JP2011043255A - Air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect a temperature of the outside air in outdoor units with high accuracy even when the plurality of outdoor units are collectively disposed. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioning system 11 includes the plurality of outdoor units 13, and a central control device 81 for controlling them. Each of the outdoor units 13 includes a compressor 17, a fan 64 and a temperature sensor T. The central control device 81 drives each of the fans 64 of a group 91 of outdoor units for a prescribed time in a state of stopping each of the compressors 17 of the group 91 of outdoor units, and then executes a temperature detection mode for detecting the suction temperature as a temperature of the outside air sucked to the outdoor unit 13 by the temperature sensor T of at least one outdoor unit 13 of the group 91 of outdoor units, with respect to the group 91 of outdoor units including at least two outdoor units 13 adjacent to each other among the plurality of outdoor units 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioning system in which a plurality of outdoor units are installed together.

  Conventionally, in an air conditioner, the temperature of an outside air is detected by a temperature sensor provided in the outdoor unit. For example, in Patent Document 1, by detecting the outside air temperature after a certain time from the start of operation, the detection accuracy of the outside air temperature is improved by making it less susceptible to the influence of air turbulence immediately after the operation starts.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-159843

  However, for example, in an air conditioning system in which a plurality of outdoor units are collectively installed on the rooftop of a building, etc., depending on the arrangement state of the outdoor unit, a phenomenon in which other outdoor units in the vicinity suck in air discharged from a certain outdoor unit, A so-called short circuit may occur. For example, when the air conditioning system is performing a cooling operation, the air discharged from the outdoor unit becomes hot air that is higher than the temperature of the outside air. Therefore, in such a case, even if the outside air temperature detection method of Patent Document 1 is applied, it is difficult to accurately measure the outside air temperature under the influence of a short circuit.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such points, and the object of the present invention is to measure the accuracy of the outdoor temperature measured in the outdoor unit even when a plurality of outdoor units are installed together. It is to be able to improve.

  The air conditioning system of the present invention has a plurality of outdoor units (13). Each outdoor unit (13) has a compressor (17), a fan (64), and a temperature sensor (T). This air conditioning system includes the following control unit (81a). That is, the control unit (81a) is configured to compress each of the outdoor unit groups (91) in the outdoor unit group (91) including at least two adjacent outdoor units (13) among the plurality of outdoor units (13). After driving the fans (64) of the outdoor unit group (91) for a predetermined time in a state where the unit (17) is stopped, the temperature sensors (13) of at least one outdoor unit (13) in the outdoor unit group (91) Control is performed so as to execute the temperature detection mode for detecting the suction temperature, which is the temperature of the outside air sucked into the outdoor unit (13) by T).

  Specifically, the cooling operation will be described as an example. In the normal cooling operation, when the compressor (17) and the fan (64) are driven, the outdoor unit (13) discharges hot air heat-exchanged with the refrigerant. . On the other hand, when the fan (64) is driven with the compressor (17) stopped as in the present configuration, the outdoor unit (13) has lower temperature air than the case where the compressor (17) is driven, That is, air having a temperature close to the actual outside air temperature is discharged. And in this structure, not only one outdoor unit (13) but the compressor (17) stopped in each outdoor unit (13) of the outdoor unit group (91) including two adjacent outdoor units (13). Since the fan (64) is driven in the state, the air discharged from each outdoor unit (13) of the outdoor unit group (91) has a temperature close to the actual outdoor temperature. In addition, in this configuration, since the temperature is detected by the temperature sensor (T) after the fan (64) is driven for a predetermined time, it is assumed that hot air is generated around the outdoor unit group (91) before the fan (64) is driven. Even in the case where the air stays, the temperature can be detected in a state in which the air stay is eliminated to some extent by driving the fan (64) for a predetermined time. As a result, the air sucked into each outdoor unit (13) has a temperature close to the actual temperature of the outside air, so that the measurement accuracy of the outside temperature measured in the outdoor unit can be improved.

  Moreover, the air conditioning system of this invention is further equipped with the memory | storage part (81b) which can memorize | store the identification information of these outdoor units (13), and can memorize | store the said suction temperature detected in the said temperature detection mode. May be. In this case, the control unit (81a) performs control so that the temperature detection mode is executed every predetermined time, and the storage unit (81b) stores the suction temperature detected every predetermined time together with the identification information. To do.

  In this configuration, the suction temperature data for each predetermined time can be stored in the storage unit (81b) together with the identification information. Therefore, if this data is used, the change over time in the influence of the short circuit can be detected in the outdoor unit (13). It becomes possible to grasp in association with the arrangement, and the analysis of the show circuit can be performed in more detail. Specifically, the suction temperature data for each predetermined time can be used for applications such as analyzing an increase in energy consumption due to a short circuit for each time zone.

  The control unit (81a) is configured to stop the number of outdoor units (13) equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio among the outdoor units (13) included in the outdoor unit group (91), or to exceed the predetermined ratio. When the compressor (17) in the outdoor unit (13) is driven at a predetermined capacity or less, the temperature detection mode may be controlled to be executed.

  In this configuration, the execution of the temperature detection mode is determined according to the operating status of each outdoor unit (13) included in the outdoor unit group (91) or the driving status of the compressor (17) in each outdoor unit (13). It is possible to suppress stopping the compressor (17) being driven or stopping the compressor (17) being driven at a high speed. Thereby, since it can suppress that normal driving | operations, such as air_conditionaing | cooling operation and heating operation, are prevented, high comfort can be maintained.

  The control unit (81a) may perform control so as to prohibit execution of the temperature detection mode until a predetermined time elapses after the cooling operation is started.

