WO2019087353A1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

An air conditioner comprises: a plurality of indoor heat exchangers that are connected in parallel and that are respectively provided corresponding to a plurality of outlets for respectively blowing air in a plurality of different directions; a plurality of solenoid valves that are respectively provided on a refrigerant inlet-outlet side of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers and that conduct or block refrigerant; an indoor unit that has a plurality of fans respectively provided corresponding to the plurality of outlets; and a control device that, when a selection operation is performed, closes the solenoid valve provided on the inlet-outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger corresponding to an outlet that has not been selected and stops the fan corresponding to the outlet that has not been selected.

Description

Air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner that blows air in different directions.

Conventionally, in an indoor unit of an air conditioner capable of blowing out air in two different directions, it has been proposed to control so as to switch the magnitude of the air volume in each of the different directions (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the indoor unit of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, the air volume of the air blown out from the two outlets is controlled according to the mode selected by the remote controller. Moreover, a temperature sensor is provided in the indoor unit in the vicinity of two heat exchangers and each heat exchanger, and the indoor unit is operated from two outlets according to the detected temperature of the higher one of the temperatures detected by each temperature sensor. Control the volume of air blown out.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 6-137633

However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, since the air volume of the air blown out from the two outlets is switched, the indoor unit blows the air also in the direction in which air conditioning is unnecessary, such as the direction in which no person is present. To control.

In addition, even if the air blowout can be stopped, the indoor unit is to stop the cross flow fan corresponding to the blowout stopping blowout, so that the inflow of the refrigerant to the heat exchanger can be prevented. It does not control. That is, even when the cross flow fan is stopped, the refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger. Therefore, the heat exchanger corresponding to the stopped cross flow fan can not take in the room air, and can not exchange heat between the room air and the refrigerant. As described above, the refrigerant whose temperature is extremely low or high flows into the heat exchanger which can not exchange heat, thereby causing freezing of the heat exchanger or abnormal pressure increase or the like. There is a risk.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems in the above-mentioned prior art, and provides an air conditioner capable of suppressing an abnormality when individually operating the air volume of the air blown out from a plurality of air outlets. The purpose is to

The air conditioner according to the present invention includes a plurality of outlets for blowing out air in different directions, and a plurality of indoor heat exchangers provided in parallel corresponding to the plurality of outlets, and a plurality of indoor heat exchangers. An indoor room having a plurality of solenoid valves provided on the inlet and outlet sides of the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger, respectively, for passing and blocking the refrigerant, and a plurality of blowers provided corresponding to the plurality of the outlets, respectively. Solenoid valve provided on the inlet / outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger corresponding to a non-selected outlet when performing selective operation of blowing air from the selected outlet among the plurality of the outlets and a plurality of the outlets And a control device for stopping the blower corresponding to the non-selected outlet.

As described above, according to the present invention, the electromagnetic valves on the inlet / outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger corresponding to the outlets not selected during the selective operation are closed, and the indoor blower is stopped, thereby a plurality of outlets. The air volume of the air blown out from can be suppressed individually at the time of operation.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the control apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an internal structure at the time of seeing the indoor unit which concerns on Embodiment 1 from a side surface. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of one-sided operation processing in the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1: is schematic which shows an example of a structure of the air conditioner 100 which concerns on this Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 1, an indoor unit 2, a control device 3, and a remote controller 4. A refrigerant circuit is formed by connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 with a refrigerant pipe. Although one indoor unit 2 is connected to the outdoor unit 1 in the example shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of indoor units 2 may be connected.

[Configuration of air conditioner 100]
(Outdoor unit 1)
The outdoor unit 1 includes a compressor 11, a refrigerant flow switching device 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, and an expansion valve 14. The compressor 11 sucks in the low temperature and low pressure refrigerant, compresses the sucked refrigerant, and discharges the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant. The compressor 11 is, for example, an inverter compressor or the like whose capacity, which is a delivery amount per unit time, is controlled by changing a compressor frequency. The compressor frequency of the compressor 11 is controlled by the controller 3.

