Air conditioning device

Abstract

An air conditioning device (100) comprises an outdoor unit (10), a first indoor unit (20b1), a first blocking unit (30b), and control devices (11, 21, 31). The first indoor unit (20b1) includes a first temperature sensor (23) that detects the temperature of refrigerant. The first blocking unit (30b) is provided with a first shutoff valve. In a normal mode, the control devices perform control so as to open the first shutoff valve. In a test mode, the control devices are configured to change the opening degree of the first shutoff valve at a first time point and determine, on the basis of a change in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor (23) before and after the first time point, whether the first blocking unit (30b) is correctly connected to the first indoor unit (20b1).

Description

air conditioning equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning apparatus.

[0002] Air conditioners are required to have sufficient safety measures against refrigerant leaks. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-19621 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technology for easily and reliably checking the operation of a shutoff valve such as a solenoid valve used in a shutoff valve device that shuts off the flow of refrigerant in an air conditioner or the like.

[0003] JP 2013-19621 A

[0004] In the shutoff valve device disclosed in JP 2013-19621 A (Patent Document 1), the operation of the shutoff valve is confirmed by operating sound or vibration, and it is not possible to determine whether the connection between the shutoff valve and the piping is correct even if there is an incorrect connection.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to solve such problems by providing an air conditioning system that can reliably and quickly perform inspection work such as checking the operation of shut-off valves and whether piping is connected correctly.

[0006] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner having a normal mode and a test mode as operating modes. The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit, a first indoor unit, a first shutoff unit that shuts off the flow of a first refrigerant pipe that supplies refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the first indoor unit, and a control device that controls the outdoor unit, the first indoor unit, and the first shutoff unit. The first indoor unit includes a first indoor heat exchanger and a first temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor unit includes a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger. The first shutoff unit includes a first shutoff valve whose opening degree is changeable in response to a signal from the control device and that is configured to shut off the flow of the first refrigerant pipe. In the normal mode, the control device controls the first shutoff valve to open. In the test mode, the control device is configured to change the opening degree of the first shutoff valve at a first time point and determine whether the first shutoff unit is correctly connected to the first indoor unit based on a change in temperature detected by a first temperature sensor around the first time point.

[0007] According to the air conditioning apparatus of the present disclosure, inspection work such as checking the operation of the shutoff valve and checking whether the wiring is connected correctly can be carried out reliably and quickly.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between an indoor unit 20, a shutoff unit 30, an alarm unit 40, and a remote controller 50. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a shutoff unit 30. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, a shutoff unit 30, and an alarm unit 40. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining control executed in a test mode. FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing an example of the relationship between the state of a shutoff valve and changes in refrigerant temperature in a test mode.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. While several embodiments will be described below, it was originally intended that the configurations described in each embodiment be combined as appropriate. Note that identical or corresponding parts in the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0010] [Configuration of Air Conditioning Apparatus] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The air conditioning apparatus 100 comprises an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, a shutoff unit 30, an alarm unit 40, and remote controllers 50 and 60. Hereinafter, the remote controller may be abbreviated as a remote controller. In the description of the embodiment, an example will be described in which the air conditioning apparatus 100 is applied to rooms A, B, and C, which are examples of air-conditioned spaces, and a manager's room.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1 , the air conditioning apparatus 100 includes a plurality of indoor units 20 , shutoff units 30 , alarm units 40 , and remote controls 50 .

[0012] In the embodiments described below, in order to distinguish between these multiple components, the indoor units 20, the shutoff units 30, the alarm units 40, and the remote controls 50 arranged corresponding to the rooms A, B, and C may be referred to as indoor units 20a, 20b1, 20b2, and 20c, shutoff units 30a, 30b, and 30c, alarm units 40a, 40b1, 40b2, and 40c, and remote controls 50a, 50b1, 50b2, and 50c, etc.

[0013] It should be noted that the shutoff unit 30 does not necessarily have to be provided for each room, and in some cases, one shutoff unit may be provided in common for a plurality of rooms.

[0014] Each of rooms A, B, and C is provided with an indoor unit 20, an alarm unit 40, and a remote control 50. The indoor unit 20 is equipped with sensors 23. The sensors 23 include a refrigerant sensor that detects refrigerant leaks, a refrigerant temperature sensor that detects the refrigerant temperature, and the like.

[0015] The alarm unit 40 has a function of detecting a refrigerant leak and a function of sounding an alarm in the event of a refrigerant leak. The alarm unit 40 is placed in a location where it is thought that refrigerant leaking from the indoor unit 20 can be easily detected. The alarm unit 40 may be placed, for example, on the floor, wall, or ceiling. Multiple alarm units 40 may be placed in one room. By detecting refrigerant leaks with the alarm unit 40 separately from the sensor 23 of the indoor unit 20, refrigerant leaks in the indoor unit 20 can be detected more reliably.

[0016] The remote control 50 is attached to, for example, the wall of the room. The remote control 50 has a function of transmitting setting information such as the air conditioning temperature to the indoor unit 20, as well as a function of sounding an alarm in case of a refrigerant leak.

[0017] A remote control 60 is placed in the manager's room. The manager's room may be, for example, a night watch room where a manager who manages the air-conditioned space is stationed. If a refrigerant leak occurs in either room A or B, the remote control 60 issues an alarm for the refrigerant leak. The manager can take appropriate measures in response to the alarm issued by the remote control 60.

