JP2019174091A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner which can favorably establish a comfortable temperature environment in a room as a whole.SOLUTION: An air conditioner 11 comprises: a compressor 15 for decreasing a flow rate of a refrigerant flowing in an indoor heat exchanger 14 and an outdoor heat exchanger 16 when a temperature difference between a set temperature and room temperature becomes small, and adjusting a temperature of air which passes the indoor heat exchanger 14, and is blown out of a blowout port 29 of an indoor machine 12; and a wind direction board for establishing a posture for guiding an airflow toward a specified zone which is selected on the basis of a temperature difference between a temperature detected at each zone which is set by diving the inside of a room, and the set temperature when the room temperature and the set temperature are accommodated within a range of a preset temperature difference while a deviation from the set temperature is not dissolved, and a preset time elapses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention includes a compressor, and when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is reduced, and passes through the indoor heat exchanger to blow out the indoor unit. The present invention relates to an air conditioner capable of adjusting the temperature of the air blown from the air.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner including a multi-element infrared sensor that detects the amount of infrared radiation from the entire indoor floor. The control device of the air conditioner detects the temperature for each region set by dividing the indoor floor surface. The control device controls the direction of the cool air or warm air blown from the air outlet of the indoor unit so that the infrared radiation amount reaches the set value in all regions.

Japanese Patent No. 4333702

  In the thing of patent document 1, the user of an air conditioner starts the control by operating the switch of a remote control in control of a wind direction. The temperature difference for each region set by dividing the floor according to the user's intention can be eliminated. However, if the wind direction is controlled toward a specific area before the room temperature reaches the set temperature, the temperature adjustment of the floor is prioritized over the temperature adjustment of the indoor space. As a result, temperature unevenness occurs in the indoor space, and establishment of a comfortable temperature environment in the entire space is hindered.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can satisfactorily establish a comfortable temperature environment in the entire room.

  One aspect of the present invention includes a wind direction plate and a compressor, and when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is reduced and passes through the indoor heat exchanger. The air conditioner adjusts the temperature of the air blown out from the air outlet of the indoor unit, and the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is not eliminated, and the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is a predetermined temperature. When a predetermined time elapses within the range, the airflow is guided toward a specific section selected based on the temperature difference between the temperature detected for each section set by dividing the room and the set temperature. The present invention relates to an air conditioner including a control device that controls the wind direction plate so as to establish a posture.

  In the air conditioner, the temperature of the air blown from the outlet of the indoor unit during the cooling operation or the heating operation is adjusted according to the operation of the compressor. When the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced, the operation of the compressor is suppressed, and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is reduced. Thus, the temperature environment of the set temperature is established indoors. On the other hand, although the room temperature and the set temperature fall within the predetermined temperature difference range, the deviation between the room temperature and the set temperature is not resolved, and when the predetermined time elapses, the wind direction plate is A posture for guiding the airflow toward a specific section selected based on the temperature difference between the detected temperature and the set temperature is established. In this way, the airflow is guided to a specific section having a temperature difference with respect to the set temperature. Local temperature differences are preferentially resolved. By effectively removing the local temperature difference, the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is eliminated, and the temperature environment of the set temperature is well established indoors.

  As described above, according to the disclosed air conditioner, a local temperature difference can be removed, and a comfortable temperature environment can be well established throughout the room.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows roughly the structure of the air conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing roughly the appearance of the indoor unit concerning one embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the control system of an air conditioner. It is a schematic diagram which shows roughly the division of the floor surface and wall surface which are detected by an infrared sensor in a cooling operation character. It is a flowchart which shows roughly the processing operation of a control circuit. It is a schematic diagram which shows roughly the division of the floor surface and wall surface which are detected with an infrared sensor at the time of heating operation.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioner FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of an air conditioner 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 11 includes an indoor unit 12 and an outdoor unit 13. The indoor unit 12 is installed in an indoor space in a building, for example. In addition, the indoor unit 12 may be installed in a space corresponding to the indoor space. An indoor heat exchanger 14 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12. The outdoor unit 13 includes a compressor 15, an outdoor heat exchanger 16, an expansion valve 17, and a four-way valve 18. The indoor heat exchanger 14, the compressor 15, the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17 and the four-way valve 18 form a refrigeration circuit 19.

