JP2020200958A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner which can improve comfort of a user while keeping reliability of a compressor.SOLUTION: An air conditioner (S1) determines whether a compressor is in a flooding state at a start of a heating operation or not, (S3) starts up an indoor fan to a target revolution speed in a first change rate R1, when it is determined that the compressor is not in the flooding state, and (S5) starts up the indoor fan to a target revolution speed in a second change rate R2 less than the first change rate R1, when it is determined that the compressor is in the flooding state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

An air conditioner that utilizes a refrigeration cycle (heat pump cycle) operates a compressor to circulate the refrigerant in the cycle. Lubricating oil is injected into the compressor to improve the movement of the moving members.

During the operation of the compressor, a part of the oil dissolves in the refrigerant and goes out with the refrigerant to the outside of the compressor. The oil that goes out of the compressor returns to the compressor after circulating the cycle, but the time until the oil returns is not short. Therefore, if the amount of oil that dissolves in the refrigerant and exits from the compressor is large, there is a risk that the inside of the compressor will run out of oil.

The amount of oil that dissolves in the refrigerant depends largely on the temperature, and the lower the temperature, the more oil dissolves in the refrigerant. That is, if the temperature of the compressor is sufficiently high, the amount of oil dissolved in the refrigerant is small, and the amount of oil discharged from the compressor is also small. On the other hand, when the compressor is in a laid-down state, the amount of oil that dissolves in the refrigerant and leaves the compressor increases. The state in which the compressor is laid down means a state in which the temperature of the compressor is low because the compressor has not warmed up immediately after starting up.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for preventing an oil shortage of a compressor that occurs in a laid-down state in an air conditioner having a throttle mechanism for diversion in an indoor heat exchanger. In Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the refrigerant liquefies and stays in the indoor heat exchanger at the start of the heating operation, and the oil also accumulates in the indoor heat exchanger, resulting in a shortage of oil in the compressor. There is.

In the air conditioner of Patent Document 1, temperature sensors are arranged at the central portion and the outlet portion of the indoor heat exchanger, respectively, and the temperature difference between the two temperature sensors is within a predetermined temperature range at the start of the heating operation. Determine the number of rotations of the fan. Further, the merging device of the indoor heat exchanger is arranged so as to be located below the refrigerant inlet pipe at the lowermost portion of the inlet portion of the indoor heat exchanger. It is said that this prevents the liquefied refrigerant from staying in the indoor heat exchanger and prevents the compressor from running out of oil.

JP-A-2009-92337

In Patent Document 1, the cause of the oil shortage of the compressor is defined as the retention in the indoor heat exchanger, but according to the examination of the inventor of the present application, this is not the only cause of the oil shortage of the compressor. Specifically, when the compressor is started from the sleeping state, if the rotation speed of the fan with respect to the condenser is increased, the amount of heat exchange in the condenser is increased and the condensation pressure is sharply lowered. As a result, a large amount of oil is sucked out from the compressor toward the condenser together with the refrigerant, resulting in a shortage of oil in the compressor.

When the user sets the air volume in the air conditioner, it is preferable to raise the air volume to the set air volume as soon as possible from the viewpoint of comfort. However, as described above, when the vehicle is started in the sleeping state, if the air volume is increased too much, an oil shortage may occur. In the air conditioner of Patent Document 1, when the heating operation is started from the sleeping state, the indoor fan is stopped or rotated at a low speed at the minimum rotation speed until it is determined that the sleeping state is resolved. For this reason, the indoor fan is stopped or rotated at a low speed for a long time, which causes the user to feel uncomfortable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of improving user comfort while maintaining the reliability of the compressor.

In order to solve the above problems, the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a determination unit for determining whether or not the compressor is in a sleeping state at the start of heating operation, and the determination is made. If it is determined by the unit that the compressor is not in a laid-down state, the indoor fan is started up to the target rotation speed at the first change rate, and if it is determined by the determination unit that the compressor is in a laid-down state, It is characterized in that the indoor fan is started up to the target rotation speed at a second change rate slower than the first change rate.

