JP2020020488A - Air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system capable of stably achieving highly accurate constant-temperature and constant-humidity control while saving energy.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system 10 includes: a cooler 14 for cooling suction air; a heater 16 for heating the air discharged from the cooler 14; a humidifier 18 for humidifying the air discharged from the heater 16; a temperature indication adjustment portion 17 for controlling the heater 16 on the basis of a detection result by a temperature sensor 20 detecting an indoor temperature; a humidity indication adjustment portion 19 for controlling the humidifier 18 on the basis of a humidity detection result by a humidity sensor 22 detecting an indoor humidity; and a control portion 15 for controlling cooling performance of the cooler 14 on the basis of a temperature control signal from the temperature indication adjustment portion 17 to the heater 16, and a humidity control signal from the humidity indication adjustment portion 19 to the humidifier 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner provided with a cooler, a heater, and a humidifier.

  BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, Patent Literature 1 discloses an air conditioner that aims to maintain a temperature and humidity environment without wasteful energy consumption when air is taken in by taking in outside air. In this air conditioner, the target temperature or the target humidity is set as a zone having a width, and when the target temperature or the target humidity reaches the above zone, the air conditioning means, the ventilation means, and the refrigeration cycle operation are switched. And energy saving operation.

  Patent Literature 2 discloses an air conditioner that can quickly and accurately follow a load change in a room to be air-conditioned. In this air conditioning equipment, a temperature / humidity detecting means is provided on the indoor side to detect temperature / humidity, and based on the temperature / humidity detection result, “heating / humidification”, “heating / dehumidification”, “cooling / humidification”, and “cooling / humidification” It describes that any operation mode of "cooling / dehumidification" is selected.

  Patent Document 3 discloses an air conditioner that realizes constant temperature and constant humidity control with energy saving without using a heater. In this air conditioner, the amount of refrigerant flowing through the cooling heat exchanger and the heating heat exchanger in the air conditioner is controlled by switching the four-way valve and controlling the amount of refrigerant to control the amount of cooling and the amount of heating. While controlling the humidification amount.

JP 2011-21881 A JP 2009-8390 A JP 2005-114247 A

  The air conditioners described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are intended for a case where the temperature or humidity can be kept constant by controlling only a cooling device such as a cooling coil. Air-conditioning control can be performed only in a wide range, and constant-temperature and constant-humidity control with high accuracy of, for example, ± 0.1 ° C. cannot be performed.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable to perform constant temperature and humidity with high accuracy using an air conditioner provided with a heater and a humidifier in addition to a cooling device. In this case, the heater and the humidifier operate stably and with energy saving. Thus, it is preferable to realize the constant temperature and constant humidity control.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can realize high-precision constant temperature / humidity control with stability and energy saving.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention includes a cooler that cools intake air, a heater that heats air that flows out of the cooler, a humidifier that humidifies the air that flows out of the heater, and a temperature that detects indoor temperature. A heater control unit that controls the heater based on a detection result by a sensor; a humidifier control unit that controls the humidifier based on a humidity detection result by a humidity sensor that detects indoor humidity; and A chiller controller that controls the cooling performance of the cooler based on a temperature control signal to the humidifier and a humidity control signal from the humidifier controller to the humidifier.

  According to this configuration, the cooler control unit controls the cooling performance of the cooler based on the temperature control signal of the heater and the humidity control signal of the humidifier, thereby operating the cooler at a constant output, and The heater and the humidifier can be operated more stably and with less energy consumption than in the case where the constant temperature and humidity control is performed by the humidifier. As a result, highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control can be realized with stability and energy saving.

  In the air conditioner according to the present invention, at least one of the cooling amount and the sensible heat ratio with respect to the intake air may be adjusted such that the heater and the humidifier operate in predetermined operation regions.

  According to this configuration, the heater and the humidifier are stabilized in the predetermined operation region by adjusting at least one of the cooling amount with respect to the intake air and the sensible heat ratio so that the heater and the humidifier operate in the predetermined operation region. In addition, it can be operated with energy saving, and as a result, highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control can be performed stably and with energy saving.

  In this case, it is preferable that the predetermined operation region is a high-precision operation region in which it is determined in advance that the heater and the humidifier can be operated with high accuracy.

