JP3333955B2 - Multi-room air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-room air conditioner comprising one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of air conditioners in general homes, a plurality of air conditioners have been often installed in the same home for comfort. At the same time, interest in the global environment is increasing socially. In such a situation, we would like to continue living in a comfortable living environment in the future, but in line with the consumer's desire not to increase energy consumption than the current situation, air conditioning for the entire building to air-condition the entire house Basically, energy-saving houses with extremely low heat loss, so-called high airtight and high-insulated houses, have been constructed south of Hokkaido, which is already a popular cold region, and have been constructed in the west of the warm Kanto region.

A feature of air conditioning of a highly airtight and highly insulated house west of the Kanto region is that, as in Hokkaido, during heating, there is no non-heating room to prevent dew condensation inside the non-heating room due to the inflow of humidity from the heating room. Air conditioning in the entire building is fundamental, but when cooling, unlike in heating, it is not necessary to take into account condensation in the walls of the non-air-conditioned room. Because it is large, air conditioning operation is performed throughout the building due to its necessity at bedtime or holidays when there are many people at home, but there is also a demand to lower the electricity bill by air conditioning only the necessary rooms in the morning when there are few people at home. . Therefore, the air-conditioning state in the entire building naturally exists during the cooling as well as during the heating, but usually the so-called individual air-conditioning for air-conditioning a necessary room when necessary is used.

[0004] Further, in a highly airtight and highly insulated house, unlike a conventional house in which air can freely enter and exit due to its airtightness, a mechanical ventilation device having a plan that cannot be left to natural ventilation is separately required.

Conventionally, a multi-room air conditioner shown in the configuration diagram of FIG. 4 has been proposed as an air conditioner for such a highly airtight and highly insulated house west of Kanto. This content is in the category of a multi-room air conditioner constructed by connecting a plurality of indoor units 2 to one outdoor unit 1 with electric wires 3, that is, a general multi-air conditioner. The small-capacity unit is designed to be used for air-conditioning of a highly airtight and highly insulated house by allowing about 4 to 7 units to be connected to the outdoor unit 1. Such a multi-room air conditioner can easily adjust a desired temperature for each room by a remote control device, and can operate not only in all rooms simultaneously but also in one room. It is most suitable as an air conditioner for airtight and highly insulated houses in the ground, but especially when heating the whole building by operating the indoor units in each room simultaneously, such as during heating, The remote control device must be operated one by one, resulting in a troublesome operation.

For this purpose, a solution shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3 has been proposed. This content includes the connection units 5 for the number of the central control unit 4 and the indoor units 2 in the multi-room air conditioner.
Is newly added. First, each indoor unit 2 and the connection unit 5 are connected by the electric wire 3, and each connection unit 5 and the central control unit 4 are connected by the electric wire 3 to form a control circuit. By operating the operation (or stop) switch 6 of each indoor unit 2 provided on the control unit 4 to operate or stop each indoor unit 2 or all the indoor units 2 on the spot It is.

[0007]

With such a configuration, it is possible to perform centralized control of each indoor unit 2 in one place, but the number of connections of the centralized control unit 4 and the number of indoor units 2 can be increased. There is a problem that the addition of the unit 5 and the addition of a complicated and complicated connection work between the units which require labor, that is, the complicated electric wire 3, demands a great cost burden from the consumer. The central control unit 4 has a function of only operating or stopping the individual indoor units 2. In order to operate all the indoor units 2 simultaneously at the same temperature or to stop the indoor units 2 after a certain period of time, as individual air-conditioning units for air-conditioning of a highly airtight and highly insulated house in a warm area, the individual indoor units 2
Although it is possible to adjust the temperature and set the timer, there is a problem that a more sophisticated, that is, expensive, centralized control unit 4 must be used. Further, since the current centralized control unit 4 mainly controls the operation or stop of each indoor unit 2, the temperature setting, and the control of the timer set as described above, it is difficult to perform more various centralized controls. However, there was a problem that a more complicated and expensive central control unit had to be used in order to realize this.

Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a new and inexpensive centralized control function which is most suitable for air-conditioning equipment of a highly airtight and highly insulated house in a warm area where cooling has a large specific gravity.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems The technical means of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is to provide an outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger with respect to an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger. A refrigeration circuit and a control circuit are configured by connecting a plurality of units, and only at least one of the plurality of indoor units, which is a remote control device, operates or stops only the indoor unit directly transmitting from the remote control device. Means for transmitting a mode for simultaneously operating or stopping not only the indoor unit directly transmitting from the remote control device but also all the remaining indoor units connected to the outdoor unit together with the mode transmitting means; The setting means for setting whether to accept the simultaneous operation or stop mode transmitted directly from the device is provided in the indoor unit. Provided dot and the set indoor unit as priority indoor unit to accept, in which the rest of the indoor unit is not set to the non-priority indoor unit.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention; A refrigeration circuit and a control circuit are configured by connecting a plurality of units, and only at least one of the plurality of indoor units, which is a remote control device, operates or stops only the indoor unit directly transmitting from the remote control device. Means for transmitting a mode for simultaneously operating or stopping not only the indoor unit directly transmitting from the remote control device but also all the remaining indoor units connected to the outdoor unit together with the mode transmitting means; The setting unit for setting whether to accept the simultaneous operation or stop mode directly transmitted from the device is provided in the indoor unit. In providing, the set indoor unit as priority indoor unit to accept, in which the rest of the indoor unit is not set to the non-priority indoor unit.

The operation of this technical means is as follows. When the simultaneous operation mode switch provided on the remote control device is pressed, the indoor unit that has received the direct transmission starts the operation and transmits the simultaneous operation mode signal to the outdoor unit. Further, the outdoor unit transmits the simultaneous operation mode signal to all the remaining indoor units connected to the outdoor unit. The indoor unit that has received the simultaneous operation mode signal starts operation. At the time of stop, the same operation is performed and the operation is stopped at the same time. However, the simultaneous operation mode signal from the remote control device can be set so that only the specific indoor unit is accepted by operating the setting switch provided in the indoor unit. The indoor unit set in this way is called the priority indoor unit. The other indoor units that have not been set are referred to as non-priority indoor units. Therefore, the non-priority indoor unit that is simultaneously operating by the simultaneous operation mode signal from the priority indoor unit does not receive the signal and continues the simultaneous operation even if the simultaneous operation mode switch on the remote control device is operated. This allows the priority indoor unit to be fixed to an indoor unit installed in a living room or the like that is frequently used, from which simultaneous operation or simultaneous stop can be instructed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the mode for simultaneous operation transmitted from the remote control device is received, display means for displaying that the vehicle is operating in the mode is provided in all indoor units. , The priority indoor unit is turned on, and the non-priority indoor unit is turned on and off, thereby notifying the non-priority indoor unit that the vehicle is operating in the simultaneous operation mode.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the priority indoor unit which directly receives the simultaneous operation mode from the remote control device operates at the temperature set by the remote control device, but all the remaining non-priority indoor rooms are operated. The unit is operated at a temperature higher than the set temperature of the priority indoor unit during cooling, and at a temperature lower than the set temperature of the priority indoor unit during heating. Therefore, the priority indoor unit operates at the temperature set by the remote control device, but all other non-priority indoor units operate at a temperature higher than the set temperature of the priority indoor unit during cooling, and have priority during heating. Operate at a temperature lower than the set temperature of the indoor unit to save energy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the simultaneous heating operation mode, the non-priority indoor unit uses the temperature set by the priority indoor unit and any relative humidity between 50% and 80% relative humidity. The operation is performed at a temperature higher than the dew point temperature that can be obtained from the dry air chart.

That is, in the simultaneous heating operation mode, the non-priority indoor unit is operated at a temperature lower than the temperature set in the priority indoor unit, and the temperature and the relative humidity of 50% are set in the priority indoor unit. With an arbitrary relative humidity between 1 and 80%, it is possible to operate at a temperature higher than the dew point temperature calculated from the dry psychrometric chart, to save energy and completely prevent in-wall condensation.

Further, in the invention according to claim 5, in the simultaneous cooling operation mode, the non-priority indoor units other than the priority indoor unit are automatically stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time. That is, in the simultaneous cooling operation mode, since it is not necessary to consider the dew condensation inside the wall in a room that is not air-conditioned such as heating, the non-priority indoor unit is automatically stopped after a certain period of time to further save energy. Can be measured.

