JP7112037B2 - Air conditioners and air conditioning systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioning system that perform indoor air conditioning.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an air conditioner having a refrigerant circuit, a compressor is often provided in an outdoor unit. In such a case, when the air conditioner stops in an environment with a low outside air temperature, a phenomenon called "sleep" occurs in which the refrigerant condenses and accumulates in the compressor and the heat exchanger provided in the outdoor unit. Sometimes. In particular, when the refrigerant accumulates in the compressor, the refrigerating machine oil in the compressor is diluted, which may cause problems such as seizure of the shaft of the compressor.

In general, as a method of suppressing the stagnation of the refrigerant in the compressor, the compressor is heated by a heater while the operation of the compressor is stopped. It is known to evaporate refrigerants. Here, the restricted energization control is a control for heating the compressor by energizing the motor windings without driving the motor inside the compressor. Further, in Patent Document 1, there is a method of suppressing power consumption when the compressor is heated to evaporate the internal refrigerant by adjusting the energization amount of the heater or the voltage of the restraint energization control according to the outside air temperature. disclosed.

JP-A-7-167504

However, in conventional air conditioners, it is not possible to determine when the compressor will start operating while the compressor is not operating, so sleep prevention control is always performed. Therefore, there is a problem that power consumption increases while the operation of the compressor is stopped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the problems in the conventional technology described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and an air conditioning system capable of suppressing power consumption while the compressor is stopped. .

An air conditioner according to the present invention is an air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit, wherein the compressor is provided with a A heating means for heating a refrigerant; and a control device for controlling the heating means. a stagnation prevention control start timing estimating unit for estimating a stagnation prevention control start timing for starting stagnation prevention control for heating the compressor based on the heat load; and a device control unit for controlling the heating means so as to perform sleep prevention control.

Further, an air conditioner according to the present invention is an air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit, wherein the compressor is provided with a heating means for heating an internal coolant; and a control device for controlling the heating means. a stagnation prevention control required time calculation unit for calculating a stagnation prevention control required time indicating the time required for stagnation prevention control for heating the compressor based on the outside air temperature obtained by the above; Based on the time, the sleep prevention control start timing for starting the sleep prevention control is derived, and at the derived sleep prevention control start timing, the sleep prevention control is performed by the heating means for the calculated sleep prevention control necessary time. and a device control unit for controlling the heating means.

An air conditioning system according to the present invention manages one or more air conditioners having an outdoor unit having a compressor, an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit, and the one or more air conditioners. a management device, wherein the air conditioner includes heating means provided in the compressor for heating the refrigerant inside the compressor, and the management device includes a control device for controlling the heating means. The control device includes a heat load learning unit that learns the heat load based on the temperature data and the air conditioning data, and a stagnation prevention control that heats the compressor based on the heat load obtained by the learning. a stagnation prevention control start timing estimation unit for estimating a prevention control start timing; and a device control unit for controlling the heating means so that the stagnation prevention control is performed by the heating means at the estimated stagnation prevention control start timing. It has

Further, an air conditioning system according to the present invention includes one or more air conditioners having an outdoor unit having a compressor, an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit, and the one or more air conditioners. a management device for managing the air conditioner, the air conditioner having heating means provided in the compressor for heating the refrigerant inside the compressor, the management device being a control device for controlling the heating means and the control device includes an outside temperature learning unit that learns the outside temperature at a set time interval based on the current outside temperature, and a stagnation prevention unit that heats the compressor based on the outside temperature obtained by learning. A sleep prevention control required time calculation unit for calculating a sleep prevention control required time indicating the time required for control, and deriving the sleep prevention control start timing for starting the sleep prevention control based on the set time and the sleep prevention control required time and a device control unit for controlling the heating means so that the heating means performs the stagnation prevention control for the calculated stagnation prevention control required time at the derived stagnation prevention control start timing. be.

According to the present invention, by starting the stagnation prevention control at the estimated stagnation prevention control start timing, the stagnation prevention control is appropriately performed, so that power consumption can be suppressed while the operation of the compressor is stopped.

1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device in FIG. 2; 3 is a hardware configuration diagram showing another example of the configuration of the control device in FIG. 2; FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a machine learning model performed in the heat load learning unit of FIG. 2; 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of learning by the heat load learning unit of FIG. 2; 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of sleep prevention control by the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a flow of learning by an outside air temperature learning unit of FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of sleep prevention control by the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioning system according to Embodiment 3;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, the present invention includes all possible combinations of the configurations shown in the following embodiments. Also, in each figure, the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts, which are common throughout the specification.

