JP2014119153A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner which can vary the amount of a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circuit so as to increase operation efficiency and has high reliability even if a power failure suddenly occurs during the operation of the air conditioner to cause the air conditioner to stop operating.SOLUTION: There is provided an air conditioner which is provided with a refrigerant amount control part 10 controlling the amount of a refrigerant flowing in a refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant amount control part 10 including a receiver 13 reserving the refrigerant, connection pipes 14, 15 connecting the receiver 13 to pipes 11, 12 constituting the refrigerant circuit, and flow control devices 16, 17 controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant. The air conditioner is further provided with an electric power storage device which stores electric power during electric power supply and supplies the stored electric power to a control device 20 and the flow control devices 16, 17 when the external power supply is interrupted, and the control device 20 opens the flow control devices 16, 17 with the electric power supplied from the electric power storage device when it is determined that the external power supply is interrupted.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner capable of adjusting the amount of refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circuit.

  Most current air conditioners have a refrigerant circuit configured to switch between cooling and heating. Also, the amount of refrigerant required for the refrigerant circuit varies greatly depending on the size of the condenser. In a general air conditioner, the refrigerant flow path between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger that constitute the refrigerant circuit The volume of is different. Therefore, the amount of refrigerant required for the refrigerant circuit varies greatly between the cooling operation and the heating operation. Even in the same operation mode, the amount of refrigerant required for the refrigerant circuit varies depending on whether the rotation speed of the compressor is high or low.

  In response to the above problem, Patent Document 1 includes a refrigerant storage device connected in flow communication with the refrigerant circuit by at least one refrigerant line, and a refrigerant flow control device arranged in at least one refrigerant line. The refrigerant flow control device is described as a refrigerant vapor compression system having an open position where the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant line and a closed position where the flow of the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant line is blocked.

JP 2011-521194 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, since the refrigerant flow control device is controlled to be in the open position only when the required refrigerant amount is adjusted, air conditioning is performed due to a power failure or the like during air conditioner operations such as cooling operation or heating operation. When the supply of power to the machine is interrupted, the refrigerant may be sealed in the refrigerant storage device. Therefore, when the refrigerant storage device is sealed in a state where the refrigerant is filled and the state continues for a long time under the hot sun, the refrigerant in the refrigerant storage device expands (liquid expansion or liquid refrigerant gasification). Very high pressure will be applied. There is a possibility that the refrigerant flow control device is overloaded and breaks down, or the refrigerant leaks out of the refrigerant circuit from the receiver, and the reliability of the air conditioner deteriorates.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in view of the above, it is possible to change the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit in order to improve the operation efficiency, and a power failure or the like suddenly occurs during the operation of the air conditioner, An object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable air conditioner even when the operation of the air conditioner is stopped due to supply interruption.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device, and an evaporator are sequentially connected by a pipe to form a refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant flows, and the amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit is adjusted. A refrigerant amount adjusting unit is provided, and the refrigerant amount adjusting unit includes a receiver that stores the refrigerant, a connecting pipe that connects the receiver and a pipe that forms the refrigerant circuit, and a refrigerant that is interposed in the connecting pipe. An air conditioner having a flow rate adjusting device for adjusting a flow rate, storing power when energized, and supplying the stored power to the control device and the flow rate adjusting device when an external power supply is interrupted The control device opens the flow rate adjusting device with the electric power supplied from the power storage device when it is determined that the external power supply is interrupted.

  According to the above configuration, when the power from the outside is interrupted, the control device opens the flow rate adjusting device with the electric power stored in the power storage device, so that the refrigerant accumulated in the receiver passes through the flow rate adjusting device. Return to the circuit. Therefore, an air conditioner with high reliability (safety) can be obtained.

  In the present invention, the interruption of the power supply from the outside means that the power supply to the air conditioner is interrupted by the occurrence of a power failure or the operation of the breaker due to overload or short circuit.

  The receiver may be connected to the refrigerant circuit via one flow rate adjustment device, or may be connected to the refrigerant circuit via two flow rate adjustment devices. Specifically, one connecting pipe that connects the receiver and the refrigerant circuit (pipe) may be provided, and one flow rate adjusting device may be interposed in the connecting pipe. Further, two connecting pipes that connect the receiver and the refrigerant circuit (pipe) may be arranged in parallel, and one flow adjusting device may be interposed in each of these connecting pipes.

