JPH09210504A - Engine-driven heat pump air-conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the actuation of an outdoor fan even during a snow fall without the waste use of energy. SOLUTION: A radiator 13 arrarnged at a cooling circuit through which cooling water to cool an engine 1 flows and an outdoor heat-exchanger 4 arranged at a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant discharged from a compressor 2 to drive the engine 1 flows are juxtaposed. In an engine-drive heat pump air-conditioner provided with an outdoor fan 15 to feed outside air to the outdoor heat-exchanger 4 and the radiator 13, the engine-driven hat pump air-conditioner comprises a snow fall detecting means 18, and a controller 17 to start the outdoor fan 15 after a lapse of a given time when a snow fall is detected by the snow fall detecting means 18 when the outdoor fan 15 is stopped to effect heating operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an engine driven heat pump air conditioner in which a compressor for compressing a refrigerant is driven by a gas engine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a technique of this kind, as shown in FIG. 3, an engine-driven heat pump air conditioner having an outdoor fan 15 facing an upper plate opening of an outdoor unit U1 having an engine 1 built therein is provided. , For example, JP-A-6-280
It is proposed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 560.

In the engine-driven heat pump air conditioner having the above structure, if there is snow while the outdoor unit U1 is stopped,
When a motor (not shown) for rotating the outdoor fan 15 is started, an overload state may occur, or the outdoor fan 15 may be locked so that the outdoor fan 15 cannot be started. Therefore, if snowfall occurs even when the outdoor unit U1 is stopped. The outdoor fan 15 was activated to blow off the snow accumulated on the outdoor fan 15.

[0004]

However, in the conventional engine-driven heat pump air conditioner, the outside air temperature decreases, and the operation of the outdoor fan is stopped to improve the heating efficiency, or the outdoor fan is rotated at a low speed to perform the heating operation. If there is snow during the operation, the outdoor fan will not be stopped or will continue to rotate at low speed to blow off the snow accumulated on the fan. There was a problem that it was necessary to install it to prevent snow from accumulating on the outdoor fan, and the equipment construction cost for that purpose increased, and the solution to this point was a problem.

[0005]

As a concrete means for solving the above problems of the prior art, the present invention provides an outdoor heat exchanger provided in a refrigerant circuit having a compressor driven by an engine, and the engine. In an engine-driven heat pump air conditioner, which is provided with an radiator provided in a cooling circuit through which a cooling fluid to be cooled is provided in parallel, and which is provided with an outdoor fan that supplies outside air to the radiator and the outdoor heat exchanger,

A snowfall detecting means for detecting snowfall, and a controller for activating the outdoor fan after a predetermined time when the snowfall detecting means detects snowfall while the outdoor fan is stopped to perform heating operation, An engine-driven heat pump air conditioner having a first configuration, including:

In the engine-driven heat pump air conditioner of the first configuration, the controller is provided with the function of canceling the measurement of the predetermined time when the stop of the heating operation or the activation of the outdoor fan is detected. Engine driven heat pump air conditioner,

When the electric motor for controlling the rotation speed for driving the outdoor fan, the snowfall detection means for detecting snowfall, and the outdoor fan are stopped or the heating operation is performed by limiting the rotation speed to a predetermined rotation speed or less. And a controller that starts the electric motor after a predetermined time when the snowfall detection means detects snowfall, and an engine-driven heat pump air conditioner having a third configuration,

In the engine driven heat pump air conditioner of the third construction, when the outdoor snow fan is stopped or the rotation speed is limited to a predetermined number of revolutions and the snowfall detecting means detects snowfall during the heating operation, a predetermined time By providing an engine-driven heat pump air conditioner having a fourth configuration in which a controller is configured to operate the outdoor fan at a predetermined rotation speed exceeding the predetermined rotation speed after a lapse of time, the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology can be solved. It is a solution.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an engine driven heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the figure, 1 is a gas engine using city gas as fuel (hereinafter referred to simply as "engine"), 2 is a compressor driven by receiving the driving force of this engine through a flexible joint, and 3 is a four-way valve, 4 is an outdoor heat exchanger, 5 is an outdoor electric valve,
6 is a check valve in which the refrigerant flows only in the direction of the broken line arrow, 7 is a receiver tank, 8 is an indoor electric valve, 9 is an indoor heat exchanger, 10
Is an accumulator, and these devices are not different from those conventionally known, and are sequentially connected via a refrigerant pipe 11 to form a heating circuit A shown by a solid line and a cooling circuit B shown by a broken line.

