WO2018163952A1

WO2018163952A1 - Multi-room air-conditioning device

Info

Publication number: WO2018163952A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/007719
Authority: WO
Inventors: 隼人布
Original assignee: ダイキン工業株式会社
Priority date: 2017-03-07
Filing date: 2018-03-01
Publication date: 2018-09-13
Also published as: JP2018146188A

Abstract

A multi-room air-conditioning device equipped with: an outdoor unit (20); multiple indoor units (30); and a control unit (60) for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit (20) and the indoor units (30). The outdoor unit (20) has an outdoor heat exchanger (23). The multiple indoor units (30) each have an indoor heat exchanger (31). The outdoor heat exchanger (23) and the indoor heat exchangers (31) are connected by a refrigerant circuit (11). Multiple expansion valves (24) are arranged in the refrigerant circuit (11) in correspondence with the indoor heat exchangers (31). In a partial operation mode in which a first indoor unit that has received an operation command is operated and a second indoor unit that has not received an operation command is not operated, if the operational load of the first indoor unit is small the control unit (60) moves to a distributed operation mode. In the distributed operation mode the first indoor unit is operated and the second indoor unit also is operated. In the distributed operation mode the control unit adjusts the capacity of the second indoor unit in accordance with the operational load of the first indoor unit.

Description

Multi-room air conditioner

This disclosure relates to a multi-room air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit by a refrigerant circuit.

Conventionally, in a multi-room type air conditioner, the load on the compressor provided in the outdoor unit varies greatly depending on the number of indoor units actually operated and the operation capacity required for each indoor unit. On the other hand, since the capacity of the compressor, that is, the operating capacity of the outdoor unit is limited within a certain range, the operating capacity of each indoor unit is also restricted in accordance with the range of the operating capacity of the outdoor unit.

For example, when the multi-room air conditioner is in a heating operation and there is only one indoor unit in operation, and the operating capacity required from this indoor unit is below the minimum operating capacity of the outdoor unit, Even if the outdoor unit is operated with the minimum operating capacity, the operating capacity supplied to the indoor unit may be excessive, and the room temperature may be higher than the set temperature.

When the room temperature becomes higher than the set temperature by a predetermined temperature (for example, 2 ° C) or more, the indoor unit requests a capacity request signal to the outdoor unit (a signal that requests the compressor speed of the outdoor unit according to the difference between the set temperature and the room temperature). Is stopped, and the air conditioning operation is stopped. On the other hand, the outdoor unit stops the compressor when all the indoor units stop the air conditioning operation and do not receive the capacity request signal. When the room temperature decreases to a predetermined temperature, for example, a set temperature after the thermo-off state, the indoor unit cancels the thermo-off state and transmits a capability request signal to the outdoor unit. Start up at a predetermined speed.

As described above, if the outdoor unit has an excessive driving capacity compared to that required by the indoor unit, the room temperature may exceed the set temperature as described above. There is. In this case, each time the thermo-off state is released, the compressor starts at a predetermined rotation speed, so that there are problems that power consumption increases and the room temperature is not stable.

In order to solve the above-described problem, for example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-193901), when the operation capability required by the operating indoor unit is lower than the minimum operation capability of the outdoor unit, The indoor expansion valve of the indoor unit that is not in operation is opened to forcibly operate the indoor unit. In the multi-room air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-193901), by such control, the necessary minimum operating capacity of the outdoor unit is ensured, and the outdoor unit is continuously operated with the minimum operating capacity. Thus, frequent transition / cancellation to the thermo-off state is suppressed.

However, in the above-described multi-room air conditioner, the capacity adjustment of the two indoor units when the stopped indoor unit is forcibly operated is not taken into consideration, and there is a possibility that the optimum operation will not be performed. there were.

The present disclosure solves the above-described problem, and in a multi-room air conditioner, when an indoor unit that is not in operation is forcibly operated, the indoor unit is adjusted to an appropriate operating capacity. Objective.

The first multi-room air conditioner is a multi-room air conditioner including an outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units, and a control unit that controls the operation of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The outdoor unit has an outdoor heat exchanger. Each of the plurality of indoor units has an indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger are connected by a refrigerant circuit. A plurality of expansion valves are arranged in the refrigerant circuit corresponding to the indoor heat exchanger. In the partial operation mode in which the control unit operates the first indoor unit that has received the operation command and stops the second indoor unit that has not received the operation command, the distribution operation is performed when the operation load of the first indoor unit is small. Enter mode. In the distribution operation mode, the first indoor unit is operated, and the second indoor unit is further operated. In the distribution operation mode, the control unit adjusts the capacity of the second indoor unit according to the operation load of the first indoor unit.

The second multi-room air conditioner is a first multi-room air conditioner, and in the distribution operation mode, the control unit performs the first operation when the operation load of the first indoor unit is smaller than a predetermined value. 2 Increase the capacity of indoor units.

The third multi-room air conditioner is a first multi-room air conditioner, and the controller is configured such that when the difference between the target temperature of the first indoor unit and the room temperature is smaller than a predetermined value, Increase the capacity of the second indoor unit.