According to the above configuration, when the compressor is in the sleeping state, the change rate of the indoor fan is slower than when the compressor is not in the sleeping state. Therefore, even when the air volume set by the user is large, the time required to reach the air volume is longer than that in the case where the user is not in a sleeping state. That is, it is possible to raise the temperature of the compressor to eliminate the laid-down state by the time the air volume of the indoor fan increases (the number of rotations increases), and the heating operation is started from the laid-down state of the compressor. However, it is possible to prevent a shortage of oil in the compressor.

Further, in the above-mentioned start control, the rotation speed of the indoor fan rises at the second change rate even while the compressor is in the laid-down state, so that the compressor can be used even before the laid-down state of the compressor is resolved. The air volume of the indoor fan can be increased to the extent that oil shortage does not occur, and the comfort of the air conditioner can be improved.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, the air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention is provided with a determination unit for determining whether or not the compressor is in a sleeping state at the start of heating operation. When the determination unit determines that the compressor is not in the sleeping state, the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan is limited to the first rotation speed, and when the determination unit determines that the compressor is in the sleeping state. Is characterized in that the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan is limited to the second rotation speed smaller than the first rotation speed.

According to the above configuration, when the compressor is in the sleeping state, the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan is limited to a smaller rotation speed than when the compressor is not in the sleeping state. Therefore, even if the air volume set by the user is large, the air volume is limited to a small value until the sleeping state is resolved, and the heating operation is started from the sleeping state of the compressor. However, it is possible to prevent a shortage of oil in the compressor.

Further, in the above-mentioned start control, the rotation speed of the indoor fan rises to the second rotation speed even while the compressor is in the sleeping state, so that the compressor can be used even before the sleeping state of the compressor is resolved. The air volume of the indoor fan can be increased to the extent that the oil shortage does not occur, and the comfort of the air conditioner can be improved.

Further, in the air conditioner, the determination unit may be configured to determine that the air conditioner is in a sleeping state when the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger <outside air temperature + ΔT1 is established with respect to the predetermined temperature threshold value ΔT1.

Further, in the air conditioner, the determination unit may be configured to determine that the air conditioner is in a sleeping state when the discharge temperature of the compressor <outside air temperature + ΔT2 is established with respect to the predetermined temperature threshold value ΔT2.

Further, in the air conditioner, the determination unit compares the elapsed time from the previous operation end time to the current start time with the first threshold time, and if the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the first threshold time, falls asleep. It can be configured to determine that it is in a state.

Further, in the air conditioner, the determination unit may be configured to determine that the air conditioner is in a sleeping state if the power supply from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit is switched at this start-up.

Further, in the air conditioner, the determination unit may be configured to determine that the compressor is in a sleeping state if the discharge temperature of the compressor is lower than room temperature.

Further, when the determination unit determines that the compressor is not in the sleeping state, the air conditioner limits the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan to the first rotation speed, and the determination unit limits the compressor to the sleeping state. If it is determined to be, the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan is limited to the second rotation speed smaller than the first rotation speed from the start of this time until the second threshold time elapses. , The second threshold time stores the elapsed time from the start to the time when the sleep state is considered to be resolved when the start from the sleep state is performed before the current start, and the stored elapsed time is used this time. It can be configured to be the second threshold time at the time of activation.

Further, the air conditioner is connected to a server via the Internet, and the server stores the first threshold time according to the state parameter of the air conditioner as data, and the air conditioner is stored. When is started, the first threshold time according to the state parameter at the time of starting can be read from the server and set.

Further, in the air conditioner, the determination unit may be configured to determine that the air conditioner is in a laid-down state when the temperature of the electrical components in the indoor unit is lower than the reference value.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, when the compressor is in the sleeping state, the change rate of the indoor fan is slowed down as compared with the case where the compressor is not in the sleeping state (or the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan is limited to a small rotation speed). As a result, it is possible to prevent the compressor from running out of oil even when the heating operation is started from the sleeping state of the compressor. Further, even before the compressor is laid down, the air volume of the indoor fan can be increased to the extent that the compressor does not run out of oil, and the comfort of the air conditioner can be improved. ..

