US20240175613A1 - Refrigeration cycle device - Google Patents
Refrigeration cycle device Download PDFInfo
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- US20240175613A1 US20240175613A1 US18/430,758 US202418430758A US2024175613A1 US 20240175613 A1 US20240175613 A1 US 20240175613A1 US 202418430758 A US202418430758 A US 202418430758A US 2024175613 A1 US2024175613 A1 US 2024175613A1
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- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 59
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 287
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 39
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 35
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 35
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 30
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 29
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 18
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 16
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 14
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 11
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000001174 ascending effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000013528 artificial neural network Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007781 pre-processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001143 conditioned effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012417 linear regression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007477 logistic regression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010801 machine learning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012706 support-vector machine Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012800 visualization Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
- F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
- F24F11/86—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B5/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several evaporator circuits, e.g. for varying refrigerating capacity
- F25B5/02—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several evaporator circuits, e.g. for varying refrigerating capacity arranged in parallel
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B6/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several condenser circuits
- F25B6/02—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several condenser circuits arranged in parallel
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2600/00—Control issues
- F25B2600/25—Control of valves
- F25B2600/2515—Flow valves
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle device.
- a refrigeration cycle device includes a heat exchanger, a plurality of flow rate adjustment units, and a control unit.
- the heat exchanger has a plurality of refrigerant flow paths including a first refrigerant flow path and a second refrigerant flow path.
- the plurality of flow rate adjustment units adjust flow rates of a refrigerant flowing through the respective refrigerant flow paths.
- the control unit adjusts the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths by controlling opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units.
- the control unit controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units based on a first value or a second value.
- the first value is a value representing overall efficiency of a refrigeration cycle.
- the second value is a value representing overall efficiency of the heat exchanger.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an outdoor heat exchanger.
- FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of an air conditioning device.
- FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a learning device.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining learning processing in the learning device.
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining flow rate adjustment processing.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow rate adjustment processing.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an indoor heat exchanger according to Modified Example 1E.
- a refrigeration cycle device 1 constitutes a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle and conditions (cools or heats) air in a target space.
- the refrigeration cycle device 1 is a so-called multi-type air conditioning system for a building.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the refrigeration cycle device 1 .
- the refrigeration cycle device 1 mainly includes an air conditioning device 2 and a learning device 10 .
- the air conditioning device 2 includes an indoor unit 20 and an outdoor unit 30 .
- the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 are connected to each other via a liquid refrigerant connection pipe 51 and a gas refrigerant connection pipe 52 to constitute a refrigerant circuit 50 .
- the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 are communicably connected to each other by a communication line 81 .
- the outdoor unit 30 and the learning device 10 are communicably connected to each other by a communication line 82 .
- refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i when refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i are not to be distinguished from each other, they may be referred to as refrigerant flow paths 333 or the like.
- the indoor unit 20 is installed in the target space where air is to be conditioned, such as inside a building in which the refrigeration cycle device 1 is installed.
- the indoor unit 20 is, for example, a ceiling-embedded type unit, a ceiling-suspended type unit, a floor-mounted type unit, or the like.
- the indoor unit 20 mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 21 , an indoor fan 22 , an indoor expansion valve 23 , an indoor control unit 29 , an indoor temperature sensor 61 , a gas-side temperature sensor 62 , and a liquid-side temperature sensor 63 .
- the indoor unit 20 includes a liquid refrigerant pipe 53 a that connects a liquid-side end of the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 51 , and a gas refrigerant pipe 53 b that connects a gas-side end of the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 52 .
- the indoor heat exchanger 21 is, for example, a cross-fin type, fin-and-tube heat exchanger that includes a heat transfer tube (not illustrated) and a large number of fins (not illustrated).
- the indoor heat exchanger 21 causes heat to be exchanged between a refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 and air in the target space.
- the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator during cooling operation, and functions as a condenser during heating operation.
- the indoor fan 22 causes air in the target space to be taken into the indoor unit 20 and to be supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 21 , and then causes the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 21 to be supplied to the target space.
- the indoor fan 22 is, for example, a centrifugal fan such as a turbo fan or a sirocco fan.
- the indoor fan 22 is driven by an indoor fan motor 22 m .
- a rotation speed of the indoor fan motor 22 m can be controlled by an inverter.
- the indoor expansion valve 23 is a mechanism for adjusting pressure and a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant pipe 53 a.
- the indoor expansion valve 23 is provided to the liquid refrigerant pipe 53 a.
- the indoor expansion valve 23 is an electronic expansion valve in which its opening degree is adjustable.
- the indoor temperature sensor 61 measures a temperature (a room temperature) of air in the target space.
- the indoor temperature sensor 61 is provided near an air suction port of the indoor unit 20 .
- the gas-side temperature sensor 62 measures a temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the gas refrigerant pipe 53 b.
- the gas-side temperature sensor 62 is provided to the gas refrigerant pipe 53 b.
- the liquid-side temperature sensor 63 measures the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant pipe 53 a.
- the liquid-side temperature sensor 63 is provided to the liquid refrigerant pipe 53 a.
- the indoor temperature sensor 61 , the gas-side temperature sensor 62 , and the liquid-side temperature sensor 63 are, for example, thermistors.
- the indoor control unit 29 controls operation of each part constituting the indoor unit 20 .
- the indoor control unit 29 is electrically connected to various devices included in the indoor unit 20 , the various devices including the indoor expansion valve 23 and the indoor fan motor 22 m. Furthermore, the indoor control unit 29 is communicably connected to various sensors provided in the indoor unit 20 , the various sensors including the indoor temperature sensor 61 , the gas-side temperature sensor 62 , and the liquid-side temperature sensor 63 .
- the indoor control unit 29 includes a control arithmetic device, a storage device, and a network interface device.
- the control arithmetic device is a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU).
- the storage device is a storage medium such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), or a flash memory.
- the control arithmetic device reads a program stored in the storage device, and performs predetermined arithmetic processing in accordance with the program, thereby controlling operation of each part constituting the indoor unit 20 . Furthermore, the control arithmetic device can write calculation results into the storage device, and can read information stored in the storage device, in accordance with the program.
- the network interface device is configured to communicate with the outdoor unit 30 via the communication line 81 . Furthermore, the indoor control unit 29 includes a timer.
- the indoor control unit 29 is configured to be able to receive various signals transmitted from an operation remote controller (not illustrated).
- the various signals include, for example, signals for instructing start and stop of operation, and signals related to various settings.
- the signals related to various settings include, for example, signals related to a set temperature and set humidity.
- the indoor control unit 29 exchanges control signals, measurement signals, signals related to various settings, and the like with an outdoor control unit 39 in the outdoor unit 30 via the communication line 81 .
- the indoor control unit 29 and the outdoor control unit 39 cooperate with each other to function as a control unit 70 . Functions of the control unit 70 will be described later.
- the outdoor unit 30 is installed outside the target space, such as on a roof floor of the building in which the refrigeration cycle device 1 is installed.
- the outdoor unit 30 mainly includes a compressor 31 , a flow path switching valve 32 , an outdoor heat exchanger 33 , an outdoor expansion valve 34 , an accumulator 35 , an outdoor fan 36 , a liquid-side shutoff valve 37 , a gas-side shutoff valve 38 , the outdoor control unit 39 , a suction pressure sensor 64 , a discharge pressure sensor 65 , an outdoor temperature sensor 66 , a gas-side temperature sensor 67 , and a liquid-side temperature sensor 68 .
- the outdoor unit 30 includes a suction pipe 54 a, a discharge pipe 54 b, a first gas refrigerant pipe 54 c, a liquid refrigerant pipe 54 d, and a second gas refrigerant pipe 54 e.
- the suction pipe 54 a connects the flow path switching valve 32 and a suction side of the compressor 31 .
- the suction pipe 54 a is provided with the accumulator 35 .
- the discharge pipe 54 b connects a discharge side of the compressor 31 and the flow path switching valve 32 .
- the first gas refrigerant pipe 54 c connects the flow path switching valve 32 and a gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- the liquid refrigerant pipe 54 d connects a liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 and the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 51 .
- the liquid refrigerant pipe 54 d is provided with the outdoor expansion valve 34 .
- the liquid-side shutoff valve 37 is provided at a connecting portion between the liquid refrigerant pipe 54 d and the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 51 .
- the second gas refrigerant pipe 54 e connects the flow path switching valve 32 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 52 .
- the gas-side shutoff valve 38 is provided at a connecting portion between the second gas refrigerant pipe 54 e and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 52 .
- the compressor 31 is a device that intakes, from the suction pipe 54 a, the refrigerant at low pressure in the refrigeration cycle, compresses the refrigerant with its compression mechanism (not illustrated), and discharges the compressed refrigerant to the discharge pipe 54 b.
- the compressor 31 is, for example, a displacement compressor of a rotary type, a scroll type, or the like.
- the compression mechanism in the compressor 31 is driven by a compressor motor 31 m.
- a rotation speed of the compressor motor 31 m can be controlled by an inverter.
- the flow path switching valve 32 is a mechanism that switches a flow path of the refrigerant between a first state and a second state.
- the flow path switching valve 32 causes the suction pipe 54 a and the second gas refrigerant pipe 54 e to communicate with each other, and the discharge pipe 54 b and the first gas refrigerant pipe 54 c to communicate with each other, as illustrated by solid lines inside the flow path switching valve 32 illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- the flow path switching valve 32 causes the suction pipe 54 a and the first gas refrigerant pipe 54 c to communicate with each other, and the discharge pipe 54 b and the second gas refrigerant pipe 54 e to communicate with each other, as illustrated by broken lines inside the flow path switching valve 32 illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- the flow path switching valve 32 sets the flow path of the refrigerant to the first state during the cooling operation.
- the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 31 flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 , the outdoor expansion valve 34 , the indoor expansion valve 23 , and the indoor heat exchanger 21 in this order in the refrigerant circuit 50 , and returns to the compressor 31 .
- the outdoor heat exchanger 33 functions as a condenser
- the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator.
- the flow path switching valve 32 sets the flow path of the refrigerant to the second state during the heating operation.
- the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 31 flows through the indoor heat exchanger 21 , the indoor expansion valve 23 , the outdoor expansion valve 34 , and the outdoor heat exchanger 33 in this order in the refrigerant circuit 50 , and returns to the compressor 31 .
- the outdoor heat exchanger 33 functions as an evaporator
- the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- the outdoor heat exchanger 33 mainly includes a heat exchanger main body 331 and a plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i.
- the heat exchanger main body 331 has the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i including a first refrigerant flow path 333 and a second refrigerant flow path 333 . As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the heat exchanger main body 331 is divided into a plurality of sections 331 a to 331 i , and the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i pass through the sections 331 a to 331 i , respectively.
- the heat exchanger main body 331 causes heat to be exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 and outdoor air.
- the heat exchanger main body 331 functions as a condenser during the cooling operation, and functions as an evaporator during the heating operation.
- the flow rate adjustment units 332 adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 . Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i such that the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i become uniform.
- the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i such that the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i does not flow unevenly.
- the flow rate adjustment units 332 are configured to be able to adjust the opening degrees.
- a flow divider 334 causes, during the heating operation, the refrigerant that has flowed from the outdoor expansion valve 34 side into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (in a direction indicated by a solid-line arrow illustrated in FIG. 2 ) to be separated flows to separately flow into the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i. Furthermore, the flow divider 334 causes, during the cooling operation, separated flows of the refrigerant that has flowed from the compressor 31 side into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (in a direction indicated by a broken-line arrow illustrated in FIG. 2 ) and that has been caused to separately flow into the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i by a header 335 , which will be described later, to join each other.
- the header 335 causes, during the heating operation, separated flows of the refrigerant that has flowed from the outdoor expansion valve 34 side into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (in the direction indicated by the solid-line arrow illustrated in FIG. 2 ) and that has been caused to separately flow into the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i by the flow divider 334 to join each other. Furthermore, the header 335 causes, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant that has flowed from the compressor 31 side into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (in the direction indicated by the broken-line arrow illustrated in FIG. 2 ) to be separated flows to separately flow into the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i.
- the outdoor expansion valve 34 is a mechanism for adjusting the pressure and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant pipe 54 d.
- the outdoor expansion valve 34 is an electronic expansion valve in which its opening degree is adjustable.
- the accumulator 35 is a container having a gas-liquid separation function for separating the inflowing refrigerant into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant.