The fourth multi-room air conditioner is the first multi-room air conditioner, and the control unit determines that the second multi-room air conditioner Increase the capacity of indoor units.

The fifth multi-room air conditioner is any one of the first to third multi-room air conditioners, and the control unit generates a predetermined number of thermo-off times per unit time of the first indoor unit. When it becomes above, the capability of the second indoor unit is increased. The thermo-off of the first indoor unit means that the supply of capacity to the first indoor unit is stopped when the difference between the target temperature of the first indoor unit and the room temperature becomes a predetermined value or less.

The sixth multi-room air conditioner is any one of the first to fifth multi-room air conditioners, and the indoor unit further includes an indoor fan that sends the air conditioned by the indoor heat exchanger into the room. Prepare. The control unit increases the capacity of the second indoor unit by increasing the number of rotations of the indoor fan of the second indoor unit.

The seventh multi-chamber air conditioner is any one of the first to fifth multi-chamber air conditioners, and the controller can adjust the opening of the expansion valve. The control unit increases the operating capacity of the second indoor unit by increasing the opening of the expansion valve corresponding to the second indoor unit.

In the first multi-room air conditioner, the first indoor unit is operated when the first indoor unit is operated and the second indoor unit that has received the stop command in the partial operation mode is operated in the distributed operation mode. The capacity to be distributed to the second indoor unit is adjusted according to the operation load. That is, when the operation capacity supplied to the first indoor unit is excessive even after shifting to the distribution operation mode, the operation capacity distributed to the second indoor unit is increased and supplied to the first indoor unit. When the driving capacity is insufficient, the driving capacity distributed to the second indoor unit is reduced. For this reason, a 1st indoor unit can be drive | operated by optimal driving capability.

In the second multi-room air conditioner, when the operation is performed in the distribution operation mode, the second indoor unit is increased in capacity when the operation load of the first indoor unit is smaller than a predetermined value, to the second indoor unit. Adjust the ability to distribute. That is, even if the operation mode is shifted to the distribution operation mode, when the operation capacity supplied to the first indoor unit is excessive, the operation capacity supplied to the first indoor unit is distributed to the second indoor unit. One indoor unit can be operated with an optimal driving capability.

In the third multi-room air conditioner, when the operation is performed in the distribution operation mode, if the difference between the target temperature of the first indoor unit and the room temperature is smaller than a predetermined value, the capacity of the second indoor unit is increased. Let That is, even when the operation mode is changed to the distribution operation mode, the operation capacity to be distributed to the second indoor unit is increased according to the frequency when it is likely to enter the thermo-off state. You can drive in.

In the fourth multi-room type air conditioner, when the room temperature change amount in the air-conditioned space of the first indoor unit is smaller than a predetermined value when operating in the distribution operation mode, the capacity of the second indoor unit is increased. That is, even if the operation mode is shifted to the distribution operation mode, when the operation capacity supplied to the first indoor unit is excessive and the room temperature greatly increases or decreases, the operation capacity to be distributed to the second indoor unit is increased. The indoor unit can be operated with the optimum driving ability.

In the fifth multi-room air conditioner, when the number of occurrences per unit time of the thermo-off of the first indoor unit exceeds a predetermined number when operating in the distribution operation mode, the capacity of the second indoor unit is increased. Increase. That is, even when the operation mode is changed to the distribution operation mode, when the operation / release to the thermo-off state occurs at a predetermined frequency, the first indoor unit is operated optimally in order to increase the operation capacity to be distributed to the second indoor unit. You can drive with your ability.

In the sixth multi-room air conditioner, when the capacity of the second indoor unit is increased during operation in the distribution operation mode, the rotation speed of the indoor fan of the second indoor unit is increased to increase the capacity of the second indoor unit. Increase capacity. For this reason, the capacity | capacitance of a 2nd indoor unit can be increased by simple control.

The seventh multi-room air conditioner increases the operating capacity of the second indoor unit by increasing the opening of the expansion valve when increasing the capacity of the second indoor unit during operation in the distribution operation mode. . For this reason, the capacity | capacitance of a 2nd indoor unit can be increased by simple control.

It is a block diagram which shows the refrigerating cycle of the multi-chamber type air conditioner of this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the multi-room air conditioner of this embodiment. It is a time chart in partial operation mode from distribution operation mode of this embodiment. It is a control flowchart in the partial operation mode of this embodiment. It is a control flowchart (first half) in distribution operation mode of this embodiment. It is a control flowchart (second half) in the distribution operation mode of this embodiment. 10 is a control flowchart (first half) of a distribution operation mode in Modification A. 10 is a control flowchart (second half) of a distribution operation mode in Modification A.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a multi-room air conditioner will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As an embodiment, a multi-room type air conditioner in which five indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit by a refrigerant circuit will be described as an example. The multi-room air conditioner is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

<First Embodiment>
(1) Configuration of Air Conditioner (1-1) Refrigerant Circuit FIG. 1 shows a refrigerant circuit diagram of the overall configuration of the multi-chamber air conditioner 10. The multi-room air conditioner 10 includes five indoor units 30 and one outdoor unit 20 that shares a refrigerant system with these

indoor units

30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e.

