JP2003322388A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner, excellent in the expansibility for adding or removing a floor panel afterward. <P>SOLUTION: A branch unit D is connected between the connections of an outdoor unit A and an indoor unit B, and a floor panel is connected to the branch unit D. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner provided with a floor panel for floor cooling and heating in addition to an outdoor unit and an indoor unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In addition to an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, there is an air conditioner which is provided with a floor panel, and performs floor cooling and heating by heat radiation of the floor panel, in addition to normal cooling and heating by blowing air for air conditioning from the indoor unit. . In the case of this air conditioner, the outdoor unit is provided with a water heat exchanger, a water tank, and a pump, and water in the water tank is circulated by the pump through the water heat exchanger and the floor panel. By this circulation, the heat of the refrigerant is given to the floor panel and radiated to the space above the floor.

[0003]

As described above, in the case of an air conditioner for floor cooling and heating, an outdoor unit incorporating a water heat exchanger, a water tank, a pump, etc. is required. For this reason,
Trying to add floor panels to an existing air conditioner is not possible.

The present invention takes the above circumstances into consideration,
It is an object of the invention to provide an air conditioner excellent in expandability in which floor panels can be added or removed later.

[0005]

An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and a branch unit connected between the connection of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, A floor panel connected to the branch unit.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1,
The outdoor unit A and the indoor unit B are connected to each other via a branch unit D, and the floor panel C is connected to the branch unit D.

The outdoor unit A includes a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, an outdoor heat exchanger 3, a flow rate adjusting valve 4, an outdoor fan 5, an outdoor temperature sensor 6, a refrigerant temperature sensor 7, a discharge refrigerant temperature sensor 8, and a suction refrigerant temperature. It has a sensor 9, an outdoor controller 30, and an inverter 31. The branch unit D includes a flow rate adjusting valve (first flow rate adjusting valve) 11, a flow rate adjusting valve (second flow rate adjusting valve) 12, a water heat exchanger 13, a water tank 14, a pump 15, and a drain plug 1.
7, a refrigerant temperature sensor 18, and a branch unit controller 40. The indoor unit B includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, an indoor fan 22, an indoor temperature sensor 23, a refrigerant temperature sensor 24, a heat exchanger temperature sensor 25, and an indoor controller 50. To the indoor controller 50, a remote control type operation device (hereinafter, abbreviated as a remote controller) 51 for operating condition setting is connected. In addition, the remote controller 51 is provided with a mode selection key as an operation unit for selectively executing any control of each interlocking operation unit described later, and
After the detected temperatures Ta and Tf reach the set temperatures Tas and Tfs under the control of the respective interlocking operation means, the operation of the indoor unit B is stopped and it is set whether or not the floor panel C is shifted to the independent operation. An islanding operation shift key is provided as an operating means.

The floor panel C has a heat radiation pipe 28 and a floor temperature sensor 29. The floor temperature sensor 29 detects the temperature Tf of the floor panel C.

The outdoor unit A, the branch unit D, and the indoor unit B constitute the following heat pump refrigeration cycle, and the branch unit D to the floor panel C constitute the following water circulation cycle.

An outdoor heat exchanger 3 is connected to the refrigerant discharge port of the compressor 1 via a four-way valve 2, and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is connected to the flow rate control valve (first, first) via packed valves P1, P2.
The second flow rate adjusting valves) 11 and 12 are connected by piping. Of these, the indoor heat exchanger 21 is connected to the flow rate adjusting valve 11 via the packed valve P3 by piping, and the indoor heat exchanger 2
1, a refrigerant suction port of the compressor 1 is pipe-connected through the packed valves P4, P5, P6 and the four-way valve 2. A water heat exchanger 13 is pipe-connected to the flow rate adjusting valve 12, and the refrigerant suction port of the compressor 1 is pipe-connected to the water heat exchanger 13 via the packed valves P5 and P6 and the four-way valve 2. A heat pump type refrigeration cycle capable of cooling and heating is configured by these pipe connections.

When the four-way valve 2 of the outdoor unit A is turned on, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 causes the four-way valve 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the flow rate adjusting valve 4, the flow rate adjusting valve 11, the indoor heat exchanger 21, the four-way valve. A refrigerant channel for indoor cooling that returns to the compressor 1 through the valve 2 is formed, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is a four-way valve 2, an outdoor heat exchanger 3, a flow rate adjusting valve 4, a flow rate adjusting valve. 1
2, a refrigerant flow path for floor cooling that returns to the compressor 1 through the water heat exchanger 13 and the four-way valve 2 is formed.

