JPS61225529A - Duct type multizone air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to adjust the temperatures of respective air conditioned areas by controlling an air damper to open and close so that the temperature of the air conditioned areas detected by temperature detection means assume desired set temperatures. CONSTITUTION:In a space heating operation mode, a master microprocessor 1 reads the temperatures of respective air conditioned areas by a thermostat 55, and compares these read values with desired set temperatures of respective areas. When the temperature in a certain air-conditioned area lowers from the desired set temperature to a temperature which is less than a predetermined allowable range, the master microprocessor 1 calculates an expected time required for restoring the desired set temperature, and monitors the temperature response as a function of time, thus comparing the monitored temperature response with the desired response curve to control the air damper 62. After the adjustment of the air damper 62, the capacitance of a blower fan 40 is adjusted and a heat source is adjusted to come into a steady state. Even in a space cooling operation mode, the procedures are performed similarly to those described above except that the temperature relation is reversed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a duct type multi-zone air conditioning system that cools and heats a plurality of air-conditioned areas through ducts.

[Conventional technology]

Although residential air conditioning systems have become popular,
Such an air conditioning system includes an air-to-air heat pump for heating and cooling, a gas burner for heating in extremely cold weather, and a blower fan for blowing air. The heat pump is arranged such that one of its heat exchangers is placed outdoors and the other is connected to a gas burner. Such a system has three modes of operation. In other words, +1) a cooling operation mode in which the gas burner is not activated in hot weather and the heat pump is operated for cooling; (2) a normal heating operation mode in which the gas burner is not activated and the heat pump is operated in heating operation in cold weather; There is also a very cold heating operation mode in which heating is performed using only the gas burner as the heat source.

By the way, in modern homes, the air-conditioned space is usually divided into several rooms, so duct-type multi-zone air conditioning is used to cool and heat multiple air-conditioned spaces (hereinafter referred to as zones) with one central unit through ducts. The system is becoming widely adopted.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, conventional duct-type multi-zone air conditioning systems are equipped with only one thermostat for detecting room temperature, which makes it impossible to control the temperature in each air conditioning area. There were problems in that it was not possible to maintain comfort, and that unnecessary energy was consumed, reducing efficiency.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a duct type multi-zone air conditioning system that allows temperature control for each air conditioning area.

[Means for solving the problem] The duct type multi-zone air conditioning system according to the present invention has the following features:
Temperature detection means and air dampers are provided in each of the plurality of air conditioning areas, and the air dampers are controlled to open and close based on the output of the temperature detection means so that each air conditioning area reaches a desired temperature.

[Effect]

The duct type multi-zone air conditioning system according to the present invention detects the temperature by the temperature detection means provided in each of the plurality of air conditioning areas, and controls the opening and closing of the air damper so that each air conditioning area reaches a desired temperature.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1st
In the figure, (1) is the main microprocessor that controls the entire duct type multi-zone air conditioning system of this embodiment;
10) is an outdoor unit of a heat pump for cooling and heating; (19) is an outdoor temperature sensor that detects outdoor temperature; (2) is an outdoor temperature sensor that detects outdoor temperature;
0) is an expansion heat exchanger as an indoor unit of the heat pump, (30) is a variable capacity gas burner, (40)
is also a variable capacity blower fan, (50) is a mask switch for the user to input various commands to the air conditioning system, and (52) is the main microprocessor (
1), (55) is a thermostat installed in each of the plurality of air conditioning areas (#1 to #5), (60) is connected to the expansion heat exchanger (20) and gas burner (30). An air supply duct that guides air supplied from a central unit consisting of a blower fan (40) to the air-conditioned space, (61) is this air supply duct) A branch duct that branches air from (60) to each air-conditioned area, (62) ) is a supply side air damper that can take any open/close position, (63)
(64) is the exhaust port that opens to each air-conditioned space, (65) is the exhaust side air damper that is either open or closed, and (66) is each air-conditioned area. A branch duct (67) is an exhaust duct that returns air to the central unit, Ic01.
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Jx J-jmm: S degree sensor.

The outdoor unit (1o) of the heat pump has a microprocessor (II) dedicated to the unit wI, a capacity controller (12) consisting of an inverter, etc., a compressor (13) for compressing refrigerant, and a fan (14) for blowing air. ), a pipe (15) forming a refrigerant circuit, a solenoid valve (16) for opening and closing the refrigerant circuit, and a switching valve (17) for switching the flow of refrigerant depending on cooling or heating.

The expansion heat exchanger (20) includes a finned pipe (21) for heat absorption and exhaust heat, and the outdoor unit (20) includes a finned pipe (21) for heat absorption and exhaust heat.
10).

The gas burner (30) includes a microprocessor (31) dedicated to controlling the burner, a gas inlet (32), a capacity controller (33), and a gas combustion heat exchanger (34).

