JP2011214781A - Multi-room type air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-room type air conditioner capable of selecting operation modes to keep comfortable environments in rooms where indoor units are installed, when an automatic mode is set.SOLUTION: This multi-room type air conditioner includes one outdoor unit 100, a priority indoor unit 200-1, and non-priority indoor units 200-2, 200-3, the priority indoor unit includes a notification acquiring device for acquiring notification of reach of an operation mode switch temperature from the non-priority indoor unit, and an operation mode switch temperature changing unit for shifting the operation mode switch temperature within a prescribed range and resetting the same until the notification acquiring device acquires the notifications from all of the non-priority indoor units, and the non-priority indoor units include notification device for notifying the priority indoor unit of reaching the operation mode switch temperature.

Description

  The present invention relates to automatic operation control of a multi-room air conditioner.

  Conventionally, a multi-room air conditioner in which one or a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units are connected to each other via a communication line is known. There are two types of such multi-room air conditioners, each indoor unit can be operated in a different operation mode, and each indoor unit is in either a cooling operation mode or a heating operation mode. There is a type that requires driving in one operation mode.

  In a multi-room air conditioner of the type that requires each indoor unit to be operated in either one of the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode, how to determine the operation mode Problems arise. In particular, in the automatic mode in which one of the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode is automatically selected and operated, different judgments may be made in each indoor unit. There arises a problem that an operation mode collision occurs between the indoor units.

  To solve this problem, out of multiple indoor units, one unit is the master unit, the other is the slave unit, and the operation mode of the indoor unit of the slave unit always matches the operation mode of the indoor unit of the master unit. By operating the same, the operation mode of all the indoor units is made the same, so that it is possible to operate without problems even when different determinations are made regarding the operation mode of each indoor unit as described above. An operation control method has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the operation control method disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the operation mode of all the indoor units is determined according to the operation mode of the indoor unit of the parent unit, the indoor unit of the parent unit is installed. Even when the indoor environment in which the indoor unit is installed and the indoor environment in which the slave unit is installed is greatly different, the operation is performed in the operation mode corresponding to the indoor environment of the master unit. For this reason, there is a problem that a comfortable indoor environment cannot always be provided in a room where the indoor unit of the slave unit is installed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-12393 (page 2 to page 3, FIG. 1)

  In view of the above problems, the present invention is a multi-room air conditioner of a type that requires each indoor unit to be operated in one of the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-room air conditioner capable of selecting an operation mode so that the indoor environment in which each indoor unit is installed is in a comfortable state even when set.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a multi-chamber air that includes one or more outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units, and all the indoor units are operated in the same operation mode. In the conditioner, each of the plurality of indoor units is individually set with an operation mode switching temperature that is a threshold value for automatically switching the operation mode to either the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode. When the room temperature of the room in which each indoor unit is installed reaches the operation mode switching temperature for switching from one operation mode to the other operation mode, the operation modes of all the indoor units are switched at once.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1, comprising one or a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units, wherein all the indoor units are operated in the same operation mode. In the air conditioner, each of the plurality of indoor units includes a communication unit that communicates with other indoor units, a room temperature detection unit that detects a room temperature, and an operation mode that is one of a cooling operation mode and a heating operation mode. An operation mode switching temperature setting means for setting an operation mode switching temperature which is a threshold value to be automatically switched to, and when the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection means reaches the operation mode switching temperature set by the operation mode switching temperature setting means A notification unit that transmits a notification, and one indoor unit preset as a priority unit receives the notification from all indoor units other than the first indoor unit via the communication unit, and 1 above When the room temperature is the room temperature detecting means provided in the indoor unit detects reaches the operation mode switching temperature that is set by the operation mode switching temperature setting means and to switch the operation mode of all the indoor units.

  According to the present invention, in the case of a multi-room air conditioner in which all indoor units are operated in the same operation mode, the operation mode is set so that the indoor environment in which each indoor unit is installed is in a comfortable state. By selecting, it is possible to obtain an air-conditioning environment free from discomfort for all indoor unit users.