Embodiment 1.
An air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 will be described. The air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 air-conditions a target space by circulating a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit.

[Configuration of air conditioner 1]
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 includes an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a control device 30. As shown in FIG. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected by refrigerant piping.

The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11 , a refrigerant flow switching device 12 , an outdoor heat exchanger 13 , an expansion valve 14 and an outside air temperature sensor 15 . The indoor unit 20 has an indoor heat exchanger 21 and an indoor temperature sensor 22 . In the air conditioner 1, the compressor 11, the refrigerant flow switching device 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the expansion valve 14, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 are sequentially connected by refrigerant pipes to form a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant circulates. It is formed.

(Outdoor unit 10)
The compressor 11 sucks in a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, compresses the sucked-in refrigerant, and discharges the refrigerant in a high-temperature, high-pressure state. The compressor 11 is an inverter compressor whose capacity, which is the amount of air delivered per unit time, is controlled by changing the operating frequency. The operating frequency of the compressor 11 is controlled by the controller 30 .

The refrigerant flow switching device 12 is, for example, a four-way valve, and switches between the cooling operation and the heating operation by switching the direction in which the refrigerant flows. Refrigerant flow switching device 12 switches so that the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 , that is, the discharge side of compressor 11 and outdoor heat exchanger 13 are connected during cooling operation. Refrigerant flow switching device 12 switches such that the suction side of compressor 11 and outdoor heat exchanger 13 are connected in the state indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1 during heating operation. Switching of flow paths in the refrigerant flow switching device 12 is controlled by the control device 30 .

The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger, and performs heat exchange between outdoor air supplied by a fan (not shown) or the like and refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as a condenser that radiates the heat of the refrigerant to the outdoor air to condense the refrigerant during the cooling operation. In addition, the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant during heating operation and cools the outdoor air with the heat of vaporization at that time.

The expansion valve 14 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to expand it. The expansion valve 14 is configured by, for example, a valve whose degree of opening can be controlled, such as an electronic expansion valve. The opening degree of the expansion valve 14 is controlled by the controller 30 . The outside air temperature sensor 15 is provided near the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and detects the outside air temperature. The outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 is supplied to the control device 30 .

Further, in Embodiment 1, the compressor 11 is provided with a heating means 16 . Under the control of the control device 30, the heating means 16 heats and evaporates the refrigerant that has accumulated inside the compressor 11 while the compressor 11 is stopped.

Specifically, as the heating means 16, for example, a heater such as a belt heater attached to the periphery of the compressor 11 is used. Compressor 11 is heated by energizing the heater under the control of control device 30 . Further, the heating means 16 may be, for example, an energization control device that controls energization to the compressor 11 so as to perform restraint energization control. Restricted energization control intermittently energizes any two phases of the three phases of power supplied to the compressor 11 to heat the compressor 11 without driving the motor inside the compressor 11. control.

(Indoor unit 20)
The indoor heat exchanger 21 exchanges heat between indoor air supplied by a fan (not shown) or the like and the refrigerant. This generates cooling air or heating air that is supplied to the indoor space. The indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator during cooling operation, and cools the air in the air-conditioned space. In addition, the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser during heating operation, and heats the air in the air-conditioned space.

The indoor temperature sensor 22 is provided near the indoor heat exchanger 21 and detects the temperature of the indoor air. The indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 22 is supplied to the control device 30 .

(control device 30)
The control device 30 controls each part provided in the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 . In particular, in the first embodiment, the control device 30 controls the heating means 16 for the compressor 11 based on data including the outside air temperature and the room temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 and the room temperature sensor 22, respectively. and perform sleep prevention control. The stagnation prevention control is control for evaporating the refrigerant accumulated in the compressor 11 by the heating means 16 provided in the compressor 11 .

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device of FIG. 1; As shown in FIG. 2 , the control device 30 includes a data acquisition section 31 , a heat load learning section 32 , a sleep prevention control start timing estimation section 33 , a device control section 34 and a data holding section 35 . The control device 30 is composed of an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer that implements various functions by executing software, or hardware such as a circuit device that supports various functions. In addition, in FIG. 2, only the configuration of the functions related to the first embodiment is illustrated, and the illustration of other configurations is omitted.