When the four-way valve 2 is turned off, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the four-way valve 2, the indoor heat exchanger 21, the flow rate adjusting valve 11, the flow rate adjusting valve 4, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, and the four-way valve 2. A refrigerant flow path for indoor heating that returns to the compressor 1 is formed, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is a four-way valve 2, a water heat exchanger 13, a flow rate adjusting valve 12, a flow rate adjusting valve 4, an indoor heat source. A refrigerant flow path for floor heating that returns to the compressor 1 through the exchanger 3 and the four-way valve 2 is formed.

The pipes forming these refrigerant channels are divided into an outdoor unit A, an indoor unit B, and a branch unit D so that they can be connected / disconnected from each other. Packed valves P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 for connection and disconnection
P6 is provided.

A water tank 14 is pipe-connected to the water heat exchanger 13 of the branch unit D, and the pump 1 is connected to the water tank 14.
Pipe 28 for heat radiation of the floor panel C via the water pipe 5 and the water pipe 16.
Are connected. The water pipe 19 is connected to the heat radiation pipe 28.
The water heat exchanger 13 is connected via a pipe. A water circulation cycle is constituted by these pipe connections.

When the pump 15 is operated, the water in the water tank 14 flows through the water pipe 16 to the heat radiation pipe 28 of the floor panel C, and the water passing through the heat radiation pipe 28 passes through the water heat exchanger 13 to become water. Return to tank 14. The circulation of the water supplies the heat of the refrigerant in the branch unit D to the floor panel C.

The outdoor temperature sensor 6 in the outdoor unit A detects the temperature of the outside air sucked by the outdoor fan 5. The refrigerant temperature sensor 7 detects the temperature TE of the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 during heating. The discharged refrigerant temperature sensor 8 detects the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1. The suction refrigerant temperature sensor 9 detects the temperature TS of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 1. The inverter 31 outputs a voltage having a frequency (and a level) according to a command from the outdoor controller 30 as drive power for the compressor 1. The outdoor controller 30 transmits and receives data to and from the branch unit controller 40 according to the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 6, 7, 8, and 9, and the operating frequency of the compressor 1 (the inverter 21
Output frequency) F, the operation of the four-way valve 2, the operation of the outdoor fan 5, and the like.

The indoor temperature sensor 23 in the indoor unit B is
The temperature Ta of the indoor air sucked by the indoor fan 22 is detected. The refrigerant temperature sensor 24 detects the temperature TCJ of the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 21 during cooling. The heat exchanger temperature sensor 25 detects the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 21. The indoor controller 50 operates the indoor fan 22 according to the operating conditions set by the remote controller 51 and the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 23, 24, 25, and while transmitting and receiving data to and from the branch unit controller 40. And control.

Refrigerant temperature sensor 1 in branch unit D
Reference numeral 8 detects the temperature TCW of the refrigerant flowing into the water heat exchanger 13 during floor cooling. The branch unit controller 40 transmits / receives data to / from the outdoor controller 30 and the indoor controller 50 according to the temperature TCW detected by the refrigerant temperature sensor 18 and the temperature Tf detected by the floor temperature sensor 29 on the floor panel C. While opening the flow rate adjusting valves 11 and 12, the pump 15
Control the operation of the car.

Outdoor controller 30, branch unit controller 4
0 and the indoor controller 50 have the following means (1) to (5) as main functions. (1) The flow rate adjusting valve 11 is set to the maximum opening (fully open) while the compressor 1 is operated at the maximum operating frequency Fmax with the pump 15 stopped, and the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is set to the minute opening or fully closed state. After setting, the temperature Ta detected by the indoor temperature sensor 23 is set by the remote controller 51 in advance.
When reaching s, the pump 15 is operated and the flow rate adjusting valve 1
2 is set to the maximum opening, and the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is controlled so that the detected temperature Ta maintains the set temperature Tas,
After that, the temperature Tf detected by the floor temperature sensor 29 changes to the remote control 5
The detected temperature Tf and the detected temperature Ta are the set temperatures Tfs and Ta when the set temperature Tfs, which is predetermined in 1, is reached.
A room temperature priority mode interlocking operation means for controlling the operating frequency F of the compressor 1 and the openings of the flow rate adjusting valves 11 and 12 so as to maintain s.

