JP2007032885A - Control method of air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control method of an air conditioner improving both the upper and lower temperature difference of a room and the plane temperature difference near a floor. <P>SOLUTION: The control method of the air conditioner comprises a first step of measuring the floor temperature of a plurality of areas near the floor of the room by a radiation temperature detecting means; a second step of averaging the measured floor temperature of the plurality of areas to compute an average floor temperature Ta; a third step of computing a room temperature Td from an arithmetic expression Td=(1-α)Tc+αTa when the detected temperature of a suction air temperature sensor is set to Tc and a radiation temperature contribution rate is set to α(0-0.5); a fourth step of comparing the room temperature Td with a set temperature Tb; and a fifth step of controlling the air quantity of an indoor blower or the capacity of a compressor when the room temperature Td does not reach the set temperature Tb. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention uses a movable radiation sensor to detect the floor temperature of the entire room, so that the difference in temperature between the top and bottom of the room and the difference in floor plane temperature are reduced. It is related with the control method of the air conditioner which controls etc.

  In addition, although it demonstrates using a ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner as an air conditioner, this invention is applicable also to other ceiling embedded types (duct type), a ceiling suspended type, etc.

  Conventional ceiling-embedded cassette-type air conditioners control the operating frequency of the compressor, the air volume of the indoor unit blower, etc., using the temperature detected by the temperature sensor installed at the inlet of the indoor unit as the room temperature. Yes. However, the air temperature alone cannot accurately capture the temperature perceived by humans due to the effects of solar radiation, radiant heat from the floor and walls, and heat generated by the equipment. Further, since warm air accumulates upward due to the difference in specific gravity of air during heating, a high temperature near the ceiling is detected, and an error occurs from the temperature of the living space. As described above, since the temperature of the living space cannot be accurately captured, the user appropriately responds by changing the set temperature. However, when the energy-saving management is strict and the set temperature cannot be changed, there are problems such as not being cooled / warming.

Therefore, in a multi-directional (for example, 2, 3 or 4 direction) blowing type air conditioner, an upper and lower temperature distribution in a multi-directional region corresponding to the blowing direction is detected using an infrared sensor or the like, and based on the detection information. Thus, there has been proposed a blown air control device for an air conditioner that enables uniform comfortable control of the indoor temperature by controlling the blown air flow (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-3-260456

  However, in the conventional air conditioner air blow control device, the floor and walls have a large heat capacity, and the temperature change is slower than the temperature of the air. In spite of this, excessive energy may be used until the floor or wall temperature changes, or it may cause discomfort, and a simple averaging process may impair comfort. Moreover, although the temperature difference between the upper and lower sides of the room is improved to some extent, there is a problem that the flat temperature difference near the floor cannot be improved.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control method for an air conditioner that can improve both the vertical temperature difference in the room and the planar temperature difference near the floor. .

  The control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention is configured such that the indoor unit is installed at a high place such as a ceiling and blows out the air blown from the indoor blower downward, and includes a plurality of blowout ports and an air suction port Infrared rays radiated from objects such as floors are detected to detect the temperature of the object, and it is driven by a motor having its rotation axis arranged in a substantially vertical direction of the room, and the detection direction is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the rotation axis. A radiant temperature detection means that detects the temperature of an object such as a floor by rotating within a range of about 360 °, a compressor for a refrigeration cycle, and an intake air temperature sensor provided at the intake port. In the control method of an air conditioner provided, the first step of measuring the floor temperature of a plurality of areas near the floor of the room by the radiation temperature detection means, and averaging the measured floor temperatures of the plurality of areas Floor temperature T When the detection temperature of the intake air temperature sensor is Tc and the radiation temperature contribution ratio is α (0 to 0.5), the room temperature Td is calculated as Td = (1−α) Tc + αTa. The third step calculated from the arithmetic expression, the fourth step comparing the room temperature Td and the set temperature Tb, and if the room temperature Td does not reach the set temperature Tb, the air volume of the indoor fan or the compressor capacity And a fifth step of performing control.

  The control method for an air conditioner according to the present invention can improve both the vertical temperature difference of the room and the flat surface temperature difference near the floor by the above configuration, and eliminates user dissatisfaction related to comfort that does not cool or warm. can do.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 to 7 are diagrams showing Embodiment 1, FIG. 1 is a side view and a plan view of an indoor unit 1 of a ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner, and FIG. 2 is an indoor unit of a ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a radiation sensor 2, FIG. 4 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a ceiling-embedded cassette type air conditioner, and FIG. 5 is an area of eight locations in a room where the radiation sensor 2 is rotated for measurement. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of room temperature control based on the measurement result of the radiation sensor 2, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the outlet of the indoor unit 1 of the ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in an indoor unit 1 of a ceiling-embedded cassette type air conditioner, a panel 20 is abutted and coupled to the lower surface of an outer box 11. The panel 20 includes an air inlet 3 located in the center and four outlets 4 surrounding the inlet 3. Although the blowout port 4 is four directions here, the blowout type of a multi-direction (for example, 2, 3, ... direction) may be sufficient.

