JP4183515B2

JP4183515B2 - Multi-chamber air conditioner

Info

Publication number: JP4183515B2
Application number: JP2003015509A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 憲史門間; 善郎後藤; 大成野口; 亮太平田
Original assignee: Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-01-24
Filing date: 2003-01-24
Publication date: 2008-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-24
Also published as: JP2004226016A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、室外ユニットと複数台の室内ユニットとを、高圧ガス管と低圧ガス管と液管とから構成されるユニット間配管で接続して構成し、前記室内ユニットのそれぞれが、冷暖房自由、かつ、混在して空調運転を行えるようにした多室形空気調和装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
これまでの室内ユニット、多室形空気調和装置では、室外熱交換器を備えた室外ユニットを１台、或いは、複数台並べ、これら室外ユニットと、室内熱交換器を備えた複数台の室内ユニットとの間に、高圧ガス管と低圧ガス管と液管とからなるユニット間配管を設けて、それぞれ並列に接続し、前記室外ユニットでは、この室外ユニットに収納された圧縮機の吐出側から延びた冷媒吐出管が分岐されて、一方は前記高圧ガス管へと接続され、他方は室外熱交換器の一端側へ切換弁を介して接続されていた。この室外熱交換器の一端側へは、前記冷媒吐出管と後述する冷媒吸込管とが接続されており、前記切換弁は、前記冷媒吐出管、前記冷媒吸込管のいずれか一方を択一的に選択させるものとされていた。そして、前記圧縮機の吸込側から延びた冷媒吸込管も上記冷媒吐出管と同様、分岐されて一方は前記低圧ガス管へと接続され、他方は室外熱交換器の前記一端側へ前記切換弁を介して接続され、前記室外熱交換器の他端側は、室外膨張弁を介して前記液管へと接続して構成されている。
【０００３】
また、それぞれの前記室内ユニットでは、前記室内熱交換器の一端側が分岐されており、一方は室内吐出弁を介して吐出枝管を経由し、前記高圧ガス管へと接続され、他方は室内吸込弁を介して吸込枝管を経由し、前記低圧ガス管へと接続されるとともに、他端側を室内膨張弁を介して液枝管を経由し、前記液管へと接続して構成されていた。
【０００４】
そして、前記室内ユニットが冷房運転を行う場合には、室内ユニット側では、前記室内吸込弁を開放して前記室内吐出弁を閉じ、前記室内膨張弁を制御して、前記液管から前記低圧ガス管へと前記室内熱交換器内に前記冷媒を流通させ、前記室内ユニットが暖房運転を行う場合には、前記室内吐出弁を開放して前記室内吸込弁を閉じ、前記室内膨張弁を制御して、前記高圧ガス管から前記液管へと前記室内熱交換器内に前記冷媒を流通させて空調運転を行っていた。
【０００５】
また、前記室外ユニット側では、運転する前記室内ユニットが冷房運転のみの場合には、前記室外熱交換器が凝縮器となる様に、運転する前記室内ユニットが暖房運転のみの場合には、前記室外熱交換器が蒸発器となる様に、前記切換弁、および、前記室外膨張弁を制御し、いずれかの前記室内ユニットが冷房運転を行い、その他の前記室内ユニットが、同時に暖房運転を行う場合には、冷房運転をする室内ユニットと、暖房運転を行う室内ユニットとの能力差に応じて、前記室外熱交換器を凝縮器、或いは、蒸発器とする様制御し、前記圧縮機から吐出された冷媒を循環させて空調運転を行っていた。
【０００６】
しかしながら、この様な多室形空気調和装置では、運転する室内ユニットが冷房運転のみであった場合は、前記高圧ガス管が未使用となり、運転する前記室内ユニットが暖房運転のみであった場合は、前記低圧ガス管が未使用となってしまい、これら未使用となる高圧ガス管、或いは、低圧ガス管へ前記冷媒が寝込んでしまうと言う不具合点があった。
【０００７】
このため、未使用となる前記高圧ガス管へ前記冷媒が寝込んでしまうことを避けるため、各室内ユニットの前記吐出枝管と、前記液枝管とをの間に流路抵抗を備えたバイパス管を設けるとともに、前記室外膨張弁の開度を絞って前記液管内の冷媒圧力を低下させ、前記高圧ガス管内と、前記液管内との冷媒圧力に高低差を設けさせる冷媒圧力減圧手段を備え、未使用となる前記高圧ガス管内に寝込んだ前記冷媒の回収を行わせていた（特許文献１参照）。
【０００８】
また、未使用となる前記低圧ガス管へ前記冷媒が寝込んでしまうことを避けるため、前記冷媒吸込管と前記低圧ガス管との間へ、前記冷媒の流通方向が前記冷媒吸込管側へと向いた逆止弁を設けて、前記冷媒が前記冷媒吸込管から前記低圧ガス管へと流入してしまうことを防止していた（特許文献２参照）。
【０００９】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−３３６８５８（第３−５頁、第１図）
【００１０】
【特許文献２】
特開２００１−３３６８５６（第３−５頁、第１図）
【００１１】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、特許文献１では、前記バイパス管、および、前記液管内の冷媒圧力減圧手段を設けても、運転している前記室内ユニットの運転能力が小さい場合、或いは、冷房、および、暖房で運転している室内ユニット同士の運転能力が接近していた場合など、もともと前記高圧ガス管内と前記液管内との冷媒圧力の圧力差が小さい状態では、前記高圧ガス管内に寝込んでしてしまった前記冷媒が回収され難くなるとともに、この状態で、前記室外膨張弁を絞ることは、前記冷媒の循環量を減少させてしまうため、運転している前記室内ユニットの運転能力を低下させてしまう危険性があった。
【００１２】
また、特許文献２では、前記低圧ガス管へ逆止弁を設けることにより、前記低圧ガス管へ流入する前記冷媒の大部分は抑えられるが、この逆止弁もスローリークがあるため、前記低圧ガス管が未使用となる状態での空調運転が長時間継続した場合、やはり、前記冷媒が、この低圧ガス管内へと侵入して寝込み、冷媒不足に近い状態となってしまうことがあった。
【００１３】
このことより、本発明の目的は、冷媒回収運転を行っていない他の室内ユニットの空調性を崩すことなく、確実な冷媒回収運転を可能とした多室形空気調和装置を提供することにある。
【００１４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１に記載の発明は、圧縮機と室外熱交換器とを備えた室外ユニットと、室内熱交換器を備えた室内ユニットとがユニット間配管により接続され、前記室外熱交換器の一端が、前記圧縮機の冷媒吐出管と冷媒吸込管とに択一に分岐して接続され、前記ユニット間配管が、前記冷媒吐出管に接続された高圧ガス管と、前記冷媒吸込管に接続された低圧ガス管と、前記室外熱交換器の他端に接続された液管とを有して構成され、前記室内熱交換器の一端が前記高圧ガス管、および、前記低圧ガス管へそれぞれ室内吐出弁および室内吸込弁を介して接続され、他端が室内膨張弁を介して前記液管に接続され、複数台の前記室内ユニットを同時に冷房運転、若しくは、暖房運転可能とし、または、冷房運転と暖房運転とを混在して運転可能とする多室形空気調和装置において、前記冷房運転、前記暖房運転、および、前記冷房運転と前記暖房運転とを混在しての運転時に、室外ユニットの運転時間が所定時間経過した場合、前記室内ユニット毎に、順次、前記室内ユニットの前記室内吐出弁と前記室内吸込弁とを一定時間開放させ前記高圧ガス管と前記低圧ガス管とを連通させてこの高圧ガス管内の高圧冷媒を前記低圧ガス管に導く冷媒回収運転を行う冷媒回収手段を備え、この冷媒回収手段は、先に前記冷媒回収運転を終了した室内ユニットの冷媒回収運転から遅延時間を設けて、次の室内ユニットに冷媒回収運転を行わせるものとしたことを特徴とする多室形空気調和装置。
【００１６】
請求項２記載の発明は、圧縮機と室外熱交換器とを備えた室外ユニットと、室内熱交換器を備えた室内ユニットとがユニット間配管により接続され、前記室外熱交換器の一端が、前記圧縮機の冷媒吐出管と冷媒吸込管とに択一に分岐して接続され、前記ユニット間配管が、前記冷媒吐出管に接続された高圧ガス管と、前記冷媒吸込管に接続された低圧ガス管と、前記室外熱交換器の他端に接続された液管とを有して構成され、前記室内熱交換器の一端が前記高圧ガス管、および、前記低圧ガス管へそれぞれ室内吐出弁および室内吸込弁を介して接続され、他端が室内膨張弁を介して前記液管に接続され、複数台の前記室内ユニットを同時に冷房運転、若しくは、暖房運転可能とし、または、冷房運転と暖房運転とを混在して運転可能とする多室形空気調和装置において、前記冷房運転、前記暖房運転、および、前記冷房運転と前記暖房運転とを混在しての運転時に、室外ユニットの運転時間が所定時間経過した場合、前記室内ユニット毎に、順次、前記室内ユニットの前記室内吐出弁と前記室内吸込弁とを一定時間開放させ前記高圧ガス管と前記低圧ガス管とを連通させてこの高圧ガス管内の高圧冷媒を前記低圧ガス管に導く冷媒回収運転を行う冷媒回収手段を備え、前記冷媒回収手段は、前記室外ユニットにタイマを備え、このタイマが前記所定時間を経過した場合、前記室外ユニットから順次前記室内ユニットへ冷媒回収運転の運転開始と運転終了の指示を送るものとしたことを特徴とするものである。
【００１７】
請求項３記載の発明は、圧縮機と室外熱交換器とを備えた室外ユニットと、室内熱交換器を備えた室内ユニットとがユニット間配管により接続され、前記室外熱交換器の一端が、前記圧縮機の冷媒吐出管と冷媒吸込管とに択一に分岐して接続され、前記ユニット間配管が、前記冷媒吐出管に接続された高圧ガス管と、前記冷媒吸込管に接続された低圧ガス管と、前記室外熱交換器の他端に接続された液管とを有して構成され、前記室内熱交換器の一端が前記高圧ガス管、および、前記低圧ガス管へそれぞれ室内吐出弁および室内吸込弁を介して接続され、他端が室内膨張弁を介して前記液管に接続され、複数台の前記室内ユニットを同時に冷房運転、若しくは、暖房運転可能とし、または、冷房運転と暖房運転とを混在して運転可能とする多室形空気調和装置において、前記冷房運転、前記暖房運転、および、前記冷房運転と前記暖房運転とを混在しての運転時に、室外ユニットの運転時間が所定時間経過した場合、前記室内ユニット毎に、順次、前記室内ユニットの前記室内吐出弁と前記室内吸込弁とを一定時間開放させ前記高圧ガス管と前記低圧ガス管とを連通させてこの高圧ガス管内の高圧冷媒を前記低圧ガス管に導く冷媒回収運転を行う冷媒回収手段を備え、前記冷媒回収手段は、前記室内ユニット毎にタイマを備え、このタイマが前記所定時間を経過した場合、前記室内ユニットの冷媒回収運転を行うものとしたことを特徴するものである。
【００１８】