In the invention according to claim 6, the indoor unit operating simultaneously as a non-priority indoor unit includes:
When operating the means for transmitting the mode for setting the temperature, air volume, or wind direction of the indoor unit on the remote control device for the indoor unit, changing the blinking of the simultaneous operation mode display to off, and setting the remote control device to Change the settings to the temperature, air volume, or wind direction set in
This is out of the simultaneous operation mode by the priority indoor unit.

That is, an indoor unit that is operating simultaneously as a non-priority indoor unit can operate simultaneously by operating means for transmitting a mode for setting a temperature, an air volume, or an air direction on a remote control device for the indoor unit. The blinking of the operation mode display is changed to off, and the operation is continued by changing the setting of the temperature, the air volume, or the air direction set by the remote control device, and the operation is released from the simultaneous operation mode by the priority indoor unit.

Further, according to the invention as set forth in claim 7, the indoor unit simultaneously operating as the non-priority indoor unit is:
When the means for transmitting a mode for operating or stopping the indoor unit alone on the remote control device for the indoor unit is operated, the flashing of the simultaneous operation mode display is changed to off without stopping, and the remote control is performed. The operation is continued by changing the setting to the temperature, the air volume, or the air direction set in the device, and the operation is deviated from the simultaneous operation mode by the priority indoor unit.

That is, when an indoor unit that is operating at the same time as a non-priority indoor unit operates simultaneously with a switch for operating or stopping the indoor unit independently on the remote control device for the indoor unit, the indoor unit does not stop and operates simultaneously. In addition to changing the blinking of the operation mode display to off, the operation can be continued by changing the temperature, the air volume, or the air direction set by the remote control device, and the operation can be removed from the simultaneous operation mode by the priority indoor unit.

The invention according to claim 8 is means for storing various operation methods of the non-priority indoor unit in the simultaneous operation mode, and setting means for selecting one operation method from the storage means. Is provided in a remote control device, the invention according to claim 9 is provided in an indoor unit, and the invention according to claim 10 is provided in an outdoor unit.

That is, means for storing various operating methods of the non-priority indoor unit in the simultaneous operation mode and setting means for selecting one operating method from the storage means are provided by a remote control device, an indoor unit or an outdoor unit. In the unit, the operation state of the non-priority indoor unit in the simultaneous operation mode can be selected in various ways, so as to adapt to the difference in the structure of the highly airtight and highly insulated house and the lifestyle of the user.

Since the present invention has the above-described embodiment, a new concept of centralized control function suitable for air-conditioning equipment of a high airtight and highly insulated house in a warm region west of Kanto where cooling is a large specific gravity is provided. Can be provided.

[0024]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a refrigeration circuit diagram of a multi-room air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, A, B, C, and D are indoor units, and Q is an outdoor unit. The following refrigeration circuits are formed on these units.

The oil separator 1 is provided at the discharge port of the compressor 10.
The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is connected via the one- and four-way valves 12, and the liquid-side main pipe 14 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 13.
The liquid-side main pipe 14 is provided with a main motor-operated expansion valve 15 for controlling the degree of superheat of the entire refrigeration circuit. After exiting the main electric expansion valve 15, the liquid side main pipe 14 is connected to the liquid side branch pipes 14a, 14b, 1
4c, 14d, and each of the liquid side branch pipes 14a, 14d.
b, 14c, 14d are the indoor units A, B,
C, D indoor heat exchangers 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d
Connect to Each liquid side branch pipe 14a, 14b, 14c, 14
In d, an electric expansion valve 16 is provided to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant and adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant to each of the indoor units A, B, C, and D.

The gas side branch pipes 17 are connected to the indoor heat exchangers 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d of the indoor units A, B, C, D.
a, 17b, 17c and 17d are connected. Gas side branch pipe 1
7a, 17b, 17c and 17d are gathered in the gas side main pipe 17 inside the outdoor unit Q, and the gas side main pipe 17
Is connected to the suction port of the compressor 10 via the four-way valve 12 and the accumulator 18.

Another outlet of the oil separator 11 provided between the discharge port of the compressor 10 and the four-way valve 12 is connected to the suction port of the compressor 10 via a capillary tube 19, and The oil discharged from 10 is returned to compressor 10.