It is a block diagram which shows the multi-room air conditioner by this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement in driving | operation with the heating operation mode of the multi-room air conditioner by this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement during driving | operation with the cooling operation mode of the multi-room air conditioner by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation control of the automatic mode of the priority indoor unit by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation control of the automatic mode of the non-priority indoor unit by this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the multi-room air conditioner according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one outdoor unit 100 and three indoor units 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3 are connected to each other by a communication line 400. The three indoor units 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3 can be operated in the same operation mode. In addition, remote controllers 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3 are provided corresponding to the indoor units 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3. In the present embodiment, one outdoor unit 100 is used, but a plurality of outdoor units may be connected in parallel, and three indoor units 200-1, 200-2, 200-3 may be provided. However, a plurality of indoor units other than this number may be provided.

  The remote controllers 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3 output instruction signals such as operation start, room temperature setting, operation mode, and operation stop to the corresponding indoor units 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3. To do.

  The outdoor unit 100 includes an outdoor unit control unit 110 and a communication unit 120. The outdoor unit control unit 110 controls an outdoor fan, a four-way valve, a compressor, and the like (not shown) according to the operation mode from the indoor units 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3, a set temperature of room temperature, and the like. The communication unit 120 transmits / receives information to / from the indoor units 200-1, 200-2, 200-3, and also transmits / receives information to / from the outdoor unit control unit 110. The set temperature of room temperature is a temperature set as a room temperature desired by the user (hereinafter referred to as a set temperature).

  Each of the indoor units 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3 includes a room temperature sensor 230, a communication unit 220, and an indoor unit control unit 210. The room temperature sensor 230 is room temperature detection means for detecting the room temperature. The communication unit 220 is a communication unit that transmits and receives information between the outdoor unit 100 and other indoor units. The indoor unit control unit 210 stores information from the room temperature sensor 230 and the communication unit 220, and controls an expansion valve, an indoor fan, and the like (not shown) based on the stored information.

  Among the indoor units 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3, one indoor unit 200-1 is set as a priority indoor unit, and the other indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 are set as non-priority indoor units. Is set. The indoor unit control unit 210 provided in the priority indoor unit 200-1 is provided with means for automatically switching the operation modes of the priority indoor unit 200-1 and the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 all at once. ing. Each of the indoor unit control units 210 provided in the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 is provided with means for monitoring the operation state of the own unit.

  The indoor unit control unit 210 provided in the priority indoor unit 200-1 includes an operation mode switching temperature setting unit, a notification acquisition unit, an operation mode switching temperature changing unit, and an operation mode switching unit. The operation mode switching temperature setting means sets an operation mode switching temperature that is a threshold value for switching the operation mode to either the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode. The notification acquisition means notifies the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 that the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 230 provided in the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 has reached the operation mode switching temperature. Acquire and memorize. Furthermore, the notification acquisition unit determines the presence or absence of notification for each of the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 by checking the stored notification. The operation mode switching temperature changing means changes the setting by temporarily shifting the operation mode switching temperature.

  The operation mode switching means determines whether or not there is a notification that the priority indoor unit 200-1 has reached the operation mode switching temperature and the notification acquisition means has reached the operation mode switching temperature. When there is a notification from 200-2 and 200-3, the operation mode is switched simultaneously. The operation mode switching means has a notification that the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 230 provided in the priority indoor unit 200-1 has reached the operation mode switching temperature and that the notification acquisition means has reached the operation mode switching temperature. As a result of the determination, even if there is no notification from all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3, in the following two cases, control is performed so that the operation modes of all the indoor units are switched simultaneously. Also good.

  The first is a case where a predetermined time elapses after the setting of the operation mode switching temperature is changed by the operation mode switching temperature changing means. This is because when a non-priority indoor unit is operated for a long time with the windows and doors of the room where the non-priority indoor unit is installed open, the non-priority indoor unit switches the operation mode indefinitely. The purpose is to prevent the temperature from being reached and the operation mode of all indoor units from being switched.