[0018] The outdoor unit 10, the indoor unit 20, and the shutoff unit 30 are connected by pipes 120 through which a refrigerant flows. The pipes 120 include a pair of pipes 121 connecting the indoor unit 20a and the shutoff unit 30a, a pair of pipes 122 connecting the indoor units 20b1 and 20b2 and the shutoff unit 30b, a pair of pipes 123 connecting the indoor unit 20c and the shutoff unit 30c, and pipes 124 connecting the outdoor unit 10 to the shutoff units 30a, 30b, and 30c.

[0019] The refrigerant circulates between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20a via pipes 124 and 121 connected to the shutoff unit 30a. The refrigerant circulates between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 20b1 and 20b2 via pipes 124 and 122 connected to the shutoff unit 30b. The refrigerant circulates between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 20b1 and 20b2 via pipes 124 and 123 connected to the shutoff unit 30c.

[0020] The indoor units 20a, 20b1, 20b2, and 20c exchange heat with the outdoor unit 10 via the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circulation flow path, thereby air-conditioning the rooms A, B, and C. If a refrigerant leak occurs in room A, the shutoff unit 30a has the function of shutting off the flow of refrigerant to the indoor unit 20a by closing the pipe 121. Similarly, if a refrigerant leak occurs in room B, the shutoff unit 30b has the function of shutting off the flow of refrigerant to the indoor units 20b1 and 20b2 by closing the pipe 122. If a refrigerant leak occurs in room C, the shutoff unit 30c has the function of shutting off the flow of refrigerant to the indoor unit 20c by closing the pipe 123.

[0021] Hereinafter, the indoor unit connected to shutoff unit 30a by piping 121 may be referred to as the indoor unit subordinate to shutoff unit 30a, the indoor unit connected to shutoff unit 30b by piping 122 may be referred to as the indoor unit subordinate to shutoff unit 30b, and the indoor unit connected to shutoff unit 30c by piping 123 may be referred to as the indoor unit subordinate to shutoff unit 30c. In this case, indoor unit 20a is the indoor unit subordinate to shutoff unit 30a, indoor units 20b1 and 20b2 are indoor units subordinate to shutoff unit 30b, and indoor unit 20c is the indoor unit subordinate to shutoff unit 30c.

[0022] The outdoor unit 10, the indoor units 20a, 20b1, 20b2, and 20c, and the shutoff units 30a, 30b, and 30c communicate with each other via a communication path L1 established by wire or wirelessly.

[0023] The interrupter unit 30a and the alarm unit 40a communicate with each other via a communication path L2 established by wire or wireless communication. The interrupter unit 30b and the alarm unit 40b1 communicate with each other via a communication path L2 established by wire or wireless communication. The interrupter unit 30b and the alarm unit 40b2 communicate with each other via a communication path L2 established by wire or wireless communication. The interrupter unit 30c and the alarm unit 40c communicate with each other via a communication path L2 established by wire or wireless communication.

[0024] The indoor unit 20a and the remote control 50a communicate via a wired or wireless communication path L3. The indoor unit 20b1 and the remote control 50b1 communicate via a wired or wireless communication path L3. The indoor unit 20b2 and the remote control 50b2 communicate via a wired or wireless communication path L3. The indoor unit 20c and the remote control 50c communicate via a wired or wireless communication path L3.

[0025] The indoor unit 20a and the alarm unit 40a notify the shutoff unit 30a of the refrigerant leak. The shutoff unit 30a closes the pipe 121 based on the notification of the refrigerant leak. The indoor units 20b1, 20b2 and the alarm units 40b1, 40b2 notify the shutoff unit 30b of the refrigerant leak. The shutoff unit 30b closes the pipe 122 based on the notification of the refrigerant leak. The indoor unit 20c and the alarm unit 40c notify the shutoff unit 30c of the refrigerant leak. The shutoff unit 30c closes the pipe 123 based on the notification of the refrigerant leak.

[0026] If a refrigerant leak is detected in indoor unit 20a or alarm unit 40a, alarm unit 40a and remote control 50a issue an alarm. If a refrigerant leak is detected in indoor unit 20b1 or alarm unit 40b1, alarm unit 40b1 and remote control 50b1 issue an alarm. If a refrigerant leak is detected in indoor unit 20b2 or alarm unit 40b2, alarm unit 40b2 and remote control 50b2 issue an alarm. If a refrigerant leak is detected in indoor unit 20c or alarm unit 40c, alarm unit 40c and remote control 50c issue an alarm. Remote control 60, located in the manager's room, issues an alarm if any of the above refrigerant leaks are detected.

[0027] In this way, in the air conditioning apparatus 100, a configuration for detecting a refrigerant leak and a configuration for reporting a refrigerant leak are redundantly arranged in each of rooms A, B, and C. Therefore, with the air conditioning apparatus 100, safety measures against refrigerant leaks can be strengthened compared to systems that do not employ such redundant configurations.

[0028] Furthermore, in the air conditioning apparatus 100, the communication paths (communication paths L1, L2) used to notify the shutoff unit 30 of a refrigerant leak are different between the indoor unit 20 and the alarm unit 40. Therefore, even if a communication failure occurs on one of the two communication paths (L1, L2), the refrigerant leak can be reliably notified to the shutoff unit 30 via the other communication path.

[0029] Furthermore, in the air conditioning device 100, the communication path L2 for reporting a refrigerant leak using the alarm unit 40 is different from the communication path L3 for reporting a refrigerant leak using the remote controls 50 and 60. Therefore, even if a communication failure occurs on one of the two communication paths (L2, L3), the refrigerant leak alarm can be reliably issued on the other communication path.

[0030] In this embodiment, remote controls 50 and 60 are shown as examples of "displays" that notify of refrigerant leaks, but the "displays" may also be, in addition to remote controllers, system controllers (centralized controllers), cloud systems, web applications, and maintenance tools.

