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  • 专利说明
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    • 专利摘要:

    公开号:ES2735304A9
    申请号:ES201990045
    申请日:2018-06-12
    公开日:2020-04-27
    发明作者:Yukinori Tanaka；Kazumasa Yoshida
    申请人:Hitachi Johnson Controls Air Conditioning Inc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001]
    [0002] AIR CONDITIONER
    [0003]
    [0004] Technical field
    [0005] The present invention relates to an air conditioner.
    [0006] Background of the Invention
    [0007] In patent document 1 it is disclosed, as an example of a technique for placing an interior heat exchanger of an air conditioner in a clean state, successively carrying out frost formation / defrosting processes of the interior heat exchanger to remove dirt in the indoor heat exchanger.
    [0008] Appointment list
    [0009] Patent bibliography
    [0010] Patent Document 1: JP-A-2010-14288
    [0011] Summary of the Invention
    [0012] Problems to be solved by the invention
    [0013] Condensed water flows from the indoor heat exchanger to a drain pan and is discharged outside through a drain hose. However, if for any reason the drain hose becomes clogged, the water in the drain pan will not drain out, and water may leak out of the drain pan. No countermeasures for such a problem are described in Patent Document 1.
    [0014] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner in which an indoor heat exchanger is placed in a clean state and water does not readily flow out of a drain pan.
    [0015] Solution to problems
    [0016] To solve the problem, in an air conditioner according to the present invention, a controller causes an indoor heat exchanger to function as an evaporator, and performs a process in which the indoor heat exchanger is subjected to freezing or formation of Dew. If the process has been performed when the outside air temperature is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the controller does not start the next process until a predetermined prohibition period elapses, after the process has been performed.
    [0017] Also, in an air conditioner according to the present invention, a controller makes an indoor heat exchanger work like an evaporator, and performs a process in which the indoor heat exchanger undergoes freezing or dew formation. If the process is performed when the outdoor air temperature is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the controller shortens the process operating time, compared to the case where the process is performed when the outdoor air temperature is higher than the first threshold value.
    [0018] Effects of the Invention
    [0019] In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner, in which an indoor heat exchanger is placed in a clean state and the water does not easily come out of a drain pan.
    [0020] Brief description of the drawings
    [0021] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
    [0022] Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of an indoor device of the air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
    [0023] Fig. 3 is a function block diagram of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
    [0024] Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a process related to frozen washing of an indoor heat exchanger, with which the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided.
    [0025] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state during defrosting of the indoor heat exchanger, of which the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided.
    [0026] Fig. 6 is a flow chart of a process performed by an air conditioner controller in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
    [0027] Fig. 7 is a flow chart of a process performed by a controller of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
    [0028] Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
    [0029] First realization
    [0030] Air conditioner configuration
    [0031] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner 100 according to a first embodiment.
    [0032] In Figure 1, the solid line arrows indicate the flow of refrigerant during the heating operation.
    [0033] On the other hand, the dashed arrows in Figure 1 indicate the flow of refrigerant during the refrigeration operation.
    [0034] Air conditioner 100 is a device that performs air conditioning, such as a heating operation and a cooling operation. As illustrated in Figure 1, the air conditioner 100 is provided with a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an outdoor fan 13, and an expansion valve 14. In addition to the above configuration, the air conditioner 100 it is also provided with an indoor heat exchanger 15, an indoor fan 16, and a four-way valve 17.
    [0035] Compressor 11 is a device that compresses a low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant and expels a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. As illustrated in Figure 1, the compressor 11 is provided with a compressor motor 11a which is a drive source.
    [0036] The outdoor heat exchanger 12 is a heat exchanger that performs the heat exchange between the refrigerant that flows through a heat transfer tube thereof (not shown) and the outside air that is sent from the outdoor fan 13.
    [0037] The outdoor fan 13 is a fan that sends outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 12. The outdoor fan 13 is provided with an outdoor fan motor 13a which is a driving source, and is arranged close to the outdoor heat exchanger 12.
    [0038] The expansion valve 14 is a valve that depressurizes the condensed refrigerant by a "condenser" (one of the external heat exchangers 12 and the internal heat exchanger 15). The refrigerant depressurized by the expansion valve 14 is led to an "evaporator" (the other of the external heat exchanger 12 and the internal heat exchanger 15).
    [0039] The indoor heat exchanger 15 is a heat exchanger that performs the heat exchange between the refrigerant that flows through the heat transfer tubes g (see figure 2) and the indoor air (air from a space to be conditioned ) sent from indoor fan 16.
