JPH06193982A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To suppress power consumption to a low value in response to an air conditioning load without increasing a facility cost by incorporating an air cooled heat exchanger and a capacity variable compressor in one of a plurality of outdoor units, and incorporating a water cooled heat exchanger and a capacity constant compressor in the other outdoor unit. CONSTITUTION:An outdoor unit 511 has an accumulator 601, a capacity constant compressor 611, an oil separator 621, a switching valve 631, a water cooled outdoor heat exchanger 641, and an outdoor motor-driven expansion valve 651. An outdoor unit 512 has an accumulator 602, a frequency converter 65, a compressor 612 in which its capacity is varied according to the output of the converter 65, an oil separator 622, a switching valve 632, an air cooled outdoor heat exchanger 642 with a fan, and an outdoor motor-driven expansion valve 652. Thus, power consumption is suppressed in response to power circumstances and an operation responsive to an air conditioning load can be performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner in which a plurality of outdoor units having a built-in compressor are connected in parallel to inter-unit piping extending from an indoor unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a plurality of indoor units are arranged in parallel, and a plurality of outdoor units containing a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, etc. are arranged in parallel with respect to inter-unit piping connected to each indoor unit. A multi-type air conditioner for connecting buildings is known (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-85).
656).

This type of multi-type air conditioner is provided with a plurality of outdoor units.
There is an advantage that a large capacity system of the device can be achieved. By the way, in this type of air conditioning system, its widespread use causes a sudden increase in power consumption especially during the peak daytime in midsummer, which causes a problem of placing a heavy burden on the power situation. To eliminate this,
It is necessary to keep the electric power consumption required for operation low according to the electric power situation.

[0004]

For example, in the case where the air-cooled heat exchanger is built in the outdoor unit and the case where the water-cooled heat exchanger is built in, the latter has a smaller refrigerant compression ratio than the former. Therefore, the outdoor unit having the built-in water-cooling heat exchanger can achieve lower power consumption than the outdoor unit having the built-in air-cooling heat exchanger, and the power consumption required for operation can be kept low.

However, the water-cooling type heat exchanger has a problem that the equipment cost is high because piping equipment and the like are required. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the above-described conventional technology, and in a multi-type air conditioner having a plurality of outdoor units, increase power costs and air conditioning loads without significantly increasing equipment costs. Depending on,
An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can reduce power consumption.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is to connect a plurality of outdoor units in parallel to an inter-unit pipe extending from an indoor unit, and according to the air conditioning load, the plurality of outdoor units. In the air conditioner for controlling the number of operating units, one of the plurality of outdoor units has an air-cooled heat exchanger and a variable capacity compressor built in, and the other outdoor unit has a water-cooled heat exchanger. It is characterized by having a built-in compressor and a constant capacity compressor.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that each of the outdoor units described above has a built-in type compressor having a constant capacity.

[0008]

According to the present invention, when the power consumption is small (compared to the daytime in summer) such as in the early morning in summer, the one outdoor unit having the air-cooled heat exchanger is operated,
After that, the capacity of the compressor built in the one outdoor unit is increased according to the increase of the air conditioning load. When the power consumption during the day reaches a peak, the other outdoor unit with a built-in water-cooled heat exchanger (outdoor unit with a built-in compressor with a constant capacity) is operated to reduce the shortage of air conditioning load. Operate to supplement with an outdoor unit (an outdoor unit with a variable capacity compressor).

Further, when a plurality of outdoor units each have a built-in compressor of a constant capacity, for example, at the time of a sudden increase in power consumption such as a peak daytime in midsummer, a water-cooled heat exchange is performed. Power consumption depends on the power situation, such as by operating the other outdoor unit that has a built-in air conditioner, and at the other time, by operating mainly the one outdoor unit that has an air-cooled heat exchanger. It becomes possible to drive the vehicle at a low level. In addition, the outdoor unit with a built-in water-cooled heat exchanger is installed only in a part of the air conditioning system, and the other units are the same outdoor unit with built-in air-cooled heat exchangers. However, it does not increase so much.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
To do. In FIG. 1, the upper group A is so-called 3W.
Way (in multiple indoor units, which room
Units can also be individually selected for cooling and heating
Method) multi-type air conditioner, group B in the lower row
Is a so-called two-way system (in multiple indoor units
The operation of all indoor units to cool or heat
A unified type) multi-type air conditioner is shown. same
First, the entire system will be described with reference to the drawings.₁, 5
1₂, 51₃Is the outdoor unit, 53₁, 53 ₂, 53₃Is
1 indoor unit₁, 1₂, 1₃Is an outdoor unit,
Three₁, 3₂, 3₃Is an indoor unit, 100 is a boiler, etc.
Is a heat source, and 200 is a cold heat source such as a cooling tower.
It

