Air conditioner

Abstract

To suppress dew formation on a floor surface in a floor-standing type air conditioner having a lower blowout port.SOLUTION: A floor-standing type air conditioner 10 that can execute a heating operation and a humidification operation includes: a casing 72 having a flow passage with a suction port 72c, an upper blowout port 72a provided on the upper side and a lower blowout port 72b provided on the lower side; a fan 24 that generates an air flow from the suction port 72c toward each of the upper and lower blowout ports 72a, 72b in the flow passage; a heater 22 that heats air in the flow passage during the heating operation; and a humidifier 50 that humidifies the air in the flow passage during the humidification operation. After the heating operation and the humidification operation are started, until a predetermined condition is satisfied, blowing out of humidification air from the lower blowout port 72b is restricted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an air conditioner that is installed on the floor of a room and used, as described in Patent Document 1. The air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 has an upper outlet that blows air toward the ceiling of the room, and a lower outlet that blows air along the floor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-94512 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, when high-humidity air is blown out from the lower outlet and the floor surface is at a low temperature, condensation may occur on the floor surface. That is, the water vapor contained in the air blown out from the lower outlet may be cooled by the floor surface and condense.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to suppress the occurrence of condensation on the floor surface in a floor-standing air conditioner equipped with a lower outlet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, A floor-standing air conditioner capable of performing heating operation and humidification operation, a housing having a flow path including an intake port, an upper outlet provided at an upper portion, and a lower outlet provided at a lower portion; a fan that generates, within the flow path, air flows from the intake port toward each of the upper and lower outlets; a heating device that heats the air in the flow path during the heating operation; a humidifier that humidifies the air in the flow path during the humidifying operation, The air conditioner is provided in such a way that, after the heating operation and the humidifying operation are started, the blowing out of humidified air from the lower outlet is restricted until a predetermined condition is met. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, in a floor-standing air conditioner equipped with a lower outlet, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation on the floor surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Schematic front view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of ventilation equipment in an air conditioner [Figure 4] Block diagram showing a control system of an air conditioner according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of floor dew condensation prevention control in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of floor dew condensation prevention control in an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of floor dew condensation prevention control in an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Schematic diagram of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] One aspect of the air conditioner of the present invention is a floor-standing air conditioner capable of performing heating and humidifying operations, and comprises a housing having a flow path including an intake port, an upper outlet provided at the top, and a lower outlet provided at the bottom, a fan that generates air flows within the flow path from the intake port toward each of the upper and lower outlets, a heating device that heats the air within the flow path during the heating operation, and a humidifying device that humidifies the air within the flow path during the humidifying operation, and after the heating and humidifying operations have started, the blowing of humidified air from the lower outlet is restricted until predetermined conditions are met.

[0010] According to this aspect, in a floor-standing air conditioner equipped with a lower air outlet, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation on the floor surface.

[0011] For example, the air conditioner may further include an intake temperature and humidity sensor provided near the intake port for detecting the temperature and humidity of the intake air passing through the intake port, a floor temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a floor in the room, and a control device for calculating the dew point temperature of the intake air based on the temperature and humidity detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor. In this case, the predetermined condition is met when the indoor floor temperature is higher than the dew point temperature of the intake air.

[0012] For example, the intake temperature and humidity sensor may be used as the floor surface temperature sensor, and the control device may calculate the floor surface temperature based on the temperature of the intake air detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor.

[0013] For example, the air conditioner may further include a floor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a floor in the room. In this case, the predetermined condition is met when the temperature of the floor in the room is higher than a predetermined temperature. After the predetermined condition is met, the humidifier may adjust the amount of humidification of the air based on the floor temperature.

[0014] For example, the predetermined condition may be met after a predetermined time has elapsed since the heating operation and the humidifying operation were started.

[0015] For example, the air conditioner may further include a lower louver that opens and closes the lower outlet. In this case, after the heating operation and the humidifying operation are started, the lower louver closes the lower outlet until the predetermined condition is met. Then, when the predetermined condition is met, the lower louver opens the lower outlet.

[0016] For example, the fan may include a first fan disposed upstream of the upper outlet and a second fan disposed upstream of the lower outlet. In this case, after the heating operation and the humidifying operation are started, the rotation speed of the second fan is limited to zero until the predetermined condition is met.

[0017] For example, the humidifier may be a device that humidifies outdoor air and supplies the humidified air to the flow path of the housing, thereby humidifying the air in the flow path.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of an indoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0020] 1 and 2, an air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment has an indoor unit 20 arranged in a room Rin to be air-conditioned, and an outdoor unit 30 arranged in an outdoor Rout. Note that the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in the figures is intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure and does not limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. The X-axis and Y-axis directions indicate the horizontal direction, and the Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction.

[0021] The indoor unit 20 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 22 that exchanges heat with the indoor air A1, and an indoor fan 24 that draws the indoor air A1 into the indoor unit 20 and blows the indoor air A1 into the room Rin after heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 22.

[0022] The outdoor unit 30 is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger 32 that exchanges heat with outdoor air A2, and an outdoor fan 34 that draws the outdoor air A2 into the outdoor unit 30 and blows the outdoor air A2 out to the outdoor Rout after exchanging heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 32. The outdoor unit 30 is also provided with a compressor 36, an expansion valve 38, and a four-way valve 40 that execute a refrigeration cycle with the indoor heat exchanger 22 and the outdoor heat exchanger 32.

