JP2019060585A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent in an air conditioner including a plurality of outdoor units, liquid compression of a compressor of an outdoor unit whose initial control is previously completed, in start-up control processing with determination of the correctness of a switching state of a switching valve.SOLUTION: A control device 60 which an air conditioner 1 includes is so formed as to execute second start-up control processing with determination of the correctness of a switching state of four-way valves (16,36). In the second start-up control processing, it is determined whether the initial control of an outdoor unit is completed or not after determining the correctness of the switching state of the four-way valves (16,36). When the initial control of an EHP outdoor unit 30 is not completed even when a prescribed time passes after the initial control completion of a GHP outdoor unit 10 whose initial control is previously completed, the operation of both outdoor units (10,30) is stopped, and following this, the operation of both compressors (12,32) is also stopped. With this, it is possible to prevent liquid compression due to that the GHP compressor 12 of the GHP outdoor unit 10 whose initial control is previously completed continues to be operated at a minimum engine speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  For example, as shown to patent document 1, the air conditioning apparatus provided with several outdoor unit is known. Since the air conditioning apparatus provided with a plurality of outdoor units can efficiently perform the air conditioning operation according to the air conditioning load, it exhibits high energy saving performance.

JP, 2015-210013, A

(Problems to be solved by the invention)
It may be necessary to switch the operating mode (operating state) of the air conditioning operation when the air conditioning apparatus is started. For example, if the previous operation mode is the heating mode and the current operation mode is the cooling mode, or vice versa, if the previous operation mode is the cooling mode and the current operation mode is the heating mode, the air Switch the operation mode of air conditioning operation at the time of activation of the conditioner. In such a case, the switching state of the switching valve (four-way valve) of the outdoor unit is changed, and a determination as to whether the switching state of the switching valve is correct or not is made at the time of activation control processing. In addition, even when the air conditioner is stopped unexpectedly due to a power failure or the like, it is determined whether or not the switching state of the switching valve is correct at the time of restarting.

  In an air conditioning apparatus provided with a plurality of outdoor units, when judging whether the switching state of the switching valve is correct or not during the start control process involving the judgment as to whether the switching state of the switching valve is correct as described above It is operated to start the initial control, and then the switching command of the switching valve is output to each outdoor unit. Then, after the initial control of all the outdoor units is completed, it is determined whether the switching state of the switching valve of each outdoor unit is correct. After it is determined that the switching state of the switching valve is correct, an air conditioning process (air conditioning control process) according to the required air conditioning load is performed.

  In this case, if the time required for the initial control of each of the plurality of outdoor units (the time from the start of the initial control to the completion of the initial control) is substantially equal, the switching valve of It can be determined whether the switching state is correct. However, if the time required for the initial control of the plurality of outdoor units is different, the outdoor unit that has completed the initial control first must wait until the initial control of the outdoor unit whose initial control has not been completed is completed. During this waiting time, the outdoor unit whose initial control has already been completed operates the compressor that it has at the minimum number of revolutions.

  Even when the compressor is operated at the minimum number of revolutions, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor circulates in the refrigerant circuit. However, when the compressor is operated at the minimum rotation speed, the suction pressure of the compressor is not sufficiently reduced, so that the refrigerant drawn into the compressor does not evaporate sufficiently. Therefore, the compressor sucks in the liquid refrigerant and compresses it, which may damage the compressor.

  Therefore, the present invention prevents, in an air conditioning apparatus including a plurality of outdoor units, liquid compression of the compressor of the outdoor unit whose initial control has been completed, at the time of start control processing involving determination of whether the switching state of the switching valve is correct or not. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioning apparatus capable of performing such activation control processing.

  An air conditioner (1) according to the present invention includes a plurality of outdoor units (10, 30), an indoor unit (40), and a control device (60). Each of the plurality of outdoor units has a compressor (12, 32), an outdoor heat exchanger (13, 33), and a switching valve (16, 36). The compressor has suction ports (12a, 32a) and discharge ports (12b, 32b), and by operating, sucks in the refrigerant from the suction port and compresses the compressed refrigerant and discharges the compressed refrigerant from the discharge port Configured as. The outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the suction port of the compressor during heating operation and connected to the discharge port of the compressor during cooling operation, and has a function of exchanging heat with the ambient air through the refrigerant flowing inside. The switching valve is configured to be able to switch the connection state of the outdoor heat exchanger and the compressor to a heating connection state in which the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the suction port and a cooling connection state in which the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the discharge port. .

  The indoor unit also has an indoor heat exchanger (41). The indoor heat exchanger is connected to the discharge ports of the compressors respectively possessed by the plurality of outdoor units when the switching state of the switching valve respectively possessed by the plurality of outdoor units is the heating connection state, and the plurality of outdoor units A plurality of outdoor units are configured to be connected to the suction ports of the respective compressors when the switching state of the switching valve is the cooling connection state, and the refrigerant flowing through the inside is indoor air and heat It has a function to exchange.

  Further, the control device controls at least a plurality of outdoor units. The control device may be configured to control a plurality of outdoor units and indoor units.

  Further, the control device according to the present invention is configured to execute the activation control process when the air conditioner is activated. Then, in the activation control processing, the control device performs initial control start processing (S312), switching command output processing (S313), switching state determination processing (S314), initial control completion determination processing (S315), and operation. And stop processing (S320). In the initial control start process, the control device operates the plurality of outdoor units when the start signal for operating the air conditioner in the required operation mode (heating mode or cooling mode) is input and the plurality of outdoor units are activated. Initial control of the outdoor unit is simultaneously started. In the switching command output process, the switching state of the switching valve of each of the plurality of outdoor units is switched to the switching state corresponding to the required operation mode out of the heating connection state and the cooling connection state after execution of the initial control start processing. As a result, a command related to the switching state is output to the switching valve. In the switching state determination process, it is determined whether the switching state of the switching valve is correct after execution of the switching command output process. In the initial control completion determination process, after determining that the switching state of the switching valve is correct in the switching state determination process, it is determined whether the initial control of any one outdoor unit of the plurality of outdoor units has been completed. . In the operation stop process, when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the initial control of any one outdoor unit was completed in the initial control completion determination process, when the initial control of all the outdoor units has not been completed, Among the at least a plurality of outdoor units, the operation of the outdoor unit whose initial control is completed is stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed.

  According to the present invention, the determination as to whether or not the switching state of the switching valve is correct is made prior to the determination as to whether or not the initial control of one outdoor unit has been completed. That is, without waiting for the completion of the initial control of the outdoor unit, it is determined whether the switching state of the switching valve is correct. In addition, when the initial control of one outdoor unit is determined to be completed and the initial control of all the outdoor units is not completed even if a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation of the outdoor unit whose initial control is completed Stop. As a result, the operation of the compressor of the outdoor unit whose initial control has been completed is stopped. By stopping the operation of the outdoor unit whose initial control has been completed in this way, the compressor of the outdoor unit whose initial control has been completed continues to operate at the minimum number of revolutions, and the liquid compression of the compressor and the associated damage to the compressor Can be effectively prevented. Therefore, according to the present invention, at the time of start control processing involving determination of whether the switching state of the switching valve is correct, start control processing that can prevent liquid compression of the compressor of the outdoor unit for which initial control has been completed earlier. An air conditioner that can be implemented can be provided.

  The above operation stop process is performed when the initial control of all the outdoor units is not completed when a predetermined time has elapsed from when it is determined that the initial control of any one outdoor unit is completed in the initial control completion determination process. The process may be to stop the operation of all the outdoor units. According to this, it is possible to contribute to energy saving by stopping the operation of all the outdoor units. In this case, the control device may execute the restart process of operating one or more of the plurality of outdoor units and starting the initial control of the operated outdoor unit after the execution stop process.

  Also, the plurality of outdoor units have a GHP outdoor unit (10) having an engine (11) as a drive source for operating the compressor, and an electric motor (31) as a drive source for operating the compressor. The EHP outdoor unit (30) may be included. That is, the air conditioner according to the present invention may be a hybrid air conditioner including the GHP outdoor unit and the EHP outdoor unit. The time required for the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit is generally longer than the time required for the initial control of the GHP outdoor unit. Therefore, by applying the present invention to such a hybrid air conditioner, higher effects are exhibited.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a starting control processing routine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 1st starting control processing routine. It is a flow chart which shows the flow of the 2nd starting control processing routine concerning this embodiment. It is a flowchart following FIG. 4A. In the case where the second activation control process according to the present embodiment is performed. It is a time chart which shows processing of a control device, and an example of operation of each outdoor unit in time series. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the conventional 2nd starting control processing routine. In the case where the conventional second activation control process is executed. It is a time chart which shows processing of a control device, and an example of operation of each outdoor unit in time series.

  Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of the air conditioning apparatus according to the present embodiment. The air conditioning apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to carry out the heating operation and the cooling operation. The room is heated by the execution of the heating operation, and the room is cooled by the execution of the cooling operation. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of outdoor units (GHP outdoor unit 10 and EHP outdoor unit 30), an indoor unit 40, and a control device 60.