- the refrigerant flowing into the accumulator 35 is separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and the gas refrigerant collected in an upper space flows into the compressor 31 .
- the outdoor fan 36 is a fan that causes outdoor air to be taken into the outdoor unit 30 and to be supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 33 , and causes the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 33 to be discharged outside the outdoor unit 30 .
- the outdoor fan 36 is, for example, an axial-flow fan such as a propeller fan.
- the outdoor fan 36 is driven by an outdoor fan motor 36 m.
- a rotation speed of the outdoor fan motor 36 m can be controlled by an inverter.
- the suction pressure sensor 64 is a sensor that measures suction pressure.
- the suction pressure sensor 64 is provided to the suction pipe 54 a.
- the suction pressure is a low pressure value of the refrigeration cycle.
- the discharge pressure sensor 65 is a sensor that measures discharge pressure.
- the discharge pressure sensor 65 is provided to the discharge pipe 54 b.
- the discharge pressure is a high pressure value of the refrigeration cycle.
- the outdoor temperature sensor 66 measures a temperature of air outside the target space (an outdoor temperature).
- the outdoor temperature sensor 66 is provided near an air suction port of the outdoor unit 30 .
- the gas-side temperature sensor 67 measures the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first gas refrigerant pipe 54 c.
- the gas-side temperature sensor 67 is provided to the first gas refrigerant pipe 54 c.
- the liquid-side temperature sensor 68 measures the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant pipe 54 d.
- the liquid-side temperature sensor 63 is provided to the liquid refrigerant pipe 54 d.
- the outdoor temperature sensor 66 , the gas-side temperature sensor 67 , and the liquid-side temperature sensor 68 are, for example, thermistors.
- the liquid-side shutoff valve 37 is a valve provided at the connecting portion between the liquid refrigerant pipe 54 d and the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 51 .
- the gas-side shutoff valve 38 is a valve provided at the connecting portion between the second gas refrigerant pipe 54 e and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 52 .
- the liquid-side shutoff valve 37 and the gas-side shutoff valve 38 are, for example, manually operated valves.
- the outdoor control unit 39 controls operation of each part constituting the outdoor unit 30 .
- the outdoor control unit 39 is electrically connected to various devices included in the outdoor unit 30 , the various devices including the compressor motor 31 m, the flow path switching valve 32 , the flow rate adjustment units 332 , the outdoor expansion valve 34 , and the outdoor fan motor 36 m. Furthermore, the outdoor control unit 39 is communicably connected to various sensors provided in the outdoor unit 30 , the various sensors including the suction pressure sensor 64 , the discharge pressure sensor 65 , the outdoor temperature sensor 66 , the gas-side temperature sensor 67 , and the liquid-side temperature sensor 68 .
- the outdoor control unit 39 includes a control arithmetic device, a storage device, and two network interface devices.
- the control arithmetic device is a processor such as a CPU or a GPU.
- the storage device is a storage medium such as a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory.
- the control arithmetic device reads a program stored in the storage device, and performs predetermined arithmetic processing in accordance with the program, thereby controlling operation of each part constituting the outdoor unit 30 . Furthermore, the control arithmetic device can write calculation results into the storage device, and can read information stored in the storage device, in accordance with the program.
- One of the network interface devices is configured to communicate with the indoor unit 20 via the communication line 81 .
- Another one of the network interface devices is configured to communicate with the learning device 10 via the communication line 82 .
- the outdoor control unit 39 includes a timer.
- the outdoor control unit 39 exchanges control signals, measurement signals, signals related to various settings, and the like with the indoor control unit 29 in the indoor unit 20 via the communication line 81 . Furthermore, the outdoor control unit 39 exchanges control signals, measurement signals, signals related to various settings, and the like with the learning control unit 19 in the learning device 10 via the communication line 82 .
- the outdoor control unit 39 and the indoor control unit 29 cooperate with each other to function as the control unit 70 .
- the functions of the control unit 70 will be described later.
- the control unit 70 includes the indoor control unit 29 and the outdoor control unit 39 .
- FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the air conditioning device 2 . As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the control unit 70 is communicably connected to the indoor temperature sensor 61 , the gas-side temperature sensor 62 , the liquid-side temperature sensor 63 , the suction pressure sensor 64 , the discharge pressure sensor 65 , the outdoor temperature sensor 66 , the gas-side temperature sensor 67 , and the liquid-side temperature sensor 68 .
- the control unit 70 receives measurement signals transmitted from various sensors.
- control unit 70 is electrically connected to the indoor expansion valve 23 , the indoor fan motor 22 m, the compressor motor 31 m, the flow path switching valve 32 , the flow rate adjustment units 332 , the outdoor expansion valve 34 , and the outdoor fan motor 36 m.
- control unit 70 controls, based on measurement signals of various sensors, operation of various devices included in the air conditioning device 2 , the various devices including the indoor expansion valve 23 , the indoor fan motor 22 m, the compressor motor 31 m, the flow path switching valve 32 , the flow rate adjustment units 332 , the outdoor expansion valve 34 , and the outdoor fan motor 36 m.
- the control unit 70 mainly performs the cooling operation and the heating operation.
- control unit 70 controls the flow path switching valve 32 such that a state as indicated by the solid lines illustrated in FIG. 1 is attained inside the flow path switching valve 32 . At this time, the flow path of the refrigerant is in the first state.
- the control unit 70 opens the outdoor expansion valve 34 in a step-wise manner and adjusts the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 23 such that a degree of superheating of the refrigerant at a gas-side outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 21 reaches a predetermined target degree of superheating.
- the degree of superheating of the refrigerant at the gas-side outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is calculated, for example, by subtracting an evaporation temperature converted from a measurement value (suction pressure) of the suction pressure sensor 64 from a measurement value of the gas-side temperature sensor 62 .
- control unit 70 controls an operating capacity of the compressor 31 such that the evaporation temperature converted from the measurement value of the suction pressure sensor 64 approaches a predetermined target evaporation temperature.
- the operating capacity of the compressor 31 is controlled by controlling the rotation speed of the compressor motor 31 m.
- control unit 70 adjusts, in cooperation with the learning device 10 , the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i by controlling the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i (hereinafter sometimes referred to as flow rate adjustment processing).
- the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the first value.
- the first value is a value representing the overall efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.
- the first value includes a pressure value of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an outdoor pressure value), a temperature of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an outdoor temperature), and the rotation speed of the outdoor fan motor 36 m (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an outdoor fan rotation speed).
- the outdoor pressure value during the cooling operation is a pressure value on a high pressure side.
- the outdoor pressure value during the cooling operation is acquired from, for example, the discharge pressure sensor 65 .
- the outdoor temperature is acquired from, for example, the outdoor temperature sensor 66 .
- the control unit 70 receives, from the learning device 10 , information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as opening degree information) regarding a setting range of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, per predetermined time T2 (for example, 24 hours).
- the control unit 70 sets the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i per predetermined time T1 (for example, 10 minutes) within the setting range according to the received opening degree information.
- the control unit 70 changes, per the predetermined time T1, the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i within the setting range according to the opening degree information.
- the control unit 70 waits, each time the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i are set, until the pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant and operation of the various devices become stationary (until the air conditioning device 2 reaches a stationary state), and, after the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state, transmits the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and an outdoor pressure value at that time (hereinafter sometimes referred to as learning data 131 ) to the learning device 10 .
- the control unit 70 determines that the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the outdoor temperature and the outdoor fan rotation speed become stationary. In other words, the outdoor temperature and the outdoor fan rotation speed in the first value are used to determine whether or not the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state.
- control unit 70 controls various devices such that the room temperature in the target space approaches a set temperature, thereby the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 50 during the cooling operation, as described below.
- the high-pressure gas refrigerant flows through the first gas refrigerant pipe 54 c via the flow path switching valve 32 , and is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- the high-pressure gas refrigerant supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is caused to be separated flows to separately flow into the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i.
- the refrigerant separately flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor fan 36 , condenses, and becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the heat exchanger main body 331 .
- the refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchanger main body 331 and that flows through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i is adjusted in flow rate by the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i so as not to flow unevenly.
- the separate flows of the refrigerant that has passed through the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and that flows through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i join each other in the flow divider 334 , and the joined refrigerant flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- the high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 flows through the liquid refrigerant pipe 54 d, passes through the outdoor expansion valve 34 , and is supplied to the indoor unit 20 .
- the high-pressure liquid refrigerant supplied to the indoor unit 20 is decompressed to near suction pressure of the compressor 31 in the indoor expansion valve 23 , becomes the refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state, and is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 21 .
- the refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state exchanges heat with the air in the target space, which is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 21 by the indoor fan 22 , evaporates, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant.
- the low-pressure gas refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor unit 30 via the gas refrigerant connection pipe 52 and flows into the accumulator 35 via the flow path switching valve 32 .
- the low-pressure gas refrigerant which has flowed into the accumulator 35 , is taken again into the compressor 31 .
- the temperature of the air supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 21 lowers due to exchange of heat with the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 , and the air cooled by the indoor heat exchanger 21 is blown into the target space.
- control unit 70 controls the flow path switching valve 32 such that a state as indicated by the broken lines illustrated in FIG. 1 is attained inside the flow path switching valve 32 . At this time, the flow path of the refrigerant is in the second state.
- the control unit 70 adjusts the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 23 such that a degree of subcooling of the refrigerant at a liquid-side outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 21 reaches a predetermined target degree of subcooling.
- the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant at the liquid-side outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is calculated, for example, by subtracting a measurement value of the liquid-side temperature sensor 63 from a condensation temperature converted from a measurement value (discharge pressure) of the discharge pressure sensor 65 .
- control unit 70 adjusts an opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 34 such that the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is decompressed to pressure at which the refrigerant can evaporate in the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- control unit 70 controls the operating capacity of the compressor 31 such that the condensation temperature converted from the measurement value of the discharge pressure sensor 65 approaches a predetermined target condensation temperature.
- the operating capacity of the compressor 31 is controlled by controlling the rotation speed of the compressor motor 31 m.
- the control unit 70 adjusts, in cooperation with the learning device 10 , the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i by controlling the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i.
- the outdoor pressure value during the heating operation is a pressure value on a low pressure side.
- the outdoor pressure value during the heating operation is acquired from, for example, the suction pressure sensor 64 .
- control unit 70 controls various devices such that the room temperature in the target space approaches a set temperature, the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant circuit 50 during the heating operation, as described below.
- a low-pressure gas refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is taken into the compressor 31 and is compressed by the compressor 31 to become a high-pressure gas refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle.
- the high-pressure gas refrigerant is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 21 via the flow path switching valve 32 , exchanges heat with the air in the target space, which is supplied by the indoor fan 22 , condenses, and becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.
- the temperature of the air supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 21 rises due to exchange of heat with the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 , and the air heated by the indoor heat exchanger 21 is blown into the target space.
- the high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 21 passes through the indoor expansion valve 23 , and is decompressed.
- the refrigerant decompressed in the indoor expansion valve 23 is supplied to the outdoor unit 30 via the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 51 and flows into the liquid refrigerant pipe 54 d.
- the refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant pipe 54 d is decompressed to near suction pressure of the compressor 31 , when passing through the outdoor expansion valve 34 , becomes the refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state, and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- the low-pressure refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state which has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 , is caused to be separate flows to separately flow into the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i.
- the refrigerant that has passed through the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and that flows through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor fan 36 in the heat exchanger main body 331 , evaporates, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant.
- the separate flows of the refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchanger main body 331 and that flows through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i join each other in the header 335 , and the joined refrigerant flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- the low-pressure gas refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 flows into the accumulator 35 via the flow path switching valve 32 .
- the low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the accumulator 35 is taken again into the compressor 31 .
- the learning device 10 learns the appropriate opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i in cooperation with the control unit 70 such that the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i does not flow unevenly.
- the learning device 10 is a computer installed in a server room or the like in a building.
- the learning device 10 may be installed in a cloud-based data center or the like.
- the communication line 82 includes a line connected to the Internet, for example.
- FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the learning device 10 .
- the learning device 10 mainly includes a learning input unit 11 , a learning display unit 12 , a learning storage unit 13 , a learning communication unit 14 , and a learning control unit 19 .
- the learning input unit 11 includes a keyboard and a mouse. Various commands and various pieces of information for the learning device 10 can be input using the learning input unit 11 .
