JP5316678B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner configured to obtain or recover comfort quickly and reduce power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: In heating operation, before a time tE, a desired temperature Td is employed as a target temperature T*, an actual temperature Tr is maintained around the desired temperature Td, and an actual humidity Hr is maintained around the desired humidity Hd. At the time tE, disturbance occurs, the actual humidity Hr starts to decrease and an indoor index Pr also decreases. In order to increase the indoor index Pr, the target temperature T* is changed in an increasing direction so as to vary the actual humidity Tr in a direction of compensating for the variation of the actual humidity Hr. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air conditioner has been proposed in which a desired temperature and desired humidity in a room to be air-conditioned are set, and air conditioning is performed based on the desired temperature and desired humidity.

JP-A-4-320750

  However, in comparison with the fact that the actually measured temperature in the room reaches the desired temperature, the measured humidity in the room takes time to reach the desired humidity with the humidifying ability required in a general living space. In addition, compared with the actually measured temperature, the actually measured humidity is slower to recover by the air-conditioning operation after being fluctuated due to disturbance.

  In other words, the conventional technique has a problem that the time required to obtain comfort or recover comfort greatly depends on the control of the room humidity.

  Therefore, the first object of the present application is to quickly acquire or recover comfort. The second purpose is to reduce power consumption.

  The air conditioner according to the present invention includes an indoor environment setting unit (14) for setting a desired temperature (Td) and desired humidity (Hd) in a room to be air conditioned, the desired temperature, the desired humidity, and the desired humidity. A target temperature setting unit (11) for setting a target temperature (T *) in the air-conditioning operation based on the actually measured humidity (Hr) in the room, and a temperature control operation in the room based on the target temperature. A temperature control operation unit (12).

  In the first aspect, the target temperature setting unit adopts the desired temperature as the target temperature, the measured temperature (Tr) in the room is maintained near the desired temperature, and the measured humidity is the desired temperature. The target temperature is set to be higher than the desired temperature when the measured humidity deviates in the first direction at a first predetermined value (δ3, δ6) or more than the desired humidity from a state maintained near humidity. In the state where the target temperature is changed in the second direction (S22, S23) and the target temperature deviates from the desired temperature in the second direction, the deviation between the measured humidity and the desired humidity is a second predetermined value ( The target temperature is changed in the first direction (S24, S25), triggered by being within δ3, δ6). The first direction and the second direction are opposite directions.

  If the temperature control operation is a heating operation, the first direction and the second direction are a descending direction and an ascending direction, respectively. If the temperature control operation is a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation, the first direction and The second directions are an ascending direction and a descending direction, respectively. Preferably, the target temperature is changed stepwise.

  The 2nd aspect of the air conditioner concerning this invention is the 1st aspect, Comprising: The humidity control driving | operation part (13) which performs humidity control driving | operation based on the said desired humidity is further provided. When the measured humidity (Hr) is lower than the desired humidity (Hd), the humidity control operation unit performs a humidification operation. When the actually measured temperature (Tr) in the room is lower than the desired temperature (Td), the temperature control operation unit performs the heating operation as the temperature control operation.

  A third aspect of the air conditioner according to the present invention is any one of the first to second aspects, wherein the measured humidity (Hr) is higher than the desired humidity (Hd), or the indoor When the measured temperature (Tr) is higher than the desired temperature (Td), the temperature control operation unit performs a cooling operation as the temperature control operation.

  According to the first aspect of the air conditioner of the present invention, the room humidity varies more greatly than the room temperature due to disturbance to the air condition operation. Therefore, power consumption is suppressed while suppressing deterioration of comfort by changing the indoor temperature in a direction to compensate for fluctuations in indoor humidity. By changing the target temperature in stages, a situation in which comfort is lost due to a sudden change in the target temperature is avoided.

  According to the 2nd aspect of the air conditioner concerning this invention, humidity is raised by performing humidification operation in heating operation, and comfort is given to an indoor environment at an early stage.

  According to the third aspect of the air conditioner of the present invention, in air conditioning, the water vapor in the room is liquefied by condensation or the like during cooling, thereby reducing the actually measured humidity in the room and providing comfort to the indoor environment.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the air conditioner concerning this invention. It is a graph explaining PMV. It is a flowchart which illustrates the process in 1st Embodiment thru | or 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph explaining the operation | movement in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph explaining the operation | movement in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph explaining the operation | movement in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph explaining the operation | movement in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which illustrates the process in 5th Embodiment and 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph explaining the operation | movement in 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph explaining the operation | movement in 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph explaining operation | movement of the conventional air conditioner. It is a graph explaining operation | movement of the conventional air conditioner. 1 is an overall external view of an air conditioner that can be employed as an air conditioner of an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the refrigerant circuit of an indoor unit and an outdoor air conditioning unit, the structure of a humidification unit, and an air flow. It is a control block diagram of an air conditioner.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 includes a target temperature setting unit 11, a temperature control operation unit 12, a humidity control operation unit 13, an indoor environment setting unit 14, an indoor humidity sensor 15, an indoor temperature sensor 16, and comprehensive control. A portion 17 is provided.

  The target temperature setting unit 11 sets a target temperature T * in the air conditioning operation based on the desired temperature Td and desired humidity Hd in the room to be air-conditioned and the measured humidity Hr in the room.

  The temperature control operation unit 12 performs the temperature control operation in the room based on the target temperature T *. As the temperature control operation, at least one of heating operation and cooling operation is employed. Specifically, for example, when the heating operation is adopted, the temperature control operation unit 12 performs the temperature control operation when the actually measured temperature Tr in the room is lower than the desired temperature Td. When the cooling operation is employed, the temperature control operation unit 12 performs the temperature control operation when the measured temperature Tr is higher than the desired temperature Td. In the embodiment described later, the cooling operation in the case where the actually measured humidity Hr is higher than the desired humidity Hd is illustrated. In each embodiment, relative humidity is adopted as the humidity.

  The humidity control operation unit 13 performs a temperature control operation in the room based on the desired humidity Hd. More specifically, for example, when the temperature control operation is a heating operation and the measured humidity Hr is lower than the desired humidity Hd, the humidity control operation unit 13 performs the humidification operation. In the present embodiment, all humidity means relative humidity.

  The indoor environment setting unit 14 sets the desired temperature Td and the desired humidity Hd. The indoor environment setting unit 14 functions as an input unit that receives an input of the desired temperature Td and the desired humidity Hd from the outside, for example. Alternatively, the indoor environment setting unit 14 inputs only the desired temperature Td, and sets the desired humidity Hd based on an index indicating comfort, for example, an expected average report (hereinafter referred to as “index PMV (Predicted Mean Vote)”). In the present embodiment, it is determined that the comfort is obtained by the index PMV being in the range of −0.5 or more and +0.5 or less.

  The index PMV is determined by six factors of metabolic rate, clothing heat resistance, heat radiation, temperature, humidity, and wind speed, but here only the influence of temperature and humidity is considered. That is, here, the index PMV in the room is simply determined by the actually measured humidity Hr and the actually measured temperature Tr. The other four parameters may be controlled using reference values.

  In the graph shown in FIG. 2, a desired humidity Hd is selected on the horizontal axis, and a desired temperature Td is selected on the vertical axis, and the region R0 where the index PMV is 0, the index PMV is −0.5 or more and +0.5 or less. A region R1 is schematically shown. If the measured humidity Hr and the measured temperature Tr become the desired humidity Hd and the desired temperature Td that define the regions R0 and R1, respectively, by air conditioning, it is assumed that comfort is obtained.