  The GHP outdoor unit 10 has a gas engine 11 (internal combustion engine), a compressor, a plurality of pipes constituting a refrigerant circuit, and devices necessary for air conditioning. Each device includes an outdoor heat exchanger, a four-way valve (switching valve), an outdoor unit fan, an accumulator, a sub heat exchanger, a flow control valve, and a hot gas bypass valve. In the present embodiment, “GHP” is given as a prefix to piping, a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a four-way valve, an outdoor unit fan, a flow control valve, and an accumulator provided in the GHP outdoor unit 10. Therefore, the GHP outdoor unit 10 includes the gas engine 11, the GHP compressor 12, the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13, a plurality of GHP pipes (15a to 15h), the GHP four-way valve 16, the GHP outdoor unit fan 17, the GHP accumulator 18, the sub heat The exchanger 19, the GHP flow control valve (GHP first flow control valve 20a, GHP second flow control valve 20b), and the hot gas bypass valve 21 are provided.

  The gas engine 11 is a drive source for operating the GHP compressor 12. The gas engine 11 is driven using, for example, a flammable gas such as propane gas as a fuel. The gas engine 11 is provided with an output shaft 11a. When the gas engine 11 is driven, the output shaft 11a rotates. A GHP compressor 12 is connected to an output shaft 11 a of the gas engine 11.

  The GHP compressor 12 operates by driving the gas engine 11 and rotating the output shaft 11a. The GHP compressor 12 has a first suction port 12a and a first discharge port 12b. When the GHP compressor 12 operates, the low pressure gas refrigerant is sucked from the first suction port 12a, and the sucked gas refrigerant is compressed. Then, the compressed high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the first discharge port 12 b.

  The first discharge port 12 b of the GHP compressor 12 is connected to the GHP four-way valve 16 via the GHP first pipe 15 a. The GHP four-way valve 16 includes a hollow main body having four ports (a first port 161, a second port 162, a third port 163, a fourth port 164), and a movable portion movable in the main body. . The space in the main body is partitioned such that the two movable ports connect the two specific ports and the other two ports. Moreover, the port connected is switched by moving the movable part. The switching state of the GHP four-way valve 16 (the switching state of the connection port) is controlled by the controller 60. The GHP first pipe 15 a is connected to the first port 161 of the GHP four-way valve 16.

  The second port 162 of the GHP four-way valve 16 is connected to the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 via the GHP second pipe 15 b. The GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 includes a first input / output port 13a and a second input / output port 13b. The GHP second pipe 15b is connected to the first input / output port 13a. In addition, the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 includes a heat exchange tube connecting the first input / output port 13a and the second input / output port 13b, and heat exchange fins disposed around the heat exchange tube. The GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 has a function of causing the refrigerant flowing in the heat exchange tube to exchange heat with the outside air.

  Also, the GHP outdoor unit fan 17 is installed at a position close to the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13. A fan motor is attached to the GHP outdoor unit fan 17, and the GHP outdoor unit fan 17 is rotated by the driving of the fan motor. The rotation of the GHP outdoor unit fan 17 supplies the outdoor air to the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13.

  The second input / output port 13b of the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 is connected to one end of the GHP third pipe 15c. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the GHP third piping 15 c has a portion branched into two piping (L 1, L 2) on the way. A GHP second flow rate adjustment valve 20b is interposed in one pipe L1, and a check valve 20c is interposed in the other pipe L2. During the heating operation, the refrigerant flows through the pipe L1, and during the cooling operation, the refrigerant flows through the pipe L2. The GHP second flow control valve 20b interposed in the pipe L1 is an expansion valve configured to be adjustable in opening degree, and flows into the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 through the pipe L1 (GHP third pipe 15c) Adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant. Further, the check valve 20c allows the flow of the refrigerant flowing out from the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 side, and blocks the flow of the refrigerant flowing into the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13. The other end of the GHP third piping 15 c is connected to, for example, a liquid pipe joint 10 a provided in the housing of the GHP outdoor unit 10.

  The third port 163 of the GHP four-way valve 16 is connected to the GHP accumulator 18 via the GHP fourth pipe 15 d. The refrigerant from the GHP fourth pipe 15 d flows into the GHP accumulator 18. The refrigerant flowing into the GHP accumulator 18 is separated into gas and liquid in the GHP accumulator 18. Further, the GHP accumulator 18 is connected to the first suction port 12 a of the GHP compressor 12 via the GHP fifth pipe 15 e. The gas-phase refrigerant in the GHP accumulator 18 is supplied to the first inlet 12 a of the GHP compressor 12 through the GHP fifth pipe 15 e.

  The fourth port 164 of the GHP four-way valve 16 is connected to one end of the GHP sixth pipe 15 f. The other end of the GHP sixth piping 15 f is connected to, for example, a gas pipe joint 10 b provided in the housing of the GHP outdoor unit 10.

  Further, a portion of the GHP third pipe 15c from the liquid pipe joint 10a to a portion branched to the pipes L1 and L2 and the GHP fourth pipe 15d are connected by the GHP seventh pipe 15g. The sub heat exchanger 19 is interposed in the GHP seventh piping 15g. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing in the GHP seventh piping 15g flows into the sub heat exchanger 19. The sub heat exchanger 19 is also supplied with cooling water that has cooled and heated the gas engine 11. Then, the sub heat exchanger 19 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the cooling water. Such heat exchange causes the refrigerant flowing in the sub heat exchanger 19 to receive heat from the heated cooling water. That is, in the sub heat exchanger 19, the refrigerant is heated by heat (heat of cooling water) obtained by driving the gas engine 11. In addition, the GHP first flow rate adjustment valve 20a is interposed in the GHP seventh piping 15g. The GHP first flow rate adjustment valve 20a is configured to be adjustable in opening degree, and adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the GHP seventh piping 15g, that is, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the sub heat exchanger 19.

  Further, the GHP first piping 15a and the GHP fourth piping 15d are connected by the hot gas bypass piping 15h. The first discharge port 12b and the first suction port 12a of the GHP compressor 12 are connected by the hot gas bypass pipe 15h. Further, the hot gas bypass valve 21 is interposed in the hot gas bypass piping 15 h. The hot gas bypass valve 21 is an on-off valve. The hot gas bypass valve 21 opens or closes to allow or block the flow of the refrigerant in the hot gas bypass pipe 15 h. When the hot gas bypass valve 21 is opened, a part of the refrigerant discharged from the first discharge port 12b of the GHP compressor 12 and flowing out to the GHP first pipe 15a passes through the hot gas bypass pipe 15h and the GHP fourth pipe It flows to 15 d and further flows into the GHP accumulator 18 from the GHP fourth pipe 15 d. Then, it is returned from the GHP accumulator 18 through the GHP fifth pipe 15 e to the first suction port 12 a of the GHP compressor 12.

  The EHP outdoor unit 30 has a motor 31 (electric motor), a compressor, a plurality of pipes constituting a refrigerant circuit, and devices necessary for air conditioning. Each device includes an outdoor heat exchanger, a four-way valve, an outdoor unit fan, an accumulator, and a flow control valve. In the present embodiment, “EHP” is given as a prefix to the piping, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the four-way valve, the outdoor unit fan, and the accumulator provided in the EHP outdoor unit 30. Therefore, the EHP outdoor unit 30 includes the motor 31, the EHP compressor 32, the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33, the plurality of EHP pipes (35a to 35f), the EHP four-way valve 36, the EHP outdoor unit fan 37, the EHP accumulator 38, and the EHP flow adjustment The valve 39 will be provided.

  The motor 31 is a drive source for operating the EHP compressor 32. The motor 31 is driven by, for example, power supplied from a commercial power supply C. The motor 31 includes an output shaft 31a. An EHP compressor 32 is connected to the output shaft 31 a of the motor 31.

  The EHP compressor 32 operates by driving the motor 31 and rotating the output shaft 31a. The EHP compressor 32 has a second suction port 32a and a second discharge port 32b. When the EHP compressor 32 operates, the low pressure gas refrigerant is sucked from the second suction port 32a, and the sucked gas refrigerant is compressed. Then, the compressed high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the second discharge port 32 b.

  The second discharge port 32 b of the EHP compressor 32 is connected to the EHP four-way valve 36 via the EHP first pipe 35 a. The EHP four-way valve 36 includes a hollow main body having four ports (a first port 361, a second port 362, a third port 363, a fourth port 364), and a movable portion movable in the main body. . The space in the main body is partitioned such that the two movable ports connect the two specific ports and the other two ports. Moreover, the port connected is switched by moving the movable part. The switching state of the EHP four-way valve 36 (the switching state of the connection port) is controlled by the control device 60. The EHP first pipe 35 a is connected to the first port 361 of the EHP four-way valve 36.

  The second port 362 of the EHP four-way valve 36 is connected to the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 via the EHP second pipe 35 b. The EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 includes a first input / output port 33a and a second input / output port 33b, and the EHP second piping 35b is connected to the first input / output port 33a. In addition, the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 includes a heat exchange tube connecting the first input / output port 33a and the second input / output port 33b, and heat exchange fins disposed around the heat exchange tube. The EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 has a function of causing the refrigerant flowing in the heat exchange tube to exchange heat with the outside air.

  Further, the EHP outdoor unit fan 37 is installed at a position close to the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33. A fan motor is attached to the EHP outdoor unit fan 37, and the EHP outdoor unit fan 37 is rotated by driving the fan motor. As the EHP outdoor unit fan 37 rotates, the outdoor air is supplied to the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33.

  The second input / output port 33b of the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 is connected to one end of the EHP third pipe 35c. An EHP flow control valve 39 is interposed in the EHP third pipe 35c. The EHP flow rate adjustment valve 39 is an expansion valve configured to be adjustable in opening degree, and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the EHP third pipe 35c into the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 or the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 to the EHP third The flow rate of the refrigerant flowing out to the three pipes 35c is adjusted. The other end of the EHP third piping 35c is connected to, for example, a liquid pipe joint 30a provided in the housing of the EHP outdoor unit 30.

