JPH06257834A - Drain pump controlling device and controlling method in air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To discharge accurately drain water without applying any water level sensor and to make a substantial improving a life of a drain pump. CONSTITUTION:There are provided means 6 for sensing the number of rotation for sensing the number of rotation of a compressor, means 13 for sensing a relative humidity for sensing an indoor relative humidity, means for storing a set number of rotation for storing the number of rotation of a compressor which is set in advance and a memory 19 having a set relative humidity memory means for storing the predetermined relative humidity. When a drain pump 5 for use in discharging drain water condensed by an indoor side heat exchanger within a main body of an air conditioner and accumulated in a water receiving pan is driven, it is detected that the number of rotation and the relative humidity sensed by means for sensing the number of rotation and the relative humidity become the set number of rotation and the set relative humidity stored in the set number of rotation storing means and the set relative humidity storing means and then the drain pump 5 is periodically controlled in its ON/OFF state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drain pump control device and a control method for discharging drain water accumulated in a water tray of an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to effectively use a living room and improve its appearance, so-called built-in construction in which a main body of an air conditioner is embedded in a ceiling or a closet has been rapidly progressing. Therefore, the drain water generated during the cooling or dehumidifying operation cannot be discharged using the natural head, and a device for forcibly discharging the drain water has been required.

An example of the above drain pump control device will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 shows a conventional drain pump operation control device. In FIG. 9, 3 is an indoor heat exchanger, 4 is a water tray, 5 is a drain pump, 50 is a control device, and 51 is a water level detection sensor. When the drain water in the water tray 4 increases and the water level rises to a predetermined position, and the water level detection sensor 51 is ON, the drain pump 5 is operated to drain the drain water. Furthermore, even if the drain pump 5 exceeds a predetermined time, the cooling operation is stopped by the control device 50 when the water level detection sensor 51 does not turn off. Such a structure is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-14022.

Another conventional example is shown in FIGS. In FIG. 10, drain water condensed and generated in the heat exchanger 3 accumulates in the water tray 4, but is discharged to the outside by the drain pump 5 controlled by the controller 52. The drain pump 5 is repeatedly turned ON / OFF by the control device 52, but the operation switch O
N / OFF, the compressor is turned on / off by the thermostat
When the compressor is turned off, the drain pump is always turned on when the compressor is started, and the drain pump is periodically turned on and off again.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram thereof. Both the operation switch 53 and the thermostat 54 are O
In the N state, the timer 55 and the drain pump 5 operate. Then, after T ₁ time, the a contact 60 of the timer 55 is closed and the b contact 58 of the relay 57 is opened, and the timer 5 is opened.
5 and the drain pump 5 are stopped. At the same time, the a contact 59 of the relay 57 is closed and the timer 56 is energized. Then, after a lapse of T ₂ time, the b contact 61 of the timer 56 is opened, the energization of the relay 57 is stopped, the b contact of the relay 57 is closed, the drain pump 5 and the timer 55 are energized, and the drain pump 5 is restarted. . In this way
The drain pump 5 operates for T ₁ hours and repeats the periodic operation of stopping for T ₂ hours.

Further, the compressor 11 is adapted to be operated when the operation switch 53 and the thermostat 54 are turned on similarly to the timer 55. Therefore,
When the compressor is started, the drain pump 5 starts from ON operation. Such a configuration is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-194151.
It is shown in the publication.

[0007]

However, the configuration shown in the first conventional example has a problem that the mounting structure of the water level detection sensor 51 and the circuit configuration of the control device 50 are complicated and the cost is increased.

Further, in the configuration shown in the second conventional example, the ON time T ₁ of the drain pump 5 must be set in accordance with the dehumidifying amount of the air conditioner under high load conditions such as high humidity, and therefore, the ON state is required. Even when the time is significantly longer than the OFF time and the drain pump 5 is operated in the same operation cycle even under a low load condition where the dehumidification amount is small, the operation time of the drain pump 5 is very long, and the drain pump 5 and There is a problem that the contact life of the relay 57 is very short.

Further, recently, there has been a problem that the annual cooling use for performing the cooling operation is increased even when the outside air temperature is low, and the operation time of the drain pump becomes very long. In view of the above problems, the present invention does not provide a water level detection sensor,
The present invention provides a control device and a control method for a drain pump, which discharges drain water accurately and significantly improves the life of the drain pump.

