating indoor unit. This is because sufficient refrigerant cannot be sent and a gas shortage state may occur.

Further, in the multi-type air conditioner, control is performed to prohibit the blowing operation for the stopped indoor unit in which a small amount of refrigerant flows during the heating operation of the outdoor unit. The first reason for controlling in this manner is that the indoor temperature naturally rises when the indoor unit performs the blowing operation while the outdoor unit is performing the heating operation. The second reason is that since only a small flow rate of the refrigerant flows through the indoor unit, when the air blowing operation is performed, the condensation capacity with respect to the refrigerant circulation amount becomes large, and the liquefied refrigerant stays in the indoor unit performing the air blowing operation. Then, the operating indoor unit may be out of gas.

As described above, the blowing operation in the stopped indoor unit is prohibited during the heating operation of the outdoor unit, and when the operation of the blowing operation is performed in the indoor unit, for example, a display indicating mode batting (different mode) ( Driving LED
Blinking) is made in the indoor unit. On the other hand, in a pair type air conditioner, it is generally possible to perform a blowing operation even during heating operation. This is because the pair-type air conditioner is often intended for general users who use it in general households, not for commercial use, and there is a strong tendency to demand air blow operation in over-the-counter displays such as mass retailers. Further, in the case of the pair type air conditioner, there is no reason to prohibit the blowing operation.

[0005]

As described above, in the separate type air conditioners, there are pair type and multi type air conditioners. Then, the indoor unit of the pair type air conditioner and the indoor unit of the multi type air conditioner differ in whether or not the air blowing operation is required during the heating operation. For this reason, even indoor units having substantially the same configuration are conventionally designed and manufactured separately.

On the other hand, by combining the design and the production of both, it is possible to suppress the high cost due to the separate design and production. If an indoor unit common to both the pair-type and multi-type air conditioners can be formed, that is, if the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus can be shared by the pair-type and multi-type, the cost can be easily reduced.

However, the problem here is the difference in necessity of the air blowing operation during the heating operation. In order to solve this problem, conventionally, the indoor unit side determines whether or not to perform the blowing operation based on the transmission data from the outdoor unit (data indicating whether the outdoor unit is a pair type or a multi type). Exists. However, according to this method, when the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are incapable of transmitting for some reason, it becomes impossible for the indoor unit to determine whether to perform the blowing operation. For example, in store displays, indoor units and outdoor units are generally not connected,
In many cases, transmission becomes impossible. If such a case is assumed and forced blow operation is enabled when transmission is not possible, there is a problem that the above operating indoor unit becomes out of gas when used as a multi-type indoor unit. Resulting in. On the contrary, if it is set so that the blow operation cannot be forcibly performed when transmission is impossible, the blow operation cannot be performed when the pair type indoor unit is displayed at the store.

On the other hand, in JP-A-2-101342 and JP-A-2001-272078, an indoor unit is provided with both pair type and multi type control functions, and demo mode control is performed. Although the technique of separately providing each is disclosed, there is a possibility that the load on the control unit and the capacity of the storage unit increase in both cases. An object of the present invention is an indoor unit that can be used for both pair-type and multi-type air conditioners, has a simple configuration, and determines whether or not an appropriate blow operation is possible even when transmission with an outdoor unit is impossible. An object is to provide an indoor unit that can be used.

[0009]

An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first aspect is an indoor unit that constitutes an air conditioner by being connected to an outdoor unit, the control unit and a first storage unit. It has and. The control unit can control the blowing operation. The first storage unit stores, when communication with the outdoor unit is possible, first data regarding whether or not to perform a blowing operation, based on transmission information from the outdoor unit. The first storage unit is nonvolatile and retains stored contents even when the power is turned off. As the first storage unit, for example, an EEP-ROM such as a flash memory can be used. Further, the control unit can refer to the data stored in the first storage unit to determine whether to prohibit the blow operation.

Here, when communication between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit becomes possible at the time of test operation, that is, when the transmission between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is first established, the outdoor unit transfers to the indoor unit. And the transmission information flows, and based on the transmission information, the first data regarding whether or not the blowing operation is possible is stored in the nonvolatile first storage unit. Therefore, if the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can communicate with each other even once, the first data is stored in the first storage unit at that time, and the contents are saved even when the power is turned off.

Then, the control unit can refer to the data stored in the first storage unit to determine whether or not to prohibit the blowing operation. Therefore, if the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are unable to transmit due to poor contact or noise on the transmission line, it cannot be determined from the transmitted data whether the air conditioner (outdoor unit) is a pair type or a multi type. But the controller
By referring to the first data, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the air blowing operation is possible. Moreover, the configuration of the indoor unit including the control unit is relatively simple.

When it is determined that the blower operation is not permitted, the blower operation of the indoor unit is prohibited, and the blower state is controlled by a condition such as turning off the thermostat when other operation is performed in the indoor unit. It is desirable to prohibit that That is, it is desirable to stop the rotation of the fan when the thermostat is turned off. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 2 is the indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein, in a state before being connected to the outdoor unit, the first storage unit has a content for permitting a blow operation. Initial data is stored.