  According to this configuration, high-precision constant temperature / humidity control can be performed stably and with energy saving while operating the heater and the humidifier in the high-precision operation region.

  Further, in this case, the predetermined operation region is a low-output-side energy-saving operation region among high-precision operation regions in which it is possible to operate the heater and the humidifier with high accuracy. You may.

  According to this configuration, high-precision constant temperature and humidity control can be performed stably and with more energy saving while operating the heater and the humidifier in the energy saving operation area on the low output side of the high accuracy operation area.

  Further, in the air conditioner according to the present invention, the cooler control unit stores a lower limit threshold and an upper limit threshold for the energy saving operation area of the heater and the energy saving operation area of the humidifier, respectively, and corresponds to the heater control signal. By comparing the humidifier output value corresponding to the heater output value and the humidifier control signal with the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value, respectively, whether the heater and the humidifier are operating in the energy saving operation area. May be determined.

  According to this configuration, by comparing the heater output value corresponding to the heater control signal and the humidifier output value corresponding to the humidifier control signal with the lower threshold and the upper threshold of the energy saving operation area, respectively, the heater and the humidifier save energy. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not each is operating in the operation area. As a result, while operating the heater and the humidifier in the energy-saving operation area, respectively, perform high-precision constant temperature and humidity control with stability and more energy saving. be able to.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the air conditioner which concerns on this invention, highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control can be implement | achieved with stability and energy saving.

It is a schematic structure figure of an air conditioner which is one embodiment of the present invention. It is a psychrometric chart which shows constant temperature and humidity control in the air conditioner of this embodiment. It is a schematic structure figure showing an example of the conventional air conditioner. (A) is a graph showing the relationship between the control signal for the heater and the amount of heating, and (b) is a graph showing the relationship between the control signal for the humidifier and the amount of humidification. It is a table | surface which shows the relationship between heating and humidification, a cooling amount, and a sensible heat ratio. (A) is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater is operating in the area A and the humidifier is operating in the area A, and (b) and (c) are diagrams for changing the operating points of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph shown respectively. (A) is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater is operating in the area A and the humidifier is operating in the area B, and (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater is operating in the area A and the humidifier is operating in the area C. (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is an air chart showing control when the heater is operating in the area B and the humidifier is operating in the area A, and (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater is operating in the area B and the humidifier is operating in the area C, and (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is an air chart showing control when the heater is operating in the area C and the humidifier is operating in the area A. (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater is operating in the area C and the humidifier is operating in the area B. (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater is operating in the area C and the humidifier is operating in the area C, and (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this description, specific shapes, materials, numerical values, directions, and the like are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed according to uses, purposes, specifications, and the like. When a plurality of embodiments and modified examples are included below, it is assumed from the beginning that the characteristic portions are appropriately combined and used.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 10 includes an air flow path forming member 12, a fan 13, a cooler 14, a heater 16, and a humidifier 18. The air conditioner 10 further includes a control unit (cooler control unit) 15, a temperature instruction adjustment unit (heater control unit) 17, and a humidity instruction adjustment unit (humidifier control unit) 19.

  The air flow path forming member 12 is formed of, for example, a resin or metal housing or duct member. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the air flow path forming member 12 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the shape of the air flow path forming member 12 can be appropriately changed.

  An air inlet 12a is formed at one end of the air flow path forming member 12, and an air outlet 12b is formed at the other end. In the space inside the air flow path forming member 12, an air flow path 11 in which the air sucked from the suction port 12a flows toward the air outlet 12b is formed.

  The fan 13 is provided inside the air flow path forming member 12 and near the outlet 12b. The fan 13 has a function of sucking air and blowing it toward the outlet 12b by rotating the internal blades. The amount of air blown by the fan 13 may be constant, or may be automatically or manually adjusted in a plurality of steps (for example, strong, medium, and weak) by an instruction adjusting unit (not shown).

  The cooler 14 has a function of cooling the air when the air sucked into the air flow path forming member 12 from the suction port 12a by the operation of the fan 13 passes. The cooler 14 is provided on the most upstream side in the air flow direction in the air flow path 11. In FIG. 1, air taken into the air flow path 11 from the suction port 12a is shown as suction air (1), and air that has passed through the cooler 14 is shown as cooler outlet air (2).