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, a drain pump control device for an air conditioner according to the present invention is a drain that is condensed by an indoor heat exchanger in an air conditioner body and accumulated in a water tray. A drain pump for discharging water, a drive means for driving the drain pump, a rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the compressor, and a relative humidity detection means for detecting the relative humidity in the room. A set rotational speed storage means for storing a preset rotational speed of the compressor, a set relative humidity storage means for storing a preset relative humidity, and a rotational speed and relative humidity detected by the rotational speed and relative humidity detecting means. Detects that the set rotational speed and the set relative humidity stored in the set rotational speed storage means and the set relative humidity storage means have been reached, and periodically turns on / off the drain pump. Is obtained by a central processing unit for providing a signal to control said driving means.

The present invention also relates to the drain pump control device.
The control method is the compressor rotation speed R_a Is the first set value R_a1
Higher and before reaching it, turn on the drain pump
/ Lengthening the ON time in the OFF cycle to rotate the compressor
Number is the first set value R_a1Reaches the second set value R_a2To
Before reaching, and indoor relative humidity T_a Is over 60%
Is the on time of the drain pump on / off cycle
The compressor rotation speed R_a Is the first set value R_a1To
Reached, the second set value R_a2Before reaching and indoors
Relative humidity T_a Is less than 60%, drain pump
The ON time in the ON / OFF cycle of
The number of revolutions of the machine is the second set value R_a2When it reaches
Stop the pump, or stop after operating for a predetermined time.
It is something that is done.

[0012]

With the above-described structure, the drain pump control device for an air conditioner according to the present invention controls the on-time in the on / off cycle of the drain pump before the compressor rotation speed Ra reaches the first set value _Ra1. Before the rotational speed of the compressor reaches the first set value R _a1 and reaches the second set value R _a2 , and the indoor relative humidity T _a is increased. Is 60% or more, lengthen the ON time in the ON / OFF cycle of the drain pump,
The compressor rotation speed R _a Before reaching the first set value R _{a1 and} before reaching the second set value R _a2 , and the indoor relative humidity T
_a Is less than 60%, the on-time in the on / off cycle of the drain pump is shortened, and when the number of rotations of the compressor reaches the second set value R _a2 , the drain pump is stopped to increase the humidity. When there is a large amount of dehumidification under high load conditions such as pull-down, the ON time of the drain pump is lengthened, the room temperature reaches the set temperature, the thermostat repeatedly turns ON / OFF, and the variable speed compressor is When the amount of dehumidification under low load operation at low frequency is small, the ON time of the drain pump can be shortened, drain water can be accurately discharged without the water level detection sensor, and the drain pump life can be shortened. Can be greatly improved.

Further, the drain pump control device of the air conditioner of the present invention is arranged such that, when the number of revolutions of the compressor reaches the second set value R _a2 , the drain pump is operated for a predetermined time and then stopped. By doing so, after the compressor is stopped by the thermostat, the condensed water that flows from the indoor heat exchanger and stays in the water tray can be discharged, and when the drain pump is turned on again, it always operates at a constant water level. There is no problem of overflow from the water tray. As a result, the drain pump can be operated efficiently, the input of the drain pump can be reduced, and the life time can be improved.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an air conditioner body according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an air conditioner body, 2 is a blower, 3 is an indoor heat exchanger, 4 is a water tray, 5 is a drain pump for discharging condensed water of the indoor heat exchanger 3, and 13 is an indoor relative position. thermistor indoor relative humidity detection sensor for detecting the humidity T _a, 7 is a flood detector.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner. In FIG. 2, 3 is an indoor heat exchanger,
Reference numeral 8 is a capillary tube, 9 is an outdoor heat exchanger, 10 is a four-way valve, and 11 is a compressor, which are connected in an annular shape. Reference numeral 6 denotes a compressor rotation detection sensor that detects the rotation speed of the compressor 11.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the air conditioner body 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control unit that controls the drain pump 5 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, 14 is an AC power supply, 15 is a power supply circuit for rectifying the output of the AC power supply 14 and supplying DC power to each circuit, and 16 is a microprocessor that controls the drain pump 5.
The thermistor 13, the compressor rotation speed detection sensor 6, an input circuit 17 to which output signals of the overflow detection device 7 are input, a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 18, a memory 19 and an output circuit 20. Here, the memory 19 is a set relative humidity and set compressor rotation number storage means for storing a preset compressor rotation number and indoor relative humidity. Reference numeral 21 is a drain pump drive circuit for driving and controlling the drain pump 5 in accordance with the signal sent from the output circuit 20.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
Explain. FIG. 5 shows the control of the drain pump 5 of the above embodiment.
7 is an operation sequence flowchart showing specifications. Well
First, in step 31, the compressor rotation speed detecting means is used.
Compressor speed R detected by the sensor 6_aInput circuit 1
Read to CPU18 via 7, and go to step 32
And the compressor rotation speed R read in step 31._aAnd notes
1st preset rotational speed R set in advance_a1And
Compare, compressor speed R_aIs the first set speed R _a1Than
High, R_a1Before reaching, ie R_a≧ R_a1If
Proceed to step 33, and if reached, ie R_a<R_a1
If so, the process proceeds to step 34. In step 33, drain
Increase the ON time in the ON / OFF cycle of pump 5.
Then, the process returns to step 31.