  In this configuration, since the temperature detection mode is not executed until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the cooling operation, it is possible to prevent the comfort at the start of the cooling operation from being impaired.

  The said control part (81a) is the said suction | inhalation of the external air suck | inhaled by each outdoor unit (13) by the said temperature sensor (T) of all the outdoor units (13) of the said outdoor unit group (91) in the said temperature detection mode. You may control so that each temperature may be detected and memorize | stored in the said memory | storage part (81b).

  In this structure, since the said suction temperature is each detected in each outdoor unit (13) of an outdoor unit group (91), a more detailed data analysis can be performed using suction temperature data. For example, the data of the lowest suction temperature among the plurality of data detected by the temperature sensor (T) of each outdoor unit (13) is considered to be less affected by the short circuit, and thus is closer to the actual outdoor temperature. Become.

  When the outdoor unit group (91) includes all the outdoor units (13) of the system, the temperature detection mode is executed for all the outdoor units (13) arranged and arranged. The suction temperature can be detected in a state where the influence of the short circuit is further reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when a plurality of outdoor units are collectively installed, it is possible to improve the measurement accuracy of the outdoor temperature in the outdoor unit in the temperature detection mode.

It is a lineblock diagram showing a schematic structure of an air harmony system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the outdoor unit of the air conditioning system of FIG. 1, and has shown the state which removed the fan grille. It is a partially broken perspective view which shows the state which removed the top plate, the front plate, the impeller, etc. from the outdoor unit of FIG. It is a right view which shows the state which removed the right side board from the outdoor unit of FIG. It is a top view which shows the state which removed the top plate etc. in order to demonstrate the internal structure of the outdoor unit of FIG. (A) is a top view which shows the outdoor unit of FIG. 2, (b) is a top view which shows the outdoor unit of a higher output type than the outdoor unit of FIG. 2, (c) is a higher output type. It is a top view which shows this outdoor unit. It is a top view which shows the example of arrangement | sequence when the some outdoor unit in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 is installed on the roof of a building. It is a flowchart which shows the example 1 of control for performing temperature detection mode. It is a flowchart which shows the control example 2 for performing temperature detection mode. It is a flowchart which shows the example 3 of control for performing temperature detection mode. It is a top view which shows an example in the case of dividing and controlling the some outdoor unit arranged like FIG. 7 in the some outdoor unit group. It is a top view which shows the state which attached the shielding board to the some outdoor unit arranged like FIG. (A) is a top view for demonstrating the shielding board of the outdoor unit of FIG. 10, (b) is the side view, (c) is a side view which shows the opening / closing mechanism of the said shielding board. (A) is a top view which shows the example of an arrangement | sequence when the some outdoor unit in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 is installed in each floor of a building, (b) is the front view, (c) is (a). FIG. (A) is a top view which shows the other example of an arrangement | sequence when the some outdoor unit in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 is installed in each floor of a building, (b) is the front view. (A) is a top view which shows the further example of an arrangement when the some outdoor unit in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 is installed in each floor of a building, (b) is the front view.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 11 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of air conditioning devices 83 and a centralized management device 81 that centrally manages these air conditioning devices 83. The air conditioning system 11 is a multi-type system for buildings, and each air conditioning apparatus 83 has a configuration in which a plurality of indoor units 15 are connected in parallel to one outdoor unit 13.

  Each outdoor unit 13 includes a compressor 17, a four-way switching valve 19 serving as switching means, an outdoor heat exchanger 21, an outdoor expansion valve 23 serving as an expansion mechanism, a refrigerant pipe connecting these components, and the like. Each indoor unit 15 includes an indoor expansion valve 25 that is an expansion mechanism, an indoor heat exchanger 27, and a refrigerant pipe that connects them. A gas-side closing valve 29 is provided at one end of the refrigerant pipe of the outdoor unit 13, and a liquid-side closing valve 31 is provided at the other end of the refrigerant pipe of the outdoor unit 13. The gas side closing valve 29 and the indoor heat exchanger 27 are connected by a gas side refrigerant communication pipe 33a. Further, the liquid side closing valve 31 and the indoor expansion valve 25 are connected by a liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 33b.

  During the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 19 is held in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 17 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 21 through the four-way switching valve 19, and is condensed and liquefied by exchanging heat with outdoor air. The liquefied refrigerant passes through the open outdoor expansion valve 23 and flows into each indoor unit 3 through the liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 33b. In the indoor unit 3, the refrigerant is depressurized to a predetermined low pressure by the indoor expansion valve 25 and further evaporated by exchanging heat with the indoor air by the indoor heat exchanger 27. The indoor air cooled by the evaporation of the refrigerant is blown out into the room by an indoor fan (not shown) to cool the room. The refrigerant evaporated and vaporized in the indoor heat exchanger 27 returns to the outdoor unit 13 through the gas side refrigerant communication pipe 33 a and is sucked into the compressor 17.

