JP2011237057A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Air conditioner Download PDF

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JP2011237057A
JP2011237057A JP2010106542A JP2010106542A JP2011237057A JP 2011237057 A JP2011237057 A JP 2011237057A JP 2010106542 A JP2010106542 A JP 2010106542A JP 2010106542 A JP2010106542 A JP 2010106542A JP 2011237057 A JP2011237057 A JP 2011237057A
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outdoor unit
expansion valve
refrigerant
opening degree
indoor
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JP5533209B2 (en
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Hideyuki Suehiro
秀行 末廣
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Aisin Corp
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Aisin Seiki Co Ltd
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/005—Outdoor unit expansion valves

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner wherein a plurality of individually operable indoor machines are connected to an outdoor machine and wherein occurrence of liquid back can be suppressed in advance when the number of the used indoor machines increases during cooling operation.SOLUTION: A controller 41 acquires a temperature difference of a refrigerant between the upstream side and the downstream side of an outdoor machine electronic expansion valve 21 in cooling operation, and performs opening control of the outdoor machine electronic expansion valve 21 to reduce the acquired temperature difference. When the number of the operated indoor machines 30 increases, the controller 41 stops the opening control of the outdoor machine electronic expansion valve 21 for a prescribed time.

Description

本発明は、室外機に個別運転可能な複数の室内機が接続された空気調和装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to an air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units that can be individually operated are connected to an outdoor unit.

従来、室外機に個別運転可能な複数の室内機が接続された、いわゆるマルチタイプの空気調和装置が知られている。こうした空気調和装置では、冷房運転中に、使用する室内機の台数が増加すると、過渡的に液冷媒が室外機に流入する現象（いわゆる液バック）が発生し、圧縮機で液圧縮状態となってその性能を劣化させる場合がある。これは、室内機が運転を開始すると、
（１）室内機の電子膨張弁が開く。
（２）電子膨張弁の２次側冷媒圧力（冷媒温度）が上昇する。
（３）室内温度との温度差が小さいために室内機熱交換器内での冷媒が完全には蒸発できない。
（４）蒸発しきれなかった液冷媒が室外機（圧縮機）に流入する。
ためである。 Conventionally, a so-called multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units that can be individually operated is connected to an outdoor unit is known. In such an air conditioner, when the number of indoor units to be used increases during cooling operation, a phenomenon in which liquid refrigerant transiently flows into the outdoor unit (so-called liquid back) occurs, and the compressor enters a liquid compression state. May degrade its performance. This is because when the indoor unit starts operation,
(1) The electronic expansion valve of the indoor unit opens.
(2) The secondary side refrigerant pressure (refrigerant temperature) of the electronic expansion valve increases.
(3) Since the temperature difference from the room temperature is small, the refrigerant in the indoor unit heat exchanger cannot be completely evaporated.
(4) Liquid refrigerant that could not be evaporated flows into the outdoor unit (compressor).
Because.

一方、こうした液バックの対処に適用し得る種々のものが提案されている。例えば特許文献１に記載の空気調和装置は、起動時に、冷媒回路に設けられた室外膨張弁又は室内膨張弁を閉じ気味の状態にして、時間の経過とともに、弁開度を開く初期弁開度制御を行う。   On the other hand, various things that can be applied to deal with such a liquid bag have been proposed. For example, in the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, the initial valve opening degree that opens the valve opening as time elapses when the outdoor expansion valve or the indoor expansion valve provided in the refrigerant circuit is closed during start-up. Take control.

また、特許文献２に記載の空気調和装置は、冷凍サイクルを構成する圧縮機の吸入冷媒温度と蒸発器の熱交温度との温度差（（Ｓ−Ｈ）量）を所定時間ごとに検出するとともに、該検出（Ｓ−Ｈ）量に応じた動作パルス数により冷凍サイクルを構成する膨張弁の開閉度を調節し、（Ｓ−Ｈ）量を目標値に合わせるようにスーパーヒート制御を行う。そして、圧縮機の回転数が所定値以下と低く、且つ、検出した（Ｓ−Ｈ）量が所定範囲内に連続して所定回数留まったときのみ、電子膨張弁を調節するための動作パルス数を通常時より大きくするようにしている。   In addition, the air conditioner described in Patent Literature 2 detects a temperature difference ((S−H) amount) between the intake refrigerant temperature of the compressor constituting the refrigeration cycle and the heat exchange temperature of the evaporator every predetermined time. At the same time, the opening / closing degree of the expansion valve constituting the refrigeration cycle is adjusted by the number of operation pulses corresponding to the detected (SH) amount, and superheat control is performed so that the (SH) amount matches the target value. And the number of operation pulses for adjusting the electronic expansion valve only when the number of rotations of the compressor is as low as a predetermined value or less and the detected (SH) amount stays within a predetermined range continuously for a predetermined number of times. Is made larger than usual.

特開２００１−３５５９３３号公報JP 2001-355933 A 特開２０００−７４５０４号公報JP 2000-74504 A

ところで、特許文献１の空気調和装置では、冷房で運転を開始する場合、室内膨張弁を閉じ気味の状態で運転を開始することで液バックを防止しようとしているが、室内機の個別運転が可能なマルチタイプの空気調和装置では、許容している室内機の接続台数（即ち室内膨張弁数）が多く、あるいは室内機の容量やタイプごとに細かく初期の開度を設定しなければならない。さらに、外気温度や室内温度によっても液バックの状態は変化するため、各室内機ごとに室内膨張弁の初期開度を適切に設定することは開発の長期化を余儀なくされ、非現実的である。   By the way, in the air conditioning apparatus of patent document 1, when starting an operation by cooling, it is trying to prevent a liquid back by closing the indoor expansion valve and starting the operation in an airy state, but the individual operation of the indoor unit is possible. In such a multi-type air conditioner, the permitted number of indoor units connected (that is, the number of indoor expansion valves) is large, or the initial opening must be set finely for each capacity and type of indoor unit. Furthermore, since the liquid back state also changes depending on the outside air temperature and the room temperature, it is impractical to set the initial opening of the indoor expansion valve appropriately for each indoor unit, which necessitates prolonged development. .

また、特許文献２に記載の空気調和装置では、液バックが実際に発生した後の状態から抜け出す手段としては有効であるが、過渡的に発生する液バック自体を先行的に防止することはできない。   In addition, the air conditioner described in Patent Document 2 is effective as a means for getting out of the state after the liquid back has actually occurred, but cannot prevent the liquid back itself that occurs transiently in advance. .

本発明の目的は、室外機に個別運転可能な複数の室内機が接続された空気調和装置において、冷房運転中に、使用する室内機の台数が増加した際の液バックの発生を先行的に抑えることができる空気調和装置を提供することにある。   An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units that can be individually operated are connected to an outdoor unit, in advance of occurrence of liquid back when the number of indoor units to be used increases during cooling operation. It is in providing the air conditioning apparatus which can be suppressed.