  In addition, a radiation sensor 2 (an example of a radiation temperature detecting means) that detects the temperature of an object by detecting infrared rays radiated by an object such as a floor is installed at a corner portion of the panel 20 that does not resist the suction and blowing air. ing. Further, a suction air temperature sensor 6 for detecting the temperature of the suction air is installed in the vicinity of the suction port 3 located at the center of the panel 20.

  The overall configuration of the indoor unit 1 of the ceiling-embedded cassette type air conditioner will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In the indoor unit 1, a panel 20 is abutted and coupled to an outer box 11 having an inner surface provided with a heat insulating material 14, and is fixed to a top wall via a mounting bracket 18 by a fixing bolt (not shown). An indoor blower 12 that drives a fan 12b with a fan motor 12a is provided in the vicinity of the inner center of the outer box 11. The indoor blower 12 sucks room air through the grill 23 of the suction port 3, the filter 22 and the bell mouth 17, and discharges high-pressure air to the primary side space 24. The high-pressure air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 15, enters the secondary side space 25, and is blown into the room from the blowout port 4. A drain pan 16 is installed below the indoor heat exchanger 15. The radiation sensor 2 is provided in one of the corner panels 21 (four pieces) attached as a separate part to the corner portion of the panel 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the radiation sensor 2 installed on the corner panel 21 is attached so that the detection direction of the radiation sensor 2 is inclined by a predetermined angle (for example, 30 °) with respect to the vertical direction of the room, and the rotating shaft 5a. Is rotated about 360 ° by a motor 5 (for example, a stepping motor) oriented in the vertical direction of the room. For example, it rotates about 360 ° in the clockwise direction, detects the infrared ray radiated from the floor and detects the temperature of the floor, and then rotates about 360 ° in the counterclockwise direction to detect the bed temperature. This reciprocation is repeated.

  The refrigerant circuit of the ceiling-embedded cassette type air conditioner will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  The ceiling-embedded cassette type air conditioner includes an indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit 60. The indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 60 are connected by a connection pipe 35 and a connection pipe 37. The indoor unit 1 includes the indoor heat exchanger 15 illustrated in FIG. 2, the indoor blower 12, and an indoor control unit 46 that controls the indoor blower 12 and the like. A remote controller 47 operated by a user is connected to the indoor control unit 46 by wire.

  The outdoor unit 60 includes a compressor 31 that is variably driven by an inverter circuit 45 controlled by an outdoor control unit 44 connected to the indoor control unit 46 through a signal line, a four-way valve 32 that switches a refrigerant flow direction, It has an electronic expansion valve 34 that is a decompression device, an outdoor heat exchanger 33, an outdoor blower 40, and an accumulator 38.

  For example, during cooling operation, the compressor 31, the four-way valve 32, the outdoor heat exchanger 33, the electronic expansion valve 34, the indoor heat exchanger 15, the four-way valve 32, the accumulator 38, and the compressor 31 are connected in this order. Configure the circuit.

  When controlling the cooling or heating capacity of the indoor unit 1, the rotational speed of the indoor blower 12 is changed, or the frequency of the inverter circuit 45 that drives the compressor 31 is changed. However, the capacity control of the compressor 31 includes a method of changing the rotational speed of the outdoor blower 40 in addition to a method of changing the frequency of the inverter circuit 45.

  Next, the operation of controlling the room temperature using the radiation sensor 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, the floor of the room is divided into eight areas (a1 to a8), and the respective bed temperatures are measured. First, the radiation sensor 2 is rotated by the motor 5 clockwise from a predetermined reference position in the order of a1, a2,. Stop at each position for 5 seconds, and measure the floor radiation temperatures T1, T2... T8 (corresponding to a1, a2... A8) (S1 in FIG. 6 (first step)). This operation is performed every minute, for example, but the rotation direction of the radiation sensor 2 repeats clockwise and counterclockwise.

Data measured by the radiation sensor 2 is averaged (S2 in FIG. 6 (second step)). In this case, the equation is
Ta = (ΣTn) / 8 (1)
Here, Ta is the average bed temperature, Tn (n = 1-8)
Is the floor temperature of each area (a1 to a8).

