JP2006153393A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner for performing air conditioning control in accordance with a difference between a room temperature and a set temperature while preventing too much cooling or heating operation if possible without knowing the room temperature during air conditioning particularly in the off-season. <P>SOLUTION: The air conditioner performs air conditioning control in accordance with a difference between the room temperature and the set temperature to keep a room at the set temperature. An adjusting value for somewhat turn-down operation is set. When instructed for the somewhat turn-down operation, a control means 31 uses the adjusting value for adjusting the room temperature at this time to set the adjusted temperature as a set temperature and for changing the direction of a louver 16 to set an air blowing direction sideways. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an air-conditioning apparatus that performs air-conditioning control based on a difference between a room temperature and a set temperature so that the room has a set temperature.

Conventionally, an air conditioning apparatus such as a room air conditioner basically performs air conditioning control based on a difference between a room temperature and a set temperature, as described in Patent Document 1, for example.
JP 2003-106628 A

  By the way, the cooling season of the air conditioner is mainly July and August, and the heating season is mainly December to February. However, there are times when it is hot in May and it is cold in October, and it has been difficult to determine how to set the air-conditioning temperature in such a so-called off-season. In addition, when operating the air conditioner, there are few cases where the current temperature can be easily known. Therefore, even if you want weaker air conditioning or heating that is a little more effective than the current time, you often decide the set temperature appropriately. There are many cases where this is not possible.

  The problem to be solved is that there are many cases where the temperature is too cold or too warm if the set temperature is appropriately determined particularly during off-season air conditioning.

  The air conditioning apparatus of the present invention performs air conditioning control based on the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature in order to bring the room to the set temperature. Then, an adjustment value for weak driving is set, and when there is an instruction for weak driving, the control means (31) adjusts the room temperature at that time with the adjustment value and sets the adjusted temperature. Let it be temperature.

  Moreover, the said control means may change the direction of a louver (16) and will direct the blowing direction of air to a horizontal side, if there is a weak driving | operation instruction.

  Further, the set temperature during the weak operation may be 1 to 4 ° C lower than the room temperature during cooling and 1 to 4 ° C higher than the room temperature during heating.

  According to the present invention, when there is an instruction for weak operation, the control means adjusts the room temperature at that time with the adjustment value, and uses the adjusted temperature as the set temperature. Therefore, even if the user does not know the room temperature, the user can obtain cooling or heating at a temperature adjusted by a predetermined amount from the current room temperature only by instructing the weak operation. As a result, it can be prevented as much as possible that it is too cold or too warm.

  In addition, when there is an instruction for weak driving, when the control means changes the direction of the louvers so that the air blowing direction is directed to the side, it is possible to prevent the wind from directly hitting the user as much as possible. . As a result, the user can experience soft air conditioning.

  Furthermore, when the set temperature during the weak operation is 1 to 4 ° C lower than the room temperature during cooling and 1 to 4 ° C higher than the room temperature during heating, the user Even without knowing the temperature, it is possible to obtain weak air conditioning or heating that is slightly air-conditioned compared to the present time by simply instructing the weak operation.

  An air conditioner that performs air conditioning control based on the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature, especially during off-season air conditioning, it can become too cold or too warm without knowing the room temperature. For the purpose of preventing as much as possible, when an adjustment value for weak driving is set and there is an instruction for weak driving, the control means adjusts the room temperature at that time with the adjustment value and adjusts it Realized by setting the temperature to the set temperature.

  Next, an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of the remote controller, where FIG. 3A is a front view, and FIG. 3B is a front view with the front door removed. FIG. 4 is a schematic refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigeration cycle during cooling. FIG. 5 is a schematic refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigeration cycle during heating. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams for explaining the left and right moving louvers, in which FIG. 6A is a diagram of a typical example during normal operation, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an input / output diagram of the control device of the air conditioner. FIG. 8 is a flowchart when there is an instruction for weak driving from the operation unit. In FIG. 7, only main parts related to the weak eye operation are shown, and other parts not shown are also connected to the control device.

