JP2002277013A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a control method capable of improving comfort and energy saving operation in an air conditioner using a refrigeration cycle. SOLUTION: A set room temperature Ts is compared with an air temperature TR (= room temperature) sucked from a suction grill 11, and a temperature difference ΔT is calculated.
When (= Ts−TR) is less than 1 ° C., the first indoor fan 20 is set to Lo, and the second indoor fan 21 is set to the minimum fan speed (the indoor air flows from the second blowout port 23 due to the stoppage). Operate at the minimum fan speed (Min) to prevent reverse entry. Here, since the opening area of the first outlet 22 is small (1/2 of the area of the opening of the conventional device), the blowing speed becomes about twice even if the first indoor fan 20 is Lo, so that the air flow becomes far. And the temperature distribution in the room becomes smaller.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to operation control of an air conditioner using a refrigeration cycle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle of a conventional air conditioner, FIG. 15 is an external view of an indoor unit of the air conditioner, and FIG. 16 is a view showing each mode of setting a wind direction of the air conditioner. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the indoor fan speed when the air temperature changes with respect to the set room temperature of the air conditioner.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an outdoor unit, which comprises a compressor 2, a four-way valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, an outdoor fan 5, and a flow control valve 6. Reference numeral 8 denotes an indoor unit, which includes an indoor heat exchanger 9 and an indoor fan 10. 11 is a suction grill (indoor air suction port), and 12 is an air outlet.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the operation of the refrigeration cycle will be described with reference to FIGS. In the cooling operation, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 is cooled by the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and condensed into a liquid state.
Then, the flow rate is controlled to low temperature and low pressure by the flow control valve 6, and the indoor heat exchanger 9 exchanges heat with the indoor air sucked from the suction grill 11 to evaporate to a gaseous state, is sucked into the compressor 2 again, and repeats this circulation cycle. . Therefore, in the indoor unit 8, the indoor fan 10 is operated, the indoor air is sucked from the suction grill 11, the heat is exchanged with the indoor heat exchanger 9 to make the temperature low, and the indoor air is blown out from the outlet 12 into the room to perform cooling. .

In the heating operation, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 is supplied to the indoor fan 10 by the indoor heat exchanger 9.
The heat exchange with the room air sucked from the suction grill 11 by the operation of the suction grill 11 results in condensation and liquefaction. Due to this heat exchange, the temperature of the room air rises, and the room air is blown out from the outlet 12 into the room to perform heating. On the other hand, the condensed and liquefied refrigerant becomes low-temperature and low-pressure in the flow control valve 6, exchanges heat with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 4, evaporates and gasses, is sucked into the compressor 2 again, and repeats this circulation cycle.

Next, the setting of the wind direction will be described with reference to FIG. In the air-conditioning operation, a wind direction louver (not shown) is provided inside the air outlet 12, so that the wind can be blown in the wind direction setting direction by the wind direction louver. That is, the outlet 1 of the indoor unit 8
As shown in FIG. 16, the wind directions of the air blown out from the left, right, left, and center in the one-way blowout mode (one location concentrated) and the two-way simultaneous blowout mode (two locations simultaneous) are shown in FIG. Each of the center and the right can be set by a remote controller (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller). In addition, two directions left
In the case of simultaneous blowout to the right, since there is only one indoor fan 10, the blowout is performed with the same air volume.

Next, the control of the indoor fan 10 during the heating operation will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG.
The horizontal axis represents the temperature difference ΔT between the preset room temperature and the temperature of the suction air from the room sucked from the suction grill 11, and the vertical axis represents the fan speed of the indoor fan 10 (high: Hi, middle: Mi,
Low: Lo). The room temperature of the indoor fan 10 rises with the start of the heating operation, and the set room temperature and the room temperature (intake air temperature)
And a temperature difference ΔT as shown in the figure.
Is higher than 2 ° C., Mi when ΔT is 2 ° C. or higher and 2 ° C. or lower, and Lo when ΔT is 1 ° C. or lower.

