JPH06129692A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To interlock an operation of a humidifier between indoor units for an air conditioner in which humidifiers and humidification controllers can be connected and which has a plurality of indoor units to be group-controlled by a remote control transmission line. CONSTITUTION:The air conditioner comprises a solenoid relay 4 so operated as to switch ON/OFF of power supply to a humidifier 2, an operation detector 6 for detecting an operation signal (a) of a humidifier controller, and a controller 7 for controlling an operation of the relay 4 in response to a detection signal (d) of the detector 6, outputting an interlock signal (r) and controlling the operation of the relay 4 in response to the signal (r) when the signal (r) is inputted, and communicates the signal (r) between the controllers 7 of the respective units 1 via a transmission line 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to a mechanism for interlocking operations of humidifiers connected to a plurality of indoor units that are group-controlled in the same room.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-51129, a humidifier is provided to supply an appropriate conditioned air (generally warm air). There is an air conditioner.

Further, in an air conditioner having a plurality of indoor units that are group-controlled, a humidifier for supplying humidification to each indoor unit and a humidifier for humidifying the indoor units according to the atmospheric humidity of the indoor units. It is known that each is connected to a humidity controller for performing an operation.

[0004]

With the above-mentioned plurality of indoor units, when each indoor unit is installed in a different room, the humidifier can be controlled according to the humidity in each room.

However, when a plurality of indoor units are installed in a relatively large room, even though the humidification controllers are slightly different from each other even in the same room depending on the installation location, the humidification controllers are simultaneously operated. Since it rarely operates, the operation of the humidifier varies, and the humidification efficiency of the entire air conditioner decreases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to interlock the operation of a humidifier among a plurality of indoor units.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention of claim 1, a signal according to the operation of the humidification controller is transmitted between indoor units by using a transmission line for remote operation. I tried to send and receive.

Specifically, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, each of a plurality of indoor units (1) connected to each other by a transmission line (8) for remote operation is supplied with electric power to perform a humidifying operation. Connection terminal (3a) connectable to the humidifier (2)
And the humidifier (2) through the connection terminal (3a)
It is connectable to a power supply circuit (3) for supplying power to the vehicle, a switch means (4) that operates to switch the power supply circuit (3) on and off, and a humidification controller (5) that operates according to ambient humidity. It has a connection terminal (6a), and the actuation signal (a) of the humidification controller (5) via the connection terminal (6a).
And an operation detector (6) for detecting
Receiving the output of the operation detecting section (6), the operation of the switch means (4) is controlled according to the detection signal (d) of the operation detecting section (6) and the interlocking signal (r) is output, while the input interlocking signal (r) Control unit (7) for controlling the operation of the switch means (4) according to
And. The control units (7) of the indoor units (1) are configured to transmit and receive the interlocking signal (r) via the transmission line (8).

According to the second aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of indoor units (1) has a connection terminal (3a) connected to a humidifier (2) which is supplied with power to perform a humidifying operation. Then, a power supply circuit (3) for supplying power to the humidifier (2) through the connection terminal (3a) and a switch means (4) that operates to switch the power supply circuit (3) on and off.
And a connection terminal (6a) connectable to a humidification controller (5) that operates according to the atmospheric humidity, and the connection terminal (6a)
Detects the actuation signal (a) of the humidification controller (5) via
An operation detector (6) for controlling the operation of the switch means (4) according to the operation signal (a) is provided. Then, the connection terminals (6a) of the operation detecting section (6) in each of the indoor units (1) are electrically connected to each other by a crossover wire (9), and the operation signal (a) is generated through the crossover wire (9). ) Is configured to be transmitted and received.

In the invention of claim 3, the above-mentioned claim 1 or 2
In the invention of claim 1, the humidification controller (5) is connected to the connection terminals (6a) of the operation detecting portions (6) in all the indoor units (1).
And the humidifier (2) is connected to the connection terminal (3a) of the power supply circuit (3) in some of the indoor units (1).

In the invention of claim 4, the above-mentioned claim 1 or 2
In the invention of claim 1, the humidification controller (5) is connected to the connection terminal (6a) of the operation detecting section (6) in some of the indoor units (1).
And the humidifier (2) is connected to the connection terminals (3a) of the power supply circuits (3) in all the indoor units (1).

