JP5558625B2 - Refrigeration air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigeration air conditioner, and more particularly to a refrigeration air conditioner including a plurality of use side heat exchangers.

  In the prior art, for example, “When supplying refrigerant to the refrigerant pipe connection port on the outdoor unit side to which the branch kit 30 is connected, first, all the flow control valves in the branch kit are opened. The first temperature of the heat exchanger is detected, and then the second temperature of the indoor heat exchanger when the flow control valves in the branching kit are closed one by one is detected. The indoor unit corresponding to the heat exchanger for which a predetermined change is obtained with reference to the temperature of 1 is recognized as an indoor unit connected to the refrigerant pipe connection port corresponding to the closed flow control valve. A unique identification address is set for each indoor unit ”(for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-9-229457 (Abstract)

  In a conventional refrigeration and air conditioning apparatus that can be operated simultaneously with cooling and heating, a relay unit is provided with a plurality of refrigerant piping branch ports, and an indoor unit is connected to each branch port. The relay unit needs to control the flow path switching valve etc. depending on whether each indoor unit is operating or stopped, and whether the operation mode of each indoor unit is the cooling mode or the heating mode. It is necessary to identify and control which indoor unit is connected to the branch port. Therefore, the connection branch port number or the connection indoor unit number has to be set with a dip switch or the like in each indoor unit or relay unit.

  However, when the connection branch port number or the connection indoor unit number is set with a dip switch or the like in each indoor unit or relay unit as described above, setting means such as a dip switch is required for the indoor unit or the relay unit. There is a problem that the parts cost is high and the setting work is troublesome. In addition, when this setting means is set incorrectly, there is a problem that normal operation cannot be performed.

  In addition, as in Patent Document 1, the flow rate control valve is controlled and the temperature change of the indoor heat exchanger is measured to automatically determine the connection. The temperature data of the indoor heat exchanger is transmitted to the relay unit by communication. There is a need to. In order to enable such temperature data transmission and reception, a program that uses the same communication protocol is used for the transmission processing of the microcomputer of the control device in the indoor unit and the reception analysis processing of the microcomputer of the control device in the relay unit. Must be implemented. For this reason, there is a problem that there are restrictions on the indoor units that can be connected to the relay unit.

Here, an example of the restrictions on the indoor units that can be connected to the relay unit as described above will be described.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a relay unit control device and an indoor unit control device provided with processing for controlling a flow rate control valve, measuring a temperature change of an indoor heat exchanger, and automatically determining connection in the prior art. It is. In FIG. 8, the relay unit control device 63 b and the indoor unit control device 62 are connected by a transmission line 71. The transmission line 71 is connected to the transmission circuit and the reception circuit of the relay unit control device 63b and the indoor unit control device 62. The transmission circuit and the reception circuit of each control device are connected to the microcomputer of each control device, and the microcomputer performs transmission processing and reception analysis processing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of data when temperature data of the indoor heat exchanger is transmitted from the indoor unit control device 62 to the relay unit control device 63b in the prior art. First, the temperature data is converted into a transmittable digital signal by the transmission processing of the indoor unit control device 62. Further, the digital signal is converted into a signal waveform by the transmission circuit, and transmitted on the transmission line to the relay unit. In the relay unit control device 63b, the signal waveform is inversely converted into a digital signal by the receiving circuit. Furthermore, temperature data can be received by inversely converting the digital signal into temperature data by reception analysis processing.
Thus, in the prior art, in order to transmit and receive temperature data, the transmission process of the microcomputer of the indoor unit control device 62 and the reception analysis process of the microcomputer of the relay unit control device 63b have the same communication protocol. The program to be used must be implemented.
In addition, the receiving circuit of the relay unit control device 63b and the transmission circuit of the indoor unit control device 62 are connectable to each other and need to satisfy the constraint conditions with respect to the operation speed. Become.

As described above, the conventional technology has a problem that the relay unit and the indoor unit can be connected only by a combination satisfying the respective constraint conditions, and products of other companies cannot be easily connected.
In addition, there is a problem that the configuration related to communication between the relay unit and the indoor unit is complicated.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. The first object is that there are few restrictions on communication of indoor units, and the indoor units connected to each branch port can be recognized. A refrigeration air conditioner is obtained.
Moreover, the 2nd objective is to obtain the refrigerating air-conditioning apparatus which can detect the setting abnormality regarding the connection of each branch port and an indoor unit.

  A refrigeration air conditioner according to the present invention includes a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, at least one expansion valve, a refrigeration cycle circuit to which at least one intermediate heat exchanger is connected to circulate refrigerant, and at least one pump A plurality of usage-side heat exchangers, and a heat medium circulation circuit to which the intermediate heat exchanger is connected to circulate the heat medium, and at least the intermediate heat exchanger and the pump are accommodated in the relay unit. In the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus in which each of the plurality of usage-side heat exchangers is housed in an indoor unit, the indoor unit starts and stops an operation of performing heat exchange between the heat medium and the heat load by the usage-side heat exchanger. The relay unit is connected to each of the plurality of use side heat exchangers, and circulates the heat medium to the use side heat exchanger. A plurality of branch ports to be provided, an outlet temperature sensor that is provided at each of the branch ports and detects an outlet temperature of the heat medium flowing out from the branch port to the use side heat exchanger, and provided at each of the branch ports. An inlet temperature sensor for detecting an inlet temperature of the heat medium flowing into the branch port from the use side heat exchanger, and the indoor unit controller and a transmission line, and an operation command or A relay unit control device that transmits a stop command and controls the operation of the indoor unit, wherein the relay unit control device operates the indoor units one by one, and the inlet of each branch port at that time Based on the difference between the temperature and the outlet temperature, the indoor unit connected to each branch port is recognized.

  This invention has few restrictions concerning the communication of an indoor unit, and can recognize the indoor unit connected to each branch port.

It is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the structure of the refrigerating air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the relay unit control apparatus and the indoor unit control apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the automatic determination process of the connection branch port of the indoor unit of the refrigerating air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the structure of the refrigerating air conditioner in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the automatic determination process of the connection branch port of the indoor unit of the refrigerating air conditioner in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the structure of the refrigerating air conditioner in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the automatic determination process of the connection branch port of the indoor unit of the refrigerating air conditioner in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the relay unit control apparatus and the indoor unit control apparatus which provided the process which controls the flow control valve in the prior art, measures the temperature change of an indoor heat exchanger, and determines a connection automatically. It is the figure in the prior art which showed the data flow at the time of transmitting the temperature data of an indoor heat exchanger from the indoor unit control apparatus 62 to the relay unit control apparatus 63b.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
In the first embodiment, an automatic determination process for a connection branch port of an indoor unit is performed during a trial operation after the installation of the refrigeration air conditioner is completed.

  1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this refrigeration air conditioner includes a heat source device 1 that is a heat source device, a plurality of indoor units (indoor units) 2, and a relay that is interposed between the heat source device 1 and the indoor unit 2. And a unit 3.

  In the heat source device 1, a compressor 10, a four-way valve 11, a heat source side heat exchanger 12, and an accumulator 17 are accommodated in series by a refrigerant pipe 4, and heat necessary for the system is converted into a refrigerant. Supply it on board.

  Each indoor unit 2 is equipped with a use side heat exchanger 26. The use side heat exchanger 26 is connected to the stop valve 24 and the flow rate adjustment valve 25 of the second relay unit 3b through the pipe 5. The indoor unit 2 transfers heat from the heat medium circulated by the use side heat exchanger 26 to the indoor air. Water, antifreeze, or the like can be used as the heat medium. In Embodiment 1, water is used as the heat medium.

  The relay unit 3 is composed of a first relay unit 3a and a second relay unit 3b with separate housings. The first relay unit 3a is provided with a gas-liquid separator 14 and an expansion valve 16e, which separates the conveyed refrigerant into three parts, a high pressure gas, an intermediate pressure liquid, and a low pressure gas, for cooling, Supply as a heat source for heating. The second relay unit 3b includes two intermediate heat exchangers 15, four expansion valves 16, two pumps 21, four flow path switching valves 22, four flow path switching valves 23, A stop valve 24 and four flow path adjustment valves 25 are provided. The second relay unit 3b transmits necessary heat from the cooling refrigerant and the heating refrigerant to the water, and circulates the water in which the heat quantity necessary for the heat medium circulation circuit (water circuit) is stored.

The second relay unit 3b includes two first temperature sensors 31, two second temperature sensors 32, four third temperature sensors 33, four fourth temperature sensors 34, and a fifth temperature sensor. 35, a pressure sensor 36, a sixth temperature sensor 37, and a seventh temperature sensor 38 are provided. The four third temperature sensors 33 (third temperature sensors 33 a to 33 d) are provided on the inlet side of the heat medium flow path of the use side heat exchanger 26, and determine the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the use side heat exchanger 26. It is to be detected, and may be composed of a thermistor or the like. The number of third temperature sensors 33 (four here) according to the number of indoor units 2 installed is provided. In correspondence with the indoor unit 2, the third temperature sensor 33a, the third temperature sensor 33b, the third temperature sensor 33c, and the third temperature sensor 33d are illustrated from the lower side of the drawing.
The third temperature sensor 33 corresponds to the “inlet temperature sensor” in the present invention.