[0008]

In the conventional air conditioner as described above, the same amount of heat and the same amount of air are blown out to both air conditioning regions (hereinafter, the region is referred to as a zone) during simultaneous two-way operation in the left and right directions. If the load differs in the air conditioning zones, there is a problem that the air conditioning operation corresponding to each air conditioning zone cannot be performed and comfort is impaired. As shown in FIG. 17, in the one-way blowing mode, when the room temperature approaches the set room temperature (ΔT approaches zero), the fan speed of the indoor fan 10 is operated at a low speed, and the air is blown from the entire outlet 12. As a result, the airflow velocity decreases, the airflow hardly reaches the entire air conditioning zone, and a temperature distribution occurs. For this reason, there is a problem that comfort is impaired, and the temperature distribution increases, so that the set room temperature must be increased more than necessary, resulting in an air-conditioning operation that consumes a lot of energy. Further, in the setting for blowing out from the entire outlet 12, as the room temperature approaches the set room temperature, the indoor fan 10
Because the fan speed is low, the airflow does not reach the feet during heating operation, the vertical temperature distribution increases, and the feeling of comfort is impaired. There is a problem in that the cold air mass falls into the living area of the air conditioning zone, so that it becomes cold and uncomfortable.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of improving comfort and saving energy.

[0010]

An air conditioner according to the present invention comprises an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan, and an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger. In addition, a plurality of indoor fans and an outlet for each of the plurality of indoor fans are provided, and the plurality of indoor fans are controlled based on the room temperature and the set room temperature.

In addition, a human body position detecting sensor for detecting a human body position in the air conditioning target area is provided, and each indoor fan is controlled based on the detection by the human body position detecting sensor.

Further, a radiation temperature sensor for detecting a radiation temperature of an air conditioning target area corresponding to each indoor fan is provided, and each indoor fan is controlled based on the detection by the radiation temperature sensor.

[0013] Further, there is provided a wind direction setting means for setting a wind direction of each indoor fan of the indoor unit.

An outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan, a plurality of indoor heat exchangers, means for controlling the flow rate of refrigerant corresponding to each indoor heat exchanger, and each indoor heat exchanger are provided. An indoor fan, an indoor unit corresponding to each indoor fan, having an air outlet in which an air direction is set, and forming an independent air path for each indoor heat exchanger. It controls the flow direction of the flow control means, each indoor fan, and each air outlet.

Also, an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor fan, a plurality of indoor heat exchangers, means for controlling the flow rate of refrigerant corresponding to each indoor heat exchanger, and each indoor heat exchanger are provided. An indoor unit having an air outlet corresponding to each indoor fan and having an air direction set therein, and forming an independent air path for each indoor heat exchanger, and an air direction or setting of each air outlet of the indoor unit. A remote controller that sets a room temperature and detects an ambient temperature, and controls a flow direction of each of the flow control means, each indoor fan, and each outlet based on the room temperature detected by the remote controller and the set room temperature. It is.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of an indoor unit of the air conditioner,
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a human body position detection sensor of the air conditioner, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the air conditioner. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

1 and 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a first indoor fan, 21 denotes a second indoor fan, and a first indoor fan 20 and a second indoor fan 21 are provided on the left and right sides of the indoor unit 8, respectively. A first outlet 22 and a second outlet 23 are provided as outlets corresponding to the respective indoor fans. Here, the total opening area of the first air outlet 22 and the second air outlet 23 is equal to the opening area of the air outlet of the conventional air conditioner, and each opening area is equal to that of the air outlet of the conventional air conditioner. Each half of the opening area. Reference numeral 24 denotes a human body position detection sensor provided on the suction grill (indoor air suction port) 11 and constituting a photographing unit using a CMOS image sensor.

