WO2020261317A1

WO2020261317A1 - Air conditioner and air conditioning system

Info

Publication number: WO2020261317A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/024892
Authority: WO
Inventors: 勇希望月
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2019-06-24
Filing date: 2019-06-24
Publication date: 2020-12-30
Also published as: JPWO2020261317A1; JP7112037B2; US20220214068A1

Abstract

An air conditioner provided with an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit includes: a heating means provided in the compressor to heat a refrigerant within the compressor; and a control device for controlling the heating means. The control device has: a heat load learning unit for learning heat load on the basis of temperature data and air conditioning data; a stagnation prevention control start timing estimation unit for estimating, on the basis of the heat load obtained by the learning, stagnation prevention control start timing to start stagnation prevention control in which the compressor is heated; and an equipment control unit for controlling the heating means so that the stagnation prevention control is performed by the heating means at the estimated stagnation prevention control start timing.

Description

Air conditioner and air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioner for air conditioning in a room.

Conventionally, in an air conditioner equipped with a refrigerant circuit, a compressor is often provided in the outdoor unit. In such a case, if the air conditioner is stopped in an environment where the outside air temperature is low, a phenomenon called "sleeping" occurs in which the refrigerant condenses and accumulates in the compressor and heat exchanger provided in the outdoor unit. Sometimes. In particular, when the refrigerant is accumulated in the compressor, the refrigerating machine oil in the compressor is diluted, and there is a possibility that problems such as seizure of the shaft of the compressor may occur.

Generally, as a method of suppressing the stagnation of the refrigerant in the compressor, while the operation of the compressor is stopped, the compressor is heated by a heater or a stagnation prevention control called restraint energization control is performed in the compressor. It is known to evaporate the refrigerant. Here, the restraint energization control is a control in which the motor winding is energized without driving the motor inside the compressor to heat the compressor. Further, Patent Document 1 describes a method of suppressing power consumption when heating a compressor to evaporate an internal refrigerant by adjusting the energization amount of a heater or the voltage of restraint energization control according to the outside air temperature. It is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-167504

However, with the conventional air conditioner, it is not possible to determine when the operation will start while the compressor is stopped, so sleep prevention control is always performed. Therefore, there is a problem that the power consumption while the compressor is stopped is increased.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and an air conditioner system capable of suppressing power consumption while the compressor is stopped. ..

The air conditioner according to the present invention is an air conditioner including an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit, which is provided in the compressor and is inside the compressor. A heating means for heating the refrigerant and a control device for controlling the heating means are provided, and the control device includes a heat load learning unit that learns a heat load based on temperature data and air conditioning data, and the above-mentioned obtained by learning. At the sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit that estimates the sleep prevention control start timing that starts the sleep prevention control that heats the compressor based on the heat load, and the estimated sleep prevention control start timing, the heating means is used. It has a device control unit that controls the heating means so as to control the prevention of falling asleep.

Further, the air conditioner according to the present invention is an air conditioner including an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit, which is provided in the compressor and of the compressor. A heating means for heating the internal refrigerant and a control device for controlling the heating means are provided, and the control device has an outside air temperature learning unit that learns the outside air temperature at a set time interval based on the current outside air temperature, and learning. Based on the outside air temperature obtained by, the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit that calculates the sleep prevention control required time indicating the time required for the sleep prevention control for heating the compressor, the set time, and the sleep prevention control required Based on the time, the fall prevention control start timing for starting the fall prevention control is derived, and at the derived fall prevention control start timing, the fall prevention control is performed by the heating means for the calculated required time for the fall prevention control. As described above, it has an equipment control unit that controls the heating means.

The air-conditioning system according to the present invention manages one or more air-conditioning devices including an outdoor unit having a compressor, an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit, and the one or more air-conditioning devices. The air conditioner includes a management device, the air conditioner is provided in the compressor, and has a heating means for heating the refrigerant inside the compressor, and the management device has a control device for controlling the heating means. Then, the control device starts a sleep prevention control that heats the compressor based on the heat load learning unit that learns the heat load based on the temperature data and the air conditioning data and the heat load obtained by the learning. A fall prevention control start timing estimation unit that estimates the prevention control start timing, and an equipment control unit that controls the heating means so that the heating means performs the fall prevention control at the estimated fall prevention control start timing. It has.

