JP3619547B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner capable of setting a plurality of dehumidifying operation modes.
[0002]
In addition, the term “operation mode” used in the following description means an operation mode such as a compressor rotation speed and a fan rotation speed with the passage of time from the start of the operation of the air conditioner, for example, target temperature, humidity, It refers to the method of cooling, heating, and dehumidifying operation in order to achieve wind speed, operation time, and the like.
[0003]
[Prior art]
FIG. 2 shows a general configuration during dehumidifying operation of an air conditioner using a conventional refrigeration cycle, and FIG. 3 shows a basic structure of the indoor unit.
[0004]
Even in the dehumidifying operation, it is operated in the same refrigeration cycle as in the cooling operation. That is, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas emitted from the compressor 101 releases heat into the surrounding air by the condenser 102 to become a liquid, and the pressure is reduced by the decompression device 103 and sent to the cooler 104. In the cooler 104, the refrigerant removes heat from the surrounding air and evaporates to return to the compressor 101 as a low-pressure gas.
[0005]
In the dehumidifying operation, since the same refrigeration cycle as that in the cooling operation is configured, the room temperature is also affected in spite of the dehumidifying operation. That is, in FIG. 3, the indoor humid air 106 sucked in by the cross-flow fan 105 is cooled and condensed by the cooler 104, and the moisture in the air is discharged as water droplets into the water droplet reservoir 107, and is cooled to lower the temperature. The air 108 is blown into the room by the cross-flow fan 105. For this reason, the room temperature gradually decreases although it does not want to be lowered.
[0006]
Since air conditioners that can control humidity while keeping the temperature constant are not common, there is no satisfactory dehumidifying operation control software despite the needs based on daily life.
[0007]
JP-A-3-1036 discloses an operation mode for selecting and setting a preferred environment in consideration of temperature, wind speed, wind direction and the like from the user's standpoint. This includes a plurality of operation modes corresponding to a plurality of users. In other words, focusing on the fact that Mr. A has an environment that Mr. A likes and Mr. B has an environment that Mr. B likes, it is possible to implement the operation modes that create each environment. Are provided with operation buttons so that a preferred operation mode can be selected by one-touch operation of the corresponding operation button.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When asked about dissatisfaction in the living environment with housewives, as shown in the Hitachi survey results in Fig. 4 (a), I want to dehumidify without getting cold during the rainy season, or just to reduce the humidity without lowering the temperature. There is a high demand for drying laundry, reducing humidity to reduce mold, and reducing humidity to reduce condensation. The results of this survey are summarized as shown in Fig. 4 (b). There are many people who wish to enhance the dehumidification function with a wish for health air conditioning.
[0009]
In addition, when the above background is arranged, as shown in Fig. 5, the average number of rainy days is 125 days a year, and in addition to the characteristics of Japan's climate with many humid days, it has a structure that makes it difficult for moisture to escape recently. Due to the increase in housing, and more than one in two are housewives, the increase in the number of households that tend to leave their homes is increasing.
[0010]
Furthermore, with the demand for second and third units and air conditioners, the user base has expanded from elderly people to children, and the need for simple operations that anyone can easily use is increasing.
[0011]
FIG. 6 shows the result of arranging the dehumidification needs in accordance with the lifestyle patterns of consumers and arranging them as the dehumidifying operation mode. According to this, the user needs can be broadly classified into four patterns, and operation modes corresponding to each of the four patterns, that is, “standard mode”, “clothing drying mode”, “outing mode”, and “condensation suppression mode” are required. I understand that. The names of these operation modes are given for the sake of convenience.
[0012]
Despite this background, conventional air conditioners have been slow to improve their dehumidifying functions, such as focusing on enhancing their cooling and heating functions and substituting them for dehumidification by weakening their cooling operation. For this reason, the temperature of the air discharged from the air conditioner is low, and there is a problem that when it is continuously operated, the room temperature is lowered and it cannot be used for those who do not want to lower the room temperature or who do not like cold wind .
[0013]
In addition, when the humidity is removed, the room temperature also decreases, so the range of relative humidity is small, and if you want to remove more moisture, you need to lower the temperature further. When not, there was a problem that dehumidification operation could not be used.
[0014]
Furthermore, regarding the utilization of the dehumidifying operation from the user's standpoint, the invention of environmental control including not only the temperature but also the humidity environment is proposed in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-1036. According to this, it is possible to evaluate the excellent operability that the desired environment can be selected with a single button operation, but the environmental range created by the air conditioner is limited to human subjects, for example, for drying clothes There is no indication of a wider range of usage based on daily life, such as usage, indoor drying when away from home, and nighttime condensation control.
[0015]
Furthermore, with regard to operability, it is equipped with multiple operation buttons that correspond to each operation mode, and the number of buttons inevitably increases, and there are many buttons for those who are not used to operation such as elderly people and children. There is a problem that it is difficult to correctly select a desired button among the operation devices arranged in a line.
