JPS6032776B2 - Air conditioner operation control method and device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the operation of an air conditioner that controls the continuous rotation of a combinatorial smother mode and an evaporator fan mode in an air conditioner for cooling a room.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method within a room air conditioner for maintaining a predetermined level of temperature and humidity index with reduced energy input.

A twin sphere heater bias temperature sensing element is used to cycle the evaporator fan motor at the same time as the compressor motor to achieve energy savings. Many indoor air conditioners are designed to run the evaporator fan motor continuously when operating in cooling mode of operation, and the evaporator squeeze cooling system is activated when a need for cooling is sensed. It looks like this.

A temperature-sensing bulb (valve) connected to a thermostat is installed to monitor the incoming return airflow to determine the temperature of the air in the room. The operation of the compressor is turned on and off according to the temperature of the air. Because the evaporator fan provides a continuous flow of room air to the thermostat, the thermostat can sense changes in room air temperature without undue delay. It is known that the indoor atmosphere is comfortable for people when the temperature and humidity index level is 75 or less.

The temperature/humidity index of the air being sensed at 0.4 is calculated by multiplying the sum of the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures (Fahrenheit) and then adding 15. Experiment and common practice have shown that whenever the result of this calculation is 75 or less, the average person is in a comfortable state. When the dry bulb or wet bulb temperature increases and the temperature humidity index exceeds 75,
Discomfort increases and air conditioning becomes desirable. In indoor air conditioners, a temperature sensing element is provided in the return air stream to sense the dry bulb temperature of the return air.

Therefore, the device turns on and off only at the dry bulb temperature,
Since the wet bulb temperature is ignored, one of the two elements containing the desired temperature humidity index level is not measured. The present invention is an anticipator heater.
heater) is used in combination with a second bulb with the same temperature sensing element to bias the bulb toward operating the device at a lower temperature. This mode of operation at lower temperatures reduces the relative humidity and therefore both the wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures, reducing the temperature humidity index level. Furthermore, the use of a heater element allows the evaporator fan to be cycled with the combustor motor so that energy is maintained by not continuously operating the evaporator fan. The anticivator serves to initiate the cycle without the need for an evaporator fan constantly circulating air in heat exchange relationship with the thermostat.

A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a thermostat having a bispherical temperature sensing element.

The first bulb is placed in the return air stream from the room to be conditioned so that the dry bulb temperature of the admitting air may be sensed. The second ball may be mounted in heat exchange relationship with the anticivator heater such that the temperature sensing element is biased by applying heat to the element through the anticivator. The compressor motor and evaporator fan are energized when the thermostat is closed and cooling is required. The antiseptic heater is energized during the off-cycle of the compressor motor and evaporator fan to bias the thermostat so that the system starts operating at a relatively cool temperature. By maintaining a low room temperature and cycling the compressor and evaporator fan, it is possible to save energy in the overall operation of the equipment and maintain good temperature humidity index levels. Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Note that the embodiments described herein are suitable for use in indoor air conditioners. It will be appreciated that twin sphere thermostats and antiscivator heaters find equivalent application in other types of air conditioners as well as cycling evaporator fan motors with compressor motors.

The present invention is not only applicable in scope to indoor air conditioning systems, but can also be utilized in other types of air conditioning, refrigeration systems, humidity control or temperature/humidity systems, including heat pumps.
In FIG. 1, a top view of a typical indoor air conditioner is shown, and in this figure, the indoor air conditioner 1 is divided by a wall 5 into an evaporator 8 and a condenser section 6.

A fan motor 20 connected to a compressor 8, a condenser 4, and a condenser fan 16 is provided within the condenser section 6. An evaporator fan 22 and an evaporator 24 are shown within the evaporator section 8. Base surface 12 (also shown in FIG. 2) is shown as the bottom of the device, to which various components are attached. In a typical air conditioner, refrigerant is compressed and its temperature and pressure are increased within a compressor.

