JPH05149610A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an air conditioner which can supply a required blast volume for each room rapidly at the time of starting operation or when the number of rooms to be air-conditioned is changed and, furthermore, prevents an excessive static pressure to reduce the noise level. CONSTITUTION:An indoor unit 2 is provided which blows out air conditioning air by the operation of an indoor fan 6, and a duct 10 is provided that runs from the indoor unit 2 to a plurality of rooms, A, B, C. This duct 10 has branch channels 11 that go to each room, and in each branch channel 11 a damper 13 for regulating the blast volume to each room is provided. And, from air conditioning load of each room a required blast volume for each room is sought, and according to the required blast volumes the degrees of openings of the dampers 13 are controlled. At the same time the volume of the blast to each room is detected, and the speed of the indoor fan is controlled by the increment of a specified value so as to bring the sum of respective blast volumes to the total sum of respective required blast volumes. However, at the time of starting operation or when the number of the loads of air conditioning changes, the speed of indoor fan is set at a specified value that corresponds to the total sum of respective required blast volumes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner which distributes and supplies air conditioning air to a plurality of rooms through ducts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a building having a plurality of rooms, an air conditioner of the type used to obtain cold air or warm air by operating a refrigeration cycle and a fan and supply the cold air or warm air to a plurality of rooms by a duct.

In this air conditioner, the duct has a plurality of branch passages, and a damper is provided in each of the branch passages. Then, the air-conditioning load of each room is obtained, the required air volumes corresponding to the air-conditioning loads are obtained, and the opening degree of each damper is controlled according to the required air volumes. Further, an air volume increase command or an air volume decrease command is issued according to the total required air volume, and the speed of the fan is controlled accordingly.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned air conditioner, an air volume increase command or an air volume decrease command is issued at fixed time intervals, and the fan speed is increased or decreased by a fixed value for each command. For this reason, there is a drawback in that it takes time to reach a state in which the required air volume is satisfied at the start of the operation in which the load fluctuation is severe. In order to cope with this, there is a method of fixing the speed of the fan to a preset value at the start of operation.

However, if the set speed is low, the required air volume cannot be obtained. On the contrary, if the set speed is high, there is a problem that excessive static pressure is generated when the required air volume is small, and noise is increased. Another situation in which the load changes drastically is when the number of air-conditioned rooms changes, which causes the same problem. This invention takes the above circumstances into consideration,

In any of the air conditioners of claims 1 to 4, when the operation is started or the number of air-conditioned rooms is changed, the required air volume of each room can be quickly satisfied, and excessive static pressure can be prevented. The purpose is to reduce noise.

[0007]

An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention has an indoor unit that blows out air-conditioning air by operating an indoor fan, and a branch path that leads to a plurality of rooms. A duct for distributing and supplying blowout air, a damper for adjusting the blowout air amount provided in each branch of this duct, a means for obtaining the air conditioning load of each room, and a required air volume for each room according to these air conditioning loads. A means for obtaining, a means for controlling the opening degree of each of the dampers according to the required air volume, a means for detecting the air volume of each of the branch passages, and a direction in which the total sum of the air volume becomes equal to the total sum of the necessary air volumes. Means for changing the speed of the indoor fan by a predetermined value,
And a means for setting the speed of the indoor fan to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of the required air volumes when the operation is started or the number of air-conditioned rooms changes.

An air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention has an indoor unit that blows out air-conditioning air by operating an indoor fan, and a branch path that leads to a plurality of rooms, and distributes and supplies the blown air of the indoor unit to each room. A duct, a damper for adjusting the air flow rate provided in each branch of the duct, a means for obtaining the air conditioning load of each room, a means for obtaining the necessary air volume of each room according to the air conditioning load, and these necessary Means for controlling the opening degree of each damper according to the air volume, an inverter for outputting drive power to the motor of the indoor fan, means for detecting the air volume of each branch passage, and the sum of these air volume is the above Means for changing the output frequency F of the inverter by a predetermined value in a direction equal to the total required air volume; and the output frequency F of the inverter when the operation is started or the number of air-conditioned rooms changes. And means for setting a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of required air volume.