  The second case is a case where the room temperature reaches the changed operation mode switching temperature after the setting of the operation mode switching temperature is changed by the operation mode switching temperature changing means. This is because the priority indoor unit 200-1, the non-priority indoor units 200-2, 200-3 are installed on the same floor, and the priority indoor unit 200-1 and the non-priority indoor units 200-2, 200- When the operation of each indoor unit is continued in a situation where the set temperature of 3 is greatly different, the temperature difference between the air conditioning region of the priority indoor unit 200-1 and the air conditioning region of the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 increases. As a result, heat transfer occurs between the air-conditioning areas of the indoor units, which may cause a large difference between the set temperature of the priority indoor unit 200-1 and the temperature of the air-conditioning area of the priority indoor unit 200-1. . In such a case, as described above, the operation mode of the priority indoor unit 200-1 is switched without waiting for all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 to reach the operation mode switching temperature. This is intended to prevent the difference between the set temperature of the priority indoor unit 200-1 and the temperature of the air conditioning area of the priority indoor unit 200-1.

  Each of the indoor unit control units 210 provided in the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 includes an operation mode switching temperature setting unit, a notification unit, an operation mode determination unit, and an operation mode switching instruction notification acquisition unit. Is provided. The operation mode switching temperature setting means sets an operation mode switching temperature that is a threshold value for switching the operation mode to either the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode. The notification means notifies the priority indoor unit 200-1 that the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 230 provided in the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 has reached the operation mode switching temperature. The operation mode determination means determines the operation mode as one of the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode in accordance with the instruction signal from the remote controllers 300-2 and 300-3. The operation mode switching instruction notification acquisition unit switches the operation mode by acquiring a notification of an operation mode switching instruction from the operation mode switching unit of the priority indoor unit 200-1. Since the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 themselves do not have a function of performing an operation in an automatic mode, which will be described later, unlike the priority indoor units 200-1, the priority indoor units 200-1 The operation mode switching temperature changing means and the operation mode switching means are not provided.

  In addition, each means provided in each indoor unit control part 210 with which the priority indoor unit 200-1 and the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 are provided is the priority indoor unit 200-1 and the non-priority indoor unit 200. -2 and 200-3 are operated according to a program stored in a storage unit (not shown).

  Next, the operation of the multi-room air conditioner in this embodiment will be described. In addition, embodiment described here is embodiment of the multi-room air conditioner which considered the above-mentioned "two cases". First, all the indoor units (priority indoor unit 200-1, non-priority indoor units 200-2, 200-3) will be described from the start of operation to automatic mode operation. Since the operation differs between the case where the priority indoor unit 200-1 first starts operation in the automatic mode and the case where the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 first start operation in the manual mode, The case will be described.

  The automatic mode is an operation mode that automatically switches between the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode depending on the set temperature and the room temperature of the room where the indoor unit exists, and the manual mode is based on the instruction signal from the remote controller. The operation mode for determining the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode will be described. Further, the operation in the automatic mode is an operation mode in which only the priority indoor unit 200-1 can be operated, and the operation in the manual mode is an operation mode in which only the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 are possible.

  When the priority indoor unit 200-1 first starts operation in the automatic mode, the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 that start operation later are information indicating the operation mode from the priority indoor unit 200-1. The instruction signal (information indicating the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode) is received, and the operation mode of the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 is made to follow the operation mode of the priority indoor unit 200-1. That is, if the priority indoor unit 200-1 is operating in the cooling operation mode, the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 are also started to operate in the cooling operation mode, and the priority indoor unit 200-1 is in the heating operation mode. The non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 start operation in the heating operation mode.

  When the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 first start the operation in the manual mode, the priority indoor unit 200-1 that starts the operation later starts the operation in the automatic mode, and the priority indoor unit 200-1 Information indicating the operation mode (information indicating the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode) is transmitted to the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3, and the operation mode of the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 is prioritized. The operation mode of the indoor unit 200-1 is forcibly followed.

