TWI689688B - Air conditioner, control method and program of air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

During the cleaning operation, the heat exchanger of the air conditioner can be appropriately cleaned. To this end, the air conditioner includes: a refrigeration cycle including a compressor that compresses refrigerant and an indoor heat exchanger; a control device that controls the refrigeration cycle so as to perform a cleaning operation for cleaning the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; and an indoor fan; the control device includes : When performing the cleaning operation, the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator and performs the function of freezing control under the freezing point of the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger (S130, S132, S134); and The function of driving the indoor fan during a predetermined period shorter than the execution period of the freeze control during execution, and putting the indoor fan into a stopped state outside the predetermined period (S130, S132, S134).

Description

Air conditioner, control method and program of air conditioner

The invention relates to an air conditioner, a control method and a formula of the air conditioner.

Regarding the cleaning operation of the air conditioner, the following Patent Document 1 describes that “the air conditioner is equipped with a refrigeration cycle including a heat exchanger that cools or heats the surrounding air, and can perform heating operation, cooling operation, dehumidification operation, etc. The controller 130 for controlling the refrigeration cycle in the manner of the cleaning operation for cleaning the surface of the heat exchanger" (see abstract). [Prior Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6296633

[Problem to be solved by invention]

In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, there is no particular description about the fan driving content of the indoor unit or the like during the cleaning operation. However, if the driving state of the fan such as the indoor unit is inappropriate, the heat exchanger cannot be cleaned properly. This invention is in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an air conditioner capable of appropriately cleaning the heat exchanger during the cleaning operation, and a control method and program for the air conditioner. [Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the air conditioner of the present invention includes a compressor having a compressed refrigerant and a refrigeration cycle of an indoor heat exchanger that cools or heats air in the air conditioner room to perform cleaning of the surface of the indoor heat exchanger A control device that controls the refrigeration cycle and an indoor fan that blows the indoor heat exchanger; the control device has the following functions: when performing the cleaning operation, the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, The function of controlling the freezing of the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger under freezing is performed; and the function of driving the indoor fan for half or less of the execution period of the freezing control during the execution of the freezing control. [Effect of the invention]

According to the present invention, the heat exchanger can be appropriately cleaned during the cleaning operation.

[First embodiment] <Configuration of air conditioner> FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 30, an indoor unit 60, and a control device 20 that controls these. The indoor unit 60 sets the operation mode (cool room, warm room, dehumidification, ventilation, etc.), indoor air volume (rapid wind, strong wind, weak wind, etc.), target indoor temperature, etc. based on the signal input from the remote controller 90.

(Control device 20) The control device 20 includes CPU (Central Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. as hardware of a general computer, and stores the execution of the CPU by the ROM Control programs and various data. The control device 20 controls each unit of the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 60 based on the control program. Moreover, the details will be described later.

(Outdoor unit 30) The outdoor unit 30 includes a compressor 32, a four-way valve 34, and an outdoor heat exchanger 36. The compressor 32 includes a motor 32a and has a function of compressing the refrigerant flowing through the four-way valve 34. The piping a1 is provided with a suction-side temperature sensor 41 that detects the temperature of the refrigerant sucked by the compressor 32 and a suction-side pressure sensor 45 that detects the pressure of the refrigerant sucked by the compressor 32. In addition, the piping a2 is provided with a discharge-side temperature sensor 42 that detects the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 32 and a discharge-side pressure sensor 46 that detects the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 32. In addition, a compressor temperature sensor 43 that detects the temperature of the compressor 32 is installed in the compressor 32.

The four-way valve 34 has a function of switching the direction of the refrigerant supplied to the indoor unit 60 according to whether the indoor heat exchanger 64 functions as an evaporator or a condenser. When the indoor heat exchanger 64 functions as an evaporator, for example, during cold room operation, the four-way valve 34 switches the pipes a2 and a3 and connects the pipes a1 and a6 along a solid line. In this case, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 32 is cooled by the outdoor heat exchanger 36. The cooled refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit 60 through the pipe a5.

In addition, when the indoor heat exchanger 64 functions as a condenser, for example, during heating operation, the four-way valve 34 connects the pipes a2 and a6 along the broken line path and switches the pipes a1 and a3. In this case, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 32 is supplied to the indoor unit 60 through the pipes a2 and a6. The outdoor fan 48 includes a motor 48a and blows air to the outdoor heat exchanger 36.