[0023] The indoor heat exchanger 22, the outdoor heat exchanger 32, the compressor 36, the expansion valve 38, and the four-way valve 40 are each connected by a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant flows. In cooling operation and dehumidification operation (weak cooling operation), the air conditioner 10 executes a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, the outdoor heat exchanger 32, the expansion valve 38, and the indoor heat exchanger 22 in that order, before returning to the compressor 36. In heating operation, the air conditioner 10 executes a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, the indoor heat exchanger 22, the expansion valve 38, and the outdoor heat exchanger 32 in that order, before returning to the compressor 36.

[0024] In addition to air conditioning operation using a refrigeration cycle, the air conditioner 10 also performs air conditioning operation in which outdoor air A2 is supplied to the room Rin and air conditioning operation in which indoor air A1 is exhausted to the outdoor Rout. To achieve this, the air conditioner 10 has a ventilation device 50. In the case of the first embodiment, the ventilation device 50 is provided in the outdoor unit 30.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a ventilation system.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the ventilation device 50 includes an absorbent material 52 therein through which the outdoor air A2 passes.

[0027] The absorbent material 52 is a member through which air can pass and which collects moisture from the air passing through it or adds moisture to the air passing through it. In this embodiment, the absorbent material 52 is disk-shaped and rotates around a rotation center line C1 that passes through the center of the absorbent material 52. The absorbent material 52 is rotationally driven by a motor 54.

[0028] The absorbent 52 is made of a polymeric adsorbent, such as cross-linked sodium polyacrylate, that adsorbs moisture from the air. Compared to adsorbents such as silica gel and zeolite, polymeric adsorbents absorb a larger amount of moisture per unit volume, can desorb moisture at low heating temperatures, and can retain moisture for a long period of time.

[0029] Inside the ventilation device 50, there are provided a first flow path P1 and a second flow path P2 through which the outdoor air A2 flows, each passing through an absorbent material 52. That is, the absorbent material 52 is arranged so that a portion thereof is located in the first flow path P1 and another portion thereof is located in the second flow path P2. When the absorbent material 52 is rotated by the motor 54, the portion of the absorbent material 53 located in one of the first and second flow paths P1, P2 moves to the other. Furthermore, inside the ventilation device 50, there is provided a third flow path P3, both ends of which are connected to different portions of the first flow path P1.

[0030] The first flow path P1 is a flow path through which outdoor air A2 flows toward the indoor unit 20. The outdoor air A2 flowing through the first flow path P1 is supplied into the indoor unit 20 via a ventilation duct 56.

[0031] A heater 58 that heats the outside air A2 is provided in a portion of the first flow path P1 upstream of the absorbent material 52. In this specification, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used with respect to the flow of air.

[0032] The heater 58 is preferably a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater, which increases electrical resistance as current flows and the temperature rises, thereby preventing excessive increases in heating temperature. In the case of heaters using nichrome wire or carbon fiber, the heating temperature (surface temperature) continues to rise as current continues to flow, so the temperature must be monitored. In the case of a PTC heater, the heater itself adjusts the heating temperature within a certain temperature range, eliminating the need to monitor the heating temperature.

[0033] The first flow path P1 is provided with a fan 60 that generates a flow of outdoor air A2 toward the indoor unit 20. In the present embodiment, the fan 60 is disposed downstream of the absorbent material 52. When the fan 60 is operated, the outdoor air A2 flows into the first flow path P1 from the outdoor Rout and passes through the absorbent material 52.

[0034] Furthermore, the first flow path P1 is provided with a damper device 62 for distributing the outdoor air A2 flowing through the first flow path P1 to the indoor Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20) or the outdoor Rout. That is, the first flow path P1 branches toward the indoor Rin and the outdoor Rout, and the damper device 62 is disposed at the branching point. The damper device 62 is disposed downstream of the fan 60. The outdoor air A2 distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 62 enters the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 and is blown out into the indoor Rin by the indoor fan 24.

[0035] Furthermore, a damper device 64 different from the damper device 62 is provided in the first flow path P1. In the present embodiment, the damper device 64 is disposed between the absorber 52 and the fan 60. As will be described in detail later, the damper device 64 is provided for exhaust ventilation, and selectively opens and closes the first flow path P1.

[0036] Furthermore, a third flow path P3 is connected to the first flow path P1. The third flow path P3, which will be described in detail later, is a flow path for exhaust ventilation, and connects a portion of the first flow path P1 between the fan 60 and the damper device 64 with a portion of the first flow path P1 downstream of the damper device 62. A damper device 66 is provided in the third flow path P3. The damper device 66, which will be described in detail later, is provided for exhaust ventilation and selectively opens and closes the third flow path P3.

[0037] The second flow path P2 is a flow path through which the outdoor air A2 flows. Unlike the outdoor air A2 flowing through the first flow path P1, the outdoor air A2 flowing through the second flow path P2 does not head toward the indoor unit 20. In other words, the second flow path P2 is a flow path independent from the first flow path P1. The outdoor air A2 flowing through the second flow path P2 passes through the absorbent material 52 and then flows out to the outdoor Rout.

[0038] A fan 68 that generates a flow of outdoor air A2 is provided in the second flow path P2. In the present embodiment, the fan 68 is disposed downstream of the absorbent material 52. When the fan 68 is operated, the outdoor air A2 flows from the outdoor Rout into the second flow path P2, passes through the absorbent material 52, and then flows out to the outdoor Rout.