上記問題点を解決するために、請求項１に記載の発明は、冷媒を圧縮する圧縮機及び冷房運転時に冷媒の凝縮器として機能する室外機熱交換器を有する室外機と、室内機膨張弁及び冷房運転時は冷媒の蒸発器として機能する室内機熱交換器を有する個別運転可能な複数の室内機とを備えた空気調和装置において、冷房運転時において、前記室外機熱交換器よりも下流側となり、且つ、前記複数の室内機膨張弁への分岐部よりも上流側となる位置に設けられた室外機膨張弁と、前記室外機膨張弁の上流側及び下流側の冷媒の温度差を取得する取得手段と、前記取得された温度差が減少するように前記室外機膨張弁を開度制御する開度制御手段と、運転する前記室内機の台数が増加したときに、前記室外機膨張弁の開度制御を一定時間停止する開度制御停止手段とを備えたことを要旨とする。   In order to solve the above problems, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to an outdoor unit having a compressor that compresses refrigerant, an outdoor unit heat exchanger that functions as a refrigerant condenser during cooling operation, and an indoor unit expansion valve. And an air conditioner including a plurality of individually operable indoor units having an indoor unit heat exchanger functioning as a refrigerant evaporator during cooling operation, and in downstream of the outdoor unit heat exchanger during cooling operation And the temperature difference between the outdoor unit expansion valve provided at a position upstream of the branching portion to the plurality of indoor unit expansion valves and the refrigerant on the upstream side and the downstream side of the outdoor unit expansion valve. An acquisition unit for acquiring, an opening degree control unit for controlling the opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve so that the acquired temperature difference decreases, and the expansion of the outdoor unit when the number of the indoor units to be operated increases. Open to stop valve opening control for a certain period of time And summarized in that and a control stop unit.

同構成によれば、前記開度制御手段により、前記室外機膨張弁の上流側及び下流側の冷媒の温度差が減少するように、即ち冷房負荷に応じて前記複数の室内機に流れる冷媒（液冷媒）の流量が好適に確保されるように前記室外機膨張弁が開度制御される。一方、運転する前記室内機の台数が増加したときは、前記開度制御停止手段により、前記開度制御手段による前記室外機膨張弁の開度制御が一定時間停止される。従って、前記室内機の運転開始に伴い前記室内機膨張弁が開作動し始めても、前記室外機膨張弁により冷媒の流量が制限されたままとなって、液バックの発生を先行的に抑えることができる。また、前記複数の室内機膨張弁への分岐部よりも上流側に配置された前記室外機膨張弁により一括して冷媒の流量を制限できるため、該制御を比較的容易に実現することができる。   According to this configuration, the opening degree control means reduces the temperature difference between the refrigerant on the upstream side and the downstream side of the outdoor unit expansion valve, that is, the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of indoor units according to the cooling load ( The opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve is controlled so that the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant is suitably secured. On the other hand, when the number of the indoor units to be operated increases, the opening control of the outdoor unit expansion valve by the opening control means is stopped for a certain time by the opening control stop means. Therefore, even if the indoor unit expansion valve starts to open with the start of the operation of the indoor unit, the flow rate of the refrigerant remains restricted by the outdoor unit expansion valve, and the occurrence of liquid back is suppressed in advance. Can do. In addition, since the flow rate of the refrigerant can be collectively limited by the outdoor unit expansion valve disposed upstream of the branch portions to the plurality of indoor unit expansion valves, the control can be realized relatively easily. .

請求項２に記載の発明は、冷媒を圧縮する圧縮機及び冷房運転時に冷媒の凝縮器として機能する室外機熱交換器を有する室外機と、室内機膨張弁及び冷房運転時は冷媒の蒸発器として機能する室内機熱交換器を有する個別運転可能な複数の室内機とを備えた空気調和装置において、冷房運転時において、前記室外機熱交換器よりも下流側となり、且つ、前記複数の室内機膨張弁への分岐部よりも上流側となる位置に設けられた室外機膨張弁と、前記圧縮機の回転速度を検出する検出手段と、運転する前記室内機の台数が増加したときに、前記室外機膨張弁の開度を前記圧縮機の回転速度に基づく開度まで絞る開度抑制手段と、前記絞られた開度を漸増させる開度増加手段とを備えたことを要旨とする。   According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outdoor unit having a compressor for compressing refrigerant and an outdoor unit heat exchanger functioning as a refrigerant condenser during cooling operation, an indoor unit expansion valve, and a refrigerant evaporator during cooling operation. An air conditioner including a plurality of individually operable indoor units having an indoor unit heat exchanger that functions as a downstream side of the outdoor unit heat exchanger during cooling operation, and the plurality of indoor units When the number of the indoor unit to be operated increases, the outdoor unit expansion valve provided at a position upstream from the branch to the unit expansion valve, the detection means for detecting the rotational speed of the compressor, The gist of the invention is that it includes an opening degree suppression means for reducing the opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve to an opening degree based on the rotational speed of the compressor, and an opening degree increasing means for gradually increasing the reduced opening degree.

同構成によれば、運転する前記室内機の台数が増加したときは、前記開度抑制制御手段により、前記室外機膨張弁の開度が自動的に絞られる。従って、前記室内機の運転開始に伴い前記室内機膨張弁が開作動し始めても、前記室外機膨張弁により冷媒の流量が制限されることになり、液バックの発生を先行的に抑えることができる。その後、前記開度増加手段により、前記室外機膨張弁の開度が徐々に増加されて冷媒の流量が確保される。また、前記複数の室内機膨張弁への分岐部よりも上流側に配置された前記室外機膨張弁により一括して冷媒の流量を制限できるため、該制御を比較的容易に実現することができる。   According to this configuration, when the number of the indoor units to be operated increases, the opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve is automatically throttled by the opening degree suppression control means. Therefore, even if the indoor unit expansion valve starts to open with the start of the operation of the indoor unit, the flow rate of the refrigerant is limited by the outdoor unit expansion valve, and the occurrence of liquid back can be suppressed in advance. it can. Thereafter, the opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve is gradually increased by the opening degree increasing means to ensure the flow rate of the refrigerant. In addition, since the flow rate of the refrigerant can be collectively limited by the outdoor unit expansion valve disposed upstream of the branch portions to the plurality of indoor unit expansion valves, the control can be realized relatively easily. .

請求項３に記載の発明は、冷媒を圧縮する圧縮機及び冷房運転時に冷媒の凝縮器として機能する室外機熱交換器を有する室外機と、室内機膨張弁及び冷房運転時は冷媒の蒸発器として機能する室内機熱交換器を有する個別運転可能な複数の室内機とを備えた空気調和装置において、冷房運転時において、前記室外機熱交換器よりも下流側となり、且つ、前記複数の室内機膨張弁への分岐部よりも上流側となる位置に設けられた室外機膨張弁と、前記室外機膨張弁の上流側及び下流側の冷媒の温度差を取得する取得手段と、前記取得された温度差が減少するように前記室外機膨張弁を開度制御する開度制御手段と、前記圧縮機の回転速度を検出する検出手段と、運転する前記室内機の台数が増加したときに、前記室外機膨張弁の開度を前記圧縮機の回転速度に基づく開度まで絞る開度抑制手段とを備えたことを要旨とする。   According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outdoor unit having a compressor for compressing refrigerant and an outdoor unit heat exchanger functioning as a refrigerant condenser during cooling operation, and an indoor unit expansion valve and a refrigerant evaporator during cooling operation. An air conditioner including a plurality of individually operable indoor units having an indoor unit heat exchanger that functions as a downstream side of the outdoor unit heat exchanger during cooling operation, and the plurality of indoor units An outdoor unit expansion valve provided at a position upstream of the branching portion to the expansion unit, an acquisition unit for acquiring a temperature difference between the upstream and downstream refrigerants of the outdoor unit expansion valve, and the acquired When the number of the indoor units to be operated increases, the opening control means for controlling the opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve so that the temperature difference decreases, the detection means for detecting the rotational speed of the compressor, Compress the opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve And gist that a degree of opening suppressing means to narrow to the opening based on the rotation speed of the.