It is a schematic block diagram of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the start control of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the rotation speed control of an indoor fan in the start control of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the start control of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the further modification of the start control of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the start control of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a figure explaining the rotation speed control of an indoor fan in the start control of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the start control of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the start control of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a flowchart which shows the start control of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 4. It is a flowchart which shows the start control of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 5.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment, and shows a refrigeration cycle applied in the air conditioner 10.

The air conditioner 10 is composed of an indoor unit (indoor unit) 100 and an outdoor unit (outdoor unit) 110. An indoor heat exchanger 101 is provided on the indoor unit 100 side on the refrigeration cycle path of the air conditioner 10, and a compressor 111, an outdoor heat exchanger 112, a four-way valve 113, and an expansion valve are provided on the outdoor unit 110 side. 114 is provided. Further, the indoor unit 100 is provided with an indoor fan 102 for sending out the air heat exchanged by the indoor heat exchanger 101 into the room, and the outdoor unit 110 is for sending air to the outdoor heat exchanger 112. The outdoor fan 115 is provided. Although detailed illustration is omitted in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 is appropriately provided with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of each part in the refrigeration cycle, if necessary.

The four-way valve 113 switches the direction of refrigerant circulation according to the heating / cooling operation of the air conditioner 10 (FIG. 1 shows a state during the heating operation). During the heating operation, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 111, the four-way valve 113, the indoor heat exchanger 101, the expansion valve 114, the outdoor heat exchanger 112, the four-way valve 113, and the compressor 111. That is, during the heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 101 functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 112 functions as an evaporator. On the other hand, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 111, the four-way valve 113, the outdoor heat exchanger 112, the expansion valve 114, the indoor heat exchanger 101, the four-way valve 113, and the compressor 111. That is, during the cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 112 functions as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger 101 functions as an evaporator.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing start control at the start of operation of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. It is assumed that the operation of the air conditioner 10 at this time is a heating operation.

When the air conditioner 10 starts operation, in the start control of the first embodiment, whether or not the compressor 111 is first in the sleeping state is determined by the control unit (claims) of the air conditioner 10. It is determined in (corresponding to a part; not shown) (S1). At this time, the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 (outdoor heat exchanger temperature) is compared with the outside air temperature, and if the outdoor heat exchanger temperature is close to the outside air temperature, it is determined that the person is in a sleeping state. As a specific example, with respect to a predetermined temperature threshold value ΔT1 set in advance,
Outdoor heat exchanger temperature <outside air temperature + ΔT1
Is determined to be in a sleeping state.

The value of the temperature threshold value ΔT1 at this time is preferably a variable value rather than a fixed value. As a specific example, the value of the temperature threshold value ΔT1 is assumed to fluctuate according to the outside air temperature, the value of the temperature threshold value ΔT1 is small when the outside air temperature is low, and the value of the temperature threshold value ΔT1 is large when the outside air temperature is high. Is possible. The correspondence between the outside air temperature and the temperature threshold value ΔT1 may be tabulated in advance and stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the air conditioner 10.

When the compressor 111 is not in the sleeping state (NO in S1), the starting operation of the air conditioner 10 includes starting the compressor 111 (S2) and starting the indoor fan 102 (S3). Then, regarding the activation of the indoor fan 102 in S3, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 is controlled so as to rise to the target rotation speed at the first change rate R1.