[0031] Furthermore, in the air conditioning apparatus 100, the blocking units 30a, 30b, and 30c separate the ranges in which the refrigerant flow is stopped. Therefore, for example, even if a refrigerant leak is detected in room A and operation of the indoor unit 20a in room A is stopped, the indoor units 20b1 and 20b2 in room B and the indoor unit 20c in room C can continue to operate.

[0032] 2 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the indoor unit 20, the shutoff unit 30, the alarm unit 40, and the remote control 50. Here, the positional relationship between the indoor unit 20 (20a) and the like will be explained using room A as a representative example.

[0033] The indoor unit 20a is embedded in the ceiling of room A, which is the space to be air-conditioned. The shutoff unit 30a is placed in the attic of room A. The alarm unit 40a is placed on the floor or the like of room A. The alarm unit 40a is equipped with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 45 for displaying an alarm. The alarm unit 40a is communicatively connected to the shutoff unit 30a via a communication path L2.

[0034] The remote control 50a is placed on the wall of room A for user convenience. The remote control 50a is communicatively connected to the cutoff unit 30a via a communication path L3. The remote control 50a includes a display 51 and an operation unit 52. The user operates the operation unit 52 to input setting information, including the room temperature setting, into the remote control 50a. The display 51 displays the room temperature and various other information.

[0035] The shutoff unit 30a and the indoor unit 20a are connected by a pair of pipes 121 through which a refrigerant flows. The sensor 23 is disposed near the pipes 121 that pass through the indoor unit 20a. If the sensor 23 detects a refrigerant leak, the refrigerant leak is notified to the remote control 50a via the communication path L3. Based on the notification of the refrigerant leak, the remote control 50a emits an alarm sound and displays alarm information on the display 51. The remote control 50a may be equipped with an LED for displaying the alarm. When displaying alarm information on the display 51, the remote control 50a may turn on the backlight of the display 51.

[0036] Here, the layout relationship of the indoor unit 20 (20a) etc. has been explained using room A as a representative example. In rooms B and C, indoor units 20b1, 20b2, 20c, shutoff units 30b, 30c, alarm units 40b1, 40b2, 40c, and remote controls 50b1, 50b2, 50c are arranged in the same manner as room A.

[0037] 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the outdoor unit 10, indoor unit 20, and shutoff unit 30. Here, an outline of the configuration of the outdoor unit 10, indoor unit 20a, and shutoff unit 30 (30a) will be explained using room A as a representative example. The shutoff unit 30a includes a shutoff valve 34 that shuts off a pair of pipes 121, and a board 300 that opens and closes the shutoff valve 34.

[0038] The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 141, a heat exchanger 142, a fan 143, and a four-way valve 144. The four-way valve is controlled so that the flow path indicated by the solid line inside the valve is connected during cooling operation, and the flow path indicated by the dashed line inside the valve is connected during heating operation. The heat exchanger 142 functions as a condenser during cooling operation, and as an evaporator during heating operation.

[0039] The indoor unit 20a includes a heat exchanger 242, an expansion valve 243, a fan 244, and a sensor 23. The heat exchanger 242 functions as an evaporator during cooling operation, and as a condenser during heating operation.

[0040] The pair of pipes 121 includes a pipe 121a through which two-phase refrigerant or liquid refrigerant flows between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20a, and a pipe 121b through which gas refrigerant flows between the indoor unit 20a and the outdoor unit 10.

[0041] The pair of pipes 124 includes a pipe 124a through which two-phase refrigerant or liquid refrigerant flows between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20a, and a pipe 124b through which gas refrigerant flows between the indoor unit 20a and the outdoor unit 10.

[0042] In cooling operation, the heat exchanger 142 functions as a condenser, the heat exchanger 242 functions as an evaporator, and liquid refrigerant flows through the pipe 121a from the outdoor unit 10 to the indoor unit 20, while gas refrigerant flows through the pipe 121b from the indoor unit 20 to the outdoor unit 10. In this case, the fan 244 and the heat exchanger 242 exchange heat between the indoor air and the low-temperature liquid refrigerant or two-phase refrigerant, and as a result, room A is cooled.

[0043] In heating operation, the heat exchanger 142 functions as an evaporator, the heat exchanger 242 functions as a condenser, and liquid refrigerant flows through the pipe 121a from the indoor unit 20 toward the outdoor unit 10, while gas refrigerant flows through the pipe 121b from the outdoor unit 10 toward the indoor unit 20. In this case, the fan 244 and the heat exchanger 242 exchange heat between the indoor air and the high-temperature gas refrigerant or two-phase refrigerant, and as a result, room A is heated.

[0044] The shutoff valves 34 include a shutoff valve 34a installed between the pipe 121a and the pipe 124a, and a shutoff valve 34b installed between the pipe 121b and the pipe 124b. Each of the shutoff valves 34a and 34b is, for example, a linear expansion valve (LEV).

[0045] The circuit board 300 communicates with the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20a via communication interfaces 13, 33, 36, and 26 and communication path L1, and with the alarm unit 40a via communication path L2. The circuit board 300 is provided with a communication interface 37 having multiple connection terminals for connecting multiple alarm units 40. The circuit board 300 closes the shutoff valves 34a and 34b when a refrigerant leak is notified from the indoor unit 20a and when a refrigerant leak is notified from the alarm unit 40a. This blocks communication between the pipes 121a and 124a, and between the pipes 121b and 124b.

