JP6070271B2 - Engine-driven air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine-driven air conditioner.

  The engine-driven air conditioner includes an engine and an air conditioning unit. The air conditioning unit includes a compressor driven by engine power. When the compressor is driven by the engine power, the air conditioning unit operates and air conditioning is performed.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, a self-supporting engine-driven air conditioner that includes a generator that generates electric power using engine power is known. The electric power generated by the generator is supplied to the components (electrically driven parts) of the air conditioning unit that is driven by the electric power and to an external load. For this reason, the self-sustained engine-driven air conditioner can continue air-conditioning operation independently without being supplied with electric power from an external power source such as a commercial power source, and further, the engine and the compressor can be separated from each other for air-conditioning operation. It is also possible to perform a self-sustaining power generation operation in which the generator is operated with the power of the engine stopped. Therefore, the self-supporting engine-driven air conditioner can be used as a power source to the external load in both cases of the self-supporting air-conditioning operation and the self-supporting power generation operation.

  Patent Document 1 includes an engine, an air conditioning unit having a compressor that is driven by the power of the engine, and a power generator that generates power by the power of the engine, and the power generated by the power generator is a commercial power supply via a power conditioner. An engine-driven air conditioner configured to be system-linked is disclosed. According to the engine-driven air conditioner, the current flowing from the generator to the power conditioner is controlled based on the air conditioning operation state so that the power output from the power conditioner is maximized. As a result, surplus power generated by the generator is efficiently supplied to the commercial power supply system. As a result, the air-conditioning operation and the power generation are both achieved efficiently.

JP 2011-12848 A

(Problems to be solved by the invention)
Generally, an engine-driven air conditioner has a clutch provided between an engine and a compressor. The clutch operates so that the connection state between the engine and the compressor can be switched between a transmission state in which engine power is transmitted to the compressor and a disconnected state in which the engine power is not transmitted. When the air conditioning load becomes very small during air conditioning or when the air conditioning request is lost, the clutch is operated and the connection state between the engine and the compressor is changed from the transmission state to the cutoff state. On the other hand, when an air conditioning request is generated when the connected state is the disconnected state, the clutch is operated and the connected state between the engine and the compressor is changed from the disconnected state to the transmission state.

  By the way, when the engine is rotating at a high speed (for example, the rated rotation speed during power generation) and the clutch is operated to change the connection state between the engine and the compressor from the shut-off state to the transmission state, the compressor suddenly If the compressor is rotated at a high speed, the compressor may break down. Therefore, when the clutch engagement state is changed from the disconnected state to the transmission state, it is necessary to reduce the engine speed in advance. In addition, when the engine is rotating at a high speed (for example, rated speed during air conditioning) and the connection state between the engine and the compressor is changed from the transmission state to the cutoff state when the clutch is operated, the load ( When the compressor is disconnected, the engine speed rapidly increases, and the engine speed exceeds the allowable speed, so that an engine speed abnormality may occur and the engine may stop. In addition, an excessive driving force is transmitted to the generator as the engine speed rapidly increases, and the engine-driven air conditioner may stop due to power generation abnormality. Therefore, even when the clutch engagement state is changed from the transmission state to the cutoff state, it is necessary to reduce the engine speed in advance.

  In this case, in a self-supporting engine-driven air conditioner having a generator that generates power using engine power, the amount of power generated by the generator is reduced by reducing the engine speed in advance when the clutch is operated. Therefore, there is a concern about the shortage of generated power relative to the power required by each electric drive component and external load of the engine-driven air conditioner. If the power supplied from the generator to the external load is insufficient, the driving of the external load may stop. In other words, if the engine speed is reduced when changing the clutch connection state, there is a risk of hindering the stable supply of power from the generator to the external load.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an engine-driven air conditioner that can stably supply power from a generator even when the engine speed is reduced in advance during clutch operation.

(Means for solving the problem)
The present invention is an engine-driven air conditioner that includes an engine, a compressor that is driven by the power of the engine and that is air-conditioned when driven by the compressor, and that generates power and generates power by the power of the engine. A generator that is configured to be able to supply electric power to an external load and an electric drive component that is driven by the electric power and is a component that constitutes an engine-driven air conditioner, and is provided between the engine and the compressor. A clutch that operates so that the connection state of the compressor can be switched between a transmission state in which engine power is transmitted to the compressor and a shut-off state in which the engine power is not transmitted, and a generator supplies electric power to the electric drive parts. When the clutch operation request is input when the engine is running, the engine speed is set to a predetermined low value before the clutch is operated. The engine speed and the amount of power supplied from the generator to the electric drive parts are controlled so that the power supplied from the generator to the electric drive parts is reduced while the rotation speed is reduced to the set speed. An engine-driven air conditioner including a control unit that performs the operation. In this case, the set rotational speed does not cause the above-mentioned problems (compressor failure, abnormal stop due to sudden increase in engine speed, etc.) when the clutch is operated and the connection state between the engine and the compressor changes. It is preferable that the rotation speed is very low (for example, 1200 rpm).

  According to the present invention, when an operation request for the clutch is input when the generator of the engine-driven air conditioner supplies power to the electric drive parts, that is, when the engine-driven air conditioner is operating independently. In addition, the rotational speed of the engine is reduced to a predetermined low rotational speed (set rotational speed), and the magnitude of power supplied from the generator to the electric drive component is reduced. Thereafter, the clutch is operated, and the connection state between the engine and the compressor is changed. Thus, since the engine speed is lowered to the set speed when the clutch is operated, the occurrence of the above-described problems can be suppressed when the clutch is operated and the connection state between the engine and the compressor changes. In addition, as the engine speed decreases, the amount of power supplied from the generator to the electric drive parts is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a shortage of power supply to the external load by reducing the magnitude of the power supplied to the electric drive component in accordance with the amount of power generation reduced due to the decrease in the engine speed. As a result, power can be stably supplied from the generator to the external load even when the engine speed is reduced in advance during clutch operation.

  The control unit controls the magnitude of power supplied from the generator to the electric drive parts when a clutch operation request is input, and does not interfere with the operation of the engine-driven air conditioner even if the supply power is reduced. It is preferable to control the magnitude of the power supplied from the generator so as to reduce the power supplied to the drive component. According to this, when the control unit controls the power supplied from the generator to the electric drive parts before the clutch is actuated, the engine-driven air conditioner is prevented from becoming abnormal due to a shortage of power supplied to the electric drive parts. Is done.

  In this case, the engine-driven air conditioner of the present invention includes a cooling water unit having a cooling water pipe through which cooling water for cooling the engine flows and a radiator interposed in the middle of the cooling water pipe. Good. Further, the air conditioning unit includes a refrigerant pipe connected to the compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger provided in the middle of the refrigerant pipe, an indoor fan as an electric drive component that blows air to the indoor heat exchanger, It is preferable to include an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan as an electric drive component that blows air to the radiator. The control unit lowers the engine speed to the set speed before the clutch is actuated when a clutch actuating request is input while the generator is supplying electric power to the electric drive component. In addition, the engine speed and the generator to the indoor fan and the outdoor are set so that the power supply from the generator to the indoor fan is stopped and the maximum supply power from the generator to the outdoor fan is limited to a predetermined upper limit power. The magnitude of power supplied to the fan may be controlled.