  As the cooler 14, for example, a direct expansion type cooling coil is preferably used. The cooling coil includes, for example, a refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant is circulated, and a compressor connected to the refrigerant circuit to compress the refrigerant. By setting the operating frequency of the compressor and the evaporating temperature in the cooling coil, the cooling performance (for example, the cooling amount, the sensible heat ratio, etc.) of the cooler 14 can be adjusted. The configuration of the cooler 14 is not particularly limited, and any known configuration may be used. Although described later in detail, the operation of the cooler 14 is controlled by a control unit (cooler control unit) 15.

  The heater 16 has a function of heating the air flowing in the air flow path forming member 12 by operating the fan 13 to increase the temperature. Here, the heating by the heater 16 is also referred to as “reheating” because the air cooled by the cooler 14 is heated again to increase the temperature. In the present embodiment, the heater 16 is provided between the cooler 14 and the humidifier 18 in the air flow path forming member 12. That is, the heater 16 is disposed downstream of the cooler 14 and upstream of the humidifier 18 in the air flow direction in the air flow path 11. As the heater 16, for example, an electric heating device can be suitably used. In FIG. 1, the air that has passed through the heater 16 is shown as heater outlet air (3). The operation of the heater 16 can be controlled by the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17, and the amount of heating by the heater 16 is adjusted by the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17.

  The humidifier 18 has a function of humidifying the air flowing in the air flow path forming member 12 by the operation of the fan 13. In the present embodiment, the humidifier 18 is provided between the heater 16 and the fan 13 in the air flow path forming member 12. That is, the humidifier 18 is disposed downstream of the heater 16 and upstream of the fan 13 in the air flow direction in the air flow path 11. The humidifier 18 increases the amount of steam (ie, humidity) contained in the blown air (4) by adding steam or spray water when the heater outlet air (3) passes. The operation of the humidifier 18 can be controlled by the humidity instruction adjusting unit 19, and the amount of humidification by the humidifier 18 is adjusted by the humidity instruction adjusting unit 19.

  The control unit 15 has a function of controlling the cooler 14 based on a temperature control signal from the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17 to the heater 16 and a humidity control signal from the humidity instruction adjusting unit 19 to the humidifier 18. The control unit 15 is preferably configured by, for example, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The control unit 15 can control the operation of the cooler 14 using programs and data stored in a storage unit (not shown).

  A temperature sensor 20 and a humidity sensor 22 are installed in a room to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner 10. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the temperature sensor 20 and the humidity sensor 22 are installed near the outlet and detect the temperature and humidity of the blown air (4). The temperature sensor 20 and the humidity sensor 22 are arranged, for example, on a wall surface or a ceiling surface in a room. The room temperature, which is the detection result of the temperature sensor 20, is transmitted to the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17 by wire or wirelessly. The indoor humidity, which is the detection result of the humidity sensor 22, is transmitted to the humidity instruction adjusting unit 19 by wire or wirelessly.

  The temperature instruction adjusting unit 17 controls the operation of the heater 16 based on the room temperature received from the temperature sensor 20. Specifically, the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17 generates a heater control signal so that the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20 becomes a preset target temperature Ttarget, and outputs the generated heater control signal to the heater 16. The heater control signal can be represented, for example, by a current signal in units of mA (milliamperes).

  The humidity instruction adjusting unit 19 controls the operation of the humidifier 18 based on the room humidity received from the humidity sensor 22. Specifically, the humidity instruction adjusting unit 19 generates a humidifier control signal so that the indoor humidity detected by the humidity sensor 22 becomes a preset target humidity Htarget, and outputs the signal to the humidifier 18. The humidifier control signal can be represented, for example, by a current signal in units of mA (milliamps).

  The heater control signal generated by the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17 and the humidifier control signal generated by the humidity instruction adjusting unit 19 are also input to the control unit 15. The control unit 15 generates a cooler control signal based on the heater control signal and the humidifier control signal and outputs the signal to the cooler 14. The cooler control signal includes, for example, compressor frequency information and refrigerant evaporation temperature information.

