JP6864262B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner that performs a drying operation.

Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner. Since the air conditioner dries the heat exchanger after the cooling operation, a heating operation is performed. A dehumidifying operation is performed prior to the heating operation. Dehumidifying operation reduces the humidity in the room. After that, when the heating operation is carried out, the water droplets condensed from the heat exchanger evaporate, but the humidity in the room is lowered in advance, so that the discomfort of the occupants due to the humidity is suppressed. Since the heat exchanger dries, the growth of germs and mold is suppressed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-06687

In Patent Document 1, a dehumidifying operation is performed prior to the heating operation. Water droplets adhering to the heat exchanger do not decrease. Therefore, the drying operation time cannot be shortened.

An object of the present invention is to shorten the drying operation time of an air conditioner capable of drying a heat exchanger without causing discomfort to a resident.

According to the present invention, a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, an indoor fan, a first heat transfer unit, a second heat transfer unit, and a third heat transfer unit arranged leeward of the first heat transfer unit. An indoor heat exchanger having a heat transfer unit and a dehumidifying and squeezing device that functions as a squeezing device during dehumidifying operation are provided, and the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the first heat transfer unit, and the second heat transfer are performed during cooling operation. The heat unit and the third heat transfer unit are connected in this order, and during the heating operation, the compressor, the third heat transfer unit, the second heat transfer unit, the first heat transfer unit, and the outdoor heat transfer exchanger are connected in this order. In the air conditioner connected in this order during the dehumidifying operation, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the third heat transfer unit, the dehumidifying throttle device, the second heat transfer unit, and the first heat transfer unit. The indoor fan, the compressor, and a control unit that controls the operation of the dehumidifying throttle device are provided, and the control unit adjusts the expansion valve and the dehumidifying throttle device to dehumidify a high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor. The device is introduced, the third heat transfer unit is dried by the condensed heat of the third heat transfer unit while cooling the second heat transfer unit and the first heat transfer unit, and the indoor fan is rotated to warm the air. A first mode for generating an air flow that mixes cold air and a second mode for stopping the rotation of the indoor fan and drying the first heat transfer unit with the radiant heat of the third heat transfer unit, and a blower operation are performed. An air conditioner for drying the indoor heat exchanger is provided by sequentially switching between the third mode for drying the second heat transfer unit and the third mode for drying the indoor heat transfer unit.

In the first mode, the third heat transfer unit dries in a short time based on the heat of condensation. On the other hand, in the second heat transfer unit, cold air is generated according to the evaporation of the refrigerant, so that the cold air and the warm air are mixed in the blown airflow, and the temperature rise in the room can be avoided. After that, when the second mode is established, the first heat transfer unit is superposed on the third heat transfer unit, so that the first heat transfer unit dries based on the heat of condensation of the third heat transfer unit. Subsequently, when the third mode is established, the blower operation is performed, and the second heat transfer unit is dried by the action of the blower. In the air blowing operation, heat exchange is suspended in the first heat transfer unit, the second heat transfer unit, and the third heat transfer unit, so that the temperature rise in the room can be avoided. In this way, the heat exchanger can be dried while avoiding the temperature rise in the room. Even if there is a person in the room, the person in the room does not feel uncomfortable.

The third heat transfer unit may face the indoor fan on the inner surface and receive the first heat transfer unit on the outer surface. In the first mode, the airflow passes through the first heat transfer unit and the third heat transfer unit one after another. In the third heat transfer unit, efficient drying is realized by the effect of heat of condensation and ventilation. Since there is no wind in the second mode, the radiant heat of the third heat transfer unit is reliably transferred to the first heat transfer unit. Drying of the first heat transfer unit is promoted.

The air conditioner may further include a motion sensor that detects a person present in the room. When the presence of a person is detected, the control unit establishes the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode one after another. Drying of the heat exchanger is realized without discomfort of the occupants. If the presence of a person is not detected, the control unit may perform a heating operation and a ventilation operation. Although the temperature inside the room rises according to the heating operation, the heat exchanger can be dried in a short time. Since there are no people in the room, no discomfort is caused even if the temperature in the room rises.

According to the device disclosed as described above, it is possible to shorten the drying operation time of the air conditioner capable of drying the heat exchanger without causing discomfort to the occupants.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows schematic structure of the air conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows schematic appearance of the indoor unit which concerns on one Embodiment. It is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the main body of an indoor unit. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation roughly.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioner FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of an air conditioner 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 11 includes an indoor unit 12 and an outdoor unit 13. The indoor unit 12 is installed in, for example, an indoor space in a building. In addition, the indoor unit 12 may be installed in a space corresponding to the indoor space. An indoor heat exchanger 14 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12. The outdoor unit 13 incorporates a compressor 15, an outdoor heat exchanger 16, an expansion valve 17, and a four-way valve 18. The indoor heat exchanger 14, the compressor 15, the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the four-way valve 18 form a refrigerating circuit 19. The outdoor unit 13 may be installed outdoors so that heat can be exchanged with the outdoor air.