  The third port 363 of the EHP four-way valve 36 is connected to the EHP accumulator 38 via the EHP fourth pipe 35 d. The refrigerant from the EHP fourth pipe 35 d flows into the EHP accumulator 38. The refrigerant flowing into the EHP accumulator 38 is separated into gas and liquid in the EHP accumulator 38. In addition, the EHP accumulator 38 is connected to the second suction port 32 a of the EHP compressor 32 via the EHP fifth pipe 35 e. The gas phase refrigerant in the EHP accumulator 38 is supplied to the second suction port 32a of the EHP compressor 32 through the EHP fifth pipe 35e.

  The fourth port 364 of the EHP four-way valve 36 is connected to one end of the EHP sixth pipe 35 f. The other end of the EHP sixth piping 35 f is connected to, for example, a gas pipe joint 30 b provided in the housing of the EHP outdoor unit 30.

  The indoor unit 40 is provided corresponding to one or more indoor heat exchangers and respective indoor heat exchangers, and is a pipe that constitutes a refrigerant circuit (interior-side first pipe 42a, indoor-side second pipe 42b) And an indoor expansion valve 43 and an indoor unit fan 44 provided corresponding to each indoor heat exchanger. In FIG. 1, three indoor heat exchangers 41A, 41B, and 41C and each piping corresponding to these and each apparatus are illustrated. The three indoor heat exchangers illustrated are generically referred to as an indoor heat exchanger 41.

  The indoor heat exchanger 41 includes a first input / output port 41a and a second input / output port 41b. The indoor heat exchanger 41 includes a heat exchange tube connecting the first input / output port 41a and the second input / output port 41b, and heat exchange fins disposed around the heat exchange tube. The indoor heat exchanger 41 has a function of heat exchange of the refrigerant flowing in the heat exchange tube with indoor air.

  The first input / output port 41a of the indoor heat exchanger 41 is connected to one end of the indoor side first pipe 42a. The other end of the indoor side first pipe 42 a is connected to, for example, a liquid pipe joint 40 a provided in the housing of the indoor unit 40. The second input / output port 41b of the indoor heat exchanger 41 is connected to one end of the indoor second piping 42b. The other end of the indoor second piping 42 b is connected to, for example, a gas pipe joint 40 b provided in the housing of the indoor unit 40.

  Further, the indoor expansion valve 43 is interposed in the indoor first piping 42a. The indoor expansion valve 43 is a flow valve capable of adjusting the opening degree, and adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 41, and flows into the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 41 or into the indoor heat exchanger 41. Function to expand the refrigerant.

  An indoor unit fan 44 is installed in proximity to the indoor heat exchanger 41. A fan motor is attached to the indoor unit fan 44, and the indoor unit fan 44 is rotated by driving the fan motor. As the indoor unit fan 44 rotates, indoor air is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 41.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid pipe joint 10 a provided in the housing of the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the liquid pipe joint 40 a provided in the housing of the indoor unit 40 are connected by the first liquid pipe 51. As described above, the liquid pipe joint 10a of the GHP outdoor unit 10 is connected to the other end of the GHP third piping 15c, and one end of the third piping 15c is the second input / output port 13b of the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13. It is connected to the. The liquid pipe joint 40a of the indoor unit 40 is connected to the other end of the indoor side first pipe 42a, and the indoor heat exchanger 41 is connected to one end of the indoor side first pipe 42a. Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger 41 and the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 are connected via the GHP third pipe 15 c, the first liquid pipe 51, and the indoor first pipe 42 a.

  Further, one end of the second liquid pipe 53 communicates with the first liquid pipe 51. The other end of the second liquid pipe 53 is connected to a liquid pipe joint 30 a provided in the housing of the EHP outdoor unit 30. The liquid pipe joint 30a of the EHP outdoor unit 30 is connected to the other end of the EHP third piping 35c, and one end of the EHP third piping 35c is connected to the second input / output port 33b of the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 . Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger 41 and the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 are connected via the EHP third pipe 35c, the second liquid pipe 53, the first liquid pipe 51, and the indoor first pipe 42a.

  Further, the gas pipe joint 10 b provided in the housing of the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the gas pipe joint 40 b provided in the housing of the indoor unit 40 are connected by the first gas pipe 52. Further, the first gas pipe 52 communicates with one end of the second gas pipe 54. The other end of the second gas pipe 54 is connected to a gas pipe joint 30 b provided in the housing of the EHP outdoor unit 30.

  The control device 60 mainly includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and controls the GHP outdoor unit 10, the EHP outdoor unit 30, and the indoor unit 40. That is, the control device 60 controls the operation (operation) of the air conditioner 1. For example, the control device 60 switches the GHP four-way valve 16 and the EHP four-way valve 36 according to the operating condition of the air conditioner 1, the rotational speed of the gas engine 11 (the rotational speed of the GHP compressor 12), the rotation of the motor 31 Number (rotation speed of the EHP compressor 32), opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 43, opening degree of each flow control valve (20a, 20b, 39), open / close state of the hot gas bypass valve 21, rotation speed of each fan, etc. Control. Further, the control device 60 executes the activation control process when the air conditioning device 1 is activated.

  In addition, sensors are provided in each of the GHP outdoor unit 10, the EHP outdoor unit 30, and the indoor unit 40, and detection signals of these sensors are input to the control device 60. The control device 60 controls the operation of the air conditioner 1 based on signals input from various sensors. As various sensors, a rotational speed detection sensor that detects the rotational speed of the gas engine 11 (or GHP compressor 12) and the motor 31 (or EHP compressor), and the temperature of refrigerant discharged from the GHP compressor 12 and EHP compressor 32 Discharge temperature sensor, suction temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of refrigerant sucked into GHP compressor 12 and EHP compressor 32, pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of refrigerant sucked into GHP compressor 12 and EHP compressor 32, GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33, rotation of various fans Speed detection sensor for detecting the number, indoor side expansion 43 and the flow control valve (20a, 20b, 39) opening detection sensor for detecting the opening of a temperature sensor for detecting the outside air temperature, can be exemplified such as this shall not apply. In FIG. 1, a GHP discharge pressure sensor 71 detecting the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the GHP compressor 12, a GHP suction pressure sensor 72 detecting the pressure of the refrigerant drawn into the GHP compressor 12, and a discharge from the EHP compressor 32 EHP discharge pressure sensor 73 detecting pressure of refrigerant, EHP suction pressure sensor 74 detecting pressure of refrigerant sucked into EHP compressor 32, GHP outdoor heat exchanger detecting temperature of refrigerant flowing through GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 A temperature sensor 75, an EHP outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 76 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 is shown.

  Next, operations during heating operation (heating mode) and cooling operation (cooling mode) of the air conditioner 1 configured as described above will be described. First, the operation at the time of heating operation will be described. At the time of heating operation, the control device 60 controls each four-way valve (16, 36) so that the switching state of the GHP four-way valve 16 and the EHP four-way valve 36 becomes the heating connection state. Here, the GHP four-way valve 16 and the EHP four-way valve 36 are configured such that the switching state can be switched between the heating connection state and the cooling connection state described later. In the heating connection state, the first port (161, 361) and the fourth port (164, 364) of the four-way valve (16, 36) communicate with each other and the second port (162, 362) and the third port (163) , 363) are in communication with each other. Therefore, during the heating operation, that is, when the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is in the heating connection state, the first pipe connected to the first port (161, 361) of the four-way valve (16, 36) 15a, 35a) is connected to the sixth pipe (15f, 35f) connected to the fourth port (164, 364), and is connected to the second port (162, 362) of the four-way valve (16, 36) The two pipes (15b, 35b) are connected to the fourth pipe (15d, 35d) connected to the third port (163, 363).

  As will be understood from the description given later, when the GHP four-way valve 16 is in the heating connection state, the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 is connected to the first suction port 12 a of the GHP compressor 12 and the GHP four-way valve 16 When the switching state is the cooling connection state, the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 is connected to the first discharge port 12 b of the GHP compressor 12. Therefore, the GHP four-way valve 16 connects the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the GHP compressor 12, and the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 is connected to the first inlet 12 a of the GHP compressor 12 during heating and the GHP It can be said that switching to the cooling connection state connected to the first discharge port 12 b of the compressor 12 is possible. Similarly, when the switching state of the EHP four-way valve 36 is the heating connection state, the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 is connected to the second suction port 32a of the EHP compressor 32, and the switching state of the EHP four-way valve 36 is cooling connection When in the state, the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 is connected to the second discharge port 32 b of the EHP compressor 32. Therefore, the EHP four-way valve 36 connects the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 to the EHP compressor 32, and the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 is connected to the second suction port 32a of the EHP compressor 32. It can be said that switching to the cooling connection state connected to the second discharge port 32 b of the compressor 32 is possible.

  Further, during the heating operation, the gas engine 11 is driven in a state where the switching state of the GHP four-way valve 16 is in the heating connection state. Then, the GHP compressor 12 operates to suck the low-pressure gas refrigerant in the GHP fifth pipe 15 e from the first suction port 12 a and compress the sucked low-pressure gas refrigerant to generate a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. Then, the generated high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the first discharge port 12 b. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the first discharge port 12 b flows through the GHP first pipe 15 a and flows into the GHP four-way valve 16.