  FIG. 2 is an air line diagram showing constant temperature and humidity control in the air-conditioning apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. In the psychrometric diagram of FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents dry-bulb temperature and the vertical axis represents absolute humidity. The dry-bulb temperature on the horizontal axis increases toward the right side, and the absolute humidity increases toward the upper side. Hereinafter, the dry-bulb temperature is referred to only as appropriate. In addition, the psychrometric chart of FIG. 2 shows a curve with a relative humidity of 100% curved downward and downward and convex downward (the same applies to FIGS. 6 to 13).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the suction air (1) flowing into the air flow path 11 from the suction port 12a by the suction function of the fan 13 is cooled and dehumidified while passing through the cooler 14, and the cooler outlet air ( 2). In the psychrometric chart of FIG. 2, this is represented by a straight line descending to the left connecting the points (1) and (2). That is, by moving from the point (1) to the point (2), the temperature of the air passing through the cooler 14 decreases by ΔT and the humidity decreases by ΔH.

  Here, the length of a straight line connecting the points (1) and (2) indicates the amount of cooling by the cooler 14, and the slope of the straight line indicates the sensible heat ratio. The sensible heat ratio refers to the ratio of sensible heat to total heat, which is the sum of latent heat and sensible heat applied to the intake air (1) in the cooler 14, and is hereinafter appropriately referred to as SHF (Sensible Heat Factor). .

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the cooler outlet air (2) passes through the heater 16 and becomes the heater outlet air (3) by the suction function of the fan 13. This is represented by a straight line parallel to the horizontal axis connecting the points (2) and (3) in the psychrometric chart of FIG. That is, by moving from the point (2) to the point (3), the temperature of the air heated (or reheated) while passing through the heater 16 rises to the target temperature Ttarget.

  Then, the heater outlet air (3) heated by the heater 16 passes through the humidifier 18 by the suction function of the fan 13 and is humidified. This is represented by a straight line parallel to the vertical axis connecting point (3) and point (4) in the psychrometric chart of FIG. Strictly speaking, the air is heated by humidification, and the points also move horizontally, but for convenience, they are straight lines parallel to the vertical axis. That is, by moving from the point (3) to the point (4), the humidity of the air humidified while passing through the humidifier 18 increases to the target humidity Htarget.

  The air that has passed through the humidifier 18 is blown out of the air flow path forming member 12 by the fan 13 from the air outlet 12b. Thus, the blown air (4) having the target temperature Ttarget and the target humidity Htarget is discharged into the room. Thereafter, the temperature and humidity of the blown air (4) change due to heat entering from outside or heat generated from a heating element installed in the room, and the blown air (4) is sucked into the air-conditioning apparatus 10 as suction air (1). As described above, by performing the air conditioning control using the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 in addition to the cooler 14, high-precision constant temperature / humidity control is performed so that the room temperature and humidity become the target temperature Ttarget and the target humidity Htarget. It can be carried out.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a conventional air conditioner 10A. The configuration of the air conditioner 10A is different from the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only in that the air conditioner 10A does not include the control unit 15. In the conventional air conditioner 10A, the cooler 14 is continuously operated at a constant capacity. In this case, if there is a disturbance such as a change in the temperature of the intake air due to a change in the outside air temperature, the heater or the humidifier may be in an unstable operation region or may be in an operation region where power consumption is excessive. is there. As a result, in the air-conditioning apparatus 10A, it was difficult to perform high-precision constant temperature / humidity control with stability and energy saving.

  On the other hand, according to the air-conditioning apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the cooler 14 is controlled based on the temperature control signal of the heater 16 and the humidity control signal of the humidifier 18 as described above. The heater 16 and the humidifier 18 can be operated more stably and with less energy consumption as compared with the case where the heater 14 and the humidifier are operated at a constant output to operate the heater 16 and the humidifier at a constant output. Control can be realized with stability and energy saving. Next, the constant temperature and humidity control in the air-conditioning apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4A is a graph showing the relationship between the control signal for the heater 16 and the heating amount, and FIG. 4B is a graph showing the relationship between the control signal for the humidifier 18 and the humidification amount.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the heater 16 can adjust the heating amount in the range of 0% to 100% by changing the control signal in the range of St0 to St3. The fact that the relationship between the signal and the heating amount is represented by a straight line 30 is stored in the storage unit of the control unit 15 in advance. Among them, the manufacturer of the heater 16 recommends the use of the heater 16 in the range indicated by the solid line portion of the straight line 30 for high precision control, and the heater 16 on the lower output side than the solid line portion of the straight line 30. In the region A corresponding to the dashed line portion and the region C corresponding to the dashed line portion on the high output side, it is said that the accuracy is deteriorated due to the characteristics of the device.

