JP4379512B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner having a humidifying function.

  Conventionally, as an air conditioner, there is one in which a switching damper is provided in a humidification passage that conveys humidified air from an outdoor humidifying unit to the room (see, for example, JP-A-2004-77082 (Patent Document 1)). In an air conditioner equipped with this humidifying unit, the switching damper is opened during humidification operation and ventilation operation, and the humidifying passage is closed by closing the switching damper when operation is stopped.

  The air conditioner includes a limit switch that detects the opening / closing operation of the switching damper provided in the humidifying passage, and performs an abnormality determination of the switching damper at the start of operation by this limit switch, determines that the switching damper is abnormal, and When the outside air temperature is low, it is determined that the switching damper is frozen, and the thawing operation is performed on the switching damper.

  On the other hand, in the above air conditioner, when stopping from the humidification operation, even if the abnormality of the switching damper is detected, since the user requests the stop, the thawing operation requiring several minutes cannot be performed. If the damper abnormality is not detected and the switching damper is frozen, the switching damper stops in an open state.

When the switching damper is opened during such a stop, hot air on the indoor side moves to the outdoor side and cold air on the outdoor side moves to the indoor side in winter. At this time, when the indoor air moves outdoors, condensation occurs in the humidification passage on the outdoor side, and if the humidification operation is performed with the condensation inside the humidification passage, there is a problem that abnormal noise is generated. In addition, on the indoor side, due to the inflow of outdoor cold outdoor air, the indoor temperature decreases more quickly than when the switching damper is fully closed.
JP-A-2004-77082

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can prevent freezing during the humidifying operation of the switching mechanism that switches the air passage between the humidifying unit and the indoor unit, and can reliably fully close the switching mechanism when the humidifying operation is stopped. There is to do.

In order to solve the above problems, the air conditioner of the present invention is
An indoor unit,
A humidifying unit that supplies humidified air generated by heating with a heater to the indoor unit;
A switching mechanism for switching the air passage between the outlet from which the humidified air of the humidifying unit blows out and the indoor unit;
A control device for controlling the humidification unit and the switching mechanism;
The control device
A freezing determination unit for determining whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism is satisfied,
If the freeze determination unit determines that the switching mechanism satisfies the freezing condition during the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit, the output of the heater is controlled so that the switching mechanism does not freeze during the humidifying operation. An anti-freezing operation for controlling the temperature of the humidified air blown from the outlet of the humidifying unit is performed.

According to the air conditioner having the above configuration, whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism that switches the air passage between the outlet from which the humidified air of the humidifying unit blows out and the indoor unit is satisfied during the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit is satisfied. When determined by the freezing determination unit, the control device controls the output of the heater so that the switching mechanism does not freeze, and controls the temperature of the humidified air blown from the outlet of the humidifying unit, thereby controlling the switching mechanism during the humidifying operation. Freezing can be prevented, and the switching mechanism can be fully closed when the humidification operation is stopped. Here, the control of the temperature of the humidified air blown from the outlet of the humidifying unit may be control of the output of the heater, the air volume of the humidified air, or a combination thereof, which is temperature control by other methods. Also good.

  Moreover, in the air conditioner of one embodiment, the control device performs the freeze prevention operation by controlling the output of the heater so that the temperature of the humidified air blown from the outlet of the humidifying unit does not fall below freezing point. .

  According to the embodiment, by controlling the output of the heater so that the temperature of the humidified air blown out from the outlet of the humidifying unit does not fall below the freezing point, the temperature at which the switching mechanism freezes the temperature of the humidified air blown out from the outlet of the humidified unit. Since the freeze prevention operation is performed, the switching mechanism can be reliably prevented from freezing.

  Further, in the air conditioner of one embodiment, when the control device receives a stop command for the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit, the control unit satisfies the freezing condition of the switching mechanism by the freezing determination unit before the humidifying operation is stopped. If it is determined whether the freezing determination unit satisfies the freezing condition of the switching mechanism, the antifreezing operation is performed.

  According to the embodiment, the control device receives the instruction to stop the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit, and when the freezing determination unit determines that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism is satisfied before the humidifying operation is stopped, the freezing is performed. By performing the prevention operation, it is possible to reliably prevent the switching mechanism from freezing when the humidification operation is stopped.

