JP2014025635A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of heating the air for humidification using a humidification heat exchanger while suppressing a reduction in the capability of an indoor heat exchanger during a humidification operation at a time of heating.SOLUTION: The air conditioner includes: a refrigerant circuit 40 in which a compressor 31, a four-way valve 32, an indoor heat exchanger 21, a humidification heat exchanger 58, an electric expansion valve 34, and an outdoor heat exchanger 33 are connected in sequence; and a humidification unit 50 including a humidification rotor 52 and a suction/discharge fan 54. The humidification rotor 52 includes an attraction unit attracting water contained in the outside air, and a humidification part discharging the water attracted by the attraction unit to the air for humidification by heating the humidification part. The humidification heat exchanger 58 heats the humidification air by making heat exchange between a refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the humidification air during a humidification operation at a time of heating. The humidification part is heated by flowing the humidification air heated by the humidification heat exchanger 58 into the humidification part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner including a humidifier.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an air conditioner including a humidifier that supplies moisture to humidification air during humidification operation.

  For example, an air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-89903) is an air conditioner capable of performing a humidifying operation during indoor heating, and includes an indoor unit and an outdoor air conditioner. A unit and a humidifying unit (corresponding to a humidifying device). The humidification unit has a humidification rotor that adsorbs moisture in the air and releases the adsorbed moisture when heated. During humidification operation, the humidification unit contains humidification air containing moisture released from the humidification rotor. Supply it indoors. Further, the refrigerant circuit provided in the air conditioner is a heat exchanger different from the outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor air conditioning unit or the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit, and the humidifying air flowing through the humidifying unit is supplied to the refrigerant circuit. A rotor heating unit for heating is provided.

  By the way, the refrigerant circuit with which the air conditioner currently disclosed by patent document 1 is equipped with the high-temperature / high pressure refrigerant | coolant discharged from the compressor at the time of indoor heating is a rotor heating part (henceforth a heat exchanger for humidification). It passes through the indoor heat exchanger and then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger. For this reason, when the humidification operation is performed during heating, the heat exchange for the humidification heat exchanger always exchanges heat between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the humidification air, thereby reducing the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger. There is a problem of end up.

  Then, the subject of this invention is providing the air conditioning apparatus which can heat humidification air with the heat exchanger for humidification, suppressing the capability reduction of an indoor heat exchanger in the humidification operation at the time of heating. .

  An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a refrigerant circuit and a humidifier. A compressor, a four-way switching valve, an indoor heat exchanger, a first humidifying heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and an outdoor heat exchanger are sequentially connected to the refrigerant circuit. The humidifier has a moisture absorption part and a fan. The hygroscopic part includes an adsorbing part and a humidifying part. The adsorption unit adsorbs moisture in the outdoor air. The humidifying unit releases moisture adsorbed by the adsorption unit to the humidifying air when heated. The fan conveys humidifying air containing moisture released from the humidifying unit into the room. The first humidifying heat exchanger heats the humidifying air by exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger and the humidifying air in the humidifying operation during heating. Furthermore, the humidification part is heated because the humidification air heated with the 1st humidification heat exchanger flows into a humidification part.

  In the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, the humidifying air is heated by heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger and the humidifying air in the humidifying operation during heating. For this reason, humidification air can be heated using the heat | fever of the refrigerant | coolant after heat exchange was performed with the indoor heat exchanger which functions as a condenser. Therefore, in this air conditioner, in the humidifying operation during heating, before heat exchange is performed in the indoor heat exchanger, heat exchange for humidification is performed in comparison with a case where heat exchange is always performed in the humidification heat exchanger. Even if heat exchange is performed in the heat exchanger, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger.

  Thereby, in humidification operation at the time of heating, humidification air can be heated with a humidification heat exchanger, suppressing the capacity reduction of an indoor heat exchanger.

  An air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect, wherein the refrigerant circuit is provided with a first bypass path. The first bypass path is a first path between the indoor heat exchanger and the expansion mechanism. The first branch on the indoor heat exchanger side of the first humidifying heat exchanger and the expansion of the first humidifying heat exchanger. The second branch on the mechanism side is connected. The first bypass path is provided with a first check valve that blocks the flow of the refrigerant from the first branch side to the second branch side.

  In this air conditioner, the first check valve is provided in the first bypass path that connects the first branch and the second branch in the first path, so that in the humidification operation during heating, the first bypass path It is possible to prevent the refrigerant from flowing through. For this reason, in the humidification operation at the time of heating, all the refrigerants flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger can be flowed to the humidification heat exchanger. Therefore, in the humidifying operation during heating, the heat exchange efficiency in the humidifying heat exchanger can be improved as compared with the case where only a part of the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger flows into the humidifying heat exchanger. .

  An air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the second aspect, wherein a second check valve is provided in the second path. The second path is a path from the first branch to the second branch through the first humidification heat exchanger in the first path. The second check valve is provided between the first humidifying heat exchanger and the second branch. The second check valve blocks the flow of the refrigerant from the second branch to the first humidification heat exchanger.

  In this air conditioner, since the second check valve is provided between the first humidification heat exchanger and the second branch in the second path, the refrigerant flowing from the expansion mechanism side during cooling is It can be prevented from flowing to the first humidifying heat exchanger. For this reason, the heat absorption in the 1st humidification heat exchanger can be suppressed. As a result, the refrigerant can be passed through the indoor heat exchanger in a gas-liquid two-phase state after expansion, and as a result, a reduction in the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger can be suppressed.

  An air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the second aspect or the third aspect, and includes a second humidifying heat exchanger and a flow rate adjusting valve. The second humidifying heat exchanger can heat the humidifying air. The second humidifying heat exchanger is a heat exchanger different from the first humidifying heat exchanger. The flow rate adjusting valve can adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the second humidifying heat exchanger. The refrigerant circuit is provided with a second bypass path. The second bypass path connects the third path and the first path. The third path is a path from the compressor to the indoor heat exchanger via the four-way switching valve. Further, the second humidifying heat exchanger and the flow rate adjusting valve are provided in the second bypass path.

  Since this air conditioner includes the second humidification heat exchanger separately from the first humidification heat exchanger, compared to the case where the humidification air is heated only by the first humidification heat exchanger, The humidifying air can be further heated.

  An 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, wherein the humidifier heats the air flow path through which the humidification air flows and the humidification air. And a heater. In the air flow path, a heater is disposed on the downstream side of the air flow of the first humidifying heat exchanger.

  Since this air conditioner includes a heater, the humidifying air can be further heated as compared with the case where the humidifying air is heated only by the first humidifying heat exchanger.

  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, wherein the moisture absorption part is a region separate from the adsorption part and the humidification part, and the humidification air The reheating part which heats humidification air using the remainder of the heat of the humidification part heated by is included.

  In this air conditioner, since the moisture absorption part includes a reheating part for heating the humidification air, the humidification air is further heated as compared with the case where the humidification air is heated only by the first humidification heat exchanger. can do.

  In the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, humidification air can be heated by the humidification heat exchanger while suppressing a reduction in the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger in the humidification operation during heating.

  In the air conditioning apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the heat exchange efficiency in the humidifying heat exchanger can be improved in the humidifying operation during heating.

  In the air conditioner according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the heat absorption in the first humidifying heat exchanger can be suppressed, the refrigerant can be passed through the indoor heat exchanger in a gas-liquid two-phase state after expansion. It is possible to suppress a reduction in the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger.

