JP4500331B2 - Air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are combined with a single outdoor unit, and a control method therefor.

  Conventionally, in the case of a multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit, the operating state of each indoor unit and the load state of each room are different, so that the refrigerant flowing to each indoor unit It is necessary to finely adjust the decompression device in each indoor unit so as not to cause an imbalance in the amount of (heat medium). However, the mixture of indoor units (packaged air conditioners) that have a decompression device in the machine and indoor units (room air conditioners) that do not have a decompression device in the machine can adjust the amount of refrigerant because the indoor unit of the room air conditioner has no decompression device. It was impossible to realize at all.

  In Patent Document 1, among a plurality of indoor units connected to one outdoor unit, a pressure reducing valve and a heat exchanger are built in one, only the heat exchanger is built in the other, and the other indoor unit is incorporated in the other indoor unit. A multi-type air conditioner in which a pressure reducing valve is provided in a refrigerant pipe to be connected is described. In this apparatus, the other indoor unit does not have a pressure reducing valve. However, since the pressure reducing valve connected to the refrigerant pipe adjusts the amount of the refrigerant as a substitute for this, a different type of indoor unit such as a packaged air conditioner and a room air conditioner is used. Mixing is possible.

Japanese Patent No. 2925694

  In Patent Document 1, different types of indoor units can be mixed. However, the number of indoor units connected is assumed to be the total capacity of all indoor units, assuming that all indoor units are operated simultaneously. It is restricted so as not to exceed the capacity of the outdoor unit.

  In other words, even if there is no opportunity for all the indoor units to be operated at the same time, in the unlikely event that they are operated on site, the heat exchange capacity of the indoor unit becomes excessive with respect to the heat exchange capacity of the outdoor unit. This is because the cycle balance is not achieved, and the cooling / heating cycle state is insufficient with the refrigerant amount insufficient. In this refrigeration cycle or heating cycle (cooling / heating cycle) with insufficient refrigerant amount, insulation deterioration due to insufficient cooling of the compressor motor, refrigeration oil and refrigerant deterioration due to increased discharge gas temperature, air conditioning capacity decline due to decrease in refrigerant circulation amount, etc. Adversely affect. For this reason, if an appropriate amount of refrigerant is additionally sealed, the cooling / heating cycle state where the amount of refrigerant is insufficient will be eliminated, but the amount of refrigerant will be excessive with respect to the capacity of the compressor and the capacity of the refrigerant receiver tank and auxiliary equipment. The liquid refrigerant that could not completely evaporate in the cooler was in a liquid back operation where it returned to the compressor, causing problems such as a decrease in the viscosity of the refrigeration oil, bearing wear due to poor lubrication of the compressor, and a decrease in reliability such as compressor failure.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can be connected more than a specified number of indoor units connected to one outdoor unit or the total capacity of the indoor units exceeds the capacity of the outdoor unit, thereby improving the degree of freedom of installation. An apparatus and a control method thereof are provided.

The present invention provides an air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a refrigerant pipe, and an expansion valve provided on one of the plurality of refrigerant pipes connecting the arbitrary indoor unit and the outdoor unit; , e Bei-off valve provided on the other, and a control unit for transmitting information of the indoor unit, and a controller for transmitting information of the outdoor unit, the control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, the control The unit determines whether there is an indoor unit for which an operation command is not issued based on information from the controller of the indoor unit based on information from the controller. It is determined whether or not the total capacity of the unit is greater than or equal to the capacity of the outdoor unit. Closes the provided valve a predetermined time operated in the open state of the valve provided in the other pipe, and characterized in that the refrigerant in the indoor unit through a valve of the open recovered to the outdoor unit side To do.

