JP2022062714A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner which can form dew on a surface of an indoor heat exchanger with a simple constitution.

SOLUTION: In a cleaning operation of an indoor heat exchanger 32, a control part 40 carries out a cleaning heating operation so that the indoor is heated, thereby allowing for easy formation of dew on a surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32, and then carries out cleaning cooling operation for forming dew on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32 and cleaning the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a cleaning operation function for cleaning the surface of an indoor heat exchanger.

In an air conditioner, dust adheres to the indoor heat exchanger as the usage time elapses. Therefore, some air conditioners have a cleaning function for cleaning the surface of the indoor heat exchanger to which dust has adhered. As a conventional technique relating to an air conditioner having such a cleaning function, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1.

The air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a freeze-cleaning operation function that freezes the surface of an indoor heat exchanger to clean the surface. Specifically, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing inside the indoor heat exchanger is lowered, ice (including frost) is attached to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, and then the ice is thawed (melted), and the ice is thawed. This is an operation operation in which the dust adhering to the indoor heat exchanger is washed away by using the momentum of the water generated in the process of falling.

However, if the ice is continuously generated, the enlarged ice will come into contact with the adjacent fan or the like, so that the size of the ice is limited. Therefore, the amount of water produced by thawing ice is also limited to a predetermined amount. If the amount of water generated is small, the dust that has flowed down to the drain pan will remain on the drain pan.

Generally, the air conditioner also has a technique of causing dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger and using the water generated by the dew to wash away the dust adhering to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger. The water droplets adhering to the surface of the heat exchanger are dropped onto the drain pan when they reach a predetermined size. Since the cycle from the formation of water droplets due to dew condensation to the dripping onto the drain pan is repeated, the amount of water associated with washing is larger than that of freeze washing. Dust and dust are less likely to remain on the drain pan. As a conventional technique relating to such a washing operation, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 2.

The air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 2 is provided with a humidified air supply means for supplying humidified air to the indoor heat exchanger. The purpose of this moist air supply means is to create an environment with high humidity so that the surface of the indoor heat exchanger is easily dewed. However, since it is provided separately from the normal air conditioning unit, the configuration of the entire air conditioner becomes complicated.

Patent No. 6314294 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-300030

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of causing dew condensation on the surface of an indoor heat exchanger with a simple configuration.

Claim 1 includes a compressor, an expansion valve, an indoor heat exchanger, and a control unit that executes a cleaning operation for cleaning dust adhering to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger.
In the cleaning operation, the control unit executes a cleaning heating operation that facilitates dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger by warming the room, and then causes dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger to heat the room. An air conditioner is provided that performs a cleaning cooling operation to clean the surface of the exchanger.

As described in claim 2, when the control unit determines that the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor does not reach the preset reference room temperature value that is the reference for starting the cleaning cooling operation. The cleaning heating operation is performed.

As described in claim 3, preferably, the control unit is used for cleaning until the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a preset reference room temperature value that is a reference for starting the cleaning cooling operation. Perform heating operation.

As described in claim 4, preferably, the control unit executes the cleaning heating operation until the preset first reference time elapses.

As described in claim 5, preferably, the control unit determines that the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a preset reference room temperature value that is a reference for starting the cleaning cooling operation. In this case, the cleaning cooling operation is executed without executing the cleaning heating operation.

In claim 1, the control unit executes a cleaning heating operation for warming the room before starting the cleaning cooling operation.

That is, the room is warmed by the cleaning heating operation, and the surface of the indoor heat exchanger is easily dewed. There is no need for a humidifying unit or the like that facilitates dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger. With a simple configuration of only a normal air conditioner, it is possible to create an environment that facilitates dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger.