Thus, a heat pump type refrigeration circuit is constituted. That is, a cooling circuit is formed by flowing the refrigerant in the direction of the solid line arrow in the cooling operation,
By switching the direction valve 12, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the dashed arrow in the drawing to form a heating circuit.

Each of the indoor units A, B, C and D is provided with a suction temperature sensor 31 for detecting the temperature of the indoor air. Further, each of the indoor heat exchangers 30a, 30b, 30c,
An indoor blower 32 is provided near 30d, and the outdoor heat exchanger 1
An outdoor blower 20 is provided near 3.

FIG. 2 shows the control circuit. Each of the indoor units A, B, C, and D (the indoor units C and D are not shown) includes an indoor unit control unit 40 including a microcomputer and a peripheral circuit thereof. These indoor unit control units 40 are provided with a remote operation type operation operation unit (hereinafter referred to as an operation operation unit).
P, display unit 41 using light emitting diodes as display means, suction temperature sensor 31 for detecting indoor air temperature, simultaneous operation as setting means for setting whether or not to accept simultaneous operation mode from remote control P The mode setting SW 42 and the indoor motor 43 for driving the indoor blower 32 are connected respectively.

The remote controller P has a remote controller controller 50 composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits.
An operation switch 51 for setting normal operation and stop in the remote controller control unit 50, a switch 52 for simultaneous operation mode for setting simultaneous operation or stop mode, storage means 58 for storing several types of simultaneous operation modes in all rooms, and storage means 58. Simultaneous mode switching SW53 for selecting one of the simultaneous operation modes for all rooms, temperature setting SW54 for setting the temperature, air volume setting SW55 for setting the air volume, wind direction setting SW56 for setting the air direction, and setting for the cooling operation and the heating operation. The operation switching SW 57 is connected.

The outdoor unit Q includes an outdoor unit control section 60 comprising a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits.
It has. An inverter circuit 61 is connected to the outdoor unit control section 60. The outdoor unit controller 60
Has four terminals for connection with the indoor unit controller 40.

The inverter circuit 61 rectifies the voltage of the AC power supply 62, converts the rectified voltage into an AC voltage having a predetermined frequency in accordance with a command from the outdoor unit control unit 60, and supplies the AC voltage to the compressor motor 63 as a drive output.

Then, the remote controller 5 of each remote controller P
0 has the following functional means. 1) Temperature, air volume, air direction, operation mode (cooling, heating or dry) set on the remote controller when operating the operation SW 51
And means for transmitting an operation signal to the indoor unit.

2) Temperature setting switch 54, air volume setting switch 5
5, means for individually transmitting the temperature setting, the air volume setting, the wind direction setting signal and the operation mode signal to the indoor unit when operating the wind direction setting SW 56 and the operation switching SW 57 (selection of cooling, heating or dry).

3) means for transmitting a simultaneous operation mode signal to the indoor unit when the simultaneous operation mode SW 52 is operated.

4) Means for determining one from several types of simultaneous operation modes stored in the storage means 58 when operating the simultaneous mode switching SW 53 for switching the type of simultaneous operation mode.

Each indoor unit control section 40 has the following functional means. 1) Means for transmitting a command signal such as operating conditions based on the operation of the remote controller P to the outdoor unit Q.

2) means for receiving an operation signal from the operation switch 51 of the remote controller P, and transmitting a stop signal to the outdoor unit Q when receiving an operation signal from the operation switch 51 again during operation.

3) Means for obtaining the difference between the indoor set temperature set by the temperature setting SW 54 of the remote controller P and the detected temperature of the suction temperature sensor 31 as the indoor air conditioning load levels La, Lb, Lc, Ld of the respective indoor units.

There are five indoor air conditioning load levels. The indoor air-conditioning load level L is Δt = (suction temperature−set temperature). When −1.0 ° C.> Δt, L = 0. When −1.0 ° C. ≦ Δt <0 ° C., L = 1 0 ° C. ≦ Δt < L = 2 in the case of 0.7 ° C. L = 3 in the case of 0.7 ° C. ≦ Δt <1.5 ° C. L = 44 in the case of 1.5 ° C. ≦ Δt 4) The indoor air conditioning load level L of the indoor unit Means for transmitting to the outdoor unit Q.

5) The model capability unique to each indoor unit is defined as a model capability rank Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd.
Means for transmitting to the outdoor unit Q.