(2) While the pump 15 is operated and the compressor 1 is operated at the maximum operation frequency Fmax, the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is set to the minute opening or the fully closed state and the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is set to the maximum opening. Then, after that, when the detected temperature Tf of the floor temperature sensor 29 reaches the set temperature Tfs, the flow rate adjustment valve 11 is set to the maximum opening degree, and the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve 12 is set so that the detected temperature Tf maintains the set temperature Tfs. Is controlled, and thereafter, when the detected temperature Ta of the indoor temperature sensor 23 reaches the set temperature Tas, the operating frequency F and the flow rate adjusting valve of the compressor 1 are maintained so that the detected temperature Ta and the detected temperature Tf maintain the set temperatures Tas and Tfs. An interlocking operation means in a bed temperature priority mode for controlling the opening degrees of 11 and 12.

(3) While operating the pump 15 and operating the compressor 1 at the maximum operating frequency Fmax, the flow rate adjusting valves 11 and 12 are set to intermediate openings, and then the temperature Ta detected by the indoor temperature sensor 23 is set. When the temperature Tas is reached, the openings of the flow rate adjusting valves 11 and 12 are controlled so that the detected temperature Ta maintains the set temperature Tas, and the floor temperature sensor 29 is used.
When the detected temperature Tf reaches the set temperature Tfs, the detected temperature Tf and the detected temperature Ta are set to the set temperatures Tfs, Tas.
The interlocking operation means in the automatic mode for controlling the operating frequency F of the compressor 1 and the openings of the flow rate adjusting valves 11 and 12 so as to maintain the above.

(4) Control means for selectively executing any one of the above-mentioned interlocking operation means according to the operation of the mode selection key on the remote controller 51.

(5) When the islanding operation shift key of the remote controller 51 is on, the operation of the indoor unit B is stopped after the detected temperatures Ta and Tf reach the set temperatures Tas and Tfs by the control of the interlocking operation means. Control means for shifting the floor panel C to the independent operation.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the operating mode is "air conditioner heating".
There are "floor heating", "interlocked heating (air conditioner heating + floor heating)", "air conditioner cooling", "floor cooling", and "interlocked cooling (air conditioner cooling + floor cooling)". Of these, interlocked heating (air conditioning heating +
Floor heating) operation and linked cooling (air conditioner cooling + floor cooling)
For operation, room temperature priority mode, floor temperature priority mode,
There is an automatic mode.

(A) Air conditioner heating operation Four-way valve 2 is off, indoor fan 22 is on, flow rate adjusting valve 1
1 is set to the maximum opening, and the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is set to the minute opening. As a result, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21 via the four-way valve 2, and the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 includes the flow rate adjusting valve 11, the flow rate adjusting valve 4, and the outdoor heat exchanger. 3. Return to the compressor 1 via the four-way valve 2. In the indoor heat exchanger 21, the refrigerant takes heat from the indoor air to condense,
The condensation warms the indoor air.

The room temperature Ta is detected by the room temperature sensor 23, and the operating frequency F of the compressor 1 is controlled so that the detected temperature Ta becomes the set temperature Tas.

The temperature TE of the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 functioning as an evaporator is detected by the refrigerant temperature sensor 7, and the temperature TS of the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is detected by the suction refrigerant temperature sensor 9. Detected. Then, the difference between the detected temperatures TS and TE (= TS-TE) is detected as the degree of superheat of the refrigerant, and the flow rate adjusting valve 4 is set so that the degree of superheat becomes constant.
The opening degree of is controlled.

Although the refrigerant passing through the four-way valve 2 is slightly branched to the water heat exchanger 13 side, the divided refrigerant can be released to the outdoor heat exchanger 3 side through the flow control valve 12 having a small opening. .

(B) Floor heating operation In the "floor heating" operation, the four-way valve 2 is turned off and the flow control valve 11
Is set to a minute opening, and the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is set to a maximum opening.
Thereby, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows to the water heat exchanger 13 via the four-way valve 2, and the refrigerant passing through the water heat exchanger 13 is the flow rate adjusting valve 12, the flow rate adjusting valve 4, the outdoor heat exchanger. 3. Return to the compressor 1 via the four-way valve 2. At the same time, the pump 15 is operated and the water in the water tank 14 is replaced by the water heat exchanger 13.
And circulate through the heat dissipation pipe 28 of the floor panel C.
In the water heat exchanger 13, the refrigerant takes heat away from the refrigerant to condense it, and the condensation warms the water. The warmed water flows into the heat radiation pipe 28 of the floor panel C to warm the space above the floor.

