WO2000022355A1

WO2000022355A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2000022355A1
Application number: PCT/JP1999/005691
Authority: WO
Inventors: Makio Takeuchi
Original assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
Priority date: 1998-10-15
Filing date: 1999-10-15
Publication date: 2000-04-20
Also published as: AU6123299A; JP2000121132A

Abstract

An air conditioner having a duct fan (21), wherein an indoor temperature sensor (31) to detect an indoor temperature Ti and an outdoor temperature sensor (32) to detect an outside air temperature T0 are installed so as to control the introduction of outside air according to a relation between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, and a CO2 sensor (33) is installed so as to introduce outside air positively only when the indoor air is contaminated to a specified level or higher for appropriate ventilation, whereby outside air intake is controlled with saved energy and at low cost by suppressing increase in heat load but without comproming comfortableness.

Description

Description Air conditioning equipment Technical field

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an air conditioner provided with outside air intake means. Background art

In general, the operation of the air conditioner is performed in a state where the room is closed in both the cooling operation and the heating operation, for example. Therefore, if the operation is performed for a long time, indoor air becomes dirty due to an increase in carbon dioxide (hereinafter referred to as CO2). For this reason, it is desirable to take fresh outside air into the room.

Therefore, some conventional air conditioners are provided with outside air intake means such as a ventilation duct having a duct fan, for example. This outside air intake means responds to the above requirements.

The outside air intake means in this conventional air conditioner drives a duct fan or the like to control the intake of outside air. Conventionally, the main purpose of this intake control was simply ventilation of room air. In other words, the conventional outside air intake means takes in outside air in conjunction with air-conditioning operation regardless of the room temperature or the outside air temperature.

However, as described above, simply linking the outside air intake means to the air conditioning operation has the following problems.

For example, depending on the indoor and outdoor temperature relationship, such as when the outdoor air temperature is higher than the indoor temperature during the cooling operation, the heat load for the cooling operation increases by the higher the outdoor air temperature. In some cases, if the room air is clean and ventilation is not necessary, ventilate unnecessarily. As a result, running costs increase. Even during heating operation, The same can be said for the cooling operation.

The inventions of the present application have been made to solve such conventional problems. In other words, the inventions of the present application provide an air conditioner equipped with an outside air intake means that takes into account the conditions of indoor and outdoor temperature or indoor air pollution conditions when controlling the intake of outside air in conjunction with air conditioning operation. The purpose is to realize the intake of fresh air. The inventions of the present application provide an air conditioner having a comfortable and energy-efficient outside air intake function by controlling the intake of outside air. Disclosure of the invention

Each invention of the present application has the following means for achieving the above object.

(1) First solution

The present invention is directed to an air conditioner provided with outside air intake means (21). Further, it is provided with an outside air temperature detecting means (32) for detecting the outside air temperature To and an indoor temperature detecting means (31) for detecting the indoor temperature Ή. In addition, a control means (18) for controlling the operation of the outside air intake means (21) is provided.

The control means (18) determines that the outside air temperature To detected by the outside air temperature detection means (32) and the indoor temperature Ϊ detected by the indoor temperature detection means (31) have a predetermined relationship. Under the condition, the outside air intake means (21) is operated so as to take in outside air.

Therefore, in the present invention, the outside air is taken in according to the operation state in consideration of the correlation between the room temperature Ti and the outside air temperature To. If the intake of outside air increases the heat load, the intake of outside air is limited. For this reason, an increase in heat load can be avoided and outside air with an unpleasant temperature can be prevented from flowing into the room. As a result, an improvement in comfort and an energy saving effect are obtained.

(2) Second solution

The present invention is the first solution, further comprising: Determining means (18a) for determining whether the vehicle is in the operating state. Then, the control means (18) activates the outside air intake means (21) when the outside air temperature To is lower than the room temperature Ti by a predetermined temperature or more during the cooling operation determined by the determination means (18a).