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in any indoor unit (1), the connection terminal (6a) is connected to the operation detecting section (6).
When the humidification controller (5) connected via the switch operates according to the atmospheric humidity of the humidification controller (5), the operation signal (a) is detected by the operation detection unit (6), and the operation detection unit (6) is detected. The detection signal (d) corresponding to the operation signal (a) is output by (6), and the detection signal (d) is output to the control unit (7).
Entered in. In the control section (7), the detection signal (d)
The operation of the switch means (4) is controlled accordingly. The operation of the switch means (4) switches ON / OFF of the power supply circuit (3). For example, when the humidification controller (5) outputs an operation signal (a) that is ON in response to a decrease in atmospheric humidity,
The operation detection unit (6) outputs an ON detection signal (d), and the control unit (7) turns ON the switch means (4) to turn on the power feeding circuit (3), and the power feeding circuit (3).
The humidifier (2) connected to the connection terminal (3a) is fed with power to perform the humidifying operation. Further, the control section (7) outputs an interlocking signal (r) corresponding to the detection signal (d).

At this time, in the other indoor unit (1),
The interlocking signal (r) from the indoor unit (1) passes through the transmission line (8) and the control unit (7) of each indoor unit (1).
Are input respectively. For example, when the interlocking signal (r) is on, each control unit (7) turns on each switch means (4), and each power supply circuit (3) is turned on by this on operation, and each humidifier. In (2), power is supplied to perform a humidifying operation. As a result, when one of the humidifier controllers (5) connected to each indoor unit (1) is turned on, all the humidifiers (2) connected to each indoor unit (1) are simultaneously activated. Perform humidifying operation.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in the indoor unit (1) in which the humidification controller (5) is operated, the humidification controller (5) is provided.
When the actuates, the actuation signal (a) sends an actuation detection circuit (6)
The detection signal (d) corresponding to the operation signal (a) is output by the operation detection circuit (6). Then, based on this detection signal (d), the switch means (4)
Is controlled, and this operation switches on / off of the power supply circuit (3).

At this time, in the other indoor unit (1),
The operation signal (a) from the indoor unit (1) passes through the crossover line (7) and the operation detecting section (6) of each indoor unit (1).
To the operation detecting section (6) via the connection terminal (6a). For example, when an ON operation signal (a) is input, each operation detection unit (5) detects the operation signal (a) and controls each switch means (4) to ON operation based on the detected operation signal (a). Then, each power supply circuit (3) is turned on, and each humidifier (2) is supplied with power to perform a humidifying operation.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the humidification connected to some of the indoor units (1) is based on the operation of each of the humidification controllers (5) connected to all the indoor units (1). Since the operation of the humidifier (2) is controlled, for example, local humidification by a small number of humidifiers (2) can be performed based on the atmospheric humidity at a large number of places where the humidification controllers (5) are located in the same room. Done.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the humidifiers (5) connected to all the indoor units (1) are operated based on the operation of the humidification controller (5) connected to some of the indoor units (1). Since the operation of 2) is controlled, for example, the overall humidification by the multiple humidifiers (2) is simultaneously performed based on the atmospheric humidity in a small number of places where the humidification controllers (5) are located in the same room. Done.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) In Embodiment 1, the humidifier (2) shown in FIG. 2 is of a natural evaporation type, and the humidifier (2) is embedded in a plurality of ceilings which are group-controlled in the same room. It is integrated into all of the indoor units (1) of the mold. The indoor unit (1) is of a two-way blow-off cassette type, and has a casing (2
A suction port (29) is opened at the center of the lower surface of 8), and a blowout port (30) is opened on both sides of the suction port (29) so as to be substantially flush with the ceiling surface (31). A fan (32) is arranged in the center of the casing (28), and heat exchangers (33) are arranged on both sides of the fan (32). The humidifier (2) is arranged beside the heat exchanger (33) on one side, and the fan (3) is provided.
2) through the suction port (29) by the casing (2
8) After heating or cooling the indoor air sucked into the heat exchanger (33), it is humidified by the humidifier (2) until it reaches the air outlet (30), so that an appropriate conditioned air is obtained. It is configured to blow out indoors.

In the humidifier (2), a large number of water-absorbing elements (21) obtained by solidifying fibers on a thin plate are arranged side by side so as to overlap in the horizontal direction. A water supply pipe (24) for supplying water to the element (21) is arranged in the horizontal direction so as to be orthogonal to each element (21). The base of the water supply pipe (24) is provided with an on / off switching type solenoid valve (23) which is energized to perform predetermined water flow to the water supply pipe (24). A drain pan (26) is arranged below the element (21).

