JP2004101116A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of effectively functioning a ventilation unit while taking into consideration of operation of other unit. <P>SOLUTION: An indoor environment is detected by sensors 11, 12, 13 and an automatic ventilation mode for controlling the ventilation unit 20 according to the detection result of the respective sensors regardless of other operation condition is provided. A menu button 71 for designating execution of the control of this automatic ventilation mode and an automatic ventilation button 74 are provided on a remote controller 60. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air conditioner provided with a ventilation unit that discharges indoor air outside a room.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An air conditioner equipped with a ventilation unit that discharges indoor air to the outside has been developed and is being put into practical use.
The ventilation unit is provided in the indoor unit, and indoor air is sucked into the indoor unit by operation of the ventilation unit, and the sucked air is discharged from the ventilation unit to the outside through the ventilation duct.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The air conditioner is provided with a remote control type operation device (called a remote control). By operating the remote control, various operation conditions such as operation / stop of the air conditioner, operation mode, set temperature, air volume, etc. are set. be able to.
[0004]
In the case of an air conditioner provided with a ventilation unit, how to function the ventilation unit in relation to the original operation of the air conditioner is an important issue.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can effectively function a ventilation unit while struggling with a balance with other operations.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner provided with a ventilation unit that discharges indoor air to the outside of a room. The air conditioner includes a detection unit that detects an indoor environment and a ventilation unit that is connected to another operation state. And control means for controlling the detection means according to the detection result of the detection means, and operation means for designating execution of the control.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the interior of the indoor unit and the ventilation unit.
Reference numeral 1 denotes an indoor unit having a suction port 2 on a front surface, a suction port 3 on an upper surface, and an outlet 4 on a lower surface, and forms a ventilation path from the inlets 2, 3 to the outlet 4. The inlet 2 is provided with an opening / closing panel 2a for closing the ventilation passage at the time of operation / stop. The outlet 4 is provided with two front and rear louvers 5. The louver 5 functions not only to open and close the air outlet 4 but also as a means for vertically adjusting the blown air.
[0008]
An indoor heat exchanger 6 and an indoor fan 7 are provided in a ventilation path from the inlets 2 and 3 to the outlet 4, and an air purifying unit 8 is provided between the inlet 2 and the indoor heat exchanger 6. Have been. The indoor fan 7 sucks indoor air through the suction ports 2 and 3, and blows the sucked air through the air purification unit 8 and the indoor heat exchanger 6 to the room through the outlet 4. The indoor air will circulate through the air purification unit 8 and the indoor heat exchanger 6.
[0009]
The air cleaning unit 8 has a two-stage electrode unit including an ionization unit that applies electric charges to particles such as dust contained in passing air and a dust collection unit that applies electric charges for adsorbing the charged particles, In addition to functioning as an original air cleaning unit that removes dust and dirt from the intake air, it also functions as an ozone generator because a small amount of ozone is generated when a high voltage is applied to the ionization unit. Further, the indoor temperature sensor 9 detects the temperature of the drawn indoor air.
[0010]
Between the suction port 2 and the air purifying unit 8, as detecting means for detecting the indoor environment, an indoor temperature sensor (indoor temperature detecting means) 11, an indoor humidity sensor (indoor humidity detecting means) 12, and a gas sensor (dirt detecting means) Means 13 are provided. The arrangement positions of these sensors 11, 12, and 13 provide a ventilation path for indoor air when the indoor fan 7 is operating, and also provide a ventilation path for indoor air when the ventilation unit 20 is operating. These sensors can detect the temperature, humidity and dirt of the indoor air, respectively.
[0011]
The ventilation unit 20 is provided at a position facing the ventilation path on the downstream side of the indoor heat exchanger 6. The ventilation unit 20 includes a ventilation fan 20M and suction ports 21 and 22, and an indoor unit that takes in the air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 6 from the suction port 21 and discharges the air outside through the ventilation duct 24 connected to the unit. An indoor air discharge flow path having an internal air discharge flow path and taking in room air before flowing into the air purification unit 8 and the indoor heat exchanger 6 from the suction port 22 and discharging the indoor air to the outside through the ventilation duct 24. Have. Further, the ventilation unit 20 has a built-in damper 23 for opening and closing the flow path, a function of opening only one of the two flow paths and closing the other, a function of closing both flow paths, and the like. ing. The ventilation duct 24 is led out of the room through a wall of a house or the like.
