JP5705453B2 - Refrigerant charging method for air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerant charging method for an air conditioner that can accurately and quickly add an optimum amount of refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner.

  A multi-type air conditioner used for air conditioning of a building or the like has a configuration in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit. In such an air conditioner, since the length of the refrigerant pipe (crossover pipe) connecting between the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units varies depending on the site or the number of connected indoor units, It is necessary to additionally fill the refrigerant in an amount corresponding to the specifications of the transition pipe, that is, the pipe length and the pipe diameter at the site. In the field, additional charging of the refrigerant is usually performed by calculating a specified amount of refrigerant based on the pipe length and the pipe diameter of the transition pipe, and additionally charging the specified amount of refrigerant.

  As described above, the amount of refrigerant to be additionally charged is generally calculated on the site based on the specifications of the crossover piping and is generally calculated. Therefore, at the site where a new air conditioner is newly installed, the specifications of the transition pipe can be grasped in detail, so that the specified refrigerant amount can be easily and accurately calculated based on the data. . However, at the site where the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of the existing air conditioner are renewed and the crossover piping is reused as it is to renew the air conditioner, the specifications of the crossover piping may not be known. In some cases, the amount could not be calculated accurately.

  Therefore, an air conditioner equipped with an automatic refrigerant filling function that can automatically fill a specified amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit, and the time required to input information related to the transition pipe, while automatically reducing the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit. There is provided an air conditioner that can be charged in an accurate manner so that the suitability of the refrigerant amount can be determined with high accuracy (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-3).

JP 2002-350014 A Japanese Patent No. 3719246 JP 2007-292429 A

  However, as described above, even in an air conditioner equipped with an automatic refrigerant filling function, if the specifications of the transition pipe (pipe length and pipe diameter) are unknown, the refrigerant corresponding to the transition pipe that should be additionally charged For, filling from zero. For this reason, there existed a subject that time required to fill with the specified amount of refrigerant became long. This is due to the fact that the refrigerant filling speed is slow when the automatic refrigerant filling function is used, and this has been one of the factors that prolongs the installation time of the air conditioner.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a refrigerant filling method for an air conditioner capable of accurately and quickly additionally filling an optimum amount of refrigerant into a refrigerant circuit. With the goal.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the refrigerant filling method for an air conditioner according to the present invention employs the following means.
That is, the refrigerant filling method for an air conditioner according to the present invention is an air conditioner that fills a closed cycle refrigerant circuit in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected via a refrigerant pipe with a specified amount of refrigerant. In the refrigerant charging method, the pipe length of the refrigerant pipe connecting between the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units installed on each floor of the building and the pipe diameter are specified within a range that can be reliably measured or assumed. Then, after calculating the minimum amount of refrigerant in the air conditioner based on the pipe length and pipe diameter, and additionally charging the refrigerant circuit with the minimum amount of refrigerant, the automatic refrigerant filling function is used. The refrigerant circuit is automatically filled with the refrigerant to detect whether or not the refrigerant circuit has been charged to the specified amount, and the refrigerant circuit is automatically charged until the specified amount is reached. The above Speed automatic charging the medium circuit is characterized by slower than the speed of filling the minimum required refrigerant amount of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit.

  According to the present invention, even if the specifications of the refrigerant pipe connecting between the outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units installed on each floor of the building are unknown, the pipe length and pipe diameter are reliably measured or assumed. By specifying within the possible range, the minimum amount of refrigerant is calculated based on that, and after the amount of refrigerant is added in advance, the refrigerant is automatically charged until the specified amount is reached using the automatic refrigerant filling function. Therefore, the specified amount of refrigerant that needs to be finally filled can be accurately filled without excess or deficiency. Therefore, the optimum amount of refrigerant can be charged with high accuracy, and the air conditioner can be stably operated. In addition, since it is not necessary to automatically fill the amount of refrigerant that should be additionally charged from zero, the time required for filling the refrigerant can be shortened, and the installation work time can be shortened and facilitated.