The data acquisition unit 31 acquires various data. Specifically, the data acquisition unit 31 acquires the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 15 and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 22 as temperature data. The data acquisition unit 31 also acquires the set temperature set by the user or the like for the indoor unit 20 and the operating frequency of the compressor 11 as air conditioning data. The data acquisition unit 31 supplies the acquired temperature data and air conditioning data to the data holding unit 35 .

The heat load learning unit 32 uses various data such as temperature data and air conditioning data held in the data holding unit 35 to learn the heat load of the air conditioner 1 by machine learning. Specifically, the heat load learning unit 32 learns the amount of heat being processed by the air conditioner 1 from, for example, the current time, the outside air temperature, the room temperature, the set temperature, the operating frequency of the compressor 11, and the like. Here, the air conditioner 1 has only the amount of heat processed by the air conditioner 1 as data on the heat load. , the heat load of the air-conditioned space can be grasped. Therefore, the heat load learning unit 32 learns the heat load of the air-conditioned space relatively by learning the amount of heat processed by the air conditioner 1 . Learning of the heat load will be described later. Also, the heat load learning unit 32 derives the heat load using the learning result obtained as described above based on the temperature data and the air conditioning data.

The sleep prevention control start timing estimator 33 estimates the sleep prevention control start timing using an estimation means such as a preset timing estimation formula based on the heat load obtained by the learning in the heat load learning unit 32 . The sleep prevention control start timing is the time at which the sleep prevention control is started, and is from the start time at which the air conditioner 1 is started so that the room temperature reaches the set temperature at the set time such as the operation start time set by the user. is the previous time.

Based on the result of the estimation by the sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit 33, the device control unit 34 generates and outputs a sleep prevention command signal for controlling the heating means 16 at the estimated sleep prevention control start timing.

The data holding section 35 holds various information used in each section of the control device 30 . In Embodiment 1, for example, the data holding unit 35 holds various data including temperature data and air conditioning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 31 and used when the heat load learning unit 32 learns.

3 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device in FIG. 2. FIG. When various functions of the control device 30 are performed by hardware, the control device 30 of FIG. 2 is configured with a processing circuit 41 as shown in FIG. In the control device 30 of FIG. 2 , the functions of the data acquisition section 31 , the heat load learning section 32 , the sleep prevention control start timing estimation section 33 , the device control section 34 and the data holding section 35 are implemented by the processing circuit 41 .

When each function is performed by hardware, the processing circuit 41 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate). Array), or a combination thereof. In the control device 30, the functions of the data acquiring unit 31, the heat load learning unit 32, the sleep prevention control start timing estimating unit 33, the device control unit 34, and the data holding unit 35 may be realized by the processing circuit 41. , may be realized by one processing circuit 41 .

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram showing another example of the configuration of the control device in FIG. When various functions of the control device 30 are executed by software, the control device 30 of FIG. 2 is composed of a processor 51 and a memory 52 as shown in FIG. In the control device 30 , the functions of the data acquisition section 31 , the heat load learning section 32 , the sleep prevention control start timing estimation section 33 , the equipment control section 34 and the data holding section 35 are implemented by the processor 51 and the memory 52 .

When each function is executed by software, in the control device 30, the functions of the data acquisition unit 31, the heat load learning unit 32, the sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit 33, the equipment control unit 34, and the data holding unit 35 are implemented by software, It is implemented by firmware or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 52 . The processor 51 implements the function of each part by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 52 .

Examples of the memory 52 include non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable and Programmable ROM) and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM). is used. As the memory 52, for example, removable recording media such as a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (Mini Disc), and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) may be used.

[Operation of the air conditioner 1]
Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 configured in this way will be described together with the flow of the refrigerant with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the solid line indicates the state of the refrigerant flow switching device 12 when the air conditioner 1 performs the heating operation. The air conditioner 1 can perform both cooling operation and heating operation, but here, the operation during the heating operation will be explained, and the explanation of the operation during the cooling operation will be omitted.