  For example, in order to obtain the comfort of PMV = 0, when the temperature Td0 is input as the desired temperature Td to the indoor environment setting unit 14, the indoor environment setting unit 14 has a range of humidity Hd1 or more and humidity Hd2 or less. To set the desired humidity Hd.

  Alternatively, the indoor environment setting unit 14 inputs an index indicating comfort and automatically sets the desired temperature Td and the desired humidity Hd based on this and the actually measured temperature Tr. Alternatively, the indoor environment setting unit 14 automatically sets the desired temperature Td and the desired humidity Hd based on the measured temperature Tr. Alternatively, the indoor environment setting unit 14 automatically sets the desired temperature Td and the desired humidity Hd.

  Here, it is assumed that the index PMV is 0 when the measured temperature Tr and the measured humidity Hr are the desired temperature Td and the desired humidity Hd, respectively.

  The indoor humidity sensor 15 and the indoor temperature sensor 16 measure the measured humidity Hr and the measured temperature Tr, respectively.

  The general control unit 17 controls the operation of the target temperature setting unit 11, the temperature control operation unit 12, the humidity control operation unit 13, the indoor environment setting unit 14, or the operation of the indoor humidity sensor 15 and the indoor temperature sensor 16.

  The integrated control unit 17 includes a microcomputer and a storage device including the target temperature setting unit 11. The microcomputer executes each processing step (in other words, a procedure) described in the program. The storage device is composed of one or more of various storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a rewritable nonvolatile memory (EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), etc.), and a hard disk device, for example. Is possible. The storage device stores various information, data, and the like, stores a program executed by the microcomputer, and provides a work area for executing the program. It can be understood that the microcomputer functions as various means corresponding to each processing step described in the program, or can realize that various functions corresponding to each processing step are realized. The integrated control unit 17 is not limited to this, and various procedures executed by the integrated control unit 17 or various means or various functions to be realized may be realized by hardware.

  The air conditioner 10 described above can be commonly used as the main body of air conditioning in the following first to sixth embodiments. However, as will be described later, in the second, fourth, and sixth embodiments that describe the cooling operation, the humidity control operation unit 13 is not necessarily provided.

First embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the operation of the conventional heating operation will be described first, and based on this, the operation of the heating operation in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a graph for explaining the operation of the conventional heating operation, and time is taken on the horizontal axis. In the upper graph, the left vertical axis represents temperature, the right vertical axis represents humidity, and the lower graph represents index PMV on the vertical axis. The use of such an axis is common to other drawings.

  In FIG. 11 and the subsequent graphs, a time zone BC indicates a time zone in which comfort is obtained, that is, a time zone in which the index PMV is in a range of −0.5 or more and +0.5 or less. And time slot | zone BE shows the area | region where power consumption is reduced among time slot | zone BC.

  At time t0, the measured temperature Tr is the value Tr0, the measured humidity Hr is the value Hr0, and the indoor index Pr, which is the indoor index PMV, is the value Pr0. The desired temperature Td is higher than the actually measured temperature Tr, and the heating operation with the humidifying operation is started as the air-conditioning operation at time t0. The target temperature T * is set equal to the desired temperature Td, and the temperature control operation unit 12 performs the heating operation, that is, the operation for increasing the measured temperature Tr. The desired humidity Hd is higher than the measured humidity Hr, and the humidity control operation unit 13 performs a humidifying operation to increase the measured humidity Hr.

  At time t01, the actually measured temperature Tr reaches the target temperature T * (in this case, the desired temperature Td), but since the increase in the actually measured humidity Hr is low, the room index Pr has not yet reached −0.5. . However, the measured humidity Hr continues to rise after time t01, and the room index Pr reaches −0.5 at time t02. Therefore, the time zone BC starts from time t02.

  Thereafter, the actually measured humidity Hr continues to rise, and at time t03, the actually measured humidity Hr reaches the desired humidity Hd and the room index Pr becomes zero. Thereby, since the indoor environment is optimized, the humidity control operation unit 13 stops the humidification operation. Therefore, the time zone BE starts from time 03.

  Now, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S11, the desired temperature Td, or the desired humidity Hd, or the index PMV is input to the indoor environment setting unit 14. Using the information obtained in step S11, the indoor environment setting unit 14 sets the desired temperature Td and the desired humidity Hd. As described above, the indoor environment setting unit 14 may set the desired temperature Td and the desired humidity Hd based on the measured temperature Tr, for example, without using such information. The measurement of the actually measured temperature Tr in this case is omitted in FIG.

  In step S12, the measured humidity Hr is measured using the indoor humidity sensor 15. In step S13, the target temperature setting unit 11 sets the target temperature T * based on the desired temperature Td, the desired humidity Hd, and the measured humidity Hr. In FIG. 3, the notation “T * (Td, hd, hr)” indicates that the target temperature T * is a function of the desired temperature Td, the desired humidity Hd, and the actually measured humidity Hr. It is not premised on that. For example, the target temperature T * may be set by a table. In the heating operation, the target temperature T * is set higher than the desired temperature Td, and in step S14, the heating operation that is a temperature control operation is started using the target temperature T *.

  For example, in step S13, the difference between the desired humidity Hd and the actually measured humidity Hr is measured. If the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the operation is performed at the target temperature setting (target temperature T *> desired temperature Td). If the difference is less than or equal to a predetermined value, operation may be performed with the above-described conventional control (target temperature T * = desired temperature Td).

  The operation so far will be described with reference to FIG. Similarly to FIG. 11, at time t0, the measured temperature Tr is the value Tr0, the measured humidity Hr is the value Hr0, and the indoor index Pr is the value Pr0. At time t0, heating operation with humidification operation is started as air-conditioning operation.

  If the factors other than the air conditioning operation by the air conditioner 10 are the same as the situation in which the operation shown in FIG. 11 is performed, the rising speed of the actually measured humidity Hr is also shown in FIG. 11 when shown in FIG. There is no major difference. However, since the target temperature T * shown in FIG. 4 is set to a temperature Tw higher than that shown in FIG. 11 (that is, equal to the desired temperature Td), the measured temperature Tr rises more rapidly. As a result, the indoor index Pr also increases rapidly, and the indoor index Pr reaches −0.5 at time t11 earlier than time t02. As a result, the time zone BC starts early, and quick acquisition of comfort is realized.

  As described above, by setting the target temperature T * of the heating operation at the start of the heating operation to the temperature Tw higher than the desired temperature Td, the measured temperature Tr can be quickly shifted to the desired temperature Td side. In other words, the slow increase in the actually measured humidity Hr is compensated by the rising speed of the actually measured temperature Tr, so that a comfortable indoor environment can be obtained quickly.

  Now, after time t11, the humidification operation is continued, the actually measured humidity Hr increases, and the indoor index Pr also increases accordingly. However, if the room index Pr is −0.5 or more, it is not necessary to increase it excessively, and if it is +0.5 or more, comfort is impaired. Therefore, the target temperature T * is lowered toward the desired temperature Td to suppress an increase in power consumption.

