JP2010032073A - Air-conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air-conditioning system capable of executing an energy-saving operation and satisfying comfort by performing energy-saving control according to indoor environment. <P>SOLUTION: This air-conditioning system includes a plurality of air conditioners composed of outdoor units 1 and indoor units 2, a remote controller 3 for instructing operating conditions to the air conditioners, and a central control device 4 connected to the plurality of air conditioners through a communication line. The remote controller 3 determines an energy-saving level by inputting state quantity correlating with air-conditioning load output from the air conditioner relating to itself, and switches a set temperature on the basis of a result of the determination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioning system including a plurality of air conditioners including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and more particularly to energy saving control of the air conditioner.

  Conventionally, an air conditioning system in which a plurality of air conditioners composed of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit is connected to a centralized management device via a communication line and these air conditioners are centrally controlled has been widely used.

  In such an air conditioning system, in recent years, energy saving control is required as a countermeasure against global warming, and for example, demand control is performed for the purpose of reducing the power peak of an air conditioner. However, in order to perform such demand control, when the air conditioning system is provided with a dedicated facility such as a demand controller, there is a problem that small and medium-sized facilities are over-spec and the facility cost is high.

  On the other hand, for example, in Patent Document 1, the centralized management apparatus sets the operation availability condition of the air conditioner, and collates the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor unit and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor unit with the operation availability condition. Thus, an air conditioning system is disclosed in which it is determined whether or not the air conditioner can be operated, and based on the determination result, the operation of each remote controller is restricted by the centralized management device. According to this, since energy-saving control can be performed using an existing centralized management device without adding dedicated equipment, an increase in equipment costs can be suppressed.

JP 2003-279112 A

  However, as described in Patent Document 1, when each remote controller is centrally managed in accordance with a command from the central management device, the indoor environment differs from room to room, and therefore, for example, the set temperature of the remote control is unilaterally limited. The remote control operation by the user becomes complicated and the comfort may be impaired. Moreover, since the conditions of energy-saving control differ for every season of cooling or heating, it is necessary to visit a service person every time to reset the control conditions of the centralized management device, and there is a problem that the burden of maintenance increases.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this point, and it is a subject to provide the air-conditioning system which can implement | achieve energy-saving driving | operation and can satisfy comfort by performing energy-saving control according to indoor environment. To do.

  The present invention includes a plurality of air conditioners composed of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, a remote controller that commands operating conditions to the air conditioner, and a centralized management device connected to the plurality of air conditioners via a communication line. In the air conditioning system, the remote controller inputs a state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load output from the air conditioner related to the remote controller, determines the energy saving level, and switches the set temperature of the remote controller based on the determination result .

  In the present invention, for example, the remote controller installed in each room determines the energy saving level by itself based on the signal output from the air conditioner related to the room, and appropriately switches the set temperature based on the determination result. Therefore, energy saving control based on the set temperature set by the user according to the indoor environment can be realized. Thereby, while satisfy | filling comfort in each room, energy saving driving | operation is realizable. Moreover, the control content by each remote control can also be controlled in cooperation with a plurality of air conditioners, for example, by sharing via a centralized management device.

  In this case, when the energy saving level determined by inputting the state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load is lower than the predetermined value, the remote controller switches the set temperature in the direction of increasing the energy saving level. In this way, if a predetermined value is determined in advance for each state quantity and the energy saving level is determined based on the predetermined value, the determination at the time of switching the set temperature can be facilitated.

  In addition, the remote controller switches the set temperature in the direction of lowering the energy saving level when the energy saving level determined by inputting the state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load exceeds another predetermined value higher than the default value. To do. In other words, if the energy saving level increases as the energy saving operation continues, the indoor comfort tends to decrease accordingly. In such a case, the energy saving operation is controlled by lowering the energy saving level. The balance of comfort can be maintained.

  Here, the state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load input to the remote controller includes, for example, the duration of the load operation of the indoor unit in the air conditioner related to the self, the average current value of the outdoor unit in the air conditioner related to the self, The opening degree of the electronic expansion valve of the outdoor unit in the air conditioner concerned, and the temperature difference between the temperature of the intake air of the indoor unit and the temperature of the blown air in the air conditioner concerned.

  That is, these state quantities correlate with the energy saving level. Specifically, as these state quantities increase, the energy saving level decreases. For example, by periodically sampling and monitoring these state quantities. The energy saving level can be judged.