  Further, in this case, when the connection state between the engine and the compressor is a transmission state and the generator is supplying power to the electric drive parts (that is, during the independent air-conditioning operation), the control unit When the clutch operation request is changed so that the connection state of the engine changes from the transmission state to the cutoff state, the engine speed is reduced to the set speed before the clutch is operated, and the generator is moved to the indoor fan. The engine speed and the magnitude of power supplied from the generator to the indoor fan and outdoor fan are controlled so that the power supply of the engine is stopped and the maximum power supplied from the generator to the outdoor fan is limited to the upper limit power. It is preferable to execute the control before the first clutch operation.

  Similarly, when the connection between the engine and the compressor is cut off and the generator is supplying power to the electric drive parts (that is, during the self-sustaining power generation operation), the control unit When a clutch operation request that changes the connection state from the disconnected state to the transmission state is input, before the clutch is operated, the engine speed is reduced to the set speed and the generator to the indoor fan. The engine speed and the magnitude of power supplied from the generator to the indoor fan and outdoor fan are controlled so that the power supply is stopped and the maximum power supplied from the generator to the outdoor fan is limited to the upper limit power. It is preferable that the two-clutch pre-operation control is executed.

  The indoor fan and outdoor fan consume a large amount of power. Therefore, by reducing the magnitude of the power supplied to these fans, stable power supply from the generator to the external load can be realized. Also, if the connection state between the engine and the compressor changes from the transmission state to the cutoff state due to the operation of the clutch during the independent air conditioning operation, the indoor air conditioning will not be performed after that, so the power supply to the indoor fan is stopped. However, there is no problem in the operation of the engine-driven air conditioner. Similarly, if the connection between the engine and the compressor changes from the shut-off state to the transmission state due to the operation of the clutch during the self-sustaining power generation operation, power supply to the indoor fan is stopped because air conditioning has not been performed before that. Even so, there is no problem in the operation of the engine-driven air conditioner. On the other hand, the outdoor fan blows air not only to the outdoor heat exchanger but also to the radiator. If the outdoor fan is stopped, the engine is not cooled. Therefore, the outdoor fan cannot be stopped, but the power supply amount to the outdoor fan can be reduced by limiting the maximum power supply to the outdoor fan to the upper limit power to such an extent that the engine is cooled. Therefore, when the control unit executes the first pre-clutch pre-control or the second pre-clutch pre-control, the engine-driven air conditioner is caused by reducing the amount of power supplied to the electric drive parts. Abnormality can be prevented.

  The upper limit power may be determined in advance as the amount of power supplied to the outdoor fan required to cool the cooling water so that the engine does not heat above a predetermined threshold temperature. By enabling the outdoor fan to supply power up to the upper limit power set as described above, it is possible to prevent abnormalities such as engine seizure due to insufficient cooling of the cooling water and to reduce the power supplied to the electric drive parts. Therefore, it is possible to secure necessary power supply from the generator to the external load.

  In addition, when the engine speed has increased (increased) to a predetermined rated speed after the operation of the clutch is completed, the control unit stops the power supply from the generator to the indoor fan and the generator to the outdoor fan. It is preferable to execute post-clutch control that controls the engine speed and the magnitude of power supplied from the generator to the indoor fan and outdoor fan so as to release the restriction on the maximum power supply to the vehicle. According to this, since the power supply stop to the indoor fan and the power supply restriction to the outdoor fan are released after the engine speed returns to the rated speed (for example, 2400 rpm), the engine speed is sufficiently high after the clutch is operated. When it is not high, it is possible to prevent power supply from being stopped or power supply restriction to these fans to be canceled first and power shortage to occur.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the engine drive type air conditioner which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure showing the flow in the case of starting the air-conditioning driving | operation of an engine drive type air conditioner. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine before the 1st clutch action which a controller performs. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine after the 1st clutch action | operation performed by a controller. It is a graph which shows the change of an engine speed, and the change of the magnitude | size of each electric power before and after the driving | running state of the engine drive type air conditioner which concerns on this embodiment changes from a self-supporting air-conditioning driving | operation to a self-supporting electric power generation driving | operation. It is a graph which shows the change of an engine speed, and the change of the magnitude | size of each electric power before and after the driving | running state of the conventional engine drive type air conditioner changes from a self-supporting air-conditioning driving | operation to a self-power generation driving | operation. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine before the 2nd clutch operation which a controller performs. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine after the 2nd clutch operation which a controller performs. It is a graph which shows the change of an engine speed, and the change of the magnitude | size of each electric power before and after the driving | running state of the engine drive type air conditioner which concerns on this embodiment changes from a self-sustained power generation operation to a self-supporting air-conditioning operation. It is a graph which shows the change of an engine speed, and the change of the magnitude | size of each electric power before and after the driving | running state of the conventional engine drive type air conditioner changes from a self-sustained power generation operation to a self-supporting air-conditioning operation.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an engine-driven air conditioner according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the engine-driven air conditioner 1 includes a gas engine 10, an air conditioning unit 20, an indoor unit remote controller 30, a generator 40, a battery 50, a controller 60, a starter motor 70, And an engine cooling unit 80.

  The gas engine 10 is driven by the supply of gas fuel from the gas pipe 11. The gas engine 10 includes an output shaft 12, and the driving force of the gas engine 10 is taken out from the output shaft 12. A first pulley 13 and a second pulley 14 are connected to the output shaft 12 coaxially with the output shaft 12. The gas engine 10 is configured to be started by a starter motor 70.

  The air conditioning unit 20 is a component that contributes to air conditioning, and includes a compressor 21, a refrigerant pipe 22, an indoor heat exchanger 23, an indoor fan 231, an outdoor heat exchanger 24, an outdoor fan 241, and an expansion valve 25. A four-way switching valve 26, an accumulator 27, and a clutch 28. The indoor heat exchanger 23, the outdoor heat exchanger 24, the expansion valve 25, and the four-way switching valve 26 are interposed in the refrigerant pipe 22. A refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe 22.

  The compressor 21 includes a first input shaft 211 and a second input shaft 212 that are coaxially arranged. When the second input shaft 212 rotates, the compressor 21 is driven. A third pulley 213 is coaxially connected to the first input shaft 211. A belt is wound between the first pulley 13 and the third pulley 213. Therefore, the rotational driving force of the output shaft 12 of the gas engine 10 is transmitted to the first input shaft 211 via the first pulley 13 and the third pulley 213.

  The clutch 28 is attached midway between the first input shaft 211 and the second input shaft 212. For example, the clutch 28 may be configured such that two clutch plates face each other, and may be configured to be able to adopt a contact state in which the respective clutch plates are in contact with each other and a separated state in which the clutch plates are separated from each other. The operation of the clutch 28 is controlled by a controller 60 described later.

  In this case, when the clutch 28 is in a contact state, the rotation of the first input shaft 211 is transmitted to the second input shaft 212. Therefore, the power of the gas engine 10 is transmitted to the compressor 21. On the other hand, when the clutch 28 is in the disengaged state, the rotation of the first input shaft 211 is not transmitted to the second input shaft 212. Therefore, the power of the gas engine 10 is not transmitted to the compressor 21. That is, the clutch 28 is provided between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21, and the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is changed between the transmission state in which the power of the gas engine 10 is transmitted to the compressor 21 and the transmission state. It operates so that it can be switched to a shut-off state.

  The compressor 21 has a suction port 21a and a discharge port 21b. When the compressor 21 is driven, the low-pressure gas refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 22 is sucked from the suction port 21a, the sucked low-pressure gas refrigerant is compressed inside, and the compressed high-pressure gas refrigerant is compressed from the discharge port 21b to the refrigerant pipe 22. To discharge.