The refrigerant circuit 11 of the multi-room air conditioner 10 mainly includes a compressor 21, a four-way switching valve 22, an outdoor heat exchanger 23,

indoor heat exchangers

31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e, and

expansion valves

24a, 24b. , 24c, 24d, and 24e are connected. In the refrigerant circuit 11, a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is performed using R32 refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit 11 has a configuration in which an outdoor refrigerant circuit 12 formed in the outdoor unit 20 and an indoor refrigerant circuit 13 formed in the indoor unit 30 are connected. The outdoor refrigerant circuit 12 includes a compressor 21, a four-way switching valve 22, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, and five expansion valves 24. The indoor refrigerant circuit 13 includes an indoor heat exchanger 31.

The outdoor refrigerant circuit 12 of the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor refrigerant circuit 13 of the indoor unit 30 are connected by five gas side refrigerant communication pipes 16 and five liquid side refrigerant communication pipes 17. The five gas side refrigerant communication pipes 16 are connected to the gas pipe connection port 14 of the outdoor unit 20, and the five liquid side refrigerant communication pipes 17 are connected to the liquid pipe connection port 15 of the outdoor unit 20. The gas pipe connection port 14 combines the five gas side refrigerant communication pipes 16 into one gas pipe, and the one gas pipe connects the gas side shut-off valve 18 as shown by the solid line in FIG. To the four-way switching valve 22. The other end of the four-way switching valve 22 is connected to one end side of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. In the liquid pipe connection port 15, five liquid side refrigerant communication pipes 17 are respectively connected to one end side of the five expansion valves 24, and the other end side of the five expansion valves 24 is joined to one liquid pipe. Yes. One liquid pipe connected to the other end side of the five expansion valves 24 is connected to the other end side of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 via the liquid side closing valve 19. Further, four discharge sides of the compressor 21 are connected to one end side of the four-way switching valve 22, and the suction side of the compressor 21 is connected to the other end of the four-way switching valve 22.

(2) Detailed configuration of multi-room air conditioner 10 (2-1)

Indoor units

30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e
The plurality of

indoor units

30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e are installed in different rooms of the building. The

indoor units

30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e include

indoor heat exchangers

31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, and 31e, and

indoor fans

32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, and 32e, respectively. Since the configurations of the

indoor units

30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e are all the same, in the following description, the configuration of the indoor unit 30a will be described, and the other

indoor units

30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e will be described. Description is omitted.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the control unit 60 provided in the multi-room air conditioner 10. The control unit 60 includes an indoor unit control unit 33 and an outdoor unit control unit 26, which will be described later, and controls the operation of the entire air conditioner. The indoor unit 30a has an indoor unit control unit 33a. The indoor unit control unit 33a controls the operation of each unit (the indoor fan 32a and the indoor temperature sensor 34a) constituting the indoor unit 30a. And the indoor unit control part 33a has a microcomputer, memory, etc. provided in order to control the indoor unit 30a, and controls between the remote control 35a for operating the indoor unit 30a separately. Signals and the like can be exchanged, and control signals and the like can be exchanged with the outdoor unit 20 via the transmission line 61.

(2-2) Outdoor unit 20
As shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit 20 is connected to each of the

indoor units

30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e via a refrigerant circuit, and is composed of a compressor 21, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, and the like. A circuit 12 is formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 20 includes an outdoor unit control board 28. The outdoor unit control board 28 includes components constituting the outdoor unit 20 (compressor 21, four-way switching valve 22, outdoor fan 37, and

expansion valves

24a, 24b corresponding to the

indoor units

30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e. , 24c, 24d, 24e) has an outdoor unit control unit 26 and a determination unit 27. The outdoor unit control unit 26 includes a microcomputer, a memory, and the like provided for controlling the outdoor unit 20, and is connected to each indoor

unit control unit

33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, and 33e. Control signals and the like can be exchanged via the transmission line 61. The outdoor unit control unit 26 includes a determination unit 27, a timer T1, a timer T2, and a counter C. The timer T1 measures the elapsed time from the start of the partial operation mode described later, and the timer T2 measures the elapsed time from the start of the distribution operation. The counter C measures the number of thermo-offs within the time measured by the timer T1. The determination unit 27 determines whether or not the number of thermo-offs counted within the time measured by the timer T1 has been counted a predetermined number or more within a predetermined time.

(3) Operation of Multi-Room Air Conditioner Next, the operation of the multi-room air conditioner 10 during cooling operation and heating operation will be described.

(3-1) Cooling Operation First, during the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 22 is switched to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. That is, the discharge side of the compressor 21 is connected to one end side of the outdoor heat exchanger 23, and the suction side of the compressor 21 is connected to the five gas side refrigerant communication pipes 16. With such a circuit configuration of the refrigerant circuit 11 during the cooling operation, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 23 via the four-way switching valve 22, and the outdoor heat exchanger. In 23, it is condensed and liquefied by heat exchange with outdoor air. The liquid refrigerant liquefied by the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is divided into five, and the five divided flows pass through the five expansion valves 24 according to their opening degrees. The liquid refrigerant that has passed through the five expansion valves 24 of the liquid pipe connection port 15 expands by passing through the expansion valve 24, passes through the five liquid-side refrigerant communication pipes 17, and reaches the five indoor units 30. Each flows in.