  The refrigeration circuit 19 includes a first circulation path 21. The first circulation path 21 connects the first port 18a and the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18 to each other. The first circulation path 21 is a refrigerant pipe that connects the first port 18a of the four-way valve 18 to the suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15, and a refrigerant that connects the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18 to the discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15. And piping. The gas refrigerant is supplied to the suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15 from the first port 18a. The compressor 15 compresses the low-pressure gas refrigerant to a predetermined pressure. The gas refrigerant is supplied from the discharge pipe 15 b of the compressor 15 to the second port 18 b of the four-way valve 18. The refrigerant pipe may be a copper pipe, for example.

  The refrigeration circuit 19 further includes a second circulation path 22. The second circulation path 22 connects the third port 18c and the fourth port 18d of the four-way valve 18 to each other. The outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 are incorporated into the second circulation path 22 in order from the third port 18c side. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 exchanges heat energy between the refrigerant passing therethrough and ambient air. The indoor heat exchanger 14 exchanges thermal energy between the refrigerant passing therethrough and ambient air. The second circulation path 22 may be formed of, for example, a copper pipe.

  A blower fan 23 is incorporated in the outdoor unit 13. The blower fan 23 ventilates the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The blower fan 23 generates an air flow according to the rotation of the impeller, for example. The airflow passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The flow rate of the airflow passing through is adjusted according to the rotational speed of the impeller.

  A blower fan 24 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12. The blower fan 24 ventilates the indoor heat exchanger 14. The blower fan 24 generates an air flow according to the rotation of the impeller. Indoor air is sucked into the indoor unit 12 by the function of the blower fan 24. The indoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. Cold or warm airflow generated by heat exchange is blown out from the indoor unit 12. The flow rate of the airflow passing through is adjusted according to the rotational speed of the impeller.

  When the cooling operation is performed in the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the third port 18c to each other and connects the first port 18a and the fourth port 18d to each other. Therefore, high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 from the discharge pipe 15 b of the compressor 15. The refrigerant flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 in order. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 radiates heat from the refrigerant to the outside air. The refrigerant is decompressed to a low pressure by the expansion valve 17. The decompressed refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air in the indoor heat exchanger 14. Cold air is generated. The cold air is blown out into the indoor space by the function of the blower fan 24.

  When the heating operation is performed in the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the fourth port 18d to each other and connects the first port 18a and the third port 18c to each other. A high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 15 to the indoor heat exchanger 14. The refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion valve 17 and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 in order. The indoor heat exchanger 14 radiates heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding air. Warm air is generated. Warm air is blown into the indoor space by the function of the blower fan 24. The refrigerant is decompressed to a low pressure by the expansion valve 17. The decompressed refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air in the outdoor heat exchanger 16. Thereafter, the refrigerant returns to the compressor 15.

(2) Configuration of Indoor Unit FIG. 2 schematically shows the appearance of the indoor unit 12 according to an embodiment. An outer panel 28 b is disposed on the front surface of the main body (housing) 28 a of the indoor unit 12. An air outlet 29 is formed on the lower surface of the main body 28a. The air outlet 29 opens toward the room. The main body 28a is fixed to, for example, an indoor wall surface. Cold air or warm air is generated in the indoor heat exchanger 14, and the air flow of cool air or warm air is blown out from the outlet 29.

  A pair of front and rear wind direction plates 31 a and 31 b are arranged at the air outlet 29. The up-and-down wind direction plates 31a and 31b can rotate about rotation axes 32a and 32b parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body 28a, respectively. The upper and lower wind direction plates 31a and 31b open and close the air outlet 29 according to the rotation. The direction of the airflow blown out from the air outlet 29 is changed according to the angle of the up and down airflow direction plates 31a and 31b.