Here, the rotation speed control of the indoor fan 102 will be described with reference to FIG. When the indoor fan 102 is increased to the target rotation speed, normally, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 is not increased to the target rotation speed at once, but is changed at a predetermined change rate. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 can be controlled at a plurality of levels, and the rotation speed is gradually increased so as to increase by one level. Here, as shown by the solid line graph in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the first change rate R1 is a change rate in which the rotation speed increases by one level every unit time Δt1. The target rotation speed here is the rotation speed corresponding to the set air volume when the air volume is set by the user, and is automatically set by the air conditioner 10 when the air volume is set to automatic. The number of revolutions corresponding to the air volume,
When the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state (YES in S1), the activation operation of the air conditioner 10 includes the activation of the compressor 111 (S4) and the activation of the indoor fan 102 (S5). The activation of the compressor 111 in S4 may be the same as the activation of the compressor 111 in S2. Then, regarding the activation of the indoor fan 102 in S5, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 is controlled so as to rise to the target rotation speed at the second change rate R2, which is slower than the first change rate R1. Here, as shown by the broken line graph in FIG. 3, the second change rate R2 is a change rate in which the rotation speed increases by one level for each unit time Δt2, and it is assumed that Δt2> Δt1.

As described above, when the heating operation is started from the sleeping state of the compressor 111, if the rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 is increased, a large amount of oil is sucked out from the compressor 111 toward the indoor heat exchanger 101 together with the refrigerant. , Oil shortage in the compressor 111 is likely to occur.

On the other hand, in the activation control according to the first embodiment, when the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state, the change rate of the indoor fan 102 is slower than when it is not in the sleeping state. Therefore, even when the air volume set by the user is large, the time required to reach the air volume is longer than that in the case where the user is not in a sleeping state. That is, the temperature of the compressor 111 can be raised to eliminate the sleeping state by the time the air volume of the indoor fan 102 increases (the number of rotations increases). As a result, it is possible to prevent the compressor 111 from running out of oil even when the heating operation is started from the sleeping state of the compressor 111.

Further, in the activation control according to the first embodiment, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 increases at the second change rate R2 even while the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state. That is, even before the laid-down state of the compressor 111 is resolved, the air volume of the indoor fan 102 increases to the extent that the compressor 111 does not run out of oil, so that the heating capacity is increased as compared with the conventional start control. , The comfort of the air conditioner 10 can be improved.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a modified example of start control at the start of operation of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. The activation control shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by replacing the step S1 of the activation control shown in FIG. 2 with the step S1'.

In the step S1'in the start control shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state based on the discharge temperature of the compressor 111, not the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger. That is, the discharge temperature of the compressor 111 is compared with the outside air temperature, and if the discharge temperature is close to the outside air temperature, it is determined that the compressor 111 is in a sleeping state. As a specific example, a predetermined temperature threshold value ΔT2 is set in advance.
Discharge temperature <outside air temperature + ΔT2
Is determined to be in a sleeping state. The value of the temperature threshold value ΔT2 at this time is preferably a variable value rather than a fixed value, as in the case of the temperature threshold value ΔT1 described above. As a specific example, the value of the temperature threshold value ΔT2 is assumed to fluctuate according to the outside air temperature, the value of the temperature threshold value ΔT2 is large when the outside air temperature is low, and the value of the temperature threshold value ΔT2 is small when the outside air temperature is high. Is possible.

Further, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a further modification example of the start control at the start of operation of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. The activation control shown in FIG. 5 includes both steps of the activation control S1 shown in FIG. 2 and the activation control S1'shown in FIG.

That is, in the activation control shown in FIG.
Outdoor heat exchanger temperature <outside air temperature + ΔT1, and
Discharge temperature <outside air temperature + ΔT2
When both of the above are satisfied (YES in S1 and S1'), it is determined that the patient is in a sleeping state. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
Outdoor heat exchanger temperature <outside air temperature + ΔT1, and
Discharge temperature <outside air temperature + ΔT2
If any of the above is satisfied (YES in S1 or S1'), it may be determined that the patient is in a sleeping state.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing start control at the start of operation of the air conditioner 10 according to the second embodiment. Further, in the activation control of the second embodiment, the same step numbers as those of the activation control of the first embodiment are assigned the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the air conditioner 10 starts operation, in the activation control of the second embodiment, it is first determined whether or not the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state (S1). Although this determination is here as the step S1 in the activation control of FIG. 2, it may be the step of S1'in the activation control of FIG. 4, and both steps of S1 and S1'are performed in the same manner as in the activation control of FIG. You may use it. The same applies to the step of S16 described later.