The refrigerant flow switching device 12 is, for example, a four-way valve, and switches the cooling operation and the heating operation by switching the flow direction of the refrigerant. During the cooling operation, the refrigerant flow switching device 12 is switched so that the discharge side of the compressor 11 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 are connected as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1. Further, the refrigerant flow switching device 12 switches so that the discharge side of the compressor 11 and the indoor unit 2 side are connected during the heating operation, as indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1. The switching of the flow passage in the refrigerant flow switching device 12 is controlled by the control device 3.

The outdoor heat exchanger 13 performs heat exchange between outdoor air supplied by a fan or the like (not shown) and the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as a condenser that radiates the heat of the refrigerant to the outdoor air and condenses the refrigerant during the cooling operation. Further, the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant during the heating operation and cools the outdoor air by the heat of vaporization at that time.

The expansion valve 14 expands the refrigerant. The expansion valve 14 is configured of, for example, a valve capable of controlling the opening degree such as an electronic expansion valve. The opening degree of the expansion valve 14 is controlled by the control device 3.

(Indoor unit 2)
The indoor unit 2 includes indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b, solenoid valves 22a and 22b, solenoid valves 23a and 23b, and indoor fans 24a and 24b.

The indoor heat exchanger 21a performs heat exchange between the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 24a and the refrigerant. The indoor heat exchanger 21b exchanges heat between the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 24b and the refrigerant. As a result, cooling air or heating air, which is conditioned air supplied to the indoor space, is generated. The indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b are connected in parallel to each other. The indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b function as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant during the cooling operation and cools the indoor air by heat of vaporization when the refrigerant evaporates. Further, the indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b function as a condenser that radiates the heat of the refrigerant to the indoor air and condenses the refrigerant during the heating operation.

The solenoid valve 22a is provided on one of the inlet and outlet sides of the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger 21a, and performs passage or shutoff of the refrigerant by opening and closing. The solenoid valve 22b is provided on the other of the inlet and outlet sides of the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger 21a, and passes or shuts off the refrigerant by opening and closing. The solenoid valve 23a is provided on one of the inlet and outlet sides of the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger 21b, and performs passage or shutoff of the refrigerant by opening and closing. The solenoid valve 23b is provided on the other of the inlet and outlet sides of the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger 21b, and performs passage or shutoff of the refrigerant by opening and closing. The control device 3 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valves 22a and 22b and the solenoid valves 23a and 23b.

The solenoid valve 22 a and the solenoid valve 23 a interlock with each other under the control of the control device 3 to perform the open / close operation. Specifically, the solenoid valve 22a and the solenoid valve 23a are provided on the outlet side of the refrigerant after one of the solenoid valve 22a and the solenoid valve 23a provided on the inlet side of the refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger 21a is closed. The other of the solenoid valve 22a and the solenoid valve 23a is closed.

Similarly, the solenoid valve 22 b and the solenoid valve 23 b interlock with each other under the control of the control device 3 to perform an open / close operation. Specifically, the solenoid valve 22b and the solenoid valve 23b are provided on the outlet side of the refrigerant after one of the solenoid valve 22b and the solenoid valve 23b provided on the inlet side of the refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger 21b is closed. The other of the solenoid valve 22b and the solenoid valve 23b is closed.

The indoor blower 24a supplies air to the indoor heat exchanger 21a. The indoor blower 24b supplies air to the indoor heat exchanger 21b. The number of rotations of the indoor fans 24 a and 24 b is controlled by the control device 3. By controlling the rotational speed, the amount of air blown to the indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b is adjusted. As the indoor fans 24a and 24b, for example, a cross flow fan driven by a motor or the like is used.

(Control device 3)
The control device 3 controls the overall operation of the air conditioner 100 including the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 based on, for example, setting of the remote controller 4 by the user's operation and various information received from each part of the air conditioner 100. Do. Specifically, the control device 3 controls the compressor frequency of the compressor 11, the opening degree of the expansion valve 14, and the like based on operation signals indicating various setting contents from the remote controller 4. In particular, in the first embodiment, when the control device 3 receives an operation signal instructing one-sided operation from the remote controller 4, the number of rotations of the indoor fans 24a and 24b, the solenoid valves 22a and 22b, the solenoid valve 23a and Control the opening and closing of 23b.