(During heating operation)
A case where the air conditioner 1 performs the heating operation will be described. When the compressor 11 is driven, a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 11 . The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows through the refrigerant flow switching device 12 into the indoor heat exchanger 21 functioning as a condenser. In the indoor heat exchanger 21, heat is exchanged between the flowing high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant and indoor air supplied by a blower (not shown). As a result, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is condensed into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is expanded by the expansion valve 14 and becomes a two-phase refrigerant in which the low-pressure gas refrigerant and the low-pressure liquid refrigerant are mixed. The two-phase refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functioning as an evaporator. In the outdoor heat exchanger 13, heat is exchanged between the flowing two-phase refrigerant and outdoor air supplied by a blower (not shown). As a result, the liquid refrigerant of the refrigerant in the two-phase state evaporates to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 flows into the compressor 11 via the refrigerant flow switching device 12, is compressed into high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, and is discharged from the compressor 11 again. This cycle is then repeated.

[sleep prevention control]
Next, sleep prevention control by the air conditioner 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. A general air conditioner allows a user to preset an operation schedule such as operation start time and operation stop time. In this case, in order for the indoor temperature to reach the set temperature at the preset set time, the air conditioner needs to be started at the start time before the set time.

On the other hand, while the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, "stagnation" may occur in which the refrigerant condenses and accumulates in the compressor, as described in the Background Art section. Therefore, even if the air conditioner starts up at the startup time in a state where sleepiness has occurred, the compressor does not operate normally, making it difficult to bring the room temperature to the set temperature at the set time.

Therefore, the air-conditioning apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 starts the sleep prevention control so that the sleep prevention control is started at the startup time before the set time set by the user in a state where the sleep is eliminated. Estimate control start timing. Then, the air conditioner 1 starts the sleep prevention control at the estimated sleep prevention control start timing.

Here, when estimating the sleep prevention control start timing, the heat load processed by the air conditioner 1 is used. In order to obtain this heat load, the heat load learning unit 32 of the control device 30 learns the heat load in the first embodiment.

(Learning of heat load)
The learning of the heat load by the heat load learning unit 32 will be described. The heat load learning unit 32 learns the heat load processed by the air conditioner 1 in order to obtain the heat load used when the sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit 33 estimates the start timing of the sleep prevention control. Machine learning is used to learn the heat load.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a machine learning model performed by the heat load learning unit of FIG. In the machine learning model shown in FIG. 5, preprocessing is performed on input data. Then, using the learning model, the heat load is estimated from the preprocessed data and output.

The input data in this case are, for example, the outside air temperature, the room temperature, the set temperature, the operating capacity, and the like. Temperature data detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 is used as the outside air temperature. Temperature data detected by the indoor temperature sensor 22 is used as the indoor temperature. The set temperature is the temperature set in the indoor unit 20, and the air conditioning data held in the data holding unit 35 is used. The operating capacity is, for example, the operating frequency of the compressor 11, and air conditioning data held in the data holding unit 35 is used. Data such as a weather forecast may be used as alternative data for the outside air temperature or room temperature.

In preprocessing, preset processing such as input data optimization and input dimensionality reduction is performed. More specifically, in the pre-processing, when temperature data is input as input data, for example, a process set in advance for the input data such as derivation and normalization of the difference value between the set temperature and the room temperature is performed. is carried out.

A learning model is, for example, a heat load calculation formula for deriving a heat load as output data corresponding to input data. A learning model is generated using, for example, supervised learning. Note that the learning model is not limited to this example, and a neural network, deep learning, or the like may be used according to the required accuracy and calculation performance.

The learning model updates the parameters included in the heat load calculation formula each time a plurality of data are input. Specifically, for example, when the learning model is generated by supervised learning, the learning model outputs output data using a heat load calculation formula based on the input data. The output data are input to the evaluation function together with the teacher data. The evaluation function evaluates the validity of the heat load calculation formula, which is a learning model, based on the output data and teacher data. Then, the heat load learning unit 32 updates the parameters of the heat load calculation formula so that the output data calculated from the heat load calculation formula approaches the teacher data.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of learning by the heat load learning section of FIG. In step S1, the data acquisition unit 31 of the control device 30 acquires the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 15 and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 22 as temperature data. The acquired temperature data is held in the data holding unit 35 . Further, in step S2, the data acquisition unit 31 acquires the set temperature set in the indoor unit 20 and the operating frequency of the compressor 11 as air conditioning data. The acquired air conditioning data is held in the data holding unit 35 .

