Air conditioner

Abstract

The air conditioner (1) includes an indoor unit (4), an outdoor unit (2), and a control unit that controls the operations of the indoor unit (4) and the outdoor unit (2). The outdoor unit (2) has: an outdoor unit fan (25) that takes in air; an outside air temperature detection unit (30) that detects the temperature of the outside air, i.e., the outside air temperature; and a barometric pressure acquisition unit that acquires the barometric pressure outside. The control unit calculates the air physical property values of the air at the installation position of the air conditioner (1) based on the outside air temperature obtained from the outside air temperature detection unit (30) and the barometric pressure obtained from the barometric pressure acquisition unit, and controls the outdoor unit fan (25) based on the air physical property values.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner that performs air conditioning. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a ventilation device that controls the exhaust air volume of an exhaust fan according to air pressure and indoor temperature. In the ventilation device described in Patent Document 1, the air density in the room is calculated based on the air pressure detected by a pressure sensor and the indoor temperature detected by an indoor temperature sensor, and the rotation speed of the exhaust fan is controlled according to the difference between the reference air density and the calculated air density in the room. For example, when the air density in the room is less than the reference air density, in order to make the air volume smaller with respect to the rotation speed of the exhaust fan, the rotation speed of the exhaust fan is increased by performing correction control, thereby achieving the desired air volume.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-145679

[0004] However, conventional air conditioners have a problem that they cannot exhibit the desired performance depending on the installation environment because they do not consider changes in air physical property values caused by air pressure and temperature. In one example, when the heat transfer coefficient between the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit and the air becomes low due to changes in air physical property values, the required heat exchange amount cannot be achieved, and thus the desired performance cannot be exhibited. When the desired performance cannot be exhibited, the room cannot be cooled during cooling or heated during heating, causing discomfort to the user. Even if the technology described in Patent Document 1 is applied to an air conditioner, such a problem cannot be solved because the technology described in Patent Document 1 relates to a ventilation device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to obtain an air conditioner that can achieve the required heat exchange amount regardless of the installation environment.

[0006] To solve the above problems and achieve the object, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a control unit that controls the operations of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit has: an outdoor unit fan that takes in air; an outside air temperature detection unit that detects the outside air temperature, that is, the outside air temperature; and a pressure acquisition unit that acquires the outside air pressure. The control unit calculates the air physical property value of the air at the installation position of the air conditioner based on the outside air temperature obtained from the outside air temperature detection unit and the air pressure obtained from the pressure acquisition unit, and controls the outdoor unit fan based on the air physical property value.

[0007] The air conditioner according to the present disclosure has an effect of being able to achieve the required heat exchange amount regardless of the installation environment. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a flowchart showing an example of the arithmetic processing sequence of the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing an example of the position information registration processing sequence in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of the elevation conversion information stored in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the air pressure acquisition processing sequence in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a diagram schematically showing an example of the structure of an air conditioning system including the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of the air pressure acquisition processing sequence in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing an example of the sequence of recalculating the control target value of the actuator in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 4.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware structure of the outdoor unit control unit and the indoor unit control unit included in the air conditioner according to Embodiments 1 to 4. Detailed Embodiments

[0018] Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0019] Embodiment 1

[0020] Figure 1FIG. 0 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. The air conditioner 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes an outdoor unit 2, an indoor unit 4, and a remote controller. The indoor unit 4 is installed indoors such as in a room, and the outdoor unit 2 is installed outdoors. Hereinafter, the remote controller will be referred to as the remote control 5.

[0021] The outdoor unit 2 has: a refrigerant storage unit 21 that stores the refrigerant circulating between the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 4; a compressor 22 that compresses the refrigerant; a motor drive device 23 that drives the compressor 22; and an outdoor unit control unit 24 that controls the motor drive device 23. The outdoor unit 2 also has: an outdoor unit fan 25 that takes in outdoor air; an outdoor unit heat exchanger 26 that exchanges heat between the outdoor air taken in by the outdoor unit fan 25 and the refrigerant; a four-way valve 27 that switches the refrigerant flow path; and a pressure reducing unit 28 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant. In one example, the pressure reducing unit 28 is constituted by an electronic expansion valve. The outdoor unit 2 also has: a barometric pressure sensor 29 that detects the barometric pressure at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2; and an outside air temperature detection unit 30 that detects the outside air temperature at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2. The barometric pressure sensor 29 is an example of a barometric pressure acquisition unit. Hereinafter, the temperature at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2 will be referred to as "outside air temperature". The compressor 22, the four-way valve 27, and the pressure reducing unit 28 correspond to actuators.

