JP2008057866A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce noises of expansion valves 33a, 33b made when starting indoor units 3a, 3b of an air conditioner 1. <P>SOLUTION: An expansion valve control device 41 controlling operation including start control of the expansion valves 33a, 33b of the air conditioner 1 performs first operation of intermittently or continuously enlarging the opening when determining that there is predetermined pressure difference in front and in the rear of the expansion valves 33a, 33b in performing operation of opening the expansion valves 33a, 33b from the minimum opening to the maximum opening at the start, and performs second operation of holding the medium opening only for a predetermined time when determining that refrigerant passages in the expansion valves 33a, 33b are filled with a gas refrigerant. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that includes a plurality of indoor units and cools and heats an indoor space, and particularly relates to a technology for controlling an expansion mechanism provided in each indoor unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air conditioner that includes a refrigerant circuit that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and that cools and heats an indoor space is known. The refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner constitutes a closed circuit in which a compressor, a four-way switching valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and an indoor heat exchanger are connected by a refrigerant pipe. The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and the outdoor unit includes the compressor, the four-way switching valve, and the outdoor heat exchanger, and the indoor unit includes the expansion mechanism. And the indoor heat exchanger.

Among these air conditioners, there is a multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected in parallel to one outdoor unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this multi-type air conditioner, the amount of refrigerant sent from the compressor of the outdoor unit to the indoor heat exchanger of each indoor unit depends on the cooling or heating load of each indoor unit. It is configured to be adjustable.
JP 2003-106683 A

  However, in this multi-type air conditioner, abnormal noise may be generated from the expansion mechanism during operation of the expansion mechanism immediately after the start of the operation of the indoor unit. This abnormal noise is, for example, an abnormal noise generated from the expansion mechanism of the indoor unit that has started the operation immediately after starting another indoor unit in a situation where another indoor unit is already operating, or stopped. Immediately after starting the heating operation of the indoor unit, the noise may be generated from the expansion mechanism of the indoor unit that has started the heating operation.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this point, The objective is to reduce the noise of the expansion mechanism which generate | occur | produces at the time of starting of this indoor unit in the indoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus.

  The first invention includes an outdoor unit (2) provided with a compressor (13) and a heat source side heat exchanger (15), and a use side heat exchanger (34a, 34b) and an expansion with variable opening. A plurality of indoor units (3a, 3b) provided with a mechanism (33a, 33b) and connected in parallel to the outdoor unit (2), and an operation including start-up control of the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) It presupposes the air conditioning apparatus (1) which is equipped with the control means (41) which performs control, and performs an air-conditioning driving | operation.

  And the control means (41) of the said air conditioning apparatus (1) selects one from several operation | movement based on the determination means which determines an air-conditioning driving | operation condition, and the said expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) Drive means (45) to be performed, and the plurality of operations are intermittently performed when the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) is operated to open from the minimum opening to the maximum opening. The determination means includes a first operation for continuously increasing the opening and a second operation for maintaining the intermediate opening for a predetermined time. The determination means includes a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b). Differential pressure determination means (42, 44) for determining whether or not there is, and refrigerant state determination means (43) for determining whether or not the refrigerant passage in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) is filled with gas refrigerant The drive means (45) includes a differential pressure determination means (if there is a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b)). 42, 44), the first drive unit (45) that selects the first operation and causes the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) to perform the first operation when the determination is made, and the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) Second drive for selecting the second operation and causing the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) to perform the second operation when the refrigerant state determination means (43) determines that the refrigerant passage is filled with the gas refrigerant Part (45). Note that the above-mentioned minimum opening does not necessarily mean full closing, but may be a state where only a small opening is opened.

  In the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) in the indoor unit (3a, 3b) of the air conditioner (1), the expansion mechanism (33a, 33a, 33b) has a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b). , 33b), a shock wave may be generated in the refrigerant inside the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) when the valve is opened from the minimum opening to the maximum opening at a stroke.

  In the first invention, in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b), when there is a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b), the valve opening degree of the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) is set. The shock wave generated in the refrigerant inside the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) can be suppressed by causing the operation to open little by little intermittently or continuously, that is, by performing the first operation.