同構成によれば、前記開度制御手段により、前記室外機膨張弁の上流側及び下流側の冷媒の温度差が減少するように、即ち冷房負荷に応じて前記複数の室内機に流れる冷媒（液冷媒）の流量が好適に確保されるように前記室外機膨張弁が開度制御される。一方、運転する前記室内機の台数が増加したときは、前記開度抑制制御手段により、前記室外機膨張弁の開度が自動的に絞られる。従って、前記室内機の運転開始に伴い前記室内機膨張弁が開作動し始めても、前記室外機膨張弁により冷媒の流量が制限されることになり、液バックの発生を先行的に抑えることができる。その後、前記開度制御手段による前記室外機膨張弁の開度制御が開始（再開）される。また、前記複数の室内機膨張弁への分岐部よりも上流側に配置された前記室外機膨張弁により一括して冷媒の流量を制限できるため、該制御を比較的容易に実現することができる。   According to this configuration, the opening degree control means reduces the temperature difference between the refrigerant on the upstream side and the downstream side of the outdoor unit expansion valve, that is, the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of indoor units according to the cooling load ( The opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve is controlled so that the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant is suitably secured. On the other hand, when the number of indoor units to be operated increases, the opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve is automatically throttled by the opening degree suppression control means. Therefore, even if the indoor unit expansion valve starts to open with the start of the operation of the indoor unit, the flow rate of the refrigerant is limited by the outdoor unit expansion valve, and the occurrence of liquid back can be suppressed in advance. it can. Thereafter, opening control of the outdoor unit expansion valve by the opening control means is started (resumed). In addition, since the flow rate of the refrigerant can be collectively limited by the outdoor unit expansion valve disposed upstream of the branch portions to the plurality of indoor unit expansion valves, the control can be realized relatively easily. .

請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項１〜３のいずれか一項に記載の空気調和装置において、前記室外機は、前記室内機から送信される始動又は停止状態を表す運転状態信号に基づいて前記室内機の台数を検出する台数検出手段を備えることを要旨とする。   Invention of Claim 4 is an air conditioning apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3. WHEREIN: The said outdoor unit is based on the driving | running state signal showing the start or stop state transmitted from the said indoor unit. The gist of the present invention is to provide a number detecting means for detecting the number of the indoor units.

同構成によれば、前記室外機（台数検出手段）は、前記室内機から送信される始動又は停止状態を表す運転状態信号に基づいて、該室内機の台数を容易に検出することができる。   According to this configuration, the outdoor unit (number detection unit) can easily detect the number of the indoor units based on the operation state signal indicating the start or stop state transmitted from the indoor unit.

本発明では、室外機に個別運転可能な複数の室内機が接続された空気調和装置において、冷房運転中に、使用する室内機の台数が増加した際の液バックの発生を先行的に抑えることができる空気調和装置を提供することができる。   In the present invention, in an air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units that can be individually operated are connected to an outdoor unit, the occurrence of liquid back when the number of indoor units to be used increases during cooling operation is suppressed in advance. It is possible to provide an air conditioner capable of

本発明の第１の実施形態を示す回路図。1 is a circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. 温度差と制御量との関係を示すマップ。A map showing the relationship between temperature difference and control amount. 同実施形態の制御態様を示すフローチャート。The flowchart which shows the control aspect of the embodiment. 本発明の第２の実施形態を示す回路図。The circuit diagram which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 回転速度と開度との関係を示すマップ。A map showing the relationship between rotation speed and opening. 同実施形態の制御態様を示すフローチャート。The flowchart which shows the control aspect of the embodiment.

（第１の実施形態）
以下、本発明を具体化した第１の実施形態を図面に従って説明する。
図１は、本実施形態に係るヒートポンプ式の空気調和装置１を示す回路図である。同図に示されるように、空気調和装置１は、室外機１０と、個別運転可能な複数の室内機３０とを備えて構成されている。なお、複数の室内機３０の各々は、その設置される空間（部屋）のサイズ等に合わせてその容量が選択・設定されており、少なくとも一つの室内機３０の容量がその他の室内機３０の容量と異なっていてもよい。 (First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a heat pump type air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the air conditioner 1 includes an outdoor unit 10 and a plurality of indoor units 30 that can be individually operated. Note that the capacity of each of the plurality of indoor units 30 is selected and set according to the size of the space (room) in which they are installed, and the capacity of at least one indoor unit 30 is that of the other indoor units 30. It may be different from the capacity.

室外機１０には、回転に伴い冷媒を圧縮する圧縮機１２が設置されている。この圧縮機１２は、その吸入管１２ａから吸入した冷媒（ガス冷媒）を圧縮するとともに、その吐出管１２ｂに冷媒配管１３ａを介して接続された四方弁１４に冷媒を送り出す。四方弁１４は、冷媒配管１３ｂを介して室外機熱交換器１５に接続されるとともに、冷媒配管１３ｄを介して各室内機３０（室内機熱交換器３１）に接続されている。また、四方弁１４は、冷媒配管１３ｆを介してアキュームレータ１８に接続されるとともに、該アキュームレータ１８は、冷媒配管１３ｇを介して圧縮機１２の吸入管１２ａに接続されている。   The outdoor unit 10 is provided with a compressor 12 that compresses the refrigerant as it rotates. The compressor 12 compresses the refrigerant (gas refrigerant) sucked from the suction pipe 12a and sends the refrigerant to the four-way valve 14 connected to the discharge pipe 12b via the refrigerant pipe 13a. The four-way valve 14 is connected to the outdoor unit heat exchanger 15 through the refrigerant pipe 13b, and is connected to each indoor unit 30 (indoor unit heat exchanger 31) through the refrigerant pipe 13d. The four-way valve 14 is connected to an accumulator 18 through a refrigerant pipe 13f, and the accumulator 18 is connected to the suction pipe 12a of the compressor 12 through a refrigerant pipe 13g.

前記室外機熱交換器１５は、冷房運転時は冷媒の凝縮器として機能し暖房運転時は冷媒の蒸発器として機能するもので、冷媒配管１３ｈを介して室内機３０（室内機電子膨張弁３２）に接続されている。そして、冷媒配管１３ｈには、室外機１０側で室外機膨張弁としての室外機電子膨張弁２１が配置されている。   The outdoor unit heat exchanger 15 functions as a refrigerant condenser during cooling operation and functions as a refrigerant evaporator during heating operation. The outdoor unit heat exchanger 15 is connected to the indoor unit 30 (indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32) via a refrigerant pipe 13h. )It is connected to the. In the refrigerant pipe 13h, an outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 as an outdoor unit expansion valve is arranged on the outdoor unit 10 side.