When the compressor 111 is not in the sleeping state (NO in S1), the starting operation of the air conditioner 10 includes starting the compressor 111 (S2) and starting the indoor fan 102 (S13). In the operation control of the indoor fan 102, the maximum rotation speed is set for the rotation speed of the indoor fan 102, and the indoor fan 102 is controlled so as not to exceed the maximum rotation speed. When the indoor fan 102 is started in the step of S13, the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 is set to the first rotation speed N1 corresponding to the maximum air volume of the air conditioner 10.

That is, as shown by the solid line graph in FIG. 7, when the indoor fan 102 is activated when the compressor 111 is not in the sleeping state, for example, if the set air volume set by the user is the maximum air volume, the indoor fan 102 The rotation speed of can be increased to the first rotation speed N1 at the first change rate R1.

When the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state (YES in S1), the starting operation of the air conditioner 10 includes starting the compressor 111 (S4) and starting the indoor fan 102 (S15). When the indoor fan 102 is started in the step of S15, the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 is set to the second rotation speed N2, which is smaller than the first rotation speed N1.

That is, as shown by the broken line graph in FIG. 7, when the indoor fan 102 is activated when the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state, for example, even if the set air volume set by the user is the maximum air volume, compression is performed. While the machine 111 is in the sleeping state, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 can only be increased to the second rotation speed N2.

Even after the indoor fan 102 is activated in the step of S15, the air conditioner 10 continues to determine whether or not the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state (S16). The determination in S16 may be the same determination method as in S1. If it is determined that the sleeping state has been resolved (NO in S16), the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 is changed to the first rotation speed N1 (S17). While the sleeping state is not resolved (YES in S16), the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 is maintained at the second rotation speed N2 (S18). In the broken line graph of FIG. 7, the time t3 indicates the time when the sleeping state is resolved.

In the activation control according to the second embodiment, when the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state, the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 is limited to a smaller rotation speed than when the compressor 111 is not in the sleeping state. Therefore, even if the air volume set by the user is large, the air volume is limited to a small value until the sleeping state is resolved. As a result, it is possible to prevent the compressor 111 from running out of oil even when the heating operation is started from the sleeping state of the compressor 111.

Further, in the activation control according to the second embodiment, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 can be increased up to the second rotation speed N2 even while the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state. That is, the air volume of the indoor fan 102 can be increased to the extent that the compressor 111 does not run out of oil even before the laid-down state of the compressor 111 is resolved, so that the air volume of the indoor fan 102 can be increased as compared with the conventional start control. The comfort of the air conditioner 10 can be improved.

In the start control described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the change rate of the indoor fan 102 is set to the first change rate R1 even at the time of start (S15) when the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state. However, as in the first embodiment, when the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state, the change rate of the indoor fan 102 may be set to the second change rate R2.

[Embodiment 3]
In the first and second embodiments, the laid-down state of the compressor 111 is determined based on the outdoor heat exchanger temperature and the discharge temperature, but such a determination requires a temperature sensor. In recent years, air conditioners have been developed in which the number of temperature sensors used is reduced as much as possible, and it is considered effective if such an air conditioner can determine the sleeping state without using a temperature sensor.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing start control at the start of operation of the air conditioner 10 according to the third embodiment. Further, in the activation control of the third embodiment, the same step numbers as those of the activation control of the first and second embodiments are assigned the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the air conditioner 10 starts operation, in the activation control of the third embodiment, it is first determined whether or not the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state (S21). In this determination, the elapsed time tes from the previous operation end time to the current start time is compared with the threshold time (first threshold time) t4, and if the elapsed time tes is the threshold time t4 or more (tes ≧ t4), the person falls asleep. It is determined to be in a state. The air conditioner 10 is provided with a time measuring means (timer or the like) for recognizing the operation end time and the start time, and the previous operation end time is stored in the storage unit of the air conditioner 10. To do.