In the air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a refrigerant pipe, the plurality of indoor units exchange heat with the first indoor unit having an expansion valve and a heat exchanger in the machine. And a second indoor unit that does not have an expansion valve, and is provided with an externally attached decompression unit composed of an expansion valve and an on-off valve respectively disposed in a plurality of refrigerant pipes connecting the second indoor unit and the outdoor unit A controller that transmits information on the first indoor unit, a controller that transmits information on the second indoor unit, and a control unit that controls the operation of the entire device, the control unit including the control Based on the information from the vessel, it is determined whether there is an indoor unit that does not issue an operation command. If so, whether the total capacity of the indoor units to be operated is greater than the capacity of the outdoor unit If the capacity is equal to or greater than the capacity, it is determined whether an indoor unit for which no operation command has been issued is connected to the externally attached decompression device, and if connected, the second indoor unit is connected to the plurality of refrigerant pipes. The operation is performed for a predetermined time with the valve on the outward path being closed and the other valve being opened, and the refrigerant in the second indoor unit is recovered to the outdoor unit side through the opened valve. To do.

In the air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a refrigerant pipe, the plurality of indoor units exchange heat with the first indoor unit having an expansion valve and a heat exchanger in the machine. Comprising a second indoor unit having an expansion unit and no expansion valve, a refrigerant pipe connecting the first indoor unit and the outdoor unit on the side where the expansion valve of the first indoor unit is not provided An on-off valve connected to the refrigerant pipe, and an externally attached decompression device comprising an expansion valve and an on-off valve respectively disposed in a plurality of refrigerant pipes connecting the second indoor unit and the outdoor unit, A controller for transmitting information on the indoor unit; a controller for transmitting information on the second indoor unit; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, wherein the control unit receives information from the controller. Based on this, it is determined whether there is an indoor unit for which no operation command has been issued. If so, it is determined whether the total capacity of the indoor units to be operated is greater than or equal to the capacity of the outdoor unit. It is determined whether an indoor unit for which no operation command has been issued is connected to the externally attached decompression device. If not connected, the expansion valve of the first indoor unit is closed and the on-off valve is opened for a predetermined time. The operation is performed, and the refrigerant in the first indoor unit is recovered to the outdoor unit side through the opened on-off valve .

Further, the outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a refrigerant pipe, an expansion valve is disposed on one of the plurality of refrigerant pipes connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and an open / close valve is disposed on the other . In the control method of the air conditioner in which the operation of the entire apparatus is controlled by the control unit , the control unit determines whether there is an indoor unit that does not issue an operation command. It is determined whether or not the total capacity is greater than or equal to the capacity of the outdoor unit. If the total capacity is greater than or equal to the capacity, a valve provided on the outgoing pipe of the plurality of refrigerant pipes for the indoor unit for which the operation command is not issued. The indoor unit is operated for a predetermined time with the valve provided in the other pipe closed and opened, and the refrigerant in the indoor unit is recovered to the outdoor unit side through the opened valve. And wherein the door. In addition, after performing the operation | movement which collect | recovers the refrigerant | coolants in the said indoor unit to the said outdoor unit side for a predetermined time, the valve | bulb of the open state provided in said other piping is closed, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

Further, the outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by refrigerant piping, and the plurality of indoor units have a first indoor unit having an expansion valve and a heat exchanger in the machine, and a heat exchanger in the machine. An externally attached pressure reducing device comprising a second indoor unit having no expansion valve and comprising an expansion valve and an on-off valve respectively disposed in a plurality of refrigerant pipes connecting the second indoor unit and the outdoor unit. In the control method of the air conditioner in which the operation of the entire apparatus is controlled by the control unit, the control unit determines whether there is an indoor unit that does not issue an operation command, and if so, the indoor unit that is about to operate It is determined whether the total capacity of the outdoor unit is greater than or equal to the capacity of the outdoor unit. If it is connected to open the other valve closes the valve towards as the forward path of the plurality of refrigerant pipes connected to the second indoor unit, the refrigerant in the second indoor unit by operating a predetermined time Is recovered to the outdoor unit side through the opened valve. The second valve is closed after the refrigerant in the second indoor unit is collected on the outdoor unit side.