[0046] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the outdoor unit 10, the indoor unit 20, the shutoff unit 30, and the alarm unit 40. Fig. 4 shows the outdoor unit 10, the indoor units 20a, 20b1, and 20b2, the shutoff units 30a and 30b, and the alarm units 40a, 40b1, and 40b2.

[0047] Indoor units 20a, 20b1, and 20b2 have a common configuration, shutoff units 30a and 30b have a common configuration, and alarm units 40a, 40b1, and 40b2 have a common configuration. In Fig. 4, the configurations of indoor unit 20a, shutoff unit 30a, and alarm unit 40a are shown in detail, while the configurations of indoor units 20b1 and 20b2, shutoff unit 30b, and alarm units 40b1 and 40b2 are omitted. Note that indoor unit 20c, shutoff unit 30c, and alarm unit 40c are not shown in Fig. 4, but have similar configurations.

[0048] The outdoor unit 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a communication interface (I / F) 13, and an air conditioning mechanism 14. The air conditioning mechanism 14 includes a compressor 141, a heat exchanger 142, a fan 143, and a four-way valve 144.

[0049] The processor 11 is typically configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Multi-Processing Unit), etc. The processor 11 is an example of a computing device.

[0050] The memory 12 includes an area in which programs executed by the processor 11 are stored, an area in which the processor 11 temporarily stores program code and work memory, and an area in which an ID for other devices such as the shutoff unit 30 to identify the outdoor unit 10 is stored. The memory 12 includes volatile memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM), read only memory (ROM), and non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The memory 12 may also be a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD), etc.

[0051] The processor 11 has a communication function. The processor 11 transmits data including an ID stored in the memory 12 to the communication destination, thereby allowing the communication destination to identify the source of the communication. The processor 11 communicates with the cutoff units 30 (30a, 30b) via a communication interface (I / F) 13. The processor 11 also communicates with the indoor units 20 (20a, 20b1, 20b2) via the communication interface 13 and the cutoff unit 30. The processor 11 also communicates with the remote controls 50, 60 located in the manager's room via the communication interface 13, the cutoff units 30a, 30b, and the indoor units 20b1, 20b2.

[0052] The processor 11, memory 12, and communication interface 13 constitute a control device provided in the outdoor unit 10. The control device is also an example of processing circuitry. The processor 11 controls various devices according to a program. This control is not limited to software processing, and can also be processed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuitry).

[0053] The indoor units 20 (20a, 20b1, 20b2) include a processor 21, a memory 22, a sensor 23, an air conditioning mechanism 24, a sensor setting switch 25, and communication interfaces (I / F) 26, 27. The air conditioning mechanism 24 includes a heat exchanger 242, an expansion valve 243, and a fan 244. The heat exchanger 242 is an example of a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with a heat source unit. The air conditioning mechanism 14 of the outdoor unit 10, the air conditioning mechanism 24 of the indoor unit 20, and the piping 120 (FIG. 1) form a refrigerant circulation path and a refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant circulates.

[0054] The memory 22 includes an area for storing an ID that allows other devices, such as the shutoff unit 30, to identify the indoor unit 20. The detailed configurations of the processor 21 and the memory 22 are similar to those of the processor 11 and the memory 12 already described, and therefore will not be described again here.

[0055] The sensor 23 includes a refrigerant temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor unit 20, and a refrigerant leak sensor that detects refrigerant leaks in the indoor unit 20. For example, one refrigerant temperature sensor can be provided on the inlet pipe and one on the outlet pipe of the indoor unit so that the temperatures of both gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant can be measured in both cooling and heating modes. The sensor setting switch 25 is a switch for switching the sensor function of the sensor 23 between on and off. The sensor setting switch 25 is operated, for example, by a worker performing maintenance on the indoor unit 20.

[0056] When the sensor setting switch 25 has set the sensor function of the sensor 23 to ON, the processor 21 acquires sensor information from the sensor 23 .

[0057] The processor 21 has a communication function. The processor 21 allows the communication destination to identify the source of the communication by transmitting data including the ID stored in the memory 22 to the communication destination. The processor 21 communicates with the blocking unit 30 via the communication interface 26. The processor 21 communicates with the remote control 50 via the communication interface 27.

[0058] The shutoff unit 30 (30a, 30b) includes a processor 31, a memory 32, a shutoff valve 34 (34a, 34b), a backup power supply 35, and communication interfaces (I / F) 33, 36, 37.

[0059] The memory 32 includes an area for storing an ID that allows other devices such as the outdoor unit 10 to identify the shutoff unit 30. The detailed configurations of the processor 31 and the memory 32 are similar to those of the processor 11 and the memory 12 already described, and therefore the description thereof will not be repeated here.

[0060] The processor 31 has a communication function. The processor 31 transmits data including the ID stored in the memory 32 to the communication destination, thereby allowing the communication destination to identify the communication source. The processor 31 communicates with the outdoor unit 10 via the communication interface 33. The processor 31 communicates with the indoor unit 20 via the communication interface 36. The processor 31 communicates with the alarm unit 40 via the communication interface 37.

[0061] The processor 31 closes the shutoff valves 34a and 34b when the indoor unit 20 notifies the processor 31 of a refrigerant leak and when the alarm unit 40 notifies the processor 31 of a refrigerant leak. This blocks communication between the pipes 121a and 121b and the pipes 124a and 124b. In the event of a power outage, the shutoff unit 30 switches the power supply source from the main power source to the standby power source 35. The standby power source 35 is formed, for example, by a secondary battery. In the event of a power outage, the processor 31 operates using power supplied from the standby power source 35 and closes the shutoff valves 34a and 34b. This stops the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit 20 even during a power outage.