  During heating operation, since the GHP first pipe 15a is connected to the GHP sixth pipe 15f by the GHP four-way valve 16, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing from the GHP first pipe 15a into the GHP four-way valve 16 is the GHP four-way valve 16 Flows into the GHP sixth pipe 15f. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the GHP sixth pipe 15f further includes the gas pipe joint 10b of the GHP outdoor unit 10, the first gas pipe 52, the gas pipe joint 40b of the indoor unit 40, and the indoor second pipe 42b in this order Flow. And it flows in into the indoor heat exchanger 41 connected to the indoor side 2nd piping 42b from the 2nd input-output port 41b.

  The high temperature / high pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 41 exchanges heat with indoor air while flowing through the heat exchange tube of the indoor heat exchanger 41, and the heat is discharged to the indoor air to condense. That is, the indoor heat exchanger 41 functions as a condenser during heating operation. At this time, room air is warmed by the heat expelled from the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant, and the room is heated.

  Heat is discharged to indoor air by the indoor heat exchanger 41, and the condensed refrigerant is partially liquefied and flows out from the first input / output port 41a of the indoor heat exchanger 41 to the indoor first piping 42a. And it is pressure-reduced so that it may evaporate easily by expanding with the indoor side expansion valve 43 interposed in the middle of the indoor side 1st piping 42a. The refrigerant expanded by the indoor expansion valve 43 is further connected to the liquid pipe joint 40a of the indoor unit 40, the first liquid pipe 51, the liquid pipe joint 10a of the GHP outdoor unit 10, and the GHP third pipe from the indoor side first pipe 42a. It flows into the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 from the second input / output port 13b via the pipe 15c, the pipe L1 and the GHP second flow rate adjustment valve 20b. The refrigerant flowing into the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outside air while flowing through the heat exchange tube of the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13, and takes heat of the outside air to evaporate. That is, the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator at the time of heating.

  The heat of the outside air is removed by the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13, the evaporated refrigerant is partially vaporized, and flows out from the first input / output port 13a of the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 to the GHP second piping 15b. Then, it enters the GHP four-way valve 16 from the GHP second pipe 15 b. Since the GHP second pipe 15b is connected to the GHP fourth pipe 15d by the GHP four-way valve 16 during heating operation, the refrigerant flowing from the GHP second pipe 15b into the GHP four-way valve 16 is the GHP four-way valve 16 to the GHP fourth It flows into the pipe 15 d and further flows into the GHP accumulator 18. In the GHP accumulator 18, the inflowing refrigerant is separated into gas and liquid. Then, only the low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flows out of the GHP accumulator 18 to the GHP fifth pipe 15 e. The refrigerant flowing out of the GHP accumulator 18 to the GHP fifth pipe 15 e returns to the first suction port 12 a of the GHP compressor 12. As can be seen from the flow of the refrigerant described above, the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 includes the GHP second pipe 15b, the GHP fourth pipe 15d, and the GHP fourth during heating operation in which the GHP four-way valve 16 is switched for heating. It is connected to the first suction port 12a of the GHP compressor 12 via the five pipes 15e.

  In addition, at the time of heating operation, the opening degree of the GHP first flow rate adjustment valve 20a is controlled as necessary. When the GHP first flow rate adjustment valve 20a is open, part of the refrigerant flowing into the GHP third pipe 15c via the indoor heat exchanger 41 and the indoor expansion valve 43 flows to the GHP seventh pipe 15g. The refrigerant that has flowed to the GHP seventh piping 15g is introduced to the sub heat exchanger 19. In the sub heat exchanger 19, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the cooling water to heat the refrigerant. The refrigerant heated by the sub heat exchanger 19 flows out from the GHP seventh piping 15 g to the GHP fourth piping 15 d and is then supplied to the GHP accumulator 18.

  Further, during the heating operation, the motor 31 is driven in a state where the switching state of the EHP four-way valve 36 is in the heating connection state. Then, the EHP compressor 32 operates to suck in the low-pressure gas refrigerant in the EHP fifth pipe 35 e from the second suction port 32 a and compress the sucked low-pressure gas refrigerant to generate a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. Then, the generated high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the second discharge port 32b. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the second discharge port 32 b flows through the EHP first pipe 35 a and flows into the EHP four-way valve 36.

  During heating operation, since the EHP first pipe 35a is connected to the EHP sixth pipe 35f by the EHP four-way valve 36, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing from the EHP first pipe 35a into the EHP four-way valve 36 is the EHP four-way valve 36 Flows into the EHP sixth pipe 35f. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the EHP sixth piping 35f is further added to the gas pipe joint 30b of the EHP outdoor unit 30, the second gas pipe 54, the first gas pipe 52, the gas pipe joint 40b of the indoor unit 40, and the indoor side first The two pipes 42b flow in this order. And it flows in into the indoor heat exchanger 41 connected to the indoor side 2nd piping 42b from the 2nd input-output port 41b.

  The high temperature / high pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 41 exchanges heat with indoor air while flowing through the heat exchange tube of the indoor heat exchanger 41, and the heat is discharged to the indoor air to condense. At this time, room air is warmed by the heat expelled from the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant, and the room is heated.

  Heat is discharged to indoor air by the indoor heat exchanger 41, and the condensed refrigerant is partially liquefied and flows out from the first input / output port 41a of the indoor heat exchanger 41 to the indoor first piping 42a. And it is pressure-reduced so that it may evaporate easily by expanding with the indoor side expansion valve 43 interposed in the middle of the indoor side 1st piping 42a. Further, the refrigerant expanded by the indoor expansion valve 43 is the liquid pipe joint 40a of the indoor unit 40, the first liquid pipe 51, the second liquid pipe 53, the liquid pipe joint 30a of the EHP outdoor unit 30, and the EHP third pipe 35c. And flows into the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 from the second input / output port 33 b via the EHP flow control valve 39. While flowing through the heat exchange tubes in the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33, the refrigerant flowing into the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 exchanges heat with the outside air, deprives the heat of the outside air, and evaporates. That is, the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 functions as an evaporator at the time of heating.

  The heat of the outside air is taken away by the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33, the evaporated refrigerant is partially vaporized, and flows out from the first input / output port 33a of the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 to the EHP second pipe 35b. Then, it enters the EHP four-way valve 36 from the EHP second pipe 35 b. Since the EHP second piping 35b is connected to the EHP fourth piping 35d by the EHP four-way valve 36 at the time of heating operation, the refrigerant flowing from the EHP second piping 35b into the EHP four-way valve 36 is the EHP four-way valve 36 through the EHP fourth It flows into the pipe 35 d and further flows into the EHP accumulator 38. In the EHP accumulator 38, the inflowing refrigerant is separated into gas and liquid. Then, only the low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flows out of the EHP accumulator 38 into the EHP fifth pipe 35 e. The refrigerant flowing out of the EHP accumulator 38 into the EHP fifth pipe 35 e is returned to the second suction port 32 a of the EHP compressor 32. As understood from the flow of the refrigerant, in the heating operation in which the switching state of the EHP four-way valve 36 is in the heating connection state, the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 includes the EHP second pipe 35b, the EHP fourth pipe 35d, and the EHP fourth It is connected to the second suction port 32 a of the EHP compressor 32 via the five pipes 35 e. In FIG. 1, the flow of the refrigerant at the time of heating operation is indicated by a solid arrow.

  Moreover, in the heating operation, that is, when the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is in the heating connection state, the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is in the heating connection state At that time, the indoor heat exchanger 41 is connected to the first discharge port 12b of the GHP compressor 12 via the GHP first piping 15a, the GHP sixth piping 15f, the first gas pipe 52, and the indoor second piping 42b. Ru. Similarly, when the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is the heating connection state, the EHP first pipe 35a, the EHP sixth pipe 35f, and the second gas pipe 54 are connected to the second discharge port 32b of the EHP compressor 32. The indoor heat exchanger 41 is connected via the first gas pipe 52 and the indoor second piping 42b. That is, when the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is in the heating connection state, discharge ports (12b, 32b) of the plurality of compressors (12, 32) respectively possessed by the plurality of outdoor units (10, 30) The indoor heat exchanger 41 is connected.

  Next, the cooling operation will be described. During the cooling operation, the control device 60 controls the respective four-way valves so that the switching state of the GHP four-way valve 16 and the EHP four-way valve 36 becomes the cooling connection state. Here, in the cooling connection state, the first port (161, 361) of the four-way valve (16, 36) and the second port (162, 362) communicate with each other and the third port (163, 363) In the switching state, the ports (164, 364) communicate. Therefore, during the cooling operation, that is, when the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is in the cooling connection state, the first pipe connected to the first port (161, 361) of the four-way valve (16, 36) 15a, 35a) is connected to the second pipe (15b, 35b) connected to the second port (162, 362), and the fourth pipe (15d, 35d) connected to the third port (163, 363) is It will be connected to the sixth piping (15f, 35f) connected to the fourth port (164, 364).

  Further, during the cooling operation, the gas engine 11 is driven in a state where the switching state of the GHP four-way valve 16 is in the cooling connection state. Then, the GHP compressor 12 operates to suck the low-pressure gas refrigerant in the GHP fifth pipe 15 e from the first suction port 12 a and compress the sucked low-pressure gas refrigerant to generate a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. Then, the generated high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the first discharge port 12 b. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the first discharge port 12 b flows through the GHP first pipe 15 a and flows into the GHP four-way valve 16.

  Since the GHP first pipe 15a is connected to the GHP second pipe 15b by the GHP four-way valve 16 during cooling operation, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing from the GHP first pipe 15a into the GHP four-way valve 16 is the GHP four-way valve 16 Flows into the GHP second pipe 15b. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the GHP second pipe 15b flows into the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 connected to the GHP second pipe 15b from the first input / output port 13a. While flowing through the heat exchange tube of the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13, the refrigerant flowing into the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outside air, and discharges heat to condense in the outside air. That is, the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as a condenser during cooling.

