JP6641252B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that automatically starts an air-conditioning operation according to a set time.

  In the air conditioner, when performing a reserved operation, an air conditioning operation such as cooling and heating is started before the set time so that the temperature becomes a set temperature at a preset time. By the way, the room in which the air-conditioning operation is performed has various structures such as size, heat insulation, and airtightness, and the indoor environment is different. Therefore, even if the operation is started at the operation start time before the set time, when the set time comes, the room temperature may not reach the set temperature, or the room temperature may reach the set temperature before the set time.

  For example, a wooden house has a low heat insulation performance, and a steel reinforced house has a high heat insulation performance. If the operation start time is determined according to the structure of one of the rooms, the room temperature at the set time may not reach the set temperature, or the room temperature at the set time may exceed the set temperature.

  In order to reach the set temperature at the set time, the air conditioner described in Patent Literature 1 performs a test operation before the operation start time and calculates a heat load based on a change in room temperature. Then, based on the set time, the set temperature, the heat load, and the room temperature at that time, the operation start time and the output at the start of the operation are determined. In the air conditioner described in Patent Literature 2, the operation start time is corrected based on the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature at the previous set time of the on timer, and the operation is started at the operation start time.

JP-A-2002-310481 JP-A-10-61995

  However, in each of the above-described air conditioners, the operation start time is determined or corrected when the reservation operation is performed by the ON timer. If the reserved operation is not performed for a while after the air-conditioning operation is stopped, but is performed after a period, the indoor environment changes due to a change in season or the like. Therefore, even if the operation start time is corrected based on the information acquired during the previous operation, the temperature may not reach the set temperature at the set time. When the reserved driving is performed occasionally, the amount of information that can be obtained is small, so that it is not possible to determine an appropriate driving start time, and the useless driving increases.

  Further, when the test operation is performed before the start of the reserved operation, it is possible to cope with a change in the indoor environment, and it is possible to eliminate useless energy during the reserved operation. However, inconsistency such as energy consumption occurs for the test operation.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can perform a reserved operation at an appropriate operation start time at any time without consuming extra energy.

The present invention provides a temperature detection unit that detects a room temperature, an information unit that generates indoor information on an indoor environment based on a change in room temperature after an air conditioning operation is stopped, and an operation that determines an operation start time of a reserved operation based on the indoor information. And a control unit.

  The rising or falling speed of the room temperature during the air-conditioning operation differs depending on the indoor environment such as the heat insulation performance. When the air-conditioning operation is stopped, the information unit monitors changes in the room temperature thereafter. Since the change in the room temperature varies depending on the indoor environment, the information section determines the indoor environment from the state of the change in the room temperature, generates the indoor information together with other information such as the room temperature as a result of the determination, and stores the information. I will do it. The operation control unit determines an operation start time according to the indoor environment with reference to the indoor information.

  That is, the temperature detection unit detects the room temperature after the stop of the air conditioning operation. The information unit calculates the changing speed of the room temperature for a certain time after the stop of the air conditioning operation, and determines the indoor environment. When the change rate of the room temperature is low, it is determined that the room environment has high heat insulation performance. When the change speed of the room temperature is high, it is determined that the room environment is low heat insulation performance, and room information is generated from the determination result. The operation control unit determines the operation start time, and makes the operation start time in the indoor environment with low heat insulation performance earlier than the operation start time in the indoor environment with high heat insulation performance.

  In an indoor environment with low heat insulation performance, the rate of change in room temperature is small. Therefore, if the time is the same as the operation start time in an indoor environment with high heat insulation performance, when the set time is reached, the temperature reaches the set temperature in the indoor environment with high heat insulation performance, but reaches the set temperature in the indoor environment with low heat insulation performance. do not do. Therefore, by making the operation start time in an indoor environment with low heat insulation performance shorter than the operation start time in an indoor environment with high heat insulation performance, the operation time until the set time becomes longer, and the set temperature can be set at the set time. .

  At the time of the reservation operation, a set time is set, and the operation control unit sets the operation start time so that the temperature becomes the set temperature at the set time, and changes the set operation start time based on the indoor information. The operation start time is determined based on the reference indoor environment, and the operation control unit compares the current indoor environment obtained from the latest indoor information with the reference indoor environment, and makes the set operation start time earlier. Or slow down. That is, the operation control unit changes the operation start time in the indoor environment with low heat insulation performance to a time earlier than the set operation start time.

