JP2013234825A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem in a conventional air conditioner, that it has small suppression effect to lowering of a room temperature during a defrosting operation and degradation of operational efficiency due to power usage in the defrosting operation.SOLUTION: An air conditioner has a heating ordinary operation mode for performing an ordinary heating operation, and a heating continuous operation-priority mode for elongating a time to start a defrosting operation by lowering a distribution temperature of the air blown off from an indoor unit 2 in comparison with a case of the heating ordinary operation mode, as operation modes for the heating operation, and a selecting means 5 is disposed to allow an user of the heating operation to arbitrarily select the heating ordinary operation mode and the heating continuous operation-priority mode.

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat pump type air conditioner, and more particularly to a defrosting operation for removing frost from an outdoor heat exchanger during heating operation.

  In a heat pump type air conditioner, the outdoor heat exchanger becomes cold during heating operation, and in some cases the temperature is below 0 degrees, so that moisture in the air solidifies and covers the outdoor heat exchanger. However, the heating capacity is reduced. In order to solve this problem, the refrigeration cycle is reversed from that in the heating operation, and a high-temperature gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor is allowed to flow through the outdoor heat exchanger to perform a defrosting operation (defrost control) for melting frost. However, since the heating operation must be stopped during the defrost control operation, there is a problem that not only the room temperature is lowered but also the operation efficiency of the air conditioner is lowered because electric power is also used for the defrost operation. Therefore, the defrosting operation needs to be the minimum time and the minimum number of times.

  For this reason, in a conventional air conditioner, the outdoor heat exchanger temperature at which defrosting is started is set to the outdoor air temperature or the rotation of the compressor so that the defrosting operation is performed by accurately detecting the frost formation amount of the outdoor heat exchanger. There was one that was decided by the number (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-103818 (paragraphs 0037 to 0038, FIG. 2)

  However, the conventional defrosting operation control of the air conditioner simply detects the amount of frost formation on the outdoor heat exchanger during the heating operation and enters the defrosting operation at a timing that requires the defrosting operation. Because the emphasis is on accurate detection of the amount of frost, which is a countermeasure after frost formation has occurred, the operating efficiency due to the decrease in room temperature during defrosting operation and the use of power during defrosting operation There was a problem that there was little suppression effect with respect to the fall of the.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and allows a user to select a heating operation method so that the generation of frost can be suppressed and the heating operation can be continued normally. The purpose of the present invention is to obtain an air conditioner that can prevent the decrease in the room temperature during the defrosting operation and the decrease in the operation efficiency due to the use of electric power during the defrosting operation.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention includes a heat pump type refrigeration cycle configured by connecting a compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, an expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger through a refrigerant pipe. An air conditioner that performs a defrosting operation that melts frost and restores the heating capacity when frost adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger due to the heating operation and the heating capacity is reduced, and the operation mode of the heating operation is normally set Heating normal operation mode in which the heating operation is performed, and continuous heating operation in which the air temperature blown out from the indoor unit is lowered and the time until the defrosting operation is extended is longer than when operating in the heating normal operation mode And a selection means that can arbitrarily select the heating normal operation mode and the heating continuous operation priority mode.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention includes a compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, an expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger connected by a refrigerant pipe. An air conditioner that performs a defrosting operation for melting the frost and recovering the heating capacity when the frost adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger due to the heating operation and the heating capacity is reduced. Heating normal operation mode for performing normal heating operation, and heating for lowering the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor unit and extending the time until the defrosting operation is performed than when operating in the normal heating operation mode Continuous operation priority mode, provided with a person detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a person in a room to be heated, and when the person detection means detects the presence of a person, operates in the heating normal operation mode, If it detects that the absent is obtained so as to operate at the heating continuous operation priority mode.

  The air conditioner of this invention includes a heat pump refrigeration cycle configured by connecting a compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, an expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger by refrigerant piping, An air conditioner that performs a defrosting operation that melts frost and recovers the heating capacity when frost adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger due to the heating operation and the heating capacity decreases, and the operation mode of the heating operation is set to the normal operation mode. Heating normal operation mode in which heating operation is performed, and heating continuous operation priority that lowers the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor unit and increases the time until the defrosting operation is started compared with the case of operating in the heating normal operation mode Mode, and provided with a selection means capable of arbitrarily selecting the heating normal operation mode and the heating continuous operation priority mode, continuous operation is possible without causing a significant decrease in performance. By proper use of the heating operation and the high outlet air temperature has the effect of improves the comfort during the heating operation, it is energy-saving operation.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention includes a compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, an expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger connected by a refrigerant pipe. An air conditioner that performs a defrosting operation for melting the frost and recovering the heating capacity when the frost adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger due to the heating operation and the heating capacity is reduced. Heating normal operation mode for performing normal heating operation, and heating for lowering the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor unit and extending the time until the defrosting operation is performed than when operating in the normal heating operation mode A continuous operation priority mode, and provided with a human detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a person in a room for heating, and when the person detection means detects that a person is present, it operates in the normal heating operation mode. When it is detected that there is no person, the operation is performed in the heating continuous operation priority mode, so that continuous operation is possible without causing a significant decrease in performance. As a result, the comfort during heating operation can be improved and the energy-saving operation can be performed.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a refrigerant circuit figure of the air conditioner by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the heating operation of the air conditioner by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the relationship between the normal heating operation of the air conditioner by Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the indoor temperature rise at the time of heating operation of priority of continuous operation. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the heating operation of the air conditioner of the other example by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the air conditioner of another example by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the heating operation of the air conditioner of another example by Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Embodiment 1.
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a heat pump type air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation from the heating operation to the defrosting operation of the air conditioner. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the normal heating operation of the air conditioner and the indoor temperature rise during continuous operation priority heating operation. In the figure, as shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is configured by an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 2, and the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are constituted by a refrigerant pipe 3 and a connection wiring 4. It is connected.