  Furthermore, the refrigerant filling method for an air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention is the above-described refrigerant filling method for an air conditioning apparatus, wherein the minimum required refrigerant amount is at least a vertical piping position along each floor of the building from the installation position of the outdoor unit. The horizontal pipe length and the pipe diameter of the refrigerant pipe up to, the vertical pipe length and the pipe diameter to the branching position of each floor of the refrigerant pipe building, and the plurality of indoor units installed on each floor The calculation is based on the length of the branch pipe and the pipe diameter connecting the straight line from the vertical pipe position on each floor to the indoor unit arranged farthest.

  According to the present invention, the minimum required refrigerant amount is determined by dividing the horizontal pipe length and diameter of the refrigerant pipe from the installation position of the outdoor unit to the vertical pipe position along each floor of the building, and the branching portion of each floor of the refrigerant pipe building. The length of the vertical pipe to the position and its pipe diameter, and among the multiple indoor units installed on each floor, a branch that connects the straight line to the indoor unit located farthest from the vertical pipe position on each floor Because it is calculated based on the pipe length and its pipe diameter, even if the detailed specifications of the refrigerant pipe connecting between the outdoor unit and multiple indoor units installed on each floor of the building are unknown, Based on the pipe length and the pipe diameter that can be reliably measured or assumed, the minimum necessary refrigerant amount within a range that does not exceed the refrigerant amount that should be additionally charged can be calculated, and the refrigerant can be additionally charged in advance. That is, the length and diameter of the horizontal pipe (main pipe) connected to the outdoor unit can be measured with certainty, and the length of the vertical pipe along each floor of the building and the pipe diameter up to the first branch position are Even if the actual pipe length is unknown or cannot be measured, it can be assumed from the floor height of the building and the diameter of the horizontal pipe, and the length of the branch pipe connected to multiple indoor units arranged on each floor Even if the actual pipe length is unknown or cannot be measured, it can be estimated from the distance between the vertical pipe position on each floor to the farthest indoor unit and the branch pipe diameter. is there. Therefore, by calculating the refrigerant amount based on these pipe lengths and pipe diameters, it is possible to reliably calculate the minimum necessary refrigerant quantity within a range that does not exceed the refrigerant quantity that should be additionally charged.

  Furthermore, the refrigerant filling method for an air conditioner according to the present invention is the above-described refrigerant filling method for an air conditioner, wherein the pipe diameter of the horizontal pipe and the pipe diameter to the first branch position of the vertical pipe are set as the outdoor unit. The amount of the refrigerant is calculated as a diameter obtained from an actually measured value of the model or the latest refrigerant pipe.

  According to the present invention, the refrigerant amount is calculated by using the pipe diameter of the horizontal pipe and the pipe diameter up to the first branch position of the vertical pipe as the diameter obtained from the measured value of the outdoor unit model or the nearest refrigerant pipe. Therefore, even if the pipe diameter of the pipe up to the position of the first branch of the horizontal pipe and the vertical pipe is unknown, the horizontal pipe and the vertical pipe are so-called main pipes, and the refrigerant pipe closest to the outdoor unit remains as it is. It can be reliably assumed that it has been extended. Therefore, the minimum required refrigerant amount can be accurately calculated by using the pipe diameter obtained from the measured value of the model of the outdoor unit or the nearest refrigerant pipe as the pipe diameter of the horizontal pipe and the vertical pipe.

  Furthermore, the refrigerant filling method for an air conditioner according to the present invention is the refrigerant filling method for any one of the above air conditioners, wherein the pipe diameter of the branch pipe and / or the pipe diameter after the first branch portion of the vertical pipe is set. The refrigerant amount is calculated as a diameter obtained from an actually measured value of the model of the indoor unit arranged farthest from the vertical pipe or the refrigerant pipe nearest to the model.