In FIG. 3, the human body position detecting sensor 24
Is an image input unit 41 that captures a target space as an image over a wide area, and an image captured by the image input unit 41 is
Area dividing unit 42 for dividing one or a plurality of areas,
It comprises a human body detecting means 43 for detecting the presence of a human body for each area divided by the area dividing section 42. Further, the image input unit 41 includes a wide-angle lens 44 and an image sensor 45 including a CMOS image sensor. The human body detecting means 43 includes an appropriate image determining unit 46, an image-related database 47, an image processing unit 48, a current image memory unit 49, a previous image memory unit 50, a human body detecting unit 51, and an original image update determining unit 5.
2. An original image memory unit 53 is provided.

Next, the operation of each part of the human body position detecting sensor 24 will be described. The wide-angle lens 44 forms an image image of a wide range of the target space on an image sensor 45 in which pixels are arranged in a matrix. This image is divided by the area dividing section 42 and detected by a pixel group corresponding to each area. Here, the detection area in the target space and the fragments of the image image divided by the area dividing unit 42 correspond one-to-one. Then, the signal based on the fragment of the divided image image is sent to the appropriate image determining unit 46 in order to determine whether or not the image has a brightness suitable for detecting a human body.

The image-related database determining section 47 stores data relating to the correlation between the accumulation time and the brightness of the image obtained at that time, and the appropriate image determining section 46 refers to this data to determine whether or not the image is an appropriate image. I do. The image determined to be appropriate is subjected to edge processing and 2
The image is binarized and stored in the current image memory unit 49 as a current image. At the same time, the image that has been the current image is stored in the immediately preceding image memory unit 50 as the immediately preceding image. The human body detection unit 51 detects the presence of a person in each of the divided areas based on the difference between the binarized current image data and the original image data stored at a certain point in the past as the background of the immediately preceding image memory unit 50. Is determined. The original image update determination unit 52 determines whether or not there is a change in the difference between the binarized current image data and the original image data in the immediately preceding image memory unit 50. If there is no change, the original image memory The section stores either the current image data or the original image data.

Next, control during the heating operation of the air conditioner will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, the operation mode setting switch (not shown, hereinafter, the switch is referred to as SW) is operated to set the heating operation (S401), and the room temperature setting SW (not shown) is operated to set the target set room temperature. (S402). Thereafter, the position of the person in the air conditioning target area (room) is detected by the human body position detection sensor 24, that is, which of the left and right areas of the air conditioner the human body is in is detected (S403).

Hereinafter, a case where there is a person in the left area, for example, will be described. The set room temperature Ts is compared with the air temperature TR (= room temperature) sucked from the suction grill 11, and the temperature difference ΔT
It is determined whether (= Ts−TR) is equal to or higher than 2 ° C. (S404). If the temperature is 2 ° C. or more, the first indoor fan 2
0 is set to Hi and the second indoor fan 21 is set to Hi (S4).
05), the indoor air sucked from the suction grill 11 is heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 9, and the first air outlet 22 and the second
Is blown into the room as warm air of high wind speed from the outlet 23 of
Heating is rapidly performed, and the operation is performed so that the room temperature quickly reaches the set room temperature. Then, the process returns to S403.

If the temperature difference ΔT is less than 2 ° C. in S404, it is determined whether or not the temperature difference ΔT is 1 ° C. or more (S404).
406). If the temperature is 1 ° C. or more, the first indoor fan 20
Is operated with Mi and the second indoor fan 21 is operated with Mi (S40).
7) The air is blown into the room from the first outlet 22 and the second outlet 23 as warm air at a medium wind speed, heating is performed, and operation is performed so that the room temperature becomes the set room temperature quickly. Then, S40
Return to 3.