- the learning display unit 12 is a monitor.
- the learning display unit 12 can display, for example, the learning data 131 , a learning situation, and the like.
- the learning storage unit 13 is a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, or a hard disk drive (HDD).
- the learning storage unit 13 stores a program that the learning control unit 19 executes, data necessary for executing the program, and the like.
- the learning storage unit 13 stores, in particular, the learning data 131 and a learning model 132 described later.
- Table 1 illustrated below indicates an example of the learning data 131 used during the cooling operation.
- One record in the learning data 131 corresponds to a fact that the control unit 70 has set once the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i.
- the items “Opening degree a” to “Opening degree i” respectively indicate the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, which the control unit 70 has set.
- the learning communication unit 14 is a network interface device for performing communications via the communication line 82 .
- the learning control unit 19 is a processor such as a CPU or a GPU.
- the learning control unit 19 reads and executes a program stored in the learning storage unit 13 to realize various functions of the learning device 10 . Furthermore, the learning control unit 19 can write a calculation result into the learning storage unit 13 , and can read information stored in the learning storage unit 13 , in accordance with a program. Furthermore, the learning control unit 19 includes a timer.
- the learning control unit 19 associates with each other and learns a combination of the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and an outdoor pressure value when the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i correspond to the combination of the opening degrees.
- the learning control unit 19 creates the learning model 132 using the learning data 131 as illustrated in Table 1.
- the learning model 132 according to the present embodiment is a classification-type model.
- a neural network, logistic regression, a support vector machine, or the like can be used.
- the learning control unit 19 first estimates, as preprocessing, a level of the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 from an outdoor pressure value. In a case of the cooling operation, it is estimated that the smaller the outdoor pressure value (a pressure value on the high-pressure side), the higher the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 . Therefore, the learning control unit 19 designates, for example, a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%), from among the records in the learning data 131 , in ascending order of the outdoor pressure value and estimates that the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is high in these records and that the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is low in the other records.
- a predetermined percentage for example, 20%
- the learning control unit 19 designates, for example, a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%), from among the records in the learning data 131 , in descending order of the outdoor pressure values and estimates that the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is high in these records and that the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is low in the other records.
- Table 2 illustrated below indicates an example when the preprocessing is performed on the learning data 131 in Table 1.
- Table 1 indicates the learning data 131 during the cooling operation, the smaller the outdoor pressure value, the higher the possibility that the heat exchange capability is “high”, in Table 2.
- the learning control unit 19 classifies the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i in accordance with the level of the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 , which is estimated from the outdoor pressure value.
- the learning control unit 19 creates the learning model 132 using the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i as an explanatory variable and the heat exchange capability as an objective variable, and classifies the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i.
- the learning control unit 19 creates the learning model 132 that divides an opening degree space (here, a nine-dimensional space where values of Opening degree a to Opening degree i serve as axes), in which each point represents a combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, into a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “high” and a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “low”.
- an opening degree space here, a nine-dimensional space where values of Opening degree a to Opening degree i serve as axes
- FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining learning processing in the learning device 10 .
- FIG. 5 illustrates, for visualization purposes, only a two-dimensional plane formed by the axis of “Opening degree a” and the axis of “Opening degree b” in the nine-dimensional opening degree space.
- FIG. 5 In an upper left diagram in FIG. 5 , four points corresponding to the values of “Opening degree a” and “Opening degree b” in each record in the learning data 131 are plotted. In the upper left diagram in FIG. 5 , the points that are hatched indicate that the heat exchange capability is “high”. The points that are not hatched indicate that the heat exchange capability is “low”.
- FIG. 5 An upper center diagram in FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the opening degree space is divided into a region RI and a region R 2 by a boundary BR 1 that the learning model 132 has caused to appear.
- the (hatched) region R 1 indicates a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “high”.
- the region R 2 indicates a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “low”.
- the learning control unit 19 transmits information about the region to the control unit 70 as opening degree information.
- the opening degree information is information about a combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, which is classified by the learning device 10 into a class at which the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is higher than a predetermined value.
- the control unit 70 uses the opening degree information received from the learning device 10 to control, within a range of the region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “high” (the region R 1 ), the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i. Each time the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i have been set, the control unit 70 transmits the learning data 131 to the learning device 10 .
- the control unit 70 transmits the learning data 131 to the learning device 10 .
- four points corresponding to records in the learning data 131 that has newly been received are plotted in the area R 1 .
- the point that is hatched indicates that the heat exchange capability is “high”.
- the learning control unit 19 creates the learning model 132 again based on the learning data 131 that has newly been created.
- a lower left diagram in FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the opening degree space is divided into a region R 3 and a region R 4 by a boundary BR 2 that the learning model 132 created again has caused to appear.
- the (hatched) region R 3 indicates a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “high”.
- the region R 4 indicates a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “low”.
- step S 1 the control unit 70 starts the cooling operation or the heating operation in response to an instruction or the like from the operation remote controller.
- step S 1 ends, as illustrated in step S 2 , the control unit 70 determines whether or not new opening degree information has been received from the learning device 10 . As new opening degree information is received, the processing proceeds to step S 3 . If new opening degree information has not yet been received, the processing proceeds to step S 4 .
- step S 3 the control unit 70 updates the old opening degree information with the new opening degree information received from the learning device 10 .
- step S 3 the control unit 70 sets the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i within a range of the opening degree information.
- step S 4 ends, as illustrated in step S 5 , the control unit 70 waits until the air conditioning device 2 reaches the stationary state.
- step S 5 ends, as illustrated in step S 6 , the control unit 70 transmits the learning data 131 to the learning device 10 .
- step S 6 ends, as illustrated in step S 7 , the control unit 70 waits for the predetermined time T1.
- the predetermined time T1 is, for example, 10 minutes.
- the processing proceeds to step S 2 , and the control unit 70 again determines whether or not new opening degree information has been received from the learning device 10 .
- step S 8 the learning control unit 19 determines whether or not the learning data 131 has been received from the air conditioning device 2 . As the learning data 131 has been received, the processing proceeds to step S 9 . If the learning data 131 has not yet been received, the processing proceeds to step S 10 .
- step S 8 the learning control unit 19 accumulates the received learning data 131 in the learning storage unit 13 .
- step S 8 determines whether or not the predetermined time T2 has elapsed.
- the predetermined time T2 is, for example, 24 hours. As the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, the processing proceeds to step S 11 . If the predetermined time T2 has not yet elapsed, the processing proceeds to step S 8 , and the learning control unit 19 determines again whether or not the learning data 131 has been received from the air conditioning device 2 .
- step S 10 the learning control unit 19 creates the learning model 132 based on the learning data 131 that has been accumulated.
- step S 11 ends, as illustrated in step S 12 , the learning control unit 19 transmits the opening degree information based on the created learning model 132 to the air conditioning device 2 .
- step S 12 ends, as illustrated in step S 13 , the learning control unit 19 deletes the learning data 131 that is old data, which has been used to create the learning model 132 .
- step S 13 ends, as illustrated in step S 8 and step S 9 , the learning control unit 19 accumulates again the learning data 131 that is new data.
- control unit 70 and the learning control unit 19 continue this processing until the cooling operation or the heating operation is stopped by an instruction or the like from the operation remote controller.
- the refrigeration cycle device 1 includes the heat exchanger main body 331 , the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, and the control unit 70 .
- the heat exchanger main body 331 has the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i including the first refrigerant flow path 333 and the second refrigerant flow path 333 .
- the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i, respectively.
- the control unit 70 adjusts the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 by controlling the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 .
- the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the first value.
- the first value is a value representing the overall efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.
- the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the first value.
- the first value is a value representing the overall efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.
- the refrigeration cycle device 1 can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respective refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i by using sensors, the number of which is smaller than the number of the refrigerant flow paths 333 , and can prevent the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 from flowing unevenly.
- the first value includes the pressure value of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 (during the cooling operation) or the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (during the heating operation).
- the refrigeration cycle device 1 can estimate an uneven flow state of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 , and can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respective refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i.
- the first value further includes a temperature of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- the refrigeration cycle device 1 can more accurately estimate an uneven flow state of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 and can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respective refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i.
- the first value further includes the rotation speed of the outdoor fan motor 36 m that generates a flow of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- the refrigeration cycle device 1 can more accurately estimate an uneven flow state of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 and can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respective refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i.
- the refrigeration cycle device 1 further includes the learning device 10 .
- the learning device 10 associates with each other and learns a combination of the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and the first value when the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i correspond to the combination of the opening degrees.
- the learning device 10 classifies the combination of the opening degrees in accordance with a level of the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 , which is estimated from the first value.
- the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i by using the combination of the opening degrees, which is classified, by the learning device 10 , into a class at which the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is higher than a predetermined value.
- using machine learning makes it possible to efficiently calculate a combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, under which the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 improves (under which the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 will be less likely to flow unevenly).
- an outdoor pressure value is used as the first value for estimating the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- an electric power consumption value of the compressor 31 may be used as the first value for estimating the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- the learning control unit 19 designates, for example, a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%), from among the records in the learning data 131 , in ascending order of the electric power consumption values of the compressor 31 and estimates that the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is high in these records, and the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is low in the other records.
- both the outdoor pressure value and the electric power consumption value of the compressor 31 are used as the first value, for example, one of them may be used to determine whether or not the air conditioning device 2 is in the stationary state.
- the first value includes an outdoor pressure value, an outdoor temperature, and an outdoor fan rotation speed.
- the first value may further include the rotation speed of the compressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 34 .
- the rotation speed of the compressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 34 are used, for example, to determine whether or not the air conditioning device 2 is in the stationary state.
- the refrigeration cycle device 1 can more accurately estimate an uneven flow state of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 , and can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respective refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i.
- the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the first value.
- the control unit 70 may control the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the second value.
- the second value is a value representing the overall efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- the second value includes an outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an outdoor outlet temperature) after the refrigerant flowed out of the first refrigerant flow path 333 and the refrigerant flowed out of the second refrigerant flow path 333 have joined each other, an outdoor temperature, and an outdoor fan rotation speed.
- the refrigeration cycle device 1 can estimate an uneven flow state of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 and can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respective refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i.
- the outdoor outlet temperature during the cooling operation represents a condensation temperature.
- the outdoor outlet temperature during the cooling operation is acquired from, for example, the liquid-side temperature sensor 68 .
- the outdoor outlet temperature during the heating operation is an evaporation temperature.
- the outdoor outlet temperature during the heating operation is acquired from, for example, the gas-side temperature sensor 67 .
- the second value may further include the rotation speed of the compressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 34 . Note that, for example, when the outdoor heat exchanger 33 has a plurality of flow dividers 334 (although there is one in the present embodiment) and the liquid-side temperature sensors 68 are installed at respective outlets, an average of measured values of the liquid-side temperature sensors 68 may be used as an outdoor outlet temperature during the cooling operation.
- the control unit 70 receives opening degree information from the learning device 10 per predetermined time T2.
- the control unit 70 sets the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i per predetermined time T1 within a setting range of the received opening degree information.
- the control unit 70 waits, each time the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i have been set, until the air conditioning device 2 reaches the stationary state, and, after the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state, transmits, to the learning device 10 , the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and an outdoor outlet temperature at that time (which serve as the learning data 131 ).
- control unit 70 determines that the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the outdoor temperature and the outdoor fan rotation speed become stationary.
- the control unit 70 may further determine that the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the rotation speed of the compressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 34 become stationary.
- the learning control unit 19 estimates a level of the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 from the outdoor outlet temperature. In a case of the cooling operation, it is estimated that the lower the outdoor outlet temperature, the higher the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 . Therefore, the learning control unit 19 designates, for example, a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%), from among the records in the learning data 131 , in ascending order of the outdoor outlet temperatures and estimates that the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is high in these records, and that the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is low in the other records. In a case of the heating operation, it is estimated that the higher the outdoor outlet temperature, the higher the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 .
- a predetermined percentage for example, 20%
- the learning control unit 19 designates, for example, a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%), from among the records in the learning data 131 , in descending order of the outdoor outlet temperatures and estimates that the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is high in these records and that the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is low in the other records.
- a predetermined percentage for example, 20%
- the learning control unit 19 uses the learning model 132 that is a classification type.
- the learning control unit 19 may use a learning model 133 that is a regression type.
- a regression type learning model 133 for example, a neural network, linear regression, or the like can be used.