Moreover, in the air conditioner of one embodiment,
Provided with a turn-off timer for stopping the humidification operation of the humidification unit after a set time,
The control device determines whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism is satisfied by the freezing determination unit before stopping the humidifying operation due to the end of the off timer, and the freezing determination unit is freezing the switching mechanism. When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the freeze prevention operation is performed.

  According to the embodiment, the control device performs the anti-freezing operation when the freezing determination unit determines that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism is satisfied before the humidifying operation is stopped by the end of the off timer. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent the switching mechanism from freezing when the humidifying operation is stopped due to the end of the off timer.

  In the air conditioner of one embodiment, the control device determines whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism is satisfied by the freezing determination unit at every predetermined interval during the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit. When the freezing determination unit determines that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism is satisfied, the freezing prevention operation is performed.

  According to the embodiment, the control device determines whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism is satisfied by the freezing determination unit at every predetermined interval during the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit, and the freezing determination unit is configured to switch the switching mechanism. When it is determined that the freezing condition is satisfied, by performing the anti-freezing operation, it is possible to reliably prevent the switching mechanism from being frozen during the humidifying operation. Further, since the freeze prevention operation is not frequently performed, energy saving can be achieved.

  As is apparent from the above, according to the air conditioner of the present invention, freezing during the humidifying operation of the switching mechanism that switches the air passage between the humidifying unit and the indoor unit can be prevented, and the switching mechanism can be ensured when the humidifying operation is stopped. It is possible to realize an air conditioner that can be fully closed.

  Further, according to the air conditioner of one embodiment, the temperature of the humidified air blown from the outlet of the humidifying unit is switched by controlling the output of the heater so that the temperature of the humidified air blown from the outlet of the humidifying unit does not fall below the freezing point. Since the freeze prevention operation is performed at a temperature at which the mechanism does not freeze, the switching mechanism can be reliably prevented from freezing.

  Further, according to the air conditioner of one embodiment, when receiving the instruction to stop the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit, the freezing determination unit determines that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism is satisfied before the humidifying operation is stopped. By performing the freeze prevention operation with the apparatus, it is possible to reliably prevent the switching mechanism from freezing when the humidification operation is stopped.

  Further, according to the air conditioner of one embodiment, when the freeze determination unit determines that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism is satisfied before the humidification operation is stopped due to the end of the turn-off timer, the control device performs the freeze prevention operation. By doing so, it is possible to reliably prevent the switching mechanism from freezing when the humidifying operation is stopped due to the end of the cut-off timer.

  Further, according to the air conditioner of one embodiment, the freezing determination unit switches the freezing determination unit by determining whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism is satisfied at every predetermined interval during the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit. When it is determined that the freezing condition of the mechanism is satisfied, by performing the freeze prevention operation by the control device, it is possible to reliably prevent the switching mechanism from being frozen during the humidification operation and to save energy.

  Hereinafter, the air conditioner of this invention is demonstrated in detail by embodiment of illustration.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner including a humidifying unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner is placed on an indoor unit 1, an outdoor unit 2 connected to the indoor unit 1 via a communication pipe (not shown), and the outdoor unit 2. And a humidifying unit 3 connected to the indoor unit 1 via a humidifying duct 4 as an example of a wind passage. Humidified air generated by heating using the heater 13 (shown in FIG. 2) in the humidifying unit 3 is supplied to the room through the humidifying duct 4 and the indoor unit 1.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the humidifying unit 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the humidifying unit 3 adsorbs moisture by passing the moisture absorbing fan 11 and outdoor air sucked by the moisture absorbing fan 11. A disc-shaped humidification rotor 12 having an adsorption region for performing desorption and a desorption region for desorbing moisture; a heater 13 disposed upstream of the desorption region of the humidification rotor 12; and a downstream side of the desorption region of the humidification rotor 12 And a switching mechanism 15 provided in the vicinity of the outlet of the passage P passing through the humidifying fan 14 and a desorption region of the heater 13 and the humidifying rotor 12. The humidifying rotor 12, the heater 13, the humidifying fan 14, and the switching mechanism 15 are disposed in the casing 10.

  The humidifying rotor 12 is made of an adsorbent such as silica gel, zeolite, or alumina, for example, in a honeycomb or porous multi-grain shape, and is rotated around a shaft by a humidifying rotor driving unit 22 (shown in FIG. 4). The humidification rotor 12 absorbs moisture (adsorbs moisture) from the outdoor air sucked by the moisture absorption fan 11 in the adsorption region. On the other hand, when the air heated by the heater 13 upstream of the humidification rotor 12 in the passage P passes through the desorption region of the humidification rotor 12, it is humidified by the humidification rotor 12 (moisture is desorbed from the humidification rotor 12). . Thus, the moisture adsorbed by the humidification rotor 12 from the air in the passage P is desorbed by the air heated by the heater 13, and the air is humidified. The air thus humidified is sent to the humidification duct 4 by the humidification fan 14.

  FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switching mechanism 15 of the main part A shown in FIG. 2 in a closed state. The switching mechanism 15 is horizontally moved in the casing 10 by a switching mechanism drive unit 21 (shown in FIG. 4) (not shown). Move in the direction. In FIG. 3A, the switching mechanism 15 has moved to the left to close the outlet 10a. A temperature sensor 16 is disposed between the humidifying fan 14 and the switching mechanism 15 in the casing 10. That is, in the passage P, the temperature sensor 16 is arranged on the downstream side of the desorption region of the humidification rotor 12.

  3B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the switching mechanism 15 of the main part A shown in FIG. 2 in the open state. In FIG. 3B, the switching mechanism 15 moves to the right side to open the outlet 10a.

  FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the main part of the air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 4, the air conditioner is based on a temperature sensor 16, and a moisture absorbing fan 11, a heater 13, a humidifying fan 14, and a switch. A control device 30 that controls the mechanism 15, the switching mechanism drive unit 21, the humidification rotor drive unit 22, and the like is provided on the outdoor unit 2 side. The control device 30 also controls an outdoor fan and a compressor (not shown) of the outdoor unit 2. The control device 30 includes a microcomputer, an input / output circuit, and the like, and includes a freezing determination unit 30a that determines whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is satisfied, and a cut-off timer TM1.

  When the humidifying operation is performed by the humidifying unit 3, the control device 30 controls the outlet temperature of the humidified air according to the zone diagram of the outlet temperature of the humidified air shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the return area, the drooping area, and the non-change area divided by the first temperature D, the second temperature C, the third temperature B, and the fourth temperature A in order from the highest temperature of the humidified air. The heater on / up range is set. In the first embodiment, the first temperature D is 6 ° C., the second temperature C is 4 ° C., the third temperature B is 2 ° C., and the fourth temperature A is 0 ° C.

  Based on the blowing temperature of the humidified air detected by the temperature sensor 16, the output of the heater 13 is controlled so that the blowing temperature of the humidified air becomes the target temperature (no change range). That is, when the blowing temperature of the humidified air is in the heater on / up range, the output of the heater 13 is increased. When the blowing temperature of the humidified air is in the unchanged range, the output of the heater 13 is not changed, and the blowing temperature of the humidified air drops. When it is in the range, the output of the heater 13 is reduced.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation during the humidifying operation of the control device 30 of the air conditioner, and FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the humidifying operation control shown in FIG.

  The operation of the control device 30 will be described below with reference to FIGS. Normally, the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit 3 is started by a humidifying operation command when starting the heating operation or during the heating operation.

  First, when the process starts, as shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the humidifying operation is performed from the stop of the humidifying unit 3 in step S1, and when the humidifying operation is performed, the process proceeds to step S2.

  Next, abnormality determination of the switching mechanism 15 is performed at step S2. Here, the abnormality determination of the switching mechanism 15 may be performed by detecting that the switching mechanism 15 is in a closed state by a limit switch or the like when the switching mechanism 15 should be in an open state, or the switching mechanism 15 is closed. The abnormality determination may be performed when the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 16 disposed on the downstream side of the heater 15 rises abnormally.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S3, and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the switching mechanism 15, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if it is determined that no abnormality has occurred in the switching mechanism 15, the process proceeds to step S10 and humidification operation control is performed. .

  If it is determined in step S4 that the outside air temperature is 0 ° C. or lower, the process proceeds to step S5, whereas if it is determined that the outside air temperature is not 0 ° C. or lower, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S5, since it is suspected that the switching mechanism 15 is frozen, the process proceeds to step S6 and the thawing operation is performed. In this thawing operation, the humidifying fan 11 and the humidifying rotor 12 shown in FIG. 2 are stopped, and the humidifying fan 14 is operated with the heater 13 turned on to blow warm air toward the switching mechanism 15 for a predetermined time.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S7, the abnormality determination of the switching mechanism 15 is performed, the process proceeds to step S8, and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the switching mechanism 15, the process proceeds to step S9, while an abnormality has occurred in the switching mechanism 15. If it determines with there being, it will progress to humidification operation control of step S10.

