JP2014163532A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten time required for an opening of an electronic expansion valve from an initial opening at the start of operation up to a stable state when automatically adjusting the opening of the electronic expansion valve.SOLUTION: At the start of operation, condition retrieving means 11 retrieves past operation conditions suited to an operation condition in a registration database DB. When a past operation condition suited to the operation condition is detected as a retrieved result, a stable opening OPs related to the past operation condition suited to the operation condition is set to an initial opening in the registration database DB. Then the opening of an electronic expansion valve 6 is adjusted by apparatus control means 12 so that the operation is stabilized, the opening of the electronic expansion valve 6 in a stabilized state of the operation is acquired as a stable opening OPs and stored in the registration database DB as a past operation condition in relation with the operation condition.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a function of automatically adjusting the opening of an electronic expansion valve.

  Conventionally, in an air conditioner having an electronic expansion valve with a variable opening, when a predetermined operation mode such as cooling operation or heating operation is set and the operation is started, the opening of the electronic expansion valve is predetermined immediately after the operation is started. The initial opening is automatically adjusted to a stable and stable opening according to environmental factors surrounding the air conditioner such as the indoor air temperature, the outdoor air temperature, and the indoor target temperature. Here, in order to shorten the time until the electronic expansion valve changes from the initial opening to the stable opening, various methods for setting the initial opening of the electronic expansion valve have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). 3).

  Patent Document 1 has a reference table in which the initial opening degree of the electronic expansion valve is classified into a predetermined type according to room air and outdoor intake air, and is based on the reference table from the detected indoor air and outdoor intake air. It is disclosed that the initial opening degree of the electronic expansion valve is set. Patent Document 2 discloses that the initial opening degree of the electronic expansion valve corresponding to the operation mode is stored, and this initial opening degree is sequentially rewritten to the valve opening degree at the time of the previous stable operation. In Patent Document 3, when the compressor is stopped, the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve is recorded, and when the compressor is activated within a predetermined time, the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve is set to the recorded opening degree. An air conditioner is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-021568 Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 3-49304 No. 2-3093

  However, even if the initial opening degree is set as in Patent Documents 1-3, the time until the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve becomes a stable opening degree from the initial opening degree due to environmental changes during operation or the like is not shortened. There is. That is, when the opening degree is determined using a preset correction opening degree table as in Patent Document 1, the setting value of the correction opening degree table is a difference between the initial opening degree and the stable opening degree depending on the installation location and the use environment. There is a problem that it cannot be reduced and takes time. Moreover, even when the initial opening is changed to the opening at the time of stable operation for each operation as in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the use environment of the air conditioner may be completely different from the previous operation. In this case, there is a problem that the time until the opening of the electronic expansion valve becomes stable cannot be shortened.

  The air conditioner according to the present invention is made in response to the above-described problem, and when the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve is automatically adjusted, the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve is operated according to a change in environment. It aims at providing the air conditioner which can shorten the period from the initial opening degree at the time of starting to a stable state.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and includes an air conditioner having a refrigerant circuit connected to a compressor, a flow path switch, a heat source side heat exchanger, an electronic expansion valve, and a use side heat exchanger. An indoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the indoor air as the indoor temperature, an outdoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the outdoor air as the outdoor temperature, an operation mode of the air conditioner, and an indoor target temperature of the indoor space are acquired. An electronic expansion valve that acquires, as operating conditions, information acquisition means, the operation mode and indoor target temperature acquired by the information acquisition means, the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor, and the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor A control unit for controlling the opening of the electronic expansion valve, and the control unit memorizes the operation condition at the past operation as the past operation condition, and makes the electronic expansion valve in a stable state at the past operation. A registration database that stores the actual opening as a stable opening in association with past operating conditions, a condition search means that searches past registration conditions that match the operating conditions from the registration database at the start of operation, and a condition search means The stable opening degree associated with the past operating condition that matches the set operating condition is acquired from the registration database, the stable opening degree is set as the initial opening degree of the electronic expansion valve, and the electronic expansion valve The device control means for adjusting the opening and the opening of the electronic expansion valve when the operation is stabilized by the control of the device control means are acquired as a stable opening and stored in the registration database in association with the operating conditions. And a data registration means.