Further, the outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by refrigerant piping, and the plurality of indoor units have a first indoor unit having an expansion valve and a heat exchanger in the machine, and a heat exchanger in the machine. A refrigerant pipe that includes a second indoor unit having no expansion valve and connects the first indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and opens and closes the refrigerant pipe on the side where the expansion valve of the first indoor unit is not provided. An externally mounted decompression device comprising an expansion valve and an on-off valve respectively connected to a plurality of refrigerant pipes connecting a valve and connecting the second indoor unit and the outdoor unit; In the control method of the air conditioner for controlling
The control unit determines whether there is an indoor unit for which an operation command has not been issued, and if there is, determines whether the total capacity of the indoor units to be operated is equal to or greater than the capacity of the outdoor unit. In the case, it is determined whether an indoor unit for which an operation command has not been issued is connected to the externally attached decompression device, and if not connected , the expansion valve of the first indoor unit is closed and the on-off valve is opened. By operating for a period of time, the refrigerant in the first indoor unit is recovered to the outdoor unit side through the opened on-off valve. The on-off valve is closed after the refrigerant in the first indoor unit is collected on the outdoor unit side.

  According to the present invention, the number of indoor units connected to one outdoor unit is not less than the specified number, or the total capacity of the indoor units is the capacity of the outdoor unit without causing the air conditioning apparatus to enter a cooling / heating cycle state in which the refrigerant amount is insufficient. It is possible to make connections that exceed the above, and to improve the degree of freedom of installation of the indoor unit.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a cooling / heating cycle of a multi-air conditioner (multi-type air conditioner) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The multi air conditioner is composed of one outdoor unit A, a plurality of indoor units a (a1, a2,... An), b (b1, b2,... Bn), and refrigerant pipes D1 and D2 connecting the units. ing. The refrigerant pipes D1 and D2 are branched and connected by the gas side branch pipe 8 and the liquid side branch pipe 9, and are distributed to the indoor units a and b to supply the refrigerant. By connecting the refrigerant pipe D1 to the gas side blocking valve 1 of the outdoor unit A and connecting the refrigerant pipe D2 to the liquid side blocking valve 2, one cooling cycle system is configured.

  The indoor unit a is an indoor unit having a decompression device (indoor expansion valve 5) in the machine, and further has an indoor blower 3 and an indoor heat exchanger 4. The indoor unit b is an indoor unit that does not have the decompression device (indoor expansion valve 5) in the machine, and includes the indoor blower 3 and the indoor heat exchanger 4. Externally mounted decompression composed of an externally mounted expansion valve 6 and a solenoid valve (open / close valve) 7 in the middle of the refrigerant pipes D2 and D1 connected to the gas side branch pipe 8 and the liquid side branch pipe 9 of the indoor unit b. Device C is connected. Here, the indoor unit a is a first indoor unit, and the indoor unit b is a second indoor unit.

  In the outdoor unit A, 10 is a compressor, 11 is a four-way valve, 12 is an outdoor fan, 13 is an outdoor heat exchanger, 14 is an outdoor expansion valve, 15 is a refrigerant tank, and 16 is an accumulator. The arrow indicates the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe, the solid line arrow indicates the cooling operation, and the reverse dashed arrow indicates the heating operation. The flow direction of the refrigerant is determined by switching the four-way valve 11 in the outdoor unit A.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 17 denotes a remote controller for giving operation commands (operation, stop, operation mode, air volume / air direction setting, temperature setting, etc.) to the indoor units a and b, and 18 denotes a remote control line. 20 is a centralized control unit for controlling the overall operation of the multi air conditioner, 23 is a controller for the outdoor unit A, 24 is a controller for the indoor unit a, and 25 is a controller for the indoor unit b. 21 is a centralized control transmission line connecting the control unit 20 and the controller 23, 19 is an indoor / outdoor transmission line connecting the outdoor unit A and the indoor units a and b, 22 is the controller 25 and the externally attached decompression device C. Is an externally attached decompression device transmission line for connecting

  FIG. 3 is a control system diagram of the embodiment of the present invention. In the control block diagram 2, first, when an operation command is issued from the remote controller 17 to the indoor unit a, information on the state of the indoor unit a and a command from the remote controller 17 are transmitted from the controller 24 to the outdoor unit A. Based on this transmission, the controller 23 of the outdoor unit A transmits information on the outdoor unit A, information on the indoor unit a, and information (command) on the remote controller 17 to the control unit 20.

