JP2014109415A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of achieving energy-saving control without impairing comfort by performing humidity control according to the number of people present detected by a human detection sensor installed in the indoor space and the estimated number of people present which is input in an indoor remote control.SOLUTION: An air conditioner comprises: an indoor unit which has a blower for sending air to the indoor space, and an evaporator; a human detection sensor which detects the number of people present in the indoor space; dehumidification means which performs dehumidification in the indoor space by using the blower and the evaporator; an outdoor unit which is connected to the indoor unit by cooling medium piping; an indoor remote control which communicates with the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, receives an operation of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and receives an input operation of the estimated number of people present in the indoor space; and humidity control means which controls the dehumidification means according to the number of people present detected by the human detection sensor and the estimated number of people present input in the indoor remote control.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner provided with a humidity control means for adjusting a humidity set value.

  Conventionally, an air conditioner in an air conditioner detects the number of people information from the number detection device installed in each room at the time of demand control, and weights the demand control amount for each air conditioner to keep the temperature of each room constant. Control to keep it at. (See Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-335164 (paragraphs 0022-0025, FIG. 3)

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the number of people in the indoor space is detected, and the set temperature is preferentially adjusted higher from the space where the number of people in the room is small, and demand control is performed to reduce the cooling operation rate.
For this reason, when there are many attendants, even if the temperature is the same, the relative humidity increases, and there is a problem that the discomfort index increases and the comfort is impaired.

  In order to solve the problems of the prior art, the present invention compares the estimated number of people input from the remote controller by the user with the number of people detected from the presence sensor, and determines the humidity according to the approximate number of people present and the number of people present. Since the humidity is controlled by adjusting the set value, it aims to realize energy saving control without impairing comfort.

The air conditioner of the present invention is
An indoor unit having a blower and an evaporator for blowing air into the indoor space;
A human sensor for detecting the number of people in the indoor space;
Dehumidifying means for dehumidifying the indoor space using the blower and the evaporator;
An outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit by a refrigerant pipe;
An indoor remote controller that communicates with the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, receives an operation of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and receives an input operation of an estimated number of people in the indoor space;
Humidity control means for controlling the dehumidifying means in accordance with the number of seats detected by the human sensor and the number of seating standards input to the indoor remote controller;
It is an air conditioning apparatus characterized by comprising.

The air conditioner of the present invention is
Humidity control is performed in accordance with the number of people in the seat detected by the human sensor and the number of people in the seat that is input to the indoor remote controller, so that energy saving control can be realized without impairing comfort.

The block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1 is shown. A schematic diagram of a wet air diagram 200 for humidity control is shown. 1 shows a flow chart F100 for adjusting a humidity set value H according to a first embodiment. 10 shows a flow chart F200 for adjusting a humidity set value H according to the second embodiment. 10 shows a flowchart F300 for adjusting a humidity set value H according to a third embodiment. 10 shows a flow chart F400 for adjusting a humidity set value H according to a fourth embodiment. The block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus 500 which concerns on Embodiment 5 is shown. The block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus 600 which concerns on Embodiment 6 is shown. Sectional drawing of the internal structure of the indoor unit 602 which concerns on Embodiment 6 is shown. Sectional drawing of the internal structure of the reheater 607 which concerns on Embodiment 6 is shown. 10 shows a flow chart F600 for adjusting a humidity set value H according to a sixth embodiment.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The air conditioner 100 of the present invention includes:
Two units installed on the side wall or ceiling of the indoor space 101 made up of one room and having a cooling and dehumidifying function by blowers 117A and 117B (dehumidifying means described later) and evaporators 118A and 118B (dehumidifying means described later) provided inside. Indoor units 102A and 102B,
An inlet (not shown) provided in the indoor units 102A and 102B and configured to suck the intake air 103 from the indoor space 101; and an outlet 110A and 110B formed so as to blow air into the indoor space 101;
Human sensors 111A and 111B that are installed near the air outlets 110A and 110B and detect the number of people in the indoor space 101;
An outdoor unit 113 installed outside the indoor space 101;
Installed outside the indoor space 101,
A shunt controller 109 that is connected and disposed between the indoor units 102A and 102B and the outdoor unit 113, and controls the flow of the refrigerant;
A refrigerant pipe 114 connected between the indoor units 102A and 102B and the diversion controller 109 and filled with a refrigerant;
A refrigerant pipe 115 connected between the outdoor unit 113 and the diversion controller 109 and filled with a refrigerant;
Indoor remote controllers 108A and 108B for communicating with the indoor units 102A and 102B and inputting the number of people in the indoor space 101,
A communication line 130 that communicates and connects the indoor remote controllers 108A and 108B and the indoor units 102A and 102B, and further communicates and connects the indoor units 102A and 102B and the outdoor unit 113 to transmit and receive signals related to the operation state and operation control. ,
An outdoor unit control device 112 (humidity control means) that is disposed inside the outdoor unit 113, communicates with the indoor units 102A and 102B, and controls operation of power consumption, air volume setting, and refrigerant flow;
Consists of

The configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.
The two indoor units 102A and 102B are installed on the side wall or ceiling of the indoor space 101 made up of one room.
The indoor unit 102A has a blower 117A and an evaporator 118A disposed therein, and has a cooling and dehumidifying function. Similarly, the indoor unit 102B has a blower 117B and an evaporator 118B disposed therein, and has a cooling and dehumidifying function.

The indoor units 102 </ b> A and 102 </ b> B are formed with suction ports (not shown) formed so as to suck the suction air 103 from the indoor space 101.
The indoor units 102A and 102B are formed with air outlets 110A and 110B formed so as to blow air into the indoor space 101.
The suction port and the air outlets 110A and 110B may have any shape.

The human sensors 111A and 111B are installed in the vicinity of the air outlets 110A and 110B, and have a plurality of sensing axes for detecting a person. have.
The human sensors 111A and 111B may be a mechanism that can be swung vertically and horizontally, for example, so as to detect the number of people in a wide range.

For example, infrared sensors are applied to the human sensors 111A and 111B.
The number of people in the assigned area is detected by receiving infrared light, which is light in the infrared region, from an object and converting it into an electrical signal.

  In addition to the infrared sensor, the human sensors 111A and 111B receive light other than infrared light, which is light in the CCD infrared region, as long as they can detect the number of people in the indoor space 101. You may use the sensor converted into.

  The shunt controller 109 and the outdoor unit 113 are generally installed outside the indoor space 101.

  Each of the indoor units 102A and 102B is connected to the shunt controller 109 by a refrigerant pipe 114 filled with a refrigerant, and circulates the refrigerant.

  The outdoor unit 113 is connected to the shunt controller 109 by a refrigerant pipe 115 filled with a refrigerant therein, and circulates the refrigerant.

