JP2011112289A - Multi-room type air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-room type air conditioner which is set for valid/invalid operation of preventing dew condensation in each indoor unit during cooling operation and wherein cooling operation is performed prior to operation of preventing dew condensation according to a user's preference so as not to impair comfort. <P>SOLUTION: In the multi-room type air conditioner in which one outdoor unit 3 connects to a plurality of indoor units 5a-5d and having operation of preventing dew condensation so as to suppress dew condensation in the indoor units, remote controllers 6a-6d adapted to a plurality of the indoor units 5a-5d are provided, and the remote controllers 6a-6d are set so that the corresponding indoor units 5a-5d do not perform operation of preventing dew condensation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-room air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit to constitute a refrigeration cycle.

  Conventionally, dew prevention control in an air conditioner that configures a refrigeration cycle by connecting one indoor unit to one outdoor unit is performed for a certain period of time after starting the cooling operation. In order to give priority to comfort, the compressor frequency is set higher, and then the maximum rotational speed of the compressor is determined as the indoor humidity changes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a dew prevention control method described in Patent Document 1. In FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the outdoor control unit 113 sets the frequency of the compressor 101 to a high level until a certain time has elapsed since the start of the cooling operation, and thereafter, when the indoor humidity is low, The maximum frequency was set higher.

  At this time, the indoor control unit 112 calculates a difference between the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 108 and the indoor set temperature set by the remote controller 118 and transmits the temperature difference to the outdoor control unit 113. The outdoor control unit 113 determines the compressor rotational speed from the temperature difference sent from the indoor control unit 112 and controls the rotational speed of the compressor 101 via the inverter circuit 117.

  In addition, the indoor control unit 112 determines whether the current humidity band is a high humidity band, a medium humidity band, or a low humidity band based on the indoor humidity detected by the indoor humidity sensor 109 and the elapsed time from the start of operation. The outdoor control unit 113 determines the highest rotation speed of the compressor based on the humidity range to which it belongs.

JP 2008-128608 A

  However, in the said conventional structure, it is dew prevention control of the air conditioner which connects one indoor unit with respect to one outdoor unit, and the comfort maintenance of only one room and dew prevention operation can be performed. However, in the control of a multi-room type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit, it is necessary to perform air-conditioning operation of multiple rooms. The comfort of other rooms will be impaired. Therefore, even if the user wants to perform the cooling operation, there is a problem that the comfort is lowered by the start of the dew prevention operation.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is configured to enable / disable dew prevention operation in each indoor unit during cooling operation, and from dew prevention operation according to the user's preference It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-room air conditioner that gives priority to cooling operation and does not impair comfort.

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the multi-room air conditioner of the present invention has a dew prevention operation for connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit and suppressing dew of the indoor unit. Multi-room air conditioners are equipped with remote controllers that support multiple indoor units, and the remote controllers can be set so that the corresponding indoor units do not perform dew-prevention operation. Therefore, it is possible not to perform the dew prevention operation and to prioritize the cooling operation, so that the comfort of the room temperature can be maintained.

  Moreover, in order to solve the said conventional subject, the multi-room type air conditioner of this invention connects several indoor units to one outdoor unit, and prevents the dew condensation operation for suppressing the dew condensation of an indoor unit. The multi-room air conditioner has a remote controller corresponding to a plurality of indoor units, and the remote controller is configured so that the time during which the corresponding indoor unit does not perform the dew prevention operation can be set. By setting a time during which the cooling operation is prioritized over the non-sticking operation, the cooling operation can be performed without performing the dew prevention operation for the set time.

  Moreover, in order to solve the said conventional subject, the multi-room type air conditioner of this invention connects several indoor units to one outdoor unit, and prevents the dew condensation operation for suppressing the dew condensation of an indoor unit. The multi-room air conditioner has a remote controller corresponding to a plurality of indoor units, and a blower fan in each of the plurality of indoor units, and the air flow rate of the blower fan that disables the dew prevention operation is set with the remote controller. If the air flow is larger than the set air flow, the dew prevention operation is not performed, so that the air cooling operation can be given priority over the dew prevention operation when the air-conditioning load is large, and the comfort at room temperature is impaired. There is no.