If the temperature difference ΔT is less than 1 ° C. in step S406, the first indoor fan 20 is set to Lo, and the second indoor fan 2
1 is operated at the minimum fan speed (minimum fan speed Min that prevents room air from flowing back in from the second outlet 23 due to the stop) (S408). Here, the first
The opening area of the outlet 22 is small (1/2 of the area of the opening of the conventional device), so that the blowing speed becomes about twice even if the first indoor fan 20 is Lo, and the air flow reaches far.
The temperature distribution in the room becomes smaller. Then, the process returns to S403. As described above, even when the room temperature approaches the set room temperature (ΔT approaches zero), the airflow reaches the air-conditioning zone and the temperature distribution in the room is reduced, so that the comfort is improved and the set room temperature becomes unnecessarily large. Energy saving can be achieved without raising.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 5 is an external view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
Is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioner. FIG. 1 is used as a configuration diagram of the refrigeration cycle. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Radiation temperature sensors 25a and 25b are provided on the left and right sides of the front surface of the suction grill (indoor air suction port) 11, respectively, and detect the radiation temperatures of the left and right areas in the room, which is the space to be air-conditioned.

Here, the radiation temperature sensors 25a, 25b
The infrared light emitted from the object to be measured is received by the sensor light receiving unit and converted into heat, and the temperature change of this heat is converted into a voltage by a high-sensitivity thermocouple, and the temperature corresponding to the air temperature around the sensor. By detecting the voltage value and comparing it with the voltage value corresponding to the measurement target, the temperature of the target is detected in a non-contact manner.

Next, control during the heating operation of the air conditioner will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, the operation mode setting SW is operated to set the heating operation (S60).
1) The target room temperature is set by operating the room temperature setting switch (S602). Thereafter, the radiation temperature sensors 25a, 25
Based on b, the radiation temperature in the left and right areas in the room is detected (S603). Next, the set temperature Ts is compared with the air temperature TR (= room temperature) sucked from the suction grill 11, and it is determined whether or not the temperature difference ΔT (Ts−TR) is 2 ° C. or more (S604). If the temperature is 2 ° C. or more, the first indoor fan 2
0 is set to Hi and the second indoor fan 21 is set to Hi (S6).
05), the indoor air sucked from the suction grill 11 is heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 9, and the first air outlet 22 and the second
Is blown into the room as warm air of high wind speed from the outlet 23 of
Heating is rapidly performed, and the operation is performed so that the room temperature quickly reaches the set room temperature. After that, the process returns to S603.

If the temperature difference ΔT is less than 2 ° C. in S604, it is determined whether or not the temperature difference ΔT is 1 ° C. or more (S604).
606). If the temperature is 1 ° C. or more, the first indoor fan 20
Is operated by Mi and the second indoor fan 21 is operated by Mi (S60).
7) The air is blown into the room from the first outlet 22 and the second outlet 23 as warm air at a medium wind speed, heating is performed, and operation is performed so that the room temperature becomes the set room temperature quickly. Then, S60
Return to 3.

If the temperature difference ΔT is less than 1 ° C. in S606, the radiation temperatures of the left and right areas are compared by the radiation temperature sensors 25a and 25b, and whether the temperature difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value Tf, for example, 3 ° C. It is determined whether or not it is (S608). If it is equal to or more than the predetermined value Tf, it is determined that the load differs between the left and right areas, and the fan speed of the indoor fan in the area with a low radiation temperature is increased to increase the heating capacity. For example, when the radiation temperature in the left area is low, the first indoor fan 20
Is Lo, the second indoor fan 21 is at the minimum fan speed Min.
(S609). Here, since the opening area of the first outlet 22 is small (1/2 of the outlet opening area of the conventional device).
2) Even if the first indoor fan 20 is set to Lo, the blowing speed in the left area is approximately doubled, the air flow reaches far, and the temperature distribution in the room in the left area is reduced. Thereby, the comfort of the area having a low radiation temperature is improved. Then, S60
Return to 3.

