JP5671701B2 - Multi-room air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-room air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to a single outdoor unit.

  In a conventional air conditioner, the inside of an indoor unit is temporarily kept at a high temperature and controlled to suppress mold growth by applying stress to the mold (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-329290 A

  However, since the conventional configuration is a single-type air conditioner to which one indoor unit is connected, when conventional control is adopted for a multi-room type air conditioner, one indoor unit is dried. When the heating operation is performed, the drying and heating operation is performed for all the indoor units, which causes a problem that the comfort is lowered.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a multi-room air conditioner that does not impair comfort.

In order to solve the conventional problems, a multi-room air conditioner according to the present invention is a multi-room air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to a single outdoor unit, A selection unit that is provided in a remote controller for instructing operation of the indoor unit itself or the plurality of indoor units, and that selects whether or not to perform a drying operation for drying the interior in conjunction with the indoor units in the other rooms; A plurality of throttle means for reducing the amount of refrigerant to each of the indoor heat exchangers, an indoor blower that promotes heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger and blows air into the room, and a control device, the control device comprising: , depending on the choice of the selection means, a room of the indoor unit is configured to change the operation state of the indoor unit of the other chamber while performing the drying operation, wherein the control device, room While the indoor unit is performing a drying operation, the selection means The control is performed by stopping the operation of the indoor blower of the indoor unit that is selected to be not linked with the selection unit by reducing the refrigerant amount to the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit that is selected to a predetermined amount or less. The device drives the air direction change feathers of the indoor unit that is selected not to be interlocked by the selection means in a direction that prevents airflow from being released while the indoor unit of one room is performing the drying operation. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a decrease in comfort.

  The present invention can provide a multi-room air conditioner that does not impair comfort.

The block diagram of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention Block diagram in the first embodiment Flowchart in the first embodiment

The multi-room air conditioner of the first invention is a multi-room air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to a single outdoor unit, wherein the plurality of indoor units themselves or the plurality of units A selection means for selecting whether or not to perform a drying operation for drying the interior in conjunction with the indoor units in other rooms, provided to a remote controller for instructing the operation of the indoor units, and each of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers a plurality of throttling means for throttling the amount of refrigerant, comprising an indoor fan for blowing into the room to promote the heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger, and a control unit, wherein the control device, the selection of said selection means In response, one indoor unit is in front
The control unit is configured to change the operation state of the indoor unit in the other room while the drying operation is being performed, and the control unit is configured to select the selection unit while the indoor unit in the one room is performing the drying operation. The refrigerant amount to the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit that has been selected not to be interlocked is reduced to a predetermined amount or less, and the operation of the indoor blower of the indoor unit that has been selected not to be interlocked by the selection means is stopped. Then, the control device allows the airflow to be discharged from the wind direction change feathers of the indoor unit that is selected not to be interlocked by the selection means while the indoor unit of the room is performing the drying operation. By driving in the preventing direction, it is possible to prevent a decrease in comfort.

The indoor unit includes a plurality of indoor heat exchangers for exchanging heat between the indoor air and the refrigerant, and a plurality of throttle means for reducing the amount of refrigerant to each of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers. During the operation, the amount of refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit that is selected not to be interlocked by the selection means is reduced to a predetermined amount or less, so that the comfort of other rooms that are not performing the drying operation It can prevent the loss of sex.

It also has a plurality of indoor heat exchangers that exchange heat between indoor air and refrigerant, and an indoor fan that promotes heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger and blows air into the room. During the operation, by stopping the operation of the indoor blower of the indoor unit that has been selected not to be interlocked by the selection means, the comfort of other rooms that are not performing the drying operation is more effectively impaired. Can be prevented.

In the multi-room air conditioner of the second invention , particularly in the first invention , the drying operation can be performed in the heating cycle, whereby the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger can be raised in a short time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle of a multi-room air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a case where two indoor units 2a and 2b are connected to one outdoor unit 1 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, three units are included in one outdoor unit. Indoor units or more indoor units may be connected.

  The refrigeration cycle in the present embodiment includes a compressor 3 that compresses refrigerant, a four-way valve 9 that switches the route of the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 6 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, and expansion that is a throttle means. Valves 8a and 8b and indoor heat exchangers 4a and 4b for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and room air are annularly connected by refrigerant piping. In addition, the indoor heat exchanger 4a and the indoor heat exchanger 4b are provided in parallel, respectively, and air-condition each individual room.