In step S3, the heat load learning unit 32 determines whether or not it is time to learn. It is assumed that the learning timing at this time is set to a preset arbitrary timing. If it is the learning timing (step S3: Yes), the heat load learning unit 32 uses the temperature data and the air conditioning data held in the data holding unit 35 to learn the heat load of the air conditioner 1 . On the other hand, if it is not the learning timing (step S3: No), the process returns to step S1. Thereafter, the processing of steps S1 to S4 is cyclically repeated at a constant cycle.

(Estimation of start timing of sleep prevention control)
Next, the estimation of the sleep prevention control start timing by the sleep prevention control start timing estimator 33 will be described. The sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit 33 uses the heat load derived by the heat load learning unit 32 to estimate the timing for starting the sleep prevention control performed before the startup time. For example, the sleep prevention control start timing estimator 33 estimates the sleep prevention control start timing so that the sleep prevention control is started earlier as the derived heat load is higher.

(sleep prevention control)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of sleep prevention control by the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. In step S11, the data acquisition unit 31 acquires the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 15 and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 22 as temperature data. The acquired temperature data is supplied to the heat load learning unit 32 and held in the data holding unit 35 . Further, in step S12, the data acquisition unit 31 acquires the set temperature and operation start time set in the indoor unit 20 and the operation capacity such as the operation frequency of the compressor 11 as air conditioning data. The acquired air conditioning data is supplied to the heat load learning unit 32 and held in the data holding unit 35 . The processes of steps S11 and S12 are performed, for example, at an arbitrary time before the set time such as the operation start time.

In step S13, the heat load learning unit 32 derives the heat load when temperature data and air conditioning data are input. In step S14, the sleep prevention control start timing estimator 33 estimates the sleep prevention control start timing using an estimating means such as a timing estimation formula based on the heat load derived in step S13. At this time, the sleep prevention control start timing estimator 33 estimates the sleep prevention control start timing so that the sleep prevention control is started earlier as the heat load is higher.

In step S15, the device control unit 34 determines whether or not it is the time indicated by the sleep prevention control start timing. If it is time to start the sleep prevention control (step S15: Yes), the device control unit 34 generates a sleep prevention command signal and outputs it to the heating means 16 in step S16. Thereby, the sleep prevention control by the heating means 16 is performed. Note that the sleep prevention control in this case is performed only for a fixed fixed time.

On the other hand, if it is not the sleep prevention control start timing (step S15: No), the process returns to step S15, and the processing of step S15 is repeated until the sleep prevention control start timing comes.

As described above, the air conditioner 1 according to Embodiment 1 learns the heat load based on the temperature data and the air conditioning data, and estimates the sleep prevention control start timing based on the heat load obtained by the learning. Then, the air conditioner 1 performs stagnation prevention control for heating the compressor 11 at the estimated stagnation prevention control start timing.

As described above, in the air conditioner 1, the sleep prevention control is started at the estimated sleep prevention control start timing. I will never be caught. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed while the operation of the compressor 11 is stopped.

At this time, the control device 30 acquires the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 15 and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 22 as temperature data. Further, the control device 30 acquires the operating frequency of the compressor 11 as air conditioning data. Furthermore, the control device 30 may acquire the set temperature set for the indoor unit 20 as the air conditioning data.

Further, in the air conditioner 1 according to Embodiment 1, a heater attached around the compressor 11 may be used as the heating means 16 . As a result, when the sleep prevention control is performed, the heater is energized and the compressor 11 can be heated.

Furthermore, an energization control device that controls energization to the compressor 11 may be used as the heating means 16 . As a result, when the sleep prevention control is performed, the compressor 11 is energized so that the restraint energization control is performed, and the compressor 11 can be heated.

Embodiment 2.
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the time required for sleep prevention control is calculated. It should be noted that, in the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the parts that are common to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Since the air conditioner 1 according to Embodiment 2 is the same as the air conditioner 1 according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 except for the configuration of the control device 30, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Configuration of control device 30]
Control device 30 controls each part provided in outdoor unit 10 and indoor unit 20, as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, in addition to the functions of the control device 30 according to the first embodiment, the control device 30 detects the outside air temperature at preset time intervals based on the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15. is estimated, and the time required for sleep prevention control is calculated based on the estimation result.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8 , the control device 30 includes a data acquisition section 31 , a device control section 34 , a data storage section 35 , an outside temperature learning section 36 and a sleep prevention control required time calculation section 37 . The control device 30 is composed of an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer that implements various functions by executing software, or hardware such as a circuit device that supports various functions. It should be noted that FIG. 8 shows only the configuration of the functions related to the second embodiment, and the illustration of other configurations is omitted.