  According to the air conditioner of the present invention, the stable opening at that time is stored in the registration database in association with the operating conditions in the past operation, and past operating conditions that match the operating conditions at the start of operation are registered. By searching in the database and setting the stable opening associated with the past operating conditions that match the operating conditions as the initial opening, the time from the initial opening to the stable opening is reduced in the electronic expansion valve. Can be made.

It is a refrigerant circuit figure which shows preferable embodiment of the air conditioner of this invention. It is an external appearance schematic diagram which shows an example of a remote control. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the control part in the air conditioner of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the registration database in which the past driving | running conditions and stable opening degree of FIG. 3 were memorize | stored. It is a graph which shows the mode of the opening degree change until it becomes a stable opening degree from the preset initial opening degree OPf in the apparatus control means of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the control part in the air conditioner of FIG.1 and FIG.3. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the search method of the past driving | running condition by the condition search means of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an air conditioner of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the air conditioner of the present invention. The air conditioner 1 in FIG. 1 performs a cooling operation and a heating operation using a refrigeration cycle (heat pump cycle) for circulating a refrigerant, and includes an outdoor unit 1A and an indoor unit 1B. The outdoor unit 1A is installed outside, and the indoor unit 1B is installed in a room or the like where there is a thermal load to be removed, so that the thermal load of the room removed by the indoor unit 1B is discharged from the outdoor unit 1A to the outside. It has become.

  The air conditioner 1 has a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor 2, a flow path switching unit 3, a heat source side heat exchanger 4, an electronic expansion valve 6, and a use side heat exchanger 7 are connected by piping. On the outdoor unit 1A side, a compressor 2, a flow path switching unit 3, a heat source side heat exchanger 4, and a control unit 10 are provided. The compressor 2 sucks the refrigerant, compresses the refrigerant, and discharges it in a high temperature / high pressure state. As for this compressor 2, the discharge side is connected to the flow path switch 3, and the suction side is connected to the use side heat exchanger 7 of the indoor unit 1B.

  The flow path switching unit 3 switches between a heating flow path and a cooling flow path in accordance with switching of an operation mode of cooling operation or heating operation, and includes, for example, a four-way valve. During the cooling operation, the flow path switching unit 3 connects the discharge side of the compressor 2 and the heat source side heat exchanger 4 and connects the use side heat exchanger 7 of the indoor unit 1B and the suction side of the compressor 2. Connect. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 flows to the heat source side heat exchanger 4 side, and the refrigerant flowing out from the use side heat exchanger 7 of the indoor unit 1B is sucked into the compressor 2. On the other hand, during the heating operation, the flow path switching unit 3 connects the discharge side of the compressor 2 and the use side heat exchanger 7 of the indoor unit 1B, and also connects the heat source side heat exchanger 4 and the suction side of the compressor 2 to each other. Connect. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 flows into the use side heat exchanger 7 of the indoor unit 1B, and the refrigerant flowing out of the use side heat exchanger 7 flows into the suction side of the compressor 2 through the electronic expansion valve 6. To do. In addition, although the case where a four-way valve is used as the flow path switching unit 3 is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a plurality of two-way valves may be combined.

  The heat source side heat exchanger 4 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and air (outside air). For example, a heat transfer pipe that allows the refrigerant to pass therethrough, and a heat transfer area between the refrigerant that flows through the heat transfer pipe and the outside air. It has the structure provided with the fin for enlarging. Moreover, the outdoor air blower 5 which ventilates the heat source side heat exchanger 4 is arrange | positioned, and a refrigerant | coolant performs heat exchange with air by the drive of the outdoor air blower 5. FIG. The heat source side heat exchanger 4 is connected between the flow path switching unit 3 and the electronic expansion valve 6, functions as a condenser that condenses and liquefies the refrigerant during the cooling operation, and evaporates the refrigerant during the heating operation. It functions as an evaporator that vaporizes.