[0039] The ventilation device 50 selectively performs ventilation operation, humidification operation, and dehumidification operation by selectively using the absorbent material 52 (motor 54), heater 58, fan 60, damper devices 62, 64, 66, and fan 68. The ventilation operation includes an air supply ventilation operation and an exhaust ventilation operation.

[0040] The supply ventilation operation is an air conditioning operation in which the outdoor air A2 is supplied to the room Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). During the supply ventilation operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The heater 58 is in the OFF state and does not heat the outdoor air A2. The fan 60 is in the ON state, thereby causing the outdoor air A2 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 62 distributes the outdoor air A2 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The damper device 64 is in the open state, thereby causing the outdoor air A2 to flow from the absorbent material 52 toward the fan 60. The damper device 66 is in the closed state, thereby preventing the outdoor air A2 from flowing through the third flow path P3. The fan 68 is in the OFF state, thereby preventing the flow of the outdoor air A2 through the second flow path P2.

[0041] According to this supply ventilation operation, the outdoor air A2 flows into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent material 52 without being heated by the heater 58. The outdoor air A2 that has passed through the absorbent material 52 is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 62. The outdoor air A2 that has passed through the damper device 62 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 is blown out into the room Rin by the indoor fan 24. According to this supply ventilation operation, the outdoor air A2 is supplied as is to the room Rin, and the room Rin is supply ventilated.

[0042] The exhaust ventilation operation is an air conditioning operation in which the room air A1 is exhausted to the outdoor Rout. During the exhaust ventilation operation, the motor 54 is in the OFF state, and the absorbent material 52 is not rotating. The heater 58 is in the OFF state. The fan 60 is in the ON state, and the room air A1 passes through the ventilation duct 56 and the third flow path P3 and flows toward the fan 60. The damper device 62 distributes the room air A1 in the first flow path P1 to the outdoor Rout. The damper device 64 is in the closed state, and therefore the room air A1 does not flow toward the absorbent material 52. The damper device 66 is in the open state, and therefore the room air A1 flows toward the fan 60 via the third flow path P3. The fan 68 is in the OFF state, and therefore no flow of the outdoor air A2 is generated in the second flow path P2.

[0043] In this exhaust ventilation operation, when the fan 60 is in the ON state, the room air A1 flows into the portion of the first flow path P1 between the absorbent material 52 and the fan 60 via the ventilation conduit 56 and the third flow path P3. At this time, the damper device 64 is in the closed state, so the room air A1 does not flow toward the absorbent material 52. The room air A1 that has passed through the fan 60 is diverted to the outdoor air Rout by the damper device 62 and discharged to the outdoor air Rout. As a result, the room air Rin is exhausted and ventilated.

[0044] In addition, the third flow path P3 allows the fan 60 to rotate in the same direction during exhaust ventilation operation as during supply ventilation operation. As a result, a sirocco fan can be used as the fan 60.

[0045] The humidification operation is an air conditioning operation that humidifies the outdoor air A2 and supplies the humidified outdoor air A2 to the room Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). During the humidification operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The heater 58 is in an ON state, heating the outdoor air A2. The fan 60 is in an ON state, causing the outdoor air A2 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 62 distributes the outdoor air A2 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The damper device 64 is in an open state, causing the outdoor air A2 to flow from the absorbent material 52 toward the fan 60. The damper device 66 is in a closed state, causing the outdoor air A2 to not flow through the third flow path P3. The fan 68 is in an ON state, causing the outdoor air A2 to flow through the second flow path P2.

[0046] According to this humidification operation, the outdoor air A2 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the heater 58, and passes through the absorbent 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A2 can remove a larger amount of moisture from the absorbent 52 than when the outdoor air A2 is not heated. As a result, the outdoor air A2 carries a larger amount of moisture. The outdoor air A2 that has passed through the absorbent 52 and carried a larger amount of moisture is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 62. The outdoor air A2 that has passed through the damper device 62 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 is blown into the room Rin by the indoor fan 24. According to this humidification operation, the outdoor air A2 carrying a larger amount of moisture is supplied to the room Rin, and the room Rin, i.e., the room air A1, is humidified.

[0047] As moisture is removed by the heated outdoor air A2, the water retention capacity of the absorbent 52 decreases, i.e., the absorbent 52 dries. When the absorbent 52 dries, the outdoor air A2 flowing through the first flow path P1 cannot remove moisture from the absorbent 52. To address this, the absorbent 52 removes moisture from the outdoor air A2 flowing through the second flow path P2. This keeps the water retention capacity of the absorbent 52 approximately constant, allowing the humidification operation to continue.

[0048] The dehumidifying operation is an air conditioning operation in which the outdoor air A2 is dehumidified and the dehumidified outdoor air A2 is supplied to the room Rin (that is, the indoor unit 20). In the dehumidifying operation, the adsorption operation and the regeneration operation are performed alternately.