FIG. 1 shows a control system for the humidifier (2). Each indoor unit (1) has its control section (7) connected to each other by a transmission line (8) for remote operation. A connection adapter (10) for connecting the humidifier (2) and the humidification controller (5) is provided. A power supply circuit (3) for supplying power to the solenoid valve (23) of the humidifier (2) to cause the humidifier (2) to perform a humidifying operation, and the power supply circuit (10). A switch circuit (11) for switching on and off of (3), and the switch circuit (1)
Detection signal (d) used when controlling energization to 1)
And an operation detector (6) for outputting still,
In this embodiment, the humidification controller (5) is connected to only one indoor unit (1). Also, in the figure, (8a)
Is an operation unit for remote operation connected to the transmission line (8).

The power supply circuit (3) is connected to the R phase line and the S phase line as a power source on one side through the control section (7) of the indoor unit (1), and the humidifier on the other side. A pair of connection terminals (3a) for connecting (2),
(3a) is provided. Also, this power supply circuit (3)
Is provided with a normally open contact (4a) in an electromagnetic relay (4) as a switching means described below.

The switch circuit (11) has an electromagnetic coil (4b) of the electromagnetic relay (4) which operates so as to switch the power supply circuit (3) on and off, and by exciting the coil (4b), The normally open contact (4a) is closed to turn on the power supply circuit (3).

The operation detecting section (6) is a light emitting circuit (12).
And a light receiving circuit (13), and both circuits (12), (1
A photocoupler (14) is arranged at the opposite portion of 3). The light emitting circuit (12) is a light emitting element (14a).
One end is connected to the R-phase line side of the normally open contact (4a) in the power supply circuit (3), and the other end is connected to the humidification controller (5). (6a)
Is provided. In this embodiment, the connection terminal (3a) on the S phase line side of the power supply circuit (3) is also used as the other connection terminal for connecting the humidification controller (5). When the humidification controller (5) is turned on, a current flows through the light emitting circuit (12) so that the light emitting element (14a) emits light.

On the other hand, the light receiving circuit (13) has a light receiving element (14b) made of a photoconductive element, and a predetermined voltage is always applied. When the light receiving element (14b) receives the light emitted from the light emitting element (14a), a current flows in the light receiving circuit (13), and a change in this current is output as a detection signal (d). There is. Further, the light receiving circuit (13) has an interlocking selection switch (15) connected in parallel with the light receiving element (14b), and the humidification between the indoor units (1) is performed by turning on / off the switch (15). The operation interlocking mode and the non-interlocking mode can be switched. That is, in the interlocking mode in which the switch (15) is off, a current flows through the light receiving circuit (13) only when the light receiving element (14b) receives light to turn on the detection signal (d), while in the on non-interlocking mode. Regardless of the presence or absence of light reception in the light receiving element (14b), current always flows and the detection signal (d) is kept in the ON state.

As a feature of the present invention, the control unit (7) of each indoor unit (1) basically has the above light receiving circuit (1).
3), the energization of the switch circuit (11) is controlled according to the detection signal (d) of the light receiving circuit (13), and another indoor unit (through the transmission line (8) ( The detection signal (d) is sent to the control unit (7) in 1).
The interlocking signal (r) corresponding to the above is output, while the interlocking signal (r) output from the control unit (7) of the other indoor unit (1) is transmitted through the transmission line (8).
The power is supplied to the switch circuit (11) according to the interlocking signal (r).
That is, the control unit (7) energizes the switch circuit (11) when the detection signal (d) of the light receiving circuit (13) is ON and outputs the ON interlocking signal (r), while the ON interlocking signal is output. When (r) is input, the switch circuit (1
Energize 1) to turn on the electromagnetic relay (4).
In this embodiment, the control unit (7) sends the switch circuit (11) according to the ON detection signal (d) or the interlocking signal (r) only when the indoor unit (1) is in the thermo-ON state. Is configured to be energized.

The control processing of the humidification interlocking in the control unit (7) to which the humidification controller (5) is connected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, the detection signal (d) output from the light receiving circuit (13) of the operation detector (6) is input, and the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, it is determined whether the detection signal (d) is on. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S3,
If the determination is NO, the process ends. Step S above
At 3, the switch circuit (11) is energized to turn on the electromagnetic relay (4) and the power supply circuit (3) is turned on.
Then, in step S4, an interlocking signal (r) of ON is output.

On the other hand, the humidification interlocking control processing in the control section (7) to which the humidification controller (5) is not connected is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S′1, the interlocking signal (r) output from the controller (7) of the indoor unit (1) to which the humidification controller (5) is connected is input, and the process proceeds to step S′2. In step S'2, it is determined whether the interlocking signal (r) is on. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S'3, while if the determination is NO, the process ends. In the step S'3, the switch circuit (11) is energized and the electromagnetic relay (4) is turned on.
To turn on the power supply circuit (3).