  The electronic expansion valve 6 is disposed between the heat source side heat exchanger 4 and the indoor unit 1B, and the opening degree can be variably controlled. The electronic expansion valve 6 functions as an expansion valve that decompresses and expands the refrigerant. By adjusting the opening of the electronic expansion valve 6, the temperature (pressure) of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit can be controlled. it can.

  The indoor unit 1B includes a use-side heat exchanger 7 and an indoor blower 8. The use side heat exchanger 7 functions as an evaporator (heat absorber) during cooling operation, and functions as a condenser (heat radiator) during heating operation. And the use side heat exchanger 7 heat-exchanges between the air supplied from the indoor air blower 8, and a refrigerant | coolant, and cools and heats indoor space.

  An indoor temperature sensor 9a that detects the temperature of the indoor air as the indoor temperature Tr is provided on the indoor unit 1B side of the air conditioner 1, and the outdoor air temperature is detected as the outdoor temperature Tout on the outdoor unit 1A side. An outdoor temperature sensor 9b is provided. The indoor temperature sensor 9a and the outdoor temperature sensor 9b detect the indoor temperature Tr and the outdoor temperature Tout, respectively, and send them to the control unit 10.

  Furthermore, information acquisition means (transmission / reception unit) 20 for transmitting / receiving data to / from the outside is provided on the indoor unit 1B side of the air conditioner 1, and the air conditioner 1 is based on information transmitted from the remote controller 50. It is designed to drive. FIG. 2 is a schematic external view showing an example of the remote controller 50. The remote controller 50 includes an operation start / stop button 51, an operation switching button 52, and a target temperature setting button 53. The operation start / stop button 51 is a button for inputting start / stop of the operation of the air conditioner 1, and is a button for inputting each operation mode of the cooling operation, the heating operation, the dry operation, or the air blowing operation. is there. The target temperature setting button 53 is a button for the user to set the indoor target temperature Tset, and can increase or decrease the indoor target temperature Tset by 1 ° C., for example. Then, the remote controller 50 transmits the operation start / stop, the operation mode, and the indoor target temperature Tset input by the user to the information acquisition unit 20 of the air conditioner 1.

  The remote controller 50 has buttons for performing various settings such as setting the direction of the airflow blown from the indoor unit 1B, setting the flow velocity of the air blown from the indoor unit 1B, and setting the time until the air conditioner 1 stops operating. Also good. Then, the information acquisition means 20 sends the start / stop of operation acquired from the remote controller 50, the operation mode DM, and the indoor target temperature Tset to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 performs the operation of the air conditioner 1 based on these information. Control. In addition, the information acquisition unit 20 is illustrated with respect to the case of acquiring the start / stop of operation, the operation mode DM, and the indoor target temperature Tset from the remote controller 50 by wireless communication. Alternatively, it may be acquired via a network.

  Here, the flow of the refrigerant in the air conditioner 1 during the cooling operation and the heating operation will be described with reference to FIG. During the cooling operation, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 2 to become high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and is sent to the heat source side heat exchanger 4 through the flow path switching unit 3. In the heat source side heat exchanger 4, the refrigerant is cooled (condensed) by heat exchange with the outside air, and becomes high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant becomes a low-pressure two-phase refrigerant by the electronic expansion valve 6, and is heat-exchanged with the indoor air by the use side heat exchanger 7 of the indoor unit 1B to become low-pressure gas. At this time, the indoor air is cooled. Thereafter, the low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the flow path switching unit 3 and returns to the suction side of the compressor 2.

  On the other hand, during the heating operation, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 2 to become high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and is sent to the use side heat exchanger 7 of the indoor unit 1B through the flow path switching unit 3. In the use-side heat exchanger 7, the refrigerant is condensed to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. At this time, room air is heated. Then, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant becomes a low-pressure two-phase refrigerant at the electronic expansion valve 6, enters a low-pressure gas state at the outdoor heat exchanger 9, and then returns to the suction side of the compressor 2 via the flow path switch 3.