[0022] The indoor unit 4 has: an indoor unit fan 41 that takes in indoor air; an indoor unit heat exchanger 42 that exchanges heat between the air taken in by the indoor unit fan 41 and the refrigerant; and an indoor temperature detection unit 43 that detects the temperature of the room in which the indoor unit 4 is installed. The refrigerant circulates between the indoor unit 4 and the outdoor unit 2. For example, the indoor temperature detection unit 43 is arranged on the relatively upstream side of the air path generated by the indoor unit fan 41. In a specific example, it is preferable that the indoor temperature detection unit 43 is arranged in a state where the indoor unit heat exchanger 42 is located between the indoor temperature detection unit 43 and the indoor unit fan 41. With such an arrangement, the temperature of the air to be adjusted can be detected with high accuracy. Hereinafter, the temperature of the room in which the indoor unit 4 is installed will be referred to as "indoor temperature". The indoor unit 4 also has an indoor unit control unit 44 that controls the components of the air conditioner 1.

[0023] The outdoor unit control unit 24 and the indoor unit control unit 44 correspond to a control unit that controls the operations of the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 4. In one example, the indoor unit control unit 44 has a communication unit (not shown), the outdoor unit control unit 24 has a communication unit (not shown), and the communication unit of the indoor unit control unit 44 is connected to the communication unit of the outdoor unit control unit 24 via a communication line.

[0024] The remote controller 5 instructs the indoor unit control section 44 of the indoor unit 4 regarding settings made by a user (not shown) related to air conditioning in the room where the indoor unit 4 is installed. The remote controller 5 is connected to the indoor unit 4 by wire or wirelessly.

[0025] The indoor unit control section 44 has a function of determining the heat exchange amount required for the air conditioner 1 based on the user's instructions determined by the user operating the remote controller 5 and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature detection section 43. For example, the user's instructions include the target temperature in the room where the indoor unit 4 is installed. The indoor unit control section 44 determines the command values, that is, the control target values, for the rotational speed of the compressor 22, the operation of the four-way valve 27, the opening degree of the pressure reducing section 28, the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25, and the rotational speed of the indoor unit fan 41. The rotational speed is the number of rotations per unit time. The indoor unit control section 44 sends the control target values for the rotational speed of the compressor 22, the operation of the four-way valve 27, the opening degree of the pressure reducing section 28, and the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 to the outdoor unit control section 24 via the communication line.

[0026] The outdoor unit control section 24 receives via the communication line and a communication section (not shown) the control target values for the rotational speed of the compressor 22, the operation of the four-way valve 27, the opening degree of the pressure reducing section 28, and the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 determined by the indoor unit control section 44. The outdoor unit control section 24 controls the compressor 22, the four-way valve 27, and the pressure reducing section 28 based on the received control target values. The control of the compressor 22, the four-way valve 27, and the pressure reducing section 28 can use known control.

[0027] In addition, the outdoor unit control section 24 calculates the air physical property values at the installation position of the air conditioner 1, more specifically, at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2, based on the air pressure obtained from the air pressure sensor 29 and the outside air temperature obtained from the outside air temperature detection section 30. The outdoor unit control section 24 controls the outdoor unit fan 25 based on the calculated air physical property values. Specifically, the outdoor unit control section 24 uses the calculated air physical property values and the corrected control target value obtained by correcting the received control target value for the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 to control the outdoor unit fan 25.

[0028] Hereinafter, the control process of the outdoor unit fan 25 including the correction of the control target value for the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 by the outdoor unit control section 24 will be described. Figure 2 It is a flowchart showing an example of the arithmetic processing sequence of the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. Here, the air density is used as the air physical property value, and as an example, the case of correcting the control target value for the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 is cited.

[0029] First, the outdoor unit control unit 24 determines whether the conditions for starting the calculation process for the rotational speed of the outdoor fan 25 are met (step S11). Examples of conditions for starting the calculation process include receiving a control target value for the rotational speed of the outdoor fan 25 from the indoor unit control unit 44, detecting a change in the outside air temperature obtained from the outside air temperature detector 30 or the air pressure obtained from the air pressure sensor 29 exceeding a certain threshold, or reaching a predetermined period in a periodic process. If the conditions for starting the calculation process for the rotational speed of the outdoor fan 25 are not met (no in step S11), the system enters a standby state.

[0030] When the conditions for starting the calculation processing of the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 are met (if yes in step S11), the outdoor unit control unit 24 obtains the external air temperature from the external air temperature detection unit 30 (step S12) and obtains the air pressure of the environment in which the outdoor unit 2 is installed from the air pressure sensor 29 (step S13).

[0031] Next, the outdoor unit control unit 24 calculates the air property value based on the obtained outside air temperature and air pressure (step S14). Here is an example of calculating the air density ρ as the air property value. If the obtained air pressure is set to P [Pa], the obtained outside air temperature is set to t [°C], the average molecular weight of the atmosphere is set to M [kg / kmol], and the gas constant is set to R [Nm / (kmol·K)], the air density ρ [kg / m 3 ] is represented by the following formula (1). Wherein, M = 28.9644 [kg / kmol], R = 8.3143 × 10 3 [Nm / (kmol·K)].

[0032] [Number 1]

[0033]

[0034] As shown in equation (1), air density ρ is a quantity that is inversely proportional to the outside air temperature t and directly proportional to the air pressure P. The outdoor unit control unit 24 calculates the value of air density ρ by substituting the outside air temperature t obtained in step S12 and the air pressure P obtained in step S13 into equation (1). The calculated value of air density ρ becomes the air property value.

