WO2019171483A1

WO2019171483A1 - Air conditioner and method for controlling air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2019171483A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/008695
Authority: WO
Inventors: 横関　敦彦; 佐々木　俊治; 米山　裕康; 山梨　良幸
Original assignee: 日立ジョンソンコントロールズ空調株式会社
Priority date: 2018-03-07
Filing date: 2018-03-07
Publication date: 2019-09-12
Also published as: JP6906680B2; JPWO2019171483A1

Abstract

An air conditioner having a refrigerant detection sensor with which a leakage of refrigerant can be detected properly even when a leakage detection level (detection threshold value) of the refrigerant detection sensor fluctuates due to a deterioration over time in the leakage detection sensor or the surrounding environment where the leakage detection sensor is installed. The air conditioner 1, which circulates between an indoor unit 10 and an outdoor unit 20 a refrigerant R used for exchanging heat, is configured so as to have a refrigerant detection sensor 30 that detects a leakage of the refrigerant R, and a determination value correction unit 114 that, in accordance with a sensor detection value C from the refrigerant detection sensor 30, corrects an initial determination value Cjo (detection determination value) with which the refrigerant detection sensor 30 detects leakage of the refrigerant R.

Description

Air conditioner and control method of air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner.

In recent years, air conditioners using alternative chlorofluorocarbon as a refrigerant have been developed to reduce the environmental burden. As such a refrigerant, for example, a slightly flammable refrigerant such as hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) R32 is used.

When using a slightly flammable refrigerant in the air conditioner, there is a risk of ignition due to leakage of the slightly flammable refrigerant. For this reason, in this kind of air conditioner, it is necessary to detect the leakage of the slightly flammable refrigerant with high accuracy using a refrigerant detection sensor. However, the detection value of the refrigerant detection sensor may fluctuate due to the ambient environment where the refrigerant detection sensor is installed, aging deterioration, or the like. In such a case, there is a possibility that leakage of the slightly flammable refrigerant cannot be detected appropriately.

In Patent Document 1, in an air conditioner having a refrigerant detection sensor, it is determined whether indoor air is being agitated, and when it is determined that the air is being agitated, the detection determination value of the refrigerant detection sensor is a first determination. The air conditioner that detects the leakage of the slightly flammable refrigerant by setting the detection determination value of the refrigerant detection sensor to a second determination value that is lower than the first determination value when it is determined that it is not stirred. Is disclosed.

JP 2017-53517 A

However, in the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the detection value varies due to the surrounding environment where the refrigerant detection sensor is installed, or when the detection value varies due to aging of the refrigerant detection sensor. There is a possibility that leakage of the slightly flammable refrigerant cannot be detected properly.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in an air conditioner having a refrigerant detection sensor, when the sensor detection value fluctuates due to the surrounding environment where the refrigerant detection sensor is installed, or the refrigerant detection sensor It is an object of the present invention to enable appropriate detection of refrigerant leakage even when the sensor detection value fluctuates due to deterioration over time.

In order to solve the above problems, in an air conditioner configured to circulate a refrigerant for heat exchange between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, a refrigerant detection sensor for detecting leakage of the refrigerant, and detection of the refrigerant detection sensor In accordance with the value, the refrigerant detection sensor includes a determination value correction unit that corrects a detection determination value for detecting leakage of the refrigerant.

According to the present invention, in an air conditioner having a refrigerant detection sensor, the sensor detection value fluctuates when the sensor detection value fluctuates due to the surrounding environment where the refrigerant detection sensor is installed, or due to aging of the refrigerant detection sensor. Even in this case, it is possible to appropriately detect the leakage of the refrigerant.

It is a schematic diagram explaining an example of the installation to the building of the air conditioner concerning embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the function of a control apparatus. It is a figure explaining an example of the correction method of the initial determination value by the determination value correction | amendment part. It is a figure explaining an example of the correction method of the initial determination value by the determination value correction | amendment part. It is a figure explaining an example of the correction method of the initial determination value by the determination value correction | amendment part. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of the air conditioner by a control apparatus.

[Air conditioner]
Hereinafter, an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Drawing 1 is a mimetic diagram explaining an example of installation in building 200 of air harmony machine 1 concerning an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the control device 110.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 circulates between the indoor unit 10 provided in the room 210 of the building 200, the outdoor unit 20 provided in the outdoor 220, and the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20. A refrigerant detection sensor 30 for detecting leakage of the refrigerant R to be performed, and a remote controller 40 for remotely operating the air conditioner 1. The indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 60, and the refrigerant R circulates through the refrigerant pipe 60, whereby the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner 1 is configured.