各室内機３０に設置された室内機熱交換器３１は、前記冷媒配管１３ｄに接続されるとともに、室内機膨張弁としての室内機電子膨張弁３２に接続されている。そして、室内機電子膨張弁３２は、前記冷媒配管１３ｈに接続されている。室内機熱交換器３１は、冷房運転時は冷媒の蒸発器として機能し暖房運転時は冷媒の凝縮器として機能する。   The indoor unit heat exchanger 31 installed in each indoor unit 30 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 13d and to an indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32 as an indoor unit expansion valve. The indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 13h. The indoor unit heat exchanger 31 functions as a refrigerant evaporator during cooling operation and functions as a refrigerant condenser during heating operation.

なお、圧縮機１２等は、冷媒配管１３ａ〜１３ｈとともに冷媒回路Ｌを構成する。
次に、空気調和装置１の空気調和に係る動作について説明する。なお、冷房及び暖房の各運転時における冷媒の流れを実線矢印及び破線矢印にて表している。 The compressor 12 and the like constitute a refrigerant circuit L together with the refrigerant pipes 13a to 13h.
Next, the operation | movement which concerns on the air conditioning of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is demonstrated. In addition, the flow of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of each operation | movement of cooling and heating is represented by the solid line arrow and the broken line arrow.

まず、冷房運転時において、圧縮機１２の吐出管１２ｂを出た冷媒は、四方弁１４を通過した後、凝縮器として機能する室外機熱交換器１５に導かれる。室外機熱交換器１５において、冷媒は室外の空気（外気）により熱を奪われ、凝縮・液化する。その後、室外機電子膨張弁２１を通過した冷媒は、各室内機３０の室内機電子膨張弁３２において減圧されるとともに、蒸発器として機能する室内機熱交換器３１において、室内の空気の熱を奪い気化する。その後、冷媒は、四方弁１４及びアキュームレータ１８を介して圧縮機１２の吸入管１２ａに戻る。以上の過程を経ることで、室内が冷房される。   First, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant that has exited the discharge pipe 12b of the compressor 12 passes through the four-way valve 14, and is then guided to the outdoor unit heat exchanger 15 that functions as a condenser. In the outdoor unit heat exchanger 15, the refrigerant is deprived of heat by outdoor air (outside air), and condensed and liquefied. Thereafter, the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is depressurized in the indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32 of each indoor unit 30, and in the indoor unit heat exchanger 31 that functions as an evaporator, Steal and vaporize. Thereafter, the refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 12 a of the compressor 12 through the four-way valve 14 and the accumulator 18. Through the above process, the room is cooled.

なお、室外機１０側で冷媒配管１３ｈに設けられた室外機電子膨張弁２１、即ち冷房運転時に室内機熱交換器３１よりも下流側となり且つ冷媒配管１３ｈの複数の室内機電子膨張弁３２への分岐部よりも上流側となる位置に設けられた室外機電子膨張弁２１は、基本的にその上流側及び下流側の冷媒の温度差（大きさ）が減少するように、即ち僅少な一定範囲（所定範囲）に収まるようにその開度が調整される。これは、例えば冷房運転時に室外機電子膨張弁２１の上流側の温度よりも下流側の温度の方が低くなったときに、該下流側で冷媒（液冷媒）の流量不足に起因する蒸発（気化）が発生していると見なし、その分、室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度を増加して不足分を補うためである。これにより、例えば外気温度の上昇などで冷房負荷が増加した場合であっても、必要な冷媒流量が確保される。   It should be noted that the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 provided in the refrigerant pipe 13h on the outdoor unit 10 side, that is, the downstream side of the indoor unit heat exchanger 31 during the cooling operation and the plurality of indoor unit electronic expansion valves 32 of the refrigerant pipe 13h. The outdoor electronic expansion valve 21 provided at a position upstream of the branch portion of the refrigerant is basically such that the temperature difference (size) between the refrigerant on the upstream side and the downstream side is reduced, that is, slightly constant. The opening degree is adjusted so as to be within a range (predetermined range). This is because, for example, when the temperature on the downstream side is lower than the temperature on the upstream side of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 during the cooling operation, evaporation due to insufficient flow rate of the refrigerant (liquid refrigerant) on the downstream side ( This is because it is assumed that vaporization has occurred, and the opening degree of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is increased correspondingly to compensate for the shortage. Thereby, for example, even when the cooling load is increased due to an increase in the outside air temperature or the like, a necessary refrigerant flow rate is ensured.

一方、暖房運転時において、圧縮機１２の吐出管１２ｂを出た冷媒は、四方弁１４を通過した後、室内機３０に導かれる。そして、冷媒は、凝縮器として機能する室内機熱交換器３１において、室内の空気に熱を放出し、凝縮・液化する。その後、室内機電子膨張弁３２において減圧された冷媒は、室外機電子膨張弁２１において更に減圧されて室外機熱交換器１５に導かれる。そして、冷媒は、蒸発器として機能する室外機熱交換器１５において、室外の空気の熱を吸収・気化する。その後、室外機熱交換器１５からの四方弁１４を介した冷媒が、アキュームレータ１８を介して圧縮機１２の吸入管１２ａに戻る。以上の過程を経ることで、室内が暖房される。   On the other hand, during the heating operation, the refrigerant that has exited the discharge pipe 12 b of the compressor 12 passes through the four-way valve 14 and is then guided to the indoor unit 30. The refrigerant releases heat into the indoor air in the indoor unit heat exchanger 31 functioning as a condenser, and condenses and liquefies. Thereafter, the refrigerant depressurized in the indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32 is further depressurized in the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 and guided to the outdoor unit heat exchanger 15. The refrigerant absorbs and vaporizes the heat of the outdoor air in the outdoor unit heat exchanger 15 that functions as an evaporator. Thereafter, the refrigerant from the outdoor unit heat exchanger 15 through the four-way valve 14 returns to the suction pipe 12 a of the compressor 12 through the accumulator 18. Through the above process, the room is heated.

次に、本実施形態の電気的構成について更に説明する。
図１に示されるように、室外機１０には、圧縮機１２、四方弁１４及び室外機電子膨張弁２１等を駆動制御する制御装置４１が設けられている。この制御装置４１は、マイコンを主体に構成されており、室外機電子膨張弁２１の室外機熱交換器１５側（冷房運転時における上流側）の冷媒温度Ｔ１及び室内機電子膨張弁３２側（冷房運転時における下流側）の冷媒温度Ｔ２を検出する第１温度センサ４２及び第２温度センサ４３にそれぞれ電気的に接続されている。制御装置４１は、これら第１及び第２温度センサ４２，４３により検出された冷媒温度Ｔ１，Ｔ２に基づいて、冷房運転時における室外機電子膨張弁２１の上流側及び下流側の冷媒の温度差ΔＴ（＝Ｔ１−Ｔ２）を演算・取得する。 Next, the electrical configuration of this embodiment will be further described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit 10 is provided with a control device 41 that drives and controls the compressor 12, the four-way valve 14, the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21, and the like. The control device 41 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and the refrigerant temperature T1 on the outdoor unit heat exchanger 15 side (upstream side during the cooling operation) of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 and the indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32 side ( The first temperature sensor 42 and the second temperature sensor 43 that detect the refrigerant temperature T2 on the downstream side during the cooling operation are electrically connected to each other. Based on the refrigerant temperatures T1 and T2 detected by the first and second temperature sensors 42 and 43, the control device 41 determines the temperature difference between the refrigerant on the upstream side and the downstream side of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 during the cooling operation. ΔT (= T1−T2) is calculated and acquired.