  As described above, in the multi-room air conditioner according to the present embodiment, the priority indoor unit 200-1 is in operation regardless of whether it is operated first or the non-priority indoor unit is operated first. All the indoor units are controlled to forcibly match the operation mode of the priority indoor unit 200-1 once when the priority indoor unit 200-1 starts operation.

  Next, the operation | movement operation | movement of the multi-room air conditioner in this embodiment after the driving | operation start of the priority indoor unit 200-1 is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 2, all the indoor units are in a heating operation, the set temperature of the priority indoor unit 200-1 is 26 ° C., the set temperature of the non-priority indoor unit 200-2 is 30 ° C., and the non-priority indoor unit The operation of changing the operation mode from the heating operation mode to the cooling operation mode when the set temperature of 200-3 is 26 ° C. will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the size of the room in which all the indoor units are installed is the same, and that the room temperature rises in the same manner by the heating operation.

  In the priority indoor unit 200-1, a cooling switching temperature, which is a threshold for switching from the heating operation mode to the cooling operation mode, is set in the indoor unit control unit 210 (by the operation mode switching temperature setting unit). When the room temperature rises and reaches the cooling switching temperature, the priority indoor unit 200-1 automatically switches the operation mode from the heating operation mode to the cooling operation mode. Since the cooling switching temperature is set as the set temperature + 2 ° C., the cooling switching temperature is appropriately changed by changing the set temperature.

  Further, in the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3, as with the priority indoor unit 200-1, the cooling switching temperature that is a threshold value for switching from the heating operation mode to the cooling operation mode is the indoor unit control. The cooling switching temperature is set in the unit 210 (by the operation mode switching temperature setting means), and the cooling switching temperature is set by the user via the remote control 300-2, 300-3 for each non-priority indoor unit 200-2, 200-3. The set temperature is set as + 2 ° C.

  Moreover, the priority indoor unit 200-1, the non-priority indoor unit 200-2, and the non-priority indoor unit 200-3 are connected by the communication line 400, and the room temperature of the room in which each indoor unit is installed reaches the cooling switching temperature. In such a case, information to that effect can be exchanged.

  When the room temperature of the room in which the priority indoor unit 200-1 is installed reaches 28 ° C. which is the cooling switching temperature by the heating operation, as shown in FIG. 2, of the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 Since the room temperature of the indoor unit 200-2 has not yet reached the cooling switching temperature, the priority indoor unit 200-1 shifts to the heating thermo-operation.

  The heating thermo-operation is an operation in which the heating thermo-off operation and the heating thermo-on operation are alternately repeated at a predetermined time interval in order to prevent the room temperature from rising or falling as much as possible based on the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature. It is. With heating thermo-off operation, by adjusting the opening of an expansion valve connected to an indoor unit heat exchanger (not shown), the refrigerant circulation amount is minimized, and further, the rotation of the indoor fan is stopped or intermittently operated. In this operation, the room temperature is not increased as much as possible (warm air is not supplied from the indoor unit to the room).

  On the other hand, in the heating thermo-on operation, in order to keep the degree of supercooling constant, the opening of the expansion valve connected to the indoor unit heat exchanger is adjusted to control the refrigerant flow rate, and the rotation of the indoor fan is further controlled. By continuing the operation, the operation is performed so that the room temperature does not decrease as much as possible (so that warm air is supplied from the indoor unit to the room).

  After shifting to the heating thermo-operation, the priority indoor unit 200-1 shifts the cooling switching temperature to a high temperature (32 ° C. in the present embodiment) within a predetermined range. After shifting the cooling switching temperature, the priority indoor unit 200-1 performs the heating thermo operation until receiving a notification that the room temperature has reached the cooling switching temperature from all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3. continue.

  On the other hand, in the non-priority indoor unit 200-2, when the room temperature is 28 ° C, since the room temperature has not yet reached the cooling switching temperature, the heating operation is continued and the room temperature reaches 32 ° C, which is the cooling switching temperature. When this happens, the priority indoor unit 200-1 is notified to that effect. After this notification, the system moves to the heating thermo-operation as in the priority indoor unit 200-1. In the non-priority indoor unit 200-3, when the room temperature reaches the cooling switching temperature of 28 ° C., the non-priority indoor unit 200-3 notifies the priority indoor unit 200-1 to that effect. Transition to driving.