  The diversion controller 109 controls diversion of the refrigerant flow to the indoor units 102A and 102B.

An outdoor unit control device 112 is arranged inside the outdoor unit 113.
The outdoor unit control device 112 includes an electric circuit formed by electrically connecting electronic components such as a microcomputer, a resistor, and a capacitor. The outdoor unit control device 112 communicates with the indoor units 102A and 102B to control the operation of electric power used, air volume setting, and refrigerant flow.

  The outdoor unit control device 112 detects the number of people in the assigned area obtained by the human sensors 111A and 111B, and calculates the number of people in the indoor space 101 as a whole.

The communication line 130 connects the indoor remote controllers 108A and 108B and the indoor units 102A and 102B for communication. Furthermore, the indoor units 102A and 102B and the outdoor unit 113 are connected for communication.
The communication line 130 transmits and receives signals related to the operation state and operation control of the indoor units 102A and 102B and the outdoor unit 113.

  The number of people in the assigned area detected by the human sensors 111A and 111B is transmitted to the outdoor unit control device 112 disposed in the outdoor unit 113 through the communication line 130.

  The indoor remote controllers 108A and 108B accept the target temperature in the indoor space 101 and the operation mode (the operation of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit), as well as the input of the estimated number of seats.

  In the first embodiment, the indoor remote controllers 108A and 108B may be replaced with mobile terminals such as smartphones and mobile phones that are not fixedly installed in the indoor space 101. In this case, the wired connection for exchanging signals relating to the operation state and operation control between the indoor remote controllers 108A and 108B and the indoor units 102A and 102B is replaced with a wireless system.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a wet air diagram 200 relating to humidity control in the indoor space 101.

  The “humid air diagram” is a plot of the state points when the humid air is in various temperatures and humidity states in the indoor space 101 on a two-dimensional coordinate with the horizontal axis representing temperature and the vertical axis representing humidity. It is a chart.

  In the graph of FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents the dry bulb temperature [° C.] of the moisture meter, and the vertical axis represents the absolute humidity [kg / kg]. Two curves drawn in the graph indicate a 100% RH curve and a 50% RH curve, which are relative humidity [%] in the indoor space 101.

The relative humidity [%] in the indoor space 101 is calculated by a calculation formula of relative humidity = water vapor partial pressure / saturated water vapor pressure × 100 [%].
Here, the partial pressure of water vapor is the partial pressure of water vapor in the indoor space 101. When the partial pressure of water vapor is equal to the saturated water vapor pressure, the relative humidity is 100 [%]. Called “air”. Further, when the humid air is in the “saturated air” state, the dry bulb temperature and the wet bulb temperature become equal, and the dry bulb temperature = the wet bulb temperature.

As for the movement of the state point in FIG. 2, in FIG. 1, in the indoor space 101, the intake air 103 taken from the room passes through the evaporator 118 included therein, and then moves the state point on the curve. Cooling dehumidification is performed from the relative humidity Hin to the target relative humidity H1.

For example, consider the case where the relative humidity H of the intake air 103 is H = Hin and the intake temperature Tin is Tin = 30 ° C. in the indoor space 101.
As the air temperature of the intake air 103 is lowered, the state point shifts to the left, approaches the dew point temperature, and violates the 100% RH curve.
When the dew point temperature is reached, moisture in the air starts to dew on the evaporator 118 and water droplets are generated. Thereby, dehumidification of the air in the indoor space 101 is achieved.

  As described above, the principle of cooling and dehumidification utilizes the fact that the humid air is cooled to the dew point temperature or less to condense and the humid air in the indoor space 101 can be dehumidified.

Conversely, consider the case where the relative humidity H in the indoor space 101 is H = H1, and the blowing temperature T1 is T1 = 20 ° C.
When the temperature of the air in the indoor space 101 is increased to Tout = 25 ° C., the state point shifts to the right, moves away from the dew point temperature, and shifts from the 100% RH curve to the vicinity of the 50% RH curve. Thereby, the water | moisture content in air turns into water vapor | steam, and the relative humidity in the indoor space 101 falls to about 50%.

  A specific procedure for controlling the humidity in the indoor space 101 in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart F100 for adjusting the humidity setting value H in the indoor space 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. While FIG. 1

Now, it is assumed that the user is present in the indoor space 101 near the indoor unit 102A.
The indoor units 102A and 102B are first operating at a target humidity setting value H.
First, the user performs an input operation on the indoor remote controller 108A that is communicably connected to the indoor unit 102A located at the closest position, and inputs the “estimated number of people in the room” 101 (step S101).

Then, information related to “the number of people who are present” in the indoor space 101 is transmitted to the outdoor unit control device 112 via the communication line 130.
The outdoor unit control device 112 issues a control start instruction to the human sensors 111A and 111B installed in the vicinity of the outlets 110A and 110B.
The human sensors 111A and 111B start detecting the number of people in the indoor space 101 (step S102).

  The outdoor unit control device 112 compares the number of people in the entire indoor space 101 detected by the human sensors 111A and 111B and the “estimated number of people in the seat” input by the user by operating the indoor remote controller 108A. Start (step S103).

In the first determination (S103), if the comparison result between the number of people present and the “number of people at present” is “number of people at present”> “reference number of people at present”, the “number of people at present” in the indoor space 101 It is determined that many people are present, and the process proceeds to YES.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the indoor units 102A and 102B, so that the humidity setting value H is set to H = H−ΔH in the indoor space 101 based on the number of people in the indoor space 101. The humidity is adjusted to be lower by the humidity adjustment value ΔH (step S104).

Next, in S104, it is determined in the second determination whether or not the relative humidity in the indoor space 101 is below the lower limit of 40% (Step S105).
If the relative humidity is lower than 40% in the second determination (S105), the process proceeds to YES.
Then, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the operation of the indoor unit 102 and the outdoor unit 113 so that the humidity setting value H is 40% (step S106).

  If the relative humidity H exceeds 40% in the second determination (S105), the process proceeds to NO. The process returns to immediately before S102 in which the presence sensors in the indoor space 101 are detected using the human sensors 111A and 111B so as to adjust the humidity adjustment value ΔH, and the above steps are repeated.

  The detection time interval of the number of people in the indoor space 101 by the human sensor 111 is controlled at intervals of, for example, 10 minutes in order to detect a change in the number of people in the room due to the movement of the person.

On the other hand, in the first determination (S103), if the comparison result between the number of seated persons and the “intended presence number of persons” is the number of existing persons ≦ the “indicated number of existing seats”, the “establishment level in the indoor space 101” It is determined that a smaller number of people than “number of people” are present, and the process proceeds to NO.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the indoor units 102A and 102B, so that the humidity setting value H in the indoor space 101 is set to a humidity such that H = H + ΔH based on the number of people in the indoor space 101. The value is adjusted higher by the adjustment value ΔH (step S107).