  According to the present invention, the pipe diameter of the branch pipe and / or the pipe diameter after the first branch portion of the vertical pipe are respectively measured for the model of the indoor unit arranged farthest from the vertical pipe or the refrigerant pipe nearest to it. Since the refrigerant amount is calculated as the diameter obtained from the value, even if the pipe diameter of the branch pipe and / or the pipe after the first branch part of the vertical pipe arranged on each floor is unknown, The pipe diameter of the branch pipe and / or the vertical pipe can be reliably assumed to be at least the model of the indoor unit farthest from the vertical pipe or the pipe diameter of the refrigerant pipe connected to the indoor unit. Therefore, the pipe diameter obtained from the measured value of the model of the indoor unit located at the farthest or the nearest refrigerant pipe is set as the pipe diameter of the branch pipe and / or the vertical pipe after the first branch section. The required amount of refrigerant can be accurately calculated.

  Furthermore, the refrigerant filling method of the air conditioner according to the present invention includes the outdoor unit and the indoor unit updated by renewing the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of the existing air conditioner and reusing the existing refrigerant pipe. When the air conditioner is renewed by connecting the refrigerant, the refrigerant is filled using any one of the methods described above.

  According to the present invention, when an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of an existing air conditioner are updated, and the air conditioner is renewed by connecting the updated outdoor unit and the indoor unit by reusing an existing refrigerant pipe, Since any one of the above-mentioned methods is used to fill the refrigerant, even if the detailed specifications of the existing refrigerant pipe are unknown, the pipe length and pipe diameter are within the range that can be measured or assumed accurately. In this way, the minimum required amount of refrigerant is calculated based on this, and after the refrigerant amount is additionally filled in advance, the refrigerant is automatically charged until the specified filling amount is reached using the automatic refrigerant filling function. it can. Therefore, the specified amount of refrigerant can be reliably and quickly charged without excess or deficiency even in an air conditioner that renews by reusing existing refrigerant piping.

  According to the present invention, the minimum refrigerant quantity required is calculated based on the refrigerant pipe length and pipe diameter specified within the range that can be actually measured or assumed, and after the refrigerant quantity is additionally charged in advance, the automatic refrigerant filling function Since a specified amount of refrigerant is automatically charged using the, a specified amount of refrigerant can be charged accurately without excess or deficiency. Therefore, the optimum amount of refrigerant can be charged with high accuracy, and the air conditioner can be stably operated. In addition, since it is not necessary to automatically fill the amount of refrigerant that should be additionally charged from zero, the time required for filling the refrigerant can be shortened, and the installation work time can be shortened and facilitated.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the concept of the installation form example of the air conditioning apparatus which applies the refrigerant | coolant filling method which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the assumption method of the pipe length and pipe diameter of refrigerant | coolant piping. It is a conceptual diagram of the method of assuming the piping length of the branch piping in each floor of the air conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the judgment point at the time of applying the refrigerant filling method concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a refrigerant circuit figure of the air harmony device with a refrigerant automatic filling function applied to the refrigerant filling method concerning the embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a concept of an installation mode example of an air conditioner to which a refrigerant filling method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied and a method for assuming a pipe length and a pipe diameter of a refrigerant pipe. .
As the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, a multi-type air conditioner 1 for buildings is shown. This air conditioner 1 has three indoor units 11 to 13 and three indoor units installed on the ceilings of the first and second floors with respect to one outdoor unit 10 installed on the roof of a building (building) 40. The machines 14 to 16 are connected via a refrigerant pipe (gas side pipe and liquid side pipe) 2 to form a closed cycle refrigerant circuit 3 of one system.