When the radiation temperature in the right area is low,
The first indoor fan 20 is operated at the minimum fan speed Min, and the second indoor fan 21 is operated at Lo (S610). Here, since the opening area of the second outlet 22 is small (（of the outlet opening area of the conventional device), even if the second indoor fan 20 is Lo, the blowing speed in the right area becomes about twice, The air flow reaches far and the temperature distribution in the room in the right area becomes smaller. Thereby, the comfort of the area having a low radiation temperature is improved. After that, the process returns to S603.

As described above, the room temperature is close to the set room temperature (Δ
T approaches zero), and even if the load differs between the left and right areas in the room, the airflow reaches the air-conditioning zone with low radiation temperature and the temperature distribution in the room becomes smaller, so that the comfort is improved and the set room temperature is reduced. Energy can be saved without raising more than necessary. In the above description, the case where two radiation temperature sensors are provided has been described. However, a radiation temperature sensor divided into a plurality of areas may be provided by arraying the sensor light receiving units.

Embodiment 3 FIG. In the first embodiment, the human body position detection sensor 24 is provided in the indoor unit 8 and air-conditioning is performed mainly in the area in the direction of the human body position. Based on the setting, air conditioning is performed around the set wind direction area.

FIG. 7 is an external view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is used as a configuration diagram of the refrigeration cycle. In the drawing, reference numeral 26 denotes a remote controller (remote controller) for setting the wind direction, operation mode, room temperature setting, and the like of the first outlet 22 and the second outlet 23. The first outlet is controlled by a signal from the remote controller 26. 22 and second outlet 2
3 controls the wind direction louver (not shown) to vary the blowout wind direction.

Next, control during the heating operation of the air conditioner will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, the heating mode is set by operating the operation mode setting switch (not shown) of the remote controller 26 (S801), and the target set room temperature is set by operating the room temperature setting switch (not shown) of the remote controller 26 (S801). S802).

The case where the wind direction is set to the front will be described below. The direction of the air blown from the first outlet 22 and the second outlet 23 is set to the front direction by the remote controller 26 (S803). Set room temperature Ts and suction grill 1
The air temperature TR (= room temperature) drawn from 1 is compared, and it is determined whether or not the temperature difference ΔT (= Ts−TR) is 2 ° C. or more (S804). When the temperature is equal to or higher than 2 ° C., the first indoor fan 20 is operated at Hi and the second indoor fan 21 is operated at Hi (S805), and the indoor air sucked from the suction grill 11 is exchanged with the indoor heat exchanger 9. The air is blown out from the first outlet 22 and the second outlet 23 as warm air having a high wind velocity in the front direction, and the heating operation is rapidly performed so that the room temperature is quickly set to the set room temperature. After that, the process returns to S803.

If the temperature difference ΔT is less than 2 ° C. in S804, it is determined whether the temperature difference ΔT is 1 ° C. or more (S804).
806). If the temperature is 1 ° C. or more, the first indoor fan 20
Is operated by Mi and the second indoor fan 21 is operated by Mi (S80).
7) The warm air is blown out from the first outlet 22 and the second outlet 23 in the front direction as warm air at a medium wind speed, and heating is performed.
It is operated so that the room temperature quickly reaches the set room temperature. Then, S
Return to 803.

If the temperature difference ΔT is less than 1 ° C. in step S806, one of the first indoor fan 20 and the second indoor fan 21 is operated at a low fan speed and the other is operated at a minimum fan speed Min. (S808). As a result, the fan speed Lo between the first outlet 22 and the second outlet 23 is
The blowing speed from the outlet corresponding to the indoor fan of about 2
Doubled, blown out in the front direction, airflow reaches far away,
The temperature distribution in the room becomes smaller. After that, the process returns to S803. In FIG. 8, the first indoor fan 20 has a fan speed Lo and the second indoor fan 21 has a minimum fan speed Min.
(S808).