For example, as the refrigerant R circulating through the refrigerant pipe 60, a slightly flammable refrigerant such as R32 of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) as an alternative chlorofluorocarbon is used. When this type of refrigerant R leaks into the room 210 and reaches a predetermined concentration or more, flames from a flame source (for example, a lighter flame) may propagate in the room 210.

Therefore, a shutoff valve 50 (51, 52) is provided in the middle of the refrigerant pipe 60. When the refrigerant detection sensor 30 detects the leakage of the refrigerant R, the

shutoff valves

51, 52 The refrigerant R flowing through the refrigerant R can be blocked, and the leakage of the refrigerant R can be suppressed.

In addition, the building 200 is provided with a ventilation device 230. By ventilating the room air with the ventilation device 230, the refrigerant concentration in the room 210 can be lowered.

[Control device]
As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 10 is provided with a control device 110 that controls the air conditioner 1. The control device 110 includes an operation information acquisition unit 111, a concentration calculation unit 112, a concentration determination value calculation unit 113, a determination value correction unit 114, a leakage state determination unit 115, and an output processing unit 116. Yes. The control device 110 is connected to a control program for performing overall control of the air conditioner 1 and a storage device 11 that stores various parameters, and a CPU (not shown) stores the control stored in the storage device 11. By executing the program, each function described below is realized. The control device 110 is connected to the communication device 12, and is connected to the refrigerant detection sensor 30 via the communication device 12.

The operation information acquisition unit 111 acquires operation information such as air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 1.

The concentration calculation unit 112 calculates the concentration C of the refrigerant R in the room 210 (hereinafter also referred to as sensor detection value Cd) based on the output signal of the refrigerant detection sensor 30. Further, the concentration calculation unit 112 stores a plurality of sensor detection values Cd calculated in the past predetermined period in the storage device 11.

The concentration determination value calculation unit 113 calculates the allowable upper limit determination value Cju of the concentration C of the refrigerant R in the room 210 based on design information such as the space volume of the room 210, the presence / absence of the ventilation device 230, and the installation location of the ventilation device 230 The initial determination value Cjo is calculated and set. Here, the allowable upper limit determination value Cju is at least the minimum refrigerant concentration (combustion) that can be propagated through the flame in a state where refrigerant and air are evenly mixed, as defined by ISO 817 (refrigerant safety grade). A value smaller than ¼ of the limit LFL (Lower Flammability Limit) is set. This is the upper limit value of refrigerant concentration detection in consideration of a safety factor that assumes refrigerant detection delay in the refrigerant detection sensor 30, refrigerant concentration distribution, and the like. The initial determination value Cjo is a determination value used for initial refrigerant concentration detection, and is set to a value lower than the allowable upper limit determination value Cju in consideration of flame propagation safety. For example, the initial determination value Cjo is set to a value of 1/8 LFL. In the embodiment, in consideration of safety, control device 110 determines that leakage of refrigerant R has occurred when concentration C of refrigerant R in room 210 is equal to or higher than initial determination value Cjo.

Further, the concentration determination value calculation unit 113 determines a temporary increase in the concentration C of the refrigerant R in the room 210, and the first determination value Cjo1 and the first determination value Cjo1 that are smaller than the initial determination value Cjo. The second determination value Cjo2 having a smaller value is calculated and set (see FIG. 5). As a result, the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 is equal to or greater than the first determination value Cjo1, and the period T (eg, T1, T2, T3) that is equal to or greater than the first determination value Cjo1 is equal to or less than the predetermined period Tth. Thereafter, when the second determination value Cjo2 or less is reached, it can be determined that the increase in the sensor detection value Cd is not a temporal change but a temporary one (see FIG. 5).

Note that the above-described allowable upper limit determination value Cju, initial determination value Cjo, first determination value Cjo1, and second determination value Cjo2 are set by remote control by a remote controller 40 provided outside the control device 110 (indoor unit 10). You may be made to do.

The determination value correction unit 114 corrects the initial determination value Cjo calculated and set by the concentration determination value calculation unit 113 described above based on the concentration C (sensor detection value Cd) of the refrigerant R detected by the refrigerant detection sensor 30. To do. A method of correcting the initial determination value Cjo by the determination value correction unit 114 will be described later.