Therefore, during the cooling operation, the outside air intake means 21 operates on the condition that the outside air temperature To is lower than the room temperature by a predetermined temperature or more. This prevents an increase in heat load when the outside air temperature To is higher than the room temperature Ti, and prevents warm outside air from flowing into the room.

As a result, outside air intake control suitable for cooling operation is performed, and more comfortable and energy-saving air conditioning is realized.

(3) Third solution

According to the present invention, in the first solving means, further, a determining means (18a) for determining which operating state of the cooling operation or the heating operation is provided. Then, the control means (18) activates the outside air intake means (21) when the outside air temperature To is higher than the room temperature i by a predetermined temperature or more during the heating operation determined by the determination means (18a).

Therefore, during the heating operation, the outside air intake means 21 operates on the condition that the outside air temperature To is higher than the room temperature Ti by a predetermined temperature or more. This prevents an increase in heat load when the outside air temperature To is lower than the room temperature Ti, and prevents inflow of cold outside air into the room.

As a result, outside air intake control suitable for heating operation is performed, and more comfortable and energy-saving air conditioning is realized.

(4) Fourth solution

The determining means (18a) in the second or third solving means determines which of the cooling operation and the heating operation is in operation from the relationship between the set target temperature Ts and the indoor temperature Ti.

Therefore, the cooling operation and the heating operation can be easily and accurately determined from the relationship between the set target temperature Ts at that time and the actual room temperature Ti detected by the room temperature detecting means 31.

(5) Fifth solution The present invention is directed to an air conditioner provided with outside air intake means (21). Furthermore, a contamination detection means (33) for detecting the state of contamination of indoor air is provided. In addition, a control means (18) for controlling the operation of the outside air intake means (21) is provided.

The control means (18) activates the outside air intake means (21) so as to take in outside air according to the contamination state of the indoor air detected by the contamination detection means (33).

Therefore, when the indoor air is contaminated, the outside air is actively taken in according to the contaminated state to purify the room. On the other hand, when the room air is clean, the outside air is not taken in, thus suppressing unnecessary fluctuations in the air conditioning temperature. As a result, appropriate ventilation is performed according to the actual air pollution status.

(6) Sixth solution

The present invention uses a CO2 sensor for detecting the amount of CO2 in indoor air as a pollution detecting means (33) of the fifth solving means. The C02 sensor detects the amount of C02 in the room air to determine the state of air contamination, and activates the outside air intake means 21.

Therefore, when the amount of CO2 generated in the room exceeds a certain level, fresh outside air is taken in, and comfortable and energy-saving ventilation is performed appropriately.

As a result, according to the air conditioners of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) First to fourth solutions

Appropriate outside air intake control is realized in consideration of the indoor and outdoor temperature relationship. As a result, it is possible to perform energy-saving intake of outside air without impairing comfort and suppressing an increase in heat load.

(2) Fifth and sixth solutions

Appropriate intake of outside air according to the state of contamination of indoor air is realized. This results in comfort Energy-saving air cleaning can be performed without impairing the air quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an air conditioner provided with outside air intake means common to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the outside air intake control of the air conditioner. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the content of the outside air intake control of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the content of the outside air intake control of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the content of the outside air intake control of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First, FIGS. 1 to 3 show an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and the configuration and operation of intake air intake control thereof. The configurations in FIGS. 1 and 2 are commonly used in the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a ceiling-mounted air conditioner of this embodiment. The air conditioner includes a cassette-type apparatus main body (main body casing) 1, an outside air intake chamber 20 integrated with a side portion of the apparatus main body 1, and the apparatus main body 1 and the outside air intake chamber 20. And a decorative panel (ceiling panel) 2 attached to the lower surface.

Inside the apparatus main body 1, a centrifugal fan 4 and a heat exchanger 5 are provided. On the other hand, an air inlet 6 is formed at the center of the decorative panel 2, and a conditioned air outlet 7 and an outside air outlet 24 are formed at the outer periphery of the decorative panel 2.

