JP2013133965A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of reducing a time period until blowing hot air when a heating operation is started.SOLUTION: An air conditioner includes: a remote controller 30 for setting a charge time; an indoor heat exchanger exchanging heat between a refrigerant and indoor air; a compressor 11 compressing the refrigerant; and an indoor blower blowing air into a room. By starting an open phase operation of the compressor prior to the charge time set by the remote controller 30, a time period until blowing hot air can be reduced than that in a normal heating operation if a user instructs the air conditioner to start a heating operation while targeting the charge time.

Description

  The present invention relates to control of heating operation of an air conditioner.

  In the conventional air conditioner, the heating operation is started by the user instructing the start of the heating operation with a remote controller or by the operation of the entering timer. However, it takes a long time for the heating operation to start, and the user wants to start the heating operation quickly, but there is a problem that the warm air is not easily blown out.

  For such a problem, an air conditioner has been proposed in which the operation of the compressor is started before the heating operation is started and the hot air is blown out immediately when the actual heating operation is started ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-048494 A

  However, the conventional technology has a problem in energy saving performance because it is necessary to actually operate the refrigeration cycle.

  This invention solves the said conventional subject, and it aims at providing the air conditioner which started the heating operation early, improving energy-saving property.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, an air conditioner of the present invention includes a remote control device that sets a charge time, an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and room air, a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, When the user instructs the start of the heating operation with the target charge time by starting the phase loss operation of the compressor before the charge time set by the remote control device. Can shorten the time until the warm air blows out than during normal heating operation.

  The present invention can provide an air conditioner that can shorten the hot air blowing time at the start of heating operation.

1 is an external perspective view of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Refrigeration cycle schematic diagram of the air conditioner in the first embodiment State diagram of display unit 31 in the first embodiment Flow diagram of phase loss operation in the first embodiment Relationship diagram between outside air temperature and open phase operation time in the first embodiment Relationship diagram between compressor temperature and phase loss operation in Embodiment 1 Flow diagram of phase loss operation in another embodiment

  An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a remote control device that sets a charge time, an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and room air, a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, and an indoor fan that blows air into the room. If the user instructs the start of the heating operation with the charge time as the target by starting the phase loss operation of the compressor before the charge time set by the remote control device, the normal heating operation Also, the time until hot air blows out can be shortened.

  In the air conditioner of the second invention, particularly in the first invention, the time for starting the phase loss operation of the compressor is determined by the outside air temperature, so that an appropriate time for phase loss operation can be set according to the situation. Can be set.

  In the air conditioner of the third invention, particularly in the first or second invention, when the heating operation is not started even after the charging time set by the remote control device, the phase loss operation of the compressor is continued after the charging time. Even if the user cannot start the heating operation at the charging time, the period for reducing the hot air blowing time can be shortened by providing a grace period to improve the convenience of the user. Can be improved.

  In the air conditioner of the fourth invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third inventions, when the heating operation is started while the phase loss operation of the compressor is continued, the frequency of the compressor By making this change speed faster than the change speed at the start of normal heating operation, it is possible to make hot air blowing out faster than during normal heating operation.

  The air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, particularly comprising a compressor temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the compressor, and the compressor is operated during the phase loss operation of the compressor. When the temperature is detected to be equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, by stopping the phase loss operation of the compressor, it is possible to prevent the compressor from becoming abnormally high temperature and to improve the reliability.

  An air conditioner according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, particularly comprising an indoor heat exchanger temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, and during the phase loss operation of the compressor. When the heating operation is started, the indoor fan operation starts when the indoor heat exchanger temperature detecting means detects a predetermined temperature or higher, and the predetermined temperature is determined so that the indoor fan is operated during normal heating operation. By being higher than the temperature to be started, the temperature in the room can be quickly raised by blowing out the hot air higher than in the normal heating operation.

  In the air conditioner of the seventh invention, particularly in the sixth invention, the heating operation is started during the phase loss operation of the compressor, and the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger does not reach the predetermined temperature. Even when the predetermined time has elapsed since the heating operation was started, by starting the operation of the indoor fan, the situation where the warm air does not blow out even though the charging time is set. Can prevent and reassure the user.

  In the air conditioner of the eighth invention, particularly in any one of the first to seventh inventions, when the operation stop is instructed during the phase loss operation of the compressor, the phase loss operation of the compressor is stopped. As a result, the operation sound from the outdoor unit can be immediately stopped, so that the user can be relieved.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view and main part configuration diagram of an indoor unit according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner.