[0035] Thereafter, the outdoor unit control unit 24 calculates the heat transfer coefficient between the outdoor unit heat exchanger 26 and the air based on the air physical property values and the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 (step S15). The calculation of the heat transfer coefficient is performed by a known method. In one example, first, an index representing the ease of generation of fluid turbulence, i.e., the Reynolds number Re, and the Prandtl number Pr representing the ratio of the kinematic viscosity coefficient to the thermal diffusivity coefficient of the fluid are obtained. Then, using the Reynolds number Re and the Prandtl number Pr, for a stationary fluid, the Nusselt number Nu representing how much the heat transfer capacity increases due to convection is calculated. Then, using the calculated Nusselt number Nu, the heat transfer coefficient h [W / (K / m 2 )] is obtained according to the known following formula (2). Here, the thermal conductivity of air is set to λ [W / (K / m)], and the representative length is set to d [m]. The representative length d, which depends on the outdoor unit heat exchanger 26, is pre-stored in the outdoor unit control unit 24.

[0036] h = Nu × λ / d ···(2)

[0037] Thereafter, the outdoor unit control unit 24 uses the calculated heat transfer coefficient to correct the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 and calculates the corrected rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 (step S16). The outdoor unit control unit 24 sets the heat transfer coefficient as a reference, i.e., the reference heat transfer coefficient, to h0, and obtains the ratio K of the heat transfer coefficient h in the installation environment of the outdoor unit 2 obtained in step S15 with the following formula (3) h . The reference heat transfer coefficient h0 is the heat transfer coefficient when the air physical property values are used with the atmospheric pressure P0 set to 101325 Pa and the external air temperature t0 set to 25°C when the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 is obtained by the indoor unit control unit 44.

[0038] K h = h0 / h ···(3)

[0039] It can be seen from formula (3) that in order to achieve the desired heat exchange amount, it is necessary to set the heat transfer coefficient between the outdoor unit heat exchanger 26 and the air to K h times. In order to set the heat transfer coefficient to K h times, it is only necessary to set the Nusselt number Nu to K h times using formula (2). In addition, according to the known Colburn's equation representing the relationship between the Nusselt number Nu and the Reynolds number Re and the known relationship between the Reynolds number Re and the air velocity u, the correction coefficient K of the air velocity u is obtained by the following formula (4) u .

[0040] K u =(K h ) 5 / 4 ···(4)

[0041] It is known that the air velocity u is in a proportional relationship with the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25. Therefore, the correction coefficient for the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 that makes the heat transfer coefficient K h times becomes K using Equation (4). u times. That is, the outdoor unit control unit 24 calculates the corrected rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 by multiplying K u by the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 received from the indoor unit control unit 44. Through the above, the arithmetic processing of the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 is completed. In addition, thereafter, the outdoor unit control unit 24 uses the corrected rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 to control the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25.

[0042] In addition, in the above description, the case of using the air density ρ as the air physical property value is shown, but it is not limited thereto, and other air physical property values such as the viscosity coefficient μ of air and the thermal conductivity λ of air can also be used. In the case of using these air physical property values, the external air temperature and atmospheric pressure can also be used, and the air physical property values can be calculated by a known method.

[0043] In addition, in the above description, the outdoor unit control unit 24 corrects the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 obtained by the indoor unit control unit 44 based on the air density. However, the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 can also be corrected by other methods. In one example, the outdoor unit control unit 24 may send the calculated air density to the indoor unit control unit 44 via a communication unit (not shown), and the indoor unit control unit 44 calculates the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 based on the received air density. Or, in other examples, the atmospheric pressure and the external air temperature obtained by the outdoor unit control unit 24 may be sent to the indoor unit control unit 44 via a communication unit (not shown), and the indoor unit control unit 44 calculates the air density of the installation environment of the outdoor unit 2 and calculates the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 based on the calculated air density.

[0044] As described above, in the first embodiment, the outdoor unit 2 is provided with an outside air temperature detection unit 30 and a barometric pressure sensor 29. The outdoor unit control unit 24 calculates the air physical property values of the environment in which the air conditioner 1, more specifically the outdoor unit 2, is installed, using the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit 30 and the barometric pressure detected by the barometric pressure sensor 29. Then, the outdoor unit control unit 24 calculates a corrected rotation speed obtained by correcting the control target value of the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 received from the indoor unit control unit 44, using the calculated air physical property values, and controls the outdoor unit fan 25 using the corrected rotation speed. As a result, it is possible to achieve the required heat exchange amount of the heat transfer coefficient between the outdoor heat exchanger 26 of the outdoor unit 2 and the air, taking into account the barometric pressure and the outside air temperature of the installation environment. That is, the required heat exchange amount between the outdoor heat exchanger 26 of the outdoor unit 2 and the air is achieved without being affected by the air physical property values of the installation environment of the outdoor unit 2, and the performance of the air conditioner 1 can be exerted.

