JP2005257219A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner for rapidly detecting leakage of a refrigerant with high accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: A control device operates an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, inputs control values of an indoor fan, compressor, and an outdoor fan at this time, stores detected refrigerant temperatures of respective temperature sensors of the indoor unit and outdoor unit, and detected outside air temperatures of second and sixth temperature sensors as initial learning data, corrects refrigerant leakage detecting operation data used at a time of refrigerant leakage detection previously set in response to individual differences and actual installation conditions of respective equipment of the indoor unit and outdoor unit on the basis of the initial learning data, operates the indoor unit and outdoor unit so as to accumulate the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger on the basis of the corrected refrigerant leakage detecting operation data, obtains a difference by inputting a detected temperature of the fourth temperature sensor and a detected temperature of the fifth temperature sensor at this operation time, determines whether the temperature difference is more than a previously set threshold value or not, and determines as refrigerant leakage when the temperature difference is more than the threshold value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that estimates the amount of refrigerant circulating between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit or a refrigerant equivalent amount and detects refrigerant leakage.

A conventional air conditioner determines that the refrigerant is insufficient when the difference between the value of the temperature sensor provided in the indoor heat exchanger (evaporator) and the indoor air temperature falls below a preset threshold. It has stopped (for example, refer patent document 1).
In some cases, the refrigerant is judged to be insufficient when the difference between the high pressure and the low pressure falls below a preset threshold using a pressure sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-283521 A (Page 3, FIG. 3) JP-A-6-307741 (page 2-3, FIG. 1-2)

  The above-mentioned conventional technology detects refrigerant leakage indirectly based on information from temperature sensors and pressure sensors. However, only a small amount of information is used, and a large amount of refrigerant escapes to improve product reliability. It can only be detected when a problem occurs, and is insufficient to detect refrigerant leakage at an early stage. In addition, as the type of air conditioner, it is assumed that there is no receiver, but if you have a liquid receiver and there are many surplus refrigerants, considering the existing chargeless type air conditioner, In the prior art, a large amount of refrigerant is released to the atmosphere before a refrigerant leak is actually detected, which is insufficient as a refrigerant leak detection means.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a first object is to provide a highly accurate air conditioner that can detect refrigerant leakage earlier.

  The second object is to enable refrigerant leak detection particularly in a chargeless type air conditioner having a liquid receiver (a type that does not require on-site refrigerant addition).

  An air conditioner according to the present invention includes an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor blower, a first temperature sensor that detects the temperature of refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger, and a first temperature sensor that detects the temperature of outside air taken in by the indoor blower. 2 indoor unit having temperature sensor, receiver for storing excess refrigerant, compressor, outdoor heat exchanger and outdoor blower, third temperature sensor for detecting temperature of refrigerant on suction side of compressor, compression A fourth temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant on the discharge side of the machine, a fifth temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger, and a sixth temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the outside air taken in by the outdoor fan. Operating the outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and at the time of this operation, at least the control values of the indoor fan, the compressor and the outdoor fan are input, and the detected refrigerant temperature of each temperature sensor of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, First And the outside temperature detected by the sixth temperature sensor is input respectively, initial learning data acquisition means for storing as initial learning data, and set in advance according to individual differences and actual installation conditions of each device of the indoor unit and outdoor unit, Correction means for correcting the refrigerant leak detection operation data used at the time of refrigerant leak detection based on the initial learning data, and refrigerant stored in the outdoor heat exchanger based on the refrigerant leak detection operation data corrected by the correction means. The refrigerant leak detection driving means for driving the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and the detected temperature of the fourth temperature sensor and the detected temperature of the fifth temperature sensor are respectively input during this operation, and the difference in temperature is calculated. It is provided with a refrigerant leak determining means for determining whether or not the threshold value is equal to or greater than a preset threshold and determining that the refrigerant leaks when the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the threshold.