  On the other hand, during the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 19 is held in a state indicated by a broken line in FIG. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 17 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 27 of each indoor unit 15 through the four-way switching valve 19 and exchanges heat with indoor air to condense and liquefy. The indoor air heated by the condensation of the refrigerant is blown out into the room by an indoor fan to heat the room. The refrigerant liquefied in the indoor heat exchanger 27 returns from the open indoor expansion valve 25 to the outdoor unit 13 through the liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 33b. The refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 13 is decompressed to a predetermined low pressure by the outdoor expansion valve 23, and is further evaporated by exchanging heat with outdoor air by the outdoor heat exchanger 21. The refrigerant evaporated and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 21 is sucked into the compressor 17 through the four-way switching valve 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outdoor unit 13 includes a rectangular parallelepiped casing 35, and the compressor 17, the outdoor heat exchanger 21, and the like described above are accommodated in the internal space of the casing 35. The casing 35 includes a front plate 37, a right side plate 39, a rear plate 41, a left side plate 43, a top plate 45, and a bottom plate 47.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the outdoor heat exchanger 21 is placed on the bottom plate 47. The outdoor heat exchanger 21 has a flat shape, is erected upward from the bottom plate 47, and is bent and disposed along the inner surfaces of the right side plate 39, the rear plate 41, and the left side plate 43. Yes. The compressor 17 is placed on the bottom plate 47 and is located below the internal space of the casing 35.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an electrical component box 69 is attached inside the casing 35 at a position near the front plate 37. In the electrical component box 69, an outdoor control unit 71 for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 13 and the like are provided. The outdoor control unit 71 includes a microcomputer and a memory for storing various data.

  The right side plate 39 has column portions 51 and 55 formed by bending a sheet metal on both sides thereof. Similarly, the left side plate 43 has column portions 49 and 53 formed by bending a sheet metal on both sides thereof. Further, the right side plate 39 and the left side plate 43 respectively have a plurality of openings 57 that function as air suction ports in a region facing the outdoor heat exchanger 21.

  The front plate 21 is composed of three parts, a front plate upper portion 37a, a front plate middle portion 37b, and a front plate lower portion 37c, which are screwed to the column portion 51 of the right side plate 39 and the column portion 49 of the left side plate 43. And is detachably fixed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the front plate middle portion 37 b of the front plate 21 is provided with a slit 101. The slit 101 is a long cut in the lateral direction provided in the front plate middle portion 37 b of the front plate 37, and is located near the center of the outdoor unit 13 in the height direction.

  The outdoor unit 13 includes a temperature sensor T inside the casing 35. The temperature sensor T is provided at a position (next to the slit 101) adjacent to the slit 101, and is fixed to the inner surface of the front plate middle portion 37b by a support member (not shown).

  It is sufficient that the slit 101 has a small opening size that can suck in an amount of outside air that can be measured by the temperature sensor T. Moreover, it can suppress that the efficiency of the heat exchange of the external air suck | inhaled through the blower outlet 45a falls by keeping the opening dimension of the slit 101 to the minimum magnitude | size which can measure temperature.

  The rear plate 41 is screwed and fixed to the column portion 55 of the right side plate 39 and the column portion 53 of the left side plate 43. Further, the rear plate 41 has a plurality of openings (not shown) similar to the right side plate 39 and the left side plate 43 in a region facing the outdoor heat exchanger 21. These openings function as air inlets.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the top plate 45 has a circular outlet 45a at the center. As shown in FIG. 3, two support members 65 that are fixed to the right side plate 39 and the left side plate 43 and extend in the front-rear direction are provided below the air outlet 45a. The motor 61 is supported on these support members 65 in a state where the direction of the shaft 63 is oriented in the vertical direction. An impeller 59 is rotatably attached to the shaft 63 of the motor 61 (FIG. 2). A fan 64 is constituted by the motor 61, the shaft 63 and the impeller 59. The periphery of the impeller 59 is surrounded by a bell mouth 45b. As shown in FIG. 4, a net-like fan grill 67 is disposed on the top of the impeller 59 and the air outlet 45 a so as to cover them, and is fixed to the top plate 45.

  Since the outdoor unit 13 in the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, the air flow is as follows when the outdoor unit 13 is in operation. That is, when the motor 61 of the fan 64 is driven to rotate the impeller 59, the outside air existing around the rear plate 41, the right side plate 39, and the left side plate 43 passes through the openings 57 provided on these three surfaces. After being sucked into the interior of the casing 35 and passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 21, the interior of the casing 35 is raised and blown out of the casing 35 through the air outlet 45 a. On the other hand, outside air existing in the vicinity of the front plate middle portion 37 b is sucked into the casing 35 through the slit 101.

  The slit 101 is not provided at a position facing the outdoor heat exchanger 21 like the opening 57 but is provided at a position not facing the outdoor heat exchanger 21. That is, the slit 101 is provided at a position facing the front plate 37. Therefore, the temperature sensor T can measure the temperature of the outside air immediately after flowing into the casing 35 from the slit 101, that is, the temperature of the outside air that has not passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 21.

  FIG. 6A is a plan view showing the outdoor unit 13 described above. Hereinafter, this type is referred to as an outdoor unit 13a. FIG. 6B is a plan view showing an outdoor unit 13b of a higher output type than the outdoor unit 13a, and FIG. 6C is a plan view showing an outdoor unit 13c of a higher output type. The outdoor unit 13b and the outdoor unit 13c improve the output over the outdoor unit 13a by increasing the number of compressors 17 built in the casing 35. In the outdoor unit 13b, the top plate 45 is provided with two air outlets similar to the outdoor unit 13a, and the fans 64 are respectively disposed in these air outlets. In the outdoor unit 13c, the top plate 45 is provided with three outlets similar to those of the outdoor unit 13a, and fans 64 are respectively disposed at these outlets. The outdoor units 13b and 13c have a net-like fan grill 67 disposed on the top of the fan 64 so as to cover the fan 64. The fan grill 67 is fixed to the top plate 45. Hereinafter, the outdoor unit 13a, the outdoor unit 13b, and the outdoor unit 13c are collectively referred to as the outdoor unit 13.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of outdoor units 13a, 13b, and 13c shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c) are arranged on the roof of the building 95. A total of 24 outdoor units 13 are installed on the roof of this building 95. Twenty-four outdoor units 13 are arranged in seven rows from row A to row G, respectively.