  In the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) of the indoor unit (3a, 3b) of the air conditioner (1), the refrigerant passage in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) is filled with a gas refrigerant. When the valve of the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) is opened from the minimum opening to the maximum opening, abnormal noise may be generated many times as the valve opening changes.

  In the first invention, in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b), when the refrigerant passage in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) is filled with a gas refrigerant, the minimum opening at the start-up and the maximum opening Instead of continuously opening up to the maximum opening, the operation is held for a predetermined time at an intermediate opening between the minimum opening and the maximum opening, that is, the second operation is performed, so that an abnormal noise is generated many times. While suppressing the generation, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant sent from the compressor (13) through the heat source side heat exchanger (15) can be allowed to flow in within the predetermined time. Here, in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b), the reason why it is possible to suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise many times is that after the high-pressure liquid refrigerant has entered the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b), This is because the abnormal noise does not reverberate in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b).

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the differential pressure determination means (42, 44) determines whether or not the startup time of the compressor (13) is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. 42).

  In the second invention, whether or not there is a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) is determined not by directly measuring the pressure value but by the compressor (13). This can be done by measuring the startup time. Here, the reason why it is possible to determine whether or not there is a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) by measuring the starting time of the compressor (13) is that the expansion mechanism The reason why the predetermined pressure difference occurs before and after (33a, 33b) is due to the start of the compressor (13), and if the compressor (13) is started and the predetermined time has passed, This is because it can be estimated that a predetermined pressure difference is generated before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b).

  In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the refrigerant state determination means (43) is constituted by an operation state determination unit (43) for determining whether or not the current air conditioning operation is a heating operation. It is characterized by.

  In the third invention, the air conditioner (1) determines whether or not the refrigerant passage in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) when the indoor unit (3a, 3b) is started is filled with the gas refrigerant. Judgment can be made based on whether or not driving is attempted. Here, the reason why it is possible to determine whether or not the state in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) is a gas refrigerant depending on whether or not the operation to be performed by the air conditioner (1) is a heating operation. When heating operation is performed in winter, the indoor temperature is often somewhat higher than the outdoor temperature, and it remains in the refrigerant piping of the stopped indoor units (3a, 3b). This is because it is considered that the liquid refrigerant evaporates into a gas refrigerant because of a high room temperature.

  A fourth invention is the refrigerant according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the indoor unit (3a, 3b) detects the inlet side refrigerant temperature of the use side heat exchanger (34a, 34b). A temperature detecting means (38a, 38b) and an air temperature detecting means (36a, 36b) for detecting the inlet side air temperature of the use side heat exchanger (34a, 34b), the differential pressure determining means (42 , 44) is constituted by a temperature difference determination unit (44) for determining whether or not the temperature difference between the inlet side refrigerant temperature and the inlet side air temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, the determination as to whether or not there is a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) is not performed by directly measuring the pressure value, but the use side heat exchanger ( 34a, 34b) and the refrigerant temperature detected by the refrigerant temperature detection means (38a, 38b), and the air temperature detection means (36a, 36b) installed in the use side heat exchanger (34a, 34b). This can be done by determining whether or not the temperature difference from the air temperature detected in the above is a predetermined value or more. Here, it is determined whether or not there is a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) by determining whether or not the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature and the air temperature is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The reason why it is possible that the refrigerant temperature on the inlet side of the use side heat exchanger (34a, 34b) is higher than the air temperature is because the compressor (13) is activated, This is because, if the compressor (13) is activated, it can be estimated that a predetermined pressure difference is generated before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) as in the second invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the shock wave of the refrigerant generated during the operation of the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) by the first operation performed by the control means (41) on the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b). . Thereby, the impact sound resulting from this shock wave can be suppressed. Further, the control means (41) causes the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) to perform the second operation, so that the high-pressure liquid refrigerant enters the refrigerant passage of the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) in a state filled with only the gas refrigerant. Therefore, when the refrigerant passage is filled with only the gas refrigerant, it is possible to suppress an abnormal noise that occurs many times as the valve opening changes. From the above, it is possible to reduce noise from the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) that is generated when the indoor unit (3a, 3b) of the air conditioner (1) is started.

  Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, it is determined whether or not there is a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) by a simple method of measuring the starting time of the compressor (13). It can be performed.

  Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the expansion mechanism (3a, 3b) at the time of starting the indoor unit (3a, 3b) can be determined by a simple method of determining whether the air conditioner (1) is in the heating operation. It can be determined whether the refrigerant passages in 33a, 33b) are filled with gas refrigerant.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, is there a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) by measuring the refrigerant temperature and the air temperature of the use side heat exchanger (34a, 34b)? A determination of whether or not can be made.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

-Configuration of air conditioner-
The air conditioner (1) of the present embodiment is a multi-type air conditioner, and can cool and heat a plurality of rooms with a single outdoor unit (2). As shown in the refrigerant circuit diagram of FIG. 1, the air conditioner (1) includes an outdoor unit (2), a first connection pipe (4), a second connection pipe (5), and the outdoor unit (2 ) And two indoor units (3a, 3b) connected in parallel. The outdoor unit (2) is installed outdoors, and an outdoor circuit (10) is provided inside the outdoor unit (2). One end of the first connecting pipe (4) is connected to one end of the outdoor circuit (10) via the first closing valve (11), and the other end of the outdoor circuit (10) is connected to the second closing valve ( 12) One end of the second connection pipe (5) is connected via

  On the other hand, one indoor unit (3a, 3b) is installed in each of the two rooms, and an indoor circuit (30a, 30b) is provided inside each indoor unit (3a, 3b). The other end of the first connection pipe (4) is branched and connected to the first end (31a, 31b) provided in each indoor circuit (30a, 30b), and the second connection pipe (5) The other ends of the two branches and are connected to second ends (32a, 32b) provided in the indoor circuits (30a, 30b), respectively. Then, the outdoor circuit (10) and the indoor circuit (30a, 30b) are connected by the first communication pipe (4) and the second communication pipe (5), and the refrigerant circuit (1a) that performs the vapor compression refrigeration cycle is provided. It is configured. Further, the air conditioner (1) is also provided with a controller (40) for performing operation control of the outdoor unit (2) and the indoor units (3a, 3b).

<Outdoor unit>
The outdoor circuit (10) of the outdoor unit (2) includes a variable capacity compressor (compressor) (13), a four-way selector valve (14), an outdoor heat exchanger (heat source side heat exchanger) (15), and a receiver. (16) and an outdoor expansion valve (17) are connected to the refrigerant pipe.

  The variable capacity compressor (13) is connected to an inverter (not shown), and the inverter supplies current to the compressor motor of the variable capacity compressor (13) and changes the frequency of the current. Is configured to be possible. That is, by controlling the inverter, the variable capacity compressor (13) can freely change the rotation speed of the compressor motor within a certain range and adjust the capacity.

  One end of a suction refrigerant pipe (13a) is connected to the suction side of the variable capacity compressor (13), and a low pressure sensor (18) is provided in the suction refrigerant pipe (13a). One end of a discharge refrigerant pipe (13b) is connected to the discharge side of the variable capacity compressor (13), and a high pressure switch (19) and a discharge temperature sensor (13b) are connected to the discharge refrigerant pipe (13b). 20) and a high pressure sensor (21).

  The four-way selector valve (14) is in a first state (in the figure) in which the first port (P1) and the third port (P3) communicate, and the second port (P2) and the fourth port (P4) communicate. (Refer to the solid line) and the second state (see the broken line in the figure) where the first port (P1) and the second port (P2) communicate, and the third port (P3) and the fourth port (P4) communicate. It is configured to be switchable. The other end of the discharge refrigerant pipe (13b) is connected to the first port (P1), the second closing valve (12) is connected to the second port (P2), and the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the third port (P3). The gas end provided in (15) is connected to the fourth port (P4) and the other end of the suction refrigerant pipe (13a).

  The outdoor heat exchanger (15) is a cross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger, and although not shown, the outdoor heat exchanger (15) has a plurality of heat transfer tubes. A large number of aluminum fins are installed perpendicular to the heat transfer tubes. An outdoor fan (15a) and an outdoor air temperature sensor (15b) are provided in the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger (15).