In the air conditioner configured as described above, the indoor unit (1) to which the humidification controller (5) is connected
In the above, in the humidification controller (5), for example, when the atmospheric humidity decreases to 80% or less, the on-operation signal (a)
Is output, the light emitting element (14a) of the light emitting circuit (12) emits light and the light receiving element (14b) of the facing light receiving circuit (13) receives the light. The light receiving circuit (13) outputs an ON detection signal (d) when the light receiving element (14b) receives light, and the detection signal (d) is input to the control unit (7) of the indoor unit (1).

The control section (7) detects the detection signal (d).
Based on the above, the switch circuit (11) is energized to excite the electromagnetic coil (4b). By this excitation, the normally open contact (4a) of the power supply circuit (3) is closed, and the power supply circuit (3) is turned on. As a result, the connection terminal (3
The humidifier (2) connected via a) is supplied with power and performs a humidifying operation. Further, the control section (7) outputs an ON interlocking signal (r) based on the detection signal (d).

At this time, in the other indoor unit (1),
Interlocking signal (r) output from the indoor unit (1)
Is input to the control unit (7) of each indoor unit (1) via the transmission line (8). Then, each control unit (7) turns on each electromagnetic relay (4), and each power supply circuit (3) is turned on by this on operation, and each humidifier (2) is supplied with power to perform the humidifying operation. To do. As a result, when one humidification controller (5) is turned on, all the humidifiers (2) connected to each indoor unit (1) start the humidification operation all at once.

On the other hand, when the operation signal (a) of the humidification controller (5) is turned off in response to the increase of the atmospheric humidity, the indoor unit (1) connected to the humidification controller (5) receives light. The detection signal (d) of the circuit (13) is turned off and input to the control unit (7), and the control unit (7) stops energizing the switch circuit (11) based on the detection signal (d). And an interlocking signal (r) that is turned off is output.
On the other hand, in the other indoor unit (1), the interlocking signal (r)
Is input to the control circuit (7), the switch circuit (1
The energization to 1) is stopped and the electromagnetic relay (4) is turned off. As a result, all the humidifiers (2) simultaneously stop the humidifying operation.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, since all the humidifiers (2) start the humidifying operation all at once, the room in which these indoor units (1) are installed is shortened as a whole. It can be humidified for a long time and exhibits high humidification efficiency. Further, since it is possible to cause all the humidifiers (2) to perform the same operation by one humidification controller (5), when it is not necessary to shorten the humidification time, the overall humidification capacity in the room is reduced. Without doing so, the capacity of each humidifier (2) can be made smaller than the conventional one, and the indoor unit (1) can be made compact. Furthermore, since the humidification controller (5) only needs to be connected to one indoor unit (1), the humidification controller (5) connected to another indoor unit (1) is unnecessary, and air conditioning This can contribute to cost reduction of the device.

When the humidifiers need not be interlocked and the humidifiers (2) of the indoor units (1) are operated independently of each other, the interlocking selection switch (15) is turned on. The normally open contact (4b) of the relay (4) is fixed to the normally-on state, and the humidification controller (5) is connected to the power supply circuit (3).
It may be connected to the humidifier (2) in series.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

As a feature of the present invention, each indoor unit (1) has a light emitting circuit (12) in the operation detecting section (6).
One crossover wire (9) wired between the connection terminals (6a) of
This allows the humidification controller (5) between the light emitting circuits (12).
Are electrically connected to each other so that the operation signal (d) can be transmitted and received. A humidifier (2) is connected to all the indoor units (1), and a humidification controller (5) is connected to one indoor unit (1), and the control unit (7) is connected to the operation detection unit ( The output of the light receiving circuit (13) in 6) is received, and the energization to the switch circuit (11) is controlled according to the detection signal (d) of the light receiving circuit (13).

In the air conditioner configured as described above, the indoor unit (1) to which the humidification controller (5) is connected
When the humidification controller (5) outputs the on-operation signal (a) at, the humidifier (2) of the indoor unit (1) performs a humidifying operation. The control during this period is the same as in the first embodiment.

At this time, in the other indoor unit (1) to which the humidification controller (5) is not connected, the operation signal (a) output from the indoor unit (1) is one crossover wire (9). Through the light emitting circuit (12) of each indoor unit (1)
Is input via the connection terminal (6a) of the light emitting circuit (12). For example, when the ON operation signal (a) is input, each light emitting circuit (12) causes each light emitting element (14a) to emit light, so that in the light receiving circuit (13), each light receiving element (14b) receives all light. Then, the ON detection signal (d) is output to each control unit (7). In each control unit (7), each switch circuit (11) is energized in response to the detection signal (d), each electromagnetic relay (4) is turned on, and each power supply circuit (3) operates in each humidifier. Let (2) perform the humidifying operation.
As a result, as in the first embodiment, one humidification controller (5) is turned on, so that all of the humidifiers (2) connected to each indoor unit (1) are simultaneously humidified. Start.