Further, the air conditioning system according to the present invention includes one or a plurality of air conditioning devices including an outdoor unit having a compressor, an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit, and the one or a plurality of air conditioning devices. The air conditioner includes a management device for management, the air conditioner is provided in the compressor, and has a heating means for heating the refrigerant inside the compressor, and the management device is a control device for controlling the heating means. The control device has an outside air temperature learning unit that learns the outside air temperature at a set time interval based on the current outside air temperature, and a sleep prevention device that heats the compressor based on the outside air temperature obtained by the learning. Based on the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit that calculates the fall prevention control required time, which indicates the time required for control, and the set time and the fall prevention control required time, the sleep prevention control start timing for starting the fall prevention control is derived. It has a device control unit that controls the heating means so that the heating means performs the falling prevention control for the calculated required time for the falling prevention control at the derived timing of starting the falling prevention control. ..

According to the present invention, by starting the fall prevention control at the estimated start timing of the fall prevention control, the fall prevention control is appropriately performed, so that the power consumption during the operation stop of the compressor can be suppressed.

It is a circuit diagram which shows an example of the structure of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the control device of FIG. It is a hardware block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the control device of FIG. It is a hardware block diagram which shows another example of the structure of the control device of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the model of the machine learning performed by the heat load learning part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the learning flow by the heat load learning part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the sleep prevention control by the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the control device which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the learning flow by the outside air temperature learning part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the sleep prevention control by the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a circuit diagram which shows an example of the structure of the air conditioning system which concerns on Embodiment 3.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, the present invention includes all combinations of configurations that can be combined among the configurations shown in the following embodiments. Further, in each figure, those having the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent thereof, which are common in the entire text of the specification.

Embodiment 1.
The air conditioner according to the first embodiment will be described. In the air conditioner according to the first embodiment, the air conditioner performs air conditioning in the target space by circulating the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit.

[Configuration of air conditioner 1]
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 is composed of an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a control device 30. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected by a refrigerant pipe.

The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11, a refrigerant flow path switching device 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, an expansion valve 14, and an outside air temperature sensor 15. The indoor unit 20 includes an indoor heat exchanger 21 and an indoor temperature sensor 22. In the air conditioner 1, the compressor 11, the refrigerant flow path switching device 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the expansion valve 14, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 are sequentially connected by a refrigerant pipe, so that a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant circulates is formed. It is formed.

(Outdoor unit 10)
The compressor 11 sucks in the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, compresses the sucked refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure state, and discharges the refrigerant. The compressor 11 is composed of an inverter compressor whose capacity, which is the amount of transmission per unit time, is controlled by changing the operating frequency. The operating frequency of the compressor 11 is controlled by the control device 30.

The refrigerant flow path switching device 12 is, for example, a four-way valve, and switches between cooling operation and heating operation by switching the flow direction of the refrigerant. During the cooling operation, the refrigerant flow path switching device 12 switches to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, that is, the discharge side of the compressor 11 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 are connected to each other. Further, the refrigerant flow path switching device 12 switches during the heating operation so that the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 1, that is, the suction side of the compressor 11 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 are connected. The switching of the flow path in the refrigerant flow path switching device 12 is controlled by the control device 30.

The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is, for example, a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the outdoor air supplied by a fan or the like (not shown) and the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as a condenser that dissipates the heat of the refrigerant to the outdoor air and condenses the refrigerant during the cooling operation. Further, the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant during the heating operation and cools the outdoor air by the heat of vaporization at that time.

The expansion valve 14 decompresses the refrigerant and expands it. The expansion valve 14 is composed of, for example, an electronic expansion valve or a valve capable of controlling the opening degree. The opening degree of the expansion valve 14 is controlled by the control device 30. The outside air temperature sensor 15 is provided in the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and detects the outside air temperature. The outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 is supplied to the control device 30.

Further, in the first embodiment, the compressor 11 is provided with the heating means 16. The heating means 16 heats and evaporates the refrigerant accumulated inside while the compressor 11 is stopped under the control of the control device 30.

Specifically, as the heating means 16, for example, a heater attached around the compressor 11 such as a belt heater is used. The compressor 11 is heated by energizing the heater under the control of the control device 30. Further, the heating means 16 may be, for example, an energization control device that controls energization of the compressor 11 so as to perform restraint energization control. In the restraint energization control, the compressor 11 is heated without driving the motor inside the compressor 11 by intermittently energizing any two of the three phases of the electric power supplied to the compressor 11. It is a control to do.