The four fourth temperature sensors 34 (fourth temperature sensors 34 a to 34 d) are provided on the outlet side of the heat medium flow path of the use side heat exchanger 26, and determine the temperature of the heat medium flowing out from the use side heat exchanger 26. It is to be detected, and may be composed of a thermistor. The number (four here) of the fourth temperature sensors 34 is provided according to the number of indoor units 2 installed. In correspondence with the indoor unit 2, the fourth temperature sensor 34a, the fourth temperature sensor 34b, the fourth temperature sensor 34c, and the fourth temperature sensor 34d are illustrated from the lower side of the drawing.
The fourth temperature sensor 34 corresponds to the “exit temperature sensor” in the present invention.

  The pipe 5 that conducts water as a heat medium is connected to the intermediate heat exchanger 15a (hereinafter referred to as the pipe 5a) and connected to the intermediate heat exchanger 15b (hereinafter referred to as the pipe 5b). And is composed of. The pipe 5 a and the pipe 5 b are branched (here, four branches each) according to the number of indoor units 2 that can be connected to the relay unit 3. Hereinafter, a combination of the pipe 5a and the pipe 5b branched so as to be connectable to the indoor units 2a to 2d is referred to as branch ports 6a to 6d. The branch ports 6 a to 6 d are connected by a flow path switching valve 22, a flow path switching valve 23 and a flow rate adjustment valve 25. By controlling the flow path switching valve 22 and the flow path switching valve 23, the heat medium that conducts the pipe 5a is caused to flow into the use side heat exchanger 26, or the heat medium that conducts the pipe 5b is used as the use side heat exchanger 26. It is determined whether or not it will flow into

The heat source device 1 is provided with a control device 61 that controls the operation of each device mounted on the heat source device 1. The indoor units 2a to 2d are provided with indoor unit controllers 62a to 62d that control the operation of each device mounted on the indoor units 2a to 2d. Further, the relay units 3a and 3b are provided with relay unit control devices 63a and 63b for controlling the operation of each device mounted on the relay units 3a and 3b. The relay unit control device 63b is provided with a switch 64 that is operated to start automatic branching port determination processing.
The control device 61, the indoor unit control devices 62a to 62d, and the relay unit control devices 63a and 63b are configured to be able to transmit / receive signals to / from each other.

Note that the number of connected heat source devices 1, indoor units 2, and relay units 3 is not limited to the illustrated number.
The indoor unit 2 is not limited to an air conditioner, and may be a water heater.

Here, each operation mode executed by the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 will be described.
This refrigeration air conditioner 100 is capable of cooling operation or heating operation in each indoor unit 2. That is, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 can perform the same operation for all of the indoor units 2 and can perform different operations for each of the indoor units 2. In the following, four operation modes executed by the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100, that is, a cooling operation mode in which all of the driven indoor units 2 execute the cooling operation, and all of the driven indoor units 2 execute the heating operation. The heating only operation mode, the cooling main operation mode in which the cooling load is larger, and the heating main operation mode in which the heating load is larger will be described together with the refrigerant flow.

[Cooling operation mode]
Here, the cooling only operation mode will be described by taking as an example a case where a cooling load is generated only in the use side heat exchanger 26a and the use side heat exchanger 26b.
In the cooling only operation mode, in the heat source device 1, the four-way valve 11 is switched so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12. In the relay unit 3, the pump 21a is stopped, the pump 21b is driven, the stop valve 24a and the stop valve 24b are opened, the stop valve 24c and the stop valve 24d are closed, and the heat exchange with each intermediate heat exchanger 15b is performed. The heat medium circulates between the heat exchangers 26 (the use side heat exchanger 26a and the use side heat exchanger 26b). In this state, the operation of the compressor 10 is started.

First, the refrigerant flow in the refrigeration cycle circuit will be described.
The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 10 and discharged as a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passes through the four-way valve 11 and flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12. Then, the heat source side heat exchanger 12 condenses and liquefies while radiating heat to the outdoor air, and becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side heat exchanger 12 flows out of the heat source device 1 through the check valve, and flows into the first relay unit 3a through the refrigerant pipe 4. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the first relay unit 3a flows into the gas-liquid separator 14, and then flows into the second relay unit 3b through the expansion valve 16e.

  The refrigerant flowing into the second relay unit 3b is expanded by being throttled by the expansion valve 16a, and becomes a low-temperature / low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. This gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 15b acting as an evaporator and absorbs heat from the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circuit so that the heat medium is cooled and the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant is cooled. It becomes. The gas refrigerant flowing out from the intermediate heat exchanger 15b flows through the expansion valve 16c, then flows out from the second relay unit 3b and the first relay unit 3a, and flows into the heat source device 1 through the refrigerant pipe 4. The refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source device 1 passes through the check valve, and is re-inhaled into the compressor 10 via the four-way valve 11 and the accumulator 17. The expansion valve 16b and the expansion valve 16d have small openings so that the refrigerant does not flow, and the expansion valve 16c is fully opened so that no pressure loss occurs.

Next, the flow of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit will be described.
In the cooling only operation mode, since the pump 21a is stopped, the heat medium circulates through the pipe 5b. The heat medium cooled by the refrigerant in the intermediate heat exchanger 15b flows in the pipe 5b by the pump 21b. The heat medium pressurized and discharged by the pump 21b passes through the stop valve 24 (stop valve 24a and stop valve 24b) via the flow path switching valve 22 (flow path switching valve 22a and flow path switching valve 22b), and is used. It flows into the side heat exchanger 26 (the use side heat exchanger 26a and the use side heat exchanger 26b). Then, the use side heat exchanger 26 absorbs heat from indoor air (heat load), and cools the air-conditioning target area such as the room where the indoor unit 2 is installed.

  Thereafter, the heat medium flowing out from the use side heat exchanger 26 flows into the flow rate adjustment valve 25 (the flow rate adjustment valve 25a and the flow rate adjustment valve 25b). At this time, only the heat medium having a flow rate necessary to cover the air conditioning load required in the air-conditioning target area such as the room flows into the use-side heat exchanger 26 by the action of the flow rate adjusting valve 25, and the remaining heat medium. Flows through the bypass pipe 27 (bypass pipe 27a and bypass pipe 27b) so as to bypass the use side heat exchanger 26.

  The heat medium passing through the bypass pipe 27 does not contribute to heat exchange, but joins the heat medium that has passed through the use-side heat exchanger 26, and the flow path switching valve 23 (the flow path switching valve 23a and the flow path switching valve 23b). ) Through the intermediate heat exchanger 15b and again sucked into the pump 21b. The air conditioning load required in the air conditioning target area such as indoors can be covered by controlling the temperature difference between the third temperature sensor 33 and the fourth temperature sensor 34 so as to keep the target value.

  At this time, since it is not necessary to flow the heat medium to the use side heat exchanger 26 (including the thermo-off) without heat load, the flow path is closed by the stop valve 24 and the heat medium flows to the use side heat exchanger 26. I am trying not to. In the usage side heat exchanger 26a and the usage side heat exchanger 26b, a heat medium flows because there is a thermal load. However, in the usage side heat exchanger 26c and the usage side heat exchanger 26d, there is no thermal load and corresponding. The stop valve 24c and the stop valve 24d are closed. When a cold load is generated from the use side heat exchanger 26c or the use side heat exchanger 26d, the stop valve 24c or the stop valve 24d may be opened to circulate the heat medium.

[Heating operation mode]
Here, the heating only operation mode will be described by taking as an example a case where a thermal load is generated only in the use side heat exchanger 26a and the use side heat exchanger 26b.
In the heating source operation mode, in the heat source device 1, the four-way valve 11 is switched so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the relay unit 3 without passing through the heat source side heat exchanger 12. In the relay unit 3, the pump 21a is driven, the pump 21b is stopped, the stop valve 24a and the stop valve 24b are opened, the stop valve 24c and the stop valve 24d are closed, and the heat exchange with each intermediate heat exchanger 15a is performed. It switches so that a heat medium may circulate between the heat exchangers 26 (use side heat exchanger 26a and use side heat exchanger 26b). In this state, the operation of the compressor 10 is started.