  According to the present invention, since each air conditioner can perform the energy saving control by switching the set temperature according to its own judgment according to the indoor environment, both the energy saving operation and the comfort can be satisfied.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air conditioning system to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the air conditioning system of the present embodiment. 2 is an arrangement configuration diagram of sensors in the indoor unit of the air conditioning system of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an arrangement configuration diagram of sensors in the outdoor unit of the air conditioning system of the present embodiment.

  The air conditioning system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of air conditioners and a central management device 4, and each air conditioner and the central management device 4 can bidirectionally transmit and receive data via the communication line 5. ing. In addition, data can be transmitted and received between the air conditioners as needed via the communication line 5.

  The air conditioner includes one outdoor unit 1, three indoor units 2, and a remote controller 3 that operates each indoor unit 2, and constitutes a so-called multi-type air conditioner. In addition, the air conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit that performs a refrigeration cycle by circulating the refrigerant, and is capable of switching between a cooling operation and a heating operation. In the present embodiment, the number of indoor units is three. However, the number of indoor units is not limited to this. For example, the number of indoor units can be appropriately set according to the capacity of the outdoor unit. In the following embodiments, it is assumed that one indoor unit 2 and one remote controller 3 are installed for each room for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 2 is provided with a thermistor 6 and a thermistor 7. The thermistor 6 detects the blowout temperature of the indoor unit, and the thermistor 7 detects the suction temperature of the indoor unit. . Further, the indoor unit 2 is provided with a relay contact 8 and a heat exchanger 9, so that the refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger 9 and starts the operation of the indoor unit 2. The relay contact 8 determines a so-called thermo-off state where the operation of the indoor unit stops without flowing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the outdoor unit 1 is provided with a heat exchanger 9, a compressor 10, and an electronic expansion valve 11. The electronic expansion valve 11 has a valve opening degree detection that detects the opening degree of the expansion valve. Means are provided. In addition, the outdoor unit 1 is provided with a current transformer 12, and the current value of the outdoor unit 1 is detected by the current transformer 12.

  In the indoor unit 2, the remote controller 3 corresponding to the indoor unit 2 and the necessary states of the blow-out temperature, the suction temperature, and the thermo-on / therm-off state detected by the thermistor 6, the thermistor 7 and the relay contact 8 and the necessary, are necessary. Accordingly, the data is output to the centralized management device 4 via the communication line 5.

  In the outdoor unit 1, the opening of the electronic expansion valve and the current value of the outdoor unit 1 detected by the valve opening detection unit and the current transformer 12 are respectively controlled by a remote controller corresponding to the outdoor unit 1 by an electrical signal. 3 and, if necessary, are output to the centralized management device 4 via the communication line 5, respectively.

  In the air conditioning system configured as described above, the user inputs a desired set temperature in the cooling or heating operation by using the remote controller 3 in each room. Further, when performing an energy saving operation, this is input by the remote controller 3.

  Next, the air conditioner that has received the operation command from the remote controller 3 starts the air conditioning operation so that the room temperature becomes the input set temperature. During the air conditioning operation, the state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load is monitored, and the periodically sampled results are input to the remote controller 3.

  That is, the remote controller 3 receives the blowout and suction temperatures of the indoor unit 2, the thermo-on / therm-off state, the opening of the electronic expansion valve of the outdoor unit 1, the current value, etc. as electric signals, respectively. Based on this, the remote controller 3 determines whether the energy saving level of the air conditioner related to the remote controller 3 is, for example, an energy saving state or a non-energy saving state. And, in the non-energy saving state, the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by 1 ° C. in the direction of energy saving, that is, the direction of decreasing the set temperature during heating operation and the direction of increasing the set temperature during cooling / dry operation. To do. On the other hand, when the energy saving state is excessive, the set temperature is shifted by 1 ° C. in the non-energy saving direction opposite to the energy saving direction in order to ensure the user's comfort.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the remote controller 3 determines the energy saving level by itself based on the state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load output from the air conditioner related to the remote controller 3, and based on the determination result, the remote controller 3 Since the set temperature is automatically switched, the energy saving control can be performed based on the set temperature input by the user according to the indoor environment. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the hassle of operations related to setting changes when a user performs an energy-saving operation using a remote control, to satisfy the comfort of each room, and to realize the energy-saving operation considering the user's request Can do.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, while introducing such energy-saving control to the existing remote controller 3 provided corresponding to the indoor unit 2 without introducing dedicated equipment, the burden on the centralized management device 4 is reduced. , Equipment costs can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, the energy-saving control of the air conditioner is performed only by the remote controller 3, but the signal from each air conditioner input to the remote controller 3 is input to the centralized management device 4 together with the remote controller 3. By providing the centralized management device 4 with a predetermined control function, for example, the centralized management device 4 can have an auxiliary function of the remote controller 3.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, an example of an operation procedure in which the remote controller determines the energy saving level and switches the set temperature in the energy saving control of the air conditioning system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the user operates the air conditioner by operating the remote controller 3. At this time, the user inputs an arbitrary set temperature according to the indoor environment. When the operation of the air conditioner starts, the process proceeds to step S101.