Before the transmission between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is first established, the indoor unit of the pair type air conditioner may be exhibited at the store. In this case, since there is often no communication between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit at the time of display at the store, information on whether or not appropriate blow operation is possible (in this case, information compatible with the pair type indoor unit). ) Is not transmitted from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, and the first data does not exist in the first storage unit.

However, in the indoor unit according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the first storage unit stores the initial data of the content permitting the blow operation before being connected to the outdoor unit, refer to the initial data. Then, the control unit can perform the blowing operation. That is, the indoor unit according to the second aspect is set to be capable of performing the blowing operation before the transmission between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is first established. This allows the indoor unit to perform the blowing operation without being connected to the outdoor unit when it is displayed in the store.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3 is
The indoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content of the first data is different in each of the following cases. First, when the outdoor unit is an outdoor unit used in a pair-type air conditioner, the first data is the content that permits the blow operation.
Then, when the outdoor unit is an outdoor unit used in a multi-type air conditioner, the first data has a content that prohibits the blow operation. The pair-type air conditioner is an air conditioner in which one indoor unit is connected to one outdoor unit, and the multi-type air conditioner is one air unit. It is an air conditioner to which a plurality of indoor units are connected.

Here, in the indoor unit of the pair type air conditioner, the first data is the content for permitting the blow operation, and in the indoor unit of the multi type air conditioner, the first data is the content for prohibiting the blow operation. Becomes Therefore, the same indoor unit can be used as an indoor unit of a pair type air conditioner or an indoor unit of a multi type air conditioner. When used as an indoor unit of a pair-type air conditioner, the first data is the content that permits the air blowing operation, and there is no disadvantage that the air blowing operation cannot be performed. In addition, when used as an indoor unit of a multi-type air conditioner, there is no possibility that the indoor unit that is stopped performs a blowing operation and the operating indoor unit becomes out of gas.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 4 is
The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second storage unit. The second storage unit is volatile and stores second data regarding whether or not to perform the blowing operation based on the transmission information from the outdoor unit when the transmission with the outdoor unit is normally established. Further, the control unit determines whether or not to prohibit the blow operation based on the data in the second storage unit when the transmission with the outdoor unit is possible, and the transmission with the outdoor unit is not possible. At times, it is determined based on the data stored in the first storage unit whether to prohibit the blow operation.

Here, when the transmission between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit is normally established, the control can be performed on the basis of the information on the propriety of the more accurate air blowing operation in consideration of the operating state of the outdoor unit. As described above, it is determined whether to prohibit the blow operation based on the data stored in the second storage unit. On the other hand, when the transmission between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit becomes impossible, even if the state of the outdoor unit changes, it cannot be recognized by the indoor unit side, and the data in the second storage unit may not be able to make an accurate judgment. Therefore, it is determined based on the data stored in the first storage unit whether or not the blowing operation is prohibited.

It should be noted that the control unit of the indoor unit according to claim 4 is configured so that when the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are unable to transmit data, the first unit
Instead of directly reading the data in the storage unit, the first data in the first storage unit is moved to the second storage unit, and the first data is read from the second storage unit to determine whether or not the blow operation is possible. May be. Further, even if the power is turned off and the data in the second storage unit is erased, the data in the first storage unit continues to be stored, so that it is possible to determine whether or not the minimum blowing operation is possible in any case. In view of this, here, a relatively low-cost volatile memory is used as the second storage unit.

An air conditioner according to a fifth aspect is a multi-type air conditioner including an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit according to the fourth aspect. In this air conditioner, the second data is the content that prohibits the blow operation during the heating operation of the outdoor unit, and permits the blow operation during the cooling operation of the outdoor unit and the stop of the outdoor unit.
Even with a multi-type air conditioner, if the outdoor unit is not in heating operation but in cooling operation or is stopped, there is no problem in performing air blowing operation. In view of this, here, the second data having the content of prohibiting the blow operation only during the heating operation of the outdoor unit is stored in the second storage unit, and it is determined whether or not the blow operation is prohibited based on the data. Is configured. As a result, a user who uses the indoor unit of the multi-type air conditioner is denied the air blowing operation during the heating operation of the outdoor unit, but does not operate the indoor unit when the outdoor unit is stopped or in the cooling operation. You will be able to enjoy the blow operation.

An air conditioner according to a sixth aspect is a pair type air conditioner including an outdoor unit and one indoor unit according to the fourth aspect connected to the outdoor unit. In this air conditioner, the second data is the content that permits the blowing operation at all times. In the pair-type air conditioner, there is no particular problem due to the blowing operation of the indoor unit regardless of the state of the outdoor unit. In view of this, here, the second data having the content of always permitting the blowing operation is stored in the second storage unit, and it is configured to determine whether to prohibit the blowing operation based on the data. This eliminates the phenomenon that the user who uses the indoor unit that can be shared by the pair-type and multi-type air conditioners as the indoor unit of the pair-type air conditioner cannot enjoy the blowing operation.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a multi-type air conditioner 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a pair type air conditioner as shown in FIG. 11
It is a pair / multi-purpose machine that can also be applied to. That is, the indoor units 3a to 3d of the multi-type air conditioner 1 also
The indoor unit 3e of the pair-type air conditioner 11 is also manufactured by the same production line with the same design and has the same configuration.

