JP3116744B2 - Air conditioner and operating method thereof - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for operating an air conditioner, and more particularly to a method for changing an operation mode associated with automatic operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a method of setting parameters such as an operation mode in an air conditioner operation is determined by a user during operation of the air conditioner or automatically determined according to an algorithm preset at the time of factory shipment. Had been. A control method for preventing a significant change in the room temperature when shifting from the cooling mode to the heating mode in such automatic operation is described in JP-A-6-147591 and JP-A-6-147591. ing. Also, in order to protect the compressor, the number of times the compressor is switched on and off during the operation of the air conditioner is suppressed, and a control is performed using a guard timer so that the reverse operation is not performed for a certain time after the air conditioner is turned on or off. Further, in order to reduce current consumption, a demand control method of monitoring a current flowing through the compressor and automatically stopping the compressor when the current value exceeds a predetermined value has been used.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned prior art, the operation of the air conditioner requires the user to determine all parameters when operating the air conditioner. In the case of (1), there is a problem that the parameter which the user emphasizes cannot be determined.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.
Japanese Patent No. 47591 discloses reducing the discomfort of the user due to a large change in room temperature, but does not consider simple parameter setting according to the user's preference. The method of using a guard timer to reduce the frequency of switching the compressor on and off cannot follow changes in the air conditioning load or the like during the guard time, causing the user to feel uncomfortable. ◆ Furthermore, if the demand control method is used to reduce the current consumption,
If the air-conditioning load changes during the stoppage of the compressor, the compressor is in a stopped state and cannot follow the change in the air-conditioning load.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an operation method for operating an air conditioner by a simple operation, in which a user only needs to issue an operation command when operating the air conditioner. An object of the present invention is to provide a driving method in which an environment satisfying the user can be obtained by instructing only the user's preference after driving. A second object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of the compressor by suppressing the frequency of switching the compressor on and off. Further, a third object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that ensures the controllability of the control of the air conditioner even when the air conditioning load changes and reduces the current consumption.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object , the present invention provides an outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor unit having the compressor.
An indoor unit having a pipe-connected expansion valve, the outdoor unit and the
A remote controller connected to at least one of the indoor units
Switch based on the start / stop input of the remote control switch.
Operating according to a predetermined operating mode
Measure the current consumption of compressor or air conditioner
Current detection means, and the current detected by the current detection means
When the value reaches the specified value, the opening of the expansion valve
Control.

[0006] In the above, the current detection means
When the detected current value reaches a predetermined value, it is installed in the indoor unit.
The expansion valve opening to reduce the pressure inside the air conditioner
It is desirable.

Further, in the above, according to preference
The operation mode is automatically corrected based on the input
It is desirable to turn over.

Further, in the above, the outdoor unit
ON / OFF to count the number of times the compressor is switched ON / OFF
Counting means is provided.
The frequency of the counted number of compressor on / off switching
It is desirable to lower the air-conditioning capacity when the value exceeds a certain value.

Further, the present invention relates to a compressor, a heat exchanger,
Compression pressure control valve, liquid receiver, electronic expansion valve, evaporator are sequentially piped
In the air conditioner having connected the refrigeration cycle, the
The compressor is operated at a constant speed, and the compressor or air conditioner
When the current consumption exceeds a predetermined value, the electronic expansion valve is opened by a predetermined amount.
To reduce the pressure in the refrigeration cycle.
You.

Further, the present invention provides an outdoor unit having a compressor.
And an indoor unit having an expansion valve connected to the outdoor unit by piping.
And at least one of the outdoor unit and each of the indoor units
And a remote control switch connected thereto.
Operation mode determined in advance based on switch input / output
The operating method of the air conditioner operating in accordance with
Detects the current consumption of the air conditioner, and the detected current value is
When it reaches the value, it controls the opening of the expansion valve installed in the indoor unit.
It is.