The temperature Tf of the floor panel C is the indoor temperature sensor 2
3 is detected, and the operating frequency F of the compressor 1 is controlled so that the detected temperature Tf becomes the set temperature Tfs.

The temperature TE of the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 functioning as an evaporator is detected by the refrigerant temperature sensor 7, and the temperature TS of the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is detected by the suction refrigerant temperature sensor 9. Detected. Then, the difference between the detected temperatures TS and TE (= TS-TE) is detected as the degree of superheat of the refrigerant, and the flow rate adjusting valve 4 is set so that the degree of superheat becomes constant.
The opening degree of is controlled.

(C) Air-conditioner cooling operation Four-way valve 2 is on, indoor fan 22 is on, flow rate adjusting valve 1
1 is set to the maximum opening, and the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is set to be fully closed. As a result, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 3 via the four-way valve 2, and the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is the flow rate adjusting valve 4, the flow rate adjusting valve 11, the indoor heat exchanger. Two
1. Return to the compressor 1 via the four-way valve 2. Indoor heat exchanger 2
In No. 1, the refrigerant takes heat from the indoor air to evaporate, and the indoor air is cooled by the evaporation.

The room temperature Ta is detected by the room temperature sensor 23, and the operating frequency F of the compressor 1 is controlled so that the detected temperature Ta becomes the set temperature Tas.

The temperature TCJ of the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 21 functioning as an evaporator is detected by the refrigerant temperature sensor 24, and the temperature TS of the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 is detected by the suction refrigerant temperature sensor 9. Detected. And
The difference between the detected temperatures TS and TCJ (= TS-TCJ) is detected as the degree of superheat of the refrigerant, and the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve 11 is controlled so that the degree of superheat is constant.

(D) Floor cooling operation In the "floor cooling" operation, the four-way valve 2 is turned on and the flow control valve 11 is turned on.
Is set to the maximum opening and the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is set to be fully closed. As a result, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 3 via the four-way valve 2, and the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is the flow rate adjusting valve 4, the flow rate adjusting valve 12, the water heat exchanger. 13,
Return to the compressor 1 via the four-way valve 2. At the same time, pump 15
Is operated, and the water in the water tank 14 circulates through the water heat exchanger 13 and the heat radiation pipe 28 of the floor panel C. In the water heat exchanger 13, the refrigerant takes heat from the water to evaporate, and the evaporation cools the water. The cooled water flows into the heat radiation pipe 28 of the floor panel C to cool the space above the floor.

The temperature Tf of the floor panel C is the indoor temperature sensor 2
3 is detected, and the operating frequency F of the compressor 1 is controlled so that the detected temperature Tf becomes the set temperature Tfs.

The temperature TCW of the refrigerant flowing into the water heat exchanger 13 functioning as an evaporator is detected by the refrigerant temperature sensor 18, and the temperature TW of the refrigerant passing through the water heat exchanger 13 is detected.
S is detected by the suction refrigerant temperature sensor 9. Then, the difference between the detected temperatures TS and TCW (= TS-TCW) is detected as the degree of superheat of the refrigerant, and the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is controlled so that the degree of superheat becomes constant.

(E) Interlocked heating operation in room temperature priority mode (described with reference to FIG. 3) The four-way valve 2 is off, the indoor fan 22 is on, the pump 15 is stopped, and the compressor 1 is operated at the maximum operating frequency Fmax. Meanwhile, the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is set to the maximum opening (fully opened) and the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is set to the minute opening (air conditioner heating starts).

After that, the detected temperature T of the room temperature sensor 23
When a reaches the set temperature Tas, the pump 15 is operated to set the flow rate adjusting valve 12 to the maximum opening degree, and the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is controlled so that the detected temperature Ta maintains the set temperature Tas. Be done (floor heating starts).