  The air conditioner in the present embodiment is configured by connecting an indoor unit 1 installed indoors and an outdoor unit 2 installed outdoor using a refrigerant pipe 3.

  The indoor unit 1 includes an indoor heat exchanger 5 that exchanges heat between indoor air and refrigerant, and an indoor fan 6 that promotes heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger 5 and blows air into the room. Also, a temperature sensor 7 that is an indoor temperature detecting means for detecting the indoor temperature, a humidity sensor 8 that is an indoor humidity detecting means for detecting the indoor humidity, and an indoor heat exchanger temperature detection that detects the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 5. And a temperature sensor 50 as means.

  The outdoor unit 2 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 9 that exchanges heat between the outdoor air and the refrigerant, an outdoor fan 10 that promotes heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 9 and blows air, and compresses the refrigerant and discharges high-temperature refrigerant. A compressor 11 for switching, a four-way valve 12 for switching the flow path of the refrigerant, and a decompressor 13 for decompressing the refrigerant. Furthermore, a temperature sensor 51 which is a compressor temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the compressor 11 is provided.

  And at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation, the refrigerating cycle is comprised so that a refrigerant | coolant may flow in order of the compressor 11, the four-way valve 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 9, the decompression device 13, the indoor heat exchanger 5, the four-way valve 12, and the compressor 11. During the heating operation, the refrigerant flow path is reversed by switching the four-way valve 12.

  In addition, an infrared sensor 4 that is a human body detection unit is disposed above the outlet of the indoor unit 1 to detect the presence of a person in the installed room and to detect the movement of the person. In the present embodiment, the infrared sensor 4 is disposed at the upper part of the outlet, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided on the front panel, for example.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the detection of indoor persons is performed using three pyroelectric infrared sensors 4, but depending on the size of the room, the number of infrared sensors 4 may be reduced to detect indoor persons. In addition, since the number of infrared sensors 4 may be increased to detect a person in the room, the number of infrared sensors 4 may be changed depending on the capacity of the air conditioner, for example. Conceivable. Further, in the present embodiment, the infrared sensor 4 is fixed, but it may be of a type driven left and right. In addition, although a pyroelectric infrared sensor is used, any type of sensor that can detect the position and movement of a person may be used. For example, a thermopile infrared sensor may be used.

  Further, on the front side of the indoor unit 1, the front panel 20 that opens during the air conditioning operation and closes when the air conditioning operation is stopped, the air outlet 21 that blows air into the room, and the upper and lower blades that change the wind direction from the air outlet 21 up and down. 22 and left and right blades (not shown) for changing the direction of the wind from the outlet 21 to the left and right.

  The remote control device 30 is provided with a remote control device 30 that gives a driving instruction to the indoor unit 1. The remote control device 30 includes a display unit 31 that displays driving information and other information, and an operation unit 32 that performs setting changes and commands. The operation unit 32 includes a plurality of buttons.

  The remote control device 30 can set an instruction for cooling operation or heating operation and a reference indoor set temperature, and in normal air conditioning operation, the air conditioning operation is performed so that the reference indoor set temperature is obtained.

  In the air conditioner configured as described above, heating charge control during heating operation will be described.

First, the user operates the operation unit 32 of the remote control device 30 to set a charge time for determining whether to perform heating charge control. When the user sets the charge time, the heating charge control is enabled, and by canceling the charge time, the heating charge control is disabled.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the display unit 31 of the remote control device 30. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the charging time is AM7 and the current time is AM0. As shown in FIG. 3, when the heating charge time is not set, AM0 is displayed on the display unit 31.

  When the user sets the charge time, the user can understand by operating the operation unit 32 so that the characters “charge” blink to display that the current charge time is being set. Easy to use. Then, the user sets the time by further operating the operation unit 32 while the characters “charge” are blinking. When AM 7 o'clock is set, the flashing “charge” changes to lighting, and the user is made aware that the setting is complete.

  Then, after a while, the time becomes AM0 of the current time, but in order to make it easier for the user to understand that the charge time is set, the characters “charge” are also displayed. In this embodiment, the expression “charge” is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various expressions such as “preheating operation”, “preliminary operation”, and “charge operation” can be used. .

  Thus, in this Embodiment, the charge setting recognition means which can determine whether the user is currently setting heating charge control is provided, and it can be easily determined whether the user is setting. In this embodiment, the charge setting recognizing means uses the characters “charge” to be lit on the display unit 31 of the remote control device 30. In addition to this, for example, the user can recognize the indoor unit 1 by the user. Lighting means can also be provided.