[0011]

The air conditioner is provided with an on / off counter for counting on / off of the compressor, and counts the number of on / off times or the cumulative number of on / off times of the compressor per unit time. If the frequency of on-off or the cumulative number of times exceeds a predetermined number, the compressor is not stopped even if the compressor enters a stop condition, and the opening degree of the expansion valve is controlled. Further, the microcomputer in the air conditioner compares the output of the compressor or the current consumption detecting means of the air conditioner provided in the air conditioner with a set value, and if the set value is exceeded, controls the expansion valve opening without stopping the compressor. . Thereby, both reduction of the frequency of turning on and off the compressor and reduction of the current consumption can be realized. The setting of the parameters for automatic operation, the ON / OFF of the compressor, and the determination of the current consumption are all controlled by the microcomputer, and only one microcomputer is required to be connected to each device, and information is transmitted only between the microcomputers. Therefore, malfunctions due to transmission can be reduced.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a basic system to which the present invention is applied. An indoor unit 2 is connected to each of the plurality of outdoor units 3, and a remote control switch 1 is connected to some of the indoor units by a transmission line. The remote control switch 1 is a means for a user to give an instruction to the air conditioner, and the indoor unit 2 has a built-in means for performing appropriate control according to the instruction from the user. The outdoor unit 3 also has a built-in means for performing appropriate control in accordance with an instruction from a user, similarly to the indoor unit 2. One or more indoor units are connected to each outdoor unit by pipes, and a transmission line is connected between the connected outdoor units and indoor units in principle.

Next, details of the remote control switch 1, the indoor unit 2, and the outdoor unit 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a control block of the remote control switch 1. The remote control switch 1 includes a start / stop switch 13 for operating or stopping the air conditioner, a high switch 4 for increasing the set temperature as a preference switch indicating the preference of the user, a low switch 5 for decreasing the temperature, The microcomputer 8 has a strong switch 6 for increasing (or increasing) the set air volume and a weak switch 7 for decreasing (or weakening) the air volume. The microcomputer 8 recognizes the contents of the operation information and transmits the information to the indoor unit 2 via the transmission unit 9.
Communicate that information to

FIG. 3 shows a control block of the indoor unit 2. Information transmitted from the remote control switch 1 and the outdoor unit 3 to the indoor unit 2 is transmitted to the microcomputer 8 of the indoor unit via the transmission unit 9. The microcomputer 8 of the indoor unit controls the rotation speed of the indoor blower 10 and the opening of the electronic expansion valve 11 based on the transmitted information. At this time, the temperature, pressure, and the like of each unit detected by the sensor 12 disposed in each unit of the air conditioner are used as input information as determination materials. When controlling a device built in the outdoor unit 3 such as the compressor 15, information is transmitted to the outdoor unit 3 via the transmission unit 9.

FIG. 4 shows a control block of the outdoor unit 3. Information transmitted from the remote control switch 1 or the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 3 is transmitted to the microcomputer 8 of the outdoor unit via the transmission unit 9. The microcomputer 8 of the outdoor unit, based on information transmitted from the remote control switch 1 and the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 3, turns on or off the compressor 15, the number of revolutions, the refrigerant flow rate in the heat exchanger 14, the outdoor blower To control the number of revolutions.
Then, the temperature, pressure, and the like of each part of the air conditioner detected by the sensor 12 are used as a determination material at the time of control. In addition, when controlling the equipment built in the indoor unit 2 such as the blower 10,
Information is transmitted to the indoor unit 2 via the transmission means 9.

Next, an operation method of the basic system of the present invention configured as described above will be described. When the user operates the air conditioner, the start / stop switch 13 of the remote control switch 1 is used.
Gives an operation command. At this time, the fact that the start / stop switch 13 has been input is displayed on the remote control switch.
This operation command is transmitted to the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3,
The automatic recognition determination operation starts. It goes without saying that the user may arbitrarily select the switch input together with the operation command. The automatic recognition determination operation determines an operation mode, a set temperature, and a set air volume according to an algorithm determined in advance at the time of factory shipment. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the automatic recognition determination operation.

When an operation command is given, the information is transmitted from the remote control switch 1 to the indoor unit 2. The suction temperature information detected by the sensor 12 is input to the indoor unit 2, and the operation mode is determined by the microcomputer 8 of the indoor unit. In FIG. 5, the suction temperature of 25 ° C. is set as the set value of the operating conditions, and if the suction temperature is 25 ° C. or more, cooling is performed, and if the suction temperature is less than 25 ° C., heating is performed.
However, the set value can include a margin such as a setting error, and the value itself can be freely changed.
When the operation mode is determined, the microcomputer 8 compares the set temperature corresponding to the operation mode with the suction temperature, and determines that the difference is 5
If it is more than ℃, it is a rapid wind; if it is more than 3 ℃, it is a strong wind; if it is less than 3 ℃, it is a weak wind. This determination value can be changed in the same manner as described above. Then, when the operation mode, the set temperature, and the set air volume are determined, the operation control is started. However, immediately after the start of the operation in the heating mode, in order to prevent blown cold air,
The hot start function, that is, the function of not operating the blower until the warm air blows out, or the function of reducing the wind is activated.
Normally, the equipment provided in the indoor unit and the outdoor unit is controlled so as to satisfy the target determined by the above procedure. However, if the goal or current situation is unsatisfactory for the user, it can be corrected. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the correction method.