There are seven types of model capability rank R (kW). 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0,
2.2 6) When the simultaneous operation mode signal is received from the simultaneous operation mode SW 52 of the remote controller P, the indoor motor 43 for driving the indoor blower 32 is operated, the display unit 41 is turned on, and the simultaneous operation mode signal is transmitted to the outdoor unit Q. Means to send.

7) SW5 for simultaneous operation mode of remote controller P
When the simultaneous operation mode signal is received from the simultaneous operation mode signal from the simultaneous operation mode switch 52 during the simultaneous operation, the indoor motor 43 is stopped, the display unit 41 is turned off, and the simultaneous stop mode signal is output to the outdoor unit. Means to send to Q.

8) An indoor motor 43 for driving the indoor blower 32 upon receiving the simultaneous operation mode signal from the outdoor unit Q.
Means for driving the display unit 41 and blinking the display unit 41.

9) A means for determining the set temperature as follows when receiving the simultaneous operation mode signal from the outdoor unit Q.

Cooling: Set temperature of priority indoor unit + 3 ° C Heating: Set temperature of priority indoor unit -3 ° C 10) However, during heating, the above 9) and the temperature and relative humidity 60% set by the priority indoor unit Means to determine a temperature higher than the dew point temperature obtained from the dry psychrometric chart.

11) At the time of cooling, the simultaneous operation mode signal is provided from the outdoor unit Q, and the indoor motor 43
Means for stopping one hour after receiving the simultaneous operation mode signal and turning off the display unit 41 from blinking.

12) When the simultaneous operation mode signal is received from the outdoor unit Q and the operating indoor unit receives a change in temperature, air volume, or wind direction from the remote controller of the indoor unit, the setting is changed and the display unit 41 is displayed. Means for turning off the blinking and exiting the simultaneous operation mode.

13) When the simultaneous operation mode signal is received from the outdoor unit Q and the operating unit receives the operation signal from the operation SW 51 from the remote controller of the corresponding indoor unit, the display unit 41 is turned off from blinking to simultaneous operation. Means to get out of mode.

14) Upon receiving the simultaneous stop mode signal from the outdoor unit Q, the indoor motor 43 is stopped and the display 41
Means to turn off from blinking.

Further, the outdoor unit control section 60 has the following functional means. 1) A means for switching and controlling the four-way valve 12 based on an operation signal such as an operation condition from each indoor unit to control a required operating frequency Ht of the compressor.

2) Upon receiving the model capability ranks Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd from the indoor units A, B, C, D, the initial opening degrees Eas, Ebs, Ecs, Ed of the corresponding electric expansion valves.
Means for determining s.

[0055]

[Table 1]

3) In response to the indoor air-conditioning loads La, Lb, Lc, Ld from the indoor units A, B, C, D, the initial opening of the electric expansion valve is set to the transient opening Eac, Ebc, Ec by the following equation.
Means for changing to c, Edc.

Eac = Eas × (La / 4) 4) Model ranks Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd from indoor units A, B, C, D and indoor air conditioning loads La, Lb, L
The required operating frequencies Ha, Hb, Hc, and Hd of the compressors required by the individual indoor units are obtained from the table below in response to c and Ld, and the values of the required operating frequencies Ht of the compressors required by all the indoor units are obtained. Means to obtain and control from the following formula.

[0058]

[Table 2]

Ht = 0.9 × (Ha + Hb + Hc + Hd) 5) Means for receiving the simultaneous operation mode signal from the indoor unit and transmitting the simultaneous operation signal to all the remaining indoor units.

6) means for receiving a simultaneous stop mode signal from an indoor unit and transmitting a simultaneous stop signal to all remaining indoor units.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the refrigeration circuit diagram of FIG. 1 and the functional block diagram of FIG.

When the operation is stopped, each of the indoor units A, B,
Set the remote control P of C and D to the cooling operation setting, and
1 in order, the indoor units A, B, C, and D receive command signals such as operating conditions, and the indoor units A, B, C, and D transmit the command signal, the model capacity rank R, and the indoor air conditioning load level L to the outdoor unit Q.
Send to

When these signals are received by the outdoor unit Q, the compressor 10 starts operating at the initial operating frequency, the main motor-operated expansion valve 15 opens to a predetermined opening, and the indoor units A, B, C, D Is operated, and the electric expansion valves 16 for all the indoor units are opened to the initial opening.