  The information unit monitors the change in room temperature each time the air-conditioning operation stops, and accumulates room information. Even if the frequency of the reserved operation is low, the latest indoor environment can be recognized by referring to the accumulated indoor information, so that an appropriate operation start time according to the indoor environment can be set.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine the appropriate start time of the reserved operation according to the indoor environment, so that the temperature can be reliably set at the set time in the reserved operation without wasting energy. it can.

Block diagram of the control device of the air conditioner of the present invention (A) The figure which shows the change of the room temperature at the time of the reservation operation | movement of the heating operation in the indoor environment with a high heat insulation performance like a reinforced steel structure, (b) The reservation operation of the heating operation in the indoor environment with a low heat insulation performance like a wooden structure Diagram showing changes in room temperature The figure which shows the change of the room temperature at the time of the reservation operation of the heating operation when the operation start time is not changed in the indoor environment with low heat insulation performance such as a wooden structure. (A) The figure which shows the change of the room temperature at the time of reservation operation | movement of the cooling operation in the indoor environment with high heat insulation performance like a reinforced steel structure, (b) The time at the time of reservation operation of the cooling operation in the indoor environment with low heat insulation performance like a wooden structure Diagram showing changes in room temperature The figure which shows the change of the room temperature at the time of the reserved operation of the cooling operation when the operation start time is not changed in the indoor environment having low heat insulation performance such as a wooden structure.

  The air conditioner of the present embodiment includes a control device that controls a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, a blower, and the like, and performs an air conditioning operation such as cooling, heating, and drying. When the reservation operation by the on-timer is set, the control device including the microcomputer performs the specified air-conditioning operation such as heating, cooling, and drying so that the temperature becomes the set temperature at the set time.

  In the reserved operation, when the operation start time comes before the set time, the air conditioning operation is started. The operation start time is predetermined. By the way, the environment in the room where the air-conditioning operation is performed differs depending on the structure, size, season, etc. of the house. Setting the operation start time uniformly for such an indoor environment contributes to useless operation. Therefore, the control device determines the operation start time of the reserved operation according to the indoor environment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control device includes a temperature detecting unit 1 for detecting a room temperature and an outdoor temperature, a setting unit 2 for setting a reserved operation, and an information unit 3 for generating indoor information on the indoor environment from the room temperature. And an operation control unit 4 for controlling an air-conditioning operation, and a drive unit 5 for driving and controlling a compressor, a blower and the like of the refrigeration cycle.

  The temperature detector 1 has a room temperature detector for detecting room temperature and an outdoor temperature detector for detecting outdoor temperature. The temperature detection unit 1 outputs the detected room temperature and outdoor temperature to the operation control unit 4. The setting unit 2 has a function of receiving a signal from a remote controller. When the setting unit 2 receives a signal related to the reservation operation from the remote controller, the setting unit 2 stores reservation setting information such as a set time, a set temperature, and an operation mode in the memory 6 based on the signal. The setting unit 2 may be able to communicate with a terminal device that can be operated by a user via a network such as the Internet. According to an instruction from the terminal device, the setting of the reservation operation is performed.

  When receiving an operation instruction from a remote controller or the like through the setting unit 2, the operation control unit 4 operates the driving unit 5 according to the instruction. The drive unit 5 drives a compressor, a blower, and the like according to the instructed air conditioning operation. The operation control unit 4 controls the driving unit 5 to start the air conditioning operation when the operation start time is earlier than the set time when the reserved operation is set.

  The information unit 3 generates room information based on a change in room temperature after the stop of the air conditioning operation. The temperature detector 1 detects the room temperature and the outside air temperature not only during the air-conditioning operation but also after the operation is stopped. The information unit 3 monitors the room temperature for a certain period of time after the stop of the air-conditioning operation, calculates the change speed of the room temperature during this period, and determines the indoor environment related to the indoor heat insulating performance. When the change rate of the room temperature is equal to or lower than the reference value, it is determined that the room environment has a high heat insulation performance. When the change rate of the room temperature is higher than the reference value, it is determined that the room environment has a low heat insulation performance. Then, the information unit 3 generates room information including the determination result and information such as room temperature, outside air temperature, date and time, and stores the room information in the memory 6. Further, each time the air-conditioning operation is completed, the information unit 3 determines the indoor environment based on the monitored room temperature, generates indoor information, and accumulates indoor information.