Next, it is determined in the third determination whether or not the relative humidity H in the indoor space 101 exceeds the upper limit of 70% (step S108).
If the relative humidity H exceeds 70% in the third determination (S108), the process proceeds to YES.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the operation of the indoor unit 102 and the outdoor unit 113 so that the humidity setting value H is 70% (step S109).

If the relative humidity H does not exceed 70% in the third determination (S108), the process proceeds to NO.
The process returns again immediately before S102 so as to adjust the humidity adjustment value ΔH, and the above steps are repeated (step S110). The detection time interval of the number of people in the indoor space 101 by the human sensor 111 is controlled at intervals of, for example, 10 minutes in order to detect a change in the number of people in the room due to the movement of the person.

  In the above description, in the second determination (S105) and the third determination (S108), the allowable variation range of the humidity set value H is set between 40% and 70%, but the humidity range in which the air conditioner can be adjusted. May be set to any value.

  In the above description, a plurality of humidity adjustment values ΔH1 and ΔH2 (ΔH1 <ΔH2) are prepared in advance according to the difference between the number of people in the indoor space 101 and the “standard number of people in the seat”. If the temperature is set close to the temperature setting value H that reflects the difference between the number of seats in the indoor space 101 according to the difference in the number of seats, finer humidity control can be performed.

  Further, in the above, the humidity adjustment value ΔH can be smoothly controlled by adjusting the humidity setting value H in a time zone so as to gradually approach the temperature setting value H0.

  The presence of the indoor remote controllers 108A and 108B in the indoor space 101 allows the input of “the number of people seated” to be close to the temperature setting value reflecting the number of people seated in the indoor space 101.

As described above, in the first embodiment,
The “estimated number of people seated” input by the user by performing an input operation on the indoor remote control 108 is compared with the number of people seated detected by the human sensor 111, and a large number of people are present in the indoor space 101. Since the humidity in the indoor space 101 is reduced by controlling the indoor units 102A and 102B installed in the same room, the energy increase control can be realized without impairing comfort.

  In the above description, both the indoor units 102A and 102B are used for cooling and dehumidifying processing. However, the indoor unit 102A that is normally operated is combined with the indoor unit 102B dedicated to humidity adjustment to constitute an air conditioner. This reduces the amount of operation and realizes energy-saving control. Furthermore, since the indoor unit 102B dedicated to humidity adjustment performs only a dehumidifying operation, a part of the existing air conditioner equipment can be realized at low cost.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In Embodiment 2, the humidity set value H is adjusted by controlling the air volume P blown by the blower 117 in the indoor unit 102 having the dehumidifying function. Other specifications are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart F200 for adjusting the humidity set value H in the indoor space 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Explanation with reference to FIG.

Now, it is assumed that the user is present in the indoor space 101 near the indoor unit 102A.
The indoor units 102A and 102B are first operating at a target humidity setting value H.
First, the user performs an input operation on the indoor remote controller 108A that is communicably connected to the indoor unit 102A that is closest to the user, and inputs the “approximate number of seats” in the indoor space 101 (step S201).

Then, information related to “the number of people who are present” in the indoor space 101 is transmitted to the outdoor unit control device 112 via the communication line 130.
The outdoor unit control device 112 issues a control start instruction to the human sensors 111A and 111B installed in the vicinity of the outlets 110A and 110B.
The human sensors 111A and 111B start detecting the number of people in the indoor space 101 (step S202).

The human sensors 111A and 111B have a responsible area obtained by dividing the interior space 101 into two around the installation position, and detect the number of people in the responsible area.
The number of people in the indoor space 101 transmitted to the outdoor unit control device 112 via the communication line 130 is integrated and converted into the total number of people in the indoor space 101 by the outdoor unit control device 112.

  The outdoor unit control device 112 compares the number of people in the entire indoor space 101 detected by the human sensors 111A and 111B and the “estimated number of people in the seat” input by the user by operating the indoor remote controller 108A. Start (step S203).

In the first determination (S203), if the comparison result between the number of people present and the “number of people at present” is “attended number of people”> “number of people at present”, “the number of people at present” in the indoor space 101 It is determined that a larger number of people are present, and the process proceeds to YES.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the indoor units 102A and 102B, so that the air volume P of the blower 117 is set to P = P−ΔP in the indoor space 101 based on the number of people in the indoor space 101. Thus, the air volume adjustment value ΔP is adjusted to be lower (step S204).
By reducing the air volume P of the blower 117, the blowing temperature is lowered and the dehumidifying capacity is improved.

Next, in S204, it is determined in the second determination whether or not the relative humidity in the indoor space 101 is below the lower limit of 40% (step S205).
If the relative humidity is lower than 40% in the second determination (S205), the process proceeds to YES.
Then, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the operation of the indoor unit 102 and the outdoor unit 113 so that the humidity setting value H is 40% (step S206).
If the relative humidity H exceeds 40% in the second determination (S205), the process proceeds to NO. The process returns again immediately before S202 so as to adjust the humidity adjustment value ΔH, and the above steps are repeated (step S210).

On the other hand, in the first determination (S203), if the comparison result between the number of people present and the “number of people at present” is “number of people at present ≦ the number of people at present”, “indication of the number of people in the indoor space 101” It is determined that a smaller number of people than “number of people” are present, and the process proceeds to NO.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the indoor units 102A and 102B so that the air volume P of the blower 117 is set to P = P + ΔP in the indoor space 101 based on the number of people in the indoor space 101. The air volume adjustment value ΔP is increased (step S207).
By increasing the air volume P of the blower 117, the blowing temperature is prevented from rising and excessively dehumidifying.

Next, it is determined in the third determination whether or not the relative humidity H in the indoor space 101 exceeds the upper limit of 70% (step S208).
If the relative humidity H exceeds 70% in the third determination (S208), the process proceeds to YES.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the operation of the indoor unit 102 and the outdoor unit 113 so that the humidity setting value H is set to 70% (step S209).

If the relative humidity H does not exceed 70% in the third determination (S208), the process proceeds to NO.
The process returns again immediately before S202 so as to adjust the humidity adjustment value ΔH, and the above steps are repeated (step S210).

In the above description, a plurality of airflow adjustment values ΔP may be prepared in advance according to the number of people in the indoor space 101, and the humidity setting value H may be adjusted so as to be close in steps.
Furthermore, in order to control the air volume P of the air conditioner, the number of rotations of the fan may be controlled, or an air volume regulating plate 107 described later in Embodiment 6 may be used.

