JP5950897B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  Conventionally, during heating, when the temperature difference ΔT between the preset temperature set in advance and the indoor suction side temperature is large, the indoor fan is controlled so that the air volume becomes large, and the preset set temperature and the indoor suction side temperature are There has been an air conditioner having an air volume automatic mode that controls an indoor blower so that the air volume becomes small when the temperature difference ΔT is small (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger is equal to or lower than the threshold temperature, the air conditioner described in Patent Literature 1 performs indoor heat exchange by controlling the indoor blower with an air flow less than the maximum air flow of the indoor blower as the upper air flow rate. The air temperature of the vessel is kept high to ensure comfort.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-332186 (page 4, page 5, FIG. 8)

  However, in the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, for example, when the indoor air temperature or the outdoor air temperature is low, or when the most heating capacity is required at the start of heating, the air volume of the indoor fan is set to the maximum air volume. There was a problem that there was a possibility of lack of ability because it did not reach.

  Moreover, the indoor unit of the air conditioner described in Patent Literature 1 performs control in consideration of comfort when the blowout temperature is not directly connected to comfort, for example, when the blowout air is provided at a position where it does not reach the user. In addition, it is necessary to increase the condensation temperature, and there is a possibility that the driving efficiency of the compressor is deteriorated because control is performed to ensure a high blowing temperature. Therefore, there is a problem that power consumption may increase unintentionally.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an air conditioner capable of suppressing power shortage and suppressing power consumption more than in the past.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention includes an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan that guides air to the indoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, and the indoor heat exchange. An indoor suction side temperature sensor provided on the upstream side of the ventilator, a control means for controlling the indoor blower, an air volume of the indoor blower, a preset set temperature, and a detected temperature of the indoor suction side temperature sensor A plurality of tables associated with the temperature difference, and the plurality of tables are configured such that the maximum air volume of the indoor blower is the same and the temperature differences corresponding to the maximum air volume are different from each other. The control means refers to the first table in which the temperature difference corresponding to the maximum air volume is not maximum among the plurality of tables when the detected temperature of the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a threshold temperature. When the indoor blower is controlled and the detected temperature of the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor is lower than the threshold temperature, the second temperature difference corresponding to the maximum air volume among the plurality of tables is larger than that of the first table. The indoor blower is controlled with reference to a table.

  The air conditioner of the present invention is configured such that the maximum air volume of the indoor fan is the same, and the temperature difference between the preset temperature corresponding to the maximum air volume and the detected temperature of the indoor suction side temperature sensor is different. When the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger is lower than the threshold temperature, a second table in which the temperature difference corresponding to the maximum air volume is larger than the first table among the plurality of tables. The indoor blower is controlled with reference. For this reason, power shortage can be suppressed and power consumption can be suppressed as compared with the conventional case.

It is a figure which shows the air conditioner 100 and the operation means 20 which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the indoor unit of the air conditioner 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart at the time of the heating operation of the air conditioner 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the threshold temperature and low threshold temperature of temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 3 of the air conditioner 100 which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st table which shows the relationship between (DELTA) T and the air volume of the air conditioner 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd table which shows the relationship between (DELTA) T and the air volume of the air conditioner 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioner 100 and an operation means 20 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air conditioner 100 is configured by connecting an outdoor unit 10 and an indoor unit 11 with a refrigerant pipe 50. In addition to the air conditioner 100, an operating means 20 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, an outdoor heat exchanger 3, an outdoor blower 4, and an expansion valve 5. The indoor unit 11 includes an indoor heat exchanger 6, an indoor blower 7, an indoor suction side temperature sensor 8, an indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 9, and control means 30. A refrigerant circuit is configured by connecting the compressor 1, the four-way valve 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the expansion valve 5, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 through a refrigerant pipe 50.

  The compressor 1 compresses and discharges the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle so as to become a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The four-way valve 2 is a valve for switching between cooling operation and heating operation.