An air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention has an indoor unit that blows out air-conditioning air by operating an indoor fan, and a branch passage that leads to a plurality of rooms, and distributes and supplies the blowing air of the indoor unit to each room. A duct, a damper for adjusting the air flow rate provided in each branch of the duct, a means for obtaining the air conditioning load of each room, a means for obtaining the necessary air volume of each room according to the air conditioning load, and these necessary Means for controlling the opening of each of the dampers according to the air volume, an inverter that outputs drive power to the motor of the indoor fan, means for detecting the air volume of each branch passage, and the sum of these air volumes and the above A means for calculating a required amount of change of the output frequency F of the inverter from the current state based on the difference from the total required air amount; And means for changing by N equal parts of the amount, when the start of operation or the air-conditioning room number changes, and means for setting a predetermined value corresponding to the output frequency F of the inverter to the sum of the respective required air volume.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner of the second or third aspect, the setting means calculates and sets a predetermined value from the sum of the required air volumes and the blowing characteristics of the indoor fan. To do.

[0011]

In the air conditioner of claim 1, the air conditioning load of each room is obtained, and the required air volume of each room is obtained from these air conditioning loads,
The opening of each damper is controlled according to these required air volumes. At the same time, the ventilation amount of each branch passage of the duct is detected, and the speed of the indoor fan is changed by a predetermined value in the direction in which the total amount of the ventilation amounts becomes equal to the total amount of the required air amounts. However, at the start of operation or when the number of air conditioning loads changes, the speed of the indoor fan is set to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of required air volumes.

In the air conditioner of the second aspect, the air conditioning load of each room is obtained, the required air volume of each room is obtained from these air conditioning loads, and the opening degree of each damper is controlled according to the required air volume. At the same time, the ventilation amount of each branch passage of the duct is detected, and the output frequency F of the inverter for driving the indoor fan is changed by a predetermined value in the direction in which the sum of the ventilation amounts becomes equal to the sum of the required air amounts. However, when the operation is started or the number of air conditioning loads changes, the output frequency F of the inverter is set to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of the required air volumes.

In the air conditioner of the third aspect, the air conditioning load of each room is obtained, the required air volume of each room is obtained from these air conditioning loads, and the opening degree of each damper is controlled according to the required air volume. At the same time, the ventilation amount of each branch passage of the duct is detected, and the required amount of change in the output frequency F of the inverter with respect to the current state is calculated from the difference between the total amount of these ventilation amounts and the total amount of the required air amounts. Then, the output frequency F of the inverter is changed over the required amount calculated above and by N equal parts of the required amount. However, when the operation is started or the number of air conditioning loads changes, the output frequency F of the inverter is set to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of the required air volumes.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner of the second or third aspect, the predetermined value of the output frequency F set at the start of operation or when the number of air conditioning loads changes is the sum of the required air volumes. And calculated from the blowing characteristics of the indoor fan.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This 1st Example respond | corresponds to the air conditioner of Claim 1 and Claim 2, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, there is a building 1 having a plurality of rooms A, B, C, and an indoor unit 2 is installed in the building 1.

The indoor unit 2 has an air inlet 3 and an air outlet 4, an indoor heat exchanger 5 is provided inside the air inlet 3, and an indoor fan 6 is provided inside the air outlet 4. .. That is, by operating the indoor fan 6, the indoor air is sucked into the unit from the air suction port 3 and is blown out of the unit from the air outlet 4 through the indoor heat exchanger 5.

The indoor unit 2 further includes an indoor fan 6
An outlet air temperature sensor 7 is provided in the vicinity of the outlet of the indoor fan 6, and an inverter 8 for driving the indoor fan 6 is provided. The inverter 8 rectifies the voltage of a commercial AC power supply (not shown), converts it into a voltage having a frequency according to a command from a controller 30 described later, and outputs the voltage.
This output becomes drive power for the motor of the indoor fan 6.
That is, the speed of the indoor fan 6 continuously changes according to the output frequency F of the inverter 8.