[0049] The adsorption operation is an operation in which moisture contained in the outdoor air A2 is adsorbed onto the absorbent material 52, thereby dehumidifying the outdoor air A2. During the adsorption operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The heater 58 is in the OFF state, and does not heat the outdoor air A2. The fan 60 is in the ON state, and thereby the outdoor air A2 flows through the first flow path P1. The damper device 62 distributes the outdoor air A2 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The damper device 64 is in the open state, and thereby the outdoor air A2 flows from the absorbent material 52 toward the fan 60. The damper device 66 is in the closed state, and thereby the outdoor air A2 does not flow through the third flow path P3. The fan 68 is in the OFF state, and thereby no flow of the outdoor air A2 occurs through the second flow path P2.

[0050] According to this adsorption operation, the outdoor air A2 flows into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent 52 without being heated by the heater 58. At this time, the moisture carried in the outdoor air A2 is adsorbed by the absorbent 52. This reduces the amount of moisture carried by the outdoor air A2, i.e., the outdoor air A2 is dried. The outdoor air A2 that has passed through the absorbent 52 and is then distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 62. The outdoor air A2 that has passed through the damper device 62 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 is then blown into the room Rin by the indoor fan 24. According to this adsorption operation, the dried outdoor air A2 is supplied to the room Rin, and the room Rin is dehumidified.

[0051] As the adsorption operation continues, the amount of water held by the absorbent 52 continues to increase, resulting in a decrease in the absorbent 52's ability to adsorb the moisture contained in the outdoor air A2. In order to recover the adsorption ability, a regeneration operation is performed to regenerate the absorbent 52.

[0052] During regeneration operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The heater 58 is ON, heating the outdoor air A2. The fan 60 is ON, causing the outdoor air A2 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 62 distributes the outdoor air A2 in the first flow path P1 to the outdoor Rout rather than to the indoor unit 20. The damper device 64 is open, causing the outdoor air A2 to flow from the absorbent material 52 toward the fan 60. The damper device 66 is closed, preventing the outdoor air A2 from flowing through the third flow path P3. The fan 68 is OFF, causing no flow of the outdoor air A2 through the second flow path P2.

[0053] According to this regeneration operation, the outdoor air A2 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the heater 58, and passes through the absorbent 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A2 removes a large amount of moisture from the absorbent 52. As a result, the outdoor air A2 carries a large amount of moisture. At the same time, the water retention capacity of the absorbent 52 decreases, that is, the absorbent 52 dries and its adsorption capacity is regenerated. The outdoor air A2 that has passed through the absorbent 52 and carries a large amount of moisture is diverted by the damper device 62 to the outdoor Rout and discharged to the outdoor Rout. As a result, during the regeneration operation in the dehumidification operation, the outdoor air A2 carrying a large amount of moisture due to the regeneration of the absorbent 52 is not supplied to the indoor Rin.

[0054] By alternately performing the adsorption operation and the regeneration operation in this manner, the adsorption capacity of the absorbent material 52 is maintained, and the dehumidification operation can be carried out continuously.

[0055] The air conditioning operations (cooling operation, dehumidifying operation (weak cooling operation), heating operation) using the refrigeration cycle and the air conditioning operations (ventilation operation (supply ventilation operation, exhaust ventilation operation), humidifying operation, dehumidifying operation) using the ventilation device 50 described above can be performed separately or simultaneously. For example, by simultaneously performing the dehumidifying operation using the refrigeration cycle and the dehumidifying operation using the ventilation device 50, it is possible to dehumidify the room Rin while maintaining a constant room temperature.

[0056] Furthermore, in the intake ventilation operation, humidification operation, and dehumidification operation, the indoor fan 24 rotates to blow the outdoor air A2 into the room Rin. This rotation of the indoor fan 24 draws the room air A1 into the indoor unit 20. Therefore, the outdoor air A2 is mixed with the room air A1 and blown out into the room Rin.

[0057] The air conditioning operation to be performed by the air conditioner 10 is selected by the user. For example, when the user performs a selection operation on the remote controller 70 shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner 10 performs the air conditioning operation corresponding to that operation. The air conditioner 10 also notifies the user via the remote controller 70 of information related to the air conditioning operation that is currently being performed.

[0058] Up to this point, we have provided an overview of the configuration and operation of the air conditioner 10 according to Embodiment 1. From here on, further features of the air conditioner 10 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0059] 1 and 2, the indoor unit 20 of the air conditioner 10 according to Embodiment 1 is placed on the floor surface FS of the room Rin. In other words, the air conditioner 10 is a floor-standing type.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the indoor unit 20 has a housing 72 that houses the indoor heat exchanger 22 and the indoor fan 24. The housing 72 is provided with a plurality of outlets 72a, 72b for blowing indoor air A1 that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 22 and / or outdoor air A2 supplied from the ventilation device 50 into the room Rin. The housing 72 is also provided with a plurality of inlet ports 72c for taking the indoor air A1 into the housing 72. That is, a flow path including the outlet ports 72a, 72b and the inlet ports 72c is provided inside the housing 72, through which air flows. In the first embodiment, the flow path is divided into an upstream flow path P4 and a downstream flow path P5, with the indoor heat exchanger 22 sandwiched between them. In the first embodiment, outdoor air A2 from the ventilation device 50 is supplied to the upstream flow path P4.

[0061] Specifically, the air outlet 72a is provided in the upper part of the housing 72. In the first embodiment, this upper air outlet 72a faces diagonally upward, that is, toward the ceiling of the room Rin. Through this upper air outlet 72a, the room air A1 that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 22 and / or the outdoor air A2 supplied from the ventilation device 50 is blown out toward the ceiling of the room Rin. In addition, the housing 72 is provided with an upper louver 74 for opening and closing the upper air outlet 72a and for adjusting the airflow direction.