During normal operation, the remote control switch 1
Microcomputer 8 constantly monitors the presence or absence of the switch input of the high switch 4, the low switch 5, the strong switch 6, and the weak switch 7. When any of these is input, the switch input is transmitted through the transmission means 9. And transmitted to the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3. At this time, the input state of each switch is displayed on the remote control switch. The microcomputer 8 of the indoor unit 2 changes the currently set target value according to the switch input. For example, when the high switch 4 is pressed, the set temperature is high; when the low switch 5 is pressed, the set temperature is low; when the strong switch 6 is pressed, the set airflow is large; When 7 is pressed, the set air volume is changed to a small value. How much is changed by one operation follows a value determined beforehand at the time of factory shipment. These corrections are reflected on the determination conditions in the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, when the high switch 4 is input, the set temperature determined by the operation mode is increased by a predetermined value, in the case of the low switch 5, the set temperature is lowered, and in the case of the strong switch 6, the difference between the set temperature and the suction temperature is reduced. In the case of the weak switch 7, the difference between the set temperature and the suction temperature is increased. Then, these corrected determination conditions are stored in the non-volatile storage means, and in the subsequent operation, the operation mode and the like are determined according to the corrected determination conditions. The operation under the corrected judgment condition is also called an automatic recognition judgment operation. Since each of the remote control switch 1, the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 has the transmission means 9, the above-described algorithm shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be implemented in any of them by the mutual information transmission function.

Next, a method of performing the automatic recognition determination operation without a remote control (without the remote control switch 1) will be described. This is a method in which the remote control switch 1 is removed from the system in FIG. 1 and only the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 are operated. In this case, the start / stop switch 13 is replaced by the indoor unit 2 or the outdoor unit 3 The input means 16 is built-in. The input method to the input means 16 includes pulse input,
There are level inputs, centralized controllers, switches, etc. Further, even when the input means 16 is not provided, for example, power-on or the like can be used instead of the start / stop switch.

According to any of the above methods, the input means 16
When an operation command is input to the air conditioner from above, the above-described automatic recognition determination operation is started. Further, the automatic operation can be stopped by inputting the operation command again or interrupting the input operation command. Further, the input of the input means 16 is made multi-input, and the high switch 4, low switch 5, strong switch 6,
If the input corresponding to the weak switch 7 is enabled, the above-described automatic operation correction algorithm can be implemented.

However, when the operation is performed without using the remote control switch 1, it is necessary to input a lot of setting contents to the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 in a conventional manner, so that the operation tends to be complicated. Therefore, the present invention uses a method in which automatic operation can be performed by giving any one setting information.
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of this method. When an operation command is given to the input means 16 of the indoor unit 2 or the outdoor unit 3,
The indoor unit 2 takes in the suction temperature and determines the operation mode based on the value. Cooling mode if suction temperature is 25 ° C or higher, 25
If the temperature is lower than C, the heating mode is set, but this value can be changed as described above. Next, the set airflow is determined based on information input to the input unit 16 of the indoor unit 2 or the outdoor unit 3 or information input in advance. This input can be set in advance by a dip switch, a jumper wire, or the like in addition to the above-described pulse input. Alternatively, it is also possible to use an AD conversion element and connect the resistors having different values.