    [0040] The indoor fan 16 is a fan that sends indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 15. The indoor fan 16 includes an indoor fan motor 16c (see Figure 3) which is a drive source, and is arranged near the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0041] The four-way valve 17 is a valve that switches the flow path of the refrigerant according to the mode of operation of the air conditioner 100. For example, during the refrigeration operation (see dashed line arrows in Figure 1) , the refrigerant circulates in a refrigeration cycle successively through the compressor 11, the external heat exchanger 12 (condenser), the expansion valve 14 and the internal heat exchanger 15 (evaporator) in the refrigerant circuit Q.
    [0042] On the other hand, during the heating operation (see the solid line arrows in figure 1), in the refrigerant circuit Q, the refrigerant circulates in a refrigeration cycle successively through the compressor 11, the internal heat exchanger 15 ( condenser), expansion valve 14 and external heat exchanger 12 (evaporator).
    [0043] That is, in the refrigerant circuit Q in which the refrigerant circulates through the compressor 11, the "condenser", the expansion valve 14, and the "evaporator" successively, one of the "condensers" and the "evaporator" it is the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and the other is the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0044] In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the compressor 11, the external heat exchanger 12, the external fan 13, the expansion valve 14 and the four-way valve 17 are mounted on an external device Uo. The indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16 are mounted on an indoor device Ui.
    [0045] Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the inner device Ui.
    [0046] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the indoor device Ui is provided with, in addition to the indoor heat exchanger 15 described above and the indoor fan 16, a drain pan 18 (also known as a mist receiving tray), a base housing 19, and filters 20a, 20b. Also, the interior device Ui is provided with a front surface panel 21, a horizontal wind deflection plate 22, and a vertical wind deflection plate 23.
    [0047] The indoor heat exchanger 15 is provided with a plurality of fins f and a plurality of heat transfer tubes g which penetrate through the fins f. From a different point of view, the indoor heat exchanger 15 is provided with a front side indoor heat exchanger 15a arranged on the front side of the indoor fan 16, and an indoor heat exchanger of the rear side 15b arranged at the rear of the indoor fan 16. In the example illustrated in figure 2, the upper end of the front-side indoor heat exchanger 15a and the upper end of the rear-side indoor heat exchanger 15b are connected between yes inverted V shape.
    [0048] The indoor fan 16 is, for example, a cylindrical cross-flow fan and is arranged near the indoor heat exchanger 15. The indoor fan 16 is provided with a plurality of fan blades 16a, a partition plate 16b on which they mount the fan blades 16a, and the interior fan motor 16c (see figure 3), which is a drive source.
    [0049] The drain pan 18 receives condensed water from the indoor heat exchanger 15, and is arranged below the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0050] The base of the housing 19 is a housing in which devices such as the indoor heat exchanger 15 and the indoor fan 16 are mounted.
    [0051] Filters 20a, 20b capture dust from the air moving towards indoor heat exchanger 15 when indoor fan 16 is operated. One filter 20a is arranged on the front side of indoor heat exchanger 15. The other filter 20b is arranged on the top side of the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0052] The front surface panel 21 is a panel mounted to cover the front side filter 20a, and is configured to pivot about an axis at its lower end toward the front side. The front surface panel 21 can be configured not to pivot.
    [0053] The horizontal wind deflection plate 22 is a plate-like element that adjusts the horizontal wind direction of the air expelled inside. The horizontal wind deflection plate 22 is arranged in a blown wind path h3, and is adapted to pivot in the horizontal direction using a horizontal wind deflection plate motor 24 (see Figure 3).
    [0054] The vertical wind deflection plate 23 is a plate-like element that adjusts the vertical wind direction of the air expelled inside. The vertical wind deflection plate 23 is arranged near an air blowing port h4, and is adapted to pivot in the vertical direction using a vertical wind deflection plate motor 25 (see Figure 3).
    [0055] The air drawn in through the air suction openings h1, h2 is exchanged for heat with the coolant flowing through the heat transfer tubes g of the indoor heat exchanger 15, and the air exchanged by heat is directed to the path of the blowing wind h3. The air flowing through the blowing wind path h3 is conducted in a predetermined direction by the horizontal wind deflection plate 22 and the vertical wind deflection plate 23, and is expelled inward through the port of air blowing h4.