In each of the

indoor units

30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e, the liquid refrigerant evaporates by exchanging heat with indoor air in the

indoor heat exchangers

31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, and 31e. The indoor air cooled by the evaporation of the refrigerant is blown out into the room by the indoor fan 32 (32a to 32e) to cool the room. The gas refrigerant evaporated and vaporized in the indoor heat exchanger 31 returns to the outdoor refrigerant circuit 12 of the outdoor unit 20 from the gas pipe connection port 14 through the gas side refrigerant communication pipe 16. The gas refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor refrigerant circuit 12 is drawn into the compressor 21 from the four-way switching valve 22.

(3-2) Heating Operation On the other hand, during the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 22 is switched to the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. That is, the discharge side of the compressor 21 is connected to the five gas side refrigerant communication pipes 16, and the suction side of the compressor 21 is connected to one end side of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Due to the circuit configuration of the refrigerant circuit 11 during such heating operation, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 passes through the four-way switching valve 22 from the gas pipe connection port 14 to the gas side refrigerant communication pipe 16. To leak. The gas refrigerant passes through the gas side refrigerant communication pipe 16 and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 31 of each indoor unit 30, and is condensed and liquefied by heat exchange with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 31. . The indoor air heated by the condensation of the refrigerant is blown into the room by the indoor fan 32 to heat the room. The liquid refrigerant liquefied in the indoor heat exchanger 31 returns to the outdoor refrigerant circuit 12 of the outdoor unit 20 from the liquid pipe connection port 15 through the liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 17. The liquid refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 20 passes through the five expansion valves 24 at the liquid pipe connection port 15 and expands. The liquid refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve 24 merges at the liquid pipe connection port 15, passes through the liquid side closing valve 19, and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 23. The liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 23 evaporates by exchanging heat with outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 23. The gas refrigerant evaporated and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is sucked into the compressor 21 from the four-way switching valve 22.

(4-1) Outline of Partial Operation Mode Next, specific examples of operations in the partial operation mode and the distribution operation mode in the multi-room air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. The time chart of FIG. 3 shows (a) timer T1, (b) timer T2, (c) operation of the compressor 21, and (d) expansion valve in order from the top with the time t as the horizontal axis during heating operation. 24a shows the opening / closing of 24a, (e) the measured temperature of the temperature sensor 34a, (f) the opening / closing of the expansion valve 24b, (g) the target rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b, and (h) the measured temperature of the temperature sensor 34b. In the following description, the indoor unit 30a is the first indoor unit, the indoor unit 30b is the second indoor unit, and only the indoor unit 30a with the rated operating capacity of 2.2 kW performs the heating operation. Is suspended. Moreover, it demonstrates as the minimum driving capability of the outdoor unit 20 is 2.2 kW. In addition, although the heating operation is described in the present embodiment, the operation described later is applicable also in the cooling operation.

In the indoor unit 30a, the user sets the set temperature to 22 ° C. When the heating operation is started and the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 34a reaches the set temperature of 22 ° C., the driving capability required for the indoor unit 30a is lower than the rated driving capability of 2.2 kW.

Since the minimum operating capacity of the outdoor unit 20 is 2.2 kW, an operating capacity larger than that required for the indoor unit 30a is supplied to the indoor unit 30a. In such a state, the room temperature exceeds the set temperature. When the room temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 34a is higher than a set temperature by a predetermined temperature (for example, 2 ° C.) or more, the indoor unit control unit 33a of the indoor unit 30a sends a capability request signal (set temperature and room temperature) to the outdoor unit 20. The transmission of the signal requesting the rotational speed of the compressor 21 of the outdoor unit 20 according to the difference between the two is stopped, the air conditioning operation of the indoor unit 30a is stopped, and the thermo-off state is entered (tTH1). The capability request signal is always transmitted from the indoor unit 30a to the outdoor unit 20 except when the thermo is off. The stop of the air-conditioning operation means that the heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger 31a is substantially stopped, and is executed by not allowing the refrigerant to flow into the indoor heat exchanger 31a or by reducing it to a minimum. . The presence / absence of operation of the indoor fan 32a is not included in the definition of thermo-off. Stopping the air conditioning operation of the indoor unit 30a at the time of the thermo-off is performed by changing the opening degree of the expansion valve 24a corresponding to the indoor unit 30a. For example, the expansion valve 24a is fully closed or has an extremely small opening degree.

On the other hand, the outdoor unit control unit 26 of the outdoor unit 20 starts the operation of the outdoor unit 20 based on the control signal from the indoor unit 30a, and the timer T1 measures time from the time when the indoor unit 30a starts to operate. To start. Then, if the reception of the capability request signal from the indoor unit 30a stops during the operation of the outdoor unit 20, the outdoor unit control unit 26 determines that the indoor unit 30a has shifted to the thermo-off state, and sets the number of thermo-offs to once. Count.