It is a schematic diagram of the air conditioner according to an Example. It is a block diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the control content of the heating operation for cleaning of the air conditioner shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the control content of the cooling operation for cleaning and the drying operation for cleaning of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an air conditioner 10 (air conditioner) provided with a refrigerant circuit 11 in which a refrigerant flows inside. The air conditioner 10 has a function of performing a cooling operation for cooling the room R and a heating operation for warming the room R. The refrigerant circuit 11 includes an outdoor unit 20 arranged in the outdoor Ou and an indoor unit 30 arranged in the indoor R. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the direction in which the refrigerant circulates is based on the cooling operation.

The outdoor unit 20 includes a four-way switching valve 21 that switches the circulation direction of the refrigerant during cooling operation and heating operation, a compressor 22 through which the refrigerant that has passed through the four-way switching valve 21 flows and compresses the refrigerant, and the compressor 22. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 through which the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 22 and having a high temperature and high pressure flows, the propeller fan 24 that blows air toward the outdoor heat exchanger 23, and the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 24 are depressurized. It has an expansion valve 25 and.

The indoor unit 30 is hung on the wall Wa in the indoor R. The indoor unit 30 includes an indoor fan 31 that takes in air from the room and blows air into the room, an indoor heat exchanger 32 that cools the air taken in by the indoor fan 31, and an indoor fan 31 and an indoor heat exchanger 32. It has a case 33 and a case 33 for storing.

The case 33 has an air outlet 33a that serves as an outlet for the air sent out by the indoor fan 31. The blower port 33a is provided with a left-right louver 34 for adjusting the left-right direction of the blown air, and an upper and lower louvers 35 for adjusting the up-down direction of the blown air.

The cooling operation will be described. The refrigerant whose high temperature and high pressure are set by the compressor 22 exchanges heat with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and releases heat. At this time, the rotation of the propeller fan 24 forcibly causes the outside air to flow to the outer periphery of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 to promote heat exchange. The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and released heat is depressurized by the expansion valve 25, and the temperature drops. The refrigerant whose temperature has dropped flows to the indoor heat exchanger 32.

The low-temperature refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor heat exchanger 32 exchanges heat with the air in the indoor R in the indoor heat exchanger 32, and cools the air in the indoor R. The cooled air is blown to the room R by the room fan 31. The indoor fan 31 forcibly flows air to the outer periphery of the indoor heat exchanger 32 to promote heat exchange with the refrigerant.

During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 21 switches the flow path of the refrigerant, and the refrigerant is circulated in the direction opposite to that during the cooling operation.

FIG. 2 shows a control block diagram of the air conditioner device 10 (see FIG. 1). The indoor unit 30 is operated by the indoor fan 31, the left and right louvers 34, the indoor control unit 40 (control unit) that controls the upper and lower louvers 35, the temperature sensor 41 that detects the indoor temperature, and the indoor control unit 40. It has a built-in display lamp 42 for displaying the above and a remote control transmission / reception unit 43 for exchanging predetermined information between the remote control 12 and the remote control 12.

The indoor control unit 40 has a storage unit 44 that stores data received via the remote controller transmission / reception unit 43, a detection value of the temperature sensor 41, a set temperature and a reference time to be described later, and other predetermined programs. It has a plurality of timers t1 to t4 for measuring time.

The outdoor unit 20 has an outdoor control unit 45 that is electrically connected to the indoor control unit 40. The indoor control unit 40 can control the four-way switching valve 21, the compressor 22, the propeller fan 23, and the expansion valve 25 via the outdoor control unit 45.

The air conditioner device 10 also has a function of performing a cleaning operation for cleaning dust adhering to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32 (see FIG. 1). Hereinafter, the control contents of the cleaning operation of the air conditioner device 10 will be described.

3 and 4 show a flowchart showing the control contents of the air conditioner device 10. When a signal for starting the cleaning operation is transmitted from the remote controller 12 (see FIG. 2) to the indoor control unit 40, or when the predetermined conditions are satisfied after the cooling operation or the heating operation is completed (for example, in the previous cleaning operation). (For example, a predetermined time has elapsed from the end), the indoor control unit 40 starts the cleaning operation in a manner indicating that the indicator lamp 42 is being cleaned (start).