  The operation unit 5, which is a remote controller (remote controller) for controlling the air conditioner, switches the operation of the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 1 such as ON / OFF of operation, switching of operation mode such as cooling or heating, and each operation such as heating operation. Air conditioning operation commands such as detailed mode setting and air conditioning set temperature are given. In this example, air conditioning operation commands are given wirelessly to the air conditioner by infrared signals or the like.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the inverter type compressor 6 that can change the frequency of compressing the refrigerant and circulating the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle on the outdoor unit 1 side circulates the refrigerant in the cooling cycle and the heating cycle. A four-way valve 7 for switching the direction, an outdoor heat exchanger 8, an electromagnetic expansion valve 9 and an accumulator 10 are provided, and an indoor heat exchanger 11 is provided on the indoor unit 2 side. Connected to form a refrigeration cycle. The outdoor heat exchanger 8 is provided with an outdoor fan 12 that circulates outside air, and the indoor heat exchanger 11 is provided with an indoor fan 13 that circulates indoor air.

  In addition, as an input information source for controlling the operation of the air conditioner, an outdoor air temperature detection sensor 14 that detects the temperature of the outdoor air and an outdoor heat exchanger that detects the refrigerant temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 8 are provided on the outdoor unit 1 side. A pipe temperature sensor 15 is attached to the refrigerant pipe of the outdoor heat exchanger 8 and detects the frosting state on the outdoor heat exchanger 8 by detecting the pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 8. The indoor unit 2 is provided with an indoor temperature detection sensor 16 for detecting the temperature of the room for cooling and heating, and information for controlling the operation of the air conditioner so that the room temperature reaches the set temperature. It's being used.

  Although not shown, the air conditioner is provided with a control device including a microcomputer that controls the operation of the air conditioner, and the control device (not shown) allows the operation command signal from the operation unit 5 and the outside air to be Operation of the compressor 6, the four-way valve 7, the electromagnetic expansion valve 9, the outdoor blower 12, the indoor blower 13, and the like according to temperature input data of the temperature detection sensor 14, the outdoor heat exchanger piping temperature detection sensor 15 and the indoor temperature detection sensor 16 Is controlled to perform air conditioning.

Next, the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle of the defrosting operation that is the heating operation, the cooling operation, and the defrosting operation will be described.
First, in the heating cycle during the heating operation, the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 11 through the four-way valve 7, and heat is exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 11 by the air blown by the indoor blower 13. To heat the room. Then, the refrigerant that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 11 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 8 through the electromagnetic expansion valve 9, and is evaporated by exchanging heat with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 8 by the ventilation of the outdoor fan 12. The cycle of returning to the compressor 6 through is repeated.

  During the heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 8 becomes low temperature due to the evaporation of the refrigerant, and in some cases the temperature is lower than 0 degrees. A frosting state that covers the vessel 8 occurs, and the heating capacity is reduced. And if frost adheres so that it needs defrosting, it is made to remove frost regularly so that heating capability may be recovered.

  Next, the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle of the cooling operation and the defrosting operation will be described. In the cooling cycle during the cooling operation, the connection of the four-way valve 7 is switched with the heating operation, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 8 through the four-way valve 7, and the outdoor blower The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 8 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 11 through the electromagnetic expansion valve 9 and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 11 by the air blown by the indoor fan 13. The indoor heat exchanger 11 exchanges heat with room air to cool the room, and the cycle to return to the compressor 6 through the accumulator 10 is repeated.

  And in the case of the defrost operation which is a defrost operation which removes frost so that the outdoor heat exchanger 8 will be covered with frost by a heating operation, and will be in a frosting state, and when a heating capability falls, a heating capability will be recovered | restored. The refrigeration cycle is also defrosted in the same flow as the cooling cycle. That is, by heating the outdoor heat exchanger 8 with the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6, the frost is melted so that the heating operation can be performed. In the case of this defrosting operation, it is preferable to weaken or stop the blower of the indoor blower 13 so that the room is not cooled.