  However, if the target temperature T * is lowered while the measured humidity Hr is low, the indoor index Pr is excessively lowered and the comfort is impaired. Therefore, a value (Hd−δ1) smaller than the desired humidity Hd by a predetermined value δ1 is used as a threshold, and the target temperature T * is changed toward the desired temperature Td when the measured humidity Hr reaches this threshold. Referring to FIG. 4, the measured humidity Hr reaches the threshold value (Hd−δ1) at time t12 after time t11, and the target temperature T * matches the desired temperature Td. As a result, the measured temperature Tr decreases and the indoor index Pr also decreases.

  Of course, it is desirable to avoid a decrease in the indoor index Pr due to a decrease in the actually measured temperature Tr, which is less than −0.5. Therefore, for example, the threshold value (Hd−δ1) is desirably selected so that the indoor index Pr becomes a value of −0.5 or more even when the measured temperature Tr matches the desired temperature Td. As can be understood with reference to FIG. 2, there is a range of desired humidity at which the indoor index Pr becomes a value of −0.5 or more with respect to a certain desired temperature Td0, and within this range, a threshold (Hd−δ1) It is not difficult to ask for.

  Speaking of the above operation with reference to FIG. 3, after step S14, in step S15, determination is made regarding the actually measured humidity Hr and the desired humidity Hd. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference between the actually measured humidity Hr and the desired humidity Hd is equal to or less than the value δ, and the value δ indicates the predetermined value δ1 described above. In the heating operation, since the actually measured humidity Hr is equal to or less than the desired humidity Hd, the determination in step S15 is to determine whether or not the above-described actually measured humidity Hr has reached the threshold value (Hd−δ1).

  If the determination result in step S15 is negative, step S15 is continued and the target temperature T * is not updated. If the determination result in step S15 is affirmative (time t12 in FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, the target temperature T * is brought close to the desired temperature Td. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the target temperature T * is set to the desired temperature Td. In step S17, the heating operation is continued as the temperature control operation.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the room index Pr also decreases after time t12. However, when the measured temperature Tr reaches the desired temperature Td at time t13, the measured temperature is reduced below that by a known temperature adjustment operation of the temperature control operation unit 12. The desired temperature Td is maintained at almost the same level. On the other hand, the humidifying operation continues after time t12, and the actually measured humidity Hr continues to rise, so the room index Pr starts to rise from time t13. When the measured humidity Hr reaches the desired humidity Hd at time t14, the indoor index PMV becomes 0, the humidification operation is stopped, and the time zone BE starts. Since the stop of the humidification operation is the same as in the prior art, it is omitted in the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the time zone BC starts early without delaying the time zone BE, power consumption is reduced while obtaining quick comfort.

  Also, the comfort of the indoor environment is caused by the indoor temperature and the indoor humidity, and the target temperature T * is changed to the desired temperature Td when the comfort is obtained by the fluctuation of the measured humidity Hr. Contributes to power saving while gaining performance. Furthermore, by continuing to operate using the target temperature T *, excessive temperature adjustment is performed, and on the other hand, loss of comfort is also avoided.

  Further, by performing the humidifying operation in the heating operation, the measured humidity Hr is increased, and comfort is given to the indoor environment at an early stage.

Second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the operation of the conventional cooling operation will be described first, and based on this, the operation of the cooling operation in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a graph for explaining the operation of the conventional cooling operation. At time t0, the measured temperature Tr is the value Tr0, the measured humidity Hr is the value Hr0, and the room index Pr is the value Pr0. The desired temperature Td is lower than the actual temperature Tr, and at time t0, the temperature control operation unit 12 starts a cooling operation as an air-conditioning operation, that is, an operation for reducing the actual temperature Tr. The target temperature T * is set equal to the desired temperature Td.

  The desired humidity Hd is lower than the actually measured humidity Hr, but unlike the heating operation, it is not necessary to provide the humidity control operation unit 13 separately. This is because in the cooling operation, the water vapor in the room is liquefied due to dew condensation and the like, and the actually measured humidity in the room is lowered, so that the temperature control operation unit 12 can perform a substantial dehumidifying operation and bring comfort to the room. Of course, the humidity control operation unit 13 may be provided to perform the dehumidifying operation.

  Cooling operation is started at time t0. At time t91, the actually measured temperature Tr reaches the target temperature T * (here, the desired temperature Td), and the subsequent temperature control operation unit 12 substantially performs the dehumidifying operation. However, since the decrease in the measured humidity Hr is low, the room index Pr has not yet reached −0.5. However, the measured humidity Hr continues to decrease after time t91, and the room index Pr reaches +0.5 at time t92. Therefore, the time zone BC starts from time t92.

  Thereafter, the actually measured humidity Hr continues to decrease, and at time t93, the actually measured humidity Hr reaches the desired humidity Hd and the room index Pr becomes zero. Thereby, since the indoor environment is optimized, the temperature control operation unit 12 stops the substantial dehumidifying operation. Or when the humidity control driving | operation part 13 is provided, the dehumidification driving | operation is stopped. Therefore, the time zone BE starts from time 93.

  The operation of this embodiment will also be described with reference to FIG. The operations in steps S11, S12, and S13 are as described above. However, in the cooling operation, the target temperature T * is set lower than the desired temperature Td, and in step S14, the cooling operation as the temperature control operation is started using the target temperature T *.

  For example, the difference between the desired humidity Hd and the actually measured humidity Hr is measured, and if the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the operation is performed at the target temperature setting (target temperature T * <desired temperature Td). When the difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the operation may be performed by the above-described conventional control (target temperature T * = desired temperature Td).

  The operation so far will be described with reference to FIG. Similarly to FIG. 12, at the time t0, the measured temperature Tr is the value Tr0, the measured humidity Hr is the value Hr0, and the room index Pr is the value Pr0. At time t0, the cooling operation is started as the air-conditioning operation.

  If the factors other than the air conditioning operation by the air conditioner 10 are the same as the situation in which the operation shown in FIG. 12 is performed, the decreasing speed of the actually measured humidity Hr is also shown in FIG. There is no major difference. However, since the target temperature T * shown in FIG. 5 is set to a temperature Tc lower than that shown in FIG. 12 (that is, equal to the desired temperature Td), the measured temperature Tr falls more rapidly. As a result, the indoor index Pr also drops rapidly, and the indoor index Pr reaches +0.5 at time t41 earlier than time t92. As a result, the time zone BC starts early, and quick acquisition of comfort is realized.

  Thus, by setting the target temperature T * of the cooling operation at the start of the cooling operation to the temperature Tc lower than the desired temperature Td, the measured temperature Tr can be quickly shifted to the desired temperature Td side. In other words, the slowness of the decrease in the actually measured humidity Hr is compensated by the speed of the decrease in the actually measured temperature Tr, so that a comfortable indoor environment can be obtained quickly.

  Now, after the time t41, the actually measured humidity Hr is lowered, and the indoor index Pr is also lowered accordingly. However, if the room index Pr is +0.5 or less, it is not necessary to make it excessively small, and if it is -0.5 or less, comfort is impaired. Therefore, the target temperature T * is changed higher toward the desired temperature Td to suppress an increase in power consumption.

  However, if the target temperature T * is raised in a state where the measured humidity Hr is high, the indoor index Pr rises excessively and comfort is impaired. Therefore, a value (Hd + δ4) larger than the desired humidity Hd by a predetermined value δ4 is used as a threshold value, and the target temperature T * is changed toward the desired temperature Td when the measured humidity Hr reaches this threshold. Referring to FIG. 5, the measured humidity Hr reaches the threshold value (Hd + δ4) at time t42 after time t41, and the target temperature T * matches the desired temperature Td. As a result, the measured temperature Tr rises and the room index Pr also rises.