[0045] Second Embodiment

[0046] In the first embodiment, the barometric pressure acquisition unit is the barometric pressure sensor 29, and the barometric pressure is detected by the barometric pressure sensor 29 in order to calculate the air physical property values of the installation environment of the outdoor unit 2. However, the barometric pressure acquisition unit may also be a device other than the barometric pressure sensor 29. In the second embodiment, a case where the barometric pressure acquisition unit indirectly acquires the barometric pressure using the position information indicating the position where the outdoor unit 2 is installed will be described.

[0047] Figure 3 FIG. is an example of the structure of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment. Among them, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The remote controller 5 accepts the setting of the geographical position information of the air conditioner 1, more specifically the outdoor unit 2, by the user, and transmits it to the outdoor unit control unit 24 via the indoor unit control unit 44. In this specification, the geographical position information is position information that does not include information related to elevation. In the case of providing the air conditioner 1 to Japan, an example of the geographical position information is a combination of prefectures, cities, towns, and villages, a detailed address, a postal code, and a combination of latitude and longitude.

[0048] The outdoor unit 2 is provided with a position information storage unit 31 that stores the position information of the installation position of the outdoor unit 2, instead of Figure 1 the barometric pressure sensor 29. The position information may be information that can calculate the barometric pressure at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2. Hereinafter, the position information is the elevation at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2. In addition, in Figure 3In this case, it is shown that the position information storage unit 31 is provided in the outdoor unit 2. However, the position information storage unit 31 does not need to be provided in the outdoor unit 2 and may be provided in the indoor unit 4. In this case, the position information of the outdoor unit 2 is transmitted from the indoor unit control unit 44 to the outdoor unit control unit 24 via a communication unit (not shown).

[0049] The outdoor unit control unit 24 refers to altitude conversion information that correlates geographical location information with altitude, converts the geographical location information set by the remote controller 5 into altitude, and stores the converted altitude as position information in the position information storage unit 31. In addition, the outdoor unit control unit 24 converts the position information stored in the position information storage unit 31 into atmospheric pressure. When the position information is altitude, since altitude, external air temperature, and atmospheric pressure are represented by a pre-determined relational expression, the atmospheric pressure can be obtained by using this relational expression. Moreover, the outdoor unit control unit 24 calculates air physical property values using the atmospheric pressure, and corrects the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 received from the indoor unit control unit 44 using the values obtained from the calculated air physical property values.

[0050] Next, the position information registration process and the process of obtaining atmospheric pressure from the position information in the outdoor unit control unit 24 will be described in sequence.

[0051] <Position information registration process>

[0052] Figure 4 FIG. is a flowchart showing an example of the order of the position information registration process in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2. First, the outdoor unit control unit 24 determines whether the setting of the position information is instructed by the operation of the remote controller 5 (step S31). When the setting of the position information is not instructed (when the answer in step S31 is NO), the position information registration process ends.

[0053] When the setting of the position information is instructed (when the answer in step S31 is YES), the outdoor unit control unit 24 acquires the geographical location information input by the operation of the remote controller 5 (step S32). As described above, when the air conditioner 1 is provided in Japan, an example of the geographical location information is the prefecture, city, town, village, detailed address, latitude and longitude, and postal code. The user transmits the geographical location information input by the operation of the remote controller 5 to the outdoor unit control unit 24 via the indoor unit control unit 44. That is, the outdoor unit control unit 24 acquires the geographical location information where the air conditioner 1 is installed via the indoor unit control unit 44.

[0054] Next, the outdoor unit control unit 24 refers to the altitude conversion information and converts the acquired geographical location information into altitude (step S33). Figure 5This is a diagram showing an example of the altitude conversion information stored in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2. In the altitude conversion information, the geographical location provided by the air conditioner 1 is associated with the altitude. In Figure 5 , the location expressed by the prefectures, cities, towns, and villages in Japan is associated with the altitude at that location. In addition, when the geographical location information is a detailed address, the detailed address is associated with the altitude, and when the geographical location information is latitude and longitude, the latitude and longitude are associated with the altitude. Further, when the geographical location information is a postal code, the postal code is associated with the altitude. In addition, for example, when the outdoor unit 2 is installed on the roof of a building, the user can directly input the altitude at the installation location of the outdoor unit 2.

[0055] Return to Figure 4 , the outdoor unit control unit 24 stores the obtained altitude in the location information storage unit 31 (step S34), and thus the location information registration process ends.

[0056] <Process of Obtaining Atmospheric Pressure from Location Information>

[0057] Next, the process of obtaining atmospheric pressure from location information will be described. Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the sequence of the atmospheric pressure acquisition process in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2. In addition, this atmospheric pressure acquisition process corresponds to the atmospheric pressure acquisition process of the environment for installing the outdoor unit 2 in Figure 2 step S13.

[0058] The outdoor unit control unit 24 acquires the location information, that is, the altitude H, stored in the location information storage unit 31 (step S51). Next, the outdoor unit control unit 24 substitutes the obtained outside air temperature t and altitude H into a function representing the relationship between the outside air temperature t [°C] and altitude H [m] and the atmospheric pressure P [Pa], and calculates the atmospheric pressure P at the installation location of the outdoor unit 2 (step S52). In one example, the following formula (5) is used to calculate the atmospheric pressure P [Pa] at the installation location of the outdoor unit 2.