  In addition, the air conditioner according to the present invention detects each temperature of the indoor heat exchanger and the indoor blower, a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger, and the temperature of the outside air taken in by the indoor blower. A third temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerant on the suction side of the compressor, the indoor unit having the second temperature sensor, the receiver, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor fan that store excess refrigerant A fourth temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant on the discharge side of the compressor, a fifth temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger, and a sixth temperature for detecting the temperature of the outside air taken in by the outdoor blower An outdoor unit having a sensor, a refrigerant amount measurement sensor for measuring an excess refrigerant amount accumulated in the liquid receiver, an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are operated, and at least the indoor blower, the compressor, and the outdoor blower are operated during this operation. Control value Initial learning data acquisition means for inputting the detected refrigerant temperature of each temperature sensor of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and the detected outdoor air temperature of the second and sixth temperature sensors, respectively, and storing them as initial learning data, And the correction means which corrects the refrigerant leak detection operation data used at the time of refrigerant leak detection set according to the individual difference of each device of the outdoor unit and the actual installation condition based on the initial learning data, and the correction means Based on the refrigerant leak detection operation data, refrigerant leak detection operation means for operating the indoor unit and the outdoor unit so that the refrigerant is stored in the outdoor heat exchanger, and during this operation, the second temperature sensor and the sixth temperature sensor The normal expected refrigerant amount estimated from the detected temperature and the operating state is determined, and compared with the excess refrigerant amount measured by the refrigerant amount measurement sensor. It is obtained by a refrigerant leak determination means for determining a refrigerant leak when many.

  In the present invention, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are operated, and at the time of this operation, at least the control values of the indoor fan, the compressor and the outdoor fan are input, and the detected refrigerant temperature of each temperature sensor of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit Refrigerant used at the time of refrigerant leakage detection, which is stored as initial learning data for the detected outside air temperatures of the second and sixth temperature sensors, and is set in advance in accordance with individual differences and actual installation conditions of the indoor unit and outdoor unit. The leak detection operation data is corrected based on the initial learning data, and the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are operated based on the corrected refrigerant leak detection operation data so that the refrigerant is stored in the outdoor heat exchanger. Sometimes, the detected temperature of the fourth temperature sensor and the detected temperature of the fifth temperature sensor are respectively input to determine the difference, and it is determined whether this temperature difference is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value. Since the refrigerant leak is judged to be when the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the threshold, it is possible to detect the refrigerant leak accurately and accurately as a refrigerant leak detection taking into account the actual installation conditions such as variations in equipment, pipe lengths and height differences. Leakage can be detected earlier.

  Further, in the present invention, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are operated, and at the time of this operation, at least the control values of the indoor fan, the compressor and the outdoor fan are input, and the temperature sensors of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are detected. The refrigerant temperature and the detected outside air temperatures of the second and sixth temperature sensors are stored as initial learning data, respectively, and are set in advance according to individual differences and actual installation conditions of each device of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The refrigerant leak detection operation data to be used is corrected based on the initial learning data, and based on the corrected refrigerant leak detection operation data, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are operated so that the refrigerant is stored in the outdoor heat exchanger, During this operation, the normal estimated refrigerant amount assumed from the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor and the sixth temperature sensor and the operation state is determined and measured by the refrigerant amount measurement sensor. Compared to the amount of excess refrigerant, the refrigerant leakage is judged when this difference is greater than the predetermined amount, so it is possible to detect refrigerant leakage, especially in chargeless type air conditioners with liquid receivers. To do.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The indoor unit 1 detects the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 2, the first temperature sensor 2 a attached to the indoor heat exchanger 2, the indoor fan 3, and the temperature of the indoor air taken in by the operation of the indoor fan 3. 2 temperature sensor 4. The outdoor unit 11 includes a liquid receiver 12 that stores surplus refrigerant, a compressor 13, a third temperature sensor 14 a that is attached to the suction pipe of the compressor 13, and a fourth that is attached to the discharge pipe of the compressor 13. The temperature sensor 14b, the outdoor heat exchanger 15, the fifth temperature sensor 15a attached to the outdoor heat exchanger 15, the outdoor fan 16, and the sixth temperature for detecting the temperature of the outside air taken in by the operation of the outdoor fan 16 Sensor 17.