  The heat is expelled from the outside air by the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the condensed refrigerant is partially liquefied and flows out from the second input / output port 13b of the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 to the GHP third pipe 15c. The refrigerant that has flowed out to the GHP third piping 15c passes through the piping L2, the check valve 20c, the liquid pipe joint 10a of the GHP outdoor unit 10, the first liquid pipe 51, and the liquid pipe joint 40a of the indoor unit 40 to the indoor side. The pressure reaches a first pipe 42a, and the pressure is reduced so as to be easily evaporated by expanding with the indoor expansion valve 43 interposed in the middle of the indoor first pipe 42a. The refrigerant expanded by the indoor expansion valve 43 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 41 from the first input / output port 41 a. While flowing through the heat exchange tube of the indoor heat exchanger 41, the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 41 exchanges heat with the indoor air, deprives the heat of the indoor air, and evaporates. That is, the indoor heat exchanger 41 functions as an evaporator at the time of cooling. At this time, room air is cooled by the heat being taken away by the refrigerant, and the room is cooled.

  The heat of the indoor air is removed by the indoor heat exchanger 41, and the evaporated refrigerant is partially vaporized and flows out from the second input / output port 41b of the indoor heat exchanger 41 to the indoor second piping 42b. The refrigerant that has flowed out to the indoor second piping 42b passes through the gas pipe joint 40b of the indoor unit 40, the first gas pipe 52, the gas pipe joint 10b of the GHP outdoor unit 10, and the GHP sixth pipe 15f to form a GHP four-way valve. Enter 16 Since the GHP sixth pipe 15f is connected to the GHP fourth pipe 15d by the GHP four-way valve 16 during cooling operation, the refrigerant flowing from the GHP sixth pipe 15f into the GHP four-way valve 16 is the GHP four-way valve 16 to the GHP fourth It flows into the pipe 15 d and further flows into the GHP accumulator 18. In the GHP accumulator 18, the inflowing refrigerant is separated into gas and liquid. Then, only the low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flows out of the GHP accumulator 18 to the GHP fifth pipe 15 e. The refrigerant flowing out of the GHP accumulator 18 to the GHP fifth pipe 15 e returns to the first suction port 12 a of the GHP compressor 12. As can be seen from the flow of the refrigerant, during the cooling operation in which the switching state of the GHP four-way valve 16 is the cooling connection state, the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 is connected via the GHP second pipe 15b and the GHP first pipe 15a. , GHP compressor 12 is connected to the first discharge port 12b.

  Further, during the cooling operation, the motor 31 is driven while the switching state of the EHP four-way valve 36 is in the cooling connection state. Then, the EHP compressor 32 operates to suck in the low-pressure gas refrigerant in the EHP fifth pipe 35 e from the second suction port 32 a and compress the sucked low-pressure gas refrigerant to generate a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. Then, the generated high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the second discharge port 32b. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the second discharge port 32 b flows through the EHP first pipe 35 a and flows into the EHP four-way valve 36.

  Since the EHP first pipe 35a is connected to the EHP second pipe 35b by the EHP four-way valve 36 during cooling operation, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing from the EHP first pipe 35a into the EHP four-way valve 36 is the EHP four-way valve 36 Flows into the EHP second pipe 35b. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the EHP second pipe 35b flows into the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 connected to the EHP second pipe 35b from the first input / output port 33a. While flowing through the heat exchange tube of the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33, the refrigerant flowing into the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 exchanges heat with the outside air, and discharges heat to condense in the outside air. That is, the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 functions as a condenser during cooling.

  The heat is expelled from the outside air by the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33, and the condensed refrigerant is partially liquefied and flows out from the second input / output port 33b of the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 to the EHP third piping 35c. The refrigerant having flowed out to the EHP third piping 35c passes through the EHP flow rate adjustment valve 39, the liquid pipe joint 30a of the EHP outdoor unit 30, the second liquid pipe 53, the first liquid pipe 51, and the liquid pipe joint 40a of the indoor unit 40. The pressure reaches the indoor side first pipe 42a, and the pressure is reduced so as to be easily evaporated by expanding with the indoor side expansion valve 43 interposed in the middle of the indoor side first pipe 42a. The refrigerant expanded by the indoor expansion valve 43 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 41 from the first input / output port 41 a. While flowing through the heat exchange tube of the indoor heat exchanger 41, the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 41 exchanges heat with the indoor air, deprives the heat of the indoor air, and evaporates. At this time, room air is cooled by the heat being taken away by the refrigerant, and the room is cooled.

  The heat of the indoor air is removed by the indoor heat exchanger 41, and the evaporated refrigerant is partially vaporized and flows out from the second input / output port 41b of the indoor heat exchanger 41 to the indoor second piping 42b. The refrigerant that has flowed out to the indoor second piping 42b passes through the gas pipe joint 40b of the indoor unit 40, the first gas pipe 52, the second gas pipe 54, the gas pipe joint 30b of the EHP outdoor unit 30, and the EHP sixth pipe 35f. Then, the EHP four-way valve 36 is entered. Since the EHP sixth pipe 35f is connected to the EHP fourth pipe 35d by the EHP four-way valve 36 during cooling operation, the refrigerant flowing from the EHP sixth pipe 35f into the EHP four-way valve 36 is the EHP four-way valve 36 to the EHP fourth It flows into the pipe 35 d and further flows into the EHP accumulator 38. In the EHP accumulator 38, the inflowing refrigerant is separated into gas and liquid. Then, only the low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flows out of the EHP accumulator 38 into the EHP fifth pipe 35 e. The refrigerant flowing out of the EHP accumulator 38 into the EHP fifth pipe 35 e is returned to the second suction port 32 a of the EHP compressor 32. As understood from the flow of the refrigerant, during the cooling operation in which the switching state of the EHP four-way valve 36 is the cooling connection state, the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33 is connected via the EHP second pipe 35b and the EHP first pipe 35a. , And the second outlet 32 b of the EHP compressor 32. In FIG. 1, the flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation is indicated by a broken arrow.

  Also, as can be seen from the flow of the refrigerant during cooling operation, ie, when the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is in the cooling connection state, the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is in the cooling connection state When there is an indoor heat exchanger 41, the first GHP compressor 12 is connected via the second indoor pipe 42b, the first gas pipe 52, the sixth GHP pipe 15f, the fourth GHP pipe 15d, and the fifth GHP pipe 15e. It is connected to the inlet 12a. Similarly, when the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is in the cooling connection state, the indoor heat exchanger 41 includes the second indoor pipe 42b, the first gas pipe 52, the second gas pipe 54, the EHP second It is connected to the second suction port 32a of the EHP compressor 32 via the six piping 35f, the EHP fourth piping 35d, and the EHP fifth piping 35e. That is, when the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is the cooling connection state, the suction ports (12a, 32a) of the plurality of compressors (12, 32) respectively possessed by the plurality of outdoor units (10, 30) The indoor heat exchanger 41 is connected.

  During the heating operation and the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1 as described above, the control device 60 executes the air conditioning control process. In the air conditioning control process, the control device 60 controls the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the EHP outdoor unit 30 according to the air conditioning load requested from the indoor unit 40. For example, when the required air conditioning load is large, the control device 60 controls the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the EHP outdoor unit 30 so that the refrigerant flows to both the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 33. be able to. Further, when the required air conditioning load is small, the controller 60 controls the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the EHP outdoor unit 30 so that the refrigerant flows to either one of the GHP outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the EHP outdoor heat exchanger 13. Can be controlled.

  In addition, when the control device 60 executes the air conditioning control process, the outdoor unit (10, 30) and / or the heat exchange amount of the indoor heat exchanger 41 in operation (during operation) becomes an amount corresponding to the air conditioning load. Or controls the indoor unit 40. For example, the control device 60 includes the number of rotations of the gas engine 11 of the GHP outdoor unit 10 (the number of rotations of the GHP compressor 12), the number of rotations of the motor 31 of the EHP outdoor unit 30 (the number of rotations of the EHP compressor 32) By controlling the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 43, the rotation speed of the indoor unit fan 44 and the like, the heat exchange amount of the indoor heat exchanger 41 in operation is controlled.

  Further, during the above-described heating operation and cooling operation, the hot gas bypass valve 21 is normally closed. The hot gas bypass valve 21 opens as required. For example, when there is a possibility that the pressure of the refrigerant drawn into the GHP compressor 12 becomes low and a low pressure abnormality occurs to stop the air conditioning operation, the hot gas bypass valve 21 opens. Thereby, the high pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the GHP compressor 12, and as a result, the low pressure abnormality is avoided.