In step 34, the compressor rotational speed R
_aAnd the preset second speed R_a2Compare with
However, the compressor rotation speed Ra is the second set rotation speed R._a2Higher
R _a2Before reaching, ie R_a2≤ R_a<R_a1Na
Raba Go to step 35, and when it reaches, that is, R_a<
R_a2If so, the process proceeds to step 36. In step 35, the room
Room detected by the thermistor 13, which is the internal relative humidity detection means
Inner relative humidity T_aTo the CPU 18 via the input circuit 17
Import, read in step 35 in step 37
Indoor relative humidity T_aIs T_aIf ≧ 60%, step 3
Return to 3, T_aIf <60%, proceed to step 38. Su
At step 38, the ON / OFF cycle of the drain pump 5 is changed.
Shorten the ON time in the process and return to step 31. Step
At step 36, stop the drain pump and return to step 31.
It

FIG. 6 is an operation sequence flowchart showing another control specification of the drain pump 5. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the compressor rotation speed _Ra is the second set rotation speed _Ra2.
Although the drain pump 5 is stopped when the temperature is less than the above, in FIG. 6, after the compressor 11 is stopped, in order to discharge the condensed water that flows from the indoor heat exchanger 3 and stays in the water tray 4, step 39
In the above, the drain pump 5 is stopped after operating for a predetermined time S seconds.

FIG. 7 is an operation sequence flowchart showing still another control specification of the drain pump 5. In FIG. 7, in step 40, the water receiving device 4 is used by the overflow detection device 7.
When the water level of the drain water inside is detected, and when the water level reaches a predetermined level in step 41, the operation of the air conditioner is stopped in step 42 and an error is displayed to display an error in the drain pump 5 or the drain hose. It is also possible to prevent the problem of condensate overflow into the room due to clogging of the room.

In FIG. 8, in step 40, the overflow detection device 7
Thus, the water level of the drain water in the water tray 4 is detected, and when the predetermined water level is reached in step 41, the operation of the compressor is stopped in step 43, and the drain pump is continuously operated for an arbitrary time. The overflow detection device 7 detects the water level of the drain water in the water tray 4, and if the overflow is OK, the process returns to step 31 to restart the cooling operation. If the overflow is OU
If it is T, by stopping the operation of the air conditioner in step 42 and displaying an abnormality, it is possible to prevent problems such as abnormality of the drain pump 5 and overflow of condensed water into the room due to clogging of the drain hose. Further, it is possible to avoid the complaint of the operation stop of the air conditioner due to the overflow detection due to the return water generated due to the construction failure (too much drainage).

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, the rotation speed of the compressor and the rotation speed of the compressor and the indoor relative humidity detected by the indoor relative humidity detecting means become the set rotation speed and the set relative humidity. Since it is provided with a control means for detecting that the drain pump is periodically turned ON / OFF and giving a signal to the driving means, the drain water is accurately discharged without providing a water level detection sensor, and the drain pump is also provided. The life of can be greatly improved.

Further, the compressor rotation speed R _a is the first set value R
Before reaching _a1 , the on-time of the on / off cycle of the drain pump is lengthened, and the compressor rotation speed R _a is the first.
Of reaching the set value R _a1, in earlier reaches the second set value R _a2, and when the indoor relative humidity T _a is 60% or more, a longer ON time in ON / OFF cycle of the drain pump, further, the compressor rotational speed R _a reaches the first set value R _a1, at previously reaches the second set value R _a2, and when the indoor relative humidity T _a is less than 60%, on the drain pump / Shorten the on-time in the off cycle, and when the number of revolutions of the compressor reaches the second set value R _a2 , stop the drain pump to remove the amount of dehumidification under high load conditions such as high humidity and pull-down. When there is a lot of time, the ON time of the drain pump is lengthened, the room temperature reaches the set temperature, the thermostat repeats ON / OFF, and the variable speed compressor is operated at low frequency under low load conditions. When the dehumidification amount is low, It is possible to shorten the ON time of Nponpu, without providing the water level detection sensor, as well as accurately drain water, the life of the drain pump can be greatly improved.