  Upon receiving these information, the control unit 20 receives commands for collectively managing each indoor unit based on a pre-stored control program (operation, stop, operation mode, air volume / air direction setting, temperature setting, remote control permission / prohibition) Etc.) to the controller 23. The controller 23 transmits a command from the indoor unit A to the controller 24 based on a command from the control unit 20. The controller 24 transmits information on the indoor unit a and the outdoor unit A to the remote controller 17 and transmits an expansion valve opening command to the expansion valve 5 of the indoor unit a.

  When an operation command is issued from the remote controller 17 to the indoor unit b, information indicating the state of the indoor unit b and a command from the remote controller 17 are transmitted from the controller 25 to the outdoor unit A as described above. Based on this transmission, the controller 23 transmits information on the outdoor unit A, information on the indoor unit b, and information (command) on the remote controller 17 to the control unit 20.

  Upon receiving these information, the control unit 20 receives commands for collectively managing each indoor unit based on a pre-stored control program (operation, stop, operation mode, air volume / air direction setting, temperature setting, remote control permission / prohibition) Etc.) to the controller 23. The controller 23 transmits a command from the indoor unit A to the controller 25 of the indoor unit b based on the command of the control unit 20. The controller 25 transmits information on the indoor unit b and the outdoor unit A to the remote controller 17, transmits an expansion valve opening command to the expansion valve 6 of the externally mounted decompression device C, and further mounts an electromagnetic valve opening / closing command externally. It transmits to the electromagnetic valve 7 of the decompression device C. In this control system, information between the remote controllers is also exchanged between the remote controllers 17 via the control unit 20 and the outdoor unit A, and the indoor units 24 and 25 also exchange information between the indoor units.

  Thus, in the control system, the air conditioning operation of the system is started by an operation command from the remote controller 17 or the control unit 20, and the air conditioning operation is continued under the monitoring of the entire system by the control unit 20.

  Next, the operation will be described based on the control flowchart of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the total capacity of a plurality of indoor units a (a1, a2,... An), b (b1, b2,... Bn) exceeds the capacity of one outdoor unit A.

  In the control block diagram 2 and the control system diagram 3, first, when an operation command is issued from the remote controller 1 or the control unit 20, the operation start is finally started in step 101 based on the command from the control unit 20. Next, in step 102, it is determined whether there is an indoor unit for which an operation command has not been issued from the control unit 20 (stopped). This is determined by the control unit 20 by collecting information on the indoor units a and b from the controllers 24 and 25.

  In the case of No in this determination result, since all the indoor units a and b are about to start operation, one outdoor unit A operates exceeding its capacity. In step 120, in order to prevent this, the start of operation of all indoor units is stopped and a warning is issued. If Yes in step 102, the process moves to step 103, and it is determined whether or not the total capacity of the indoor units to be operated is equal to or greater than the capacity of the outdoor unit A.

  If the determination in step 103 is No, the capacity of the outdoor unit A has not been exceeded, so the indoor unit scheduled for operation can be operated, and normal operation is started in step 121. In the case of Yes in step 103, if the operation is continued as it is, the capacity of one outdoor unit A is exceeded, and a cooling / heating cycle state in which the refrigerant amount is insufficient is set. Therefore, in step 104, in order to secure the necessary amount of refrigerant, control of the refrigerant recovery operation for recovering refrigerant in the indoor unit for which no operation command has been issued (stopped) starts from the control unit 20, and the process proceeds to step 105.