  By the way, the air conditioning control process by the control device 60 described above is executed after the start control process of the air conditioner 1 is performed. That is, the control device 60 is configured to first execute the activation control process by the input of the activation signal, and to execute the air conditioning control process after the activation control process is completed.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the activation control processing routine executed by the control device 60. In this routine, the cooling switch or the heating switch provided in the remote controller or the like provided in the air conditioner 1 is operated by the user to operate the air conditioner 1 in a predetermined operation mode (heating mode or cooling mode). When the start signal of is input, it starts. When this routine starts, first, at S100 in FIG. 2, the control device 60 determines whether or not the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) that each outdoor unit (GHP outdoor unit 10, EHP outdoor unit 30) has is correct. Determine whether it is necessary to determine

  For example, if the previous operation mode (operation state) of the air conditioner 1 is the heating mode (heating operation state) and the current operation mode is the cooling mode (cooling operation state), or the previous operation mode is cooling If the current operation mode is the heating operation mode, it is necessary to change the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36). When the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is changed, it is necessary to determine whether the switching state of the changed four-way valve (16, 36) is correct. That is, when the previous operation mode of the air conditioner 1 and the operation mode of the present air conditioner 1 are different, the control device 60 determines that it is necessary to determine whether the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct or not. Do. Further, when a power failure occurs during the operation of the previous air conditioning apparatus 1 or an abnormality occurs and the air conditioning apparatus 1 is urgently stopped, the control device 60 recognizes the previous operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus 1 There is no possibility. Also in such a case, the control device 60 determines that it is necessary to determine whether the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct. On the other hand, when the previous operation mode of the air conditioner 1 and the operation mode of the present air conditioner 1 are the same, the control device 60 does not need to determine whether the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct or not. I judge that there is.

  When it is determined in S100 that the determination of whether the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct or not is unnecessary (S100: No), the control device 60 proceeds to S200 and performs the first activation control process. Run. In the first activation control process, initial control of the outdoor unit (10, 30) is executed without determining whether the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct. After executing the first activation control process, the control device 60 ends this routine. On the other hand, when it is determined in S100 that it is necessary to determine whether the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct (S100: Yes), the control device 60 proceeds to S300 and performs the second activation control. Execute the process In the second activation control process, determination of whether the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct or not and initial control of the outdoor unit (10, 30) are executed. After execution of the second activation control process, the control device 60 ends this routine. Hereinafter, the first activation control process and the second activation control process will be described.

  First, the first activation control process will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first activation control processing routine. When this routine starts, the control device 60 first performs system start control in S201 of FIG. As a result, the outdoor unit (10, 30) and the indoor unit 40 are put in the operable state, that is, in the standby state. Next, in S202, an outdoor unit to be operated is selected from the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the EHP outdoor unit 30. In this case, the control device 60 can select the outdoor unit to be operated based on the initial setting condition of the air conditioner 1 or the setting condition of the user. For example, when the initial setting conditions of the air conditioner 1 include a condition that the GHP outdoor unit 10 is preferentially operated, or in order to reduce power consumption, the user gives priority to the GHP outdoor unit 10 in advance. When the setting condition to operate is input, the GHP outdoor unit 10 is selected in S202.

  Next, in S203, the control device 60 operates the selected outdoor unit and starts initial control. In this initial control, the outdoor unit fan (for example, the GHP outdoor unit fan 17) of the selected outdoor unit (for example, the GHP outdoor unit 10) is rotated for a predetermined time. Thereby, the inside of the outdoor unit is ventilated. Further, in the initial control, the compressor (for example, GHP compressor 12) of the selected outdoor unit is operated at a predetermined rotational speed and the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve (eg, GHP first flow rate adjustment valve 20a and GHP second flow rate adjustment valve 20b) Is set to a predetermined initial opening. Thus, the refrigerant is circulated in the refrigerant circuit.

  Next, at S204, control device 60 determines whether or not the initial control of the selected outdoor unit has been completed. Here, whether or not the initial control is completed depends on whether or not the time during which the outdoor unit fan is operating at the predetermined number of rotations has reached the predetermined time in the selected outdoor unit, the compressor is operated at the predetermined number of rotations It is judged based on whether or not the predetermined time has reached a predetermined time, and whether or not the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve is set to the initial opening degree. When the initial control of the selected outdoor unit is not completed (S204: No), it waits until the initial control of the selected outdoor unit is completed, and when the initial control of the selected outdoor unit is completed (S204: Yes), the control The device 60 recognizes that activation of the system (air conditioner 1) is completed, and the air conditioning operation by the air conditioning control process can be performed (S205). Thereafter, the controller 60 ends this routine.

  When the first activation control process ends, the control device 60 subsequently executes the air conditioning control process. In the air conditioning control process, as described above, the number of rotations and the like of the selected outdoor unit compressor are controlled in accordance with the air conditioning load. Further, when the air conditioning load increases during the air conditioning operation, the control device 60 executes the air conditioning control process after performing the above-described first activation control process for the non-selected outdoor unit.

  Next, the second activation control process will be described, but before the second activation control process in the present embodiment is described, the case where the second activation control process conventionally performed is applied to the air conditioner 1 An example of FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of a second activation control processing routine that has been conventionally performed. When this routine starts, the control device 60 first executes system start control in S351 of FIG. As a result, the outdoor unit (10, 30) and the indoor unit 40 are put on standby. Next, at S352, control device 60 simultaneously starts initial control of all the outdoor units (GHP outdoor unit 10 and EHP outdoor unit 30).

  Next, the control device 60 outputs a switching command of the four-way valve (16, 36) to each outdoor unit (10, 30) (S353). Thereby, the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) of each outdoor unit (10, 30) corresponds to the current operation mode (required operation mode) among the heating connection state and the cooling connection state. It is changed or maintained in the switching state. In addition, when the last operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus 1 and this operation mode differ, the switching state of a four-way valve (16, 36) is changed by execution of a process of S353. In addition, when the control device 60 does not recognize the previous operation mode of the air conditioner 1, the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) may be changed by the execution of the process of S353, and is maintained. In some cases.

  Subsequently, at S354, the control device 60 determines whether or not the initial control of all the outdoor units (10, 30) has been completed. When the initial control of all the outdoor units (10, 30) is not completed (S354: No), it waits until the initial control of all the outdoor units (10, 30) is completed. When the initial control of all the outdoor units (10, 30) is completed (S354: Yes), the control device 60 completes the startup of the system (air conditioner 1) and is put in a state where the air conditioning operation can be performed. Recognize the event (S355).

After recognizing the completion of activation of the system, the control device 60 proceeds to S356 to determine whether or not the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct. In this case, the following items are judged.
(1) Whether the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) of each outdoor unit (10, 30) is the same switching state or not (2) The four-way valve (16, 16) of each outdoor unit (10, 30) 36) Whether or not the intermediate lock is in effect (3) Whether the four-way valve (16, 36) of each outdoor unit (10, 30) is in the switching state corresponding to the requested operation mode

  Regarding the determination shown in the above (1), when the switching state of the four-way valve of one outdoor unit is different from the switching state of the four-way valve of the other outdoor unit, the discharge port of the compressor of one outdoor unit and the other outdoor unit The suction port of the compressor will communicate. Therefore, the determination shown in the above (1) is based on whether the pressure difference between the discharge pressure of the compressor of one outdoor unit and the suction pressure of the compressor of the other outdoor unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure difference. can do. Specifically, in the determination of the above (1), a pressure difference between the discharge pressure detected by the GHP discharge pressure sensor 71 and the suction pressure detected by the EHP suction pressure sensor 74 and the EHP discharge pressure sensor 73 When the pressure difference between the detected discharge pressure and the suction pressure detected by the GHP suction pressure sensor 72 is equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure difference, the four-way valve (16, 36) of each outdoor unit (10, 30) Is determined to be the same switching state.

  Further, regarding the determination shown in the above (2), when the four-way valve is in the intermediate lock state (a state where the movable part of the four-way valve stops moving in the middle of movement), the refrigerant discharged from the compressor It will return to the suction port of the compressor as it is. Therefore, the determination shown in the above (2) can be made based on whether the pressure difference between the discharge pressure and the suction pressure of the compressor of each outdoor unit is equal to or more than a predetermined pressure difference. Specifically, in the determination of the above (2), a pressure difference between the discharge pressure detected by the GHP discharge pressure sensor 71 and the suction pressure detected by the GHP suction pressure sensor 72 and the EHP discharge pressure sensor 73 When the pressure difference between the detected discharge pressure and the suction pressure detected by the EHP suction pressure sensor 74 is equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure difference, it is determined that the four-way valve (16, 36) is not locked in the middle Be done.

  Further, regarding the determination shown in the above (3), for example, when the switching state of the four-way valve is the cooling connection state, the high temperature / high pressure gas refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger. Temperature and pressure are high. In addition, when the switching state of the four-way valve is the heating connection state, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger are low. Therefore, the determination shown in the above (3) can be made based on the temperature or pressure of the refrigerant flowing through each outdoor unit. Specifically, in the determination of (3), the refrigerant temperature detected by the GHP outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 75 and the refrigerant temperature detected by the EHP outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 76 in the cooling mode. The refrigerant temperature detected by the GHP outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 75 and the refrigerant temperature detected by the EHP outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 76 are lower than or equal to the predetermined temperature when the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature In this case, it is judged that the four-way valve (16, 36) of each outdoor unit (10, 30) is in the switching state corresponding to the requested operation mode. In addition, it is also possible to use the sensor provided in the indoor unit 40 to make the determination shown in the above (3). For example, the determination shown in the above (3) can be performed by a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the gas pipe (52, 54) or the liquid pipe (51, 53) of the indoor unit 40. Alternatively, it is also possible to make the determination shown in the above (3) based on the detection value of the temperature sensor that detects the temperature (blowing temperature) of the air blown out from the indoor unit 40 into the room.

  Further, when making the determination shown in the above (1), as described above, it is necessary to obtain the pressure difference between the discharge pressure of the compressor of one outdoor unit and the suction pressure of the compressor of the other outdoor unit. Therefore, in order to determine whether the switching state of the four-way valve is correct, all the outdoor units (in the present embodiment, the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the EHP outdoor unit 30) must be operated together.