If the thermo-off state occurs, the flow of the refrigerant to the indoor unit 30a stops, and heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 31a is not performed. If this state continues, the room in which the indoor unit 30a is installed The room temperature decreases. When the room temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 34a becomes lower than the set temperature by a predetermined temperature (for example, 1 ° C.) or more, the indoor unit control unit 33a releases the thermo-off state and drives the indoor fan 32a. Then, transmission of the capability request signal to the outdoor unit 20 is resumed.

The outdoor unit control unit 26 counts the number of thermo-offs from the time when the operation of the indoor unit 30a is started, and stores it in the counter C. Then, this number is equal to or more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time measured by the timer T1 from the time when the operation of the indoor unit 30a is started, for example, 5 times within 30 minutes after starting the operation of the indoor unit 30a (tTH1 to tTH5). If it is above, the outdoor unit control unit 26 determines that the indoor unit 30a is frequently shifted to the thermo-off state, that is, the operation load of the indoor unit 30a is small with respect to the minimum operation capability of the outdoor unit 20, In order to make the capacity required for the unit 30a equal to or greater than the minimum operation capacity of the outdoor unit 20, it is determined that the distribution operation start condition for forcibly operating the stopped indoor unit is satisfied.

When the number of thermo-offs is 5 or more in 30 minutes after starting the operation of the indoor unit 30a, the outdoor unit control unit 26 resets the time measured from the time when the operation of the indoor unit 30a is started ( Timer reset). If the indoor unit 30b set in advance by the user for the distribution operation is stopped, the distribution operation is started (tST). The distribution operation setting is to select an indoor unit that is forcibly started when the operation load of the indoor unit receiving the operation command is small in the partial operation mode. The distribution operation setting is set by the user using the remote controller 35 from among the other indoor units 30 connected to the same multi-room air conditioner 10 for each indoor unit 30. If the indoor unit 30 to be set for the distribution operation is an indoor unit installed in a room that is scheduled to be used soon, the distribution operation can be combined with the preheating operation.

(4-2) Overview of Distribution Operation Mode The indoor unit control unit 33b of the indoor unit 30b that has received the distribution operation start signal drives the indoor fan 32b at the minimum rotation speed. At the same time, the outdoor unit control unit 26 starts the distribution operation of the indoor unit 30b with the expansion valve 24b set to an opening corresponding to the degree of refrigerant supercooling at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 31b.

When the distribution operation is started, the indoor unit control unit 33a reads the room temperature from the indoor temperature sensor 34a. The outdoor unit control unit 26 of the outdoor unit 20 starts time measurement from the time point when the indoor unit 30b starts operation by the timer T2. After a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of time measurement by the timer T2, for example, after 5 minutes, the room temperature is read again from the indoor temperature sensor 34a, and the operating load of the indoor unit 30a is estimated from the amount of room temperature change per predetermined time. When the room temperature change amount is larger than a predetermined value, for example, + 2 ° C., the target rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b of the indoor unit 30b is increased by one stage because the capacity distribution amount to the indoor unit 30b is insufficient. By increasing the rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b of the indoor unit 30b, the amount of heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger 31b is increased, and the opening of the expansion valve 24b is increased, thereby increasing the capacity distribution amount to the indoor unit 30b. The machine 30a is operated with the optimum driving ability, and the entry into the thermo-off state is avoided.

On the other hand, if the change in room temperature is smaller than 2 ° C, it is determined whether the room temperature is rising, constant, or decreasing. If the room temperature has decreased, it is determined that the capacity distribution to the indoor unit 30b is excessive, and the target rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b is decreased. On the other hand, if the room temperature rises or is constant, it is determined that optimum capacity distribution is being performed, and the distribution operation is continued without changing the target rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b. In this way, by changing the target rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b in accordance with the amount of change in the room temperature and repeatedly adjusting the capacity distribution amount to the indoor unit 30b, the indoor unit 30a is operated with the optimum operating capacity, The number of times that the indoor unit 30a shifts to the thermo-off state is decreased.

In the time chart of FIG. 3, the room temperature is measured by the room temperature sensor 34a at the start of the distribution operation mode (tS1) and at the first timer reset (tR1), and the difference between these room temperatures is calculated. Here, the indoor temperature change amount is + 3 ° C., which is larger than the predetermined value + 2 ° C. Therefore, assuming that the capacity distribution amount to the indoor unit 30b is insufficient, the target rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b is increased by one step, and the time measurement of the timer T2 is started again. Subsequently, the measurement is performed by the room temperature sensor 34a at the start (tS2) and end (tR2) of the second measurement of the timer T2. Since the temperature change amount here is + 2.5 ° C. and is larger than + 2 ° C., the target rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b is further increased by one step, and the distribution operation is continued. The timer T2 measurement is started for the third time after the start of the distribution operation, and the indoor temperature change amount at the start (tS3) and the end (tR3) is calculated. The indoor temperature change amount is + 1 ° C., which is smaller than + 2 ° C. Since the indoor temperature change amount is slightly increased, the distribution operation is continued without changing the rotation speed of the indoor fan 32b, assuming that the optimum capacity distribution can be performed. As described above, the target rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b is increased stepwise in accordance with the balance between the load and capacity, and the ability to distribute to the indoor unit 30b is increased, so that the indoor temperature change measured by the temperature sensor 34a is moderate. And thermo-off is suppressed.