The number of revolutions of the compressor is the second set value R _a2.
When it reaches, the drain pump is operated for a predetermined time and then stopped, so that after the compressor is stopped by the thermostat, the condensed water that flows from the indoor heat exchanger and stays in the water tray is discharged. When the drain pump is turned on again, it can always be operated at a constant water level, and there is no problem of overflow from the water pan.

Further, by detecting the water level of the condensed water by the overflow detection device and stopping the operation of the main body when a predetermined water level is reached and displaying an error, the drain pump is abnormal or the drain hose is clogged. It is also possible to prevent problems such as the overflow of condensed water into the room due to. Furthermore, by detecting the water level of the condensed water by the overflow detection device, when the predetermined water level is reached, the operation of the compressor is stopped, the drain pump is operated for an arbitrary time, and the overflow detection is performed again after an arbitrary time. It is also possible to avoid the claim that the operation of the air conditioner is stopped by the overflow detection due to the return water that occurs due to poor construction (too much drainage).

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an air conditioner showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the air conditioner.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of a drain pump in the air conditioner.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of control specifications of the drain pump in the air conditioner.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of control specifications of the drain pump in the air conditioner.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing yet another control specification example of the drain pump in the air conditioner.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing yet another control specification example of the drain pump in the air conditioner.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a main part of an air conditioner showing a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an essential part of an air conditioner showing another conventional example.

11 is a sequence diagram of the drain pump control device in the conventional example of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Air conditioner body 2 Blower 3 Indoor heat exchanger 4 Water pan 5 Drain pump 6 Compressor rotation speed detection sensor 7 Overflow detection device 13 Thermistor (indoor relative humidity detection sensor) 18 CPU (Central processing unit) 19 Pre-set 21 Drain pump drive circuit for storing the stored compressor speed and indoor relative humidity

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A drain pump for discharging drain water condensed in an indoor heat exchanger in an air conditioner body and accumulated in a water tray, drive means for driving the drain pump, and rotation of a compressor. Rotation speed detection means for detecting the number of revolutions, relative humidity detection means for detecting the relative humidity in the room, set rotation speed storage means for storing the preset rotation speed of the compressor, and preset relative humidity The set relative humidity storage means for storing the rotation speed and the relative humidity detected by the rotation speed and relative humidity detection means are set rotation speed and set relative humidity stored in the set rotation speed storage means and the set relative humidity storage means. Is detected,
A drain pump control device for an air conditioner, comprising: a central processing unit that gives a signal for periodically ON / OFF controlling the drain pump to the drive means. 2. The drain pump control device for an air conditioner according to claim ₁ , wherein before the compressor rotational speed R _a reaches the first set value R _a1 , the on time in the on / off cycle of the drain pump. Before the rotational speed of the compressor reaches the first set value R _a1 and reaches the second set value R _a2 , and when the indoor relative humidity T _a is 60% or more, the drain pump Lengthening the ON time in the ON / OFF cycle of
Before the compressor rotation speed R _a reaches the first set value R _a1 and the second set value R _a2 , and the indoor relative humidity T
_{When a} is lower than 60%, the on-time in the on / off cycle of the drain pump is shortened, and when the rotational speed of the compressor reaches the second set value R _a2 , the air conditioner that stops the drain pump. Drain pump control method. 3. The drain pump control method for an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein when the number of revolutions of the compressor reaches the second set value R _a2 , the drain pump is stopped after operating for a predetermined time. 4. The drain pump control method for an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein when the overflow detection device detects the overflow water level of the drain water, the air conditioner is stopped and an abnormality is displayed. 5. When the overflow detection device detects the overflow water level of the drain water, the operation of the compressor is stopped and the drain pump is operated continuously for an arbitrary time, and the overflow detection device does not recover within the arbitrary time. In the case, the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, an abnormality is displayed, and if the overflow detection device is restored within an arbitrary time, the drain pump control method for the air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3 is resumed. .