The refrigeration circuit 19 includes a first circulation path 21. The first circulation path 21 connects the first port 18a and the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18 to each other. A compressor 15 is arranged in the first circulation path 21. The suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15 is connected to the first port 18a of the four-way valve 18 via a refrigerant pipe. The gas refrigerant is supplied from the first port 18a to the suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15. The compressor 15 compresses the low-pressure gas refrigerant to a predetermined pressure. The discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15 is connected to the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18 via a refrigerant pipe. The gas refrigerant is supplied from the discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15 to the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18. The refrigerant pipe may be, for example, a copper pipe.

The refrigeration circuit 19 further includes a second circulation path 22. The second circulation path 22 connects the third port 18c and the fourth port 18d of the four-way valve 18 to each other. The outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 are incorporated in the second circulation path 22 in order from the third port 18c side. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 exchanges heat energy between the passing refrigerant and the surrounding air. The indoor heat exchanger 14 exchanges heat energy between the passing refrigerant and the surrounding air. The indoor heat exchanger 14 includes a first heat transfer unit 14a connected to the expansion valve 17, a second heat transfer unit 14b connected in series between the first heat transfer unit 14a and the compressor 15, and a second heat transfer unit 14b. It includes a third heat transfer unit 14c connected in series with the heat transfer unit 14b. A dehumidifying throttle device 23 is arranged between the second heat transfer unit 14b and the third heat transfer unit 14c.

A blower fan 24 is incorporated in the outdoor unit 13. The blower fan 24 ventilates the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The blower fan 24 generates an air flow according to the rotation of the impeller, for example. The airflow passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 by the action of the blower fan 24. The outdoor air passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The cold or warm air flow generated by heat exchange is blown out from the outdoor unit 13. The flow rate of the airflow passing through is adjusted according to the rotation speed of the impeller.

A blower fan 25 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12. The blower fan 25 generates an air flow according to the rotation of the impeller. Indoor air is sucked into the indoor unit 12 by the action of the blower fan 25. The indoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The cold or warm air flow generated by heat exchange is blown out from the indoor unit 12. The flow rate of the airflow passing through is adjusted according to the rotation speed of the impeller.

The air conditioner 11 incorporates a control unit 26 connected to each of the blower fans 24 and 25, the expansion valve 17, the compressor 15, and the dehumidifying throttle device 23 by signal lines. The control unit 26 controls the operations of the blower fans 24 and 25, the expansion valve 17, the compressor 15, and the dehumidifying throttle device 23.

(2) Configuration of Indoor Unit FIG. 2 schematically shows the appearance of the indoor unit 12 according to the embodiment. An outer panel 28b is arranged on the front surface of the main body (housing) 28a of the indoor unit 12. An outlet 29 is formed on the lower surface of the main body 28a. The air outlet 29 opens toward the room. The main body 28a can be fixed to a wall surface in the room, for example. Cold air or warm air is generated by the indoor heat exchanger 14, and the airflow of cold air or warm air is blown out from the outlet 29.

A pair of front and rear vertical wind direction plates 31a and 31b are arranged at the air outlet 29. The vertical wind direction plates 31a and 31b can rotate around the rotation axes 32a and 32b parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body, respectively. The vertical wind direction plates 31a and 31b open and close the air outlet 29 according to the rotation. The direction of the airflow blown out can be changed according to the angles of the vertical wind direction plates 31a and 31b.

The air conditioner 11 includes a motion sensor 33 that detects a person existing in the room. The motion sensor 33 identifies the human body according to, for example, the radiant heat of an object. The motion sensor 33 is arranged on the lower front side of the main body 28a.

As shown in FIG. 3, a suction port 34 is formed in the main body 28a. The suction port 34 opens at the front surface and the upper surface of the main body 28a. The blower fan 25 is arranged in the airflow passage between the suction port 34 and the outlet 29. The blower fan 25 as an indoor fan is composed of a cross-flow fan having blades rotatably supported around the rotation axis 35. The indoor air is taken into the main body 28a from the suction port 34 and flows toward the indoor heat exchanger 14.

The first heat transfer unit 14a of the indoor heat exchanger 14 has a heat transfer fin group 38a that covers the blower fan 25 from the front. The second heat transfer unit 14b has a heat transfer fin group 38b that covers the blower fan 25 from behind. The third heat transfer unit 14c has a heat transfer fin group 38c that is superposed on the first heat transfer unit 14a. The third heat transfer unit 14c faces the blower fan 25 on the inner surface, and contacts and receives the first heat transfer unit 14a on the outer surface. At least the upper body of the first heat transfer unit 14a and the third heat transfer unit 14c is arranged in an inclined posture in which the first heat transfer unit 14a and the third heat transfer unit 14c are tilted backward. Therefore, at least the upper half of the first heat transfer unit 14a is arranged so as to be in contact with the windward side of the upper half of the third heat transfer unit 14c. The first heat transfer unit 14a, the second heat transfer unit 14b, and the third heat transfer unit 14c are formed from a metal material having good thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum.