[0016]
An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that solves such problems, can set a dehumidifying operation mode that meets the needs of the user, and is excellent in operability.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:A compressor that compresses the refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and ambient air; a decompressor that decompresses the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger; and a dehumidifying operation An air conditioner having a first heat exchanger that serves as a reheater and a second heat exchanger that is provided downstream of the first heat exchanger and serves as a cooler during a dehumidifying operation In this configuration, there are a plurality of types of dehumidifying operation modes in which the room temperature or the outside temperature at the start of the dehumidifying operation is set as a set temperature, and selection means for selecting these dehumidifying operation modes is provided.
[0018]
In addition, the present invention provides a minimum of room temperature and humidity.AlsoDetection means for detecting one is also provided, and the dehumidifying operation in the selected operation mode is performed using the detection output of the detection means.
[0019]
Further, in the present invention, the dehumidifying operation mode includes a combination of at least two parameters among four parameters of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and operation time.
[0020]
Furthermore, the present invention is provided with one dehumidifying operation mode selection button, and the selection means selects a different dehumidifying operation mode each time the dehumidifying operation mode selection button is operated, and selects these dehumidifying operation modes. Try to select cyclically. At this time, information indicating the contents of the selected operation mode is displayed.
[0021]
Furthermore, the present invention sets an initial value for each dehumidifying operation mode. The initial value can be changed arbitrarily or within a predetermined range.
[0022]
[Action]
When the selection unit selects one of the dehumidifying operation modes stored in the storage unit, the control unit performs humidity control according to the selected dehumidifying operation mode, and according to the selected dehumidifying operation mode. Dehumidification operation is performed.
[0023]
Further, the dehumidifying operation is controlled according to the temperature detected by the detecting means. For this reason, the dehumidification environment which considered temperature etc. is obtained.
[0024]
Furthermore, at least one of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and operation time is different for each dehumidifying operation mode, and a dehumidifying environment corresponding to various user needs can be selected.
[0025]
Furthermore, since the dehumidifying operation mode can be cyclically switched with a single touch of a single operation button, even an elderly person or a child can easily operate, and it has excellent operability. In addition, by displaying information indicating the contents of the selected operation mode, it is possible to know which operation mode is currently selected and to easily and accurately select the desired dehumidifying operation mode. become able to.
[0026]
Furthermore, since the initial value is determined for each dehumidifying operation mode, the initial value is always set at startup, and the user has to set the initial value every time the dehumidifying operation is started. Disappear. In addition, since the initial value can be changed when the operation is started, the operation condition can be adjusted even in the selected dehumidifying operation mode, and a more comfortable environment can be obtained.
[0027]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a refrigeration cycle in an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention in which dehumidification is performed without lowering the room temperature. 104a and 104b are heat exchangers for indoor units, 110 Is a solenoid valve, and parts corresponding to those in FIG.
[0028]
In FIG. 7, the heat exchanger of the indoor unit that has been operated as a cooler during the conventional cooling operation is divided into two, the heat exchangers 104a and 104b, which are coupled via the electromagnetic valve 110. The upstream heat exchanger 104a is used as a reheater and the downstream heat exchanger 104b is used as a cooler. Therefore, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the heat exchanger 104a is referred to as a reheater 104a, and the downstream heat exchanger 104b is referred to as a cooler 104b.
[0029]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the indoor unit of this embodiment, and parts corresponding to those in FIG. 3 and FIG.
[0030]
In FIG. 8, in the indoor unit, the reheater 104a is disposed on the upper side, and the cooler 104b is disposed on the lower side. A part of the air 106 sucked in by the indoor fan 105 is cooled through the cooler 104b, and the moisture contained in the air 106 is cooled and condensed and stored in the water droplet reservoir 107 as water droplets. Thereby, the air which passed the cooler 104b is dehumidified. However, since this air has been cooled, the temperature has decreased. On the other hand, the remaining air 106 sucked by the indoor fan 105 is warmed through the reheater 104a and mixed with the cooled air through the cooler 104b. For this reason, the air is warmed through the cooler 104b. Therefore, the air 108 discharged from the indoor unit is low-humidity air in which the decrease in temperature is suppressed and the relative humidity is reduced.
[0031]
FIG. 9 shows a comparison between the blowout temperature from the conventional air conditioner and the blowout temperature from the air conditioner of this embodiment.
[0032]
Now, assuming that the temperature of the air sucked into the indoor unit is 27 ° C., when the dehumidification is performed by the cooling operation as in the prior art, the blowing temperature is 17 ° C. as shown in FIG. In this case, the blowing temperature is 24 ° C. as shown in FIG. As described above, in this example, it was possible to suppress a decrease in the blowing temperature, and to prevent adverse effects due to the low temperature.