After that, the temperature Tf detected by the floor temperature sensor 29 is detected.
When the temperature reaches the set temperature Tfs, the operating frequency F of the compressor 1 and the flow rate adjusting valves 11, 1 are controlled so that the detected temperature Tf and the detected temperature Ta maintain the set temperatures Tfs, Tas.
The opening of 2 is controlled (air conditioner heating + floor heating). (F) Linked heating operation in floor temperature priority mode (explained with FIG. 4) The four-way valve 2 is turned off, the pump 15 is operated, and the compressor 1 is operated at the maximum operation frequency Fmax while the flow rate adjustment valve 11 is being operated. Is set to a minute opening, and the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is set to the maximum opening (floor heating starts).

Thereafter, the temperature Tf detected by the floor temperature sensor 29 is detected.
When the temperature reaches the set temperature Tfs, the indoor fan 22 is turned on, the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is set to the maximum opening degree, and the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is controlled so that the detected temperature Tf maintains the set temperature Tfs. Be done (air conditioning heating started).

After that, the detected temperature T of the room temperature sensor 23
When a reaches the set temperature Tas, the operating frequency F of the compressor 1 and the flow rate adjusting valves 11, 1 are set so that the detected temperature Ta and the detected temperature Tf maintain the set temperatures Tas, Tfs.
The opening of 2 is controlled (floor heating + air conditioning heating). (G) “Interlocked heating” operation in automatic mode (explained with FIG. 5) The four-way valve 2 is turned off, the indoor fan 22 is turned on, the pump 15 is operated, and the compressor 1 is operated at the maximum operation frequency Fmax. Meanwhile, the flow rate adjusting valves 11 and 12 are set to the intermediate opening degree. (Air conditioning heating start + floor heating start) After that, when the detected temperature Ta of the indoor temperature sensor 23 reaches the set temperature Tas, the detected temperature Ta is set to the set temperature Ta.
The openings of the flow rate adjusting valves 11 and 12 are controlled so as to maintain s. Further, when the detected temperature Tf of the floor temperature sensor 29 reaches the set temperature Tfs, the compressor 1 is set so that the detected temperature Tf and the detected temperature Ta maintain the set temperatures Tfs, Tas.
The operating frequency F and the openings of the flow rate adjusting valves 11 and 12 are controlled (air conditioner heating + floor heating).

(H) Interlocked heating operation in the room temperature priority mode with the individual operation shift key of the remote controller 51 turned on (explained with FIG. 6) The four-way valve 2 is turned off, the indoor fan 22 is turned on, and the pump 15 is stopped. In this state, while the compressor 1 is operating at the maximum operating frequency Fmax, the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is set to the maximum opening degree and the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is set to the minute opening degree (air conditioner heating starts).

After that, the detected temperature T of the room temperature sensor 23
When a reaches the set temperature Tas, the pump 15 is operated to set the flow rate adjusting valve 12 to the maximum opening degree, and the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is controlled so that the detected temperature Ta maintains the set temperature Tas. Be done (floor heating starts).

After that, the temperature Tf detected by the floor temperature sensor 29 is detected.
When the temperature reaches the set temperature Tfs, the indoor fan 22 is turned off and the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is set to the minimum opening degree. Further, the operating frequency F of the compressor 1 and the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 12 are controlled so that the detected temperature Tf maintains the set temperature Tfs (independent operation of floor heating). (H) Interlocked cooling operation in room temperature priority mode (explained with FIG. 7) While the four-way valve 2 is on, the indoor fan 22 is on, and the pump 15 is stopped, while the compressor 1 is operating at the maximum operating frequency Fmax, The flow rate adjusting valve 11 is set to the maximum opening degree, and the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is set to be fully closed (air conditioner cooling start).

After that, the detected temperature T of the room temperature sensor 23
When a reaches the set temperature Tas, the pump 15 is operated and the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is set to the maximum opening. Further, the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is controlled so that the detected temperature Ta maintains the set temperature Tas (start of floor cooling).

After that, the temperature Tf detected by the floor temperature sensor 29 is detected.
When the temperature reaches the set temperature Tfs, the operating frequency F of the compressor 1 and the flow rate adjusting valves 11, 1 are controlled so that the detected temperature Tf and the detected temperature Ta maintain the set temperatures Tfs, Tas.
The opening of 2 is controlled (air conditioner cooling + floor cooling). (I) Interlocked cooling operation in bed temperature priority mode (explained with FIG. 8) The four-way valve 2 is turned off, the pump 15 is operated, and the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is operated while the compressor 1 is operating at the maximum operating frequency Fmax. Is set to fully closed and the flow rate adjustment valve 12
Is set to the maximum opening (floor cooling starts).