First, the refrigerant flow in the refrigeration cycle circuit will be described.
The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 10 and discharged as a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passes through the four-way valve 11, conducts the refrigerant pipe 4, passes through the check valve, and flows out of the heat source device 1. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source device 1 flows into the first relay unit 3 a through the refrigerant pipe 4. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the first relay unit 3a flows into the gas-liquid separator 14, and then flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 15a. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 15a is condensed and liquefied while dissipating heat to the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circulation circuit, and becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

  The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the intermediate heat exchanger 15a is expanded by being throttled by the expansion valve 16d, and enters a low-temperature / low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase state. The refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state throttled by the expansion valve 16d is conducted through the refrigerant pipe 4 via the expansion valve 16b and flows into the heat source device 1 again. The refrigerant flowing into the heat source device 1 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12 acting as an evaporator via a check valve. And the refrigerant | coolant which flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 12 absorbs heat from outdoor air in the heat source side heat exchanger 12, and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out from the heat source side heat exchanger 12 returns to the compressor 10 via the four-way valve 11 and the accumulator 17. The expansion valve 16a, the expansion valve 16c, and the expansion valve 16e have small openings so that the refrigerant does not flow.

Next, the flow of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit will be described.
In the heating only operation mode, since the pump 21b is stopped, the heat medium circulates through the pipe 5a. The heat medium heated by the refrigerant in the intermediate heat exchanger 15a flows in the pipe 5a by the pump 21a. The heat medium pressurized and flowed out by the pump 21a passes through the stop valve 24 (stop valve 24a and stop valve 24b) through the flow path switching valve 22 (flow path switching valve 22a and flow path switching valve 22b) and is used. It flows into the side heat exchanger 26 (the use side heat exchanger 26a and the use side heat exchanger 26b). Then, heat is applied to the indoor air (heat load) in the use side heat exchanger 26 to heat the air-conditioning target area such as the room where the indoor unit 2 is installed.

  Thereafter, the heat medium flowing out from the use side heat exchanger 26 flows into the flow rate adjustment valve 25 (the flow rate adjustment valve 25a and the flow rate adjustment valve 25b). At this time, only the heat medium having a flow rate necessary to cover the air conditioning load required in the air-conditioning target area such as the room flows into the use-side heat exchanger 26 by the action of the flow rate adjusting valve 25, and the remaining heat medium. Flows through the bypass pipe 27 (bypass pipe 27a and bypass pipe 27b) so as to bypass the use side heat exchanger 26.

  The heat medium passing through the bypass pipe 27 does not contribute to heat exchange, but joins the heat medium that has passed through the use-side heat exchanger 26, and the flow path switching valve 23 (the flow path switching valve 23a and the flow path switching valve 23b). ) To the intermediate heat exchanger 15a and again sucked into the pump 21a. The air conditioning load required in the air conditioning target area such as indoors can be covered by controlling the temperature difference between the third temperature sensor 33 and the fourth temperature sensor 34 so as to keep the target value.

  At this time, since it is not necessary to flow the heat medium to the use side heat exchanger 26 (including the thermo-off) without heat load, the flow path is closed by the stop valve 24 and the heat medium flows to the use side heat exchanger 26. I am trying not to. In the usage side heat exchanger 26a and the usage side heat exchanger 26b, a heat medium flows because there is a thermal load. However, in the usage side heat exchanger 26c and the usage side heat exchanger 26d, there is no thermal load and corresponding. The stop valve 24c and the stop valve 24d are closed. When a heat load is generated from the use side heat exchanger 26c or the use side heat exchanger 26d, the stop valve 24c or the stop valve 24d may be opened to circulate the heat medium.

[Cooling operation mode]
Here, the cooling main operation mode will be described by taking as an example a case where a heating load is generated in the use side heat exchanger 26a and a cooling load is generated in the use side heat exchanger 26b.
In the cooling main operation mode, in the heat source device 1, the four-way valve 11 is switched so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12. In the relay unit 3, the pump 21a and the pump 21b are driven, the stop valve 24a and the stop valve 24b are opened, the stop valve 24c and the stop valve 24d are closed, and the intermediate heat exchanger 15a and the use side heat exchanger 26a are connected. The heat medium circulates between the intermediate heat exchanger 15b and the use side heat exchanger 26b. In this state, the operation of the compressor 10 is started.

First, the refrigerant flow in the refrigeration cycle circuit will be described.
The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 10 and discharged as a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passes through the four-way valve 11 and flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12. Then, the heat source side heat exchanger 12 condenses while radiating heat to the outdoor air, and becomes a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side heat exchanger 12 flows out of the heat source device 1 through the check valve, and flows into the first relay unit 3a through the refrigerant pipe 4. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first relay unit 3a flows into the gas-liquid separator 14, is separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and flows into the second relay unit 3b.

  The gas refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 14 flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 15a. The gas refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 15a is condensed and liquefied while dissipating heat to the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circuit, and becomes a liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant flowing out from the intermediate heat exchanger 15b passes through the expansion valve 16d. On the other hand, the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 14 passes through the expansion valve 16e, condenses and liquefies by the intermediate heat exchanger 15a, merges with the liquid refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve 16d, and is throttled by the expansion valve 16a. The refrigerant expands to become a low-temperature / low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 15b.

  The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant absorbs heat from the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circulation circuit in the intermediate heat exchanger 15b acting as an evaporator, and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant while cooling the heat medium. The gas refrigerant flowing out from the intermediate heat exchanger 15b flows through the expansion valve 16c, then flows out from the second relay unit 3b and the first relay unit 3a, and flows into the heat source device 1 through the refrigerant pipe 4. The refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source device 1 passes through the check valve, and is re-inhaled into the compressor 10 via the four-way valve 11 and the accumulator 17. The expansion valve 16b has a small opening so that the refrigerant does not flow, and the expansion valve 16c is in a fully open state so that no pressure loss occurs.

Next, the flow of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit will be described.
In the cooling main operation mode, since both the pump 21a and the pump 21b are driven, the heat medium circulates through both the pipe 5a and the pipe 5b. The heat medium heated by the refrigerant in the intermediate heat exchanger 15a flows in the pipe 5a by the pump 21a. The heat medium cooled by the refrigerant in the intermediate heat exchanger 15b flows in the pipe 5b by the pump 21b.

  The heat medium pressurized and discharged by the pump 21a passes through the stop valve 24a via the flow path switching valve 22a and flows into the use side heat exchanger 26a. Then, heat is applied to the indoor air (heat load) in the use side heat exchanger 26a, and the air-conditioning target area such as the room where the indoor unit 2 is installed is heated. Further, the heat medium pressurized and discharged by the pump 21b passes through the stop valve 24b via the flow path switching valve 22b and flows into the use side heat exchanger 26b. Then, the use side heat exchanger 26b absorbs heat from room air (heat load), and air-conditioning target areas such as the room where the indoor unit 2 is installed are cooled.

  The heated heat medium flows into the flow rate adjustment valve 25a. At this time, only the heat medium having a flow rate necessary to cover the air conditioning load required in the air-conditioning target area flows into the use-side heat exchanger 26a by the action of the flow rate adjusting valve 25a, and the rest passes through the bypass pipe 27a. And flows so as to bypass the use side heat exchanger 26a. The heat medium passing through the bypass pipe 27a does not contribute to heat exchange, merges with the heat medium that has passed through the use side heat exchanger 26a, and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 15a through the flow path switching valve 23a. Then, it is sucked into the pump 21a again.

  Similarly, the heat medium that has been cooled flows into the flow rate adjustment valve 25b. At this time, due to the action of the flow rate adjusting valve 25b, only the heat medium having a flow rate necessary to cover the air conditioning load required in the air-conditioning target area flows into the use side heat exchanger 26b, and the rest passes through the bypass pipe 27b. So as to bypass the use side heat exchanger 26b. The heat medium passing through the bypass pipe 27b does not contribute to heat exchange, merges with the heat medium that has passed through the use side heat exchanger 26b, flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 15b through the flow path switching valve 23b. Then, it is sucked into the pump 21b again.

  During this time, the warm heat medium (the heat medium used for the heat load) and the cold heat medium (the heat medium used for the heat load) are the flow path switching valve 22 (the flow path switching valve 22a and the flow path switching valve 22b), And, by the action of the flow path switching valve 23 (the flow path switching valve 23a and the flow path switching valve 23b), the use side heat exchanger 26a having a thermal load and the use side heat exchanger 26b having a cooling load are not mixed without being mixed. Is flowed into. The air conditioning load required in the air conditioning target area such as indoors can be covered by controlling the temperature difference between the third temperature sensor 33 and the fourth temperature sensor 34 so as to keep the target value.

  At this time, since it is not necessary to flow the heat medium to the use side heat exchanger 26 (including the thermo-off) without heat load, the flow path is closed by the stop valve 24 and the heat medium flows to the use side heat exchanger 26. I am trying not to. In FIG. 6, since there is a heat load in the use side heat exchanger 26a and the use side heat exchanger 26b, a heat medium is flowing, but in the use side heat exchanger 26c and the use side heat exchanger 26d, the heat load The corresponding stop valve 24c and stop valve 24d are closed. When a heat load or a cold load is generated from the use side heat exchanger 26c or the use side heat exchanger 26d, the stop valve 24c or the stop valve 24d may be opened to circulate the heat medium.