First, the overall configuration of the air conditioner will be described.
In FIG. 1, the air conditioner includes an indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit 3 connected to the indoor unit 1 through a refrigerant pipe 2. The indoor unit 1 is installed indoors, while the outdoor unit 3 is installed outdoors, and the refrigerant pipe 2 connects the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 3 through a hole 4 formed in the building. Yes. A ventilation duct 5 from the indoor unit 1 is inserted into the hole 4. During operation of the outdoor unit 3, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle circulates from the outdoor unit 3 to the indoor unit 1 via the refrigerant pipe 2 for heating and cooling.

  In FIG. 2, the indoor unit 1 includes an indoor unit heat exchanger 6 and a circulation fan 7. A movable front panel 8 is provided on the front surface of the indoor unit 1, and an air suction port 11 is provided on the rear side of the front panel 8. During operation of the indoor unit 1, the front panel 8 moves to the front side, and indoor air can be taken into the indoor unit 1 from the air suction port 11. Further, when the indoor unit 1 is stopped, the front panel 8 moves to the rear side, that is, the air suction port 11 side to improve the appearance. An air outlet 12 is provided below the indoor unit 1. A filter 13 is provided on the front surface of the air suction port 11. Further, an ultraviolet lamp device 14 is disposed above the indoor unit heat exchanger 6.

  Then, when the circulation blower 7 of the indoor unit 1 is operated, the indoor air is filtered by the filter 13 and sucked from the air suction port 11, and is then heat-exchanged by the indoor unit heat exchanger 6. 12 is blowing out into the room. In this way, while the indoor air is circulated by the circulation fan 7 as an air conditioner blower, the air is exchanged by the indoor unit heat exchanger 6.

  The air outlet 12 is provided with louvers 16 and 17 for changing the air blowing direction. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of left and right moving louvers 16 are arranged in the left and right direction, and change the direction of the air blowing in the left and right direction. The vertical movement louver 17 changes the vertical direction of the air blowing. The louvers 16 and 17 are each driven by a louver driving device 18.

  4 and 5, the indoor unit heat exchanger 6 of the indoor unit 1 forms a refrigeration cycle with the compressor 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 22 of the outdoor unit 3 and the like, as is generally well known. ing. Air (that is, outside air) is blown to the outdoor heat exchanger 22 by the blower 23, and heat exchange is performed between the air and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle.

  The compressor 21 compresses the gaseous refrigerant and discharges it to the refrigerant flow path switching valve 24 which is a refrigerant flow path switching means. During the heating shown in FIG. 5, the refrigerant flow switching valve 24 allows the refrigerant from the compressor 21 to flow into the indoor unit heat exchanger 6, and the refrigerant from the indoor unit heat exchanger 6 serves as expansion means. Through the expansion valve 26 and the outdoor heat exchanger 22, the refrigerant returns to the compressor 21 through the refrigerant flow switching valve 24 and the accumulator 27. In this way, warm refrigerant (so-called hot gas) flows through the indoor unit heat exchanger 6.

  On the other hand, during the cooling operation, as shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant flow path switching valve 24 causes the refrigerant from the compressor 21 to flow through the outdoor heat exchanger 22 to be air-cooled. The refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 22 passes through the expansion valve 26 and the indoor unit heat exchanger 6 and returns to the compressor 21 via the refrigerant flow switching valve 24 and the accumulator 27. In this way, the cooled cold refrigerant flows through the indoor unit heat exchanger 6.