(Indoor unit 20)
The indoor heat exchanger 21 exchanges heat between the indoor air supplied by a fan or the like (not shown) and the refrigerant. As a result, cooling air or heating air supplied to the indoor space is generated. The indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator during the cooling operation, and cools the air in the air-conditioned space to cool the air. Further, the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser during the heating operation, and heats the air in the air-conditioned space to heat the room.

The indoor temperature sensor 22 is provided in the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger 21 and detects the temperature of the indoor air. The room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 22 is supplied to the control device 30.

(Control device 30)
The control device 30 controls each part provided in the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20. In particular, in the first embodiment, the control device 30 controls the heating means 16 for the compressor 11 based on the data including the outside air temperature and the room temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 and the room temperature sensor 22, respectively. Then, control to prevent falling asleep. The sneak prevention control is a control in which the refrigerant accumulated in the compressor 11 is evaporated by the heating means 16 provided in the compressor 11.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 30 includes a data acquisition unit 31, a heat load learning unit 32, a fall prevention control start timing estimation unit 33, an equipment control unit 34, and a data holding unit 35. The control device 30 is composed of an arithmetic unit such as a microcomputer that realizes various functions by executing software, or hardware such as a circuit device corresponding to various functions. Note that, in FIG. 2, only the configuration for the function related to the first embodiment is shown, and the other configurations are not shown.

The data acquisition unit 31 acquires various types of data. Specifically, the data acquisition unit 31 acquires the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 and the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 22 as temperature data, respectively. Further, the data acquisition unit 31 acquires the set temperature set by the user or the like for the indoor unit 20 and the operating frequency of the compressor 11 as air conditioning data. The data acquisition unit 31 supplies the acquired temperature data and air conditioning data to the data holding unit 35.

The heat load learning unit 32 learns the heat load of the air conditioner 1 by machine learning using various data such as temperature data and air conditioning data held in the data holding unit 35. Specifically, the heat load learning unit 32 learns the amount of heat processed by the air conditioner 1 from, for example, the current time, the outside air temperature, the room temperature, the set temperature, and the operating frequency of the compressor 11. Here, the air conditioner 1 has only the amount of heat processed by its own device as data on the heat load, but considering that this amount of heat is equal to the heat load in the air-conditioned space, the air conditioner 1 has. , It is possible to grasp the heat load of the air-conditioned space. Therefore, the heat load learning unit 32 learns the heat load of the air-conditioned space relatively by learning the amount of heat processed by the air conditioning device 1. The learning of heat load will be described later. Further, the heat load learning unit 32 derives the heat load based on the temperature data and the air conditioning data, using the learning results obtained as described above.

The fall prevention control start timing estimation unit 33 estimates the fall prevention control start timing using an estimation means such as a preset timing estimation formula based on the heat load obtained by learning by the heat load learning unit 32. The fall prevention control start timing is the time when the fall prevention control is started, and is from the start time when the air conditioner 1 is started so that the room temperature becomes the set temperature at the set time such as the operation start time set by the user. Is also the previous time.

The device control unit 34 generates and outputs a fall prevention command signal for controlling the heating means 16 at the estimated fall prevention control start timing based on the estimation result by the fall prevention control start timing estimation unit 33.

The data holding unit 35 holds various information used in each part of the control device 30. In the first embodiment, for example, the data holding unit 35 holds various data including the temperature data and the air conditioning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 31 used when learning by the heat load learning unit 32.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device of FIG. When various functions of the control device 30 are executed by hardware, the control device 30 of FIG. 2 is composed of a processing circuit 41 as shown in FIG. In the control device 30 of FIG. 2, each function of the data acquisition unit 31, the heat load learning unit 32, the fall prevention control start timing estimation unit 33, the device control unit 34, and the data holding unit 35 is realized by the processing circuit 41.

When each function is executed by hardware, the processing circuit 41 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate). Array), or a combination of these. The control device 30 may realize the functions of the data acquisition unit 31, the heat load learning unit 32, the sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit 33, the device control unit 34, and the data holding unit 35 by the processing circuit 41. , The functions of each part may be realized by one processing circuit 41.

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram showing another example of the configuration of the control device of FIG. When various functions of the control device 30 are executed by software, the control device 30 of FIG. 2 is composed of a processor 51 and a memory 52 as shown in FIG. In the control device 30, each function of the data acquisition unit 31, the heat load learning unit 32, the sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit 33, the device control unit 34, and the data holding unit 35 is realized by the processor 51 and the memory 52.