The outdoor heat exchanger 36 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the air sent from the outdoor fan 48 and the refrigerant, and is connected to the compressor 32 through the four-way valve 34. In addition, an outdoor heat exchanger inlet temperature sensor 51 (outside temperature sensor) that detects the temperature of the air flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 36 is installed in the outdoor unit 30, and a gas-side refrigerant that detects the outdoor heat exchanger 36 The temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger refrigerant gas temperature sensor 53 and the outdoor heat exchanger refrigerant liquid temperature sensor 55 that detects the temperature of the liquid side refrigerant of the outdoor heat exchanger 36.

The power supply unit 54 receives the three-phase AC voltage from the commercial power supply 22. The power measuring unit 58 is connected to the power supply unit 54 to measure the power consumption of the air conditioner 100. The DC voltage output from the power supply unit 54 is supplied to the motor control unit 56. The motor control unit 56 includes an inverter (not shown) and supplies an AC voltage to the motor 32a of the compressor 32 and the motor 48a of the outdoor fan 48. In addition, the motor control unit 56 controls the motors 32a and 48a in a sensorless manner, thereby detecting the rotation speeds of the motors 32a and 48a.

(Indoor unit 60) The indoor unit 60 includes an indoor expansion valve 62, an indoor heat exchanger 64, an indoor fan 66, a motor control unit 67, and a remote control communication unit 68 that performs two-way communication with the remote controller 90 (operation unit). The indoor fan 66 includes a motor 66a and blows air to the indoor heat exchanger 64. The motor control unit 67 includes an inverter (not shown) and supplies an AC voltage to the motor 66a. In addition, the motor control unit 67 controls the motor 66a in a sensorless manner, thereby detecting the rotation speed of the motor 66a.

The indoor expansion valve 62 is inserted between the pipes a5 and a7, and has a function of adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the pipes a5 and a7 and decompressing the refrigerant on the secondary side of the indoor expansion valve 62. The indoor heat exchanger 64 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between indoor air and refrigerant sent from the indoor fan 66, and is connected to the indoor expansion valve 62 through the pipe a7.

In addition, the indoor unit 60 includes an indoor heat exchanger inlet air temperature sensor 70 (temperature sensor), an indoor heat exchanger exhaust air temperature sensor 72, and an indoor heat exchanger inlet humidity sensor 74 (temperature sensor) Sensor), indoor heat exchanger refrigerant liquid temperature sensor 25, and indoor heat exchanger refrigerant gas temperature sensor 26. Here, the indoor heat exchanger inlet air temperature sensor 70 detects the temperature of the air sucked by the indoor fan 66. In addition, the indoor heat exchanger exhaust air temperature sensor 72 detects the temperature of the air exhausted from the indoor heat exchanger 64.

In addition, the indoor heat exchanger inlet temperature sensor 74 detects the humidity of the air sucked by the indoor fan 66. In addition, the indoor heat exchanger refrigerant liquid temperature sensor 25 and the indoor heat exchanger refrigerant gas temperature sensor 26 are provided at the connection position of the indoor heat exchanger 64 and the pipe a6, and detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing at this position. In this way, the compressor 32, the four-way valve 34, the outdoor heat exchanger 36, the indoor expansion valve 62, the indoor heat exchanger 64, and the pipes a1 to a7 form the refrigeration cycle RC.

2 is a side sectional view of the indoor unit 60. The indoor unit 60 is a model called "ceiling-in type" which is buried in the ceiling 130 and exposes the bottom surface in the air-conditioning room. In FIG. 2, the indoor heat exchanger 64 is formed in a plate shape bent in a substantially V-shape, and is provided at the center of the indoor unit 60. The indoor fan 66 arranges the fins in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is arranged in front of the indoor heat exchanger 64. Below the indoor heat exchanger 64 and the indoor fan 66, a dew receiving water tray 140 that receives dew condensation water is disposed.