  One end of the first liquid pipe (22) is connected to the liquid end provided in the outdoor heat exchanger (15), and the other end of the first liquid pipe (22) is connected to the upper part of the receiver (16). ing. One end of the second liquid pipe (23) is connected to the lower part of the receiver (16), and the other end of the second liquid pipe (23) is connected to the first closing valve (11).

  The first liquid pipe (22) is provided with a first check valve (CV1) that allows refrigerant flow from the outdoor heat exchanger (15) to the receiver (16) and prohibits refrigerant flow in the reverse direction. The second liquid pipe (23) allows a refrigerant flow from the receiver (16) to the first closing valve (11) and prohibits a refrigerant flow in the reverse direction (CV2). Is provided. Further, the first liquid pipe (22) is provided with a first branch pipe (22a) and a second branch pipe (22b).

  One end of the first branch pipe (22a) is connected to the first liquid pipe (22) between the outdoor heat exchanger (15) and the first check valve (CV1), and the other end is connected to the receiver (16 ) And the second check valve (CV2) is connected to the second liquid pipe (23). On the other hand, one end of the second branch pipe (22b) is connected to the first liquid pipe (22) between the first check valve (CV1) and the receiver (16), and the other end is connected to the second check valve. It is connected to a second liquid pipe (23) between the valve (CV2) and the first closing valve (11). The first branch pipe (22a) is provided with an outdoor expansion valve (17), and the second branch pipe (22b) receives a refrigerant flow from the first closing valve (11) to the receiver (16). A third check valve (CV3) that allows and prohibits refrigerant flow in the reverse direction is connected.

<Indoor unit>
The indoor circuit (30a, 30b) of the indoor unit (3a, 3b) expands in order from the first end (31a, 31b) to the second end (32a, 32b) of the indoor circuit (30a, 30b). A valve (expansion mechanism) (33a, 33b) and an indoor heat exchanger (use side heat exchanger) (34a, 34b) are connected by a refrigerant pipe.

  The expansion valve (33a, 33b) is an electronic expansion valve (33a, 33b) whose opening degree can be adjusted, and the opening degree appropriately controls a drive source such as a pulse motor by a pulse signal from the controller (40). By doing so, it is configured to be changeable.

  The indoor heat exchangers (34a, 34b) are cross-fin fin-and-tube heat exchangers, and although not shown, the indoor heat exchangers (34a, 34b) The heat tubes are arranged in a plurality of paths, and a large number of aluminum fins are installed orthogonal to the heat transfer tubes. An indoor fan (35a, 35b) and an air temperature sensor (air temperature detecting means) (36a, 36b) for measuring the air temperature in the indoor space are provided in the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger (34a, 34b). A refrigerant temperature sensor (refrigerant temperature detecting means) (37a, 37b) is provided on the second end (32a, 32b) side of the indoor heat exchanger (34a, 34b).

<controller>
The controller (40) includes a main control unit (46) and an expansion valve control device (control means) (41). The main control unit (46) connects the outdoor unit (2) and the indoor remote control (50a, 50b) by turning on / off the indoor remote control (50a, 50b) connected to the indoor unit (3a, 3b). The temperature sensors (15b, 20, 36a, 36b, 37a, 37b, 38a) provided in the air conditioner (1) are configured to be operated / stopped with the indoor units (3a, 3b). , 38b), the variable capacity compressor (13), the outdoor fan (15a), and the indoor fans (35a, 35b) are controlled according to detection signals from the pressure sensors (18,21) and the pressure switch (19). .

  On the other hand, the expansion valve control device (41) is configured to control the expansion valve (33a, 33b), and determines whether the startup time of the variable capacity compressor (13) is within a predetermined time. A first determination unit (start-up time determination unit) (42), a second determination unit (operation state determination unit) (43) for determining whether the air conditioner (1) is in a heating operation, and the first determination unit (42) and a drive unit (drive means) (45) for causing the expansion valves (33a, 33b) to open and close based on the second determination unit (43). Here, the determination means in the present invention includes a first determination unit (42) and a second determination unit (43). Moreover, the differential pressure determination means in the present invention is configured by the first determination means (42), and the refrigerant state determination means in the present invention is configured by the second determination unit (43).