Regarding Group A, as shown in FIG.
Outdoor unit 51₁The accumulator 60₁And Noh
Constant force type compressor 61₁And the oil separator 62₁And switching valve 6
Three₁And a water-cooled outdoor heat exchanger 64₁And outdoor electric expansion valve
65₁And are built in. In addition, the outdoor unit 51₂To
Is the accumulator 60₂And a frequency converter (inverter
65) and the output from this converter 65
Variable compressor 61 ₂And the oil separator 62₂And switching valve 6
Three₂And an air-cooled outdoor heat exchanger 64 with a blower fan₂When,
Outdoor electric expansion valve 65₂And are built in. Outdoor uni
51₃(See FIG. 1), the illustration is omitted.
Outdoor unit 51₂It has almost the same configuration as. Outdoors
Unit 51₂The difference with this is the outdoor unit 51₃To
The built-in compressor (not shown) is a constant capacity compressor
That is the point.

Reference numeral 80 denotes a controller for controlling the operation of the group A, which receives signals (air conditioning load) from the sensors 75 ₁ and 75 ₂ provided in the indoor units 53 ₁ and 53 ₂ , and receives the signals from the outdoor unit 51 ₁ Compressor 61 _{1 and} outdoor unit 51 ₂
Output to the frequency converter 65 of these compressors 61 ₁ , 6
It controls the operation of 1 ₂ . The indoor unit 53 ₁ has a built-in indoor heat exchanger 74 _1, and the switching kit 52 ₁ has a built-in indoor electric expansion valve (indoor mechanical valve) 75 ₁ and switching valves 76 ₁ and 77 _1. There is. Indoor unit 53
_{Although not} shown, the reference numerals ₂ , 53 _{3 and the} switching kits 52 ₂ , 52 ₃ have the same configuration as the indoor unit 53 _{1 and the} switching kit 52 ₁ .

[0013] Then, the indoor unit 53 _1, 53 ₂ changeover kit 52 _first refrigerant tubes 2 are extended from, 52 ₂ leads to these switching kit 52 _1, the liquid pipe 81 and the high pressure gas pipe from 52 ₂ An inter-unit pipe consisting of 82 and a low-pressure gas pipe 83 extends out, and the above-mentioned outdoor units 51 ₁ , 51 ₂ , 51 ₃ are connected in parallel to the inter-unit pipe. In this type of 3-way multi-type air conditioner, by appropriately switching the switching valves 76 ₁ , 77 ₁ , 75 _1, etc. to the open / closed state, for example, while heating one indoor unit, the other The indoor unit can be cooled. That is, when the one indoor unit 53 _{1 is} to be cooled, the switching valves 77 ₁ and 75 ₁ are opened and the switching valve 76 ₁ is closed. As a result, the liquid refrigerant in the liquid pipe 81 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 74 ₁ via the switching valve 75 ₁ .
This indoor heat exchanger 74 ₁ acts as an evaporator. Then, the refrigerant flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 74 ₁ returns to the compressors 61 ₁ and 61 ₂ via the switching valve 77 ₁ and the low pressure gas pipe 83. When the other indoor unit 53 _{2 is} to be heated, the switching valves 76 ₂ and 75 ₂ are opened and the switching valve 77 ₂ is closed. This is flows into the indoor heat exchanger 74 ₂ via the gas refrigerant switching valve ₇₆₂ of the high-pressure gas pipe 83, the indoor heat exchanger 74 ₂ acts as a condenser. The refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 74 ₂ is transferred to the switching valve 7
5 ₂ is led to the liquid pipe 81.