  The outdoor heat exchanger 3 exhibits a function as a condenser during the cooling operation by switching the four-way valve 2 and exhibits a function as an evaporator during the heating operation. The outdoor blower 4 is composed of, for example, an axial flow (propeller type) blower, and guides outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

  By switching the four-way valve 2, the indoor heat exchanger 6 exhibits a function as an evaporator during a cooling operation and exhibits a function as a condenser during a heating operation. The indoor blower 7 is composed of an axial flow (propeller) blower, for example, and guides indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 6. A specific configuration of the indoor blower 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The indoor suction side temperature sensor 8 is provided, for example, inside the indoor unit 11 and upstream of the indoor heat exchanger 6 among the air paths formed by the rotation of the indoor blower 7. Consists of a thermistor. The indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 9 is provided inside the indoor heat exchanger 6 and detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing inside the indoor heat exchanger 6, and is composed of, for example, a thermistor.

  For example, the operation unit 20 includes a remote controller having buttons for instructing the air conditioner 100 to perform various operations. When the user operates the button of the operation unit 20, information regarding the setting content corresponding to the operated button is output.

The operation means 20 has at least a button for outputting information on the following (1) to (3).
(1) A button for setting a set temperature that is a target temperature of the air conditioner 100.
(2) A button for setting one of the ability priority mode and the comfort priority mode.
(3) A button for adjusting the wind speed setting.

  Here, the buttons for setting the wind speed are, for example, “strong wind”, “medium wind”, “weak wind”, and “silent” in order of increasing wind speed. The operation means 20 has a button for automatically setting the wind speed. Automatic operation can be performed by operating a button for automatically setting the wind speed. Here, in the automatic operation, for example, during heating operation, the wind is strengthened when the room temperature is low, and the wind is weakened when the room temperature is high. In the automatic operation, for example, during cooling operation, the wind is strengthened when the room temperature is high, and the wind is weakened when the room temperature is low.

  The control means 30 controls the indoor blower 7 based on the information regarding the operation mode, wind speed, etc. output from the operation means 20, for example. The control means 30 is configured by, for example, hardware such as a circuit device that realizes this function, or software executed on an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer or a CPU.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the state where the four-way valve 2 is switched to the heating side, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is the four-way valve 2, the indoor heat exchanger 6, the expansion valve 5, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, It returns to the compressor 1 through the four-way valve 2. That is, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as an evaporator, the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as a condenser, and the refrigerant flows in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Note that the cooling operation is executed by switching the four-way valve 2 shown in FIG. 2 to the cooling side.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the indoor unit 11 is configured by, for example, a ceiling-embedded four-way outlet cassette. The indoor unit 11 is embedded in a ceiling surface 14 provided on the ceiling of the air conditioning target space. A decorative panel 12 is provided in a portion where the indoor unit 11 is exposed to the air-conditioning target space.

  The indoor blower 7 constituting the indoor unit 11 includes an indoor fan motor 7A and an indoor fan 7B attached to the indoor fan motor 7A. The indoor fan motor 7A is driven according to the wind speed determined by the control means 30, and rotates the indoor fan 7B.

  The indoor fan motor 7A is driven to rotate the indoor fan 7B, and the indoor fan 7B rotates to introduce indoor air into the indoor heat exchanger 6. The air introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 6 rises in temperature by exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 6, and is introduced indoors. The arrows in FIG. 3 indicate the air flow in which the air introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 6 due to the rotation of the indoor fan 7B is discharged through the indoor heat exchanger 6.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart during the heating operation of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The operation of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following S1 to S8, the control contents assuming a heating operation in which the indoor suction temperature is lower than the set temperature will be described. That is, in subsequent S1 to S8, it is not assumed that the indoor suction temperature does not exceed the set temperature and is not regulated even during the cooling operation or the heating operation.

  In S1, the control means 30 controls the compressor 1, the four-way valve 2, etc. so that the air conditioner 100 starts the heating operation, and the process proceeds to S2. Here, the heating operation is executed, for example, when the user operates the operation means 20 to set the heating operation.