  In each row, the outdoor units 13 included in the row are arranged to face in the same direction. For example, the three outdoor units 13 in row A are arranged so that the front side (front plate 37 side) faces the right side in FIG. 7, and the four outdoor units 13 in row D are arranged on the front side (front plate 37 side). ) Are arranged to face the left side in FIG. In addition, the broken line 93 in FIG. 7 represents the front side (front plate 37 side) of the outdoor unit 13.

  The outdoor unit 13 in the A row and the outdoor unit 13 in the B row are arranged so that the front plates 37 face each other. The outdoor unit 13 in the B row and the outdoor unit 13 in the C row are arranged so that the rear plates 41 face each other. Similarly, the outdoor unit 13 in the C row and the outdoor unit 13 in the D row, and the outdoor unit 13 in the E row and the outdoor unit 13 in the F row are arranged so that the front plates 37 face each other. The outdoor unit 13 and the outdoor unit 13 in the E row, and the outdoor unit 13 in the F row and the outdoor unit 13 in the G row are arranged so that the rear plates 41 face each other.

  Next, features of the air conditioning system 11 of the present embodiment will be described. The air conditioning system 11 of this embodiment includes a temperature detection mode for measuring the temperature of the outside air in a state where the influence of a short circuit is eliminated or alleviated.

  In this temperature detection mode, an outdoor unit group including at least two adjacent outdoor units 13 among the plurality of outdoor units 13 installed in the building 95 is set as a control target. Therefore, the outdoor unit group to be controlled may be configured by only two adjacent outdoor units 13, or may be configured by all the outdoor units 13 installed on the roof of the building 95. Further, as in Control Example 4 to be described later, the plurality of outdoor units 13 installed on the roof are divided into a plurality of outdoor unit groups (in Control Example 4, as shown in FIG. 11, the group is divided into six outdoor unit groups 91. 1) or two or more outdoor unit groups of these outdoor unit groups may be controlled in the temperature detection mode.

  The number of outdoor units 13 included in the outdoor unit group to be controlled in that the effect of removing high-temperature outdoor air that tends to stay around the outdoor unit 13 to be controlled during normal operation such as cooling operation can be enhanced. More is preferable. On the other hand, as in Control Example 4, when some of the outdoor unit groups are to be controlled in the temperature detection mode, the number of outdoor units 13 that temporarily stops normal operation. Can be reduced.

  This temperature detection mode is controlled by the centralized management device 81 shown in FIG. This centralized management device 81 may be installed in the building 95 in which each air conditioner 83 is installed, or may be installed in a remote place apart from the building 95. When the central management device 81 is installed in the same building 95, the central management device 81 controls each air conditioning device 83 via a communication network 85 such as a communication line in the building 95, for example. When the centralized management device 81 is installed in a remote place, the centralized management device 81 controls each air conditioner 83 via a communication network 85 such as the Internet.

  The centralized management device 81 exchanges data with each air conditioner 83 via a control unit 81a that controls the operation of each air conditioner 83, a storage unit 81b that stores data necessary for control, and the communication network 85. A communication unit 81c to perform, a timer 81d for measuring operation time, and the like are included. The communication unit 81 c is connected to each outdoor unit 13, receives information related to the operation status from each air conditioner 83, and transmits information related to operation control to each air conditioner 83.

<Control example 1>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control example 1 for executing the temperature detection mode. In this control example 1, the case where the outdoor unit group that is the control target for executing the temperature detection mode is configured by all the outdoor units 13 in FIG. I will explain. That is, the case where all the outdoor units 13 in FIG. 7 are included in one outdoor unit group will be described as an example.

  In this control example 1, the temperature detection mode is executed every predetermined time ta. The predetermined time ta is preferably set to about several tens of minutes such as 0.5 hour, 1 hour, and the like. Thereby, since the temperature detection mode can be executed several times per day, for example, it is possible to grasp the tendency of the short circuit occurrence state for each time zone of the day. The predetermined time ta is stored in the storage unit 81b.

  In this control example 1, the time for stopping the compressor 17 and driving the fan 64 during the temperature detection mode is set to the predetermined time tb. The predetermined time tb is preferably set long in order to enhance the effect of removing high-temperature outdoor air that tends to stay around the outdoor unit 13 to be controlled during normal operation such as cooling operation from the periphery of the outdoor unit 13. On the other hand, the predetermined time tb is preferably set to be short in that the time required for the temperature detection mode can be shortened as much as possible to return to normal operation as soon as possible. Therefore, considering these points, it is preferable to set the predetermined time tb to about 1 to 5 minutes. The predetermined time tb is stored in the storage unit 81b.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when normal operation such as cooling operation is started in the air conditioning system 11, in step S1, the control unit 81a starts measuring the normal operation duration t1 by the timer 81d, and proceeds to step S2. . The normal operation continuation time t1 is a time for measuring the time during which at least one of the plurality of outdoor units 13 to be controlled is operated, and the user performs cooling operation (or heating operation, dehumidifying operation) by remote control setting or the like Etc.). Further, it is determined that the operation is continued during the thermo-off time, and the measurement of the normal operation continuation time t1 is continued.

  In step S2, the control unit 81a compares the normal operation continuation time t1 of the normal operation with the predetermined time ta. When the normal operation continuation time t1 exceeds the predetermined time ta, the control unit 81a proceeds to step S3, and when the normal operation continuation time t1 is equal to or less than the predetermined time ta, the control unit 81a repeats the determination of step S2. .