As described above, in the second embodiment,
The “estimated number of seats” input by the user by operating the indoor remote control 108 is compared with the number of seats detected by the human sensor 111, and the air volume P blown by the blower 117 in the indoor unit 102 is controlled. By doing so, the humidity in the indoor space 101 is reduced, so that there is an effect that energy saving control can be realized without impairing comfort.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In Embodiment 3, the humidity set value H is adjusted by controlling the evaporation temperature T of the evaporator 118 in the indoor unit 102 having the dehumidifying function. Other specifications are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart F300 for adjusting the humidity setting value H in the indoor space 101 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Explanation with reference to FIG.

Now, it is assumed that the user is present in the indoor space 101 near the indoor unit 102A.
The indoor units 102A and 102B are first operating at a target humidity setting value H.
First, the user performs an input operation on the indoor remote controller 108A that is communicably connected to the indoor unit 102A that is closest to the user, and inputs the “approximate number of seats” in the indoor space 101 (step S301).

Then, information related to “the number of people who are present” in the indoor space 101 is transmitted to the outdoor unit control device 112 via the communication line 130.
The outdoor unit control device 112 issues a control start instruction to the human sensors 111A and 111B installed in the vicinity of the outlets 110A and 110B.
The human sensors 111A and 111B start detecting the number of people in the indoor space 101 (step S302).
The human sensors 111A and 111B have a responsible area obtained by dividing the interior space 101 into two around the installation position, and detect the number of people in the responsible area.
The number of people in the indoor space 101 transmitted to the outdoor unit control device 112 via the communication line 130 is integrated and converted into the total number of people in the indoor space 101 by the outdoor unit control device 112.

  The outdoor unit control device 112 compares the number of people in the entire indoor space 101 detected by the human sensors 111A and 111B and the “estimated number of people in the seat” input by the user by operating the indoor remote controller 108A. Start (step S303).

In the first determination (S303), if the comparison result between the number of people present and the “number of people at present” is “number of people at present”> “number of people at present”, “the number of people at present” in the indoor space 101 It is determined that a larger number of people are present, and the process proceeds to YES.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the indoor units 102A and 102B to set the evaporation temperature T of the evaporator 118 in the indoor space 101 based on the number of people in the indoor space 101 by T = T−. The evaporation temperature adjustment value is adjusted to be smaller by ΔT, such as ΔT (step S304).
By lowering the evaporation temperature T, the blowing temperature is lowered and the dehumidifying ability is improved.

Next, in S304, it is determined in the second determination whether or not the relative humidity in the indoor space 101 is below the lower limit of 40% (step S305).
If the relative humidity is lower than 40% in the second determination (S305), the process proceeds to YES.
Then, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the operation of the indoor unit 102 and the outdoor unit 113 so that the humidity setting value H is 40% (step S306).

If the relative humidity H exceeds 40% in the second determination (S305), the process proceeds to NO.
The process returns again immediately before S302 so as to adjust the humidity adjustment value ΔH, and the above steps are repeated (step S310).

On the other hand, in the first determination (S303), if the comparison result between the number of people present and the “number of people at present” is the number of people at present ≦ “reference number of people at present”, “the number of people at present” It is determined that a smaller number of people than “number of people” are present, and the process proceeds to NO.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the indoor units 102A and 102B so that the evaporation temperature T of the evaporator 118 is set to T = T + ΔT in the indoor space 101 based on the number of people in the indoor space 101. In this way, the amount is adjusted to be larger by the evaporation temperature adjustment value ΔT (step S307).
Thus, excessive dehumidification is prevented by increasing the evaporation temperature T.

Next, it is determined in the third determination whether or not the relative humidity H in the indoor space 101 exceeds the upper limit of 70% (step S308).
If the relative humidity H exceeds 70% in the third determination (S308), the process proceeds to YES.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the operation of the indoor unit 102 and the outdoor unit 113 so that the humidity setting value H is set to 70% (step S309).

If the relative humidity H does not exceed 70% in the third determination (S308), the process proceeds to NO.
The process returns again immediately before S302 so as to adjust the humidity adjustment value ΔH, and the above steps are repeated (step S310).

  In the above description, a plurality of evaporation temperature adjustment values ΔT may be prepared in advance according to the number of people in the indoor space 101, and the humidity setting value H may be adjusted so as to approach in steps. Further, the evaporating temperature adjustment value may be adjusted by controlling the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve to adjust the amount of refrigerant flowing to the evaporator 118 or controlling the frequency of the compressor.

As described above, in the third embodiment,
The “established number of people seated” input by the user by operating the indoor remote control 108 is compared with the number of seated people detected by the human sensor 111 to control the evaporation temperature T of the evaporator 118 in the indoor unit 102. By doing so, the humidity in the indoor space 101 is reduced, so that there is an effect that energy saving control can be realized without impairing comfort.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the fourth embodiment, the humidity setting value H is adjusted with a value calculated from the discomfort index DI (Discomfort Index). Other specifications are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The discomfort index DI is calculated by the following formula: DI = 0.81T + 0.01U (0.99T-14.3) +46.3.
Here, T is the temperature [° C.] of the indoor space 101, and U is the relative humidity [%] of the indoor space 101.

Generally, when the discomfort index DI is DI = 70 to 75, a person who is seated in the indoor space 101 does not feel particularly uncomfortable.
When the discomfort index DI reaches DI = 76 to 80, 10% of the seated persons become uncomfortable, and when the discomfort index DI exceeds DI = 80, all the seated persons feel uncomfortable.
For example, when the temperature T in the indoor space 101 is T = 26 ° C., the relative humidity U in the indoor space 101 needs to be set to U = 40.5% in order to suppress the discomfort index DI to about DI = 72. .

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart F400 for adjusting the humidity set value H in the indoor space 101 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Explanation with reference to FIG.

Here, a case where the set temperature T is set to T = 26 ° C. and the humidity set value H is set to H = 40.5% will be described as an example.
In this case, even if the humidity setting value H is set to H = 40.5%, the discomfort index DI in the indoor space 101 is DI = 72, and comfort is not impaired. From this, the humidity setting value H in the indoor space 101 is determined as H = 40.5%, and is initialized (step S401).

Now, it is assumed that the user is present in the indoor space 101 near the indoor unit 102A.
The indoor units 102A and 102B are first operating at a target humidity setting value H.
First, the user performs an input operation on the indoor remote controller 108A that is communicably connected to the indoor unit 102A located at the closest position, and inputs the “estimated number of people in the indoor space 101” (step S402).

Then, information related to “the number of people who are present” in the indoor space 101 is transmitted to the outdoor unit control device 112 via the communication line 130.
The outdoor unit control device 112 issues a control start instruction to the human sensors 111A and 111B installed in the vicinity of the outlets 110A and 110B.
The human sensors 111A and 111B start detecting the number of people in the indoor space 101 (step S403).