  In S <b> 2, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the air volume setting set by the operation unit 20 is “automatic”. When the control unit 30 determines in S2 that the air volume setting set by the operation unit 20 is “automatic” (Yes in S2), the process proceeds to S3. On the other hand, if the control means 30 determines in S2 that the air volume setting set by the operation means 20 is not "automatic" (No in S2), the process proceeds to S4, where the control means 30 determines the wind speed set by the user. The indoor blower 7 is controlled so as to perform the operation.

  In S <b> 3, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the operation unit 20 is set in the comfort priority mode. In S3, when it is determined that the comfort priority mode is set (Yes in S3), the control unit 30 proceeds to S5. On the other hand, in S3, when it is determined that the comfort priority mode is not set (the ability priority mode is set) (No in S3), the control unit 30 proceeds to S6 and refers to the first table. Then, the indoor blower 7 is controlled. Details of the first table will be described later.

  In S5, the control means 30 determines whether or not the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 is equal to or higher than a threshold temperature. If the control means 30 determines in S5 that the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature (Yes in S5), the process proceeds to S7. On the other hand, if the control means 30 determines in S5 that the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 is lower than the threshold temperature (No in S5), the process proceeds to S8. The threshold temperature is 48 ° C., for example. The above-mentioned 48 ° C. is set on the assumption that the temperature of the air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 6 (that is, the blowing temperature) is 40 ° C.

  In S7, the control means 30 controls the indoor fan 7 with reference to the 1st table similarly to S6 which performs capability priority mode, and returns to S5. In S8, the control means 30 refers to the second table, controls the indoor fan 7, and returns to S5. Details of the second table will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the threshold temperature and the low threshold temperature of the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, an example in which the threshold temperature of the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 is 48 ° C. will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a low threshold temperature that is lower than the threshold temperature by a predetermined temperature is set. Here, the low threshold temperature is 46 ° C. which is 2 ° C. lower than the threshold temperature of 48 ° C., for example. This low threshold temperature is used when the control means 30 shifts from the control of the indoor blower 7 referring to the first table to the control of the indoor blower 7 referring to the second table.

  For example, when the control unit 30 controls the indoor blower 7 with reference to the first table, for example, when the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 reaches 47 ° C., the control unit 30 performs the indoor heat exchange. Although the temperature CT of the device 6 is lower than the threshold temperature, the control of the indoor fan 7 is continued with reference to the first table.

  For example, when the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 reaches 45 ° C., the control means 30 refers to the second table and refers to the room because the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 is less than the low threshold temperature. The blower 7 is controlled.

  In addition, when the control means 30 controls the indoor blower 7 with reference to the second table, for example, when the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 reaches 49 ° C., the control means 30 performs the indoor heat exchange. Since the temperature CT of the vessel 6 is higher than the threshold temperature, the indoor blower 7 is controlled with reference to the first table.

  In this way, by setting the low threshold temperature separately from the threshold temperature, it is possible to suppress frequent switching of the table that is referred to when the control unit 30 controls the indoor blower 7. For this reason, it can suppress that the wind speed of the indoor air blower 7 switches frequently. Therefore, the electric power consumed at the time of the operation of the air conditioner 100 can be suppressed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first table showing the relationship between ΔT and air volume of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second table showing the relationship between ΔT and air volume of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, ΔT indicates a temperature difference between a preset temperature set in advance and a temperature detected by the indoor suction side temperature sensor 8. The control means 30 controls the indoor blower 7 so that the larger the ΔT is, the larger the air volume is, and the indoor blower 7 is controlled so that the smaller the ΔT is, the smaller the air volume is.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first table associates ΔT with the air volume so that the air volume increases as ΔT increases. Details of the first table will be described below.

  First, let us consider a case where ΔT gradually increases when ΔT is 0 ° C., for example. Specifically, for example, when ΔT is 2 ° C. or less, it corresponds to “quiet”. For example, when ΔT is higher than 2 ° C. and lower than 4 ° C., it corresponds to “weak wind”. For example, when ΔT exceeds 4 ° C. and is 6 ° C. or less, it corresponds to “medium wind”. For example, when ΔT exceeds 6 ° C., it corresponds to “strong wind”.