  In the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the humidifying air can be further heated.

  In the air conditioner according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the humidifying air can be further heated.

  In the air conditioner according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the humidifying air can be further heated.

The front view of the air conditioning apparatus of this invention. The schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit with which an air harmony device is provided. Schematic of a humidification unit. The disassembled perspective view of a humidification unit. The figure for demonstrating each area | region of a humidification rotor. Schematic of the humidification flow path. The schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit with which the air harmony device concerning a modification (A) is provided. The schematic diagram of the channel for humidification concerning a modification (B). The figure for demonstrating each area | region of the humidification rotor which concerns on a modification (C). The schematic diagram of the channel for humidification concerning a modification (C). The schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit with which the air harmony device concerning a modification (D) is provided. The schematic diagram of the channel for humidification concerning a modification (D). The schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit with which the air harmony device concerning a modification (D) is provided.

  Hereinafter, an air-conditioning apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioner FIG. 1 is a front view of the air conditioner 10. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit 40 provided in the air conditioning apparatus 10. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the humidifying unit 50. In addition, in FIG. 2, the flow of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of heating is shown by the arrow. In FIG. 3, the second adsorption air intake port 51 c is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 is a pair-type air conditioner in which one outdoor unit 11 and one indoor unit 20 are connected in parallel by a refrigerant pipe. In addition to the cooling operation, the dehumidifying operation, and the heating operation, the air conditioner 10 includes a humidifying operation that humidifies the room, an air supply operation that supplies outdoor air to the room, and an exhaust operation that exhausts the indoor air to the outside. Etc. can be performed. In addition, although the air conditioning apparatus 10 of this embodiment is a pair type air conditioning apparatus, it is not limited to this, The multi-type air conditioning with which the several indoor unit 20 was connected to the one outdoor unit 11 It may be a device.

  The indoor unit 20 is a wall-mounted indoor unit that is installed on a wall surface of a room. The indoor unit 20 houses an indoor heat exchanger 21, an indoor fan 22, and the like inside.

  The indoor heat exchanger 21 is for exchanging heat with a refrigerant using indoor air as a heat source, and the indoor fan 22 generates an air flow that contacts the indoor heat exchanger 21, thereby exchanging the indoor air and the indoor heat. Heat can be exchanged with the refrigerant flowing through the vessel 21.

  The indoor fan 22 sucks indoor air into the indoor unit 20 from the air intake port 25a and blows out air after heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 21 from the air outlet 25b into the room. It is a fan to let you. In addition, the indoor fan 22 in this embodiment is a crossflow fan which produces | generates an air flow in the direction which crosses a rotating shaft by rotationally driving.

  In the indoor unit 20, one end of an intake / exhaust duct 15 described later is disposed. One end of the intake / exhaust duct 15 is, for example, on the downstream side of the air flow of the air intake port 25a in a state where the indoor fan 22 is rotated and an air flow is generated, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 It is arranged in the space upstream of the air flow.

  The outdoor unit 11 is installed outdoors, and includes a lower outdoor unit 30 and an upper humidification unit 50 as shown in FIG. In addition, in the outdoor unit 11 of this embodiment, the power supply of the outdoor unit 30 and the humidification unit 50 is unified.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 30 accommodates therein a compressor 31, a four-way switching valve 32, an accumulator 35, an outdoor heat exchanger 33, an outdoor fan 36, an electric expansion valve 34, and the like.

  The outdoor heat exchanger 33 is for exchanging heat with the refrigerant using outdoor air as a heat source, and the outdoor fan 36 generates an air flow in contact with the outdoor heat exchanger 33, thereby exchanging the outdoor air and the outdoor heat. It is possible to exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing through the vessel 33.

  The outdoor fan 36 is a fan for taking outdoor air into the outdoor unit 30, exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 33, and then discharging it to the outside of the outdoor unit 30. Note that the outdoor fan 36 in the present embodiment is a propeller fan driven by a fan motor.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the humidifying unit 50 includes a humidifying rotor 52, an adsorption fan 55, a flow path switching device 53, an intake / exhaust fan 54, and a humidifying heat exchanger 58. 51. Further, between the humidification unit 50 and the indoor unit 20, an intake / exhaust duct 15 capable of communicating the internal space of the humidification unit 50 and the internal space of the indoor unit 20 is provided. The humidifying unit 50 can exhaust the air taken in from the room to the outside through the intake / exhaust duct 15 and supply the outdoor air taken in from the room to the room. Further, the humidifying unit 50 can humidify the outdoor air and supply it to the room via the intake / exhaust duct 15.

  The air conditioner 10 includes a control device (not shown), and various devices included in the air conditioner 10 are operation-controlled by the control device.

(2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Schematic configuration of refrigerant circuit The air conditioner 10 mainly includes a compressor 31, a four-way switching valve 32, an indoor heat exchanger 21, an electric expansion valve 34, and an outdoor unit. A vapor compression refrigerant circuit 40 including a heat exchanger 33 and a humidifying heat exchanger 58 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerant circuit 40 includes a compressor 31, a four-way switching valve 32, an indoor heat exchanger 21, a humidifying heat exchanger 58, an electric expansion valve 34, and outdoor heat. The exchanger 33 is connected in order.

  The compressor 31 is an inverter type compressor having a variable rotation speed, and compresses the sucked gas refrigerant.

  The electric expansion valve 34 is a valve for adjusting the refrigerant pressure and the refrigerant flow rate between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 33. In this embodiment, the electric expansion valve 34 is employed as the expansion mechanism, but the expansion mechanism is not limited to this as long as the mechanism can adjust the refrigerant pressure, the refrigerant flow rate, and the like.

  The outdoor heat exchanger 33 is mainly composed of a heat transfer tube that is bent back and forth at both ends in the longitudinal direction and a plurality of fins inserted from the heat transfer tube. The outdoor heat exchanger 33 functions as an evaporator during heating operation, and functions as a radiator (condenser) during cooling operation.

  The indoor heat exchanger 21 is mainly composed of a heat transfer tube that is bent back and forth at both ends in the longitudinal direction and a plurality of fins inserted from the heat transfer tube. The indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a radiator (condenser) during heating operation, and functions as an evaporator during cooling operation.

  The humidification heat exchanger 58 is for exchanging heat with the refrigerant using outdoor air (humidification air described later) as a heat source, and exchanges heat between the outdoor air and the refrigerant flowing through the humidification heat exchanger 58. Can do. As shown in FIG. 2, the humidifying heat exchanger 58 of this embodiment is connected in series with the indoor heat exchanger 21, the outdoor heat exchanger 33, the electric expansion valve 34, etc. in the refrigerant circuit 40. During heating, the refrigerant flows in the order of the indoor heat exchanger 21, the humidifying heat exchanger 58, the electric expansion valve 34, and the outdoor heat exchanger 33.

  The four-way switching valve 32 constitutes a switching mechanism that changes the flow path of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 40. The four-way switching valve 32 is connected to the discharge part 31a of the compressor 31 and the indoor heat exchanger 21, and is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 33 and the suction part of the compressor 31 (solid line in FIG. 2). 2) (refer to the broken line in FIG. 2) in which the discharge portion 31a of the compressor 31 and the outdoor heat exchanger 33 are connected, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the suction portion of the compressor 31 are connected. The refrigerant circulation direction in the refrigerant circuit 40 is configured to be reversible.