  Each of the indoor heat exchanger 23 and the outdoor heat exchanger 24 introduces the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 22 and exchanges heat between the introduced refrigerant and ambient air. As can be seen from FIG. 1, an expansion valve 25 is interposed in the middle of the refrigerant pipe 22 that connects the indoor heat exchanger 23 and the outdoor heat exchanger 24. The expansion valve 25 expands (low pressure) the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 22 passing therethrough.

  Two independent passages are formed inside the four-way switching valve 26. The four-way switching valve 26 is configured to be able to selectively switch between a heating connection state and a cooling connection state. When the four-way switching valve 26 is in the heating connection state, the discharge port 21b of the compressor 21 and the indoor heat exchanger 23 are communicated with each other through one passage formed in the four-way switching valve 26, and the suction port 21a of the compressor 21 is connected. And the outdoor heat exchanger 24 are communicated with each other through the other passage formed in the four-way switching valve 26. On the other hand, when the four-way switching valve 26 is in the cooling connection state, the discharge port 21b of the compressor 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 24 are communicated with each other through one passage formed in the four-way switching valve 26, and the suction of the compressor 21 is performed. The port 21 a and the indoor heat exchanger 23 are communicated with each other through the other passage formed in the four-way switching valve 26. During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 26 is in a heating connection state, and during the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 26 is in a cooling connection state.

  Next, the air conditioning operation (heating operation, cooling operation) of the engine-driven air conditioner 1 will be briefly described. First, the heating operation will be described. When the compressor 21 is driven by the gas engine 10, the low pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 21 from the suction port 21a and the sucked low pressure gas refrigerant is compressed. The compressed high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the discharge port 21b. The high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 21 b is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 23 via the four-way switching valve 26. The high-pressure gas refrigerant introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 23 discharges heat to the indoor air and condenses while circulating in the indoor heat exchanger 23. At this time, the indoor air is warmed by the heat discharged from the high-pressure gas refrigerant, and the room is heated.

  The refrigerant condensed by discharging heat to the indoor air is partially liquefied and discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 23. Then, the pressure is reduced so as to easily evaporate by expansion by the expansion valve 25 and then introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 24. The refrigerant introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 24 evaporates by taking heat from the outside air while flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 24.

  A part of the refrigerant evaporated by taking the heat of the outside air is vaporized and discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 24, and is supplied to the accumulator 27 via the four-way switching valve 26. In the accumulator 27, the refrigerant is separated into a liquid refrigerant and a low-pressure gas refrigerant. Then, only the low-pressure gas refrigerant returns to the compressor 21 from the suction port 21a of the compressor 21.

  Next, the cooling operation will be described. When the compressor 21 is driven by the gas engine 10, the high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the discharge port 21 b of the compressor 21. The high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 21 b is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 24 via the four-way switching valve 26. The high-pressure gas refrigerant introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 24 discharges heat to the outside air and condenses while circulating in the outdoor heat exchanger 24.

  A part of the refrigerant condensed by exhausting heat to the outside air is liquefied and discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 24. Then, the pressure is reduced so as to be easily evaporated by being expanded by the expansion valve 25 and then introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 23. The refrigerant introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 23 evaporates by taking the heat of the indoor air while flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 23. At this time, the refrigerant removes heat from the room air, thereby cooling the room air and cooling the room.

  The refrigerant that has evaporated the heat of the indoor air is partially vaporized and discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 23, and is supplied to the accumulator 27 via the four-way switching valve 26. Then, only the low-pressure gas refrigerant returns to the compressor 21 from the suction port 21a of the compressor 21.

  The indoor fan 231 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing in the indoor heat exchanger 23 and the indoor air by sending air to the indoor heat exchanger 23. The outdoor fan 241 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger 24 and the outside air by sending air to the outdoor heat exchanger 24. The outdoor fan 241 also blows air to a radiator 81 described later. The indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 are components that constitute the engine-driven air conditioner 1 and are driven by electric power, that is, electric drive components.

  The generator 40 has an input shaft 41. A fourth pulley 42 is coaxially connected to the input shaft 41. A belt is wound between the second pulley 14 and the fourth pulley 42. Therefore, the rotation of the output shaft 12 of the gas engine 10 is transmitted to the input shaft 41 of the generator 40 via the second pulley 14 and the fourth pulley 42. When the input shaft 41 is rotationally driven, power is generated by the generator 40.

  The generator 40 is a component of the engine-driven air conditioner 1 and is electrically connected to a component (electrically driven component) that is driven by electric power, and is configured to be able to supply electric power to these electrically driven components. Is done. For example, it is electrically connected to the indoor fan 231, the outdoor fan 241, the controller 60, and a cooling water pump 82 described later. The generator 40 is also electrically connected to the battery 50. Furthermore, the generator 40 is also electrically connected to an external load so that the external load can be driven by the power generated by the generator 40. In FIG. 1, the generator 40 is electrically connected to external loads 101, 102, 103.

  The battery 50 stores the electric power generated by the generator 40. The battery 50 is configured to be electrically connected to the controller 60 and the starter motor 70 so as to supply electric power thereto.

  The engine cooling unit 80 includes a radiator 81, a cooling water pump 82, and a cooling water pipe 83. The cooling water pump 82 is interposed in the middle of the cooling water pipe 83. The cooling water pump 82 is an electric pump driven by electric power. When the cooling water pump 82 is driven, the cooling water flows in the cooling water pipe 83. The cooling water pipe 83 is connected to the gas engine 10 so that the internal cooling water can cool the gas engine 10. Further, the cooling water pipe 83 is also connected to the radiator 81 so as to be able to flow in the radiator 81. The radiator 81 is arranged to face the outdoor fan 241 as can be seen from FIG. Therefore, the outdoor fan 241 also sends air to the radiator 81. When the outdoor fan 241 is driven and blown to the radiator 81, the cooling water flowing through the radiator 81 is cooled.

  The indoor unit remote controller 30 operates when power is supplied from a commercial power source. The indoor unit remote controller 30 is configured to be able to perform instructions for starting and stopping the operation of the engine-driven air conditioner 1, setting air conditioning conditions, and the like. The indoor unit remote controller 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the controller 60 so that the set condition can be received by the controller 60.

  The starter motor 70 is electrically connected to the battery 50 as described above, and is also electrically connected to a commercial power source. Accordingly, the starter motor 70 is driven by being supplied with power from a commercial power source or the battery 50 to start the gas engine 10. When power can be supplied from both the commercial power source and the battery 50, the starter motor 70 is driven by power supplied from the commercial power source.

  The controller 60 is electrically connected to the generator 40, the battery 50, and the commercial power source. The controller 60 controls the engine-driven air conditioner 1 based on conditions set by the indoor unit remote controller 30 and information from various sensors provided in the engine-driven air conditioner 1. In particular, the controller 60 controls the operation of the clutch 28 and the rotational speed of the gas engine 10. Furthermore, the controller 60 supplies power to the electric drive components and external loads in the engine-driven air conditioner 1 from the generator 40 during the self-sustaining operation in which the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is operating with the power generated by the generator 40. Control the magnitude of power.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flow when the air-conditioning operation of the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is started. In order to start the operation of the engine-driven air conditioner 1, first, as shown in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1 in FIG. 2, the user presses the start switch of the indoor unit remote controller 30 (ON operation). Then, an air conditioning activation signal is transmitted to the controller 60. Then, the controller 60 outputs an air conditioning activation signal to the starter motor 70. When the starter motor 70 receives the air conditioning activation signal, power is supplied from the battery 50 to the starter motor 70 (S2). The starter motor 70 is driven by being supplied with power from the battery 50. The gas engine 10 is started by driving the starter motor 70 (S3). Once the gas engine 10 is started, the driving is continued by supplying gas fuel thereafter, so that it is not necessary to drive the starter motor 70. Therefore, the power supply from the battery 50 to the starter motor 70 is stopped (S4).