The leakage state determination unit 115 leaks the refrigerant R in the room 210 based on the refrigerant C concentration C (sensor detection value Cd) detected by the refrigerant detection sensor 30, the allowable upper limit determination value Cju, and the initial determination value Cjo. The presence or absence of is determined. For example, when the refrigerant C concentration C (sensor detection value Cd) detected by the refrigerant detection sensor 30 is equal to or higher than the initial determination value Cjo, the leakage state determination unit 115 causes the refrigerant R to leak in the room 210. When the concentration C (sensor detection value Cd) is less than the initial determination value Cjo, it is determined that the refrigerant R has not leaked in the room 210.

The output processing unit 116 performs a process for outputting the leakage state of the refrigerant R determined by the leakage state determination unit 115 to an external notification device (not shown). For example, if the output processing unit 116 determines that leakage of the refrigerant R in the room 210 has occurred, the output processing unit 116 outputs a control value notifying the leakage of the refrigerant R to a notification device such as a display or a speaker provided outside. To do. Accordingly, the notification device outputs a display, a sound, a warning sound, and the like for notifying leakage of the refrigerant R to the outside.

[Judgment value correction method]
Next, a method for correcting the initial determination value Cjo by the above-described determination value correction unit 114 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for correcting the initial determination value Cjo by the determination value correction unit 114. In FIG. 3, the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 rises and changes over time when the horizontal axis is time (T) and the vertical axis is the refrigerant concentration CVol (%) detected by the refrigerant detection sensor 30. Shows the case.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the control device 110, the concentration determination value calculation unit 113 calculates and sets the allowable upper limit determination value Cju and the initial determination value Cjo based on the design information of the room 210 and the like. In the embodiment, a value smaller than 1/4 LFL of R32 (A2L) defined by ISO817 is set as the allowable upper limit determination value Cju, and a value of 1/8 LFL is set as the initial determination value Cjo.

In the control device 110, the concentration calculation unit 112 calculates the concentration C (sensor detection value Cd) of the refrigerant R in the room 210 detected by the refrigerant detection sensor 30 at regular intervals. In the embodiment, the sensor detection value Cd rises and fluctuates over time due to deterioration of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 over time. Therefore, the average value CdA of the sensor detection value Cd in a predetermined period can be represented by a straight line having an upward slope (see FIG. 3).

Here, since the sensor detection value Cd fluctuates with time, after the predetermined time Ta elapses, the sensor detection value Cd becomes equal to or greater than the initial determination value Cjo, and leakage actually occurs even though the refrigerant R does not leak. May be erroneously detected. Therefore, in the present invention, when the determination value correction unit 114 determines that the predetermined time Ta has elapsed, the average value CdA of the sensor detection values Cd stored in the storage device 11 in the past predetermined period is used as the initial determination value. Correction correction value Cjc is calculated and set by performing correction to be added to Cjo (see arrow in FIG. 3). Note that when the correction determination value Cjc is equal to or greater than the allowable upper limit determination value Cju, the refrigerant C concentration C (sensor detection value Cd) in the room 210 is actually equal to or greater than the allowable upper limit determination value Cju. Although there is a risk of propagation, the leakage state determination unit 115 may make an erroneous determination that does not determine the leakage of the refrigerant R because the sensor detection value Cd is equal to or less than the correction determination value Cjc. Therefore, in consideration of safety, the correction determination value Cjc is set in a range less than the allowable upper limit determination value Cju.

As a result, in the control device 110, correction for increasing the initial determination value Cjo is performed in accordance with the increase fluctuation of the sensor detection value Cd due to deterioration over time. Therefore, when there is no leakage of the refrigerant R, the sensor detection value Cd is Even after the elapse of the predetermined time Ta, the correction determination value Cjc is not exceeded, and leakage of the refrigerant R can be appropriately determined.

On the other hand, the sensor detection value Cd may decrease with time due to deterioration of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 (clogging of the contact portion with the refrigerant R). In this case, the control device 110 actually uses the refrigerant R. In spite of leakage, there may be a detection delay that determines that there is no leakage. For this reason, it is necessary to appropriately correct the determination value even when the sensor detection value Cd varies with time. Next, a method of correcting the determination value when the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 varies with time will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of correcting the initial determination value Cjo by the determination value correction unit 114. In FIG. 4, the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 varies with time when the horizontal axis is time (T) and the vertical axis is the refrigerant concentration CVol (%) detected by the refrigerant detection sensor 30. Shows the case.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the control device 110, the concentration determination value calculation unit 113 calculates and sets the allowable upper limit determination value Cju and the initial determination value Cjo based on the design information of the room 210 and the like. In the embodiment, a value smaller than 1/4 LFL of R32 (A2L) defined by ISO817 is set as the allowable upper limit determination value Cju, and a value of 1/8 LFL is set as the initial determination value Cjo.