[0012]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the refrigeration cycle and the control circuit.
The outdoor unit 30 includes a compressor 31, a four-way valve 32, an outdoor heat exchanger 33, a pressure reducer such as an electronic expansion valve 34, an outdoor fan 35, and the like. The compressor 31 sucks the refrigerant from the suction port, compresses the sucked refrigerant, and discharges the refrigerant from the discharge port. An outdoor heat exchanger 33 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 31 via a four-way valve 32 via a pipe, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 33 via an electronic expansion valve 34. . The suction port of the compressor 31 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 6 via a four-way valve 32.
[0013]
During the cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 31 flows in the direction of the solid line arrow in the drawing, and the outdoor heat exchanger 33 functions as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as an evaporator. During the heating operation, the four-way valve 32 is switched, so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 31 flows in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 33 functions as an evaporator. I do.
[0014]
The control unit 40 performs overall control of the air conditioner. The control unit 40 includes a four-way valve 32, an electronic expansion valve 34, an outdoor fan 35, an indoor fan 7, an air purification unit 8, an indoor temperature sensor 11, an indoor humidity sensor 12, a gas sensor 13, a ventilation unit 20, an inverter 41, and a light receiving unit. 42 are connected.
The inverter 41 rectifies the AC voltage of the commercial AC power supply 50, converts the rectified voltage into an AC voltage having a frequency corresponding to a command from the control unit 40, and outputs the AC voltage. This output is the driving power for the compressor 31. The light receiving unit 42 receives infrared light emitted from a remote control type operation device (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller) 60 for setting operating conditions.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 60 has a liquid crystal display 61 for displaying characters and images in a dot pattern, a liquid crystal display 62 for displaying a regular character pattern, and a main key unit 63 at the upper part of the upper surface. I have. The main key section 63 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons for setting operating conditions such as air conditioner operation / stop (cooling / heating), air cleaning operation / stop, dehumidification operation / stop, timer operation, and room temperature.
A cover 64 is provided at the lower portion of the remote controller 60 so as to be openable and closable. When the cover 64 is opened, the auxiliary key portion 65 is exposed. The auxiliary key unit 65 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons for setting various operating conditions such as sleepy driving, indoor humidity, air volume, wind direction, louvering, and the like. A setting button 72, a timer reservation button 73, an automatic ventilation button 74, a ventilation operation / stop button 75, and the like are provided.
[0016]
When the menu button 71 is operated, a menu screen including an item name for designating the automatic ventilation mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 61. The off timer time setting button 72 is originally used for setting the off timer time, but also functions as an operation means for switching the item name of the menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 61. The timer reservation button 73 is originally used for confirming the reservation of the timer time, but also functions as an operation means for confirming the item name of the menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 61. The automatic ventilation button 74 is for directly designating an automatic ventilation mode.
[0017]
The automatic ventilation mode is an operation in which the operation / stop and the discharge amount of the ventilation unit 20 are controlled in accordance with the detection results of the above-mentioned sensors regardless of other operation conditions.
[0018]
Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the automatic ventilation mode is set by the operation of the menu button 71, the off timer time setting button 72, the timer reservation button 73, or the operation of the automatic ventilation button 74 (YES in step 101), the louver 5 is moved to the clean angle (the upper part of the louver is closed). (Slightly opened), the suction panel 2a is closed, and the damper 23 is set to the ventilation position (step 102).
[0019]
For a certain period of time, for example, three minutes from the setting of the automatic ventilation mode (YES in step 103) (YES in step 103), if the indoor fan 7 is operating (YES in step 104), that is, an operation such as cooling, heating, and dehumidifying is being performed. In the situation, the speed of the indoor fan 7 is set to a low speed (step 105). If the indoor fan 7 is stopped (NO in step 104), that is, in a state where other operations are stopped, the indoor fan 7 is operated at a low speed (step 106).
[0020]
When the indoor fan 7 operates at a low speed in this manner, indoor air is introduced into the indoor unit 1 through the suction opening 3 and the upper gap of the louver 5. The introduced air flows through the positions where the sensors 11, 12, and 13 are provided. As a result, the indoor temperature Ta is detected by the indoor temperature sensor 11, the indoor humidity Hu is detected by the indoor humidity sensor 12, and the amount of dirt (the amount of smell and tobacco smoke) Ga of the indoor air is detected by the gas sensor 13 (step). 107).