The control device 3 is configured by hardware such as a circuit device that realizes various functions by executing software on an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer or the like. In this example, the control device 3 is provided outside the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control device 3 may be provided in any of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 3 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 3 includes an operation determination unit 31 and an operation control unit 32.

The operation determination unit 31 determines the operation of the air conditioner 100 based on the operation signal received from the operation unit 41 of the remote controller 4. Operation determination unit 31 determines, based on the operation signal, whether to operate air conditioner 100 in normal operation or one-sided operation. Here, the normal operation refers to an operation in which air is blown out from all the air outlets provided in the indoor unit 2. The one-sided operation indicates an operation in which air is blown out from one of the two air outlets. The "one-sided operation" corresponds to the "selected operation" in the present invention.

Operation control unit 32 controls control signals for controlling the number of rotations of indoor blowers 24a and 24b, solenoid valves 22a and 22b and solenoid valves 23a and 23b according to the driving operation determined by operation determining unit 31. Generate and supply to each.

(Remote controller 4)
The remote controller 4 of FIG. 1 performs various settings such as operation mode setting, temperature setting, air volume setting and the like by the operation of the user, and controls the operation of the air conditioner 100. The remote controller 4 transmits an operation signal corresponding to the user's operation to the control device 3.

The remote controller 4 has an operation unit 41 and a display unit 42. The operation unit 41 is configured by a button or the like operated by the user. The operation unit 41 generates an operation signal according to the user's operation and transmits the operation signal to the control device 3.

In particular, in the first embodiment, it is possible to perform an operation for performing one-sided operation in which one of the plurality of air outlets is selected and operated. When the user performs an operation to select the air outlet in order to perform the one-sided operation, the operation unit 41 generates an operation signal including information indicating that the one-sided operation is performed and information indicating the selected air outlet. , Transmits to the control device 3.

The display unit 42 is configured of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The display unit 42 displays information indicating contents set by an operation on the operation unit 41, such as an operation mode, a set temperature, and an air volume.

[Structure of indoor unit 2]
FIG. 3: is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an internal structure at the time of seeing the indoor unit 2 which concerns on this Embodiment 1 from a side surface. As shown in FIG. 3, a suction port 210 for suctioning air around the indoor unit 2 is formed in the vicinity of the center of the bottom surface of the main body 200 of the indoor unit 2.

Further, at the edge of the bottom surface of the main body 200, a plurality of outlets 220a and 220b for blowing out the air sucked into the interior of the indoor unit 2 are formed. In this example, the outlets 220a and 220b are formed at each of two opposing edges of the bottom surface. The two outlets 220a and 220b are adapted to blow air in different directions.

The blower outlet 220a is provided with a flap 240a for opening and closing the blower outlet 220a. Opening and closing of the flap 240 a is controlled by the control device 3. The flap 240a has a function as an up and down wind direction plate which changes the wind direction of the up and down direction (y direction) of the air blown out from the blowout port 220a in addition to the opening and closing of the blowout port 220a.

The blower outlet 220b is provided with a flap 240b for opening and closing the blower outlet 220b. Opening and closing of the flap 240 b is controlled by the control device 3. The flap 240b has a function as an up and down wind direction plate which changes the wind direction of the up and down direction (y direction) of the air blown out from the blowout port 220a in addition to opening and closing the blowout port 220b.

In the inside of the main body 200, an air passage 230a that leads from the suction port 210 to the blowout port 220a is formed. The indoor heat exchanger 21a and the indoor blower 24a are disposed on the air passage 230a. The indoor heat exchanger 21a is formed, for example, in a V-shape so as to open toward the flow of air flowing through the air passage 230a. The indoor blower 24a takes in the room air from the suction port 210, passes the indoor heat exchanger 21a disposed around the room, and sends out the heat-exchanged air from the blowout port 220a.

Further, inside the main body 200, an air passage 230b that leads from the suction port 210 to the blowout port 220b is formed. The indoor heat exchanger 21b and the indoor blower 24b are disposed on the air passage 230b. The indoor heat exchanger 21b is formed, for example, in a V-shape so as to open toward the flow of air flowing through the air passage 230b. The indoor blower 24b takes in the room air from the suction port 210, passes the indoor heat exchanger 21b disposed around the room, and sends out the heat-exchanged air from the blowout port 220b.