When the operation of the air conditioner 10 is completed, it can be estimated that the temperature of the compressor 111 is high and it is not in the sleeping state. Then, the temperature of the compressor 111 decreases from the end of the operation of the air conditioner 10, but it usually takes about half a day to one day until the compressor 111 falls asleep. Therefore, if the threshold time t4 is set to the time (for example, 24 hours) that is considered to be required to fall asleep, it can be considered that the compressor 111 is in the sleep state when tes ≧ t4.

As described above, in the activation control according to the third embodiment, it is possible to determine (estimate) whether or not the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state without using the temperature sensor. This makes it applicable to the air conditioner 10 which does not have a temperature sensor for measuring the outdoor heat exchanger temperature and the discharge temperature.

When the compressor 111 is not in the sleeping state (NO in S21), the starting operation of the air conditioner 10 includes starting the compressor 111 (S2) and starting the indoor fan 102 (S3). When the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state (YES in S21), the starting operation of the air conditioner 10 includes starting the compressor 111 (S4) and starting the indoor fan 102 (S5). That is, in the activation control of FIG. 8, the operation after the sleep determination is the same as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the start-up control at the start of operation of the air conditioner 10 according to the third embodiment, and the operation after the sleep determination is the same as that of the second embodiment. Of course, it is also possible to combine the first and second embodiments in the operation after the sleep determination.

In the activation control of FIG. 9, the step S1 in the activation control of FIG. 6 is replaced with the step of S21, and the step of S16 is replaced with the step of S26. In the step of S26, if the elapsed time ts from the current start-up does not reach the threshold time t5 (for example, 10 minutes) (ts <t5), it is determined that the sleeping state has not been resolved. In the activation control of the third embodiment, since the temperature sensor is not used to determine the sleeping state, it is considered that the sleeping state is resolved when the elapsed time ts from the activation reaches the threshold time t5.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing start control at the start of operation of the air conditioner 10 according to the fourth embodiment. Further, in the activation control of the fourth embodiment, the same step numbers as those of the activation control of the first to third embodiments are assigned the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the air conditioner 10 starts operation, in the activation control of the third embodiment, it is first determined whether or not the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state (S31). In this determination, it is confirmed whether or not the power supply has been switched from the indoor unit 100 to the outdoor unit 110 (relay OFF to relay ON) at the time of this activation, and if the power supply is switched, it is determined that the user is in a sleeping state. Will be done.

In the air conditioner 10, the power supply from the indoor unit 100 to the outdoor unit 110 is not immediately terminated when the user performs an operation stop operation with a remote controller or the like. Even if the operation of the air conditioner 10 is stopped by the operation instruction of the user, the power is supplied from the indoor unit 100 to the outdoor unit 110 for a while, and then the indoor unit 100 is supplied after a predetermined time has elapsed. The power supply to the outdoor unit 110 is stopped (relay ON to relay OFF).

That is, in the determination of S31, if there is no switching of the power supply from the indoor unit 100 to the outdoor unit 110, it is considered that the state is not in a sleeping state because the time elapsed from the previous operation stop is short. On the other hand, in the determination of S31, if the power supply is switched from the indoor unit 100 to the outdoor unit 110, it is possible that a long time has passed since the previous operation stop, so that the compressor 111 falls asleep. Can be considered to be.

In the activation control shown in FIG. 10, the operation after the sleep determination is the same as the activation control shown in FIG. 8, and the operation after the sleep determination is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the operation after the sleep determination is It can also be the same as in the second embodiment. The activation control in this case replaces the step S21 in the activation control shown in FIG. 9 with the step S31 in FIG. Of course, it is also possible to combine the first and second embodiments in the operation after the sleep determination.