  Of course, it is desirable to avoid an increase in the indoor index Pr due to an increase in the actually measured temperature Tr from exceeding +0.5. Therefore, for example, the threshold value (Hd + δ4) is desirably selected so that the indoor index Pr becomes a value of +0.5 or less even when the measured temperature Tr matches the desired temperature Td. Similar to the first embodiment, it is not difficult to obtain the threshold value (Hd + δ4).

  Speaking of the above operation with reference to FIG. 3, after step S14, in step S15, determination is made regarding the actually measured humidity Hr and the desired humidity Hd. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference between the actually measured humidity Hr and the desired humidity Hd is equal to or less than the value δ, and the value δ indicates the predetermined value δ4. In the heating operation, the actually measured humidity Hr is equal to or higher than the desired humidity Hd. Therefore, the determination in step S15 determines whether or not the above-described actually measured humidity Hr has reached the threshold value (Hd + δ4).

  If the determination result in step S15 is negative, step S15 is continued and the target temperature T * is not updated. If the determination result in step S15 is affirmative (time t42 in FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S16 if negative.

  In step S16, the target temperature T * is brought close to the desired temperature Td. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the target temperature T * is set to the desired temperature Td. In step S17, the cooling operation is continued as the temperature control operation.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the room index Pr also increases after time t <b> 42, but when the measured temperature Tr reaches the desired temperature Td at time t <b> 43, the measured temperature Tr is further increased by a known temperature adjustment operation of the temperature control operation unit 12. Does not rise and continues to take almost the desired temperature Td. On the other hand, the substantial dehumidifying operation continues after time t42 and the actually measured humidity Hr continues to decrease, so that the room index Pr starts to decrease from time t43. When the measured humidity Hr reaches the desired humidity Hd at time t44, the indoor index PMV becomes 0, the substantial dehumidifying operation is stopped, and the time zone BE is started. Since the stop of the dehumidifying operation is the same as in the prior art, it is omitted in the flowchart of FIG.

  Note that, when the measured temperature Tr is maintained at the desired temperature Td, a reheat dehumidifying operation may be employed to maintain the dehumidifying function.

  After the actually measured temperature Tr reaches the desired temperature Td, the indoor fan that is normally provided in the temperature control operation unit 12 may be automatically made into a weak wind and may be changed to control centering on the latent heat operation. The cooling operation by such control is generally called a cooling dry operation and a dehumidifying cooling operation.

  As described above, this embodiment also reduces power consumption while acquiring quick comfort in the same manner as the first embodiment. Moreover, since the target temperature is changed to the desired temperature when the comfort is obtained by the change in the actually measured humidity, it contributes to power saving while obtaining the comfort. Furthermore, by continuing to operate using the target temperature, excessive temperature adjustment is performed, and on the other hand, loss of comfort is also avoided.

Third embodiment.
In the present embodiment, another example of step S16 shown in FIG. 3 in the heating operation will be described. Specifically, the target temperature T * is gradually brought closer to the desired temperature Td.

  In FIG. 6, the temperature Tw (> Td> Tr) is adopted as the target temperature T * at time t0 to start the heating operation (see steps S13 and S14 in FIG. 3), and the actually measured temperature Tr reaches the target temperature T *. The case where the indoor index Pr has reached −0.5 before is illustrated. That is, the time zone BC starts from time t20.

  Thereafter, when the measured temperature Tr reaches the target temperature T * at time t21, the measured temperature Tr does not increase any more by the well-known temperature adjustment operation of the temperature control operation unit 12, and the target temperature T * is continued to be maintained.

  On the other hand, the actually measured humidity Hr continues to rise and reaches a value (Hd−δ2) that is smaller than the desired humidity Hd by a predetermined value δ2 at time t22a. With this as an opportunity, the target temperature T * is changed toward the desired temperature Td. Speaking in accordance with the present embodiment, the value δ in step S15 in FIG. 3 indicates a predetermined value δ2.

  More specifically, the target temperature T * is reset to a new temperature Tw ′ (Tw> Tw ′> Td). As a result, the measured temperature Tr decreases and reaches the target temperature T * (ie, temperature Tw ′) at time t22b. In response to this, the target temperature T * is further lowered and reset to the desired temperature Td. As a result, the measured temperature Tr decreases and reaches the target temperature T * (ie, the desired temperature Td) at time t23.

  The measured temperature Tr decreases from the time t22a, and the indoor index Pr also decreases. Although the actually measured humidity Hr continues to increase, if the decrease in the actually measured temperature Tr is significant, the indoor index may be too low. Therefore, the target temperature T * is changed in a stepwise manner in this way, and a situation in which comfort is lost due to a sudden change in the target temperature T * and, consequently, a sudden change in the actually measured temperature Tr is avoided.

  Further, at time t24, the actually measured humidity Hr reaches the desired humidity Hd, and the power consumption is reduced by stopping the humidifying operation. As a result, the time zone BE starts from time t24.

  In the above example, the case where the time t20 is earlier than the time t21 is illustrated, but the time t20 may be the same as or later than the time t21 as in the first embodiment. However, it is desirable that the time t20 is earlier than the time t22a. This is because it is desirable to obtain comfort before the target temperature T * decreases.

Fourth embodiment.
In the present embodiment, another example of step S16 shown in FIG. 3 in the cooling operation will be described. Specifically, the target temperature T * is gradually brought closer to the desired temperature Td.

  In FIG. 7, the cooling operation is started at time t0 by using the temperature Tc (<Td <Tr) as the target temperature T * (see steps S13 and S14 in FIG. 3), and the actually measured temperature Tr reaches the target temperature T *. The case where the room index Pr has reached +0.5 before is illustrated. That is, the time zone BC starts from time t50.

  Thereafter, when the actually measured temperature Tr reaches the target temperature T * at time t51, the actually measured temperature Tr does not decrease any more by the well-known temperature adjustment operation of the temperature control operation unit 12, and the target temperature T * is kept almost constant.

  On the other hand, the actual humidity Hr continues to decrease due to the substantial dehumidifying operation during the cooling operation, and reaches a value (Hd + δ5) that is higher by a predetermined value δ5 than the desired humidity Hd at time t52a. With this as an opportunity, the target temperature T * is changed toward the desired temperature Td. Speaking in accordance with the present embodiment, the value δ in step S15 in FIG. 3 indicates a predetermined value δ5.

  More specifically, the target temperature T * is reset to a new temperature Tc ′ (Tc <Tc ′ <Td). As a result, the actually measured temperature Tr rises and reaches the target temperature T * (that is, the temperature Tc ′) at time t52b. With this as a trigger, the target temperature T * is further raised and reset to the desired temperature Td. As a result, the measured temperature Tr rises and reaches the target temperature T * (that is, the desired temperature Td) at time t53.

  The measured temperature Tr rises from time t52a, and the room index Pr also rises. Although the measured humidity Hr continues to decrease, if the increase in the measured temperature Tr is significant, the indoor index Pr may increase too much. Thus, the target temperature T * is changed in a stepwise manner in this way to avoid a situation in which comfort is lost due to a sudden change in the target temperature and, consequently, a sudden change in the measured temperature Tr.

  Further, at time t54, the actually measured humidity Hr reaches the desired humidity Hd, and the power consumption is reduced by stopping the substantial dehumidifying operation. Thereby, the time zone BE starts from time t54.