The outside temperature learning unit 36 uses the outside temperature included in the temperature data held in the data holding unit 35 to learn the outside temperature at set time intervals by machine learning. The details of learning the outside air temperature will be described later. Also, the outside air temperature learning unit 36 derives the outside air temperature at the set time interval based on the current outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 and using the learning result described above.

The sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37 calculates the sleep prevention control required time based on the outside air temperature obtained by the learning in the outside air temperature learning unit 36 . The stagnation prevention control required time is the minimum time required for the refrigerant in the compressor 11 to evaporate by the stagnation prevention control. The stagnation prevention control required time calculation unit 37 calculates the stagnation prevention control required time using a predetermined calculation formula based on the current outside air temperature and the outside air temperature at the set time interval obtained by learning.

Based on the calculation result of the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37, the device control unit 34 performs sleep prevention control from the set time and the sleep prevention control required time so that the sleep prevention control is performed only for the sleep prevention control required time. A start timing is derived, and a sleep prevention command signal is generated and output. In Embodiment 2, the stagnation prevention command signal includes information indicating the start timing of the stagnation prevention control and information indicating the execution time of the stagnation prevention control.

The data holding unit 35 holds various information used in each unit of the control device 30, as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, for example, the data holding unit 35 stores temperature data and air conditioning data acquired by the data acquiring unit 31, which are used when learning is performed by the heat load learning unit 32 and the outside air temperature learning unit 36, respectively. Holds various data including

[sleep prevention control]
Next, sleep prevention control by the air conditioner 1 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. When refrigerant stagnation occurs in the compressor 11, the amount of refrigerant to be condensed varies depending on the outside air temperature. Therefore, the time required for the stagnation prevention control for heating the refrigerant in the compressor 11 varies depending on the outside air temperature.

In this case, if the time for which the sleep prevention control is performed is fixed, the sleep prevention control may not be performed for an appropriate time depending on the degree of sleep. For example, when the amount of condensed refrigerant is relatively large, the anti-stagnation control time needs to be long, and when the amount of condensed refrigerant is relatively small, the anti-stagnation control time may be short.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the sleep prevention control required time necessary for the sleep prevention control is calculated so that the sleep prevention control time when performing the sleep prevention control is an appropriate time according to the state of sleep. Then, the air conditioner 1 performs the sleep prevention control for the calculated sleep prevention control necessary time.

When calculating the sleep prevention control required time, the outside air temperature at the set time interval is used. In order to obtain this outside air temperature, the outside air temperature is learned by the outside air temperature learning unit 36 of the control device 30 in the second embodiment.

(learning outside air temperature)
Learning of the outside air temperature by the outside air temperature learning unit 36 will be described. The outside air temperature learning unit 36 learns the outside air temperature at set time intervals in order to obtain the outside air temperature used when the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37 estimates the required time for the sleep prevention control. Machine learning is used to learn the outside air temperature, as in the heat load learning unit 32 in the first embodiment.

The machine learning model shown in FIG. 5 is used as the machine learning model performed by the outside air temperature learning unit 36 . For example, the outside air temperature is used as the input data in this case. Data such as a weather forecast may be used as alternative data for the outside air temperature.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of learning by the outside air temperature learning section of FIG. In step S21, the data acquisition unit 31 of the control device 30 acquires the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 as temperature data. The acquired temperature data is held in the data holding unit 35 .

In step S22, the outside air temperature learning unit 36 determines whether or not it is time to learn. It is assumed that the learning timing at this time is set to a preset arbitrary timing. If it is the learning timing (step S22: Yes), the outside temperature learning unit 36 uses the temperature data held in the data holding unit 35 to learn the outside temperature at set time intervals. On the other hand, if it is not the learning timing (step S22: No), the process returns to step S21. Thereafter, the processing of steps S21 to S23 is cyclically repeated at a constant cycle.