- the first value includes an outdoor pressure value, an outdoor temperature, and an outdoor fan rotation speed.
- the second value includes an outdoor outlet temperature, an outdoor temperature, and an outdoor fan rotation speed.
- the learning control unit 19 associates with each other and learns in advance a combination of the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and the outdoor pressure value or the outdoor outlet temperature when the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i correspond to the combination of the opening degrees.
- the learning control unit 19 creates the learning model 133 in advance using the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i as an explanatory variable and the outdoor pressure value or the outdoor outlet temperature as an objective variable.
- the control unit 70 determines in advance initial values of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i when the cooling operation or the heating operation is to be started.
- step S 101 the control unit 70 starts the cooling operation or the heating operation in response to an instruction or the like from the operation remote controller.
- step S 101 ends, as illustrated in step S 102 , the control unit 70 sets the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i to the initial values.
- step S 102 ends, as illustrated in step S 103 , the control unit 70 waits until the air conditioning device 2 reaches the stationary state.
- the control unit 70 determines that the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the outdoor temperature and the outdoor fan rotation speed become stationary.
- step S 104 the control unit 70 transmits the learning data 131 to the learning device 10 .
- the control unit 70 transmits, to the learning device 10 , the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and the outdoor pressure value or the outdoor outlet temperature when the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state.
- the learning control unit 19 updates the learning model 133 by using the learning data 131 .
- step S 106 the learning control unit 19 calculates, based on the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a reference opening degree) in the learning data 131 received from the learning device 10 and the learning model 133 that has been updated, such a combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i that improves the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 , which is estimated from the outdoor pressure value or the outdoor outlet temperature.
- a reference opening degree the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i that improves the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 , which is estimated from the outdoor pressure value or the outdoor outlet temperature.
- the learning control unit 19 calculates most appropriate points (the most appropriate opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i ), at which the heat exchange capability of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 is estimated to be highest, from among neighboring points to a point corresponding to the reference opening degree in the opening degree space. Furthermore, specifically, when the learning model 133 estimates an outdoor pressure value, a neighboring point at which a lowest outdoor pressure value is estimated during the cooling operation and a neighboring point at which a highest outdoor pressure value is estimated during the heating operation are set as most appropriate points. Furthermore, when the learning model 133 estimates an outdoor outlet temperature, a neighboring point at which a lowest outdoor outlet temperature is estimated during the cooling operation and a neighboring point at which a highest outdoor outlet temperature is estimated during the heating operation are set as most appropriate points.
- step S 106 ends, as illustrated in step S 107 , the learning control unit 19 transmits the combination of the most appropriate opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i to the air conditioning device 2 .
- the control unit 70 waits for a predetermined time T3.
- the predetermined time T3 is, for example, 10 minutes.
- step S 109 the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i by using the combination of the opening degrees, which is calculated by the learning device 10 .
- the control unit 70 sets the combination of the opening degrees, which is received from the learning device 10 , in the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i.
- step S 109 ends, as illustrated in step S 103 , the control unit 70 waits until the air conditioning device 2 reaches the stationary state again.
- control unit 70 and the learning control unit 19 continue this processing until the cooling operation or the heating operation is stopped by an instruction or the like from the operation remote controller.
- control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i such that the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i in the outdoor heat exchanger 33 does not flow unevenly.
- control unit 70 may further control opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i such that the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i in the indoor heat exchanger 21 does not flow unevenly.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the indoor heat exchanger 21 according to the present modified example.
- the indoor heat exchanger 21 mainly includes a heat exchanger main body 211 and the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i.
- the heat exchanger main body 211 has the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i including a first refrigerant flow path 213 and a second refrigerant flow path 213 . As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the heat exchanger main body 211 is divided into a plurality of sections 211 a to 211 i, and the refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i pass through the sections 211 a to 211 i , respectively.
- the heat exchanger main body 211 causes heat to be exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 213 and air in the target space.
- the heat exchanger main body 211 functions as an evaporator during the cooling operation and functions as a condenser during the heating operation.
- the flow rate adjustment units 212 adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 213 . Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8 , the flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i such that the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i become uniform.
- the flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i such that the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i does not flow unevenly.
- the flow rate adjustment units 212 are configured to be able to adjust the opening degrees.
- a flow divider 214 causes, during the heating operation, the refrigerant that has flowed from the compressor 31 side into the indoor heat exchanger 21 (in a direction indicated by a solid-line arrow illustrated in FIG. 8 ) to be separated flows to separately flow into the refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i. Furthermore, the flow divider 214 causes, during the cooling operation, separated flows of the refrigerant that has flowed from the indoor expansion valve 23 side into the indoor heat exchanger 21 (in a direction indicated by a broken-line arrow illustrated in FIG. 8 ) and that has been caused to separately flow into the refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i by a header 215 , which will be described later, to join each other.
- the header 215 causes, during the heating operation, separated flows of the refrigerant that has flowed from the compressor 31 side into the indoor heat exchanger 21 (in the direction indicated by the solid-line arrow illustrated in FIG. 8 ) and that has been caused to separately flow into the refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i by the flow divider 214 to join each other. Furthermore, the header 215 causes, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant that has flowed from the indoor expansion valve 23 side into the indoor heat exchanger 21 (in the direction indicated by the broken-line arrow illustrated in FIG. 8 ) to be separated flows to separately flow into the refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i.
- the control unit 70 adjusts, in cooperation with the learning device 10 , the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i by controlling the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i.
- the first value can include a pressure value of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an indoor pressure value), a temperature of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 21 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an indoor temperature), and the rotation speed of the indoor fan motor 22 m (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an indoor fan rotation speed).
- the first value may further include the rotation speed of the compressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 23 .
- the indoor pressure value during the cooling operation is a pressure value on the low pressure side.
- the indoor pressure value during the cooling operation is acquired from, for example, the suction pressure sensor 64 .
- the indoor temperature is acquired from, for example, the indoor temperature sensor 61 . In a case of the cooling operation, it is estimated that the larger the indoor pressure value, the higher the heat exchange capability of the indoor heat exchanger 21 .
- the indoor pressure value during the heating operation is a pressure value on the high pressure side.
- the indoor pressure value during the heating operation is acquired from, for example, the discharge pressure sensor 65 .
- control unit 70 can determine that the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the indoor temperature and the indoor fan rotation speed become stationary.
- the control unit 70 may further determine that the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the rotation speed of the compressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 23 become stationary.
- the second value can include an outlet temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 21 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an indoor outlet temperature) after the refrigerant flowing out of the first refrigerant flow path 213 and the refrigerant flowing out of the second refrigerant flow path 213 have joined each other, an indoor temperature, and an indoor fan rotation speed.
- the second value may further include the rotation speed of the compressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 23 .
- the indoor outlet temperature during the cooling operation is an evaporation temperature.
- the indoor outlet temperature during the cooling operation is acquired from, for example, the gas-side temperature sensor 62 . In a case of the cooling operation, it is estimated that the higher the indoor outlet temperature, the higher the heat exchange capability of the indoor heat exchanger 21 .
- the indoor outlet temperature during the heating operation is a condensation temperature.
- the indoor outlet temperature during the heating operation is acquired from, for example, the liquid-side temperature sensor 63 . In a case of the heating operation, it is estimated that the lower the indoor outlet temperature, the higher the heat exchange capability of the indoor heat exchanger 21 .
- control unit 70 can determine that the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the indoor temperature and the indoor fan rotation speed become stationary.
- the control unit 70 may further determine that the air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the rotation speed of the compressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 23 become stationary.
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Abstract
A refrigeration cycle device includes a heat exchanger main body, a plurality of flow rate adjusters, and a controller. The heat exchanger main body has a plurality of refrigerant flow paths including a first refrigerant flow path and a second refrigerant flow path. The flow rate adjusters adjust flow rates of a refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths. The controller adjusts the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths by controlling opening degrees of the flow rate adjusters. The controller controls the opening degrees of the flow rate adjusters based on a first value or a second value. The first value is a value representing overall efficiency of the refrigeration cycle. The second value is a value representing overall efficiency of the heat exchanger main body.
Description
- This application is a Continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2022/029573, filed on Aug. 2, 2022, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Patent Application No. JP 2021-129044, filed in Japan on Aug. 5, 2021, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.
- The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle device.
- As described in PTL 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-128628), there is a technique for preventing, in a heat exchanger having a plurality of refrigerant flow paths, a refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger from flowing unevenly, by adjusting a flow rate of the refrigerant based on a temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths.
- A refrigeration cycle device according to a first aspect includes a heat exchanger, a plurality of flow rate adjustment units, and a control unit. The heat exchanger has a plurality of refrigerant flow paths including a first refrigerant flow path and a second refrigerant flow path.