  In step S9, it is determined whether or not the number of abnormalities is a predetermined value. When the number of abnormalities is a predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, when the number of abnormalities is not a predetermined value, the process returns to step S6 and the thawing operation is repeated. . This abnormality count is initially set to zero when it is determined in step S1 that the humidification operation is performed after the humidification unit 3 is stopped.

  In step S11, the abnormality of the switching mechanism 15 is determined, and the process proceeds to step S12 to perform abnormality processing of the switching mechanism 15. For example, the humidification operation of the humidification unit 3 is not performed, and the abnormality of the switching mechanism 15 is notified to the user or the like by display or voice.

  When the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit 3 of the air conditioner is started, when it is determined that the switching mechanism 15 is locked due to freezing, switching is performed before the humidifying operation is started by repeating the thawing operation a predetermined number of times until the state is cleared. The locked state due to the freezing of the mechanism 15 can be eliminated. If the locked state due to the freezing of the switching mechanism 15 cannot be resolved even if the thawing operation is repeated a predetermined number of times at the start of the humidification operation, the reliability of the product is improved by notifying the abnormality by stopping the humidification operation. . In addition, even if the humidification operation of the humidification unit 3 is stopped, the heating operation of the air conditioner may be continued.

  In the humidifying operation control in step S10, after the humidifying operation is started in step S20 shown in FIG. 7, the process proceeds to step S21, and the freezing determination unit 30a determines whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is satisfied. . Here, as the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15, for example, it is assumed that the freezing condition is satisfied when the outside air temperature is 0 ° C. or less and the blowing temperature of the humidified air is a predetermined temperature or less during the humidifying operation. The freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 determined by the freezing determination unit 30a is not limited to this embodiment, and other conditions such as a control parameter used for the humidifying operation may be used.

  And if it determines with the freezing conditions of the switching mechanism 15 being satisfied by step S21, it will progress to step S22, control of freezing prevention operation will be performed, and it will progress to step S24. Here, the anti-freezing operation controls the blowing temperature of the humidified air blown from the outlet of the humidifying unit 3 so that the switching mechanism 15 does not freeze by controlling the output of the heater 13.

  On the other hand, if it determines with the freezing conditions of the switching mechanism 15 not being satisfied by step S21, it will progress to step S23, will release control of anti-freezing operation, and will progress to step S24.

  In step S24, it is determined whether or not to stop from the humidifying operation. When stopping from the humidifying operation, the process proceeds to step S25, and when not stopping from the humidifying operation, the process returns to step S21.

  Next, a humidification operation stop process is executed in step S25, and this process ends. In this humidification operation stop process, the humidification rotor 12 and the humidification fan 14 are stopped, the heater 13 is turned off, and the switching mechanism 15 is closed.

  According to the air conditioner of the first embodiment, freezing during the humidifying operation of the switching mechanism 15 that switches the humidifying duct 4 between the humidifying unit 3 and the indoor unit 1 can be prevented, and the switching mechanism 15 can be turned off when the humidifying operation is stopped. An air conditioner that can be fully closed reliably can be realized.

  Further, by controlling the output of the heater 13 so that the temperature of the humidified air blown from the outlet of the humidifying unit 3 does not fall below the freezing point, the temperature of the humidified air blown from the outlet of the humidifying unit 3 is set to a temperature at which the switching mechanism 15 does not freeze. Since the freeze prevention operation is performed, the switching mechanism 15 can be reliably prevented from freezing.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the humidifying operation control of the air conditioner provided with the humidifying unit of the second embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner of the second embodiment is the first except for the control of the control device 30. It has the same structure as the air conditioner of 1 embodiment, and uses FIGS. 1-6.

  In the air conditioner of the second embodiment, the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is the same, and only the humidifying operation control in step S10 is different.

  After the humidification operation is started in step S30 shown in FIG. 8, the process proceeds to step S31, where it is determined whether or not to stop from the humidification operation in response to the instruction to stop the humidification operation. repeat.

  On the other hand, when the humidification operation is stopped in step S31, the process proceeds to step S32, where it is determined whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is satisfied by the freezing determination unit 30a.

  If it is determined in step S32 that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S33. If it is determined that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is not satisfied, the process skips step S33 and proceeds to step S34. .

