JP3154769B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner for distributing and supplying air for air conditioning to a plurality of rooms by a duct.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a building or the like having a plurality of rooms, an air conditioner of a type that obtains cool air or warm air by operating a refrigeration cycle and a fan and distributes the obtained air to a plurality of rooms by a duct is used.

[0003] In this air conditioner, a duct has a plurality of branch paths, and a damper is provided in each branch path. Then, the air-conditioning load of each room is obtained, the required air volume corresponding to the air-conditioning load is obtained, and the opening degree of each damper is controlled according to the required air volume. Further, an air volume increase command or an air volume decrease command is issued according to the total required air volume, and the speed of the fan is controlled accordingly.

[0004]

However, in the above-described air conditioner, a command to increase the air flow or a command to decrease the air volume is issued at regular intervals, and the speed of the fan is increased or decreased by a constant value for each of the instructions. For this reason, there is a disadvantage that it takes time until the required air volume is satisfied at the start of the operation in which the load fluctuation is severe. In order to cope with this, there is a method in which the speed of the fan is fixed at a preset value at the start of operation.

However, if the set speed is low, the required air volume cannot be obtained. Conversely, if the set speed is high, there is a problem that excessive static pressure is generated when the required air volume is small, and noise increases. Another situation in which the load fluctuates drastically is when the number of air-conditioned rooms changes, and the same problem occurs. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,

In any of the air conditioners of the first to fourth aspects, when starting operation or when the number of air-conditioned rooms changes, the required air volume of each room can be satisfied quickly, and excessive static pressure can be prevented. The aim is to reduce noise.

[0007]

An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention has an indoor unit that blows out air for air conditioning by operating an indoor fan, and a branch path to a plurality of rooms. A duct for distributing and supplying the blown air, a damper for adjusting the blown air amount provided in each branch of the duct, a means for obtaining an air conditioning load of each room, and a required air volume of each room according to these air conditioning loads. Means for obtaining, means for controlling the degree of opening of each of the dampers according to the required air flow, means for detecting the air flow of each branch path, and a direction in which the sum of these air flow is equal to the sum of the required air flow. Means for changing the speed of the indoor fan by a predetermined value,
Means for setting the speed of the indoor fan to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of the respective required airflows at the start of operation or when the number of air-conditioned rooms changes.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner having an indoor unit for blowing air for air-conditioning by operating an indoor fan, and a branching passage leading to a plurality of rooms, and distributing and supplying the blown air from the indoor unit to each room. A duct, a damper for adjusting the amount of air blown out provided in each branch of the duct, a means for determining an air conditioning load of each room, a means for determining a required air volume of each room according to these air conditioning loads, Means for controlling the degree of opening of each damper according to the air volume, an inverter for outputting drive power to the motor of the indoor fan, means for detecting the air volume of each branch, and the sum of these air volumes is Means for changing the output frequency F of the inverter by a predetermined value in a direction to be equal to the sum of the required air volumes; and, when starting operation or changing the number of air-conditioned rooms, changing the output frequency F of the inverter And means for setting a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of required air volume.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner having an indoor unit for blowing air for air-conditioning by operating an indoor fan, and a branching path leading to a plurality of rooms, and distributing and supplying the blown air from the indoor unit to each room. A duct, a damper for adjusting the amount of air blown out provided in each branch of the duct, a means for determining an air conditioning load of each room, a means for determining a required air volume of each room according to these air conditioning loads, Means for controlling the degree of opening of each of the dampers in accordance with the air volume, an inverter for outputting drive power to the motor of the indoor fan, means for detecting the air volume of each branch, a sum of these air volumes, and Means for calculating the required amount of change in the output frequency F of the inverter from the current state based on the difference from the total required air flow; and determining the output frequency F of the inverter by the calculated required amount and the required amount. And means for changing by N equal parts of the amount, when the start of operation or the air-conditioning room number changes, and means for setting a predetermined value corresponding to the output frequency F of the inverter to the sum of the respective required air volume.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner of the second or third aspect, the setting means calculates and sets a predetermined value from a sum of each required air volume and a blowing characteristic of the indoor fan. Is what you do.