Further, after the distribution operation is started, the difference ΔD between the room temperature and the set temperature in the indoor unit 30a is measured. If ΔD is larger than a predetermined value α (for example, 5 ° C.), it is determined that the capacity supply to the indoor unit 30a is too small. Then, the distribution operation to the indoor unit 30b is stopped. When the distribution operation stop signal is transmitted, the expansion valve 24b is closed, the indoor fan 32b is stopped, and the distribution operation is ended. In addition, when the user performs a remote control operation on the indoor unit 30b, a distribution operation stop signal is transmitted to the indoor unit 30b, and the operation is switched to give priority to the instruction from the user.

In addition to the above-described termination conditions, in the indoor unit 30b, when the room temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 34b becomes higher than the set temperature set in the indoor unit 30b, that is, when the distribution operation is used as the preheating operation. When the capacity demand in the indoor unit 30b is satisfied, the distribution operation is terminated.

In the multi-room air conditioner 10 described above, the required operating capacity of the single indoor unit 30a that is operating is smaller than the minimum operating capacity of the outdoor unit 20, and the indoor unit 30b that has stopped operating is used. In the case of the distributed operation, the indoor unit 30a is operated with the optimum capability by adjusting the operation capability of the indoor unit 30b, and the shift to / release of the thermo-off state is reduced.

(5) Explanation of each operation mode using flowchart Next, the flow of processing in the multi-chamber air conditioner 10 will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 5A and 5B. The flowchart in FIG. 4 explains the flow of processing in the outdoor unit control unit 26 of the outdoor unit 20 when any one of the five indoor units 30a to 30e is in operation. ST represents a step, and the number following this represents a step number.

It should be noted that processing other than the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 5A and 5B, for example, switching of the four-way switching valve 22 in the outdoor unit 20 and the rotational speed of the compressor 21 corresponding to the set temperature designated by the user and the rotational speed thereof. The description of other processing in the general outdoor unit 20 such as adjustment of the opening degree of the expansion valve 24 according to is omitted.

(5-1) Partial Operation Mode As shown in FIG. 4, first, the indoor unit 30a is started to operate, the partial operation mode is started (ST1), and the timer T1 is started (ST2). The timer T1 is used to measure the “predetermined time” when counting how many times the transition to / release from the thermo-off state is performed within a predetermined time.

Next, it is determined whether or not the thermo-off condition is satisfied (ST3). If the condition is satisfied, transmission of the capability request signal to the outdoor unit 20 is stopped, and capability supply to the indoor unit 30a is stopped (ST4). 1 is added to the number of thermo-offs of the counter C (ST5). In the thermo-off condition determination, ΔD is determined to satisfy the thermo-off condition by being smaller than a predetermined value. After the compressor 21 is stopped, it is determined whether the thermo-on condition is satisfied (ST6), and the thermo-off state is continued until this condition is satisfied. When the thermo-on condition is satisfied, the transmission of the capability request signal is resumed, the operation of the indoor unit 30a is started (ST7), and it is confirmed whether the thermo-off counter C has reached the predetermined number of times (a times) (ST8). . If the thermo-off counter C is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, after resetting the timer T1 (ST9), it is confirmed whether the indoor unit 30 (in this case, the indoor unit 30b) set in the distribution room is stopped (ST10). If it is stopped, the distribution operation mode is started. When the indoor unit 30b is in operation, the process returns to ST2 and starts the timer T1 again.

If the thermo-off condition is not satisfied in ST3, it is confirmed whether the time measurement X minutes of the timer T1 is completed (ST12). If not completed, the process returns to step S3 and repeatedly confirms whether the thermo-off condition is satisfied. . If the timer T1 is over, the timer T1 is reset (ST13), the thermo-off counter C is reset (ST14), and then the process returns to step S2 to continue the partial operation mode.

(5-2) Distribution Operation Mode As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the distribution operation mode is started (ST11), the indoor fan 32b of the indoor unit 30b is activated (ST15), and the expansion valve 24b of the indoor unit 30b is activated. Is opened (ST16), and the operation of the indoor unit 30b is started.

In ST17, the timer T2 starts. In ST18, a difference D1 between the set temperature after the start of the distribution operation in the indoor unit 30a and the room temperature is calculated, and it is confirmed whether it is smaller than the predetermined value α. When D1 is smaller than the predetermined value α, the distribution operation is continued. Next, in ST19, in the indoor unit 30b, the difference D2 between the set temperature of the indoor unit 30b and the room temperature is measured, and the room temperature does not reach the set temperature of the indoor unit 30b, that is, D2> 0. Continue the distribution operation.

These steps are steps for determining the distribution operation end condition. If the conditions are not satisfied, the process proceeds to steps (ST21 to ST24) for terminating the distribution operation described later. Also, when the indoor unit 30b is operated by remote control (ST20), the distribution operation mode is ended.