The group B shown in FIG. 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the outdoor unit 1 ₁ includes an accumulator 10 ₁ , a constant capacity compressor 11 ₁ , an oil separator 12 _1, and a four-way unit. Valve 13 ₁ and water-cooled outdoor heat exchanger 14 ₁
And an outdoor electric expansion valve 15 ₁ . Further, the outdoor unit 1 ₂ includes an accumulator 10 ₂ , a frequency converter (inverter) 16, a compressor 11 ₂ whose capacity is changed by the output from this converter, and an oil separator 12
₂ , a four-way valve 13 ₂ , an air-cooled outdoor heat exchanger 14 ₂ with a blower fan, and an outdoor electric expansion valve 15 ₂ .
The outdoor unit 1 ₃ (see FIG. 1) has substantially the same configuration as the outdoor unit 1 ₂ although not shown. The difference from the outdoor unit 1 ₂ is that the compressor (not shown) built in the outdoor unit 1 ₃ is a constant capacity type compressor.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a controller for controlling the operation of the group B, which is a sensor 5 provided in each indoor unit 3 ₁ , 3 _2.
1, 5 received _two from the signal (air conditioning load), the outdoor unit 1 ₁ of the compressor 11 ₁ and the outdoor unit 1 ₂ of the frequency converter 16 such compressor 11 ₁ is output to, 11 ₂ control the operation To do. The indoor unit 3 ₁ incorporates an indoor heat exchanger 34 ₁ and an indoor electric expansion valve (indoor mechanical valve) 35 ₁ . Although not shown, the indoor unit 3 ₂ has the same configuration as the indoor unit 3 ₁ . An inter-unit pipe consisting of a gas pipe 5 and a liquid pipe 7 extends from the indoor units 3 ₁ , 3 ₂ , and the outdoor units 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ are connected in parallel to the inter-unit pipe. To be done.

In the above structure, the characteristic feature of this embodiment is that
In one of the outdoor units ₁ 1, 51 _1, respectively water-cooling heat exchanger 14 _1, 64 ₁ and ability to house the constant compressor 11 _1, 61 _1, and the other of the outdoor unit 1 _2, 51 ₂ respectively air Type heat exchangers 14 ₂ and 64 ₂ and variable capacity compressor 1
The point is that 1 ₂ and _{6 12} are stored. Water-cooled heat exchanger 14
₁ , 64 ₁ are two water pipes 91, 9 as shown in FIG.
A heat source 100, such as a boiler, and a cold source 200, such as a cooling tower, are connected via a line 3. In addition, the water pipe 91,
Two temperature control three-way valves 95 and 97 are provided in 93, and by switching these, the heat source 100 or the heat source 200 can be switched.
The water passing through any of the above is circulated in the water-cooled heat exchangers 14 ₁ and 64 ₁ through the circulation pump 99.

By the way, when the outdoor units 1 ₁ and 51 ₁ containing the water-cooling heat exchangers 14 ₁ and 64 ₁ are operated, the outdoor units containing the other air-cooling heat exchangers 14 ₂ and 64 ₂ with a blower fan are installed. Since the compression ratio of the refrigerant by the compressor is smaller than when operating the units 1 ₂ and 51 _2, etc., there is an advantage that the power consumption can be suppressed to that extent.

On the other hand, an air-cooled heat exchanger 14 with a blower fan
₂, 64₂Outdoor unit 1 with built-in ₂, 51₂Send this
This air cooling is performed by controlling the rotation speed of the wind fan.
Type heat exchanger 14₂, 64₂Variable width of heat exchange capacity of
Type heat exchanger 14₁, 64₁Can be taken larger than that of
The advantage is obtained. So, in this example,
Water-cooled heat exchanger 14₁, 64₁And air-cooled heat exchanger 1
Four₂, 64₂Utilizing the characteristics of water-cooled heat exchanger 14₁，
64₁Outdoor unit 1 containing₁, 51₁Has one ability
Standard compressor 11₁, 61₁Air-cooled heat exchanger 1
Four₂, 64₂Outdoor unit 1 containing₂, 51₂Noh
Variable force compressor 11₂, 61₂Compared to the conventional
It is economical and operates according to the air conditioning load.

That is, the air conditioning load (each sensor 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ ,
When the sum of the difference between the values detected by 75 ₁ and 75 ₂ and the set value in the room where each indoor unit is placed is small, for example, in the time of day, refer to FIG. , 7 to 11 Te, 14:00 to 19 o'clock is the controller 40, 80 (FIG. 2, see FIG. 3) air-cooled heat exchanger by a signal from the unit 14 _2, 6
The outdoor units 1 ₂ and 51 ₂ having the built-in 4 ₂ are operated while controlling the capacity of the compressors 11 ₂ and 61 ₂ according to the air conditioning load. The outdoor units 1 ₁ , 51 including the water-cooling heat exchangers 14 ₁ , 64 ₁ are installed during the daytime when the air conditioning load is expected to increase, for example, 11:00 to 14:00 in the daytime. ₁ is operated, the outdoor unit 1
Insufficient capacity of ₁ , 51 ₁ is compensated by the operation of the outdoor units 1 ₂ , 51 ₂ incorporating the air-cooling type heat exchangers 14 ₂ , 64 ₂ according to the air conditioning load.