  In the above example, the case where the time t50 is earlier than the time t51 is illustrated, but the time t50 may be the same as or later than the time t51 as in the second embodiment. However, it is desirable that the time t50 is earlier than the time t52a. This is because it is desirable to obtain comfort before the target temperature T * increases.

  In this embodiment, a reheat dehumidification operation may be employed as in the second embodiment to maintain the dehumidification function. Further, a cooling dry operation or a dehumidifying cooling operation may be employed.

Fifth embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the desired temperature Td is adopted as the target temperature T *, the measured temperature Tr is maintained near the desired temperature Td, and the measured humidity Hr is maintained near the desired humidity Hd. The heating operation in the case where the actually measured humidity is lower than the desired humidity by a predetermined value will be described.

  Specifically, in a state where comfort is maintained, heating operation that restores comfort when cold and dry outside air is introduced into the room by opening and closing windows and comfort is not maintained explain.

  In the present embodiment, step S21 in FIG. 8 indicates that the heating operation is continued as the temperature control operation. This situation is shown in FIG. 9 as a state before time tE. That is, before the time tE, the desired temperature Td is adopted as the target temperature T *, the measured temperature Tr is maintained near the desired temperature Td, and the measured humidity Hr is maintained near the desired humidity Hd. In FIG. 9, time tE indicates the time of occurrence of the disturbance.

  Generally, the capability of heating operation is higher than the capability of humidification operation, and the disturbance has a greater influence on the measured humidity Hr than the measured temperature Tr. Therefore, the actually measured temperature Tr is maintained substantially at the desired temperature Td, while the actually measured humidity Hr starts to decrease even when the humidifying operation is started at the time tE. Therefore, the measured temperature Tr is changed in a direction to compensate for the fluctuation of the measured humidity Hr, thereby suppressing the deterioration of comfort.

  In FIG. 9, the actually measured humidity Hr reaches a humidity (Hd−δ3) lower than the desired humidity Hd by a predetermined value δ3 at time t31a. As a result, the target temperature T * is changed to a temperature Tw1 higher than the desired temperature Td. That is, the influence on the comfort due to the deviation of the actually measured humidity Hr from the desired humidity Hd in the downward direction is compensated by changing the actually measured temperature Tr in the upward direction.

  Thus, after time tE, not only the target temperature T * increases but also the humidifying operation starts, so the time zone BE ends at time tE.

  This operation will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In step S22, it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference between the actually measured humidity Hr and the desired humidity Hd is equal to or greater than a predetermined value δ. Speaking in accordance with the present embodiment, the value δ represents the predetermined value δ3 described above. In the heating operation, the actually measured humidity Hr is equal to or less than the desired humidity Hd. Therefore, the determination in step S22 determines whether or not the above-described actually measured humidity Hr has reached the threshold value (Hd−δ3).

  The predetermined value δ3 is set such that the indoor index Pr is −0.5 when the measured humidity Hr is the threshold value (Hd−δ3) and the measured temperature Tr is the desired temperature Td. That is, whether or not the actually measured humidity Hr has reached the threshold value (Hd−δ3) indicates whether or not the indoor comfort is maintained.

  If the determination result in step S22 is negative, step S22 continues to be repeated and the target temperature T * is not updated. If the determination result in step S22 is affirmative (time t31a in FIG. 9), the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the target temperature T * is changed to the temperature Tw1.

  Due to the humidification operation of the humidity control operation unit 13, the decrease in the actually measured humidity Hr becomes slow. Further, the actual temperature Tr is increased by changing the target temperature T * to the temperature Tw1. Therefore, the indoor index Pr changes from a decrease to an increase. However, while the measured humidity Hr is still lower than the threshold (Hd−δ3), it is desirable to increase the measured temperature Tr and restore comfort at an early stage. Therefore, in step S24, it is determined whether the absolute value of the difference between the actually measured humidity Hr and the desired humidity Hd is less than the predetermined value δ. If the result of the determination is negative, the target value is not updated and heating is performed. Continue operation and humidification operation.

  However, in FIG. 9, in order to increase the measured temperature Tr more quickly, the target temperature T * is set to a temperature Tw2 that is higher than the temperature Tw1 when the measured temperature Tr reaches the target temperature T * at time t31b. Reset it. In FIG. 8, such resetting of the target temperature T * is indicated by a wavy arrow from step S24 to step S23.

  The measured temperature Tr further increases after time t31b. Even if the indoor index Pr becomes −0.5 or more, the measured temperature Tr is increased until the measured humidity Hr becomes larger than the threshold value (Hd−δ3). This is because the measured temperature Tr is lowered to the desired temperature Td later, so that the indoor comfort is ensured even at the measured temperature Tr. FIG. 9 illustrates a case where the room index Pr is −0.5 or more before the time 31b.

  Further, due to the humidification operation of the humidity control operation unit 13, the actually measured humidity Hr changes from a decrease to an increase, reaches the threshold value (Hd−δ3) at time t32a, and further exceeds the threshold value. As a result, the determination in step S24 becomes affirmative, and in step S25, the process of bringing the target temperature T * closer to the desired temperature Td is performed, and the process returns to step S22. FIG. 9 illustrates a case where step S25 is executed before the measured temperature Tr reaches the temperature Tw2 that has been adopted as the target temperature T *.

  As the measured temperature Tr continues to rise, the indoor index Pr also rises accordingly. However, if the room index Pr is −0.5 or more, it is not necessary to increase it excessively, and if it is +0.5 or more, comfort is impaired. Therefore, the target temperature T * is lowered toward the desired temperature Td to suppress an increase in power consumption.

  In FIG. 9, similar to the third embodiment, the target temperature T * is decreased from the temperature Tw2 to the temperature Tw1 at the time t32a, and then further decreased from the temperature Tw1 to the target temperature Td at the time t32b. Yes. Thus, by reducing the target temperature T * in steps, it is possible to avoid a situation in which comfort is lost due to a sudden change in the target temperature T * and consequently a sudden change in the measured temperature Tr.

  At time t33, the actual temperature Tr reaches the desired temperature Td, which is the target temperature T *, and thereafter, the actual temperature Tr does not decrease by a known temperature adjustment operation of the temperature control operation unit 12, and the desired temperature Td is substantially reduced. Continue to take. On the other hand, the humidifying operation continues after time t33, and the actually measured humidity Hr continues to rise and reaches the desired humidity Hd at time t34. As a result, the measured temperature Tr is maintained near the desired temperature Td, the measured humidity Hr is maintained near the desired humidity Hd, and the humidifying operation is stopped. Therefore, the time zone BE resumes from time t34. In this way, power consumption is reduced after comfort is quickly restored.

  In the present embodiment, both increase / decrease of the target temperature T * are performed stepwise, but only one of them may be performed stepwise, and it is not essential to stepwise.

  In the above example, the same value δ is adopted for both steps S22 and S24 shown in FIG. 8, but the value δ may be different between the two steps.

Sixth embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the desired temperature Td is adopted as the target temperature T *, the measured temperature Tr is maintained near the desired temperature Td, and the measured humidity Hr is maintained near the desired humidity Hd. The cooling operation when the actually measured humidity rises to a predetermined value or higher than the desired humidity will be described.

  Specifically, in the state where comfort is maintained, explanation will be given on cooling operation that restores comfort when hot and humid air such as cooking occurs in the room and the comfort is not maintained To do.