  During the cooling operation or heating operation described above, the operation of the air conditioner 1 is controlled by the control unit 10. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the control unit 10 in the air conditioner 1 of FIG. 1, and the control unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The control unit 10 is composed of a microcomputer having a memory area for storing various data such as a DSP, for example, and is configured as shown in FIG. 3 by executing a program. The control unit 10 controls the operation of the air conditioner 1, and based on the indoor temperature Tr, the outdoor temperature Tout, the operation mode DM, and the indoor target temperature Tset, the rotational speed of the compressor 2, the flow path switch 3 , The opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6, the rotational speed of the outdoor blower 5 and the rotational speed of the indoor blower 8 are determined, and the air conditioning capability is controlled so that the indoor temperature Tr becomes the indoor target temperature Tset.

  In particular, the control unit 10 has a function of setting the initial opening OPf of the electronic expansion valve 6 at the start of operation, and includes a condition search unit 11, a device control unit 12, a data registration unit 13, and a registration database DB. I have. The condition search means 11 searches the registered database DB for past operation conditions RDC that match the operation conditions DC at the start of operation. Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the registration database DB. As shown in FIG. 4, in the registration database DB, the operation condition DC when actually operated in the past is stored as the past operation condition RDC. The past operation condition RDC includes the operation mode DM and the indoor target temperature Tset transmitted from the remote controller 50, and the indoor temperature Tr and the outdoor temperature Tout detected by the various temperature sensors 9a and 9b. Each past operation condition RDC is associated with and stored a stable opening OPs of the electronic expansion valve 6 when the operation becomes stable during operation based on the past operation condition RDC. In addition, although the case where the stable opening degree OPs was linked | related with the past operating condition RDC is illustrated, in addition to the stable opening degree OPs, the drive frequency of the compressor 2, the outdoor fan 5, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 8, etc. Other operation parameters may be included.

  The condition search means 11 shown in FIG. 3 has a past operation in which the operation modes DM match and the temperatures Tr, Tout, Tset of the operation conditions DC match or fall within a predetermined search range ± ΔTr, ± ΔTout, ± ΔTset. The condition RDC is searched as a past operation condition RDC that matches the operation condition DC. The predetermined search ranges ± ΔTr, ± ΔTout, ± ΔTset are preset in the condition search means 11, and for example, a range of ± 3 ° C. is set. Then, the condition search means 11 selects the room temperature Tr ± ΔTr, the outdoor temperature Tout ± ΔTout, and the indoor target temperature Tset from the past operation conditions RDC in which the operation mode DM matches the operation condition DC to start operation. The past operating condition RDC that falls within the range of ± ΔTset is searched.

  In particular, in the condition search means 11 of FIG. 3, priority is set in descending order of influence on the refrigerant circuit among the four parameters of the operation condition DC, and the operation condition DC is searched in descending order of priority. Done. In the air conditioner 1, the operation mode setting that determines the refrigerant circuit configuration itself has the highest priority. Next, priorities are given in the order of the indoor temperature Tr for solving the thermal load, the outdoor temperature Tout for discharging the thermal load, and the indoor target temperature Tset.

  Further, the condition search means 11 has a function of narrowing the search range by narrowing the search ranges ± ΔTr, ± ΔTout, ± ΔTset when two or more past operation conditions RDC are detected. Specifically, the condition search means 11 stores a change parameter Tc for narrowing the search ranges ± ΔTr, ± ΔTout, ± ΔTset. Then, the condition search means 11 sets ΔTr = ΔTr−Tc, ΔTout = ΔTout−Tc, and ΔTset = ΔTset−Tc as the narrowing conditions, and performs a narrowing search for two or more past operating conditions RDC. Here, as the change parameter Tc, for example, the minimum value of the resolution that the control unit 10 has with respect to the temperature condition is used. For example, when the control unit 10 reads the temperature data in increments of 1 ° C., Tc = 1 is set, and when the temperature data is read in increments of 0.5 ° C., ΔT = 0.5 is set.