[0011]

According to the air conditioner of the present invention, the air conditioning load of each room is obtained, and the required air volume of each room is obtained from these air conditioning loads.
The opening of each damper is controlled in accordance with these required airflows. At the same time, the ventilation amount of each branch passage of the duct is detected, and the speed of the indoor fan is changed by a predetermined value in a direction in which the sum of the ventilation amounts becomes equal to the sum of the respective required ventilation amounts. However, when the operation is started or when the number of air conditioning loads changes, the speed of the indoor fan is set to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of the respective required air volumes.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, the air conditioning load of each room is obtained, the required air volume of each room is obtained from these air conditioning loads, and the opening degree of each damper is controlled according to the required air volume. At the same time, the ventilation amount of each branch passage of the duct is detected, and the output frequency F of the inverter for driving the indoor fan is changed by a predetermined value in a direction in which the sum of the ventilation amounts becomes equal to the sum of the respective necessary ventilation amounts. However, when starting the operation or when the number of air conditioning loads changes, the output frequency F of the inverter is set to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of the respective required airflows.

In the air conditioner according to the third aspect, the air conditioning load of each room is obtained, the required air volume of each room is obtained from the air conditioning load, and the opening degree of each damper is controlled according to the required air volume. At the same time, the amount of air flow in each branch of the duct is detected, and the required amount of change in the output frequency F of the inverter with respect to the current state is calculated from the difference between the sum of these air flow amounts and the sum of the respective required air flows. Then, the output frequency F of the inverter is changed over the required amount calculated as described above and by the equal amount of the required amount N. However, at the start of operation or when the number of air conditioning loads changes, the output frequency F of the inverter is set to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of each required air volume.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner of the second or third aspect, the predetermined value of the output frequency F set at the start of operation or at the time of a change in the number of air conditioning loads is the sum of the respective required air volumes. And the airflow characteristics of the indoor fan.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This first embodiment corresponds to the air conditioners of claims 1 and 2, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, there is a building 1 having a plurality of rooms A, B, and C, and an indoor unit 2 is installed in the building 1.

The indoor unit 2 has an air inlet 3 and an air outlet 4, an indoor heat exchanger 5 is provided inside the air inlet 3, and an indoor fan 6 is provided inside the air outlet 4. . That is, by operating the indoor fan 6, indoor air is sucked into the unit from the air inlet 3 and is blown out of the unit from the air outlet 4 through the indoor heat exchanger 5.

The indoor unit 2 further includes an indoor fan 6
And an inverter 8 for driving the indoor fan 6. The inverter 8 rectifies a voltage of a commercial AC power supply (not shown), converts the rectified voltage into a voltage having a frequency corresponding to a command from a controller 30 described later, and outputs the voltage.
This output is the driving power for the motor of the indoor fan 6.
That is, the speed of the indoor fan 6 changes continuously according to the output frequency F of the inverter 8.

The duct 1 is connected to the air outlet 4 of the indoor unit 2.
0 is connected to one end. This duct 10 has an air outlet 4
For distributing and supplying air-conditioning air blown out to the rooms A, B and C.
1,11. The branch passages 11, 11, 11 are connected to the air inlets of the chambers A, B, and C. Fork 1
An air flow control unit 12 is provided for each of the air conditioners 1, 11, and 11. These air volume control units 12 include a damper 13 for adjusting the amount of blown air and an air volume sensor 14. A specific example is shown in FIG. The opening of the damper 13 continuously changes from zero (fully closed) to fully opened by driving the motor 13M.

The air flow sensor 14 comprises a propeller 14a which rotates upon receiving ventilation, and a detecting element 14b which outputs a signal of a voltage level corresponding to the rotation speed of the propeller 14a. Work as In addition, an outdoor unit 20 is installed outside the building 1, and the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 2 are connected to each other by a pair of pipes 15.
Connect with.

The outdoor unit 20 includes the variable capacity compressor 2
1, a four-way valve 22, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, an expansion valve 24, an outdoor fan 25, and an inverter 26. Then, the outdoor heat exchanger 2 is connected to a discharge port of the compressor 21 through a four-way valve 22.
3 and the indoor heat exchanger 5 of the indoor unit 2 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 via one of the pipes 15. The other end of the pipe 15 and the suction port of the compressor 21 are connected to the indoor heat exchanger 5 via the four-way valve 22. That is, the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 2 constitute a heat pump refrigeration cycle.