When each function is executed by software, in the control device 30, the functions of the data acquisition unit 31, the heat load learning unit 32, the fall prevention control start timing estimation unit 33, the device control unit 34, and the data holding unit 35 are software. It is realized by firmware or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as a program and stored in the memory 52. The processor 51 realizes the functions of each part by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 52.

As the memory 52, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable and Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable, volatile ROM, etc.) Is used. Further, as the memory 52, for example, a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (Mini Disc), or a DVD (Digital Versaille Disc) may be used.

[Operation of air conditioner 1]
Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 configured in this way will be described together with the flow of the refrigerant with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the state of the refrigerant flow path switching device 12 when the air conditioning device 1 executes the heating operation is shown by a solid line. Further, the air conditioner 1 can perform both a cooling operation and a heating operation, but here, the operation during the heating operation will be described, and the description of the operation during the cooling operation will be omitted.

(During heating operation)
A case where the air conditioner 1 executes the heating operation will be described. When the compressor 11 is driven, the refrigerant in a high-temperature and high-pressure gas state is discharged from the compressor 11. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21 that functions as a condenser via the refrigerant flow path switching device 12. In the indoor heat exchanger 21, heat exchange is performed between the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed in and the indoor air supplied by a blower (not shown). As a result, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant condenses into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 expands at the expansion valve 14 and becomes a two-phase state refrigerant in which a low-pressure gas refrigerant and a low-pressure liquid refrigerant are mixed. The two-phase refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 that functions as an evaporator. In the outdoor heat exchanger 13, heat exchange is performed between the flowing two-phase refrigerant and the outdoor air supplied by a blower (not shown). As a result, the liquid refrigerant of the two-phase refrigerant evaporates to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 flows into the compressor 11 via the refrigerant flow path switching device 12, is compressed, becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, and is discharged from the compressor 11 again. Hereinafter, this cycle is repeated.

[Sleeping prevention control]
Next, the sleep prevention control by the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. In a general air conditioner, a user can preset an operation schedule such as an operation start time and an operation stop time. In this case, in order for the room temperature to reach the set temperature at the preset time, the air conditioner needs to be started at the start time before the set time.

On the other hand, while the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, as explained in the background technology section, "sleeping" may occur in which the refrigerant condenses and accumulates in the compressor. Therefore, even if the air conditioner is started at the start time in the state where the sleep occurs, the compressor does not operate normally, and it is difficult to set the room temperature at the set time.

Therefore, the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment starts the sleep prevention control so that the air conditioner 1 is started in a state where the sleep is eliminated at the start time before the set time set by the user. Estimate the control start timing. Then, the air conditioner 1 starts the sleep prevention control at the estimated sleep prevention control start timing.

Here, when estimating the sleep prevention control start timing, the heat load processed by the air conditioner 1 is used. In order to obtain this heat load, in the first embodiment, the heat load learning unit 32 of the control device 30 learns the heat load.

(Learning of heat load)
The heat load learning by the heat load learning unit 32 will be described. The heat load learning unit 32 learns the heat load processed by the air conditioner 1 in order to acquire the heat load used when the sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit 33 estimates the start timing of the sleep prevention control. Machine learning is used for learning the heat load.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a machine learning model performed by the heat load learning unit of FIG. In the machine learning model shown in FIG. 5, preprocessing is performed on the input data. Then, using the learning model, the heat load is estimated and output from the preprocessed data.

For the input data in this case, for example, the outside air temperature, the room temperature, the set temperature, the operating ability, etc. are used. As the outside air temperature, the temperature data detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 is used. As the room temperature, the temperature data detected by the room temperature sensor 22 is used. The set temperature is the temperature set in the indoor unit 20, and the air conditioning data held in the data holding unit 35 is used. The operating capacity is, for example, the operating frequency of the compressor 11, and the air conditioning data held in the data holding unit 35 is used. As alternative data for the outside air temperature or the room temperature, for example, data such as a weather forecast may be used.

In the pre-processing, preset processing such as optimization of input data and reduction of input dimension is performed. More specifically, in the preprocessing, when the temperature data is input as the input data, the processing preset for the input data such as the derivation and normalization of the difference value between the set temperature and the room temperature, for example. Is carried out.

The learning model is, for example, a heat load calculation formula that derives the heat load as output data corresponding to the input data. The learning model is generated using, for example, supervised learning. The learning model is not limited to this example, and a neural network, deep learning, or the like may be used depending on the required accuracy and calculation performance.