  In step S3, the control unit 81a performs control so as to measure the suction temperature T1 immediately before executing the temperature detection mode. The suction temperature T1 is measured by the temperature sensor T, and is used as a comparison value for judging the occurrence state of a short circuit as compared with a suction temperature T2 measured in a temperature detection mode described later. Specifically, in step S3, the control unit 81a measures a suction temperature T1, which is the temperature of the outside air sucked into the outdoor unit 13 by the temperature sensor T of at least one outdoor unit 13 in the outdoor unit group, and step S4. Proceed to The suction temperature T1 measured in step S3 may be higher than the actual outside air temperature due to the influence of a short circuit.

  In step S4, the communication unit 81c receives the suction temperature T1 measured in step S3 via the communication network 85, and the control unit 81a receives the suction temperature T1 at the measurement time and the outdoor unit that measured the suction temperature T1. The information is stored in the storage unit 81b together with the 13 identification information, and the process proceeds to step S5. Here, the identification information of the outdoor unit 13 includes, for example, numbers assigned to the 24 outdoor units 13 shown in FIG. 7 so that each outdoor unit 13 can be individually identified. This identification information is set by an installer, a manufacturer, or the like when each outdoor unit 13 is installed on the site or at the time of factory shipment. The identification information is stored in the storage unit 81b. Each identification information is stored in the storage unit 81 b in association with the installation location of each outdoor unit 13 in the building 95.

  Next, the control part 81a performs the temperature detection mode of step S5-S10. First, in step S5, the compressors 17 of all outdoor units 13 to be controlled are stopped, then in step S6, the timer 81d starts measuring the stop duration t2 of the compressor 17, and in step S7, all outdoor units The fan 64 of the machine 13 is driven and the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the control unit 81a compares the stop continuation time t2 with the predetermined time tb. If the stop continuation time t2 exceeds the predetermined time tb, the control unit 81a proceeds to step S9. If the stop continuation time t2 is equal to or less than the predetermined time tb, the control unit 81a repeats the determination in step S8.

  In step S9, the control unit 81a measures a suction temperature T2 that is the temperature of the outside air sucked into the outdoor unit 13 by the same temperature sensor T of the outdoor unit 13 as the outdoor unit 13 that measured the suction temperature T1 in step S3. Proceed to step S10.

  The number of the outdoor units 13 that measure the suction temperatures T1 and T2 in steps S3 and S9 may be at least one of the outdoor units 13 included in the outdoor unit group, but the measurement accuracy of the outdoor temperature is further increased. More is better from a viewpoint. That is, in steps S3 and S9, the suction temperatures T1 and T2 are preferably measured by a plurality of outdoor units 13, and more preferably, the suction temperatures T1 and T2 are measured by all the outdoor units 13.

  In the temperature detection mode, the influence of the short circuit on the suction temperature T2 can be reduced as compared with the normal operation, but the effect of reducing the influence of the short circuit may vary depending on the installation location of the outdoor unit 13. Even if such a variation occurs, it is possible to increase the measurement accuracy of the outside air temperature by regarding the lowest temperature among the plurality of suction temperatures T2 as the outside air temperature. That is, the lowest temperature is considered to be the least affected by the short circuit.

  In step S10, the communication unit 81c receives the suction temperature T2 measured in step S9 via the communication network 85, and the control unit 81a receives the suction temperature T2 at the measurement time and the outdoor unit 13 that measures the suction temperature T2. Is stored in the storage unit 81b together with the identification information, and the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, the controller 81a resets the values of the normal operation continuation time t1 and the compressor stop time t2 in the timer 81d, returns to step S1, and repeats the series of controls described above.

  By repeating the series of controls as described above, the suction temperature T1 during normal operation immediately before the temperature detection mode is executed and the suction temperature T2 in the temperature detection mode can be obtained every predetermined time ta. Since the suction temperature T1 is measured during normal operation, the suction temperature T1 is often higher than the actual outside air temperature due to the influence of a short circuit. On the other hand, since the suction temperature T2 is measured in the temperature detection mode, the influence due to the short circuit is reduced as compared with the normal operation and becomes a value closer to the actual outside air temperature. Therefore, by comparing and analyzing the suction temperature T1 and the suction temperature T2, the presence / absence of the occurrence of a short circuit, the degree of increase in the suction temperature due to the short circuit, and the increase in energy consumption due to the short circuit can be grasped.

  Further, the suction temperatures T1 and T2 are stored in the storage unit 81b together with the time when these were measured and the identification information of the outdoor unit 13 that measured the suction temperatures T1 and T2. In this way, the two temperatures consisting of the suction temperatures T1 and T2, the measurement time, and the identification information are stored as a set of data, and this set of data has a certain period of time (one day, one week). (1 month, 1 year, etc.) periodically, whether or not a short circuit occurs every time period or season, the degree of increase in the suction temperature due to the short circuit, the increase in energy consumption due to the short circuit, etc. Can be ascertained for each installation location of the outdoor unit 13. These data can be used for planning energy saving measures such as what measures are effective for further energy saving.

  When the central management device 81 is installed in a remote management center or the like, data can be centrally managed in this management center.

<Control example 2>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control example 2 for executing the temperature detection mode. This control example 2 is different from the control example 1 in that an elapsed time t3 from the start of the cooling operation is newly added as a criterion for determining whether or not to execute the temperature detection mode (steps S21 and S23).

  In this control example 2, if the elapsed time t3 from the start of the cooling operation is within the predetermined time tc, the temperature detection mode is not executed. That is, immediately after the start of cooling, even if the normal operation continuation time t1 exceeds the predetermined time ta as in Control Example 1, the temperature detection mode is executed if the elapsed time t3 from the start of the cooling operation is within the predetermined time tc. do not do. Therefore, in this control example 2, the control is performed when the predetermined time ta is smaller than the predetermined time tc (ta <tc).