An inclined air filter 142 is provided behind the indoor heat exchanger 64. In addition, the bottom surface of the indoor unit 60 is covered by the decorative plate 143. In addition, an air suction port 144 formed by slitting the decorative plate 143 is formed below the air filter 142. The indoor heat exchanger inlet air temperature sensor 70 is provided between the indoor heat exchanger 64 and the air filter 142.

An air blowing path 146 is formed in front of the indoor fan 66. The left and right wind direction plates 148 are provided in the middle of the air blowing passage 146, and control the direction of the air flow in the left and right direction (vertical direction with respect to the paper surface). The up-and-down wind direction plate 150 is provided at the outlet portion of the air blowing path 146, rotates about the fulcrum 150a as a center, and controls the direction of the air flow in the up-down direction. The left and right wind direction plates 148 and the up and down wind direction plates 150 are rotationally driven by the control device 20 (see FIG. 1 ). The up and down wind direction plate 150 indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2 indicates the position in the fully open state.

When the air conditioner 100 is stopped, the up-and-down wind direction plate 150 rotates to the fully closed position 152 indicated by a single-dot chain line. In addition, when the cleaning operation described later is performed, the up-and-down wind direction plate 150 rotates to the position 156 indicated by the single-dot chain line, and then rotates to the cleaning operation position 154. In addition, the greater the opening degree of the up-and-down wind direction plate 150, the smaller the pipe resistance of the air blowing passage 146. However, even when the up-and-down wind direction plate 150 is closed at the fully closed position 152, a gap FS is formed between the up-and-down wind direction plate 150 and the decorative plate 143, and a little air flows through the gap FS.

<Operation of the first embodiment> (Outline of cleaning operation) Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the "washing operation" is executed automatically or according to a user instruction. Here, the “washing operation” refers to an operation for frosting or dew condensation on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64 and washing the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64 with frosted or dew condensation water. In addition, when the cleaning operation is automatically executed, for example, the cleaning operation is periodically executed at predetermined intervals. In addition, the cleaning operation is classified into "freezing cleaning operation" and "condensation cleaning operation".

During the freeze cleaning operation, the control device 20 (see FIG. 1) switches the four-way valve 34 in the direction indicated by the solid line so that the indoor heat exchanger 64 becomes an evaporator. Next, the control device 20 sets the rotation speed of the compressor 32, the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 62, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 66, etc. such that the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 64 becomes below freezing point. status. If this state continues, frost will gradually form on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64. Here, if the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 64 is maintained below freezing and the indoor fan 66 is stopped, the frost on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64 further grows.

Here, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 66 during the freeze cleaning operation will be described. As described above, the user of the air conditioner 100 can set the indoor air volume (rapid wind, strong wind, weak wind, etc.) by operating the remote controller 90. However, the user can determine the minimum air volume that can be set by operating the remote controller 90, and the user cannot set the air volume lower than the minimum air volume. The rotation speed in the minimum air volume that the user can specify is called "user-specified minimum rotation speed".

On the other hand, during the frost washing operation, when the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64 is frosted, the control device 20 specifies a predetermined "rotation speed during frost" as the rotation speed of the indoor fan 66. The rotation speed during frosting is a rotation speed lower than the minimum rotation speed specified by the user. The reason why such a low rotation speed during frosting is applied is that the user does not feel uncomfortable as much as possible by suppressing cold air leaking into the air-conditioning room during the cleaning operation.

Next, the control device 20 switches the four-way valve 34 (see FIG. 1) in the direction indicated by the broken line with the indoor heat exchanger 64 as a condenser, and heats the indoor heat exchanger 64. As a result, the frost formed in the indoor heat exchanger 64 is melted, and the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64 is washed. Then, the control device 20 stops the refrigeration cycle RC and continues to drive the indoor fan 66 for a predetermined time. Thus, the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64 is dried. After the above process, the freezing and cleaning operation ends.

Next, the dew condensation cleaning operation will be described. Even during the dew condensation cleaning operation, the control device 20 (see FIG. 1) switches the four-way valve 34 in the direction indicated by the solid line so that the indoor heat exchanger 64 becomes an evaporator. Next, the control unit 20 sets the state of each unit of the air conditioner 100 such that the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 64 is lower than the dew point temperature and higher than zero degrees.