As described above, the room temperature is close to the set room temperature (Δ
Even when T approaches zero), airflow reaches the air conditioning zone,
The room temperature distribution is improved, the comfort is improved, and energy can be saved without raising the set room temperature more than necessary.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
0 is an external view of an indoor unit of this air conditioner, FIG.
Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a blowing direction during cooling and heating of the air conditioner, Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing a heating operation of the air conditioner, and Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a cooling operation of the air conditioner. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts as those in the conventional and the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

9 and 10, reference numeral 27 denotes a first indoor heat exchanger, reference numeral 28 denotes a second indoor heat exchanger, and reference numeral 29 denotes a first indoor heat exchanger for controlling the flow rate of refrigerant to the first indoor heat exchanger 27. The indoor flow rate control valve 30 is a second indoor flow rate control valve that controls the flow rate of the refrigerant to the second indoor heat exchanger 28. In the indoor unit 8, the air path is divided into right and left by a partition plate 31, and the air that has passed through the first indoor heat exchanger 27 and the second indoor heat exchanger 28 is supplied to the first outlet 22 and the second blower, respectively. As well as blowing out from the exit 23, by the signal from the remote controller 26,
The air direction louvers (not shown) inside the first air outlet 22 and the second air outlet 23 are controlled to change the air flow direction.

Although not shown in FIG. 10, a suction grill 11 is provided on the front surface of the indoor unit 8 as shown in FIG. 2 and the like.
7. Although the second indoor heat exchanger 28 cannot be seen,
FIG. 10 shows a state where the suction grill 11 is removed for convenience. Further, the remote controller 26 includes a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting an air temperature around the remote controller.

Next, control during the heating operation of the air conditioner will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, the heating mode is set by operating the operation mode setting switch (not shown) of the remote controller 26 (S1201), and the target set room temperature is set by operating the room temperature setting switch (not shown) of the remote controller 26 (S1201). S1202). After that, the first
By controlling the wind direction louvers inside the air outlet 22 and the second air outlet 23, the blow air direction is set according to the user's preference (S1203).

Then, the set room temperature Ts is compared with the air temperature TR around the remote controller (= room temperature, hereinafter referred to as remote controller air temperature) to determine whether or not the temperature difference ΔT (= Ts−TR) is 2 ° C. or more. (S1204). When the temperature is equal to or higher than 2 ° C., the first indoor fan 20 is operated at Hi and the second indoor fan 21 is operated at Hi (S1205). Heat is exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger 27 and the second indoor heat exchanger 28, and the high wind speed in the wind direction of the first air outlet 22 and the second air outlet 23 set to the user's preference by the remote controller 26. The air is blown into the room as warm air, and the room is rapidly heated, and the room temperature is quickly set to the set room temperature. Then, the process returns to S1204.

If the temperature difference ΔT is less than 2 ° C. in S1204, it is determined whether the temperature difference ΔT is 1 ° C. or more (S1206). When the temperature is 1 ° C. or more, the first indoor fan 20 is operated at Mi and the second indoor fan 21 is operated at Mi (S1207), and the first outlet 22 and the user are set to the user's preference by the remote controller 26. The air is blown into the room as warm air at a medium wind speed in the direction of the wind of the second air outlet 23, and heating is performed so that the room temperature is quickly set to the set room temperature. After that, the process returns to S1203.

If the temperature difference ΔT is less than 1 ° C. in step S1206, the first indoor flow control valve 29 is kept open, the second indoor flow control valve 30 is closed, and the second indoor heat exchanger is closed. 28, the flow of the refrigerant into the first refrigerant flow is stopped (S1208).
The fan speeds of the indoor fan 20 and the second indoor fan 21 are set to Lo (S1209), the blowing direction of the first outlet 22 is forced downward, and the blowing direction of the second outlet 23 is forced horizontal. It is set (S1210). Thereby, warm air is blown out from the first outlet 22 in a downward direction to perform heating.
On the other hand, in the second outlet 23, the second indoor heat exchanger 28
Since the refrigerant does not flow into the air, the air is blown in the horizontal direction while maintaining the temperature of the air sucked from the suction grill 11, and the operation becomes a circulation operation in which the warm air accumulated in the upper part of the room is stirred. After that, the process returns to S1203.