Reference numeral 12 is a cooling water pump, and 13 is a radiator arranged in parallel with the outdoor heat exchanger 4. Cooling water whose temperature is lowered by radiating heat in the radiator 13 is driven by the cooling water pump 12 to drive the engine 1 The cooling water pipe 14 is piped so as to flow via the.

Reference numeral 15 denotes the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the radiator 1 for the outside air.
3 is an outdoor fan that facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outside air by passing the refrigerant to the outside of the engine 3 and accelerates the action of cooling the engine 1 and radiating the temperature-raised cooling water to the outside air.
Is an indoor fan for passing the indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 9 in order to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a controller composed of a microcomputer or the like, which is required for the electric motor 19 based on a signal from a snowfall sensor 18 which functions by utilizing infrared rays or the like or detecting temperature and humidity. A control signal is output to control the start / stop of the outdoor fan 15.

Since the indoor motor-operated valve 8, the indoor heat exchanger 9, and the indoor fan 16 are installed in an air-conditioned room for the outdoor unit U1 which is composed of the engine 1, the compressor 2, etc. and is installed outdoors. , Indoor unit U2.

In the engine-driven heat pump air conditioner having the above structure, when the four-way valve 3 is set in the heating mode, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 and discharged to the refrigerant pipe 11 is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 9. The indoor fan 16 exchanges heat with indoor air having a low temperature, which is supplied first and is taken in from the room and heats it, and radiates heat itself to be condensed and liquefied. Then, the condensed and liquefied refrigerant is decompressed through the outdoor motor-operated valve 5 and exchanges heat with the outside air blown by the outdoor fan 15 in the outdoor heat exchanger 4, that is, heat is taken from the outside air to evaporate and return to the compressor 2. Refrigerant circulation is performed.

On the other hand, when the four-way valve 3 is set to the cooling mode, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 to the refrigerant pipe 11 is first supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 4, where the temperature is relatively increased. It radiates heat to low-concentration outside air and condenses and liquefies. The liquefied refrigerant is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 9 through the check valve 6 and the indoor electric valve 8. The refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor heat exchanger 9 is decompressed by the indoor motor-operated valve 8 that has passed through first, so that it deprives the indoor air of evaporation heat and evaporates, and then returns to the compressor 2.

In the engine-driven heat pump air conditioner functioning as described above, when the outdoor fan 15 is rotated at a high speed during the heating operation performed in a state where the temperature of the outside air is remarkably lowered, the refrigerant is removed from the outside air by the outdoor heat exchanger 4. When the heat is pumped up and evaporated, the temperature is drastically reduced, the amount of heat pumped is reduced, and the heating capacity is reduced. Therefore, when the outside air condition is such, the operation of the outdoor fan 15 is stopped and the refrigerant is cooled. The heat to evaporate the heat is not from the outside air, but the radiator 13
The heating operation is performed so as to be drawn from the cooling water of the engine 1 flowing through.

For example, when the outside air temperature drops below 0 ° C., the operation of the outdoor fan 15 is stopped or the heating operation is performed by limiting the rotation speed to a predetermined rotation speed or less.

During the heating operation, the controller 17 controls the outdoor fan 15 based on the signal output from the snowfall sensor 18, for example, as shown in FIG.

That is, in step S1, the outdoor unit U1
Determines whether the vehicle is in operation, and when the vehicle is operating, the process proceeds to step S2, and if not, the step S2 is performed.
Move to 10.

In step S2, it is determined whether or not the outdoor fan 15 is stopped. If it is stopped, the process proceeds to step S3, and if not, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S3, it is determined whether or not the snowfall sensor 18 detects snowfall. If yes, the process proceeds to step S4, and if not, step S4.
Move to 15.

In step S4, for example, the first timer 17a (not shown) incorporated in the controller 17 is started, and then the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not the first timer 17a has timed a first predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes. When this time is over, the process proceeds to step S6, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1. Return.