  In step S <b> 101, it is determined whether or not an energy saving mode is input on the remote controller 3. Specifically, the energy saving mode is detected, for example, when the user inputs a button on the remote controller 3. Here, when it is in the energy saving mode, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S <b> 102, the operation of the relay contact 8 of the indoor unit 2 is monitored, and at the moment when the thermo-off state is switched to the thermo-on state, the thermo-on duration time is counted by the remote controller 3.

  Next, in step S103, it is determined whether the duration of the thermo-on has continued for A minutes. Detection of the duration of this thermo-on is periodically determined by the remote controller 3. The duration A minutes is automatically set to, for example, weak: 10 minutes, medium: 6 minutes, strong: 3 minutes based on the energy saving control level set by the user. Here, when the duration of the thermo-on continues for A minutes, it is determined that the state is not energy saving, and the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, in order to shift the non-energy saving state to the energy saving direction, the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by −1 ° C. during the heating operation, and the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by + 1 ° C. during the cooling and dry operation. Thereafter, the process returns to step S101.

  On the other hand, when the duration of the thermo-ON is shorter than A minutes in step S103, that is, when the thermo-ON is switched to the thermo-OFF within A minutes, the process proceeds to step S105, and the duration of the thermo-OFF from the moment when the thermo-OFF state is switched. Is counted by the remote controller 3.

  Subsequently, in step S106, the remote controller 3 determines whether or not the switch from the thermo-off to the thermo-on is made within 3 minutes. Here, when switching within 3 minutes, it is judged as a non-energy-saving state, and it progresses to step S104. On the other hand, when it does not switch within 3 minutes, the process proceeds to step S107, and it is determined by the remote controller 3 whether or not switching from thermo-off to thermo-on is continued within 10 minutes.

  Then, in step S107, when switching to within 10 minutes, that is, when switching to thermo-on within 3 minutes exceeding 3 minutes, return to step S101 without changing the set temperature of the remote control 3, and within 10 minutes If it is not switched to, it is determined that the energy saving state is excessive, and the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, in order to shift an excessive energy saving state to a non-energy saving direction, the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by + 1 ° C. during heating operation, and the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by −1 ° C. during cooling and dry operation. Let As described above, in an excessive energy saving state, it is possible to suppress a decrease in indoor comfort by shifting the set temperature in the non-energy saving direction. Thereafter, the process returns to step S101.

  By repeating the determination as described above at regular intervals, the air-conditioning operation can be brought close to the energy saving state, or the energy saving state can be maintained, so that an energy saving effect can be brought about. In an excessive energy saving state, indoor comfort can be maintained by switching the set temperature of the remote control 3 to the non-energy saving direction.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the remote controller 3 determines the energy saving level by using the duration of the thermo-on / thermo-off output from the relay contact 8, but in this embodiment, the current flow of the outdoor unit 1 is changed. This is different from the first embodiment in that the energy saving level is determined using the current value output from the device. Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the user operates the air conditioner by operating the remote controller 3. At this time, the user inputs an arbitrary set temperature according to the indoor environment. When the operation of the air conditioner starts, the process proceeds to step S201.

  In step S201, it is determined whether or not the energy saving mode is input on the remote controller 3. Here, when it is in the energy saving mode, the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the current value of the current transformer 12 of the outdoor unit 1 is monitored, the current value is sampled at regular intervals, and the average current value is calculated by the remote controller 3.

  Next, in step S203, the latest average current value is compared with the immediately preceding average current value, and it is determined whether or not the immediately preceding average current value is B% or more larger than the latest average current value. Note that B% is automatically set to, for example, weak: 20%, medium: 10%, strong: 5% based on the energy saving control level set by the user. Here, when the immediately preceding average current value is larger than the latest average current value by B% or more, it is determined that the energy saving state is excessive, and the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, in order to shift an excessive energy saving state to a non-energy saving direction, the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by + 1 ° C. during heating operation, and the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by −1 ° C. during cooling and dry operation. Let Thereafter, the process returns to step S201.