[0021]
The temperature-speed setting condition of FIG. 5 for setting the speed of the ventilation fan 20M according to the room temperature Ta, the humidity-speed setting condition of FIG. 6 for setting the speed of the ventilation fan 20M according to the room humidity Hu, The dirt-speed setting conditions in FIG. 7 for setting the speed of the ventilation fan 20M according to the dirt amount Ga are stored in the internal memory of the control unit 40, and these setting conditions and the detected indoor temperature Ta and indoor The speed of the ventilation fan 20M is set by comparing the humidity Hu and the dirt Ga (step 108).
[0022]
That is, when the room temperature Ta changes in the rising direction, the ventilation fan 20M is “stopped” when the room temperature Ta is lower than 30 ° C., and the “low speed operation” of the ventilation fan 20M is performed when the room temperature Ta is 30 ° C. or higher and lower than 32 ° C. When the room temperature Ta is 32 ° C. or higher, “high speed operation” of the ventilation fan 20M is set. When the room temperature Ta changes in the descending direction, the "high speed operation" of the ventilation fan 20M when the room temperature Ta is 30C or higher, and the "low speed operation" of the ventilation fan 20M when the room temperature Ta is lower than 30C and 28C or higher. When the room temperature Ta is lower than 28 ° C., “stop” of the ventilation fan 20M is set.
[0023]
When the indoor humidity Hu changes in the rising direction, the ventilation fan 20M is “stopped” when the indoor humidity Hu is less than 70%, and the “low speed operation” of the ventilation fan 20M is performed when the indoor humidity Hu is 70% or more and less than 75%. When the humidity Hu is 75% or more, the "high speed operation" of the ventilation fan 20M is set. When the indoor humidity Hu changes in the downward direction, the "high speed operation" of the ventilation fan 20M is performed when the indoor humidity Hu is 70% or more, and the "low speed operation" of the ventilation fan 20M is performed when the indoor humidity Hu is less than 70% and 65% or more. When the indoor humidity Hu is less than 65%, "stop" of the ventilation fan 20M is set.
[0024]
Regarding the amount of dirt Ga, the "high speed operation" of the ventilation fan 20M when the amount of dirt Ga is in the higher "3 to 5 zone", and the "low speed operation" of the ventilation fan 20M when the amount of dirt Ga is in the lower "2 zone". When the "speed operation" and the dirt amount Ga are in the "one zone", the "stop" of the ventilation fan 20M is set.
[0025]
If all of these settings are "stop" (YES in step 109), the ventilation fan 20M stops (step 110).
[0026]
In this case, if the indoor fan 7 is operating (YES in step 111), the speed of the indoor fan 7 is reduced to a low speed to continue other operations such as cooling while continuing to optimally detect the indoor environment. Is set (step 112). If the indoor fan 7 has stopped (NO in step 111), the indoor fan 7 is intermittently driven at a low speed, for example, every 10 minutes for 1 minute (step 113) to continue detection of the indoor environment.
[0027]
If none of the setting contents is "stop" (NO in step 109), the ventilation fan 20M is operated with the highest speed (largest discharge amount) among the setting contents as a priority control condition (step 114).
In this way, when the ventilation fan 20M starts operating, room air is introduced into the indoor unit 1 through the suction opening 3 and the upper gap of the louver 5. The introduced indoor air flows through the positions where the sensors 11, 12, and 13 are provided. As a result, the detection of the room temperature Ta, the room humidity Hu, and the contamination amount Ga is continued. In addition, the damper 23 of the ventilation fan 20 opens the suction port 22, and the introduced indoor air is ventilated without flowing into the air cleaning unit 8 and the indoor heat exchanger 6 as shown by a solid arrow in FIG. It is taken into the suction port 22 of the unit 20. The room air taken into the suction port 22 is discharged outside the room through the ventilation duct 24. By this ventilation operation, unpleasant indoor air is discharged outside the room, and the room is shifted to a comfortable environment.
[0028]
In this case, if the indoor fan 7 is operating (YES in step 115), that is, if another operation such as cooling is being performed, the optimum detection of the indoor environment is performed while continuing the other operation. To continue, the speed of the indoor fan 7 is set to a low speed (step 116).