In the learning model, the parameters included in the heat load calculation formula are updated each time a plurality of data are input. Specifically, for example, when the learning model is generated by supervised learning, the learning model outputs output data using a heat load calculation formula based on the input data. The output data is input to the evaluation function together with the teacher data. The evaluation function evaluates the validity of the heat load calculation formula, which is a learning model, based on the output data and the teacher data. Then, the heat load learning unit 32 updates the parameters of the heat load calculation formula so that the output data calculated from the heat load calculation formula approaches the teacher data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the learning flow by the heat load learning unit of FIG. In step S1, the data acquisition unit 31 of the control device 30 acquires the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 and the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 22 as temperature data. The acquired temperature data is held in the data holding unit 35. Further, in step S2, the data acquisition unit 31 acquires the set temperature set in the indoor unit 20 and the operating frequency of the compressor 11 as air conditioning data. The acquired air conditioning data is held in the data holding unit 35.

In step S3, the heat load learning unit 32 determines whether or not it is the learning timing. It is assumed that the learning timing at this time is set to an arbitrary timing set in advance. When it is the learning timing (step S3: Yes), the heat load learning unit 32 learns the heat load of the air conditioner 1 by using the temperature data and the air conditioning data held in the data holding unit 35. On the other hand, when it is not the learning timing (step S3: No), the process returns to step S1. Hereinafter, the processes of steps S1 to S4 are cyclically repeated at regular intervals.

(Estimation of the start timing of sleep prevention control)
Next, the estimation of the start timing of the fall prevention control by the fall prevention control start timing estimation unit 33 will be described. The sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit 33 estimates the timing to start the sleep prevention control performed before the start time by using the heat load derived by the heat load learning unit 32. For example, the fall prevention control start timing estimation unit 33 estimates the fall prevention control start timing so that the fall prevention control is started earlier as the derived heat load is higher.

(Sleeping prevention control)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of sleep prevention control by the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. In step S11, the data acquisition unit 31 acquires the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 and the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 22 as temperature data. The acquired temperature data is supplied to the heat load learning unit 32 and is held in the data holding unit 35. Further, in step S12, the data acquisition unit 31 acquires the set temperature and operation start time set in the indoor unit 20 and the operating ability such as the operating frequency of the compressor 11 as air conditioning data. The acquired air conditioning data is supplied to the heat load learning unit 32 and is held in the data holding unit 35. The processing of steps S11 and S12 is performed, for example, before an arbitrary time of a set time such as an operation start time.

In step S13, the heat load learning unit 32 derives the heat load when the temperature data and the air conditioning data are input. In step S14, the fall prevention control start timing estimation unit 33 estimates the fall prevention control start timing by using an estimation means such as a timing estimation formula based on the heat load derived in step S13. At this time, the fall prevention control start timing estimation unit 33 estimates the fall prevention control start timing so that the fall prevention control is started earlier as the heat load is higher.

In step S15, the device control unit 34 determines whether or not it is the time indicated by the fall prevention control start timing. When it is the fall prevention control start timing (step S15: Yes), the device control unit 34 generates a fall prevention command signal in step S16 and outputs it to the heating means 16. As a result, the heating means 16 controls the prevention of falling asleep. In this case, the sleep prevention control is performed only for a fixedly set fixed time.

On the other hand, when it is not the fall prevention control start timing (step S15: No), the process returns to step S15, and the process of step S15 is repeated until the fall prevention control start timing is reached.

As described above, the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment learns the heat load based on the temperature data and the air conditioning data, and estimates the sleep prevention control start timing based on the heat load obtained by the learning. Then, the air conditioner 1 performs the sleep prevention control for heating the compressor 11 at the estimated sleep prevention control start timing.

In this way, in the air conditioner 1, since the fall prevention control is started at the estimated fall prevention control start timing, the fall prevention control is always performed while the operation of the compressor 11 is stopped as in the conventional case. I will not be told. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the compressor 11 while the operation is stopped.

At this time, the control device 30 acquires the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 and the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 22 as temperature data. Further, the control device 30 acquires the operating frequency of the compressor 11 as air conditioning data. Further, the control device 30 may acquire the set temperature set for the indoor unit 20 as air conditioning data.

Further, in the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, a heater attached around the compressor 11 may be used as the heating means 16. As a result, when the sleep prevention control is performed, the heater can be energized to heat the compressor 11.

Further, as the heating means 16, an energization control device for controlling energization of the compressor 11 may be used. As a result, when the sleep prevention control is performed, the compressor 11 is energized so that the restraint energization control is performed, and the compressor 11 can be heated.