  Next, control of the freeze prevention operation is executed in step S33, the process proceeds to step S34, a humidification operation stop process is executed, and this process ends. In this humidification operation stop process, the humidification rotor 12 and the humidification fan 14 are stopped, the heater 13 is turned off, and the switching mechanism 15 is closed.

  In this way, when the freeze determination unit 30a receives the humidification operation stop command and determines that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is satisfied before the humidification operation is stopped, the control device 30 performs the freeze prevention operation. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent the switching mechanism 15 from freezing when the humidifying operation is stopped.

  Therefore, the switching mechanism 15 can be fully closed when the humidification operation is stopped.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the humidifying operation control of the air conditioner provided with the humidifying unit of the third embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner of the third embodiment is the same as that of the air conditioner except for the control of the control device 30. It has the same structure as the air conditioner of 1 embodiment, and uses FIGS. 1-6.

  In the air conditioner of the third embodiment, the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is the same, and only the humidifying operation control in step S10 is different.

  After the humidification operation is started in step S40 shown in FIG. 9, the process proceeds to step S41, where it is determined whether or not the cut-off timer TM1 is set. When the cut-off timer TM1 is not set, this step S41 is repeated. Here, the time to stop the humidifying operation is set in the off timer TM1, but the humidifying operation may be stopped after the set time of the off timer TM1, which is equivalent to setting the time to stop the humidifying operation. It is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S41 that the cutoff timer TM1 is set, the process proceeds to step S42, and it is determined whether the current time has passed A minutes before the set time of the cutoff timer TM1. Here, when the humidification operation is stopped after the set time of the cut-off timer TM1, it is determined whether or not a minute has passed before the set time ends.

  In step S42, when the current time has not passed A minutes before the set time of the cut-off timer TM1, the process returns to step S41, while it is determined that the current time has passed A minutes before the set time of the cut-off timer TM1. Then, it progresses to step S43.

  Next, in step S43, the freezing determination unit 30a determines whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is satisfied. When the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is satisfied in step S43, the process proceeds to step S44, while when the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is not satisfied, the process skips step S44 and proceeds to step S45.

  Next, in step S44, control of the freeze prevention operation is executed, and the process proceeds to step S45.

  Next, in step S45, it is determined whether or not the current time is the set time of the off timer TM1, and if the current time is not the set time of the off timer TM1, the process returns to step S41.

  On the other hand, when the current time is the set time of the off timer TM1 in step S45, the process proceeds to step S46, the humidification operation stop process is executed, and this process is terminated. In this humidification operation stop process, the humidification rotor 12 and the humidification fan 14 are stopped, the heater 13 is turned off, and the switching mechanism 15 is closed.

  As described above, when the freezing determination unit 30a determines that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism is satisfied before the humidification operation is stopped due to the end of the off timer TM1, the off timer is performed by performing the antifreezing operation by the control device 30. Freezing of the switching mechanism 15 when the humidification operation is stopped due to the end of TM1 can be reliably prevented.

  Therefore, the switching mechanism 15 can be fully closed when the humidification operation is stopped.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the humidifying operation control of the air conditioner provided with the humidifying unit of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner of the fourth embodiment is the same except for the control of the control device 30. It has the same structure as the air conditioner of 1 embodiment, and uses FIGS. 1-6.

  In the air conditioner of the fourth embodiment, the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is the same, and only the humidifying operation control in step S10 is different.

  After the humidifying operation is started in step S50 shown in FIG. 10, the process proceeds to step S51, the timer TM2 is started, and the process proceeds to step S52.

  Next, in step S52, it is determined whether or not the timer TM2 has timed up. If the timer TM2 has timed up, the process proceeds to step S53. If the timer TM2 has not timed up, the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, it is determined whether or not to stop the humidification operation. When the humidification operation is stopped, the process proceeds to step S57, and when the humidification operation is not stopped, the process returns to step S52.

  Next, in step S53, the freezing determination unit 30a determines whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is satisfied. If the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is satisfied in step S53, the process proceeds to step S54. If the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is not satisfied, the process skips step S54 and proceeds to step S55.

  Next, in step S54, control of the freeze prevention operation is executed, and the process proceeds to step S55.

  In step S55, it is determined whether or not to stop the humidification operation. When the humidification operation is stopped, the process proceeds to step S57. When the humidification operation is not stopped, the process returns to step S51.

  Next, a humidification operation stop process is executed in step S57, and this process is terminated. In this humidification operation stop process, the humidification rotor 12 and the humidification fan 14 are stopped, the heater 13 is turned off, and the switching mechanism 15 is closed.