請求項４記載の発明は、圧縮機と室外熱交換器とを備えた室外ユニットと、室内熱交換器を備えた室内ユニットとがユニット間配管により接続され、前記室外熱交換器の一端が、前記圧縮機の冷媒吐出管と冷媒吸込管とに択一に分岐して接続され、前記ユニット間配管が、前記冷媒吐出管に接続された高圧ガス管と、前記冷媒吸込管に接続された低圧ガス管と、前記室外熱交換器の他端に接続された液管とを有して構成され、前記室内熱交換器の一端が前記高圧ガス管、および、前記低圧ガス管へそれぞれ室内吐出弁および室内吸込弁を介して接続され、他端が室内膨張弁を介して前記液管に接続され、複数台の前記室内ユニットを同時に冷房運転、若しくは、暖房運転可能とし、または、冷房運転と暖房運転とを混在して運転可能とする多室形空気調和装置において、前記冷房運転、前記暖房運転、および、前記冷房運転と前記暖房運転とを混在しての運転時に、室外ユニットの運転時間が所定時間経過した場合、前記室内ユニット毎に、順次、前記室内ユニットの前記室内吐出弁と前記室内吸込弁とを一定時間開放させ前記高圧ガス管と前記低圧ガス管とを連通させてこの高圧ガス管内の高圧冷媒を前記低圧ガス管に導く冷媒回収運転を行う冷媒回収手段を備え、前記室内ユニットが冷媒回収運転を開始する際、他の室内ユニットが冷媒回収運転を行っていないことを確認してから前記冷媒回収運転を行うものとしたことを特徴とするものである。
【００１９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を、図面に基づき説明する。
【００２０】
図１は、本発明に係る多室形空気調和装置の一実施形態を示す冷媒回路図である。この多室形空気調和装置３０は、例えば、室外ユニット１と、複数の室内ユニット２ａ〜２ｃとを、高圧ガス管４と低圧ガス管５と液管６とからなるユニット間配管３と、通信配線７とで接続して構成されている。
【００２１】
室外ユニット１には、ガスエンジン等の内燃機関１０が備えられており、この内燃機関１０の駆動力で駆動される圧縮機１１と、圧縮機１１から吐出された冷媒を外気と熱交換させる室外熱交換器１２と、前記冷媒の減圧を行なう室外膨張弁１３と、内燃機関１０を冷却する冷却水から前記冷媒への熱回収を行なう熱回収器１４と、前記圧縮機１１へ吸引される前記冷媒の気液分離を行うアキュームレータ１５とが冷媒配管で接続されて備えられている。さらに、この室外ユニット１の制御と、後述する室内ユニット２ａ〜２ｃ内に備えられた室内制御部２２ａ〜２２ｃとの通信を行なう室外制御部１６が通信配線７で接続されて備えられている。
【００２２】
圧縮機１１の吐出側からは、室外吐出管１９ａが延びて分岐し、一方は、圧縮機１１から吐出された前記冷媒を室外ユニット１から流出させる方向へ設けられた逆止弁１７ａを介して、高圧ガス管４へと接続されており、他方は、切換弁１８ａを介して、室外熱交換器１２の一端へ接続されている。また、圧縮機１１の吸込側からは、アキュームレータ１５を経由して室外吸込管１９ｃが延びており、この室外吸込管１９ｃは、熱回収器１４を経由して室外吸込管１９ｂとして分岐し、一方は、室内ユニット２ａ〜ｃを循環して戻った前記冷媒を室外ユニット１へと流入させる方向へ設けられた逆止弁１７ｂを介して、前記低圧ガス管５へと接続され、他方は、切換弁１８ｂを介して室外熱交換器１２の前記一端へ接続されている。室外熱交換器１２の前記一端は、分岐されて切換弁１８ａ、１８ｂへと接続されており、他端は、室外膨張弁１３を介して液管６へと接続されている。これら切換弁１８ａ、１８ｂは、択一的に選択され、いずれかの一方のみが開放されるものとなっている。
【００２３】
室内ユニット２ａには、室内熱交換器２０ａ、および、室内膨張弁２１ａが冷媒配管で接続されて備えられており、室内熱交換器２０ａの一端は分岐して、一方は、室内吐出弁２３ａ、吐出枝管４ａを経由して高圧ガス管４へと接続され、他方は、室内吸込弁２４ａ、吸込枝管５ａを経由して低圧ガス管５へと接続されている。また、この室内熱交換器２０ａの他端は、室内膨張弁２１ａ、液枝管６ａを経由して液管６へと接続されている。さらに、この室内ユニット２ａの制御と、室外ユニット１内に備えられた室外制御部１６との通信を行なう室内制御部２２ａが通信配線７に接続されて備えられている。
【００２４】
室内ユニット２ｂ、および、室内ユニット２ｃは、室内ユニット２ａと同様であるため説明は省略する。
【００２５】
そして、これらの室外ユニット１と、室内ユニット２ａ〜２ｃとがユニット間配管３により接続されて、多室形空気調和装置３０は、室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃを同時に冷房運転、若しくは、暖房運転を可能とし、または、これらの冷房運転と、暖房運転とを混在して運転可能としている。
【００２６】
次に運転動作を説明する。
【００２７】
まず、全室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃを同時に冷房する場合には、それぞれの室内制御部２２ａ〜２２ｃから室外制御部１６へ、冷房での運転開始の指示が通信配線７を通じて送信され、室外ユニット１では、室外制御部１６より室外熱交換器１２の一方の切換弁１８ａが開放されるとともに、他方の切換弁１８ｂが閉じられて室外膨張弁１３が絞った開度とされ、内燃機関１０、および、圧縮機１１の運転が開始される。同時に室内ユニット２ａ〜２ｃでは、室内制御部２２ａ、２２ｂ、２２ｃより室内吐出弁２３ａ、２３ｂ、２３ｃが閉じられるとともに、室内吸込弁２４ａ、２４ｂ、２４ｃが開かれて、室内膨張弁２１ａ、２１ｂ、２１ｃが全開の開度とされる。これにより、圧縮機１１から吐出された冷媒は、室外吐出管１９ａ、切換弁１８ａ、室外熱交換器１２へと順次流れ、この室外熱交換器１２で凝縮液化した後、室外膨張弁１３、および、液管６を経由して液枝管６ａ、６ｂ、６ｃへと分配され、室内膨張弁２１ａ、２１ｂ、２１ｃを流通して各室ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃの室内熱交換器２０ａ、２０ｂ、２ｃへと流入する。
【００２８】
しかる後、前記冷媒は、各室内熱交換器２０ａ、２０ｂ、２０ｃで蒸発気化した後、それぞれ室内吸込弁２４ａ、２４ｂ、２４ｃ、および、吸込枝管５ａ、５ｂ、５ｃを順次経て、低圧ガス管５へと流入し、逆止弁１７ｂ、室外吸込管１９ｂ、熱回収器１４、室外吸込管１９ｃ、アキュムレータ１５を経由して圧縮機１１に吸入される。このように、蒸発器として作用する各室内熱交換器２０ａ、２０ｂ、２０ｃで全室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃが同時に冷房される。
【００２９】
次に、全室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃを同時に暖房する場合には、それぞれの室内制御部２２ａ、２２ｂ、２２ｃから室外制御部１６へ暖房での運転開始の指示が通信配線７を通じて送信され、室外ユニット１では、室外制御部１６より室外熱交換器１２の一方の切換弁１８ａが閉じられるとともに、他方の切換弁１８ｂが開かれ、室外膨張弁１３が全開の開度とされて内燃機関１０、および、圧縮機１１の運転が開始される。同時に室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃでは、室内制御部２２ａ、２２ｂ、２２ｃより室内吐出弁２３ａ、２３ｂ、２３ｃが開かれ、室内吸込弁２４ａ、２４ｂ、２４ｃが閉じられて室内膨張弁２１ａ、２１ｂ、２１ｃが絞った開度とされる。これにより、圧縮機１１から吐出された冷媒は、室外吐出管１９ａ、逆止弁１７ａ、高圧ガス管４を順次経て、吐出枝管４ａ、４ｂ、４ｃへと分配され、室内吐出弁２３ａ、２３ｂ、２３ｃを経由して室内熱交換器２０ａ、２０ｂ、２０ｃへと流入し、ここでそれぞれ凝縮液化した後、各室内膨張弁２１ａ、２１ｂ、２１ｃで減圧され、液枝管６ａ、６ｂ、６ｃを経由して液管６で合流される。
【００３０】
しかる後、前記冷媒は、前記液管６を流通し、室外膨張弁１３を経由して室外熱交換器１２へ流入し、この室外熱交換器１２で蒸発気化した後、切換弁１８ｂ、室外吸込管１９ｂ、熱回収器１４、室外吸込管１９ｃ、アキュムレータ１５を順次経て圧縮機１１に吸入される。このように凝縮器として作用する各室内熱交換器２０ａ、２０ｂ、２０ｃで、全室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃが同時に暖房される。
【００３１】
そして、同時に、例えば、室内ユニット２ａ、および、２ｃが冷房運転を行い、室内ユニット２ｂが暖房運転を行う場合では、室内制御部２２ａ、２２ｃからは、冷房での運転開始の指示が、室内制御部２２ｂからは、暖房での運転開始の指示が、それぞれ通信配線７を通じて室外制御部１６へ送信され、室外ユニット１では、室外制御部１６より室外熱交換器１２の一方の切換弁１８ａが開かれるとともに、他方の切換弁１８ｂが閉じられて室外膨張弁１３がやや絞った開度とされ、内燃機関１０、および、圧縮機１１の運転が開始される。そして、冷房運転を行う室内ユニット２ａ、２ｃでは、室内制御部２２ａ、２２ｃより室内吐出弁２３ａ、２３ｃが閉じられとともに、室内吸込弁２４ａ、２４ｃが開かれ、室内膨張弁２１ａ、２１ｃが全開の開度とされ、かつ、暖房運転を行う室内ユニット２ｂでは、室内制御部２２ｂより室内吐出弁２３ｂが開かれるとともに、室内吸込弁２４ｂが閉じられて室内膨張弁２１ｂが絞った開度とされる。すると、圧縮機１１から吐出された冷媒の大部分が室外吐出管１９ａ、切換弁１８ａを順次経て室外熱交換器１２に流入して凝縮液化するとともに、残りの一部の前記冷媒が、逆止弁１７ａ、高圧ガス管４、吐出枝管４ｂを順次経て、暖房する室内ユニット２ｂの室内吐出弁２３ｂ、室内熱交換器２０ｂへと流入し、この室内熱交換器２０ｂで凝縮液化される。そして、室内膨張弁２１ｂ、液枝管６ｂを経由して液管６へと流入し、室外熱交換器１２で凝縮液化された前記冷媒と液管６で合流して液枝管６ａ、６ｃへと分配され、室内ユニット２ａ、２ｃの室内膨張弁２１ａ、２１ｃを経由した後、それぞれの室内熱交換器２０ａ、２０ｃで蒸発気化される。
【００３２】
しかる後、前記冷媒は、それぞれ室内吸込弁２４ａ、２４ｃ、および、吸込枝管５ａ、５ｃを経て低圧ガス管５へ流入して合流し、逆止弁１７ｂ、室外吸込管１９ｂ、熱回収器１４、室外吸込管１９ｃ、アキュムレータ１５を順次経て圧縮機１１に吸入される。このように、凝縮器として作用する室内熱交換器２０ｂで室内ユニット２ｂが暖房され、蒸発器として作用する室内熱交換器２０ａ、２０ｃで室内ユニット２ａ、２ｃがそれぞれ冷房される。
【００３３】
同様に、室内ユニット２ｂが冷房運転を行い、室内ユニット２ａ、２ｃが暖房運転を行う場合には、室内制御部２２ｂからは冷房での運転開始の指示が、また、室内制御部２２ａ、２２ｃからは暖房での運転開始の指示が、それぞれ室外制御部１６へ送信され、室外ユニット１では、室外制御部１６より室外熱交換器１２の一方の切換弁１８ａが閉じられるとともに、他方の切換弁１８ｂが開かれて室外膨張弁１３が開放ぎみの開度とされ、内燃機関１０、および、圧縮機１１の運転が開始される。そして、暖房運転を行う室内ユニット２ａ、２ｃでは、室内制御部２２ａ、２２ｃより室内吸込弁２４ａ、２４ｃが閉じられるとともに、室内吐出弁２３ａ、２３ｃが開かれ、室内膨張弁２１ａ、２１ｃが絞った開度とされ、かつ、冷房運転を行う室内ユニット２ｂでは、室内制御部２２ｂより室内吸込弁２４ｂが開かれるとともに、室内吐出弁２３ｂが閉じられて室内膨張弁２１ｂが全開の開度とされる。すると、圧縮機１１から吐出された冷媒は、室外吐出管１９ａ、逆止弁１７ａ、高圧ガス管４を順次経て吐出枝管４ａ、４ｃへと分配され、室内吐出弁２３ａ、２３ｃを経由して、それぞれの室内熱交換器２０ａ、２０ｃで凝縮液化される。