    [0056] As the air flows, most of the dust moving towards the air suction openings h1, h2 is captured by the filters 20a, 20b. However, fine powder can pass through filters 20a, 20b and is attached to indoor heat exchanger 15. Accordingly, it is desirable to wash indoor heat exchanger 15 periodically. Thus, in the present embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 15 is frozen to form frost, and then the indoor heat exchanger 15 is thawed and washed. Hereinafter, a series of processes including frost formation / defrosting of the indoor heat exchanger 15 will be referred to as "frozen washing" of the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0057] Fig. 3 is a function block diagram of the air conditioner 100.
    [0058] The indoor device Ui illustrated in Figure 3 is provided, in addition to the configurations described above, a remote control transceiver 26, an environment detector 27, and an indoor control circuit 31.
    [0059] The remote control transceiver 26 exchanges predetermined information with a remote controller 40 that uses infrared communication and the like.
    [0060] The environment detector 27 is provided with an indoor temperature sensor 27a, a humidity sensor 27b and a temperature sensor for the indoor heat exchanger 27c.
    [0061] The interior temperature sensor 27a is a sensor that detects the interior temperature (air conditioning space) and is mounted on the air suction side of the filters 20a, 20b (see figure 2), for example.
    [0062] The humidity sensor 27b is a detector that detects the humidity of the indoor air and is mounted at a predetermined position of the indoor device Ui.
    [0063] The indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 27c is a sensor that detects the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 15 (see Figure 2), and is mounted on the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0064] The values detected by the indoor temperature sensor 27a, the humidity sensor 27b and the temperature sensor of the indoor heat exchanger 27c they are sent to the internal control circuit 31.
    [0065] Interior control circuit 31, not shown, includes electronic circuits such as a central processing device (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and various interfaces. A program stored in ROM is read and loaded into RAM, and the CPU performs various processes.
    [0066] As illustrated in Figure 3, the interior control circuit 31 is provided with a storage 31a and an interior controller 31b.
    [0067] In storage 31a, a predetermined program, data received through remote control transceiver 26, sensed values from sensors, and the like are stored.
    [0068] The indoor controller 31b controls the indoor fan motor 16c, the horizontal wind deflection plate motor 24, the vertical wind deflection plate motor 25, and the like, based on the data stored in storage 31a.
    [0069] The external device Uo is provided, in addition to the configurations described above, with an external temperature sensor 28 and an external control circuit 32.
    [0070] The outdoor temperature sensor 28 is a sensor that detects the outdoor temperature, and is mounted at a predetermined location of the outdoor device Uo (see Figure 1). The external device Uo is also provided with a plurality of sensors, omitted from figure 3, to detect the intake temperature, the discharge temperature, the discharge pressure and the like of the compressor 11 (see figure 1). The values detected by the sensors, including the outdoor temperature sensor 28, are sent to the outdoor control circuit 32.
    [0071] Exterior control circuit 32 includes non-illustrated electronic circuits, such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and various interfaces, and is connected to interior control circuit 31 through a communication line. As illustrated in Figure 3, the external control circuit 32 is provided with a storage 32a and an external controller 32b.
    [0072] In the storage 32a a predetermined program is stored, the data received from the interior control circuit 31 and the like. The external controller 32b controls the compressor motor 11a, the external fan motor 13a, the expansion valve 14 and the like based on the data stored in the storage 32a. Hereinafter, the indoor control circuit 31 and the outdoor control circuit 32 are collectively referred to as a "controller 30".
    [0073] A process performed by controller 30 related to frozen washing of indoor heat exchanger 15 will be described with reference to Figure 4.
    [0074] Process using the controller
    [0075] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a process related to frozen washing of indoor heat exchanger 15 (see Figure 2 and Figure 3, as appropriate).
    [0076] In step S101 of FIG. 4, controller 30 causes indoor heat exchanger 15 to freeze. That is, the controller 30 makes the indoor heat exchanger 15 function as an evaporator, and causes frost to form on the indoor heat exchanger 15 of the water in the air, thereby freezing the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0077] More specifically, in step S101, controller 30 drives compressor 11 (see Figure 1) and decreases the opening degree of expansion valve 14 (see Figure 1), compared to the case corresponding to cooling operation. Thus, a low pressure, low evaporating temperature refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 15. This causes the water in the air to become frost in the indoor heat exchanger 15, and promotes the growth of the frost. and ice (sign i indicated in figure 5).
    [0078] In step S102, controller 30 causes indoor heat exchanger 15 to defrost.
    [0079] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of the indoor heat exchanger 15 during defrosting.