[0062] The air outlet 72b is provided at the bottom of the housing 72, i.e., it is provided at a position lower than the upper air outlet 72a and closer to the floor surface FS. The lower air outlet 72b is oriented horizontally, i.e., oriented along the floor surface FS. The lower air outlet 72b blows the indoor air A1 that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 22 and / or the outdoor air A2 supplied from the ventilation device 50 out of the housing 72 along the floor surface FS. The housing 72 is also provided with a lower louver 76 for opening and closing the lower air outlet 72b and for adjusting the airflow direction.

[0063] 1 and 2, a plurality of intake ports 72c are provided on both side surfaces of the housing 72 of the indoor unit 20 for taking in indoor air A1 into the housing 72. The indoor air A1 is taken in through the plurality of intake ports 72c into an upstream flow path P4 of the housing 72, which is upstream of the indoor heat exchanger 22. In the first embodiment, the indoor fan 24 is disposed in a downstream flow path P5 of the housing 72, which is in a space downstream of the indoor heat exchanger 22, is independent of the upstream flow path P4, and is connected to the upper and lower outlets 72a, 72b. Therefore, when the indoor fan 24 rotates, an air flow from the intake port 72c toward the upper and lower outlets 72a, 72b is generated in the flow path. Specifically, the indoor air A1 flows into the upstream flow path P4 through the intake port 72c. The inflowing indoor air A1 passes through the indoor heat exchanger 22, and then flows out into the room Rin via the downstream flow path P5 and the upper and lower outlets 72a, 72b.

[0064] In the floor-standing air conditioner 10 having the above-described ventilation function, when the above-described humidifying operation is performed, there is a possibility that condensation will occur on the floor surface FS of the room Rin.

[0065] Specifically, during humidification operation, when the humidified outdoor air A2 is blown out from the lower outlet 72b and flows along the floor surface FS, there is a possibility that the outdoor air A2 will be cooled by the low-temperature floor surface FS. If the air blown out from the lower outlet 72b is cooled to a temperature exceeding its dew point temperature, the water vapor contained in the air will condense, resulting in condensation on the floor surface FS.

[0066] In order to suppress the occurrence of such condensation on the floor surface FS, the air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment has the following features.

[0067] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0068] 4, the air conditioner 10 has a control device 80 that controls air conditioning operation. The control device 80 is, for example, a control circuit board on which a processor such as a CPU is mounted, and is provided in the indoor unit 20.

[0069] The control device 80 controls the compressor 36 and the four-way valve 40 to perform air conditioning operation using a refrigeration cycle, i.e., heating operation or cooling operation. The control device 80 also controls the ventilation device 50 (its motor 54, heater 58, fan 60, damper devices 62, 64, 66, and fan 68) to perform the above-mentioned supply ventilation operation, exhaust ventilation operation, humidification operation, or dehumidification operation.

[0070] When the control device 80 receives an instruction to start both the heating operation and the humidifying operation from the user via the remote controller 70, it executes floor condensation prevention control based on the temperature of the floor FS in the room Rin. Simultaneous heating and humidifying operations can be performed, for example, during dry winter months. The simultaneous heating and humidifying operations may be started when the user issues a start instruction for each at the same time, or when the start instructions are received at different times. Alternatively, the heating and humidifying operations may be started automatically and simultaneously using a timer.

[0071] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of floor condensation prevention control in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. The control shown in Fig. 5 is initiated when triggered by the start of heating operation and humidification operation. The heating operation and humidification operation are performed so that the indoor temperature and indoor humidity reach the set temperature and set humidity set by the user via the remote controller 70. When the indoor temperature and indoor humidity reach the set temperature and set humidity, heating operation and humidification operation are performed to maintain the indoor temperature and indoor humidity at the set temperature and set humidity.

[0072] First, as shown in Fig. 5, in step S100, the control device 80 controls the upper louver 74 to open the upper air outlet 72a. At the same time, the control device 80 controls the lower louver 76 to close the lower air outlet 72b. As a result, a mixture of indoor air A1 heated by the heating operation (i.e., the indoor heat exchanger 22) and outdoor air A2 humidified by the ventilation operation (i.e., the ventilation device 50) is blown into the room Rin only from the upper air outlet 72a. On the other hand, the blowing of the mixed air from the lower air outlet 72b is restricted.

[0073] Next, in step S110, the control device 80 acquires the temperature and humidity of the intake air (i.e., the room air A1) passing through the intake port 72c. To this end, in the case of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the air conditioner 10 has an intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 that detects the temperature and humidity of the intake air (i.e., the room air A1) that is drawn into the housing 72 through the intake port 72c.

[0074] The intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 is provided in a portion of the housing 72 near the intake port 72c and detects the temperature and humidity of the intake air (i.e., the room air A1) before passing through or as it passes through the intake port 72c. The temperature and humidity of the intake air detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 are substantially equal to the room temperature and humidity of the room Rin. Based on the temperature and humidity detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82, the control device 80 controls the air conditioning operation using the refrigeration cycle. The temperature and humidity detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 are notified to the user via the remote controller 70 as the room temperature and room humidity.