  When two flow control devices are interposed between the receiver and the refrigerant circuit, a specific configuration is a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device, and an evaporator are sequentially connected by a pipe and the refrigerant flows. A refrigerant amount adjusting unit that adjusts the amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit is provided in parallel with the expansion device, and the refrigerant amount adjustment unit is configured to adjust the amount of refrigerant flowing from the high-pressure side piping before and after the expansion device to the low-pressure side piping. A receiver that accumulates refrigerant using pressure, a high-pressure side connection pipe that connects the receiver and the high-pressure side pipe, a low-pressure side connection pipe that connects the receiver and the low-pressure side pipe, the high-pressure side connection pipe, An air conditioner provided with a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment device and a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment device respectively interposed in the low-pressure side connection pipe, and a control device for controlling the opening degree of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment device and the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment device A power storage device is provided that stores power when energized and supplies the stored power to the control device, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment device, and the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment device when the external power supply is interrupted, and the control The apparatus may be configured to open at least one of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment device and the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment device when it is determined that the power supply from the outside is interrupted.

  According to the above configuration, when the power supply from the outside is interrupted, at least one of the two flow rate adjusting devices is opened, so that the refrigerant that has accumulated in the receiver is stored even if the refrigerant in the receiver is full. Will return to the refrigerant circuit through the open flow regulator. Therefore, a highly safe air conditioner can be obtained.

  The control device may open at least the low-pressure side flow rate adjusting device when it is determined that the power supply from the outside is cut off. Thereby, the refrigerant | coolant which accumulated in the receiver using the pressure difference of a refrigerant | coolant can be returned more smoothly to a refrigerant circuit.

Specific examples of the power storage device in the present invention include a storage battery and a capacitor. By the way, conventionally, a smoothing capacitor is provided in a DC power supply circuit supplied from a switching power supply to a control device or a flow rate adjusting device. Therefore, it can be used as a power storage device by increasing the capacity of the smoothing capacitor. As for the capacity of the capacitor, a capacity capable of opening the flow rate adjusting device in the event of a power failure is obtained in advance by experiments or the like, and a capacity larger than that may be used.
In addition to the smoothing capacitor, a capacitor as a power storage device may be installed. In this case, the power storage device is arranged so as to be parallel to each of the control device and the flow rate adjusting device as necessary. Thereby, the voltage suitable for a control apparatus or a flow regulating device can be applied at the time of a power failure.

  As described above, in the air conditioner of the present invention, when the power from the outside is interrupted, the control device opens the flow rate adjusting device with the electric power stored in the power storage device. It will return to a refrigerant circuit through the flow control device of the state which was in a state. Therefore, a highly reliable air conditioner can be obtained.

The figure which shows the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner of this invention Control block diagram of the air conditioner of the present invention The block diagram which shows the electric circuit structure of the air conditioner of this invention Control flowchart when external power supply is cut off The schematic diagram which shows the 2nd aspect of a refrigerant | coolant adjustment part. The schematic diagram which shows the 3rd aspect of a refrigerant | coolant adjustment part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention. As illustrated, the air conditioner of the present embodiment is a single-type air conditioner in which one indoor unit 2 is connected to one outdoor unit 1, and includes a compressor 3 housed in the outdoor unit 1, an outdoor unit The heat exchanger 4 and the expansion device 5 are connected in series in this order by refrigerant piping, and further, the indoor heat exchanger 7 accommodated in the indoor unit 2 is connected by piping from the expansion device 5 through the two-way valve 6, The refrigerant circuit is configured by connecting the pipe from the heat exchanger 7 to the outdoor compressor 3 through the three-way valve 8 again.

  The compressor 3 is connected to the refrigerant circuit via a four-way valve 9 that is a switching valve. By switching the four-way valve 9, either direction of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 side or the indoor heat exchanger 7 side is selected. The compressed refrigerant can be sent out. By switching the four-way valve 9, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchanger 7 are used as a condenser or an evaporator.