After that, the temperature Tf detected by the floor temperature sensor 29 is detected.
When the temperature reaches the set temperature Tfs, the indoor fan 22 is turned on and the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is set to the maximum opening. Further, the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 12 is controlled so that the detected temperature Tf maintains the set temperature Tfs (air conditioner cooling start).

Thereafter, the detected temperature T of the room temperature sensor 23
When a reaches the set temperature Tas, the operating frequency F of the compressor 1 and the flow rate adjusting valves 11, 1 are set so that the detected temperature Ta and the detected temperature Tf maintain the set temperatures Tas, Tfs.
2 opening is controlled (floor cooling + air conditioning cooling). (J) Interlocked cooling operation in automatic mode (described with reference to FIG. 9) The four-way valve 2 is turned off, the indoor fan 22 is turned on, the pump 15 is operated, and the compressor 1 is operated at the maximum operation frequency Fmax. The flow rate adjusting valves 11 and 12 are set to the intermediate opening degree. After that, when the detected temperature Ta of the indoor temperature sensor 23 reaches the set temperature Tas, the detected temperature Ta is set to the set temperature Ta.
The openings of the flow rate adjusting valves 11 and 12 are controlled so as to maintain s. Further, when the detected temperature Tf of the floor temperature sensor 29 reaches the set temperature Tfs, the operating frequency F and the flow rate adjustment valve 11 of the compressor 1 are set so that the detected temperature Tf and the detected temperature Ta maintain the set temperatures Tfs and Tas. , 12 are controlled (air conditioner cooling + floor cooling).

As described above, the outdoor unit A, the indoor unit B, and the branch unit D can be freely connected / disconnected to each other, and the floor panel C is connected to the branch unit D. Even in the existing air conditioner including the indoor unit B, the floor panel C can be added or removed later, and high expandability can be obtained.

Since the interlocked operation of the room temperature priority mode, the floor temperature priority mode, and the automatic mode can be selectively executed, comfortable air conditioning can be performed in consideration of the user's feeling.

Since the floor heating and the floor cooling can be independently operated after the interlocked operation, in this respect also, comfortable air conditioning can be performed in consideration of the user's preference and energy saving.

Modifications will be described below. In the above embodiment, the indoor temperature Ta and the floor temperature Tf are set during the interlocking operation.
Indoor fan 22 after the temperature reaches the set temperature Tas, Tfs
Although the indoor ventilation by the above is continued, the indoor fan 22 may be controlled to be turned on and off according to the difference between the indoor temperature Ta and the set temperature Tas as shown in FIGS. By doing so, it is possible to eliminate a so-called draft feeling in which an unpleasant wind hits the user.
FIG. 10 shows the interlocked operation in the room temperature priority mode, and the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 11 is alternately controlled to a small opening degree and a predetermined opening degree (> small opening degree) in accordance with the on / off control of the indoor fan 22. To be done.

As shown in FIG. 12, the outdoor unit A has a refrigerant heater 60 as a heat source for heating of oil burning type or gas burning type.
May be provided. With the adoption of the refrigerant heater 60, a two-way valve (open / close valve) 61 and a check valve 6 that regulate the refrigerant flow.
2, 63 are provided. FIG. 13 shows the relationship between each operation mode and the operating state of each part in this case.

In the above embodiment, the water circulation cycle is provided from the branch unit D to the floor panel C. However, as shown in FIG. 14, piping for the refrigeration cycle may be provided instead of the water circulation cycle. That is, the indoor unit B and the floor panel C are connected to the branch unit D in parallel with the refrigerant pipes. As a result, the water heat exchanger 13, the water tank 14,
The pump 15, water pipe 16 and drain plug 17 are not required. FIG. 1 shows the relationship between each operation mode and the operation state of each part in this case.
5 shows.

As shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of indoor units Ba,
Bb ... And a plurality of floor panels Ca, Cb ... may be provided. That is, a plurality of floor panels Ca, Cb ... Are added to the multi-type air conditioner including the outdoor unit A and the plurality of indoor units Ba, Bb. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner having an excellent expandability in which floor panels can be added or removed later.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between each operation mode and an operation state of each unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an interlocking heating operation in a room temperature priority mode according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a linked heating operation in a floor temperature priority mode according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an interlocking heating operation in an automatic mode according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an interlocking heating operation in a room temperature priority mode and an independent operation of the subsequent floor heating according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the linked cooling operation in the room temperature priority mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the linked cooling operation in the floor temperature priority mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the linked cooling operation in the automatic mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a linked heating operation in a room temperature priority mode according to a modified example of the embodiment.