Furthermore, inside the main body 200, the solenoid valves 22a and 22b and the solenoid valves 23a and 23b are provided. The solenoid valve 22a is connected to one of the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger 21a. The solenoid valve 23a is connected to the other of the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger 21a. The solenoid valve 22b is connected to one of the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger 21b. The solenoid valve 23b is connected to the other of the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger 21b.

[Operation of air conditioner 100]
Next, the operation of the refrigerant in the air conditioner 100 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 1, solid arrows indicate the flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation. The broken arrows indicate the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation.

(Cooling operation)
During the cooling operation, the refrigerant flow switching device 12 is switched so that the discharge side of the compressor 11 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 are connected as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1. Then, the low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.

The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 via the refrigerant flow switching device 12. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outdoor air taken in by a fan (not shown), condenses while radiating heat, and condenses as a high-pressure liquid refrigerant and flows out from the outdoor heat exchanger 13 Do. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is decompressed by the expansion valve 14 to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows out of the outdoor unit 1.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor unit 1 flows into the indoor unit 2. The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the indoor unit 2 branches and then flows into the indoor heat exchangers 21a and 24b via the solenoid valves 22a and 22b. The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 21a exchanges heat with room air taken in by the indoor blower 24a, absorbs heat and evaporates, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant from the indoor heat exchanger 21a leak. In addition, the low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor heat exchanger 21b exchanges heat with the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 24b, absorbs heat and evaporates, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant to become an indoor heat exchanger It flows out from 21b.

The low-pressure gas refrigerants flowing out of the indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b join after passing through the solenoid valves 23a and 23b and flow out of the indoor unit 2. The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the indoor unit 2 flows into the outdoor unit 1, passes through the refrigerant flow switching device 12, and is sucked into the compressor 11.

(Heating operation)
During the heating operation, the refrigerant flow switching device 12 is switched so that the discharge side of the compressor 11 and the indoor unit 2 side are connected as shown by the broken line in FIG. 1. Then, the low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.

The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows out of the outdoor unit 1 through the refrigerant flow switching device 12 and flows into the indoor unit 2. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the indoor unit 2 branches, and then flows into the indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b through the solenoid valves 23a and 23b.

The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 21a exchanges heat with the indoor air taken in by the indoor blower 24a, condenses while radiating heat, and condenses as high-pressure liquid refrigerant and flows out from the indoor heat exchanger 21a . Further, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 21b exchanges heat with the indoor air taken in by the indoor blower 24b, condenses while radiating away heat, and condenses as a high-pressure liquid refrigerant from the indoor heat exchanger 21b leak.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b merges after passing through the solenoid valves 22a and 22b, and flows out of the indoor unit 2. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the indoor unit 2 flows into the outdoor unit 1. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 1 is decompressed by the expansion valve 14 to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with outdoor air taken in by a fan (not shown), absorbs heat and evaporates, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant to form the outdoor heat exchanger 13 Flow out of The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 passes through the refrigerant flow switching device 12 and is drawn into the compressor 11.

(Normal operation and one-sided operation)
Here, in the first embodiment, a normal operation of blowing air from all the air outlets 220a and 220b and a one-sided operation of blowing air only from the partial air outlets 220a or 220b selected by the user are performed. When normal operation is performed in the air conditioner 100 in the example shown in FIG. 1, air is blown out from both of the two air outlets 220a and 220b. Therefore, the solenoid valves 22a and 22b and the solenoid valves 23a and 23b are in the open state.

On the other hand, in the case of one-sided operation, air is blown out from the selected one of the two outlets 220a and 220b. Therefore, the solenoid valve 22a and the solenoid valve 23a, or the solenoid valve 22b and the solenoid valve 23b provided on the inlet / outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21a or 21b corresponding to the other outlet 220a or 220b not selected are closed. It is assumed.

Also, the indoor blowers 24a or 24b corresponding to the outlets 220a or 220b not selected are stopped. Furthermore, the flaps 240a or 240b provided at the non-selected outlets 220a or 220b are closed.

Specifically, for example, when the air outlet 220a is selected, the solenoid valve 22b and the solenoid valve 23b provided on the inlet / outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21b corresponding to the outlet 220b not selected are closed. . Further, the indoor blower 24b for supplying the indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 21b is stopped, and the flap 240b provided at the outlet 220b is closed.