The duct 1 is installed in the air outlet 4 of the indoor unit 2.
Connect one end of 0. This duct 10 has an air outlet 4
The air-conditioning air blown out from the room is distributed and supplied to rooms A, B, and C.
It has 1 and 11. The branch paths 11, 11, 11 are connected to the air introduction ports of the A chamber, the B chamber, and the C chamber. Fork 1
An air volume control unit 12 is provided in each of 1, 11, and 11. The air volume control unit 12 has a damper 13 and an air volume sensor 14 for adjusting the blown air volume. A specific example is shown in FIG. The opening of the damper 13 continuously changes from zero (fully closed) to fully open by driving the motor 13M.

The air flow sensor 14 is composed of a propeller 14a which rotates by receiving ventilation and a detection element 14b which outputs a signal of a voltage level corresponding to the number of revolutions of the propeller 14a, and detects the air flow of the branch passage 11. Work as. Further, the outdoor unit 20 is installed outside the building 1, and the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 2 are connected to each other by a pair of pipes 15.
Connect with.

The outdoor unit 20 includes a variable capacity compressor 2
1, a four-way valve 22, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, an expansion valve 24, an outdoor fan 25, and an inverter 26. Then, the outdoor heat exchanger 2 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 21 via the four-way valve 22.
3 is connected, and the indoor heat exchanger 5 of the indoor unit 2 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 via one of the pipes 15. The suction port of the compressor 21 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 5 via the other side of the pipe 15 and the four-way valve 22. That is, the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 2 form a heat pump type refrigeration cycle.

The inverter 26 rectifies the voltage of a commercial AC power source (not shown) and controls it for a controller 30 which will be described later.
Is converted into a voltage having a frequency according to the command of and output. This output serves as drive power for the motor of the compressor 21. On the other hand, the indoor unit 2 is provided with the controller 30. A controller 40 is provided in each of the air volume control units 12, 12, 12.

The controller 30 comprises a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits. The controller 30 includes a blown air temperature sensor 7, an inverter 8, a remote control type operation device (hereinafter, abbreviated as a remote controller) 31, a four-way valve 22, a motor for an outdoor fan 25, an inverter 26, controllers 40, 40 ,. 40 is connected. The remote controller 31 is for setting operating conditions such as an operation mode (cooling / heating), blown air temperature, and operation / stop.

The controllers 40, 40, 40 are composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits. This controller 4
0, 40, 40, the air flow sensor 14 and the remote controller 41
Connect each. These remote controllers 41 are provided with an indoor temperature sensor 42 for detecting the indoor temperature in addition to the function of instructing start / stop of operation and the function of setting the indoor temperature. The controller 40 has the following functional means. (1) Detected temperature (indoor temperature) Ta of the indoor temperature sensor 42 in the remote controller 41 and set temperature Ts of the remote controller 41
Means for obtaining the difference ΔT from the air-conditioning load. (2) A means for calculating and obtaining the required air volume Wn of the corresponding room from the obtained air conditioning load ΔT. (3) A means for calculating and obtaining the opening degree of the damper 13 from the required air volume Wn. (4) Means for driving the damper 13 so that the obtained opening is obtained. (5) A means for informing the controller 30 of the required air volume Wn thus obtained. (6) Based on the output of the air volume sensor 14, the corresponding branch path 1
Means for detecting the ventilation amount Wa of 1. (7) A means for notifying the controller 30 of the detected air flow amount Wa. The controller 30 includes the following functional means.

(1) Operate the compressor 21 (drive the inverter 26) and the outdoor fan 25 according to the operation of the remote controller 31.
Means for controlling the operation of, the switching of the four-way valve 22, and the operation of the indoor fan 6 (drive of the inverter 8). (2) A means for obtaining the difference between the set air temperature of the remote controller 31 and the temperature detected by the air temperature sensor 7 as the air conditioning load. (3) A means for controlling the capacity of the compressor 21 (that is, the output frequency of the inverter 26) according to the obtained air conditioning load. (4) Means for obtaining the total sum Wno, Wao of the required air volume Wn and the air flow volume Wa notified from the respective controllers 40.