  In order to perform high-precision constant temperature / humidity control using the heater 16, it is preferable to use the heater 16 in an operation region corresponding to a solid line portion of the straight line 30, and particularly to a low output side of the solid line portion. It is more preferable to operate in the range of the region B (energy saving operation region) because highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control can be performed with energy saving. Therefore, in the air-conditioning apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the cooler 14 is controlled such that the operating point of the heater 16 is in the region B.

  In the heating amount of the heater 16, a lower limit threshold value Tab corresponding to the lower limit of the region B (that is, the boundary with the region A) and an upper limit threshold value Tbc corresponding to the upper limit of the region B (that is, the boundary with the region C) are determined in advance. It is stored in the storage unit of the control unit 15. In the storage unit, the control signal St1 corresponding to the lower threshold value Tab is stored, for example, as a current value of a unit mA, and the control signal St2 corresponding to the upper threshold value Tbc is stored, for example, as a current value of a unit mA. . Here, the relationship of St0 <St1 <St2 <St3 holds for the control signal of the heater 16. Then, the cooler 14 is controlled so that the heater 16 operates between the control signals St1 and St2 defining the region B.

  The lower limit threshold value Tab corresponding to the lower limit of the region B with respect to the heating amount of the heater 16 is recommended as a lower limit value for operating the device with high accuracy, and is set to, for example, about 20%, more preferably about 15%. Is done. On the other hand, the upper limit threshold value Tbc corresponding to the upper limit of the region B is an output value for determining whether the cooling by the cooler 14 is supercooled and the reheating by the heater 16 is excessive, For example, it is set to about 50%, more preferably about 45%.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the humidifier 18 can adjust the humidification amount in the range of 0% to 100% by changing the control signal in the range of Sh0 to Sh3. The fact that the relationship between the control signal and the humidification amount is represented by the straight line 32 is stored in the storage unit of the control unit 15 in advance. Among these, the maker of the humidifier 18 recommends the use of the humidifier 18 within the range indicated by the solid line in the straight line 32 for high precision control, and the output of the humidifier 18 is lower than that of the solid line in the straight line 32. In the region A corresponding to the broken line portion on the side and the region C corresponding to the broken line portion on the high output side, the accuracy is deteriorated due to the characteristics of the device.

  In order to perform high-precision constant temperature and humidity control using the humidifier 18, it is preferable to use the humidifier 18 in an operation region corresponding to the solid line portion of the straight line 32, and particularly to the low output side of the solid line portion. It is more preferable to operate in the range of the corresponding area B (energy saving operation area) because highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control can be performed with energy saving. Therefore, in the air-conditioning apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the cooler 14 is controlled such that the operating point of the humidifier 18 is in the region B.

  In the humidification amount of the humidifier 18, the threshold value Hab corresponding to the lower limit of the region B (that is, the boundary with the region A) and the threshold value Hbc corresponding to the upper limit of the region B (that is, the boundary with the region C) are controlled in advance. It is stored in the storage unit of the unit 15. In the storage unit, the control signal Sh1 corresponding to the lower threshold Hab is stored as a current value of, for example, a unit mA, and the control signal Sh2 corresponding to the upper threshold Hbc is stored as a current value of, for example, a unit mA. . Here, the relationship of Sh0 <Sh1 <Sh2 <Sh3 is established for the control signal of the humidifier 18. Then, the cooler 14 is controlled so that the humidifier 18 operates between the control signals Sh1 and Sh2 that define the region B.