When the end condition determination process (ST18 to ST20) is completed, if there is a distribution operation end determination, the timer T2 is reset (ST21), the expansion valve 24b of the indoor unit 30b is closed (ST22), and the indoor fan 32b is stopped ( ST23), the distribution operation mode is terminated (ST24).

On the other hand, if the distribution operation end determination is not made, the process proceeds to the operation capacity adjustment process (ST25 to ST34) of the indoor unit 30b.

The indoor temperature c1 of the indoor unit 30a is measured (ST25). In the driving ability adjustment processing (ST25 to ST34), it is determined whether or not Y minutes (5 minutes in the present embodiment) have elapsed by the timer T2 (ST26), and if it has elapsed, the timer T2 is reset (ST27). The room temperature c2 of the indoor unit 30a is measured (ST28), and it is determined whether the indoor temperature change amount c2-c1 of the indoor unit 30a is equal to or larger than a predetermined value β (2 ° C. or higher in this embodiment) during the measurement time by the timer T2. (ST29). If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value β, in order to increase the operating capacity to be distributed to the indoor unit 30b, it is checked whether the current rotation speed of the indoor fan 32b is the upper limit value (ST30). The target rotational speed is increased by a predetermined value (for example, 200 rpm). (ST31) If it is the upper limit value, the target rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b is maintained and the distribution operation is continued. If the room temperature change is not greater than or equal to the predetermined value β in ST29, it is determined whether the indoor temperature change amount c2-c1 is less than 0 ° C. (ST32). If c2-c1 is less than 0 ° C., the room temperature of the indoor unit 30a is lowered, and it is determined whether the rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b is the lower limit value because the capacity distribution to the indoor unit 30b is excessive ( If it is not the lower limit value, the target rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b is decreased by a predetermined value (for example, 200 rpm) (ST34). When the rotation speed of the indoor fan 32b is the lower limit value, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 32b cannot be decreased any more, so the expansion valve 24b of the indoor unit 30b is closed (ST22), and the indoor fan 32b is stopped ( (ST23), the distribution operation is terminated (ST24).

As described above, according to the multi-room air conditioner 10, the operation capacity required for the indoor unit 30 during operation is lower than the minimum required operation capacity of the outdoor unit 20, and the indoor unit 30 is stopped. When the distribution operation is performed, the fan rotation speed of the indoor unit 30b is adjusted according to the room temperature change amount of the indoor unit 30a. By doing so, the ability to distribute to the indoor unit 30b and the driving capability supplied to the indoor unit 30a are adjusted, the indoor unit 30a is operated with the optimum capability, and the transition to / release from the thermo-off state is reduced. Can do.

(6) Modification (6-1) Modification A
6A and 6B are flowcharts of the distribution operation in the modified example A. FIG.

Modification A takes an embodiment different from the above-described embodiment in the capacity adjustment process (ST125 to ST136) of the indoor unit 30b during the distribution operation.

The distribution operation end condition determination process and the distribution operation end process (ST111, ST115 to ST120, ST121 to ST124) after the start of the distribution operation are the same as ST11, ST15 to ST20 and ST21 to ST24 of the above embodiment, respectively. Is omitted. However, the timer T3 is a timer that measures a time different from that of the timer T2, and is used to count how many times the indoor unit 30a is stopped / restarted, that is, how many times the transition to / release from the thermo-off state is performed within a predetermined time. Used to measure “predetermined time”. When the distribution operation end condition determination process and the distribution operation end process are completed, determination regarding the thermo-off of the indoor unit 30a is performed (ST125). If the thermo-off condition is satisfied, the expansion valve 24a is closed, the indoor fan 32a is stopped, the capacity supply to the indoor unit 30a is stopped (ST126), and the number of thermo-offs of the counter C is incremented by 1 (ST127). After stopping the supply of capacity to the indoor unit 30a, it is determined whether the thermo-on condition is satisfied (ST128), and the thermo-off state is continued until the thermo-on condition is satisfied. When the thermo-on condition is satisfied, capacity supply to the indoor unit 30a is started (ST129), and the process returns to ST117.

If the indoor unit 30a does not satisfy the thermo-off condition in ST125, the completion of the time measurement Z for the timer T3 is confirmed (ST130). If the time measurement is completed, the timer T3 is reset (ST131), and the number of thermo-offs is 0. It is determined whether the current time is (ST132). If the number of thermo-offs is 0, the capacity supplied to the indoor unit 30a in the capacity distribution of the current distribution operation becomes suitable for the indoor load, and the transition / release to the thermo-off state is reduced. Then, the thermo-off counter C is reset, and the distribution operation is continued while maintaining the rotation speed of the indoor fan 32b. On the other hand, when the number of times of thermo-off is one or more, it cannot be said that the capacity distribution of the current distribution operation is optimal, and thus it is necessary to adjust the operation capacity of the indoor unit 30b. After resetting the thermo-off counter C (ST134), it is determined whether the rotational speed of the indoor fan 32b of the indoor unit 30b is the upper limit value (ST135). If it is not the upper limit, the number of rotations of the indoor fan 32b of the indoor unit 30b is increased by 200 rpm (ST136), the process returns to step ST117, and the distribution operation is continued. On the other hand, when the rotation speed of the indoor fan 32b of the indoor unit 30b is the upper limit value in ST136, the current distribution operation capability is not optimal, but the capacity distribution amount to the indoor unit 30b cannot be increased. Therefore, the number of rotations during operation is maintained, and the process returns to step ST117 to continue the distribution operation.