The inverter 26 rectifies the voltage of a commercial AC power supply (not shown), and rectifies the rectified voltage.
Is converted into a voltage having a frequency corresponding to the command of the above and output. This output is the driving power of the motor of the compressor 21. On the other hand, the controller 30 is provided in the indoor unit 2. A controller 40 is provided in each of the air volume control units 12, 12, 12.

The controller 30 comprises a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits. The controller 30 includes a blow-off air temperature sensor 7, an inverter 8, a remote control type operating device (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote controller) 31, a four-way valve 22, a motor of the outdoor fan 25, an inverter 26, controllers 40, 40, 40 is connected. The remote controller 31 is used to set operation conditions such as an operation mode (cooling / heating), blown air temperature, operation / stop, and the like.

The controllers 40, 40, 40 are composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits. This controller 4
At 0, 40, 40, the air volume sensor 14 and the remote controller 41
Respectively. The remote controller 41 has an indoor temperature sensor 42 for detecting the indoor temperature, in addition to a function for instructing start / stop of the operation and a function for setting the indoor temperature. The controller 40 has the following functional means. (1) The detected temperature (indoor temperature) Ta of the indoor temperature sensor 42 of the remote controller 41 and the set temperature Ts of the remote controller 41
Means for determining the difference ΔT from the above as the air conditioning load. (2) Means for calculating and obtaining the required air volume Wn of the corresponding room from the obtained air conditioning load ΔT. (3) Means for calculating and obtaining the opening of the damper 13 from the required airflow Wn. (4) means for driving the damper 13 so as to achieve the determined opening degree. (5) Means for notifying the controller 30 of the obtained required air volume Wn. (6) Based on the output of the air flow sensor 14, the corresponding branch 1
Means for detecting the amount of ventilation Wa. (7) Means for notifying the controller 30 of the detected ventilation amount Wa. The controller 30 has the following functional means.

(1) The operation of the compressor 21 (drive of the inverter 26) in accordance with the operation of the remote controller 31;
For controlling the operation of the air conditioner, the switching of the four-way valve 22, and the operation of the indoor fan 6 (the driving of the inverter 8). (2) Means for obtaining the difference between the set air temperature of the remote controller 31 and the temperature detected by the air temperature sensor 7 as an air conditioning load. (3) means for controlling the capacity of the compressor 21 (that is, the output frequency of the inverter 26) according to the obtained air conditioning load. (4) Means for respectively calculating the total sums Wno and Wao of the required air volume Wn and the ventilation volume Wa notified from each controller 40.

(5) The speed of the indoor fan 6 (ie, the output frequency F of the inverter 8) is set to a predetermined value (for example, ΔF =
0.1Hz).

(6) At the start of operation, the speed of the indoor fan 6 (that is, the output frequency F of the inverter 8) is calculated based on the frequency setting conditions stored in advance, and the total required airflow Wno
Means for setting to a predetermined value corresponding to. Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. It is assumed that the cooling or heating operation mode is selected by the remote controller 31, a desired blown air temperature is set, and an operation start operation is performed.

Then, the operation of the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 2 is started, and cool air or warm air is blown from the air outlet 4 of the indoor unit 2. The blown air is distributed and supplied to the chambers A, B, and C by the duct 10.

At this time, the temperature of the air blown from the indoor unit 2 is detected by the air temperature sensor 7, and the difference between the detected temperature and the temperature of the blown air set by the remote controller 31 is determined as the air conditioning load. Then, the capacity of the compressor 21, that is, the output frequency of the inverter 26 is controlled according to the obtained air conditioning load, and the temperature of the blown air changes toward the set temperature. On the other hand, the controllers 40, 40, and 40 execute the control shown in FIG.

The detected temperature (indoor temperature) Ta of the indoor temperature sensor 42 provided in the remote controller 41 and the remote controller 41
Is determined as the air conditioning load (step 101). The required air volume Wn of the corresponding room is calculated and obtained from the air conditioning load ΔT (step 102), and the required air volume Wn is notified to the controller 30 (step S103). The opening of the damper 13 is calculated and obtained from the required airflow Wn (step 104), and the damper 13 is driven to have the opening (step 105). Based on the output of the airflow sensor 14, the airflow Wa of the corresponding branch path 11 is detected (step 106).
), And informs the controller 30 of the ventilation amount Wa (step 107). The controller 30 performs the control shown in FIG.
First, the total Wno of the required airflow Wn notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 201). It is determined whether the operation is started at the start of operation (step 202).