  In addition, although the case where it sets to the minimum value of resolution is illustrated, you may make it set to Tc = 2 degreeC, even when the resolution is 1 degreeC. Furthermore, although the case where narrowing down is performed using the same change parameter Tc for the search ranges ΔTr, ΔTout, ΔTset when performing a search, narrowing down is performed with different values of the change parameter Tc for each ΔTr, ΔTout, ΔTset. You may make it do.

  The condition search means 11 narrows down until there is only one past operating condition RDC that matches the operating condition DC, and extracts the stable opening OPs associated with the past operating condition RDC from the registration database DB. On the other hand, if the condition search means 11 cannot find a suitable past operation condition RDC as a result of searching for the past operation condition RDC, it sends a message to that effect to the device control means 12.

  The device control means 12 controls the operation of various devices constituting the air conditioner 1 and controls the compressor 2, the flow path switch 3, the blowers 5 and 8, and the electronic expansion valve 6. In particular, the device control means 12 has a function of controlling the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6 based on the search result in the condition search means 11. Specifically, when one past operation condition RDC that matches the operation condition DC is detected in the condition search means 11, the device control means 12 associates the initial opening OPf of the electronic expansion valve 6 with the past operation condition RDC. The stable opening degree OPs is set and the operation is started (OPf = OPs). On the other hand, when the condition search means 11 does not detect the past operating condition RDC that matches from the registration database DB, the device control means 12 sets the initial opening OPf of the electronic expansion valve 6 to a preset opening degree OPref. The operation is started (OPf = OPref).

  The device control means 12 has a function of automatically adjusting the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6 after the operation is started. As a method of automatically controlling the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6, for example, a method of controlling the opening degree so that the discharge temperature (superheat degree) of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 becomes the target discharge temperature, heat source side heat Various known methods such as a method of calculating the degree of superheat using the inlet temperature and outlet temperature of the exchanger 4 and controlling the opening degree can be used. The device control means 12 performs automatic adjustment of the opening degree even when the preset opening degree OPref set in advance as the initial opening degree OPf is used or when the stable opening degree OP is used.

  Furthermore, when the change in the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6 continues for a set period PD1 (for example, 1 hour) or more, the device control means 12 stabilizes the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6 at this time so that the operation is stabilized. Detected as degrees OPs. Here, FIG. 5 is a graph showing how the opening degree is automatically controlled when the initial opening degree OPf of the electronic expansion valve 6 is set to the set opening degree OPref in the control unit 10 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the device control means 12 is stable in the adjustment period PD0 from the state where the initial opening OPf = the set opening OPref, for example, the refrigerant discharge temperature from the compressor 2 becomes the set temperature. The opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6 is automatically adjusted so as to achieve the above state. When the state where the opening does not change continues for the set period PD1, the device control means 12 determines that the operation of the air conditioner 1 has become stable, and determines the opening of the electronic expansion valve 6 at this time. It is detected as a stable opening OPs.

  The data registration means 13 of FIG. 3 stores the stable opening OPs in the registration database DB in association with the operating condition DC transmitted at the start of operation when the device control means 12 detects the stable opening OPs. is there. The data registration unit 13 newly stores the past operation condition RDC when the past operation condition RDC that matches the condition search unit 11 cannot be detected. On the other hand, the data registration unit 13 overwrites the stable opening OPs of the past operation condition RDC when the condition search unit 11 can detect the past operation condition RDC that matches the operation condition DC. As a result, even when the operating condition DC is equal, the latest air conditioner 1 is adapted to the case where the optimum condition in the air conditioner 1 changes due to deterioration of parts in the air conditioner 1 or the like. The stable opening OPs of the electronic expansion valve 6 most suitable for the state can be stored.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the control unit 10 in the air conditioner 1, and a control method of the air conditioner will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, in FIG. 6, the case where operation starts from the state which the air conditioner 1 has stopped is illustrated. Further, when the user using the air conditioner 1 inputs an operation end to the remote controller 50 while the air conditioner 1 is operating, the remote controller 50 transmits a command to stop the operation to the control unit 10. Then, the device control means 12 controls the air conditioner 1 to stop.