一方、各室内機３０には、室内機電子膨張弁３２等を駆動制御する制御装置４６が設けられている。この制御装置４６は、マイコンを主体に構成されており、当該室内機３０を始動又は停止させる操作スイッチ４７に電気的に接続されている。この操作スイッチ４７は、例えば室内機３０の操作パネルやリモコン等に設置される。また、各制御装置４６は、室外機１０の制御装置４１に電気的に接続されており、該制御装置４１に当該室内機３０の始動又は停止状態を表す運転状態信号を送信する。制御装置４１（室外機１０）は、各制御装置４６（室内機３０）から送信される運転状態信号に基づいて、運転中の室内機３０の台数を検出する（台数検出手段）。   On the other hand, each indoor unit 30 is provided with a control device 46 that drives and controls the indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32 and the like. The control device 46 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and is electrically connected to an operation switch 47 that starts or stops the indoor unit 30. The operation switch 47 is installed, for example, on the operation panel of the indoor unit 30 or a remote controller. Each control device 46 is electrically connected to the control device 41 of the outdoor unit 10, and transmits an operation state signal indicating the start or stop state of the indoor unit 30 to the control device 41. The control device 41 (the outdoor unit 10) detects the number of indoor units 30 in operation based on the operation state signal transmitted from each control device 46 (the indoor unit 30) (number detection means).

このような構成にあって、制御装置４１は、通常、冷房運転時に冷媒の温度差ΔＴが僅少な一定範囲に収まるように室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度を調整する。図２は、温度差ΔＴと、室外機電子膨張弁２１の現在の開度Ａに加算する制御量ΔＡとの関係を示すマップである。同図に示されるように、この制御量ΔＡは、基本的に温度差ΔＴが正側に大きいほど正側に大きくなるように設定されている。これは、温度差ΔＴが正側に大きいほど、即ち室外機電子膨張弁２１の下流側で冷媒の流量不足に起因する蒸発（気化）の発生度合いが著しいほど、現在の開度Ａ（ｉ）に対し補正後の開度Ａ（ｉ＋１）（＝Ａ（ｉ）＋ΔＡ）を急激に大きくしてより多くの冷媒（液冷媒）を迅速に送り出すためである。また、制御量ΔＡは、温度差ΔＴの大きさが僅少な一定範囲にあるときに零に設定されている。つまり、温度差ΔＴの大きさが僅少な一定範囲は、現在の開度Ａに対する補正が行われない、いわゆる不感帯となっている。この結果、温度差ΔＴは一定範囲に収まるように調整される。なお、この僅少な一定範囲は、温度センサの検出誤差と見られる範囲に基づき設定されている。   With such a configuration, the control device 41 normally adjusts the opening degree of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 so that the temperature difference ΔT of the refrigerant is within a small fixed range during the cooling operation. FIG. 2 is a map showing the relationship between the temperature difference ΔT and the control amount ΔA to be added to the current opening degree A of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21. As shown in the figure, the control amount ΔA is basically set so as to increase toward the positive side as the temperature difference ΔT increases toward the positive side. This is because the greater the temperature difference ΔT is on the positive side, that is, the more the degree of occurrence of evaporation (vaporization) due to insufficient refrigerant flow on the downstream side of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21, the more the current opening degree A (i). In contrast, the corrected opening degree A (i + 1) (= A (i) + ΔA) is rapidly increased to more rapidly deliver more refrigerant (liquid refrigerant). Further, the control amount ΔA is set to zero when the temperature difference ΔT is in a small fixed range. That is, a certain range in which the temperature difference ΔT is very small is a so-called dead zone in which correction for the current opening degree A is not performed. As a result, the temperature difference ΔT is adjusted to be within a certain range. Note that this small fixed range is set based on a range that seems to be a detection error of the temperature sensor.

そして、制御装置４１は、所定時間ｔごとに、温度差ΔＴを取得するとともに（取得手段）、該温度差ΔＴに基づく制御量ΔＡの演算及び開度Ａの補正を行う（開度制御手段）。制御装置４１は、このように設定された開度Ａに基づいて室外機電子膨張弁２１を駆動制御する。以下では、このような温度差ΔＴに基づく開度Ａの補正等を「室外機電子膨張弁通常制御」ともいう。   The control device 41 acquires the temperature difference ΔT at every predetermined time t (acquisition means), calculates the control amount ΔA based on the temperature difference ΔT, and corrects the opening A (opening control means). . The control device 41 drives and controls the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 based on the opening degree A thus set. Hereinafter, such correction of the opening degree A based on the temperature difference ΔT is also referred to as “outdoor unit electronic expansion valve normal control”.

一方、制御装置４１は、運転状態信号に基づき、運転中の室内機３０の台数増加が検出されたときに、上述の室外機電子膨張弁通常制御を一定時間ｔＬだけ停止して、室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａを現在の開度Ａに固定する（開度制御停止手段）。これは、室内機３０の運転開始に伴い室内機電子膨張弁３２が開作動し始めても、室外機電子膨張弁２１による冷媒の流量制限を継続して、即ち室内機電子膨張弁３２の開作動に伴って室外機電子膨張弁２１が開いていくことを防止して、液バックの発生を先行的に抑えるためである。そして、制御装置４１は、運転中の室内機３０の台数増加が検出されてから一定時間ｔＬの経過を待って、室外機電子膨張弁通常制御を再開する。   On the other hand, when the increase in the number of indoor units 30 in operation is detected based on the operation state signal, the control device 41 stops the above-described outdoor unit electronic expansion valve normal control for a certain time tL, and The opening A of the expansion valve 21 is fixed to the current opening A (opening control stop means). This is because, even when the indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32 starts to open with the start of the operation of the indoor unit 30, the refrigerant flow rate restriction by the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is continued, that is, the indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32 opens. This is to prevent the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 from being opened along with the occurrence of liquid back in advance. And the control apparatus 41 waits for progress of the fixed time tL after the increase in the number of the indoor units 30 in operation is detected, and restarts outdoor unit electronic expansion valve normal control.

次に、制御装置４１による本実施形態の制御態様について図３のフローチャートに基づき総括して説明する。この処理は、所定時間ごとの定時割り込みにより繰り返し実行される。同図に示されるように、処理がこのルーチンに移行すると、まず、室内機３０の台数増加があるか否かが判断される（Ｓ１）。そして、室内機３０の台数増加があると判断されると、室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａが現在の開度Ａに固定される（Ｓ２）。   Next, the control mode of the present embodiment by the control device 41 will be described collectively based on the flowchart of FIG. This process is repeatedly executed by a scheduled interruption every predetermined time. As shown in the figure, when the process proceeds to this routine, it is first determined whether or not there is an increase in the number of indoor units 30 (S1). When it is determined that there is an increase in the number of indoor units 30, the opening degree A of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is fixed to the current opening degree A (S2).