In the control device 110, the concentration calculation unit 112 calculates the concentration C (sensor detection value Cd) of the refrigerant R in the room 210 detected by the refrigerant detection sensor 30 at regular intervals. In the embodiment, the sensor detection value Cd is decreased and fluctuated with time due to deterioration of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 over time. Therefore, the average value CdA of the sensor detection value Cd in a predetermined period can be represented by a straight line having a downward slope (see FIG. 4).

Here, since the sensor detection value Cd decreases and fluctuates with time, after the predetermined time Ta has elapsed, the difference from the initial determination value Cjo increases, and as a result, the refrigerant R actually leaks. Nevertheless, it may be erroneously determined that no leakage has occurred. Therefore, in the present invention, the determination value correction unit 114 calculates the average value CdA of the sensor detection values Cd in the past predetermined period stored in the storage device 11 from the initial determination value Cjo after the predetermined time Ta has elapsed. Correction correction value Cjc is calculated and set by performing subtraction correction (see the arrow in FIG. 4).

As a result, in the control device 110, correction for lowering the initial determination value Cjo is performed in accordance with the decrease variation of the sensor detection value Cd due to deterioration over time. Therefore, if there is a leakage of the refrigerant R, the sensor detection value Cd is corrected. It becomes more than judgment value Cjc, and it can detect leak of refrigerant R appropriately.

Here, the refrigerant detection sensor 30 may react not only to the slightly flammable refrigerant (for example, R32) but also to other gases and chemicals. For example, when the refrigerant detection sensor 30 is installed in a beauty salon room or the like, it may react to hair spray gas used in the beauty salon. In this case, when the sensor detection value Cd temporarily becomes equal to or higher than the initial determination value Cjo as a result of using hair spray in the beauty salon, the leakage state determination unit 115 relates to the fact that the refrigerant R has not leaked. Therefore, it may be erroneously determined that the refrigerant R has leaked. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately correct the determination value even when the sensor detection value Cd temporarily increases. Next, a method for correcting the determination value when the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 temporarily increases will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of correcting the initial determination value Cjo by the determination value correction unit 114. In FIG. 5, the detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 is temporarily increased when the horizontal axis is time (T) and the vertical axis is the refrigerant concentration CVol (%) detected by the refrigerant detection sensor 30. Show.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the control device 110, the concentration determination value calculation unit 113 calculates and sets the allowable upper limit determination value Cju and the initial determination value Cjo based on the design conditions of the room 210 and the like. In the embodiment, a value smaller than 1/4 LFL of R32 (A2L) defined by ISO817 is set as the allowable upper limit determination value Cju, and a value of 1/8 LFL is set as the initial determination value Cjo.

The density determination value calculation unit 113 calculates and sets a first determination value Cjo1 having a value lower than the initial determination value Cjo and a second determination value Cjo2 having a value lower than the first determination value Cjo1. . The first determination value Cjo1 is a sensor detection value Cd output from the refrigerant detection sensor 30 when the refrigerant detection sensor 30 detects another gas (for example, hair spray gas) or a medicine different from the refrigerant R. Value is set. The second determination value Cjo2 is set to the value of the sensor detection value Cd output from the refrigerant detection sensor 30 when the refrigerant detection sensor 30 stops detecting other gases and chemicals. Thereby, in the control device 110, when the sensor detection value Cd becomes a predetermined time T (for example, T1, T2, T3), the first determination value Cjo1 or more, and then becomes the second determination value Cjo2 or less, sensor detection It can be determined that the value Cd has temporarily increased due to detection of gas other than the leakage of the refrigerant R.

In the control device 110, the concentration calculation unit 112 calculates the concentration C (sensor detection value Cd) of the refrigerant R in the room 210 detected by the refrigerant detection sensor 30 at regular intervals. In the embodiment, the sensor detection value Cd gradually rises and fluctuates over time due to deterioration of the refrigerant detection sensor 30, and a period during which it temporarily increases (for example, using hair spray gas three times). Some cases are shown. For this reason, the sensor detection value Cd rises over time and increases temporarily due to the use of hair spray gas, so that after the predetermined time Ta has elapsed, the sensor detection value Cd becomes equal to or greater than the initial determination value Cjo, although the refrigerant R has not leaked. Therefore, it may be erroneously detected that the refrigerant R has leaked.