In step S6, for example, a second timer 17b (not shown) built in the controller 17 is started, and then the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, it is determined whether or not the second timer 17b has timed a second predetermined time, for example, one minute. When this time has ended, the process proceeds to step S8, and if not, the process proceeds to step S16. Transition.

In step S8, the time counting by the first timer 17a and the second timer 17b is canceled and reset, and then the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, a stop signal is output to the electric motor 19 to stop the operation of the outdoor fan 15, and the process returns to step S1.

In step S10, the first timer 17a
And the second timer 17b to cancel and reset the time measurement, respectively, and then shift to step S11.

In step S11, it is determined whether or not the snowfall sensor 18 detects snowfall. If yes, the process proceeds to step S12, and if not, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S12, an operation signal is output to the electric motor 19 to start the operation of the outdoor fan 15, and in step S13, a stop signal is output to the electric motor 19 to stop the operation of the outdoor fan 15. Also step S
Return to 1.

In step S14, the first timer 17a
And the second timer 17b cancels and resets the time measurement, respectively, and then returns to step S1.

In step S15, the time counting by the first timer 17a is interrupted, and in step S16, the electric motor 19
To output the operation signal to start the operation of the outdoor fan 15,
After that, all return to step S1.

That is, in the engine-driven heat pump air conditioner of the present invention, if the outdoor unit U1 is stopped and the engine 1 does not generate heat and snow cannot be expected effectively, snow will easily accumulate. When the snowfall sensor 18 detects snowfall, the outdoor fan 15 may be overloaded because the electric motor 19 may be overloaded when the outdoor fan 15 is started. 15 is activated to prevent snowfall.

On the other hand, when the outdoor unit U1 is in operation, that is, when the cooling water which has cooled the engine 1 and has a high temperature flows inside the radiator 13 to radiate heat, when the outdoor fan 15 is stopped. Even if there is snowfall, the snowmelt action due to the heat emitted from the radiator 13 can be expected.

Therefore, even if a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes has passed since the snowfall sensor 18 detected the snowfall, snow will not be accumulated on the outdoor fan 15, so that the outdoor fan 15 may be rotated for 1 minute, for example. It is possible to blow off the snow accumulated on the outdoor fan 15.

As described above, according to the engine-driven heat pump air conditioner of the present invention, the outdoor fan 15 is started in accordance with the operating condition of the outdoor unit U1, so that the energy consumption in the snowfall countermeasure can be suppressed.

In the engine-driven heat pump air conditioner in which the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 15 is variable by an inverter or the like, the determination in step S2 is made such that the outdoor fan 15 has a predetermined rotation speed or lower (including 0 rotation speed). It may be configured to determine whether or not there is a restriction.

In this case, step S12 and step S1
The operation of the outdoor fan 15 performed in 6 is configured to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed higher than the predetermined rotation speed.

Further, even when the outdoor unit U1 is stopped and the engine 1 does not generate heat and an effective snow melting action cannot be expected, for example, there is snow on the outdoor fan 15 such that the outdoor fan 15 cannot rotate for one minute. Since it does not accumulate, it is possible to configure to incorporate a timing operation shorter than the timings in steps S4 and S5 during the transition from step S11 to step S12.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, the outdoor heat exchanger provided in the refrigerant circuit having the compressor driven by the engine and the radiator provided in the cooling circuit in which the cooling fluid for cooling the engine flows. In parallel with, in an engine driven heat pump air conditioner configured to include an outdoor fan for supplying outside air to the radiator and the outdoor heat exchanger,

A snowfall detecting means for detecting snowfall, and a controller for starting the outdoor fan after a predetermined time when the snowfall detecting means detects snowfall while the outdoor fan is stopped to perform heating operation. An engine-driven heat pump air conditioner having a first configuration including:

In the engine-driven heat pump air conditioner of the first configuration, the second configuration is such that the controller has a function of canceling the measurement of a predetermined time when the stop of the heating operation or the activation of the outdoor fan is detected. Engine driven heat pump air conditioner,