The human sensors 111A and 111B have a responsible area obtained by dividing the interior space 101 into two around the installation position, and detect the number of people in the responsible area.
The number of people in the indoor space 101 transmitted to the outdoor unit control device 112 via the communication line 130 is integrated and converted into the total number of people in the indoor space 101 by the outdoor unit control device 112.
The outdoor unit control device 112 compares the number of people in the entire indoor space 101 detected by the human sensors 111A and 111B and the “estimated number of people in the seat” input by the user by operating the indoor remote controller 108A. Start (step S404).

In the first determination (S404), if the comparison result between the number of seated persons and the “estimated number of seats” is “the number of seated persons”> “the estimated number of seated persons”, “the estimated number of seated persons” in the indoor space 101 It is determined that a larger number of people are present, and the process proceeds to YES.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the indoor units 102A and 102B, so that the humidity setting value H is set to H = H−ΔH in the indoor space 101 based on the number of people in the indoor space 101. Is adjusted to be lower by the humidity adjustment value ΔH (step S405).

Next, in S405, it is determined in the second determination whether or not the relative humidity in the indoor space 101 is below the lower limit of 40% (step S406).
If the relative humidity is lower than 40% in the second determination (S406), the process proceeds to YES.
Then, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the operation of the indoor unit 102 and the outdoor unit 113 so that the humidity setting value H is 40% (step S407).
If the relative humidity H exceeds 40% in the second determination (S406), the process proceeds to NO.
The process returns again immediately before S403 so as to adjust the humidity adjustment value ΔH, and the above steps are repeated (step S411).

On the other hand, in the first determination (S404), if the comparison result between the number of people present and the “intended number of people present” is the number of people present ≦ “reference number of people present”, “indication of the number of people in the indoor space 101” It is determined that a smaller number of people than “number of people” are present, and the process proceeds to NO.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the indoor units 102A and 102B, so that the humidity setting value H in the indoor space 101 is set to a humidity such that H = H + ΔH based on the number of people in the indoor space 101. The value is adjusted higher by the adjustment value ΔH (step S408).

Next, it is determined by the third determination whether the relative humidity H in the indoor space 101 exceeds the upper limit of 70% (step S409).
If the relative humidity H exceeds 70% in the third determination (S409), the process proceeds to YES.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 112 controls the operation of the indoor unit 102 and the outdoor unit 113 so that the humidity setting value H is 70% (step S410).

If the relative humidity H does not exceed 70% in the third determination (S409), the process proceeds to NO.
The process returns again immediately before S403 so as to adjust the humidity adjustment value ΔH, and the above steps are repeated (step S411).

As described above, in the fourth embodiment,
The “estimated number of people seated” input by the user by performing an input operation on the indoor remote control 108 is compared with the number of people seated detected by the human sensor 111, and a large number of people are present in the indoor space 101. After the humidity set value calculated from the discomfort index DI is used for the humidity that rises by the above, the humidity in the indoor space 101 is reduced by controlling the indoor units 102A and 102B installed in the same room. There is an effect that energy saving control can be realized without damage.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
In the fifth embodiment, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the two indoor units 102A and 102B installed in the indoor space 101 are cooled and dehumidified by the three indoor units 502A, 502B and 502C installed indoors. The configuration is changed to
Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. Details will be described below.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus 500 according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
The air conditioner 500 of the present invention
Cooling and dehumidifying function is provided by blowers 517A, 517B and 517C (dehumidifying means described later) and evaporators 518A, 518B and 518C (dehumidifying means described later) installed in the side wall or ceiling of the indoor space 501 comprising one room. Three indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C having
A suction port (not shown) provided in the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C and configured to suck the suction air 503 from the indoor space 501 and an outlet 510A, 510B, and 510C formed so as to blow air into the indoor space 501. When,
Human sensors 511A, 511B, and 511C that are installed in the vicinity of the air outlets 510A, 510B, and 510C and detect the number of people in the indoor space 501;
An outdoor unit 513 installed outside the indoor space 501;
It is installed outside the indoor space 501
A shunt controller 509 that is connected and disposed between the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C and the outdoor unit 513;
A refrigerant pipe 514 connected between the indoor units 502A, 502B, 502C and the diversion controller 509 and filled with a refrigerant;
A refrigerant pipe 515 connected between the outdoor unit 513 and the diversion controller 509 and filled with a refrigerant;
Indoor remote controllers 508A, 508B, and 508C that communicate with the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C and perform an operation of inputting the estimated number of people in the indoor space 501;
The indoor remote controllers 508A, 508B, and 508C and the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C are communicatively connected, and the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C and the outdoor unit 513 are communicatively connected to transmit and receive signals related to the operation state and operation control. A communication line 530 for performing
An outdoor unit controller 512 (humidity control means) that is disposed inside the outdoor unit 513, communicates with the indoor units 502A, 502B, 502C, and the outdoor unit 513, and controls operation of power consumption, air volume setting, and refrigerant flow;
Consists of

The configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus 500 according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 will be described in detail.
The three indoor units 502A, 502B and 502C are installed on the side wall or ceiling of the indoor space 501 consisting of one room.
The indoor unit 502A has a blower 517A and an evaporator 518A disposed therein, and has a cooling and dehumidifying function. Similarly, the indoor unit 502B has a blower 517B and an evaporator 518B disposed therein, and has a cooling and dehumidifying function. Similarly, the indoor unit 502C has a blower 517C and an evaporator 518C disposed therein, and has a cooling and dehumidifying function.

The indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C are formed with suction ports (not shown) that are formed so as to suck the suction air 503 from the indoor space 501.
In the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C, air outlets 510A, 510B, and 510C formed so as to blow air into the indoor space 501 are formed.
Note that the suction port and the air outlets 510A, 510B, 510C may have any shape.

  The human sensors 511A, 511B, and 511C are installed in the vicinity of the air outlets 510A, 510B, and 510C, and have a plurality of sensing axes for detecting a person. Have a separate area.

The diversion controller 509 is connected and disposed between the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C and the outdoor unit 513, and controls the flow of the refrigerant.
Each of the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C is connected to the shunt controller 509 by a refrigerant pipe 514 filled with a refrigerant, and circulates the refrigerant.

  The outdoor unit 513 is connected to the shunt controller 509 by a refrigerant pipe 515 filled with a refrigerant, and circulates the refrigerant.

An outdoor unit control device 512 is arranged inside the outdoor unit 513.
The outdoor unit controller 512 is configured by an electric circuit formed by electrically connecting electronic components such as a microcomputer, a resistor, and a capacitor. The outdoor unit controller 512 communicates with the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C to control the operation of electric power used, air volume setting, and refrigerant flow.

  The outdoor unit control device 512 detects the number of people in the assigned area obtained by the human sensors 511A, 511B, and 511C, and calculates the number of people in the indoor space 501 as a whole.