(5) The speed of the indoor fan 6 (that is, the output frequency F of the inverter 8) is set to a predetermined value (for example, ΔF =) in the direction in which the total air flow amount Wao becomes equal to the total air flow amount Wno.
0.1Hz) step by step.

(6) At the start of operation, the speed of the indoor fan 6 (that is, the output frequency F of the inverter 8) is set to the total required air volume Wno based on the frequency setting conditions stored in advance.
Means for setting a predetermined value corresponding to. Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. It is assumed that a cooling or heating operation mode is selected by the remote controller 31, a desired blowout air temperature is set, and an operation start operation is performed.

Then, the operation of the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 2 is started, and cool air or warm air is blown out from the air outlet 4 of the indoor unit 2. The blown air is distributed and supplied to the A chamber, the B chamber, and the C chamber by the duct 10.

At this time, the air temperature of the indoor unit 2 is detected by the air temperature sensor 7, and the difference between the detected temperature and the air temperature set by the remote controller 31 is obtained as an air conditioning load. Then, the capacity of the compressor 21, that is, the output frequency of the inverter 26 is controlled according to the obtained air conditioning load, and the blown air temperature changes toward the set temperature. On the other hand, the controllers 40, 40, 40 execute the control shown in FIG.

The detected temperature (indoor temperature) Ta of the indoor temperature sensor 42 provided in the remote controller 41 and the remote controller 41 are the same.
The difference ΔT from the set temperature Ts of is calculated as the air conditioning load (step 101). The required air volume Wn of the corresponding room is calculated and obtained from the air conditioning load ΔT (step 102), and the required air volume Wn is notified to the controller 30 (step S103). The opening degree of the damper 13 is calculated from the required air volume Wn (step 104), and the damper 13 is driven to reach the opening degree (step 105). Based on the output of the air flow sensor 14, the air flow amount Wa of the corresponding branch passage 11 is detected (step 106).
), And informs the controller 30 of the ventilation amount Wa (step 107). The controller 30 executes the control shown in FIG.
First, the total sum Wno of the required air volumes Wn notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 201). It is determined whether the operation is started at the start of operation (step 202).

If the operation is started at the start of operation (step 202)
YES), the starting output frequency Fs for starting the indoor fan 6 is obtained from the frequency setting conditions and the total sum Wno of the required air volumes Wn shown in Table 1 below (step 203). Then, the output frequency F of the inverter 8 is actually set to Fs (step 204).

[0031]

[Table 1]

That is, the total required air volume Wno is 0 to 1000 m ³
If the output frequency Fs is in the range of / h,
Set 15Hz. Total required air volume Wno is 1001 to 2000m ³ /
When it is in the range of h, the output frequency Fs for starting is 20
Set Hz.

When the start-up is completed, the total sum Wao of the ventilation amount Wa notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 205).
). It is determined whether or not this total ventilation amount Wao has reached the same value as the required total air amount Wno or more (step
206). If the total air flow amount Wao does not reach the required total air amount Wno, the output frequency F at that time is changed by one step ΔF.
It is increased by (= 0.1 Hz) (step 207).

Even if the total ventilation amount Wao reaches the total required air amount Wno, if the total ventilation amount Wao does not fall within the stable range within a certain range (NO in step 208), the output frequency F at that time is set to one step. ΔF (= 0.1 Hz) is reduced (step 209).

As described above, the speed of the indoor fan 6 is increased or decreased by a predetermined value according to the total required air volume Wno during operation, but the speed of the indoor fan 6 corresponds to the total required air volume Wno at the start of operation when the load change is severe. By forcibly setting it to a predetermined value, it is possible to ensure good followability of the air volume.
That is, it is possible to quickly reach a state in which the required air volumes of the rooms A, B, and C can be satisfied. Further, noise can be reduced without causing excessive static pressure. An example of the relationship between the output frequency change and the air flow rate change at the start of operation is shown in FIG. 5, and the required air flow rate is satisfied within a short time of about 2 minutes.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This 2nd Example respond | corresponds to the air conditioner of Claim 4. Here, the functional means of the following (8) is added as the functional means of the controller 40. (8) Start of driving based on operation of remote controller 41 /
Means to notify controller 30 of a stop. Further, among the functional means of the controller 30, the functional means of (6) is different.