  Next, description will be made with reference to the flowchart of the heating charge control in FIG. As described above, the user sets the charge time Ts. In the present embodiment, the following description will be made assuming that the charging time Ts is set at AM7.

  When the charge time Ts is set by the user, a phase-opening operation start time Tf that is a first predetermined time Ta before the charge time Ts is calculated. Then, when the phase loss operation start time Tf is reached, the phase loss operation of the compressor 11 is started.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the first predetermined time Ta and the outside air temperature. As shown in FIG. 5, the first predetermined time Ta is determined in association with the outside air temperature. This is because the preheating time of the compressor 11 becomes longer as the outside air temperature is lower. However, if it is determined uniformly, the preheating time is unnecessarily increased, and thus energy saving performance is impaired. End up.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the outside air temperature is less than −5 ° C., the first predetermined time is 60 minutes, and when the outside air temperature is −5 ° C. or more and less than 1 ° C., One predetermined time is 45 minutes, and when the outside air temperature is 1 ° C. or higher, the first predetermined time is 30 minutes. For example, when the outside air temperature is −6 ° C., the first predetermined time Ta is set to 60 minutes, and the phase loss operation start time Tf is set to 6:00 AM. Note that the relationship diagram between the outside air temperature and the first predetermined time Ta shown in FIG. 5 is an example, and is appropriately changed within a range that does not deviate from the gist of increasing the first predetermined time Ta as the outside air temperature is lower. Is possible.

In the following description, it is assumed that the phase loss operation start time Tf is set at 6:00 AM. When the time is 6:00 AM, the phase loss operation of the compressor 11 starts. The phase loss operation means an operation in which an electric current is passed so as not to actually rotate the motor, and thus heat can be stored in the compressor 11.

  And even if such a phase-losing operation passes charge time Ts (here AM7 o'clock) and there is no instruction | indication of heating operation from a user, a phase-opening operation is further continued only for 2nd predetermined time Tb. . The second predetermined time Tb is a preset value, and for example, 60 minutes is set. Needless to say, the value of 60 minutes can be changed as appropriate.

  Assuming that 60 minutes is set as the second predetermined time Tb, in the case of this embodiment, 8:00 AM is set as the phase loss operation end time Te. In other words, the phase loss operation is continued unless the user gives an instruction for the heating operation until 8:00 AM of the phase loss operation end time Te. Since it is assumed that the user does not always give a heating operation instruction when the charging time Ts comes, in order to improve the convenience for the user, the heating is shifted within a predetermined range from the charging time Ts. Even if the operation is instructed, the heating operation is started quickly.

  As described above, the operation when the user gives an instruction to start the heating operation at the charge time Ts in the case where the compressor 11 is performing the phase loss operation will be described.

  In the normal heating operation, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50 reaches the heating start temperature (for example, about 18 ° C.), the indoor fan 6 is driven to start the heating operation. On the other hand, in the heating charge control, the indoor blower 6 is driven when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50 reaches the charge heating start temperature (for example, about 35 ° C.). At this time, the charge heating start temperature is set in advance to be higher than the heating start temperature.

  Further, in the heating charge control, when an instruction to start the heating operation is given at the charge time Ts, the frequency change speed of the compressor 11 is set to be higher than the frequency change speed of the compressor 11 during the normal heating operation. It is getting bigger. Thereby, the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 can be quickly raised, and the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 5 can be raised more quickly.

  In this way, when the user starts the heating operation at the charge time Ts, the heating operation can be started earlier than the normal heating operation. For example, the user can specify the time to wake up or the time to go home at night. By doing so, comfortable air-conditioning operation can be performed.

  Further, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 51 during the phase loss operation of the compressor 11 detects a predetermined temperature or more, the phase loss operation is stopped. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the temperature of the compressor 11 and the state of the phase loss operation.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the phase loss operation is continued until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 51 exceeds the upper limit temperature (for example, 70 ° C.) after the phase loss operation is started. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 51 exceeds the upper limit temperature, the phase loss operation is stopped from the viewpoint of reliability.

  When the phase loss operation is stopped, the temperature of the compressor 11 gradually decreases. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 51 falls below a lower limit temperature (for example, 40 ° C.), the heating operation cannot be started quickly, so the phase loss operation of the compressor 11 is started again. The upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature are preset values calculated from experiments or the like, and can be changed as appropriate.

  Thus, by controlling the implementation of the phase loss operation in accordance with the temperature of the compressor 11, both reliability and comfort can be achieved.