  The specifications of the refrigerant pipe (crossover pipe) 2 constituting the refrigerant circuit 3 (the pipe diameter φ (mm) and the pipe length (m) of the gas side pipe / liquid side pipe) are, for example, as shown in FIG. A horizontal pipe 2A extending laterally along the roof from the outdoor unit 10 installed on the roof of the building 40 or the like is φ28.58 mm / φ12.7 mm × 10 m, and from the horizontal pipe 2A to the floor height direction of the building 40. The vertical pipe 2B extended to the ceiling part of the second floor is φ28.58 mm / φ12.7 mm × 20 m, and the branch pipe 2C branched from the vertical pipe 2B to the indoor units 11 to 13 installed on the second floor ceiling part. However, φ19.05 mm / φ9.52 mm × 2 m, branch pipe 2D extended from branch pipe 2C is φ15.88 mm / φ9.52 mm × 4 m, branch pipe 2E extended from the end of branch pipe 2C to indoor unit 13 Is φ12. 7mm / φ6.35mm × 2m, branch pipe 2F extended from the tip of the branch pipe 2D to the indoor unit 12 is φ12.7mm / φ6.35mm × 2m, branch extended from the tip of the branch pipe 2D to the indoor unit 11 The piping 2G is set to φ12.7 mm / φ6.35 mm × 8 m.

  Further, the vertical pipe 2H extended from the vertical pipe 2B to the first floor ceiling in the height direction of the building 40 is φ19.05 mm / φ9.52 mm × 4 m, and is further installed in the first floor ceiling. The branch pipes 2I, 2J, 2K, 2L and 2M branched to the machines 14 to 16 are the same as the above-described branch pipes 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F and 2G, and the branch pipe 2I is φ19.05 mm / φ9.52 mm. × 2m, branch piping 2J is φ15.88mm / φ9.52mm × 4m, branch piping 2K is φ12.7mm / φ6.35mm × 2m, branch piping 2L is φ12.7mm / φ6.35mm × 2m, branch piping 2M is set to φ12.7 mm / φ6.35 mm × 8 m.

In the case of the air conditioning apparatus 1, the amount of refrigerant to be additionally charged as the equivalent of the refrigerant pipe (crossover pipe) 2 is originally the refrigerant pipe 2 (the refrigerant pipe 2 here is a liquid that determines the amount of additional refrigerant. It is necessary to calculate based on piping specifications (pipe diameter and length). In this air conditioning apparatus 1, the length for each pipe diameter of each liquid side pipe is as follows.
φ12.7mm liquid side piping length = piping 2A: 10m + piping 2B: 20m = 30m
φ9.52 mm liquid side piping length = piping 2C: 2m + piping 2D: 4m + piping 2H: 4m + piping 2I: 2m + piping 2J: 4m = 16m
φ6.35mm liquid side pipe length = Pipe 2E: 2m + Pipe 2F: 2m + Pipe 2G: 8m + Pipe 2K: 2m + Pipe 2L: 2m + Pipe 2M: 8m = 24m

Accordingly, the amount of refrigerant (kg) that should be additionally charged is calculated by calculating the amount of additional refrigerant per 1 m length of each pipe diameter as follows, for example:
Additional refrigerant amount = 0.12 kg x 30 m + 0.059 kg x 16 m + 0.022 kg x 24 m = 5.072 kg
It becomes. Note that the amount of additional refrigerant per 1 m length for each pipe diameter is merely an example, and is slightly different for each manufacturer.

  Accordingly, the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 11 to 16 may be updated to new models, and the air conditioner 1 may be renewed by reusing the existing refrigerant pipe (crossover pipe) 2. Data that records the piping specifications of the refrigerant piping (crossover piping) 2 is lost, and the piping specifications are often unknown. Many of the recent air conditioners 1 have an automatic refrigerant charging function, and it is conceivable to add additional refrigerant by automatic charging. Since the charging speed when using the automatic refrigerant charging function is slow, there is a problem that it takes too much time to charge the refrigerant.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the refrigerant is additionally charged according to the following procedure.
First, as shown in FIG. 3, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a piping system drawing or piping size / pipe length of the installation site is obtained. If YES, the process proceeds to step S2 and NO. If so, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the piping system drawing of the installation site or the piping size / pipe length can be obtained immediately. If YES, the process moves to step S4, and if NO, the process moves to step S5.