続いて、室内機３０の台数増加後、一定時間ｔＬだけ経過したか否かが判断され（Ｓ３）、該一定時間ｔＬを経過するまで室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａの固定が継続される。そして、室内機３０の台数増加後、一定時間ｔＬだけ経過したと判断されると、室外機電子膨張弁通常制御が実行（再開）され（Ｓ４）、その後の処理が一旦終了する。なお、Ｓ４の処理に移行する直前には温度差ΔＴが大きくなっており、Ｓ４の処理が実行されることで温度差ΔＴが一定範囲に収まるように制御される。   Subsequently, after the number of indoor units 30 is increased, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time tL has elapsed (S3), and the opening degree A of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is continuously fixed until the predetermined time tL has elapsed. The When it is determined that the fixed time tL has elapsed after the increase in the number of indoor units 30, the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve normal control is executed (restarted) (S4), and the subsequent processing is temporarily ended. Note that the temperature difference ΔT is increased immediately before the transition to the process of S4, and the temperature difference ΔT is controlled to be within a certain range by executing the process of S4.

一方、Ｓ１において室内機３０の台数増加がないと判断されると、室外機電子膨張弁通常制御が実行され、その後の処理が一旦終了する。
以上詳述したように、本実施形態によれば、以下に示す効果が得られるようになる。 On the other hand, if it is determined in S1 that there is no increase in the number of indoor units 30, outdoor unit electronic expansion valve normal control is executed, and the subsequent processing is temporarily terminated.
As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

（１）本実施形態では、室外機電子膨張弁通常制御において、室外機電子膨張弁２１の上流側及び下流側の冷媒の温度差ΔＴが減少するように、即ち冷房負荷に応じて室内機３０に流れる冷媒（液冷媒）の流量が好適に確保されるように室外機電子膨張弁２１が開度制御される。一方、運転する室内機３０の台数が増加したときは、室外機電子膨張弁通常制御が一定時間ｔＬ停止される。従って、室内機３０の運転開始に伴い室内機電子膨張弁３２が開作動し始めても、室外機電子膨張弁２１により冷媒の流量が制限されたままとなって、液バックの発生を先行的に抑えることができる。また、複数の室内機電子膨張弁３２への分岐部よりも上流側に配置された室外機電子膨張弁２１により一括して冷媒の流量を制限できるため、該制御を比較的容易に実現することができる。   (1) In this embodiment, in the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve normal control, the indoor unit 30 so that the temperature difference ΔT between the upstream and downstream refrigerants of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 decreases, that is, according to the cooling load. The opening degree of the outdoor electronic expansion valve 21 is controlled so that the flow rate of the refrigerant (liquid refrigerant) flowing through On the other hand, when the number of indoor units 30 to be operated increases, the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve normal control is stopped for a predetermined time tL. Therefore, even if the indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32 starts to open with the start of the operation of the indoor unit 30, the flow rate of the refrigerant remains restricted by the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21, and the occurrence of liquid back is preceded. Can be suppressed. In addition, since the flow rate of the refrigerant can be collectively limited by the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 arranged upstream of the branching portion to the plurality of indoor unit electronic expansion valves 32, the control can be realized relatively easily. Can do.

（２）本実施形態では、室外機１０の制御装置４１は、室内機３０から送信される始動又は停止状態を表す運転状態信号（オン・オフ信号）に基づいて、該室内機３０の台数を容易に検出することができる。   (2) In the present embodiment, the control device 41 of the outdoor unit 10 determines the number of the indoor units 30 based on the operation state signal (ON / OFF signal) indicating the start or stop state transmitted from the indoor unit 30. It can be easily detected.

（第２の実施形態）
以下、本発明を具体化した第２の実施形態を図面に従って説明する。なお、第２の実施形態は、第１の実施形態の温度差ΔＴに基づく室外機電子膨張弁通常制御に代えて、基本的に室外機電子膨張弁２１を全開状態に保持するように変更した構成であるため、同様の部分についてはその詳細な説明は省略する。 (Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, instead of the normal control of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve based on the temperature difference ΔT of the first embodiment, basically the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is changed to be held in a fully opened state. Since it is a structure, the detailed description of the same part is omitted.

図４は、本実施形態に係るヒートポンプ式の空気調和装置１を示す回路図である。同図に示されるように、本実施形態では、第１及び第２温度センサ４２，４３が割愛されている。そして、制御装置４１は、圧縮機１２の回転速度Ｎを検出する回転速度センサ４４に電気的に接続されている。   FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the heat pump type air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the first and second temperature sensors 42 and 43 are omitted. The control device 41 is electrically connected to a rotation speed sensor 44 that detects the rotation speed N of the compressor 12.

このような構成にあって、制御装置４１は、通常、冷房運転時に室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａ（％）を、１００％（全開）を上限に、所定時間ｔごとに所定の変化量Δ（％）だけ漸増する（開度増加手段）。以下では、このような室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａの補正等を「室外機電子膨張弁通常制御」ともいう。なお、室外機電子膨張弁通常制御は、基本的に長時間に亘って継続されることになり、従って室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａは過渡期以外は１００％に保持されるように制御されている。   In such a configuration, the control device 41 normally changes the opening degree A (%) of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 during the cooling operation to a predetermined change every predetermined time t with 100% (fully open) as an upper limit. It gradually increases by an amount Δ (%) (opening increasing means). Hereinafter, such correction of the opening degree A of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is also referred to as “outdoor unit electronic expansion valve normal control”. The normal control of the outdoor electronic expansion valve is basically continued for a long time, so that the opening degree A of the outdoor electronic expansion valve 21 is maintained at 100% except during the transition period. It is controlled.

そして、制御装置４１は、運転状態信号に基づき、運転中の室内機３０の台数増加が検出されたときに、室外機電子膨張弁２１を回転速度Ｎに基づく開度ＡＮまで一気に絞る（開度抑制手段）。これは、室内機３０の運転開始に伴い室内機電子膨張弁３２が開作動し始めたときに、室外機電子膨張弁２１による冷媒の流量制限を開始して、液バックの発生を先行的に抑えるためである。   Then, when the increase in the number of indoor units 30 in operation is detected based on the operation state signal, the control device 41 throttles the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 to the opening degree AN based on the rotational speed N (opening degree). Suppression means). This is because when the indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32 starts to open along with the start of the operation of the indoor unit 30, the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 starts restricting the flow rate of the refrigerant, leading to the occurrence of liquid back. This is to suppress.

図５は、回転速度Ｎと、対応する室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度ＡＮ（％）との関係を示すマップである。同図に示されるように、開度ＡＮは、１００％（全開）を上限に回転速度Ｎが大きいほど大きくなるように設定されている。これは、回転速度Ｎが小さいほど、即ち圧縮機１２による冷媒の吐出量が少ないほど室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａを急激に絞って冷媒（液冷媒）の送り出しを迅速に抑えるためである。   FIG. 5 is a map showing the relationship between the rotational speed N and the opening degree AN (%) of the corresponding outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21. As shown in the figure, the opening degree AN is set so as to increase as the rotational speed N increases with the upper limit being 100% (fully open). This is because the lower the rotational speed N, that is, the smaller the amount of refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12, the more rapidly the opening degree A of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is reduced, thereby quickly suppressing the delivery of the refrigerant (liquid refrigerant). is there.