[0062] The alarm unit 40 includes a processor 41 , a memory 42 , a refrigerant sensor 43 , a speaker 44 , an LED 45 , and a communication interface (I / F) 47 .

[0063] The memory 42 includes an area for storing an ID that allows other devices, such as the cutoff unit 30, to identify the alarm unit 40. The detailed configurations of the processor 41 and the memory 42 are similar to those of the processor 11 and the memory 12 already described, and therefore the description thereof will not be repeated here.

[0064] The refrigerant sensor 43 detects a refrigerant leak. The processor 41 acquires sensor information from the refrigerant sensor 43. When a refrigerant leak is detected, the processor 41 generates an alarm sound from the speaker 44 and turns on the LED 45.

[0065] The processor 41 has a communication function. The processor 41 allows the communication destination to identify the source of the communication by transmitting data including the ID stored in the memory 42 to the communication destination. The processor 41 communicates with the blocking unit 30 via the communication interface 47.

[0066] [Operation of Air Conditioning Apparatus] In an air conditioning apparatus in which a shutoff unit is disposed midway along the refrigerant piping as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the number of steps required to connect the piping and the like during installation increases compared to an air conditioning apparatus that does not have a shutoff unit.

[0067] In particular, in the case of a multi-air conditioner in which multiple indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit, if there is only one shutoff unit, air conditioning will stop in all indoor units if a refrigerant leak occurs in any one indoor unit.

[0068] For this reason, it is conceivable that multiple shutoff units will be used, with each shutoff unit assigned to a different indoor unit as its subordinate indoor unit. In such a case, the piping connections will become even more complicated, and there is a possibility of mixing up the piping of the indoor units and connecting the wrong indoor unit to the shutoff unit incorrectly. The air conditioning apparatus of this embodiment is provided with a test mode that, apart from the normal mode in which operation is performed for the purpose of air conditioning, can reliably and quickly perform inspection work such as checking the operation of the shutoff valves and whether the piping is correctly connected. The test mode may also be performed as part of the trial runs performed during installation.

[0069] In normal mode, the indoor unit expansion valve changes its opening according to the set temperature, etc., but the shutoff valve is basically fixed at fully open regardless of the set temperature, etc. However, the shutoff valve does not necessarily have to be fixed at a fixed opening in normal mode; for example, the shutoff valve and the indoor unit expansion valve may be controlled in conjunction with each other. Also, if a refrigerant leak is detected in the system under the shutoff unit, the shutoff valve is controlled to be fully closed, but this is an abnormality and does not fall under normal mode.

[0070] 5 is a flowchart for explaining the control executed in the test mode. This control may be executed by any of the processors shown in FIG. 4, but in this example, the control is executed by processor 31 located in circuit breaker unit 30.

[0071] First, in step S1, the processor 31 determines whether or not a test mode has been set. For example, an installer or the like can set a piping / wiring test mode in the remote control 50 connected via the communication path L3 to the indoor unit 20 that is connected to the circuit breaker unit 30.

[0072] In step S2, in response to the setting from the remote controller 50, the processor 31 of the corresponding shutoff unit 30 closes the shutoff valve 34. At this time, the shutoff valve 34 of the shutoff unit that is not the target of the test operation is opened, allowing normal air conditioning operation.

[0073] In step S3, the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 start cooling operation with the shutoff valves 34a and 34b of the shutoff unit being tested closed and the shutoff valves 34 of the other shutoff units open. A temperature sensor installed in the indoor unit detects the refrigerant temperature, and the processor 31 acquires the refrigerant temperature via communication path L1 and starts monitoring the refrigerant temperature. In this embodiment, the test mode is executed in cooling operation, but it may also be executed in heating operation in situations such as when the indoor temperature is very low and there is no heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air even during cooling operation.

[0074] In step S4, while the compressor 141 of the outdoor unit 10 is operating in cooling mode, the processor 31 maintains the shutoff valve 34b in a fully open state, while temporarily fully closing the shutoff valve 34a and then slightly opening the shutoff valve 34a. The reason for not directly transitioning from fully open to slightly open, but inserting a fully closed state between them, is to ensure a slightly open state. Because a slight error occurs between the control pulses sent from the processor 31 to open and close the shutoff valve 34b and the actual open / closed state, it is effective to close the shutoff valve 34b once and then slightly open it in order to reset the error. Therefore, the closed state inserted between the fully open state and the slightly open state can be very short, and may be shorter than the subsequent slightly open state.

[0075] The slightly open state is a state in which a certain degree of pressure loss occurs and is smaller than that during normal air conditioning operation. For example, the opening of the shutoff valve 34a through which the liquid refrigerant passes may be set to a degree similar to the opening of an expansion valve during cooling. Specifically, the slightly open state may be set to 17% or less (excluding 0) of the fully open state of 100%. More specifically, the slightly open state is an opening indicated by a number of pulses (excluding 0) that is 1 / 6 or less of the number of pulses of the control signal that maintains the fully open state. While this may vary depending on the specifications of the shutoff valve, for example, if the number of pulses corresponding to the fully open state is 3,000 to 6,000 pulses, transmitting a control signal of 100 to 500 pulses will place the shutoff valve 34a in a slightly open state.

[0076] The degree of opening when slightly open may be changed depending on the number of indoor units connected to the shutoff unit. For example, this is because as the number of indoor units increases, the amount of refrigerant flowing to each indoor unit decreases. For example, the greater the number of indoor units connected to the shutoff unit, the greater the degree of opening when slightly open.

[0077] Next, in step S5, processor 31 identifies whether the indoor unit connected to the shutoff unit is correct based on the change in refrigerant temperature of the indoor unit associated with the shutoff unit. In step S6, it determines whether the connection between the shutoff unit and the indoor unit is correct.