    [0080] Controller 30, after indoor heat exchanger 15 freezes, places devices such as indoor fan 16 and compressor 11 (see Figure 1) in a stopped state. In this way, the frost and ice (sign i indicated in Figure 5) in the indoor heat exchanger 15 are naturally thawed at room temperature, and a large amount of water flows down along the fins f and into the drain pan 18. In this way, the dust j adhered to the internal heat exchanger 15 is washed.
    [0081] After freezing and thawing of the indoor heat exchanger 15 (S101, S102 in Figure 4), controller 30 can perform a heating or blowing operation to dry the interior of the interior device Ui. In this way, the growth of bacteria, such as molds, in the internal device Ui can be suppressed.
    [0082] When the outside air temperature is extremely low (for example, below freezing), the drain hose (not shown) may freeze and the water may stop flowing. With techniques adopted in the past, when the drain hose is clogged as described above, the water produced by the defrosting of the internal heat exchanger 15 could come out of the drain pan 18.
    [0083] In consideration of the foregoing, it can be envisaged that the controller 30 continues to prohibit frozen washing of the indoor heat exchanger 15 as long as the outdoor air temperature is below freezing. However, if the prohibition of frozen washing continues for a long time, dirt can accumulate in the indoor heat exchanger 15, potentially causing a decrease in the efficiency of the air conditioning operation or the growth of bacteria in it. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the frozen wash is performed even when the outside air temperature is at or below a predetermined temperature (first threshold value), and the next frozen wash is prohibited until a subsequent prohibition period elapses.
    [0084] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a process performed by controller 30 (see Figure 3, as appropriate).
    [0085] In Figure 6, it is assumed that at the "START" time, no air conditioning operation is being performed.
    [0086] In step S201, controller 30 determines whether a predetermined wash condition is met. The "wash condition" is a condition that, for example, the value obtained by accumulating the execution time of an air conditioning operation since the end of the previous frozen wash has reached a predetermined value.
    [0087] If the predetermined washing condition is met in step S201 (S201: Yes), the process of controller 30 advances to step S202. If the predetermined wash condition (S201: No) is not met, controller 30 repeats the process of step S201.
    [0088] In step S202, controller 30 determines whether the outdoor air temperature detected by outdoor temperature sensor 28 (see FIG. 3) is less than or equal to a first threshold value. The "first threshold value" is a threshold value that is a determination reference on whether to set a frozen wash prohibition period (S204) or not, and which is set in advance. For example, in step S202, controller 30 determines whether the outside air temperature is below freezing (i.e., determines the probability of the drain hose, not shown, to clog due to icing and the like. ).
    [0089] If in step S202 the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value (S202: Yes), controller 30 performs a frozen wash in step S203. That is, the controller 30 causes the indoor heat exchanger 15 to function as an evaporator, and performs a process to cause the indoor heat exchanger 15 to freeze and the like (see Figure 4 and Figure 5).
    [0090] The frozen wash is then performed in step S203, controller 30 in step S204 establishes a predetermined prohibition period. The prohibition period is a period to prohibit the frozen washing of the indoor heat exchanger 15. The duration of the period is set in advance.
    [0091] For example, in a state where the drain hose (not shown) is frozen and the water does not flow, when the controller 30 performs a frozen wash (freeze and thaw) of the indoor heat exchanger 15, the water that has fallen from the indoor heat exchanger 15 accumulates in the drain pan 18. The duration of the frozen wash prohibition period is set in advance as a period (such as several tens of hours) in which most of the water accumulated in the drain pan 18 evaporates by natural convection and the like.
    [0092] The capacity of the drain pan 18 is appropriately adjusted during the design phase so that water does not flow out of the drain pan 18 even if the frozen wash of the indoor heat exchanger 15 is performed during the state that the hose is frozen drain (not shown) and water does not flow.
    [0093] After the frozen wash prohibition period of FIG. 6 is established in step S204, the controller 30 in step S205 prohibits the frozen wash of the indoor heat exchanger 15.
    [0094] Then, in step S206, controller 30 determines whether the predetermined prohibition period has elapsed since the end of the frozen wash in step S203. If the prohibition period has not elapsed (S206: Yes), the process Controller 30 returns to step S205. That is, controller 30 prohibits the next frozen wash until the predetermined prohibition period elapses. In this way, you can prevent frozen washing from being performed multiple times in a short period of time when the drain hose (not shown) is frozen and clogged, and you can prevent water from leaving the drain pan 18.