(6) When the operation is started and the number of air-conditioned rooms changes, the speed of the indoor fan 6 (that is, the output frequency F of the inverter 8) is calculated and set from the total required air volume Wno and the blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6. Means to do. The operation will be described. The controller 30 executes the control shown in FIG. First, the total sum Wno of the required air volumes Wn notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 301).

It is determined whether the operation is started at the start of operation (step 302). If it is not started, it is determined whether or not the number of air-conditioned rooms has changed based on the notification from the controller 40 (step 303).

At startup (YES in step 302) or when the number of air-conditioned rooms increases or decreases (YES in step 303)
), The output frequency F suitable for the operation of the indoor fan 6 is calculated and set from the total sum Wno of the required air volumes Wn and the blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6 stored in the internal memory (step
304).

The blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6 are the maximum air volume Wmax of the indoor fan 6 and the maximum output frequency Fm of the inverter 8.
It is the condition of the following formula that exists between ax and the coefficient α is the controller 3
0 is stored in the internal memory. Wmax = αFmax Then, the output frequency F is calculated by the calculation of the following equation using the coefficient α and the total required air volume Wno. F = Wno / α

When the start-up is completed, or when the number of air-conditioned rooms is increased or decreased, the total sum Wao of the ventilation amount Wa notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 305). It is determined whether or not the total air flow amount Wao reaches or exceeds the total air flow amount total Wno (step 306). If the total air flow amount Wao has not reached the required total air amount Wno, the output frequency F at that time is increased by ΔF (= 0.1 Hz) of one step (step 307).

Even if the total ventilation amount Wao reaches the required total air amount Wno, if the total ventilation amount Wao is not within the stable range within a certain range (NO in step 308), the output frequency F at that time is set to one step. By ΔF (= 0.1 Hz) (step 309).

As described above, the speed of the indoor fan 6 is increased or decreased by a predetermined value in accordance with the total required air volume Wno during operation, but the indoor fan 6 is appropriate when the operation is started with a sharp load change or when the number of air-conditioned rooms changes. It is possible to secure good followability of the air volume by calculating and forcibly setting the appropriate speed from the total required air volume Wno and the blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6.
That is, it is possible to quickly reach a state in which the required air volumes of the rooms A, B, and C can be satisfied. Further, noise can be reduced without causing excessive static pressure. A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. This third embodiment also corresponds to the air conditioner of claim 4, but the method of calculating the output frequency F is different from that of the third embodiment. That is, the controller 30 executes the control shown in FIG. 7. First, the total sum Wno of the required air volumes Wn notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 401).

It is determined whether the operation is started at the start of operation (step 402). If it is not started, it is determined whether the number of air-conditioned rooms has changed or not based on the notification from the controller 40 (step 403).

At startup (YES in step 402) or when the number of air-conditioned rooms increases or decreases (YES in step 403)
), The output frequency F suitable for the operation of the indoor fan 6 is calculated and set from the total sum Wno of the required air volumes Wn and the blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6 stored in the internal memory (step
404).

The blowing characteristic of the indoor fan 6 is the external static pressure =
0 is the condition of the following equation existing between the air volume Wo of the indoor fan 6 and the output frequency Fo of the inverter 8, and the coefficient α
o is stored in the internal memory of the controller 30. Wo = αo · Fo Then, the following equation is executed by the coefficient αo, an average correction coefficient αi described later, and the required total air volume Wno to calculate the output frequency F. F = Wno ・ (αi / αo)

When the start-up is completed, or when the number of air-conditioned rooms is increased or decreased, the total sum Wao of the ventilation amount Wa notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 405). It is determined whether or not the total air flow amount Wao reaches or exceeds the total air flow amount total Wno (step 406). If the total ventilation amount Wao has not reached the required total air amount Wno, the output frequency F at that time is increased by ΔF (= 0.1 Hz) of one step (step 407).