  Next, let us consider a case where ΔT gradually decreases when ΔT is, for example, 7 ° C. Specifically, for example, it corresponds to “strong wind” when ΔT is 5 ° C. or more. For example, when ΔT is 3 ° C. or more and less than 5 ° C., it corresponds to “medium wind”. For example, when ΔT is 1 ° C. or more and less than 3 ° C., it corresponds to “weak wind”. For example, when ΔT is less than 1 ° C., it corresponds to “quiet”.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second table associates ΔT with the air volume so that the air volume increases as ΔT increases. Details of the second table will be described below.

  First, let us consider a case where ΔT gradually increases when ΔT is 0 ° C., for example. Specifically, for example, when ΔT is 3 ° C. or less, it corresponds to “quiet”. For example, when ΔT is higher than 3 ° C. and lower than 7 ° C., it corresponds to “weak wind”. For example, when ΔT is higher than 7 ° C. and equal to or lower than 11 ° C., it corresponds to “medium wind”. For example, when ΔT exceeds 11 ° C., it corresponds to “strong wind”.

  Next, let us consider a case where ΔT gradually decreases when ΔT is 12 ° C., for example. Specifically, for example, when ΔT is 9 ° C. or higher, it corresponds to “strong wind”. For example, when ΔT is 5 ° C. or more and less than 9 ° C., it corresponds to “medium wind”. For example, when ΔT is 1 ° C. or higher and lower than 5 ° C., it corresponds to “weak wind”. For example, when ΔT is less than 1 ° C., it corresponds to “quiet”.

  Thus, the 1st table of FIG. 6 and the 2nd table of FIG. 7 are tables which suppress that the wind speed of the indoor air blower 7 switches frequently similarly to FIG. For this reason, the electric power consumed at the time of the driving | running of the air conditioner 100 can be suppressed.

  Here, in the first table, ΔT corresponding to “medium wind” is 3 ° C. or more and 6 ° C. or less, and in the second table, ΔT corresponding to “medium wind” is 5 ° C. or more and 11 ° C. or less. That is, the control means 30 controls the indoor blower 7 by referring to the second table so as to reduce the air volume as compared with the case of referring to the first table.

  In the first table, ΔT corresponding to “strong wind” is 5 ° C. or more, and in the second table, ΔT corresponding to “strong wind” is 9 ° C. or more. That is, the first table and the second table are configured such that the maximum air volume of the indoor blower 7 is the same, but the ranges of ΔT corresponding to the maximum air volume are different.

  The “strong wind”, “medium wind”, “weak wind”, and “silent” shown in the first table and the second table are the same as the air volume of the wind speed that can be set by operating the operation means 20. For this reason, the pattern of the air volume which can be set does not increase too much, and control of the indoor air blower 7 can be simplified.

  Here, in S8 of FIG. 4, since the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 is lower than the threshold temperature, if the air volume of the indoor blower 7 is excessively increased, the blowing temperature may be lowered and the comfort may be impaired. is there. For this reason, when the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 is lower than the threshold temperature, the control means 30 refers to the second table in which the lower limit of ΔT corresponding to “strong wind” is relatively large. Control. Therefore, the blowing temperature can be secured higher than usual, and priority can be given to comfort.

  At this time, since the temperature CT of the indoor heat exchanger 6 becomes higher than usual, the driving efficiency of the compressor 1 is deteriorated, and the power consumption can be deteriorated. As described above, since the user can select either the comfort priority mode or the ability priority mode, the user can intentionally give priority to comfort.

  Further, even when the control means 30 controls the indoor blower 7 with reference to the second table, since “strong wind” is selected when ΔT is large, it is possible to suppress the shortage of capacity. Therefore, unlike the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, when the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 6 becomes low, there is no shortage of capacity due to lowering the maximum air volume.