The blower fan (4o) includes a microprocessor (41) dedicated to controlling the fan, a capacity controller (42) consisting of an inverter, etc., and a power output from the inlet side of the blower fan (4o) to the middle mouth In+t. 4-n knee t1
an air pressure sensor (43) and an air flow sensor (44) that monitors the volume of air flow passing through the blower fan (40).
) and a blower motor (45) that rotationally drives the blower fan (40). This blower fan (4
0) forms a variable air duct system together with the ducts (60), (67), air dampers (62), (65), etc.

The mask switch (50) is the main controller for determining the operating mode of the air conditioning system, and has three functions. That is, the first function is a function that allows the user to select one of the heating operation mode, cooling operation mode, or system stop mode. Also,
The second feature provides the user with either a common temperature control mode, in which all air-conditioned areas are controlled to be kept at the same temperature, or an individual temperature control mode, in which each air-conditioned area is individually temperature-controlled. This is a function that allows you to choose. Furthermore, the third function is that when the common temperature control mode is selected,
This is a function that allows setting a desired common temperature. The mask switch (50) controls the thermostat (55) of each air-conditioned area.
) does not itself include a temperature sensor, since it detects the temperature of each air conditioned area in both the individual temperature control mode and the common temperature control mode.

The outdoor temperature sensor (19), the air pressure sensor (43),
The output signals from the airflow sensor (44), thermostat (55) and supply air temperature sensor (68) are adapted to be transmitted to the main microprocessor (1) where they are processed according to a predetermined program. Based on the results of these calculations, the main microprocessor (1) outputs various control signals, and these control signals can be sent to the air as needed. Dampers (62), (65), blower fans (
40), is sent to the outdoor unit (10) of the heat pump and the gas burner (30).

The microprocessors (11), (31), and (41) are responsible for not only the performance of the outdoor unit (10), gas burner (30), and blower fan (40), but also their starting, stopping, and safety functions. It is also used for.

Next, the operation of the duct type multi-zone air conditioning system of this embodiment configured as above will be explained. first,
The operation of the heating operation mode will be explained.

In the heating mode of operation, the main microprocessor (1) reads the temperature of each conditioned zone by means of a thermostat (55) and compares them with the desired set point temperature of each zone. The desired set temperature is set at the mask switch (50) or thermostat (55). Now, if the temperature of a certain air-conditioned area has fallen further below a certain tolerance range from the desired set temperature, the main microprocessor; Perform calculations to determine. FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the difference between the desired temperature and the actual temperature and the length of the gap required to raise the temperature to this desired temperature. The calculated time is then used as a variable to control the rate of heat input into the conditioned area. As a cedar-shaped area temperature response curve, the one shown in FIG. 3 is known.

Assuming that the required time calculated from FIG. Monitor the temperature response as shown in FIG. 4 and compare it with the desired response curve in FIG. If the response is determined to be too fast, the air damper (62
) is controlled in the direction in which it is closed. Conversely, if it is determined that the response is too slow, the air damper (62) is controlled to be opened. Note that the exhaust air damper (65) corresponding to each air conditioning area is the same as the corresponding supply air damper (65).
62) is always fully open except when it is completely closed.

After temperature readings from the thermostat (55) of each conditioned zone and adjustment of the air damper (62), the capacity of the blower fan (40) is adjusted. A capacity controller (42), such as an inverter, changes the volume of air flowing through the blower fan (40). As shown in FIG. 5, when the air damper (62) is opened, the volume-pressure curve (system curve) for the duct system is S as shown by the arrow.
, Kari S2, and so on. Therefore, in order to maintain the operation of the blower fan (40) within the optimum range, it is necessary to increase the rotational speed of the fan to shift the fan curve outward from F to F2 as shown by the arrow. It is. By doing this, the operating point within the optimum range is shifted from Ol to 0□.

The air pressure and air volume flow rate in the blower fan (40) are determined by the air pressure sensor (43) and the air flow sensor (
44) for feedback control of the capacity of the blower fan (40). These sensors (4
3) and (44), related calculations, and output of capacity control signals are carried out by the blower fan (40).
) is used exclusively for the control of the microprocessor (
41).

Following the capacity adjustment of the blower fan (40), the air supply duct)
Changes in the heat input rate are made to bring the temperature in (60) to the desired temperature. Although the above desired temperature is not constant, it is shown in Figure 6 to save energy.
as a function of outdoor temperature readings. In other words,
If the efficiency of the heat pump (10), (20) decreases due to the supply air temperature being too high in summer and too low in winter, the heat source (heat pump (10), (20) or gas burner (30))
The heat capacity of is adjusted up or down individually until the temperature of the supply air is within an acceptable range of the desired value.