  In addition, since the compressor 11 is energized during the phase loss operation, sound may be emitted from the outdoor unit. Therefore, depending on the user, it may feel annoying. Therefore, even if the charge time is set, if the remote controller 30 instructs the air conditioner to stop, stop the phase loss operation. ing. In this way, it is possible to improve user usability.

  If the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 51 that detects the temperature of the compressor 11 does not rise after the compressor 11 has started the phase loss operation, the phase loss operation is stopped. Since this may cause the temperature sensor 51 to be disconnected, it is possible to prevent the reliability of the compressor 11 from being impaired by continuing the phase loss operation under such a situation.

  Further, when the cooling operation is instructed in the previous air conditioning operation, the phase loss operation is not performed even if the charge time is set. This is in order not to consume extra electricity because the phase-opening operation is unnecessary during the cooling operation.

  Next, the driving | operation in various situations is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the flowchart of the heating charge control and the heating operation start time.

  First, the case of time A is a case where the user starts the heating operation just at the charge time Ts. In the case of time A, since the user starts the heating operation at the charging time Ts, the phase loss operation of the compressor 11 is performed as described above, and heat is stored to some extent. Therefore, the heating charge control as described above is performed, and the heating operation is started earlier than the normal heating operation.

  Next, in the case of time B, the user starts the heating operation before the charge time Ts. In this case, since it is after the phase-opening operation start time Tf, the phase-opening operation is started, but it is not known whether the compressor 11 is storing heat.

  Therefore, first, as in the heating charge control, the speed at which the frequency of the compressor 11 is increased is made faster than the speed at which the frequency during normal heating operation is increased. When the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger reaches the charge heating start temperature, air blowing into the room is started. However, when the phase loss operation of the compressor 11 is not sufficient, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger becomes the charge heating start temperature. It may take time to become.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the heating operation is started in a state where the charging time Ts is set, when a predetermined standby time (for example, 4 minutes) elapses after the user issues an instruction to start the heating operation, The operation of the blower is started to start blowing into the room. By doing in this way, the dissatisfaction of the user that heating is not easily started can be reduced.

  Next, at time C, the user starts the heating operation after charging time Ts. In the case of time C, the phase loss operation is sufficient because it is after the charge time Ts and before the phase loss operation end time Te. Therefore, when the heating operation is started at time C, the heating operation is started earlier than the normal heating operation by performing the heating charge control.

  Next, at time D, the heating operation is started before the phase-opening operation start time Tf. In the case of the time D, since it is before the charging time Tf, the phase loss operation of the compressor 11 is not started. Therefore, normal heating operation is performed without performing the heating charge control.

  Next, in the case of time E, it is a case where heating operation is started after the phase loss operation end time Te. In the case of the time E, since the time for performing the phase loss operation has passed, the normal heating operation is performed without performing the heating charge control.

  When the heating charge control is enabled as described above and the user gives an instruction to start the heating operation at the charging time Ts, the compressor 11 is preheated in advance, so that the heating operation start time is advanced. be able to.

  As described above, the present invention is most suitable for an air conditioner having an improved heating operation function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indoor unit 2 Outdoor unit 8 Humidity sensor 11 Compressor 30 Remote control device

Claims (8)

A remote control device that sets a charge time, an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and room air, a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, and an indoor fan that blows air into the room, An air conditioner characterized by starting the phase loss operation of the compressor before time. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a time at which the compressor phase-opening operation is started is determined by an outside air temperature. 3. The air according to claim 1, wherein if the heating operation is not started even after the charge time set by the remote control device has passed, the phase loss operation of the compressor is continued after the charge time. Harmony machine. When the heating operation is started while the phase loss operation of the compressor is continued, the change speed of the frequency of the compressor is made faster than the change speed at the start of the normal heating operation. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Compressor temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the compressor is provided, and when the compressor temperature is detected to be equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature during the phase loss operation of the compressor, the phase loss operation of the compressor is stopped. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Provided with an indoor heat exchanger temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, and when the heating operation is started during the phase loss operation of the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger temperature detecting means has a predetermined temperature. The operation of the indoor blower is started when the above is detected, and the predetermined temperature is higher than a temperature at which the operation of the indoor blower is started during normal heating operation. The air conditioner of any one of Claims. Even when the heating operation is started during the phase loss operation of the compressor and the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger does not reach a predetermined temperature, a predetermined time after the heating operation is started. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the operation of the indoor blower is started when elapses. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the operation stop is instructed during the phase loss operation of the compressor, the phase loss operation of the compressor is stopped.