Embodiment 2.
Next, the second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the time required for the sleep prevention control is calculated. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Since the air conditioner 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 except for the configuration of the control device 30, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Configuration of control device 30]
The control device 30 controls each part provided in the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, in addition to the functions of the control device 30 according to the first embodiment, the control device 30 has an outside air temperature at a preset time interval based on the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15. Is estimated, and the time required for falling asleep prevention control is calculated based on the estimation result.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 30 includes a data acquisition unit 31, a device control unit 34, a data holding unit 35, an outside air temperature learning unit 36, and a fall prevention control required time calculation unit 37. The control device 30 is composed of an arithmetic unit such as a microcomputer that realizes various functions by executing software, or hardware such as a circuit device corresponding to various functions. Note that, in FIG. 8, only the configuration of the function related to the second embodiment is shown, and the other configurations are not shown.

The outside air temperature learning unit 36 learns the outside air temperature at a set time interval by machine learning using the outside air temperature included in the temperature data held in the data holding unit 35. Details of learning the outside air temperature will be described later. Further, the outside air temperature learning unit 36 derives the outside air temperature at the set time interval using the above-mentioned learning result based on the current outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15.

The sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37 calculates the sleep prevention control required time based on the outside air temperature obtained by learning in the outside air temperature learning unit 36. The sneak prevention control required time is the minimum time required for the refrigerant in the compressor 11 to evaporate by the sneak prevention control. The sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37 calculates the sleep prevention control required time using a predetermined calculation formula based on the current outside air temperature and the outside air temperature at the set time interval obtained by learning.

Based on the calculation result by the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37, the device control unit 34 determines the sleep prevention control from the set time and the sleep prevention control required time so that the sleep prevention control is performed only for the sleep prevention control required time. The start timing is derived, and a sleep prevention command signal is generated and output. In the second embodiment, the sleep prevention command signal includes information indicating the start timing of the sleep prevention control and information indicating the execution time of the sleep prevention control.

The data holding unit 35 holds various information used in each part of the control device 30, as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, for example, the data holding unit 35 obtains the temperature data and the air conditioning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 31 used when learning by the heat load learning unit 32 and the outside air temperature learning unit 36, respectively. Holds various data including.

[Sleeping prevention control]
Next, the sleep prevention control by the air conditioner 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. When the refrigerant falls asleep in the compressor 11, the amount of the refrigerant to be condensed varies depending on the outside air temperature. Therefore, the time required for the sleep prevention control for heating the refrigerant in the compressor 11 differs depending on the outside air temperature.

In this case, if the time during which the sleep prevention control is performed is fixedly determined, the sleep prevention control may not be performed for an appropriate time depending on the degree of sleep. For example, when the amount of the condensed refrigerant is relatively large, the sneaking prevention control time needs to be long, and when the amount of the condensed refrigerant is relatively small, the sneaking prevention control time may be short.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the sleep prevention control required time required for the sleep prevention control is calculated so that the sleep prevention control time when the sleep prevention control is performed becomes an appropriate time according to the state of falling asleep. Then, the air conditioner 1 performs the sleep prevention control only for the calculated sleep prevention control required time.

When calculating the time required for falling asleep prevention control, the outside air temperature at the set time interval is used. In order to obtain this outside air temperature, in the second embodiment, the outside air temperature is learned by the outside air temperature learning unit 36 of the control device 30.

(Learning of outside air temperature)
The learning of the outside air temperature by the outside air temperature learning unit 36 will be described. The outside air temperature learning unit 36 learns the outside air temperature at a set time interval in order to acquire the outside air temperature used when the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37 estimates the required time for the sleep prevention control. Machine learning is used for learning the outside air temperature, as in the heat load learning unit 32 in the first embodiment.

The machine learning model shown in FIG. 5 is used as the machine learning model performed by the outside air temperature learning unit 36. For the input data in this case, for example, the outside air temperature is used. As the alternative data of the outside air temperature, for example, data such as a weather forecast may be used.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the learning flow by the outside air temperature learning unit of FIG. In step S21, the data acquisition unit 31 of the control device 30 acquires the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15 as temperature data. The acquired temperature data is held in the data holding unit 35.

In step S22, the outside air temperature learning unit 36 determines whether or not it is the learning timing. It is assumed that the learning timing at this time is set to an arbitrary timing set in advance. When it is the learning timing (step S22: Yes), the outside air temperature learning unit 36 learns the outside air temperature at the set time interval using the temperature data held by the data holding unit 35. On the other hand, when it is not the learning timing (step S22: No), the process returns to step S21. Hereinafter, the processes of steps S21 to S23 are cyclically repeated at regular intervals.