Thus, according to the input set air volume,
Correct the set temperature. In the cooling mode, the temperature is corrected to 25 ° C, which is the standard set temperature, to 22 ° C if the set air volume is rapid, and to 27 ° C if the air volume is weak. In the heating mode,
For 25 ° C, correct to 27 ° C if the set air volume is abrupt and 22 ° C if the airflow is weak. These values can also be changed. Further, as supplementary control, when the suction temperature approaches the set temperature, control is performed to weaken the set air volume according to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the room temperature is constantly monitored during the automatic recognition determination operation control, and when the room temperature falls within 1 ° C with respect to the set temperature, the rotation speed of the blower is changed to reduce the air volume, and the room temperature is still within the temperature range of 1 ° C. If it does not enter, control is performed to return to the set airflow if it is the set airflow if it is not the set airflow.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the set air volume is input. However, the same control can be performed by inputting the set temperature.
FIG. 9 shows a flowchart when the set temperature is input. When an operation command is given to the input means 16 of the indoor unit 2 or the outdoor unit 3, the indoor unit 2 inputs the suction temperature from the sensor 12 and determines the operation mode based on the value. If the suction temperature is 25 ° C or higher, the cooling mode is set, and if it is lower than 25 ° C, the heating mode is set. However, this value can be changed. Next, the microcomputer 8 determines the set temperature based on information input to the input means 16 of the indoor unit 2 or the outdoor unit 3. In this case, if the set temperature is too small, the input method becomes complicated.
Up to about 5 steps. For example, 17 ℃, 20 ℃, 22 ℃, 25 ℃,
27 ° C. The set airflow is determined according to the set temperature input in this manner. Difference between set temperature and suction temperature is 5
If the temperature is above ℃, the wind is 1; if it is below ℃, the wind is weak; However, in the case of the heating mode, the above-described hot start function is activated so that the cool air is not blown out. Note that the set temperature difference between the set temperature used for this control and the suction temperature can also be changed. It is also possible to add the control shown in FIG.

The automatic recognition determination operation has been described above. However, as the environment approaches the target value, the compressor 15 may be turned on and off, or the tap change (rotation speed change) of the blower 10 may become frequent. If the operation is continued in this state, the life of the compressor 15 and the blower 10 may be shortened,
Control for reducing the number of switching is required. To achieve this, when the environment approaches the target value and is on the verge of thermo-off (stopping operation of the equipment because the control temperature is approaching the control temperature), the cooling or heating capacity is minimized so as not to be thermo-off. The flowchart is shown in FIG.

When the difference between the set temperature and the suction temperature falls within 0.5 ° C., the capacity reduction control is started. That is, if the compressor is a variable-speed compressor such as an inverter-driven compressor, the operating frequency of the compressor 15 is reduced. Then, when the number of revolutions becomes minimum, the electronic expansion valve is closed next to reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant. Further, the capacity may be reduced by forming a plurality of refrigerant flow paths in the heat exchanger and switching the refrigerant flow path by an electromagnetic valve to change the area of a portion where the refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger. A thermo-on / off timer may be provided to prevent frequent thermo-on / off switching. The thermo-on / off timer prevents the compressor 15 from turning on for a certain period of time when the compressor 15 is turned off, or prevents the compressor 15 from being turned off for a certain period of time when the compressor 15 is turned on.

Further, during the automatic recognition determination operation, the current consumption may increase due to an increase in the indoor load or the like. At this time, if the compressor has a variable operating frequency, the operating frequency can be reduced to reduce the current consumption. But,
If the compressor is of a constant speed operation type and has only an on / off function, the operating frequency cannot be lowered and the compressor must be stopped. Even if the operating frequency is variable, if the compressor is operating at the lowest frequency, the compressor must also be stopped. A method for reducing the current consumption without stopping the compressor will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 11 and a refrigeration cycle diagram of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 12, the refrigeration cycle includes a compressor 15, a heat exchanger 14, a condensing pressure control valve 20, a receiver 1
9, expansion valve 11, evaporator 17, and accumulator 18
Are sequentially connected by piping. In the case of cooling, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 12, and the flow rate of the refrigerant is mainly controlled by the electronic expansion valve 11. When the pressure in the refrigeration cycle increases, the pressure generally decreases by opening the electronic expansion valve 11. Since the increase in the pressure of the compressor 15 means that the load has increased, the current consumption increases. Therefore, the current consumption can be reduced by reducing the pressure of the compressor. If this principle is used, it is possible to reduce the current consumption without stopping the compressor even in an air conditioner having a compressor operating at a constant speed. This is shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the current consumption is constantly measured. If the measured value of the consumed current is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the refrigeration cycle is maintained as it is. When the pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the electronic expansion valve 11 is opened by a predetermined amount to reduce the pressure in the cycle. As a result, the load on the compressor decreases, and the current consumption decreases. Note that the control constant, the current consumption threshold value, the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 11, and the like required for this control are obtained from an algorithm determined beforehand at the factory, and different values are set depending on the model.