<Structure of Multi-Type Air Conditioner> The air conditioner 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units 3a to 3d are connected to one outdoor unit 2. It is a device. In this air conditioner 1, four indoor units 3a to 3d are connected to one outdoor unit 2 via refrigerant pipes and transmission lines 4a to 4d. The four indoor units 3a to 3d are arranged in different rooms, for example, at home, in a building, or in a store.

The refrigerant circuit 5 of the multi-type air conditioner 1 is shown in FIG. The refrigerant circuit 5 includes one outdoor unit 2 and
Four indoor units 3a, 3b, which are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit 2,
It is composed of 3c and 3d and a refrigerant pipe. The outdoor unit 2 includes a compressor 20, a four-way switching valve 21, an outdoor heat exchanger 2
2, the accumulator 23 and the like. Compressor 20
A discharge pipe thermistor 24 for detecting the discharge pipe temperature on the discharge side of the compressor 20 is attached to the discharge side of the. Further, the outdoor unit 2 is provided with an outdoor air thermistor 25 for detecting the outdoor air temperature and an outdoor heat exchange thermistor 26 for detecting the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 22.

The indoor unit 3a includes an indoor heat exchanger 30a and an electric valve 33a which are connected in series with each other. The electric valve 33a is provided on the outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 30a and adjusts the amount of refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 30a.
Further, the indoor unit 3a includes a room temperature thermistor 31a for detecting the indoor temperature and an indoor heat exchange thermistor 32a for detecting the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 30a. A liquid pipe thermistor 34a for detecting the liquid pipe temperature between the indoor heat exchanger 30a and the electric valve 33a is provided in the pipe between the indoor heat exchanger 30a and the electric valve 33a. On the gas pipe side of the indoor heat exchanger 30a, a gas pipe thermistor 35a for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the inside is provided.

The other indoor units 3b, 3c, 3d have the same structure, and in FIG. 2, the indoor heat exchanger, the motor-operated valve, and the various thermistors are denoted by the same symbols.
The motor-operated valves 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d are not necessarily incorporated in the indoor units 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and may be provided outside the indoor units 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, for example, each indoor unit 3a. , 3b, 3c, 3d and the outdoor unit 2 may be provided inside a branch unit or the like.

In the multi-type air conditioner 1 as described above, the plurality of indoor units 3a to 3d are normally arranged in different rooms, and air conditioning of the plurality of rooms is performed.
Not all the indoor units 3a to 3d are operated at the same time. That is, some indoor units may be in operation and the remaining indoor units may be out of operation. When the room in which the indoor unit 3a that is operating is arranged is called a "driving room" and the room in which the indoor units 3b, 3c, 3d that are not in operation are arranged is called a "stop room", The opening degree of the motor-operated valve 33a is determined based on the discharge pipe temperature,
As a general rule, the opening degrees of the motor-operated valves 33b, 33c, 33d in the stop room are determined to be values proportional to the opening degrees of the motor-operated valve 33a in the operating room, which is determined based on the discharge pipe temperature. That is, the target motor-operated valve opening of the motor-operated valves 33b, 33c, 33d in the stop room is determined by multiplying the coefficient of the motor-operated valve 33a in the driver's room.

As described above, in the multi-type air conditioner 1, during the heating operation of the outdoor unit 2, even a small amount of refrigerant is controlled to flow even in the indoor units 3b to 3d which are stopped due to a thermo OFF or the like. It is being appreciated. <Structure of Pair Type Air Conditioner> The air conditioner 11 shown in FIG. 3 has one outdoor unit 12 and one indoor unit 3e.
Is a so-called pair type air conditioner.
This air conditioner 11 has one outdoor unit 12 for each outdoor unit 12.
The indoor unit 3e of the stand is connected via a refrigerant pipe and a transmission line 4e. The indoor unit 3e is installed inside the room, and the outdoor unit 12 is installed outside the room adjacent to the room, on the veranda, on the roof, or the like.

<Construction of Indoor Unit Regarding Operation of Indoor Fan> As described above, the indoor units 3a to 3d and the indoor unit 3e have a pair / multi-use specification and have exactly the same configuration. . An indoor fan 70 is provided in each of the indoor units 3a to 3e. By operating this indoor fan 70, the indoor air is sucked into the indoor units 3a to 3e, and after the heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger, the air-conditioned air (in the case of only blowing air, , As it is) is blown out indoors.

In the indoor units 3a to 3e, the operation of each unit including the indoor fan 70 is controlled by the control unit 50 provided on the internal printed circuit board or the like in a set operation mode (cooling, heating, dehumidification, blowing, etc.). Mode). Of these, the control content regarding the operation of the indoor fan 70 when the blower operation mode or the thermostat in the other operation mode is OFF will be described in detail later.