  A plurality of left and right wind direction plates 33 arranged in the axial direction of the rotation axes 32 a and 32 b (in the longitudinal direction of the main body 28 a) are arranged at the blowout port 29. Each of the left and right wind direction plates 33 can rotate around the axis so as to guide the airflow blown from the blowout port 29 to the left and right in a specific direction.

  The air conditioner 11 includes an infrared sensor 34 that detects the temperature distribution in the room according to the radiant heat of the object. The infrared sensor 34 is disposed on the lower front side of the main body 28a. The infrared sensor 34 performs detection by dividing at least one of the floor surface and the wall surface into a plurality of sections, and generates a temperature distribution signal for specifying the temperature distribution. The infrared sensor 34 not only functions as a human sensor that detects the presence / absence of a person in the room, but also functions as a temperature sensor that detects the temperature (radiation temperature) of the floor surface and the wall surface.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner 11 includes a control circuit 35 incorporated in the indoor unit 12, for example. The control circuit 35 includes a drive source (motor) 36 for the four-way valve 18, a drive source (motor) 37 for the compressor 15, a drive source (motor) 38 for the expansion valve 17, a drive source (motor) 39 for the blower fan 23, A drive source (motor) 41 of the blower fan 24, a drive source (motor) 42 of the upper and lower wind direction plates 31a and 31b, and a drive source (motor) 43 of the left and right wind direction plate 33 are connected.

  The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the four-way valve 18 when switching between the cooling operation and the heating operation. In controlling the four-way valve 18, a control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 36 of the four-way valve 18. Based on the control signal, the four-way valve 18 has a posture during cooling operation in which the third port 18c is connected to the second port 18b and the fourth port 18d is connected to the first port 18a, and the fourth port 18d and the second port 18b are connected to the fourth port 18d. The valve body is driven by the posture during heating operation in which the third port 18c is connected to the first port 18a.

  The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the compressor 15 based on the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature. In controlling the compressor 15, a control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 37 of the compressor 15. Based on the control signal, the compressor 15 reduces the rotation speed of the motor 37 when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced. As a result, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is reduced. The heat energy exchanged by the indoor heat exchanger 14 decreases. Thus, the temperature of the air blown out from the air outlet 29 of the indoor unit 12 is adjusted. So-called inverter control is performed.

  The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the expansion valve 17 according to the operation of the compressor 15 or the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 14. In controlling the expansion valve 17, a control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 38 of the expansion valve 17. The expansion valve 17 has a predetermined opening based on the control signal.

  The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the blower fan 23 of the outdoor unit 13 in accordance with the operations of the compressor 15 and the expansion valve 17. In controlling the blower fan 23, a control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 39 of the blower fan 23. The blower fan 23 adjusts the rotational speed of the impeller according to the amount of heat energy exchanged based on the control signal.

  The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the blower fan 24 of the indoor unit 12 according to the designated air volume. In controlling the blower fan 24, a control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 41 of the blower fan 24. The blower fan 24 drives the impeller at a rotational speed that establishes a designated air volume based on the control signal.

  The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the up and down wind direction plates 31a and 31b according to the direction of the designated airflow. A control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motors 42 of the upper and lower wind direction plates 31a and 31b in controlling the upper and lower wind direction plates 31a and 31b. The up-and-down air direction plates 31a and 31b establish a posture for guiding the airflow in a specific direction up and down based on the control signal.

  The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the left and right wind direction plates 33 according to the direction of the designated airflow. In controlling the left and right wind direction plates 33, a control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 43 of the left and right wind direction plates 33. The left and right wind direction plates 33 establish a posture for guiding the airflow in a specific direction to the left and right based on the control signal.