  Specifically, in FIG. 1, the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 is circulated in the direction indicated by the solid line in the figure, and passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 4 as a condenser and the expansion device 5 and the indoor heat as an evaporator. Cooling operation is realized by flowing into the exchanger 7. In addition, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 is circulated in the direction of the broken arrow shown in the figure, and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 4 as an evaporator via the indoor heat exchanger 7 as a condenser and the expansion device 5. By this, heating operation is realized.

  In the present invention, the refrigerant amount adjusting unit 10 that adjusts the amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit is connected in parallel with the expansion device 5. The refrigerant amount adjusting unit 10 includes a receiver 13 that accumulates refrigerant using the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the pipes 11 and 12 before and after the expansion device 5, a first connection pipe 14 that connects the receiver 13 and the pipe 11, and the receiver 13. A second connecting pipe 15 that connects the pipe 12, a first flow rate adjusting device 16 that is interposed in the first connecting pipe 14, and a second flow rate adjusting device 17 that is interposed in the second connecting pipe 15 are provided. ing.

  In the refrigerant circuit, the upstream side in the refrigerant flow direction of the expansion device 5 has a high pressure, and the downstream side in the refrigerant flow direction of the expansion device 5 has a low pressure. That is, during the cooling operation, the pipe 11 is a high-pressure side pipe, the pipe 12 is a low-pressure side pipe, the first connection pipe 14 is a high-pressure side connection pipe, the second connection pipe 15 is a low-pressure side connection pipe, and the first flow rate adjustment device 16. Is the high pressure side flow control device, and the second flow control device 17 is the low pressure side flow control device. On the other hand, during the heating operation, the pipe 12 is the high pressure side pipe, the pipe 11 is the low pressure side pipe, the second connecting pipe 15 is the high pressure side connecting pipe, the first connecting pipe 14 is the low pressure side connecting pipe, and the second flow rate adjusting device. Reference numeral 17 denotes a high-pressure side flow control device, and the first flow control device 16 serves as a low-pressure side flow control device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner includes a control device 20 that controls the operation of the refrigeration circuit and controls the air conditioning operation. In the air conditioner, a temperature sensor 21 that detects an outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, a temperature sensor 22 that detects an outlet temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 7, and a discharge temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 are detected. A discharge temperature sensor 23, a room temperature sensor 24, and an outside air temperature sensor 25 are provided.

  The control device 20 is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, a memory, and the like. Based on outputs of these temperature sensors, remote controllers, operation signals of operation switches of the main body, and the like according to a desired air conditioning operation, the compressor 3, The operation of the refrigerant circuit is controlled by controlling the operations of the blower 26, the expansion device 5, the first flow rate adjusting device 16, and the second flow rate adjusting device 17.

  The expansion device 5 is a device that adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant. In this embodiment, an expansion valve is used. However, the expansion device 5 is not limited thereto, and a plurality of capillary tubes may be arranged to switch the flow path. The first flow rate adjusting device 16 and the second flow rate adjusting device 17 control the flow of the refrigerant in the first connecting pipe 14 and the second connecting pipe 15 by opening and closing.

  That is, the first flow rate adjusting device 16 and the second flow rate adjusting device 17 adjust the pressure of the refrigerant in the receiver 13, and use an expansion valve, a flow rate adjustment valve, a stop valve, and the like. In the present embodiment, the first flow rate adjusting device 16 and the second flow rate adjusting device 17 are configured to use the same type of needle valve and to accurately control the opening degree by the stepping motor with the fully open position as a reference.

  Generally, the capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is larger than the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 7. Therefore, more refrigerant is required during the cooling operation. Also in the present embodiment, the optimum refrigerant amount during the cooling rated operation is set to be larger than the optimum refrigerant amount during the heating rated operation. Here, the rated operation means an operation in which the rotation speed of the compressor is driven at a preset constant value. As the rotation speed of the compressor, a standard rotation speed is set with high operation efficiency between the minimum rotation speed and the maximum rotation speed.