According to this, for example, during the daytime peak of midsummer
Water-cooled heat exchanger 14₁, 64 ₁Outdoor unit with built-in
Knit 1₁, 51₁Power consumption by using
It is possible to operate with less power consumption
However, it is not a big burden, and of course
It is possible to keep down the cost of training. Also in the morning
Air-cooled heat exchange when air conditioning load fluctuations are large, such as in the evening or in the evening
Bowl 14₂, 64₂Outdoor unit 1 with built-in₂, 51₂So
By performing capacity control operation according to the air conditioning load fluctuation of
Therefore, the operation can be performed according to the fluctuation of the air conditioning load.

Further, according to this, the water-cooled heat exchanger 14
₁, 64₁Outdoor unit 1 with built-in ₁, 51₁Is this sky
Part of the air conditioning system and most others are air-cooled heat exchangers.
Exchange 14₂, 64₂Outdoor unit 3 with built-in₂, 53₂so
Since there are only a few facilities such as water pipes, Iwayu
It also has the effect that equipment costs can be kept low.
It

Furthermore, this air conditioning system can be operated during overtime hours or when the building is partially loaded during work on holidays. That is, referring to FIG. 1, since the time of attendance or during holidays above overtime is small compared load and normal, the outdoor unit 51 ₁ that is incorporated in a water-cooled heat exchangers, 1 ₁ of stopping the operation However, the indoor units required by operating the other outdoor units 51 ₂ , 51 ₃ , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ (with built-in air-cooled heat exchanger) while controlling the compressor capacity according to the air conditioning load. It is possible to cope with driving. In other words, during overtime hours or when working on holidays, partial air conditioning of a building or the like can be performed without operating a large-scale water circuit such as a heat source 100 such as a boiler or a cold source 200 such as a cooling tower.

In the above embodiment, the variable capacity compressors 11 ₂ and 61 ₂ are arranged in the outdoor units 1 ₂ and 51 ₂ in which the air-cooling type heat exchangers are housed, but as another embodiment. The above-mentioned outdoor units 1 ₂ and 51 ₂ (in which the air-cooled heat exchanger is housed) have the same capacity as the outdoor units 1 ₁ and 51 ₁ in which the water-cooled heat exchanger is housed. You may arrange the machine. In this embodiment, it is difficult to control the operating capacity of the outdoor unit linearly according to the air conditioning load, but by setting the operating conditions of the outdoor unit as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. It is possible to carry out operations that reduce power consumption and equipment costs during peak times.

In any of the above-described embodiments, a compressor of a constant capacity type is usually called a "compressor with power save" by connecting a refrigerant pipe between the cylinder of the compressor and the suction pipe.
It may be of a form called.

[0025]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the outdoor unit having the built-in water-cooled heat exchanger is operated according to the power situation, and the air-cooled heat exchanger is operated according to the air conditioning load. By operating while controlling the capacity of the outdoor unit with the built-in exchanger, it is possible to reduce the power consumption and to operate according to the air conditioning load.

Further, even when an outdoor unit in which the air-cooled heat exchanger is housed is used as a compressor having a constant capacity similar to that of the outdoor unit in which the water-cooled heat exchanger is housed, the operation with reduced power consumption is performed. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing an air conditioner of group A in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing an air conditioning apparatus of group B in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operating condition of the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operating condition of an outdoor unit according to another embodiment of the present invention during a day time zone.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operating state of the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 5 for one year.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ , 51 ₁ , 51 ₂ , 51 ₃ Outdoor unit 3 ₁ , 3 ₂ , 3 ₃ , 53 ₁ , 53 ₂ , 53 ₃ Indoor unit 11 ₁ , 61 ₁ Compressor with constant capacity 11 ₂ , 61 ₂ Variable capacity compressor 14 ₁ , 64 ₁ Water-cooled heat exchanger 14 ₂ , 64 ₂ Air-cooled heat exchanger

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner in which a plurality of outdoor units are connected in parallel to inter-unit pipes extending from an indoor unit and the number of operating units of the plurality of outdoor units is controlled according to an air conditioning load. One of the outdoor units is equipped with an air-cooled heat exchanger and a variable capacity compressor, and the other outdoor unit is equipped with a water-cooled heat exchanger and a constant capacity compressor. Air conditioner. 2. An air conditioner in which a plurality of outdoor units are connected in parallel to inter-unit pipes extending from an indoor unit and the number of operating units of the plurality of outdoor units is controlled according to an air conditioning load. Each unit has a built-in type compressor with a fixed capacity, one of these multiple outdoor units has an air-cooled heat exchanger, and the other outdoor unit has a water-cooled heat exchanger. An air conditioner characterized by being built-in.