The air conditioner 11 includes a first temperature sensor 36 and a second temperature sensor 37. The first temperature sensor 36 detects the temperature Tn of the third heat transfer unit 14c. The detection signal of the first temperature sensor 36 is transmitted to the control unit 26. The second temperature sensor 37 detects the room temperature Tr. The detection signal of the second temperature sensor 37 is transmitted to the control unit 26.

(3) Operation of the air conditioner When the refrigerating circuit 19 is used for cooling operation, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the third port 18c to each other to connect the first port 18a and the fourth port 18d. Connect to each other. The expansion valve 17 throttles the flow rate of the refrigerant. The dehumidifying throttle device 23 is opened. The dehumidifying throttle device 23 does not throttle the flow rate. A high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 from the discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15. The refrigerant circulates in order through the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 dissipates heat from the refrigerant to the outside air. In the indoor heat exchanger 14, the refrigerant passes through the first heat transfer unit 14a, the second heat transfer unit 14b, and the third heat transfer unit 14c in order. The expansion valve 17 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to a low pressure. The decompressed refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air in the indoor heat exchanger 14. Cold air is generated. The cold air is blown into the indoor space by the action of the blower fan 25.

When the heating operation is carried out in the refrigerating circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the fourth port 18d to each other, and connects the first port 18a and the third port 18c to each other. The expansion valve 17 throttles the flow rate of the refrigerant. The dehumidifying throttle device 23 is opened. The dehumidifying throttle device 23 does not throttle the flow rate. A high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 15 to the indoor heat exchanger 14. The refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion valve 17, and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 in this order. In the indoor heat exchanger 14, the refrigerant sequentially passes through the third heat transfer unit 14c, the second heat transfer unit 14b, and the first heat transfer unit 14a. The indoor heat exchanger 14 dissipates heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding air. Warm air is generated. The warm air is blown into the indoor space by the action of the blower fan 25. The expansion valve 17 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to a low pressure. The decompressed refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air by the outdoor heat exchanger 16. After that, the refrigerant returns to the compressor 15.

When the reheat dehumidification operation in the heating cycle is carried out in the refrigerating circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the fourth port 18d to each other and the first port 18a and the same as in the heating operation. The third port 18c is connected to each other. The expansion valve 17 is opened. The flow rate of the dehumidifying throttle device 23 is throttled. A high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 14 from the discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15. The refrigerant circulates in order through the third heat transfer unit 14c, the dehumidifying throttle device 23, the second heat transfer unit 14b, the first heat transfer unit 14a, and the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The third heat transfer unit 14c dissipates heat from the refrigerant to the outside air. The dehumidifying throttle device 23 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to a low pressure. The decompressed refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air by the first heat transfer unit 14a, the second heat transfer unit 14b, and the outdoor heat exchanger 16. Although the first heat transfer unit 14a and the second heat transfer unit 14b are cooled, since the third heat transfer unit 14c is heated, the cold air and the warm air are mixed in the blown air flow, and the temperature drop in the room is avoided. Can be done.

Next, the operation of the drying operation will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 26 confirms the output of the motion sensor 33 in step S1. If there is a person in the room (S1-YES), the control unit 26 establishes the first mode in step S2, which is the reheat dehumidification operation in the heating cycle. In establishing the first mode, the control unit 26 connects the second port 18b and the fourth port 18d to each other with the four-way valve 18 and connects the first port 18a and the third port 18c to each other, as in the case of the heating operation. .. The expansion valve 17 is opened. The dehumidifying throttle device 23 throttles the flow rate of the refrigerant. Based on these adjustments, the high-pressure refrigerant is introduced from the compressor 15 to the dehumidifying throttle device 23. The third heat transfer unit 14c heats based on the heat of condensation of the refrigerant. The heat of the third heat transfer unit 14c dries the third heat transfer unit 14c in a short time. Since the air flow passes through the first heat transfer unit 14a and the third heat transfer unit 14c one after another, efficient drying is realized in the third heat transfer unit 14c due to the effects of heat condensation and ventilation. On the other hand, since cold air is generated in the second heat transfer unit 14b and the first heat transfer unit 14a according to the evaporation of the refrigerant, the cold air and the warm air are mixed in the blown air flow. Indoor temperature rise is avoided.