  Moreover, in order to solve the said conventional subject, the multi-room type air conditioner of this invention connects several indoor units to one outdoor unit, and prevents the dew condensation operation for suppressing the dew condensation of an indoor unit. A multi-room type air conditioner having a remote controller corresponding to a plurality of indoor units and an indoor temperature detecting means for detecting an indoor temperature, the indoor set temperature set by the remote control and the indoor temperature detecting means If the difference from the detected indoor temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the dew prevention operation is not performed, so that the cooling operation can be performed in preference to the dew prevention operation when the air conditioning load is large. There is no loss of comfort.

  The multi-room type air conditioner of the present invention is configured to enable / disable dew prevention operation in each indoor unit during cooling operation, and can perform cooling operation more than dew prevention operation according to the user's preference It is possible to provide a multi-room type air conditioner that gives priority to the above and does not impair comfort.

Configuration conceptual diagram of a multi-room air conditioner in an embodiment of the present invention Flow chart of indoor unit of multi-room air conditioner in Embodiment 1 Flow chart of outdoor unit of multi-room air conditioner in Embodiment 1 The flowchart of the indoor unit of the multi-room air conditioner in Embodiment 2 of this invention The flowchart of the indoor unit of the multi-room type air conditioner in Embodiment 3 of this invention The flowchart of the indoor unit of the multi-room air conditioner in Embodiment 4 of this invention Conventional multi-room air conditioner flowchart

  The multi-room air conditioner of the first invention is a multi-room air conditioner having a dew prevention operation for connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit and suppressing dew of the indoor unit. A remote controller that supports multiple indoor units is provided, and the remote controller can be set so that the corresponding indoor unit does not perform dew prevention operation. Since the cooling operation can be prioritized, the comfort of the room temperature can be maintained.

The multi-room air conditioner of the second invention is a multi-room air conditioner having a dew prevention operation for connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit and suppressing dew of the indoor unit. A remote control is provided for multiple indoor units, and the remote control is configured so that the time when the corresponding indoor unit does not perform dew prevention operation can be set so that the user prioritizes cooling operation over dew prevention operation. By setting the desired time, the cooling operation can be performed during the set time without performing the dew prevention operation.

  The multi-room air conditioner of the third invention is a multi-room air conditioner having a dew prevention operation for connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit and suppressing dew of the indoor unit. If the remote controller that supports multiple indoor units and each of the multiple indoor units is equipped with a blower fan, and the airflow of the blower fan that disables dew prevention operation is set with the remote controller, and the airflow is larger than the set airflow By not performing dew prevention operation, cooling operation is given priority over dew prevention operation when the air conditioning load is large, and dew prevention operation is performed when the air conditioning load is small, thereby impairing the comfort at room temperature. There is no.

  A multi-room air conditioner of a fourth invention is a multi-room air conditioner having a dew prevention operation for connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit and suppressing dew of the indoor unit. A remote controller corresponding to a plurality of indoor units and an indoor temperature detecting means for detecting an indoor temperature are provided, and a difference between the indoor set temperature set by the remote controller and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature detecting means is predetermined. If it is above the temperature, the dew prevention operation is not performed, so that the cooling operation is given priority over the dew prevention operation when the air conditioning load is large, and the dew prevention operation is performed when the air conditioning load is small. There is no loss of comfort.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the configuration of a multi-room air conditioner in an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-room air conditioner of the present embodiment has a plurality of indoor units 5a to 5d with respect to one outdoor unit 3 (the number of indoor units is limited to four as in the present embodiment). Are connected in parallel by the refrigerant pipe 7 to constitute a refrigeration cycle.

  The outdoor unit 3 includes a variable capacity compressor 1 and a control device 2 having a control unit and a storage unit. The outdoor unit 3 includes an air heat exchanger that exchanges heat between air and a refrigerant, a fan that blows air to the air heat exchanger, a decompression device that depressurizes the refrigerant, an outside air temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the outside air, and the like. Needless to say, it has components constituting an outdoor unit of a general air conditioner. Control devices 4a to 4d are also provided inside the indoor units 5a to 5d, respectively, and the control device 2 and the control devices 4a to 4d are connected by a signal line 8.

  Moreover, it has the remote control apparatus 6a-6d corresponding to each of indoor unit 5a-5d, and is installed in each room. The remote control devices 6a to 6d and the control devices 4a to 4d are connected by wire. By operating the remote control devices 6a to 6d, the air conditioning operation is started and stopped, the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning is set, and the like. It can be carried out. In the present embodiment, the remote control devices 6a to 6d are connected by wire, but may be connected wirelessly.