This gaseous high temperature refrigerant is circulated through a condenser fan in an outdoor environment heat exchange relationship forced through it by a condenser, where heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the outdoor environment and the refrigerant turns into a liquid. change the state. The high pressure liquid coolant is discharged from the condenser through an expansion device, such as a capillary tube or thermal expansion valve (not shown), in which the pressure of the liquid coolant is reduced. This coolant is then transferred to the evaporator 24
, where the reduced pressure changes the state from liquid to gas absorption heat, which is from the air being circulated in heat exchange relationship with the steamer by the milletizer fan. As the coolant absorbs heat, it changes state from liquid to gas and is directed to a compressor where it is recompressed to start a new cycle. As the liquid refrigerant in the evaporator changes state to gas, heat is absorbed from the air communicating with it so that the air temperature decreases.

Depending on the relative humidity of the return air entering the air conditioner and the air conditioner discharge temperature, this removal of water can result in a reduction in room air and dry bulb temperature by the air conditioner. Referring to FIG. 2, a partially cutaway front view of the indoor air conditioner is shown.

Evaporator 24 is shown attached to base surface 12 with temperature sensing element 32 in front of it. Evaporator fan 22
is mounted behind the evaporator 24, and air from the room is directed through the evaporator coil to the temperature sensing element.
It is discharged to the top of the device above the evaporator coil, shown as discharge area 26. A selector switch 39 mounted in control area 40 is utilized to select the proper mode of operation for the device. Thermostat 30 is shown as a control knob below selector switch 39. Connected in series with the thermostat 30 is a tube 37;
There is a second ball 36, a tube 35 and a first ball 34. This thermostat consists of a liquid-filled tube and, in combination, a conventional thermostat with a bellows-type configuration; changes in the temperature of the fluid cause the fluid within the bulb to expand or contract, acting on the bellows and causing the thermostat to make an appropriate response. The first ball 34 is introduced,
Alternatively, it is installed directly in the return air passage and senses the temperature of the room to be air-conditioned. second ball 3
6 is installed in the control area of the air conditioner in the room adjacent to the anticivitator 38, separated from the return air, and said device 38 is used to supply heat to the second bulb of the temperature sensing element. It will be done.

FIG. 3 shows a partial wiring circuit of the circuit used in the present invention.

Power is supplied to the circuit from lines L, , L2. The wire L connected to the wire 40' is the thermostat 30, antiseptic heater 38, and selector switch contact SS-3.
It is connected to the. Thermostat 30 connects selector switch contacts SS-1, SS-2, SS-4 via line 44.
It is connected to the. Selector switch contact SS-4 is
It is connected via line 46 to antiseptic heater 38 . The compressor motor 50 is connected via a line 49 to a selector switch point SS-1 and a line 42 connected to a wire L2. Line 48 connects selector switch contact SS-2 to selector switch contact SS-3 and connects fan motor 5 via line 42 to L2.
I'm connected to 2. When the device is in the cooling operating mode, the temperature sensing element 32 is used to ascertain the dry bulb temperature level of the air to be conditioned. If this temperature level is within a predetermined range, the thermostat 30 is energized and the compressor motor and evaporator fan are cycled on. The combustor operates to circulate refrigerant through the steam compressor cooling system as described above, and the evaporator fan operates to circulate room air through the evaporator. During this operation, the air to be conditioned is brought into heat exchange relationship with the evaporator and heat is absorbed therefrom. When the temperature of the air in the room falls below a predetermined range, the thermostat senses that the air it is trying to condition does not need to be cooled, and the device shuts off. Anticipator heater 38 is turned on during periods when the device is not operating. A two watt heater with a curved section designed to match the cylindrical body of the second sphere 36 is provided with an anticivitator. Even though the dry bulb temperature of the air entering the device is below the temperature at which the thermostat begins to operate using the antiseptic heater, additional heat is imparted to the fluid within the temperature sensing element, causing the thermostat to senses that the air is at a higher temperature level. Therefore, the operation of the device is
Started prior to start-up in the absence of an antistivator heater. Since the heat output of the antectivator heater is insufficient by itself to initiate operation of the device and serves only to bias the thermostat, operation of the device is initiated at a lower return air temperature. By using this anticivitator, it is not necessary to run the evaporator fan motor continuously, and it accurately senses the room air temperature with a view to determining when operation of the device is required. Selector switch contacts SS-1, SS-2, SS-
3 and SS-4 are all controlled by a selector switch 39.