  In step 105, the connection status of the externally attached decompression device for the stopped indoor unit to be recovered is confirmed. That is, it is determined whether or not the externally attached pressure reducing device C composed of the expansion valve 6 and the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 7 is connected. This determination is made by the control unit 20 based on the information on the indoor unit a or the information on the indoor unit b in the system diagram 3. In addition, the indoor unit that should collect the refrigerant among the indoor units that are stopped refers to the integrated indoor unit when the amount of refrigerant in the stopped indoor unit is accumulated by the control unit 20 and reaches the amount that should be collected. It is.

  If the determination in step 105 is yes or no, the process proceeds to step 106 and step 115, respectively, and the operation of the indoor unit to be collected is started. If Yes in step 105, the process moves from step 106 to step 107, and it is determined whether or not the operation mode is cooling. In the case of the cooling operation mode (Yes), the expansion valve 6 of the pressure reducing device C is closed in step 108, and the cooling operation is continued for a predetermined time in step 109. It should be noted that the indoor units in the case of Yes in step 105 are the indoor units b1, b2,... Bn in FIG.

  This cooling operation will be described with reference to an example in which the refrigerant is recovered from the indoor unit b1 in FIG. In this cooling operation, the refrigerant pipe D2 is the forward path and the refrigerant pipe D1 is the return path.

  In step 108, the expansion valve 6 is closed, but since the cooling operation is performed, the electromagnetic valve 7 is opened. When the cooling operation is continued in this state, the refrigerant flows to the outdoor unit A in the direction of the solid line through the refrigerant pipe D1 via the electromagnetic valve 7, while the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe D2 is stopped by the expansion valve 6. ing. Therefore, the refrigerant in the indoor unit b1 is collected in the refrigerant tank 15 of the outdoor unit A from the heat exchanger 4 and the refrigerant pipe connected thereto.

  When the cooling operation is performed for a predetermined time in step 109, the electromagnetic valve 7 is closed in step 110. In step 111, the cooling operation of the indoor unit b1 is stopped, and the refrigerant recovery operation control ends. By closing the solenoid valve 7, there is no wasteful entry of refrigerant into the heat exchanger 4 or the like in the indoor unit b1 during normal air conditioning operation.

  In the case of No (heating operation mode) in step 107, the electromagnetic valve 7 of the pressure reducing device C is closed in step 112, and the heating operation is continued for a predetermined time in step 113. In this heating operation, the refrigerant pipe D1 is the forward path and the refrigerant pipe D2 is the return path.

  This heating operation will be described with reference to an example in which the refrigerant is recovered from the indoor unit b1 in FIG. In step 112, the electromagnetic valve 7 is closed, but the expansion valve 6 is open because the heating operation is performed. When the heating operation is continued in this state, the refrigerant flows through the expansion valve 6 through the refrigerant pipe D2 to the outdoor unit A in the direction of the broken line arrow, while the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe D1 is stopped by the electromagnetic valve 7. ing. Therefore, the refrigerant in the indoor unit b1, that is, the refrigerant contained in the heat exchanger 4 and the refrigerant pipe connected thereto, is collected in the refrigerant tank 15 of the outdoor unit A.

  When the heating operation is performed for a predetermined time in step 113, the expansion valve 6 is closed in step 114. In step 111, the heating operation of the indoor unit b1 is stopped, and the refrigerant recovery operation control ends. Since the expansion valve 6 is closed, there is no wasteful entry of the refrigerant into the heat exchanger 4 or the like in the indoor unit b1 during normal air conditioning operation.

  Returning to the front, if the answer is No in Step 105, the operation of the indoor unit is started in Step 115, and it is determined in Step 116 whether or not the operation mode is cooling. In the case of the cooling operation mode (Yes), the expansion valve 5 is closed in step 117, and the cooling operation is continued for a predetermined time in step 118. It should be noted that the indoor units in the case of No in step 105 are the indoor units a1, a2,... An in FIG.