  The optimum refrigerant amount is the “air conditioning capacity” of the refrigerant amount (circulating refrigerant amount) that actually circulates in the refrigerant circuit obtained by subtracting the refrigerant amount stored in the receiver from the refrigerant amount enclosed in the refrigerant circuit. / Refers to the amount of refrigerant that maximizes the COP (coefficient of performance) represented by “power consumption”. That is, the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation are the air conditioning operation with a large amount of the optimum refrigerant, and the heating operation is the air conditioning operation with a small amount of the optimum refrigerant.

  The control device 20 stores data obtained through experiments in advance on the compressor rotation speed and the opening degree of the expansion device that are optimal in accordance with the set temperature, the room temperature, and the outside air temperature. Furthermore, opening and closing of the first flow rate adjusting device 16 and the second flow rate adjusting device 17 for adjusting the refrigerant amount to “optimum refrigerant amount at the rated cooling operation” or “optimum refrigerant amount at the rated heating operation” under the conditions. The control condition is stored in the control device 20.

  When the air conditioning operation starts, the control device 20 sets a target rotational speed of the compressor 3 based on the set temperature and room temperature, and determines the opening degree of the expansion device 5 according to the target rotational speed. The control device 20 controls the compressor 3, the expansion device 5, the blower 26, and the like so that the room temperature becomes the set temperature in accordance with the determined operating conditions.

  And the control apparatus 20 will perform refrigerant | coolant amount adjustment control, if air conditioning operation is started and the operation of the compressor 3 is started. When the air conditioning operation is the heating operation, the optimum refrigerant amount during the heating rated operation is smaller than the optimum refrigerant amount during the cooling rated operation. The flow rate adjusting device 17 is controlled to open and close. Specifically, during the operation of the compressor 3, the first flow rate adjustment device 16 that is the low pressure side flow rate adjustment device is closed and the second flow rate adjustment device 17 that is the high pressure side flow rate adjustment device is closed at a predetermined opening for a predetermined time. By opening, a predetermined amount of refrigerant is stored in the receiver 13. The second flow rate adjusting device 17 is closed after the control is executed.

  On the other hand, when the air conditioning operation is the cooling operation, the first flow rate adjusting device 16 and the second flow rate adjusting device 17 are controlled to be opened and closed so that the refrigerant stored in the receiver 13 is returned to the refrigerant circuit, contrary to the heating operation. . Specifically, the refrigerant in the receiver 13 is returned to the refrigerant circuit by opening the second flow rate adjusting device 17 that is the low pressure side flow rate adjusting device while the first flow rate adjusting device 16 that is the high pressure side flow rate adjusting device is closed. It is. The second flow rate adjusting device 17 is closed after the control is executed.

  In this way, by controlling the opening and closing of the first flow rate adjusting device 16 and the second flow rate adjusting device 17, the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit can be adjusted to a constant amount (optimum refrigerant amount), and the air conditioning capability is enhanced. be able to. Therefore, driving efficiency is improved and energy-saving driving can be realized.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of the air conditioner of the present embodiment. The air conditioner of the present embodiment is supplied with an AC voltage from an external AC power supply P, generates a DC from the AC voltage, and converts the generated DC into AC to operate the compressor 3 at an operating frequency. And an inverter 28 that drives the power supply in a variable manner. Furthermore, a DC power supply circuit 29 that converts the high-voltage DC voltage generated by the converter 27 into two types of low-voltage DC voltages of 12V and 5V is provided.

  The 12V voltage generated by the DC power supply circuit 29 is applied to the first flow rate adjusting device 16, the second flow rate adjusting device 17 and the capacitor 31 which are arranged in parallel. The voltage of 5V generated by the DC power supply circuit 29 is applied to the control device 20 and the capacitor 32 arranged in parallel. As shown in the figure, the capacitors 31 and 32 are used as a power storage device. When the external power source P is supplied, the capacitors 31 and 32 store power when energized, and store the power stored when the external power source P is cut off. And function as an uninterruptible power supply to be supplied to the first flow rate adjusting device 16 and the second flow rate adjusting device 17.

  The air conditioner is provided with an AC voltage detection circuit 33 that detects an AC voltage of the external power supply P, and a voltage value detected by the AC voltage detection circuit 33 is input to the control device 20. In the control device 20, as shown in FIG. 4, when the voltage value input from the AC voltage detection circuit 33 is lower than the standby voltage value (determined based on the known data) regarded as normal, the first flow rate is set. The adjusting device 16 and the second flow rate adjusting device 17 are opened.