The communication line 530 connects the indoor remote controllers 508A, 508B, and 508C to the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C. Further, the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C and the outdoor unit 513 are connected for communication.
The communication line 530 transmits and receives signals relating to the operation state and operation control of the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C and the outdoor unit 513.

  The number of people in the assigned area detected by the human sensors 511A, 511B, and 511C is transmitted to the outdoor unit controller 512 arranged in the outdoor unit 513 through the communication line 530.

  The indoor remote controllers 508A, 508B, and 508C communicate with the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C, and the outdoor unit control device 512, respectively. The indoor remote controllers 508A, 508B, and 508C receive the target temperature, the operation mode, and the estimated number of people in the indoor space 501.

  In the fifth embodiment, the indoor remote controllers 508A, 508B, and 508C may be replaced with mobile terminals such as smartphones and mobile phones that are not fixedly installed in the indoor space 501. In this case, the wired connection for exchanging signals relating to the operation state and operation control between the indoor remote controllers 508A, 508B, and 508C and the indoor units 502A, 502B, and 502C is replaced with a wireless system.

  In addition, the humidity control method using the human sensors 511A, 511B, and 511C in the indoor space 501 including one room is the same as the flowcharts S100 to S400 described in the first to fourth embodiments, and thus will be described. Is omitted.

  Furthermore, among the three indoor units having the cooling and dehumidifying function, the indoor units 502A and 502B prioritizing the cooling operation and the indoor unit 502C prioritizing the dehumidifying operation may be prepared, and the “dehumidification priority mode” may be provided. The user may be able to select the “dehumidification priority mode” by an input operation from the indoor remote controllers 508A, 508B, and 508C.

The ratio of the indoor units 502A and 502B prioritizing the cooling operation to the indoor unit 502C prioritizing the dehumidifying operation is 2: 1, or the indoor unit 502A prioritizing the cooling operation and the indoor units 502B and 502C prioritizing the dehumidifying operation The ratio may be changed to 1: 2. The ratio may be arbitrary.
With these configurations, it is possible to meet a wider variety of needs.

  Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, a total of three units are installed in the indoor space 501, but the areas in charge of the human sensors 511A, 511B, and 511C may be further divided and subdivided. In this case, the number of presence sensors is increased, the number of seated persons is detected, and is transmitted to the outdoor unit control device 112 via the communication line 130.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
In the sixth embodiment, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of indoor units 102A, 102B, and 102C installed in the indoor space 101 are changed to a configuration in which cooling and dehumidification are performed by one indoor unit 602. is there.

Accordingly, one indoor space 101 is changed to an indoor space 601 divided into three rooms 601A, 601B, and 601C by walls.
Further, a branch duct 605, air flow restriction plates 606A, 606B, 606C, reheaters 607A, 607B, 607C, a refrigerant pipe 616, and an air flow restriction plate control unit 628 are sequentially added to the subsequent stage of one indoor unit 602. . Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. Details will be described below.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus 600 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.
The air conditioner 600 of the present invention
Cooling and dehumidifying function by a fan 617 (dehumidifying means described later) and an evaporator 618 (dehumidifying means described later) installed in the ceiling of an indoor space 601 divided into three rooms 601A, 601B, and 601C by walls. One indoor unit 602 having
A branch duct 605 that is connected to the subsequent stage of the indoor unit 602 via a large-diameter duct 604 and branches the flow path into three in the subsequent stage;
Three small-diameter ducts 604A, 604B, 604C extending to the rear, connected to the subsequent stage of the branch duct 605 and connecting to the rooms 601A, 601B, 601C;
Air volume regulating plates 606A, 606B, and 606C that are connected to the rear stage of the branch duct 605 through three ducts 604A, 604B, and 604C, and control the flow rate of air flowing through the ducts 604A, 604B, and 604C by a throttle valve or the like;
Three reheaters 607A, 607B, and 607C connected to the rear stages of the three air ducts 606A, 606B, and 606C through the rear extending portions of the three ducts 604A, 604B, and 604C, respectively,
Three outlets 610A, 610B connected to the rear stage of the reheaters 607A, 607B, 607C through the rearward extending portions of the three ducts 604A, 604B, 604C and blown out into the indoor space 601. 610C,
Human sensors 611A, 611B, 611C that are installed in the vicinity of the air outlets 610A, 610B, 610C and detect the number of people in each room 601A, 601B, 601C;
An outdoor unit 613 installed outside the indoor space 601;
It is installed outside the indoor space 601,
A diversion controller 609 that is connected and disposed between the indoor unit 602, the reheaters 607A, 607B, and 607C and the outdoor unit 613, and controls the flow of refrigerant;
A refrigerant pipe 614 connected between the indoor unit 602 and the diversion controller 609 and filled with a refrigerant;
A refrigerant pipe 615 connected between the outdoor unit 613 and the flow dividing controller 609 and filled with a refrigerant;
A refrigerant pipe 616 connected between the reheaters 607A, 607B, and 607C and the diversion controller 609 and filled with a refrigerant;
Indoor remote controllers 608A, 608B, 608C that communicate with the air flow restriction plates 606A, 606B, 606C and control the operation of the air flow restriction plates 606A, 606B, 606C;
An air volume regulating plate controller 628 that is connected to the air volume regulating plates 606A, 606B, and 606C and controls the flow rate of the air volume regulating plates 606A, 606B, and 606C;
And the indoor unit 602 and further communicates with the indoor unit 602, the outdoor unit 613, and the outdoor unit control device 612 (similarly, the indoor remote controllers 608A, 608B, and 608C and the air flow restriction plates 606A, 606B, and 606C A communication line 630 for transmitting and receiving signals related to the driving state and driving control (in communication);
An outdoor unit controller 612 (humidity control means) that is disposed inside the outdoor unit 613, communicates with the indoor unit 602 and the outdoor unit 613, and controls operation of power consumption, air volume setting, and refrigerant flow;
Consists of

  The configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus 600 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 will be described in detail.

One indoor unit 602 is installed on the ceiling of an indoor space 601 divided into three rooms 601A, 601B, and 601C by walls.
The indoor unit 602 has a blower 617 and an evaporator 618 disposed therein, and has a cooling and dehumidifying function.

For example, an infrared sensor is applied to the human sensors 611A, 611B, and 611C.
The human sensors 611A, 611B, and 611C are installed in the vicinity of the air outlets 610A, 610B, and 610C, and have a plurality of sensing axes for detecting a person. Have a separate area.
The human sensors 611A, 611B, and 610C receive infrared rays, which are light in the infrared region, from an object and convert them into electrical signals to detect the number of people in the assigned area.

  In addition to the infrared sensor, the human sensors 611A, 611B, and 611C receive light other than infrared light, which is light in the infrared region, as long as they can detect the number of people in the indoor space 601. You may use the sensor converted into a signal.