When the selector switch is in the off position, contacts SS-1 may be opened and the compressor motor 50 may be deenergized. When the selector switch is in the fan-only operating mode, contact SS-3 is closed and fan motor 52 is energized via line 40, contact SS-3, and line 48. A fan motor 52 is connected to it by wire 42 to complete the circuit.

If air conditioning operation is required without using an antiseptic heater, selector switch contacts SS-1, SS-
3 is closed.

Fan motor 52 is continuously energized when the SS-3 contact is closed. The compressor motor 50 has contact SS-1
is energized when the thermostat 30 is closed and the thermostat 30 is closed. Compressor motor 50 is energized via line 40, thermostat 30, line 44, contact SS-1, and line 49. Therefore the selector switch contact S is closed
Continuous fan modulation by combination of S-1 and SS-3
If evening driving is possible and the thermostat is closed, the compressor motor that is about to be cycled can be operated. When air conditioning operation is required when using an anticivator heater, if the selector switch is set to the appropriate position, the selector switch contacts SS-1 and SS
-2, and SS-4 are closed.

In this mode of operation, in which the thermostat 30 is open, the current flows through the line 40, the anticivitator heater 38.
, line 40, and line 4 via combustor motor 50.
2, contact SS-2, wire 48, and fan motor 52,
Flows to line 42. The antiscitivator heater has a large resistance and generates heat that must be transferred to the temperature sensing element. As a result of this large resistance, the potential across either the fan motor or the compressor motor is insufficient to operate either the compressor motor or the fan motor, although current is flowing through it. When the thermostat 30 is closed, the combustor motor 5
0 and fan motor 52 are both thermostat 30,
energized from line 40 through line 44 and appropriate selector switch contacts.

Due to the large resistance of the antiseptic heater, the current flows first through the thermostat in parallel with it,
Anticibator heaters emit negligible heat. Therefore, in this mode of operation, with selector switch contacts SS-1, SS-2, SS-4 closed and the thermostat open, the anticiver
The heater is energized and the compressor and fan motor do not operate. When the thermostat is closed, the compressor motor and fan motor are activated to
Do not heat the external temperature sensing element. In FIG. 4, various graphs are shown comparing temperature humidity index levels and room load ratios.

An equivalent room air conditioner was operated with a preselected thermostat setting to achieve a temperature humidity index level of 75 for a given set of environmental conditions. The graph has a constant fan shown as a line and no heater to indicate the temperature humidity index level achieved by the device when operated with a continuously running evaporator. In addition, temperature humidity index levels are recorded for the same device with a combustor and evaporator fan cycling to 4 without providing additional heating with an anticivator. This mode of operation, effected at temperature humidity index level 78, is illustrated in the graph by the cycling fan shown as a line, indicating no heater. The same system was operated by cycling a fan motor with a combinator motor and a 2 watt antiseptic heater in heat exchange relationship with the second bulb of the thermostat. Using this combination, approximately 7
A temperature humidity index level of 3.2 was achieved. This line on the graph is a shame for cycling fans and 2 watt heaters.
1 setting. A combined cycling evaporator fan motor and combinator motor and antiseptic heater were used to achieve temperature humidity index levels below design levels.