Even if the total air flow amount Wao reaches the required total air flow amount Wno, if the total air flow amount Wao is not within the stable range within a certain range (NO in step 408), the output frequency F at that time is set to one step. ΔF (= 0.1 Hz) is reduced (step 409).

When the total air flow amount Wao falls within the stable range (YES in step 408), the estimated total air flow amount Wao 'is obtained from the coefficient αo and the current output frequency F (step 410). Wao '= αo · F Estimated value of total air flow amount Wao' and actual total air flow amount Wao
Then, the correction coefficient α is obtained from the above (step 411). α = Wao '/ Wao

The correction coefficient α is integrated and stored in the internal memory (step 412). Obtain the average value αi of these integrated values,
The average correction coefficient is stored in the internal memory (step 413).

As described above, the speed of the indoor fan 6 is increased or decreased by a predetermined value according to the total required air volume Wno during operation, but the indoor fan 6 is appropriate when the operation starts due to heavy load fluctuations or when the number of air-conditioned rooms changes. It is possible to secure good followability of the air volume by calculating and forcibly setting the appropriate speed from the total required air volume Wno and the blowing characteristics of the indoor fan 6.
That is, it is possible to quickly reach a state in which the required air volumes of the rooms A, B, and C can be satisfied. Further, noise can be reduced without causing excessive static pressure.

Moreover, since the correction coefficient α is sequentially obtained and the output frequency F is set, it is possible to always set the optimum air flow rate without being affected by the difference in the installation condition on the site and the difference in the duct resistance. it can. A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fourth embodiment corresponds to the air conditioner of claim 3. Here, the controller 3 in the first embodiment is used.
Of the 0 functional means, the following (5a) and (5b) functional means are provided in place of the (5) functional means.

(5a) A means for calculating the required amount ΔF _{1 of the} change of the output frequency F of the inverter 8 from the present condition from the difference ΔW (= Wno-Wao) between the total sum Wno of the required air flows and the total sum Wao of the ventilation amounts. (5b) A means for changing the output frequency F of the inverter 8 by the required amount ΔF ₁ and by N equal parts of the required amount ΔF ₁ . Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. The operation will be described. The controller 30 executes the control shown in FIG. First, the total sum Wno of the required air volumes Wn notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 501). It is determined whether the operation is started at the start of operation (step 502).

If the start-up is at the start of operation (step 502)
YES) of the indoor fan 6 from the frequency setting conditions and the total Wno of the required air volumes Wn in Table 1 which are stored in advance.
The output frequency Fs for start-up is calculated (step 503). Then, the output frequency F of the inverter 8 is actually set to Fs (step 504). When the start-up is completed, the total sum Wao of the ventilation amount Wa notified from each controller 40 is obtained (step 505). There is the following equation between the total ventilation amount Wao and the output frequency F at the present time. Wao = α ・ F

Based on this, the required amount ΔF _{1 of} change of the output frequency F of the inverter 8 with respect to the current state is calculated from the difference ΔW (= Wno-Wao) between the total required air amount Wno and the total ventilation amount Wao (step 506). .. ΔF ₁ = F / Wao · ΔW

The internal timer is used to start the time count t, and each time the time count t reaches the fixed time t ₁ , the output frequency F of the inverter 8 is set to the above required amount ΔF ₁
And the required amount ΔF ₁ is changed by N equal steps (steps 507 to 513). The time required to complete the change in the required amount ΔF ₁ corresponds to the product of t ₁ and N. An example of the relationship between the air volume and the output frequency F is shown in FIG. 9, in which the air volume changes more gently than the conventional one shown by the broken line.
You can improve comfort.