  This cooling operation will be described by taking as an example the case of recovering the refrigerant from the indoor unit a2 in FIG. When the cooling operation is performed with the expansion valve 5 closed, the refrigerant flows from the indoor unit a2 through the refrigerant pipe D1 to the outdoor unit A in the direction of the solid line arrow. On the other hand, the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe D2 flows through the expansion valve 5. It can be stopped. Therefore, the refrigerant in the indoor unit a2, that is, the refrigerant contained in the indoor heat exchanger 4 and the refrigerant pipe D1 connected to the indoor heat exchanger 4, is collected in the refrigerant tank 15 of the outdoor unit A.

  When the cooling operation is performed for a predetermined time in step 118, the cooling operation of the indoor unit a2 is stopped in step 111, and the refrigerant recovery operation control is ended. In this state, the refrigerant pipe D1 on the side opposite to the expansion valve 5 is opened, so that the refrigerant may flow into the indoor heat exchanger 4 of the indoor unit a2 during normal air-conditioning operation. In order to prevent this reliably, the electromagnetic valve 7 may be additionally connected to the refrigerant pipe D1 of the indoor unit a2 in FIG. 1 as indicated by a broken line, and the electromagnetic valve 7 may be closed in step 122.

  In the case of No in step 116, the indoor unit a2 is in the heating operation and the flow of the refrigerant is in the direction of the broken arrow, but there is no electromagnetic valve 7 for stopping the flow of the refrigerant pipe D1, and the expansion valve 5 is open, It cannot be recovered simply by passing. Accordingly, in step 119, the operation of the indoor unit a2 is stopped and a warning is issued.

  When the refrigerant is to be recovered even during the heating operation of the indoor unit a2, the solenoid valve 7 is additionally connected to the refrigerant pipe D1 as shown by a broken line in FIG. 1, and the solenoid valve 7 is closed in step 123 instead of step 119. At 124, the heating operation is continued for a predetermined time. When heating operation is performed in a state where the solenoid valve 7 is closed and the expansion valve 5 is opened, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the broken line arrow through the refrigerant pipe D2 via the expansion valve 5, but the refrigerant pipe D1 is Since the flow is stopped, the refrigerant in the indoor unit a1, that is, the refrigerant contained in the heat exchanger 4 and the refrigerant pipe D2 connected thereto, is collected in the refrigerant tank 15 of the outdoor unit A.

  When the heating operation is performed for a predetermined time in step 124, the expansion valve 5 is closed in step 125. In step 111, the heating operation of the indoor unit a2 is stopped, and the refrigerant recovery operation control ends. In addition, since the expansion valve 5 is closed, there is no wasteful flow or entry of the refrigerant into the indoor unit a2 during normal air conditioning operation.

  The refrigerant recovery operation can be ended by closing a necessary valve when a necessary amount is reached by simultaneously performing a plurality of indoor units. In addition, you may make it collect | recover one by one in order to collect | recover the refrigerant | coolants of an indoor unit reliably.

  After the refrigerant is recovered as described above, the normal operation of air conditioning is started in step 121. In this operation, since the refrigerant does not flow into the stopped indoor unit from which the refrigerant has been collected, there is no shortage of refrigerant flowing during the operation, and there is no cooling / heating cycle with an insufficient refrigerant amount.

In the embodiment, by connecting an externally mounted decompression device C composed of the expansion valve 6 and the electromagnetic valve 7 in the middle of the refrigerant pipes D2 and D1 connected to the indoor unit b having no decompression device in the machine, Even when the operating state of the indoor unit b and the load state of each room are different, the amount of refrigerant flowing through the indoor unit can be adjusted by the expansion valve 6 of the externally mounted decompression device C, and the decompression device is installed in the machine. A mixed connection with the indoor unit a can be achieved.

  And the indoor unit combined with one outdoor unit can connect more than a specified number or more than a specified total capacity.