In the present invention, when the sensor detection value Cd temporarily increases, the correction determination value Cjc is calculated by performing correction by adding the sensor detection value Cd that has temporarily increased to the initial determination value Cjo after a predetermined time has elapsed. In addition, erroneous detection of refrigerant R leakage due to a temporary increase in the sensor detection value Cd is prevented.

In the embodiment, the sensor detection value Cd temporarily increases a plurality of times (for example, three times) due to the use of the hair spray gas. The determination value correction unit 114 includes a deviation ΔCd from the average value CdA of the sensor detection value Cd increased for the first time, a deviation ΔCd2 from the average value CdA of the sensor detection value Cd increased for the second time, and a sensor detection increased for the third time. A period (for example, T1, T2, T3) in which the deviation ΔCd3 of the value Cd from the average value CdA is equal to or larger than the first determination value Cjo1 smaller than the initial determination value Cjo is less than a preset threshold period Tth, and thereafter It is determined whether or not the second determination value Cjo2 is smaller than the first determination value Cjo1.

The determination value correcting unit 114 has a period (for example, T1, T2, T3) in which the deviations ΔCd1 to ΔCd3 from the average value CdA of the sensor detection value Cd are equal to or greater than the first determination value Cjo1 is less than a preset threshold period Tth. Thereafter, when the second determination value Cjo2 is smaller than the first determination value Cjo1, the increase in the sensor detection value Cd is, for example, a hair spray gas temporarily used in a room such as a beauty salon. It is determined that this is a temporary increase due to the detection of. On the other hand, the determination value correction unit 114 has a preset threshold period during which the deviations ΔCd1 to ΔCd3 of the sensor detection value Cd from the average value CdA are equal to or greater than the first determination value Cjo1 (for example, T1, T2, T3). If it is not less than Tth or less than the second determination value Cjo2 that is smaller than the first determination value Cjo1, it is determined that the increase in the sensor detection value Cd is a change over time due to deterioration of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 over time. To do.

Note that the sensor detection value Cd is also subject to sensor detection based on a third temporary increase (ΔCd3) after the passage of a predetermined time Ta of the sensor detection value Cd due to an increase in the sensor detection value Cd over time due to deterioration of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 over time. Although the value Cd is equal to or greater than the initial determination value Cjo, the refrigerant R is erroneously determined to be leaked although there is no refrigerant R leak.

Therefore, the determination value correction unit 114 performs initial determination on the deviations ΔCd1 and ΔCd2 from the average value CdA of the sensor detection value Cd determined to be a temporary increase due to the influence of hair spray gas or the like after a predetermined time after detection. The correction determination value Cjc is calculated and set by performing correction to be added to the value Cjo. In the embodiment, the deviation ΔCd1 from the average value CdA of the first temporary sensor detection value Cd is added to the initial determination value Cjo to calculate and set the correction determination value Cjc, and the second temporary sensor The correction determination value Cjc is calculated and set by adding the deviation ΔCd2 of the detection value Cd from the average value CdA to the initial determination value Cjo. If the correction determination value Cjc is equal to or greater than the allowable upper limit determination value Cju, it is impossible to accurately determine the refrigerant concentration at which flame propagation can occur. Therefore, the correction determination value Cjc is less than the allowable upper limit determination value Cju. Set within the range.

As a result, even after it is determined that the predetermined time Ta has elapsed, the leakage state determination unit 115 may be equal to or greater than the correction determination value Cjc due to a temporary increase in the sensor detection value Cd that is different from the leakage of the refrigerant R. In addition, although there is no leakage of the refrigerant R, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination that the leakage of the refrigerant R has occurred.

[Control method of air conditioner]
Next, the control method of the air conditioner 1 by the control apparatus 110 mentioned above is demonstrated.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the air conditioner 1 by the control device 110.

In step S101, the concentration determination value calculation unit 113 performs the first determination with the allowable upper limit determination value Cju (for example, a value smaller than ¼ of the combustion limit LFL), the initial determination value Cjo (for example, 1/8 LFL). The value Cjo1 and the second determination value Cjo2 are calculated and set.

In step S102, the concentration calculation unit 112 calculates the concentration C (sensor detection value Cd) of the refrigerant R in the room 210 based on the output signal of the refrigerant detection sensor 30, and the plurality of sensors calculated in the past predetermined period. The detection value Cd is stored in the storage device 11.