(Calculation of required time for sleep prevention control)
Next, the calculation of the required time for the sleep prevention control by the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37 will be described. The sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37 calculates the sleep prevention control required time using the outside air temperature derived by the outside air temperature learning unit 36. For example, the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37 calculates the sleep prevention control required time so that the higher the derived outside air temperature is, the shorter the execution time of the sleep prevention control is.

(Sleeping prevention control)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of sleep prevention control by the air conditioner according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given to the processes common to the sleep prevention control according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In step S11 and step S12, the data acquisition unit 31 acquires the temperature data and the air conditioning data, respectively. The acquired temperature data and air conditioning data are supplied to the outside air temperature learning unit 36 and are held in the data holding unit 35.

In step S31, when the temperature data is input, the outside air temperature learning unit 36 derives the outside air temperature at the set time interval. Then, the outside air temperature learning unit 36 extracts the outside air temperature at which the temperature becomes the lowest from the outside air temperature at the derived set time interval. In step S32, the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37 calculates the sleep prevention control required time based on the outside air temperature extracted in step S31 and the outside air temperature held in the data holding unit 35.

Then, in step S15, the device control unit 34 determines whether or not it is the time indicated by the sleep prevention control start timing. The fall prevention control start timing is derived by tracing back the fall prevention control required time calculated from the start time. When it is the fall prevention control start timing (step S15: Yes), the device control unit 34 generates a fall prevention command signal in step S33 and outputs it to the heating means 16. As a result, the sleep prevention control by the heating means 16 is performed only for the time required for the sleep prevention control.

As described above, in the air conditioner 1 according to the second embodiment, the control device 30 learns the outside air temperature at the set time interval based on the outside air temperature, and prevents falling asleep based on the outside air temperature obtained by the learning. Calculate the control time required. Further, the control device 30 derives the fall prevention control start timing based on the set time and the fall prevention control required time. Then, the control device 30 controls the heating means 16 so as to perform the fall prevention control for the calculated time required for the fall prevention control at the derived sleep prevention control start timing.

As a result, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the compressor 11 while the operation is stopped, as in the first embodiment. Further, in the second embodiment, the time required for the sleep prevention control is calculated, so that the sleep prevention control is performed for an appropriate time according to the amount of the refrigerant condensed in the compressor 11. Therefore, it is possible to suppress unnecessary sleep prevention control and more appropriately suppress the power consumption of the compressor 11 while the operation is stopped.

Embodiment 3.
Next, the third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment describes an air conditioning system in which the function of the control device 30 for controlling falling asleep is different from that of the air conditioning device. In the third embodiment, the parts common to the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Configuration of air conditioning system 100]
FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the air conditioning system according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the air conditioning system 100 is composed of one or more air conditioning devices 110 and a management device 120 connected to each of the air conditioning devices 110.

Similar to the air conditioner 1 of the first and second embodiments shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 110 includes an outdoor unit 10 having a compressor 11 provided with a heating means 16 and an indoor unit 20. .. On the other hand, the air conditioner 110 has a configuration in which the function of performing the sleep prevention control is removed from the control device 30 in the air conditioner 1 of FIG.

The management device 120 manages one or a plurality of air conditioner 110s connected to the management device 120. In the third embodiment, the management device 120 receives temperature data and air conditioning data from each air conditioning device 110, and performs sleep prevention control for each air conditioning device 110 based on the received temperature data and air conditioning data. ..

The management device 120 includes a control device 130. The control device 130 has a function for preventing falling asleep in the control device 30 shown in FIG. That is, the control device 130 has the same configuration as the control device 30 according to the first or second embodiment.

When the control device 130 has the same configuration as the control device 30 according to the first embodiment, the control device 130 has a data acquisition unit 31, a heat load learning unit 32, and a fall prevention control start timing estimation, as shown in FIG. It has a unit 33, an equipment control unit 34, and a data holding unit 35. Further, when the control device 130 has the same configuration as the control device 30 according to the second embodiment, the control device 130 starts the data acquisition unit 31, the heat load learning unit 32, and the sleep prevention control as shown in FIG. It has a timing estimation unit 33, an equipment control unit 34, a data holding unit 35, an outside air temperature learning unit 36, and a sleep prevention control required time calculation unit 37.