[0033]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention, wherein 1 is a main body of the air conditioner (hereinafter simply referred to as a main body), 2 is an operation remote controller, and 3 is a microcomputer ( (Hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 4 is a receiving circuit, 5 is a room temperature detector, 5 'is an outside air temperature detector, 6 is a humidity detector, 7 is an indoor fan motor, 8 is an outdoor fan motor, 9 is a compressor motor, 10 Is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), 11 is a storage unit, 12 is a power supply, 13 is a microcomputer, 14 is a dehumidification button, 15 is a run / stop button, 16 is a timer button, 17 is a display unit, 18 is a transmission circuit, 19 is A battery, 20 is a CPU, 21 is a storage unit, 22 is a ROM (read-only memory), and 23 is a RAM (random access memory).
[0034]
In the figure, the main body 1 has a microcomputer 3 that controls the whole as a center, a receiving circuit 4 that receives a signal from the operation remote controller 2, a room temperature detector 5 that detects the room temperature around the main body 1, and a humidity. The humidity detector 6, the outdoor temperature detector 5 ′ for detecting the outdoor temperature, the indoor fan motor 7, the outdoor fan motor 8, and the compressor 9 are supplied with power from the power source 12.
[0035]
Further, the microcomputer 3 includes a CPU 10 and a storage unit 11 that stores data on temperature, humidity, wind speed, and operation time set according to the dehumidifying operation mode specified from the operation remote controller 2. Here, four dehumidifying operation modes can be designated, and each dehumidifying operation mode is designated by a combination of two or more of these data. Hereinafter, such a combination of data is referred to as dehumidifying operation mode information.
[0036]
The operation remote controller 2 has a microcomputer 13 that controls the whole as a center, and every time a user operates, the dehumidifying button 14 that allows the four dehumidifying operation modes to be selected sequentially and cyclically, and the operation of the air conditioner. , An operation / stop button 15 for stopping, a timer button 16 that can change a plurality of set times in order and cyclically every time the user operates, and contents of the set operation mode A display unit 17 for displaying, a transmission circuit 18 for sending a signal to the reception circuit 4 of the main body 1, and a battery 19 for supplying power to the operation remote controller 2 are included.
[0037]
As will be described later, when the dehumidifying button 14 is operated during operations such as cooling and heating, the operation is switched to the dehumidifying operation. However, the dehumidifying operation is activated only by operating the dehumidifying button 14 while the air conditioner is stopped. It is like that.
[0038]
Further, the microcomputer 13 includes a CPU 20 and a storage unit 21. The storage unit 21 is a ROM 22 that fixedly stores dehumidifying operation mode information Ai, Bi, Ci, Di corresponding to each of four predetermined dehumidifying operation modes. And a rewritable storage element for the dehumidifying operation mode information, here, the RAM 23.
[0039]
Here, the four dehumidifying operation modes are “standard mode”, “clothing drying mode”, “outing mode”, and “condensation suppression mode” shown in FIG.
[0040]
FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the control operation of the operation remote controller 2 and the main body 1. First, the control operation of the operation remote controller 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0041]
When the battery 19 is installed, the CPU 20 and the like and the transmission circuit 18 are initialized, and the dehumidifying operation mode information Ai, Bi, Ci, Di stored in the ROM 22 of the storage unit 21 is read out. It is transferred to the RAM 23 and written as dehumidifying operation mode information Ae, Be, Ce, De (step 30).
[0042]
Note that when the battery 19 becomes less than the specified capacity, the control operation described below is not performed. In such a case, when the battery 19 is replaced, the initialization of step 30 is performed again. Moreover, it can also be made to display on the display part 17 that the capacity | capacitance of the battery 19 became below the regulation capacity | capacitance.
[0043]
Next, button input is monitored (step 31). When there is a button input, the type of the operated button is determined (step 32).
[0044]
If the operated button is the timer button 16, it is first determined whether or not the main body 1 is in operation (step 33). When it is determined that the vehicle is not operating, the process returns to the button input monitoring (step 31). When it is determined that the vehicle is operating, it is determined whether or not the timer is operating (step 34).
[0045]
As will be described later, the timer operation is an operation with a predetermined operation time, and can be performed in each operation such as heating, cooling, and dehumidification. In the timer operation, a plurality of operation times can be selected.
[0046]
If it is determined in step 34 that the timer is not operating, the operating time information for specifying the initial value of the operating time is specified (step 35). If it is determined that the timer is operating, it is specified next to the currently set operating time. The operation time information indicating the operation time to be transmitted is transmitted to the main body 1 through the transmission circuit 18 (step 36). Thereby, it switches to the thing for which the setting operation time of the air conditioner was designated.