  Further, the human sensors 611A, 611B, and 611C may be a mechanism that can be swung in the horizontal and vertical directions, for example, so as to detect the number of people in a wide range.

The shunt controller 609 and the outdoor unit 613 are generally installed outside the indoor space 601.
The shunt controller 609 is connected and disposed between the indoor unit 602, the outdoor unit 613, and the reheaters 607A, 607B, and 607C, and controls the flow of the refrigerant.

  The indoor unit 602 is connected to the shunt controller 609 by a refrigerant pipe 614 filled with a refrigerant, and circulates the refrigerant.

  The outdoor unit 613 is connected to the shunt controller 609 by a refrigerant pipe 615 filled with a refrigerant, and circulates the refrigerant.

An outdoor unit control device 612 is disposed outside the indoor space 601.
The outdoor unit control device 612 includes an electric circuit formed by electrically connecting electronic components such as a microcomputer, a resistor, and a capacitor. The outdoor unit control device 612 communicates with the indoor unit 602 to control operation of power consumption, air volume setting, and refrigerant flow.

  The outdoor unit control device 612 detects the number of people in the assigned area obtained by the human sensors 611A, 611B, and 611C, and calculates the number of people in the indoor space 601 as a whole.

The communication line 630 connects the indoor remote controllers 608A, 608B, and 608C and the indoor unit 602 for communication. Further, the indoor unit 602, the outdoor unit 613, and the outdoor unit control device 612 are connected in communication.
The communication line 630 transmits and receives signals related to the operation state and operation control of the indoor unit 602 and the outdoor unit 613.

  The number of people in the assigned area detected by the human sensors 611A, 611B, and 611C is transmitted to the outdoor unit control device 612 disposed outside the indoor space 601 through the communication line 630.

  In the sixth embodiment, the indoor remote controllers 608A, 608B, and 608C may be replaced with mobile terminals such as smartphones and mobile phones that are not fixedly installed in the indoor space 601. In this case, the wired connection for exchanging signals relating to the operation state and operation control between the indoor remote controllers 608A, 608B, and 608C and the indoor unit 602 is replaced with a wireless system. Other than that, the contents are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

  Also, a plurality of human sensors 611A, 611B, and 611C may be installed according to the number of divisions in the indoor space 601.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of indoor unit 602 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

  The indoor unit 602 has a suction port (not shown) for sucking in the intake air 603 taken from outside on the windward side, and a blower outlet (not shown) for blowing the blown air 623 on the leeward side.

The interior of the indoor unit 602
Refrigerant piping 614 described above with reference to FIG.
A regulating valve 619 that is connected to an intermediate position of the refrigerant pipe 614 and adjusts the amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 614 to adjust the cooling capacity;
An evaporator 618 that is connected to a branch flow controller 609 by a refrigerant pipe 614 to evaporate the refrigerant and cool and dehumidify the intake air 603;
A blower 617 that blows the suction air 603 toward the evaporator 618;
A control device 631 (not shown in FIG. 8) electrically connected to the outside of the indoor unit 602 to control the control valve 619;
An intake air humidity detector 621 that detects the humidity inside the indoor unit 602 that is disposed near the intake port, an intake air temperature detector 620 that detects the temperature of the intake air 603 disposed near the intake port, and is disposed near the outlet. It is comprised with the blowing air temperature detector 622 which detects the temperature of the blowing air 623. FIG.

Here, the flow of air in the indoor unit 602 will be described.
The hot and humid suction air 603 sucked into the indoor unit 602 from the suction port passes through the blower 617. After that, it passes through an evaporator 618 disposed inside the indoor unit 602.
The high-temperature and high-humidity intake air 603 is cooled and dehumidified when passing through the evaporator 618, and then becomes blown air 623 for low-temperature drying.

  Thereafter, the blown air 623 blown out of the indoor unit 602 through the blowout outlet, and cooled and dehumidified is divided into a branch duct 605 and three air flow restriction plates 606A, 606B, and 606C connected to the rear stage shown in FIG. Are sequentially blown to the reheaters 607A, 607B, and 607C.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the reheater 607 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

As described in FIG. 8, the reheater 607 includes three reheaters 607A, 607B, and 607C. Since these are the same, the description will be given here by referring to the reheater 607.
The reheater 607 has a suction port (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 10) for sucking the blown air 623 discharged from the blowout port of the indoor unit 602 on the windward side, and a blower for blowing the blown air 627 on the leeward side. An outlet (8, not shown in FIG. 10) is formed.

The inside of the reheater 607
Refrigerant piping 616 previously described in FIG.
A control valve 624 that is connected to the refrigerant pipe 616 and adjusts the amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 616 to adjust the heating capacity;
A condenser 625 which is connected to a flow dividing controller 609 by a refrigerant pipe 616 to condense the refrigerant and heat and dry the blown air 623;
It is comprised by the blowing air temperature detector 626 which is arrange | positioned in the blower outlet vicinity and detects the temperature of the blowing air 627. FIG.

Here, the flow of air inside the reheater 607 will be described.
The low-temperature drying blown air 623 sucked into the reheater 607 from the suction port passes through a condenser 625 arranged inside the reheater 607.
The low-temperature drying blowing air 623 is heated and dried when passing through the condenser 625 and then becomes high-temperature drying blowing air 627. (Reheat dehumidification)

  Thereafter, the heated and dried air 627 blown out of the reheater 607 through the air outlet passes through the ducts 604A, 604B, and 604C extending rearward as shown in FIG. , 610B, 610C, and blown out into the indoor space 601 of each of the rooms 601A, 601B, 601C.

  In summary, the intake air 603, which is outdoor air taken from the outside of the indoor unit 602, corresponds to the blowout air 623 blown out from the interior of the indoor unit 602, the branch duct 605, and the air flow restriction plates 606A, 606B, 606C, respectively. After passing through the reheaters 607A, 607B, and 607C in this order, the air is blown into the indoor spaces 601 of the rooms 601A, 601B, and 601C through the extending portions of the ducts 604A, 604B, and 604C extending rearward.

A specific procedure for controlling the humidity in the indoor space 601 in the sixth embodiment will be described.
Embodiment 6 FIG.
In the sixth embodiment, the humidity setting value H is controlled by controlling the air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree D of the air flow restriction plates 606A, 606B, and 606C disposed behind the blower 617 in the indoor unit 602 having the dehumidifying function. Adjust. Other specifications are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart F600 for adjusting the humidity setting value H in the indoor space 601 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. While FIG.

Assume that the user is in the room 601 near the room 601A.
First, the indoor unit 602 is operated at a target humidity setting value H.
First, the user performs an input operation on the indoor remote controller 608A that is communicably connected to the indoor unit 602 that is closest to the user, and inputs the “estimated number of seats” in the indoor space 601 (step S601).