  Next, the detailed operation of the heating operation mode of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the heating operation method can be selected according to the preference of the user of the air conditioner. Although the heating capacity is lower than that in the normal heating operation and the normal heating operation in which the normal heating operation is the first heating operation mode, the defrosting operation is suppressed by suppressing adhesion of frost to the outdoor heat exchanger 8. The heating continuous operation priority mode, which is the second heating operation mode in which the heating operation is continued from the normal heating operation mode and the time until the vehicle enters, can be selected. In this embodiment, the normal heating operation mode and the continuous heating operation priority mode can be selected and switched by the user using a switch of the operation unit (remote controller) 5 serving as a selection unit.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart at the time of heating operation executed by an air conditioner control device (not shown). When the air conditioner is operated and heating operation is started in step 100, the operation unit is operated in step 101. If the setting of 5 is set to the heating normal operation mode that is the first heating operation mode or the heating continuous operation priority mode that is the second heating operation mode, and if it is the heating normal operation mode Then, the process proceeds to step 102, and if it is the heating continuous operation priority mode, the process proceeds to step 104.
First, the case of the heating normal operation mode will be described. If it is not the heating continuous operation mode in step 101, it is the heating normal operation mode, so the routine proceeds to step 102, where the normal heating operation control is performed and the room temperature is set to the temperature set by the operation unit 5, that is, the room temperature is set. The heating operation is performed by controlling the operation of the compressor 6 and the like so as to reach and maintain the temperature. And when heating operation is performed and frost adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger 8, since the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 8 falls, it is the outdoor heat exchanger by the outdoor heat exchanger piping temperature detection sensor 15. The amount of frost attached to the outdoor heat exchanger 8 is detected by detecting a decrease in the pipe temperature T1.

  When the heating operation is performed in step 102, the outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature (hereinafter referred to as the external liquid pipe temperature) T1, which is the temperature detected by the outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature sensor 15, decreases, and the outdoor heat exchanger When 8 is covered with frost and falls below defrosting start temperature threshold value T <b> 2, where it is determined that defrosting is necessary, defrosting operation is necessary for outdoor heat exchanger 8 to form a frost and restore heating capacity. It judges that it became, It changes to step 103, the connection of the four-way valve 7 is switched from a heating cycle to a cooling cycle, and the defrosting operation which warms the outdoor heat exchanger 8 with a high temperature refrigerant and melts frost is started. As an example of the defrosting start temperature threshold value T2, when the external liquid pipe temperature T1 is lower than -1.8 ° C, it is determined that defrosting is necessary.

  Then, after the frost of the outdoor heat exchanger 8 has melted and the defrosting operation has been completed, the four-way valve 7 is returned to the heating cycle side, and the process returns to step 100 as before to repeat the heating operation. Yes. In this heating normal operation mode, the compressor 6 is operated at a relatively high rotational speed so as to obtain a high heating capacity, and the temperature of the air blown from the indoor unit 2 is, for example, 40 ° C. It is controlled so that the relatively hot air is blown out, and the indoor temperature can reach the heating temperature set by the user of the air conditioner quickly, so that comfortable heating operation can be performed. . Further, although the determination of the end of defrosting in step 103 is not described in detail, it may be determined that the defrosting has been completed when a predetermined time has elapsed, which is measured by a timer, and the defrosting is sufficiently performed, or outdoor heat exchange is performed. When the detection value (outer liquid pipe temperature) T1 of the pipe piping temperature detection sensor 15 rises to a temperature at which it can be determined that the defrosting has been sufficiently performed, it can be determined by various methods such as determining that the defrosting has been completed.

  Next, the heating continuous operation priority mode will be described. If the setting of the operation unit 5 is the heating continuous operation priority mode in step 101, the process proceeds to step 104. In step 104, a set temperature difference ΔT 6, which is a difference between the outside temperature T 3 detected by the outside temperature detection sensor 14, the heating set temperature T 4 set by the user using the operation unit 5, and the room temperature T 5 detected by the room temperature detection sensor 16. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the heating continuous operation priority operation is possible.

First, in step 104, it is determined whether or not the outside air temperature T3 is lower than the continuous operation outside air temperature threshold T7 that determines that the heating continuous operation priority is possible,
Outside air temperature T3 <continuous operation outside air temperature threshold T7
In this case, the routine proceeds to step 105 so as to perform the operation with priority on the continuous heating operation. The continuous operation outside air temperature threshold value T7 is a temperature at which the humidity of the outside air is low and the outdoor heat exchanger 8 is difficult to be frosted. If the frost is not easily formed, the heating operation can be continued. ing. That is, the relationship between the outside air temperature T3 and the humidity tends to decrease as the outside air temperature T3 decreases. For example, if the humidity decreases to about 20%, frost hardly adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger 8, for example, the outside air temperature. When T3 falls below −5 ° C., the humidity becomes low and frost hardly adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger 8, so the continuous operation outside air temperature threshold T7 may be set to −5 ° C., for example.