  Specifically, for example, a setting example in which the predetermined time ta is set to 0.5 hour and the elapsed time tc is set to 1 hour can be given. In this case, the temperature detection mode is controlled to be executed every 0.5 hours. However, if the compressor 17 of the outdoor unit 13 is stopped immediately after the start of the cooling operation, comfort may be reduced. Therefore, by setting the predetermined time tc to 1 hour, for example, 1 hour immediately after the start of the cooling operation. Only in this case, the operation of the compressor 17 can be continued. Thereby, it can suppress that the comfort immediately after a cooling operation start falls. Hereinafter, the control example 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the cooling operation is started in the air conditioning system 11, in step S21, the control unit 81a starts measuring the elapsed time t3 from the start of the cooling operation by the timer 81d. Next, in step S22, the controller 81a starts measuring the normal operation continuation time t1 with the timer 81d, and proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the controller 81a compares the elapsed time t3 from the start of the cooling operation with a predetermined time tc. When the elapsed time t3 exceeds the predetermined time tc, the control unit 81a proceeds to step S24, and when the elapsed time t3 is equal to or shorter than the predetermined time tc, the control unit 81a repeats the determination at step S23. Therefore, in this control example 2, the execution of the temperature detection mode can be prohibited until the predetermined time tc elapses after the cooling operation is started.

  Steps S24 to S33 are the same controls as steps S2 to S11 in Control Example 1, and thus description thereof is omitted.

<Control example 3>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control example 3 for executing the temperature detection mode. This control example 3 is different from the control example 1 in that the operation status of the outdoor unit 13 to be controlled is newly added as a criterion for determining whether or not to execute the temperature detection mode (step S43).

  In this control example 3, among the outdoor units 13 included in the outdoor unit group to be controlled in the temperature detection mode, the compressors 17 in the number of the outdoor units 13 greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio are driven at a predetermined capacity or less. Performs the temperature detection mode. In other words, when the compressors 17 in the number of outdoor units 13 equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio are driven with a capacity exceeding a predetermined capacity, the execution of the temperature detection mode is prohibited. Hereinafter, the control example 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when normal operation such as cooling operation is started in the air conditioning system 11, in step S41, the control unit 81a starts measuring the normal operation duration t1 by the timer 81d, and proceeds to step S42. .

  In step S42, the control unit 81a compares the normal operation continuation time t1 of the normal operation with the predetermined time ta. When the normal operation continuation time t1 exceeds the predetermined time ta, the control unit 81a proceeds to step S43, and when the normal operation continuation time t1 is equal to or less than the predetermined time ta, the control unit 81a repeats the determination of step S2. .

  In step S43, the control unit 81a determines whether or not to execute the temperature detection mode according to the driving state of the compressor 17 of the outdoor unit 13 included in the outdoor unit group that is the control target of the temperature detection mode. That is, when the compressors 17 of the plurality of outdoor units 13 included in the outdoor unit group are driven at a predetermined capacity or less, the control unit 81a proceeds to step S44. move on. On the other hand, when the compressors 17 in the outdoor units 13 of the number greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio are driven with the capacity exceeding the predetermined capacity, the control unit 81a returns to step S42 and does not execute the temperature detection mode. Control. For example, the rotational speed of the compressor 17 can be used as the ability to determine the driving status of the compressor 17.

  Specifically, for example, the total number of outdoor units 13 included in the outdoor unit group to be controlled in the temperature detection mode is 24 (all the outdoor units 13 shown in FIG. 7), and the predetermined ratio is set to 50%. Assuming that the predetermined capacity is set to 80%, the control unit 81a performs the following control. That is, in step S43, the control unit 81a drives the compressors 17 of the 12 or more outdoor units 13 out of the 24 outdoor units 13 at a rotation speed equal to or less than 80% of the maximum rotation speed. If so, the process proceeds to step S44 to execute the temperature detection mode. On the other hand, when the compressor 17 of 12 or more outdoor units 13 out of 24 outdoor units 13 is driven at a rotational speed exceeding the rotational speed corresponding to 80% of the maximum rotational speed, the control unit 81a is operated. Returns to step S42 and controls not to execute the temperature detection mode.

  As described above, in the control example 3, the temperature detection mode is not executed when the compressor 17 is driven with the capacity exceeding the predetermined capacity in the outdoor units 13 of a predetermined ratio or more in the outdoor unit group. It can suppress stopping the compressor 17 under the condition where driving | operation load is high. Thereby, it can suppress that comfort is impaired.

  Steps S44 to S52 are the same controls as Steps S3 to S11 in Control Example 1, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In the control example 3 described above, in step S43, the driving status of the compressor is used as a reference for determining the operating status of the outdoor unit 13 to be controlled. Instead, for example, the control unit 81a includes the outdoor unit group. When the number of outdoor units 13 that are equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio among the outdoor units 13 included in is stopped, the process may proceed to step S44 to control to execute the temperature detection mode. This also can suppress the loss of comfort as described above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the control unit 81a drives at least one fan 64 after driving the fans 64 for a predetermined time in a state where the compressors 17 of the plurality of outdoor units 13 collectively installed in the building 95 are stopped. Control is performed so as to execute a temperature detection mode in which the temperature sensor T of the two outdoor units 13 detects the suction temperature T2, which is the temperature of the outside air sucked into the outdoor unit 13. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when a short circuit occurs in which one outdoor unit 13 sucks air discharged from another outdoor unit 13, the air discharged from each outdoor unit 13 in the temperature detection mode is normally The temperature is lower than the air discharged during operation (warm air) and the temperature is closer to the actual outside air temperature. Thereby, the temperature of the outside air can be accurately detected in the temperature detection mode.