-Operation of air conditioner-
The operation of the air conditioner (1) of the present embodiment will be described. First, the cooling operation and the heating operation, which are basic operations of the air conditioner (1), will be described, and then the control operation of the expansion valves (33a, 33b) of the indoor units (3a, 3b) according to the present embodiment will be described. .

<Cooling operation>
In this cooling operation, a refrigeration cycle is performed in which the outdoor heat exchanger (15) is a condenser and the indoor heat exchangers (34a, 34b) are evaporators in the refrigerant circuit diagram of FIG. Specifically, the first port (P1) and the third port (P3) of the four-way selector valve (14) of the outdoor unit (2) communicate with each other, and the second port (P2) and the fourth port (P4) And the outdoor expansion valve (17) are set in a fully closed state. The expansion valves (33a, 33b) of the indoor units (3a, 3b) are controlled to a predetermined opening degree by the expansion valve control device (41) of the controller (40). Thereby, in the said refrigerant circuit (1a), a refrigerant | coolant flows in the direction of the solid line arrow shown in FIG.

  Specifically, when one or both of the indoor remote controllers (50a, 50b) connected to the indoor units (3a, 3b) are turned on, the outdoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) Operation starts and the variable capacity compressor (13) of the outdoor unit (2) is started. When the variable capacity compressor (13) is started, the low pressure gas refrigerant is sucked from the suction refrigerant pipe (13a) connected to the suction side of the variable capacity compressor (13), and the low pressure gas refrigerant has a predetermined pressure. Is compressed into a high-pressure gas refrigerant and discharged from a discharge refrigerant pipe (13b) connected to the discharge side of the variable capacity compressor (13). The discharged high-pressure gas refrigerant flows into the first port (P1) of the four-way switching valve (14). The high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the four-way switching valve (14) flows out from the third port (P3) of the four-way switching valve (14) and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger (15).

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger (15) is condensed by radiating heat to the outside air and becomes high-pressure liquid refrigerant, and flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger (15). The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor heat exchanger (15) flows into the first liquid pipe (22), passes through the first check valve (CV1), and flows into the receiver (16). The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the receiver (16) flows out of the receiver (16) while a part of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant is stored depending on the operating state of the air conditioner (1). Then, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the receiver (16) passes through the second liquid pipe (23), the second check valve (CV2), and the first closing valve (11) in this order, and passes through the first communication pipe ( 4) Inflow.

  The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the first communication pipe (4) is distributed to each indoor unit (3a, 3b) when both of the two indoor units (3a, 3b) are ON. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant distributed to each indoor unit (3a, 3b) flows into the expansion valve (33a, 33b) of each indoor unit (3a, 3b) and is reduced to a predetermined pressure to become low-pressure refrigerant. It flows out from the expansion valve (33a, 33b). The low-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the expansion valve (33a, 33b) flows into the indoor heat exchanger (34a, 34b) and absorbs heat from the indoor air when passing through the indoor heat exchanger (34a, 34b). . The low-pressure refrigerant that has absorbed heat from the indoor air evaporates to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant and flows out of each indoor heat exchanger (34a, 34b). The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out from each indoor heat exchanger (34a, 34b) joins at the junction of the second connecting pipe (5), and connects the second shut-off valve (12) and the four-way switching valve (14). It passes through and flows into the variable capacity compressor (13). The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the variable capacity compressor (13) is compressed to become high-pressure gas refrigerant and is discharged from the variable capacity compressor (13) again.

  During the cooling operation, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit (1a) as described above to cool the room.

<Heating operation>
In this heating operation, a refrigeration cycle in which the outdoor heat exchanger (15) is an evaporator and the indoor heat exchangers (34a, 34b) are condensers in the refrigerant circuit diagram of FIG. 1 is performed. Specifically, the first port (P1) and the second port (P2) of the four-way selector valve (14) of the outdoor unit (2) communicate with each other, and the third port (P3) and the fourth port (P4) ) Is in communication with each other. The outdoor expansion valve (17) is controlled to a predetermined opening degree by the main control unit (46) of the controller (40), and the expansion valve (33a, 33b) of each indoor unit (3a, 3b) It is controlled to a predetermined opening degree by the expansion valve control device (41) of the controller (40). Thereby, in the said refrigerant circuit (1a), a refrigerant | coolant flows in the direction of the arrow of the broken line shown in FIG.