Further, in step 104, it is further determined whether the set temperature difference ΔT6 is lower than the continuous operation set temperature difference threshold T8, which determines that the heating continuous operation priority operation is possible,
Set temperature difference ΔT6 <continuous operation set temperature difference threshold T8
In this case, the routine proceeds to step 105 so as to perform the operation with priority on the continuous heating operation. This continuous operation set temperature difference threshold T8 is a case where the set temperature difference ΔT6 between the set temperature T4 and the indoor temperature T5 lower than the set temperature T4 is relatively small. For example, the continuous operation set temperature difference threshold T8 is set to 4 ° C. It should be up to about.

  That is, when the set temperature difference ΔT6 is relatively small, the set temperature T4 takes a little longer than the normal heating operation even if the heating performance of the air conditioner is kept lower than that of the normal heating operation. It can reach the set temperature T4 in a time that is not bothered by the target, or it can be operated with a slightly lower capacity than the normal heating capacity that can reach the room temperature T5 that is slightly lower than the set temperature T4 but not to the user's concern. This is the case of the set temperature difference ΔT6.

  And when setting temperature difference (DELTA) T6 is lower than continuous operation setting temperature difference threshold value T8 in this way, the quantity of the frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 8 is operated by making heating capacity low by operating by suppressing heating capacity. Therefore, since the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 8 rises (does not decrease), frost adheres less than in the normal heating operation, so the time until defrosting becomes longer than in the normal heating operation is longer. Thus, the heating operation can be continuously performed rather than the heating operation. In addition, as an example of the operation | movement which suppresses heating capacity low, what is the blowing temperature by the indoor air blower 13 from the indoor unit 2 in the normal heating operation mode is 40 degreeC, for example, in the heating continuous operation priority mode, Operation is performed by lowering the number of revolutions than in the normal heating operation mode, and by lowering the condensation temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 11, for example, the blowout temperature of the air blown from the indoor unit 2 is controlled to be about 30 ° C. . By operating while suppressing the heating capacity in this way, the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 8 does not become too low, frost formation on the outdoor heat exchanger 8 is suppressed, and heating can be performed continuously, and the compressor Since the power consumption required for the operation of 6 is also reduced, an energy-saving air conditioner with high operating efficiency can be obtained.

  Next, the operation of suppressing the amount of frost attached to the outdoor heat exchanger 8 by operating while suppressing the heating capacity low and continuously performing the heating operation from the normal heating operation will be described in more detail. . In step 104, the outside air temperature T3 is lower than the continuous operation outside air temperature threshold T7 for which it is determined that priority can be given to continuous heating operation, or the set temperature difference ΔT6 is determined to be capable of priority for continuous heating operation. When lower than T8, the routine proceeds to step 105. In step 105, the outside liquid pipe temperature T1 detected by the outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature detection sensor 15 is monitored, and it is determined whether or not the continuous heating operation is possible in the operation state with little current frost adhesion. When the outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature T1 exceeds the continuous operation liquid pipe temperature threshold value T9, the amount of frost formation is small and the continuous operation is possible in the current operation state. Continue the heating operation to continue monitoring T1.

  The continuous operation liquid pipe temperature threshold value T9 may be set to a temperature at which the amount of frost formation on the outdoor heat exchanger 8 is still small and can be determined not to interfere with the heating operation, and is higher than the defrosting start temperature T2. As an example, when the defrosting start temperature T2 is −1.8 degrees, for example, the continuous operation liquid pipe temperature threshold T9 may be set to about −1 ° C. When the outer liquid pipe temperature T1 is lower than the continuous operation liquid pipe temperature threshold T9, the amount of frost formation on the outdoor heat exchanger 8 increases in the operation state as it is, and the continuous operation becomes impossible. Then, the operation is controlled so that the heating operation can be continued.

  In step 106, the temperature of the blown air blown out from the indoor unit 2 is reduced from 40 ° C. to 30 ° C. as described above, so that the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 8 is raised as much as possible to suppress frost adhesion. The operation frequency of the compressor 6 is lowered within a range where the heating capacity is little affected, and the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 8 is raised so that the outdoor heat exchanger 8 is not cooled too much, thereby enabling continuous heating operation. Then, the process proceeds to step 107. That is, since the heating set temperature T4 is, for example, about 28 ° C. at the highest, heating is possible even if the temperature of the air blown from the indoor unit 2 is reduced to about 30 ° C.

Note that the blowout temperature of the indoor unit 2 when the rotational speed of the compressor 6 is decreased and the condensation temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 11 is lowered is directly measured by, for example, providing a temperature sensor at the blowout port portion of the indoor unit 2. However, even if it is indirectly estimated by providing a sensor for detecting the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 11, it can be sufficiently detected, but from the test data and calculation of the air conditioner, how much of the compressor 6 It is possible to determine whether the rotational speed should be reduced.
Moreover, although the case where the blowing temperature is lowered from 40 ° C. to 30 ° C. has been shown, the blowing temperature when the blowing temperature is lowered is only required to be able to be heated, for example, the user's heating setting during the heating operation If the temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature T4, heating may be possible.