The externally mounted decompression device C composed of the expansion valve 6 and the electromagnetic valve 7 may be connected in the middle of the refrigerant pipes D1 and D2 connecting the outdoor unit A and the indoor unit a having a decompression device in the machine. Thus, by using the expansion valve 6 of the externally attached decompression device C instead of the indoor expansion valve 5 in the indoor unit a machine, the refrigerant flow noise and vibration from the indoor expansion valve 5 can be eliminated, and the air conditioner The quietness and comfort can be improved. Since the refrigerant piping D 2 of the indoor unit b expansion valve 6 of the decompression device C is connected, the refrigerant flow noise of indoor unit b, the vibration is not.

The refrigeration cycle block diagram of an Example of this invention. The control block diagram of an Example of this invention. The control system figure of this invention Example. The control flowchart figure of an Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  A: outdoor unit, a (a1, a2, ... an) ... first indoor unit, b (b1, b2, ... bn) ... second indoor unit, D1, D2 ... refrigerant piping, C ... decompression device, 4 ... heat Exchanger, 5, 6 ... expansion valve, 7 ... open / close valve (solenoid valve), 8 ... gas side branch pipe, 9 ... liquid side branch pipe, 10 ... compressor, 11 ... four-way valve, 13 ... heat exchanger, 14 ... expansion valve, 15 ... refrigerant tank.

Claims (9)