Each indoor unit control section 40 detects the indoor air temperature with the suction temperature sensor 31 and calculates the difference between each indoor unit A, B, C, and C based on the difference from the indoor set temperature set by the temperature setting SW 54 of the remote controller P. D indoor air conditioning loads La and L
b, Lc, and Ld are calculated. These indoor air conditioning loads L
In response to a, Lb, Lc, and Ld, the electric expansion valve 16 for each indoor unit in the outdoor unit Q shifts from the initial opening to the opening in the transient state. Further, the compressor 10 also has a model capability rank R from the indoor unit and a changed indoor air conditioning load level L.
In response, the required operating frequency Ht of the compressor required in the outdoor unit Q is calculated, the operating frequency is shifted from the initial operating frequency to the required operating frequency Ht in the transient state, and the electric expansion valve 16 and the compressor 10 are operated until the stable state is reached. Change the opening and frequency.

From this operation state, the indoor units A, B,
When the operation switch 51 of the remote controller P of C and D is sequentially pressed again,
The corresponding indoor unit stops operating, and when all the indoor units are stopped, the outdoor unit Q also stops.

Next, in the same operation stop state, only the indoor unit A sets the simultaneous operation mode setting switch 42 to "ON", and the other indoor units B, C and D are not set. With this operation, the indoor unit A becomes a priority indoor unit, and the remaining indoor units B, C, and D become non-priority indoor units.
When the simultaneous operation mode SW 52 on the remote controller P of the priority indoor unit A is pressed, the indoor motor 43 of the priority indoor unit A starts operating, the display unit 41 of the light emitting diode is turned on, and the simultaneous operation mode signal is transmitted to the outdoor unit. Q
Send to

The outdoor unit Q receives the simultaneous operation mode signal and transmits it to the remaining indoor units B, C and D.
The non-priority indoor units B, C, and D receive the simultaneous operation mode signal from the outdoor unit Q, operate the respective indoor motors 43, blink the respective display portions 41, and set the set temperature of the priority indoor unit during cooling. The temperature is set to + 3 ° C., and to a temperature between −3 ° C. or lower for the priority indoor unit and 60% or more of the relative humidity and the set temperature of the priority indoor unit during heating or higher than the dew point temperature obtained from the dry air chart. Each of the non-priority indoor units B, C, D has an indoor air-conditioning load Lb, Lb determined from the difference between the set temperature and the suction temperature sensor 31.
c and Ld are transmitted to the outdoor unit Q.

When these signals are received by the outdoor unit Q, the compressor 10 starts operating at the initial operating frequency, the main motor-operated expansion valve 15 opens to a predetermined opening degree, and the electric expansion for all the indoor units is performed. The valve 16 opens to the initial opening.

Further, the indoor air conditioning loads La, Lb, Lc, L
In response to the change of d, the electric expansion valve 16 for each indoor unit in the outdoor unit Q shifts from the initial opening to the opening in the transient state. Further, the compressor 10 also receives the model capacity rank R from the indoor unit and the changed indoor air-conditioning load level L, calculates the required operating frequency Ht of the compressor required in the outdoor unit Q, and calculates the required operation in the transient state from the initial operating frequency. Frequency H
At t, the electric expansion valve 16 and the compressor 10 change their opening degree and frequency until they become stable.

The non-priority indoor unit during the simultaneous cooling operation stops one hour after receiving the simultaneous operation mode signal from the outdoor unit Q.

When any one of the temperature setting switch 54, the air volume setting switch 55, and the wind direction setting switch 56 of the remote controller P of the non-priority indoor unit being operated at the same time is operated, the non-priority indoor unit changes the display section 41 from blinking to off and turns off the priority room. The unit goes out of the simultaneous operation mode and becomes an independent operation. In addition, when the operation SW 51 of the non-priority indoor unit is operated, the operation is not stopped, the display unit 41 is similarly changed from blinking to off, and the single indoor operation is released from the simultaneous operation mode of the priority indoor unit.