【００３４】
しかる後、前記冷媒は、それぞれ絞られた室内膨張弁２１ａ、２１ｃで減圧され、液枝管６ａ、６ｃを経て液管６に流入する。そして、前記冷媒の一部は、液枝管６ｂ、室内膨張弁２１ｂを経由して室内熱交換器２０ｂに流入し、この室内熱交換器２０ｂで蒸発気化されて室内吸込弁２４ｂ、吸込枝管５ｂを流通し、逆止弁１７ｂを経由して室外吸込管１９ｂへと流入する。また、残りの前記冷媒は、室外膨張弁１３を経由して室外熱交換器１２へと流入し、この室外熱交換器１２で蒸発気化されて切換弁１８ｂを経由し、室外吸込管１９ｂへと流入して上記室内熱交換器２０ｂで蒸発気化された冷媒と合流し、熱回収器１４、室外吸込弁１９ｃ、アキュムレータ１５を順次経て圧縮機１１に吸入される。
【００３５】
このように、凝縮器として作用する室内熱交換器２０ａ、２０ｃで室内ユニット２ａ、２ｃが暖房され、蒸発器として作用する室内熱交換器２０ｂで室内ユニット２ｂが冷房される。
【００３６】
以上の如く、例えば、冷房する室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃの冷房負荷が、暖房する室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃの暖房負荷よりも多いときは室外熱交換器１２を凝縮器として、逆に、冷房する室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃの冷房負荷が、暖房する室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃの暖房負荷よりも少ないときは室外熱交換器１２を蒸発器として作用させることにより、任意の室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃを自由に冷暖房することができる。
【００３７】
ところで、本発明による多室形空気調和装置３０は、室外ユニット１の運転時間が所定時間を経過した時点で、それぞれの前記室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃが、室内吐出弁２３ａ、２３ｂ、２３ｃ、および、室内吸込弁２４ａ、２４ｂ、２４ｃを、一定時間、開放させ前記高圧ガス管と前記低圧ガス管とを連通させてこの高圧ガス管内の高圧冷媒を前記低圧ガス管に導く冷媒回収運転を前記室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃ毎に順次行う冷媒回収手段を備えていることである。そして、先に冷媒回収運転を終了した室内ユニットの前記冷媒回収運転と、次に冷媒回収運転を行う室内ユニットの前記冷媒回収運転との間に遅延時間を設けた冷媒回収手段としていることである。
【００３８】
まず、第１実施形態として、例えば、図２、および、図３に示す様に、前記室外ユニット１内に備えた室外制御部１６へタイマａと、タイマｂとを備えさせて説明する。
【００３９】
この第１実施形態では、室外ユニット１へ室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃが接続されているが、これら室内ユニットのアドレスを、例えば、室内ユニット２ａを１号機、室内ユニット２ｂを２号機、室内ユニット２ｃを３号機としている。
【００４０】
また、タイマａ、タイマｂは、スタートさせることにより時間をカウントし、停止させることによりカウントした前記時間を保持し、リセットさせることにより前記時間をクリアするものとして以下の説明を行なう。なお、タイマａでは、室外ユニットの積算運転時間を所定時間ａ１としてカウントするものとしており、タイマｂでは、いずれかの室内ユニットで行わせる冷媒回収運転の一定時間ｂ１と、次の室内ユニットへ冷媒回収運転の開始を指示するまでの遅延時間ｂ３とを連続してカウントさせるものとし、前記一定時間ｂ１と、前記遅延時間ｂ３とを加算した時間を一定時間ｂ２としている。
【００４１】
まず、室外ユニット１が運転中であるか否かを確認し（Ｓ１）、室外ユニット１が停止中であれば、タイマａのカウントを停止させて（Ｓ２）ステップ１へと戻り、室外ユニット１が運転中であれば、タイマａのカウントをスタートさせる（Ｓ３）。
【００４２】
次に、タイマａのカウントが所定時間ａ１に達したか否かを確認し（Ｓ４）、この所定時間ａ１に達していなければ、ステップ１へと戻り、この所定時間ａ１に達していれば、フラグｄの状態を確認する（Ｓ５）。このフラグｄは、室外ユニット１が室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃのいずれかに冷媒回収運転の指示を行っている、或いは、次の室内ユニットへ冷媒回収運転を指示するまでの遅延時間中であるか否かを示すフラグである。
【００４３】
このフラグｄがリセット（０）されていたならば、フラグｄをセット（１）するとともに（Ｓ６）、フラグｅをセットし（Ｓ７）、この多室形空気調和装置３０に接続された室内ユニットの最小アドレス（例えば、１号機）を室外制御部１６に備えられたメモリｃへセットして（Ｓ８）、タイマｂのカウントをスタートさせ（Ｓ９）、冷媒回収運転の運転開始を、前記メモリｃにセットされたアドレスの室内ユニットへ送信し（Ｓ１０）、ステップ１へと戻り、これを繰り返す。
【００４４】
上記ステップ５で、フラグｄがセットされていたならば、タイマｂのカウントが一定時間ｂ１を経過したか否かを確認し（Ｓ１１）、経過していなければステップ１へと戻り、経過していればフラグｅがセットされているか否かを確認して（Ｓ１２）、フラグｅがリセットされていればステップ１５へと進み、セットされていれば、前記メモリｃにセットされたアドレスの室内ユニットへ冷媒回収運転の運転終了を送信して（Ｓ１３）、フラグｅをリセットする（Ｓ１４）。
【００４５】
そして、タイマｂのカウントが、上記冷媒回収運転を行わせる一定時間ｂ１と次の室内ユニットの冷媒回収運転を開始させるまでの遅延時間ｂ３とを加算した一定時間ｂ２を経過したか否かを確認し（Ｓ１５）、経過していなければステップ１へと戻り、経過していれば、メモリｃにセットされた前記室内ユニットのアドレスを１つ進める（例えば、１号機から２号機へ）（Ｓ１６）。
【００４６】
次に、このメモリｃにセットされた前記室内ユニットのアドレスが、この多室形空気調和装置３０に接続されている室内ユニットの最大アドレス（例えば、３号機）を越えているか否かを判断し（Ｓ１７）、メモリｃにセットされた前記アドレスが最大アドレスを越えていなければ、タイマｂのカウントをリセットして再スタートさせ（Ｓ１８）、ステップ１０を経てステップ１へと戻る。
【００４７】
ここで、ステップ１７で、メモリｃにセットされたアドレスが、この多室形空気調和装置３０に接続されている室内ユニットのアドレスを越えているか否かを判断している理由は、この第１実施形態では、例えば、前記冷媒回収運転を室内ユニットのアドレスが小さい順に行なわせているため、前記メモリｃにセットされた室内ユニットのアドレスが、この多室形空気調和装置３０に接続された室内ユニットの最大アドレスを越えているか否かを判断させることにより、全室内ユニットの冷媒回収運転が終了したか否かが判断できるためである。
【００４８】
ステップ１７で、前記メモリｃにセットされたアドレスが、この多室形空気調和装置３０に接続されている室内ユニットの最大アドレスを越えたアドレス（例えば、４号機）となっていたならば、タイマｂをリセットし（Ｓ１９）、続いてタイマａをリセットして（Ｓ２０）、フラグｄをリセットし（Ｓ２１）、ステップ１へと戻る。
【００４９】
このフローチャートに示されるシーケンスにより、まず、タイマａでカウントされる室外ユニット１の積算運転時間が、所定時間ａ１に達すると、フラグｄとフラグｅとをセットし、メモリｃへ前記最小アドレスである室内ユニット２ａの１号機をセットして室外制御部１６から室内制御部２ａに冷媒回収運転の運転開始が送信される。これを受信した室内制御部２２ａは、室内吐出弁２３ａと室内吸込弁２４ａとを開放させて室内ユニット２ａの冷媒回収運転を行う。そして、タイマｂにより、この冷媒回収運転の一定時間ｂ１がタイマｂでカウントされると、室外制御部１６から室内制御部２２ａへ冷媒回収運転の運転終了が送信され、室内制御部２２ａは、室内吐出弁２３ａ、室内吸込弁２４ａ、室内膨張弁２１ａを前記冷媒回収運転を開始する前の状態へと戻し、室内ユニット２ａは通常の空調運転へと戻る。
【００５０】
そして、タイマｂでは引き続き、上記冷媒回収運転の一定時間ｂ１と次の室内ユニットへ前記冷媒回収運転の運転開始を送信するまでの遅延時間ｂ３とを合わせた一定時間ｂ２のカウントを行い、このタイマｂのカウントが前記一定時間ｂ２に達すると、前記メモリｃにセットした室内ユニットのアドレスを次の室内ユニットへと変更し、今度は、室外制御部１６から２号機である室内制御部２２ｂへ冷媒回収運転の運転開始を送信して、室内ユニット２ｂが冷媒回収運転を行う。この様に、室外制御部１６から順次、室内制御部２２ａ、２２ｂ、２２ｃへ遅延時間ｂ３を設けて、冷媒回収運転の運転開始、および、運転終了を送信し、室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃを、順番に一定時間ｂ１の冷媒回収運転を行なわせることにより、高圧ガス管４、および、低圧ガス管５はもちろん、室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃのそれぞれへ分岐している吐出枝管４ａ、４ｂ、４ｃ、および、吸込枝管５ａ、５ｂ、５ｃ内に寝込んでしまった冷媒も回収でき、確実な冷媒回収を行なうことができる。さらに、上記室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃで行わせる冷媒回収運転に遅延時間ｂ３を設けて１台づつ順番に行わせ、前記高圧ガス管４内の冷媒圧力と、前記低圧ガス管５内の冷媒圧力との圧力バランスを最小限に抑えているため、この冷媒回収運転を行っていない他の室内ユニットの空調性を崩さずに行えるとともに、冷媒回収運転時の冷媒音の発生を抑え、冷媒回収運転後の空調運転への復帰も短時間で行うことができる。
【００５１】
なお、上記フローチャートでは、まず、メモリｃへ室内ユニットの最小アドレスをセットし、前記最大アドレスへとカウントさせる様説明したが、これに限らず、まず、メモリｃへ室内ユニットの最大アドレスをセットし、前記最小アドレスへとカウントさせることも可能である。
【００５２】
また、例えば、図４、および、図５に示す様に、室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃの室内制御部２２ａ、２２ｂ、２２ｃのそれぞれへ、カウントするタイマｆａ、ｆｂ、ｆｃと、タイマｈａ、ｈｂ、ｈｃ、および、フラグｉａ、ｉｂ、ｉｃとを備えた第２実施形態とすることも可能である。
【００５３】