[0047]
When the operated button is the dehumidifying button 14 (step 32), first, it is determined whether or not the main body 1 is in operation (step 37). When it is determined that the main body 1 is not in operation, the RAM 23 (FIG. 1) One of the dehumidifying operation mode information stored in 1) is transmitted to the main body 1 through the transmission circuit 18 (step 38), and the corresponding dehumidifying operation mode is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the display unit 17 (FIG. 1) of the operation remote controller 2. Is displayed (step 39). When it is determined in step 37 that the vehicle is operating, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is operating in the dehumidifying operation mode (step 40). When it is determined that the dehumidifying operation mode is not being operated, the process proceeds to step 38. When it is determined that the dehumidifying operation mode is being operated, the dehumidifying operation mode information for designating the dehumidifying operation mode next to the currently executing dehumidifying operation mode is stored from the RAM 23. The data is read out and transmitted from the transmission circuit 18 to the main body 1 (step 41).
[0048]
When the button operated during the operation is the operation / stop button 15 (step 32), an operation stop signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit 18 to the main body 1 (step 42). As a result, the air conditioner stops any operation.
[0049]
When the dehumidifying button 14, the run / stop button 15, the timer button 16 or the like is operated, the CPU 20 stores information corresponding to the button and constantly monitors the state of the main body 1 from the information. Yes. For example, by operating the first operation / stop button 15 after the air conditioner is installed and the power supply is connected, information indicating the operation (operation flag) is set in the CPU 20, and then the operation / stop button 15 is Each time the air conditioner is operated, the air conditioner is alternately switched between stop and operation, and at the same time, the release and setting of the operation flag are alternately performed. The determination in steps 33 and 37 can be made based on the operation flag.
[0050]
When the dehumidifying button 14 is operated, when the air conditioner is in operation, the dehumidifying operation is switched to and information (dehumidifying flag) indicating that the dehumidifying operation is in progress is set in the CPU 20. Of course, the operation flag is also set at this time. When the dehumidifying button 14 is operated while the air conditioner is stopped, the air conditioner directly starts the dehumidifying operation, and at the same time, an operation flag and a dehumidifying flag are set in the CPU 20. This dehumidification flag makes it possible to determine in step 40. Even if the dehumidifying button 14 is operated during the dehumidifying operation of the air conditioner, the operation flag and the dehumidifying flag are still set, and the operating / stop button 15 is operated during the dehumidifying operation of the air conditioner. Sometimes, the air conditioner stops and the operation flag and the dehumidification flag are released.
[0051]
Furthermore, when the operation flag is set and the air conditioner is performing any operation, if the timer button 16 is operated, the timer operation is started and the CPU 20 is in the timer operation. Is set (timer flag). Even if the timer button 16 is operated during the timer operation, the timer flag remains set. When the operation / stop button 15 is operated during the timer operation, the air conditioner stops and the set timer flag is set. Is released. Based on this timer flag, the determination in step 34 is possible.
[0052]
Next, the control operation of the main body 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0053]
When the power source 12 is connected to the main body 1 and power is supplied, the microcomputer 3 is initialized, that is, the CPU 10 is initialized, the contents of the storage unit 11 are cleared, and the receiving circuit 4 is initialized ( Step 50), it is monitored whether there is a reception signal from the reception circuit 4 (step 51). If there is a reception signal, the type of the reception signal is determined (step 52).
[0054]
If it is determined that the received signal is an operation stop signal by operating the operation / stop button 15, it is determined whether or not the air conditioner is in operation (step 53). The operation is stopped (step 54) and the process returns to step 51.
[0055]
If it is determined in step 52 that the received signal is an operation start signal and operation mode information (the above-mentioned dehumidifying operation mode information and information specifying the cooling, heating operation, etc.), whether or not the operation is in progress. (Step 55), if not in operation, the temperature and humidity are read from the room temperature detector 5, the outside air temperature detector 5 'and the humidity detector 6 of the main body 1 (step 56). And the operation mode information which consists of data, such as preset temperature received with the operation start signal from the receiving circuit 4, is read (step 57), and this operation mode information is written in the memory | storage part 11 (step 58). Next, the operation pattern is determined from the content of the operation mode information (step 59), and the compressor motor 9, the indoor fan motor 7, and the outdoor fan motor 8 are started according to the determination result (step 60).
[0056]
Here, when the received signal is an operation start signal and dehumidifying operation mode information by operating the dehumidifying button 14, the received operating mode information is dehumidified consisting of data of a set temperature, a set humidity, a set wind speed, and a set operation time. This is operation mode information, which is read (step 57), written to the storage unit 11 (step 58), and that the designated operation mode is the dehumidification operation mode, and among the above four dehumidification operation modes. It is determined which driving pattern is selected (step 59).
[0057]
Next, the room temperature and humidity are read from the room temperature detector 5 and the humidity detector 6 (step 62), and the compressor motor 9 and the indoor fan motor 7, from the difference between the room temperature and humidity and the above set temperature and set humidity, The rotational speed of the outdoor fan motor 8 is calculated (step 63), and a command is given to the compressor motor 9, the indoor fan motor 7, and the outdoor fan motor 8 to rotate at the calculated rotational speeds (step 64). And it returns to step 51 and waits for a received signal.