In step S103, the concentration calculation unit 112 calculates an average value CdA of a plurality of sensor detection values Cd in the past predetermined period stored in the storage device 11.

In step S104, the determination value correction unit 114 calculates a deviation ΔCd (= CdA−Cd) from the average value CdA of the sensor detection value Cd.

In step S105, the determination value correction unit 114 determines that the deviation ΔCd (for example, the deviations ΔCd1, ΔCd2, and ΔCd3 illustrated in FIG. 5) is equal to or greater than the first determination value Cjo1 (for example, the periods T1 and T2, illustrated in FIG. It is determined whether or not T3) is less than the threshold period Tth and thereafter becomes equal to or smaller than the second determination value Cjo2 smaller than the first determination value Cjo1. When the deviation ΔCd satisfies the above-described condition (step S105: Yes), the determination value correction unit 114 proceeds to step S106. When the deviation ΔCd does not satisfy the above-described condition (step S105: No), the determination value correction unit 114 proceeds to step S107. move on. That is, when the deviations ΔCd1 to ΔCd3 satisfy the above-described conditions, the determination value correction unit 114 determines that the sensor detection value Cd has temporarily increased due to the refrigerant detection sensor 30 reacting to hair spray gas or the like.

In step S106, the determination value correction unit 114 calculates and sets the correction determination value Cjc by adding the deviations ΔCd1 to ΔCd3 calculated in step S105 to the initial determination value Cjo after a predetermined time has elapsed.

In step S107, the control device 110 determines whether or not a predetermined time Ta has elapsed after the refrigerant detection sensor 30 is powered on. When it is determined that the predetermined time Ta has not elapsed (step S107: No), the control device 110 proceeds to step S108, and when it is determined that the predetermined time Ta has elapsed (step S107: Yes), the control device 110 proceeds to step S112. . That is, the control device 110 sets, for example, the predetermined time Ta in units of several months (for example, 6 months), and when the predetermined time Ta has elapsed, the long-term fluctuation of the sensor detection value Cd (described above, Since it is a timing for determining whether or not to correct the initial determination value Cjo due to a rise fluctuation or a decrease fluctuation over time, it is necessary to actually correct the initial determination value Cjo due to long-term fluctuation. The process proceeds to whether or not. In addition, when the predetermined time Ta has not elapsed, the control device 110 is not at the timing for determining whether or not to correct the initial determination value Cjo due to the long-term fluctuation of the sensor detection value Cd. Correction processing for a large increase is performed.

In step S108, the leakage state determination unit 115 determines whether or not the time that the sensor detection value Cd calculated in step S102 is equal to or greater than the correction determination value Cjc continues for a predetermined threshold period Tth or longer. If it is determined (step S108: Yes), the process proceeds to step S109. If it is determined that the process is not continued (step S108: No), the process returns to step S102 to detect the sensor detection value Cd (in room 210) at the current time. The concentration C) of the refrigerant R at is calculated.

In step S109, the leakage state determination unit 115 determines that leakage of the refrigerant R has occurred, and transmits the determination result to the output processing unit 116.

In step S110, the output processing unit 116 transmits a control value for notifying the leakage of the refrigerant R to an output device such as a display or a speaker, and issues an alarm that the refrigerant R is leaked by the output device. Inform.

In step S111, the shut-off valve 50 (51, 52) is closed, or the air in the room 210 is ventilated by driving the ventilation device 230.

Here, when the determination value correction unit 114 determines that the predetermined time Ta has elapsed after the refrigerant detection sensor 30 is powered on (step S107: Yes), in step S112, the average value CdA of the sensor detection values Cd. However, it is determined whether or not the increase changes with time. If the determination value correction unit 114 determines that the average value CdA of the sensor detection values Cd varies with time (Step S112: Yes), the determination value correction unit 114 proceeds to Step S113 and determines that the sensor value CdA does not increase with time (Step S112). (S112: No), it progresses to step S114.

In step S113, the determination value correction unit 114 calculates and sets the correction determination value Cjc by performing correction by adding the average value CdA of the sensor detection value Cd to the initial determination value Cdo.

In step S114, the determination value correction unit 114 determines whether or not the average value CdA of the sensor detection values Cd varies with time. If the determination value correction unit 114 determines that the average value CdA of the sensor detection values Cd decreases and changes over time (step S114: Yes), the determination value correction unit 114 proceeds to step S115 and determines that there is no decrease change over time (step S114). (S114: No), it returns to step S108.