In an air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a refrigerant pipe,
An expansion valve provided on one of a plurality of refrigerant pipes connecting the arbitrary indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and an on-off valve provided on the other ,
A controller for transmitting information of the indoor unit;
A controller for transmitting information of the outdoor unit;
Provided with a control unit that controls the operation of the entire device,
Based on information from the controller, the control unit determines whether there is an indoor unit for which an operation command has not been issued, and if so, whether the total capacity of the indoor units to be operated is equal to or greater than the capacity of the outdoor unit. When the capacity is equal to or greater than the capacity, for the indoor unit for which the operation command is not issued, the valve provided in the outgoing pipe among the plurality of refrigerant pipes is closed and the other pipe is provided. An air conditioner that operates for a predetermined time with the valve opened, and collects the refrigerant in the indoor unit to the outdoor unit side through the opened valve . In an air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a refrigerant pipe,
The plurality of indoor units includes a first indoor unit having an expansion valve and a heat exchanger in the machine, and a second indoor unit having a heat exchanger and no expansion valve in the machine,
An externally mounted decompression device comprising an expansion valve and an on-off valve respectively disposed in a plurality of refrigerant pipes connecting the second indoor unit and the outdoor unit ;
A controller for transmitting information of the first indoor unit;
A controller for transmitting information of the second indoor unit;
Provided with a control unit that controls the operation of the entire device,
Based on information from the controller, the control unit determines whether there is an indoor unit for which an operation command has not been issued, and if so, whether the total capacity of the indoor units to be operated is equal to or greater than the capacity of the outdoor unit. If the capacity is equal to or greater than the capacity, it is determined whether an indoor unit for which no operation command has been issued is connected to the externally attached decompression device. The refrigerant pipe is operated for a predetermined time with the valve on the outgoing path being closed and the other valve being opened, and the refrigerant in the second indoor unit is recovered to the outdoor unit side via the opened valve. Air conditioner characterized by In an air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a refrigerant pipe,
The plurality of indoor units includes a first indoor unit having an expansion valve and a heat exchanger in the machine, and a second indoor unit having a heat exchanger and no expansion valve in the machine,
A refrigerant pipe connecting the first indoor unit and the outdoor unit, wherein an open / close valve is connected to the refrigerant pipe on the side where the expansion valve of the first indoor unit is not provided ,
An externally mounted decompression device comprising an expansion valve and an on-off valve respectively disposed in a plurality of refrigerant pipes connecting the second indoor unit and the outdoor unit;
A controller for transmitting information of the first indoor unit;
A controller for transmitting information of the second indoor unit;
Provided with a control unit that controls the operation of the entire device,
Based on information from the controller, the control unit determines whether there is an indoor unit for which an operation command has not been issued, and if so, whether the total capacity of the indoor units to be operated is equal to or greater than the capacity of the outdoor unit. If the capacity is equal to or greater than the capacity, it is determined whether an indoor unit for which no operation command has been issued is connected to the externally attached decompression device, and if not, the expansion valve of the first indoor unit is closed. In addition , the air conditioner is operated for a predetermined time with the on-off valve opened, and the refrigerant in the first indoor unit is recovered to the outdoor unit side through the opened on-off valve . An outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a refrigerant pipe, an expansion valve is arranged on one of the plurality of refrigerant pipes connecting the arbitrary indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and an on-off valve is arranged on the other, and a control unit In the control method of the air conditioning apparatus for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus at
The control unit determines whether there is an indoor unit for which an operation command has not been issued, and if there is, determines whether the total capacity of the indoor units to be operated is equal to or greater than the capacity of the outdoor unit. In this case, the indoor unit for which the operation command is not issued is operated for a predetermined time in a state in which the valve provided in the outgoing pipe among the plurality of refrigerant pipes is closed and the valve provided in the other pipe is opened. And the control method of the air conditioner characterized by collect | recovering the refrigerant | coolants in an indoor unit to the said outdoor unit side through the valve | bulb of the said open state.   5. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein after the operation of recovering the refrigerant in the indoor unit to the outdoor unit side is performed for a predetermined time, an open valve provided in the other pipe is closed. A control method for an air conditioner. An outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a refrigerant pipe. The plurality of indoor units include a first indoor unit having an expansion valve and a heat exchanger in the machine, and an expansion valve having a heat exchanger in the machine. A second indoor unit that does not have an externally attached decompression device comprising an expansion valve and an on-off valve respectively disposed in a plurality of refrigerant pipes connecting the second indoor unit and the outdoor unit , In the control method of the air conditioning apparatus that controls the operation of the entire apparatus at the section ,
The control unit determines whether there is an indoor unit for which an operation command has not been issued, and if there is, determines whether the total capacity of the indoor units to be operated is equal to or greater than the capacity of the outdoor unit. In this case, it is determined whether an indoor unit for which an operation command has not been issued is connected to the externally attached decompression device. If it is connected, one of the plurality of refrigerant pipes connected to the second indoor unit is the forward path Control of the air conditioner, wherein the other valve is opened and the other valve is opened, and the refrigerant in the second indoor unit is recovered to the outdoor unit side through the opened valve by operating for a predetermined time. Method.   The method of controlling an air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the other valve is closed after the refrigerant in the second indoor unit is recovered to the outdoor unit side. An outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a refrigerant pipe. The plurality of indoor units include a first indoor unit having an expansion valve and a heat exchanger in the machine, and an expansion valve having a heat exchanger in the machine. A refrigerant pipe for connecting the first indoor unit and the outdoor unit, wherein an opening / closing valve is provided on the refrigerant pipe on the side where the expansion valve of the first indoor unit is not provided. An externally mounted decompression device comprising an expansion valve and an on-off valve respectively connected to a plurality of refrigerant pipes that connect and connect the second indoor unit and the outdoor unit is controlled by the control unit In the control method of the air conditioner to
The control unit determines whether there is an indoor unit for which an operation command has not been issued, and if there is, determines whether the total capacity of the indoor units to be operated is equal to or greater than the capacity of the outdoor unit. In the case where it is determined whether or not an indoor unit for which an operation command has not been issued is connected to the externally attached decompression device, and if not connected , the expansion valve in the first chamber is closed and the on-off valve is opened for a predetermined time. A control method for an air conditioner, wherein the refrigerant in the first indoor unit is recovered to the outdoor unit side through the opened on-off valve when operated.   9. The method of controlling an air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the on-off valve is closed after the refrigerant in the first indoor unit is recovered to the outdoor unit side.

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