  As described above, in the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment, the maximum air volume of the indoor fan 7 is the same, and the preset temperature corresponding to the maximum air volume and the detection of the indoor suction side temperature sensor 8 are detected. When the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 6 is lower than the threshold temperature, the first table and the second table are configured so that the temperature difference from the temperature is different, and the maximum air volume among the plurality of tables corresponds to the maximum air volume. The indoor blower 7 is controlled with reference to a second table having a temperature difference larger than that of the first table. For this reason, power shortage can be suppressed and power consumption can be suppressed as compared with the conventional case.

  Further, the user can operate the operation means 20 so as to set the comfort priority mode. For this reason, since it becomes possible to suppress the ability from being insufficient and the blowing temperature can be kept high, the comfort is improved.

  In addition, the specific numerical value of (DELTA) T of the 1st table and the 2nd table mentioned above is not limited to this, The maximum airflow of the indoor air blower 7 is the same, and (DELTA) T corresponding to this maximum airflow differs, respectively. It is sufficient that the first table and the second table are configured.

  Moreover, although the control means 30 demonstrated the example which controls the indoor air blower 7 with reference to any one of a 1st table and a 2nd table, it is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 30 may control the indoor blower 7 with reference to any of three or more tables. At this time, for example, the first table shown in FIG. 6, the second table shown in FIG. 7, and the third table whose ΔT corresponding to “strong wind” is larger than that of the second table are used.

  Further, although an example has been described in which the user operates the operation unit 20 to perform automatic driving by setting “automatic”, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control means 30 may have a time measuring means (not shown), and the indoor blower 7 may be controlled so that the control means 30 performs an automatic operation in response to the time elapse of a predetermined time. . Further, for example, when the heating operation is started, the indoor blower 7 may be controlled so that the control unit 30 performs the automatic operation. That is, the control means 30 controls the indoor blower 7 to execute automatic operation based on information (for example, preset setting information) that does not depend on external information, not external information like the operation means 20. May be. This applies not only to the setting of automatic driving but also to the case of setting either the comfort priority mode or the ability priority mode.

  The comfort priority mode corresponds to the first mode of the present invention. The capability priority mode corresponds to the second mode of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor, 2 Four way valve, 3 Outdoor heat exchanger, 4 Outdoor blower, 5 Expansion valve, 6 Indoor heat exchanger, 7 Indoor blower, 7A Indoor fan motor, 7B Indoor fan, 8 Indoor suction side temperature sensor, 9 Indoor Heat exchanger temperature sensor, 10 outdoor unit, 11 indoor unit, 12 decorative panel, 14 ceiling surface, 20 operation means, 30 control means, 50 refrigerant piping, 100 air conditioner, CT temperature.

Claims (4)

An indoor heat exchanger,
An indoor blower for guiding air to the indoor heat exchanger;
An indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger;
An indoor suction side temperature sensor provided upstream of the indoor heat exchanger;
Control means for controlling the indoor blower;
A plurality of tables in which an air volume of the indoor blower, a temperature difference between a preset temperature and a detection temperature of the indoor suction side temperature sensor are associated with each other,
The plurality of tables are:
The maximum air volume of the indoor blower is the same, and the temperature difference corresponding to the maximum air volume is different from each other.
The control means includes
When the detected temperature of the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a threshold temperature, the indoor fan is controlled with reference to a first table in which the temperature difference corresponding to the maximum air volume is not maximum among the plurality of tables,
When the temperature detected by the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor is lower than a threshold temperature, the indoor temperature is referred to a second table in which the temperature difference corresponding to the maximum air volume is larger than the first table among the plurality of tables. An air conditioner characterized by controlling a blower. The control means includes
Controlling the indoor blower to perform automatic operation based on preset setting information or external information,
When the detected temperature of the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a threshold temperature when the automatic operation is performed, the indoor blower is controlled with reference to the first table,
The indoor blower is controlled with reference to the second table when the temperature detected by the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor becomes lower than a threshold temperature when the automatic operation is executed. Air conditioner as described in. A first mode for controlling the indoor blower according to claim 1 or 2,
A second mode for controlling the indoor blower with reference to the first table,
The control means includes
The air conditioner is characterized in that the first mode or the second mode is executed based on preset setting information or external information. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of tables includes three or more tables.

Images