  A room temperature sensor 44 is connected to the control circuit 35. The room temperature sensor 44 measures the room temperature in the room. The room temperature sensor 44 generates and outputs a room temperature signal that specifies the measured room temperature. The room temperature sensor 44 may be disposed in a remote controller associated with the indoor unit 12 by radio waves, for example.

  An infrared sensor 34 is connected to the control circuit 35. A temperature distribution signal is supplied from the infrared sensor 34 to the control circuit 35. As shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit 35 divides, for example, an indoor floor surface and wall surface into a plurality of sections 45, and detects the temperature (radiation temperature) for each section 45 set by the division.

  Next, the operation of the air conditioner 11 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, when the cooling operation is performed, the room temperature signal of the room temperature sensor 44 is input to the control circuit 35 at a predetermined interval in step S1. In step S2, the control circuit 35 controls the operation of the compressor 15 according to the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature. For example, if the temperature difference is 8 degrees or more, the control circuit 35 operates the compressor 15 with 100% of the operating capacity. If the temperature difference is 5 degrees or less, the control circuit 35 operates the compressor 15 with 60% of the operating capacity. When the temperature difference is 2 degrees or less, the control circuit 35 operates the compressor 15 at 30% of the operating capacity. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is 2 degrees or less. When the temperature difference is 2 degrees or less (S3-Yes), the control circuit 35 starts measuring time. If the temperature difference is not 2 degrees or less (S3-No), the room temperature adjustment is continued.

  In step S4, the control circuit 35 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. This time may be a length that allows the room temperature to reach the set temperature even if the operating capacity of the compressor is 30%. When time has passed (S4-Yes), the process proceeds to step S7. In this case, the room temperature is considered to be affected by some heat source. If the time has not passed (S4-No), the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the room temperature has converged within ± 0.5 degrees of the set temperature in step S5. If it has converged (S5-Yes), in step S6, the control circuit 35 determines the operation capability so as to maintain the room temperature at the set temperature. If not converged (S5-No), the process returns to step S3 to determine whether or not the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is 2 degrees or less.

  In this way, the temperature of the air blown from the outlet 29 of the indoor unit 12 is adjusted according to the operation of the compressor 15. Therefore, when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced, the operation of the compressor 15 is suppressed, and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is reduced. At this time, the vertical wind direction plates 31a and 31b and the left and right wind direction plates 33 are adjusted to a posture in which air is blown out from the air outlet 29 toward the entire room based on a control signal supplied from the control circuit 35. A temperature environment of the set temperature is established indoors.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a locally high temperature is established on the floor according to the direct sunlight incident from the window 46, the operation of the compressor 15 is controlled based on the room temperature of the entire room. However, the room temperature may not reach the set temperature within a predetermined time. In the control circuit 35, the deviation from the set temperature (0.5 degree in the present embodiment) is not eliminated, and the room temperature and the set temperature are within a predetermined temperature difference (2 degrees in the present embodiment). If a predetermined time has elapsed since then, in step S7, the temperature is analyzed for each section 45 based on the temperature distribution signal. Here, although the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature falls within 2 degrees, when a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses without the deviation between the room temperature and the set temperature converging to ± 0.5 degrees, The control circuit 35 analyzes the temperature for each section 45.

  In step S8, the control circuit 35 determines whether or not a temperature difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value is observed in each section 45. This temperature difference should just be a temperature difference considered that the section with a large absolute value becomes a heat source and the room temperature is affected. When a temperature difference is not observed (S8-No), it returns to S1 and continues the operation for bringing the room temperature closer to the set temperature. When the temperature difference is observed (S8-Yes), the control circuit 35 takes the posture of guiding the airflow toward the specific section 45a selected based on the magnitude of the absolute value among the sections having the temperature difference in step S9. The vertical wind direction plates 31a and 31b and the left and right wind direction plates 33 are controlled. Thus, when the deviation from the set temperature is not eliminated and the room temperature and the set temperature fall within the predetermined temperature difference range and the predetermined time elapses, the up and down wind direction plates 31a and 31b and the left and right wind direction plate 33 are Then, a posture for guiding the airflow toward the specific section 45a selected based on the magnitude of the absolute value of the temperature difference between the temperature detected for each section 45 set by dividing the room and the set temperature is established. In establishing the postures of the up and down wind direction plates 31a and 31b and the left and right wind direction plates 33, the rotation speeds of the compressor 15 and the blower fan 24 may be increased.