When this state continues, condensation occurs on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64, and the condensed water flushes the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64. Then, the control device 20 switches the four-way valve 34 in the direction indicated by the broken line so that the indoor heat exchanger 64 becomes a condenser, heats the indoor heat exchanger 64, and continuously drives the indoor fan 66. Thus, the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64 is dried. After the above process, the dew condensation cleaning operation ends.

(Actions performed by the cleaning operation process routine program) FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a routine routine for cleaning operation processing in the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, if the process proceeds to step S100, the control device 20 collects various data. That is, the indoor fan 66 is driven with the refrigeration cycle RC stopped, the air in the air-conditioning room is taken into the indoor unit 60, and various data such as the detection results of the various sensors shown in FIG. 1 are collected.

Hereinafter, the detection result of the indoor heat exchanger inlet air temperature sensor 70 in the collected data is referred to as room temperature T, and the detection result of the indoor heat exchanger inlet humidity sensor 74 is referred to as relative humidity H. The detection result of the outdoor heat exchanger inlet temperature sensor 51 is called the outside air temperature TD. In step S100, the up and down wind direction plate 150 (see FIG. 2) is rotated to the position 156.

Next, if the process proceeds to step S102, the control device 20 selects the type of rotation based on the collected data. Here, the selected type of rotation is "freeze cleaning operation", "condensation cleaning operation", or "operation stop". If it is possible to perform the freeze cleaning operation, it is preferable to perform the freeze cleaning operation. However, when the relative humidity in the air-conditioning room is too low, a sufficient amount of frost cannot be formed in the indoor heat exchanger 64, and a sufficient cleaning effect cannot be obtained. Conversely, when the relative humidity H is too high, if the freeze washing operation is performed, dew condensation will occur at locations other than the indoor heat exchanger 64.

In addition, a drain pipe for draining dew condensation water, a drain pump, and the like (not shown) are installed in the dew receiving tray 140 (see FIG. 2) of the indoor unit 60. If the temperature at which dew condensation water is generated is 0°C or lower, there is a possibility that the drain pipe or the like is blocked at this position. Therefore, if the room temperature T or the outside air temperature TD is around 0°C, it is preferable to stop the washing operation. In addition, if the room temperature T or the outside air temperature TD is high, there is a possibility that the cooling capacity cannot be secured to the extent that the indoor heat exchanger 64 can sufficiently frost.

Therefore, in this case, it is not a freeze cleaning operation, but it is preferable to select a dew cleaning operation. In addition, if the room temperature T or the outside air temperature TD is further increased, there is a possibility that the cooling capacity cannot be secured to the extent that the indoor heat exchanger 64 can sufficiently dew. In this case, it is preferable to stop the cleaning operation. For the above reasons, in step S102, the control temperature 20 is selected based on the room temperature T, the outside air temperature TD, and the relative humidity H, and selects any one of the "freezing cleaning operation", "condensation cleaning operation", or "operation stop" category.

In step S102, if "operation stop" is selected, the process proceeds to step S106, and operation stop processing is executed. Here, the indoor fan 66 stops, and the processing of this normal routine ends. In addition, if "condensation cleaning operation" is selected in step S102, the process proceeds to step S104, and the condensation cleaning operation is executed. Here, the above-mentioned dew condensation cleaning operation is executed, and the processing of this conventional routine ends.

In addition, if "freeze washing operation" is selected in step S102, the process proceeds to step S110. Here, the processing is branched based on the range of the relative humidity H. In more detail, the processing is branched based on the comparison result of the relative humidity H and the constants LH and HH. In addition, the constant LH is, for example, approximately "40%", and the constant HH is, for example, approximately 60%.

In step S110, if the relative humidity H is within the range of "H≦LH", the process proceeds to step S130, and the "freezing control F1" is executed. In addition, if the relative humidity H is within the range of "LH<H≦HH", the process proceeds to step S132, and the "freezing control F2" is executed. In addition, if the relative humidity H is within the range of "HH<H", the process proceeds to step S134, and the "freezing control F3" is executed.

The details of these freeze controls F1, F2, and F3 will be described later, but even in any control, frost is formed on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64. When steps S130, S132, and S134 are completed, the process proceeds to step S138. In step S138, defrosting control is performed. That is, the control device 20 switches the four-way valve 34 (see FIG. 1) in the direction indicated by the broken line so that the indoor heat exchanger 64 becomes a condenser, and heats the indoor heat exchanger 64.