そして、制御装置４１は、室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａを開度ＡＮに絞った後、室外機電子膨張弁通常制御に移行して、所定時間ｔごとに、室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａを所定の変化量Δだけ漸増していく。これにより、室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａの絞りによる冷媒の流量抑制が徐々に解消されて必要な流量が確保されるようになる。   Then, after the opening degree A of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is reduced to the opening degree AN, the control device 41 shifts to the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve normal control, and at every predetermined time t, the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21. Is gradually increased by a predetermined change amount Δ. Thereby, the restriction | limiting of the flow volume of the refrigerant | coolant by the aperture_diaphragm | restriction of the opening degree A of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is gradually eliminated, and a required flow volume comes to be ensured.

次に、制御装置４１による本実施形態の制御態様について図６のフローチャートに基づき総括して説明する。この処理は、所定時間ごとの定時割り込みにより繰り返し実行される。同図に示されるように、処理がこのルーチンに移行すると、まず、室内機３０の台数増加があるか否かが判断される（Ｓ１１）。そして、室内機３０の台数増加があると判断されると、室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａが回転速度Ｎに基づく開度ＡＮに設定される（Ｓ１２）。   Next, the control mode of the present embodiment by the control device 41 will be described collectively based on the flowchart of FIG. This process is repeatedly executed by a scheduled interruption every predetermined time. As shown in the figure, when the process proceeds to this routine, it is first determined whether or not there is an increase in the number of indoor units 30 (S11). When it is determined that there is an increase in the number of indoor units 30, the opening degree A of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is set to the opening degree AN based on the rotational speed N (S12).

続いて、室外機電子膨張弁通常制御が実行され（Ｓ１３）、その後の処理が一旦終了する。一方、Ｓ１１において室内機３０の台数増加がないと判断されると、そのまま室外機電子膨張弁通常制御が実行され、その後の処理が一旦終了する。   Subsequently, outdoor unit electronic expansion valve normal control is executed (S13), and the subsequent processing is temporarily ended. On the other hand, if it is determined in S11 that there is no increase in the number of indoor units 30, the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve normal control is executed as it is, and the subsequent processing is temporarily ended.

以上詳述したように、本実施形態によれば、以下に示す効果が得られるようになる。
（１）本実施形態では、運転する室内機３０の台数が増加したときは、室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａが回転速度Ｎに基づく開度ＡＮに自動的に絞られる。従って、室内機３０の運転開始に伴い室内機電子膨張弁３２が開作動し始めても、室外機電子膨張弁２１により冷媒の流量が制限されることになり、液バックの発生を先行的に抑えることができる。また、複数の室内機電子膨張弁３２への分岐部よりも上流側に配置された室外機電子膨張弁２１により一括して冷媒の流量を制限できるため、該制御を比較的容易に実現することができる。 As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In this embodiment, when the number of indoor units 30 to be operated increases, the opening degree A of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is automatically reduced to the opening degree AN based on the rotational speed N. Therefore, even if the indoor unit electronic expansion valve 32 starts to open with the start of the operation of the indoor unit 30, the flow rate of the refrigerant is limited by the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21, and the occurrence of liquid back is suppressed in advance. be able to. In addition, since the flow rate of the refrigerant can be collectively limited by the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 arranged upstream of the branching portion to the plurality of indoor unit electronic expansion valves 32, the control can be realized relatively easily. Can do.

（２）本実施形態では、室外機１０の制御装置４１は、室内機３０から送信される始動又は停止状態を表す運転状態信号（オン・オフ信号）に基づいて、該室内機３０の台数を容易に検出することができる。   (2) In the present embodiment, the control device 41 of the outdoor unit 10 determines the number of the indoor units 30 based on the operation state signal (ON / OFF signal) indicating the start or stop state transmitted from the indoor unit 30. It can be easily detected.

（３）本実施形態では、既存の回転速度センサ４４を利用して液バックの発生を抑えることができ、例えば室外機電子膨張弁２１の上流側及び下流側の冷媒の温度差ΔＴを取得等する場合に比べてその構成を簡易化することができる。   (3) In the present embodiment, the occurrence of liquid back can be suppressed using the existing rotation speed sensor 44. For example, the temperature difference ΔT between the refrigerant on the upstream side and the downstream side of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is acquired. The configuration can be simplified as compared with the case of doing so.

なお、上記実施形態は以下のように変更してもよい。
・前記第１の実施形態において、制御量ΔＡが零となる温度差ΔＴの範囲はなくてもよい。また、温度差ΔＴに対し制御量ΔＡをステップ状に段階的に変化させてもよい。 In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the first embodiment, there may be no range of the temperature difference ΔT where the control amount ΔA is zero. Further, the control amount ΔA may be changed stepwise with respect to the temperature difference ΔT.

・前記第１の実施形態において、温度差ΔＴと制御量ΔＡとの関係（図２参照）は一例である。基本的に、温度差ΔＴと制御量ΔＡとは単調非減少の関係にあればよい。
・前記第１の実施形態において、運転する室内機３０の台数が増加したときは、前記第２の実施形態と同様に、室外機電子膨張弁２１の開度Ａを回転速度Ｎに基づく開度ＡＮに一気に絞るようにしてもよい。 In the first embodiment, the relationship between the temperature difference ΔT and the control amount ΔA (see FIG. 2) is an example. Basically, the temperature difference ΔT and the control amount ΔA may be in a monotonous non-decreasing relationship.
In the first embodiment, when the number of indoor units 30 to be operated increases, the opening degree A of the outdoor unit electronic expansion valve 21 is set based on the rotational speed N as in the second embodiment. You may make it narrow down to AN at a stretch.

・前記第２の実施形態において、回転速度Ｎと開度ＡＮとの関係（図５参照）は一例である。基本的に、回転速度Ｎと開度ＡＮとは単調非減少の関係にあればよい。
・前記各実施形態において、複数の室内機３０に接続される室外機１０は複数台であってもよい。 In the second embodiment, the relationship between the rotational speed N and the opening degree AN (see FIG. 5) is an example. Basically, the rotational speed N and the opening degree AN need only be in a monotonous non-decreasing relationship.
In each of the above embodiments, a plurality of outdoor units 10 connected to the plurality of indoor units 30 may be provided.

・前記第２の実施形態において、第１の実施形態と同様に温度センサを設け、所定の変化量Δだけ漸増する部分を、温度差ΔＴに基づいた制御量にしてもよい。
次に、上記実施形態及び別例から把握できる技術的思想について以下に追記する。 In the second embodiment, a temperature sensor may be provided as in the first embodiment, and a portion that gradually increases by a predetermined change amount Δ may be a control amount based on the temperature difference ΔT.
Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and other examples will be described below.