  When the gas engine 10 is started in S3, the generator 40 connected to the gas engine 10 so as to be able to transmit power is also driven to generate power (S5). Here, in this embodiment, since each electric drive component constituting the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is electrically connected to the generator 40 and the commercial power source, when the commercial power source is available, Electric power may be supplied to the electric drive parts, or the generator 40 may supply electric power to the electric drive parts as shown in S6 of FIG. 1 so that the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is operated independently without relying on commercial power. May be. In particular, when the commercial power source cannot be used due to a power failure or the like, power is supplied from the generator 40 to each electric drive component, and the engine-driven air conditioner 1 operates independently. In this case, when the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is a transmission state, the engine-driven air conditioner 1 simultaneously performs air conditioning and power supply to each electric drive component and an external load. Such an operation is referred to as an independent air-conditioning operation in this specification. On the other hand, when the connection state of the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is in the cut-off state, the engine-driven air conditioner 1 uses electric power to the electric drive parts and external loads that need to be supplied with power in order to continue the current operation. Supply only. Such an operation is referred to as a self-sustained power generation operation in this specification. In any independent operation, the gas engine 10 is driven.

  Further, after the gas engine 10 is started in S3, the controller 60 operates the clutch 28 so that the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 becomes the transmission state (S7). As a result, the compressor 21 connected to the gas engine 10 so as to be able to transmit power is driven (S8). When the compressor 21 is driven, the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe 22 and the air conditioning operation is started.

  When the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is operating independently, the electric power generated by the generator 40 is also supplied to the external loads 101, 102, 103. Therefore, for example, at the time of a power failure, the engine-driven air conditioner 1 (generator 40) supplies power to an external load instead of the commercial power supply. In addition, when the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is operating independently, the gas engine 10 is driven to rotate at a rated speed. In this embodiment, the rated rotational speed is 2400 rpm. When the gas engine 10 is driven at the rated rotational speed (2400 rpm), the generator 40 generates electric power having a magnitude of about 4.5 kW. Of this, 2 kW is provided to the external load, and the remaining power (about 2.5 kW) is provided to the electric drive parts of the engine-driven air conditioner 1. Most of the electric power provided to the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is consumed by the indoor fan 231, the outdoor fan 241, the cooling water pump 82, and the controller 60. The maximum power consumption of the indoor fan 231 is about 1 kW, and the maximum power consumption of the outdoor fan 241 is about 0.7 kW. Therefore, the power consumed by the indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 occupies most of the power consumed by the engine-driven air conditioner 1.

  When the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is performing an independent air conditioning operation, for example, when an air conditioning stop switch of the indoor unit remote controller 30 is operated and a signal for stopping indoor air conditioning (air conditioning stop signal) is input to the controller 60, The controller 60 recognizes that the operation request for the clutch 28 has been input, and operates the clutch 28 to change the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 from the transmission state to the cutoff state. In this case, if the compressor 21 is disconnected while the gas engine 10 is rotating at the rated speed (2400 rpm), the load acting on the gas engine 10 suddenly becomes lighter and the gas engine 10 is allowed to rotate. The gas engine 10 may rotate at a high speed exceeding the number, and the gas engine 10 may be urgently stopped due to abnormal rotation. Further, the generator 40 also rotates at a high speed, and the engine-driven air conditioner 1 may stop due to power generation abnormality. In order to prevent such overshooting of the rotational speeds of the gas engine 10 and the generator 40, the controller 60, prior to operating the clutch 28, when an operation request for the clutch 28 is input during the independent air-conditioning operation. The first clutch pre-operation control is executed.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control routine before the first clutch operation that is executed by the controller 60. This routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined minute intervals when the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is performing the independent air conditioning operation. When the first clutch pre-operation control routine is started, the controller 60 first determines in step 11 of FIG. 3 whether an air conditioning stop signal (operation request for the clutch 28) is input from the indoor unit remote controller 30 or an external device. Judging.

  When the air conditioning stop signal is not input (S11: No), the controller 60 once ends this routine. On the other hand, when the air conditioning stop signal is input (S11: Yes), the controller 60 advances the process to S12 and stops the power supply from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231. Thereby, the rotational drive of the indoor fan 231 is stopped.

  Next, the controller 60 limits the maximum power supply Vmax from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 (that is, the maximum power consumption of the outdoor fan 241) to a predetermined upper limit power Vth1, and supplies the electric power supplied to the outdoor fan 241. The power supplied from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 is controlled so that the magnitude does not exceed the upper limit power Vth1. In the present embodiment, the upper limit power Vth1 is set to 0.5 kW. In this case, power supply from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 is controlled so that the outdoor fan 241 does not consume more than 0.5 kW of power. Note that the power consumption of the outdoor fan 241 is proportional to the rotational speed of the outdoor fan 241. Therefore, an upper limit of the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 241 may be set. For example, when the rotational speed level is set so that the outdoor fan 241 has the highest rotational speed when the rotational speed level is 15, and the lower the rotational speed level is, the lower the rotational speed level is, for example, at S13. The rotational speed level of the outdoor fan 241 may be limited to 10 or less.

  Subsequently, the controller 60 controls the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 to be gradually decreased so that the rotational speed R per minute of the gas engine 10 decreases to the clutch operating rotational speed R1. (S14). In addition, the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 at the time of self-supporting air-conditioning operation is usually larger than the clutch operation rotation speed R1. In the present embodiment, the clutch operating rotational speed R1 is set to 1200 rpm. Further, during the independent air-conditioning operation, the gas engine 10 is rotationally driven at a rated rotational speed (2400 rpm). After reducing the engine speed R to the clutch operating speed R1 in S14, the controller 60 ends the first clutch operating control routine.

  The controller 60 executes the first pre-clutch actuation control described above to fix the engine speed R to the clutch actuation speed R1, and then operates the clutch 28 so that the clutch 28 is separated from the contact state. By bringing the clutch 28 into the separated state, the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is changed from the transmission state to the cutoff state. For this reason, the drive of the compressor 21 is stopped and the air conditioning operation is stopped.

  As described above, when the controller 60 executes the first pre-clutch control described above before the clutch 28 is operated, when the clutch 28 is operated and the compressor 21 is disconnected from the gas engine 10, the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 is increased. R decreases to the clutch operating speed R1. Therefore, even when the clutch 28 is operated and the compressor 21 is disconnected from the gas engine 10 to reduce the load acting on the gas engine 10 and the gas engine 10 rotates vigorously, the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 is reduced. The allowable rotational speed is not exceeded. Further, the generator 40 does not rotate at such a high speed that power generation abnormality occurs when the compressor 21 is disconnected from the gas engine 10.

  When the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 is reduced to the clutch operating rotational speed R1 by the first pre-clutch control, the magnitude of electric power generated by the generator 40 driven by the gas engine 10 is also reduced. For example, the electric power generated by the power generator 40 when the rotation speed R of the gas engine 10 is the rated rotation speed (2400 rpm) is 4.5 kW as described above. When the rotational speed R is the clutch operating rotational speed R1 (1200 rpm), the electric power generated by the generator 40 is only about 2.7 kW.