  In the present embodiment, step S21 in FIG. 8 indicates that the cooling operation is continued as the temperature control operation. This situation is shown in FIG. 10 as a state before time tE when the disturbance occurs, the desired temperature Td is adopted as the target temperature T *, the measured temperature Tr is maintained near the desired temperature Td, and the measured humidity Hr is desired. It is maintained near the humidity Hd.

  In general, in the cooling operation, the substantial dehumidifying ability is lower than the temperature control ability, and the disturbance has a greater influence on the measured humidity Hr than the measured temperature Tr. Therefore, the measured temperature Tr maintains substantially the desired temperature Td, while the measured humidity Hr starts to increase after time tE. Therefore, the measured temperature Tr is changed in a direction to compensate for the fluctuation of the measured humidity Hr, thereby suppressing the deterioration of comfort.

  In FIG. 10, the actually measured humidity Hr reaches a humidity (Hd + δ6) that is a predetermined value δ6 higher than the desired humidity Hd at time t61a. As a result, the target temperature T * is changed to a temperature Tc1 lower than the desired temperature Td. That is, the effect on the comfort caused by the deviation of the measured humidity Hr from the desired humidity Hd in the increasing direction is compensated by changing the measured temperature Tr in the descending direction.

  This operation will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In step S22, it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference between the actually measured humidity Hr and the desired humidity Hd is equal to or greater than a predetermined value δ. According to the present embodiment, the value δ represents the predetermined value δ6 described above. In the cooling operation, since the actually measured humidity Hr is equal to or higher than the desired humidity Hd, the determination in step S22 determines whether or not the above-described actually measured humidity Hr has reached the threshold value (Hd + δ6).

  The predetermined value δ6 is set so that the measured value Hr becomes a threshold value (Hd + δ6) and the indoor index Pr becomes +0.5 when the measured temperature Tr takes the desired temperature Td. That is, whether or not the measured humidity Hr has reached the threshold value (Hd + δ6) indicates whether or not the indoor comfort is maintained.

  Then, at the time indicated as time t61a in FIG. 10, the determination result in step S22 becomes affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the target temperature T * is changed to the temperature Tc1.

  Thus, by lowering the target temperature T *, the substantial dehumidifying ability of the temperature control operation unit 12 is improved, and the increase in the actually measured humidity Hr becomes slow. Further, the actual temperature Tr is lowered by changing the target temperature T * to the temperature Tc1. Therefore, the indoor index Pr changes from rising to falling.

  While the measured humidity Hr is higher than the threshold (Hd + δ6), it is desirable to lower the measured temperature Tr and restore comfort at an early stage. Therefore, in step S24, it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference between the measured humidity Hr and the desired humidity Hd is less than the predetermined value δ. If the result of the determination is negative, the target value is not updated and the cooling is performed. Continue driving.

  However, in FIG. 10, in order to lower the measured temperature Tr more quickly as in the fifth embodiment, the target temperature T is triggered by the fact that the measured temperature Tr has reached the target temperature T * at time t61b. * Is reset to a temperature Tc2 that is lower than the temperature Tc1. As described above, in FIG. 8, such resetting is indicated by a wavy arrow from step S24 to step S23.

  The measured temperature Tr further decreases after time t61b. Even if the indoor index Pr becomes +0.5 or less, the measured temperature Tr is lowered until the measured humidity Hr becomes smaller than the threshold value (Hd + δ6). This is because the measured temperature Tr is increased to the desired temperature Td later, so that the comfort in the room is ensured even at the measured temperature Tr. FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the room index Pr is +0.5 or less before the time 61b.

  Further, due to the substantial dehumidifying operation of the temperature control operation unit 12, the actually measured humidity Hr changes from rising to falling, reaches the threshold value (Hd + δ6) at time t62a, and further exceeds the threshold value. As a result, the determination in step S24 becomes affirmative, and in step S25, the process of bringing the target temperature T * closer to the desired temperature Td is performed, and the process returns to step S22. FIG. 10 illustrates a case where step S25 is executed before the actually measured temperature Tr reaches the temperature Tc2 that has been adopted as the target temperature T *.

  As the measured temperature Tr continues to decrease, the indoor index Pr also decreases accordingly. However, if the room index Pr is +0.5 or less, it is not necessary to make it excessively small, and if it is -0.5 or less, comfort is impaired. Therefore, the target temperature T * is changed higher toward the desired temperature Td to suppress an increase in power consumption.

  In FIG. 10, similar to the fourth embodiment, the target temperature T * is increased from the temperature Tc2 to the temperature Tc1 at the time t62a, and is further increased from the temperature Tc1 to the target temperature Td at the time t62b. Yes. In this way, by increasing the target temperature T * step by step, it is possible to avoid a situation in which comfort is lost due to a sudden change in the target temperature T * and, consequently, a sudden change in the measured temperature Tr.

  At time t63, the actual temperature Tr reaches the desired temperature Td, which is the target temperature T *, and thereafter, the actual temperature Tr does not increase any more by a known temperature adjustment operation of the temperature control operation unit 12, and the desired temperature Td is substantially reduced. Continue to take. On the other hand, the substantial dehumidifying operation continues after time t63, and the actually measured humidity Hr continues to decrease, and reaches the desired humidity Hd at time t64. As a result, the measured temperature Tr is maintained near the desired temperature Td, the measured humidity Hr is maintained near the desired humidity Hd, and the substantial dehumidification operation is also stopped. Therefore, the time zone BE resumes from time t64. In this way, power consumption is reduced after comfort is quickly restored.

  In this embodiment, a reheat dehumidification operation may be employed as in the second embodiment to maintain the dehumidification function. Further, a cooling dry operation or a dehumidifying cooling operation may be employed. However, in the present embodiment, the reheat dehumidification operation may be employed not only when maintaining the measured temperature but also when lowering or raising the measured temperature.

  In the present embodiment and the fifth embodiment, both the increase / decrease of the target temperature T * are performed stepwise, but only one of them may be performed stepwise or stepwise. That is not essential. Further, although the same value δ is adopted in both steps S22 and S24 shown in FIG. 8, the value δ may be different between the two steps.

  In each embodiment, the range of the indoor index Pr may be set to a range other than −0.5 or more and +0.5 or less as a range having comfort. This is because it is desirable to have a degree of freedom for adapting to the comfort of each user.

  For controlling the temperature and humidity during the cooling operation, a so-called reheat dehumidification function may be used. In the cooling operation, the reheat dehumidifying function heats the air that has been cooled and dehumidified by the indoor heat exchanger to near the room temperature and blows the air into the room.

  This reheat dehumidification function is realized by providing a reheater in the indoor unit upstream of the indoor expansion valve. In other words, since the outdoor heat exchanger and the reheater each act as a condenser, the air cooled and dehumidified by the indoor heat exchanger is reheated to near the room temperature by heat exchange in the reheater. Yes.

  The configuration of the reheat dehumidifying refrigerant circuit is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-172557, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-064257, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-145204, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-075924. Any known configuration can be used.

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the air conditioner 10 will be described as an example. FIG. 13 is an external view showing an air conditioner 1 that can be employed as the air conditioner 10. The air conditioner 1 is mainly composed of an indoor unit 2 attached to an indoor wall surface and an outdoor unit 3 installed outside the room. The outdoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 use a dedicated communication line to transmit signals. We are giving and receiving.

  The outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor air conditioning unit 5 and a humidification unit 4. The outdoor air conditioning unit 5 has a function of the temperature control operation unit 12, and the humidification unit 4 has a humidification function in the humidity control operation unit 13.