As described above, even in the activation control according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to determine (estimate) whether or not the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state without using the temperature sensor. This makes it applicable to the air conditioner 10 which does not have a temperature sensor for measuring the outdoor heat exchanger temperature and the discharge temperature. Further, when the operation after the sleep determination is the same as that of the first embodiment, the time measuring means such as a timer can be omitted as compared with the activation control in the third embodiment.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing start control at the start of operation of the air conditioner 10 according to the fifth embodiment. Further, in the activation control of the fifth embodiment, the same step numbers as those of the activation control of the first to fourth embodiments are assigned the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the air conditioner 10 starts operation, in the start control of the fifth embodiment, the compressor 111 is started without first determining whether or not the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state (S41). .. The activation of the compressor 111 in S41 may be the same as the activation of the compressor 111 in S2 and S4 of FIG. After that, it is determined whether or not the discharge temperature of the compressor 111 is lower than the room temperature (room temperature) (S42).

If the discharge temperature is lower than the room temperature (YES in S42), it is further determined whether or not the elapsed time ts from the start has reached the threshold time (second threshold time) t6 (for example, 3 minutes) (S43). ). If YES in both steps of S42 and S43, the indoor fan 102 is started when the compressor 111 is in the sleeping state (S5). On the other hand, if NO in any of the steps S42 and S43, the indoor fan 102 is started when the compressor 111 is not in the sleeping state (S3).

In the activation control shown in FIG. 11, the operation after the sleep determination is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the operation after the sleep determination is the same as that of the second embodiment as in the cases of the third and fourth embodiments. It may be the same, or it may be a combination of Embodiments 1 and 2.

Further, the above-mentioned threshold time t6 may be a variable value instead of a fixed value. For example, in the state where the judgment condition in S42 is satisfied, that is, before the start this time,
When the start is performed when the discharge temperature <the room temperature is established (when the start is performed from the sleeping state), it is considered that the above judgment condition is not satisfied from the start and the sleeping state is resolved. The elapsed time up to is stored, and the stored elapsed time may be set as the threshold time t6 in the current activation control. In this case, the sleeping state can be determined more accurately, and the oil shortage of the compressor 111 can be prevented more reliably.

Further, the activation control shown in FIG. 11 basically determines that the vehicle is in the sleeping state when the discharge temperature is lower than the room temperature, but if it is NO in S43, it shifts to S3 and is in the sleeping state. If not, the indoor fan 102 is started. That is, it is possible to shift to S3 when the sleeping state is not completely resolved. This means that if the elapsed time ts reaches the threshold time t6, even if the sleeping state is not completely eliminated at that time, the state is close to the elimination, and even after the transition to S3. This is because the rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 does not reach the maximum rotation speed immediately. That is, even when the NO determination in S43 shifts to S3, it is considered that the sleeping state is eliminated before the rotation speed of the indoor fan 102 reaches the maximum rotation speed.

However, the step S43 in FIG. 11 is not essential, and this step can be omitted. In this case, if the determination is YES in S42, the process proceeds to S5, and if the determination is NO in S42, the process proceeds to S3.

[Embodiment 6]
The air conditioner 10 according to the sixth embodiment is connected to the server of the manufacturer via the Internet, and can store (store in the cloud) various data related to activation control in the server. In this case, a cloud can be combined with the activation control of the above-described first to fifth embodiments to perform more advanced activation control.

For example, when the cloud is combined with the activation control of the third embodiment, the cloud can be used to set the threshold time t4. Specifically, the server stores the threshold time t4 as data according to various state parameters such as the season, the time zone, and the installation status of the air conditioner 10, and the air conditioner 10 is the embodiment. When the activation control of No. 3 is executed, the threshold time t4 corresponding to these state parameters can be read from the server and set. As a result, the sleeping state can be determined more accurately, and the oil shortage of the compressor 111 can be prevented more reliably.

Further, for example, when the cloud is combined with the activation control of the seventh embodiment, the cloud can be used for setting the threshold time t6. Specifically, a large number of elapsed times from startup to the time when the sleep state is considered to have been resolved are stored in the server in association with temperature conditions (for example, outside air temperature at startup), and the threshold time t6 at the next startup is It can be the elapsed time of stored data with similar temperature conditions. As a result, the sleeping state can be determined more accurately, and the oil shortage of the compressor 111 can be prevented more reliably.