    [0095] If in step S206 the prohibition period has passed (S206: Yes), the controller 30 process returns to "START" (RETURN). This is because most of the water in drain pan 18 has evaporated by the time the ban period has elapsed, and performing a subsequent frozen wash again would not cause any problems. That is, even when the drain hose (not illustrated) is frozen and the water does not flow, and the water accumulates in the drain pan 18 after the frozen wash, most of the water has been evaporated by natural convection and the like. at the time the ban period has elapsed.
    [0096] If in step S202 the outside air temperature is higher than the first threshold value (S202: No), the process of controller 30 proceeds to step S207.
    [0097] In step S207, controller 30 performs frozen washing of indoor heat exchanger 15 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5) in the usual manner. After performing the process of step S207, the process of controller 30 returns to "START" (RETURN).
    [0098] Effects
    [0099] According to the first embodiment, in the case in which the controller 30 has carried out the frozen washing process when the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value (S202 in figure 6: Yes, S203), Controller 30 does not start the next frozen wash until the predetermined prohibition period has elapsed since the frozen wash was performed (S205, S206: No). In this way, frozen washing is performed even in a situation where, for example, the drain hose (not shown) is frozen and the water does not flow. Accordingly, the indoor heat exchanger 15 can be placed in a clean state.
    [0100] During the prohibition period described above, frozen washing of indoor heat exchanger 15 is prohibited (S205, S206 in Figure 6: No). In this way, it is possible to prevent the frozen washing from being carried out several times in a short period of time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water involved in the frozen wash flow out of the drain pan 18.
    [0101] Second realization
    [0102] A second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that when the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value and the time elapsed since the pre-frozen wash is relatively short, the controller 30 causes the exchanger freeze time of indoor heat 15 is shorter than during the previous time. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in other respects (such as the configuration of the air conditioner 100). Accordingly, different portions of the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the redundant portions will be omitted.
    [0103] Fig. 7 is a flow chart of a process performed by controller 30 of an air conditioner according to the second embodiment (see Fig. 3, as appropriate).
    [0104] In Figure 7, it is assumed that at "START", no air conditioning operation is being performed. The description of steps S301, S302 will be omitted, as they are similar to steps S201, S202 (see Figure 6) of the first embodiment.
    [0105] In step S302 of FIG. 7, if the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value (S302: Yes), the process of controller 30 proceeds to step S303.
    [0106] In step S303, controller 30 determines whether the time that has elapsed since the previous frozen wash is less than or equal to a predetermined time. More specifically, in step S303, controller 30 determines whether the time that has elapsed from the end of the previous frozen wash to the start time of the last frozen wash is less than or equal to the predetermined time. The "predetermined time" is a threshold value which is a determination reference as to whether the last freeze time should be made shorter than during the previous time (S304), and is set in advance.
    [0107] If in step S303 the elapsed time from the previous frozen wash is less than or equal to the predetermined time (S303: Yes), the process of controller 30 advances to step S304.
    [0108] In step S304, controller 30 causes the last freeze time (the duration of a control to make the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 15 illustrated in Figure 3 less than or equal to one default value) is shorter than during the previous time. That is, controller 30 makes the frozen wash operation time shorter compared to the case where frozen wash is performed when the outside air temperature is higher than the first threshold value (such as during washing frozen earlier).
    [0109] If the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value (S302: Yes), and also the time elapsed since the previous frozen wash is less than or equal to the predetermined time (S303: Yes), the probability that the water involved in the previous frozen wash it has not completely evaporated and remains accumulated in drain pan 18 (see figure 5) is high.
    [0110] Thus, in accordance with the present embodiment, controller 30 makes the last freeze time of indoor heat exchanger 15 shorter than during the previous time (S304). In this way, the amount of frost and ice that adheres to the indoor heat exchanger 15 becomes smaller than during the previous frozen wash. Accordingly, the amount of water flowing from the indoor heat exchanger 15 to the drain pan 18 during subsequent defrosting becomes smaller than during the previous frozen wash. In this way, it is possible to prevent water from leaving the drain pan 18.
    [0111] The duration of the freezing time (shorter freezing time than during the previous frozen wash) in step S304 is set in advance so that the water does not come out of the drain pan 18 even if the frozen wash is repeated in a relatively short period. .
    [0112] In step S305 of FIG. 7, controller 30 performs a frozen wash of indoor heat exchanger 15 as a function of the freeze time set in step S304. After performing the process of step S305, the process of controller 30 returns to "START" (RETURN).
    [0113] If in step S302 the outside air temperature is higher than the first threshold value (S302: No), the controller 30 in step S306 performs a frozen wash of the indoor heat exchanger 15 based on a normal freezing time . This is because even if a large amount of frost and ice adheres to the indoor heat exchanger 15, the water can later be discharged through a drain hose (not shown).