In the above description, the first indoor flow control valve 29 is opened, the second indoor flow control valve 30 is closed, and the second indoor flow control valve 30 is closed.
In this case, the flow of the refrigerant into the indoor heat exchanger 28 is stopped, and the blowing direction of the first outlet 22 is set to the downward direction, and the blowing direction of the second outlet 23 is set to the horizontal direction. The first indoor flow rate control valve 29 is closed, the second indoor flow rate control valve 30 is opened, the flow of the refrigerant into the first indoor heat exchanger 27 is stopped, and the blowing direction of the first blowout port 22 is set to be horizontal. The direction and the blowing direction of the second outlet 23 may be downward. ,

Next, control during the cooling operation of the air conditioner will be described with reference to FIG. S1301 to S13
Step 09 is the same as steps S1201 to S1209, and a description thereof will be omitted. In S1310, the blowing direction of the first outlet 22 is forcibly set in the horizontal direction, and the blowing direction of the second outlet 23 is forcibly set in the horizontal direction, and the direction in which the air blown from both outlets is mixed. Therefore, cooling air is blown out from the first outlet 22 in the horizontal direction to perform cooling. At the second outlet 23, since the refrigerant does not flow into the second indoor heat exchanger 28, the air is blown out in the horizontal direction while the temperature of the air sucked from the suction grill 11 remains unchanged. Therefore, the cool air from the first air outlet 22 and the air from the second air outlet 23 are mixed and blown out to the upper part of the room, so that the cooling air is cooled without falling to the living space. be able to. After that, the process returns to S1303.

In the above description, the first indoor flow control valve 29 is opened, the second indoor flow control valve 30 is closed, and the second indoor flow control valve 30 is closed.
Although the flow of the refrigerant into the indoor heat exchanger 28 is stopped, the first indoor flow control valve 29 is closed, the second indoor flow control valve 30 is opened, and the first indoor heat exchanger 27 is stopped. May be stopped. ,

As described above, by controlling the wind direction of the first outlet 22 and the second outlet 23, the vertical temperature difference in the indoor space is reduced, and the comfort can be improved. Also,
Since the suction air temperature also drops, the high pressure side drops, and COP
, And energy saving can be achieved. In addition,
In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the indoor unit of the indoor unit and the two air outlets corresponding to the indoor fan are shown. However, three or more air fans may be provided.

[0050]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

The indoor unit includes an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor fan, and an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger. The indoor unit includes a plurality of indoor fans, and an outlet for each of the plurality of indoor fans. And controls multiple indoor fans based on the room temperature and the set room temperature, so that the blown air can reach the room, which is the area to be air-conditioned, to improve comfort and save energy, and to control the upper and lower temperatures during heating. The difference can be reduced.

Also, since a human body position detecting sensor for detecting the human body position in the air conditioning target area is provided, and each indoor fan is controlled based on the detection by the human body position detecting sensor, the blown air is blown in accordance with the presence or absence of a person. Can be reached,
It can improve comfort and save energy, and can reduce the vertical temperature difference during heating.

Further, a radiant temperature sensor for detecting the radiant temperature of the area to be air-conditioned corresponding to each indoor fan is provided, and each indoor fan is controlled based on the detection by the radiant temperature sensor. In this way, the air can be delivered in accordance with the air conditioner, which improves comfort and saves energy, and reduces the vertical temperature difference during heating.

Since the airflow direction setting means for setting the airflow direction of each indoor fan of the indoor unit is provided, air can be delivered in a predetermined direction in the room, thereby improving comfort and energy saving. The difference can be reduced.