  In the multi-room air conditioner configured as described above, when the cooling operation is performed, dew is generated in the indoor unit, and the dew prevention operation is performed to prevent this dew. In the dew prevention operation in the present embodiment, the rotational speed of the compressor 1 provided in the outdoor unit 1 is decreased according to the indoor heat exchanger temperature and the elapsed time of the cooling operation. The anti-sticking operation is not limited to this, and may be a dew-proofing operation in another method.

  However, when the dew prevention operation is started, the cooling operation capability is lowered, and the indoor comfort is lowered. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by giving priority to the cooling operation over the dew prevention operation, the user can continue the cooling operation and impair the comfort without starting the dew prevention operation. I am trying not to. Hereinafter, a method for invalidating the dew prevention operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the remote control devices 6a to 6d include dew prevention operation invalidating means (not shown) that invalidates the dew prevention operation. The dew prevention operation invalidating means may be configured by attaching any switch or button to the remote control device, or any other configuration may be used, and the dew prevention operation may be configured to be invalid. . When the user wishes to invalidate the dew prevention operation, the dew prevention operation is invalidated by the dew prevention operation invalidation means.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the indoor unit of the multi-room air conditioner in Embodiment 1, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the outdoor unit. In addition, although the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 shows only the flowchart of the indoor unit 5a, the control is performed by the same flowchart in each of the indoor units 5a to 5d, and the start determination of the dew prevention operation is performed in any of the indoor units. Then, the cooling operation capability of other indoor units is also affected. In addition, below, it demonstrates, referring the flowchart of the indoor unit 5a.

  First, the cooling operation is started at STEP1. Then, in STEP 2, it is recognized whether the dew prevention operation is valid or invalid. In STEP 3, it is determined whether or not the cooling operation is performed from the set temperature and suction temperature (indoor temperature) set by the remote control devices 6a to 6d. If the cooling operation is being performed, the process proceeds to STEP4.

  In STEP 4, it is determined whether or not to start the dew prevention operation. In the present embodiment, the dew prevention operation is started by determining the dew on the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger and the elapsed time since the start of the cooling operation, and sending a signal for starting the dew operation to the outdoor unit 3. Determine whether to send to. And when it is judged that the signal which starts a dew operation is sent to the outdoor unit 3, it progresses to STEP5.

  In STEP 5, it is determined whether the dew prevention operation is effective. If it is determined that the dew prevention operation is effective, the process proceeds to STEP 6, and a signal for starting the dew prevention operation is transmitted from any of the indoor units 5 a to 5 d to the outdoor unit 3.

  On the other hand, in the outdoor unit 3, it is determined whether or not a signal for starting the dew prevention operation is received in STEP 7, and when the signal for starting the dew prevention operation is received, the dew prevention operation is performed in STEP 8. To start.

  As described above, when the user determines that the cooling operation should be prioritized over the dew prevention operation according to his / her preference, the dew prevention operation invalidation means provided in the remote control devices 6a to 6d performs the dew prevention operation. By disabling, even if it is determined to start the dew prevention operation, the cooling operation is continued without performing the dew prevention operation, so that the comfort at room temperature is not impaired.

(Embodiment 2)
The multi-room air conditioner in the second embodiment is different from the multi-room air conditioner in the first embodiment in the means for invalidating the dew prevention operation. Note that the configuration of the multi-room air conditioner is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the remote control devices 6a to 6d are configured to be able to set the time when the dew prevention operation is not performed. In other words, during the invalid time of the dew prevention operation set by the remote control devices 6a to 6d, the dew prevention operation is not performed in the indoor units 5a to 5d corresponding to the set remote control 6a to 6d. .

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the indoor unit of the multi-room air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Moreover, since the flowchart of the outdoor unit is the same as that of Embodiment 1, FIG. 3 is used. In addition, although the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 shows only the flowchart of the indoor unit 5a, the control is performed by the same flowchart in each of the indoor units 5a to 5d, and the start determination of the dew prevention operation is performed in any of the indoor units. Then, the cooling operation capability of other indoor units is also affected. In addition, below, it demonstrates, referring the flowchart of the indoor unit 5a.

  First, the cooling operation is started at STEP1. Then, the invalid time of the dew prevention operation is recognized in STEP2. In STEP 3, it is determined whether or not the cooling operation is performed from the set temperature and suction temperature (indoor temperature) set by the remote control devices 6a to 6d. If the cooling operation is being performed, the process proceeds to STEP4.