[0029]
FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the on-timer control for starting the cooling operation at the set time and the automatic ventilation mode. Before starting the cooling operation, the indoor fan 7 is operated at a low speed for the first three minutes to detect the indoor environment, and the indoor fan 7 is operated at a low speed intermittently after the lapse of three minutes. After the start of the cooling operation, the indoor fan 7 is operated at a low speed in order to continue the optimal detection of the indoor environment while continuing the cooling operation.
[0030]
FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the OFF timer control for stopping the cooling operation at the set time, the ON timer control for starting the cooling operation at the set time, and the automatic ventilation mode. Until the cooling operation is stopped by the off timer control, the indoor fan 7 is operated at a low speed in order to continue the optimal detection of the indoor environment while continuing the cooling operation. After the cooling operation is stopped by the off timer control, the indoor fan 7 is intermittently operated at a low speed to detect the indoor environment. When the cooling operation is started again by the ON timer control, the indoor fan 7 is operated at a low speed in order to continue the optimal detection of the indoor environment while continuing the cooling operation.
[0031]
As described above, the sensors 11, 12, and 13 for detecting the indoor environment are provided, and the ventilation unit 20 is provided with the automatic ventilation mode for controlling the ventilation unit 20 in accordance with the detection result of each sensor regardless of other driving conditions. Since the ventilation mode is set by the operation of the remote controller 60, the ventilation unit 20 can be made to function effectively while struggling with the balance with other operations.
[0032]
The operation of the remote controller 60 may be either the menu button 71 or the automatic ventilation button 74. Regardless of the operation, the automatic ventilation mode can be easily and reliably set.
[0033]
When the indoor fan 7 is stopped, the indoor fan 7 is intermittently operated at a low speed to continue the introduction of the indoor air to the indoor unit 1. Is surely detected.
[0034]
Among the ventilation fan speeds set according to the detection results of the sensors 11, 12, and 13, the ventilation fan 20M is operated with the highest speed (largest discharge amount) as the priority control condition, so that the worst environment Highly reliable ventilation can be performed.
[0035]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be variously modified without changing the gist.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner capable of effectively functioning a ventilation unit while struggling with a balance with other operations.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an interior of an indoor unit and a configuration of a ventilation unit in one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigeration cycle and a control circuit in one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing an appearance of a remote controller according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a temperature-speed setting condition in one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a humidity-speed setting condition in one embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a dirt-speed setting condition in one embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a relationship between an on-timer control and an automatic ventilation mode in one embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a time chart showing a relationship among an off timer control, an on timer control, and an automatic ventilation mode in one embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Indoor unit, 2 ... Suction port, 3 ... Suction port, 4 ... Outlet, 5 ... Louver, 6 ... Indoor heat exchanger, 7 ... Indoor fan, 8 ... Air purification unit, 11 ... Indoor temperature sensor, 12 ... Indoor humidity sensor, 13 Gas sensor (dirt detection means), 20 Ventilation unit, 20M Ventilation fan, 31 Compressor, 32 Four-way valve, 33 Outdoor heat exchanger, 34 Electronic expansion valve, 40 Control unit , 60 remote control (operator), 71 menu button, 74 automatic ventilation button

Claims (8)

In an air conditioner equipped with a ventilation unit that discharges indoor air to the outside,
Detecting means for detecting the indoor environment;
Control means for controlling the ventilation unit in accordance with the detection result of the detection means regardless of other operating conditions,
Operating means for specifying execution of the control;
An air conditioner comprising: The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the operating means is a remote control type operating device for setting an operating condition of the air conditioner. The operation device has a menu button and a display unit, and according to the operation of the menu button, displays a menu screen including an item name for designating execution of the control on the display unit. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the operation device has a button for designating execution of the control. The ventilation unit is provided in an indoor unit of the air conditioner,
The detection means is provided in a ventilation path in the indoor unit,
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: When the control by the control means is performed, the indoor fan in the indoor unit is operated at a low speed if the indoor fan is in an operating state, and the indoor fan is operated intermittently if the indoor fan is in a stopped state. The air conditioner according to claim 5, further comprising: means. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is a temperature detection unit that detects indoor temperature, a humidity detection unit that detects indoor humidity, and a dirt detection unit that detects dirt on indoor air. 3. The control unit sets the operation / stop and discharge amount of the ventilation unit according to the detection result of the temperature detection unit, the detection result of the humidity detection unit, and the detection result of the dirt detection unit, respectively. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the ventilation unit is controlled with the largest discharge amount being the priority control condition.

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