  On the other hand, if the previous average current value is not greater than B% or more than the latest average current value in step S203, the process proceeds to step S205, where the latest average current value is 20% or more greater than the immediately preceding average current value. It is determined whether or not. Here, if the latest average current value is 20% or more larger than the immediately preceding average current value, it is determined as a non-energy saving state, and the process proceeds to step S206, where the latest average current value is greater than the immediately preceding average current value. If it is not greater than 20%, the process returns to step S201 without changing the set temperature of the remote controller 3.

  In step S206, in order to shift the non-energy saving state to the energy saving direction, the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by −1 ° C. during heating operation, and the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by + 1 ° C. during cooling and dry operation. Thereafter, the process returns to step S201.

  By repeating the determination as described above at regular intervals, the air-conditioning operation can be brought close to the energy saving state, or the energy saving state can be maintained, so that an energy saving effect can be brought about. In an excessive energy saving state, indoor comfort can be maintained by switching the set temperature of the remote control 3 to the non-energy saving direction.

(Embodiment 3)
In the second embodiment, the remote controller 3 determines the energy saving level by using the current value output from the current transformer 12 of the outdoor unit 1, but in this embodiment, the electronic unit of the outdoor unit 1 is used. The second embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the value of the expansion valve opening output from the valve opening detecting means for detecting the opening of the expansion valve 11 is used. Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the user operates the air conditioner by operating the remote controller 3. At this time, the user inputs an arbitrary set temperature according to the indoor environment. When the operation of the air conditioner starts, the process proceeds to step S301.

  In step S301, it is determined whether or not the energy saving mode has been input on the remote controller 3. Here, when it is in the energy saving mode, the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S302, the expansion valve opening degree output from the valve opening degree detection means for detecting the expansion valve opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 11 of the outdoor unit 1 is monitored, and the expansion valve opening degree is sampled at regular intervals. The average expansion valve opening is calculated by the remote controller 3.

  Next, in step S303, the latest average expansion valve opening is compared with the immediately preceding average expansion valve opening, and the immediately preceding average expansion valve opening is C% or more larger than the latest average expansion valve opening. It is determined whether or not. C% is automatically set to, for example, weak: 20%, medium: 10%, strong: 5% based on the energy saving control level set by the user. Here, when the immediately preceding average expansion valve opening is larger by C% or more than the latest average expansion valve opening, it is determined that the energy saving state is excessive, and the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, in order to shift an excessive energy saving state to a non-energy saving direction, the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by + 1 ° C. during heating operation, and the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by −1 ° C. during cooling and dry operation. Let Thereafter, the process returns to step S301.

  On the other hand, when the previous average expansion valve opening is not C% or more larger than the latest average expansion valve opening in step S303, the process proceeds to step S305, where the latest average expansion valve opening is the previous average expansion valve opening. It is judged whether it is 20% or more larger than the degree. Here, if the latest average current value is 20% or more larger than the immediately preceding average current value, it is determined as a non-energy saving state, and the process proceeds to step S306, where the latest average expansion valve opening is the immediately preceding average expansion valve. If it is not larger than the opening by 20% or more, the process returns to step S301 without changing the set temperature of the remote controller 3.

  In step S306, in order to shift the non-energy-saving state to the energy-saving direction, the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by −1 ° C. during heating operation, and the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by + 1 ° C. during cooling and dry operation. Thereafter, the process returns to step S301.

  By repeating the determination as described above at regular intervals, the air-conditioning operation can be brought close to the energy saving state, or the energy saving state can be maintained, so that an energy saving effect can be brought about. In an excessive energy saving state, indoor comfort can be maintained by switching the set temperature of the remote control 3 to the non-energy saving direction.

(Embodiment 4)
In the third embodiment, the remote controller 3 determines the energy saving level by using the expansion valve opening degree output from the valve opening degree detecting means for detecting the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve of the outdoor unit 1. The present embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that a temperature difference between the blowing temperature and the suction temperature of the indoor unit 2 is used. Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the user operates the air conditioner by operating the remote controller 3. At this time, the user inputs an arbitrary set temperature according to the indoor environment. When the operation of the air conditioner starts, the process proceeds to step S401.