Also, an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan, a plurality of indoor heat exchangers, means for controlling the flow rate of refrigerant corresponding to each indoor heat exchanger, and each indoor heat exchanger are provided. An indoor fan, an indoor unit corresponding to each indoor fan, having an air outlet in which an air direction is set, and forming an independent air path for each indoor heat exchanger. Controls the flow direction of the flow control means, each indoor fan, and each outlet, improving indoor comfort and saving energy, reducing the vertical temperature difference during heating, and eliminating cold air mass during cooling. Can improve comfort.

Further, a remote controller is provided for setting the wind direction or the set room temperature of each outlet of the indoor unit and detecting the ambient temperature, and based on the room temperature detected by the remote controller and the set room temperature, the flow rate control is performed. Since the means, each indoor fan, and the wind direction of each outlet are controlled, various controls based on the room temperature around the remote controller are performed, thereby improving indoor comfort and energy saving.
The difference between the upper and lower temperatures during heating can be reduced, and the comfort can be improved during cooling by eliminating the cold air mass.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of an indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a human body position detection sensor of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view of an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an external view of an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an external view of an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a blowing direction during cooling and heating of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a heating operation of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a heating operation of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a conventional air conditioner.

FIG. 15 is an external view of an indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing each mode of a wind direction setting of the conventional air conditioner.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the indoor fan speed when the air temperature changes with respect to the set temperature of the conventional air conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 outdoor unit, 2 compressor, 4 outdoor heat exchanger, 5 outdoor fan, 8 indoor unit, 9 indoor heat exchanger, 11 suction grille, 20 first indoor fan, 21 second indoor fan, 22 first Air outlet, 23 second air outlet, 24 human body position detection sensor, 25a radiation temperature sensor, 25b radiation temperature sensor, 26 remote controller, 27 first indoor heat exchanger, 28 second indoor heat exchanger, 29 first 30. The second indoor flow control valve, 31 the partition plate.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hiroki Okazawa 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Mitsui Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Jun Yoshihashi 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Corporation F-term (reference) 3L060 AA03 AA05 CC02 CC11 CC19 DD08 EE01 EE05 3L061 BB01 BB04 BE04 BF08

Claims (6)

[Claims] An air conditioner comprising: an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor fan; and an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger, wherein the indoor unit includes a plurality of indoor fans, An air conditioner, wherein an air outlet is provided for each of a plurality of indoor fans, and the plurality of indoor fans is controlled based on a room temperature and a set room temperature. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a human body position detecting sensor for detecting a human body position in the air conditioning target area, wherein each indoor fan is controlled based on the detection by the human body position detecting sensor. . 3. A radiant temperature sensor for detecting a radiant temperature of a region to be air-conditioned corresponding to each of the indoor fans, wherein each indoor fan is controlled based on the detection by the radiant temperature sensor. The air conditioner as described in the above. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising wind direction setting means for setting a wind direction of each indoor fan of the indoor unit. 5. An outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan, a plurality of indoor heat exchangers, means for controlling the flow rate of refrigerant corresponding to each indoor heat exchanger, and each indoor heat exchanger. Indoor fan,
An indoor unit corresponding to each indoor fan, having an air outlet for setting a wind direction, and forming an independent air path for each indoor heat exchanger, wherein each of the flow rate control means is based on a room temperature and a set room temperature. An air conditioner characterized by controlling the wind direction of each indoor fan and each outlet. 6. An outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan, a plurality of indoor heat exchangers, means for controlling the flow rate of refrigerant corresponding to each indoor heat exchanger, and each indoor heat exchanger. Indoor fan,
An indoor unit having an air outlet corresponding to each indoor fan and having a wind direction set therein and forming an independent air path for each indoor heat exchanger; and setting a wind direction or a set room temperature of each air outlet of the indoor unit. And a remote controller that detects the ambient temperature, and controls the flow direction of each of the flow control means, each indoor fan, and each outlet based on the room temperature detected by the remote controller and the set room temperature. Air conditioner.