In step S115, the determination value correction unit 114 calculates and sets the correction determination value Cjc by performing correction for subtracting the average value CdA of the sensor detection value Cd from the initial determination value Cdo.

As described above, in the embodiment,
(1) In the air conditioner 1 configured to circulate the refrigerant R for heat exchange between the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20, a refrigerant detection sensor 30 that detects leakage of the refrigerant R, and a refrigerant detection sensor The detection value correction unit 114 corrects the initial determination value Cjo (detection determination value) at which the refrigerant detection sensor 30 detects the leakage of the refrigerant R according to the sensor detection value Cd of 30.

Further, in the control method of the air conditioner 1 for circulating the refrigerant R for heat exchange between the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20, a refrigerant leakage detection step (step S102 in FIG. 6) for detecting leakage of the refrigerant R; And a determination value correction step (steps S106, S113, and S115 in FIG. 6) for correcting an initial determination value Cjo for detecting the leakage of the refrigerant R according to the sensor detection value Cd detected in the refrigerant leakage detection step. did.

If comprised in this way, even if the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor 30 fluctuates by the aged deterioration of the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor 30, etc., the judgment value correction | amendment part 114 will respond to the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor 30. Since the initial determination value Cjo is corrected, leakage of the refrigerant R can be appropriately detected without being affected by fluctuations in the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30.

(2) Moreover, the determination value correction | amendment part 114 raises the initial determination value Cjo of the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor 30 according to the sensor detection value Cd, when the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor 30 rises with progress of time. It was set as the structure which performs correction | amendment.

With this configuration, the determination value correction unit 114 can detect the sensor detection value of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 even when the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 rises and fluctuates over a long period due to deterioration of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 over time. Since the correction for increasing the initial determination value Cjo is performed in accordance with the rising fluctuation of Cd, it is possible to appropriately detect the leakage of the refrigerant R without being influenced by the long-term rising fluctuation of the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30. Can do.

(3) Moreover, the determination value correction | amendment part 114 reduces the initial determination value Cjo of the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor 30 according to sensor detection value Cd, when the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor 30 falls with progress of time. It was set as the structure which performs correction | amendment.

If comprised in this way, even if the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor 30 carries out the fall decrease fluctuation | variation for a long term by the aged deterioration of the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor 30, etc., the determination value correction | amendment part 114 will detect the sensor of the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor 30. Since the correction for decreasing the initial determination value Cjo is performed in accordance with the decrease fluctuation of the value Cd, the leakage of the refrigerant R is appropriately detected without being influenced by the long-term phenomenon fluctuation of the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30. be able to.

(4) In addition, the determination value correction unit 114 performs correction to increase the initial determination value Cjo according to the sensor detection value Cd when the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 temporarily increases. did.
(5) Further, it has a density determination value calculation unit 113 that calculates a first determination value Cjo1 having a value lower than the initial determination value Cjo and a second determination value Cjo2 having a value lower than the first determination value Cjo1. The determination value correction unit 114 has a period in which the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 is equal to or greater than the first determination value Cjo1 calculated by the concentration determination value calculation unit 113 is less than the threshold period Tth (first determination period). In addition, when it becomes less than the second determination value Cjo2 thereafter, the initial determination value Cjo is corrected according to the sensor detection value Cd.

If comprised in this way, the judgment value correction | amendment part 114 will be sufficient even if the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor 30 is a temporary increase (for example, temporary increase by the detection of hair spray gas) different from a long-term fluctuation | variation. The initial determination value Cjo is corrected by a temporary increase (ΔCd1, ΔCd2, ΔCd3) in accordance with the temporary increase (ΔCd1, ΔCd2, ΔCd3) of the sensor detection value Cd, so that the refrigerant R Leakage can be detected appropriately.

(6) The determination value correction unit 114 corrects the initial determination value Cjo at which the refrigerant detection sensor 30 detects the leakage of the refrigerant R according to the average value CdA of the sensor detection value Cd of the refrigerant detection sensor 30 over a predetermined period. It was set as the structure to do.

With this configuration, the determination value correction unit 114 corrects the initial determination value Cjo according to the average value CdA of the refrigerant detection sensor 30, so that the leakage of the refrigerant R can be detected with higher accuracy.

(7) Further, the remote control 40 (operation device) is provided so as to be communicable with the concentration determination value calculation unit 113, and the allowable upper limit determination value Cju and the initial determination value Cjo that the refrigerant detection sensor 30 detects the leakage of the refrigerant R. Is set by the remote controller 40.