  In step 107, it is determined whether or not the defrosting operation is necessary based on the external liquid pipe temperature T1. When the outer liquid pipe temperature T1 exceeds the defrosting start temperature T2, the frost adhesion is still small and defrosting is unnecessary. Therefore, it is determined that the defrosting is not necessary, and the process returns to step 105, and then repeats. When the external liquid pipe temperature T1 is lower than the defrosting start temperature threshold value T2, frost formation on the outdoor heat exchanger 8 occurs to the extent that defrosting is necessary, and the defrosting operation is necessary, so the process proceeds to step 103. Then, the defrosting operation is performed in the same manner as in the normal heating operation mode, which is the normal heating operation. After the defrosting operation is completed, the process returns to step 100 to resume the heating operation.

FIG. 4A shows a heating normal operation mode that is the first heating operation mode, and FIG. 4B shows a room in which heating is performed in the heating continuous operation priority mode that is the second heating operation mode. It is a graph explaining an example of the change of room temperature. As shown in the figure, it takes a little time to reach the set temperature in the heating continuous operation priority mode in FIG. 4B in the case of FIG. 4A in the normal operation mode, but the defrosting operation is started. It can be seen that the heating operation that can be continued until the heating continuous operation priority mode in FIG. 4B can be continued longer than the heating normal operation mode in FIG. 4A.

  Further, in this way, the normal heating operation mode means that when the indoor temperature T5 is raised from the state where the indoor temperature T5 is lower than the heating set temperature T4 to the heating set temperature T4, the indoor unit 2 starts to reach the set temperature T5 earlier. For example, the heating temperature is set to 40 ° C. or higher, or blown out at a high temperature 10 ° C. higher than the heating set temperature T4. On the other hand, the heating continuous operation priority mode is operated under the same environmental conditions as the heating normal operation mode. In this case, the heating capacity is slightly lowered so that the temperature of the air blown from the indoor unit is low.

  In addition, when operating in the heating continuous operation priority mode as described above, when operating in the heating continuous operation priority mode, how much the time during which heating can be continued can be increased depends on the performance of the air conditioner It varies depending on the setting conditions of each judgment temperature and the indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, humidity, etc. during heating operation, but for example, the time until defrosting occurs when heating operation is performed in the normal heating normal operation mode. It may be possible to extend it to 80 minutes when it is operated in the heating continuous operation priority mode, while it was 60 minutes.

  Thus, the heating operation of the air conditioner is arbitrarily selected according to the user's preference to the heating normal operation mode which is the first heating operation mode and the heating continuous operation priority mode which is the second heating operation mode. Since the heating operation can be performed, the blowing air temperature of the indoor unit 2 is high in the normal heating operation mode, and the indoor temperature T5 can be quickly reached to the set temperature T4 to obtain a comfortable heating, and the indoor temperature T5 is set in the continuous heating operation priority mode. The time at which the set temperature T4 can be reached may be slightly later than the normal heating operation mode, but it is possible to select the operation in which the continuous operation time of the heating operation is long and comfortable heating can be performed until the defrosting operation starts. There is an effect that the comfortable heating can be performed according to.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the compressor 6 that compresses the refrigerant, the four-way valve 7 that switches the circulation direction of the refrigerant, the indoor heat exchanger 11, the expansion valve 9, and the outdoor heat exchanger 8 are connected by the refrigerant piping. It is an air conditioner that includes a heat pump type refrigeration cycle configured to be connected, and performs a defrosting operation for removing frost attached to the outdoor heat exchanger 8 by heating operation by switching the connection of the four-way valve 7, The heating operation method includes a heating normal operation mode that is a normal heating operation, and a heating continuous operation priority mode that can continue the heating operation time longer than the heating normal operation mode, and includes a heating normal operation mode and a heating continuous operation priority mode. Since the selection means (operation unit 5) that can be arbitrarily selected is provided, the heating normal operation mode and the heating continuous operation priority mode are selected according to the user's preference, and comfortable heating is obtained according to the user's preference. The effect of that is there.