The control section 50 is provided with a nonvolatile EEPROM 51 and a volatile RAM 52 as storage memories. In the EEPROM 51, a model code and details of the abnormality when the abnormality occurs are stored. Also, E
The EPROM 51 also stores constants of microcomputer logic for controlling the indoor units 3a to 3e. This EE
Here, the PROM 51 is provided with an area for writing the first data 61 when the transmission with the outdoor units 2 and 12 is established. The first data 61 is determined as follows according to the data sent from the outdoor units 2 and 12 indicating whether the outdoor unit is for the pair type or the multi type. That is, when connected to the outdoor unit 2 of the multi-type air conditioner, the first data 61 has the content of prohibiting the blow operation. on the other hand,
When the outdoor unit 12 of the pair-type air conditioner is connected, the first data 61 has the content of permitting the blowing operation.

At the time when the indoor units 3a to 3e are shipped from the factory, it is unclear whether the indoor units are used in a pair type air conditioner or a multi type air conditioner. Therefore, the initial data 60 is written in the area of the EEPROM 51 in which the first data 61 is written. The content of the initial data 60 is to permit the blowing operation. And the indoor units 3a to 3
When the transmission between e and the outdoor units 2 and 12 is established, the initial data 60 is replaced with the first data 61 in the EEPROM 51 at that time.

In addition, the outdoor units 2 and 12 and the indoor unit 3a are normally operated.
When 3 to 3e are connected, the outdoor units 2 and 12 constantly transmit information such as their operating states. In response to this, in the indoor units 3a to 3e, the second data 62 in the RAM 52 is updated. The second data 62 is data that is a basis for determining whether or not the indoor fan 70 can be operated when the outdoor units 2 and 12 and the indoor units 3a to 3e are in a normal transmission state. This second data 6
2 is determined as follows according to the operation mode of the outdoor unit and the data sent from the outdoor units 2 and 12 indicating whether the outdoor unit is for the pair type or the multi type. That is, when the outdoor unit 2 of the multi-type air conditioner is connected and the outdoor unit 2 is performing the heating operation, the second data 62.
Will prohibit the blowing operation. Further, when the outdoor unit 2 of the multi-type air conditioner is connected and the outdoor unit 2 is not performing heating operation (during cooling operation or when the outdoor unit is stopped), the second data 62 is the blowing operation. Will be allowed. Then, when connected to the outdoor unit 12 of the pair-type air conditioner, the second data 62 has a content permitting the blowing operation regardless of the operation mode of the outdoor unit 12.

[Determination of Whether the Indoor Fan Operates When Transmission is Normal] The control unit 50 controls the indoor fan activation determination unit 53 regarding the operation of the indoor fan 70 when the thermostat is OFF in the blowing operation mode or another operation mode. It is provided to determine whether the indoor fan 70 may be operated. As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor units 3a to 3e and the outdoor unit 2,
If the transmission with the 12 is normal, the information whether the outdoor units 2 and 12 are of the pair type or the multi type and the outdoor units 2 and 1
Since it is possible to grasp the information about the operating state of the vehicle 2 and the second data 62 matching the information is stored in the RAM 52, the indoor fan operation availability determination unit 53 stores the data in the RAM 52. Whether or not the indoor fan 70 can be operated is determined based on.

As a result, in the indoor units 3a to 3d of the multi-type air conditioner 1, the blowing operation is prohibited when the outdoor unit 2 is performing the heating operation, that is, when the thermostat is turned off in the blowing operation mode or other operation mode. Indoor fan 70
Is prohibited. Specifically, when the outdoor unit 2 is in the heating operation and the indoor units 3a to 3d are turned off the indoor thermostat, the indoor heating operation is displayed (the operation LED is turned on), but the air is not blown. Like In addition, when the blower operation is performed in the indoor units 3a to 3d while the outdoor unit 2 is performing the heating operation, the operation LED is blinking due to mode batting (different mode).

On the other hand, when the outdoor unit 2 is in the cooling operation or in the stopped state, the indoor units 3a to 3d of the multi-type air conditioner have the indoor fan 70 in the blow-off operation mode or the cooling OFF mode when the thermostat is off. Will be allowed to operate. On the other hand, the indoor unit 3 of the pair-type air conditioner 11
With respect to e, regardless of the operation mode of the outdoor unit 12, the operation of the indoor fan 70 during the blow-off operation mode or the thermo OFF in the other operation mode is permitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the indoor units 3a to 3e are
And the outdoor units 2 and 12 are in a state of poor transmission,
As will be described later, the first data 6 stored in the EEPROM 51
Whether or not the indoor fan 70 can be operated is determined based on 1. [Determination of Whether Indoor Fan Operates During Abnormal Transmission] When the indoor units 3a to 3e and the outdoor units 2 and 12 fall into a poor transmission state, when viewed from the indoor units 3a to 3e side, they are connected to each other. It becomes impossible to determine whether the outdoor units 2 and 12 are of the multi type or the pair type. In addition, the second data 62 will not be updated. Therefore, the second data 6
There may be a case in which it becomes inappropriate for the indoor fan operation availability determination unit 53 to determine whether the indoor fan 70 is enabled based on 2.