When the washing operation is started, in step St1, the first timer t1 starts from "0". The first timer t1 measures the duration of the washing operation.

In step St2, the room temperature Tr detected by the temperature sensor 41 is acquired by the indoor control unit 40.

In step St3, it is determined whether the room temperature Tr is within a predetermined temperature range. Specifically, it is determined whether the room temperature Tr is less than the reference room temperature value Ts1 and equal to or more than the minimum reference value Ts2 set lower than the reference room temperature value Ts1 (Ts2 ≤ Tr <Ts1). The reference room temperature value Ts1 and the minimum reference value Ts2 are preset values.

When the room temperature Tr is less than the minimum standard value Ts2 (Tr <Ts2), the washing operation is completed (end).

When the room temperature Tr is equal to or more than the minimum reference value Ts2 and less than the reference room temperature value Ts1 (Ts2 ≤ Tr <Ts1), in step St4, the second timer t2 starts from "0".

After that, in step St5, a cleaning heating operation for warming the room R is executed. See also FIGS. 1 and 2. The cleaning heating operation aims to prepare an environment suitable for dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32. The cleaning heating operation is executed by the outdoor control unit 45 receiving an instruction from the indoor control unit 40 controlling the compressor 22, the expansion valve 25, and the four-way switching valve 21 in the same manner as in the normal heating operation. To.

The cleaning heating operation is performed based on preset conditions. As this condition, for example, in the cleaning heating operation, a temperature higher than the reference room temperature value Ts1 is set as the set temperature Ts3, and the air volume by the indoor fan 31 is maximized. The upper and lower louvers 35 and the left and right louvers 34 are fixed at the positions at the maximum air volume.

In step St6, the room temperature Tr detected by the temperature sensor 41 is acquired by the indoor control unit 40.

In step St7, it is determined whether the room temperature Tr has reached the set temperature Ts3 by the cleaning heating operation (Tr ≧ Ts3).

When the room temperature Tr reaches the set temperature Ts3 (Tr ≧ Ts3), in step St8, the third timer t3 is started from “0”.

After that, in step St9, a cleaning cooling operation is executed in which water droplets are generated on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32 due to dew condensation. The water droplets generated by the dew condensation wash away the dust adhering to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32. The cleaning cooling operation is executed by the outdoor control unit 45 receiving a command from the indoor control unit 40 controlling the compressor 22, the expansion valve 25, and the four-way switching valve 21 in the same manner as in the normal cooling operation. Ru.

The cleaning cooling operation is performed based on preset conditions. For example, the set temperature Ts4 of the cleaning cooling operation is set to a predetermined temperature (for example, the minimum reference value Ts2), and the left and right louvers 34 and the upper and lower louvers 35 are fixed at the positions at the maximum air volume. The air volume is appropriately changed depending on the room temperature Tr.

In step St7, when the room temperature Tr does not reach the set temperature Ts3 (Tr <Ts3), in step st10, the measurement time by the second timer t2 (the duration of the cleaning heating operation) is set in advance. Judge whether the reference time m1 (first reference time) has passed (t2> m1).

When the measurement time by the second timer t2 has elapsed the reference time m1 (t2> m1), the third timer t3 is started from "0" (step St8), and then the cleaning cooling operation is executed. (Step St9).

If the measurement time by the second timer t2 does not elapse the reference time m1 (t2 <m1), the cleaning heating operation is continued.

In step St3, when the room temperature Tr exceeds the reference room temperature value Ts1 (Tr> Ts1), the indoor control unit 40 is in an environment suitable for the indoor R to already condense the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32. Judge that there is. Therefore, the room control unit 40 starts the third timer (step St8) and executes the cleaning cooling operation (step St9) without executing the cleaning heating operation (step St5).

After the start of the cleaning cooling operation in step st9, in step St11, the room temperature Tr detected by the temperature sensor 41 is acquired by the indoor control unit 40.