If the operation is started at the start of operation (step 202)
YES), a starting output frequency Fs for starting the indoor fan 6 is determined from the frequency setting conditions in Table 1 below and the total sum Wno of the required airflow Wn stored in advance (step 203). Then, the output frequency F of the inverter 8 is actually set to Fs (step 204).

[0031]

[Table 1]

That is, the total required air flow Wno is 0 to 1000 m ³
/ H range, the output frequency Fs for starting is
Set 15Hz. 1001~2000m ³ is necessary air volume sum Wno /
h, the starting output frequency Fs is 20
Set Hz.

When the activation is completed, the total sum Wao of the ventilation amount Wa notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 205).
). It is determined whether or not the total airflow amount Wao is equal to or greater than the required airflow total Wno (step
206). If the total airflow amount Wao has not reached the required airflow total Wno, the output frequency F at that time is set to ΔF of one step.
(= 0.1 Hz) (step 207).

Even if the total air flow Wao reaches the required total air flow Wno, if the total air flow Wao does not fall within a stable range within a certain range (NO in step 208), the output frequency F at that time is increased by one step. Is decreased by ΔF (= 0.1 Hz) (step 209).

As described above, during operation, the speed of the indoor fan 6 is increased or decreased by a predetermined value in accordance with the required total air flow Wno. By forcibly setting the predetermined value, it is possible to ensure good followability of the air volume.
That is, it is possible to quickly reach a state where the required air volumes of the rooms A, B, and C can be satisfied. In addition, noise can be reduced without generating excessive static pressure. FIG. 5 shows an example of the relationship between the output frequency change and the air flow change at the start of operation, and the required air flow is satisfied in a short time of about 2 minutes.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This second embodiment corresponds to the air conditioner of the fourth aspect. Here, the following function means (8) is added as the function means of the controller 40. (8) Start of operation based on operation of remote controller 41 /
Means for notifying controller 30 of the stop. Further, among the functional units of the controller 30, the functional unit of (6) is different.

(6) At the start of operation and when the number of air-conditioned rooms changes, the speed of the indoor fan 6 (that is, the output frequency F of the inverter 8) is calculated and set from the total sum Wno of the required air volume and the air blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6. Means to do. The operation will be described. The controller 30 performs the control shown in FIG. First, the total sum Wno of the required airflow Wn notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 301).

It is determined whether the operation is started at the start of operation (step 302). If not, it is determined whether or not the number of air-conditioned rooms has changed based on the notification from the controller 40 (step 303).

At the time of startup (YES in step 302) or when there is an increase or decrease in the number of air-conditioned rooms (YES in step 303).
), The output frequency F suitable for the operation of the indoor fan 6 is calculated and set from the total Wno of the required airflow Wn and the air blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6 stored in the internal memory (step).
304).

The air blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6 include the maximum air flow Wmax of the indoor fan 6 and the maximum output frequency Fm of the inverter 8.
ax and the condition of the following equation, where the coefficient α is
0 is stored in the internal memory. Wmax = α · Fmax Then, the output frequency F is calculated by the following equation using the coefficient α and the required total airflow Wno. F = Wno / α

When the activation is completed, or when the number of air-conditioned rooms has been increased or decreased, the total sum Wao of the ventilation amount Wa notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 305). It is determined whether or not the total airflow amount Wao is equal to or greater than the required airflow total Wno (step 306). If the total airflow amount Wao has not reached the required total airflow amount Wno, the output frequency F at that time is increased by ΔF (= 0.1 Hz) in one step (step 307).

Even if the total ventilation amount Wao reaches the required total air amount Wno, if the total ventilation amount Wao does not fall within a stable range within a certain range (NO in step 308), the output frequency F at that time is increased by one step. Is decreased by ΔF (= 0.1 Hz) (step 309).

As described above, during operation, the speed of the indoor fan 6 is increased or decreased by a predetermined value in accordance with the required total air flow Wno. By properly calculating the required speed from the total required airflow Wno and the air blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6, it is possible to ensure good followability of the airflow.
That is, it is possible to quickly reach a state where the required air volumes of the rooms A, B, and C can be satisfied. In addition, noise can be reduced without generating excessive static pressure. A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. This third embodiment also corresponds to the air conditioner of claim 4, but the method of calculating the output frequency F is different from that of the third embodiment. That is, the controller 30 executes the control shown in FIG. First, the total Wno of the required airflow Wn notified from each controller 40 is determined (step 401).