  The accumulator 35 shown in FIG. 2 is for separating the liquid refrigerant and the gas refrigerant, and is provided in a refrigerant pipe connecting the suction portion of the compressor 31 and the four-way switching valve 32 in the refrigerant circuit 40. It has been.

(2-2) Configuration of Humidification Unit FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the humidification unit 50. Hereinafter, the configuration of the humidifying unit 50 will be described with reference to the drawings.

(2-2-1) Humidification unit casing The humidification unit casing 51 houses a humidification rotor 52, a heater 56, an intake / exhaust fan 54, a flow path switching device 53, an adsorption fan 55, and the like.

  The front surface (front surface) of the humidifying unit casing 51 is provided with an adsorption air outlet 51a and a first adsorption air intake port 51b each having a plurality of slit-shaped openings.

  The first adsorption air intake port 51 b is an opening through which outdoor air taken in from the outdoor in order to adsorb moisture to the humidification rotor 52. The adsorbing air outlet 51a takes in outdoor air that has been taken in from the first adsorbing air intake 51b and a second adsorbing air intake 51c, which will be described later, and has been adsorbed by the humidifying rotor 52, into the humidifying unit. It is an opening for discharging out of the casing 51.

  In addition, on the back surface of the humidifying unit casing 51, there are provided a second adsorption air intake port 51c and intake / exhaust port 51d formed of a plurality of slit-shaped openings (see FIG. 4). Similarly to the first adsorption air intake port 51b, the second adsorption air intake port 51c is an opening through which outdoor air taken in from the outside in order to adsorb moisture to the humidification rotor 52 passes. And in the humidification unit casing 51, the adsorption | suction flow path 70 which uses the 1st adsorption | suction air intake 51b and the 2nd adsorption | suction air intake 51c as an inlet_port | entrance, and uses the adsorption air blower outlet 51a as an exit is formed. Has been.

  The intake / exhaust port 51d is for separating outdoor air into the humidifying unit casing 51 during the humidifying operation or the air supply operation, separately from the first adsorption air intake port 51b and the second adsorption air intake port 51c. It is an opening. The outdoor air taken into the humidification unit casing 51 from the intake / exhaust port 51d passes through the humidification rotor 52 and then is heated by the heater 56, and further passes through the humidification rotor 52 toward the intake / exhaust fan 54. Flowing. In this way, in the humidifying unit casing 51, a humidifying channel 71 having the intake / exhaust port 51d as an inlet is formed separately from the adsorption channel 70. The humidifying channel 71 is connected to the intake / exhaust duct 15. For this reason, during the humidification operation or the air supply operation, the outdoor air taken in from the intake / exhaust port 51d flows through the humidification channel 71 and is supplied to the room through the intake / exhaust duct 15. On the other hand, during the exhaust operation, the indoor air taken in from the indoor unit 20 flows into the humidification flow path 71 through the intake / exhaust duct 15 and is exhausted to the outside through the intake / exhaust port 51d.

  The humidifying channel 71 is provided with a temperature sensor 90 for detecting the temperature of the air supplied into the room through the intake / exhaust duct 15. The temperature sensor 90 passes through the humidification rotor 52 via the heater 56 and detects, for example, the humidification rotor 52 in the humidification flow path 71 in order to detect the temperature of the air before being sucked into the intake / exhaust fan 54. And the intake / exhaust fan 54.

(2-2-2) Humidification rotor The humidification rotor 52 is a ceramic rotor having a honeycomb structure and has a substantially disk-shaped outer shape. The humidifying rotor 52 is rotatably provided and is driven to rotate by a rotor driving motor. Further, the main part of the humidification rotor 52 is fired from an adsorbent such as zeolite. Adsorbents such as zeolite have the property of adsorbing moisture in the contacting air and desorbing the adsorbed moisture by heating. In this embodiment, zeolite is used as the adsorbent, but silica gel, alumina, or the like can also be used as the adsorbent. Thus, the humidification rotor 52 can be reduced in size because the humidification rotor 52 is substantially disk shape.

(2-2-3) Heater The heater 56 is located above the humidification rotor 52 and is disposed so as to face the humidification rotor 52. The heater 56 heats outdoor air sent to the humidification rotor 52 in order to desorb moisture from the humidification rotor 52.

  The heater 56 includes a heater main body 56a including a plurality of heating wires as heating elements, a cover 56b disposed so as to cover the heater main body 56a from above, and one of the humidifying flow paths 71 disposed in the cover 56b. And a flow path forming part 56c constituting the part. The cover 56b has a semicircular shape in plan view (see FIG. 4). Further, the flow path forming portion 56c constitutes a substantially fan-shaped flow path in plan view, and when air flows in the direction A shown in FIG. 3, the heater body 56a is passed through the flow path. The rear outdoor air flows. Since the flow path forming portion 56c is disposed so as to face the humidification rotor 52, if heat is supplied to the outdoor air flowing through the flow path forming portion 56c, the outdoor air supplied with the heat is omitted in plan view. By flowing through the fan-shaped flow path and flowing into the humidification rotor 52, when the humidification rotor 52 is viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, a part of the humidification rotor 52 is always heated in a substantially fan shape.

(2-2-4) Intake / Exhaust Fan The intake / exhaust fan 54 is disposed on the side of the humidification rotor 52, and the flow of outdoor air that is taken in from the outdoor and sent to the indoor unit 20 and the indoor unit from the indoor 20 is a centrifugal fan assembly that generates a flow of room air that is taken into 20 and sent out of the room. In the case of sending outdoor air to the indoor unit 20, the intake / exhaust fan 54 allows the outdoor air to flow into the humidifying flow channel 71 from the intake / exhaust port 51 d and pass through the humidification rotor 52, and then the flow switching device 53 And the air flow which flows into the indoor unit 20 through the intake / exhaust duct 15 is produced | generated. At this time, air flows in the direction A shown in FIG. Further, the intake / exhaust fan 54 flows from the indoor unit 20 to the outdoor side through the intake / exhaust duct 15 and the humidification channel 71 from the intake / exhaust port 51d when the indoor air is discharged from the indoor unit 20 to the outdoor side. Generate air flow. At this time, air flows in the direction B shown in FIG. In addition, the intake / exhaust fan 54 in this embodiment is a turbo fan.

(2-2-5) Channel Switching Device The channel switching device 53 is arranged between the intake / exhaust fan 54 and the intake / exhaust duct 15. The flow path switching device 53 is connected to the intake / exhaust fan 54 and the intake / exhaust duct 15, supplied from the humidified flow path 71 and the intake / exhaust duct 15, and humidified flow path 71. It is possible to switch to a supply stop state in which the connection with the intake / exhaust duct 15 is released.

  In the supply state, the flow of outdoor air from the humidification flow path 71 to the intake / exhaust duct 15 or the flow of room air from the intake / exhaust duct 15 to the humidification flow path 71 is allowed. For this reason, in the air supply state, as shown in FIG. 3, outdoor air that is taken in from the intake / exhaust port 51d and flows through the humidification flow path 71 is supplied to the indoor unit 20 via the intake / exhaust duct 15, or the indoor unit 20 The indoor air that has flowed through the intake / exhaust duct 15 flows into the humidifying channel 71 and is exhausted to the outside through the intake / exhaust port 51d.

  On the other hand, in the supply stop state, the flow of outdoor air from the humidification flow path 71 to the intake / exhaust duct 15 or the flow of room air from the intake / exhaust duct 15 to the humidification flow path 71 is blocked. For this reason, in the supply stop state, outdoor air is not supplied into the indoor unit 20 or indoor air is not exhausted to the outside.