[Heating main operation mode]
Here, the heating main operation mode will be described by taking as an example a case where a heating load is generated in the use side heat exchanger 26a and a cooling load is generated in the use side heat exchanger 26b.
In the heating main operation mode, in the heat source device 1, the four-way valve 11 is switched so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the relay unit 3 without passing through the heat source side heat exchanger 12. In the relay unit 3, the pump 21a and the pump 21b are driven, the stop valve 24a and the stop valve 24b are opened, the stop valve 24c and the stop valve 24d are closed, and the intermediate heat exchanger 15a and the use side heat exchanger 26a are connected. The heat medium circulates between the intermediate heat exchanger 15b and the use side heat exchanger 26b. In this state, the operation of the compressor 10 is started.

First, the refrigerant flow in the refrigeration cycle circuit will be described.
The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 10 and discharged as a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passes through the four-way valve 11, conducts the refrigerant pipe 4, passes through the check valve, and flows out of the heat source device 1. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source device 1 flows into the first relay unit 3 a through the refrigerant pipe 4. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the first relay unit 3a flows into the gas-liquid separator 14, and then flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 15a. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 15a is condensed and liquefied while dissipating heat to the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circulation circuit, and becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

  The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the intermediate heat exchanger 15a is expanded by being throttled by the expansion valve 16d, and enters a low-temperature / low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase state. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant throttled by the expansion valve 16d is divided into a flow path passing through the expansion valve 16a and a flow path passing through the expansion valve 16b. The refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve 16a is further expanded by the expansion valve 16a to become a low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 15b that functions as an evaporator. Then, the refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 15b absorbs heat from the heat medium in the intermediate heat exchanger 15b and becomes a low-temperature / low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out from the intermediate heat exchanger 15b passes through the expansion valve 16c.

  On the other hand, the refrigerant that has been throttled by the expansion valve 16d and has flowed to the expansion valve 16b merges with the refrigerant that has passed through the intermediate heat exchanger 15b and the expansion valve 16c, and becomes a low-temperature / low-pressure refrigerant with a higher degree of dryness. The merged refrigerant flows out of the second relay unit 3b and the first relay unit 3a, and flows into the heat source device 1 through the refrigerant pipe 4. The refrigerant flowing into the heat source device 1 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12 acting as an evaporator via a check valve. And the refrigerant | coolant which flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 12 absorbs heat from outdoor air in the heat source side heat exchanger 12, and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out from the heat source side heat exchanger 12 returns to the compressor 10 via the four-way valve 11 and the accumulator 17. The expansion valve 16e has a small opening so that the refrigerant does not flow.

Next, the flow of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit will be described.
In the heating main operation mode, since both the pump 21a and the pump 21b are driven, the heat medium circulates through both the pipe 5a and the pipe 5b. The heat medium heated by the refrigerant in the intermediate heat exchanger 15a flows in the pipe 5a by the pump 21a. The heat medium cooled by the refrigerant in the intermediate heat exchanger 15b flows in the pipe 5b by the pump 21b.

  The heat medium pressurized and discharged by the pump 21a passes through the stop valve 24a via the flow path switching valve 22a and flows into the use side heat exchanger 26a. Then, heat is applied to the indoor air (heat load) in the use side heat exchanger 26a, and the air-conditioning target area such as the room where the indoor unit 2 is installed is heated. Further, the heat medium pressurized and discharged by the pump 21b passes through the stop valve 24b via the flow path switching valve 22b and flows into the use side heat exchanger 26b. Then, the use side heat exchanger 26b absorbs heat from room air (heat load), and air-conditioning target areas such as the room where the indoor unit 2 is installed are cooled.

  The heat medium flowing out from the use side heat exchanger 26a flows into the flow rate adjusting valve 25a. At this time, due to the action of the flow rate adjustment valve 25a, only the heat medium having a flow rate necessary to cover the air conditioning load required in the air-conditioning target area such as the room flows into the use side heat exchanger 26a, and the remaining heat medium. Flows so as to bypass the use side heat exchanger 26a through the bypass pipe 27a. The heat medium passing through the bypass pipe 27a does not contribute to heat exchange, merges with the heat medium that has passed through the use side heat exchanger 26a, and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 15a through the flow path switching valve 23a. Then, it is sucked into the pump 21a again.

  Similarly, the heat medium flowing out from the use side heat exchanger 26b flows into the flow rate adjusting valve 25b. At this time, due to the action of the flow rate adjustment valve 25b, only the heat medium having a flow rate necessary to cover the air conditioning load required in the air-conditioning target area such as the room flows into the use side heat exchanger 26b, and the remaining heat medium. Flows to bypass the use side heat exchanger 26b through the bypass pipe 27b. The heat medium passing through the bypass pipe 27b does not contribute to heat exchange, merges with the heat medium that has passed through the use side heat exchanger 26b, flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 15b through the flow path switching valve 23b. Then, it is sucked into the pump 21b again.

    During this time, the warm heat medium and the cold heat medium are divided into the flow path switching valve 22 (flow path switching valve 22a and flow path switching valve 22b) and the flow path switching valve 23 (flow path switching valve 23a and flow path switching valve 23b). By the action of the above, without mixing, it flows into the use side heat exchanger 26a having a thermal load and the use side heat exchanger 26b having a cooling load. The air conditioning load required in the air conditioning target area such as indoors can be covered by controlling the temperature difference between the third temperature sensor 33 and the fourth temperature sensor 34 so as to keep the target value.

  At this time, since it is not necessary to flow the heat medium to the use side heat exchanger 26 (including the thermo-off) without heat load, the flow path is closed by the stop valve 24 and the heat medium flows to the use side heat exchanger 26. I am trying not to. In FIG. 7, since there is a heat load in the use side heat exchanger 26a and the use side heat exchanger 26b, a heat medium is flowing, but in the use side heat exchanger 26c and the use side heat exchanger 26d, the heat load The corresponding stop valve 24c and stop valve 24d are closed. When a heat load or a cold load is generated from the use side heat exchanger 26c or the use side heat exchanger 26d, the stop valve 24c or the stop valve 24d may be opened to circulate the heat medium.

  As described above, when a heating load is generated in the use side heat exchangers 26a to 26d, the corresponding flow path switching valves 22a to 22d and the flow path switching valves 23a to 23d are heated to intermediate heat exchangers. Switch to the flow path connected to 15a. When a cooling load is generated in the use side heat exchangers 26a to 26d, the corresponding flow path switching valves 22a to 22d and the flow path switching valves 23a to 23d are connected to the cooling intermediate heat exchanger 15b. Switch to the flow path. Thereby, in each indoor unit 2, heating operation or cooling operation can be freely performed.

  The flow path switching valves 22a to 22d and the flow path switching valves 23a to 23d are combined with two ones that can open and close a two-way flow path such as an open / close valve in addition to those that can switch a three-way flow path such as a three-way valve. Then, the flow path can be switched. In addition, body flow can be achieved by combining two types of devices that can change the flow rate of the three-way flow path such as a stepping motor-driven mixing valve and two devices that can change the flow rate of the two-way flow path such as an electronic expansion valve. It may be used as a path switching valve, and in that case, a water hammer due to sudden opening and closing of the flow path can be prevented.

[Configuration of control device]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the relay unit control device and the indoor unit control device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the relay unit control device 63 b includes a control unit 300 in the microcomputer 300 a, an output circuit 301, an input circuit 302, an input circuit 303, and an input circuit 304. Each indoor unit control device 62 (indoor unit control devices 62 a to 62 d) includes a control unit 200, an input circuit 201, an output circuit 202, and an output circuit 203.

  The relay unit control device 63 b and each indoor unit control device 62 are connected by three transmission lines 71. The transmission line 71a connects the output circuit 301 of the relay unit control device 63b and the input circuit 201 of the indoor unit control device 62. The transmission line 71b connects the input circuit 302 of the relay unit control device 63b and the output circuit 202 of the indoor unit control device 62. The transmission line 71c connects the input circuit 303 of the relay unit control device 63b and the output circuit 203 of the indoor unit control device 62.

  In FIG. 2, only one indoor unit control device 62 is shown. However, the indoor unit control device 62 a of each indoor unit has the same configuration, and each includes a relay unit control device 63 b and three transmission lines 71. Connected. The relay unit control device 63b is provided with an output circuit 301, an input circuit 302, and an input circuit 303 according to the number of indoor unit control devices 62 to be connected.

  The output circuit 301 of the relay unit control device 63b transmits a binary signal corresponding to the operation command and the stop command through the transmission line 71a by the output process from the control unit 300. This binary signal is, for example, an ON / OFF signal, and sets the operation command to a predetermined voltage value and the stop command to zero output. The input circuit 201 of the indoor unit control device 62 receives the binary signal received via the transmission line 71 a and inputs it to the control unit 200. The control unit 200 starts or stops the operation of the indoor unit 2 based on the input binary signal. Here, the operation of the indoor unit 2 is a state in which, for example, a fan in the indoor unit 2 is driven and the heat exchange between the heat medium and the indoor air (heat load) is promoted by the use side heat exchanger 26 (thermo-on ). Further, the stop of the operation is a state (thermo-off) in which, for example, driving of the fan in the indoor unit 2 is stopped and heat exchange between the heat medium and the indoor air (heat load) is not promoted by the use side heat exchanger 26. Say.