[0058]
Here, the rotational speeds of the indoor fan motor 7, the outdoor fan motor 8, and the compressor motor 9 can be determined, for example, by the method disclosed in the above-mentioned JP-A-3-1036.
[0059]
When the operation start signal and the dehumidifying operation mode information are received from the receiving circuit 4 (steps 51 and 52), when the air conditioner is in operation (step 55), the same processing as in steps 57 to 59 (steps) 61) is made, the process proceeds to step 62, the operations of steps 62 to 64 are performed, and the process returns to step 51.
[0060]
If it is determined in step 52 that the received signal is a timer signal by operating the timer button 16, the content of the operation time data stored in the storage unit 11 is changed (step 64), and the above steps 62 to 62 are performed. The operation of 64 is performed and the process returns to step 51.
[0061]
When there is no reception signal during operation, a series of operations of steps 51, 62, 63, and 64 are repeated, and the same operation mode is continued.
[0062]
As described above, only by operating the dehumidifying button 14 of the operation remote controller 2, the operation start signal and the dehumidifying operation mode information are transmitted, and the dehumidifying operation can be started and the dehumidifying operation mode can be selected. When the dehumidifying button 14 is operated while the air conditioner is stopped, the air conditioner starts the dehumidifying operation in the operation mode determined by the dehumidifying operation mode information based on the operation start signal from the operation remote controller 2 and the dehumidifying operation mode information. . When the dehumidifying button 14 is operated during the operation of the air conditioner, it responds only to the dehumidifying operation mode information from the operation remote controller 2 and is set to the operation mode determined by the dehumidifying operation mode information.
[0063]
Here, every time the dehumidifying button 14 is operated, the CPU 20 cyclically reads the dehumidifying operation mode information Ae, Be, Ce, De from the RAM 23 and transmits them to the main body 1.
[0064]
When the air conditioner performing the dehumidifying operation is stopped and then the dehumidifying operation is regenerated, the CPU 20 stores the dehumidifying operation mode immediately before the stop while the air conditioner is stopped. When resuming, the dehumidifying operation mode information for the stored dehumidifying operation mode is transmitted to the main body 1 together with the operation start signal. Thereby, the mode of the dehumidification operation to be resumed becomes the dehumidification operation mode immediately before the stop. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the dehumidifying operation mode to be resumed may be a specific dehumidifying operation mode (for example, a mode based on the dehumidifying operation mode information Ae) or immediately before the stop. The next dehumidifying operation mode may be selected in the selection order of the dehumidifying operation mode. Of course, when the dehumidifying operation is resumed, the dehumidifying operation mode is switched in the above order every time the dehumidifying button 14 is operated.
[0065]
When the battery 19 is replaced, the operation remote controller 2 is initialized as described above. Therefore, in the first operation of the dehumidifying button 14, a dehumidifying operation in a specific dehumidifying operation mode (for example, a mode based on the dehumidifying operation mode information Ae) is performed. Done. Each time the dehumidifying button 14 is operated, the dehumidifying operation mode is switched.
[0066]
In addition, during operation, the operation time can be changed by operating the timer button 16, so that the optimum operation time can be easily selected according to the use conditions.
[0067]
In this embodiment, the operation device of the air conditioner is separate from the main body 1 as the operation remote controller 2, but the operation device may be incorporated into the main body 1 and integrated. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained. Furthermore, the transmission circuit 18 and the reception circuit 4 are naturally unnecessary, and the power source 12 can be used as the power source of the operating device. It can be omitted, and the microcomputer 3 can also share the microcomputer 13 of the main body.
[0068]
In this embodiment, the operation device is operated as a button. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other operation means may be used.
[0069]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific example of the above four dehumidifying operation mode information.
[0070]
In the figure, as described above, there are four dehumidifying operation modes: “standard mode”, “clothing drying mode”, “outing mode”, and “dew condensation suppression mode”. The dehumidifying operation mode information of each mode consists of at least two combinations of four parameters of set temperature, set humidity, set air volume, and set operation time, and each parameter takes an optimum value for each dehumidifying operation mode. And are set as initial values. However, the operation time of the initial values can be selected arbitrarily or according to a predetermined rule in combination with the timer function by the timer button 16.
[0071]
FIG. 13 shows a cyclic selection order each time the dehumidifying button 14 (FIG. 1) in the four dehumidifying operation modes shown in FIG. 12 is operated, and the display unit 17 (FIG. 1) for each selected dehumidifying operation mode. An example of a pictographic display showing the contents of a mode displayed on a liquid crystal screen is shown. Note that the selection order was arranged in the order in which the frequency of use seems to be high based on user surveys.
[0072]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an operation time that can be set by the timer button 16 (FIG. 1) and a selection order thereof.