  First, when the user operates the remote controller 50, the operation mode DM and the indoor target temperature Tset of the air conditioner 1 are set and the operation start is instructed. Then, the operation start command, the operation mode DM, and the indoor target temperature Tset transmitted from the remote controller 50 are acquired by the information acquisition means 20, and the indoor temperature Tr and the outdoor temperature Tout are detected by the indoor temperature sensor 9a and the outdoor temperature sensor 9b. Is done. Then, the operation mode DM, the indoor target temperature Tset, the indoor temperature Tr, and the outdoor temperature Tout are read as operation conditions DC by the control unit 10 (step ST1).

  Thereafter, it is searched by the condition search means 11 of the control unit 10 whether or not the past operation condition RDC that matches the operation condition DC exists in the registration database DB (step ST2). If there is a past operation condition RDC that matches the operation condition DC in the registration database DB, the device controller 12 sets the initial opening OPf of the electronic expansion valve 6 to the stable opening OPs associated with the past operation condition RDC. (OPf = OPs, step ST4). On the other hand, when there is no past operating condition RDC that matches the operating condition DC, the device controller 12 sets the initial opening OPf of the electronic expansion valve 6 to a preset opening (OPf = OPref, Step ST5).

  Thereafter, the control unit 10 automatically adjusts the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6 in accordance with the operating condition DC (step ST6). Meanwhile, the device control means 12 determines whether or not the period in which the operation is stable and the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6 is constant continues for the set period PD1 or more (step ST7). When the period during which the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6 is constant continues for the set period PD1 or more, it is determined that the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6 is optimum in the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 1. The opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 6 at this time is sent from the device control means 12 to the data registration means 13.

  In the data registration means 13, the stable opening OPs of the electronic expansion valve 6 is stored in the registration database DB in association with the operating condition DC (step ST8). Even when the operating condition DC matches the past operating condition RDC, if the stable opening OPs of the electronic expansion valve 6 is different, the stable opening OPs of the electronic expansion valve 6 recorded in association with the operating condition DC is recorded. Will overwrite.

  In this way, when the initial opening degree OPf is set using the registration database DB, the electronic expansion valve 6 is optimized by using the past operation condition RDC that is set and learned during the actual operation of the air conditioner 1. The time until it stabilizes at the opening can be shortened. In other words, the time until the air conditioner 1 forms a stable and highly efficient refrigerant circuit state under the operating condition DC can be shortened.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a search method in the condition search means 11 of FIG. 3, and a search method for the past operating condition RDC will be described with reference to FIGS. First, when the past operation condition RDC is read from the registration database DB, it is determined whether or not one or more past operation conditions RDC are stored in the registration database DB (step ST11). If the past operation condition RDC is not yet stored, it is determined that the suitable past operation condition RDC cannot be detected, and the initial opening OPf = the set opening OPref is set (step ST5 in FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, when the past operation condition RDC exists, the past operation condition RDC having the same operation mode DM is extracted from the past operation condition RDC (step ST12), and the past operation condition RDC of the different operation mode DM is excluded from the search result. (Step ST20). Next, among the past operation conditions RDC extracted in the operation mode DM, there are past operation conditions RDC in which the indoor temperature Tr, the outdoor temperature Tout, and the indoor target temperature Tset are within the search ranges ± ΔTr, ± ΔTout, ± ΔTset, respectively. Search is performed (steps ST13 to ST15). Any one of the past operating conditions RDC outside the search ranges ± ΔTr, ± ΔTout, ± ΔTset is excluded from the search results (step ST20).