An outside air intake duct 22 is connected to the outside air intake chamber 20. The outside air intake duct 22 is provided with a duct fan 21 for taking in outside air in the middle thereof. The duct fan 21 or the outside air intake duct 22 provided with the duct fan 21 constitutes outside air intake means.

The indoor air sucked from the air suction port 6 of the decorative panel 2 is detected by the indoor temperature sensor 31 and cooled or heated in the heat exchanger 5 to become conditioned air. The conditioned air is blown into the room from the blow-out passage 8 inside the apparatus main body 1 through the air blow-out port 7 of the decorative panel 2.

Also, when taking in outside air, the outside air temperature is detected by the outside air temperature sensor 32 outside the duct, and the CO2 sensor 33 that detects C02 (carbon dioxide) detects dirt in the indoor air. When the detected outside air temperature has a predetermined relationship with the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 31, or when the C02 concentration (carbon dioxide concentration) is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the duct fan 21 is operated. Then, outside air is sucked from the outside air intake grill 23 at the end of the outside air intake duct 22, and the outside air is blown into the room from the outside air outlet 24 through the outside air intake duct 22.

The conditioned air outlet 7 of the apparatus main body 1 is provided with outlet guide vanes 9 and 9 for controlling the direction of the outlet air flow. The blow-out guide blades 9, 9 are configured so that their angles can be arbitrarily changed.

Next, FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the outside air intake control in the air conditioner. The control unit 18 consisting of a microcomputer constitutes the control means. The input port of the control unit 18 is connected to a remote controller 13, an indoor temperature sensor 31, an outside air temperature sensor 32 and a CO2 sensor 33. The control unit 18 is configured to control the duct fan 21, the centrifugal fan 4, and the refrigeration circuit 15 based on the input data. Next, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the content of the outside air intake control by the control unit 18.

Therefore, the contents of the outside air intake control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, control data is input. For example, the above indoor temperature sensor The room temperature Ti detected by the sensor 31, the outside air temperature To detected by the outside air temperature sensor 32, the target temperature Ts set by the remote controller 13, and the like are input.

Next, in step S2, it is determined whether the air conditioner is performing a cooling operation or a heating operation based on the relationship between the input room temperature Ti and the set target temperature Ts. If the room temperature Ti is higher than the set target temperature Ts, it is determined that the cooling operation is being performed. If the room temperature i is lower than the set target temperature Ts, it is determined that the heating operation is being performed. This step S2 constitutes the judging means (18a) for judging the operating state of the cooling and heating.

If the operation is the cooling operation, the process proceeds to step S3, and the temperature difference Ti—To between the room temperature i and the outside air temperature To is checked. If the temperature difference Ti-To is equal to or higher than the comfortable difference temperature ΔΤχ (for cooling) in the cooling operation state, the intake of outside air does not increase the heat load and does not cause discomfort. Then, the process proceeds to step S4, and the outside air intake fan 21 is operated to take in outside air.

If the temperature difference Ti-To is smaller than the comfortable difference temperature ΔΤχ, the intake of outside air increases the heat load and causes discomfort. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S5, and the outside air intake fan 21 is stopped.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S2 that the operation is the heating operation, the process proceeds to step S6, and the temperature difference To—Ti between the outside air temperature To and the room temperature Ti is checked. If the temperature difference To—Ti is equal to or higher than the comfortable temperature difference ΔΤχ (for heating) during heating operation, the intake of outside air does not increase the heat load and does not cause discomfort. Then, the process proceeds to step S7, and the outside air intake fan 21 is operated to take in outside air.

If the above temperature difference To 差 is smaller than the comfortable difference temperature ΔΤχ, taking in outside air will increase the heat load and cause discomfort. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S8, and the outside air intake fan 21 is stopped. As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following operation and effect can be obtained corresponding to each configuration described above.

(1) Equipped with a cooling / heating operation judgment function to determine whether the relationship between the set target temperature Ts and the room temperature i Then, it is determined whether the operation state is the cooling operation or the heating operation.