11 is a flowchart showing the control of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of another modified example of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a relationship between each operation mode in FIG. 12 and an operation state of each part.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of another modification of the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a relationship between each operation mode in FIG. 14 and an operation state of each part.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of still another modified example of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ... outdoor unit, B ... indoor unit, C ... floor panel, D ... branching unit, 1 ... compressor, 3 ... outdoor heat exchanger, 11 ... flow rate adjusting valve (first flow rate adjusting valve), 12 ... flow rate adjusting valve (Second flow rate adjusting valve), 13 ... Water heat exchanger, 14 ... Water tank, 15 ... Pump, 16 ... Water pipe, 21 ... Indoor heat exchanger, 23 ... Indoor temperature sensor, 28 ... Radiating pipe, 29 ... Floor Temperature sensor, 3
0 ... outdoor controller, 31 ... inverter, 40 ... branching unit controller, 50 ... indoor controller, 51 ... remote controller

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yasuji Ogoshi             336 Tatehara, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture Toshiba Carrier             Within the corporation (72) Inventor Takeshi Mochizuki             336 Tatehara, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture Toshiba Carrier             Within the corporation F-term (reference) 3L050 BC10                 3L060 AA08 CC01 CC02 DD02 EE04                       EE09                 3L070 AA02 AA09 BB01 DD02 DD07                       DF01 DF08 DG06