  As a result of the search, the number of hits of the past operating condition RDC that matches the operating condition DC is counted (step ST16). When the number of extracted past operating conditions RDC is one, the initial opening degree OPf is set to the stable opening degree OPs associated with the searched past operating condition RDC (step ST4 in FIG. 6). When the number of extracted past operating conditions RDC is 0, it is determined that the past operating conditions RDC that match the operating conditions DC could not be detected, and the initial opening OPf is set to the set opening OPref (FIG. 6). Step ST5). When there are two or more extracted past operating conditions RDC, the search ranges ± ΔTr, ± ΔTout, ± ΔTset are narrowed by the change parameter Tc (ΔTr-Tc, ΔTout-Tc, ΔTset-Tc, step ST17). Narrowing is performed until two or more past operation conditions RDC become one past operation condition RDC (steps ST13 to ST17). When the extracted past operating condition RDC becomes one, the initial opening OPf of the electronic expansion valve 6 is set to the stable opening OPs associated with the searched past operating condition RDC by the device control means 12. (Step ST4 in FIG. 6).

  According to the above embodiment, the stable opening OPs automatically adjusted when actually operated in the past is stored in association with the past operating condition RDC, and when the operating condition DC is input, the past operating condition is stored. By setting the initial opening degree OPf based on RDC, the time until the electronic expansion valve 6 is stabilized at the optimum opening degree can be shortened. In other words, by installing the learning function of the electronic expansion valve 6, the time period in which the air conditioner 1 is used occupies a high-efficiency operating state becomes relatively long, resulting in more energy saving. The air conditioner 1 can be used.

  In other words, when the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve divided into a plurality of categories is set as the initial opening degree based on the indoor air temperature and the outdoor intake air temperature as in the conventional case, the indoor air temperature and the outdoor The number of combinations of air temperature becomes a huge number, and if it becomes rough, it takes time to reach a stable opening. Also, even if the indoor air temperature and the outdoor air temperature are the same conditions, depending on the indoor air temperature setting conditions, the load of the air conditioning control device is different, and the rotational speed of the compressor and the opening of the electronic expansion valve are different. In this case as well, it takes time to reach a stable opening. Also, the opening of the electronic expansion valve is set according to the degree of superheat of the indoor heat exchanger or outdoor heat exchanger, and the electronic expansion valve when stabilized during the previous operation is set to the initial opening of the electronic expansion valve In this case, if the operating conditions are different from those at the previous operation, the electronic expansion valve cannot be set to an appropriate initial opening, and it takes time to reach a stable opening.

  On the other hand, as described above, the stable opening OPs automatically adjusted when actually operated in the past is stored and learned in association with the past operating condition RDC, and the past when the operating condition DC is input. By setting the initial opening degree OPf based on the operating condition RDC, it is possible to shorten the time until the electronic expansion valve 6 is stabilized at the optimum opening degree. Furthermore, even when a suitable past operating condition RDC is detected, the stable opening OPs after the automatic opening adjustment is overwritten on the registration database DB, so that a predetermined value can be set in accordance with aged deterioration, change in use environment, etc. An optimal initial opening degree OPf can be set for the operating condition DC.

  In addition, when a plurality of past operation conditions RDC conforming to the operation condition DC are detected, the condition search unit 11 narrows down until one past operation condition RDC is detected, thereby a plurality of conformance to the operation condition DC is achieved. The initial opening OPf can be set by detecting one past operating condition RDC that is most suitable from the past operating conditions RDC, and therefore the initial opening OPf is set by dividing a conventional constant temperature range. Compared to the case, the time from the initial opening degree OPf to the stable opening degree OPs can be shortened. In particular, since the operation condition DC includes the indoor target temperature Tset, and the condition retrieval unit 11 retrieves the past operation condition RDC using the indoor target temperature Tset, the past operation performed in the use environment close to the current use environment. The initial opening OPf can be set by detecting the condition RDC.

  Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments. As an example of using the technique of gradually narrowing the search range from the search range as a method of searching for the past operation condition RDC that matches the operation condition DC of FIG. 6 and FIG. The search method is not limited to this search method as long as the condition RDC can be searched. For example, a search method that starts with a search for past operation conditions RDC that matches the operation conditions DC and gradually expands the search range is known. A search algorithm can be used.