  Specifically, when either or both of the indoor remote controllers (50a, 50b) are turned on, the outdoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) starts to operate, The variable capacity compressor (13) of the outdoor unit (2) starts. When the variable capacity compressor (13) is started, the low pressure gas refrigerant is sucked from the suction refrigerant pipe (13a) connected to the suction side of the variable capacity compressor (13), and the low pressure gas refrigerant has a predetermined pressure. Is compressed into a high-pressure gas refrigerant and discharged through a discharge refrigerant pipe (13b) connected to the discharge side of the variable capacity compressor (13). The discharged high-pressure gas refrigerant flows into the first port (P1) of the four-way switching valve (14). The high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the four-way switching valve (14) flows out from the second port (P2) of the four-way switching valve (14), passes through the second closing valve (12), and passes through the second closing valve (12). It flows into the connecting pipe (5).

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the second communication pipe (5) is distributed to the indoor units (3a, 3b) when both of the two indoor units (3a, 3b) are ON. The high-pressure gas refrigerant distributed to each indoor unit (3a, 3b) flows into the indoor heat exchanger (34a, 34b) of each indoor unit (3a, 3b), condenses by dissipating heat into the room, and is condensed into a high-pressure liquid It becomes a refrigerant and flows out of the indoor heat exchanger (34a, 34b). The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger (34a, 34b) flows into the expansion valve (33a, 33b), and the flow rate of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant is adjusted. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant whose flow rate has been adjusted merges in the first connecting pipe (4), and then passes through the first closing valve (11) of the outdoor unit (2) to the first liquid pipe (22). It flows into the branch pipe (22b). The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the first branch pipe (22b) passes through the third check valve (CV3) and flows into the receiver (16). The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the receiver (16) flows out from the receiver (16) while part of the refrigerant is stored.

  The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the receiver (16) sequentially passes through the second liquid pipe (23) and the second branch pipe (22a), flows into the outdoor expansion valve (17), and is reduced to a predetermined pressure. It becomes a low-pressure refrigerant and flows out of the outdoor expansion valve (17). The low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor expansion valve (17) flows into the outdoor heat exchanger (15). The low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger (15) absorbs heat from the outside air when passing through the outdoor heat exchanger (15). The low-pressure refrigerant that has absorbed heat from the outside air evaporates to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant and flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger (15). The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger (15) flows into the third port (P3) of the four-way switching valve (14) and out of the fourth port (P4). The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out from the fourth port (P4) of the four-way selector valve (14) flows into the variable capacity compressor (13), is compressed to a predetermined pressure, and becomes a high-pressure gas refrigerant and is variable again. Discharged from the capacity compressor (13).

  During the heating operation, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit (1a) as described above to heat the room.

<Control operation of expansion valve>
Next, the control operation of the expansion valves (33a, 33b) during the air conditioning operation will be described. Here, the expansion valve (33a, 33b) is configured such that the valve opening degree can be adjusted by the pulse signal sent from the expansion valve control device (41) of the controller (40) as described above. The hour pulse is set to 2000 pulses, for example. When the air conditioning operation is the cooling operation, the low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger (34a, 34b) of each indoor unit (3a, 3b) has a predetermined superheat (for example, 5 ° C.). In addition, the valve opening degree of the expansion valves (33a, 33b) is controlled. On the other hand, when the air conditioning operation is the heating operation, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger (34a, 34b) of each indoor unit (3a, 3b) has a predetermined degree of supercooling (for example, 5 ° C.). Thus, the valve opening degree of the expansion valve (33a, 33b) is controlled. Here, in the present embodiment, activation control is performed before such control (normal control) of the expansion valves (33a, 33b) is performed. Hereinafter, the activation control will be described based on the control flow of FIG.

  When the indoor remote controller (50a, 50b) connected to the indoor unit (3a, 3b) is turned on, the controller (40) controls the expansion valve (33a, 33b) of the connected indoor unit (3a, 3b). ) Start control.