In Modification A, in the distribution capacity adjustment in the distribution operation mode, the distribution capacity adjustment is performed after completion of the time measurement of the timer T3. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the distribution capacity without being influenced by a small indoor temperature change in which the indoor unit 30a is installed.

In Modification A, when the thermo-off is performed in the distribution operation mode, the capacity supply to the indoor unit 30a is stopped and the operation of the indoor unit 30b is continued. However, the operation to the indoor unit 30b is also stopped and the compressor 21 is stopped. May be stopped.

(6-2) Modification B
In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which five

indoor units

30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e are connected to one outdoor unit 20, but the gas pipe connection port 14 and the liquid pipe connection port 15 are shown. If the setting of the number of liquid pipe connection ports and the number of gas pipe connection ports is changed, the upper limit value of the number of indoor units 30 that can be connected can be changed. Further, in the air conditioner according to the present disclosure, the number of outdoor units 20 and indoor units 30 is not limited to the present embodiment, and a plurality of indoor units 30 and one or a plurality of outdoor units 20 are refrigerants. It only has to share the system.

(6-3) Modification C
Although the case where the expansion valve is on the outdoor unit side is shown in the above embodiment, the expansion valve may be on the indoor unit side. Moreover, although the case where there existed a four-way switching valve was shown, the air conditioner only for cooling and the air conditioner only for heating without a four-way switching valve may be sufficient.

(6-4) Modification D
In the partial operation mode of the above embodiment, an explanation has been given of a state where the indoor units other than the indoor unit 30a, that is, the indoor unit 30b, the indoor unit 30c, the indoor unit 30d, and the indoor unit 30e are stopped. If there are one or more indoor units, a plurality of units may be operated. Even when two or more indoor units 30 are operating in the partial operation mode, even when the operation load is larger than the minimum operation capability of the outdoor unit, the optimum operation can be performed by the distributed operation.

(6-5) Modification E
In the above embodiment, the indoor unit 30b set in advance and stopped by the user is selected as the indoor unit that performs the distribution operation. However, the operation time of each indoor unit 30 in the predetermined period is learned and distributed. An air conditioner that is expected to start operation near the time when the operation start condition is satisfied and is stopped may be selected. In this way, the distribution operation can be used as a preliminary operation without bothering the user.

In addition, after confirming the absence by a human detection sensor, etc., the stopped indoor unit may be set for distributed operation. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable by starting the distribution operation against the intention of the user in the room.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Refrigerant circuit 20 Outdoor unit 21 Compressor 23 Outdoor heat exchanger 24 Expansion valve 30 Indoor unit 31 Indoor heat exchanger 32 Indoor fan 60 Control part

JP2012-193901

Claims

An outdoor unit (20) having an outdoor heat exchanger (23);
A plurality of indoor units (30) having an indoor heat exchanger (31);
A refrigerant circuit (11) connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger;
A plurality of expansion valves (24) arranged corresponding to the indoor heat exchanger in the refrigerant circuit;
A control unit (60) for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit;
A multi-room air conditioner equipped with
The controller is
When the operation load of the first indoor unit is small from the partial operation mode in which the first indoor unit receiving the operation command is operated and the second indoor unit not receiving the operation command is not operated, the first indoor unit The machine is moved to a distribution operation mode in which the second indoor unit is operated,
In the distributed operation mode, the capacity of the second indoor unit is adjusted according to the operation load of the first indoor unit.
Multi-room air conditioner.
The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1,
In the distributed operation mode, the control unit increases the capacity of the second indoor unit when the operation load of the first indoor unit is smaller than a predetermined value.
Multi-room air conditioner.
The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1,
In the distribution operation mode, the control unit increases the capacity of the second indoor unit when a difference between a target temperature of the first indoor unit and a room temperature is smaller than a predetermined value.
Multi-room air conditioner.
The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1,
In the distribution operation mode, the control unit increases the capacity of the second indoor unit when a room temperature change amount in the air-conditioned space of the first indoor unit is smaller than a predetermined value.
Multi-room air conditioner.
The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1,
The controller is configured to generate a predetermined number of thermo-offs per unit time at which the difference between the target temperature of the first indoor unit and the room temperature is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the supply of capacity to the first indoor unit is stopped. When the above is reached, increase the capacity of the second indoor unit.
Multi-room air conditioner.
The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1,
The indoor unit further includes an indoor fan (32) for sending air conditioned by the indoor heat exchanger into the room,
The controller increases the capacity of the second indoor unit by increasing the number of rotations of the indoor fan of the second indoor unit;
Multi-room air conditioner.
The multi-room air-conditioning apparatus according to claim 1,
The control unit can adjust the opening of the expansion valve,
The control unit increases the operating capacity of the second indoor unit by increasing the opening of the expansion valve corresponding to the second indoor unit.
Multi-room air conditioner.