  That is, according to the above embodiment, the compressor 6, the four-way valve 7, the indoor heat exchanger 11, the expansion valve 9 and the outdoor heat exchanger 8 provided in the indoor unit 2 are connected by the refrigerant pipe. An air conditioner that includes a heat pump type refrigeration cycle and performs a defrosting operation that melts frost and restores the heating capacity when frost adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger 8 due to the heating operation and the heating capacity decreases. The operation mode of the heating operation is a heating normal operation mode in which the normal heating operation is performed, and the heating capacity of the heating operation is lowered so that the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor unit 2 is lower than that in the case of operating in the heating normal operation mode. A heating continuous operation priority mode that suppresses frost adhesion to the outdoor heat exchanger 8 and can continue the heating operation time longer than the heating normal operation mode. Since the selection means 5 that allows the user of the heating operation to arbitrarily select the mode is provided, there is an effect that comfortable heating can be obtained according to the preference of the user by selecting the heating normal operation mode and the heating continuous operation priority mode. . In addition, there is an effect that an air conditioner capable of energy saving operation in the heating continuous operation priority mode is obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the rotation speed of the compressor 6 for setting the blowing temperature from the indoor unit 2 in the normal heating operation mode to a predetermined temperature such as 40 ° C., or in the heating continuous operation priority mode, for example. For example, the rotation speed of the compressor 6 for setting the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor unit 2 to a predetermined temperature such as 30 ° C. is the heating set temperature T4, the indoor temperature T5, the outdoor heat exchanger piping temperature T1, and the outdoor air temperature. According to various temperature conditions such as T3, it is preferable to read and use from data stored in a database in advance by a microcomputer of an air conditioner.

  Further, in the normal heating operation mode, the time from the start of the heating operation to the time when the defrosting is performed is determined by the microcomputer using the heating set temperature T4, the indoor temperature T5, the outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature T1, the outdoor air temperature T3, etc. When the standard time until defrosting operation is generally stored in a database according to various conditions such as temperature, and when operating in the heating continuous operation priority mode under similar conditions such as temperature By memorizing and comparing the time to start defrosting operation, it is understood that the time that heating can be continuously operated is longer when operating in the heating continuous operation priority mode than when operating in the normal heating operation mode. You may compare. In addition, the time from the start of the heating operation when actually operating in the normal heating operation mode to the time when the defrosting is performed is stored together with conditions such as various temperatures by the microcomputer, or the initial time stored in advance is stored. Re-store the value and compare the actual time to start the defrosting operation when operating in the heating continuous operation priority mode under the same temperature conditions, etc. You may make it understand that the time which can operate | move heating continuously when it drive | operates by continuous operation priority mode is long. Further, how long the heating continuous operation time has been made may be displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the air conditioner or the like so that it can be understood that comfortable heating is performed.

  Next, another example according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the heating operation of the air conditioner according to another example of the first embodiment. Since the configuration of the air conditioner is the same as that in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. Further, the flowchart of FIG. 5 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 3 only in the step 104b, and steps 100 to 103 and steps 105 to 107 are the same as the flowchart of FIG. 3, and detailed description of the same steps is omitted.

In the example of the flowchart of FIG. 3 described above, as the condition for shifting to the heating priority operation in the heating continuous operation priority mode, the outside air temperature T3 detected by the outside air temperature detection sensor 14 in step 104 and the heating set by the operation unit 5 serving as a selection unit. An example is shown in which it is determined whether or not heating continuous operation priority is possible based on a set temperature difference ΔT6 that is a difference between the set temperature T4 and the room temperature T5 detected by the room temperature detection sensor 16.
Outside air temperature T3 <continuous operation outside air temperature threshold T7
Or
Set temperature difference ΔT6 <continuous operation set temperature difference threshold T8
In either case, an example in which the heating continuous operation priority can be performed so that the heating operation can be continued for a long time and a comfortable heating operation can be performed has been shown. However, in the flowchart of FIG. so,
Set temperature difference ΔT6 <continuous operation set temperature difference threshold T8
Only in this case, the routine proceeds to step 105 so that the heating continuous operation priority operation is performed.

  Even in this way, similarly to the above example, when the set temperature difference ΔT6 that is the difference between the heating set temperature T4 and the room temperature T5 detected by the room temperature detection sensor 16 is small, the heating operation is performed rather than the normal heating operation. The effect that it can drive continuously is obtained similarly.

  Next, still another example according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioner showing another example according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the heating operation of another example of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The same parts as those in the above example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In this example, in contrast to the above example, as shown in FIG. 6, an infrared sensor 17, which is an example of a human detection unit that can detect the temperature of a floor of a room that air-conditions the indoor unit 2 or can detect the presence of a person. It has. Although there are many examples of commercialization of the human detection mechanism and configuration using the infrared sensor 17, the temperature difference between the human temperature and the room temperature is detected by the infrared sensor 17 so that the person can enter the room. It detects whether it is present or absent.

  And in the example of said embodiment, a user selects switching with the heating part normal operation mode which is the 1st heating operation mode, and the heating continuous operation priority mode which is the 2nd heating operation mode with the operation part 5. In this example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, in step 101b, the presence or absence of a person is detected by the infrared sensor 17, and when there is a person, the process proceeds to step 102 and normal heating is performed. The operation is performed, and if there is no person, the process proceeds to step 104 so as to determine whether priority is given to continuous heating operation. 7 is different from the flowchart in FIG. 3 only in the step 101b, and steps 100 and steps 102 to 107 are the same as those in FIG. 3, and detailed description of the same steps is omitted.