[0078] The connection is judged to be correct when the temperature change exceeds a predetermined threshold. It is more preferable to judge the connection to be correct when the temperature change exceeds the threshold for a certain period of time, rather than as an instantaneous value.

[0079] If the temperature change does not exceed the threshold, at least one of the following may be performed: lengthening the slight opening time, changing the opening degree during slight opening, or changing the compressor frequency, and if there is still no change, it may be determined that the connection is incorrect.

[0080] If the connection is correct (YES in S6), the operator is notified in step S7 that the test result is normal. For example, the display 51 of the remote controller 50 that the operator operated to set the test mode displays the normal test result.

[0081] On the other hand, if the connection is not correct (NO in S6), the operator is notified in step S8 that the test result is abnormal. For example, the operator may display the abnormality in the test result on the display 51 of the remote controller 50 that he or she operated to set the test mode.

[0082] In the example of FIG. 5, the test mode is set from the remote controller 50, and the processor of the corresponding shutoff unit determines whether to connect the shutoff valve, but another processor may also make the determination.

[0083] For example, if the processor 11 of the outdoor unit 10 or the remote control 60 in the manager's room were to monitor changes in the refrigerant temperature of each indoor unit using communication paths L1 to L3, it would be possible to grasp connection errors in more detail.

[0084] For example, when the shutoff valve of shutoff unit 30 is slightly open, the refrigerant temperature is obtained from the sensors of indoor units 20a, 20b1, 20b2, and 20c. At this time, if the sensor of indoor unit 20a does not detect a change in the refrigerant temperature, but the sensor of indoor unit 20c does, it will be determined that pipes 121 and 123 have been connected to shutoff units 30a and 30c in the wrong order. Therefore, the worker will immediately know how to fix the connections.

[0085] FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing an example of the relationship between the state of the shutoff valve and the change in refrigerant temperature in the test mode.

[0086] From time t1 to t3, a test to check the connection and operation of the interruption unit 30a is performed. From time t3 to t5, a test to check the connection and operation of the interruption unit 30b is performed. From time t5 to t7, a test to check the connection and operation of the interruption unit 30c is performed.

[0087] At time t1, an operator issues a command to run a test using remote control 50a located in room A. This sends a command to shutoff unit 30a via communication paths L3 and L1, and processor 31 of shutoff unit 30a closes shutoff valve 34a, and then at time t2 opens it slightly. This causes a change in the refrigerant temperature of indoor unit 20a by -ΔT, confirming that shutoff unit 30a and indoor unit 20a are correctly connected and that shutoff valve 34a of shutoff unit 30a is operating normally.

[0088] At time t3, the operator issues a command to run a test using remote control 50b located in room B. This sends a command to shutoff unit 30b via communication paths L3 and L1, and processor 31 of shutoff unit 30b closes shutoff valve 34a, and then at time t4 opens it slightly. This causes a change in the refrigerant temperatures of both indoor units 20b1 and 20b2 by -ΔT, confirming that shutoff unit 30b and indoor units 20b1 and 20b2 are correctly connected and that shutoff valve 34a of shutoff unit 30b is operating normally.

[0089] In this way, when multiple indoor units are connected to one shutoff unit, it is possible to check the connections of multiple indoor units all at once according to the opening degree of one shutoff valve.

[0090] At time t5, the operator issues a command to run a test using remote control 50c located in room C. This sends a command to shutoff unit 30c via communication paths L3 and L1, and processor 31 of shutoff unit 30c closes shutoff valve 34a, and then at time t6 opens it slightly. This causes a change in the refrigerant temperature of indoor unit 20c by -ΔT, confirming that shutoff unit 30c and indoor unit 20c are correctly connected and that shutoff valve 34a of shutoff unit 30c is operating normally.

[0091] At time t7, the test mode ends, the shutoff valve 34a is opened, and normal cooling operation is performed thereafter.

[0092] As described above, according to the air conditioning apparatus of the present disclosure, inspection work such as checking the operation of the shutoff valve and checking whether the wiring is connected correctly can be carried out reliably and quickly.

[0093] [Summary] (Section 1) The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning apparatus 100 having a normal mode and a test mode as operating modes. The air conditioning apparatus 100 includes an outdoor unit 10, a first indoor unit 20b1, a first shutoff unit 30b that shuts off the flow of a first refrigerant pipe 120 that supplies refrigerant from the outdoor unit 10 to the first indoor unit 20b1, and a control device that controls the outdoor unit 10, the first indoor unit 20b1, and the first shutoff unit 30b. The first indoor unit 20b1 includes a first indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger 242) and a first temperature sensor 23 that detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first indoor unit 20b1. The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 141 and a heat exchanger 142. The first shutoff unit 30b includes a first shutoff valve 34a whose opening degree is changeable in response to a signal from the control device and that is configured to shut off the flow of the first refrigerant pipe 120. In the normal mode, the control device controls the first shutoff valve 34a to be open. In the test mode, the control device is configured to change the opening degree of the first shutoff valve 34a at a first point in time and determine whether the first shutoff unit 30b is correctly connected to the first indoor unit 20b1 based on a change in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 23 around the first point in time.

[0094] With this configuration, if the shutoff valve that has been opened is connected properly, the refrigerant temperature of the indoor unit connected to the shutoff unit via the communication path will tend to decrease, but if the shutoff valve is not connected, the refrigerant temperature will not tend to decrease. Therefore, the operation of the shutoff valve can be reliably detected.