  Steps S2 and S4 (after obtaining the drawing) are targeted for those who can completely assume the pipe size, length, etc., and based on this, the amount of refrigerant to be additionally charged is calculated, and a prescribed amount of refrigerant is additionally sealed ( Filling). On the other hand, step S5 is intended for those who cannot or cannot grasp the pipe size / length, etc., and the pipe size / pipe length, etc. are estimated by the method described later, and based on this, the minimum required refrigerant amount is determined. After the calculation, the refrigerant amount is additionally enclosed. When the minimum necessary amount of refrigerant is charged in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6, and automatic operation is performed to additionally charge the refrigerant to a specified amount using a refrigerant automatic charging function of the air conditioner 1 described later.

  In steps S2, S4, and S6, after a specified amount of refrigerant corresponding to the capacity of the refrigerant pipe (crossover pipe) 2 is additionally charged, in step S7, an air conditioning operation and other various test operations are performed. Then, when it is confirmed that there is no abnormality by the trial operation, the installation work / work is completed, and the process proceeds to step S8 and delivered to the customer.

Here, the calculation method of the minimum refrigerant | coolant amount when specifications, such as the pipe diameter of the refrigerant | coolant piping (crossover piping) 2 and piping length, are unknown is demonstrated below with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.
(1) Assumption regarding the horizontal pipe 2A connected to the outdoor unit 10 The pipe diameter of the horizontal pipe 2A can be confirmed by confirming the diameter of the horizontal pipe 2A as the main pipe by actually measuring the model of the existing machine or the pipe. it can. Note that the actual measurement of the piping can be performed with the piping closest to the existing outdoor unit 10. The pipe length can be confirmed by actually measuring or assuming the distance from the installation position of the outdoor unit 10 to the vertical pipe 2B position along the floor height direction of the building 40. Note that the assumed length is assumed to be a straight line distance so that the pipe can be surely present (the same applies to the following).

(2) Assumptions about the vertical pipe 2B extending from the horizontal pipe 2A in the height direction of the building 40 The vertical pipe 2B is the same main pipe as the horizontal pipe 2A, and its diameter is the same as that of the horizontal pipe 2A. This can be confirmed by actually measuring the model of the machine or its piping. The pipe length can be confirmed by actually measuring or assuming the length of the vertical pipe up to the first branch position, that is, the second floor ceiling position. The assumed length can be assumed as the height of the first floor of the building 40 (actual measurement or visual observation) × the number of floors (actual measurement). For example, when the height of one floor is 3 m and the number of floors is three floors, the assumed length is 3 m × 3 = 9 m.

(3) Assumptions about the branch pipes 2C to 2M on each floor These branch pipes 2C to 2M are arranged in the ceiling, and it is often difficult to actually confirm the pipe route. Therefore, in order to assume the minimum pipe length that exists reliably, as shown in FIG. 2, from the position of the vertical pipes 2B and 2H on each floor to the indoor units 11 and 14 arranged farthest away. Confirm by actually measuring or assuming the distance when connecting the lines with a straight line. In addition, the pipe diameter can be confirmed by actually measuring the model of the existing indoor units 11 to 16 or the pipe diameter nearest to it.

And based on the piping length and piping diameter confirmed by said (1), (2), (3), the refrigerant | coolant amount required at the minimum can be calculated. By applying the example shown in FIG. 1 and calculating the minimum amount of refrigerant, the following is obtained.
Refrigerant amount for 2A φ12.7mm horizontal pipe = 10m × 0.12 = 1.2kg
φ12.7mm vertical pipe 2B refrigerant amount = 20m × 0.12 = 2.4kg
Refrigerant amount for 2C or 2M of each 6.65mm floor piping = 12m (actual measured value) x 2 (for number of floors) x 0.022 = 0.528kg
Therefore, the minimum required refrigerant amount can be calculated as 1.2 + 2.4 + 0.528 = 4.128 kg.