- The plurality of flow rate adjustment units adjust flow rates of a refrigerant flowing through the respective refrigerant flow paths. The control unit adjusts the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths by controlling opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units. The control unit controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units based on a first value or a second value. The first value is a value representing overall efficiency of a refrigeration cycle. The second value is a value representing overall efficiency of the heat exchanger.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an outdoor heat exchanger. -
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of an air conditioning device. -
FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a learning device. -
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining learning processing in the learning device. -
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining flow rate adjustment processing. -
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow rate adjustment processing. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an indoor heat exchanger according to Modified Example 1E. - A
refrigeration cycle device 1 constitutes a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle and conditions (cools or heats) air in a target space. In the present embodiment, therefrigeration cycle device 1 is a so-called multi-type air conditioning system for a building.FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of therefrigeration cycle device 1. As illustrated inFIG. 1 , therefrigeration cycle device 1 mainly includes anair conditioning device 2 and alearning device 10. - The
air conditioning device 2 includes anindoor unit 20 and anoutdoor unit 30. Theindoor unit 20 and theoutdoor unit 30 are connected to each other via a liquidrefrigerant connection pipe 51 and a gasrefrigerant connection pipe 52 to constitute arefrigerant circuit 50. Furthermore, theindoor unit 20 and theoutdoor unit 30 are communicably connected to each other by acommunication line 81. Furthermore, theoutdoor unit 30 and thelearning device 10 are communicably connected to each other by acommunication line 82. - Hereinafter, for example, when
refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i are not to be distinguished from each other, they may be referred to asrefrigerant flow paths 333 or the like. - The
indoor unit 20 is installed in the target space where air is to be conditioned, such as inside a building in which therefrigeration cycle device 1 is installed. Theindoor unit 20 is, for example, a ceiling-embedded type unit, a ceiling-suspended type unit, a floor-mounted type unit, or the like. As illustrated inFIG. 1 , theindoor unit 20 mainly includes anindoor heat exchanger 21, anindoor fan 22, anindoor expansion valve 23, anindoor control unit 29, anindoor temperature sensor 61, a gas-side temperature sensor 62, and a liquid-side temperature sensor 63. Furthermore, theindoor unit 20 includes aliquid refrigerant pipe 53 a that connects a liquid-side end of theindoor heat exchanger 21 and the liquidrefrigerant connection pipe 51, and agas refrigerant pipe 53 b that connects a gas-side end of theindoor heat exchanger 21 and the gasrefrigerant connection pipe 52. - Although there is no intention to limit its structure, the
indoor heat exchanger 21 is, for example, a cross-fin type, fin-and-tube heat exchanger that includes a heat transfer tube (not illustrated) and a large number of fins (not illustrated). Theindoor heat exchanger 21 causes heat to be exchanged between a refrigerant flowing through theindoor heat exchanger 21 and air in the target space. - The
indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator during cooling operation, and functions as a condenser during heating operation. v (2-1-2) Indoor Fan - The
indoor fan 22 causes air in the target space to be taken into theindoor unit 20 and to be supplied to theindoor heat exchanger 21, and then causes the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in theindoor heat exchanger 21 to be supplied to the target space. Theindoor fan 22 is, for example, a centrifugal fan such as a turbo fan or a sirocco fan. Theindoor fan 22 is driven by anindoor fan motor 22 m. A rotation speed of theindoor fan motor 22 m can be controlled by an inverter. - The
indoor expansion valve 23 is a mechanism for adjusting pressure and a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through theliquid refrigerant pipe 53 a. Theindoor expansion valve 23 is provided to theliquid refrigerant pipe 53 a. In the present embodiment, theindoor expansion valve 23 is an electronic expansion valve in which its opening degree is adjustable. - The
indoor temperature sensor 61 measures a temperature (a room temperature) of air in the target space. Theindoor temperature sensor 61 is provided near an air suction port of theindoor unit 20. - The gas-
side temperature sensor 62 measures a temperature of the refrigerant flowing through thegas refrigerant pipe 53 b. The gas-side temperature sensor 62 is provided to thegas refrigerant pipe 53 b. - The liquid-
side temperature sensor 63 measures the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through theliquid refrigerant pipe 53 a. The liquid-side temperature sensor 63 is provided to theliquid refrigerant pipe 53 a. - The
indoor temperature sensor 61, the gas-side temperature sensor 62, and the liquid-side temperature sensor 63 are, for example, thermistors. - The
indoor control unit 29 controls operation of each part constituting theindoor unit 20. - The
indoor control unit 29 is electrically connected to various devices included in theindoor unit 20, the various devices including theindoor expansion valve 23 and theindoor fan motor 22 m. Furthermore, theindoor control unit 29 is communicably connected to various sensors provided in theindoor unit 20, the various sensors including theindoor temperature sensor 61, the gas-side temperature sensor 62, and the liquid-side temperature sensor 63. - The
indoor control unit 29 includes a control arithmetic device, a storage device, and a network interface device. The control arithmetic device is a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU). The storage device is a storage medium such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), or a flash memory. The control arithmetic device reads a program stored in the storage device, and performs predetermined arithmetic processing in accordance with the program, thereby controlling operation of each part constituting theindoor unit 20. Furthermore, the control arithmetic device can write calculation results into the storage device, and can read information stored in the storage device, in accordance with the program. The network interface device is configured to communicate with theoutdoor unit 30 via thecommunication line 81. Furthermore, theindoor control unit 29 includes a timer. - The
indoor control unit 29 is configured to be able to receive various signals transmitted from an operation remote controller (not illustrated). The various signals include, for example, signals for instructing start and stop of operation, and signals related to various settings. The signals related to various settings include, for example, signals related to a set temperature and set humidity. Furthermore, theindoor control unit 29 exchanges control signals, measurement signals, signals related to various settings, and the like with anoutdoor control unit 39 in theoutdoor unit 30 via thecommunication line 81. - The
indoor control unit 29 and theoutdoor control unit 39 cooperate with each other to function as a control unit 70. Functions of the control unit 70 will be described later. - The
outdoor unit 30 is installed outside the target space, such as on a roof floor of the building in which therefrigeration cycle device 1 is installed. As illustrated inFIG. 1 , theoutdoor unit 30 mainly includes acompressor 31, a flowpath switching valve 32, anoutdoor heat exchanger 33, anoutdoor expansion valve 34, anaccumulator 35, anoutdoor fan 36, a liquid-side shutoff valve 37, a gas-side shutoff valve 38, theoutdoor control unit 39, asuction pressure sensor 64, adischarge pressure sensor 65, anoutdoor temperature sensor 66, a gas-side temperature sensor 67, and a liquid-side temperature sensor 68. Furthermore, theoutdoor unit 30 includes asuction pipe 54 a, adischarge pipe 54 b, a firstgas refrigerant pipe 54 c, a liquidrefrigerant pipe 54 d, and a secondgas refrigerant pipe 54 e. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , thesuction pipe 54 a connects the flowpath switching valve 32 and a suction side of thecompressor 31. Thesuction pipe 54 a is provided with theaccumulator 35. Thedischarge pipe 54 b connects a discharge side of thecompressor 31 and the flowpath switching valve 32. The firstgas refrigerant pipe 54 c connects the flowpath switching valve 32 and a gas side of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. The liquidrefrigerant pipe 54 d connects a liquid side of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 and the liquidrefrigerant connection pipe 51. The liquidrefrigerant pipe 54 d is provided with theoutdoor expansion valve 34. The liquid-side shutoff valve 37 is provided at a connecting portion between the liquidrefrigerant pipe 54 d and the liquidrefrigerant connection pipe 51. The secondgas refrigerant pipe 54 e connects the flowpath switching valve 32 and the gasrefrigerant connection pipe 52. The gas-side shutoff valve 38 is provided at a connecting portion between the secondgas refrigerant pipe 54 e and the gasrefrigerant connection pipe 52. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , thecompressor 31 is a device that intakes, from thesuction pipe 54 a, the refrigerant at low pressure in the refrigeration cycle, compresses the refrigerant with its compression mechanism (not illustrated), and discharges the compressed refrigerant to thedischarge pipe 54 b. - The
compressor 31 is, for example, a displacement compressor of a rotary type, a scroll type, or the like. The compression mechanism in thecompressor 31 is driven by acompressor motor 31 m. A rotation speed of thecompressor motor 31 m can be controlled by an inverter. - The flow
path switching valve 32 is a mechanism that switches a flow path of the refrigerant between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the flowpath switching valve 32 causes thesuction pipe 54 a and the secondgas refrigerant pipe 54 e to communicate with each other, and thedischarge pipe 54 b and the firstgas refrigerant pipe 54 c to communicate with each other, as illustrated by solid lines inside the flowpath switching valve 32 illustrated inFIG. 1 . In the second state, the flowpath switching valve 32 causes thesuction pipe 54 a and the firstgas refrigerant pipe 54 c to communicate with each other, and thedischarge pipe 54 b and the secondgas refrigerant pipe 54 e to communicate with each other, as illustrated by broken lines inside the flowpath switching valve 32 illustrated inFIG. 1 . - The flow
path switching valve 32 sets the flow path of the refrigerant to the first state during the cooling operation. At this time, the refrigerant discharged from thecompressor 31 flows through theoutdoor heat exchanger 33, theoutdoor expansion valve 34, theindoor expansion valve 23, and theindoor heat exchanger 21 in this order in therefrigerant circuit 50, and returns to thecompressor 31. In the first state, theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 functions as a condenser, and theindoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator. - The flow
path switching valve 32 sets the flow path of the refrigerant to the second state during the heating operation. At this time, the refrigerant discharged from thecompressor 31 flows through theindoor heat exchanger 21, theindoor expansion valve 23, theoutdoor expansion valve 34, and theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 in this order in therefrigerant circuit 50, and returns to thecompressor 31. In the second state, theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 functions as an evaporator, and theindoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. As illustrated inFIG. 2 , theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 mainly includes a heat exchangermain body 331 and a plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i. - The heat exchanger
main body 331 has the plurality ofrefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i including a firstrefrigerant flow path 333 and a secondrefrigerant flow path 333. As illustrated inFIG. 2 , the heat exchangermain body 331 is divided into a plurality ofsections 331 a to 331 i, and therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i pass through thesections 331 a to 331 i, respectively. The heat exchangermain body 331 causes heat to be exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333 and outdoor air. The heat exchangermain body 331 functions as a condenser during the cooling operation, and functions as an evaporator during the heating operation. - The flow
rate adjustment units 332 adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 2 , the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i such that the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i become uniform. In other words, the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i such that the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i does not flow unevenly. The flowrate adjustment units 332 are configured to be able to adjust the opening degrees. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 , aflow divider 334 causes, during the heating operation, the refrigerant that has flowed from theoutdoor expansion valve 34 side into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (in a direction indicated by a solid-line arrow illustrated inFIG. 2 ) to be separated flows to separately flow into therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i. Furthermore, theflow divider 334 causes, during the cooling operation, separated flows of the refrigerant that has flowed from thecompressor 31 side into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (in a direction indicated by a broken-line arrow illustrated inFIG. 2 ) and that has been caused to separately flow into therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i by aheader 335, which will be described later, to join each other. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 , theheader 335 causes, during the heating operation, separated flows of the refrigerant that has flowed from theoutdoor expansion valve 34 side into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (in the direction indicated by the solid-line arrow illustrated inFIG. 2 ) and that has been caused to separately flow into therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i by theflow divider 334 to join each other. Furthermore, theheader 335 causes, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant that has flowed from thecompressor 31 side into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (in the direction indicated by the broken-line arrow illustrated inFIG. 2 ) to be separated flows to separately flow into therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i. - The
outdoor expansion valve 34 is a mechanism for adjusting the pressure and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the liquidrefrigerant pipe 54 d. In the present embodiment, theoutdoor expansion valve 34 is an electronic expansion valve in which its opening degree is adjustable. - The
accumulator 35 is a container having a gas-liquid separation function for separating the inflowing refrigerant into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant flowing into theaccumulator 35 is separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and the gas refrigerant collected in an upper space flows into thecompressor 31. - The
outdoor fan 36 is a fan that causes outdoor air to be taken into theoutdoor unit 30 and to be supplied to theoutdoor heat exchanger 33, and causes the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 to be discharged outside theoutdoor unit 30. Theoutdoor fan 36 is, for example, an axial-flow fan such as a propeller fan. Theoutdoor fan 36 is driven by anoutdoor fan motor 36 m. A rotation speed of theoutdoor fan motor 36 m can be controlled by an inverter. - The
suction pressure sensor 64 is a sensor that measures suction pressure. Thesuction pressure sensor 64 is provided to thesuction pipe 54 a. The suction pressure is a low pressure value of the refrigeration cycle. - The
discharge pressure sensor 65 is a sensor that measures discharge pressure. Thedischarge pressure sensor 65 is provided to thedischarge pipe 54 b. The discharge pressure is a high pressure value of the refrigeration cycle. - The
outdoor temperature sensor 66 measures a temperature of air outside the target space (an outdoor temperature). Theoutdoor temperature sensor 66 is provided near an air suction port of theoutdoor unit 30. - The gas-
side temperature sensor 67 measures the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the firstgas refrigerant pipe 54 c. The gas-side temperature sensor 67 is provided to the firstgas refrigerant pipe 54 c. - The liquid-
side temperature sensor 68 measures the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the liquidrefrigerant pipe 54 d. The liquid-side temperature sensor 63 is provided to the liquidrefrigerant pipe 54 d. - The
outdoor temperature sensor 66, the gas-side temperature sensor 67, and the liquid-side temperature sensor 68 are, for example, thermistors. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , the liquid-side shutoff valve 37 is a valve provided at the connecting portion between the liquidrefrigerant pipe 54 d and the liquidrefrigerant connection pipe 51. The gas-side shutoff valve 38 is a valve provided at the connecting portion between the secondgas refrigerant pipe 54 e and the gasrefrigerant connection pipe 52. The liquid-side shutoff valve 37 and the gas-side shutoff valve 38 are, for example, manually operated valves. - The
outdoor control unit 39 controls operation of each part constituting theoutdoor unit 30. - The
outdoor control unit 39 is electrically connected to various devices included in theoutdoor unit 30, the various devices including thecompressor motor 31 m, the flowpath switching valve 32, the flowrate adjustment units 332, theoutdoor expansion valve 34, and theoutdoor fan motor 36 m. Furthermore, theoutdoor control unit 39 is communicably connected to various sensors provided in theoutdoor unit 30, the various sensors including thesuction pressure sensor 64, thedischarge pressure sensor 65, theoutdoor temperature sensor 66, the gas-side temperature sensor 67, and the liquid-side temperature sensor 68. - The
outdoor control unit 39 includes a control arithmetic device, a storage device, and two network interface devices. The control arithmetic device is a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The storage device is a storage medium such as a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory. The control arithmetic device reads a program stored in the storage device, and performs predetermined arithmetic processing in accordance with the program, thereby controlling operation of each part constituting theoutdoor unit 30. Furthermore, the control arithmetic device can write calculation results into the storage device, and can read information stored in the storage device, in accordance with the program. One of the network interface devices is configured to communicate with theindoor unit 20 via thecommunication line 81. Another one of the network interface devices is configured to communicate with thelearning device 10 via thecommunication line 82. Furthermore, theoutdoor control unit 39 includes a timer. - The
outdoor control unit 39 exchanges control signals, measurement signals, signals related to various settings, and the like with theindoor control unit 29 in theindoor unit 20 via thecommunication line 81. Furthermore, theoutdoor control unit 39 exchanges control signals, measurement signals, signals related to various settings, and the like with thelearning control unit 19 in thelearning device 10 via thecommunication line 82. - The
outdoor control unit 39 and theindoor control unit 29 cooperate with each other to function as the control unit 70. The functions of the control unit 70 will be described later. - The control unit 70 includes the
indoor control unit 29 and theoutdoor control unit 39.FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of theair conditioning device 2. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , the control unit 70 is communicably connected to theindoor temperature sensor 61, the gas-side temperature sensor 62, the liquid-side temperature sensor 63, thesuction pressure sensor 64, thedischarge pressure sensor 65, theoutdoor temperature sensor 66, the gas-side temperature sensor 67, and the liquid-side temperature sensor 68. The control unit 70 receives measurement signals transmitted from various sensors. Furthermore, the control unit 70 is electrically connected to theindoor expansion valve 23, theindoor fan motor 22 m, thecompressor motor 31 m, the flowpath switching valve 32, the flowrate adjustment units 332, theoutdoor expansion valve 34, and theoutdoor fan motor 36 m. In response to control signals transmitted from the operation remote controller, the control unit 70 controls, based on measurement signals of various sensors, operation of various devices included in theair conditioning device 2, the various devices including theindoor expansion valve 23, theindoor fan motor 22 m, thecompressor motor 31 m, the flowpath switching valve 32, the flowrate adjustment units 332, theoutdoor expansion valve 34, and theoutdoor fan motor 36 m. - The control unit 70 mainly performs the cooling operation and the heating operation.