  When it is determined in S356 that the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is not correct (S356: No), the control device 60 stops the system startup (S357). Thereby, the drive of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is stopped. On the other hand, when it is determined at S356 that the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct (S356: Yes), the control device 60 ends this routine.

  FIG. 7 shows, in time series, the process of the control device 60 and an example of the operation of each outdoor unit (GHP outdoor unit 10, EHP outdoor unit 30) when the above-described conventional second activation control processing is executed. It is a time chart. As shown in FIG. 7, when the control device 60 activates the system (air conditioner 1), the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the EHP outdoor unit 30 simultaneously start initial control. Thereafter, when the control device 60 outputs a switching command of the four-way valve (16, 36), for example, the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) of each outdoor unit (10, 30) is changed. Thereafter, when the initial control of both outdoor units (10, 30) is completed, the control device 60 recognizes the completion of the system startup. Thereafter, the control device 60 determines whether or not the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) of each outdoor unit (10, 30) is correct. That is, according to the conventional second activation control process, whether or not the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct after the initial control of all the outdoor units is completed (after the activation of the system is completed) Is judged.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the time from the start of the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit 30 to the completion of the initial control is the time from the start of the initial control of the GHP outdoor unit 10 to the completion of the initial control. Longer than. This is because the GHP outdoor unit 10 has the gas engine 11 as a heat source, while the EHP outdoor unit 30 does not have a heat source.

  In order to complete the initial control of the outdoor unit, it is required that there is no hindrance to the operation when the compressor of the outdoor unit is operated at a predetermined rotational speed. Further, the compressor compresses and discharges the refrigerant, and at this time, lubricating oil for lubricating the compressor is also discharged together with the refrigerant. The discharged lubricating oil is separated from the refrigerant by the oil separator. The lubricating oil separated from the refrigerant is again drawn into the compressor.

  When the compressor is operated at a high speed while the temperature of the lubricating oil is low, the refrigerant is liquefied because the high temperature gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor is cooled by the lubricating oil. The liquefied refrigerant dissolves in the lubricating oil. This dilutes the lubricating oil. When the diluted lubricating oil is drawn into the compressor, the compressor may be damaged due to a relatively small amount of lubricating oil, which may cause the lubricating failure of the compressor. In addition, the general compressor used for an EHP outdoor unit is a compressor which stores lubricating oil inside. Therefore, the possibility of the refrigerant being dissolved in the stored lubricating oil is extremely high.

  In this regard, since the GHP outdoor unit 10 has the gas engine 11, the lubricating oil can be rapidly heated by the heat of the gas engine 11. Therefore, even when the GHP compressor 12 is operated relatively quickly and at a predetermined rotation, the temperature of the lubricating oil rises rapidly, so that the liquefaction of the refrigerant due to the cooling of the refrigerant by the lubricating oil can be prevented. On the other hand, since the EHP outdoor unit 30 does not have a heat source like an engine, the temperature of the lubricating oil can not be raised promptly. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems, at the initial stage of the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit 30, the EHP compressor 32 is operated at a low rotational speed, and the temperature of the lubricating oil is sufficiently raised. It needs to be activated. For this reason, in the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit 30, the EHP compressor 32 can not be quickly operated at the predetermined rotation speed, and thereby, the time required for the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit 30 becomes long.

  Therefore, in the initial control of the air conditioner 1 having the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the EHP outdoor unit 30, the timing of the completion of the initial control of the GHP outdoor unit 10 is more than the timing of the completion of the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit 30. fast.

  Since the initial control of the GHP outdoor unit 10 is completed prior to the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit 30, the GHP outdoor unit 10 waits for the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit 30 to be completed after the initial control is completed. There must be. During this time, the GHP compressor 12 is operating at a predetermined minimum number of revolutions.

  When the GHP compressor 12 is operating at the lowest rotational speed, the suction pressure of the GHP compressor 12 does not decrease sufficiently, so the evaporator connected to the first suction port 12 a of the GHP compressor 12 (indoor heat exchanger 41 or GHP The refrigerant can not be sufficiently evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 13). Therefore, the amount of liquid refrigerant flowing from the evaporator into the GHP accumulator 18 increases. As a result, the storage amount of the liquid refrigerant in the GHP accumulator 18 increases, and eventually, the liquid refrigerant overflows from the GHP accumulator 18. The liquid refrigerant overflowed from the GHP accumulator 18 is drawn into the GHP compressor 12. As a result, the GHP compressor 12 is compressed and damaged.

  As described above, when the conventional second start control is performed, the compressor of the outdoor unit whose initial control is completed first continues to operate at the minimum rotation number until the completion of the initial control of the outdoor unit whose initial control is completed. Failure may occur.

  In this regard, the second activation control process according to the present embodiment is configured to prevent the occurrence of the above-described failure. Hereinafter, the second activation control process according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are flowcharts showing the flow of the second activation control processing routine according to the present embodiment. When this routine starts, the control device 60 first performs system start processing in S311 of FIG. 4A. As a result, the outdoor unit (10, 30) and the indoor unit 40 are put on standby. Next, in S312, the control device 60 operates all the outdoor units (10, 30) and simultaneously starts initial control of all the outdoor units (10, 30) (initial control start processing).

  Subsequently, at S313, the control device 60 outputs a switching command of the four-way valve (16, 36) to each outdoor unit (10, 30) (switching command output processing). In this switching command, the switching states of the four-way valves (GHP four-way valve 16 and EHP four-way valve 36) respectively possessed by the plurality of outdoor units (GHP outdoor unit 10 and EHP outdoor unit 30) are heating connection state and cooling connection state Among these, it is a command related to the switching state that the control device 60 outputs to each four-way valve (16, 36) so that the switching state corresponds to the current operation mode (the required operation mode). As a result, the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) of each outdoor unit (10, 30) is changed or maintained so as to be the switching state corresponding to the current operation mode.

  Thereafter, the control device 60 determines whether or not the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct at S314 (switching state determination processing). Since this determination is described above, the description of the details is omitted.

  If it is determined in S314 that the switching state of the four-way valve is not correct (S314: No), the control device 60 proceeds to S328 and executes the system start / stop process. Thereby, the drive of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is stopped. Thereafter, the controller 60 ends this routine.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S314 that the switching state of the four-way valve is correct (S314: Yes), the control device 60 proceeds to S315 to determine the presence or absence of the outdoor unit for which the initial control has been completed. That is, in S315, it is determined whether or not the initial control of any one of the plurality of outdoor units (10, 30) is completed (initial control completion determination processing). If there is no outdoor unit for which the initial control has been completed (S315: No), this process is executed again. Then, if there is an outdoor unit for which the initial control has been completed (S315: Yes), the control device 60 advances the process to S316.

  At S316, the control device 60 starts counting of the timer τ1. Thereafter, the control device 60 proceeds to a process of S317 and determines whether or not the measurement time of the timer τ1 is equal to or longer than the first threshold time τ1th. When the measurement time of the timer τ1 is less than the first threshold time τ1th (S317: No), the control device 60 repeats the process of S317. Then, if the measurement time of the timer τ1 is equal to or longer than the first threshold time τ1th (S317: Yes), the control device 60 proceeds to S318 in FIG. 4B to perform initial control of all the outdoor units (10, 30). To determine if it has been completed. When the initial control of all the outdoor units (10, 30) is completed (S318: Yes), the control device 60 proceeds to S319 and recognizes that the system startup is completed. Thereafter, the controller 60 ends this routine.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S318 that the initial control of all the outdoor units (10, 30) is not completed (S318: No), that is, when there is an outdoor unit whose initial control has not been completed, the control device 60 The process advances to step S320 to output a system start / stop command (operation stop process). As a result, the operation of all the outdoor units (10, 30) and the indoor units 40 is stopped, and the operation of the GHP compressor 12 and the EHP compressor 32 is also stopped accordingly. That is, in the operation stop process of S320, when it is determined that the initial control of any one outdoor unit is completed in the initial control completion determination process of S315, the initial control of all the outdoor units is performed when the predetermined time τ1th has elapsed. Is a process for stopping the operation of all the outdoor units including the outdoor unit whose initial control has been completed.

  Thereafter, the control device 60 starts counting of the timer τ2 (S321), and determines whether or not the measurement time of the timer τ2 is equal to or longer than the second threshold time τ2th (S322). When the measurement time of the timer τ2 is less than the second threshold time τ2 (S322: No), the process of S322 is repeated. Then, when the measurement time of the timer τ2 becomes equal to or longer than the second threshold time τ2th (S322: Yes), the control device 60 outputs a system restart command (S323). Thereby, each outdoor unit (10, 30) and the indoor unit 40 are put in the standby state.

  Next, the control device 60 selects the outdoor unit to be restarted in S324, operates the outdoor unit selected in S325, and starts initial control of the operated outdoor unit (restart processing). Thereafter, control device 60 determines whether or not the initial control of the selected outdoor unit has been completed (S326). When the initial control of the selected outdoor unit is not completed (S326: No), the process waits until the initial control is completed. When the initial control of the selected outdoor unit is completed (S326: Yes), the control device recognizes that the system startup is completed (S327). Thereafter, the controller 60 ends this routine.

  FIG. 5 shows the case where the second activation control process according to the present embodiment described above is performed. It is a time chart which shows a process of control device 60, and an example of operation of each outdoor unit (GHP outdoor unit 10, EHP outdoor unit 30) in time series. As shown in FIG. 5, when the control device 60 activates the system, the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the EHP outdoor unit 30 simultaneously start initial control. Thereafter, when the control device 60 outputs a switching command of the four-way valve, for example, the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) of each outdoor unit (10, 30) is changed. Thereafter, it is immediately determined whether or not the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct.