The fourth line in Figure 4 shows a comparison of temperature humidity index level and room load ratio, where the equipment thermostat is at ground level. It was set at a high level marked as setting 2. When the device operates at the second thermostat setting level,
The line marked Cycling Fan, 2 Watt Heater, 2nd Setting was achieved at approximately a temperature and humidity level of 74.8. dry bulb temperature level)
is used to achieve the correct temperature and humidity index level and at the same time save energy in combination with cycling milletizer fan with antiseptic heater and combustor. In Figure 5, the same 4 as in Figure 4
Plots for two modes of operation are shown, showing the energy consumed within the two units, ie, kilowatts per hour compared to the percentage room load factor. Again, it can be shown that constant fan, no heater operation consumes the most energy.
That is, No. Cycling fan with 2 watt heater at 1 setting consumes the second most energy. No. Cycling a fan with a 2 watt heater on setting 2 uses less energy. Operating the device by cycling the fan without a heater also resulted in the least energy consumption, but as shown in FIG. 4, an unfavorable temperature/humidity index level 78 was achieved. Therefore, from these various operating modes, one can choose one that maintains the temperature/humidity index level at the proper setting and uses up to 4.
A mode in which the thermostat is set to a second level or higher sensible temperature, and the fan motor with the compressor motor is cycled to utilize the 2 watt anticibator heater in combination with the twin bulb thermostat. It is clear that In Figure 6, the same thermostat can be used with constant fan operation without a heater, with a fan motor with a combustor motor suitable for cycling, and with a 2 watt antiscivator heater and with opposing operating times. Certain special comparisons of device behavior are shown in the settings.

Part A of the graph shows the watts consumed versus operating time for the two devices. By providing the device without constant fan operation, it can be seen that if the combustor is not activated in the dark at this time, the fan will also not be activated and therefore almost no watts will be dissipated by the device during this period. . It can also be seen from section A of FIG. 6 that the length of time the device operates on each cycle is slightly longer than the device with the 2 watt heater. Also in part B of the graph,
It can be seen that lower temperature and humidity index levels are achieved using a cycling fan and a 2 watt heater than with a constant fan and no heater.

Part C of the graph shows that the temperature of the return air entering the device is significantly lower with the cycling fan and 2 watt heater than with the constant fan and no heater.
The graph also shows that the device with a constant fan and no heater actually consumed 18.93 kilowatts over a period of 2 hours, while the same device with a 2 watt antiseptic heater and a cycling fan actually consumed 18.93 kilowatts over a period of 2 hours. 17.29 in hours
It turned out to be Kilowatt.

All measurements shown in FIG. 6 were made with the device operating at 66% sensible cooling unit load. It has been found that the combination of using an anticivator with a twin-sphere thermostat and cycling an evaporator with a combinator motor provides energy savings while maintaining the same temperature-humidity index level for several reasons.

The antiseptic shield allows evaporator fan motor operation to be shut off during off periods, conserving fan motor energy. Additionally, the heater serves to initiate operation of the device at a lower return air temperature. By operating at lower temperatures, some additional dehumidification can occur, which reduces the wet bulb factor in the equation that determines the temperature humidity index level. Compared to systems with constant evaporator fan operation, the individual operating cycles according to the invention are slightly longer, reducing the number of cycles and cycling losses.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a top view of an indoor air conditioner, Fig. 2 is a partially sectional front view of the indoor air conditioner showing a bispherical temperature sensing element, and Fig. 3 is an electrical FIG. 4 is a partial wiring diagram of the control system; FIG. 6 is a graph of the kilowatts consumed in two different operating modes versus the room load ratio versus the room load ratio; FIG. It shows the temperature and humidity index level of the air conditioner and the wattage consumed while the device is in operation, all compared on an operating hours basis. 10... Indoor air conditioner, 5... Ward, 8... Evaporator section,
6... Capacitor section, 14... Capacitor, 20... Fan motor, 16... Capacitor fan, 18... Compressor,
12... Base surface, 22... Evaporator fan, 24... Evaporator. 〆 んG う (NG / 'So G2 'Z6 4 (stroke 65 'So G 6