  In STEP 4, it is determined whether or not to start the dew prevention operation. In the present embodiment, the dew prevention operation is started by determining the dew on the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger and the elapsed time since the start of the cooling operation, and sending a signal for starting the dew operation to the outdoor unit 3. Determine whether to send to. And when it is judged that the signal which starts a dew operation is sent to the outdoor unit 3, it progresses to STEP5.

  In STEP 5, it is determined whether it is an invalid time for the dew prevention operation. If it is determined that it is not the invalid time of the dew prevention operation, the process proceeds to STEP 6, and a signal for starting the dew prevention operation is transmitted from any of the indoor units 5 a to 5 d to the outdoor unit 3.

  On the other hand, in the outdoor unit 3, it is determined whether or not a signal for starting the dew prevention operation is received in STEP 7, and when the signal for starting the dew prevention operation is received, the dew prevention operation is performed in STEP 8. To start.

  As described above, when the user decides to prioritize the cooling operation over the dew prevention operation according to his / her preference, the invalid time of the dew prevention operation is set by operating the remote control devices 6a to 6d. Even if it is determined to start the dew prevention operation, the cooling operation is continued without performing the dew prevention operation during the set invalid time, so that the comfort at room temperature is not impaired.

(Embodiment 3)
The multi-room air conditioner in the third embodiment is different from the multi-room air conditioner in the first and second embodiments in the means for invalidating the dew prevention operation. The configuration of the multi-room type air conditioner is the same as in Embodiments 1 and 2, and therefore the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, the dew prevention operation is not performed according to the air volume of a blower fan (not shown) provided inside the indoor units 5a to 5d. Therefore, the user sets the invalid air volume in the remote control devices 6a to 6d. When the air volume of the blower fan is larger than the invalid air volume set by the remote control devices 6a to 6d, the dew prevention operation is not performed. This is because when the air volume is large, the room temperature is different from the set temperature and the air conditioning load is high, so it is better to give priority to the comfort at room temperature.

In this embodiment, the invalid air volume is set by the user using the remote control devices 6a to 6d. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the invalid air volume is set in advance, and the air volume of the blower fan is set in advance. When it is larger than the set invalid air volume, the dew prevention operation may not be performed. With this configuration, usability is improved without requiring the user to set the invalid air volume.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the indoor unit of the multi-room air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Further, since the flowchart of the outdoor unit is the same as that in Embodiments 1 and 2, FIG. 3 is used. In addition, although the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 shows only the flowchart of the indoor unit 5a, the control is performed in each of the indoor units 5a to 5d, and the start of the dew prevention operation is determined in any of the indoor units. Then, the cooling operation capability of other indoor units is also affected. In addition, below, it demonstrates, referring the flowchart of the indoor unit 5a.

  First, the cooling operation is started at STEP1. Then, the invalid air volume of the dew prevention operation set by the remote control device in STEP 2 is recognized. In STEP 3, it is determined whether or not the cooling operation is performed from the set temperature and suction temperature (indoor temperature) set by the remote control devices 6a to 6d. If the cooling operation is being performed, the process proceeds to STEP4.

  In STEP 4, it is determined whether or not to start the dew prevention operation. In the present embodiment, the dew prevention operation is started by determining the dew on the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger and the elapsed time since the start of the cooling operation, and sending a signal for starting the dew operation to the outdoor unit 3. Determine whether to send to. And when it is judged that the signal which starts a dew operation is sent to the outdoor unit 3, it progresses to STEP5.

  In STEP 5, it is determined whether or not the current air volume is greater than or equal to the invalid air volume. If it is determined that the current air volume is not equal to or greater than the invalid air volume, the process proceeds to STEP 6, and a signal for starting the dew prevention operation is transmitted from any of the indoor units 5 a to 5 d to the outdoor unit 3.

  On the other hand, in the outdoor unit 3, it is determined whether or not a signal for starting the dew prevention operation is received in STEP 7, and when the signal for starting the dew prevention operation is received, the dew prevention operation is performed in STEP 8. To start.

  As described above, if the user decides to prioritize cooling operation over dew prevention operation according to his / her preference, the current air volume is compared with the set invalid air volume, and only when the air conditioning load is small Since the dew prevention operation is performed, even if it is determined to start the dew prevention operation when the air conditioning load is large, the cooling operation is continued without performing the dew prevention operation, so that the room temperature comfort is not impaired. .