[0059] [Equation 2]

[0060]

[0061] In formula (5), P0 is the sea-level atmospheric pressure. By setting the sea-level atmospheric pressure P0 to the atmospheric pressure of 101325 Pa, the atmospheric pressure P at the installation location of the outdoor unit 2, that is, the location considering the altitude, can be obtained by only acquiring the altitude H and the outside air temperature t. Thereafter, the process returns to Figure 2 .

[0062] In addition, after calculating the atmospheric pressure P by formula (5), by executing Embodiment 1'sFigure 2 After the process in step S14, the outdoor unit control unit 24 corrects the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25.

[0063] As described above, the air conditioner 1 according to the second embodiment uses the position information obtained by converting the geographical position information of the installed outdoor unit 2 set by the user into elevation, and calculates the air pressure at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2. Then, using the calculated air pressure, the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 is corrected. Thus, it is possible to calculate air property values such as air density without having the air pressure sensor 29, and the air conditioner 1 that is less expensive than the first embodiment can be realized.

[0064] In addition, in the second embodiment, the position information is elevation, and the outdoor unit control unit 24 uses Figure 5 the elevation conversion information to perform the conversion from the geographical position information to elevation. However, the outdoor unit control unit 24 may also directly convert from the geographical position information to the air pressure at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2. In this case, the outdoor unit control unit 24 does not refer to Figure 5 the elevation conversion information exemplified, but refers to the air pressure conversion information that correlates the geographical position information with the air pressure, converts from the geographical position information to the air pressure, and stores the air pressure as the position information in the position information storage unit 31. In equation (5), for example, let t = 25°C to obtain the air pressure in the air pressure conversion information. Then, the outdoor unit control unit 24 only needs to save the air pressure conversion information instead of the elevation conversion information. Thus, the process of calculating the air pressure based on the elevation can be omitted.

[0065] Embodiment 3

[0066] In the second embodiment, the calculation of the air property values at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2 is realized without having the air pressure sensor 29. In the third embodiment, an air conditioning system of the air conditioner 1 that can calculate air property values with higher accuracy than the second embodiment without having the air pressure sensor 29 will also be described.

[0067] Figure 7 FIG. is an example schematically showing the structure of an air conditioning system including the air conditioner according to the third embodiment. Among them, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those described above, and the description thereof is omitted, and different parts will be described. The air conditioning system 100 includes an air conditioner 1, an access point 6, an information communication terminal 7, and a server device 8.

[0068] The indoor unit 4 of the air conditioner 1 also has a communication unit 45 for communicating with an external device. The communication unit 45 is wirelessly connected to the access point 6. In addition, in Figure 7 , the indoor unit 4 is provided with the communication unit 45, but the outdoor unit 2 may also be provided with the communication unit.

[0069] The access point 6, the air conditioner 1, and the information communication terminal 7 form a wireless local area network (LAN) as a wireless network and relay the wireless LAN and the network 9. That is, the air conditioner 1 and the information communication terminal 7 that form the wireless LAN are connected to the server device 8 via the network 9.

[0070] The information communication terminal 7 is an information processing device held by the user of the air conditioner 1 and having a wireless communication function capable of obtaining information related to the air conditioner 1 or setting the operation of the air conditioner 1. In the third embodiment, the information communication terminal 7 has an unillustrated position acquisition unit that acquires the geographical location, that is, the position information, of the information communication terminal 7, and an unillustrated communication unit capable of wirelessly communicating with the access point 6. In one example, the position acquisition unit uses the GPS (Global Positioning System) to acquire the geographical location of the information communication terminal 7. The communication unit transmits the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit to the air conditioner 1 via the wireless LAN or, on the basis of the wireless LAN, also via the network 9. An example of the information communication terminal 7 is a personal computer, a smart phone, or a tablet terminal. The users of the air conditioner 1 include the people present in the room where the indoor unit 4 is installed or the constructor who performs the process of installing the air conditioner 1.

[0071] The server device 8 collects information related to the air conditioner 1 and performs monitoring of the air conditioner 1 and the like. The server device 8 provides information related to the air conditioner 1 to persons such as the user of the air conditioner 1 or controls the air conditioner 1 according to an instruction from the information communication terminal 7 of the person such as the user of the air conditioner 1. The server device 8 can be a cloud server or a local server. The server device 8 is an example of an external device.

[0072] The user of the air conditioner 1 operates the information communication terminal 7 at the position of the indoor unit 4 or the outdoor unit 2 where the air conditioner 1 is installed, acquires the geographical location information of the information communication terminal 7, and transmits it to the air conditioner 1 via the wireless LAN. When the communication unit 45 of the air conditioner 1 acquires the geographical location information from the information communication terminal 7, it transfers the geographical location information to the outdoor unit control unit 24 via the indoor unit control unit 44. The outdoor unit control unit 24 uses the geographical location information of the information communication terminal 7 as the geographical location information of the air conditioner 1, more specifically, the outdoor unit 2, to calculate the air pressure at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2. In addition, as described in the first embodiment, the outdoor unit control unit 24 uses the calculated air pressure to calculate the air physical property value, and uses the value obtained from the calculated air physical property value to correct the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 received from the indoor unit control unit 44.