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, comprising: a branch unit connected between the connection of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit; and a floor panel connected to the branch unit. An air conditioner characterized by that. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the outdoor unit, the indoor unit, and the branch unit can be freely connected / disconnected from each other. 3. An outdoor unit having a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger, a floor panel having a heat radiation pipe, a first flow rate control valve, and a second flow rate control. A branch unit having a valve, a water heat exchanger, a water tank, and a pump, and a refrigerant discharged from the compressor is passed through the four-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the first flow rate adjusting valve, and the indoor heat exchanger. A refrigerant flow path for indoor cooling and heating is returned to the compressor, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is compressed by passing through the four-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the second flow rate adjusting valve, and the water heat exchanger. A refrigerating cycle having a refrigerant flow path for floor cooling and heating, which is returned to the machine, and a water circulation cycle in which water in the water tank is circulated by the pump through the heat radiation pipe of the floor panel and the water heat exchanger. Air conditioner characterized by . 4. An outdoor unit having a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger, a floor panel having a heat radiation pipe, a first flow control valve, and a second flow control. A branch unit having a valve, and a refrigerant for indoor cooling and heating that returns the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the compressor by passing through the four-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the first flow rate adjusting valve, the indoor heat exchanger. A refrigerant flow path for floor cooling and heating that has a flow path and returns the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the compressor by passing through the four-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the second flow rate adjusting valve, the heat radiation pipe. An air conditioner comprising: a refrigerating cycle having. 5. The air conditioner according to claim 3 or 4, wherein in the refrigeration cycle, a pipe forming a refrigerant flow path is divided into the outdoor unit, the indoor unit, and the branch unit, respectively, and mutually connected. An air conditioner that can be connected and disconnected freely. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein an indoor temperature sensor that detects an indoor temperature of a room in which the outdoor unit is installed, a floor temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the floor panel, and the pump While operating the compressor at the maximum operating frequency in the state of stopping the, the first flow rate adjusting valve is set to the maximum opening degree and the second flow rate adjusting valve is set to the minute opening degree or the fully closed state, and thereafter, When the detected temperature Ta of the indoor temperature sensor reaches the set temperature Tas, the pump is operated to set the second flow rate adjusting valve to the maximum opening degree, and the detected temperature Ta is maintained at the set temperature Tas. The opening of the flow rate adjusting valve is controlled, and thereafter, when the detected temperature Tf of the floor temperature sensor reaches the set temperature Tfs, the detected temperature Tf
And a room temperature priority mode interlocking operation means for controlling the operating frequency of the compressor and the opening of each of the flow rate adjusting valves so that the detected temperature Ta maintains the set temperatures Tfs and Tas, and the compressor while operating the pump. Operating at the maximum operating frequency, the first flow rate adjusting valve is set to a minute opening degree or a fully closed state and the second flow rate adjusting valve is set to the maximum opening degree, and then the detected temperature Tf of the floor temperature sensor is set. When the temperature reaches the set temperature Tfs, the first flow rate adjusting valve is set to the maximum opening and the detected temperature Tf is set to the set temperature Tf.
The opening degree of the second flow rate adjusting valve is controlled so as to maintain s, and then the detected temperature Ta of the indoor temperature sensor is set to the set temperature T.
Detected temperature Ta and detected temperature Tf when reaching as
Is a floor temperature priority mode interlocking operation means for controlling the operating frequency of the compressor and the opening of each of the flow rate adjusting valves so as to maintain the set temperatures Tas and Tfs, and the pump and the maximum operation of the compressor. Each of the flow rate adjusting valves is set to an intermediate opening while operating at a frequency, and thereafter, when the detected temperature Ta of the indoor temperature sensor reaches the set temperature Tas, the detected temperature Ta is set to the set temperature T.
The opening degree of each of the flow rate adjusting valves is controlled so as to maintain as, and the detection temperature Tf and the detection temperature Ta are maintained at the set temperatures Tfs and Tas when the detected temperature Tf of the floor temperature sensor reaches the set temperature Tfs. An air conditioner further comprising: an automatic mode interlocking operation means for controlling an operating frequency of the compressor and an opening of each of the flow rate adjusting valves. 7. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein an indoor temperature sensor that detects an indoor temperature of a room in which the outdoor unit is installed; a floor temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the floor panel; While operating the machine at the maximum operating frequency, the first flow rate adjusting valve is set to the maximum opening degree and the second flow rate adjusting valve is set to the minute opening degree or the fully closed state, and then the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor is set. When Ta reaches the set temperature Tas, the second flow rate adjusting valve is set to the maximum opening degree, and the opening degree of the first flow rate adjusting valve is controlled so that the detected temperature Ta maintains the set temperature Tas, and then the When the detected temperature Tf of the floor temperature sensor reaches the set temperature Tfs, the operating frequency of the compressor and the opening of each of the flow rate adjusting valves are set so that the detected temperature Tf and the detected temperature Ta maintain the set temperatures Tfs and Tas. Room temperature priority mode interlocking operation means for controlling the temperature of the second flow control valve, and the second flow rate control valve is set to a minute opening or a fully closed state while operating the compressor at a maximum operation frequency.
The flow rate adjusting valve is set to the maximum opening, and then, when the detected temperature Tf of the floor temperature sensor reaches the set temperature Tfs, the first flow rate adjusting valve is set to the maximum opening and the detected temperature Tf is set to the set temperature Tfs. The opening degree of the second flow rate adjusting valve is controlled so as to maintain the temperature, and thereafter, when the detected temperature Ta of the indoor temperature sensor reaches the set temperature Tas, the detected temperature Ta and the detected temperature Tf keep the set temperatures Tas and Tfs. Interlocking operation means of the bed temperature priority mode for controlling the operating frequency of the compressor and the opening degree of each flow rate adjusting valve, and the intermediate opening degree of each flow rate adjusting valve while operating the compressor at the maximum operating frequency. After that, when the detected temperature Ta of the indoor temperature sensor reaches the set temperature Tas, the opening degree of each flow rate control valve is controlled so that the detected temperature Ta maintains the set temperature Tas. And, when the detected temperature Tf of the floor temperature sensor reaches the set temperature Tfs, the operating frequency of the compressor and the opening of each of the flow rate adjusting valves are maintained so that the detected temperature Tf and the detected temperature Ta maintain the set temperatures Tfs and Tas. An air conditioner characterized by further comprising: an automatic mode interlocking operation means for controlling temperature. 8. The air conditioner according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising operation means for selectively executing control of any of the interlocking operation means. Air conditioner. 9. The air conditioner according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the operation of the indoor unit is started after the detection temperatures Ta and Tf reach the set temperatures Tas and Tfs by the control of the interlocking operation means. An air conditioner further comprising operating means for setting whether or not to stop and shift to independent operation of the floor panel. 10. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the outdoor unit has a petroleum combustion type or gas combustion type refrigerant heater as a heat source for heating. Air conditioner. 11. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of indoor units and a plurality of floor panels are provided.