- When receiving from the operation remote controller an instruction of causing the
indoor unit 20 to perform the cooling operation, the control unit 70 controls the flowpath switching valve 32 such that a state as indicated by the solid lines illustrated inFIG. 1 is attained inside the flowpath switching valve 32. At this time, the flow path of the refrigerant is in the first state. - The control unit 70 opens the
outdoor expansion valve 34 in a step-wise manner and adjusts the opening degree of theindoor expansion valve 23 such that a degree of superheating of the refrigerant at a gas-side outlet of theindoor heat exchanger 21 reaches a predetermined target degree of superheating. The degree of superheating of the refrigerant at the gas-side outlet of theindoor heat exchanger 21 is calculated, for example, by subtracting an evaporation temperature converted from a measurement value (suction pressure) of thesuction pressure sensor 64 from a measurement value of the gas-side temperature sensor 62. - Furthermore, the control unit 70 controls an operating capacity of the
compressor 31 such that the evaporation temperature converted from the measurement value of thesuction pressure sensor 64 approaches a predetermined target evaporation temperature. The operating capacity of thecompressor 31 is controlled by controlling the rotation speed of thecompressor motor 31 m. - Furthermore, the control unit 70 adjusts, in cooperation with the
learning device 10, the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i by controlling the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i (hereinafter sometimes referred to as flow rate adjustment processing). The control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the first value. The first value is a value representing the overall efficiency of the refrigeration cycle. In the present embodiment, the first value includes a pressure value of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an outdoor pressure value), a temperature of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an outdoor temperature), and the rotation speed of theoutdoor fan motor 36 m (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an outdoor fan rotation speed). The outdoor pressure value during the cooling operation is a pressure value on a high pressure side. The outdoor pressure value during the cooling operation is acquired from, for example, thedischarge pressure sensor 65. The outdoor temperature is acquired from, for example, theoutdoor temperature sensor 66. - The control unit 70 receives, from the
learning device 10, information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as opening degree information) regarding a setting range of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, per predetermined time T2 (for example, 24 hours). The control unit 70 sets the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i per predetermined time T1 (for example, 10 minutes) within the setting range according to the received opening degree information. In other words, the control unit 70 changes, per the predetermined time T1, the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i within the setting range according to the opening degree information. The control unit 70 waits, each time the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i are set, until the pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant and operation of the various devices become stationary (until theair conditioning device 2 reaches a stationary state), and, after theair conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state, transmits the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and an outdoor pressure value at that time (hereinafter sometimes referred to as learning data 131) to thelearning device 10. In the present embodiment, the control unit 70 determines that theair conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the outdoor temperature and the outdoor fan rotation speed become stationary. In other words, the outdoor temperature and the outdoor fan rotation speed in the first value are used to determine whether or not theair conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state. - As described above, the control unit 70 controls various devices such that the room temperature in the target space approaches a set temperature, thereby the refrigerant flowing through the
refrigerant circuit 50 during the cooling operation, as described below. - When the
compressor 31 is activated, a low-pressure gas refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is taken into thecompressor 31 and is compressed by thecompressor 31 to become a high-pressure gas refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle. - The high-pressure gas refrigerant flows through the first
gas refrigerant pipe 54 c via the flowpath switching valve 32, and is supplied to theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. After flowing into theheader 335, the high-pressure gas refrigerant supplied to theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is caused to be separated flows to separately flow into therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i. The refrigerant separately flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied by theoutdoor fan 36, condenses, and becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the heat exchangermain body 331. The refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchangermain body 331 and that flows through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i is adjusted in flow rate by the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i so as not to flow unevenly. The separate flows of the refrigerant that has passed through the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and that flows through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i join each other in theflow divider 334, and the joined refrigerant flows out of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has passed through theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 flows through the liquidrefrigerant pipe 54 d, passes through theoutdoor expansion valve 34, and is supplied to theindoor unit 20. - The high-pressure liquid refrigerant supplied to the
indoor unit 20 is decompressed to near suction pressure of thecompressor 31 in theindoor expansion valve 23, becomes the refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state, and is supplied to theindoor heat exchanger 21. In theindoor heat exchanger 21, the refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state exchanges heat with the air in the target space, which is supplied to theindoor heat exchanger 21 by theindoor fan 22, evaporates, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant is supplied to theoutdoor unit 30 via the gasrefrigerant connection pipe 52 and flows into theaccumulator 35 via the flowpath switching valve 32. The low-pressure gas refrigerant, which has flowed into theaccumulator 35, is taken again into thecompressor 31. The temperature of the air supplied to theindoor heat exchanger 21 lowers due to exchange of heat with the refrigerant flowing through theindoor heat exchanger 21, and the air cooled by theindoor heat exchanger 21 is blown into the target space. - When receiving from the operation remote controller an instruction of causing the
indoor unit 20 to perform the heating operation, the control unit 70 controls the flowpath switching valve 32 such that a state as indicated by the broken lines illustrated inFIG. 1 is attained inside the flowpath switching valve 32. At this time, the flow path of the refrigerant is in the second state. - The control unit 70 adjusts the opening degree of the
indoor expansion valve 23 such that a degree of subcooling of the refrigerant at a liquid-side outlet of theindoor heat exchanger 21 reaches a predetermined target degree of subcooling. The degree of subcooling of the refrigerant at the liquid-side outlet of theindoor heat exchanger 21 is calculated, for example, by subtracting a measurement value of the liquid-side temperature sensor 63 from a condensation temperature converted from a measurement value (discharge pressure) of thedischarge pressure sensor 65. - Furthermore, the control unit 70 adjusts an opening degree of the
outdoor expansion valve 34 such that the refrigerant flowing into theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is decompressed to pressure at which the refrigerant can evaporate in theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. - Furthermore, the control unit 70 controls the operating capacity of the
compressor 31 such that the condensation temperature converted from the measurement value of thedischarge pressure sensor 65 approaches a predetermined target condensation temperature. The operating capacity of thecompressor 31 is controlled by controlling the rotation speed of thecompressor motor 31 m. - Furthermore, similarly to the cooling operation, the control unit 70 adjusts, in cooperation with the
learning device 10, the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i by controlling the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i. However, the outdoor pressure value during the heating operation is a pressure value on a low pressure side. The outdoor pressure value during the heating operation is acquired from, for example, thesuction pressure sensor 64. - As described above, since the control unit 70 controls various devices such that the room temperature in the target space approaches a set temperature, the refrigerant flows through the
refrigerant circuit 50 during the heating operation, as described below. - When the
compressor 31 is activated, a low-pressure gas refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is taken into thecompressor 31 and is compressed by thecompressor 31 to become a high-pressure gas refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle. The high-pressure gas refrigerant is supplied to theindoor heat exchanger 21 via the flowpath switching valve 32, exchanges heat with the air in the target space, which is supplied by theindoor fan 22, condenses, and becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The temperature of the air supplied to theindoor heat exchanger 21 rises due to exchange of heat with the refrigerant flowing through theindoor heat exchanger 21, and the air heated by theindoor heat exchanger 21 is blown into the target space. - The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has passed through the
indoor heat exchanger 21, passes through theindoor expansion valve 23, and is decompressed. The refrigerant decompressed in theindoor expansion valve 23 is supplied to theoutdoor unit 30 via the liquidrefrigerant connection pipe 51 and flows into the liquidrefrigerant pipe 54 d. The refrigerant flowing through the liquidrefrigerant pipe 54 d is decompressed to near suction pressure of thecompressor 31, when passing through theoutdoor expansion valve 34, becomes the refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state, and flows into theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. After flowing into theflow divider 334, the low-pressure refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state, which has flowed into theoutdoor heat exchanger 33, is caused to be separate flows to separately flow into therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i. The refrigerant, which has been caused to be separate flows to separately flow through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i, is adjusted in flow rate by the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i so as not to flow unevenly. The refrigerant that has passed through the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and that flows through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied by theoutdoor fan 36 in the heat exchangermain body 331, evaporates, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The separate flows of the refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchangermain body 331 and that flows through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i join each other in theheader 335, and the joined refrigerant flows out of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has passed through theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 flows into theaccumulator 35 via the flowpath switching valve 32. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into theaccumulator 35 is taken again into thecompressor 31. - The
learning device 10 learns the appropriate opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i in cooperation with the control unit 70 such that the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i does not flow unevenly. In the present embodiment, thelearning device 10 is a computer installed in a server room or the like in a building. However, thelearning device 10 may be installed in a cloud-based data center or the like. In this case, thecommunication line 82 includes a line connected to the Internet, for example.FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of thelearning device 10. As illustrated inFIG. 4 , thelearning device 10 mainly includes a learninginput unit 11, alearning display unit 12, a learningstorage unit 13, alearning communication unit 14, and alearning control unit 19. - The learning
input unit 11 includes a keyboard and a mouse. Various commands and various pieces of information for thelearning device 10 can be input using the learninginput unit 11. - The
learning display unit 12 is a monitor. Thelearning display unit 12 can display, for example, the learningdata 131, a learning situation, and the like. - The learning
storage unit 13 is a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, or a hard disk drive (HDD). The learningstorage unit 13 stores a program that thelearning control unit 19 executes, data necessary for executing the program, and the like. - The learning
storage unit 13 stores, in particular, the learningdata 131 and alearning model 132 described later. Table 1 illustrated below indicates an example of the learningdata 131 used during the cooling operation. -
TABLE 1 Opening Opening Opening Outdoor degree a degree b . . . degree i pressure value a1 b1 . . . i1 200 kPa a2 b2 . . . i2 210 kPa a3 b3 . . . i3 190 kPa a4 b4 . . . i4 180 kPa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - One record in the learning
data 131 corresponds to a fact that the control unit 70 has set once the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i. In Table 1, the items “Opening degree a” to “Opening degree i” respectively indicate the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, which the control unit 70 has set. - The learning
communication unit 14 is a network interface device for performing communications via thecommunication line 82. - The
learning control unit 19 is a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. Thelearning control unit 19 reads and executes a program stored in thelearning storage unit 13 to realize various functions of thelearning device 10. Furthermore, thelearning control unit 19 can write a calculation result into the learningstorage unit 13, and can read information stored in thelearning storage unit 13, in accordance with a program. Furthermore, thelearning control unit 19 includes a timer. - The
learning control unit 19 associates with each other and learns a combination of the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and an outdoor pressure value when the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i correspond to the combination of the opening degrees. In other words, thelearning control unit 19 creates thelearning model 132 using thelearning data 131 as illustrated in Table 1. Thelearning model 132 according to the present embodiment is a classification-type model. As thelearning model 132 according to the present embodiment, for example, a neural network, logistic regression, a support vector machine, or the like can be used. - Specifically, the
learning control unit 19 first estimates, as preprocessing, a level of the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 from an outdoor pressure value. In a case of the cooling operation, it is estimated that the smaller the outdoor pressure value (a pressure value on the high-pressure side), the higher the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. Therefore, thelearning control unit 19 designates, for example, a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%), from among the records in the learningdata 131, in ascending order of the outdoor pressure value and estimates that the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is high in these records and that the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is low in the other records. In a case of the heating operation, it is estimated that the larger the outdoor pressure value (the pressure value on the low pressure side), the higher the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. Therefore, thelearning control unit 19 designates, for example, a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%), from among the records in the learningdata 131, in descending order of the outdoor pressure values and estimates that the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is high in these records and that the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is low in the other records. Table 2 illustrated below indicates an example when the preprocessing is performed on the learningdata 131 in Table 1. -
TABLE 2 Outdoor Heat exchange Opening Opening Opening pressure capability (Outdoor degree a degree b . . . degree i value heat exchanger) a1 b1 . . . i1 200 kPa Low a2 b2 . . . i2 210 kPa Low a3 b3 . . . i3 190 kPa High a4 b4 . . . i4 180 kPa High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Since Table 1 indicates the learning
data 131 during the cooling operation, the smaller the outdoor pressure value, the higher the possibility that the heat exchange capability is “high”, in Table 2. - Next, the
learning control unit 19 classifies the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i in accordance with the level of the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33, which is estimated from the outdoor pressure value. In other words, thelearning control unit 19 creates thelearning model 132 using the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i as an explanatory variable and the heat exchange capability as an objective variable, and classifies the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i. Further, in other words, thelearning control unit 19 creates thelearning model 132 that divides an opening degree space (here, a nine-dimensional space where values of Opening degree a to Opening degree i serve as axes), in which each point represents a combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, into a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “high” and a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “low”. -
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining learning processing in thelearning device 10.FIG. 5 illustrates, for visualization purposes, only a two-dimensional plane formed by the axis of “Opening degree a” and the axis of “Opening degree b” in the nine-dimensional opening degree space. - In an upper left diagram in
FIG. 5 , four points corresponding to the values of “Opening degree a” and “Opening degree b” in each record in the learningdata 131 are plotted. In the upper left diagram inFIG. 5 , the points that are hatched indicate that the heat exchange capability is “high”. The points that are not hatched indicate that the heat exchange capability is “low”. - An upper center diagram in
FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the opening degree space is divided into a region RI and a region R2 by a boundary BR1 that thelearning model 132 has caused to appear. The (hatched) region R1 indicates a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “high”. The region R2 indicates a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “low”. - In response to a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “high” (the region R1) being determined, the
learning control unit 19 transmits information about the region to the control unit 70 as opening degree information. In other words, the opening degree information is information about a combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, which is classified by thelearning device 10 into a class at which the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is higher than a predetermined value. - Thereafter, the control unit 70 uses the opening degree information received from the
learning device 10 to control, within a range of the region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “high” (the region R1), the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i. Each time the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i have been set, the control unit 70 transmits the learningdata 131 to thelearning device 10. In an upper right diagram inFIG. 5 , four points corresponding to records in the learningdata 131 that has newly been received are plotted in the area R1. In the upper right diagram inFIG. 5 , the point that is hatched indicates that the heat exchange capability is “high”. - The
learning control unit 19 creates thelearning model 132 again based on the learningdata 131 that has newly been created. A lower left diagram inFIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the opening degree space is divided into a region R3 and a region R4 by a boundary BR2 that thelearning model 132 created again has caused to appear. The (hatched) region R3 indicates a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “high”. The region R4 indicates a region in which the heat exchange capability is estimated to be “low”. - An example of the flow rate adjustment processing will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in
FIG. 6 . - As illustrated in step S1, the control unit 70 starts the cooling operation or the heating operation in response to an instruction or the like from the operation remote controller.