(Calculation of required time for sleep prevention control)
Next, calculation of the time required for the sleep prevention control by the sleep prevention control required time calculator 37 will be described. The sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37 uses the outside air temperature derived by the outside air temperature learning unit 36 to calculate the time required for the sleep prevention control. For example, the stagnation prevention control required time calculation unit 37 calculates the stagnation prevention control required time such that the higher the derived outside air temperature, the shorter the stagnation prevention control execution time.

(sleep prevention control)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of sleep prevention control by the air conditioner according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 10, processing common to the sleep prevention control according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 7 is assigned the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In steps S11 and S12, the data acquisition unit 31 acquires temperature data and air conditioning data, respectively. The acquired temperature data and air conditioning data are supplied to the outside air temperature learning unit 36 and held in the data holding unit 35 .

In step S31, when the temperature data is input, the outside air temperature learning unit 36 derives the outside air temperature at the set time interval. Then, the outside air temperature learning unit 36 extracts the lowest outside air temperature from the outside air temperatures at the derived set time intervals. In step S<b>32 , the stagnation prevention control required time calculation unit 37 calculates the stagnation prevention control required time based on the outside air temperature extracted in step S<b>31 and the outside air temperature held in the data holding unit 35 .

Then, in step S15, the device control unit 34 determines whether or not it is the time indicated by the sleep prevention control start timing. The sleep prevention control start timing is derived by tracing back the sleep prevention control required time calculated from the activation time. If it is time to start the sleep prevention control (step S15: Yes), the device control unit 34 generates a sleep prevention command signal and outputs it to the heating means 16 in step S33. As a result, the stagnation prevention control by the heating means 16 is performed only for the stagnation prevention control required time.

On the other hand, if it is not the sleep prevention control start timing (step S15: No), the process returns to step S15, and the processing of step S15 is repeated until the sleep prevention control start timing comes.

As described above, in the air conditioner 1 according to Embodiment 2, the control device 30 learns the outside air temperature at the set time interval based on the outside air temperature, and based on the outside air temperature obtained by learning, prevents falling asleep. Calculate the required control time. Further, the control device 30 derives the sleep prevention control start timing based on the set time and the sleep prevention control required time. Then, the control device 30 controls the heating means 16 so as to perform the sleep prevention control for the calculated sleep prevention control required time at the derived sleep prevention control start timing.

As a result, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the power consumption while the operation of the compressor 11 is stopped. Further, in the second embodiment, by calculating the time required for the stagnation prevention control, the stagnation prevention control is performed for an appropriate time according to the amount of refrigerant condensed in the compressor 11 . Therefore, unnecessary sleep prevention control can be suppressed, and power consumption can be suppressed more appropriately while the operation of the compressor 11 is stopped.

Embodiment 3.
Next, the third embodiment will be described. Embodiment 3 describes an air conditioning system in which the function of the control device 30 that performs sleep prevention control is provided in a device different from the air conditioning device. In the third embodiment, parts common to those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Configuration of air conditioning system 100]
FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the air conditioning system according to Embodiment 3. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11 , the air conditioning system 100 includes one or more air conditioners 110 and a management device 120 connected to each air conditioner 110 .

The air conditioner 110 includes an outdoor unit 10 having a compressor 11 provided with a heating means 16 and an indoor unit 20, similarly to the air conditioners 1 of Embodiments 1 and 2 shown in FIG. . On the other hand, the air conditioner 110 has a configuration in which the control device 30 in the air conditioner 1 of FIG. 1 does not have the function of performing sleep prevention control.

The management device 120 manages one or more air conditioners 110 connected to this management device 120 . In Embodiment 3, the management device 120 receives temperature data and air conditioning data from each air conditioner 110, and performs sleep prevention control on each air conditioner 110 based on the received temperature data and air conditioning data. .

The management device 120 has a control device 130 . The control device 130 has a function of sleep prevention control in the control device 30 shown in FIG. That is, control device 130 has the same configuration as control device 30 according to the first or second embodiment.

When the control device 130 has the same configuration as the control device 30 according to Embodiment 1, the control device 130 includes a data acquisition unit 31, a heat load learning unit 32, a sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit, as shown in FIG. It has a unit 33 , a device control unit 34 and a data holding unit 35 . Further, when the control device 130 has the same configuration as the control device 30 according to the second embodiment, the control device 130 includes a data acquisition unit 31, a heat load learning unit 32, a sleep prevention control start function, as shown in FIG. It has a timing estimation unit 33 , a device control unit 34 , a data storage unit 35 , an outside air temperature learning unit 36 and a sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37 .