  The lower limit threshold value Hab corresponding to the lower limit of the region B with respect to the humidification amount of the humidifier 18 is recommended as a lower limit value for operating the device with high accuracy, and is, for example, about 20%, more preferably about 15%. Is set. On the other hand, the upper limit threshold value Hbc corresponding to the upper limit of the region B is an output value for determining whether the humidifier 18 is excessively humidified due to excessive dehumidification in the cooler 14, and It is set to about 50%, more preferably about 45%.

  FIG. 5 is a table showing a relationship between heating and humidification, a cooling amount, and a sensible heat ratio. This table is stored in the storage unit of the control unit 15 in advance. The control unit 15 compares the heater control signal input from the temperature instruction adjustment unit 17 with the control signals St1 and St2 that define the area B shown in FIG. It is determined which of B and C it belongs to. Further, the control unit 15 compares the humidifier control signal input from the humidity instruction adjustment unit 19 with the control signals Sh1 and Sh2 that define the area B shown in FIG. It is determined to which of the regions A, B, and C belongs.

  The control unit 15 derives the heating amount (%) corresponding to the heater control signal input from the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17 and compares the heating amount (%) with the lower threshold value Tab and the upper threshold value Tbc. It may be determined to which of A, B and C it belongs. Further, the control unit 15 derives a humidification amount (%) corresponding to the humidifier control signal input from the humidity instruction adjustment unit 19, compares this humidification amount with the lower limit threshold Hab and the upper limit threshold Hbc, and It may be determined to which of the 18 operating points belongs to the areas A, B, and C.

  Subsequently, the control unit 15 controls the cooling amount and the SHF when the operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 both belong to the region A or C, except for the case where both of the operating points are in the region B. Adjust at least one. Specifically, in the case shown in 3 rows and 3 columns in the table shown in FIG. 5, the cooling amount and the SHF except for the case where the heating by the heater 16 belongs to the region B and the humidification by the humidifier 18 belong to the region B. At least one will be adjusted. Next, specific control in each case in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6A is a psychrometric chart showing the control when the heater 16 is operating in the area A and the humidifier 18 is operating in the area A. FIGS. It is a graph which shows the operation point change of the humidifier 18 respectively.

  In this case, both the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 are operating in the area A and have not reached the area B. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 6A, the amount of cooling by the cooler 14 is increased. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2 ′), and the inclination (ie, SHF) of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2 ′) is changed. Is adjusted so that the length of the straight line (that is, the amount of cooling) becomes longer.

  Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to increase the cooling amount without changing the evaporation temperature. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, the operating point of the heater 16 is changed from (3) to (3 ′), and as a result, the length of the straight line connecting (2 ′) and (3 ′), In addition, the length of the straight line connecting (3 ′) and (4) becomes longer. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the heating amount of the heater 16 is increased to change from the area A to the area B, and as shown in FIG. 6C, the humidification amount by the humidifier 18 is increased. Thus, the area is changed from the area A to the area B. As a result, the respective operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, and a high-precision constant temperature / humidity control is executed in a stable and energy-saving manner.

  7A is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the area A and the humidifier 18 is operating in the area B. FIGS. 7B and 7C are diagrams showing the heater 16 in this case. 4 is a graph showing a change in the operating point of the humidifier 18 and FIG.

  In this case, the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the desired area B, but the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the area A, and the heating amount is insufficient. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, both the amount of cooling by the cooler 14 and the SHF are increased. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2 '), and the inclination of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is reduced ( That is, the adjustment is performed so that the length of the straight line becomes longer (that is, the cooling amount is increased) while the SHF is increased.

  Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to increase the cooling amount and increase the evaporation temperature. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, the length of the straight line connecting the point (2 ′) and the point (3) becomes longer, but the point (3) remains unchanged because the point (3) is unchanged. The length of the straight line connecting the point (4) and the point (4) does not change. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the heating amount of the heater 16 is increased to change from the area A to the area B, and the operating point of the humidifier 18 is changed to the area B as shown in FIG. Will be maintained. As a result, the respective operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, and a high-precision constant temperature / humidity control is executed in a stable and energy-saving manner.

  FIG. 8A is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the area A and the humidifier 18 is operating in the area C. FIGS. 8B and 8C are diagrams showing the heater 16 in this case. 4 is a graph showing a change in the operating point of the humidifier 18 and FIG.