  On the other hand, the power consumption of the indoor fan 231 is set to 0 by the control before the first clutch operation, and the maximum power consumption of the outdoor fan 241 is limited to the upper limit power Vth1 (0.5 kW). Therefore, even if 2 kW of electric power is supplied for the external load, the sum of these is 2.5 Kw, and the electric power generated by the generator 40 when the engine speed R is the clutch operating speed R1 (1200 rpm). Smaller than (2.7 kW). Therefore, electric power can be supplied to the cooling water pump 82, the controller 60, etc. with the remaining electric power (0.2 kW). For this reason, it is possible to prevent the gas engine 10 from being urgently stopped due to power shortage without reducing the power (2 kW) provided to the external load. That is, it is possible to realize a stable supply of electric power when the clutch 28 is operated.

  After the clutch 28 is operated and the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is changed from the transmission state to the cutoff state, the controller 60 executes the first clutch post-operation control. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control routine after the first clutch is operated. When the control routine after the first clutch is activated, the controller 60 first gradually increases the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 in S21 of FIG. Next, in S22, it is determined whether or not the rotational speed R of the gas engine 10 has increased to the rated rotational speed (2400 rpm) at the time of independent power generation.

  When the rotation speed R is less than the rated rotation speed (S22: No), the controller 60 returns the process to S21. On the other hand, when the rotation speed R reaches the rated rotation speed (S22: Yes), the controller 60 advances the process to S23, and cancels the stop of power supply from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231. As a result, power can be supplied from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231. Next, the controller 60 releases the restriction on the maximum power supply from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 (S24). Thereafter, the controller 60 ends this routine. After the controller 60 performs the control after the first clutch is operated, the engine-driven air conditioner 1 performs the self-sustaining power generation operation. In addition, since the compressor 21 is not driven during the self-sustained power generation operation (air conditioning is stopped), the indoor fan 231 is not substantially rotated by receiving power supplied from the generator 40.

  FIG. 5 shows that the clutch 28 is operated so that the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is changed from the transmission state to the cutoff state, and the operation state of the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is changed from the independent air-conditioning operation to the independent power generation operation. Changes in engine speed before and after the change, power consumption of the indoor fan 231 (indoor fan power), power consumption of the outdoor fan 241 (outdoor fan power), power supplied to an external load (external load power), power generation 6 is a graph showing changes in power required for the machine 40 (required power) and actual power generated by the generator 40 (actually generated power). The upper graph in FIG. 5 is a graph showing changes in engine speed, and the lower graph is a graph showing changes in each power. In addition, line A in the lower graph shows a change in actual generated power, line B shows a change in required power, line C shows a change in external load power, and line D shows a change in indoor fan power. Line E shows the change in outdoor fan power. The required power B is the power required for the generator 40 to continue the operation of the engine-driven air conditioner 1, and the magnitude of the power B includes the external load power C, the indoor fan power D, It represents the sum of the outdoor fan power E and the power consumed by other electric drive components.

  As can be seen from FIG. 5, during the independent air-conditioning operation, that is, when the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is the transmission state, the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 is the rated rotation speed (2400 rpm). The generator 40 generates 4.5 kW of power. The external load power C is 2 kW, the indoor fan power D is 1.0 kW, and the outdoor fan power E is about 0.7 kW. The required power B is the sum of these powers and the power consumed by other electric drive components (about 0.2 kW). In FIG. 5, the required power B at the time of independent air-conditioning operation is 3.9 kW.

  When an air conditioning stop signal (operation request for the clutch 28) is input to the controller 60 during the independent air conditioning operation, the controller 60 executes the first pre-clutch operation control. By executing the control before the first clutch operation, the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 is reduced from the rated rotational speed (2400 rpm) to the clutch operating rotational speed (1200 rpm). As the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 decreases, the actual generated power A also decreases from 4.5 kW to 2.7 kW. Further, by the execution of the control before the first clutch operation, the supply power from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 is set to 0, and the maximum supply power from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 is set to the upper limit power Vth1 (0.5 kW). Limited. Therefore, the required power B also decreases. In the present embodiment, when the control before the first clutch operation is performed, the reduction speed of the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 and the supply of electric power to the indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 so that the required electric power B does not exceed the actual generated electric power A. The amount reduction rate is controlled.

  When the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 decreases to the clutch operation rotation speed (1200 rpm), the clutch 28 is operated. As a result, the clutch 28 changes from the contact state to the separated state. Therefore, the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 changes from the transmission state to the cutoff state. While the clutch 28 is operating, the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 is fixed at the clutch operating rotational speed (1200 pm). When the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 is the clutch operation rotation speed (1200 rpm), the generated power in the generator 40 is 2.7 kW. At this time, the indoor fan power D is 0 and the outdoor fan power E is 0.5 kW at the maximum. Therefore, if the electric power supplied from the generator 40 to other electric drive components is about 0.2 kW, the maximum value of the electric power consumed by the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is 0.7 kW. For this reason, even if the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 is the clutch operation rotation speed (1200 rpm), 2 kW of electric power can be supplied to the external load. Therefore, power supply to the external load is not hindered due to power shortage. Since the compressor 21 is disconnected from the gas engine 10 and the air conditioning is stopped by the clutch operation after the control before the first clutch operation, there is no need to send air to the indoor heat exchanger 23 before and after the clutch operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to supply power to the indoor fan 231. Further, although it is not necessary to blow the air to the outdoor heat exchanger 24, the gas engine 10 is driven before and after the operation of the clutch 28, so that the cooling water for cooling the gas engine 10 is cooled in the radiator 81. Further, it is necessary to drive the outdoor fan 241 to blow air to the radiator 81. In the present embodiment, when the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 is the clutch operating rotational speed R1 (1200 rpm), electric power is supplied from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 to 0.5 kW. If the supplied power is 0.5 kW, the cooling water in the radiator 81 can be sufficiently cooled by the blowing of the outdoor fan 241. Therefore, the gas engine 10 is prevented from being seized due to insufficient cooling of the cooling water when the clutch is operated. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a malfunction due to a shortage of generated power due to the reduction in the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 in order to operate the clutch 28.

  As shown in FIG. 5, after the clutch 28 is operated to change the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 from the transmission state to the cutoff state, the first post-clutch control is executed. The engine speed of the gas engine 10 is gradually increased by the control after the first clutch is operated. When the engine speed reaches the rated speed (2400 rpm), the stop of power supply from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 is released, and the maximum power supply from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 is limited. Is released. In FIG. 5, the stop of power supply to the indoor fan 231 is released at time Ts, and the restriction on the maximum power supply to the outdoor fan 241 is released. However, the power consumption does not increase after time Ts. During the self-sustaining power generation, since the air conditioning is stopped, the indoor fan 231 is not driven. Moreover, if the power supplied to the outdoor fan is 0.5 kW even during independent power generation, the cooling water in the radiator 81 can be sufficiently cooled.

  FIG. 6 shows that in a conventional engine-driven air conditioner, the clutch is operated so that the connection state between the gas engine and the compressor changes from the transmission state to the shut-off state, and the operation state of the engine-driven air conditioner is the independent air-conditioning operation. It is a graph which shows the change of an engine speed, and the change of each electric power before and after changing to independent electric power generation driving | operation. In the conventional engine-driven air conditioner, the engine speed is reduced when the clutch is operated, but the magnitude of the electric power supplied from the generator 40 at that time is not limited. In particular, indoor fan power and outdoor fan power are not limited.