As a result, the frost formed in the indoor heat exchanger 64 is melted, and the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64 is washed. Next, if the process proceeds to step S140, drying control is executed. In the drying control, the control device 20 stops the refrigeration cycle RC and continues to drive the indoor fan 66 for a predetermined time. Thus, the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 64 is dried. Next, when the process proceeds to step S142, the operation stop process is executed. Here, the indoor fan 66 is stopped. Based on the above, the processing of this conventional program ends.

(Details of freeze control) Next, the details of the freeze control F1, F2, and F3 in the above steps S130, S132, and S134 will be described. In these steps, based on the relative humidity H and the moisture intake amount graph stored in the control device 20, the applicable moisture intake amount PH is sought. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a moisture intake amount graph. As shown in the figure, relative to the relative humidity H, the moisture intake amount PH is the only certain amount. In addition, the moisture intake amount PH at three points among the relative humidity LH, MH, and HH shown in the figure is actually stored in the moisture intake amount graph. Then, the control device 20 calculates the moisture intake amount PH other than these three points by linear interpolation.

The amount of moisture taken in PH is A [g/m ³ ] in the saturated water vapor amount at room temperature T, B [m ³ /min] in the air volume of the indoor fan 66, and C is the air blowing time of the indoor fan 66 At [min], it is the amount indicated by "PH=A×B×C". In the freeze control F1, the moisture intake amount PH is a predetermined value PH1. In addition, in the freezing control F3, the moisture intake amount PH is a predetermined value PH3. In addition, in the freezing control F2, the greater the relative humidity H, the smaller the moisture intake amount PH, which is a monotonous decreasing function. As described above, when the relative humidity constant LH is 40% and the constant HH is 60%, the predetermined value PH1 is 1.5 to 3 times the predetermined value PH3.

In the above steps S130, S132, and S134, the control device 20 determines the driving conditions of the indoor fan 66 in such a manner as to achieve the moisture intake amount PH obtained from the moisture intake amount table (FIG. 4). In addition, the control device 20 drives the indoor fan 66 according to the determined driving conditions. Here, the saturated water vapor amount A is uniquely determined if the room temperature T is determined. If it is considered that the change in the room temperature T can be ignored during the freezing control period, the saturated water vapor amount A can be regarded as a constant. In addition, in the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 66 in the freezing control, that is, the rotation speed during frosting described above is constant. In addition, in the present embodiment, in the freezing control, the position of the up and down wind direction plate 150 is the cleaning operation position 154 shown in FIG. 2.

Here, if the rotation speed of the indoor fan 66 at the time of frost is constant, and the position of the up-and-down wind direction plate 150 is also the washing operation position 154, it can be considered that the air volume B is also constant. In this way, when the saturated water vapor amount A and the air volume B are considered as constants, the case of determining the driving conditions of the indoor fan 66 is equivalent to the case of obtaining the air blowing time C proportional to the moisture intake amount PH. Therefore, if the predetermined value PH1 is 1.5 to 3 times the predetermined value PH3, the blowing time C in the freeze control F1 is 1.5 to 3 times the blowing time C in the freeze control F3.

In steps S130, S132, and S134, the control device 20 (see FIG. 1) switches the four-way valve 34 in the direction indicated by the solid line so that the indoor heat exchanger 64 becomes an evaporator. Then, the control device 20 rotates the up-and-down wind direction plate 150 to the cleaning operation position 154 (see FIG. 2 ), and sets the rotation speed of the compressor 32 and the indoor expansion valve 62 so that the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 64 is below freezing point. Opening degree etc. Next, the control device 20 drives the indoor fan 66 at a time corresponding to the blowing time C determined previously and the rotation speed at the time of frost formation. As a result, frost forms in the indoor heat exchanger 64. Then, when the blowing time C elapses, the control device 20 stops the indoor fan 66.

When the indoor fan 66 is stopped, the frost adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 64 is further grown by the water vapor contained in the indoor unit 60. In this embodiment, the execution time from the beginning to the end of steps S130, S132, and S134 is the same, and this execution time is referred to as "freezing control time D". The freezing control time D is, for example, 20 minutes. In addition, the blowing time C is, for example, about 7 minutes in the freeze control F1, and is about 3 minutes in the freeze control F3, for example. The time for stopping the indoor fan 66 and growing the frost is equal to "D-C", which is about 13 minutes to 17 minutes in the above embodiment.