  When the divergence between the room temperature and the set temperature is not eliminated and the above-described predetermined time has elapsed, the wind direction plates 31a, 31b, and 33 have the absolute value of the temperature difference between the temperature detected for each section 45 and the set temperature. A posture for guiding the airflow toward a specific section 45a selected based on the size is established. In this way, the airflow is guided to a specific section 45a having a temperature difference with respect to the set temperature. Local temperature differences are preferentially resolved. By effectively removing the local temperature difference, the heat source that causes the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is eliminated, and the temperature environment of the set temperature is well established indoors.

  In the air conditioner 11, the control circuit 35 adjusts the temperature of the air according to the operation of the compressor 15 during the heating operation as in the cooling operation. As described above, a temperature environment of the set temperature is established in the room according to the processing operations of steps S1 to S6. Therefore, when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced, the operation of the compressor 15 is suppressed, and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is reduced.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when a locally low temperature is established on the wall surface in response to heat radiation from the window 46, the operation of the compressor 15 is controlled in advance based on the room temperature of the entire room. The room temperature may not reach the set temperature within a predetermined time. In the case where the room temperature and the set temperature are maintained within a predetermined temperature difference range without eliminating the deviation from the set temperature, the control circuit 35, for each section 45, based on the temperature distribution signal as described above. Analyze temperature. When a temperature difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value is observed in each section 45, the control circuit 35 causes the vertical wind direction plate 31a to be in a posture to guide the airflow toward the specific section 45a selected based on the temperature difference. 31b and the left and right wind direction plates 33 are controlled. Thus, when the deviation from the set temperature is not eliminated and the room temperature and the set temperature fall within the predetermined temperature difference range and the predetermined time elapses, the up and down wind direction plates 31a and 31b and the left and right wind direction plate 33 are Then, a posture for guiding the airflow toward the specific section 45b selected based on the temperature difference between the temperature detected for each section 45 set by dividing the room and the set temperature is established.

  When the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is not eliminated and a predetermined time has elapsed, the wind direction plates 31a, 31b, and 33 are selected based on the temperature difference between the temperature detected for each section 45 and the set temperature. The attitude | position which guides an airflow toward the division 45b of is established. In this way, the airflow is guided to a specific section 45b having a temperature difference with respect to the set temperature. Local temperature differences are preferentially resolved. By effectively removing the local temperature difference, the heat source that causes the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is eliminated, and the temperature environment of the set temperature is well established indoors.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Air conditioner, 12 ... Indoor unit, 14 ... Indoor heat exchanger, 15 ... Compressor, 16 ... Outdoor heat exchanger, 29 ... Outlet, 31a ... Wind direction plate (upper and lower wind direction plate), 31b ... Wind direction plate ( Up and down wind direction plate), 33 ... Wind direction plate (left and right wind direction plate), 45 ... partition, 45a ... specific partition.

Claims (1)

With wind direction plate and compressor,
When the temperature difference between the set temperature and room temperature is reduced, the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger and outdoor heat exchanger is reduced, and the temperature of the air that passes through the indoor heat exchanger and is blown out from the outlet of the indoor unit is adjusted. In the air conditioner that
When the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is within the predetermined temperature range and the predetermined time has passed without the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature being resolved, the room is divided and set An air conditioner comprising a control device for controlling the wind direction plate so as to establish a posture for guiding an air flow toward a specific section selected based on a temperature difference between a temperature detected for each time and a set temperature. .

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