[0073] Next, the position information registration process and the process of obtaining the air pressure from the position information in the information communication terminal 7 will be described in sequence.

[0074] <Location Information Registration Process>

[0075] In Embodiment 2, the user sets the geographical location information of the outdoor unit 2 using the remote controller 5. However, in Embodiment 3, the user sets the geographical location information of the outdoor unit 2 using the information communication terminal 7. At this time, the information communication terminal 7 held by the user exists at the installation location of the air conditioner 1. The information communication terminal 7 uses the geographical location information obtained by GPS, etc. as the geographical location information of the outdoor unit 2, and sends this geographical location information to the outdoor unit control unit 24. The outdoor unit control unit 24 stores, as the position information of the outdoor unit 2, the geographical location information of the outdoor unit 2 received via the communication unit 45 and the indoor unit control unit 44, and the elevation obtained by referring to the elevation conversion information from the geographical location information described in Embodiment 2 in the position information storage unit 31.

[0076] <Process of Obtaining Atmospheric Pressure from Location Information>

[0077] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the order of the atmospheric pressure acquisition process in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3. Among them, this atmospheric pressure acquisition process corresponds to Figure 2 the process in step S13. In one example, this atmospheric pressure acquisition process starts according to a request from the outdoor unit control unit 24.

[0078] First, the outdoor unit control unit 24 requests the server device 8 to send the atmospheric pressure information at the installation location of the outdoor unit 2 via the communication unit 45 (step S71). At this time, the outdoor unit control unit 24 sends the position information stored in the position information storage unit 31 to the server device 8. The position information sent to the server device 8 includes the geographical location information of the outdoor unit 2.

[0079] When the server device 8 receives a request to send the atmospheric pressure information from the outdoor unit control unit 24, it acquires the atmospheric pressure information corresponding to the received position information based on the received position information. The server device 8 acquires the atmospheric pressure information, for example, from the regional meteorological observation system closest to the received position information. The server device 8 sends the acquired atmospheric pressure information to the outdoor unit control unit 24 of the air conditioner 1.

[0080] After that, when the outdoor unit control unit 24 receives the atmospheric pressure information from the server device 8 (step S72), it determines whether the received atmospheric pressure information is sea - level atmospheric pressure (step S73). Sea - level atmospheric pressure is the atmospheric pressure without considering the elevation. In one example, the atmospheric pressure information provided by the regional meteorological observation system is pre - determined for each region whether it is sea - level atmospheric pressure or atmospheric pressure considering the elevation, and it is possible to determine whether it is sea - level atmospheric pressure for the region where the received atmospheric pressure information is used.

[0081] When the air pressure is not at sea level (when the answer in step S73 is no), the outdoor unit control unit 24 sets the received air pressure information as the air pressure P at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2 (step S74). On the other hand, when the air pressure is at sea level (when the answer in step S73 is yes), the outdoor unit control unit 24 sets the air pressure information received from the server device 8 as the sea level air pressure P0, sets the obtained outside air temperature as t, sets the elevation stored in the position information storage unit 31 as H, and uses equation (5) to calculate the air pressure P at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2 (step S75). After steps S74 and S75, the process returns to Figure 2 . That is, as described in Embodiment 1, the air physical property value is calculated using the air pressure, and the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 is corrected using the air physical property value.

[0082] In addition, when the air conditioner 1 is installed in an area where the air pressure information received from the regional meteorological observation system is the air pressure information considering the elevation, the position information may not include the elevation at the installation position of the outdoor unit 2. That is, the position information stored in the position information storage unit 31 may be only the geographical position information obtained from the information communication terminal 7.

[0083] In addition, in Embodiment 3, an example is shown in which the air pressure information is obtained from the server device 8 and the outdoor unit control unit 24 calculates the air density which is one of the air physical property values. However, this is just an example. In addition, the server device 8 may also calculate the air density and send the air density to the outdoor unit control unit 24 via the network 9.

[0084] As described above, the air conditioner 1 of Embodiment 3 sends a transmission request for air pressure information including the geographical position information obtained from the information communication terminal 7 held by the user to the server device 8. In the server device 8, the air pressure information at a position close to the obtained geographical position information is obtained from the regional meteorological observation system and sent to the outdoor unit control unit 24 of the air conditioner 1. The outdoor unit control unit 24 uses the air pressure information from the server device 8 as the air pressure and corrects the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25. As a result, not only the difference in air pressure caused by the difference in elevation is considered, but also the difference in air pressure caused by the meteorological conditions when the air pressure information is obtained is considered. As a result, the air density with higher calculation accuracy than that of Embodiment 2 can be calculated, and the control at a more optimal rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 can be achieved.