    [0114] If in step S303 the elapsed time from the previous frozen wash is greater than the predetermined time (S303: No), the process of Controller 30 also advances to step S306. This is because when the "predetermined time" described above has elapsed, the probability that most of the water accumulated in the drain pan 18 has evaporated is high. That is, even when the drain hose (not shown) is frozen and the water does not flow, and the water accumulates in the drain pan 18 after the previous frozen wash, most of the water has been evaporated by natural convection and Similar if the elapsed time since the previous frozen wash is greater than the predetermined time (S303: No). Accordingly, no problem would be caused even if controller 30 performs a frozen wash in the usual manner in step S306. After performing the process of step S306, the process of controller 30 returns to "START" (RETURN).
    [0115] Effects
    [0116] According to the second embodiment, when the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value (S302: Yes), and the time elapsed from the end of the previous frozen wash (process) to the start time of the last frozen wash is less than or equal to the predetermined time (S303: Yes), controller 30 makes the most recent frozen wash operating time shorter than during the previous time (S304). In this way, even in a situation where, for example, the drain hose (not shown) is frozen and the water does not flow, a frozen wash is performed, so that the internal heat exchanger 15 can be placed in a state cleansed.
    [0117] Also, controller 30 makes the most recent frozen wash operating time shorter than during the previous time (S304). Accordingly, the water involved in the frozen wash can be prevented from flowing out of the drain pan 18.
    [0118] Modification
    [0119] Although the air conditioner 100 according to the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the previous embodiments and may include various modifications.
    [0120] For example, instead of freezing and thawing the indoor heat exchanger 15, the controller 30 can cause the indoor heat exchanger 15 to function as an evaporator, so that the indoor heat exchanger 15 is subjected to dew formation. For example, controller 30 adjusts the opening degree of expansion valve 14 so that the temperature of the exchanger Indoor heat exchanger 15 is less than or equal to the dew point of the indoor air, and higher than a predetermined freezing temperature (the temperature at which the indoor heat exchanger 15 begins to freeze). In this way, the indoor heat exchanger 15 is subjected to dew formation, and the indoor heat exchanger 15 is washed with the dew condensation water.
    [0121] Like the first embodiment, the second embodiment can also be configured such that controller 30 causes indoor heat exchanger 15 to function as an evaporator and a process is performed in which indoor heat exchanger 15 freezes or undergoes dew formation (also called "frozen wash and the like"). With this configuration, it is also possible to place the indoor heat exchanger 15 in a clean state and provide the air conditioner 100 in which the water does not easily flow out of the drain pan 18.
    [0122] The first embodiment has been described with reference to the process (S204) in which the controller 30 provides the next frozen wash prohibition period based on the outside air temperature (S202) at the time of starting the frozen wash (S203 in the Figure 6), this is not a limitation. For example, controller 30 can be adapted to provide a predetermined prohibition period based on the outside air temperature at a predetermined time during frozen washing and the like. Controller 30 can also be adapted to provide the predetermined prohibition period based on the temperature of the outside air at the end of the frozen wash and the like. That is, controller 30 can be tailored to provide the next frozen wash ban period based on the outside air temperature during frozen wash.
    [0123] While the first embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the duration of the frozen wash prohibition period (S204 in Figure 6) is a fixed value, this is not a limitation. For example, controller 30 can be adapted to shorten the duration of the freeze wash and the like prohibition period as the internal temperature increases during the frozen wash and the like process, or the internal humidity (relative humidity or absolute humidity) during Frozen washing process and the like decreases. This is because the water accumulated in the drain pan 18 is more likely to evaporate as the interior temperature rises or the interior humidity decreases.
    [0124] In the second embodiment, the controller 30, by making the last freeze time of the indoor heat exchanger 15 shorter than during the previous time (S304 in FIG. 7), can set the last freeze time as follows. Specifically, controller 30 can be adapted to shorten the most recent freezing time (freeze wash operating time and the like) as the internal temperature increases during the frozen washing process and the like, or when the indoor humidity decreases during the process frozen washing and the like. In addition, controller 30 can be adapted to shorten the last freeze time as the elapsed time elapses from the end of the previous frozen wash to the start time of the last frozen wash. In this way, it is possible to properly set the duration of the freezing time when the frozen wash is performed.