It is determined whether the operation is started at the start of operation (step 402). If not, it is determined based on the notification from the controller 40 whether or not the number of air-conditioned rooms has changed (step 403).

At the time of activation (YES in step 402) or when there is an increase or decrease in the number of air-conditioned rooms (YES in step 403)
), The output frequency F suitable for the operation of the indoor fan 6 is calculated and set from the total Wno of the required airflow Wn and the air blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6 stored in the internal memory (step).
404).

The blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6 are as follows: outside static pressure =
0, which is a condition of the following equation existing between the air flow Wo of the indoor fan 6 and the output frequency Fo of the inverter 8, and the coefficient α
o is stored in the internal memory of the controller 30. Wo = αo · Fo Then, the calculation of the following equation is executed using the coefficient αo, an average correction coefficient αi described later, and the required airflow sum Wno, and the output frequency F is calculated. F = Wno · (αi / αo)

When the activation is completed, or when the number of air-conditioned rooms has been increased or decreased, the total sum Wao of the ventilation amount Wa notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 405). It is determined whether or not the total airflow amount Wao is equal to or greater than the required airflow total Wno (step 406). If the total airflow amount Wao has not reached the required airflow total Wno, the output frequency F at that time is increased by ΔF (= 0.1 Hz) in one step (step 407).

Even if the total ventilation amount Wao reaches the required total air amount Wno, if the total ventilation amount Wao does not fall within a stable range within a certain range (NO in step 408), the output frequency F at that time is increased by one step. Is reduced by ΔF (= 0.1 Hz) (step 409).

When the total airflow amount Wao falls within the stable range (YES in step 408), an estimated value Wao 'of the total airflow amount is obtained from the coefficient αo and the current output frequency F (step 410). Wao ′ = αo · F Estimated value Wao ′ of total passing airflow and actual total passing airflow Wao
From this, a correction coefficient α is obtained (step 411). α = Wao '/ Wao

The correction coefficient α is integrated and stored in the internal memory (step 412). The average value αi of this integrated value is obtained,
It is stored in the internal memory as an average correction coefficient (step 413).

As described above, during operation, the speed of the indoor fan 6 is increased or decreased by a predetermined value in accordance with the required airflow sum Wno. By properly calculating the required speed from the total required airflow Wno and the air blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6, it is possible to ensure good followability of the airflow.
That is, it is possible to quickly reach a state where the required air volumes of the rooms A, B, and C can be satisfied. In addition, noise can be reduced without generating excessive static pressure.

Moreover, since the output frequency F is set by sequentially obtaining the correction coefficient α, it is possible to always set the optimum air volume without being affected by the difference in the installation state at the site and the difference in the duct resistance. it can. A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. This fourth embodiment corresponds to the air conditioner of the third aspect. Here, the controller 3 in the first embodiment is used.
Of the 0 functional means, the following functional means (5a) and (5b) are provided in place of the functional means of (5).

(5a) Means for calculating the required amount ΔF _{1 of the} change in the output frequency F of the inverter 8 with respect to the current state from the difference ΔW (= Wno−Wao) between the total required air amount Wno and the total ventilation amount Wao. (5b) means for changing the output frequency F of the inverter 8 by the required amount ΔF ₁ and by N equal parts of the required amount ΔF ₁ . Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The operation will be described. The controller 30 performs the control shown in FIG. First, the total Wno of the required airflow Wn notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 501). It is determined whether the operation is started at the start of operation (step 502).

If the operation is started at the start of operation (step 502)
YES), the indoor fan 6 is obtained from the frequency setting conditions in Table 1 and the total sum Wno of the required airflow Wn stored in advance.
A starting output frequency Fs for activating is obtained (step 503). Then, the output frequency F of the inverter 8 is actually set to Fs (step 504). When the activation is completed, the total sum Wao of the ventilation amount Wa notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 505). The following equation is established between the total ventilation amount Wao and the current output frequency F. Wao = α ・ F

Based on this, the required amount ΔF _{1 of the} change in the output frequency F of the inverter 8 with respect to the current state is calculated from the difference ΔW (= Wno−Wao) between the total required air amount Wno and the total ventilation amount Wao (step 506). . ΔF ₁ = F / Wao · ΔW

A time count t is started using an internal timer, and every time the time count t reaches a predetermined time t ₁ , the output frequency F of the inverter 8 is set to the required amount ΔF ₁
And the required amount ΔF ₁ is changed by N equal steps (steps 507 to 513). The time required to complete the change of the required amount ΔF ₁ corresponds to the product of t ₁ and N. FIG. 9 shows an example of the relationship between the air volume and the output frequency F. The change in the air volume is gentler than that of the conventional device shown by the broken line,
Comfort can be improved.