  In this embodiment, the flow direction of the air flowing in the humidifying flow channel 71 is switched between the A direction and the B direction shown in FIG.

(2-2-6) Adsorption Fan The adsorption fan 55 is configured such that the impeller 55a is rotationally driven by the fan motor 55b and generates a flow of outdoor air that passes through a portion of the humidification rotor 52 that does not face the heater 56. In other words, the suction fan 55 is sucked from the first suction air intake port 51b and the second suction air intake port 51c, flows through the suction flow path 70, and is discharged from the suction air blower outlet 51a to the outside. To generate a flow of outdoor air.

(2-3) Configuration of Control Device The control device included in the air conditioner 10 is connected to various devices included in the air conditioner 10, and performs operation control of various devices in order to perform indoor air conditioning. Various operations such as heating operation and cooling operation are executed. For example, when receiving a cooling operation instruction from the user, the control device drives the compressor 31, sets the state of the four-way switching valve 32 to the second state, and adjusts the valve opening degree of the electric expansion valve 34. In addition, the cooling operation is performed by driving the indoor fan 22 and the outdoor fan 36. In addition, upon receiving a heating operation instruction from the user, the control device drives the compressor 31, sets the state of the four-way switching valve 32 to the first state, and adjusts the valve opening degree of the electric expansion valve 34, And the heating operation is performed by driving the indoor fan 22 and the outdoor fan 36.

  Furthermore, when there is a humidification instruction from the user, the control device performs a humidification operation for supplying outdoor air positively humidified in the humidification unit 50 to the room. More specifically, the control device controls various devices included in the humidification unit 50, so that the humidified outdoor air generated in the humidification unit 50 is supplied into the room via the indoor unit 20. Specifically, when receiving a humidification instruction from the user, the control device sets the flow path switching device 53 to the supply state, rotationally drives the humidification rotor 52, the suction fan 55, and the intake / exhaust fan 54, and the heater 56 is driven. In addition, the humidification operation in this embodiment is performed simultaneously with the heating operation.

  Further, the control device adjusts the output of the heater 56 in accordance with the temperature of the air detected by the temperature sensor 90. In the present embodiment, the control device controls the output of the heater 56 in units of 1 W so that the temperature of the air detected by the temperature sensor 90 maintains a predetermined temperature (for example, 55 ° C.). For example, when it is determined that the temperature of the air detected by the temperature sensor 90 is higher than a predetermined temperature, the control device performs control to reduce the output of the heater 56 so that the temperature of the air approaches the predetermined temperature. When it is determined that the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, control is performed to increase the output of the heater 56 so that the temperature of the air approaches the predetermined temperature.

  Note that the output control of the heater 56 by the control device is not limited to this. For example, if the output of the heater 56 is controlled stepwise (for example, every W), it corresponds to each step. A temperature value is set, and the output stage of the heater 56 may be controlled based on the air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 90 and the set temperature value.

(3) Refrigerant flow during humidification operation The refrigerant flow during the humidification operation will be described below. As described above, since the humidification operation is performed simultaneously with the heating operation, during the humidification operation, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 40 in the same direction as during the heating operation.

  During the humidification operation, the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 31 reaches the indoor heat exchanger 21 via the four-way switching valve 32. The high-pressure gas refrigerant that has reached the indoor heat exchanger 21 exchanges heat between the indoor air blown by the indoor fan 22 in the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor air blown out from the humidification duct. As the refrigerant condenses, it heats the air and heats the room.

  Then, all the high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 flows into the humidifying heat exchanger 58. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the humidifying heat exchanger 58 exchanges heat with outdoor air in the humidifying heat exchanger 58 and then reaches the electric expansion valve 34.

  The liquid refrigerant that has reached the electric expansion valve 34 is decompressed by the electric expansion valve 34 and then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 33. In the outdoor heat exchanger 33, the flowing liquid refrigerant evaporates by exchanging heat with outdoor air. The evaporated gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 31 via the four-way switching valve 32 and the accumulator 35.

  As described above, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 40, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 21 can heat the room, and the humidifying heat exchanger 58 heats the outdoor air taken in from the intake / exhaust port 51d. be able to.

(4) Air Flow During Humidification Operation FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining three regions included in the humidification rotor 52. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the humidifying channel 71.

  Hereinafter, the flow of air during the humidifying operation will be described.

  During the humidification operation, the suction fan 55 is driven, air flows through the suction flow path 70 in the direction of arrows A11-A12 in FIG. The air flows in the direction of arrow A21-25. During the humidification operation, the humidification rotor 52 rotates in the direction of arrow Y in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  Further, hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, among outdoor air, outdoor air taken into the humidifying unit 50 from the first adsorption air intake port 51b and the second adsorption air intake port 51c is referred to as adsorption air. The outdoor air taken into the humidification unit 50 from the intake / exhaust port 51d is referred to as humidification air.

  The adsorption air taken into the humidification unit 50 from the first adsorption air intake port 51b and the second adsorption air intake port 51c flows in the direction of arrow A11 in FIG. . The adsorbing air flows through the adsorbing flow path 70, thereby passing through a region (hereinafter referred to as an adsorbing portion 52 a) of the humidifying rotor 52 that does not face the heater 56. Then, the suction air that has passed through the suction portion 52a of the humidification rotor 52 flows in the direction of arrow A12 in FIG. 3 and enters the suction fan 55 from the vicinity of the bell mouth 57 through the space surrounded by the bell mouth 57, The suction fan 55 blows out the humidification unit 50 from the suction air outlet 51a.

  On the other hand, the humidification air taken into the humidification unit 50 from the intake / exhaust port 51d goes to the humidification heat exchanger 58. The humidifying air that has passed through the humidifying heat exchanger 58 flows in the direction of arrow A21 in FIG. 3 and is adjacent to the adsorbing portion 52a of the humidifying rotor 52, and is the heater body 56a of the humidifying flow channel 71. It passes through a region on the upstream side (hereinafter referred to as a reheat portion 52c). Then, the humidifying air that has passed through the reheating portion 52 c of the humidification rotor 52 flows in the direction of arrow A <b> 22 in FIG. 3 and reaches the heater body 56 a of the heater 56. The humidifying air that has reached the heater main body 56a flows in the direction of arrow A23 in FIG. 3, and is a region different from the adsorbing portion 52a and the reheating portion 52c in the humidifying rotor 52 and faces the flow path forming portion 56c. It passes through the region (hereinafter referred to as the humidifying part 52b). Then, the humidifying air that has passed through the humidifying section 52b of the humidifying rotor 52 flows in the direction of arrow A24 in FIG. Thereafter, the humidifying air that has reached the flow path switching device 53 is returned to the flow path switching device 53 again via the intake / exhaust fan 54, flows in the direction of arrow A25 in FIG. It is conveyed to the machine 20.

  Here, the generation process of humidified air in the humidifying unit 50 will be described. The humidified air here refers to air containing moisture released from the humidification rotor 52 when the humidification rotor 52 is heated in the humidification air. Further, the region where the humidifying rotor 52 is at the highest temperature is the humidifying portion 52b of the humidifying rotor 52. Since moisture is released from the humidifying portion 52b, the humidifying portion 52b is included in the humidifying air for convenience of explanation. The air before passing is referred to as pre-humidified air, and the air after passing through the humidifying portion 52b is referred to as humidified air.