  In the present embodiment, in the temperature detection mode, the control unit 81a sucks outside air that is sucked into the outdoor unit 13 by the temperature sensors T of the plurality of outdoor units 13 or all the outdoor units 13 that are collectively installed in the building 95. When the temperatures T1 and T2 are detected and stored in the storage unit 81b, detailed data analysis can be performed using the suction temperature data obtained thereby. For example, the lowest suction temperature data among a plurality of data detected by the temperature sensor T of each outdoor unit 13 is considered to be less affected by a short circuit, and thus is closer to the actual outside air temperature.

  Moreover, when the outdoor unit group which is the control target of the temperature detection mode includes all the outdoor units 13 of the system, the temperature detection mode is executed for all the outdoor units 13 arranged and arranged. Therefore, the suction temperature T2 can be detected in a state where the influence of the short circuit is further reduced.

<Control example 4>
FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a control example 4 in which a plurality of outdoor units arranged as shown in FIG. 7 are controlled by being divided into a plurality of outdoor unit groups. In this control example 4, a total of 24 outdoor units 13 collectively installed on the roof of the building 95 are divided into six outdoor unit groups 91 (91a to 91f) to control the temperature detection mode.

  The temperature detection mode is executed for at least one outdoor unit group 91 among the plurality of outdoor unit groups 91. The temperature detection mode may be executed for one or more predetermined outdoor unit groups 91, or may be executed by changing the target outdoor unit group 91 in a random order. The outdoor unit group 91 to be controlled can be selected, for example, according to the installation status when the outdoor unit 13 is installed on site, and the selected outdoor unit group 91 is stored in the storage unit 81b. Further, the temperature detection mode may be executed by selecting the target outdoor unit group 91 based on the following criteria.

  For example, the communication unit 81c periodically receives information regarding the operation status of each outdoor unit group 91 via the communication network 85, and the control unit 81a periodically monitors the operation status of each outdoor unit group 91. Thus, the following control can be performed.

  For example, among the plurality of outdoor unit groups 91, an outdoor unit group 91 having a high ratio of the outdoor units 13 whose elapsed time t3 from the start of cooling exceeds a predetermined time tc is selected, and the temperature relative to the outdoor unit group 91 is selected. The detection mode can be executed.

  Further, the outdoor unit group 91 having a high ratio of the outdoor units 13 in which a number of compressors 17 of a predetermined ratio or more are driven at a predetermined capacity or less is selected, and the temperature detection mode is executed for the outdoor unit group 91 Can do.

  In addition, since the ease of occurrence of a short circuit changes depending on the wind direction, when a detection means for detecting the wind direction on the roof of the building 95 is provided, it depends on the wind direction when determining whether to execute the temperature detection mode. The outdoor unit group 91 may be selected.

  Further, based on basic data such as past usage data, current data such as vacancy status, etc. that can be identified by the low-frequency outdoor unit 13, a plurality of outdoor units including the outdoor unit 13 corresponding to the basic data. The outdoor unit group constituted by 13 may be selected as a control target in the temperature detection mode. Thus, if the temperature detection mode is executed with this outdoor unit group as a control target, the influence on the normal operation due to temporarily stopping the normal operation can be further reduced.

  In addition, by accumulating the data of the temperature detection mode executed in the past for each outdoor unit group 91, it is grasped which outdoor unit group 91 of the building 95 can measure the outdoor temperature with high accuracy. can do. Thereby, the temperature detection mode can be executed for the outdoor unit group 91 with relatively high accuracy.

  In Control Example 4, control items other than the steps described above can be controlled in the same manner as in the flowcharts of Control Examples 1 to 3 (FIGS. 8 to 10), and thus description thereof is omitted.

<Modification>
FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state where the shielding plates 97 are attached to the plurality of outdoor units 13 arranged as shown in FIG. 13A is a plan view for explaining the shielding plate 97 of the outdoor unit 13 in FIG. 12, FIG. 13B is a side view thereof, and FIG. It is a side view which shows a mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 12, A row outdoor unit 13 and B row outdoor unit 13, B row outdoor unit 13 and C row outdoor unit 13,..., F row outdoor unit 13 and G row outdoor The machines 13 are arranged at intervals. In addition, as described above, the outdoor unit 13 in the B row and the outdoor unit 13 in the C row are arranged so that the rear plates 41 face each other. Similarly, the outdoor unit 13 in the D row and the outdoor unit 13 in the E row, and the outdoor unit 13 in the F row and the outdoor unit 13 in the G row are arranged so that the rear plates 41 face each other.

  For example, when the shielding plate 97 is not provided as in the form shown in FIG. 7, the rear plate 41 side of the outdoor unit 13 is provided with an opening 57 and the outside air is sucked through the opening 57. Compared with the front plate 37 side, there is a tendency that a lot of air having a high temperature due to the short circuit exists and stays.

  On the other hand, in this modification, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIGS. 13A and 13B, the shielding plate 97 has an upper part of the gap between the outdoor unit 13 in the B row and the outdoor unit 13 in the C row, the D row. The outdoor unit 13 and the E row outdoor unit 13 and the upper row of the F row outdoor unit 13 and the G row outdoor unit 13 are respectively closed. Therefore, since the air flow toward the opening 57 of the rear plate 41 is blocked by the shielding plate 97, the occurrence of a short circuit is suppressed.