この第２実施形態でも、上述の第１実施形態と同様、タイマｆａ、ｆｂ、ｆｃタイマｈａ、ｈｂ、ｈｃは、スタートさせることにより時間をカウントし、停止させることによりカウントした前記時間を保持し、リセットさせることにより前記時間をクリアするものとして以下の説明を行う。なお、タイマｆａ、ｆｂ、ｆｃでは、通信などにより室外ユニット１の積算運転時間を所定時間ａ１としてカウントするものとし、タイマｈａでは、冷媒回収運転を行う一定時間ｂ１と、次に冷媒回収運転を行う室内ユニットを遅延させる遅延時間ｂ３とを連続してカウントするものとしており、前記一定時間ｂ１と、前記遅延時間ｂ３とを加算した時間を一定時間ｂ２としている。
【００５４】
また、この第２実施形態では、多室形空気調和装置３０の室内ユニット２ａのみ示しているが、室内ユニット２ｂ、２ｃについても同様のフローチャートとなる。
【００５５】
まず、室外ユニット１が運転中であるか否かを通信などにより判断し（Ｓ３１）、運転中でなければ、タイマｆａのカウントを停止させて（Ｓ３２）、ステップ３１へと戻り、運転中であれば、タイマｆａのカウントをスタートさせる（Ｓ３３）。これにより、室外ユニット１の積算運転時間をカウントすることができる。
【００５６】
次に、タイマｆａのカウントが所定時間ａ１に達したか否かを確認し（Ｓ３４）、この所定時間ａ１に達していなければ、ステップ３１へと戻り、この所定時間ａ１に達していれば、通信配線７を通じて、他の室内ユニット２ｂ、２ｃが冷媒回収運転中、或いは、遅延時間中であるか否かをフラグｉｂ、ｉｃにより確認し（Ｓ３５）、前記室内ユニット２ｂ、２ｃのフラグｉｂ、１ｃのいずれかがセットされていれば、ステップ３１へと戻り、フラグｉｂ、ｉｃの双方がリセットされていれば、フラグｉａの状態を確認する（Ｓ３６）。
【００５７】
このフラグｉａがリセットされていれば、フラグｇａをセットして（Ｓ３７）、フラグｉａをセットし（Ｓ３８）、タイマｈａのカウントをスタートさせ（Ｓ３９）、室内吐出弁２３ａと室内吸込弁２４ａとを同時に開放させて（Ｓ４０）、ステップ３１へと戻り、これを繰り返す。
【００５８】
上記ステップ３６で、フラグｉａがセットされていたならば、タイマｈａのカウントが一定時間ｂ１を経過しているか否かを確認し（Ｓ４１）、経過していなければステップ３１へと戻り、経過していればフラグｇａがセットされているか否かを確認して（Ｓ４２）、フラグｇａがリセットされていればステップ４５へ進み、セットされていれば、室内吐出弁２３ａと室内吸込弁２４ａとを冷媒回収運転の開始前の状態に戻して（Ｓ４３）、フラグｇａをリセットする（Ｓ４４）。
【００５９】
そして、タイマｈａのカウントが一定時間ｂ２を経過したか否かを確認し（Ｓ４５）、経過していなければステップ３１へと戻り、経過していれば、タイマｈａをリセットして（Ｓ４６）、タイマｆａをリセットし（Ｓ４７）、フラグｉａをリセットして（Ｓ４８）、ステップ３１へと戻る。
【００６０】
このフローチャートに示されるシーケンスにより、まず、室外ユニット１の積算運転時間が、所定時間ａ１に達すると、他の室内ユニット２ｂ、２ｃのフラグｉｂ、ｉｃがリセットされていることを確認して、室内ユニット２ａが、室内吐出弁２３ａと室内吸込弁２４ａとを開放して冷媒回収運転を開始するとともに、フラグｇａとフラグｉａとをセットする。そして、後から冷媒回収運転を行おうとする室内ユニット２ｂ、２ｃは、前記室内ユニット２ａが冷媒回収運転中、或いは、遅延時間中であることを前記フラグｉａにより確認し、この室内ユニット２ａのフラグｉａがリセットされるのを待つこととなる。このため、複数台の室内ユニットが同時に冷媒回収運転を行ってしまうことがない。
【００６１】
そして、この冷媒回収手段でも、全室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃが、冷媒回収運転を行うため、上述の第１実施形態と同様、各室内ユニットの吐出枝管内、および、吸込枝管内に寝込んだ冷媒まで回収でき、確実な冷媒回収を行なうことができる。さらに、室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃが、それぞれ先に冷媒回収運転を終了した室内ユニットの前記冷媒回収運転から遅延時間ｂ３の遅延を行って、次の室内ユニットの冷媒回収運転を行い、前記高圧ガス管４内の冷媒圧力と、前記低圧ガス管５内の冷媒圧力との圧力バランスを最小限に抑えているため、この冷媒回収運転を行っていない他の室内ユニットの空調性を崩さずに行えるとともに、冷媒回収運転時の冷媒音の発生が抑えられ、冷媒回収運転後の空調運転への復帰も短時間で行うことができる。
【００６２】
なお、本実施の形態では、室外ユニット１の室外制御部１６へタイマａ、或いは、室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃの室内制御部２２ａ、２２ｂ、２２ｃへ、それぞれタイマｆａ、ｆｂ、ｆｃを設けて、積算運転時間をカウントさせるものとして説明したが、これに限定されるもので無いことは明らかであり、例えば、電源を投入されてからの経過時間などをカウントするものとしても良い。
【００６３】
また、いずれかの室内ユニットが冷媒回収運転を開始する際、他の室内ユニットが冷媒回収運転中、或いは、遅延時間中であるか否かをフラグｉａ、ｉｂ、ｉｃにより確認させるものとして説明したが、特に、これらフラグｉａ、ｉｂ、ｉｃを用いず、タイマｈａ、ｈｂ、ｈｃがカウントしている時間を確認させるものとしても良い。
【００６４】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明より、室外ユニットの室外制御部または室内ユニットの室内制御部のいずれかにタイマを備えて、このタイマが所定時間経過した場合、前記室内ユニットの室内吐出弁と室内吸込弁とを一定時間開放させ高圧ガス管と低圧ガス管とを連通させてこの高圧ガス管内の高圧冷媒を低圧ガス管に導く冷媒回収運転を行う冷媒回収運転を、１台づつ遅延時間を設けて行なわせる冷媒回収手段を備えることにより、ユニット間配管から各室内ユニットへ分岐接続されている吐出枝管や吸込枝管を含め冷媒配管の冷媒回収が行え、確実な冷媒回収運転が行えるとともに、高圧ガス管と低圧ガス管との冷媒圧力の圧力バランスを最小限に抑えて前記冷媒回収運転を行えるため、冷媒回収運転を行っていない他の室内ユニットの空調性を崩さず、冷媒回収運転後の通常運転へも短時間で復帰できる冷媒回収手段とすることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】多室形空気調和装置の冷媒回路図である。
【図２】室外ユニット１の室外制御部１６へタイマａ、および、タイマｂを備えさせた図である。
【図３】室外制御部１６のタイマａ、および、タイマｂによる冷媒回収手段を示したフローチャートである。
【図４】室内ユニット２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃの室内制御部２２ａ、２２ｂ、２２ｃへタイマｆａ、ｆｂ、ｆｃ、および、タイマｈａ、ｈｂ、ｈｃを備えさせた図である。
【図５】室内制御部２２ａのタイマｆａ、および、タイマｈａによる冷媒回収手段を示したフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１室外ユニット
２ａ〜ｃ室内ユニット
４高圧ガス管
４ａ〜４ｃ吐出枝管
５低圧ガス管
５ａ〜５ｃ吸込枝管
６液管
７通信配線
１６室外制御部
２２ａ〜ｃ室内制御部
２３ａ〜ｃ室内吐出弁
２４ａ〜ｃ室内吸込弁
３０多室形空気調和装置[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected by inter-unit piping composed of a high-pressure gas pipe, a low-pressure gas pipe, and a liquid pipe, and each of the indoor units is free of cooling and heating, In addition, the present invention relates to a multi-room air conditioner that can perform air conditioning operation in a mixed manner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In conventional indoor units and multi-room air conditioners, one or a plurality of outdoor units including outdoor heat exchangers are arranged, and a plurality of indoor units including these outdoor units and an indoor heat exchanger are arranged. Between the two units are connected to each other in parallel, and the outdoor unit extends from the discharge side of the compressor housed in the outdoor unit. The refrigerant discharge pipe was branched, and one was connected to the high-pressure gas pipe, and the other was connected to one end of the outdoor heat exchanger via a switching valve. The refrigerant discharge pipe and a refrigerant suction pipe, which will be described later, are connected to one end side of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the switching valve selectively selects either the refrigerant discharge pipe or the refrigerant suction pipe. It was supposed to be selected. And the refrigerant | coolant suction pipe extended from the suction side of the said compressor is branched similarly to the said refrigerant | coolant discharge pipe, one is connected to the said low-pressure gas pipe, and the other is the said switching valve to the said one end side of an outdoor heat exchanger The other end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the liquid pipe via an outdoor expansion valve.