When the electric motor for controlling the rotation speed for driving the outdoor fan, the snowfall detecting means for detecting snowfall, and the outdoor fan are stopped or the heating operation is performed by limiting the rotation speed to a predetermined rotation speed or less. And a controller that starts the electric motor after a predetermined time when the snowfall detection means detects snowfall. An engine-driven heat pump air conditioner of a third configuration,

In the engine driven heat pump air conditioner of the third structure, when the outdoor snow fan is stopped or the number of revolutions is limited to a predetermined number of revolutions or less and the snowfall detecting means detects snowfall during the heating operation, Since the outdoor fan is an engine-driven heat pump air conditioner having a fourth configuration in which a controller is configured to operate the outdoor fan at a predetermined rotation speed exceeding the predetermined rotation speed,

In the engine-driven heat pump air conditioner of the first construction, when the cooling fluid that has cooled the engine and has reached a high temperature flows inside the radiator to radiate heat, when the outdoor fan is stopped. Even if there is snowfall
Since snow-melting action due to heat from the radiator can be expected, snow will not be accumulated on the outdoor fan even after a lapse of a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes from the detection of snowfall.

Therefore, the snow accumulated on the outdoor fan can be blown off only by rotating the outdoor fan, for example, for 1 minute after a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes, has passed from the detection of snowfall by the snowfall sensor. It is possible to suppress the energy consumption in the snowfall countermeasure as compared with the device in which the outdoor fan is forcibly started immediately after detecting the snowfall.

Further, in the engine driven heat pump air conditioner of the second construction, when the heating operation is stopped and the high temperature cooling fluid that cools the engine stops flowing into the radiator or the outdoor fan is activated, a predetermined time is required. Since the time measurement of is canceled and snowfall is newly detected,
Even if the heating operation is stopped and there is snow at the same time, the snow can be quickly removed.

Also, in the engine driven heat pump air conditioners of the third and fourth configurations, the above first
-The same effect as the engine driven heat pump air conditioner of the second configuration can be expected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an engine-driven heat pump air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of control.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 (gas) engine 2 compressor 3 four-way valve 4 outdoor heat exchanger 5 outdoor electric valve 6 check valve 7 receiver tank 8 indoor electric valve 9 indoor heat exchanger 10 accumulator 11 refrigerant pipe 12 cooling water pump 13 radiator 14 cooling Water pipe 15 Outdoor fan 16 Indoor fan 17 Controller 17a First timer 17b Second timer 18 Snowfall sensor 19 Electric motor A Heating circuit B Cooling circuit U1 Outdoor unit U2 Indoor unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An outdoor heat exchanger provided in a refrigerant circuit having a compressor driven by an engine, and a radiator provided in a cooling circuit in which a cooling fluid for cooling the engine flows are arranged in parallel, and the radiator is provided. In an engine-driven heat pump air conditioner configured to include an outdoor fan that supplies outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger, a snowfall detection unit that detects snowfall, and the outdoor fan is stopped when the heating operation is performed. An engine-driven heat pump air conditioner, comprising: a controller that activates the outdoor fan after a predetermined time when the snowfall detection means detects snowfall. 2. The engine-driven heat pump air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the controller has a function of canceling the measurement of the predetermined time when the heating operation is stopped or the outdoor fan is started. 3. An outdoor heat exchanger provided in a refrigerant circuit having a compressor driven by an engine and a radiator provided in a cooling circuit in which a cooling fluid for cooling the engine flows are arranged in parallel, and the radiator is provided. In an engine-driven heat pump air conditioner configured to include an outdoor fan that supplies outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger, an electric motor capable of controlling the rotation speed that drives the outdoor fan,
If the snowfall detecting means for detecting snowfall and the outdoor fan are stopped or limited to a predetermined number of revolutions or less and the snowfall detecting means detects snowfall during heating operation, the electric motor is passed after a predetermined time. An engine-driven heat pump air conditioner, comprising: 4. The outdoor fan is stopped or limited to a predetermined number of revolutions or less, and when the snowfall detection means detects snowfall during heating operation, the outdoor fan is rotated to the predetermined number of revolutions after a predetermined time. The engine-driven heat pump air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to operate at a predetermined rotation speed exceeding the above.