[0085] Embodiment 4

[0086] In Embodiment 1, the air physical property values of the installation environment of the outdoor unit 2 of the operation unit are calculated, and the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 is corrected. However, it is considered that the air physical property values also have a significant impact on other actuators in addition to the outdoor unit fan 25. Therefore, in Embodiment 4, a method will be described in which the actuators of the outdoor unit 2 other than the outdoor unit fan 25 and the indoor unit fan 41 are controlled taking into account the air physical property values.

[0087] Since the structure of the air conditioner 1 according to Embodiment 4 is the same as that of Embodiment 1 Figure 1 shown in the figure, its description will be omitted. However, the indoor unit control unit 44 has the following functions: recalculating the air physical property values when the outdoor unit fan 25 operates based on the control target values calculated based on the air physical property values, and controlling the actuators and the indoor unit fan 41 based on the recalculated air physical property values.

[0088] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing sequence for recalculating the control target values of the actuators in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 4. This processing is executed by the indoor unit control unit 44 and starts after Figure 2 the rotation speed calculation process of the outdoor unit fan 25 is completed.

[0089] First, the indoor unit control unit 44 confirms whether the corrected rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 corrected according to the air density exceeds the upper limit value of the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 (step S91). When the corrected rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 does not exceed the upper limit value of the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 (when the answer in step S91 is no), the control using the already calculated control target values for each actuator and the indoor unit fan 41 is continued, and thus the control target value recalculation process ends.

[0090] When the corrected rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 exceeds the upper limit value of the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 (when the answer in step S91 is yes), the indoor unit control unit 44 sets the corrected rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 to the upper limit value of the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 (step S92). Next, the indoor unit control unit 44 recalculates the heat transfer coefficient in the outdoor heat exchanger 26 (step S93). The indoor unit control unit 44 calculates the heat transfer coefficient h' at the upper limit value of the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 in the same order as Figure 2 step S15. When the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 is restricted, the heat transfer coefficient h' after the process of step S92 is less than the heat transfer coefficient h before the process of step S92.

[0091] Thereafter, the indoor unit control unit 44 recalculates new command values, i.e., control target values, for each actuator of the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit fan 41 based on the recalculated heat transfer coefficient (step S94). Specifically, the indoor unit control unit 44 calculates the heat exchange amount Q’ by a known method based on the heat transfer coefficient h’ obtained in step S93. The indoor unit control unit 44 determines the rotational speed of the compressor 22, the operation of the four-way valve 27, the opening degree of the decompression unit 28, and the rotational speed of the indoor unit fan 41 again with the calculated heat exchange amount Q’ as the target heat exchange amount Q’. Through the above, the control target value recalculation process ends. Thereafter, similarly to Embodiment 1, the indoor unit control unit 44 controls the indoor unit fan 41 using the recalculated rotational speed of the indoor unit fan 41. In addition, the indoor unit control unit 44 sends command values of the rotational speed of the compressor 22, the operation of the four-way valve 27, and the opening degree of the decompression unit 28 to the outdoor unit control unit 24, and the outdoor unit control unit 24 controls each actuator using the recalculated command values.

[0092] In addition, here, although the case of Embodiment 1 is cited as an example, in the cases of Embodiments 2 and 3, the control target values of each actuator can also be recalculated after determining the corrected rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25.

[0093] As described above, in Embodiment 4, when the corrected rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 exceeds the upper limit of the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 after the correction of the rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 by the outdoor unit control unit 24, the outdoor unit control unit 24 sets the corrected rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 to the upper limit value of the rotational speed. The outdoor unit control unit 24 recalculates the heat transfer coefficient at the upper limit value of the corrected rotational speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 and uses the recalculated heat transfer coefficient to recalculate the control target values of each actuator of the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit fan 41. Thereby, more preferable operation of the outdoor unit fan 25, other actuators of the outdoor unit 2, and the indoor unit fan 41 in the installation environment of the air conditioner 1 can be performed.

[0094] The outdoor unit control unit 24 and the indoor unit control unit 44 in Embodiments 1 to 4 are implemented by a processing circuit. The processing circuit can be dedicated hardware or a circuit having a processor. Figure 10It is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware structure of the outdoor unit control unit and the indoor unit control unit included in the air conditioner according to Embodiments 1 to 4. The outdoor unit control unit 24 and the indoor unit control unit 44 include a processor 501 and a memory 502. The processor 501 is connected to the memory 502 via a bus 503. The outdoor unit control unit 24 and the indoor unit control unit 44 are implemented by the processor 501 executing a program stored in the memory 502. In addition, the above functions may be implemented by combining multiple processors and multiple memories. In addition, a part of the functions of the outdoor unit control unit 24 and the indoor unit control unit 44 may be implemented by an electronic circuit as dedicated hardware, and the other parts may be implemented using the processor 501 and the memory 502. In one example, in the case of Embodiments 1 to 4, the indoor unit control unit 44 controls the rotation speed of the indoor unit fan 41 by an electric signal, and the outdoor unit control unit 24 controls the rotation speed of the compressor 22, the operation of the four-way valve 27, the opening degree of the pressure reducing unit 28, and the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan 25 by an electric signal.