  In step S401, it is determined whether or not the energy saving mode has been input on the remote controller 3. Here, when it is in the energy saving mode, the process proceeds to step S402.

  In step S402, the blowout temperature of the indoor unit 2 output from the thermistor 6 and the suction temperature of the indoor unit 2 output from the thermistor 7 are monitored, and the blowout temperature and the suction temperature are sampled at regular intervals. The remote controller 3 calculates the temperature difference between the suction temperature and the suction temperature. Then, it is determined whether or not the temperature difference between the blowing temperature and the suction temperature is equal to or higher than D ° C. If the temperature difference is equal to or higher than D ° C, it is determined as a non-energy saving state, and the process proceeds to step S403. Note that D ° C is automatically set to, for example, weak: 20 ° C, medium: 15 ° C, strong: 10 ° C based on the energy saving control level set by the user.

  Next, in step S403, in order to shift the non-energy saving state to the energy saving direction, the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by −1 ° C. during the heating operation, and the set temperature of the remote control 3 is increased by + 1 ° C. during the cooling and dry operation. Shift. Thereafter, the process returns to step S401.

  On the other hand, in step S402, when the temperature difference between the blowing temperature and the suction temperature is less than D ° C, it is determined that the energy is saved, and the process proceeds to step S404, where the temperature difference between the blowing temperature and the suction temperature is less than 5 ° C. It is determined whether or not. Here, when the temperature difference between the blowing temperature and the suction temperature is less than 5 ° C, it is determined that the energy saving state is excessive, and the process proceeds to step S405. When the temperature difference between the blowing temperature and the suction temperature is not less than 5 ° C, the remote controller The process returns to step S401 without changing the set temperature 3.

  In step S405, in order to shift the energy saving state to the energy saving direction, the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by + 1 ° C. during heating operation, and the set temperature of the remote controller 3 is shifted by −1 ° C. during cooling and dry operation. Thereafter, the process returns to step S401.

  By repeating the determination as described above at regular intervals, the air-conditioning operation can be brought close to the energy saving state, or the energy saving state can be maintained, so that an energy saving effect can be brought about. In an excessive energy saving state, indoor comfort can be maintained by switching the set temperature of the remote control 3 to the non-energy saving direction.

It is a block diagram of an embodiment of an air-conditioning system to which the present invention is applied. It is an arrangement configuration diagram of sensors in an indoor unit of an air conditioning system to which the present invention is applied. It is an arrangement configuration diagram of sensors in an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system to which the present invention is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement procedure of the energy-saving control of Embodiment 1 of the air-conditioning system formed by applying this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement procedure of the energy-saving control of Embodiment 2 of the air-conditioning system formed by applying this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement procedure of the energy-saving control of Embodiment 3 of the air conditioning system formed by applying this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement procedure of the energy-saving control of Embodiment 4 of the air-conditioning system formed by applying this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outdoor unit 2 Indoor unit 3 Remote control 4 Centralized management apparatus 5 Communication line 6,7 Thermistor 8 Relay contact 9 Heat exchanger 10 Compressor 11 Electronic expansion valve 12 Current transformer

Claims (7)

In an air conditioning system comprising a plurality of air conditioners composed of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, a remote controller that commands operating conditions to the air conditioner, and a centralized management device connected to the plurality of air conditioners via a communication line ,
The remote controller inputs a state quantity correlated with an air conditioning load output from the air conditioner related to the remote controller, determines an energy saving level, and switches a set temperature of the remote controller based on the determination result system.   The remote controller switches the set temperature in a direction to increase the energy saving level when the energy saving level determined by inputting the state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load is lower than a predetermined value. Item 2. The air conditioning system according to Item 1.   The remote controller is configured to reduce the energy saving level when the energy saving level determined by inputting the state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load exceeds another predetermined value higher than the default value. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the temperature is switched.   The state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load input to the remote controller is a duration time of the load operation of the indoor unit in the air conditioner related to itself. Air conditioning system.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load input to the remote controller is an average current value of the outdoor unit in the air conditioner related to itself. system.   The state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load input to the remote controller is an opening degree of an electronic expansion valve of the outdoor unit in the air conditioner related to the remote controller. The air conditioning system described.   The state quantity correlated with the air conditioning load input to the remote controller is a temperature difference between the temperature of the intake air of the indoor unit and the temperature of the blown air in the air conditioner related to itself. The air conditioning system according to any one of 1 to 3.

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