The human sensible temperature is affected by air temperature, radiation temperature, humidity, and airflow, and the ratio of the air temperature and radiation temperature is large among them. In general, the ratio of the radiation temperature to the air temperature is 50% or less. Therefore, the room temperature Td is calculated by the following equation (S3 in FIG. 6 (third step)).
Td = (1-α) Tc + αTa (2)
Here, Tc is the temperature detected by the intake air temperature sensor 6, and α is the radiation temperature contribution ratio (0 to 0.5).

  The room temperature Td is compared with the set temperature Tb of room temperature (S4 in FIG. 6 (fourth step)). When Td ≦ Tb is not satisfied during the cooling operation and Td ≧ Tb is not satisfied during the heating operation, the air volume control of the indoor blower 12 or the capacity control of the compressor 31 is performed (S5 in FIG. 6 (fifth step)).

Next, during the cooling operation, the highest temperature Tnmax is calculated among the individual bed temperatures Tn (n = 1 to 8) of each area (a1 to a8). During the heating operation, the lowest temperature Tnmin is calculated among the individual bed temperatures Tn (n = 1 to 8) of each area (a1 to a8). And local room temperature Td 'at the time of air_conditioning | cooling and heating is calculated by following Formula (S6 of FIG. 6 (6th step)).
Local room temperature Td ′ = (1−α) Tc + αTnmax (3)
Local room temperature Td ′ = (1−α) Tc + αTminin during heating (4)

  It is determined whether local room temperature Td 'is higher than set temperature Tb during cooling operation or lower than set temperature Tb during heating (S7 in FIG. 6 (seventh step)). If the local room temperature Td 'is lower than the set temperature Tb during cooling operation and higher than the set temperature Tb during heating, the process returns to S1.

  When the local room temperature Td ′ is higher than the set temperature Tb during the cooling operation or when it is lower than the local room temperature Td ′ during the heating operation, the local room temperature Td ′ and the set temperature Tb are The difference is compared with a predetermined value c (for example, 2 ° C.) (S8 in FIG. 6 (eighth step)). If the difference between the local room temperature Td 'and the set temperature Tb is smaller than c, the process returns to S1 to avoid hunting.

  When the difference between the local room temperature Td 'and the set temperature Tb is larger than c, the air volume control of the indoor fan 12 or the capacity control of the compressor 31 is performed (S9 in FIG. 6 (9th step)). Then, the floor radiation temperatures T1, T2... T8 (corresponding to a1, a2... A8) are measured by the same method as S1 (S10 in FIG. 6 (tenth step)). Further, the average floor temperature Ta is calculated by averaging the data measured by the radiation sensor 2 by the same method as S2 (S11 in FIG. 6 (11th step)). Furthermore, the room temperature Td is calculated by the same method as S3 (S12 in FIG. 6 (12th step)).

  The absolute value of the difference between the room temperature Td and the set temperature Tb is compared with a predetermined value d (for example, 2 ° C.) (S13 in FIG. 6 (13th step)). If | Td−Tb | ≦ d, the process returns to S9, and the air volume control of the indoor fan 12 or the capacity control of the compressor 31 is continued.

  When | Td−Tb | ≧ d, the difference between the temperature of the entire room and the set temperature Tb becomes too large, and the process returns to S1.

  As described above, by controlling the room temperature with the radiation temperature, the temperature of the entire room can be brought close to the set temperature Tb. Eliminates and prevents over-cooling and over-warming, so energy saving can be improved.

  In the temperature measurement of each area (a1 to a8) by the radiation sensor 2, when the room temperature Td reaches the set temperature Tb, the radiation sensor 2 faces the area of the floor temperature close to the average floor temperature Ta, and the radiation is detected. The sensor 2 is stopped. This state is maintained until the difference between the floor temperature of the area and the set temperature Tb becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, 2 ° C.). That is, the radiation sensor 2 is not rotated during that time. Thereby, the operation time of the motor 5 that drives the radiation sensor 2 can be reduced, and the life of the motor 5 can be extended.

  In particular, when air-conditioning a part of a room (such as a service corner) with priority, the user may fix the direction of the radiation sensor 2 to a part of the room. This operation is performed by a remote controller operated manually by the user or manually. As a result, it is possible to effectively air-condition the part that is to be air-conditioned with priority.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a damper 48 (an example of an air volume adjusting mechanism) that rotates around the damper rotation shaft 48 a is provided at the outlet 4, and the difference from the set temperature Tb in each area (a1 to a8). Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the difference in floor temperature between areas by adjusting the air volume with a damper for each outlet 4.