[0095] The structure shown in the above embodiments represents an example, and can be combined with other known technologies, or the embodiments can be combined with each other, and a part of the structure can be omitted or changed within the scope not departing from the gist.

[0096] Explanation of reference numerals

[0097] 1... Air conditioner; 2... Outdoor unit; 4... Indoor unit; 5... Remote controller; 6... Access point; 7... Information communication terminal; 8... Server device; 9... Network; 21... Refrigerant storage unit; 22... Compressor; 23... Motor drive device; 24... Outdoor unit control unit; 25... Outdoor unit fan; 26... Outdoor unit heat exchanger; 27... Four-way valve; 28... Pressure reducing unit; 29... Air pressure sensor; 30... External air temperature detection unit; 31... Position information storage unit; 41... Indoor unit fan; 42... Indoor unit heat exchanger; 43... Indoor temperature detection unit; 44... Indoor unit control unit; 45... Communication unit; 100... Air conditioning system.

Claims

1. An air conditioner apparatus, which includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a control unit that controls operations of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. Among them, the outdoor unit has: an outdoor unit fan that takes in air; an outdoor unit heat exchanger that exchanges heat between outdoor air taken in by the outdoor unit fan and a refrigerant; an outside air temperature detection unit that detects the outdoor air temperature, i.e., the outside air temperature; and a barometric pressure acquisition unit that acquires the outdoor barometric pressure, the control unit calculates the air physical property value of the air at the installation position of the air conditioner apparatus based on the outside air temperature obtained from the outside air temperature detection unit and the barometric pressure obtained from the barometric pressure acquisition unit, calculates the heat transfer coefficient between the outdoor unit heat exchanger and the air based on the air physical property value, uses the heat transfer coefficient to calculate a corrected rotation speed obtained by correcting the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan, and controls the outdoor unit fan using the corrected rotation speed.

2. The air conditioner apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outdoor unit further includes an actuator, the indoor unit includes an indoor unit fan that takes in air, the control unit recalculates the heat transfer coefficient when the outdoor unit fan operates based on a control target value calculated based on the air physical property value, and controls the actuator and the indoor unit fan based on the recalculated heat transfer coefficient.

3. The air conditioner apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the actuator includes: a compressor that compresses the refrigerant circulating between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit; a four-way valve that switches the flow path of the refrigerant; and a pressure reducing unit that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant.

4. An air conditioner apparatus, which includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a control unit that controls operations of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. Among them, the outdoor unit has: an outdoor unit fan that takes in air; an outdoor unit heat exchanger that exchanges heat between outdoor air taken in by the outdoor unit fan and a refrigerant; an outside air temperature detection unit that detects the outdoor air temperature, i.e., the outside air temperature; and a position information storage unit that stores information that can be converted into the barometric pressure at the installation position of the air conditioner apparatus, i.e., position information, when the geographical position information of the installation location of the air conditioner apparatus is input, the control unit converts the geographical position information into the position information, stores the converted position information in the position information storage unit, calculates the barometric pressure based on the position information in the position information storage unit, calculates the air physical property value of the air at the installation position of the air conditioner apparatus based on the calculated barometric pressure and the outside air temperature obtained from the outside air temperature detection unit, calculates the heat transfer coefficient between the outdoor unit heat exchanger and the air based on the air physical property value, uses the heat transfer coefficient to calculate a corrected rotation speed obtained by correcting the rotation speed of the outdoor unit fan, and controls the outdoor unit fan using the corrected rotation speed.

5. The air conditioner apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the position information is elevation, The control unit uses elevation conversion information in which the geographical location information and the elevation are associated with each other, and converts the input geographical location information into the position information.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 4 or 5, wherein it further includes a remote controller that instructs the control unit to set the operation of the air conditioner, and the geographical location information is input from the remote controller.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein it further includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device, the communication unit receives the geographical location information from an information communication terminal existing at the installation position of the air conditioner, and the control unit converts the geographical location information received by the communication unit into the position information.

8. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 4, 5, and 7, wherein the outdoor unit further includes an actuator, the indoor unit includes an indoor unit fan that takes in air, the control unit recalculates the heat transfer coefficient when the outdoor unit fan operates based on the control target value calculated based on the air property value, and controls the actuator and the indoor unit fan based on the recalculated heat transfer coefficient.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the outdoor unit further includes an actuator, the indoor unit includes an indoor unit fan that takes in air, the control unit recalculates the heat transfer coefficient when the outdoor unit fan operates based on the control target value calculated based on the air property value, and controls the actuator and the indoor unit fan based on the recalculated heat transfer coefficient.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the actuator includes: a compressor that compresses the refrigerant circulating between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit; a four-way valve that switches the flow path of the refrigerant; and a decompression unit that decompresses the refrigerant.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the actuator includes: a compressor that compresses the refrigerant circulating between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit; a four-way valve that switches the flow path of the refrigerant; and a decompression unit that decompresses the refrigerant.

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