After that, in step St12, it is determined whether the room temperature Tr is lower than the set temperature Ts4 of the cleaning cooling operation (Tr <Ts4).

When the room temperature Tr falls below the set temperature Ts4 (Tr <Ts4), in step St13, the measurement time (duration of cleaning operation) by the first timer t1 is the preset reference time m2 (second reference time). Judge whether the time has passed (t1> m2).

If the measurement time by the first timer t1 does not elapse the reference time m2 (t1 ≤ m2), the cleaning cooling operation is stopped, the second timer t2 is reset and then restarted (step St4), and the cleaning is performed. The heating operation is executed again (step St5).

When the measurement time (duration of cleaning operation) by the first timer t1 in step St13 has passed the reference time m2 (t1> m2), or when the room temperature Tr becomes the set temperature Ts4 or more in step St12 (Tr ≧). Ts4) In step St14, it is determined whether or not the measurement time (duration of the cleaning cooling operation) by the third timer t3 has elapsed the preset reference time m3 (t3> m3).

When the measurement time by the third timer has elapsed in step St14 (t3> m3), in step St15, the fourth timer t4 is started from "0".

After that, in step St16, a cleaning drying operation for drying the indoor heat exchanger 32 is started. The cleaning drying operation is executed by the outdoor control unit 45 receiving a command from the indoor control unit 40 controlling the compressor 22, the expansion valve 25, and the four-way switching valve 21, as in the normal heating operation. Ru.

The cleaning drying operation is performed based on preset conditions. For example, the set temperature Ts6 (not shown) of the drying operation for cleaning is set as a predetermined temperature. The hot start function that prevents the blowing of cold air at the start of the heating operation and the defrosting operation function that warms the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and melts the frost are invalidated. The upper and lower louvers 35 and the left and right louvers 34 are fixed at the positions at the maximum air volume. The air volume is appropriately changed according to the room temperature Tr.

When the measurement time by the third timer t3 (duration of the cleaning cooling operation) does not elapse the reference time m3 in step St14 (t3 ≤ m3), the measurement time by the first timer t1 in step St17. Judge whether (duration of cleaning operation) has passed the preset reference time m4 (t1> m4).

When the measurement time (duration of washing operation) by the first timer t1 does not elapse the reference time m4 (t1 ≤ m4), the washing cooling operation (step St9) is continued.

When the measurement time (duration of cleaning operation) by the first timer t1 has elapsed the reference time m4 (t1> m4), the fourth timer t4 is started from "0" (step St15), and then. The cleaning drying operation is started (step St16).

After the start of the washing drying operation in step St16, in step St18, it is determined whether the measurement time (duration of the washing drying operation) by the fourth timer t4 has elapsed the preset reference time m5 (t4>. m5).

If the measurement time by the fourth timer t4 (duration of the cleaning drying operation) does not elapse the preset reference time m5 (t4 ≤ m5), the cleaning drying operation is continued.

When the measurement time by the fourth timer t4 elapses from the preset reference time m5 (t4> m5), the indoor control unit 40 ends the cleaning operation (end). At the end of the cleaning operation, the indoor control unit 40 turns off the indicator lamp 42 provided in the indoor unit 30, and performs processing when the operation of the upper and lower louvers 35 and the left and right louvers 34 is stopped.

The effects of the examples will be described.

See FIGS. 1 and 2. The air conditioner 10 controls the compressor 22, the expansion valve 25, and the four-way switching valve 21 to cause dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32 to clean the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32. It has an indoor control unit 40 that executes operation.

See FIGS. 3 and 4. After the start of the washing operation, in step St3, it is determined whether the room temperature Tr is less than the reference room temperature value Ts1 and equal to or more than the minimum reference value Ts2T (Ts2 ≤ Tr <Ts1). When the room temperature Tr is equal to or more than the minimum reference value Ts2 and less than the reference room temperature value Ts1 (Ts2 ≤ Tr <Ts1), the cleaning heating operation in step St5 is executed before the cleaning cooling operation in step st9 is started. ..