  Note that the priority indoor unit 200-1 does not receive a notification that the room temperature has reached the cooling temperature from all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3. After the cooling switching temperature is shifted and set again, when a predetermined time set in advance elapses, the operation mode of all the indoor units is forcibly switched from the heating operation mode to the cooling operation mode. Similarly, the priority indoor unit 200-1 shifts and resets the cooling switching temperature, and when the room temperature reaches the cooling switching temperature, the operation mode of all the indoor units is changed from the heating operation mode to the cooling mode. Forcibly switch to operation mode.

  As described above, the priority indoor unit 200-1 continues the heating thermo-operation until receiving a notification that the room temperature has reached the cooling switching temperature from all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3. When the notification that the room temperature of all the indoor units has reached the cooling switching temperature is received, the operation mode of all the indoor units including the own unit is switched from the heating operation mode to the cooling operation mode.

  The priority indoor unit 200-1 forces the operation mode of all indoor units from the heating operation mode to the cooling operation mode when a predetermined time has elapsed after shifting and resetting the cooling switching temperature. Switch on.

  In addition, after the priority indoor unit 200-1 shifts and resets the cooling switching temperature and then reaches this cooling switching temperature, the operation mode of all indoor units is forcibly changed from the heating operation mode to the cooling operation mode. Switch to.

  The priority indoor unit 200-1 transmits this cooling operation mode switching instruction to the outdoor unit 100, and the outdoor unit control unit 110 controls the cooling operation mode.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, all the indoor units are in cooling operation, the set temperature of the priority indoor unit 200-1 is 24 ° C., the set temperature of the non-priority indoor unit 200-2 is 20 ° C., non- The operation of changing the operation mode from the cooling operation mode to the heating operation mode when the set temperature of the priority indoor unit 200-3 is 24 ° C. will be described.

  In the priority indoor unit 200-1, a heating switching temperature that is a threshold value for switching from the cooling operation mode to the heating operation mode is set in the indoor unit control unit 210 (by the operation mode switching temperature setting means). When the room temperature falls and reaches the heating switching temperature, the priority indoor unit 200-1 automatically switches the operation mode from the cooling operation mode to the heating operation mode. In addition, since heating switching temperature is set as preset temperature -2 degreeC, this heating switching temperature is also changed suitably by change of setting temperature.

  Also, in the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3, similarly to the priority indoor unit 200-1, the heating switching temperature which is a threshold value for switching from the cooling operation mode to the heating operation mode is the indoor unit control. Is set in the unit 210 (by the operation mode switching temperature setting means), and the heating switching temperature is set by the user via the remote control 300-2 or 300-3 for each non-priority indoor unit 200-2 or 200-3. The set temperature is set as -2 ° C.

  Moreover, the priority indoor unit 200-1, the non-priority indoor unit 200-2, and the non-priority indoor unit 200-3 are connected by a communication line 400, and the room temperature of the room in which each indoor unit is installed reaches the heating switching temperature. In such a case, information to that effect can be exchanged.

  When the room temperature of the room where the priority indoor unit 200-1 is installed reaches the heating switching temperature of 22 ° C. by the cooling operation, as shown in FIG. 3, of the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 Since the room temperature of the indoor unit 200-2 has not yet reached the heating switching temperature, the priority indoor unit 200-1 shifts to the cooling thermo-operation.

  The cooling thermo operation is an operation in which the cooling thermo-off operation and the cooling thermo-on operation are alternately repeated at a predetermined time interval based on the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature so that the room temperature does not increase or decrease as much as possible. It is. The cooling thermo-off operation means that the flow of the refrigerant is stopped by adjusting the opening of the expansion valve connected to the indoor unit heat exchanger, and further the rotation of the indoor fan is continued so that the room temperature does not decrease as much as possible. (Only air flow, that is, cool air is not supplied from the indoor unit to the room).