  As explained in the above embodiment, the heating continuous operation priority mode suppresses frost formation on the outdoor heat exchanger 8 by operating with the heating capacity lower than that in the normal heating operation mode, thereby continuously heating. In particular, since the power consumption required for the operation of the compressor 6 is reduced, an air conditioner with good operating efficiency can be obtained. That is, there is an effect that an energy-saving operation can be obtained in the absence of a person.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment showed what switches the heating normal operation mode and the heating continuous operation priority mode by the selection means (operation part) 5 or the person detection means (infrared sensor) 17, the selection means (operation part). 5 and the person detection means (infrared sensor) 17 are combined, and when there is a person, the operation is performed in the heating continuous operation priority mode or the heating normal operation mode selected by the selection means 5, and when there is no person, the heating continuous operation priority is given. Driving in the mode may be performed so that further energy saving operation can be performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the heating capacity can be efficiently and easily controlled by lowering the number of rotations of the compressor 6 as a means for suppressing the heating capacity lower than that in the normal heating operation mode in the continuous heating operation priority mode. Although what is lowered is shown, for example, the rotational speed of the indoor blower 13 is lowered to reduce the blown air amount, or the opening of the electromagnetic expansion valve 9 is widened to increase the refrigerant circulation amount to the outdoor heat exchanger 8. Thus, the heating operation capability may be reduced to suppress frost formation on the outdoor heat exchanger 8 and to extend the time during which the heating operation can be continued. In the heating continuous operation priority mode, the compressor 6, the indoor blower 13, and the electromagnetic expansion valve 9 may be combined to reduce the heating operation capability.

  Thus, according to the above embodiment, the compressor 6, the four-way valve 7, the indoor heat exchanger 11, the expansion valve 9 and the outdoor heat exchanger 8 provided in the indoor unit 2 are connected by the refrigerant pipe. An air conditioner that includes a configured heat pump refrigeration cycle and performs a defrosting operation that melts frost and restores the heating capacity when frost adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger 8 due to the heating operation and the heating capacity decreases. The heating operation mode is a normal heating operation mode in which the normal heating operation is performed, and the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor unit 2 is lower than that in the normal heating operation mode until the defrosting operation is started. The heating continuous operation priority mode, and the heating normal operation mode and the heating continuous operation priority mode are provided by the selection means 5 that allows the user of the heating operation to arbitrarily select the heating normal operation mode and heating. Continuous The effect is there that a comfortable heating can be obtained depending on the preference of the rolling priority mode selected by the user. In addition, there is an effect that an air conditioner capable of energy saving operation in the heating continuous operation priority mode is obtained.

  The compressor 6, the four-way valve 7, the indoor heat exchanger 11, the expansion valve 9 and the outdoor heat exchanger 8 provided in the indoor unit 2 are provided with a heat pump type refrigeration cycle configured by connecting refrigerant pipes, An air conditioner that performs a defrosting operation that melts frost and recovers the heating capacity when frost adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger 8 due to the heating operation and the heating capacity is reduced, and the operation mode of the heating operation is set to a normal mode. A heating normal operation mode in which heating operation is performed, and a continuous heating operation priority mode in which the air temperature blown out from the indoor unit 2 is lower than in the case of operating in the heating normal operation mode, and the time until defrosting operation is extended is increased. The person detection means 17 for detecting the presence or absence of a person in a room for heating is provided. When the person detection means 17 detects the presence of a person, the person is operated in the heating normal operation mode and there is no person. Detected that Since the case has to be operated in the heating continuous operation priority mode, there is an effect that the air conditioner can be obtained which can energy-saving operation in the heating continuous operation priority mode.

  In addition, an outdoor temperature detection sensor 14 for detecting the outdoor temperature T3, an outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature detection sensor 15 for detecting the pipe temperature T1 of the outdoor heat exchanger 8, and an indoor temperature detection sensor 16 for detecting the indoor temperature T5 are provided. In the heating continuous operation priority mode, when the outside air temperature T3 is lower than a predetermined continuous operation outside air temperature threshold T7, or a set temperature difference which is a temperature difference between the heating set temperature T4 and the room temperature T5 set by the user of the heating operation When ΔT6 is lower than the predetermined continuous operation set temperature difference threshold T8, the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor unit 2 is made lower than that in the normal heating operation mode, so it is comfortable in the normal heating operation mode and the continuous heating operation priority mode. Effective heating can be obtained and an air conditioner capable of energy-saving operation can be obtained.

  Further, in the heating continuous operation priority mode, the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor unit 2 is lowered by operating the compressor 6 at a lower speed. There is an effect that the thing which can reduce a heating capability well is obtained.

  In the heating continuous operation priority mode, when the outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature T1 decreases to a predetermined continuous operation liquid pipe temperature threshold T9 set higher than the defrosting start temperature T2 at which defrosting is performed, the rotation speed of the compressor 6 is increased. Since the operation is performed with lowering, the effect that the heating capacity can be efficiently reduced in the heating continuous operation priority mode can be obtained.