(Embodiment 4)
The multi-room air conditioner in the fourth embodiment is different from the multi-room air conditioner in the first to third embodiments in the means for invalidating the dew prevention operation. In addition, about the structure of a multi-room type air conditioner, since it is the same as that of Embodiment 1-3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structure and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, dew is generated according to the difference between the air conditioning set temperature set by remote control devices 6a-6d and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature detecting means (not shown) provided in the indoor unit. Avoid preventive operation. For example, if the indoor temperature is 25 ° C. when the set temperature is 18 ° C., the temperature difference is 7 ° C., and the indoor temperature is 19 ° C. when the set temperature is 18 ° C. The difference is 1 ° C. In this case, it can be seen that the smaller the temperature difference, the smaller the air conditioning load.

In the present embodiment, the dew prevention operation is enabled only when the air conditioning load is small, and the dew prevention operation is disabled when the air conditioning load is large. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is larger than a predetermined value A. If the difference is larger than the predetermined value A, the dew prevention operation is invalidated. The predetermined value A is a preset temperature, and is not uniquely determined, but is appropriately determined according to the characteristics of the product.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the indoor unit of the multi-room air conditioner according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Moreover, since the flowchart of an outdoor unit is the same as Embodiment 1-3, FIG. 3 is used. In addition, although the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 shows only the flowchart of the indoor unit 5a, the control is performed by the same flowchart in each of the indoor units 5a to 5d, and the start determination of the dew prevention operation is performed in any of the indoor units. Then, the cooling operation capability of other indoor units is also affected. In addition, below, it demonstrates, referring the flowchart of the indoor unit 5a.

  First, the cooling operation is started at STEP1. In step 2, the set temperature set by the remote control device is recognized. In STEP 3, it is determined whether or not the cooling operation is performed from the set temperature and suction temperature (indoor temperature) set by the remote control devices 6a to 6d. If the cooling operation is being performed, the process proceeds to STEP4.

  In STEP 4, it is determined whether or not to start the dew prevention operation. In the present embodiment, the dew prevention operation is started by determining the dew on the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger and the elapsed time since the start of the cooling operation, and sending a signal for starting the dew operation to the outdoor unit 3. Determine whether to send to. And when it is judged that the signal which starts a dew operation is sent to the outdoor unit 3, it progresses to STEP5.

  In STEP 5, it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is smaller than a predetermined value A. If it is determined that the value is smaller than the predetermined value A, the process proceeds to STEP 6, and a signal for starting the dew prevention operation is transmitted from any one of the indoor units 5 a to 5 d to the outdoor unit 3.

  On the other hand, in the outdoor unit 3, it is determined whether or not a signal for starting the dew prevention operation is received in STEP 7, and when the signal for starting the dew prevention operation is received, the dew prevention operation is performed in STEP 8. To start.

  As described above, since the dew prevention operation is performed only when the air conditioning load is small, even if it is determined to start the dew prevention operation when the air conditioning load is large, the cooling operation is continued without performing the dew prevention operation. Therefore, the comfort at room temperature is not impaired.

  As described above, the present invention can also be applied to a heat storage type multi-room air conditioner.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor 2 Control apparatus 3 Outdoor unit 4a-d Control apparatus 5a-d Indoor unit 6a-d Remote control 7 Refrigerant piping 8 Signal line

Claims (4)

A multi-room air conditioner having a dew prevention operation for connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit and suppressing dew condensation of the indoor unit, comprising a remote controller corresponding to the plurality of indoor units, The multi-room air conditioner is characterized in that the remote controller can be set so that the corresponding indoor unit does not perform the dew prevention operation. A multi-room air conditioner having a dew prevention operation for connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit and suppressing dew condensation of the indoor unit, comprising a remote controller corresponding to the plurality of indoor units, The multi-room type air conditioner is characterized in that the remote controller is configured so that the time when the corresponding indoor unit does not perform dew prevention operation can be set. In a multi-room type air conditioner having a dew prevention operation for connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit and suppressing dew condensation of the indoor unit, a remote controller corresponding to the plurality of indoor units, Each of the indoor units is provided with a blower fan, and the air flow of the blower fan that invalidates the dew prevention operation is set by the remote controller, and when it is larger than the set air flow, the dew prevention operation is not performed. A multi-room air conditioner characterized by that. In a multi-room air conditioner having a dew prevention operation for connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit and suppressing dew condensation of the indoor unit, a remote controller corresponding to the plurality of indoor units, An indoor temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature, and if the difference between the indoor set temperature set by the remote controller and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the dew prevention operation A multi-room type air conditioner characterized by not performing.