  The control device 31 which is a control means of the air conditioner is composed of a microcomputer in the indoor unit 1, a microcomputer in the remote controller 32, a microcomputer in the outdoor unit 3, and the like, and controls the operation of the air conditioner. In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, the control device 31 includes the operation button 42 of the remote controller 32 and the indoor temperature provided in the remote controller 32 for the weak driving where the air conditioning is slightly effective from the present time. A signal from the sensor 33 is input. The indoor temperature sensor 33 detects the temperature of the room where the indoor unit 1 is installed, and functions as a room temperature detecting means. In addition, a drive signal is output from the control device 31 to the compressor 21, the circulation fan 7, the refrigerant flow path switching valve 24, the louver drive device 18, and the like. Further, various devices of the indoor unit 1 and various devices of the outdoor unit 3 are connected to the control device 31 so as to be able to input and output. Various set values (for example, set temperature and flag) are stored in the storage unit (EPROM, RAM, etc.) of the control device 31, and a timer (not shown) is incorporated. In particular, regarding the weak operation of this embodiment, the storage unit of the control device 31 stores an adjustment temperature as an adjustment value [+ several degrees Centigrade during heating (for example, a value in a range of 1 ° C. to 4 ° C.) and cooling] −several degrees C (for example, a value in the range of −1 ° C. to −4 ° C.)], weak temperature setting temperature (hereinafter referred to as “weak temperature setting temperature”), normal operation setting temperature, weak flag, etc. .

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the remote control 32 includes a display unit 40 and a front door 41 that can be opened and closed. Various operation buttons 42 as an operation unit are provided on the front door 41 and the main body of the remote control 32. The operation buttons 42 related to the weak operation include a cooling button 42a, a heating button 42b, a weak operation button 42c, an ascending temperature setting button 42d, a descending temperature setting button 42e, an up / down air direction button 42f and a left / right air direction button 42g. There is. As shown in FIG. 3A, the weak eye operation button 42 c is provided on the front door 41 and is displayed as “slightly”. By operating an ascending temperature setting button 42d or a descending temperature setting button 42e provided on the front door 41, the set temperature used during normal operation can be changed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the up / down air direction button 42f and the left / right air direction button 42g are exposed and can be operated when the front door 41 is opened. Then, by operating the up / down air direction button 42f or the left / right air direction button 42g, the direction of the louvers 16, 17 can be changed, and the direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 12 of the indoor unit 1 can be changed. .

Next, the flow of operation when a weak driving is instructed will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
In step 0, the cooling button 42a or the heating button 42b of the remote controller 32 is pressed to operate the air conditioner to perform a cooling operation, a heating operation, a blowing operation, or the like. During the cooling operation, an instruction is output from the control device 31 to the refrigerant flow path switching valve 24 so that the cooling switching position shown in FIG. On the other hand, during the heating operation, an instruction is output from the control device 31 to the refrigerant flow path switching valve 24 so that the switching position for heating shown in FIG. In addition, the set temperature for normal operation is previously stored in the storage unit of the control device 31 by the remote controller 32 or the like. Then, the control device 31 uses the control program stored in the storage unit to compress the compressor 21 and the compressor 21 based on the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature so that the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 33 becomes the set temperature. The circulation fan 7 and the like are controlled. That is, as the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature increases by a table showing the relationship between the temperature difference and the output of the compressor 21 and the circulation fan 7 or proportional control, the rotational speed of the compressor 21 and the circulation fan 7 Control is performed so that the air flow rate increases. The set temperature (set temperature for normal operation) can be changed as appropriate by operating the temperature setting buttons 42d and 42e of the remote controller 32.

  In step 1, when the user desires weaker cooling or heating that is slightly air-conditioned than the current time, the user presses (operates) the weak operation button 42c. The operation signal (instruction for weak driving) is input to the control device 31, and the process goes to Step 2. On the other hand, if the operation signal is not input to the control device 31 in step 1, the process goes to step 7.

  In step 2, the control device 31 determines whether or not the weak flag indicating whether the operation is normal operation or weak operation is ON or OFF. If ON, the process goes to step 6, and if OFF, the process goes to step 3. When entering the weak operation from the normal operation, the weak operation is OFF, so go to Step 3.

  In step 3, the control device 31 samples and obtains the current room temperature from the room temperature sensor 33, and goes to step 4. In step 4, the control device 31 adds the adjusted temperature to the obtained room temperature, generates a weak eye set temperature, and stores it in the storage unit. Then go to step 5.