That is, when the room temperature Tr does not reach the reference room temperature value Ts1 (Tr <Ts1) and the indoor R is in an environment where the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32 is less likely to cause dew condensation, the indoor R is warmed by the cleaning heating operation. It makes it easy for dew to condense on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32. The cleaning heating operation is executed by the outdoor control unit 45 receiving an instruction from the indoor control unit 40 controlling the compressor 22, the expansion valve 25, and the four-way switching valve 21 in the same manner as in the normal heating operation. To. A humidifying unit or the like for facilitating dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32 is not required. With a simple configuration of only the normal air conditioner 10, it is possible to prepare an environment in which the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32 is likely to cause dew condensation.

In addition, when the room temperature Tr does not reach the minimum reference value Ts2 in step St3 (Tr <Ts2), the washing operation is terminated (end). That is, if the room temperature Tr is too low, it is determined that the environment is not suitable for dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32 because the amount of water in the air is small, and the cleaning operation is not executed. The cleaning heating operation can be efficiently executed.

In addition, after the start of the cleaning cooling operation in step st9, it is determined that the room temperature Tr has fallen below the minimum reference value Ts2 in step St12, and the measurement time (duration of cleaning operation) by the first timer t1 is predetermined in step St13. If the set reference time m2 (second reference time) has not elapsed (t1 <m2), the cleaning cooling operation is stopped and the cleaning heating operation is executed again.

That is, even during the cleaning cooling operation, if it is determined that the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32 is difficult to condense, the cleaning cooling operation is stopped and the cleaning heating operation is executed to condense dew. After preparing an environment that is easy to make, perform the cleaning cooling operation again. Since the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32 is easily dewed, it is possible to more reliably clean the dust adhering to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 32.

The present invention is not limited to the examples as long as the actions and effects of the present invention are exhibited.

The air conditioner of the present invention is suitable for a home air conditioner.

10 ... Air conditioner (air conditioner)
11 ... Refrigerant circuit 21 ... Four-way switching valve 22 ... Compressor 25 ... Expansion valve 32 ... Indoor heat exchanger 40 ... Indoor control unit (control unit)
41 ... Temperature sensor
Ts1… Standard room temperature value
m1 ... Reference time (first reference time)
T2s ... Minimum standard value
m2 ... Reference time (second reference time)
Ts4… Set temperature

Claim 1 includes a compressor, an expansion valve, an indoor heat exchanger, and a control unit that executes a cleaning operation for cleaning dust adhering to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger.
There is no humidifier to humidify the room,
The control unit is for cleaning that facilitates dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger by exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger and the indoor air to warm the room in the cleaning operation. An air conditioner is provided that, after performing a heating operation, performs a cleaning cooling operation for condensing the surface of the indoor heat exchanger to clean the surface of the indoor heat exchanger.

Claims (5)

It has a compressor, an expansion valve, an indoor heat exchanger, and a control unit that executes a cleaning operation for cleaning dust adhering to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger.
In the cleaning operation, the control unit executes a cleaning heating operation that facilitates dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger by warming the room, and then causes dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger to heat the room. An air conditioner that performs a cleaning cooling operation to clean the surface of the exchanger. When the control unit determines that the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor does not reach the preset reference room temperature value that is the reference for starting the cleaning cooling operation, the control unit executes the cleaning heating operation. , The air conditioner according to claim 1. The first aspect of claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the cleaning heating operation until the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a preset reference room temperature value that serves as a reference for starting the cleaning cooling operation. Air conditioner. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the cleaning heating operation until a preset first reference time elapses. When the control unit determines that the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds the preset reference room temperature value that is the reference for starting the cleaning cooling operation, the control unit does not execute the cleaning heating operation. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning cooling operation is performed.

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