Accordingly, the determination of the cooling / heating operation state can be easily and appropriately determined from the relationship between the set target temperature Ts at that time and the actual room temperature i detected by the room temperature sensor 31.

(2) When the cooling / heating operation determination function determines that the air conditioner is in the cooling operation state, the condition is that the outside air temperature To is lower than the room temperature i by a predetermined temperature ΔΤχ (for cooling) or more. The duct fan 21 for taking in outside air is operated.

Therefore, during the cooling operation, if the outside air temperature To is lower than the room temperature Ti by the predetermined temperature ΔΤχ or more, the duct fan 21 is operated. This prevents an increase in heat load when the outside air temperature To is higher than the room temperature i, and prevents warm outside air from flowing into the room.

(3) When it is determined that the heating operation is being performed, the duct fan 21 is operated on condition that the outside air temperature To is higher than the room temperature Ti by a predetermined temperature ΔΤχ (for heating) or more.

Therefore, during the heating operation, if the outside air temperature To is higher than the room temperature Ti by the predetermined temperature ΔΤχ or more, the duct fan 21 is operated. For this reason, an increase in heat load when the outside air temperature To is lower than the room temperature Ti and an inflow of cold outside air into the room are prevented.

Next, FIG. 4 shows the content of the outside air intake control of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention using the means of FIGS. 1 and 2 described above.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the C02 sensor 33 detects the state of contamination of the conditioned air sucked from the air suction port 6 of the device body 1. The control unit 18 of the present embodiment controls the above-described duct fan 21 according to the C02 concentration of the conditioned air. It is a sign.

Therefore, the contents of the outside air intake control will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S1, the C02 concentration detected by the CO2 sensor 33 is input to the control unit 18 as control data. Next, in step S2, the C02 concentration is determined by looking at the input C02 concentration. If this CO2 concentration is higher than the pollution determination concentration Δ〇, it is determined that the indoor air is dirty. Then, the process proceeds to step S3, where the duct fan 21 is operated to take in outside air.

On the other hand, if the C02 concentration is lower than the determination concentration AC, it is determined that the room air does not need to be ventilated. Then, the process proceeds to step S4 to stop the duct fan 21.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the C02 sensor 33 that detects the C02 concentration in the indoor air is used as the pollution detecting means. The CO2 sensor 33 detects the concentration of C02 in the indoor air to determine the state of air pollution. Then, the control unit 18 operates the duct fan 21 (outside air intake means).

Therefore, when the amount of generated CO2 exceeds a certain level, outside air is automatically taken in. As a result, comfortable and energy-saving ventilation is appropriately performed.

FIG. 5 shows the content of the outside air intake control of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

The control of the present embodiment is characterized by combining the control of the first embodiment and the control of the second embodiment.

First, in step S1, the control data is input. That is, the room temperature Ti detected by the room temperature sensor 31, the outside air temperature To detected by the outside air temperature detection sensor 32, the CO2 concentration detected by the C02 sensor 33, and the setting set by the remote controller 13. The target temperature Ts is input to the control unit 18. Next, in step S2, it is determined whether the air conditioner is performing a cooling operation or a heating operation based on the relationship between the input room temperature i and the set target temperature Ts. If the room temperature Ti is higher than the set target temperature Ts, it is determined that the cooling operation is being performed. If the room temperature Ti is lower than the set target temperature Ts, it is determined that the heating operation is being performed. This step S2 constitutes the judging means (18a) for judging the operating state of the air conditioner.

If the operation is the cooling operation, the process proceeds to step S3, and the temperature difference i1 To between the room temperature Ti and the outside air temperature To is checked. If this temperature difference i—To is equal to or higher than the comfortable temperature difference ΔΤχ for cooling operation (for cooling), the intake of outside air does not increase the heat load and does not cause discomfort. Then, proceed to step S4 to activate the duct fan 21 to take in outside air.