  After determining whether the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct, for example, the initial control of the GHP outdoor unit 10 is completed. In addition, when the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit 30 is not completed even if the first threshold time τ1th has elapsed since the control device 60 determined that the initial control of the GHP outdoor unit 10 is completed, the control device 60 at that time Output system start / stop command. As a result, the operation of both outdoor units (10, 30) is stopped, and the operation of both compressors (12, 32) is stopped accordingly. Then, the system restarts when the second threshold time τ2th elapses from the start and stop of the system. Then, for example, the GHP outdoor unit 10 operates, and initial control is started again. Here, at the time of restart, it is already determined whether the switching state of the GHP four-way valve 16 is correct. Therefore, in the initial control of the GHP outdoor unit 10 after the restart, it is not determined whether the switching state of the GHP four-way valve 16 is correct. Then, when the initial control of the GHP outdoor unit 10 is completed, the control device 60 recognizes the completion of system startup. In the example of FIG. 5, the EHP outdoor unit 30 is not in operation when the controller 60 recognizes that the system has been started up. The EHP outdoor unit 30 operates in the subsequent air conditioning control process when it becomes necessary to operate the EHP outdoor unit 30 as the air conditioning load increases. In this case, the EHP outdoor unit 30 is operated, and the initial control is started again. At this time, since the correctness of the switching state of the EHP four-way valve 36 has already been determined, the correctness of the switching state of the EHP four-way valve 36 is not determined in the initial control again. Then, after the initial control is completed, the air conditioning control process including the EHP outdoor unit 30 is executed.

  As can be understood by comparing FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, according to the second activation control process according to the present embodiment, after the initial control of all the outdoor units is started at the same time, each outdoor unit (10, 30) The switching command of the four-way valve (16, 36) is output, and then whether or not the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct without waiting for the completion of the initial control of the outdoor unit (10, 30) It is judged.

  Further, according to the second activation control process according to the present embodiment, for example, when the initial control of the GHP outdoor unit 10 is completed first, the GHP compressor 12 is at least the minimum until the first threshold time τ1th elapses from the completion time point. If the EHP outdoor unit 30 has not completed the initial control at the time when the first threshold time τ1th has elapsed although the operation is rotating, the operation of the GHP outdoor unit 10 is stopped at that time. For this reason, the operation of the GHP compressor 12 is also stopped. Therefore, the liquid refrigerant stored in the GHP accumulator 18 overflows as the GHP compressor 12 continues to operate at the minimum rotation until the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit 30 is completed, and the liquid refrigerant overflowed from the GHP accumulator 18 is The suction to the GHP compressor 12 is effectively prevented. As a result, damage due to liquid compression of the GHP compressor 12 can be prevented. As described above, since the GHP compressor 12 operates at the minimum number of rotations until the first threshold time τ1 elapses after the initial control of the GHP outdoor unit 10 is completed, the first threshold time τ1th is long If it is too much, the liquid refrigerant stored in the GHP accumulator 18 may overflow. Accordingly, the first threshold time τ1th may be set to a time that does not cause the liquid refrigerant stored in the GHP accumulator 18 to overflow.

  As described above, the control device 60 included in the air conditioning apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute the second activation control process including determination of whether the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct or not. . Then, in the second activation control process, it is determined whether the switching state of the four-way valve (16, 36) is correct or not, and thereafter it is determined whether the initial control of the outdoor unit has been completed. If the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit 30 is not completed even if the predetermined time has elapsed since the initial control of the GHP outdoor unit 10 whose initial control has been completed earlier, both outdoor units (10, The operation of 30) is stopped and the operation of both compressors (12, 32) is also stopped accordingly. For this reason, the GHP compressor 12 included in the GHP outdoor unit 10 whose initial control has been completed first continues to operate at the minimum number of rotations until the initial control of the EHP outdoor unit 30 is completed (generation of liquid Damage) can be effectively prevented.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention should not be limited to the said embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the air conditioner 1 including the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the EHP outdoor unit 30 is illustrated, but the air conditioner 1 including only a plurality of GHP outdoor units or only a plurality of EHP outdoor units The present invention can also be applied. In this case, when the capacity or specifications of the compressor provided in each outdoor unit are different, the effect of the present invention is more exhibited. In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which each outdoor unit (10, 30) is provided with one compressor (12, 32), but the number of compressors provided in each outdoor unit is two or more. It is also good. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the air conditioning apparatus provided with two outdoor units was shown, this invention can also be applied to the air conditioning apparatus provided with three or more outdoor units. Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example which stops the operation | movement of all the outdoor units (10, 30) by the operation stop process (S320), only the outdoor unit in which the initial control is completed (the said example) Then, the operation stop processing can be configured to stop the GHP outdoor unit 10 only).

  Moreover, although the control apparatus 60 demonstrated the example which controls the GHP outdoor unit 10 and the EHP outdoor unit 30 in the said embodiment, you may comprise so that these outdoor units may be controlled by several control apparatus. For example, the control device 60 is configured to be divided into three units of a control device A, a control device B, and a control device C, and each control device cooperates to control both outdoor units (10, 30). Good. As an example in this case, the control device A is mounted on the GHP outdoor unit 10, and the air conditioning capacity (for example, the number of rotations of the compressors 12 and 32) required for each outdoor unit (10, 30), and each four-way valve (16, An instruction or the like regarding the switching mode (switching between the heating connection state and the cooling connection state) of 36) is output to the control device B and the control device C. The control device B is mounted on the GHP outdoor unit 10, and is configured to control each accessory of the GHP outdoor unit 10 based on an instruction from the control device A. The control device C is mounted on the EHP outdoor unit 30, and configured to control each accessory of the EHP outdoor unit 30 based on an instruction from the control device A. According to such a configuration, the switching command from the control device 60 to each of the four-way valves (16, 36) described in the above embodiment is transmitted from the control device A to the control device B and the control device C. It will be transmitted to the four-way valve (16, 36). Thus, the present invention can be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Air conditioning apparatus, 10 ... GHP outdoor unit, 11 ... Gas engine, 12 ... GHP compressor, 13 ... GHP outdoor heat exchanger, 16 ... GHP four-way valve (switching valve), 18 ... GHP accumulator, 20a ... GHP 1st Flow adjustment valve, 20b ... GHP second flow adjustment valve, 30 ... EHP outdoor unit, 31 ... Motor, 32 ... EHP compressor, 33 ... EHP outdoor heat exchanger, 36 ... EHP four-way valve (switching valve), 38 ... EHP accumulator , 39: EHP flow control valve, 40: indoor unit, 41, 41A, 41B, 41C: indoor heat exchanger, 43: indoor side expansion valve, 60: control device

Claims (4)

A compressor having a suction port and a discharge port for sucking in refrigerant from the suction port by operating and compressing the sucked refrigerant and discharging the compressed refrigerant from the discharge port; and the suction port of the compressor during heating operation An outdoor heat exchanger connected to the discharge port of the compressor during cooling operation and exchanging heat with the outside air, and a connection state between the outdoor heat exchanger and the compressor; A plurality of outdoor units each having a switching valve switchable between a heating connection state in which an outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the suction port and a cooling connection state in which the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the discharge port;
When the switching state of the switching valve of each of the plurality of outdoor units is in the heating connection state, it is connected to the discharge port of the compressor of each of the plurality of outdoor units, and the plurality of outdoor units Is connected to the suction port of the compressor of each of the plurality of outdoor units when the switching state of the switching valve included in each of the plurality of outdoor units is in the cooling time connection state, and heat exchange the refrigerant flowing inside with the room air An indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger,
A control device that controls a plurality of the outdoor units;
An air conditioner comprising
The controller is
The system is configured to execute start control processing when the air conditioner starts.
In the start control process,
Initial control start processing for operating the plurality of outdoor units and simultaneously starting the initial control of the plurality of outdoor units;
After execution of the initial control start process, the switching state of the switching valve of each of the plurality of outdoor units becomes the switching state corresponding to the required operation mode among the heating connection state and the cooling connection state. Switching command output processing for outputting a command related to the switching state to the switching valve;
Switching state determination processing of determining whether the switching state of the switching valve is correct after execution of the switching command output processing;
Initial control completion to determine whether or not initial control of any one of the plurality of outdoor units is completed after determining that the switching state of the switching valve is correct in the switching state determination process Judgment processing,
At least a plurality of initial control of all the outdoor units has not been completed when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the initial control of any one of the outdoor units has been completed in the initial control completion determination processing. Operation stop processing for stopping the operation of the outdoor unit of which the initial control has been completed when the predetermined time has elapsed among the outdoor units;
Configured to perform
Air conditioner. In the air conditioner according to claim 1,
In the operation stop process, the initial control of all the outdoor units is completed when a predetermined time has elapsed from when it is determined that the initial control of any one of the outdoor units is completed in the initial control completion determination process. An air conditioner, which is a process for stopping the operation of all the outdoor units when there is not. In the air conditioner according to claim 2,
The air-conditioning apparatus, wherein the control device operates one or more of the plurality of outdoor units after the execution stop processing and performs restart processing to start initial control of the operated outdoor unit. . The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A plurality of the outdoor units include a GHP outdoor unit having an engine as a drive source for operating the compressor, and an EHP outdoor unit having an electric motor as a drive source for operating the compressor. Harmonization equipment.

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