In view of this, here, the indoor units 3a to 3e are used.
And when the outdoor units 2 and 12 fall into the state of poor transmission,
The first data 61 in the EEPROM 51 is used as a reference to determine whether or not the indoor fan 70 can operate.
That is, when the indoor fan operation availability determination unit 53 recognizes the state of poor transmission, it makes the determination based on the first data 61 instead of the second data 62. In particular,
When the state of poor transmission is confirmed, the control unit 50 causes the EEPR
The first data 61 in the OM 51 is copied to the RAM 52, and the indoor fan operation availability determination unit 53 makes a determination based on the first data 61 copied to the RAM 52.

As a result, in the case of poor transmission, the indoor units 3a to 3d of the multi-type air conditioner 1 are prohibited from blowing operation, that is, the operation of the indoor fan 70 at the time of turning off the thermostat in the blowing operation mode or another operation mode. Will be banned. On the other hand, in the indoor unit 3e of the pair-type air conditioner 11, the thermo-OF of the blow operation mode or the other operation mode is used.
The operation of the indoor fan 70 during F is permitted.

[Determination of Operation of Indoor Fan in Store Display] When the indoor unit 3e at the time of factory shipment is not connected to the outdoor unit 12 (see FIG. 6), it can be displayed at a store such as a home electronics mass retailer. is there. In view of this, here, the initial data 60 is written in advance in the EEPROM 51 of the control unit 50 of the indoor units 3a to 3e.

Therefore, in the indoor unit 3e, which has been provided for in-store display without being connected to the outdoor unit 12, the indoor fan operation availability determination unit 53 causes the EEPROM 51 to operate when the air blow operation is performed. The blowing operation is permitted based on the initial data 60 in FIG. <Characteristics of the indoor unit according to the present embodiment> (1) Here, the outdoor units 2 and 12 are used at the time of trial operation,
From the outdoor units 2 and 12 to the indoor units 3a to 3e, that is, when the transmission between the outdoor units 2 and 12 and the indoor units 3a to 3e is first established.
To 3e, the first data 61 regarding whether or not to perform the blowing operation is stored in the nonvolatile EEPROM 5 based on the transmission information.
Stored in 1. Therefore, if the indoor units 3a to 3e and the outdoor units 2 and 12 can communicate with each other even once, the first data 61 is stored in the EEPROM 51 at that time, and the contents are saved even when the power is turned off.

Then, the indoor fan operation availability determination unit 53 of the control unit 50 can determine whether or not to prohibit the blowing operation by referring to the data in the EEPROM 51. Therefore, the outdoor units 2 and 12 and the indoor units 3a to 3e are unable to transmit due to poor contact or noise on the transmission line, and whether the air conditioner (outdoor unit) is a pair type or a multi type. Even if you can not judge by the transmitted data,
The indoor fan operation availability determination unit 53 can appropriately determine the availability of the blowing operation with reference to the first data 61.

(2) Before the transmission between the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 3e is first established, the indoor unit 3e of the air conditioner 11 of the pair type may be exhibited in a store.
In this case, in many cases, the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 3e have not been communicated with each other at the time of display at the store,
The information on whether or not the appropriate blowing operation is possible (in this case, the information suitable for the pair type indoor unit 3e) is not transmitted from the outdoor unit 12 to the indoor unit 3e, and the first data 61 is stored in the EEPROM 51.
Does not exist.

However, here, in the state before being connected to the outdoor unit 12, the EEPROM 51 stores the initial data 60 for permitting the blowing operation, and therefore the indoor fan operation is performed with reference to the initial data 60. The propriety determining unit 53 can permit the blowing operation. That is, the indoor units 3a to 3e are the first to have the outdoor units 2 and 12 and the indoor unit 3a.
Before the transmission with 3e is established, the blower operation is set. This allows the indoor unit 3e to perform the blowing operation when the indoor unit 3e is not connected to the outdoor unit 12 when the indoor unit 3e is exhibited in the store.

(3) Here, a pair type air conditioner 1
In the indoor unit 3e of No. 1, the first data 61 has the content of permitting the blow operation, and the indoor unit 3 of the multi-type air conditioner 1 is
In a to 3d, the first data 61 has the content of prohibiting the blowing operation. Therefore, the same indoor unit can be used as the indoor unit 3e of the pair-type air conditioner 11 or the indoor units 3a to 3d of the multi-type air conditioner 1. When used as the indoor unit 3e of the pair-type air conditioner 11, the first data 61 has the content of permitting the blowing operation, and there is no disadvantage that the blowing operation cannot be performed. When used as the indoor units 3a to 3d of the multi-type air conditioner 1,
For example, there is no problem that the indoor units 3b to 3d that are stopped perform the blowing operation and the operating indoor unit 3a becomes out of gas.