Here, the heat insulation performance relates to heat insulation, airtightness, size, and the like, and differs depending on the structure of the house. For example, in the case of a wooden house, the heat insulation performance is low, and the change in room temperature is large. In the case of a steel-framed or reinforced house, the insulation performance is high and the change in room temperature is small. Furthermore, the size of the room changes according to the opening and closing of the room door. Opening and closing doors and windows changes the airtightness. Even in such a case, the heat insulation performance changes. Therefore, the latest indoor information can be used by generating the indoor information every time the air-conditioning operation is performed.

  In addition, the indoor environment changes due to the presence of a heating element such as an electric appliance in the room. That is, the room temperature is affected by the heat generated from the electrical product. If the heating operation has been performed, the room temperature drops after the operation is stopped. In the presence of the heating element, the decrease in the room temperature is gradual, and the rate of change in the room temperature is reduced. If the cooling operation has been performed, the room temperature increases after the operation is stopped. In the presence of a heating element, the room temperature rises rapidly and the rate of change of the room temperature increases.

  As described above, the presence of the heating element provides an indoor environment that is easily heated and hardly cooled. Therefore, the change in the room temperature varies depending on the direction in which the room temperature changes, that is, ascending and descending. When the heating operation is performed, an indoor environment having high heat insulation performance is obtained. However, when the cooling operation is performed, an indoor environment having low heat insulation performance is obtained. Even in the same indoor environment, the heat insulation performance differs depending on the air conditioning operation. Also, the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor influences the change in room temperature. Therefore, the reference value for the change in the room temperature may be different so that the heat insulation performance according to each direction of the change in the room temperature can be determined. For example, the reference value when the room temperature decreases is higher than the reference value when the room temperature increases. The information unit 3 monitors whether the room temperature after the stop of the air conditioning operation rises or falls, and selects a reference value. Since the direction in which the room temperature changes depends on the season, the reference value may be selected based on the date and time information held by the operation control unit 4 or the remote controller. Then, the information unit 3 determines the indoor environment based on the selected reference value. As a result, it is possible to generate room information according to actual conditions, and to accumulate detailed room information.

  When the reserved operation is set, the operation control unit 4 determines the operation start time of the reserved operation based on the indoor information. That is, when the calculation time reaches a predetermined time before the set time, the operation control unit 4 determines the operation start time based on the room temperature, the outside air temperature, and the set temperature so that the set temperature is reached at the set time. The calculation time is determined in advance so as to be earlier than the earliest operation start time.

  At this time, the operation control unit 4 refers to the indoor information stored in the memory 6 to check the heat insulation performance, and changes the operation start time in the indoor environment with low heat insulation performance to the operation start time in the indoor environment with high heat insulation performance. Set the operation start time so that it will be faster than before.

  For example, when the set time is 7:00 am and the heating operation with the set temperature of 24 ° C. is reserved, as shown in FIG. 2A, the operation control unit 4 controls the interior of the room having high heat insulation performance such as a reinforced steel structure. When the environment is confirmed, the operation start time is determined at 6:00 am one hour before. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the case of an indoor environment having low heat insulation performance such as a wooden structure, the operation control unit 4 determines the operation start time to be one and a half hours before 5:30 am.

  When the timer built in the control device measures the time corresponding to the determined operation start time, the operation control unit 4 controls the drive unit 5 to start the heating operation. The room temperature rises by the heating operation, and at the set time, the room temperature reaches the set temperature. Thus, by determining the operation start time according to the heat insulation performance, the temperature can be set at the set time regardless of the indoor environment, and a comfortable indoor space can be provided.

Here, when the operation start time is determined according to any indoor environment regardless of the level of the heat insulation performance, for example, the operation start time is set to one hour before the set time. As shown in FIG. 3, when the operation start time comes, the heating operation is started and the room temperature rises. However, in an indoor environment with low heat insulation performance, the room temperature does not reach the set temperature even at the set time because the room temperature rises slowly. In this case, comfort is impaired. Conversely, if the operation start time is set to an earlier time, or if the indoor environment has a high heat insulation performance, the temperature rises to room temperature before the set time because the room temperature rises quickly. Unnecessary operation is performed to maintain the set temperature, and power consumption increases.