・請求項１又は３に記載の空気調和装置において、
前記室外機膨張弁の上流側及び下流側の冷媒の温度をそれぞれ検出する第１温度センサ及び第２温度センサを備え、
前記取得手段は、前記第１及び第２温度センサにより検出された冷媒の温度に基づき前記温度差を取得することを特徴とする空気調和装置。 In the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 3,
A first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperatures of the refrigerant on the upstream side and the downstream side of the outdoor unit expansion valve, respectively;
The air conditioner characterized in that the acquisition means acquires the temperature difference based on the temperature of the refrigerant detected by the first and second temperature sensors.

１…空気調和装置、１０…室外機、１２…圧縮機、１５…室外機熱交換器、２１…室外機電子膨張弁（室外機膨張弁）、３０…室内機、３１…室内機熱交換器、３２…室内機電子膨張弁（室内機膨張弁）、４１…制御装置（取得手段、開度制御手段、開度制御停止手段、開度抑制手段、開度増加手段、台数検出手段）、４２…第１温度センサ、４３…第２温度センサ、４４…回転速度センサ（検出手段）。   DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Air conditioning apparatus, 10 ... Outdoor unit, 12 ... Compressor, 15 ... Outdoor unit heat exchanger, 21 ... Outdoor unit electronic expansion valve (outdoor unit expansion valve), 30 ... Indoor unit, 31 ... Indoor unit heat exchanger , 32 ... indoor unit electronic expansion valve (indoor unit expansion valve), 41 ... control device (acquisition means, opening degree control means, opening degree control stop means, opening degree suppression means, opening degree increasing means, number detection means), 42 ... 1st temperature sensor, 43 ... 2nd temperature sensor, 44 ... Rotational speed sensor (detection means).

Claims (4)

冷媒を圧縮する圧縮機及び冷房運転時に冷媒の凝縮器として機能する室外機熱交換器を有する室外機と、室内機膨張弁及び冷房運転時は冷媒の蒸発器として機能する室内機熱交換器を有する個別運転可能な複数の室内機とを備えた空気調和装置において、
冷房運転時において、前記室外機熱交換器よりも下流側となり、且つ、前記複数の室内機膨張弁への分岐部よりも上流側となる位置に設けられた室外機膨張弁と、
前記室外機膨張弁の上流側及び下流側の冷媒の温度差を取得する取得手段と、
前記取得された温度差が減少するように前記室外機膨張弁を開度制御する開度制御手段と、
運転する前記室内機の台数が増加したときに、前記室外機膨張弁の開度制御を一定時間停止する開度制御停止手段とを備えたことを特徴とする空気調和装置。 An outdoor unit having a compressor that compresses refrigerant and an outdoor unit heat exchanger that functions as a refrigerant condenser during cooling operation, and an indoor unit heat exchanger that functions as an indoor unit expansion valve and a refrigerant evaporator during cooling operation. In an air conditioner including a plurality of individually operable indoor units,
During the cooling operation, an outdoor unit expansion valve provided at a position downstream of the outdoor unit heat exchanger and upstream of a branching portion to the plurality of indoor unit expansion valves;
An acquisition means for acquiring a temperature difference between the refrigerant on the upstream side and the downstream side of the outdoor unit expansion valve;
An opening degree control means for controlling the opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve so that the acquired temperature difference decreases;
An air conditioner comprising: an opening control stop unit that stops the opening control of the outdoor unit expansion valve for a predetermined time when the number of the indoor units to be operated increases. 冷媒を圧縮する圧縮機及び冷房運転時に冷媒の凝縮器として機能する室外機熱交換器を有する室外機と、室内機膨張弁及び冷房運転時は冷媒の蒸発器として機能する室内機熱交換器を有する個別運転可能な複数の室内機とを備えた空気調和装置において、
冷房運転時において、前記室外機熱交換器よりも下流側となり、且つ、前記複数の室内機膨張弁への分岐部よりも上流側となる位置に設けられた室外機膨張弁と、
前記圧縮機の回転速度を検出する検出手段と、
運転する前記室内機の台数が増加したときに、前記室外機膨張弁の開度を前記圧縮機の回転速度に基づく開度まで絞る開度抑制手段と、
前記絞られた開度を漸増させる開度増加手段とを備えたことを特徴とする空気調和装置。 An outdoor unit having a compressor that compresses refrigerant and an outdoor unit heat exchanger that functions as a refrigerant condenser during cooling operation, and an indoor unit heat exchanger that functions as an indoor unit expansion valve and a refrigerant evaporator during cooling operation. In an air conditioner including a plurality of individually operable indoor units,
During the cooling operation, an outdoor unit expansion valve provided at a position downstream of the outdoor unit heat exchanger and upstream of a branching portion to the plurality of indoor unit expansion valves;
Detecting means for detecting the rotational speed of the compressor;
When the number of the indoor units to be operated increases, the opening degree suppression means for reducing the opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve to the opening degree based on the rotation speed of the compressor,
An air conditioner comprising an opening increasing means for gradually increasing the throttled opening. 冷媒を圧縮する圧縮機及び冷房運転時に冷媒の凝縮器として機能する室外機熱交換器を有する室外機と、室内機膨張弁及び冷房運転時は冷媒の蒸発器として機能する室内機熱交換器を有する個別運転可能な複数の室内機とを備えた空気調和装置において、
冷房運転時において、前記室外機熱交換器よりも下流側となり、且つ、前記複数の室内機膨張弁への分岐部よりも上流側となる位置に設けられた室外機膨張弁と、
前記室外機膨張弁の上流側及び下流側の冷媒の温度差を取得する取得手段と、
前記取得された温度差が減少するように前記室外機膨張弁を開度制御する開度制御手段と、
前記圧縮機の回転速度を検出する検出手段と、
運転する前記室内機の台数が増加したときに、前記室外機膨張弁の開度を前記圧縮機の回転速度に基づく開度まで絞る開度抑制手段とを備えたことを特徴とする空気調和装置。 An outdoor unit having a compressor that compresses refrigerant and an outdoor unit heat exchanger that functions as a refrigerant condenser during cooling operation, and an indoor unit heat exchanger that functions as an indoor unit expansion valve and a refrigerant evaporator during cooling operation. In an air conditioner including a plurality of individually operable indoor units,
During the cooling operation, an outdoor unit expansion valve provided at a position downstream of the outdoor unit heat exchanger and upstream of a branching portion to the plurality of indoor unit expansion valves;
An acquisition means for acquiring a temperature difference between the refrigerant on the upstream side and the downstream side of the outdoor unit expansion valve;
An opening degree control means for controlling the opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve so that the acquired temperature difference decreases;
Detecting means for detecting the rotational speed of the compressor;
An air conditioner comprising: opening degree suppression means for reducing an opening degree of the outdoor unit expansion valve to an opening degree based on a rotation speed of the compressor when the number of the indoor units to be operated increases. . 請求項１〜３のいずれか一項に記載の空気調和装置において、
前記室外機は、前記室内機から送信される始動又は停止状態を表す運転状態信号に基づいて前記室内機の台数を検出する台数検出手段を備えることを特徴とする空気調和装置。 In the air harmony device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The air conditioner is characterized in that the outdoor unit includes a number detection means for detecting the number of the indoor units based on an operation state signal indicating a start or stop state transmitted from the indoor unit.
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