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A compressor, a condenser forming a cooling circuit with an evaporator fan driven by an evaporator fan motor that circulates the air to be adjusted in heat exchange communication with the evaporator, and A method for controlling the operation of an air conditioner having an evaporator includes determining when to energize a evaporator fan motor and a compressor motor of the air conditioner by detecting a thermal energy level in a bispherical liquid-filled temperature sensing element. energizing the evaporator fan motor 52 and compressor motor 50 when the result of the sensing step indicates a need to operate the air conditioner; positioning the first bulb of the temperature sensing element in heat exchange relationship with an incoming return air flow from the chamber to be conditioned and with the anticipator entering and heating the evaporator; positioning the second bulb of the temperature sensing element at a location remote from the air to be conditioned as it exits the evaporator; and when the evaporator fan motor and compressor motor are not energized. applying heat to a bulb 36 of a temperature sensing element having an anticipator heater 38; in said sensing step, sensing the temperature of the air to be conditioned heated by said anticipator and flowing into the evaporator; A method for controlling the operation of an air conditioner, characterized in that the thermal energy level is biased within a predetermined range by combining the thermal energy levels detected by the spheres. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of energizing increases the overall heat sensed by the temperature sensing element to operate the compressor motor, evaporator fan motor, and anticipator. switching based on energy levels, energizing the compressor motor and evaporator fan motor when the anticipator is deenergized; and energizing the compressor motor and evaporator fan motor when the anticipator is deenergized; A method for controlling the operation of an air conditioner, characterized in that the anticipator is energized. 3. In a control device for an air conditioner having a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator forming a steam compression cooling circuit, and an evaporator fan for circulating air which is to be adjusted in a heat exchange relationship with the evaporator, ( b) Temperature operation switch 3
0; (b) a bispherical fluid-filled temperature sensing element 32 connected to said switch 30 and adapted to operate said switch by a predetermined level of thermal energy within said element; A first bulb 34 of the element is mounted upstream of the evaporator in the air flow path in heat exchange relationship with the air to be conditioned, and a second bulb 36 of the element is mounted upstream of the evaporator in a heat exchange relationship with the air to be conditioned; said bispherical fluid-filled temperature sensing element 3 adapted to be far away from the location from which it is discharged;
(c) an anticipator heater 38 mounted in heat exchange relationship with the second bulb of the temperature sensing element; and (d) simultaneously energizing the compressor and evaporator fan and controlling the temperature activation. When the thermal energy level of the fluid in the temperature sensing element detected by the switch exceeds a predetermined level, the antisipator heater is not energized, and when the thermal energy level of the antisipator heater exceeds the predetermined level. an electrical circuit having means for energizing the anticipator heater when the temperature is turned off, the anticipator heater transmitting heat to the bispherical temperature sensing element when energized to bias the temperature actuated switch. A control device for an air conditioner, characterized in that it operates to provide energy. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first bulb 34 of the temperature sensing element is arranged parallel to the face of the evaporator of the apparatus extending across the evaporator and adjacent to the apparatus. The second bulb 36 of the temperature sensing element is located in the return flow of the incoming conditioned air and the second bulb 36 of the temperature sensing element is connected to the antisipator heater 38.
and spaced apart from the airflow in heat exchange relationship with the second ball and antisipator heater, the second bulb and antisipator heater being located in a control area of the device remote from the air entering the device;
A control device for an air conditioner, characterized in that the air to be conditioned is discharged from a remote device. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the ball is cylindrical in structure, and the anticipator heater has a curved matching surface adapted to receive the second ball of the temperature sensing element. 1. A control device for an air conditioner, characterized in that it is an electric resistance heater. 6. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first ball 34 is connected to a second ball 36 with a tube 35, and the second ball is connected to a temperature sensitive switch with a tube 37. 3
0 so that there is serial fluid communication between the temperature actuated switch and the first and second bulbs.