[0003]
Further, in each of the indoor units, one end side of the indoor heat exchanger is branched, one is connected to the high-pressure gas pipe via the discharge branch pipe via the indoor discharge valve, and the other is indoor suction. The valve is connected to the low-pressure gas pipe via a suction branch pipe, and the other end is connected to the liquid pipe via a liquid branch pipe via an indoor expansion valve. It was.
[0004]
When the indoor unit performs a cooling operation, the indoor unit side opens the indoor suction valve, closes the indoor discharge valve, controls the indoor expansion valve, and controls the low-pressure gas from the liquid pipe. When the refrigerant is circulated through the pipe into the indoor heat exchanger and the indoor unit performs a heating operation, the indoor discharge valve is opened, the indoor suction valve is closed, and the indoor expansion valve is controlled. Then, the refrigerant is circulated in the indoor heat exchanger from the high pressure gas pipe to the liquid pipe to perform an air conditioning operation.
[0005]
Further, on the outdoor unit side, when the indoor unit to be operated is only in the cooling operation, the outdoor unit is operated as a condenser, so that the indoor unit to be operated is only in the heating operation. The switching valve and the outdoor expansion valve are controlled so that the outdoor heat exchanger becomes an evaporator, one of the indoor units performs a cooling operation, and the other indoor units simultaneously perform a heating operation. In such a case, the outdoor heat exchanger is controlled to be a condenser or an evaporator according to the difference in capacity between the indoor unit that performs the cooling operation and the indoor unit that performs the heating operation, and is discharged from the compressor. The refrigerant was circulated to perform air conditioning operation.
[0006]
However, in such a multi-room air conditioner, when the indoor unit to be operated is only in the cooling operation, the high-pressure gas pipe is not used, and the indoor unit to be operated is only in the heating operation. However, the low-pressure gas pipe is not used, and there is a problem that the refrigerant stagnates in the unused high-pressure gas pipe or the low-pressure gas pipe.
[0007]
For this reason, in order to avoid that the refrigerant stagnates in the unused high-pressure gas pipe, a bypass pipe having a flow resistance between the discharge branch pipe of each indoor unit and the liquid branch pipe And reducing the refrigerant pressure in the liquid pipe by reducing the degree of opening of the outdoor expansion valve, and a refrigerant pressure reducing means for providing a difference in height between the high pressure gas pipe and the liquid pressure in the liquid pipe, The refrigerant stagnated in the unused high-pressure gas pipe was collected (see Patent Document 1).
[0008]
Further, in order to prevent the refrigerant from stagnating in the unused low-pressure gas pipe, the flow direction of the refrigerant is directed to the refrigerant suction pipe side between the refrigerant suction pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe. A check valve was provided to prevent the refrigerant from flowing into the low-pressure gas pipe from the refrigerant suction pipe (see Patent Document 2).
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-336858 (page 3-5, Fig. 1)
[0010]
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-336856 (Page 3-5, Fig. 1)
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in Patent Document 1, even if the bypass pipe and the refrigerant pressure depressurizing means in the liquid pipe are provided, if the operating capacity of the indoor unit being operated is small, or the system is operated with cooling and heating. The refrigerant that has fallen into the high-pressure gas pipe in a state where the pressure difference of the refrigerant pressure between the high-pressure gas pipe and the liquid pipe is originally small, such as when the operation capabilities of the indoor units are close to each other In this state, the throttle of the outdoor expansion valve reduces the circulation amount of the refrigerant, which may reduce the operating capacity of the indoor unit being operated. there were.
[0012]
Further, in Patent Document 2, by providing a check valve in the low pressure gas pipe, most of the refrigerant flowing into the low pressure gas pipe is suppressed. However, since the check valve also has a slow leak, the low pressure When the air-conditioning operation in a state where the gas pipe is not used continues for a long time, the refrigerant may enter the low-pressure gas pipe and fall into the low-pressure gas pipe, resulting in a state where the refrigerant is almost insufficient.
[0013]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-room air conditioner that enables reliable refrigerant recovery operation without destroying the air-conditioning performance of other indoor units that are not performing refrigerant recovery operation. .
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor unit including the indoor heat exchanger are connected by inter-unit piping, and one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is The refrigerant discharge pipe and the refrigerant suction pipe of the compressor are alternatively branched and connected, and the inter-unit piping is connected to the high-pressure gas pipe connected to the refrigerant discharge pipe and the refrigerant suction pipe A low-pressure gas pipe and a liquid pipe connected to the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger are configured, and one end of the indoor heat exchanger is discharged into the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe, respectively. A valve and an indoor suction valve, and the other end is connected to the liquid pipe via an indoor expansion valve, and a plurality of the indoor units can be simultaneously operated for cooling or heating, or Enables mixed operation with heating operation In the room type air conditioner, when the operation time of the outdoor unit has elapsed for a predetermined time during the cooling operation, the heating operation, and the operation in which the cooling operation and the heating operation are mixed, for each indoor unit Then, the indoor discharge valve and the indoor suction valve of the indoor unit are sequentially opened for a certain period of time, and the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe are communicated to guide the high-pressure refrigerant in the high-pressure gas pipe to the low-pressure gas pipe. A refrigerant recovery means for performing a refrigerant recovery operation is provided, and this refrigerant recovery means provides a delay time from the refrigerant recovery operation of the indoor unit that has finished the refrigerant recovery operation previously, and causes the next indoor unit to perform the refrigerant recovery operation. A multi-room air conditioner characterized by being made.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 2 is that an outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger are connected by inter-unit piping, and one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is The refrigerant discharge pipe and the refrigerant suction pipe of the compressor are alternatively branched and connected, and the inter-unit pipe is connected to the refrigerant discharge pipe, and the low pressure is connected to the refrigerant suction pipe. A gas pipe and a liquid pipe connected to the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger, and one end of the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe, respectively. And the other end is connected to the liquid pipe via an indoor expansion valve, and a plurality of the indoor units can be simultaneously cooled or heated, or the cooling operation and the heating are performed. Many that can be operated in combination with operation In the air conditioner, in the cooling operation, the heating operation, and the operation in which the cooling operation and the heating operation are mixed, when the operation time of the outdoor unit has elapsed for a predetermined time, for each indoor unit, Sequentially, the indoor discharge valve and the indoor suction valve of the indoor unit are opened for a certain period of time, and the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe are communicated with each other to introduce the high-pressure refrigerant in the high-pressure gas pipe to the low-pressure gas pipe A refrigerant recovery means for performing a recovery operation, wherein the refrigerant recovery means includes a timer in the outdoor unit, and when the timer has passed the predetermined time, the refrigerant recovery operation is started from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit sequentially. And an instruction to end the operation.
[0017]
In the invention according to claim 3, an outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger are connected by inter-unit piping, and one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is The refrigerant discharge pipe and the refrigerant suction pipe of the compressor are alternatively branched and connected, and the inter-unit pipe is connected to the refrigerant discharge pipe, and the low pressure is connected to the refrigerant suction pipe. A gas pipe and a liquid pipe connected to the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger, and one end of the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe, respectively. And the other end is connected to the liquid pipe via an indoor expansion valve, and a plurality of the indoor units can be simultaneously cooled or heated, or the cooling operation and the heating are performed. Many that can be operated in combination with operation In the air conditioner, in the cooling operation, the heating operation, and the operation in which the cooling operation and the heating operation are mixed, when the operation time of the outdoor unit has elapsed for a predetermined time, for each indoor unit, Sequentially, the indoor discharge valve and the indoor suction valve of the indoor unit are opened for a certain period of time, and the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe are communicated with each other to introduce the high-pressure refrigerant in the high-pressure gas pipe to the low-pressure gas pipe A refrigerant recovery means for performing a recovery operation, wherein the refrigerant recovery means includes a timer for each of the indoor units, and when the timer has passed the predetermined time, the refrigerant recovery operation of the indoor unit is performed. It is a characteristic.