The control device 20 includes, for example, a microcomputer, and operates the indoor blower 3 of the indoor unit 1, the compressor 13 of the outdoor unit 11, the expansion device 19, and the outdoor blower 16 based on a preset control pattern, and During this operation, control values for the indoor blower 3, the compressor 13, the expansion device 19 and the outdoor blower 16 are input, and the detected refrigerant temperatures of the temperature sensors 2a, 14a, 14b and 15a of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11, The detected air temperatures of the second and sixth temperature sensors 4 and 17 are respectively input and stored as initial learning data acquisition means, and individual differences and actual installation conditions of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11 in advance. And a correction means for correcting the refrigerant leak detection operation data used at the time of refrigerant leak detection set according to the initial learning data and, for example, a remote controller. Refrigerant leak detection operation means for operating the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11 so that the refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 15 based on the corrected refrigerant leak detection operation data when the dynamic switch is turned on. And during this operation, the detected temperature of the fourth temperature sensor 14b and the detected temperature of the fifth temperature sensor 15a are respectively input to determine a difference, and it is determined whether this temperature difference is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, When the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the refrigerant has leaked, and for example, there is provided a refrigerant leak determining means that blinks an LED provided on the remote controller and notifies the fact.
In the case of an appropriate amount of refrigerant, the detected temperature of the fourth temperature sensor 14b and the detected temperature of the fifth temperature sensor 15a when the outdoor blower 16 and the expansion device 19 are controlled to cause the outdoor heat exchanger 15 to store the refrigerant. It is a difference. The time point at which the discharge superheat exceeds the set threshold is found, and the control values (rotation speed, throttle opening) are stored. However, this value is corrected by the initial learning operation. For example, if the pipe length at the time of actual installation is longer than that at the time of measurement, the threshold value will be exceeded at a lower rotation speed and a smaller throttle opening, so the control value rotation speed and throttle opening should be kept small. multiply. In the refrigerant leak detection operation, the rotational speed of the outdoor fan 16 and the opening degree of the expansion device 19 are controlled to be this value. In the determination of the refrigerant leakage, if the discharge superheat during the operation is larger than the discharge superheat measured in advance when the amount of refrigerant is appropriate (a slight margin is given), it is determined that the refrigerant is leaking. . In the above description, the control value is adjusted and the discharge superheat is determined, but conversely, the discharge superheat is adjusted and the control value is determined. When the rotational speed of the outdoor blower 16 and the opening degree of the throttle device 19 are controlled so as to exceed the set threshold, and the control value at this time is compared with a control value measured in advance with an appropriate refrigerant amount, and the rotational speed is low Or, when the opening degree of the expansion device 19 is large, it is determined that the refrigerant leaks.

  Note that the control device 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 is illustrated so as to obtain information directly from the various temperature sensors and devices provided in the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11, respectively. Input is made via an indoor control device (not shown) that controls operation control and an outdoor control device (not shown) that controls operation control of the outdoor unit 11. Moreover, each apparatus mentioned above is the indoor heat exchanger 2, the indoor air blower 3, the liquid receiver 12, the compressor 13, the outdoor heat exchanger 15, the outdoor air blower 16, etc., and an individual difference is an indoor unit. 1 and the capacity difference of each device provided in the outdoor unit 11. Moreover, actual installation conditions are conditions, such as the piping length between the installed indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11, and a height difference.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner configured as described above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the initial learning operation is performed after installing the products (the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11) (S1), the control device 20 sets the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11 to the indoor control device based on a preset control pattern, respectively. And the outdoor control device, the control values of the indoor blower 3, the compressor 13 and the outdoor blower 16 at that time are respectively input, and the temperature sensors 2a, 14a, 14b of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11 are input. The detected refrigerant temperature 15a and the detected air temperatures of the second and sixth temperature sensors 4 and 17 are input and stored as initial learning data in a storage unit (not shown) (S2). And the refrigerant | coolant leak detection driving | operation data used at the time of the refrigerant | coolant leak detection preset according to the individual difference of each apparatus of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11 and an actual installation condition are correct | amended based on the said initial learning data ( S3). At this time, the operation under actual use is possible (S4). For example, when the heating operation is selected by the remote controller, the indoor control device and the outdoor control device execute the heating operation.