(4) Here, when the transmission between the indoor units 3a to 3e and the outdoor units 2 and 12 is normally established, a more accurate blowing operation is performed in consideration of the operating states of the outdoor units 2 and 12. Whether or not to prohibit the blow operation is determined based on the data in the RAM 52 so that the control can be performed based on the availability information. On the other hand, when the transmission between the indoor units 3a to 3e and the outdoor units 2 and 12 becomes impossible, even if the states of the outdoor units 2 and 12 change, the indoor units 3a to 3e cannot recognize it and the RAM 52 stores it. Since there is a possibility that an accurate judgment cannot be made with certain second data 62, EE
Based on the first data 61 stored in the PROM 51, it is determined whether or not the blowing operation is prohibited. Specifically, EEPRO
The first data 61 in M51 is copied to the RAM 52, and the indoor fan operation availability determination unit 53 makes a determination based on the first data 61 copied in the RAM 52.

Further, even if the power is turned off and the data in the RAM 52 is erased, the data in the EEPROM 51 continues to be stored, so that it is possible to determine whether or not the minimum blowing operation is possible in any case. In view of this, here, a relatively low-cost volatile memory (RAM 52) is used together with the EEPROM 51. (5) Even in the case of the multi-type air conditioner 1, if the outdoor unit 2 is not in heating operation but in cooling operation or is stopped, there is no problem in performing air blowing operation. In view of this, here, the second data 62 of the content of prohibiting the blow operation only during the heating operation of the outdoor unit 2 is stored in the RAM 5.
2 is stored, and whether to prohibit the blow operation is determined based on the data. As a result, a user who uses the indoor units 3a to 3d of the multi-type air conditioner 1 refuses the air blowing operation during the heating operation of the outdoor unit 2, but the outdoor unit 2 is stopped or is in the cooling operation. In the state, it becomes possible to enjoy the blowing operation of the indoor units 3a to 3d.

As described above, here, the conventional state in which the blowing itself is completely prohibited in the multi-type air conditioner is eliminated. (6) In the pair-type air conditioner 11, the outdoor unit 1
No matter what state 2 is, there is no particular problem due to the blowing operation of the indoor unit 3e. In view of this, here, the second data 62 of the content that the blow operation is always permitted is R
The data is stored in the AM 52, and it is configured to determine whether to prohibit the blow operation based on the data. As a result, the indoor units 3a to 3e that can be shared by the pair-type and multi-type air conditioners 11, 1 are replaced by the pair-type air conditioner 1
The phenomenon that the user who uses the indoor unit 3e of No. 1 cannot enjoy the blowing operation is eliminated.

<Restriction of Working Indoor Units in Multi-Type Air Conditioner> In the multi-type air conditioner 1 shown in FIG. 1, when all the indoor units 3a to 3d are operated, the capacity of the outdoor unit 2 is exceeded. The design is made to allow it. That is, the design is such that no problem occurs even if the total capacity of the plurality of indoor units 3a to 3d becomes larger than the total capacity of the operable indoor units.

This is designed to meet the demands of users of a multi-type air conditioner installed in a private store. At a private store or the like, the work is often done on the store side during the day, and at night, he / she lives in a room at home. In such a private store, it is possible to install a pair-type air conditioner both in the store and at home, but if there is almost no full operation at the same time, the total capacity of multiple indoor units as described above It is often less costly to install a multi-type air conditioner that is larger than the total capacity of operable indoor units.

On the other hand, in such a multi-type air conditioner, when there is an operation request from all the indoor units, the capacity of the outdoor unit cannot be fully accommodated, and therefore the following predetermined indoor unit is used. Control is required to put the machine in the standby state. According to the flow shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, for the indoor units 3a to 3d having the capacity supply request (operation request),
A description will be given of which the outdoor unit 2 supplies the capacity and which is put in the standby state.

A capability supply request is sent to the outdoor unit 2 from the indoor units 3a to 3d. The information on how many kilowatts each of the indoor units 3a to 3d has is always available in the outdoor unit 2. The outdoor unit 2 constantly monitors the total capacity of the indoor units that have a capacity supply request. First, in step S1, the total capacity (Σ
S) is calculated. Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the total capacity (ΣS) exceeds the supplyable capacity (ΣS · limit). When the total capacity (ΣS) does not exceed the supplyable capacity (ΣS · limit), the process proceeds to step S3, and the capacity is supplied to all the indoor units that have the capacity supply request. On the other hand, when the total capacity (ΣS) exceeds the supplyable capacity (ΣS · limit), the addition capacity value (ΣS · CALC) is set to 0 in step S4.
, And the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not there is a capacity supply request from the priority indoor unit. The priority indoor unit is an indoor unit that is set when the air conditioner is installed by using a DIP switch or the like, and an indoor unit that is desired to be supplied with capacity is set prior to other indoor units. As the priority indoor unit, a plurality of indoor units may be selected or only one indoor unit may be selected.

If there is a capacity supply request from the priority indoor unit, in step S6 whether the added capacity value (ΣS · CALC) exceeds the supplyable capacity (ΣS · limit) when the capacity is supplied to the priority indoor unit. It is judged whether or not. If it is determined that the addition capacity value (ΣS · CALC) does not exceed the supplyable capacity (ΣS · limit), the capacity is supplied to the priority indoor unit in step S7.
The capacity value S of the priority indoor unit is added to the addition capacity value (ΣS ・ CALC).
Is added. In addition, the process proceeds to step S8, and among the indoor units requesting the capacity supply, the indoor units other than the priority indoor unit are set as the subsequent comparison target indoor units.