  The output circuit 202 of the indoor unit control device 62 transmits a binary signal corresponding to the operation state and the stop state of the indoor unit through the transmission line 71b by the output process from the control unit 200. This binary signal is, for example, an ON / OFF signal, and sets the operation state to a predetermined voltage value and the stop state to zero output. The input circuit 302 of the relay unit control device 63b receives the binary signal received via the transmission line 71b and inputs it to the control unit 300. The control unit 300 determines the operating state or the stopped state of the indoor unit 2 based on the input binary signal.

  The output circuit 203 of the indoor unit control device 62 transmits a binary signal corresponding to the heating mode and the cooling mode of the indoor unit through the transmission line 71c by the output process from the control unit 200. This binary signal is, for example, an ON / OFF signal, and sets the heating mode to a predetermined voltage value and the cooling mode to zero output. The input circuit 303 of the relay unit control device 63b receives the binary signal received via the transmission line 71c and inputs it to the control unit 300. The controller 300 determines the heating mode or the cooling mode of the indoor unit 2 based on the input binary signal.

  The input circuit 304 of the relay unit control device 63 b inputs the detection values of the third temperature sensors 33 a to 33 d and the fourth temperature sensors 34 a to 34 d provided in the relay unit 3 to the control unit 300. The control unit 300 automatically determines the connection branch port based on each input temperature data.

The control unit 300 can also be realized as software executed on the microcomputer 300a. In addition, the present invention is not limited to this, and hardware such as a circuit device that implements the function of the control unit 300 may be realized.
Also in the indoor unit control device 62, the control device 200 can also be realized as software executed on a microcomputer. Further, it is possible to configure with a relay circuit or the like without using a microcomputer.

With this configuration, the relay unit control device 63b and the indoor unit control device 62 can exchange information by inputting and outputting binary signals (ON / OFF signals).
Therefore, as compared with the configuration of FIG. 8 which is the prior art, the conversion process into the digital signal at the time of the transmission process and the reception analysis process at the time of the reception are unnecessary, so the program of the microcomputer 300a of the relay unit control device 63b becomes simple. The restrictions on connected devices are also reduced.
Further, each input circuit and output circuit can also be realized at a lower cost than the configuration of FIG. The indoor unit control device 62 can also be realized with an inexpensive configuration that does not use a microcomputer.

In the normal operation after the automatic determination processing of the connection branch port described later, the indoor unit control device 62 operates the indoor unit 2 according to an instruction from a remote controller or the like provided in each indoor unit 2. It can also be started or stopped.
In this case, the relay unit control device 63b receives hot water or water from the corresponding branch port 6 according to the binary signal of the operation / stop state and the binary signal of the heating / cooling mode received from the indoor unit control device 62. The operation mode executed by the refrigeration air conditioner 100 is set so as to supply cold water, the stop valve 24, the flow path switching valve 22, the flow path switching valve 23, etc. are controlled to circulate through the use side heat exchanger 26. Switch the road.
Thus, even during normal operation, the communication between the relay unit control device 63b and the indoor unit control device 62 is only the input / output of the binary signal (ON / OFF signal) and is connected to the relay unit 3. It is possible to reduce restrictions on communication of the indoor unit 2 that can be performed.

The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 configured as described above performs automatic determination processing of connection branch ports, which recognizes which indoor unit 2 is connected to which branch port 6 during a trial operation after installation is completed.
Next, the operation of the connection branch automatic determination process will be described.

[Automatic determination of connection branch port]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the automatic determination process for the connection branch port of the indoor unit of the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 starts the automatic determination process, for example, by operating the switch 64 provided in the relay unit 3.
In FIG. 3, steps 101 to 113 indicate processing of the relay unit 3.

In step 102, the relay unit 3 transmits a heating only trial operation command to the heat source device 1, and proceeds to step 103.
In step 103, when the heat source device 1 receives the heating only trial operation command from the relay unit 3, the heat source device 1 starts the operation in the heating only operation mode described above.
In addition, the relay unit 3 starts to operate in the all-heating operation mode, and regardless of the operation mode (heating / cooling) of each indoor unit 2, hot water (heated heat medium) is supplied to all the branch ports 6a to 6d. Supply. Then, it progresses to step 104.

  In step 104, the operation command is transmitted to the indoor unit 2 that has not yet transmitted the operation command. Here, since it has not transmitted yet, a driving | operation command is transmitted via the transmission line 71a with respect to the first indoor unit 2a, and the indoor unit 2a is drive | operated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 105. Thereby, in the use side heat exchanger 26a of the indoor unit 2a, heat is exchanged between the hot water and the room air, and the room where the indoor unit 2a is installed is heated (heating mode).

In step 105, after waiting for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step 106.
In step 106, current water temperature data of all the branch ports 6a to 6d is acquired. Here, the temperatures T33a to T33d of the four third temperature sensors 33a to 33d and the temperatures T34a to T34d of the four fourth temperature sensors 34a to 34d are acquired. Then, it progresses to step 107.

In step 107, a branch port determination process is performed. Here, changes in data of the temperatures T33a to T33d of the four third temperature sensors 33a to 33d and the temperatures T34a to T34d of the four fourth temperature sensors 34a to 34d are confirmed.
The temperature detected by the third temperature sensors 33a to 33d is the temperature (outlet temperature) of the hot water supplied from the branch ports 6a to 6d to the use side heat exchangers 26a to 26d.
Moreover, the detected temperature of the 4th temperature sensors 34a-34d is the temperature (inlet temperature) of the warm water which returns to each branch port 6a-6d from each use side heat exchanger 26a-26d.

Here, when the temperature difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of each branch port 6a to 6d is ΔTi (i = a to d),
Temperature difference ΔTi = T33i−T34i (i = a to d)
It becomes.

In the indoor unit 2a operating in the heating mode, heat is taken away from the hot water by the use side heat exchanger 26a, so the temperature difference ΔT at the branch port 6 to which the indoor unit 2a is connected has a positive value. .
On the other hand, in the stopped indoor units 2b to 2d, since there is little transfer of heat to the hot water in the use side heat exchangers 26b to 26d, the temperature difference at the branch port 6 to which the indoor units 2b to 2d are connected. ΔT has a small absolute value.
Therefore, in the relay unit 3, when a certain temperature difference ΔT is a positive value larger than a predetermined determination value, the indoor unit 2 that is currently operating is connected to the branch port 6 that detects the temperature difference ΔT. Judge that On the other hand, when the value of the temperature difference ΔT is a positive value or a negative value smaller than a predetermined determination value, the currently stopped indoor unit 2 is connected to the branch port 6 that detects the temperature difference ΔT. It is determined that the indoor unit 2 is not connected.

Here, since the temperature difference ΔTa of the indoor unit 2a operating in the heating mode becomes larger than a predetermined value, the relay unit 3 determines that the indoor unit 2a is connected to the branch port 6a.
In this way, the relay unit 3 can determine to which branch port 6 the indoor unit 2 currently in operation is connected.

Further, the relay unit 3 determines that there is a setting error when none of the temperature differences ΔT is larger than the predetermined value and the branch port 6 to which the indoor unit 2 in the heating operation is connected after the operation for a predetermined time cannot be determined. To do.
Thereafter, the relay unit 3 proceeds to step 108.

  In step 108, the relay unit 3 transmits a stop command to the indoor unit 2a in operation via the transmission line 71a to stop the operation of the indoor unit 2a. Then, it progresses to step 109.

In step 109, it is determined whether there is an indoor unit 2 that has not yet transmitted an operation command. If it exists, the process proceeds to step 104. If not, the process proceeds to step 110.
Here, since there are indoor units 2b to 2d that have not yet transmitted the operation command, the routine proceeds to step 104 and the same processing is repeated.

  In this way, the relay unit 3 is operated one by one for all the connected indoor units 2, and based on the temperature difference ΔT at that time, the indoor unit 2 connected to each branch port 6 is operated. Processing for determining the connection branch port to be recognized is performed.

  When the determination process is completed for all the indoor units 2, the relay unit 3 proceeds to step 110.

In step 110, the relay unit 3 stops operation in the heating only operation mode, and proceeds to step 111.
In step 111, a stop command is transmitted to the heat source device 1, and the process proceeds to step 112.
In step 112, if a setting error has been detected during the determination in step 107, the process proceeds to step 113. If no setting error has been detected, the process ends.
Here, for example, the setting error can be caused by forgetting to insert or misconnecting the connector for connecting the wiring from the temperature sensor to the board, or forgetting to insert or misconnecting the connector for connecting the wiring from the actuator such as the flow adjustment valve to the board. A normal temperature change cannot be detected due to a fault in the connection or input / output circuit.

  In step 113, abnormality notification is performed such as displaying an abnormality on a display unit provided on a remote controller or the like, or turning on an error lamp or the like provided on the heat source device 1, and the process ends.