  On the other hand, when the refrigerant leak detection start switch provided in the indoor unit 1 is turned on (S5), the control device 20 stops the operation under actual use via the indoor control device and the outdoor control device. Based on the refrigerant leak detection operation data corrected earlier, the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11 are operated so that the refrigerant is stored in the outdoor heat exchanger 15 (S6). During this operation, the detected temperature of the fourth temperature sensor 14b (refrigerant temperature on the discharge side of the compressor 13) and the detected temperature of the fifth temperature sensor 15a (refrigerant temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 15) are respectively input and differenced. And whether or not the temperature difference is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value (S7). When the temperature difference is less than the threshold value, it is possible to operate under actual use (S4), but the difference between the refrigerant temperature on the discharge side of the compressor 13 and the refrigerant temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 15 increases. If it is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the refrigerant has leaked, and an LED provided on the remote controller is blinked to notify that fact (S8). If a refrigerant leak is detected, a human identifies and repairs the leak location, and adjusts the refrigerant amount to an appropriate amount (S9).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, since initial learning is performed after installation or repair, the amount of refrigerant in consideration of actual installation conditions such as individual differences, pipe lengths, height differences, and the like of each device. It is possible to estimate the refrigerant leakage with high accuracy. In addition, since the refrigerant leak can be reliably detected, when an abnormality occurs when there is no refrigerant leak, the time required for the cause search can be greatly reduced.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the operation for detecting the refrigerant leak is started when the start switch for detecting the refrigerant leak is turned on. However, the refrigerant leak detection is automatically performed after the elapse of a preset time. You may make it enter. In the second embodiment, the controller 20 determines whether or not a preset time, for example, one week or one month has elapsed, and when that time has elapsed, corrected refrigerant leakage detection operation data. The refrigerant leakage detection operation means for operating the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11 is provided so that the refrigerant is stored in the outdoor heat exchanger 15 based on the above.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner configured as described above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The same operations as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted.
The control device 20 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed when the operation under actual use is performed (S4) (S5a), and when the predetermined time has elapsed, the indoor control device and the outdoor control device. The indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11 are operated so that the refrigerant is stored in the outdoor heat exchanger 15 based on the refrigerant leak detection operation data corrected at the time of product installation. (S6). Since the subsequent operation is the same as that of the first embodiment as described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the refrigerant leak detection is automatically performed, it is quicker to detect the refrigerant leak than the first embodiment in which a person is present, and the destruction of the ozone layer. It can be a product that takes into account global warming, and can reduce costs such as labor costs.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 4 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
In the third embodiment, as shown in the figure, the indoor unit 1 and the refrigerant amount measurement sensor 18 provided in the liquid receiver 12 for storing excess refrigerant and the refrigerant leak detection operation data corrected at the time of product installation are described. When the outdoor unit 11 is in operation, it is assumed from the detected temperature (indoor air temperature) of the second temperature sensor, the detected temperature (outdoor air temperature) of the sixth temperature sensor, and the operating state (cooling operation, heating operation, etc.). The normal amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit at the normal time is determined and compared with the excess refrigerant amount measured by the refrigerant amount measuring sensor 18, and when this difference is larger than a predetermined amount, it is determined that the refrigerant leaks, And a control device 20 having refrigerant leakage determination means for blinking the LED.
The operation of the third embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 3, for example, in which the determination operation is performed in S7 shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 11 are operated based on the refrigerant leak detection operation data corrected at the time of product installation, the indoor air temperature of the second temperature sensor, the sixth The temperature of the outdoor air temperature of the temperature sensor and the expected amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit at the normal time assumed from the operating state are determined, and compared with the excess refrigerant amount measured by the refrigerant amount measurement sensor 18. Since the refrigerant leakage is determined to be greater than the fixed amount, the refrigerant leakage can be detected with higher accuracy, and the refrigerant leakage can be detected at an earlier timing.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the temperature sensor and the refrigerant amount measurement sensor are used as the sensors. However, by further using the pressure sensor, the refrigerant leak detection accuracy can be increased, and the initial learning operation can be performed. If the actual pipe length or height difference can be input when performing the above, the detection accuracy can be further improved.