[0075] In step S120, the control device 80 acquires the floor surface temperature of the floor surface FS in the room Rin.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the floor temperature is not measured directly. Therefore, the control device 80 uses the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 as a floor temperature sensor that detects the floor temperature. The temperature of the intake air detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 is substantially equal to the room temperature, and the room temperature is close to the floor temperature. Therefore, because cold air accumulates near the floor FS of the room Rin, the control device 80 calculates a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the intake air detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 by a predetermined temperature difference as the floor temperature, and uses this calculated value. The predetermined temperature difference is determined experimentally or theoretically, and is, for example, -3 to -1 degrees. However, the predetermined temperature difference is not necessarily within a fixed range. For example, at the start of heating operation, the temperature of the intake air detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 is approximately the floor temperature. As time passes from the start of heating operation, the difference between the intake air temperature and the floor temperature increases, and eventually reaches the predetermined temperature difference. Therefore, for example, until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of heating operation, the temperature of the intake air detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 may be regarded as the floor temperature, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the temperature obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature difference from the temperature of the intake air may be regarded as the floor temperature.

[0077] In step S130, the control device 80 calculates the dew-point temperature of the intake air based on the temperature and humidity of the intake air acquired in step S110. Specifically, the control device 80 calculates the saturated water vapor pressure for the acquired temperature, and multiplies the saturated water vapor pressure by the acquired humidity (relative humidity) to calculate the water vapor pressure of the intake air. The temperature at which the water vapor pressure becomes the saturated water vapor pressure is then calculated as the dew-point temperature of the intake air.

[0078] After calculating the dew point temperature of the intake air in step S130, the control device 80 determines in step S140 whether the floor surface temperature acquired in step S120 is higher than the dew point temperature of the intake air calculated in step S130. If the floor surface temperature is higher than the dew point temperature of the intake air, the process proceeds to the next step S150. If not, the process returns to step S110.

[0079] In step S150, the control device 80 controls the upper louvers 74 to open the upper air outlet 72a. At the same time, the control device 80 controls the lower louvers 76 to open the lower air outlet 72b. As a result, a mixture of indoor air A1 heated by the heating operation (i.e., the indoor heat exchanger 22) and outdoor air A2 humidified by the ventilation operation (i.e., the ventilation device 50) is blown out into the room Rin from both the upper air outlet 72a and the lower air outlet 72b. Then, the floor condensation prevention control ends.

[0080] According to the floor condensation prevention control shown in FIG. 5, the temperature of the intake air (room air A1) detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 is essentially regarded as the floor surface temperature of the floor surface FS of the room Rin. In other words, the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 is used as a floor surface temperature sensor. When the floor surface temperature is lower than the dew point temperature of the intake air, the lower outlet 72b is closed by the lower louver 76. Therefore, the blown air is not blown out from the lower outlet 72b. This prevents the blown air from flowing along the floor surface FS, which has a temperature lower than the dew point temperature of the intake air, and thus preventing the blown air from being cooled below the dew point temperature. As a result, the occurrence of condensation on the floor surface FS is suppressed.

[0081] Strictly speaking, in the first embodiment, the dew point temperature of the blown-out air, which is related to condensation on the floor surface FS, may differ from the dew point temperature of the sucked-in air. This is because the blown-out air is a mixture of sucked-in air (i.e., room air A1) and outdoor air A2 humidified by the ventilation device 50. Therefore, the humidity and dew point temperature of the blown-out air are higher than those of the sucked-in air. In this situation, if the lower outlet 72b is opened when the floor surface temperature is equal to the dew point temperature of the sucked-in air, condensation will occur on the floor surface FS. Therefore, it is preferable to open the lower outlet 72b when the floor surface temperature is sufficiently higher than the dew point temperature of the sucked-in air (for example, when it is 1 to 3 degrees higher).

[0082] Furthermore, such floor dew condensation prevention control can be performed while the heating operation and the humidifying operation are being performed simultaneously, that is, without interrupting either operation.

[0083] According to the first embodiment as described above, in a floor-standing air conditioner equipped with a lower air outlet, it is possible to prevent condensation from occurring on the floor surface.

[0084] (Embodiment 2) In the case of the present embodiment 2, unlike the above-described embodiment 1, the floor condensation prevention control does not require the dew-point temperature of the intake air. Therefore, the floor condensation prevention control of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment 2 differs from that of the above-described embodiment 1. Therefore, this different floor condensation prevention control of the present embodiment 2 will be described.

[0085] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of floor condensation prevention control in an air conditioner according to the second embodiment. The control shown in Fig. 6 is started when triggered by the start of heating operation and humidification operation. The heating operation and humidification operation are performed so that the indoor temperature and indoor humidity reach the set temperature and set humidity set by the user via the remote controller 70. When the indoor temperature and indoor humidity reach the set temperature and set humidity, heating operation and humidification operation are performed to maintain the indoor temperature and indoor humidity at the set temperature and set humidity.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 6, first, in step S200, the control device 80 controls the upper louver 74 to open the upper air outlet 72a. At the same time, the control device 80 controls the lower louver 76 to close the lower air outlet 72b. As a result, a mixture of indoor air A1 heated by the heating operation (i.e., the indoor heat exchanger 22) and outdoor air A2 humidified by the ventilation operation (i.e., the ventilation device 50) is blown into the room Rin only from the upper air outlet 72a. On the other hand, the blowing of the mixed air from the lower air outlet 72b is restricted.

[0087] Next, in step S210, the control device 80 acquires the floor surface temperature of the floor surface FS in the room Rin.