  In addition, although the automatic determination process of the connection branch port shown in FIG. 3 is implemented in the heating only operation mode, it can also be implemented in the cooling only operation mode operation. For example, in winter, hot water is supplied to the indoor unit 2 in the heating only operation mode to exchange heat with the cooling load, and in summer, cold water is supplied to the indoor unit 2 in the cooling only operation mode to exchange heat with the heating load. By recognizing the branch port from the temperature difference ΔT, it is possible to perform automatic determination processing of the connection branch port throughout the year.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the indoor units 2 are operated one by one, and connected to each branch port 6 based on the temperature difference ΔT between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of each branch port 6 at that time. Recognize the indoor unit 2.
For this reason, it is not necessary to set the connection branch port by setting means such as a dip switch in each indoor unit 2 or relay unit 3, and the setting means becomes unnecessary, and the component cost can be reduced. Further, the labor for setting work is not required, and convenience can be improved.
Moreover, since automatic determination processing of the connection branch port is performed based on the detection values of the third temperature sensors 33a to 33d and the fourth temperature sensors 34a to 34d provided in the relay unit 3, between the relay unit 3 and each indoor unit 2 No need to transmit temperature data. For this reason, the restriction | limiting regarding the communication of the indoor unit 2 which can be connected with respect to the relay unit 3 can be decreased.

Further, the interface between the relay unit 3 and the indoor unit 2 is only an operation / stop command, an operation / stop state, and a heating / cooling mode, and can be controlled by simple information transmission.
As a result, an interface between the relay unit 3 and the indoor unit 2 can be realized by inexpensive transmission means.
This also makes it possible to easily connect products such as fan coil units of other companies.

  Further, communication between the relay unit control device 63b and the indoor unit control device 62 can be exchanged by inputting and outputting binary signals (ON / OFF signals). Therefore, as compared with the configuration of the prior art shown in FIG. 8, the conversion processing into a digital signal at the time of transmission processing and the reception analysis processing at the time of reception become unnecessary. For this reason, the program of the microcomputer 300a of the relay unit controller 63b is simplified, and the restrictions on the indoor units 2 that can be connected are reduced. In addition, the input / output circuits 302 and 303 are simple in configuration and can be realized at low cost. The indoor unit control device 62 can also be realized with an inexpensive configuration that does not use a microcomputer.

  Further, since a setting error can be detected during the automatic determination process, a determination error can be prevented in advance. In addition, it is possible to detect early connection errors, connection leaks, and component failures of the connectors on the boards of the relay unit control device 63b and the indoor unit control device 62.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the second embodiment, a mode for shortening the time for automatic determination processing of the connection branch port of the indoor unit 2 will be described.

It is desired that the automatic determination processing of the connection branch port be determined in a shorter time.
The second embodiment provides a refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus that can shorten the automatic determination processing time as compared with the case where the indoor units 2 are operated and determined one by one.

FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the configuration of the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as the said Embodiment 1. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit 2 of the second embodiment is provided with a ninth temperature sensor 39 and a tenth temperature sensor 40, respectively.
The four ninth temperature sensors 39 (9th temperature sensors 39a to 39d) are provided on the inlet side of the heat medium flow path of the use side heat exchanger 26, and control the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the use side heat exchanger 26. It is to be detected, and may be composed of a thermistor or the like. The ninth temperature sensor 39 is provided in a number (four in this case) corresponding to the number of indoor units 2 installed.
In correspondence with the indoor unit 2, the ninth temperature sensor 39a, the ninth temperature sensor 39b, the ninth temperature sensor 39c, and the ninth temperature sensor 39d are illustrated from the lower side of the drawing.

  The four tenth temperature sensors 40 (tenth temperature sensors 40a to 40d) are provided on the outlet side of the heat medium flow path of the use side heat exchanger 26, and determine the temperature of the heat medium flowing out from the use side heat exchanger 26. It is to be detected, and may be composed of a thermistor. The tenth temperature sensor 40 is provided in a number corresponding to the number of indoor units 2 installed (four here). In correspondence with the indoor unit 2, the tenth temperature sensor 40a, the tenth temperature sensor 40b, the tenth temperature sensor 40c, and the tenth temperature sensor 40d are illustrated from the lower side of the drawing.

  Note that the number of connected heat source devices 1, indoor units 2, and relay units 3 is not limited to the illustrated number.

  The detection values of the ninth temperature sensor 39 and the tenth temperature sensor 40 of each indoor unit 2 are transmitted from the indoor unit control device 62 to the relay unit control device 63b via the transmission line 71. For example, temperature data is converted into a digital signal that can be transmitted by signal processing by a microcomputer provided in the indoor unit control device 62, converted into a signal waveform by a transmission circuit, and transmitted on the transmission line 71.

The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 configured in this way performs connection branch automatic determination processing for recognizing which indoor unit 2 is connected to which branch port 6 during trial operation after installation is completed.
Next, the operation of the connection branch automatic determination process in the present embodiment will be described.

[Automatic determination of connection branch port]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of automatic determination processing of the connection branch port of the indoor unit of the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 starts the automatic determination process, for example, by operating the switch 64 provided in the relay unit 3.
In FIG. 5, Step 201 to Step 217 indicate processing of the relay unit 3.

In step 202, the relay unit 3 transmits a heating main trial operation command to the heat source device 1, and proceeds to step 203.
In step 203, when the heat source device 1 receives the heating main trial operation command from the relay unit 3, the heat source device 1 starts the operation in the heating main operation mode described above.
Moreover, the relay unit 3 starts operation in the heating main operation mode. At this time, all the stop valves 24a to 24d are closed. Then, it progresses to step 204.
In step 204, an operation command is transmitted to all the indoor units 2a to 2d, and all the indoor units 2 are operated. Then, it progresses to step 205.

In step 205, hot water is supplied to the next branch port 6. Here, the stop valve 24a corresponding to the branch port 6a is opened, and the flow path switching valve 22a and the flow path switching valve 23a are switched to the flow path connected to the heating intermediate heat exchanger 15a. Thereby, warm water is supplied from the branch port 6a. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 206.
In step 206, it is determined whether there is a branch port 6 to which hot water or cold water is not yet supplied. If it exists, the process proceeds to step 207. If it does not exist, the process proceeds to step 208. Here, since the branch ports 6b to 6d exist, the process proceeds to step 207.

  In step 207, cold water is supplied to the next branch port 6. Here, the stop valve 24b corresponding to the branch port 6b is opened, and the flow path switching valve 22b and the flow path switching valve 23b are switched to the flow path connected to the cooling intermediate heat exchanger 15b. Thereby, cold water is supplied from the branch port 6b. Then, it progresses to step 208.

In step 208, after waiting for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step 209.
In step 209, current water temperature data of all the indoor units 2a to 2d is acquired. Here, the temperatures T39a to T39d of the four ninth temperature sensors 39a to 39d are acquired. Then, it progresses to step 210.

In step 210, a branch port determination process is performed. Here, a change in data of the temperatures T39a to T39d of the four ninth temperature sensors 39a to 39d is confirmed.
Here, in the indoor unit 2a connected to the branch port 6a supplying hot water, the temperature T39a of the ninth temperature sensor 39a is substantially equal to the temperature of the hot water. Further, in the indoor unit 2b connected to the branch port 6b that supplies cold water, the temperature T39b of the ninth temperature sensor 39b is substantially equal to the temperature of the cold water.
Therefore, when the certain temperature T39 is a value close to the temperature of the hot water, the relay unit 3 determines that the branch port 6a is connected to the indoor unit 2 that has detected the temperature T39. For example, the temperature of the hot water is detected by the first temperature sensor 31a. Whether or not the temperature is close to the temperature of the hot water is determined by whether or not the temperature difference between the temperature of the hot water and the temperature T39 is within a predetermined temperature range.
Further, when a certain temperature T39 is close to the temperature of the cold water, the relay unit 3 determines that the branch port 6b is connected to the indoor unit 2 that has detected the temperature T39. For example, the temperature of cold water is detected by the first temperature sensor 31b. Whether or not the temperature is close to the temperature of the cold water is determined by whether or not the temperature difference between the temperature of the cold water and the temperature T39 is within a predetermined temperature range.
When neither is, the relay unit 3 determines that the other branch ports 6c to 6d are connected to the indoor unit 2 that has detected the temperature T39, or that none of the branch ports 6 is connected. .
In this way, the relay unit 3 can determine the indoor unit 2 to which the branch port 6a that is supplying hot water and the branch port 6b that is supplying cold water are connected.

If the relay unit 3 cannot determine either or both of the branch port 6 that is supplying hot water and the indoor unit 2 to which the branch port 6 that is supplying cold water is connected after a certain period of operation, a setting error is indicated. to decide.
Thereafter, the relay unit 3 proceeds to step 211.

  In step 211, supply is stopped with respect to the branch port that is supplying hot water or cold water. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 212.