  In this case, the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the region A and is in an insufficient operation state, and the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the region C and is in an excessive operation state. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 8A, the SHF is increased while maintaining the cooling amount of the cooler 14. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2 '), and the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is changed. Without reducing the slope of the line (ie, increasing SHF).

  Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to increase the evaporation temperature while maintaining the cooling amount. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8A, the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) and the point (2 ′) does not change, but the points (2 ′) and (3 ′) Is longer, and the length of the straight line connecting the points (3 ') and (4) is shorter than before. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the heating amount of the heater 16 is increased and the region A shifts to the region B, and as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the humidifying amount of the humidifier 18 decreases. The operating point shifts from the area C to the area B. As a result, the respective operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, and a high-precision constant temperature / humidity control is executed in a stable and energy-saving manner.

  FIG. 9A is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the area B and the humidifier 18 is operating in the area A. FIGS. 9B and 9C are diagrams showing the heater 16 in this case. 4 is a graph showing a change in the operating point of the humidifier 18 and FIG.

  In this case, the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the area B, but the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the area A, and the operation is insufficient. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the cooling amount of the cooler 14 is increased and the SHF is reduced. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2 '), and the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is made longer than before. As the length increases, the slope of the straight line increases (that is, SHF decreases).

  Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to increase the cooling amount and decrease the evaporation temperature. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9A, the length of the straight line connecting the point (2 ′) and the point (3 ′) does not change, but the points (3 ′) and (4) The length of the straight line connecting is longer. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, the operating point of the heater 16 is maintained in the region B, and as shown in FIG. To region B. As a result, the respective operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, and a high-precision constant temperature / humidity control is executed in a stable and energy-saving manner.

  FIG. 10A is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the area B and the humidifier 18 is operating in the area C. FIGS. 10B and 10C are diagrams showing the heater 16 in this case. 4 is a graph showing a change in the operating point of the humidifier 18 and FIG.

  In this case, the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the area B, but the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the area C and is in an excessively operated state. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 10A, the cooling amount of the cooler 14 is reduced and the SHF is increased. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2 '), and the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is made longer than before. While shortening, the slope of the straight line is reduced (that is, SHF is increased).

  Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to decrease the cooling amount and increase the evaporation temperature. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10A, the length of the straight line connecting the point (2 ′) and the point (3 ′) does not change, but the points (3 ′) and (4) The length of the straight line connecting is shorter. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, the operating point of the heater 16 is maintained in the region B, and as shown in FIG. To region B. As a result, the respective operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, and a high-precision constant temperature / humidity control is executed in a stable and energy-saving manner.

  FIG. 11A is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the area C and the humidifier 18 is operating in the area A. FIGS. 11B and 11C are diagrams showing the heater 16 in this case. 4 is a graph showing a change in the operating point of the humidifier 18 and FIG.

  In this case, the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the region C and is in an excessive operation state, and the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the region A and is in an insufficient operation state. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 11A, the SHF is reduced while the cooling amount of the cooler 14 is maintained. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2 '), and the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is changed. Without increasing the slope of the line (ie, reducing SHF).

  Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to reduce the evaporation temperature while maintaining the cooling amount. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 11A, the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) and the point (2 ′) does not change, but the points (2 ′) and (3 ′) Is shorter, and the straight line connecting the point (3 ′) and the point (4) is longer than before. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, the heating amount of the heater 16 decreases and shifts from the region C to the region B, and as shown in FIG. 11C, the humidifying amount of the humidifier 18 increases. The operating point shifts from the area A to the area B. As a result, the respective operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, and a high-precision constant temperature / humidity control is executed in a stable and energy-saving manner.

  FIG. 12A is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the area C and the humidifier 18 is operating in the area B. FIGS. 12B and 12C are diagrams showing the heater 16 in this case. 4 is a graph showing a change in the operating point of the humidifier 18 and FIG.

  In this case, the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the region C and is in an excessive operation state, but the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the region B. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 12A, the cooling amount of the cooler 14 is reduced and the SHF is reduced. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2 '), and the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is made longer than before. While shortening, the slope of the straight line is increased (that is, SHF is reduced).

  Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to reduce the amount of cooling and to lower the evaporation temperature. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12A, the length of the straight line connecting the point (2 ′) and the point (3) becomes shorter than before, but the points (3) and (4) The length of the straight line connecting is unchanged. As a result, the operating point of the heater 16 shifts from the area C to the area B as shown in FIG. 12B, and the operating point of the humidifier 18 is maintained in the area B as shown in FIG. You. As a result, the respective operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, and a high-precision constant temperature / humidity control is executed in a stable and energy-saving manner.

  FIG. 13A is a psychrometric chart showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the area C and the humidifier 18 is operating in the area C. FIGS. 13B and 13C are diagrams showing the heater 16 in this case. 4 is a graph showing a change in the operating point of the humidifier 18 and FIG.

  In this case, both the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region C, and are in an excessive operation state. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 13A, the amount of cooling by the cooler 14 is reduced. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2 '), and the slope of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') (that is, SHF) Is adjusted so as to shorten the length of the straight line (that is, the cooling amount).

  Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to reduce the cooling amount without changing the evaporation temperature. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13A, the operating point of the heater 16 is changed from (3) to (3 ′), and as a result, the length of the straight line connecting (2 ′) and (3 ′), In addition, the length of the straight line connecting (3 ′) and (4) becomes shorter. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13B, the heating amount of the heater 16 is reduced to change from the area C to the area B, and as shown in FIG. 13C, the humidifying amount by the humidifier 18 is reduced. Thus, the area C is changed to the area B. As a result, the respective operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, and a high-precision constant temperature / humidity control is executed in a stable and energy-saving manner.

  As described above, according to the air-conditioning apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 based on the temperature control signal of the heater 16 and the humidity control signal of the humidifier 18 so that the cooler The heater 16 and the humidifier 18 can be operated more stably and with less energy consumption as compared with the case where the heater 14 and the humidifier 18 are operated at a constant output and the constant temperature and humidity control is performed. Constant humidity control can be realized with stability and energy saving.

  Further, when the cooler 14 is controlled independently of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18, hunting (random control) may occur and the operation may be unstable. By performing control based on the temperature control signal of the heater 16 and the humidity control signal of the humidifier 18, the occurrence of hunting as described above can be suppressed.

  The air-conditioning apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and various changes and improvements can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims of the present application. Of course there is.

    10, 10A air conditioner, 11 air flow path, 12 air flow path forming member, 12a suction port, 12b blowout port, 13 fan, 14 cooler, 15 control unit (cooler control unit), 16 heater, 17 temperature instruction Adjustment unit (heater control unit), 18 humidifier, 19 humidity instruction adjustment unit (humidifier control unit), 20 temperature sensor, 22 humidity sensor, 30, 32 straight line, A, B, C area.

Claims (5)

A cooler for cooling the intake air;
A heater for heating the air flowing out of the cooler,
A humidifier that humidifies the air that has flowed out of the heater;
A heater control unit that controls the heater based on a detection result by a temperature sensor that detects an indoor temperature,
A humidifier controller that controls the humidifier based on a humidity detection result by a humidity sensor that detects indoor humidity,
A temperature control signal from the heater control unit to the heater, and a cooler control unit that controls the cooling performance of the cooler based on a humidity control signal from the humidifier control unit to the humidifier,
An air conditioner comprising:   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the cooler control unit adjusts at least one of a cooling amount and a sensible heat ratio with respect to the intake air such that the heater and the humidifier operate in predetermined operation regions. .   The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined operation region is a high-precision operation region in which the heater and the humidifier can be operated with high accuracy, respectively.   The said predetermined operation | movement area | region is an energy saving operation | movement area | region of a low output side among the high precision operation | movement area | regions predetermined in which the said heater and the said humidifier can be respectively operated with high precision. Or the air conditioner according to 3. The cooler control unit stores a lower limit threshold and an upper limit threshold for the energy saving operation area of the heater and the energy saving operation area of the humidifier, respectively, and controls a heater control signal and a humidifier control signal corresponding to the lower limit threshold. The air conditioning according to claim 4, wherein it is determined whether the heater and the humidifier are operating in the energy saving operation area by comparing the signal value and a control signal value corresponding to the upper threshold value, respectively. apparatus.

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