[0073]
As shown in FIG. 12, although the initial value of the operation time is different for each dehumidifying operation mode, the operation time can be changed by the operation of the timer button 16 as shown in FIG. In addition, the current operation time is selected cyclically in the order of selection 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 from the current operation time to the next operation time. This simplifies the operation. In addition, the numerical value in each dehumidification operation mode is calculated | required from literature, experiment, etc. Further, “continuous (low humidity)” at the set temperature is a parameter for which the set humidity parameter is not set, and similarly, “continuous” at the operation time is a parameter for which the set operation time parameter is not set. Of course, these parameters may be set.
[0074]
15 is a plan view showing a specific example of the external appearance of the operation remote controller 2 in FIG. 1, wherein 14a is a dehumidifying display, 16a is a timer display, 16b is a timer off timetable, 72 is a door, and 82 is a room temperature adjustment button. , 82a are room temperature displays, and parts corresponding to those in the previous drawings are given the same reference numerals.
[0075]
In the figure, a display unit 17 and a door 72 are provided on the surface of the operation remote controller 2, and a dehumidifying button 14, a run / stop button 15, a timer button 16, and a room temperature adjustment button 82 are provided on the surface of the door 72. And are provided. Thus, since each button is arranged on the surface of the door 72, a one-touch operation is possible, and from this point, the operability is excellent.
[0076]
Every time the dehumidifying button 14 is operated (pressed), the dehumidifying operation mode is changed cyclically in the order of standard mode → clothing drying mode → outing mode → condensation suppression mode → standard mode →. A picture (pictogram) representing the dehumidifying operation content shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the screen display 14a.
[0077]
An example of the arrangement of the display contents on the liquid crystal screen 17 is shown in FIG. Corresponding to the selection of the dehumidifying button 14, only the corresponding one of the displayed contents is displayed on the liquid crystal. An operation system that can be easily operated from the elderly to the child by means of such display of operation contents and display of the operation and the correspondence between the screens.
[0078]
Next, the contents of each dehumidifying operation mode will be described with reference to FIG.
[0079]
The standard mode is a dehumidifying operation mode used when it is desired to dehumidify without lowering the temperature. When the operation content is selected by the dehumidifying button 14 with one touch, the set temperature is 10 at the room temperature at the start of the operation. In the range from ℃ to 28 ℃, set the room temperature at the start of operation, set to 10 ℃ when the room temperature at the start of operation is less than 10 ℃, and set to 28 ℃ when the room temperature at the start of operation is 28 ℃ or more. In this mode, the humidity is reduced to about 50% while maintaining the temperature.
[0080]
The set temperature can be adjusted to ± 3 ° C. within the above range of 10 ° C. to 28 ° C. by operating the room temperature adjustment button 82 shown in FIG. The set temperature can be set within the above range of 7 ° C. or more and 31 ° C. or less. The wind speed can also be selected from other wind speed modes such as strong wind, weak wind, and breeze, which are weak winds in the initial setting, and the operation time can be changed as shown in FIG. Is possible.
[0081]
For the above reasons, the dehumidifying operation in the standard mode can remove moisture without lowering the room temperature even in the cold season such as rainy season, long rain in autumn, rapeseed rainy season in early spring, and can create a comfortable environment. In addition, it is known that if the humidity is low even if the temperature is the same, moisture evaporation from the human body is promoted and it feels cool, and people who do not like cooling can also use it instead of summer cooling.
[0082]
FIG. 17 shows the actual measurement data in the case of the dehumidifying operation in the standard mode of this embodiment compared with the actual measurement data in the case of the cooling operation for dehumidification by the conventional air conditioner. The conditions are a Western-style room 8 tatami mats, two people in the room, an outside air temperature of 24 ° C., an outside air relative humidity of 80%, an indoor temperature at the start of operation of 24 ° C., and an indoor relative humidity of 80%.
[0083]
As is apparent from FIG. 17, in this embodiment, the dehumidifying operation is performed as planned. That is, in the conventional dehumidifying operation, the relative humidity is as high as about 70% and the temperature is reduced to about 22 ° C., but in the dehumidifying operation in the standard mode of this embodiment, the relative humidity is decreased to about 50%, and the temperature It can be seen that is maintained at about 24 ° C. and the room temperature at the start of operation.
[0084]
The clothes drying mode is an operation mode used when the laundry is desired to be dehumidified indoors. When the operation content is selected by one-touch of the dehumidification button 14, the set temperature is 10 at the room temperature at the start of the operation. In the range from ℃ to 28 ℃, set the room temperature at the start of operation, set to 10 ℃ when the room temperature at the start of operation is less than 10 ℃, and set to 28 ℃ when the room temperature at the start of operation is 28 ℃ or more. The continuous operation is performed for 3 hours while maintaining the temperature. In this case, keep the humidity down and try to reduce it as much as possible. The wind speed is strong by default.
[0085]
Also in this mode, as in the standard mode, the operation time can be changed as shown in FIG. 14 by operating the timer button 16. Therefore, the operation time can be determined according to the amount of laundry.