That is, the blowing time C is half or less of the freezing control time D. Thereby, the moisture inside the indoor unit 60 can sufficiently grow the frost formed in the indoor heat exchanger 64 in the non-air blowing state. In addition, the period during which the indoor fan 66 is driven is concentrated in the first half of the freeze control time D. As a result, it is possible to perform an operation in which moisture intake is the focus in the first half and growth is the focus in the second half. More specifically, the control device 20 stops the indoor fan 66 during the second half of the freeze control time D. This makes it possible to further promote the growth of frost in the second half of the period. Here, when the freeze cleaning operation is performed when the outside air temperature TD is low, the pressure difference between the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 32 and the pressure of the refrigerant sucked by the compressor 32 becomes smaller and may be lower than the compressor The benchmark range of 32. In this state, if the control device 20 stops the indoor fan 66, the frost formed in the indoor heat exchanger 64 cannot grow sufficiently. Therefore, the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 48 when the indoor fan 66 is stopped can be made higher than the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 48 during driving of the indoor fan 66. In particular, when the outside air temperature TD is equal to or lower than the predetermined value and the freeze cleaning operation is performed, by controlling the outdoor fan 48 in this way, the amount of frost formed in the indoor heat exchanger 64 can be increased.

<Effect of the first embodiment> According to the above embodiment, the control device (20) is provided with the indoor heat exchanger (64) functioning as an evaporator when performing the cleaning operation to perform freezing control under the freezing point of the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger (64) Function (S130, S132, S134), during the execution of the freeze control, the indoor fan (66) is driven in a predetermined period shorter than the execution period of the freeze control and the indoor fan (66) is stopped outside the predetermined period Function (S130, S132, S134). In addition, the predetermined period is half or less of the execution period of the freeze control. In this way, in a predetermined period shorter than the execution period of the freeze control, it is more preferable to enable the indoor heat exchanger (64) by driving the indoor fan (66) for less than half the time from the execution of the freeze control The frost formed sufficiently grows, and the indoor heat exchanger (64) can be cleaned appropriately.

In addition, the control device (20) includes an indoor fan (66) in the second half of the execution period of the freeze control compared to the driving time of the indoor fan (66) in the first half of the execution period of the freeze control Short drive time function. Thereby, since it is possible to carry out an operation that takes moisture in the first half as a priority and frost growth as the second half, it is possible to clean the indoor heat exchanger (64) more appropriately.

In addition, the control device (20) stops the indoor fan (66) during the second half of the execution period of the freeze control. As a result, the growth of frost can be further promoted in the second half of the period, and the indoor heat exchanger (64) can be washed more appropriately.

In addition, the air conditioner (100) further includes an operation unit (90) for designating the air volume by the user's operation, and the rotation speed ratio of the indoor fan (66) in the cleaning operation can be selected from the minimum air volume specified by the operation of the operation unit (90) Low speed. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the cold air leaking into the air-conditioning room when performing the cleaning operation, and it is possible to suppress the user's discomfort.

In addition, the air conditioner (100) further includes a humidity sensor (74) that detects the humidity (H) of the air flowing out of the air conditioning room, and the control device (20) drives the indoor fan (66) if the detected humidity is higher The shorter the time. In this way, by making the driving time of the indoor fan (66) shorter as the humidity becomes higher, it is possible to suppress condensation or the like at an unintended location in the air conditioner (100).

In addition, the air conditioner (100) further includes an outdoor fan (48), and the control device (20) makes the rotation speed of the outdoor fan other than the predetermined period higher than the rotation speed of the outdoor fan in the predetermined period during the execution of the freeze control. Thus, the amount of frost formed in the indoor heat exchanger (64) can be increased.

In addition, the air conditioner (100) further includes an outdoor fan (48) and an outside air temperature sensor (51) that detects the outside air temperature (TD). The control device (20) is characterized in that during the execution of the freeze control, the When the outside air temperature (TD) detected by the outside air temperature sensor (51) is below a predetermined temperature, the rotation speed of the outdoor fan outside the predetermined period is made higher than the rotation speed of the outdoor fan in the predetermined period. Thus, the amount of frost formed in the indoor heat exchanger (64) can be further increased.