Then, information related to “the number of people in the seat” in the indoor space 601 is transmitted to the outdoor unit control device 612 via the communication line 630.
The outdoor unit control device 612 issues a control start instruction to the human sensors 611A, 611B, and 611C installed in the vicinity of the air outlets 610A, 610B, and 610C.
The human sensors 611A, 611B, and 611C start detecting the number of people in the indoor space 601 (step S602).

  The outdoor unit control device 612 includes the number of seats in the entire indoor space 601 detected by the human sensors 611A, 611B, and 611C, and the “estimated number of seats” input by the user by operating the indoor remote controller 608A. The comparison is started (step S603).

In the first determination (S603), if the comparison result between the number of people present and the “number of people at present” is the number of people present> “number of people at present”, “the number of people at present” in the indoor space 601 It is determined that a larger number of people are present, and the process proceeds to YES.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 612 controls the indoor unit 602 so that the air volume restriction plate opening / closing degree D is set to D = D + ΔD in the indoor space 601 based on the number of people in the indoor space 601. The regulation plate is adjusted higher by the opening / closing degree adjustment value ΔD (step S604).

Next, in S604, it is determined in the second determination whether or not the relative humidity in the indoor space 601 falls below the maximum air volume restriction plate opening / closing degree Dmax, which is the upper limit value (step S605).
If the air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree D exceeds the maximum air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree Dmax in the second determination (S605), the process proceeds to YES.
Then, the outdoor unit control device 612 controls the operation of the indoor unit 602 and the outdoor unit 613 so that the air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree D is set to the maximum air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree Dmax (step S606).

If the air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree D does not exceed the maximum air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree Dmax in the second determination (S605), the process proceeds to NO.
The process returns again immediately before S602 so as to adjust the humidity adjustment value ΔH, and the above steps are repeated (step S610).

  The detection time interval of the number of people in the indoor space 601 by the human sensor 611 is controlled at intervals of, for example, 10 minutes in order to detect a change in the number of people in the indoor space 601.

On the other hand, in the first determination (S603), if the comparison result between the number of people present and the “number of people at present” is the number of people at present ≦ “reference number of people at present”, “indication of the number of people in the indoor space 601” It is determined that a smaller number of people than “number of people” are present, and the process proceeds to NO.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 612 controls the indoor unit 602 so that the air volume regulating plate opening / closing degree D in the indoor space 601 is set as D = D−ΔD based on the number of people in the indoor space 601. The air volume regulating plate opening / closing degree adjustment value ΔD is adjusted to be lower (step S607).

Next, it is determined in the third determination whether or not the air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree D in the indoor space 601 is lower than the minimum air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree Dmin, which is the lower limit value (step S608).
If the air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree D exceeds the minimum air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree Dmin in the third determination (S608), the process proceeds to YES.
In this case, the outdoor unit control device 612 controls the operation of the indoor unit 602 and the outdoor unit 613 so that the air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree D is set to the minimum air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree Dmin (step S609).

If the air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree D does not exceed the minimum air flow restriction plate opening / closing degree Dmin in the third determination (S608), the process proceeds to NO.
In order to adjust only the humidity adjustment value ΔH, the process returns again immediately before S602, and the above steps are repeated.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment,
The “estimated number of seats” input by the user by operating the indoor remote controller 608 and the number of seats detected by the motion sensor 611 are compared, and the air volume regulating plate opening / closing degree of the evaporator 618 in the indoor unit 602 is compared. Since the humidity in the indoor space 601 is reduced by controlling D, there is an effect that energy saving control can be realized without impairing comfort.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control method of the air conditioner provided with the human sensor for detecting the number of people in the indoor space has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the human sensor If the installation location and the application device are changed, it can be applied to different applications, and can be applied to devices other than the air conditioner using a human sensor that detects the number of people in the indoor space.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Air conditioning apparatus, 101 Indoor space, 102A, 102B indoor unit, 103 Intake air, 108A, 108B Indoor remote control, 109 Shunt controller, 110A, 110B Outlet, 111A, 111B Human sensor, 112 Outdoor unit control apparatus, 113 Outdoor 114, 115 Refrigerant piping, 117A, 117B Blower, 118A, 118B Evaporator, 130 Communication line, 200 Wet air diagram, 500 Air conditioner, 501 Indoor space, 502A, 502B, 502C Indoor unit, 600 Air conditioner , 601 indoor space, 601A, 601B, 601C room, 602 indoor unit, 603 suction air, 604 large diameter duct, 604A, 604B, 604C small diameter duct, 605 branch duct, 606A, 606B, 606C air volume regulating plate, 607A, 607B, 07C reheater, 608A, 608B, 608C indoor remote controller,
609 branch flow controller, 610A, 610B, 610C outlet, 611A, 611B, 611C human sensor, 612 outdoor unit controller, 613 outdoor unit, 614, 615, 616 refrigerant piping, 617 blower, 618 evaporator, 619 control valve, 620 Suction air temperature detector, 621 Suction air humidity detector, 622 Blow air temperature detector, 624 Control valve, 625 Condenser, 626 Blow air temperature detector, 628 Air flow restriction plate control unit, 630 Communication line, 631 Controller

Claims (7)

An indoor unit having a blower and an evaporator for blowing air into the indoor space;
A human sensor for detecting the number of people in the indoor space;
Dehumidifying means for dehumidifying the indoor space using the blower and the evaporator;
An outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit by a refrigerant pipe;
An indoor remote controller that communicates with the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, receives an operation of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and receives an input operation of an estimated number of people in the indoor space;
Humidity control means for controlling the dehumidifying means in accordance with the number of seats detected by the human sensor and the number of seating standards input to the indoor remote controller;
An air conditioner comprising:   2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the humidity control unit compares the estimated seating capacity with the seating capacity and adjusts a humidity setting value in the indoor space based on a comparison result. apparatus.   The said humidity control means controls the air volume which blows from the said air blower based on the comparison result of the said seating standard number of persons and the said number of seated persons, and adjusts the humidity setting value in the said indoor space. Item 2. The air conditioner according to Item 1.   The said humidity control means controls the evaporation temperature of the said evaporator based on the comparison result of the said seating standard number of persons, and the said number of seated persons, and adjusts the humidity setting value in the said indoor space. Item 2. The air conditioner according to Item 1.   The humidity control means adjusts a humidity setting value in the indoor space based on a comparison result between the estimated seating capacity and the seating capacity, and a discomfort index calculated from the temperature and relative humidity of the indoor space. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein A plurality of the indoor units are provided,
The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the indoor units includes the dehumidifying means. In the indoor unit having the dehumidifying means, at least one reheater is disposed at a subsequent stage of the evaporator,
The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the dehumidifying means performs reheat dehumidification in the indoor space by the reheater.

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