    [0125] The first embodiment has been described with reference to the process in which, after the frozen wash prohibition period has elapsed (S206 in Figure 6: Yes, RETURN), controller 30 determines whether a predetermined wash condition is met (S201 ). However, this is not a limitation. For example, controller 30 may be adapted to repeat, after the frozen wash prohibition period is established, determining whether the predetermined wash condition is satisfied and prohibiting frozen washing during the prohibition period even if meets the washing condition.
    [0126] The first embodiment has also been described with reference to the process in which, when the predetermined washing condition is met (S201 in Figure 6: Yes), controller 30 performs a frozen wash of indoor heat exchanger 15 (S203, S207 ) as appropriate. However, this is not a limitation. controller 30 can be adapted to start frozen wash of indoor heat exchanger 15 and the like when a start command for frozen wash and the like has been entered from remote controller 40 (see Fig. 3), for example.
    [0127] Preferably, when a start command for frozen wash and the like has been entered from the remote control 40 (see FIG. 3) during the frozen wash and the like prohibition period, the controller 30 does not start the frozen wash and the like accordingly with the start command. In that case, the notification of not starting frozen washing and the like can be issued using a sound or a picture. In this way, it is possible to prevent water exit drain pan 18, and notify the user that frozen washing and the like will not start.
    [0128] When a start command for frozen wash and the like has been entered from the remote control 40 (see Figure 3) during the frozen wash and the like prohibition period, the controller 30 can be adapted to start the frozen wash and the like once after the period of prohibition. In this way, it is possible to perform a frozen wash and the like according to the start command from the remote control 40 while preventing water from leaving the drain pan 18.
    [0129] When a start command for frozen wash and the like has been entered from the remote control 40 (see FIG. 3) during the prohibition period of frozen wash and the like, controller 30 may shorten the duration of the prohibition period, or start frozen wash and the like according to the start command if the outside air temperature at the time of the start command entry is greater than or equal to a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value. The second threshold value is a temperature threshold value above 0 ° C, for example, and is set in advance. That is, controller 30 can be adapted to perform a frozen wash and the like in accordance with remote control start command 40 if an increase in the outside air temperature has resulted in a state in which water can be discharged to through the drain hose (not shown). In this way, it is possible to prevent the prohibition period from being unnecessarily prolonged for a long time, allowing controller 30 to start the next frozen wash quickly.
    [0130] The second embodiment has been described with reference to the process in which, based on the outside air temperature (S302 in Figure 7) and the time elapsed since the previous frozen wash (S303), controller 30 causes the last time to Freeze is shorter than during the previous time (S304). However, this is not a limitation. For example, the determination process can be skipped in step S303. That is, when the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the controller 30, when performing frozen wash and the like, can be adapted to shorten the operating time of frozen wash and the like, compared to when performing a frozen wash and the like when the outside air temperature is higher than the first threshold value.
    [0131] The process described with reference to the first embodiment (see Figure 6) may include a heating or blowing operation process as will be described later. That is, when the controller 30 has performed a frozen wash and the like when the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value, a heating operation or a blow operation can be performed after the frozen wash and the like. This is because performing a heating operation or a blowing operation facilitates evaporation of the accumulated water in the drain pan 18. The controller 30 can be adapted to perform a heating and blowing operation after the frozen wash and then perform the other . The same applies to the second embodiment.
    [0132] In the first embodiment, controller 30 can be adapted to perform the following process. Specifically, controller 30, when a frozen wash and the like has been performed when the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value, shortens the length of the ban period if, during a ban period after freeze wash and the like , the heating operation or the blowing operation has been performed as an air conditioning operation in accordance with a remote control operation 40. This is because performing a heating operation or a blowing operation facilitates the evaporation of the accumulated water in the drain pan 18.
    [0133] When, during a period of prohibition after frozen washing and the like, a heating operation or a blowing operation has been performed as an air conditioning operation in accordance with an operation of remote control 40, controller 30 may be adapted to shorten the duration of the prohibition period as the accumulated air conditioning operation time during the prohibition period increases. In this way, it is possible to suppress the unnecessary continuation of the prohibition period for a long time, even after the water accumulated in the drain pan 18 has completely evaporated.
    [0134] When the outside air temperature after the freeze wash prohibition period has elapsed and the like is less than or equal to the first threshold value, controller 30 can be adapted to extend the prohibition period. In this way, it is possible to reliably prevent the water involved in the frozen wash and the like from leaving the drain pan 18.