With this configuration, the initial determination value Cjo can be set in the concentration determination value calculation unit 113 using the remote-controllable remote control 40, and the determination value can be easily set.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the one having all the configurations of the above-described embodiment, and a part of the configuration of the above-described embodiment is replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. In addition, the configuration of the above-described embodiment may be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment.

Further, a part of the configuration of the above-described embodiment may be added to, deleted from, or replaced with the configuration of another embodiment.

The configuration, function, processing, and means of the above-described embodiment may be realized by hardware by designing a part or all of the configuration, for example, with an integrated circuit. Further, the configuration and functions described above may be realized by execution of a program in which the processor realizes each function.
Information such as the program can be stored in a storage device such as a memory.

1: air conditioner, 10: indoor unit, 11: storage device, 12: communication device, 20: outdoor unit, 30: refrigerant detection sensor, 40: remote control, 50, 51, 52: shut-off valve, 60: refrigerant piping, 110: Control device, 111: Driving information acquisition unit, 112: Concentration calculation unit, 113: Concentration determination value calculation unit, 114: Determination value correction unit, 115: Leakage state determination unit, 116: Output processing unit, 200: Building, 210: Indoor, 220: Outdoor, 230: Ventilator, R: Refrigerant, Cd: Sensor detection value, CdA: Average value of sensor detection value, Cju: Allowable upper limit determination value, Cjo: Initial determination value, Cjo1: First determination Value, Cjo2: second determination value, Cjc: correction determination value

Claims

In an air conditioner configured to circulate a refrigerant for heat exchange between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit,
A refrigerant detection sensor for detecting leakage of the refrigerant;
An air conditioner comprising: a determination value correction unit that corrects a detection determination value at which the refrigerant detection sensor detects leakage of the refrigerant according to a detection value of the refrigerant detection sensor.
The air conditioning according to claim 1, wherein the determination value correction unit performs correction to increase the detection determination value in accordance with the detection value when the detection value of the refrigerant detection sensor increases with time. Machine.
The air conditioning according to claim 1, wherein the determination value correction unit performs correction to decrease the detection determination value according to the detection value when the detection value of the refrigerant detection sensor decreases with time. Machine.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the determination value correction unit performs correction to increase the detection determination value according to the detection value when the detection value of the refrigerant detection sensor temporarily increases. .
A determination value calculation unit that calculates a first determination value lower than the detection determination value and a second determination value lower than the first determination value;
The determination value correction unit has a period in which the detection value of the refrigerant detection sensor is equal to or greater than the first determination value calculated by the determination value calculation unit being less than a first determination period, and thereafter the second determination value The air conditioner of Claim 1 which correct | amends the said detection determination value according to the said detection value when it becomes less than a determination value.
The air according to claim 1, wherein the determination value correction unit corrects a detection determination value at which the refrigerant detection sensor detects leakage of the refrigerant in accordance with an average value of the detection values of the refrigerant detection sensor over a predetermined period. Harmony machine.
An operating device provided to be able to communicate with the determination value correction unit;
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the detection determination value at which the refrigerant detection sensor detects leakage of the refrigerant is set by the operation device.
In the control method of the air conditioner for circulating the refrigerant for heat exchange between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit,
A refrigerant leakage detection step for detecting leakage of the refrigerant;
A control method for an air conditioner, comprising: a determination value correction step for correcting a detection determination value for detecting leakage of the refrigerant according to the detection value detected in the refrigerant leakage detection step.
9. The correction according to claim 8, wherein, in the determination value correction step, when the detection value detected in the refrigerant leakage detection step increases with time, the detection determination value is corrected according to the detection value. Air conditioner control method.
9. The correction according to claim 8, wherein, in the determination value correction step, when the detection value detected in the refrigerant leakage detection step decreases with time, the detection determination value is corrected according to the detection value. Air conditioner control method.
The determination value correction step performs correction to increase the detection determination value according to the detection value when the detection value detected in the refrigerant leakage detection step temporarily increases. Control method of air conditioner.
A determination value calculation step of calculating a first determination value lower than the detection determination value and a second determination value lower than the first determination value;
In the determination value correction step, a period in which the detection value in the refrigerant leakage detection step is equal to or greater than the first determination value calculated in the determination value calculation step is less than a first determination period, and thereafter The method of controlling an air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the detection determination value is corrected according to the detection value when the value is less than the second determination value.