[0086]
As described above, by performing the dehumidifying operation in the clothes drying mode, the laundry can be safely taken out while being dried in the room. In addition, since it is a dehumidification method of the cycle reheat method, the dehumidification capacity is large (dehumidification capacity for four units of the dehumidifier RD-569LD). As a feature, the laundry dries quickly without lowering the room temperature. The moisture will not remain in the room. For this reason, the room is also comfortable and the clothes can be dried even in the room.
[0087]
18 and 19 show actual measurement data (solid line) in the case of the dehumidifying operation in the clothing drying mode of this embodiment, and actual measurement data in the case of cooling and heating operation for drying the clothes by the conventional air conditioner (broken line). The measurement condition is 3 kg, which is a standard washing amount for a family of three, and in FIG. 18, a Western-style room is 8 tatami mats, there are no people in the room, and the outside air temperature is 24 19 ° C., outside air relative humidity 80%, room temperature 24 ° C. at start of operation, room relative humidity 80%. In FIG. 19, western-style room 8 tatami mats, no people in the room, outside air temperature 18 ° C., outside air relative humidity 80%, operation start The room temperature is 24 ° C. and the room relative humidity is 70%.
[0088]
In this embodiment, as is clear from FIGS. 18 and 19, the weight of the laundry, which was about 4.2 kg immediately after washing, decreases to 3 kg before washing in 3 hours after the start of operation. It turns out that it is fully dry. On the other hand, in the case of the conventional air conditioner, even after 4 hours and a half, it is not yet fully dried. Moreover, although the indoor humidity was 70 to 80% at the start of operation, the humidity can be sufficiently reduced as compared with the case of a conventional air conditioner.
[0089]
As described above, in this embodiment, the dehumidifying operation in the clothes drying mode is performed as planned, and it is understood that the clothes are dried faster than the clothes are dried in the cooling operation or the heating operation.
[0090]
The outing mode is an operation mode that keeps indoor humidity at about 50% and suppresses the growth of mites and molds even when going out in the daytime, and when the operation content is selected with one touch of the dehumidifying button 14 The set temperature is the outside air temperature at the start of the operation, and the continuous dehumidification operation is continued to maintain the indoor humidity at about 50%. The wind speed is weak by default. However, when the room temperature is lower than 1 ° C., the dehumidifying operation in this mode is stopped.
[0091]
Recent houses have high airtightness, and if the house is closed, moisture tends to be trapped, and it tends to become a hotbed such as mites and molds. It is possible to maintain a healthy indoor environment by suppressing the breeding of indoor ticks and molds. At this time, since the set temperature is adjusted to the outside air temperature, an economical dehumidifying operation can be performed without using extra energy.
[0092]
FIG. 20 shows the measured data of the humidity change of each part when operated in this outing mode for 4 hours and the humidity range in which mites and molds can live. The measurement conditions at this time are a Western-style room 8 tatami mats, no people in the room, an outside air temperature of 27 ° C., an outside air relative humidity of 80%, an indoor temperature at the start of operation of 24 ° C., and an indoor relative humidity of 80%.
[0093]
As is apparent from FIG. 20, the relative humidity reaches 60% and the relative humidity reaches 50% in about 30 minutes after the start of the dehumidifying operation in the outing mode, respectively, and avoids the range of mites and molds. It turns out to be very effective.
[0094]
In the dew condensation control mode, after the heating is stopped in winter, when the room temperature drops, the moisture that accumulates in the room as water droplets on the windows and walls drops. When the dehumidifying operation is to be suppressed and the operation content is selected by one touch with the dehumidifying button 14, the dehumidifying operation is given priority and temperature control is not performed. Continue dehumidifying operation continuously for 2 hours as a standard, and reduce indoor humidity as low as possible. The wind speed is weak by default. The operation time can be increased by operating the timer button 16. However, when the room temperature is lower than 10 ° C., the operation in this mode is stopped.
[0095]
Condensation on the window glass in the morning in winter occurs as a result of the indoor humidity being cooled by the outdoor cold air. For this reason, if indoor humidity is suppressed, dew condensation will decrease. The dew condensation suppression mode is the above-described operation content and removes moisture in the room as much as possible. For this reason, dew condensation on the next morning window can be suppressed, and thereby damage to furniture and houses, generation of mold, etc. can be suppressed.
[0096]
FIG. 21 shows the experimental data (solid line) for 6 hours after the start of operation when the dehumidifying operation is performed for 2 hours in the dew condensation suppression mode after the heating operation, when the air conditioner is not operated after the heating operation. It is shown in comparison with (broken line), and was measured in the vicinity of the window and the center of the room. The measurement conditions were Western-style 8 tatami mats, no people in the room, outside air temperature 1 ° C., outside air relative humidity 80%, room temperature 23 ° C. at the start of operation, and room relative humidity 60%.