  During the humidification operation, the humidification rotor 52 rotates in the direction of the arrow Y shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. , Will be replaced in order. More specifically, when the humidification rotor 52 is rotated, the portion of the humidification rotor 52 that is the adsorption portion 52a becomes the humidification portion 52b, and the portion that becomes the humidification portion 52b becomes the reheat portion 52c, and the reheat portion The part which became 52c becomes the adsorption | suction part 52a again.

  When the adsorption air taken in from the first adsorption air intake port 51b and the second adsorption air intake port 51c passes through the adsorption portion 52a of the humidification rotor 52, the moisture in the adsorption air is adsorbed. It is adsorbed by the part 52a.

  On the other hand, the pre-humidified air taken in from the intake / exhaust port 51 d is heated by the humidifying heat exchanger 58 through which the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows and flows to the reheating unit 52 c of the humidifying rotor 52. More specifically, during the humidification operation, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 always flows into the humidification heat exchanger 58, and thus is taken into the humidification unit casing 51 from the intake / exhaust port 51d. The pre-humidified air is heated by exchanging heat with the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing through the humidifying heat exchanger 58 and flows to the reheating unit 52c.

  And the air before humidification which flowed to the reheating part 52c is heated by the heat which the reheating part 52c has, when passing the reheating part 52c. More specifically, since the humidifying rotor 52 rotates and the portion that was the humidifying portion 52b shifts to the reheating portion 52c, in the reheating portion 52c, the remaining heat of the humidifying portion 52b provided from the heater body 56a. Is used to heat the pre-humidified air. Thereafter, the pre-humidified air that has passed through the reheating part 52c is heated by the heater body 56a and then passes through the humidifying part 52b. At this time, the humidifying unit 52b is heated by the humidifying heat exchanger 58, the reheating unit 52c, and the pre-humidified air heated by the heater body 56a, so that the moisture adsorbed by the adsorbing unit 52a is removed from the pre-humidified air. Released (desorbed). As a result, the air before humidification becomes humidified air containing moisture adsorbed by the adsorption part 52a.

(5) Features (5-1)
In the above embodiment, the intake / exhaust fan 54 is rotationally driven during the humidification operation, whereby outdoor air is taken into the humidification flow path 71 from the intake / exhaust port 51d as humidification air. Since the humidification operation is performed simultaneously with the heating operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the humidification air exchange heat with the humidification heat exchanger 58 disposed in the humidification flow path 71. Thus, the humidifying air can be heated, and the humidifying air heated by the humidifying heat exchanger 58 flows into the humidifying part 52b of the humidifying rotor 52, whereby the humidifying part 52b can be heated. it can. In this way, in the humidifying operation during heating, the high-pressure refrigerant after the heat exchange is performed in the humidifying heat exchanger 58 in the indoor heat exchanger 21 functioning as a condenser flows. The air for humidification can be heated using the heat of the high-pressure refrigerant after the heat exchange is performed. Further, since the compressor 31, the indoor heat exchanger 21, the humidifying heat exchanger 58, and the electric expansion valve 34 are connected to the refrigerant circuit 40 provided in the air conditioner 10 in this order, in the humidifying operation during heating. The situation in which heat exchange is performed in the humidifying heat exchanger 58 before heat exchange is performed in the indoor heat exchanger 21 does not occur. For this reason, even if heat exchange is performed with the heat exchanger 58 for humidification, the capability reduction of the indoor heat exchanger 21 can be suppressed.

  As a result, in the humidifying operation during heating, the humidifying air can be heated by the humidifying heat exchanger 58 while suppressing a reduction in the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 21.

  In the present embodiment, the intake / exhaust fan 54 is rotationally driven during the humidification operation. However, if the intake / exhaust fan 54 is not rotationally driven, outdoor air is not taken into the humidification flow path 71 from the intake / exhaust port 51d. . Therefore, when the humidifying operation is not performed, that is, when only the heating operation is performed or when the cooling operation is performed, the outdoor air is taken into the humidifying flow channel 71 from the intake / exhaust port 51d. Therefore, even if the refrigerant flows through the humidifying heat exchanger 58, heat is not exchanged between the refrigerant and the outdoor air in the humidifying heat exchanger 58, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 or the outdoor heat exchanger 33 Capability reduction is less likely to occur.

(5-2)
In the said embodiment, the humidification unit 50 is provided with the heater 56 for heating the humidification air. For this reason, compared with the case where humidification air is heated only with the humidification heat exchanger 58, the temperature of humidification air can be raised. Therefore, even when the humidifying heat exchanger 58 alone cannot heat the humidifying air to a temperature necessary for sufficiently releasing moisture from the humidifying portion 52b, the humidifying air is further heated by the heater 56. Therefore, the possibility that the moisture content of the humidified air is insufficient can be reduced.

(5-3)
In the said embodiment, the humidification rotor 52 rotates, and the adsorption | suction part 52a, the humidification part 52b, and the reheating part 52c of the humidification rotor 52 are replaced in order. And the humidification air can be heated with the remainder of the heat of the humidification part 52b because the humidification air passes the reheating part 52c. For this reason, compared with the case where humidification rotor 52 does not have reheating part 52c and humidification air is heated only with humidification heat exchanger 58, humidification air can be further heated.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the humidification heat exchanger 58, the reheating part 52 c of the humidification rotor 52, and the heater 56 are arranged in this order in the humidification flow path 71 in the air flow direction of the humidification air. . For this reason, before heating with the heater 56, humidification air can be heated with the humidification heat exchanger 58 and the reheating part 52c. In this embodiment, the output of the heater 56 is controlled so that the temperature of the humidified air detected by the temperature sensor 90 becomes a predetermined temperature (for example, 55 ° C.). For this reason, when the temperature of the humidified air is higher than the predetermined temperature, the temperature of the humidified air can be brought close to the predetermined temperature by lowering the output of the heater 56. As a result, the power consumption in the heater 56 can be suppressed while maintaining the humidifying ability in the humidifying unit 50.

(6) Modification (6-1) Modification A
In the above embodiment, in the refrigerant circuit 40, the humidifying heat exchanger 58 is connected in series with the indoor heat exchanger 21, the outdoor heat exchanger 33, the electric expansion valve 34, and the like, and any of heating operation and cooling operation is performed. Also during the operation, the refrigerant flows through the humidifying heat exchanger 58.

  Instead, as shown in FIG. 7, in the first path 41 between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the electric expansion valve 34, the first branch B1 on the indoor heat exchanger 21 side of the humidifying heat exchanger 58 is provided. And a second branch B2 on the electric expansion valve 34 side of the humidifying heat exchanger 58 are provided, and the bypass path 41a is connected from the first branch B1 side to the second branch B2 side. A first check valve 37 for blocking the flow of the refrigerant may be provided. Since the first check valve 37 is provided in the bypass path 41a, all the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 can flow to the humidifying heat exchanger 58 during the heating operation. Therefore, in the humidification operation during heating, when only a part of the refrigerant flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 21 flows to the humidification heat exchanger 58, for example, the refrigerant circuit 40 is provided with the bypass path 41a. Compared with the case where the 1 check valve 37 is not provided, the heat exchange efficiency in the humidifying heat exchanger 58 can be improved.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, in the first path 41, the humidifying heat exchanger 58 in the second path 41 b that is the path from the first branch B <b> 1 to the second branch B <b> 2 through the humidifying heat exchanger 58. A second check valve 38 for blocking the flow of the refrigerant from the second branch B2 to the humidifying heat exchanger 58 may be provided between the second branch B2 and the second branch B2. In the second path 41b, the second check valve 38 is provided between the humidifying heat exchanger 58 and the second branch B2, so that the refrigerant flowing from the electric expansion valve 34 side during the cooling operation can be obtained. Instead of flowing to the humidifying heat exchanger 58, it flows to the indoor heat exchanger 21 through the bypass path 41 a. As described above, since the refrigerant flowing from the electric expansion valve 34 side during the cooling operation can be prevented from flowing to the humidifying heat exchanger 58, heat is not absorbed in the humidifying heat exchanger 58. As a result, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant expanded by the electric expansion valve 34 can flow to the indoor heat exchanger 21. Thereby, the capability reduction of the indoor heat exchanger 21 at the time of cooling operation can be suppressed.