  An expansion valve 8a is provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 6 and the indoor heat exchanger 4a, and an expansion valve 8b is provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 6 and the indoor heat exchanger 4b. As the expansion valves 8a and 8b, electric expansion valves configured such that the valve opening degree can be controlled by a stepping motor or the like are used, and decompression and refrigerant distribution are performed.

  In addition, the outdoor unit 1 includes an outdoor control device 20 including a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, and includes a control sequence for executing a drying operation for eliminating moisture generated in the indoor unit. .

During operation in the heating cycle, as indicated by a practical arrow in FIG. 1, after the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 passes through the four-way valve 9 (practical path) and radiates heat in the indoor heat exchangers 4a and 4b. After passing through the expansion valves 8 a and 8 b, the heat is absorbed by the outdoor heat exchanger 6, and further passes through the four-way valve 9 and is sucked into the compressor 3.

  Further, during operation in the cooling cycle, as indicated by a dotted line arrow in FIG. 1, the high-temperature refrigerant that has come out of the compressor 3 passes through the four-way valve 9 (dotted line route), dissipates heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 6, and then expands. After passing through the valves 8 a and 8 b and absorbing heat in each of the indoor heat exchangers 4 a and 4 b connected in parallel, the heat passes through the four-way valve 9 and is sucked into the compressor 3.

  The outdoor heat exchanger 6 includes an outdoor blower 7 that promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, and each of the indoor heat exchangers 4a and 4b includes an indoor blower 5a that promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air. 5b.

  Each of the indoor units 2a and 2b is provided with temperature sensors 10a and 10b which are indoor air suction temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the room.

  Furthermore, remote control devices 11a and 11b for individually instructing operation to the indoor units 2a and 2b are provided. Each of the remote control devices 11a and 11b has an operation mode (cooling operation or heating operation) that the user likes. Operation mode setting units 12a and 12b for setting air blowing operation, dry operation, etc., drying operation setting units 14a and 14b for setting drying operation for eliminating moisture generated inside the indoor unit during cooling operation, It has at least drying operation interlocking selection units 15a and 15b which are selection means for selecting whether or not to perform the drying operation in conjunction with the drying operation.

  It should be noted that the remote control devices 11a and 11b are provided with an operation unit for setting a wind direction change, an operation unit for setting an air volume change, and the like, which are mounted on a remote control device of a conventional air conditioner. Needless to say. Further, inside the indoor units 2a and 2b, an indoor control device 21a for sending an instruction to the outdoor control device 20 provided in the outdoor unit and controlling a drive mechanism in the indoor units 2a and 2b, and 21b.

  Moreover, the structure of the outdoor control apparatus 20 is demonstrated. The outdoor control device 20 includes an operation mode storage unit 16 that stores the operation mode set by the operation mode setting units 12a and 12b, the air volume, the set temperature, the presence / absence of interlocking of the drying operation, and the detection of the temperature sensors 10a and 10b. The indoor air suction temperature storage unit 17 that stores the value, the drying operation time storage unit 18 that stores the drying operation time, the drying operation number counting unit 19 that counts the number of indoor units that perform the drying operation, and the drying from each signal It has the determination part 22 which determines driving | operation, and the output part 23 which instruct | indicates the component apparatus inside the outdoor unit 1.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart during the drying operation in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the drying operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 1, a drying operation is started. When the drying operation is started, a signal is input to the operation mode storage unit 16, and a signal for starting the drying operation is output to the determination unit 22. The determination unit 22 determines the current operating condition of the air conditioner, and the room Control is performed to perform an effective drying operation without impairing the comfort of the vehicle.

  Then, it is determined in step 2 whether or not the drying operation of the own room has been started. If the drying operation of the own room has been started, the process proceeds to step 3. On the other hand, if it is not the drying operation of the own room, the process proceeds to step 18, and if “linked” is selected in the drying operation interlocking selection section 15a or 15b, the process proceeds to step 3, but “not interlocked” is selected. If yes, go to Step 19.

  In step 19, it is determined whether or not the other room is in the drying operation. If the other room is in the drying operation, the process proceeds to step 20, and the indoor blower in the room where the drying operation is not performed is stopped. Here, in order to perform more effectively, in step 21, a wind direction changing wing (not shown) provided in the indoor unit is driven (preferably closed) in a direction that prevents airflow from being released into the room. Furthermore, it progresses to step 22, the opening degree of the expansion valve which restrict | squeezes the refrigerant | coolant amount to the indoor heat exchanger of the room which does not perform a drying operation is restrict | squeezed, it restrict | squeezes to the grade which a refrigerant | coolant flows slightly, and it returns to step 19. If it is determined in step 19 that the other room is not in a dry operation, the process proceeds to step 12. Here, the reason why the expansion valve is not completely closed is that the liquid refrigerant accumulates in the indoor heat exchanger and causes a malfunction (insufficient amount of refrigerant).