In step S3, the drying of the third heat transfer unit 14c is determined. In the judgment, the duration of the first mode is measured. When the duration elapses the first time predetermined as the time required for the third heat transfer unit 14c to dry, the control unit 26 stops the indoor fan in step S4 to stop the indoor fan of the third heat transfer unit 14c. Establish a second mode that utilizes radiant heat. The control unit 26 stops the operation of the compressor 15 and the rotation of the blower fan 25 which is an indoor fan. The first heat transfer unit 14a is dried by the radiant heat of the third heat transfer unit 14c. Since the first heat transfer unit 14a is superposed on the third heat transfer unit 14c, the first heat transfer unit 14a dries based on the heat of the third heat transfer unit 14c. Since there is no wind, the radiant heat of the third heat transfer unit is reliably transferred to the first heat transfer unit. Drying of the first heat transfer unit is promoted. In particular, since the upper body of the first heat transfer unit 14a is arranged so as to be in contact with the wind side of the upper body of the third heat transfer unit 14c, the heat of the third heat transfer unit 14c is the first due to natural convection. 1 It can act on the heat transfer unit 14a.

In step S5, the drying of the first heat transfer unit 14a is determined. In the determination, the temperature Tn and the room temperature Tr of the third heat transfer unit 14c are detected. In detecting the temperature, the control unit 26 acquires a detection signal from the first temperature sensor 36 and the second temperature sensor 37. When the difference between the room temperature Tr and the temperature Tn of the third heat transfer unit 14c is reduced to 2 degrees or less, the control unit 26 establishes the third mode in step S6. The control unit 26 rotates the blower fan 25 to blow air to the indoor heat exchanger 14, and dries the second heat transfer unit 14b. In the blower operation, the operation of the compressor 15 and the blower fan 24 of the outdoor unit 13 are stopped. The second heat transfer unit 14b is dried by the action of blowing air. In the air blowing operation, heat exchange is suspended in the first heat transfer unit 14a, the second heat transfer unit 14b, and the third heat transfer unit 14c, so that the temperature rise in the room can be avoided.

In step S7, the drying of the second heat transfer unit 14b is determined. In the judgment, the duration of the third mode is measured. When the duration elapses a second time predetermined as the time required for the second heat transfer unit 14b to dry, the control unit 26 ends the third mode. In this way, the drying operation is completed. Drying of the heat exchanger 14 is realized while avoiding a temperature rise in the room. Even if there is a person in the room, the person in the room does not feel uncomfortable.

If the presence of a person is not detected in step S1 (S1-NO), the control unit 26 performs an internal clean operation by heating operation and ventilation operation in step S8. Although the temperature in the room rises according to the heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 14 can be dried in a short time. Since there are no people in the room, no discomfort is caused even if the temperature in the room rises.

11 ... Air conditioner, 14 ... Heat exchanger (indoor heat exchanger), 14a ... 1st heat transfer unit, 14b ... 2nd heat transfer unit, 14c ... 3rd heat transfer unit, 23 ... Dehumidifying and squeezing device, 25 ... Blower fan (cross flow fan), 26 ... control unit, 33 ... human sensor, 38a ... heat transfer fin group, 38b ... heat transfer fin group, 38c ... heat transfer fin group.

Claims (2)

A room having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, an indoor fan, a first heat transfer unit, a second heat transfer unit, and a third heat transfer unit arranged leeward of the first heat transfer unit. It includes a heat exchanger, a dehumidifying squeezing device that functions as a squeezing device during dehumidifying operation, and a control unit that controls the operation of the indoor fan, the compressor, and the dehumidifying squeezing device .
During the cooling operation, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the first heat transfer unit, the second heat transfer unit, and the third heat transfer unit are connected in this order.
During the heating operation, the compressor, the third heat transfer unit, the second heat transfer unit, the first heat transfer unit, and the outdoor heat exchanger are connected in this order.
The compressor during dehumidification operation, before Symbol third heat transfer unit, wherein the dehumidifying throttle device, the second heat transfer unit, wherein the first heat transfer unit, is connected in the order of the outdoor heat exchanger,
The control unit
The third heat transfer unit is dried by the condensed heat of the third heat transfer unit while cooling the second heat transfer unit and the first heat transfer unit by adjusting the dehumidifying throttle device, and the indoor fan is rotated. In the first mode, which creates an air flow that mixes warm and cold air,
A second mode in which the rotation of the indoor fan is stopped and the first heat transfer unit is dried by the radiant heat of the third heat transfer unit.
An air conditioner characterized by sequentially switching between a third mode in which a blower operation is performed and the second heat transfer unit is dried. The air conditioner according to claim 1 further includes a motion sensor for detecting a person existing in the room.
When a person is detected, the control unit switches between the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode in order, and when no person is detected, at least the first mode is not performed. An air conditioner featuring.

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