When the simultaneous operation mode SW 52 of the remote controller P of the indoor unit A is pressed again from this operation state, the indoor unit A stops the operation and outputs the simultaneous stop signal to the outdoor unit Q and the non-priority indoor units B, C, D. To stop all units. However, by operating the temperature setting SW 54 on the remote controller P of the non-priority indoor unit, the indoor unit that has been independently operated after being subordinate to the priority indoor unit is not stopped and continues to operate.

By switching the simultaneous operation mode setting switch 42, the non-priority indoor unit is automatically operated in one hour in the stored simultaneous operation mode of the non-priority operation indoor unit, for example, in the cooling simultaneous operation mode in the above embodiment. Although the mode was stopped, the mode for continuous operation in the same way as during heating is stored in the storage means, and by selecting it, the simultaneous operation mode of the non-priority indoor unit according to the lifestyle of the user Can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the simultaneous operation mode setting SW for selecting the type of the simultaneous operation mode is described.
Although the description has been given assuming that 42 is provided on the remote controller, it may be provided in the indoor unit or the outdoor unit, and the location where the 42 is provided is not limited.

In this embodiment, a light emitting display by a light emitting diode is taken as an example of the display unit 41 on the indoor unit. However, a liquid crystal display or a lighting display by a lamp can be adopted.

[0076]

As described above, the present invention provides a means for transmitting, to at least one of the remote control devices of each indoor unit, a mode for operating or stopping only the indoor unit directly transmitting from the remote control device. Means for transmitting a mode for simultaneously operating or stopping not only the indoor unit directly transmitting, but also all the remaining indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, and further operating or stopping simultaneously transmitted directly from the remote control device The means for setting whether or not to accept the mode is provided in the indoor unit, the indoor unit set to accept is set as the priority indoor unit, and the remaining indoor units that are not set are set as the non-priority indoor unit, so that they are frequently used. An indoor unit installed in the living room is a priority indoor unit. Fixing can be operated or stop all remaining indoor units therefrom. Also, when receiving the mode for simultaneous operation transmitted from the remote control device, a means for indicating that the vehicle is operating in the mode is provided for all indoor units, the priority indoor units are turned on, and the non-priority indoor units are turned on. Because it blinks, the priority indoor unit and the non-priority indoor unit can be distinguished, so that when the room where the non-priority indoor unit is installed is in use, etc., the indoor unit is dependent on the priority terminal and is operating simultaneously It is easy to understand.

The priority indoor unit that directly receives the simultaneous operation mode from the remote operation device operates at the temperature set by the remote operation device. However, all the remaining non-priority indoor units operate as the priority indoor unit during cooling. It is operated at a temperature higher than the set temperature, and at a lower temperature than the set temperature of the priority indoor unit during heating, so that energy can be saved and the temperature of each indoor unit can be adjusted. It is not necessary to use a central control unit.

In the simultaneous heating operation mode, the non-priority indoor unit can be obtained from the dry air chart based on the temperature set in the priority indoor unit and any relative humidity between 50% and 80% relative humidity. Since the operation is performed at a temperature higher than the dew point temperature that can be achieved, it is possible to completely prevent wall dew condensation during heating while saving energy.

The present invention is also applicable to the simultaneous cooling operation mode.
Since the non-priority indoor units other than the priority indoor unit automatically stop after a lapse of a predetermined time, the operation of unnecessary rooms is stopped, and further energy saving is achieved.

The indoor unit operating simultaneously as the non-priority indoor unit operates when the means for transmitting the mode for setting the temperature, air volume, or wind direction of the indoor unit on the remote control device for the indoor unit is operated. In addition to changing the flashing of the simultaneous operation mode display to off, changing the temperature, the air volume, or the wind direction set by the remote control device, and continuing the operation, the operation is out of the simultaneous operation mode by the priority indoor unit. When the room in which the priority indoor unit is installed is used continuously, it is convenient to be able to separate from the priority indoor unit. In addition, the indoor unit that is simultaneously operating as a non-priority indoor unit does not stop when the means for transmitting a mode for operating or stopping the indoor unit alone on the remote control device for the indoor unit is operated. Change the blinking of the simultaneous operation mode display to off, change the setting to the temperature, air volume, or wind direction set by the remote control device, continue the operation, and remove from the simultaneous operation mode by the priority indoor unit. As described above, it is convenient to be able to leave the slave from the priority indoor unit without stopping the operation.