  In step ST1, whether or not the start time of the variable capacity compressor (13) is within T1 hours (for example, T1 = 3 minutes) by the first determination unit (42) of the expansion valve control device (41). In addition to the determination, the second determination unit (43) determines whether or not the air conditioner (1) is in the heating operation. And if the starting time of the said variable capacity compressor (13) is less than T1 time and the air conditioning apparatus (1) is heating operation, it will move to step ST2, otherwise, it will move to step ST3.

  In step ST2, the opening degree of the expansion valve (33a, 33b) is opened by A2 pulse (for example, A2 = 700 pulse), and the opening degree is held for T2 time (for example, T2 = 3 minutes). During this time, high-pressure liquid refrigerant is sent to the expansion valves (33a, 33b) from the variable capacity compressor (13) started in step ST1 via the outdoor heat exchanger (15). And after T2 time progresses, it moves to step ST5, normal control is performed, and a valve opening degree is further adjusted according to the driving | running state of an air conditioning apparatus (1).

  On the other hand, in step ST3, after opening the valve opening of the expansion valve (33a, 33b) by A3 pulse (for example, A3 = 300 pulse) and holding at that opening for T3 time (for example, T3 = 20 seconds), Move on to step ST4.

  In step ST4, the valve opening of the expansion valve (33a, 33b) is opened by a ΔA pulse (eg, ΔA = 50 pulses) with respect to the opening of step ST3, and the opening is set for ΔT time (eg, ΔT = 20). Hold for seconds). In the next step, the valve opening is opened by ΔA pulses from the previous step, and the opening is held for ΔT time. This operation is repeated n times (for example, n = 8). Thereby, the valves of the expansion valves (33a, 33b) are slowly opened little by little. When this repetitive operation ends, the process proceeds to step ST5, where normal control is performed, and the valve opening is further adjusted according to the operating state of the air conditioner (1).

-Effect of the embodiment-
According to the present embodiment, before the normal control of the expansion valve (33a, 33b) is performed, the start control shown in the present embodiment is performed, so that a difference that occurs when the expansion valve (33a, 33b) is started. Sound can be reduced. Here, abnormal noise refers to a state in which there is a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) or a state in which the refrigerant passage in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) is filled with a gas refrigerant. The noise generated when the expansion valves (33a, 33b) are operated. For the former noise, the expansion valve control device (41) causes the expansion valves (33a, 33b) to perform the operations of step ST3 and step ST4 in the control flow of FIG. 2 to slowly open the valve. Thus, even if a large pressure difference is generated before and after the expansion valve (33a, 33b), it is possible to suppress a shock wave to the refrigerant generated by the opening operation of the valve. Thereby, the impact sound resulting from the shock wave can also be suppressed.

  As for the latter abnormal noise, the expansion valve control device (41) causes the expansion valves (33a, 33b) to perform the operation of step ST2 in the control flow of FIG. Thus, it is possible to prevent abnormal noises from being generated many times, and the high-pressure liquid refrigerant can flow into the expansion valves (33a, 33b) while maintaining the valve opening. As a result, the refrigerant passages of the expansion valves (33a, 33b) are not completely filled with the gas refrigerant, so that it is possible to suppress abnormal noises that affect the expansion valves (33a, 33b).

-Modification of the embodiment-
In a modification of the embodiment, the expansion valve control device (41) of the air conditioner (1) includes a third determination unit (44). In the third determination unit (44), it is determined whether or not a predetermined pressure difference is generated before and after the expansion valve (33a, 33b). In step ST1 of the above embodiment, whether or not a predetermined pressure difference occurs before and after the expansion valve (33a, 33b) is determined based on the startup time of the variable capacity compressor (13). Then, as shown in step ST1 of the control flow of the modification of FIG. 3, the refrigerant temperature of the refrigerant temperature sensor (37a, 37b) of the indoor unit (3a, 3b) is not the start time of the variable capacity compressor (13). Whether the temperature difference between Tg and the air temperature Ta of the air temperature sensor (36a, 36b) is smaller than a predetermined value X1 can be determined. And when this temperature difference is smaller than the predetermined value X1, the temperature difference between the inlet refrigerant temperature Tg and the air temperature Ta is not so large, so there is little possibility that the variable capacity compressor (13) is activated, It is determined that there is no predetermined pressure difference between the expansion valves (33a, 33b), and the process proceeds to step ST2. On the other hand, if the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value X1, the process proceeds to step ST3. Subsequent operations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

<< Other Embodiments >>
About the said embodiment, it is good also as the following structures.