In step 212, it is determined whether there is a branch port 6 to which hot water or cold water has not yet been supplied. If it exists, the process proceeds to step 205. If not, the process proceeds to step 213.
Here, since there are branch ports 6c and 6d to which hot water or cold water has not yet been supplied, the routine proceeds to step 205 and the same processing is repeated.

In this way, the relay unit 3 performs the determination process for the indoor units 2 connected to the branch ports 6 two at a time for all the branch ports 6.
When one branch port 6 remains at the end, hot water is supplied to the one branch port 6 and the indoor unit 2 connected to the branch port 6 is determined.

  When the determination process is completed for all the branch ports 6, the relay unit 3 proceeds to step 213.

In step 213, the relay unit 3 transmits a stop command to all the indoor units 2, and proceeds to step 214.
In step 214, the relay unit 3 stops the operation in the heating main operation mode, and proceeds to step 215.
In step 215, a stop command is transmitted to the heat source device 1, and the process proceeds to step 216.
In step 216, if a setting error is detected during the determination in step 210, the process proceeds to step 217. If no setting error is detected, the process is terminated.
Here, for example, the setting error can be caused by forgetting to insert or misconnecting the connector for connecting the wiring from the temperature sensor to the board, or forgetting to insert or misconnecting the connector for connecting the wiring from the actuator such as the flow adjustment valve to the board. A normal temperature change cannot be detected due to a fault in the connection or input / output circuit.

  In step 217, abnormality notification such as displaying an abnormality on the display means provided on the remote controller or turning on an error lamp or the like provided on the heat source device 1 is performed, and the process is terminated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, hot water and cold water are simultaneously supplied to the two branch ports 6, and the room connected to the branch port 6 based on the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the use side heat exchanger 26. Two units 2 are recognized simultaneously.
For this reason, the automatic determination processing time can be shortened compared with the case where the branch port 6 is determined one by one. Also, setting errors can be detected during the automatic determination process.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the third embodiment, a mode for shortening the time for automatic determination processing of the connection branch port of the indoor unit 2 will be described.

It is desired that the automatic determination processing of the connection branch port be determined in a shorter time.
The third embodiment is to obtain a refrigeration air conditioner that can shorten the automatic determination processing time as compared with the case where the indoor units 2 are operated and determined one by one.

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the configuration of the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as the said Embodiment 1. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the indoor unit 2 of the third embodiment is provided with an eleventh temperature sensor 41 and a twelfth temperature sensor 42, respectively.
The four eleventh temperature sensors 41 (eleventh temperature sensors 41a to 41d) are provided in the vicinity of the intake port of the indoor unit 2 and detect the temperature of the indoor air, and may be configured with a thermistor or the like. The eleventh temperature sensor 41 is provided in a number (four in this case) corresponding to the number of indoor units 2 installed. In correspondence with the indoor unit 2, the eleventh temperature sensor 41a, the eleventh temperature sensor 41b, the eleventh temperature sensor 41c, and the eleventh temperature sensor 41d are illustrated from the lower side of the drawing.

  The four twelfth temperature sensors 42 (the twelfth temperature sensors 42a to 42d) are provided in the vicinity of the outlet of the indoor unit 2 and detect the temperature of the outlet air, and may be composed of a thermistor or the like. The twelfth temperature sensor 42 is provided in a number corresponding to the number of indoor units 2 installed (four in this case). In addition, corresponding to the indoor unit 2, the twelfth temperature sensor 42a, the twelfth temperature sensor 42b, the twelfth temperature sensor 42c, and the twelfth temperature sensor 42d are illustrated from the lower side of the drawing.

  Note that the number of connected heat source devices 1, indoor units 2, and relay units 3 is not limited to the illustrated number.

  The detection values of the eleventh temperature sensor 41 and the twelfth temperature sensor 42 of each indoor unit 2 are transmitted from the indoor unit control device 62 to the relay unit control device 63b via the transmission line 71. For example, temperature data is converted into a digital signal that can be transmitted by signal processing by a microcomputer provided in the indoor unit control device 62, converted into a signal waveform by a transmission circuit, and transmitted on the transmission line 71.

The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 configured in this way performs connection branch automatic determination processing for recognizing which indoor unit 2 is connected to which branch port 6 during trial operation after installation is completed.
Next, the operation of the connection branch automatic determination process in the present embodiment will be described.

[Automatic determination of connection branch port]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of automatic determination processing for the connection branch port of the indoor unit of the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 starts the automatic determination process, for example, by operating the switch 64 provided in the relay unit 3.
In FIG. 7, steps 301 to 315 indicate processing of the relay unit 3.

In step 302, the relay unit 3 transmits a heating main trial operation command to the heat source device 1, and proceeds to step 303.
In step 203, when the heat source device 1 receives the heating main trial operation command from the relay unit 3, the heat source device 1 starts the operation in the heating main operation mode described above.
Moreover, the relay unit 3 starts operation in the heating main operation mode. At this time, all the stop valves 24a to 24d are opened. Then, it progresses to step 304.
In step 304, an operation command is transmitted to all the indoor units 2a to 2d, and all the indoor units 2 are operated. Then, it progresses to step 305.

In step 305, hot water supply, cold water supply, and flow rate calculation are performed for each branch port 6.
First, hot water is supplied to the first half of all the branch ports 6, and cold water is supplied to the second half of the branch ports 6. Here, hot water is supplied to the branch ports 6a and 6b, and cold water is supplied to the branch ports 6c and 6d.
When the number of branch ports 6 is an odd number N, hot water is supplied up to the maximum integer [2 / N] branch that does not exceed 2 / N as the first half, and cold water is supplied as the second half.

Next, the number of the first-half branch ports 6 is L, and the number of the second-half branch ports 6 is M, and the flow rate is calculated.
The flow rate of the A-th (A = 1 to L) branch port 6 in the first half is A / L × 100%. The flow rate of the B-th (B = 1 to M) branch port 6 in the latter half is B / L × 100%.
Here, the flow rate of the branch port 6a is 50%, the flow rate of the branch port 6b is 100%, the flow rate of the branch port 6c is 50%, and the flow rate of the branch port 6d is 100%.
After completion of the calculation, the process proceeds to step 306.

In step 306, based on the contents calculated in step 305, hot water or cold water is supplied to each branch port 6, and the flow rate of each branch port 6 is set.
Here, the channel switching valve 22a and the channel switching valve 23a corresponding to the branch port 6a are switched to the channel connected to the heating intermediate heat exchanger 15a, and hot water is supplied from the branch port 6a. Furthermore, the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 25a is adjusted to set the flow rate of the branch port 6a to 50%.
Further, the flow path switching valve 22b and the flow path switching valve 23b corresponding to the branch port 6b are switched to the flow path connected to the heating intermediate heat exchanger 15a, and hot water is supplied from the branch port 6b. Further, the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve 25b is adjusted to set the flow rate of the branch port 6b to 100%.
Further, the flow path switching valve 22c and the flow path switching valve 23c corresponding to the branch port 6c are switched to a flow channel connected to the cooling intermediate heat exchanger 15b, and cold water is supplied from the branch port 6b. Further, the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve 25c is adjusted to set the flow rate of the branch port 6c to 50%.
Further, the flow path switching valve 22d and the flow path switching valve 23d corresponding to the branch port 6d are switched to a flow channel connected to the cooling intermediate heat exchanger 15b, and cold water is supplied from the branch port 6d. Further, the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve 25d is adjusted to set the flow rate of the branch port 6b to 100%.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 307.

In step 307, the process proceeds to step 308 after waiting for a predetermined time.
In step 308, the current suction temperature data and blowing temperature data of all the indoor units 2a to 2d are acquired. Here, the temperatures T41a to T41d of the four eleventh temperature sensors 41a to 41d and the temperatures T42a to T42d of the four twelfth temperature sensors 42a to 42d are acquired. Then, it progresses to step 309.

  In step 309, a branch port determination process is performed. Here, changes in data of the temperatures T41a to T41d of the four eleventh temperature sensors 41a to 41d and the temperatures T42a to T42d of the four twelfth temperature sensors 42a to 42d are confirmed.

Here, if the temperature difference between the blowing temperature and the suction temperature of each indoor unit 2 is ΔTi (i = a to d),
Temperature difference ΔTi = T42i−T41i (i = ad)
It becomes.

  In the indoor unit 2a connected to the branch port 6a supplying hot water, heat is applied from the hot water to the air in the use side heat exchanger 26a of the indoor unit 2a, and therefore the temperature difference ΔTa takes a positive value. . Similarly, in the indoor unit 2b connected to the branch port 6b supplying hot water, the temperature difference ΔTb is a positive value. Moreover, since the flow rate of the branch port 6a is 50% and the flow rate of the branch port 6b is 100%, the temperature difference ΔTb is larger than the temperature difference ΔTa.