  In the above example, since it is difficult to assume the pipe diameter of the vertical pipe 2H, the refrigerant amount is excluded from the calculation target. However, for the vertical pipe 2H, the pipe length is assumed to be one floor high. Of course, by assuming that the pipe diameter is φ6.35 mm corresponding to the thinnest branch pipe, it may be included in the calculation of the minimum necessary refrigerant amount.

  As described above, the amount of refrigerant that should be additionally charged in the air conditioner 1 is, as shown in FIG. 1, 5 corresponding to the refrigerant pipes (crossover pipes) 2A to 2M in the portions indicated by thick solid lines. .072 kg. On the other hand, even if the piping specifications are unknown, as shown by the thick broken line in FIG. 1, refrigerant piping in a range that can be reliably measured or assumed can be specified and roughly determined based on the piping specifications. By calculating the minimum required refrigerant amount, the refrigerant circuit 3 can be additionally charged in advance before automatically charging 4.128 kg of the refrigerant. This minimum required refrigerant amount exceeds 80% of the refrigerant amount that should be additionally charged, and the remaining 20% may be automatically charged.

On the other hand, the automatic charging of the refrigerant is performed, for example, as follows.
FIG. 4 shows a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner 1 with the automatic refrigerant charging function.
In the air conditioner 1, a plurality of indoor units 11 to 16 (only the indoor unit 11 is illustrated) are connected to an outdoor unit 10 via a refrigerant pipe (gas side pipe and liquid side pipe) 2. This is a multi-type air conditioner 1. The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 20, a four-way switching valve 21, an outdoor heat exchanger 22, an outdoor expansion valve 23, a receiver 24, and an outdoor fan 25, and a predetermined height position of the receiver 24 and a suction pipe of the compressor 20. Based on a detection value of a temperature sensor 29 provided on the downstream side of the electromagnetic valve 27 of the refrigerant detection circuit 28 and a refrigerant detection circuit 28 in which a decompression means 26 and an electromagnetic valve 27 are connected. And a refrigerant filling amount detecting means 30 for detecting that a prescribed amount of refrigerant has been filled.

  The indoor unit 11 (the same applies to the indoor units 12 to 16) includes an indoor heat exchanger 31, an indoor expansion valve 32, and an indoor fan 33. The refrigerant pipe 2 and the illustration of the outdoor unit 10 are omitted. A closed cycle refrigerant circuit 3 is formed by connecting a plurality of units in parallel via a branching device or the like.

  The automatic refrigerant charging to the air conditioner 1 is performed by operating the air conditioner 1 by a cooling cycle while sucking the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder connected to the refrigerant circuit 3 on the suction side of the compressor 20. The refrigerant additionally charged by this refrigerant charging operation is gradually accumulated in the receiver 24 and its liquid level rises. Until the refrigerant liquid level in the receiver 24 reaches the opening end position of the refrigerant detection circuit 28, the saturated gas refrigerant is taken out by the refrigerant detection circuit 28, and the temperature after the refrigerant is depressurized by the decompression means 26 is It is detected by the temperature sensor 29. On the other hand, when the refrigerant liquid level reaches the opening end position of the refrigerant detection circuit 28, the saturated liquid refrigerant is taken out, and the temperature after the refrigerant is depressurized by the decompression means 26 is detected by the temperature sensor 29.

  From the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature when the pressure is reduced from the saturated gas state thus detected and the refrigerant temperature when the pressure is reduced from the saturated liquid state, the set liquid level is set in the receiver 24 via the refrigerant filling amount detection means 30. It is possible to detect that the refrigerant has accumulated in the refrigerant circuit 3. For this reason, about 80% of the specified amount of refrigerant to be additionally charged is preliminarily charged as the minimum required amount of refrigerant in advance, and then the remaining amount of refrigerant corresponding to about 20% is automatically charged by the above method. The specified amount of refrigerant can be filled accurately and quickly.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
Even if the specifications (pipe length and pipe diameter) of the pipes 2A to 2M connecting the outdoor unit 10 and the plurality of indoor units 11 to 16 installed on each floor of the building 40 are unknown, By specifying the pipe length and pipe diameter within a range that can be reliably measured or assumed, calculate the minimum amount of refrigerant based on it, add the refrigerant amount in advance, and then use the automatic refrigerant filling function. Since the specified amount of refrigerant can be automatically charged, the specified amount of refrigerant that needs to be finally filled can be accurately filled without excess or deficiency. The harmony device can be operated stably. In addition, since it is not necessary to automatically fill the amount of refrigerant that should be additionally charged from zero, the time required for filling the refrigerant can be shortened, and the installation work time can be shortened and facilitated.