- As step S1 ends, as illustrated in step S2, the control unit 70 determines whether or not new opening degree information has been received from the
learning device 10. As new opening degree information is received, the processing proceeds to step S3. If new opening degree information has not yet been received, the processing proceeds to step S4. - As the processing proceeds from step S2 to step S3, the control unit 70 updates the old opening degree information with the new opening degree information received from the
learning device 10. - As the processing proceeds from step S2 to step S4, or as step S3 ends, the control unit 70 sets the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i within a range of the opening degree information.
- As step S4 ends, as illustrated in step S5, the control unit 70 waits until the
air conditioning device 2 reaches the stationary state. - As step S5 ends, as illustrated in step S6, the control unit 70 transmits the learning
data 131 to thelearning device 10. - As step S6 ends, as illustrated in step S7, the control unit 70 waits for the predetermined time T1. The predetermined time T1 is, for example, 10 minutes. As the predetermined time T1 has elapsed, the processing proceeds to step S2, and the control unit 70 again determines whether or not new opening degree information has been received from the
learning device 10. - Meanwhile, as illustrated in step S8, the
learning control unit 19 determines whether or not the learningdata 131 has been received from theair conditioning device 2. As the learningdata 131 has been received, the processing proceeds to step S9. If the learningdata 131 has not yet been received, the processing proceeds to step S10. - As the processing proceeds from step S8 to step S9, the
learning control unit 19 accumulates the received learningdata 131 in thelearning storage unit 13. - As the processing proceeds from step S8 to step S10, or as step S9 ends, the
learning control unit 19 determines whether or not the predetermined time T2 has elapsed. The predetermined time T2 is, for example, 24 hours. As the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, the processing proceeds to step S11. If the predetermined time T2 has not yet elapsed, the processing proceeds to step S8, and thelearning control unit 19 determines again whether or not the learningdata 131 has been received from theair conditioning device 2. - As the processing proceeds from step S10 to step S11, the
learning control unit 19 creates thelearning model 132 based on the learningdata 131 that has been accumulated. - As step S11 ends, as illustrated in step S12, the
learning control unit 19 transmits the opening degree information based on the createdlearning model 132 to theair conditioning device 2. - As step S12 ends, as illustrated in step S13, the
learning control unit 19 deletes the learningdata 131 that is old data, which has been used to create thelearning model 132. - As step S13 ends, as illustrated in step S8 and step S9, the
learning control unit 19 accumulates again the learningdata 131 that is new data. - The control unit 70 and the
learning control unit 19 continue this processing until the cooling operation or the heating operation is stopped by an instruction or the like from the operation remote controller. - In the related art, there is a technique for preventing, in a heat exchanger having a plurality of refrigerant flow paths, a refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger from flowing unevenly, by adjusting a flow rate of the refrigerant based on a temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths.
- In such a technique of the related art, when a flow rate of a refrigerant is to be adjusted based on a temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths, there is an issue in that a temperature sensor is required for each of the refrigerant flow paths.
- The
refrigeration cycle device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the heat exchangermain body 331, the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, and the control unit 70. The heat exchangermain body 331 has the plurality ofrefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i including the firstrefrigerant flow path 333 and the secondrefrigerant flow path 333. The plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i, respectively. The control unit 70 adjusts the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 333 by controlling the opening degrees of the flowrate adjustment units 332. The control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the first value. The first value is a value representing the overall efficiency of the refrigeration cycle. - In the
refrigeration cycle device 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the first value. The first value is a value representing the overall efficiency of the refrigeration cycle. As a result, therefrigeration cycle device 1 can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respectiverefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i by using sensors, the number of which is smaller than the number of therefrigerant flow paths 333, and can prevent the refrigerant flowing through theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 from flowing unevenly. - In the
refrigeration cycle device 1 according to the present embodiment, the first value includes the pressure value of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 (during the cooling operation) or the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (during the heating operation). As a result, therefrigeration cycle device 1 can estimate an uneven flow state of the refrigerant flowing through theoutdoor heat exchanger 33, and can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respectiverefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i. - In the
refrigeration cycle device 1 according to the present embodiment, the first value further includes a temperature of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. As a result, therefrigeration cycle device 1 can more accurately estimate an uneven flow state of the refrigerant flowing through theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 and can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respectiverefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i. - In the
refrigeration cycle device 1 according to the present embodiment, the first value further includes the rotation speed of theoutdoor fan motor 36 m that generates a flow of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. As a result, therefrigeration cycle device 1 can more accurately estimate an uneven flow state of the refrigerant flowing through theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 and can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respectiverefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i. - The
refrigeration cycle device 1 according to the present embodiment further includes thelearning device 10. Thelearning device 10 associates with each other and learns a combination of the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and the first value when the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i correspond to the combination of the opening degrees. Thelearning device 10 classifies the combination of the opening degrees in accordance with a level of the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33, which is estimated from the first value. The control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i by using the combination of the opening degrees, which is classified, by thelearning device 10, into a class at which the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is higher than a predetermined value. - In the
refrigeration cycle device 1 according to the present embodiment, using machine learning makes it possible to efficiently calculate a combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i, under which the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 improves (under which the refrigerant flowing through theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 will be less likely to flow unevenly). - In the present embodiment, an outdoor pressure value is used as the first value for estimating the heat exchange capability of the
outdoor heat exchanger 33. However, instead of an outdoor pressure value, an electric power consumption value of thecompressor 31 may be used as the first value for estimating the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. - In both the cooling operation and the heating operation, it is estimated that the smaller the electric power consumption value of the
compressor 31, the higher the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. Therefore, thelearning control unit 19 designates, for example, a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%), from among the records in the learningdata 131, in ascending order of the electric power consumption values of thecompressor 31 and estimates that the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is high in these records, and the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is low in the other records. - When both the outdoor pressure value and the electric power consumption value of the
compressor 31 are used as the first value, for example, one of them may be used to determine whether or not theair conditioning device 2 is in the stationary state. - In the present embodiment, the first value includes an outdoor pressure value, an outdoor temperature, and an outdoor fan rotation speed. However, the first value may further include the rotation speed of the
compressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of theoutdoor expansion valve 34. The rotation speed of thecompressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of theoutdoor expansion valve 34 are used, for example, to determine whether or not theair conditioning device 2 is in the stationary state. - As a result, the
refrigeration cycle device 1 can more accurately estimate an uneven flow state of the refrigerant flowing through theoutdoor heat exchanger 33, and can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respectiverefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i. - In the present embodiment, the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the first value. However, the control unit 70 may control the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the second value. The second value is a value representing the overall efficiency of the
outdoor heat exchanger 33. In the present modified example, the second value includes an outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an outdoor outlet temperature) after the refrigerant flowed out of the firstrefrigerant flow path 333 and the refrigerant flowed out of the secondrefrigerant flow path 333 have joined each other, an outdoor temperature, and an outdoor fan rotation speed. As a result, therefrigeration cycle device 1 can estimate an uneven flow state of the refrigerant flowing through theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 and can adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the respectiverefrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i. - The outdoor outlet temperature during the cooling operation represents a condensation temperature. The outdoor outlet temperature during the cooling operation is acquired from, for example, the liquid-
side temperature sensor 68. The outdoor outlet temperature during the heating operation is an evaporation temperature. The outdoor outlet temperature during the heating operation is acquired from, for example, the gas-side temperature sensor 67. The second value may further include the rotation speed of thecompressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of theoutdoor expansion valve 34. Note that, for example, when theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 has a plurality of flow dividers 334 (although there is one in the present embodiment) and the liquid-side temperature sensors 68 are installed at respective outlets, an average of measured values of the liquid-side temperature sensors 68 may be used as an outdoor outlet temperature during the cooling operation. - Similarly to a case of the first value, the control unit 70 receives opening degree information from the
learning device 10 per predetermined time T2. The control unit 70 sets the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i per predetermined time T1 within a setting range of the received opening degree information. The control unit 70 waits, each time the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i have been set, until theair conditioning device 2 reaches the stationary state, and, after theair conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state, transmits, to thelearning device 10, the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and an outdoor outlet temperature at that time (which serve as the learning data 131). In the present modified example, the control unit 70 determines that theair conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the outdoor temperature and the outdoor fan rotation speed become stationary. The control unit 70 may further determine that theair conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the rotation speed of thecompressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of theoutdoor expansion valve 34 become stationary. - The
learning control unit 19 estimates a level of the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 from the outdoor outlet temperature. In a case of the cooling operation, it is estimated that the lower the outdoor outlet temperature, the higher the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. Therefore, thelearning control unit 19 designates, for example, a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%), from among the records in the learningdata 131, in ascending order of the outdoor outlet temperatures and estimates that the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is high in these records, and that the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is low in the other records. In a case of the heating operation, it is estimated that the higher the outdoor outlet temperature, the higher the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33. Therefore, thelearning control unit 19 designates, for example, a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%), from among the records in the learningdata 131, in descending order of the outdoor outlet temperatures and estimates that the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is high in these records and that the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is low in the other records. - In the present embodiment, the
learning control unit 19 uses thelearning model 132 that is a classification type. However, thelearning control unit 19 may use alearning model 133 that is a regression type. As a regressiontype learning model 133, for example, a neural network, linear regression, or the like can be used. - Hereinafter, an example of the flow rate adjustment processing in a case where the regression
type learning model 133 is used will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated inFIG. 7 . - As a premise, when the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the first value, the first value includes an outdoor pressure value, an outdoor temperature, and an outdoor fan rotation speed. When the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i based on the second value, the second value includes an outdoor outlet temperature, an outdoor temperature, and an outdoor fan rotation speed.