(6-2) Modification B
In the above embodiment, the humidifying channel 71 is provided with the reheating part 52c on the downstream side of the air flow of the humidifying air in the humidifying heat exchanger 58, and the air flow of the humidifying air in the reheating part 52c. A heater 56 is disposed on the downstream side.

  Instead of this, the humidification flow path may be configured so that the humidification air that has passed through the humidification heat exchanger is sent to the heater without passing through the reheating unit. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the humidification flow path 271 may include three flow paths. More specifically, in addition to the first humidification flow path 271a having the intake / exhaust port 251da for taking in the humidification air (outdoor air) into the humidification unit casing and the intake / exhaust port 251da, the humidification air (outdoor) A second humidifying flow path 271b having an intake / exhaust port 251db for taking air) into the humidifying unit casing, a downstream end of the first humidifying flow path 271a, and a downstream end of the second humidifying flow path 271b. And a third humidification flow path 271c connected to the section. Here, “downstream” means downstream of the air flow of the humidifying air. The humidification heat exchanger 58 is disposed in the first humidification flow path 271a, and the reheating portion 52c of the humidification rotor 52 is disposed in the second humidification flow path 271b. Furthermore, a heater 56 is disposed in the third humidification flow path 271c. By configuring the humidification flow path 271 in such a configuration, the humidification air can be heated by the heater 56 after being separately heated by the humidification heat exchanger 58 and the reheating unit 52c. Thereby, since the humidification air can be heated using the humidification heat exchanger 58, power consumption in the heater 56 can be suppressed, and heat can be sufficiently taken from the reheating part 52c. It is possible to suppress a decrease in moisture adsorption efficiency in the portion 52a.

(6-3) Modification C
In the above embodiment, the humidification rotor 52 includes the adsorption unit 52 a that adsorbs moisture in the outdoor air, the humidification unit 52 b that releases the moisture adsorbed on the adsorption unit 52 a to the humidification air when heated, and the heater 56. It has three regions: a reheating unit 52c that heats humidifying air using the remaining heat of the supplied humidifying unit 52b. In the humidifying flow path 71, a reheating part 52c is arranged on the downstream side of the air flow of the humidifying air in the humidifying heat exchanger 58, and on the downstream side of the air flow of the humidifying air in the reheating part 52c. A heater 56 is disposed.

  Instead, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the humidification rotor 352 has an adsorption unit 352 a that adsorbs moisture in outdoor air, and the moisture adsorbed on the adsorption unit 352 a by heating is used as humidification air. A humidifying unit 352b that discharges, and the humidifying air that has passed through the humidifying heat exchanger 58 flows directly to the heater 56, and the humidifying air heated by the heater 56 flows to the humidifying unit 352b. A humidifying channel 371 may be configured.

  More specifically, the adsorbing portion 352a of the humidifying rotor 352 shown in FIG. 9 is a region of the humidifying rotor 352 that does not face the heater 56, as in the adsorbing portion 52a of the above-described embodiment. It is a portion through which the adsorption air taken into the humidification unit from the mouth and the second adsorption air intake port passes. And in the adsorption | suction part 352a, the water | moisture content contained in the air for adsorption | suction is adsorb | sucked. The adsorbing air that has passed through the adsorbing portion 352a is blown out of the humidifying unit by the adsorbing fan from the adsorbing air outlet. Further, the humidifying rotor 352 of the present modification is not provided with a region corresponding to the reheating part 52c of the humidifying rotor 52 of the above embodiment, and the adsorbing part 52a and the reheating part of the humidifying rotor 52 of the above embodiment. A region corresponding to 52 c is an adsorption portion 352 a of the humidification rotor 352.

  Further, the humidifying part 352b of the humidifying rotor 352 shown in FIG. 9 is a region facing the flow path forming part of the humidifying rotor 352, like the humidifying part 52b of the above-described embodiment, and is a humidifying unit from the intake / exhaust port 351d. This is the part through which the humidifying air taken in. Then, the humidified air 352b is heated by the heated humidifying air passing through the humidifying unit 352b, and the moisture adsorbed by the heating of the humidifying unit 352b is released to the humidifying air. Thereafter, the humidifying air (humidified air) containing moisture released from the humidifying unit 352b is sent to the indoor unit through the intake / exhaust duct.

  Next, the humidifying channel 371 will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the humidifying channel 371 is a channel from the intake / exhaust port 351d for taking in the humidifying air into the humidifying unit casing to the intake / exhaust duct, and the humidifying air flows through the inside. . Various devices are arranged in the humidification flow path 371 so that the humidification air taken in from the intake / exhaust port 351d flows in the order of the humidification heat exchanger 58, the heater 56, and the humidification unit 352b.

  Humidification air (pre-humidification air) taken in from the intake / exhaust port 351 d is directed to the humidification heat exchanger 58 and is heated by the humidification heat exchanger 58 to reach the heater body of the heater 56. The pre-humidified air that has reached the heater main body passes through the humidifying portion 352b of the humidifying rotor 352 after being heated by the heater main body. At this time, the humidifying unit 352b is heated by the humidifying heat exchanger 58 and the pre-humidified air heated by the heater main body, so that the moisture adsorbed by the adsorbing unit 352a is released to the pre-humidified air. As a result, the air for humidification (humidified air) containing the moisture adsorbed by the adsorption unit 352a is obtained. Thereafter, the humidified air reaches the flow path switching device, is returned to the flow path switching device again via the intake / exhaust fan 54, and is sent to the indoor unit via the intake / exhaust duct.

  By configuring the humidifying flow path 371 in this way, the humidifying air can be heated by the heater 56 after being heated by the humidifying heat exchanger 58. Thereby, since humidification air can be heated using the humidification heat exchanger 58, the power consumption in the heater 56 can be suppressed compared with the case where the humidification heat exchanger is not provided.

  Further, the humidification rotor 352 includes an adsorption unit 352 a and a humidification unit 352 b, and the humidification flow path 371 is configured so that the humidification air that has passed through the humidification heat exchanger 58 is directly sent to the heater 56. Therefore, the loss generated when the humidifying air passes through the reheat portion can be eliminated.

  Furthermore, when the humidification rotor 352 has the same size as the humidification rotor 52 of the above-described embodiment, the proportion of the adsorption portion 352a in the humidification rotor 352 is larger than that of the humidification rotor 52 of the above-described embodiment. More moisture can be adsorbed by the portion 352a. Moreover, compared with the case where the several flow path for humidification is provided like the said modification B, the air volume fall by a pressure loss can be suppressed.