[0088] In the following step S220, the control device 80 determines whether the floor surface temperature acquired in step S210 is higher than a predetermined temperature. If the floor surface temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step S230. If not, the process returns to step S210.

[0089] In step S230, the control device 80 controls the upper louver 74 to open the upper outlet 72a. At the same time, the control device 80 controls the lower louver 76 to open the lower outlet 72b. As a result, a mixture of indoor air A1 heated by the heating operation (i.e., the indoor heat exchanger 22) and outdoor air A2 humidified by the ventilation operation (i.e., the ventilation device 50) is blown out into the room Rin from both the upper outlet 72a and the lower outlet 72b.

[0090] In step S240, the control device 80 controls the ventilation device 50 based on the floor surface temperature acquired in step S210 to adjust the amount of humidification of the air during the humidifying operation. In the first embodiment, the output of the heater 58 shown in FIG. 3 is adjusted. Specifically, when the floor surface temperature is low, the amount of humidification, i.e., the output of the heater 58, is reduced so as to reduce the amount of moisture contained in the blown-out air. To this end, for example, a heater output determination table indicating the correspondence between the floor surface temperature and the output value of the heater 58 and used to determine the output value of the heater 58 based on the floor surface temperature is stored in the storage unit of the control device 80. For example, it is predetermined that the heater output is 50 W or less when the floor surface temperature is 0° C. or lower, that the heater output range is 51 to 100 W when the floor surface temperature is between 0° C. and 10° C. or higher.

[0091] In step S250, the control device 80 acquires the indoor temperature, that is, the temperature of the intake air (that is, the indoor air A1) from the intake temperature and humidity sensor .

[0092] In step S250, the control device 80 determines whether the indoor temperature acquired in step S250 is higher than the set temperature set by the user. If the indoor temperature is higher than the set temperature, the floor condensation prevention control ends. Then, the humidification operation is resumed to maintain the indoor humidity at the set humidity set by the user.

[0093] Similar to the above-described first embodiment, the second embodiment can also suppress the occurrence of condensation on the floor surface in a floor-standing air conditioner equipped with a lower air outlet.

[0094] (Embodiment 3) In the case of the present embodiment 3, unlike the above-described embodiments 1 and 2, the floor condensation prevention control does not require the floor temperature or the dew-point temperature of the blown-out air. Therefore, there is no need for the blown-out temperature and humidity sensor 82 that detects the temperature and humidity of the blown-out air required to calculate the dew point. Therefore, the floor condensation prevention control of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment 3 differs from the above-described embodiments 1 and 2. Therefore, this different floor condensation prevention control of the present embodiment 3 will be described.

[0095] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of floor condensation prevention control in an air conditioner according to the third embodiment. The control shown in Fig. 7 is started when triggered by the start of heating operation and humidification operation. The heating operation and humidification operation are performed so that the indoor temperature and indoor humidity reach the set temperature and set humidity set by the user via the remote controller 70. When the indoor temperature and indoor humidity reach the set temperature and set humidity, heating operation and humidification operation are performed to maintain the indoor temperature and indoor humidity at the set temperature and set humidity.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 7, first, in step S300, the control device 80 controls the upper louver 74 to open the upper air outlet 72a. At the same time, the control device 80 controls the lower louver 76 to close the lower air outlet 72b. As a result, a mixture of indoor air A1 heated by the heating operation (i.e., the indoor heat exchanger 22) and outdoor air A2 humidified by the ventilation operation (i.e., the ventilation device 50) is blown into the room Rin only from the upper air outlet 72a. On the other hand, the blowing of the mixed air from the lower air outlet 72b is restricted.

[0097] Next, in step S310, the control device 80 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the heating operation and humidifying operation were started. The predetermined time is a time experimentally or theoretically determined in advance, and is a time necessary and sufficient for the temperature of the floor surface FS to drop to a temperature at which condensation does not occur due to the air blown out from the lower air outlet 72b. Note that the predetermined time may be a fixed time, or may vary depending on environmental parameters such as the season and weather.

[0098] Then, in step S320, the control device 80 controls the upper louver 74 to open the upper outlet 72a. At the same time, the control device 80 controls the lower louver 76 to open the lower outlet 72b. As a result, a mixture of the indoor air A1 heated by the heating operation (i.e., the indoor heat exchanger 22) and the outdoor air A2 humidified by the ventilation operation (i.e., the ventilation device 50) is blown out into the room Rin from both the upper outlet 72a and the lower outlet 72b.

[0099] Similar to the above-described first embodiment, the third embodiment can also suppress the occurrence of condensation on the floor surface in a floor-standing air conditioner equipped with a lower air outlet.

[0100] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the first to third embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

[0101] For example, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the temperature of the floor surface FS is calculated based on the temperature of the intake air (i.e., the room air A1) detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82. That is, the intake temperature and humidity sensor 82 is used as the floor surface temperature sensor. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this. The air conditioner may be equipped with a floor surface temperature sensor that can directly detect the floor surface temperature. For example, an infrared sensor that detects the floor surface temperature based on infrared rays radiated from the floor surface FS may be used as the floor surface temperature sensor.