[Second Embodiment] Next, the configuration of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In addition, in the following description, parts corresponding to the respective parts of the other embodiments described above may be denoted by the same symbols and their descriptions may be omitted. The configuration and operation of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 3) except for the following points. First, in step S100 (see FIG. 3) of the present embodiment, in addition to the processing of the first embodiment described above, the control device 20 also obtains a value as the "estimated relative humidity value Hest" based on the room temperature T. In addition, in the processing after step S102, instead of the relative humidity H in the first embodiment, the estimated relative humidity value Hest can be applied.

5 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between room temperature T and estimated relative humidity value Hest. As shown in the figure, the estimated relative humidity value Hest is a function that increases monotonously as the room temperature T rises. Here, the reason why the relative humidity estimated value Hest can be used instead of the relative humidity H is based on the fact that the temperature and the relative humidity have a correlation based on the installation area of the air conditioner 100. For example, assume that the air conditioner 100 is set in Japan. Considering the climate of Japan, there is a tendency that the temperature in winter is low and the temperature in summer is high.

At the same time, there is a tendency for the relative humidity in winter to be low and the relative humidity in summer to be high. Therefore, relative humidity has a monotonically increasing tendency with respect to temperature. Therefore, even when the relative humidity estimated value Hest is used instead of the relative humidity H, the air conditioner 100 can be expected to operate appropriately.

In this manner, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment further includes a temperature sensor (70) that detects the temperature of the air flowing in from the air conditioning room, and the control device (20) increases the driving time of the indoor fan (66) when the detected temperature is higher The shorter. Thereby, the indoor heat exchanger inlet humidity sensor 74 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be omitted, and the cost of the air conditioner can be reduced.

[Variation] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The above-mentioned embodiment is an example for explanation in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the configuration to include all the already described configurations. In addition, a part of the configuration of a certain embodiment may be replaced with a configuration of another embodiment, or a configuration of another embodiment may be added to the configuration of a certain embodiment. In addition, a part of the configuration of each embodiment may be deleted, or another configuration may be added or replaced. In addition, the control line or information line shown in the figure shows that it is necessary in consideration of the description, and is not limited to all the control lines or information lines indicating the necessity on the product. In fact, almost all the constituents connected to each other can also be considered. The following modifications are possible for the above-mentioned embodiment.

(1) In the above embodiments, various judgments are made based on the relative humidity H or the estimated relative humidity value Hest, but instead of these, various judgments may be made based on the absolute humidity or its estimated value.

(2) The hardware of the control device 20 in the above-mentioned embodiment can be realized by a general computer, and therefore, the program and the like in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 can be stored in a storage medium or distributed through a transmission path.

(3) The process shown in FIG. 3 is described as a process of software design using a program in the above embodiment, but some or all of them may be replaced by using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and other hardware processing.

(4) The present invention is suitable for a ceiling-entry indoor unit in which the environment in the air-conditioning room and the environment in the indoor unit are likely to differ, but is not limited by the type of indoor unit. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a wall-mounted indoor unit and a window-type air conditioner integrating an indoor unit and an outdoor unit.

20: Control device 32: Compressor 48: outdoor fan 51: Outdoor heat exchanger inlet temperature sensor (outside air temperature sensor) 64: Indoor heat exchanger 66: indoor fan 70: Indoor air heat exchanger inlet air temperature sensor (temperature sensor) 74: Humidity sensor (humidity sensor) at the entrance of indoor heat exchanger 90: Remote control (operation part) 100: air conditioner H: relative humidity (humidity) RC: freezing cycle

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 2] is a side sectional view of the indoor unit in the first embodiment. [Fig. 3] A flowchart of a routine routine for cleaning operation processing in the first embodiment. [Fig. 4] A diagram showing an example of a moisture intake amount graph. [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between room temperature and estimated relative humidity in the second embodiment.