  In this way, the timer TM2 is used to determine whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is satisfied by the freezing determination unit 30a at every predetermined interval during the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit 3, and the freezing determination unit 30a When it is determined that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism 15 is satisfied, the control device 30 performs the freezing prevention operation, whereby the freezing of the switching mechanism 15 during the humidifying operation can be surely prevented and energy saving can be achieved. be able to.

  Therefore, the switching mechanism 15 can be fully closed when the humidification operation is stopped.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the switching mechanism 15 that is moved in the horizontal direction by the switching mechanism driving unit 21 has been described. However, the configuration of the switching mechanism is not limited to this, and the air path between the humidifying unit and the indoor unit. As long as the switching is performed, it is sufficient.

  In the first embodiment, the freezing condition is always determined during the humidifying operation. In the second embodiment, the freezing condition is determined when the humidifying operation is stopped. In the third embodiment, the setting of the off timer TM1 is performed. In the fourth embodiment, the freezing condition is determined by using the timer TM2 and the freezing condition is periodically controlled during the humidification operation. In the fourth embodiment, the antifreezing operation is controlled. At least one of the humidification operation controls of the third embodiment may be combined with the humidification operation control of the first embodiment, at least one of the humidification operation controls of the second and third embodiments, and the humidification of the fourth embodiment. You may combine with operation control.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner including a humidifying unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the humidification unit. FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switching mechanism of the main part A shown in FIG. 2 in a closed state. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switching mechanism of the main part A shown in FIG. 2 in an open state. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a main part of the air conditioner. FIG. 5 is a zone diagram of the blowing temperature of the humidified air. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the air conditioner control device during the humidifying operation. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the humidifying operation control shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the humidifying operation control of the air conditioner including the humidifying unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the humidifying operation control of the air conditioner including the humidifying unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the humidifying operation control of the air conditioner including the humidifying unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Indoor unit 2 ... Outdoor unit 3 ... Humidification unit 4 ... Humidification duct 10 ... Casing 12 ... Humidification rotor 13 ... Heater 14 ... Humidification fan 15 ... Switching mechanism 16 ... Temperature sensor 21 ... Switching mechanism drive part 22 ... Humidification rotor drive part 30 ... Control device 30a ... Freezing judgment part P ... Passage TM1 ... Cut-off timer TM2 ... Timer

Claims (5)

Indoor unit (1),
A humidifying unit (3) for supplying humidified air generated by heating using the heater (13) to the indoor unit (1);
A switching mechanism (15) for switching the air passage between the outlet from which the humidified air blows out of the humidifying unit (3) and the indoor unit (1);
A control device (30) for controlling the humidification unit (3) and the switching mechanism (15);
The control device (30)
A freezing determination unit (30a) for determining whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism (15) is satisfied;
If the freezing determination unit (30a) determines that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism (15) is satisfied during the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit (3), the switching mechanism (15) is not frozen during the humidifying operation. The air conditioner is characterized in that the antifreezing operation is performed to control the temperature of the humidified air blown from the outlet of the humidifying unit (3) by controlling the output of the heater (13) . In the air conditioner according to claim 1,
The controller (30) performs the anti-freezing operation by controlling the output of the heater (13) so that the temperature of the humidified air blown from the outlet of the humidifying unit (3) does not fall below freezing point. A featured air conditioner. In the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2,
When the control device (30) receives the instruction to stop the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit (3), the freezing determination unit (30a) satisfies the freezing condition of the switching mechanism (15) before the humidifying operation is stopped. The air conditioner is characterized in that the freeze prevention operation is performed when it is determined whether the freezing determination unit (30a) satisfies the freezing condition of the switching mechanism (15). In the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
It has a cut-off timer (TM1) for stopping the humidification operation of the humidification unit (3) after a set time,
The control device (30) determines whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism (15) is satisfied by the freezing determination unit (30a) before stopping the humidifying operation due to the end of the off timer (TM1). When the freezing determination unit (30a) determines that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism (15) is satisfied, the antifreezing operation is performed. In the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The control device (30) determines whether or not the freezing condition of the switching mechanism (15) is satisfied by the freezing determination unit (30a) at every predetermined interval during the humidifying operation of the humidifying unit (3). When the freezing determination unit (30a) determines that the freezing condition of the switching mechanism (15) is satisfied, the antifreezing operation is performed.

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