JP7259209B2 - air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is provided with a compressor, and when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is reduced, and the refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger and the outlet of the indoor unit. It relates to an air conditioner capable of adjusting the temperature of air blown out from.

Patent Literature 1 discloses an air conditioner provided with a multi-element infrared sensor that detects the amount of infrared radiation from the entire indoor floor. A control device for an air conditioner detects the temperature for each area set by dividing the floor surface of the room. The control device controls the wind direction of cool air or warm air blown out from the air outlet of the indoor unit so that the amount of infrared radiation reaches a set value in all areas.

Patent No. 4333702

In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, the user of the air conditioner operates a switch on the remote control to start control in order to control the wind direction. The temperature difference between the areas set by dividing the floor surface according to the user's will is eliminated. However, if the wind direction is controlled toward a specific area before the room temperature reaches the set temperature, the temperature control of the floor is given priority over the temperature control of the indoor space. As a result, temperature unevenness occurs in the indoor space, and establishment of a comfortable temperature environment in the entire space is hindered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can satisfactorily establish a comfortable temperature environment throughout a room.

One form of the present invention is equipped with a wind direction plate and a compressor, and when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is reduced, and the refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger. An air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of air blown out from an air outlet of an indoor unit by means of an air conditioner, wherein the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is not eliminated and the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature. When the temperature is within the range and a predetermined time has passed, the airflow is guided to a specific section selected based on the temperature difference between the temperature detected in each section divided and set. The present invention relates to an air conditioner provided with a control device that controls the wind deflector to establish an attitude.

2. Description of the Related Art In an air conditioner, the temperature of air blown out from an air outlet of an indoor unit during cooling operation or heating operation is adjusted according to the operation of the compressor. When the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced, the operation of the compressor is suppressed and the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is reduced. In this way, the temperature environment of the set temperature is established in the room. On the other hand, although the room temperature and the set temperature fall within the range of the predetermined temperature difference, the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is not resolved, and after a predetermined time has passed, the wind direction plate is establishes an attitude that directs the airflow toward a particular compartment selected based on the temperature difference between the detected temperature and the setpoint temperature. Airflow is thus directed to specific compartments that have a temperature difference with respect to the set temperature. Local temperature differences are preferentially resolved. By effectively removing the local temperature difference, the deviation between the room temperature and the set temperature is eliminated, and the temperature environment of the set temperature is well established indoors.

As described above, according to the disclosed air conditioner, local temperature differences can be removed, and a comfortable temperature environment can be established satisfactorily throughout the room.

1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of an indoor unit according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a control system of an air conditioner; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing divisions of a floor surface and a wall surface detected by an infrared sensor during cooling operation; 4 is a flowchart schematically showing processing operations of a control circuit; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing sections of a floor surface and a wall surface detected by an infrared sensor during heating operation;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioner FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of an air conditioner 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 11 has an indoor unit 12 and an outdoor unit 13 . The indoor unit 12 is installed, for example, in an indoor space inside 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 . Indoor heat exchanger 14 , compressor 15 , outdoor heat exchanger 16 , expansion valve 17 and four-way valve 18 form refrigeration circuit 19 .

The refrigerating circuit 19 has 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. The first circulation path 21 includes a refrigerant pipe that connects the first port 18a of the four-way valve 18 to the suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15, and a refrigerant pipe that connects the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18 to the discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15. and piping. The gas refrigerant is supplied to the suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15 from the first port 18a. Compressor 15 compresses the low-pressure gas refrigerant to a predetermined pressure. Gas refrigerant is supplied from the discharge pipe 15 b of the compressor 15 to the second port 18 b of the four-way valve 18 . The refrigerant pipe may be, for example, a copper pipe.

The refrigerating 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 second circulation path 22 incorporates the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 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 thermal energy between the passing refrigerant and the surrounding air. The second circulation path 22 may be made of, for example, a copper pipe.

A blower fan 23 is incorporated in the outdoor unit 13 . The blower fan 23 ventilates the outdoor heat exchanger 16 . The blower fan 23 generates an airflow according to rotation of an impeller, for example. Airflow passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 . The flow rate of airflow passing through is adjusted according to the rotation speed of the impeller.

A blower fan 24 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12 . The blower fan 24 ventilates the indoor heat exchanger 14 . The blower fan 24 generates airflow according to the rotation of the impeller. Indoor air is sucked into the indoor unit 12 by the action of the blower fan 24 . Indoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. Cold or warm airflow generated by heat exchange is blown out from the indoor unit 12 . The flow rate of airflow passing through is adjusted according to the rotation speed of the impeller.

When cooling operation is carried out in the refrigerating circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the third port 18c to each other, and connects the first port 18a and the fourth port 18d to each other. Therefore, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 from the discharge pipe 15 b of the compressor 15 . The refrigerant flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17 and the indoor heat exchanger 14 in order. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 radiates heat from the refrigerant to the outside air. 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. Cool air is blown into the indoor space by the operation of the blower fan 24 .

When the refrigeration circuit 19 performs heating operation, 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. A high-temperature, 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 order. In the indoor heat exchanger 14, heat is radiated from the refrigerant to the ambient air. Warm air is generated. The warm air is blown into the indoor space by the operation of the blower fan 24. - 特許庁The expansion valve 17 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to a low pressure. The depressurized refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air in the outdoor heat exchanger 16 . The refrigerant then returns to the compressor 15 .

(2) Configuration of Indoor Unit FIG. 2 schematically shows the appearance of the indoor unit 12 according to one embodiment. An outer panel 28b is arranged on the front surface of a main body (housing) 28a of the indoor unit 12 . A blowout port 29 is formed in the lower surface of the main body 28a. The air outlet 29 opens toward the interior of the room. The main body 28a is fixed to, for example, an indoor wall surface. Cold air or warm air is generated in 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 wind direction plates 31a and 31b are arranged at the outlet 29. As shown in FIG. The up-down wind direction plates 31a, 31b can rotate around rotation axes 32a, 32b parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body 28a, respectively. The vertical wind direction plates 31a and 31b open and close the outlet 29 according to the rotation. The direction of the airflow blown out from the outlet 29 can be changed according to the angles of the vertical wind direction plates 31a and 31b.

A plurality of left and right wind direction plates 33 arranged in the axial direction of the rotation axes 32a and 32b (in the longitudinal direction of the main body 28a) are arranged in the blowout port 29. As shown in FIG. Each of the left and right wind direction plates 33 can rotate about its axis so as to guide the airflow blown out from the outlet 29 left and right in a specific direction.

The air conditioner 11 includes an infrared sensor 34 that detects the indoor temperature distribution according to the radiant heat of objects. The infrared sensor 34 is arranged on the front lower side of the main body 28a. The infrared sensor 34 divides at least one of the floor surface and the wall surface into a plurality of sections for detection, and generates a temperature distribution signal specifying the temperature distribution. The infrared sensor 34 functions not only as a human sensor that detects the presence/absence of people indoors, but also as a temperature sensor that detects the temperature (radiant temperature) of the floor and wall surfaces.

As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner 11 includes a control circuit 35 incorporated in the indoor unit 12, for example. The control circuit 35 includes a drive source (motor) 36 for the four-way valve 18, a drive source (motor) 37 for the compressor 15, a drive source (motor) 38 for the expansion valve 17, a drive source (motor) 39 for the blower fan 23, A drive source (motor) 41 for the blower fan 24, a drive source (motor) 42 for the vertical wind direction plates 31a and 31b, and a drive source (motor) 43 for the left/right wind direction plates 33 are connected.

The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the four-way valve 18 when switching between cooling operation and heating operation. A control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 36 of the four-way valve 18 to control the four-way valve 18 . Based on the control signal, the four-way valve 18 has a posture during cooling operation in which the second port 18b is connected to the third port 18c and the first port 18a to the fourth port 18d. The valve body is driven by the posture during the heating operation in which the third port 18c is connected to the first port 18a.

A control circuit 35 controls the operation of the compressor 15 based on the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature. In controlling the compressor 15 , a control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 37 of the compressor 15 . Based on the control signal, the compressor 15 reduces the rotational speed of the motor 37 when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced. As a result, the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 decreases. The heat energy exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 14 is reduced. In this way, the temperature of the air blown out from the outlet 29 of the indoor unit 12 is adjusted. So-called inverter control is performed.

A control circuit 35 controls the operation of the expansion valve 17 according to the operation of the compressor 15 or the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 14 . When controlling the expansion valve 17 , a control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 38 of the expansion valve 17 . The expansion valve 17 is opened to a predetermined degree based on the control signal.

The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the blower fan 23 of the outdoor unit 13 according to the operations of the compressor 15 and the expansion valve 17 . A control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 39 of the blower fan 23 to control the blower fan 23 . The blower fan 23 adjusts the rotation speed of the impeller according to the amount of heat energy exchanged based on the control signal.

The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the blower fan 24 of the indoor unit 12 according to the designated air volume. A control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 41 of the blower fan 24 to control the blower fan 24 . The blower fan 24 drives the impeller at a rotational speed that establishes a specified air volume based on the control signal.

The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the up/down wind direction plates 31a and 31b according to the direction of the designated airflow. Control signals are supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motors 42 of the vertical wind direction plates 31a and 31b to control the vertical direction plates 31a and 31b. The vertical wind direction plates 31a and 31b establish postures for guiding the airflow in a specific vertical direction based on the control signal.

The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the left/right wind direction plate 33 according to the direction of the designated airflow. A control signal is supplied from the control circuit 35 to the motor 43 of the left/right air deflector 33 to control the left/right air deflector 33 . The left/right wind direction plate 33 establishes a posture that guides the airflow in a specific left/right direction based on the control signal.

A room temperature sensor 44 is connected to the control circuit 35 . A room temperature sensor 44 measures the room temperature. The room temperature sensor 44 generates and outputs a room temperature signal specifying the measured room temperature. The room temperature sensor 44 may be arranged, for example, in a remote control associated with the indoor unit 12 by radio waves.

An infrared sensor 34 is connected to the control circuit 35 . A temperature distribution signal is supplied from the infrared sensor 34 to the control circuit 35 . As shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit 35 divides, for example, the floor and wall surfaces of the room into a plurality of sections 45, and detects the temperature (radiation temperature) for each section 45 set by the division.

Next, operation of the air conditioner 11 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, when the cooling operation is performed, the room temperature signal from the room temperature sensor 44 is input to the control circuit 35 at predetermined intervals in step S1. The control circuit 35 controls the operation of the compressor 15 according to the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature in step S2. For example, if the temperature difference is 8 degrees or more, the control circuit 35 will operate the compressor 15 at 100% operating capacity. If the temperature difference is less than 5 degrees, the control circuit 35 will operate the compressor 15 at 60% of its operating capacity. If the temperature difference is less than 2 degrees, the control circuit 35 will operate the compressor 15 at 30% of its operating capacity. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is 2 degrees or less. If the temperature difference is 2 degrees or less (S3-Yes), the control circuit 35 starts timing. If the temperature difference is not 2 degrees or less (S3-No), the adjustment of the room temperature is continued.

In step S4, the control circuit 35 determines whether or not a predetermined time has passed. This time may be a length that allows the room temperature to reach the set temperature even if the operating capacity of the compressor is set at 30%. If the time has passed (S4-Yes), the process proceeds to step S7. In this case, it is considered that the room temperature is affected by some heat source. If the time has not elapsed (S4-No), the control circuit 35 determines in step S5 whether or not the room temperature has converged within ±0.5 degrees of the set temperature. If converged (S5-Yes), in step S6 the control circuit 35 determines the operating capability so as to maintain the room temperature at the set temperature. If not converged (S5-No), the process returns to step S3 to determine whether the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is 2 degrees or less.

In this way, the temperature of the air blown out from the outlet 29 of the indoor unit 12 is adjusted according to the operation of the compressor 15 . Therefore, when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced, the operation of the compressor 15 is suppressed and the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is reduced. At this time, the up/down airflow direction plates 31a and 31b and the left/right airflow direction plate 33 are adjusted based on the control signal supplied from the control circuit 35 so as to blow air from the air outlet 29 toward the entire room. A temperature environment of the set temperature is established in the room.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a high temperature is locally established on the floor surface due to direct sunlight coming through the window 46, the operation of the compressor 15 is controlled based on the room temperature of the entire room. However, the room temperature may not reach the set temperature within the predetermined time. The control circuit 35 detects that the deviation (0.5 degrees in this embodiment) from the set temperature is not eliminated and the room temperature and the set temperature fall within a predetermined temperature difference range (2 degrees in this embodiment). If a predetermined time has elapsed since , the temperature is analyzed for each section 45 based on the temperature distribution signal in step S7. Here, although the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is within 2 degrees, if the deviation between the room temperature and the set temperature does not converge to ±0.5 degrees and a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses, Control circuit 35 analyzes the temperature for each section 45 .

Control circuit 35 determines in step S8 whether a temperature difference greater than or equal to a predetermined value is observed in individual compartments 45 . This temperature difference may be any temperature difference that is considered to affect the room temperature due to the fact that the section with a large absolute value is the heat source. If no temperature difference is observed (S8-No), the process returns to S1 to continue the operation to bring the room temperature closer to the set temperature. When a temperature difference is observed (S8-Yes), the control circuit 35 takes the attitude of guiding the airflow toward a specific section 45a selected based on the magnitude of the absolute value among the sections having the temperature difference in step S9. It controls the up/down wind direction plates 31a and 31b and the left/right direction plate 33. In this way, when the room temperature and the set temperature remain within the range of the temperature difference determined in advance without eliminating the deviation from the set temperature and a predetermined time elapses, the up/down wind direction plates 31a and 31b and the left/right wind direction plates 33 are moved. , establishes a posture for guiding the airflow toward a specific section 45a selected based on the magnitude of the absolute value of the temperature difference between the temperature detected for each section 45 set by dividing the room and the set temperature. In establishing the postures of the vertical airflow direction plates 31a and 31b and the horizontal airflow direction plate 33, the rotational speeds of the compressor 15 and the blower fan 24 may be increased.

If the deviation between the room temperature and the set temperature is not resolved and the above-described predetermined time elapses, the wind direction plates 31a, 31b, and 33 detect the absolute value of the temperature difference between the temperature detected in each section 45 and the set temperature. A posture is established that directs the airflow toward a particular compartment 45a that is selected based on size. Airflow is thus directed to a specific section 45a having a temperature difference with respect to the set temperature. Local temperature differences are preferentially eliminated. By effectively removing the local temperature difference, the heat source that causes the deviation between the room temperature and the set temperature is eliminated, and the temperature environment of the set temperature is well established in the room.

In the air conditioner 11, the control circuit 35 adjusts the temperature of the air according to the operation of the compressor 15 during the heating operation as well as during the cooling operation. As described above, the temperature environment of the set temperature is established in the room according to the processing operations of steps S1 to S6. Therefore, when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced, the operation of the compressor 15 is suppressed and the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is reduced.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when a locally low temperature is established on the wall surface according to the heat radiation from the window 46, even if the operation of the compressor 15 is controlled based on the room temperature of the entire room, The room temperature may not reach the set temperature within the set time. If the room temperature and the set temperature are maintained within the range of the predetermined temperature difference without eliminating the deviation from the set temperature, the control circuit 35 controls each section 45 based on the temperature distribution signal in the same manner as described above. Analyze the temperature to When a temperature difference greater than or equal to a predetermined value is observed in each section 45, the control circuit 35 causes the vertical wind direction plate 31a, 31b and left/right wind direction plate 33 are controlled. In this way, when the room temperature and the set temperature remain within the range of the temperature difference determined in advance without eliminating the deviation from the set temperature and a predetermined time elapses, the up/down wind direction plates 31a and 31b and the left/right wind direction plates 33 are moved. , establishes a posture for guiding the airflow toward a specific section 45b selected based on the temperature difference between the temperature detected for each section 45 set by dividing the room and the set temperature.

When the deviation between the room temperature and the set temperature is not resolved and a predetermined time elapses, the wind direction plates 31a, 31b, and 33 are selected based on the temperature difference between the temperature detected for each section 45 and the set temperature. establishes a posture that guides the airflow toward the section 45b. Airflow is thus directed to a specific section 45b having a temperature difference with respect to the set temperature. Local temperature differences are preferentially resolved. By effectively removing the local temperature difference, the heat source that causes the deviation between the room temperature and the set temperature is eliminated, and the temperature environment of the set temperature is well established in the room.

11... Air conditioner, 12... Indoor unit, 14... Indoor heat exchanger, 15... Compressor, 16... Outdoor heat exchanger, 29... Air outlet, 31a... Wind direction plate (vertical wind direction plate), 31b... Wind direction plate ( vertical wind direction plate), 33... wind direction plate (left/right direction plate), 45... section, 45a... specific section.

Claims (1)

Equipped with wind deflector and compressor,
When the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature decreases, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is reduced, and the temperature of the air that passes through the indoor heat exchanger and is blown out from the outlet of the indoor unit is adjusted. In an air conditioner that
If the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is not resolved and the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature falls within a predetermined temperature range and a predetermined time elapses, at least one of the floor surface and the wall surface will be removed from the floor . An attitude is established that locally guides an airflow toward a specific section that is divided into a plurality of sections set for each surface and wall surface and that has a temperature difference greater than or equal to a predetermined value with respect to the set temperature. An air conditioner, comprising: a control device for controlling the wind direction plate so as to

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