[0095] (Clause 2) In the air conditioning device 100 described in clause 1, the control device is configured to fix the opening of the first shut-off valve 34a to a first opening in normal mode, and to change the first shut-off valve 34a from a closed state to a second opening smaller than the first opening at a first time point in test mode.

[0096] In this way, by slightly opening the shutoff valve 34a like an expansion valve, it is possible to change the refrigerant pressure and cause a large change in the refrigerant temperature, thereby improving detection accuracy.

[0097] (Clause 3) In the air conditioning apparatus 100 described in paragraph 2, the control device is configured to close the first shutoff valve 34a from a first opening degree for a first time period at a first time point in the test mode, then change the opening degree to a second opening degree and hold the valve at the second opening degree for a second time period, the first time period being shorter than the second time period.

[0098] (4) In the air conditioning apparatus 100 described in 3, a plurality of indoor units 20b1, 20b2 including a first indoor unit 20b1 are connected in parallel to the first shutoff unit 30b. The control device is configured to change the second opening degree according to the number of the plurality of indoor units.

[0099] (Item 5) In the air conditioning apparatus 100 described in item 1, the control device is configured to fix the opening degree of the first shutoff valve 34a to a first opening degree in normal mode, and to change the first shutoff valve 34a from the first opening degree to a second opening degree smaller than the first opening degree at a first time point in test mode. Specifically, in Figure 6, the shutoff valve 34a of the shutoff unit 30a may be opened before time t2 and changed from the open state to a slightly open state at time t2. Note that similar control may also be performed for the shutoff valve 34a of the shutoff unit 30b at time t4 and the shutoff valve 34a of the shutoff unit 30c at time t6 in Figure 6.

[0100] In this way, by slightly opening the shutoff valve 34a like an expansion valve, it is possible to change the refrigerant pressure and cause a large change in the refrigerant temperature, thereby improving detection accuracy.

[0101] (Item 6) In the air conditioning apparatus 100 described in item 1, the control device is configured to determine that the first shutoff unit 30b is correctly connected to the first indoor unit 20b1 when the amount of change in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 23 exceeds a threshold value for a certain period of time. If the amount of change does not exceed the threshold value, the control device is configured to perform at least one of lengthening the determination time, changing the amount of change in the opening degree, or changing the operating frequency of the compressor 141, and then determine again whether the amount of change exceeds the threshold value.

[0102] (Item 7) The air conditioning apparatus 100 described in item 1 further includes a second indoor unit to which refrigerant is supplied together with the first indoor unit 20b1 by the first refrigerant piping 120. The second indoor unit includes a second indoor heat exchanger and a second temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second indoor heat exchanger. In the test mode, the control device is configured to determine whether the first shut-off unit 30b is correctly connected to the first indoor unit 20b1 based on a change in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 23 around a first point in time, and to determine whether the first shut-off unit 30b is correctly connected to the second indoor unit based on a change in temperature detected by the second temperature sensor around the first point in time.

[0103] By adopting such a configuration, the connections between a plurality of indoor units and the circuit breaker unit can be checked all at once, thereby reducing the time and effort required for workers to check the connections.

[0104] (Item 8) In the air conditioning apparatus 100 described in item 1, the first indoor unit 20b1 further includes a first expansion valve. The first shut-off valve 34a is disposed between the heat exchanger 142 and the first expansion valve.

[0105] (Item 9) In the air conditioning apparatus 100 described in item 8, the outdoor unit 10 is capable of connecting the discharge port and suction port of the compressor 141 to the refrigerant circuit by switching them, and further includes a four-way valve 144 configured to reverse the flow of refrigerant. The first shut-off unit 30b further includes a second shut-off valve 34b. The second shut-off valve 34b is arranged between the first indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger 242) and the four-way valve 144. The control device is configured to close the first shut-off valve 34a and the second shut-off valve 34b in the event of a refrigerant leak in the first indoor unit 20b1.

[0106] (Item 10) The air conditioning apparatus 100 described in item 1 further includes a second indoor unit 20a and a second shutoff unit 30a that shuts off the flow of the second refrigerant piping 121 that supplies refrigerant from the outdoor unit 10 to the second indoor unit 20a. The second indoor unit 20a includes a second indoor heat exchanger 242 and a second temperature sensor 23 that detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second indoor heat exchanger 242. The second shutoff unit 30a includes a second shutoff valve 34a whose opening degree is changeable in response to a signal from the control device and that is configured to shut off the flow of the second refrigerant piping 121. In normal mode, the control device controls the second shutoff valve 34a to open. In test mode, the control device is configured to change the opening degree of the second shutoff valve 34a at a second time point different from the first time point, and to determine whether the second shutoff unit 30a is correctly connected to the second indoor unit 20a based on a change in temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 23 around the second time point.

[0107] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to detect cases where the wiring and piping of the shutoff units 30a, 30b and the indoor units 20a, 20b1, 20b2 have been swapped and connected, thereby shortening the inspection work time compared to when an operator does the work manually.

[0108] (Clause 11) In the air conditioning apparatus 100 described in clause 10, as shown in Figure 6, the control device is configured to control the second shut-off valve (shut-off valve 34a of shut-off unit 30a) so that it remains open before and after the first point in time (t3), and to control the first shut-off valve (shut-off valve 34a of shut-off unit 30b) so that it remains open before and after the second point in time (t2).

[0109] With this configuration, when there are multiple shutoff units, normal air conditioning operation can be performed in areas other than the shutoff unit being tested and the indoor units.

[0110] (Item 12) The air conditioning apparatus 100 described in item 1 further includes a display connected to the first indoor unit 20b1 and configured to be able to issue a warning by sound or display. The control device is configured to use the display to notify the result of the determination as to whether or not the first shutoff unit 30b is correctly connected to the first indoor unit 20b1.