  As described above, when both the first flow rate adjusting device 16 and the second flow rate adjusting device 17 are opened by the power stored in the power storage device when the external power supply is interrupted due to a power failure or the like, the power is stored in the receiver 13. It becomes possible to quickly return the refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit. Therefore, a highly reliable air conditioner can be obtained. The flow rate adjusting device is preferably fully open, but may have an opening degree that allows the refrigerant to quickly return to the refrigerant circuit. At least, it should be in an open state, not a closed state.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and many modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiment within the scope of the present invention. Specifically, in the above embodiment, one end side of the first connecting pipe 14 and the second connecting pipe 15 is connected to the pipes 11 and 12 of the refrigerant circuit, respectively, and the other end side is individually connected to the receiver 13. Not limited to this, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, after the other end sides of the first connecting pipe 14 and the second connecting pipe 15 are assembled, it is possible to connect to the receiver 13 as a single connecting pipe. It is.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, one connecting pipe 14 that connects the receiver 13 and the pipe 11 may be provided, and a single flow rate adjusting device 16 may be interposed in the connecting pipe 14. Furthermore, although the capacitor is used as the power storage device in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and a storage battery can also be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outdoor unit 2 Indoor unit 3 Compressor 4 Outdoor heat exchanger 5 Throttle device 6 Two-way valve 7 Indoor heat exchanger 8 Three-way valve 9 Four-way valve 10 Refrigerant amount adjustment part 11 Pipe 12 Pipe 13 Receiver 14 First connection pipe 15 1st Two connecting pipes 16 First flow rate adjustment device 17 Second flow rate adjustment device 20 Control device 21 Temperature sensor 22 Temperature sensor 23 Discharge temperature sensor 24 Room temperature sensor 25 Outside temperature sensor 26 Blower 27 Converter 28 Inverter 29 DC power supply circuit 31 Capacitor 32 Capacitor 33 AC voltage detection circuit

Claims (4)

  A compressor, a condenser, a throttling device, and an evaporator are sequentially connected by a pipe to form a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant flows, and a refrigerant amount adjusting unit that adjusts the amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit is provided, and the refrigerant amount adjustment The section includes a receiver for storing a refrigerant, a connection pipe that connects the receiver and a pipe constituting the refrigerant circuit, and a flow rate adjustment device that is interposed in the connection pipe and adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant. An air conditioner provided with a control device for controlling the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting device, storing power when energized, and storing the power stored when the external power supply is cut off to the control device and the flow rate adjusting device. An air conditioner characterized in that a power storage device to be supplied is provided, and the control device opens the flow rate adjusting device with electric power supplied from the power storage device when it is determined that an external power supply is interrupted   A compressor, a condenser, a throttling device, and an evaporator are sequentially connected by a pipe to form a refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant flows, and a refrigerant amount adjusting unit that adjusts the amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit is provided in parallel with the throttling device. The refrigerant amount adjusting unit is configured to connect a receiver that collects refrigerant by using a pressure of refrigerant flowing from a high-pressure side pipe before and after the throttle device to a low-pressure side pipe, and a high-pressure side connection that connects the receiver and the high-pressure side pipe. A low-pressure side connecting pipe connecting the pipe and the receiver and the low-pressure side pipe, a high-pressure side flow adjusting device and a low-pressure side flow adjusting device respectively interposed in the high-pressure side connecting pipe and the low-pressure side connecting pipe, and the high pressure An air conditioner having a control device for controlling the opening degree of the side flow rate adjustment device and the low pressure side flow rate adjustment device, storing power when energized, and storing the power stored when the external power supply is cut off System And a power storage device that supplies power to the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment device and the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment device, and the control device determines that the power supply from the outside has been interrupted, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment device and the low-pressure side flow rate An air conditioner characterized by opening at least one of the adjusting devices.   3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the control device opens at least the low-pressure side flow rate adjusting device when it is determined that the power supply from the outside is cut off.   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the power storage device is a capacitor.

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