As described above, in the air conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 3, the function of performing sleep prevention control of the air conditioning apparatus 1 described in Embodiments 1 and 2 is performed by the management apparatus 120 different from the air conditioning apparatus 110. It has a set configuration.

As described above, in the air conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 3, the management device 120 that manages one or a plurality of air conditioners 110 is provided with the control device 130 that performs sleep prevention control. Thus, as in the first and second embodiments, it is possible to suppress power consumption while compressor 11 in air conditioner 110 is out of operation. Further, in Embodiment 3, since the control device 130 is provided separately from the air conditioner 110, sleep prevention control can be performed even for an already installed air conditioner.

Reference Signs List 1, 110 air conditioner, 10 outdoor unit, 11 compressor, 12 refrigerant flow switching device, 13 outdoor heat exchanger, 14 expansion valve, 15 outdoor air temperature sensor, 16 heating means, 20 indoor unit, 21 indoor heat exchanger , 22 indoor temperature sensor, 30, 130 control device, 31 data acquisition unit, 32 heat load learning unit, 33 sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit, 34 device control unit, 35 data storage unit, 36 outside air temperature learning unit, 37 sleep Prevention control required time calculation unit 41 processing circuit 51 processor 52 memory 100 air conditioning system 120 management device.

Claims (9)

An air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit,
a heating means provided in the compressor for heating the refrigerant inside the compressor;
A control device that controls the heating means,
The control device is
a heat load learning unit that learns the heat load based on the temperature data and the air conditioning data;
a stagnation prevention control start timing estimating unit for estimating a stagnation prevention control start timing for starting stagnation prevention control for heating the compressor based on the heat load obtained by learning;
and a device control unit that controls the heating means so that the heating means performs the stagnation prevention control at the estimated stagnation prevention control start timing. an outside temperature sensor that detects outside temperature;
further comprising an indoor temperature sensor that detects the indoor temperature,
The control device is
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the detected outdoor air temperature and the detected indoor temperature are acquired as the temperature data. The control device is
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the operating frequency of the compressor is acquired as the air conditioning data. The control device is
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a set temperature set for said indoor unit is acquired as said air conditioning data. An air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit,
a heating means provided in the compressor for heating the refrigerant inside the compressor;
A control device that controls the heating means,
The control device is
an outside temperature learning unit that learns the outside temperature at a set time interval based on the current outside temperature;
a stagnation prevention control required time calculation unit that calculates a stagnation prevention control required time indicating the time required for stagnation prevention control for heating the compressor based on the outside air temperature obtained by learning;
A sleep prevention control start timing for starting the sleep prevention control is derived based on the set time and the sleep prevention control required time, and at the derived sleep prevention control start timing, only the calculated sleep prevention control required time is and a device control unit that controls the heating means so that the heating means performs the sleep prevention control. The heating means
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is a heater attached around the compressor. The heating means
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is an energization control device that controls energization to the compressor. one or more air conditioners comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit;
A management device that manages the one or more air conditioners,
The air conditioner is
A heating means provided in the compressor for heating the refrigerant inside the compressor,
The management device
Having a control device for controlling the heating means,
The control device is
a heat load learning unit that learns the heat load based on the temperature data and the air conditioning data;
a stagnation prevention control start timing estimating unit for estimating a stagnation prevention control start timing for starting stagnation prevention control for heating the compressor based on the heat load obtained by learning;
and a device control unit that controls the heating means so that the heating means performs the stagnation prevention control at the estimated stagnation prevention control start timing. one or more air conditioners comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit;
A management device that manages the one or more air conditioners,
The air conditioner is
A heating means provided in the compressor for heating the refrigerant inside the compressor,
The management device
Having a control device for controlling the heating means,
The control device is
an outside temperature learning unit that learns the outside temperature at a set time interval based on the current outside temperature;
a stagnation prevention control required time calculation unit that calculates a stagnation prevention control required time indicating the time required for stagnation prevention control for heating the compressor based on the outside air temperature obtained by learning;
A sleep prevention control start timing for starting the sleep prevention control is derived based on the set time and the sleep prevention control required time, and at the derived sleep prevention control start timing, only the calculated sleep prevention control required time is and a device control unit that controls the heating means so that the heating means performs the sleep prevention control.

Images