[Embodiment 7]
In the first and second embodiments, the cycle temperature such as the outdoor heat exchanger temperature and the discharge temperature is used to determine the sleeping state. However, instead of these cycle temperatures, it is conceivable to determine the sleeping state by using the temperature of the electrical component (electric component temperature) in the indoor unit 100. Some of the electrical components included in the electrical circuit of the air conditioner 10 are whose temperature is monitored for circuit protection (for example, IPM (Intelligent Power Module)). In this case, if the temperature of the electrical component is lower than a certain reference value, it can be determined that the load on the compressor 111 is small and that the compressor 111 is in a sleeping state.

In this way, if the electrical component temperature is used, it is possible to determine the sleeping state without using the cycle temperature with a large temperature fluctuation, and it is possible to perform a more accurate sleeping determination. Further, similarly to the start control of the third embodiment, it can be applied to the air conditioner 10 which does not have a temperature sensor for measuring the outdoor heat exchanger temperature and the discharge temperature.

The embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and do not provide a basis for limited interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not construed solely by the above-described embodiments, but is defined based on the description of the claims. It also includes all changes within the meaning and scope of the claims.

10 Air conditioner 100 Indoor unit (indoor unit)
101 Indoor heat exchanger 102 Indoor fan 110 Outdoor unit (outdoor unit)
111 Compressor 112 Outdoor heat exchanger 113 Four-way valve 114 Expansion valve 115 Outdoor fan

Claims (10)

It is equipped with a determination unit that determines whether or not the compressor is in a sleeping state at the start of heating operation.
When the determination unit determines that the compressor is not in a sleeping state, the indoor fan is started up at the first change rate to the target rotation speed.
An air conditioner characterized in that when the compressor is determined to be in a sleeping state by the determination unit, the indoor fan is started up to a target rotation speed at a second change rate slower than the first change rate. It is equipped with a determination unit that determines whether or not the compressor is in a sleeping state at the start of heating operation.
When the determination unit determines that the compressor is not in a sleeping state, the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan is limited to the first rotation speed.
An air conditioner characterized in that when the compressor is determined to be in a sleeping state by the determination unit, the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan is limited to the second rotation speed smaller than the first rotation speed. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.
The determination unit refers to the predetermined temperature threshold value ΔT1.
Outdoor heat exchanger temperature <outside air temperature + ΔT1
An air conditioner characterized in that it is determined to be in a sleeping state when is satisfied. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.
The determination unit refers to the predetermined temperature threshold value ΔT2.
Compressor discharge temperature <outside air temperature + ΔT2
An air conditioner characterized in that it is determined to be in a sleeping state when is satisfied. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.
The determination unit compares the elapsed time from the previous operation end time to the current start time with the first threshold time, and if the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the first threshold time, determines that the vehicle is in a sleeping state. Characterized air conditioner. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.
The determination unit is an air conditioner characterized in that it determines that the air conditioner is in a sleeping state if the power supply from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit is switched at this start-up. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.
The determination unit is an air conditioner characterized in that if the discharge temperature of the compressor is lower than room temperature, it is determined that the compressor is in a sleeping state. The air conditioner according to claim 7.
When the determination unit determines that the compressor is not in a sleeping state, the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan is limited to the first rotation speed.
When the determination unit determines that the compressor is in a sleeping state, the maximum rotation speed of the indoor fan is smaller than the first rotation speed from the start of this time until the second threshold time elapses. It is limited to 2 rotations,
The second threshold time stores the elapsed time from the start to the time when the sleep state is considered to be resolved when the start from the sleep state is performed before the current start, and the stored elapsed time is the current time. An air conditioner characterized by setting a second threshold time at startup. The air conditioner according to claim 5.
The air conditioner is connected to the server via the Internet,
The first threshold time according to the state parameter of the air conditioner is stored in the server as data, and when the air conditioner is started, the first threshold time according to the state parameter at the time of startup is stored. Is read from the server and set. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.
The determination unit is an air conditioner characterized in that it determines that the air conditioner is in a laid-down state when the temperature of the electrical components in the indoor unit is lower than the reference value.

Images