It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1, and is the side view and top view of the indoor unit 1 of a ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1, and is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (AA sectional drawing of FIG. 1) of the indoor unit 1 of a ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner. FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment and shows a radiation sensor 2. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1, and is a refrigerant circuit figure of a ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1, and is a figure which shows eight area | regions (a1-a8) of the room which rotates and measures the radiation sensor 2. FIG. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and is a flowchart of room temperature control based on the measurement result of the radiation sensor 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1, and is an enlarged view near the blower outlet of the indoor unit 1 of a ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indoor unit, 2 Radiation sensor, 3 Air inlet, 4 Air outlet, 5 Motor, 6 Air intake temperature sensor, 11 Outer box, 12 Indoor fan, 12a Fan motor, 12b Fan, 14 Heat insulating material, 15 Indoor heat exchanger, 16 Drain pan, 17 Bell mouth, 18 Mounting bracket, 20 Panel, 21 Corner panel, 22 Filter, 23 Grill, 24 Primary space, 25 Secondary space, 31 Compressor, 32 Four-way valve, 33 Outdoor heat exchanger, 34 Electronic expansion valve, 35 connection piping, 37 connection piping, 38 accumulator, 40 outdoor blower, 44 outdoor control unit, 45 inverter circuit, 46 indoor control unit, 47 remote control, 48 damper, 48a damper rotating shaft, 60 outdoor unit.

Claims (5)

The indoor unit is installed in a high place such as the ceiling, and is configured to blow down the air blown out from the indoor blower. It detects infrared rays emitted from objects such as multiple air outlets, air inlets, and floors. Then, the temperature of the object is detected, and it is driven by a motor having its rotating shaft arranged in a substantially vertical direction of the room, and the detection direction is attached to the rotating shaft at a predetermined angle with respect to the rotating shaft. In a method for controlling an air conditioner, comprising: a radiation temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of an object such as a floor rotating within a range; a compressor for a refrigeration cycle; and an intake air temperature sensor provided at the intake port ,
A first step of measuring floor temperatures of a plurality of areas near the floor of the room by the radiation temperature detecting means;
A second step of averaging the measured floor temperatures of the plurality of areas and calculating an average floor temperature Ta;
When the detected temperature of the intake air temperature sensor is Tc and the radiation temperature contribution ratio is α (0 to 0.5), a third temperature for calculating the room temperature Td from an arithmetic expression of Td = (1−α) Tc + αTa Steps,
A fourth step of comparing the room temperature Td with the set temperature Tb;
And a fifth step of controlling the air volume of the indoor blower or the capacity of the compressor when the room temperature Td does not reach the set temperature Tb. When the room temperature Td reaches the set temperature Tb, the highest temperature among the floor temperatures of the individual areas during cooling is calculated as Tnmax, which is the lowest among the floor temperatures of the individual areas during heating. A sixth step of calculating a temperature to be Tnmin and calculating a local room temperature Td ′ = (1−α) Tc + αTnmax during cooling and a local room temperature Td ′ = (1−α) Tc + αTnmin during heating; ,
A seventh step of comparing the local room temperature Td ′ with the set temperature Tb;
If the local room temperature Td ′ does not reach the set temperature Tb, an eighth step of comparing the difference between the local room temperature Td ′ and the set temperature Tb with a predetermined value;
If the absolute value of the difference between the local room temperature Td ′ and the set temperature Tb exceeds a predetermined value, the ninth step of controlling the air volume of the indoor fan or the capacity of the compressor;
A tenth step of measuring floor temperatures of a plurality of areas near the floor of the room by the radiation temperature detecting means;
An eleventh step of averaging the measured floor temperatures of the plurality of areas and calculating an average floor temperature Ta;
A twelfth step of calculating the room temperature Td from an arithmetic expression of Td = (1−α) Tc + αTa;
A thirteenth step of comparing a predetermined value with an absolute value of a difference between the room temperature Td and the set temperature Tb, and an absolute value of a difference between the room temperature Td and the set temperature Tb in the thirteenth step. 2. The method of controlling an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the value is larger than a predetermined value, the process returns to the first step.   In the temperature measurement of the plurality of areas by the radiation temperature detection means, when the room temperature reaches the set temperature, the radiation temperature detection means is directed to the area of the floor temperature having a small difference from the average floor temperature. The method of controlling an air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radiation temperature detecting means is stopped until a difference between the floor temperature of the area and the set temperature becomes a predetermined value or more.   3. The air according to claim 1, wherein, when air-conditioning a specific area of the plurality of areas with priority, a user fixes the direction of the radiation temperature detecting means to the specific area. Harmonic machine control method.   The air volume adjusting mechanism is provided at the outlet, and the air volume is adjusted by the air volume adjusting mechanism for each of the corresponding outlets according to a difference from the set temperature in the plurality of areas. Or the control method of the air conditioner of 2.

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