[One-side operation processing]
The process during one-sided operation according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the one-side operation process in the indoor unit 2 according to the first embodiment. First, in a state in which the normal operation is performed in step S1, in step S2, the control device 3 instructs the one-side operation of the air conditioner 100 based on the operation signal received by the operation of the operation unit 41 by the user. Decide whether or not.

When one-sided operation is instructed (step S2; Yes), in step S3, the control device 3 controls the refrigerant inlet side solenoid valve of the indoor heat exchanger 21a or 21b corresponding to the outlet 220a or 220b not selected. 22a and 23a or the solenoid valves 22b and 23b are closed. Then, in step S4, the control device 3 controls the solenoid valves 22a and 23a or the solenoid valves 22b and 23b provided on the refrigerant outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21a or 21b corresponding to the outlet 220a or 220b not selected. Close On the other hand, when the one-sided operation is not instructed (step S2; No), the process returns to step S1 and the normal operation is continued.

Next, in step S5, the control device 3 stops the indoor blower 24a or 24b for blowing indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 21a or 21b corresponding to the outlet 220a or 220b not selected. Also, in step S6, the control device 3 closes the flaps 240a or 240b of the air outlets 220a or 220b that are not selected. Thus, the one-sided operation is performed in step S7.

Next, in step S8, the control device 3 determines whether normal operation of the air conditioner 100 has been instructed based on the operation signal received by the user's operation on the operation unit 41. When the normal operation is instructed (Step S8; Yes), the control device 3 stops the compressor 11 in Step S9.

In step S10, the control device 3 opens the solenoid valves 22a and 23a or the solenoid valves 22b and 23b closed in steps S3 and S4. Then, in step S11, the control device 3 operates the compressor 11.

On the other hand, when the normal operation is not instructed in step S8 (step S8; No), the process returns to step S7, and the one-sided operation is continued. Thereafter, the processing of steps S1 to S11 is repeated.

In the first embodiment, when switching from single-sided operation to normal operation, controller 3 stops compressor 11 and then opens solenoid valve 22a and 23a or solenoid valve 22b and 23b, and then compressor 11 Drive. This is to suppress the occurrence of condensation and the like caused by the temperature difference between the refrigerants flowing through the indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b.

When switching from single-sided operation to normal operation without stopping the operation of the compressor 11 and opening the closed solenoid valves 22a and 23a or 22b and 23b, the temperature between the two indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b There is a difference. As described above, when a temperature difference occurs between the indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b, the balance of the temperature distribution of the indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b, which usually has a uniform refrigerant temperature distribution, is lost, and the capacity decreases or Condensation or the like may occur inside the indoor unit 2. Therefore, in the first embodiment, in order to reset the temperature state of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchangers 21a and 21b, the compressor 11 is stopped when switching from the one-side operation to the normal operation.

(Concrete example)
The one-side operation process shown in FIG. 4 will be described using a specific example. Here, a case will be described by way of example in which the one-side operation in which the air is blown out only from the air outlet 220a is instructed during the cooling operation.

First, in the state where the normal operation is being performed (step S1), an operation to perform the one-side operation of blowing out air only from the blowout port 220a is performed by the operation of the operation unit 41 by the user. The operation unit 41 generates an operation signal including information indicating that one-sided operation is to be performed and information indicating that the air outlet 220a is selected, and transmits the operation signal to the control device 3.

The control device 3 receives the operation signal from the operation unit 41, and determines, based on the received operation signal, whether one-sided operation of the air conditioner 100 is instructed (step S2). In this case, the operation signal includes information indicating that one-sided operation is to be performed and information indicating that the air outlet 220a is selected. Therefore, the control device 3 determines that the one-sided operation of blowing out the air only from the blowout port 220a is instructed (step S2; Yes).

Therefore, the control device 3 closes the solenoid valve 22b on the refrigerant inlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21b corresponding to the outlet 220b not selected (step S3). Thereafter, the control device 3 closes the solenoid valve 23b on the outlet side of the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger 21b (step S4). Then, the control device 3 stops the indoor blower 24b corresponding to the indoor heat exchanger 21b and closes the flap 240b provided in the blowout port 220b (steps S5 and S6). Thereby, the one side operation which blows off air only from the blower outlet 220a is performed (step S7).