  In addition, in the indoor unit 2c connected to the branch port 6c that supplies cold water, heat is taken from the air to the cold water in the use side heat exchanger 26c of the indoor unit 2c, so the temperature difference ΔTc is a negative value. It becomes. Similarly, in the indoor unit 2d connected to the branch port 6d that supplies cold water, the temperature difference ΔTd is a negative value. Further, since the flow rate of the branch port 6c is 50% and the flow rate of the branch port 6d is 100%, the temperature difference ΔTd is a negative value having a larger absolute value than the temperature difference ΔTc.

Therefore, when a certain temperature difference ΔT is a positive value smaller than a predetermined determination value, the relay unit 3 supplies hot water at a flow rate of 50% to the branch port 6 that has detected the temperature difference ΔT. It is determined that the indoor unit 2a is connected.
Further, when a certain temperature difference ΔT is a positive value larger than a predetermined determination value, the indoor unit 2b supplying hot water at a flow rate of 100% is connected to the branch port 6 that detects the temperature difference ΔT. Judge that it has been.
In addition, when a certain temperature difference ΔT is a negative value and its absolute value is smaller than a predetermined determination value, an indoor unit that supplies cold water at a flow rate of 50% to the branch port 6 that has detected the temperature difference ΔT. It is determined that 2c is connected.
Further, when a certain temperature difference ΔT is a negative value and its absolute value is larger than a predetermined determination value, the indoor unit that supplies cold water to the branch port 6 that detects the temperature difference ΔT at a flow rate of 100%. It is determined that 2d is connected.
Thus, the relay unit 3 can determine the indoor unit connected to each branch port.

  In addition, the value of temperature difference (DELTA) Ta- (DELTA) Td has a difference in the magnitude | size (heat exchanger capacity | capacitance) of the utilization side heat exchanger 26a-26d of indoor unit 2a-2d, the air volume of the fan provided in the indoor unit 2, etc. In this case, it is necessary to perform correction based on these data because they are affected by them.

Moreover, the relay unit 3 judges that it is a setting error, when the indoor unit 2 connected to all the branch openings 6 cannot be determined after driving | running for a fixed time.
Thereafter, the relay unit 3 proceeds to step 310.

  In step 310, supply is stopped to the branch port that is supplying hot water or cold water, and the process proceeds to step 311.

In step 311, the relay unit 3 transmits a stop command to all the indoor units 2, and proceeds to step 312.
In step 312, the relay unit 3 stops the operation in the heating main operation mode, and proceeds to step 313.
In step 313, a stop command is transmitted to the heat source device 1, and the process proceeds to step 314.
In step 314, if a setting error is detected during the determination in step 309, the process proceeds to step 315, and if no setting error is detected, the process is terminated.
Here, for example, the setting error can be caused by forgetting to insert or misconnecting the connector for connecting the wiring from the temperature sensor to the board, or forgetting to insert or misconnecting the connector for connecting the wiring from the actuator such as the flow adjustment valve to the board. A normal temperature change cannot be detected due to a fault in the connection or input / output circuit.

  In step 315, an abnormality notification such as displaying an abnormality on a display means provided on a remote controller or turning on an error lamp or the like provided on the heat source device 1 is performed, and the process ends.

As described above, in the present embodiment, hot water or cold water is simultaneously supplied to each branch port 6, and the flow rate of each branch port 6 is adjusted, so that the temperature difference between the blowing temperature and the suction temperature of the indoor unit 2 is obtained. Based on this, the plurality of indoor units 2 connected to the respective branch ports 6 are simultaneously recognized.
For this reason, the automatic determination processing time can be shortened compared with the case where the branch port 6 is determined one by one. Also, setting errors can be detected during the automatic determination process.

  1 heat source device, 2a indoor unit, 2b indoor unit, 2c indoor unit, 2d indoor unit, 3 relay unit, 3a first relay unit, 3b second relay unit, 4 refrigerant pipe, 5a refrigerant pipe, 5b refrigerant pipe, 6a branch Port, 6b branch port, 6c branch port, 6d branch port, 10 compressor, 11 four-way valve, 12 heat source side heat exchanger, 14 gas-liquid separator, 15a intermediate heat exchanger, 15b intermediate heat exchanger, 16a expansion valve 16b expansion valve, 16c expansion valve, 16d expansion valve, 16e expansion valve, 17 accumulator, 21a pump, 21b pump, 22a flow path switching valve, 22b flow path switching valve, 22c flow path switching valve, 22d flow path switching valve, 23a Channel switching valve, 23b Channel switching valve, 23c Channel switching valve, 23d Channel switching valve, 24a Stop valve, 24b Valve, 24c Stop valve, 24d Stop valve, 25a Flow adjustment valve, 25b Flow adjustment valve, 25c Flow adjustment valve, 25d Flow adjustment valve, 26a Use side heat exchanger, 26b Use side heat exchanger, 26c Use side heat exchange , 26d utilization side heat exchanger, 27a bypass piping, 27b bypass piping, 27c bypass piping, 27d bypass piping, 31a first temperature sensor, 31b first temperature sensor, 32a second temperature sensor, 32b second temperature sensor, 33a 3rd temperature sensor, 33b 3rd temperature sensor, 33c 3rd temperature sensor, 33d 3rd temperature sensor, 34a 4th temperature sensor, 34b 4th temperature sensor, 34c 4th temperature sensor, 34d 4th temperature sensor, 35 5th Temperature sensor, 36 Pressure sensor, 37 6th temperature sensor, 38 7th temperature sensor, 39a 9th Temperature sensor 39b 9th temperature sensor 39c 9th temperature sensor 39d 9th temperature sensor 40a 10th temperature sensor 40b 10th temperature sensor 40c 10th temperature sensor 40d 10th temperature sensor 41a 11th temperature sensor 41b 11th temperature sensor, 41c 11th temperature sensor, 41d 11th temperature sensor, 42a 12th temperature sensor, 42b 12th temperature sensor, 42c 12th temperature sensor, 42d 12th temperature sensor, 61 control device, 62a indoor unit Control device, 62b Indoor unit control device, 62c Indoor unit control device, 62d Indoor unit control device, 63a Relay unit control device, 63b Relay unit control device, 64 switch, 71a Transmission line, 71b Transmission line, 71c Transmission line, 100 Refrigeration Air conditioner, 200 Control device, 200 control unit, 201 input circuit, 202 output circuit, 203 output circuit, 300 control unit, 300a microcomputer, 301 output circuit, 302 input / output circuit, 302 input circuit, 303 input circuit, 304 input circuit.

Claims (5)

A refrigeration cycle circuit to which a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, at least one expansion valve, and at least one intermediate heat exchanger are connected to circulate the refrigerant;
At least one pump, a plurality of use side heat exchangers, and a heat medium circulation circuit to which the intermediate heat exchanger is connected to circulate the heat medium,
Accommodating at least the intermediate heat exchanger and the pump in a relay unit;
In the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus in which the plurality of usage-side heat exchangers are accommodated in indoor units,
The indoor unit is
An indoor unit control device for controlling start and stop of operation for performing heat exchange between the heat medium and a heat load by the use side heat exchanger;
The relay unit is
A plurality of branch ports that are respectively connected to the plurality of use side heat exchangers and circulate the heat medium to the use side heat exchanger;
An outlet temperature sensor that is provided at each branch port and detects an outlet temperature of the heat medium flowing out from the branch port to the use-side heat exchanger;
An inlet temperature sensor that is provided at each branch port and detects an inlet temperature of the heat medium flowing into the branch port from the use-side heat exchanger;
A relay unit controller that is connected to the indoor unit controller via a transmission line, transmits an operation command or a stop command via the transmission line, and controls the operation of the indoor unit;
The relay unit controller is
The indoor unit connected to each branch port is recognized based on the difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of each branch port at the time when the indoor units are operated one by one. apparatus. The relay unit controller is
A heating only operation mode in which the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor is supplied to the intermediate heat exchanger to heat the heat medium, or a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the intermediate heat exchanger and the heat is supplied. In the state where the heat medium heated or cooled is circulated to the plurality of use side heat exchangers by the cooling only operation mode for cooling the medium,
Operate the indoor units one by one, obtain the inlet temperature and outlet temperature of each branch at that time,
The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it recognizes that the operated indoor unit is connected to the branch port where a difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature is larger than a predetermined value. The relay unit controller is
A heating only operation mode in which the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor is supplied to the intermediate heat exchanger to heat the heat medium, or a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the intermediate heat exchanger and the heat is supplied. In the state where the heat medium heated or cooled is circulated to the plurality of use side heat exchangers by the cooling only operation mode for cooling the medium,
Operate the indoor units one by one, obtain the inlet temperature and outlet temperature of each branch at that time,
The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there is no branch port where a difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature is greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the setting is abnormal. The relay unit control device transmits a binary signal corresponding to the operation command and the stop command through the transmission line,
The said indoor unit control apparatus controls the start and stop of the operation | movement of the said indoor unit according to the said binary signal received via the said transmission line. The refrigeration air conditioner described in 1. The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein only a binary signal is transmitted to the transmission line.

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