[0111] With this configuration, when an operator commands a test to confirm the connection of the disconnecting unit and the indoor unit using the remote control, the operator can immediately know the test results at that location on a display such as the remote control.

[0112] The air conditioner is not limited to a person-oriented air conditioning system, but may include a refrigerator that performs object-oriented air conditioning.

[0113] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0114] 10 Outdoor unit, 11, 21, 31, 41 Processor, 12, 22, 32, 42 Memory, 13, 26, 27, 33, 36, 37, 47 Communication interface, 14, 24 Air conditioning mechanism, 20, 20a, 20b, 20b1, 20b2, 20c, b2 Indoor unit, 23 Sensor, 25 Sensor setting switch, 30, 30a, 30b, 30c Shutoff unit, 34, 34a, 34b Shutoff valve, 35 Standby power supply, 40, 40a, 40b1, 40b2, 40c Alarm unit, 43 Refrigerant sensor, 44 Speaker, 50, 50a, 50b2, 50b, 50b1, 50c, 60 Remote controller, 51 Display, 52 Operation unit, 100 Air conditioning device, 120, 121, 121a, 121b, 122, 123, 124, 124a, 124b piping, 141 compressor, 142, 242 heat exchanger, 143, 244 fan, 144 four-way valve, 243 expansion valve, 300 board, A, B, C rooms, L1, L2, L3 communication path.

Claims

1. An air conditioning apparatus having a normal mode and a test mode as operation modes, comprising: an outdoor unit; a first indoor unit; a first shutoff unit that shuts off flow of a first refrigerant piping that supplies refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the first indoor unit; and a control device that controls the outdoor unit, the first indoor unit, and the first shutoff unit, wherein the first indoor unit includes a first indoor heat exchanger and a first temperature sensor that detects the temperature of refrigerant flowing through the first indoor unit, the outdoor unit includes a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, the first shutoff unit comprises a first shutoff valve whose opening is configured to be changeable in response to a signal from the control device and configured to shut off the flow of the first refrigerant piping, the control device controls the first shutoff valve to open in the normal mode, and the control device is configured to change the opening of the first shutoff valve at a first point in time in the test mode, and to determine whether or not the first shutoff unit is correctly connected to the first indoor unit based on a change in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor around the first point in time.

2. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to fix the opening of the first shut-off valve to a first opening in the normal mode, and to change the first shut-off valve from a closed state at the first time point to a second opening smaller than the first opening in the test mode.

3. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control device is configured to close the first shutoff valve from the first opening degree for a first period of time at the first time point in the test mode, then change the first opening degree to the second opening degree and hold the first shutoff valve at the second opening degree for a second period of time, the first period of time being shorter than the second period of time.

4. An air conditioning apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein a plurality of indoor units including the first indoor unit are connected in parallel to the first shutoff unit, and the control device is configured to change the second opening degree according to the number of the plurality of indoor units.

5. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to fix the opening of the first shut-off valve to a first opening in the normal mode, and to change the first shut-off valve from the first opening to a second opening smaller than the first opening at the first time point in the test mode.

6. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to determine that the first shutoff unit is correctly connected to the first indoor unit when the amount of change in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor exceeds a threshold value for a certain period of time, and, when the amount of change does not exceed the threshold value, to perform at least one of lengthening the judgment time, changing the amount of change in the opening degree, or changing the operating frequency of the compressor, and to determine again whether the amount of change exceeds the threshold value.

7. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second indoor unit to which refrigerant is supplied together with the first indoor unit by the first refrigerant piping, the second indoor unit including a second indoor heat exchanger and a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second indoor heat exchanger, and the control device is configured to determine in the test mode whether or not the first shut-off unit is correctly connected to the first indoor unit based on a change in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor around the first point in time, and to determine whether or not the first shut-off unit is correctly connected to the second indoor unit based on a change in temperature detected by the second temperature sensor around the first point in time.

8. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first indoor unit further includes a first expansion valve, and the first shutoff valve is disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the first expansion valve.

9. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the outdoor unit is capable of being connected to the refrigerant circuit by swapping the discharge port and suction port of the compressor and further comprises a four-way valve configured to reverse the flow of refrigerant, the first shut-off unit further comprises a second shut-off valve, the second shut-off valve is disposed between the first indoor heat exchanger and the four-way valve, and the control device is configured to close the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve if a refrigerant leak occurs in the first indoor unit.

10. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second indoor unit; and a second shutoff unit that shuts off the flow of a second refrigerant piping that supplies refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the second indoor unit, wherein the second indoor unit includes a second indoor heat exchanger and a second temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second indoor heat exchanger, wherein the second shutoff unit comprises a second shutoff valve whose opening is configured to be changeable in response to a signal from the control device and configured to shut off the flow of the second refrigerant piping, wherein the control device controls the second shutoff valve to open in the normal mode, and wherein the control device is configured to change the opening of the second shutoff valve at a second time point different from the first time point in the test mode, and to determine whether or not the second shutoff unit is correctly connected to the second indoor unit based on the change in temperature detected by the second temperature sensor around the second time point.

11. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 10, wherein the control device is configured to control the second shutoff valve so that it remains open before and after the first point in time, and to control the first shutoff valve so that it remains open before and after the second point in time.

12. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display connected to the first indoor unit and configured to be capable of issuing a warning by sound or display, and the control device is configured to use the display to notify the result of a determination as to whether or not the first shutoff unit is correctly connected to the first indoor unit.

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