In step S6, the addition capability value (ΣS
When it is determined that CALC) exceeds the supplyable capacity (ΣS · limit), the process proceeds to step S9.
In step S9, it is determined whether a plurality of priority indoor units are set. Here, if it is determined that only one priority indoor unit is set, the process proceeds to step S10 and an error is displayed. This is because it is not normally possible to consider that even one priority indoor unit cannot be operated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S9 that a plurality of priority indoor units are set,
The process proceeds to step S11, and the plurality of priority indoor units are set as the subsequent comparison target indoor units.

In step S12, the difference (ΔD) between the set temperature and the room temperature of each indoor unit to be compared in step S8 or step S11 is collected, and the maximum value (ΔD. max) is calculated. Then, the initial value of the variable C is set to 0 in step S13, and the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14,
When the capacity is supplied to the indoor unit where the value obtained by subtracting the variable C from the maximum value (ΔD ・ max) is less than or equal to the difference (ΔD) between the set temperature and room temperature, the added capacity value (ΣS ・ CALC) can be supplied. It is determined whether (ΣS · limit) is exceeded. Here, when it is determined that the addition capability value (ΣS · CALC) does not exceed the supply capability (ΣS · limit), the maximum value (ΔD · ma) is determined in step S15.
x) the value obtained by subtracting the variable C is equal to or less than the difference (ΔD) between the set temperature and the room temperature, the capacity is supplied, and the capacity value S of the indoor unit that has supplied the capacity is added to the capacity value (ΣS・
CALC). Then, in step S16, 0.5 is added to the variable C, and the process returns to step S14 again.

In step S14, the addition capability value (ΣS
When it is determined that CALC) exceeds the supply capability (ΣS · limit), the process proceeds to step S17, and it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of indoor units to be compared. If it is determined that the number of indoor units to be compared is only one, the indoor unit is placed in a standby state in step S18. And
The process returns to step S1 again.

When it is determined in step S17 that there are a plurality of indoor units to be compared, the process proceeds to step S19, and the indoor unit having the smaller capacity value (S value) is selected from the plurality of indoor units to be compared. . Then, in step S20, when the capacity is supplied to the selected indoor unit, the added capacity value (ΣS · CALC) can be supplied (ΣS · l).
It is determined whether or not the value (imit) is exceeded. Here, the addition capability value (ΣS · CALC) can be supplied (ΣS · li)
mit) is determined not to exceed step S
In 21, the capacity is supplied to the selected indoor unit, and the capacity value S of the indoor unit that has supplied the capacity is added to the addition capacity value (ΣS · CALC). And step S2
In step 2, the indoor unit having the next smallest capacity value (S value) is selected, and the process returns to step S20.

In step S20, when the capacity is supplied to the selected indoor unit, the added capacity value (ΣS · CAL
When it is determined that C) exceeds the available supply capacity (ΣS · limit), the process proceeds to step S23, and it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of selected indoor units. When there are a plurality of them, they are indoor units having the same capability value (S value). If there are a plurality of selected indoor units, step S
24, the capacity is supplied to the remaining indoor units in a predetermined order until the addition capacity value (ΣS · CALC) exceeds the supplyable capacity (ΣS · limit). Then, when the addition capacity value (ΣS · CALC) exceeds the supplyable capacity (ΣS · limit), the remaining indoor units are put in the standby state. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is only one indoor unit selected in step S23, the process proceeds to step S25 and the one indoor unit is placed in a standby state. When the process of step S24 or step S25 is completed, the process returns to step S1 again.

By the control flow as described above, the outdoor unit 2 determines whether to supply the capacity or to wait for the capacity supply to the indoor units 3a to 3d that have the capacity supply request. Note that, for an indoor unit that is ordered by the outdoor unit 2 to be in a standby state in response to a capacity supply request, for example, the operation LED is turned on for 2.5 seconds.
Then, the operation of turning off for 0.5 seconds is repeated to display that it is not in an operating state. Further, when a wired remote controller is connected to the indoor unit, it is conceivable to display a message such as "Centralized management" with a symbol (mark).

[0061]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when communication between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit becomes possible at the time of test operation, that is, when the transmission between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is first established. The transmission information flows from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, and based on the transmission information, the first data regarding whether or not the blowing operation is possible is stored in the first non-volatile storage unit. Therefore, if the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can communicate with each other even once, the first data is stored in the first storage unit at that time, and the contents are saved even when the power is turned off. Then, the control unit can refer to the data stored in the first storage unit to determine whether to prohibit the blow operation. Therefore, if the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are unable to transmit due to poor contact or noise on the transmission line, it cannot be determined from the transmitted data whether the air conditioner (outdoor unit) is a pair type or a multi type. However, the control unit can appropriately determine whether to perform the blowing operation by referring to the first data.