That is, in the case where the output frequency F is changed all at once in the required amount as in the conventional case, the damper 1
The change in the opening of No. 3 cannot follow and the air volume changes greatly. However, in the case where the output frequency F is changed by N equal parts of the required amount as in the present embodiment, the change in the opening of the damper 13 can be tracked. It becomes easier and the air volume can be changed gently.

Moreover, since the speed of the indoor fan 6 is forcibly set to a predetermined value corresponding to the required total air volume Wno at the start of operation, good air volume followability is achieved as in the first embodiment. Of course, it can be secured. In each of the above embodiments, the case where the number of rooms is three has been described as an example, but the number of rooms is not limited.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,

In any of the air conditioners of claims 1 to 4, when the operation is started or the number of air-conditioned rooms is changed, the speed of the indoor fan, that is, the output frequency of the inverter is set to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of the required air volume of each room. Since it is set to a value, it is possible to quickly satisfy the required air volume in each room,
Moreover, excessive static pressure can be prevented and noise can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of first to fourth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of an air volume control unit in each embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each controller 40 in each embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the controller 30 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between an output frequency change and an air volume change in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the controller 30 in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the controller 30 in the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the controller 30 in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the air volume and the output frequency F in the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

A, B, C ... Room, 2 ... Indoor unit, 6 ... Indoor fan, 13 ... Damper, 14 ... Air volume sensor, 30 ... Controller,
40 ... Controller.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Nakama 336 Tatehara, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture Toshiba Corporation Fuji Factory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An indoor unit that blows out air-conditioning air by operating an indoor fan, a duct that has a branch path toward a plurality of rooms, and distributes and supplies the blown air of the indoor unit to each room, and each of these ducts. A damper for adjusting the amount of blown air provided in the branch passage, and means for obtaining the air conditioning load of each room,
A means for obtaining a required air flow rate for each room according to these air conditioning loads, a means for controlling the opening degree of each damper according to these required air flow rates, and a means for detecting the air flow rate of the respective branch passages,
Means for changing the speed of the indoor fan by a predetermined value in the direction in which the total of the ventilation volumes becomes equal to the total of the required air volumes, and the speed of the indoor fan when the operation starts or when the number of air-conditioned rooms changes. An air conditioner comprising: means for setting a predetermined value corresponding to the total required air volume. 2. An indoor unit that blows out air-conditioning air by operating an indoor fan, a duct that has a branch passage toward a plurality of rooms, and distributes and supplies the blown air of the indoor unit to each room, and each of the ducts. A damper for adjusting the amount of blown air provided in the branch passage, and means for obtaining the air conditioning load of each room,
Means for obtaining the required air volume of each room according to these air conditioning loads, means for controlling the opening of each damper according to these required air volumes, an inverter that outputs drive power to the motor of the indoor fan, and each branch Means for detecting the air flow rate of the road; means for changing the output frequency F of the inverter by a predetermined value in the direction in which the sum of these air flow rates becomes equal to the sum of the required air flow rates; And a means for setting the output frequency F of the inverter to a predetermined value corresponding to the sum of the required air volumes when the air conditioner changes. 3. An indoor unit that blows out air-conditioning air by operating an indoor fan, a duct that has a branch path toward a plurality of rooms, and distributes and supplies the blown air of the indoor unit to each room, and each of the ducts. A damper for adjusting the amount of blown air provided in the branch passage, and means for obtaining the air conditioning load of each room,
Means for obtaining the required air volume of each room according to these air conditioning loads, means for controlling the opening of each damper according to these required air volumes, an inverter that outputs drive power to the motor of the indoor fan, and each branch Means for detecting the amount of ventilation of the road; means for calculating the required amount of change in the output frequency F of the inverter from the current state based on the difference between the sum of these ventilation amounts and the sum of the required air amounts; and the output frequency of the inverter. Means for changing F by the calculated required amount and by N equal parts of the required amount, and output frequency F of the inverter corresponding to the sum of the required air amounts at the start of operation or when the number of air-conditioned rooms changes. An air conditioner comprising means for setting a predetermined value. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the setting means calculates and sets a predetermined value from the sum of required air volumes and the blowing characteristics of the indoor fan.