  In addition, the minimum required refrigerant amount is set such that the pipe length of the horizontal pipe 2A and the pipe diameter from the installation position of the outdoor unit 10 to the vertical pipes 2B and 2H along each floor of the building 40, the pipe diameter, and each floor of the building 40 of the refrigerant pipe 2 Among the plurality of indoor units 11 to 16 installed on each floor, the pipe lengths of the vertical pipes 2B and 2H up to the branching position and the pipe diameter thereof are arranged farthest from the vertical pipe position on each floor. Since the calculation is made based on the length of the branch pipe that connects the indoor units 11 and 14 with a straight line and the pipe diameter, a plurality of indoor units 11 or 11 installed on each floor of the outdoor unit 11 and the building 40 are used. Even if the detailed specifications of the refrigerant pipe 2 connecting between the pipe 16 and the pipe 16 are unknown, the minimum of the range that does not exceed the amount of refrigerant to be additionally charged based on the pipe length and the pipe diameter that can be reliably measured or assumed Calculate the required amount of refrigerant and It can be previously added filling the refrigerant. Although the minimum required amount of refrigerant is roughly estimated, it corresponds to about 80% of the amount of refrigerant originally to be additionally charged, and the refrigerant charging time can be greatly shortened.

  That is, the length and diameter of the horizontal pipe (main pipe) 2A connected to the outdoor unit 10 can be measured with certainty, and the length of the vertical pipe 2B along each floor of the building 40 and the position of the first branch portion The pipe diameter can be assumed from the floor height of the building 40 and the diameter of the horizontal pipe 2A even if the actual pipe length is unknown or cannot be measured, and a plurality of indoor units 11 to 16 arranged on each floor. The lengths and diameters of the branch pipes 2C to 2M connected to the indoor units 11, 14 arranged farthest from the positions of the vertical pipes 2B, 2H on each floor even if the actual pipe length is unknown or cannot be measured. It can be assumed from the distance between the straight lines and the branch pipe diameter. Therefore, by calculating the amount of refrigerant based on these pipe lengths and pipe diameters, the minimum necessary refrigerant amount corresponding to about 80% within a range not exceeding the normal refrigerant amount that should be additionally charged. Can be calculated reliably.

  Further, the amount of refrigerant is calculated using the pipe diameter of the horizontal pipe 2A and the pipe diameter up to the first branch position of the vertical pipe as the diameter obtained from the measured value of the model of the outdoor unit 10 or the nearest refrigerant pipe, Further, the pipe diameters of the branch pipes 2C to 2M and / or the pipe diameter of the vertical pipe 2H are obtained from the measured values of the models of the indoor units arranged farthest from the vertical pipes 2B and 2H or the refrigerant pipes closest thereto. Therefore, even if the pipe diameter of each pipe is unknown, those pipe diameters can be reliably assumed, and as a result, the specified refrigerant quantity can be obtained. On the other hand, the minimum required refrigerant amount can be accurately calculated within a closer range.