  The outdoor air conditioning unit 5 is connected to the indoor unit 2 via the refrigerant pipes 31 and 32, and the outdoor air conditioning unit 5 and the indoor unit 2 constitute a refrigerant circuit described later. The humidification unit 4 is connected to the indoor unit 2 via the air supply pipe 6, and the outside air taken into the humidification unit 4 is sent to the indoor unit 2 through the air supply pipe 6.

  The air conditioner 1 includes various operation modes, for example, a cooling operation mode, a heating operation mode, a dehumidifying operation mode, an energy saving automatic operation mode, and the like, and generates a comfortable indoor environment according to a request from a user.

  In the present embodiment, the energy saving automatic operation mode means that a target temperature value, a target humidity value, a wind direction, an air volume, and the like are previously set so that sufficient comfort can be obtained and energy efficient control is performed. This is a defined mode.

  In the energy saving automatic operation mode, the air conditioner 1 is controlled with a target temperature value and a target humidity value that are determined in advance according to the cooling period or the heating period. Note that a dehumidifying operation or a cooling operation (dehumidifying and cooling operation) is performed in the cooling period, and a heating operation (humidifying and heating operation) is performed in the heating period.

  FIG. 14 shows a refrigerant circuit diagram of the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor air conditioning unit 5. FIG. 15 shows a control block diagram of the air conditioner 1. Hereinafter, the configuration of the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor air conditioning unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

  The indoor unit 2 mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, a cross flow fan 22, and an indoor fan motor 23. The indoor heat exchanger 21 includes a heat transfer tube that is bent back and forth at both ends in the longitudinal direction and a plurality of fins through which the heat transfer tube is inserted, and performs heat exchange between the air that contacts the heat transfer tube.

  The indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator during the cooling operation, and lowers the temperature of indoor air in contact with the indoor heat exchanger 21. Moreover, the water | moisture content in the air which contacted the indoor heat exchanger 21 turns into a water droplet, and is dripped at the drain pan (not shown) provided in the downward direction of the indoor heat exchanger 21. FIG. For this reason, the humidity of the air discharged into the room also decreases. On the other hand, during the heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser. Thereby, the air heated in contact with the indoor heat exchanger 21 is sent indoors.

  The cross flow fan 22 is configured in a cylindrical shape, and a large number of blades are provided on the circumferential surface. The cross flow fan 22 generates an air flow in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis, sucks indoor air into the indoor unit 2, and blows out air that has undergone heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 21 into the room. Let

  The cross flow fan 22 is rotationally driven by an indoor fan motor 23. The indoor fan motor 23 is connected to a control unit 8 to be described later, and operates according to a control signal from the control unit 8.

  Various sensors are attached to the indoor unit 2. The various sensors include a suction temperature sensor 25, an indoor humidity sensor 26, and the like. The suction temperature sensor 25 functions as the indoor temperature sensor 16, and the indoor humidity sensor 26 functions as the indoor humidity sensor 15.

  The suction temperature sensor 25 detects the temperature of indoor air sucked into the indoor unit 2, and the indoor humidity sensor 26 detects indoor humidity. Here, the humidity detected by the indoor humidity sensor 26 is relative humidity. As shown in FIG. 15, the suction temperature sensor 25 and the indoor humidity sensor 26 are connected to the control unit 8, and values detected by the suction temperature sensor 25 and the indoor humidity sensor 26 are sent to the control unit 8.

  The outdoor air conditioning unit 5 mainly includes a compressor 51, a propeller fan 52, an outdoor fan motor 53, an outdoor heat exchanger 54, a four-way switching valve 55, an electric valve 56, and a liquid side closing valve 57. A gas side closing valve 58 is provided.

  The compressor 51 is a machine whose capacity can be adjusted by inverter control, sucks low-pressure gas refrigerant, compresses the sucked gas refrigerant, and discharges it as high-pressure gas refrigerant.

  The propeller fan 52 is rotationally driven by the outdoor fan motor 53 and sucks outside air into the casing.

  The outdoor heat exchanger 54 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside the outdoor heat exchanger 54 and the outside air sucked into the outdoor air conditioning unit 5 by the propeller fan 52. The outdoor heat exchanger 54 has a four-way switching valve 55 connected to one end and an electric valve 56 connected to the other end.

  The four-way switching valve 55 switches the refrigerant circuit based on the cooling / heating mode. The refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger 54 dissipates heat during the cooling mode operation (when the four-way switching valve 55 is in a solid line state), and during the heating mode operation (the four-way switching valve 55 is in a broken line state). In the case of heat absorption).

  The electric valve 56 controls the amount of refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 54 by changing the opening of the valve. The liquid side closing valve 57 and the gas side closing valve 58 open and close the refrigerant circuit.

  The outdoor fan motor 53, the compressor 51, the four-way switching valve 55, the motor operated valve 56, the liquid side closing valve 57, the gas side closing valve 58, and the like are connected to the control unit 8 as shown in FIG. It operates according to a control signal from the control unit 8.

  Furthermore, the outdoor air conditioning unit 5 is provided with various sensors including an outside air temperature sensor 59 as shown in FIG. The outside air temperature sensor 59 detects the outside air temperature. The outside air temperature sensor 59 is connected to the control unit 8 described later, and the value detected by the outside air temperature sensor 59 is sent to the control unit 8.

  Next, the configuration of the humidifying unit 4 will be described. The humidifying unit 4 humidifies the air taken from the outside and supplies it to the room. As shown in FIG. 14, the humidification unit 4 mainly includes a suction / humidification rotor 41, a rotor drive motor 42, a heater 43, a radial fan 44, a radial fan motor 45, a suction fan 46, and a suction fan. And a motor 47.

  The humidifying / humidifying rotor 41 is a honeycomb-shaped ceramic rotor having a generally disc shape, and has a structure in which air can easily pass therethrough. The adsorption / humidification rotor 41 carries an adsorbent such as zeolite, silica gel, or alumina. Thereby, the moisture absorption / humidification rotor 41 adsorb | sucks the water | moisture content contained in the air which contacts, and remove | releases a water | moisture content by heating. The humidification / humidification rotor 41 is rotationally driven by a rotor drive motor 42.

  The heater 43 heats the air taken from outside the room and sent to the suction / humidification rotor 41 during humidification.

  The radial fan 44 is disposed beside the humidifying / humidifying rotor 41 and is driven by a radial fan motor 45. The radial fan 44 introduces outdoor air into the humidifying unit 4 and generates a flow of air sent to the room (A1 in FIG. 14).

  The air flow generated by the radial fan 44 is introduced into the humidification unit 4 from the air supply port 40 a, passes through the suction / humidification rotor 41, and is sent to the indoor unit 2 through the air supply pipe 6. The suction fan 46 is rotationally driven by a suction fan motor 47.

  The suction fan 46 generates a flow of air so that air sucked into the casing of the humidifying unit 4 from the suction port 40b is discharged out of the casing through the blowout port 40c (A2 in FIG. 14). Moisture is adsorbed by the suction / humidification rotor 41, and the air sucked from the suction air suction port 40b is then discharged from the blowout port 40c to the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the rotor drive motor 42, the heater 43, the radial fan motor 45, and the suction fan motor 47 are connected to the control unit 8, which will be described later, and correspond to a control signal from the control unit 8. Works. That is, when humidification is necessary, the heater 43 is turned on, and the air taken in from the air supply port 40a is heated by the heater. The air heated by the heater is sent to the air supply pipe 6 including the moisture separated from the suction and humidification rotor 41.