(6-4) Modification D
In the above embodiment, only one humidifying heat exchanger for heating the humidifying air is provided, but a plurality of humidifying heat exchangers for heating the humidifying air may be provided.

  For example, separately from the humidification heat exchanger (hereinafter referred to as the first humidification heat exchanger 58) connected in series with the indoor heat exchanger 21, the outdoor heat exchanger 33, the electric expansion valve 34, and the like, the humidification air The second humidifying heat exchanger 59a that can heat the refrigerant may be connected to the refrigerant circuit 140. Below, the air conditioning apparatus 110 of this modification is demonstrated using figures.

(6-4-1) Schematic Configuration of Refrigerant Circuit The air conditioner 110 mainly includes a compressor 31, a four-way switching valve 32, an indoor heat exchanger 21, a first humidifying heat exchanger 58, A vapor compression refrigerant circuit 140 including an electric expansion valve 34, an outdoor heat exchanger 33, a second humidifying heat exchanger 59a, and a flow rate adjusting valve 59b is provided. The refrigerant circuit 140 includes a main refrigerant circuit 140a and a second bypass path 142 that branches from the main refrigerant circuit 140a and to which the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the main refrigerant circuit 140a includes a compressor 31, a four-way switching valve 32, an indoor heat exchanger 21, a first humidifying heat exchanger 58, an electric expansion valve 34, an outdoor The heat exchanger 33 is connected in order.

  The second bypass path 142 connects the first path 141 and the third path 143. The first path 141 is a path between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the electric expansion valve 34 in the main refrigerant circuit 140a. The third path 143 is a path from the compressor 31 to the indoor heat exchanger 21 via the four-way switching valve 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the second bypass path 142 includes a space between the four-way switching valve 32 and the indoor heat exchanger 21 in the third path 143, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 in the first path 141. The first humidifying heat exchanger 58 is connected. In addition, the connection location of the 2nd bypass path | pass 142 is not limited to this, For example, between the compressor 31 and the four-way switching valve 32 in the 3rd path | route 143, the indoor heat exchanger 21 in the 1st path | route 141, and the 1st Between the heat exchanger 58 for 1 humidification, you may connect.

  The second humidifying heat exchanger 59a is a heat exchanger different from the first humidifying heat exchanger 58, and, similar to the first humidifying heat exchanger 58, outdoor air is used as a heat source and a refrigerant. This is for heat exchange. The second humidifying heat exchanger 59a can heat the outdoor air by exchanging heat between the outdoor air and the refrigerant flowing through the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a.

  The flow rate adjusting valve 59b is an electric valve capable of adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a. Further, when the flow rate adjustment valve 59b is in an open state, a part of the refrigerant flowing through the third path 143 passes through the second bypass path 142 and joins with the refrigerant flowing through the first path 141. Even if the flow regulating valve 59b is fully opened, the second bypass path 142 has a smaller amount of refrigerant than the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 (for example, 50 minutes of refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21). 1) and the like.

(6-4-2) Configuration of Humidification Unit In the humidification unit casing 51 of the humidification unit 50, a humidification rotor 52, a heater 56, an adsorption fan 55, a flow path switching device 53, an intake / exhaust fan 54, and heat for the first humidification are provided. In addition to the exchanger 58, a second humidifying heat exchanger 59a and a flow rate adjusting valve 59b are accommodated.

(6-4-3) Configuration of Control Device A control device (not shown) included in the air conditioner 110 is connected to various devices included in the air conditioner 110, and various devices are used to perform indoor air conditioning. By performing the operation control, various operations such as a heating operation and a cooling operation are executed. Further, the control device controls the amount of heat exchange in the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a by adjusting the valve opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 59b.

  When receiving a humidification instruction from the user, the control device sets the flow path switching device 53 to the supply state, rotationally drives the humidification rotor 52, the suction fan 55, and the intake / exhaust fan 54, and drives the heater 56. In addition, the valve opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 59b is adjusted. The valve opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 59b is SC controlled according to the degree of refrigerant subcooling on the outlet side of the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a, for example. As a result, air (humidified air) having a moisture content higher than that of the outdoor air is generated, and a humidifying operation in which the air is supplied to the indoor unit 20 via the intake / exhaust duct 15 is performed. Also in the present modification, the humidifying operation is performed simultaneously with the heating operation, and the control device adjusts the output of the heater 56 according to the temperature of the air detected by the temperature sensor 90.

(6-4-4) Refrigerant Flow During Humidification Operation During the humidification operation, the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 31 reaches the indoor heat exchanger 21 via the four-way switching valve 32, or four On the way from the path switching valve 32 to the indoor heat exchanger 21, it flows to the second bypass path 142.

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant that has reached the indoor heat exchanger 21 exchanges heat between the indoor air blown by the indoor fan 22 in the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor air blown out from the humidification duct. As the refrigerant condenses, it heats the air and heats the room. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 flows into the first humidifying heat exchanger 58. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the first humidifying heat exchanger 58 reaches the electric expansion valve 34 after exchanging heat with outdoor air in the first humidifying heat exchanger 58.

  The liquid refrigerant that has reached the electric expansion valve 34 is decompressed by the electric expansion valve 34 and then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 33. In the outdoor heat exchanger 33, the flowing liquid refrigerant evaporates by exchanging heat with outdoor air. The evaporated gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 31 via the four-way switching valve 32 and the accumulator 35.

  On the other hand, the high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the second bypass path 142 flows into the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a. In the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a, after heat exchange with outdoor air, the refrigerant flows through the first path 141 through the flow rate adjustment valve 59b.

  As described above, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 140, so that the indoor heat exchanger 21 can heat the room, and the first humidifying heat exchanger 58 and the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a intake and exhaust air. The outdoor air taken in from the mouth 51d can be heated.

(6-4-5) Flow of humidification air during humidification operation FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of the humidification flow path 171. Hereinafter, the flow of humidification air during the humidification operation will be described.

  The humidification air taken into the humidification unit 50 from the intake / exhaust port 151d is first directed to the first humidification heat exchanger 58. The humidifying air heated by the first humidifying heat exchanger 58 is further heated by the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a when passing through the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a. The humidifying air heated by the first humidifying heat exchanger 58 and the second humidifying heat exchanger 59 a is further heated when passing through the reheating part 52 c of the humidifying rotor 52. The humidifying air that has passed through the reheating unit 52 c reaches the heater body 56 a of the heater 56. The humidifying air that has reached the heater body 56 a is further heated and then passes through the humidifying portion 52 b of the humidifying rotor 52. At this time, the humidification part 52b of the humidification rotor 52 is heated and adsorbed by the humidification air heated by the first humidification heat exchanger 58, the second humidification heat exchanger 59a, the reheating part 52c, and the heater body 56a. The moisture adsorbed by the part 52a is released to the humidifying air. Then, the humidifying air that has passed through the humidifying section 52 b reaches the flow path switching device 53. Thereafter, the humidifying air that has reached the flow path switching device 53 is returned again to the flow path switching device 53 via the intake / exhaust fan 54, and is sent to the indoor unit 20 via the intake / exhaust duct 15.

  In the air conditioner 110, as the heat exchanger for heating the humidifying air, the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a is provided separately from the first humidifying heat exchanger 58, so that the above-described implementation is performed. Compared to the case where the humidification air is heated only by the first humidification heat exchanger 58 as in the form, the humidification air can be further heated. As described above, in the air conditioner 110, the heat of the refrigerant is recovered on the upstream side and the downstream side of the indoor heat exchanger 21 that functions as a condenser during the heating operation, and the recovered heat is reduced to the input to the heater 56. Can be used.