As described above, in the air conditioning system 100 according to the third embodiment, the function of performing the sleep prevention control of the air conditioning device 1 described in the first and second embodiments is different from that of the air conditioning device 110 in the management device 120. It has a provided configuration.

As described above, in the air conditioning system 100 according to the third embodiment, the management device 120 that manages one or a plurality of air conditioning devices 110 is provided with a control device 130 that controls falling asleep. As a result, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the compressor 11 in the air conditioner 110 while the operation is stopped, as in the first and second embodiments. Further, in the third embodiment, since the control device 130 is provided separately from the air conditioner 110, it is possible to perform the sleep prevention control even for the air conditioner already installed.

1,110 air conditioner, 10 outdoor unit, 11 compressor, 12 refrigerant flow path switching device, 13 outdoor heat exchanger, 14 expansion valve, 15 outdoor air temperature sensor, 16 heating means, 20 indoor unit, 21 indoor heat exchanger , 22 Indoor temperature sensor, 30, 130 Control device, 31 Data acquisition unit, 32 Heat load learning unit, 33 Sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit, 34 Equipment control unit, 35 Data holding unit, 36 Outside air temperature learning unit, 37 Sleeping Prevention control required time calculation unit, 41 processing circuit, 51 processor, 52 memory, 100 air conditioning system, 120 management device.

Claims

An air conditioner including an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit.
A heating means provided in the compressor to heat the refrigerant inside the compressor, and
A control device for controlling the heating means is provided.
The control device is
A heat load learning unit that learns heat load based on temperature data and air conditioning data,
Based on the heat load obtained by learning, a sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit that estimates the sleep prevention control start timing for starting the sleep prevention control for heating the compressor, and a sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit,
An air conditioner having an equipment control unit that controls the heating means so that the heating means controls the falling prevention at the estimated timing of starting the falling prevention control.
An outside air temperature sensor that detects the outside air temperature,
Further equipped with an indoor temperature sensor that detects the indoor temperature,
The control device is
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the detected outside air temperature and the room temperature are acquired as the temperature data.
The control device is
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating frequency of the compressor is acquired as the air conditioning data.
The control device is
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the set temperature set for the indoor unit is acquired as the air conditioning data.
An air conditioner including an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit.
A heating means provided in the compressor to heat the refrigerant inside the compressor, and
A control device for controlling the heating means is provided.
The control device is
An outside air temperature learning unit that learns the outside air temperature at set time intervals based on the current outside air temperature,
Based on the outside air temperature obtained by learning, the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit that calculates the sleep prevention control required time indicating the time required for the sleep prevention control to heat the compressor, and the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit.
Based on the set time and the required time for the sleep prevention control, the sleep prevention control start timing for starting the sleep prevention control is derived, and the heating is performed for the calculated sleep prevention control start time at the derived sleep prevention control start timing. An air conditioner having an equipment control unit that controls the heating means so that the means can control the prevention of falling asleep.
The heating means
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is a heater mounted around the compressor.
The heating means
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is an energization control device that controls energization of the compressor.
One or more air conditioners including an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit.
A management device for managing the one or more air conditioners is provided.
The air conditioner is
The compressor is provided with a heating means for heating the refrigerant inside the compressor.
The management device
It has a control device that controls the heating means, and has
The control device is
A heat load learning unit that learns heat load based on temperature data and air conditioning data,
Based on the heat load obtained by learning, a sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit that estimates the sleep prevention control start timing for starting the sleep prevention control for heating the compressor, and a sleep prevention control start timing estimation unit,
An air conditioning system including an equipment control unit that controls the heating means so that the heating means performs the fall prevention control at the estimated sleep prevention control start timing.
One or more air conditioners including an outdoor unit having a compressor and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit.
A management device for managing the one or more air conditioners is provided.
The air conditioner is
The compressor is provided with a heating means for heating the refrigerant inside the compressor.
The management device
It has a control device that controls the heating means, and has
The control device is
An outside air temperature learning unit that learns the outside air temperature at set time intervals based on the current outside air temperature,
Based on the outside air temperature obtained by learning, the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit that calculates the sleep prevention control required time indicating the time required for the sleep prevention control to heat the compressor, and the sleep prevention control required time calculation unit.
Based on the set time and the required time for the sleep prevention control, the sleep prevention control start timing for starting the sleep prevention control is derived, and the heating is performed for the calculated sleep prevention control start time at the derived sleep prevention control start timing. An air-conditioning system including an equipment control unit that controls the heating means so that the fall prevention control is performed by the means.