If the temperature difference Ti-To is smaller than the comfortable difference temperature ΔΤχ, the intake of outside air increases the heat load and causes discomfort. Therefore, the process moves to step S5, and the C02 concentration is checked. Then, take in outside air only when it is judged that ventilation is especially necessary based on the air pollution state at that time.

That is, if the C02 concentration is higher than the determination concentration 換気, ventilation is necessary, so the process proceeds to step S4, and the duct fan 21 is operated. On the other hand, if the C02 concentration is equal to or lower than the determination concentration A C in step S5, it is determined that ventilation is not particularly necessary, and the flow proceeds to step S6 to stop the duct fan 21.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the operation is the heating operation, the process proceeds to step S7, and the temperature difference To—Ti between the outside air temperature To and the room temperature Ti is checked. If the temperature difference To—Ti is equal to or higher than the comfortable temperature difference ΔΤχ (for heating) during heating operation, the intake of outside air does not increase the heat load and does not cause discomfort. Then, the process proceeds to step S8, and the duct fan 21 is operated to take in outside air.

If the temperature difference To—Ti is smaller than the comfortable difference temperature ΔΤχ, the intake of outside air increases the heat load and causes discomfort. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S9, and the C02 concentration in the air at that time is checked. Introduce outside air only when the concentration of generated C02 is high and ventilation is particularly necessary due to air pollution. That is, if the CO2 concentration is higher than the determination concentration ΔC, it is determined that ventilation is necessary, and the process proceeds to step S8, where the duct fan 21 is operated to take in outside air. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that the C02 concentration is equal to or less than the determination concentration AC, it is determined that ventilation is not particularly necessary, and the flow proceeds to step S10 to stop the duct fan 21.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, unnecessary driving of duct fan 21 during cooling or heating is prevented. As a result, the inflow of unpleasant outside air into the room is restricted, and the increase in heat load is also suppressed. At the same time, if necessary, when indoor air pollution is high, ventilation is provided to keep indoor air clean. Therefore, it is possible to control the equipment while sufficiently improving the comfort of the indoor air and in a sufficiently energy-saving state. Industrial applicability

As described above, the air conditioner according to the present invention is useful as an air conditioner that takes in outside air, and is particularly suitable for controlling the introduction of outside air.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. In an air conditioner equipped with outside air intake means (21),

An outside air temperature detecting means (32) for detecting the outside air temperature To;

An indoor temperature detecting means (31) for detecting the indoor temperature Ti;

A control means (18) for outside air intake for controlling the operation of the outside air intake means (21) is provided,

The control means (18) has a predetermined relationship between the outside air temperature To detected by the outside air temperature detection means (32) and the room temperature Ti detected by the room temperature detection means (31). An air conditioner characterized by operating the outside air intake means (21) so as to take in outside air under the following conditions.

2. In Claim 1,

A determination means (18a) for determining whether the operation state is the cooling operation or the heating operation is provided,

The control means (18) activates the outside air intake means (21) when the outside air temperature To is lower than the indoor temperature Ti by a predetermined temperature or more during the cooling operation determined by the determination means (18a). Air conditioner.

3. In claim 1,

The control means (18) activates the outside air intake means (21) when the outside air temperature To is higher than the room temperature Ti by a predetermined temperature or more during the heating operation determined by the determination means (18a). Air conditioner.

4. In Claim 2 or 3, The air conditioner is characterized in that the judging means (18a) judges which of the cooling operation and the heating operation is in operation from the relationship between the set target temperature Ts and the room temperature i.

5. An air conditioner equipped with outside air intake means (21)

Pollution detection means (33) for detecting the pollution state of indoor air;

The air conditioner characterized in that the control means (18) activates the outside air intake means (21) so as to take in outside air in accordance with the contamination state of the indoor air detected by the pollution detection means (33). .

6. In Claim 5,

The air conditioner is characterized in that the pollution detecting means (33) is a CO2 sensor for detecting the amount of C02 in room air.