  Further, a second humidifying heat exchanger 59a is provided in the second bypass path 142 branched from the main refrigerant circuit 140a, and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing to the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a is adjusted by the flow rate adjusting valve 59b. Therefore, the heating capacity of the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a can be adjusted without being affected by the state of the refrigerant flowing through the main refrigerant circuit 140a (refrigerant temperature, refrigerant amount, etc.).

  Since the heating capacity of the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a can be adjusted by adjusting the valve opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 59b, a certain amount of heat is secured in the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a. be able to. As a result, the amount of input reduction to the heater 56 is stabilized, so that the heating capability of the second heating heat exchanger 59a and the output of the heater 56 can be controlled in conjunction with each other.

  Further, in the first path 141 between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the electric expansion valve 34 as in the refrigerant circuit 140 shown in FIG. 13, the first humidifying heat exchanger 58 on the indoor heat exchanger 21 side. A bypass path (hereinafter referred to as a first bypass path 141a) that connects the first branch B1 and the second branch B2 on the electric expansion valve 34 side of the first humidifying heat exchanger 58 is provided, and the first bypass The path 141a is provided with a first check valve 37 for blocking the flow of the refrigerant from the first branch B1 side to the second branch B2 side, and the first humidification heat from the first branch B1 of the first path 141 is provided. In the second path 141b, which is a path from the second branch B2 to the second branch B2 via the exchanger 58, the second humidification heat exchanger 58 and the second branch B2 are connected to the first humidification heat exchanger 58 from the second branch B2. A second check valve 38 for blocking the flow of refrigerant to It may be. In this case, if the humidification rotor 52 does not include the reheating part 52c, the input to the heater 56 is 496 W in the desktop calculation (simulation). On the other hand, the air conditioning apparatus 110 of the present embodiment does not include the second bypass path 142, the first humidification heat exchanger 58, the second humidification heat exchanger 59a, and the flow rate adjustment valve 59b, and does not include the humidification rotor. The input to the heater in the air conditioner (hereinafter referred to as a control air conditioner) in which 52 does not include the reheat unit 52c is 800W.

  Moreover, in the air conditioning apparatus 110 of this embodiment, the input required for heat exchange with the 1st humidification heat exchanger 58 is 20W, and it is necessary for heat exchange with the 2nd humidification heat exchanger 59a. Since the input is 18 W, the total input amount required to generate humidified air can be reduced by 33% compared to the control air conditioner.

  In addition, this desk calculation was performed on the conditions that the outdoor air temperature is 7 degreeC and the outdoor air contains sufficient water | moisture content in the air conditioning apparatus 110 of 200V.

  Moreover, in the air conditioning apparatus 110 of this embodiment, compared with a control air conditioning apparatus, in order to flow a refrigerant | coolant to the 1st humidification heat exchanger 58, it is necessary to raise the capability of the compressor 31 to 123W, 2nd In order to allow the refrigerant to flow through the humidifying heat exchanger 59a, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the compressor 31 by 105W. On the other hand, when the temperature of the outdoor air is 7 ° C., the air after passing through the first humidifying heat exchanger 58 becomes 19.5 ° C., and the air after passing through the second humidifying heat exchanger 59a is The air after passing through the heater 56 becomes 105 ° C., and the air after passing through the humidifying portion 52b of the humidifying rotor 52 becomes 55 ° C. Further, the air flowing through the intake / exhaust fan 54 becomes 45 ° C., and the air blown out from the intake / exhaust duct 15 to the indoor unit 20 becomes 35 ° C./80% Rh. For this reason, even if there is a heat loss of about 10% to 15% on the outdoor unit 11 side and about 20% on the intake / exhaust duct 15, 70% of the increase in capacity of the compressor 31 can be recovered indoors.

(6-5) Modification E
In the above embodiment, the humidifying unit 50 includes the heater 56 for heating the humidifying air. However, it is necessary to sufficiently release moisture from the humidifying part 52b only by heat exchange in the humidifying heat exchanger. As long as the humidification air can be heated to a temperature, the humidification unit may be configured not to include a heater.

  The present invention provides an air conditioner capable of performing a humidification operation because humidification air can be heated by a humidification heat exchanger while suppressing a reduction in the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger in a humidification operation during heating. Application to is effective.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Air conditioning apparatus 21 Indoor heat exchanger 31 Compressor 32 Four-way switching valve 33 Outdoor heat exchanger 34 Electric expansion valve (expansion mechanism)
37 First check valve 38 Second check valve 40 Refrigerant circuit 41 First path 41a Bypass path / first bypass path (first bypass path)
41b 2nd path | route 52 Humidification rotor (humidity absorption part)
52a Adsorption part 52b Humidification part 52c Reheating part 54 Intake / exhaust fan (fan)
56 Heater 58 Humidification Heat Exchanger / First Humidification Heat Exchanger (First Humidification Heat Exchanger)
59a 2nd humidification heat exchanger 59b Flow control valve 71 Humidification flow path (air flow path)
142 Second bypass route 143 Third route

JP 2002-89903 A

Claims (6)

Compressor (31), four-way switching valve (32), indoor heat exchanger (21), first humidification heat exchanger (58), expansion mechanism (34), outdoor heat exchanger (33 ) And the refrigerant circuit (40) connected in order,
The moisture absorption part (52) including an adsorption part (52a) that adsorbs moisture in outdoor air, and a humidification part (52b) that discharges moisture adsorbed on the adsorption part to humidification air when heated, and the humidification A humidifier (50) having a fan (54) for transporting the humidifying air containing moisture released from the section into the room,
With
In the humidifying operation during heating, the first humidifying heat exchanger heats the humidifying air by exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger and the humidifying air,
The humidification part is heated by flowing the humidification air heated by the first humidification heat exchanger to the humidification part.
Air conditioner (10). The refrigerant circuit includes a first branch (B1) on the indoor heat exchanger side of the first humidifying heat exchanger in a first path (41) between the indoor heat exchanger and the expansion mechanism. A first bypass path (41a) connecting the second branch (B2) on the expansion mechanism side of the first humidifying heat exchanger,
The first bypass path is provided with a first check valve (37) for blocking a refrigerant flow from the first branch side to the second branch side.
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1. In the first path, the second path (41b) from the first branch through the first humidification heat exchanger to the second branch has the first humidification heat exchanger and the second branch. A second check valve (38) for blocking the flow of refrigerant from the second branch to the first humidifying heat exchanger is provided between
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 2. A second humidifying heat exchanger (59a) separate from the first humidifying heat exchanger capable of heating the humidifying air;
A flow rate adjusting valve (59b) capable of adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the second humidifying heat exchanger;
Further comprising
The refrigerant circuit is provided with a second bypass path (142) that connects the third path (143) from the compressor to the indoor heat exchanger via the four-way switching valve and the first path. And
The second humidifying heat exchanger and the flow rate adjusting valve are provided in the second bypass path,
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. The humidifier is
An air flow path (71) through which the humidifying air flows;
A heater (56) for heating the humidifying air;
Have
In the air flow path, the heater is disposed on the air flow downstream side of the first humidifying heat exchanger,
The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The moisture absorption part is a region different from the adsorption part and the humidification part, and uses the remaining heat of the humidification part heated by the humidification air to reheat the humidification air. Including (52c),
The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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