Claims (10)

An air conditioner with: Refrigeration cycle of compressors with compressed refrigerant and indoor heat exchangers; A control device that controls the refrigeration cycle in such a manner as to perform a cleaning operation for cleaning the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; and Indoor fan The aforementioned control device has the following functions: When performing the cleaning operation, the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and performs a function of controlling the freezing of the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger at freezing point; In the execution of the freezing control, the indoor fan is driven for a predetermined period shorter than the execution period of the freezing control, and the function of stopping the indoor fan outside the predetermined period; and The function of shortening the driving time of the indoor fan in the second half of the execution period of the freeze control compared to the driving time of the indoor fan in the first half of the execution period of the freeze control. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned predetermined period is half or less of the execution period of the aforementioned freeze control. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein, The control device stops the indoor fan during the second half of the execution period of the freeze control. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein, It also has an operation unit that specifies the air volume by the user's operation; The rotation speed of the indoor fan during the cleaning operation is lower than the rotation speed in the minimum air volume that can be specified by the operation of the operation unit. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein, Also equipped with a humidity sensor that detects the humidity of the air flowing in from the air conditioner; As for the control device, the higher the humidity detected by the humidity sensor, the shorter the driving time of the indoor fan. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein, Also equipped with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air flowing in from the air-conditioning room; As for the control device, the higher the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the shorter the driving time of the indoor fan. An air conditioner with: Refrigeration cycle of compressors with compressed refrigerant and indoor heat exchangers; A control device that controls the refrigeration cycle in a manner to perform a cleaning operation to clean the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; Indoor fan; and Outdoor fan The aforementioned control device has the following functions: When performing the cleaning operation, the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and performs a function of controlling the freezing of the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger at freezing point; and In the execution of the freezing control, the indoor fan is driven for a predetermined period shorter than the execution period of the freezing control, and the function of stopping the indoor fan outside the predetermined period; The aforementioned control device is During the execution of the freezing control, the control device makes the rotation speed of the outdoor fan other than the predetermined period higher than the rotation speed of the outdoor fan in the predetermined period. An air conditioner with: Refrigeration cycle of compressors with compressed refrigerant and indoor heat exchangers; A control device that controls the refrigeration cycle in a manner to perform a cleaning operation to clean the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; Indoor fan Outdoor fan; and External air temperature sensor to detect external air temperature; The aforementioned control device has the following functions: When performing the cleaning operation, the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and performs a function of controlling the freezing of the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger at freezing point; and In the execution of the freezing control, the indoor fan is driven for a predetermined period shorter than the execution period of the freezing control, and the function of stopping the indoor fan outside the predetermined period; The aforementioned control device is In the execution of the freezing control, when the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor is below a predetermined temperature, the control device causes the rotation speed of the outdoor fan other than the predetermined period to be higher than that in the predetermined period The rotation speed of the outdoor fan is high. A control method of an air conditioner, the air conditioner has: Refrigeration cycle of compressors with compressed refrigerant and indoor heat exchangers; A control device that controls the refrigeration cycle in such a manner as to perform a cleaning operation for cleaning the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; and Indoor fan The control method of the air conditioner is characterized by: Has the following process: When performing the cleaning operation, the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and a process of controlling the freezing of the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger to freezing temperature is performed; and In the execution of the freezing control, the process of driving the indoor fan in a predetermined period shorter than the execution period of the freezing control, and putting the indoor fan into a stopped state outside the predetermined period; The driving time of the indoor fan in the second half of the execution period of the freezing control is shortened compared to the driving time of the indoor fan in the first half period of the execution period of the freezing control. A program suitable for air conditioners, which includes: Refrigeration cycle of compressors with compressed refrigerant and indoor heat exchangers; A computer that controls the refrigeration cycle in a manner that performs a cleaning operation to clean the surface of the indoor heat exchanger; and Indoor fan The program system for air conditioners is characterized by: The aforementioned computer functions as the following unit: When performing the cleaning operation, the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and a unit that controls the freezing of the surface temperature of the indoor heat exchanger to freezing temperature; A unit that drives the indoor fan in a predetermined period shorter than the execution period of the freeze control during the execution of the freeze control, and stops the indoor fan outside the predetermined period; and A unit that shortens the driving time of the indoor fan in the second half of the execution period of the freeze control compared to the driving time of the indoor fan in the first half of the execution period of the freeze control.

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