[0102] In the case of the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 5, when the floor surface temperature becomes higher than the dew-point temperature of the discharged air, the lower outlet 72b opens. In the case of the second embodiment described above, when the floor surface temperature becomes higher than a predetermined temperature, the lower outlet 72b opens. In the case of the third embodiment described above, the lower outlet 72b opens after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of heating and humidifying operations. That is, until these predetermined conditions are met, the lower outlet 72b is closed by the lower louver 76, thereby restricting the discharge of humidified air from the lower outlet 72b. However, the restriction on the discharge of humidified air from the lower outlet is not limited to the lower louver that opens and closes the lower outlet.

[0103] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to another embodiment.

[0104] 8, an indoor unit 120 of an air conditioner according to another embodiment has a first fan 124A arranged upstream of an upper air outlet 172a of a housing 172, and a second fan 124B arranged upstream of a lower air outlet 172b. The first and second fans 124A and 124B are, for example, crossflow fans.

[0105] When the first and second fans 124A, 124B rotate, indoor air A1 is drawn into the housing 172 through the intake port 172c and passes through the indoor heat exchanger 122. The indoor air A1 that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 122 is blown out into the room through the upper outlet 172a and the lower outlet 172b.

[0106] According to this indoor unit 120, by independently controlling the first and second fans 124A, 124B, it is possible to independently control the flow rate of the air blown out from the upper outlet 172a and the flow rate of the air blown out from the lower outlet 172b. Therefore, by setting the rotation speed of the second fan 124B to zero, it is possible to limit the blowing of humidified air from the lower outlet 172b until a predetermined condition is met.

[0107] Furthermore, in the case of the above-described first embodiment, the air conditioner 10 uses a refrigeration cycle, i.e., has an indoor unit 20 equipped with an indoor heat exchanger 22 and an outdoor unit 30 equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger 32. During heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 22 serves as a heating device that heats the indoor air A1 in the flow path of the housing 72. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this. The air conditioner according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may be an air conditioner that does not use a refrigeration cycle, i.e., an air conditioner that does not have an outdoor unit. In this case, the air conditioner has a heating device such as a heater that heats air instead of an indoor heat exchanger.

[0108] Furthermore, in the case of the above-described first embodiment, the ventilation device 50 performs a humidifying operation to function as a humidifier that humidifies the room air Rin. That is, the ventilation device 50 humidifies the outdoor air A2 and supplies it to the flow path within the housing 72, thereby humidifying the room air A1 in the flow path. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this. In order to humidify the air in the flow path within the housing, a humidifier such as an ultrasonic or evaporative humidifier may be provided within the housing instead of the ventilation device 50.

[0109] In other words, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is, in a broad sense, a floor-standing air conditioner capable of performing heating operation and humidification operation, and has a housing with a flow path including an intake port, an upper outlet provided at the top, and a lower outlet provided at the bottom, a fan that generates air flows in the flow path from the intake port toward each of the upper and lower outlets, a heating device that heats the air in the flow path during the heating operation, and a humidifier that humidifies the air in the flow path during the humidification operation, and after the heating operation and the humidification operation have started, the air conditioner restricts the blowing of humidified air from the lower outlet until predetermined conditions are met. [Industrial Applicability]

[0110] The present disclosure is applicable to any floor-standing air conditioner that has a lower air outlet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 10 Air conditioner 22 Heating device (indoor heat exchanger) 24 Fans 50 Humidifier (ventilator) 72 Cabinet 72a Upper air outlet 72b Lower air outlet 72c intake 64b

Claims

1. A floor-standing air conditioner capable of performing heating operation and humidification operation, a housing having a flow path including an intake port, an upper outlet provided at an upper portion, and a lower outlet provided at a lower portion; a fan that generates, within the flow path, air flows from the intake port toward each of the upper and lower outlets; a heating device that heats the air in the flow path during the heating operation; a humidifier that humidifies the air in the flow path during the humidifying operation, After the heating operation and the humidifying operation are started, the air conditioner limits the blowing of humidified air from the lower outlet until a predetermined condition is met.

2. an intake temperature and humidity sensor provided near the intake port for detecting the temperature and humidity of intake air passing through the intake port; a floor temperature sensor for detecting a floor temperature in the room; a control device that calculates a dew point temperature of the intake air based on the temperature and humidity detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor, 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is met when the temperature of the indoor floor surface is higher than the dew point temperature of the intake air.

3. The suction temperature and humidity sensor is used as the floor surface temperature sensor, The air conditioner according to claim 2 , wherein the control device calculates a floor surface temperature based on the temperature of the intake air detected by the intake temperature and humidity sensor.

4. The air conditioner further includes a floor temperature sensor for detecting a floor temperature in the room, The predetermined condition is satisfied when the indoor floor temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the humidifier adjusts the amount of humidification of the air based on the floor surface temperature after the predetermined condition is met.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined condition is met after a predetermined time has elapsed since the heating operation and the humidifying operation were started.

6. Further, a lower louver that opens and closes the lower air outlet is provided. After the heating operation and the humidifying operation are started, the lower louver closes the lower outlet until the predetermined condition is met, The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the lower louver opens the lower air outlet when the predetermined condition is met.

7. the fan includes a first fan disposed upstream of the upper outlet and a second fan disposed upstream of the lower outlet, The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein after the heating operation and the humidifying operation are started, the rotation speed of the second fan is limited to zero until the predetermined condition is met.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the humidifier humidifies the air in the flow path by humidifying outdoor air and supplying the humidified air to the flow path of the housing.

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