  The same applies to the cooling operation. When the set time is 7:00 am and the cooling operation with the set temperature of 28 ° C. is reserved, as shown in FIG. 4A, the operation control unit 4 operates in an indoor environment having high heat insulation performance such as a reinforced steel structure. When it is confirmed that there is, the operation start time is decided at 6:00 am one hour before. As shown in FIG. 4B, in the case of an indoor environment having a low heat insulation performance such as a wooden structure, the operation control unit 4 determines the operation start time to be one hour and thirty minutes before 5:30 am.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in an indoor environment having low heat insulation performance such as a wooden structure, when the operation start time is not changed, when the cooling operation is started, the room temperature decreases. However, in the case of an indoor environment having low heat insulation performance, the room temperature falls slowly, so that at the set time, the room temperature is higher than the set temperature, and a comfortable indoor space desired by the user cannot be obtained.

  In addition, regardless of the presence or absence of the reserved operation, each time the air-conditioning operation is stopped, the change speed of the room temperature is calculated, and the room information is generated. Therefore, room information is accumulated for each season. Therefore, the operation control unit 4 determines the season based on the outside air temperature, and determines the operation start time with reference to the indoor information corresponding to the season. This makes it possible to determine an optimal operation start time in consideration of not only the indoor environment but also the surrounding environment. Therefore, the set temperature can be reliably set at the set time, so that an efficient reserved operation can be realized, and unnecessary operation can be eliminated, thereby contributing to energy saving.

  In the indoor environment, the structure of the room, such as a wooden structure or a reinforced steel structure, does not change. Therefore, the indoor environment does not change much, but the airtightness changes depending on the opening and closing of windows and doors. Therefore, since the indoor information is accumulated each time the air-conditioning operation is performed, the operation control unit 4 compares the most recently generated indoor information with the accumulated indoor information. Thereby, a minute change in the indoor environment can be recognized. Therefore, the operation control unit 4 can determine the operation start time corresponding to the current indoor environment, and it can be realized that the set temperature is reliably reached at the set time.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiment within the scope of the present invention. The criteria for judging the heat insulation performance in the indoor environment may be subdivided to generate room information according to the actual situation in the room. In determining the operation start time, a reference operation start time may be determined according to the room temperature, the outside air temperature, and the set temperature, and the operation start time may be changed according to the indoor environment. For example, in the case of an indoor environment having high heat insulation performance, the time is set to be later than the reference operation start time. In the case of an indoor environment having low heat insulation performance, the operation time is set to be earlier than the standard operation start time. In the case of an indoor environment where the heat insulation performance is medium, the standard operation start time is maintained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Temperature detection part 2 Setting part 3 Information part 4 Operation control part 5 Drive part 6 Memory

Claims (4)

At the set time, the ON timer is set to be the set temperature, and in the air conditioner in which the air conditioning operation is started when the operation start time comes before the set time,
A temperature detection unit that detects room temperature, an information unit that generates and accumulates indoor information on the indoor environment based only on the temperature change after the air conditioning operation is stopped, and operation control that determines the operation start time of the reserved operation based on the indoor information Unit, the room information includes information that determines the indoor environment related to heat insulation performance based on the temperature change rate after the air conditioning operation stopped,
The operation control unit, when the reserved operation is set, starts the air conditioning operation at the operation start time,
The information unit accumulates the room information each time the air conditioning operation stops,
The operation control unit includes a feature that determines the on the basis of said chamber information the indoor information and air-conditioning operation that is generated most recently stored in every stoppage, the operation start time corresponding to the current indoor environment Air conditioner. The operation start time is a reference operation start time derived from the set time,
The operation control unit sets the operation start time later than the reference operation start time based on the indoor information in which the temperature change of the room temperature after the operation stop is small, and sets the operation start time as the reference based on the indoor information in which the temperature change of the room temperature is large. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the operation start time is earlier than the operation start time. A temperature detection unit that detects room temperature, an information unit that generates and accumulates indoor information on the indoor environment based only on the temperature change after the air conditioning operation is stopped, and operation control that determines the operation start time of the reserved operation based on the indoor information The information unit determines the indoor environment related to the heat insulation performance based on the room information generated based on the temperature change after the stop of the air conditioning operation, the operation control unit, the operation in the indoor environment with low heat insulation performance The start time is earlier than the operation start time in the indoor environment with high insulation performance,
The information unit accumulates the room information each time the air conditioning operation stops,
The operation control unit includes a feature that determines the on the basis of said chamber information the indoor information and air-conditioning operation that is generated most recently stored in every stoppage, the operation start time corresponding to the current indoor environment Air conditioner.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation control unit uses an outdoor temperature to determine an operation start time.

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