  Further, the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 11 to 16 of the existing air conditioner 1 are updated, and the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 11 to 16 that are updated by reusing the existing refrigerant pipe 2 are connected to the air conditioner. Even when the detailed specifications of the existing pipes 2A to 2M are unclear when the device 1 is renewed, the pipe length and pipe diameter are specified within a range that can be measured or assumed accurately, and based on that By calculating the necessary amount of refrigerant, it is possible to automatically charge a specified amount of refrigerant using the automatic refrigerant charging function of the air-conditioning apparatus 1 after charging the refrigerant amount in advance. Therefore, the air conditioning apparatus 1 that renews by reusing the existing refrigerant pipe 2 can be reliably and quickly charged with a specified amount of refrigerant without excess or deficiency.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the invention concerning the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, it can change suitably. For example, in the above embodiment, the example in which the outdoor unit 10 is installed on the roof of the building 40 has been described. However, the outdoor unit 10 may be installed on the ground or the like, and the installation location is not particularly limited. The pipe length and pipe diameter of the refrigerant pipe can be assumed in the same manner regardless of the location. Further, the number of connected indoor units 11 to 16 is not particularly limited.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the automatic charging of the refrigerant has been described with respect to the example using the method of detecting the liquid level of the refrigerant in the receiver 24 by the refrigerant detection circuit 28. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any method may be used as long as it detects that the specified amount of refrigerant is filled while observing the operating state of the harmony device 1 and automatically fills it. Moreover, although the example in the case of renewing the air conditioning apparatus 1 was demonstrated in the said embodiment, of course, it can apply similarly at the time of installation in the case of newly installing the air conditioning apparatus 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioning apparatus 2 Refrigerant piping 2A Horizontal piping 2B, 2H Vertical piping 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2I, 2J, 2K, 2L, 2M Branch piping 3 Refrigerant circuit 10 Outdoor unit 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Indoor unit 28 Refrigerant detection circuit 30 Refrigerant filling amount detection means 40 Building (building)

Claims (5)

In the refrigerant filling method for an air conditioner, in which a closed circuit refrigerant circuit in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected via a refrigerant pipe is filled with a specified amount of refrigerant,
The pipe length and the pipe diameter of the refrigerant pipe connecting between the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units installed on each floor of the building are specified within a range that can be reliably measured or assumed, and the pipe length and pipe Based on the diameter, the air conditioner calculates the minimum necessary amount of refrigerant, and after the refrigerant circuit is additionally charged with the minimum necessary amount of refrigerant, the refrigerant circuit is filled with the automatic refrigerant charging function. Detecting whether or not the refrigerant circuit is filled in a prescribed amount while automatically filling the refrigerant, automatically filling the refrigerant circuit in the refrigerant circuit until the prescribed amount is reached ,
The refrigerant charging method for an air conditioner , wherein a speed at which the refrigerant circuit is automatically filled with the refrigerant until the specified amount is reached is slower than a speed at which the refrigerant refrigerant with the minimum necessary refrigerant amount is filled into the refrigerant circuit .   The minimum required refrigerant amount is at least from the installation position of the outdoor unit to the length of the horizontal pipe of the refrigerant pipe from the position of the vertical pipe along each floor of the building and its pipe diameter, to the position of the branching section of each floor of the building of the refrigerant pipe The length of the vertical pipe and the pipe diameter, and among the plurality of indoor units installed on each floor, a straight line is connected to the indoor unit located farthest from the vertical pipe position on each floor The refrigerant charging method for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the calculation is based on the length of the branched pipe and the pipe diameter.   The refrigerant quantity is calculated using the pipe diameter of the horizontal pipe and the pipe diameter to the position of the first branch of the vertical pipe as the diameter obtained from the measured value of the model of the outdoor unit or the nearest refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant filling method for an air conditioner according to claim 2.   The pipe diameter of the branch pipe and / or the pipe diameter after the first branch portion of the vertical pipe is determined based on the measured value of the model of the indoor unit or the nearest refrigerant pipe disposed farthest from the vertical pipe, respectively. The refrigerant filling method for an air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the refrigerant amount is calculated as the obtained diameter.   When renewing the air conditioner by renewing the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of an existing air conditioner and connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit updated by reusing an existing refrigerant pipe, A refrigerant filling method for an air conditioner, wherein the refrigerant is filled using the method according to any one of 1 to 4.

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