A means for storing various operating methods of the non-priority indoor unit in the simultaneous operation mode and a setting means for selecting one operating method from the storage means are provided by a remote control device, an indoor unit or an outdoor unit. Since the unit is provided in the unit, the difference in the structure of the highly airtight and highly insulated house and the difference in the lifestyle of the user can be absorbed, and the optimal simultaneous operation mode of the non-priority indoor unit can be selected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a refrigeration circuit diagram of a multi-room air conditioner showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a conventional multi-room air conditioner.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a conventional multi-room air conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Compressor 15 Main electric expansion valve 16 Electric expansion valve 31 Suction temperature sensor 40 Indoor unit control part 41 Display part 42 Simultaneous operation mode setting SW 50 Remote control control part 51 Operation SW 52 Simultaneous operation mode switch 53 Simultaneous mode switching SW 60 Outdoor Unit control unit A, B, C, D Indoor unit P Remote control (remote control device) Q Outdoor unit

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-208365 (JP, A) JP-A-6-213497 (JP, A) JP-A-63-302240 (JP, A) JP-A-9-42749 (JP, A) JP-A-9-14732 (JP, A) JP-A-7-208792 (JP, A) JP-A-3-125841 (JP, A) JP-A-55-61241 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F24F 11/02 102

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A refrigeration circuit and a control circuit are configured by connecting a plurality of indoor units each including an indoor heat exchanger to an outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger. At least one of the respective remote control units of the indoor unit, together with the means for transmitting a mode for operating or stopping only the indoor unit that directly transmits from the remote control unit, if only the indoor unit that directly transmits from the remote control unit A means for transmitting a mode for simultaneously operating or stopping all the remaining indoor units connected to the outdoor unit is provided, and further, it is set whether or not to accept a mode for simultaneously operating or stopping directly transmitted from the remote control device. The indoor unit that has been set to accept is set to the priority indoor unit. A multi-room air conditioner, wherein the remaining indoor units that are not set are non-priority indoor units. 2. When a mode for simultaneous operation transmitted from a remote control device is received, display means for displaying that the vehicle is operating in the mode is provided in all indoor units, and the priority indoor units are turned on and off. The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the priority indoor unit blinks. 3. The priority indoor unit that directly receives the simultaneous operation mode from the remote operation device operates at the temperature set by the remote operation device, but all the remaining non-priority indoor units are in the priority indoor unit during cooling. The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is operated at a temperature higher than the set temperature and at a temperature lower than the set temperature of the priority indoor unit during heating. 4. In the simultaneous heating operation mode, the non-priority indoor unit can be obtained from the dry air chart based on the temperature set in the priority indoor unit and any relative humidity between 50% and 80% relative humidity. The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the multi-room air conditioner is operated at a set temperature higher than a possible dew point temperature. 5. The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein in the simultaneous cooling operation mode, non-priority indoor units other than the priority indoor unit automatically stop after a lapse of a predetermined time. 6. An indoor unit that is simultaneously operating as a non-priority indoor unit operates when a means for transmitting a mode for setting a temperature, a flow rate, or a wind direction of the indoor unit on a remote control device for the indoor unit is operated. Changing the blinking of the simultaneous operation mode display to off, changing the temperature, the air volume, or the wind direction set by the remote control device to continue the operation, and deviating from the simultaneous operation mode by the priority indoor unit. The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 2. 7. An indoor unit that is simultaneously operating as a non-priority indoor unit is stopped when a means for transmitting a mode for operating or stopping the indoor unit alone on a remote control device for the indoor unit is operated. Without changing the simultaneous operation mode display blinking to off, changing the temperature, air volume, or wind direction set by the remote operation device to continue operation, and deviating from the simultaneous operation mode by the priority indoor unit. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein
The multi-room air conditioner as described. 8. The remote control device includes storage means for storing various operation methods of the non-priority indoor unit in the simultaneous operation mode, and setting means for selecting one operation method from the storage means. The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: 9. The indoor unit is provided with storage means for storing various operation methods of the non-priority indoor unit in the simultaneous operation mode, and storage setting means for selecting one operation method from the storage means. The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: 10. The outdoor unit is provided with storage means for storing various operation methods of the non-priority indoor unit in the simultaneous operation mode, and setting means for selecting one operation method from the storage means. The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: