JP7777772B2 - air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

As described in Patent Document 1, air conditioners have been known that are composed of an indoor unit placed inside the room to be air-conditioned and an outdoor unit placed outside the room. This air conditioner is configured so that humidified outdoor air can be supplied from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-91000

However, there is a need to improve the dehumidification efficiency of air conditioners.

Therefore, the objective of this disclosure is to provide an air conditioner that can improve dehumidification efficiency.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of the present invention,
An air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit,
an absorbent material provided in the outdoor unit that absorbs moisture in the outdoor air;
a flow path through which outdoor air flows, the flow path passing through the absorbent material;
a fan for sending outdoor air to the flow path;
a damper device that distributes the outdoor air flowing through the flow path between the outdoor area and the indoor unit;
a heater that heats outdoor air upstream of the absorbent material in the flow path;
a control unit that controls the fan, the damper device, and the heater;
Equipped with
The control unit
an adsorption operation in which the damper device is controlled to distribute outdoor air to the indoor unit, the fan is driven to rotate, and the outdoor air that has been dried by capturing moisture in the absorbent material is sent to the indoor unit;
a regeneration operation in which the damper device is controlled to distribute outdoor air to the outside of the room, the fan is driven to rotate, and the heater is operated to dry the absorbent material with heated outdoor air;
Run
The air conditioner is provided such that the operation time of the adsorption operation is longer than the operation time of the regeneration operation.

This disclosure makes it possible to provide an air conditioner that can improve dehumidification efficiency.

1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Schematic diagram of ventilation system Schematic diagram of the ventilation system during ventilation operation Schematic diagram of ventilation system during humidification operation Schematic diagram of ventilation system during dehumidification operation Block diagram showing a configuration for controlling an air conditioner FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a portion of a first flow path P1 of a ventilation device; Flowchart showing the entire operation from dehumidification operation ON to OFF Flowchart showing the regeneration operation Flowchart showing the adsorption operation Timing chart for dehumidification operation control A block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to a modified example. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of a first flow path P1 of a ventilation device according to a modified example. Flowchart showing the operation of a modified regeneration operation Flowchart showing the operation of the adsorption operation according to a modified example Timing chart of dehumidification operation control according to a modified example

An air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and is provided with an absorbent material in the outdoor unit that absorbs moisture from outdoor air; a flow path through which outdoor air flows, passing through the absorbent material; a fan that sends outdoor air through the flow path; a damper device that distributes the outdoor air flowing through the flow path between the outdoors and the indoor unit; a heater that heats the outdoor air upstream of the absorbent material in the flow path; and a control unit that controls the fan, damper device, and heater. The control unit performs an adsorption operation in which the damper device controls the distribution of outdoor air to the indoor unit and drives the fan to rotate, thereby capturing moisture in the absorbent material and sending the dried outdoor air to the indoor unit; and a regeneration operation in which the damper device controls the distribution of outdoor air to the outdoors, drives the fan to rotate, and operates the heater to dry the absorbent material with the heated outdoor air. The operating time of the adsorption operation is longer than the operating time of the regeneration operation.

This aspect can improve dehumidification efficiency.

For example, the operating time of the adsorption operation may be between two and six times the operating time of the regeneration operation.

For example, the control unit may switch to the regeneration operation when the operation time of the adsorption operation has elapsed for a predetermined period of time.

For example, the control unit may switch to the adsorption operation when the operating time of the regeneration operation has elapsed for a predetermined period of time.

For example, the device may further include a motor that rotates the absorbent material, and the control unit may drive the motor to rotate the absorbent material.

For example, the absorbent material may be a polymeric sorbent material.

One embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment has an indoor unit 20 arranged in the room Rin to be air-conditioned, and an outdoor unit 30 arranged in the outdoor Rout.

The indoor unit 20 is equipped with an indoor heat exchanger 22 that exchanges heat with the indoor air A1, and a fan 24 that draws the indoor air A1 into the indoor unit 20 and blows the indoor air A1 into the room Rin after heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 22.

The outdoor unit 30 is equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger 32 that exchanges heat with outdoor air A2, and a fan 34 that draws the outdoor air A2 into the outdoor unit 30 and blows the outdoor air A2 out to the outdoor Rout after heat exchange with the outdoor heat exchanger 32. The outdoor unit 30 also is equipped with a compressor 36, expansion valve 38, and four-way valve 40 that operate a refrigeration cycle with the indoor heat exchanger 22 and the outdoor heat exchanger 32.

The indoor heat exchanger 22, outdoor heat exchanger 32, compressor 36, expansion valve 38, and four-way valve 40 are each connected by refrigerant piping through which refrigerant flows. During cooling operation and dehumidification operation (weak cooling operation), the air conditioner 10 executes a refrigeration cycle in which refrigerant flows from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, outdoor heat exchanger 32, expansion valve 38, and indoor heat exchanger 22 in that order, before returning to the compressor 36. During heating operation, the air conditioner 10 executes a refrigeration cycle in which refrigerant flows from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, indoor heat exchanger 22, expansion valve 38, and outdoor heat exchanger 32 in that order, before returning to the compressor 36.

In addition to air conditioning operation using a refrigeration cycle, the air conditioner 10 also performs air conditioning operation that introduces outdoor air A3 into the room Rin. To achieve this, the air conditioner 10 has a ventilation device 50. The ventilation device 50 is provided in the outdoor unit 30.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system.

As shown in Figure 2, the ventilation device 50 has an absorbent material 52 inside through which outdoor air A3 and A4 pass.

The absorbent material 52 is a member through which air can pass and which collects moisture from the air passing through it or adds moisture to the air passing through it. In this embodiment, the absorbent material 52 is disk-shaped and rotates around a rotation center line C1 that passes through its center. The absorbent material 52 is rotationally driven by a motor 54.

The absorbent material 52 is preferably a polymeric adsorbent material that adsorbs moisture from the air. Polymeric adsorbents are composed, for example, of cross-linked sodium polyacrylate. Compared to adsorbents such as silica gel and zeolite, polymeric adsorbents absorb a greater amount of moisture per volume, can desorb moisture at low heating temperatures, and can retain moisture for long periods of time.

The ventilation device 50 includes a first flow path P1 and a second flow path P2 through which outdoor air A3 and A4 flow, respectively, passing through the absorbent material 52. The first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2 pass through the absorbent material 52 at different positions. The first flow path P1 corresponds to the "flow path" in this disclosure.

The first flow path P1 is a flow path through which outdoor air A3 flows toward the indoor unit 20. The outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 is supplied to the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56.

In this embodiment, the first flow path P1 includes multiple tributary flow paths P1a and P1b upstream of the absorbent material 52. Note that in this specification, "upstream" and "downstream" are used with respect to the air flow.

The multiple tributary channels P1a and P2a converge upstream of the absorbent material 52. Each of the multiple tributary channels P1a and P1b is provided with a first and second heater 58 and 60 that heats the outdoor air A3.

The first and second heaters 58, 60 may have the same heating capacity, or may have different heating capacities. Furthermore, the first and second heaters 58, 60 are preferably PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heaters, which increase electrical resistance as current flows and the temperature rises, thereby preventing excessive increases in heating temperature. With heaters that use nichrome wire or carbon fiber, the heating temperature (surface temperature) continues to rise as current continues to flow, making it necessary to monitor that temperature. With PTC heaters, the heater itself regulates the heating temperature within a certain temperature range, eliminating the need to monitor the heating temperature.

A first fan 62 is provided in the first flow path P1 to generate a flow of outdoor air A3 toward the indoor unit 20. In this embodiment, the first fan 62 is located downstream of the absorbent material 52. When the first fan 62 is activated, outdoor air A3 flows from the outdoor air Rout into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent material 52. The first fan 62 corresponds to the "fan" in this disclosure.

Furthermore, the first flow path P1 is provided with a damper device 64 that distributes the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 to the room Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20) or the outdoor Rout. In this embodiment, the damper device 64 is located downstream of the first fan 62. The outdoor air A3 distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64 enters the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 and is blown out into the room Rin by the fan 24.

The second flow path P2 is a flow path through which outdoor air A4 flows. Unlike the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1, the outdoor air A4 flowing through the second flow path P2 does not head toward the indoor unit 20. After passing through the absorbent material 52, the outdoor air A4 flowing through the second flow path P2 flows out to the outdoor area Rout.

A second fan 66 is provided in the first flow path P1 to generate a flow of outdoor air A4. In this embodiment, the second fan 66 is located downstream of the absorbent material 52. When the second fan 66 is activated, outdoor air A4 flows from the outdoor Rout into the second flow path P2, passes through the absorbent material 52, and then flows out to the outdoor Rout.

The ventilation device 50 selectively performs ventilation operation, humidification operation, and dehumidification operation by selectively using the absorbent material 52, motor 54, first heater 58, second heater 60, first fan 62, damper device 64, and second fan 66.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation device during ventilation operation.

Ventilation operation is an air conditioning operation in which outdoor air A3 is supplied directly to the room Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20) via the ventilation duct 56. As shown in FIG. 3, during ventilation operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are OFF and do not heat the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is ON, causing outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The second fan 66 is OFF, causing no flow of outdoor air A4 to occur through the second flow path P2.

During this ventilation operation, outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent material 52 without being heated by the first and second heaters 58, 60. After passing through the absorbent material 52, the outdoor air A3 is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64. After passing through the damper device 64 and reaching the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56, the outdoor air A3 is blown into the room Rin by the fan 24. Through this ventilation operation, the outdoor air A3 is supplied directly to the room Rin, ventilating the room Rin.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system during humidification operation.

Humidification operation is an air conditioning operation that humidifies outdoor air A3 and supplies the humidified outdoor air A3 to the room Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). As shown in FIG. 4, during humidification operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are ON and heat the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is ON, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The second fan 66 is ON, causing the outdoor air A4 to flow through the second flow path P2.

During this humidification operation, outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the first and second heaters 58, 60, and passes through the absorbent material 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A3 is able to remove a greater amount of moisture from the absorbent material 52 than when the outdoor air A3 is not heated. As a result, the outdoor air A3 carries a greater amount of moisture. The outdoor air A3, which has passed through the absorbent material 52 and carried a greater amount of moisture, is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64. The outdoor air A3, which has passed through the damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56, is blown into the room Rin by the fan 24. During this humidification operation, outdoor air A3 carrying a greater amount of moisture is supplied to the room Rin, humidifying the room Rin.

In addition, by turning off either the first heater 58 or the second heater 60, the amount of moisture that the outdoor air A3 removes from the absorbent material 52 can be reduced, i.e., weak humidification operation can be performed with a low amount of humidification of the indoor air Rin.

As the heated outdoor air A3 removes moisture, the absorbent 52's water retention capacity decreases, i.e., the absorbent 52 dries out. When the absorbent 52 dries out, the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 cannot remove moisture from the absorbent 52. To address this, the absorbent 52 removes moisture from the outdoor air A4 flowing through the second flow path P2. This keeps the absorbent 52's water retention capacity approximately constant, allowing humidification operation to continue.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system during dehumidification operation.

Dehumidification operation is an air conditioning operation that dehumidifies outdoor air A3 and supplies the dehumidified outdoor air A3 to the room Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). As shown in Figure 5, during dehumidification operation, adsorption operation and regeneration operation are performed alternately.

Adsorption operation is an operation in which moisture contained in the outdoor air A3 is adsorbed onto the absorbent material 52, thereby dehumidifying the outdoor air A3. As shown in Figure 5, during adsorption operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are OFF and do not heat the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is ON, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The second fan 66 is OFF, causing no flow of outdoor air A4 to occur through the second flow path P2.

During this adsorption operation, outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent material 52 without being heated by the first and second heaters 58, 60. At this time, the moisture carried in the outdoor air A3 is adsorbed by the absorbent material 52. This reduces the amount of moisture carried by the outdoor air A3, i.e., the outdoor air A3 is dried. After passing through the absorbent material 52, the outdoor air A3 is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64. After passing through the damper device 64 and reaching the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56, the outdoor air A3 is blown into the room Rin by the fan 24. Through this adsorption operation, the dried outdoor air A3 is supplied to the room Rin, dehumidifying the room Rin.

As the adsorption operation continues, the amount of water retained by the absorbent material 52 continues to increase, resulting in a decrease in the absorbent material's 52 adsorption capacity for the moisture contained in the outdoor air A3. A regeneration operation is performed to regenerate the absorbent material 52 in order to restore its adsorption capacity.

During regeneration operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and second heater 60 are ON and heat the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is ON, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the outdoor Rout rather than to the indoor unit 20. The second fan 66 is OFF, causing no flow of outdoor air A4 to occur in the second flow path P2.

During this regeneration operation, outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the first and second heaters 58, 60, and passes through the absorbent 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A3 removes a large amount of moisture from the absorbent 52. As a result, the outdoor air A3 carries a large amount of moisture. At the same time, the moisture retention capacity of the absorbent 52 decreases, i.e., the absorbent 52 dries and its adsorption capacity is regenerated. The outdoor air A3 that passes through the absorbent 52 and carries a large amount of moisture is diverted by the damper device 64 to the outdoor Rout and discharged to the outdoor Rout. As a result, during regeneration in dehumidification operation, outdoor air A3 carrying a large amount of moisture due to the regeneration of the absorbent 52 is not supplied to the room Rin.

By alternating between adsorption and regeneration operations in this manner, the adsorption capacity of the absorbent material 52 is maintained, allowing dehumidification operation to be carried out continuously.

The air conditioning operations using the refrigeration cycle (cooling operation, dehumidifying operation (weak cooling operation), heating operation) and the air conditioning operations using the ventilation device 50 (ventilation operation, humidifying operation, dehumidifying operation) described above can be performed separately or simultaneously. For example, by simultaneously performing dehumidifying operation using the refrigeration cycle and dehumidifying operation using the ventilation device 50, it is possible to dehumidify the room Rin while maintaining a constant room temperature.

The air conditioning operation to be performed by the air conditioner 10 is selected by the user. For example, when the user performs a selection operation on the remote controller 70 shown in Figure 1, the air conditioner 10 performs the air conditioning operation corresponding to that operation.

Up to this point, we have provided an overview of the configuration and operation of the air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment. From here, we will explain further features of the air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration for controlling the air conditioner. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a portion of the first flow path P1 of the ventilation device.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in this embodiment, the air conditioner 10 is equipped with a first temperature sensor 82 that is positioned downstream of the absorbent material 52 and detects the temperature of the outdoor air A3. The downstream side of the absorbent material 52 refers to the area between the absorbent material 52 and the first fan 62 in the first flow path P1 (see Figure 5).

As shown in FIG. 6, the components of the air conditioner 10 are controlled by a control unit 90. The control unit 90 includes, for example, a memory that stores programs and a processing circuit corresponding to a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The functions of the control unit 90 may be implemented by hardware alone, or by a combination of hardware and software. The control unit 90 implements predetermined functions by reading data and programs stored in memory and performing various arithmetic operations. In this embodiment, the control unit 90 controls the motor 54, first heater 58, second heater 60, first fan 62, damper device 64, second fan 66, and first temperature sensor 82.

<Dehumidification operation flow>
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the overall operation from dehumidification operation ON to OFF. The process shown in Fig. 8 is performed by the control unit 90 controlling the components of the air conditioner 10. The process shown in Fig. 8 is an example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the process shown in Fig. 8. For example, the processes for dehumidification start control and heater residual heat removal control shown in Fig. 8 may be omitted.

The process shown in Figure 8 begins when dehumidification operation is turned on, for example, by a user selecting an option on the remote controller 70 shown in Figure 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, in step S10, the control unit 90 determines whether the start condition is met. If the control unit 90 determines that the start condition is met, the process proceeds to step S20. If the control unit 90 determines that the start condition is not met, the process repeats step S10.

The start conditions are conditions for starting dehumidification operation, and may include, for example, at least one of the following: operation mode, operation frequency, indoor humidity, outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, or the presence or absence of an abnormality.

In step S20, the control unit 90 performs dehumidification start-up control. The dehumidification start-up control includes cleaning control to remove foreign matter from the air conditioner 10 and heater cooling control.

In dehumidification start control, in step S21, the control unit 90 performs clean control. Clean control is control to remove foreign matter from within the air conditioner 10. For example, if the ventilation device 50 is placed outdoors, foreign matter may accumulate within the ventilation device 50. By performing clean control, foreign matter from within the ventilation device 50 can be removed and prevented from entering the room. Examples of foreign matter include dust, pollen, allergens, mold, bacteria, viruses, PM2.5, NOx, SOx, harmful substances, and pests.

During clean control, the control unit 90 closes the damper device 64, distributes the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 to the outdoor Rout, and rotates the first fan 62. In this way, the outdoor air A3 is discharged from the first flow path P1 to the outdoor Rout. As a result, foreign matter such as dust and insects adhering to the first flow path P1 and the absorbent material 52 is discharged to the outdoor Rout by the outdoor air A3 blown from the first fan 62.

Next, in step S22, the control unit 90 performs heater cooling control. Heater cooling control is control to turn off the heaters 58 and 60 and cool the heaters.

In heater cooling control, the control unit 90 turns off the heaters 58, 60, stopping heating by the heaters 58, 60, while the damper device 64 is closed and the first fan 62 is rotating. The heaters 58, 60 are cooled by the outside air A3 blown from the first fan 62.

Once dehumidification start-up control is complete, in step S30, the control unit 90 performs dehumidification operation control. In this embodiment, dehumidification operation control alternates between regeneration operation and adsorption operation.

Dehumidification operation control will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of regeneration operation. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of adsorption operation. Figure 11 is a timing chart of dehumidification operation control. Figure 11(a) shows temperature information for outdoor air downstream of the absorbent material. Figure 11(b) shows control of the rotation speed of the first fan. Figure 11(c) shows control of opening and closing of the damper device. Figure 11(d) shows ON/OFF control of the motor that rotates and drives the absorbent material. Figure 11(e) shows ON/OFF control of the heater.

In step S31 of FIG. 8, the control unit 90 first performs regeneration operation. During regeneration operation, the damper device 64 is controlled to distribute outdoor air A3 to the outdoor area Rout, the first fan 62 is driven to rotate, and the heaters 58 and 60 are operated to dry the absorbent material 52 with the heated outdoor air A3. By performing regeneration operation at the beginning of dehumidification operation control, the absorbent material 52 can be dried.

Referring to Figure 9, the regeneration operation will be described. When the regeneration operation is started, in step S311, the control unit 90 performs damper "close" control. The control unit 90 closes the damper device 64 and distributes the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 to the outdoor air Rout.

In step S312, the control unit 90 turns on the heaters 58 and 60. The control unit 90 turns on the first heater 58 and the second heater 60, which heat the outdoor air A3 upstream of the absorbent material 52 in the first flow path P1, to heat the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1.

In step S313, the control unit 90 rotates the first fan 62. For example, if the heaters 58, 60 are PTC heaters, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 90 may control the rotation speed of the first fan 62 so that the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced at the start of regeneration operation and then reaches a predetermined rotation speed. By reducing the rotation speed of the first fan at the start of regeneration operation, it is possible to prevent the reduction in the rotation speed from affecting the control of the opening and closing of the damper.

Furthermore, in step S314, the control unit 90 turns on the motor 54 to rotate the absorbent material 52.

In step S315, the control unit 90 acquires temperature information of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52, detected by the first temperature sensor 82. Note that the control unit 90 continues to acquire temperature information until the regeneration operation is completed.

In step S316, the control unit 90 determines whether or not to terminate the regeneration operation. If the control unit 90 determines to terminate the regeneration operation, the process proceeds to step S32 in FIG. 8. That is, if the control unit 90 determines to terminate the regeneration operation, it switches from the regeneration operation to the adsorption operation. If the control unit 90 determines not to terminate the regeneration operation, the process repeats step S316.

For example, the control unit 90 determines whether to terminate the regeneration operation based on the temperature information of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52 acquired in step S315. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, if the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52 exceeds a predetermined threshold value (first threshold value) L1, the control unit 90 determines to terminate the regeneration operation and switch to adsorption operation.

As the outdoor air A3 heated by the heaters 58 and 60 passes through the absorbent material 52, the moisture contained in the absorbent material 52 is absorbed by the outdoor air A3. At this time, the temperature of the outdoor air A3 heated by the heaters 58 and 60 drops due to the heat of vaporization generated when the air passes through the absorbent material 52 and absorbs moisture. As the absorbent material 52 becomes drier through continued regeneration operation, the amount of moisture absorbed by the outdoor air A3 from the absorbent material 52 decreases, and the temperature of the outdoor air A3 heated by the heaters 58 and 60 passes through the absorbent material 52 without decreasing significantly. Therefore, as the absorbent material 52 becomes drier, the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52 gradually rises. When the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52 exceeds a predetermined first threshold L1, the absorbent material 52 becomes too dry to absorb any more moisture from the outdoor air A3. Therefore, the control unit 90 terminates the regeneration operation and switches to adsorption operation.

In this way, by switching from regeneration operation to adsorption operation based on temperature information about the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52, it is possible to prevent the absorbent material 52 from becoming over-dried and reduce unnecessary power consumption.

Alternatively, the control unit 90 may determine to terminate the regeneration operation and switch to adsorption operation when a predetermined operating time has elapsed.

Returning to Figure 8, once the regeneration operation is complete, in step S32, the control unit 90 performs adsorption operation.

The adsorption operation will be described with reference to Figure 10. During adsorption operation, the damper device 64 is controlled to distribute outdoor air A3 to the indoor air Rin, the first fan 62 is driven to rotate, and the outdoor air A3, which has had moisture captured by the absorbent material 52 and is now dried, is sent to the indoor unit 20. When adsorption operation begins, in step S321, the control unit 90 turns off the heaters 58 and 60.

Next, in step S322, the control unit 90 performs damper "open" control. The control unit 90 opens the damper device 64 and distributes the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 to the ventilation duct 56. The ventilation duct 56 connects the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20 via the damper device 64. Therefore, the control unit 90 can control the damper device 64 to distribute the outdoor air A3 to the ventilation duct 56.

In step S323, the control unit 90 rotates the first fan 62. For example, if the heaters 58 and 60 are PTC heaters, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 90 may control the rotation speed of the first fan 62 so that the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced at the start of the adsorption operation and then reaches a predetermined rotation speed.

Furthermore, in step S324, the control unit 90 turns on the motor 54 to rotate the absorbent material 52.

In step S325, the control unit 90 acquires temperature information of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52, detected by the first temperature sensor 82. Note that the control unit 90 continues to acquire temperature information until the adsorption operation is completed.

In step S326, the control unit 90 determines whether or not to terminate the adsorption operation. If the control unit 90 determines to terminate the adsorption operation, the control unit 90 terminates the adsorption operation and performs the regeneration operation of step S31 in FIG. 8 again. In other words, if the control unit 90 determines to terminate the adsorption operation, it switches from the adsorption operation to the regeneration operation. If the control unit 90 determines not to terminate the adsorption operation, the process repeats step S326.

For example, the control unit 90 determines whether to terminate the adsorption operation based on the temperature information of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52 acquired in step S325. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, if the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52 falls below a predetermined threshold (second threshold) L2, the control unit 90 determines to terminate the adsorption operation and switch to the regeneration operation.

Alternatively, the control unit 90 may determine to terminate the adsorption operation and switch to regeneration operation when a predetermined operating time has elapsed.

When the outdoor air A3 passes through the absorbent material 52, the moisture contained in the outdoor air A3 is removed by the absorbent material 52. At this time, the heat of adsorption increases the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52. When the moisture retention capacity of the absorbent material 52 increases by removing moisture from the outdoor air A3, the adsorption capacity of the absorbent material 52 decreases, making it less likely that the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material will increase due to the heat of adsorption. Therefore, when the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52 falls below the second threshold value L2, the moisture retention capacity of the absorbent material 52 has saturated and the adsorption capacity of the absorbent material 52 has decreased, so the control unit 90 switches from adsorption operation to regeneration operation.

In this way, by switching from adsorption operation to regeneration operation based on temperature information about the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52, it is possible to suppress humidity returning to the room Rin.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 90 alternately performs regeneration operation and adsorption operation while performing dehumidification operation control. At this time, the operation times t21 and t22 of the adsorption operation are shorter than the operation times t11, t12, and t13 of the regeneration operation.

This is because the time it takes for the water retention capacity of the absorbent 52 to reach saturation during adsorption operation is longer than the time it takes for the absorbent 52 to dry during regeneration operation. During regeneration operation, the heaters 58 and 60 are used to dry the absorbent 52, so the absorbent 52 can be dried in a shorter time than during adsorption operation. Therefore, by making the operating time t21-t22 of the adsorption operation longer than the operating time t11-t13 of the regeneration operation, the dehumidification efficiency of the indoor Rin can be improved. For example, the operating time t21-t22 of the adsorption operation should be between two and six times the operating time t11-t13 of the regeneration operation. More preferably, the operating time t21-t22 of the adsorption operation should be approximately three times the operating time t11-t13 of the regeneration operation.

By switching between regeneration operation and adsorption operation when the respective operating times have elapsed a predetermined time, the operating time of adsorption operation t21-t22 can be controlled to be longer than the operating time of regeneration operation t11-t13.

In step S40, the control unit 90 determines whether to terminate dehumidification operation control. If the control unit 90 determines to terminate dehumidification operation control, the process proceeds to step S50. If the control unit 90 determines not to terminate dehumidification operation control, the process repeats step S30.

For example, dehumidification operation control ends when the dehumidification operation is turned off by a user's selection operation on the remote controller 70 shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the end of dehumidification operation control may be determined based on conditions similar to the start conditions.

In step S50, the control unit 90 performs heater residual heat removal control. Heater residual heat removal control is control to remove residual heat from the heaters 58, 60. The control unit 90 closes the damper device 64, distributes the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 to the outdoor air Rout, and rotates the first fan 62. The control unit 90 then turns off the heaters 58, 60, stopping heating by the heaters 58, 60. The heaters 58, 60 are cooled by the outdoor air A3 blown from the first fan 62.

As described above, the control unit 90 performs steps S10 to S50 from the time the dehumidification operation is turned on until it is turned off.

Note that the process shown in Figure 8 is an example, and the overall operation from dehumidification operation ON to OFF is not limited to this. For example, the process shown in Figure 8 may further include additional steps, or steps may be deleted, combined, and/or divided.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which switching between regeneration operation and adsorption operation is performed based on temperature information about the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52, but this is not limiting. The control unit 90 may also control the heaters 58, 60 to stop based on temperature information about the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52. For example, the control unit 90 may turn off the heaters 58, 60 when the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent material 52 exceeds the first threshold value L1. In this way, it is possible to prevent the absorbent material 52 from becoming over-dried.

Alternatively, the control unit 90 may control the torque of the motor 54 when the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent 52 exceeds the first threshold L1. For example, if the rotation of the absorbent 52 stops unexpectedly, the absorbent 52 may become partially over-dried. At this time, the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent 52 continues to rise. If the rotation of the absorbent 52 stops for some reason, the torque of the motor 54 can be increased to forcibly rotate the absorbent 52 and prevent over-drying. For example, if the motor 54 is a stepping motor, the torque can be increased by decreasing the pulse rate (PPS).

In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the first fan 62 is controlled to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed during adsorption operation, but this is not limiting. For example, the rotation speed of the first fan 62 may be controlled based on the temperature of the room Rin. The temperature of the outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent material 52 increases due to the heat of adsorption. Therefore, if the temperature of the room Rin has dropped too much due to dehumidification operation, the rotation speed of the first fan 62 can be increased to send more outdoor air A3 to the room Rin, thereby adjusting the sensible heat load of the room Rin and maintaining an appropriate room temperature.

Furthermore, by turning on the heaters 58 and 60 during adsorption operation, the temperature of the outdoor air A3 can be raised, and outdoor air A3 with a higher sensible heat load can be sent to the room Rin. In this way, the sensible heat load of the room Rin can be adjusted by combining the first fan 62 and the heaters 58 and 60.

Next, we will explain the dehumidification operation control of a modified example. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner of the modified example. Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a portion of the first flow path P1 of the ventilation device of the modified example.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, in this modified example, the air conditioner 10 further includes a second temperature sensor 84 positioned upstream of the absorbent material 52. The upstream side of the absorbent material 52 refers to the upstream side of the heaters 58, 60 in the first flow path P1. In other words, the second temperature sensor 84 acquires temperature information about the outdoor air A3 before it is heated by the heaters 58, 60.

The control unit 90 switches between adsorption operation and regeneration operation based on temperature information on the downstream side of the absorbent 52 acquired by the first temperature sensor 82 and temperature information on the upstream side of the absorbent 52 acquired by the second temperature sensor 84. The second temperature sensor 84 detects the temperature of the outdoor air A3 before it passes through the absorbent 52. In other words, the second temperature sensor 84 can detect the air temperature of the outdoor air Rout.

Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the regeneration operation of a modified example. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the adsorption operation of a modified example. Figure 16 is a timing chart showing the dehumidification operation control of a modified example. Figure 16(a) shows the temperature difference between the outdoor air downstream of the absorbent and the outdoor air upstream of the absorbent. Figure 16(b) shows the control of the rotation speed of the first fan. Figure 16(c) shows the opening and closing control of the damper device. Figure 16(d) shows the ON/OFF control of the motor that rotates the absorbent. Figure 16(e) shows the ON/OFF control of the heater.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the regeneration operation of this modified example differs from the above-described embodiment in that it includes step S315A, in which the control unit 90 acquires temperature information upstream of the absorbent 52. In this case, the determination of whether to terminate the regeneration operation in step S316 is made based on temperature information upstream and downstream of the absorbent 52. Specifically, the control unit 90 calculates a temperature difference between the temperature of the outdoor air A3 upstream of the absorbent 52 acquired by the second temperature sensor 84 and the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent 52 acquired by the first temperature sensor 82. Based on the calculated temperature difference, the control unit 90 determines whether to terminate the regeneration operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 16 , when the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined threshold (third threshold) L3, the control unit 90 determines to terminate the regeneration operation and switch to adsorption operation.

As the absorbent 52 dries during regeneration operation, the temperature of the outdoor air A3 is less likely to decrease due to the heat of vaporization as it passes through the absorbent 52. As regeneration operation continues, the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent 52 gradually rises. Meanwhile, the temperature of the outdoor air A3 upstream of the absorbent 52 is approximately equal to the air temperature of the outdoor area Rout and is unlikely to change significantly. Therefore, the temperature of the outdoor air A3 after being heated by the heaters 58 and 60 and passing through the absorbent 52 (the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream) is higher than the temperature of the outdoor air A3 upstream. Therefore, as the absorbent 52 dries, the temperature difference between the temperature of the outdoor air A3 upstream of the absorbent 52 and the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent 52 increases. Therefore, when the temperature difference exceeds the third threshold, the control unit 90 determines to terminate the regeneration operation.

By switching from regeneration operation to moisture absorption operation based on the temperature difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the absorbent material 52, it is possible to prevent the absorbent material 52 from becoming over-dried and to prevent unnecessary power consumption.

15, the adsorption operation of this modified example differs from the above-described embodiment in that it includes step S325A in which the control unit 90 acquires temperature information on the upstream side of the absorbent 52. In this case, the determination of whether to terminate the adsorption operation in step S326 is made based on temperature information on the upstream side and temperature information on the downstream side of the absorbent 52. Specifically, the control unit 90 calculates a temperature difference between the temperature of the outdoor air A3 on the upstream side of the absorbent 52 acquired by the second temperature sensor 84 and the temperature of the outdoor air A3 on the downstream side of the absorbent 52 acquired by the first temperature sensor 82. Based on the calculated temperature difference, the control unit 90 determines whether to terminate the adsorption operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, when the temperature difference falls below a predetermined threshold (fourth threshold) L4, the control unit 90 determines to terminate the adsorption operation and switch to regeneration operation.

As the water retention capacity of the absorbent 52 increases due to adsorption operation, the temperature of the outdoor air A3 is less likely to rise due to the heat of adsorption when passing through the absorbent 52. As adsorption operation continues, the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent 52 gradually decreases. Meanwhile, the temperature of the outdoor air A3 upstream of the absorbent 52 is approximately equal to the air temperature of the outdoor area Rout, and is unlikely to change significantly. Therefore, as the water retention capacity of the absorbent 52 increases, the temperature difference between the temperature of the outdoor air A3 upstream of the absorbent 52 and the temperature of the outdoor air A3 downstream of the absorbent 52 decreases. For this reason, when the temperature difference exceeds the fourth threshold value L4, the control unit 90 determines to terminate adsorption operation.

By switching from adsorption operation to regeneration operation based on the temperature difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the absorbent material 52, adsorption operation can be terminated before the absorbent material 52 reaches saturation in terms of water retention, preventing humidity from returning to the room Rin.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the temperature information of the outdoor air A3 upstream of the absorbent material 52 is obtained by the second temperature sensor, but this is not limiting. The temperature information of the outdoor air A3 upstream of the absorbent material 52 may be obtained from information outside the air conditioner 10, such as air temperature information at the outdoor Rout.

Note that, in this specification, terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as expressing or implying the relative importance or ranking of technical features. Features qualified as "first" and "second" expressly or imply the inclusion of one or more of such features.

This disclosure is applicable to any air conditioner equipped with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit.

10 Air conditioner 20 Indoor unit 30 Outdoor unit 40 Four-way valve 50 Ventilation device 52 Absorbing material 54 Motor 56 Ventilation duct 58 First heater 60 Second heater 62 Fan (first fan)
64 Damper device 66 Second fan 70 Remote controller 82 First temperature sensor 84 Second temperature sensor 90 Control unit P1 Flow path (first flow path)
P2 Second flow path

Claims (6)

An air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit,
an absorbent material provided in the outdoor unit that absorbs moisture in the outdoor air;
a flow path through which outdoor air flows, the flow path passing through the absorbent material;
a fan for sending outdoor air to the flow path;
a damper device that distributes the outdoor air flowing through the flow path between the outdoor area and the indoor unit;
a heater that heats outdoor air upstream of the absorbent material in the flow path;
a control unit that controls the fan, the damper device, and the heater;
Equipped with
The control unit
an adsorption operation in which the damper device is controlled to distribute outdoor air to the indoor unit, the fan is driven to rotate, and the outdoor air that has been dried by capturing moisture in the absorbent material is sent to the indoor unit;
a regeneration operation in which the damper device is controlled to distribute outdoor air to the outside of the room, the fan is driven to rotate, and the heater is operated to dry the absorbent material with heated outdoor air;
Run
The operation time of the adsorption operation is longer than the operation time of the regeneration operation.
Air conditioner. The operation time of the adsorption operation is from 2 to 6 times the operation time of the regeneration operation.
The air conditioner according to claim 1. the control unit switches to the regeneration operation when the operation time of the adsorption operation has elapsed a predetermined time.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2. the control unit switches to the adsorption operation when the operation time of the regeneration operation has elapsed a predetermined time.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Further provided is a motor that rotates and drives the absorber,
The control unit drives the motor to rotate the absorber.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The absorbent material is a polymeric sorbent material.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5.