  In step 5, the control device 31 sets a weak eye flag (turns it ON). Then, return to Step 1.

  Since the weak eye operation button 42c is operated only once, the process goes from step 1 to step 7. In step 7, the control device 31 determines whether the weak eye flag is ON or OFF, and if it is ON, the control device 31 goes to step 8, and if it is OFF, it goes to step 10. In the previous step 5, since the weak eye flag has changed from OFF to ON, go to step 8.

  In step 8, the control device 31 performs the weak operation that is controlled using the weak setting temperature instead of the normal operation setting temperature. That is, the control device 31 controls the compressor 21 and the circulation fan 7 based on the temperature difference between the room temperature and the weak set temperature so that the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 33 becomes the weak set temperature. To do. Then, go to step 9.

  In step 9, the control device 31 outputs a drive signal to the louver drive device 18, and the left and right moving louvers 16 are directed sideways in a C shape as shown in FIG. The blowing direction from the outlet 12 is directed sideways. Then, returning to step 1, step 7, step 8 and step 9 are sequentially repeated to continue the weak operation.

  Then, when ending the weak driving, the weak driving button 42c is operated again. Then, step 1 goes to step 2. In this step 2, since the weak flag is ON, go to step 6. In step 6, the control device 31 changes the weak eye flag from ON to OFF, and returns to step 1.

  Then, go from step 1 to step 7. In step 7, since the weak flag is OFF, the process goes to step 10. In step 10, the control device 31 performs a normal operation in which control is performed using the normal operation set temperature instead of the weak eye set temperature. That is, the control device 31 uses the compressor 21 and the circulation blower based on the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the normal operation set temperature so that the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 33 becomes the normal operation set temperature. 7 etc. are controlled. Further, the control device 31 outputs a drive signal to the louver drive device 18 to return the left-right louver 16 to its original position, for example, the state shown in FIG. Then, returning to Step 1, Steps 7 and 10 are sequentially repeated, and normal operation is continued until the weak operation button 42c is operated again.

  In this way, when the weak driving button 42c as the weak driving instruction means is operated and the operation signal of the weak driving button 42c is input to the control device 31, the weak flag is turned on each time the input is made. Switch to (There is a weak driving instruction) or OFF (There is no weak driving instruction). When the weak flag is ON, the control device 31 performs air-conditioning control at the weak set temperature obtained by adjusting the current room temperature with the adjustment value (adjusted temperature) so that the air conditioning is slightly effective. When the eye flag is OFF, air conditioning control is performed at the normal operation set temperature. Further, when the weak flag is ON, the control device 31 drives the louver 16 so that the air direction from the air outlet 12 of the indoor unit 1 is directed to the side, while the weak flag is OFF. The louver 16 is driven in the direction instructed by the wind direction instructing means such as a left / right wind direction button.

  As a control means, the control device 1) means for performing air conditioning control based on the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature in order to bring the room to the set temperature, and 2) if there is an instruction for weak operation, Means for adjusting the room temperature at the time point with the adjustment value, and setting the adjusted temperature as the set temperature; 3) when there is an instruction for weak operation, the direction of the louver is changed, and the air blowing direction of the blower is changed. Means or the like directed to the side is provided.

  In addition to the above means, the control means includes means for executing each process corresponding to each process to be executed. Further, it is not always necessary to have all the above means.

  As described above, in the air conditioner of this embodiment, when the operation signal from the weak operation instruction means (weak operation button 42c) is input to the control device 31, the weak flag is turned on each time the input is made. Alternatively, when the weak flag is ON, air conditioning control is performed at the weak set temperature obtained by adjusting the current room temperature with the adjustment value so that the air conditioning is slightly effective. Therefore, even if the user does not know the room temperature, he / she can obtain weak cooling or heating that is slightly air-conditioned compared to the present time by operating only the weak operation instruction means (weak operation button 42c). .