In each of the above embodiments, the humidifier (2) is connected to all the indoor units (1) which form the group,
And only one indoor unit (1) humidification controller (5)
However, it is also possible to connect a humidifier to some of the indoor units and connect the humidification controller to all of the indoor units that make up the group.

In the above embodiment, the natural evaporation type humidifier (2) is used, but other types of humidifiers such as ultrasonic type may be used.

[0041]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1 or 2, each of the indoor units is connected to each of the indoor units based on the humidification controller connected to each of the plurality of indoor units forming the group. By making all the humidifiers work, it is possible to make all the humidifiers perform the humidifying operation all at once by the operation of the humidification controller located in the place where the atmospheric humidity is relatively low. The indoor unit can be made compact by shortening and reducing the capacity of each humidifier.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since a small number of humidifiers operate based on a large number of humidifier controllers,
Especially when it is necessary to maintain a predetermined humidity locally in a room where the humidity tends to be uneven, effective spot humidification can be performed, and without connecting a humidifier to all indoor units. Therefore, the installation cost of the air conditioner can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 4, since a large number of humidifiers operate based on a small number of humidifier controllers,
In particular, in the case where the indoor humidity is substantially uniform, or in the case where the humidity of the entire room is maintained at a predetermined value or more by connecting the humidification controller to the indoor unit where the atmospheric humidity is most likely to decrease, The effects of the invention of claim 1 or 2 can be realized at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an indoor unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a humidification interlocking control process in a controller of an indoor unit to which a humidification controller is connected.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a humidification interlocking control process in a control unit of an indoor unit to which a humidification controller is not connected.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Indoor unit (2) Humidifier (3) Power supply circuit (3a) Connection terminal (4) Electromagnetic relay (switch means) (5) Humidification controller (6) Operation detector (6a) Connection terminal (7) Control Part (8) Transmission line (9) Crossover (a) Actuation signal (d) Detection signal (r) Interlocking signal

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A connection terminal (a) connectable to a humidifier (2) which is fed with electric power to each of a plurality of indoor units (1) connected to each other by a transmission line (8) for remote operation. 3a), and a power supply circuit (3) for supplying power to the humidifier (2) through the connection terminal (3a), and a switch means (operated to switch on / off of the power supply circuit (3). 4) and a connection terminal (6a) connectable to the humidification controller (5) that operates according to the atmospheric humidity, and the operation signal (a) of the humidification controller (5) is connected via the connection terminal (6a). ) Is detected and the output of the operation detecting section (6) is received, and the operation of the switch means (4) is controlled according to the detection signal (d) of the operation detecting section (6). And, while outputting the interlocking signal (r), it switches according to the input interlocking signal (r). A control unit (7) for controlling the operation of the means (4) is provided, and the control units (7) of the indoor units (1) communicate with each other via the transmission line (8). An air conditioner, which is configured to perform transmission and reception. 2. A plurality of indoor units (1) each have a connection terminal (3a) connected to a humidifier (2) that is supplied with power and performs a humidification operation, and via the connection terminal (3a). A power supply circuit (3) for supplying power to the humidifier (2), a switch means (4) that operates to switch the power supply circuit (3) on and off, and a humidification controller (which operates according to the atmospheric humidity). 5) has a connection terminal (6a) connectable to it, detects the actuation signal (a) of the humidification controller (5) through the connection terminal (6a), and in accordance with this actuation signal (a), An operation detector (6) for controlling the operation of the switch means (4) is provided, and the connecting terminals (6a) of the operation detectors (6) in each of the indoor units (1) are connected to each other by a connecting wire (9). Electrically connected by means of the crossover wire (9), and the actuation signal (a) An air conditioning apparatus characterized in that it is configured to transmit and receive. 3. A humidification controller (5) is connected to a connection terminal (6a) of an operation detection section (6) in all indoor units (1), and a power supply circuit (3) in some indoor units (1). The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the humidifier (2) is connected to the connection terminal (3a) of the above. 4. A humidification controller (5) is connected to a connection terminal (6a) of an operation detector (6) in some of the indoor units (1), and a power supply circuit (3) in all the indoor units (1). The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the humidifier (2) is connected to the connection terminal (3a) of the above.