When the air conditioner is operated by the above-described automatic recognition determination operation, the operation mode and the like are automatically determined only by the user issuing an operation command, and thereafter the air conditioner is operated according to the request issued by the user according to his / her preference. It is only necessary to make a relative correction by the microcomputer in the machine, and it is possible to save trouble for the user. Also, just enter certain parameters,
Since the other parameters are automatically determined, the parameters that the user places importance on can be reflected in the automatic operation. Further, when the compressor is off, the cooling or heating capacity can be reduced without turning off the compressor, so that the frequency of turning on and off the compressor can be suppressed. Also, regarding the current consumption, since the electronic expansion valve is controlled without stopping the compressor, the current consumption can be reduced.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, cooling is achieved.
Or by temporarily reducing the heating capacity,
The frequency of on / off of the compressor to extend the life of the compressor and improve its reliability.
Improvement is achieved. In addition, the electronic expansion valve
Reduce the pressure inside the freeze cycle and reduce the compressor load.
This reduces the frequency of compressor on / off switching and reduces power consumption.
The flow can be suppressed.

[0031]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a remote control switch.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of an indoor unit.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the outdoor unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for determining an automatic setting value.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for correcting settings.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for automatically determining a set value when an air volume is set in advance.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for controlling a decrease in air volume.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for automatically determining a set value when a temperature is set in advance.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for controlling a decrease in cooling and heating capacity.

FIG. 11 is a control flowchart for suppressing current consumption.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Remote control switch 2. Indoor unit 3. Outdoor unit 4.
High temperature switch, 5 low temperature switch, 6 high air flow switch, 7 low air flow switch, 8 microcomputer, 9 transmission means, 10 blower, 11 expansion valve, 12 sensor, 13 start / stop switch, 14 ... heat exchanger, 15 ... compressor, 16 ... input means, 17
... evaporator, 18 ... accumulator, 19 ... receiver, 20 ... condensing pressure control valve.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masamichi Mochizuki 390 Muramatsu, Shimizu-shi, Shizuoka Pref.Hitachi, Ltd.Air Conditioning Systems Division (72) Inventor Masashi Watanabe 390, Muramatsu, Shimizu-shi, Shizuoka Pref.Hitachi, Ltd. (56) References JP-A-5-133584 (JP, A) JP-A-6-42802 (JP, A) JP-A-60-99946 (JP, A) Jpn. (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F24F 11/02 102

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An outdoor unit having a compressor, and an outdoor unit having the compressor.
An indoor unit having a pipe-connected expansion valve, the outdoor unit and the
A remote controller connected to at least one of the indoor units
Switch based on the start / stop input of the remote control switch.
Operating according to a predetermined operating mode
In machine, current detection which measures the current consumption of the compressor or the air conditioner
Means for detecting the current value detected by the current detecting means.
When the value reaches the value, the opening degree of the expansion valve provided in the indoor unit is controlled.
An air conditioner characterized by that. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said current
When the current value detected by the detecting means reaches a predetermined value, the room
The pressure inside the air conditioner is reduced by increasing the opening of the expansion valve
An air conditioner characterized by being lowered. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein
Automatically corrects the operation mode based on the input
An air conditioner characterized by operating. 4. The outdoor device according to claim 1, wherein
ON / OFF count of compressor ON / OFF switching times
Count means is provided.
Frequency of compressor on / off switching
It is characterized in that the air conditioning capacity is reduced when it exceeds a predetermined value.
Air conditioner. 5. A compressor, a heat exchanger, a condensing pressure control valve, and a liquid receiver.
Refrigerator, electronic expansion valve, evaporator
In the air conditioner having a compressor , the compressor is operated at a constant speed, and the compressor or the air conditioner is operated.
When the current consumption of the machine exceeds a predetermined value, the electronic expansion valve
Volume, and reducing the pressure in the refrigeration cycle.
Air conditioner characterized. 6. An outdoor unit having a compressor, and an outdoor unit having the compressor.
An indoor unit having a pipe-connected expansion valve , the outdoor unit and the
A remote controller connected to at least one of the indoor units
Switch based on the start / stop input of the remote control switch.
Air conditioner that operates according to a predetermined operation mode
In the operating method, the current consumption of the compressor or the air conditioner is detected and detected.
When the supplied current value reaches a predetermined value, an expansion valve provided in the indoor unit is provided.
A method for operating an air conditioner, comprising controlling an opening degree of an air conditioner.