  The change in engine speed shown in FIG. 6 is the same as the change in engine speed shown in FIG. In other words, during the period from when the air conditioning stop signal (clutch operation request) is input during the independent air conditioning operation to when the clutch 28 is operated, the engine rotational speed is from the rated rotational speed (2400 rpm) to the clutch operating rotational speed (1200 rpm). Will be reduced. When the engine speed decreases to 1200 rpm, the clutch 28 is operated to change the connection state between the gas engine and the compressor from the transmission state to the cutoff state. After changing to the shut-off state, the engine speed is increased to the rated speed (2400 rpm).

  When the engine speed decreases, the indoor fan 231 is driven because the remaining air conditioning operation is performed. The indoor fan power D at this time is about 0.8 kW. On the other hand, the outdoor fan power E is about 0.7 kW throughout. For this reason, the required power B including the power supplied to the external load is 3.7 kW. On the other hand, when the engine speed is reduced to the clutch operating speed (1200 rpm), the actual generated power A by the generator 40 is 2.9 kW. For this reason, the actual generated power A is less than the required power B, and power shortage occurs. A region indicated by an arrow F in FIG. 6 is a power shortage section. In the power shortage section F, power cannot be stably supplied, which causes problems such as stopping of the gas engine and driving of an external load. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, power shortage does not occur. That is, it is possible to stably supply power to the external load and the electric drive parts of the engine-driven air conditioner when shifting from the independent air-conditioning operation to the independent power generation operation.

  Further, when the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is in a self-sustaining power generation operation, for example, an air conditioning start switch of the indoor unit remote controller 30 is operated, and a signal (air conditioning start signal) for starting indoor air conditioning is input to the controller 60. Sometimes, the controller 60 recognizes that an operation request for the clutch 28 has been input, and operates the clutch 28 to change the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 from the shut-off state to the transmission state. In this case, if the compressor 21 is connected while the gas engine 10 is rotating at the rated rotation speed (2400 rpm), the compressor 21 may be suddenly rotated at a high speed to cause a failure. Therefore, in order to suppress the occurrence of a failure of the compressor 21 when the compressor 21 is connected to the gas engine 10, the controller 60 executes the second pre-clutch actuation control.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control routine before the second clutch operation executed by the controller 60. This routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined minute intervals when the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is performing a self-sustaining power generation operation. When the second clutch pre-operation control routine is started, the controller 60 first determines whether or not an air conditioning start signal (operation request for the clutch 28) is input in S31 of FIG.

  When the air conditioning start signal is not input (S31: No), the controller 60 once ends this routine. On the other hand, when the air conditioning start signal is input (S31: Yes), the controller 60 advances the process to S32 and stops the power supply from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231. Thereby, the rotational drive of the indoor fan 231 is stopped.

  Next, the controller 60 limits the maximum power supply Vmax from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 (that is, the maximum power consumption of the outdoor fan 241) to a predetermined upper limit power Vth2, and supplies the electric power supplied to the outdoor fan 241. The power supplied from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 is controlled so that the magnitude does not exceed the upper limit power Vth2. In the present embodiment, the upper limit power Vth2 is set to 0.5 kW. In this case, power supply from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 is controlled so that the outdoor fan 241 does not consume more than 0.5 kW of power. The rotational speed level of the outdoor fan 241 may be limited to a predetermined level or less.

  Subsequently, the controller 60 controls the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 gradually so that the rotational speed R per minute of the gas engine 10 decreases to the clutch operating rotational speed R2. (S34). Note that the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 during the self-sustained power generation operation is usually larger than the clutch operating rotational speed R2. In the present embodiment, the clutch operating speed R2 is set to 1200 rpm. Further, during the self-sustaining power generation operation, the gas engine 10 is driven to rotate at a rated rotational speed (2400 rpm). After reducing the engine speed R to the clutch operation speed R2 in S34, the controller 60 ends the second clutch pre-operation control routine.

  The controller 60 operates the clutch 28 so that the clutch 28 changes from the disengaged state to the contacted state after executing the second pre-clutch pre-control and fixing the engine speed R to the clutch operating speed R2. When the clutch 28 is brought into a contact state, the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is changed from the cut-off state to the transmission state. For this reason, the compressor 21 starts driving and air conditioning operation is started.

  As described above, when the controller 60 executes the second pre-clutch control described above before the clutch 28 is operated, the rotation of the gas engine 10 is performed when the clutch 28 is operated and the compressor 21 is connected to the gas engine 10. The number R has decreased to the clutch operating speed R2. Therefore, when the clutch 28 is operated and the compressor 21 is connected to the gas engine 10, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as failure of the compressor due to sudden rotation of the compressor 21 at high speed.

  When the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 is decreased to the clutch operation rotation speed R2 by the control before the second clutch operation, the magnitude of the electric power generated by the generator 40 driven by the gas engine 10 is also decreased. For example, the power generated by the generator 40 is 4.5 kW when the rotation speed R of the gas engine 10 is the rated rotation speed (2400 rpm) during the independent power generation operation, but the rotation speed R of the gas engine 10 is When the clutch operating speed is R2 (1200 rpm), the electric power generated by the generator 40 is only 2.7 kW.

  On the other hand, the power consumption of the indoor fan 231 is set to 0 by the control before the second clutch operation, and the maximum power consumption of the outdoor fan 241 is limited to the upper limit power Vth2 (0.5 kW). Therefore, even if 2 kW of electric power is supplied for the external load, the sum of these is 2.5 kW, and the electric power generated by the generator 40 when the engine speed R is the clutch operating speed R2 (1200 rpm) Smaller than (2.7 kW). Therefore, electric power can be supplied to the cooling water pump 82, the controller 60, etc. with the remaining electric power (0.2 kW). For this reason, it is possible to prevent the gas engine 10 from being brought to an emergency stop due to power shortage without reducing the power (2 kW) provided to the external load. That is, it is possible to realize a stable supply of electric power when the clutch 28 is operated.

  After the clutch 28 is operated and the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is changed from the disconnected state to the transmission state, the controller 60 executes control after the second clutch is operated. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control routine after the second clutch is operated. When the control routine after the second clutch is activated, the controller 60 first gradually increases the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 in S41 of FIG. Next, in S42, it is determined whether or not the rotational speed R of the gas engine 10 has increased to the rated rotational speed (2400 rpm) at the time of independent air conditioning.

  When the rotation speed R is less than the rated rotation speed (S42: No), the controller 60 returns the process to S41. On the other hand, when the rotation speed R reaches the rated rotation speed (S42: Yes), the controller 60 advances the process to S43, and cancels the stop of the power supply from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231. As a result, power can be supplied from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231. Next, the controller 60 releases the restriction on the maximum power supply from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 (S44). Thereafter, the controller 60 ends this routine. After the controller 60 executes the control after the second clutch is operated, the engine-driven air conditioner 1 performs a self-contained air conditioning operation.

  FIG. 9 shows that the clutch 28 is operated so that the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 changes from the shut-off state to the transmission state, and the operation state of the engine-driven air conditioner 1 changes from the self-sustained power generation operation to the self-sustained air conditioning operation. Changes in engine speed before and after the change, power consumption of the indoor fan 231 (indoor fan power), power consumption of the outdoor fan 241 (outdoor fan power), power supplied to an external load (external load power), power generation 6 is a graph showing changes in power required for the machine 40 (required power) and actual power generated by the generator 40 (actually generated power). The upper graph in FIG. 5 is a graph showing changes in engine speed, and the lower graph is a graph showing changes in each power. In addition, line A in the lower graph shows a change in actual generated power, line B shows a change in required power, line C shows a change in external load power, and line D shows a change in indoor fan power. Line E shows the change in outdoor fan power.