  Further, when the weak flag is ON, the control device 31 drives the louver 16 so that the air direction is directed to the side from the air outlet 12 of the indoor unit 1. The user is prevented as much as possible from the wind from the indoor unit 1 as much as possible. As a result, the user can experience soft air conditioning.

As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. Examples of modifications of the present invention are illustrated below.
(1) In order to simplify the explanation, the adjusted temperature is + several degrees Centigrade during heating and −several degrees Centigrade during cooling and is added to the current room temperature. The adjusted temperature can be added to the current room temperature, while the low temperature setting temperature can be obtained by subtracting the adjusted temperature from the current room temperature during cooling. Further, when the weak setting temperature is generated, it is also possible to set not the adjusted temperature but a ratio (for example, about 10%) with respect to the room temperature. In this way, the adjustment value used when generating the weak setting temperature from the current room temperature can be adjusted even if the room temperature is adjusted so that the air conditioning is slightly effective and the weak setting temperature can be generated. The ratio can also be selected as appropriate.

(2) The air conditioner is basically controlled by the difference between the set temperature and the room temperature. However, the air conditioner may be controlled by taking into account the outdoor temperature (that is, the outside air temperature), humidity, and time zone. Of course it is possible.
(3) The control means is constituted by a microcomputer, but other configurations are possible. Further, the control means can be distributed and arranged in a remote controller, an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, or the like, or can be centrally arranged in one place such as a remote controller, an outdoor unit, or an indoor unit.
(4) The order of the steps in each flowchart can be changed as appropriate. For example, step 5 is possible even before step 3.

(5) If the air blower can blow the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, its type, number, etc. can be selected as appropriate. Further, if the louver drive device 18 can change the wind direction by operating the louvers 16 and 17, the structure, type, and the like can be selected as appropriate.
(6) The room temperature sensor only needs to be able to detect the room temperature, and its type, number, arrangement, etc. can be selected as appropriate. For example, it can be provided in the main body of an indoor unit.

(7) The operation unit is composed of the operation buttons 42 of the remote controller. However, if it is possible to instruct weak driving or the like, the position and structure of the operation unit can be appropriately changed. It is also possible to provide it.
(8) The air conditioning control is preferably performed by both the rotational speed of the compressor 21 and the air flow rate of the circulation fan 7 serving as a blower, but can be performed at least by controlling the rotational speed of the compressor 21. It is.

  When an adjustment value for weak driving is set and a weak driving instruction is given, the control means adjusts the room temperature at that time with the adjustment value, and the adjusted temperature is set as the setting temperature. Therefore, even if the user does not know the room temperature, the user can obtain the cooling or heating adjusted by a predetermined amount from the current room temperature only by instructing the weak operation. Therefore, it is optimal to apply to an air conditioner that performs air conditioning control based on the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature in order to bring the room to the set temperature.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of the remote controller, where FIG. 3A is a front view, and FIG. 3B is a front view with the front door removed. FIG. 4 is a schematic refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigeration cycle during cooling. FIG. 5 is a schematic refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigeration cycle during heating. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams for explaining the left and right moving louvers, in which FIG. 6A is a diagram of a typical example during normal operation, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an input / output diagram of the control device of the air conditioner. FIG. 8 is a flowchart when there is an instruction for weak driving from the operation unit.

Explanation of symbols

1 Indoor unit 7 Blower for circulation (blower)
12 Air outlet of indoor unit 16 Louver 17 Louver 31 Control device (control means)

Claims (3)

In an air conditioner that performs air conditioning control based on a difference between a room temperature and a set temperature in order to set the room to a set temperature,
The adjustment value for weak driving is set,
The control means adjusts the room temperature at that time with the adjustment value when an instruction for weak driving is given, and sets the adjusted temperature as a set temperature. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the direction of the louver and directs the air blowing direction to the horizontal side when an instruction for weak driving is given. The set temperature during the weak operation is 1 to 4 ° C lower than the room temperature during cooling and 1 to 4 ° C higher than the room temperature during heating. The air conditioning apparatus described.

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