  On the other hand, in the cooling thermo-on operation, in order to keep the degree of superheat constant, the opening of the expansion valve connected to the indoor unit heat exchanger is adjusted to control the refrigerant flow rate, and the indoor fan continues to rotate. By doing so, the operation is performed so that the room temperature does not rise as much as possible (so that cold air is supplied from the indoor unit to the room).

  After shifting to the cooling thermo-operation, the priority indoor unit 200-1 shifts the heating switching temperature to a low temperature (18 ° C. in the present embodiment) within a predetermined range. After shifting the heating switching temperature, the priority indoor unit 200-1 performs the cooling thermo-operation until receiving a notification that the room temperature has reached the heating switching temperature from all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3. continue.

  On the other hand, in the non-priority indoor unit 200-2, when the room temperature is 22 ° C, since the room temperature has not yet reached the heating switching temperature, the cooling operation is continued and the room temperature reaches 18 ° C, which is the heating switching temperature. When this happens, the priority indoor unit 200-1 is notified to that effect. After this notification, the system proceeds to the cooling thermo-operation similarly to the priority indoor unit 200-1. Further, in the non-priority indoor unit 200-3, when the room temperature reaches the heating switching temperature of 22 ° C., the non-priority indoor unit 200-3 notifies the priority indoor unit 200-1 to that effect, and similarly to the priority indoor unit 200-1, the cooling thermostat Transition to driving.

  Note that the priority indoor unit 200-1 does not receive a notification that the room temperature has reached the cooling temperature from all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3. After the heating switching temperature is shifted and reset, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the operation mode of all the indoor units is forcibly switched from the cooling operation mode to the heating operation mode. Similarly, the priority indoor unit 200-1 shifts and resets the heating switching temperature, and when the room temperature reaches the heating switching temperature, the operation mode of all the indoor units is heated from the cooling operation mode. Forcibly switch to operation mode.

  As described above, the priority indoor unit 200-1 continues the cooling thermo-operation until receiving a notification that the room temperature has reached the heating switching temperature from all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3. When the notification that the room temperature of all the indoor units has reached the heating switching temperature is received, the operation mode of all the indoor units including the own unit is switched from the cooling operation mode to the heating operation mode.

  The priority indoor unit 200-1 forces the operation mode of all indoor units from the cooling operation mode to the heating operation mode when a predetermined time has elapsed after shifting and resetting the heating switching temperature. Switch on.

  In addition, the priority indoor unit 200-1 forcibly changes the heating switching temperature from the cooling operation mode to the heating operation mode when the heating switching temperature is reached after reaching the heating switching temperature. Switch to.

  The priority indoor unit 200-1 transmits this heating operation mode switching instruction to the outdoor unit 100, and the outdoor unit control unit 110 controls the heating operation mode to the heating operation mode.

  According to the multi-room air conditioner in which all the indoor units described above operate in the same operation mode, in the priority indoor unit 200-1, the non-priority indoor unit 200-2, and the non-priority indoor unit 200-3, When the automatic mode for automatically switching the operation mode to one of the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode is set, the priority indoor unit 200-1, the non-priority indoor unit 200-2, and the non-priority indoor unit 200-3 are installed. The operation mode can be selected so that the indoor environment becomes comfortable. As a result, it is possible to obtain an air-conditioning environment free from discomfort for all indoor unit users.

  In the present embodiment described above, the cooling switching temperature is set to the set temperature + 2 ° C., and the heating switching temperature is set to the set temperature −2 ° C. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the refrigerant switching temperature is set. Alternatively, the user of each of the priority indoor unit 200-1, the non-priority indoor unit 200-2, and the non-priority indoor unit 200-3 can arbitrarily set the temperature difference between the heating switching temperature and the set temperature. It may be.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the outdoor unit 100 has a function provided in the priority indoor unit 200-1, and the outdoor unit 100 has the function of the priority unit. Also good. Alternatively, all the indoor units may have a function included in the priority indoor unit 200-1 so that any one of the indoor units can be set as the priority unit according to the situation at the time of installation.