  In the heating continuous operation priority mode, the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor unit 2 is lowered by lowering the condensation temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 11, so that the heating continuous operation priority mode is further reduced. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a product that can efficiently reduce the heating capacity.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outdoor unit, 2 Indoor unit, 3 Refrigerant piping, 4 Connection wiring, 5 Operation part (selection means), 6 Compressor, 7 Four-way valve, 8 Outdoor heat exchanger, 9 Electromagnetic expansion valve, 10 Accumulator, 11 Indoor heat exchange 12 outdoor fan, 13 indoor fan, 14 outdoor temperature detection sensor, 15 outdoor heat exchanger piping temperature detection sensor, 16 indoor temperature detection sensor, 17 infrared sensor (human detection means).

Claims (10)

  A heat pump type refrigeration cycle configured by connecting a compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, an expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger through a refrigerant pipe, and the outdoor heat exchanger by heating operation Is an air conditioner that performs a defrosting operation that restores the heating capacity by melting the frost when the frost adheres to the heating capacity, and the heating operation mode is a normal heating operation mode. And heating continuous operation priority mode for lowering the temperature of the air blown from the indoor unit than when operating in the heating normal operation mode and extending the time until the defrosting operation is started, and the heating An air conditioner comprising a selection unit capable of arbitrarily selecting a normal operation mode and the heating continuous operation priority mode.   A heat pump type refrigeration cycle configured by connecting a compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, an expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger through a refrigerant pipe, and the outdoor heat exchanger by heating operation Is an air conditioner that performs a defrosting operation that restores the heating capacity by melting the frost when the frost adheres to the heating capacity, and the heating operation mode is a normal heating operation mode. And a heating continuous operation priority mode that lowers the temperature of the air blown from the indoor unit than when operating in the heating normal operation mode, and lengthens the time until the defrosting operation is started. If there is a person detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a person in the room to perform, and when the person detecting means detects that there is a person, it operates in the heating normal operation mode, and when it detects that there is no person Previous An air conditioner is characterized in that so as to operate in the heating continuous operation priority mode.   An outdoor temperature detection sensor for detecting the outdoor temperature T3, an outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature detection sensor for detecting the pipe temperature T1 of the outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor temperature detection sensor for detecting the indoor temperature T5, the heating continuous operation priority. In the mode, when the outside air temperature T3 is lower than a predetermined continuous operation outside air temperature threshold value T7, or a set temperature difference ΔT6 which is a temperature difference between the set heating set temperature T4 and the indoor temperature T5 is a predetermined continuous operation setting. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature difference is lower than a temperature difference threshold T <b> 8, an air temperature blown out from the indoor unit is lowered from the heating normal operation mode.   An outdoor temperature detection sensor for detecting the outdoor temperature T3, an outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature detection sensor for detecting the pipe temperature T1 of the outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor temperature detection sensor for detecting the indoor temperature T5, the heating continuous operation priority. When the set temperature difference ΔT6, which is a temperature difference between the set heating set temperature T4 and the indoor temperature T5, is lower than a predetermined continuous operation set temperature difference threshold T8, the mode is set from the indoor unit more than the heating normal operation mode. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blown air temperature is lowered.   In the heating continuous operation priority mode, the air temperature blown out from the indoor unit is lowered by operating at a lower rotation speed of the compressor. The air conditioner described.   In the heating continuous operation priority mode, when the outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature T1 decreases to a predetermined continuous operation liquid pipe temperature threshold T9 set higher than the defrosting start temperature T2 at which defrosting is performed, the rotation speed of the compressor The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the air conditioner is operated while being lowered.   The heating continuous operation priority mode is configured to lower the temperature of the blown air from the indoor unit by operating with the condensation temperature of the indoor heat exchanger being lowered. 4. The air conditioner according to 4.   In the heating continuous operation priority mode, when the outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature T1 is lowered to a predetermined continuous operation liquid pipe temperature threshold T9 set higher than the defrosting start temperature T2 at which defrosting is performed, the indoor heat exchanger The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the air conditioner is operated at a reduced condensation temperature.   In the heating continuous operation priority mode, the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor unit is lowered by operating at a lower rotation speed of the compressor. The air conditioner described.   An outdoor temperature detection sensor for detecting the outdoor temperature T3, an outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature detection sensor for detecting the pipe temperature T1 of the outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor temperature detection sensor for detecting the indoor temperature T5, the heating continuous operation priority. When the outdoor heat exchanger pipe temperature T1 is lowered to a predetermined continuous operation liquid pipe temperature threshold value T9 set higher than the defrosting start temperature T2 at which defrosting is performed, the operation is performed with the rotational speed of the compressor lowered. The air conditioner according to claim 9, which is configured as described above.

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