- Furthermore, the
learning control unit 19 associates with each other and learns in advance a combination of the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and the outdoor pressure value or the outdoor outlet temperature when the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i correspond to the combination of the opening degrees. In other words, thelearning control unit 19 creates thelearning model 133 in advance using the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i as an explanatory variable and the outdoor pressure value or the outdoor outlet temperature as an objective variable. Furthermore, the control unit 70 determines in advance initial values of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i when the cooling operation or the heating operation is to be started. - As illustrated in step S101, the control unit 70 starts the cooling operation or the heating operation in response to an instruction or the like from the operation remote controller.
- As step S101 ends, as illustrated in step S102, the control unit 70 sets the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i to the initial values.
- As step S102 ends, as illustrated in step S103, the control unit 70 waits until the
air conditioning device 2 reaches the stationary state. In the present modified example, the control unit 70 determines that theair conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the outdoor temperature and the outdoor fan rotation speed become stationary. - As step S103 ends, as illustrated in step S104, the control unit 70 transmits the learning
data 131 to thelearning device 10. In other words, the control unit 70 transmits, to thelearning device 10, the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i and the outdoor pressure value or the outdoor outlet temperature when theair conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state. - When the learning
data 131 is received from theair conditioning device 2, as illustrated in step S105, thelearning control unit 19 updates thelearning model 133 by using thelearning data 131. - As step S105 ends, as illustrated in step S106, the
learning control unit 19 calculates, based on the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a reference opening degree) in the learningdata 131 received from thelearning device 10 and thelearning model 133 that has been updated, such a combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i that improves the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33, which is estimated from the outdoor pressure value or the outdoor outlet temperature. Specifically, thelearning control unit 19 calculates most appropriate points (the most appropriate opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i), at which the heat exchange capability of theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 is estimated to be highest, from among neighboring points to a point corresponding to the reference opening degree in the opening degree space. Furthermore, specifically, when thelearning model 133 estimates an outdoor pressure value, a neighboring point at which a lowest outdoor pressure value is estimated during the cooling operation and a neighboring point at which a highest outdoor pressure value is estimated during the heating operation are set as most appropriate points. Furthermore, when thelearning model 133 estimates an outdoor outlet temperature, a neighboring point at which a lowest outdoor outlet temperature is estimated during the cooling operation and a neighboring point at which a highest outdoor outlet temperature is estimated during the heating operation are set as most appropriate points. - As step S106 ends, as illustrated in step S107, the
learning control unit 19 transmits the combination of the most appropriate opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i to theair conditioning device 2. - As the combination of the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i is received from the
learning device 10, as illustrated in step S108, the control unit 70 waits for a predetermined time T3. The predetermined time T3 is, for example, 10 minutes. - As step S108 ends, as illustrated in step S109, the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i by using the combination of the opening degrees, which is calculated by the
learning device 10. In other words, the control unit 70 sets the combination of the opening degrees, which is received from thelearning device 10, in the flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i. - As step S109 ends, as illustrated in step S103, the control unit 70 waits until the
air conditioning device 2 reaches the stationary state again. - The control unit 70 and the
learning control unit 19 continue this processing until the cooling operation or the heating operation is stopped by an instruction or the like from the operation remote controller. - In the present embodiment, the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 332 a to 332 i such that the refrigerant flowing through the
refrigerant flow paths 333 a to 333 i in theoutdoor heat exchanger 33 does not flow unevenly. However, in a case where theindoor heat exchanger 21 includes, similarly to theoutdoor heat exchanger 33, a plurality of flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i, and a plurality ofrefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i, the control unit 70 may further control opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i such that the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i in theindoor heat exchanger 21 does not flow unevenly. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of theindoor heat exchanger 21 according to the present modified example. As illustrated inFIG. 8 , theindoor heat exchanger 21 mainly includes a heat exchangermain body 211 and the plurality of flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i. - The heat exchanger
main body 211 has the plurality ofrefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i including a firstrefrigerant flow path 213 and a secondrefrigerant flow path 213. As illustrated inFIG. 8 , the heat exchangermain body 211 is divided into a plurality ofsections 211 a to 211 i, and therefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i pass through thesections 211 a to 211 i, respectively. The heat exchangermain body 211 causes heat to be exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 213 and air in the target space. The heat exchangermain body 211 functions as an evaporator during the cooling operation and functions as a condenser during the heating operation. - The flow
rate adjustment units 212 adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 213. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 8 , the flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i such that the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i become uniform. In other words, the flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i adjust the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i such that the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i does not flow unevenly. The flowrate adjustment units 212 are configured to be able to adjust the opening degrees. - As illustrated in
FIG. 8 , aflow divider 214 causes, during the heating operation, the refrigerant that has flowed from thecompressor 31 side into the indoor heat exchanger 21 (in a direction indicated by a solid-line arrow illustrated inFIG. 8 ) to be separated flows to separately flow into therefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i. Furthermore, theflow divider 214 causes, during the cooling operation, separated flows of the refrigerant that has flowed from theindoor expansion valve 23 side into the indoor heat exchanger 21 (in a direction indicated by a broken-line arrow illustrated inFIG. 8 ) and that has been caused to separately flow into therefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i by aheader 215, which will be described later, to join each other. - As illustrated in
FIG. 8 , theheader 215 causes, during the heating operation, separated flows of the refrigerant that has flowed from thecompressor 31 side into the indoor heat exchanger 21 (in the direction indicated by the solid-line arrow illustrated inFIG. 8 ) and that has been caused to separately flow into therefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i by theflow divider 214 to join each other. Furthermore, theheader 215 causes, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant that has flowed from theindoor expansion valve 23 side into the indoor heat exchanger 21 (in the direction indicated by the broken-line arrow illustrated inFIG. 8 ) to be separated flows to separately flow into therefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i. - The control unit 70 adjusts, in cooperation with the
learning device 10, the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through therefrigerant flow paths 213 a to 213 i by controlling the opening degrees of the flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i. - When the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i based on the first value, the first value can include a pressure value of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an indoor pressure value), a temperature of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 21 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an indoor temperature), and the rotation speed of the
indoor fan motor 22 m (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an indoor fan rotation speed). The first value may further include the rotation speed of thecompressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of theindoor expansion valve 23. - The indoor pressure value during the cooling operation is a pressure value on the low pressure side. The indoor pressure value during the cooling operation is acquired from, for example, the
suction pressure sensor 64. The indoor temperature is acquired from, for example, theindoor temperature sensor 61. In a case of the cooling operation, it is estimated that the larger the indoor pressure value, the higher the heat exchange capability of theindoor heat exchanger 21. - The indoor pressure value during the heating operation is a pressure value on the high pressure side. The indoor pressure value during the heating operation is acquired from, for example, the
discharge pressure sensor 65. In a case of the heating operation, it is estimated that the smaller the indoor pressure value, the higher the heat exchange capability of theindoor heat exchanger 21. - In both the cooling operation and the heating operation, the control unit 70 can determine that the
air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the indoor temperature and the indoor fan rotation speed become stationary. The control unit 70 may further determine that theair conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the rotation speed of thecompressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of theindoor expansion valve 23 become stationary. - When the control unit 70 controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjustment units 212 a to 212 i based on the second value, the second value can include an outlet temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 21 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an indoor outlet temperature) after the refrigerant flowing out of the first
refrigerant flow path 213 and the refrigerant flowing out of the secondrefrigerant flow path 213 have joined each other, an indoor temperature, and an indoor fan rotation speed. The second value may further include the rotation speed of thecompressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of theindoor expansion valve 23. - The indoor outlet temperature during the cooling operation is an evaporation temperature. The indoor outlet temperature during the cooling operation is acquired from, for example, the gas-
side temperature sensor 62. In a case of the cooling operation, it is estimated that the higher the indoor outlet temperature, the higher the heat exchange capability of theindoor heat exchanger 21. - The indoor outlet temperature during the heating operation is a condensation temperature. The indoor outlet temperature during the heating operation is acquired from, for example, the liquid-
side temperature sensor 63. In a case of the heating operation, it is estimated that the lower the indoor outlet temperature, the higher the heat exchange capability of theindoor heat exchanger 21. - In both the cooling operation and the heating operation, the control unit 70 can determine that the
air conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the indoor temperature and the indoor fan rotation speed become stationary. The control unit 70 may further determine that theair conditioning device 2 has reached the stationary state when the rotation speed of thecompressor motor 31 m and the opening degree of theindoor expansion valve 23 become stationary. - While the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
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- 1 Refrigeration cycle device
- 10 Learning device
- 23 Indoor expansion valve (expansion valve)
- 31 Compressor
- 34 Outdoor expansion valve (expansion valve)
- 70 Control unit
- 211, 331 Heat exchanger main body (heat exchanger)
- 212, 332 Flow rate adjustment unit
- 213, 333 Refrigerant flow path
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- PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-128628
Claims (20)
1. A refrigeration cycle device comprising:
a heat exchanger having a plurality of refrigerant flow paths including a first refrigerant flow path and a second refrigerant flow path;
a plurality of flow rate adjusters that adjust flow rates of a refrigerant flowing through the respective refrigerant flow paths; and
a controller, wherein
the controller
adjusts the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths by controlling opening degrees of the flow rate adjusters, and
controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjusters based on a first value that is a value representing overall efficiency of a refrigeration cycle or a second value that is a value representing overall efficiency of the heat exchanger.
2. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 , wherein the first value includes an electric power consumption value of a compressor that compresses the refrigerant or a pressure value of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger.
3. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 , wherein the second value includes an outlet temperature of the heat exchanger, after the refrigerant that has flowed out of the first refrigerant flow path and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the second refrigerant flow path have joined each other.
4. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 2 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes a temperature of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger.
5. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 2 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes a rotation speed of a fan that generates a flow of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger.
6. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 2 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes a rotation speed of the compressor.
7. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 2 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes an opening degree of an expansion valve that adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant.
8. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 ,
further comprising a learning device that associates with each other and learns a combination of the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjusters and the first value or the second value when the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjusters correspond to the combination of the opening degrees,
wherein
the learning device classifies the combination of the opening degrees in accordance with a level of a heat exchange capability of the heat exchanger, the level of the heat exchange capability being estimated from the first value or the second value, and
the controller controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjusters by using the combination of the opening degrees classified, by the learning device, into a class at which the heat exchange capability of the heat exchanger is higher than a predetermined value.
9. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 ,
further comprising a learning device that associates with each other and learns a combination of the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjusters and the first value or the second value when the opening degrees of the plurality of flow rate adjusters correspond to the combination of the opening degrees,
wherein
the learning device calculates the combination of the opening degrees, the combination improving the heat exchange capability of the heat exchanger, the heat exchange capability being estimated from the first value or the second value, and
the controller controls the opening degrees of the respective flow rate adjusters by using the combination of the opening degrees calculated by the learning device.
10. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 2 , wherein the second value includes an outlet temperature of the heat exchanger, after the refrigerant that has flowed out of the first refrigerant flow path and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the second refrigerant flow path have joined each other.
11. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 3 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes a temperature of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger.
12. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 3 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes a rotation speed of a fan that generates a flow of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger.
13. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 4 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes a rotation speed of a fan that generates a flow of air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger.
14. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 3 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes a rotation speed of the compressor.
15. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 4 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes a rotation speed of the compressor.
16. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 5 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes a rotation speed of the compressor.
17. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 3 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes an opening degree of an expansion valve that adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant.
18. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 4 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes an opening degree of an expansion valve that adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant.
19. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 5 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes an opening degree of an expansion valve that adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant.
20. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 6 , wherein the first value or the second value further includes an opening degree of an expansion valve that adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant.
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JP2021129044A JP2023023475A (en) | 2021-08-05 | 2021-08-05 | Refrigeration cycle device |
PCT/JP2022/029573 WO2023013616A1 (en) | 2021-08-05 | 2022-08-02 | Refrigeration cycle device |
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