  Next, the control part 8 which controls the air conditioner 1 is demonstrated using FIG. The control unit 8 functions as a target temperature setting unit 11, an indoor environment setting unit 14, and a general control unit 17.

  The control unit 8 is a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory, and is provided separately in an indoor unit 2, an electrical component box disposed in the outdoor air conditioning unit 5 and the humidifying unit 4 included in the outdoor unit 3, and the like. . Each device of the indoor unit 2, the outdoor air conditioning unit 5, and the humidification unit 4 is connected to the control unit 8, and the control unit 8 exchanges signals with these devices.

  The control unit 8 mainly includes a reception unit 8a, an adjustment unit 8b, a detection unit 8c, and a determination unit 8d.

  The accepting unit 8a accepts a request from the user received by the receiving unit 24 shown in FIG. Specifically, the receiving unit 8a receives a request such as an operation mode, temperature, humidity, wind direction, and air volume set by a user with a remote controller (not shown) via the receiving unit 24. The input of the desired temperature Td and the desired humidity Hd to the indoor environment setting unit 14 can also be performed via the remote controller or the receiving unit 24.

  The adjusting unit 8b adjusts the temperature, humidity, wind direction, and air volume in accordance with the user request received by the receiving unit 8a. Specifically, the target value is set based on the set operation mode, temperature, humidity, wind direction, and air volume.

  For example, when the operation mode received by the reception unit 8a is the heating operation mode, the cooling operation mode, or the dehumidification operation mode, the air conditioning is performed with the temperature, humidity, wind direction, and air volume desired by the user as target values. The machine 1 is controlled.

  That is, according to the target value set by the adjusting unit 8b, the frequency of the compressor 51 provided in the outdoor air conditioning unit 5, the opening degree of the motor-operated valve 56, the angle of the flap (not shown), and the indoor fan motor 23 The number of rotations and the like vary, and further, ON / OFF control of the heater 43 provided in the humidification unit 4 and control of the rotor drive motor 42 and the like are performed.

  In this way, the temperature, humidity, wind direction, and air volume are adjusted, and the air conditioner 1 is controlled so that the indoor environment becomes the temperature set by the user.

  On the other hand, when the operation mode received by the reception unit 8a is the energy saving automatic operation mode, the adjustment unit 8b is set in advance to ensure energy saving and comfort, such as temperature, humidity, air volume, and wind direction. Is set as the target value.

  The target value is set in each of the heating period and the cooling period, and whether heating operation or cooling operation is performed based on the room temperature detected by the suction temperature sensor 25 and the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 59 Is determined. However, as described above, the target temperature T * is also set for the desired temperature Td.

  The control unit 8 includes a timer (not shown), detects the outside air temperature and room temperature every predetermined time measured by the timer, and heating operation or cooling operation in the energy saving automatic operation mode according to the detected outside air temperature and room temperature. Review.

  In order to ensure comfort, the adjustment unit 8b sets a temperature at which the index PMV is close to 0 as the desired temperature.

  In addition, in order to implement | achieve energy saving operation, the adjustment part 8b may correct | amend desired temperature by reducing 0.5 degreeC at the time of heating, and raising 0.5 degreeC at the time of cooling.

  Specifically, in the heating operation when the energy saving automatic operation mode is selected, when the index PMV shows the most comfortable value at a room temperature of 22.5 ° C. and a humidity of 50%, the adjusting unit 8b sets the desired temperature to 22.0. Set 50 ° C. as the desired humidity. On the other hand, in the cooling operation, assuming that the index PMV shows the most comfortable value at room temperature 27.5 ° C. and humidity 50%, the adjustment unit 8b sets the desired temperature as 28 when the energy saving automatic operation mode is selected. Set 0.degree. C. and 50% as the desired humidity.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the energy saving automatic operation mode is not employed has been described as an example. Therefore, the index PMV when the measured temperature Tr and the measured humidity Hr are the desired temperature Td and the desired humidity Hd, respectively, is 0. Adopted.

  When the adjustment unit 8b sets a target value (including the desired temperature Td), a control signal is output to each device of the indoor unit 2, the outdoor air conditioning unit 5, and the humidification unit 4, and each device operates according to the target value. To start.

  Furthermore, the adjustment unit 8b also sets a target temperature value T * based on a determination result by the determination unit 8d described later. Details will be described together with the description of the determination unit 8d.

  The detection unit 8 c detects values obtained by the suction temperature sensor 25 and the indoor humidity sensor 26.

  The determination unit 8d determines whether or not the value detected by the detection unit 8c has reached the above-described desired temperature and desired humidity. When the energy saving automatic operation mode is selected, the value of the indoor humidity sensor 26 is determined even though it is determined that the value of the suction temperature sensor 25 detected by the detection unit 8c has reached the desired temperature. If it is determined that the desired humidity has not been reached, the adjustment unit 8b corrects the desired temperature by 1 ° C. That is, the desired temperature is raised by 1 ° C. during the heating operation, and the desired temperature is lowered by 1 ° C. during the cooling operation. Specifically, during the heating operation, the previously set target temperature value of 22.0 ° C is corrected to 23.0 ° C, and during the cooling operation, the previously set target value of 28.0 ° C is set to 27.0 ° C. Set to. By correcting the desired temperature in this way, the humidity varies and the comfort of the indoor environment can be ensured at an early stage.

11 Target temperature setting unit 12 Temperature control operation unit 13 Humidity control operation unit 14 Indoor environment setting unit

Claims (6)

An indoor environment setting unit (14) for setting a desired temperature (Td) and desired humidity (Hd) in a room to be air-conditioned,
A target temperature setting unit (11) for setting a target temperature (T *) in the air-conditioning operation based on the desired temperature, the desired humidity, and the actually measured humidity (Hr) in the room;
A temperature control operation unit (12) for performing a temperature control operation in the room based on the target temperature,
The target temperature setting unit is
The desired temperature is adopted as the target temperature, the measured temperature (Tr) in the room is maintained near the desired temperature, and the measured humidity is maintained near the desired humidity. The target temperature is changed in the second direction from the desired temperature, triggered by the deviation in the first direction at the first predetermined value (δ3, δ6) or more than the desired humidity (S22, S23),
In a state where the target temperature deviates from the desired temperature in the second direction, the deviation between the measured humidity and the desired humidity is within a second predetermined value (δ3, δ6). Change the target temperature in the first direction (S24, S25)
An air conditioner in which the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions.   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control operation is a heating operation, and the first direction and the second direction are a descending direction and an ascending direction, respectively.   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control operation is a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation, and the first direction and the second direction are an ascending direction and a descending direction, respectively. Humidity control operation unit (13) for performing humidity control operation based on the desired humidity
Further comprising
When the measured humidity (Hr) is lower than the desired humidity (Hd), the humidity control operation unit performs a humidifying operation, and the measured temperature (Tr) in the room is lower than the desired temperature (Td). The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature control operation unit performs a heating operation as the temperature control operation.   When the measured humidity (Hr) is higher than the desired humidity (Hd) or the measured temperature (Tr) in the room is higher than the desired temperature (Td), the temperature control operation unit controls the temperature control. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a cooling operation is performed as an operation.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the target temperature is changed stepwise.

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