Thereafter, when an operation to perform the normal operation is performed by the operation of the operation unit 41 by the user while the one-side operation is being performed, the operation unit 41 generates an operation signal including information indicating that the normal operation is to be performed. And transmits the generated operation signal to the control device 3.

The control device 3 receives the operation signal from the operation unit 41, and determines whether normal operation of the air conditioner 100 is instructed based on the received operation signal (step S8). In this case, since the operation signal includes information indicating that the normal operation is performed, the control device 3 determines that the normal operation is instructed (Step S8; Yes). Therefore, after stopping the compressor 11, the control device 3 opens the solenoid valve 22b and the solenoid valve 23b to operate the compressor 11 (steps S9 to S11).

Thus, in the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment, the normal operation and the one-side operation are switched based on the user's instruction, and only the outlet 220a or 220b selected by the user during one-side operation. Air is blown out from the house.

As described above, in the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment, the control device 3 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valves 22a and 22b and the solenoid valves 23a and 23b based on an operation on the remote controller 4 by the user. Then, when single-sided operation is instructed, the solenoid valves 22a and 23a or the solenoid valves 22b and 23b on the inlet / outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21a or 21b corresponding to the outlet 220a or 220b not selected are closed. In addition, the control device 3 stops the indoor blower 24a or 24b corresponding to the outlet 220a or 220b not selected.

As a result, the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in the indoor heat exchanger 21a or 21b corresponding to the outlet 220a or 220b not selected is not performed, and the air flow is stopped. Therefore, the abnormality at the time of operating separately the volume of the air which blows off from the some blower outlets 220a and 220b can be suppressed.

Further, the controller 3 closes the flaps 240a or 240b provided to the non-selected outlets 220a or 220b when performing the selective operation. As a result, the outlet of the air passage 230a or 230b leading to the non-selected outlet 220a or 220b is shut off, so that the selection operation can be performed more reliably.

Furthermore, the air conditioner 100 further includes the remote controller 4. This allows the user to indicate either normal driving or selective driving.

The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described first embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is possible. In the above-mentioned example, although the case where one side operation which blows out air only from a part of blow out was performed was explained, for example, the number of rotations of an indoor blower is changed based on the instruction from a user, and the air from each blow out The amount of air flow may be varied.

Moreover, although the example mentioned above demonstrated the one-sided driving | operation when two blower outlets were provided, the number of blower outlets is not restricted to two. For example, even when three or more outlets are provided, an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, and a solenoid valve corresponding to each outlet can be used to perform single-sided operation as in the first embodiment. It can be carried out.

Reference Signs List 1 outdoor unit, 2 indoor unit, 3 controller, 4 remote controller, 11 compressor, 12 refrigerant flow switching device, 13 outdoor heat exchanger, 14 expansion valve, 21a, 21b indoor heat exchanger, 22a, 22b solenoid valve , 23a, 23b Solenoid valve, 24a, 24b Indoor fan, 31 operation determination unit, 32 operation control unit, 41 operation unit, 42 display unit, 100 air conditioner, 200 main body, 210 suction port, 220a, 220b outlet, 230a , 230b wind path, 240a, 240b flap.

Claims (3)

A plurality of air outlets each blowing air in different directions;
A plurality of indoor heat exchangers respectively provided corresponding to the plurality of air outlets and connected in parallel;
A plurality of solenoid valves provided respectively on the inlet and outlet sides of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers for passing and blocking the refrigerant;
An indoor unit having a plurality of blowers respectively provided corresponding to the plurality of air outlets;
When performing a selective operation of blowing out air from a selected one of the plurality of outlets, the electromagnetic valve provided on the inlet / outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger corresponding to the unselected outlet is closed. An air conditioner comprising: a control device for stopping a blower corresponding to the outlet not selected. The indoor unit is
It further has a plurality of flaps provided in each of a plurality of the above-mentioned outlet,
The controller is
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the selective operation is performed, the flap provided at the outlet not selected is closed. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a remote controller that instructs any one of normal operation or selected operation in which air is blown from all the air outlets.

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