[0018]
In the invention according to claim 4, an outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger are connected by inter-unit piping, and one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is The refrigerant discharge pipe and the refrigerant suction pipe of the compressor are alternatively branched and connected, and the inter-unit pipe is connected to the refrigerant discharge pipe, and the low pressure is connected to the refrigerant suction pipe. A gas pipe and a liquid pipe connected to the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger, and one end of the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe, respectively. And the other end is connected to the liquid pipe via an indoor expansion valve, and a plurality of the indoor units can be simultaneously cooled or heated, or the cooling operation and the heating are performed. Many that can be operated in combination with operation In the air conditioner, in the cooling operation, the heating operation, and the operation in which the cooling operation and the heating operation are mixed, when the operation time of the outdoor unit has elapsed for a predetermined time, for each indoor unit, Sequentially, the indoor discharge valve and the indoor suction valve of the indoor unit are opened for a certain period of time, and the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe are communicated with each other to introduce the high-pressure refrigerant in the high-pressure gas pipe to the low-pressure gas pipe A refrigerant recovery means for performing a recovery operation is provided, and when the indoor unit starts the refrigerant recovery operation, the refrigerant recovery operation is performed after confirming that no other indoor unit is performing the refrigerant recovery operation. It is characterized by.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a multi-chamber air conditioner according to the present invention. The multi-room air conditioner 30 communicates, for example, an outdoor unit 1 and a plurality of indoor units 2a to 2c with an inter-unit pipe 3 including a high-pressure gas pipe 4, a low-pressure gas pipe 5, and a liquid pipe 6. It is configured to be connected to the wiring 7.
[0021]
The outdoor unit 1 is provided with an internal combustion engine 10 such as a gas engine. The compressor 11 driven by the driving force of the internal combustion engine 10 and the outdoor in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 exchanges heat with the outside air. A heat exchanger 12, an outdoor expansion valve 13 for depressurizing the refrigerant, a heat recovery unit 14 for recovering heat from cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine 10 to the refrigerant, and the suctioned by the compressor 11 An accumulator 15 that performs gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant is connected to the refrigerant pipe. Further, an outdoor control unit 16 that performs control of the outdoor unit 1 and communication with indoor control units 22a to 22c provided in indoor units 2a to 2c, which will be described later, is connected to the communication wiring 7 and provided.
[0022]
From the discharge side of the compressor 11, an outdoor discharge pipe 19 a extends and branches, and one side passes through a check valve 17 a provided in a direction in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows out from the outdoor unit 1. The other end is connected to one end of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 via a switching valve 18a. Further, an outdoor suction pipe 19c extends from the suction side of the compressor 11 via an accumulator 15, and this outdoor suction pipe 19c branches as an outdoor suction pipe 19b via a heat recovery unit 14, while Is connected to the low-pressure gas pipe 5 via a check valve 17b provided in a direction in which the refrigerant returned through circulation in the indoor units 2a to c flows into the outdoor unit 1, and the other is switched It is connected to the said one end of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 through the valve 18b. The one end of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is branched and connected to the switching valves 18 a and 18 b, and the other end is connected to the liquid pipe 6 via the outdoor expansion valve 13. These switching valves 18a and 18b are alternatively selected and only one of them is opened.
[0023]
The indoor unit 2a is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 20a and an indoor expansion valve 21a connected by a refrigerant pipe. One end of the indoor heat exchanger 20a is branched, and one of the indoor unit 2a includes an indoor discharge valve 23a, The other end is connected to the low-pressure gas pipe 5 via the indoor suction valve 24a and the suction branch pipe 5a. The other end of the indoor heat exchanger 20a is connected to the liquid pipe 6 via the indoor expansion valve 21a and the liquid branch pipe 6a. Further, an indoor control unit 22 a for controlling the indoor unit 2 a and communicating with the outdoor control unit 16 provided in the outdoor unit 1 is connected to the communication wiring 7.
[0024]
Since the indoor unit 2b and the indoor unit 2c are the same as the indoor unit 2a, description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0025]
And these outdoor units 1 and indoor unit 2a-2c are connected by the piping 3 between units, and the multi-room air conditioner 30 carries out cooling operation or heating operation of indoor unit 2a, 2b, 2c simultaneously. Or can be operated by mixing these cooling operation and heating operation.
[0026]
Next, the driving operation will be described.
[0027]
First, when all the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c are simultaneously cooled, an instruction to start the cooling operation is transmitted from each of the indoor control units 22a to 22c to the outdoor control unit 16 through the communication wiring 7. 1, one switching valve 18 a of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is opened by the outdoor control unit 16, and the other switching valve 18 b is closed so that the outdoor expansion valve 13 is throttled. And the operation of the compressor 11 is started. At the same time, in the indoor units 2a to 2c, the indoor discharge valves 23a, 23b, and 23c are closed by the indoor controllers 22a, 22b, and 22c, and the indoor suction valves 24a, 24b, and 24c are opened, and the indoor expansion valves 21a, 21b, 21c is a fully opened opening degree. Thereby, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 sequentially flows to the outdoor discharge pipe 19a, the switching valve 18a, and the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and after being condensed and liquefied by the outdoor heat exchanger 12, the outdoor expansion valve 13 and Are distributed to the liquid branch pipes 6a, 6b, 6c via the liquid pipe 6, and flow through the indoor expansion valves 21a, 21b, 21c to the indoor heat exchangers 20a, 20b of the chamber units 2a, 2b, 2c, Flows into 2c.
[0028]
Thereafter, the refrigerant evaporates and vaporizes in the indoor heat exchangers 20a, 20b, and 20c, and then sequentially passes through the indoor suction valves 24a, 24b, and 24c, and the suction branch pipes 5a, 5b, and 5c, respectively. 5, and is sucked into the compressor 11 through the check valve 17 b, the outdoor suction pipe 19 b, the heat recovery device 14, the outdoor suction pipe 19 c, and the accumulator 15. In this way, all the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c are simultaneously cooled by the indoor heat exchangers 20a, 20b, 20c acting as evaporators.
[0029]
Next, when all the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c are heated simultaneously, an instruction to start the heating operation is transmitted from the indoor control units 22a, 22b, and 22c to the outdoor control unit 16 through the communication wiring 7. In the outdoor unit 1, one switching valve 18 a of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is closed by the outdoor control unit 16, the other switching valve 18 b is opened, and the outdoor expansion valve 13 is fully opened to open the internal combustion engine 10. And the operation of the compressor 11 is started. At the same time, in the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c, the indoor discharge valves 23a, 23b, and 23c are opened by the indoor controllers 22a, 22b, and 22c, the indoor suction valves 24a, 24b, and 24c are closed, and the indoor expansion valves 21a, 21b, 21c is the throttle opening. Thus, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 is sequentially distributed to the discharge branch pipes 4a, 4b, 4c through the outdoor discharge pipe 19a, the check valve 17a, and the high-pressure gas pipe 4, and the indoor discharge valves 23a, 23b. , 23c to the indoor heat exchangers 20a, 20b, 20c, where they are condensed and liquefied, and then decompressed by the indoor expansion valves 21a, 21b, 21c, and the liquid branch pipes 6a, 6b, 6c It joins with the liquid pipe 6 via.
[0030]
Thereafter, the refrigerant flows through the liquid pipe 6, flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 12 via the outdoor expansion valve 13, and evaporates and evaporates in the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and then the switching valve 18b, the outdoor suction. The air is sucked into the compressor 11 through the pipe 19b, the heat recovery device 14, the outdoor suction pipe 19c, and the accumulator 15. Thus, in each indoor heat exchanger 20a, 20b, 20c acting as a condenser, all the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c are simultaneously heated.
[0031]
At the same time, for example, when the indoor units 2a and 2c perform the cooling operation and the indoor unit 2b performs the heating operation, the indoor control units 22a and 22c receive an instruction for starting the operation in the indoor control. From the unit 22b, an instruction to start operation in heating is transmitted to the outdoor control unit 16 through the communication wiring 7, and in the outdoor unit 1, one switching valve 18a of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is opened by the outdoor control unit 16. At the same time, the other switching valve 18b is closed and the outdoor expansion valve 13 is slightly throttled, and the operation of the internal combustion engine 10 and the compressor 11 is started. In the indoor units 2a and 2c that perform the cooling operation, the indoor control valves 22a and 22c close the indoor discharge valves 23a and 23c, open the indoor suction valves 24a and 24c, and fully open the indoor expansion valves 21a and 21c. In the indoor unit 2b that has the opening degree and performs the heating operation, the indoor discharge valve 23b is opened by the indoor control unit 22b, and the indoor suction valve 24b is closed and the indoor expansion valve 21b is closed. . Then, most of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 sequentially flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 12 through the outdoor discharge pipe 19a and the switching valve 18a to be condensed and liquefied, and the remaining part of the refrigerant is non-returned. Through the valve 17a, the high-pressure gas pipe 4, and the discharge branch pipe 4b, the air flows into the indoor discharge valve 23b and the indoor heat exchanger 20b of the indoor unit 2b to be heated, and is condensed and liquefied by the indoor heat exchanger 20b. Then, it flows into the liquid pipe 6 via the indoor expansion valve 21b and the liquid branch pipe 6b, and merges with the refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the outdoor heat exchanger 12 in the liquid pipe 6 to the liquid branch pipes 6a and 6c. And are evaporated through the indoor heat exchangers 20a and 20c after passing through the indoor expansion valves 21a and 21c of the indoor units 2a and 2c.
[0032]
After that, the refrigerant flows into the low-pressure gas pipe 5 through the indoor suction valves 24a and 24c and the suction branch pipes 5a and 5c, respectively, and merges, and the check valve 17b, the outdoor suction pipe 19b, and the heat recovery device 14 are combined. The air is sucked into the compressor 11 through the outdoor suction pipe 19c and the accumulator 15 in this order. In this way, the indoor unit 2b is heated by the indoor heat exchanger 20b that acts as a condenser, and the indoor units 2a and 2c are each cooled by the indoor heat exchangers 20a and 20c that act as evaporators.
[0033]
Similarly, when the indoor unit 2b performs the cooling operation and the indoor units 2a and 2c perform the heating operation, the indoor control unit 22b gives an instruction to start the cooling operation, and the indoor control units 22a and 22c In the outdoor unit 1, one switching valve 18 a of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is closed by the outdoor control unit 16 and the other switching valve 18 b is transmitted to the outdoor control unit 16. Is opened, the opening of the outdoor expansion valve 13 is opened, and the operation of the internal combustion engine 10 and the compressor 11 is started. In the indoor units 2a and 2c that perform the heating operation, the indoor suction valves 24a and 24c are closed by the indoor controllers 22a and 22c, the indoor discharge valves 23a and 23c are opened, and the indoor expansion valves 21a and 21c are throttled. In the indoor unit 2b having the opening degree and performing the cooling operation, the indoor suction valve 24b is opened by the indoor control unit 22b, the indoor discharge valve 23b is closed, and the indoor expansion valve 21b is fully opened. . Then, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 is sequentially distributed to the discharge branch pipes 4a and 4c through the outdoor discharge pipe 19a, the check valve 17a, and the high-pressure gas pipe 4, and then passes through the indoor discharge valves 23a and 23c. These are condensed and liquefied by the respective indoor heat exchangers 20a and 20c.