  In the start-up control in the air conditioner (1), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation of holding the same pulse value for the same time is repeated in step ST4, but the pulse value and the holding time are not necessarily the same. However, ΔA may be initially reduced and ΔA may be increased over time.

  Further, in order to determine whether or not a predetermined pressure difference is generated before and after the expansion valve (33a, 33b) of the indoor unit (3a, 3b) in the air conditioner (1), the expansion valve (33a, Pressure sensors may be measured directly by attaching pressure sensors before and after 33b).

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example which provided two indoor units (3a, 3b) with respect to one outdoor unit (2), the number of the indoor units (3a, 3b) is three. It may be the above.

  In addition, the above embodiment is an essentially preferable illustration, Comprising: It does not intend restrict | limiting the range of this invention, its application thing, or its use.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for countermeasures against abnormal noise of the expansion mechanism provided in the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

It is a refrigerant circuit figure of the air harmony device in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a control flow figure of the expansion valve of the air harmony device in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a control flow figure of the expansion valve of the air harmony device of the modification in an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Air conditioner
2 Outdoor unit
3a Indoor unit
3b indoor unit
13 Compressor (variable capacity compressor)
15 Outdoor heat exchanger (heat source side heat exchanger)
13 Compressor
30a Indoor heat exchanger (use side heat exchanger)
30b Indoor heat exchanger (use side heat exchanger)
33a Expansion valve (expansion mechanism)
33b Expansion valve (expansion mechanism)
40 controller
41 Expansion valve control device (control means)
42 First determination unit (startup time determination unit)
43 Second determination unit (operating state determination unit)
44 3rd judgment part (temperature difference judgment part)
45 Drive unit (drive means)

Claims (4)

An outdoor unit (2) provided with a compressor (13) and a heat source side heat exchanger (15), a use side heat exchanger (34a, 34b) and an expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) each having a variable opening And a plurality of indoor units (3a, 3b) connected in parallel to the outdoor unit (2) and control means for performing operation control including start-up control of the expansion mechanisms (33a, 33b) ( 41), and an air conditioner that performs air conditioning operation,
The control means (41) is a determination means for determining an air conditioning operation status, and a drive means (45) for selecting one of a plurality of operations based on the air conditioning operation status and causing the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) to perform the operation. And
The plurality of operations include a first operation for increasing the opening intermittently or continuously when performing an operation of opening the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) from the minimum opening to the maximum opening at the time of start-up. Including a second operation for maintaining the intermediate opening for the time,
The determination means includes differential pressure determination means (42, 44) for determining whether or not there is a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b), and refrigerant in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b). Refrigerant state determination means (43) for determining whether or not the passage is filled with gas refrigerant,
The drive means (45) selects the first action when the differential pressure determination means (42, 44) determines that there is a predetermined pressure difference before and after the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) and performs the expansion. The first drive unit (45) that causes the mechanism (33a, 33b) to perform a first operation, and the refrigerant state determination means (43) when the refrigerant passage in the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) is filled with gas refrigerant The air conditioner further comprising: a second drive unit (45) that selects the second operation when the determination is made and causes the expansion mechanism (33a, 33b) to perform the second operation. In claim 1,
The differential pressure determination means (42, 44) includes an activation time determination unit (42) for determining whether the activation time of the compressor (13) is a predetermined time or more. Air conditioner. In claim 2,
The air conditioner characterized in that the refrigerant state determination means (43) includes an operation state determination unit (43) that determines whether or not the current air conditioning operation is a heating operation. In any one of Claims 1-3,
The indoor unit (3a, 3b) includes refrigerant temperature detection means (38a, 38b) for detecting the inlet side refrigerant temperature of the use side heat exchanger (34a, 34b), and the use side heat exchanger (34a, 34b). Air temperature detecting means (36a, 36b) for detecting the inlet side air temperature of
The differential pressure determination means (42, 44) includes a temperature difference determination unit (44) that determines whether or not the temperature difference between the inlet side refrigerant temperature and the inlet side air temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. An air conditioner characterized by comprising:

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