  FIG. 4 shows a control flow during the automatic mode operation of the priority indoor unit 200-1 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, S represents a step, and a number represents a step number.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the priority indoor unit 200-1 starts the automatic mode operation, the indoor unit control unit 210 determines whether it is in the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode (S1). If the indoor unit control unit 210 is in the cooling operation mode (S1-YES), the process proceeds to S2, and if it is in the heating operation mode (S1-NO), the process proceeds to S3.

  In S2, the indoor unit control unit 210 determines whether or not the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 230 is equal to or lower than the heating switching temperature. If the room temperature is equal to or lower than the heating switching temperature (S2-YES), the process proceeds to S4. If the room temperature is lower than the heating switching temperature (S2-NO), step S2 is repeatedly executed until the room temperature becomes equal to or lower than the heating switching temperature.

  In S3, the indoor unit control unit 210 determines whether the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 230 is equal to or higher than the cooling switching temperature. If the room temperature is equal to or higher than the cooling switching temperature (S3-YES), the process proceeds to S4. If the room temperature is lower than the cooling switching temperature (S3-NO), step S3 is repeatedly executed until the room temperature becomes equal to or higher than the cooling switching temperature.

  In S4, the notification acquisition unit of the priority indoor unit 200-1 determines whether or not notifications indicating that the operation mode switching temperature has been reached have been acquired from all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3. If a notification that the operation mode switching temperature has been reached is obtained from all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 (S4-YES), the process proceeds to S5, and all the non-priority indoor units 200 are obtained. -2 and 200-3, if the notification that the operation mode switching temperature has been reached has not been acquired (S4-NO), the process proceeds to S6. In S2-YES, the notification acquisition unit determines acquisition of a notification that the heating switching temperature has been reached. In S3-YES, the notification acquisition unit determines acquisition of a notification that the cooling switching temperature has been reached. .

  In S5, the operation mode switching means of the priority indoor unit 200-1 sets the priority indoor unit 200-1 and the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 to the heating operation mode if the cooling operation mode, and the heating operation mode. If so, the mode is switched to the cooling operation mode all at once, the process returns to the step S1, and the steps after S1 are repeatedly executed.

  In S6, the indoor unit control unit 210 starts the thermo operation. In addition, when the step from S2 to S4 is executed, the cooling thermo-operation is started, and when the step from S3 to S4 is executed, the heating thermo-operation is started.

  In S7, the indoor unit control unit 210 determines whether it is in the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode. If the indoor unit control unit 210 is in the cooling operation mode (S7-YES), the process proceeds to S8. If it is the heating operation mode (S7-NO), the process proceeds to S9.

  In S8, the operation mode switching temperature changing means subtracts X ° C from the preset heating switching temperature, and automatically shifts the current heating switching temperature so as to lower it by X ° C. In S9, the operation mode switching temperature changing means adds X ° C. from the preset cooling switching temperature and automatically shifts the current cooling switching temperature to increase by X ° C.

  In S10, the notification acquisition means notifies all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 that the operation mode switching temperature that has been automatically shifted in S8 or S9 has been reached, as in S4. If it is determined whether or not a notification indicating that the operation mode switching temperature has been reached has been acquired (S10-YES), S5 and subsequent steps are executed to acquire a notification that the operation mode switching temperature has been reached. If not (S10-NO), the process proceeds to S11.

  In S11, the operation mode switching means determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation mode switching temperature was automatically shifted by the operation mode switching temperature changing means, and if the predetermined time has elapsed (S11). -YES), S5 and after are executed, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed (S11-NO), the process proceeds to S12.

  In S12, the indoor unit control unit 210 determines whether or not the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 230 has reached the operation mode switching temperature automatically shifted in S8 or S9, and the room temperature has reached the operation mode switching temperature. In the case (S12-YES), S5 and subsequent steps are executed, and when the room temperature has not reached the operation mode switching temperature (S12-NO), the process returns to the step of S10 and S10 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 5 shows a control flow during the automatic mode operation of the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, S represents a step, and a number represents a step number.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 start the automatic mode operation, the indoor unit control unit 210 determines whether it is in the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode. (S1). If the indoor unit control unit 210 is in the cooling operation mode (S1-YES), the process proceeds to S2, and if it is in the heating operation mode (S1-NO), the process proceeds to S3.