  Next, in step 3, it is determined whether or not the indoor unit in the own room is stopped or in a blowing operation. If the operation is stopped or the air blowing operation is being performed in step 3, the process proceeds to step 4 to set the drying operation time Ta (for example, 10 minutes) in the heating cycle and store it in the drying operation time storage unit 18 and to step 5 move on. In addition, although time Ta of the drying operation by heating operation was set as 10 minutes, it is not limited to this.

  In step 5, the number of target indoor units that must be dried is counted. In step 6, the frequency of the compressor is determined according to the number of indoor units, and in step 7, a drying operation is performed by a heating cycle. At this time, the signal of the temperature sensor 10a or 10b is ignored and the frequency of the compressor is determined.

  Then, when the time of the drying operation by the heating cycle exceeds the set time Ta in step 8, the process proceeds to step 9 to set the drying operation time Tb (for example, 10 minutes) by the air blowing operation and store the drying operation time. It memorize | stores in the part 18, and it progresses to step 10, and performs the drying operation by ventilation operation. In addition, although the time Tb of the drying operation by the air blowing operation is set to 10 minutes, it is not limited to this.

  Then, when the time of the drying operation by the air blowing operation exceeds the set time Tb in Step 11, the process proceeds to Step 12 and returns to the original operation state.

  Next, in step 13, it is determined whether the cooling operation or the dry operation is being performed. If the cooling operation or the dry operation is being performed, the process proceeds to step 14, and if the heating operation is performed, the process proceeds to step 17. When the process proceeds to step 17, since there is no need to dry the interior of the indoor unit, the drying operation is canceled, and the process proceeds to step 12 to perform the original operation.

  In addition, after proceeding to step 14, it is more effective to once release the internal moisture to reduce it, so a drying operation by a blowing operation is first performed for a certain period of time. Therefore, in step 14, the drying operation time Tc (for example, 10 minutes) by the blowing operation is set and stored in the drying operation time storage unit 18, and the process proceeds to step 15. In addition, although the time Tc of the drying operation by the air blowing operation is set to 10 minutes, it is not limited to this.

  Then, when the drying operation by the air blowing operation is performed in step 15 and the time of the drying operation by the air blowing operation exceeds the set time Tc in step 16, the process proceeds to step 4 to the step of performing the drying operation by the heating cycle. And proceed sequentially.

  In this embodiment, the drying operation times Ta, Tb, and Tc are virtually set. For example, the drying operation times Ta, Tb, and Tc are calculated according to the length of the original operation time. You may comprise. In that case, since the drying operation can be changed according to the amount of moisture due to the operation time, the comfort can be further improved.

  In addition, when switching to a drying operation by a heating cycle suddenly during a cooling operation or a dry operation, hot and humid air will be released into the indoor space. By performing the drying operation, the drying operation by the heating cycle can be performed after the humidity inside the indoor unit is reduced, and the indoor comfort can be maintained.

  As described above, the present invention can be applied to applications such as a building multi-air conditioner because the internal drying of a plurality of connected indoor units can minimize the influence of the comfort of other rooms.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outdoor unit 2a Indoor unit 2b Indoor unit 3 Compressor 4a Indoor heat exchanger 4b Indoor heat exchanger 6 Outdoor heat exchanger 15a Drying operation interlocking selection part 15b Drying operation interlocking selection part

Claims (2)

A multi-room type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to a single outdoor unit,
A selection means for selecting whether or not to perform a drying operation for drying the interior in conjunction with the indoor units in other rooms, provided in the remote controller for instructing operation of the plurality of indoor units themselves or the plurality of indoor units. When,
A plurality of throttle means for reducing the amount of refrigerant to each of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers;
An indoor blower that promotes heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger and blows air indoors;
A control device ,
It said controller, in response to selection of said selection means, a room of the indoor unit is configured to change the operation state of the indoor unit of the other chamber while performing the drying operation,
The control device restricts the amount of refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit selected not to be interlocked by the selection means to a predetermined amount or less while the indoor unit of one room is performing the drying operation. And stopping the operation of the indoor blower of the indoor unit that is selected not to be interlocked by the selection means,
The control device is configured to prevent the airflow from being released from the wind direction change blades of the indoor unit that is selected not to be interlocked by the selection unit while the indoor unit of the room is performing the drying operation. A multi-room air conditioner that is driven by The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the drying operation is performed in a heating cycle.

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