That is, in the conventional apparatus in which the output frequency F is changed at once in a necessary amount, the damper 1
3 cannot follow the change in the opening degree, and the air flow greatly changes. However, in the case where the output frequency F is changed by the required amount N, as in this embodiment, the change in the opening degree of the damper 13 does not follow. It becomes easy and the air volume can be changed gently.

Further, at the start of the operation, the speed of the indoor fan 6 is forcibly set to a predetermined value corresponding to the required total airflow Wno, so that the good followability of the airflow can be achieved similarly to the first embodiment. Needless to say, it can be secured. In the above embodiments, the case where the number of rooms is three has been described as an example, but the number of rooms is not limited.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,

In any of the air conditioners of the first to fourth aspects, at the start of operation or when the number of air-conditioned rooms changes, the speed of the indoor fan, that is, the output frequency of the inverter, is set to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of the required air volume of each room. Because it was set to the value, the required air volume of each room can be satisfied quickly,
Moreover, noise can be reduced by preventing excessive static pressure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of an air volume control unit in each embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each controller 40 in each embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the controller 30 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a change in output frequency and a change in air flow according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the controller 30 in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the controller 30 in the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a controller 30 in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between an air flow and an output frequency F according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

A, B, C: room, 2: indoor unit, 6: indoor fan, 13: damper, 14: air flow sensor, 30: controller,
40 ... Controller.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F24F 11/04 F24F 11/02 102

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An indoor unit that blows air for air conditioning by operating an indoor fan, a duct that has a branch path leading to a plurality of rooms, and distributes and supplies the blown air of the indoor unit to each room. A damper for adjusting the blowing air volume provided in the branch road, and a means for determining an air conditioning load of each room;
Means for determining the required air volume of each room according to these air conditioning loads, means for controlling the opening degree of each damper according to these required air volumes, and means for detecting the ventilation volume of each branch path,
Means for changing the speed of the indoor fan by a predetermined value in a direction in which the sum of the ventilation volumes becomes equal to the sum of the respective required air volumes, and, at the start of operation or when the number of air-conditioned rooms changes, the speed of the indoor fan Means for setting to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of the required air volumes. 2. An indoor unit for blowing air for air-conditioning by operation of an indoor fan, a duct having a branching path toward a plurality of rooms, and distributing and supplying the blown air of the indoor unit to each room; A damper for adjusting the blowing air volume provided in the branch road, and a means for determining an air conditioning load of each room;
Means for determining the required air volume of each room according to the air conditioning load, means for controlling the opening of each damper according to the required air volume, an inverter for outputting driving power to the motor of the indoor fan, Means for detecting the amount of ventilation of the road, means for changing the output frequency F of the inverter by a predetermined value in a direction in which the sum of these ventilation amounts becomes equal to the sum of the respective required air volumes, and Means for setting the output frequency F of the inverter to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of the respective required airflows when the air conditioner changes. 3. An indoor unit for blowing air for air-conditioning by operating an indoor fan, a duct having a branching path leading to a plurality of rooms, and distributing and supplying the blown air of the indoor unit to each room; A damper for adjusting the blowing air volume provided in the branch road, and a means for determining an air conditioning load of each room;
Means for determining the required air volume of each room according to the air conditioning load, means for controlling the opening of each damper according to the required air volume, an inverter for outputting driving power to the motor of the indoor fan, Means for detecting the amount of air passing through the road; means for calculating the required amount of change in the output frequency F of the inverter from the current state based on the difference between the sum of these airflows and the sum of the respective required air volumes; Means for changing F by the calculated required amount and by N equal parts of the required amount, and when starting operation or changing the number of air-conditioning rooms, the output frequency F of the inverter corresponds to the sum of the respective required air volumes. Means for setting to a predetermined value. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein said setting means calculates and sets the predetermined value from the sum of the respective required air volumes and the air blowing characteristics of the indoor fan.