  In S2, the indoor unit control unit 210 determines whether or not the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 230 is equal to or lower than the heating switching temperature. If the room temperature is equal to or lower than the heating switching temperature (S2-YES), the process proceeds to S4. If the room temperature is lower than the heating switching temperature (S2-NO), step S2 is repeatedly executed until the room temperature becomes equal to or lower than the heating switching temperature.

  In S3, the indoor unit control unit 210 determines whether the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 230 is equal to or higher than the cooling switching temperature. If the room temperature is equal to or higher than the cooling switching temperature (S3-YES), the process proceeds to S4. If the room temperature is lower than the cooling switching temperature (S3-NO), step S3 is repeatedly executed until the room temperature becomes equal to or higher than the cooling switching temperature.

  In S4, the operation mode of all the non-priority indoor units 200-2 and 200-3 determined in S1 is the same operation mode as the priority indoor unit 200-1. In S4, the notifying means notifies the priority indoor unit 200-1 that the operation mode switching temperature has been reached. The notification means notifies that the heating switching temperature has been reached in S2-YES, and notifies that the cooling switching temperature has been reached in S3-YES.

  Thus, after notifying that the operation mode switching temperature has been reached, in S5, the indoor unit control unit 210 starts the thermo operation. In addition, when the step from S2 to S4 is executed, the cooling thermo-operation is started, and when the step from S3 to S4 is executed, the heating thermo-operation is started.

  In S6, the notification acquisition unit determines whether or not there is a notification of an operation mode switching instruction from the priority indoor unit 200-1, and if there is a notification of an operation mode switching instruction (S6-YES), the process proceeds to S7. If there is no notification of the operation mode switching instruction (S6-NO), the process returns to the step of S5, and S5 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed.

  In S7, the notification acquisition unit acquires the notification of the operation mode switching instruction from the operation mode switching unit of the priority indoor unit 200-1, so that the heating operation mode is switched to the heating operation mode if the cooling operation mode is selected. If this is the case, the mode is automatically switched to the cooling operation mode, the process returns to the step S1, and the steps after S1 are repeatedly executed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Outdoor unit 110 Outdoor unit control part 120 Communication part 200-1 Indoor unit (priority indoor unit)
200-2 Indoor unit (non-priority indoor unit)
200-3 Indoor unit (Non-priority indoor unit)
210 Indoor Unit Control Unit 220 Communication Unit 230 Room Temperature Sensor 300-1 Remote Control 300-2 Remote Control 300-3 Remote Control 400 Communication Line

Claims (2)

In a multi-room air conditioner including one or a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units, and all the indoor units are operated in the same operation mode,
The plurality of indoor units are individually set with operation mode switching temperatures that are threshold values for automatically switching the operation mode to either the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode,
In the plurality of indoor units, when the room temperature of the room in which each indoor unit is installed reaches an operation mode switching temperature for switching from one operation mode to the other operation mode, the operation modes of all the indoor units are simultaneously changed. Multi-chamber air conditioner characterized by switching. In a multi-room air conditioner including one or a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units, and all the indoor units are operated in the same operation mode,
In each of the plurality of indoor units, communication means for communicating with other indoor units,
Room temperature detection means for detecting room temperature;
An operation mode switching temperature setting means for setting an operation mode switching temperature which is a threshold for automatically switching the operation mode to either the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode;
A notification means for transmitting a notification when the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection means reaches the operation mode switching temperature set by the operation mode switching temperature setting means;
One indoor unit preset as a priority unit receives the notification from all indoor units other than the first indoor unit via the communication means, and the room temperature provided in the first indoor unit A multi-room air conditioner characterized in that when the room temperature detected by the detection means reaches the operation mode switching temperature set by the operation mode switching temperature setting means, the operation modes of all the indoor units are switched.

Images