[0034]
Thereafter, the refrigerant is decompressed by the throttled indoor expansion valves 21a and 21c, and flows into the liquid pipe 6 through the liquid branch pipes 6a and 6c. A part of the refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 20b via the liquid branch pipe 6b and the indoor expansion valve 21b, and is evaporated and vaporized in the indoor heat exchanger 20b, thereby the indoor suction valve 24b and the suction branch pipe. 5b flows into the outdoor suction pipe 19b via the check valve 17b. The remaining refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 12 via the outdoor expansion valve 13, and is evaporated and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 12 via the switching valve 18b to the outdoor suction pipe 19b. The refrigerant flows in and merges with the refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 20b, and is sucked into the compressor 11 through the heat recovery unit 14, the outdoor suction valve 19c, and the accumulator 15 in this order.
[0035]
In this way, the indoor units 2a and 2c are heated by the indoor heat exchangers 20a and 20c acting as condensers, and the indoor unit 2b is cooled by the indoor heat exchanger 20b acting as an evaporator.
[0036]
As described above, for example, when the cooling load of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c to be cooled is larger than the heating load of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c to be heated, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is used as a condenser. When the cooling load of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c to be cooled is smaller than the heating load of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c to be heated, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is caused to act as an evaporator so that any indoor unit 2a 2b and 2c can be freely cooled and heated.
[0037]
By the way, in the multi-room air conditioner 30 according to the present invention, the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c are connected to the indoor discharge valves 23a, 23b, 23c, when the operation time of the outdoor unit 1 has passed a predetermined time. And the refrigerant recovery operation in which the indoor suction valves 24a, 24b, and 24c are opened for a certain period of time, and the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe are communicated to lead the high-pressure refrigerant in the high-pressure gas pipe to the low-pressure gas pipe. It is that the refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery means performed sequentially for every indoor unit 2a, 2b, 2c is provided. Then, the refrigerant recovery means is provided with a delay time between the refrigerant recovery operation of the indoor unit that has finished the refrigerant recovery operation and the indoor unit that performs the refrigerant recovery operation next. .
[0038]
First, as a first embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outdoor control unit 16 provided in the outdoor unit 1 is provided with a timer a and a timer b.
[0039]
In this first embodiment, the indoor units 2a, 2b and 2c are connected to the outdoor unit 1. The addresses of these indoor units are, for example, the indoor unit 2a as the first unit, the indoor unit 2b as the second unit, and the indoor unit. 2c is the third machine.
[0040]
The timer a and the timer b count the time by starting, hold the time counted by stopping, and clear the time by resetting, and will be described below. Note that the timer a counts the accumulated operation time of the outdoor unit as a predetermined time a1, and the timer b counts the refrigerant recovery operation for a certain time b1 to be performed in any of the indoor units and the refrigerant to the next indoor unit. The delay time b3 until the start of the collection operation is instructed is continuously counted, and the time obtained by adding the fixed time b1 and the delay time b3 is set as the fixed time b2.
[0041]
First, it is confirmed whether or not the outdoor unit 1 is in operation (S1). If the outdoor unit 1 is stopped, the timer a is stopped (S2) and the process returns to step 1 to return to the outdoor unit 1 If is running, the timer a starts counting (S3).
[0042]
Next, it is confirmed whether or not the count of the timer a has reached the predetermined time a1 (S4). If the predetermined time a1 has not been reached, the process returns to step 1, and if the predetermined time a1 has been reached, The state of the flag d is confirmed (S5). This flag d is a delay time until the outdoor unit 1 gives an instruction for the refrigerant recovery operation to any of the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c, or until the next indoor unit is instructed for the refrigerant recovery operation. It is a flag indicating whether or not.
[0043]
If the flag d has been reset (0), the flag d is set (1) (S6), the flag e is set (S7), and the indoor unit connected to the multi-room air conditioner 30 Is set in the memory c provided in the outdoor control unit 16 (S8), the timer b starts counting (S9), and the operation of the refrigerant recovery operation is started. Is transmitted to the indoor unit of the address set in (S10), the process returns to step 1 and is repeated.
[0044]
If the flag d is set in the above step 5, it is confirmed whether or not the count of the timer b has passed the fixed time b1 (S11), and if not, the process returns to step 1 and has passed. If the flag e is reset, the process proceeds to step 15. If the flag e is reset, the process proceeds to step 15. If the flag e is set, the indoor unit of the address set in the memory c is checked. The end of the refrigerant recovery operation is transmitted (S13), and the flag e is reset (S14).
[0045]
Then, it is confirmed whether or not the count of the timer b has passed a certain time b2 obtained by adding a certain time b1 for performing the refrigerant recovery operation and a delay time b3 for starting the refrigerant recovery operation for the next indoor unit. If it has not elapsed, the process returns to step 1. If it has elapsed, the address of the indoor unit set in the memory c is incremented by one (for example, from the first unit to the second unit) (S16). .
[0046]
Next, it is determined whether the address of the indoor unit set in the memory c exceeds the maximum address (for example, No. 3 unit) of the indoor unit connected to the multi-room air conditioner 30. (S17) If the address set in the memory c does not exceed the maximum address, the count of the timer b is reset and restarted (S18), and the process returns to step 1 through step 10.
[0047]
Here, the reason why it is determined in step 17 whether the address set in the memory c exceeds the address of the indoor unit connected to the multi-room air conditioner 30 is the first reason. In the embodiment, for example, the refrigerant recovery operation is performed in ascending order of the addresses of the indoor units. Therefore, the addresses of the indoor units set in the memory c are the rooms connected to the multi-room air conditioner 30. This is because it can be determined whether or not the refrigerant recovery operation of all the indoor units has been completed by determining whether or not the maximum address of the unit has been exceeded.
[0048]
In step 17, if the address set in the memory c is an address exceeding the maximum address of the indoor unit connected to the multi-room air conditioner 30 (for example, No. 4 machine), the timer b is reset (S19), then the timer a is reset (S20), the flag d is reset (S21), and the process returns to Step 1.
[0049]
According to the sequence shown in this flowchart, first, when the accumulated operation time of the outdoor unit 1 counted by the timer a reaches a predetermined time a1, the flag d and the flag e are set, and the minimum address is stored in the memory c. The first unit of the indoor unit 2a is set, and the start of the refrigerant recovery operation is transmitted from the outdoor control unit 16 to the indoor control unit 2a. Receiving this, the indoor control unit 22a opens the indoor discharge valve 23a and the indoor suction valve 24a to perform the refrigerant recovery operation of the indoor unit 2a. When the predetermined time b1 of the refrigerant recovery operation is counted by the timer b by the timer b, the end of the refrigerant recovery operation is transmitted from the outdoor control unit 16 to the indoor control unit 22a, and the indoor control unit 22a The discharge valve 23a, the indoor suction valve 24a, and the indoor expansion valve 21a are returned to the state before starting the refrigerant recovery operation, and the indoor unit 2a returns to the normal air conditioning operation.
[0050]
Then, the timer b continues to count the fixed time b2 that is the sum of the fixed time b1 of the refrigerant recovery operation and the delay time b3 until the start of the operation of the refrigerant recovery operation is transmitted to the next indoor unit. When the count of b reaches the predetermined time b2, the address of the indoor unit set in the memory c is changed to the next indoor unit, and this time, the refrigerant is transferred from the outdoor control unit 16 to the indoor control unit 22b which is the second unit. The start of the recovery operation is transmitted, and the indoor unit 2b performs the refrigerant recovery operation. In this way, the delay time b3 is provided sequentially from the outdoor control unit 16 to the indoor control units 22a, 22b, and 22c, the operation start and the operation end of the refrigerant recovery operation are transmitted, and the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c are transmitted. The discharge branch pipes 4a, 4b branched to the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c as well as the high pressure gas pipe 4 and the low pressure gas pipe 5 by sequentially performing the refrigerant recovery operation for a predetermined time b1. 4c and the refrigerant that has fallen into the suction branch pipes 5a, 5b, and 5c can be collected, and the refrigerant can be reliably collected. Further, the refrigerant recovery operation performed in the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c is provided with a delay time b3 and sequentially performed one by one so that the refrigerant pressure in the high pressure gas pipe 4 and the refrigerant in the low pressure gas pipe 5 are Since the pressure balance with the pressure is kept to a minimum, the air conditioning of other indoor units that are not performing the refrigerant recovery operation can be carried out without damaging the air, and the generation of refrigerant noise during the refrigerant recovery operation can be suppressed. The return to the air-conditioning operation after the operation can be performed in a short time.
[0051]
In the above flowchart, first, the minimum address of the indoor unit is set in the memory c and counted to the maximum address. However, the present invention is not limited to this. First, the maximum address of the indoor unit is set in the memory c. It is also possible to count to the minimum address.
[0052]
Further, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, timers fa, fb, fc and timers ha, hb for counting to the indoor control units 22a, 22b, 22c of the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c, respectively. , Hc, and flags ia, ib, and ic, the second embodiment may be used.
[0053]
In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the timers fa, fb, fc timers ha, hb, hc count the time by starting and hold the time counted by stopping. The following description will be made assuming that the time is cleared by resetting. The timers fa, fb, and fc count the accumulated operation time of the outdoor unit 1 by communication or the like as the predetermined time a1, and the timer ha performs a fixed time b1 during which the refrigerant recovery operation is performed, and then the refrigerant recovery operation. The delay time b3 for delaying the indoor unit to be performed is continuously counted, and the time obtained by adding the certain time b1 and the delay time b3 is defined as the certain time b2.
[0054]
Moreover, in this 2nd Embodiment, although only the indoor unit 2a of the multi-room air conditioner 30 is shown, it becomes the same flowchart also about the indoor units 2b and 2c.
[0055]
First, it is determined by communication or the like whether the outdoor unit 1 is in operation (S31). If it is not in operation, the timer fa is stopped (S32), and the process returns to step 31 to return to operation. If there is, the timer fa starts counting (S33). Thereby, the accumulated operation time of the outdoor unit 1 can be counted.