[0097]
By performing the dehumidifying operation for 2 hours, the relative humidity in the vicinity of the glass is reduced by about 20% at the end of the dehumidifying operation after 2 hours from the start of operation, and by about 13% after 6 hours, compared with the case of natural standing. It can be seen that it is effective in suppressing condensation in the next morning.
[0098]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of dehumidifying operation modes can be selected as appropriate, and dehumidifying operations having different contents can be selected and executed.
[0099]
Such dehumidifying operation modes include four types of dehumidifying operation modes based on daily needs in combination with temperature, humidity, wind speed, and operation time, namely, “standard”, “clothing drying”, “outing”, and “dew condensation suppression”. The four modes can be selected, thereby enhancing the dehumidifying function and providing a comfortable environment in Japan where humidity damage is likely to occur.
[0100]
In addition, according to the present invention, a plurality of dehumidifying operation modes can be selected simply by operating one dehumidifying operation mode selection button, and the operability is excellent. Therefore, it is very easy to determine whether or not the dehumidifying operation mode required by the user is set, and the usability is excellent.
[0101]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the optimum initial conditions are set for each dehumidifying operation mode, it is possible to save the user from setting the operating conditions, and further, by operating the timer button, the initial conditions are set. The operation time set as can be arbitrarily changed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a refrigeration cycle of a conventional air conditioner.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional indoor unit of an air conditioner.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a survey result of dehumidification needs.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a possible background for the investigation result shown in FIG. 4;
6 is a diagram showing types of dehumidifying operation modes required from FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.
7 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view showing the indoor unit in the embodiment shown in FIG.
9 is a diagram showing the effect of suppressing temperature change in the dehumidifying operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in comparison with the dehumidifying operation of a conventional air conditioner.
10 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the operation remote controller in FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the main body in FIG. 1;
12 is a diagram showing a specific example of a dehumidifying operation mode in the embodiment shown in FIG.
13 is a diagram showing a selection order of the four dehumidifying operation modes shown in FIG. 12 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and a pictographic display example on the display unit of FIG. 1 for each operation mode.
14 is a diagram showing a specific example of an operation time selected by operating the timer button in FIG. 1. FIG.
15 is a plan view showing a specific example of the operation remote controller in FIG. 1. FIG.
16 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit in FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing comparison of actual measurement data in the case of the dehumidifying operation in the standard mode in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with actual measurement data in the case of the cooling operation for dehumidification by the conventional air conditioner. is there.
18 shows comparison of actual measurement data in the case of the dehumidifying operation in the clothes drying mode in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with actual measurement data in the case of the cooling operation for drying clothes by the conventional air conditioner. FIG.
19 shows comparison between actual measurement data in the case of dehumidifying operation in the clothes drying mode in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and actual measurement data in the case of heating operation for drying clothes by a conventional air conditioner. FIG.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the measured humidity change data of each part and the humidity range in which mites and molds can live when operating in the outing mode in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 21 shows experimental data for 6 hours after the start of operation when the dehumidifying operation is performed for 2 hours in the dew condensation suppressing mode after the heating operation in the embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure shown in comparison with the case of natural leaving without driving.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Air conditioner body
2 Operation remote control
3 Microcomputer
4 Receiver circuit
5 Room temperature detector
5 'outside temperature detector
6 Humidity detector
7 Indoor fan motor
8 Outdoor fan motor
9 Compressor motor
10 CPU
11 Memory unit
12 Power supply
13 Microcomputer
14 Dehumidification button
15 Start / stop button
16 Timer button
17 Display
18 Transmitter circuit
19 battery
20 CPU
21 Memory unit
22 ROM
23 RAM
101 Compressor
102 Condenser
104a Reheater
104b cooler
105 Indoor fan
106 air
107 Water drop reservoir
108 air
110 Solenoid valve

Claims (2)

A compressor that compresses the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and ambient air, a decompressor that decompresses the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger, and a dehumidification mode A first heat exchanger that serves as a reheater during the operation of the first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger that is provided downstream of the first heat exchanger and serves as a cooler during the operation in the dehumidifying mode. An air conditioner having
When the dehumidifying mode is selected, when the room temperature at the start of operation in the dehumidifying mode is within a predetermined temperature range, the set temperature of the dehumidifying mode is adjusted to the room temperature at the start of operation in the dehumidifying mode , and the dehumidifying mode is selected. When the room temperature at the start of the operation exceeds the upper limit of the temperature range, the set temperature of the dehumidification mode is adjusted to the upper limit temperature of the temperature range, and when the room temperature at the start of the operation in the dehumidification mode is less than the lower limit of the temperature range The air conditioner is characterized in that the operation in the dehumidifying mode is started by matching the set temperature of the dehumidifying mode with the lower limit temperature of the temperature range . In claim 1,
An air conditioner characterized in that the set temperature can be changed by operating means .

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