  As can be seen from FIG. 9, during the self-sustaining power generation operation, that is, when the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is cut off, the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 is the rated rotation speed (2400 rpm). The generator 40 generates 4.5 kW of power. The external load power C is 2 kW, the indoor fan power D is, for example, 1.0 kW when indoor air is blown, and the outdoor fan power E is about 0.7 kW. The required power B is the sum of these powers and the power consumed by other electric drive components (about 0.2 kW). In FIG. 9, the required power B during the self-sustaining power generation operation is about 3.9 kW.

  When an air conditioning start signal (operation request for the clutch 28) is input to the controller 60 during the independent power generation operation, the controller 60 executes the second pre-clutch operation control. By executing the control before the second clutch operation, the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 is reduced from the rated rotational speed (2400 rpm) to the clutch operating rotational speed (1200 rpm). As the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 decreases, the actual generated power A also decreases from 4.5 kW to 2.7 kW. Further, by executing the control before the second clutch operation, the power supplied from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 is set to 0, and the maximum power supplied from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 is set to the upper limit power Vth2 (0.5 kW). Limited. Therefore, the required power B also decreases. In the present embodiment, when the control before the second clutch operation is performed, the reduction speed of the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 and the supply of electric power to the indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 so that the required electric power B does not exceed the actual generated electric power A. The amount reduction rate is controlled.

  When the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 decreases to the clutch operation rotation speed (1200 rpm), the clutch 28 is operated. As a result, the clutch 28 changes from the separated state to the contact state. Therefore, the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 changes from the cutoff state to the transmission state. While the clutch 28 is operating, the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 is fixed at the clutch operating rotational speed (1200 pm). When the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 is the clutch operation rotation speed (1200 rpm), the generated power in the generator 40 is 2.7 kW. At this time, the indoor fan power D is 0 and the outdoor fan power E is 0.5 kW at the maximum. Therefore, if the electric power supplied from the generator 40 to other electric drive components is about 0.2 kW, the maximum value of the electric power consumed by the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is 0.7 kW. For this reason, even if the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 is the clutch operation rotation speed (1200 rpm), 2 kW of electric power can be supplied to the external load. Therefore, power supply to the external load is not hindered due to power shortage. Since the compressor 21 is disconnected from the gas engine 10 and the air conditioning is stopped before the execution of the second pre-clutch operation control, there is no need to blow the indoor heat exchanger 23 before and after the clutch operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to supply power to the indoor fan 231. Further, although it is not necessary to blow air to the outdoor heat exchanger 24, the gas fan 10 is driven before and after the operation of the clutch 28, so that the outdoor fan 241 has a capacity of 0.5 kW to cool the gas engine 10. Power is supplied. If the supplied power is 0.5 kW, the cooling water in the radiator 81 can be sufficiently cooled by the blowing of the outdoor fan 241. Therefore, the gas engine 10 is prevented from being seized due to insufficient cooling of the cooling water when the clutch is operated. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a malfunction due to the shortage of generated power caused by the reduction in the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 in order to operate the clutch 28.

  As shown in FIG. 9, after the clutch 28 is operated to change the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 from the disconnected state to the transmission state, the control after the second clutch operation is performed. The engine speed of the gas engine 10 is gradually increased by the control after the second clutch is operated. When the engine speed reaches the rated speed (2400 rpm) (time Ts in FIG. 9), the power supply from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 is stopped, and the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 is stopped. The restriction on the maximum power supply to is released. Therefore, as can be seen from FIG. 9, power is supplied to the indoor fan 231 and the indoor fan 231 starts to drive.

  FIG. 10 shows that in a conventional engine-driven air conditioner, the clutch is operated so that the connection state between the gas engine and the compressor changes from the shut-off state to the transmission state, and the operation state of the engine-driven air conditioner 1 is independent power generation. It is a graph which shows the change of an engine speed, and the change of each electric power before and after changing from a driving | operation to a self-supporting air-conditioning driving | operation. In the conventional engine-driven air conditioner, the engine speed is reduced when the clutch is operated, but the magnitude of the electric power supplied from the generator 40 at that time is not controlled. In particular, indoor fan power and outdoor fan power are not limited.

  The change in engine speed shown in FIG. 10 is the same as the change in engine speed shown in FIG. That is, during the period from when the air conditioning start signal (clutch operation request) is input during the self-sustaining power generation operation until the clutch 28 is operated, the engine rotation speed is from the rated rotation speed (2400 rpm) to the clutch operation rotation speed (1200 rpm). Is lowered. When the engine speed decreases to 1200 rpm, the clutch 28 is operated to change the connection state between the gas engine and the compressor from the shut-off state to the transmission state. After changing to the transmission state, the engine speed is increased to the rated speed (2400 rpm).

  When the engine speed decreases, the power supplied to the indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 is not limited. Therefore, if the outdoor fan power E is 0.7 kW even if the indoor fan power is 0, the external load and The required power B combined with the power supplied to the other electric drive components is about 2.9 kW. On the other hand, the magnitude of electric power generated by the generator 40 when the engine speed is reduced to the clutch operating speed (1200 rpm) is 2.7 kW. Therefore, since the actual power generation A is less than the required power B, power shortage occurs. A region indicated by an arrow G in FIG. 10 is a power shortage section. Since the power cannot be stably supplied in the power shortage section G, this causes problems such as stopping of the gas engine and driving of an external load. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, power shortage does not occur. That is, power can be stably supplied to the external load and the electric drive parts of the engine-driven air conditioner when shifting from the self-sustained power generation operation to the self-contained air conditioning operation.

  As described above, the engine-driven air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment includes the gas engine 10, the air conditioning unit 20, the generator 40, the clutch 28, and the controller 60. The air conditioning unit 20 includes a compressor 21 that is driven by the driving force of the gas engine 10, and performs air conditioning when the compressor 21 is driven. The generator 40 is configured to generate electric power by the driving force of the gas engine 10 and to supply the generated electric power to an external load and an electric drive component that is a component of the engine-driven air conditioner 1 and is driven by the electric power. Is done. The clutch 28 is provided between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21, and the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is not transmitted to the transmission state in which the driving force of the gas engine 10 is transmitted to the compressor 21. It operates so that it can be switched to the shut-off state. Then, when the generator 40 is supplying electric power to the electric drive parts, that is, when an operation request for the clutch 28 is input during the self-sustained operation, the controller 60 sets the gas engine 10 before the clutch 28 is operated. The rotational speed of the gas engine 10 is reduced so that the rotational speed is reduced to the clutch operating rotational speed (1200 rpm) and the magnitude of the power supplied from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 that are electric drive parts is reduced. The amount of power supplied from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 is controlled.

  Further, the controller 60 is connected to the gas engine 10 when the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is in the transmission state and the generator 40 supplies power to the electric drive parts (during independent air-conditioning operation). When an operation request (air conditioning stop signal) for the clutch 28 that changes the connection state with the compressor 21 from the transmission state to the shut-off state is input, the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 is reduced before the clutch 28 is operated. The clutch operating rotational speed R1 is reduced to 1,200 rpm, the power supply from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 is stopped, and the maximum power supply from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 is limited to the upper limit power Vth1 (0.5 kW). As described above, the number of revolutions of the gas engine 10 and the magnitude of power supplied from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 are controlled. 1 executes the clutch operation before control.

  Further, the controller 60 is connected to the gas engine 10 when the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 is cut off and the generator 40 supplies power to the electric drive parts (during a self-sustaining power generation operation). When an operation request (air conditioning start signal) for the clutch 28 that changes the connection state with the compressor 21 from the shut-off state to the transmission state is input, the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 is set before the clutch 28 is operated. The clutch operating rotational speed R2 (1200 rpm) is reduced, the power supply from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 is stopped, and the maximum supply power from the generator 40 to the outdoor fan 241 is limited to the upper limit power Vth2 (0.5 kW). As described above, the number of revolutions of the gas engine 10 and the magnitude of power supplied from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 are controlled. Performing a second clutch actuating precontrol.

  According to this embodiment, since the engine speed is reduced to the clutch operating speed when the clutch is operated, the gas engine 10 is changed when the clutch 28 is operated and the connection state between the gas engine 10 and the compressor 21 changes. Occurrence of problems such as abnormal rotation of the generator 40 and failure of the compressor 21 can be suppressed. Moreover, although the electric power generated by the generator 40 decreases due to the decrease in the engine speed, the magnitude of the electric power supplied to the indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 can be reduced accordingly, so that a power shortage can be avoided. As a result, power can be stably supplied from the generator 40 to the external load even when the engine speed is reduced in advance when the clutch is operated.

  Further, the controller 60 stops the power supply from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 and the generator 40 when the rotational speed of the gas engine 10 increases to the rated rotational speed (2400 rpm) after the operation of the clutch 28 is completed. The control after the clutch operation for controlling the rotation speed of the gas engine 10 and the magnitude of the power supplied from the generator 40 to the indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 so as to release the restriction on the maximum power supply to the outdoor fan 241 from Control after the first clutch operation, control after the second clutch operation). As described above, since the power supply stop to the indoor fan 231 and the power supply restriction to the outdoor fan 241 are released after the engine speed returns to the rated speed (for example, 2400 rpm), the engine speed is sufficiently high after the clutch is operated. When it is not high, it is possible to prevent power supply from being stopped or power supply restriction to these fans to be canceled first and power shortage to occur.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention should not be limited to the said embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the power supply from the generator 40 to these fans is controlled so that the power supplied to the indoor fan 231 and the outdoor fan 241 is lowered before the clutch is operated. As long as the operation of the drive type air conditioner 1 is not hindered, the power to other electric drive parts may be reduced. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the driving force is obtained using the gas engine, you may employ | adopt the engine using fuels other than gas fuel. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the engine speed during the independent air-conditioning operation and the independent power generation operation is normally 2400 rpm has been described. However, the engine speed may change during these operations. For example, the engine speed may change according to the air conditioning load during the independent air conditioning operation. Further, it can be assumed that the engine speed is equal to or lower than the set speed (for example, the allowable lower limit speed) even during the independent air conditioning operation and the independent power generation operation. In that case, the present invention may be applied when a clutch operation request is input to the controller when the engine speed during operation is greater than the set speed. Thus, the present invention can be modified without departing from the gist thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Engine drive type air conditioner, 10 ... Gas engine (engine), 12 ... Output shaft, 20 ... Air conditioning unit, 21 ... Compressor, 22 ... Refrigerant piping, 23 ... Indoor heat exchanger, 231 ... Indoor fan (electric drive) Parts), 24 ... outdoor heat exchanger, 241 ... outdoor fan (electrically driven parts), 25 ... expansion valve, 26 ... four-way switching valve, 27 ... accumulator, 28 ... clutch, 30 ... indoor unit remote control, 40 ... generator, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 ... Input shaft, 50 ... Battery, 60 ... Controller (control part), 70 ... Starter motor, 80 ... Engine cooling unit, 81 ... Radiator, 82 ... Cooling water pump, 83 ... Cooling water piping, 101, 102, 103 ... External load

Claims (6)

An engine driven air conditioner,
Engine,
An air conditioning unit that includes a compressor that is driven by the power of the engine, and that is air-conditioned when the compressor is driven;
A generator configured to generate electric power using the engine power, and to be able to supply the generated electric power to an external load and an electric drive component that is a component of the engine-driven air conditioner and is driven by the electric power;
Provided between the engine and the compressor, the connection state between the engine and the compressor can be switched between a transmission state where the power of the engine is transmitted to the compressor and a cutoff state where the power of the engine is not transmitted. A clutch that operates as
When an operation request for the clutch is input when the generator supplies power to the electric drive component, the engine speed is set to a predetermined low value before the clutch is operated. The rotational speed of the engine and the power supplied from the generator to the electric drive component so that the magnitude of the power supplied from the generator to the electric drive component is reduced as well as the set rotational speed that is the rotational speed. A control unit for controlling the size of
An engine-driven air conditioner. The engine-driven air conditioner according to claim 1,
A cooling water unit having cooling water piping through which cooling water for cooling the engine flows, and a radiator interposed in the middle of the cooling water piping;
The air conditioning unit includes a refrigerant pipe connected to the compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger provided in the middle of the refrigerant pipe, and an indoor as an electric drive component that blows air to the indoor heat exchanger A fan, and an outdoor fan as the electric drive component that blows air to the outdoor heat exchanger and the radiator,
The control unit sets the engine speed before the clutch is operated when the clutch operation request is input when the generator is supplying power to the electric drive component. The engine speed is reduced so that the power supply from the generator to the indoor fan is stopped and the maximum supply power from the generator to the outdoor fan is limited to a predetermined upper limit power. An engine-driven air conditioner that controls the number of revolutions and the amount of power supplied from the generator to the indoor fan and the outdoor fan. The engine-driven air conditioner according to claim 2,
The control unit has a connection state between the engine and the compressor when a connection state between the engine and the compressor is the transmission state and the generator supplies power to the electric drive component. When an operation request for the clutch that changes from the transmission state to the shut-off state is input, before the clutch is operated, the engine speed is reduced to the set speed and from the generator. The engine speed and the generator to the indoor fan and the outdoor are set such that the power supply to the indoor fan is stopped and the maximum power supplied from the generator to the outdoor fan is limited to the upper limit power. An engine-driven air conditioner that executes first clutch pre-operation control that controls the magnitude of power supplied to a fan. The engine-driven air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3,
The control unit has a connection state between the engine and the compressor when a connection state between the engine and the compressor is the cut-off state and the generator supplies power to the electric drive component. When an operation request for the clutch that changes from the shut-off state to the transmission state is input, before the clutch is operated, the engine speed is reduced to the set speed and from the generator The engine speed and the generator to the indoor fan and the outdoor are set such that the power supply to the indoor fan is stopped and the maximum power supplied from the generator to the outdoor fan is limited to the upper limit power. An engine-driven air conditioner that executes control before operating the second clutch that controls the amount of power supplied to the fan. The engine-driven air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The upper limit power is determined in advance as an amount of power supplied to the outdoor fan required to cool the cooling water so that the engine does not heat above a predetermined threshold temperature. Air conditioner. The engine-driven air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The controller is configured to stop power supply from the generator to the indoor fan and from the generator to the outdoor when the engine speed increases to a predetermined rated speed after the operation of the clutch is completed. An engine that performs post-clutch control that controls the rotational speed of the engine and the amount of power supplied from the generator to the indoor fan and the outdoor fan so as to release the restriction on the maximum power supply to the fan. Driven air conditioner.

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