Air dampers (62) and (65), blower fan (4
0) as well as the heat source (heat pump (10), (20) or gas burner (30)), the air conditioning system enters a new steady state in which the relative air flow to each conditioned area is equal to Already changing with changes in overall flow and heat input.

The sea fence as described above is restarted when the temperature of each air-conditioned area is read by the thermostat (55) of each air-conditioned area, and the adjustment of the air damper (62) is started again.

The operation of the sea fence in the above heating operation mode is as follows:
Even in the cooling mode of operation, the relationship between desired zone temperature and actual zone temperature is reversed, except that the room temperature response in FIGS. 3 and 4 is downward rather than upward. The same applies.

The cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode is selected by the user by switching the mask switch (50). Furthermore, which of the gas burner (30) and the heat pumps (10), (20) is used as a heat source in the heating operation mode is determined by the result of calculation in the main microprocessor (1).

That is, as the outdoor temperature drops, the heat pump (
Since the operating efficiency of heat pumps (10) and (20) decreases, heat pumps (10) and (20) are operated while heat pumps (10) and (20) have high operating efficiency;
It is more economical to use the gas burner (30) than to operate the gas burner (30).
0) is activated.

During the installation of an air conditioning system, the installer uses a portable digital power/output device attached to the service port (52) to install the heat pump (10), (20).
The driving energy of the heat pump (10), the driving energy of the gas burner (30), and the unit price of the heat pump (10) are manually input to the main microprocessor (1).
Coupled with continuous monitoring of the operating efficiency of 20), the main microprocessor (1) calculates operating costs and enables switching of heat sources at optimal points to minimize energy costs. .

There are three main mechanical elements, namely the heat pump (10
), (20), gas burner (30), and blower (40) are each formed separately and can be distinguished from each other, but they have come to take three forms depending on the operating mode of the air conditioning system. ing.

In other words, in the extremely cold heating operation mode, the blower fan (4
0) and the gas burner (30) form a gas furnace used exclusively for this mode. In addition, in the cooling operation mode and the normal heating operation mode, the blower fan (40),
The expansion heat exchanger (20) and the outdoor unit (10) are
Forms a forced air heat pump device used for cooling and heating.

All three mechanical elements mentioned above may be used together, in which case the gas burner (30) is activated by the heat pump (10), (20) when the outdoor temperature becomes very low.
) and gas burner (30).

The main microprocessor (11) can detect the presence or absence of the gas burner (30), outdoor unit (10), and air dampers (62) and (65) by electrical signals input and output from the main microprocessor (11). (It is now possible to combine various elements to configure the system without changing the software in 11.) Since the system automatically identifies the installed components, the installer can simply configure the various All you have to do is connect the elements with plugs, etc.

The air conditioning system of the present invention has a high degree of flexibility in the configuration of such a central unit, as well as in the number and size of areas to be conditioned. 1 without exceeding the capacity of the central unit without changing the software in the main microprocessor (1).
It is possible to air condition five or more zones at the same time, as well as to air condition combinations of large and narrow areas at the same time.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, temperature detection means and air dampers are provided in each of a plurality of air-conditioned areas, and the air dampers are controlled based on the output of the temperature detection means. Temperature can be adjusted.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a duct type multi-zone air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between temperature difference and required temperature recovery time in the air conditioning system of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between time and temperature under constant heat gain in the air conditioning system in Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between time and temperature under a constant heat gain in the air conditioning system in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between air volume and pressure in the blower fan in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the outdoor temperature in the air conditioning system in Figure 1. FIG. +11 is the main master, microprocessor, (10) is the outdoor unit of the heat pump, (19) is the outdoor temperature sensor, (2
0) is an expansion heat exchanger, (30) is a gas burner, (40)
is the blower fan, (50) is the mask switch, (52)
is the service port, (55) is the thermostat, (60
) is the supply air duct, (62) is the supply air damper, (65
) is the exhaust air damper, (67) is the exhaust duct, (68
) is the supply air temperature sensor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A heat pump for cooling and heating, a gas burner for heating, an air supply and exhaust duct for supplying and exhausting air to a plurality of air conditioning areas, and a heat pump or gas burner to the plurality of air conditioning areas through these ducts. A duct type multi-zone air conditioning system equipped with a blower fan that forcibly circulates cooled or heated air, comprising a plurality of temperature detection means disposed in each of the plurality of air conditioning areas, and a plurality of temperature detection means disposed in each of the plurality of air conditioning areas, and a blower fan that forcibly circulates cooled or heated air. a plurality of air dampers for controlling the flow; a zone temperature setting means for setting each air conditioned zone to a desired temperature; and a temperature in the conditioned zone detected by the temperature detection means being set by the zone temperature setting means. A duct type multi-zone air conditioning system comprising means for controlling opening and closing of the air damper to achieve a desired temperature.