In the invention according to claim 2, since the initial data of the content permitting the blow operation is stored in the first storage section before the connection with the outdoor unit, the initial data is referred to. The control unit can perform a blowing operation. This allows the indoor unit to perform the blowing operation without being connected to the outdoor unit when it is displayed in the store.

In the invention according to claim 3, when the indoor unit is used as an indoor unit of a pair type air conditioner, the first data is the content for permitting the air blowing operation, and there is no demerit, but the air blowing operation is performed. The state that it cannot do will not occur. In addition, when the indoor unit is used as an indoor unit of a multi-type air conditioner, there may be a problem that the indoor unit that is operating performs ventilation operation and the operating indoor unit becomes out of gas. Disappears.

In the invention according to claim 4, when the transmission between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit is normally established, the control is performed on the basis of the information on the propriety of the more accurate air blowing operation in consideration of the operating state of the outdoor unit. It can be performed. On the other hand, when the transmission between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit becomes impossible, it is determined based on the data in the first storage unit whether to prohibit the blow operation, and based on the data in the second storage unit. It is possible to avoid making an inaccurate judgment.

In the invention according to claim 5, the second data indicating that the blowing operation is prohibited only during the heating operation of the outdoor unit is the second data.
It is configured to be stored in the storage unit, and it is configured to determine whether to prohibit the blow operation based on the data. This allows
A user who uses the indoor unit of the multi-type air conditioner refuses the air blowing operation during the heating operation of the outdoor unit, but does not blow the indoor unit when the outdoor unit is stopped or in the cooling operation. You will be able to enjoy it.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the second data having the content of always permitting the blowing operation is stored in the second storage unit, and it is determined whether to prohibit the blowing operation based on the data. is doing. This eliminates the phenomenon that the user who uses the indoor unit that can be shared by the pair-type and multi-type air conditioners as the indoor unit of the pair-type air conditioner cannot enjoy the blowing operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-type air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant system diagram of a multi-type air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a pair type air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the indoor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a control diagram for determining whether or not an indoor fan can operate in an indoor unit when transmission is poor.

FIG. 6 is a control diagram for determining whether or not an indoor fan can be operated in an indoor unit during a store display.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of capacity supply control to an indoor unit in a multi-type air conditioner.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of control of supply of capacity to an indoor unit in a multi-type air conditioner.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of capability supply control to an indoor unit in a multi-type air conditioner.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of capability supply control to an indoor unit in a multi-type air conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Multi-type air conditioner 2 Multi-type outdoor unit Indoor unit for 3a to 3e pair / multi 11 pair type air conditioner 12 pair outdoor unit 50 control unit 51 EEPROM 52 RAM 53 Indoor fan operation availability determination unit 60 initial data 61 First data 62 Second data

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An indoor unit (3a) constituting an air conditioner (1, 11) by being connected to an outdoor unit (2, 12).
~ 3e), when the control unit (50, 53) capable of controlling the blowing operation and the outdoor unit (2, 12) can communicate with each other, the outdoor unit (2, 12). A non-volatile first storage unit (51) that stores first data (61) regarding whether or not to perform the blow operation based on transmission information from the control unit (50, 53). First storage unit (51)
The indoor unit (3) of the air conditioner capable of determining whether or not to prohibit the blowing operation with reference to the data in FIG.
a-3e). 2. In a state before being connected to the outdoor unit (2, 12), initial data (60) having a content for permitting the blow operation is stored in the first storage section (51). The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1,
3e). 3. The outdoor unit (12) is a single outdoor unit (1).
An outdoor unit (1) used in a pair type air conditioner (11) in which one indoor unit (3e) is connected to 2)
In the case of 2), the first data (61) is a content for permitting the blow operation, and the outdoor unit (2) has a plurality of indoor units with respect to one outdoor unit (2). In the case of the outdoor unit (2) used in the multi-type air conditioner (1) to which the units (3a to 3d) are connected, the first data (61) has a content that prohibits the blow operation. The indoor unit (3a to 3e) of the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2. 4. When the transmission with the outdoor unit (2, 12) is normally established, based on the transmission information from the outdoor unit (2, 12), the second regarding whether or not the blow operation is possible. A volatile second storage section (52) for storing the data (62)
Further comprising: the control unit (50, 53), the outdoor unit (2, 12)
And a second storage unit (5
Based on the data in 2), it is determined whether or not the blowing operation is prohibited, and when the transmission with the outdoor unit (2, 12) is impossible, the data in the first storage unit (51) is determined. The indoor unit (3) of the air-conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is determined whether or not the blowing operation is prohibited based on the above.
a-3e). 5. The outdoor unit (2), and the plurality of indoor units (3a to 3d) according to claim 4 connected to the outdoor unit, the outdoor unit (2) during heating operation. The second data (62) is a content that prohibits the blow operation, and the second data (62) is the blow operation when the outdoor unit (2) is in a cooling operation and when the outdoor unit is stopped. A multi-type air conditioner (1) that permits the 6. The outdoor unit (12), and one indoor unit (3e) according to claim 4 connected to the outdoor unit (12), the second data (62) A pair-type air conditioner (11) which always permits the blowing operation.