    [0135] The first embodiment has been described with reference to process (S204) in that the controller 30, based on the detected value of the outside air temperature (S202 of FIG. 6), sets the period of prohibition of frozen washing. However, this is not a limitation. For example, when the indoor temperature in the case where an air conditioning operation is not being performed is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the controller 30 can be adapted to set the freeze wash prohibition period. Also, controller 30 can be adapted to shorten the length of the ban period as the interior temperature increases or as the interior humidity decreases. In this way, it is possible to set the frozen wash prohibition period and the like, as appropriate, even in a configuration in which the outdoor temperature sensor 28 is not provided (see Fig. 3).
    [0136] The first embodiment and the second embodiment have been described with reference to the case where, as an example of the condition that the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the outside air temperature is below zero. However, this is not a limitation. For example, in consideration of possible subsequent freezing of the water in the drain hose (not shown), the first threshold value described above can be set to a predetermined value greater than 0 ° C (such as 5 ° C).
    [0137] The first embodiment and the second embodiment can be combined, as appropriate. For example, when the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value (S202 of Figure 6: Yes), the controller 30 can be adapted to perform a frozen wash (S203), and after the predetermined prohibition period has elapsed , the next frozen wash operation time may be made shorter than the previous time.
    [0138] The embodiments have been described with reference to the configuration in which an internal device Ui (see Figure 1) and an external device Uo (see Figure 1) are provided. However, this is not a limitation. A plurality of parallel connected indoor devices can be provided, or a plurality of parallel connected outdoor devices can be provided.
    [0139] The embodiments can be applied to various types of air conditioners other than air conditioner 100, which is of the wall type.
    [0140] The embodiments have been described to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, and are not limited to those provided with all the configurations that have been described. With respect to some of the configurations of each of the embodiments, additions, deletions or substitutions of other configurations.
    [0141] The mechanisms and configurations described above are those that are considered necessary for the description and do not necessarily indicate all the mechanisms or configurations required in a product.
    [0142] Description of the reference signs
    [0143] 100 air conditioner
    [0144] 11 Compressor
    [0145] 12 Outdoor heat exchanger (condenser / evaporator)
    [0146] 13 Outdoor fan
    [0147] 14 Expansion valve
    [0148] 15 Indoor heat exchanger (evaporator / condenser)
    [0149] 16 Indoor fan
    [0150] 17 Four-way valve
    [0151] 18 Drain pan
    [0152] 19 Base of accommodation
    [0153] 27 Environmental detector
    [0154] 27a Indoor temperature sensor
    [0155] 27b Humidity sensor
    [0156] 27c Indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor
    [0157] 28 Outdoor temperature sensor
    [0158] 30 Controller
    [0159] 40 Remote control
    [0160] Q Refrigerant circuit
    [0161] Uo External device
    [0162] Ui Indoor device
    权利要求:
    Claims (9)
    [1]
    1. An air conditioner, comprising:
    a refrigerant circuit whereby a refrigerant circulates successively through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator; and
    a controller that controls at least the compressor and the expansion valve,
    in which one of the condenser and the evaporator is an external heat exchanger and the other is an internal heat exchanger,
    the air conditioner further comprising a drain pan arranged below the indoor heat exchanger,
    in which the controller makes the indoor heat exchanger function as the evaporator, and performs a process to subject the indoor heat exchanger to freezing or dew formation,
    in which, if the process has been carried out when an outdoor air temperature is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the following process starts after a predetermined prohibition period has elapsed, after the process has been carried out.
    [2]
    2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the controller shortens the duration of the prohibition period as the interior temperature increases during the process, or when the interior humidity decreases during the process.
    [3]
    3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, when a start command for the process has been entered from a remote control during the prohibition period, the controller does not start the process according to the command start.
    [4]
    4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, when a start command for the process has been entered from a remote control during the ban period, the controller starts the process after the ban period has elapsed .
    [5]
    The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, when a process start command has been entered from a remote control during the prohibition period, if the outside air temperature at the time of entry of the start command is greater than or equal to a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, the controller shortens the duration of the prohibition period or starts the process according to the start command.
    [6]
    6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value means that the outside air temperature is below freezing.
    [7]
    The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the controller, when the process has been performed when the outdoor air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value, performs a heating operation or a blowing operation after the process.
    [8]
    The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the controller, when the process has been performed when the outside air temperature is less than or equal to the first threshold value, shortens the duration of the prohibition period if it has been Performed a heating operation or a blowing operation, during the post-process prohibition period, such as an air conditioning operation in accordance with a remote control operation.
    [9]
    9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the controller, if the outside air temperature when the prohibition period has elapsed is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the prohibition period is extended.
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    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    PCT/JP2018/022456|WO2019239493A1|2018-06-12|2018-06-12|Air conditioner|
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