  In FIG. 4, the registration database DB illustrates the case where the stable opening OPs is stored in association with the past operating condition RDC, but not only the stable opening but also the rotation speed of each of the fans 5 and 8. Alternatively, other operation parameters such as the driving frequency of the compressor 2 may be stored. In FIG. 7, the condition search unit 11 illustrates a case where the search is performed in the order of the high-priority operation mode DM, the room temperature Tr, the outdoor temperature Tout, and the target temperature Tset. The search order is not particularly limited as long as the past operation condition RDC that matches or is similar is searched.

  In addition, although the case where four parameters are included as the operating condition DC is illustrated, other parameters such as the strength of operation such as rapid cooling or weak cooling, date, etc. are registered as the operating condition DC. Also good. Further, in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 is illustrated as having one outdoor unit 1A and one indoor unit 1B. However, the air conditioner 1 may have a plurality of indoor units. 1 and 3 exemplify the case where the control unit 10 is provided on the outdoor unit 1A side, the control unit 10 may be provided on the indoor unit 1B side, or the outdoor unit 1A and the control controller may be provided. It may be provided separately from the indoor unit 1B.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner, 1A outdoor unit, 1B indoor unit, 2 compressor, 3 flow path switch, 4 heat source side heat exchanger, 5 outdoor blower, 6 electronic expansion valve, 7 utilization side heat exchanger, 8 indoor blower, 9a Indoor temperature sensor, 9b Outdoor temperature sensor, 10 control unit, 11 condition search means, 12 device control means, 13 data registration means, 20 information acquisition means, 50 remote control, 51 start / stop button, 52 operation switch button, 53 target Temperature setting button, DB registration database, DC operation condition, DM operation mode, OP stable opening, OPf initial opening, OPref setting opening, OPs stable opening, PD0 adjustment period, PD1 setting period, RDC past operation condition, Tc Change parameter, Tout outdoor temperature, Tr indoor temperature, Tset indoor target temperature, ± ΔTr, ± ΔTout, ± ΔTse t Search range.

Claims (5)

An air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and having a refrigerant circuit connected to a compressor, a flow path switch, a heat source side heat exchanger, an electronic expansion valve, and a use side heat exchanger,
An indoor temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the indoor air as the indoor temperature;
An outdoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the outdoor air as the outdoor temperature;
Information acquisition means for acquiring the operation mode of the air conditioner and the indoor target temperature of the indoor space;
The operation mode and the indoor target temperature acquired by the information acquisition means, the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor, and the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor are acquired as operating conditions, and A control unit for controlling the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve,
The controller is
The operation conditions at the time of past operation are stored as past operation conditions, and the opening when the electronic expansion valve is in a stable state at the time of past operation is stored in association with the past operation conditions as a stable opening. A registration database;
Condition retrieval means for retrieving the past operation condition that matches the operation condition from the registration database at the start of operation;
The stable opening associated with the past operating condition that matches the operating condition searched by the condition searching means is acquired from the registration database, and the stable opening is set as an initial opening of the electronic expansion valve. A device control means for adjusting the opening of the electronic expansion valve so that the operation is stable,
Data registration means for acquiring the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve when the operation is stabilized by the control of the device control means as the stable opening degree and storing it in the registration database in association with the operating conditions; An air conditioner comprising:   The data registration means detects the stable opening degree associated with the past operation condition by the device control means when the past operation condition identical to the operation condition is stored in the registration database. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner has a function of overwriting the stable opening. The device control means is to determine that the operation has become stable when the opening of the electronic expansion valve becomes constant over a predetermined period of time,
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data registration unit stores a constant opening degree as the stable opening degree in the registration database in association with the operation condition.   The said condition search means narrows down the said several past driving conditions to one said past driving condition, when there are two or more said past driving conditions which match the said driving conditions. Item 1. An air conditioner according to item 1.   The condition search means includes the past operation conditions that match the operation mode and the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and the indoor target temperature indicated by the operation conditions match or fall within a predetermined search range. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air conditioner is searched as the past operation condition that conforms to

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