[0056]
Next, it is confirmed whether or not the count of the timer fa has reached the predetermined time a1 (S34). If the predetermined time a1 has not been reached, the process returns to step 31, and if the predetermined time a1 has been reached, Whether or not the other indoor units 2b and 2c are in the refrigerant recovery operation or the delay time is confirmed through the communication wiring 7 with the flags ib and ic (S35), and the flag ib of the indoor units 2b and 2c is checked. If any one of 1c is set, the process returns to step 31, and if both the flags ib and ic are reset, the state of the flag ia is confirmed (S36).
[0057]
If the flag ia is reset, the flag ga is set (S37), the flag ia is set (S38), the timer ha is started (S39), the indoor discharge valve 23a, the indoor intake valve 24a, Are simultaneously opened (S40), the process returns to step 31, and this is repeated.
[0058]
If the flag ia is set in the step 36, it is checked whether or not the count of the timer ha has passed the predetermined time b1 (S41), and if not, the process returns to the step 31 and has passed. If it is, it is confirmed whether or not the flag ga is set (S42). If the flag ga is reset, the process proceeds to step 45. If it is set, the indoor discharge valve 23a and the indoor suction valve 24a are turned on. The state before the start of the refrigerant recovery operation is returned (S43), and the flag ga is reset (S44).
[0059]
Then, it is confirmed whether or not the count of the timer ha has passed the predetermined time b2 (S45). If not, the process returns to step 31, and if it has elapsed, the timer ha is reset (S46), The timer fa is reset (S47), the flag ia is reset (S48), and the process returns to step 31.
[0060]
According to the sequence shown in this flowchart, first, when the accumulated operation time of the outdoor unit 1 reaches the predetermined time a1, it is confirmed that the flags ib and ic of the other indoor units 2b and 2c are reset, The unit 2a opens the indoor discharge valve 23a and the indoor suction valve 24a to start the refrigerant recovery operation, and sets the flag ga and the flag ia. Then, the indoor units 2b and 2c which are going to perform the refrigerant recovery operation later confirm with the flag ia that the indoor unit 2a is in the refrigerant recovery operation or in the delay time, and the flag of the indoor unit 2a It will wait for ia to be reset. For this reason, a plurality of indoor units do not perform the refrigerant recovery operation at the same time.
[0061]
And also in this refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery means, since all the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c perform refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery operation | movement, it slept in the discharge branch pipe and the suction branch pipe of each indoor unit like the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment. Even the refrigerant can be recovered, and reliable refrigerant recovery can be performed. Further, each of the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c performs a refrigerant recovery operation of the next indoor unit by delaying the delay time b3 from the refrigerant recovery operation of the indoor unit that has finished the refrigerant recovery operation first, and Since the pressure balance between the refrigerant pressure in the gas pipe 4 and the refrigerant pressure in the low-pressure gas pipe 5 is minimized, the air conditioning performance of other indoor units not performing this refrigerant recovery operation is not impaired. In addition, the generation of refrigerant noise during the refrigerant recovery operation can be suppressed, and the return to the air conditioning operation after the refrigerant recovery operation can be performed in a short time.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, timers fa, fb, and fc are provided for the outdoor control unit 16 of the outdoor unit 1 and the timers a and the indoor control units 22a, 22b, and 22c of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c, respectively. Although it has been described that the accumulated operation time is counted, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the elapsed time after the power is turned on may be counted.
[0063]
In addition, when one of the indoor units starts the refrigerant recovery operation, it has been described that the other indoor units are confirmed by the flags ia, ib, ic whether or not the other indoor unit is in the refrigerant recovery operation or the delay time. However, in particular, the flags ia, ib, and ic may not be used, and the times counted by the timers ha, hb, and hc may be confirmed.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
From the above description, either the outdoor control unit of the outdoor unit or the indoor control unit of the indoor unit is provided with a timer, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, the indoor discharge valve and the indoor suction valve of the indoor unit are kept constant. Refrigerant recovery for performing a refrigerant recovery operation in which a high pressure gas pipe and a low pressure gas pipe are communicated with each other and the high pressure refrigerant in the high pressure gas pipe is connected to the low pressure gas pipe for a delay time. By providing the means, it is possible to recover the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe including the discharge branch pipe and the suction branch pipe branchingly connected from the inter-unit pipe to each indoor unit, and to perform a reliable refrigerant recovery operation, as well as the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure pipe. Since the refrigerant recovery operation can be performed while minimizing the pressure balance of the refrigerant pressure with the gas pipe, the air conditioning performance of other indoor units not performing the refrigerant recovery operation is not deteriorated Recovery also to normal operation after the operation can be a refrigerant recovering means which can return in a short time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a multi-chamber air conditioner.
FIG. 2 is a diagram in which the outdoor control unit 16 of the outdoor unit 1 is provided with a timer a and a timer b.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a refrigerant recovery means using timer a and timer b of the outdoor control unit 16;
FIG. 4 is a diagram in which timers fa, fb, fc and timers ha, hb, hc are provided in the indoor control units 22a, 22b, 22c of the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a timer fa of the indoor control unit 22a and a refrigerant recovery means by the timer ha.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 outdoor unit
2a-c Indoor unit
4 High-pressure gas pipe
4a-4c Discharge branch
5 Low pressure gas pipe
5a-5c Suction branch pipe
6 Liquid pipe
7 Communication wiring
16 Outdoor control unit
22a-c Indoor control unit
23a-c Indoor discharge valve
24a-c Indoor suction valve
30 Multi-room air conditioner

Claims

An outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger are connected by inter-unit piping, and one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to a refrigerant discharge pipe of the compressor. A refrigerant suction pipe is alternatively branched and connected, and the inter-unit pipe is connected to the refrigerant discharge pipe, a high-pressure gas pipe connected to the refrigerant suction pipe, a low-pressure gas pipe connected to the refrigerant suction pipe, and the outdoor heat exchange A liquid pipe connected to the other end of the chamber, and one end of the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe via an indoor discharge valve and an indoor suction valve, respectively. The other end is connected to the liquid pipe via an indoor expansion valve, and a plurality of the indoor units can be simultaneously operated for cooling or heating, or a mixture of cooling and heating operations can be performed. In a multi-room air conditioner In the cooling operation, the heating operation, and the operation in which the cooling operation and the heating operation are mixed, when the outdoor unit has been operated for a predetermined time, the indoor unit is sequentially The refrigerant that performs the refrigerant recovery operation that opens the indoor discharge valve and the indoor suction valve for a certain period of time and connects the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe to lead the high-pressure refrigerant in the high-pressure gas pipe to the low-pressure gas pipe. The refrigerant recovery means is provided with a delay time from the refrigerant recovery operation of the indoor unit that has finished the refrigerant recovery operation earlier, and causes the next indoor unit to perform the refrigerant recovery operation. Multi-room air conditioner.

An outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger are connected by inter-unit piping, and one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to a refrigerant discharge pipe of the compressor. A refrigerant suction pipe is alternatively branched and connected, and the inter-unit pipe is connected to the refrigerant discharge pipe, a high-pressure gas pipe connected to the refrigerant suction pipe, a low-pressure gas pipe connected to the refrigerant suction pipe, and the outdoor heat exchange A liquid pipe connected to the other end of the chamber, and one end of the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe via an indoor discharge valve and an indoor suction valve, respectively. The other end is connected to the liquid pipe via an indoor expansion valve, and a plurality of the indoor units can be simultaneously operated for cooling or heating, or a mixture of cooling and heating operations can be performed. In a multi-room air conditioner In the cooling operation, the heating operation, and the operation in which the cooling operation and the heating operation are mixed, when the outdoor unit has been operated for a predetermined time, the indoor unit is sequentially The refrigerant that performs the refrigerant recovery operation that opens the indoor discharge valve and the indoor suction valve for a certain period of time and connects the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe to lead the high-pressure refrigerant in the high-pressure gas pipe to the low-pressure gas pipe. The refrigerant recovery means includes a timer in the outdoor unit, and when the timer has passed the predetermined time, instructions to start and end the refrigerant recovery operation from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit sequentially. A multi-room air conditioner characterized in that

An outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger are connected by inter-unit piping, and one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to a refrigerant discharge pipe of the compressor. A refrigerant suction pipe is alternatively branched and connected, and the inter-unit pipe is connected to the refrigerant discharge pipe, a high-pressure gas pipe connected to the refrigerant suction pipe, a low-pressure gas pipe connected to the refrigerant suction pipe, and the outdoor heat exchange A liquid pipe connected to the other end of the chamber, and one end of the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe via an indoor discharge valve and an indoor suction valve, respectively. The other end is connected to the liquid pipe via an indoor expansion valve, and a plurality of the indoor units can be simultaneously operated for cooling or heating, or a mixture of cooling and heating operations can be performed. In a multi-room air conditioner In the cooling operation, the heating operation, and the operation in which the cooling operation and the heating operation are mixed, when the outdoor unit has been operated for a predetermined time, the indoor unit is sequentially The refrigerant that performs the refrigerant recovery operation that opens the indoor discharge valve and the indoor suction valve for a certain period of time and connects the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe to lead the high-pressure refrigerant in the high-pressure gas pipe to the low-pressure gas pipe. A multi-chamber type comprising: a recovery means, wherein the refrigerant recovery means includes a timer for each of the indoor units, and when the timer has passed the predetermined time, the refrigerant recovery operation of the indoor unit is performed. Air conditioner.

An outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger are connected by inter-unit piping, and one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to a refrigerant discharge pipe of the compressor. A refrigerant suction pipe is alternatively branched and connected, and the inter-unit pipe is connected to the refrigerant discharge pipe, a high-pressure gas pipe connected to the refrigerant suction pipe, a low-pressure gas pipe connected to the refrigerant suction pipe, and the outdoor heat exchange A liquid pipe connected to the other end of the chamber, and one end of the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe via an indoor discharge valve and an indoor suction valve, respectively. The other end is connected to the liquid pipe via an indoor expansion valve, and a plurality of the indoor units can be simultaneously operated for cooling or heating, or a mixture of cooling and heating operations can be performed. In a multi-room air conditioner In the cooling operation, the heating operation, and the operation in which the cooling operation and the heating operation are mixed, when the outdoor unit has been operated for a predetermined time, the indoor unit is sequentially The refrigerant that performs the refrigerant recovery operation that opens the indoor discharge valve and the indoor suction valve for a certain period of time and connects the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pipe to lead the high-pressure refrigerant in the high-pressure gas pipe to the low-pressure gas pipe. It is provided with recovery means, and when the indoor unit starts the refrigerant recovery operation, the refrigerant recovery operation is performed after confirming that no other indoor unit is performing the refrigerant recovery operation. Room type air conditioner.