  In addition, since the two adjacent rows are arranged so that the rear plates 41 or the front plates 37 face each other, the shielding plate 97 is provided on the side provided with the opening 57 for sucking outside air (in this modification, the rear plate is rear). It suffices to provide only on the plate 41 side. Thereby, since the number of the shielding plates 97 can be reduced, space saving and cost reduction can be achieved. Further, in the case of this configuration, the piping arrangement positions can be gathered on the gap side where the front plates 37 face each other. Further, the floor grating may be provided only on the front plate 37 side, and may not be provided on the lower surface on the rear plate 41 side (suction side).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13C, in this modification, the end portion of the shielding plate 97 is fixed to the periphery of the top plate 45 by, for example, a hinge so as to be foldable. However, this folding structure is not essential, and may be fixed in a state where the upper part of the gap is shielded.

  The material of the shielding plate 97 is not particularly limited, and may be a metal such as iron or a resin having excellent weather resistance.

  Further, it is preferable to provide a similar shielding plate at the upper part of the gap between the right side plate 39 and the left side plate 43 of the adjacent outdoor units 13 to further suppress the occurrence of a short circuit.

  Other configurations and control methods are the same as those described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

<Other embodiments>
In the above embodiment, the case where a plurality of outdoor units 13 are collectively installed on the roof of the building 95 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the outdoor unit 13 may be installed on each floor of the building 95.

  14A is a plan view showing an arrangement example when the plurality of outdoor units 13 in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 are installed on each floor of the building 95, and FIG. 14B is a front view thereof. 14 (c) is a side view of (a). As shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the outdoor unit 13 is installed at the corner of each floor. An air outlet (blowout duct) 45a is provided on the front side, and an opening 57 for suction is provided on the side surface side. As described above, the temperature detection mode of the present invention can be applied even when the plurality of outdoor units 13 are collectively installed in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 15A is a plan view showing another arrangement example when the plurality of outdoor units 13 in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 are installed on each floor of the building 95, and FIG. It is. As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the outdoor unit 13 is provided on the front side of each floor. The arrangement positions of the outdoor units 13 on the upper and lower adjacent floors are shifted so as not to overlap in the vertical direction. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between the outdoor units 13 adjacent in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 16 (a) is a plan view showing still another arrangement example when a plurality of outdoor units in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 are installed on each floor of the building, and FIG. 16 (b) is a front view thereof. is there. As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the outdoor unit 13 is disposed on each of the front side, right side, and left side of each floor. The arrangement positions are shifted so that the arrangement positions of the outdoor units 13 on the upper and lower adjacent floors do not overlap in the vertical direction. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between the outdoor units 13 adjacent in the vertical direction.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the inflow portion of the temperature measurement air is the slit 101 having a long cut in the lateral direction provided in the front plate has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The shape of the inflow portion may be other shapes such as a triangular shape or a quadrangular shape in addition to a slit shape or a circular shape. Moreover, the slit 101 may be provided not only in the vicinity of the center in the height direction as shown in FIG. 2 but also in an upper position (for example, the front plate upper portion 37a). Further, the slit 101 is not necessarily provided on the front plate 37 as long as the slit 101 is not easily affected by the heat of the outdoor heat exchanger 21, and may be provided on the right side plate 37 or the left side plate 43. Further, the slit 101 can be omitted, and the opening 57 in FIG. 2 can be used as an inflow site. In this case, the temperature sensor T may be arranged at a position where the temperature of the outside air before heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 21 can be measured, such as between the opening 57 and the outdoor heat exchanger 21.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the temperature detection mode is executed during the cooling operation is described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to other operations such as a dehumidifying operation and a heating operation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Air conditioning system 13 Outdoor unit 15 Indoor unit 21 Outdoor heat exchanger 35 Casing 37 Front plate 39 Right side plate 41 Rear plate 43 Left side plate 45 Top plate 45a Outlet 47 Bottom plate 57 Opening part 64 Fan 71 Outdoor control part 81 Centralized control apparatus (Control part)
91 Outdoor unit group 101 Slit T Temperature sensor

Claims (6)

An air conditioning system having a plurality of outdoor units (13),
Each outdoor unit (13) has a compressor (17), a fan (64) and a temperature sensor (T),
In the outdoor unit group (91) including at least two adjacent outdoor units (13) among the plurality of outdoor units (13), the compressors (17) of the outdoor unit group (91) are stopped. After driving each fan (64) of the outdoor unit group (91) for a predetermined time, the temperature sensor (T) of at least one outdoor unit (13) in the outdoor unit group (91) is connected to the outdoor unit (13). An air conditioning system including a control unit (81a) that performs control so as to execute a temperature detection mode for detecting a suction temperature that is a temperature of the sucked outside air. A storage unit (81b) capable of storing identification information of the plurality of outdoor units (13) and capable of storing the suction temperature detected in the temperature detection mode;
The control unit (81a) controls the temperature detection mode to be executed every predetermined time,
The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit (81b) stores the suction temperature detected every predetermined time together with the identification information.   The control unit (81a) is configured to stop the number of outdoor units (13) equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio among the outdoor units (13) included in the outdoor unit group (91), or to exceed the predetermined ratio. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature detection mode is controlled when the compressor (17) in the outdoor unit (13) is driven at a predetermined capacity or less.   The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (81a) performs control so as to prohibit the execution of the temperature detection mode until a predetermined time elapses after the cooling operation is started. .   The said control part (81a) is the said suction | inhalation of the external air suck | inhaled by each outdoor unit (13) by the said temperature sensor (T) of all the outdoor units (13) of the said outdoor unit group (91) in the said temperature detection mode. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the temperatures is detected and controlled to be stored in the storage unit (81b).   The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outdoor unit group (91) includes all the outdoor units (13) of the system.

Images