It is a refrigerant circuit figure of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when a refrigerant leak is detected in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the refrigerant | coolant leak detection in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a refrigerant circuit figure of the air conditioner in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indoor unit, 2 Indoor heat exchanger, 2a 1st temperature sensor, 3 Indoor fan, 4 2nd temperature sensor, 11 Outdoor unit, 12 Liquid receiver, 13 Compressor, 14a 3rd temperature sensor,
14b 4th temperature sensor, 15 outdoor heat exchanger, 15a 5th temperature sensor, 16 outdoor blower, 17 6th temperature sensor, 18 refrigerant | coolant amount measurement sensor, 20 control apparatus.

Claims (4)

Each of the indoor heat exchanger and the indoor blower, an indoor unit having a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger, and a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the outside air taken in by the indoor blower;
The receiver, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger and the outdoor blower for storing excess refrigerant, the third temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant on the suction side of the compressor, and the temperature of the refrigerant on the discharge side of the compressor An outdoor unit having a fourth temperature sensor to detect, a fifth temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger, and a sixth temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the outside air taken in by the outdoor blower;
The indoor unit and the outdoor unit are operated, and at least the control values of the indoor blower, the compressor, and the outdoor blower are input during the operation, and the detected refrigerant temperature of each temperature sensor of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, Initial learning data acquisition means for inputting the detected outside air temperatures of the second and sixth temperature sensors and storing them as initial learning data;
Correction means for correcting refrigerant leak detection operation data used at the time of refrigerant leak detection, which is set according to individual differences and actual installation conditions of each device of the indoor unit and outdoor unit, based on initial learning data,
Based on the refrigerant leak detection operation data corrected by the correction means, refrigerant leak detection operation means for operating the indoor unit and the outdoor unit so that the refrigerant is stored in the outdoor heat exchanger;
During this operation, the detected temperature of the fourth temperature sensor and the detected temperature of the fifth temperature sensor are respectively input to obtain a difference, and it is determined whether the temperature difference is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, and the temperature difference An air conditioner comprising: a refrigerant leak determining means that determines that the refrigerant leaks when the value is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Each of the indoor heat exchanger and the indoor blower, an indoor unit having a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger, and a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the outside air taken in by the indoor blower;
The receiver, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger and the outdoor blower for storing excess refrigerant, the third temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant on the suction side of the compressor, and the temperature of the refrigerant on the discharge side of the compressor An outdoor unit having a fourth temperature sensor to detect, a fifth temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger, and a sixth temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the outside air taken in by the outdoor blower;
A refrigerant amount measuring sensor for measuring an excess refrigerant amount accumulated in the liquid receiver;
The indoor unit and the outdoor unit are operated, and at least the control values of the indoor blower, the compressor, and the outdoor blower are input during the operation, and the detected refrigerant temperature of each temperature sensor of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, Initial learning data acquisition means for inputting the detected outside air temperatures of the second and sixth temperature sensors and storing them as initial learning data;
Correction means for correcting refrigerant leak detection operation data used at the time of refrigerant leak detection, which is set according to individual differences and actual installation conditions of each device of the indoor unit and outdoor unit, based on initial learning data,
Based on the refrigerant leak detection operation data corrected by the correction means, refrigerant leak detection operation means for operating the indoor unit and the outdoor unit so that the refrigerant is stored in the outdoor heat exchanger;
During this operation, the temperature of the second temperature sensor and the temperature sensor detected by the sixth temperature sensor, and a normal expected refrigerant amount estimated from the operation state, and the excess refrigerant amount measured by the refrigerant amount measurement sensor, An air conditioner comprising: a refrigerant leak determination unit that compares the difference and determines that the refrigerant leaks when the difference is greater than a predetermined amount. A start switch provided on the remote control or indoor unit side,
The refrigerant leakage detection driving means starts the operation when the operation of the start switch is detected,
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the refrigerant leakage determination unit detects refrigerant leakage, the refrigerant leakage determination unit notifies the fact through a remote controller or an indoor unit. The refrigerant leak detection operation means determines whether a preset time has elapsed, and starts the operation when the time has elapsed,
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the refrigerant leakage determination unit detects refrigerant leakage, the refrigerant leakage determination unit notifies the fact through a remote controller or an indoor unit.

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